Entertainment
Quitting Nollywood Gave Me Peace Of Mind – Regina Askia-Williams
A former Nollywood screen goddess Regina Askia-Williams has revealed that she has no regrets whatsoever leaving the Nigeria movie industry widely known as Nollywood.
In a recount question and answer session with her fans on instagram, the actress turned nurse said she was fullfiled and contented with a real career that feed her body and soul.
The actress who was born Regina Iniobong Usoro in 1967 in Lagos, is a Nigerian born America-based family nurse practitioner (FNP), Healthcare and educational activist, TV producer, writer and public speaker who found fame as an actress and model.
She had starred in several Nollywood films.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, most of her films reach a wide audience in Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa such as Tanzania and Ghana. She became one of Nigerians acting celebrities.
Regina Asfia’s acting break came in 1993 when she played ‘gold Digger’ Tokunbo Johnson in Nigeria soap, ‘Fortunes’, later “Mega Fortunes” Non NTA network, a role which earned critical acclaim and roles in Nollywood movies. She has received several awards for performances including one for Best Actress in Nigeria by Afro Hollywood London in 2000 and has produced several TV shows and films and they are all viewers delight. Her films and other Nollywood films are regularly broadcast by Nigerian Television Networks including ITV, Star TV and the state broadcast station.
In 1988, Askia-Williams a former medical student of University of Calabar, later Lagos State University was crowned Miss Unilag. That same year, she competed in the MBGN 1988 contest, though she was allegedly the crowds favourite contestant, she emerged as the first runner up. However, she became MBGN title holder the following year when the queen Bianca Onoh resigned.
Askia had also represented Nigeria at Miss Charm International held in Leningrad, Russia and came second. She also made history by becoming the first Nigerian at Miss Intercontinental in Japan where she made an impact with the most outstanding traditional costume. After gaining public recognition in Nigeria as a beauty pageant winner, Askia – Williams started a model career.
As a model, she appeared in several Nigerian print and television commercials including Kessingsheen Hair Care, boutigue Chain collectibles and most famously visine. She also worked on several runway shows. In 2007, she modelled for 2000-N-Six face cleansing range alongside her daughter, Stephanie Hornecker.
In 2005, she hosted a fashion show at Nigerian Embassy in New York City to raise awareness for plight of children’s social amenities in Nigeria. In 2006 she hosted a Charity fashion show at Lehman College. She was compared to Elizabeth Taylor for her fame.
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.’