"I Cursed the Pastor" — Yemi Solade Reveals Why He Quit Church 13 Years Ago - Newstrends
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“I Cursed the Pastor” — Yemi Solade Reveals Why He Quit Church 13 Years Ago

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"I Cursed the Pastor" — Yemi Solade Reveals Why He Quit Church 13 Years Ago
Yemi Solade

“I Cursed the Pastor” — Yemi Solade Reveals Why He Quit Church 13 Years Ago

Nollywood veteran says his faith remains strong despite stepping away from formal worship, citing a 2013 clash with his pastor over Sunday acting jobs

Veteran Nollywood actor Yemi Solade has opened up about why he stopped attending church services 13 years ago, revealing that the decision stemmed from a clash between his acting career and church expectations, not a rejection of his faith. The 66-year-old actor made the disclosure during a recent interview on the Curiosity Made Me Ask podcast, where he spoke candidly about his spiritual journey, relationships, and public perception.

Solade explained that his departure from organised religion began in 2013 after a pastor at his former church instructed him to stop accepting acting jobs scheduled on Sundays. The directive directly interfered with his livelihood, as acting roles on Sundays often paid his bills and enabled him to contribute financially to the church. Reflecting on the incident, Solade recalled, “I’d been told in the church that I should tell producers not to call me for work on Sundays. And I cursed those pastors. It is from that thing that you said I shouldn’t do on Sunday that I put my hand in my pocket and I drop here.” The actor argued that the same work he was being asked to turn down was what sustained him financially, and he questioned why his faith should be tied to a particular day of the week.

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Solade said staying away from church eventually brought him peace, while dismissing the belief that missing Sunday service would automatically bring misfortune. “A notion that if you don’t attend church, one’s life will nosedive, I have not seen anything change. Rather, I have peace, I do well,” he said. Solade emphasised that his decision does not mean he has abandoned his faith. On the contrary, he maintains that his relationship with God remains central to his life, even without formal church attendance. “God created me in His image. I stopped going to church 13 years ago because I was not finding it funny any longer. Though I am a child of God,” he said. He added, “My life is not orchestrated towards a particular day. There is no Sunday in the Bible. Without God, I will not be alive.”

The actor said he believes worship should not be restricted to a specific day, and that his faith goes beyond attending a formal place of worship. “I know God too well. If you get close to me, you will know that God lives in me,” he stated. Speaking on his approach to human relationships, Solade described himself as someone who keeps a deliberate distance from personal intimacy while engaging broadly with the world. “I do not have a friend. I do not roll with anybody, but I move with the world because God has instructed me to do that for myself,” he explained. He added, “I am loved by a lot of people, and I love a lot of people. But I do not have intimacy with people. It is good for me.”

On the subject of public perception and rumours, the veteran actor appeared unbothered, suggesting that the attention he receives is a reflection of his enduring relevance in the industry. “You will only speculate. You have heard things about me; most of them are not true. If I am not important, people will not talk about me,” he said. The actor, who has been a prominent figure in Nollywood for decades, continues to maintain a thriving career in the entertainment industry, demonstrating that his decision to step away from formal church attendance has not diminished his success or his faith.

“I Cursed the Pastor” — Yemi Solade Reveals Why He Quit Church 13 Years Ago

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Temi Nkem Wins N160m BBNaija Season 11 Grand Prize

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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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‘Pick A Date’ — Tiwa Savage Accepts Teni’s Boxing Challenge

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Teni Calls Out Tiwa Savage for Boxing Fight, Gets Bold Response

‘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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“Sometimes, I Wonder Why I Married My Husband” — Omotola

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“Sometimes, I Wonder Why I Married My Husband” — Omotola
Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Captain Matthew Ekeinde

“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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