Hollywood star appears at Riyadh International Book Fair

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Remi Adeleke at the Riyadh International Book Fair giving an exclusive interview to Arab News on Oct. 6, 2021.
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Remi Adeleke at the Riyadh International Book Fair on Oct. 6, 2021.
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Remi Adeleke at the Riyadh International Book Fair giving an exclusive interview to Arab News on Oct. 6, 2021.
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Updated 18 October 2021
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Hollywood star appears at Riyadh International Book Fair

  • Remi Adeleke went from Nigerian royalty to the streets of the Bronx to becoming a US Navy SEAL and details the journey in his new book ‘Transformed’
  • The 39-year-old actor, entrepreneur, writer, husband, and father was thrilled to visit the Kingdom for the first time: ‘It is a tremendous blessing’

RIYADH: Remi Adeleke, the author of “Transformed,” never expected the success of his book to bring him to the Riyadh International Book Fair 2021. It was the first-ever visit to the Kingdom for the 39-year-old writer and actor as he was excited to share his life story with Saudi readers.

“It feels great to have my book here as I never imagined for it to be here,” Adeleke told Arab News on Wednesday during the fair. “And the opportunity for it to be translated into Arabic — it is a tremendous blessing.” 

His memoir, “Transformed: a Navy SEAL’s unlikely journey from the throne of Africa to the streets of the Bronx, to defying all odds” takes readers back to stories from Adeleke’s childhood, when he lived among royalty in Nigeria. After his father’s death, his family was stripped of financial wealth by the Nigerian government and his mother relocated the family to the Bronx in New York City.

In the book, Adeleke does not shy away from the illegal activities that threatened to derail his future before he joined the US military.

After 13 years of service, the former Navy SEAL took to writing, public speaking, and even found his way to Hollywood. Adeleke acted in blockbusters like “Transformers: The Last Knight,” and worked alongside Ryan Reynolds in “6 Underground.” In “Ambulance,” Adeleke was co-stars with Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen. He has two upcoming projects, including a Lionsgate production called “The Plane,” set to be released next year.

The multi-faceted author recently signed a three-book deal for a fiction-thriller series as the first installment is slated to come out in 2022.

“Maybe in the winter,” Adeleke said. “I am also working on a prequel to my ‘Transformed’ book which focuses more on my mother’s story.” 

Even though he has a busy year coming up, Adeleke is already hoping he will be able to return to Riyadh for next year’s book fair.

“I will definitely be coming back to Saudi next year,” he said.

Considered the largest book fair in the region, the Riyadh International Book Fair will see the participation of 1,000 publishing houses during the 10-day event, which opened on Sept. 30. 

While reading is the main focus of the book fair, there will also be cooking shows, cultural exhibitions, and guest lectures throughout the event. Interactive games, children’s booths, as well as reading stations, are also available at the book fair.


KSrelief expands humanitarian aid to crisis zones

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KSrelief expands humanitarian aid to crisis zones

  • The 19th plane sent from Riyadh to Lebanon arrived at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Tuesday

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief is intensifying efforts to deliver aid to Lebanon and recently supported those in need of medical assistance in Turkiye.

The 19th plane sent from Riyadh to Lebanon arrived at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Tuesday, carrying food, shelter and medical supplies, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The aid will be used to assist the growing number of people displaced by Israeli airstrikes. Countries such as the UAE, Turkiye, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Canada, Romania and France are also sending aid to Lebanon.

In Turkiye, KSrelief recently concluded a week-long voluntary medical program for specialized surgeries in Tarsus. A team of 32 volunteers performed 31 open-heart operations, five therapeutic catheterizations, and 18 diagnostic catheterizations.

The Saudi aid agency also completed a medical project in Reyhanli for victims of the earthquake in February last year. During this campaign, the medical team treated 537 patients in family medicine, 417 in dermatology, 380 in optometry, and 219 in endocrinology.

In February 2023, KSrelief launched a campaign through the Sahem platform to aid earthquake victims in Syria and Turkiye, raising more than SR524 million ($139.5 million) from more than 3.4 million donations.


Health campaign promotes quality care in Saudi Arabia

Updated 04 November 2024
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Health campaign promotes quality care in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: The Ministry of Health has launched a campaign to promote health by enhancing access to and the quality and efficiency of health services and raising awareness of health risks, the Saudi Press Agency reported Monday.

The campaign “A Vibrant, Healthy Nation” introduces a modern healthcare model, offering integrated, individual-centered services aligned with Vision 2030’s goal of fostering a healthy society.

The ministry is committed to “enhancing public health, improving quality of life, and raising the Kingdom’s global healthcare standing.”

The campaign highlights the health transformation initiative’s positive impacts and informs citizens about its main features, aiming to engage all segments of society, SPA reported.

It emphasizes a shift from treating illness to prevention, involving primary care doctors and early detection programs.


Saudi environment ministry launches program to develop green tech

Updated 04 November 2024
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Saudi environment ministry launches program to develop green tech

  • Scheme seeks new ways to repurpose wastewater, looks at impact of microplastics

RIYADH: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has opened applications for a new program to find ways to develop sustainable technologies in Saudi Arabia.

The Sustainable Innovation Fellowship Program aims to find ways to repurpose by-products from water treatment for the benefit of the environment; develop sustainable technologies for recycling membranes used in water treatment; and explore methods to reuse treated wastewater in desert and arid regions.

Supported by the Environment Fund and the Research, Development and Innovation Authority, the fellowship program will also assess the environmental impact of microplastics in water treatment plants, sewage, and wastewater.

In line with Saudi Vision 2030, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture is also introducing new e-services in accordance with international standards.


Industry meets creativity at Athar festival in Riyadh

Updated 04 November 2024
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Industry meets creativity at Athar festival in Riyadh

  • With workshops, discussions, and awards, the festival aims to drive growth in Saudi Arabia’s creative sectors

The second Athar Saudi Festival of Creativity will take place in Riyadh from Nov. 5 to 6.

Hosted by UAE-based Motivate Media Group and communications consultancy TRACCS, the festival will gather over 1,500 professionals and leaders from the creative marketing industry, featuring 100 regional and international speakers.

Ian Fairservice, managing partner and group editor in chief of Motivate Media Group, will chair the event, alongside Vice Chairman Mohammed Al-Ayed, CEO of TRACCS.

Pre-festival activities began on Nov. 3 with the Young Talent Academies, including the Student Creative Academy (in partnership with the Middle East Communications Network), the Student Marketers Academy, the NextGen Creative Academy, and the NextGen Marketers Academy.

These academies, featuring keynote sessions from industry experts, workshops, and a 24-hour hackathon, are open to full-time university students aged 18 to 25 and professionals under 30 in creative communications, marketing, or advertising.

The festival will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday with panel discussions, presentations, and fireside chats focused on redefining and growing the creative landscape in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and beyond, covering various sectors such as sports, entertainment, and tourism.

The event will conclude with the Athar Awards ceremony on the evening of Nov. 6.

Notable speakers include Sir Martin Sorrell, founder and executive chairman of S4 Capital PLC; Matt McKie, director of marketing for Manchester United; Waseem Kashan, executive director of marketing at ROSHN Group; Yahya Hamidaddin, vice president of corporate communications at ACWA Power; and Houda Tohme, CEO of Havas Media Middle East.

Sessions and keynotes will explore themes such as purpose-driven marketing, brand growth strategies, artificial intelligence, technology, cross-sector innovation, and unlocking creative potential.


Saudi Arabia and Iraq sign MoU on military cooperation

Updated 04 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia and Iraq sign MoU on military cooperation

  • Two defense ministers reviewed longstanding relations between their countries, focusing on ways to enhance defense ties

RIYADH: Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and his Iraqi counterpart Thabet Al-Abbasi signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday aimed at strengthening cooperation in the military field.

The agreement, signed during a high-level meeting in Riyadh, represents a significant step forward in defense collaboration between the Kingdom and Iraq, Saudi Press Agency reported.

During their discussions, the two ministers reviewed the longstanding relations between their countries, focusing on ways to enhance defense ties.

They emphasized the importance of continued cooperation to foster regional security and stability, particularly amid ongoing regional tensions.

Both ministers discussed recent developments and shared efforts aimed at de-escalating conflicts, prioritizing actions that support peace and security in the region.

The MoU establishes a framework for increased collaboration on military matters, allowing Saudi Arabia and Iraq to address shared security challenges more effectively and pursue mutual goals in defense, SPA added.