Category: Entertainment
Akinola Davies Teams Up with Rachel Dargavel for High-Stakes Thriller Delta Force Six
Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies, acclaimed for My Father’s Shadow — Nigeria’s first-ever Cannes entry — is reuniting with Rachel Dargavel of Element Pictures for his sophomore feature, Delta Force Six. The film, described as a hostage thriller and morality tale, will be shot on location in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta. Dargavel, who produced My Father’s Shadow, revealed that Delta Force Six is currently in early development and will likely enter production within two years. She emphasized the importance of making the second feature as strong as possible, stating, “You know how hard it is to get a second feature up and away and to make it great. I want for us to not be those people who stumble.” Plot and Setting Co-written by Davies and his brother Wale Davies, who also co-penned their breakout debut, Delta Force Six is set against the turbulent backdrop of Niger Delta militancy — exploring themes of corporate greed, environmental devastation, and local resistance. The story follows rebels who kidnap foreign oil workers and sabotage pipelines, with journalists caught between conflicting forces. “The landscape has been ravaged by the need for oil — or the greed for oil, whichever way you look at it,” Dargavel remarked, highlighting the film’s strong social commentary. Cannes Momentum Davies’ My Father’s Shadow made waves at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, screening in the Un Certain Regard category and receiving a Special Mention from the Camera d’Or jury. The film, which will also screen at the BFI London Film Festival this fall, has positioned Davies as one of Africa’s most exciting new voices in global cinema. Challenges and Collaboration Dargavel, who has extensive experience producing internationally, says working in Nigeria is not for the faint-hearted but credits her Nigerian collaborators, including Funmbi Ogunbanwo of Fatherland Productions, for navigating local challenges. “You are not just in it for the money,” she said. “You care about the films, the talent, and the stories being told.” She compared Element Pictures’ commitment to Davies to their long-term support for acclaimed filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things, The Favourite), suggesting a bright future for the Nigerian director.
Nollywood Mourns Veteran Actor Tom Njemanze
Nollywood has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran actor Tom Njemanze, who passed away after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer. The news of his demise was announced by filmmaker Stanley Ajemba Chibueze, popularly known as Stanley Ontop, on Saturday, July 19, 2025. According to Stanley, Njemanze’s family confirmed that the actor died on Friday, July 18, 2025. Sharing the heartbreaking news alongside a photo of the late actor, Stanley wrote: “Good afternoon everyone, it’s another sad period as we just received news from Tom Njemanze’s family that he has succumbed to his ailment and passed on yesterday. May his soul RIP. It’s well. We tried to save him but God knows best. Nollywood loses another legend.” Before his passing, Tom Njemanze had publicly appealed for financial assistance after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Videos shared by Stanley Ontop showed the actor bedridden and attached to oxygen and intravenous lines, highlighting the severity of his condition. Stanley had previously rallied support for the veteran by publicising his situation and sharing his account details for financial aid. Tom Njemanze was a household name in Nollywood, remembered for his roles in classic films such as Died Wretched, Issakaba, Magic Cap, Osuofia in London, Twin Brothers, Full Moon, Last Kobo, My School Mother, and Stronghold. Read Full Details Here
Speed Darlington Sues NAPTIP for ₦3 Billion Over Rights Violation After Wanted Declaration
Controversial Nigerian rapper Speed Darlington has dragged the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to court, accusing the agency of infringing on his fundamental human rights after declaring him wanted. NAPTIP declared the artist wanted on June 27, citing allegations of rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking, after he failed to honor an official invitation for questioning. The move followed a viral video in which Darlington appeared to boast about having sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl, sparking widespread outrage. He later recanted, claiming the story was fictional. In the suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Darlington argued that NAPTIP’s action was “unlawful, illegal, and unconstitutional,” as it lacked a court order. He alleged violations of his rights to personal liberty, privacy, freedom of movement, and protection from inhuman and degrading treatment. The rapper is demanding ₦1 billion in general damages and ₦2 billion in punitive damages, with an additional 5% monthly interest until full payment. He also seeks a public apology from NAPTIP and a permanent injunction restraining the agency from acting on the declaration.
BBNaija Season 10 Premieres July 26 with Record-Breaking ₦150m Grand Prize
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
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
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
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
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.