Beauty Queen “Beauty Tukura” indeed looks good in just about anything. But when it comes to posing for a photoshoot, the reality star proves time and again that you can be comfortable, fun, or even tell a beautiful story without uttering words.
In 2023, Inkblot Presents has launched 4 big screen titles “Love in a Pandemic”, “Big Love”, “A Weekend to Forget” as well as the co-produced title “Small Talk”
The production company has filmed 4 more titles in 2023 and will see these titles released at the box office or on a streaming service. See below titles that have been filmed this year and are yet to be released
An Isioma Osaje Directed Film – Stars Jide Kene, Adesuwa Etomi, Blossom Chuwkujekwu, Seun Ajayi, Layi Wasabi in leading roles
A Dimeji Ajibola Directed Title – Stars Nancy Isime, Olumide Owuru, Nosa Rex
An Adeoluwa “Captain Degzy” Directed title – Stars Natse Jemide, Osas Ighodaro, Bimbo Akintola
The above titles are yet to be officially confirmed for naming, however, a 2024 release is in sight barring any last-minute changes
Recall, that in December 2022, @inkblotpresents struck the first Nigerian licensing deal with Global Streamer, Prime Video. The terms of the deal dictate that the streamer takes exclusive, worldwide rights for Inkblot’s slate of releases, post their theatrical runs
By our calculations, the deal is past its mid-year mark with the studio aiming to mark 7/8 title releases in a yearly cycle per arrangements with the prime video executives
Shock can also reliably confirm that some of the filmed titles are now marked for a direct-to-streaming debut and may not have a theatrical run
In a candid conversation with Zane Lowe on “Apple Music 1,” Afrobeats sensation Davido revealed the inspiration behind his upcoming “Are We African Yet? (A.W.A.Y.)” Festival in Atlanta this weekend, November 18. The festival, billed as a single-day “music festival and cultural experience,” aims to unite the African diaspora and non-Africans through a shared celebration of African roots and culture.
Davido delved into his latest album, “Timeless,” his global success, his connection with fellow music icon Akon, and the ever-increasing worldwide popularity of African music. He also shared his electrifying energy when immersing himself in the vibrant city of Lagos.
Davido on his ambitions beyond music and his festival “Are We African Yet?”
So years ago it was the other way around where it’s like the same way we have people coming to Africa, which we love, investing, bringing their own culture over there. Having festivals, in the same way, we should do the same over here. And that’s why I’m having this festival that’s going to be coming every year-
I want to give [different artists] the opportunity to come every year, different times to come and perform. Because they have fans here and they don’t know. Because internet, all you got to do is just drop a song out on TikTok and it’s gone. Somebody a billion miles away, it could be their best song and you wouldn’t even know.
I feel like we got to own our culture too. We can’t wait for somebody to bring the idea and be like, “Yo, Afrobeats is growing.” Let’s go register for African Coachella or something like that. I’m like, “No, we got to do this ourselves because this is ours. So we got to own it.” Down the line if somebody wants to partner…
But the vision I have, I’m talking 10 years, 20 years down the line. The vision I have is to create it to be something that is for the culture, not particularly mine. I might be behind it producing it, All of that. But it’s something I’m doing for the culture, which Atlanta definitely is going to have the first couple, but we’ve spoken about definitely moving it around because we are everywhere. So I can see maybe LA, I can see Toronto, definitely. So we’re definitely going to move it around.
Davido on Lagos and the energy in comparison to other major cities
Yeah, [Lagos is] like New York. Okay. I’ll say these are cities that I’ve been to I can say, New York. I haven’t been to Tokyo, but somewhere like Tokyo. London, definitely Kingston. Kingston. Lagos is very, very fast-paced. The horns. The market. And everything is in Lagos. You have the parts in Lagos where it looks like Miami. You got the parts in Lagos where it looks like … You know what I’m saying? So everything is Lagos. That city is a whole country in one, kind of. And I’ll say this every time, if you can survive in Lagos, you can survive anywhere in the world.
The vibe in Lagos, musically for me, that’s where I go back. And it is also called tapping in with the streets. We travel so much. We are touring. You know what I’m saying? We never really get time to be at home. So every time I get home, I’m so excited. I’m like, “Yeah!”
On how the perception of African music has changed
Now, I met somebody in the airport, he was like he grew up in America. “And years ago, the narrative of being African was not as cool as it is now. Thank you. Now we’re proud. They can ask us, ‘Where are you from?’ And I’ll say, ‘I’m from Nigeria.’ And they’re like, ‘Oh, I love Nigerian music, man.’ Or they’re like, ‘Oh, I love Nigerian food, man.’” So it is different from years ago when people weren’t really proud to say where they were from.
The shows, before I left, nobody would buy a show, to a Nigerian artist’s show, except that there was an American artist like Usher. We’ve had Chris Brown come previously, we’ve had 50 Cent, Ja Rule, name it, Shaggy, anybody. But when I got back years later, it changed. They weren’t playing Western music anymore. The radio was playing all Nigerian music. The shows were booked by all Nigerian artists, crazy shows. That’s when D’banj, 2Face, P Square, and it started going crazy, like coming to America, making a $100,000 a show type. So I’m looking like, “Boy, I’m about to switch.” Because I’m like, “This is really where I’m from.”
Davido on his success and where he is in his life right now
Definitely. I’m definitely in a different space. You know what I’m saying? I think to attain this level, it takes a lot of concentration as well over the years. Music is fun to me. You know what I’m saying? That’s the beauty of it. For me, the way I fell into being an artist, was kind of … I don’t want to say a mistake, but I was just called to be an artist. I started off as a producer and engineer. I wanted to be behind the scenes for various reasons. I was still in school.
Davido on how his album “Timeless” felt like a healing process
Me and the engineer. I actually recorded most of this album in my house where I live with my wife. So it was really only me, her and her sisters at the time, and then I had one of my boys staying with me. But it gave me time to really calm down and yeah, it was a healing process because I was happy that, oh, I’m waking up today. I’m making music today. You know what I’m saying? I’m excited.
It felt like I was just an artist that just got signed and just given the opportunity to show what he can do with this record so I was really, really excited about it.
Davido on how “Timeless” came to be
I used to wake up, I remember, sometimes I’d be tired. So, what I used to do is that I’d play, because I was in the gym, the songs that I had made for the album. It was 28 songs after we’d kind of trickled it down, so I’d play the album from one to 28. So the whole time I’m gyming, I’m happy, it’s new music, I’m already imagining. I’m already imagining how people going to react to it. I’m imagining, I was a little kid, and I’ve been doing this for 12 years and it felt like this is the first time I’m ever going to drop music. It’s the first time I’m about to go back on the road. You know what I’m saying? And I wanted the music to be so good because I already knew, me coming back, a lot of people were really, really expecting the album. But I didn’t want to just come out and be like, “Yeah, he’s been through a lot. We’re going to support him.”
Yeah. So, like I was saying, in the gym, I’d play it, play it, play it. And we finally picked the songs and everything just came together. Everything would just come together, even with the ideas. I had signed two new artists at the time, that I was working with, Morravey and Logos. They’re on the album as well. She drops, I think, this month or next month. So, I was excited about a lot. I’ll go to Morravey and she’s on Track 3, In the Garden. So, I’d wake up, you know what I’m saying? Because this is two months till I got to turn in my album. So, I ain’t leave the house for seven months. So, I’m kind of leaving the house a bit, going to the studio and back, coming home early. But you know what I’m saying? Still stepping out and just watching her record, she gave me inspiration to, yo.
Davido on how the “Timeless” project was different from his previous albums
Recently, it’s changed. You know what I’m saying? I’ve always been that artist that I want to be at home. I’m trying to be home except I’m touring. But with this Timeless album, I put so much into it, and it came with so much emotion because I was out for six, seven months with my family, so I had time to really … This is the first project where it was like, normally we in the studio with 50 people. You know how it is. Drinking over here, smoking over here, partying. That’s how it’s always been. Even the type of music I make, if you listen to it from back, it’s party music, it’s pop, pop, pop. But with this record, it was my one-on-one with the producer.
I remember when we were doing the cover for Timeless, I was like, “Yo, what’s this timeless music? Yeah, it is going to have something to do with time, but I want to also represent patience.” So, that’s how I thought of the hourglass. You know what I’m saying?
Davido on being a producer and an engineer first
Yeah, because when I make music, I’m already thinking, “Okay, how’s the EQ going to be on the high hat? How’s everything going to sound?” I’m really, really big on it, I do like five, six mixes per record, whereas an artist just leaves all that to the producer. I’m in the studio with the producer. We’re going back and forth. Even if I’m not physically there, we are on WhatsApp, and we talking like, “Yo, this doesn’t sound right.” blah, blah, blah. I call my friends up, my friends that own a lounge or whatever. Like, “Yo, empty the club or give me a room in the club. I’m coming.” And I just play the album.
But I’m happy that me being an engineer, not only for me from an artist, for the artist I work with, I’m saying, I’m like, “Yo, I think you should do it like this. Do it like this.” It’s helped me, I say, 300%.
Davido on how he’s changed and has a mission
You asked me that question about how I move back home. You know what I’m saying? The regular me, I’d be home right now. I’ll be like, “Yo, can we do this on Zoom?” But I’m saying, now it’s like, not only me, even my colleagues, we have a mission. We’re like ambassadors now. You know what I’m saying? We’re ambassadors to the culture now. They’re like, “Yo, yo, flat go out there and change the narrative.” You know what I’m saying? So, when we go home, it’s now a thing of, yo man, I love when people come up to me and be like, “Yo, thank you, man. You guys don’t know what you guys are doing for us.”
Davido on having a place where he can listen to music away from being a “superstar”
Yo. So funny. I concentrate the most on a plane. I don’t join no wifi. I put my headphones in and I just go through records and I just really listen. That’s when I’m really tapped out. That’s one place I really focus.
Yeah, I like that. But I definitely love when it comes to recording and curating records, I love being at home in Lagos. Even if I record in a studio out here or in Atlanta, the idea is always from, I always bring it from Lagos.
On his relationship with Akon
Even just back home, the people that really opened my eyes. It was like Akon, of course, we knew he was African and he used to definitely come back home for shows. I’m talking about an artist that we saw in Nigeria, who grew up with us and took over the world. My first vision of that was D’banj Oliver Twist.
The High Court in the Federal Capital Territory has directed the detention of Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, at the Kuje Correctional Centre until his bail request is decided.
Emefiele is facing trial for alleged procurement fraud, with the proceedings finally taking place on Friday after being delayed three times.
Initially facing 20 charges of procurement fraud amounting to N6.5 billion, the Federal Government reduced it to six charges totaling over N1 billion for his arraignment on Friday.
Despite Emefiele’s counsel seeking bail, the judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, deferred a bench ruling, stating the need to review cited authorities and examine the exhibits.
Emefiele was ordered to remain in Kuje prison until the bail application is determined, and the case is adjourned for a ruling on November 22 and trial commencement on November 28.
This remand order follows a previous release to his lawyers on November 8 after spending 151 days in detention, as ordered by Justice Olukayode Adeniyi.
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, clarified that Oladokun Ayomide, a final year student, had no harmful intentions towards his girlfriend, Ugbokwe Mmasichukwu, and another lady, Odumosu Semilore.
The school responded to a report by PUNCH Metro about Ayomide’s arrest by the Ogun State Police Command over allegations of poisoning.
The police claimed Ayomide administered a substance, including brownie cakes and alcohol, leading to the unintentional intoxication of the girls.
FUNAAB stated that charges were dropped due to the lack of malicious intent, emphasizing the cakes contained a high level of alcohol. Ayomide was released on bail after a settlement by the parents.
The Central Bank of Nigeria has declared that its monetary policy reforms are yielding positive results for the nation’s economy.
In response to the recently disclosed October inflation rate, the CBN, through its Director of the Corporate Communications Department, Isa AbdulMumin, pledged a return to evidence-based monetary policies to instill confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.
CBN Governor Dr. Yemi Cardoso emphasized the urgency to discontinue unorthodox monetary policies and foreign currency management.
Despite a slight increase in October’s inflation to 27.33%, the CBN emphasized the gradual impact of its money market reforms, citing the effectiveness of its monetary policy stance in achieving desired results.
AbdulMumin highlighted the leadership’s commitment to stabilize the naira and reduce inflation, with ongoing efforts to fulfill the core mandate of the apex bank.
Rentease, a Nigerian property technology firm, made a remarkable debut in the real estate arena during its official market launch on Friday, November 10th, 2023.
The event, held at the Zone Tech Park Gbagada, unveiled cutting-edge solutions tailored for renters and the broader real estate sector in Lagos and across Nigeria.
By introducing a model that allows tenants to manage their rent conveniently through monthly repayments, Rentease is pioneering a transformative solution to the rental landscape in Nigeria.
This innovative approach aims to redefine the rental experience, providing tenants and property owners with unprecedented convenience and financial flexibility.
Through Rentease’s groundbreaking credit structure, tenants can easily set up automatic monthly payments and monitor their rental history, while property owners benefit from a streamlined process that ensures consistent cash flow and mitigates the risk of late or missed payments.
Rentease’s market launch underscored its commitment to revolutionizing the way Nigerians rent properties by offering a seamless and transparent platform.
With its user-friendly interface and extensive property listings, Rentease seeks to simplify the rental process, providing renters with a diverse array of options.
The event, attended by notable figures such as Rentease Chairman Adegbenga Alamu, Managing Director Tope Adewoye, Lafarge Representatives, Ecraan Members, potential customers, and members of the press, showcased the company’s pioneering approach to simplifying the rental process.
Tope Adewoye, Managing Director of Rentease, expressed the company’s vision: “We aim to introduce a monthly rental payment culture aligned with international norms, simplifying the lives of the average Nigerian.
Our approach begins with tenants, paving the way for landlords to embrace this transformative change.”
Rentease’s strategic entry into the market reflects a proactive response to the evolving landscape of the Nigerian real estate market.
By leveraging cutting-edge technology, the company seeks to enhance transparency, operational efficiency, and financial accessibility within the sector.
As Rentease assumes a pivotal role in the Nigerian property technology sector, the company is dedicated to reshaping the Nigerian property landscape and revolutionizing how individuals engage in property transactions.
With a commitment to continual innovation and prioritizing customer satisfaction, Rentease aspires to emerge as a trusted partner, reshaping the dynamics of real estate in Nigeria.
Rentease Chairman, Mr. Alamu, affirmed, “Rentease is committed to providing homes and solutions for Nigerians, and this is only the start.
We have a range of innovative products in development that we are excited to release into the market.”
Rentease stands poised to significantly impact the lives of Nigerians by introducing an easier monthly rent payment system, freeing them to focus on broader financial goals.
For more information, visit www.myrentease.co and follow on Instagram: @myrentease.
In an exclusive interview, we had the privilege of sitting down with Idunnuoluwa Oluwatola, a highly experienced professional in the realm of Technology Risk, showcasing an impressive track record at Ernst and Young U.S. LLP. Idunnuoluwa’s wealth of experience across diverse technology ecosystems on different continents brings a unique and invaluable perspective to the forefront.
She has collaborated with numerous Fortune 500 companies, aiding them in mitigating technology risks and fostering consistent growth. We are thrilled to tap into her extensive expertise.
**Q: Idunnuoluwa, thank you for being with us today. Could you share your journey and how you ventured into the realm of Technology Risk and consulting?**
**Idunnuoluwa:** I appreciate the opportunity to be here. My career journey began with internships during my undergraduate days at Covenant University as an accounting major. Working with two of the big four global audit firms exposed me to business risks, data protection, and policies mitigating these risks. Joining Ernst and Young after graduation, I delved into the Technology risk department, auditing IT environments for clients in various sectors. Three years into my career, I pursued an MBA to prepare for more strategic roles. Now, as a senior technology risk consultant at Ernst and Young in the U.S., I focus on larger projects with diverse teams, primarily in the financial services industry. My success lies in analyzing client IT environments, effective communication, and proposing solutions to address complex technology risk issues and regulatory compliance.
**Q: Your career path is truly impressive. Can you provide insights into the specific challenges and opportunities you see in the African startup landscape, especially in technology and risk management?**
**Idunnuoluwa:** Certainly. The African startup landscape holds promise but faces challenges such as limited resources and funding, talent acquisition issues, economic volatility, and a fast-paced technological and regulatory environment. However, opportunities lie in untapped markets across various sectors, especially in innovative solutions for healthcare, agriculture, finance, and education. Fintech, particularly in Nigeria, has disrupted traditional banking, fostering financial inclusion and innovation. To navigate successfully, startups should adopt robust risk management practices aligned with business objectives, understand regulatory requirements, and maintain a strong security posture.
**Q: How can African startups better prepare themselves to tackle these challenges and emerge as successful players in the global market?**
**Idunnuoluwa:** African startups can focus on key areas like thorough risk assessment, staying informed about regulatory landscapes, strategic technology selection, talent acquisition and training, forming strategic partnerships, continuous monitoring, and fostering adaptability and resilience. By combining these strategies with a commitment to innovation, quality, and adaptability, African startups can position themselves for success in both local and global markets.
**Q: Idunnuoluwa, given your expertise in technology risk and your roots in Nigeria, what do you think the current administration in Nigeria can do to harness the vast technology and talent potential of the country more effectively, and what are they already doing right?**
**Idunnuoluwa:** Nigeria holds immense potential in technology and talent. The government is on the right track by recognizing the importance of the tech industry and appointing a minister with experience in African startups. To harness potential effectively, the government can invest in education, ensure digital infrastructure reliability, support startups through policies and programs, and strengthen cybersecurity and data protection regulations. Initiatives like the National Digital Economy Policy, the 3 Million Technical Talent program, and previous youth-focused initiatives show positive steps. Creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology investment is crucial for Nigeria to fully harness its potential.
**Q: Idunnuoluwa, as the global economy faces uncertainty and downturns, how do you see the economic challenges affecting technology startups, both in Nigeria and on a global scale, and what steps can they take to mitigate these risks?**
**Idunnuoluwa:** The global economic downturn poses challenges for technology startups globally and in Nigeria, including reduced consumer spending, disrupted supply chains, and uncertain funding opportunities. To mitigate these risks, startups should diversify markets and revenue streams, optimize operational costs, explore alternative funding sources, prioritize customer needs and satisfaction, strengthen cybersecurity measures, and collaborate with other startups and governmental bodies. Adapting, pivoting, and demonstrating resilience in the face of economic challenges will position startups not only to survive but thrive in the long run.
**Q: Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things are rapidly evolving. How do you see these technologies shaping the future of technology startups in Nigeria and globally, and what advice would you give to startups to stay ahead of the curve in this fast-paced environment?**
**Idunnuoluwa:** Emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and IoT present opportunities for startups, offering innovative solutions, improved efficiency, and enhanced customer experiences. Staying ahead requires continuous learning, adaptability, collaboration, security, and regulatory compliance. Understanding how these technologies apply to specific industries, exploring partnerships, and prioritizing cybersecurity are vital. Startups embracing innovation, staying informed, and adapting will gain a competitive edge in the dynamic tech industry.
**Q: Lastly, Idunnuoluwa, what would be your top piece of advice for African startups looking to make their mark in the global arena?**
**Idunnuoluwa:** My top advice is to stay resilient, learn from failures, and prioritize robust risk management strategies, especially when entering new markets or dealing with regulatory complexities. Ensure IT environments are protected against unauthorized access, changes, and operations. Strong internal controls implemented early on are key to adapting to exponential growth. By focusing on technology risk management and resilience, startups can pave the way for global recognition and success.
Kenyan eCommerce startup Copia Global is launching a strategic initiative to boost sales through its mobile app, leveraging the widespread ownership of smartphones among Kenyans, with approximately 63.9 million registered mobile connections as of January 2023. Founded in 2013 by Tracey Turner and Jonathan Lewis, Copia employs a network of 50,000 agents for order pickup and delivery, having secured $107 million in funding since its inception.
With a customer base of two million, predominantly engaging through in-person, USSD, or phone orders for electronics, packaged foods, and household items, Copia aims to shift its offline users to the mobile app through this campaign.
Building on a successful past effort that increased app usage from 5% to 80%, the company plans to replicate this success by extending smartphone financing options to its customers, enabling them to purchase smartphones and higher-value items through convenient installment plans.
Notably, Copia has previously directed attention to smartphone usage among its agents, illustrating a proactive approach to technological integration.
In a recent development, the company announced the suspension of its operations in Uganda in April 2023, redirecting its focus on strengthening operations within Kenya.
Paycorp, a South African fintech company, has launched CryptoExpress, an innovative app enabling users to withdraw their cryptocurrency as South African rand from approximately 3,000 ATMs nationwide.
This seamless integration with various cryptocurrency wallets, operating under the Paycorp subsidiary ATM Solutions, offers users a secure and encrypted experience, including a feature to locate nearby Cash Express ATMs.
The CryptoExpress app, available on iOS and Android since its testing phase in April 2023, supports the cashing out of bitcoin, ether, and stablecoins like USD coin and tether.
To convert cryptocurrency to cash, users authorize the transaction in their wallet, wait for CryptoExpress to provide a withdrawal voucher PIN, and then proceed to any Cash Express ATM, entering their mobile number and PIN for South African Rand withdrawal.
Paycorp Group CEO Steven Kark emphasizes the accessibility of these ATMs, strategically placed in urban and rural areas, at forecourts, informal and formal retailers, and hospitality locations.
This contrasts with the limited presence of Bitcoin ATMs, primarily located in major cities rather than spread across diverse regions.
The introduction of CryptoExpress by Paycorp marks a transformative moment for the South African cryptocurrency market, providing a practical and widespread means of cash withdrawal.
This move positions Paycorp as a comprehensive financial services provider, bridging traditional and emerging payment systems.
The surge in cryptocurrency adoption across Africa, particularly in Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria, aligns with recent trends.
A Chainalysis report notes that regulation has spurred increased exchange activity in Sub-Saharan Africa, with South Africa leading the way in creating favorable trading environments.
Notably, regulatory steps taken by South Africa, such as adding clauses to advertising practices and requiring licenses for cryptocurrency financial companies, contribute to legal clarity, combat illicit activities, and facilitate trading.
South Africa’s proactive regulatory approach is showcased by partnerships with 47 other nations to combat tax evasion by NFT and other cryptocurrency traders.
This collaborative effort underscores the nation’s commitment to transparency and regulation in the evolving landscape of digital assets.
Paystack is streamlining its workforce to focus more on its activities within Africa.
The fintech, with a staff range of 51 to 200 according to its LinkedIn profile, is letting go of 33 employees in Europe and the UAE.
Those affected will receive comprehensive severance packages, including four months’ salary, accelerated equity vesting, and three months of health insurance.
Founded in 2015 by Shola Akinlade and Ezra Olubi, Paystack aimed to address the challenges of online payment transactions in Africa.
Recently acquired by Stripe for over $200 million, the company continues to operate independently.
Akinlade explained a shift in their hiring philosophy, emphasizing placing team members within the markets they serve.
While Paystack deepens its operations in Africa, it operates in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya.
Recent expansions into Egypt and Rwanda, along with partnerships for financial services in Côte d’Ivoire, demonstrate the company’s commitment to refining its platform and providing a seamless payment experience in various markets.
On November 9, 2023, Paystack introduced a direct debit product for Nigerian businesses, allowing them to charge customers’ bank accounts directly.
Additionally, the October 2023 launch of Paystack Virtual Terminal enables physical stores to accept and confirm bank transfers independently, streamlining payment processes.
