The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Davido meets French President Macron

    Davido meets French President Macron

    Grammy-nominated singer David Adeleke popularly known as Davido has met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Thursday.

    The singer announced the high-profile encounter on his verified Instagram page, sharing photos of the event.

    Accompanying Davido were close associates, including businessman Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, and manager, Asika.

    READ ALSO: EFCC vows to prosecute corrupt politicians without bias

    The images captured a warm exchange, highlighting the significance of the moment.

    In his post, Davido expressed gratitude for the opportunity, writing, “It was an honor meeting @emmanuelmacron and sharing our visions for a better world.”Davido meets French President Macron

  • Kiddwaya slams critics over online donation backlash

    Kiddwaya slams critics over online donation backlash

    Reality star Kiddwaya has criticised the mindset of some Africans following backlash he received after asking for donations online.

    Speaking in a recent interview with Trend Centrl on YouTube, he addressed the controversy, saying that Africans often misunderstand the concept of fundraising.

    He said: “Two things – Bill Gates Foundation asks for donations all the time amongst their rich friends and to people. It’s just an African mentality. That’s the problem with Africans -our level of thinking sometimes is very suppressed and very minimal. We don’t like to think properly and intellectually.”

    He went on to explain that requesting donations is a normal practice globally.

    READ ALSO: EFCC vows to prosecute corrupt politicians without bias

    “It’s not a ‘wow’ thing to ask for money. That’s how you sustain yourself,” he added.

    When asked about how the public perceives him compared to organisations like UNICEF, Kiddwaya said he wasn’t bothered.

    “All I care about is that kid’s life I’m saving in hospital. In fact,  I shouldn’t have responded to them when I had that backlash. I shouldn’t have even responded to be honest with you but my team said just respond because you know whatever. But deep down I didn’t actually care because they’re not going to hospitals with me seeing people thanking me for saving their lives and stuff and putting people through school who need education,” he said.

  • Why I wear my signature red cap – Odumodublvck

    Why I wear my signature red cap – Odumodublvck

    Rapper Odumodublvck has explained the reason behind his signature red cap often seen as part of his trademark style.

    In a recent interview on ‘Comfortably Speaking’, the rapper revealed that the cap has a deep cultural meaning in Igbo tradition.

    Read Also: Blaqbonez slams Odumodublvck in ‘ACL’ diss track

    He said: “This cap is a war cap. In my tribe in Nigeria, when they want to go and fight war against another clan, the warriors -all of them will wear this.”

    Explaining further, Odumodublvck compared the music industry to a battlefield.

    “So if I enter the music industry, which is a battleground, put two and two together,” he added.

  • Actor Shawn Faqua, Sharon marries on a moving train

    Actor Shawn Faqua, Sharon marries on a moving train

    Actor Shawn Faqua and events planner Sharon Ifunanya Maduekwe made history by exchanging vows aboard a moving Lagos-Ibadan train, marking Nigeria’s first-ever train wedding ceremony.

    The couple transformed one of the train coaches into a beautiful wedding venue, complete with floral decorations, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and officiating ministers.

    READ ALSO: NLC issues four-week ultimatum to FG over ASUU crisis

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) celebrated the event, praising the couple’s creativity and innovation.

    “From lovebirds to locomotives, we’re keeping things on track. History made – the first-ever wedding on a moving train in Nigeria. Proof that the journey can be just as beautiful as the destination,” the NRC wrote on social media.

    The wedding has sparked widespread attention and admiration online, with many Nigerians praising the couple’s originality and daring sense of style.

    Celebrities like Stan Nze and Buchi Franklin attended the event, adding to the glamour and excitement.

  • FilmOne secures distribution right to Funke Akindele’s ‘Behind the Scenes’

    FilmOne secures distribution right to Funke Akindele’s ‘Behind the Scenes’

    Nigeria’s film distribution company, FilmOne Entertainment, has secured an exclusive global distribution right to Nollywood filmmaker Funke Akindele’s next feature, “Behind the Scenes.”

    The deal, which followed the record-breaking N3.3 billion combined success of Akindele’s box office slates, further cements FilmOne’s status as a driving force behind some of the country’s highest-grossing films.

    FilmOne Entertainment, known for consistently delivering record-breaking titles, continues to shape the commercial landscape of Nollywood by backing visionary filmmakers and delivering premium cinema experiences to audiences nationwide.

    With Behind the Scene, Akindele once again partners with FilmOne to bring an inspiring story to life; one that promises to blend laughter, heart, and relatable storytelling in the tradition of her previous box office successes.

    The film is scheduled for nationwide release on December 12 and is already one of the most anticipated titles of the upcoming cinema calendar, as observed at the 2025 FilmOne Entertainment’s Exhibitors’ Showcase.

    READ ALSO: NLC issues four-week ultimatum to FG over ASUU crisis

    FilmOne Entertainment raised the bar at the 2025 Exhibitors’ Showcase, turning its presentation into a full-scale cinematic experience that drew applause from exhibitors, filmmakers, and industry partners.

    The event celebrated FilmOne’s dual strength in championing Nollywood while driving global studio partnerships, underscoring its role as West Africa’s leading content powerhouse.

    The Nollywood slate for 2025 was met with resounding excitement as FilmOne unveiled a diverse lineup of highly anticipated titles including The Herd, 3 Cold Dishes, Behind the Scene, Colors of Fire, Oversabi Aunty, War Lord, and more.

    These upcoming releases showcase the studio’s expanding creative footprint across genres; from intense drama and romance to comedy and action – reinforcing its commitment to scaling Nigerian storytelling for global audiences.

    The momentum continued with FilmOne’s Hollywood slate, featuring blockbuster titles such as Now You See Me, Avatar, Zootopia, Sisu, Anaconda and more.

    Through its exclusive partnerships with major Hollywood studios including Disney, Sony, and Warner Bros., FilmOne continues to deliver world-class cinematic experiences to African audiences.

    More than a showcase, the event reflected FilmOne’s evolution into a global player as a company that curates culture, drives creative collaboration, and defines the future of African cinema through bold storytelling and strategic partnerships.

    This came as FilmOne and acclaimed filmmaker and actress Toyin Abraham reunite for blockbuster December slate following Iyalode’s over N300 million success.

    Following the success of Iyalode, FilmOne has once again partnered with Abraham to distribute her highly anticipated December film lineup.

    The new collaboration reinforces the long-standing relationship between FilmOne and one of Nollywood’s most bankable stars, whose previous releases; including Alakada, and Iyalode delivered strong box office performances and solidified her reputation as a holiday season favorite.

    By securing exclusive distribution rights to Abraham’s upcoming December titles, FilmOne Entertainment continues to strengthen its leadership position in African film distribution, championing female-led narratives and driving Nigeria’s biggest cinema moments year after year.

  • Regina Daniels’ drug abuse behind marital crises, Ned Nwoko alleges

    Regina Daniels’ drug abuse behind marital crises, Ned Nwoko alleges

    Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) has responded to the viral video of Regina Daniels alleging domestic violence, attributing her behaviour to struggles with drug and alcohol abuse.

    He claimed in a statement on Sunday that Regina has been violent, destroying property and attacking staff. 

    He claimed he’s given Regina an ultimatum to accept rehabilitation in Nigeria or abroad or risk her safety.

    He denied allegations of violence, citing his other wives haven’t accused him of such behaviour.

    Read Also: Nigerian Bottling Company expands portfolio with launch Plazma Biscuit in Nigeria

    The statement reads: “REGINA’S UNPROVOKED CARNAGE AND RAMPAGE IN MY HOUSE AND IN MY ABSENCE
    Regina was not always like this. 

    “Her current battle with drugs and alcohol abuse is the root of our problem. She must continue her rehabilitation program, or I fear for her life and safety. Now she has moved to a place where she will have unrestricted access to drugs. I have other wives, and none will ever accuse me of violence. Regina is the violent one here, slapping and hitting 3 staff in the past 48 hours and destroying property, including cars and windows, for no just cause.

    “The truth is, I have set a clear condition for her to accept rehab in Asokoro or outside Nigeria especially Jordan where she will not have access to drugs. 

    ?A clear headed Regina would have taken moon to the hospital but instead she even threatened to kill our resident nurse(for exposing her drugs abuse).

  • Regina Daniels sparks concerns with ‘distress’ video

    Regina Daniels sparks concerns with ‘distress’ video

    Actress Regina Daniels has sparked concerns among fans with a viral video showing her in distress, crying and being consoled by others.

    The reason behind her emotional state is unclear, fueling speculation and support from her followers on social media.

    Read Also: Nigerian Bottling Company expands portfolio with launch Plazma Biscuit in Nigeria

    Some fans speculated the video is part of a movie promo or behind-the-scenes footage, while others think Regina Daniels might be going through a personal struggle, leaving the true reason for her distress open to interpretation.

    This comes just weeks after she celebrated her birthday, adding to the concern and curiosity among fans.

  • How I made, spent my first N1 million in 1999 – Funke Akindele

    How I made, spent my first N1 million in 1999 – Funke Akindele

    Actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has opened up on how she earned her first N1 million in 1999 through the breakout role as Bisi in the popular TV series ‘I Need to Know’.

    In a video, the Nollywood star recounted her early struggles, the challenges of securing the role and how she spent the life-changing sum.

    Akindele said her journey began in 1996, taking on minor “waka pass” roles while enduring repeated rejections at auditions.

    “I made that around 1999. I started my career from like 1996, playing waka pass roles, 1997 going for auditions, getting a lot of nos,” she recalled.

    Her persistence paid off when she landed the role in I Need to Know, which marked a turning point.

    “Then I got one big yes with ‘I need to know’ and that is how I got my first N1 million,” she said.

    She recounted that during the pilot shoot, she was told she was overacting and risked losing the role. 

    “I almost lost the role ‘Bisi’ in ‘I need to know’. I shot the pilot of I need to know first and I acted so well and I was waiting for this call back. The call back didn’t come on time. I’m like ah okay.

    “Then he just called me into the office. I’m like okay you’re a fantastic actress you’re doing so well but you’re over acting.They told me to go home and read my script, understand the character very well,” she said.

    She added: “I was so worried. I said how am I going to do it now? Then I got home and I was so moody and my younger sister was like sister what’s wrong?

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    “I said ‘I need to know’. They said I’m not talking like a teenager.

    “She said ah because I was not a teenager when I was filming ‘I need to know’. She said ah let me see the script and she held the script. She started reading.

    “So I heard mama speak like a teenager and immediately you know I took in the character and I started speaking like mama and that and that was how I got the role.

    “So that was how I made my first one million naira. We were paid for an episode but I will not tell you how much but all together ah I was shocked. I was like me that always jump for bike”. 

    Speaking of how she spent the money, Akindele stated that she first showed it to her mother, who advised her to pay her tithe.

    Following this, she headed to Yaba market to revamp her wardrobe. 

    She added: “What did I do with one million naira? First I showed it to my mom. Of course she knows about it and then mommy advised and said I have to pay my tithe first.

    “I paid my tithe then I entered Yaba because I didn’t have shoes. I didn’t have maybe two or three I had there. I didn’t have good clothes.

    “I changed my wardrobe, shoes, bags, everything. The girl that had no shoes yesterday has today”. 

  • How I handle on-screen intimacy – Saga

    How I handle on-screen intimacy – Saga

    Actor and former Big Brother Naija housemate Adeoluwa “Saga” Okusaga has shared insights into his approach to on-screen intimacy and the creative spark that led to his upcoming romantic drama, Falling Notes.

    In a recent interview with Jay On Air, the multitalented star, known for engineering background and artistic pursuits, emphasised consent and preparation in romantic scenes.

    Saga, who rose to fame during BBNaija Season 6 in 2021, detailed his professional boundaries when it comes to kissing scenes. 

    He said: “Before I get into kissing any actor, I sit with her and I tell you how we’re gonna go about this. I use my hand to describe it’s gonna be quick, we need to know what it is because you don’t want to have your lips locked and then the person is trying to evade your mouth”. 

    Speaking on his filmmaking journey, Saga recounted the origins of Falling Notes, a project he conceived in January 2025.

    Read Also: Iwobi breaks Nigeria’s Premier League appearance record

    Drawing from his diverse talents, including painting, he sought a fresh creative outlet.

    “Speaking of my upcoming movie ‘Falling notes’, I said what can I do? What can I do? I need to do something. It was heavy on my heart in January this year. People have done painting.

    “What can I do? Let me sing. So I’m sitting here for the first time, saying that I sang in “Falling notes”.   

    To build credibility in the industry, Saga turned to content creation, partnering with fellow BBNaija star and close friend Roseline “Liquorose” Afije. 

    “I knew that people wouldn’t take me seriously until they see what I could do so I called Liquorose and we started cooking up different content and it was back-to-back every week like two year,” he shared. .  

    Their back-to-back skits and collaborations over the past two years, dubbed “couple chronicles” have not only showcased their on-screen chemistry but also opened doors professionally.

    “From that point, I can tell you every producer that has called me to work on their set called me because of those contents I created,” he concluded.

  • Kunle Afolayan’s KAP film academy, Oyo govt produce 165 emerging filmmakers

    Kunle Afolayan’s KAP film academy, Oyo govt produce 165 emerging filmmakers

    The KAP Film & Television Academy marked a landmark moment with its Graduation Ceremony for the Filmmaking Residency Program made possible in partnership with the Oyo State Government 

    The event held on Wednesday at the picturesque KAP Film Village & Resort in Igbojaye, Oyo State, showcasing exceptional creativity of 165 emerging filmmakers drawn meticulously from all 33 local government areas of Oyo State. 

    The participants completed a 10-day intensive filmmaking residency programme at the resort supported by SONY and Kontakt Pro Nigeria, the initiative provided participants with practical, hands-on training across the core aspects of filmmaking, including screenwriting, directing, cinematography, producing, editing, and sound design.

    A major highlight of the event was the screening of eight short films produced by the residency groups. Each film reflected storytelling, collaboration.and authentic depictions of local culture, earning heartfelt applause from guests and faculty members alike.

    At the ceremony, Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde, represented by Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, lauded the programme as a significant economic and cultural development milestone for the state. 

    He commended Kunle Afolayan and the KAP team for establishing a creative ecosystem that promotes film, talent, and tourism in Oyo State. 

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    He also congratulated the students for their dedication, passion, and craftsmanship, describing their work as “a true representation of Oyo’s cultural pride and creative excellence.”

    Founder of KAP Film & Television Academy and visionary behind the KAP Film Village & Resort, Kunle Afolayan, commended the State Government’s efforts in providing a viable platform for economic empowerment of the youth in the state, he went further to admonish the students on the importance of discipline, creativity, and cultural identity in filmmaking.

    “Attention to details and commitment to creativity are non-negotiable for great filmmakers. These students have shown that talent, when nurtured in the right environment, can flourish into excellence. I encourage them to keep making films together and continue telling our stories with pride,” he said.  

    The graduating students also received constructive feedback from the distinguished industry experts and panel of the faculty including Tunde Kelani, Joke Silva, Kemi Adesoye, Rotimi Fakunle and Lola Maja, who all commended their storytelling, teamwork, and technical growth over the course of the program.

    The Oluigbo of Igbojaye, Oba Zaccheus Olatunji Oyeleke Alobaloke III, expressed satisfaction at another exciting fulfilment of set objectives of KAP Film Village and Resort as envisaged when he gave his royal blessing for the Film Village to be established.