Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju will facilitate an important break out session on everything theatre and film at #NECLive5.
Register here to witness it live.
Tag Archives: NIGERIAN ENTERTAINMENT CONFERENCE
07
Apr
Apr
Toke Makinwa has built one of the most remarkable careers in modern broadcasting; using her work on radio, her Vlogs, and TV shows to build a brand that continues to grow.
Very few OAPs get to cross over successfully to TV. None, in recent times, has a book to their name.
Toke will bring plenty insight to the panel discussions at #NECLive5. Register for the conference here.
04
Apr
Apr
Alex Okosi is the driving force behind Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, home to Viacom’s powerhouse entertainment brands MTV Base, MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., NickToons, VH1 Classic and BET on the African continent.
An 18-year veteran of the entertainment industry on 3 continents, with a broad background in marketing, affiliate sales, events, strategy and management, Okosi achieved a personal and industry milestone when he launched MTV Base, MTV’s 100th channel internationally, and Africa’s first bespoke MTV channel on 22 February 2005. His tenacity and belief in Africa soon paid significant dividends. VIMN Africa has become Viacom’s fastest growing international operation in terms of revenue growth – thanks to the rapid expansion of its footprint across Africa as a multi-portfolio brand distributed on multiple platforms including pay-TV, FTA, internet, SVOD and mobile platforms. Now in its thirteenth year, VIMN Africa delivers more channels to Africa than any other international network. Its collective footprint reaches 52 territories and more than 100 million viewers.
Appointed Senior Vice President and Managing Director of VIMN Africa in July 2007, Okosi’s association with the company goes back to 1998 when he joined the sponsorship development and trade marketing team in New York, before becoming part of the MTV Networks Affiliate Sales and Marketing division in Los Angeles in 2000. By mid-2003, Okosi had transferred to MTV Networks International’s Strategy and Business Development team in London where he developed the business plan for MTV’s expansion into Africa and, in 2004, secured approval for the roll-out of Viacom’s localized play in Africa with the launch of MTV Base in 2005.
Okosi’s vision has always been to develop content and experiences for audiences that not only entertain and showcase the best of African music and entertainment, but also serve to socially empower audiences in Africa and around the world. As Africans, he believes, we have to keep living the mission of showing a “reimagined Africa” to the world. A tireless supporter of initiatives that motivate, empower and educate Africa’s youth, Okosi is recognized as an influential figure on the continent and was also named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2013.
Okosi managed the growth and development of the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) – the largest celebration of African music and achievement on the continent. Launched in 2008, with an Africa reimagined narrative, the annual awards franchise has given top African artists a continental and international platform to raise their profiles. In 2015 he was instrumental in bringing the BET Experience to Africa for the first time. This successful BET franchise celebrates the rich and varied faces of the urban lifestyle experience under one roof.
Born in Nigeria, at the age of 12, Okosi moved to the US where he was educated at the Philips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire and attended St Michael’s College in Vermont on a full basketball scholarship before graduating magna cum laude with a double major in Business Administration and Economics.
In March 2017, Okosi was appointed to Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Viacom International Media Networks Africa.
Okosi is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Follow Alex Okosi on Twitter @A_Okosi
03
Apr
Apr
Jide Taiwo, editor of Nigerian Entertainment Today, has a lot to say about modern Nigerian entertainment. He’s been saying it for years on websites and magazines and on his social media handles.
Now, he’s warming up to join the #NECLIve community to discuss issues, policies, products, ideas and services.
He’s one of the key session moderators we’re looking forward to seeing!
22
Mar
Mar
Some of Nigeria’s leading comedians have signed up for the fifth edition of Nigerian entertainment conference holding in Lagos on April 26, 2017.
Now in its fifth year, NECLive is the umbrella conference for the entertainment industry in Nigeria, providing an opportunity for strategic discussions, and a marketplace for ideas, products and services.
The organisers say this year’s edition will focus on how Nigerian entertainment, and indeed entertainment from Africa is finding renewed favour with fans at home, and the world over.
In 2016, Nollywood movies surpassed Hollywood and Bollywood in cinema earnings and the share of customer voice, in Nigeria. Nigerian music finally went global, riding on the back of our peculiar pop music, and nomadic musicians. The world’s attention has understandably shifted to Africa with funders, labels, producers, and awards looking to play within the region. Nigeria is at the fore of this new wave, but places like Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Ghana are equally well positioned.
Has the time come for Africa to provide entertainment for the major percentage of the world’s 7 billion people? They say we tell a different kind of story in Africa; we have a rare, peculiar sound. And they’re buying it from America to London and Singapore. Back home, the booming youth populations are also more interested in local content like never before. From Iroko to Mavin and Africa Magic, the numbers show audiences on the continent are increasingly embracing our creativity; millions are choosing their own local entertainment over the imported.
But the diverse entertainment industries are still struggling. The structure to rip the dividend of the boom continues to lie comatose. From weak government policies to unsustainable business models, it appears we have plenty work to do, if we are to benefit from what’s coming in significant ways. It could indeed be time for Africa. But what does this mean for the industry players? What do we need to know? To do? And how can we make sure we do not collectively miss this opportunity?
One of the industries leading that change is comedy, and NECLive5 will feature some of the most important players in the sector, from pathfinders Ali Baba and Opa Williams, to trail blazers Basketmouth, Basorge Tariah, Tee A, Frank Donga, and Teju Babyface. This year will feature a workshop on comedy, featuring established and fast rising acts.
Happening just a month before the recently announced Eko Comedy Festival, NECLive is placing a well-deserved attention to an industry best described, just like Nollywood, as a rose that grew out of concrete.
‘Our comedians are superstars everywhere. From Mr. Ibu to Aki n Paw Paw, Bovi, I go Dye, Baba Suwe, Basketmouth, Ali Baba, Tee A, Okon, Gbenga Adeyinka, Julius Agwu and Gandoki. They’ve carved out a sub-industry, groomed it, expanded it, and exported it with little support from government or organisation. They’ve dominated stand up, TV, music, and now they’re redefining home entertainment through what the likes of AY, Kayode Peters, Bunmi Davies and others a doing in Nollywood. It’s time to revisit how it all started, discuss what their individual and collective successes mean for the rest of the industry and our continent, take lessons from what’s worked and what’s not, and design a path to a good future’, conference founder Ayeni Adekunle said today.
NECLive5 will hold at Landmark Events Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday April 26, 2017. The conference will be hosted by Tee A, for the fifth year running.
NEC
BREAKING NEWS: DADDY SHOWKEY, SIR SHINA PETERS, AND ADEWALE AYUBA TO SPEAK AT NIGERIAN ENTERTAINMENT CONFERENCE, NECLIVE
22
Mar
Mar
The fifth edition of Nigerian Entertainment Conference, NECLive, will hold in Lagos on Wednesday April 26, 2017, according to an announcement by the organisers today.
NECLive, the umbrella conference for the entertainment sector in Nigeria has featured many musicians over the years: 2face Idibia has been a speaker, Davido has recorded a track live on stage, Banky W has delivered a critically-acclaimed paper, Dbanj has given a presentation and performed, while many others – from Falz to Tiwa Savage, Darey, M.I, Lagbaja, eLDee, and Dr. SID – have made remarkable contributions to lead panels over the years.
Now, Nigerian musicians are set to take the stage again, as NECLive enters year five.
According to information revealed today, the trio of Adewale Ayuba, Sir Shina Peters, and Daddy Showkey have been confirmed to lead musicians of different generations to this year’s conference holding at Landmark Events Centre, in Lagos, on Wednesday April 26, 2017.
All three music icons will make their debut at the conference, to join other participants in discussing the past, present and future of Nigerian music and how Africa, indeed, can use the opportunity the recent interest in Nigerian sound presents.
Raised in Ajegunle, a notorious Lagos ghetto, Daddy Showkey fought poverty and misdemeanour to emerge a national music star, and inspiration to millions of young people across the country. Starting off as a boxer and acrobat, after he had enjoyed brief fame as a kid star, featuring in FESTAC 77, Showkey formed different groups with neighbourhood friends, before settling for a solo career in 1995. His deep, screaming dancehall voice, his acrobatic dance routines and ghetto stories soon won him millions of fans everywhere, changing his life for good and focusing the nation’s attention on talents from hitherto ignored areas. Showkey now devotes his time mentoring ghettos kids, supporting upcoming musicians, and encouraging successful Nigerians to share their stories and hold the ladder for otherwise hopeless kids.
Shina Peters, a multi-instrumentalist, singer, bandleader and performer, took Juju music from Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade, and gave it a complete overhaul, introducing what he termed ‘Afro Juju’. Using unusually fast tempo, excess percussions, electric drums, and new languages, he sold an art form hitherto reserved for the mature and the old, to younger audiences; he lured young boys and girls to a genre that was mostly patronized by older men only.
Sir Shina Peters built his entire career on doing new things. From being a band member with Prince Adekunle, to being the musician while Segun Adewale sang, in their band ‘Sir Shina Adewale, SSP worked his way up rising to new challenges and happening to do what was deemed impossible.
Many years after he’s talked about his platinum records, big money hits, career setbacks, industry politics, and many more in his music and interviews, he will now take the stage at NECLive on April 26, 2017, to share his story with the world, in what will be first-of-its-kind for a musician in his category.
Ayuba and Shina Peters released their career-defining albums around the same time, in 1989. While Shina’s ‘Ace’ took over homes and parties, Ayuba was grabbing everyone’s attention with a new twist to Fuji music, called ‘Bonsue. It was KWAM 1, the former Ayinde Barrister band boy that began leading the genre to new audiences in the early 80s. But Ayuba, good-looking, soft-spoken, yet philosophical and bold, that recruited a new kind of elite to the music: the working class young men and women usually reluctant to identify with a music form that came from the streets.
All three musicians created new markets for their genres, opened new opportunities, and built brands that have stood the test of time, in spite of many documented set backs. How did they do it? What lessons are inherent? And now that the world is opening up to our music and musicians again, what do we need to learn from them?
Showkey, Ayuba and Shina will be joined by other music experts at NECLive, including hit-maker ID Cabasa, super producer Cobhams Asuquo, Uk-based promoter Corey Johnson, Nigerian promoter Cecil Hammond, band leader Akin Shuga, former talent manager, Lolu Durojaiye, and many others.
The theme for this year’s conference is ‘It’s Time for Africa’.
In 2016, Nollywood movies surpassed Hollywood and Bollywood in cinema earnings and the share of customer voice, in Nigeria. Nigerian music finally went global, riding on the back of our peculiar pop music, and nomadic musicians. The world’s attention has understandably shifted to Africa with funders, labels, producers, and awards looking to play within the region. Nigeria is at the fore of this new wave, but places like Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Ghana are equally well positioned.
Has the time come for Africa to provide entertainment for the major percentage of the world’s 7 billion people? They say we tell a different kind of story in Africa; we have a rare, peculiar sound. And they’re buying it from America to London and Singapore. Back home, the booming youth populations are also more interested in local content like never before. From Iroko to Mavin and Africa Magic, the numbers show audiences on the continent are increasingly embracing our creativity; millions are choosing their own local entertainment over the imported.
But the diverse entertainment industries are still struggling. The structure to rip the dividend of the boom continues to lie comatose. From weak government policies to unsustainable business models, it appears we have plenty work to do, if we are to benefit from what’s coming in significant ways. It could indeed be time for Africa. But what does this mean for the industry players? What do we need to know? To do? And how can we make sure we do not collectively miss this opportunity?
NECLive is organised By Thenetng, with support from Multichoice, MTN, Newsroom Nigeria, Hip TV, MTV Base, AV Edge, EDS, Sodium Group, First Class Incorporated, ID Africa, TNS, 234 Stars, BHM and Edi Lawani & Associates.
NECLive will be hosted by Tee A, for the fifth year running.
23
Jan
Jan
In 2016, Nollywood movies surpassed Hollywood and Bollywood in cinema earnings and share of customer engagement, in Nigeria.
Nigerian music finally went global, riding on the back of our peculiar pop music, and nomadic musicians like Wizkid.
The world’s attention has understandably shifted here, with funders, labels, producers, and awards looking to now play big in the region.
Nigeria is at the fore of this new wave, but places like Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana and co are as well positioned. Has the time come for Africa to provide entertainment for the huge chunk of the world’s 7 billion people?
They say we tell a different kind of story, they say we have a rare, peculiar sound. And they’re buying it- from America to London and Singapore. Back home, the booming youth population is also more interested in local content like never before. From Iroko to Mavin and Africa Magic, the numbers show audiences on the continent are increasingly embracing our creativity; millions are choosing their own local entertainment over the imported.
But the industries are still nothing to write home about. The structures to rip the dividend of the boom continue to lie comatose. From government policies to business models, it appears we have plenty work to do, if we are to benefit from what’s coming in significant ways.
It could indeed be time for Africa. But what does this mean for the industry players? What do we need to know? To do? How can we make sure we do not miss this opportunity?
NEC, News, Uncategorized
How 12 Million People in 12 Countries Discussed How Entertainment Can Save Nigeria’s Economy in 12 Hours
27
May
May
On April 20, 2016, Nigerians came together for the fourth edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive 4) to discuss how entertainment can rebuild Nigeria’s wavering economy.
#NECLive4 featured an interesting line-up of professionals not only from the entertainment industry but from all works of life to serve as panelists and moderators who gave insights from the business and creative sides of the entertainment world and how the industry can revamp the economy of Africa’s most populous country.
The 4th edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference, which held at Victoria Island, Lagos was expected to attract about 2,500 Nigerians from different parts of the country.
Between April 19 and April 22, 2016, #NEClive4 drew in over 12,000,000 people online.
Themed Entertainment As Last Hope For Africa’s Largest Economy, the recently concluded #NEClive4 event attracted 2,749 people on site on April 20.
Some of the panelists and moderators that graced the event include CEO 141 Worldwide, Olubunmi Oke, Founder Spot Studio, Sebastian Paszek, Nigerian conceptual designer, Kayode Olowu, Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, Tony Ojobo, Tiwa Savage, TY Bello, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Kaffy Shafau Ameh, amongst others.
Ayeni Adekunle, founder of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference delivered a welcome address Entertainment as Last Hope for Africa’s Largest Economy.
D’Banj, Banky W and Funke Akindele who were speakers at the event gave intellectual presentations titled Content as the New Crude, the Power of Music & Comedy, and the Economy of Talents respectively.
CEO Braincraft, Olatunde Falase provided an in-depth analysis of Emerging Global Business & Disruptive Models while Managing Director of MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe discussed Case Studies of Intervention Strategies.
In 48 hours, #NEClive4, which was a top trending topic on Twitter, gathered over 62 million impressions on Twitter and Instagram from 1,000 users across Nigeria.
Some of the brands, platforms and individuals who contributed to the #NEClive4 conversation include MTN, The Guardian, Bella Naija, The Cable, This Day, Funke Bucknor-Obruthe, Wofai Ifada amongst others.
Nigeria wasn’t the only country interested in NECLive 4. 11 other countries including Ghana, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Canada, Britain, Iran, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Poland, and U.S.A joined the conference via television and livestream on social media.
The infographic below summarizes NECLive 4 in numbers.
Download the full report here.
Uncategorized
‘Entertainment as last hope for Nigeria’s economy’ – NEC founder, Ayeni Adekunle’s speech at #NECLive4
21
Apr
Apr
I’m happy to welcome you to the fourth Edition of Nigerian Entertainment Conference. I can’t believe we’ve been doing this for four years – with the sweat and blood of friends, team members and organizations who are committed to working with us to build the industry of our dreams.
Today as we gather here, we are at a critical period in our existence as a nation. The old issues are still around – epileptic power supply, fuel scarcity, security challenges, bad tools, poor healthcare, unemployment and underemployment, and so much more. And they’re joined by new issues that threaten to drown us. We are battling terrorism, feeling the impact of fallen global oil prices; even as youth continue to search for personal and national identities.
With all these problems and more, why should any government take a minute off and look at the creative industry? Why should we even be discussing entertainment at all when we’re trying to fix roads and kill Boko Haram and increase power supply? Why should anyone besides Ali Baba believe that entertainment business is serious business?
Because as everyone who should know has admitted – it’s time to look at the non-oil sector if we are serious about diversifying our economy. We’ve missed at least two opportunities to diversify, in the face of dwindling income from oil. It will be a disaster if we miss this one.
So if we must look at other means, what are our immediate options? The regular suspects are taxation and agriculture. The government already plans to earn 5 Trillion Naira from taxation in 2016. We’ve seen the power of agriculture from the pre-oil boom era, we’ve seen that, according to the International Food Policy Research Institute, the value of agriculture in Nigeria is over 100 billion dollars. This is projected to grow to 256 billion dollars by 2030, if that sector is properly harnessed.
But where are the figures for entertainment? Is it possible that the private and public sectors are underestimating and ‘unlooking’ an industry that can be a top-three earner in a non-oil economy? Is it possible that the creative and entertainment industry may become the last hope for the Nigerian economy?
Here are some facts from Hollywood and Bollywood.
Here’s what we know about the entertainment industry in Nigeria.
What could the future look like if we made the right investments and build the right systems? What should government do? What should practitioners do? What’s the responsibility of the allied sectors which today, will include telecommunications, brewing, banking, PR and advertising?
I hope everyone here today will be able to have clear answers by the time we leave here this evening.
At Nigerian Entertainment Today, we will continue to follow global best practices in helping consumers connect with the music, news, culture and entertainers they love. We will continue to provide a platform for entertainers and creators to connect with their fans and the brands that care about them. That’s why we started test running Orin.ng in 2015. Today I’m happy to announce that Orin.ng is available to all labels, musicians, DJs, artistes and promoters to upload and share their music to the world. We are giving you an opportunity to stop offering your music for free downloads on Soundcloud and Hulkshare. There are already a couple of platforms with the right technology to sell your music online. Your true fans can find them there – be it Spinlet or MTN Music Plus or Cloud 9. But if they want to listen for free, the way of FM radios, please use Orin.ng. Fans can listen, like and share their favourite songs and videos. We are committed to making sure that we build the largest community of Nigerian music fans in the world. We cannot achieve it without the labels and artistes.
I pray God will spare my life to see a day when Nigerian music will no longer be available for free download online.
Also we announce today, the launch of NETSHOP. With over 5 million active users on THENETng we discovered in 2015 that we may be the best place for those selling entertainment products to meet those looking to buy those products. Asa is having her first Nigerian solo concert in May. Where do most of her fans catch up on what’s happening with her? THENETng. Darey is planning for the fourth edition of ‘Love Like A Movie’ . Where’s the best place to get details and buy tickets to see the show? THENETng. We are blurring the lines between journalism and e-commerce, hoping to make it easier for the industry to get their products across to consumers through NETSHOP; and for consumers to access the products, events, and properties they love.
What I expect is that more people will be encouraged to produce and create if they do not have to bother with how to sell. Of course there will be PR and Marketing support from our sister companies BlackHouse Media and ID Africa, for those who decide to use Orin and NETSHOP.
Finally, we are announcing today, the inauguration of an annual Readers’ Choice Awards, to select one individual worthy to be called ‘Entertainer of The Year’. It will be a big decoration we hope will encourage actors, comedians, musicians, and others, to do the best work possible, while maintaining a great relationship with the fans. ‘Entertainer’ will debut in 2017. NET Honours will also now be given out at this event.
Since THENETNG debuted on November 23, 2009, we have worked tirelessly to build what we believe will become the world’s number one source of everything you need to know about Nigerian entertainment. Today, 36,000 stories, 6 billion page views, 15 million video views, 5 million users, and 77 months after, I’m happy to say we are firmly positioned to break barriers and build tomorrow.
I believe, as those who know me will agree, that it is possible.
I want to thank you again for coming out. I look forward to having a great time.
Please enjoy the conversations!
NEC
Alex Okosi, Lagbaja, Tony Okoroji, Cobhams, Baba Sala, Lere Paimo, Others To Be Recognised At Nigerian Entertainment Conference
20
Apr
Apr
On Wednesday April 22, 2015 at the third edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive) holding at Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos, a number of respected contributors to Nigerian show business will be awarded NET Honours in recognition of their efforts in the promotion and development of Nigerian entertainment.
The NET Honours are awarded annually at the Nigerian Entertainment Conference, which is organized by Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET), the premier Nigerian entertainment industry media platform. They recognize media and entertainment personalities for their contribution to the growth and development of the entertainment industry in Nigeria, which cuts across music, film, fashion, comedy, art & design, media & broadcasting and branding.
Past winners of NET Honours include music icon Onyeka Onwenu, Nollywood legend Jide Kosoko, street music pioneer, Daddy Showkey, Gospel legend, Ebenezer Obey, Media mogul Ayo Animashaun, distinguished moviemaker, Zeb Ejiro and music executive Obi Asika. Others are Don Jazzy, D’Banj, Laolu Akins, Amaka Igwe, OJB Jezreel, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Sunny Okosuns, Adebayo Salami,Sunday Omobolanle and Tajuddeen Adepetu.
The prominent Nigerian entertainment personalities who will receive NET Honours this year for their contribution to the advancement of their respective field include iconic OAP J.A.J, respected broadcaster and music critic, Benson Idonije, award winning music producer Cobhams Asuquo, media executive Alex Okosi, NBC DG Emeka Mba and respected entertainment writer Jahman Anikulapo.
Others are popular Yoruba movie actor Tajudeen Oyewole (Abija), Corporate Pictures CEO Razak Abdullahi, legendary actor and musician Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala), filmmaker Lere Paimo, Music icon (Lagbaja), Galaxy TV CEO Steve Ojo, renowned poet and actor, Adebayo Faleti and COSON Board chairman Tony Okoroji.
Chris Ihidero, chairman of the NET Editorial Board describes the NET Honours as a small token of appreciation for the immense contributions made by the awardees to the evolution of Nigerian entertainment as a business and as a culture.
In his words, “Few things define the culture of a country so closely as its entertainment culture. The overall culture of a country closely mirrors that of its entertainment industry and the positive contributions they have made are contributions, not just to entertainment, but also to national development.”
The Nigerian Entertainment Conference is the premier forum for entertainment industry discussions and agenda setting in Nigeria. The third edition of the annual conference tagged “Buying And Selling Nigerian Entertainment…And Everything In Between” will feature addresses and panel sessions involving prominent Nigerian show business personalities such as Davido, Shizzi, Bez Idakula, Linus Idahosa, Shina Peller, Tunde Laoye, Mai Atafo, Yetunde Babeko, AY, Wunmi Obe, Innocent Uba, George Thorpe and Jason Njoku.
Profiles Of NET Honours Recipients
Jacob Akinyemi-Johnson
Jacob Akinyemi-Johnson aka JAJ has had over 36 years of experience as a broadcaster. He has become one of Nigeria’s biggest broadcasting personalities and he has been instrumental to the growth of Rhythm 93.7 FM. JAJ’s consistently high standards and longevity have contributed in no small way to the growth of private radio and TV broadcasting in Nigeria.
Mr Benson Idonije
Benson Idonije is an iconic broadcaster, journalist, music producer and artist manager. At 78 years of age, with over 57 years in the industry in which time he has worked with legends like Fela Anikulapo Kuti, he continues to participate actively in the industry without showing any sign of letting up.
Cobhams Asuquo
One of Nigeria’s most successful song music producers ever, Cobhams Asuquo has achieved local and international acclaim. He is currently the CEO and Head of Productions of CAMP (Cobhams Asuquo Music Productions) and he is signed on to Sony ATV (Sony Publishing) London as a songwriter. Cobhams is living evidence of the human ability to surmount any kind of challenge and achieve success against all odds.
Abija
Tajudeen Oyewole aka Abija is one of the Nollywood’s most successful Yoruba actors. He is also a successful movie producer with titles such as Aji Perin, Ija Eleye, Omo Eleye and Orikunkun under his belt amongst others. With over 40 years of work under his belt in the Nigerian film industry, Abija still maintains his high level of output and creativity and does not look like quitting anytime soon.
Razak Abdullahi
Razak Abduallahi is the CEO of Corporate Pictures, one of the country’s top movie and music marketing firms. Razak Abdullahi’s efforts in marketing Nigerian movies and making Nollywood a profitable business model have contributed greatly to the success of the Nigerian film industry.
Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala)
One of the fathers of modern Nigerian comedy, Moses Olaiya has contributed immensely to the success of the Nigerian movie industry as an actor and a producer. He is also a huge contributor to the evolution and growth of Nigerian music. Moses Olaiya is a genuine living legend of Nigerian entertainment.
Alex Okosi
Alex Okosi is a media executive responsible for the launch of the pan-African MTV channel MTV Base in February 2005. This platform now gives African artistes a global audience of more than 100 million. He is also the creative force behind the MTV Africa Music Awards, another massive international platform for African artists to enhance their profile and status.
Lere Paimo
As a film actor, film-maker, producer and director, Lere Paimo has featured in, produced and directed several Nigerian films over the years. He has been awarded an MFR in recognition of his immense contributions to the Nigerian film industry, and till date he continues to make use of his experience and knowledge to contribute to the development of the industry.
Emeka Mba
Emeka Nkem Mba is the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and a highly respected veteran with over 23 years of experience in the industry. As DG of the NFVCB, he has carried out trailblazing work in reforming the Nigerian film industry and he was also instrumental to the launch of Africa’s first satellite movie channel Africa Magic which has given Nollywood a truly global platform.
Jahman Anikulapo
Jahman Anikulapo is a respected entertainment writer, Arts critic and journalist. He has presented Nigerian films to large international audiences at the Milan African Film Festival and French African Film Festival in Stuttgart, Germany, where he also served on the international jury. He is also on the board of the West African Documentary Film Forum, conveners of the yearly Real Life Film Festival in Ghana. He has continuously striven to promote the Nigerian movie industry.
Lagbaja
Afrobeat musician, Bisade Ologunde aka Lagbaja is one of Nigeria’s most successful and internationally recognized artistes. He has regularly used his clout to push for the interests of the Nigerian entertainment industry and his success in promoting indigenous African music to the African and global audience was key to the resurgence of the Nigerian music industry.
Tony Okoroji
Chief Okoroji is Chairman of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) Board and he has been at the forefront of efforts to review Nigeria’s copyright laws. As one of Nigeria’s most respected authorities on Intellectual Property, he has consistently fought to promote the interests of Nigerian copyright holders in the entertainment industry.
Steve Ojo
Steve Ojo has been involved in broadcasting for 49 years. He later set up the first production company in Nigeria, supporting government stations with production and post-production services. As the founder and CEO of Galaxy TV, he continues to work to advance the interests of private broadcasting in Nigeria.
Adebayo Faleti
Adebayo Faleti is one of Nigeria’s entertainment pioneers with a career stretching back over five decades in poetry, acting, writing and broadcasting. One of Nigeria’s most celebrated Yoruba playwrights, he is also a successful Yoruba movie producer and one of the most respected exponents of the indigenous language creative sector.