Nigerian film to screen at 2025 Cannes Film Market

 

A Nigerian historical fantasy film, Osamede, will screen at the 2025 Cannes Film Market on May 17 at the prestigious Pavillon Afriques.

A statement made available to PUNCH Online on Thursday noted that the screening marks a pivotal step in showcasing African mythology on the global stage and positions Nigeria as a major contributor to the international fantasy genre.

Directed by Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards winner, James Omokwe (Chetam, Ajoche, Riona, Itura) and executive produced by finance and investment expert Lilian Olubi, Osamede tells the story of an orphaned girl in the 1897 colonial Benin Kingdom who discovers superhuman powers. With the mystical Aruosa stone in her grasp, she sets out to liberate her people from British colonial forces.

Olubi, who is scheduled to speak on the Cannes panel, said, “Nigeria has exported music and films globally, but with Osamede, we’re revolutionising how African historical narratives are presented by bringing the legendary Benin Empire’s mythology to life with production values and storytelling that mirror Hollywood fantasy epics. Beyond Budgets: Innovative Funding for Filmmakers.”

Omokwe, known for his compelling fusion of tradition and innovation, describes the film as a reclamation of African history through fantasy.

“Osamede goes beyond a fantasy film set in Africa. With this film, we’re reclaiming our historical narrative through the fantasy genre. What Black Panther did for Afrofuturism, we’re doing for African historical fantasy rooted in actual Benin Kingdom mythology. Our approach combines authentic cultural elements with cinematic spectacle in ways audiences haven’t seen before,” he said.

What sets Osamede apart is its evolution from a successful stage production to the big screen. Originally produced and performed by Olubi’s Gold Lilies Productions, the story was staged 12 times to sold-out audiences. This tested narrative structure gives the film a strong foundation, echoing the success of Broadway-to-screen transitions.

“Osamede arrives at a time when global audiences are increasingly seeking authentic cultural storytelling with universal appeal,” Omokwe added. “The film presents a rare opportunity to capitalise on the commercial potential of historical fantasy while introducing audiences to the untapped cinematic wealth of Benin Kingdom lore.”

The film’s international debut also aligns with the growing momentum behind Nigeria’s Screen Nigeria initiative, which aims to amplify the nation’s cinematic presence on the global stage. Osamede’s Cannes screening comes at a historic moment, alongside My Father’s Shadow, the first Nigerian film to be selected for Cannes’ Official Selection.

The film stars Ivie Okujaye Egboh, Lexan Aisosa Peters, William Benson, Tosin Adeyemi, Lancelot Imasuen, and Alexander Bud. Drawing comparisons to global hits like The Woman King, Osamede taps into the emerging genre of African historical fantasy, spotlighting the rich cultural and mythological heritage of the continent.

By Rotimi Agbana, Punch

Nigeria Moves to End Firewood Use with Nationwide Clean Energy Push

Nigeria’s Ministry of Women Affairs has joined forces with major stakeholders in Nigeria’s energy sector to eliminate the health risks posed by firewood and traditional cooking methods, with a renewed commitment to tackling energy poverty among women.

Speaking at a multi-stakeholder engagement in Abuja on Wednesday, Minister of Women Affairs Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim expressed confidence that the collaborative initiative would significantly improve access to clean energy solutions, especially for women across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria.

“Over 80,000 women die prematurely from the toxic smoke of firewood and traditional cooking stoves; hence, the efforts aim to reach Nigerian women across all 774 local government areas,” she said.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted that the adoption of solar-powered agricultural tools and clean home energy systems would play a pivotal role in promoting healthier, safer living environments.

She described energy poverty as not merely a technical problem but a profound social injustice that disproportionately affects women.

“Energy poverty is not just a technical challenge. It is a social injustice. It locks women in cycles of unpaid labour, economic dependence, and health risks. In many communities, women spend up to eight hours a week gathering firewood,” she noted.

The minister announced plans to roll out clean energy technologies nationwide, including solar home systems, improved cooking stoves, solar-powered water pumps, e-mobility tools, and other productive-use appliances tailored to the needs of women in underserved communities.

Mr. Abba Abubakar-Aliyu, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), shared progress made under the Nigerian Electrification Project, a $550 million initiative that has already benefited eight million Nigerians and 35,000 businesses, including 12,000 women-led enterprises.

He also revealed that President Bola Tinubu had approved a $750 million off-grid energy project, with $410 million allocated for mini-grid development and $240 million for solar home systems.

Abubakar-Aliyu described this as a major opportunity to expand energy access across the country and reinforce efforts to empower women economically.

“So, there is a huge opportunity for us to replicate and to make sure that we scale this intervention across the country,” he stated.

Also addressing the gathering, Mr. Khalil Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), underscored the severity of energy poverty as a barrier to women’s progress, particularly in rural areas.

His remarks, delivered by Dr. Olayode Olasupo, Director of Manufacturing Services at NASENI, stressed that energy poverty affects every aspect of life, from clean cooking and lighting to accessing healthcare and educational services.

“This thereby limits access to critical services, restricts economic opportunities, and compromises health and safety,” he said.

By Abdullahi Jimoh, News Central

Flying Malaria Vaccines Arrive in Nigeria

Over 20,000 children across the Federal Republic of Nigeria's Bayelsa state recently gained access to malaria vaccines, bypassing traditional distribution routes.

According to an article published by GAVI on April 22, 2025, approved malaria vaccines arrived by Zipline drone, an unmanned mini-plane carrying parachute-equipped cargo in its belly. This innovative technology can drop packages precisely over targeted facilities.

"So far, this initiative has helped to reach 20,000 people with the first dose of the malaria vaccine in the state," said Chinedu Amah, the Sales and Partnership Director for Zipline in Bayelsa state, in GAVI's article.

"Our drones can make the journey in as little as 45 minutes. So it's been a game-changer for the state in its health system, and we've shown a lot of value creation within the state using our drones," Amah added.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), despite an annual expenditure of $4 billion, malaria deaths and cases have not shown substantial change over the last decade. According to WHO's latest malaria report, there were an estimated 263 million malaria cases and 597,000 related fatalities worldwide in 2023.

This data represents about 11 million more cases than in 2022.

The WHO African Region shoulders the heaviest burden of malaria outbreaks.

Dr Williams of the Bayelsa State Primary Health Care Board told VaccinesWork, "Our (Nigeria) distribution centre, serving hundreds of health facilities and community sites across a 38,000 square-kilometre radius, has drastically reduced stock-outs to below 1%. Deliveries now arrive within 15–45 minutes, regardless of weather or terrain, significantly improving coverage and timeliness."

As of April 23, 2025, the WHO recommends Mosquirix™ and R21 / Matrix-M™ vaccines to prevent this mosquito-transmitted disease for travelers visiting malaria-endemic countries. These malaria vaccines were added to the WHO's list of prequalified vaccines in 2024.

Currently, 17 African countries have introduced malaria vaccines through routine immunization targeting children.

Vax Before Travel

Nigeria’s blasphemy laws must be repealed, orders court

In Kano State, a Muslim-majority state in northern Nigeria, strict blasphemy laws carry punishments as severe as the death penalty for insulting Prophet Muhammad. The ECOWAS court has now called for the laws to be repealed, and declared them to be in violation of international human rights obligations.

ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) has 12 member nations, including Nigeria, and the justices unanimously ordered Nigeria to repeal, or amend, blasphemy laws across the nation. Blasphemy laws in the state ‘had led to serious violations including arbitrary arrests, prolonged detention, and in some cases, death sentences’, said Expression Now Human Rights Initiative, as reported by Nigeria’s Punch newspaper.

As well as infringing on freedom of expression, these laws often lead to extrajudicial mob violence. Even when someone is never officially found guilty of blasphemy, an accusation can make them very vulnerable to vigilante attacks, and even murder.

Kano State is ruled by sharia (Islamic law), and Section 210 of the Kano State Penal Code was singled out. The court said: “It fails to clearly define what constitutes an insult to religion’, falling short of the legal clarity required under human rights law.” The judges also focused on Section 382(b), which imposes the death penalty for insulting Prophet Muhammad. The Justice said it was ‘excessive and disproportionate in a democratic society’.

Kano State officials have signalled unhappiness at the ruling. “We will not be deterred by external pressures,” Kano State Commissioner Ibrahim Waiya said. “Our responsibility is to uphold the values of our society, which are grounded in religious and moral beliefs… While we respect international opinions, our laws are a reflection of our people’s will.”

Meanwhile, campaigners for religious freedom are celebrating the result. “Religious laws must not become instruments for fear and mob justice,” said rights group, Rivers in the Desert Nigeria, describing it as ‘a matter of life, dignity and Nigeria’s soul’. The Christian Association of Nigeria warmly supported the court and urged Kano State to adhere to the ruling of ECOWAS.

A good result for every Nigerian citizen

John Samuel*, Open Doors’ legal expert for sub-Saharan Africa, noted that every single Nigerian citizen – regardless of background or religion – would enjoy protection as a result of the ruling.

“People of all faiths and none have had their right to religious freedom and free expression upheld,” he said. “The decision is highly welcomed. The Nigerian government should take the necessary steps to repeal or amend the blasphemy laws, in accordance with this ruling.”


Arise Africa

While southern Nigeria has a majority-Christian population, most of the northern states are mostly Muslim. States have individual federal laws, alongside nationwide laws, which is why Kano has been singled out in this case.

In the north of the country, Christians are also particularly vulnerable to jihadist attacks – though this Islamist militant violence is also spreading further south in the country. According to Open Doors research, more Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than in the rest of the world combined – and millions of believers in sub-Saharan Africa are being displaced by violence and conflict, including persecution.

In response, the African church is asking people to stand with them – through prayer, through support, and through signing the Arise Africa petition. This ruling by ECOWAS shows that amplifying the voices of the persecuted can lead to change – and that is the hope for the Arise Africa petition, which calls for protection, justice and restoration for religious minorities in sub-Saharan Africa. It is intended to be presented to the Africa Union, UN, EU, and local governments including the UK government in 2026. If you haven’t done so yet, do add your voice to the petition – and encourage others to sign too. Stories like this one show why calling for justice is crucial – and can lead to big results.

*Names changed for security reasons

By Simon, Open Doors

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IMF Urges Nigeria to be Prudent in Spending

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Nigeria to be prudent in spending following the implementation of hard economic reform that has made it save more revenue.

The Director, Fiscal Affairs Department IMF, Vitor Gaspar, said this at a Fiscal Monitor news conference at the ongoing 2025 IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.

He said that there was an urgent need for fiscal authorities and governments to build buffers. According to him, governments need to act urgently and decisively as they face harsh trade offs and painful choices.

He said it was important for policy makers to invest their political capital in building confidence and trust that starts with keeping their own houses in order.

” This is especially important in a situation that tests the resilience of individual economies, not to mention the entire system.

“Putting house in order involves three policy priorities. first, fiscal policy should be part of an overall policies.

“Secondly, fiscal policy should in most countries, aim atreducing public debt and rebuilding buffers to create space to respond to spending pressures and other economic shocks through a credible medium term framework.

“Thirdly, fiscal policy should together with other structural policies, aim at improving potential growth, thereby easing policy trade offs in these times of high uncertainty.

“Fiscal policy must be an anchor for confidence and stability that contributes to a competitive economy, delivering growth and prosperity for all ministers of finance must build trust, tax fairly, spend wisely and take the long team,” the director said.

The Nigerian Division Chief in the Fiscal Affairs Department of the IMF, Davide Furceri, said that Nigeria had been able to make some of those painful choices to have space for fiscal savings but it needs to spend wisely.

“Nigeira managed to do a very difficult reform that was important in delivering fiscal savings.”

Furceri said that the country need to focus on boosting revenue through improved mobilisation efforts, and secondly, scaling up spending in key areas like social protection and investment.

“That said, we understand that many countries, including Nigeria, face pressing spending needs. But spending must be done wisely, this means stronger prioritisation and greater efficiency in how resources are allocated.

“One key message not just for Nigeria, but for many countries, is the importance of strong fiscal institutions. Medium-term fiscal frameworks and solid public financial management systems.are essential.

“They provide a fiscal anchor to guide necessary adjustments and help reduce uncertainty. We want fiscal policy to be a source of stability, not a source of volatility,” he said. #IMF Urges Nigeria to be Prudent in Spending Pension Fund Assets Grows to N23.366 Trillion.

By Olu Anisere, Market Forces Africa