Entertainment
Expose Of Nollywood Actress, Tonto Dike
Charity Tonto Dike, an A-
list Nollywood diva was born on June 9th 1985 in Port Harcourt, the River State Capital. The Ikwerre-born beautiful actress has other nicknames: Pokolee and Tontolet. She lost her mother when she was just three years old and was brought up by her father, Mr. Sunny Dike, with love and affection as she lacked nothing in her tender age.
After her primary and secondary education, she proceeded to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RUST), Port Harcourt, where she graduated with a B.Sc in Petrochemical Engineering.
In 2005, she competed against other contestants on a reality TV show called, “The Next Movie Star,” where she was the first runner-up while Kingsley Ogboson won the first position. Her second movie appearance was in “Holy cross” which also featured Nollywood stars such as Nonso Diobi, Pete Edochie, Jim Iyke, Desmond Elliot, Nkiru Sylvanus and Larry Cold Weath, amongst others.
This movie propelled her to stardom as more movie producers and directors were willing to cast her. Charity (Tonto) Dike’s role in the movie, “Dirty Secrets,” generated controversy amongst Nigerians because the movie contains nude scenes. While some criticize her role as being untraditional and un-African, others say she is merely being professional.
In January 2011, Dike took part in a charity fashion show in Lagos with Banky W., Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, among others. Tonto was known as a controversial actress in Nollywood as well as a chain smoker and had started smoking since the age of 14, but she stopped smoking after prayers with Pastor T.B. Joshua via his Christian television station, Emmanuel TV.
Tonto Dike has featured in countless movies among which are: “Tea or coffee (2006) “Pound and Dollars” (2006), “Missing Rib” (2007), “Divine Grace” (2007), “Final Hour” (2007), “7 Graves” (2007), “Crisis” in Paradise” (2007), “Insecurity” (2007), “Away Match” (2007), “Games Fools Play” (2007), Plain Truth” (2008), “Love My Way (2008), “Before The Fall” (2008), “Total Love” (2008). “Strength to Strength (2008), “Missing Child” (2009), “Native Son” (2009), “Dangerous Beauty” (2009), “My Fantasy” (2010), and “Dirty Secret” (2010), “Black Berry Babes,” Criminal Widow” 1&2 etc.
Others are:- “Zara”,
“Last Mission”, “Rush Hour,” “Fatal Mistake”, “Family Disgrace,” Miss Maradona,” “Mortal Desire”, Terror Of A Widow 3&4 .
Apart from acting, Tonto is also into music as some of her colleagues in the make believe industry, such as Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Kate Henshaw, Chioma Chukwuka-Apkota, Patience Ozokwor (Mama Gee), John Okafor/(Mr Ibu), Nkem Owoh (Osuofia) amongs others. She had once featured in a music owned by Amaco Investments where she and Patience Ozokwor were called to mime the song.
Tonto made her debute in the music industry by releasing singles which include Hi and Ht over featuring Snypa, while many lauded her efforts, the songs were trailed by controversy as critics especially questioned her vocal ability. Doubts were raised on whether her decision to try her hands on music was for the best.
Nevertheless, the songs enjoyed steady air play and massive downloads. Tonto showed she was not a guitar with the release of new single ‘crazicaly’ featuring Terry G, who was also the producers, then Jeje and then some more. On 13th June 2014, hip hop star, D’banj unveiled Tonto Dike under the artistes with his record label, DB records-Lee family. Other singles include ‘Ekebe’ and “Sugar rush.”
Though presently single, recent reports say the actress- cum singer’s romance with businessman, Churchill Ola Kunle Oladunni (Mr.X) may finally lead to the alter she is said to be wearing a ring on her engagement ring finger and during a recent interview, the “Dirty Secrets” Star confirmed that she would be getting married soon. According to our source, she might be opting for a low key wedding to avoid drama.
Entertainment
“French Up Your Career” PH, 2025 :Consul General Of France Harps On Proficiency In French
The Consul, General of France in Nigeria, Laurent Favier has encouraged French Learners to improve their skills on the language, as there are lots of opportunities up for grabs on the job market with fluency in French Language, saying that there are many other career paths which are often less well known to learners of French.
Participants at the “French Up Your Career” event held in Port Harcourt.
Favier who disclosed this during the just concluded third edition of the seminar tagged “French Up Your Career” organized by Alliance
Française, Port Harcourt explained that learning French doesn’t mean adding a language to your resume. It rather provides learners with new opportunities. Irrespective of their area of interest, be it diplomatic and International relations, international development, translation and Interpretation or journalism.
According to the Consul General, it was important to create awareness for young Nigerians in Port Harcourt who desire to have better understanding of how been fluent in French can create diverse career opportunities for users of the languages in Nigeria and the world at large, emphasizing that proficiency in French could possibly make learner a bridge between Nigeria and fast-developing regions.
“You previously heard this morning about how you can improve your French skills. This afternoon you will discover how being fluent in French can provide a significant edge on the job market and lead to professional careers that you may not have even considered before,”
“This event comes at the right time, as it launches the celebration of the richness and diversity of French-speaking cultures, which will mobilize us for more than a month throughout Nigeria and alongside other French-speaking countries,” Favier added.
He further highlighted that French is spoken by over 300 million people across the world, saying that, it’s one of the official languages of the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union.
“There are many neighbouring African countries to Nigeria ,who have French as one of their primary languages of communication including Cameroon, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. So, what does this mean for you as students here in Nigeria?” He asked
“These sectors in which the French Embassy is often mobilized are the business and marketing field for example, as French is often the preferred language in many multinational companies, particularly those in the energy, oil and telecommunications sectors. I’m thinking as well in technology and IT,” he said
He noted that French-speaking countries in Africa are investing heavily in tech, innovation, and infrastructure, revealing that companies in Tech are looking for bilingual professionals to assist with software localization, customer support, and managing projects in French-speaking regions.
“The French embassy is not only mobilized to help learners discover promising sectors. We are also providing our support and expertise in
training teachers and optimizing university programs,” he summed up
Also, the linguistics cooperation attaché, French Embassy in Nigeria, Magaly Losange, who also gave a lecture at the seminar, in an interview with Newsmen said that the main purpose of the seminar was to be more informative and supportive to those who want to make a skill out of French Language,saying that as the linguistics cooperation attaché of the French Embassy it is her duty to promote French language through culture.
She cited traditional stereotypes as a major challenge affecting the growth and development of French in Nigeria, as school, teachers at the primary and secondary level in most cases teach French using the traditional way, where students learn French, but could not put words and grammar together as a skill for communicate.
“French is important. I don’t see French as colonization, l see French as a key to embrace globalization, l hope that learners will be inspired and ready to embrace the global village,” Losange said.
She however said that the French Embassy is working to ensure that equipments to facilitate the learning of French is put in place to enable learners improve their skills fast, which in two to three years learners should be able to communicate with French, advising learners to be intentional with learning the language, through social media and other workable devices to advance their skills for certification and better opportunities.
Highlight of the event which had about 250 participants in attendance was the eloquence award ceremony where students were awarded for their eloquence in French language by the Director, Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs.Marina Lacal alongside the Linguistics cooperation attaché of the French Embassy in Nigeria, Magaly Losange.
After two edition of the seminar it was the turn of the Alliance Française, Port Harcourt to host the Third edition.
It would be recalled that the first edition of ” “French Up Your Career” event was organized at the Alliance Française Lagos on October 23, the second one at UNILAG on November 24, 2024 respectfully.
Popular Nigerian comedienne, Tomama has revealed how she waited for Afrobeats superstar, Wizkid outside the bathroom.
She shared this while recounting her encounter with the singer at a recent event with heavy security.
In a video posted on her Instagram page, Tomama explained that she waited by the bathroom in an attempt to have a one-on-one conversation with Wizkid.
She stated that she positioned herself near the restroom, hoping Wizkid would eventually use it, giving her the perfect opportunity to speak with him.
“Wizkid, I saw you, and I waited for you to pee, but you didn’t even stand up from where you were sitting. You just stayed there. All your crew members standing around got up to go pee. I was standing by the bathroom, waiting for you to come pee so that you would notice me,” she said.
Content creator and actor, Mr Macaroni has opened up about his financial struggles, saying he was both a victim of a scam and a failed investment in 2021.
He revealed that after losing all his savings, he resorted to borrowing to settle pending commitments and slipped into N500 million in debt.
He admitted that he is financially reckless and generous, impacting his financial stability negatively.
In lengthy post shared via his X handle yesterday, Mr Macaroni wrote, “Sometime around 2020/2022, I was a victim of a scam and simultaneously a failed investment that cost me all I had saved at the time. It shook me deeply but I told no one about it. If you know me well enough, you would know I do not like to share my problems. I could be going through the worst and at the same time helping others solve their own problems but I just would never share mine.”
“After I lost all the money I had then, Trouble started when I had to borrow money from different sources to settle all pending commitments and also fulfill certain responsibilities I have always believed were mine to fulfill. I make money in millions so I never thought borrowing money to pay back with interest could ever be a problem. But I got too comfortable and it took me a long time to realise that I was using the money I was earning to pay back interests. Also, my financial recklessness did not help. Please don’t borrow money! But if you must, please be responsible.”
The actor stated that 2024 marked a pivotal moment in his acting career but it was also the most challenging year for him as he faced over half a billion naira in debt.
Mr Macaroni revealed that his frustration grew worse after he was betrayed by someone he considered “a friend and sister.”
He added that with the support of family and friends who stood by him during his trying times, he now “feels better than I have felt in the last three years!”
The comedian stated that he decided to finally share his story to encourage others who are going through challenges.