The Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood, made a historic outing to showcase some of Nigerias best films 93 DAYS, THE BRIDGE AND ISOKEN at Hollywood, Los Angeles.

Thousands of Hollywood tourists from all over the world were held spellbound over the weekend by the spectacular Nollywood In Hollywood event.

The event started on Friday at Egyptian Theatre with a star-studded red carpet highlighted by the filmmakers and actors in the films on showcase 93 DAYS, THE BRIDGE AND ISOKEN.

The inaugural Nollywood In Hollywood event was the biggest cultural showcase for Nigeria outside the country in decades, the organisers said.

Nollywood artistes also used the platform to promote Nigeria talents and call for co-productions and technical cooperation between Nollywood and Hollywood.

Mr Jeff Byrd, moderator for the opening night film and Chairman of the African-American Steering Committee of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), praised the ingenuity of Nollywood.

Nollywood seems so far away but there is some curiosity. This is a great event for Hollywood to know more about the Nigerian cinema.

The film tonight (93 DAYS) is an excellent film, a really good piece.

There are conversations to be had, for example how can we make it possible for people like Steve Gukas and good Nollywood filmmakers to be a part of the DGA, Byrd said.

Saturdays screening was at the reputable Eileen Norris Theatre inside the University of Southern California (USC).

The Theatre, which had hosted films by reputable USC alumni including Ryan Coogler of the Black Panther, George Lucas, John Singleton, Bryan Singer, and Shonda Rhimes among others, was now playing host to Nigerian films.

A late-arriving crowd saw the matinee screening of THE BRIDGE on Saturday, after which its Director, Kunle Afolayan, held the packed audience to an engaging Question and Answer session.

As dusk approached, a standing room only crowd saw the final film on the showcase, ISOKEN, whose theme and subject matter engaged the crowd.

Actress Dakore Akande had a very colourful and stimulating Questions and Answer session with Nigerian-American filmmaker, Ose Oyamendan, after the screening.

In a panel on Nollywood, the Nigerian filmmakers made a point of letting the Hollywood audience and decision makers know that Nollywood grew without government support.

The Nollywood artistes also regretted the lack of Nigerian Governments presence at the biggest cultural showcase for Nigeria outside the country in decades.

Gwen Deglisse, Director of Programming for The American Cinematheque, operators of The Egyptian Theater, described the Nollywood in Hollywood as a huge success.

As first events goes, this was a success. We were worried because it is a new territory but Ose was very passionate about giving a platform to Nollywood films.

Now, we will see how we can make it better. We obviously need more sponsors and hopefully, the Nigerian government can be involved from the next one, Deglisse said.

Source: NAN

Sebastian Vettel made full use of the virtual safety car to sneak in front of Lewis Hamilton and hold off the frustrated champion to win Formula Ones season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Mercedes engines infamous party mode that delivered Hamilton a blistering pole lap on Saturday could do little once Ferraris Vettel nosed ahead when re-entering from pit-lane midway through the race at Albert Park.

Pole-sitter Hamilton had appeared set to coast to victory with a clear pace advantage but the race turned on its head with the safety car, which was called after Romain Grosjeans Haas failed and rolled to a stop at turn two.

In another bonus for Ferrari, Kimi Raikkonen finished third, fending off Red Bulls Daniel Ricciardo and leaving the unlucky Australian still searching for a first podium in his home race.

Four-times world champion Vettel claimed a 48th overall win and his third in Melbourne following his victories at Albert Park last year and in 2011.

It was needless to say we got a bit lucky with the timing of the safety car, the German, who had started from third place and inherited the lead when Hamilton and Raikkonen had pitted earlier in the race, told reporters.

Its not the easiest track to pass.

For Hamilton, the result was a bitter pill to swallow and had echoes of last years race.

Vettel also managed to re-enter in front of him from pit-lane in 2017 before burning away to victory while the pole-sitting Briton was blocked by traffic.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said his team had miscalculated the margin between the cars during the safety car period.

Formula One F1 Australian Grand Prix Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia March 25, 2018 Ferraris Sebastian Vettel in action at the start of the race REUTERS/Brandon Malone
We thought we had enough margin, he told the BBC. It must have been a software bug in the system that caused us to get it wrong. We are digging deep now to understand where we had a problem.

Hamilton, who cockily spoke of wiping the smile off Vettels face with his pole lap on Saturday, battled to keep positive.

Even now I dont understand whats happened, the 33-year-old told reporters. I did everything I believe I was supposed to do.

After the pit-lane setback, Hamilton drove hard to reel in Vettel and battled back after taking a slide at a corner that blew out the lead to nearly three seconds.

But he finally waved the white flag in the closing laps to preserve the car for future races.

Twice world champion Fernando Alonso finished fifth for McLaren in the teams first race with Renault power, equaling their best result in three dreary years with previous engine suppliers Honda.

Source: NAN

Lagos-based MFM Football Club on Sunday came from a goal down to defeat visiting Katsina United FC 2-1 in a 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 14 fixture.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match played at the Agege Stadium saw the hosts fighting back to claim a win through a brace by substitute Chijioke Akuneto.

MFM FC Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu made two changes to the team which defeated Heartland FC of Owerri 3-0, with goalkeeper Ospino Egbe replacing Folarin Abayomi.

Also, Ayinde Abiodun also led the attack in place of Flying Eagles call-up Jesse Akila.The visitors however drew the first blood through Garba Yashua in the 37th minute.

At the restart, Akuneto came in for Akinyemi while Abiodun made way for Waheed Akanni.The substitution brought almost instant result as Akuneto struck in the 49th minute with a well-taken free-kick to draw MFM FC level.

He made it a brace in the 67th minute, after utilising a deft pass from Chukwuka Onuwa.

Speaking later, Akuneto said the win was a sweet victory for his teams hard labour.

We struggled at first, but it was a sweet victory for the team from hard labour. We are happy to take the three points and that is what is most important for us, he said.

MFM, with two games in hand are 7th on the League table, seven points adrift from leaders Lobi Stars of Makurdi.

The League table after MatchDay 14:

Heartland 2-1 Nasarawa Utd
Lobi 3-2 Rivers Utd
Akwa Utd 1-1 Abia Warriors
Wikki 3-0 El-Kanemi
FCIU 3-0 Plateau Utd
Kwara Utd 2-1 Kano Pillars
Tornadoes 1-0 Sunshine Stars
Yobe DS 1-1 Enyimba
Go Round 2-2 Rangers
MFM 2-1 Katsina Utd

Source: NAN

Nigerias U-17 hockey male team is to play their Ghanaian counterparts in the finals of the ongoing U-17 West African 5s Hockey tournament on Tuesday.

The five-aside hockey tournament is holding in Accra, the Ghana capital.

The Nigerian side beat Burkina Faso 17-0 and defeated Togo 9-1 to qualify for the finals, while Ghana eliminated Togo 11-0 to get to the finals.

Fatai Atanda, Technical member of Nigeria Hockey Federation hailed the boys for getting to the finals and expressed optimism that they would lift the trophy.

He said in an interview with NAN that the performance of the team was an indication that Nigeria will do well in the African Youths Games coming up in July in Algeria.

Atanda charged the boys to continue with their performance, stressing that their efforts point the road to a stronger national team of the future.

The starlets would likely represent Nigeria in Algiers for African Youths Games from July 18-28.

Source: NAN

The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, lost 0-2 to Serbia in a pre-World Cup friendly match at the Hive Stadium in London on Tuesday.

The Eagles, managed by coach Gernot Rohr, ended their six-match unbeaten run no thanks to a second half brace by Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Rohr made four changes to the side which started against Poland on Friday, with Ogenyi Onazi given the nod in the midfield while Ahmed Musa replaced Kelechi Iheanacho in attack.

At the back, Chidozie Awaziem was picked following Leon Baloguns injury concern.

Mitrovic was a thorn in the flesh of the Super Eagles defence led by William Troost-Ekong throughout the match, as he kept on creating chances for the Serbians.

Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was jittery at the opening stage and almost gifted the Serbians the lead in the first half when his indecision led to Mitrovic heading a loose ball into the net.

The Serbian forward protested that the ball had crossed the line but there was no goal-line technology or video assisted referee in use.

However, his persistence paid off in the 68th minute when he guided the ball home following a good footwork by Dusan Tadic, before completing his brace the 81st minute.

Serbia had lost 1-2 to Morocco in their previous friendly match and needed a morale-boosting display against the Super Eagles.

The Eagles best chance fell to Alex Iwobi after a deft touch by Wilfred Ndidi but the Arsenal player saw his effort blocked by a Serbian defender.

Odion Ighalo was introduced in the second half in place of Victor Moses, who was unusually quiet in the match but it didnt stop the Serbians from dominating proceedings.

Rohr threw in John Ogu and Moses Simon to firm up his side but the Serbians exploited the right side of Eagles defence to the advantage of Mitrovic.

Junior Ajayi was introduced late on for his senior national team debut nothing could deny the Europeans a perfect outing against the three-time African champions as they went home winners.

Source: NAN

Spain sent out a warning to their World Cup rivals as Real Madrids Isco grabbed a hat-trick in a 6-1 thrashing of Argentina, who were missing the injured Lionel Messi, in a friendly on Tuesday.

On what was supposed to be a historic night for Argentina captain Javier Mascherano, who joined Javier Zanetti on 142 caps as his countrys record appearance holder, things quickly turned sour as Diego Costa, Thiago and Iago Aspas also found the net.

It will have made uneasy viewing for coach Jorge Sampaoli and emphasized more than ever how reliant his side are on their talisman Messi, who has been struggling with a muscle problem.

Should the Barcelona forward be missing at any point during this years finals in Russia, Argentina are likely to struggle judging by their meek surrender in the Spanish capital.

Without Messi on the pitch there was room for someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck and Real Madrids outstanding Isco filled the void.

The diminutive midfielder dictated play from the centre of the pitch throughout as Spain ruthlessly and consistently exploited the high Argentine defensive line.

Argentina might have taken the lead in the opening five minutes, but striker Gonzalo Higuain volleyed wide from close range which was an omen of things to come.

Costa then bravely prodded in from close range after 12 minutes, despite being clattered by goalkeeper Sergio Romero. Both players required lengthy treatment and eventually left the pitch at different stages.

Romeros replacement, Chelsea back-up Willy Caballero, who starred in Fridays 2-0 win over Italy, suffered a nightmare. A wayward pass with his first touch saw Isco gleefully sweep home Spains second in the 27th as they threatened to run riot.

Defender Nicolas Otamendi briefly offered the visitors hope as he towered above the defense to nod in before the break.

But after the restart it was again all Spain with haphazard goalkeeping and defending all contributing to a procession for the former world champions, who condemned Argentina to their heaviest defeat since a 2009 loss by the same score to Bolivia.

Spain face European champions and Iberian rivals Portugal as well as Iran and Morocco in Group B at the World Cup, while Argentina will play Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria in Group D.

Source: NAN

American Sloane Stephens had cause for a double celebration Tuesday after beating Germanys Angelique Kerber 6-1, 6-2 to reach the WTA Miami Open semi-finals.

The US 13th seeds comprehensive triumph in tricky wind conditions over the former world number one ensured Stephens reached the last four at Key Biscayne for the first time.

It also means the reigning US Open champion will finally be named in the worlds top 10 when the WTA release their rankings next week.

I am so tired of hearing that I am number 11 in the world, said a smiling Stephens, who will face either Victoria Azarenka of Belarus or sixth-ranked Czech Karolina Pliskova for a place in Saturdays final.

Its very exciting to get there, something I have wanted to do for a while. Getting into the top 10 is pretty special and something I have worked on for a long time.

Stephens previous best here in Key Biscayne came with a quarter-finals run in 2015 so the emotions on display at the end of what was an ultimately straightforward win over the world number 10 were understandable.

Since her debut Grand Slam triumph at the US Open last September, the 25-year-old has struggled to follow on. Stephens arrived at Key Biscayne having not beaten a top-50 player since the run at Flushing Meadows.

But this week has seen the American, who was raised in South Florida, get back to her roots and to winning ways.

Reigning Wimbledon champion Gabrine Muguruza was emphatically dispatched in straight sets Monday before Kerber received similar treatment.

Wind hampered both players but it was Stephens who adapted far better, the power of her groundstrokes and superior movement leaving Kerber frustrated and unable to find a way into the encounter.

The wind is uncomfortable for both of us. But it can help push you outside of your comfort zone. You just have to embrace it, Stephens said.

Stephens took just 23 minutes to wrap up the first set, Kerber looked sluggish from the start.

Kerber was deep in conversation with coach Wim Fissette during the break, being urged to assert herself.

Kerber saved four break points in the fifth game but Stephens was did not allow her opponent into the match and a 22nd winner sealed the triumph.

You have to execute your game well and make sure you stick with it, Stephens said. Its easy to start doing other things so I just need to keep to my plan and make sure I didnt venture off.

Kerber admitted coming through a grueling three-set win over qualifier Wang Yafan the day before had left her flat.

I was really feeling a little bit tired today, Kerber said. It was windy, it was tricky, but Ive played so many matches in the last three months that I was feeling it a little bit in my body.

Source: NAN

Mr Theophilus Ohuoba, the National Chairman, Intellectual Think-Thank for Atiku(ITTA, has urged former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar to formally declare his intention to run in the 2019 presidential election without further delay.

Ohuoba, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said that Atikus presidency would among other things, build a robust economy that would create wealth for all Nigerians.

He said that there would be an unprecedented participation of youths in Atikus government which would be unparalleled in the history of Nigeria.

The ITTA national chairman said that there would be 40 per cent youth affirmative action in Atikus government.

According to him, the former vice-president will restructure Nigeria in a way that the North, South, East and West will be carried along.

To this end, we are calling on Atiku to formally declare his intention to contest the 2019 presidential election without further delay.

We assure him that Nigerians are desirous of a leader that commands his kind of leadership credentials and he must heed to the call to serve by contesting the 2019 presidential election.

ITTA has a mandate and this is to work with all well-meaning Nigerians to ensure that come 2019 Atiku becomes the president of Nigeria, he said.

Ohuoba said that Atiku was a detribalised Nigerian with a progressive and resourceful background.

ITTA had on March 24, inaugurated its national and state executives.

Ohuoba had during the inauguration said that the zonal and state coordinators of the group would go back to their various bases and inaugurate their executives.

He said they would move to the grassroots to mobilise delegates and subsequently voters to support Atikus candidacy.

Source: NAN

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The apology rendered to Nigerians by thePeoples Democratic Party (PDP) appeared to have been rejected by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as theFederal Government has said looted funds should be returned rather than the partys apology.

A statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday quoted the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, challenging the party to show the genuineness of its apology through a discernible change of attitude.

Mohammed said PDP should complete its apology to Nigerians by returning all the funds looted from the public treasury during its 16 years in power.

The PDP presided over an unprecedented looting of the public treasury, perhaps the worst of its kind in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world.

Therefore, the best evidence of penitence for such a party is not just to own up and apologise, but to also return the looted funds as anything short of that is mere deceit.

The minister said with the paucity of funds, the administration had spent an unprecedented amount of money on infrastructural development and Social Investment Programme, among others.

He added that returning looted funds would provide more money for the programmes and make life more meaningful for Nigerians.

Mohammed also reminded the PDP of the quote: If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging, saying it applies to the PDP at this time.

PDP, press the reset button. Stop sabotaging the work of this administration, which is packing the mess you left behind, through your reckless statements and unfounded allegations.

Play responsible opposition politics. Put Nigerias interest over and above partisan interest.

Temper your desperation to return to power. Spend quality time in the purgatory and you will be forgiven, he said.

The PDP had on Monday reflected on its 16 years stewardship and admitted it made mistakes and asked Nigerians to forgive its wrongdoings.

National chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, who spoke at a public discourse, had said the party was sorry for its mistakes.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the reversal of tenure elongation of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other National and State Executive Officers of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He described the elongation of their tenure by one year as unconstitutional.

He told the National Executive Committee meeting of the party in Abuja on Tuesday that he had reflected on the elongation and also sought advice and had come to the conclusion that it is unconstitutional.

The APC had in its NEC meeting on February 27 extended the tenure of members of National Working Committee (NWC) led by John Odigie-Oyegun by one year.

This motion was duly carried by a majority of members present at the last NEC Meeting, even though some of our party members have since spoken up very vehemently against it. Others have even taken the matter to court.

I have taken some time to review and seek advice on the resolution. And what I found is that it contravenes both our party Constitution and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

While the APC Constitution, in Article 17(1) and 13.2(B), limits the tenure of elected officers to four years, renewable once by another election, the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), in section 223, also prescribes periodic elections for party executives at regular intervals, which must not exceed four years.

Furthermore, Article 31 of our Party Constitution provides that any principal officer wishing to re-contest or contest for another post, must resign from his current post at least one month before the election

Buhari said he was optimistic that the on-going meeting would provide an avenue to resolve the outstanding issues and consolidate plans towards making APC stronger.

Buhari explained, however, that it was expected that a fresh elections be conducted once the tenure of the current executives approaches its end.

A Caretaker Committee cannot remedy this situation, and cannot validly act in place of elected officers.

Furthermore, I think if we deviate from the constitutional provisions, we might be endangering the fortunes of our party. If the tenure of our party executives can be legally faulted, then it means that any nominations and primary elections that they may conduct, can also be faulted.

This is not to talk of divisions that would arise, and is already arising within the party, when some of our members feel that they are being denied the right to aspire to executive positions, or that internal democracy is not at play within the party.

I am therefore of the firm view that it is better to follow strictly the dictates of our party and national constitutions, rather than put APC and its activities at grave risk.

He said that a timetable had already been approved for the holding of congresses and elections.

I think these should be allowed to go forward and all efforts should now be geared towards making them a great success.

Source: NAN