Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, uncorked its finest wines at an event in Lagos, Nigeria to highlight its First and Business Class wine selection on board. It was the first of its kind in the highly valuable Nigerian market.
Emirates invested US$ 1 billion on its wine programme since 2006, working directly with top vineyards around the world. Each year, 2.2 million bottles of wine are consumed in First and Business Class and 2.6 million bottles in Economy Class.
On board Emirates, 54% of the wine and champagne is consumed in Economy class, 40% is in Business class and 6% in First class. Bordeaux is the most consumed red wine in First and Business Class, at 58%.
“Our aim is to provide the best experience for our customers and our curated wine programme is reflective of that promise. We have a strong team of wine connoisseurs who build relationships with the world’s most prestigious vineyards, then handpick and secure the most exclusive and rare wines to pair with our food menu, for our customers.”, said Afzal Parambil, Emirates Regional Manager for West Africa.
“We serve 80 different champagnes, wines and ports on our flights daily sourced from 12 countries. We also offer over 30 spirits, aperitifs and liqueurs and 14 cocktails to our passengers across our network, including Lagos and Abuja.” he added.
Emirates’ main wine producing countries are Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and USA.
The wines presented by Emirates included:
· Dom Pérignon 2009: served only in First Class, Emirates is the number one global partner of Dom Pérignon, serving the champagne for over 25 years
· Metis Sauvignon Blanc Klein Constantia 2016: served only in Business Class, is an exceptional Sauvignon Blanc made at Klein Constantia in consultation with French winemaker Pascal Jolivet, whose wines Emirates has worked with for over 15 years
· Ken Forrester Gypsy: served in First and Business Class, Ken Forrester Wines is situated on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, in the heart of South Africa’s most famous wine region Stellenbosch, he has a partnership with Emirates for almost 10 years
· Château Pontet Canet 5ème Cru Classé 2006: served only in First Class, is owned by the 5th growth Pauillac, Alfred Tesseron and his team devote utmost attention to the vineyard and have implemented a biodynamic approach since 2004. This is an outstanding example of red Bordeaux, a style which represents the backbone of the Emirates wine selection.
· Graham’s 20 year old Tawny Port: served only in Business Class, is a combination of older ports – bringing complexity to the blend, and younger ports – bringing freshness and vibrancy. This pale, golden amber, or ‘tawny’ coloured fortified wine is exceptionally popular with Emirates customers.
At the heart of Emirates’ wine strategy is its unique approach to purchasing exceptional Bordeaux wines en primeur, years before they are released to the market, and then allowing these vintages to mature and reach their potential before serving on board. The Emirates wine cellar in Burgundy France, currently stores 7.4 million bottles of wine – some of which will only be served in 2037.
Emirates route network consists of 157 destinations in 83 countries. The airline’s fleet includes 259 passenger, which are A380 and B777 and 11 freighter aircraft, mainly B777. The airline operates a double daily flight to Lagos, and single daily flight to Abuja.
Eazie Boi, The Voice of A United Continent/Eazie Boi, The Voice of A Socialist Society
Raymond Israel, popularly known as Eazie Boi, is a dynamic professional Ib-based music recording artist… A songwriter, singer and rapper…Eazie Boi is an indigene of the state of Akwa Ibom… He’s released heartwarming singles like No Para, Oshey, Dispare, Burning Bridge, Endsarz Symphony. He just wanted to thank he’s Fans audience around the world for their support from day one. He is currently working on new projects combining his commitment to Pan-African network and a socialist government breeding consciousness into Afro-beats and hip-hop music.
He places himself in the lineage of pan-African singers like Paul Robeson, Miriam Makeba and the all time greats legendary Fela Kuti. His vision of a united continent and a socialist society is an awareness of the importance of pan-African solidarity of the continent and the diaspora.
For the vocalist, Africa is rich in its diversity and its unity around the philosophical concept Ubuntu. He likes to recall the strength of the Kemits and of the young African today who wishes to take charge of her future.
This commitment begins with his EndSarz symphony, a text committed to calling for an end to police brutality. ENdSars is this social movement of protest against the political violence carried out by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a unit of the Nigerian police. This mass protest movement calls for an end to oppression and police brutality in Nigeria. Eazie Boi then embraced socialist ideas. In his leaflet, he calls for socialist revolution in his country, Nigeria, which has problems with brutality, corruption and massacres. He then became the spokesperson for an entire generation of young Nigerians wishing to improve their living conditions.
He wants to make it known that he is working hard and will release his debut EP album in 2025. Although the release date has not yet been set, it will be communicated via his social media account.
Facebook Page:- Eazie Nation
Instagram account:- iam_eazieboi
X:- iam_eazieboi
His style of music and his musical genre are a panel of his talents. Although he is gifted in rapping and singing, his preferred style remains afro-beats. He is part of the lineage of current Naija artists who assert themselves as African and Afrobeat remains his favorite genre.
Rap remains a means of expression on political and social issues in Africa but also in the world. Singing is another cool way for Eazie Boi to express his feelings and communicate his ideas to the world.
Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 2025: Full List of Nominees Sparks Intense Reactions
The highly anticipated nominations for the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) have been unveiled, setting the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested battle among Africa’s finest in film, television, and digital content. With projects released between January 1 and December 31, 2024, the selection showcases an impressive array of talent and storytelling prowess across various categories.
Among the standout contenders, Lisabi: The Uprising, Skeleton Coast, House of Ga’a, and Freedom Way have emerged as dominant forces, securing multiple nominations, including Best Movie and Best Director.
Top Acting Categories
The Best Lead Actor category is stacked with some of Nollywood’s finest, featuring Gideon Okeke (Tokunbo), Stan Nze (Suspicion), Femi Adebayo (Seven Doors), and Adedimeji Lateef (Lisabi: The Uprising). These seasoned actors will battle it out for the prestigious award, each having delivered powerful performances that left audiences in awe.
On the other hand, the Best Lead Actress category sees a stellar lineup, including Chioma Chukwuka (Seven Doors), Bimbo Ademoye (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre), and Uche Montana (Thinline), all of whom have been recognized for their compelling roles in some of the year’s most talked-about films.
Fan-Favorite Categories and Industry Buzz
The digital space is also well represented, with the Best Digital Content Creator category featuring talents like Iyo Prosper Adokiye, Maryam Apakagi-Greene, and Elozonam Ogbolu. As social media continues to play a major role in content creation, this category is expected to be one of the most closely watched.
In addition, the Best Multichoice Talent Factory Movie category highlights emerging talents from across Africa, reinforcing the AMVCA’s commitment to nurturing young filmmakers. Titles such as Gone (West Africa), Everything Light Touches (West Africa), and The Immersive Alarm (East Africa) made the cut.
Biggest Showdowns and Surprises
The Best Director category is another highlight, with Robert O Peters (Skeleton Coast), Norman Maake (Inkabi), Bolanle Austen-Peters (House of Ga’a), and Femi Adebayo (Seven Doors) competing for the prestigious accolade. With each director bringing a unique touch to their respective films, this category is expected to be highly competitive.
Meanwhile, the Best Movie category features an exciting mix of epic blockbusters and critically acclaimed productions, including Lisabi: The Uprising, Skeleton Coast, Suspicion, Inkabi, House of Ga’a, Freedom Way, and Christmas in Lagos.
(Additional nominees for other categories omitted for brevity.)
What’s Next?
The 2025 AMVCA promises to be a night of glitz, glamour, and well-deserved recognition for the best in African entertainment. With some categories too close to call, fans and industry insiders are eagerly anticipating the final results.
Voting lines are now open, and the audience is encouraged to support their favorite nominees. As the countdown to the awards night begins, the excitement continues to build, with predictions and debates already dominating social media discussions.
Who will take home the prestigious AMVCA trophies? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—this year’s edition will go down as one of the most competitive and talked-about in the history of the awards.
Tayo Folorunsho Expands Nollywood’s Frontiers with KAP Film and Television Institute Graduation
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Nollywood, Africa’s largest film industry, is witnessing a new wave of transformation as industry professionals seek to refine their expertise and elevate the sector to global standards. In a major development, Tayo Folorunsho, a renowned edutainment entrepreneur and filmmaker, has successfully completed a professional program at the prestigious KAP Film and Television Institute in Lagos.
As the Founder of The Big Break Moment Africa and Head of Operations at EDUTAINMENT FIRST INTERNATIONAL LTD/GTE, Folorunsho has been instrumental in bridging education and entertainment, empowering young creatives, and shaping the future of Nollywood. His latest academic pursuit signals a shift towards business-driven filmmaking, which is crucial for Nollywood’s sustainability and competitiveness on the global stage.
Speaking on his motivation for enrolling at KAP, Folorunsho emphasized the need for filmmakers to go beyond creativity and embrace the business aspects of filmmaking.
“I was desirous of knowing the rudimentary part of the business aspect of filmmaking, beyond just creativity. Nollywood is expanding, and for it to remain competitive globally, we need to understand the financial and structural backbone of the industry. I got that knowledge here at KAP, and I am thoroughly impressed,” he stated.
With Nollywood ranking as the second-largest film industry in the world by output, industry stakeholders are increasingly focusing on enhancing production quality, securing better distribution models, and maximizing revenue streams. Folorunsho’s training at KAP has provided him with the tools to navigate the evolving landscape of global entertainment, positioning him as a key player in Nollywood’s next growth phase.
“This is a milestone for me. It has prepared me to be an all-around movie executive, not just a filmmaker. The experience at KAP has provided me with an A-to-Z understanding of movie-making, positioning me to contribute meaningfully to Nollywood’s future,” he added.
Folorunsho’s graduation reflects a growing trend in Nollywood, where professionals are seeking formal education to refine their craft and improve the industry’s global reputation. With streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime increasing their investment in Nollywood content, there is a greater demand for well-structured, high-quality productions that meet international standards.
As Nollywood expands its influence beyond Africa, the industry must adopt sound business models, better intellectual property protection, and strategic partnerships to maximize its potential. Folorunsho, through his work at EDUTAINMENT FIRST INTERNATIONAL LTD/GTE and The Big Break Moment Africa, is at the forefront of this new movement, inspiring and mentoring emerging creatives.
With his newfound expertise, Folorunsho is expected to spearhead innovative film projects, edutainment initiatives, and strategic collaborations that will shape Nollywood’s future. His approach to filmmaking—one that blends creativity with business intelligence—sets a new standard for how Nollywood professionals should position themselves in a rapidly evolving industry.
As the Nigerian film industry continues to gain recognition on the global stage, leaders like Tayo Folorunsho are proving that education, innovation, and strategic business knowledge are essential to Nollywood’s long-term success. His recent achievement is not just a personal milestone but a testament to Nollywood’s ongoing transformation into a world-class entertainment powerhouse.