Afrobeat star, Femi Kuti has pointed out that his own ethnic group, the Yoruba, has been the biggest adversary to his family.

Speaking at the 2024 Felaberation Festival in Lagos, Femi specifically mentioned former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late businessman MKO Abiola as significant enemies of the Kuti family.

He acknowledged his father and grandmother as prominent Pan-Africanists, further emphasizing that his family was raised without tribalistic tendencies, drawing inspiration from Pan-Africanism.

Addressing the crowd, Femi stated, “Brothers and sisters, something very important is going on in our lives; ethnic problems. You call it tribalism. Please, do not bring the Anikulapos in your stupidity.”

He continued by saying, “We grew up with Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Marcus Garvey, Patrice Lumumba, Mrs Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

“Pan-Africanism was the order of the day. So, I didn’t grow up being sentimental. I saw good people, bad people. I’ve got great European friends, I’ve got terrible European friends. I’ve got great African friends, I’ve got terrible African friends.

“One of our [the Kuti family’s] greatest enemies as you know are Yoruba people; Obasanjo or Abiola. We are not tribalistic in our family.”

With the Kwara State government set to host the prestigious Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards on November 24, esteemed actors, Fausat Balogun, popular as Madam Saje, and Kanayo O Kanayo are poised to recieve the Best of Nollywood Lifetime Achievement Awards for 2024.

The announcement was made by Seun Oloketuyi, founder, BON Awards, earlier in the week.

With the announcement the duo are set to join other Nollywood greats in the league of Lifetime Achievement Award winners. On this list are people like Adebayo Salami, Toyin Adegbola, Madam Kofo, and others.

While speaking about the duo, Oloketuyi explained that there was a need to start celebrating film heroes in their lifetime, when they can enjoy the accolades.

He said , “Why must we wait till our film heroes are dead to give them awards? Posthumous awards are good, but its better the recipient is alive to recieve awards.”

Also weighing in, Feranmi Olaoye, the Executive Producer BON Awards revealed that the choice of Kanayo and Madam Saje were not made lightly.

“These two are people we grew up watching. They inspired the generation we watch now, and they still maintained their stand in the industry. They deserve to be celebrated, and that’s why we have chosen them as this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winners.

The 2024 edition of the BON Awards is billed to hold at the Sugar Factory Film Studios in Ilorin, the state’s latest hub for filmmakers.

Oloketuyi had earlier expressed excitement about Kwara’s role as host, promising a fulfilling experience for the expected 500 Nollywood stars attending.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had also highlighted the studio’s potential to elevate Nigerian cinematography and promote local talent. The event underscores Kwara’s commitment to becoming a leading destination in the creative industry, fostering growth and investment in the sector.

Nigerian content creators Korty EO, Layi Wasabi, and Taaooma have been featured in Rolling Stone’s Creators Special 2024.

The magazine highlighted their efforts in “keeping their Nigerian communities and culture front of mind and finding success”.

According to the magazine, “Local brands are often eager to give social media stars ad deals.

Some of these creators say they want to expand their audiences and profitability and are looking elsewhere to do it.”

In an interview, Korty EO (Eniola Olanrewaju) revealed that her latest hobby is “making money”.

She expressed her desire to expand her platform’s reach, aiming to create more opportunities for Nigerian creatives to share their stories.

“I can do that across the globe and it will connect with every single person,” she said.

“We are very industrious and ambitious people, but there is also a lot of poverty here. That is the importance of collaborations with other people on other continents.

“It just brings more eyes to the beauty happening here.”

On her part, Taaooma, born Maryam Apaokagi, said she wants to make movies and “definitely” wants a Western audience.

The skit maker also told Rolling Stone that she believes in staying true to herself and tailoring her content to her community.

“When you stretch your hands out to other places, your community is going to support you. So, that is what I have tried to do,” she said.

The US-based magazine described Layi, born Isaac Olayiwola, as “one of the most recognisable faces on the young Nigerian internet”.

It said Layi’s content plays into Pan-African folktales, which “reflects hope and resourcefulness in harsh conditions”.

“What sells Layi is him reflecting what Nigerian life actually is,” the magazine wrote.