The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Adebayo Faleke launches Core Room podcast

    Adebayo Faleke launches Core Room podcast

    Nigerian broadcaster and media entrepreneur Adebayo Faleke has unveiled a new podcast, Core Room, on TV Afrikana, a rapidly growing digital broadcast platform.

    The podcast, Faleke noted, is aimed at redefining public conversations through depth, reflection and intellectual honesty.

    Explaining the motivation behind the project, Faleke said the podcast was created to provide a space “where conversations are not rushed, sensationalised or compromised,” adding that it is “a room where ideas are free to breathe and truth can be examined without fear or distraction.”

    Read Also: Nigeria vs. Algeria: Petkovic braces for stiff Super Eagles’  challenge

    Widely known as Kaakaki Olódùmarè, Faleke draws on decades of broadcast experience to deliver a platform anchored on calm, intelligent and insightful discussions.

    The podcast explores themes such as culture, leadership, identity, creativity, governance and the shared human experience, offering an alternative to sensational and hurried media narratives.

    Core Room is recorded and produced at Faleke’s newly completed, state-of-the-art studio in Ibadan.

  • Content creator Olajide Owolabi celebrates

    Content creator Olajide Owolabi celebrates

    Nigerian content creator, cinematographer and graphic designer, Olajide Owolabi recently celebrated his birthday in Lagos.

    Owolabi hosted friends and associates to a lavish party which took place at the Rubels and Angels, Festac Town, Lagos.

    Owolabi, who is the founder of Dregital Consulting and Radiance Studio, had associates and mentors showering him with accolades at the event.

    Read Also: Tinubu applauds NGX N100 trillion milestone, urges Nigerians to invest more at home

    At the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Creative Culture International Studio, Victoria Ifeoma Nwosu, urged Owolabi to continue to serve as a mentor and role model to aspiring entrepreneurs and youth advocates whose lives represent a greater future for the country.

    An alumnus of the University of Lagos, Owolabi promised his fans to always live to expectation and serve as a symbol of duty, patriotism, honour and  dignity to the youth population.

  • Bolaji Ogunmola blasts airline after being stranded in Ekiti for 24 hours

    Bolaji Ogunmola blasts airline after being stranded in Ekiti for 24 hours

    • …says delay disrupted n20m film project

    Actress and filmmaker Bolaji Ogunmola has criticised an airline for leaving her stranded at the Ekiti State airport for more than 24 hours, a disruption she said caused her to miss the first day of her N20 million film production.

    In a video shared on Instagram, Ogunmola described how repeated flight delays, cancellations, and rescheduling derailed her plans and left her in distress.

    “I’m still at the airport, by the way, and I’ve cried my eyes out this morning. I’m in Ekiti. I’m still here because I’m on set this morning, and it’s the first day of TOC’s production. I have actors on set. I booked a restaurant. I booked everything, and I’m still here. I spent over 15 to 20 million trying to produce this film,” she said.

    Ogunmola recounted that she arrived at the airport on Wednesday for a scheduled flight to Lagos but was first informed of a delay before the airline eventually cancelled the flight, leaving her stranded overnight.

    “I was supposed to fly yesterday, and they told me when I got to the airport that something happened. It was delayed. I waited, waited, waited. After a while, they said they are not flying again and cancelled the flight. I said, okay, you cancelled the flight. What is the plan? I need to get to Lagos,” she recounted.

    According to her, she spent the night at a motel and returned Thursday morning, facing further delays.

    Read Also: Actress Bolaji Ogunmola opens up on ordeals in May

    “They said they are going to fly at 8 am this morning. I woke up at 5 am, got to the airport by 6:30. They said it’s not for 8 am again. It’s for 9:30. Now, the 9:30 flight, they said they have moved it to 12. Now, they are saying the flight is going to move by 5:30, and I’m supposed to be on set,” she added.

    The filmmaker expressed frustration at the airline’s lack of communication and the impact on her production crew, who were already on set waiting for her.

    “As we speak, my crew, production, everything — it’s our first day at work. It’s not only my time that these people are toying with. It’s actually my source of livelihood as well. There is no conversation. Everybody just says sorry to me. What am I supposed to do? I’m literally stuck here,” Ogunmola lamented.

    The frustrated actress has decided to travel by road, citing safety concerns, to make it to her Lagos production set.

    “I have to go by road, which is very unsafe, but I need to get to work. My lawyers will take this up. I just needed to have evidence of what was going on. They are not remorseful. They are unfair. They don’t have any sense of decency,” she stated.

    Ogunmola clarified that she was not making the video to cause drama but to document her experience for legal purposes.

    “I’m not the person to call out anybody. I’m not going to shout. I’m not going to fight. I don’t do that, but I just need to have evidence,” she added.

  • BBNaija fanbase no longer growing, show has lost credibility — Phyna

    BBNaija fanbase no longer growing, show has lost credibility — Phyna

    Former Big Brother Naija housemate Phyna has expressed her concerns about the current state of the reality show, arguing that many contestants lack what it takes to excel after their time in the house.

    Speaking during a livestream, she said several ex-housemates depend on the same fanbase, which is no longer expanding and therefore cannot sustain their careers.

    She explained that the audience simply shifts support from one contestant to another, without attracting new followers.

    Phyna further stated that the show has lost credibility, noting that BBNaija alumni are no longer regarded with the same respect as in previous years.

    According to her, the prestige once associated with being a former contestant has significantly diminished.

    Read Also: I need clarity before apologising to Davido for past ‘beef’ – Phyna

    She said, “The steeze housemates do have on the show they don’t have it again, because it’s the same fan base that moves from one to another, no new people, nothing new. It’s just the same people.

    “And that aside, the show has lost credibility compared to the way it was before, because when you tell someone now that I came out of BBNaija, they won’t rate you like they do then.”

    Phyna, whose real name is Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, won the seventh season of Big Brother Naija, tagged ‘Level Up’, on October 2, 2022.

    She took home a grand prize of N100 million, beating fellow finalist Bryann with 40.74% of the votes.

    Phyna is the second female winner of the show, following Mercy Eke’s win in 2019.

  • Jeriq: Claim that Igbo artists don’t support one another is wrong

    Jeriq: Claim that Igbo artists don’t support one another is wrong

    Rapper Jeremiah Chukwuebuka Ani, popularly known as Jeriq, has rejected the notion that Igbo artists do not support one another, describing the assertion as baseless.

    Speaking on a recent episode of The Vybz TV Cartel podcast, Jeriq cited personal experiences to counter the narrative.

    He highlighted the contributions of established stars such as Flavour and Phyno, noting that both artists have collaborated with him without requesting payment.

    He credited Flavour with helping him secure his biggest song, Oluoma, explaining that Flavour delivered a verse for free. Jeriq added that he and Phyno have worked together on three tracks, also without charge.

    According to him, the success of many emerging Igbo artists can be traced to the support and endorsements they have received from senior figures in the industry.

    “The narrative that Igbo people don’t help each other is a fallacy. Flavour, for instance, has supported numerous artists, including several rising Igbo musicians who are now thriving because of his co-sign,” he said.

    Read Also: Why I’ve never been in a relationship, by Rapper Jeriq

    “I am also a beneficiary of Flavour’s magnanimity. My biggest song ever in this life is ‘Oluoma.’ Who gave me the verse? Flavour. Numbers don’t lie. It’s my biggest song ever. Flavour did not collect a dime from me.

    “I collaborate with other artists, and they send me a contract and a split-sheet. But Phyno and Flavour have never collected a dime from me. I have done three songs with Phyno and one hit with Flavour. They collaborated with me free of charge,” he explained.

    Jeriq also added that Igbo artists can achieve international success, citing Asake’s success with Yoruba language songs.

    He predicted an Igbo artist would sell out a US or Paris stadium performing in Igbo.

    “The way Asake is doing everything with the Yoruba language, I believe that somebody will sell out a stadium either in the U.S. or Paris with the Igbo language,” he added.

  • Why I cut ties with three close friends – Ayra Starr’s mother

    Why I cut ties with three close friends – Ayra Starr’s mother

    Nene Aderigbigbe, mother of Afrobeats singer Ayra Starr, has opened up about her decision to sever relationships with three close friends.

    In a New Year’s reflection shared on TikTok, Aderigbigbe cited breaches of trust, inappropriate behaviour, and emotional exhaustion as the reasons behind her decision.

    “So I was reflecting on life, you know, it is a new year, and you want to reflect and see what you can correct,” I remembered that a few years ago, I cut off from a few of my friends. I don’t know if I overreacted, and do you know why I did it,” she said.

    According to her, the first friend betrayed her trust by sharing a private conversation with her husband without consent, prompting Aderigbigbe to immediately cut off contact.

    The second friend’s husband made her uncomfortable with inappropriate messages, including sharing his travel plans.

    “The second person, I am your friend, why will your husband be telling me where he is travelling to?” she asked, noting that she felt disrespected and uneasy by the messages.

    Read Also: Ayra Starr confirms relocation to New York City

    Speaking further, she said the third friend constantly complained about her marriage, draining Aderigbigbe emotionally.

    She said that, being married for over 20 years, the friend’s repeated complaints took a toll on her mental well-being.

    “You have been married for 20 years, and you are still calling me to complain about your marriage. What do you want me to do?” she said, adding that the repeated complaints took a toll on her mental well-being.

    Aderigbigbe, who chose not to disclose the reasons for cutting ties to the friends, stated, “So that is why I cut those friends off, and till today, they do not even know why.”

  • Nollywood star Allwell Ademola for burial tomorrow

    Nollywood star Allwell Ademola for burial tomorrow

    The committee for the final rites of late Nollywood actress Allwell Ademola has announced details of her burial arrangements.

    The thespian died on December 27 after suffering a heart attack at her residence. 

    A statement confirm the Service of Songs will be hold on Thursday, January 8, followed by a candlelight vigil in her honour.

    According to the statement, the actress will be laid to rest on tomorrow, January 9 at the Atan Cemetery, Yaba, Lagos.

    Read Also: Family announces burial arrangements for late Allwell Ademola

    “Attendees are to wear a customised T-shirt, which will be provided at the venue today, while guests are expected to appear in white shirts and jeans for the burial on Friday.

    “Activities scheduled for Thursday will commence with a Service of Songs from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. This will be followed by preparations for a candlelight procession, which will take place from 6:00pm to 7:00pm, moving from LTV 8 to Oregun Junction and back to LTV 8. An Artistes’ Night will follow, with closing remarks expected at 11:00pm,” the statement reads. 

  • Jarvis opens up on mother’s illness, social media fears

    Jarvis opens up on mother’s illness, social media fears

    Social media personality, Amadou Elizabeth popularly known as Jarvis has opened up about her mother’s deteriorating health and expressed concerns about online scrutiny.

    In a video on X, Jarvis revealed that she is worried critics might exploit her mother’s condition for malicious purposes.

    “So my mom is actually sick. What I’m saying is that online is crazy. Tomorrow they might video her in her condition and try to use it against me. That’s the one thing I’ve been scared of, that nobody should find out that my mom is not well and they should not come and speak against me on social media,” she said.

    She emphasised that her mother’s illness is beyond monetary solutions, attributing it to God, faith and belief.

    “Social media will always say, ‘Oh, why didn’t you take care of her? You have all the money, you have everything.’ But the thing is that at this point, money can’t solve it. It’s just God, faith, belief,” she explained.

    Jarvis praised her mother’s sacrifices, noting that she raised their family alone without support from their Senegalese father.

    “I love my mom and she tried. She tried, like she really tried. She fought, she defended us without any father’s support,” she said emotionally.

    The TikToker also shared her ongoing struggle to reconnect with her estranged father, who stopped communicating with her when she was a child.

    “From the beginning of my birth, he used to call me Aminata and I just giggled. You know, I was just a little child. But it got to a point when the whole communication line stopped. Till today, I haven’t heard from him. I’m the one searching. I’ve gone to Senegal. I’m still trying my best,” Jarvis informed.

    Jarvis had earlier confirmed ending the relationship with fellow influencer and livestreamer Hamzat Habeeb, popularly known as Peller, following his car crash incident during a livestream.

  • How my faith cost me a lucrative deal – BBNaija’s Cross

    How my faith cost me a lucrative deal – BBNaija’s Cross

    Former Big Brother Naija housemate Cross Okonkwo has claimed he lost a job opportunity due to his loud Christian faith.

    The reality TV star, on X, claimed a person decided not to work with him because of his bold expressions of faith on social media.

    “You are mad and don’t want to work with me because I have made my faith in Jesus Christ very clear and bold. Lol one day I will buy your company and buy everything you own. Mark my words,” he wrote.

    Okonkwo vowed he will not compromise his beliefs for professional gain.

    He stated that true wealth comes from God and that fame does not control him.

    He also emphasised that he will never do wrong or chase money in a way that goes against his faith, even if it means having less.

    Read Also: Reality star Cross Okonkwo engages partner in intimate ceremony

    “I will NEVER do anything evil for money. Even if I become the poorest or the brokest human being on earth. I don’t care about fame. Yes I’m glad and blessed that I’m a famous person but that doesn’t change anything. All wealth belongs to my father. He alone has the secret to All things,” he wrote.

    Okonkwo further addressed critics who still see him as the same person from the Big Brother Naija house, stating that he has changed in spirit and character since leaving the show.

    “I think a lot of people still think I’m the same guy that was in the big brother house. It may be the same body, face. image but definitely not the same spirit and soul. So pls get that out of your head and have peace with it,”he added.

    He also asked not to be compared to other former housemates, wishing them well and emphasising that everyone has their own path.

    “And pls don’t ever compare me to any of my fellow big brother siblings. We all have different views to life. I love everyone of them. And I wish everyone the best,” he added.

  • Why women supporting each other is important – Fave

    Why women supporting each other is important – Fave

    Afrobeats singer Fave has spoken on the importance of women supporting each other in a male-dominated industry.

    In a series of posts, she encouraged women to lift each other up, citing the need for mutual respect and empowerment.

    Fave noted that women often face disrespect and marginalisation, making it crucial for them to support one another.

    She highlighted that men tend to uplift their male counterparts, even if a woman is more deserving, making it essential for women to do the same for each other.

    Read Also: Fave recounts collaboration with Davido on hit song ‘Kante’

    “Women aren’t really respected so as a woman when you get up, lift another woman first because the men will lift men even if a woman’s more deserving”, she wrote.

    Opening her DMs to fellow women, Fave invited them to share their businesses, fashion brands, and talents, promising to promote them.

    This move, Fave said, is part of her effort to empower and support women, and she hopes to make a positive impact through this initiative.

    “Please womennnnn send me whatever businesses you have or fashions or talentsssss. I keep saying I want to get to a certain place before I lift other women up, because I mean I’m still on this journey even get up myself, so how could I possibly influence anyone? But life is short! I’m opening my DMs for y’all specifically. My women. I will put you on,” she wrote.