Wickedfacts:



There was no existing one. The one being used was a rented building. Abia still paid rent for it this year.

I know this place in umuahia. And it is the government house.

Nwadu:
95% of states in Nigeria has old government house and new one.

I wonder what the reason to build new government house is

How many states in America has old government house and new ones.

Yet our states are all miserable.

Every governor wants to build a government house

na thieves naa.

TheChameleon:


No Government House there.

Yet the dirty mouthed pigs will come and say nonsense about Yoruba.

I am sure it was Tinubu that withheld the allocation to build one since 1991.

there's a govt house in umuahia. The governor is only building a new one.

johnfem321:
If you can’t comprehend that big brother is a tool that can be used to manipulate people.. and believe it’s just coincidence big brother is starting few weeks before election, that hold once in four years.. trust me I can’t help you..

very funny. What's the correlation between big brother and Nigeria's election? Kuku ask dstv to shut down all their stations from Jan till the end of the elections.
This particular big brother is even holding in South Africa. Between Nigerians and South Africans. South Africa has a political turmoil right now - corruption case against their president. So they should demand that the programme be put on hold until that issue issue is resolved?
There's big brother UK, there's big brother US, there's big brother Brazil, there's big brother Finland and others, but whenever it comes to naija matter, everything turns upside down.
Big brother is just a TV programme in just one channel, u dont want to watch, just jump am pass.

MissOpe:
Safarigirl.
You're such a great and terrific writer...
Keep it up!!!

very biased writer.

safarigirl:
Phew! It's been a while I was on the streets, but there will be no dilly-dallying. Netflix closed the year for the Nigerian market with their much anticipated Young Adult series titled Far From Home.

It's a 5-episode series that tells the tale of a talented boy from a poor home, and how he makes it into a prestigious school for the rich. Quick details, before we get into the nitty gritty of things


Title: Far From Home

Director(s): Chinaza Onuzo, Dami Elebe

Writer(s): Dami Elebe, Chinaza Onuzo

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Actor(s): Funke Akindele, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Mike Afolarin, Elma Mbadiwe, Adesua Etomi, Bolanle Ninalowo, Bimbo Akintola

Run Time- 5 episodes of 1 hr Each (5 hrs)

Production: Netflix, Inkblot

Plot:

Ishaya Bello, a talented artist from a poor home, applies to a prestigious University in a bid to secure a $10,000 Scholarship fund. His grand plan hits a glitch, when he realises he's not entitled to the cash grant. Ishaya resorts to making deals with criminal characters, in a bid to recover various amounts he's sunk into his dream. This leads him into dangerous situations, while trying to settle into a school he doesn't quite fit into.


Review:


Okay, to the thick of it. Prior to this series premier, Netflix and the entire production team got a lot of flack, specifically on Twitter, for everything from casting choices to the reality of the movie's premise.

While this contributed to publicity, it was negative publicity for the most part. However, the series puts to bed so many of the criticisms.

First off, I want to start with the plotline. To be honest, I was halfway through the first episode, waiting for the action to start, while trying to make sense of how this guy who seems a bit older than the average Secondary School student, would pass as one. If this is your worry, let me help you now by telling you that the school is supposed to be for Advanced Levels (A'Levels), which typically comes after Secondary School (O'Levels), so, if the seeming age discrepancies are your grouse, you can shrug that off and keep it moving.

Now, to the rest of the movie. It did follow the somewhat popular trope of "street kid in a rich school, selling drugs to the privileged kids and catching the eye of the most popular girl in school", but it followed it well enough. Ishaya Bello's (Afolarin) entire involvement with Wilmer Academy, and then subsequently, the criminal duo of Rambo (Ninalowo) and Ijoba alias Government (Franklin), is a result of his desperation to fulfill his dream of being an artist. Most of his decisions equally follow this desperation, so much that he ends up betraying friends and family at certain points.

Following the continued "Americanization" of Nollywood, Wilmer Academy, the school the series is set in, aligns with everything expected in an American school; cheerleaders and football players (only, actual football, not that eggball the Americans play obviously), mean boys and girls, outcasts (although, this line is blurred pretty fast), and Founders Day Ball, which is just some form of Prom. However, while you may be tempted to snicker a couple of times as an alumni of a Public school, bear in mind, that we don't know what goes on with the bourgeoise .

The writing was quite good, shout out to Dami Elebe, the Headwriter and her team. The vision was there, and was translated well. There were scenes that seemed problematic at the time they were happening, however, later scenes cleared up whatever issues that may have arisen.

Now, to dabble into perhaps, the most controversial part of the series for many, CASTING. To be honest, a lot of people were just mad that people who we assumed were playing teenagers, had too much facial hair to pass. In defence, the promo pictures did them no favours. However, the casting was quite good. Elma Mbadiwe was great as Carmen, the troubled daughter of the school's owners,
there were moments when she'd remind me of Kerry Washington with her facial features. Mike Afolarin's gemu eventually didn't matter so much, as he pulled off the role of Ishaya Bello brilliantly. Bucci Franklin as always, was stellar as Government. Bolanle Ninalowo earned my applause, because while Rambo was an offshoot of the character he absolutely owned in Picture Perfect, 'Jobe', he was indeed a fearful crime lord. He murdered every scene, and did a clean up afterward. Emeka Nwagbaraocha, who plays Frank, may be familiar to some after his role in RattleSnake as the Techkid. As Frank, he executes the role of a timid, good-natured kid, really well. I rather enjoyed his first interaction with Rahila (Tomi Ojo), Ishaya's sister. Olumide Oworu really makes an unlikeable character in the manipulative and egoistic, Atlas, Carmen's (Mbadiwe) sweetheart. Another actor who shone, was someone we never even got to see in the promo videos or poster- Natse Jemide, who plays Reggie, one of the students. Soon as I saw this kid, I sat up, because "Hollup! Why ain't his picture on the posters?" If they moved this kid from the show and threw him into some American movie, he'd not look out of place. He embodied the chill vibes you'd expect from the cool, rich kid. Possibly my favourite character from the series. I look forward to seeing more of him in Nollywood, his aura is immaculate.

I really liked that for the most part, the more established actors played a background role to the kids. The likes of RMD, Bimbo Akintola, Carolyn King, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman and Adesua Etomi-Wellington play their role as Faculty very well, Funke Akindele and Paul Adams also tug some heartstrings as the parents of Ishaya Bello, Netflix' best guy, Deyemi Okanlawon also brings the suave as the celebrated artist, Essien. Guest appearances by Chioma Chukwura, Ufuoma McDermott, Yemi Blaq, Femi Branch, FunnyBone, Ibrahim Suleiman, Erica Nlewedim, and Oge Okoye wrap everything up pretty well.

Overall, the casting was good, new faces were introduced and I'm pretty hopeful the Nollywood space will be kind to them.

As with most Netflix productions, the cinematography, sound, lighting and overall production was very good. They did not spare usage of Nigerian music with the soundtracks, and I particularly liked the blending of Fave's Baby with the dialogue in a scene. The series is set in Lagos, and while we're made aware of the wealth of some of the students, the houses shown didn't have repulsively extravagant decor. They looked classy enough, without being tacky.

Far From Home is a great series, and I do hope it gets a second season. It explores themes of friendship, betrayal, family, self discovery, sacrifice, to name a few.

I really enjoyed it, and would recommend it for a watch this festive season. The pilot episode starts slow, but once you settle in, it's quite interesting.

Rating: 8/10

Have you seen the series? If yes, what are your thoughts? If no, what are you waiting for?

so u write all this grammar without mentioning Erica's name as part of the cast.

Barrister bbnaija. Big brother titan is coming up on Jan 15, see u then.
Hope u gave kudos to Erica, the most beautiful girl that has ever graced bbnaija.

johnfem321:
You are the one that needs to think outside the box.. the same big brother that If you don’t have connection you can’t enter.. the fact that you don’t have interest in big brother doesn’t mean other young people don’t have interest in it..

A show that people que for days to audition for ? A show that people climb fence to enter for audition.. a show people normally faint during audition..

Do Nigerian youth use such energy to vote during election ..remember end sars happened after big brother… anything to distract the youth is a welcome development..

Big brother wouldn’t make a few voters vote during election.. some sit down in front of tv even when the house mate are sleeping..

They will engage in gossip about big brother on social media

They will not be motivated or mobilise themselves for any protest during big brother( which can lead to civil unrest after election)


There will be argument about the best house mate that will win

Past big brother house mate will resurface and reengage the youth on social media


All this is a form of distraction.. to you it’s seems minor but it’s enough to keep the youth docile, passive and uninterested during election..

Wonder why company pay billions to advertise their product on big brother ?


Don’t underestimate the psychological impact of such program on young people.. most of the will be zoned out for month.. even though I don’t watch myself I can remember my elderly parent been stuck to it some years back

what the poster u quoted said made more sense than yours.
Big brother is a television program. It doesn't stop u from living your life. It is just one channel out of the the hundreds of channels on dstv.
Big brother is very addictive, but so are other programs. My wife can watch africamagic from morning till night and forget to give me breakfast, lunch and dinner. Football is also so addictive, so is telemundo, so is news. If there's breaking news, I can watch CNN from morning till night without even sipping water. So is religion and religious stations on dstv.
So u people should not make it look like big brother is the worst crime in Nigeria. It's a TV program. During Big brother, dont people go to work, to market and other places of endeavour? Don't people hang out, go to parties, go to school and live their normal lives?
Have u ever gone to one street and it's deserted and u ask why and they because people are watching big brother?

oluwaseyi0:
This show finish barely 3 month ago, why another one now?
I thought it's meant to be yearly

the one that just ended was in 2022. And the one about starting is in 2023.
It's not yearly though, it's about the producers decision. There was a time it didn't holdfor about 5 years.

Richy4:
What is the use though... Is it not on a Sunday? Except for boxing day

Maybe it's been declared for those on essential work so that it can reflect on their wages.. If not, I don't see the reason for the announcement..

26, 27 are working days - Monday and Tuesday

itsRhamzy:
if he boom London the west will do absolutely nothing unless they also want some of the warheads heading towards them as well. You underestimate nukes. It makes even the craziest to think twice. If Russia nuke London and they can't retaliate, no one in NATO, not even the US would have the balls to risk the lives of their citizens for UK's sake. Forget alliance, nuke war na all man for himself.

When the recent Poland incident happened where they were all claiming Russia fired a missile to Poland, you no see how Biden and co were quick to say na Ukraine do am? I was expecting them to invoke article 5 as they've been making noise and invade Russia but Dem quickly made Ukraine take the fall to save face

dem do born putin grandpapa Well to try it. Is UK not a nuclear power as well? They don't even need any outsider's help

Guderian:
Whats the limit for mobile banking??

no limit for electronic transactions

useni1:
You are a brainwashed mumu. White and black Americans are the most primitive human beings in history. Goat better pass them. Stop being a slave

u are a cow. A big cow at that.

jerryunit48:
Guys please understand it very well ..Nephew and Yeye Bello is in early 40 , meaning this person who stole 10 Billion Is a very young person… imagine if him don mature finish

not exactly. the guy can be bello's nephew and agemate. i saw picture of the guy, he's in his 30s or even 40s.

Tinubuwins2023e:
Every ram and cow just want to trend using Tinubu's name.
Every sensible person alive today (I mean sensible person emphatically) knows that Tinubu set the roadmap for the modern Lagos we all are enjoying.

How else would I have read or heard about ADC if not this criticism of Tinubu

Tinubu is a star boy honestly.
Anyone that thinks Tinubu isn't a major factor in the growth and development of the modern Lagos needs to be admitted to Yaba Left where they treat mad people

sharap!

Brixton in UK is just like ajegunle. So many blacks. And they have carried their stupid attitude from Africa to London. Forcing themselves into a show without ticket. Black man has a big problem

Rubbish. Utter rubbish

MeeztaBugaman:
This is serious and I wonder why people of the region cannot stand as one to stop this. The person giving the order to kill his fellow people is even oversea and his people are comfortable to obey him by doing such to their own people.

it's those hardened criminals that were released from owerri prison.
Since the day that incident happened, I had been shouting and very critical of the incident. Armed bandits are nobody's brothers talkless of being freedom fighters.
And see them with heavy arms as if arms are being freely distributed in the South East.
They are all over SE, kidnapping and killing innocent igbos and using the ransom money to buy more weapons for their criminality. They don't care of any or anybody.
And they are threatening us, we sons of the land not to come back home for Christmas. They are jokers. I will be home live for Xmas till Jan 2023. We are not giving in to terrorism.

Arespect10:
Igbos are bloody terrorists i can't believe i shared same country with these animals

u are a cow

Zonefree:

Prayers without work is vain. Channel this energy to educate your fellow hustlers to reduce hand for waka waka.



Oshimmiri no dey drown person wey em never see em legs.

how do u know that she's a hustler?

Ritchiee:

The Lagosians you are begging to accomodate you and your fleeing kith and kin?
We are going to Ragos..

is there any free accommodation in lagos? When my grandfather was building lagos, your grandfather was farming beans in osogbo. So we are the ones accommodating you.

femisplash:
As a custom officer, Atiku stole custom's treasury dry, used Govt stolen money in investing in state's properties. I don't even want to go into OBJ damning revelations against him. Funnily, there have been no indictment concerning Tinubu's wealth either domestically or internationally. Nuhu Ribadu confessed investigating Tinubu both in Nigeria and abroad but found Nothing on him. Therefore, whatever rumors inconsequential people say do not count.

if no indictment, why did he forfeit half a million US dollars to US government?

Chisave:


What was the woman doing with 8m at home in the first place

is there any law against that?

Brendaniel:



But under Nigerian law, is it not wrong to keep or move around with 10,000 dollars and above...

Has the woman not also broken the law?

broken what law by keeping her own money in her own safe?

sircatherine45:
Rayfield? Again?

That side is becoming dangerous by the day.

she wasn't raped in rayfield, she worked there.

logicalhumour:


E fit be those Almajeri boys. I hear those Almajeri boys rub people with knives.

na dem. Jos North is the centre of Jos city. It houses the city's Main Market, Central Motor Park as well as the University of Jos. Unfortunately, 90% or more of the residents are hausa fulani. The indigenes have moved to an area of the city called Ray field and abandon the centre of their city to hausa fulani.

dmz1:
Ajala the traveler. He just came back from I think Gambia.

Guinea

Skyview01:
Why our people like to beg without shame. No dignity at all.
What kind of generation are we raising.

This is getting out of hand.

extremely disgusting, no dignity anymore

yellowgarri2:
I said it and it came to pass. France to lift the trophy

quoted

challengemaster:

I don't think so bro; I rather think that the match will give him opportunity to extend his goal tally.
Morocco cannot edge France.

cannot has been deleted in the dictionary of this World Cup

blesoh:

comrade calm down

I am never a man of peace

Timijo:
Harry Kane missed a penalty kick when England need a goal to equalise and nothing will happen. But when Saka missed the penalty in Euro 2020, he was bullied and abused by these whites because he is a black man. Racial abuse originated in England and lives among them. The tag, "Say No to Racism" that they are wearing is just camouflage.

if u mention Kane, they will say, 'no o, he's our son'. God dey.