The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Anambra’s Onyinyechi Basil crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2025

    Anambra’s Onyinyechi Basil crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2025

    Onyinyechi Basil has emerged as Miss Universe Nigeria 2025, succeeding Chidinma Adetshina.

    Representing Anambra State, Basil clinched the crown at a spectacular finale in Lagos that highlighted Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage through vibrant traditional attire and contemporary fashion.

    Out of 22 contestants, the competition was narrowed down to 10 finalists, with Basil standing out for her beauty, intelligence, and confidence.

    The top five finalists included Damilola Bolarinde (Lagos State), who was named first runner-up; Fortune Kurobo (Bayelsa State), second runner-up; and Irene Ikediashi (Ogun State), third runner-up. Idah Eno (Akwa Ibom State) also made the top five, earning the title of Miss Supranational Nigeria 2025.

    Read Also: Nigeria’s gas production rises to 7.59BSC daily

    As Miss Universe Nigeria 2025, Basil will represent the country on the global stage, championing cultural exchange and women’s empowerment.

    Miss Universe Nigeria, in a statement on Instagram after the event on Sunday, wrote: “The queen has arrived!  What an unforgettable night! The journey of 22 incredible delegates has led us here — the crowning of our new Miss Universe Nigeria 2025, Onyinyechi Basil @yech.i.

    “With beauty, intelligence, and an undeniable aura of confidence, she has captured hearts and emerged victorious, ready to represent Nigeria on the grandest stage of them all — the Miss Universe international stage!

    “This magical moment is not just about a crown, it’s about a dream fulfilled. And at Silverbird Group @silverbirdgroupng, we are proud to be the platform where these dreams come alive. For over four decades, we have championed talent, created opportunities, and built legacies. From discovering kings and queens, to empowering voices that shape the future, our commitment to nurturing excellence remains stronger than ever”.

  • My newborn daughter healed my broken heart – Toke Makinwa

    My newborn daughter healed my broken heart – Toke Makinwa

    Media personality Toke Makinwa has shared a heartfelt note to her newborn daughter, Yakira Eliana.

    She revealed that her daughter has brought her immense joy and healing, mending the broken heart she’s carried since she was 8 years old.

    Toke expressed her love and adoration for her daughter, stating that she’s already drowning in her big eyes and learning so much about her.

    The proud mother shared that she had done her daughter’s first manicure and couldn’t help but imagine their future spa dates.

    According to her, she’s excited to introduce her daughter to Jesus and thanked everyone for their prayers, blessings, and heartfelt messages.

    Read Also: Meet Adamawa-born comedian Mktechnic doing wonders on social media

    She wrote, “YaYa’s mummy. To the girl who changed my status, she’s healed the broken heart I’ve carried since I was 8. I am drowning in her big ol’ eyes and learning so much of her already. Today, I did her first manicure and couldn’t help but imagine our future spa dates. I can’t wait to introduce her to Jesus. I’m in love.
    Thank you to everyone for your prayers, blessings, and heartfelt messages. I see you all”.

    Toke’s journey to motherhood was a long-awaited one, as she had prayed to become a mom by 40 and God answered her prayers.

    She said her pregnancy journey wasn’t without its challenges, noting that she initially skeptical about sharing her joy with the world.

    However, Toke said she had found solace in her faith, remembering that “the gift of the Lord makes so much riches without adding sorrow.”

  • Meet Adamawa-born comedian Mktechnic doing wonders on social media

    Meet Adamawa-born comedian Mktechnic doing wonders on social media

    It is often considered a cliche to stress that Nigeria is the birth place of creativity and talent exhibition in Africa. However, the more a hard look is deployed, the harder the reality of the assertion striking the right chord.

    When it appears the last generation of entertainers are here, then a new circle of sensational comedians storm the scene. Social media comedian, Mutari Hamidu, fondly  known as Mktechnic, is blazing the trail in creativity among the versatile youths in the north. Born on December 11, 2002, the Adamawa State indigene and computer science graduate churns out funny contents in Hausa Language, is proving that language is not a barrier in entertainment afterall. 

    In the heart of the global meltdown triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mktechnic found a way to channel his passion through comedy, bringing relief to humanity struck deeply by debilitating circumstances. The acceptability of his originality is so loud that since then, he commands almost three million combined followers on TikTok and Instagram.

    “I started comedy in 2020, more than five years now. What inspired me to venture into comedy was my passion for making people happy. Ever since I was young, I’ve always loved making my friends and family laugh. At first, I used to crack jokes in school and during gatherings, and people always encouraged me to take it seriously. 

    “Over time, I realised that comedy is not just about jokes, it is about connecting with people, sharing experiences, and putting smiles on their faces. I also watched a lot of Nigerian comedians online, and seeing how they entertained people inspired me to believe that I could do the same, especially in my own language,”  Mutari Hamidu stated. 

    Mktechnic admitted that although creating content in Hausa language could possibly limit his reach on social media, the use of the language is deliberate to deepen his culture and heritage in a global market.

    “I chose Hausa because it’s the language I grew up speaking, and it connects me directly to my people. Most of my audience understand Hausa, and I wanted my comedy to reflect our culture, lifestyle, and way of talking. Comedy becomes more natural and funny when I express myself in my mother tongue, and it helps me represent the northern culture in the world.

    “I understand that using Hausa might limit my audience to some extent, but I don’t see it as a disadvantage. In fact, it’s what makes my content unique. People love originality, and Hausa has its own flavor of comedy that connects deeply with my audience. Besides, laughter is universal — even if someone doesn’t fully understand the language, my expressions and actions still make them enjoy the content.”

    Beside breaking the language barrier, Mkechnic disclosed that his ambition as a celebrity is to inspire other youths in the north, in the creativity space.

    “My biggest ambition as an online celebrity is to use my platform to inspire creativity and positivity. I want to show young people, especially in northern Nigeria, that they can turn their talents into a career. Ultimately, I aim to become a household name in comedy, known for originality and making people laugh while representing my culture,” stated Mutari Hamidu.

  • Fave recounts collaboration with Davido on hit song ‘Kante’

    Fave recounts collaboration with Davido on hit song ‘Kante’

    Songwriter and music artist, Chidozie Godsfavour Ugochinyere, popularly known as Fave, has opened up on how she collaborated with Afrobeats singer, David Adeleke, known as Davido, on the hit song Kante.

    In an interview on The Nancy Isime Show, Fave recalled how Davido personally reached out to her on Instagram after she had recorded the song months earlier.

    “Well, I had already recorded this song before, like months before. Davido hit me up on Instagram and was like, I’m wrapping up my album and I would love you to be on it. And I don’t want it to be one of those songs where it’s like, even though it’s Davido featuring Fave, I still want it to feel like our song,” she said.

    According to her, Davido chose Kante after she sent him about three songs to pick from 

    “So I sent him three songs and he picked Kante,” she added.

    READ ALSO: FG signs one-year performance contracts with para-military agencies

    Fave also highlighted her love for writing and the discouragement she had from her parents from pursuing music to prevent lapses in education.

    “And as a child growing up in an African home, I get it. I guess it’s true when you have like strict parents. We have very, very strict. Mommy, I’m sorry. My dad is very, very strict. So that’s why they kind of didn’t really let me, you know, like, should I say enhance my writing and singing abilities because they felt like, you know, this would distract you in school.

    “But regardless, on my own, it’s something that I love to do. So I was always writing, like I would always have books upon books of poems or songs. So being an artist now, to me, I have to write deep. It’s just a part of me,” she said.

    She noted, however, that Kante was one of the few songs she didn’t write too deeply because it was more of a danceable vibe.

     “I think Kante is probably one of the songs that I wasn’t trying to be deep on. Because I just felt like ‘Na gbedu’, you don’t really need to put too much lyrics in it.” she added.

  • Kenny George laments rising costs of film production

    Kenny George laments rising costs of film production

    Actress and filmmaker Kenny George has expressed worries over the rising challenges in the movie industry and how investors are pulling out.

    In a Instagram post at the weekend, she lamented that actors may soon end up as the only investors left in Nollywood because of the rising costs.

    “I solidly stand on my word that one day actors will be the sole investors in movie, right now most investors are backing down, the cost of filming is very high, actors fee and co is scaring. You hear an actor who does not even have up to 10k views on his or her channel, day in day out asking 500k per day.

    “Actors are billing high in the name of economic. To get an actor to collect 100k a day now self na war. Which way now? Very soon, actors will be the only investors in our industry. And as we are going right now, we are heading back to the beginning where it will be a group thing…I help you, you help me for my film also. That’s what we are approaching.” She noted.

    She further said that YouTube, which was the only reliable source of revenue for the movie distribution, was not stable.

    READ ALSO: FG signs one-year performance contracts with para-military agencies

    “It’s so painful that no one is talking about this problem right now. After shooting, the only sure market of showing is YouTube with unsure revenue, investors are backing out,” she lamented. 

    According to her, filmmakers are forced to take on multiple roles due to the challenge.

    “We have now become actor, producer, marketer, EP and co. To crown it up, all actors and investors have become full-time dancers, ” she said.

     She finally urged the corresponding authorities to look into the matter.

    “I will advise the right authorities to look into it, and let’s all proceed with caution,” she added.

  • Iyabo Ojo celebrates grandson’s birth with N3 million giveaway

    Iyabo Ojo celebrates grandson’s birth with N3 million giveaway

    Actress Iyabo Ojo has announced a giveaway to celebrate the arrival of her newborn grandson, Rakeem Ayomide Mkambala.

    As a token of appreciation for women experiencing the joys and challenges of motherhood, Iyabo Ojo will be gifting N50,000 each to 60 expectant and nursing mothers with babies born in 2025.

    The total giveaway amount comes to N3 million.

    This generous gesture is a token of appreciation for the joys and challenges of motherhood.

    Ojo shared the news on Instagram, emphasising that only genuine applicants would be considered.

    She warned against fake accounts dropping details under the post and expressed her desire to show love and appreciation to mothers.

    READ ALSO: FG signs one-year performance contracts with para-military agencies

    She wrote: “In the mood of celebration, I, Prince Rakeem Ayomide, Mkambala, am pleased to announce a special gift from my glamma, Queen Mother and my humble self the cutest baby on the block! …We’ll be giving out 50,000 Naira each to 60 lucky expectant mothers and mothers with babies born in 2025.

    “If you’re eligible and interested, kindly drop your account details under this post.

    “Please note that only genuine accounts will be considered, and those with fake accounts will not be eligible.

    “This gesture is from a place of love and a token of appreciation for expectant mothers and mothers with babies born in 2025”.

  • Funke Akindele’s Everybody Loves Jenifa makes record-breaking leap to Prime Video

    Funke Akindele’s Everybody Loves Jenifa makes record-breaking leap to Prime Video

    After shattering box office expectations, Funke Akindele‘s latest blockbuster, Everybody Loves Jenifa, is set to make its highly anticipated debut on Prime Video on August 29, 2025.

    The film, which grossed an unprecedented ₦1.7 billion during its theatrical run, has become one of the highest-earning titles in Nollywood history. Its success cements Akindele’s reputation as both a creative powerhouse and a box-office magnet.

    Read Also: Nigeria’s 2025 tax law: Clearing the fog of misinformation of beer palour talks

    Directed by Akindele in collaboration with Tunde Olaoye, Everybody Loves Jenifa marks the third installment in the beloved Jenifa franchise. The film continues the story of the iconic character, blending humor with sharp social commentary that has resonated deeply with audiences across Nigeria and beyond.

    Industry analysts note that the move to Prime Video underscores Nollywood’s evolving distribution model, where theatrical success is increasingly followed by global streaming exposure. This ensures that millions of fans—both local and international—will have access to the film long after its cinema run.

    For Akindele, the milestone is another testament to her influence in shaping contemporary Nigerian cinema. By seamlessly combining box-office success with worldwide accessibility, Everybody Loves Jenifa is not just a film—it’s a cultural moment.

  • From Ipaja to London: Ayotee sets sights on global takeover

    From Ipaja to London: Ayotee sets sights on global takeover

    Nigeria’s fast-rising Afrobeats star, Ayomide Toluhi (Ayotee), is set to make her international mark following her signing with WalzNation.

    The singer and model, who hails from Ipaja, Lagos State, has revealed her debut international tour across the United Kingdom in October 2025, marking a significant milestone for a newcomer.

    Ayotee’s latest single, Back It Up, scheduled for release in October, has been described by the artiste as this year’s definitive Detty December anthem.

    Read Also: Switzerland backs Nigeria’s IMO Council bid

    Speaking on her influences, she highlighted the works of Tiwa Savage, Teni, Tems, Niniola, and Ayra Starr, but stressed that her goal is not only to emulate them but to compete at their level.

    Her ambition signals a new era of female Afrobeats talent challenging for international dominance.

  • Nollywood meets Hollywood at Monday film premiere in California

    Nollywood meets Hollywood at Monday film premiere in California

    It was a night of glitz and cultural pride in Los Angeles as Nollywood and Hollywood stars converged on the iconic TCL Chinese Theater for the premiere of Monday, an African-inspired short film by Nigerian filmmaker, Babajide Kolawole otherwise known as Jide Kol.

    The glamorous event drew industry figures and movie-lovers from both continents, celebrating a project that bridges African tradition with Hollywood’s cinematic style.

    Speaking on the inspiration behind the film, Kol explained that his time at the New York Film Academy in California exposed a glaring absence of Africa in global cinema studies.

    “The inspiration comes from culture. During my time at the New York Film Academy in California, I realized how absent Africa was from the global cinema conversation. We studied American, Russian, Italian, Asian, and German cinema history, but not a single mention of Africa,” Kol said.

    Read Also: Switzerland backs Nigeria’s IMO Council bid

    He added: “That fueled my determination to create a film blending Hollywood’s cinematic approach with the cultural content I grew up watching in Nigerian legends like Abija, Fadeyi Oloro, and Orishabunmi.”

    The filmmaker and actor admitted the journey of shooting the film was far from smooth.

    According to Kol, casting proved difficult as several actors within his Christian circle declined the lead role due to the storyline’s themes around African spirituality.

    Rooted in Yoruba cosmology, the film titled; Monday explores the deity of fortune, Orisha Ajé, who is honored on Ojo Ajé, which corresponds to Monday in the English calendar.

  • Nollywood star, Emelu Chibuzor, plans Hollywood breakthrough

    Nollywood star, Emelu Chibuzor, plans Hollywood breakthrough

    After discovering many Nollywood actors, including Zubby Michael, Queen Nwokoye, Oynii Alex, among others and producing over 200 movies, popular actor cum producer Emelu Simon Chibuzor has set a new goal for himself, which is to break into Hollywood in no distant time.

    Chibuzor, also known as Pressing Forward, made this known in a chat with newsmen in Lagos. The Abandoned Goddess star said that having made many stars, cinematographers, directors, and crew members in Nollywood, his next target is to break into Hollywood with the intention of being among the highest-ranking producers cum actors in the world of make-believe.

    He believes that he has contributed his quota regarding the growth of Nollywood and therefore desires to move to the next level of his career.

    “I want to take my career to the next level by breaking into Hollywood. I think I have contributed my quota to the growth of Nollywood, having made many stars in the industry. It is time for me to aspire to the highest in my career,” the actor said.

    Read Also: Nigerian scholar Tolulope Oladeji wins prestigious USGIF doctoral scholarship

    Chibuzor, however, lamented the challenges producers are facing in the area of patronage and promoting their movies.

     “So right now, we do a lot of promotion to let our movies get to the audience. We pay a lot of money to TikTokers, Facebook, and Instagram users for adverts. We also spend a lot trying to promote our movies, especially since the extinction of the CD market. Everyone goes on YouTube to scout for viewership, and it’s not cheap at all,” Chibuzor said.

    The actor also lamented the rising fees of some actors, stating that he has decided to groom more aspiring actors to become stars.

    “That is why I have decided to recruit more raw talent from home and abroad because Rome wasn’t built in a day.  I want to expand because of what we are facing with the actors.

    “I am looking for people who need an opportunity. Those are the people I want to recruit and make stars,” he said.

    A dogged actor, Chibuzor, who hails from Imo State, is the CEO of Pressing Forward Productions, through which he has produced many blockbuster movies and helped many actors to hit stardom without stress. He started his acting career in the 2000s, featuring alongside actors in movies like Pete Edochie,  Nkem Owoh, Ebele Okaro, Destiny Etiko, Jerry Williams, Nosa Rex, Lizzy Gold, among other notable actors.