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
Nollywood Actor Urges Men to Keep Confidence Level High in Approaching Women

Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, has urged men to always keep their confidence level high when approaching women for relationship.
The renowned movie star, who took to his Instagram page @yuledochie to give the advice, said building one’s confidence as a man in approaching a lady makes the person to get the right choice.
According to him, being frightened by a woman’s success is not the best, adding that not all women are interested in money, but in a man’s qualities, logic, personality and appearance.
He added that a lady’s wealth should not prevent a man to express his feelings, especially when truly in love.
” If she is rich and you, shishi no dey your side, but you like her, tell her you like her.
” If you want to date her tell her. Not all women are after money.
” Some women are moved by the quality of the man, his reasoning, behavior and looks.
” Tell her how you feel, she will either say yes or no, she no go kill you.
” Whetter you are rich or poor, as a human being keep your confidence level high.
“Even your confidence can make her like you, ‘Money is not everything ‘, he wrote.(NAN)
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Why I Love to Show My Body- Blue Aiva, Evicted BBTitans Housemate

Tebatso Mokoana, popularly known as Blue Aiva, one of the evicted housemates of the Big Brother Titans show, says she loves showing her body to encourage the young ones to be comfortable in their skins.
Blue Aiva, who was often found showcasing her body in the course of the show disclosed this during a virtual interview with newsmen on Tuesday.
Newsmen report that the trio of Blue Aiva, Nana and Miracle Op, were evicted during the live show on Sunday as they had the least votes among eight housemates nominated for eviction.
“I love to show my body, I embrace my body and I respect myself a lot.
I show my body because I just want the young people to know that they can be comfortable in their own skin.“I am not scared of showing my body because I know my body is banging,” she said.
The South African professional dancer and Disc Jockey said her experience in the big brother titans show was amazing as she expressed her gratitude to the organisers of the show.
When asked if she was intentionally seducing her fellow housemate, BlackBoi, who she was having an affair with, she said she was only being flirtatious with him.
“I know I was flirtatious with him but was not seducing him and he was just in love with me.
“I will really miss everything in the house, the tasks, Friday night game and all, I am happy I got the experience,” she said.
The 22-year-old dancer predicted that Kanaga, one of the housemates currently on the show, would likely be the overall winner.
She disclosed her plans to establish a dance and music studio where she could further touch on the younger ones, to teach them dance.
According to her, this will be done after she must have toured different countries to observe and learn their dance culture. (NAN)
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Khaid, Tempoe, Poco Lee Among Emerging Artistes for 2023- Spotify

Spotify, an online streaming platform has announced Khaid, Tempoe, Poco Lee and more as emerging artistes, music lovers could look out for in 2023.
Phiona Okumu, Head of Music, Spotify’s Sub-Saharan Africa disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
Okumu said that according to Spotify data, some other emerging artistes across African continent were: Bayanni, Brume, YKB and Kaestyle.
According to her, the Ghanaian emerging artistes were: Reggie, Snypa, Mellissa, Beeztrap, Kotm and Samsney.
“Emerging artistes from Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda are: Wanavokali, Kinoti, Misee, Billions, Njeri, Anjella, Killy, Phina, V-BE, Liam Voice and Axon.
“From South Africa, we have Pabi Cooper, Boontle RSA, Uncle Waffles, Nkosazana Daughter, Young Stunna, Jay Jody, Blue Tape, Khanyisa, Lwah Ndlunkulu, Will Linley, Droomsindroom and Officixl.
“Few things are quite as exciting as discovering new talent to listen to on repeat, fans can add to their favourite playlists and lean on for emotional support over the course of the year.
“For fans of African music on Spotify, 2023 promises another roll-call of amazing artistes, ready to break through to fame and mainstream streaming success,” she said.
Okumu noted that African music had consistently unfurled waves of new, fresh talent every year who have propelled the global interest in Afrobeats, Amapiano and its many other sub-genres.
She said 2022 was a breakout year for artistes like Buju, Costa Titch and Asake, whose success propelled them into Wrapped top lists at the end of 2022.
“And while those talents took their voices to the main stage, a slew of rising stars was also laying the groundwork for their own breakout year.
“Some of these musicians are primed to release their best music in the coming months, others have enjoyed early success on Spotify, and shown many indications of even greater success on the horizon.
“Some others are relatively new elements, developing new takes on familiar sounds that harken towards major shifts in popular music,” she said. (NAN)