The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • 95-year-old US actor Gene Hackman, wife, pet dog found dead

    95-year-old US actor Gene Hackman, wife, pet dog found dead

    Gene Hackman, the two-time academy award-winning actor, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have been found dead at their Santa Fe home on Wednesday, authorities said.

    The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Adan Mendoza confirmed the deaths but did not disclose the cause or any further details.

    “All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant,” Mendoza said in a statement.

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    The couple’s dog was also found deceased at the scene.

    Hackman, 95, was a renowned actor known for his iconic roles in films such as The French Connection, Unforgiven, and The Royal Tenenbaums.”

    Hackman retired from acting in 2004 and has been married to 63-year-old Arakawa for over 30 years.

    The couple had been married since 1991, according to The Mirror.

    The investigation into the deaths is ongoing, and authorities have not suspected any foul play.

    Hackman’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow actors, celebrating his remarkable career and legacy.

  • I’m not involved in any illegal act – Nedu denies VDM’s allegations

    I’m not involved in any illegal act – Nedu denies VDM’s allegations

    Media personality Nedu has reacted to a leaked audio tape that alleged his involvement in hard drugs and fraudulent activities.

    The audio, which was shared by a social media critic, VeryDarkMan, claimed that Nedu had ties with individuals involved in illicit activities in Turkey, South Africa, and Morocco.

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    VeryDarkMan took his accusations further by submitting a petition against Nedu at the embassies of the South African and Moroccan countries in Nigeria.

    In a response to the post on his Instagram story, Nedu denied the allegations, stating that he knew nothing about the voice note and had never been involved in any criminal activities.

    “Hello, everyone. This is not a joke anymore. I know nothing about that voice note going around. I did not make that voice note. While this seems to be fun and games, I’ve never and will never be part of anything criminal,” he wrote.

  • I’ll prepare my children for my death, says Leo Dasilva

    I’ll prepare my children for my death, says Leo Dasilva

    Reality star Leo Dasilva has stated that he will start preparing his children for his death.

    In a tweet, Leo expressed intention to start preparing his kids once they reach a certain level of understanding.

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    “As soon as my kids get to a certain level of understanding, I will start preparing them for my death,” he wrote.

  • EFCC arraigns Jude Okoye for alleged N1.3bn fraud

    EFCC arraigns Jude Okoye for alleged N1.3bn fraud

    Jude Okoye, the former manager of the defunct music group P-Square, has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of money laundering involving N1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59.

    According to Channels TV, the charges were presented in court with his company, Northside Music Ltd., in a seven-count indictment.

    Okoye pleaded “not guilty” to the charges but Justice Alexander Owoeye adjourned the case until February 28 for a bail hearing and April 14 for trial.

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    In the meantime, Okoye will be remanded in the Ikoyi correctional facility.

    The allegations against Okoye include indirectly using a bureau de change to convert $1,019,762.87 into its naira equivalent and remitting it into various bank accounts with the intention of concealing that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.

    He’s also accused of acquiring a property valued at N850,000,000, which he knew or reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity.

  • Mohbad: I’ve been broken but not destroyed – Naira Marley

    Mohbad: I’ve been broken but not destroyed – Naira Marley

    Singer Naira Marley has penned an emotional note, addressing the events surrounding Mohbad’s death and the subsequent accusations against him.

    He shared the pain, shame and sense of betrayal on his X page.

    The Marlian Record leader expressed shock at the loud silence and the fact that Mohbad, someone he considered a brother and protected, left the world with his name (Naira Marley) tarnished.

    Despite acknowledging that he and his label, Marlian Records, aren’t perfect and have made mistakes, Naira Marley emphasised that they never declared war on Mohbad but made amends.

    Naira Marley recounted how, despite making peace with Mohbad, he was still accused and torn apart by those who knew the truth.

    He expressed hurt and betrayal, stating that he welcomed Mohbad into his home and trusted him, only to be met with false accusations.

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    The singer also addressed those who doubted his ability to survive the ordeal, stating that he stood firm, faced the justice system, and spent time in jail. 

    He wrote: “I never thought silence could be so loud. I never thought someone I called my brother, someone I protected, would leave this world with my name in his shadow. I have carried this weight, this pain, this shame that was never mine to bear.
    We, as Marlians, were not perfect. We had to grow, we had to adapt.

    “Mistakes were made, but they were business wars. I made peace with Mohbad. We understood each other beyond the noise, beyond the misunderstandings. And you know this.

    “Yet when he took his last breath in you alls arms, you looked at the world and pointed at me. You let them tear me apart. You let them call me a killer while you sat there, knowing the truth. Now, you tell the story.

    “I welcomed you all into my home. I gave you my trust. And yet, my brother is gone, still not buried, and that is your fault. Telling the truth from the beginning would have given him the rest he deserves. Regardless, I will always be there for him.

    “You never thought I would survive. You never thought I would walk through the fire and face my people, maybe you hoped I would stay a fugitive. You thought I would run. Instead, I stood before the justice system, spent time in jail, and faced everything head-on while you changed the story, again and again.

    “But God sees all. The truth does not shake. The lies will fade, and time will reveal everything. I have been broken, but I am not destroyed. And when the truth finally speaks, I pray your heart is strong enough to bear it”.

  • Fela inspired white women into wearing African attires – Seun Kuti

    Fela inspired white women into wearing African attires – Seun Kuti

    Seun Kuti, son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, has revealed how his father’s presence impacted the white women who visited their home.

    During an Instagram live session, Seun shared that Fela would often host white women with Nigerian friends.

    Seun emphasised that Fela remained true to himself and didn’t change to impress the white women.

    Instead, they were transformed by his presence, adopting African hairstyles and traditional shrine regalia.

    Seun attributed this to Fela’s strong sense of identity and love for Africa.

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    “My father had white women in his house. When I grew up, there were like two white women at least living with us. He always had white ones with the black ones.

    “Instead of Fela to wear a suit and tie so that the white women would see him as fine, the women were the ones who started wearing shrine regalia and African hairstyles.

    “Fela never changed because of them but they changed because of him because Fela already knew who he was and his love for Africa,” Seun Kuti shared.

  • Music star Muma Gee alleges police brutality

    Music star Muma Gee alleges police brutality

    Popular musician High Chief Dr. Muma Gee has cried out over what she described as a violation of her fundamental human rights and a grave threat to life.

    The celebrated artiste recounted a terrifying encounter with officers of the Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU) of the Police, who allegedly attacked her vehicle in Rumuokoro, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    According to Muma Gee, the incident occured late Tuesday evening while she was dropping off her relatives at Rumuokoro Junction, off East-West Road, following their return from her brother’s funeral in Odiabidi Village, Ahoada East.

    “I was just trying to park when, suddenly, armed police officers jumped down from their van, rushed at my vehicle and began violently hitting it with their guns, demanding that I wind down my glass,” she said.

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    She explained that upon lowering the window, two officers forcefully entered her car and began ransacking it, while others stood by, their guns cocked, threatening to shoot if she made any move.

    “When they noticed I had a law student sticker, they  jumped in their van and took off. I ran after them and drove into their CTU along Rumuokoro Rumoahoro axis .

    ” When i parked and asked the security men on duty, they said no vehicle got in there. I insisted we enter to report to a superior officer on duty, they refused. At that point , we rushed to Rumuokoro police station to make an official entry and statement.

    “As I speak to you now, my car is tragically damaged due to the brutal force and constant pounding by their guns while they attempted to force their way in,” she lamented.

    Muma Gee called on the Inspector General of Police and relevant authorities to rein in the excesses of the police, stressing that such unchecked brutality and misconduct endanger the lives and properties of citizens.

    She decried what she termed “high-level rascality, irresponsibility, and extortion” by police officers, questioning how a nation can function when law enforcement agents act with impunity.

    “If these excesses are not checkmated, then the safety of Nigerians remains in jeopardy,” she warned.

  • Otedola hosts Wizkid, Burna Boy at Lagos home 

    Otedola hosts Wizkid, Burna Boy at Lagos home 

    Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, recently hosted two of Nigeria’s biggest music stars, Wizkid and Burna Boy, at his Lagos residence. 

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    Sharing the moment on social media, Otedola expressed his privilege in welcoming the Afrobeats icons, describing it as an inspiring opportunity to exchange ideas and celebrate the global success of the genre.

    In a post on his social media page, Otedola wrote: “A true privilege to host some of our biggest music icons @wizkidayo @burnaboy at my Lagos home. Always inspiring to share ideas and celebrate the global movement that is Afrobeats …F.Ote”.

  • Woman conceives after deliberately tripping me – Bishop Oyedepo 

    Woman conceives after deliberately tripping me – Bishop Oyedepo 

    Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church, has shared a remarkable testimony about a woman who conceived after intentionally tripping him during a visit to the United States. 

    According to Oyedepo, the woman, driven by faith, deliberately caused him to stumble when she noticed security personnel nearby.

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    She ensured physical contact with him, believing it would lead to her long-desired pregnancy. 

    The bishop recounted the incident as an example of unwavering faith in action.

    Oyedepo recounted the story, saying: “A woman dealt with me somewhere in the U.S. I was there for a meeting and then she saw security here and there, and she said ‘today na today’, so she put her leg, and I stumbled. Then she told her husband ‘I’m pregnant’. He said ‘ehn, just now?’. She delivered nine months. Faith was alive.”

  • I’m a feminist but I don’t support disrespectful wives – Funke Akindele

    I’m a feminist but I don’t support disrespectful wives – Funke Akindele

    Award-winning filmmaker Funke Akindele has proudly declared she is a feminist, sharing thoughts on what it means to be a feminist in a viral video.

    While offering advice in a video, Akindele emphasised that being a feminist is not about disrespecting one’s husband, but rather about earning respect and doing what is right.

    Akindele stressed the importance of men treating women with respect and dignity, recognising that women are not the weaker gender.

    She also highlighted the significance of women’s economic power, which enables them to support their families and maintain their independence.

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    She encouraged women to be strong, bold, and independent, while also promoting healthy relationships built on mutual respect. 

    She said: “I’m a feminist but I don’t support a woman disrespecting her husband. Make sure you do what is right.

    “I believe that we are not the weaker gender. Men are supposed to treat women specially with respect. Also men should not feel a woman belongs to the kitchen and talked to anyhow.

    “We women are strong, and bold. Our economic power is very important, that is why we should make sure we have the power and protect the power so we can support our husbands.”