The Nation Newspaper

Author: Yewande Fasan

  • Muyiwa Ademola seeks forgiveness in tribute to late cousin, Allwell Ademola

    Muyiwa Ademola seeks forgiveness in tribute to late cousin, Allwell Ademola

    Renowned actor Muyiwa Ademola has paid tribute to his late colleague and cousin, Allwell Ademola, who passed away on December 27, 2025.

    Ademola expressed his sadness and sought forgiveness in his message, urging others to do the same.

    He described the news of Allwell’s death as “one of the saddest” he had ever received, and used the moment to call for forgiveness, peace, and love among humanity.

    He also publicly forgave anyone who may have wronged him, emphasising the importance of love and unity.

    “Goodnight, cousin. It is one of the saddest pieces of news I have ever received. I do not know what to write. Please, if I have wronged you in any way, forgive me. Remember, a day like this is certain for you and I.

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    “I’m letting go of all the grudges in my heart, too. My heart is heavy, and I want it so light. If you have wronged me in any way, I have forgiven you as well. Let’s keep being peaceful in this empty world,” Ademola wrote.

    Allwell Ademola, a renowned actress, producer, and singer, was 43 years old at the time of her passing.

    She was known for her exceptional talent and contributions to Yoruba Nollywood, starring in films like “You or I” (2013) and “Omo Emi” (2017).

  • Pastor Chris Okafor kneels to apologise to Doris Ogala amid accusations

    Pastor Chris Okafor kneels to apologise to Doris Ogala amid accusations

    Senior Pastor Chris Okafor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries has publicly apologised to actress Doris Ogala for past mistakes, kneeling before his congregation in a gesture of remorse.

    The apology came after Ogala accused Okafor of an affair, broken marriage promises, and sharing explicit content, sparking a heated public feud.

    Ogala had also claimed that Okafor offered her $10,000 to retract claims that she was hired by rival pastors to defame him.

    In a viral video, Okafor, speaking to his congregation, acknowledged his imperfections and expressed willingness to make amends, specifically naming Ogala in his apology.

    However, he maintained that many of Ogala’s allegations were untrue, stating that they contained “so many lies.”

    He said, “Listen, we’re not joining issues. Mistakes have been made in the past, and I tender an apology to everybody.

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    “I am sorry to everyone I have offended, to Doris Ogala also. I say sorry and apologise to everyone that I’ve offended.

    “I’m ready to make restitution to anyone, anybody, any lady I have offended. I am sorry. Forgive me.”

    Acknowledging his imperfections, he added, “Not perfect, I’ve never been perfect.”

    “I’m kneeling before everyone and before the church. Forgive me. You can judge me. Pray for me,” he added.

    Ogala has responded, forgiving Okafor but rejecting his claim that she lied about the accusations.

    “Chris Okafor, I forgive you, but there’s a problem. Where you said everything is a lie. I have a problem with that because I don’t lie,” she wrote.

    Okafor’s apology comes amidst ongoing controversy, with Ogala filing a N1 billion lawsuit against him for alleged emotional distress, reputational damage, and breach of trust.

  • Why Champz won’t accept show invitations – Shola Ogudu

    Why Champz won’t accept show invitations – Shola Ogudu

    Shola Ogudu, mother of Wizkid‘s 14-year-old son, Boluwatife popularly known as Champz, has expressed gratitude for the show invitations extended to her son following the release of his debut EP, “Champion’s Arrival”.

    In a statement on X, Ogudu revealed that Champz will not be taking up live performance opportunities at this time, citing his age and the need to prioritise his development.

    “We want to say a Big Thank you for the countless show invitations and for considering Champz. Due to his age, we’re prioritising development over live performances for now, and have had to decline show bookings. We truly appreciate the interest and understanding”, she wrote.

    The EP, released in November, has been a huge success, topping charts and garnering attention from music lovers.

    The 14-year-old had posted: “It’s officially one month of ‘Champion’s Arrival’ and the journey since has been nothing short of amazing.

    “Charting across countries, crossing 1M Spotify listeners, pulling in millions of streams, and becoming a top album in under 5 hours; I’m honestly grateful for every moment of it and even more grateful for everyone riding with me.

    “Humbled, motivated, and ready for whatever comes next. This is only the beginning. So help me God”.

    Champz’s unique sound, blending Afrobeats rhythms with UK grime influences, has been praised by fans and music critics alike.

  • Twitch suspends Carter Efe’s account after record-breaking livestream with Davido

    Twitch suspends Carter Efe’s account after record-breaking livestream with Davido

    Comedian and streamer Carter Efe’s Twitch account has been temporarily suspended, just days after his record-breaking livestream with Afrobeats star Davido.

    The livestream, which took place on December 17, 2025, garnered massive online attention and saw Carter Efe become Africa’s most-followed Twitch streamer, amassing over 405,000 followers.

    The suspension, announced on Monday, cites violations of Twitch’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines, though specific details of the breaches have not been disclosed.

    The suspension has sparked disappointment among fans, who took to social media to express solidarity with the comedian.

    Speculation has emerged online suggesting the suspension may be linked to mass reporting over comments or antics during the livestream.

    However, reports claiming Carter Efe faced additional bans on other platforms have been dismissed as false.

    Carter Efe’s suspension comes as a blow to his growing online presence, and fans are urging Twitch to reconsider its decision.

    The comedian’s supporters have described him as a “joy giver” and are calling for a swift resolution to the issue.

  • Itele expresses joy as ‘Koleoso’ tops Nigeria’s 2025 most searched series

    Itele expresses joy as ‘Koleoso’ tops Nigeria’s 2025 most searched series

    Actor and producer Ibrahim Yekini, popularly known as Itele, has made history with his latest movie, Koleoso, as it becomes one of Nigeria’s most searched series in 2025, rivaling global hits like Netflix’s Wednesday and Squid Game.

    The Yoruba actor attributed the success to organic growth, a real audience, and the impact of the movie, thanking the cast, crew, and viewers for their support.

    He wrote, “The record is loud. The growth is real. Grateful for the journey, proud of the numbers. Organic growth. Real audience. Real impact. This is only the beginning. The views don’t lie — consistency, hard work, and God’s grace. We keep winning… louder, bigger, better.

    “From vision to views. Thank you to everyone watching, sharing, and supporting — big thanks to the cast and Crew, this win is ours. This is a win for us all — the Nollywood industry. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: my KOLEOSO family, you are the best. I am truly humbled and deeply grateful. Truly grateful to @shockng for the acknowledgement”.

  • Detty December: Noble Igwe encourages Nigerians to prioritise family

    Detty December: Noble Igwe encourages Nigerians to prioritise family

    Media personality and fashion entrepreneur Noble Igwe has urged Nigerians to shift their focus from the usual Detty December parties and luxury to reconnecting with family during the Christmas season.

    In a message, Igwe emphasised the importance of spending quality time with loved ones, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

    He encouraged people to return home to spend time with their aged parents, siblings, and loved ones, stressing that memories matter more than money.

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    Igwe said, “Go home, see your aged parents, see your siblings, and spend time with loved ones during Christmas. It does not matter how much you earn; do it when you can and do it for the memories. Nothing is promised.”

    His words have resonated with many Nigerians, especially those in the diaspora and major cities, who often struggle to balance work, travel, and festive excitement with the need to reconnect with home during the holidays.

  • How my daughter’s confidence boosted my London concert performance – Adekunle Gold

    How my daughter’s confidence boosted my London concert performance – Adekunle Gold

    Afrobeats singer Adekunle Gold has revealed that his five-year-old daughter, Adejare’s proud words motivated him to deliver an outstanding performance at his just concluded London concert.

    Recall that Adejare opened the show by introducing her father to the audience.

    The singer expressed that the nights of sacrifice and hard work were worthwhile when he felt truly loved by his daughter.

    According to him, this experience has inspired him to take his performance on the road, with his upcoming show in Lagos being the first stop.

    Adekunle Gold wrote: “Hearing my little girl’s voice from backstage, confident, proud, bragging about her daddy and calling me onto that stage, I knew I had no choice but to give everything I had. I couldn’t let her down. I couldn’t let you down.

    “All the nights leading to this show without sleep, dreaming, working, believing, hoping, worrying. But on this night, more than anything else, I felt LOVED. Truly loved. And it made every sacrifice worth it. You are worth it all. Thank you.

    “I can’t wait to take this experience on the road, starting with my amazing BFF in Lagos. You don’t have to wait long because we go in 4, 3, 2, 1…”

  • Teniola Aladese speaks on payment disparity in Nollywood

    Teniola Aladese speaks on payment disparity in Nollywood

    Actress Teniola Aladese has spoken out about the secrecy surrounding Nollywood pay and the significant disparity in earnings.

    In a recent interview, she noted that many actors accept low fees because they believe the budget is fixed, when in reality, some films allocate more funds for certain roles.

    Aladese emphasised the importance of open discussions about pay, citing conversations with colleagues like Timini Egbuson, who shared his dissatisfaction with a project’s offered amount.

    According to her, this experience opened her eyes to the industry’s financial realities.

    The actress, known for her roles in “Jemeji,” “Love in a Pandemic,” and “Gone,” stressed that this culture of secrecy leaves performers unaware of their true value, leading to unequal pay for similar work.

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    She said, “In my industry, people rarely talk about pay disparity, and I’m grateful to individuals like Timini Egbusin and Kunle Remi, who openly discuss their earnings with colleagues.

    “I remember a conversation with Timini on the set of Love in a Pandemic, he might not even recall it, but he was talking about a project he’d been approached for and mentioned the amount offered. At that time, he wasn’t happy with it. He said something like, ‘You’re calling me to spend weeks on set for what I could make in two to three days elsewhere.

    “Hearing that made me realise how much money is actually circulating in the industry. The issue is, because we don’t talk openly about pay, many people aren’t aware of the earning potential. They assume, ‘Ah, they offered me 100,000, I’ll just take it,’ without realizing that budgets are often flexible. For instance, a character might only be needed for a couple of days, but the budget might allocate 700,000.”

  • Ned Nwoko threatens legal action against online defamers

    Ned Nwoko threatens legal action against online defamers

    Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, has issued an official statement accusing unnamed individuals of orchestrating a coordinated campaign of online harassment, cyber-stalking, and criminal defamation against him.

    In the statement released on Thursday by his communications team, Senator Nwoko described the recent surge in defamatory videos and publications as “calculated to create a false narrative of persecution to serve ulterior motives.”

    He maintained that he remains fully focused on his legislative and developmental duties and has no interest in “online distractions or fabricated drama.”

    He warned that the growing trend of weaponising public sympathy to shield alleged wrongdoers poses a danger to national values.

    The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a renewed pattern of online harassment, cyber stalking, and coordinated defamatory videos and publications targeted at Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko.

    “These actions appear calculated to create a false narrative of persecution in order to serve ulterior motives.

    “Senator Ned is fully engaged in his legislative, developmental, and business responsibilities and maintains no interest whatsoever in online distractions or fabricated drama. However, when grave allegations are made, they must be addressed in accordance with the law, not through misinformation or emotional manipulation.

    “We must caution the public that the growing culture of supporting deviant conduct, shielding wrongdoers, and attempting to weaponize public sympathy is damaging to our national values. Today, falsehood may be deployed against one individual; tomorrow, it may be directed at anyone.

    “Accordingly, Senator Ned has instructed his lawyer to file a petition with the Inspector General of Police, Director General DSS, and the Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime Unit) to investigate and prosecute those responsible for ongoing cyber harassment and criminal Defamation. The relevant digital footprints will be traced, and lawful action will be pursued.

    “Furthermore, the United States Government and the United Kingdom are respectfully urged to note that attempts to stage artificial drama around a stable family structure for the purpose of gaining undue advantage are unacceptable. If any frivolous grounds are being put forward to seek asylum, such manoeuvres should be discountenanced. Authorities are encouraged to rely on verified facts and legal processes rather than sensationalized narratives designed to mislead.

    “Nigerians are encouraged to disregard the false narratives being circulated and allow proper legal processes to proceed. The Senator remains focused on his work and continues to uphold dignity, responsibility, and due process.”

  • AGN suspends Taye Arimoro over on-set altercation with Peggy Ovire 

    AGN suspends Taye Arimoro over on-set altercation with Peggy Ovire 

    Actor Taye Arimoro has been suspended indefinitely from all film productions in Nigeria following a violent incident with Pegyy Ovire on the set of the movie Pieces of Love on 12 November 2025.

    The decision, announced jointly by the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), and the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), came after a coordinated investigation found Arimoro to be the primary aggressor in the altercation.

    According to the official statement signed by AGN National President Dr. Emeka Rollas, DGN President Mr. Uche Agbo, and AMP President Amb. Dr. Queen Blessing Ebigieson, Arimoro physically assaulted the production manager and a driver during filming.

    He later went live on social media, broadcasting what the guilds described as a “false and misleading” account of the incident that wrongly implicated producer Peggy Ovire, who was not present at the start of the confrontation.

    “The Director, Production Manager, and crew were not culpable in any wrongdoing,” the statement read in part

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    In addition to the indefinite industry-wide ban, Arimoro has been ordered to, issue a public apology on the same platform he used for the controversial live video, addressed to the production manager, Peggy Ovire, and the director, Frederick Atigogo; release a corrective video stating the accurate sequence of events; return under strict supervision to complete his remaining two scenes in Pieces of Love; comply with any further disciplinary measures from the guilds.

    Producer Peggy Ovire, while cleared of initiating the violence, was reprimanded for escalating the situation by pursuing Arimoro outside the filming compound.

    She has been directed by the board to tender written apologies to the guilds and the estate management, and to submit binding undertakings on improved set management and the future conduct of her driver.

    The three guilds used the ruling to declare zero tolerance for violence, intimidation, or professional misconduct on any Nollywood set and confirmed that a unified national On-Set Conduct and Safety Code is now in development.