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BBNaija Season 10 Premieres July 26 with Record-Breaking ₦150m Grand Prize

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

LAGOS, July 16, 2025 – The highly anticipated 10th season of Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) will premiere on July 26, 2025, with a staggering ₦150 million grand prize, the biggest in the show’s history. The announcement was made by MultiChoice Nigeria during a press conference on Wednesday, where the organizers promised an edition packed with thrilling entertainment, drama, and fierce competition. The upcoming season will introduce a fresh format, moving away from last year’s “No Loose Guard” edition, where housemates entered the house in pairs. Physical auditions for the new season were conducted between May 16 and 18, 2025. BBNaija, which debuted in 2006, has become one of Africa’s most-watched reality shows. In the 2024 edition, Kellyrae made history as the first married contestant to win the competition, walking away with ₦100 million. Organizers assured fans that the 10th season will raise the bar even higher, featuring surprises, new twists, and engaging content to captivate millions of viewers across the continent. Full Details: BBNaija Season 10: Premieres July 26 With ₦150m Grand Prize

Woodhall, Polaris Bank, UK and Lagos Governments Launch ₦1.5bn Creative Sector Fund

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

By Kamal Yalwa: LAGOS – July 15, 2025Nigeria’s creative industry received a major boost as Woodhall Capital, in partnership with Polaris Bank, the UK Government, and the Lagos State Government, unveiled a ₦1.5 billion Creative Sector Fund to expand access to structured financing for entrepreneurs across fashion, film, music, and digital content. The fund was announced during the launch of the Creative Currency Podcast, an initiative designed to foster collaboration between creatives, financiers, policymakers, and global stakeholders. The platform will also serve as a policy engagement forum addressing long-standing challenges such as limited financing, weak intellectual property enforcement, and lack of scalable business structures. Speaking at the launch hosted at the Ikoyi residence of the British Deputy High Commissioner, Abimbola Ozomah, Executive Director at Polaris Bank, said the fund marks a deliberate shift in recognizing intellectual property as a bankable asset. “This fund represents more than capital; it reflects our belief in Nigerian creativity as a global force,” Ozomah said. “We’re not just exporting talent. We’re exporting ownership, structure, and long-term value.” Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, Founder and CEO of Woodhall Capital, emphasized the need for bespoke financial products and investor-matching services tailored for creative MSMEs. The UK Government, represented by Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter, reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s creative economy, citing the UK-Nigeria Creative Industries Partnership signed in 2024 as a milestone for trade and investment. Representing the Lagos State Government, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, highlighted ongoing policy reforms, infrastructure support, and the Lagos Creative Fund, which offers zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to creative businesses. Panelists at the event urged creatives to formalize operations, protect intellectual property, and maintain transparent financial records, while financial institutions were encouraged to rethink risk models to accommodate the unique dynamics of creative enterprises. The Creative Currency Podcast aims to build a knowledge-sharing ecosystem for creators, investors, legal experts, and cultural stakeholders, promoting professionalism, transparency, and global competitiveness in Nigeria’s creative sector. The event closed with a unified call to “invest in systems, not just stories”, stressing that a structured, well-capitalized creative economy can drive job creation, exports, and global influence for Nigeria. Polaris Bank reiterated its commitment to supporting MSMEs, noting its extensive portfolio dedicated to growing small businesses and fostering economic inclusion across the country.

Marital Crises Rock Nigerian Pulpits: Four Prominent Pastors Whose Marriages Ended in Controversy

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago05 mins

In a country where pastors are often regarded as moral compasses and spiritual authorities, the breakdown of their marriages continues to attract national attention. Despite preaching about love, unity, and forgiveness, several top Nigerian clerics have seen their homes collapse under the weight of infidelity, irreconcilable differences, and personal convictions. Here is a roundup of four popular Nigerian pastors whose once-celebrated marriages ended in divorce: 1. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – Christ Embassy Founder’s High-Profile DivorceFounder of Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, and his wife Anita were once seen as the epitome of a Christian power couple. Married in 1991 with two daughters, their separation became public in 2014 when Anita stopped attending church events and was later removed from the church’s official platforms.The divorce was finalized in the UK in 2016 on grounds of adultery and unreasonable behaviour. While Pastor Chris later attributed the split to a “vision mismatch,” rumors of long-distance strain and leadership disagreements persisted. Neither has remarried. 2. Rev. Chris Okotie – Two Failed Marriages and a Vow to Remain SingleFounder of the Household of God Church and former pop singer, Rev. Chris Okotie, has had two failed marriages. His first, with Tyna, ended in 2001. In 2008, he married Stephanie Henshaw, a mother of three, but the union collapsed in 2012.He told his congregation during a Sunday service that the breakup was due to “irreconcilable differences.” Later, in an interview with BBC Pidgin, he declared that “God never wanted me to marry”, likening himself to Apostle Paul. He has since vowed never to remarry. 3. Pastor Ituah Ighodalo – From RCCG Exit to Personal TragedyPastor Ituah Ighodalo, founder of Trinity House Church, was formerly a senior pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). However, his decision to remarry after a divorce cost him his position in RCCG, prompting him to establish his own ministry.His marriage to businesswoman and former beauty queen Ibidunni Ajayi in 2007 was closely followed by public scrutiny. After Ibidunni’s untimely death in 2020, Ighodalo has remained single. In an interview, he noted that his daughter urged him not to remarry. 4. Prophet Joshua Iginla – Infidelity Scandal Shakes Champions Royal AssemblyIn 2019, Prophet Joshua Iginla, General Overseer of Champions Royal Assembly, shocked his congregation with a public confession of mutual infidelity between him and his now ex-wife, Yemisi.He claimed to have forgiven her for having a child outside their marriage but said she did not extend the same forgiveness when he fathered a child with another woman. He later married Stella Zimasa, a South African. Yemisi, however, denied the allegations, insisting all three of her children were fathered by Iginla. Analysis: The Human Side of the AnointedThese marital breakdowns, involving some of Nigeria’s most influential pastors, highlight the fact that spiritual leaders are not immune to the pressures and complexities of married life. Issues such as infidelity, long-distance separation, doctrinal conflict, and personal convictions have all played roles in these failed unions.While their stories may be controversial, they also serve as cautionary tales and reminders that marriage—no matter how anointed the participants—requires mutual commitment, understanding, and grace.

Akon’s £5billion Senegal City Plans Scrapped

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Plans for Akon’s £5 billion Senegal city have been scrapped after seven years. The proposed city named after Senegalese-American pop star, real name Alioune Badara Thiam, will not come to fruition at the 800-hectare site in Mbodiène, 100km south of capital city Dakar, BBC reports. “The Akon City project no longer exists,” head of Sapco, Senegal’s tourism development body, Serigne Mamadou Mboup told the BBC. “Fortunately, an agreement has been reached between Sapco and the entrepreneur Alioune Badara Thiam. What he’s preparing with us is a realistic project, which Sapco will fully support.” Initially announced in 2018, Akon City was planned to run on a new, custom cryptocurrency called Akoin and renewable energy, with phase one, including a hospital, mall, school, police station and waste plant, estimated for completion in 2023. In 2022, Akon said the city’s plans were “100% moving”. Today, the location’s one structure is an “incomplete” reception building, with no roads, housing nor power infrastructure. A local resident told BBC: “We were promised jobs and development… Instead, nothing has changed.” The Akoin cryptocurrency has also struggled with repaying investors and questions of legality. “It wasn’t being managed properly — I take full responsibility for that”, Akon said in 2022. In 2021, Akon announced plans to build a second city in Uganda, set to finish in 2036. There’s no new word on the future of the Akon City Uganda project.

Reekado Banks Alleges Demonic Industry Figure Sabotaging Young Artistes

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Popular Nigerian singer Reekado Banks has reignited concerns over exploitation in the music industry, alleging that a powerful and “demonic” figure is deliberately sabotaging the careers of young artistes. Speaking in a recent interview with podcaster Esther Oye, Reekado claimed he had personally worked with the unnamed individual and witnessed how other budding talents were also affected. “There is one big man in the music industry who is demonic and taking advantage of young talents. I have worked with him before,” he said. The singer stopped short of naming the alleged saboteur but said the individual knows himself. He emphasized the importance of educating young musicians so they don’t fall into the same trap. “Every artiste this man has worked with always has a certain setback and they find themselves in a mess,” Reekado added. This is not the first time Reekado Banks has hinted at dark dealings behind the scenes. He had earlier threatened to expose a certain industry player whom he described as either “demonic or clueless”, alleging that the person often discovers promising talents only to derail their careers through poor decisions and manipulation. The revelation has sparked debate online, with fans and industry watchers calling for more transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s booming music scene.

Business Mogul Mike Adenuga Makes Rare Public Appearance in Lekki

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Nigerian billionaire Mike Adenuga, the chairman of Globacom, was seen making a rare public appearance today in Lekki, drawing attention from well-wishers, business associates, and residents alike. Adenuga, renowned for his low public profile and significant contributions to Nigeria’s telecom and oil sectors, was spotted attending a brief but notable gathering in one of Lekki’s upscale venues. Though the exact nature of the engagement was not immediately disclosed, sources suggest it may be connected to corporate meetings, community outreach, or an investment evaluation tied to his various business interests in the area.

Diddy Acquitted of Sex Trafficking and Racketeering But Will Remain in Jail Pending Sentencing

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

By Kamal Yalwa–New York, USA In a dramatic courtroom moment on Wednesday, music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges by a New York jury, bringing an emotional close to a high-profile federal trial that has gripped the entertainment world for months. The verdict, delivered shortly after 10:00am local time, saw 12 jurors clear Combs of the most serious charges, concluding that he did not operate a criminal enterprise or engage in sex trafficking involving former girlfriends and associates. However, the jury found him guilty of the lesser charge of transporting individuals for prostitution, leaving Combs partially convicted and still facing prison time. Dressed in an off-white sweater and trousers, Combs reacted with overwhelming emotion as the verdicts were read. Upon hearing the first “not guilty” for racketeering, he bowed his head in silence. When the jury acquitted him of sex trafficking, he held his head in his hands, visibly overcome. Once the verdict was finalized, Combs made a prayer gesture toward the jury and his family — including his twin daughters, sons, and 85-year-old mother — and appeared to mouth the words: “I’m coming home.” His legal team, led by attorneys Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, swiftly urged the court to release Combs on the basis of the acquittal on the most severe charges. Agnifilo noted that Combs’ plane was chartered and currently in Maui, suggesting he had no intention of fleeing. “Mr. Combs has been given his life back by this jury,” Agnifilo said. “He will not run afoul of anything this court imposes on him.” Despite their efforts, Judge Arun Subramanian denied Combs bail during a subsequent hearing that same afternoon, ruling that the hip-hop entrepreneur would remain in federal custody until his sentencing later this year. Outside the courthouse in Manhattan, supporters chanted “Free Diddy!” as news of the partial acquittal spread. Inside, celebrations erupted among Combs’ legal team and family, with hugs and tears marking a moment of relief — if not full vindication. The split verdict highlights the challenges of prosecuting cases involving celebrity, coercion, and long-term abuse, particularly in the aftermath of the #MeToo era. While Combs was cleared of organizing sex-trafficking operations, the conviction for prostitution transport still carries a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years per count. Diddy will remain in custody at a Brooklyn federal facility until sentencing, expected later in 2025. Ask ChatGPT

Diddy Verdict Sparks Debate Over Domestic Abuse Power and the Limits of Justice

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

New York — The split verdict in the federal trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has reignited conversations about domestic abuse, power dynamics, and the evolving legacy of the #MeToo movement. After more than seven weeks of testimony, a federal jury found Combs guilty of transporting individuals for prostitution, but not guilty of sex trafficking or racketeering, despite graphic evidence of abuse and claims that he used wealth and coercion to control former partners. The trial featured harrowing testimony from Casandra “Cassie” Ventura Fine and another woman known only as “Jane”, both of whom described years of alleged abuse and manipulation under Combs. Prosecutors argued that Combs’s actions constituted a “criminal enterprise” driven by money, fear, and violence. A 2016 surveillance video showing Combs assaulting Ventura in a hotel hallway was a key piece of evidence. Ventura testified that she felt “trapped” and described repeated physical violence, including a 2009 incident where Combs allegedly stomped on her face. Yet, the jury declined to convict on the more serious charges of sex trafficking, sparking criticism from advocates who say the verdict reflects a deep misunderstanding of coercion in intimate partner abuse. “Today is a good day for perpetrators,” said Dr. Emma Katz, an expert on domestic violence. “The jury seems to have decided that someone can be physically assaulted and controlled by their partner, yet not be coerced.” Legal analysts suggested prosecutors may have fumbled key aspects of the sex trafficking case. Defense attorneys, while conceding Combs’s abusive behavior, argued that there was no proof of coercion in the alleged sexual acts. They pointed to affectionate messages from Ventura as evidence of consent — messages experts say are common in abusive relationships due to fear, manipulation, or survival strategies. “Domestic violence is not sex trafficking,” Combs’s attorney Teny Geragos said during trial — a line that appears to have resonated with the jury. The outcome, some say, reveals the limits of public and legal understanding of abuse, especially when it happens within romantic relationships. “There’s still stigma and disbelief when victims stay with their abusers,” said Katz. “It’s not that simple. Victims fear for their lives, their children, or simply have nowhere to go.” Critics also pointed to the broader implications for the #MeToo movement, which began as a push to hold powerful figures accountable for sexual violence and abuse. While some advocacy groups praised the guilty verdict on transportation charges, others said the result highlights systemic failures. “This is a stain on the criminal justice system,” said Arisha Hatch of the gender justice group UltraViolet. “It shows we still don’t fully believe victims — especially when the accused holds immense wealth and influence.” Still, Ventura’s legal team welcomed the partial conviction, saying it ensured Combs was “finally held responsible for two federal crimes,” each carrying a maximum of 10 years in prison. Advocacy groups including Lift Our Voices and the National Women’s Law Center praised Ventura and Jane’s courage in testifying, saying their actions strengthened the movement for justice, even as challenges remain. “The verdict may be split, but their bravery is whole,” said Fatima Goss Graves, president of the NWLC. “No jury can take that away.