The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Muka Ray: I started my career as kid actor in Taxi Driver

    Muka Ray: I started my career as kid actor in Taxi Driver

    Veteran actor and filmmaker Muka Ray has opened up on his early entry into the Nigerian film industry, tracing his journey from being one of the first child actors to joining the pioneering generation that birthed the home video era after the death of his father.

    “I started my career as a kid actor. I’m among the first set of kid actors in celluloid films, then. I played Adelove’s son in ‘Taxi Driver.’ I also acted in ‘Kadara’ and ‘Jayeisimi.’ But when my dad passed, I can proudly say that I was part of the first set of young actors to produce home videos,” he said.

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    Ray explained that home video production was unknown during his father’s lifetime, noting that the late Alade Aromire played a crucial role in changing the narrative by embracing video technology.

    “There were no home videos during my dad’s time. I looked up to the late Alade Aromire then. He was the first to discover that one could shoot on video and be projected on a big screen. That’s when we started showing our films across,” he added.

    Reflecting on the modest beginnings of video filmmaking in Nigeria, Ray disclosed that his first movie, ‘Dukia,’ was shot in 1989, barely months after his father’s death.

    “My first movie was shot in 1989. My dad died in April 1989, and my film was shot in December 1989. It was titled ‘Dukia.’ Shooting a movie then cost just N2,500. It wasn’t difficult because we shot a film in just one day,” he recalled.

  • Fuji stars reunite at Sikiru Ayinde Barrister memorial

    Fuji stars reunite at Sikiru Ayinde Barrister memorial

    In honour of his legacy in the African music industry, Fuji musicians and cultural figures from across the state converged on the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister’s residence in Isolo, Lagos.

    Barrister, who was born on February 9, 1948 in Ibadan, died on December 16, 2010. He was 62.

    During his 15th anniversary remembrance, two Fuji heavyweights Saheed Osupa and Wasiu Alabi Pasuma stood out as the centre of attention among other attendees.

    The two artistes were seen smiling and gisting throughout the occasion while fans shower them with praise for embracing peace despite their past rivalries.

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    Speaking to The Nation, veteran musician Ayinla Kollington reflected on his long friendship with Barrister.

    “I have nothing to say than to pray for my friend. May Almighty Allah grant him Aljannah Firdaus,” he said.

    Some of the attendees include Waka icon Salawa Abeni; Fuji veteran Adewale Ayuba; President of the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria (FUMAN), S.K. Sensation; and singer Adio Atawewe.

    Others were Yoruba actor and chanter Baba Ajobiewe; Alhaji Isola Yoboro, popularly known as Fuji Sandoka; Islamic singer Alhaja Medinat Barrytide; and Barrister’s grandson, BarryJhay alongside several industry colleagues and admirers.

  • Dr. Teal hosts Owambe party in Lagos

    Dr. Teal hosts Owambe party in Lagos

    It was colour, culture and community spirit at the weekend as Dr. Teal’s Nigeria hosted its maiden Owambe Party at The Monarch Event Centre, Lekki, drawing partners, customers and beauty enthusiasts into a night of wellness-themed celebration.

    The venue buzzed with Lagos energy as guests arrived in beautifully curated aso ebi, lighting up the hall with colorful fabrics and signature party glamour. A standby DJ and live band kept the atmosphere upbeat to get the guests on their feet.

    The event, organisers say, was conceived as a cultural bridge between wellness and Nigeria’s celebrated party tradition, especially as the year winds down.

    Speaking at the event, Vivian Odofin-Daniel, Strategy Director, Dr. Teal’s Nigeria, said the Owambe experience was designed to remind Nigerians that wellness should be accessible to everyone.

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    “We are here because wellness should not be a luxury. Every Nigerian deserves wellness as a lifestyle,” she said. “This year has been tough for people and for businesses. We wanted a safe space for our community to relax, take stock, feel grateful and prepare to shine this holiday season.

    “Nigerians are a community of celebrations. So we wanted something they could culturally relate to. Not everyone wants to club or debate, but almost everyone has experienced communal celebration. That’s why this Owambe connects.”

    Managing Director and CEO of Perfect Trust Beauty and Wellness, Chinedu Okoye, said the brand deliberately chose an Owambe theme to show appreciation and reconnect with its core community.

    “We wanted to reach out, celebrate them and re-energise them because without our customers, we are not who we are,” Okoye said.

    “Wellness is about the state of the mind. Sometimes you need events that help people relax, feel good and know they are valued.”

    He noted that the company sees customer wellness as both a business priority and a social responsibility.

    Addressing concerns about product counterfeiting, Okoye said the company works closely with regulatory agencies to curb fake versions in the market, while also sensitising consumers.

    “It’s a big challenge, but we continue to guide our community to buy from official partners, our Instagram page and website so they get full value,” he said.

    On adopting adire-inspired aso ebi for the event, he explained that the brand always embraces the cultural nuances of every market.

    “Dr. Teal’s is global, but every region has its culture. In Nigeria, our culture is community-based. We’ll keep giving back not only through events like this but by developing individuals and supporting businesses.”

  • Effiom Trombone Bassey: New torchbearer of Efik highlife

    Effiom Trombone Bassey: New torchbearer of Efik highlife

    For decades, Efik highlife has stood as one of Nigeria’s most elegant musical traditions, a genre that blends storytelling, indigenous rhythms, and coastal cultural identity into a sound that is both nostalgic and timeless. Yet in a rapidly changing musical landscape dominated by Afrobeats, hip-hop, and global fusion, few artists have taken on the responsibility of preserving and modernizing the Efik highlife tradition.

    Among the new generation of culture-bearers, one name has risen with unmistakable clarity: Effiom Trombone Bassey.

    Effiom’s musical identity is inseparable from his mastery of the trombone. His instrumental voice—warm, expressive, and deeply rooted in classic highlife horn arrangements, sets him apart from the contemporary crowd. Where many young artists lean heavily into digital production, Effiom centers his music around live instrumentation. The trumpet, in his hands, becomes more than a musical tool; it becomes a storyteller.

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    His melodic lines mirror the cadence of Efik folklore, while his rhythmic patterns draw from traditional dances such as Ekombi and Ndòk.

    Effiom’s rise did not happen overnight. Born into a culturally grounded environment, he grew up surrounded by the sounds of older highlife legends, church brass ensembles, and the music of Cross River’s festivals. These early influences shaped his deep sense of musical purpose.

    Through his compositions, he documents the Efik language, proverbs, social narratives, and communal values, transforming highlife into both a celebration and a time capsule.

    His live performances are particularly renowned for their energy and authenticity.

  • Naeto C opens up on stepping back from music, plans new release

    Naeto C opens up on stepping back from music, plans new release

    Rapper Naeto Chukwu aka Naeto C has explained the reasons behind his long break from active music, saying the decision was driven by a desire for a different kind of life beyond the demands of the entertainment industry.

    Speaking in a recent interview, the veteran hip-hop act said his priorities began to change as he thought more deeply about his future and family life.

    “I think I wanted something different when I thought about my future and the kind of life I wanted. I got married in 2012, I had my first child in 2013 so looking back at it I don’t really think I would get the kind of life I wanted if I continued to focus on music,” he said.

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    Naeto C noted that his journey into music was not originally fueled by an ambition for fame, but by a genuine love for the art, which eventually connected with listeners.

    “It was a lot and I was part of those who got into music not because I wanted to be a musician but because I liked music so much and fortunately I was able to make songs that people liked. I was never that sort of kid that you could predict his future that he would definitely be famous or into show business,” he added.

    Despite the hiatus, the rapper hinted that music is still very much part of his plans, revealing that he has been trying to return to the studio, albeit with challenges.

    “I wanted to release a song this year but I couldn’t so maybe next year. The funny thing is that every time I want to go to the studio something crazy will happen in my life,” he said.

  • D’banj, 9ice, Shina Peters to headline Rewind Concert

    D’banj, 9ice, Shina Peters to headline Rewind Concert

    Veteran disc jockey Jimmy Jatt and media platform Yaw Naija TV are set to host the ‘Rewind Flashback Concert’ on December 30, 2025, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

    The concert, themed, ‘The Legends Are Back,’ is expected to bring together several artistes whose music dominated Nigeria’s airwaves in the late 90s and 2000s, a period many regard as a defining era in the country’s pop culture history.

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    Leading the lineup are D’banj, 9ice and Juju music icon Shina Peters. Other artistes billed for the event include African China, Dr Sid, Cynthia Morgan, Bigiano, Black Reverendz, Style Plus, DJ Zeez, J Martins, Zulezoo, Inferno, Danfo Driver, Kas, Marvellous Benji, Ayangba and Lexy Doo.

    Industry watchers say the concert reflects a growing interest in catalogue music and legacy acts, as audiences continue to show strong demand for live performances built around familiar sounds and shared memories.

    With DJ Jimmy Jatt on the turntables, the organisers are expected to curate performances that cut across genres such as hip hop, Afrobeats, reggae, dancehall and Juju, highlighting the diversity that shaped Nigerian music in earlier decades.

  • Ajida Cruz: Redefining African fashion through art

    Ajida Cruz: Redefining African fashion through art

    Ajida Cruz Apparel is a contemporary Nigerian fashion house founded by Ilo-Okeke Chukwunonyelum, a visionary designer and fine artist whose work exists at the intersection of art, culture, and identity. Since its inception, the brand has remained committed to redefining what it means to wear confidence—transforming fabric into narrative and fashion into an immersive experience.

    Rooted in creativity and meticulous craftsmanship, Ajida Cruz Apparel approaches design as storytelling. Each piece is thoughtfully constructed to embody self-expression, individuality, and sophistication, reflecting the belief that clothing is not merely worn, but experienced.

    Chukwunonyelum is a graduate of Fine and Applied Arts from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Since 2016, he has been an influential voice in contemporary African fashion, developing a distinctive aesthetic informed by artistic experimentation, cultural symbolism, and modern tailoring. His work presents a unique visual language that bridges fine art and fashion, resonating with audiences who value originality and purpose.

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    Over the years, Ajida Cruz Apparel has collaborated with clients across private and public sectors. Notably, the brand designed exclusive corporate and factory uniforms for OK Foods Nigeria Limited. In addition, under the Willie Obiano administration, Chukwunonyelum facilitated a youth skill acquisition initiative in Anambra State—demonstrating his commitment to creative empowerment and capacity building within Nigeria’s fashion ecosystem.

    Today, Ajida Cruz Apparel continues to evolve beyond a fashion label into a platform for authenticity, artistry, and social impact. The brand’s upcoming solo exhibition marks a bold new chapter, unveiling innovative works that merge fine art and fashion through compelling explorations of color, texture, and meaning.

    At Ajida Cruz Apparel, every design is a canvas, and every wearer becomes part of a story—one defined by confidence, culture, and creativity.

  • Actress Mosunmola Adeleye set to release ‘Orisa Oko’

    Actress Mosunmola Adeleye set to release ‘Orisa Oko’

    Nollywood actress and film producer Mosunmola Adeleye is set to release her highly anticipated movie, ‘Orisa Oko’, on January 5, 2026.

    The blockbuster production boasts an impressive cast including Mr Latin, Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo), Niyi Johnson, Jumoke George, Owolabi Ajasa and other talents.

    Speaking on the inspiration behind the project, Adeleye said ‘Orisa Oko’ would introduce fresh storytelling techniques and innovative production elements aimed at elevating Nollywood’s standards.

    “I want people to understand that being a Christian or Muslim does not mean you cannot embrace traditional religion, because we are all serving the same God,” she said.

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    She further explained that the film addresses deep-rooted spiritual challenges often misunderstood or ignored due to religious affiliations.

    “There are people facing serious problems that are spiritual in nature, and sometimes traditional methods are the solution. However, many are confused because they are Christians or Muslims, and this confusion is affecting us as a nation,” Adeleye added.

    Describing the project as a ‘tri-modern’ production, the actress said the film was designed to change the dynamics of movie production within the Nigerian film industry.

    Over the years, Adeleye has produced and featured in several films, including ‘Omolangidi’, ‘Ebimiko’, ‘Onise’, ‘Alaanu Kansoso’, ‘Tanimola’, and ‘Omoge Yahoo’, among others.

  • TAF inducts Ajai-Lycett, Africa Umoja, Akin Lewis into hall of fame

    TAF inducts Ajai-Lycett, Africa Umoja, Akin Lewis into hall of fame

    The curtains have officially fallen on the 2025 TheatreMania Africa Festival (TAF), concluding a two-day whirlwind of cultural brilliance that culminated in a glitzy Awards Nite at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja.

    The festival, which kicked off at Shodex Gardens, Ilupeju on the 9th of December, 2025, solidified its status as the continent’s premier theatrical gathering, blending veteran honors with contemporary competitive excellence.

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    The highlight of the evening was the induction of three titans into the TAF Hall of Fame with Lifetime Achievement Awards. The legendary Dame Taiwo Ajai-Lycett (OON) who was ably represented by another veteran actor Dr. Akin Lewis, and the world-renowned South African dance troupe Africa Umoja were honored for their decades of contribution to the global arts landscape.

    In the corporate and leadership categories, TAF recognized those fueling the creative economy includig First @ Arts By First Bank, MTN Foundation: 2025 THEATREMANIAC of the Year, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, Hon. Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode.

    The cynosure of the night was undoubtedly the command performance of ‘Grain In the Wind 4.0’featuring powerhouse performances by Dr. Sam Uche Anyamele fta.,Titilola Aboyade-Cole (UK), Dr. Ochuko Odesa, Faloni Moyosore and Paul Uwagbai, the play left the audience in awe. The production’s technical depth and emotional resonance served as a fitting tribute to the festival’s theme of African unity and resilience.

  • Zusk2dbeng storms Ibadan for ‘Nightlife Experience 6.0’

    Zusk2dbeng storms Ibadan for ‘Nightlife Experience 6.0’

    Afrobeat sensation Zusk2dbeng turned the city of Ibadan into a pulsating arena on Saturday night.

    Zusk2dbeng stormed the ancient city to deliver a headline performance at DJ Snidzy’s Nightlife Experience 6.0 at the Liberty  Stadium.

    With over 3,000 fans chanting every lyric, the artist proved why he is being hailed as the city’s newest musical phenomenon.

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    The performance was the culmination of a whirlwind, every moment on that stage felt intentional, unusual, and unforgettable,

    Prior to his performance, Zusk2dbeng teased his up and coming Christmas single ‘Big God,’ during his media tour . The track is slated for official release on December 25, 2025.

    The artist also said, “Ibadan gave me my first stage, and tonight we gave the city a night it will never forget.”

    Speaking on his forthcoming single, he said “Big God is a thank you song, dedicated to everyone who rode the wave with me. This song is just the beginning of what we’re building together.”