Entertainment
Funke Akindele Makes Directorial Debut In Your Excellency
Funke Akindele Bello has landed her directorial debut with Mo’Abudu’s forth coming movie “Your Excellency” she will be directing and playing the lead role. After producing at least 10 Nollywood movies and several TV series, Funke Akindele Bellow, also known as ‘Jenifer’ joins the likes of Genevieve Nnaji, Omoni Oboli and Uche Jombo as actress-cum director.
Ebony life films recently announced the production which is a partnership between Funke Bello and the production company. ‘Your Excellency’ which has been tagged a social media driven political comedy is scheduled for a December 2019, release.
Speaking from the set, the Jenifa star said ‘Your Excellency’ has a great script, excellent cast and an experienced production team, so, I’m looking forward to making the best possible film. It’s great to be working with Aunty Mo again so soon after the success of Chief Daddy and hopefully we can make another hit movie.
Funke featured in Ebony life films 2018 production of Chief Daddy playing the role of the younger sister to Kate Henshaw and one of the daughters of Chief Daddy.
Written by Yinka Ogun with Isioma Osaje and James Amuta producing, Your Excellency also features Lala Akinologie, Shaff Bellow, Kunle Coker, Ekun Edewor, Alex Ekubo, Oreka Godis, Osas Ighodaro, Mike Iheuwa, Seyi Law, Akin Lewis, Bimbo Manuel, Deyemi Okanlawon, Ini Dima Okojie, Chioma ‘Chingul’ Omeruah, Emmanuel Omg, Ikechukwu-Onunaku, Helen Paul and Tony Tones.
Mo-Abudu the movie’s executive producer says “Funke Akindele Bello’s knack for telling good stories makes her a perfect choice for the production. Ebonylife film is really excited to have Funke Akindele at the helm of directing her first feature. Her knack for telling a good story, her comedic instincts and an incredible work ethics make her the perfect choice for this film.
“Everyone will be able to relate to the characters and the way in which social media is shaping our lives and the country’s future”, she said.
The synopsis of “Your Excellency” tells the story of Chief Olalekun Ajadi, a bubbling billionaire businessman and failed presidential candidate who is obsessed with Donald Trump just when his campaign looks set to be another disaster. Ajadi is anointed by a major party and becomes a credible contender.
All through the power of social media, as the political drama unfold, it seems possible that even the most inept candidate with little to offer voters except viral sound bites and amusing antics can constitute a serious challenge for the presidency.
Spotify yesterday revealed a significant surge in heartbreak song streams in Nigeria during the Valentine’s Day season, with a 626 percent increase between 2022 and 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos, Nigeria by Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa Phiona Okumu.
Okumu said, “Spotify data reveals a surprising trend, a massive surge in heartbreak song streams.
“Nigerians are turning to their playlists to express their emotions, with a staggering 626 per cent overall growth in heartbreak streams from 2022 to 2024.
“This Valentine, the sound of love is accompanied by the sound of heartbreak, and the data shows it’s louder than ever before.”
She said on Valentine’s Day, most surprisingly, male listeners streamed heartbreak songs at a significantly higher rate than female listeners, with a 362 per cent increase compared to 169 per cent among women.
“This could suggest that men resonate with the feeling of heartbreak more and turn to music as a private outlet for processing emotions.
“Whatever the reason, one thing is clear, when love is in the air, so is heartbreak and Nigerian men are pressing play on their pain more than expected.
“While Valentine’s Day is often celebrated with grand gestures, heartbreak is a common theme on Valentine’s Day -more than what’s publicly shown,” she said.
Nigerians will join their counterparts across the world to mark the 2025 Valentine’s today.
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has joined MLS side San Diego FC’s ownership group as a club partner.
SDFC announced today that Tems joined the ownership group through her company, The Leading Vibe.
In the process, Tems became the first African woman to be involved in MLS ownership.
“We are delighted that Tems has joined San Diego FC as a club partner,” SDFC chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour said in a statement.
“Tems is a globally significant artist who will help us reach new audiences and spread the word about our unique project, which, of course, has its foundations in sub-Saharan Africa through the unique Right to Dream organisation.”
Reacting to her addition as the latest partner in SDFC’s ownership group, the singer said: “I am thrilled to join San Diego FC’s ownership group and to be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture, and the power of community.
“Football has a unique way of bringing people together, and I am excited to help build something special in San Diego, a city that thrives on diversity and innovation.”
Fashion and beauty entrepreneur, Toyin Lawani, has claimed she is enduring back pain and that her spine is degenerating.
Lawani revealed this in a video posted on social media last Tuesday.
In the clip, she opened up about her experience with epidural anesthesia, an injection administered to pregnant women in the spine to reduce pain during childbirth.
The mother of three claimed that since receiving the injection, she has not felt like herself.
She accused doctors of not fully informing women about the long-term side effects of epidurals.
According to Lawani, she received the anesthetic injection during the birth of her last two children.
She said, “When you hear ‘epidural,’ run. Doctors tell you about the side effects but do not tell you about the long-term effects on your body. I have about three friends having the same issues that I am having.
“Like, I am just 42, how did I end up with spine issues? I have a degenerating spine. I have implants in my spine. I go paralyzed. I can’t stand for a long time. I can’t even breathe properly sometimes because it affected so many things in my body when I had the surgery.
“They will not tell you because you just want the pain to go away. I have had two epidurals. I had my first as natural birth. The last two were epidural. The last one I had epidural because I had to undergo a surgery and I had no choice.
“See, the pain does not stop. My back is killing me and my spine is degenerating.”