The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Genevieve Nnaji slams social media user over marriage advice to Igbo men

    Genevieve Nnaji slams social media user over marriage advice to Igbo men

    Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has reacted to comments made by a social media user advising Igbo men to stop marrying Igbo women and instead seek wives from other African countries.

    The suggestion, which followed a viral photo of a Rwandan woman reportedly engaged to an Anambra man, implied that Igbo women are prone to making false accusations.

    The user claimed men from the south-east would be better off looking to East African countries, particularly Rwanda, for marriage partners.

    Nnaji, who has long been regarded as one of Nollywood’s most respected voices, joined many Nigerians in responding to the controversial post, which has sparked debates on stereotypes, cultural pride and respect within relationships.

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    The user wrote, “Dear Igbo men, instead of marrying an Igbo woman who’ll falsely accuse you of r4ping your daughter, better look outside for a wife.

    “Go to East Africa, especially Rwanda, and pick a damsel. They’re all over social media, and you can link up with them.”

    Genevieve countered that the advice reflects a lack of accountability and an unfair stereotype of Igbo women.

    She wrote, “In other words, instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”

    When challenged, she added that just as women can’t identify abusive men, men shouldn’t generalise about Igbo women, saying “Not all women.”

    She added, “The same way a woman can’t tell an abusive man apart from a good one is the same way you shouldn’t say avoid all Igbo women. ‘Not all women.”

  • Don’t handle family disputes like I did – Phyna advises Imisi

    Don’t handle family disputes like I did – Phyna advises Imisi

    Reality TV star Phyna has offered words of encouragement to fellow Big Brother Naija winner Imisi amid a feud with her mother.

    The dispute, which has played out on social media, involved Imisi’s mother accusing her daughter of hatred and revealing the poor condition of their home, despite Imisi’s N150 million Big Brother win.

    In a show of support, Phyna on X wrote, “To Imisi, @imisiofficial and to anyone walking through the same fire… I’m praying for your strength. My own experience broke me, but I’m slowly rising. And I’m rooting for you with everything in me, don’t handle it like I did, build strong and focus on you, baby girl.”

    The family feud began when Imisi’s mother publicly expressed frustration, feeling sidelined and neglected by her daughter.

    READ ALSO; NELFUND’s disbursements hit N116b for students’ fees, upkeeps

    Imisi has since apologised, asking her mother to forgive her and leave social media.

    Phyna’s own family issues have also been highlighted, with her father revealing he felt distressed and sidelined after her BBNaija win.

    He claimed Phyna had asked him to stop working and sell his assets, but he later struggled financially.

    The drama has sparked online controversy, with many weighing in on the disputes.

    Imisi and Phyna’s situations have also raised questions about the challenges faced by Big Brother winners and the impact on their personal lives.

  • Tom Cruise wins first Oscar with honorary award

    Tom Cruise wins first Oscar with honorary award

    US actor Tom Cruise has finally received an honorary Oscar, marking a milestone in his illustrious career.

    The 63-year-old actor, known for his iconic roles in “Mission: Impossible” and “Top Gun,” was honoured at the 16th Governors Awards, held at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles on Sunday evening.

    In his acceptance speech, Cruise expressed his gratitude and passion for filmmaking, saying, “Making films is not what I do, it is who I am”.

    He also praised the big screen as a place that sparks “a hunger for adventure, a hunger for knowledge, a hunger to understand humanity, to create characters, to tell a story, to see the world.”

    Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu presented Cruise with the award, praising his dedication to the craft and his impact on the film industry.

    “Writing a four-minute speech to celebrate Tom Cruise’s 45-year career is what is known, in this town, as a mission impossible,” Inarritu quipped, before adding, “Tonight, we celebrate. We celebrate not just a filmography, we celebrate a lifetime of work.”

    READ ALSO; NELFUND’s disbursements hit N116b for students’ fees, upkeeps

    He also joked about working with Cruise, recalling, “This man ate more chilli than any Mexican.”

    Other notable honorees at the ceremony included Debbie Allen, Wynn Thomas, and Dolly Parton, who received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

    Cruise, a four-time Oscar nominee, has never won a competitive Academy Award, despite his remarkable achievements in the industry.

    The honorary Oscar recognises his contributions to cinema, including his commitment to performing his own stunts and his advocacy for the theatrical experience.

  • Regina Daniels: Celebrity marriages are not public property – Sean Dampte

    Regina Daniels: Celebrity marriages are not public property – Sean Dampte

    Afrobeats artiste Sean Dampte has appealed to the public to approach discussions about celebrities’ marital challenges with maturity, empathy, and caution, referencing the marriage of Regina and Senator Ned Nwoko.

    Speaking amid widespread online commentary, Dampte cautioned against turning people’s private pain into social media entertainment.

    “Marriage is a journey that doesn’t play out on Instagram timelines or Twitter threads,” he said. “For every story people think they understand, there are layers they do not see. Regina is a young woman with a lot of spotlight on her. The situation requires empathy and measured conversations, not mockery.”

    The Dem Go Dance crooner noted that today’s online culture often feeds off gossip and controversy at the expense of compassion.

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    “We live in a time where people want to trend off other people’s pain,” he said. “But at the end of the day, these are human beings. Real emotions, real family, real consequences.”

    He went further to remind fellow entertainers and influencers to exercise emotional intelligence when commenting on sensitive issues.

    “As entertainers, we need to be careful about how we contribute to sensitive conversations,” Dampte added. “Let them handle what they need to handle personally. Not everything is for public entertainment.”

    “Social media is a loud place,” he concluded. “But peace is quiet. Sometimes the best support is silence and prayer.”

  • Loss of moral music fuels decadence-Spyro

    Loss of moral music fuels decadence-Spyro

    Afrobeats singer Spyro has criticised the music industry for losing its intrinsic value, claiming it contributes to society’s moral decline. 

    Speaking on the Adesope Live show, he stated that past artists passed meaningful messages, evoking emotions, but current music prioritises superficial content over substance.

    According to Spyro, this shift has accelerated societal decadence, urging artists to reclaim music’s lost value and focus on making an impact rather than just profit. 

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    He advocated for music that infuses values and messages, emphasising the need for change in the industry.

    He said: “In the past, artists were passing meaningful messages regardless of whatever genre they were doing. But now, music is just vibes. We are just vibing.

    “In as much as vibes are cool, I feel like music has lost its intrinsic value. Back then, you would get goosebumps listening to music. Vibes are cool. But how can we infused messages, values into vibes?

    “A lot of the decadence that we have in the society today can be traced to the fact that music has lost its value. We are now just singing for money. A lot of us are into the business for money, not to make impact.”

  • AGN addresses on-set violence in Nollywood amid Peggy, Taye assault scandal

    AGN addresses on-set violence in Nollywood amid Peggy, Taye assault scandal

    The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has issued a strong condemnation of physical violence on film sets, directly responding to a viral incident involving producer/actress Peggy Ovire and actor Taye Arimoro.

    The guild’s statement, signed by National President Emeka Rollas, described a “disturbing video and voice note” showing an actor being “brutally assaulted” by a producer and crew members.

    The altercation, which occurred during a late-night shoot in Lagos, escalated when Arimoro attempted to leave after his contracted hours ended around midnight.

    According to Arimoro’s account in a widely shared Instagram Live video, Ovire’s team blocked his vehicle, deflated his tyres, and physically attacked him, leaving visible injuries to his lips and gums.

    Peggy Ovire, in her defence, posted on Instagram Stories, countered that Arimoro became aggressive first, assaulting her production manager and driver (who she claimed was left bleeding from the ear) after being asked to film “just two quick scenes.”

    CCTV footage that surfaced online on November 13 has intensified the controversy, appearing to show Ovire and crew members surrounding Arimoro’s car in a heated exchange, with physical contact evident.

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    While the low-quality clip does not conclusively prove who initiated violence, it has fuelled public outrage.

    In its official statement, the AGN said, “The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has expressed deep concern over a disturbing video and voice note currently trending online, showing an actor being brutally assaulted by a producer and members of her crew on a film set.

    “As an association of professional performers, the AGN unequivocally condemns the inhumane and degrading treatment meted out to the actor.

    “No actor, under any circumstances, should be subjected to physical assault, intimidation, or any form of abuse in the course of professional engagement. Such behaviour is not only unacceptable but also highly unethical and contrary to the standards and values of the Nigerian creative industry”.

    The guild urged practitioners to resolve disputes “with decorum, respect, and through the appropriate professional channels” rather than “violence or self-help.”

    “The Guild strongly advises all practitioners within the motion picture industry to embrace lawful and civil means of conflict resolution rather than resorting to violence or self-help. Disputes arising on set or within production circles must be handled with decorum, respect, and through the appropriate professional channels”, the statement continued.

    It announced that its National Task Force has launched a full investigation and called on the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) to identify the involved producer and impose disciplinary measures.

    “While the AGN’s National Task Force has already commenced a full investigation into the incident, the Guild is also calling on the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) to urgently identify the producer involved and initiate appropriate disciplinary measures in line with their professional code of conduct.

    “The Actors Guild of Nigeria remains committed to protecting the welfare, dignity, and safety of all actors and shall continue to collaborate with sister guilds and associations to uphold the highest standards of professionalism in the Nigerian film industry”.

    As of now, neither party has apologised publicly, nor has the AGN reaffirmed its commitment to protecting actors’ “welfare, dignity, and safety.”

  • Wizkid greatest afrobeats artist after Fela – Olamide

    Wizkid greatest afrobeats artist after Fela – Olamide

    Rapper Olamide has declared Wizkid the greatest Afrobeats artiste of this generation, after Fela Kuti.

    Speaking at York University, Toronto, Olamide praised Wizkid’s contributions to the genre, citing their collaborations on hits like “Street OT” and “Kana” since 2011.

    He said: “I’ve had the privilege of working with Wizkid, we’ve made so many songs together. You know say after Fela, Wizkid is the greatest Afrobeats artist ever.”

    READ ALSO: NIIA, Korean Embassy seek deeper economic cooperation between Nigeria, Korea

    Olamide stated that Wizkid has consistently pushed Afrobeats to the global stage, earning him the top spot after Fela Kuti.

    His comments drew loud cheers from students and quickly went viral online, reigniting debates on who leads Afrobeats.

    While some fans praised Olamide’s honesty, others disagreed.

  • Regina Daniels thanks hospital for denying alleged medical report leak

    Regina Daniels thanks hospital for denying alleged medical report leak

    Actress Regina Daniels has expressed gratitude to Serenity Royale Hospital, Abuja, after the mental health facility denied leaking her alleged medical report to the media.

    The hospital stated that a circulated document detailing Regina’s supposed detox program did not originate from them.

    In a statement on Instagram, Regina Daniels thanked the hospital, acknowledging their commitment to maintaining confidentiality.

    “Thank you for this. Knowing the owner of this hospital is a family friend made me almost go crãzy and sue y’all. But thanks for standing by the truth, admits knowing your big fish in the family. Saving your hospital and just doing the right thing. So thanks, and let me kill this,” she wrote.

    READ ALSO: NIIA, Korean Embassy seek deeper economic cooperation between Nigeria, Korea

    The actress had been embroiled in a controversy over alleged substance abuse with Ned claiming she had issues with drugs and alcohol.

    The leaked report had claimed Regina tested positive for cocaine, marijuana and other substances, sparking widespread speculation and controversy.

    However, Regina denies these allegations, attributing their marital issues to domestic violence and Ned’s attempts to isolate her from loved ones.

  • Annie Macaulay Idibia addresses backlash over Laila Charani post like

    Annie Macaulay Idibia addresses backlash over Laila Charani post like

    Annie Macaulay Idibia has addressed the controversy surrounding her liking a post by Laila Charani, co-wife of Regina Daniels’ husband Ned Nwoko.

    Laila had alleged that Regina’s struggles with Ned stems from her supposed drug and alcohol addiction, claiming she almost lost her marriage due to Regina’s influence.

    READ ALSO: NIIA, Korean Embassy seek deeper economic cooperation between Nigeria, Korea

    But Annie emphasised loyalty to Regina, stating that she has her back, front, and side, and urged critics to rest.

    “In the process of reading the rubbish that was alleged about my baby, Regina, I liked the post mistakenly. Over here, we don’t play with loyalty, and my baby knows I have her back, front and side. Make una rest abeg,” she wrote.

  • Don Jazzy unveils new signing with debut EP “Myth Era”

    Don Jazzy unveils new signing with debut EP “Myth Era”

    Music executive Don Jazzy has announced the latest addition to the Mavin Records roster, 21-year-old singer-songwriter CupidSZN.

    According to Don Jazzy, CupidSZN’s musical journey is proof of perseverance and dedication.

    The young artist’s father had initially sent Don Jazzy a DM four years ago to showcase his son’s talent but the message went unnoticed.

    Undeterred, CupidSZN continued to hone his craft, eventually catching the attention of Mavin Records two years later.

    Don Jazzy wrote: “4 years ago… a father who believed so much in his 17yr old talented son, sent me a DM to listen to his son’s music. Unfortunately, I didn’t see that message as my DM choke die. 2 yrs later, he didn’t give up… he kept developing himself and destiny still placed him on the path with Mavin. After excelling in the Mavin academy, he is now 21years old and ready to take on the next phase of his musical career. Allow me introduce you all to the newest Mavin artist @cupidfszn as he presents his Debut Ep MYTH ERA. OUT NOW.”

    CupidSZN’s music style is a unique blend of Afropop and Afrobeats, characterised by catchy beats and clever wordplay.

    The 21-year-old expressed gratitude to everyone who supported him on his musical journey.

    In an Instagram post, he thanked fans, Don Jazzy, and the Mavin Records team for believing in him and giving him a chance to share his story.

    He also appreciated his family for support and sacrifice, particularly their decision to relocate to Lagos with him.

    CupidSZN credited God for guiding him and providing endless blessings, promising not to take anything for granted.

    He wrote: “it’s been a journey!!! I appreciate everyone who supported and believed in my craft from day 1. I’m here because of you and I won’t take any of it for granted.

    “Thank you @donjazzy for taking a chance on da kid and giving me an opportunity to tell the world my story

    “Thanks to my Family for making the biggest sacrifice for me moving to Lagos with me

    “Thanks to the best team @mavinrecords for making me a better version of myself. Thank you God for your Endless blessings in my life. Thank you for always showing me the way!!”

    His debut EP, “Myth Era”, is now available, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in his musical career.

    Prior to joining Mavin, CupidSZN had already made waves with singles such as “Service” (2024), “I Want More” (2025), and “Osogeme” (feat. Wademix).