2022

By Habibu Ma’aruf

The year 2022 has not been great for the Kannywood film industry. There was a substantial decline in feature film production as the popularity of series films soared, piquing the interest of more producers. Cinematic releases were at a premium throughout the year, with just nine films, making it a ratio of less than one release a month. The situation was so severe that no major production was shown at cinemas, even during the Eid ul-Fitr festivities.

However, while some of the few releases fell flat on their faces, others have managed to make it in the trying year. Find below the top 5 Kannywood films of 2022. Please note that only feature films were considered for this list.

1. Aisha

Directed by Hafizu Bello, the movie, Aisha, is critically and commercially successful. It beats Kayi Nayi (Dir, Gumzak 2021) to become Kannywood’s biggest grosser by earning over ₦5.5 million during its elongated run in two cinemas. This is not surprising as it’s a production of ‘the box-office king’ Abubakar Bashir Mai-Shadda. The story revolves around the eponymous character, Aisha (played by Amal Umar), who dies after being raped, and her parents’ struggle for justice. The plot is uncommonly twisted but perfectly pieced together. The film has a strong message and a realistic narrative. It exposes the grim reality in some higher institutions where students commit serious misconduct. It stars Amal Umar, Nura Hussaini, Adam A. Zango, Sani Danja, and Shamsu Dan Iya, among others.

2. Lamba

Before the premiere of this Ali Gumzak-directed comedy, there had already been an overwhelming craze for its title song. This has helped the film to rake in ₦1.32 million on the first day, beating the previous record first-day collection of ₦1.25 million by Fanan (Dir. Alolo 2021). Produced by Abubakar Bashir Maishadda, Lamba is a social satire set against the backdrop of ‘Audio money’ (a slang term for the fake display of wealth). It tells how some three young men (Adam A. Zango, Umar M. Sharif and Ado Gwanja) flaunt false riches to impress the classy girls they meet on social media. The unveiling of their true identity is later shown in brilliantly executed, hilarious scenes that get the audience laughing throughout.  The film lacks an innovative script, but it’s an excellent comedy that succeeded in tickling the funny bone. Other casts include Aminu Sharif (Momo), Maryam Booth, Maryam Yahaya, Bilkisu Abdullahi, Aisha Najamu, etc.

3. Nadeeya

Although the eponymous movie Nadeeya wasn’t initially meant for cinematic release, it still managed to get a large audience while showing on the big screen. The film is an issue-based drama about ‘upbringing’. It depicts how some parents spoil their kids, specifically daughters, and the practical difficulties such children face in life. The story focuses on a pampered daughter, Nadeeya (acted by Rahama Sadau), who faces similar challenges after marriage. The film is hard-hitting and very meaningful. It shows that children’s first learning begins at home, and their personalities and morals depend largely on their upbringing. The actor’s performance is also impressive.  It was produced by the leading actress Rahama Sadau and directed by Yaseen Auwal. Other casts include Umar M. Shareef, Rabi’u Rikadawa, Asma’u Sani, etc.

4. Hikima

This movie is a murder mystery specially made with a considerable budget to meet the requirements for showing on Netflix. It’s, however, yet to show on the online viewing platform. The film, which premiered in cinemas in late 2021, was released to the wider public in 2022. It tells the story of a philogynist lecturer, Sadiq (Nasir Naba). It begins from a court session with Sadiq being accused of murdering his female student. The film is richly suspenseful, but many audiences criticise it for having a convoluted plot. Moreover, the cinematography and actor’s performance, among others, place it ahead of its peers this year. Hafizu Bello directed it, while Mustapha Ahmad (Alhaji Sheshe) was the producer. It stars Nasir Naba, Ishaq Sidi Ishaq, Sarah Aloysius, Sani Mu’azu, Maryam Yahaya, etc.

5. A Bikin Suna

A Bikin Suna tells the story of Mustapha (Ali Nuhu) and his wife Ummulkhairi (Mommy Gombe). They have been married for five years without giving birth to a single child. This fact makes Mustapha’s relatives accuse Ummulkhairi of infertility. She becomes pregnant afterwards, and everyone begins to like her. However, a new conflict erupts when the young baby gets missing during the naming ceremony. The film is generally enjoyable. It’s directed by Yasin Auwal and produced by Danjuma Salisu. Other casts include Saratu Daso, Musa Mai-Sana’a, Maryam Yahaya, Shamsu Dan Iya, Rahama MK, etc.

Habibu Ma’aruf Abdu wrote from Kano. He can be reached via habibumaaruf11@gmail.com.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

In light of the intense debate over gender in politics and public life in the US and elsewhere, Dictionary.com has named “woman” as its Word of the Year for 2022.

According to Dictionary.com, there has been a significant spike in users looking for the meaning of “woman,” which at its peak increased by 1,400%.

It stated on its website that this year, searches for the word woman on Dictionary.com increased considerably in relation to various high-profile events.

“Our selection of woman as our 2022 Word of the Year reflects how the intersection of gender, identity, and language dominates the current cultural conversation and shapes much of our work as a dictionary,” it said.

The site lists the definition of ‘woman’ as an ‘an adult female person’.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has fixed the date for registering for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

According to Dr Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s spokesperson, the registration starts on February 12 and lasts until March 19, 2022.

The examination board made this known through its weekly bulletin, released on Monday, January 24.

By Faruk Abdulkadir Waziri 

It’s been more than three weeks already since the new year, but here you are, not a bit less of all the marks of your earlier self you so much speak of erasing come 2022. Not less in dealings, sense of direction or reasoning. Nothing less—just the same old you. A pragmatic reflection of familiar personality affiliated to same ideas and thoughts, perspective and perception, manners, impressions and approach. Even after the resolution to embark upon the path of behavioural restructuring, almost everything about your temperament remains astoundingly unchanged. But why? Simply because your profound intents to embody traits of positive transformation are pivoted to joints of weak willpower, impotent and lackadaisical physical effort required for their realisation. Regardless of the intense desire to achieve attitudinal reform, without the unwavering resolve to commission the process, it is like aiming for a bird without an arrow in the bow.

When you set a date to have a particular job done, the time will always arrive, but as for the task, you must work to accomplish it. Otherwise, it continues being a plan hanging in the balance, awaiting a ‘perhaps next time’ implementation that may never be actualised. This is also what happens with resolutions. You either remain steadfast to your decisions or afford the miserable luxury of resolving to the same pledge again and again. That will, every time, make yourself appear a constant disappointment to the prospect of personal betterment.

The thing about resolution is that it begs for your stern pluck, patience, perseverance and spunky endurance. It entails detachment from acclimated habits while simultaneously espousing new, unfamiliar ones. Speaking of which, how difficult is extricating from acquainted routines and wonts, and does fostering new ones get any easier? One might ask. The answer is no. In an article for the National Institutes of Health, Dr Russell Poldrack, a neurobiologist at the University of Texas at Austin, states that your brain can release a pleasure-seeking chemical called dopamine for both good and bad habits. This craving encourages a person to perform the same habit to gain desirable results. “In a sense,” he states, “parts of our brains are working against us when we try to overcome bad habits.” This is how hard it is to break an old(bad) habit.

It is quite alright to say that breaking free from old habits banks on your tenacity to remain focused and consistent towards changing them. However, do not underestimate the little steps you take because, as opined by Mark Twain, “A habit cannot be tossed out of the window; it must be coaxed down the stairs a step at a time.” Eli Saphart also states, “Habits die hard; that’s why we must kill them slowly.” “The habit that takes years to build do not take a day to change.” Susan Powter, just like the two aforementioned esteemed personalities, outlined this when emphasising the importance of patience in liberating from accustomed traits.

Do not hesitate or delay. You are not late to take the path of changing into a better person. Instead, make a resolution today and stand firmly by it. As a famous proverb goes, “Bad habits are easier to abandon today than tomorrow.”.

Faruk Abdulkadir Waziri can be contacted via farukakwaziri019@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam

President Muhammadu Buhari has confirmed that new jobs are on the way for Nigerians in the new year, 2022.

The president made this public in his new year message to Nigerians, adding that his administration would deploy ICT (Information and Communications Technology) platforms.

According to Buhari, the purpose of job creation is to ensure the diversification of the economy to support other emerging sectors.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan also asked Nigerians to continue having faith in the country and its democratic institutions.

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said that given the way Nigerians fought to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no doubt that they can equally “stand up to problems that seek to shackle us.”

Speaking about security challenges in the country, Buhari promised that government would not relent in tackling the problem citing the “number of insurgents and bandits who have willingly surrendered to our security forces and continue to do so through various channels and the Safe Corridor created for that purpose.”

“The persistent insecurity in certain parts of the country may have threatened to unravel the incremental gains achieved in the real sectors of the economy and in the administration’s overall objective to position the nation on the irreversible trajectory of sustainable growth and progress, but I assure you that we will remain resolute in our commitments and shall continue to press ahead with our programmes and plans,” he added.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Police in Ghana have on Monday issued a warning to religious leaders against giving false prophecies for the year 2022.

The security service warned clerics against inciting dread in people’s minds in a statement titled “Communication of Prophecies and Their Legal Implications.”

The police say, “We, therefore, wish to caution all Ghanaians, especially religious groups and leaders, to treasures in their utterance, especially how they communicate prophecies, which may injure the right of other and the public interest.”

According to the police, false prophecies have caused public tensions, anxiety, and terror among citizens.

Religious organizations have the freedom to worship and communicate, but they must also respect others’ rights and freedoms.

The cops reflected on how forecasts of harm and death have put many people’s lives at peril throughout the years.

According to the press release, it is prohibited in Ghana to publish or repeat a statement, rumour, or report that is likely to cause fear and anxiety.

It’s also illegal to disseminate incorrect or misleading information that could jeopardize the effectiveness of life-saving services or jeopardize the safety of anyone.

The Ghana Police Service wishes to unequivocally state that it is not opposed to predictions. “We understand that we Ghanaians are religious people who recognize and believe in the centrality of God in our lives,” the police added.

By Uzair Adam Imam

In celebration of Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year, The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Monday 27th, Tuesday 28th December 2021 and Monday, 3rd January 2022 as public holidays.

The declaration made by Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior, was contained in a release signed Wednesday, 22nd December 2021, by Dr Shuaib Belgore, Permanent Secretary of the ministry.

Aregbesola also stated that peace and security were two critical conditions for economic development and prosperity.

He urged Christians and Nigerians to “make the best use of this festive period” and pray for the total eradication of the lingering issue of insecurity that is bedevilling the country

Speaking about Corona virus pandemic, the minister urged Christians to “moderately celebrate the festival without large groupings and observe all the protocols stipulated by medical authorities.

“Take it as a point of personal responsibility to prevent the spread of the virus,” he added.

By Sumayyah Auwal Ishaq

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has unveiled a draft budget of 233 billion for the 2022 fiscal year that reflects the government’s commitment to sustainable growth, promoting equal opportunity, accelerate human capital development, and attain fiscal viability.

The governor noted that “when approved, is projected to have the capital to recurrent ratio of 63%:37%. The 2022 estimates are slightly smaller than the proposed 2021 budget estimates of N237.52bn, of which N157.56bn was capital and N79.96bn recurrent expenditure, a 66% to 34% capital to recurrent ratio,” he said.