Festivals

Hannatu Musa Musawa Hails Zuma Film Festival

Published

12 months ago

October 15, 2025

Hannatu Musa Musawa hails Zuma International Film Festival as a key driver of Nigeria’s creative economy, youth empowerment, and global influence

Hannatu Musa Musawa, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, has praised the Zuma International Film Festival (ZIFF) as a key catalyst for the rapid growth of Nigeria’s creative economy.

Also read: Zuma International Film Festival 2024: Star-Studded Jury Announced

Speaking at the 2025 ZIFF World Press Briefing on Monday in Abuja, Musawa described Nigeria’s film industry, Nollywood, as a vital pillar of national development and a mirror of the country’s diverse cultural heritage.

She noted that the festival continues to serve as a premier platform for expanding Nigeria’s cinema industry, strengthening investment, and promoting authentic African storytelling on the global stage.

“Through the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the film and audio-visual sector has maintained steady growth as a key driver of Nigeria’s creative economy, youth empowerment, and global investment appeal,” Hannatu Musa Musawa said.

The minister described this year’s festival theme, “Storytelling for Global Influence: Film as a Soft Power and Economic Force,” as timely, reflecting Nigeria’s growing prominence in the international creative landscape.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Dr. Ali Nuhu, announced that the festival had received over 3,156 film submissions from across the world, including Nigeria, India, France, China, and the United States.

He explained that ZIFF has evolved into a global celebration of creativity, honouring filmmakers and storytellers who project African narratives with excellence and authenticity.

Nuhu also commended stakeholders, partners, and sponsors for their continued commitment to the growth of the Nigerian film industry.

The 2025 Zuma International Film Festival will be held in Abuja from December 1 to 5, featuring competitive categories such as Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Documentary, and Best Foreign Film.

Also read: Vice President Shettima to keynote Zuma international film festival

According to the organisers, the event will not only promote Nigeria’s creative economy but also create jobs and empower young talents across the film value chain.

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Culture

OLOJO….Ile Ife’s September Gift To Culture

Published

7 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Halima Adaba,

It was a featubal if the people. It was for the anciebt town of Ile Ife, which the Yoruba race refards as the Source.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

And ut was a festivsl for the King, Arole Oduduwa, Oonirisa, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

And so between September 24 and 28th 2026, the annual featuval dazzjed in all its white glory.

Tge Monarch paid the traditional ancestral homage and offered propitiation as part of the sacred rites of the Olojo Festival.
It was a powerful expression of Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and enduring tradition.

Call it a collection of beautiful moments, faces, colours and cultural expressions.

Every frame tells a story.

Every face carries the energy.

Every moment keeps the heritage alive.

Undoubtedly one of the most sacred cultural celebrations in Ilé-Ifẹ̀. It marked a day associated with creation, thanksgiving, ancestral heritage, and the sacred appearance of the Ooni of Ife wearing the revered Aàrẹ crown.

There were also the devotees of the famed god of thunder – Sàngó who were hardly conspicuous at the festival.

Many other traditional groups came out with candor, showing a powerful expression of Yoruba cultural identity, spiritual devotion, and respect for the ancient traditions of Ilé-Ifẹ̀.

Devotees of Sàngó bekieved the ‘appearance’ of the god of thunder on Seotember 26th could be understood as a symbolic meeting of ancestral heritage, spiritual devotion, and the celebration of creation.

It was a moment when the sounds of drums, chants, and traditional praise poetry brought the history of the Yoruba people to life.

Although Olojo is closely associated with Ogun, the god of iron, and the sacred traditions of Ile-Ife, the presence of Sàngó devotees reflected the rich diversity of Yoruba spiritual heritage.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

As a participant enthused at the festival, “To witness Sàngó Olúkòso emerge on Olojo Festival day is to witness a living expression of history, identity, and ancestral pride.”