The Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, Chief Folorunsho Coker, the Baba Eto of Yorubaland, on Wednesday March 16, 2022 paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Highness, Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero on the forthcoming Kano Durbar Festival.
Chief Folorunsho Coker was accompanied on the visit by Mrs Ikilama Fibi, Director, National Travel Bureau.
The Director General, Coker who is on the board of the Kano Durbar Committee with the Emir, also delivered a proposal to the Emir for the upgrade of the Durbar and used the opportunity of the visit to present the Kano Durbar Festival upgrade proposal to the traditional ruler.
The Durbar festival is the largest procession of colourful horsemen in the world, and its significance and intangible cultural heritage cannot be overlooked.
Chief Coker, who was well received by the Emir, told the monarch the agency looked forward to creating a digital Kano Durbar experience for the global audience.
“We will also synergise with local and international airlines to create tour packages that will attract tourists and promote economic growth in Kano and North-West,” he said, adding that Kano State has enough cultural heritage that should be showcased to the world.
The NTDC also promised to ensure that the event is given all the attention it deserved, and commended the Emir for connecting with his people since he got into office few years back.
It was a memorable event where notable personalities gathered to give the Apala music legend, Alhaji Haruna Ishola Bello (MON) a befitting 40 years remembrance of his demise and great impact he made in the music industry. The event which was held in 2 different locations, his hometown in Ijebu Igbo and grand reception in Lagos were moments to celebrate his great works and legacies left for his children. At his home town, the family held a week long events of commissioning of boreholes and official opening of a central Mosque among other activities to eulogised the man who pioneer Apala music in Nigeria. With the train moving to Lagos, the LTV 8 premises was filled with family,friends and fun lovers who witnessed Cleric prayers for the family , unveiling of some music works of the legend and his children who are into music and live performances of artists in different genre of music. The Lagos event was attended by business icons,show promoters, media personalities, celebrities to mention just a few. The concluding electrifying performance of Wasiu Haruna Ishola sealed the day as he dishes out old tunes from his father and newer collections from his stable. In show of appreciation to those who supported the events morally and financially , representing the entire family, Wasiu Haruna Ishola gave a vote of thanks and pray for all in attendance.
Tunji Afolayan, an award winning Art Director through his legal representatives, Osifowora & Co. has berated the Managing Director of KAP Productions Limited, Kunle Afolayan over what he termed a “breach of contractual terms”.
In the letter signed by the firm’s lead counsel, Olatubosun Osifowora, Tunji accused Mr Kunle Afolayan of making a deliberate attempt to undermine his creative input and relevance on the movie, ‘Ijogbon’.
The letter to KAP Productions and Netflix stated that Mr Tunji was contracted by one Mr. Segun Akintunde, a Line Producer at KAP Productions Limited, to work as Art Director for the movie ‘ljogbon’. His deliverables, and remuneration as Art Director, were well spelt out in the contract. The letter noted that the contract was signed on January 11, 2023 between Mr Tunji and KAP’s Production Executive/Representative in the presence of Kunle Afolayan. “Our client stated also that the executed copies of the contractual documents were kept by the management of KAP Productions Limited and his copy was never given to him to date after signing.Upon completion of the project ‘Ijogbon’, the movie was released on Netflix- a streaming platform, and to our Client’s consternation, there was an omission of his name and title as Art Director for the movie ‘Ijogbon’,” the letter reads.
The letter further stated that Mr. Kunle was instead credited as the Art Director for the Movie ‘Ijogbon’m While accusing the management of KAP Productions Limited of deliberately and consciously portraying Mr Tunji as ‘Set Designer’ instead of his role as the Art Director, which he was originally contracted.
“Our client is appalled at this grave omission and therefore regards this as a breach of contractual terms in the contract with KAP Productions Limited. This is further viewed and taken, as a deliberate attempt to undermine our client’s creative work and relevance for the movie titled ‘Ijogbon’.
“In view of the above, it is our client’s demand that his name and role for which he was contracted and worked, be restored and properly credited in the Movie ‘Ijogbon’ as the Art Director,” Osifowora wrote.
He further demanded, on behalf of Mr Tunji Afolayan, that the retraction be done within seven days of receipt of the correspondence before the next line of action is taken.
Delectable Nollywood actress, Funmi Awelewa who is also popularly called “Morili Omo Ibadan” for her comical roles has upped her game by stepping up from acting to directing.
In a statement released by the talented actress, Funmi Awelewa has made her debut as a director in a new short movie, “A WISH”, which is a true life story.
The movie was shot on location at Ibadan by her production company, Faab Entertainment. It was filmed at the actual places where she grew up and had her childhood.
According to the actress, “it’s really an awesome experience, though very tasking for me to direct this movie because it’s a TRUE LIFE story, and it is the story of my life. It is one story very dear to my heart, hence my resolve to take the risk and direct it myself and I thank God it turns out just the way I wanted it. It’s a very wonderful production in all ramifications.”
The plot of the movie is based on her life experience. How she left home to pursue her acting career and unknowing to her that her mother is suffering from eye problems that eventually led to her blindness.
Speaking on the movie, Awelewa stated that, “we often neglect our loved ones, especially parents in our quests for better life, and many times they have things and issues, especially health wise they go through but don’t have the opportunity to discuss it with their children since they rarely see them one on one.
“I want to use this movie to correct that misdeed. No matter how busy we are, we should always create time for our parents, check on them, talk to them and always advise and assist them to check their health status as often as possible”.
The movie started screening via her YouTube channel, FaabTV on Thursday 12 October, 2023 which also happened to be the day the actress celebrated her 35th birthday.
Funmi Awelewa was introduced into Nollywood by Sola Kosoko in 2013. She made her acting debut the same year when she appeared in the film “Wosi Kenke”. She later got under the mentorship of veteran Nollywood actor, writer, and director Antar Laniyan.
She is also a philanthropist and the founder of Funmi Awelewa Foundation, which is a non-governmental foundation that caters for the visually impaired. She is also an entrepreneur. She is the creator of Glow Envy beauty and skincare products.
She has her own production company, FAAB Entertainment and her production credits include: Aromimawe, Omo Ibadan, Natasha, Gbakoje, Ebudola, Morili Bilisi and Ewon Ife.
Funmi Awelewa, before delving into acting in 2013, while being an undergraduate at the University of Ibadan was also into fashion designing. The actress mulls a comeback with her fashion brand, FashionENVY.
She enjoys great followership and has a huge fan base across various social media platforms. She is a social media influencer. The actress has an extensive following on Instagram. Presently she has close to 3 million followers on Instagram. She is also famous on TikTok, with over 600 thousand followers.