BREAKING: Tiwa Savage Files Petition Against Davido

Renowned singer Tiwa Savage has filed a petition with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, accusing fellow musician Davido of threatening her with physical assault. The petition, dated January 9, details a series of events that allegedly led to the threats, causing her (Tiwa Savage) to fear for her safety. Tiwa Savage claimed that on December 23, she posted an Instagram Story featuring herself and Davido’s ex-fiancee Sophia Momodu.  According to the document, Davido responded by sending messages to Tiwa’s manager. These messages, which she said were “disrespectful, malicious, and derogatory,” reportedly prompted Tiwa to request Davido cease contact. The situation escalated, the petition claims, with Davido questioning Tiwa’s relationship with Sophia and warning her to be “careful” in Lagos. These messages allegedly led to an alleged direct threat from Davido, stating his intention to “f**k [her] up.” The petition reads partly: “I am writing to bring to your attention a distressing situation involving myself, Tiwatope Omolara Savage and David Adeleke,” the petition reads in part. “On the 23rd of December, I made a post which included myself and Sophia Momodu on my Instagram Story. “And MR. DAVID ADELEKE sent messages to my manager who’s also part of his management team that I shouldn’t worry and should never say a word to him and that I was taunting him, uttering very disrespectful, malicious and derogatory words to my person. “I responded to MR. DAVID ADELEKE’s message and told him not to reach out to me especially as I feel like I have been there for him and his daughter, Imade and more importantly when he lost his son. “The events of that day have also led to a barrage of calls and messages from our mutual connections, asking me what I did to MR. DAVID ADELEKE that he’s upset that I chose to maintain a relationship with Imade’s mother, Sophia Momodu who he’s having issues with. “And also painting the exchange to look like I was the aggressor. He has also told our mutual connections to warn me to be careful in Lagos because he was going to f**k me up. “This is beginning to feel like some form of online and offline harassment not just to me but also members of my team. “The actions of MR. DAVID ADELEKE are unethical and can be viewed as a direct threat to my rights to life, privacy and dignity of my person as guaranteed in Chapter 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), “And are also in contravention of Section 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015. “I therefore would like to make this complaint, and to state that in the event that anything untoward or harmful were to happen to me or any member of my family, I will like the members of the Nigerian Police Force to hold MR. DAVID ADELEKE responsible. “I am available to answer any questions or provide any additional information regarding this matter. “Please find attached screenshot images of the exchange between myself and MR. DAVID ADELEKE for your perusal”.

Tinubu congratulates Funke Akindele as A Tribe Called Judah’ grosses N1bn

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated box office queen, Funke Akindele as her movie, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ became the first nollywood film to to gross N1bn (One Billion Naira). In a Statement signed by Ajuri Ngelale on Friday, the president celebrated the ingenuity, creativity, and immense artistic talents of Nigeria’s thriving entertainment industry.  He commended the thespian for her contributions to the growth of the industry. “The President extols the excellence of the Nigerian creative industry, acknowledging its pivotal place as a medium not only for artistic expression but also a source of enormous soft power and viable export. “The creative industry is one of the high-employment sectors, providing jobs for our able and talented youths. It is an industry that is crucial to my administration. I salute Nigerians for their enduring support and patronage of home-grown creative efforts. We will provide the conducive environment for the industry to thrive further,” the statement read.

Why Mr Ibu’s Leg Was Amputated- Former Manager

Emeka Chochoo, former manager to renowned actor John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has shed light on the reasons behind the recent amputation of one of the actor’s legs.  Chochoo revealed that the measure became necessary due to an infection in the arteries at the ankle, which unfortunately went undetected in its early stages. Having undergone seven surgeries, including the amputation, Mr Ibu is reportedly responding well to treatment, according to Chochoo’s statement in a recent phone interview.  Chochoo, who managed Mr Ibu for over a decade, expressed optimism about the actor’s gradual healing. Detailing the medical journey, Chochoo explained that doctors have been addressing various health issues sequentially.  The amputation, Chochoo emphasized, resulted from an infection affecting one of the arteries at the ankle, leading to insufficient blood flow that was not identified in a timely manner. “The surgery was done in Nigeria,” Chochoo stated, adding that plans are underway to fly Mr Ibu abroad for further treatment. Currently, the actor is under careful medical supervision in Nigeria as part of his ongoing recovery.

Actor Ninalowo Re-Finds Love After Divorcing Wife 

Nigerian actor and film producer, Bolanle Ninalowo, has apparently rekindled the flames of love just a month after announcing the end of his marriage to Oluwabunmi.  In early September, Ninalowo had taken to his social media to share the sad news of their separation, but he left the reasons undisclosed. His 18-year-old marriage to Oluwabunmi had produced two children. On Friday, the Nollywood actor dropped a cryptic hint on his Instagram page, revealing that he has found a new love interest.  In his post on Friday, he reached out to his fans for advice on how to approach this new woman who has captured his heart.  Ninalowo’s post read, “Where are my Dr loves… I peeped her, How do I say hi!! Do I slide in her DM, do I ask her out on a date Heck, I don’t even know what it feels like anymore! But these new wavy feelings tho! The heart is tingling, I feel a beat coming.” It seems love is in the air again for the talented thespian.

Kanayo Cautions Colleagues Against Using Mr Ibu’s Sickness To Chase Clout

Veteran Actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo has warned against using the ailment of his colleague, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, to chase clout. Mr. Ibu took to social media to share a video with his fans, revealing that he has been diagnosed with an undisclosed illness.  Mr. Ibu expressed his concerns, stating that his doctor had mentioned the possibility of amputating his leg if the prescribed medications failed to work. He reached out to his fans, humbly requesting their support and prayers during this challenging time. The video announcement took many by surprise and elicited various reactions from the public.  Prominent figures like Reno Omokri and Uche Maduagwu criticized Mr. Ibu’s colleagues for allegedly neglecting him in his time of need. In response to the accusations directed at Mr. Ibu’s fellow actors for not providing support, legendary actor Kanayo. O. Kanayo addressed the issue through a video shared on his verified Instagram account. Kanayo emphatically discouraged the exploitation of Mr. Ibu’s illness for social media clout.  He stressed the importance of respecting the privacy of those who may be contributing privately and urged individuals to support their colleague in their own way without seeking attention. Kanayo’s statement sought to put an end to the public discourse and criticism surrounding Mr. Ibu’s situation and emphasized that supporting a colleague should be a personal and collective effort within the acting community.  He underscored the need to refrain from using Mr. Ibu’s name to gain attention on social media, calling out those who engage in such actions.

RMD, Afolayan, 3 other Nollywood bigwigs join Oscars Board

Five Nigerians from the country’s film industry Nollywood have been selected to become members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Academy is known around the world for its annual Academy Awards, officially and popularly known as “The Oscars”. Veteran actor Richard Mofe-Damijo, director CJ Obasi, producer Jade Osiberu, and writers Kunle Afolayan and Shola Dada, have all been selected based on their contributions to cinema. As members, they will now receive voting rights for The Oscars nominations and winners. “The Academy is proud to welcome these artists and professionals into our membership. They represent extraordinary global talent across cinematic disciplines and have made a vital impact on the arts and sciences of motion pictures and on movie fans worldwide,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang. The Academy has previously faced criticism for its lack of diversity. A study in 2012 by the Los Angeles Times newspaper found that 94% of Oscar voters were white. However, critics note there have been some changes since #OscarsSoWhite trended eight years ago.

Between Saint Obi’s marriage and his death…

By Zik Zulu Okafor His social life was blunted. Perhaps by his reticent disposition. His persona, two dimensional. To a distant public, he was upscale and cool. His manly bearing spoke loud. His onscreen image ironically amplified some idiosyncrasies; heroics, romantic adventures and traits that did not gel with the mortal privacy that eerily define his quiet and lonely life. Saint Obi, real name, Obinna Nwafor, was shy, almost bordering on timidity and insecurity. He cherished the pleasantly tranquil interactions among a few friends. He would vanish at any outburst that could upset the poise of such small meetings. As he repeatedly told me, he just wanted to live a cool, quiet and fulfilled life. But, has he lived this cool and fulfilled life he envisioned? I have my doubts. I tell Saint’s story here with painful tears in my eyes; because he was a star, a superstar whose life turned out a gleam of irony. Yet, it was this stardom that fetched him his much-professed financially strong and powerful wife. And their wedding, that solemn ritual of love would drastically alter the cause of his life and tragically yank him off the creative community that threw him up for the wife to capture and indeed conquer. Their marriage was at best a dramatization of love. It was quick. He barely told us that he found a wife. Then, the marriage happened. It was something of a mystique, only those involved understood the histrionics that played out. None of us who were his closest pals, who walked with him through the crucible to the crest of his career in Nollywood, none of us was invited. The distance between us and the guy I admirably called Saint of the Storm had begun. This gulf would widen with each year. We saw him perhaps once a year after this marriage. And life actually seemed to have given him a fair shake of the dice. He dressed well, drove big cars and even his skin, in literal lingo, spelled wellness. The Saint would be blessed with three beautiful children. But not on one occasion were his friends in Nollywood invited for a christening or birthday. We were told that his wife was of the topmost hierarchy in telecom giant, MTN. But even if their celebrations were designed to be a rendezvous of the elites of the technocracies that his wife chiefly belonged, you expected that Saint would reach out to a few of his fellow creatives, for even if they would herald his small beginnings, there could be no tinge of shame to it because we all have our journeys and our stories. And even at that, the actor or cineaste in Nollywood is by no means poor. But more tragic is the fact that his marriage did not only take away Obinna from his friends, it took him away from Nollywood. Saint stopped acting, and absconded from his career and perhaps his calling. It would seem prognostic now. Yes, because I recall leaving my house in Lagos Mainland for his massive office in Lekki, Victoria Island, Lagos. It was about six years ago. There, I demanded to know why my friend abandoned our industry. He told me with his usual shy expressions that he wanted to focus on some other businesses and also to work behind the camera. Because his visage was unconvincing to me, I told him in stark terms, that whatever his new vision and pursuits, he must not abandon the trade that made him who he was. It took another three years for Saint to return to his homies. But when he did, some of the deeply disappointed ones sniggered behind him. This was because the simmering rumors of cracks in his marriage had hit home. And though secretive in his ways, he knew it was time to open up. And he did. “I do not know why my wife’s siblings see me as a gold digger. They confront me, harass and fight me in my own matrimony. And my wife did nothing to stop them. I work hard, I earn my money. I have never depended on my wife “, he lamented, eyes blurred with tears. You could tell he was in deep pain. By the next visit, the Saint returned with a deep cut from a knife on his left eye. His wife’s brothers, he said, scaled the wall fence of their house to attack him. They were captured by hidden closed-circuit television, CCTV, installed for surveillance and security, he revealed. He reported them at the police station and subsequently acquired a gun to defend himself. This effectively marked the beginning of the end of his marriage and perhaps Saint Obi’s long walk to a sad end. He moved out of his marital home to a new house to begin the reconstruction of his destiny, alone without his wife and worse still without his three beautiful children. Meanwhile, his wife went to the police to defend her siblings using her financial power to manipulate the cause of justice, Saint stated unequivocally. The wife also sued for divorce, not in Lagos, but in Ogun state. As Saint put it, “It was to make the journey difficult for me. But I will not bend neither will I break. I will fight with my last blood to take custody of my children. They love me and they know it will be hard for me to live without them. Divorce is not an issue. My marriage has long been over”, he said with a mix of courage and a quaky heart that betrayed his distress. About mid-last year, however, Obinna took ill. But he told no one. He simply became scarce. He was in and out of the hospital, we would later learn. He sold two of his three big SUVs to take proper care of his health and to acquire six Camry cars he’d use for Uber. But his vanishing health continued unabated. He seemed to have a premonition

Celebrities, fans mourn Yoruba movie actor, Afolabi who died at 49

Barely 24 hours after the death of popular Nollywood actor, Obinna Nwafor, famously known by his stage name, ‘Saint Obi’, a Yoruba popular actor and filmmaker, Murphy Afolabi also died on Sunday. Afolabi died after he collapsed in the bathroom at his residence in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State. Afolabi is the third Nollywood actor to die within a week. Saint Obi died on Sunday, May 7, while veteran Yoruba actor, Mukaila Adedigba, popularly known as Alaafin Oro, died on Saturday. According to filmmaker and producer, Sodiq Adebayo, Afolabi had been ill for a while and was discharged from the hospital two days ago. Sodiq, son of veteran Nollywood actor, Adebayo Salami, directed some of Afolabi’s films including Osumare and Omo Mushin. The thespian was born on May 5, 1974 and had celebrated his 49th birthday last week, which was the last post on his Instagram page. The Osun-born actor carved a niche for himself with his use of rich Yoruba proverbs and unadulterated indigenous sayings. Afolabi’s death came as a rude shock to thousands of his fans and colleagues, who have started paying tributes to him on social media. A filmmaker and president of the Yoruba movies directors’ guild, Seun Olaiya, shared the sad news on a WhatsApp platform populated by filmmakers. The Managing Director of Corporate Pictures Nigeria Limited, Abdullahi Abdulrasaq, also confirmed it. Olaiya wrote, “I swear to God just before the news, I was still hailing him. This is really a rude shock to me.” Showbiz personality and convener of the Best of Nollywood Awards, Seun Oloketuyi, also confirmed the news. He said, “It is true. He passed away after a fall in his bathroom at his house in Ikorodu this morning.” Damola Olatunji shared his picture on Instagram with the caption: “Murphy but why. We all celebrated your birthday on the 5th of May not knowing you were saying goodbye. “Vanity upon vanity, everything we do is ‘vanity’, empty, futile and short-lived. It doesn’t matter if you’re wise or a fool, ultimately, because everyone ends up dying. Rest on bruv. Sunnnre ooo.” Nigerian comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, also shared a picture of the late actor with the caption; “I am in total shock. May God grant you eternal rest Murphy.” Actor and producer, Kunle Afod, wrote, “Black weekend in the industry. We lost four people in the space of two days… RIP Murphy Afolabi, RIP Saint Obi, RIP Adidigba, RIP Techno sound.” Also, Olaniyi Afonja, popularly known as “Sanyeri”, said: “It is so shocking to hear the death of my wonderful friend, Murphy Afolabi. I pray God be with the family he left behind. Murphy rest in perfect peace.” According to reports reaching Nigerian Anchor, the Osogbo-indigene would be buried in his hometown today, May 15th. May his soul rest in peace. Amen

Falz seeks prayers after undergoing knee surgery in UK

Popular Nigerian rapper, Folarin Falana, better known as Falz, has undergone knee surgery in the United Kingdom. The songwriter took to his Instagram page to narrate how he sustained an injury on his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Falz said he was playing football in November 2022 when he sustained the knee injury. He added that the surgery was conducted on May 2, 2023, at a medical facility in London. “Current situation. It’s a whole journey to being 100% back. Say a prayer for me,” he wrote in the caption. “26th of November 2022. I am walking with a little bit of a limb. Few days ago, on the 23rd, I went to play football and I sustained a knee injury,” he said in the video. “This is November 30, 2022. About a week since I tore my ACL. To be honest I didn’t know what the hell happened on the day. I just knew it felt really painful. MRI (magnetic resonance imagine) result came back and it showed that it is a complete tear on my ACL. I have been advised to go into surgery to fix it. “About 1.5 hrs later. ACL reconstruction done under local + general aesthetic.