The Nation Newspaper

Author: Yewande Fasan

  • Kunle Afolayan’s ‘Anikulapo’ set for season 2 production August

    Kunle Afolayan’s ‘Anikulapo’ set for season 2 production August

    Gabriel Afolayan, an actor and cast member of Netflix’s original series, “Anikulapo: The Rise of the Sceptre,” has announced in an interview with Nollywire that production for the second season is scheduled to commence in August 2024.

    The film, directed by Kunle Afolayan, will include filming locations in several countries, including Ghana.

    He said: “It’s cooking. You wait for it. Production starts around August and we’ll be out for two months or so. We’ll start with Igbojaiye and then we go to Ghana.”

    Read Also:Europe-bound man wearing church uniform arrested with cocaine hidden in sandals

    This follows the success of the first season, which was released on March 1, 2024, and topped the Netflix Weekly Global Chart as the most-viewed non-English Netflix original film.

    The series boasts an impressive cast, including Sola Sobowale, Kunle Remi, and Bimbo Ademoye, among others.

    It also explores themes of power, betrayal, and the supernatural, delving into Yoruba mythology.

    Recall that following the first release of the movie, fans have praised Afolayan’s work for its rich storytelling, performances, and visually stunning depiction of Nigeria’s folklore and history.

  • Rita Edochie sends condolences to Junior Pope’s widow on 10th wedding anniversary

    Rita Edochie sends condolences to Junior Pope’s widow on 10th wedding anniversary

    Actress Rita Edochie has extended her condolences to the family of the late actor Junior Pope, specifically to his wife, Jennifer Awele, on what would have been their 10th wedding anniversary.

    Junior Pope tragically passed away in a boat accident in April.

    On her Instagram, Rita Edochie expressed her sympathies and requested her followers to join her in praying for the family.

    She acknowledged the significant marital milestone that Junior Pope and his wife would have celebrated and encouraged his widow to trust in God’s plan, even during difficult times.

    Fellow celebrities, including Uche Ogbodo, Angela Okorie, and Sonia Ogiri, offered their support and words of prayer for the family in the comment section.

    Read Also: Europe-bound man wearing church uniform arrested with cocaine hidden in sandals

    Rita Edochie’s post read: “God, please take care of the people he left behind. kay, it would have been two of you celebrating your 10th wedding anniversary, but the junior pope is not there again. In everything that happens, my daughter Kay, god almighty has his reasons.

    “No much talk so I don’t start remembering the forgotten wounds. Great lovers of Rita Edochie, please join me and say a word of prayer for Junior Pope’s wife and his children and also prayers for all departed souls”.

  • Skepta expresses disappointment over unexpected betrayals

    Skepta expresses disappointment over unexpected betrayals

    Popular British rapper Skepta has expressed his disappointment with individuals he had supported in the past, only to be met with ingratitude and betrayal.

    In a series of tweets, Skepta shared his experiences of being deceived by those he had helped achieve success.

    The rapper expressed his distress over the ungratefulness he encountered from people he had backed.

    Read Also:Cricova and Bodegas Muñoz Martin Spain wineries enters Nigeria’s liquor market

    He emphasised his disillusionment, saying, “All I see are ungrateful long faces from people whose fathers haven’t even done what I did for them.”

    Skepta also expressed his belief in divine justice, tweeting, “Good thing I don’t do things to get anything in return. God keeps the score.”

  • I’m rich now, I don’t subscribe to planned protest, says Portable

    I’m rich now, I don’t subscribe to planned protest, says Portable

    Controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has announced that he would not be participating in the planned nationwide protest against the high cost of living in Nigeria.

    The protest, scheduled for August 1-10, aims to express concern over the rising cost of living and economic struggles faced by Nigerians.

    In a viral video, Portable attributed his decision to his current financial success, stating that he was poor when he joined protests in 2020 but he is now rich.

    Read Also: ‘How Nigeria can benefit from over $100bn green climate fund’

    He advised his fans to focus on personal development and hard work rather than engaging in protests, emphasising that “Rich people don’t fight.”

    Speaking in a blend of Pidgin and Yoruba, he said: “My fans. Some said I protested in 2020. Yes, it is true, but I was poor at that time. Now, I am rich. Have you ever seen Femi Otedola, Aliko Dangote, and Dele Momodu protesting?

    “Then, I was thinking like a poor man who had nothing. I am now rich. Rich people don’t fight.

    “It will not end well for anyone who suggests that I should go and sing in a protest. Why don’t you take the microphone and sing at the protest yourself? If you are hustling and you have work to do, you will not join them to protest.”

  • Yhemolee considers farming business after receiving cow gifts ahead of wedding

    Yhemolee considers farming business after receiving cow gifts ahead of wedding

    Socialite and influencer, Yhemo Lee, has expressed his surprise at the numerous cows he has received as gifts ahead of his wedding.

    As he prepares to marry his longtime partner, Tayo, next month in Lagos, Yhemo Lee’s inner circle has been showering him with cows as a traditional gesture of goodwill.

    Read Also: Nigerians in Canada have demonstrated resilience, excellence, says Envoy

    Taking to his Snapchat page, Yhemo Lee humorously mentioned the possibility of starting a farm venture, “YL Farms,” due to the abundance of cows he has received.

    He humorously exclaimed: “Be like I go start YL Farms after wedding oh. Una wan use cows kill me?”

  • Denilson Igwe accuses Mark Angel of cheating comedy crew

    Denilson Igwe accuses Mark Angel of cheating comedy crew

    Skit maker, Denilson Igwe, has accused his former collaborator, Mark Angel, of cheating him and other crew members out of their rightful earnings.

    In a revealing interview on “The Honest Bunch” podcast, Denilson shared that he played a key role in creating Mark Angel Comedy but was allegedly deceived and exploited by Mark Angel.

    Denilson claimed that Mark Angel failed to disclose the monetization of their social media pages and withheld significant revenue.

    He revealed that, despite being responsible for the videography content of Mark Angel Comedy, he was not informed when their Facebook page became monetized. He only received a small sum of ₦50,000 in 2016, while Mark Angel bought a car for himself.

    Denilson also alleged that Mark Angel paid their top star, Emmanuella, only ₦20,000 monthly, despite the Facebook page generating $160,000 per month in revenue.

    Read Also:Nigerians in Canada have demonstrated resilience, excellence, says Envoy

    Denilson emphasised that he was the driving force behind the success of Mark Angel’s Comedy and felt deeply betrayed by Mark Angel’s actions.

    He said: “I was the one that started Mark Angel Comedy. I’m an orphan… Mark was the elder brother of the house. He was a security guard at Kilimanjaro, GRA, Port Harcourt.

    “I was learning camera work from a man called Ifeanyi and I stole one of the cameras. So in our own free time, we will shoot comic videos.

    “Mark then suggested that we should create a Facebook page [to post our comedy videos] which I accepted, not knowing even when it was monetised.

    “I just kept filming. Then suddenly in 2014, Mark bought a car. I asked him how he was able to afford it, and he lied that someone gifted him the car, and I accepted. I haven’t received a dime from Mark Angel Comedy revenue then.

    “He started paying Emmanuella ₦20,000 monthly. Her parents were poor so they didn’t even know the value of what their daughter was doing.

    “No one knew the revenue it was generating. 2016 was the first time he gave me ₦50,000 and told me that the comedy wasn’t generating revenue. And we were making $160,000 monthly off Mark Angel Comedy’s Facebook revenue then.”

    Mark Angel is yet to respond to the allegations.

  • How Iwuanyanwu rescued my career after I disowned parents – Charly Boy

    How Iwuanyanwu rescued my career after I disowned parents – Charly Boy

    Musician and activist Charly Boy has paid tribute to the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who passed away on Thursday at 82.

    Charly Boy revealed how Iwuanyanwu helped rescue his music career in 1981 when he returned to Nigeria from the US.

    After disowning his parents for not supporting his music dreams, Charly Boy said he met Iwuanyanwu in his village, Oguta, and received an unexpected gift of $8,000.

    This generous act enabled Charly Boy to establish a studio in his village and kickstart his career.

    Charly Boy expressed his gratitude, saying Iwuanyanwu was the first Nigerian to believe in and support his dreams.

    He highlighted the importance of legacy, touching lives, and inspiring others, and thanked Iwuanyanwu for his kindness, calling him “Biggest bros/father.”

    Read Also: Nigeria leads African oil production with 1.61mbpd

    “When I returned from the USA 1981, all I had was a dream as a broke Ass Charly Boy wanna be.

    “It was Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu who accidentally met me in my village Oguta, after I disowned my parents for not buying into my dreams.

    “He dashed me $8.000 at the time. I almost fainted. Dat gave me the impetus to build the Brand as I started my Jankara studio in my village. He was the very first Nigerian who supported and believed in my dream.

    “My people, legacy is really about the lives we touched, the inspiration we gave, altering someone’s plan – if even for a moment – and getting them to think, cry, laugh, argue.

    “More than anything, we are remembered for our smiles; the ones we share with our closest and dearest, and the ones we bestow on total strangers, who needed it right then, and God put us there to deliver.

    “Chief I can never forget how out of the blues, you jump started my career. I know many will share similar stories of how you touched their live. I remain ever so grateful. Rest In Peace. Biggest bros/father”.

  • Burna Boy achieves milestone in RIAA certification

    Burna Boy achieves milestone in RIAA certification

    Grammy-winning artist Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has equalled Tems’ record as the Nigerian artist with the second-most certified singles in the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) history, with a total of four certified singles each.

    This accomplishment follows the Gold certification of his collaborative single “Location” with British Grime artist Dave, recognising sales of 500,000 units in the United States.

    Burna Boy’s previously certified songs in the US include “Last Last” (Platinum), “Ye” (Gold), and “On The Low” (Gold).

    Read Also: Nigeria leads African oil production with 1.61mbpd

    Wizkid maintains his position as the most certified Nigerian artist in the US, with a total of seven certified singles.

    In a separate achievement, American rapper J.Cole has earned his first-ever diamond certified single, as his 2019 hit “Middle Child” reaches sales of 10 million units, joining the RIAA diamond league.

    Chart Data announced this milestone on Twitter, stating, “J.Cole earns his first ever @RIAA Diamond single with ‘Middle Child’.”

  • Linda Osifo sends message to ‘marriage advisors’ ahead of 33rd birthday

    Linda Osifo sends message to ‘marriage advisors’ ahead of 33rd birthday

    Actress Linda Osifo is set to celebrate 33rd birthday with a clear message to those who criticise her for being unmarried.

    In a recent Instagram post, she shared a motivational message from Pastor Faith Oyedepo, encouraging single and unmarried individuals to stay focused on their path.

    Osifo expressed joy and confidence as she approaches her birthday, stating that she is content with her life choices and not concerned about societal pressures to marry or have children.

    Read Also: Lege Miami urges youths to shelve planned protest

    She wrote: ““When you’re turning 33 and they’re saying you’ve not married or have kids yet.

    “33 loading!! Make no body pressure me! I’m on my lane! Double 3! Double doze. 33 in 2 days!! Don’t tell me anything! I’m Happy for ME!”

  • Lege Miami urges youths to shelve planned protest

    Lege Miami urges youths to shelve planned protest

    Actor Adams Kehinde, aka Lege Miami, has joined the conversation on the upcoming protests against economic hardship in Nigeria.

    In a video on his Instagram page, he appealed to youths in Lagos to step back from the protest, urging them to give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu more time to address the country’s challenges.

    Lege Miami acknowledged the high cost of living but expressed confidence in the President’s ability to fix the issues.

    He also warned that some individuals might hijack the protest to cause chaos, while also commending the Lagos State Governor for his efforts.

    Read Also: August 1: We’re not joining protest, Bauchi Govt declares

    He stated: “We aren’t protesting in Lagos. Please let’s give Mr President more chance to fix the country. Please, don’t be choked. I know that it isn’t easy and things are getting more expensive than when we left.

    “Mr President, please look out for the food. Foodstuff is very expensive for the pøor people. His team should work on that. But we aren’t protesting in Lagos because other people want to use it against this government.

    “All Youths wise up; let’s pray for a better Nigeria. Let’s support Mr President, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We aren’t protesting in Lagos, and let’s not forget the Governor of Lagos is trying as well. Please, thank you, everyone, and God bless you”.

    Lege Miami’s plea has sparked a mixed reaction, with some supporting his stance and others criticising his views.

    The protest, scheduled for August 1st, aims to address the rising cost of living and economic hardship in the country.