One such small business owner operates a hotel in Nigeria's capital, Abuja. He says he lost a lot of business due to electricity issues. But an investment of 1,000 U.S. dollars in converting his electrical system to solar power is helping to lure customers back.
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A spate of recent abductions in Nigeria has left citizens fearful, with the most recent case involving the abduction of at least 87 people from a village in Kaduna state. The government says it is working to rescue those abducted, but citizens say more needs to be done.
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Backed by Nigerian superproducer Mo Abudu, the short film titled “Dust to Dreams” is written by Elba and will feature a star-studded cast topped by Seal, alongside Nollywood actresses Eku Edewor and Atlanta Bridget Johnson. Former Nigerian Idol contestant Constance Olatunde (also known as “Konstance”) will also be making her film debut.
The project is part of a collaboration announced last year between the “Luther” and “The Wire” star with Abudu’s EbonyLife Films, to develop emerging African talent and support creative industries throughout the continent – as well as the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), through its program called Creative Africa Nexus (Canex). Abudu will serve as both executive producer and producer.
Plot details are scant, but a press release shared the following synopsis: “Set against the vibrant backdrop of Lagos, Nigeria, the film follows the relationship between a mother and her teenage daughter, as she meets her father for the first time.”
Expressing her excitement about the collaboration, Abudu shared, “I am delighted to be working with Afreximbank and this incredibly talented team. ‘Dust to Dreams’ is a story close to my heart, and I’m thrilled to bring it to life with such passionate collaborators.”
Abudu has been described by Forbes as “Africa’s Most Successful Woman” and ranked as one of the “25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television” by The Hollywood Reporter.
Elba – a Brit of Sierra Leonean and Ghanaian descent – made his feature directorial debut in 2018 with British crime drama “Yardie.”
By Leah Collins, CNN
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Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu will introduce a three-month ban on ministers and other government officials from going on publicly funded foreign trips.
Mr Tinubu's chief of staff said the move was prompted by the president's "concerns about the rising cost of travel expenses" by public officials.
The ban will take effect on 1 April.
President Tinubu and his administration have been criticised by some for their frequent visits abroad.
Since his inauguration in May, Mr Tinubu has made more than 15 foreign trips.
The Nigerian president is said to have spent at least 3.4bn naira ($2.2m; £1.8m) on domestic and foreign travel in the first six months of his presidency - 36% more than the budgeted amount for 2023, the Nigerian newspaper Punch reported in January, citing GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks government spending.
Mr Tinubu's chief of staff Femi Gbajabiamila said the travel ban will cut costs amid Nigeria's "current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management".
The West African country is grappling with one of its worst cost-of-living crises in decades, a situation that has led to widespread hardship and anger.
The three-month block on official travel by government officials is Mr Tinubu's latest attempt at countering the public backlash.
In January, the Nigerian president announced a reduction in the size of the official travel delegation by about 60% , including cuts to his own travel entourage.
When the ban takes effect in April, government officials will only go on foreign trips "deemed absolutely necessary". They will also require President Tinubu's approval at least two weeks before they travel.
Mr Gbajabiamila added that the halt on travel will ensure that government officials "focus on their respective mandates for effective service delivery".
Despite clamping down on travel by government officials, Mr Tinubu has not said whether he will reduce his own trips.
The president and his representatives have in the past defended his trips as being vital in addressing the economic problems he is accused of ignoring.
By Gloria Aradi, BBC
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