Ajia Marks His Birthday With Message of Encouragement to Nigerians

Asks Nigerians to Take Charge of Their Destiny

Drops hashtag #NigeriaWeDeserve

Sahara Weekly Reports That The President/CEO of Funab Group of Companies Ltd, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia, marks his 45th birthday with a strong call for credible leadership that can harness Nigeria’s vast potentials for prosperity.

The call was made in his birthday message, released by his Director of Communications, Malam Abdulrahman Aliagan. In his message, Ajia emphasized the urgent need for sociopolitical and economic reforms to address the myriad of challenges facing the nation towards paving the way for a brighter future for all Nigerians.

With a firm belief in the transformative power of effective governance and sustainable economic development, Ajia firmly believes that the problems the nation is facing are surmountable, maintaining that the problems are primarily sociopolitical and economic in nature, as such if adequately and effectively addressed would bring succour to the people.

Furthermore, Ajia highlighted the importance of cohesive and strategic interventions to steer the nation towards sustainable development.

“As I celebrate my birthday, I present to you a vision for a Nigeria that thrives on the principles of justice, accountability, and inclusive growth,”.

Ajia pointed out that the solution to Nigeria’s problems lies in leadership while expressing deep concerns on the quality, sincerity, commitment, and patriotism of those in leadership positions. Ajia, however, urged citizens not to be overwhelmed but rather take charge of their own destiny.

The Ilorin-born politician said, “We still have the power to make things better for ourselves, our families, and our communities, despite leadership challenges. We must raise our voices, take action, and work together to build a better Nigeria.”

He called on Nigerians, especially the people of Kwara State, to embrace their collective power and strive for positive change.

Ajia’s message resonates with many, as the country faces numerous challenges.

Funab President urges Nigerians to raise their voices on issues affecting their communities, take action through volunteerism and community service, support local businesses and initiatives that can promote development while embracing their collective power to work together for positive change.

He therefore advised Nigerians to share their thoughts and ideas on how to build a better Nigeria using the hashtag #NigeriaWeDeserve. “Let us work together to create a brighter future for all.”

As a respected business leader and philanthropist, Ajia’s commitment to Nigeria’s development is evident. His birthday serves as a reminder that individuals can make a difference and contribute to the country’s growth.

Ajia’s vision for a prosperous future hinges on the collective efforts of all Nigerians, and he calls for unity and collaboration across sectors to implement these solutions effectively.

With a clear roadmap for progress and prosperity, Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment where transformation and growth are within reach, awaiting the unwavering dedication and concerted action of its leaders and citizens alike.

Alleged Rape Scandal:
Legendary Music Producer, Julie King Replies Nifemi Gold , Give Her 14- Day To Retract Statement, Apologizes

Seasoned music producer, Julius Olagoroye popularly known as Julie King, has reacted to the alleged trending video online that he allegedly raped a physically challenged upcoming gospel artiste, Felicia Oluranti Oladeji popularly known as Nifemi Gold and late Aduke Gold.

It could be recalled that Nifemi Gold few weeks ago posted a viral video alleging Julie King of raping her and the late Aduke Gold before she died ” Before her death, Aduke Gold confided in me that Julie King raped her and i can also revealed that he raped me too” said Nifemi in the video.

At a press conference on Monday in Lagos, the alleged music producer, Julie King denied the allegations vehemently, saying that, he was devastated when he watched the viral video sent to him, ” somebody sent the alleged rape video made by Nifemi Gold to me, and I was indeed devastated.
According to him, when I saw it, I didn’t know what to do, I quickly informed a friend who saw the video and advised me on the steps I’m taking now.

“I’m not a rapist, I’m married and blessed with kids. Nifemi Gold is a liar and a scammer, I didn’t rape her, nor raped Aduke Gold, I connected her with Aduke Gold and they only met once before she died, and I can categorically tell you that all her claims were fallacy, let her bring her proof if truly I raped her”.

Speaking on the steps he has taken on the alleged rape by Nifemi Gold, Julie King stated that his lawyer has written a letter to Nifemi Gold, given her 14-day ultimatum to retract the alleged rape scandal and apologize to him on the same platform she used to scandalize him, between 5th September and 19th September, 2024, if not they will meet in court.

He also added that the alleged defamation has been reported at the Police State CID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos already and will face the law if she refuses to provide her facts on the said allegation.

” I’m surprised Nifemi Gold that I nurtured in music industry could framed such a big lie to malign me.

“I met her in 2019 at Imole Joseph album’s launch and I’ve been supporting her music career, not knowing that she has an ulterior motives against me.Although, we are very close, she was my client and also my friend, but not emotional close. Her family were also in the know of my support to her, there was a time, she was depressed and wanted to commit suicide, she told her mum to call, and I came to her rescue, glory be to God.
Conclusively, Julie King said, all that Nifemi Gold could pay him back was the alleged rape scandal, which he was not involved in.He said

– *Akin Sokoya*

Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen Celebrates Nollywood Greats with ISFF Awards Endowment

Veteran film and television greats, both living and those who have passed on but made indelible marks on the Nigerian film industry, also known as Nollywood, are up for celebration at the International Students’ Film Festival, dedicated to training young ones to be the future of Nigeria’s cinema industry.

With a keen eye to celebrate these all-time veterans of cinema, Edo-born filmmaker, Amb. (Dr.) Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen (aka D’Guvernor), has instituted film awards system to honour and celebrate the living and some fallen heroes of Nollywood whose works continue to resonate with audiences.
The second edition of International Students’ Film Festival (ISFF), a campus-based travelling film festival, is scheduled to take place at the Department of Film and Multimedia Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, from September 16 – 20, 2024 where the living and late legends will be honoured with awards named after them. Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, hosted the festival’s first edition in 2023.

Nollywood ace screenwriter Emem Isong has Emem Isong Misodi Award for Best Screenplay named after her, just as Iyen Agbonifo has Iyen Agbonifo Award or Best Costume category named after her, Cleopatra Starret has Cleopatra Starrets Award for Best Make-Up named after her and Sir, Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion Award for Best film on Culture also named after him. Also, four fallen heroes of the industry are up for honour with awards dedicated to their names. They are Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi of African Independent Television (AIT) for pioneering a television platform for showcasing films and soap operas, Chico Ejiro for his prodigious output as a filmmaker, Sadiq Daba and Enebeli Elebuwa for their pioneering roles as astute actors and Capt. Hosa Okunbo for his role as film financier and major entertainment supporter

Meanwhile, the long awaited nomination list for the students’ film festival, in collaboration with Nollywood National Conference, has been released. The ISFF 2024 jury, led by Dr. Charles Okwuowulu (DGN), a filmmaker and a senior lecturer with both Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Nkwo, Ebonyi State and Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, observed that there was an avalanche of films coming from professionals rather than the students, noting that his jury team took time to ensure that only student projects were shortlisted for the awards.

While applauding Amb. Imasuen for initiating the International Students’ Film Festival as a training ground for aspiring filmmakers, Dr. Okwuowulu charged students in tertiary institutions both in Nigeria and across the globe to take advantage of this wonderful training/learning platform created by Amb. Imasuen who has made his mark in the Nigerian creative economy. Dr. Okwuowulu said he worked with other six distinguished jurors such as Dr. Gloria Ernest-Samuel, an Associate Professor of Media Studies at Imo State University, Owerri, Dr. Finest Uwaoma of University of Maiduguri, Dr. Richard Illoma of Rivers State University, Dr. Folakemi Ogungbe of Pan Atlantic University, Promise Soyenka (DGN) of the University of Port Harcourt and Joseph Osademe of African Independent Television (AIT) to arrive at the nomination list.

While congratulating the nominees, Festival Director, Mr. Michael Chinda, assured the general public that alliwas set to have a great film harvest in Port Harcourt, and called on all art lovers to be part of the unique film festival that has as theme ‘Unique UNIPORT 2024’. He commended the jurors who he said worked independently towards ensuring that the best films emerged as nominees.

The students’ films nominated for the nine award categories include Le Kadji, Dazed and Adaeze for Best Screenplay; Budge, Adaeze and Score for Iyen Agbonifo Award for Best Costume; Adeaze, Score and Dazed for Cleopatra Award for Best Make-Up; Obiora (Dominic Nweze as Obiora), Budge (Shedrach Sunday as Zazo) and Solitude (Ibinabo Fortune as Kelvin) for Enebeli Elebuwa Memorial Award for Best Actor (male) while for Female actor category, there are Adaeze (Jane Chidindu as Adaeze), Are You Human? (Ekienabor Sarah) and Score (Trinity Ugonabo as Nelo). Also, there’s Sadiq Daba Memorial Award for Best Short Film that has Dazed, Budge and Solitude, Capt. Hosa Okunbo Memorial Award for Best Feature Film with The Pirates, Praeda and Once Upon a Time at Ruth’s as nominees; Chico Ejiro Memorial Award for Best Director and has Budge, Dazed and Solitude as nominations; Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi Memorial Award for Documentary with 40 Years a Memory, The Rise and Ndito-Ufen as nominated films.

Amb. Imasuen said the motivation for setting up the student-based festival is to lend credence to his passion of empowering young people with skills in the industry where he has made a name for himself. He said he doesn’t want empowerment to be a mere slogan, but something that can be made real in the lives of young people who are willing to learn the rudiments of filmmaking. Secondly, he said the award component of the festival is designed as a celebration of both the living and practitioners who are fallen heroes and heroines of the industry, and to point the minds of young people towards emulating their achievements with a view to surpassing them in their craft.

“As the awards indicate, the names of the honourees are attached to them – some are alive and still working while some have passed on,” Amb. Imasuen said. “So this is to celebrate my colleagues who are still alive and to immortalise those who are dead, because we are giving the awards to young minds; this will stay with them and elicit curiosity in their minds to want to know more about these people, whether alive or dead, and be better educated about the industry they are coming into. The idea is to inspire these young filmmakers to be greater than the names attached to the awards given to them.

“So it’s a deliberate decision by me for Nollywood to honour these great men and women who have contributed and are still contributing so much to the growth of our industry by imprinting their names in the minds of these young, aspiring filmmakers, as worthy examples to follow as they come into Nollywood. They now have industry role models to shape their cinematic craft from start. Well, artists don’t die anyway. Those still alive also make good examples for them, too as lifelong mentors.
“But do people have to die before they are honoured? So this is my own way of letting the living know we respect them for their craft and to let the families of our fallen heroes know that we hold them dearly in our heart for the gift of their craft and the resources they gave us while they lived. This is why it’s significant that the awards for these young ones be named after these industry greats, so we don’t forget, for their memories to live on in our hearts for as long as possible, for their labour not to be in vain.”