The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Reality star Tolani Baj opens up on working 9-to-5 in America

    Reality star Tolani Baj opens up on working 9-to-5 in America

    Reality TV star and Disc Jockey, Tolani Baj, has opened up about her work experience in the United States and why she ultimately chose to return to Nigeria.

    In a series of throwback posts on Snapchat, Tolani said she struggled with the 9-to-5 job culture abroad and often looked forward to December, when she could travel back home.

    She revealed that she frequently thought about quitting her U.S. job to resettle in Nigeria, where she felt happier and more at ease.

    Read Also: Tolani Baj claims credit for inspiring J Hus’ collaboration with Drake

    “I hated working a 9-5 in America so bad. I would spend months counting down to Detty December, God Abeg. My everyday thoughts,” she wrote.

    Tolani added that she was constantly torn between staying in the U.S. and moving back permanently, but Nigeria always felt like the better choice.

  • Mercy Chinwo’s husband celebrates singer’s 200 million Spotify streams

    Mercy Chinwo’s husband celebrates singer’s 200 million Spotify streams

    Pastor Blessed Uzochikwa, husband of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, has celebrated her milestone of surpassing 200 million streams on Spotify, attributing the achievement to her obedience to God’s will.

    In a post on Instagram, Uzochikwa reflected on her musical journey, recalling that after winning Nigerian Idol in 2012, she had opportunities to pursue a secular music career but chose instead to wait on God’s timing.

    He noted that the decision required a four-year wait, but it eventually paid off, as seen in her current success.

    Pastor Blessed stressed that “God’s will always prevails,” describing Mercy’s story as evidence of the reward of faith and patience.

    He encouraged fans to remain steadfast, adding that choosing God might sometimes feel like a delay, but it is never a waste.

    Blessed wrote, “I got tagged on a post about @mercychinwo crossing 200M streams on Spotify. Honestly, I wanted to scroll past, but I felt led to share this.

    “In 2012, when she won Nigerian Idol, she had every chance to go secular. The fame was right there. But she chose obedience over compromise, and that decision cost her 4 years of waiting. It looked like a delay, but it wasn’t wasted.

    “Today, we see the reward of that obedience. Scripture says: “Don’t get tired of doing good, at the right time you’ll reap a harvest if you don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9). Truly, “those who honor Me, I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30). And we can boldly say, “overwhelming victory is ours through Christ” (Romans 8:37).

    “Her journey is proof that God’s will always prevails, and that’s why her new album is titled “In His Will.” I encourage you to keep streaming and let the songs bless you.

    “Stay focused. Stay courageous. Choosing God may look like a delay, but it will never be wasted”.By Yewande Fasan

    Pastor Blessed Uzochikwa, husband of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, has celebrated her milestone of surpassing 200 million streams on Spotify, attributing the achievement to her obedience to God’s will.

    In a post on Instagram, Uzochikwa reflected on her musical journey, recalling that after winning Nigerian Idol in 2012, she had opportunities to pursue a secular music career but chose instead to wait on God’s timing.

    Read Also: Mercy Chinwo prays for expectant mothers

    He noted that the decision required a four-year wait, but it eventually paid off, as seen in her current success.

    Pastor Blessed stressed that “God’s will always prevails,” describing Mercy’s story as evidence of the reward of faith and patience.

    He encouraged fans to remain steadfast, adding that choosing God might sometimes feel like a delay, but it is never a waste.

    Blessed wrote, “I got tagged on a post about @mercychinwo crossing 200M streams on Spotify. Honestly, I wanted to scroll past, but I felt led to share this.

    “In 2012, when she won Nigerian Idol, she had every chance to go secular. The fame was right there. But she chose obedience over compromise, and that decision cost her 4 years of waiting. It looked like a delay, but it wasn’t wasted.

    “Today, we see the reward of that obedience. Scripture says: “Don’t get tired of doing good, at the right time you’ll reap a harvest if you don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9). Truly, “those who honor Me, I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30). And we can boldly say, “overwhelming victory is ours through Christ” (Romans 8:37).

    “Her journey is proof that God’s will always prevails, and that’s why her new album is titled “In His Will.” I encourage you to keep streaming and let the songs bless you.

    “Stay focused. Stay courageous. Choosing God may look like a delay, but it will never be wasted”.

  • Hilda Baci’s mother attributes Guinness World record feat to prayer, God’s mercy

    Hilda Baci’s mother attributes Guinness World record feat to prayer, God’s mercy

    Hilda Baci’s mother has credited her daughter’s Guinness World Record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice to prayer, fasting, and divine intervention.

    The record-breaking dish, which weighed 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz), was prepared during a highly anticipated event at Eko Hotel.

    Speaking virtually during Pastor Jerry Eze’s NSPPD online morning service on Tuesday, Baci’s mother recalled how she and her daughter embarked on fasting and prayer ahead of the attempt.

    “She told me, ‘Mommy, we have to fast all through this week.’ I joined NSPPD every morning, prayed through the night, and placed the event before God,” she said, adding that her greatest prayer was that the occasion would not turn into shame.

    She recounted her initial fears when her daughter revealed plans to cook with 250 bags of rice in a six-metre-wide pot. “When I saw the pot, I was afraid. It was like my office. Even the cover had to be lifted by cranes,” she recalled.

    The massive effort eventually used 200 bags of rice, 20 goats, 30 gallons of oil, tomato paste, and seasoning, drawing a large crowd of supporters.

    Baci’s mother testified that they prayed against accidents or setbacks, particularly the risk of the giant pot leaking.

    “That would have turned joy into disaster. But God did it,” she said, affirming that the success was proof of God’s mercy.

    She concluded by echoing a popular phrase from the NSPPD altar: “What God cannot do does not exist.”

     “When I saw the crowd, I just said, what God cannot do does not exist. Father, no one will collapse here, no death, no accident, no evil report. And that was how it ended, everything in praise,” she said.

    Read Also: Guinness World Records confirms Hilda Baci’s largest jollof rice feat

    Breaking into gratitude, she said, “Guinness has called us. My daughter has broken the record twice. Two-time record holder. Who is Hilda? Who is Hilda’s father? Who is Hilda’s mother?

    “What is our family name? For us to pull such a crowd, it can only be God.”

    On Monday, Guinness World Records confirmed the achievement, stating, “New record,” Largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice – 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz) achieved by Hilda Baci and Gino in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.”

    Baci herself also celebrated on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “We have done it again #nigeria #hildabaci.”

    The chef, who first shot to fame with her Guinness cook-a-thon attempt in 2023, now holds two world records, cementing her place as one of Nigeria’s most prominent culinary figures.

  • Dayo Amusa shares HIV test result, urges fans to know their status

    Dayo Amusa shares HIV test result, urges fans to know their status

    Actress Dayo Amusa has revealed her updated HIV test result on Instagram as part of a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of knowing one’s status.

    In her post dated September 15, 2025, Amusa highlighted the benefits of testing, including access to early treatment, prevention of transmission, improved health outcomes, peace of mind, protection of loved ones, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and a reduction in stigma.

    She stressed that getting tested is not just a personal responsibility but also a way of safeguarding others.

    “To whom it may concern. Updated result dated 15th September 2025. I still feel the need to encourage individuals to get tested and to know their HIV status. It is better to know your status so you can guide yourself and save others, too. You don’t have to die before death comes,” she wrote.

    Amusa concluded by reminding her followers that regular testing is vital for their health and overall well-being.

    “Allows you to start an early treatment as soon as possible. Preventing transmission helps reduce the spread of HIV within the community. Improves health outcomes and the development of serious illnesses. Gives you Peace of mind, as knowing your status can alleviate anxiety and provide a sense of control over your health.

    Read Also: Dayo Amusa forgives TikTok creator over false HIV report

    “Preventing mother-to-child transmission as this lowers the risk of transmitting HIV to your baby. It helps protect your loved ones by getting tested and taking appropriate actions to protect your partners and other family members from potential infection. Reducing stigma and discrimination as they contribute to greater community awareness and a reduction in stigma associated with HIV. IRE Ooooooooo”.

    Dayo Amusa’s decision to share her test results comes after she forgave a TikToker who falsely accused her of being HIV positive.

    She had initially threatened to take legal action but decided to withdraw her petition after learning of the creator’s recent loss and meeting his relatives.

  • Terry G links Nigerians’ struggles to poor parental upbringing

    Terry G links Nigerians’ struggles to poor parental upbringing

    Afrobeats singer Terry G has said that poor parental upbringing plays a major role in the challenges many Nigerians face in life.

    In a post on X, he explained that negative words spoken by parents can damage children’s self-esteem, leaving lasting effects into adulthood.

    According to him, when people express self-doubt or limit themselves, they are often echoing what they repeatedly heard from their parents while growing up.

    Read Also: I will never retire from music, Terry G declares

    Terry G urged Nigerians to break the cycle by embracing a positive mindset, stressing that individuals can rise above such limitations and reach their full potential by changing the way they think.

    Terry G wrote, “Our Nigerian parents really do many of us strong things. The point I’m making is this: when you come under my post saying you’ll never make it, that’s not really you speaking, it’s the voice of what you grew up hearing at home. When you say, ‘you can’t do this, you can’t do that,’ you’re only repeating what your father and mother told you growing up.

    “Now you see you’ve carried that same energy into adulthood, and that’s why many are stuck in failure. It’s time to break that cycle. It’s time to change that mindset”.

  • Rotimikeys brings Afro-Christian sound to London stage

    Rotimikeys brings Afro-Christian sound to London stage

    Nigerian producer, songwriter, and minister RotimiKeys delivered a commanding performance at The Lighthouse Theatre, London, headlining Gaise Baba’s No Turning Back tour.

    This highlighted both his personal impact and the broader international reach of Christian and gospel music.

    The concert drew a diverse audience and featured performances by Gaise Baba, Lawrence Oyor, Bez, and other gospel artists.

    RotimiKeys’ set stood out as he performed This Year, Ayo, Light, and Ore Ofe Sha, seamlessly blending live instrumentation with faith-focused lyrics. The atmosphere shifted from concert to worship, with many in the audience moved to heartfelt worship and shouts of praise.

    Reflecting on the moment, RotimiKeys said, “As a Christian creative, the frontiers of what we know as Christian and gospel music are expanding radically and breaking borders globally. God is the one driving this move; I’m just blessed to be a humble vessel being used by Him. Everywhere I go, I want the world to see the light of God in me and glorify my Father in heaven.”

    Born Akinfenwa Rotimi, RotimiKeys is a multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and producer with nearly two decades of experience shaping Nigeria’s music scene. He is the founder and creative director of SonG23 Productions, a Lagos-based production outfit where he has produced music for some of Nigeria’s biggest names, including Asa, Bez, Nathaniel Bassey, Omawumi, and Yemi Alade. His work also extends into advertising and sound design, with jingles and campaign themes created for brands such as MTN, Etisalat, Pepsi, Gulder, and Indomie.

    Beyond production, he has released his own body of work, including the Wild Colours EP (2016), Life is Beautiful (2020), and singles like Onise Iyanu (2022), Ore Ofe Sha (2023), and This Year (2024). His music is known for its fusion of African rhythms, contemporary Christian and gospel, and uplifting messages rooted in faith.

    RotimiKeys’ London appearance highlights a wider trend of African Christian and gospel music gaining traction on global stages. While traditional gospel has long had international audiences, the current wave of Nigerian and African creatives is introducing new sounds, languages, and performance styles that are resonating with younger, more diverse listeners.

    For RotimiKeys, this expansion is less about personal acclaim and more about serving a higher purpose. His performance in London affirmed his dual identity as both a gifted artist and a minister intent on pointing audiences back to faith.

    With the advent of new Christian and gospel artists bringing gospel voices to new audiences across Europe, RotimiKeys’ role in this movement signals a shift in how Christian and gospel music is perceived worldwide, no longer confined to churches or regional audiences, but breaking barriers and influencing mainstream spaces.

    For those in attendance at The Lighthouse Theatre, the night was more than entertainment; it was a statement about gospel music’s evolving place on the global stage, with RotimiKeys at the forefront of that story.

  • Dayo Amusa forgives TikTok creator over false HIV report

    Dayo Amusa forgives TikTok creator over false HIV report

    Nollywood actress Dayo Amusa has forgiven TikTok content creator Olaoluwa Segun (popularly known as unofficial_olas001), who falsely accused her of being HIV positive.

    Amusa had initially threatened legal action in July after Olaoluwa listed her among five Nigerian actors allegedly living with HIV, despite her 2019 post confirming she was HIV negative and encouraging fans to get tested.

    In a recent video, the actress revealed that she chose forgiveness after meeting Olaoluwa’s relatives and learning about his personal struggles.

    Read Also: Dayo Amusa threatens to sue content creator over alleged false HIV claim

    “I did promise to make him a scapegoat, which I did, but along the line I realised he just lost his mum. I got to realise he is just a 27-year-old boy. I also got to meet his relatives, including his uncle,” she explained.

    She shared a clip of Olaoluwa’s apology, captioning her post: “Case closed. To err is human, to forgive is divine. Making mistakes is a natural and inherent part of being human. Let’s be guided.”

    Olaoluwa, who admitted the toll of his actions, described his two-day detention as one of the worst experiences of his life, second only to the pain of losing his mother.

     “I spent two days locked up in Yaba Panti. Aside from losing my mum, that was the worst experience of my life,” he said.

    “I want to thank Aunty Dayo Amusa for forgiving me. If not for the fact that she changed her mind and forgave me, I would have been there for a long time. I don’t pray to ever sleep in a cell again,” he added.

  • Guinness World Records confirms Hilda Baci’s largest jollof rice feat

    Guinness World Records confirms Hilda Baci’s largest jollof rice feat

    Guinness World Records has officially recognized Hilda Baci’s achievement for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, weighing 8,780 kilograms (19,356 lb 9 oz).

    The record was set in partnership with Gino on Friday, September 12, 2025, at Victoria Island, Lagos, drawing massive attention both on social media and at the venue.

    Dignitaries such as Ogun State First Lady, Bamidele Abiodun, and actress Funke Akindele praised Baci’s resilience during the event.

    Read Also: Jumoke Odetola defends Hilda Baci amid criticism of record-breaking jollof rice cookathon

    According to Guinness World Records, “New Record: Largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice – 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz) achieved by Hilda Baci and Gino in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.”

    For the feat, Baci used 200 bags of rice, totaling 4,000 kilograms, cooked in a specially designed 22,619-liter capacity pot, which she aimed to fill up to 80%. The meal was large enough to feed over 20,000 people.

    Guinness World Records also sent Baci words of encouragement during her attempt, wishing her success in the record-breaking challenge.

  • Hilda Baci’s jollof rice event exposed Nigeria’s reality – TikToker Peller

    Hilda Baci’s jollof rice event exposed Nigeria’s reality – TikToker Peller

    TikToker Peller has playfully mocked the massive turnout at Hilda Baci’s record-breaking jollof rice event, saying it reflected how hungry Nigerians are.

    He recounted how a friend travelled from Ikorodu to Lagos Island just to taste Hilda’s jollof rice, teasing that life must be tough if someone would go to such lengths for food.

    Read Also: Wizkid collaboration would elevate my status – TikToker Peller

    “That Hilda Baci’s cooking event [made me realise] Nigerians is (sic) very hungry. E get one of my friends that time, from Ikorodu, him come Hilda Baci’s cooking event, I swear to God. I said, Taiwo, your life has blended. And that guy I dey always how him love o. I don’t know how his life took a turn like that,” he said.

    The record-breaking attempt took place on Friday, September 12, 2025, at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, where Hilda Baci successfully cooked a massive pot of jollof rice.

    The event drew a large crowd, with many people eager to sample the dish and witness the Guinness World Record attempt.

    By attempting the largest pot of jollof rice, Hilda Baci spotlighted Nigeria’s version of the delicacy while honouring the shared culinary traditions of West Africa.

  • Pastor Tobi Adegboyega shares recovery update after cancer surgery

    Pastor Tobi Adegboyega shares recovery update after cancer surgery

    Nigerian-born pastor and founder of the now-defunct SPAC Nation, Tobi Adegboyega, has given a health update following cancer surgery.

    In a video message, he said he is recovering well and preparing for the next phase of his treatment, which includes chemotherapy.

    Adegboyega expressed gratitude for the support from his congregation and loved ones, noting that his family is stronger than ever and the church is thriving.

    Despite the health challenge, the cleric said he remains determined and courageous, choosing to confront his diagnosis head-on.

    He said, “This is proof of life. I’m alive and I’m recovering. I have gone through the surgery, and then there is the chemotherapy treatment afterwards. When you say this to Nigerians, they will say it is not your portion in Jesus’ name, but it was my portion, and I have faced it like a man should.

    Read Also: Pastor Tobi Adegboyega opens up on cancer diagnosis, healing process

    “I’m grateful for the prayers and support. I’m recovering, the church is thriving, the family is stronger than it was,” he said.

    He also mentioned plans to open a new business, which was built without any external investors.

    “God has blessed us with more people, and you will see the business we are opening. We built the business ourselves without any investors. I just made this video to assure you that I’m recovering well and I’m fine”, he added.

    In June, the UK-based cleric revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer and had undergone the surgery required.

    “I have been dealing with cancer for the past few months, or maybe more. And I just had a major surgery. And that is why I am not there today. I feel the verdict to continue to live was given to me by God,” he said.