A nationwide publicity blitz has begun for MKO, the much-awaited film on the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, with giant billboards springing up in strategic locations across Nigeria ahead of its October 1 national premiere.

The massive outdoor campaign signals the final countdown to the Nigerian release of the historical film, which revisits one of the most consequential episodes in the country’s political history and the turbulent events that followed the annulment of the election widely associated with the late Chief MKO Abiola.

In Lagos, MKO is already commanding prominent outdoor spaces, with a sprawling billboard announcing its October 2 cinema release to motorists and commuters.

The film will, however, make its formal Nigerian debut a day earlier at a National Command Premiere at the National Theatre, Lagos, on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day.According to the promoters, the premiere will be hosted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Managing Director of Nile Entertainment, distributors of the film, Moses Babatope, said the nationwide publicity drive was intended to take the story to as wide an audience as possible.

“It is a great movie about Nigerian history and life, and we want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to see it,” Babatope said.

Directed by award-winning Hollywood-based Nigerian-American filmmaker Ose Oyamendan, MKO reconstructs the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and examines the political and social upheavals that followed.

The Nigerian rollout follows the film’s international premiere at the Sheffield International Documentary Festival in the United Kingdom on June 12.

Its choice of June 12 for the international premiere and October 1 for its Nigerian premiere ties the film’s release to two dates with particular significance in Nigeria’s political history — Democracy Day and Independence Day

MultiChoice has launched Wethu+, a new entertainment channel on DStv channel 163.

The channel replaces Mzansi Wethu and pulls together content previously spread across Mzansi Wethu, Mzansi Bioskop and Mzansi Magic Music.

The launch forms part of what the pay-TV operator describes as its biggest package overhaul in nearly two decades, with dedicated Sports and Movies & Series bouquets now on offer.

What Wethu+ will show

Wethu+ combines local drama, movies, telenovelas, reality shows, children’s programmes and educational content in one place, according to MultiChoice.

The line-up also includes international blockbuster movies, dubbed telenovelas and daily news updates.Football is a major part of the offer.

MultiChoice confirmed that Wethu+ will broadcast two Premier Soccer League matches every weekend during the football season.

The company said pairing football with movies, drama and family programming gives subscribers sports and general entertainment on a single channel.

•Nollywood actress, Rachel Okonkwo and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah..Photo Credit: IG/ Rachel Okonkwo.

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has approved the appointment of Nollywood actresses Rachel Okonkwo and Eucharia Anunobi as aides.

Okonkwo, popularly known as Nkoli Nwa Nsukka, was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Film and Creative Industry Development, while veteran actress Eucharia Anunobi was appointed Special Assistant on Women Mobilisation for Enugu-North Zone.

The appointments were contained in a public announcement issued on Monday by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia.

Mbah approved the appointment of 101 aides across three categories comprising seven Special Advisers, six Senior Special Assistants and 88 Special Assistants.