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New Yam Festival unites Nollywood stakeholders –AGN Boss

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The National President of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, has described the annual Nollywood New Yam Festival and Awards as a platform that unites stakeholders in the film industry.

Rollas, who said this on Saturday at the closing ceremony of the 11th edition of the festival in Abuja, added that the festival also showcased Nigerian culture.According to him, celebrating the diversity of Nigeria’s rich cultures and traditional values at the annual fiesta is what binds stakeholders from different background in Nollywood together.

 

 

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”Nollywood have played a major role in propagating, promoting the culture of Nigeria and indeed Africa in the last 20 years and it is in the same light that this event was conceptualised.

“The reason for this New Yam Festival is that for the Igbo people, yam is the symbol of peace and togetherness, that is why this event becomes a tool for unity among stakeholders in our industry.
“Abuja is the city of unity for Nigeria and we have decided to use yam as a symbol of unity for Nigeria, bringing all the tribes together under one umbrella.

“This year is not different from what we have been doing over the last 10 years, but it is still another commemoration of this continual propagation of the culture and unity of our country.
“I want to thank all the invitees and congratulate all those that will be giving an award today and people that have come to identify with Nollywood in this beautiful culture of ours,” he said.

Chief Agility Onwurah, National Coordinator of the Festival, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the initiative was to present a platform where artistes as models and opinion leaders can promote Nigerian culture.
He explained that the festival had evolved over the years into a rallying point for Nollywood stakeholders, fans and culture enthusiasts.
He said that the festival was already a household name in the FCT, urging relevant stakeholders to support the organisers for its continuity.

“This festival has joined us together because we now find out whether you are from the North,South, East or West, we are all one.
“Every year, Nollywood people tend to look forward to meeting new people, royal fathers, politicians, so that we can talk because it helps us in our productions.
“Each edition of the festival has always come better, and this is a testimony that people are proud of our culture and want to identify with it,” he said.

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Earlier, the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy, thanked the organisers of the event for using culture to promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

“This is a symbol of unity because in all circumstances traditional celebrations are done in the villages but we brought it down to Abuja to unite the country so that everyone will participate,” she said.

The high point of the event was the unveiling of the roasted yam, spiced with traditional delicacies and the presentation of awards to some industry stakeholders and supporters of Nollywood.

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Entertainment

My Wife Knew About Actresses I Dated, Says Yinka Quadri

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Veteran Nollywood actor Yinka Quadri has revealed that his wife was aware of his romantic relationships with some actresses in the industry and treated them cordially.

The actor made the disclosure in an interview on the Africanalist Podcast, where he spoke about his personal life and marriage.

Quadri said some of the actresses he dated eventually became friends with his wife, Sadiat Adenike Quadri. According to him, the women would sometimes approach her and share gossip about his relationships with other female colleagues, even though they themselves were involved with him.

“It got to a stage, I won’t mention the ladies’ names in the industry. They would become friends with my wife and start giving gossip to my wife that I am dating so so so in the industry,” he said.

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He added that jealousy sometimes arose among the women. Some of those he was dating reportedly went to his home out of jealousy, only to find that his wife already knew about the relationships.

“And there were some of them that we were dating who went home out of jealousy. Meanwhile, my wife would say she was aware already and she doesn’t fight them because of that,” Quadri said.

The actor further disclosed that some actresses occasionally spent the night at his house when movie productions ended late. He said his wife knew about the relationships and still provided food and care for them.

“Sometimes when production ends late, they would sleep in my house. And my wife is aware I am dating them, she would still feed them and everything,” he stated.

Quadri has been married to Sadiat since 1989. The couple have children and grandchildren.

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Prioritise Talent Over Social Media, Fisayo Abebi Tells Young Actors

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Actress and filmmaker Fisayomi Amodemaja, popularly known as Fisayo Abebi, has urged young actors to build strong personal brands and rely on their talent rather than fame or social media visibility for a sustainable career in Nollywood.

Speaking in an interview with Sunday Scoop, Abebi, who began acting as a child before moving into filmmaking and production, said having a distinct identity was essential for anyone seeking longevity in the industry.

“As an actor, you should have a brand. You should have something that makes you different. Your talent should be able to speak for you wherever your name cannot speak for you,” she said.

She also stressed the need for dedication and readiness to handle the demands of the profession.

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“Any young actor coming into the industry has to know that it is time-consuming, and you have to be fully ready to be diligent and ready for the stress,” Abebi added.

The actress reflected on her own experiences, noting that growing up in the spotlight came with pressure, particularly from being recognised for a character she played as a child.

She credited her family and friends with helping her navigate the attention and remain grounded. Her mother, she said, played a key role by helping her understand that she was separate from the character audiences associated her with.

Abebi also spoke about the challenges of combining her acting career with university education, describing it as stressful at times.

“Sometimes I might have to refund or sometimes I might have to go to the set after finishing my exam. So, that can be very stressful,” she said.

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She noted that her journey in the industry had taught her to take risks and build confidence in herself.

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Regina Daniels Spent Months In Wheelchair Due To Health Issues

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Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has revealed that she spent several months struggling with severe pain and mobility challenges that left her dependent on a wheelchair.

The actress shared the details in a video posted on her Instagram page on Saturday as she marked her 25th birthday, which she described as her “Silver Jubilee.”

Appearing in a wheelchair, Daniels explained that her prolonged absence from social media was due to the health difficulties.

“I know many of you may be surprised seeing me in a wheelchair. Well, welcome to another chapter of my life,” she said.

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She stated that the problem began as a minor issue but gradually became more serious, eventually limiting her freedom to move around as she pleased.

“For several months now, I lost my freedom to move around as I please. It started as something minor, very minor, but eventually led to this,” Daniels said.

According to her, the condition took a major turn after the last public gathering she hosted, a Children’s Day carnival. She said she underwent repeated medical tests during the period and joked that she had started calling herself a “lab rat.”

“The pain became excruciating. Sometimes I find myself walking well, and sometimes I just can’t move. I cried,” she added.

Despite the challenges, the actress said there had been significant developments in her recovery, which encouraged her to share the update publicly.

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“Well, me sitting here today, in front of this camera, sharing this with y’all, it’s because there’s been some really significant developments in my recovery. And I say, thank you, Lord,” she said.

Daniels did not disclose a specific diagnosis or the nature of the treatment she is receiving. She expressed gratitude to God and prayed for calm as she entered a new phase of her life.

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