Around and about Nollywood in one week

It’s the last week of July that ran into the first week of August and some moviedom practitioners are in the news for different reasons…

Minister Of Culture, NFC Mourn Onyeka Onwenu
Condolences have continued to pour in for the late music star, actress and broadcast journalist, Onyeka Onwenu, who slumped and died shortly after a performance at a birthday celebration on Tuesday. The Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has expressed deep shock and sadness over the passing of Nigerian music legend, Onyeka Onwenu. The Minister, who noted that Onwenu’s death would have a significant impact on the industry, acknowledged her contributions to the development of Nigeria’s music and entertainment industry, said, “her influence on generations of artists and fans is immeasurable. She was a trailblazer, a mentor, and a role model. Her legacy would continue to inspire and shape the music world for years to come.” A similar condolence message came from the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC). Managing Director of the NFC, Alhaji Ali Nuhu, described her death as painful and saddening, adding that indeed Nigeria’s music and film sectors have lost one of the finest, dedicated, consummate and hardworking stakeholders. He said Onwenu contributed much to the growth of Nigeria’s creative economy throughout her life time to the very day she passed. Nuhu noted that the late Onwenu’s role in uplifting the professional acting competencies of filmmakers were remarkably impactful. It was on the strength of the above that the Nigerian Film Corporation nominated her as recipient of the prestigious Life Time Achievement Award of ZUMA International Film Festival, on December 8, 2023. The late Onwenu remained a refined patriotic Nigerian and shall be greatly missed, the MD said. Busy as a singer as well as an actress, the late Onwenu featured in several movies including, Widows Cot, Lion Heart, Half of a Yellow Sun, Muna, Ije Awele, God’s Calling and Conspiracy.

Isaac Izoya Prepares For Nollywood Film Festival Germany
THE yearly Nollywood Film Festival Germany (NFFG) and Nollywood Europe Golden Awards (NEGA) organised by Isaac Izoya, the founder of Ehizoya Golden Entertainment e.V. and the curator of the Nollywood Film Festival Germany (NFFG) holds from August 2 to 4. The festival opened on August 2 with the screening of the Ugandan feature, Offshoot, directed by Ayeny Steve. The movie features talented actors such as Kehinde Bankole, Kelechi Udegbe, Suleiman Ibrahim, and Bimbo Manuel. Also, on the slate is the Nigerian feature, Iyeoba, produced and directed by Henry Emeka Obidi and starring Alex Usifo, Ngozi Ezeonu, Nosa Rex, and Maria Bessa. On August 3, at 2:30 pm, the festival will feature the screening of the Ghanaian blockbuster, titled, A Country Called Ghana, directed by Frank Fii Gharbin and starring Ramsey Nouah, Charles Awurum, Victor Osuagwu and Tony Hans, produced by Kwadwo Nkansah Lilwin. The festival will culminate in the Nollywood Europe Golden Awards NEGA-GALA-NITE on the same day at 9:00pm. The gala night will showcase leading Nollywood celebrities and musicians, who will receive awards and offer live entertainment on stage, complemented by performances from Europe-based artistes. As a build up to the festival, Izoya had paid a courtesy visit to the new Consul General of Nigeria in Frankfurt am Maine, Germany, Ambassador CG Yakubu Dadu, PhD. Izoya expressed his gratitude to the mission for its support of Ehizoya Golden Entertainment e.V activities. He requested that Ambassador Dadu continue the tradition of his predecessors by helping to elevate the cultural torch further. In response, the Ambassador commended Izoya and described him as an extraordinary Nigerian to be proud of and assured him of continued support.

Protest Won’t Stop Nollywood
Actress Ngozi Nwosu’s Groove
ALTHOUGH she had nothing against protest, which coincided with her birthday, veteran Nollywood actress, Ngozi Nwosu, revealed the protest won’t stop her from expressing gratitude to God for adding another year on August 1. So, to mark 61, the veteran actress took to her social media handles to share new photos of herself to the delight of her fans. It was all gratitude to God from the star of the defunct sitcom Fuji House of Commotion on her special day. Sharing the photos, the actress wrote: “Indeed, it is not of him that willeth or runneth, but of God that shows mercy. God’s grace kept me! I am super grateful oh Lord! +1 and fabulous. Enjoy the photos of God’s favourite daughter. A multi-linguist, the native of Arochukwu in Abia State is an accomplished stage and screen actress who has featured in both English and Yoruba language stage and screen productions, Ngozi made her debut on home video in the 1992 phenomenal movie production, Living in Bondage. The veteran actress has gone on to grab super roles in critically acclaimed productions such as Evil Passion, Stainless and the hit but long rested television sitcom, Fuji House of Commotion.

BAP’s House Of Ga’a Doing Well On Streaming Platform
SINCE its release on July 26, Bolanle Austen-Peters newest film, House of Ga’a, has been doing well, and has indeed, soared to the top of the Netflix film chart in Nigeria. An epic set in the ancient 18th century Yoruba history, House of Ga’a reveals the story of Ga’a, a power-driven political figure who engineers a ruthless betrayal within the Oyo Empire. A check on the streaming platform shows that in second place is the Indian film, Savi, which centres on a woman’s resolve to free her husband from prison. The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior” holds the third spot. The thriller, Non-Negotiable, which follows a hostage negotiator tasked with rescuing the Mexican president and his wife after their abduction, ranks fourth. The Indian action movie, Maharaja, and the epic romance, Titanic, are in fifth and sixth places, respectively. The seventh to ninth spots are taken by action films Shina, Chhota Bheem, Curse of Damyaan and Trigger Warning. The movie stars actors such as Femi Branch, Ibrahim Chatta, Femi Adebayo, Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham and many others.