The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Fans gifts BBNaija’s Dede N30 million, luxury gifts on 24th birthday

    Fans gifts BBNaija’s Dede N30 million, luxury gifts on 24th birthday

    Big Brother Naija season 10 runner-up Ifechukwude Ashiogwu popularly known as Dede, has received N30 million from her fans dubbed the “Devass” as she turns 24 today, October 23.

    At an intimate gathering, the reality TV sensation received other luxury items, marking a memorable milestone in her rising career.

    Footage shared across social media captured Dede’s emotional reaction as fans presented the multimillion-naira cheque with luxury items, including high-end wigs, fashion pieces, premium shoes, a camera worth approximately N3 million, spa vouchers for herself and her mother, grocery vouchers, and ornate money boxes.

    Read Also: Dede opens up about BBNAIJA experience

    Dede expressed deep gratitude, calling the gesture “a blessing beyond imagination.”

  • Laycon returns with first single ‘Everyday Anthem’ in two years

    Laycon returns with first single ‘Everyday Anthem’ in two years

    Former Big Brother Naija winner and rapper Olamilekan Agbeleshe popularly known as Laycon has announced his musical comeback with the release of his first single in two years, titled “Everyday Anthem.”

    The announcement marks a significant moment for the artist, who has been absent from the music scene during a period he tagged deep personal reflection.

    In a statement on X, Laycon revealed that the past few months have been a transformative journey, as he grappled with questions about his purpose and life choices.

    “The past few months for me have been about the ‘why’ — why I do what I do and why I’ve made the choices I’ve made. Trust me, the search for these answers took me into the craziest phase of my life,” he wrote.

    The rapper promised to share more details of this introspective experience with his audience, but not before unveiling the results through his new music.

    “I will share this experience with you. I promise you I will. But not before I show you the result of what that experience brings”, he added.

    Read Also: How BBNaija transformed our lives- Ex-housemates Ebuka, Laycon, others

    “Everyday Anthem” is poised to offer listeners a glimpse into the personal evolution that has reshaped his sound and perspective.

    Laycon described the track as his “Everyday Anthem,” hinting at its universal appeal and personal significance.

    While teasing additional projects in the pipeline, Laycon urged fans to focus on the present moment, saying, “Let’s take it one day at a time.”

    “My first single in two years is Everyday Anthem, and Everyday Anthem is a glimpse of what that experience gave me. There’s more to come, but for now let’s not worry about that, let’s take it one day at a time… this is my Everyday Anthem”, he concluded.

    The single’s release signals the start of what could be a revitalised era in his career, following his rise to fame after winning Big Brother Naija in 2020 and the success of his debut album, Shall We Begin, in 2021.

  • Bella Shmurda confirms Fola’s signing to Dangbana Republik

    Bella Shmurda confirms Fola’s signing to Dangbana Republik

    Afrobeats singer Bella Shmurda has confirmed that fast-rising artist Fola has officially joined his record label, Dangbana Republik. 

    The Cash App crooner made the announcement during an interview with Naija 102 FM, clearing the air on rumours surrounding Fola’s status with the label.

    “Fola is signed under Dangbana Republik; he’s with us, we’re family,” he said.

    According to Bella, Fola’s signing is a reward to their long-standing connection, which dates back several years.

    He revealed that Fola has been working with Dangbana Republik for over four years, and the decision to make the partnership official was driven by a desire to support Fola’s career growth.

    “I’ve known Fola for over four years. He’s been with Dangbana Republik, always working with us.

    Read Also: Kunmie hails Bella Shmurda after collaboration on new song ‘Sanity’

    “One day, I just decided with my team that it was time to support this boy in our own way. And to God be the glory, that little support turned into something big,” he said.

    Under Dangbana Republik, Fola will maintain creative freedom while receiving professional guidance.

    Bella emphasised that the label’s priority is to put Fola on the right path, protect his craft, and ensure he has liberty with his creativity.

    “It’s about putting him on the right path, protecting his craft, and making sure he has liberty with his creativity,” he noted.

    Fola has already gained recognition for his collaboration with Bella Shmurda on Dangbana Riddim and his hit track Alone featuring Bhadboi OML. 

    Bella expressed his gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead, stating that he, the team, and Fola are all happy about the development.

    “I thank God for giving me that instinct to move forward with what I believe in. I’m happy, the team is happy, and Fola himself is happy, everybody’s happy,” he added.

  • Why healing is key to rising – Tonto Dikeh

    Why healing is key to rising – Tonto Dikeh

    Actress Tonto Dikeh has spoken on the importance of healing and how necessary it is to the human body and soul. 

    In a post on Instagram, Dikeh acknowledged that healing is a painful and messy journey that forces us to confront our deepest wounds.

    However, she emphasised that staying broken is a far worse fate, as unresolved pain can seep into every aspect of our lives and drain our joy.

    Dikeh encouraged followers to face their pain head-on, trusting in God’s plan and timing.

    She reminded them that they don’t need to understand every step of the journey, but simply keep moving forward, believing, and showing up for the future God has prepared.

    Read Also: How God rescued me from attempted suicide -Tonto Dikeh

    She wrote: “Be brave enough to heal, even when the healing feels like a war within. Healing isn’t easy, it’s messy, painful, and uncomfortable. Restoration is rarely gentle,It exposes wounds we tried to bury and asks us to confront what once broke us. But staying broken is far worse.

    “Pain doesn’t go away when ignored. It seeps into everything, draining your joy, and leaving you stuck in survival mode. Healing means facing that pain, letting yourself feel, and choosing to grow through it. (Psalm 147:3). Healing is God’s invitation to trust Him with the places we tried to fix alone.

    “You don’t need to understand every step. All Heaven asks is that you keep moving. Keep believing. Keep showing up for the future God has prepared. You are worth the miracle that is coming.

    “One day, you will look back with holy awe, realizing the fire was temporary, but the strength forged in it became eternal. What was meant to break you will become the testimony that sets others free.

    “STAYING BROKEN WAS NEVER AN OPTION. You were always meant to heal
    You were chosen to heal. You were Anointed to rise”.

  • Blaqbonez speaks on improved relationship with father

    Blaqbonez speaks on improved relationship with father

    Rapper Blaqbonez has revealed the relationship with his father has significantly improved following their reunion in January 2025.

    The rapper, whose real name is Emeka Akumefule, recently met his German step-siblings for the first time, marking a new chapter in his family life.

    Read Also: Value music quality over manipulated charts – Blaqbonez

    In a recent episode of The Perspective podcast, Blaqbonez disclosed that his bond with his dad is stronger than ever, stating, “My relationship with my dad is getting stronger and stronger. We are talking more than ever before. It is better than it has ever been”.

    When questioned about his father’s motivations for reconnecting, Blaqbonez emphasised that his dad’s actions were genuine and not driven by his fame, adding that his father is not based in Nigeria and largely unaware of his celebrity status.

  • Lojay lauds Olamide’s verse on collaborative track ‘Suru’

    Lojay lauds Olamide’s verse on collaborative track ‘Suru’

    Afrobeats singer Lojay has praised rapper Olamide for outstanding contribution to their collaborative track, ‘Suru’.

    Lojay, on X, expressed his admiration for Olamide’s creativity and lyrical skill on the verse, describing it as genius.

    He confessed that he has love forever for Olamide for the second verse on Suru, stating that only God knows how he does it.

    Read Also: Olamide is my inspiration, says Bolu The Rapper

    “Love forever to @Olamide for the second verse on ‘Suru’! Na only God know how you dey do am,” he wrote. 

    The post has garnered significant attention from fans, who have echoed Lojay’s sentiments and praised the chemistry between the two artists.

    Olamide’s verse on Suru has been widely acclaimed for its smooth flow and signature style, complementing Lojay’s melodic delivery.

  • Paddy Adenuga announces engagement, credits God for ‘forever love’

    Paddy Adenuga announces engagement, credits God for ‘forever love’

    Paddy Adenuga, son of billionaire businessman Dr. Mike Adenuga, has announced engagement to his partner.

    In a social media post on Tuesday, Adenuga shared a photo with a caption expressing  gratitude to God for blessing him with forever love.

    Read Also: Paddy Adenuga’s gentility isn’t act of cowardice

    “My faith in God never wavered.. and in return He blessed me with YOU. My forever love,” he captioned the post.

    The announcement has sparked widespread congratulations and well-wishes from friends, family, and fans.

     Adenuga’s fiancée has not been publicly identified and details about the upcoming wedding are yet to be disclosed.

  • Actress Regina Chukwu condemns verbal abuse against women

    Actress Regina Chukwu condemns verbal abuse against women

    Actress Regina Chukwu has condemned verbal abuse in relationships, stating that it is equally as damaging as physical abuse.

    Addressing men, Chukwu, in an Instagram post, emphasised that hurtful words can have a lasting impact on a woman’s emotional well-being, causing irreparable damage to her heart, confidence and peace.

    According to Chukwu, the effects of verbal abuse can be profound and long-lasting, altering the dynamics of a relationship forever.

    She urged men to be mindful of their words and to treat their partners with respect and kindness.

    “Verbally abusing your woman is just as bad as hitting her, because those words echo in places no apology can reach. 

    “You might not leave marks on her skin, but you’ll leave damage on her heart, her confidence, and her peace. And once a woman’s peace is gone, you’ll never get the same version of her again,” she wrote.

  • Bella Shmurda decries escalating music promotion costs

    Bella Shmurda decries escalating music promotion costs

    Afrobeat star Abiola Ahmed Akinbiyi popularly known as Bella Shmurda, has expressed concerns over the soaring costs of music promotion, which he says are discouraging Nigerian artists from releasing new projects, particularly albums.

    Speaking in an interview with Naija FM Lagos, the “Cash App” hitmaker highlighted how financial constraints are pushing artists toward singles, as the expenses for larger projects become prohibitive.

    Read Also: Portable slams Bella Shmurda over comment on possible collaboration

    Bella Shmurda noted that promoting an album, which typically includes 10 to 14 tracks, demands a significantly larger budget than a single song.

    He outlined the costly components, such as radio airplay and music video production, revealing that the baseline cost for a single music video has skyrocketed to N20 million.

    He said: “To release an album, you need a huge budget, unlike singles. Because for albums, you’re promoting 10 to 14 songs all at once. It’s a lot.

    “Promoting songs on the radio, shooting videos for five, six songs, is a lot. These days, the least you can spend on a music video is N20 million. So, how many artists can afford to shoot five videos?”

    He attributed these rising costs to Nigeria’s economic challenges, including inflation, which has inflated production and promotional expenses.

  • Moses Bliss honours mother with emotional first birthday celebration

    Moses Bliss honours mother with emotional first birthday celebration

    Gospel singer Moses Bliss has organised a birthday celebration for his mother, marking the first time in her life she was honored in this way.

    The milestone event, which brought the artist to tears, addressed the fact that his mother’s exact birth date had never been known, leading Bliss to designate a special day to celebrate her.

    “Today, I cried. For the first time in my mother’s entire life, we celebrated her birthday. All these years, we never knew the exact day she was born so I decided to fix a day just to honour her. And it meant the world to me,” he wrote.

    In a post, Bliss described his mother’s lifelong selflessness, noting that she had never prioritised her own birthday, focusing instead on pouring love and care into others.

    Read Also: Moses Bliss denies involvement in Cotonou concert

    He said her revelation that she had forgotten about celebrating birthdays struck a chord with him, expressing profound gratitude for her sacrifices, faith, and unwavering love.

    “In her words, she said: “I had never thought about birthdays and I totally forgot about celebrating birthdays. Hearing that broke me. This woman has spent her whole life pouring into others, never once pausing to be celebrated herself.

    “Seeing her smile, watching her receive love and honour, it was one of the most emotional moments of my life. I cried because she deserves the world.”

    He described witnessing her joy and receiving love as one of the most moving experiences of his life, calling her a divine gift.

    “Happy birthday, Mummy. Thank you for your sacrifices, your faith, and your love that never fades. You are my gift from God, and today we made history together,” he stated.