Author: YNaija

Profile: Why Akinwunmi Adesina is the real deal

"The future beckons us for a more developed Africa and a much stronger and resilient African Development Bank Group. We will build on the strong foundations of success in the…

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Nomadland, City Hall, Night of the Kings…The 20 best films at #TIFF2020

The 45th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) ploughed ahead this year albeit under socially distanced conditions from the 10th to 21st September. The programming team led by artistic director Cameron…

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#TIFF2020: Idris Elba and Jharrel Jerome in Concrete Cowboy

Concrete Cowboy has a most interesting premise. A classic coming-of-age drama set within the very real backdrop of Philadelphia cowboy culture, Concrete Cowboy also shines a spotlight on an ancient…

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Profile: How Erica Nlewedim lost and won Big Brother Naija at the same time

“I’m the star of the show, with a few supporting characters of course.” On any other person not named Genevieve Nnaji or Rita Dominic, mouthing these words would seem like…

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#TIFF2020: David Oyelowo’s ‘The Water Man’ is a modest charmer

After delivering indelible performances in films like Selma and A United Kingdom, British-Nigerian actor David Oyelowo appeals to the child within for The Water Man, his Oprah Winfrey supported directorial…

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#TIFF2020Review: ‘I am Greta’ is an intimate yet puzzling profile of courage

2019 was the year that sixteen-year-old Swedish teenage climate activist, Greta Thunberg became a global icon. From inspiring climate change activists around the world, to dressing down a roomful of…

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Aviara

Book Review: Othuke Ominiabohs’ Aviara affirms his place in Nigeria’s literary canon

In 2016’s Odufa, first time author Othuke Ominiabohs spun a disturbing tale of the toxic nature of love and the several ways that people who are supposedly in love turn…

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Beyonce

We attempt the impossible: A ranking of the videos in Beyonce’s Black is King

On the last day in July, Beyoncé’s unveiled her new visual album Black is King on Disney+. Designed as a re-imagination of the 2019 Jon Favreau film The Lion King, itself a remake of…

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Omah Lay

EP Review: Omah Lay takes the Burna blueprint and elevates it with ‘Get Layd’

Contemporary Nigerian music witnessed a change of guard from one generation to the next the moment Wizkid’s Holla at your Boy announced him as the next big deal. Prior to…

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Okonjo-Iweala

Profile: How Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala became Africa’s biggest policy superstar

On the 15th of July 2020, Nigeria's candidate for Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was at the organization’s Geneva headquarters. As part of the election process,…

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RIta Dominic

Film Review: Rita Dominic and Kalu Ikeagwu find their way through a marriage crisis in Light in the Dark

Light in the Dark opens with what may be becoming cinematographer Muhammed Attah Ahmed’s signature flourish. The camera, placed upside down, zooms in on Joke Silva, lying down on a…

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Saworoide

Saworoide, The Meeting, Walking with Shadows…20 Nigerian films that should be on Netflix (but aren’t)

In the last one year, streaming giant Netflix has doubled down on its Nollywood engagement, increasing the number of Nigerian films available to stream on the platform. In an exclusive…

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Yenagoa

Book Review: The Mechanics of Yenagoa by Michael Afenfia is a page turner

The Mechanics of Yenagoa, the latest title by Canadian based Nigerian author Michael Afenfia is something of a guilty pleasure. Set in the capital of oil rich Bayelsa state, and…

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Instagram

LONG READ: Why Instagram Live has been such a hit in Nigeria

You hate to see it. Or love to. Depending. To possess an Instagram account in the year 2020 is to be aware of that sign on the top left corner…

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Netflix Naija

Exclusive: Netflix Africa executives Dorothy Ghettuba and Ben Amadasun tease projects in the pipeline for Netflix Naija

In February, a high-profile team of Netflix executives including chief content officer, Ted Sarandos visited Lagos to meet with filmmakers and potential partners. The streaming platform took the opportunity to…

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Skin

Film Review: The triumphs and layered questions of Daniel Etim Effiong’s Skin

 Skin, the buzzy documentary produced by Beverly Naya and directed by Daniel Etim Effiong is the kind of well-intentioned project that arrives every once in a while. You know the…

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Ajimobi

Obituary: Abiola Ajimobi was a career politician, who undermined progress with tyranny

After a period of morbidity, former senator of the federal republic and governor of Oyo state, Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi passed away on 25, June 2020. According to the Lagos state…

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face masks

LONG READ: Face masks are the new condoms: How a public health preventive measure will save us (yet again)

Only six months ago, a young man walking into a bank, demanding to withdraw money at the counter would have been viewed with instant suspicion. People would’ve stared uncomfortably and…

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Dan Foster

Obituary: Dan Foster, the American who changed the face of Nigerian radio forever

In the afternoon of 17, June, news would begin to filter in from unconfirmed sources that popular Nigerian based, American broadcaster and On Air Personality, Dan Foster had passed away…

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ibidunni ighodalo

Obituary: Ibidunni Ighodalo found her purpose in bringing joy to women

Circa 2007, the city of Lagos, at the time under the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola began to pursue a fresh makeover phase during the annual yuletide celebrations. Brightly decorated…

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Majek Fashek

Obituary: Majek Fashek was many things, a rainmaker, a cultural icon, a cautionary tale

Majek Fashek, singer, songwriter, superstar, reggae icon, hero, prophet, rainmaker and eventual cautionary tale passed away in New York on the night of 1, June. This according to his manager…

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Has there been a Nollywood film like La Femme Anjola?

Director Mildred Okwo, is putting finishing touches to her long-awaited project, La Femme Anjola and Nollywood land have been buzzing with excitement. Deservedly so, considering the wattage and established record…

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#Sundance2020: Winston Duke does career best work in Nine Days

In Nine Days, the ambitious, life-affirming debut by director Edson Oda, which premiered at Sundance in the U.S Dramatic Competition, the events play out in some parallel pre-universe, an isolated…

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Victor Olaiya

Obituary: Victor Olaiya, the mercurial genius of high-life

On the 12th of February, at exactly twelve noon, Victor Abimbola Olaiya OON, iconic highlife maestro, trumpeter and vocalist breathed his last. Cause of death remains unknown but according to…

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Minari, Nine Days, The 40-Year-Old Version….The 20 best films at #Sundance2020

The Sundance film festival may have come and gone but the memories still linger thanks to the several impressions left by the films on this list. Many of these films…

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Concert Review: 2Baba is 20 Years a King

The most important performer in contemporary Nigerian music needs no excuse to hold a live concert. Matter of fact it is somewhat of a letdown that he does not do…

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Theatre Review: Fela’s Republic and the Kalakuta Queens casts a spell

Another December, another Bolanle Austen-Peters extravaganza. And how we have come to love them. And why shouldn’t we? When it comes to bang for your buck, lavish high-end theatre productions,…

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Concert Review: Bez Live: The Light

On the 24th of December at the Muri Okunola park, soul singer, Bez Idakula put out another edition of his live concert series for his Lagos audience. The concert also…

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#YNaija2019Review: Soundman,These Buhari Times…Peep the 10 most notable mixtapes of the year

The unmissable and most interesting sounds of the year Chulo Vibes- Timaya If there is anything Timaya has proven adept at, it is making inescapable dance anthems. The primary objective…

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#YNaija2019Review: Killin Dem, Jealous, Baby…These are the 10 biggest songs of the year

Criteria is a mix of Youtube views, radio airplay, Spotify streams, cultural impact and a smidge of critical appreciation. Don’t argue. Designer- Niniola ft. Sarz Sarz does a wonder on…

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cool good eh love2 cute confused notgood numb disgusting fail