The Edo state government has commended Germany’s Filmakademie on its partnership to boost the state’s creative community.

The government noted that the plan by the German outfit to use Edo artefacts as basis for harnessing potentials would no doubt impact positively on the state’s creative sector.

The state’s deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa said this when he hosted the German Filmakademie, Ludwigsburg in Benin on Friday.

In a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, the deputy governor, who commended Filmakademie for choosing to partner with the state, said that the collaboration will open channel for the training of filmmakers in the state.

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The Filmakademie team led by the Director, Entertainment and Creative Economy, Edo Creative Hub, Amb. Solomon Okosun, said that the partnership aligned with policy direction of Governor Monday Okpebholo on creative industry.

Idahosa announced, “Senator Okpebholo is a fantastic and people oriented Governor; a visionary leader that believes in the gifts and potentials of Edo people.

“Exposure to documentary filmmaking and observance of international filmmaking standards through the interface of Edo State trainees with counterparts/students from the German Filmakademie would boost further film production and content creation.

“This will be based on present training of participants on the rudiments of cinematography, film production, film editing, and directing.

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“The exposure will enable them gain invaluable skills at story telling and weaving beautiful stories which showcase the rich arts and cultural heritage of Edo State and its people,” he explained.

Idahosa commended the efforts of the two finalists who would make it through to the German Filmakademie after a rigorous three weeks training/workshop, Idahosa urged

“such participants should hone their skills, influence their peers, and push the content and quality of Edo state filmmakers to international standards,” he said.

Idahosa nonetheless appreciated the Director, Edo Creative Hub for collaborating with the foreign film academy, which has helped to expose talented youths from the three senatorial zones.

He advised the beneficiaries to take the training seriously.

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According to him, “I expect and encourage participants who have benefitted from this programme to take it very seriously.

“This is because, if the opportunity is given and two of you decide to go to Germany to learn this high profile skills in the movie industry, you will not just keep those opportunities for yourself, you will come back and affect your brothers and sisters, you left behind, thereby, giving more opportunities to our people.

“Our dream is to have a lot of people, God has given potentials to, in the entertainment industry.”

He assured of government’s support to the state’s entertainment industry through the German Filmakademie, in order to help grow the industry in the state.

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He told his visitors that the state is safe and prepared to welcome investors from any part of the world.

On his part, the director, Edo Creative Hub stated that as one of its collaborators, the German Filmakademie came into Edo state to prepare trainees for the AFFRIFF/Nollywood Film Workshop.

He said the best two persons that emege from the participants after the workshop would be sponsored to Germany for further studies.

He said, “After a three weeks stay in Benin, trainees would head to Lagos State for the AFRIFF Film Festival haven learnt how to shoot documentaries, training on how to use the high end “ARRI ALEXA 35″ cinematography camera.”

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Project Manager, Nollywood Workshop, 2025, from the Filmakademie, Ludwigsburg, Germany, Abel Alechenu, an alumnus of the Filmakademie said over the past two years, indigenes of Edo State have come to the Filmakademie to study under the four months programme and then, came back home to pass on the knowledge to others.

He said, “This year, the Filmakademie chose to promote the rich cultural heritage of the Benin people.

“We have been to the National Museum, and to Igun Street, to know the process and see the artefacts and those who created them. It is really a connecting point for both of us.”

The Nigerian Air Force has approved the redeployment of several senior officers to key command and staff positions as part of efforts to enhance operational efficiency and align its structure with the leadership vision of the new Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke.

No fewer than 19 officers received new appointments, while six others were posted to various defence and inter-service establishments.

A statement on Friday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the restructuring was aimed at improving decision-making, strengthening coordination across units and commands, and reinforcing readiness in response to current security challenges.

Under the new postings, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdullahi becomes Chief of Policy and Plans, while AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun assumes duty as Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna. AVM Ibitayo Ajiboye was appointed Group Managing Director of the Nigerian Air Force Investment Limited Group of Companies.

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AVM Precious Amadi is now Chief of Operations, just as AVM Nnamdi Ananaba becomes Chief of Air Intelligence. AVM Ebimobo Ebiowe will serve as Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation, and AVM Ahmed Dari as Chief of Training. The Transformation and Innovation Branch will be headed by AVM Mohammed Ibrahim.

“In the logistics and engineering domains, AVM Olufemi Ogunsina has been appointed Chief of Aircraft Engineering, and AVM Michael Onyebashi assumes command as Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command. AVM David Pwajok is now Chief of Communication and Information Systems, while AVM John Ukeh takes charge as Air Provost Marshal.

“Further reinforcing NAF’s administrative and welfare structures, AVM Simon Peter has been appointed Managing Director, NAFIL Housing and Construction Company, while AVM Chidiebere Obiabaka becomes Air Secretary. AVM Anthony Martins now serves as Chief of Administration, AVM Abubakar Sule takes over as AOC, Logistics Command, and AVM Abdulrasheed Kotun has been appointed Managing Director, NAF Farms. The new Chief of Civil-Military Relations is AVM Edward Gabkwet, while AVM Osichinaka Ubadike has been named Deputy Commandant, AFIT, ” the statement added.

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The statement added that other senior officers — including AVMs Ahmed Bakari, Albert Bot, Idi Sani, Muhammed Suleiman, Jibrin Usman and Japheht Ekwuribe — have been deployed to various defence and inter-service establishments to strengthen joint operations.

The Chief of the Air Staff assumed office on Thursday, and the redeployment exercise followed the following day.

His decision to reshuffle senior officers comes just a day after his counterpart in the Nigerian Army also announced a major reorganisation of top commanders

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday decorated the new service chiefs with their respective ranks at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The ceremony, which began shortly after 2pm saw the President perform the decoration alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the decorated officers, each dressed in their respective service uniforms.

Those decorated were General Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Defence Staff; Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff; Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff; and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas and Chief of Naval Staff.

The Senate had, on Wednesday, confirmed the four nominees after a two-hour closed-door screening session where they were grilled on strategies to strengthen national security and improve coordination among the armed forces.

Tinubu had earlier written the red chamber, seeking an expedited confirmation process “to ensure continuity in the nation’s security leadership.”

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It was observed that the ceremony was attended by senior government officials, lawmakers family members of the service chiefs and top officers from the various arms of the military.

The President, Vice President and the officers’ spouses took turns pinning the new ranks on each of the decorated chiefs.

The decoration came barely one week after the Presidency announced a sweeping reshuffle in the military hierarchy.

In the statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, it said the shake-up was part of efforts to inject new direction into the nation’s defence architecture.

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The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General E. A. P. Undiendeye, retained his position.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, later told our correspondent that the changes were not connected to recent rumours of a coup plot, saying, “The President acted within his authority as Commander-in-Chief. Service chiefs can be hired and fired by the President.”

On Monday, Tinubu had met privately with the new service chiefs at the Villa.

They arrived in a black Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van escorted by a green Toyota Land Cruiser, and the session lasted about 40 minutes.

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Presidency sources said the President charged them to take decisive action against insurgents and bandits, particularly in the North.

Last Friday’s reshuffle followed an October 19 report alleging that some officers were plotting to overthrow the government — a claim later dismissed by the Defence Headquarters as “false and mischievous.”

The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, said the alleged arrests linked to a coup were “issues of indiscipline” within the ranks, describing the report as “intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace.”