Ultimate Fighting Championship, UFC, has announced a new partnership with streaming platform Kick. This partnership also includes opening an official Kick account for global streaming.
According to UFC, its partnership with Kick is a direction for its global marketing partnership. UFC will have its own dedicated channel, which features “compelling original UFC content such as fight watchalongs, press conferences, behind-the-scenes access, athlete interviews, and more.” As a plus for KICK, it will be named an official partner of UFC and “will be integrated within a selection of UFC’s biggest events around the world.”
KICK is an on-demand video live-streaming platform and a large competitor to Amazon’s Twitch. During UFC matches globally, Kick will be offered high-visibility branding. UFC and Kick hopes to receive more visibility across hundreds of millions of households with their partnership.
“KICK will first activate the new partnership around this week’s action-packed UFC 308: TOPURIA vs HOLLOWAY in Abu Dhabi, a milestone that marks the 20th UFC event held in the UAE over the past 15 years,” UFC.
“We’re thrilled to begin our relationship with KICK by becoming a major element of their innovative streaming service, joining some of KICK’s most well-known streamers, including Westcol, and Adin Ross,” said Nicholas Smith, Vice President of Global Partnerships for TKO. “We’re looking forward to our KICK channel becoming a strong, reliable platform to drive awareness for all our live UFC events, while enhancing the UFC live experience with unique, compelling content for UFC fans around the world.”
“We are delighted to partner with UFC to bring amazing content and behind-the-scenes access to our audience on KICK,” said Akhil Sarin, Chief Marketing Officer at KICK. “We look forward to the launch of the UFC channel this week, with our branding set to appear on the canvas at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, our very own Max Holloway competing for the featherweight title, and unmissable UFC content streaming for the first time live on KICK. Make sure you tune in and engage in the chat.”
This year’s theme—Pioneers, Pillars, and Players— pays tribute to the legends who laid the foundation of Nollywood, the off-screen masterminds—directors, producers, and crew members—who keep the industry running, and the vibrant actors who captivate audiences worldwide.
Aimed at spotlighting Nollywood’s finest, celebrating the trailblazers, behind-the-scenes heroes, and the on-screen stars who make the industry shine, the event often has in attendance industry professionals, music artists, and celebrities grace the stage. [Pulse]
The 2024 Lagos Fashion Week 2024 is officially on. The event began on October 23rd and will end on Sunday, October 27th, garnering several fashion enthusiasts, executives, models, and creatives.
The 2024 Lagos Fashion Week theme is COMMUNE, honouring Africa’s fashion ecosystem’s collaborative spirit by honouring designers and behind-the-scenes creative minds.
Imad Eduso, Maliko, Ajabeng, Born Star Nigeria, NYA, Pettre Taylor, Kente Gentlemen, LFJ, Ajabeng, Oshobor, and Ugo Monye blessed the runway on Day 1.
This year’s highlight will include Lagos Fashion Week’s Green Access program by Style House Files, an initiative to boost sustainable emerging designers.
Bornstar Nigeria x Maison Mystic debut their collaboration on the Lagos Fashion Week 24 stage.
The 2024 Lagos Fashion Week 2024 is officially on. The event began on October 23rd and will end on Sunday, October 27th, garnered several fashion enthusiasts, executives, models, and creatives.
The 2024 Lagos Fashion Week theme is COMMUNE, honouring Africa’s fashion ecosystem’s collaborative spirit by honouring designers and behind-the-scenes creative minds.
Imad Eduso, Maliko, Ajabeng, Born Star Nigeria, NYA, Pettre Taylor, Kente Gentlemen, LFJ, Ajabeng, Oshobor and Ugo Monye blessed the Runway on Day 1.
This year’s highlight will include Lagos Fashion Week’s Green Access program, by Style House Files, an initiative to boost sustainable emerging designers.
Cardi B vows to fight the lawsuit against her and her now-divorced husband Offset. In the lawsuit, the property owner of the mansion used in the music video of her hit single “Like What’ claims she and her estranged husband Offset duped them into using their property for the music video “without paying full market value.”
In response, the Grammy winner has vowed to defend herself against the “greedy owners.”“The problem is people wanna find loopholes and get over but IRON YOUR BEST SUIT BITCH, I’ll see you in court!!!” the Grammy-winning rapper wrote on X.
In her statement on X, Cardi B claimed the property owners were paid $10,000 in cash to use the property for 24 hours “We paid those people $10,000 IN CASH to rent the property for a whole 24 hours that same day 6am to 6am the next morning and we went over by ONE hour which we paid overage fees to the realtor for in March.” She also claimed the owners are trying to get more money from there through legal loopholes: “Now they wanna finesse us trying to say we told them it was a TikTok video when that was nowhere in the contract and like they didn’t hear the whole song playing and see how long we was shooting….Why would it take us 24 hours to shoot a TikTok?The problem is people wanna find loopholes and get over…”
To add to her defence Cardi B claims the owners were on set when the shoot was taking place: “There was cameras all over and both the realtors and the owners was there the ENTIRE time… I got pics and videos of them on set!!“
According to the mansion owner’s 11-page complaint, Cardi and Offset had their eyes set on using the property’s highly distinctive design and “devised a plan” to use it “without paying full market value.” The property owner, Bi LLC, alleged the ex-couple reached out through their representatives in late 2023 or early 2024 and booked the house anonymously “under the false pretense” it would be used for a TikTok video. The house was previously home to Justin Bieber.
The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, which included still photographs from the video shoot and noted that the music video produced during the shoot, “Like What,” had garnered more than 26 million views on YouTube since its release six months ago.
Peter Sedufia’s upcoming Pan African comedy thriller, One Night Guest, has officially wrapped up filming and principal photography.
The movie is a collaboration between Ghanaian production studio, OldFilm Production, Sozo Films (Nigeria), and South Africa’s Gravel Road Studios.
The movie which began its production in 2022 will be released on Christmas Day.
It stars a diverse cast including; Yvonne Okoro, Majid Michel, Warri Pikin, Roselyn Ngissah, Ini Edo, Chidi Mokeme, James Gardiner, Lasisi Elenu, and Akah Nani.
The film was written and directed by Peter Sedufia and produced by Chris Odeh.
Silverbird has obtained national theatrical rights and Canal Plus for international rights.
Microsoft recently made an announcement that has affected gamers in a good or bad way (you decide.) Games like Gotham Knights, Valheim, and Paw Patrol: Grand Prix will be leaving Xbox Game Pass.
Starting September 30th, 9 games will be leaving the Game Pass library. On September 15, Microsoft announced it would remove 6 games, bringing the total number of games leaving its Xbox Game Pass library to 15 this September.
All hopes are not lost, as Game Pass subscribers can get these games for a 20% discount before they are gone as part of their membership.
New games are also coming to Game Pass later this month, including Wargroove 2 (September 19), Frostpunk 2 (September 2), and Ara: History Untold (September 24).
Onyeka Onwenu hailed from Arondizuogu, Ideato North in Imo State, Nigeria. She was born on 31 January, 1952 and died on 30 July, 2024 (Aged 72). She was a journalist, singer, song writer, actress, activist and politician. Well known to some as the “Elegant Stallion”
Onyeka Onwenu previously served as the chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and also held the position of Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer at the National Centre for Women Development.
EARLY DAYS
Onyeka Onwenu was raised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
She was the youngest daughter of Late Dickson Kanu Onwenu, an Educationist and Politician who died in an autocrash a week before he was to be appointed Minister for Education and also represented Port Harcourt at the Federal House of Representatives between 1954 to 1956 when he passed on.
As at the time of his demise Onwenu was only four (4) years of age, leaving her and her siblings to be catered for by their widowed mother.
Young Onyeka Onwenu
EDUCATION
Onwenu had a BA in International Relations and Communication from Wellesley College, Massachusetts and an MA in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research, New York.
While away at the State, she served as a tour guide to the Unite Nations before returning home to Nigeria in 1980 and went for her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) where she was posted to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Lagos State, for her service.
CAREER
Journalist
As a an employee in Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Onwenu made her mark as a reporter for the television station. In the year 1984, she wrote and presented an internationally acclaimed BBC/NTA documentary: “A Squandering of Riches” that depicted corruption in Nigeria and the Niger Delta agitation for the resource control and campaign against environmental pollution in the oil rich regions in Nigeria.
She was also a former member of the NTA board and was a also a presenter who hosted multiple shows all on NTA.
Music
Onwenu had a melodious voice and was also a very talented writer whose songs were mostly written by her. She sang on issues in the society and world at large relating to Health, Peace, Human right, etc.
She began her singing career in 1981 while still working at the Television station, releasing an album “For the Love of You” and later went on to release her second studio album “Endless Life” produced by Legendary Sonny Okosun. Both of her releases was done under EMI Label.
Onyeka Onwenu’s debut album with Polygram, “In The Morning Light,” came out in 1984. Her track “You and I,” was re-recorded for the 2001 film “Conspiracy,” starring Nkem Owoh and Onwenu.
For her 1988 album “Dancing In The Sun,” Onwenu embraced a more Afrocentric sound and collaborated with veteran jùjú artist Sunny Ade on the track “Madawolohun (Let Them Say).” This was their first collaboration, followed by “Choices” and “Wait For Me,” which focused on family planning and were endorsed by the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria, with “Choices” being used in their public service announcements.
“Dancing In The Sun,” her last release with Polygram, was dedicated to Winnie Mandela, whom Onwenu honored with a song of the same name, performed live during Nelson Mandela and Winnie’s visit to Nigeria in 1990 after his release from prison.
In 1992, Onwenu switched to Benson and Hedges Music and released her only album with them, “Onyeka!” After this, she transitioned to Christian and gospel music. Her latest collection, “Inspiration for Change,” focuses on promoting attitudinal change in Nigeria.
Onwenu partnered with Paris-based La Cave Musik, led by Nigerian cultural entrepreneur Onyeka Nwelue, and UK-based Jungle Entertainment Ventures, headed by musicologist David Evans-Uhegbu.
La Cave Musik is set to release her collection titled “Rebirth of a Legend.” Recognized for her contributions to music and the arts in Nigeria, she has been celebrated by professionals such as Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Laolu Akins, Charles O’Tudor, and former PMAN president Tony Okoroji.
She was one of the judges on X Factor Nigeria in 2013.
Onyeka Onwenu
Acting
Onwenu’s debut film role was as Joke, a woman unable to have children who decides to adopt an abandoned baby in Zik Zulu Okafor’s Nightmare.
In 2006, she received the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in Widow’s Cot and was also nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Rising Moon.
In 2014, she starred in Half of a Yellow Sun alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton, and she was featured in Lionheart in 2018.
Politics
Onwenu was affiliated with the People’s Democratic Party. She ran for the position of Local Council Chairman in Ideato North Local Government Area, Imo State, on two occasions, but was unsuccessful both times. Despite these setbacks, she was later appointed as the Chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture by former governor Ikedi Ohakim.
On September 16, 2013, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan appointed her as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.
DEATH
On July 30, 2024, Onwenu collapsed while performing at a friend’s birthday celebration in Lagos. She was swiftly transported to Reddington Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. She was succeeded by two children.
Nollywood actress Oyindamola Sanni has shared the first look at her upcoming film ‘Tiaraoluwa’ in a photo featuring her and actor Okikiola Bakare on her Instagram.
Nollywood greats like Afeez Oyetoro (Saka) Mide Martins, Jumoke Odetola, Afeez Abiodun, and Kiki Bakare are expected to star in the movie, amongst others.
The movie is directed by Afeez OlayiwolaAbiodun and produced by Oyindamola Sanni with Honeydee Films Production Ltd acting as executive producers.
Taking to her Instagram Oyindamola wrote: “HAPPY SUNDAY FROM THIS CUTE YET CRAZY COUPLE. You need to see the movie “TIARAOLUWA” to understand what I’m talking about. My birthday mate and I made magic in the enthralling movie TIARAOLUWA”
In an exclusive interview with Streamdorm, Oyindamola describes the movie as an “amazing movie; the story is everything and more, very emotional, captivating, dramatic, and very relatable.”
The movie will air on YouTube on August 8th via ApataTV YouTube channel, with the trailer dropping on August 4th.
Oyindamola Sanni is a gorgeous and talented Nollywood Actress and Movie Producer. She is mostly known for her role as Olatorera in “Anikulapo – Rise of the Spectre” but Oyindamola has been in the industry for quite a long time, dating back to 2017.
She has starred in many movies which include but are not limited to Kakanfo (2020), Try Again (2020), A Naija Christmas (2021), Arinfesesi (A Day of Misfortune), Konsho Konsho, Banke, Splinter, Aditu (2023), etc.
Oyindamola Sanni
In an exclusive interview with Streamdorm, Oyindamola had these to say about her personal and career as an Actor and Producer.
How do you feel about your success so far in Nollywood?
I’m super excited to have been a part of Anikulapo and the sweetest part of it is the fact that I played a major role. I feel honored because I have always been a big fan of Mr Kunle Afolayan (The producer and director).
Oyindamola is a naturally talented actress with a whole lot of charisma, energy and professionalism. This has been shown in not one but all of the movies in which she has played a role in and that includes her role in Anikulapo – Rise Of The Spectre by Kunle Afolayan.
Anikulapo series is a continuation of Kunle Afolayan blockbuster movie Anikulapo (Movie) that was released on 30 September, 2022, starring Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, Sola Sobowale and many Nigeria finest actors including his daughter Eyiyemi Afolayan.
“Anikulapo – Rise Of The Spectre” is a six episode epic series, which premiered on Netflix on 1 March, 2024, took on a new dimension after what was believed to be the second death of the main character Saro, after his fall out with his Queen wife Arolake (Bimbo Ademoye).
In the series, he was tasked with the duty of bringing back the lives of the people which he resurrected from death in Anikulapo (Movie) but was later able to possess a human body that enabled him to live life again as a normal person.
His life took a new turn after he was blessed by the spirit of the deceased he was to return to “Orun” with and started selling palm wine where he met Olatorera (Oyindamola Sanni), meanwhile, fate was still going to take its course as he and Arolake were being searched for in the Oyo Empire by the King and Bashorun as a result of their past deeds in Anikulapo (Movie).
Oyindamola Sanni as Olatorera
How do you fell about your success so far in Nollywood?
I’m thankful to God for growth. Although I am not where I wanna be but I am far above where I started from and I’m immensely grateful to God.
Your talent spreads beyond Yoruba movies and English movies, I’m certain if you can speak all languages the outcome will be the same, what can you say is the secret sauce you bring to these movies?
I give it my all. Aside the fact that I am delightful, appealing and enchanting to my viewers, For each role I get, I always develop creative insight into who my character is and how my viewers should perceive them. It’s important to express each character in an original and engaging way.
There’s a lot an actor/actress put before filming, once casted for a role how will you describe your process before and after getting on set.
I read my script about 3 times before going on set so as to have a deep and proper understanding of the story and most importantly my character. I also look for the intention behind why a character thinks, speaks, and acts the ways they do. It allows me to flesh out my character and create consistent narrative logic.
Oyindamola Sanni
A lot of people know you from Anikulapo, but before that, you had many prominent and impactful roles in Nollywood movies like A Naija Christmas, Arinfesesi, and The Predos. Do you feel offended when people recognize you only for your characters, and how do you go about setting the record straight?
Honestly I don’t feel offended. Instead I’m always grateful to God for making it possible for me to have been a part of Anikulapo series. In all, the most important and sweetest feeling is being recognized for what you enjoy doing regardless of the movie title.
In the series Anikulapo – Rise Of The Spectre, Oyindamola played the role of Olatorera, the daughter of the village palmwine seller Karowi. Saro (Kunle Afolayan) arrived at her village as a nobody who did menial jobs to survive but one day mysteriously started selling palmwine due to the help of the deceased spirits he was tasked to take to the afterlife.
Olatorera fell deeply in love with Saro even though he was an enemy to her father because the villagers stopped buying palmwine from him and started buying from Saro because they believed his palmwine tasted better, Olatorera later left her father to be with Saro and later became pregnant for him.
Oyindamola played the character Olatorera so well that she gained more prominence and recognition on the media and movie lovers worldwide.
What controversial take relating to the film making industry would you stand on?
Who puts in more work between the Cast and the Crew of a movie to make it what it is.
At what point did you decide acting was the future?
The acceptance I got from the public when I started with short films and comedy skits inspired me to pursue a career in acting. I also realized Filmmaking is a huge platform to impact peoples lives.
As seen from her bio and other recent interviews she has been on, Oyindamola is a devoted Christian and a person who believes in impacting lives with her craft.
Oyindamola Sanni
Tell us the story of your first audition and describe how you felt being on set.
I was nervous and I was very shy. Infact I wanted to enter the ground lol
It will be most accurate to say that Oyindamola has long moved from the days of her first audition to becoming a professional actor in the Nigeria Movie Industry.
Nollywood is a dark place according to many… Have you encountered that darkness and what advice will you give to other upcoming actresses on navigating the darkness.
Well in my own case, It wasn’t like that. I just put in the work as I also was determined. My advice to upcoming actresses is to be humble, consistent, pray always for God’s direction, never give up and most importantly Never be desperate.
What plays a major role in a movie success, the budget or the market?
It actually depends. Sometimes it’s the budget, other times it’s the market.
If you’re giving the offer to return to any role for a movie you’ve played before, what movie do you hope that is and why?
Of course Olatorera in Anikulapo
A lot of people wonder why Nollywood actors and actresses suddenly and unexplainably become rich, using your experience in the industry can you let people on what they do.
Aside getting paid to feature in a movie, the fame introduces us to endorsements from inside and outside the industry which automatically comes with money and other goodies.
What’s Next?
My movie titled “TIARAOLUWA” is coming out in August. It features amazing actors like Afeez Oyetoro (Saka) Mide Martins, Jumoke Odetola, Afeez Abiodun, Kiki Bakare, among others. I also produced my cinema debut and it will be out end of this year by God’s Grace. It’s an amazing movie; the story is everything and more, very emotional, captivating, dramatic, and very relatable.
You’ve seen it here. Watch out for her movie “Tiaraoluwa” coming out in August. It promises to be an amazing watch and I am sure will be a thrilling movie to add to your watch list coming August.
