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USAID Partners to Launch the African Creative Blueprint and Strengthen Nigeria’s Creative Industry
USAID Partners to Launch the African Creative Blueprint and Strengthen Nigeria’s Creative Industry
By: Michael Mike
The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on Monday announced its latest strategic partnership with Ascend Studios, a creative-industry organisation providing capacity building, mentorship, social, educational, and economic empowerment to women and youth to propel Nigeria’s creative sector.
This partnership, according to a statement issued by US Embassy in Nigeria, will catalyze additional funding to strengthen Nigeria’s burgeoning Nollywood industry with additional partners including Paramount Nigeria, Venture Garden Group, and renowned music executive Ralph Simon.
According to the statement, the strategic partnership labeled the Africa Creative Blueprint, will strengthen Nigerian youth with the skills and resources needed to compete in the creative industry and also elevate Nigerian creatives to the international stage.
USAID Nigeria Mission Director Melissa Jones in her remarks, said: “The U.S. government is eager to enhance Nigeria’s capacity as a leading player in the creative economy and encourage global partnerships. This partnership will create a stream of high-quality, commercially viable content that can compete on the world stage.”
The statement recognized that while Nigeria’s film industry has achieved global recognition, it faces structural challenges that hinder its full economic and creative potential. Key areas for improvement include expanding film distribution channels, enhancing production quality through advanced equipment, developing stronger screenwriting and story development practices, and reinforcing intellectual property protections. Addressing these gaps would enable the creative sector to capture a broader audience and support more sustainable revenue streams for filmmakers.
The statement said: “To address these challenges, USAID teamed up with the Nigerian and American private sectors to launch the Africa Creative Blueprint. At the core of the collective $3.5 million investment, the Africa Creative Blueprint will provide intensive training skills in TV production to 3,500 Nigerian youth and develop a skilled TV workforce of at least 200 youth to create a high-quality, music-infused 13-episode TV drama. The TV drama will be a powerful medium to convey social messages, promote positive change, and foster inclusive growth and equitable opportunity in Nigeria.”
It revealed that the training will take place across six Nigerian cities—Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Benin, and Asaba—ensuring wide-reaching access to this unique development opportunity.
It said the Africa Creative Blueprint is now accepting applications for the training programme and cast/crew member employment. The programme will select from directors, writers, producers, production coordinators/managers, editors, production designers, cinematographers, costumiers, assistant directors, actors/actresses, composers, sound designers, lawyers, accountants, and production finance professionals (including sales agents).
“We are honored to be selected as the recipient of USAID funding,” said Inya Lawal, CEO of Ascend Studios. “This collaboration represents a milestone for the Nigerian creative sector and opens opportunities for us to elevate African stories on a global platform. Through this initiative, we are building the infrastructure needed to develop world-class creative talent capable of transforming the industry.”
USAID Partners to Launch the African Creative Blueprint and Strengthen Nigeria’s Creative Industry
MAN OF THE YEAR Award By THISDAY Newspapers/ARISE Media Group
CELEBRATING PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU
The President/Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, has been announced “MAN OF THE YEAR” by THISDAY Newspapers and ARISE News Board of Editors.
The prestigious recognition reaffirmed Mr. President’s exemplary leadership, visionary thinking, and unwavering commitment to transforming the country amid mounting economic and security challenges.
The awards organisers also noted that the President has marched on with courage and determination to change Nigeria for the better, and proven to be a leader who is driven more by convictions and taken decisions which are in the best interest of the nation.
To commemorate this milestone, THISDAY is unveiling a Special Edition on Monday, January 27, 2025, to afford the President’s
aides, friends, well-wishers, and associates the opportunity to share in the joy and pride that the award brings to Mr. President through placement of Congratulatory/Goodwill messages to honour the awardee among other award recipients.
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MAN OF THE YEAR Award By THISDAY Newspapers/ARISE Media Group
Nigeria Commiserates with Türkiye Over Devastating Fire Incident
By: Michael Mike
Nigerian government has commiserated with the government and people of Türkiye over the fire incident at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort that resulted in the death of 66 persons injured over 50 others.
The condolence message was contained in a statement signed by the acting spokesperson of the federal ministry of foreign affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
The statement read: “The Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to express deep condolence to the Government and People of the Republic of Turkiye over the unfortunate fire incident at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort.
“The fire, which claimed the lives of 66 persons and injured over 50 others in Bolu Province in Northwestern Turkiye, was reported to have started in the early hours of Tuesday 21st January 2025.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria sympathizes with the Government of the Republic of Turkiye and the families of the victims of the fire incident, and also wishes a speedy recovery of the injured.”
Nigeria Commiserates with Türkiye Over Devastating Fire Incident
Yobe’s Commitment To Agric. Development very Impressive -Islamic Development Bank
By: Mamman Mohammed
The Islamic Development Bank has expressed satisfaction with the preparedness of Yobe state government to partner the bank for an agricultural project.
Mr. Javed khan, Senior Agriculture Specialist of the Bank stated this at a courtesy call on Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, at the Government House, Damaturu.
Khan said the commitment of Yobe state government to meeting its obligations is quite impressive and encouraging.
Khan who led a team from the bank on assessment tour of the state to see for itself the documents developed and the preparations on ground for the project, said the team was convinced with government’s committment to the project.
“We were initially discouraged not to come to Yobe state citing insecurity but, we insisted on coming and are impressed with the peace and security, and the government’s commitment to the project.
“We are working towards a target in the next three months for the state to obtain approval from the bank for the project.
“The working synergy between our team and your team suggests that we will achieve our target within the stipulated time frame” Khan said.
Responding, Governor Buni commended the Bank for not listening to the enemies of progress of the state.
“l am glad you did not listen to them, some of whom have never been anywhere close to Yobe state but giving stories about what they don’t know.
“You are now here and you have seen things for yourselves and can tell the story better. We are ready for this partnership using agriculture to drive the economy of our state and the people.
“All the 17 local government areas in the state are now accessible and the people can access their farms and make this proposed project successful” Buni said.
The Governor explained the importance of agriculture to the people, adding “this project would guarantee food security and economic prosperity in our post insurgency recovery programme.
“The resilience exhibited by our people in embracing agriculture being their major preoccupation to rebuild their lives after the protracted insecurity is very encouraging and need to be supported” he said.
The Governor re-ephasized the readiness of his administration to partner the bank to make agricultural development in the state a huge success story.
Yobe’s Commitment To Agric. Development very Impressive -Islamic Development Bank
MAN OF THE YEAR Award By THISDAY Newspapers/ARISE Media Group
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Nigeria Commiserates with Türkiye Over Devastating Fire Incident
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