Entertainment

By Muhammad Suleiman Yobe 

The Chairman of the technical committee on the mini sports festival, Alhaji Musa Muhammad Yaalleman, also the chairman of the Jigawa State Badminton Association, went around to supervise the preparations to kick off the Jigawa State Mini Sports Festival 2024 across the five selected participating associations.

During the supervision, the chairman was accompanied by the senior special assistant on sports and other members of the technical committee. He commended the executive governor of the state, Mallam Umar Namadi, for approving the conduct of the festival for the teeming youths in the state.

He said the state has many potential and talented youths, which, if properly utilised, will make the state more productive in all sporting activities.

He equally appreciates the efforts of the state commissioner of sports, Hon. Sagir Ahmad, for giving all associations the necessary support directly to organise their program and selecting the experienced team to handle the successful conduct of the program.

He said that these initiatives have immensely benefited the association in terms of court repair, sporting equipment purchases, and the rest.

He thanked the governor and Commissioner for sports for fulfilling their promise about the conduct of this festival.

He also appealed to the Commissioner to make this program quarterly, as this would help reduce tension and crime and increase revenue and employment for the state.

By Muhammad Sodangi

As a prominent professional football club, Kano Pillars rose through the landscape of Nigerian football, showcasing and elegantly displaying a blend of talent, resilience, and passion for the game.

The club’s commitment to excellence and community support have been instrumental in its success. It is also well known for its passionate fan base, iconic blue and white colours, and stylistically competitive performance on the field.

Kano Pillars have won many domestic trophies, multiple NPF titles, and Federal Cup victories. Amazingly, they have represented Nigeria in several continental competitions, such as the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.

With a solid foundation, Kano Pillars Football Club is a shining example of determination, talent, and community spirit in Nigerian football.

Through their remarkable journey, the Kano pillars have solidified their place as a highly revered and respected institution in Nigerian football, leaving behind a lasting imprint on the hearts of fans and the history books of the sport.

However, the recent clash between Enyimba and Kano pillars shook the Nigerian football scene as the former claimed a commanding 5-0 victory over the latter.

The game was a top-notch encounter that magnetised and captivated fans and pundits from all angles. Enyimba, known for their attacking prowess and tactical acumen, played a master class against Pillars, securing an impressive 5-0 victory.

Conversely, Kano pillars faced enormous challenges throughout the match, struggling to contain Enyimba’s attacking onslaught and assert their presence on the field. In fact, the decline of Kano pillars in recent seasons could be attributed to various factors, including the lack of motivation among players, coaching staff, and management, as well as poor government funding.

These bedevilling obstacles created a nasty environment that hindered the players’ ability to perform at their best.

These international challenges could be addressed by prioritising motivation, empowerment, and support for players and staff. Thus, these could pave the way for success, glory and growth within the prestigious Kano pillars.

Sodangi writes from Salaha Africa, a media company based in Kano, Nigeria.

By Haruna Chiroma

Before the advent of the internal combustion engine, imaging two horses engaging in a conversation about the era of internal combustion engines. One of the horses envisions a transformative job landscape with new opportunities, while the other horse opposes the idea, seeing it as a potential threat to their relevance in transportation and a possible complete displacement from the realm of transportation. Horses have no position in the post internal combustion engine era. That is my prediction for the future of the movie and music industries in Nigeria.

The Nigerian movie industry is notably divided into two main sectors: Nollywood, primarily representing movies from the southern region and Kannywood, which focuses on movies from the northern region.

In the music industry, songs are typically sung in English, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba. Both the movie and music industries are currently confronting the looming threat of collapse due to the disruptive impact of AI innovations, inventions, and discoveries.

The process of writing movie scripts by scriptwriters is time-consuming and varies in duration depending on the complexity and proposed length of the film. It can take anywhere from two weeks to three months to complete the initial draft before further refinement. However, with the advent of AI tools like ChatGPT, scriptwriters can significantly enhance their productivity. By utilizing ChatGPT, writers can expedite the scriptwriting process, potentially reducing the time required from months to just one or two days for complex movie scripts.

The movie industry is on the verge of collapse in the near future with the emergence of generative AI tools capable of generating video from written text. In the near future, traditional methods of movie production may become obsolete. Instead of the laborious process of location shooting, hiring actors, coordinating camera movements, applying makeup, arranging logistics, etc. a movie script written by scriptwriter can simply be fed into a text-to-video tool converter. This innovative technology will then generate a movie video representation of the script, revolutionizing the way movies are created. The tool comes equipped with video editing features, enabling users to fine-tune the video to match their requirements. The process that involves many people with different expertise working from different perspective may likely require between 2 – 3 people instead of the large number of people required in the traditional process of movie production.

Recently, OpenAI unveiled Sora, a text-to-video conversion tool, garnering widespread attention from mainstream media. This development prompted a filmmaker in Hollywood, Tyler Perry to suspend his 4 years $800 million planned movie production studio expansion arguing that Sora will eventually impact every aspect of the movie industry and jobs in the entertainment industry.

In an intriguing development, yet another valuable AI tool for video translation has emerged. This tool enables users to translate their videos into different languages such as Dutch, French, Arabic, Swahili, Chinese, Malay, and more. By doing so, the movie video creators can extend their reach beyond Nigeria and cater to audiences across Africa, Europe, and Asia, thereby expanding their potential viewer base to a larger and more diverse audience.

A deepfake movie can be produced by using the faces of renowned movie stars from both Kannywood and Nollywood, eliminating the need for these actors to physically appear in any physical location. The movie developer only requires the consent of the actors to use their faces in the deepfake video, adhering strictly to ethical guidelines in the creation of deepfake content. With these permissions in place, a movie can be crafted featuring the prominent actor(s) as the central characters, offering new possibilities in cinematic storytelling.

These emerging concepts pose a significant challenge to the movie industry, making it increasingly difficult for the traditional model to sustain itself. This trend mirrors the significant decline or almost collapse witnessed in industries such as landline telephones, photo shops, and magnetic tape, suggesting that the movie industry may face a similar fate of eventual collapse to the changing landscape.

Already the adult content industry is facing tough competition from deepfake adult videos generated by AI tools. Recently, several dedicated platforms have emerged, exacerbating challenges for the traditional adult movie sector. These platforms are attracting millions of visitors, with one particularly renowned platform drawing over 17 million viewers monthly. Typically, the platform features short deepfake adult content videos as teasers, enticing viewers to access the full content elsewhere.

While the short videos span various platforms, the primary one serves primarily for advertising and provides links to other platforms where complete videos are available for purchase.

The proliferation of deepfake adult videos has led to a surprising revelation: these videos are not freely accessible but are instead sold in dollars, accepting payments via credit cards, debit cards, or cryptocurrency. This burgeoning industry has now become a multimillion-dollar enterprise. For anonymity and ethical reasons, I intentionally omitted specific platform names to prevent further traffic influx.

This discourse underscores a poignant observation: the inevitability of the movie industry’s potential decline due to the transformative impacts of AI research. In January of this year, a deepfake pornographic image featuring a celebrity, Taylor Swift surfaced on various social media platforms. The video quickly gained traction on X (formerly Twitter), spreading rapidly like wildfire and amassing over 47 million views in less than 24 hours. Despite ethical considerations, many X users shared the video extensively before it was eventually removed and searching for the image was blocked by X. I foresee the collapse of the adult content industry in the next 3 years with the deepfake videos taking over.

In the music industry, numerous AI tools for music generation are currently in various stages of development, testing, or initial release. For example, MusicLM, an AI tool developed by Google, is designed for composing music and has shown promising capabilities in generating music.

Currently, an advanced version called MusicFx is undergoing testing in Google’s test kitchen before its public release. Users can simply prompt ideas into the music tool, and it will automatically compose the music. This advancement suggests that the future of music composition may require fewer people, as one individual can prompt the tool with ideas to generate music without the need for multiple collaborators.

Another tool is Suno V3, it generates music from text easily. Therefore, the music industry is at the verge of facing stiff competition and eventual collapse of the industry from these revolutions from AI.

Haruna Chiroma, Ph.D. Artificial Intelligence University of Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia, freedonchi@yahoo.com.

By Abdurrahman Muhammad

Nollywood actor, Mr. Ibu, has passed away at the age of 62. Mr. Ibu, whose real name is John Okafor, was a well-known and respected figure in the Nigerian film industry.

According to multiple reports from sources close to him, the veteran comedian passed away at Evercare Hospital. Many fans have shared condolences on X (formerly Twitter), reminiscing about movies the late actor has featured in.

Confirming his death, the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, posted a message on his Facebook page.

According to Rollas, “Sad day for Actors Guild of Nigeria.

“Kate Henshaw lost her mother earlier today and Mr Ibu suffered cardiac arrest according to his manager for 24 years, Mr Don Single Nwuzor.

“I announce with (a) deep sense of grief that Mr Ibu didn’t make it.”

Details surrounding his death are still forthcoming. Also, Mr. Ibu’s family and representatives have yet to comment publicly.

The actor had been facing health challenges since October 2022 and had undergone several medical procedures, including the amputation of his leg.

By Sani Bello Hamza

When Ola Aina, the Super Eagles fullback, missed the penalty during the semi-final of AFCON 2023 against South Africa, someone close to me uttered an abusive word in the Hausa language. He said, “shege Bayarabe.” From the way he voiced it, you could tell it was not intentional. He was unconscious, as we all were, and it came out of his subconscious mind. That is a typical example of what Nigerians are and how we hate one another.

A South-easterner feels isolated and does not want to be associated with the North. A Northerner also feels the South-easterners are “arna” and sees no need to relate or intermingle with them. I once came across someone who is happy and thanking God for the blessing of not visiting a particular region. You will sometimes think hatred is naturally instilled in us.

Malam Nasir El-Rufai was once seen on air lamenting how Nigerians from various parts of the country react to his social media posts. Whenever he posts an update, no matter how small, the Northerners would be there to hail and applaud him. While his counterparts from the South would abuse and curse the former governor. Why is this the case? Is it because he is from the North?

Anyway, what made me happier after the penalty shootout was not only the fact that Nigeria advanced and made it to the final, but how I saw my fellow students, regardless of their gender, age, religion, social class, and political affiliation, celebrate the significant win for our dear country. It was one of the joyous moments of my life.

Not only at ABU, I came across videos of students from other universities and communities celebrating the great win. Others went ahead to celebrate with the family of our unbeatable keeper, Nwabali. They refused to let anyone stop them.

The same thing happened during the final when we all turned up at various locations to support and cheer the Super Eagles. Even though we did not clinch the title, the outcome of the final will be a topic for another day.

Okay, back to the subject matter.

After the jubilations were over, a question popped into my mind. I said to myself, “Who is dividing Nigeria and Nigerians? Who is spreading hatred among Nigerians? Who is fueling and igniting the fire of hatred among us?”

An Igbo man is always looking for an opportunity to curse a Hausa man, and a Hausa man is always scouting for an opportunity to unleash his abusive prowess on Igbos or Yorubas for the slightest reason.

How come do we sit under the same umbrella, supporting and praying for the Super Eagles to win? Who then is creating these divisions in our country?

To answer the question above, I believe that the root of our division in Nigeria lies in rumors and mere speculations. Most of the people fueling the fire of hatred are those who have either not traveled outside their jurisdiction or refuse to open their minds to accommodate people from other regions. They limit their thinking to their regions and consume whatever they find in the media.

The above answer may not be sufficient, but as people living in the same region, if we do not speak the same language or wear the same attire, we share the same history and are meant to be together—this is undeniable. The richness and strength in our diversity are stronger than the weaknesses. So why should we opt for the weaknesses? Come on, fellow compatriots, think!

We must learn from the lessons of the 2023 AFCON: to shun our peculiarities and differences if we must progress as a nation. Our diversity should be a source of pride, not the opposite.

Sani Bello Hamza is a Law student at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. He writes from Zaria and can be reached via sanibellohamza@gmail.com.

By Aisha Musa Auyo 

Sequel to the recent loss of lives during the heated match between Nigeria and South Africa in the recently concluded 2023 AFCON, it is pertinent to begin sensitizing the public on the effects of anxiety, cardiac, and related attacks.

To avoid anxiety or a heart attack during sports or anything that excites you, try this visualization a few hours before the game or event.

…Expect the worst in this case, even if you don’t want to. Imagine the worst-case scenario a few times in your mind, and no matter how anxious your body becomes, let it be. Don’t resist it, and it will go away…

Anxiety is nothing but the manifestation of your deepest fears, and since you keep avoiding the worst-case scenarios, anxiety keeps building up. But if you have imagined and experienced it, the reality will not come as a shock. It will be something you have already envisioned. Whether the game ends in your favor or not, you will have control over how your body reacts to the outcome.

This is the explanation behind the fight-or-flight response, which is an automatic physiological reaction to an event that is perceived as stressful or frightening. The perception of a threat activates the sympathetic nervous system and triggers an acute stress response that prepares the body to fight or flee.

Sports-related anxiety and heart attacks can be influenced by various factors, and addressing them requires a multifaceted approach. Since this issue will continue to arise even after the AFCON, it would be beneficial to highlight the long-term approaches.

1. Regular Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity not only improves cardiovascular health but also aids in stress management. Incorporating both aerobic and strength training exercises can contribute to overall well-being.

2. Healthy Lifestyle: Adopting a balanced and nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding excessive alcohol and tobacco use are crucial components of preventing heart-related problems.

3. Stress Management: Practice stress-reduction techniques, such as mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, or meditation. Managing stress levels is vital for overall mental and physical health.

Regular Health Checkups: Periodic health checkups help monitor blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and overall heart health. Early detection of potential issues allows for timely intervention.

5. Know Your Limits: Recognize your personal physical limitations and avoid pushing yourself too hard during sports activities. Gradual progression in intensity is essential to prevent sudden stress on the cardiovascular system.

6. Medical Consultation: If individuals have preexisting health conditions or concerns, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional before engaging in strenuous physical activities, including sports events.

7. Fan Engagement Awareness: For spectators, emotional involvement during sports events can lead to heightened stress levels. Being aware of one’s emotional reactions and finding healthy ways to manage them are essential.

8. Emergency Preparedness: Knowledge of basic first aid and access to medical facilities during sports events are critical in case of emergencies.

9. Community Awareness: Raising awareness within communities about the risks associated with sports-related stress and the importance of preventive measures can contribute to a healthier sports culture.

10. Education: Providing education on the signs of heart attacks and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention can empower individuals to respond effectively in emergencies.

By addressing these aspects, individuals can reduce the risk of sports-related anxiety and heart attacks, thus promoting a safer and more enjoyable sports experience.

To reduce sports-related anxiety and potential health risks, individuals should prioritize regular exercise, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and be aware of their physical limitations. Seeking medical advice and monitoring stress levels can also contribute to overall well-being.

Aisha Musa Auyo is a Doctoral researcher in Educational Psychology, a mother of three, a homemaker, caterer, and parenting/relationship coach. She can be contacted via aishamuauyo@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi  

The Super Eagles of Nigeria soared to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, edging out the resilient Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a tense penalty shootout.

The match, which culminated in a one-all draw through regular play and extra time, showcased the grit and determination of both sides. 

The encounter marked the Super Eagles’ record 15th appearance in the AFCON semi-finals, a testament to their enduring legacy in African football.

However, it was far from an easy feat, as the match pushed them to their limits. 

Nigeria’s journey to the final was fraught with challenges, including last-minute fitness concerns.

Star striker Victor Osimhen overcame abdominal discomfort to lead the line, while a late injury forced coach Jose Peseiro to shuffle his starting lineup, with Bright Osayi-Samuel stepping in for the injured Zaidu Sanusi. 

The tactical battle unfolded with Nigeria opting for a 3-4-3 formation, mirrored by Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana. However, the Eagles initially struggled to contain the pace and positional awareness of South Africa’s attacking duo, Percy Tau and Evidence Makgopa. 

Despite the early setbacks, Nigeria showcased resilience and determination, gradually asserting control as the match progressed.

The defensive trio of William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi, and Calvin Bassey weathered the storm, thwarting numerous attempts from the South African side.

As the tension mounted, neither team could find the breakthrough, leading to a nail-biting penalty shootout. In a display of nerves of steel, the Super Eagles held their composure, clinching a thrilling 4-2 victory from the spot, much to the delight of their passionate supporters. 

With this hard-fought triumph, Nigeria secures a spot in the AFCON final, poised to vie for continental glory against a formidable opposition.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Kylian Mbappe is poised to embrace a fresh chapter in his football journey with a reported move to Real Madrid for the upcoming season.

Le Parisien, a reputable source known for its insights into Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), has disclosed this significant development, hinting at Mbappe’s strong inclination to sport the renowned white jersey of Real Madrid, although the deal awaits official confirmation. 

Le Parisien’s Saturday report created waves across social media, asserting, “France’s premier star set to grace the world’s preeminent club next season.”

Madrid enthusiasts are brimming with anticipation as negotiations unfold, with the potential for this to become the most financially rewarding contract for the revered captain of Les Bleus. 

Unlike previous summers that left Real Madrid fans disappointed after speculation about Mbappe’s possible move to Santiago Bernabeu, the current narrative seems to be evolving.

Le Parisien’s report adopts a decisive tone, proclaiming, “The battle is lost,” signaling a diminishing likelihood of Mbappe extending his tenure at PSG amid increasing conjecture about his imminent departure. 

PSG, alongside influential figures in French football, appears to have come to terms with Mbappe’s decision to bid farewell to Ligue 1 for an exciting new venture with the club, often touted as the world’s premier football institution.

MARCA echoes this sentiment, shedding light on a prevailing pessimism within PSG’s ranks regarding the prospects of retaining their star player beyond the current season.

By Aliyu Yakubu Yusuf

Super Eagles’ Zaidu Sanusi isn’t a bad player. You can’t be a starting player for FC Porto if you are bad. His struggles stem from the position he’s asked to play in these knockout games.

Sanusi is a quintessential left back in a four-man defense, where his primary duty is to stay at the back and make sporadic forays into attack based on the circumstances of the game.

Since the game against Guinea-Bissau, the Super Eagles’ coach, Peseiro, has changed his defensive structure from a four-man to a three-man central defense (Ajayi, Ekong, Bassey) sandwiched by two wing backs in Ola Aina and Zaidu Sanusi.

This means that Sanusi is now expected to strike a balance between defense and attack. When Nigeria is out of possession, he will stay on his flank to provide extra cover for Calvin Bassey from the left. This is what Sanusi excels at.

But when we are in possession, he’s effectively our left-sided midfielder who must make runs behind the opposition defense to join attack. This is Sanusi’s biggest weakness. He’s a square peg in a round hole.

The problem is, when you remove Sanusi from the starting lineup, who are you going to play? One option is to bring Omeruo to the center of the defense and push Bassey to the left wing-back position. But this won’t solve Sanusi’s problem because Bassey isn’t that good going forward either.

Another alternative is to shift Aina to the left wing-back and bring Oseyi to the right wing-back. In my opinion, this is better than the first option. However, when you do that, you strip the team of one of its biggest assets: Aina’s tireless work rate from the right, which Oseyi can never replicate.

Whatever the case may be, the best solution is to stick with Sanusi. After all, tell me a coach who changes a tried and tested watertight defense in the middle of the knockout rounds of a major international tournament.

Aliyu wrote from Kano. He can be reached via aliyuyy@gmail.com.

By Al-Jannat Mohammed

The distinction between one’s private and public life is becoming more and more hazy in a time when social media dominates. Celebrities, who were formerly admired for their abilities and accomplishments, now have to navigate a world in which the public is interested in every aspect of their lives.

The younger generation has been influenced by this culture of perpetual exposure, as they readily divulge personal information online, undermining the idea of privacy. The story of Nigerian actor, Yul Edochi, and his second wife is a compelling illustration of this phenomena, and offers a prism through which to consider the effects of this invasion of privacy.

Without a doubt, the emergence of social media has completely changed how people communicate, making it possible to share information instantly with anyone on the planet. The loss of personal boundaries that results from people voluntarily disclosing their private lives to the world is the drawback, though.

Because they are in the public glare, celebrities have been hardest hit by this cultural change. For example, Yul Edochi’s second marriage turned into a social media show, with every detail of their union, family dynamics, and personal hardships visible to everybody with an internet connection.

Beyond just celebrities, this tendency affects the younger generation as well, who have grown up in a time of continual communication. Many people reveal personal information about themselves online because they want to be validated and accepted by others.

The younger generation frequently compromises privacy in the chase of likes, comments and virtual acceptance, whether it be for relationship milestones or personal struggles. This raises questions about how such behaviour may affect people’s general well-being, self-esteem and mental health in the long run.

Although the loss of privacy is a complicated problem with wide-ranging effects on the society, there may be ways to lessen its effects. Above all, it is critical to teach the next generation the value of establishing and upholding limits. Giving people the skills to decide what parts of their lives are best kept private helps them feel more in charge of their own story.

Prioritising digital literacy education is important, with a focus on the lasting nature of online content and the possible repercussions of excessive sharing.

Social media sites can also be extremely important in encouraging responsible sharing. Pop-up reminders and privacy checklists are two examples of features that can be implemented to encourage users to reconsider sharing sensitive information and prevent impulsive sharing.

Platforms should also make investments in strong privacy settings so that users may decide who can see their content. Encouraging social media usage in a way that is balanced and respects one’s personal limits sends a strong message about how important privacy protection is.

In the end, the degradation of privacy in the era of celebrity culture is a complex problem that calls for cooperation from people, organisations, and digital platforms. Fostering a healthier connection with the digital world requires finding a balance between the advantages of connectedness and the maintenance of personal boundaries.

We may endeavour to create a culture that values and respects privacy in an increasingly connected world by embracing responsible sharing behaviours, encouraging digital literacy, and setting positive examples.

Al-Janat Mohammed is an NYSC corps member with PRNigeria in Abuja