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Group organizes film festival to showcase Plateau’s potential, empower youth with creative ideas
A non-governmental organisation is organising a film festival to showcase and popularize the abundant socio-economic potentials in Plateau.
The Festival Director Prof. Edward Ossai, in a press statement issued in Jos said that the festival would specifically focus on women and youth development.
Ossai said that the festival was designed to discover and empower young men and women with ideas, and creative potentials.
The festival director said that Jos Community Film Festival (JOCOFFEST), a roaming and non-governmental community-based film festival would be held November 8-10, 2023 and run simultaneously with a two-day golf kitty
He stated that Plateau is endowed with beautiful sceneries, temperate weather, happy and accommodating people and an immeasurable number of young and talented youths.
He said however, that the state was bedevilled with endless animosities, and ethno-religious and political conflicts leading to lack of trust, disruption of loyalties, rivalries, unimaginable poverty, unemployment and corruption.
Ossai pointed out that youths have become vulnerable tools at the beck and call of politicians and criminal-minded individuals because of a lack of what to do.
“The dreams of an average Plateau youth and the aged have been truncated. It is imperative therefore to emphasize that peace is a prerequisite for stability, development and security.
“There is a need to partner with the government and other state holders to confront and intervene using the community film festival to promote peaceful and harmonious co-existence among the various communities.
“Engage the restive youths positively in a convivial atmosphere; discover and empower young men and women with ideas, creative potentials and enthusiasm that address core socio-economic developmental issues
“Open up windows of opportunities in hotel, catering, fashion, transportation telecommunications and other services;
“Redefine and confirm Jos as the Hollywood of Nigeria, thereby strengthening film outlets through the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Plateau Radio and Television Corporation (PRTVC), and other television and radio stations in the state,’’ he added.
The director said that the festival would also serve as a forum to reflect the wide spectrum of impulses generated by filmmakers, film scholars and other stakeholders.
According to him, the motivation was to rebrand Plateau as Nigeria’s foremost home of peace and tourism as well as popularize its traditions and culture.
He further stated that JOCOFFEST was designed to benefit the government and the people of the state socio-politically and economically.
Ossai stressed that socially, it would bring women and youth together in a collaborative effort while politically, it would partner with other stakeholders to create a stable and enabling environment for good governance.
The director pointed out that economically, it would enhance business opportunities and place Plateau on the list of filmmakers and tourism destinations.
“The festival is structured to accommodate screenings which is usually a platform for meetings with representatives of the various sectors in the film industry.
“The best films and golf players are awarded and do receive honorary statues as well as financial rewards.
“JOCOFFEST concentrate on themes that articulate women and youth development, peacebuilding, equity, diversity, restoration and basic universal human values. Entries are open to accommodate action, drama and documentary films.
“The entries should be able to give a unique opportunity to compare cultures and diversities.
“The Jos Community Film Festival is run and managed by a festival director and a collection of seasoned administrators, film scholars, business magnets and gurus, opinion leaders and elder statesmen,” he said.
Over 1,500 residents have benefited from a Fidelity Food Bank outreach in Kabuga community, Dala Local Government Area of Kano state.
The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, executed in partnership with Misnoory Foundation, saw staff of the bank distribute essential food items to support people during the holy month of Ramadan.
Commenting on the distribution event, Divisional Head, Brands and Communications, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Meksley Nwagboh, emphasized the bank’s dedication to supporting its host communities through impactful projects.
“Social responsibility is at the heart of who we are as a bank. Our Fidelity Food Bank initiative is one of the way we drive social welfare in our host communities. The initiative was launched to support the vulnerable and alleviate the impact of hunger in the society as part of our contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to achieve zero hunger.
“Consequently, we have distributed more than 150,000 food packs at outreach events like this across the country since April 2023 when we launched the initiative. Our outreach in Kabuga is designed to support women, widows, children and the community with food items for the Ramadan season.”
On her part, the Founder, Misnoory Foundation, Maryam Isa Inuwa stated that, “The commitment of the foundation towards poverty alleviation and various humanitarian support to society’s most vulnerable members perfectly aligns with the Fidelity Bank initiative.
“Fidelity Bank is one of the major sponsors of our humanitarian outreaches to the needy in the society. The foundation is delighted to count on the bank as a long-standing partner.
“We seek to touch the lives of many people in need through our various humanitarian efforts across different communities and today, it is the turn of Kabuga community to benefit from the Fidelity Food Bank program”.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 8.5 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the Export Finance Bank of the Year at the 2023 BusinessDay Awards; the Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023; and Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards.
It was also recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023 and the Best Domestic Private Bank in Nigeria by the Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards 2023.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, has commended his principal for assenting to South West and South – South Development Commissions Bills as well as the Nigeria Anti – Doping Bill 2025.
Senator Lado who made the commendation in a personally signed statement, described presidential assets to the bills as monumental milestone and testament to visionary leadership and national progress.
The statement reads: “I extend my warmest congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for yet another historic achievement his decisive and visionary assent to the South-West Development Commission Bill, the South-South Development Commission Bill, and the Nigeria Anti-Doping Bill, 2025.
“These landmark legislations are a clear reflection of President Tinubu’s relentless commitment to inclusive governance, equitable progress, and Nigeria’s emergence as a global powerhouse.
“His Excellency has once again demonstrated that leadership is not merely about policies—it is about impact, legacy, and a deep-rooted dedication to uplifting every citizen.
“By signing into law the establishment of the South-West and South-South Development Commissions, President Tinubu has reaffirmed his role as a transformational leader who prioritizes regional empowerment, economic expansion, and infrastructural excellence.
Building on the foundation of his earlier assent to the South-East and North -West Development Commissions, it is evident that President Tinubu is deliberate in bringing development across all regions.
“These commissions will serve as catalysts for industrial growth, job creation, and social advancement—ensuring that every corner of Nigeria benefits from his administration’s progressive vision. This is the mark of a true statesman—one who understands that a nation’s strength lies in its ability to uplift all regions without bias.
“In the same vein, the Nigeria Anti-Doping Bill, 2025 is yet another bold step that solidifies Nigeria’s commitment to fairness, excellence, and integrity in global sports.
“President Tinubu has once again positioned Nigeria as a nation of high ethical standards, ensuring that our athletes compete on the world stage with honor and credibility. By domesticating the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sports, his administration has safeguarded the future of Nigerian sports, protecting our athletes from unfair practices while reinforcing our global reputation as a country that upholds integrity.
“This momentous occasion underscores President Tinubu’s unmatched leadership—one that is proactive, decisive, and deeply attuned to the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
His ability to enact groundbreaking policies that foster unity, drive economic prosperity, and elevate our international standing speaks volumes of his unwavering dedication to national transformation”.
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BREAKING: Key contact details missing in petition to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has acknowledged receiving a petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District but noted that key contact details of the petitioners were missing.
In a press release signed by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission stated that the petition was submitted with six bags of documents containing signatures from more than half of the 474,554 registered voters in the district.
However, the covering letter only provided a general location, “Okene, Kogi State,” without a specific address or multiple contact numbers as required by INEC’s regulations.
INEC emphasized that the recall process is guided by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and its 2024 Regulations and Guidelines for Recall.
The commission assured that once the petition meets all requirements, it will proceed with verifying the signatures using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in an open process involving petitioners, observers, and the media.
INEC is currently making efforts to reach the petitioners through other means and urged the public to disregard speculation on social media regarding the recall process.
Kano residents benefit from Fidelity Food Bank initiative
Lado commends President Tinubu for assenting to South-South, South West Commission bills
BREAKING: Key contact details missing in petition to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan – INEC
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