Entertainment

3 Nollywood Actresses Reveal Horrifying Personal Experience With Nigeria #SARS

In a bid to add some personal stories to give an idea of the situation, three Nollywood actresses have shared how this SARS mess has affected them personally.

Genevieve Nnaji

Star actress Genevieve Nnaji took to Instagram to write an open letter to President Buhari regarding the issue of SARS. In the letter, she wrote about how SARS has affected her first-hand after seeing how they treated her 13-year-old niece. Genevieve wrote:

An Open Letter to President Muhammadu Buhari

My niece was harassed by SARS for carrying a laptop. Her own laptop. She was slapped across the face for simply asking why her laptop was being seized. At only 13, she had to deal with police brutality. Complaints were made and nothing was done. No one is spared and we are all affected.

Mr. President, this is the current state of your country. The stability of a nation is largely dependent on leadership. And every head of house has one chance to build their legacy.

Sir, you’ve had two. What our country is today is a reflection of your leadership. Your legacy.

I’m getting weary and tired of being optimistic about change but even then I can’t complain. I am one of the privileged few but that doesn’t mean that I get to give up now.

So I will speak.

Mr President, it’s time to lead. I remain saddened by the fact that my country is only an incubator for greatness and not a habitat. The world is clearly moving on. With or without us. What will your legacy be when it’s all said and done? I aspire for mine to leave a mark and not a scar.

I urge you to speak to us because we are not mind readers. Your house is not in order and way far from stable. The people aren’t being empowered, neither are they being protected. Industries such as Entertainment and Technology that are currently boosting our economy and empowering the youth are being frustrated. All under your regime.

WE ARE NOT ALL CRIMINALS and shouldn’t be treated as such. If there is an increase in crime, it’s as a result of the increase in poverty. We honestly do not know the difference between the criminals and the law enforcers anymore. While there are clearly good people in the force, the bad ones are overshadowing them. The lack of value for human life in our count is disheartening and heartbreaking.

We would have less crime if we had more job opportunities. Criminals would be fewer and easier to catch. The police needs to be our friend and not our enemy. We need law enforcement to work with us and not against us. Contrary to what you may believe Mr. President, we are not lazy. We are under- utilized.

Leaders will come and go, but we the people will remain. We will survive. We always have. But we won’t forget. Right now, your administration is standing in the way of our survival. If the country is unwilling to be great, the least you can do is let us be great by ourselves.

Mr. President, you are the Commander-in- Chief. I plead with you to command your troops to stand down.

Sincerely, Genevieve Nnaji

#EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality

Beverly Osu

In a 2019 video that has been brought back into discourse, Big Brother contestant and Nollywood actress, Beverly Osu expressed her anger over officers harassing people and not wearing their appropriate uniforms. She said in the video:

If you know you’re going to be doing night duty, please wear your uniform. Indicate that you’re an officer. Dress like an officer. Because nowadays we don’t know the difference between police and armed robbers. How can an officer be wearing jump-up trouser and bathroom slippers and holding gun? Smelling of alcohol?

I was in an UBER the other day, and my UBER guy saw these guys and started running because he thought that they were armed robbers. There was no indication – there was no police van parked near anywhere. There was no checkpoint sign. There was nothing of that sort and you say you’re protecting us. You’re not protecting us.

Juliet Ibrahim

Nollywood actress, Juliet Ibrahim is the latest actress to lend her voice to the #EndSars protest and she did so by sharing a personal story. Juliet wrote in a series of tweets:

I have personally been stopped by #Sars officers in lekki after watching a movie at the IMAX cinema around 10 pm last year. We were in an Uber car and without any reasons given; we were asked by 2 drunk SARS Officers to step out of the car so they can search our bags!

We demanded to know why because this is not done and he insisted on searching even after my Assistant had shown him his international Ghanaian passport. They didn’t have an answer as to why they decided to stop my sister, myself and my assistant that night!

After we opened our bags for them, went back and forth insisting it was Wrong in all ramification to search our handbags when we hadn’t committed any offense; a 3rd officer showed up and recognized me and started hailing me that he watches my movies.

He then asked the guys to let me be and asked “anything for the boys?” Which I told him NO I had no money!!! We were allowed to leave but here’s the terrifying shock! WHAT IF, we were harassed further or molested by these drunk officers? WHAT IF!!!

Are we going to sit back and watch more innocent people killed, harassed and attacked by #SARS before we start speaking up?! It happened to ME TOO and it can happen to your Fathers, Mothers, Uncles, brothers and sisters and Foreigners visiting Nigeria!!#ENDSARSNOW #MrGovernor

Entertainment

15 Nollywood Actors Who Have Dig Into Politics [SEE LIST]

Over the years, many Nollywood actors and actresses in the country have been invited by their state governments to receive political nominations while some have knowingly delved into politics with the hope to serve the people.

We brings you 15 Nollywood actors who have either run for offices or have been appointed.

1. Femi Adebayo

In February 2016, popular Yoruba Nollywood actor Femi Adebayo was made the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed on Arts, Culture and Tourism. Although the actor was appointed in 2016, he is currently contesting for the post of a senator in the upcoming elections. The actor who hails from Kwara made his interest known in representing Asa/Ilorin West at the Nigerian National Assembly delegation from his state.

2. Ini Edo

Nollywood Actress Ini Edo Reportedly Welcomes New Baby (See Baby Daddy) — Ini Edo

Ini Edo is a professional actress, movie producer, and director. She is one of the actresses that has held a political position.

In 2016, the beautiful actress was appointed as the Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on culture and tourism

Ini Edo’s appointment was renewed in 2020 when Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, current governor of Akwa Ibom State, was re-elected into office.

3. Banky W

Nigerian singer, rapper, actor, entrepreneur and politician Olubankole Wellington aka Banky W On November 11, 2018, Banky W declared his intention to run for the Lagos’ Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, on the platform of Modern Democratic Party (MDP), formed in 2017. On February 23, 2019, Bankole Wellington lost the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency elections to Babajide Obanikoro of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

4. Zubby Michael

Zubby Michael is a talented Nigerian actor and media personality who has impressed lots of entertainment lovers with his unique talents and creativity.

In 2019, Zubby was appointed by the current Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano as the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor.

5. Desmond Elliot

Desmond Oluwashola Elliot is a famous Nigerian movie star, who has featured in many Nollywood blockbuster movies, television shows and soap operas. He was elected as a lawmaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Surulere Constituency, in 2015.

6. Kate Henshaw

On 19 July 2014, Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw officially unveiled her campaign website as she was aspiring to represent Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal constituency under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. Kate Henshaw lost the primary election to Rt. Hon Essien Ayi but was appointed as Special Advicer Liaison, Lagos by the Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade in December 2015. Recently, she recounted how she spent N35 million to chase her ambition to become a member of the House of Representatives and her regrets.

7. Bob Manuel

Bob-Manuel Udokwu is a veteran Nollywood actor who contested for the position of house of assembly for the Idemili North Local Government Area for Anambra state in 2015.

He was appointed into the cabinet of Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, as the Senior Special Assistant on Movie/Entertainment.

8. RMD

Nollywood veteran actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo was appointed as the Special Adviser of Culture and Tourism to the then Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2008, later on became the commissioner for Culture and Tourism of Delta State, Nigeria in 2009. His tenure ended in 2015.

9. Hilda Dokubo

Ace Actress, Hilda Dokubo was one of the first Nigerian celebrities to get into the political game. She was appointed Special Adviser on Youth Affairs to the former Rivers state governor, Peter Odili in the early 2000’s.

10. Mercy Johnson

Mercy Johnson Shares New Set Footage, Says She’s ‘Doing What I Love To Do Best’ (Video) — Mercy Johnson

On March 15th 2017, Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie was appointed a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello on Entertainment, Arts and Culture.

11. Nkiru Sylvanus

Nkiru Sylvanus was one of the first set of celebrities to venture into politics. In 2011, she was appointed the Special Adviser on Lagos Affairs to the Imo State Government. She was later made Special Adviser on Public Relations to the same state Government.

12. Kanayo O. Kanayo

Kanayo O Kanayo joined the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and had his eyes on the seat of House of Representatives, member for Ahiazu/Ezinihite Mbaise Federal Constituency in 2011. However, he lost in the primary election.

13. Funke Adesiyan

Funke Adesiyan is a Nollywood actress who contested for the Ibadan South-East constituency seat in the Oyo State House of Assembly. The actress won the Oyo State House of Assembly primary election on the platform of the PDP in 2014.

At the time, she was the second entertainer to win a primary election after Desmond Elliot who set the pace by winning the APC primary election for the Lagos State House of Assembly. While Desmond won his election, Funke lost to her APC opponent by a large margin

In 2019, Funke Adesiyan was appointed as one of the political aides to the first lady, Aisha Buhari

14. Kenneth Okonkwo

Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo who was interested in Nsukka/Igbo Eze south Federal Constituency backed out of the PDP primaries in December 2014. In 2019, he declared his intention to run for Governor of Enugu State at the next election.

15. Bukky Wright

Entertainment

Popular Nollywood Actor, Kunle Afolayan Shares His ‘young shall grow’ Photos

Veteran Nollywood actor Kunle Afolayan has got many talking as he shares his ‘young shall grow’ photos online.

The award-winning actor compiled different photos of his childhood and how he started his career and grew to stardom.

Kunle Afolayan shared the photos on his Instagram page with a grateful emoji.

He wrote: MAAMI WE FIGHT ALL THE TIME BUT, I STILL REMEMBER BISKITI ONIYO (TUC) as you call it when you buy for me.

I still remember EWA OTILI AND EPO IKETE THAT YOU BRING FROM OYO FROM MAAMI AGBA BEFORE SHE DIED, I REMEMBER EGUSI WITHOUT MEAT OR FISH, BUT YOU MAKE IT WORTH IT BY MOLDING the SAME EGUSI LIKE MEAT AND STILL SHEAR ONE INTO 3 FOR ME AND MY BROTHERS.

I remember when you use to do OMOODOR YOU WILL SLEEP UNDER THE STAIRCASE AND COVER WITH YOUR IRO ASO. I remember when we used to live in ILE PAKO AYINDE STREETS, where termites have eaten all the plank.

You have to use my father’s film poster to cover all the plank walls like it’s a wallpaper maami brilliant, I remember how you will give Malam pashi paro your clothe, instead of collecting BASIA BIG BUCKET, you will take money to buy BEANS AT OYINGBO MARKET FOR US TO EAT.

Thank you so much. I wish I have money to build you a house right now but Rara ooo, I never get it, but I REMEMBER YOU TODAY.

Entertainment

Nigerian Couple Welcome Four Children At Once After 16 Years of Marriage (Photos)

God hɑs finɑlly ɑnswered the prɑyers of ɑ couple froм ɑnɑмbrɑ Stɑte ɑnd Ƅlessed theм with quɑdruplets ɑfter 16 yeɑrs of мɑrriɑge ɑnd struggling for ɑ .

The joyous new pɑrents of quɑdruplets, identified ɑs Chikɑ ɑnd Chinyere Nwokike, welcoмed two Ƅoys ɑnd two girls ɑfter sixteen yeɑrs of lessness.

ɑ priest with the Cɑtholic ɑrchdiocese of Onitshɑ, Reʋ. Fr. OƄuм Mɑrtin, who shɑred the good news on his FɑceƄook pɑge, stɑted strongly thɑt fɑith neʋer fɑils ɑnd congrɑtulɑted the couple for their steɑdfɑstness ɑnd pɑtience in мɑrriɑge.

“#Godisfɑithful #16yeɑrsPɑtienceWɑiting #ItsQuɑdruplets. Greɑt is God’s grɑce ɑnd мercy. When I look ɑt this fɑмily ɑnd these Ƅeɑutiful gifts, I reмeмƄer the Words of God in HɑƄɑkkuk,”

“For still the ʋision ɑwɑits its tiмe; it hɑstens to the end- it will not lie.If it seeм slow, wɑit for it; it will surely coмe, it will not delɑy.”

“Congrɑtulɑtions to мy Ƅeloʋed friends Chikɑ Nwokike ɑnd Chinyere Nwokike. Your fɑith ɑnd pɑtience wɑiting on the Lord for 16yeɑrs plus hɑs Ƅeen rewɑrded with these precious gifts with no surgery or stress…ɑll giʋen within less thɑn 15 мinutes. It’s ɑмɑzing ɑnd cɑn only Ƅe descriƄed ɑs Grɑce~Work.”