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Highlights

Nollywood does not represent Nigeria's diverse culture

When you talk about quality films in Nigeria today, you can’t ignore Tunde Kelani. TK, as fondly called, is one of those filmmakers who believe cultural identity and expression are recipes for societal growth and development. His films such as Ti Oluwa Nile, Koosegbe, Saworoide, Thunderbolt, White Handkerchief, Narrow Path, etc speak volume of this fact. Trained at the London International Film School in the art and technique of filmmaking, he is passionate about using films to tell the Nigerian story. This passion for his work has already pushed him into learning French. He believes he will be empowered to tell the African story better through the screen. After thirty years in and as a witness of the various technological transitions in the film industry today, he relives to Femi Babatunde his views on the nation's boisterous film industry. Excerpts:

New DG for NTA

Tonnie Iredia has joined the list of senior broadcasters in NTA who are finding new life after years of service in the broadcasting industry. He retired from NTA after five years as director general of the organisation. He joined Peter Igho, former executive director, marketing, and a host of others who have retired after years of meritorious service. A former director of National Orientation Agency, he was appointed DG of NTA in March 2003. Under his leadership, he brought various changes into NTA and repositioned it as the largest TV network in Africa.

LEADERSHIP

Who speaks for Editors?
July 14, 2008 is the date. The Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE will elect its next president who, along with other officers, would steer the affairs of the forty-six year old body. The Guild is the association of all titled gatekeepers in the country. The host state is Lagos and the contestants for the coveted seat of president are Gbenga Adefaye, editor, Vanguard; Tony Akiotu, executive director, News and Current Affairs, Daar Communications Plc; and Jika Attoh, CEO, Cosmos FM. All are respected media professionals, a fact which makes the contest perhaps the keenest in the history of the Guild.

The election, which ought to have held last December at the Bauchi Conference of the Guild, was shifted as a result of logistic problems. Fortunately the Lagos State government stepped in and graciously accepted to host the event this year...| Read more

MOTION PICTURES

The Nollywood Revolution
The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, was in 2005 having a pulsating match with the Zimbabwean national team in Harare, and the Zimbabwean supporters had one big banner in the stands on which was written in bold red: “Nigeria Good only for Films!” For the many men and women of Zimbabwe, the prowess of Nigeria in the football pitch was not as great as the accomplishment of the country in the film industry. The Zimbabweans are not alone, for across the length and breadth of the African continent the Nigerian home movies are all the rage. The phenomenon has extended to the frontiers of Europe, North America and Asia with throngs of foreigners making the frequent pilgrimage to Nigeria to have a feel of the revolution known as Nollywood, which accounts for the third place in worldwide film production after America's Hollywood and India's Bollywood...| Read more

HUMOUR

Trying to be smart
A freelance journalist who was being paid by the week approached his employer and held up his last paycheck. "This is two thousand naira less than we agreed on," he said.

"I know," the employer said. "But last week I overpaid you two thousand naira, and you never complained."

"Well, I don't mind an occasional mistake," the worker answered, "but when it gets to be a habit, I feel I have to call it to your attention..| Read more

PHOTOGRAPHY

Beijing Garden - October 2006 and Ife grove May 2008
| Click to view