The Nation Newspaper

Category: Celebrity

  • Stephanie Linus partners SNEPCO/NNPC to treat 25 VVF patients in Sokoto

    Nollywood actress and producer, Stephanie Linus, has been showing that her movie, ‘Dry’ which espouses the issues of child bride and fistula is more than just a movie, but a tool for touching the lives of women actually living with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF).

    This was as 25 women formerly living with VVF in Sokoto State have received free repair surgeries, courtesy of a collaboration of SNEPCo/NNPC and Extended Hands, the foundation started by Stephanie.

    VVF is a serious challenge  that can be experienced by women after childbirth whereby a hole develops between the vagina and the bladder, resulting in uncontrollable leaking of urine through the vagina.

    The treatment at the Maryam Abacha Woman and Children (VVF Hospital) Sultan Bello Road, Sokoto was carried out by a team of medical staff led by Dr Sa’ad Idris, a VVF surgeon and former Commissioner for Health in Zamfara State with over 20 years experience in the field. He was assisted by Dr Halima Bello a VVF surgeon, Chief Medical Director Dr Lawal Bello, Chief Matron Hamsai Abdullahi Wisso, and other doctors and nurses at the VVF center.

    Stephanie started the foundation to give VVF patients a chance of  living normal lives through free repair surgeries.

  • Hero dazzles fans with music fiesta

    The Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium in Onitsha, Anambra State, came alive penultimate Friday, as Duncan Mighty, Timaya, Harrysong, Omawunmi, Reekado Banks and Rudeboy, one half of PSquare and other artistes, took to the stage to thrill the crowd at the fourth edition of the Hero Lager fiesta themed ‘Bridge edition’.

    Poised as a brand that represents the southeast, Hero was launched into the Nigerian market in August 2012, working its way into the hearts of consumers in the South Eastern region who christened the beer ‘Oh Mpa’, in reverence and as a mark of respect (Mpa means father in Igbo language). The premium lager, Hero, was also only recently knighted with a new crown cork -a Red Cork and with the title of ‘Dike Mba Nile.’

    Speaking at the event, Marketing Director, International Breweries, Plc., Mrs. Tolu Adedeji said every year, the Hero fiesta attracts thousands of fans who are loyal to the brand and appreciate what it stands for.

    “We made the decision to make Onitsha the venue of our annual fiesta as a way of appreciating the acceptance and the loyalty enjoyed by Hero Lager beer and it gets bigger and better with each passing year,” Adedeji said.

    “We hope to continue bringing so much value to our customers and maintaining the good relationship.”

    Marketing Manager, Hero Lager, Obumneke Okoli, said, “Hero is a well-established brand in the eastern part of the country and International Breweries Plc. is tremendously thrilled to bring to them a night packed with fun and excitement as a way of expressing our unwavering gratitude to our Igbo brothers.”

    Hero fiesta is an annual music extravaganza put together by International Breweries to celebrate its customers for their loyalty, while identifying with the culture of the people, particularly those resident in the South-Eastern part of the country.

  • OLAMIDE TEASES FANS WITH REVIVAL POSTER

    In line with his latest single titled ‘Poverty Die’, which was released on November 29, 2018, Olamide, known for his uniqueness, released a revival poster in which he wore a white garment and held a bell.

    The revival themed ‘Poverty Die’, as shown in the poster is meant to be a three-day power-packed revival with Pastor Olamide Badoo, and musical ministration by Pheelz packaged by YBNL Charismatic Ministries, which has made his followers on Instagram asking if the crusade is really holding.

    “My brothers and sisters in the lord,” Olamide wrote.

    “If you are tired of audio money, please let’s all meet here on Thursday for the revival poverty must die.”

    Since the release of the video on his social media platform coming in form of a cartoon which sees Badoo praying on a hill with money stacked in bags by his left. The design also has another cloudy cartoon character with the name ‘poverty’ coming by his left as he left up the cross to send it away every time it tried  to come near him.

    The song comes across like a prayer song putting an end to poverty, making his fans wonder if the artiste is also trying to go gospel.

  • WINNING AFRIMA DREAM COME TRUE – PRAIZ

    Multiple award-winning artiste, Praiz, couldn’t just hold back his emotions last weekend during the All Africa Music Awards held in Ghana as he was announced the winner in the category that he was nominated.

    The X3M Music artiste won the Best Artiste in African R&B and Soul with his song, ‘Champagne and Flowers.’ He beat other notable acts in  Africa, including Nigeria’s Banky W, to clinch the award.

    “I feel so excited that I won,” said Praiz who couldn’t hide his excitement.

    “It is just like a dream come true. I really want to thank all my fans who voted for me. I dedicate the award to my team in X3M, Steve Babaeko, Wale and so many others who have been there for me. I cannot also forget my producer. I love you guys.”

  • AY, Omoni Oboli star in Hollywood Xmas film

    Nollywood stars Ayo ‘AY’ Makun and Omoni Oboli have been unveiled as part of the voice cast of the movie ‘Elliott: The Littlest Reindeer’ featuring Josh Hutcherson (Hunger Games) and Hollywood greats Morena Baccarin (Deadpool 1&2, Homeland), top comedian and ventriloquist, Jeff Dunham and Emmy and Tony award winning Martin Short and John Cleese which is set for a December 14th holiday-season release in cinemas across Nigeria, distributed by FilmOne.

    Award-winning writer and director, Jennifer Westcott directed this story about a determined miniature horse who travels to the North Pole with his pal Hazel the goat to win a spot on Santa’s celebrated sleigh team.

    The collaboration came about through Studio partners based in South Africa after seeing the need for two worlds to come together and make cinematic history.

    Speaking on the development, Empire Entertainment the license holder of “Elliott: The Littlest Reindeer”, expressed their excitement in exploring how this new opportunity can both encourage and open new avenues for future collaboration.

    Kene Okwuosa and Moses Babatope, the Directors at FilmOne Distribution and Production, who contributed majorly to this collaboration and currently working on future alliances stated how pleased they are to be distributing the movie even more so because of the inclusion of the Nollywood cast in the project.

    “AY and Omoni are two very talented/ground breaking Actors and Producers who we have had been very fortunate to work with on varied projects; it was only a natural fit for this especially with 2 actors which such strong family values and family is very important to us at FilmOne,” said Kene.

    “Their inclusion as part of the cast for this movie portends great things for future collaboration between Nollywood and Hollywood” said Moses. “Decisions and collaborations like these further show how much the world looks at Nollywood and how it is continuously making its mark. We hope for this to be a stepping stone for more to come.”

    Speaking on their involvement with the project, Ay and Omoni both expressed their delight, as parents themselves, at being a part of a project that was sure to bring some of that Christmas cheer to not just children but also all lovers of animated movies in Nigeria and also something the family can share together this holiday season.

  • Spunkies wins Face of Images Housemates season 2

    The second season of Face of Images Housemates TV reality has ended with Ologunwa Oyinkansola aka Spunkies as the winner of the cash prize worth five million naira and a car.

    Face of Images Housemates is a platform that showcases  the lifestyle of talented Nigerian youths, and the opportunity to project their talents and creativities in areas of entertainment to the world.

    The show, which was aired on TV stations from October 27 to  November 25, had 48 contestants live in an isolated house for 30 days to compete in tasks revolving around their talents.

    “It has been fun, education and challenging for the past 31 days at the Face of Images House,” Spunkies said at a press conference in Lagos.

    “Scaling through the audition process and the camping is an amazing experience for me. I got to meet different kind of people with different characters in the house and I was opportune to meet many celebrities who served as motivation and encouragement. I think, I am so lucky to be crowned  the winner as I have different talented housemates.”

    Other winners are Pedro who clinched the first runner-up; Eucharia Chibuzo Uwakwe aka UK (second runner-up) and Onyekwelu Chinelo Golden (third runner-up).

    The show featured finalists selected from different spheres including Michael Edet Okon, Abubakareem Alli, Debby Thompson, Ojeli Isaac and GGee.

    Meanwhile, the organisers, twin brothers Emmanuel and Joseph Etim said Nigeria needs a new breed of talent in the creative industry, hence the need to project talents via the reality show.

    “The show is focused more on finding youths who are highly creative but don’t have a platform that to propel them,” said Joseph.

    “We are here to make these people stars.”

  • Eniola Ajao stars in ‘Yeye Alara’

    Sultry actress, Eniola Ajao is out with a new flick titled ‘Yeye Alara,’ which was released into the market on Monday, November 19, 2018 by Gemini Films and Music Marketing Company.

    The movie is about power, envy, betrayal and love for humanity. And Eniola, who is currently a brand ambassador of betting company, PaddyPaddyBet, played the lead role as Yeye Alara in the movie, while rave of the moment in Yoruba contemporary movies, Odunlade Adekola, played the character, Dongari.

    In the movie, Yeye Alara is a powerful woman who uses her power to rescue people from the clutches of oppressors, but no one is clean. Does she have any skeleton in her closet? How easy is it to transform from nobody to somebody?

    The movie also stars actors like Prince Jide Kosoko, Yinka Quadri, Bolaji Amusan, a.k.a Mr. Latin, Ireti Osayemi. Other casts in the movie include Babatunde Aderinoye, Olaniyan Tosin, Lola Afolayan, a.k.a Lola Idije, Owolabi Ajasa, Ademola Amoo, Feranmi Oyalowo, and comedian, Dr. Smile.

  • MC Galaxy gifts colleague’s mum N300K

    Innocent Udeme Udofot, known as MC Galaxy, has revealed that the secret of his success is giving.

    On Monday, he put a smile on the face of rising star comedian – Whalemouth’s parent when he paid a visit to their home and gifted the sum of N300, 000 cash to his mum, which he promised her during the comedian’s show which held on November 18, at the MUSON Centre.

    The Nigerian singer and songwriter, who reportedly rose to fame after winning the Davido dance competition in 2012, wrote, “@whalemouth1 you are real and I gat u for life.”

    Whalemouth expressed shock at the gesture.

    “I’m still in shock,” he wrote.

    “Thank you once again @mcgalaxy I didn’t invite you officially yet you came to honour me, performed for free and as well promised my mom, 300k. You were the first person to call me this morning and personally came to the hotel to give her the money. Only a few in the world can do this, especially in an industry where fake love is all that exists. @mcgalaxy my God will bless you. My Mum and Dad are so glad right now”.

    Actress etinosa Idemudia also speaking on the generosity of the entertainer wrote on her Instagram, “Awwwww @mcgalaxymcg also supported me when I was set to release my movie- The Washerman. He is bae for life! I’m sure if this was a scandal the gist would have trended smh. Please let’s learn to celebrate positivity; people with a heart of gold”.

    MC Galaxy currently runs his own record label, MCG Entertainment. In March 2014, he released his first single, “Sekem”, under his label MCG Entertainment. And the video for the song, directed by Patrick Ellis, released June 2014, reportedly garnered over four million views on Youtube.

  • Family releases Baba Sala’s burial activities

    The family of the  veteran comedian Senior Elder Apostle Dr. Moses Olaiya Adejumo, popularly known as Baba Sala has released the programme of activities for the burial.

    The activities which are  slated to hold between November 28 and December 7, 2018, would begin with a symposium and public lecture at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. This would be followed by a mega music concert at the Blue Roof, Lagos Televsion (LTV). Many artistes and entertainers are expected to grace the event.

    Read also: Farewell to the King of Comedy – Moses Olaiya (Alias Baba Sala)

    On December 5, the body will lie in state  at the Cultural  Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State, while a service of song is scheduled to hold at the Sacred Cherubim & Seraphim Church, Idasa Parish, Ilesa, Osun State. On December 6, there will be a Christian wake-keep/artiste night at his residence, followed by internment at the Sacred Cherium & Seraphim Church, Idasa Parish, Ilesa, Osun State.

    The late Adejumo, a member of the Order of the Niger (MON), comedian, dramatist and actor died on October 7, in Ilesa, Osun State. He was aged 81.

  • Lady runs off with Falz’s Jacket at MTN Pulse Invasion, Kwara

    An excited young lady grinned in satisfaction as she grabbed onto Falz’s jacket during the Surprise Celebrity Visit of the MTN Pulse Campus Invasion. Popular Nigerian artiste, Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana, had just handed her his jacket, to the screaming delight of the hundreds of people who had thronged UNILORIN to watch what would happen at the Pulse Invasion.

    This was the second time the artiste had appeared on the Invasion train as he had thrilled the students of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta (MAPOLY) and the Federal University of Abeokuta (FUNAAB), in October.

    The Invasion berthed at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) and was later taken to Kwara State Polytechnic, on Monday, November 12 with the Sales Village experience. Students gathered around the Village for three days to play and have fun as they interacted with various MTN products and services.

    On Wednesday afternoon, hundreds of students and passersby gathered around the Pulse Invasion Surprise Celebrity Venue to watch curiously, for what would happen. Their curiosity was sated when Falz walked into the school to meet a screaming audience waiting for him. He performed chart toppers and the screams of excitement continued throughout the show. The love for the star was apparent when he handed over his jacket to a fan in the audience who wore it like a badge of honour.