Kemi Olunloyo, a controversial investigative journalist, explains the purported cause of actress Ada Ameh’s demise.

This happens a day after the actress’s funeral, which took place weeks after she passed away after collapsing.

In a Twitter post about her disagreements with the late Ada Ameh, Kemi Olunloyo claimed that her friends had killed her.

She Wrote: “Ada Ameh’s sister says her spirit fought family members yesterday

Ezeh is asking the court to enforce this right once the voter can be identified/verified to be the persons either with their permanent voters card or not.

Dr Emmanuel Ezeh, a businessman, has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission to court.

The man sued the INEC before an Abuja Federal High Court to allow all registered voters to be able to vote once their names are in the voter's register.

Ezeh is asking the court to enforce this right once the voter can be identified/verified to be the persons either with their permanent voters card or not.

The plaintiff is also a candidate of the Labour Party for the Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

In an Originating Summons filed on Friday at the Federal High Court Abuja through his counsel, J.I. Gbim-Gbande Esq; Ezeh, the plaintiff wants the court to declare Section 47(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 as unconstitutional, null and void as it conferred unlimited power on the defendant (INEC) to disenfranchise registered Nigerian voters.

The counsel is also the who is also a candidate of the Labour Party for the Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State in the forthcoming 2023 general elections,

The Plaintiff, who brought suit pursuant to order 3 Rule 9 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and under the inherent jurisdiction formulated four questions for the determination of the court.

The Plaintiff wants the court to determine, "Whether having regard to sections 7(4) and 77(2) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended) and section 124(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 read in conjunction with Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (2004), a Nigerian citizen who has attained the voting age of eighteen (18) years, residing in Nigeria, registered to vote and with his name in the register of voters can vote in any Election conducted by the Defendant.

"Whether having regard to the clear, lucid and unequivocal provisions of sections 9(1), (5) and (6), 19(1), (2) (3), 47(2), 17 and 124 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 the register of voters is the basic legal facility used to authenticate a valid registered voter.

"Where the register of voters is the basic facility used to authenticate a valid voter; whether the requirement of a voter coming into a polling unit with his/her voter's card is compulsory, sine quo non to him/her voting; thus, exercising franchise.

"Whether section 47 (3) of the Electoral Act (2022) is not arbitary and unconstitutional, null and void haven bestowed on the Defendant the unlimited discretion in determining exercise of franchise upon failure of the card reader to authenticate a voter's card."

Among other claims he sought from the court are: "A Declaration that any registered Nigerian voter of voting age is entitled to vote at his/her polling unit of registration once such a Nigerian can be verified to be on the voters register of the Defendant for that polling unit pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(4) and 77 (2) the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) and Section 124(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.

"A DECLARATION that the Register of voters kept by the Defendant displayed at various polling units all over Nigeria and available physically and electronically at all polling units during elections is the valid, authentic and lawful document authenticating valid voters and the voter's card, card reader, biometric identity-thumb prints or facial recognition used to register voters can be used to identify, accredit and verify eligible registered voters whose names are in the register of voters.

"A DECLARATION that no registered eligible Nigerian voter of voting age can be denied franchise for failure to present his/her voter's card at the polling unit where and when the name of such an eligible voter is on the official voters register of the Defendat for such polling unit and such voter can be authenticated, verified or identified via biometric identity-thumb prints or facial recognition or any other technology deployed by the Defendant during the continuous voter registration exercise.

"A DECLARATION the Section 47(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 is unconstitutional, null and void haven conferred unlimited power on the Defendant to disenfranchise registered Nigerian voters out rightly and impliedly."

He also wants the court to make any orders as may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case.

The suit was accompanied with 18-paragraph affidavit in support of Originating Summons.

Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, has hailed Peter Obi's followers.

He commended supporters of Obi, the Labour Party flag bearer for the 2023 presidential election, over the Saturday’s 5-million-man march in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

Still and motion pictures of the Port Harcourt march are currently trending on all social media platforms as crowd stormed the Garden City soliciting support for the former Anambra State Governor.

Reacting, Reno, a strong critic of Obi, commended the supporters who are called Obidients, saying it was a commendable effort.

Reno, however, challenged them to hold such a march in Southeast when the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, declared sit-at-home.

He wrote, “Port Harcourt was a nice crowd, although we have seen much, much larger mammoth crowds for the PDP in Adamawa and Calabar, to mention a few.

“Nevertheless, it is still a commendable effort. However, let me recommend a crowd pulling strategy to Peter Obi. When next IPOB declares a sit at home, let the Obidient movement organise a rally. Or are the Obidient movement afraid of IPOB?

“In fact, Peter Obi has never defied IPOB by personally organising activities during their sit at homes in the Southeast. If he refuses to defy IPOB in his backyard, how can he withstand Nigeria’s security challenges? A man who obeys IPOB sit at home wants to sit in Aso Rock. No be juju be that”?

Tinubu stated this while speaking in Abuja as he received APC national working committee (NWC) members at the Tinubu/Shettima campaign office on Saturday.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari.

He applauded President Buhari’s decision to support only candidates of the party in 2023.

Tinubu stated this while speaking in Abuja as he received APC national working committee (NWC) members at the Tinubu/Shettima campaign office on Saturday.

He described Buhari as a bold leader for taking the stand.

“I like the statement of Mr. President a few days ago. Firm, concise, straight to the point and bold as a leader of our party.

“We should commend the President for that statement.

“For his commitment and loyalty to the party. And for being a true party leader,” Tinubu said.

One of the Big Brother Naija, BBNaija season 7 housemates, Amaka, has reacted to new developments on the house.

She says she “regrets merging of level 1 and 2 housemates.”

Recall that Biggie on Sunday merged the housemates after weeks apart.

From the start of the reality show, housemates were shared into two Level 1 and Level 2.

However, the game changed after the eviction of Ilebaye, Khalid, Cyph, Kess, Pharmsavi.

Amaka, during a conversation with Doyin on Saturday, said she regrets the merger because there’s always drama and quarrels in the house.

Amaka: “I was also looking forward to it but now there’s nothing else and I’m bored.

“I regret the merging of housemates. The drama in this house is too much.

“There’s nothing subtle about talking in this house.”

Meanwhile, all housemates are up for possible eviction this week after they failed to report to obey Biggie’s instruction in time.

At Least one housemate will be evicted during Sunday live eviction.

The BBNaija Level Up housemate taking sides with his ‘lover’ Bella, told Chizzy to respect women and rather take it up with him.

One of the Big Brother Naija, BBNaija season 7 housemates, Sheggz, has fallen out with his fellow contestant, Chizzy.

Sheggz claimed that Chizzy will never be in the same space with him if not for the show.

Sheggz said this while Chizzy called Bella ‘Ekuke-Local dog’ during a face-off.

The BBNaija Level Up housemate taking sides with his ‘lover’ Bella, told Chizzy to respect women and rather take it up with him.

According to him, the BBNaija house causes disrespect.

The housemates were fighting over food being shared in the house.

“If not for Biggie, we would not be in the same space

“Why are you disrespecting a woman? That is a violation. Why take it on her if you want to disrespect me go ahead and leave her out of it?

“Being in this house just brings disrespect.”

Recall that Sheggz and Bella were issued a warning over their attitude to tasks.

He noted that such behavior will not be tolerated anymore.

This is coming a day after bandits blocked the Katsina-Jibia Road and kidnapped a yet-to-be specified number of passengers, killing one.

A suspected informant to bandits has been caught in Katsina State.

The young man was arrested after he disguised as a woman to carry out his alleged nefarious act in the state.

According to one Umar Abduladi Jibia, the suspect was nabbed at the Katsina State Transport Authority (KSTA) station in Jibia Local Government Area on Friday, August 26.

This is coming a day after bandits blocked the Katsina-Jibia Road and kidnapped a yet-to-be specified number of passengers, killing one.

They held a strategic meeting with some of the party leaders, including Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the party’s national chairman.

The Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu,  and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, have met for strategic meetings.

They held a strategic meeting with some of the party leaders, including Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the party’s national chairman.

The meeting took place at Tinubu’s campaign office in Abuja.

Below are pictures:

Franklin Isika, who is also known as Frankie Seeka, opens up about his life and career in this piece.

Franklin Isika, a Nigerian singer, comedian and actor, who is also known as Frankie Seeka, has made some buzz on social media in the past.

He tells BABATUNDE TUGBOBO about his career

When did you venture into comedy?

I had always been around comedians and content creators. I also used to write scripts as well. However, I formally started my comedy career in 2020.

What is the inspiration behind your character, Frankie Seeka; the boy, Kiriku; and the dog, Storm?

It came naturally being that Storm has always been the smart one when the story is about me. Kiriku is also a smart character, so I thought about having a ‘face-off’ between both of them.

One of the recurring themes in your skits is when Storm tries to expose your character or retaliate whatever wrong you did to it. What brought that about?

I have always studied dogs, vis-a-vis the way they act. I have always genuinely felt that deep down, they (dogs) think they are smarter than us (humans). For example, a dog will make certain cute faces when they want something from you. As far as I’m concerned, that is emotional blackmail. In the light of that, I thought about a world where dogs would feel more inclined to prove that they are smarter than us, and how that would play out. That was the idea behind Storm always proving to be a step ahead of my character.

Did you have any similar experiences of your skits with dogs while growing up?

Not from a dog. But, that is basically what happens when one has a younger sibling, so I relate it to having a younger one.

How do you get ideas for your skits?

I draw inspiration from different things. It could be something I saw, or what someone said. There are really a lot of funny situations around us every day. Also, I watched a lot of cartoons while growing up, and I still do.

How does it feel being a social media comedian?

I really don’t feel any different or special. Perhaps, that is because there is still so much for me to achieve. I have not even scratched the surface of all that I want to do. I still wake up every day thinking of what content to create, and how to get better and fulfill my potentials.

In the process of building your brand, have you ever been frustrated?

Yes. I feel that many people really don’t understand the hard work I put in to make my videos; from the point of writing the script to shooting the video and editing it. I have to work at least thrice as everyone else because all the things my dog does in my videos are real; no special effects. It is hard enough shooting videos with human beings; talk more of with a dog.

What are the challenges you have faced over the years?

The biggest one is the lack of resources. One needs to pay for props and even locations. Contrary to popular belief, one cannot just start creating content, and immediately begin to buy cars. That is not how it works.

It is also hard to even shoot videos in Lagos because there are always hoodlums threatening to seize one’s camera if one does not give them money. They usually claim that they are the ones who watch our skits. They want us to pay them for entertaining them, while it should be the other way round. They assume we (social media content creators) are buying cars because they watch our videos; yet, they do so for free.

Have you ever been a victim of online bullying?

Yes, I have. People have said hurtful things about me because they feel that is the way to get one’s attention. When one reacts, they would then say, “I am your number one fan. I just wanted you to reply”.

You have over 100,000 followers. How were you able to build your fan base?

It has been a gradual process. I have constantly been working to make sure I create content at least twice a week. I have also enjoyed support from people who have more followers than I do on social media. The popular music producer and record label executive, Don Jazzy, has always supported me by reposting my videos. That has also helped me to grow my audience. Social media personality, Tunde Ednut, has also been very supportive over the years.

Which of your videos brought you fame?

I really don’t think I am famous yet. I am working towards it. I actually have so many things I could be doing.

What are the efforts you put into making your skits?

I have to work thrice harder than other content creators because I’m pretty hands-on with my craft. We all want to become successful and get to a place where we have professionals shooting, editing and even writing scripts, but because of the uniqueness of my content, I might never have that luxury. I have to direct the cameraman, the cast, and my dog. I also have to be hands-on with whoever is editing on the few occasions where I am not editing the content myself.

Has any of your skits got you in trouble?

Yes. Earlier this year, I got in big trouble because I shot a skit while wearing a police uniform. I spent weeks in the State Criminal Investigation Department, and it was a horrible experience.

How were you able to secure your bail?

I reached out to Don Jazzy, who made some calls and eventually sent money to me for bail.

Did the police warn you against using their uniforms in your skits?

Yes, they warned me.

Were you told the process by which you can get approval to use police uniforms if you need them for your skits?

They said I would have to come to their office and meet the Commissioner of Police who would give me approval to use the uniforms, and I would return them after shooting my skits.

Beyond being a comedian, what other activities are you involved in?

I sell furniture and I am also into interior decoration. I believe I am a really good cook, and will like to establish eateries when I have the funds. I help people to get dogs as well.

Have you started making money from your social media contents?

I am still in the building stage of my career. There is a bit of money coming in here and there, but I am still laying the foundation for my career.

Do you have any plans to later get a white-collar job?

No. I believe in making money doing what I enjoy. I am a very creative person, so even if I am not making skits, I would always want do something that involves me creatively expressing myself.

What kind of doors has your presence on social media opened for you?

I have been able to meet some really important people that I may not have met without social media.

Do you get funny requests from women?

Not really. I think they are all scared of dogs (laughs).

What are some of the testimonies you’ve got from your fans?

The most significant is when someone said my videos make him so happy and less depressed. That meant the world to me because being someone that deals with depression myself, it felt amazing to be able to help someone facing such challenge. His message got me through that month, knowing I’m doing something to help people out there.

How do you handle negative comments on social media?

Most times, I ignore them. Sometimes, I block them, and sometimes, I respond to them and give them a piece of my mind. We are all humans. The fact that some of us are entertainers does not mean we have a thicker skin.

Have you ever wished you were as popular in real life as you are on social media?

No, I cannot afford that (laughs). It is quite expensive to be popular, so maybe when I become a millionaire, I will be easily recognisable.

On your social media page, you described yourself as ‘seeing things differently’. What exactly do you mean?

I am a bit of an ‘over-analyser’. I always find a twist to things. For example, there are many people shooting skits, so I decided to be using a dog, so as to stand out. Even when colleagues bring their scripts to me to work on, I always have an alternative end or beginning for them.

There have been cases of dogs used for segxwal romps with humans. What is your take on that?

That is honestly the most disgusting thing I have ever seen. Bestiality should not have a place in our society. It paints us, real dog lovers, in a bad light. There are usually comments on my posts, with people asking if it isn’t one of those ‘Lekki dogs’. It hurts me to read things like that.

What advice do you have for young talents who want to become skit makers?

Do this because you really love it. Don’t do it because you see people doing it and think it is a shortcut to easy money. This is one of the most taxing things one can choose as a career. And, you always have to put your best foot forward.

What distinguishes you from other online comedians?

My contents are different and groundbreaking. I don’t use special effects for skits involving my dogs. Even many Hollywood movies use social effects for animal scenes. All what people see in my skits are products of creative thinking; nothing more.

How will you describe your childhood?

I did a lot of playing and learning. I was quite a stubborn kid. Indeed, I had a really fun-filled childhood.

Were your parents supportive when you chose to become a comedian, and how do they react when they watch your skits?

I have been an orphan since I was 14 years old. I do wish my parents were alive. I know they would absolutely love what I am doing.

In the course of shooting skits with your dog, has it ever bitten anyone you were working with?

No, it hasn’t. My dog is one of the sweetest dogs one can find. She is not aggressive. She has a unique way of sensing fear. When she notices that a person is scared of dogs, she would not go close to the person.

Has anybody ever declined working with you because of your dog?

No. Initially, there were some people that were really scared of dogs. But, when they meet mine, it actually helps them to deal with their phobia. A couple people have actually gone ahead to buy dogs after meeting mine.

What sort of training did you give your dog to enable you to shoot skits with it?

It is really hard work and persistence. I have to clearly tell it what I want it to do. I also need to always have a treat close by, so as to make shooting fun for it.

Camacho-Quinn got one over Tobi Amusan winning the women’s 100m Hurdles at the Diamond League in a new Meeting Record of 12.34s (-0.9).

Nigeria’s champion sprinter, Tobi Amusan on Friday night won silver medal at the ongoing Diamond League Meet after breaking through at this year’s World Athletics Championship in Oregon, United States.

Still smarting from the record Commonwealth Games gold she won in Birmingham earlier in August, Amusan hoped to continue her superlative performance but met a resistant hurdle as she lost the gold medal to 2020 Tokyo Olympics winner, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico.

Camacho-Quinn got one over Tobi Amusan winning the women’s 100m Hurdles at the Diamond League in a new Meeting Record of 12.34s (-0.9).

Amusan finished second in 12.45s and qualified for Zurich, while US’ Tia Jones ran a new Personal Best of 12.47s to finish third.

The Diamond League is an annual series of elite track and field athletics competitions comprising 14 of the best invitational athletics meetings.

The series sits in the top tier of the World Athletics one-day meeting competitions.

In this interview, Usman, who was born in 1953 in Azare town of Bauchi State, explained how and why he embarked on the project.

Hadi Usman, a Gombe-based self-taught ‘engineer,’ recently invented a water-powered cooking stove in response to the increasing cost of cooking gas and kerosene in Nigeria, which has made living very difficult for many families.

In this interview, Usman, who was born in 1953 in Azare town of Bauchi State, explained how and why he embarked on the project.

How did you get the inspiration to produce a water-powered stove?

A scientist always puts his mind to exploring his imaginations and create new items. For me, being an untrained scientist, my inventions are based on trial and error. If what I intend to do works, I write down the procedures on paper for future use.

As I usually say, it is a necessity that makes a human being think of creating or inventing something that will make life easier for him. So, there cannot be an invention of anything meaningful without going through some stages of difficulty. Going through these stages of difficulty will make him think of something that will make life easier for him.

As a result of the lack of stable electricity and the high cost of fuel and cooking gas, which I cannot afford due to the current economic hardship in the country, I started thinking of how to get a cheaper and more affordable energy so that I could use a soldering iron in my workshop to repair some of the electrical appliances brought to me by customers.

These developments made me start thinking of how to get a cheaper energy without buying fuel, gas, firewood or charcoal. I started thinking of a solution. It took me about three years to come up with an idea – that there is atom and electron in water, which can be used to produce electricity. Then it occurred to me that a copper, if used with atom and electron, could generate the air that can subsequently produce energy.

I spent about three years doing a trial and error until I succeeded. I started small and it gradually reached a point where, for the past one year, I don’t buy gas, firewood or gas for cooking in my house. To brew my tea and even cook a large family meal, we use the water-powered stove.

So, the inability to purchase gas or fuel made me come up with this idea.

What are the materials used to fabricate the stove?

I use water, speed motor, battery, empty bottle water and a burner. I use drinking water to produce the energy that powers the stove to cook.

But I have been modifying it. When I first made it three years ago, you needed to use a hand-pump before generating electricity, but I have developed a battery and speed motor that can produce the oxygen needed to power the stove. That saves us stress, time and energy to pump it until it cooks food or boils tea.

What is the quantity of water needed to operate the stove?

It depends on what you are cooking. If it is boiling water for tea or to bathe, a sachet of water, half in each bottle, is enough to last for three days, but to cook food in the house you need two gallons of water; and it will last for one month before you replace the water.

Mind you, the water level remains the same, but the atom and electron will be exhausted and you need to put fresh water. The pressure of the fire will be decreasing until it reaches a level that it can start the stove. You have to replace the water with fresh one because the atom and electron that were filtered will be exhausted and it will no longer be an ordinary water.


How much did you spend in fabricating the stove?

I cannot remember the amount because I spent over three years before coming up with it. Apart from the money spent, I also put a lot of time, which if I had dedicated in doing something different like repairing television and other electronic gadgets, I may have gotten more money. But the time I spent researching and fabricating the product is invaluable.

How much will it cost to produce a similar stove?

I will not use the same recycled plastic water bottle. For instance, if someone from Bauchi State purchases the stove, and along the way the plastic bottle or gallon gets spoilt, what is he going to do? I am planning to fabricate a metal container for the water. I am producing different designs and sizes that can serve different purposes, like small and big families and even students, among others. I am still experimenting, so it is still an ongoing project. It is yet to get to the final stage where I can take it to the market for sale.

Are people contacting you to buy the stove?

 Several people from Finland, Austria and Netherlands have called me several times to inquire on how to partner with me on the project. Some Chinese have even visited me and we discussion on whether I could sale the technology to them or become a partner and get a stake when the stove is produced in a large quantity. But I told them it is still a work in progress and after I finish and acquire a copyright I will decide whether to sale it or start producing them in a large quantity.

Also, hundreds of people have been visiting my house. And I have been receiving numerous phone calls from different states, inquiring to know when the stove would become available in the market. But my answer always remains the same – it is still work in progress.

How soon will it be available in the market?

I cannot exactly say because the project is still ongoing. However, I hope to finish it very soon and make it public and available in the market for people to buy. My target is even to go beyond that to a point where we can have motorcycles and other vehicles using water.

Has the government offered you any assistance?

From 1975 till date, there has been no form of assistance from either the local, state or federal government.  All they do is to visit the workshop, admire my works and leave.

But after Daily Trust and other media houses interviewed me recently, we are now discussing with some government agencies. Also, the Gombe State University has offered me a contract to start teaching students in the Physics Department on practical aspects of Electrical Electronics, satellite installation, among others.

The SUV caught fire while held in a heavy gridlock on the bridge linking Ikorodu Road from Seven Up area.

In what will come across as a really startling development, a car has caught fire in Lagos traffic.

The horrific incident happened around the MKO Abiola Gardens, Seven Up area, Ikorodu Road, Lagos State.

The SUV caught fire while held in a heavy gridlock on the bridge linking Ikorodu Road from Seven Up area.

The incident happened on Friday at about 8:55 pm.

No casualty was recorded in the incident.

The cause of the fire had yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, few minutes after the fire incident, our correspondent observed some hoodlums robbing inhabitants of two cars and dispossessing them of their belongings behind the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority office, while the gridlock persisted.

The robbery incident happened at about 9:25pm Friday.

The organization said Peter Obi, the presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party, is no longer an ‘Igbo project’.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has given full backing to Peter Obi.

The organization said Peter Obi, the presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party, is no longer an ‘Igbo project’.

The National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, said the Igbo had “exported him to the rest of Nigeria”, and added that Nigerians had “accepted and domesticated him”.

He spoke on the backdrop of the recent visit by some Igbo elders to the Sultan of Sokoto and the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Abubakar, to intensify consultation and concretise plans for a president from Igbo extraction in 2023.

The Secretary-General of Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, Prof. Charles Nwekeaku had told The PUNCH that the Igbo felt “betrayed by the Peoples Democratic Party, amongst other political parties.”

According to him, the Igbo have found another route to the 2023 presidency through Obi, who he said, had received the backing of northerners.

Reacting, Ogbonnia, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, backed the elders.

He said, “As you must have heard, some Igbo elders are doing some consultations. We are still insisting on Igbo presidency. In the first place, if you watch the polity, you will see a lot of advocacies about Igbo presidency by Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

“We, the Igbo people, are so happy. We brought out our goods in the market and Nigerians bought them. What else do you expect us to do? We are happy. All Igbo are happy.

“Throughout last year and the year before, we have been talking about the Igbo presidency. Ohanaeze struggled to bring it to the fore. Luckily for us, Nigerians have bought it and domesticated it. Our product has been purchased.

“It is clear that the candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, is no longer an Igbo project. He is now a national project. Ohanaeze has pushed out the matter to the rest of Nigeria,” he said.

Meanwhile, the factional Chairman of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos Branch, Chief Solomon Ogbonna-Aguene, said Igbo people would only vote for a candidate with the interest of the South-East region at heart.

He also advised Igbo indigenes in Lagos not to ‘put their eggs in one basket’ while trying to support a presidential candidate.

He said Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos had agreed to only vote for a presidential candidate who would better the lives and change the fortunes of Ndigbo in Lagos.

Ogbonna-Aguene said, “Ndigbo in Lagos should not put their eggs in one basket. We must be mindful of what we say. Whoever you vote for should be able to change your life for the better. Also, we have to know the person with the interest of Ndigbo at heart; one who prioritises Ndigbo. That is the one we will vote for the presidency.

In this interview with Weekend magazine, he discusses his journey in the industry and the growth of the Nigerian entertainment industry.

Nollywood actor, Deyemi Okanlawon, has starred in some top Nollywood blockbusters in the last two years and has stunned fans with his acting prowess.

In this interview with Weekend magazine, he discusses his journey in the industry and the growth of the Nigerian entertainment industry.

Weekend Magazine: Do you think that Nollywood today has been upgraded due to the fact that streaming services have come into Nigeria?

Deyemi: There is a bit of background to this conversation but the assumption we have made is that the quality of Nigerian films has improved, and we all agree. The Nigerian film industry, while not being the oldest, has been around for quite a while ever since the days of Herbert Ogunde and the likes. They used to shoot on celluloid. We’ve always known that Nigerians have a knack for storytelling, and they have created really good films.

There was a time in the history of filmmaking where we got way more commercial as with most things in Nigeria. We took off all the frills and thrills and just created what the consumers wanted. And as at that time, the consumers were not particular about a lot of other things other than to enjoy the stories and acting but times have changed. The Nigerian audience, their pilot has changed in terms of the kind of film and the quality of films they are looking for and we saw a slow but steady evolution of Nigerian film making to international standards. This started to happen even before the entrance of any of the streaming platforms.

However, one of the major things we need to understand along the film value chain is distribution and without distribution. I would say that the Nigerian film making has been locked out of the international film distribution channel for a very long time and has democratised distribution. So, it’s not held by few powerful studios in Hollywood who have an agenda of their own, and there is little or nothing you can do about it. It has been democratised by these new streaming platforms and made it accessible to all. Obviously, that also means that at the end of the day, when filmmakers invest more money into their films, they can hope for better returns on their investment. You don’t want to spend 100 million in a film and you are locked into a distribution channel that can only pay you maybe 20 million, you end up with a loss. Now, having these new platforms here has significantly opened Nigerian filmmaking to the world but beyond that we are also able to generate more revenues from these new distribution channels. I agree there has been an improvement but I would not say that it’s only happening because of these streaming platforms. There was a move towards greater quality films way before these guys started, it has just been accelerated.

WM: We recently, learnt from a report that you never really wanted to be an actor. What has the journey been like for you?

Deyemi: I will insist that I am still up and coming. The reason why is that, if you put me side by side with Denzel Washington, I still have a long way to go. My very first memory of acting was when I was five years old. I played every kind of role during those Christmas plays and I really enjoyed them. I enjoyed reading story books too. I have always had this storytelling performance thing right from childhood. My mother was a good baker and my father, an aircraft engineer. I would pick up not just story books but also his engineering books and that’s how I got interested in sciences. I studied chemical engineering at the University of Lagos and was also selling cake and bread from my mum’s bakery. One day in university, I bumped into this group of young performers who were doing faith-based drama production and joined them. That reignited my love for drama. I was about nine years old when I did my first TV commercial about family planning, Sola Sobowale was my mom and even that experience I remember vividly while the other kids struggled with their performance, for me, it was a breeze.  So fast forward, I continued doing drama after graduation, with a much bigger church and what I didn’t realise was that I was being trained. I became the head of the youth drama group at that time and doing all these things. I also had a 9-5 job I was attending to. Sometime in 2010, a random conversation with a business contact of mine asked what I was studying, and I told him, he asked what I would like to do, and I told him acting. He said he had some friends in Texas and are back in Nigeria to shoot a film and if I am interested, he could let me audition. I went to the audition, and I got two film roles in my first ever audition. That’s how it started; someone saw the trailer for the feature film that I did then Tolu Ajayi of lucid productions. He called after seeing the trailer and said we should have a conversation about his own film ‘blink’. Blink is on YouTube for anyone who wants to watch it. It became my call card to the industry. Every night, before going to bed, I would tweet at every Nollywood name that I knew, and I would drop the link to the movie. Somehow, the movie got on Nairaland and it just went viral and from that point, a lot of filmmakers saw my work. Following that I got a call from Lala Akindoju who was working with Jade Osiberu on this movie called Gidi up, they invited me for an audition, and I got the part and this was before these streaming platforms. People saw Gidi up and were drawn to Nigerian filmmaking again because it just set a new standard. One of those nights coming back from the audition, I got waylaid by armed robbers and I got shot. I survived the accident, but I wasn’t discouraged.

WM: You also have a journey in the corporate world, tell us about that

Deyemi: After I finished school and started searching for what to do. My mum asked me to join in her bakery business which I did because I’d already gotten a taste of money on campus and was already skewed towards entrepreneurship. I worked with her for two years, resigned and left home. I started my business in sparkling solution and ran that business for a year and a half. Then I joined a financial analyst and investor relations firm called Proshare and became head of marketing. Then I left after a while to start sales target consulting for small businesses. I joined a company which eventually got bought over by OLX and I became the marketing manager for OLX in Nigeria. It wasn’t until sometime in 2013 that I resigned.

WM: Why did you decide to take a break in 2019?

Deyemi: I was discouraged and wanted to give up. Mainly, because I was in a lot of films, and I wasn’t finding fulfilment in a lot of these films. I dusted my resume and went back to work. I joined Silverbird film distribution as the head of marketing and after which I was asked to take up the position of head of account for Nollywood titles. Then COVID-19 happened and the CEO relocated, then I became the acting CEO. At some point, I started getting calls from Kemi Adetiba and the likes. When we were released from lockdown, I got back to filming and now I’m really happy that I’m doing work that I find fulfilling and that the industry has grown to a point where the quality of production is something, we can all be proud of as Nigerian actors and producers. And also, the financial reward for our crafts has also improved.

WM: Do you think these streaming platforms helped elevate your career? Also, when you talk about the lucrative nature of being on these platforms, can you share that with us?

Deyemi:  I am well aware that films are now being produced in Nigeria for millions of dollars. For blood sisters, I am aware lots of money was spent and everyone was paid very well. Please understand that the people I’m talking about are in no way mediocre in the craft, I’m talking about the best of the best. When you see the films, you know why they are getting paid huge amounts of money for the films. It’s an interesting time.

WM: You’ve been talking about distribution for a while now, do you think the piracy challenge Nollywood has faced over time seems better now?

Deyemi: One of the things we need to do is not give voice to these platforms, so I would never mention the name of a pirate website. Secondly, piracy is here to stay so the real issue to look into is how to circumvent the effect. With the online platforms now, there are new sources of income for filmmakers and a lot of people stopped going to the DVD makers and focused on these other channels. Technology killed that whole DVD piracy market. Instead of trying to focus on piracy, I think the solution might be massively monetising your content such that the piracy takes is insignificant to your earnings.

The police spokesman claimed that when the criminals saw the police officers, they started a gunfight with them but were defeated by their greater weaponry and professional positioning.

The tactical team of the Nigeria Police Force, Imo State Command has raised a camp allegedly belonging to the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Izombe, the Oguta Local Government Area.

CSP Michael Abattam, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), stated in a release on Friday that the raid on the hoodlums’ camp came after a thorough investigation of technical intelligence and reliable information on the group's activities.

The police spokesman claimed that when the criminals saw the police officers, they started a gunfight with them but were defeated by their greater weaponry and professional positioning.

He claimed that during the intense gunfight, the thugs lost a significant number of members, forcing them to flee into the bush while still carrying varied degrees of bullet wounds.

He said, “Following their removal, the operatives moved in and carried out a comprehensive search of the camp, discovering the following items: three English-made Pump Action Guns, 118 GPMG ammunition, 41 AK-47 live ammunition, 19 G3 ammunitions, One (1) cut to size locally made double barrel, one locally made double barrel, 4 locally made pistols, 4 locally made explosive devices, military uniforms, police uniforms, Biafra flags, four ESN caps, 1 pair of police boot, various types of hard drugs, some police accoutrements, 4 live tortoises, large quantities of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, and pieces of red cloths were recovered to the station.”

He claimed that following the successful operation, the agents were ambushed by the hoodlums who then engaged them in another gunfight as they were exiting the hoodlums' den.

According to the PPRO, the operatives were able to overpower the thugs during the exchange of gunfire, and in the process, five of them were neutralised.

“Sadly, three (3) police officers received non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a government hospital for treatment,” he noted.

He also stated that after their defeat, the gunmen launched a retribution attack in the villages, setting fire to the residences of active and former police personnel as well as those of other security organisations.

According to CSP, homes belonging to people they believe to be security agency informants were also destroyed by fire.

The governor spoke at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area, shortly after his arrival from London, on Friday.

Nyesom Wike, the Governor of Rivers State has spoken after returning from London.

He said he and his team are still consulting widely with those who mean well for the country.

The governor spoke at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area, shortly after his arrival from London, on Friday.

He was accompanied Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue and his Abia counterpart, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.

Wike, who confirmed their meetings with Peoples Democratic Party, presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, explained that top most on their agenda is how to make Nigeria better than what is it currently.

“I can confirm that this is the first time as a team that we are meeting with presidential candidates. We met with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC and we met with our leader, former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo.

“We met the presidential candidate of Labour Party. We also met with our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. For whatever it’s worth, consultation is ongoing. Whatever we are talking about, is for the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. It is not parochial and tied to one person or group of persons. We believe that with what is going on, it will be for the interest of Nigerians at the end of the day.”

The governor said leadership should not be about one individual and the interest of his family, but about the collective interest.

“Consultation is still ongoing. Never mind some people who do not believe in the existence of this country. Leadership is not about you and your family. Leadership is about everybody. It’s unfortunate that we are in a country now where a man finishes eight years as a governor and brings his own son as a governor too and as member of National Assembly.

“It’s only in this part of the world that you can see that, when we are talking about poverty everywhere. These are people who do not mean well for Nigeria.”

Wike also wondered why religion and ethnicity are being used to judge some Nigerians where competence is required.

“The only identity they have in this country is religion and ethnicity, nothing more. It’s either, I’m a Christian or I’m a Moslem, I’m a Fulani or I’m an Igbo. Nigeria cannot move forward except they think it will be them. That’s where we are.

“We are in a country where someone with primary school certificate can be appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs. That tells you how bad this country has become. But with our consultation, all these will be a thing of the past. No amount of intimidation or blackmail will deter us. We are determined to right the wrong.”

In his response, Ortom said they met with renowned persons in the last few days because of their belief that Nigeria is in distress and concerted effort is required to rescue it.

He stated that they had fruitful talks with those they met and it was beyond partisan politics, “because well-meaning Nigerians need to work together in ensuring that Nigeria survives.

“For us, we are looking at the larger picture. Nigeria today is in distress. It is about what can we do. No man or woman alone can get it right for our country.

“We are looking at how we can harness ideas and put ourselves together to ensure that we get out of the present challenge we are in Nigeria today. From top to bottom, consider what has happened from 2015 and where we are today. So, what we are doing is a concern that we have for our country, Nigeria. This is beyond partisan politics. We are looking on how we can come together and find a way of ensuring that Nigeria survives. Nigeria is on drip, Nigeria is on oxygen and it is about how can we get out of this.”

On his part, Ikpeazu emphasised that they were determined to find a way to rescue Nigeria.

Chichi was given an exercise book and asked to fill all pages with “I will not destroy the property of my fellow Housemates”.

Chichi, one of the Big Brother Naija, BBNaij season 7 housemates, has broken down in tears.

She broke down in tears on Friday after Biggie gave her more punishment for destroying the property of her fellow housemate.

Recall that Biggie had earlier in the week, issued punishment to Chichi for breaking properties belonging to Deji and Diana during a heated argument.

Chichi was given an exercise book and asked to fill all pages with “I will not destroy the property of my fellow Housemates”.

The housemate who started serving the punishment with immediate effect, however, stopped on Thursday.

Angered by her attitude towards the punishment, Biggie, shortly after the Wager task presentation on Friday gave Chichi an extra notebook to fill before Sunday.

The development broke down Chichi who couldn’t control her tears. She is currently on punishment.

Meanwhile, Biggie earlier announced that the Wager task would henceforth hold 2pm every Friday till the end of the TV reality show.

The Magistrate became interested in the matter when the victim narrated her story to her after she was taken to court by a human rights body.

A 14-year-old girl who was reportedly r*ped and impregnated by her 49-year-old father, Amoda Bola has been taken into the custody of a magistrate in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Saturday Punch gathered that the magistrate who presides over a court in Sagamu reportedly ordered that the victim be brought to a protected place where adequate care would be being given to her.

The Magistrate became interested in the matter when the victim narrated her story to her after she was taken to court by a human rights body .

A police source told our correspondent that as soon as the victim made her statement, she was taken into custody by the Magistrate .

A police source  said, he said. “The girl has been taken into custody by a magistrate in Sagamu.

“The suspect cannot be seen again for now. She was being taken care of in a safe place.”

Meanwhile, the victim shortly before she was taken into a ‘safe place’ had narrated how she lost her virginity to her father .

The minor explained that she lost her virginity to her 49-year-old father in 2020.

In a statement made by the victim, she narrated that she was in JSS 2 when her father forcefully took her virginity. She said  since the day her father  deflowered her, he had been sleeping with her till date.

Hunter also stated that a former contestant in the ongoing edition of the show and ex-beauty queen, Beauty Tukura, deserved to have been disqualified for her actions in the house.

Seyi Hunter, the Nigerian actress and self-acclaimed s*x therapist, has talked about the Big Brother Naija housemates.

Hunter is of the opinion that housemates who get intimate on reality TV show, Big Brother Naija, lack self control.

In an interview with Saturday Beats, she said, “Having s*x on live TV is a ‘no’ for me. The person’s family will be watching for God’s sake. I usually feel embarrassed on their behalf. Anyone that has had s*x on BBN has no self control. This isn’t even about the game. All those who have won the competition so far did not have s*x while in the house.”

Hunter also stated that a former contestant in the ongoing edition of the show and ex-beauty queen, Beauty Tukura, deserved to have been disqualified for her actions in the house.

She said, “She deserved the disqualification. Rules are there for a reason. Without it, we will all live in chaos. The competition has a strict ‘no violence’ rule. We all have to learn to control our anger. However, the most important thing is that she participated in the show. Personally, I would give anything to participate in the show for just a day. I feel it is the biggest platform to put one’s self out there.”

Though quite a number of ex-BBNaija stars have ventured into Nollywood, Hunter stated that being in a reality show did not automatically mean that one could act.

She added, “Some of them are good actors, but certainly not all of them. Being reality TV stars does not mean they will be fantastic actors. Make-believe is not easy. One either has the talent or not.”

The Benue state police have arraigned a 45-year-old man identified as Jeremiah Ode, at a Makurdi Magistrate Court for cannibalism.

Ode, from Igwe Ochekpo in Oju Local Government Area, who was caught eating the head of a woman he allegedly killed on her farm, is being prosecuted at a Makurdi Magistrate Court, for the gruesome murder of Priscilla Adoga, 65.

Inspector Omaye Ujata, the Prosecuting Police Officer, told the court that the incident which occurred on Friday, August 19, was reported to the police by Silas Igiri of Oju Local Government Area.

According to Igiri’s report, the accused went to the farm where his uncle’s wife, Priscilla, was working and killed her using a machete.

After severing Priscilla’s head, he prepared pepper soup with it right there on the spot and was eating it when he was caught.

Sources in the community told newsmen that, when Priscilla did not return from the farm at the normal time, her relatives went in search of her, only to find Jeremiah, known in the community to be mentally deranged, having a meal of the woman’s head.

When asked why he did that, Jeremiah reportedly said he only started with the head after which he would proceed to her body.

When asked by the Police to give his account of the incident, Jeremiah reportedly narrated how he and Priscilla fought each other with their machetes until he overpowered her.

A Benue blog, Stateflash posited that “the police considered the narration too normal to be that of a mad man and, therefore, decided to prosecute him.

“Although the Prosecutor told the court that the accused has confessed to committing the crime, no plea was taken, for want of jurisdiction”.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Regina Alagh, therefore, ordered that the accused be remanded at the Federal Correctional Centre, Makurdi.

Although the court declined jurisdiction to hear the case, the accused pleaded guilty of the charge, when the case was mentioned.

The case has been adjourned to November 11, for legal advice from the State Ministry of Justice.