‘Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’, a film on the mother of Fela Kuti, the late Afrobeat legend, was among the top winners at the 2023 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) Globe Awards.  

The AFRIFF award ceremony was held last weekend in Lagos to wrap up its week-long film festival.

‘Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’ — produced by Bolanle Austen Peters — snagged the ‘Best Overall Feature Film’ and the ‘Best Screenplay’ awards.

Written by Tunde Babalola, the movie tells the story of Funmilayo; from her pioneering days as the first female student at Abeokuta Grammar School to her marriage to Israel Ransome-Kuti.

The family challenged oppression and created the Abeokuta Women’s Union, igniting a fierce battle against colonial and traditional rulers.

The film features movie stars like Joke Silva, Kehinde Bankole, Ibrahim Suleiman, Jide Kosoko, and Dele Odule.

Others are Adebayo Salami, Keppy Ekpenyong, Adunni Ade, Omowunmi Dada, Patrick Diabuah.

The annual award is organised to celebrate the best of African and global cinema, and honour films across different genres.

It also recognises the diversity and creativity of the film including original, innovative, and socially relevant works.

Below are the full list of winners:

• Best Overall Feature Film: “Funmilayo Ransom Kuti”
• Audience Choice Award: “I Do Not Come To You By Chance”
• Access Bank Best Short Film: “Until”23”
• Best Documentary: “White Nanny Black Child”
• Oronto Douglas Best Feature Film: “Funmilayo Ransom Kuti”
• Best International Feature: “Brothers,” Directed by Darkhan Tulegenov
• Best Director: Ellie Foumbi, “Our Father, The Devil”
• Best Performance Male: Gregory Ojefua “This is Lagos/Black Harvest”
• Special Jury Prize: “All the Colours of the World” and “White Nanny Black Child”
• Best International Short Film: “Nzu”
• Best Animation: “When Hearts Touch”
• Best Student Short Film: “Man and Masquerade”
• Best Screenplay: Tunde Babalola – “Funmilayo Ransom Kuti”

‘Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’ was also one of the films considered for the Oscars by the Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) for the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences.

The movie is also set for release on Amazon Prime Video.

Funmilayo was born on October 25, 1900. She died on April 13, 1978, at the age of 77 after being wounded in a military raid on family property.

[TheCable]

Cassandra Elizabeth Ventura, better known as Cassie, is an American singer who has filed a lawsuit against her ex-boyfriend Season Combs, a.k.a. Diddy, for ‘a decade’ of sexual assault.

According to The New York Times, Cassie accused him of rape and persistent physical abuse over a decade in a suit filed in Federal District Court in Manhattan.

She claimed that the pattern of abuse and control began when she met Diddy in 2005 at the age of 19, where the mogul allegedly subjected her to a disturbing cycle of abuse, including beating her and being forced into sexual encounters with male prostitutes while being filmed, physical abuse, and the supply of drugs.

The statement reads, “After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships.”

In response to her allegation, Diddy’s lawyer, Ben Brafman, said, “Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations. For the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura’s persistent demand of $30 million under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail.

“Despite withdrawing her initial threat, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs’s reputation and seeking a payday.”

Cassie’s lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, counters this narrative, stating that his client and Diddy had a conversation before the lawsuit was filed.

According to Wigdor, Diddy allegedly offered Cassie eight figures to silence her and prevent the filing of this lawsuit. He said she rejected his efforts and decided to give a voice to all women who suffer in silence.

The lawsuit represents a significant step in addressing the complexities of abuse within high-profile relationships.

[OpinionNigeria]

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed all public officials, appointed and elected workers in the state to start wearing Adire every Wednesday to boost the industry and enhance cultural strengths of the state.

Adire  is a Yoruba textile, that is a type of dyed cloth made in south west Nigeria by Yoruba women, using a variety of resist-dyeing techniques.

The governor in a circular issued by the head of service, Mr Ayanleye Aina, noted that the directive affected all categories of public servants across ministries, departments and agencies of government including tertiary institutions, local governments, local development council and area office.

“Consequently, every Wednesday is adopted as “Adire Osun Day” with all accounting officers and heads of agencies expected to comply with the directive.

“Additionally, all political appointees are also expected to comply with the directive from the State Executive Council to special advisers, and other categories of appointees,” the circular posited.

A release by the spokesperson to the Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, stated that Adeleke had presented the subject at the last state Executive Council meeting with a unanimous approval and adoption.

The governor said “Adire”  actually has its source from Osun State, noting that the new decision will reassert the traditional claim of Osun to the adire genre.

“Our administration is working on the creation of SME industrial clusters. The Adire and other craft sub-sectors will be supported to grow and flourish.

“By this decision, we are determined to rebuild the Adire industry that is under threat from foreign mass producers. We are poised to breathe life into our culture with Osun as the cradle of the Yoruba nation”, the Governor stated.

[Leadership]

Veteran actor, Hanks Anuku has pleaded for financial assistance from Nigerians.

In a video that has now gone viral, Anuku explained his struggles with unemployment and called on his supporters to help him through this difficult time.

The actor said he had worked tirelessly for his country and attained the height of being a legend.

He then appealed to his fans and the governor of his state, Sheriff, to send him financial support.

“Well, I’m going to address my fans and those who truly love me, including my governor, Sheriff. I have worked for this country, I have attained the height of being a legend.

“I’ve had no jobs for God knows how many years and I expected Nigerians to also know that I did it all for them.

“I’m going to ask the governor. Sherry, please send support to me and my fans who truly love and appreciate the works I’ve done for them, I’ll send my account number. May God help you all. Help me,” he said.

In a related development, Veteran Nollywood actor, Amaechi Muonagor has publicly solicited help as he opened up about battling a stroke.

In a viral video, he said the reason he did not publicly disclose his illness was because he didn’t know it would last this long.

[DailyTrust]

There was a heavy presence of officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at the Kaduna State Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday (today) in response to the arrest of suspected internet fraudsters.

Naija News learnt that the EFCC had arrested some suspected internet fraudsters earlier, and some military personnel currently serving were among the suspects.

The soldiers, however, stormed the EFCC office at Number 4, Wurno Road, in the capital of Kaduna State at approximately 10 am. They arrived in three Hilux patrol vans and positioned themselves around the main gate of the anti-graft commission office, effectively preventing EFCC officials from entering or exiting their offices.

The situation escalated to a point where the Air Force soldiers and the policemen assigned to the EFCC engaged in a heated argument, with both federal security agencies brandishing their firearms at each other.

Giving a hint of what transpired, the spokesman for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, told Channels Television in a phone call that the suspects, which included one service personnel of the Nigerian Army and six from the NAF, were arrested on Monday for Internet-related fraud.

The spokesperson for the EFCC clarified that the individuals under investigation were being held by the commission until the investigation and prosecution process was completed.

Additionally, he emphasized that the commission, being a statutory law enforcement agency of the Federal Government, could not be influenced or pressured by any other agency while performing its official responsibilities.

[NiajaNews]

Russia’s agriculture minister on Friday announced the commencement of free grain shipments to six African countries, fulfilling President Vladimir Putin’s commitment made in July.

Dmitry Patrushev, in a statement on Telegram, reported by Reuters noted that ships bound for Burkina Faso and Somalia had already departed from Russian ports.

Furthermore, he noted that additional shipments to Eritrea, Zimbabwe, Mali, and the Central African Republic would be dispatched shortly.

Putin’s pledge to send grains to African countries

At a summit with African leaders in July, Putin pledged to provide complimentary grain to the six countries.

This commitment came shortly after Moscow terminated the Black Sea grain initiative, which had permitted Ukraine to export grain from its Black Sea ports amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

The initiative, aimed at reducing global market prices, was abandoned by Putin, who contended that it was ineffective in delivering supplies to the countries facing the most urgent needs.

Russia’s withdrawal from the Black sea grain deal

Last year, Putin reported that Russia exported approximately 60 million tonnes of grain. The commitments to provide free grain were referred to by U.N. chief Antonio Guterres as “a handful of donations.”

Following the withdrawal from the agreement, Russia has consistently targeted Ukrainian ports and grain storage facilities in airstrikes, destroying hundreds of thousands of tons of cereals, as reported by Kyiv.

Nevertheless, Ukraine announced on Friday that it successfully transported 4.4 million tonnes of cargo, including 3.2 million tonnes of grain, utilizing a new shipping corridor established in August.

More information

Sub-Saharan Africa experienced the most severe effects of the Russia-Ukraine crisis concerning food supply in the region.

Food inflation increases rapidly pushing millions into hunger and starvation in the already impoverished region.

According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Russia-Ukraine conflict led to 30 million metric tonnes of grain shortage in Africa leading to an increase in the price of staples such as bread.

[Nairametrics]

The Premier League has deducted 10 points from Everton, following an investigation into a breach of profit and sustainability rules.

The Goodison Park club insist they are “shocked and disappointed” by the punishment and will appeal.

An official club statement read: “Both the harshness and severity of the sanction imposed by the Commission are neither a fair nor a reasonable reflection of the evidence submitted”.

The deduction is the largest in the history of the Premier League.

It takes immediate effect, plunging Sean Dyche’s team into the relegation zone.

[DailyPost]

The Appeal Court, Abuja Division, has upheld the victory of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State in the governorship election held on March 18.

The APC governorship candidate, former Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar, filed the Bauchi State governorship appeal against Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Governor Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party winner.

Read also Mohammed to support local airlines as ValueJet begins flights to Bauchi

Consequently, the All Progressives Congress, Sadique Abubakar, approached the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in the state, challenging the victory.

However, not satisfied with the tribunal’s judgment, Abubakar filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal challenging the lower court’s decision.

In its ruling on Friday, the court ruled that each party should bear their costs.

[Businessday]

Former Super Eagles midfielder, Mikel John Obi, has observed that entitled families are more prevalent in Africa.

He pointed out that if one family member achieves financial stability, there is often a tendency for others in the family to relent in their daily efforts, placing the responsibility of financial provisions on the successful family member.

During an interview with fellow footballer, Rio Ferdinand, the former Super Eagles captain lamented how families are often entitled to a person’s money in Africa.

According to Obi, when an African person acquires money, many relatives and cousins begin to make demands, and sisters even married men believe they are destined to be a part of the family.

The football player mentioned that these people have so many children and expect him to care for them and that he sometimes has to be strong and put his own needs aside.

Mikel Obi stated that the extended family members believe he owes them money and threaten to go to the press if he refuses.

This, according to the footballer, is prevalent in Africa.

He said: “When you come from Africa when you make money, it’s not your money. You have all these relatives, cousins, and your sisters go off and get married to some guy who just wants to get married into Mikel John Obi’s family because his life is sorted, and then you start looking after this guy, and before you know it, they keep having so many kids and you look at it like,

“Okay, you’re having this many kids, who are going to look after them?’ It’s you! It’s the culture because, for them, you owe them that, so sometimes you have to be strong and say, ‘You know what, guys, enough is enough; I don’t care’. They give you this thing whereby ‘if you don’t do it, we’re going to go to the press’. After all, what have I done for you guys? But this happens a lot in Africa. Not everybody comes out and speaks about it.”