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Empowering tomorrow’s stars: The role of education in cultivating talent and sustainability in the African entertainment industry

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The African continent is ripe with unrealised potential. Its people, their abilities, and their powerful relationships promise a wealth of future achievements – if only they can be fully actualised. The key to the people of our continent becoming all that they might be, lies in one singular intervention: education.

Fortunately, education is widely prized across our continent, and it is a shared aspiration amongst almost all Africans. In this spirit, as the continent celebrates the founding of the African Union (AU) on Africa Day on May 25, the AU has chosen “The Year of Education” as its theme for 2024.

Expressed more thoroughly, the theme is “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa.” 

Given the key concern of “resilient education” in this theme, it’s useful to consider how organisations are addressing Africa’s education challenge, and how they are ensuring the skills that students gain are directly relevant to their future development, and that of the continent. 

Relevant training

One such organisation is the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), an initiative by pan-African entertainment company MultiChoice. MTF consists of three offerings – MTF Academies in major African capitals provide hands-on, relevant training for aspiring TV and film professionals; the MTF portal, allows professionals to network and find work opportunities; while MTF masterclasses offer an ongoing programme of professional development.

Most influential of these MTF offerings are the MTF Academies in Nairobi, Lagos and Lusaka. The Academies equip aspiring industry professionals with the crucial “sustainable education” it takes to thrive in the rapidly changing film-and-television sector.

Now in its sixth year in Rest of Africa, the programme offers a comprehensive, fully paid 12-month industry-readiness course that gives participants the invaluable opportunity to learn from industry experts in fields such as scripting, directing, producing, cinematography, commissioning and editing. 

This focus on hands-on experience ensures that graduates emerge not just qualified, but with practical, proven ability to work in the sector. This focus on directly relevant skills gives the industry a pipeline of trained professionals entering the job market, and also gives the hundreds of young people emerging from MTF Academies every year, a good chance of finding careers. 

An MTF survey has found that around 92% of MTF Academy graduates go on to work in the creative sector. Many of these young professionals go on to careers at MultiChoice, which bills itself as “Africa’s most-loved storyteller”.

Unlocking youth potential

This level of absorption demonstrates another benefit of education in the African development journey: it unlocks the massive potential of the continent’s youthful population.

MTF Academy students consistently win awards at film festivals, have their work shown on major platforms and go on to great career success. 

These successes underscore how directly relevant, industry-focused training will rapidly generate real benefits. The success that MultiChoice has found by training its own industry professionals offers an instructive case for corporates in other sectors.

This is especially true in Africa, where the continent’s enormous cohort of young people represents its greatest global opportunity – but only if this opportunity is converted through education. 

Education is what will transform Africa’s 400 million young people aged between 15 and 35 into a generation of doctors, lawyers, financiers, engineers and media professionals. 

In the words of the African Union, “… such a youthful population calls for an increase of investment in economic and social development factors, in order to improve the development index of African nations.”

The MTF training programme is an intentional development initiative in this vein. It is designed to create careers for aspiring film and televisions professionals, but also to directly address the needs of MultiChoice, the media sector, and the African economy as a whole. 

Cultural impact

Another critical value proposition of this pipeline from training to production in the creative sector is its cultural impact. Training African creatives equips them to tell African stories. 

As dynamic, highly-skilled African creatives go on to produce content that resonates powerfully with African audiences, it drives engagement, enriches the businesses and allows Africa’s people to see themselves reflected in powerful entertainment content with world-class entertainment values. 

It’s an innovative approach to the idea of “educating Africa”, in that it equips Africans to educate other Africans – culturally and spiritually – through the telling of African stories. These African stories also allow Africa to show the rest of the world the power of its history and the talent of its people, as our productions take their rightful place on global content platforms.

As Africa Day draws near, this dual approach to African self-actualisation has never been more relevant. The continent is developing the abilities of its people through education and training; but also enhancing its standing in the world, by producing goods, services and creative output that will add value, entertain and inspire. To educate the world about the power of Africa. 

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Ex-Liberia President, George Weah, NFF President, Others To Honour Primate Ayodele On Feb 13

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The former president of Liberia, George Weah, the former governor of Edo state, Phillip Shuabu, United Nations representatives, and royal fathers are set to storm Lagos state to honour Nigerian prophet, Primate Elijah Ayodele on Thursday, 13th of February, 2025 at his church.These personalities and several others would be storming the prophet’s church as part of the lined-up programmes for Primate Ayodele’s 2025 annual thanksgiving programme which started in January and will be ending on Friday, 14th of February 2025.George Weah, who has confirmed his attendance will be coming with an entourage of 10 prominent personalities from Liberia to honour Primate Ayodele whose prophetic ministry has been a huge blessing to nations, presidents, governors, multi-national cooperations, traditional rulers and several others.According to reports, George Weah hasn’t been mostly seen in the public space since the last presidential election in Liberia hence, his attendance at Primate Ayodele’s annual thanksgiving event would signify the prophet’s intercontinental influence.Aside from honouring Primate Ayodele with his presence, the prophet would in turn honour the former president by naming an estate after him during the programme.Furthermore, about twenty royal fathers, to be led by Oniworo of Iworo Kingdom, Oba Oladele Kosoko, will be attending the programme alongside the imminent personalities mentioned above.Undoubtedly, Primate Ayodele’s annual thanksgiving programmes have always signified his intercontinental influence on account of the prestigious personalities that attend despite the fact that the prophet doesn’t enjoy befriending most people. This connotes that beyond his personality, Primate Ayodele’s prophetic ministry has been recognized globally as one that has God’s backing.In previous editions, state governors, presidents, and business moguls have attended and attested to the truth that God is using Primate Ayodele mightily.Primate Ayodele is no doubt a nobleman of God who has helped several individuals with his prophetic advice and counsel. His philanthropic gestures also know no bounds as he has empowered widows, youths, old and young, given out cars, and several others.

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Primate Ayodele, Prophet Marcus Tibetan Unite For Nigeria

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In an unprecedented and unexpected development, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele and the Spiritual leader of CCC Elisha Parish, Prophet Marcus Tibetan have joined forces for Nigeria’s cause.

This was disclosed on Saturday, 8th of February, 2025 at the prophecy book launching of Prophet Tibetan at his Lagos church which Primate Ayodele surprisingly attended with his team.

In a joint statement at the event, the controversial prophets acknowledged the division in the body of Christ especially among God’s servants, explaining that if men of God can come together and agree on one course, the nation will be better.

Both prophets stated that they would be embarking on joint prophecies to address the ills in the society, speak fearlessly to relevant authorities and also correct the wrongs in Christendom for the purpose of propagating God’s kingdom.

”Today is one day of my happiness, I don’t do any joint thing with anyone but I am ready to do this today to tell the world that prophets are now united and when we are united, no one will be able to break it.

When we speak with one voice, even the government will come to us for solution. God lives in you, and you are truthful, you are a true prophet. We are just starting, Primate Ayodele said.

Speaking further, Primate Ayodele stated that God had been telling him he was going to meet Prophet Tibetan someday but he wasn’t sure how it was going to happen because he doesn’t associate with men of God. However, he noted that their meeting is a fulfillment of a decade old prophecy.

“I have been hearing Prophet Tibetan’s prophecy for a long time and whenever I do, I observe serious similarities between us. God has always told me that we would meet someday but how it would happen, I didn’t know because I don’t go out.

“I’m always surprised because our prophecies are alike, I wonder if we have even spoken before. From now on, we are now one. I will invite you to my church too”

Narrating how he was able to get Primate Ayodele to his book launch, Prophet Tibetan made it known that God had shown him that Primate would be coming to his church but he wasn’t sure if it was going to be possible because they had never spoken before.

Following up on God’s instruction, he proceeded to ask few people about Primate Ayodele and they gave great reports about the renowned man of God known for his accurate prophecies.

He stated that he had seen Primate Ayodele spiritually twice in his church and this informed his decision to ensure that he invites him.

“While I was praying to God for who I will invite to my this book launch because the only major man of God I used to invite died, I saw Primate Ayodele seated at the front of my church. I was shocked because we have never met, never spoken or had anything to do together. God directed me to ask about him from someone who has been my friend for a long time and he said Primate Ayodele is a good person. I left him and proceeded to compile the prophecies. While I was doing that, I saw Primate Ayodele again on a horse while I was holding the rope. I went to someone again to find out and he said several great things about him.”

“I proceeded to call him and it felt like he has been expecting me, I told him that he would be the one to make the launching of Revelation 2025 interesting. It was a test of what God has revealed to him and to me. I will not bury you my brother, I will support you.”

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Primate Ayodele Shines At ‘Judah Mega Praise’ In Ibadan

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It’s rare to see the Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele in public spaces; be it church programmes or social gatherings. In his over three decades of operating in the prophetic realm, the outings that this enigmatic man of God has attended can be counted on fingers.

His decision not to attend outings isn’t borne out of pride or class. It is a result of divine instruction given to him by God due to the unique ministry placed in his hands but whenever Primate Ayodele steps out, one would have no choice but to acknowledge the grandiose, presence, the aura he possesses.

From his attire, which is always all-white including his shoes and hat, to the captivating smile he carries, to his elegant steps, and the highly spiritual people he moves around with, you would know it’s not business as usual when Primate Ayodele steps out.

This rare presence was experienced by the over 10,000 audience that attended Judah Mega Praise in Ibadan on Friday, 31st of January, 2025. The programme is organized annually by popular musician, Dr. Yinka Ayefele to precede his birthday which comes up on every 1st of February.

Primate Ayodele’s arrival at Judah Mega Praise was received with loud cheers from the crowd who have been hearing about him on broadcast, print and digital media. Many who have always wondered how the prophet looks had the opportunity to see him in person at Judah Mega Praise.

As he moved into the stadium where the programme was held, the convener, Dr. Yinka Ayefele who is also an ardent follower of Primate Ayodele rushed to welcome him with one of his children. Right there, he appreciated the prophet for gracing his event bearing in mind that he isn’t one who attends every gathering he is invited to.

As if that wasn’t enough, his entrance into the main auditorium was met by salutations as the man of God respectfully exchanged pleasantries with everyone he met on his way till he got to the seat that had been prepared for him. This also includes paying homage to musical legends and God’s generals like Chief Ebenezer Obey, Evangelist Joseph Adebayo Adelakun (Ayewa Music), and several others.

Alas, it was time for Primate Ayodele to perform the duty he was invited for – Praying for the celebrate, Dr. Yinka Ayefele alongside other anointed men of God including the General evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church, Prophet Hezekiah Oladeji. When the microphone was passed to him, Primate Ayodele prayed briefly for the celebrant and convener who was passionately responding with ‘Amen.”

In summary, It was indeed a great and powerful event that had the greatest men of God especially Primate Ayodele who added a ‘spiritual steeze’ to the programme.

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