Business
Filmmaker Risks Losing PhD Opportunity in Finland Due to NIMC, NIS ‘Issues’
Akin Alaka, a filmmaker resident in Lagos, has narrated how he risks missing out on travelling to Finland for his PhD programme due to the lack of coordination between the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
Alaka told FIJ that his ordeal began on January 8 when he applied for a passport renewal at the NIS office in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, in January.
He stated that the officials that attended to him said his National Identification Number (NIN) belonged to someone else.
“The officials gave me the strange information despite the fact that the NIN was already linked to my phone number. They then told me to enrol for another NIN before revisiting their office,” Alaka said.
“When I went to the NIMC office to enrol for my new NIN, I made a mistake. I put my first and second name on the same line.
“When I eventually discovered I had made this mistake, I went to NIMC to correct it. I paid N1,000 for the correction and they recaptured my face. Then they asked me to come back in two weeks.”
The filmmaker said when he visited the office again for his NIN collection, an official told him that registration was not properly done. The official told him to reapply for yet another NIN because they could not access his data.
Alaka said he paid another N1,000 when he re-enrolled a third time.
“The NIMC issued me a number and provided a tracking ID. But they could not make the number operational. Its status kept showing that it was inactive,” Alaka said.
“By this time, I had run out of time in terms of commencing the PhD programme in Finland. My flight ticket had also expired as well. With no job in Nigeria and being expectant of my passport, I did all I could to redeem the opportunity but I was ultimately unsuccessful.
“While awaiting the NIN to come out, I sent 10 emails to the NIMC, but they only responded once. They assured me that the number would be functional in less than 72 hours, but a month passed and it still did not function.
“I also went to the NIS office to determine if they could access my data on their system but they claimed they could not find any. In my desperation, I called an acquaintance who works with the NIS to proffer solutions on what to do.
“He told me that no data would reflect until I paid a N20,000 bribe. But after I paid the NIS staffer, my effort still did not bear any fruit. The official assured me that my passport would be ready in three days but I have yet to receive it.”
Alaka is presently unsure whether he would still be able to go for his PhD programme in Finland.
“I already had a four-year resident permit for the programme since 2020. I should not have spent more than two years outside Europe since I got the opportunity, but COVID-19 happened. Now, I do not know if it is still possible to go there and do my programme,” he said.
According to Alaka, the lack of coordination between the NIS and the NIMC was to blame for his predicament.
“I do not have a job here and I am forced to do something I did not even plan for. Both the NIS and the NIMC are to blame,” he lamented.
“I do not know if they did anything. All they say is to come back in two weeks. There is no coordination between the two agencies. They leave you floating between them.”
Basketmouth accuses Nollywood producers of mismanaging streaming funds, claiming it affects Nigerian film quality and transparency
[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igerian comedian and filmmaker Basketmouth has criticised Nollywood producers for allegedly mismanaging funds provided by global streaming platforms.
Speaking in a recent interview on Arise TV, the entertainer claimed that this malpractice has led to a decline in the quality of Nigerian films.
Basketmouth alleged that many producers misuse substantial portions of the budgets allocated for movie production, diverting funds for personal gains rather than investing in quality filmmaking.
“When the streaming platforms came in, they gave money to these producers… these producers would take the money—$1.5 million or whatever they give them—and use about 10% of that money to make the movie,” he stated.
He further alleged that the streaming platforms, upon discovering these practices, implemented measures to ensure transparency by paying actors directly.
However, producers reportedly found a way around this by coercing actors into returning part of their pay.
“Even to the point where the streaming platforms stepped in and said, ‘You know what? We are going to be paying the actors directly,’ these guys would still go behind and tell the actors to pay half of that money back to them. You can verify the information anywhere,” Basketmouth revealed.
The filmmaker argued that this mismanagement has significantly affected the quality of Nollywood films, particularly epic productions, which he described as often resembling stage plays rather than high-budget movies.
“So, when you do that and expect your movie to be 100%, it can’t. It’s impossible. But these guys? They’ll cut, buy houses, buy cars,” he alleged.
@freelanews BasketMouth wan start to yearn again o…🎼🎹 #foryou #fyp #trending #foryoupge #goviral #AncestorsChallenge ♬ original sound – Freelanews
Lagos, Nigeria – May 10, 2024 – The Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria (PBAN) proudly announces the successful conclusion of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Executive Committee (Exco) Elections held on May 9th, 2024, in Lagos, Nigeria.
The AGM, a hallmark event in the breadmaking industry, brought together esteemed members and industry leaders to reflect on the achievements of the past year and chart the course for the future. The assembly provided a platform for robust discussions on industry trends, challenges, and opportunities, fostering collaboration and innovation within the sector.
One of the pivotal highlights of the AGM was the democratic process of electing the new Executive Committee to lead PBAN into its next chapter of growth and excellence. With a commitment to transparency and accountability, members cast their votes to elect passionate and visionary leaders who will steer the association towards its strategic objectives.
The newly elected Executive Committee comprises dynamic individuals renowned for their dedication to the breadmaking industry and their unwavering commitment to advancing its interests. Their diverse expertise and collective vision promise to propel PBAN to new heights of success, innovation, and sustainability.
Names and positions of the Executive Committee:
1. Emmanuel Onuorah – President
2. Abayomi Awe – Deputy President
3. Emmanuel Onyoh – General Secretary
4. Abayomi Okikiola – Assistant General Secretary
5. Kene Mbuba – Treasurer
6. Babalola Thomas – Public & Industrial Relations Officer
7. Ekaette Okoi – Assistant Public & Industrial Relations Officer
8. Adijat Olaniyi-Olopade – Financial Secretary
9. Adebiyi Adebowale – Auditor
10. Oludare Oladeji-Ojo – Compliance & Provost Officer
11. Abisola Dejonwo-Tokan – Welfare Officer
“We are thrilled to have successfully concluded our AGM and Exco Elections,” said Emmanuel Onuorah, President of PBAN. “The enthusiastic participation of our members reflects their dedication to the growth and prosperity of the breadmaking industry in Nigeria. With our newly elected Executive Committee at the helm, we are confident in our ability to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and drive positive change for our members and stakeholders.”
PBAN extends its gratitude to all attendees, participants, and volunteers whose contributions were instrumental in making the AGM and Exco Elections a resounding success. The association reaffirms its commitment to serving the interests of its members, promoting excellence in breadmaking, and contributing to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
A Nigerian actress and movie producer, Toyin Abraham Adeyemi, has revealed that it took her just two months to produce her alleged N500 million budget movie, Malaika.
Also read: Tinubu hails Funke Akindele, creative industry
She made this revelation during a chat with the media while addressing the disturbing thread of piracy in the Nollywood industry.
A victim of piracy herself, Toyin, as she simply called, lamented how her N500 million budget movie was leaked on Telegram and how she was able to salvage it with the help of her team.
“If you look at me, I’m actually not okay. I’ve to come from the hospital; I’ve been having panic attacks. It’s not easy shooting a movie for close to N500 million and just seeing it out there.
“I saw my movie and another movie, and I thought I was dreaming, and they said, ‘No, you’re not dreaming,’” she said.
She went on to disclose that the hackers announced on Telegram that they were going to upload the movie by 12, which they eventually did.
When asked how long it took her to produce the movie, Toyin responded that it took her almost two months.
“I shot Malaika for two months, almost two months,” she replied.
By a comparative analysis, on average, Hollywood studio movies are shot within 30 to 120 days, with outliers falling below or above this range. The length of principal photography depends greatly on the scale, genre, and length of a film.
“Lift,” the new Kevin Hart-led heist thriller now streaming on Netflix, took approximately five months; between March and July 2022 to be precise, for filming with a $100 million budget.
Toyin further disclosed that her advocacy against movie piracy isn’t about her interests alone but for the general good of the industry.
“This is not about Malaika or any movie in the cinema; it is not about tribe. It’s about the creative industry; it’s about the entertainment industry. Because this is the only thing we do,” she stated.
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