₦airaland Forum

DIRECTOR’S NOTE : BEHIND THE LEAVES (Short Film)https://youtu.be/mkvK2d4SucY?si=tCR1jPVrQJncuE3g
By Nwafor Oji Awala

Every film presents an opportunity to tell a story, challenge ourselves creatively, and discover new possibilities in filmmaking. For me, BEHIND THE LEAVES was another opportunity to explore suspense, action, and visual storytelling while demonstrating that creativity and determination can bring a compelling story to life, even with limited resources.

BEHIND THE LEAVES is a short action thriller set in a rural farm environment. The film builds its tension through movement, silence, facial expressions, natural sounds, and sudden bursts of action. Rather than relying heavily on dialogue, I wanted the audience to feel the fear, uncertainty, and desperation of the characters through what they see and hear. The farm, with its thick vegetation and secluded pathways, became more than a location; it became an essential part of the story, concealing danger and creating an atmosphere of suspense.

One of the interesting aspects of this production is that it was shot entirely on a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. My decision to continue exploring smartphone filmmaking reflects my belief that a filmmaker's vision should not be limited by the cost of equipment. While professional cameras have their advantages, a filmmaker who understands composition, lighting, movement, sound, and storytelling can still produce engaging work with a smartphone. The experience of making BEHIND THE LEAVES further strengthened my interest in exploring the creative possibilities of mobile filmmaking.

I am grateful to Innocent Mube and John Christopher, whose participation contributed to bringing this production to life. Their involvement formed part of the collective effort required to transform an idea into a film.

I am particularly pleased that BEHIND THE LEAVES introduced Gift Rowland to acting and welcomed Gift as a new member of my cast. Gift took on a major role in this short action film, embracing the demands of a production that required physical performance, emotional expression, and commitment to the story. Giving new talents the opportunity to discover themselves and grow through practical filmmaking is one of the things I value about the work we do. I hope this experience becomes the beginning of a rewarding journey in acting.

Producing independent films comes with challenges, especially when working with limited budgets, available locations, and the resources at hand. Yet, these challenges encourage resourcefulness, collaboration, and innovation. With every production, we learn, improve, and move closer to the standard we aspire to achieve.

Ultimately, BEHIND THE LEAVES is a product of imagination, courage, teamwork, and a passion for storytelling. I invite viewers to watch the film with an open mind, experience its suspense, and appreciate the effort that went into its creation.

To everyone who participated in this project and continues to support our work, I say thank you. Your encouragement inspires us to keep creating and telling stories that entertain, engage, and challenge our audiences.

We may not always have the biggest equipment or the largest budgets, but we have stories to tell and the determination to tell them.

Nwafor Oji Awala
Writer, Producer and Director
Heritage House Productions

[s]SENIOR MARRIAGE PALAVER — BEHIND THE SCENES | ON SET AFTER THE SHOOT
[/s]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kvl4uCbOr8?si=aqWFKOWkeliFCeu1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kvl4uCbOr8?si=VLMxwmYKTssno3bW

What happens when the cameras stop rolling and the actors, crew and production team finally let their hair down? 😂🎬

This is a raw, candid moment captured immediately after the shoot of Senior Marriage Palaver. Still on set, the atmosphere suddenly changed from production mode to celebration mode.

In this behind-the-scenes video, Comfort Abah, who plays Mama Osa, shares a few words with the camera, alongside Artistic Director Victor Reuben and Production Manager John Christopher.

Then comes the best part! 😂💃🕺

With the theme song of Senior Marriage Palaver playing in the background, members of the cast and crew come together for an impromptu dance session—celebrating the completion of the shoot, the teamwork, the laughter and the memories created on set.

This is not a polished production. It is a raw behind-the-scenes moment—a glimpse of the people, energy and camaraderie behind Senior Marriage Palaver.

Featuring: Comfort Abah — Mama Osa
Victor Reuben — Artistic Director
John Christopher — Production Manager
Cast & Crew of Senior Marriage Palaver

Senior Marriage Palaver
A Heritage House Productions film
Created, Written & Directed by Nwafor Oji Awala

If you have enjoyed the Senior Marriage Palaver series, this is a chance to see a little of what happened behind the camera and after the final take.

👉 Watch, Like, Comment & Share
🔔 Subscribe to the Nwafor Awala YouTube Channel for more films, behind-the-scenes moments and upcoming productions.

The palaver may be over on set—but the laughter continues!

Nwafor Oji Awala
Producer/Director
Senior Marriage Palaver

[s]SENIOR MARRIAGE PALAVER — BEHIND THE SCENES | ON SET AFTER THE SHOOT
[/s]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kvl4uCbOr8?si=aqWFKOWkeliFCeu1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kvl4uCbOr8?si=VLMxwmYKTssno3bW

What happens when the cameras stop rolling and the actors, crew and production team finally let their hair down? 😂🎬

This is a raw, candid moment captured immediately after the shoot of Senior Marriage Palaver. Still on set, the atmosphere suddenly changed from production mode to celebration mode.

In this behind-the-scenes video, Comfort Abah, who plays Mama Osa, shares a few words with the camera, alongside Artistic Director Victor Reuben and Production Manager John Christopher.

Then comes the best part! 😂💃🕺

With the theme song of Senior Marriage Palaver playing in the background, members of the cast and crew come together for an impromptu dance session—celebrating the completion of the shoot, the teamwork, the laughter and the memories created on set.

This is not a polished production. It is a raw behind-the-scenes moment—a glimpse of the people, energy and camaraderie behind Senior Marriage Palaver.

Featuring: Comfort Abah — Mama Osa
Victor Reuben — Artistic Director
John Christopher — Production Manager
Cast & Crew of Senior Marriage Palaver

Senior Marriage Palaver
A Heritage House Productions film
Created, Written & Directed by Nwafor Oji Awala

If you have enjoyed the Senior Marriage Palaver series, this is a chance to see a little of what happened behind the camera and after the final take.

👉 Watch, Like, Comment & Share
🔔 Subscribe to the Nwafor Awala YouTube Channel for more films, behind-the-scenes moments and upcoming productions.

The palaver may be over on set—but the laughter continues!

Nwafor Oji Awala
Producer/Director
Senior Marriage Palaver

[s]Wash My Plate: SENIOR MARRIAGE PALAVER
[/s]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5497A8GrgsI?si=6yCNtsYvTFG6ihXm
Every story has an ending. But when the story is about Papa Osa and Mama Osa, even the ending must come with its own palaver. 😂

When I began working on Senior Marriage Palaver, my intention was to create a simple comedy that finds humour in the everyday realities of companionship, particularly the kind of relationship where two people have spent so many years together that they know exactly what to say—and what not to say—to provoke each other.

With Wash My Plate, we arrive at the final unit of the serial release, and I wanted the journey to end on the same note on which it began: laughter, misunderstanding, marital banter and the beautiful absurdity of living together.

The phrase “Wash my plate” became the perfect comic trigger for this final chapter. What sounds like an ordinary request quickly becomes another source of suspicion and confusion. And with Papa Osa and Mama Osa, a simple statement is rarely allowed to remain simple. 😂

Throughout this series, Papa Osa has tried to maintain his dignity as a respected elder and community chief, while Mama Osa has consistently reminded him that, inside their home, his title does not exempt him from her questions.

That relationship is what makes the comedy work for me.

Papa Osa and Mama Osa quarrel, tease, accuse and challenge each other, but beneath all the palaver is companionship. They have lived together long enough to understand each other's weaknesses, habits and temperaments. Their arguments are exaggerated for comedy, but the familiarity between them is very real.

🎭 THE CHARACTERS

Playing Papa Osa gave me the opportunity to explore a character who wants to appear wise, composed and in control—even when his explanations are becoming increasingly difficult to defend. 😂

I am grateful to Comfort Abah, whose portrayal of Mama Osa gave the character the energy, confidence and comic timing necessary to stand toe-to-toe with Papa Osa.

Together, we tried to create a couple whose disagreements are entertaining precisely because they feel familiar.

🎬 THE END OF THE SERIAL JOURNEY

Wash My Plate is the final unit in the serial YouTube release of Senior Marriage Palaver.

We began with The Genesis, where the palaver started. We continued with The Waist Pain, followed by Who Is Sweet Angel?, and now we arrive at Wash My Plate.

Releasing the film in units has allowed each chapter to have its own identity while giving viewers an opportunity to follow the journey of Papa Osa and Mama Osa gradually.

To everyone who has watched, laughed, commented, shared and subscribed along the way, thank you.

As a filmmaker, one of the greatest rewards is knowing that something created from a simple idea can make another person laugh.

😂 THE PALAVER MAY END, BUT THE LAUGHTER CONTINUES

With Wash My Plate, the serial journey comes to an end. But I hope the characters and their peculiar marriage will remain with you long after the final scene.

Perhaps that is one of the little truths hidden inside this comedy:

Marriage may grow older, but companionship does not have to become boring.

Sometimes love is expressed through tenderness.

Sometimes through patience.

And sometimes...

through arguing over who should wash the plate. 😂🍽️

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

Now, sit back, watch Wash My Plate, laugh with Papa Osa and Mama Osa, and if you have followed the series from the beginning, take a moment to appreciate just how far this palaver has travelled.

The marriage has survived.
The palaver has reached its final chapter.
But the laughter doesn't have to end.

— Nwafor Oji Awala
Creator, Writer & Director
Heritage House Productions

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

[s]Senior Marriage Palaver: Who Is Sweet Angel?[/s]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySUszI9Kns8?si=uLN4Mh8DKJ_x9SQC

When I created Senior Marriage Palaver, I wanted to tell a simple, entertaining story about marriage through the eyes of two people who have spent many years together and have therefore accumulated enough history, arguments and secrets to keep them going for another lifetime.

With Who Is Sweet Angel?, the palaver takes a more suspicious turn.

At the centre of this chapter is something familiar in many modern relationships: the mobile phone. A simple message can raise questions. A name can create suspicion. And sometimes, an innocent explanation can make matters even worse!

For Mama Osa, the discovery of “Sweet Angel” is enough to activate her investigative instincts. Who is this woman calling her husband “Baby”? Why does she miss him? And what exactly does she mean by “wash my plate”?

Papa Osa, on the other hand, suddenly finds himself in the difficult position of explaining a situation he would rather avoid. And as we know with Papa Osa and Mama Osa, once suspicion enters the room, peace quietly walks out through the back door. 🤣

What I particularly enjoy about this chapter is the chemistry between the two characters. Papa Osa and Mama Osa may be getting older, but their marriage is certainly not getting boring. Their arguments are exaggerated for comedy, but beneath the laughter is the familiarity of two people who know each other very well and know exactly which buttons to press.

THE PERFORMANCE

I am grateful to Comfort Abah, who plays Mama Osa, for bringing the character's strength, suspicion, comic timing and expressive reactions to life. Mama Osa is not the kind of woman who sees a strange name on her husband's phone and simply says, “Okay, darling.” 😂

I also enjoyed playing Papa Osa, a man who discovers that being a community chief does not necessarily make him the chief of his own household!

SHOT ON SAMSUNG S24 ULTRA

An important part of this project is also the way it was made.

Senior Marriage Palaver: Who Is Sweet Angel? was shot on the Samsung S24 Ultra.

For me, filmmaking is not only about having expensive equipment; it is about storytelling, creativity and making the best use of the tools available to you. The S24 Ultra gave us the opportunity to create this chapter with a compact setup while still pursuing the visual quality and cinematic feel I wanted.

This project is part of my continuing exploration of what can be achieved with accessible technology and a strong commitment to storytelling.

A SERIAL JOURNEY

I have chosen to release Senior Marriage Palaver serially on YouTube, allowing each unit to stand on its own while gradually building the larger story. Who Is Sweet Angel? is the third unit in that journey.

There are more palavers ahead.

More arguments.
More misunderstandings.
More surprises.
And, hopefully, much more laughter. 😂

I invite you to watch Senior Marriage Palaver: Who Is Sweet Angel?, share it with your friends and family, and subscribe to the Nwafor Awala YouTube Channel to follow the series as it unfolds.

After all, who is Sweet Angel?

Mama Osa wants to know.

And Papa Osa may have wished she never asked! 😂

The suspicion has started. The marriage is under investigation. And the palaver continues!

— Nwafor Oji Awala
Creator, Writer & Director
Heritage House Productions

DIRECTOR’S NOTE: Senior Marriage Palaver: The Waist Painhttps://youtu.be/vhUyLlK3YKM?si=uR1Knhefq0NttORv
There is something uniquely funny about marriage: the older the couple, the more history they have to use against each other.

When I created Senior Marriage Palaver, I wanted to explore the lighter, sometimes ridiculous side of companionship in old age. The Waist Pain, the second unit in the series, continues that journey through the relationship between Papa Osa and Mama Osa, a couple who have clearly been married long enough to know exactly where to press each other’s buttons.

Papa Osa’s waist may be hurting, but Mama Osa is not about to allow him to behave like a young man. What follows is a hilarious exchange of marital advice, teasing, accusations and the kind of jealousy that neither party is willing to admit.

For me, the humour in this story comes not only from the dialogue, but from the familiarity of the characters. Papa Osa and Mama Osa represent many couples who have spent decades together: couples who can quarrel passionately one moment and still care deeply for each other the next.

I also wanted The Waist Pain to remind us that love does not necessarily grow old; sometimes, it simply becomes more argumentative.

This is the second unit in the serial release of Senior Marriage Palaver. I have chosen to release the film in units, allowing each chapter to breathe and giving viewers an opportunity to follow Papa Osa and Mama Osa's journey before the complete film is eventually released.

I am grateful to Comfort Abah, who brings Mama Osa to life with the energy and comic timing the character demands. I also enjoyed stepping into the shoes of Papa Osa and bringing this rather stubborn old man to the screen.

So, sit back, watch, laugh and perhaps, if you are married, learn a few things about what not to say to your spouse when their waist is hurting.

Thank you for watching and supporting my work. Please subscribe to the Nwafor Awala https://youtu.be/vhUyLlK3YKM?si=uR1Knhefq0NttORv YouTube Channel and follow the series as the palaver continues.

The waist is hurting.
The marriage is surviving.
And the palaver is just beginning.

Nwafor Oji Awala
Creator, Writer & Director
Senior Marriage Palaver
Heritage House Productions

By Nwafor Oji Awala

A Note on Senior Marriage Palaver: The Genesishttps://youtu.be/KnFI9HVV_mA?si=VN_xTFa-j0BSERdM

After exploring the darker and more emotional sides of storytelling through my short films The Man She Called Father and Shadows of Trust, I decided to take a completely different direction.

This time, I chose laughter.

Senior Marriage Palaver: The Genesis is the beginning of my new comedy film, built around the hilarious relationship between Papa Osa and Mama Osa: a couple whose marriage proves that growing older does not necessarily mean growing quieter!

The film is a lighthearted exploration of marriage, companionship, jealousy, misunderstanding and the funny things that happen when two people who know each other too well refuse to surrender an argument.

With The Man She Called Father, I dealt with sacrifice and hidden truths. With Shadows of Trust, I explored betrayal and broken confidence. With Senior Marriage Palaver, I simply want you to sit back, relax and laugh.

I am releasing the film serially on YouTube, beginning with The Genesis, before releasing the complete film.

This is my invitation to you: come into the world of Papa Osa and Mama Osa and let the palaver begin!

Watch Senior Marriage Palaver: The Genesis on the Nwafor Awala YouTube Channel, subscribe, and follow the series as the story unfolds.

Sometimes, after telling serious stories, a filmmaker also needs to make people laugh.

Nwafor Oji Awala
Creator, Writer & Director
Heritage House Productions

By Nwafor Oji Awala

There are moments in politics when an election becomes more than an election. It becomes a statement. And it becomes a referendum on leadership, dignity, memory and the collective will of a people.

The victory of Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osun State, as presented by the verdict of the people, is one of those moments.

Congratulations to Governor Adeleke, the man popularly known as the “Dancing Governor”, and congratulations to the people of Osun State, who have once again demonstrated that the ballot remains one of the most powerful instruments through which ordinary citizens can speak to power. When the people say yes, who can say no?

THE DANCING GOVERNOR WHO CAUGHT MY ATTENTION

One of the first things that attracted me to Ademola Adeleke was not politics. It was his dance. Yes, his dance moves!

As a student and practitioner of the theatre, with a particular appreciation for choreography, movement and rhythm, I have always been fascinated by people who can interpret rhythm through movement. There is something about good movement that speaks beyond words. And Governor Adeleke dances.

Perhaps what many initially dismissed as mere entertainment was, in retrospect, an expression of something deeper about the man, a willingness to be himself in a political environment where politicians often construct artificial personalities for public consumption.

He danced when many expected him to be serious. He smiled when many expected him to look intimidating. He carried his peculiar identity into politics and, somehow, the people of Osun embraced it. The bird that knows how to dance does not hide its legs. Adeleke did not hide his legs.

WHEN THE PEOPLE REFUSE TO BE BOUGHT

The Osun contest has also raised an important question about the relationship between money and democracy.

If reports of attempts at vote buying are anything to go by, then the real victory belongs not merely to a candidate but to citizens who decided that their votes were worth more than whatever money was offered.

If you sell your mat today, where will you sit tomorrow? A vote may have a price placed upon it for one day, but its consequences can last for four years or more. That is why the people must understand the power they hold.

A politician can give you money today and still disappoint you tomorrow. But once you surrender your vote, you may have surrendered your voice. The people of Osun appear to have understood this distinction.

They guarded their votes. They watched the process. And they refused to allow the temporary value of money to determine the permanent direction of their state. That is democracy in its most fundamental form.

THE PEOPLE ARE NOT ASLEEP

There is a dangerous assumption in Nigerian politics that once a political party controls the centre, controls powerful institutions or possesses enormous financial resources, victory is automatically guaranteed. Osun has challenged that assumption.

Power may be mighty, but the people remain the source of legitimate political authority.

When the elephant fights the buffalo, it is the grass that suffers. Citizens therefore have every right to be suspicious when political battles become wars between powerful interests. But there is another lesson: when the grass itself stands together, it can become a field too vast to be trampled. The Osun electorate has demonstrated that political consciousness is growing.

Nigerians are increasingly asking questions. They are watching. They are comparing promises with performance.

They are remembering how they were treated yesterday. And, most importantly, they are beginning to understand that political loyalty should not mean surrendering one's capacity to think.

PERFORMANCE SPEAKS A LANGUAGE THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND

No governor is perfect. Adeleke is not perfect. But politics is ultimately about the lives people live.

For a civil-service-heavy state like Osun, the regular payment of salaries is not a small matter. For pensioners waiting for their entitlements, the clearing of pensions and gratuities is not mere government statistics. These are matters of survival and dignity.

A hungry worker does not eat political slogans. A retired teacher cannot pay medical bills with propaganda. And a family cannot send children to school with promises.

This is why government must always return to the basics: pay the worker, respect the pensioner, build the roads, improve healthcare, support education, create opportunities and protect the dignity of the citizen.

The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down just to feel its warmth. When government makes ordinary people feel seen, respected and valued, those people have a reason to defend the system.

WHEN IDENTITY BECOMES A POLITICAL LANGUAGE

Perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of Adeleke's political story is the emergence of “IMOLƐ”, The Light, as a rallying identity.

Politics is not only about policies and manifestos. Politics is also about emotion, identity, belonging and hope. People want something they can believe in.

They want a word that captures their aspiration. They want a symbol that tells them that tomorrow can be different from yesterday.

IMOLƐ became more than a word. It became a political language.

And that is why propaganda alone cannot always defeat genuine identification between a people and their chosen political symbol.

Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter. For too long, political narratives in Nigeria have been written by those who possess the loudest microphones. But social media, grassroots mobilisation and citizen participation have changed the equation. The people are increasingly telling their own stories.

A MESSAGE BEYOND OSUN

The significance of the Osun verdict may extend beyond Osun State. It should be a lesson to every political party preparing for the future.

No political party should assume that Nigerians will vote for it simply because it controls the federal government. No politician should mistake political power for permanent ownership of the people.

And no opposition should imagine that anger against the ruling party is enough to guarantee victory.

Opposition politics requires structure. It requires unity. It requires credible candidates. It requires a message that connects with ordinary citizens. Most importantly, it requires the humility to listen.

The one who asks questions does not lose his way. Political parties that refuse to listen to the people may eventually lose their way.

THE ROAD TO 2027

Whether the Osun result becomes a template for 2027 will depend on what political actors do with the lesson. The opposition cannot sleep until 2027 and wake up suddenly expecting Nigerians to hand over power.

There must be preparation. There must be organisation. There must be a coherent national message.

There must be a credible candidate capable of transcending ethnic, religious and regional boundaries. And above all, there must be a connection with the ordinary Nigerian.

Because elections are not won in Abuja alone. They are won in markets, in classrooms, in motor parks, in villages, in offices, in workshops, in churches and mosques, in the homes of pensioners and civil servants, and in the hearts of young Nigerians who are tired of being treated as statistics.

THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN

I watched the unfolding of this political drama with keen interest, and I sacrificed sleep to witness what may well become an important chapter in Nigeria's democratic journey.

For me, the most important message is not simply that Adeleke won. It is that the people exercised their will. And that is what democracy should ultimately be about.

The governor may dance, but the people must decide the music.

The politician may make promises, but the people must judge the performance.

The party may wave its flag, but the voter holds the ballot.

And when the people finally decide to speak with one voice, even the mighty must listen.

When the roots of a tree begin to decay, the branches begin to shake.

Those who occupy political offices must therefore remember that power is borrowed. The people are the owners of the mandate. Today, Osun has reminded Nigeria of that simple truth.

Governor Ademola Adeleke deserves congratulations for his victory. But beyond the governor, the people of Osun deserve the greater applause. They have demonstrated that democracy is not merely about who has the deepest pocket, the loudest propaganda or the most powerful political machinery.

Sometimes, democracy is simply about a people looking at the choices before them and saying: “This is our will.”

And when the people hold the torch, darkness cannot dictate where they are going.

Congratulations, Governor Ademola Adeleke!

Congratulations, the people of Osun State!

May your mandate translate into even greater service, accountability and development: for in the end, the dance belongs to you but the rhythm belongs to the people.

©️ Nwafor Oji Awala

Director's Note

My Betrothed Has Refused Me Again

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3tfcoebddA?si=o6AVd5t1jGlG6sWs
By Nwafor Oji Awala

As a filmmaker, I believe that every project should challenge me to discover something new. My Betrothed Has Refused Me Again was born out of that desire to experiment.

This four-minute comedy was shot entirely on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, not just to tell a funny story, but to test my ability to create compelling visual compositions, dynamic camera angles, and smooth scene transitions without relying on a written screenplay. There was no scripted dialogue, no pre-written scenes, only an idea, two committed actors, and the freedom to allow creativity to flow naturally.

Featuring Comfort Abah and David Ngochindo, the film tells the story of an engaged couple who have agreed to abstain from sex until marriage. But when the Woman spends the night with her fiancé, temptation sets in. The Man repeatedly pleads with her to break their agreement, while she stands firm, insisting that true love is patient enough to wait. What follows is a series of humorous exchanges that many couples will find both entertaining and relatable.

Beyond the laughter, the film reminds us that love is not measured by how quickly desires are satisfied, but by the respect, discipline, and commitment partners show each other.

This production reaffirmed my belief that good storytelling is not defined by the size of the camera or the budget behind it. Sometimes, all you need is a vision, talented performers, and the courage to trust your instincts.

I hope My Betrothed Has Refused Me Again leaves you smiling while also giving you something to reflect on.

— Nwafor Oji Awala
Writer/Director/Producer

Director's Note

^{The Man She Called Father}
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxAVJIBUj_U?si=Cu766TrL7HvJUSix

By Nwafor Oji Awala

The Man She Called Father is a story about sacrifice, love, and the painful burden of marriage. It asks a simple but unsettling question: How far can a husband go to protect a wife even when that wife cannot see the depth of the sacrifice?

The film explores the emotional distance that can exist between people who love each other. Sometimes the greatest acts of love are misunderstood, and those who bear the heaviest burdens are often judged the most harshly. Through this story, I wanted to remind us that every family carries hidden truths, and that behind every stern face may lie years of silent sacrifice.

As an independent filmmaker, I also wanted this production to demonstrate that compelling stories do not depend solely on expensive equipment. The Man She Called Father was filmed entirely on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, proving that today's smartphone technology, when combined with thoughtful storytelling, careful lighting, dedicated actors, and disciplined filmmaking, can produce cinematic results.

This film is therefore more than a drama—it is also a celebration of creativity without limits. It reflects my belief that the most powerful tool in filmmaking is not the camera, but the story and the people who bring it to life.

I am deeply grateful to the cast and crew whose commitment transformed this vision into reality, and to every viewer who has chosen to experience this journey.

I hope The Man She Called Father stays with you long after the final scene, inspiring conversations about family, gratitude, forgiveness, and the sacrifices that often go unseen. It is showing now on ^{Nwafor Awala} https://youtube.com/@nwaforojiawala1172?si=AGqUYwZoWI6cXhvE YouTube channel.

— Nwafor Oji Awala
Writer, Producer & Director
Heritage House Production

Shadows of Trust, The Making

By Nwafor Oji Awala

Shadows of Trust, Making is a behind-the-scenes documentary that chronicles the journey of producing the short film Shadows of Trust. More than a record of the filmmaking process, the documentary offers an intimate look at the creativity, challenges, and determination that transformed an idea into a completed motion picture.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the production is that Shadows of Trust was filmed entirely on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, demonstrating the growing possibilities of smartphone filmmaking. The project serves as evidence that compelling stories can be told with accessible technology when combined with vision, planning, and dedication.

The documentary captures key moments from pre-production, rehearsals, principal photography, and post-production, while highlighting the collaborative efforts of cast and crew members who contributed to bringing the story to life. Viewers are given an opportunity to witness the practical realities of independent filmmaking, including location challenges, scene preparation, performance direction, and problem-solving on set.

Beyond the technical process, Shadows of Trust, Making explores the creative motivations behind the film. It examines how themes of trust, betrayal, loyalty, and social responsibility influenced the narrative and shaped the production decisions throughout the project.

As an independent filmmaker, I believe that storytelling is not limited by the size of a budget or the sophistication of equipment. What matters most is the commitment to telling meaningful stories that connect with audiences. By documenting the making of Shadows of Trust, I hope to inspire aspiring filmmakers to embrace available tools, pursue their creative visions, and recognize that powerful cinema can emerge from determination, innovation, and passion.

Shadows of Trust, Making is therefore both a documentary and a testament to the possibilities of modern independent filmmaking.

Nwafor Oji Awala
Creator and Director
Shadows of Trust & Shadows of Trust, Making

Director's Note

Broken Trust (Short Film)
https://youtu.be/DJDQgkbFDw4?si=uoAbu-llFjBxdpAi
By Nwafor Awala

As a storyteller, I have always been fascinated by the delicate nature of trust. It is one of the strongest foundations of human relationships, yet it is also one of the easiest things to destroy. The inspiration behind Broken Trust came from observing how betrayal, dishonesty, and hidden motives continue to affect families, friendships, and communities around us.

This film is more than a story about personal disappointment. It is a reflection on the consequences of choices and the emotional scars that betrayal leaves behind. Through the experiences of the characters, I sought to explore the difficult questions that arise when trust is broken: Can relationships survive betrayal? Can forgiveness heal deep wounds? And what becomes of people when the foundations they rely upon suddenly collapse?

In creating Broken Trust, my goal was to present a realistic and relatable narrative that speaks to everyday experiences. The film avoids glamourizing conflict and instead focuses on the emotional realities of human relationships, allowing viewers to see parts of themselves, their families, and their communities in the story.

I believe that film should not only entertain but also inspire reflection and conversation. It is my hope that Broken Trust encourages viewers to think more deeply about honesty, loyalty, accountability, and the value of preserving trust in their relationships.

To everyone who has supported this project, from cast and crew members to viewers and supporters of independent filmmaking, I extend my heartfelt appreciation. Your encouragement continues to make these stories possible.

Thank you for watching.

Nwafor Awala
Creator and Director, Broken Trust

Shadows of Trust is a short film that explores the fragile nature of trust in a society gradually losing its moral direction. Through the emotional journey of Ake, the film examines betrayal, suspicion, silence, and the painful reality that sometimes the people we trust most become the source of our deepest wounds.

The story deliberately begins with a street robbery ignored by a police officer. This moment is more than an ordinary crime scene—it symbolizes a society becoming numb to wrongdoing. As the film progresses, that same atmosphere of decay moves from the streets into the home, where trust in marriage is tested and eventually shattered.

At its core, Shadows of Trust asks difficult questions: What happens when loyalty disappears? How do people survive betrayal from those they admire and trust? And what becomes of a society where both institutions and relationships fail?

The film relies on realism, emotional restraint, and silence as powerful storytelling tools. Rather than excessive drama, the performances are grounded in everyday experiences familiar to many people. The use of phone calls, WhatsApp images, and confined spaces reflects how modern technology can both reveal truth and destroy peace.

Visually, the film contrasts public disorder with private emotional collapse. The tension grows quietly until the final confrontation in the hotel room, where truth finally steps out from the shadows.

Ultimately, Shadows of Trust is not just a story about infidelity. It is a reflection on trust itself—how easily it can be broken, how deeply betrayal can wound, and how societal failure often mirrors personal failure.

This project was created to spark conversation, provoke reflection, and remind viewers that when trust disappears, both homes and societies begin to crumble.

©️ Nwafor Awala
Creator/Director - Shadows of Trust (short film)

By Nwafor Oji Awala

In the theatre of Nigerian politics, only those who understand the laws of power survive. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike is not merely playing politics; he’s playing power. And like Machiavelli’s Prince, he neither forgets an enemy nor plays loyalty blindly. The question now is: can the PDP afford to suspend the man who helped deliver Aso Rock to their archrival?

Would Bola Ahmed Tinubu be President today if not for the cross-party architecture Wike engineered at the last hour?
Who built the bridge across party lines in Rivers and beyond that brought votes from unlikely quarters? Was it not Wike who, against the tide of his own party, defied Atiku Abubakar, mobilised the G5 governors, and opened the floodgates of PDP votes for Tinubu’s victory?

If Wike could fracture the ambition of Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President of the Federal Republic, and force him into political retreat, what makes the PDP think they can silence him now?

If he could politically outmaneuver David Mark, a two-term Senate President, and destabilise the PDP’s foundations enough to push both men to flirt with the ADC, then who really holds the master key to opposition strength?

Wike is not just a politician. He is an institution. A mobiliser. A war general who has fought and won political battles where others barely survived. He understands Law 1 of the 48 Laws of Power — Never outshine the master — and yet he’s proven time and again that when the master is weak, he can become one himself.

Now the PDP, battered and limping, speaks of suspension? Suspend Wike? And give the APC the final weapon to dismantle the opposition in 2027?
How can a party that has failed to manage internal congresses, ignored court rulings, and rewarded impunity think it has the moral muscle to enforce discipline?

Wike has made it clear that he is not leaving the PDP. But he will not be a part of a charade where the rule of law is discarded and loyalty is blind servitude. And should the party ignore his warning about the Calabar congress and court rulings against Chief Odefa, it will not only trigger a fresh crisis but also signal the final implosion of the party’s South-South and South-East base.

With the APC growing stronger, absorbing sitting governors, leveraging Tinubu’s political capital and the quiet but strategic influence of the First Lady, is the PDP truly ready for the war ahead?
Do they not realise that the man they call a rebel might just be the last man standing between them and political extinction?

Nyesom Wike is not begging for relevance. He is shaping the balance of power. And the PDP must ask themselves: do you destroy the chess player or learn to play his game?

— Nwafor Oji Awala
writing from Eleme, Rivers State.

ABOUT THE BROCHURE
The brochure serves as an essential guide for prospective contributors and individuals slated to be featured within the pages of Two & Half Decades of Cultural & Political Developments in Eleme. It is a model for the big journal and offers clear guidelines for those nominated to be included, particularly individuals who have played pivotal roles in the political and cultural evolution of Eleme during this crucial period. Through rigorous scholarship and personal narratives, "Two & Half Decades of Political & Cultural Developments in Eleme" will illuminate the forces, figures, and events that have defined our recent history.

The journal, "Two & Half Decades of Political & Cultural Developments in Eleme” aims to provide a comprehensive and insightful retrospective on the significant transformations that have shaped the Eleme landscape over the past 25 to 26 years.


ABOUT THE JOURNAL
This 1st edition of "Two & Half Decades of Cultural & Political Developments in Eleme" offers a compelling exploration of the profound cultural and political advancements that have reshaped the Eleme ethnic entity and its local government area over the last quarter-century. Beyond a mere chronicle of events, the journal will also shine a spotlight on the lives and achievements of remarkable Eleme sons and daughters whose unwavering dedication has fueled this developmental evolution since Nigeria's pivotal return to democratic governance.

The year 1999 stands as a watershed moment for Nigeria, and by extension, for the Eleme people. Following a protracted and often perilous struggle for democratic ideals, a new era dawned, promising respect for political and developmental rights. For Eleme, one of Nigeria's approximately 250 distinct ethnic nationalities that forged the independent nation on October 1, 1960, this transition held particular significance. Just three years prior, in 1996, the military administration of General Sani Abacha, responding to persistent demands, created a dedicated local government area for Eleme. This administrative shift was transformative; it empowered the Eleme people with the ability to manage their own affairs and ensured their vital representation in elected offices, most notably at the local government and state levels.

With the dawn of this democratic era in 1999 came a wave of promising Eleme representation. Marcus Nle Ejii was elected to the Rivers State House of Assembly, providing Eleme a powerful voice at the state level. Princely Emeka Chujor assumed the chairmanship of the newly created local government area, placing an Eleme son at the helm of local administration. Furthermore, the appointment of Chief Precious Ngelale as a minister in the Federal Republic of Nigeria signaled Eleme's presence on the national stage, while the election of Chief Olaka Nwogu to the House of Representatives ensured federal legislative representation. This initial landscape of strong representation ignited a sense of optimism, signaling that Eleme was finally poised to secure its rightful and prominent place within the Nigerian federation of ethnic groups.

To meticulously document this transformative period, a dedicated committee from Prime Heritage Magazine has undertaken the crucial task of identifying and nominating Eleme sons and daughters, both within Nigeria and in the diaspora, who have made, and continue to make, substantial and positive contributions to Eleme's cultural and political development. Their compelling stories and enduring achievements will form the vital core narratives of "Two & Half Decades of Cultural & Political Developments in Eleme," offering readers a comprehensive and inspiring look at the progress achieved and the remarkable individuals who shaped it.

Our rigorous selection process focuses on individuals of Eleme origin who exemplify a unique blend of personal success, unwavering character, and profound contributions to any sphere of the Eleme community within the prescribed period. We seek out those who embody the values of hard work, resilience, and self-reliance. We believe that significant success in business, trade, or any profession deserves high celebration, especially when it translates into creating vital job opportunities and fostering the economic well-being of others in our cherished community.


Editor: Nwafor Oji Awala
© Two & Half Decades of Cultural & Political Developments in Eleme

NOTE: [s]Introducing TWO & HALF DECADES OF POLITICAL & CULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS IN ELEME[/s] was first published in [s]Two & Half Decades of Cultural & Political Developments in Eleme[/s].

RE: DON’T CALL IT INCOMPLETE — UMAHI JUSTIFIES PARTIAL COMMISSIONING OF EAST-WEST ROAD


Honourable Minister David Umahi,


With due respect to your office, I must ask you plainly: *Is the road you came to commission in Eleme the same kind of road you would have commissioned in Ebonyi State when you were Governor?* Would you have invited the President to unveil a single lane beside a broken, deadly bridge, and call it an achievement for your people?


My blame, however, does not rest squarely on your desk. I direct it more to the complicit sons and daughters of Rivers State, particularly those of Eleme origin, who dine on crumbs from State House dinners while turning a blind eye to the embarrassment and insult handed to their people. Their silence is deafening; their inaction, shameful.


Let me be clear: what you commissioned in Eleme is not development — it is a conspiracy. A cruel joke at the expense of a people who contribute an elephant share to the economic engine of this nation through oil, gas, and logistics. Yet, we are treated as expendable, our lives and livelihoods placed on a partially tarred road and a decaying bridge.


Had Eleme a vibrant, uncompromising youth front and an active ethnic voice, this insult would not have passed. But we have been weakened from within, and this emboldened you to deceive the President by painting a picture of progress where only delay and neglect stand.


You claim the project stalled until this administration — but since your arrival, what real progress has been made? How many years will it take to complete a second lane and a bridge, even with your so-called “concrete technology”?

Let it be known, Sir: in commissioning that portion of the road, you have become an enemy of Eleme. You have sold us short, and history will remember this not as progress, but as betrayal.

Signed,
Nwafor Oji Awala
A Concerned Son of Eleme

Established in 2015, Eleme Today Newspaper is published by Nwafor Oji Awala. Residents of Eleme Local Government Area are kept informed, connected, and proud of their local identity by this community newspaper, which serves as an essential thread in the social fabric of the area. It is a printed representation of the heart and spirit of the Eleme community.
With a tone that is warm, supportive, and focused on building community spirit while it addresses local issues, the overall feel is positive and geared towards celebrating local achievements and fostering connection.
Eleme Today newspaper is published weekly for the people of its neighborhoods. With local headlines dominating the front page, this newspaper is majorly about what's happening in Eleme Local Government Area: reports on local government decisions, updates on road construction or improvements in drainage systems, and news from community development associations.
The Eleme Today Newspaper serves as your source for information about events in the Eleme LGA, including market fairs, church or mosque meetings, school functions, local music performances, and cultural festivals.
It shares the tales of the local business owners, accomplished students, civic leaders, and unsung heroes who are making a difference—all of whom contribute to Eleme's uniqueness.
Eleme Today Newspaper is located at No. 6 Chief Oji Awala Street, Ogale Nchia Eleme, Rivers State, Nigeria.
[b][/b]

Fortune Kenya, born in 1977, is an International Preacher, Conference Speaker, Greek and Hebrew Scholar, Editor, Lecturer, Poet and Bible Expositor with academic merits of Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Theology.

Kenya was born and raised in Aleto Town, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State in Nigeria, where he had his primary education at State School, Aleto (1983-1988). He proceeded to Okirika Grammar School, Okirika (1989--1993) and later moved to Community Secondary School Botem for a Senior Secondary School Certificate.

Dr Kenya was admitted into Kumran Bible College in 2001 for a 3-year Diploma programme.

He started a degree programme in the 2008/2009 academic year and bagged a Bachelor's degree in 2012.

He further enrolled in higher academic programme and obtained a Master’s Degree (2012 --2014). He bags a Doctoral Degree from The Evangel Faith Theological Seminary
(Accredited by the International Christian University, USA) Mafouluku, off-Airport Road, Lagos, from 2014 -- 2016.

A prolific writer and bestselling author of The Language of Vision, Unleashing Your Brainpower, Bringing Out The Genius in You and other books, Kenya is a Zonal Pastor with Greater Evangelism World Crusade, Port Harcourt and serves as member on the Ministry's Sunday School Editorial Board.

An anointed and dynamic minister of God who has travelled outside the shores of Nigeria, with a prophetic grace and numerous talents, Dr Fortune Kenya has changed lives in his native land and the diaspora with impactful messages and currently serves as Council Chaplain, Eleme Local Government.

Nwafor Oji Awala
2024

The people were in a mood of joy at Aleto community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday, 17 July, following the conferment of chieftaincy title on the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Joseph Siminalayi Fubara by His Royal Majesty, Emere Philip Osaro Obele, Oneh-eh Eleme XI and Paramount Ruler of Aleto, and the Aleto Council of Chiefs.

Gov Siminalayi Fubara received the chieftaincy title of ‘Emere Ajuri (Man of Peace) ’ for putting Eleme on the path of development and appointing indigenes to positions of trust in Rivers State.

The event which took place at the Community Town Hall, Aleto on the 17th of July, 2024, also saw the decoration of two illustrious sons of Aleto community by the Eleme monarch. They are Chief Oji Ngofa, Nigeria’s former envoy to the royal Dutch kingdom of the Netherlands and Chief Brain Gokpa, Caretaker Committee Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council for positioning Eleme for growth and development.

The royal father who expressed his council’s support to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Chief Brain Gokpa and Chief Oji Ngofa said Fubara “is working hard to make our community better” through development projects and urged the people of Eleme to remain steadfast in their support for the governor and the government of Rivers State.

In his message of goodwill to the king and people of Eleme, Gov Similaiye Fubara, represented by Chief Oji Ngofa, expressed appreciation to the Aleto Council of Chiefs and the King of Eleme for the honour accorded him and stressed the exigency for Eleme to place itself for extraordinary growth and development as he underlined the governor's endeavours in investing more in young people and advancing democracy.

INAPOW Clinic, a global provider of herbal solutions, manufacturing tonics, tea, oil and other objective operations, celebrated its 25th year of HA-19 Herbal Remedy, a strong herbal tonic to tackle and cure the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the company marked the occasion with a get together at the INAPOW House, Okerewa-Aleto in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday, 8 July.

The event started off with an opening address by Elder Obe Nwafor Awala, Chairman of the event, who presided over the programme. Elder Awala addressed the gathering and called for the presence of God in prayers.

Speaking at the occasion, the host, Chief Cyrus Kanwi said, "25 years ago, Professor Peter Ekpe, founder and CEO of INAPOW Clinics embarked on a trip of moulding the future through herbal research. He powered through the years with tradomedical entrepreneurial drive and great enthusiasm with the invention of the HA-19 Herbal Remedy.

“Today, he has touched so many lives along the way. And it is a proud moment for us to celebrate the silver jubilee event of HA-19.”

Sharing his experience and insights into the 25-year journey of HA-19 Herbal Remedy, the Inventor of the herbal solution, who is also the Founder and Medical Director of INAPOW Clinics, Rt Rev Prof Peter Effiong Ekpe said "Today marks a very significant milestone for us at INAPOW Tradomedical Clinic. We are proud to be part of this journey that has seen us weather all challenges and carve opportunities where none existed.”

“HA-19 is the right solution to HIV. It has won the war against the deadly virus. Testimonies from people who have used HA-19 to flush HIV virus from their systems abound”

“Because of what HIV/AIDS has done to people, I was forced into research from which HA-19 was born: so many people have died through AIDS”

“I have been threatened, intimidated and attacked because I discovered a cure for HIV. I thank the almighty God for the work he has done here. Today, testimonies abound. Testimonies from those who used HA-19 and are now negative to the virus. Their testimonies speak for HA-19” he explained.

True to his words, many rose to the podium and drummed their praises in testimony for HA-19. Testimonies after testimonies came from those that have used and those that are using the herbal solution.

The evening proceeded with merriment, dancing and live performance by special acts who enthralled the audience with their melodious voices.

By Nwafor Oji Awala

The grand patron of Ibom Committee of Friends (ICOF) of Nigeria, Bishop Peter Effiong Ekpe has united conflicting factions of the group.

The two factions of Ibom Committee of Friends whose objectives include to promote the welfare of members and to promote peace and mutual understanding among them, have agreed to reunify its leadership and membership, pledging to work together for the unity and progress of the group.

The two factional presidents, Gabriel Benjamin and Eyakndue Iniobong shook hands with each other and agreed on the re-merger of ICOF in the Hall of INRI Prayer Ministries Int. Aleto in Eleme local government area of Rivers State, venue of the meeting.

The reconciliation, which was brought about on 2nd June by Rt Rev Ekpe, presiding Bishop of Inri Ministries and grand patron of ICOF in the presence of the founder of the group, Pastor Emmanuel Robert, other leaders and members, addressed the causes of the conflict, which threw the club into disunity.

The peace resolution serves as a formular towards ending the division that was brought about by disagreements from the last ICOF election.

Bishop Ekpe advised members of ICOF which comprises mainly of Akwa Ibom and Cross River states indigenes that are resident in Rivers State to imbibe the spirit of peace and love to achieve unity.

He said where there is love, unity follows as he charged members of the group to prayer for bond of togetherness.

Bishop Ekpe further charged them to pray not only for unity within Ibom Committee of Friends of Nigeria but unity in their families, workplaces, communities and country as, according to him, “We are currently living in a world that has become so divided.”

Nwafor Oji Awala

Shifting Cultivation is still common among the Eleme tribe till date, particularly in Ogale, the headquarter-town of Eleme Local Government Area.
The process of leaving one area of land for another allows woods to grow thick in abandoned areas...
When the farming season rotates back, the woods are matured enough to be cut for making fires. It takes about ten years for the people to rotate back to a given farming area.
I walked around Ogale farming area last week. The beauty of the women planting corn seeds, known as throwing corns in Eleme manner of speaking, was a beautiful sight.
Woods for fire were gathered into piles by farm owners by the road side. High cost of cooking gas has made wood become a better alternative for making fire at homesteads in our local communities.
Specific days of the week are reserved for works at the new farming area; days for bush cutting and days for tree trimming. This is followed by bush burning before planting begins. A few farmers begin the process before the others.
This year, the people of Ogale are farming at Oka-nsi Nmu, a farming area that lies across the main village stream.
I beheld the beautiful preliminary process last week when I visited the farms in Ogale.

Nwafor Oji Awala

Tecnimont, NNPC Give Starter Packs, Award Certificates to Trainees from Host Communities
 Reveal The Port Harcourt Refinery Will Soon Be Fully Operational
By Nwafor Awala

Tecnimont in collaboration with the Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Thursday 30th May handed starter packs and awarded certificates to 50 members of the host communities of Eleme and Okirika local government areas who participated in the Catering, Fashion Designing and Tailoring Skills Training Programme to commence their trades at the Genesis Academy, Trans Amadi in Port Harcourt.

In his address at the event, representative of Tecnimont and the company’s Community Relations Manager, Chief F D Omeme said the initiative to equip members of the host communities with skills is in line with the understanding between the companies and the communities.

“It is important for us to teach you how to make your own money. What Tecnomont and PHRC have done in this passing out exercise in Catering, Fashion Designing and Tailoring is a source of empowerment to the community and is an accomplishment to our understanding with the Okrika and Eleme LGAs as host communities to our companies”, Omeme said and revealed that the Port Harcourt refinery will soon be fully operational, adding that Tecnomont has successfully achieved the mechanical completion of the rehabilitation works of the old plant, also known as Area 5.

Chief Omeme commended the beneficiaries of the training for collaborating with their instructors and urged them to put into efficient use the starter packs by setting up their own small-scale businesses as the companies will provide working capital for them.

He commended the efforts made by chiefs and other segments of the host communities to maintain cordiality and peace.

“I commend the efforts of the paramount ruler of Alesa, His Royal Highness, Emere Emperor J D Nkpe; King of Eleme Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Philip Osaro Obele and His Royal Majesty, King Ateke Tom, Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom for maintaining peace and cordiality in their respective domains” he said, maintaining that peace and order in the host communities was the reason for the work progress achieved thus far by the company.

Omeme further commended the Managing Director of Wesham Oil & Gas Services, High Chief Sunny Nkpe for ensuring a smooth working relationship among all stakeholders and for being supportive and available whenever the company called on him.

He, however, warned the beneficiaries of the training not to sell the starter packs as the progress of their businesses would be monitored.

In his opening speech at the ceremony, the representative of PHRC, Mr. Theophilius Oyemade said acquiring trade is a valid instrument of economic advancement for the trainees as it provides them the chance to traverse their hidden inventive abilities, develop self-determination to enable them scout for paths for better economic engagement.

Oyemade pledged PHRC’s commitment to maintaining an amiable accord with its host communities which are part of the company’s success story, adding that the company will keep on exploring paths of building the needed synergy between the company and them.

He charged the beneficiaries to change the story that vocational jobs are inferior to career jobs.

On his part, a stakeholder of Eleme Community and Managing Director of Wesham Oil & Gas Services, High Chief Sunny Nkpe applauded Tecnomont and PHRC for ensuring each trainee got starter packs and added that it would go a long way in helping them unleash their inherent talents.

Sunny Nkpe who is also the Zonal Chairman of Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), South South zone and onetime Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) stated further that he was happy for the milestone reached by Tecnomont in its rehabilitation works at the Port Harcourt refinery thus far. He said when the refinery would be fully operational, employment and other forms of gainful engagements would take the youths off the streets of the host communities.

He commended the beneficiaries of being of good behaviours throughout the training, adding that the skills have given them new paths in life. He further urged them to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the society as entrepreneurs.

Chief Nkpe who made cash donation in support of the beneficiaries also appealed to them to make their communities of Eleme and Okirika proud.

In their remarks, Anthony Obari, the Joint Community Relations Committee (JCRC) Chairman, representing the Eleme community and Tamuno Akalugbo, the JCRC Chairman, representing the Okrika community gave their gratitude to PHRC and Tecnomont for the programme.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Njuba Loveday Obari said the companies have added value to their lives with the new skills they have acquired. He thanked the company for the opportunity and assured that they would use it judiciously for the benefit of their communities.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Tecnimont SpA signed the engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery in 2021.

Nwafor Awala