NEWS

Thousands march in second day of Togo protests

Published

7 years ago

October 5, 2017

FAB.NG

Thousands of protestors turned out in the West African state of Togo on Thursday for the second day running, in a campaign aimed at forcing out President Faure Gnassingbe.

Demonstrators converged from three points in the capital Lome for what was billed as a “march of anger” against a family which has ruled Togo for 50 years, culminating in a rally on the seafront.

“Demonstrators have used rocks to block the road from Gakpoto to St. Joseph’s school, and others are preventing cars from going through,” Amnesty International’s director for Togo, Aime Adi, said.

In Atikoume district, angry youths refused to follow the march itinerary set down by the 14-party opposition coalition, and said they would block streets, an AFP journalist saw.

However, in some neighbourhoods on the march route, tension that was noticeable on Wednesday seemed to have eased somewhat.

Marchers said they would maintain pressure on the Gnassingbe regime.

“I am not tired and I will never be tired so long as the struggle is not over. Even if we have to march every day, I will be there,” said Elie Zikla, a young man whose job is a motorbike taxi drive.

In the north of the country — a region previously seen as reliably pro-government — several other rallies, also drawing thousands of people, took place in the northern cities of Sokode, Bafilo and Dapaong, local residents told AFP.

However, there were no protests in the far northern town of Mango, where a young man was killed in a demonstration on September 20, which was followed by a crackdown by the authorities.

The protests are the seventh in a wave of agitation that began in August. At least four people have been killed and dozen injured.

The government, responding to unprecedented protests from the street, is proposing an overhaul of the constitution under which presidential terms would be limited to two five-year spells in office.

Gnassingbe, in power since the death of his father in 2005, was re-elected in 2010 and again in 2015, in votes that the opposition denounced as unfair.

If the two-term limit applies from the next elections, scheduled in 2020, he could theoretically remain in office until 2030.

As a result, the opposition wants the two-term restriction to be applied retroactively by restoring the 1992 constitution, in order to force Gnassingbe from office.

The president’s father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, ruled the country with an iron fist from 1967 until his death in 2005.

According to a source close to the presidency, the proposed change to the constitution will be put to a referendum “by the end of the year”.

MUSIC

Wizkid’s “Dance” Reappears On Apple Music Nigeria Top 100

Published

15 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Reporter

Kese (Dance) Reappears on Apple Music Nigeria Top 100 | fab.ng

Wizkid’s ‘Kese (Dance)’ Reclaims Top Spot on Apple Music Nigeria

Wizkid’s latest single, ‘Kese (Dance)‘ dramatically returned to the Apple Music Nigeria Top 100 chart. The song temporarily disappeared on November 18, 2024, sparking widespread speculation among fans and music enthusiasts.

Fab.ng first reported the unexpected chart removal. Despite vanishing from the Nigerian chart, ‘Dance’ maintained its position on global Top 100 lists. Remarkably, it remained the sole Nigerian and African track on international charts.

Apple Music’s chart management protocols suggest potential reasons for the temporary removal. The platform commonly investigates potential streaming manipulation. When suspicious activity emerges, they remove and then reinstate tracks after verifying stream authenticity.

Fans and industry watchers developed multiple theories. Some believed the removal resulted from technical complications. Others suspected a deeper investigation into streaming patterns. The exact mechanism remained unclear.

Within hours, ‘Kese (Dance)’ returned to its top chart position. The song demonstrated sufficient streaming strength to reclaim its previous standing. Wizkid’s continued musical dominance remained unquestionable.

The incident generated additional excitement around Wizkid’s upcoming album ‘Morayo.’ Scheduled for release on November 22, 2024, the album generates significant anticipation. Wizkid strategically shared the official tracklist, further fueling fan enthusiasm.

Music industry observers noted the incident’s potential marketing impact. The temporary chart removal inadvertently increased visibility for both the single and the upcoming album. Wizkid’s strategic music release continues to capture the audience’s attention.

The event underscores the complex dynamics of digital music platforms. Streaming charts represent more than simple popularity metrics. They reflect intricate algorithmic and investigative processes.

Wizkid continues to demonstrate his significant influence in Nigerian and global music scenes. ‘Kese (Dance)’ represents another milestone in his remarkable musical journey.

Fans remain eager to experience the full ‘Morayo’ album, anticipating another potential chart-topping release from the superstar artist.

Check out more updates here.

MUSIC

Davido’s “Na Money” Wins Best Costume/Styling At Berlin Fashion Film Festival

Published

19 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Reporter

Na Money wins best costume at Berlin fashion film festival | fab.ng

Davido’s “Na Money” music video, featuring Angélique Kidjo and The Cavemen, has earned the prestigious Best Costume/Styling (Craft) award at the 12th Berlin Fashion Film Festival.

The vibrant video is directed by Dammy Twitch and produced by Blessing Uzzi. The video captivated audiences with its colourful costumes, cultural depth, and breathtaking visuals. This celebrates African heritage with impeccable creativity and style.

The win underscores the team’s exceptional attention to detail in showcasing the beauty of African fashion and culture. From the elaborate traditional attire to the contemporary designs, the video seamlessly blends visual artistry with the powerful Afrobeat sound of the track.

This recognition cements “Na Money” as a benchmark for combining music and fashion in innovative storytelling.

The Berlin Fashion Film Festival celebrates fashion and film annually.

It has recognized outstanding talent since its establishment. The festival is part of the larger Berlinale, a global cinema event dating back to 1951.

It focuses on creativity and craftsmanship in filmmaking. The festival highlights emerging talent across various artistic disciplines. It awards prestigious honours like the Golden Bears.

The event attracts filmmakers, designers, and film enthusiasts from around the world. The festival provides a platform for innovative storytelling through visual media.

Recognizing creative excellence supports artistic development. The award represents a significant achievement for artists and creators. For Davido and his team, this recognition underscores their contribution to global cultural representation.

The festival continues to be an important stage for showcasing innovative artistic expressions.

The video’s dynamic visuals and cultural richness not only earned industry accolades but also resonated with fans worldwide.

To experience the award-winning brilliance firsthand, watch Davido’s “Na Money,” featuring Angélique Kidjo and The Cavemen, now.

Let the stunning visuals and captivating storytelling take you on a journey through Africa’s vibrant cultural tapestry.

Explore the full list of winners on the festival’s official site and join in celebrating this milestone for African music and fashion.

Watch the video below.

Check out more updates here.

MOVIES

“The Interrogation Of Lotanna” Bags 6 Nominations At The FilmJoint Awards 2025

Published

3 days ago

November 19, 2024

Reporter

The Interrogation of Lotanna: 6 nominations at TFA 2025 | fab.ng

Reginald Jumbo’s compelling short film “The Interrogation of Lotanna” has earned prestigious recognition with six nominations at the upcoming 2025 Film Joint Awards.

The nominations span major categories. They include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Indigenous Film (Nigeria), Best African Film, and the Best Jury Award for Outstanding Storytelling.

The FilmJoint platform stands as a vital global initiative that connects short filmmakers with international audiences. They provide them with a stage to showcase their creative works.

Through its annual awards ceremony, FilmJoint celebrates exceptional short films that advance African cinema’s artistic and cultural landscape.

Producers Ibukun Serah Adetoyinbo and Oreoluwa Obadofin bring to life a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of civil unrest.

The plot follows Captain Ardo, a military commander tasked with suppressing an eastern rebellion led by the elusive Zuru Nkwu.

After months of fruitless searches, intelligence leads Ardo to interrogate a suspect named Lotanna. Despite enduring severe torture, Lotanna steadfastly maintains his innocence throughout the ordeal.

The film showcases powerful performances from an ensemble cast. The cast features William Chinoyenem, Cassey Oritsejolomi, Anthony Nwahiri, Francis Sule, Michael Embraiz, and Mr. Rala.

Each actor brings depth and authenticity to their respective roles, contributing to the film’s emotional impact and storytelling prowess.

These nominations underscore the film’s artistic merit and its significant contribution to African cinema. The recognition from the FilmJoint Awards particularly highlights the film’s excellence in storytelling, direction, and performance.

Meanwhile, it also acknowledges its cultural significance as both a Nigerian and African production. The winners will be revealed at the 2025 FilmJoint Awards ceremony, where “The Interrogation of Lotanna” stands as a strong contender across multiple categories.

Check out more updates here.