This week, cinemas are set to welcome a new contender in the family entertainment genre with the release of the live-action adaptation of 'How to Train Your Dragon'. The film, which follows the story of a young Viking named Hiccup and his unlikely friendship with a dragon named Toothless, aims to capture the hearts of audiences just as its animated predecessor did over a decade ago. With Dean DeBlois, the creative force behind the original animated trilogy, at the helm, expectations are high for this latest iteration.

The narrative revolves around Hiccup, portrayed by Mason Thames, who defies his village's tradition of dragon slaying by befriending Toothless, one of the most feared dragons. This act of compassion leads to an extraordinary bond that challenges the longstanding feud between Vikings and dragons. Gerard Butler reprises his role as Stoick the Vast, Hiccup's father, bringing his signature gravitas to the live-action version after lending his voice to the character in the animated films.

The transition from animation to live-action is a gamble that has seen mixed results in the past. While some adaptations have struggled to resonate with audiences, others have managed to surpass expectations. 'How to Train Your Dragon' benefits from a strong foundation, with its source material being both a beloved children's book series by Cressida Cowell and a critically acclaimed animated franchise. The film's success will hinge on its ability to translate the original's emotional depth and visual splendor into a live-action format.

As 'How to Train Your Dragon' prepares to take flight in cinemas, it joins a competitive lineup of new releases. However, with its universal themes of friendship, understanding, and breaking barriers, the film is poised to offer a compelling option for families and fans of the original alike. Whether it can soar to the heights of its animated counterpart remains to be seen, but the stage is set for another memorable journey to the Isle of Berk.

The ongoing trial involving the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and Arik Air has taken a dramatic turn as Muhammed Abbas Jega, a former Executive Director of Credits at AMCON, contradicted his earlier testimony regarding the performance of Arik Air's loan. Initially, Jega had stated that the loan was performing, but during cross-examination, he admitted that the loan had been non-performing since its inception, shedding light on the complexities of the case.

Jega's revelation came during the trial of former AMCON MD/CEO Ahmed Kuru and others, who are facing charges related to the alleged mismanagement of N76 billion and $31.5 million. The case, which has drawn significant attention, highlights the challenges faced by AMCON in managing non-performing loans acquired from Nigerian banks under the Eligible Bank Asset (EBA) programme.

Further complicating the matter, Jega disclosed that despite AMCON's injection of N85 billion to purchase Arik's debt from Union Bank and Bank PHB, and an additional N11 billion extended as working capital, Arik Air failed to meet its financial obligations. This admission raises questions about the due diligence processes at AMCON and the viability of the airline's financial restructuring efforts.

The trial also took an unexpected turn when Jega questioned the authenticity of the Loan Purchase Agreement presented in court, pointing out discrepancies in signatures and document structure. This development adds another layer of intrigue to the case, as it challenges the integrity of the documents underpinning the financial transactions between AMCON and Arik Air. The court's decision on these matters could have far-reaching implications for corporate governance and financial accountability in Nigeria's banking and aviation sectors.