Entertainment

Wizkid sheds tears at mum’s burial, says ‘I’ve never felt this much pain’

Published

3 years ago

October 14, 2023

Wizkid sheds tears at mum’s burial, says ‘I’ve never felt this much pain’

Pop star, Ayodeji Balogun, aka Wizkid, stated that he has never experienced the type of pain he is feeling, as his mother, Juliana, was laid to rest. She passed away on August 18, 2023.

Speaking at the wake and tribute service in honour of the deceased on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at the Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel and Casino, Victoria Island, Lagos, Wizkid said, “I have no words to describe the pain that I feel, and I know every one of my family members shares this pain with me. I know that it is impossible for the pain to go away, so I’m not going to say, ‘take away the pain’, but I know God in his infinite mercy is going to comfort us, to be able to go on with life. The pain is profound; it hurts deeply. It is the deepest pain I have ever felt in my life. I am lost, but I pray and I know God will comfort every one of us.”

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The late Juliana was eventually laid to rest on Friday, October 13, after a church service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (City of David), Victoria Island.

At the funeral, the first Bible reading was taken by one of Wizkid’s elder sisters, Yetunde; while the younger brother of the deceased, Olusanya Dawodu, read out a tribute.

A multimedia presentation of the life and times of the deceased was shown during the service, which evoked tears and intense emotion from members of the family and other guests.

The late Juliana had four children— Yetunde, Omolara, Olubusayo and Ayodeji (Wizkid); and nine grandchildren— David, Boluwatife, Iremofetide, Moyinoluwa, Modesireoluwa, Ayodeji, Ireoluwaposi, Zion, and Michael.

Wizkid sheds tears at mum’s burial, says ‘I’ve never felt this much pain’

Entertainment

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

Published

10 minutes ago

August 31, 2026

Trends Admin

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

Entertainment

ANTP Debunks Cancer Rumors as Actor Wale Elesho Undergoes Successful Facial Surgery

Published

1 hour ago

August 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Prince Adewale Adeoye Elesho

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

Entertainment

DSS review stalls release of Apo Six movie in Nigerian cinemas

Published

3 days ago

August 28, 2026

Trends Admin

DSS review stalls release of Apo Six movie in Nigerian cinemas

The planned cinema release of The Night of June 7th, a film inspired by the controversial Apo Six killings in Abuja, has been suspended following a decision by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to refer the movie to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further review.

The film was scheduled to open in cinemas nationwide on Friday, August 28, 2026, but its release has now been put on hold pending the outcome of the regulatory and security review.

The Night of June 7th was written and produced by Linda Ikeji and directed by Toka McBaror. The movie seeks to dramatise the events surrounding the deaths of six young Nigerians in Abuja on June 7, 2005, in a case that became widely known as the Apo Six killings.

The distributor, Nile Entertainment, confirmed the suspension in a statement signed by its General Manager, Nowe Segun-Ojo, on August 26.

According to the distributor, the NFVCB reviewed the film before referring it to the DSS for additional review and advice.

Nile Entertainment said the producer and distributor would comply with the directive and suspend the film’s release, distribution and public exhibition until the review process is completed and the necessary approvals are secured.

The distributor added that a new release date would be announced once the regulatory process had been concluded.

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The suspension does not necessarily constitute a permanent ban on the movie. Instead, the film remains on hold while the relevant authorities assess the production.

The Apo Six case dates back to June 7, 2005, when six young Nigerians — Ifeanyi Ozor, Chinedu Meniru, Ekene Isaac Mgbe, Paulinus Ogbonna, Anthony Nwokike and Augustina Arebu — were killed in Abuja following an encounter with police officers.

The incident generated widespread public outrage and raised concerns about police brutality, extrajudicial killings and accountability in Nigeria.

The victims were initially accused of being armed robbers, but the circumstances surrounding their deaths subsequently became the subject of investigations, public debate and lengthy legal proceedings.

Several police officers were prosecuted over the killings. In March 2017, an FCT High Court sentenced former police officers Ezekiel Acheneje and Emmanuel Baba to death over their roles in the incident, while former Deputy Commissioner of Police Danjuma Ibrahim and another defendant were discharged and acquitted. Another accused officer, Othman Abdulsalam, was reported to be at large.

The case has remained an important reference point in discussions about police accountability and human rights in Nigeria, more than two decades after the killings.

The decision to adapt the case into a feature film had attracted considerable attention because of the sensitivity of the subject and its place in Nigeria’s recent history.

The movie features a cast including Femi Branch, Ali Nuhu, Gideon Okeke and Charles Lenny, among others, and previously premiered at the NollywoodWeek Film Festival in 2025.

Its planned nationwide cinema release was expected to bring the events surrounding the Apo Six case to a wider audience and renew public discussion about the circumstances surrounding the killings.

However, audiences will now have to wait for the outcome of the DSS review before the movie can be released.

Nile Entertainment said it remains committed to working with the relevant regulatory authorities and expressed appreciation for the patience of audiences, exhibitors, partners and other stakeholders.

The distributor has not disclosed how long the review is expected to last or provided a specific date for the film’s rescheduled cinema release.

For now, The Night of June 7th remains unavailable for public exhibition in Nigerian cinemas until the regulatory process is completed and the necessary clearance is obtained.