Entertainment
Nkiru Sylvanus Kidnap: AGN Holds Rally For Her Release
Following the kidnap of actress Nkiru Sylvanus in Owerri on Saturday night, members of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, AGN, South-East Chapter, held rallies in Imo State and other neighbouring states on Tuesday.
The Imo State rally, coordinated by Barrister Ezenna Agu, AGN’s Vice President, South-East, was attended by actors and actresses in the eastern part of the country. During the rally, the artistes marched peacefully to the Imo State Government House and other strategic places to express their grievances over the kidnap of their colleague by unknown gunmen.
General Secretary of the Guild, Abubakar Yakub, told the press that the rallies were aimed at appealing to kidnappers to desist from abducting actors, Nkiru Sylvanus is not the first actor to be kidnapped. Peter Edochie, Nkem Owoh and John Okafor, better known as Mr. Ibu had been kidnapped at one time or the other.
“The purpose of the rallies is to first of all show our displeasure over the abduction of Nkiru, then to also let the perpetrators of this evil act know that even if they must kidnap, actors should’t be their target. It is unfortunate that while we are busy working, trying to entertain and put smiles on the faces of people, we still end up being the target of kidnappers. It is absurd. There must be a stop to this,” Abubakar stated.
Nkiru, who is also a Special Assistant on Public Relations to Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, was kidnapped alongside two others between Concorde Hotel and Cathedral Road.
The incident occurred very late on Saturday night when the actress, who had a misunderstanding with some crew members on the movie location decided to take her leave in annoyance. “Yes, she had a minor misunderstanding with someone on the location, so she decided to leave. She had barely driven more than 100 metres from the location when the gunmen blocked her car and took her away”, a source in the AGN, who craved anonymity, told the press.
The kidnappers later demanded for N100 million ransom before Nkiru, popularly known for playing ‘weeping’ roles in movies, will be released.
National President AGN, Ibinabo Fiberesima, told our reporter there are some issues she would not want to disclose on phone, but assured that the Guild was making efforts to see to the release of Nkiru. “She is one of us, so there is definitely no way we would fold our arms when she is in trouble. We are making some moves and I know that she will be freed unhurt by the grace of God. Her safety is very important to us. Let’s keep praying for her”, Ibinabo stated.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’