Entertainment
Nollywood’s A-List Actresses Decry Chibok School Girls’ Saga
A-List actresses, Mercy
Johnson, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Stephanie Linus Idahosa, have joined other well-meaning Nigerians and the world at large in condemning the kidnap of over 234 Chibok Secondary School girls by the Boko Haram insurgents.
Speaking in an interview with the press recently, Mercy Johnson noted that, “sometimes, our realities remind us of the pains of others. My reality as a mother is that I get to see my daughter every day, while the reality of the mothers of the Chibok girls is that they don’t even know where they are.”
She called on all well meaning Nigerians to come together and help their mothers who have been in pain for more than two weeks and make it a reality for them to see their children again.
The A-List actress stressed that insurgence by Boko Haram is not a war against select group of people, but a war against all well meaning mothers in Nigeria as injustice to one is injustice to all. She said the mothers should arise, the men who love them should stand by their right hand and the children who adore them on their left and do all we can in our spheres of influence to ensure that the children come back home safe so that the mothers can smile again.
Mercy Johnson also appealed to the soldiers and other security operatives not the be demoralized, but to fight hard not to allow this evil people for once think that they can get away with this because if they ever get away with this, we will not be able to sleep with our eyes closed and that includes the soldiers, their wives and children.
Nollywood’s diva and producer, Stephanie Linus and the gorgeous actress cum singer, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, have also joined the list of celebrities calling for the release of the kidnapped Chibok school girls. These super actresses who are equally married to their loving husband expressed their dismay in the release of the girls. Stephanie in her various social media noted that, “we all deserve the right to be protected and we must continue to demand for change and value for our lives as Nigerians, praying for positive feed back and the safety of our girls.”
While Omotola stated “That “ there is so much they are not telling you… So much politicking with peoples’ lives and destinies, what a wicked world, there is no more time for fake “I belong” behaviours. This is war! War on our freedom and sanity . Now is the time to think selfless and act. We are not fighting aliens, humanity is at war with itself, power, money, fame, greed. If you won’t fight for yourself fight for your loved ones.”
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.”