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CNN meets Hollywood actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim

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On this week’s episode of African Voices, CNN meets actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim who has returned to his roots to help teach aspiring thespians. Kae-Kazim discusses the future of ‘Nollywood’ and why he feels passionate about celebrating African storytelling.

Kae-Kazim explains to the programme how his acting career began: “My interest [in the theatre] happened from an early age, at 15 or something like that. I trained as an actor, went to the [Bristol Old Vic] Theatre School and then did the Royal Shakespeare Company in the United Kingdom, then the National Theatre… I did some amazing plays with some amazing people. I just walked my way though, doing amazing projects.”

Known best for his powerful portrayal of a Hutu warlord in the critically acclaimed film Hotel Rwanda and for his role in Pirates of the Caribbean, Kae-Kazim is now returning to his home country to help teach young actors. He explains to the programme how this opportunity came about: “A director had come over to LA from Nigeria, had seen me work in 24, and said, ‘No one knows you’re Nigerian, you should come back, there are people who would love to see you, they’ll be surprised that you are Nigerian.’ So off the back of that I thought, you know, what a good idea. Let me go back and see what’s going on.”

Kae-Kazim outlines why he wants to share his knowledge: “I’ve come back to do some training with actors and people in production so that we can get to an understanding of the discipline really required to produce a top-notch film or television production.”

Sharing his skills hasn’t been the only thing he’s been busy doing since returning to Nigeria, he’s also been spending some time in front of the camera, making his ‘Nollywood’ debut in 2010: “The very first thing I did was a musical film called Inale. I then did a little film called Last Flight to Abuja and that was a really lovely little piece about the airline industry.”

Kae-Kazim describes why he feels passionate about supporting the film industry in Nigeria: “I am very proud of ‘Nollywood’, in terms of what the people have done. They’ve put Nigeria on the map and they’ve done this without any support of any kind and I think they must be acknowledged. I think what has to happen now is that the industry has to expand, it has to get bigger and better. It’s really about upping the technical anti of the film [and] being able to tell stories that are very true to the African voice.”

Kae-Kazim tells the programme that in order for this to happen, more needs to be done to support the industry: “No one is going to come and shoot there when the lights go off or when you need generators which are going to destroy your sound. That again is a lack of incentive to help build an industry which could be doing tremendous stuff for Nigeria.”

On why ‘Nollywood’ must continue to produce films and its’ potential to compete with the content being produced by the best in the industry, Kae-Kazim states: “We have to start to tell these stories for ourselves, to me, that’s the most important thing. You know, I’m coming back from Hollywood, not to come and say, ‘Let’s bring Hollywood here’, but to really make ‘Nollywood’, Hollywood. To inspire the fact that we should be the stewards of our own stories. We have a myriad of different stories that we can tell that are all uniquely Nigerian on one level and uniquely African on another level.”  

Kae-Kazim explains that part of supporting the industry would be to make cinemas more accessible in Nigeria: “I think building more cinemas in and around Nigeria would certainly help… I would love to see more cinemas going up in places like Ajaygunlay and Surelee with affordable prices.”

He describes what he hopes to see from ‘Nollywood’ in the future: “I want to see Nigeria as the hub of African filmmaking, not just concentrating on Nigerian films, but on films that tell you about the African voice from the African perspective.”

Kae-Kazim offers some advice for aspiring actors: “Just keep loving what you do, but it’s really [down to] working hard, trying to improve not only yourself as an actor but the state of the industry. That also means [improving] the day to day discipline and making sure one is on time and focused when one is at work.”

CNN

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Nigeria, once a shining example of democracy in Africa, has taken a dark turn

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Nigeria, once a shining example of democracy in Africa, has taken a dark turn.

By George O. Sylvester

 

Nigeria, once a beacon of hope and democracy in Africa, has devolved into a nation where the masses are being systematically oppressed and silenced. The current administration, led by President Tinubu, has turned the country upside down, leaving the people feeling helpless, voiceless, and disenfranchised. The government’s actions are eerily reminiscent of the dark days of military rule, where dissent was not tolerated, and opposition was brutally suppressed.

As Obafemi Awolowo aptly observed, “The people’s business is the most sacred business in the world.” It’s time for Nigerians to reclaim their business – their country – from those who seek to oppress and silence them.

The Tinubu administration’s penchant for authoritarianism has created an atmosphere of fear, where citizens are reluctant to speak out against injustice. The government’s stranglehold on free speech, assembly, and the press has effectively silenced dissenting voices. This is a recipe for disaster, as a nation that suppresses its citizens’ voices is doomed to fail.

PLO Lumumba’s words resonate deeply in this context: “The greatest problem with Africa is that those who have ideas lack the power and those who have power lack ideas.” Nigeria is suffering from a severe case of this affliction, where those in power are devoid of vision, and those with ideas are powerless.

We cannot afford to remain silent in the face of such brazen oppression. We must rise up, demand a better future, and hold our leaders accountable. The consequences of inaction are too dire to contemplate – a nation where freedom and justice are mere illusions, and citizens are forced to flee their own country in search of basic human rights.

Let us stand together, united in our quest for a better Nigeria. Let us make our voices heard, loud and clear, and demand an end to this oppressive regime. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations to act now.

The time for change is now. Let us rise up and reclaim our nation. We must not allow the forces of oppression to silence us. We must not allow them to steal our future. We must stand together and fight for a better Nigeria.

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I didn’t snatch Asake’s mother from her husband -Musibau Alani

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I didn’t snatch Asake’s mother from her husband -Musibau Alani

 

 

Legendary Fuji musician, Alhaji Musibau Alani has refuted rumours spreading on social media that he snatched Fali, the mother of famous afrobeats musician Asake from her estranged husband, Mr Odunsi, fondly called Malo.

In a chat, the Stand Well Well crooner, who is Asake’s step-father confirmed that he was married to the singer’s mother in a union that produced three kids, two of which are late, but denied snatching her from any man.

Following heated allegations of neglect from Mr Odunsi against Asake, social media was agog with rumours that Alani was responsible for the breakup between the singer’s parents. Some also alleged that the veteran Fuji musician was on the band stand during Asake’s naming ceremony. But Musibau Alani has said there’s no iota of truth in all the rumours.

According to him, “I met Fali as a single mother, she was already separated from her husband, whom I didn’t know at that point in time. We got along and she moved in with me with her son Ahmed (Asake). I trained the boy.

“I later met her ex-husband, Malo who was working at a council in Lagos Island then. The day he saw me at the council, he was even telling his colleagues to thank me for taking good care of his son Ahmed (Asake). For the records, I did not snatch Fali from her first husband, and I did not play or attend Asake’s naming ceremony,” Alani stated.

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Half a Billion in Debt! Mr Macaroni Opens Up on Devastating Financial Loss, Betrayal

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Half a Billion in Debt! Mr Macaroni Opens Up on Devastating Financial Loss & Betrayal

BETRAYAL, DEBT, AND REDEMPTION: MR MACARONI OPENS UP ON LOSING HIS LIFE SAVINGS, BEING HALF A BILLION IN DEBT

Lagos, Nigeria – Popular Nigerian activist, comedian, and actor, Mr Macaroni has sent shockwaves across social media with a heartbreaking revelation about his battle with financial loss, crushing debt, and ultimate betrayal.

In a deeply personal post on X, the entertainer—real name Debo Adebayo—revealed how a combination of scams, bad investments, and reckless spending led him into financial ruin, forcing him into a debt exceeding half a billion naira.

The Shocking Financial Downfall

Mr Macaroni confessed that between 2021 and 2022, he lost his entire life savings due to a fraudulent scheme and a failed investment. But rather than share his struggles, he kept his pain hidden, pushing forward with his career while silently battling the devastating reality of being broke.

“It shook me deeply, but I told NO ONE about it… I have a duty to continue to entertain, inform, educate, and use my art to make society a better place. The show must go on!” he wrote.

In a desperate bid to stay afloat, he turned to borrowing, confident that his steady income would allow him to pay off his debts. However, he soon realized that he was barely surviving—earning millions, but spending it all on paying off accumulating interests.

“I got too comfortable, and it took me a long time to realize I was using the money I was earning to pay back interests,” he admitted, describing his financial recklessness as a long-standing personal struggle.

The Ultimate Betrayal

Just when he thought things couldn’t get worse, Mr Macaroni revealed that someone he deeply trusted—a person he considered a sister and a friend—betrayed him in an unimaginable way. The emotional and financial blow left him completely destabilized.

“I hardly trust people, and nothing surprises me about human nature. But this? I could never have prepared for. Such was the level of trust and love,” he lamented.

Rock Bottom & The Fight to Rebuild

Despite his record-breaking performances in Nollywood, receiving accolades at international film festivals, 2024 was still his most troubling year. Behind the scenes, he was sinking under a debt of over half a billion naira, carrying the weight of his financial mistakes, poor decisions, and betrayal.

But in true warrior spirit, Mr Macaroni refused to be defeated.

“One thing about me is that I’m a fighter! I have never backed down from a battle. When I fall, I bounce back even stronger!” he declared.

With the support of family, true friends, and sheer resilience, the beloved activist says he has turned a corner and is finally in a better place—stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever.

A Message to Those Struggling: “DO NOT GIVE UP!”

To everyone currently battling betrayal, financial hardship, or personal struggles, Mr Macaroni offers a powerful message of hope:

“People will betray you, but you must not let that break you. You are alive for a reason. Every day, fight to be a better person than you were yesterday!”

He urged his followers to learn from his mistakes, be more financially responsible, seek help when needed, and never let adversity define them.

“May the love in our hearts always be greater than the hate, betrayal, and wickedness in the world!” he concluded.

Social Media Reacts

Following his revelation, social media has been flooded with messages of support and admiration for Mr Macaroni’s honesty and resilience. Many have praised him for shedding light on financial literacy, debt struggles, and the importance of choosing the right people to trust.

From scandal to strength, his story serves as a powerful reminder that even the strongest among us face dark times—but with courage and determination, there is always a way forward.

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