Entertainment

News Alert! Veteran Nigerian singer, Onyeka Onwenu, dies at 72

Onyeka Onwenu

Eyewitness Reporter

A famous Nigerian singer, Onyeka Onwenu is reportedly dead.She reportedly slumped after performing at the birthday party of Mrs Stella Okoli, Managing Director of Emzor Pharmaceuticals in Lagos on Tuesday, July 30th, 2024.

It was gathered that she was rushed to Reddington Hospital in Lagos where she was pronounced dead.

However, her family is yet to announce her death.

The popular singer would be remembered for some of her evergreen Albums such as Dancing in the Sun, Morning Light and her duet with King Sunny Ade’s Choice.

She also featured in blockbuster movies such as Half of a Yellow Sun and Lion Heart, among others.

Entertainment

NFVCB secures permanent headquarters after 28 years

–commends Hannatu Musa Musawa for transformative support

Gloria Odion

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has achieved a historic milestone with the acquisition of a permanent headquarters after 28 years of operating without one.

This landmark achievement, which reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s creative sector, was made possible through the support of the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa Esq.

During a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister in Abuja, the Director-General of NFVCB, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, expressed heartfelt appreciation for her guidance and intervention which led to the allocation of the property that had been recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in 2017.

“After nearly three decades, the NFVCB has finally secured a home of its own under the leadership and support of the Honourable Minister,” Dr. Husseini stated.

“This milestone not only strengthens our institutional capacity but also allows us to create a museum dedicated to Nigeria’s audiovisual heritage, which has been a long-standing aspiration.

“We are grateful for the Honourable Minister’s dedication and we pledge our full loyalty and commitment to advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through our statutory mandate.”

Dr. Husseini also expressed optimism that the Ministry would provide continued support for the renovation of the new building so that it fully meets the operational needs of the agency and serves as a vibrant hub for Nigeria’s creative industry.

In her response, Honourable Minister Musawa praised Dr. Husseini’s leadership, describing him as passionate, resilient, and an asset to the creative sector.

She noted that his efforts were already yielding results that align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for empowering Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries.

“I am delighted to celebrate this milestone with the NFVCB. Your doggedness and dedication to the creative sector are commendable and I am proud of the progress being made under your leadership,” Honourable Minister Musawa said.

“This permanent headquarters represents a new era for the board, one that will strengthen our ability to deliver on Mr. President’s vision for the creative economy and showcase Nigeria’s cultural identity globally.”

Looking ahead, the NFVCB revealed plans to establish a museum within the new headquarters, which will showcase Nigeria’s rich film and cultural heritage while also serving as a centre for stakeholders, creatives, and researchers.

The Director-General further invited the Honourable Minister to the board’s forthcoming Digital Conference in November, which will deepen collaboration between the Ministry and the board.

This milestone not only secures a permanent home for the NFVCB but also reinforces the Federal Government’s broader commitment to supporting institutions that drive cultural preservation, creative excellence, and sustainable growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Entertainment

Ozo Chukwurah hosts Olojede, new Oriade Council Chairman, to lavish reception over his electorial victory

Funso OLOJO

Prince Ozo Chukwurah, a frontline Customs broker and former Vice – Chairman of Board of Trustees(BOT) of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), organized a lavish reception for the newly elected Chairman of Oriade Local Council Development Area(LCDA), Honourable Azeez Olojede,to celebrate his recent local government electoral victory.

Olojede, a protege of Prince Chukwurah, came to pay homage to his mentor and financier at his palatial Hotel, Systems Place Hotels, Satellite town Lagos.

Guests at the event, which included the political entourage of the new chairman, his personal assistants, some council officials, party faithfuls and staff of the Systems Place Hotels, were treated to choice light refreshments and drinks.

Olojede said he decided to embark on the thank you visit to Prince Chukwurah for his support and huge contributions to the Satellite community.

He declared that , Prince Chukwurah, a contemporary of his father, has been a pillar of inspiration within the community where he had imparted lives of the people through his philanthropic gestures and other corporate social projects.

The new chairman used the occasion to unveil some of his plans for the LCDA

“I am a very familiar person with my environment having lived 40 out of my 48 years on earth within this Local Council Development Area” Honorable Olojede began.

“This area is housing both the riverine and upland areas and mainly divided into Satellite town and Ijegun Egba which are the heartlands of the LCDA.

“I have the desire to make life better for the indigenes and residence of the LCDA”.

“We are having meetings with the traditional rulers in order to outline the projects that we plan to execute and of course we have to bring in government interests to meet with the public interests-schools, police posts, health centre and others that will impact positively on the lives of residents of this area”.

He pledged to ensure that those who engage in agriculture within the islands in the LCDA are encouraged to help boost food security in inline with the desire of the state government.

“We have to project the objectives of the state government so that the people will be able to key into the various projects to improve their lives and the environment”. the chairman added.

Olojede also encouraged other residents of the area to emulate the generous gesture of chief Ozo Chukwura who funded the construction work on the road where they had the activity on the day.

“We want to connect the various communities on the two islands to the mainlands and all the listed government interests shall be provided towards achieving all our plans. We are speaking with the people”. he enthused.

Honourable Olojede added that aside the construction works going on, there are plans for training programmes and other educational policies aimed at enlightening the populace.

In his short remark, Prince Chukwurah pledged to fuel the heavy duty equipment that would be used for road construction in the area with the sum of 2 million naira.

The pledge drew a roar of approval from the appreciative supporters of the chairman who burst into party songs and praises of the donor.

Entertainment

Naval officers soar at WAMBAI golf tourney

Funso OLOJO

Officers and men of the Nigerian Navy took the spotlight at the Admiral Wambai retirement Golf tournament, which took place at the Dolphin Golf Club, Navy Town Ojo Lagos Nigeria.

With over one hundred (100) players comprising civilians and Naval Personnel both serving and retired participating, the Naval Assistant to the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Lieutenant Commander Nathaniel Uti emerged the overall winner with a net result of 4 under par playing on handicap 19.

The Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Doctrine Command (NAVDOC) Rear Admiral HD Zakaria slightly missed the medals table with a 4th position finish with a net result of one (1) under par result, playing off handicap 8. Retired Lieutenant Andrew Martins won in the veterans’ category

The Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral MB Hassan who performed the ceremonial Tee Off, says the game of Golf is a good recreational activity for men and officers of the Nigerian Navy; both for serving and retired.

The Celebrant, Admiral Wambai Rtd who was a one-time FOC, Western Naval Command, expressed gratitude for the event organised in his honour and corroborated the stance of Hassan, noting that to keep fit, it is imperative to embrace sporting activities such as Golf.

On his part, the Skipper of Rising Golf Club, Mr Isichei Osamgbi who is also a Director at NIMASA urged stakeholders in the maritime sector to consider engaging in the game of Golf, noting that the game also provides opportunities for collaboration between various Agencies, while also encouraging private sector involvement in the operations of the Nigerian maritime sector.

Managing Director of BRICKS Maritime, Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa, Rear Admiral Abba and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Mr. Oluwaseun Faleye are amongst dignitaries who graced the event, which was organized by the Rising Golf Club of Nigeria in partnership with the Dolphin Golf Club, Navy town.