Nollywood Actress Atinuke Kareem Dies After Brave Battle with Breast Cancer - Newstrends
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Nollywood Actress Atinuke Kareem Dies After Brave Battle with Breast Cancer

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Nollywood Actress Atinuke Kareem Dies After Brave Battle with Breast Cancer

Nollywood Actress Atinuke Kareem Dies After Brave Battle with Breast Cancer

The Yoruba film industry mourns another loss as the actress passes away just days after veteran actor Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo) succumbed to stage-four cancer.

The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning once again following the death of Nollywood actress Atinuke Remilekun Kareem, who passed away on Tuesday after a prolonged battle with breast cancer. The Ogun State chapter of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) confirmed her passing. The association’s Executive Governor, Owolabi Ajasa, announced the sad news in a statement that acknowledged the collective efforts made to support the actress during her illness. Atinuke’s death comes at a particularly difficult time for the Yoruba film industry, which has lost several entertainers to cancer in recent weeks, including veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, who died just days earlier from stage-four cancer.

The depth of Atinuke’s struggle became publicly known about four months before her death when she released a heartfelt video appealing to Nigerians for financial assistance to fund her cancer treatment. In the emotional video, Atinuke revealed that her family had spent a significant amount of money on her medical care and that while her association, TAMPAN, had contributed, it was still not enough to cover her mounting medical bills. She made a desperate plea, stating, “Don’t allow me to die this way; I have two young children. Nigerians, please help me with any amount you can use to help.” Her plea drew an outpouring of sympathy and financial support from fans, colleagues, and well-wishers across the country.

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In a statement signed by the association’s Public Relations Officer, Femi Solaja, on behalf of Ajasa, TAMPAN expressed deep gratitude to everyone who contributed to Atinuke’s treatment. “We sincerely appreciate everyone who contributed financially, offered prayers, encouragement, and support towards the treatment of our dear colleague, Atinuke Remilekun Kareem. Your kindness and sacrifice during her difficult moment meant so much to her family and all of us. We are deeply grateful,” the statement read. The association, however, lamented that despite all the efforts and prayers, the actress succumbed to the illness. “Sadly, despite all our efforts and prayers, Atinuke has passed on and answered the final call. We cannot question the Almighty God. We can only submit to His will and pray that He grants her eternal rest and gives her family, colleagues, and loved ones the strength to bear this painful loss,” the association added.

Atinuke Kareem was well known for her appearances in numerous Yoruba-language productions. She was recognised for her vibrant energy, comic timing, and ability to portray lively, relatable characters, which made her a familiar face to home video audiences across Nigeria and in the diaspora. She was notably among the cast of Ronke Odusanya’s popular comedy series Sàlàyé È, a production that featured other prominent actors such as Mercy Aigbe, Babatunde Hamzat, and Esther Kalajaiye. Atinuke is survived by her two young children and other family members. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by TAMPAN and her family in due course.

Nollywood Actress Atinuke Kareem Dies After Brave Battle with Breast Cancer

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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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