Entertainment/Arts/Culture
World Culture Day: Lai Mohammed stresses needs for social integration

Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has urged Nigerians to develop, promote and imbibe the culture of social integration.
Mohammed in his speech at an event to celebrate World International Day for Culture, yesterday in Abuja, said such integration would enable Nigerians live together in unity and peace irrespective of religious, ethnic and cultural differences
The minister was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Grace Gekpe.
“Social integration is the remedy in addressing the inequalities that exist among the different ethnic groups and cultures in the country.
“Therefore, building culture into our development process is a pivotal remedy to the present state of our nation as culture provides the necessary platform to create jobs, reduce poverty and enhance the socio-economic empowerment of the populace.
“Today’s event underscores our unique strength as a nation with diverse and rich cultural heritage, which can be harness in transforming the minds, attitudes and behaviours of our citizenry for national development.
“The absence of sustainable peace in any society is a threat to peaceful co-existence, growth, prosperity and national development; thus culture plays a significant role in promoting sustainable peace and social development.
“For any economy to develop and thrive, certain conditions must be met which include good governance, corrupt-free society, conducive business environment, promulgation and enforcement of laws.
“The present administration has taken steps in the right direction to re-orient our people with the `Change Begins with Me Campaign’ in 2016 and the Ease of Doing Business Policy to attract foreign investment, fight against corruption and others.
“I wish to call on all well-meaning Nigerians and stakeholders alike to consciously promote the culture of peace and cultural diplomacy to enhance national growth and development,’’ Mohammed said.
The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay said a diverse world was not only more peaceful but prosperous and equitable.
Azoulay, who was represented by Ms Adele Nibota, the Culture Advisor, UNESCO Regional Office, Abuja said today is an opportunity for all to celebrate the cultural diversity we cherished and strive to promote.
“The year 2019 has been declared the International Year of Indigenous Language by the General Assembly of the UN, an initiative to bring awareness to the importance of linguistic diversity.
“There are over 7, 000 languages spoken across the world; the majority of which are spoken by indigenous people.
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Nollywood series “The Party” for premiere on Netflix May 30

Star-studded Nollywood series “The Party” is set to premiere on Netflix May 30, its producer has said.
The producer of the acclaimed series, Judith Audu, disclosed this in a post on her Instagram page.
The Party is a three-part murder mystery series that tells the story of how everyone became a suspect when a young, successful, newly married man died unexpectedly and dramatically.
The series, directed by Yemi Morafa, features a lineup of A-list Nollywood actors, including Shaffy Bello, Uzor Arukwe, Mide Martins, Kunle Remi, and James Gardiner.
The series showcases brilliant performances by Tope Olowoniyan, Ben Touitou, Ray Adeka, and introduces Eva Ibiam in a standout debut.
The Party, a fully independent production of Ope Ajayi and Captain of Sea Productions, was originally conceived as a feature-length movie.
However, after being acquired by Netflix, it was restructured into a three-part series.
Earlier, Ajayi, in a post on his social media page, said that the Netflix series was one that would keep the audience guessing about the culprit.
In his words; “You’ll never be able to guess who did it.”
He further added: “The performances are perhaps one of my favourite things about the series.
“Everyone brought their A-game!”(NAN)
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Gay relationship: Nigerian Skit Maker Threatens Colleagues Over Requests

A Nigerian content creator, Chukwueze Odinaka, aka ‘Mama Uka’, has called on colleagues seeking for gay relationship with him to desist from such act.
Odinaka, who specializes in skit making, in a video clip message shared via his Instagram page, threatened to expose some of his colleagues and other men if they did not desist from such demand.
According to him, he is tried to be polite with his gay admirers, telling them that he is straight, but they have continued to make advances at him.
He added that since they were adamant to his refusal, he promised to expose anyone who approach him for a gay relationship regardless of their positions.
“This message is for my colleagues and others who do not want to respect themselves.
” If anyone comes to my DM again as my fellow man to ask me out, I will screenshot it and post.I won’t mind your status.
” And you know Nigerian blogs like that kind of news, they will post you. This is the last warning.
“I have tried to be mature about this by telling you privately that I am straight.
“I am a father, also I come from a very sacred place, Enugu Ezike. We do not misbehave
“If any of you comes to my DM again to ask me out, I will post it,”he wrote.
Odinaka professionally known as Mama Uka is a Nigerian comedian and content creator, who shoots comedy using the guise of an elderly woman. (NAN)
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
‘Sikandar’ top Netflix Nigeria Chart

‘Sikandar’, an action movie about a grieving king who finds new purpose by waging war against powerful enemies, has topped the Netflix film chart in Nigeria.
‘Fear Street: Prom Queen’, a slasher movie about a bloodthirsty killer stalking candidates for prom queen, came in second, while ‘Knock at the Cabin’ is ranked third on the chart.
‘Breaking’, a drama movie, ‘Lucy’ and ‘Exterritorial’ are forth, fifth and six respectively on the chart.
‘Inside Man: Most Wanted’, ‘Havoc’ and ‘Last Bullet’ are seventh, eighth and ninth on the chart while ‘A Lagos Love Story’ a romantic movie, rounds up the top 10. (NAN)