By Taiye Olayemi

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has declared Thursday as “No Shoot Day” for all Nollywood filmmakers, following the death of actor Junior Pope and three other crew members.

The Nollywood actors died in a boat mishap on Anam River in Anambra on Wednesday.

Emeka Rollas, National President of AGN, in a statement on Thursday said that this happened on a movie set titled “The other side of Life”, produced by Adamma Luke.

“Following the tragic incident of a boat mishap that claimed the life of Junior Pope and three other crew members at waterside of River Niger Cable point Asaba on April 10, all films that involve riverine areas and boat riding is hereby suspended indefinitely.

“No Shoot on all locations nationwide on Thursday, April 11, 2024 and the film titled “The other side of Life” is suspended indefinitely.

“Also, no actor is allowed to work with Adamma Luke as a producer till further notice, while we keep searching for the bodies of the remaining persons.

“May their souls rest in peace,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Taiye Olayemi

The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, has confirmed the death of Nollywood actor, John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope.

The late actor and three of his colleagues were coming back from a movie location in a boat when they fell into Anam River in Anambra on Wednesday.

Rollas took to his instagram page on Thursday to disclose the sad development as he wrote, “It is so so sad that our joy was short lived .

“My first post was out of excitement when we noticed his tingling fingers. Two notable hospitals tried their best to revive him but to no avail.

“God knows the best. We finally lost him.

Mr Friday’s corpse has been identified but three other corpses are yet to be found.😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Junior Pope, in 2006, joined the Nollywood industry and started attending movie auditions and acting as a minor character in movies.

He usually played the role of a bodyguard, palace attendant, and servant in movies.

In 2007, he rose to fame after acting in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “Secret Adventures”, a movie directed by Tchidi Chikere.

He acted in more than 150 Nollywood movies which include: “Secret Adventures”, “Mad sex”, “Bitter Generation”, “Vengeance of Bullet”, “The Cat”, “The Generals”, “Wrong Initiation” among others.

In 2010, he won the award for Nollywood Most Promising Actor in Nigeria at the Entertainment Factory Awards.

He is known for acting criminal, villain, armed robber, militant and hitman roles in movies alongside Emma Ehumadu, Sylvester Madu, Zubby Michael, Jim Iyke, Alaso Wariboko, Gentle Jack, Hanks Anuku, Jerry Amilo.

Other awards he won include Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards and Best Actor of the Year at the Africa Movie Academy Awards among others. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

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Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Ace Nigerian actor and comedian Ayodeji Makun, popularly known as Ay, has confirmed the end of his marriage to Mabel Makun, his wife of 16 years.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the comic artiste disclosed this in a post on his Instagram page.

He wrote, “Many people believe that staying silent simply means that one is incapable of dealing with issues.

“It is one thing to watch my friendship/marriage of 20 years slip off my hands, but it’s another thing for the parties involved to understand how to appropriate the blame in a space that is designed for most women to always play the victims and win.

“Projecting a negative narrative against someone who is not struggling to defend himself doesn’t mean he is weak.

“Yes! Without compromising my family, I have found myself doing some things that I am not proud of today.

“I can tell you for free that no one is completely innocent enough to cast stones.”

However, in swift reaction to the post, Mabel made a post on her Instagram page confirming that the once love birds were now at loggerhead.

“She wrote: “distance is my new response to disrespect. I don’t react, I don’t argue. I don’t dive into the drama. I just remove myself”.

NAN reports that the couple got married in 2008 and have two children from the union. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Taiye Olayemi

Pelumi Nubi, the 28-year-old travel content creator who embarked on a solo drive of 68 days from London to Lagos, has received a hero’s welcome at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

Nubi embarked on the trip in a car on Jan. 30, and arrived at the Nigeria-Benin Republic Border on Sunday morning, where she was received on behalf of the Lagos State Government by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka.

She had a brief stopover at Badagry, and then headed over to UNILAG where a heroic homecoming was planned for her.

Nubi, in excitement mingled with her well-wishers as she danced to different music of local artistes.

Nubi, whose father is a Professor in the Department of Estate Management, UNILAG and the Founder/National Coordinator, Ideal Habitat Initiative, took her fans through her journey of solo drive from London to Lagos in an interesting footage.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, described Nubi’s feat as the resilience of an average Nigerian.

Ogunsola also described Nubi as the woman with the indomitable spirit.

“For Pelumi to leave London and spend hours on the road, she went through 17 countries. She embodies the Nigerian spirit. She is the second person to do it.

“Nigerians are courageous. She was not afraid of racism and things that might be on the way. I want all of us here to know that there is nothing you cannot do. All that is stopping you is in your mind.

“Queen Amina of Zaria took to war and conquered; Captain Chinyere Kalu was the first female pilot, among others. Pelumi has shown us that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Pelumi, we are proud of you,” she said.

Addressing the audience, Dr Newton Jibunoh who did a solo drive from London to Lagos, 56 years ago, said he did that four times.

“I did it 56 years ago alone and I have done it four times after and I was hoping to do it again but age will not allow me. Today, I am handing over to Pelumi because there is so much to gain from this,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during Nubi’s solo road trip, she faced a daunting challenge in March when she survived a crash.

Video footage showed severe damage to her vehicle’s front and a shattered windshield.

Nubi started from England, crossed into France, Spain and headed to Morocco, then through the West Sahara Desert, Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambi, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ghana, Togo, Benin and finally reaching Lagos. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Joshua Olomu

Nigerian gospel singer Solomon Lange is set to make acting debut in a thrilling stage play ‘Waiting for Her’.

Patrick Otoro, Director and Producer of the stage theatre, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to him, the star-studded play is organised by Rivers of Water Production in collaboration with Transcorp Hilton, and will premiere on April 1 at the Congress Hall of the prestigious hotel.

He added that other casts that would feature along the Kaduna-born singer include Olajumoke Olatubosun among others.

According to Otoro, the plot of ‘Waiting for Her’ follows the story of a Nigerian woman who was disillusioned by the current economic challenges in the country.

“In ‘Waiting For Her’, a classic Easter reconciliation stage play, we follow the journey of a Nigerian woman who opts for a carefree existence to numb the pain of her reality.

“However, her world is turned upside down when the spirit of a beloved friend materialises before her, urging a transformation in her lifestyle to avoid a dire consequence.

“This spectral visit serves as a poignant reminder that divine intervention awaits her, imploring her to embrace change and faith in God for a brighter tomorrow,” he said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

By Kingsley Okoye

The President of the Senate, Mr Godswill Akpabio, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the occasion of his 72nd birthday, describing him as a transformational leader.

Akpabio, in a congratulatory message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Eseme Eyiboh on Friday in Abuja,  also described Tinubu as a developmental democrat and bridge builder.

Akpabio said: “As a transformational leader, His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu leads from the front.

“This is exemplified in his developmental strides as governor of Lagos State and since coming on stream as the Commander-in-Chief and President of Nigeria.

“As a developmental democrat, he has over the decades,  demonstrated uncommon commitment in nurturing and instituting a firm foundation for democracy in Nigeria.

“As a bridge builder, he has remained the greatest mobiliser of men and women in contemporary Nigeria and the politician with the most robust political machinery.

“Mr President, as you mark 72 years today, I, on behalf of my family, the good people of my Senatorial district,  Akwa Ibom, and of course, the National Assembly, wish you good health and many more prosperous years ahead.

“Your Excellency, may God give you the strength and wisdom to re-engineer and reposition Nigeria for today and posterity.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls  that President Tinubu announced that he would not be celebrating his 72nd  birthday, in deference to challenging times in the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma

By Joshua Olomu

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) say they are collaborating on checkmating the glamourisation of crimes in Nigerian films and other video works.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both organisations agreed on the collaboration when NFVCB’s Executive Director/CEO, Shaibu Husseini, visited the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede on Thursday in Abuja.

Husseini, who was accompanied by his management team, said the visit was to intimate the EFCC boss on operations of the board and plans to work together with the commission.

He expressed concerns over the glamourisation of crimes and other ‘get rich quick’ tendencies in movies, as well as skits on the internet, adding that the board was ready to nip ugly trend.

Husseini also noted the misrepresentation of the EFCC and his operations in most films and video works and emphasised the need for public enlightenment campaigns .

“ I have just assumed office as the CEO of the NFVCB and I have decided to visit the EFCC as a critical stakeholder in our collective efforts towards building a better society.

“We are trying as a board to discourage the glamourisation of crimes in our movies, including scenes that make young people jump into schemes that are criminal in real life.

“In doing this, we are starting from script writers, then the producers because the producers are the ones who supervise the contents.

“The board will start with the production of Public Service Announcement (PSA) with the EFCC as part of our media literacy for Nigerians.

“Then we will engage the filmmakers and then the skit makers, and that include seminars and conferences we shall be having with them on the implications of their works on society,” he said.

In his remarks, Olukoyede commended the NFVCB in its efforts to rid the Nigerian media space of unwholesome video contents, adding that such contents wrongly shape public perceptions and behavior

He highlighted the importance of collaboration between the two agencies and pledged full support and involvement of the commission.

“Several skits are flying around with an untrue portrayal of the EFCC and its officers, with this collaboration we hope that will be checked.

“We believe we have the right partner with you as films and videos are meant to promote good moral standards. ,” he said.(NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi