A cultural documentary, “Bigger Than Africa” featuring some foremost and prominent Yoruba culture enthusiasts and traditional leaders which include, the Ooni of Ife, the Alaafin of Oyo, the Alaketu of Ketu, King of Port Novo, President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof Wole Soyinka, Prof. Wande Abimbola, Chief Mrs. Nike Okundaye, Fayemi Elebuibon, Femi Kuti amongst others, is set to debut on Friday, May 13, 2022 on global streaming platform, Netflix.
Toyin Ibrahim Adekeye, Director of Bigger Than Africa
The documentary produced by Motherland Productions is directed by Nigerian born Los Angeles based filmmaker, Toyin Ibrahim Adekeye, who is also the founder of Motherland Productions USA.
From left Ms. Nanette Braun, UN Department of Global Communications Public Engagement and Toyin Ibrahim Adekeye, Director of Bigger Than Africa UN Photo: Evan Schneider.
The well researched documentary will expose the international audience to the historical influence of Yoruba culture and how it transcends continents and connects the Black diaspora.
Film synopsis:
“When the Slave ships docked in North America, Brazil and the Caribbean, hundreds of cultures, traditions, and religions landed with Africans on board. One transcended slavery beyond imagination to remain alive till this day in the new world; the culture of the Yoruba’s.”
In this regard, Bigger Than Africa Documents the journey of enslaved Africans through the lens of the Yoruba culture of West Africa. This historical documentary takes you through 6 countries, Brazil, Cuba, Nigeria, Trinidad & Tobago, The Republic of Benin and The United States.
“I hope it becomes a unifying documentary for all people of African descent irrespective of their countries. It’s a film that uniquely tells the stories of our commonalities rather than our differences.” Said the director of the film, Toyin Ibrahim Adekeye.
Toyin Ibrahim Adekeye is described as an artist with eyes for detail and a passion for perfection. A product of the Los Angeles Film School Hollywood,
Bigger Than Africa is his first feature documentary and the film has screened at film festivals Worldwide winning multiple awards & earning prestigious screening invitations from venues like The United Nations and The Schomburg Center for Research on Black Culture amongst others.
The film is distributed by KAP Film with the participation of the New York based Management Agency EGMNY.
FILM AWARDS
• Charlotte Black Film Festival 2019 – Winner Best Documentary
• Silicon Valley African Film Festival 2018 – Winner Best Diaspora Documentary
• International Houston Black Film Festival 2019 – Winner Best Documentary
• AFI World Peace Initiative Cannes 2019 – Best Feature Documentary
• AFI World Peace Initiative Cannes 2019 – Best Documentary in cultural presentation
• Festivals International du Film Panafricain de Cannes 2019 – Winner Jury Special Mentioned
• African Movie Academy Awards 2018 – Best Documentary Nominations
• The African Film Festival TAFF Dallas 2019 – Winner Best Indigenous Documentary
• Africa World Film Festival Detroit 2018 – Best Documentary 2nd Place.
• Montreal International Black Film Festival 2018 – Best Documentary Nomination
Contact details:
Instagram: motherland production
Email: [email protected]
Ayra Starr’s Mother Sparks Buzz with Confession About Her Mystery Crush
The mother of Nigerian Afrobeat sensation Ayra Starr has sent social media into a frenzy with a playful revelation about having a crush on someone who, humorously, calls her “mummy.” In a video that quickly went viral, she expressed her excitement about the possibility of meeting her crush at Ayra Starr’s upcoming show on Christmas Day.
Captioning the video, Ayra Starr’s mother wrote: “Wahala, my crush is calling me mummy. Anyways, we will meet at Ayra’s show on the 25th.” Her candid and lighthearted confession immediately captivated fans, sparking a wave of speculation about the identity of her mystery crush.
Many have taken to social media to guess the individual who has captured Ayra Starr’s mother’s affections. A popular theory among fans is that the crush might be none other than Don Jazzy, the renowned Nigerian music mogul and the boss of Ayra Starr’s record label, Mavin Records. However, Ayra’s mother kept the identity of her crush under wraps, leaving fans to wonder and eagerly anticipate any clues that might surface.
As the excitement for Ayra Starr’s Christmas Day show builds, fans are eagerly awaiting the event, with many now watching closely to see if Ayra’s mother’s cheeky prediction about meeting her crush will indeed come true.
Stay tuned for updates and watch the video below as the mystery continues to unfold!
Self-Anointed Financial Guru, Geh Geh, Celebrates the Launch of His Luxury Hotel
Popular financial influencer and self-proclaimed guru, Geh Geh, has officially opened the doors to his new hotel, marking another milestone in his ever-evolving career. The hotel, a modern and tastefully furnished establishment, was unveiled on December 22nd amidst a wave of excitement from his followers and supporters.
Taking to his X page a few days prior to the launch, Geh Geh teased his fans with the announcement, hinting at the grand opening. True to his word, the influencer shared clips from the event, including a moment where his pastor prayed over the establishment during its official dedication.
The event was attended by friends, family, and well-wishers, who gathered to celebrate his achievement. Online reactions, however, have been a mix of admiration, skepticism, and humor as netizens took to social media to share their thoughts on Geh Geh’s latest accomplishment.
Social Media Reactions
The news of Geh Geh’s hotel opening has sparked lively conversations across social platforms. Some users congratulated him on his success, while others questioned the legitimacy of his wealth and mocked the idea of a pastor blessing a hotel.
@BIG🌍 AP❣️: “Finally, Geh Geh don get the congratulations 🎉 way him dey find since lol 🤣🤣 Congratulations 🎉 Opueh Presido.”
@ucheuch2 MMM: “Geh Geh no get hotel.”
@Quency baby 🫂🥹: “Dem open hotel, pastor dey pray 🤦♀️.”
@Elbulletin: “So this guy gets money?”
@Boy alone💜🧎♂️🧎♂️☹️: “Omo, wait oh, na Geh Geh really get am? Omo, if na him, I go start worship Geh Geh online oh 😞.”
@Babatunde Phillip: “Imagine a pastor attending the opening ceremony of a hotel where Geh Geh said girls go cryyyy.”
@user97174499693224: “So pastor dey pray for hotel opening 😂😂😂.”
@ABIODUN__🌴💙🚬: “I dey cryyyyyyy now, if to say I know, I for worship Geh Geh online 😭😂.”
While the reactions may vary, one thing is clear: Geh Geh knows how to command attention. As he steps into the hospitality business, all eyes will be on him to see if the financial guru can translate his influence into success in this new venture.
Ukrainian boxing sensation Oleksandr Usyk retained his heavyweight championship titles and cemented his place in boxing history with a unanimous decision victory over Britain’s Tyson Fury in their rematch on Saturday night.
The judges scored the bout 116-112 in Usyk’s favor across the board, marking his second consecutive win over Fury. This victory extended Usyk’s flawless professional record to 23-0, with 14 knockouts, adding another chapter to a career already highlighted by Olympic gold and an undisputed cruiserweight championship.
A Masterclass Performance
Usyk, 37, showcased his signature precision and relentless pace, repeatedly catching Fury with clean left hooks and dominating the latter stages of the fight. Fury, at 6ft 9in (206cm) and weighing a career-high 281 pounds, attempted to impose his physicality but was unable to break Usyk’s composure.
The fight, held in Saudi Arabia, saw Usyk wearing traditional Cossack attire during his entrance, while Fury entered the arena dressed in a festive Santa-inspired robe to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”
The early rounds were competitive, with Fury landing powerful jabs and body shots. However, Usyk’s endurance and tactical brilliance began to shine in the middle rounds. The Ukrainian landed sharp combinations and dictated the tempo, including a stunning uppercut in the final round that left little doubt about the outcome.
“I thought I’ve won both fights,” Fury said post-match, sporting a bruised right eye. “But I’ll always believe until the day I die that I won that fight.”
A Legacy Sealed
Usyk’s victory solidified his standing as one of the greatest heavyweights in history. Already the first undisputed heavyweight of the four-belt era, Usyk joins the ranks of legends like Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and Mike Tyson.
The bout, reported to have a prize purse of $190 million, also underscored Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sports. Usyk, who served briefly as a soldier during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, celebrated his victory by hoisting a symbolic sabre belonging to Ukrainian nationalist hero Ivan Mazepa.
Fury’s Uncertain Future
The defeat leaves Fury’s future in doubt. Once unbeaten across 35 fights, Fury now stands at 34-2-1. His attempt to reclaim glory after a brief retirement in 2022 has been marred by back-to-back losses to Usyk.
Usyk, on the other hand, continues to add to his already remarkable resume, leaving fans and critics alike in awe of his technical skill, resilience, and determination. As the heavyweight division looks ahead, Usyk’s reign appears unshakable, and his place among boxing’s all-time greats is firmly secured.