Entertainment
Investigate Nollywood’s N3bn Grant, Ike Urges EFCC
Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike has finally revealed what made him to reconcile with former president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima and how some selfish film makers in Nollywood shared the whopping sum of N3 billion grant approved by former Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan, among themselves.
In a recent press interview, the actor said “there has to be peace before we can have an election and chart a course for the association. I didn’t have anything personal with Ibinabo, it was all about legal issues, but if we must move forward we must resolve all the issues and that is what happened recently. I and Ibinabo have decided to put an end to the crisis and let things go on the way it should be”.
Reacting to the claim by Emeka Rollars that he is the president of AGN, Emeka Ike said: “It is unfortunate that while we are trying to move the association forward, there are some people with sinister interests and they would be exposed soon. We are just waiting for them to make a public appearance and identify themselves as leaders of AGN, then we would show them what legality means. We would be revealing our next course of action soon, but right now, all I can say is that I and Ibinabo have come together.
There are people who are trying to usurp and hijack the industry and they would do anything to make sure there is no peace. So, now that Ibinabo and I have come together, they are trying to put spanner in the works. Who were the people that got the N3 billion that was shared in the industry recently? I didn’t send representatives to any meeting and Ibinabo only sent seven people, yet nobody is asking questions.
“That should tell you that someone is playing games and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) needs to be involved. If you want to know who shared the money go to the Bank of Industry and ask them who recommended the people that got the money. How can money be coming into an industry, yet the relevant associations are not getting anything rather the money is going to certain individuals”.
Emeka also stated that his acting days are not over yet. He said “I still featured in some movies in Asaba recently.
On what plans AGN has for recently deceased actor, Obi Madubogwu, Ike said, “from which money are we going to do anything for him? There is no where we can make money from and that is because some people somewhere are sharing what is supposed to be for all actors. Anyway, we pray for the repose of his soul and we would do the little we can to support his family.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has refused to work with us. His reason is that there is crisis between my faction and that of Ibinabo, but he has never called us together for a meeting to find out the true situation of things.
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.’