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Oscars: Tunde Kelani, two other Nigerians make Academy’s members list

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Three Nigerians have made The Academy of Motion Picture, Arts and Sciences newly released a diverse list of 842 members.

The Academy, popularly known as the Oscars, made visibly improved racial and gender considerations in the 2019 list that tops the 2018 list. 50 per cent of the new members are women and 29 per cent are people of colour.

This raises the percentage of women in the Academy from 31 per cent to 32 per cent while the percentage of people of colour remains at 16 per cent, the same as in 2018.

The three Nigerians include the iconic Tunde Kelani for directing, the talented Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje for acting and the fast-rising Chinonye Chukwu for writing.

Kelani is one of Nigeria’s most acclaimed directors, known for classics like ‘Thunderbolt: Magun’, ‘Saworoide’, ‘Agogo Eewo’, and ‘Dazzling Mirage’.

He is currently working on the film adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s award-winning novel, ‘The Lion and the Jewel’.

Akinnuoye-Agbaje has been on a steady rise, standing out in films and TV shows like ‘The Bourne Identity’, ‘Thor: The Dark World’, ‘Suicide Squad’ and ‘Game of Thrones”.

In 2018, he made his directorial debut at TIFF with the auto-biographical ‘Farming’.

Chukwu is the first black woman to win the Sundance Film Festival’s biggest prize for her movie, ‘Clemency’.

She is also set to direct the film adaptation of former Black Panther Party chairwoman, Elaine Brown’s memoir, ‘A Taste of Power’.

All three join actresses Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Wunmi Mosaku; film producer and directors Femi Odugbemi and Ngozi Onwurah who made the 2018 list.

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Entertainment

Ghanaian Songstress, Wendy Shay Features on Glo-sponsored African Voices

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Ghanaian songstress and composer, Wendy Shay, will be guest on this week’s edition of the Globacom-sponsored African Voices Playmakers on CNN International.

The edition will highlight Shay’s abilities and accomplishments that have propelled her to the pinnacle of her profession and her influence in charitable endeavours.

Born on February 20, 1996, Shay was originally named Wendy Asiamah Addo. She is a former midwife and nurse who plays a distinctive kind of music that combines hip-hop, highlife, and Afrobeats. “Africa Money” and “Uber Driver” are some of her successful albums.

Among other honours, Wendy Shay, a brand ambassador for Ghana’s Youth Employment Agency (YEA), took the Ghana-Naija Showbiz Awards’ Best New Artiste of the Year title.

This Saturday, African Voices Playmakers will broadcast at 8.30 a.m. The same day at 12 p.m. and Sunday at 4.30 a.m. and 7 p.m. will see another rerun of the edition. There will be further repetitions on Monday at 4:00 a.m., Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., Sunday at 4:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and Monday at 4:00 a.m.

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#Chivido: Today’s the Happiest Day of My Life, Davido Confesses

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By Eric Elezuo

Celebrated pop singer, David Adeleke, known by his stage name, Davido, on Tuesday confessed that his traditional wedding day to his heartthrob, Chioma Rowlands, was his happiest day.

The very elated Davido made the confession while speaking with the resident pastor of SPAC Nation, Tobi Adegboyega, via video call.

“All my friends are here. My family is here. My wife is very happy, and today is the happiest day of my life,” he told Pastor Adegboyega, who wished him the best of marital life.

Recall that Davido and his wife, Chioma practically shot down the internet on Tuesday with their talk of the town traditional marriage, which took place at the Harbour Point Event Centre in Victoria Island.

The event attracted high profile dignitaries including the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke; the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Enitan Ogunwusi and a host society’s A-list personalities.

Davido and Chioma are already blessed with a set of twins. They lost their first born, Ifeanyi, in 2022 following a swimming pool mishap.

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No Winner, No Vanquished As Onakoya, Quickpen Thrilled Audience in Battle of the Ages Chess Showdown

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By Eric Elezuo

Class, intelligence and brains were all at display when the much anticipated Chess Showdown, tagged Battle of the Ages hit town in the luxurious Centerpoint Tower, Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi, Lagos

Powered by Daniel Ford International, the game of mind, wits and alertness was between Guinness World Record holder, Tunde Onakoya, who is also the Founder, Chess in Slums of Africa, and the 12-year-old child chess prodigy, Deborah Quickpen. The game ended in a draw.

Analysts have scored Tunde Onakoya high for showing his prowess early in the game winning the Rapid games 3:1.

But as her name is, Quickpen made a quick recovery, turning the tables in the blitz games. Her recovery gave her a 3:1 victory

Tunde had started well in the blitz game, winning the first, and keeping Deborah in a tight corner. However, fate was on Quickpen’s side as she took the second, third and fourth games with ease.

The last two games of the blitz sessions were indeed a walk over for Quickpen. She won convincingly on both the board and on the clock.

While Onakoya won the first set by 3:1, Quickpen won the second by the same 3:1. The total at the end of proceedings was 4:4. No winner, no vanquished!

A deep hug, immediately after the game by  Tunde to Deborah was all it took to prove the game was not just a tough one, but also well enjoyed.

Congratulations to the duo of Onakoya and Quickpen for their great contributions to the game of Chess in Nigeria.

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