Category: Entertainment

The Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN) is set to organise the AGN health and wellness week for members across the nation.

 This, according to the governing body of the guild, is in order to prevent recurring situations of going cap-in-hand seeking for financial assistance even on social media to address urgent medical interventions.

 The event, which is in collaboration with Medicard Ltd, a HMO company, is to encourage and sensitise members to take their health issues and insurance cover seriously.

The health/wellness awareness week will feature, health walk, free medical check-ups, HMO and Insurance renewals, lectures, amongst other activities.

 The event will kick off with a media parley on Monday, January 30, 2023 at Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island Lagos between 10 – 2pm. On Saturday February 11, 2023, a health walk and free medical check-up will take place at Teslim Balogun from 7am to 7pm.

Showmax has released some of its most-watched shows of 2022 and Nigerian productions including ‘the Real Housewives of Lagos,’ ‘Flawsome’ and ‘Diiche’ led the list.

 The Real Housewives of Lagos, which was no surprise on the most-watched list on Showmax, broke first-day streaming records on the platform in Nigeria following its launch in April 2022. It went on to spark social conversation, piquing viewers’ curiosity and ultimately becoming a Twitter sensation. The show peaked at the number on the Twitter Nigeria trends list and remained on the trend list for the 14-week duration of the show. The Lagos premiere which was streamed on TikTok also earned over 20,000 views.

 In the same vein, Showmax Originals including Flawsome, Diiche, and the South African reality series The Real Housewives of Durban also earned spots on the top 10 list.

 Popular reality TV shows Big Brother Naija spinoffs like The Buzz, Secret Diaries, Sunday Eviction Show, and the Reunion are also featured on the list.

 The seventh season of the show garnered a lot of conversation among fans and viewers on social media for its 72-day duration.

 While eight of the ten titles are African, with seven from Nigeria, the list also includes international series like the 2023 Golden Globe Best Drama series winner House of the Dragon and The Sex Lives of College Girls.

One of the Gospel musicians in Anambra State, Ifeoma Chukwuma (aka -Ify Jesus), has turned into an entrepreneur.

Ify Jesus has opened a bakery and snacks outfits in Oko, Orumba North local government area of the State.

Despite her joy after the achievement, the gospel singer says her dream of collaborating with another gospel act Chinyere Udoma is in the pipeline.

 The Okija, Ihiala local government area of Anambra State born artist, named Udoma as her role model in gospel music.

The  last child in a family of seven, is equally, a graduate of banking & finance from Federal Polytechnic Oko in Anambra State .

She says she has been singing all her life, but started professionally  in 2017 after which she released her album, ‘Powerful Praise.’

“I intend to market my music all over the world with the help of my promoters and I will also market my music through media houses e.g Television stations, Radio houses, churches e.t.c. for those that may want to watch and listen to my music and videos,” says Ify Jesus.

Nigerian fast-rising artist Femi Daniel aka StarfazeDdon has said he is inspired by Afrobeats superstar, Kizz Daniel.

The youngster also said he wants to surpass the achievements of Kizz Daniel in the entertainment industry.

 According to StarfazeDdon, there are so many role models in the Nigerian music industry but the ‘Buga’ singer is exceptional to him.

 “I want every one of my songs to be a banger like Kizz Daniel songs,” he said.

 Continuing, the Ondo State singer said, “I’m inspired by his vocals, tones and sounds. I want to emulate him to make a great impact in the music industry. Kizz Daniel has structured my style of music and I hope to work with him one day.”

 StarfazeDdon, who started his music career in 2008 has recorded some singles including ‘Owonikoko’, ‘Solution’, and a love song titled, ‘Skelebe’. In his newest single entitled, ‘Matter’, the artist expressed desire to collaborate with Naira Marley or Davido on the remix.

 On how he discovered his talent, StarfazeDdon said he has been passionate about music since his childhood.

 “I discovered my talent when I was in Junior Secondary School (JSS) 2. I always entertain my classmates in my hometown in Akure. In fact, I was flogged many times by my teachers because I was always freestyling not knowing that the teacher was in the class.

 “I usually get carried away with singing. Also, I was a drummer boy in my church and a member of the choir at the age of 12 years old,” he said.

 While speaking about his inspiration, he revealed that his mood determines his lyrics.

 “I can’t be placed in a particular music genre, I sing all kinds of styles. I do Afrobeats, reggae, and Juju. I got the inspiration to sing when I’m in a good or bad mood and I flow in English, Yoruba and Hausa. I’m just searching for a record label to express my bundle of creativity because I’m also into acting.”

Plus-size actress Mary John has said she doesn’t support sending nude photos to one’s romantic partner. 

She made this known during a brief chat with The Nation.

“I feel a man who loves you will wait to see you, but then again it depends on the couple. Having a long distance relationship can be exhausting so I feel that’s why some crazy lovers send nudes. I am strictly against it,” she said.

 On if being plus sized gets her more roles in Nollywood, she said, ”Not really, but everyone has a role to play .For example, if  the story demands  a plus size woman that is me. But if the story demands a slim model, then the producer can go for the model. If one is a good actor, being plus sized won’t matter because the acting will overshadow the outer look.”

 Asked if she believes slim ladies are sexier than plus sized women, John said: ”It is not true because if you check well, now every girl wants to be thick, big bum and flat tummy flying everywhere. In addition, everyone has their own spec”.

 John also stated that over the years she has learnt to be hard working and give every role her best.

 “My being in the industry can be described as one leg in and one leg out because I do other things on the side. But I have learnt to be hard working and give every role my best shot because that is what will speak for me. I have also learnt to take one step at a time.”

By Tunrayo Ilesanmi

‘I am aware of the many plights that all of you, the widows of our community, face. As the Executive Chairman, I am here to reassure all of you that my sincere thoughts are ever with you; you don’t have to worry over circumstances you cannot change. The local government will always support you every step of the way, ensuring that you get all the necessary help that you need”.

These were the words of the Executive Chairman, Surulere local government area, Hon. Sulaiman Bamidele Yusuf at the Food Drive program recently organised by Women High Achievers Trybe (WHATrybe) and held at the Surulere Local govt.

The event, according to the convener Kiki Okewale, was a day of giving hope to widows with the assurance that notwithstanding what they may be facing, they’re never forgotten.

 The initiative, Okewale said, has been in existence for seven years and aims to address the first and second SDG (Sustainable Development Goals).

 In her words, “I may not have it all, but I understand how you feel because at a very young age my mum became a widow and life was unbearable, which is why I am here to put smiles on your faces. I want you to know that you all are strong women, and I appreciate you all for standing strong. God bless you all,” Okewale.

She went on to affirm the willingness to continuously do more for the less-privileged communities, especially in the current living crisis of the country.

 The food drive included fun activities to put smiles on their faces. Such were gele-tying, dancing, and water-drinking competitions, in which each of the winners went home with beautiful fabrics.

Twenty-year-old Silas Odianosen aka Son of Grace (SOG) is on a mission to redefine the Nigerian music scene  with his new project entitled . Baba Na You.’

The music project, according to SOG, ‘is bound to change the face of gospel music making in Nigeria with an obvious and refreshingly different slant.’   

Odianosen, who read music at the Mountain Top University, owned by the MFM, majored in guitar, keyboard and production, maintained that these skills were brought to fore in the production of the album.

The lively gospel act also divulged that he and Dr. Cash actually pulled creative resources together to make the production possible, adding that celebrated studio engineer, Pat Ochei, handled the mastering of the work.

Odianosen insisted that without his clergy parents, his talent and single album under showcase, wouldn’t have been a reality.

Austin Faani, the husband of popular actress, Chacha Eke-Faani, has explained why movie stars, particularly the actresses are not supporting their colleague, Funke Akindele in her quest to become Lagos Deputy Governor under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The filmmaker said many of them are envious of Akindele. He referenced American actor Arnold Schwarzenegger who later became the Governor of California, declaring his trust in the ‘Omo Ghetto’ actress to deliver on her job as the second in command in Lagos state if given a chance.
He wrote: “Funke Akindele’s colleagues are not campaigning for her, especially the female celebrities.

“Could it be envy or what? We can post her film but not her political ambition. Arnold Schwarzenegger was once the governor of California.

“Y’all think she is not capable? I trust she will do better than all the previous Deputy Governors of Lagos put together. Vote my Colleague. Vote PDP Vote Jandor and Funke.”