Entertainment
94 Countries Jostle For Maiden Edition Of Edo Film Festival, 1,551 Movie Entries Received

…Over 200 Movies To Be Shown In Different Locations
…To Reward Winners With $6,000
The Managing Director of Edo State Skills Development Agency, EdoJobs, Ukinebo Dare says no fewer than 1,551 movie entries have been received from 94 countries for the maiden edition of
Edo State International Film Festival (ESIFF).
The Managing Director who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Benin City, ahead of the commencement of the film fiesta, said the event is organised by the Edo State Government in collaboration with private sector partners aimed at spurring the state’s booming creative industry.
The state also unveiled the logo and brand ambassadors for the film festival.
The ambassadors include Nollywood actor and film producer, Nosa Rex Okunzuwa, and actress and television host, Linda Osifo.
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Dare said the event, scheduled to hold between September 1st and September 4, 2022, aims at boosting the film industry and repositioning the state as a choice location for film and television productions.
She further noted that, as part of the festival, over 200 movies will be shown at different locations in the state, providing an opportunity for networking and developing talents in the state’s creative sector.
Dare said, “Edo State International Film Festival has received 1,551 movies as entries for the festival from 94 different countries. We have an international jury, including film professors and filmmakers from around the world that will watch all these films and select the best movie from these entries that will be shown during the festival. The festival holds from 1st to 4th of September, 2022.”
Noting that winners will receive up to $6,000 in rewards, the EdoJobs Managing Director added, “We have three categories in the festival that have cash prizes of $2,000 each. These categories include the best student film; the best film shot with a phone or a tablet and best used technology in the filmmaking. The winners will be announced during the film festival.”
She continued: “We are going to have 200 movies showing for four days at three different locations in the state as it will create opportunities for film critics, content producers and movie celebrities to interact and build a strong network to improve the art and craft of film making in the state.
“We will be partnering with some reputable organisations to ensure the film festival is a success.”
On his part, the Festival Director, Mr. Davison Izegaegbe, said the film festival will include several training programmes to further expose creatives in the state and showcase the Edo film industry to the international market.
He noted, “The film festival is not for the fun of showing movies but to attract and expose film makers to the international market.”
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Commissioner for Arts and Culture, Hon. Bamidele Olaitan said, “This event is another initiative of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to restore the hope of the Edo people.
“This festival has allowed us to embark on a journey to tell our stories ourselves to the world and change our narratives as well as market ourselves and our cultural heritage to the world.”
Entertainment
Facebook, Instagram Suspend Idris Abdulkareem’s Accounts After New Song, Open Letter To Donald Trump

Nigerian rapper and activist Eedris Abdulkareem has announced that his Facebook and Instagram accounts were suspended shortly after the release of his new song, Open Letter to Donald Trump.
Abdulkareem, in a report by online news platform, SaharaReporters, on Sunday said that he has been unable to access either account since the release of the track.
“Facebook just suspended my Facebook and Instagram account because of my new song, Open Letter to Donald Trump,” he said. “I can’t access it.”
Checks confirmed that both accounts are no longer accessible.
Abdulkareem, known for politically charged music and criticism of government policies, did not provide further details on the duration of the suspension imposed by Meta, Facebook’s parent company.
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Released in November 2025 under his label, Lakreem Entertainment, Open Letter to Donald Trump is framed as a direct address to the former U.S. President but primarily targets Nigeria’s political class.
In the song, Abdulkareem accuses Nigerian leaders of enriching themselves while ordinary citizens endure hardship, describing them as “criminals of all shades and hues” who dominate society. The track references worsening insecurity, including kidnappings, killings, and terrorism, and seeks to draw international attention to Nigeria’s crises.
The song continues Abdulkareem’s tradition of protest music, following his 2004 hit Jaga Jaga and the more recent 2025 release Tell Your Papa, which was banned by the National Broadcasting Commission for allegedly containing “objectionable lyrics” in violation of responsible broadcasting rules. The ban prohibited Nigerian radio and television stations from airing the track.
Abdulkareem has consistently used his music to challenge political leaders and highlight social injustice, cementing his reputation as one of Nigeria’s most outspoken protest musicians.
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Recall that in 2020, Abdulkareem accused Grammy-winning singer, Burna Boy, of appropriating the works of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti to advance his career.
Abdulkareem made the remarks in a video interview, responding to a now-deleted tweet by Burna Boy in which he claimed that no one had paved the way for him as an artist.
Abdulkareem argued that Burna Boy’s success relied heavily on Fela’s musical legacy and called on the “Anybody” singer to apologise.
He said that while Fela’s songs carried meaningful messages that enriched the lives of listeners, Burna Boy had borrowed extensively from both Fela and Afrobeat without giving due recognition.
“I think with due respect, Burna Boy needs to apologise. At least Fela made it happen for you, and you stole a lot from Fela’s songs to become who you are. You stole from Afrobeats to become who you are. Even though Fela’s songs are strictly about messages that add value to the lives of people, what is your song about?” Abdulkareem said.
Entertainment
Organizers Cancel Burna Boy’s US Shows After Fans Refused To Buy Tickets

The singer ‘No Sign of Weakness’ US tours including tonight’s performance scheduled for November 28, 2025, at The Armory in Minneapolis was abruptly cancelled after fans failed to buy tickets.
Ticketmaster announced the last minute cancellation on its website on Thursday.
Today’s show was cancelled with another concert scheduled for December 1, 2025, in Chicago.
READ ALSO:Burna Boy Reveals Fighting Secret Battles
While the tour failed to provide a specific reason for the cancellation, the development came amid the public criticism directed at
Burna Boy after he walked out a couple for sleeping during his performance at Colorado.
The viral video of the incident sparked controversy, which intensified after the singer, while reacting to his critics during an Instagram live session, said “he only wants supporters who buy his tickets and not fans”.
It was later reported that the woman who slept during his performance was grieving a recent personal loss.
Confirming the cancellation, Burna Boy in a post on his Instagram story on Friday morning shared a direct link from the ticketing website, showing that the two concerts were cancelled.
Entertainment
My Father Regretted Funding My Education After I Became Skit Maker – Sabinus

Nigerian comedian, Emmanuel Ejekwu, popularly known as Sabinus, has revealed that his father didn’t initially support his decision to become a comedian.
In a candid interview with VJ Adams, Sabinus explained that his dad wanted him to be a lawyer but he eventually settled for Linguistics and Communication Studies after failing to secure a law admission.
He recalled that it was while studying at the University of Port Harcourt that he discovered his comedy talent and start making skits.
The comedian said when his dad found out that he was a skit maker, he regretted funding his education and described the profession as “stupid business.”
READ ALSO:Why I Don’t Promote Nudity With My Skits – Sabinus
Sabinus said, “At first, my dad never wanted me to be what I am today, he wanted me to be a lawyer. I tried my best but I couldn’t secure a law admission. So, I had to settle for Linguistics and Communication Studies at Uniport.
“It was on the campus that I saw skit making and I decided to try it out. Money wasn’t coming.
“After I graduated, my dad never knew I was a comedian because I was hiding it. It was one more year after school that he started seeing me on comedy show posters. My sisters confirmed to him that I was into comedy. He was very furious. He fumed, ‘Which comedy? Stupid business. Look at the boy I sent to become a lawyer.’”
The comedian added that his dad eventually gave him his blessings after he started gifting him money from his proceeds from comedy.
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