Entertainment
Onitsha Marketers Blacklist Mercy Johnson …Replace Her With Ini Edo
Recent stories making
the rounds in the Nigerian movie industry called Nollywood, has it that members of the Film and Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN) have blacklisted popular Nollywood A-list actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie and replaced her with Nollywood screen goddess Ini-Edo-Ehingwina.
According to a reliable source, the decision of the association is due to some harsh conditions they claim Mercy Johnson allegedly gives to them on locations.
It was gathered that Mercy Johnson demands as high as N1.8 million per flick, the fee is also said to have gone as high as N2. 1 million in some cases.
Mercy was said to have charged the boss of softed movies N2.1 million and demanded a first class return ticket as well as a N25,000.00 per night suit in Asaba, despite the fact that she was not flying in from Lagos, since she had other movie roles lined up in Delta State capital.
The association was said to have met in Onitsha Anambra State as well as Lagos on November 7 to ratify the stand of the Onitsha based members to blacklist Mercy Johnson.
Meanwhile, the marketers are said to have anointed Ini Edo-Ehingwina to take over the roles that Mercy used to play in their films.
It was also learnt that Ini Edo has changed from a hitherto haughty star to a very humble actress, the Akwa Ibom State-born actress is said to be raking in the cash on several locations as the Onitsha marketers are comfortable with her fee of N1.2 million per movie.
Winner of 2013 Miss Centenary, Theodora Kelechi Atako (middle) with the runners-up after the keenly contested Port Harcourt Centenary Beauty Pageant in Port Harcourt, recently.
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.’