Entertainment
Five Things You Should Know About ‘Nollywood Goddess’, Mercy Johnson
Described as Nollywood goddess, Mercy Johnson-Okojie has over the years proved to many why she earned herself that name. Her rise in Nollywood can be described as unusual as she went from a secondary school leaver to a movie star within a twinkle of an eye.
Dubbed as one of the best actresses to have come from Nollywood in the early 2000s, Mercy Johnson has remained an A-lister and it doesn’t look like she’ll be going anywhere anytime soon.
Here are some interesting things you need to know about the movie star:
1) Early Life:- Mercy Johnson-Okojie hails from from Okene in Kogi State, but was born in 1984 in Lagos State to retired Naval officer father and mother. She is the fourth child in a family of seven. She had her primary and secondary school education in different parts of the country because of her career officer father’s job.
2) Career:- Mercy Johnson-Okojie after finishing Secondary school in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, decided to attend audition for a movie role after failing JAMB. According to her, she didn’t want to remain idle at home. She landed her first role as a possessed maid in ‘The maid’. Her outstanding performance in ‘The maid’ marked the beginning of her success story as an actress. She has since gone to star in over 20 movies.
3) Award:- The award for excellence in the movie industry across the globe is recognition, Mercy Johnson has won several awards since joining Nollywood in 2003. In 2009, she won an award for Best Supporting Actress at the 2009 African Movie Award ceremony for her performance in the movie ‘Live to Remember’.
She also won the Best Actress Award at the 2013 African Magic Viewers choice Award for her role in the comedy movie ‘Dumebi The Dirty Girl’.
4) Family:- Mercy Johnson got married to Prince Odinosen Okojie in 2011. The couple are blessed with four beautiful children, Purity, Henry, Divine and Angel.
5) Social Media Queen:- Mercy Johnson is currently the tenth most followed Nigerian celebrity on Instagram. Her steady growth on Instagram can be attributed to her cult like fans. One interesting and very unique feat about the actress is the speed at which her 10 million followers are quick to click on anything she shares on the social media platform.
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.’