Entertainment/Arts/Culture
NFVCB introduces Film Authentication Seal, Certificate to Curb Piracy
Mr. Adedayo Thomas, Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), has made a public presentation of the Film/Video authentication seal and a new Certificate of Censorship to curb distribution of unclassified and pirated films and videos works in Nigeria.
Thomas made the presentation at a conference organised by the NFVCB in collaboration with the Department of Theatre Arts and Music of Lagos State University (LASU) held on Thursday in Lagos.
The one-day event with the theme, “Film Distribution and Regulation in Emerging New Markets in Africa”, brought together filmmakers, distributors, officials of the board, investors and members of the various guilds in the Nigerian movie industry.
According to Thomas the seal was produced to distinguish every film or video that was classified by the NFVCB from those ones not classified and approved.
He noted that the seal has several unique security features that cannot be forged or manipulated.
“While it will aid the NFVCB to differentiate between classified and unclassified films, it will also reduce the incident of piracy to a large extent.
“When a film is classified and approved, the owner or distributor will apply for the label after payment of approved fees.
“He or she would be issued the authentication labels for the number of copies to be replicated as ascertained by the NFVCB.
“We, therefore, need you to buy-in on this laudable project which hopefully will clear the market of unclassified, unapproved and, of course, pirated films/video works.
“The NFVCB, among its other functions, is empowered to censor and classify all films and video works to be distributed and or exhibited in Nigeria, and license all film and video distributors and exhibitors in Nigeria,” he said.
The executive director said that the conference was organised to bring both the practitioners and the regulator together to discuss salient issues that technology had brought to the fore in movie distribution.
According to Thomas, there were emerging trends in film and video distribution which has necessitated the board to initiate measures including introduction of the authentication label in line with global best practices.
He added that the new set of certificates printed by the board has unique security features to make them difficult to forge.
“The change of certificate is necessary because over the years, we have had many incidents of forgery of these documents,”he said.
Thomas added that the board would soon begin stakeholders enlightenment campaign on the new seal and certificate to ensure quick acceptance and compliance, before it begins enforcement drive.
Ola Olajide, Business Development Manager of DelaRue, producers of the new seal and certificates, made a technical presentations on the new documents.
According to her, the seal cannot be removed from genuine items and added to counterfeited ones,with several other authentication features.
Mr Raph Nwadike, National President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), expressed support and readiness of its members to comply with the NFVCB in its reforms towards repositioning the film industry.
“We are going to mobilize and enlighten movie producers and distributors to accept this new innovation by the NFVCB towards sanitising the industry to ensure that piracy is curbed,” he said.
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Rapper Drake Loses $615,000 Bet on Joshua vs Ngannou Fight
Canadian International rapper, Drake, has lost a massive 600,000 dollars bet after Anthony Joshua knocked out Francis Ngannou in their much-hyped heavyweight showdown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Reports says that Anthony Joshua secured a brutal knockout(KO), against Francis Ngannou in the second round of the ‘Knockout Chaos’ clash on Friday night.
The superstar recording artiste, known for placing massive bets on sporting events, posted earlier on Instagram that he was betting $615,000 on Ngannou to beat Joshua outright.
“Betting on a scary man,” Drake said.
Drake joined several fans of combat sports to believe that Ngannou could get the job done against Joshua, and if the bet had clicked, it would have paid out $1.
9million .Although Drake has recorded some big wins and losses in betting, he has gained notoriety with the “the Drake Curse”, assertion by fans accusing him of ‘cursing’ athletes and teams after being pictured with them.
The ‘curse’ has affected numerous victims such as quarterback Johny Manziel,UFC fighter Kamaru Usman, Tennis star Serena Williams, and even the entire Kentucky Wildcats Basketball team in the United States.
In January, the rapper lost over half-a-million pounds when he incorrectly backed Sean Strickland to defend his UFC middleweight championship against Dricus Du Plessis.
One of Drake’s biggest bets in 2023 was on YouTube boxer, Logan Paul to knocout Conor McGregor’s training partner Dillon Danis in their Misfits Boxing fight.
The rapper won $1.3million after Danis was disqualified in the final round for trying to choke Paul unconscious, prompting a massive brawl to break out in the ring.
Earlier before that fight, Drake missed out on a $920,000 payout after Nigerian born Israel Adesanya lost his UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland.
Drake was routing for Adesanya to knockout Strickland in their world title clash, but Strickland produced a massive upset to win on points.(NAN)
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Nollywood Stars, Fans Celebrate Veteran Actor Pete Edochie at 77
Nollywood stars and fans have felicitated with veteran actor, Pete Edochie as he clocked 77 on Thursday, March 7. expressing gratitude to God for his life.
Actress Rita Edochie, who happened to be the celebrant’s brother’s wife, took to her Instagram page @ritaedochie to celebrate the Nollywood icon.
According to her, the celebrant has been loving, caring, concerned and amazing, adding that she is delighted to be his sister-in- law.
She thanked God that she had no regrets knowing Edochie as her brother-in-law due to the kind of person he is.
” In over 30 years of knowing you as my dear husband’s brother, I have never known any regrets nor discomfort .
“Ibobo , you have been remarkably loving, caring , concerned and amazing. I am greatly delighted to be your sister-in- law.
“I have said it before and I will say it again, in my next life , I will surely be married by the Edochies.
“On this special day that marks another year of wonderful existence, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible person you are.
“Happy birthday my great husband, your charisma, wisdom and warm heart have left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know you.
“May this year bring you so much joy, success, unforgettable moments. As you blow out the candles, may your wishes soar high and your dreams come true.
“Your presence in our lives is a true blessing, today is a reminder to cherish the remarkable soul that you are.
“Here is to another year of laughter, love and unforgettable memories, cheers to you my great brother-in- law like no other.
“I will always love and respect you, live in longevity and soar immensely. Wishing you more of March 7, the great lion of Africa,”she wrote.
Also, actor Yul Edochie, son of the legend, took to his Instagram page to wish his daddy a remarkable birthday celebration.
He wrote, “A very happy birthday to you, Daddy. The Lion of Africa. The Legendary Chief Pete Edochie @peteedochie. The most handsome 77yr old man. Ibobo Umueri, The Greatest. I wish you many more beautiful years filled with God’s blessings.May God lead you always..’
Actor Kanayo O Kanayo wrote, “We are birthday mates. He makes it a duty to call me on March 1. Ebubedike, Ogadagidi, Mmuo nabu. Great to celebrate you while you are alive and kicking wellA fan @amoson_01: “Happy birthday, living legend. My Godfather. God bless your new age. Many more fruitful years to come sir.”
Another fan @donracy wrote, “Happy birthday Ogadagidi nwoke ike. Age in grace sir.”
Meanwhile, the celebrant Pete Edochie, also known as ‘Lion of Africa’, has taken to his Instagram page @peteedochie to celebrate himself for the gift of life as he marked 77 years on earth.
Edochie flooded his Instagram page with adorable pictures in different outfits with a warm smile to specially celebrate his 77th birthday with a caption ‘Ibobo 77.” (NAN)
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
German-based oil Company Unveils Nollywood Actor, Pete Edochie as Ambassador
A Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, was on Saturday, unveiled as the brand ambassador of Rowe Motor Oil distributed by a German based company, 9th Integrated Energy Solutions Ltd.
Speaking during the endorsement held in Enugu, Mr Okechukwu Benjamin, the Managing Director, of the company, said the deal was a multimillion Naira contract that would last for two years.
The managing director said the deal was renewable after its expiration in 2026.
He said the company chose Edochie because of his class and impeccable character in Africa and beyond as a reputable movie star.
He explained that 9th integrated Energy Solutions Limited was a German company that brought Rowe oil into Africa and owned the franchise for the whole of Africa.
“We are here today to officially unveil Chief Pete Edochie, as the brand ambassador of Rowe oil Nigeria and we are glad that he accepted the offer.
“Our product is a German premium oil that comes with a seal which makes it difficult to be adulterated in the market.
“We have different categories of the oil that would improve Nigerian vehicles, their engine efficiency and save fuel for them.
He added that they sold the oil based on specification of vehicles.
Reacting, Edochie thanked the company for choosing him noting that companies endorsed him as their brand ambassadors because of his reputation and impeccable character.
Edochie popularly known as “Okonkwo and Ebubedike” by his fans, said he had managed to live above board within a society marked with criminal tendencies, describing the offer as a “credible achievement”.
“I am glad to be here and to be made the ambassador of Rowe oil and I am stating my reputation on the quality of this product.
“I have enjoyed a very international marketable reputation for a very long time and I am glad to say that if you go outside this country, first thing they come across as a thespian is Pete Edochie.
“It is a not magic. When I did Things Fall Apart, I became so celebrated even before the Nollywood came into existence.
“There are some parts of the world I am being moulded and people lean on them to take photographs and pay,” Edochie said.
Speaking on his endorsement, the Nollywood actor, who expressed gladness over the organisation’s choice, said the Rowe oil was unique as it sustained the life of a car.
He said Nigeria had come of age to be introduced into things that were modern and scientific, hence, there was need for them to patronise the oil due to its quality and effectiveness. (NAN)