Author: The Nation

Actress Toyin Abraham has penned an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following his inauguration on Monday. 

 She explained why she supported his candidacy despite the heavy criticisms and backlash she received.

The actress stated that she is not motivated by ethnicity or religion when it comes to her choice of leaders

Read Also: Toyin Abraham, Eniola Badmus, others rock matching outfits for Tinubu’s inauguration

Her support for Tinubu, she said, is because of his performances as a Senator and a Governor, stating she believes he would do better as a President.

Toyin urged the President to listen to the concerns of the people and address their fears about the future to restore public confidence. 

Fast-rising Afropop singer Ayra Starr has expressed deep yearning for return of old praise and worship songs.

Currently in London, the 20-year-old ‘Sability’ crooner wished churches would rekindle the fire of praise and worship sessions by bringing back old songs 

“Please bring old praise and worship songs back to the church,” the Cotonou-born songster tweeted.

Read Also: Ayra Starr: My teachers said I would amount to nothing

But one Mr Morale subtly shaded the singer over her signature dress code known to be scanty and skimpy.

He tweeted: “Please bring gowns and long skirts back to dressing.

Another tweep, Emmanuel Henry supported Mr Morale’s remark, stating: “Please bring old fashion style back to your wardrobe.”

But most people agreed with the Mavin star girl arguing the new generation praise and worship songs lack the ‘spirit-filled’ and uplifting essence which the old ones possessed.

Actor Yul Edochie has congratulated and prayed for President Bola Tinubu and his vice Senator Kashim Shettima.

Read Also: Yul Edochie breaks silence, pays tribute to late son

Shortly after Tinubu was sworn in as 16th President, he tweeted: “Congratulations to our new president & vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT, His excellency Kashim Shettima @KashimSM. May God give all you need to lead our country to greater heights.”

Shade Ladipo, a media personality, has mocked comedian-cum-actor, Bright Okpocha aka Basketmouth, referring to him as ‘Uncle 30k’.

Ladipo via her insta story, shaded Basketmouth in a congratulatory post made to his colleague, Ayo Makun aka AY for the special honour awarded to him by former president, Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari authorised the presentation of 340 Nigerians and foreign guests with special national honours for 2023 in a number of categories as a parting gift.

Read Also: There’s more to AY, Basketmouth beef than 30k ‘rhetoric’ – Julius Agwu

The Special National Award 2023 comprises, among others, judges of the Supreme and Appeal Courts, traditional leaders, politicians, departing ministers, legal practitioners, bankers, entertainers, and sportsmen, among others.

Hailing Buhari, Ladipo noted the only thing he did for her was award ‘constantly undervalued’ AY over Basketmouth who she called ‘Uncle 30k’ (referring to the N30,000 reportedly responsible for the long-standing feud between AY and Basketmouth).

“The only thing that Bubu did for me was to award AY over that Uncle 30k. Truly AY has been constantly undervalued.

“That other uncle has more pride than Elon Musk meanwhile nothing dey him pocket. I hope the new smallie he’s carrying will finish his money so we can rest,” she wrote.

Yeni Kuti, daughter of Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has said in an interview with Chude Jideonwo the late musician was not a good father.

She insisted Fela should have “stayed without children because he didn’t give any child preferential treatment because you are his child. He should have just been the father of the nation.”

Despite not being a great dad, the 62-year-old dancer and TV presenter explained she lacked the courage to face him at the time.

However, she noted her brother, Femi and their father were always at loggerheads because of the legendary singer’s shortfalls in his parenting style.

Read Also: I will not leave my husband if he cheats – Yeni Kuti

“He (Fela) was not quite a good father. No, I never told him that he isn’t a good father. Maybe Femi, not me.

“Femi and Fela used to have battles. And Femi will give it to him straight. Shola and I, we were like timid. 

“You know, they said, ‘When two elephants are fighting, the grass will keep quiet.

“I can remember one day, Fela just came and said, ‘Three of you are useless children’. 

“Femi just said, ‘For what?’ Femi just started facing him and then they started facing each other. 

“Shola and I will say, ‘It’s okay’. Fela will say, ‘No’. And Femi just said, ‘Let him go’.”

“I don’t think I have ever had that kind of confrontation with my father. Maybe because I was a woman,” she said. 

Comedian AY Makun has rejected calls to turn down the national honour bestowed on him. 

The Federal Government at the weekend listed him as one of the 379 Nigerians to get national honour.

He was guven the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) honour. 

Many fans called on him to reject the honour because he was backing the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi.

Read Also: AY Makun emerges as Face of Teachers Naija Reality Show Season 3 

But the comedian balked at the idea. He tweeted: ‘’Those of you shaming or asking me to reject ‘A National Honour’ are clearly missing a vital point.

” Our country is bigger and more important than any president or political party  awarding it. 

“A national honour is the highest recognition anyone can get for his or her contributions to nation building.

” So my allegiance is to a country where i have contributed my own quota, and i am more than  happy to be rewarded by the same nation.”

The medals and certificates are scheduled to be collected on June 1.