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HONOURABLE MINISTER HANNATU MUSA MUSAWA TO DECLARE LIFANIMA 2025 OPEN
The Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hon. Hannatu Musa Musawa, will officially declare open the 9th edition of the Lagos International Festival of Animation (LIFANIMA) on October 7, 2025, at the Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.
In her commendation of the festival, the Honourable Minister praised LIFANIMA’s “commitment in promoting the sustainable growth and development of Nigeria’s Creative Economy,” describing the initiative as a driving force in positioning Nigeria and Africa as a hub for world-class animation.
About LIFANIMA
LIFANIMA is Nigeria’s premier animation film festival, and over the years it has grown into the second-largest animation film festival in Africa. Since its inception in 2016, the festival has become a benchmark for excellence, innovation, and collaboration in the animation industry. Every year, the festival attracts over 1,200 submissions from more than 100 countries, including at least 128 entries from 25 African nations.
Proudly supported by the Embassy of France in Nigeria, the National Orientation Agency, Bank of Industry and Checkers Africa, LIFANIMA enjoys strong institutional endorsements from the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, and the National Film and Video Censors Board.
A Platform for Growth and Innovation
For nine years, LIFANIMA has provided an exceptional platform for the development of animation in Nigeria. It has also supported the implementation of Nigeria’s national policy on the localization of cartoon content, ensuring that Nigerian and African voices shape the narratives being consumed by local and global audiences.
Through its yearly programs, LIFANIMA serves as a catalyst for the rapid growth of the creative economy, inspiring innovation, nurturing new talents, and giving visibility to African animators. The festival has also entrenched Nigeria on the global map of animation film festivals, attracting stakeholders, investors, and creatives from across continents.
Festival Features
The three-day event, running from October 7–9, 2025, will showcase a rich line-up of activities designed to entertain, educate, and inspire:
Film Screenings and Conversations: Premiering global and African animation content.
Panel Sessions and Workshops: Knowledge exchange with industry experts and opportunities to explore emerging trends in animation.
Kids Animation Park: A space dedicated to children’s creativity and early exposure to animation.
Cocktail Parties and Networking Events: Building connections across creative industries.
LIFANIMA Animation Awards: Celebrating outstanding works in **five major categories – 3D Animation, 2D Animation, Stop Motion Animation, Animation Commercials, and Visual Effects.
Objectives of LIFANIMA
The festival continues to pursue its foundational objectives:
To promote the rapid development of the animation industry in Nigeria and across Africa.
To improve the movie industry through increased inclusion of animation content.
To provide a platform for local animators to showcase their talents and improve the quality of their work.
To expose animators to the latest animation technologies, both hardware and software.
LIFANIMA’s Impact
Over the years, LIFANIMA has transformed into a cultural and professional hub where creativity meets opportunity. It has not only amplified the visibility of Nigerian and African animators but also encouraged collaborations that have expanded the continent’s animation footprint globally. By fostering partnerships, innovation, and storytelling excellence, LIFANIMA continues to prove that Africa’s animation industry is ready to compete at the highest international levels.
As the Honourable Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa flags off the 2025 edition, LIFANIMA is set to further consolidate its role as a trailblazer for creative content, cultural expression, and economic growth in Nigeria and across Africa.
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Buratai to Chair Book Launch on Court Martial Cases in Abuja
Buratai to Chair Book Launch on Court Martial Cases in Abuja
ABUJA – Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd), CFR, has been announced as the Chairman of a high-profile book launch titled Annotation of Cases on Court Martial, scheduled to hold on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Army Headquarters Command Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja.
The book, co-authored by Major General Mahmood Umaru Wambai and legal luminary Ali Ibrahim Omachi, Esq., offers a detailed analysis and reference on cases of court martial, a subject central to military law and justice administration in Nigeria.
According to the organisers, the launch will attract the top echelon of Nigeria’s military, legal practitioners, academics, and distinguished personalities from across the country.
The event will feature General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, Chief of Defence Staff, Armed Forces of Nigeria, as the Special Guest of Honour, while the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Oluyede NAM, will serve as Chief Host.
Prominent businessman Alhaji Umar A. Mustapha, CEO of UFAM Holdings Nigeria Limited, has been unveiled as the Chief Launcher, while Professor Akinseye George, SAN, FCARB, FINAIS, will handle the book review.
Speaking ahead of the occasion, the authors expressed optimism that the book would serve as a vital guide for military officers, legal practitioners, and scholars, bridging knowledge gaps in military justice and reinforcing discipline in the armed forces.
The ceremony, billed to commence at 10:00 a.m. prompt, promises to be a landmark gathering of military and civilian elites, highlighting the importance of law, justice, and accountability in strengthening Nigeria’s defence institutions
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Why We Signed the Ajanaku Siblings, by European Club NK Jedinstvo Bihać
Why We Signed the Ajanaku Siblings, by European Club NK Jedinstvo Bihać
Nigerian brothers Damilola and Jomiloju Ajanaku have officially joined NK Jedinstvo Bihać, a club competing in the First League of FBiH—the second tier of professional football in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

At a brief and vibrant signing ceremony held on Friday, September 27, the club’s president, Saša Smiljanić, explained that the decision to sign the siblings was based on their individual qualities and the rich footballing pedigree of Nigerian players.
“We decided to sign the two brothers because we recognize the immense talent Nigeria continues to produce—legends like Jay-Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, and more recently, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, who have both won African Footballer of the Year. We hope Damilola and Jomiloju can replicate that level of excellence, not only for our club but also for their national team,” Smiljanić said.
He also urged the players to give their best in helping the club return to the Premier League, following its relegation in the 2007/2008 season.

The Ajanaku brothers expressed their gratitude to the club’s management for the opportunity and pledged to repay the trust placed in them.
“We’re excited to join this historic club, the first football club in Bihać, founded around 1920. We’re confident we can contribute to the team’s journey back to the Premier League,” said Damilola. Jomiloju also thanked the club president and everyone who made the move possible, acknowledging the support of their family.
“This is a new chapter in our careers, and we’re deeply grateful to our parents for allowing us to pursue our dreams. It’s a big opportunity to showcase our talents and work toward representing Nigeria and playing for top clubs in Europe. We believe joining NK Jedinstvo Bihać will open doors for us in the near future.”
Ajanaku Siblings Sign with European Club NK Jedinstvo Bihać
Nigerian brothers Damilola and Jomiloju Ajanaku have signed with NK Jedinstvo Bihać, a club in the First League of FBiH—the second tier of professional football in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At a brief but vibrant signing ceremony held on Friday, September 27, the club’s president, Saša Smiljanić, praised the duo’s talent and highlighted Nigeria’s reputation for producing exceptional footballers.
“We decided to sign the two brothers because we recognize the immense talent coming out of Nigeria—players like Jay-Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, and more recently, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, who have both won African Footballer of the Year. We hope Damilola and Jomiloju can replicate that level of excellence, not just for our club but also for their national team,” Smiljanić said.
He also challenged the siblings to give their best in helping the club return to the Premier League, following its relegation in the 2007/2008 season.
The Ajanaku brothers expressed their gratitude to the club’s management for the opportunity and pledged to repay the trust placed in them.
“We’re excited to join this historic club, the first football club in Bihać, founded around 1920. We’re confident we can contribute to the team’s journey back to the Premier League,” said Damilola.
Jomiloju also thanked the club president and everyone who made the move possible, acknowledging the support of their family.
“This is a new chapter in our careers, and we’re grateful to our parents for allowing us to pursue our dreams. It’s a big opportunity to showcase our talents and work toward representing Nigeria and playing for top clubs in Europe. We believe joining NK Jedinstvo Bihać will open doors for us in the near future.”
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Celebrating Dr. Sarah Adi’s Achievements: Why Tarabans Must Resist Ghost Workers Cartel
By Oluwatosin Alex, Kunle Tosin and Kayinde Oladele
Dr. Sarah Adi, the Commissioner of Finance in Taraba State, has distinguished herself as one of the strongest drivers of Governor Agbu Kefas’ reform agenda. Her tenure has been marked by bold and transformative steps that have restored order, accountability, and transparency to the state’s financial system.
One of her most notable achievements is her relentless war against the ghost workers’ cartel that had crippled Taraba’s payroll system for years. By blocking leakages and closing avenues through which corrupt individuals siphoned government funds, Dr. Adi has saved the state billions of naira and redirected those resources towards genuine workers and development.
Her reforms were particularly visible when Governor Agbu Kefas approved the employment of 1,500 staff across the state. Instead of implementing the directive, the cartel manipulated the process, inflating the figures to 6,000 on paper. This act doubled the wage bill from about N3 billion to over N6 billion monthly, creating a huge financial burden.
To tackle this, Dr. Adi spearheaded the introduction of biometric verification across the civil service to identify legitimate workers. The exercise revealed the shocking extent of fraud: ghost workers were being paid while many genuine workers were sidelined. In response, she introduced stricter controls, including a directive for every worker to submit their appointment letters. These bold measures restored sanity to the system but also made her the target of powerful cartels intent on sabotaging her efforts.
Despite the blackmail and attacks, Dr. Adi has remained undeterred. Her commitment to integrity and transparency has made her a beacon of good governance in Taraba State. She continues to ensure that salaries are paid to real workers, not fictitious names, thereby strengthening the state’s financial base and public trust in government.
It is clear that the attacks on Dr. Adi are desperate attempts by vested interests to weaken the state’s anti-corruption reforms. But their tactics will not succeed. Tarabans must rally around her and defend the progress already made under her leadership.
The state faces two choices: allow the ghost workers’ cartel to thrive and drain its resources, or support reform-minded leaders like Dr. Sarah Adi to destroy the cartel completely. The administration of Governor Agbu Kefas has made its choice, and Tarabans must also stand firmly on the side of progress, accountability, and integrity.
Dr. Adi’s achievements are proof that with the right leadership, corruption can be defeated, and Taraba State can thrive.
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