Creative Industry
‘Avante’ Premieres in Abuja as Okafor Calls It “Hypothetical Presumption of Reality”
Nollywood producer and actor Kingsley Okafor says his new film Avante is meant as a moral compass “a hypothetical presumption of reality” for anyone struggling with life’s hardest decisions. The thriller, directed by Toka McBaror, opened Sunday night at Silverbird Galleria in Abuja.
Okafor, who also stars in the film, framed the story ahead of the premiere: “The movie is a thriller of vengeance, a thriller of love and a thriller of destiny. The movie is all about a son whose father was murdered alongside other people in the community, subscribed to a path with the siblings that they must avenge the death of their parent, and when you are faced with difficulties of choosing to go ahead with this, or destiny or love, it is going to be some decisions to make.” He added that it is “recommended for anyone faced with the cho in life.”
The plot centers on Gaju, driven by vengeance, who disguises himself as Albert, a humble farmhand, to infiltrate the remote estate of his parents’ killer. “But when he falls in love with the killer’s daughter, he must now choose between revenge and the life he never thought he could have,” Okafor explained.
Avante features Chimezie Imo, Patience Ujah, Eddie Walker, Maliya Michael and Ruth Nkweti alongside Okafor. Early trailers presented a second narrative strand: Imo as Kelechi, a Lagos hustler drawn into the orbit of a powerful businesswoman (Ujah) and her lieutenant (Okafor). As Kelechi climbs money, cars, influence he is pulled into blackMAIL, police shakedowns and a love triangle with the boss’s protégée (Michael).
McBaror, whose credits include Karma and The Anomalous, uses the twin arcs to explore ambition and betrayal in glossy nightlife and rural hideaways. The film’s palette shifts from neon-lit clubs to the dust of an isolated farm, underscoring what Okafor calls “a high-stakes, morally gray story.”
Okafor insisted the vengeful premise is universal. “A lot of people can learn from it,” he told reporters on the red carpet, noting that Nigerian audiences rarely see revenge tales grounded in family debate rather than pure action.
With its Easter release, Avante tests whether Nollywood can blend commercial shine with the kind of ethical questioning Okafor believes viewers need. For him, the answer lies off-screen: “It’s about the decisions you make when no one is watching.”
Creative Industry
CAFA Targets $500bn Fashion Economy At Canex Wknd 2026
Joel Ajayi
The Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA) will present its roadmap to grow Africa’s fashion economy from an estimated $30 billion to $500 billion at CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos.
Marking its first anniversary on November 5, CAFA will unveil a joint stand with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly the National Arts Theatre, on November 5, 2026.
CAFA President, Aare (Prof.) Lai Labode, said the institution works with African governments to align sourcing, production, trade and intellectual property policies, ensuring African creativity generates greater value for African businesses and communities.
Nigeria became the first country to sign the African Fashion Industry Growth Charter on November 5, 2025, when the Honourable Minister Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa signed on behalf of the Federal Government.
Speaking ahead of the unveiling, Minister Musawa said: “Afroliganza seeks to build a structured, values-driven fashion economy rooted in African heritage, led by African institutions, and positioned for global impact.”
On employment potential, the minister emphasized that Investment in fashion will create millions of jobs, particularly for women and youth.
Registered in Rwanda, with an office in Kigali and a desk at the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, CAFA is also working with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs towards African Union adoption of the Charter. Rwanda is progressing towards becoming its second participating country and the first in East Africa.
Its first year saw fifty nations gather at the Egbaliganza-Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta and a signed MoU with Türkiye’s ASRIAD.
CAFA’s programmes promote processing African raw materials into finished apparel locally. ‘Own What We Create’ addresses intellectual property protection, while the CAFA Certified Seal and CAFA Heritage Mark support standards and authenticity. African Global Fashion Houses are currently being established across international markets.
The African Global Fashion Games will debut in Nigeria in 2028, bringing designers together under national colours. Held every three years, the Games will alternate between African and international hosts, combining competition with investor meetings, deal signings and policy discussions. Its Instant Craft event gives competing nations identical materials and a fixed clock, placing skill at the centre of the contest.
CAFA is inviting creatives, fashion designers, artisans, diplomats, economists, investors and policymakers to its CANEX stand. Visitors can explore the roadmap, ask questions and identify opportunities to contribute through design, manufacturing, investment, research, trade and international partnerships. The stand will be open daily from November 5 to 8.
CAFA calls on the African Union to adopt the Charter, and governments to sign the Games Register and form national teams.
“Fashion has always told the world who Africa is. Now Africa will decide what fashion pays,” Aare Prof. Lai Labode said.
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