Actor Sanni Alesh has expressed his deepest gratitude to his colleague, Sotayo Gaga, on International Women’s Day.
Alesh shared a story of how Sotayo came to his aid three years ago after he survived a horrific car accident on Lekki road.
Alesh in an Instagram post, revealed that he lost everything in the accident, but Gaga’s kindness and generosity helped him get back on his feet.
According to him, she sent him money to fix his car, a gesture that left him deeply touched.
He recalled how she had also sponsored his first-ever flight to Dubai in 2014.
He said: “March 6th 2022. Three years ago, I had the terrible incident of my life. I had an accident, was robbed, and crashed the Ranger Rover I was driving then. I lost everything because all I had on me that night was collected despite the accident on Lekki Road. Hmmmmm I was thankful to Allah because I couldn’t believe I survived.
“This sweet lady @sotayogaga reached out to me and asked what I needed her to do; I told her I just wanna fix the car. Hmmmm, it was a lot, but she sent the money immediately. Chai, the same thing she did to me in 2014, paid for my first-ever flight to Dubai.
“Little things get to me because I gift people, and I’m not someone who receives from my family and friends (ADETOKUBO & SHEVY ) who stood by me then. Thank you for all you do guys. Because I almost lost my life then cos I had nothing left. @sotayogaga Happy International Women’s Day, my love. Thank you for loving me as your brother.”
The highly anticipated film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling novel, “Children of Blood and Bone,” has announced additional cast members.
Ayra Starr, an Afrobeats star, and seasoned actor Richard Mofe-Damijo are among the latest additions to the production.
The film, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Thuso Mbedu as Zélie, Tosin Cole as Tzain, Amandla Stenberg as Princess Amari, and Damson Idris as Prince Inan.
Controversial singer Portable has publicly denounced social media critic Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), for asking him to collaborate on a diss track targeting gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
The drama unfolded after Chinwo filed a N1.1 billion defamation lawsuit against VDM, who had accused her of misappropriating funds from her shows without paying her former record label.
On his Instagram, Portable expressed his displeasure with VDM’s request, warning him to stop mentioning his name.
He questioned VDM’s credibility, asking if he had N100 million to collaborate with him.
Portable said: “You are already overstepping your boundaries, VDM or whatever you are called, you are overstepping. Stop talking about me, do not mention my name.
“You just come from nowhere… You said that we should sing, do you have N100 million in your account to feature me?”
Ibironke Ojo is widely known as Ronke Oshodi Oke. The celebrated Nigerian film actress, producer, and musician began her acting career with the drama group, Star Parade, and became well-known for her role in the 2000 movie ‘Oshodi Oke,’ which gave her the stage name Oshodi Oke. The award-winning personality speaks with THE NATION’s TUNRAYO ILESANMI in this interview on her life, family, career and avoiding scandals.
Who is Ronke Oshodi Oke?
Ronke Oshodi is a mother of two. I have two biological children and so many other children that are not from my womb. I’m a mother of many nations; I have about seven non-biological children. I am a workaholic; I love my job so much. Ibironke is different from Ronke Oshodi, they are two different people. Ibironke is a calm person who doesn’t go out, wherever you see her at a party, just know she has been paid and has collected something because I don’t party like that and I don’t joke with money. Ronke Oshodi Oke, on the other hand, could be a tout today and be calm tomorrow and a mother the next, she could be anything but Ibironke is calm.
What inspired you to pursue a career in acting?
So many things inspired me; I like to make people laugh. I want people around me to be happy and I also love laughing a lot. I had a friend who was an artist and I used to go to the location to see her, the artists there were like one small, big, happy family, although the family is bigger now. They would laugh together, share thoughts and do so many things together. I went to one of the actors there and told him my intentions, and here we are today, and as they say, the rest is history.
What are some of the challenges you face in the Nigerian entertainment industry, and how do you overcome them?
As far as I am concerned, anything I see in this industry, I see it as part of the job. That’s why I always tell people who want to join the industry to always have an extra shock absorber, if you don’t have one, don’t come. They would criticize you and say so many things about you. And that’s why I’m always reluctant to have interviews, including this one. They would also say something that I didn’t say. The industry and the viewers would always frustrate you, even the journalist. So anytime I see anything that wants to frustrate me, I just see it as something that comes with the job.
Anything that comes will go, I take life so easily.
You’ve portrayed various memorable roles over the years. Which role has been the most meaningful to you, and why?
My number one movie role that has been meaningful to me is ‘Gbajumo,’ my first comedy film. And that’s because I never believed I could act in a film that would make people laugh, honestly, it’s not easy. Making people sit down for close to two hours and then enjoying what you do and laughing at what you do is extreme creativity. ‘Gbajumo’ was one of my worst scripts, Saheed Balogun was the director of the film, and he was taking it from his head. There was even no script. I had to ask if what we were doing would make sense and he said ‘Ibi Ronke, don’t worry’ and it eventually made sense. I never knew I could make people laugh but thank God people accepted it and to God be the glory, here we are today.
How do you think the movie industry has evolved since you started?
We’ve grown so much. People used to look down on us, but thankfully, the stone builder rejected has become the cornerstone. Today we have proven to them that we can do better and we are doing better. There are so many movies out there that are making waves and are doing well in the market. Even right now, if you are doing any movie at least one or two Yoruba actors must be there. It’s not boasting. We have evolved so much and we haven’t gotten to where we are going.
You’ve been an actress for not less than 30 years, how have you stayed consistent through the years?
It will be 30 years in the next two years that I have been in this industry and it’s been God. I give all glory to God, I didn’t do anything and up till now, I haven’t done anything. I keep telling people to move with the moving people. If you see people are doing something, join them. Keep joining the moving train. If you see people doing something and it’s helping just join them, one way or the other, you will keep learning. Move with the moving people.
How have you been able to stay away from controversies?
I just stay on my own and do my own things in my own corner. Like I tell people, I am not a saint, I am human and I do every other thing humans do, and make mistakes like everyone else. There’s a Yoruba proverb that says blessed are those who act in wisdom. I just do my one thing jeje. I don’t tell people what I do not have. It’s how you see me on social media that I am, no additions or reductions, that’s it.
You’ve seen the Nigerian entertainment industry evolve over the years. How do you think the industry has changed, and what do you feel still needs to improve?
To God be the glory, we have changed for the better, now the equipment and locations we use are way better. Before, if we went to a location, we would have to start begging people for houses, but it’s no longer that way now we have chalets that we even rent out. The only thing that I will need the government to do for us is the issue of piracy. Before when we were doing CD, it was on the high side. Now we moved to YouTube and cinemas and people still have the guts to pirate that kind of film. Producing a cinema film costs a lot of money, pre-production, production and even post-production. Even if the producer does not curse you, the person’s eleda will curse you. I don’t understand how people behave sometimes. So I’m hoping the government can help us one way or the other. Because I know if they catch them now it’s about 10,000 naira bail which anybody can pay and go but if you give them about five years imprisonment, it would help reduce it just drastically so that’s what I think.
As a successful woman in a male-dominated industry, how have you navigated stereotypes and what would you say to young women looking to break into the entertainment world?
The advice I will give to the younger ones is to be prayerful, don’t backbite, and avoid jealousy. Don’t look at other people’s achievements; insist on what you want to do despite knowing you do not have what it takes. Be a prayer warrior because like I said earlier, this industry would frustrate you a lot. Also, be respectful to people. If you do not give people the respect they deserve, they will not say anything to you, you won’t learn from them. They won’t tell you that what you’re doing is wrong, but they will just block you and say this person doesn’t know how to talk to elders. There are certain people that are not famous or stars, but they can obstruct you. But if you are respectful and prayerful with very good behaviour, in a short time you will get there. Most importantly, one thing you must have before coming into the industry is passion. You must have passion for this job. If you don’t have passion, don’t bother coming. It is your passion that would later give you money. Those are the four necessities.
You’ve acted in a lot of cultural movies, to what extent do you think culture has contributed to improving the movie industry?
Our culture has contributed a lot to this industry. If we keep doing our cultural and traditional films for the next two years, we will be doing different ones. If we are going to do a standard Nigerian film, it’s a cultural film everyone will take. English isn’t our first language. We can’t speak ‘oyinbo(English)’ more than people that have their ‘oyinbo’, neither can the ‘oyinbo’ speak our language like us. It’s just good and natural to embrace our culture. Since we have been doing that, our traditional films have been going haywire. There has been a higher demand for traditional films in the market. If you show a good traditional film, well scripted, they would accept it from you and it’s not only in Nigeria alone they would accept, even all over the world and it has contributed a lot to our industry.
With social media becoming a powerful platform, how has it affected your career and how do you connect with your fans?
Everyone is on the internet now. I connect with my fans by posting and telling them what is next and also engaging them with different things. They in turn comment by also asking questions. They will tell you if what you’re doing is good or bad and this really helps. The Western people would always say that out of sight is out of mind and so if they do not see you for some time, you will not be on their minds. But when they see you on social media from time to time, the demand would be increasing. So social media has helped us a lot but it has its downside and so I would say thank you to everyone that has been engaging with my posts and commenting. Kudos to them.
Looking back on your career, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave behind in the Nigerian entertainment industry?
I can’t say that yet o. For now, we die here. I’m not leaving anything behind. Not even in the next 30/40 years. For now, we are still struggling. I am not going to answer that question for anybody. We still Dey rock am together. Just like MTN, it’s everywhere you go. I’m not leaving anything for anyone o. I’m still young. We move!
What advice would you give to young aspiring actors and actresses who look up to you?
I don’t want anybody to look up to me. The best they can do is just to appreciate me. No one on this earth can come out and say I’m Ronke Oshodi Oke. The person can only say, I’m second Ronke Oshodi Oke or I look like her. No one should look up to me, be you, always be yourself. If you are yourself and not looking up to anyone, it’s better you create your own thing and not copy anyone. Don’t want to be like anyone when you grow up, be a better person instead. Always say you’d be better than others you look up to. It would make you run faster so just try to be you and be yourself.
Popular actress and filmmaker, Wumi Toriola, has opened up about the setbacks she faced before the success of her film, ‘Queen Lateefah.’
The film became one of the highest-grossing Nigerian films of 2024, earning N350 million at the box office.
In an interview with The Nation, Toriola revealed that the journey to making ‘Queen Lateefah’ was not without challenges, as she encountered disappointments and delays before finally bringing the project to life.
“I would have shot ‘Queen Lateefah’ four years ago, but it didn’t happen. I had hitchhiked with my story, and I wasn’t completely satisfied, so I kept rewriting it. I faced disappointments, but what I’ve learned is that whenever you come out, just come out well. The place of preparation was helpful for me,” she shared.
Despite the obstacles, the actress is now celebrating the film’s overwhelming success, acknowledging that the long wait and meticulous preparation ultimately paid off.
Looking ahead to 2025, Toriola hinted at bigger projects and major collaborations.
“We are expecting something huge—more collaborations, but in a big way,” she revealed.
With ‘Queen Lateefah’ setting a high bar, Toriola also expressed the pressure of surpassing her record. “It makes me feel great and at the same time gives me a lot of responsibility, because one will want to get better. Beating that record is a lot of responsibility,” she stated.
On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, three Nigerian celebrities joined close associates and the immediate family of the late entertainer, Sound Sultan, to honour him in death.
The occasion was the fourth edition of the Sound Sultan Ramadan lecture, which was held at the headquarters of the Temple Company Management.
The event had in attendance, L.A.X, Bisola Aiyeola, and Mimi Onalaja.
The three entertainers paid respect to the Sound Sultan, whose memories were being honoured with the Ramadan lecture.
Also in attendance were the immediate family of the late singer, which included his widow, Faridah Fasasi and his three children, Mayowa, Bidemi, and Zara.
At the event, prayers were offered to the repose of the soul of the enigmatic singer and entertainer, who passed away on Sunday, July 11, 2021, in the United States of America.
Eminent Music has officially debunked reports suggesting that its signee, Afrobeats star Nasboi, has joined the CREAM Platform, a DIY distribution and gaming service owned by Nigerian music icon D’banj.
In a statement released by Eminent Music’s management, the label clarified that Nasboi remains contractually signed to Eminent Music, a partnership that has been in place since February 2023. Additionally, his music is exclusively distributed by the globally renowned company ONErpm, whose support has been instrumental in his artistic growth.
The label emphasized that while Nasboi is a versatile entertainer, content creator, and influencer, often collaborating with different platforms, these partnerships should not be mistaken for a label signing. His flourishing music career remains solely under Eminent Music and ONErpm, both of whom continue to guide and support his artistic journey.
“The public is hereby enjoined to uphold this statement as true. We regret any confusion the circulating reports may have caused our partners at ONErpm, as well as Nasboi’s fans and admirers of our work,” the statement read.
Eminent Music also highlighted Nasboi’s impressive achievements under its management, including the release of his hit-packed EP ‘INIT’, his sold-out concert in December 2024, and his recent nomination for the prestigious Headies Next Rated award.
The label reassured fans and stakeholders that its relationship with Nasboi remains stronger than ever, as they continue to push his career to greater heights.
Chukwuka Ekweani aka CKay has affirmed that love is one of the predominant themes of his life.
The 29-year-old singer, who has continued to soar in his career since his breakout, said he’s not sure if he’s a big romantic guy but he knows for sure that he is in touch with his feelings and emotions.
“I don’t know about [being a] big romantic guy but I’m someone who is very in touch with my feelings and my emotions. I think love is an amazing thing – a crazy thing, but amazing nonetheless – and this is one of the predominant themes of my life, so it’s just natural that my music talks a lot about this.”
Taking him back on his debut album, ‘Sad Romance,’ which was released on September 23, 2002, he said, “Music is the art form, which is my primary form of self-expression. I like to put myself into my music. There were a lot of sad situations, a lot of happy situations, and a lot of very diverse situations I was in. I captured all those in that album.”
In 2023, the long-awaited deluxe edition of the ‘Sad Romance’ album by CKay was released to the public. In 2024, he released another body of work entitled ‘Emotions.’
CKay remains one of the most talented Nigerian singer-songwriters and record producers, making waves across the globe.
Multitalented actor and content creator, Saga Adeolu, has shared insights into his transition from being a reality TV star to establishing himself in Nollywood.
Speaking about the challenges he faced, Saga highlighted time management as one of the biggest hurdles in his acting career.
“Being an actor is very, very time-consuming and exhausting. We work ridiculous hours, sometimes from 9 a.m. till 9 a.m. the following day, with no time for sleep. If you sleep in between, you risk looking tired or saggy, and it will show on screen,” he revealed.
Beyond the gruelling schedule, Saga also addressed the stigma attached to Big Brother Naija alumni, stating that many people assume former housemates lack real talent and only thrive on privilege.
“A lot of people believe that Big Brother Naija talents don’t have talents but are only privileged. Overcoming the stigma of being seen as an under-talented and overpriced ex-housemate to becoming a respected actor was difficult because many assume we are all noise and no action. I had to prove that wrong,” he said.
In addition to acting, Saga emphasized his versatility, noting that he is also an artist and a full-time content creator. His dedication to honing his craft and breaking industry stereotypes continues to earn him recognition in the entertainment space.
Nigerian rap star cum actor, Falz is set to celebrate the 2025 International Women’s Day specially.
For this year’s International Women’s Day, Falz has collaborated with Alternate School Africa to offer 20 scholarships to women to gain knowledge in tech-related courses.
Falz made this known recently saying, “For this year’s International Women’s Day, and in collaboration with AltSchoolAfrica. I will be offering full scholarships to 20 women to study tech courses in any area of choice, including Engineering, Product and Data.”
Falz, who has been working on a new project, expressed that he is so excited about his next album, earlier in the year.
Born Folarin Falana but better known as Falz, the Nigerian rapper, songwriter, and actor kicked off his career in secondary school after forming a group called The School Boys with a friend, before launching his professional music career as a music artist in 2009.
He is the son of legendary legal luminary, Femi Falana.
