Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Turkish First Lady Inaugurates Cultural Centre in Abuja
Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan on Wednesday inaugurated Yunus Emre Enstitusu, a Turkish Cultural Centre, to strengthen the cultural ties between Turkey and Nigeria.
Erdoğan, who declared the centre open in Abuja, said that it would further promote cultural interaction and bridge cultural gap between Turkish and Nigerian people.
“ The meeting of this memoir with the opening of our Yunus Emre Cultural Centre was also very meaningful.
I believe it explains how cultural interaction builds bridges between people.“Africa is a chest containing all the treasures of the world.
“It is the home of over two thousand different language and ethnic communities. It is a huge potential with a population of over one billion.’’
The First Lady who described Africa as the rising star of the 21st century, said that Turkish government stands in solidarity with the continent so that it gets to the place it deserves.
“The increase in the number of our Embassies in the African Continent is an expression of the deepening of our relations.
“While we had only 12 embassies in Africa in 2002, today we have 43 embassies. In the coming period, we aim to increase this number to 49, hopefully.
“The number of African Embassies in Ankara, which was 10 in 2008, increased to 37 in 2021.
“As you know, Turkish Airlines is also adding new routes to its flights to Africa. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, flights were organised to 60 destinations in 40 countries on the Continent.
“With the lifting of travel bans, the number of our flights increases and we meet again at many points,’’ she said.
According to her, our friendship with Africa has also inspired many beautiful projects that I patronise.
“In 2016, we established the African Handicrafts Market and Culture House in Ankara.
”Thanks to this centre, we have created a fair market where African women can get the full value of their labour.”
“The African Food Culture and African Proverbs books that we brought to the literature were added to the library shelves as a result of our cultural rapprochement.’’
The First Lady said that the development and reconstruction of the African continent imperative for the common future of the world.
Prof. Seref Ates, Head of Yunus Emre Institute, described the institute as the cultural ambassador of Turkey in all corners of the world.
“Today, we are opening the 64th Yunus Emre Institute in the world and the ninth in Africa.
“This Institute will further strengthen the cultural ties of the historical and deep-rooted relations between Turkey and Nigeria and will breathe new life into the brotherhood between Turkey and Nigeria.
“The Institute will be the most right and primary address for those who want to learn Turkish in Nigeria and get to know Turkey and Turkish culture closely,’’ Ates said.
He said that the institute would implement different programs in order to increase the relations and cooperation between Turkish and Nigerian universities.
According to him, it will lay the groundwork for scientific cooperation, which is vital for the development of both countries.
“The institute will work in active cooperation with many institutions/organisations in Turkey and Nigeria.
“It will also serve as the most important gateway for Turkey to Nigeria and Nigeria to Turkey, not only in the field of teaching Turkish but also in all fields of culture.
“Our Institute will play a leading role in reinforcing the friendship between the two countries and eliminating misconceptions and prejudices through all these efforts,’’ he said. (NAN)
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Court Awards N125, 000 Cost against Odumodublvck
An Abuja High Court on Wednesday awarded N125, 000 against a rapper, Tochukwu Ojogwu, popularly known as “Odumodublvck”, for asking for adjournment.
Justice J.O.E. Adeyemi-Ajayi awarded the cost while adjourning the matter until Oct.
27 for cross-examination and defence.The claimant, Ogbogiri Okey Levi, popularly known as Kraziecent, instituted an assault and battery suit against Odumodublvck.
At the resumed hearing, the claimant’s counsel, Uchenna Ojembe, announced his appearance and told the court that the matter was slated for cross-examination and defence.
Ojembe said his witness was in court and ready to proceed.
The Defendant’s Counsel, Ikenna Magnus, however pleaded with the court to grant him another date to enable him prepare for cross-examination and defence.
Magnus told the court that he was just coming into the matter and needed a little time to put his house in order.
Ojembe opposed the application and told the court that it was the usual delay tactic by the defence to obstruct and stall proceedings.
“This is the usual delay tactic to obstruct and stall proceedings. We will not be applying to keep them out, but we will be applying for N5 million cost,” Ojembe said.
However, the defence counsel again begged the court for leniency.
In her ruling, Justice J.O E. Adeyemi-Ajayi awarded a cost of N125, 000 against the Odumodublvck for delaying proceedings
She adjourned the matter until Oct. 27 and Oct. 29 for cross-examination and defence.
The News Agency Nigeria recalls that “Kraziecent” alleged that Odumodublvck assaulted him at a public event in December 2024, damaged his iPhone 15 Pro Max and caused him emotional distress.
He is seeking payment of medical expenses, a public apology via the defendant’s social media platforms and two national dailies, or N2 billion in damages.
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Hunger Changed My Mind, Timini Egbuson on Embracing YouTube movies
Nollywood actor Timini Egbuson has reflected on his changing perception of YouTube movies, joking that he might have struggled financially had he continued to look down on productions made for the video-sharing platform.
Egbuson shared the thought in a post on X Tuesday night, writing, and “Can’t believe I was looking down on YouTube movies at some point.
Hunger go don kpai me by now. ”His remark highlights the growing commercial appeal of YouTube movies in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, where actors and filmmakers are increasingly using the platform to reach audiences and generate revenue from their productions.
Egbuson, who has now featured in YouTube movie productions, has embraced the growing market, adding to his work across Nollywood’s film and streaming landscape.
Many Nollywood actors have long prioritised cinema movies, often seeing them as more prestigious and commercially rewarding than YouTube productions. As a result, some overlook online films, despite their growing audiences and earning potential.
However, the success of YouTube movies is gradually changing perceptions within the industry.
Reports show that Nigerian filmmakers were increasingly turning to YouTube amid the pullback by global streaming companies, with the platform offering easier access to audiences and fewer barriers to distribution.
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
BBNaija Season 11: Keivo Becomes Second Housemate to be Disqualified
Keivo has become the second Big Brother Naija housemate to be disqualified from Season 11.
This follows his physical altercation with fellow housemate, Tram.
The fight broke out after Tram accused Keivo of taking one of his shirts.
Keivo did not take the allegation of theft lightly, and the situation eventually became violent.
It took the intervention of other housemates to calm both men down.
On Tuesday, Biggie sent ninjas to escort Keivo out of the house through the storeroom.
Biggie eventually gathered the remaining contestants and confirmed Keivo’s disqualification.
Nomy was the first housemate to be disqualified due to repeated defiance and refusal to wear an assigned punishment outfit.


