NEWS

Osinbajo responds to Bill Gates’ speech on Nigeria’s economy

Published

6 years ago

March 23, 2018

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday responded to call made by billionaire Bill Gates, asking the Federal Government to resolve challenges surrounding human capital development.

According to Osinbajo, investing in people was a primary aspect of the current administration’s Economic Recovery Growth Plan.
He said this shortly after listening to Gates speak at the Expanded National Economic Council on Investment in Human Capital in Abuja.

Speaking further, Osinbajo noted the government was aware that people were critical to driving the economy which was why the administration was currently doing everything possible to improve the basic infrastructural elements that enhance proper human life.

“Nigeria has strong economic growth and development ambitions encapsulated in our economic Recovery and growth plan which we launched in 2017.

“All of those lofty ambitions can only be achieved through the determined application of human skill and effort and for that effort to be meaningful and productive, it has to come from people who are healthy, educated and who empowered.
“It is this realisation that has helped us to ensure that one of the primary planks of our economic recovery and growth plan is ‘investing in people’; and it is for this reason that we are expanding the reach and quality of our health care through the National Health Insurance Scheme and working to guarantee basic education for all persons whilst also upgrading and modernising the quality of secondary and post-secondary education.”

“We are engaged fully as a government in particular and as governments in the various states to ensure that we are able to address some of these concerns.

“Let me reiterate that not only are we aware of the issues that you’ve outlined and many that have already been spoken of, but we are prepared to take on those challenges head-on and indeed we have no choice because the problem literally grows every day.

“Our population happens to be the largest in Africa and one of the largest in the world and in the next two decades, some say we will be the 3rd or 4th,” he said.
Gates, in his address, highlighted the importance of the human factor in national development and advised the government to take more practical steps in that regard.

“The Nigerian government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan identifies investing in our people as one of three strategic executives but the execution priorities don’t fully reflect people’s needs – prioritising physical capital over human capital,” Gates had stated.

NEWS

Adebayo Salami Celebrates Five Decades In Nollywood

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2024

Reporter

Adebayo Salami celebrates five decades in Nollywood | Fab.ng

Veteran Nollywood actor Adebayo Salami, also known as Oga Bello, has been in the movie business for 50 years! To celebrate this achievement, the 72-year-old actor posted a black-and-white picture on Instagram with some of his fellow actors. He thanked God for his successful career and wonderful family. Oga Bello also said that even though actors might get tired sometimes, they never truly retire from their passion for acting.

He wrote, “With over 5 decades of committed practice in Nollywood, I am indeed most grateful to Almighty God for His unending blessings over my career and family. Actor only gets tired, actor does not retire. Get ready for what is coming soon.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Adebayo Salami (@adebayo.salami)

Adebayo Salami’s acting career started way back in 1964. He joined a group called Young Concert Party, led by Ojo Ladipo (Baba Mero). This group’s name changed a few times, from Ojo Ladipo Theatre Group to finally Awada Kerikeri Theatre Group. When Baba Mero passed away in 1978, Salami became the leader of the group. This put him in the spotlight and helped him get noticed.

Salami also made movie history. He appeared in the very first Yoruba film ever made, called “Ajani Ogun.” The lead role in that movie was played by Adeyemi Afolayan, the father of well-known actors Kunle Afolayan and Gabriel Afolayan.

In 1985, Salami didn’t just act, he also produced his first movie, “Ogun Ajaye,” with his Awada Kerikeri group. Since then, he’s become a well-rounded movie talent. He acts, directs, and produces movies all the time, making him a big player in the Yoruba film industry.

It seems acting talent runs in the family! Salami has two sons, Femi and Tope Adebayo, who have become successful actors and movie producers themselves.

Get more updates here.

NEWS

Mayorkun Finally Addresses Nicki Dabarbie’s Ritual Allegations

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2024

Reporter

Mayorkun addresses Nicki Dabarbie’s ritual allegations | Fab.ng

Afrobeats singer Mayorkun has responded to claims made by social media influencer Nicki Dabarbie. She accused him and his colleague, Skiibii (Abbey Elias), of attempting to use her for a ritual.

On April 19, 2024, Nicki Dabarbie accused Mayorkun and Skiibii of plotting to use her for a ‘money ritual’. She supported her claims with pictures and videos describing the incident.

Mayorkun took to his X page to deny all the allegations. He stated that he had never met Nicki Dabarbie and was unaware of her existence before the allegations.

Mayorkun mentioned that he initially wanted to let the court handle the situation, but the spread of false information prompted him to speak out. He stressed that he did not know Dabarbie and warned fans about the dangers of cancellation culture and its potential harm to his life and career.

He wrote:

“You know, I was going to let this remain as a court case but when I checked the comments under some of the blogs where these ridiculous allegations were posted, I was quickly reminded of how gullible most people are on the internet and how they are ready to run along, spreading any negative news without any form of clarity.

“Just for the record, I never met that person on the said day, still never seen that person till this day, never knew about that person’s existence not until those allegations came up.. yet she claimed I put ‘something’ in her drink. A lot of people believed that story, and you think I’ll let this libelous claim fly? No!”

You know, I was going to let this remain as a court case but when I checked the comments under some of the blogs where these ridiculous allegations were posted, I was quickly reminded of how gullible most people are on the internet and how they are ready to run along, spreading…

— MAYORKUN (@Mayorkun) May 15, 2024

He added,

“I wanna re-instate, I have never seen this person before, even as I am typing this! I still haven’t set my eyes on this person.. Like, what else can I say? How else can I prove this? There’s no need for me to ask for an apology where I won’t get any. I just needed to say this publicly and get it off my chest.. cos if it was a case of ‘cancellation’ as many people are quick to do, I for don go back to dey find work for bank.”

He stated that he would pursue additional charges against her, even though she is currently in prison on unrelated charges.

Earlier, Mayorkun had threatened to file a N1 billion lawsuit against Nicki Dabarbie.

Get more updates here.

MOVIES

“Stop Making Films Where Nigerians Travel Abroad Dey Mumu” – Yul Edochie Tells Filmmakers

Published

2 days ago

May 17, 2024

Reporter

Yul Edochie - stop films where Nigerians act foolish abroad | Fab.ng

Nigerian actor Yul Edochie is calling out Nollywood movies for a tired trope. He’s criticising films where Nigerian characters travel abroad and then act immature or foolish.

Edochie believes these portrayals are a bad look for Nigerians. He argues that Western movies typically show their characters going abroad and becoming more resourceful or successful. He wants Nollywood to showcase a more positive and realistic image of Nigerians on the global stage.

“We sell ourselves short with such storylines. Oyibo people will never make a movie where a white man is foolish on African soil. Instead, they’ll make the white man smarter than all the Africans in the movie,” the actor posted on Instagram on Thursday, May 16, 2024.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Yul Edochie (@yuledochie)

He added, “It’s intentional; they use movies to sell themselves as superheroes, while we use ours to run ourselves down.”

Edochie isn’t mincing words. Films like “Osuofia in London,” “Mr Ibu in London,” and “30 Days in Atlanta” are examples of what he’s criticising. These movies all follow the same pattern: Nigerians travelling abroad and then acting out of character.

Edochie is urging Nollywood filmmakers to move away from these stereotypes.

He wants them to portray Nigerian characters abroad in a more well-rounded way. He believes Nigerians can be shown as intelligent, resourceful, and successful on the international stage, not just goofy or immature.

“Let’s make movies where a Nigerian goes abroad and becomes the focal point for Oyibo people.

“He or she always walks with shoulders high, with so much pride and dignity, always on Nigerian wears, and teaches Oyibo people beautiful things they never knew about us.

“Offers traditional solutions to problems and becomes a leader over there.

“Let’s sell ourselves as superheroes as well,” he said.

Yul Edochie isn’t new to the Nollywood scene. He started his acting career in 2005, appearing alongside veterans like Justus Esiri and Enebeli Elebuwa in the movie “The Exquires.” His big break came in 2007 with a starring role alongside A-listers Genevieve Nnaji and Desmond Elliot in “Wind of Glory.”

Interestingly, acting runs in the family; Yul Edochie is the son of Nollywood legend Pete Edochie. He’s also passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience. In 2015, he even founded the Yul Edochie Film Academy in Lagos.

Check out more updates here.