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The World Bank emphasizes the imperative for Nigeria’s cash transfer program to extend its reach to households

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Merely 0.1% of the intended impoverished and vulnerable households have thus far received the Federal Government’s newly introduced monthly cash transfer of N25,000.

The World Bank’s Lead Economist for Nigeria, Alex Sienaert, revealed this data during the presentation of the Nigeria Development Update in December 2023.

The government aims to provide N25,000 per month for three months to low-income households, with 1.5 million households currently benefiting.

Sienaert anticipates reaching five million households by the end of December, implying that only 0.1% of the targeted 15 million households have received payments.

Despite the country’s severe challenges, 99.9% of the intended recipients are still awaiting their monthly cash transfers.

Challenges in disbursement may be attributed to a low number of poor and vulnerable individuals possessing National Identity Numbers (NIN), a prerequisite for receiving the cash transfer.

The target was a 20% registration in the National Social Registry with a valid NIN by June 30, 2022.

However, by December 31, 2022, only 0.10% of the impoverished and vulnerable Nigerians on the registry had obtained NIN, resulting in approximately 9,670 beneficiaries out of the total 9,666,420 having NIN.

Emphasizing the pivotal role of NIN, the World Bank Lead Economist for Nigeria highlighted that the State Social Registers are undergoing a rigorous verification process, collaborating with federal and state entities.

During this process, beneficiaries will be assisted in enrolling for NIN to broaden coverage and utilization of the national identity number.

Sanwo-Olu actively seeks investors to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged both local and international investors to collaborate with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state, aiming to elevate their products and services for entry into the African Continental Free Trade Area and the global market.

Emphasizing the potential for a substantial return on investment, the governor, represented by Commissioner Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, highlighted the significance of the MSME sector in driving employment, wealth creation, and economic growth.

Speaking at the 8th Lagos MSMEs Exclusive Trade Fair, he underlined the fair’s role as a cost-free platform promoting local entrepreneurs’ offerings, stressing the state’s commitment to supporting MSMEs and fostering economic development.

The governor affirmed plans to compile a comprehensive database of Lagos MSMEs, facilitate investment inflow, and sustain efforts to empower individuals and groups driving MSME growth.

Attendees, including exhibitors, praised the inclusive government approach and the opportunity for a six-day free display of products at the event.

 

Arsenal will take on Porto, while Napoli is set to confront Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16

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Barcelona is set to take on Napoli, while Arsenal has been drawn against Porto in Monday’s Champions League last-16 draw.

Notably, last season’s runners-up, Inter Milan, will face Atletico Madrid in what appears to be the standout tie. The first legs are scheduled for mid-February, with return matches in March.

Defending champions Manchester City have been paired with FC Copenhagen.

The complete draw for the UEFA Champions League last 16, conducted at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, is as follows:

– FC Porto (POR) vs. Arsenal (ENG)
– Napoli (ITA) vs. Barcelona (ESP)
– Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) vs. Real Sociedad (ESP)
– Inter Milan (ITA) vs. Atletico Madrid (ESP)
– PSV Eindhoven (NED) vs. Borussia Dortmund (GER)
– Lazio (ITA) vs. Bayern Munich (GER)
– FC Copenhagen (DEN) vs. Manchester City (ENG)
– RB Leipzig (GER) vs. Real Madrid (ESP)

The first legs are scheduled for February 13/14/20/21, with the second legs set to be played on March 5/6/12/13.

I foresaw many years ago that Gandhi would transform into Soun – Pastor Adeboye

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The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, declared on Sunday that he had long foreseen the destiny of Oba Ghandi Olaoye, the Soun of Ogbomoso, to ascend to kingship.

Olaoye, previously an RCCG pastor in Washington DC, assumed the throne as the 21st Soun of Ogbomoso after the passing of Oba Jimoh Oyewumi.

Adeboye, attending an interdenominational thanksgiving service for Olaoye, affirmed that God played a significant role in his elevation.

Addressing skepticism about a pastor becoming a traditional monarch, Adeboye emphasized divine backing and anointed Olaoye, urging him to promote unity. Olaoye expressed gratitude, pledging equitable rule, and various religious leaders offered special prayers during the ceremony.

 

Movie Review: Blood Vessel, A Netflix Movie

Movie Review: BLOOD VESSEL

Rating: 9/10

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️

 

Dayo: When you invest time and resources into storytelling, the result is evident, and Blood Vessel stands as an original production fit for a film festival.

 

Set mostly aboard a freight ship at sea, this gripping thriller follows six friends escaping turmoil in the Niger Delta, becoming stowaways on a ship bound for South America.

 

The central cast is nothing short of amazing, delivering compelling emotions, especially the doomed lovers David Ezekiel and Adaobi Dibor. The fight scene with Obinna Okenwa and Sylvester Ekanem on the ship is tremendously touching.

 

Even the antagonist, Alex Budin, brings his A-game.

 

Shooting aboard a ship is no small feat, but the production crew makes it look effortless. Crisp visuals, clear sound, and a fitting musical score contribute to the film’s overall quality.

 

Blood Vessel is one for the books, and here’s hoping for more quality storytelling like this from Nollywood.

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Joy: Good storytelling. Brilliant directing. The raison d’etre is solid. The thrill is satisfying. The actors came prepared. Hybridizing thriller and romance hasn’t always been successful in Nollywood, but Blood Vessel makes it work. This is the kind of work evolving Nollywood audience has been waiting for.

 

The setting, the tone, and the texture of the work are very impressive. The story was marinated like an epicurean delight; this is how it should be done. The lingering affection of love birds serves as an appetizer and the impeccable acting all-round thrills.

 

It would have been an added benefit if the pregnant girl was allowed her first-trimester expressions for a scene or two – nothing more. In this predicament, it would reward the movie with more emotional investment from the viewers, especially as her story plays out later in the movie.

 

Nonetheless, this good work cannot be underestimated. Play Network did not come to play this time around. Well done. By Jove, well done!!!

 

Take your flowers!

 

Written by: Musa Jeffery David

Directed by: Moses Inwang

 

BLOOD VESSEL is showing on Netflix.

 

KWOT, A Nigerian APP To Replace Spotify, Apple Music in Africa

So, this trending music, podcast and streaming platform called Kwot was actually developed by Nigerians to replace Spotify, and Apple Music in Africa 🤯🙌🏾🇳🇬

This is one thing we admire about Nigerians. Their creativity and their spirit of supporting their own and building solutions that are sustainable not just to their country, but Africa at large.

 

We saw the app trending and decided to download the app just to sign up and see if it was really worth the hype and trust me we were amazed by the functionalities this platform has to offer for Africans.

Now, let me give you a rundown of a few amazing features about this app and how it can replace Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube in Africa, especially if all Africans join Nigerians and sign up massively today:

 

1. Diverse Payment Gateways: Kwot boasts a variety of local and international payment gateways, including flutterwave, interswitch, alat pay, Stripe, wechat, alipay, barclays bank, klanet, and more. Users can buy Kwot tokens through any of these gateways, including bank transfer in Nigeria, making it incredibly accessible. This is something we can’t find on Spotify and Apple music. The only payment methods available there are usually Visa, Stripe, and PayPal, which makes it difficult for Africans to access the content they love easily.

 

2. Tipping Feature: Fans can show support for their favorite stars by tipping them with tokens. This feature adds a personal touch to the platform, creating a supportive community. This feature is extremely useful for fast-rising artists who need support sometimes to invest in their music career. If you are a fast-rising artist or Creator, then you should be signing up on Kwot today and start enjoying tips from fans and investors who stream your content daily.

 

3. Earning Opportunities for Creators: Beyond streaming and ads, creators can earn from sharing exclusive content with their fans, setting their fan club prices, and receiving 100 percent of the earnings. This unique approach gives creators control over their financial success, unlike Spotify and other streaming platforms.

 

4. Diverse Content Types: Kwot offers a rich mix of music, audio podcasts, videos, and radio. This diverse content library ensures there’s something for every user’s taste.

 

5. Offline Consumption with Download Feature: Users can download and enjoy their favorite content offline, adding to the platform’s accessibility and convenience. You don’t need to have data every time to listen to your favorite artists’ music. Simply download it from the app and listen offline anytime you want it 💯.. This is so amazing.

 

6. User-Friendly Content Management: Creators have the power to upload and manage their content independently, providing them with control over their artistic expression and audience engagement. Kwot makes everything easy for independent artists.

 

7. Unique Fan Management:

Kwot stands out by merging features from OnlyFans and Patreon, making it the first of its kind globally. Creators can effectively manage their fan base while offering exclusive content, creating a robust platform for artists and their supporters.

 

Kwot is revolutionizing content consumption for Africans, making it easier for them to access the content they desire. Don’t be left behind, guys. Let’s massively sign up on Kwot and enjoy the music there.”

 

Signup : https://www.music.kwot.com

 

Download the App Kwot! 🖇️ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwot.music.android

Funke Akindele’s ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ rakes over N60 million in less than 48hrs

Funke Akindele, the acclaimed Nollywood actress and producer, has achieved a remarkable milestone with her latest film, ‘A Tribe Called Judah,’ as it amassed an impressive sum exceeding N60 million within a mere 48 hours of its release.

 

This is according to a tweet by the Nigerian box office in a tweet on Sunday afternoon.

“A Tribe Called Judah is a blessing to cinemas & keeps giving. Early tracking suggests a Tribe of Judah has amassed over ₦60M from Friday and Saturday sales. Sunday is traditionally the biggest day of the box office weekend in Nigeria. Eyeing a ₦93 – ₦100M opening weekend,” the Nigerian Box office stated.

 

Premiered on December 10, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ officially graced the cinema screens on Friday, December 15, 2023, making its mark amid the concurrent releases of other Nollywood titles, including ‘Ada Omo Daddy.’

 

The film’s narrative unfolds the compelling story of a family of boys orchestrating a daring mall heist with the assistance of their mother, only to be met with an unexpected confrontation by armed ‎robbers.

 

Directed by Adeoluwa Owu, the stellar cast includes industry luminaries such as Boma Akpore, Ebele Okaro-Onyiuke, Etinosa Idemudia, Fathia Balogun, Funke Akindele, Jide Kene Achufusi, Nse Ikpe Etim, Olayode Juliana, and more.

Additionally, the Nigerian box office notes commendable performance from Mercy Aigbe’s ‘Ada Omo Daddy,’ which has generated “over N18.5M inclusive of Thursday advanced previews.”

Directed by Adebayo Tijani and Akay Mason, the film premiered on the same day as Funke Akindele’s latest creation.

It is worth noting that approximately a year ago, Funke Akindele captured the industry’s attention with ‘Battle on Buka Street,’ which, after an impressive four-month theatrical run, accumulated a gross total of N668,423,056 at the box office.

 

This marked a significant milestone as the highest-grossing Nigerian film of all time, surpassing Akindele’s debut theatrical movie, ‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga,’ which previously held the record at N636,129,120.

 

In a further testament to its global appeal, FilmOne Entertainment, a prominent movie production and distribution platform, revealed in January that ‘Battle on Buka Street’ had grossed over $61,000 in cinemas across the United States.

 

The successful distribution in the U.S. was made possible through FilmOne’s collaboration with Part Two Media, receiving substantial support from Amplify Africa.

Movie Review: An Instant Dad, A Jenifer Gatero Film

Movie Review**

**Title: “AN INSTANT DAD”**

**Rating: 7/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️**

 

“An Instant Dad” offers a delightful treat! Kenyan cinema brings forth a heartwarming gem, led by a talented cast, notably Blessing Lung’aho as the protagonist, alongside a young actress who shines in her role as his daughter—a charming duo indeed.

 

When a confirmed bachelor encounters an unforeseen visitor—a 10-year-old daughter he never knew existed—his life takes an unforeseen turn for the better.

 

The storytelling is akin to a cup of hot chocolate—sweet, comforting, and warmly executed. It’s a simple yet captivating tale, masterfully presented.

 

The film excels in its subtleties, presenting an intelligent script that avoids slapstick humor. Instead, it relies on nuanced acting for its comic relief, a testament to the skillful interpretation by the cast.

 

The pacing and dialogue are commendable, with moments where pacing lingers compensated by engaging dialogue, keeping the narrative intriguing.

 

Crisp cinematography and an astute directorial vision ensure a satisfying watch. “An Instant Dad” left me content and fulfilled.

 

**Written & Directed by:** Jennifer Gatero

 

**Now streaming on Netflix.**

 

#movie10 #movie10reviews #movieclub #movies #moviereview #aninstantdad #netflix #drama #comedy #kenya

Movie Review: Ige A Film By Biodun Stephen

**Publication: Movie Review**

 

**Title: “IGE”**

 

**Rating: 4.5/10 ⭐⭐**

 

“Ige,” a biopic adapted from the life of Nigerian oil magnate Bashir Fakorede, traces his journey from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of his career, navigating numerous challenges along the way.

 

Lateef Adedimeji’s portrayal of Bashir is emotionally charged, depicting a protagonist adept at handling life’s adversities. His unwavering dedication and hard work become the driving forces behind his remarkable success.

 

Biopics, often reliant on personal interest, may not engage those unfamiliar with the oil magnate’s life. Despite a commendable cast, “IGE” progresses at a slow pace, traversing from one narrative arc to another with a consistent, monochromatic tone, lacking significant excitement.

 

With a lengthy runtime of 2 hours and 37 minutes, the film’s pacing may prove challenging, risking viewer disengagement and moments of tedium.

 

Nonetheless, Bashir’s story stands as an inspiring testament to determination, hard work, and perseverance.

 

**Written by:** Moshood Yakubu Olawale

**Directed by:** Biodun Stephen

 

**Now streaming on Prime Video.**

 

#movie10 #movie10reviews #movieclub #movies #moviereview #biopic #ige #toyinabraham #primevideo #nollywood #lateefadedimej

Movie Review: A Tribe Called Judah; A Funke Akindele Film

**Publication: Movie Review**

**Title: “A TRIBE CALLED JUDAH”**

**Rating: 7/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐**

 

In “A Tribe Called Judah,” Funke Akindele delivers a standout piece of work, showcasing top-tier production and a stellar cast in a well-crafted and executed film.

 

The concept of five brothers with diverse paternity from various tribes intrigued viewers, though the seamless acquisition of their fathers’ languages and traditions in their absence raised questions.

 

Despite a multitude of characters, the plot remained robust, bolstered by simple yet compelling storytelling and remarkable performances. Avoiding convoluted subplots, the movie adhered to a straightforward narrative.

 

The film’s greatest strength lay in its cast, with standout performances from Jide Kene Achufusi as the responsible firstborn, Tobi Makinde’s authentic portrayal of Shina, Uzor Arukwe’s entertainingly exaggerated delivery, and the captivating chemistry between Olumide Oworu and Genoveva Umeh.

 

Impressively convincing action sequences, notably the fight scenes, were a highlight. However, the absence of gunshot sounds in scenes requiring such noise was noticeable.

 

“A Tribe Called Judah” seamlessly intertwined comedy, action, and a bittersweet ending, offering an enjoyable watch. With a runtime of 2 hours and 14 minutes, some extended scenes, such as those during the mall robbery, could have benefited from trimming for a tighter pace.

 

**Written & Directed by:** Funke Akindele & Adeoluwa Owu

 

Still showing in cinemas.