Miss Hassana Ozohu-Salisu, the 2024 Miss Nollywood international beauty pageant, is to embark on “patching” of 64, 000 potholes in the 36 states of the Federation.

Ozohu-Salihu, disclosed this during an interaction with members of the Correspondents Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kogi Chapter, in Lokoja on Monday.

“The patching of potholes is one of my pet  projects,  aimed at saving lives.

“As a beauty queen, I am worried and concerned over the number accidents and lives lost due to potholes on  roads across the country.

“This is why the Nollywood International, in conjunction with Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), is embarking on filling up 64,000 potholes across our roads, ” she said.

Ozohu-Salihu, who is the 11th Miss Nollywood International, also said that she was collaborating with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) .

“The corps is to ensure that drivers don’t drink and drive in line with our “Operation Don’t Drink and Drive Programme.”

According to her, the two projects were mainly designed to help save lives and properties of travellers on the roads across the nation.

She further mentioned the “No to Sex for Marks Syndrome” pet project to be intriduced in tertiary institutions.

“We are meeting with Vice Chancellors and Lecturers to ensure that the  syndrome is eradicated to enable our young girls walk with their shoulders high and fulfill their God given destinies.

“I want to use this office to bring or effect a change in this country.

”I went into the pageant to feel what the models feel and bring a change. I want to be a model with a difference in Nigeria and the world over.

“These projects that I and my manager wish to embark on are projects that no pageant has ever ventured into in the history of Nigeria.

“Projects that no one has ever dreamed of or think of doing at my own age in the world of entertainment.

“A beautiful queen from Kogi is out to make an impact in the world and is in need of the support of all to succeed.

“We want a situation where we will not be heard in Nigeria alone but across the shores of America, Europe and Asia. These projects are projects of humanity and projects of change.

“It’s not just a dream but a mission that must come to fruition. It is a mission that will positively challenge the women and youths across the country to Arise and make a difference in the society, ” she said.

Also speaking, Mr Godwin Orits-Gee, the beauty queen’s Manager, who is also the Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) of Omedia Nigeria Limited solicited for the support of newsmen in Kogi to help her achieve her desired dreams.

“All the queen needs from you journalists, is the needed publicity of all her activities in the next one year. I strongly believe that , together, we can build a better nation,” the manager said.

Responding, Chairman of the Correspondent Chapel, NUJ,  Segun Salami, assured the queen of the chapel’s support to her programmes

Nigerian music superstar Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has reignited his long-standing rivalry with fellow singer David Adeleke, also known as Davido, sparking a fresh wave of drama on social media.

The tension began on Tuesday after Davido teased a snippet of his first single for 2024. Coincidentally, Wizkid had planned to release the first track from his highly anticipated “Morayo” album on the same day.

Fueling the brewing tension, Davido’s associate, Kayode Yajaur, better known as Black Tycoone, took a swipe at Wizkid, saying, “Tell your Daddy to drop an album already.”

Wizkid quickly fired back on Twitter without directly naming Davido, tweeting, “P***y boys dropping mid again,” followed by, “Una don tire! Make una go rest small!”

A Davido fan, assuming the tweet was aimed at Davido, responded, “So if you no beef @davido, your song won’t sell?” Wizkid did not hold back, replying, “I don’t beef wack niggas! We all know he’s wack! No talent!”

Wizkid’s comments were seen as a direct attack on Davido’s artistry, dismissing his craft as “trash.” Despite the heated exchanges, Davido has remained silent, offering no response to the remarks.

Fans of both artists have since flooded social media with divided opinions, keeping the rivalry alive.

The Federal Government has approved a licensing waiver for investors wishing to establish cottage or community cinemas in Nigeria.

Dr. Husseini Shaibu, Executive Director/CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

According to the NFVCB boss, the waiver approval was in line with the agenda of Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hanatu Musawa, to provide incentives needed to encourage investment in the creative industry.

He added that the gesture would improve revenue generation for the government and the filmmakers, and as well create jobs for youths across the country.

Husseini said the waiver approval was also in line with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda of presenting a level playing field for investors and ensuring ease of doing business.

“The decision to grant a licensing waiver would have a huge multiplier effect in the bottom rung of the cinema exhibitor pyramid.

“This and other incentives the Minister has promised will, no doubt, fuel the expansion of cinema screens and promote wider screening of Nollywood films at the local box office.

“The board has granted a provisional approval to an investor to test run a community cinema project for a period of twelve months, following an approval by the Minister,

“With favorable results of that experience, the Board has to make recommendations to the minister to grant waivers to stakeholders to open up the film exhibition space, especially for local content,” he said.

The NFVCB helmsman said he had urged stakeholders to consider the establishment of community cinemas to bring cinemagoers in local communities, towns, and villages back to the big screen.

He cited instances in other climes like India, where there are community cinemas standing side by side with the sophisticated and large cinemas.

According to him, operators of community cinemas can collaborate with established cinema owners to bring a distinct cinematic experience to cinema enthusiasts.

Husseini hinted that the board had also sent a proposal to the minister for a reduction in the exhibition and distribution license fees payable by operators to further open up the business space.

He described these policies as smart strategic decisions to reignite and stimulate investment in the creative sector.

He restated NFVCB’s commitment towards engaging filmmakers and content creators on the need for them to submit their films and video works for classification before exhibition either on the traditional or digital platforms.

According to him, the board recently held stakeholders a meeting with stakeholders in Lafia, Nassarawa state as part of its ongoing efforts to have a strong and united film industry.

“One of the reforms that the board has already started implementing is the reduction in classification time for film and video works.

“We have already reduced duration/ comeback time for film classification to a maximum of 48 hours for full feature films and same-day classification for dramatised short content (skits) and musical videos.

“We have also introduced online submissions to make things easier for filmmakers and content creators,” he said.