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Eze Daniel Izu wins 2nd edition of SDGs Short Film Challenge
Eze Izu Daniel, Saturday night, emerged winner of the 2024 SDGs Short Film Challenge and Awards which took place inside one of the glitzy cinema halls of the Silverbird Cinema, in Central Area, Abuja.
The young film maker’s entry, ‘Wasted’, saw off the stiff contest from 2,249 other entries from across 119 countries, cutting across Europe, America and Asia, to take the diadem position.
The film, which has its theme on the effects of drugs on young people, featured a promising young character who, in the quest to find the right antidote for stage fright, went into drugs, grew from the mild indulgence to the complete addiction that left him so completely dependent, that he lost not just his purpose in life but sanity as well. Essentially, it dwelt on goal 3 of the SDGs which focuses attention on health.
“I feel like the hard work is paying off gradually,” Eze told journalists while reacting to his victory.
Other winners include Road Trip by Victor Eyike/Accelerate TV, 1st runner up, and Oke Okuta by Oke Tolulope.
From the international category, British Passport by Mahmood Pouyandah from Iran won the Best International film version, while the Best Documentary went to Imperishable by Akansha Tiwari from India. Carbon Traces by Stafie Gan from USA won the award for the Best animation, while ‘Alone’, by Stephen Shenboyejo took podium position on Viewers’ Choice.
The choice of ‘Wasted’ as the Challenge grand prize winner was well received both by online viewers and the packed audience at the venue of the event, comprising some of the most credible individuals and groups, local and international. They include Elsie Attafuah, UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator a.i, who described the event as a celebration of talents, a celebration of innovation and vision.
Other prominent individuals that graced the eye-catching event are Hon Usman Bashir Zubairu, member, House of Representatives, Gwari Giwa Federal Constituency, who stood in for the Speaker, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas.
Hamza Baba; Imran Garba Duba, (SA to the President on Innovation) and Mrs Winifred Shokpeka, FCT Coordinator, NYSC, stood in for the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu; Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Barr Hannatu Musa Musawa and NYSC Director General, Brig-Gen. Y.D. Ahmed respectively. Shaibu Husseini, Ph.D, Executive Director/CEO, the Nigeria Film and Video Censors Board, was represented by Ms. Deborah Malgwi.
The grand finale is the climax of a year-long effort by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, OSSAP-SDGs, the United Nations Information Centre, UNIC, and FreshNEWS Multimedia to engage creative young filmmakers in a global drive to create awareness for Sustainable Development Goals.
As an innovative platform, the SDGs Short Film Challenge is designed to empower young filmmakers to spotlight developmental issues through the lens of sustainability with emphasis on the important need for participants to focus attention in creating short films of no more than 15 minutes, showcasing the challenges and opportunities related to achieving the SDGs.
The films, themed on such development issues as gender inequality, climate change with the films requested to be more than mere artistic expressions hut calls to action through powerful storytelling ability that invites creative filmmakers to engage audiences, provoke critical conversations and inspire tangible action.
In addition, the event is a deliberate attempt by the organizers to highlight the broader significance of youth-driven initiatives in advancing the SDGs spiced up with keynote speeches and interactive sessions designed to inspire young people to take ownership of sustainable development in their communities.
However, unlike the inaugural challenge which garnered 73 entries from across Nigeria, culminating in a grand showcase on International Youth Day, the 2024 edition attracted 2, 250 entries from 119 countries all over the world.
In her keynote address, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, OSSAP-SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, described the event as a significant one in that it is set to harness the power of the creative industry to, through young minds, evolve a platform for showcasing diverse development issues and provoking action at sorting them out.
“This is why today’s event is so significant. By harnessing the power of film and the creativity of our youth, the SDGs Short Film Challenge has provided a unique platform for amplifying voices, showcasing diverse perspectives, and inspiring action.
Film transcends boundaries, touches hearts, and ignites conversations. Through this medium, we can shine a light on pressing issues, highlight innovative solutions, and catalyse collective action,” she said.
The SSAP-SDGs, who was enthused by the huge number of entries from across the world, expressed with delight that the 2024 edition surpassed all expectations, a factor that indicates how quickly development fire is burning among young people.
The maiden edition of the SDGs Short Film Challenge, launched as a pilot on the International Youth Day in 2023, received an encouraging 73 entries.
This second edition has surpassed all expectations, receiving 2,250 entries from 119 countries—a remarkable testament to the power of this platform to resonate globally.”
Elsie Attafuah, the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator a.i, in her remarks, stated that the SDGs Short Film Challenge is a veritable tool for advocating for the SDGs.
“As much as there are challenges, opportunities also abound in Nigeria. Young people play a central role in using digital technologies and creative industries to address socio-economic challenges.
The fourth chapter of the Pact For The Future adopted by all member states of the UN, of course, including Nigeria, is on ‘Youth and Future Generations’.
“Therefore, this SDGs Short Film Challenge is far more than a film show: It is a vital step towards realizing the full potential of young people in Nigeria, leveraging the veritable platform of the movie and entertainment industry.
“It is an innovative initiative designed to empower young filmmakers to spotlight developmental issues through the lens of sustainability, leverages the story telling power of film to amplify youth voices, foster creativity, and inspire collective action to tackle gender inequality, to address climate change.
These films are more than artistic expressions; they are calls to action toward achieving the global goals.
“This event marks the culmination of a year-long effort by the OSSAP-SDGs, UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Resident Coordinator’s Office and Fresh NEWS to engage young filmmakers as key players in the global drive for sustainable development.” She stated.
By Abubakar Yunusa
Dr Yusuf John Suberu, founder of the Dr Yusuf John Suberu Foundation, has congratulated Nigeria on being honoured with the prestigious Kofi Annan Road Safety Award at a ceremony in Eswatini.
The award recognises the country’s significant progress in reducing road crashes and improving safety..
The accolade, celebrated by stakeholders across the continent, highlights Nigeria’s dedication to improving road safety standards.
Dr. Yusuf John Suberu, founder of the Dr. Yusuf John Suberu Foundation, attended the event and engaged with prominent figures, including the Ministers of Transportation from Cameroon and Eswatini, as well as Mr. John Todd, the United Nations Envoy on Road Safety.
The foundation, which focuses on poverty alleviation, education, and health, praised the Federal Government’s achievement as a milestone in fostering safer communities.
“This award reflects Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to road safety, a cause that resonates deeply with our mission to empower and uplift communities,” Dr. Suberu said in a statement.
“We commend the government and reaffirm our support for initiatives promoting sustainable development and safety.”
The Dr. Yusuf John Suberu Foundation has impacted over 5,000 individuals in the past year through its programmes and aims to train 500 youths in the Federal Capital Territory with skills for financial independence and self-employment.
The organisation views the award as a testament to the power of collective action in driving meaningful change.
The foundation expressed its eagerness to deepen collaboration with government bodies, international organisations, and local stakeholders to advance road safety and community development across Nigeria.
The Nigerian Army has appointed Lieutenant Colonel Anele Onyinyechi Appolonia as the Acting Director, Army Public Relations — the first woman to hold the position.
Anele, a member of Direct Regular Course 15 and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), takes over from Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who has been posted to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre. Her appointment takes effect from April 22, 2025.
Before this elevation, Lt. Col. Anele completed a six-month strategic course at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre and was subsequently posted to the Department of Civil-Military Relations.
She has previously served as Public Relations Officer in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff. Until her new role, she was with the Department of Civil-Military Relations.
Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele
Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, Mr Taiwo Oyedele
The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has said the Tax Reform Bill would curb poverty and empower ordinary Nigerians.
Oyedele made this known at the Spokespersons’ Summit, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Abuja.
He expressed strong optimism about the sweeping changes the bill would bring, especially for the low-income earners and small businesses across the country.
The chairman said that key highlights of the reform included the exemption of low-income earners from paying the Personal Income Tax (PAYE) and the removal of VAT from basic essentials such as food, education, and healthcare.
Oyedele added that it included a zero per cent Corporate Income Tax (CIT) rate for small businesses, adding that the bill had great benefits, especially for the masses, although it was welcomed with misconceptions and attacks.
He said, “This is because the issues of tax and taxation are not the most attractive to the ordinary persons because it is hard to part with your money.
“It is even harder when you part with your money and you cannot tell what exactly government is using it for that benefits you.”
Oyedele said the approach for the reform was to try and understand what the issues were and where the problems were coming from.
He added, “Then we will use data to engage with the people and design a solution for Nigeria that is made by Nigerians for the Nigerian people.
“That is exactly what we have done with the tax reform bill which is now nearing passage for the President to sign.”
According to Oyedele, the government is positive that as soon as implementation begins, Nigerians will see the real positive impact on their day-to-day living including low income earners being exempted from taxes.
“This is because, we want Nigerians to be able to create wealth and become successful, when they make it big time, then they will pay taxes, not the other way round.
“So, we believe that this message is resonating with the Nigerian people, it is still a long way to go but we are happy to continue with the journey,” he said.
Oyedele commended NIPR for putting the summit together and for discussing issues of government policies for the clearer understanding of Nigerians.
The President and Chairman of Council, NIPR, Dr Ike Neliaku, said the communication ecosystem should always be considered when formulating any government policy.
Neliaku said this was because the communicators have the gift of communicating even the most difficult policies to the people.
He added that they would look at such policies and guide strategic communication, adding, “which is the when,what,how where which it answers all those questions.
“So, when you say this is what we want to do,how best should we do it?it is the work of the experts and not quacks, those trained to come up with the strategies to communicate that.
“The tax reform is what this nation needs at this point but it was essentially misunderstood because of the way it was introduced and the mischief makers took advantage of that to do what they want.”
Neliaku said that was why NIPR and its partners in the communication ecosystem had promised to work with the government to develop a tax communication framework.
He said that it was also being done in the areas of climate action, Science communication and across many sectors to communicate reforms so that the child is not killed even before it is birthed.
He encouraged spokespersons to acquire knowledge, understand trends and issues in order to be effective and to speak well and informed.
Dr Nkechi Ali-Balogu, a Fellow of NIPR, said that there was need to view taxation with the gender lens, adding that there was need to make exemptions for women.
Ali-Balogun said that most women were bread winners these days as well as single mothers should enjoy tax exemption to empower them to provide for their families.
She commended NIPR for organising the summit, adding that it had broadened her horizon on national issues.(NAN)