My foray into politics is for specific purposes – Funke Akindele – Newstrends
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My foray into politics is for specific purposes – Funke Akindele

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Funke Akindele

Popular Nollywood actress and 2023 running mate to Olajide Adediran, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Funke Akindele, popularly known as Jenifa, has been speaking on her sudden foray into the murky waters of politics. The actress was unveiled as the Deputy Governorship candidate of the opposition party during the week by the gubernatorial flag-bearer after weeks of speculations.

Confirming her nomination as the deputy gubernatorial candidate of the PDP on Tuesday, the actress said she would be putting a hold on her acting career to focus on politics ahead of the 2023 general elections. According to her, she accepted the call to join partisan politics after considering a lot of things. Explaining his decision to nominate Akindele, Adediran said he his running mate is not just an actress, but a filmmaker and a lawyer, who has been creating jobs for Nigerian youths for many years now.

“My running mate, Funke Akindele, people say she is an actress, but I’ll say I picked a lawyer who found love in film making. Beyond an actress, she’s a filmmaker. Someone who has grown her business from zero to something, winning massive followership in the process of what she’s been doing for years. She’s an Ikrodu-born diva and I believe she is going to add value to my candidacy. Some people are forgetting that the purpose upon which a political party is established is to win elections. My running mate is a brand that connects the grassroots and my people in the cyberspace,” he said.

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Accepting to be part of the ticket, Akindele said, is largely because of her concerns over the years on the need to bring positive change to women, youth and children across Lagos State. I am an indigene of Lagos and I live in Lagos. So, I see all the needs. I see so many things we can do,” she said. The Nollywood star was unveiled by her party last Tuesday during a campaign event that had all PDP candidates for various positions in Lagos State for the 2023 general elections in attendance. Prominent party leaders, chieftains and members from all parts of the state also graced the occasion.

Akindele, who expressed happiness as the opportunity given her by PDP to contest the 2023 election, described her decision to join Adediran, popularly known as ‘Jandor’, on the ticket, as a huge sacrifice as she will leave acting, her career of many years for politics in order to bring positive change to Lagos residents. “Jandor has sacrificed a lot talking about young people passionately for over seven years to plan this project, abandoning his business to make a change in the state.

“So, I am going to put aside my career now, I am coming out for the women, the youths, we have talents in Nigeria, we need to explore what we have. We have both made sacrifices to join politics to bring positive changes to the people of Ikorodu and the state. We should build a state where our children can live rather than running and staying abroad. I am joining Jandor to bring a breath of fresh air to Ikorodu and Lagos,” she said.

Explaining that she initially thought of rejecting the offer when she was nominated for the ticket, Akindele expressed satisfaction that she has God and the people behind her. She said, “I answered the call. We are the own ers of Lagos, we will vote, win and rule the state. For the women, I am going there for you. For the youths and the children, I am there for you. We can do a lot for this state and country and make things work. We are youths, we can run, we have energy to fix Lagos state. For my Ikorodu people, I thank you. I will not put you to shame.”

On what the people of the state should expect from her team, Funke said the PDP administration intends to confront issues such as infrastructure needs, health system and improvement in the standard of education in the state. “In Lagos, what we have is an unusual situation and it requires an unusual solution. This is why we have presented to Lagosians a total departure from the norm. This is something fresh,” she added.

Earlier, the delegation of PDP candidates, leaders, chieftains and members paid a courtesy visit to the palace of Oba Kabiru Shotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu. They were received by the monarch and his chiefs. Presenting the flag of the party to Akindele, Hon. Philip Aivoji, the Lagos PDP Chairman, said the party is now ready to take over the governance of the state come 2023. “When the time of a thing has come, no one can cover it. By the power of God, we have come to light up Ikorodu and all parts of Lagos state. By the Grace of God, victory is ours and it is certain in 2023,” he said.

Party bigwigs in attendance include Wahab Owokoniran, Chief Taiwo Kuye, former member South-West caretaker committee, Chief (Mrs.) Aduke Maina, member of Board of Trustees (BoT), state chairman of the party, Dr. Philip Aivoji, Nicholas Akowala, Wale Gomez, Lagos Central Senatorial candidate, Otunba Segun Adewale, popularly called Areoland.

Others are Lagos West Senatorial candidate, Bisi Odunsi, Ganiyu Adekunle, Princess Sadiat Fafowora, Bankole Wellington, popularly called BankyW, candidate of the party for House of Representatives Eti-Osa constituency and his counterpart in Ajeromi- Ifelodun, Bartholomew Chima and a numerous other PDP candidates.

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Some ladies in movie industry ready to sleep their way to fame — Jide Kosoko

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Jide Kosoko

Some ladies in movie industry ready to sleep their way to fame — Jide Kosoko

Veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has weighed in on the controversial issue of sex-for-roles in the Nigerian film industry, stating that some actresses deliberately enter the industry with the intent of using sexual relationships to advance their careers.

Jide Kosoko shared his views during a recent appearance on the Honest Bunch podcast, where he challenged the popular notion that directors and producers always impose such conditions on actresses.

He emphasised that no one can be coerced into engaging in sexual exchanges for roles.

“If I said I need you to warm my bed so that I can give you a role, and you said no, they cannot force you to do it. And if you want that role by all means, that means you want to dance to his tone,” he explained.

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The veteran actor clarified that while making such demands is inappropriate, the decision ultimately rests with the individuals involved.

“I’m not saying it’s right to have introduced that to you, but if you fall for it, that’s your own business. How does that concern the whole world? All this sex-for-roles thing, forget about it,” Kosoko stated.

He went on to assert that some women intentionally exploit such situations to gain recognition in Nollywood.

“I know some ladies that equally come into the industry with the determination that, by the time ‘I sleep with this and sleep with that, I will get my name. I know of some popular actresses. I know of even a Magistrate,” he revealed.

 

Some ladies in movie industry ready to sleep their way to fame — Jide Kosoko

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Asake reconciles with ailing father, moves him to specialist hospital

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Ahmed Ololade popularly known as Asake and his father, Fatai Odunsi

Asake reconciles with ailing father, moves him to specialist hospital

Afrobeats sensation Asake has admitted his father, Fatai Odunsi, to a specialist hospital in Ikoyi, where Chinese medical experts are providing treatment, a reliable source has confirmed.

A neighbour of Odunsi confirmed the development.

Speaking in the local Isale Eko dialect, she initially requested more time, saying, “Call me again around 6:30 pm. By then, I should have gone to their house, so I would be able to give you more information on what you asked.” Later, around 7 pm, she confirmed, “I have confirmed from his (Odunsi’s) wife that he has been admitted to a specialist hospital in Ikoyi where Chinese experts are currently attending to him.”

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A source within Asake’s management, speaking anonymously, described the situation as an oversight. According to the insider, Asake has started fulfilling his financial obligations toward both his father and his daughter, Zeenat. However, the source could not confirm whether the artist plans to rekindle his relationship with Zeenat’s mother or provide financial support for her.

“The entire thing was an oversight, but all has been sorted. He has reunited with his family and promised to give them whatever they would need to keep him going. To the best of my knowledge, he has begun fulfilling the promises he made and that is why there is now calm. I have no knowledge of what has or will happen to the baby mama; what I know is what I have told you,” the source revealed.

In a viral video, Odunsi shared an update on their reconciliation, stating that Asake had pledged to buy him a new house and cover his medical bills. He confirmed that real estate agents were actively searching for a suitable property. Additionally, he noted that Asake had agreed to take full responsibility for his 11-year-old daughter, Zeenat. However, he did not address whether the artist would rekindle his relationship with Zeenat’s mother or provide her with financial assistance.

Asake reconciles with ailing father, moves him to specialist hospital

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Actress Jayesimi blames mother for childlessness at 60

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Renowned Yoruba Nollywood actress, Dupe Jayesimi

Actress Jayesimi blames mother for childlessness at 60

Renowned Yoruba Nollywood actress, Dupe Jayesimi, has shared the painful journey of her childlessness at over 60, revealing years of heartbreak, betrayal, and unfulfilled dreams of motherhood.

In an emotional conversation on Abiola Adebayo’s Talk-to-B podcast, Jayesimi recalled how she battled multiple miscarriages, a turbulent marriage, and society’s harsh judgment, all while carrying the weight of longing for a child.

Jayesimi, who tied the knot on October 22, 1988, said her struggle with infertility began shortly after her wedding.

Though she conceived before the marriage, she suffered a miscarriage soon after, marking the start of an agonising journey.

“We had too many tests, with several attempts to conceive,” she recalled. “My husband and I had misunderstandings, and five years into the marriage, he stopped checking on me for months. He began using a pillow to demarcate the bed, slowly pushing me out of the marriage.”

The veteran actress revealed that her husband ultimately forced her out, and just two weeks after she left, another woman—already pregnant—moved into their home.

“I resorted to taking alcohol and sobbing for years,” she confessed. “I had to move on when the pain became unbearable.”

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Following the failed marriage, Jayesimi attempted to find love again, hoping it would lead to motherhood.

She met an Alhaji who was eager to help her conceive, but even after two rounds of IVF, she was left with nothing but disappointment.

“One day, I conceived without even knowing,” she recounted. “I was 40 years old at the time. But when I went to the hospital, the doctor told me it was an ectopic pregnancy. I cried my heart out.”

After the painful loss, she eventually left the relationship when the man’s wife started waging war against her.

In her desperation, Jayesimi once considered adoption, but her mother vehemently opposed the idea.

“If you adopt any kid, I will feed them to death,” she recalled her mother’s chilling words. “It was then I knew I was in for a long ride.”

Now, looking back with regret, the actress blames her mother for robbing her of the chance to be a mother.

“If I had not listened to my mum, I would have adopted a long time ago,” she lamented. “I am not fighting her, but I want her to stay clear of me because she’s the cause of my childlessness.”

Despite the pain, Jayesimi remains resilient. She shared how she has been mocked—even by the children she helped raise.

“This acting job is just a blessing in disguise,” she admitted. “It has helped me sustain the watered ground of mockery.”

At 60, the actress now seeks one final chance at motherhood—not through marriage, not through failed treatments, but through adoption.

“What I want to do now is get a child who will be my company,” she declared.

 

Actress Jayesimi blames mother for childlessness at 60

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