Actress Mercy Ebosele, husband welcomed twins
Actress Mercy Ebosele announced on Instagram that she and her husband, producer Kehinde Olasupo, welcomed a set of twins.
The actress posted photos of herself and her husband tenderly cradling their newborns but withheld details of their genders, names and exact date of birth.
Ebosele, who began acting in secondary school stage plays before going professional in 2003, rose to prominence through her role in the hit film “Ile Olorogun.”
Music saved me from crime and fraud – Burna Boy
Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy disclosed in a viral video that he might have become a fraudster, oil thief, or even a suicide bomber if he had not pursued music as a career.
Burna Boy rose to fame with “Like to Party”, the lead single from his 2013 debut album “L.I.F.E.”
Over the past decade, he established himself as one of Africa’s biggest stars with genre-bending hits and global accolades.
In 2021, he won a Grammy for “Twice As Tall” in the Best World Music Album category. His latest project, “No Sign of Weakness”, marked his eighth studio album.
Hilda Baci announced date for record-breaking jollof rice cook-up
Celebrity chef Hilda Baci announced on Instagram that she planned to cook the world’s largest pot of jollof rice on 12 September at Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Baci revealed that she would use a giant pot measuring six metres in width and height for the challenge.
She rose to international fame in May 2023 after setting the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, before being overtaken by Irish chef Alan Fisher later that year.
Nollywood actresses driven more by BBL than passion – Bimbo Akintola
Actress Bimbo Akintola revealed in an interview with colleague Ayo Adesanya that passion had largely disappeared from Nollywood, replaced by an obsession with physical appearance.
She lamented that many actresses seemed “more concerned about their looks than their craft,” adding that some had resorted to drastic cosmetic procedures such as Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBL) to secure roles.
Akintola stressed that the industry’s foundations had been built by performers who remained committed to their art despite meagre pay.
The 55-year-old star is known for films including “Owo Blow,” “Out of Bounds”, “Dangerous Mission”, “The Black Book”, “Beast of Two Worlds”, “The Farewell Plan”, “Freedom Way”, and “Alakada: Bad and Boujee.”
Chioma Adeleke ended 3-year social media break
Chioma Adeleke, wife of singer Davido, returned to Instagram after three years to honour her late son Ifeanyi.
Her last post, on 20 October 2022, celebrated Ifeanyi’s third birthday, days before he drowned in a swimming pool at Davido’s Lagos home on 30 October.
Chioma’s comeback post, shared after her Miami white wedding to Davido, featured her wedding bouquet alongside a picture of Ifeanyi—symbolising his presence as she walked down the aisle.
Davido recently admitted that the tragedy inspired him to become a better person. The couple, traditionally wed in June 2024, welcomed twins in the US in October 2023.
Lil Kesh’s armed robbery attack in Lagos
Rapper Keshinro “Lil Kesh” Ololade revealed on Instagram that he was safe and recovering after surviving a violent armed robbery in Lagos.
Unknown assailants stabbed him in the neck and ear while attempting to steal his jewellery, including a necklace.
Photos online showed his bloodied injuries before he was rushed to the hospital for stitches.
The 30-year-old, who called the ordeal “a curveball from life,” thanked fans and well-wishers for their prayers. Lil Kesh rose to fame at 19 with his 2014 hit “Shoki” under Olamide’s YBNL label.
Oyedepo, wife marked 43 years of marriage
Living Faith Church founder Bishop David Oyedepo and his wife, Faith, celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary.
Their children marked the occasion on Instagram with photos of the couple glowing in white traditional attire.
The Oyedepos, who married in 1982, have four children, David Jr, Isaac, Love and Joyce.
MI Abaga revealed that his wife was the first investor in his company
Rapper Jude “MI” Abaga disclosed on “The Podcast Network” that his wife, Eniola Mafe, was the first to finance his creative agency TASCK.
The 43-year-old described her as his “most supportive person,” noting that she had been deeply involved in his creative process, from filming clips to giving detailed feedback.
MI married Mafe in September 2022, months after proposing.
Reekado Banks admitted that leaving Mavin Records was premature
Singer Ayoleyi “Reekado Banks” Solomon revealed on the “Echoroom” podcast that leaving Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records in 2018 had been premature.
He admitted that youthful naivety led him to underestimate the challenges of running an independent career after his three-year contract expired.
The 31-year-old, who won Headies Rookie of the Year in 2014 and Next Rated in 2015, saw his 2016 debut album Spotlight debut at No. 10 on the Billboard World Albums chart.
Iyanya announced new album, US tour
Singer Iyanya Mbuk announced on Instagram that his new album will be released on 12 September, ahead of a US tour running from October to November this year.
The tour, titled “IYANYA: The Forester’s Son Tour”, will take him to cities including Brooklyn, Boston, Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles and North Carolina.
Iyanya, who rose to fame after winning “Project Fame West Africa”, co-founded Made Men Music Group (MMMG) in 2011 with Ubi Franklin.
Bimbo Thomas and ‘thug’ roles
Actress Bimbo Thomas revealed during an interview on “Old Secrets” that she deliberately stopped taking “thug” roles to avoid being typecast.
After her breakout in “Omo Ghetto” and “Eruku Nla”, she received a wave of similar offers, which she declined to showcase her range.
Thomas, a University of Lagos Creative Arts graduate, trained under the Odun Theatre Group before starring in films such as “Omo Ghetto: The Saga” and “Omo Poly.”
Niniola recalled trauma of father’s assassination
Afro-house singer Niniola Apata said in an interview with “Jay On Air” that she would never get over her father’s assassination in 1995.
Brigadier-General Simeon Apata was shot dead by gunmen at his Lagos home. Niniola said the pain worsened because she had been his favourite child.
Her sister, singer Teni, has also spoken about the trauma of witnessing the killing as a toddler.
The 38-year-old is known for songs like This is Me, Colours and Sounds, Lagos to Jozi, Press Play and others.
Ijoba Lande’s blackmail
Comedian Ijoba Lande alleged on Instagram that he was being blackmailed with an AI-generated deepfake showing him in a compromising act with a married woman.
He said the blackmailer demanded N5 million, and the video was already circulating among his benefactors, damaging his reputation.
Lande urged the government to regulate artificial intelligence to curb malicious use.
In March, Lande ended his marriage after accusing Darasimi of infidelity with more than 20 men in the entertainment industry, including actor Baba Tee.
Although Baba Tee admitted to a brief encounter during a ‘Truth or Dare’ game, Darasimi denied the allegation, insisting she had only sat on his lap.
Josh2funny, wife welcomed third child
Skit maker Josh “Josh2funny” Alfred and his wife Bina welcomed their third child.
He shared the news on Instagram with photos of their children’s legs, accompanied by his song “Ejiro Oghene.”
The newborn was named Chiazor, meaning “God leads the way.”
Josh2funny and Bina got engaged in October 2019 and tied the knot in December 2020 in a private ceremony in Lagos.
They welcomed their first child, a son, in 2022, followed by their second child in 2024.
Chief Kanran to be buried 11 September
Film producer Seun Oloketuyi announced on his Instagram page that veteran actor Olusegun “Chief Kanran” Akinremi, who died at 69, would be buried on 11 September.
This newspaper reported that the actor died at 69.
He said an artistes’ night and wake would hold the same day, with the burial concluding on 12 September.
Mohbad’s father countered Naira Marley on son’s bullying
Joseph Aloba, father of the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, disclosed in an interview with Punch Sunday Scoop that Naira Marley, his son’s former boss, bullied him.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Marlian record label boss denied bullying or killing Mohbad in a documentary released on the label’s YouTube page.
Punch quoted Mr Aloba as saying, “I went to see Naira Marley over some of the things Mohbad had said, and that was all. But later, a lot of other things happened that I personally witnessed. There were about three other people present at the time; two of them are still alive today.
“They were people working with Naira Marley, even though they were younger and still under him. One of them once came to me to report that Naira Marley was beating Mohbad. When we went to see him to apologise, he wasn’t even speaking respectfully. People think I went there to collect money, but life is much more than just what I want to eat.”
Mohbad’s father confirmed that his late son indeed used an account that did not belong to him to collect money from Naira Marley and also sent him funds.
Earlier, 34-year-old Naira Marley alleged that Mohbad had used a bank account believed to belong to his in-laws to receive his royalties.
Billboard top Afrobeats song
Billboard announced on its website the best Afrobeats songs of all time, naming 2Baba’s 2004 classic “African Queen” as the greatest of the genre.
The list also featured Wizkid’s “Ojuelegba”, Flavour’s “Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)”, Rema’s “Calm Down”, Wizkid and Tems’ “Essence”, CKay’s “Love Nwantiti”, D’banj’s “Oliver Twist”, Davido’s “Fall”, Burna Boy’s “Ye”, and P-Square’s “Chop My Money (Remix)”, among others.
Billboard explained that the selection celebrated the most impactful Afrobeats tracks, judged by their cultural significance, commercial success, and global influence.
The magazine noted that the songs illustrated how Afrobeats first took root in Nigeria before spreading worldwide and gaining international recognition.