General News
Lagos Film Academy: Team Artistry Media wins $5,000 Film for Life Project Grant
After announcing a 5,000 USD grant and the third ‘Film for Life Project’ competition, the Lagos Film Academy (LFA) has selected three young aspiring filmmakers, who will have the opportunity to make a short film directed at impacting social change, themed in this edition, is a storyline around the upcoming 2019 general elections in Nigeria.
From over 600 applications received, 9 Finalist were shortlisted and trained by industry experts and Ace movie producers, Emma Uduma and Grace Babasola, alongside LFA Founder, Chris Ihidero on an all-expenses paid three-day boot camp.
The 3 teams, Team Artistry Media, Team Pantheon and Team Nu’Afriqan pitched stories for the ‘Film for Life project’, out of which only Team Artistry Media was selected and emerged winner of the competition.
The winning team, Artistry Media, consists of a dynamic team of three young, passionate individuals ready to make their mark on the film industry and weigh-in with their film on the upcoming 2019 elections.
They include Baridakara Nwilene, the team producer who is from Rivers State, Alfa Faruk Umar, the team writer from Nassarawa State, and Joshua Tostso, the team director from Delta State.
While commending the winners, the founder of LFA, Chris Ihidero, said; “Artistry media was selected because they had the most compelling storyline.
“We had a great time at boot camp and heard an array of ideas during the pitching sessions. The shooting for the short film begins immediately.
“It is also important for us to make an impact with the short film that will be made, with the grant gotten from Global Philanthropy Alliance.
“The upcoming election is a major social happening in Nigeria, hence the need to play our parts with the story that will be told.
A member of the winning team, Joshua Tostso, who was really elated upon being announced as winner said; “I love my team and I can’t wait to make my first film. I’m confident, I believe we will make the best out of what we have learnt in developing our first short film.
“It is going to be good, it’s not going to be mediocre, I can say that.”
Baridakara Nwilene, the team producer also said “The Film for Life project has given me more courage to follow my dreams to becoming a successful filmmaker.
“This experience has taught me to be more focused and hardworking and to always think fast and Smart when making decisions.
“I am forever grateful to God Almighty first, my family and amazing fellow team members for their constant push and encouragements to be better at what I do.”
Alfa Faruk Umar, the team writer, who was equally excited, said; “We believe that one person may not be able to change the world but together as a team we can indeed make a difference.
“Our goal and vision is to make good quality films that can bring about positive change in the world but starting from home, which is Nigeria.”
The short film, which Artistry Media will write, direct and produce themselves, will encourage citizen involvement in the electoral processes and the upcoming Nigerian general elections in February 2019.
Pre-production has commenced, production will follow swiftly after.
LFA is a leading non-profit organization centred around support for young creatives who want to acquire life-long skills and techniques as creatives across the continent, using initiatives like the ‘Film for Life Project’.
Global Philanthropy Alliance (GPA) develops young social entrepreneurs in Africa by funding youth-led or youth-engaged organizations that unleash the power of youth to advance the economic and social health of their families and communities.
Federal government has temporarily suspended the controversial annual dues imposed on public interest enterprises by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) after fierce opposition from businesses.
Jumoke Oduwole, minister, Industry, Trade, and Investment, announced the decision during a Ministerial Consultative Meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.
The move follows mounting pressure from private sector groups, including the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), who slammed the Financial Reporting Council (Amendment) Act 2023 for burdening companies with excessive fees.
The Act mandates cumulative annual charges for non-listed entities and imposes a harsh 10% monthly penalty on unpaid dues, compounding until full payment, a provision that sparked widespread backlash.
At the meeting, major industry players like NECA, MAN, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce (NACCIMA), oil producers, and telecom operators warned that the fees would cripple businesses already struggling in a tough economy.
Oduwole clarified the suspension, stating, “The government has decided to direct the Financial Reporting Council to pause in the implementation of the new annual dues. You know that I am a lawyer, and a suspension request by the organised private sector would be in contravention of legislation duly passed by the National Assembly. A pause is an administrative process simply to review, in line with what we discussed today.”
She assured stakeholders that the halt would last no longer than 60 days, with a technical working group—including FRC officials and private sector representatives—set up to reassess the policy.
“We are a listening administration. The private sector has requested a range from three months to an indefinite suspension. We are not going to do that. So, at the most, 60 days is in my estimate. We are going to set up a technical working group comprised of the FRC and the organised private sector who have formally written in, and this will be reviewed,” Oduwole emphasized.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says it is intensifying efforts to standardise locally manufactured products, including Made-in-Aba brands, in order to enhance both local and international acceptance.
Aharanwa Chuks, Director of Region (South East), SON, communicated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
Chuks said through the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP), SON ensured that all Nigerian-made products conformed to the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).
According to him, MANCAP involves direct engagement with manufacturers to certify that their products meet established quality benchmarks.
“This process includes inspecting production facilities, sampling products and testing them against NIS requirements.
“Successful compliance results in the issuance of the MANCAP certification, signifying adherence to quality standards.
“In Aba, SON has been proactive in educating manufacturers about standardization.’’
The director said SON also conducted stakeholder interactions; gathering manufacturers from various sectors to provide guidance on producing goods that met both local and international standards.
“For instance, leather manufacturers in Aba have been sensitized on standardization practices to enhance the global competitiveness of their products.
“Manufacturers are encouraged to collaborate with SON to obtain MANCAP certification, ensuring their products are not only marketable within Nigeria but also competitive internationally.
“This initiative aims to boost consumer confidence and promote the acceptance of Made-in-Aba products globally,” Chuks said.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has busted a Ponzi Scheme Academy and arrested 133 suspects in Abuja.
They were arrested at the Compensation Layout in Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, following actionable intelligence on the existence of the Academy.
The Academy, named Q University (a.k.a Q-Net) is in the business of recruiting gullible young Nigerians who are trained to recruit more gullible citizens into the scheme with the promise of getting unrealistic profit returns.
The suspects are enrolled into a training codenamed: “Special Training for New Generation Billionaire” and brainwashed to believe that they would graduate into the league of billionaires.
They got into the training by obtaining a form the promoters called “Independent Representative Application Form” with promotional slogans such as: “I’m a Champion” “I’m Unstoppable”, “I’m Infinity”, among others.
The EFCC carried out the operation in collaboration with officers and men of 176 Guards Battalion, Nigerian Army.
Items recovered from the suspects include phones, computers and other electronic gadgets.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
NNPC Ready to Go to Capital Market for IPO- CFIO
Again, Labour Fumes, Threatens Shutdown of Telcos over Non-Implementation of 15 Percent Tariff Reduction
FG Launches Online Visa Approval Centre
Court Fixes May 8 for Judgment in MultiChoice, FCCPC Dispute over Price Hike
NITDA Partners JICA to Launch Nigeria-Japan Startup Hub
E-Business3 days agoFG Plans to Link Social Register to NIN for Humanitarian Crisis
Broadcasting3 days agoWe’re Confident in the Super Eagles – Karl Toriola
Telecom3 days agoKeystone Bank Seeks to Join Suit in Tussle over 9Mobile Shares Ownership
E-Business3 days agoFive WhatsApp Business Features Every Small Business Should Be Using
E-Financial3 days agoFG to Harmonise Fiscal Data Across MDAs
News3 days agoSenate Probes Federal Character Violations by NDIC, Others
News2 days agoCourt Throws Out Falana’s Fraud Case against Ekeh, Zinox Boss and Others
E-Financial3 days agoZumax Files N4.1Bn Suit against CBN over ‘Fraudulent’ Receivership