Entertainment
ANTP Debunks Cancer Rumors as Actor Wale Elesho Undergoes Successful Facial Surgery
ANTP Debunks Cancer Rumors as Actor Wale Elesho Undergoes Successful Facial Surgery
Association confirms veteran actor is stable and recovering after operation, urges public to disregard unverified health claims
The Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) has officially dismissed widespread social media speculation that veteran actor and immediate past president of the association, Prince Adewale Adeoye Elesho, was battling skin cancer. The clarification comes after the actor successfully underwent facial surgery on Saturday, August 29, 2026, and is now reported to be stable and recuperating well at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos State.
Concerns about Elesho’s health first emerged when a visible growth was noticed on the right side of his face during the burial rites of his colleague, veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, in Ilaro, Ogun State, on August 24, 2026. The actor had attended the funeral despite admitting he was not in the best of health. Images and videos from the event quickly circulated online, prompting fans and colleagues to urge him to seek medical attention. The speculation intensified after social media users raised an alarm about the facial mark and urged Elesho to see a dermatologist immediately, pointing out the increased vulnerability of people with albinism to certain skin conditions. Many fans recalled noticing a similar but smaller mark on Elesho’s face during a movie production, noting that it had since grown significantly in size.
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In a statement shared on Facebook on Sunday, the ANTP National Publicity Secretary, Prince Adejonwo Oluwafemi, popularly known as Femson, confirmed that Elesho had undergone surgery and that the growth had been successfully removed. The association urged the public to disregard unverified claims about the actor’s health. The statement read, “We give all glory to God for the successful completion of his operation. In recent days, there have been several posts on social media concerning the health of our dear brother, Prince Adewale Adeoye Elesho, the immediate past President of the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners – ANTP, with many speculations including skin cancer. We hereby confirm that the operation was successful. He is stable and recuperating well.” In a subsequent update, Femson added, “By God’s grace, his operation was successful. He is doing well and recovering. Thank you all for the calls, prayers and concern. We appreciate you. Continue to pray for his speedy recovery.”
The ANTP did not disclose the specific nature of Elesho’s operation or confirm that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer. The association expressed gratitude to family members, colleagues, friends and well-wishers who had reached out to inquire about his condition and offered prayers. Elesho, a prominent figure in Nigeria’s traditional theatre and entertainment community, has been a respected member of the ANTP and served as its immediate past National President. The health concerns came during a period when the Nigerian entertainment industry was already rallying around Ogogo, who had been battling cancer.
While speaking at Ogogo’s funeral, Elesho described the late actor as a good and honourable person, using the Yoruba word “omoluabi” to sum up who Ogogo was to him. He also shared a personal story about how Ogogo once stood by him on a movie set when he was pressured to do something against his values, demonstrating the late actor’s loyalty and kindness. Despite experiencing his own health difficulties, Elesho still made the effort to attend the funeral and honour Ogogo, a decision that touched many people who witnessed his tribute.
The ANTP’s confirmation of Elesho’s successful surgery has brought relief to his supporters, with many well-wishers flooding social media to express their joy and continue praying for his full recovery. The association has urged members of the public to continue praying for the actor’s speedy recovery and to respect his privacy during this period.
ANTP Debunks Cancer Rumors as Actor Wale Elesho Undergoes Successful Facial Surgery
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Entertainment
Temi Nkem Wins N160m BBNaija Season 11 Grand Prize
Temi Nkem Wins N160m BBNaija Season 11 Grand Prize
Temi Nkem has emerged as the winner of Big Brother Naija Season 11, taking the N160 million grand prize at the grand finale of the reality television show.
Nkem was crowned winner of the “Show Ya Sef” edition on Sunday, October 4, 2026, after 70 days in the BBNaija house.
The 21-year-old, whose real name is Temitope Chigbue, secured 25.87 per cent of the final votes to finish ahead of Aikou, who polled 23.68 per cent and emerged as the first runner-up. Sheba finished in third place with 9.80 per cent of the votes.
The finale brought the competition among the remaining housemates to an end after a season that featured weekly tasks, nominations, evictions and several twists.
The BBNaija Season 11 winner will receive a prize package valued at N160 million, comprising N90 million in cash, a brand-new SUV and other sponsored prizes.
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The cash component was adjusted from the initially announced N100 million after N10 million was allocated to the season’s Most Influential Player of the Week (MIPOW) prize fund.
Nkem’s victory also makes her the fifth female winner in BBNaija history, following previous female champions Mercy Eke, Phyna, Ilebaye and Imisi.
The season began on July 26 with 24 housemates competing for the grand prize. The finale eventually narrowed the field to nine finalists before the final positions were determined through viewers’ votes.
During the live finale, Aikou was announced as the first runner-up, while Sheba finished as the second runner-up.
The finale also featured performances by Nigerian singers Teni and Oshamo and was hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.
With her victory, Temi Nkem succeeds Imisi, the winner of BBNaija Season 10, as the latest champion of the popular Nigerian reality television franchise.
Temi Nkem Wins N160m BBNaija Season 11 Grand Prize
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Entertainment
‘Pick A Date’ — Tiwa Savage Accepts Teni’s Boxing Challenge
‘Pick A Date’ — Tiwa Savage Accepts Teni’s Boxing Challenge
Nigerian music stars Tiwa Savage and Teni have sparked excitement online after exchanging a playful boxing challenge, with Tiwa responding to Teni’s call-out by telling her to “Pick a date.”
The exchange began after Teni challenged Tiwa Savage to a boxing bout in a social media video while discussing the wealth and lifestyles of some Nigerian entertainers.
Teni jokingly called out Tiwa and proposed a multi-billion-naira purse for the potential showdown, saying she was ready to step into the ring with the award-winning singer.
At one point, Teni mentioned ₦1.5 billion while discussing the proposed fight and joking about whether the money could be enough to purchase a Bugatti. She also made another reference to ₦3 billion in a subsequent social media post, leading to differing reports about the amount attached to the challenge.
Teni further joked that she would defeat Tiwa in the ring before performing Tiwa’s hit song “My Darling” for her afterwards.
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Tiwa responded to the challenge in the comments section with three words: “Pick a date.”
The brief response quickly went viral, with fans interpreting it as Tiwa accepting the proposed Teni vs Tiwa Savage boxing match.
However, there is currently no official confirmation that the bout has been organised. No fight date, venue, promoter, contract, rules or official purse has been announced by either artiste or a recognised boxing promoter.
The reported financial figures should therefore not be treated as an agreed fight purse. They originated from Teni’s playful social media challenge rather than an announced professional boxing deal.
The exchange comes at a time when celebrity boxing in Nigeria is attracting growing public attention, with entertainers and reality TV personalities increasingly participating in exhibition bouts.
Recent events have featured celebrities including Phyna, Nkechi Blessing, Carter Efe and Speed Darlington, helping to generate interest in entertainment-driven boxing events.
Phyna recently defeated actress Nkechi Blessing by knockout in a celebrity boxing event in Lagos organised under the Chaos in the Ring series.
The growing popularity of such events has created a new crossover between Nigeria’s entertainment and boxing industries, with celebrity rivalries increasingly being turned into sporting spectacles.
For now, however, the proposed Teni and Tiwa Savage boxing bout remains a social media challenge. Tiwa’s “Pick a date” response has nevertheless left fans waiting to see whether the playful exchange will eventually turn into an actual celebrity boxing event.
‘Pick A Date’ — Tiwa Savage Accepts Teni’s Boxing Challenge
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Entertainment
“Sometimes, I Wonder Why I Married My Husband” — Omotola
“Sometimes, I Wonder Why I Married My Husband” — Omotola
Veteran Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has opened up about the realities of her 30-year marriage, admitting that there are moments when she wonders why she chose her husband, Captain Matthew Ekeinde.
The actress made the disclosure during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, where she discussed love, marriage, friendship and the challenges involved in sustaining a long-term relationship.
Omotola explained that marriage does not mean feeling romantic love for one’s partner every single day, adding that her husband understands the different emotions that can arise in a long-term relationship.
“My husband knows that I don’t love him all the time,” she said.
The actress also spoke candidly about moments when she notices other attractive men and jokingly questions her choice of husband.
“There are days that I’d see fantabulous guys, and I’d be like, I picked this one over you?” she said.
However, Omotola stressed that such moments do not mean that her marriage is troubled. Instead, she described her relationship with Matthew as a partnership built on commitment, understanding and the freedom for both individuals to remain themselves.
“Our marriage is not that serious. We’re partners,” she said.
The actress said she and her husband have also learned to acknowledge their imperfections instead of pretending that their relationship is always perfect.
According to her, open communication and honesty have helped them navigate disagreements and the changing emotions that come with a long-term marriage.
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Omotola has previously maintained that divorce is not an option for her, while also acknowledging that every couple has to make decisions based on their individual circumstances.
She and Matthew married on March 23, 1996, and marked their 30th wedding anniversary in March 2026.
The couple have four children and have remained together through Omotola’s successful acting career and Matthew’s career as an airline pilot.
The actress has previously credited her husband’s selflessness, trust and willingness to support her career among the factors that have helped sustain their relationship.
Her latest comments have generated conversations about the realities of long-term relationships, particularly the distinction between romantic feelings and the commitment required to maintain a marriage over several decades.
Omotola’s remarks suggest that, for her, a lasting marriage is not necessarily about experiencing intense romantic feelings every day but about choosing partnership, communication and commitment even when emotions fluctuate.
“Sometimes, I Wonder Why I Married My Husband” — Omotola
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