Latest news with #Akinola
Kuwait Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Nigeria needs good fathers, says director who made Cannes history
Akinola Davies Jr -- who has made history by directing Nigeria's first ever film in competition at the Cannes film festival -- lost his father when he was two. "I've always collected father figures growing up," said the maker of "My Father's Shadow", which is in the running for the Camera d'Or for best first film. His homeland has also been looking for a father figure for a long time to put an arm round its shoulder, Akinola told AFP. The film -- which The Guardian praised as "rich, heartfelt and rewarding" -- follows a father and his two sons on an odyssey through Lagos just as the military "pulled the rug away from dreams of democracy" with yet another coup, annulling the result of the 1993 election. Many Nigerians had hoped opposition leader Moshood Abiola, known as "MKO", would save them from the military, Akinola said. Instead the generals threw him in prison. 'Dreams deferred' "There are interesting parallels between the father figures as the president of the country and as a military dictator," he said. "Growing up there was a perception that a father figure had to be a strong, authoritarian disciplinarian," said Davies, who grew up between London and Lagos. That was certainly the figure that Nigeria got after the coup in the shape of General Sani Abacha. But Akinola and his film subtly suggests that there could have been an alternative father of the nation -- a kinder, gentler, more nurturing "Daddy" personified by Sope Dirisu. The "Gangs of London" star plays a father who brings his boys from the village to Lagos in the vain attempt to get the months of backpay he is owed. He may be a good man but he is far from flawless as they discover that his eye has wandered from his wife in the big smoke. "The film is about the boys being able to hold their father accountable... And because they get to see how to be accountable they can be accountable themselves," Akinola said. The young director said the film was all about "interrogating masculinity", making a father's relationship with his children a "two-way street and not a dictatorship". Akinola wrote the screenplay with his older brother Wale, who he "idolized" as a kid -- a relationship that is mirrored in the film, with brothers Godwin Chimerie Egbo and Chibiuke Marvellous Egbo playing the boys. In a case of life imitating art, Dirisu had to be "Daddy" on set, gently laying down the law a few times, even as Marvelous -- in another echo of the script -- tried to keep his younger brother in check. "There are levels and levels," Akinola laughed. "I've witnessed my brothers become fathers, and the fatherhood that they perform with their kids is something that I would have loved to have had." With the film garnering warm reviews, and Akinola rubbing shoulders with Hollywood royalty on the red carpet, he said he hoped one day Nigeria's dreams would also come true. But the dreams of Africa's most populous country have been "deferred and deferred and deferred", he told AFP, "and they're still being deferred". - AFP
France 24
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- France 24
Nigeria needs good fathers, says director who made Cannes history
"I've always collected father figures growing up," said the maker of "My Father's Shadow", which is in the running for the Camera d'Or for best first film. His homeland has also been looking for a father figure for a long time to put an arm round its shoulder, Akinola told AFP. The film -- which The Guardian praised as "rich, heartfelt and rewarding" -- follows a father and his two sons on an odyssey through Lagos just as the military "pulled the rug away from dreams of democracy" with yet another coup, annulling the result of the 1993 election. Many Nigerians had hoped opposition leader Moshood Abiola, known as "MKO", would save them from the military, Akinola said. Instead the generals threw him in prison. 'Dreams deferred' "There are interesting parallels between the father figures as the president of the country and as a military dictator," he said. "Growing up there was a perception that a father figure had to be a strong, authoritarian disciplinarian," said Davies, who grew up between London and Lagos. That was certainly the figure that Nigeria got after the coup in the shape of General Sani Abacha. But Akinola and his film subtly suggests that there could have been an alternative father of the nation -- a kinder, gentler, more nurturing "Daddy" personified by Sope Dirisu. The "Gangs of London" star plays a father who brings his boys from the village to Lagos in the vain attempt to get the months of backpay he is owed. He may be a good man but he is far from flawless as they discover that his eye has wandered from his wife in the big smoke. "The film is about the boys being able to hold their father accountable... And because they get to see how to be accountable they can be accountable themselves," Akinola said. The young director said the film was all about "interrogating masculinity", making a father's relationship with his children a "two-way street and not a dictatorship". Akinola wrote the screenplay with his older brother Wale, who he "idolised" as a kid -- a relationship that is mirrored in the film, with brothers Godwin Chimerie Egbo and Chibiuke Marvellous Egbo playing the boys. In a case of life imitating art, Dirisu had to be "Daddy" on set, gently laying down the law a few times, even as Marvellous -- in another echo of the script -- tried to keep his younger brother in check. "There are levels and levels," Akinola laughed. "I've witnessed my brothers become fathers, and the fatherhood that they perform with their kids is something that I would have loved to have had." With the film garnering warm reviews, and Akinola rubbing shoulders with Hollywood royalty on the red carpet, he said he hoped one day Nigeria's dreams would also come true. But the dreams of Africa's most populous country have been "deferred and deferred and deferred", he told AFP, "and they're still being deferred".
The Irish Sun
25-04-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Warning over ‘dangerous' method most use to reduce a child's fever after mum's ‘mistake' almost cost her son's life
WHEN your child has a fever, reaching for a cold flannel might seem like an obvious fix . However, doctors generally advise against it, as it can sometimes make the fever worse or trigger fatal complications. 3 The parent sponged his chest, back, neck and head, the doctor explained in a social media post Credit: Getty The warning comes after about a mum who sponged her child with cold water from the fridge when she noticed he was burning up. The parent tried to cool down his chest, back, neck and head, the doctor explained in a social media post. The boy then shivered violently and stopped moving – he was then rushed to hospital. 'Do you know that you should not use cold water for tepid sponging during a fever?' Dr Akinola, said. Read more on child health She said the sudden temperature contrast 'can trigger a seizure or even collapse the cardiovascular system'. This is because applying something cold to the skin causes the blood vessels near the surface to constrict, in a process called vasoconstriction, Professor Franklin Joseph, consultant physician and head of Clinic , explained. A Guide to Common Childhood Illnesses and Treatments "This can paradoxically make the core body temperature even higher, worsening the fever," he told Sun Health. This level of stress on the body can also impact the heart. Most read in Health The Prof told Sun Health: 'In extreme cases, especially if a large part of the body is suddenly cooled, this can put immense strain on the cardiovascular system. "The body's response to sudden cold exposure is to preserve heat around vital organs like the brain, heart, and lungs." Cooling the skin too quickly also pulls blood away from the heart, he said. "This can cause dangerous instability, including shock, hypothermia, and even cardiovascular collapse," he added. Rapid cooling can also 'confuse the body's thermal regulation system,' the professor warned. "This can lead to a cascade of problems — including reduced blood supply to critical organs - which can, in extreme cases, be fatal.' Young children are particularly vulnerable, he explained, as 'their bodies are less able to regulate sudden changes in temperature". Instead of using a flannel, the best thing you can do for a child suffering from a fever is to keep them cool, not cold. 3 Dr Christabel Akinola shared a tale on Instagram about a mum who sponged her child with cold water Credit: Instagram/@drbelswellness 3 The boy then shivered violently and stopped moving – he was then rushed to hospital Credit: Instagram/@drbelswellness "Dress them in light clothing," Prof Franklin said. "Keep the room at a moderate temperature, and ensure they're well hydrated," he added. "You can also give age-appropriate doses of paracetamol or ibuprofen to help bring the fever down." Let a fever run That said, it is sometimes important to let a fever run its course. 'Fever is a natural and important part of the body's immune response," Prof Franklin said. "When the body detects an infection, it raises its internal temperature because many bacteria and viruses cannot survive at higher temperatures," he added. "In other words, the fever is a defence mechanism, helping the body fight off infection more effectively. 'Automatically suppressing every fever can sometimes prolong illness by interfering with this natural response." When to call for help According to the NHS, parents should seek medical attention if their child is under three months old with a temperature over 38°C - or if the fever lasts more than five days. "Other red flags include difficulty breathing, a rash that doesn't fade under pressure, seizures, unusual drowsiness, persistent vomiting," Prof Franklin said. "Also look out for signs of dehydration such as a dry mouth and no wet nappies. "If in doubt, trust your instincts and speak to a doctor.' What causes a fever? A fever is usually a sign that the body is fighting an infection When your body detects an infection, like a virus or bacteria, it triggers the immune system to release chemicals called pyrogens. These chemicals signal the brain to raise the body's temperature. This higher temperature helps fight off infections by making it harder for the germs to survive and by boosting the immune system. Common causes of fever include: Viral infections (like the flu or cold) Bacterial infections (like a urinary tract infection or pneumonia) Inflammatory conditions (such as arthritis) Heat exhaustion (from being in a very hot environment) In most cases, a fever is a temporary condition that goes away once the infection or underlying cause is treated. Source: NHS
