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I have generated over a billion Naira through YouTube in just a few months – Ruth Kadiri.

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“I have generated over a billion Naira through YouTube in just a few months,” proudly declares Ruth Kadiri.

 

When I made the decision to release my movies on YouTube, I encountered skepticism from others who warned me about piracy and the lack of financial gain. Similarly, when I introduced new and talented individuals to the industry, I faced criticism for their lack of recognition and perceived value. It is inevitable that in any endeavor, there will always be naysayers.

However, had I succumbed to their doubts, I would have achieved nothing. Sometimes, sharing your projects with others can hinder your progress. The negativity and discouragement from fellow humans can dampen your spirits.

 

Yet, today, I stand triumphant, having amassed a fortune of over a billion Naira through YouTube. The actors and actresses who were once labeled as unknown are now celebrated and recognized worldwide.

 

It is disheartening that people often attempt to discourage those pursuing their passions. However, I implore you all to persevere and begin with what you have accomplished. Hard work and dedication are the keys to success. This personal experience has served as a powerful motivation for me, and I hope it inspires others as well.

Meet The Convener of the Ìbàdàn International Film Festival Usman Olarotimi Ogunlade “Blackky”

Usman Olarotimi Ogunlade, also known as BLACKKY, is a highly accomplished Nigerian filmmaker, director, producer, and actor with over fifteen years of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, he has worked in various departments of filmmaking, showcasing his versatility and expertise.

In 2014, Usman made his directorial debut with the film “The Bargain,” a remarkable project produced by Amogunla Femi Kayode of Firm Media. This marked the beginning of a successful journey, as he went on to contribute his talents to numerous TV and film projects.

Some of his notable works include “Ajoche,” “Riona,” “Halita,” “Unbroken,” “Flat 22,” “Ahul-medina,” “Mama Knows Best,” “2Have and 2Hold,” “ITURA,” “Àwọn Aladun dé,” “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” “Curse of the River,” and “Masquerade of Aniedio,” among others.

 

Beyond his impressive body of work, Usman is also the Founder and Convener of the ÌBÀDÀN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. This esteemed project, initiated in 2021/2022, was brought to life through the collaborative efforts of Usman and his friends. The festival serves as a platform to celebrate and promote the art of filmmaking, fostering creativity and cultural exchange.

In his personal life, Usman is happily married to his beloved wife, Rob Abisola Ìdòwú. Their union has been blessed with two remarkable sons, Abdullah and Alameen, who bring joy and fulfillment to their lives.

With his extensive experience, passion for storytelling, and dedication to his craft, Usman Olarotimi Ogunlade, or BLACKKY, continues to make significant contributions to the Nigerian film industry. His talent and commitment have earned him a well-deserved reputation as a respected professional

Address the forex backlog to strengthen naira confidence, advises Lemo to the CBN

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A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Tunde Lemo, has cautioned against allowing the Nigerian naira to float freely.

He expressed this viewpoint during an online discussion at the Boiling Point Arena, addressing the issue of a persistently unstable macro-economic environment. Lemo emphasized that the naira should not be subjected to a free float, citing the scarcity of currencies worldwide that follow such a system.

He pointed out that, except for internationally convertible currencies like the dollar, euro, and perhaps the Japanese yen, even the Chinese yuan is managed rather than freely floating.

Lemo argued that advocating for the naira’s free float in the absence of sufficient reserves and with trade and balance of payment deficits would be a reckless move, akin to economic suicide.

He stressed that the Central Bank must prioritize clearing the backlog in the foreign exchange market to rebuild confidence and bolster the value of the naira.

Furthermore, Lemo emphasized the need for the new leadership at the central bank to instill confidence in the currency market. He pointed out that issuing circulars and implementing various bans without providing clarity on market dynamics can lead to irrational behavior among market participants.

Restoring lost confidence becomes challenging once it erodes, and there are existing commitments, such as approximately $6.8 billion in unmet swap deals, forward deals, and airline commitments, that need to be addressed to reestablish trust in the market.

Nigeria and South Africa might find themselves in the same AFCON group as Morocco

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During the Africa Cup of Nations draw set to take place in Ivory Coast, Nigeria, South Africa, and Morocco may find themselves in the same group.

This draw includes six top seeds, among which is Morocco, who made history at the 2022 World Cup as the first African semi-finalists.

Nigeria, a three-time winner of this prestigious African football competition, is among the second seeds, while South Africa finds itself among the third seeds, despite previously being ranked above DR Congo.

Gambia, a surprising 2021 Cup of Nations quarter-finalist from the fourth seeds, could potentially turn this group into a formidable “group of death.”

Host countries automatically qualify for the tournament and are also among the top seeds. Due to this, Nigeria had to share second-seed status with Cameroon, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, conceding their top-seed position.

The other seeded teams include Cape Verde, Guinea, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, Gambia, and Tanzania.

Morocco, despite having won the Cup of Nations only once in its history, is poised as the favorite for the upcoming competition, with coach Walid Regragui setting high expectations.

All in all, the top-seeded teams and several others, including Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, DR Congo, South Africa, and Zambia, have previously won the Cup of Nations, while other champions like Ethiopia, Sudan, and Congo Brazzaville did not qualify for this edition.

 

Sunday Igboho departs for Germany by jet

Yoruba Nation leader, Sunday Igboho, departs for Germany following his clearance by the courts in Benin Republic.

In December, Nnamdi Kanu is scheduled to embark on a similar journey.

 

Domestic airlines seek authorization for importing jet fuel and access to foreign exchange

Domestic airlines, represented by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), made several requests during their meeting with Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo.

They urged the Federal Government to grant AON the necessary license to import and distribute aviation fuel, commonly known as JetA1.

Additionally, they called for the establishment of a dedicated support line for domestic airlines to access foreign exchange from the Central Bank of Nigeria, enabling them to fulfill their obligations to passengers.

During this courtesy visit in Abuja, AON President Abdulmunaf Yunusa stated that the purpose was to inform the minister about the industry’s challenges, propose solutions, and congratulate him on his recent appointment.

AON emphasized the critical need for a consistent and widespread supply of aviation fuel and advocated for the liberalization of its procurement and distribution.

They stressed that airline operators, such as AON, should be allowed to source and distribute aviation fuel in the market.

AON also highlighted the ongoing forex challenge faced by operators and called for a dedicated support line to access foreign exchange through the Central Bank of Nigeria.

I response, Minister Keyamo acknowledged the forex issue and pledged to work with the Central Bank to explore ways to provide forex to operators at a low-interest rate of 1.5 to two percent, as requested.

He emphasized the importance of airline safety for the success of the aviation industry.

 

Growing apprehension as sex workers increasingly frequent shopping malls in Lagos to entice male customers

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Concerns are growing as young women suspected to be involved in the sex trade are increasingly seen lingering around major shopping centers and upscale streets in Lagos, attempting to attract potential clients.

According to reports from PUNCH Metro, these scantily clad women often position themselves strategically within the malls to entice men.

Our reporters visited locations like Ikeja City Mall, Festival Mall, and Allen Avenue and observed that these women, believed to be between the ages of 20 and 30, were present in the vicinity attempting to solicit potential customers.

During a visit to Ikeja City Mall around 10 pm on a Saturday, one of our correspondents was approached by no fewer than three different young women wearing revealing and seductive clothing.

Our correspondent, feigning interest, discovered that the prices charged by these sex workers varied depending on factors such as duration and location.

For example, a brief encounter in the area could cost N15,000, while an overnight stay at the client’s chosen location would cost N30,000, excluding transportation expenses.

When asked about the cost for a weekend, one of the women replied, “N50,000 from Friday to Sunday morning, and you will also need to cover my transportation expenses to your place.”

The situation appeared similar at Festival Mall in the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of the state.

Concerned residents feared that the increasing activities of these suspected call girls, who pretended to be shoppers, could lead to serious security breaches in the area.

One resident, identified as Precious, claimed that young girls used the mall for various immoral activities, especially during weekends.

Security guard Peter confirmed that they were accustomed to seeing these women around and that some of them engaged in sexual activities inside cars.

Even when questioned about their behavior, they would respond with insults, claiming it was none of anyone’s business.

A man named Dan expressed his dismay at the activities he witnessed, particularly at night when people engaged in various activities in pairs and groups.

At Allen Avenue in Ikeja, women of various appearances stood along the roadsides, attempting to attract the attention of male pedestrians and passing vehicles.

A man familiar with their activities and charges, speaking anonymously, mentioned that during heavy rain showers in places near Allen Avenue, the cost for a short encounter could drop as low as N5,000.

As of the time of filing this report, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, was unavailable to comment on the security concerns raised by residents.

Interior Minister announces commencement of passport home delivery service in February 2024

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced that starting from February 2024, Nigerians will enjoy the convenience of having their passports delivered to their chosen locations, whether it’s their homes, offices, or other preferred destinations.

During the opening ceremony of the University of Lagos International Week, themed ‘Breaking the Borders of Partnership,’ Tunji-Ojo shared that as early as January next year, Nigerians will have the option to complete their passport application process online.

He expressed, “We are currently in the process of automating the entire passport application journey, and we have established a timeline for Nigerians to begin experiencing this streamlined service.

This development means that Nigerians will no longer need to endure long waiting times, as the goal is to ensure that they receive their passports within two weeks.

Furthermore, by February next year, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, passports will be conveniently delivered to their chosen locations, mirroring a similar enhancement for the visa application process.

Tunji-Ojo emphasized the extensive integration of technology throughout the process to make it as seamless as possible.

Additionally, plans are underway to open 12 more visa application centers worldwide, alongside efforts to strengthen the visa-on-arrival policy.

He mentioned that cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is underway to establish the principle of reciprocity.

The Minister also voiced concerns about the duplication of identity registration across various platforms, including BVN in banks, international passports, NIN, and SIM card registrations by telecom companies.

He revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given a directive to harmonize these identity numbers, a move that will restore the integrity of travel documents.

Tunji-Ojo emphasized the importance of harmonizing the country’s database, stating, “Identity defines us, but presently, our registration is duplicated across multiple platforms.

We have the directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, to unify the nation’s databases.”

This harmonization will facilitate seamless data exchange among government agencies, ultimately simplifying processes, reducing costs, and enhancing national security.

Uganda’s independence came belatedly

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Uganda, officially known as the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked nation situated in East Africa.

It shares its borders with Kenya to the east, South Sudan to the north, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, Rwanda to the south-west, and Tanzania to the south.

The southern region of Uganda encompasses a significant portion of Lake Victoria, which it shares with Kenya and Tanzania.

This country is located within the African Great Lakes region, falls within the Nile basin, and experiences a diverse yet predominantly equatorial climate.

As of the year 2023, Uganda is home to approximately 49.6 million people, with 8.5 million residing in its capital and largest city, Kampala.

Happy Independence…

By: RanksAfrica

 

President Tinubu appoints additional members to the Presidential Media Advisory Team

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President Bola Tinubu has given his approval for the appointment of the following individuals to serve within the Media & Publicity Directorate in accordance with Nigeria’s federal character principle and the merit-based system:

1. Mr. Fela Durotoye (Senior Special Assistant to the President for National Values & Social Justice)

2. Mr. Fredrick Nwabufo (Senior Special Assistant to the President for Public Engagement)

3. Mrs. Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe (Senior Special Assistant to the President for Strategic Communications)

4. Mr. Aliyu Audu (Special Assistant to the President for Public Affairs)

5. Mr. Francis Adah Abah (Personal Assistant to the President for Special Duties)

In addition, President Tinubu has granted approval for the secondment of Mrs. Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe to serve as the Communications Adviser to the President of the ECOWAS Commission.

The President has tasked all newly appointed individuals in the Media & Publicity directorate to uphold the highest standards of decorum and decency in their interactions with the public.

Their mission is to advance the President’s unwavering commitment to revitalizing the hope of Nigerians through a restructured economy and a united society that addresses the needs of all, regardless of any differences.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)