Broadcasting
ECOFEST Returns This May, To Focus On the Future Of Comedy
ECOFEST, the annual comedy festival, the brainchild of ace comedian and compere extraordinaire Tee A, returns for the third straight year this May.
In the last decade, the business of comedy in Nigeria has grown exponentially as it has ceased being a pastime and has become a billion-dollar industry.
Nevertheless, it is set to grow even further, especially in the digital age we’re in now.
American comedians like actor Kevin Hart has mastered the act of using technology-driven platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat and OTT services such as Netflix to break boundaries in the comedy business, netting a whopping $15 Million. In the same vain, Dave Chapelle was paid $60 Million for two Netflix specials.
On the contrary, most comedians in Nigeria depend on corporate organisations such as telcos, FMCGs, and even the government to fund the comedy industry. With a growing middle-class population who have more spending power and access to the internet, it is inconceivable that Nigerian comedians are yet to fully latch on these opportunities like their colleagues abroad.
This year’s theme “The Future of Comedy” is borne out of the desire by organizers to fashion out ways through which stakeholders can sustain an industry that has made millions of Nigerians happy whilst creating creative entrepreneurs eg comedians, skit makers, scriptwriters, event promoters and many others.
ECOFEST will hold over the course of two days and will feature panel discussions, workshops, analysis and spontaneous comedy routines via the open mic session.
The maiden edition of #ECOFEST featured high-profile entertainers such as Teju Babyface, Bovi, Bisi Olatilo, Bunmi Davies, Basorge who headlined the conference when it berthed in May 2017.
The second edition held in May 2018 also played host to major players within and outside the industry including Lepacious Bose, Omo Baba, Koffi, Basket Mouth, as well ANN 2019 Presidential Candidate Fela Durotoye who spoke on the topic: ‘The Role Of Comedy in Nation Building’.
Also in attendance were the Lagos State Honourable Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Steve Ayorinde who spoke on: ‘Comedy And Tourism Development’, BHM Group CEO Ayeni Adekunle, Mr. Abisoye Fagade and many more.
Speaking at the last edition, conveyer of the festival, Tee A reflected on the growth path the comedy industry in Nigeria has followed in recent years saying: “How far we have come without government is still how far we can get.”
The respected comedian went on to buttress that the industry did not require government money but instead, an enabling environment and the right policies for it to thrive. “Let government do government work, but put in place a policy, that is a policy for the creative space,” he added.
This year, ECOFEST will take place across two locations in Lagos – Nigeria’s cultural and entertainment capital.
The venues and activities scheduled for the 2-day event are as follows:
May 2nd – Open Mic at HardRock Café
May 3rd – Conference/ Workshop at the Muson Centre, Onikan
A registration portal for intending participants of the festival is now open on www.ekocomedyfestival.com.
Eko Comedy Festival is proudly supported by the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja has dismissed a class action suit filed by one Uche Diala and 961 other DStv and GOtv subscribers against MultiChoice Nigeria and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), citing lack of jurisdiction.
The suit challenged MultiChoice’s subscription price increases in November 2023 and May 2024, which the claimants described as arbitrary, exploitative, and unfair.
Diala and others sought to reverse the hikes and compel the company to adopt a more flexible billing model, such as a pay-as-you-view system used in other countries like South Africa.
They also accused MultiChoice of price discrimination against Nigerian consumers.
MultiChoice, through its counsel, raised a preliminary objection, arguing that pricing decisions do not fall within the tribunal’s remit and that the suit was improperly filed as a class action without first seeking the tribunal’s leave.
In its ruling on Thursday, the tribunal’s three-member panel led by Justice Thomas Okosun held that the core issues raised, which were pricing and tariff regulation, fall under the exclusive purview of the executive branch, particularly the President, as stipulated under the Price Control Act.
“The issue of price regulation is a matter that falls within the exclusive purview of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Okosun stated.
While the tribunal acknowledged it holds both original and appellate jurisdiction under the FCCPC Act, it emphasized that such authority does not cover general price control unless abuse of market dominance is established—a point the claimants failed to prove.
On the procedural matter of filing a class action without prior approval, the tribunal noted that although it is ideal to obtain leave, failure to do so was not fatal in this instance since the claimants demonstrated a shared grievance and common interest.
Nonetheless, the tribunal upheld MultiChoice’s objection, ruling that it lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate the matter.
“The preliminary objection of the first defendant succeeds,” the panel held. “This suit is accordingly struck out for want of jurisdiction.”
This ruling follows a similar outcome on May 8, when a Federal High Court in Abuja upheld MultiChoice’s price increases after the company sued the FCCPC.
In that judgment, Justice James Omotoso declared that the FCCPC lacked the authority to fix or suspend subscription rates.
MultiChoice Nigeria has slashed the price of its DStv decoder from N20,000 to N10,000, representing a 50 percent drop, in a aim at attracting attract more customers and curb declining subscriptions.
The campaign, titled “We’ve Got You,” was launched on June 16 and will continue until July 31.
Also, as part of its efforts to ease economic pressure on households and improve access to digital TV services, the campaign offers a free upgrade for both active and returning customers.
Speaking on the campaign, John Ugbe, chief executive officer (CEO) of MultiChoice Nigeria, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to rewarding loyalty and enhancing daily viewing experiences.
“We want to ensure our customers feel appreciated and have access to the best entertainment every day,” Ugbe said.
“The ‘We’veGot You’ campaign is about making premium content more accessible and showing that DStv offers something for everyone, not just football fans.
“By repositioning itself as a platform for daily value, DStv aims to encourage content discovery across a wider array of genres, including movies, drama, kids’ programming, and news.
“This means more channels, more shows, and more reasons to tune in every day.”
The development comes amid MultiChoice Nigeria’s legal battle with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over price hike.
Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) will, on Oct. 7, arraigned the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Qatar Airways, Mr Temi Birdzell, alongside the company and its top officers, over allegations bordering on breach of FCCPC Act, 2018.
The defendants will be arraigned before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Others to be arraigned with Birdzell are Stella Ihediwa, the Account Manager of the airline; Kennedy Chirchir, the Country Manager and Eva Ojeje, who is the Sales Manager of the company.
Although the arraignment was scheduled for Tuesday, the matter could not proceed.
Upon resumed hearing, none of the defendants was in court.
When the matter was called on Tuesday, none of the defendants was in court due to improper service of the court documents, including the hearing notice, on them.
FCCPC.’s lawyer, Chizenum Nsitem, told the court of their inability to serve four of the defendants, although the company was served.
Nsitem then sought an adjournment to enable them do the needful and the judge adjourned the matter until Oct. 7 for the defendants to take their plea.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commission, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/200/2025, dragged Qatar Airways, Birdzell, Ihediwa, Chirchir and Ojeje to court as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.
FCCPC, in the application dated May 26 but filed May 27, had preferred a two-count charge against the defendants.
The defendants were alleged to have failed to appear before FCCPC in compliance with a lawful summons of the commission dated Sept. 6, 2024, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 33 (3) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (FCCPC) Act, 2018.
They were also accused to have on Sept. 18, 2024, intentionally withheld the production of documents in compliance wth a lawful summons of the commission, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 111 of FCCP Act, 2018.
In count three, they were alleged to have on Sept. 18, 2024, engaged in the contravention of the consumer rights, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 124(1) and punishable under Section 155 of the same Act.
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