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Nigerian Lesbian Movie Set For Release, Dares Censors Board

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Nigerian lesbian movie, Ife, produced by Pamela Adie and directed by Uyaiedu Ikpe Etim is set for release despite stern warning from Nigerian Film And Video Censors Board (NVFCB) that the film which means love in Yoruba language violates the country’s strict laws on homosexuality.
But according to a report by BBC, the film makers are determined to get the film across to Nigerian audience.
The report says the film makers are planning a surprise on line release to catch the regulators off guard. According to BBC in its report, the Censors Board is well aware of the plan and diligently monitoring all digital platforms to checkmate the release of the movie.
According to the censors board boss, Adebayo Thomas, both the producer and the director and indeed all involved in the film could be risking jail terms of 14 years sentence for promoting homosexuality in a country where same sex relationships are forbidden.
The report says the film makers are planning a private screening in Lagos at the end of the month for which they feel they do not need the nod of the regulators to go ahead. It was also reported that the film is billed for international premiere in Canada in October this year.
BBC quotes the producer, Adie as saying that the film was to show an accurate picture of lesbianism and bisexual women in Nigerian movies.” “If a lesbian woman does appear in a standard Nollywood movie, they are often portrayed as being possessed, influenced by bad friends or forced into homosexuality and always needing saving”, she said.
“You rarely see stories about LGBT people especially about queer women that speak to the realities of our life.
‘Ife’ is a story about two women played by Uzoamaka Aniunoh and Cindy Amadi falling in love as they spend three days together? They then have their love tested by the realities of being in a same sex relationship in a country like Nigeria “.
The lesbian ,gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community in Africa is becoming increasingly vocal and visible, thanks to the internet providing a space for films, talk shows and websites. But that has not stopped film makers from getting into trouble with authorities. The head of the NFVCB said there was no space for Ife or any homosexual movies in Nigeria, citing the law.
“There is a standing law that prohibits homosexuality either in practice or in a movie or even in a theatre or stage if its content is from Nigeria, it has to be censored”, Mr Thomas said.

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Valentine’s Day: Streaming Of Heartbreak Songs Increased Massively-Spotify

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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.

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Tems Becomes Co-owner Of MLS Club

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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.”

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Toyin Lawani Cries Out Over Side Effects Of Epidural

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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.”

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