The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Jude Idada holds private screening for Kofa

    Jude Idada holds private screening for Kofa

    Multi-award-winning filmmaker, Jude Idada held a private screening for his latest feature film, Kofa on, May 2.

    The screening, which played host to industry stakeholders and journalists, had earlier won the coveted award of Best Film at the Globe Awards of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) 2022.

    Kofa is an engaging psychological thriller about a group of eight people in their underwear who wake up to find themselves locked in a room. All they remember are their names. As an armed man comes in to pick them out, one after the other, they struggle to remember who they are, where they are and why they are there in order to marshal out a plan, evade the armed man and escape.

    Speaking about the film, Jude Idada explains, “Kofa is a cinematic tour de force. The word Kofa means door in Hausa, thus the film is a metaphor of the closed doors we repeatedly encounter in our lives and the length we go to open them even when the odds are stacked against us. It uses semi nudity, gun violence, amnesia, entrapment, suspicion, scheming, death, and a racing clock that races to a shocking twist and an explosive climax.”

    The cast includes Daniel Etim Effiong, Kate Henshaw, Ijeoma Grace Agu, Beverly Naya, Zainab Balogun, Enyinna Nwigwe, Shawn Faqua, Charles Etubiebi, Gina Castel, Udoka Oyeka, Bucci Franklin, Lucy Ameh, Carol King, Afeez Oyetoro, Achalugo Chioma Ilozumba, Paul Utomi, Femi Olayiwole, Folu Ogunkoya, Kiki Omeili, Wale Ojo, Eucharia Okoye, and Kola Olaiya.

  • Afrobeat true representation of African people, says Seun Kuti

    Afrobeat true representation of African people, says Seun Kuti

    Seun Kuti, the youngest son of Afrobeat legend Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti, has described the Afrobeat music as a representation of the true reality of African people.

     The leader of the Egpyt 80 band made this assertion while assembling a playlist for Origins Apple Music African to honour the melodies and messages contained within Afrobeat music.

     “Afrobeat music is where we find our joy in the struggle for our liberation, and the restoration of our dignity, ” Seun says.

     Continuing the multi-instrumentalist said, “Our music represents all that is lost and all that must be reclaimed. And the genre today has played a great role in the success of African music generally. As I always say, Africans are not a monolithic people. So this music has been able to show the cultural and political consciousness of African people.”

     On the genre’s legacy and how it inspires new forms of musical expression and political consciousness, Kuti remains hopeful.

     “I think a lot of young artists today are building on the different energy and the style, as it must be,” he explains. “I always believe that African young people have a right to define themselves how they see fit, standing on the shoulders of those that have come before them.”

     Some of the most influential songs he selected for the playlist include tracks by Fela Kuti, Tony Allen, Eboy Taylor, Uhuru Yenzu, Dele Sosimi, Ofege, William Onyeabor, Manu Dibango, and more.

  • The world not nice to men – Cubana Chief Priest

    The world not nice to men – Cubana Chief Priest

    Celebrity barman, Pascal Okechukwu aka Cubana Chief Priest has argued the world treats men unfairly compared to women, particularly as it concerns Father’s Day celebration.

    Though it isn’t Father’s Day, Chief Priest presuming it is, insisted the world cares less about the men reason why it felt so cold, lacking any form of festivities like mothers’ do experience on their day.

    “See as Father’s Day cold. The world is really not nice to men.

    “I can’t even compare this day to Mother’s Day where you will see mothers being super celebrated, get home to amazingly made meals.

    “Oya check your timeline, home, church, neighborhood, text messages, calls etc. Today just be like normal Sunday.

    “Dear men your happiness dey your hands. Make out time to take care of yourself & celebrate yourself. The world no really care about us. Happy Father’s Day, God is with us. #DrEzeMuo,” he tweeted.

    Read Also: Cubana Chief Priest denies having a child with Kenyan

    Father’s Day is a global celebration that honours fatherhood and the influence of fathers in families and society as a whole.

    While Father’s Day can be described as “less popular” than Mother’s Day or the celebration of mothers, the special day is already gaining momentum across the world with more and more people honouring it, particularly people who share a great relationship with their fathers.

    Father’s Day is celebrated on different days across the world but as the special day is becoming more popular, there seems to be a slow unification of the dates for Father’s Day across different countries.

    Most countries, including Nigeria, now celebrate Father’s Day on the third Sunday in the month of June.

    In fact, over 52 countries celebrate Father’s Day on this day as well. And this year’s celebration falls on June 18.

  • Nigerians will experience new dawn under Tinubu – Toyin Abraham

    Nigerians will experience new dawn under Tinubu – Toyin Abraham

    Popular actress Toyin Abraham-Ajeyemi is optimistic Nigerians will witness a new dawn under the incoming administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

    The self-styled ‘Asiwaju baby’ admonished Nigerians to pray, support and show love to the incoming government.

    Read Also: Tinubu truly people’s choice, Toyin Abraham replies fan

    She assured the new administration would bring about positive changes such that has never been experienced.

    “We are about to experience a new dawn. A positive and great phase like we have never experienced before, I believe. So help us God.

    “Please for once let’s pray, support and show love to our government. Love and Light. I love you all,” she tweeted.

  • Holy Spirit scatters anyone that tries me – Judy Austin

    Holy Spirit scatters anyone that tries me – Judy Austin

    Judy Austin, the second wife of popular actor, Yul Edochie, has shared how the Holy Spirit continually fights her battles, scattering anyone that plots evil against her.

    Judy, who shares a son with Yul testified to being a major beneficiary of God’s unlimited blessings, while declaring herself special and His number one.

    She narrated how she has continued to enjoy God’s goodness from her tender age till this moment because she placed absolute faith in Him.

    The actress,in a video titled: “IJELE. Judy Austin breaks silence. Shares her story”, posted on her hubby’s Facebook page,asked people to thank God on her behalf.

    She said: “I really don’t know where to start from; God loves me so much. I know it might sound strange to a lot of people but God loves me so much.

    “I don’t know if he loves people like he loves me. He loves me so much, you will not understand. They says it he that wears the shoes that knows exactly where it pinches. It’s only me that knows, just me.

    “But God loves me so much. He has continued to fight my battles. I want the entire world, the whole universe to worship God with me because He has been awesome to me.

    “I am a special child, I’m so special. From the time I was born, from my childhood, my youth, till I gave birth to all my kids even till this last baby; oh God! I have experience.

    “I’ve experienced a lot of things in this life. I actually started experiencing it from a very tender age. But you know, one thing is consistent in my life, and that thing is God’s love.

    Read Also: Yul Edochie deletes photos of Judy Austin, son on IG

    “He has loved me all the way. Even when it seems like I won’t make it. Even when it seem like the trouble around me will swallow me whole, somehow, I pull through. Somehow, I’ll still be at the top. I don’t know how that happens but I don’t have to know because God works in mysterious ways.

    “He has truly shown me that I am His number one. If I want to talk about what I’ve been through in my very tender life, like how old am I? If I really want to talk about my blessings, I don’t think we will go today.

    “God has truly been awesome in my life. Anybody around me will tell you. Every prayer point, I’ve ever written down, God has answered every single one of them. And you know what, He can do it for you.

    “If your faith is not one hundred percent in God, you won’t experience what I’m experiencing. I’m here today because I have one hundred percent faith in God Almighty, in Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He’s my one and only. I brag with my God.

    “I brag with the Holy Spirit because He has done so much for me. He fights my battles as if I’m a princess, like I’m a queen. Like I don’t have to ever stress, I just sit down. Let them come, I’m with you.

    “Anybody that tries with me, the Holy Spirit scatters them. How special can you be? This is the height of being special in God’s arm. I’m His number one, I am God’s number one. God I thank you.

    “See just have one hundred percent faith in God and forget the rest, no matter what’s happening against you, it means nothing. They say one with God is majority. You don’t have to be with the world, people are wicked. They want you to die.

    “So you don’t need people’s validation. Once you have God’s validation in your life, you’re good. If you’re with God, you’re with majority. There’s nothing that you’ll lack.

    “I put to bed when it seems as if it won’t happen. That is God! He came through for me, He made sure that I am fine. Jesus Christ of Nazareth made sure that I, Judy am fine.

    “And then I came home with my baby. I came out and my baby came out. Go and ask around, so many people have died from this. But I go through this and I’m still bouncing, enjoying, laughing and dancing every day. God loves me!!!”

  • 2Baba baby mama Pero unveils new lover

    2Baba baby mama Pero unveils new lover

    Pero Adeniyi, the baby mama of pop star 2baba, has unveiled her new lover.

    She rained praises on him on his birthday on Sunday afternoon. 

    The post showed their video in several romantic moments.

    She wrote: “Thank you for loving me and the kids unconditionally, against all odds you stood by me, You are and will remain the best part of me. From my heart to God’s ears, I love you forever!! Happy birthday, my own!!” 

    The US-based make-up artiste appears to have found her new “best part” after spending over 20 years with 2baba.

    They have three children during their union. 

  • I’m committed to improving lives, says Fasally Tarawally

    I’m committed to improving lives, says Fasally Tarawally

    One or Africa’s leading businessman and philanthropist, Fasally Tarawally alias The Diamond Kind of Sierra Leone, has reiterated his commitment to improving lives and transforming Africa through long term investment in hospitality, energy and healthcare.

    Tarawally made this statement during a recent event where he hosted journalists.

    The Founder and Chairman of Metals and Minerals Company Limited, the largest exporter of precious minerals within Sierra Leone said he is concerned about the livelihood of the average Africans and remains committed to improving lives through Corporate Social Responsibility.

    In 2010, he created a social intervention program that has helped in providing jobs, payment of school fees, supply of food and several startup capital funding.

    Read Also: ‘Nigeria’s business environment improving’

    Fasally is also the President of Diamond and Gold Exporters in Sierra Leone, he has developed comprehensive Strategic precious mineral plans for cities in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.

    “I remain committed to improving lives and transforming Africa, through long-term investments in strategic sectors of the African economy, including financial services, hospitality, power, energy, technology and healthcare.

    Fassally has shown interest in the Nigerian market sectors and will be engaging several players for cross beneficial relationships between Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

  • Zlatan: Fatherhood, music and me

    Zlatan: Fatherhood, music and me

    Nigerian rapper and singer Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael aka Zlatan Ibile, has opened up on two of his greatest achievements in life – music and fatherhood.

    Opening up on his new role as a father, Zlatan said the role has changed a lot of things in him.

    The Zanku Record boss also noted that he realised that he isn’t proud of some of the crazy things he has done in the past especially while promoting his music.

    Zlatan, while highlighting the changes, said that having gone through some old videos of him dancing almost unclad on the streets, it dawned on him that it would be difficult for him to correct his son if he decided to toll the same path.

    He said, “I don’t think it (fatherhood) affects my music creation. It just changed me as a person, there are some things I’ve done as a person and some videos I made when I didn’t have a child like going on the streets and start dancing to my songs but after giving birth to my son and I was on YouTube one day then I saw the video I was like so someday my son will grow up and see this videos, how do I correct him when he’s doing some crazy stuffs.

    “Since then I started changing myself, I can’t be doing all these things. There are some places I can go to before, there are some arguments that are not necessary anymore. It has been a positive change anyway.”

    The 28-year-old also discussed his recording process, and how he’s managed to showcase his versatility.

    “I think I can actually submit an album of like 15 tracks that are recorded right now. I’ve worked with so many people. I’ve been used to recording, I barely sleep at night because my body system is used to being awake all night. I have a private studio, we go there all the time. I don’t like waiting for what’s next to do before I start recording. So basically there are songs and I feel like I’m ready to go again if I decide to. The amount of songs, I think there’s nothing stopping me to actually put a body of work together. Since I’ve dropped singles and that, people like that they are feeling it, I think I can just compile some of the songs again and then go for a project and serve them to the world,” he said.

    Continuing, Zlatan said, “2023, I actually dropped music very late due to one reason or another, and ever since Toulouse was cool and manageable for me. And then 2021 I dropped ‘Resan,’ I could not jump out of the album to start releasing singles, I had to push and shoot videos from ‘Resan’ for a little while before jumping into other singles. So this year I decided to myself that I want to start early so I can see more results with ‘Omo Ologo’ EP.”

  • Niniola, Hakeem Ogara to join Beccablisse for ‘Becca And The Girls’

    Niniola, Hakeem Ogara to join Beccablisse for ‘Becca And The Girls’

    Singer Niniola and actor Hakeem Ogara will be joining Naija FM star, Rebecca Edun aka Beccablisse for her new initiative, Beeca And The Girls.

    Becca And The Girls, an initiative for the girl child but with bias for those who are in the Arts class in secondary school, was conceptualised by the popular OAP on the heels of her experience as an Arts student when she was in secondary school.

    According to Beccablisse, Niniola will be talking about her success in a male dominated field while Hakeem Ogara will be sharing his experiences as a successful actor. Other facilitators are the tallest model in Sub-Saharan Africa, Mubarak Bakare, and Beat FM OAP, Bibirair, graduate from a Dublin Island tertiary institution.

    Speaking on the project, Beccablisse said, “This project is an outreach event put together by me. It’s called Becca And The Girls. It’s about giving back to young girls in secondary schools, especially those in the Arts class. I remember when I was in Regan Memorial Baptist Girls Secondary School, Sabo, Yaba. I was in Arts class, and I remember how they used to look at us as students who are not serious or less in value to those in Sciences and Commercial classes. So I want the students to know they are not as serious as they are perceived, and that there is a lot they can do with Arts, even in the entertainment industry and the media.  As a one time Arts student, I am doing very well for myself right now and I am definitely going to do far more.  So I basically want to give back to the girl child, inspire them, and I am starting with my Alma mater, Regan Memorial Baptist Girls Secondary School.” 

    The maiden edition of Becca And The Girls, is packaged to be a 2 day event that will take place on May 11 and May 12, and the first day is planned to be an interactive session with SSS1 & 2 girls. The final part will be on May 12 and will see ten best Arts students in the school taking a tour of Naija FM, Beats FM and Classic FM after which they will visit Terra Kulture, an arts and to learn and merry.

    Beccablisse, who celebrated her birthday on May 2, further revealed the launch of her initiative is also a way to celebrate her birthday. The project which is in collaboration with Timeless Lush Services is expected to be a yearly event and will extend to other girls schools outside Lagos.

  • Zinoleesky continues to make wave with band

    Zinoleesky continues to make wave with band

    Upwardly sensational singer Oniyide Azeez aka Zinoleesky has continued to make waves with his 25-man band.

    Zinoleesky and his band have witnessed a meteoric rise since he stormed the Nigeria music scene less than four years ago. After signing on to Marlians Music under the tutelage of Naira Marley, Zinoleesky has dominated the airwaves while consistently showing his mettle as one of the young and exciting talents that will hold the mantle of the Afrobeat/Afropop scene for decades to come.

    In recent times, Zinoleesky and his band have delivered and performed in many musical events, in and outside the shores of Nigeria to become a toast of international showbiz promoters.

    With his performances while on tour