Entertainment
Sad, Nigerian visual artist Zinno Orara dies at 60
Sad, Nigerian visual artist Zinno Orara dies at 60
Renowned Nigerian visual artist Zinno Orara has passed away at the age of 60.
Orara’s colleague, Gab Awusa, disclosed this on his Facebook page on Wednesday.
Awusa wrote, “My friend, my brother has gone home to be with the Lord….Rest in peace Zinno Orara.”
Also, Biodun Omolayo, founder of Omotayo Art Gallery, took to his Facebook page to mourn the deceased, saying, “WE LOST A GEM—ZINO Zinno Orara, A Graduate with distinction! A brilliant visual artist! A Philosopher! A Painter of Philosophy!
“A gentleman per excellence! One of the cleanest Artists in Nigeria! A lover of family! A gentle mentor to children & teenagers!
“Zinno Orara thank you for adding colours to the lives of others even when you were going through your own silent pains!
“Young at Art Creative Workshop appreciates you, especially for coming to groom them on our 20th anniversary last year!
“Who would have imagined that your DIALOGUE at the National Museum, Lagos, this year was going to be your last major outing!
“Hmmm, life is so ephemeral! Zino, we love you but the Lord loves you more! Good night, finally, dear brilliant fine artist and friend! May the Lord rest your soul and grant your family the strength to bear your exit!.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Zinno Orara was born in 1964 in Benin, Edo State.
He graduated from the School of Art and Design, Auchi Polytechnic in 1988 and had been a full-time studio artist since then.
Orara had his first independent exhibition, Metamorphosis, at Didi Museum in 1991. Since then, he has had 13 independent exhibitions and over 20 collaborations.
His works are exhibited all over Nigeria and overseas, including South Africa, Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Spain, and United States of America. (NAN)
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Entertainment
Phyna, Nkechi Blessing Take Social Media Feud To Boxing Ring In Lagos
Phyna, Nkechi Blessing Take Social Media Feud To Boxing Ring In Lagos
Reality TV star Phyna and Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing Sunday are set to face each other in a celebrity boxing match in Lagos after a recent public disagreement between the two entertainers.
The bout, billed as “Phyna vs Nkechi,” is scheduled for October 1, 2026, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, as part of the Chaos in the Ring series organised by Balmoral Group Promotions.
The organisers announced the celebrity contest on September 18, releasing promotional material featuring both entertainers in boxing gear and presenting the encounter as a move from their online exchanges to the boxing ring.
The proposed Phyna-Nkechi Blessing boxing match is expected to be one of the celebrity attractions on the October 1 card, which will also feature other entertainment personalities and professional boxing contests.
Phyna, whose real name is Josephina Otabor, and Nkechi Blessing have been involved in a recent social media exchange that generated reactions among their followers.
The disagreement reportedly followed comments by Nkechi Blessing about Phyna’s frequent involvement in online disputes.
Phyna subsequently responded by questioning the actress’s decision to publicly address her and referenced an earlier interaction between them involving a movie project.
The exchange continued online before the organisers announced the boxing encounter.
Following the announcement, both entertainers indicated that they were prepared for the contest.
Nkechi Blessing shared the promotional material on her social media platform and issued a message ahead of the bout, while Phyna also reacted to the announcement and signalled her readiness to participate.
It remains unclear whether the earlier disagreement will have any relevance to the formal competition itself, as the event organisers have not indicated that the celebrity contest will involve anything beyond the rules governing the scheduled boxing exhibition.
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Details including the exact number of rounds, weight categories, protective equipment and other specific rules for the celebrity bout had not been fully disclosed in the latest reports.
The Chaos in the Ring event will feature a combination of celebrity and professional boxing.
Another celebrity contest on the programme is expected to feature content creator Carter Efe against social media personality Speed Darlington.
The professional headline bout is scheduled to feature Nigerian cruiserweight Godday “Zodsolo” Appah against Ghanaian-born British boxer Seth “Freezy Macbones” Gyimah.
Other professional bouts announced for the programme include Eworitse Ezra Arenyeka versus Lekan Muibi, Basit “Joker Boy” Adebayo versus Fatiu Ijomoni, and Yusuf Adeniji versus David Tagoe.
The event is expected to be broadcast on DAZN and SuperSport, extending the reach of the programme beyond the venue in Lagos.
The Chaos in the Ring series has previously featured Nigerian entertainers in boxing contests, including Portable, Charles Okocha, Carter Efe and Speed Darlington.
The celebrity bouts have attracted considerable attention because they combine entertainment personalities, social media rivalries and organised boxing events.
The upcoming encounter between Phyna and Nkechi Blessing follows that format, with the organisers using the public interest generated by their recent online exchange as part of the promotion for the October 1 event.
For the two entertainers, however, the contest will require preparation beyond their social media exchanges as they get set to appear in a regulated boxing environment.
The organisers are expected to provide further information on the bout format, tickets and other event arrangements ahead of the programme.
The Phyna vs Nkechi Blessing boxing match is therefore set to become one of the major celebrity attractions at the October 1 Chaos in the Ring event in Lagos.
Phyna, Nkechi Blessing Take Social Media Feud To Boxing Ring In Lagos
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Entertainment
“She Wanted to Stay Single”: Rema Opens Up About Rejection That Inspired Hit Song ‘Oh No’
“She Wanted to Stay Single”: Rema Opens Up About Rejection That Inspired Hit Song ‘Oh No’
During a live stream with online creator Okiki, the 26-year-old Afrobeat star reflects on personal vulnerability and early stardom.
Nigerian music star Divine Ikubor, globally recognized as Rema, shared a candid look into his romantic life on Friday night, revealing that unreciprocated feelings directly inspired his hit track ‘Oh No.’
Speaking during an interactive live stream with content creator Okiki, the 26-year-old chart-topper recounted how an attempt to start an exclusive, serious relationship ended in sudden rejection when the woman declined to settle down.
According to Rema, the lady openly informed him that she preferred to enjoy single life and explore her personal autonomy rather than commit to a monogamous partnership. Consequently, the musician poured his emotional disappointment directly into the creative process, turning the painful heartbreak into the melodic foundation for ‘Oh No.’
Rather than masking the setback, he explained that sharing raw personal experiences allows him to connect genuinely with fans who navigate similar romantic dilemmas.
Furthermore, the Afrobeats phenomenon reflected on the broader emotional impact of global success, explaining that achieving runaway fame at age 17 forced his personal life to move at a breakneck speed.
To regain his footing, Rema noted that he is currently taking time out to step back, re-evaluate his priorities, and focus on grounded self-reflection. Ultimately, his candid remarks offer a rare, vulnerable perspective on the relatable personal trials that exist behind international superstar status.
“She Wanted to Stay Single”: Rema Opens Up About Rejection That Inspired Hit Song ‘Oh No’
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Entertainment
Adunni Ade Reveals Christian Fans Unfollowed Her After Publicly Identifying as Muslim
Adunni Ade Reveals Christian Fans Unfollowed Her After Publicly Identifying as Muslim
Nollywood actress Adunni Ade has opened up about the reaction she received after publicly identifying as a Muslim, revealing that some of her Christian fans unfollowed her because of her religious identity.
The actress said she initially found it difficult to openly discuss her faith because of what she described as the pressures associated with being a public figure in the Nollywood industry.
According to Ade, publicly identifying as a Muslim within the Nigerian film industry can be difficult, and she described the situation as “almost forbidden” based on her personal experience.
She explained that she eventually became tired of keeping her religious identity private and decided to be open about her faith.
Ade said the decision came with consequences, including losing some followers and receiving messages from people who questioned her choice.
“Some people unfollowed me. I got DMs from people trying to cast out spirits. Some people prayed for me,” she said while discussing her experience.
However, the actress added that she also received considerable support from Muslims, many of whom welcomed her more warmly after she publicly acknowledged her faith.
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Ade stressed that her decision to practise Islam should not be interpreted as an attack on Christianity or Christians.
She said she had experienced both Christian and Muslim religious environments and was not suggesting that Christianity was a bad religion. Rather, she explained that Islam was the faith that worked for her personally.
The actress’ comments have renewed attention on her long-standing and publicly discussed religious journey, which has included experiences with both Christianity and Islam.
Ade had previously spoken about her faith in 2020, explaining that she was born and raised Muslim but grew up in a family where different religious traditions were represented.
She said her father allowed his children to choose their preferred religion, while members of her extended family included both Christians and Muslims.
The actress also disclosed that she attended different Christian churches, including Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Christ Living Apostolic Ministry (CLAM) and Christ Apostolic Church (CAC).
Ade said she later returned to Islam on December 31, 2016, after reflecting on her religious identity and concerns about how people might react to her decision.
She said at the time that returning to Islam made her feel happier and more fulfilled.
Her religious identity also came under renewed public discussion in 2026 after she was seen attending an event at a Celestial Church of Christ in Lagos.
Following questions from social media users about whether she had returned to Christianity, Ade clarified that she remained a practising Muslim.
She explained that her presence at the church-related event was connected to her professional relationship with the celebrant and was not evidence of a change in her religion.
Ade’s latest comments therefore provide further context to a faith journey she has discussed publicly over several years.
While describing her experience as difficult at times, she maintained that her decision to openly identify as a Muslim was ultimately a personal one.
Her statement that being openly Muslim in Nollywood is “almost forbidden” reflects her personal experience and perception; it should not be taken as evidence of a formal industry-wide rule restricting actors from publicly identifying with a particular religion.
The actress’ disclosure has also highlighted the wider challenges public figures can face when personal beliefs become subjects of public discussion, particularly in an industry where celebrities often maintain diverse fan bases with different religious and cultural backgrounds.
Adunni Ade Reveals Christian Fans Unfollowed Her After Publicly Identifying as Muslim
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