Creative Industry

For the First Time in 78 Years, a Nigerian Movie—‘My Father’s Shadow’—Gets Cannes Nomination

Published

1 month ago

April 10, 2025

..As Minister Celebrates Akinola Davies

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa has congratulated Nigeria’s film director Akinola Davies Jr. for scripting and directing Nigeria’s first movie ever to make it to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in nearly 80years.

‘My Father’s Shadow’, set in Lagos in the aftermath of the 1993 Presidential election was officially announced on Thursday by organizers to compete at the prestigious Cannes Film festival billed for May 13- 24, 2025.

The movie will screen at the ‘Un Certain Regard’ strand, a prominent section within the Cannes Film Festival’s official selection that showcases films by new talents, ascendant producers and international cinema.

Minister Musawa expressed her excitement for the selection, congratulating the cast, crew, and creative team behind ‘My Father’s Shadow’. She stated that the achievement is a landmark moment for Nigerian cinema and storytelling, showcasing the richness of Nigerian stories, the depth of artistic talent, and the beauty of cultural identity.

“This momentous achievement is not only a personal milestone for Akinola Davies and the remarkable team at Fatherland Productions led by the brilliant Funmbi Ogunbanwo and Wale
Davies, but also a landmark moment for Nigerian cinema and storytelling.

“My Father’s Shadow stands as a powerful testament to what is possible when homegrown talent is nurtured, empowered, and given the space to shine. With a predominantly Nigerian cast and crew, the film reflects the richness of our stories, the depth of our artistry, and the beauty of our
cultural identity.

“This Cannes selection is a ringing endorsement of the transformative power of Nigerian creativity. It shows the world that we are not just participants but contenders—ready to shape the global narrative with our unique voice, vision, and excellence”.

The Minister also commended Fatherland Productions for their African storytelling which has earned them a recognition by BAFTA and Sundance Film Festivals.

“You have shown what it means to carry the Nigerian flag with grace and brilliance on the world stage. As we prepare to support My Father’s Shadow and its creators at Cannes through Screen Nigeria-our national platform for promoting Nigeria’s audiovisual industry—we are reminded of the importance of initiatives like Destination 2030: Nigeria Everywhere. This global soft
power strategy is designed to export our creative products and amplify the voices of talents like Akinola, Funmbi, and Wale—who are proving that the world is ready, eager, and inspired by
what Nigeria has to offer.

“Let this achievement ignite the dreams of the next generation of Nigerian storytellers. Let it
reaffirm our commitment to creating an enabling environment for creativity to thrive, and let it remind us all that Nigerian art, culture, and talent know no bounds”, Musawa stared.

The film, ‘My Father’s Shadow’ is among the 2,909 feature films screened to curate its 2025 lineup. The Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy is also expected to launch ‘Screen Nigeria’ as part of Destination 2030: Everywhere campaign at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. This initiative aims to promote Nigeria’s audiovisual industry and showcase the country’s creative talent to a global audience.

NNEKA IKEM ANIBEZE Ph.D.
SA MEDIA & PUBLICITY
FMACCE/PS/ 93
10-04-2025

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Creative Industry

Nigeria, Gambia Pledges Commitment to Improve Tourism Sector

Published

6 days ago

May 6, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering stronger tourism collaboration with the Republic of the Gambia, following a courtesy visit by a four-man delegation from the west African country, led by Hon. Yakuba Darboe, Chairman of the Brikama Area Council, Western Region.

The delegation was received by Mr. Richard Ovie Esewhaye, Director overseeing the Office of the Director General, NTDA, and the Management Staff at the Authority’s headquarters in Abuja.

In his remarks, Hon. Darboe described The Gambia as having a long-standing relationship with Nigeria, often referring to the country as the “37th state of Nigeria” due to the cultural and historical ties between both nations.

He noted that tourism is the backbone of The Gambia’s economy and that the country is in Nigeria to promote its tourism offerings.

He emphasized the importance of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, stating that West African countries have much to learn from one another in terms of culture, investment opportunities, and tourism development.

“Nigeria, with its large population, presents a ready market for Gambian tourism, and we urge NTDA to include The Gambia when recommending travel destinations,” he added.

Mr. Esewhaye, in his response, welcomed the delegation and lauded the existing relationship between the NTDA and the Gambia Tourism Board. He recalled past engagements, including meetings with the Gambia Investment Forum, and highlighted the need to move beyond agreements on paper to tangible outcomes.

“Though small in size, The Gambia has made remarkable progress in tourism. Nigeria can learn from their model—particularly in revenue generation, cultural exchange, and capacity building,” he said. He also advocated for the establishment of a technical committee to identify concrete areas of collaboration.

Speaking at the event, Mr. F.O. Anumba, Director of Special Duties, NTDA, raised concerns about the current lack of direct air connectivity between Nigeria and The Gambia. He stressed that establishing direct flights would greatly enhance tourist traffic and improve bilateral tourism relations.

The visit concluded with the presentation of an Outstanding Leadership and Humanitarian Award to Mr. Esewhaye by Hon. Darboe.

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