Fire Guts Seven-Storey Building In Lagos

A fire broke out early Friday morning at a seven-storey building on Sanni Adewale Street in the Lagos Island Local Government Area, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed. The incident occurred around 5:17 am, prompting an immediate response from firefighters. According to a statement by the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, the agency received a distress call shortly after the fire began and swiftly deployed firefighters from the Ebute Elefun, Sari, and Lekki 1 stations to the scene. The statement said, “On August 16th, 2024, at 05:17 hours, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service received a distress call regarding a fire outbreak at Sanni Adewale Street, located in the Lagos Island Local Government Area. The fire affected several shops within a 7-storey building. “Firefighters from the Ebute Elefun, Sari, and Lekki 1 stations promptly responded, arriving at the scene by 05:33 hours. “Thanks to the swift actions of the Lagos State Firefighters, the situation is now under control. Ventilation efforts are currently ongoing in ensuring the safety of all in the area. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was triggered by an electrical surge. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported.”

‘Ifediche’ Garners 5 AFFRICUFF Nominations

The Igbo Language movie, “Ifediche”, has received five nominations from the African Cultural Film Festival, popularly called AFFRICUFF, scheduled to hold between October 26 and 29. The movie producer, Brown Ene, disclosed this at the weekend, saying that the movie was also set to premier November 12, as well as its official release in cinemas on November 17. Ene, who is the Chairman, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Enugu State Chapter, made the disclosure during a Premier Press Conference in Enugu. He further disclosed that Ifediche had in September won ‘The Best Film Foreign Language’ at the Toronto Nollywood International Film Festival, Canada. According to him, before that, the film received an honourable mention as ‘Best Feature Film’ at the Eastern Europe Film Festival. “It was also nominated as ‘BestIndigenous Language Movie’ at the 2023 African Magic Viewers Choice Awards and as ‘Best NarrativeFeature Film’ by Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival. “Few days ago, it was nominated by Abuja International Film Festival and received five nominations from AFRICUFF, USA. “As Ifediche continues to makeits path round the world and earn recognitions, its production team has scheduled its official premiere on November 12, and secured its official release with Blue Pictures Distribution Company in cinemas on November 17,” Ene said. Speaking on how the film came about, Ene recalled that in 2021, during an interaction with former Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, he announced that he would support the state AGN in a talent hunt and film production. He said that Ugwuanyi’s support, alongside others, gave birth to “Ifediche” and “We are happy and excited that this little project has got us international recognition”. He further said that the movie was shot in Enugu to project beautiful aspects of the state and centred on a university-trained village girl who decided to embrace her root in the quest to achieve her lofty dreams, which the big city failed to give her. “She has to surmount unforeseen obstacles emanating from her root and the dreams she harbours. “Ifediche is unique because it is a movie that tells about heritage, culture, family and love,” he said. He further said that the movie was acted by budding and notable actors and actresses, including Pete Edochie, Chinwetalu Agu, Ebere Okaro, Chinaza Onyia, Chinelo Enemchukwu, Jide Kenenna, Chika Okpala, alias Zebruddaya, Offiafuluagu Mbah and many others. While appreciating all the support they received so far for the production and post production of the movie, the producer urged Nigerians to look out for Ifediche in cinemas from November 17. “It is not just about Enugu as Ifediche has brought honour to Nigeria,” he added. AFFRICUFF is a vibrant showcase of African cinema presented annually to feature diverse perspectives and stories from across the continent.