Africa International Christian Film Festival (AICFF) Announces Debut Dates in Nigeria

Abuja, Nigeria — January 27, 2026

The Africa International Christian Film Festival (AICFF) has officially announced June 3–6, 2026 as the dates for its maiden edition, scheduled to hold in Abuja, Nigeria.

AICFF, a continental platform dedicated to amplifying Christian films from Africa and around the world, while strengthening production quality, professional training, distribution, and market access for faith-based content within Africa will shapen a new narrative in Christian based films.

The festival will feature: Film screenings from Africa and the global Christian film community;
Panel discussions and industry conversations;
Professional workshops and trainings;
A Christian Film Market connecting filmmakers with distributors, broadcasters, and platforms.

Speaking on the vision behind AICFF, the Festival Convener, Ambassador Bright Wonder Obasi, noted that the festival was created to serve as a gateway for global Christian films into Africa and a launchpad for African stories to reach the world.

AICFF also invites Christian filmmakers from Africa and across the world to submit feature films, documentaries, short films, animations, and faith-inspired content that reflect biblical values, excellence in storytelling, and cultural relevance.

Obasi also assured participants that the selected films will be showcased to:
International festival partners;
Broadcasters and Christian media networks;
Distributors and streaming platforms;
Industry leaders and faith-based institutions.

With Africa’s rapidly growing Christian population and creative economy, AICFF aims to position the continent as a recognized global hub for Christian cinema.

Submissions are now open via www.filmfreeway.com/AICFFA. With the deadline set for March 31, 2026.

For More on AICFF, contact Bright Wonder Obasi
Africa International Christian Film Festival (AICFF) |[email protected]
www.gosplecinemaint.com/AICFF

Oyo @ 50: Ajadi Felicitates Govt, People, Backs Omituntun 3.0 for Sustainable Development

…Says continuity key to preserving Makinde’s legacy of peace, infrastructure growth

A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and leading governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has congratulated the Oyo State Government and the people of the state on the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of Oyo State, describing the milestone as a testament to resilience, unity, and progressive governance.

The Golden Jubilee celebration, which kicked off on Monday with an opening ceremony at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, is part of a week-long programme themed “Consolidating the Legacy, Navigating the Present, and Reimagining the Future.” The anniversary activities began on January 26 and will climax on February 3 with a grand gala night at the Government House, Agodi, where all 17 former governors of the state are expected to be honoured.

Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the opening ceremony, Ajadi, an Ibadan indigene, commended the people of Oyo State for maintaining peaceful coexistence over the last five decades, noting that the state has continued to record remarkable progress in governance and infrastructure development.

He described the past 50 years as a source of pride, adding that Oyo State has witnessed unprecedented development, particularly under the current administration.

Ajadi specifically lauded Governor Seyi Makinde for what he described as significant improvements in infrastructure, especially in the area of road construction and urban traffic management across the state.

According to him, the successes recorded in traffic regulation and urban mobility in Ibadan were the result of deliberate planning and implementation under Omituntun 1.0 and Omituntun 2.0, citing the construction of modern bus terminals at Iwo Road, Challenge, and Ojoo as notable examples.

He also praised the governor for the ongoing Ibadan Circular Road Project, which he said would, upon completion, attract massive economic activities and stimulate development across the state.

While congratulating the people on the Golden Jubilee, Ajadi called for sustained support for the current development trajectory, stressing that the state must not deviate from well-structured and people-oriented programmes already in place.

“As we celebrate the Golden Anniversary of our dear state, it is important for our people to understand that we cannot afford to abandon the sound policies and development agenda of the present administration,” he said.

Ajadi further declared his commitment to building on the achievements of Governor Makinde through what he described as Omituntun 3.0, should he be given the mandate.

“I, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, am fully determined to sustain and expand the good works of our amiable governor through Omituntun 3.0,” he stated.

He urged residents to embrace continuity ahead of the next general elections, warning against any deviation that could threaten the prevailing peace and steady development in the state.

Ajadi also expressed appreciation to traditional rulers across the state for their support and cooperation with the government, noting that their role remains vital to peace and grassroots development.

He expressed confidence that with the emergence of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa I), the Olubadan of Ibadanland, as Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, peace and development would continue to thrive in the state.

He concluded by congratulating the government and people of Oyo State on the historic milestone, describing Oyo as the Pace Setter State with a promising future.

THE GREAT LAND SCANDAL: Wike Under Fire for Alleged Illegal Allocation of Abuja’s Green Spaces

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG

“How the Federal Capital’s Urban Integrity Faces an Existential Threat.”

In the heart of Africa’s most politically symbolic city, Abuja, a storm has erupted (not fueled by ideology or electoral dispute) but by an alleged betrayal of urban planning principles, environmental sustainability and public trust. At the centre of this convulsion stands Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), accused by a leading human rights lawyer of illegally allocating protected green areas to developers for luxury residential construction. The controversy has ignited fresh debate about governance, environmental law and the future of Nigeria’s capital city.

The flashpoint was a designated green area in Maitama Extension, one of Abuja’s most prestigious residential districts. This zone was reserved in Abuja’s Master Plan as a green buffer, designed to support stormwater runoff, preserve natural ecology and act as a safety valve against flooding in the rainy season. Yet, according to human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, this sacred urban reserve has now been fenced off and construction of upscale duplexes is proceeding unabated on it.

Adeyanju’s allegation is not trivial rhetoric, it is a direct challenge to the sacred covenant between an administration and the public it serves. In his public statement, he described the development as an “outright distortion of the Abuja Master Plan,” warning that it “places private profit above public safety and environmental sustainability.” His imagery was striking: a natural drainage channel turned makeshift access road, a warning sign of impending environmental peril.

Urban Planning vs. Commercial Gain.
The Abuja Master Plan, established as a binding framework for land use and development, includes provisions for green areas precisely to manage stormwater, reduce urban heat islands, conserve biodiversity and serve as public recreational space. Urban planning experts stress that these zones are not just aesthetic features, but functional infrastructure critical to city resilience. When green buffers are compromised, cities face more severe flooding, infrastructure strain and public health risks.

One respected urbanist, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the political sensitivity of the matter, noted:

“Green spaces in planned cities are equivalent to lungs in a human body; deprive a city of its green lungs and you invite systemic failure alongside environmentally and socially.”

Though specific environmental impact assessments for the Maitama Extension project have not been made public, observers note that the area’s natural drainage channels historically diverted heavy rainfall runoff. Interfering with these features could worsen flooding in already vulnerable neighbourhoods.

Allegations, Public Outrage and Official Response.

Adeyanju’s critique exploded on social media and was amplified by civil society groups already sceptical of the FCT Administration’s land policies. Many fear that this is not an isolated issue but a symptom of a broader pattern of land governance that favours powerful interests at the expense of public rights.

In response, the FCT Minister’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, defended the administration’s authority over land use decisions. He stated that land designation is not static and can be altered if legally approved, including by the Minister himself. Olayinka argued that reclassifying land use (even from green zone to residential) is permissible under certain conditions and should not be immediately interpreted as illegal.

This response highlights a crucial legal question: What constitutes lawful change of land use in Abuja? The Federal Capital Territory Act and urban planning statutes require that land use alterations must comply with the Master Plan and be transparently processed through appropriate planning authorities. Without full disclosure of approvals, critics argue, any claimed authority to repurpose green areas must be vigorously scrutinised.

Civil Society and Calls for Transparency.
The controversy has drawn more than one voice. A coalition of civic and housing advocacy organisations (including the Housing Development Advocacy Network) has publicly admonished the FCT administration for what they describe as “a dangerous erosion of Abuja’s green infrastructure.” According to the network, parks, gardens and buffer zones originally reserved as the capital’s lungs are being eroded through indiscriminate allocations for commercial or residential developments.

“The loss of green spaces,” the HDAN argued, “threatens not only ecological balance but also the lived quality of citizens and investors alike.” In their view, sustainable development must balance growth with preservation and not sacrifice one at the altar of short-term gain.

Another prominent civil society campaign, carrying the hashtag #StopWikeLandGrab, has called for mass action and independent investigation into alleged cronies benefiting from controversial land deals in the FCT. While some of the more expansive claims (such as massive tracts of land being allocated to family members) have been contested and remain subject to verification, they nonetheless reflect deep public mistrust in the administration’s land management practices.

A transparency advocate from Abuja, Dr. Chibuzo Okeke, offered a stark criticism that resonates with many residents:

“When land intended for the public good becomes a vehicle for private accumulation without clear accountability, it signals a crisis of governance. Abuja belongs to the people not to a selected few.”

Environmental Risks and Urban Futures.
Environmental scientists warn that tampering with natural drainage systems, as alleged in the Maitama case where a canal is reportedly being converted into an access road, could have severe consequences. In cities with similar climates and topographies, the loss of natural channels has been linked with increased frequency and severity of flood events, soil erosion and infrastructure failures.

Professor Amina Suleiman, a climatologist at a Nigerian university, underscores the severity:

“Urban expansion must respect natural hydrology. When you disrupt waterways for development without compensatory engineering or rigorous planning, you court ecological failure.”

In a city like Abuja, which experiences intense seasonal rainfall, the stakes are high. Without green buffers and functioning natural drainage, residents could face heightened flood risk, not just in Maitama, but in neighbouring districts cascading downhill.

Governance, Law and the Public Interest.
The Wike controversy underscores a broader struggle over how public assets are managed, who gets to decide their use, and how transparent those decisions must be. Nigeria’s Constitution and related land laws mandate that public officials act in the public interest and uphold principles of accountability and fairness. When these tenets appear compromised, citizen confidence in governance erodes.

Legal experts suggest that, if substantiated, the allocation of green areas for luxury residential development without demonstrated compliance with planning and environmental safeguards could constitute a breach of administrative law. However, they also note that such matters often hinge on procedural proof, documented approvals, environmental impact assessments and transparent decision-making records.

A Moment of National Reflection.
At its core, the Maitama green area dispute is not merely a local planning controversy, but it is a national litmus test. Nigeria is grappling with rapid urbanisation, environmental vulnerabilities and governance challenges. How these are managed will determine not only the future of Abuja but also signal the country’s commitment to sustainable development and the rule of law.

For now, public outcry continues, civic organisations press for independent investigations, and residents watch with concern as this drama unfolds in the corridors of power.

Yet one truth stands: urban land is not just a commodity, it is a public trust. And any erosion of that principle risks more than controversy; it threatens the environmental sustainability and social fabric of the capital city itself.