Some Nollywood practitioners made headlines within their sphere of influence during the week. Here is a pick of some of the headliners…

Iyabo Ojo And Alausa’s Tax People
If you have not been wondering why the tax evasion news between notable Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo and officials of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) suddenly fizzled out after it made headlines for days, wonder no more. The actress who called out officials of the LIRS on her social media handle after she received a letter from LIRS accusing her of evading taxes to the tune of N18m has reportedly decided to have the issue resolved “off social media.” A bird whispered that following the intervention of some concerned but influential friends of the actress, the actress, model and influencer has been meeting and “holding talks” with the tax “people” at Alausa to have the issue resolved “off social media.” The bird confirmed that “reconciliation of figures is ongoing towards an amicable settlement.” It would be recalled that the Gangs of Lagos and Palava actress has been at loggerheads with the Lagos State government for allegedly defaulting in paying her income tax, which by law is levied on an individual’s wages, salaries, and other types of income.

The LIRS had stated in a letter to the actress that based on a review of her returns and outstanding liability, she has assessed a tax liability of N18m. The LIRS then gave the Agogo Ide and Black Val actress a seven-day ultimatum for payment, or be charged for tax evasion. Social media quaked when the pretty actress took to her Instagram handle to draw the public’s attention to the letter. “My fellow Nigerians, I have been asked to pay almost N38m for my income tax to Lagos State… Personal income bawo? I was still struggling with my small business in Ikeja like I’m still even doing now, or is it from my acting that we are poorly paid or from where now?” she wrote. Sharing pictures of the letter from the LIRS, Iyabo at an Instagram live session, denied owing any form of tax, insisting that she is not ready to pay the levy as her tax records are up to date. Fans of the actress, most of whom had reportedly accused the Lagos State government of taking on Iyabo Ojo because of her visible support for the Labour Party presidential flagbearer in the 2023 election say that they want the matter speedily resolved so that the mother-of-three can have her groove back.

Mercy Johnson Officially ‘Wife of MHR’
POPULAR Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson has had a busy month. Her month started with preparations leading to the burial rites for her late dad, Daniel Johnson, who passed on in May, and preparations leading to the inauguration of her husband, Prince Okojie as a member of the House of Representatives. And on the D-day, that is Tuesday June 13, Mercy decked in a beautiful dark dress (to match her hubby’s white flowing combo called Agbada) accompanied her hubby to the inauguration ceremony, which held at the National Assembly in Abuja. Mercy, whom a bird quipped, should be rightly addressed as “wife of a member of the House of Representatives” took to her social media handle after the inauguration ceremony to gush about her husband who she tipped to make a difference in the lower chamber of the legislative house. We at Moviedom say congratulations to our actress “wife of Member of the House of Representatives.”

Emem Isong’s Royal Arts African Centre, AFFRICUFF Set For Inauguration
FRONTLINE female filmmaker Emem Isong-Misodi is set for the formal launch of her Royal Arts African Centre and the official inauguration of the annual, but maiden edition of her African Cultural Film Festival (AFFRICUFF) in the United States. The film festival is scheduled to hold from October 26 to 29, in Houston, Texas, but the grand opening of the Royal Arts African Centre, which will serve as venue for the festival, will hold on Sunday June 18, in Houston Texas. Prolific filmmaker Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun, and Director of award-winning movie ‘Tiger’s Tail,’ Victor Okpala are amongst the high-profile guests expected at the grand opening ceremony. Misodi had explained that both the centre and the festival are aimed at encouraging a vibrant exchange of ideas, and to promote a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity. The producer of “Ayanma,” “Private Sin” and loads of other critically acclaimed movies said the passion she has for the promotion and preservation of black cultures and traditions inspired her decision to host the festival and to establish the centre for the presentation of cultural and artistic richness of the black race to a global audience. Moviedom will serve details of the opening ceremony.

Victor Okpala’s ‘Tiger’s Tail’ Wins Big At TAFF
NOTABLE Nollywood producer and director Victor Okpala sent words from Dallas, Texas in the United States to announce that his award-winning film ‘Tiger’s Tail’ has won one of the coveted awards at the 2023 African Film Festival (TAFF) in Dallas. Okpala’s message came with a video where he was celebrating the win holding an award trophy. “We won big at the festival in Dallas. Thank you, TAFF,” was how Okpala who is popular as “Eagle Eye” captioned the video and photographs that he shared. The TAFF was created to showcase African independent films. This eighth edition presented at Dallas College – Richland Campus, showcased 50 film screening submissions over a two-day period on June 1 and 2.