Entertainment
Prolific Nollywood director Afam Okereke returns as “JUST A WISH” premieres April 22
… Prolific Nollywood Director, Afam Okereke is fully back to the hood!
BY: Ikenna Oluka
GRASSROOTS.NG can authoritatively confirm that Afam Okereke is returning to the big screen after a brief political stint with a movie premiere of “JUST A WISH”– a family oriented movie produced and directed by him.
The movie features some of Nollywood’s finest thespians – Ebele Okaro, Tana Adelana, Kenneth Okolie, Bimbo Ademoye, Paul Sambo, phildaniels among others.
Currently, the movie has attracted the attention of Nigeria’s topmost film distributing companies as it has been rated fit for Cinema viewing.
Movie Premier Event
The official screening and presentation of the film to the public in Enugu; the cosmopolitan capital of the South East is holding on 22nd April 2019. The ticket goes for Regular N2,500; VIP N10,000; VIP Couple N15,000; Table for 5 persons goes for N100,000.
Venue: The Base Event Centre Enugu. (See poster for further details)
The Acting Editor of GRASSROOTS.NG, Ikenna Oluka had a brief chat with the legend.
Excerpt:
GR: What informed the scripting of this movie?
Afam: My Quest to bring back our culture. The white men came to our country and took away our culture and left the Bible with us. We still, up to date, have not been able to look proper: the interpretation of the Bible.
There’s an instance in the Bible where Jesus Christ turned water into wine. That incident happened in a “wine carrying” ceremony. At the end of the marriage, we never heard that they went to church for any wedding. Traditionally, every community have a way of doing things. We have our tradition in marriage. We have our traditional way of presenting kola nut, etc. so this script is trying to bring back our culture.
At the same time, we need to look at the current trend in our society where marriage is sort of ‘imposed’ on would be couple by parents. Sometimes, a Young lady wouldn’t know the Young man that wants to marry her which negates our tradition. This act is today one of the major causes of broken marriages and homes, because after the wedding razzmatazz the realities show up. Every young person has ‘a Wish’ when it comes to marriage as was shown in this must watch movie.
GR: What is the theme? And why did you choose South East for the movie premiere?
Afam: Well, I shot the movie here in Enugu State. The theme is centered on decision making and impositions in the life of our children, and it has to do with our culture. It’s also good to project our culture from different background. It will help us interpret what we need to get from there.
Furthermore, Enugu was the center of Nollywood. We started it here. And we from South East also want to give relevance to the city, thereby putting Enugu in a limelight.
GR: How easy was it to assemble actors, being that you are making a come-back?
Afam: These are my colleagues! Even when I left the movie industry and joined Politics I still maintained my contacts with all of them. A lot of them encouraged me to come back because they know my skill here. A lot of them too, became what they are today because of my impact. So, it wasn’t difficult at all.
Political adventure
Nollywood actor, Afam Okereke’s adventure into politics remains, perhaps, less known to many fans who may know him only as an actor or savvy movie producer.
His first acting role was in Nollywood actor, Nkem Owoh’s movie titled ‘Ikuku’.
But Okereke, whose acting vocation began in Enugu in 1995, took his first shot at politics when he accepted his appointment as Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to former governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, in 2011.
While as Governor Chime’s SSA Okereke facilitated a revival of the dilapidated Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) to what is known today as the state’s flagship of broadcasting. He rallied the Committee set up by then State Government to ensure that all facilities purchased are installed and functioning to full capacity.
Owing to Okereke’s stupendous achievement as the SSA Media and Publicity to the Governor, the movie star-cum-politician took his first shot at an elective seat in 2013.
He vied for the position of chairman of Nkanu West LGA of Enugu State under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and unsurprisingly won.
Afam Okereke is notable for high-flying movies:
He is a director and writer, known for My Sister My Love (2006), Back Drop (2005), Fine Things (2007), Billionaires Club, The General, Girls Cot and host of others blockbuster movies were to his credit.
The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christian faith. In commemoration of this, the Love of God in Christ (LOGIC) Church is hosting the first edition of the Jesus + Nothing Worship, an uplifting evening dedicated to expressing the message of the death, burial and resurrection in music.
This event will be held on, Friday, April 18, 2025, by 4PM, at The LOGIC Church headquarters in Lekki, Lagos.
The event offers worshippers an opportunity to connect with the essence of the Gospel in worship.
The Lead Pastor and Apostolic Head of the LOGIC Church, Apostle Flourish Peters, asserts that worship is a significant part of the New Testament believers’ experience in Christ.
“As a Christocentric faith community, this event is a great way to celebrate the gift of Christ, who laid down his life for our redemption. Good Friday is a great time to have a worship celebration like this,” notes Peters.
On the context for the event, he notes, “Nothing speaks to the culture of a people like the music they listen to.
Jesus + Nothing Worship will contribute to shaping and mainstreaming a culture of christocentric worship, where the Gospel of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection is platformed through worship.
With Nigeria’s young demography heavily influenced by the music and the arts, Christocentric music is a powerful tool in pointing this generation to Christ,”
Guest ministers expected include; Ministers Neon Adejo, Greatman Takit, Victor Thompson, Timi Dakolo, Samuel Giveson (SMJ), Noble G, Steve Hills, and Lily Perez. Others include Ministers Joxie, Anderson Qozan, Pastor Victor Paul, EmekaSongz, Flo, Dorcas Moore, Magpsalms, Mera Owili, Gerald Bishung, Phebe Lion, and the vibrant Evolution Children’s Choir.
The Jesus + Nothing Worship is a free event and attendees are guaranteed an unforgettable experience.
For more information, visit the official website: https://thelogicchurch.org/en/ and follow on YouTube at @TheLOGICChurch and on Instagram at @thelogicchurch.
Spotify today announced the launch of its ‘Detty December’ hub with playlists for December, a celebration of the vibrant festive season in West Africa and South Africa. The hub is a one-stop shop for all things Detty December, with curated playlists featuring the biggest hits and emerging sounds of the season. Users can find everything from Afrobeats and Amapiano anthems to chilled-out vibes for those much-needed recovery days.
“Detty December is a special time for our users in West Africa and ke Dezemba symbolises South Africa’s spirit of celebration,” said Phiona Okumu, Head of Music at Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa. “We’re excited to be part of their celebrations with this dedicated hub and playlists, bringing them the best music to soundtrack their festive moments.”
This unapologetic season of street jams, back-to-back concerts, and endless summer fun has developed its own culture that draws diaspora and local fans alike. The curated sounds of Spotify’s Detty December hub will pay homage to the Lagos rooftop lounges, Accra’s beachside festivals, and South Africa’s township tunes that keep people grooving.
In addition to the hub, Spotify has also launched a new playlist called ‘Songs of Detty December’. This playlist is a curated list from Spotify Africa’s editors on the songs predicted to dominate this year’s Detty December. From DJ Skelm’s Afro Tech sounds to Flytime Fest’s tour of songs that tell Africa’s aspirational stories, the hub will be the home of takeover playlists that display Africa’s diverse talent. Barrier-breaking Amapiano talent Kamo_ww has taken over a South African Summer playlist too.
Spotify is also supporting Jerk x Jollof, a popular event making its way to Africa for the first time, through its Frequency program. Held at The Ostrich event space, the Jerk x Jollof Cape Town takeover will feature DJs and artists such as TxC, DBN Gogo, Spinall, Sarz and Odeal, merging the spirit of Detty December and ke Dezemba experiences and bringing South and West African cultures and artists together.
“We’re committed to supporting African music and culture,” said Okumu. “We believe that music is a powerful way to bring people together, and we’re excited to be part of the Detty December celebrations.”
You can keep the good vibes going as you make your way to the hotel, beach or next Detty December party with Spotify’s curated and immersive sound selection. Discover something new or run the year’s best party anthems back on your app today.
The ‘Detty December’ hub is available now on Spotify.
Forty years after the release of the original JESUS film, Jesus Film Project is releasing an updated edition of founder Paul Eshleman’s book, I Just Saw Jesus.
The new edition features a heartfelt foreword written by Eshleman’s daughter, Jenn Huff, as well as refreshed cover art. The book was officially released in October 2024.
Originally published in 1985, I Just Saw Jesus chronicles Eshleman’s journey to create the JESUS film, the most translated and viewed film in history. Translated into more than 2,100 languages and counting, the film has been a significant resource in spreading the gospel to millions across the globe.
The release of this updated edition comes at a critical juncture as Jesus Film Project reimagines the 1979 film for today’s generation.
In her foreword to the new edition of I Just Saw Jesus, Huff reflects on her father’s vision and passion for the project. She writes, ”The JESUS film, meticulously crafted to depict the life of Jesus with unprecedented accuracy, stood as a beacon of attention to detail. Behind the scenes, my father’s equally meticulous storytelling mirrored the attention that was paid to every aspect of the film’s creation.” She added, “I Just Saw Jesus is not just a book; it is a testament to the miraculous change Jesus makes in people’s lives.”
Paul Eshleman’s work on the JESUS film was inspired by the mission to share the gospel message in every corner of the world.I Just Saw Jesus tells the stories of the faithful volunteer film teams, missionaries and pastors who ventured into remote tribes to show the JESUS film. They carried generators and projectors across jungles, stood before influential leaders, and overcame threats, curses and deadly diseases – all to share the story of Jesus in the heart language of those who might not otherwise hear the gospel.
This new edition of I Just Saw Jesus is a tribute to Paul Eshleman’s legacy. It marks a new chapter in the ongoing mission to innovate and reach people with today’s tools, ensuring that the gospel remains accessible to new generations.
Purchase I Just Saw Jesus on Amazon or the Cru store, and join the ongoing conversation about how media can inspire the next generation.
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