With a report by the Nigerian police that 717 rape cases were recorded
between January and May, 2020, NGOs and Civil Society Organisations that have the capacity to address this kind of offenses, have been cooperating with law enforcement agencies in capacity building, management of victims of rape and similar offenses, using various mediums.
Also, because of the COVID-19 restrictions, there is now a surge in cases of domestic violence, police brutality, rape and other gender-based violence.
This was the reason High Definition Film Studio and
Film For Impact Foundation organized an Online Film Festival tagged ‘Raise A Voice Challenge 1.0’, with a theme: ‘Break The Cycle’, to inspire established and upcoming filmmakers and actors across the continent to lend their voices to social vices that have gone unresolved for long, and whose cycle needs to be broken.
With highly resourceful people like, Dr. Kole Shittima, African Director, MacArthur Foundation, Ms. Osai Ojigho, Country Director, Amnesty International, Azuka Chinelo Agugua, Acting Head of Public Enlightenment (ICPC), Hamza Lawal, Chief Executive, Connected Development, Odey Friday, Country Director, Accountability Lab. Nigeria and CSP Francis Erhabor of the Nigeria Police Force, Dorothy Njemanze, Executive Director DN Foundation, all attending as special guests and speakers, the competition/award ceremony is set to highlight the problems and also profer solution and hope.
The competition started June 9, 2020 with the grand finale set to hold next Saturday July 25, 2020 by 5PM, live on YouTube @ FFIF TV, during which there will be screening for the top 20 videos from the entry, and award given to the best video.
Participants for the highly innovative program were asked to do a short film or a monologue of 60 seconds on any of the topics ranging from, rape domestic violence, police brutality or corruption/accountability and submit via the instagram handle of Film For Impact Foundation, @filmforimpactng. The Top 20 entries by filmmakers and actors (10 each), had 50% selected by the audience (highest views + likes) and the other 50% selected by the festival team. The Jury consist of popular and tested Nollywood actors like, Ali Nunhu, CJ Obasi, Dorothy Njemanze, Nasiru Mohammed, Judith Audu and Bright Wonder Obasi, who is equally the CEO of High Definition Film Studio/Academy, and executive Director of Film For Impact Foundation.
The top 20 selected entries will then qualify to screen at the Africa Film For Impact Festival (AFFIF) special Online edition, which is scheduled to hold live on Youtube @ FFIF TV.
According to Bright Wonder Obasi, who is the brain behind the innovation, “the entries which has a maximum of 60 seconds each, addresses at least one of the four themes (Rape, Domestic Violence, Police Brutality and Corruption/Accountability), giving solutions or hope, and not just highlight the problems.
Entries in other language other than English were also considered but, have English subtitles.
Multiple entries by the same filmmaker on different themes were also accepted.”
Bright Wonder said, “with about 186 entries, The top 10 videos with highest views + likes (5 filmmakers & 5 Actors) will be selected as finalists. The Festival Team will also have the mandate of selecting 10 extra outstanding videos as finalists. All 20 videos will screen at the Online Film Festival in competition for the grand prize.”
He said, “to encourage and inspire these established and upcoming filmmakers and actors across the continent, N50,000 palliative each will be given to the winners of each category, a return flight ticket to AFFIF 2020, (local flight) and an Award Certificate which will be sent via email.”
He said, “N20,000 palliatives will also be given to the 1st Runner up in the Filmmaking and Acting category, full tuition scholarship for two weeks filmmaking training for 20 socially conscious filmmakers, powered by High Definition Film Academy, and a Certificate of Participation for all filmmakers and Actors who make an entry into the online festival.”
‘Raise A Voice Challenge’ is an initiative of Film For Impact Foundation to inspire established and upcoming filmmakers and actors across the continent to lend their voices to social vices that have gone unresolved for long, and whose cycle needs to be broken.
Family Accuses Kwara Police of Torturing Man to Death Over Debt, Investigation Underway
The death of 35-year-old Jimoh AbdulQodir Tunji in the custody of the Kwara State Police Command has left his family and the local community in shock, with accusations of police brutality emerging after the man’s tragic passing.
Tunji, a poultry farmer, was allegedly arrested on Friday, December 20, following a petition filed by his employer over an unpaid debt of N220,000. His family has accused police officers of torturing him to death while in custody, a claim that has sparked widespread outrage.
A heartbreaking video surfaced online on Sunday, showing Tunji’s grieving mother and relatives accusing the police of causing his death. In the emotional footage, his mother tearfully cried out, “My son did not kill anyone. He only owed someone. They have killed my son. Please, come to my aid. The police at the headquarters have killed my son. His name was Kadri. He was a good boy in the community. They beat him to death in police custody. They didn’t allow us to see him. Blood was gushing out of his nose.”
In response to the allegations, the Kwara State Police Command released a statement confirming the incident. The police spokesperson, Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, stated that Tunji had been invited by the police on charges of obtaining money by “false pretence” and confirmed that an investigation had already begun to determine the cause of death.
“The Kwara State Police Command is aware of an unfortunate incident that led to the tragic loss of one Mr. Jimoh AbdulQodir, which occurred on December 20, 2024,” the statement read. “The deceased was invited on an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretence to the sum of N220,000. Discreet investigations into this incident have commenced to ascertain the cause. Further developments on the outcome will be communicated as it progresses, as no stone will be left unturned.”
The case has drawn significant attention, as it marks the third time in under five months that the Kwara State Police have been implicated in the death of a suspect. Earlier this year, police officers were accused of causing the deaths of 27-year-old Suleiman Olayinka, an asthmatic patient, and Kwara State Polytechnic student Ishola Abdulqoyum, who was allegedly fatally shot by officers in September.
In a bid to ensure accountability, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, instructed the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) to take over the investigation into Tunji’s death. The IGP expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and reassured the public of a thorough and impartial investigation.
During a meeting with the family on Sunday, the IGP said, “The IGP has ordered the FCID to handle the case with utmost diligence and ensure a conclusive and impartial investigation. He further reassured the family and the general public that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to upholding the highest standards of accountability, professionalism, and respect for human rights.”
The case has reignited concerns about police brutality in Kwara, as the region grapples with rising incidents of alleged police violence. As the investigation unfolds, the family and the public are closely watching to see if justice will be served.
Seven Dead in Light Aircraft Crash in Jalisco, Mexico
At least seven people have died following the crash of a light aircraft in a remote, heavily forested area of Jalisco, western Mexico, local authorities confirmed on Sunday.
The aircraft, a Cessna 207, was en route from La Parota in the neighboring state of Michoacan when it went down. Jalisco Civil Protection reported the crash site was in an area difficult to access, complicating rescue and recovery operations.
In a statement on social media, Civil Protection confirmed that “preliminary reports” from the scene indicated that seven people had died. Their identities have not yet been released, and authorities are working to confirm further details.
The agency also mentioned that a fire at the crash site was extinguished, and risk mitigation efforts were carried out to prevent additional damage. “We are waiting for forensic investigators to arrive to remove the bodies and rule out the presence of other victims,” the statement added.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with authorities working to gather more information on the incident.
Oriyomi Hamzat Speaks Out on Ibadan Funfair Stampede, Blames Parents for Chaos
Media personality Oriyomi Hamzat has broken his silence regarding the tragic stampede that occurred at a funfair event in Ibadan, shifting blame onto parents for the chaotic situation that led to casualties. In a detailed recount of the incident, Hamzat defended Prophetess Naomi, the event organizer, and highlighted the various challenges faced during the event’s preparation and execution.
In his statement, Hamzat shared that he had visited the venue the day before the event to inspect the arrangements. During this visit, he underscored the importance of proper security and crowd management. He emphasized the need for efficient ticketing and insisted on printing 5,500 tickets to manage the expected crowd, noting that the audience in Ibadan might behave differently compared to other locations where similar events had been held.
Despite these preparations, things began to spiral out of control early on the event day. By 4 a.m., parents had already started gathering at the venue, even though the program was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. By 5:45 a.m., Hamzat arrived to find blocked roads and scenes of desperation, with mothers throwing their children over the fence in an attempt to secure entry. Tragically, one child died after hitting his head on the ground when his mother threw him over the fence, assuming someone would catch him.
Hamzat criticized the parents’ reckless actions, questioning how Prophetess Naomi could be blamed for such behavior. He expressed disbelief that the responsibility for the tragedy was being placed on the shoulders of the event’s organizer, who had made significant efforts to ensure the event’s safety.
“A day before the funfair, I went to inspect the venue to ensure that all the necessary things were in place. Prophetess Naomi was there and she said the place was more spacious than the venue they originally intended to use,” Hamzat explained. “I asked about the security arrangement, and she assured me that security would be on site by 8 a.m. I told her and the team that Ibadan is different from other places and promised to provide 200 boys who would be handing out tickets to the children. Initially, there were no plans to use tickets.”
He continued, recounting his arrival at the venue early in the morning, where he found the situation already deteriorating. “I arrived at 5:45 a.m. and saw a massive crowd. Roads were blocked, and mothers were already throwing their kids over the fence. The event was scheduled to start at 10 a.m., and security wasn’t due until 8 a.m. I began begging everyone to go home, but they wouldn’t listen. By 7 a.m., the stampede had started.”
Hamzat also revealed that despite anticipating 5,000 children, Naomi had rented 7,000 chairs, as he had advised her to make provisions for mothers who would bring their kids. He further criticized the behavior of some parents, with one woman reportedly bringing 19 children to the venue.
“The stampede occurred because of the actions of the parents, not due to any lack of planning by Prophetess Naomi or her team,” Hamzat said. “How can it be Naomi’s fault when over 2,000 mothers threw their children over the fence as early as 4 a.m.?”
The tragedy has raised serious concerns over crowd management and safety at public events, and Hamzat’s statements have sparked a wider conversation about the role of event organizers and parents in ensuring the safety of attendees.