The attention of the Leadership of the OBIDIENT MOVEMENT has been drawn to a media publication recently in circulation suggesting that the obidient movement has joined the Action Democratic Party (ADC)

For the purpose of clarity the obidient movement has not joined or associated it's self with any other political party or any coalition as at today.

From the video in circulation we only saw members from the Coalition of the protection of democracy (COPDEM) in a meeting with the National Leadership of ADC.

Please be informed that COPDEM is an organization which also serve as one of the support group and as such is not the obidient movement neither does it have any authority to negotiate with any political party on behalf of the obidient movement.

We want to reassure the general public that the obidient movement is dedicated and is working tirelessly with critical stakeholders and people of like minds who are desirous of seeing a new Nigeria through our principal his Excellency Mr Peter obi

We therefore consider all this propaganda as an attempt to undermine and derail the activities of the obidient movement which is solidly behind HE Mr Peter Obi.

Hon Chidiebere Darlington Anyanwu CHYDON
Personal Assistant on Media & publicity to Dr Tanko Yunusa the national coordinator obidient movement .

On our way to church, my wife asked if I planned to write anything after the Mass. I replied no, mentioning that I had written enough about the Church in the past week and needed a little break. Psychologically, if people constantly hear from one perspective, it might create unintended biases. However, she encouraged me to keep writing, especially to address those who aim for a knockout blow to Catholic Church; the reckless fringe determined to see its utter destruction.

During the sermon, Fr. Maximus Okonkwo was in his element. But how could this be perceived as being unfair to me? We shall revisit that later. As he began, I realized that starting well does not always mean ending well, but he managed to do both beautifully.

He introduced the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time as the Sunday of the Word of God, explaining its origin: “The Sunday of the Word of God, observed annually on the third Sunday of Ordinary Time, was established by Pope Francis in 2019 through the Apostolic Letter “Aperuit Illis”. The Pope purposely established that in 2019 during the 1600th anniversary of St. Jerome’s death. Jerome, who died in 420 AD, translated the Bible into Latin known as the Vulgate. The Church thereby wants to emphasize the importance of Scripture and the legacy of St. Jerome, his role in promoting the Word of God. It influenced the King James Version, translated 1,206 years after the Vulgate. I state this for some reasons. This day is devoted to honouring, reflecting on, and emphasizing the significance of Sacred Scripture in the lives of the Church and its faithful. He related this to 2008, when Pope Benedict XIV urged Catholics to renew their devotion to the Scriptures and integrate them more deeply into their lives.

Fr. Maximus skillfully connected this celebration to the readings of the day. He described the first reading, Nehemiah 8:2-10, as a moment when the Israelites, recently returned from exile, experienced a spiritual revival. They had suffered a decline in faith and neglect of God’s Word during their exile. This passage served as a reminder of the consequences of abandoning God’s Word and the blessings of rediscovering it. Fr. Maximus urged us to consistently read, meditate on, and apply Scripture to our lives, in order to cultivate a deeper relationship with God.

In the Gospel reading, Luke 1:1-21, we see Jesus in a synagogue in Nazareth, reading from the book of Isaiah. Fr. Maximus delved into the historical and religious context, explaining the distinction between temples and synagogues in ancient Israel. The temple only in Jerusalem was reserved for sacrificial worship, pilgrimage and festivals like Passover, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Synagogues, scattered throughout Israel, were centres for prayer, Torah study, and teaching, but sacrifices were not performed there. To bring the message home, he correlated the Temple to the Cathedral in the diocese and the synagogues to other parishes scattered around the diocese. Fr. Maximus emphasized that Jesus’ act of reading from Scripture is a powerful reminder that engaging with God’s Word is central to our lives as Christians, especially as Catholics.

Fr. Maximus explained that Luke’s Gospel was addressed to Theophilus, a name that could be interpreted in three ways. However, he leaned toward the symbolic interpretation: “Theophilus represents all lovers of God who seek to know the truth about Christ.” He linked this idea to the Sunday of the Word of God, reminding us that we, too, can discover and know God through Scripture.

Fr. Maximus skillfully referenced other parts of Scripture to underscore the significance of the Word of God. He cited 1 Peter 1:24-25: “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the Word of the Lord abides forever” highlighting the temporary nature of worldly things compared to the eternal reliability of God’s Word. He also referenced John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”, using this verse to affirm the importance of venerating Scripture as the presence of God in another form. He warned us against treating the Bible as ordinary literature. Referencing Hebrews 4:12, he described the Word of God as a “two-edged sword,” living and active, able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Fr. Maximus emphasized that Scripture was divinely inspired, as stated in 2 Peter 1:21: “Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” He also cited 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which declares that all Scripture is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. Scripture equips believers to atone their lives with God’s will. He pointed to the sanctuary to illustrate the central place of God’s Word in the Church’s life, explaining the two tables of the sanctuary: the table of the Eucharist and the table of the Word (the pulpit). He also referenced the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). He said the apostles, after Jesus had explained the Scriptures to them, said: “Mane Nobiscum, Domine” (stay with us, Lord). The joy of the Gospel made them long for Christ not to leave them, and Christ indeed stayed with them to the point of breaking the bread, whereupon they recognized Him. For Fr. Maximus, reading the Bible will make us long for Christ, and He will surely want to stay with us.

Fr. Maximus left us with these key lessons from the Sunday of the Word of God. The Word of God is central to the life of every Christian and must be read, meditated upon, and applied in daily living. Scripture is living, active, and transformative, capable of guiding believers toward righteousness. Engaging with the Bible helps us rediscover our faith, much like the Israelites in Nehemiah’s time. The use of Scripture to tackle heresies and refute errors also came to mind, as I remembered how Fr. Chineye Oluma used the Bible to teach the ignorant Damina about the real presence.

The sermon of today reminded us of so many things. Reading the Bible and spiritual books are good in Christian life. It was actually Luis de la Palma’s book, “The Life of Christ,” that helped in the spiritual transformation of St. Ignatius of Loyola. In his “Confessions,” St. Augustine of Hippo talked about how his conversion is linked to Romans 13:13-14. Before then, he embraced philosophy after reading Cicero’s “Hortensius.” St. Francis of Assisi had a profound conversion experience after hearing a sermon on Matthew 10:9-10. St. Teresa of Avila experienced conversion after reading the Bible and the works of Church fathers, especially St. Augustine.

Reflecting on the words of God reminds us that the Bible, as it exists today, is largely the work of inspired Catholic theologians. They endured numerous challenges to preserve the purity of the canon, including opposition from figures like Marcion of Sinope. Marcion’s heretical views threatened the integrity of the Christian Scriptures, prompting the Church to define and defend the canon more clearly.

Yet, despite the Church’s efforts to safeguard the Scriptures, some individuals continue to use the very Bible that the Church preserved to criticize and attack it. This paradox highlights the Church’s resilience and dedication to truth, even when faced with such unfairness.

Amidst all this, the question arises: would Fr. Maximus have delivered such a quality sermon had he not been thoroughly prepared? Hopefully, other churches have ensured that their congregations fully understand the significance of the Sunday of the Word of God. When the congregation is well-fed by the Word, their faith is strengthened to withstand many challenges posed by individuals like Damina and even my friend Mr. Ugo who seek to lead others astray.

As we near the end, remember I said I was determined not to write today. However, Fr. Maximus's compelling sermon changed my perspective, forcing me to write, which I see as fr. being unfair to me.

On behalf of millions of Yoruba people across the world, we, members and leaders of Pan Yoruba groups representing artisans, workers, students, community based groups, traders, professionals and Self-determination groups spread across Yoruba territories in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Itsekiri areas of Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara and Kogi States, we speak on Sharia, its implications on the over 2000 year old civilisation of Yoruba people.

We do not come as Christians, Muslims, Animists, Artiest or Traditional worshipers but as Yoruba created same way by Almighty God the creator of the universe bounded together by humanity seeking perpetuation of peace, love and progress of Yorubaland.

We recognise the right to debate the future of the children of Oduduwa and the right to free speech as exemplified in the constitution of Nigeria and in the timeless culture of Yorubaland;

Free expression, including the right to faith has been an integral part of Yoruba civilisation, dating back to close to 2000 years, a cherished heritage that we have defended and will continue to  defend with every pint of our blood;

That we have observed the current proposal, by a tiny group of people, backed by largely non-Yoruba domestic and international collaborators pushing for the introduction of Sharia in Yorubaland

ISLAM IN YORUBALAND

Islam is a religion of peace. Yoruba Muslims are proud of the place of Islam in sustainable development in Yorubaland.

Islam has made significant contributions to the economic, social and spiritual development of Oodua territories.

Through Islam, education, health and welfare has been promoted in Yorubaland;

Islam came to Yorubaland in the 14th century during the reign of Mansa Musa (1312-1337).

The first Mosque in Yorubaland was built at Oyo-Ile in 1550, followed by another Mosque in Iwo (1655), Iseyin, (1790), Lagos, (1774), Saki (1790) and Osogbo, (1889).

Prior the adventure of Islam in Yorubaland, according to a school of thought on Yoruba history, Oduduwa himself had left the Middle East, partly for religious freedom as early as the 9th century, choosing to settle in a territory known for tolerance and free spirit as directed by God, the creator of heaven and earth;

As far back as the 14th century, the Yoruba have been visiting Mecca for pilgrimage, millions of them settling in Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia and constitute a huge population in East and Northern Africa today;

SHARIA IN YORUBALAND AS GRAND ILLUSION

We state clearly that the introduction of Sharia cannot improve the economic, political, social and cultural deficit in Yorubaland;

That Yorubaland though seen as the most economically developed territory in West Africa, attained this feat not through theocracy but by the hardwork, committment, determination of our forefathers who were both Muslims, Christians and Traditional worshipers;

That the poverty, misery, lack of access to good health, increasing number of school drop outs, lack of access to economic and political powers by poor Yoruba people, are direct results of poor, visionless and irresponsible leadership which the introduction of Sharia cannot and will not curb;

That poverty, corruption, high mortality rate, terrorism, violence and unprecedented human misery characterise the 12 states where Sharia has been introduced in the North;

Zamfara state for instance has 74% poverty rate while 62% live in poverty; Katsina has 74.1% poverty rate. In fact, Sokoto, the headquarters of the Caliphate which also operates Sharia has the highest poverty rate in Nigeria at 79.9%. While the Sharia states have the poorest of the poor, the political leaders that introduced Sharia in these states are some of the richest in the world.

The Sharia states are currently theatres of war, strive, killings and kidnapping driven by crisis of faith while the Sharia states also have the highest rate of instability in Nigeria. This is the dream of the tiny clique that wishes to Talibanise Yoruba Nation; they often learn nothing from history, until their self-destruction is evident.

The hypocritical aspect of Sharia in these states is the bias implementation of the law whereby the rich continue to exploit the poor, steal billions of Naira and go scot free, while the poor and the impoverished who steal fowl have their hands chopped off;

That we observe a conscious and tailor-made plot to destabilise Yorubaland through organised sponsorship of divisive, retrogressive and dangerous proposals that will end up causing confusion, disunity and raise the spectre of intra-Yoruba conflict to the delight of our eternal foes;

We, the true representatives of Yoruba people hereby strongly oppose the introduction of Sharia in any part of Oduduwaland of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Delta, Kogi, Edo, Kwara and Ondo States;

That Sharia is not feasible and can never be acceptable to a multi-religious, muti-faith people like the Yoruba;

Sharia is only applicable in societies where Islam is the State religion or majority of the people profess Islam;

Though proponents of Sharia claim the law is for only Muslims, but the contradictions are self evident. The Yoruba are bound by blood, history, common fear and shared aspirations, not by religion;

How can any one in his right senses conceive Sharia law in a society where Muslim parents have Christian Children and Muslim husbands have Christian or even animist wives and vice versa? There are Yoruba Muslim parents whose children do not go to Mosque and Yoruba Christian parents whose children are Baba or Iyalawo;

This freedom of faith which has enriched Yoruba civilisation for centuries is what religious extremists, rabid and riotous fanatics and religious anarchists, sponsored by international terrorists are desperate to destroy, fortunately, to their own peril, at the fullness of time;

That introduction of Sharia in Yorubaland will never be accepted to our people. Having destabilised the North, the proponents want to destabilise the South West and uproot the very foundation of democracy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; The intrigue is political, sponsored by vested interests, aimed at polarising the political and electoral fortunes of Yoruba Nation who for many Years have largely defined a common political future;

That no great nation would wish to have different laws for its own people of the same history and the same heritage;

We, the true representatives of Yoruba people hereby strongly oppose any attempt, open or covert to introduce Sharia in any part of Oduduwaland of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Delta, Kogi, Edo, Kwara and Ondo States; We hereby warn religious bigots and extremists, including very naïve and shallow-minded political actors to desist from their evil plots or they will face the full wrath of Yoruba people.

Signed

Tajudeen Olowo- Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, (AYDM)

Olu Sulaiman- O’odua Nationalist Coalition, (ONAC for coalition members)

Hamzat  Alao Oriyomi South West Professional Forum, (SOWPROF)

Bashorun Kunle Adesokan Federation for Yoruba Consciousness and Culture, (FYCC)

Dr Kola Afolabi The Covenant Group, (CP)

Chief Kunle Oshodi Agbekoya (Solidarity)

Chief Jubril Ogundimu- O’odua Republican Front, (ORF)

Rasaq Oladosu – Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Groups, (COSEG)

Alhaji Adeyemi Taofik- Oodua Peoples Congress (Reformed)

Akin Oloniyi South West Vigilante Groups

Afiz Agunbiade Neighbourhood Anti-Terrorist Group-Registered with CAC)

Alhaja Medina Abioro- South West Women Congress, (SWWC)

Alhaji Tunde Abioye  United Self Determination Groups, (USEPO)

Wemi Oritsegbemi Itsekiri National Youth Congress, (INYC)

Rasaq Arogundade Oodua Peoples Congress, (OPC-Reformed)

Shenge Rahman Oodua Muslim-Christian Dialogue Group, (OMC-DG)

Dr Victor Taiwo, Oodua Redemption Alliance, (ORA)

Chief Medaye Alatse and Mrs Tunbo Adekola, Union of West African Yoruba Communities, Ghana

Nassir Abdul Kalejaye – Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association, NATA-South West

Sanusi Abimbola Yoruba Artisan and Traders Association, (YATA-Registered in Nigeria)

Sina Akinyemi-Association of Nigerian Artisans and Technicians, (ASNAT)

Goke Otunla- Oodua Liberation Movement, (OLM)

Ade Ikuesan Motocycle-South West Operators Union of Nigeria, (MOUN)

Muftau Ajayi O’odua Hunters Union, (OHUN)

O’odua International Democratic Movement, (OIDEM)

South West Students Coalition, (SWSC)

South West Progressive Farmers Congress, (SWPFC)

Chief Ayo Abereoran Okun Peoples Front, (OPF)

Akinwale Kasali Lagos Progressives Development Front, (LPDF).

It all started with Kunle pretending to be thinking aloud.

"I wish we can all go back to the Garden of Eden."

1 was shocked. Though we call him Apostle but he is certainly not one of those Jesus Christ left to spread the gospel. And he hadn't had any major drink that morning, at least nothing stronger than a can of energy drink. So, where did the 'inspiration' come trom?

"Why would you of all people want to go back to the Garden of Eden, assuming it is possible to turn back the hands of the clock?”

Kunle had a wicked glint in his eyes and I needed no psychologist to tell me his thoughts were absolutely unholy. He proved me right.

"So we can all go about naked again."

He was leering and smacking his lips as if his naughty wish had already been granted. Walk about naked indeed! I told him to add the moon to his wish list while he was at it.

Somehow, the discussion drifted towards first wives. Most of my colleagues are married men and they all have all kinds of crazy ideas. For instance, Shola did not see why women are always fretting over their husbands' extra-marital affairs.

"There is no big deal about one little girl outside. I don't understand why you women won't let us be. Having a girlfriend does not translate to not loving one's wife any more. It's just a short-term refresher course. And anyway, why should a wife who has served faithfully and meritoriously not be retired? With full benefits too? I mean, if you have been married to the same woman for 25 or 30 years, she should offer to retire. It is only fair that she should be rewarded."

Kunle thinks all first wives deserve long service awards

"Long service award is standard practice and all good husbands should give it to their long suf-fering wives." That was Lanre. He knows all about standard best practice. He is the craziest and most creative man I have met yet. If movie producers know what his mind is capable of, they will abduct forever.

"We all know international labour laws frowns at casualisation and once you have employed a woman for 20 years, you can retire her with full benefits. The job is a pensionable one." Lanre has all kinds of tricky plots on his fertile mind.

Steve believes he is the only fair one, why retire a first wife when you can promote her?

"We should be able to have senior wife and senior senior wife. That would create a vacancy for a young wife. Just like you have junior clerks

and senior clerks in the ministries.” You see, Steve's logic has nothing to do with fairness and everything to do with installing a second wife.There

was also talk of sending a first

wife on vacation after working so hard. I love that part and I told them so. But they were pre-pared. Yes, a first wife can go on vacation but it has to be in her village with her parents. Can you beat that selfish angle? Why can't a woman choose where she wants to spend her holidays? Why does it have to be in her village and not in South of France or Barbados with a friend of her choice? My friends almost had a group cardiac arrest.

"What friend?" They all chorused.

See? They want to move on to the next girl while still holding on to the old one. Why must they get suspicious of the friend madam is spending her vacation with? Are they not retiring the first wife because she's old and spent? Why not leave her to enjoy her retirement and pension? Greedy old selfish blokes still want to supervise someone in retirement. Is that standard practice? You have no jurisdiction, no right over how a retired worker lives after she has taken her long service award. And anyway, where did men get this idea that it is their exclusive preserve to try new dishes? Wives also get bored with eating the same meal every day for two decades, you know. It won't hurt if a first wife also tries rice or eba after a 'lifetime' of only 'fufu'. Is someone aiming a slap at my face? Truth is bitter.

Selfish husbands don’t think we deserve to relax, it’s absolutely undemocratic to deny women what men are enjoying.

First wives are long suffering creatures, believe me. Most of the hanky panky husbands play are absorbed by them. They shrug off so many things that would put any man in a designer casket. Yet, they think wives know nothing. If only they know how much of their secrets is topic of girls' roundtable, they will be shocked to their bone marrows.But because smart housewives don't throw tantrums over every issue, husbands actually think their wives are deaf and dumb. Let them live on in their blissful igno rance.

We are more worried about the grand plot , the grand conspiracy against first wives. Maybe you have not noticed until now but the gang-up is real. They want to retire us or promote us into irrelevance. We are game if they are because it is a game two can play. They should just let us use the same set of rules. If it is okay to try variety, let all parties feel the spice. If first wives must go on vacation, let them decide where they want to go and who they want to go with. If they must retire first wives, let them leave them to enjoy their pension. That is standard practice. Abi?

Nigerian music executive, Tunji Balogun, better known as TeeBillz, has clarified his earlier remark about media personality, Toke Makinwa, in the wake of the marriage breakup of iconic singer, 2Baba and his wife, Annie Idibia.

Naija News reported that Toke, in a social media post, criticised the ‘African Queen’ hitmaker for publicly announcing his split from his wife, stating that he should be ashamed of himself.

Unfazed by the comment, TeeBillz, in a now-deleted Instagram post, told Toke to stay out of other people’s family matters. He noted that having a child for a man requires a level of forgiveness and love that she had never experienced.

However, in an interview with media personality, TeeBillz apologised to the 40-year-old television host, clarifying that he never intended to mock her for not having a child.

He reiterated that Toke does not know what 2Baba has been going through in the marriage, adding that a man who has children from different women does not have peace.

He said, “First of all, I’d like to publicly apologise to Toke Makinwa because I think my messages were misinterpreted, and at the end of the day, we’re all family. My question for Toke was, where was she a month, two months, and a year for Annie? I’m not happy seeing 2Baba and Annie the way they are, but that’s nonsense for Toke to have made such a statement.

“Does she know what 2Baba has been through since they got married? One thing I know is that a man who has children from different women will not have peace. I’m going through it, but all a man can do is try to be his best. What we should ask is the reason for his actions.”

He noted that Toke shaded him when he and Tiwa separated in 2018.

“She did the same thing to me when Tiwa and I divorced. Parenthood and marriage are things one doesn’t graduate from. I saw 2Baba, but all we can do is pray for him.”

[NaijaNews]

In the early days of Nollywood, there was a special group of actresses who printed their names on audiences’ minds not as heroines or damsels in distress but as the ultimate villains. These women skilfully portrayed cruel stepmothers, deceitful mothers-in-law, and terrible mothers, causing audiences to speak their names in wonder and horror. In this feature, Weekend Trust revisits the legendary roles of Patience Ozokwor, Franca Brown, Clarion Chukwura, and others who turned villainy into an art form.

Patience Ozokwor

Patience Ozokwor, also known as Mama G, is perhaps the most famous Nollywood actress associated with the evil stepmother and overbearing mother-in-law roles. She played a variety of villainous characters who often resorted to manipulation, emotional abuse, and outright cruelty to control family dynamics.

An example will be the role Patience played in the popular Nollywood film ‘Market seller’ where she manipulated her daughter Omotola Ekedinde into destroying the marriages of Bob Manuel Udokwu and Kanayo. O. Kanayo. In another old classic titled ‘Submission’, Patience Ozokwor played the role of an evil mother who was having an intimate affair with one of her daughter’s husbands and attempted to indulge in another affair with her other daughter’s (Stella Damasus) husband (Zack Orji).

Ozokwor’s portrayal of wickedness was so real that many couldn’t separate her from her roles; however, the actress refuted the claims, stating she was nothing like her on-screen persona. Still, for a generation, Mama G became synonymous with terror.

Sola Sobowale

Sola Sobowale is one of Nollywood’s fiercest females, known for her feisty and memorable performances. Sobowale’s charging presence and devoted delivery dominate every scene, whether she’s playing a troublesome mother-in-law, a ruthless businesswoman, or a tough-talking queen.

In Super Story: Oh Father, Oh Daughter (2001), she portrayed the wise and wicked Toyin Tomato, a mean husband snatcher and gold digger who was ruthless to the men in her path. In The Wedding Party (2016), she played the theatrical and overprotective mother-in-law who would do anything to influence her daughter’s wedding. However, it was in King of Boys (2018) that she sealed her status as Nollywood royalty. In an exceptional performance, she blended raw energy, emotion, and strength as the feared and merciless matriarch Eniola Salami.

With an ability to balance strength, cruelty, and vulnerability, Sola Sobowale is forever one of Nollywood’s most celebrated matriarchs.

Franca Brown

If Patience Ozokwor was fire, Franca Brown was ice. Her villains weren’t loud or dramatic. Instead, they were cold, calculating, and emotionally detached, making them even scarier. Unlike Patience, whose wickedness could be seen outrightly, Franca was best at hiding her negative thoughts till it was time to exert evil on those who crossed her parts.

An iconic role of Franca Brown is the one she portrayed in the Nollywood classic ‘The Only Solution’. In this epic drama, Franca Brown was able to convince her husband ‘Pete Edochie’ to use their first daughter for money rituals as she needed to keep up with her affluent lifestyle. As if that wasn’t enough, she let Edochie take a second wife, who will later be used to renew their cult vows.

In Tears and Sorrow (1996), she played a heartless stepmother who used emotional and physical abuse to suppress her stepdaughter’s potential. Brown’s portrayal of this character was so believable that many children dreaded having stepmothers in real life.

Clarion Chukwura

Clarion Chukwura is another of Nollywood’s most unforgettable matriarchs, known for playing bold and often fearsome characters. With her striking beauty and powerful presence, she brought elegance to even the most villainous roles.

One of her most iconic roles remains that in the African romance “True Love,” starring Omotola Ekehinde and Ramsey Nouah. Clarion proved to be a no-nonsense mother and frustrated Omotola after her son had chosen her to be his bride. That single portrayal instilled fear into women who were yet to be introduced to their future mothers-in-law as they wondered if they’d ever be met with such hostility.

Another renowned role was in the Nollywood film ‘Emergency Wedding’. After finding out that her partner ‘Tony Umez’ was only using her financial gains and was never going to leave his wife for her, she connived with a native doctor to make his wife ‘Genevieve Nnaji’ go mad.

One thing about Clarion’s performances was the depth she brought to her roles. Her character was never just evil; they appeared in stages with hidden motivations that made them real and relatable.

Liz Benson is a name that commands respect in Nollywood, not only for her talent but also for her ability to portray complex, multi-layered characters. Known for her elegance and charisma, Liz was a master of playing the sophisticated villain—women who smiled while scheming and broke hearts with a single glance.

In the Nollywood classic, Liz played a terrible friend and betrayal to Hilda Dokubo and also played the role of a horrific stepmother to Zack Orji. Her character was one who appeared trustworthy and naïve; however, as the plot unfolded, so did her evil plans.

In World Apart (2004), she portrayed a queen who wouldn’t let her son ‘Kenneth Okonkwo’ marry a maidservant ‘Ini Edo’.  She made it her mission to frustrate Ini, stating that she was too poor and not from a befitting social class to marry her son.

Liz Benson’s characters often radiated authority and control, making her villains both terrifying and memorable.

Eucharia Anunobi

When it comes to Nollywood villains, Eucharia Anunobi is an icon of class and power. Defined by her appealing beauty and captivating performance, she made being bad look terrific.

In Glamour Girls (1994), Eucharia played a high-society woman who used deceit and betrayal to advance. While her friend was being trafficked abroad, she engaged in an intimate affair with her partner, who stayed back in Nigeria. Another memorable performance came in the ‘August Meeting’, where she played a cunning woman who was running for president of her village women’s community and went as far as indulging in diabolical means to win the position.

Eucharia’s roles always stood out due to her ability to balance charm and cruelty, as she was always dressed her best to enact her wickedness. She could make audiences hate her character yet admire her grace and wit. Her portrayal of villainy was both compelling and scary, making her one of Nollywood’s most fearsome ladies.

Camilla Mberekpe

Camilla Mberekpe was one of those ladies who brought a unique edge to Nollywood’s golden era with her spine-chilling performances. Known for her roles in supernatural and spiritual films, she played characters that struck fear into the hearts of audiences.

Camilla starred as a queen mother in End of the Wicked (1999), a film about a demonic cult. Her terrifying performance and complete evil costume helped her become a household name. In Okija Shrine (2000), she played a vengeful spirit with a passion for revenge, fluidly transitioning between grief and rage.

Camilla’s ability to illustrate spiritual wickedness was unmatched, and her acting frequently made audiences question the occult powers around them. Camilla Mberekpe, whether as a tormentor or a victim of her own plots, is one of Nollywood’s most famous actors.

In every film, each of the women listed above played their villain characters so well that often times, they’d star alongside in movies where they plan and connive to rain evil and problems on those they disliked or crossed their paths.

In the Nollywood classic ‘Women Cult’, the group of women, including Patience Ozokwor, Franca Brown, and Clarion Chukwura, all came together to use their husbands for money rituals and enjoy the finer things of life.

Impact on culture

These women were Nollywood icons in the late ‘80s, ‘90s and early 2000s, and their depictions of evil stepmothers, cunning mothers-in-law, and other villainous roles helped to create anxiety and suspense in early Nollywood films. The combination of societal humour, dramatic character features, and powerful performances made these ladies both feared and loved.

These actresses influenced the Nollywood scene by expressing the complex nature of familial relationships as well as societal expectations of women. They also paved the way for future portrayals of more complicated female characters, showing that these “villainesses” were more than just characters to be feared; their roles left lasting legacies in Nollywood’s history.

[DailyTrust]

In a world where celebrity breakups often make headlines, some Nigerian stars continue to prove that true love can last.

As of January 31, 2025, several famous couples have kept their marriages strong despite the pressures of fame. These love stories show that commitment, respect, and support can stand the test of time.

Here are 11 Nigerian celebrity couples whose marriages continue to thrive in 2025:

1. Olamide and Adebukunmi Aisha

Popular rapper Olamide and longtime partner, Adebukunmi Aisha, have maintained a solid relationship. They have successfully balanced the demands of the entertainment industry with their personal lives.

2. Monalisa Chinda and Victor Tonye Coker

Actress Monalisa Chinda and husband, Victor Tonye Coker, have a loving marriage. They often express their love and support for each other in public, inspiring many fans.

3. Timi Dakolo and Busola Dakolo

Award-winning singer Timi Dakolo and his wife, Busola, have built a strong family life together. They frequently share heartwarming moments, showing their deep affection and commitment to each other.

4. Dare Art Alade and Deola Ayeni

Renowned musician Dare Art Alade and his wife, Deola Ayeni, have enjoyed a stable and loving marriage over the years. Their union is admired for its strength and mutual respect.

5. Peter Okoye and Lola Omotayo-Okoye

Peter Okoye, formerly of the music duo P-Square, and his wife, Lola Omotayo-Okoye, have remained strong despite the challenges of fame. Their relationship is known for its harmony and resilience.

6. Bovi and Kris Asimonye

Popular comedian Bovi and his wife, Kris Asimonye, share a marriage full of laughter and love. Kris often appears in Bovi’s comedy skits, showing their fun and playful dynamic. They prove that humor can strengthen a relationship.

7. Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Captain Matthew Ekeinde

Actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and her husband, Captain Matthew Ekeinde, have been married since 1996. Their marriage is one of the longest in Nollywood, and they have raised four children while navigating the demands of fame.

8. Mercy Johnson and Prince Odianosen Okojie

Actress Mercy Johnson and her husband, Prince Odianosen Okojie, have built a loving home with their four children. Mercy frequently shares family moments, showing how they balance fame with parenting.

9. Adekunle Gold and Simi

Music stars Adekunle Gold and Simi turned their secret romance into a beautiful love story. Since their 2019 wedding, they have continued to grow together, making music and raising their daughter, Deja.

10. Banky W and Adesua Etomi-Wellington

Singer Banky W and actress Adesua Etomi have captured fans’ hearts with their fairytale love story. From their romantic wedding to becoming parents, their relationship is built on love, faith, and mutual support.

11. Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) and Jumobi Adegbesan

Veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) and his wife, Jumobi Adegbesan, have been together for over 20 years. RMD often praises his wife for her support, showing that mutual respect is key to their lasting marriage.

These couples continue to inspire fans with their love stories, proving that true love can endure even under the spotlight.

[TheNation]

Popular actor, Lateef Adedimeji, has built a reputation for his versatility, seamlessly transitioning between intense emotional roles, comedic characters, and action-packed performances. However, his journey to stardom was anything but accidental.

In an interview with Saturday Beats, the actor stated that his initial strategy involved being known for crying in movies.

He said, “When I set out to carve a niche for myself, I started with crying—I would cry like an idiot. If I was asked to cry for one minute, I would go for two. So, I was intentional. At one point, when people couldn’t remember my name, they would refer to me as “the guy who cries in movies. When I realised that was becoming too overwhelming, I switched things up by introducing my Igbo-Yoruba character. I was strategic at every stage.

“Then ‘Ayinla’ came, and people saw a musical side of me they hadn’t seen before. ‘Jagun Jagun’ followed, and they discovered my strength in action roles. At every turn, I made sure to reinvent myself strategically.”

Asked how he feels about ‘Lisabi’ being one of the movies that dominated Google Search in 2024, he said, “I am excited. The joy is that one does something and a lot of people accept what one has done. There is nothing has joyful as that.”

On the importance of filmmakers telling indigenous stories, he stated, “If we can embrace the heroes of other countries, what happens to our own heroes? There are people that fought for our own liberation, so why can’t we tell their stories and appreciate them as well?”

[Punch]