The billion-dollar dream💰
#190: The secret of successful people is simply that they do the things that unsuccessful people are unwilling to do - W. Clement Stone
Hello Venturer,
Welcome back. How's that back-to-work feeling? It took me a while to recover from the holidays. They were relaxing, but now it’s time to get serious about our goals. Last week, my editor said this is the year of endless possibilities. And I couldn't agree more. This is the year I become a billionaire. And I’m not settling for boring side hustles. I’m aiming for the big leagues. I’m talking about creating AI-powered shoes, and maybe even launching a space tourism company. What do you think?
Perhaps I should ask Nollywood Filmmaker Funke Akindele how I can make big bucks. On January 3rd, her most recent movie, A Tribe Called Judah, became the first ever Nollywood film to gross ₦1 billion in ticket sales 20 days after its release in cinemas. This week, we explore the audacious strategies that led to this feat. And who knows, maybe I'll pick up a tip or two for my billion-dollar journey.
Speaking of new journeys, Ventures Africa will henceforth lend its voice to the fight for climate change adaptation. Africa is responsible for less than 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, but it is the continent that is least able to cope with the negative impacts of climate change. There is an urgent need to cope with the impacts, whether they are happening now or anticipated in the future.
Suotunimi Orufa
Writer, Ventures Africa
What’s New?
How A Tribe Called Judah conquered Nollywood’s box office
On the 3rd of January 2024, Funke Akindele’s movie, A Tribe Called Judah, became the first ever Nollywood film to gross ₦1 billion in ticket sales 20 days after its release in cinemas. How did the movie do it? Learn more.
MumZee: How a ‘cooking wife’ controversy sparked a marketing frenzy on Twitter.NG
The biggest sensation on Nigeria’s social media over the last week is Deborah Olaki (Mumzee), a stay-at-home mom who became famous overnight. On January 4th, she tweeted about waking up as early as 4:30 a.m. to prepare her husband’s work lunch, and it went viral. Read more.
How Telegram became the top resource for pirated content in Nigeria
While most people use Telegram for more secure mobile chatting and messaging, Esther Osaze and her friends started using the messaging app to download copyrighted films and web series available on streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime for free. Read more.
Did the CBN con Nigerians with the COVID-19 NIRSAL loan?
Between January and February early 2021, many Nigerians received indications regarding a COVID-19 grant or palliative, provided by the government in the form of financial assistance. Read more.
How Betta Edu became a scapegoat of a dysfunctional political system
In a recent incident involving Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, there have been calls for her removal from office amid allegations of misappropriation of a N585 million palliative fund. Read more.
My Pivot Journal: Why Temitope Adegbenjo left banking for healthcare
Temitope Adegbenjo has worn many hats over the last decade: fashion design, teaching, blogging, banking, and now, care and support. All paths are completely unrelated. Yet she manages to always get her foot through the door, seeking fulfilment in each path. Here is Adegbenjo’s pivot journal.
Is home ownership a right or a luxury in Nigeria?
According to the World Population Review, Nigeria has the most homeless people in 2023, with 24.4 million people without a place to call home, living on the streets, in informal settlements, or in overcrowded slums. Read more.
Niger, Senegal, and Rwanda lead fast-growing economies in 2024
The World Bank released its report on global economic prospects this week. It said that Niger, Senegal, and Rwanda will be among the world’s fastest-growing economies in 2024. Read more.
The New Wave of Nigeria’s Soft Power
Soft power - To attract, persuade, influence, and shape preferences through culture. Nigeria has effectively done this through entertainment. Our music, films, and content transcend borders, commanding global attention. As master storytellers, we are leveraging new technologies to amplify our cultural influence. Read our latest magazine issue to learn more.
Podcast
Climate change adaptation involves making adjustments to cope with the impacts of climate change, whether they are happening now or anticipated in the future. The goal is to reduce or prevent harm to people and take advantage of potential opportunities. Listen here.
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