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Behind its better known competitors in the U.S. and India, Nigeria has the world’s third-largest movie industry. Nigerian films, made under the banner of Nollywood, are ubiquitous across Africa and the industry is prolific, pumping out around 50 full-length movies per week.50 full-length movies per week.
Many outside of Africa have never had the chance to experience Nollywood’s charms. But now that streaming service Netflix has launched in Nigeria, the country’s cinematic offerings are becoming more widely available.
Here’s a beginner’s guide to 10 Nollywood films you should make time for.

1. Fifty
Set in Nigeria’s most populous city of Lagos, this drama follows four 50-year-old women as they each encounter their own mid-life crises. The movie features music from Femi Kuti, son of Afrobeat legend Fela, and promises to make you “see African women like never before.” As an extra bonus, the movie is available on Netflix.

2. Diary of a Lagos Girl
This soon to be released romantic comedy Diary of a Lagos Girl features Bim (Dalopo Oni), whose impending role as a bridesmaid hastens her search for a partner. She doesn’t expect a lot: He just needs to be handsome, rich, funny and influential.
Her search leads her to Ife (Alex Ekubo), and together they learn about the true value of love.

3. 93 Days
Featuring U.S. star Danny Glover, of Lethal Weapon fame, this forthcoming medical drama about Nigeria’s first Ebola case has generated controversy even before its release. The movie focuses on Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, the late doctor who correctly diagnosed the first case of Ebola in the country and helped prevent an outbreak before tragically succumbing to the disease herself. Adadevoh’s family disputed the film, claiming it was inaccurate, a charge rejected by the movie’s producers.
4. Couple of Days
For three married Nigerian couples, a romantic weekend getaway provides the perfect opportunity to revive the flames of passion dampened by familiarity. But then a host of problems—from erectile dysfunction to unfaithful partners—leaves them doubting their futures. Due for release in February, the cast is led by Lilian Esoro Franklin, one half of one of Nigeria’s glamorous celebrity couples. Lilian Esoro married Nigerian music mogul Ubi Franklin in January 2015 and the couple recently celebrated their one-year anniversary. Let’s hope they don’t go away for a couple of days…
5. ‘76
Hype has been building for several years around this forthcoming historical fiction, which focuses on the 1976 coup during which Nigeria’s then-military ruler, Murtala Mohammed, was assassinated. The story is told from two perspectives: a soldier accused of involvement in the coup and his heavily pregnant wife who is left alone while her husband is interrogated. Starring award-winning Nigerian actor Ramsey Nouah, the film went through a seven-month-long approval period with the Nigerian military before production started.
6. Blood Sisters
Starring Nollywood’s arguably two most popular stars, Omotola Jalade and Genevieve Nnaji, Blood Sisters tells the tale of two sisters, raised only by their mother, who turn on each other thanks to jealousy.
A failure to overcome their sibling rivalry leads one of them down a troubling path. A classic Nollywood tale if ever there was one.
7. Mr. & Mrs.
Written and Produced by Chinwe Egwuagu, Mr. & Mrs. takes us through the lives of two couples who on the surface appear to be complete opposites.
The Abbahs exist in a loveless marriage, with Joseph unwilling to appreciate the many sacrifices Susan makes. Demonstrating what a marriage should be like, Linda and Charles are inseparable.
However, as is the hallmark of Nollywood, things soon deviate drastically from first impressions, and the couples are forced to reassess their relationships.
8. October 1
Director Kunle Afolayan’s October 1 takes us back to 1960s Nigeria, a crucial time in the West African state’s history as it transitioned from colonial rule to an independent state.
A northern police officer is tasked with traveling to a small village in the western region to solve a series of female murders. As independence day looms, officials grow increasingly worried that the horrific crimes will mar the new independent state.
9. 30 Days in Atlanta
Rumored to be the highest grossing film in Nollywood history, Robert Peters’ comedy 30 Days in Atlanta follows Ramsey Nouh and AY on their journey to America.
After winning a local raffle, the two cousins struggle to adapt to their new culture as they quickly learn that life is very different from what they are used to in Nigeria.
10. The Encounter
A short film directed by Tolu Ajayi, The Encounter examines the relationship between ex-Nigerian military officer Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and his close friend, Emmanuel Ifeajuna. The former declared an independent republic of Biafra in southeast Nigeria in 1967, sparking a three-year civil war in which more than one million people died, many due to hunger. The latter was eventually executed on Ojukwu’s orders for betraying the Biafran cause. A recent surge in pro-Biafran sentiment, which has seen thousands of Nigerians demonstrating and demanding independence from Nigeria, makes this film—available on YouTube—particularly timely.

By Dipo Faloyin,Conor Gaffey of Newsweek

Eight films from all over the world compete for Hivos Tiger Awards
Eight productions by filmmakers from all over the world will compete in the revamped Hivos Tiger Awards Competition at International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR). Among the countries represented are Brazil, Thailand, USA, Paraguay, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The following eight films have been selected to compete in the Hivos Tiger Awards Competition:
History’s Future – Fiona Tan (The Netherlands, world premiere)
The Land of the Enlightened – Pieter-Jan De Pue (Belgium, The Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, European premiere)
Motel Mist – Prabda Yoon (Thailand, world premiere)
Oscuro animal – Felipe Guerrero (Colombia, Argentina, The Netherlands, Germany, Greece, world premiere)
Radio Dreams – Babak Jalali (USA, world premiere)
La última tierra – Pablo Lamar (Paraguay, The Netherlands, Chile, Qatar, world premiere)
Where I Grow Old – Marília Rocha (Brazil, Portugal, world premiere)
A Woman, a Part – Elisabeth Subrin (USA, world premiere)

History’s Future

The Land of the Enlightened

Motel Mist

Oscuro animal

The Hivos Tiger Awards Competition was founded in 1995 with the aim of discovering, raising the profile of and rewarding up-and-coming international film talent. The Award is accompanied by a €40,000 cash prize, to be shared between the director and producer of the winning film. Previously, some fifteen films competed for three equal prizes of €15,000. A Special Jury Award worth €10,000 will also be presented for an exceptional artistic achievement within the competition in 2016.
The Hivos Tiger Awards are presented by an expert jury. In 2016, this jury will consist of Dutch film critic Peter van Bueren, Tunisian actress Hend Sabry, Thai filmmaker Anocha Suwichakornpong, award-winning Portuguese director Miguel Gomes and Hans Hurch, festival director of Vienna International Film Festival. The winners of the Hivos Tiger Awards will be announced during the official awards ceremony on Friday 5 February.

Radio Dreams

La última tierra

Where I Grow Old

A Woman, a Part

Festival director Bero Beyer: “We want to offer the most innovative, original and challenging works on the biggest platform possible, as well as honouring and celebrating these in the best possible way. This was the reason we decided to find a new form for the Hivos Tiger Awards Competition. Not only is the prize money higher, but from the upcoming festival, every day a new ‘Tiger’ will be put in the spotlight, with full attention for that film that day. All of the films selected are exceptional. We are honoured to have these fantastic films premiering at IFFR, so they can be discovered by a wide audience.”
Hivos has been IFFR’s main sponsor since 2013. By providing support to the Hubert Bals Fund and the Hivos Tiger Awards, this organisation contributes to the development of artistic film production as a means of expressing social criticism.
For four decades, IFFR has proudly developed and presented auteur cinema by helping filmmakers reach the broadest possible audiences. The festival is known around the world for its individual, innovative programming, with particular attention to talented new filmmakers. Quality films from all over the world are presented in Rotterdam to a large, international audience with the aim of inspiring and broadening horizons.
IFFR is one of the biggest cultural events in the Netherlands, and one of the biggest audience-oriented film festivals in the world. The 45th IFFR will take place from Wednesday 27 January to Sunday 7 February 2016. For twelve days, the latest feature films, documentaries, short films, exhibitions, performances, talkshows and debates make Rotterdam an exciting, global capital city of film. Official ticket sales start on Friday 22 January. For more information, see IFFR.com.

                               Dr Odedina, Dr Paul Ilona and Mr. Fidelis Duker.

The  press briefing at Harvest plus informed us to the wonderful innovation going on over the few years in that institution Vitamin A Cassava, Vitamina A Maize, Vitamine A Sweet Potatos and Iron Beans. This event took place at  International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan.
The Press briefing was coordinated by Mr Fidelis Duker of FAD Production Limited and HARVEST Plus lead by Dr Paul Ilona (Country Manager, Nigeria (PMT Member)

Dr Pual Ilona

Dr Ilona gave us the overview harvest plus Nigeria activities in 2015 which was based on Vitamin A cassava, Iron bean, Vitamin A maize, Zinc Rice and Vitamin A sweet potatoes.
We had various speakers that contributed to the conference,

                                    Mr Fidelis Duker the CEO of FAD Production

Mr Fidelis Duker the CEO of FAD Production who spoke on Potential of Nollywood Movies and TV series in information dissemination,

                    Mr Hope Obioma Opara of Supple Communications Ltd

Mr Hope Obioma Opara of Supple Communications Ltd ,spoke on Communicating development projects through Print and Social Media Platforms.,

Mr Tunde Okoli of Guardian/TPT

Mr Tunde Okoli of Guardian/TPT spoke on Advertising and Promotions prospects for audio visual Channels.
Mr. Chikodi Okorocha spoke on work planning/Target setting/submission to HarvestPlus.
At the end Dr Paul Ilona gave the vote of thanks.
They have Vitamin A cassava which is an improvement of the cassava we eat every other day . The new Cassava with Vitamin A has other by products in the likes of fufu, garri. Cassava cakes, chips etc

    Varieties of foods prepared with Vitamin A Cassava

HarvestPlus supports the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) to breed, test, and release vitamin A cassava developed through our partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). We work with public and private sector partners to multiply vitamin A cassava stems and distribute to farmers. Our network of extension agents and rural facilitators receive training in best agronomic practices, which they pass along to farmers at the household level.

Creative public awareness campaigns leverage the power of mass media, including of Nollywood, in educating Nigerians on micronutrient deficiencies and the benefits of vitamin A cassava. We are also creating and strengthening demand by supporting commercial processing of vitamin A cassava into popularly consumed products such as gari and fufu that are marketed nationwide. Innovative strategies to promote adoption and consumption include model one-stop shops where consumers can buy vitamin A cassava stems, tubers, and ready-to-eat products such as pies, cakes, and fufu. Our advocacy seeks to strengthen national ownership of bio fortification through effective integration into national nutrition and agricultural policies.
HarvestPlus and its partners work in 22 states of Nigeria to promote the availability, adoption, and consumption of vitamin A cassava. The goal is that more than 1.6 million Nigerian farming households will be growing this biofortified crop by 2018.

COSTS OF VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY
• 30% of Nigerian children under 5 are estimated to be iron deficient (WHO). They are at risk of lowered immunity, impaired vision, blindness, and even death.
• Annually, Nigeria loses over $1.5 billion in GDP to vitamin and mineral deficiencies (World Bank)
.
BENEFITS OF VITAMIN A CASSAVA
• Provides up to 40% of daily vitamin A needs
• High yielding, virus resistant

The Costs of Vitamin A Deficiency
Vitamin A deficiency lowers immunity, impairs vision, and may lead to blindness and even death. • 30% of Nigerian children under 5 are estimated to be vitamin A deficient (WHO). • Annually, Nigeria loses over US$1.5 billion in GDP to vitamin and mineral deficiencies (World Bank).

Iron-biofortified beans will contribute to a reduction in iron deficiency in regions of Africa where daily bean consumption is high.

VITAMIN A MAIZE
Maize has become the staple food for more than 1 billion people in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Maize is high in carbohydrates but lacks essential micronutrients such as vitamin A.
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient lacking in the diets of poor malnourished population. Vitamin A deficiency retards growth, increases risk of disease, and can cause reproductive disorders.

Maize exhibits tremendous genetic diversity, and there are many types with high levels of provitamin A, a compound converted into vitamin A when the maize is eaten. These have been used to conventionally breed new varieties of maize that are an important dietary source of vitamin A maize.

VITAMIN A SWEET POTATOES
More than 95% of the world’s sweet potato crop is grown in developing countries, where it is the fifth most important food crop. African farmers produce about 7 million tons of sweet potato annually, mostly for human consumption.
Children with vitamin A deficiency are at increased risk of severe morbidity from common childhood infections such as diarrheal diseases and measles, and in cases of extreme deficiency, can go blind.

Orange sweet potato is an extremely rich source of beta-carotene, an naturally occurring pigment that the body converts into vitamin A. Eating orange sweet potato has been shown to improve vitamin A status of children.

ZINC RICE
Rice is an ideal staple crop to bio-fortified with zinc.

IRON BEANS
For more than 300 million people, inexpensive beans are an important part of the diet, especially in regions of Africa and Central and South America.
Iron deficiency during childhood and adolescence impairs physical growth, mental development, and learning capacity.

Iron-biofortified beans will contribute to a reduction in iron deficiency in regions of Africa where daily bean consumption is high.
HarvestPIus
Better Crops – Better Nutrition
VITAMIN A CASSAVA

We boost demand through awareness creation using the muti-media.

We drive supply by encouraging small and medium scale enterprise along the value chain

We link demand to supply using certified points of sale, Online market (Agroshop.com.ng) and Data base

You can purchase Vitamin A Gari,Fufu,
Flour, Confectionaries, Sterns & even
farm inputs on agroshop.com.ng

Benefits of Vitamin A
• Strong Immune System
• Healthy Skin
• Good Eyesight

HarvestPIus leads a global effort to improve nutrition and public health developing and disseminating staple food crops that are rich in vitamin and minerals.
HarvestPIus is part of the CCIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and health(A4NH) and is coordinated by International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CITA)and the International Food Policy Research Institute(IFRI) www.harvestplung.org

CALL TO BECOME A DISTRIBUTOR OF VITAMIN A CASSAVA PRODUCTS
Our Partner’s List:

OYO STATE
Senator Adeyemo Women Empowerment Scheme (SAWEC) +234(0)8023395249
Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) Ibadan +234(0)80347635X7
Justice Development and Peace Movement (JDPM) Oyo +234(0)8034437115
Oyo State Agricultural Development Program (OYSADEP) +234(0)8034992266
Dominican Center for Human Resources Development (DCHRD) +234(0)8037066261
Niji Farms +234(0)8037066261

ONDO STATE
ENVOY Consulting – +234(0)8037213341
Federal College of Agriculture (FCA) A:kure- +234(0)8133129359

BENUE STATE
National Orientation Agency (NOA) Benue+234(0)7083471769
Benue Agricultural Rural Development Agency (8NARDA) +234(0)7083471769
Redeemed Aid Program Action Committee (RAPAC) +234(0)8060855889

IMO STATE
Development Dynamics – +234(0)8035927419
Forward Africa – ^234(0)8035608255 mo Agricultural Development Program -+234(0)8037089820

AKWA IBOM
Akwa lbom State University (AKSU) – +234(0)8023150560
Akwa Ibom Agricultural Development Program (AKADEP) • +234(0)8037943714
Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) Uyo -+234(0)8033976079
Human Empowerment and Development Project (HEMADEP) -+234(0)8033596961

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Harvest-‘ ,• Country Manager – +234(0)8034576085 Harvest!”,-, Marketing Officer • +234(0)8060181862 HarvestPlus Events/Partnership Officer  +234(0)7039390279    

  Mr.Hope Obioma Opara,Dr Paul Ilona and Dr Odedina

                                   Group Picture of Participants  After the Event

This year marks the 6th Annual Eko International Film Festival. The festival runs from November 16-21,2015.

The film “STOLEN LIVES” kicks off the Festival on Monday, November 16 at the prestigious Silverbird Cinemas Victoria Island Lagos.

The film Stolen Lives

Synopsis: A night of promiscuous escapade opens up a new chapter in the life of young Amarachi Ogudu; and an entire best-selling novel into the lives of 3 friends. It’s a web of lies, betrayals, hate, and LOVE.

Every new year brings us another Eko International Film Festival which the 6^th edition will kick off November 16-21,2015 at the prestigious Silverbird Cinemas Victoria Island. Lagos, Nigeria. Below  is the Official Selection of films for the 2015 festival.

Feature Films

THE HERO                     by               Laun   KRYEZIU    : KOSOVO

GOD FORGIVE US        by              Michael  BACHOCHIN    : USA

CONFERENCING          by               Emmanuel PLASSERAUD  :    FRANCE

TRAGEDY                      by               Azita MOGOUEE :   IRAN

HAM & THE PIPER      by                 Mark Norfock : UK

POPOLO                       by                 Edo NATASHA : USA

SILVER RAIN                by                 Juliet    Asanze : GHANA

STOLEN LIVES             by                 Emmanuel Williams:   NIGERIA

REQUITE                     by                 Ego Aghedo : NIGERIA

MISS TEACHER           by                  Chika Ike :  NIGERIA

HEAVENS HELL           by                  Katung Direkta Aduwak  : NIGERIA

STIGMA                       by                   Dagogo Diminas : NIGERIA

Documentary Films

AFUERA                                       by        -U Laurentia GEBSKE  :   FRANCE

UNDER THE PALAVER TREE    by       Clair SAVARY :   FRANCE

Indigenous Films

ALARAU                                      by                Tayo Afolayan :NIGERIA

BOGIRI OLANU                          by                 Taiwo Samuel: NIGERIA

IJE EGO                                      by              Osy Living Stone:   NIGERIA

Short films

ZYRA                                           by        Douglas ENOGIERU :  Nigeria

AWAITING LAZARUS                 by         Orok DUKE :      Uk/Nigeria

DUST LAND                                 by          Jacob C   ANDERSON:  USA

SPOONS                                      by          Olivia WATSON:   UK

LA BOUCLE (THE LOOP)           by          Didier CHENEAU  :   France

THE AWAKENING                       by          Steven  MATTHEWS :   Nigeria

GOLDEN RATIO                          by           Kingsley OBORO:    Nigeria/Ghana

SOBRIETY                                    by           Donatus DENIS N :   Nigeria

BROKEN DESTINY                       by           Kocabelle   GUIMINI : Nigerian Resident

DERANGED                                  by           Lawrence   CHUKWU : Nigerian

Student Animation Films

TATIANA                                      by         Faruk SADIQ, Sadiq SADIQ : Nigeria

PICO                                             by         Kelvin ATTEMIE- HART :  Nigeria

                       Engr. Suleiman Hussaini Adamu FNSE, MASCE
Having seen the ministerial list that will go to the Senate for screening, I came across this impeccable profile of Engr. Suleiman Hussaini Adamu FNSE, MASCE. We have been chanting for change and this will not happen until real professionals have been integrated into Nigerian Democratic leadership. Nigeria should be happy for a credible person like Engr. Suleiman Hussaini Adamu FNSE, MASCE to be part of this new dawn in our democratic system. I have always believe that the President will make a very good selection and Engr. Suleiman Hussaini Adamu FNSE, MASCE is one of the most exciting nominees which the senators have to give to Nigerians if they want a better Nigeria.

Below is his profile that will make you believe that he will surely perform as a minister for a new Nigeria.

Suleiman H. Adamu was born on the 19th of April 1963. He hails from Kazaure Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1984 with a Bachelor of Engineering (Second Class Upper Honours) in Civil Engineering; and also obtained a Master of Science degree in (Construction) Project Management from University of Reading, United Kingdom in 2004.

He started his career in the public sector at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) in 1985, where he supervised roads and bridges construction in Abuja Central Area Project; and at the Water Resources and Engineering Construction Agency (WRECA), Kano State, where he designed, supervised and managed several water and dam projects.

He later co-founded Integrated Engineering Associates (IEA), a leading firm of civil/structural, electrical, mechanical and environmental engineering consultancy where he has been involved in the planning, design, supervision and management of several buildings and civil engineering projects in Nigeria covering a wide spectrum of engineering and infrastructural works like office/commercial structures, roads and water supply schemes.

Between 1995 and 2000, following his secondment by IEA as Principal Consultant under a partnership agreement with Afri-Projects Consortium, Management Consultants to the Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund, Adamu was actively involved in the planning and preparation of several national infrastructural projects in the health, education, transportation, agriculture, water resources and energy sectors. At implementation stage he served as Project Manager on several projects, notably under the PTF Urban/Semi-Urban, Regional and Rural Water Supply Programmes, National Farm Power Machinery Rehabilitation Programme and National Waterways Development Project (Dredging of River Niger).

Adamu was winner of the Nigeria Ports Authority prize for the Best Final Year Student in Civil Engineering, 1984.

He is a Registered Engineer and presently the National Vice President of Association of Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN). He will step in as its next President in January 2016. He is also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Fellow, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

He served on the governing council of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN (2006-2009) and is sitting on various committees of ACEN and NSE.
Adamu is a policy researcher and political administrator. He served as National Vice Chairman (North West), for the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), from 2010 – 2013; and had served in leading positions in several party committees and Presidential Campaign Councils of Buhari-Okadigbo (2003), Buhari-Ume-Ezeoke (2007), Buhari-Bakare (2011), and Buhari-Osinbajo (2015). He co-prepared The Buhari Programme 2003, The Buhari Programme 2007 and The Buhari Programme for Change 2011.
He is a member of Kazaure Emirate Council, and was conferred with the traditional title Danburam Kazaure in 1998.
He enjoys reading, traveling and golf – and is the current Captain of Kaduna Golf Club. He is married with children.