Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Nollywood: NGO, NFVCB Launch Campaign Against Smoking in Movies Watched by Children
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Smoke-Free Nollywood and the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) have launched a digital media campaign to discourage smoking scenes in home movies watched by children.
The Creative Director, Smoke Free Nollywood, Ms.
Esther Aghotor, announced this said in a statement on Tuesday, in Abuja.According to her, a visual Public Service Announcement (PSA) on the harmful effects smoking in movies has on children, was jointly released on social media platforms by the two organisations on Feb.
1.Aghotor explained that the PSA advocacy video titled “Children are watching” was endorsed by the Federal Ministries of Health, Information and Culture as well as other stakeholders.
“Today, the #SmokeFreeNollywood campaing and the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) launched a public service announcement(PSA) on smoking in films watched by children.
“The PSA announcement video titled “Children are watching” showcased the harmful effects of smoking in movies significantly as they influence underage members of their audience.
“According to research, more than one-third of current adult smokers started smoking due to the influence of film.
“The partnership with the National Film and Video Censors Board shows the agency’s commitment to promoting public health and safety of movie watchers, particularly children who are the most impressionable members of society.
“Recall that the Nigeria National Tobacco Control (NTC) Act of 2015 and the NTC Regulations 2019 prohibit the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products in entertainment,” she said.
The PSA video, among other cast, features veteran actress and filmmaker Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, who called on her industry colleagues to avoid promoting tobacco products in movies in the interest of public health.
According to the World Health Organisation, over 370,000 Nigerians smoke cigarettes and tobacco is the leading cause of cancers globally.
The #SmokeFreeNollywood had in 2021 released an entertainment industry PSA in support of the campaign from influential Nollywood stars, including Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Dakore Egbuson-Akande.
Other included Osas Ighodaro, Anto Lecky, Meg Otanwa, Michelle Dede, Kayode Kasum, Daniel Effiong, Linda Ejiofor, Kiki Omeili, and Imoh Emmanuel Chimezie. (NAN)
Nigerian music superstar, Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, is set to perform at the BlastFest and the Trillville summer festivals in the United States.
The Grammy-winning singer made the announcement in a post on his Instagram page.
Wizkid is slated to headline the BlastFest in Seattle on July 18 alongside DJ Mustard, Shensheea, Tyla and Pheelz.
The ‘Piece of My Heart’ crooner added that he will also perform at Trillville, also known as Tribeville Festival Deluxe,in Minneapolis on July 24.
Wizkid had earlier hinted to his teeming fans that he has several major US festival appearances scheduled for the summer and fall of 2026, especially those that celebrate global black music and culture.
The announcement has got fans buzzing across social media platforms, with many dubbing the season as “Starboy Month”.
Afrobeats sensation, Ahmed Ololade, aka Asake, is set to embark on a world tour ‘In God We Trust’, a global music roll with scheduled performances across venues in Europe and North America.
The singer made the announcement on his official social media platforms, where he unveiled performance dates and some of the world’s biggest music venues.
According to the ‘Lungu Boy’ crooner, the tour will begin with a gig at Afro Nation Portugal before moving to North America in August with performances in Chicago, Toronto, Brooklyn, Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles.
He added that the tour will later continue in Europe with scheduled performances in Paris, London and other cities, with South African Amapiano artiste, Uncle Waffles, joining him on selected North American tour dates.
The tour follows the release of his fourth studio album, “M$NEY”, which dropped on May 1, marking his first project under his own label Giran Republic after leaving YBNL Nation.
The performances will feature songs from “M$NEY” alongside tracks from his previous albums, including Mr Money WithThe Vibe, Work of Art and Lungu Boy.
Asake gained prominence in 2022 after signing with Olamide’s YBNL Nation and releasing the hit single ‘Omo Ope’ and his debut EP ‘Ololade’.
His hit song ‘Amapiano’ was nominated for Best African Music Performance category at the 2024 Grammy Award, despite being sung mainly in Yoruba.
He has performed across Europe, the United Kingdom and North America since rising to prominence, with performances at the iconic London’s O2 Arena.
Nollywood star, Uche Ogbodo, has finally spoken up on her marriage to Bobby Maris, confirming that it has been dissolved.
The actress via her Instagram page addressed the controversy surrounding the union, stating that she has not committed a sin by ending the marriage.
Uche also tagged her husband ‘princesses, stressing that she is tired of being in the marriage.
”For person to tire for marriage now nah taboo because nah woman! Must it always be man must taya? My tayad is tayad! I’m tired of the princess wey dey marry me.
What is wrong with that? To be happy as a woman in marriage is by connection in this country! I no do again nah sin? Make nobody push me to the wall because I be rubber.
8 years of my life is not enough yet? Maybe I should give it 20 years or maybe 6feet under before the crown of thorns can fit me well”, she wrote.
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