ENTERTAINMENT

Nigerian Music Industry Gets Major Boost With New 12,000 Capacity Arena

Published

9 months ago

February 26, 2024

Nigerian Entertainment Industry Gets Major Boost | Fab.ng

For years, the Nigerian music industry has called for a world-class venue capable of hosting major concerts and festivals. This dream is finally coming true, as Lagos State, known as the “African entertainment capital” and the birthplace of Afrobeats, will be getting its first-ever facility of this calibre.

Construction has officially begun on a 12,000-seat arena, backed by industry giants Live Nation and Oak View Group (OVG). This project is a collaborative effort between Live Nation, OVG, the Persianas Group, and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu, attended the groundbreaking ceremony held on February 24, 2024.

The consortium leading the project includes Tayo Amusan, chairman of the Persianas Group, representatives from NSIA, Live Nation, and OVG; Yinka Folawiyo (chairman of the Yinka Folawiyo Group); and Nigerian investment firms Adino Capital and MBO Capital. The total investment for the arena is expected to exceed $100 million, with construction slated for completion in December 2025.

This state-of-the-art venue aims to host a diverse range of events throughout the year, with an estimated capacity of 200 events annually. This includes major sporting events like UFC, WWE, boxing, and basketball, alongside music concerts, festivals, and prestigious award ceremonies.

“Nigerian artists are some of the most influential in the world right now and yet they have nowhere to play in their home market,” said Tim Leiweke, chairman and chief executive of OVG. “We want to change that. This consortium, headed by Tayo Amusan, has shown enormous tenacity and entrepreneurial spirit in getting this project off the ground and we are proud to be their partner,” he added.

Oak View Group, a company that builds big arenas like the ones in Seattle and New York, is helping build a new one in Lagos, Nigeria. This is great news for Afrobeats fans and the music industry there, who have been wanting a world-class venue for a long time. The new arena will be able to hold concerts, festivals, and other events.

Get more movie updates here.

Related Topics:News Nigerian Entertainment

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ENTERTAINMENT

AFRIFF 2024: Check Out The Complete List Of Winners

Published

6 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Reporter

2024 AFRIFF: The Complete List Of Winners | fab.ng

The 2024 AFRIFF celebrated exceptional African cinema through a vibrant week-long showcase of talent, creativity, and storytelling excellence.

Filmmakers, actors, and cinema enthusiasts gathered from across the continent to participate in screenings, masterclasses, and engaging panel discussions at the 2024 AFRIFF.

This 13th edition of AFRIFF demonstrated unprecedented diversity in African storytelling, featuring compelling narratives that captivated audiences through multiple genres and languages.

In the 2024 AFRIFF, carefully curated selections sparked meaningful conversations about contemporary African experiences while highlighting the continent’s rich cultural heritage.

Also, at the 2024 AFRIFF Globe Awards ceremony, outstanding films earned recognition for their artistic merit, technical excellence, and powerful storytelling.

These winning productions represented various African perspectives, from intimate personal narratives to broader social commentaries.

Let’s explore the complete list of winners who made their mark at this prestigious celebration of African cinema.

Jury Awards

Jury Prize: Freedom Way | Directed by Afolabi Olalekan | Nigeria
Jury Special Mention: Memories of Love Returned | Directed by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine | Uganda

Feature Prizes

Best Feature Film: Phoenix Fury | Directed by Ifeoma N. Chukwuogo | Ghana, Nigeria
Best International Film: Calladita (The Quiet Maid) | Directed by Miguel Faus | Spain
Best Director: Ifeoma N. Chukwuogo for Phoenix Fury
Special Mention: A Ghetto Love Story | Directed by Daniel Oriahi | Nigeria
Best Male Performance: Alexander Hakim in The Dog
Best Female Performance: Uzoamaka Onuoha in Agemo
Best Screenplay: Bode Asiyanbi for The Man Died

Documentary Prizes

Best Documentary: Mother City | Directed by Miki Redelinghuys | Brazil, South Africa
Best International Documentary: Memories of Love Returned | Directed by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine
Special Mention: Dan Bature Kudawa | Directed by Charles Solomon | Nigeria
Best Documentary Short: From God to Man | Directed by Lansana Mansaray | Sierra Leone

Short Film Prizes

Best Animation: Hadu | Directed by Damilola Solesi | Nigeria
Special Mention: Leon and the Professor | Directed by Chekwube Okonkwo | Nigeria
Best Short: Adunni | Directed by Tola Falonipe | Nigeria
Best International Short: Cookie Box | Directed by Adam Żurawiecki | Ghana, Malta
Best Student Short: Last Minute | Directed by Nicole E. Emechebe | Nigeria
Special Mention: Flawed Cupid | Directed by Emerald Obahiagbon, Feyisayo Rotimi | Nigeria

Check out more updates here.

ENTERTAINMENT

Enioluwa Replies X User Questioning The Use Of Same Actors In Nollywood

Published

3 days ago

November 12, 2024

Reporter

Enioluwa on why Nollywood uses the same actors | fab.ng

Nollywood actor and social media personality Enioluwa explained why the Nigerian film industry uses the ‘same faces’ in movies.

It all began on November 11, 2024, when an X user reacted to actress Jemima Osunde‘s post on X regarding the new YouTube film Fame and Fury.

The user said, “I’m sincerely tired of seeing the same faces in this damn industry.”

I’m sincerely tired of seeing the same faces in this damn industry https://t.co/L2rKSIGIz6

— salamalekun bitches (@95andbeyond) November 11, 2024

Osunde did not take her comment lightly. She retorted, saying, “We’re tired of seeing your face too in your office. Damn! I hope they sack you.”

Enioluwa then took to X to address the notion of Nollywood using familiar faces in films. He stressed that it happens because of finances.

He wrote,

“People often say they’re tired of seeing the same faces in Nigerian films. However, unlike in Hollywood, actors in Nigeria can’t afford to do just one film a year—how much are they paying? The industry currently can’t support as many newcomers as people might expect because, realistically, many of them wouldn’t be able to meet even their basic needs. No one wants to be famous and financially unstable.”

In response, another X user asked him for practical solutions, urging him to suggest actionable steps rather than just highlighting the problems. “You made a crucial point there but you didn’t suggest any solution,” he commented.

Enioluwa then explained,

We don’t have the buying power yet; it’s growing because streaming platforms have come in and people have made more records in the box office. Nevertheless, you can’t equate it to Hollywood, an Avengers that made over $2 billion that can pay its actors millions of dollars and still have enough profit.

People often say they’re tired of seeing the same faces in Nigerian films.

However, unlike in Hollywood, actors in Nigeria can’t afford to do just one film a year— how much are they paying.

The industry currently can’t support as many newcomers as people might expect because,…

— Eni Adeoluwa (@Enioluwa_) November 11, 2024

Check out more updates here.

ENTERTAINMENT

John Njamah Says Actors Should Be Cast Based On Talent Not Instagram Followers

Published

3 days ago

November 12, 2024

Reporter

John Njamah Says Actors Should Be Cast Based On Talent | fab.ng

Nollywood filmmaker John Njamah recently voiced his concern about the prevailing casting practices in the industry. He argued that casting decisions should prioritize an actor’s talent over their physical appearance or social media popularity.

In an exclusive interview, Njamah, a Nollywood veteran, gave insightful commentary on the current state and future trajectory of Nigerian cinema.

Known for his role as Rabiu in the popular TV soap opera “Fuji House of Commotion,” Njamah has also graced the screens of numerous television shows.

Interestingly, the shows he has featured in include “Tinsel,” “Living In Lagos,” “Solitaire,” “Casino,” “Emerald,” “Tide,” and “My Flatmates.”

During the interview, Njamah talked about his filmmaking journey. He emphasized his unwavering passion for the industry and his aspirations for its continued development.

“What is fuelling me is beyond passion. There’s that knack and need to grow with every month, whatever year. There’s that need to.do something different. This industry of ours is for you to do whatever you want to do and not join the bandwagon. So for me, it’s the originality in me and the need to do something right that is fuelling me Basically, it’s the ever-creative venture in me,” he said.

Njamah discussed how African stories are evolving. Furthermore, he emphasized that positive and negative changes have happened over the years.

“There’s a positive aspect and there’s a negative aspect. There’s a technical input. We’re telling our stories better technically. We’re telling better and bigger stories. The negative is that we are beginning to lose our originality. We are beginning to join the bandwagon to tell what is peculiar to other people and not to us. We are beginning to lose a bit of our identity cos there’s no longer us,” he said.

What’s more, Njamah spoke about casting in the industry. He pointed out differences between the industry during his time and the current climate, especially with casting.

“Fuji House was a one-camera shoot with hungry and passionate people. Now we have people who cast people who are beautiful and with Barbie bodies and followership and not necessarily for your talents. Some of us try to be that original because that’s where better stories are told. You want to tell stories with passionate people. Whether you like it or not, it’s a long shot but it’s possible. You want to give the actors that are worthy of the job and not the ones that are based on Instagram followers. We borrow from society and give back to society by way of entertainment and pedagogical values.”

Further, he criticized the lack of professional work ethic among filmmakers in Nollywood. He highlighted the absence of a robust system to evaluate the performance and accountability of producers within the industry.

“Professionalism is lacking. Respect for those in charge, humility and the like is lacking today. The industry lacks checks and balances. Every Tom, Dck and Harry can wake up and call themselves a producer and just get on board and be doing stuff without being checked and of course, the guild system is not working so they can’t check. There are no criteria for who should become a producer. The system is also not working. Let’s just be mindful as producers, directors and actors,” he added.

In conclusion, John Njamah acknowledged the unique character of Nollywood. Meanwhile, he proposed the creation of a domestic platform to market and distribute Nigerian films. Consequently, this would reduce reliance on foreign streaming services.

“That thing that they don’t like about us is what makes us, us. I am tired of people saying they don’t want to come into the country for coproduction cos we’re that and that and why are we relying on the likes of the streamers? Why can’t we do something that is for us by us so that they will come to us and ask for these things? We are solely depending on them to licence our movies, for survival. Speaking of coproduction, if you tell me you don’t want to come into the country for any reason, I’ll tell you you’re wrong, cos there are amazing producers here that you’ve seen their work. All you need to do is come to them and agree on modalities.”

Watch the interview with John Njamah below.