Category: Entertainment

Jennifer Odonwodo, widow of the late Nollywood actor Junior Pope, has announced the passing of her father-in-law, Ozor Luke Odonwodo, in a heartfelt tribute shared via Instagram.

In the emotional post, Jennifer reflected on her final moments with her father-in-law, expressing gratitude for the time they spent together, even if brief. She described him as a man who genuinely loved her and lived a fulfilling life, having made great sacrifices for his family and reaped the rewards in his later years.

“Barely one month ago, I was with you in Enugu. Some days later, Reme (my mother-in-law) called and told me her husband had gone to meet my husband,” she wrote. “I screamed but had to pull myself together as she started crying. Ozor Luke Odonwodo was one man that genuinely loved me, and I’m thankful I got to spend time with him—unknowingly in his final days.”

Though Jennifer did not reveal the cause of his death, she noted that he passed on as an octogenarian, having lived a life of sacrifice and devotion to his family. The tribute ended with a prayer for strength for her mother-in-law and a message of hope rooted in the Christian faith.

“Adieu, father and son. You are sorely missed, but we hold on to the resurrection promises in John 5:28-29 and Acts 24:15,” she wrote.

The post has drawn an outpouring of condolences and support from fans and members of the Nollywood community.

Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy has reportedly pledged a staggering N200 million to controversial street-hop singer Portable if he agrees to step into the boxing ring with celebrity socialite Cubana Chief Priest.

The challenge follows Portable’s recent call-out for a boxing match with the nightlife businessman, shortly after the singer’s TKO victory over rapper Speed Darlington.

Burna Boy’s response, shared via a secondary social media account and posted by his fan @BENNY7GG, showed his excitement over the potential bout. “Walahi! Na 200m I go give Zazu,” the singer reportedly declared, referring to Portable by his nickname.

@BENNY7GG captioned the post: “Burna Boy says he’d give Portable 200 million Naira if he gets in the ring with Cubana Chief Priest.”

The announcement has sparked a wave of reactions on social media:

• @Yab_Them: “Cubana Chief Priest go beat Portable sha.”
• @Govmentson: “Portable’s job now is to handle anyone who crosses paths with the African Giant.”
• @_checkings: “I trust Portable, he no go lose that 200m.”
• @2tolu: “But y’all would start crying if someone says 200 million for an Afrobeats princess if he gets her pregnant. I’ll be here for the drama.”
• @Mbano1stSon_: “If I were CP, I’d call Zazu, agree on my cut, enter the ring, fake a shoulder injury like Speedy, end the match, get paid, and wait for the next ‘phoolish’ challenger.”

As fans await Cubana Chief Priest’s response, the internet is already buzzing with anticipation over what could be the next viral celebrity boxing showdown.

Adeola, the daughter of renowned Nollywood actress Jumoke George, has returned safely to Nigeria after being trafficked to Mali and held there for four years.

The Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, confirmed the development on Monday, announcing that Adeola was successfully received by the commission upon her return.

Dabiri-Erewa praised actress Bola Adebayo for bringing the story to light and also acknowledged actor Niyi Johnson for his support in the efforts to rescue Adeola.

Afrobeats sensation David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has revealed that journalism would have been his chosen profession if he hadn’t pursued a career in music.

Speaking during a recent interview with Atlanta-based radio station 96.1 The Beat, which gained traction online on Thursday, the award-winning artist said his passion for media, communication, and curiosity aligns naturally with journalism.

“I like promo, I like conversations,” Davido shared. “A lot of people don’t know I studied Marketing along with Business Management. I enjoy marketing myself, I love to talk. If I had a podcast, I could talk for three to four days straight,” he said with a laugh.

Known for his strong media presence and engaging personality online, Davido emphasized that interacting with fans and the media isn’t just a duty—it’s something he genuinely enjoys.

“I just feel like it’s part of being an artist. A lot of big artists don’t do press, but I do because I like talking. Some just don’t want to talk, but I don’t mind,” he said.

Currently the most-followed African artist on Instagram, Davido credited his visibility to consistent effort and engagement.

“A lot of people in my position would just relax and let things happen. People ask me why I have the most followers—it’s because I’m working. I know how hard Beyoncé works despite all her success,” he explained.

Davido also touched on his natural curiosity and appetite for learning, traits he said further reflect his inclination toward journalism.

“When people meet me, I enjoy having real conversations. I like to know things, I like information. Even at home, I’m researching. If I wasn’t into music, I’d definitely be in journalism,” he added.

Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has said he faces intense criticism in Nigeria largely due to his privileged upbringing and wealthy background.

Speaking on the Culture Knock Out podcast, the singer explained that many people judge him not for his music but because he is the son of billionaire businessman Dr. Deji Adeleke.

“I’m the most criticised artist in Nigeria,” Davido said. “I’ve been on fire for a long time. In the beginning, people didn’t even know my dad was rich, so the stigma of being a rich kid didn’t hit me immediately.”

He revealed that when he first broke into the music scene, he deliberately kept his background low-key. “By the time they found out my dad was wealthy, I had already dropped three hit songs. It was too late to write me off,” he added.

Despite the backlash, Davido insisted that his passion for music was always genuine. “I just wanted to do music. I didn’t care if I had to be homeless—nothing else mattered.”

He acknowledged that criticism often comes with success: “Once you become the biggest in anything, people start to hate. It’s like politics—people love you when you’re running, but once you win, they turn against you.”

Davido concluded by saying that he continues to let his music speak for itself. “I keep dropping good music, and it keeps working.”

Popular Nigerian blogger, Tunde Ednut, has officially become a citizen of the United States and was honored with a special recognition from former U.S. President Joe Biden.

In a celebratory post on Instagram, Ednut shared photos of himself dressed in red, white, and blue—the colors of the American flag—while proudly displaying his U.S. passport. Alongside the images, he announced that he had received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor presented to him on behalf of Biden.

“Congratulations to me. Not just a citizen—I also got recognition from the President of America. I’m highly honored and blessed,” he wrote.

The post quickly attracted waves of congratulatory messages from fans, celebrities, and public figures in the entertainment industry, all celebrating his achievements.

Popular Nigerian comedian and actor, Ayo Makun, widely known as AY, has confirmed he was recently questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged abuse of the Naira.

In a statement shared on his Instagram page on Wednesday, AY disclosed that he was invited by the EFCC on Monday, May 5, regarding the public spraying of local and foreign currencies during a recent social event—an act considered a violation of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) regulations against currency mutilation.

“On Monday, I was invited by the EFCC concerning an incident involving the spraying of naira and foreign currency at a public event. I’m grateful to God for His mercy and to the EFCC for their understanding,” AY wrote.

He stated that following investigations, authorities confirmed the funds involved were not linked to any criminal activity or illicit sources, leading to his release without charges.

“This experience has been a valuable lesson,” AY said, adding that he is now committed to raising awareness about the legal implications of currency abuse.

AY emphasized that although spraying money is a widely accepted cultural practice at Nigerian celebrations, it is still illegal under Nigerian law. “We must understand that acts such as spraying, defacing, or mishandling the Naira are violations punishable under the CBN Act,” he said.

He encouraged Nigerians to respect the Naira as a symbol of national pride and economic stability.

The comedian also shared educational slides on the dos and don’ts of handling the Naira, urging the public to adopt responsible behavior during festivities.

His statement comes just a day after Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo revealed she too had been contacted by the EFCC and honored their invitation after returning from the UK. She was reportedly questioned over elements of her daughter’s wedding ceremony.

Both AY and Iyabo Ojo have pledged to use their platforms to educate the public on the consequences of currency abuse, which is punishable under Section 21 of the CBN Act, 2007.

Controversial Nigerian singer Portable has accused an unnamed bank of tracking his movements and allegedly attempting to kidnap him following a dispute over a locked account.

In a now-deleted viral video posted on Instagram, the artist claimed he narrowly escaped a kidnap attempt during a visit to one of the bank’s branches. He alleged that his troubles began when he sought clarification on why access to his account was suddenly restricted.

“I’m being trailed from First Bank to kidnap me. Who are those people trailing me? What’s my offence?” he questioned in the video. “I no dey do yahoo or scam. That account is a business account and more money is still coming in.”

Portable, known for his erratic social media rants, denied any involvement in fraud, insisting that the account—allegedly holding over N400 billion—is used strictly for business transactions.

“All I did was complain. A customer is always right,” he said, calling for public support and intervention.

His claims have stirred mixed reactions online, especially as they follow the recent arrest of social media critic VeryDarkMan, who was detained after raising concerns about suspicious deductions from his mother’s account at a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) branch on May 2.

Neither First Bank nor law enforcement agencies have issued an official statement regarding Portable’s allegations as of press time.

Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has confirmed that she was recently invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with activities at her daughter Priscilla’s wedding to Tanzanian singer Juma Jux.

In an Instagram post, the actress revealed she received an official invitation from the EFCC while she was in the United Kingdom. Upon returning to Nigeria, she honored the invitation and appeared before the commission on May 5, 2025.

Ojo disclosed that during the session, she was shown video clips from her daughter’s wedding where guests, including friends and entertainment industry colleagues, were seen spraying both naira and foreign currencies. She said EFCC officials questioned her about the act and clarified that spraying money on individuals is a violation of Nigeria’s currency regulations.

“Following the recent social media reports and the many calls and messages I’ve received, I find it necessary to publicly address my experience with the EFCC,” she wrote. “I was asked questions concerning my personal information, career, business activities, and companies. They also showed me videos from my daughter’s wedding that featured guests spraying money.”

She added that the commission used the opportunity to warn against the practice, emphasizing that such displays are prohibited under Nigerian law.

The actress did not indicate whether any further legal actions were being taken but stressed that she complied fully with the EFCC’s request and appreciated the public’s concern for her well-being.

A large group of protesters gathered on Monday at the headquarters of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) in Abuja, calling for the immediate release of popular social media activist Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan.

Chanting slogans and holding placards with messages such as “#FreeVDM,” “Activism is not a crime,” and “VDM speaks for the people,” the demonstrators accused authorities of unjustly targeting the influencer. Many expressed frustration over what they described as a crackdown on free speech.

VeryDarkMan was recently arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged cyberstalking—a move that has sparked widespread online criticism and questions about GTBank’s possible involvement.

According to his lawyer, human rights advocate Deji Adeyanju, VDM was allegedly ambushed by EFCC agents within the bank premises. GTBank has denied this claim and released CCTV footage in response.

The video shows VDM exiting the banking hall and walking toward the car park shortly before his arrest. However, the actual moment of arrest is not seen, as the area reportedly lies outside the range of the bank’s cameras.

This incident adds to a string of legal battles faced by VDM. In May 2024, he was arraigned on five counts of cyberstalking at the Federal High Court in Abuja, relating to alleged online harassment of the Nigeria Police and actresses Tonto Dikeh and Iyabo Ojo. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded pending bail.

In November 2024, he was again charged—this time with impersonation—after allegedly dressing as a police officer. He was granted bail set at ₦2 million.

The #FreeVDM movement continues to gain traction online and on the streets, with many Nigerians demanding justice and transparency in the handling of the case.