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Adanma Luke, the producer of the movie in which late actor Junior Pope was set to appear, has opened up about her battle with depression and suicidal thoughts following the tragic loss.
Pope tragically passed away on April 10 in a boat accident on the River Niger in Asaba, Delta State, while en route to a movie location.
The incident also claimed the lives of four other crew members, leaving the film industry in a state of shock.
In an Instagram post, the filmmaker described the aftermath of Pope’s death as “very dark,” sharing that she had considered suicide due to the intense backlash she received on social media.
She also revealed that the emotional toll led her to stop breastfeeding her three-month-old baby.
Adanma expressed profound gratitude for the support she received from movie producer Uche Nancy during this harrowing time.
She credited Uche for her unwavering emotional support and encouragement, which helped her cope with the overwhelming circumstances.
“With so much tears in my eyes, after so much pressure and expenses in April I reached out to this beautiful soul @uchenancy and she said Ada, don’t worry I dey for you. Just let me know if there’s more to do and i won’t abandon you. She spoke as if she was me and gave me instances of why i should stay alive and strong,” Adanma Luke shared.
“It lifted my soul even though I was contemplating suicide at that time and lost interest in whatever was happening and just needed to exit this world because it was indeed a very dark period for me. I had to stop breastfeeding in less than 3 months due so much sadness in my heart, depression, calls and hash words from families of the deceased and online fans.
“To be sincere I was online because my phone was the closest thing to me at that point. My mom took away my child so i don’t feed or breastfeed my child with sadness. I only come online to cry away my pains from the hurtful words being thrown at me and feel a little better from some good friends and fans who choose to love me regardless.
“Whatever I did or posted then was what my mindset was all about. Please help me say a kind prayer for this beautiful soul @uchenancy because she didn’t just help me with the huge financial support but also made sure I’m doing okay till now. I can’t end my 2024 without appreciating you my beautiful hardworking woman @uchenancy may God continue to bless you richly.”
The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to set an example by utilising Nigeria’s healthcare facilities for his medical needs instead of travelling abroad.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, stated that such a move would encourage Nigerians to trust the nation’s health institutions and curtail the country’s long-standing issue of medical tourism.
But the ruling All Progressives Congress warned Obi not to incite Nigerians against President Tinubu, particularly with his claim that the President had failed to address the worsening economic and security challenges in his first 18 months in charge.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Obi urged the President to consider using facilities like the National Hospital in Abuja or any of the Federal Medical Centres across the country.
“It is time for you to visit our national hospitals. For instance, consider conducting your next medical examination at one of our National Hospitals or regional FMCs in Sokoto, Birnin Kebbi, Calabar, Umuahia, or Akure, among others,” Obi said.
“This will allow you to assess the state of healthcare facilities available to Nigerians. It will also help you understand the condition of our hospitals and clinics, enabling you to make informed decisions on how to upgrade and make them more efficient.”
In the past 18 months of his administration, President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have collectively undertaken 42 trips across 27 countries, spending over 180 days abroad.
Tinubu alone has spent 124 days abroad, visiting 16 countries on 29 trips, prompting speculation that some of these trips, particularly to France, were for medical reasons.
Obi stressed the need for President Tinubu to take responsibility as a leader by addressing critical issues firsthand.
He also urged the President to travel by road to experience the state of the nation’s highways.
“You can take short trips, for example, from Calabar in Cross River State to Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, a distance of less than 100 km, or from Benin in Edo State to Warri in Delta State,” Obi suggested.
He recalled a similar instance during his tenure as governor when he took former President Olusegun Obasanjo on a federal highway trip from Awka to Onitsha.
He said, “You can take short trips, for example, from Calabar in Cross River State to Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, a distance of less than 100 km, or from Benin in Edo State to Warri in Delta State. I recall taking President Olusegun Obasanjo on a trip from Awka to Onitsha on a federal highway when I was the Governor of Anambra State.
“That journey prompted him to immediately approve the reconstruction of parts of the road by the Anambra State government, with subsequent reimbursement by the federal government. Such actions are immensely valuable.
“Make both impromptu and planned visits to our tertiary institutions, where our children and future leaders are being trained, are essential to familiarize yourself with the available infrastructure, facilities, and amenities. These visits will provide valuable insight into whether the resources of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund are being utilised optimally and what is needed to sustain the education system.”
On political matters, Obi dismissed speculation about a merger with the Peoples Democratic Party or the New Nigeria People’s Party.
His clarification came two days after NNPP’s presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, denied knowledge of any such pact.
Obi emphasised that he had no formal agreement with any political party but rallied all lovers of democracy to unite and oust the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.
Reacting however, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC accused Obi of hypocrisy, saying his New Year’s message is ‘misleading and appears intended to score cheap political points.’
Morka emphasised that the claim portrayed the former governor as a leading ‘doomsayer’ at a time when all indicators show the country is rebounding in significant measure across all sectors.
He said, “In reality, 18 months later, the economy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has shown a steady record of progress. Despite these and other initial beneficial outcomes of ongoing reforms, the administration is doubling its effort to ensure their fullest benefits for the transformation of our country.
“It is a thing of irony that Obi, who now arrogates to himself to be omniscient and philosopher’s stone, when it comes to our nation’s challenges, left no record of significant achievement, let alone transformation of any kind, in his eight-year tenure as Governor of Anambra State.
“Like his co-travellers in the PDP, Obi’s obsessive pessimism and endless but futile effort to incite public outrage against the administration is borne out of the realization that Tinubu is unwittingly cementing their political irrelevance by his visionary and full-throttle reform.
“Under the banner of the Renewed Hope Agenda, President Tinubu is dutifully turning our nation’s fortunes around. We urge Nigerians to remain confident of better days ahead.”
The Nigerian naira weakened to N1,541.36/$ on the first day of trading in the New Year.
According to the NFEM rate data available on the website of the Central Bank of Nigeria, this is a 0.36 per cent depreciation compared to the closing rate of 2024 which was N1,535.82/$.
Some authorised dealers quoted the dollar at N1,545/$, an improvement compared to the N1,550/$ quoted on Tuesday while others quoted the naira at N1520/$ at the close of trading on Thursday.
At the parallel market, the naira closed trading at N1,655/$ compared to N1670/$ on Tuesday.
The naira had recorded a 40.9 per cent depreciation in 2024 when compared to the official rate at the close of 2023, which stood at 907.11/$.
The significant depreciation comes amid the CBN’s introduction of several foreign exchange policies aimed at enhancing market transparency and attracting foreign investors.
The latest reform was the introduction of the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System which set new guidelines for authorised Foreign Exchange dealers in December. This introduction saw the naira gain some semblance of stability.
Meanwhile, in the money market, the Nigerian Interbank Offered Rate experienced downward movements across all maturities, signalling liquidity in the banking system. However, the Open Repo Rate fell by 0.61 per cent to 26.69 per cent, while the Overnight Lending Rate decreased by 0.55 per cent to 27.25 per cent.
Trading in the secondary market for FGN bonds was subdued, resulting in a slight uptick in the average yield to 19.76 per cent. In Nigeria’s sovereign Eurobonds market, buy pressure across the short, mid, and long ends of the yield curve led to a 6 bps decrease in the average yield to 9.62 per cent.
The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that a yet-to-be-identified Catholic priest shot a boy dead after the deceased set off knockouts within the church premises.
The spokesperson for Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, made the confirmation in an interview with DAILY POST on Thursday.
However, Okoye did not reveal the name and parish of the priest and the name of the deceased when DAILY POST enquired.
According to him, the police have commenced investigation into the incident.
“The police have commenced an investigation into the matter. This is all I can say for the moment,” he told DAILY POST.
Although details are still sketchy on the incident, earlier, in a Facebook post shared through the account ‘For The Love Of Anambra’ on Wednesday, it was reported that after the deceased set off the knockouts, “the priest, whose identity remains undisclosed, picked up a firearm and fatally shot him”.
The incident has generated outrage on social media as of the time of filing this report.
[DailyPost]
…describes NNPCL stoppage of supply of crude oil to Dangote as false
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has extended an invitation to former President Olusegun Obasanjo for a tour of the Port Harcourt Refinery to verify its operational status.
This development follows Obasanjo’s recent interview with Channels Television, where he cited advice from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) suggesting the refinery would not function effectively.
According to the former president, SPDC, which was approached to acquire equity in the refinery, expressed concerns about corruption impeding its operations.
Obasanjo further alleged that NNPCL has been misleading Nigerians about the refinery’s functionality.
Responding to the claims, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Olufemi Soneye, respectfully invited the former president to visit the facility, emphasizing the company’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Soneye said: “Furthermore, we extend an open invitation to President Obasanjo for a tour of the rehabilitated refineries to witness firsthand the progress made under the new NNPC Limited.”
Soneye also invited Obasanjo to join the NNPCL in its determination to guarantee the country’s energy security.
“We invite our esteemed former president to join us in this effort as we continue to deliver energy security for our nation and provide tangible benefits to Nigerians.
“His wisdom and experience are invaluable, and we assure him that his advice will always be welcomed and appreciated,” he said.
Soneye explained that the NNPCL did not only carry out a turnaround maintenance on the plant but it embarked on a complete overhaul of the refinery.
He said: “As part of this transformation, NNPC Limited has gone beyond oil and gas to become an integrated energy company.
“One of our notable achievements is the complete rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PhRC) and Warri Refinery.
“This process was not merely the Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) of the past but a full-scale overhaul designed to meet world-class standards. Similarly, we are currently conducting the same comprehensive rehabilitation of the old Port Harcourt Refinery and Kaduna Refinery.”
He added that NNPCL has evolved from being a government corporation to a private entity with limited liability.
He said owing to the transition, NNPCL has also moved on from being a loss-making organization to profit -driven international energy firm.
The new NNPC Limited, he said, is committed not only to enhancing these refineries but also to maintaining them to global standards.
Soneye noted that NNPCL will ensure their sustainable operation and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s energy security.
He said: “Regarding his recent comments, we would like to respectfully clarify the current state of the NNPC.
The NNPC has undergone a transformative journey, evolving from a government corporation into a private entity—NNPC Limited.
“This transition has marked a significant shift from being a loss-making organization to a profit-oriented global energy company.”
“We deeply respect and hold President Obasanjo in the highest regard as a distinguished statesman who has contributed significantly to the progress of our nation.
“He has every right to share his perspectives on national issues, and we value his insights and counsel.”
He said: “We remain grateful for his leadership and enduring commitment to the growth and development of Nigeria. Together, we can continue to build a brighter future for our great nation.”
Soneye, who was also requested to react to a media report that NNPCL was to stop the supply of crude oil to Dangote Refinery said, “No need to respond to falsehood.”
[TheNation]
British grime star, Stormzy has been banned from driving for nine months after being caught using a mobile phone behind the wheel of his Rolls-Royce Wraith in west London.
The 31-year-old rapper, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Owuo Junior, pleaded guilty via a letter to the offence, which occurred on Addison Road, West Kensington, in March last year, BBC reports Thursday.
Sky News also stated that District judge Andrew Sweet, presiding at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court, criticised Stormzy’s “dangerous and irresponsible” actions, noting that his driving record was “not good”
According to multiple reports, the judge added six points to the rapper’s licence, resulting in the automatic disqualification, and imposed a fine of £2,010.
“Get rid of your tints and get off your phone,” the off-duty officer reportedly told Stormzy after knocking on his tinted passenger window, according to accounts shared in court, says The Guardian.
The grime star had initially denied the charge but later wrote to the court to change his plea.
This incident follows a pattern of driving infractions for the award-winning artist.
Prosecutor Alice Holloway revealed that in October 2023, Stormzy was stopped while driving a Lamborghini Urus with front windows illegally tinted to only 4 per cent light transmission, far below the legal requirement of 70 per cent.
At the time, Holloway stated, the vehicle’s condition posed a risk to “vulnerable road users.”
Despite prior warnings, Stormzy was caught driving the Lamborghini on Coombe Lane, Kingston upon Thames, before finally removing the illegal tints.
Stormzy’s lawyer, Peter Csemiczky, emphasised his client’s acceptance of responsibility and willingness to comply with the law.
“He apologises and acknowledges his mistakes,” Csemiczky said, adding that the offending tints have now been removed.
Stormzy, a towering figure in the grime scene, has made headlines not just for his music but for his cultural impact.
Sky News added that he became the first black British solo artist to headline Glastonbury in 2019.
However, this latest legal setback underscores the consequences of repeated traffic violations, regardless of status or celebrity.
The rapper did not appear in court for the hearing.
Grime is a genre of electronic dance music (EDM) that emerged in London in the early 2000s. It developed out of the earlier UK dance style UK garage.
The name “grime” was coined by journalists who initially termed the music’s sub-bass heavy sound as “grimy”, which subsequently became “grime”.
[Punch]
Nigeria Lady Lament As Lagos Landlord Increase One-bedroom Apartment To N1.4 million per annum
AFOLABI
A Nigerian lady has taken to social media to lament after her landlord increased her house rent from N750k to N1.4m.
She shared a screenshot of the letter her landlord wrote to his tenants on the increment of rent.
According to the lady with the handle, 'BigAra', the letter was sent to the tenants including her by the lawyer of the landlord announcing the new rent.
The lady revealed that the apartment in question is a one-bedroom apartment located in Ajah, Lagos.
Part of the letter reads: “Please note that the rent of the apartment you occupy has been increased to the sum of N1,200.000.00 and service charge N200,000.00 per annum from your next rent renewal on December 2025. “
“Inability to renew the tenancy at the current rate/rent, please vacate the property.”
Nigerians visiting Thailand can now apply for visas electronically.
The Royal Thai embassy in Abuja set the applications’ start date at January 1 after announcing they were no longer accepting physical applications.
The policy also applies to citizens of Ghana, Cameroon, Benin Republic, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Chad.
In a statement, the embassy said all applicants must be residing within the aforementioned countries when applying for the visa.
The embassy said it has the right to cancel the visa applications should the applicants fail to provide evidence of their presence within the aforementioned countries.
“Travel booking confirmation must be provided upon submission of your visa application. This includes return flight details showing applicant’s name, departure and return date, all flights en route from the aforementioned countries to Thailand,” the embassy said.
“Upon receiving your application, it takes within 5 working days to get your visa.”
The embassy said the processing time can take longer in certain cases.
Intending travellers were advised to apply for a visa at least 4-6 weeks before the departure date but not more than three months before.
All applications must be completed online via www.thaievisa.go.th
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed his successor, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, rejected a $750 million offer from Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Group, to manage the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries in 2007.
Obasanjo spoke in an interview with Channels Television, on Thursday, where he highlighted the challenges faced with Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries during his presidency.
The former president said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited was aware of its limitations in managing the nation’s refineries but still informed Yar’Adua that the oil company can operate the refineries — leading to his successor rejecting Dangote’s offer.
Obasanjo also said he sought external help to rehabilitate and manage the facilities but faced resistance.
“When I was president, I wanted to do something about the three refineries we have: Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. Aliko got a team together after I asked Shell to come and run it for us. And Shell said they wouldn’t,” Obasanjo said.
“Later on, I called them. I called the boss of Shell to come and tell me what the problem was and he gave me four or five reasons.
“He (Shell boss) said, first of all, they make a major profit from upstream, not from downstream. He said they run downstream just to keep their head above water.
“Two, our refineries were too small: 60,000 barrels, 100,000 barrels and I think 120,000 barrels. He said that at that time, the average refinery was going for 250,000 barrels.
“Three, he said our refineries were not well maintained. Four, he said that there was too much corruption around the activities of our refinery and they would not want to get involved in that.
“After that, Aliko got a team together and they paid $750m to take part in PPP (Public–Private Partnership) in running the refineries.
“My successor refunded their money and I went to my successor and told him what transpired.
“He said NNPC said they wanted the refineries and they could run it. I now said but you know they cannot run it.”
‘$2BN SPENT ON REFINERIES BUT NO RESULT’
The former president also said he is confident in Dangote’s ability to manage his privately owned refinery effectively, contrasting it with the government’s inefficiency.
Obasanjo also expressed frustration over the mismanagement of the refineries, adding that despite the amount spent on them since 2007 no results have been made.
“I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than $2 billion have been squandered on the refinery and they still will not work,” he said.
“If a company like Shell tells me what they told me, I will believe them. But here we are, over $2 billion squandered, and the refineries still won’t work.”
On December 31, 2024, Mele Kyari, the group chief executive officer (GCEO) of the NNPC, said the Warri Refining & Petrochemicals Company (WRPC) in Delta state was now operational.
On November 26, the NNPC said the Port Harcourt refinery had officially commenced crude oil processing.
[TheCable]
Fuji music icon, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, left guests in awe as he surprised his longest-serving band member, Fatai Oluperi Ayinla, with a N20 million gift during his New Year concert on January 1, 2025.
The heartwarming moment unfolded at the ‘New Year Dance’ event held at the Balmoral Convention Center, Sheraton Ikeja, Lagos.
KWAM 1 took the stage to express his profound gratitude to Ayinla for his years of dedication and exceptional contribution to the band’s success.
As the crowd erupted into cheers, KWAM 1 presented the substantial amount to Ayinla, acknowledging his loyalty and significant role in the band’s journey.
The emotional tribute was met with loud applause from the audience.
In addition to the N20 million, Nollywood actor, Femi Adebayo, the producer of ‘Seven Doors’, also showed his support by donating N500,000 to Ayinla as a token of appreciation for his years of service.
More...
Toyosi Etim-Effiong, wife of Nollywood actor, Daniel Etim-Effiong, has disclosed how she and her husband later ended up as a couple.
The duo who have been married for seven years were on the Off Air podcast with media personality, Gbemi Olateru aka Gbemi O.
Responding to a previous question, Toyosi revealed that Daniel settled down with her because the lady he was in a relationship with as at the time, wasn’t ready to tie the knot.
A clip from the show which surfaced online saw her say:
“The reason why he left the person he was with was because she said she wasn’t ready to settle down, but me, I was very ready.”
Recall that the couple have been in the news recently as a result of the perculair dynamics of their relationship.
The actor had recently stated that he has a problem with setting boundaries and his marriage was chaotic for him at the beginning.
His wife also revealed that she does not trust her husband one hundred percent.
This revelation has sparked quite a number of reactions from Nigerians.
Omololad stated, “So he didn’t marry you for love, you were the fallback plan, no wonder!!
Theella_space stated, “This woman and her trophy husband again.”
Another netizen, dekinggideon wrote, “When the desirable is not available, then the available becomes the desirable.”
Portharcourtmarket wrote, “Which means he married you for marriage sake, not cause you’re the one he truly loves? Okay we hear you!!!
Nigerian singer, Ayodeji ‘Wizkid’ Balogun has hit another milestone as the first African artiste to surpass 8 billion streams on Spotify.
The 8 billion streams include both leads and features.
His collaborative hit with Canadian superstar, Drake, ‘One Dance,’ is his most streamed song on the platform with over 2 billion streams.
‘One Dance’ holds the Guinness World Record for the first single to hit 1 billion streams on Spotify.
Wizkid’s most streamed album on the platform is the deluxe edition of his fourth studio album, ‘Made In Lagos’ with about a billion streams.
Meanwhile, Burna Boy has hit 7.2 billion streams on Spotify, making him the second most streamed African artiste on the platform.
He is the most followed Afrobeats artiste on the platform.
"It’s heartbreaking, many people are struggling with hunger, poverty" — American Content Creator Reflects on Her Experience in Nigeria
AFOLABI
American content creator Vicky, has shared her observations about her visit to Lagos, Nigeria.
While acknowledging the city’s vibrant social scene, Vicky highlighted the more pressing issues of hunger and poverty that affect many of its residents.
Vicky stated that during her visit, she was struck by the contrast between the city’s lively nightlife and the struggles faced by many of its people.
She expressed concern that some visitors may overlook these issues, focusing instead on the entertainment part of it.
Vicky emphasized the need for support and prayers for Nigeria, suggesting that tangible assistance and missions could help bring about positive change.
Vicky wrote …
“I recently visited Lagos, Nigeria, and while it’s known for its nightlife and clubs, I couldn’t help but notice the bigger picture. So many people there are struggling with hunger and poverty—it’s heartbreaking. It’s sad to see visitors focusing only on the parties when there’s such a clear need for help. Nigeria needs prayer, missions, and tangible support, not just tourism for entertainment. Let’s pray for this country and find ways to contribute to real change..”
Pastor Abel Damina, founder of Abel Damina Ministries and Power City International, has sparked debate by declaring that smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are not sins.
Speaking during his New Year’s Eve sermon on Tuesday, Damina argued that these acts are often misrepresented as sinful when they are not inherently so.
“I’ve told you alcohol is not a sin. I’ve told you cigar is not a sin. If you like, put it on newspaper headline, I said it,” Damina stated.
However, he made it clear that he was not encouraging such behaviors, cautioning his audience to exercise wisdom.
“Am I saying you should smoke? You should have sense from your father’s house to know that cigar will cut short your life. Am I saying you should drink alcohol? You should know that if you drink alcohol, you will lie down inside a gutter. Your shirt and trousers will disappear. You should have the sense to know that.”
Damina’s sermon also addressed the theological basis for his views, challenging traditional interpretations of sin and morality.
Referencing the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, he questioned the belief that their sin resulted from eating fruit from the forbidden tree.
“Adam and Eve ate nothing,” he said. “Adam and Eve didn’t eat anything. Were you there? You were not there. So how do we know whether they ate something or not? Jesus was there. Was Jesus there in the Garden of Eden? Yes. Can Jesus explain to us what happened? Yes.”
Citing Mark 7:18-21, he argued that sin is not caused by what one consumes but by the condition of the heart. “If they (Adam and Eve) ate, it’ll go to their stomach. It’ll digest and go to toilet. They’ll be free,”
Damina said. “There’s nothing a man eats that enters his heart. It’ll go to the digestive system, and it’ll go out somehow. It is what comes out of a man that defiles a man, not what goes in. What makes you a sinner is what you’re thinking, not what you’re eating.”