Broadcasting
ACF Unveils Ambassadors as NFVCB Pledges to Rid Industry of Piracy
Organisers of the Africa Cinematography Festival (ACF) has presented to the public the brand ambassadors and resource persons for the Festival in a well-attended Unveiling event held in Lagos on Monday.
The 6-day event is schedule to hold between November 5 and 11 this year across six venues in Lagos, the nation’s entertainment capital.
Among those unveiled are Nigerian actor, Ramsey Nouah, British-Ghanaian multi-talented actress, Ama Konadu Abebrese, Actress Sandra Seghers Mushid from the DRC, the Cameroonian duo of Lizzette Benz and Ayuk Thambi Atem-Ebai and Beninoir actor, singer and model, Serge Parick Laleye and Guinean Model, Bintu Sylla. Others are Liberian actor, Major Owusu Danshaw, Nollywood actress, Oghenekaro Itene, Vanessa Swert from South Africa and Nollywood actor and Rycardo Agbor.
The resource persons include Dr. Iyabo Ajibola, Adeniran Makinde, Akin Lewis, Kingsley Nwosu, Prof. Hygeniu Ekwuazi, Prof. Chukwuma Okoye, Dr. Tunde Bakare, Alex Gansallo, Yinka Smart Babalola, Prince Kojo Hilton, Dr. Alphonsus Orisayemi, Michael Mulutombo, Frank Adekunle Macaulay and Nwendamutswu Maanda.
Speaking at the unveiling, the founding matron, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, Africa Cinematography Festival (ACF), described the ACF as “a roadmap into the future of the film industry cum economy” of both Nigeria and the African continent”.
Mrs. Alakija noted that the ACF shares a “common optimism which speaks to our collective desire for a better future guaranteed under a system run by a new generation of stakeholders whose distinctive qualities are not primarily tied to age but rather bother on their commitment to professionalism, promotion of industry growth over self-gratification and in their ability to harness potentials to drive the economic growth of country and continent”.
Mrs. Alakija also revealed that the ACF will feature training in such areas as sound production, light design and lighting, script writing, production design, make-up artistry, costume design, directing, motion and still camera, lens handling, editing and film-making among others.
Also speaking, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, the managing director and chief executive of the Nigerian Films Corporation, while lauding the initiative assured on the commitment of his agency to providing the enabling environment that will enhance the development of the industry.
“The NFC has and shall continue to initiate, provide and champion the required policy environment that will support the accelerated growth of the industry. The increased film production activities within the industry across the country, its acceptance by the citizens of Nigeria, and lately, its contribution to the growth of the nation’s economy are indication that there are opportunities that are yet untapped,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Films and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has pledged to rid the industry of piracy and all other forms of rights infringements that hinder adequate returns on investment for stakeholders.
Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, the executive director of the NFVCB, who stated this at the Unveiling said that the board was not only committed to providing an enabling environment which will facilitate global film content production but also ensure that film and video investment is guaranteed through structured distribution and right protection.
His words, “This is why we took the fight against unlicensed distribution, distribution of unclassified films and video works, the unapproved release of film and video works and illegal export and import of film and video works to Alaba in August and we were able to rid the market of films and video works worth over 100 Million Naira.”
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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