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Nigeria at the 93rd Oscars: Supporting THE MILKMAID As Our Collective Choice

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By Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, MFR

It takes chance and luck to get some rays of attention in this thriving age—one that could change the fate of a great country like ours. A lot has not been seen of us, even with the advent of social media. Among the more predominant realities that has failed to gain much needed attention is the suffering borne out of the Boko Haram insurgency in northern Nigeria. Across the nation, Nigerians have endured the evils of kidnapping, and bandits ravaging the sub-region in a way that makes human existence almost devoid of normalcy.

Truly, the government has tried to explain what is going on in the North to the people. However, we are so far removed from reality that we realize neither the depth of the problem that bedevils Northern Nigeria, nor how badly it has affected the routines of the people. Not only is road travel dangerous, but people are also scared to sleep in their houses at night. Once, I heard that people up North sneak away at night for fear of being kidnapped. The first-hand stories of women, boys, and girls being battered and raped consistently failed to attract adequate attention in media and motion pictures.

This year however is quite different because we get to see these realities vividly portrayed in the Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Picture recipient, The Milkmaid. Fortunately, it has been picked to run for this year’s Academy Awards – 93rd Oscars, for its precise and convincing capturing of the realities of the imminent threat to human existence in Northern Nigeria. The Milkmaid, which tells the story of insurgency, imbues a little bit of understanding and empathy into this area. It allows for us and the world at large to get acquainted with certain things that go unnoticed up North. The Milkmaid is a remarkable film— The Milkmaid is a compelling, top-quality film and a worthy representation of what Nollywood has to offer in cinematic story-telling.

The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) has chosen this film as the country’s submission to the 93rd Oscars, and this is an opportunity to not only gain global recognition for a product of our industry, but to also bring attention to a major crisis happening in Nigeria. Part of what would be applauded is the growth, beauty and social relevance of Nollywood; its achievements exemplified by the quality and standard of this film, the indigenous crew and cast that speak to the job-creating potential of one of Nigeria’s largest industries, the scenic geographical location that gives a glimpse into northern Nigeria and perhaps most importantly, the haunting realities of life within the region.

Given this, the decision by the NOSC to put forward The Milkmaid presents the country with the opportunity to gain global recognition for our film industry. Whilst submitting an eligible film for consideration by the Academy is an achievement in itself (several countries in Africa and elsewhere in the world have never done so), it is perhaps long overdue for an industry with the heritage, prominence and dynamism of Nollywood. The real opportunity lies in progressing beyond the preliminary stage of over 90 country submissions into the February shortlist of 15 films (recently expanded by the Academy from 10), and even potentially claiming a place amongst the coveted group of 5 official Oscar nominees to be unveiled the following month ahead of the April ceremony.

This opportunity can however only be fully realized with the support of all stakeholders. We would need to campaign and lobby this involves the full involvement of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, and our agencies under the Minister, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Finance. In our bid to win an award at the 93rd Oscars and bring the entire Nollywood a greater spotlight—as this would be a collective win for us all—this would be crucial. It is interesting to note that unlike all other categories at the Oscars that acknowledge individual achievement, the category of Best International Feature Film is unique in that the nominees represent the respective countries of production rather than any specific individual. In essence, it is a national accolade. As such, the onus ultimately rests with the government of Nigeria to take full advantage of this annual opportunity to burnish the image of the Nigeria filmmaking industry and the country at large by wholeheartedly supporting an aggressive local and international PR campaign on behalf of the film selected to fly the national flag against typically formidable competition.
It has been proven through the decades, that notwithstanding the creative and technical merits of the submitted film, lobbying is the driving force that influences perceptions and decisions of key stakeholders in the voting process. South Africa has long been aware of this, and its vigorous efforts in this regard on behalf of its submission, Tsotsi, yielded the ultimate prize of an Academy Award in 2006. I would love to see not only the Nigerian Government but also Corporate Nigeria rise to the occasion and support The Milkmaid – an act which by extension would actively encourage and inspire the millions of youths who are doggedly pursuing various means of creative expression.

I keep making comparisons about the National Film and Video Foundation in South Africa and our Nigerian film organizations because they understand that when it gets to be nominated at the Oscars, the entire industry and all stakeholders must forge together and harness their collective strengths into winning the award in the name of South Africa.

In Nigeria, this is what we must do as well. It is time to pull together. It is not the time to complain and take potshots at the Nigerian Official Selection Committee -how it was constituted, or who constituted it, or why they were the ones who constituted it, etc. Of far greater significance is that finally a successful submission out of several eligible films was made to the Academy, and that now is the time to unite and make our first foray into the Oscars arena a truly memorable one. We should acknowledge the work that has and continues to be done. I can fully relate to this, given that we are entering the 17th consecutive year of AMAA without a break. God’s grace, plus the Nigerian can-do-it spirit, has got us here.

The Milkmaid has a unique opportunity to make an impact at the Oscars this year, based both on its cinematic storytelling, as well as the global resonance of its theme – it effectively bears witness to the consequences of extremism and insecurity ranging from kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria to white supremacists and coup attempts in North America.
The Milkmaid has a decent shot at the final five at the Oscars. This is obviously a huge deal and one that cannot be achieved if we do not give the film our full backing.

Let’s start using whatever platform we have to give ourselves some accolades about how far we have come with our doggedness. There is a saying Igbo ” when you call yourself somebody, others will respect you.” We need to generate the conversations around this work of art representing over 200 million people, and whose relevance was underlined with the uncanny synchronization of its unveiling as Nigeria’s submission for the 93rd Oscars with the much publicized abduction of 300 boys by extremists from a school in Kankara, northern Nigeria, a chilling reprise of the 2014 abduction of 276 girls in Chibok. Notably, The Milkmaid’s dialogue is rendered entirely in Hausa and Fulfulde, lending further authenticity and poignancy to its narrative and characterization.

We can and should utilize social media, which has proven to be a basic awareness tool to generate public support for this film. We could engage with diasporic voices in continental hotspots – an effective lobbying strategy that other countries have keyed into in order to raise the money needed for an Oscars campaign.

As the National President of the Association of Movie Producers, what I have witnessed is an unfortunate detachment and lack of understanding to what needs to be done with regard to this film, this might be expected as it’s our first time in the race. The Executive Producers of this film are doing as much they can, but without the country’s backing, the film cannot reasonably be expected to make any substantial progress. To reiterate: This submission is for Nigeria as a whole and not just the film’s producers and director.

Let’s make Nigeria proud on the world stage by working together on this one. Nollywood was founded and grew on team spirit and there has not been a better time to exemplify this unity of purpose. The Government and People of Nigeria have enjoyed the positives that Nollywood has over the years garnered for our country. Let us walk the talk. I call on every single individual, government, influencer, and opinion writer to watch the film, celebrate Nigeria Cinema. Let us not waste this great opportunity to turn the global limelight on our industry. May we all rise together. Nollywood exemplifies the essence of what Nigeria is about our resilience and our creativity that defines innately who we are!

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Popular Celebrity Award: Adeleke, Dele Momodu Hail Nigeria’s Entertainment As World Class

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The governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, and Publisher, Ovation International Magazine, Aare Dele Momodu have hailed the Nigerian entertainment industry as world-class by all standard.

The duo made the disclosure at the unveiling of a voting platform for Most Popular Celebrity Award in Osogbo, Osun State by Governor Adeleke.

Speaking with journalists at the Celebrity House, Osogbo, venue of the unveiling, Momodu said Nigerian music industry and Nollywood are global brands, adding that the award would further boost the industry’s rating towards becoming a global leader.

“The Nigerian entertainment industry is world-class, it is one that would become number one in the world. So, I am proud of what Osun state has done. Governor Ademola Adeleke is investing in the industry; he is from a family that is into entertainment with the likes of David Adeleke (Davido), Shina Rambo, B-Red among others.

“This project is aimed at producing more of Davidos, B-Reds, not just in the state but also across the country, hence, our decision to support the ambition.

“I urge Nigerians to join the platform and vote for their favourite celebrities. This is an industry that can solve the problem of unemployment if properly supported. It could take our youths out of poverty,” he said.

Declaring the platform opened, Governor Adeleke, who was represented by the Commissioner for Tourism, Abiodun Ojo, said the reason for the choice of Osun for the event is not far-fetched, saying the state is the cradle of entertainment with the likes of late Duro Ladipo, Kareem Adepoju (Baba Wande), Yemi Elebuibon to the trendy Davido among others.

“Today, we are unveiling another landmark, a prestigious honour to creative minds. It is an integrity laced process and a unifying force to boost the industry, through an enigmatic progression that will create over 50,000 entrepreneurs Nationwide.

“This will be a drive to a sustainable data based National Recognition in form of an Award to Nigeria’s MOST POPULAR CELEBRITY for the year 2023 in 17 Categories to be crowned here in Osogbo,” he added.

The project coordinator, Solanke Hamzat, said the platform would offer fans opportunity to vote for their favourite celebrities in seventeen categories.

He said the platform is devoid of any technicalities and is making the fans the decider based on the influence such celebrity had on their lives.

The Osun State government under Governor Adeleke has been in the forefront of promoting tourism, culture, entertainment and more in the state.

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Glo Launches Naija Comedy Service to Boost Entertainment, Fun

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A new offer, Glo Naija Comedy Service, which features an array of video content from top Nigerian comedians has been unveiled by digital solutions company, Globacom.

Globacom explained in a press statement in Lagos that “Glo Naija Comedy Service, was designed to suit customers’ entertainment and fun needs and its available at the palm of customers’ hands on all android and i-phone devices and on any web browser of their choice.”

Glo stated that the stress-bursting video content service which is deployed in conjunction with NCC-licensed aggregators will feature the likes of Sabinus, Aki and Pawpaw and others, providing rib-cracking jokes and entertainment for the enjoyment of Nigerians. It added that “Glo Naija Comedy Service ensures there is something for everyone”.

The service, according to Globacom,  is easy to use and it works on all web browsers. It stated that there is no need to download any app to enjoy it, adding that “As long as a subscriber has an active data pack, he or she will be able to access Glo Naija Comedy Service and savour the fun”.

Customers can subscribe to the service by dialing the short code 55222 or *55222# while subscription for the service include daily subscription pack which attracts N20 per day, weekly subscription which goes for N100, and the monthly packages starting from N500.

Globacom said “Customers can also call Glo Customer Care Centre on short code 300 for additional information on the service.”

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Veteran Nollywood Actor, Mr Ibu Dies at 62

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Veteran Nollywood actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, loved for his comic roles in movies and skits, was confirmed dead.

He reportedly died on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at a hospital in Lagos from cardiac arrest.

His death came barely 24 hours after another actor, Quadri Oyebamiji, aka Sisi Quadri, passed away in Osun State.

Paying tributes to the late Okafor, the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, wrote on his Instagram, “Sad day for the Actors Guild of Nigeria. Kate Henshaw lost her mother earlier today, and Mr Ibu suffered cardiac arrest, according to his manager of 24 years, Don Nwuzor. I announce with a deep sense of grief that Mr Ibu did not make it. May his soul rest in peace.”

On her part, an actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, wrote, “It is well…rest well, sir.”

Peter, a singer and member of the pop group, P-Square, wrote, “Rest well, Mr Ibu. We will definitely miss you, brother.”

Recall that Ibu had battled ill health for some time, leading to the amputation of his legs. This was after he had appealed to his fans and members of the public to pray for him and render financial assistance to cover his medical bills.

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