Empowering Nigerian Youths & Adults through Skills Acquisition

The importance of skills acquisition in third world countries especially Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Schools of thought have stressed that for a nation to be economically self-reliant, it must necessarily diversify its economy and as well encourage the youth to embrace self-employment through appropriate favourable policy and an environment that would facilitate skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and self-reliance.

I love dancing to Fela, Sunny Ade’s music – Irish diplomat

Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria, Eoghan McSwiney, shares with Ashiwaju.org  his experience in Nigeria and love for Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade’s music

If you were to leave Nigeria today, what would you miss most about the country?

I would miss the Nigerian people most. Nigerians are an amazingly dynamic, resilient and funny people. When I leave, I think I will probably also miss the Abuja weather, although less so the rainy season.

Blackout looms as power firms become broke

The power sector may be heading for a total collapse if the current paucity of funds in the industry is not addressed quickly, officials of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission have said.

According to them, the sector is presently suffering from acute shortage of funds as both power generation and distribution companies are finding it difficult to meet their various obligations to NBET, gas suppliers and other service providers.

Bolt, Gatlin win 100m heats

Usain Bolt raced for the first at the 2016 Olympics and won his opening round 100m heat in 10.07 seconds. Bolt is attempting to become the first man to win three consecutive Olympic 100m gold medals.

“It wasn’t the best start, it felt kind of sluggish,” said Bolt, who was running just after noon on Saturday in Rio, to the Associated Press. “I’m not used to running this early in the morning in any championships.”

Sanyeri suffers leg fracture in a stunt

Popular Yoruba comic actor, Sanyeri, is currently in pains after fracturing his leg while jumping off a building while on set. In an exclusive interview, the actor said that the incident occurred while he was filming his recent project, Asiwaju, where he featured Mr. Ibu.

 “I got injured on the set of the movie I just concluded works on. I did a stunt and broke my leg. I am not in a hospital, I am at home but as we speak I have a POP cast on my leg. The character I was playing had to climb the roof of a house because he had some spiritual problems. When the landlord of the house realised that someone was on his roof, he called the police and while avoiding arrest, the character had to jump off the roof of the house. That was how I broke my leg and the doctors said that the cast would be on my leg for a month,” he said.

I seldom watch Nollywood movies because of mediocrity –Sola Fosudo

Veteran Nollywood actor, Sola Fosudo, in a chat with Saturday Beats, said that he rarely watches Nollywood movies because most of the films are not original. The actor said that most of the movies churned out are “cheap and distasteful imitation of foreign movies adapted to suit Nigerian viewers.”
He said, “I don’t watch Nollywood movies anymore because most of them are re-packaged stories. Sometimes, they see an interesting foreign movie and they try to localise it but in the process, they bastardise the whole thing. You will find out that most of the stories are not original.”
The thespian said that the problem with the industry is that it is being run by “unprofessional” people who feel they know it all.

Rose Odika set to revamp Yoruba culture among youths through Ewa Asa

Nollywood actress, Rose Odika, is set to give back to the society and promote the  Yoruba culture with her pet project, Ewa –Asa.

Talking about the project, Odika said the event, which would be hosted by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, is an annual competition in which youths come together to showcase different talents and dance groups in undiluted Yoruba language, “with the aim of promoting integral talent through holistic approach without any form of discrimination against any person or group.”

I once got aroused while kissing on set –OC Ukeje

OC Ukeje is one of the actors in Nollywood who try as much as possible to put life in every character he plays.
In some of the movies, the actor has had to kiss some of his colleagues because it was part of the script.
Even though it’s all an act, OC confessed the scene actually affected him and, he became aroused while kissing the actress on the set.

Serial rapists should be castrated –Ireti Doyle

Recently, there is virtually no day that a rape case is not reported in the news in Nigeria. Due to this fact, ace Nollywood diva, Ireti Doyle, has given her two cents views about the matter. According to the screen diva, serial rapists should have their manhood cut off if convicted.

She said, “In Nigeria, as in almost everywhere in the world, I do not think that rape cases are handled properly often times. What makes it worse for us in Nigeria is that in advanced countries, they have strict laws and most times, the law is enforced and justice is done. In Nigeria, we have laws in place but are they enforced as they should be? I don’t think so. But I am happy that there is a lot more conversation about it. People tend to think that rape is on the increase but I don’t think so; I think it has always been a part of our society but you are hearing a lot more about it now because people are talking about it. That veil of secrecy has been removed and the more we talk about it, the more we blow the whistle against the offenders. Eventually I think we would get it right. We need to put stronger laws in place and enforce them and justice must be done.

I have cordial relationship with Odunlade Adekola and Kemi Afolabi –She Baby

So many people would remember the bitter feud between actresses, Kemi Afolabi and Seyi Ariyo, popularly known as She Baby. Their quarrel generated so much ruckus and even made headlines especially when popular Yoruba actor, Odunlade Adekola, was also mentioned in their cat fight.

The bone of contention was a dress She Baby said she gave Kemi while on set of her new movie, Aye Alaye and which she claimed Kemi refused to return after the movie shoot.

In a chat with Saturday Beats, She Baby said that the issue has since been settled and she maintains a very cordial relationship with Adekola and Kemi.