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Santa Clarita International Film Festival Returns in December 2024 for its Biggest Celebration Yet. √√√ Newzspy Entertainment.
Santa Clarita International Film Festival Returns in December 2024 for its Biggest Celebration Yet. √√√ Newzspy Entertainment.
The Santa Clarita International Film Festival (SCIFF) is set to light up the city once again with its fourth annual event, taking place from December 12th to 15th, 2024. Known for its vibrant celebration of film and the arts, SCIFF has evolved into a multi-faceted cultural festival that goes beyond cinema, embracing music, comedy, slam poetry, art galleries, book readings, panel discussions, and legendary parties.
Located in the heart of Santa Clarita, California, often referred to as “Hollywood North,” SCIFF reflects the region’s deep connection to the entertainment industry. As the third-largest city in Los Angeles County, Santa Clarita has served as the backdrop for countless iconic productions, making it a fitting host for this dynamic festival. Over the past three years, SCIFF has attracted an average of 1,300 attendees, and this year’s expanded programming is expected to draw even larger crowds.
A Spotlight on Diversity and Inclusion
This year’s festival introduces groundbreaking additions that underscore SCIFF’s commitment to creating an inclusive platform for underrepresented voices in the arts. Two major initiatives, the Women’s Program and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Program, will take center stage.
The Women’s Program will feature films created by or about women, along with Q&A sessions, panel discussions, and live pitch opportunities with esteemed industry professionals. On December 14th, the Women’s Panel will include notable producers and celebrities such as Joy Parris, Cristina Nava, and Nancy De Los Santos Reza, all of whom also serve as festival judges.
“As one of the few women running a festival of this magnitude, I felt it was important to add the Women’s Program to this year’s lineup,” said Lisa deSouza, SCIFF’s Founder and Executive Director. “Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program is another addition I’m incredibly proud of. SCIFF has always been a platform for marginalized voices to be heard, and growing programs like these is vital to our mission.”
The DEI Program will culminate with a DEI Panel on December 15th, moderated by producer Brad Koepenick. Panelists will include actor John Lawson and legendary SKA performer Coolie Ranx, who will share their insights on the intersection of art, identity, and social progress.
“As a producer who has spent the better part of my life in this industry, I believe it’s film and the arts that shape how the world is viewed,” said Koepenick. “Programs like the DEI initiative and the Women’s Program are instrumental in pushing boundaries and moving the needle forward.”
A Celebration of Literary and Musical Arts
This year, SCIFF is amplifying its focus on the literary arts with a lineup of slam poetry performances and book readings. Highlights include a presentation of “Viva Hollywood: The Legacy of Latin and Hispanic Artists in American Film” by acclaimed writer, producer, and director Luis I. Reyes on December 14th. On December 15th, actor and author John Castellanos will also take the stage to share excerpts from his latest work.
Music remains a cornerstone of SCIFF, with this year’s event honoring Rikki Rockett, drummer of the legendary ‘80s rock band Poison, with the Generational Influencer Award. The award ceremony, held at the American Legion Hall in Newhall, will be followed by a four-hour showcase of emerging rock talent, sponsored by The Metal Hall of Fame.
“The Metal Hall of Fame is proud to join forces with SCIFF to present the Generational Influencer Award,” said Pat Gesualdo, President and CEO of the Metal Hall of Fame. “Lisa deSouza is transforming Santa Clarita into a destination for film, music, and cultural activities like never before!”
A Cultural Extravaganza Like No Other
SCIFF’s rich programming also includes art galleries, stand-up comedy, and exclusive industry panels, ensuring there’s something for every attendee. This year’s opening night host, multi-talented artist Daheli Hall, expressed her excitement about the event’s growth:
“I am honored to open SCIFF. It is so unique with its diversity of events in the heart of Santa Clarita, which is teeming with artists and industry professionals,” Hall said. “To display my work in front of esteemed colleagues and peers is an amazing opportunity. SCIFF just keeps getting bigger and better.”
With its expanded programming, focus on diversity, and commitment to showcasing the best in the arts, the Santa Clarita International Film Festival 2024 promises to be an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a filmmaker, a music enthusiast, a literature lover, or simply someone looking to enjoy a vibrant celebration of culture, SCIFF has something for everyone.
For tickets, schedules, and more information, visit the official SCIFF website.
Credit/Source: Nexstar Media Inc, Newzspy Entertainment
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THE BLOOD PRICE OF EDUCATION IN NIGERIA AND GLOBALLY
By Ohore Emmanuel Ufuoma
In the 1950s, Western Region made primary education free. It was a gift, not a transaction.
Children walked into classrooms without fear and without fees. Awolowo called it an investment in blood — the lifeblood of a nation’s future.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo once declared education “the blood of the Nigerian child.” Awolowo’s model was simple: free education = national blood = national strength. Today the equation has reversed: education = blood price. Blood is being spilled.
The numbers tell a story no government can ignore: Since the abduction of 276 girls from Chibok in April 2014, Nigeria has recorded over 20 major school kidnapping incidents. Many attacks in remote communities of Zamfara, Niger, Sokoto and Katsina go unreported. The real number is higher. Each number is a child who didn’t come home.
For years we said “it’s a Northern problem”. That lie ended on May 15, 2026.
On May 23, 2025 at Community High School and Yawota Baptist School in Oyo State, 39 students were abducted, including 7 teachers. Many of the victims are children of primary school age, which also shows that early years education is at threat, with some as young as three and four years old, heightening concerns about their well-being and safety.
Globally, classrooms are no longer sanctuaries. In Turkey, school shootings are rare, but April 2026 broke that silence. On April 14, a former student shot 16 people at a school in Siverek, Şanlıurfa. Less than a day later, a 14-year-old killed 10 and wounded 12 at Ayser Çalık Secondary School in Kahramanmaraş, making it Turkey’s deadliest school shooting. The U.S. faces a different scale: 18 school shootings with injuries or deaths in 2025 alone, claiming 7 lives. From Chibok to Kahramanmaraş to Fairfield, the equation is the same: education now demands a blood price.
Nigeria stands at a crossroads. We can keep trading speeches for security, or we can honor the debt owed to every child in a classroom. The Safe School Declaration must move from paper to practice, with real protection and real accountability for every naira spent. Schools are not political tools. They are sacred ground where futures are built. Awolowo gave us education without a price tag. We must not allow bandits to replace it with a blood tax. If we fail to act now, we risk raising a generation that inherits fear instead of knowledge, and empty classrooms instead of a nation with a future. The time for decisive action is now. Nigeria’s children deserve their classrooms back.
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African Report
Access Bank, Fifth Chukker and UNICEF Renew Commitment to Expanding Educational Opportunities for Nigeria’s Most Vulnerable Children
Access Bank, Fifth Chukker and UNICEF Renew Commitment to Expanding Educational Opportunities for Nigeria’s Most Vulnerable Children
London, United Kingdom – July 6, 2026: The transformative power of collective action in expanding access to education took centre stage in London as Access Bank UK, Fifth Chukker, UNICEF and the Kaduna State Government reaffirmed their shared commitment to creating brighter futures for Nigeria’s most vulnerable children.
Hosted by Access Bank UK, Access UK Polo Day celebrated more than 15 years of impact driven by a shared vision to expand educational opportunities for underserved children. What began as a modest initiative has evolved into one of Africa’s most impactful education programmes, with the Access Bank Fifth Chukker School in Kaduna State and its associated interventions positively impacting more than 14,000 children across underserved communities in Northern Nigeria.
At the heart of this transformation is the Access Bank Fifth Chukker School, where investments in educational infrastructure, learning resources and student support have created lasting opportunities for thousands of children. Between 2018 and 2026 alone, the school recorded 2,538 graduates, with female pupils accounting for more than 54 per cent of the total, underscoring the programme’s contribution to advancing girls’ education and promoting inclusive access to learning.
More than 1,000 pupils benefit from the school’s internationally recognised foundational learning programme each year, contributing to improved literacy and numeracy outcomes and a reported 15 per cent increase in learning performance. Students continue to secure admission into leading secondary schools, while teachers receive ongoing professional development and digital learning support. Enhanced infrastructural facilities and expanded learning resources have further strengthened the overall learning environment, helping to sustain the programme’s long-term impact.
This year’s event reinforced a compelling message: Every pledge should lead to a classroom, every classroom should empower a child, and every child should have the opportunity to shape a brighter future.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, reflected on the remarkable growth of the initiative and the unwavering commitment of its supporters.
“What began as a dream to transform the lives of 100 children has grown into a movement that has positively impacted more than 14,000 young people. We want to return next year talking about 28,000 children. Education remains the greatest leveller, giving every child a genuine opportunity to realise their potential and contribute meaningfully to society.”
Ogbonna expressed appreciation to donors and partners whose support has sustained the initiative, noting that investment in education creates lasting intergenerational impact.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani described education as one of the most valuable investments any society can make. He praised the longstanding alliance between Access Bank, Fifth Chukker and UNICEF, noting that it has restored hope and opportunity to thousands of children from underserved communities.
Highlighting Kaduna State’s ongoing education reforms, the Governor revealed that approximately 300,000 out-of-school children had been returned to classrooms over the past year through partnerships with organisations including UNICEF and other development partners. He also announced plans to construct an additional 120 classrooms at the Fifth Chukker Access Bank UNICEF School, enabling even more children to access quality education.
“What we are doing here is about humanity. By giving children access to quality education, we are empowering them to dream, to lead and to build a better future for themselves and their communities.”
Governor Sani also paid tribute to the late Herbert Wigwe, acknowledging his vision, leadership and enduring commitment to improving educational outcomes for underserved populations.
For Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings, the true success of the initiative is reflected in the lives being transformed.
“The most meaningful measure of success is not the number of buildings we construct, but the opportunities we create. Every child who receives an education, every young person who discovers their potential, and every community strengthened through learning represents the lasting impact of this partnership. Together, we are proving that when purpose meets collaboration, we can create opportunities that change lives for generations.”
Welcoming guests, Jamie Simmonds, Chief Executive Officer of The Access Bank UK, described the gathering as polo with purpose, a celebration not only of sport but of a shared mission to create opportunity through education. He highlighted the institution’s commitment to supporting initiatives that deliver sustainable social impact and broaden access to learning for underserved children.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to deepen investment in education as a catalyst for national development and social progress. The Access Bank Fifth Chukker School continues to demonstrate the impact of sustained collaboration among the private sector, government and development partners, delivering measurable outcomes for vulnerable children in Northern Nigeria.
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Rotary District 9111 donates Peace Institute Building to Olabisi Onabanjo University
By Sunday Aikulola
As part of efforts aimed at preventing conflicts and promoting sustainable peace, members of Rotary International District 9111 yesterday donated Peace Institute Building to the management of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye Ogun State.
In his speech, District Governor of Rotary International District 9111, Rotarian Henry Akinyele said the Peace Institute is the District and Rotarians statement that peace must be taught, researched and practised, beginning from campuses and extending into communities.
To him, rather than waiting for conflict to happen, Rotarians chose to prevent it through education, dialogue and research.
Earlier this Rotary year, Akinyele recalled, ‘we organised a Peace Summit where participants agreed with the United Nations that quality education should include peace education. This Institute will train peace builders from different sectors of society in mediation, conflict analysis and non-violent communication’
Saying peace is everyone’s responsibility, Akinyele also added the project demonstrates the power of partnership among Rotary, Olabisi Onabanjo University, government and the wider community working together.
Specifically, he noted, ‘the United Nations also affirmed that conflict is one of the greatest causes of poverty and inequality. When communities are in conflict, schools close, farms are abandoned, businesses suffer and young people lose opportunities.
By investing in peace, we are protecting education, livelihoods and the future of our communities.
In conclusion, he disclosed, ‘today’s commissioning is another example of Rotary keeping its promises. I must acknowledge our Immediate Past District Governor, Dr. Oluwole Kukoyi, who conceived and introduced the three-month Certificate Programme in Peace Building, Conflict Prevention and Security Studies during the 2024–2025 Rotary year.’
In her speech, Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele noted that Rotary has made significant contribution by donating the Peace Building.
‘I want to congratulate the Vice Chancellor, management and staff of OOU for the gesture. The facility will support conflict prevention, mediation and community development. ‘ She added.
On her part, OOU Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Prof. Olatundun Abosede stated the facility is an investment in peace promotion. To her, ‘we are deeply grateful to Rotarians for the cause.’
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