The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Mercy Eke celebrates Tacha’s Guinness World Record attempt

    Mercy Eke celebrates Tacha’s Guinness World Record attempt

    Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Mercy Eke, has publicly celebrated her co-star Tacha Akide following her Guinness World Record attempt for the most cosmetic makeovers by an individual in 24 hours, completing 145 transformations during the inaugural Tacha Beauty Festival in Lagos.

    The three-day event, held from October 10 to 12 at the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, showcased Nigerian creativity and attracted top celebrities, including Toke Makinwa and Ice Prince.

    READ ALSO: Why we left PDP for APC — Mbah

    Mercy expressed excitement over Tacha’s milestone on X, hinting at an upcoming major reveal.

    She wrote, “I can’t wait for the big announcement, my baby, you deserve it! @Symply_Tacha. I owe you one.”

    Her message of support comes as a pleasant surprise, given their once fiery rivalry during the 2019 “Pepper Dem” season of Big Brother Naija.

    Their intense clash at the time led to Tacha’s disqualification, paving the way for Mercy’s historic win as the show’s first female champion.

  • Nathaniel Bassey unveils new Hallelujah Challenge building

    Nathaniel Bassey unveils new Hallelujah Challenge building

    Gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey has unveiled a massive new building for his annual Hallelujah Challenge praise event.

    The massive two-storey structure, completed in just eight months, features a spacious reception area, beautifully decorated rooms, chandeliers, flowers, and well-arranged lighting.

    A captivating video shared on Instagram showcased the transformation from a bare piece of land to a vibrant hub of worship.

    Bassey expressed his deep gratitude to God, stating, “Baba, we thank you! You have entered your new life in Jesus’ name!”

    READ ALSO: Why we left PDP for APC — Mbah

    The video has sparked an outpouring of celebration online, with fans thanking God for His faithfulness and celebrating Bassey for being a vessel of inspiration.

    The new building is expected to amplify the impact of the Hallelujah Challenge, a global praise and prayer movement that has united millions of participants worldwide.

    As a hub for worship, prayer, and community gatherings, the building will provide a sacred space for believers to connect with God and one another.

  • Stephanie Coker welcomes second child after five-year wait

    Stephanie Coker welcomes second child after five-year wait

    Media personality Stephanie Coker has shared the joyful news of welcoming her second child, a baby girl, in an emotional social media post.

    The mother of two revealed that the journey to having her second child was marked by faith, tears, and hope after a five-year wait.

    In her heartfelt message, Coker described her newborn as “our answered prayer” and “our long-awaited gift.”

    The new mom expressed gratitude to God for the precious gift of life and celebrated the addition to her family.

    Coker wrote, “Morayo Anaya Olabisi Abisola Anjolaoluwa. Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude and joy. Our August visitor, our answered prayer, our long-awaited gift.

    “The journey to baby number two has been one of faith, surrender, tears, and hope. It has been five years of waiting and a long process.

    “Ariella is now a big sister, and watching them grow together makes the journey all the more worth it. Welcome, our precious girl. You are loved beyond words, and your name speaks of joy, grace, and heritage. We thank God for your life, Snowflake”.

    READ ALSO: Why we left PDP for APC — Mbah

    Stephanie has been open about her struggles with fertility, including a previous failed IVF cycle due to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

    She stated in the past that her journey to motherhood hadn’t been easy, detailing how she conceived her first child, Ariella, through IVF in 2019.

    However, her struggles with PCOS continued, leading to a failed second IVF attempt.

    In an emotional interview with Chude Jideonwo in 2024, she revealed that the failed IVF procedure left her feeling heartbroken and suicidal.

    The media personality has been using her platform to advocate for women and girls living with PCOS, releasing a documentary titled “Where The Heck Is My Period?” that highlights her struggles with the condition.

    The documentary featured interviews with gynecologists, religious leaders, public figures, and native African doctor

  • Why I believe in polygamy – Comedian Alibaba

    Why I believe in polygamy – Comedian Alibaba

    Comedian Alibaba has explained he believes in polygamy because it offers practical and cultural benefits.

    In an interview with Nedu, he stated that having multiple wives can stabilise relationships by fostering cooperation among them as the presence of another wife discourages misbehaviour.

    He said: “Some people feel if it’s only one wife, you may not be able to control the wife. But if the wife knows that you have more than one, she will calm down. She will calm down because she knows that if she misbehaves, another person is available”.

    Drawing from historical practices, Alibaba cited examples from Ibadan where women encouraged their husbands to marry additional wives to prevent infidelity and maintain family unity.

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    “So there are different reasons for polygamy. I actually know of a woman in Ibadan who encouraged her husband to be polygamist. Most of them back then, I don’t know who wants to doubt this, the women marry a young girl and gift it to the husband. And they do that because they don’t want the man to have concubines,” he added.

    He also described traditional customs where widows with young children were married to a brother-in-law to ensure care, presenting this as a form of polygamy rooted in familial responsibility.

    “You have families where when the brother that married the woman dies, and she’s either just a new wife or she has just two children, and they need the children to be taken care of and you don’t want her to go to another family. 

    “They call all the brothers and say, which of you can take over this girl and take care of her? So if the man already had a wife, that’s the cause of polygamy. And as much as people try to say it is not right, like in your introduction, there are people who say no, it’s not right. The same person would have about like three, four, five children,” he said.

    While acknowledging differing views, Alibaba stood firm in his support for polygamy, emphasising its role in certain social contexts.

  • Eriata Ese knocks troll over marital status

    Eriata Ese knocks troll over marital status

    Actress Eriata Ese has taken a firm stand against what she described as hypocrisy and double standards in society after a married woman criticized women labeled as “baddies” for having children outside wedlock.

    The clash began when the woman commented on one of Eriata’s posts, condemning unmarried mothers. In a fiery response, Eriata wrote:

    “Hardworking wife, abeg try shut up and focus on your marriage. Them no dey pick husband for ground carry go house. Ndi ala cho cho cho.”

    The actress expanded on her views on Snapchat, urging people to stop judging women without understanding their personal struggles or reasons for choosing a different life path.

    “Inasmuch as marriage is a good thing, some people don’t think or wonder why a person chose a certain path,” she said. “You don’t know my past, if I’ve been abused, have trauma, or trust issues I’m healing from. You don’t know if I’m waiting for something to click before I say yes to marriage or if I’m still working on myself to be someone’s peace. Yet, people jump online to type nonsense because commenting is free.”

    READ ALSO; CREDICORP wins “Consumer Credit Access Company of the Year”

    Eriata also condemned the societal pressure on women regarding marriage and motherhood, pointing out how women are shamed regardless of their choices.

    “You’ll hear, ‘Once you’re 30+, just have your kids.’ When you do, they’ll ask, ‘Where’s the father?’ If you wait for marriage, they’ll say you’re too old. When love finally comes, they’ll question why the man didn’t marry a younger girl. And ironically, most of the people saying these things are women,” she lamented.

    Her comments have since sparked widespread reactions online, with many praising her for speaking out against judgment and double standards faced by women.

  • Jemima Osunde advocates for women’s reproductive rights

    Jemima Osunde advocates for women’s reproductive rights

    Nollywood actress Jemima Osunde has expressed strong support for women’s rights to sexual and reproductive health, joining the “Shift the Needle” campaign to promote access to family planning resources across Nigeria.

    In an Instagram post, Osunde emphasised the transformative impact of empowering women through reproductive health education and access to contraception.

    “I truly believe that when you empower women, you empower entire communities,” she wrote.

    The campaign, launched by organizations, aims to reduce barriers to contraception and education, particularly in underserved communities.

    READ ALSO; CREDICORP wins “Consumer Credit Access Company of the Year”

    She wrote, “Shift the needle campaign is personal to me. It’s about giving young women access to the information, resources, and healthcare they need to make choices for themselves. Because when women have the power to decide, they can finish school, build careers, and live on their own terms.

    “Unplanned pregnancies can significantly derail a woman’s life. More than we could ever imagine.

    “I support family planning. I support body autonomy. I support women having a shot at life and other things life has got to offer. I support the shift the needle campaign”.

  • Davido, Chioma celebrate twins’ second birthday in Atlanta

    Davido, Chioma celebrate twins’ second birthday in Atlanta

    Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, and his wife, Chioma, celebrated their twins’ second birthday with a lavish party in Atlanta, United States.

    The celebration, which took place on Saturday, was attended by close friends, family members, and associates from the singer’s record label, Davido Music Worldwide. 

    The couple, who have kept their twins away from the public eye since birth, maintained their privacy during the celebration, as no photos or videos of the children were shared online.

    However, clips from the event showing the elegant party décor and guests enjoying the festivities surfaced on social media, drawing attention and praise from fans.

    READ ALSO; CREDICORP wins “Consumer Credit Access Company of the Year”

    Well-wishers flooded various platforms with congratulatory messages, celebrating the couple and commending the beauty of the occasion.

    The celebration marks another milestone for the twins, who were also treated to an extravagant first birthday party in Atlanta on October 13th, 2023.

    Davido has often spoken about making each of his children’s birthdays special, a promise he continues to keep.

  • Zlatan Ibile unveils tracklist for upcoming album ‘Symbol of Hope’

    Zlatan Ibile unveils tracklist for upcoming album ‘Symbol of Hope’

    Afrobeats singer Zlatan has unveiled the tracklist for his upcoming album “Symbol of Hope”, which features a lineup of collaborations with prominent Afrobeats and street pop artists.

    The album boasts a diverse range of talents, including Davido, Olamide, Shallipopi, Fola, Mayorkun, Flavour, Victony, Bhadboi OML, Qing Madi, Idowest, and TerryTheVoice.

    READ ALSO; CREDICORP wins “Consumer Credit Access Company of the Year”

    With a mix of established legends and rising stars, “Symbol of Hope” promises to showcase Zlatan’s versatility as an artist, blending street grit with uplifting, melodic sounds that reflect growth, hustle, and resilience.

    The album is expected to be a standout project in the Afrobeats scene, featuring a blend of motivational storytelling and energetic Zanku essence that Zlatan is known for. 

    “Symbol of Hope” is set to be released on October 17, 2025.

  • BBNAIJA: Kola was my only ‘safe space’ in the house – Imisi

    BBNAIJA: Kola was my only ‘safe space’ in the house – Imisi

    Big Brother Naija Season 10 winner, Opeyemi “Imisi” Ayanwale has opened up about her bond with fellow finalist Kola Omotosho, describing him as her ‘safe space’ while on the show.

    In a post-show interview with fellow BBNaija housemate and host Doyin David, Imisi gushed over their platonic friendship, calling it a rare gem in the reality TV world.

    READ ALSO; CREDICORP wins “Consumer Credit Access Company of the Year”

    Doyin, known for her no-holds-barred commentary, said, “I think that your friendship with kola is the best friendship that have come out of BBN not just your season the entire BBN,It very difficult to find boy and girl friendship that there is no romantic feelings and you always rooting for each other”.

    The 23-year-old responded, saying: “I feel like Kola was my only safe space. Anytime I feel down, he’s always there; when I am down too, he’s there. He’s always vulnerable to me”.

    Recall that Kola told journalists post-finale that Imisi is “like a sister” to him and one who always looks out for him.

  • How late Uma Ukpai inspired me, by Nathaniel Bassey

    How late Uma Ukpai inspired me, by Nathaniel Bassey

    Renowned gospel singer and worship leader, Nathaniel Bassey, has joined the chorus of heartfelt eulogies following the passing of evangelist Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, sharing a deeply personal reflection on the late preacher’s profound influence on his life and ministry.

    In an emotional Instagram post, Bassey, celebrated for anthems like “Imela” and “Hallelujah Challenge,” lamented the irreplaceable void left by Ukpai, whom he affectionately called “Papa Uma.”

    He recounted a recent inspiration to lead an evening fast among multitudes, a practice directly learned from Ukpai’s teachings, highlighting the evangelist’s lasting imprint on his spiritual routines.

    Bassey wrote, “Oh! Dr Uma! Oh Papa Uma! Sometimes you wish some people would never die. What a man! Just a few days ago, I was inspired to lead multitudes in an evening fast. Something I learnt from you and did mention so.

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    “You called me SON. What a privilege. A man of God indeed. One of great power and immense stature, and impact. A man who knew the ways of the spirit, who knew how to deploy praise and worship in spiritual warfare and the supernatural. We ache, but heaven rejoices. Good night, papa.”

    Ukpai died on October 6 at age 80, and the news was announced by his family on Monday, prompting widespread mourning across Nigeria’s Christian community.

    The founder of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, known for his explosive crusades and emphasis on healing and deliverance, touched countless lives, including fellow artists like Frank Edwards, who credited him with a childhood miracle.