Entertainment

Fans and Viewers of Nollywood home videos will be conversant with Fathia Balogun’s name, but not so many will know who Fathia Williams is. Well, both names belong to the same person. Fathia Balogun went back to her maiden name Fathia Williams after her divorce from Saheed in 2014. Interestingly, six years after her marriage failed, the actress found love again. Although not yet married, she got engaged to her newfound love on her 51st birthday. Life indeed begins at forty, after all.

Fathia’s Marriage to Saheed Balogun Seemed Happy at the Onset

Although there is no available detail about how they met, the couple got married on the 7th of September 2000. At that time, Fathia had just gotten into Nollywood and struggled to make her way to the top. Saheed, on the other hand, was already the proverbial old broom. He had been in the industry for 22 years and was naturally more famous than she was.

Their marriage was not the first for either of them. Saheed had a failed marriage with a woman named Sherifat, which produced two children Zinat and Jamal. Fathia equally had a previous marriage from which she had a son. For as long as the marriage lasted, Faithia Balogun and Saheed were a happy and peaceful couple. They lived together for six years, within which they were blessed with two children; Khalid, a boy, and Aaliyah, a girl.

The Celebrity Couple Lost The Spark in 2006

There were speculations that the marriage ended because of infidelity on the part of the pretty actress. However, her husband never came out to say that publicly. Whatever happened had to be something they could not resolve, so their six-year-old marriage came crashing down. It started in 2006 when they separated and started living apart. They were not officially divorced until 2013, when they filed their divorce papers, and it was signed in 2014.

Their divorce was not very dramatic, although the news had it that the veteran actor had sued his wife for not dropping his name after their divorce. He later came out to deny this allegation. However, there was an undeniable story about Saheed’s secret marriage to Funke Elegushi, the younger sister to Oba Saheed Elegushi. They got married before his official divorce from Fathia.

On the other hand, Fathia Balogun retained Saheed Balogun’s name after the divorce. She refused to drop it despite the many controversies it caused, insisting that it was for her brand’s sake. When she was finally ready in 2017, she decided to go back to her maiden name, Williams. When an interviewer enquired about her sudden change of mind, she said both names were hers, and it was not a big deal whichever one she chose to bear. During the same interview, when asked about the cause of her divorce, she said that she was not lucky with marriage, especially because it had failed for the second time.

The Estranged Couple are Parents to Two Children

The private and reserved actress is a mother of three children. They are Oluwatosin Akanbi, who Fathia had with her first husband, and Khalid and Aaliyah Balogun, both of whom she has with her second husband, Saheed Balogun.

From her marriage with Saheed, the actress has two children. Her first child and son, Khalid Balogun, was born on the 11th of July 2002. Later on, on the 3rd of April 2005, she gave birth to a daughter Aaliyah Balogun. However, there is no information about her children because she keeps their life very private and only shares pictures of them whenever she is celebrating them for one reason or another.

The photos she shares revealed that Khalid looks a lot like her while Aaliyah, on the other hand, takes after her father, Saheed. Similarly, a post made by her ex-husband on Facebook revealed that her son graduated from secondary school in July 2018. All other information about their children is kept private. Also, despite their divorce, both parents have access to the kids. But the children live with their mother.

What Fathia and Saheed Balogun Relationship Looks Like Now

After many years of staying away from each other’s business, the couples finally decided to bury the hatchet and become friends. Although they are not back together as a couple, they have since maintained a friendly relationship.

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.”