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Chocolate City pledges $1m to creatives to mark 20th anniversary

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To commemorate its 20th anniversary, Chocolate City, the Nigerian music label, has pledged a $1 million empowerment fund to support creatives.

In an interview with Arise TV, Paul Okeugo and Audu Maikori, the music label founders, reflected on their journey, citing financial struggles and limited investment in the creative industry when they established Chocolate City.

“It’s part of our 20 year celebration, I mean, this year, we are 20 years in business as most people know. It’s been an interesting journey,” Okeugo said.

“We recall that when we started, there weren’t many people who were looking to invest in creative industry.

“In fact, it was so nascent that at the time, when you started a business in the creative industry, it was like you’re taking a big risk, it was a punt, it was like, why don’t you do something more stable like law, medicine.

“So, we took a risk, and it was hard to get funding most times, and so we had to take jobs that we didn’t want to fund the business, we had to do that.

“We didn’t get any support until maybe three or four years into our business when we got some support from a media network.

“I think it was in Kenya, I don’t remember the year, but we got $50,000 at that time to help us and that really made a big difference to us at the time. So we thought what better way, sort of, to give back.”

On his part, Maikori revealed that 50% of the fund will be allocated to female entrepreneurs and artistes, emphasizing the importance of leveling the playing field.

“One thing that’s unique about the fund is that 50% is going to female entrepreneurs, and I think that’s crucial,” he said.

“It seems like it’s amazing, but it should be the standard, and the simple reason is that sometimes when you’re in the marketplace and there’s no equality, what you do is try and level the playing field.

“And you know that with women, it’s a bit harder to go into business, access to funding. We’ve heard stories of women being harassed because they want to do something amazing, and we think that women are the bedrock of any nation.

“The idea is that we’re going to grow the fund over time. We’re starting off in Nigeria, we’re going to spread to Africa over time. Because right now, our culture is a global phenomenon.

“It’s our food, it’s our fashion, it’s our swag. So the idea then is that we’re dealing in a global economy, so we cannot just keep it local.

“We’re focusing mainly on film, on music, on content creation, and also gaming/e-sports.

“And the reason why is that these are very skillable businesses and verticals. But the other reason why is that we think that the creative economy has the most promise in the short term for gainful employment for young people.”

Chocolate City, founded in 2005, has been home to notable artistes such as M.I Abaga, Nosa, Dice Ailes, Blaqbonez, CKay, Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, and DJ Lambo.

The label’s signees recently released a joint single ‘Chocolate City Cypher’ to mark the 20th anniversary.

Entertainment

Bimpe Akintunde warns Nigerians against scammers impersonating her on WhatsApp

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Bimpe Akintunde, the Nollywood actress, has raised an alarm over a fake WhatsApp account created in her name to scam unsuspecting individuals.

The film star took to her Instagram story to share screenshots of the impersonator, posing as her to solicit money from her followers.

Akintunde expressed her frustration and disappointment, cursing the scammer for attempting to profit from her hard work. She warned the public to be cautious of the impersonator on any media platform.

The actress urged her fans to help report the scammer’s WhatsApp and bank accounts.

She also prayed that God should keep such fraudulent individuals away from her and her loved ones.

“What a morning. Tell me how this country wants to be great, when a lot of people are struggling, working hard to build a name and brand, and boom, one person will take their pictures and name only to be defrauding people up and down,” she wrote.

“Who gave birth to such a child? Useless children, may God keep them away from us.

“Please disregard any message from anyone, either in your DM or WhatsApp, asking you to send money.

“Please, it not me. I do not own this above number. I would appreciate it if we could find a way to report both the WhatsApp and the Opay account.”

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Entertainment

Davido advises black Americans not to relocate to Nigeria, says ‘the economy is in shambles’

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Davido, the Afrobeats star, has advised black Americans against relocating to Nigeria, citing the country’s economic challenges.

In an appearance on The Big Homies House podcast, the singer shared his thoughts on the struggles bedeviling Nigeria, stating, “It is not cool back home. The economy is in shambles”.

Davido also mentioned Nigeria’s struggles with bad leadership, a high exchange rate, and skyrocketing oil prices, which are negatively impacting the country.

“It is not cool back home. The economy is in shambles. I do my part, I am an ambassador. When I go home and I am filming, I am no going to show the bad parts,” he said.

“I am talking about the situation in the country. Now the exchange rate is messed up, a lot of stuffs are not going well.

“The economy is just not good enough. The oil price is too high. Imagine the country that produces oil, paying more for it than a country importing oil.”

Despite the challenges, Davido emphasised the entertainment industry’s positive impact on Africa’s global image.

“Regardless, entertainment is one of the thing that has made Africa look good. We do not have the best leader, that is a fact,” he said.

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US actor Jussie Smollett’s conviction for staged attack overturned

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American actor, Jussie Smollett’s conviction for fabricating a racist and homophobic hate crime in Chicago in 2019 was overturned Thursday on due process grounds.

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that Smollett, 42, should not have been charged again by prosecutors after a prior agreement saw over a dozen original charges dismissed.

It is the latest twist in Smollett’s legal saga, which began with his initial claim in January 2019 that he had been attacked on a Chicago street.

The gay African-American actor, then a cast member of the hit TV series “Empire,” said two masked men assaulted him late at night, shouting slurs and placing a noose around his neck.

Smollett staged the attack after receiving a legitimate piece of hate mail which he felt was not taken seriously by his employers, prosecutors said.

But those charges were suddenly dropped in March 2019, under an arrangement in which Smollett forfeited his $10,000 bond and agreed to do community service.

The dismissal was met with anger by some city officials, including then-mayor Rahm Emanuel, who argued $10,000 was only a fraction of the actual investigation costs.

A special prosecutor eventually took over the case and several charges were reinstated.

Smollett, who has always maintained his innocence, was found guilty in December 2021.

Though he was sentenced to 150 days in prison with 30 months on probation, he was released pending the outcome of his appeal.

He was also ordered to repay $120,106 to the Chicago Police to cover their investigation costs.

The case had initially sent shock waves through a deeply divided country still plagued by racial and sexual discrimination, and the actor had immediately received support from celebrities in political and cultural circles.

The Illinois Supreme Court ruling said that bringing the charges a second time after “the defendant has performed his part of the bargain” represented “a due process violation.”

“We therefore reverse (the) defendant’s conviction,” the ruling said.

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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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