Broadcasting
TAFTA, Mastercard Foundation Empower 50,000 Youths in Creative Arts
Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA) and the Mastercard Foundation have trained about 50,000 youths in theatre and creative arts. Joseph Umoibom, Academy Lead at TAFTA, while speaking at the TAFTA Action Learning Project (TALP-X), stated that with the support of the Mastercard Foundation, TAFTA has trained approximately 50,000 youths across Lagos, Ogun, and Kano States.
“Many of our participants have never stood on such a platform before. To now see them write, script, and perform their own productions on Nigeria’s biggest theatre stage is proof of their boldness and growth,” Umoibom said.
He described the initiative as a celebration of talent, creativity, and teamwork, while highlighting the scale of the impact.
The creativity and achievements of young Nigerians trained in theatre and the creative arts were deployed through two original plays written and performed by Nigeria’s rising creative stars. The second play was performed by 400-level LASU students in the Department of Theatre and Creative Arts.
Speaking at the event, Afeez Oyetoro, Head of the Department of Theatre Arts at LASU, underscored the importance of bridging academic learning with real-world stage experience.
“TAFTA gives them the opportunity not only to learn theory, but also to experience professional stage performances. There’s a difference between having talent and having proper training, and that is what they are gaining here,” Oyetoro said.
The event also featured inspiring stories from TAFTA alumni who are already leaving their mark on the Nigerian creative space.
Happiness Adegbite, now an actor, filmmaker, and content creator, shared how the academy transformed his directionless beginnings into a purposeful career.
“TAFTA gave me structure. I went on to produce Broken Korean Steel Corridor, Letter to My Father, and The Last Boss to Freedom. Today, I mentor others, speak at career summits, and have even received recognition from the U.S. government. TAFTA made me believe the sky is only the starting point.”
Iluyasi Faith, a visual artist who transitioned into animation and digital arts, said, “I discovered TAFTA on Instagram, and what caught my attention was that it was free.
“I stayed consistent and today I’ve built a brand that inspires young women by combining arts and entrepreneurship. TAFTA and Mastercard Foundation gave me that platform,” she said.
Peter Friday, an aspiring filmmaker, emphasised TAFTA’s role in shaping his career, “I’ve always loved performing arts, but TAFTA gave me the structure and blueprint to create. My vision is to tell impact stories that not only entertain but also educate and resonate with society.”
Salma Hamlina, who overcame stereotypes to build an art business, said, “My experience at TAFTA was transformative. I now see myself not just as an artist, but as a businesswoman empowering other women.
“Women’s stories and skills are vital in building a richer, more inclusive creative economy. Your talent is your power, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise,” she noted.
Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has announced the postponement of its maiden annual Public Relations, Reputation, Ideas, Concepts and Excellence (PRICE) Awards and Prizes to January 25, 2026.
NIPR
The event, earlier scheduled for December 7, 2025, was deferred to accommodate stakeholders whose observance of Christmas festivities had commenced earlier than expected.
Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr. Israel Opayemi, urged stakeholders to note the new date and prepare to participate in the ceremony.
He said the awards would motivate professionals, practitioners and scholars, while enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness in the public relations ecosystem and strengthening brand equity for all stakeholders.
Opayemi reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to delivering a best-in-class award administration and ceremony, describing the PRICE Awards as a credible and enduring platform to identify, celebrate and elevate outstanding individuals, campaigns and organisations shaping the public relations landscape across sectors.
The development of the PRICE Awards peaked in September 2025 when the NIPR President and Chairman, Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, inaugurated a 12-man committee to organise the maiden edition. The inauguration followed the Council’s adoption of the report of a technical team tasked with establishing the awards.
Netflix has announced a landmark agreement to acquire Warner Bros. and HBO Max in a transaction valued at $82.7 billion, a move analysts say will reshape the global entertainment industry.
Netflix
The deal, which includes Warner Bros.’ film and television studios, HBO, HBO Max, and Warner Bros. Games, was unanimously approved by the boards of both companies. Under the terms, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) shareholders will receive $23.25 in cash and $4.50 in Netflix shares for each WBD share.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos described the acquisition as “a defining moment” for the streaming giant, noting that the company intends to maintain Warner Bros.’ current operations while expanding its production capacity.
“By combining Warner Bros.’ incredible library of shows and movies with Netflix’s culture-defining titles, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling,” Sarandos said.
The transaction is expected to close within 12 to 18 months, following the planned spin-off of WBD’s TV networks division, Discovery Global, in 2026. Netflix projects annual cost savings of $2–3 billion by the third year after completion and expects the deal to be accretive to earnings per share by year two.
Industry groups, including the Directors Guild of America and Cinema United, have raised concerns about the impact on movie theaters, while regulators are expected to scrutinize the deal over antitrust issues. Netflix has pledged to continue supporting theatrical releases, with Warner Bros.’ cinema commitments running through 2029.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav hailed the agreement, saying it “combines two of the greatest storytelling companies in the world to bring to even more people the entertainment they love.”
Observers note that the acquisition comes 15 years after former Time Warner chief Jeff Bewkes dismissed Netflix as “the Albanian army,” underscoring the dramatic shift in the entertainment landscape.
A major shake‑up rocks viewers and subscribers of DSTV/GOTV as many channels are set to shut down and be removed on January 1, 2026.
The trigger for the upcoming shut‑down is a breakdown in negotiations between the owners of multiple global channels and the pay‑TV operator.
As of December 2025, the deal between Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and DStv/GOtv has expired and the two parties have not reached a renewal agreement.
Without a new carriage/distribution agreement, the channels belonging to WBD risk being pulled off the DStv/GOtv line‑up.
This is the most significant content cutback the service has seen in years.
The affected channels are:
Discovery Channel
TLC
Cartoonito
Cartoon Network
CNN International
Food Network
The Travel Channel
TNT
Investigation Discovery
Real Time
HGTV
Discovery Family
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