The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Nancy Isime recounts struggles, praises Yemi Alade for early support

    Nancy Isime recounts struggles, praises Yemi Alade for early support

    Actress and show host Nancy Isime has opened up about her early struggles and the heartfelt support she received from music star Yemi Alade.

    In an emotional Instagram post, Nancy revealed that during her early days as a struggling actress and model, she once squatted at Yemi’s house.

    She recalled working late into the night with nowhere to go, often sleeping on chairs or the floor at event venues.

    Expressing deep gratitude, Nancy praised Yemi for her kindness and generosity during that difficult period.

    She described the singer as peaceful, considerate, and full of positive energy—qualities that left a lasting impression on her.

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    The two recently celebrated their friendship by donning matching Yoruba traditional attire, with Nancy using the moment to reflect on how far they’ve come and the powerful bond they share.

    She wrote, “Story Story…I’ve told this story before, and I’m sure Yemi is probably rolling her eyes right now but Yemi, I meant it when I said I’ll tell this story every chance I get.

    “As I was saying…Story, Story. As a lot of you might already know, I started working at 17. As an usher/model whose parents lived all the way in Ikorodu, while most of her jobs were in town, it was difficult to go home most days when we closed too late for me to find a bus or bike to take me home.

    “I’d have to ask any of my co-workers then if it was okay to crash at theirs till morning, and when there’s enough people staying back with me at the venue, I’d sleep on chairs joined together or the ground/rugged area till it was bright enough to get a bus home.

    “The ages 17-19 were basically me struggling for a place to sleep when I worked too late to go home.

    “Sometimes I’d brave it back home to Ikorodu at 2/3 am, trekking with my koin koin shoe with my dad worried, calling me every 3 minutes and my brothers in the streets trying to meet up with me. Let’s just say I’m destined to live long.

    “Yes, my family were worried, especially my dad, but I am a dangerous gyal and it’s best to let me figure out life my way…else! The rebellion is quite rebellious, I must confess. I’m a full blooded Esan Woman. Our stubbornness is from above.

    “Now comes Yemi, whom I had met through a mutual friend and had become an acquaintance. I asked her over the phone one day if it was okay to stay at her off-campus accommodation for a bit, and she immediately said Yes!

    “Fam, I stayed for weeks, and this woman never complained! The peace was too much; I had to leave when I wasn’t ready to.

    “Shortly after, I could afford my own space in her building as I gained uni admission, and the friendship and kindness continued. Yemi is becoming my kind neighbour.

    “Many years later, I still have the softest spot for Yemi and will eternally be grateful to her for being one of the bookmarks of kindness and generosity in my life. Allowing me to squat with her wasn’t what stood out; I squatted with other people, too. It was the attitude, consideration and peace! My Padi @yemialade, I dey for you for Life!!”

  • DJ Dimple Nipple recounts ordeal with Philippine immigration

    DJ Dimple Nipple recounts ordeal with Philippine immigration

    Disc Jockey Rachel Oluwabukola Martins, popularly known as DJ Dimple Nipple, has shared a harrowing account of her experience with Philippine immigration authorities.

    In a detailed Instagram post, she alleged that she and her friend were subjected to invasive searches, detention, and humiliation despite possessing valid visas and return tickets.

    According to DJ Dimple Nipple, the ordeal began upon arrival in Manila, where immigration officers allegedly detained her and her friend, questioning them for hours and conducting multiple searches.

    She wrote, “My Manila Immigration Nightmare.” Martins narrated how her excitement to perform in the Philippines quickly turned into one of the most traumatic experiences of her life.

    “I was so excited about my gig in the Philippines. I had prepared thoroughly, spent a lot of money, made all the necessary arrangements, and was genuinely looking forward to the experience.

    “I travelled with my best friend. Our flight departed Lagos at 3 pm on Friday and arrived in Qatar at 12:20 am. That leg took 7 hours and 20 minutes. After a long walk through the airport, we connected to our flight to Manila, scheduled for 1:30 am.

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    “Due to bad weather, it was delayed by about an hour. We finally departed and spent 9 hours and 30 minutes in the air. We landed in Manila around 4 pm. But everything changed the moment we got to immigration. We greeted the officers politely, but they were cold and unwelcoming. Still, we remained respectful and handed over our passports”.

    She claimed they were stripped, filmed, and forced to sleep on the floor in a detention-like facility.

    The DJ expressed frustration and disappointment, questioning the rationale behind treating Nigerian citizens like criminals despite having all necessary documents.

    She also raised concerns about the detention process and the treatment of detainees.

    She wrote, “@immigph @dfaphl @flypal if you don’t want Nigerians in your country, then why approve our visas? Why collect visa fees only to humiliate, detain, and send us back like criminals? Why set up detention centres and begin extorting us instead of simply returning people to their home countries? Why do you allow your citizens to live and thrive in Nigeria while mistreating ours abroad? Why not just place a ban instead of robbing people of their time, money, and dignity? What’s the reason behind denying people entry even when they have all the legal documents, sponsorship, and return tickets? What exactly are you afraid of? Why treat Nigerians like threats when we come in peace and purpose? Why strip us of our dignity and call it “procedure”? You collect our money, you grant our visas, but when we show up, you treat us like we’re nothing. Why?”

  • I quit banking to pursue music – Rapper CDQ

    I quit banking to pursue music – Rapper CDQ

    Rapper CDQ has revealed that he left his banking job to pursue a career in music.

    In an interview on Echo Room, CDQ said he became a banker to fulfil his late father’s wish, but he later realised that it wasn’t his true calling.

    During work hours, CDQ said he found himself writing lyrics instead of focusing on his banking responsibilities, which ultimately led him to quit his job.

    He mentioned that he confided in his friend and music producer Masterkraft, who had previously lent him suits to wear to the bank.

    According to him, Masterkraft was shocked when he told him he had quit his banking job to focus on music.

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    CDQ expressed his passion for music, stating that even if it didn’t bring him financial success, he would still be happy doing it.

    “I quit my bank job. I couldn’t tell my mother or any family member then. I left the house and went to stay with Masterkraft in the studio. I told him banking isn’t my passion. I will probably just do it to make ends meet. But music is something that, whether it gives me a return or not, I’m still happy doing it,” he recalled.

    CDQ’s music career took off in 2016 with the release of his hit song “Indomie” featuring Masterkraft and Olamide.

    The remix version, which featured Davido, catapulted him to fame.

  • How I got featured in 2baba’s ‘African Queen’ music video – Yvonne Jegede

    How I got featured in 2baba’s ‘African Queen’ music video – Yvonne Jegede

    Actress Yvonne Jegede has shared the story behind her appearance as a vixen in 2Baba’s iconic 2004 music video for “African Queen”.

    Speaking in an interview on Nollywood Radio, Jegede said she was initially hesitant to participate in the project, having focused primarily on building her acting career.

    According to her, when the director first approached her, she bluntly declined, stating she wasn’t interested.

    However, after a conversation with a friend that evening, Jegede said she had a change of heart following her friend’s enthusiasm for the song “African Queen”.

    The movie star said she decided to call the director back to accept the role, and that led to the unexpected turn of events of her meeting 2Baba for the first time on set, an experience she described as surreal.

    Jegede emphasised that her appearance in “African Queen” was not part of a larger plan to become a video vixen, stating that she had always been focused on acting and had no intention of pursuing a career in music videos.

    She added that her subsequent appearance in Djinne’s “Ego” music video was more of a favour to a friend who was directing the project.

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    When asked about her acting career, Jegede expressed her fulfilment, stating, “It has been fulfilling, I am not going to lie. It has been.”

    She explained, “When the director of African Queen first called, I bluntly just said, ‘No, I am not interested.’ And then, much later that same day, because they were supposed to film the next morning at about 9 a.m., he (the director) said, Okay, let me know if you change your mind.

    “And Tuface had just broken out of the Plantashun Boiz, and I had not heard any of his solo songs. So, I did not know what ‘African Queen’ was; I wondered, what is ‘African Queen’, and which song is that?”

    “And a friend of mine and I were speaking later that evening, and it just popped in my head, and I was like, hey, Michael, somebody said I should come and do one stupid thing, and I just said ‘African Queen’, the guy just screaming, I love that song, go and do it.

    “And I said, okay, let me call the director. And I did, and that very night, he gave me the address, told me what to do, and how to get my hair prepped for the shoot. I got the address and went.

    “And lo and behold, I saw that legend Tuface, for the first time, I am like, ‘Ooh, so this is real’. But no, I did not want to be a vixen after that. I just wanted to act; I kept telling everyone, ‘I just want to act.

    “But doing ‘Ego’ for Djinne at the time was more like doing something for my friend. And he was the director of ‘Ego’, who was also shooting music videos for Style Plus at the time. So I was supposed to be in the video for ‘Olufunmi’, but I was late. I was stuck in traffic.

    “So I missed that one, so that would have been part of my CV, but yeah, I missed that. But no, after those two, I just did not want to do anything dancing; I just wanted to act. But really, you had a double-edged approach to film.”

  • Adekunle Gold, Simi acquire new home

    Adekunle Gold, Simi acquire new home

    Music power couple Adekunle Gold and Simi have announced the acquisition of their new home.

    Adekunle Gold shared the exciting news on Instagram, posting a heartfelt photo of himself and Simi embracing in their new space, captioning it as, “Another address, same love”.

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    Adekunle Gold and Simi have been married since 2019 and have a daughter together, Adejare.

    Their relationship has been a subject of admiration among fans, who appreciate their love and commitment to each other.

    The congratulatory messages from fans and well-wishers have been pouring in on social media, celebrating the couple’s new home and their enduring love. 

  • How the devil attempted to take my life, by Chidinma Ekile

    How the devil attempted to take my life, by Chidinma Ekile

    Gospel singer Chidinma Ekile has recounted how the devil attempted to take her life during her 40-day fast and prayer on a mountain.

    Speaking to a congregation, Ekile said she was seeking divine direction and guidance from God during her private moment with God in the bush.

    After returning from the U.S., Ekile said she was led to embark on this spiritual journey, where she faced intense spiritual battles and temptations from the enemy.

    Chidinma narrated how the devil tried to end her life, tempting her to jump off a cliff at night, but somehow, she said she was miraculously prevented from doing so.

    She added that God performed a spiritual surgery on her, transforming her perspective on life and material possessions.

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    Through this experience, Chidinma said she gained a deeper understanding of God’s love and mercy, feeling an overwhelming sense of peace and fulfilment that she had never known before.

    She explained, “I went to the mountain. I’m not Jesus, but I fasted and prayed for over forty days. I lost weight. The experience was something I never imagined. I came from America and went straight to the bush. I slept on one side till I finished. I cried, I sang, I prayed, and God came to me and spoke to me. It was so real. I never knew He loved me this much.

    “I’ve seen it all, and material things don’t move me anymore. God is looking for those who are not perfect or strong people.

    “While I was on the mountain, the enemy tried everything to take me before my time. It was more like I was in a theatre. God performed surgery on me, took some things and put in some. He broke me into shreds.

    “The enemy tried to take me out of there before my surgery was done. The devil took me to the top of the mountain, to the cliff at night, where everything was dark. And right there at the cliff, the devil asked me to jump. The voice was so strong. The enemy has seen what the Lord is about to do, and he said he needs to abort the mission now.

    “I was about to take the jump, and I noticed I was being barricaded, and I couldn’t jump. Something was just there, and I was crying, and somehow my spiritual mum came to get me out. I could have lost my life, but God had mercy. He showered me with so much love, the way I have never known it. I feel so much peace inside of me, peace that I never had and cannot buy with money. I was doing all I had to do, but I wasn’t fulfilled. I needed to move, but I didn’t know how. But Jesus is King”.

  • Malcolm-Jamal Warner ‘Cosby Show’ star dies at 54

    Malcolm-Jamal Warner ‘Cosby Show’ star dies at 54

    Malcolm-Jamal Warner, beloved actor best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on ‘The Cosby Show’, has died at the age of 54 following a tragic drowning incident off the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.

    Warner was reportedly on a family trip when the incident occurred on Sunday, July 20, at Playa Cocles in Limón Province.

    The incident occurred on Sunday, July 20, when Warner was swimming at Playa Cocles in Limón Province.

    A strong current pulled him out to sea, and despite efforts by beachgoers to bring him to shore and attempts by the Costa Rican Red Cross to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

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    According to local authorities, the official cause of death was confirmed as asphyxia due to drowning.

    Authorities have ruled out foul play, labelling the incident a tragic accident. Warner’s body was formally identified by national police officials.

    Warner leaves behind a legacy of notable roles in TV dramas like The Resident and Malcolm & Eddie, as well as his work as a musician and podcast host.

    His portrayal of Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show earned him an Emmy nomination in 1986 and remains one of his most iconic roles.

  • I never had bone marrow transplant – Adekunle Gold

    I never had bone marrow transplant – Adekunle Gold

    Nigerian music star Adekunle Gold has dismissed a viral rumour on social media claiming he underwent a bone marrow transplant.

    The speculation began after a Twitter user stated that the singer had undergone the medical procedure, saying, “Yes, he has, but since he’s had a bone marrow transplant, I don’t think it affects him that much anymore.”

    Reacting to the claim, Adekunle Gold expressed his disbelief about how the false information was being spread.

    “It’s how you people say things you don’t know with so much confidence. No, I haven’t done a bone marrow transplant,” he wrote in response.

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    The rumour appears to be linked to the singer’s public disclosure of his battle with sickle cell anaemia, which he addressed in his 2022 hit song “5 Star.”

    Despite the misinformation, Adekunle Gold stated that he has remained committed to advocacy and support for individuals living with the condition.

    He said through his foundation, he recently provided free health insurance to 1,000 individuals affected by sickle cell disorder.

  • Avoid helping others at your detriment – Actress Biodun Okeowo

    Avoid helping others at your detriment – Actress Biodun Okeowo

    Actress Biodun Okeowo popularly known as Omoborty has cautioned against helping others at the detriment of oneself.  

    On Instagram, she recounted a conversation with a colleague who was overwhelmed by over 560 help requests in his DMs, which made her reflect on her own experiences.

    According to her, she often finds herself using money meant for personal use to help others, stressing the importance of prioritising one’s own needs over generosity. 

    Omoborty warned that constantly responding to emotional appeals may eventually lead to becoming a cautionary tale, with people questioning what one did with their money.

    She concluded by urging people not to guilt-trip others into helping and to understand that everyone has their own responsibilities. 

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    She wrote: “Some of us will not like this caption! Because the truth is bitter! If you keep helping everybody, one day you’ll become the one who needs help… and they’ll ask you what you did with your money. Read that again.

    “A friend in the entertainment industry called to check on me yesterday. As we talked, he mentioned the crazy number of help requests in his DMs. I told him I barely opened mine because Instagram filters the DMs I see. I don’t know why. I even lost some deals due to this. That’s not the story for today.

    “He read few of the DMs, I screamed “Jesus!” Over 560 people asking for help? Some requests were so heavy, he said he has decided not to open his DM again! With some requests, you’d think he owns a bank. Honestly, something needs to be done. President, sir, please help. People are suffering. Still, let’s be real. Too many formats are flying around in Naija. You don’t even know who is genuine and who is lying to seek help. Yet, you can’t turn your back on every cry for help.

    “That call made me reflect. I’m in the same shoes. Sometimes, I want to do something for myself, only to realise I’ve already used the money to help others. So I gave myself this advice: help, but not at your own detriment. If you respond to every touching story, one day you’ll become a touching story too. And sadly, the same people clapping now will drag you later and ask, “What did you even do with your money when you had it?”

    “The truth is, we’re all trying. Let us keep hustling; God will crown our efforts.

    “One person cannot help everybody. Do the ones you can do and leave the rest. Even jollof rice no dey go round sometimes. Do the ones you can. “Iran meta o gbodo tosi” Some of our children didn’t meet a soft landing. They suffered with us. But the prayer is that their own children will meet ease, softness, and comfort we have never tasted.

    “How will that happen if every penny we make keeps going out? Please don’t guilt-trip people. If you ask someone for help but they can’t do it at that time, don’t see them as enemies or a wicked person. Everyone has their own responsibilities. Na as the head big reach, na so the headache dey big. May God help us all. Amen. “

  • Junior Pope’s wife pens emotional note as son graduates

    Junior Pope’s wife pens emotional note as son graduates

    Jennifer Odonwodo, the wife of late actor Junior Pope has remembered the deceased as their son graduates from primary school. 

    In an Instagram post, she expressed gratitude to God, referring to Him as the husband of the widow and the father of the fatherless.

    She thanked God for being present and supportive during difficult times.

    According to her, the graduation was bittersweet as Junior Pope had been looking forward to this day.

    Despite his absence, she assured him that his love, teachings, and memories will forever linger in their hearts. 

    She wrote: “Dear God, Thank You For Your Son Jason. Dear God, Thank You For Being The Husband Of The Widow And The FATHER Of The Fatherless…

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    “Dear God, Thank You For Always Being There And Coming Through Even When We’re Losing Hope And Do Not Know The Right Words To Say… Dear God, Thank You For Proving To Us That MMADUABUROCHUKWU…I Could Go On And On…

    “To Our Father In Heaven, I Know You’re So Proud Of Us…It Was A bittersweet experience On This Day Because It Was A Day You Actually Looked Up To…But We Carry Your Love Daily In Our Hearts, And Your Teachings And Memories Would Forever Linger…Keep Resting In God’s Bosom Jnr Pope Odonwodo….Keep Watching Over Us…We Love You Always!!!!

    Jennifer also expressed appreciation to everyone who has supported her and her children, saying, “To Everyone That Has Supported And Is Still Supporting Me Towards Raising My Kids, I Say Thank You…We Are Grateful.

    “Congratulations Son…It’s Indeed A Sweet Ending To A Greater New Beginning!!! God’s Presence All Day Every Day We Pray”.