Author: The Nation

  • Why I had two abortions – BBNaija’s Phyna

    Why I had two abortions – BBNaija’s Phyna

    BBNaija Season 7winner Josephina Otabor aka Phyna has confirmed she aborted twice.

    She also explained why she terminated the pregnancies when she was 19 and 24 by taking abortion pills.

    Explaining her reason for ingesting the pills in an interview with The Punch, Hype priestess said: “As for my reasons for taking abortion pills, if there are 100 women in Nigeria today, 98 have done abortions. So, no one should judge me.

    “I was in a 12-year relationship then and I was so young. The first abortion was when I was 19; I couldn’t go home to tell my parents that I was pregnant at that age. And the two pregnancies were so early like two to three weeks that I could just use tablets.

    Read Also : Star-struck Phyna meets Tony Umez on set

    “The second was when I was 24 and I had finished serving then. I was ready to keep it but the relationship was getting toxic. He abused me and always beat me up. I said to myself that I couldn’t do this anymore. So I took it out and that was how I ended the relationship.”

    Phyna noted she would not consider abortion in her current state because her fortune has since changed, adding she can conveniently take care of 10 kids.

    She added: “The way I am now, I have money to take care of 10 children, so why? In fact, if my parents were rich at the time of my first pregnancy, I wouldn’t have aborted it.

    “But because I knew I was from a very poor background, we used to eat once a day then, especially in the afternoon and then carry it till the next day. So, keeping the baby then, was no option for me.

    A few days ago, the reality TV star in reacting to a troll who called her an abortionist, admitted to aborting twice, stirring the internet.

  • Man Utd hopeful on Weghorst’s deal

    Man Utd hopeful on Weghorst’s deal

    EPL giants Man Utd are hoping to land Burnley striker Wout Weghorst who is on a loan spell at Besiktas in Turkey.

    The Dutchman is willing to force his January move to Manchester United and is ready to leave Besiktas immediately if Erik ten Hag assures him of a spot in the team.

    United have identified the Netherlands striker as their first choice for a short term in this January window. Manager Ten Hag wants a boost for his attack following the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo in November.

    Read Also: FA Cup: Man Utd beat Everton, qualify for fourth round

    Benfica will sort for ways to cut short the loan span of the striker in Besiktas. According to reports, Weghorst is willing to pay the compensation fee out of his pocket if Besiktas refuses to release him.

    The 30-year-old is set to take his own measures to ensure his dream to play at Old Trafford doesn’t fail

  • ‘Aníkúlápó’ tops Netflix Naija 2022 most watched movies

    ‘Aníkúlápó’ tops Netflix Naija 2022 most watched movies

    Kunle Afolayan’s ‘Aníkúlápó’ has emerged the most-watched movie on Netflix in Nigeria in 2022.

    According to the data on streaming statistics site FlixPatrol, ‘Aníkúlápó’ overshadowed huge international projects like ‘Adam Project’ and ‘RRR’ to secure the top spot on the world’s leading streaming entertainment service provider.

    ‘Aníkúlápó’, an epic fantasy that tells the story of love, death and betrayal, amassed 8,730,000 global views within a few weeks after its release on September 30, 2022.

    The epic film follows a young man’s quest for a greener pasture during which he encounters a mythical bird (Akala).

    Read Also: Why I cast my daughter as a princess in ‘Anikulapo’ – Afolayan

    The not-so-innocent traveller, Saro, lies with the king’s wife, Queen Arolake and earns himself an avoidable death sentence.

    He is however, given a second chance to live after a mystical bird (Akala) wakes him from the dead and he ends up with possession of Akala’s power which he used to resurrect the dead, thus becoming a much sought-after and powerful man in his village and beyond.

    It stars Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, Sola Sobowale, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Taiwo Hassan, Kunle Afolayan, and others.

  • Apologise to Igbos, Daddy Freeze tells Brymo

    Apologise to Igbos, Daddy Freeze tells Brymo

    Media personality Daddy Freeze has condemned the alleged ‘anti-Igbo’ remarks by singer Brymo, terming it hate speech.

    Daddy Freeze demanded the ‘Ara’ singer tendered an apology to the Igbos over his ‘hate speeches’ on social media against them.

    In December 2022, Brymo responded to a tweet that talked about all the presidential candidates which ended up igniting an uproar on social media as his comments were described as controversial and tribalistic.

    Brymo stated it’ll be unwise to elect an Igbo man at this point because ‘he may have to vividly organise his home front to lead’ the rest of the country but noted they could be considered for the position of the vice president to ‘test the waters’.

    The singer declared the standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as his preferred candidate, noting South-West unites the entire country.
    The tweets read: “Maybe… yet I would not pick to near make sure of that … and since the south-west unites us all, Lagos for precision!!…come rain or shine… lol… BAT is … NVM!!.. there’ll be no anarchy.. and the east hurts enough for all to shake when power goes there, plus these matters.

    “Don’t respect my intelligence nor choices… you are trying to not accept resolve… argue more then… pls …. It is not prudent to elect him yet, he may have to vividly organise his home-front to lead rest of us… an Igbo VP first maybe to test the waters with the region is safer!

    Brymo’s comments were greeted with several backlashes by social media users, particularly the ‘Obidients’ who attacked him for ‘talking down’ the Igbos.

    With the backlashes from various angles among the online community and some yanking him off their list of admired entertainers, the self-acclaimed ‘most powerful artiste in the world’ clapping back at them employed the ‘f’ word to silence his critics.

    He stated: “I can’t Believe a whole tribe of people, not up to two people yet came out to say “there’s point in what BrymO is saying”.. instead you all went and found isolated tweets to attack .. fuck you all!…”

    In tweets that followed after his initial remarks generated heavy criticism, the singer decided to be direct with his words in lashing out at the Igbos.

    Read Also: Why I’m supporting APC candidate, by Brymo

    In his reaction to a now-deleted post, Brymo retweeting it wrote: “Fxck The Ndi Igbo !! .. To Hell With It!!”

    Weighing in on the matter, Daddy Freeze shared a post via his Instagram page of the singer’s photo with one of his comments which read: ‘IGBO people are useless people’.

    He asked Brymo to apologise for his ‘hate speech’ because it would cost him his fans and followers.

    He wrote: “Dear Brymo, I respect you. Don’t throw that respect down the drain. I know you have the right to an opinion.
    “However, this isn’t an opinion, this is ‘H8’ speech and will cost you your fans and followers. I would recommend an apology to the Igbos.”

  • Why I resigned as Lagos LP chairman – Salako

    Why I resigned as Lagos LP chairman – Salako

    Lagos Labour Party (LP) chairman Kayode Salako has explained he resigned to contest for the seat of the Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 1 in the House of Representatives.
    Salako told Channels Television he handed over the party’s leadership in Lagos to an ex-Deputy women leader, Mrs Dayo Ekong.

    Read Also: Ezea: PDP can’t stop Labour Party in Enugu

    He said: “We held our legal stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos yesterday (Tuesday). I willingly handed over the running of the affairs of the party to Mrs Dayo Ekong because I wanted to contest an election.

    “I am the candidate of the party for the House of Representatives seat in Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 1. The election is about 40 days’ time and I need to concentrate to face the challenges.’’

  • Cleric, gang members stage kidnap in Plateau

    Cleric, gang members stage kidnap in Plateau

    The Plateau Police Command has arrested a cleric and two members of his gang for staging their staging his kidnap and collecting ransom from his church members in Jos.

    The Command’s spokesman, DSP. Alfred Alabo, said Albarka Bitrus Sukuya ‘m’ of Jenta Apata, Jos who on several occasions staged his kidnap with his cohorts and received ransom from sympathising members of his congregation.

    Alabo said his ‘abduction’ on 14/11/2022 and 30/11/2022 where N400,000 and N200,000 were respectively paid by his sympathisers as ransom triggered suspicion.

    “Through credible intelligence, the clergyman was invited by the DPO Nassarawa Gwong Police Station, CSP Musa Hassan and investigation commenced immediately.

    ” In the course of the investigation, it was established that the suspect has been conspiring with his gang to stage his kidnap and fraudulently collect ransom.

    Read Also: Bauchi governor interacts with clerics

    “On interrogation, the suspect confessed to have committed the crime and mentioned the following persons as his accomplices as Baruk Mailale, Nathaniel Bitrus both male of Yelwan Zangam village of Jos-north and Aye (surname yet to be known) ‘male of Jalingo, Taraba State.

    “The suspect further disclosed that on 04/01/2023, he set ablaze two motor vehicles ( a Mercedes Benz and a Toyota) and a bicycle parked at ECWA Bishara 3 Jenta Apata premises belonging to his colleagues who he alleged one of them hates him, referring to his senior pastor.

    “However, police operatives of Nassarawa Gwong Division, Jos-north LGA arrested two of the suspects namely, Baruk Mailale and Nathaniel Bitrus while effort is been intensified to arrest Aye, the third suspect.”

  • FG mourns Nollywood ‘creative force’ Peace Anyiam-Osigwe

    FG mourns Nollywood ‘creative force’ Peace Anyiam-Osigwe

    The Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed has expressed shock over the passing of the Africa Movie Academy Awards‘ Founder(AMAA) Ms. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe.

    Mohammed said she was a strong and positive force in the nation’s creative Industry.

    In a statement in Abuja by Mr. Segun Adeyemi, Special Assistant to the President (Media) Office of the Minister of Information and Culture, Mohammed said the late Anyiam-Osigwe was the stuff of legend.

    The statement reads in part: “The Minister said he was shocked and saddened by the passing of the creative amazon, whose contribution to the entertainment industry in general and the film industry

    in particular is the stuff of legends.

    “He condoled with the family, friends and associates of the deceased,

    praying that God will give them strength and comfort and also grant

    repose to the soul of the departed.

    “Alhaji Mohammed said the best tribute that can be paid to the deceased

    is to keep her dream alive through the sustenance of her much-acclaimed project, the Africa Movie Academy Awards.”

    Read Also: Kebbi PDP Rep candidate, Muhammad, passes on

    The Association of Movie Producers, Nigeria (AMP) said Anyiam-Osigwe led an impactful life.

    AMP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Nzeh Frankwhite, said she gave her all to the industry.

    The statement reads in part: “Madam Peace, led a life of impact during her time, especially in the Nigerian motion picture industry, Nollywood, where she gave her all in several ways than one and died in active service of this same industry as a sitting president of the premier guild for movie producers in Nigeria, AMP.

    “Our departed National President was a creative personality per excellence, to which her creativity became one of the leading lights of the movie industry in Nigeria and beyond, through the prestigious reward platform, the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), she placed African cinema on the world stage and took Nollywood to an enviable level of celebration, the African Film Academy was another notable initiative of this great industry icon of inestimable value, a platform through which several celebrated filmmakers have received anointing for excellence in the industry (through her training)

    “She was a team player and her commitment to the growth and progress of Nollywood led her to render selfless service through several platforms in the industry, she had served as National Vice President of the Association of Movie Producers and later returned after several years to offer herself to serve as National President, a position she held until her untimely demise

    ”A passionate and compassionate leader, philanthropist of immeasurable proportion, to say she will be highly missed, is to state the obvious.
    “In every sense of the word, the vacuum her demise has left may be almost impossible to fill, but we cannot question God, as madam president has only travelled a path that is destined for every mere mortal, just a matter of time.

    “We however take solace in the fact that she has left us with several fond memories and remarkable footprints in the sands of time, the numerous innovative ideas she brought to the association in her short stay as president remain our guiding light in immortalizing this late icon as we keep praying for the repose of her forever peaceful, gentle soul and the fortitude for her family, friends, associates and colleagues to bear the great loss until we meet to path no more.”

  • Desmond Elliot rocks ‘Jagaban 23′ t-shirt

    Desmond Elliot rocks ‘Jagaban 23′ t-shirt

    Actor Desmond Elliot has been spotted repping the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
    Posing with the logo of Jagaban boldly inscribed on the back of his t-shirt, Elliot proudly declared total support for the former Lagos Governor.

    Captioning the first post which captured Tinubu’s insignia at a very close range, the movie director wrote: “I rep @jagaban “23.”

    Read Also: Ruger’s ‘Asiwaju’ reclaims top spot on music chart

    In his next post, which held a distant shot of his principal’s monogram, the Lagos Assembly member added: “JAGABAN’23. Coming soon…”

    The logo on Tinubu’s cap which looks like a broken chain originated from his interest and love to serve the people.

    The meaning of the broken chain logo on his cap is “To break the shackles of Poverty” which has been the theme of his campaign manifestos.

  • Adelabu, Popoola promise Oyo workers LG autonomy, others

    Adelabu, Popoola promise Oyo workers LG autonomy, others

    The governorship candidate of Accord Party in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu and his counterpart in the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Engr. Popoola Joshua have said autonomy for local government, good welfare for workers and security would be one of their top priorities if elected.

    The duo, while speaking in Ibadan at a programme organised by the Political Commission of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter, tagged “One on one with Oyo Workers”, said workers in the State deserve better working conditions saying they also enjoyed same while working as a civil servants before retirement.

    Adelabu said every worker deserved to be paid, adding that it was not an achievement but crime to owe salaries.

    “I have been a worker earning salary before and enjoyed good working condition. I know where the shoe pinches and what is best for workers’ welfare.

    “I enjoy regular payment of salary as a worker and I never owed any of my over 3,000 workers salary. Salary payment is not an achievement or selling point.

    “Any Governor who owes worker has committed crime against humanity. I will never owe workers because I have never owed any worker,” he said.

    The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor promised to grant autonomy to local governments in the State, saying such would allow for widespread development at the grassroots level.

    Adelabu said his ambition was driven by strong commitment to community and humanitarian services.

    Popoola maintained that there would be rural development when local government is allowed to function the way they ought to constitutionally, saying local government would have full autonomy under his administration to enhance development in the State.

    He said: “The very first thing i will do when i become the governor in May 29, 2023 is announcement of local government autonomy, development start across wards in local government before coming to the state.”

    Read Also : Accord Party inaugurates campaign council in Lagos

    “Our party believes in grassroots development, if elected, the Local governments would be autonomous, I am not doing them a favor it is already in the constitution and I am just obeying what the constitution says.

    “If the local governments are autonomous, they would be able to carry out their projects, to the advantage of their people at the local level, and even the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) will have a more conducive environment to workers.

    “Today, I am here to let you know that, I, Engr. Olukayode Popoola understood the plight of labor more than any other governorship candidates in Oyo state. Our party, New Nigerian People’s party (NNPP) understands that the key demand for Labour is a government that will prioritize the fight against corruption.”

    “One of the major plans we would activate in government is adequate job security and also boost the workforce. We would employ more workers without sacking anyone.”

  • People, not politicians fuel vote-buying, says Yul Edochie

    People, not politicians fuel vote-buying, says Yul Edochie

    Contrary to the opinion of comedian Mr Macaroni that politicians offer money to the electorates to secure their votes, popular actor, Yul Edochie believes it is the other way round. 

    Yul argued people are the ones that pressure politicians into offering them money for their votes.

    “I used to think it’s the politicians that offer money until I joined politics and ran for office.

    “My eyes opened. It’s mainly the people that demand money from the politicians and put them in a tight corner where they must find money by all means to share or fail,” he said. 

    Read Also: Judy Austin hypes hubby Yul Edochie on birthday

    The movie stars post followed few hours after Mr Macaroni admonished Nigerians against vote-selling. 

    In his tweet, the skit maker argued anyone vying for public office who offers money in exchange for votes would not serve them when elected

    He insisted such politicians, who he described as thieves and looters, were simply investing and would spend time in office looting the nation’s treasury in a bid to gather the funds they spent to get into office.