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Nigeria’s Oscars committee seeks entries for 97th Academy Awards

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The Nigerian Official Selection Committee for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has called on filmmakers in the country to submit their feature films for consideration in the International Feature Film category of the 97th annual Academy Awards, fondly called the Oscars.

The NOSC, accredited by AMPAS, is responsible for choosing Nigeria’s official entry for the IFF award.

In a statement sent to PUNCH Online on Monday, the IFF stated that the submission portal will go live on August 1, 2024, and will remain open until August 30, 2024.

The IFF award is a dedicated category for feature-length motion pictures produced outside the United States, and which contains 50 per cent or more of dialogue in a language or languages other than English.

The academy stipulates that submitted films must meet specific criteria, including providing accurate, legible English subtitles, adherence to particular shooting formats, and evidence of theatrical release.

Meanwhile, the NOSC also announced the addition of new members into its fold, including the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Ali Nuhu; producer and Director, Blessing Egbe; an actress, Ijeoma Agu; co-founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Filmhouse Cinemas, Kene Okwuosa; and a journalist, author, and film critic, Victor Akande.

The returning members of the committee include actress and filmmaker Stephanie Linus, who leads the team; President of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria, Victor Okhai; actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde; former DGN President, Andy Amenechi; theatre practitioner, Yibo Koko; writer and director, Izu Ojukwu; filmmaker, Emem Isong; director, Dimeji Ajibola; writer/director, Jude Idada; filmmaker, John Njamah; and actress, Meg Otanwa.

Linus stated that the new members were from diverse creative backgrounds, and would invariably enhance the process of selecting the best film from Nigeria.

The NOSC was constituted in 2012 by filmmaker, Chineze Anyaene-Abonyi, and she served as the chairperson until 2023 when she handed over to Linus.

The committee submitted the first film for the global awards in 2019. Titled ‘Lionheart’, the film, which was directed by popular actress and filmmaker, Genevieve Nnaji, was eventually disqualified on account of not meeting the requirement of 50 per cent non-English dialogue.

In 2021, the movie titled, ‘Milkmaid’ became the first Nigerian film to be in the reckoning for the IFF category. However, it did not make the final cut for that year’s edition.

In 2023, the committee submitted the film, ‘Mami Wata’, which was directed by CJ Obasi, for the IFF category, but it did not make the eventual list of nominees.

The 97th Oscars ceremony is set for March 2, 2025, broadcasting live from the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.

Entertainment

Cab driver threatens to sue Adunni Ade for defamation

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An Indrive cab driver has threatened legal action against Nigerian actress Adunni Ade over a dispute stemming from his refusal to deliver her package.

It all began on September 18, 2024, when the actress called the driver named Frances Njoku and the hailing platform out on Instagram, alleging that he took off with her package and was not picking up calls. Her post garnered significant attention on social media, and her followers joined her to call Indrive out.

Later that night, Adunni Ade announced that the Njoku delivered her package after his profile was locked by the platform.

However, it did not end there. On September 19, Adunni Ade took to Instagram with screenshots showing all her interactions with Njoku and her fashion designer, who sent the package out.

Some of the screenshots showed a disgruntled Njoku slamming the actress for smearing his name and threatening legal action against her.

He wrote, “You have made nonsense of my image and I have contacted my legal team and we’ll see you in court. You are not the person who requested the ride. Many human rights activists and lawyers have called me and think I won’t let it go that way. You must render an unreserved apology and ask Instablog to pull the post down.”

In her post, Ade explained the context of all the screenshots she uploaded and emphasised that the driver was at fault.

She wrote in part, “One thing about me is I do not lie nor cheat my fellow being. When we speak of change, let that change start with you! With the current economic state, everyone is doing what they can to stay afloat irrespective of your finances.”

She concluded, “In my whole adult life of ordering and delivering or using services of logistic companies, I have never encountered anyone as rude, uncivilized, ill-mannered, arrogant, entitled as Frances Njoku.”

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Charly Boy opens up on rift, reconciliation with father

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Charly Boy, the ace Nigerian singer, has detailed his tale of rebellion and reconciliation with Chukwudifu Oputa, his late father.

Oputa, a former supreme court of Nigeria judge, died on May 11, 2014.

In a recent interview on WithChude, Charly Boy revealed that his decision to pursue music led to a fallout with his father.

The 73-year-old activist, born Charles Oputa, said after returning from the United States, he relocated to his village in Oguta, Imo state, where he lived for seven years due to financial struggles.

He said he “disowned my parents” who relocated to Lagos, adding that “the village robbed me of self-esteem”.

“I had disowned my parents. We were living in Owerri and my parents moved to Lagos. I moved back to the village because I had just returned from America. So I stayed in the village for seven years. I had no money. I had nothing. But that village robbed me of self-esteem. It robbed me of many things,” he said.

The singer, also called Area Fada, recalled how his rebellious nature often led to a clash with his father.

Charly Boy said he was frequently punished and whipped as a child, but eventually found a way to bond with Oputa.

“That is how I felt right from the day I was born. I want to go the other way. My thing with the status quo started from the house,” he said.

“Why should my father be telling us and giving us all these commands like time to eat, time to pray and all of that? I was just so tired of all that. It did not make sense to me.

“I was the one that was whipped most among my siblings. And I was the one that was punished the most because I would not do what I was asked to do.

“But then, my father forgot that he planted these things. He would say ‘query and investigate everything’. I used to have a vocal battle with him. I just did not understand. He just thought I was a kid from hell who needed to be punished and trashed seriously. I do not think we liked each other that much till everybody started getting mature and started to see the beauty of our personalities. Sometimes he would tease me and call me a pocket lawyer.

“At first, we could not agree on anything. And I found out that this was not enabling me to bond with my father. Till the day I decided I was going to flip it.”

On how they reconciled, the activist said during a tense conversation, he chose not to react to his father’s screaming.

Charly Boy, a former president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), said he instead listened to his father as he spoke.

The singer said he then calmly asked his dad to listen to his perspective, marking a turning point in their strained relationship.

“One day, I came to him as usual to talk about something close to my mind. He started screaming and shouting and I did not shout back. I did not say anything,” he said.

“I listened to him very attentively. He was surprised he was not getting any reaction. After he said everything, I said ‘Daddy, I have listened to you, can you listen to me now?’

“He looked at me critically and that was the last day he shouted at me. That was the day everything changed. Because I found a new way of dealing with this man.

“After they retired I brought them to Abuja to live with me for almost 15 years. They died in my house. The greatest job I had was to take care of them.”

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I almost lost my life, Broda Shaggi reveals

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Samuel Perry, the Nigerian skit maker better known as Broda Shaggi, has revealed he almost lost his life.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday marking his 31st birthday, the comedian said he was grateful to God for sparing his life.

Shaggi said this year’s birthday is special because the “gift of life was almost taken from me recently”.

The skit maker said he considered being alive “my greatest gift” — without disclosing details of his near-death experience.

“Birthdays are usually not my thing. Infact I switch off my phone on these days cos I dislike receiving birthday calls and wishes. Only those who are close to me know Shaggi is not Samuel but that ain’t a discussion for today lol,” he wrote.

“But this particular birthday is different cos the gift of life was almost taken from me recently but God showed himself and gave me another chance.

“Infact this photoshoot was done last night lol. Today, I’m happy, I’m grateful, I’m honored cos I know some birthday mates who aren’t here to celebrate theirs. I’m no different from them but God has spared me for a reason I’m sure.

“For those who love me, God has already given me the greatest gift but if you wish to gift me today, all you need to do is listen to this Birthday song I made for myself. It’s available on every music platforms and you can also click the link in my bio.”

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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