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Nigerian actor and filmmaker, Nonso Afolabi, has unveiled her debut written story, Toxic. Nonso, known for her strong stage instincts, extensive training and relentless pursuit of perfection, has made a significant impact with this powerful short film.
Her dedication and solid work ethic have led her to collaborate with renowned figures in both studio and independent film settings, showcasing her energy and willingness to go the extra mile.
A graduate of the New York Film Academy with a specialisation in Acting for Film, Nonso has since worked with leading Nigerian directors. Her latest project, Toxic, is a compelling short film that highlights the harmful effects of drug addiction and importance of emotional control.
Through the tragic story of a couple whose lives unravel due to substance abuse and uncontrolled anger, the film aims to educate viewers on the dangers of drug use and the necessity of managing emotions to prevent destructive behaviours.
Toxic has already received six nominations for the 2024 Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF), including Best Short Film – Nollywood, Best Producer – Short Film, Best Director – Africa, Best Cinematography – Short Film, Best Actress – African Film, and Best First Short Film. The festival will hold from September 5 to 15, 2024.
The film portrays a couple’s night spiralling into chaos after indulging in hard drugs, leading to a violent confrontation fueled by a shocking discovery on a phone. This gripping narrative delves into the perilous consequences of addiction and unchecked anger.
When asked why she chose to make Toxic a short film instead of a feature-length movie, Nonso explained, “making Toxic a short film allows for a concise and powerful exploration of its themes. The short film format delivers an intense, focused narrative that quickly captures the audience’s attention and leaves a lasting impact. Additionally, the shorter duration makes it more accessible for festivals, online platforms, and educational purposes, effectively reaching a wider audience with its important message about the dangers of drug addiction and the need for anger management.”
Reflecting on the project, she added, “Toxic is my first ever written story, produced by myself, and I am both surprised and happy to receive these nominations.”
Drama Serial On Menstrual Health Debuts On Radio Nigeria Network
MY Period My Pride, a drama serial on menstrual health and hygiene, produced by the Sanitary Pad Media Campaign (SPMC), made a grand debut on the Radio Nigeria Network on Thursday, August 8. It would air weekly, within ‘Every Woman’, Radio Nigeria’s foremost programme on women related issues, at 7.30pm. The drama serial is an advocacy tool to demand free sanitary pads for school girls from the Nigerian governments across all levels.
According to the promoter, multiple award winning broadcaster, journalist, author and foremost social campaigner, Anikeade Funke Treasure: “This is an exciting development for us; Radio Nigeria is Africa’s largest radio network, with at least one radio station in every state of the country. This reach, combined with the power of radio in engaging and shaping audiences and publics provide a powerful opportunity to advance our advocacy and mirror the challenges of the girl child as she struggles with education in the face of period poverty.”
The 13-week drama series captures the first menstruation, menstrual cramps, anxiety over continued education due to period poverty, menstrual hygiene, the effects of corporate and government intervention on schooling through donation of menstrual items to school girls, the empowerment of women, child abuse and exploitation, the significance of scholarship to indigent students.
“We hope that the story of Efe, a school girl, and her single mother, which highlights some of the challenges families experience given the rising cost of living in Nigeria and their impact on the menstrual health of our girls, would promote period-centered conversations in public spaces.”
The Director General, Radio Nigeria, Dr. Mohammed B. Bulama, says: “FRCN has always believed in the use of drama to mirror reality and achieve social change. Our drama productions dates back to the 50s, they include memorable productions such as Save Journey and Play of the Week, amongst others”. According to him: “As the leading media institution in radio broadcasting in Nigeria, we are pleased to partner with the Sanitary Pad Media Campaign in the advocacy for access to menstrual pads for school girls, to achieve a targeted and sustained action on period poverty. We are particularly proud of the efforts of Ms. Anikeade Funke Treasure in employing drama to amplify the struggles that girls and women encounter in order to achieve period dignity.”
The McArthur Foundation Africa office in Nigeria, under the leadership of Dr. Kole Shettima, gave impetus to the media campaign on menstrual health and hygiene by supporting the drama production.
According to the Senior Programme Officer, McArthur Foundation, Africa, Dr. Amina Salihu, “Period poverty is a form of gender based violence and until policy makers recognise it as such we won’t be able to shift the needle in terms of the right kind of policies and laws.”
Former Vice Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, Prof. Sidi Osho, who chairs the Board of Illuminate Nigeria Development Network (INDN) under which the SPMC runs, states that: “We hope that the series would stimulate policy makers, private sector, and industries to support this vision, by giving sanitary towels to girls through this campaign.”
The drama serial, sub titled ‘Efe’ had aired on six radio stations in five states in 2023. They were Bond FM 92.9FM Lagos, Invicta 98.9FM, Kaduna, Darling 107.3FM Owerri, Hit 95.9FM Calabar, Splash 105.5FM Ibadan, and Radio Now 95.3FM Lagos.
The Convener, SPMC, Treasure is a veteran, multi-genre broadcaster, who retired from Radio Nigeria as an Assistant Director, Programmes. Earlier this year, the campaign launched, My Period Stories, a video podcast on African Magic Family, on the DStv and GOtv platforms across sub Saharan Africa. It was supported by Multichoice.
The other expressions of the campaign include an essay competition for girls, and a pad scholarship for school aged girls which now has almost 3,000 girls in thirteen states of Nigeria namely Lagos, Kano, Oyo, Kaduna, Ogun, Kwara and Benue states.
Others include Delta, Ondo, Nassarawa, Bauchi, Plateau and Taraba. The scholarship provides menstrual pads, underwear, beverage, soap and sanitisers to the girls monthly, as incentives to remain in school. It also has two petitions on change.org. The campaign is designed to advocate for a policy action by federal and state governments in Nigeria on period poverty among under-served populations.
The SPMC is the first organisation to embark on a systematic and holistic media campaign in the advocacy for menstrual health and reproductive health rights.
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