My Journey To Success Not Easy But Worthwhile – Funke Akindele

By Azeez Dasola

Actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has shared a motivational message with young creatives, encouraging them to persevere in the face of challenges.

Taking to her Instagram and Twitter pages, Funke shared a video showcasing her journey to success, admitting that it wasn’t always easy.

She said despite the difficulties, she expressed pride in her humble beginnings and attributed her success to hard work and determination.

“My journey to success wasn’t always pretty, but it was worth it!

I’m proud to have come from a place of hustle and hard work, and I really hope to inspire the young creatives out there to keep pushing forward. Even when the road gets tough, never give up on your dreams,” she wrote.

Funke Akindele’s journey to stardom began with her role as Bisi in the popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored sitcom “I Need to Know,” which aired from 1998 to 2002.

However, it was her breakout role in the 2008 movie “Jenifa” that catapulted her to national fame.

The movie’s massive success led to the creation of a spin-off TV series, “Jenifa’s Diary,” which further solidified her position as a leading lady in Nollywood.

Funke’s versatility as an actress, producer, and director has earned her numerous awards and recognition.

She has won several Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, including Best Actress in a Comedy, and has been named the highest-grossing Nigerian director in the Nigerian Box Office.

Today, Funke Akindele is a household name in Nigeria, known for her captivating performances, innovative storytelling, and philanthropic efforts.

Actress Lilian Afegbai Queries Sales Of Asoebi In Dollars

By Azeez Dasola

Actress Lilian Afegbai has expressed outrage and disappointment over the growing trend of selling traditional Yoruba wedding attire (Aso ebi), in dollars.

The actress, in an Instagram video, shared her shocking experience after receiving a wedding invitation that required guests to purchase Asoebi for $1,200.

Afegbai narrated how she initially thought the price was in Naira but upon seeing the dollar sign left stunned and wondered what was happening in Lagos.

She questioned the rationale behind such an extravagant expense for a one-time wear, highlighting the absurdity of spending millions of Naira on Asoftbi.

The actress’s outburst has sparked a conversation online, while some people have defended the practice, citing the high cost of living in Lagos and the desire to make weddings memorable, others have condemned it as a form of exploitation and a reflection of the country’s misplaced priorities.

The actress said in part: “Una don dey sell asoebi for Dollars in Lagos. Naso wan lady invite me, I come check the invite see 1200, I come shock dey ask say say 1200 naira? Naso I come dey happy say things don dey change for Lagos. Na him I say make I just blink, na him I see dollar sign for the 1200. Na him i say hey, wetin dey occur for here. I quickly carry my phone times 1200 x 1600. HOw many million naira be that. For Asoebi wey I go wear one time?”

Kunle Remi, Wife Welcome First Child After Medical Challenges

By Azeez Dasola

Actor Kunle Remi and wife Tiwi have announced the arrival of their first child, a baby girl named Eemi Oluwa.

The couple’s journey to parenthood was marked by challenges, including a difficult medical discovery and prolonged bed rest.

In an Instagram message, Kunle shared the emotional ups and downs of their pregnancy journey, which included 80 days of visits to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Kunle expressed gratitude for the experience, stating that it served as a testament to God’s unfailing faithfulness.

“From an unexpected and unsettling medical discovery… to complete bedrest.

From juggling demanding work schedules… to hopping on flights, both locally and internationally. From being apart… to finally being together. From an early arrival… to the unfolding of God’s perfect timing. From waiting, countless NICU visits, and clinging to God for 11 weeks and 3 days (that’s 80 days of faith).

“Our story is living proof that God is God — unfailing, unwavering, and faithful till the very end.

“We’ve been blessed with a WONDER. We’ve been blessed with EEMI OLUWA — the BREATH OF GOD.

“This isn’t a podcast. It’s just two people sharing their journey — unfiltered, heartfelt, and full of grace — to encourage someone out there,” he wrote.

Stakeholders To Convene In Kigali for ‘100 Most Notable Africans Leadership And Business Summit’

By Azeez Dasola

Economic experts, Government functionaries entrepreneurs, policymakers and other stakeholders are set to convene  in Kigali Rwanda, to  foster inclusive  discussions on Africa’s economic growth at the  ‘100 Most Notable Africans Leadership and Business Summit 2025’.

Amb. Kingsley Amafibe, Project Director Africa, for the annual summit, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday   in Abuja.

According to him, Africa is currently experiencing its share of global economic challenges, and stakeholders need to embrace open dialogue to foster collaboration and partnerships essential for achieving economic growth.

He said a diverse group of stakeholders both from the public and private sectors, can provide a more complete understanding of the challenges and opportunities for economic growth in the continent.

The theme of the summit is, “Leadership Frameworks for Governance, Business Growth, Investment opportunities and Sustainable Development in Africa.

He said the event is scheduled for July 4 to 6 in Kigali, bringing together   heads of corporate bodies and key industry players from different sectors across the Africa continent.

“The 100 Most Notable Africans Leadership and Business Summit 2025 is a prestigious event that brings together influential business leaders, industry experts, and thought leaders from around the world.

“It is time to look inward, discuss and explore key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the global business landscape, particularly as they affect our continent.

“This summit offers a unique platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration, with a focus on driving innovation, fostering growth, and inspiring positive change.

“We shall assemble pacesetters across different sectors, including those in business, government, academia, security, entertainment  and the civil society to discuss sustainable development, economic prosperity, among others.

“As we converge at the Marriot Hotel, Kigali, we hope to harness the transformative power of business and leadership to propel Africa and its people towards unprecedented heights of prosperity and well-being.

“The Leadership and Excellence honour will be given to deserving Africans, including  peace and security  icons, women leaders,  and the  Young Entrepreneur, and this summit is packaged by the ‘100 Most Notable Peace Icons Africa.”,  he said.

He added that the event would feature keynote addresses, vibrant panel discussions, specialised workshops, and interactive sessions geared towards achieving inclusive economic opportunities and job creation across the continent.

The project director said the economic summit will feature key industry players and leaders as delegates, keynote speakers, and panelists, including Gov. Umar Nmadi  of Jigawa , Dr Imane Kendili, Chief Executive Officer, Global Health Morocco.

Others he said include Prof.  Mthuli Ncube, Minister  of Finance, Economic  Development and Investment  Promotion, Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Nimi Briggs, Chief Executive Officer, NIMPAT Group, among others.

He said the key thematic area of focus at the summit includes futuristic governance policy, nascent business capacity enhancement, and focusing on streamlining businesses to fit perfectly into today’s highly competitive market.

Others, he said, include sectorial reforms, education, agriculture, infrastructural improvement, and human capacity development aimed at   creating jobs and empowering young leaders across Africa. (NAN)

Realjjfrosh: The Rising Force Behind Viral TikTok Trends In Africa

By Azeez Dasola

In the ever-evolving world of social media, few creators manage to stand out, innovate, and drive consistent impact — but Realjjfrosh is doing exactly that. Born Adebayo Temitayo, the Nigerian digital creator and strategist is one of the fastest-growing TikTok influencers in Africa, known for his viral growth tactics, powerful engagement, and ability to turn trends into movements.

From his hometown in Irele, Ondo State, Realjjfrosh began his content journey in 2019 as a comedian. Over time, he transitioned into a full-time influencer and viral promoter, now widely recognized for his unique ability to help songs, creators, and content go viral in a short time.

One of his most talked-about moments was the viral video titled “Let’s Get 100 Billion Comments”, which exploded with over 1.7 million comments, making it one of the most commented videos in Africa. His original sound creations have also been used by more than 12K TikTok users, proving his unmatched influence on trend culture.

Realjjfrosh currently commands a loyal following of over 600,000 followers on TikTok. His creative techniques and campaign strategies have helped countless artists and creators grow their pages, boost engagement, and hit the algorithm hard — all without paid ads. He has positioned himself as the go-to expert for TikTok growth and monetization, especially in Nigeria’s digital entertainment space.

Today, Realjjfrosh is not only focused on content creation but also on empowering others to grow online. His passion for teaching, his daily content, and his impact-driven methods have made him a respected voice in Africa’s social media community.

Full list: Adedimeji Lateef, Uzor Arukwe, Chioma Chukwuka, Others Nominated For AMVCA 2025

By Azeez Dasola

The nominees for the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) have been unveiled, celebrating excellence in African cinema and television.

This year’s nominations recognise a stellar lineup of actors, filmmakers, and content creators who have made remarkable contributions to the industry over the past year.

Leading the acting nominations are Nollywood stars Adedimeji Lateef, Uzor Arukwe, and Chioma Chukwuka, each earning nods in competitive categories.

Adedimeji Lateef is nominated for Best Lead Actor for his performance in Lisabi: The Uprising, while Uzor Arukwe is recognized in the Best Supporting Actor category for Suspicion. Chioma Chukwuka secures a nomination for Best Lead Actress for her role in Seven Doors.

The AMVCA 2025 features a diverse range of categories celebrating both scripted and unscripted productions, digital content, and indigenous films from different regions of Africa.

Best Digital Content Creator

The category for Best Digital Content Creator highlights some of Africa’s most influential digital storytellers, including:

  • Iyo Prosper Adokiye
  • Taaooma
  • Elozonam Ogbolu, Hoviare Freedom, Chiamaka Uzokwe
  • Jide Pounds Ibitoye
  • Ariyiikedimples, Brainjotter

Best MultiChoice Talent Factory

This category celebrates emerging filmmakers from the MultiChoice Talent Factory program, with nominations including:

  • Gone
  • Everything Light Touches
  • The Immersive Alarm
  • Deadbeat
  • Nwananga
  • Rivals in Time

Best Scripted M-Net Original

Recognizing outstanding scripted series, nominees in this category include:

  • Uriri
  • All Mine
  • My Fairytale Wedding
  • Italo
  • The Caller
  • Kam U Stay

Recognition for Indigenous Language Films

The AMVCA continues to celebrate African storytelling in indigenous languages, with nominations across West, East, and Southern Africa.

Best Indigenous Language (West Africa)

  • Seven Doors
  • Lisabi: The Uprising
  • Kaka
  • Anikulapo: The Rise of the Spectre
  • Mai Martaba

Best Indigenous Language (East Africa)

  • The Caller
  • Empty Grave
  • Makosa ni Yangu
  • Sabotage
  • Wa Milele (Forever?)

Best Indigenous Language (South Africa)

  • Walvis Tale
  • The Vow
  • Mwizukanji
  • Man of Gold
  • Lukas

Key Acting Categories

The acting categories feature some of the biggest names in African cinema:

Best Supporting Actress

  • Meg Otanwa (Inside Life)
  • Tina Mba (Suspicion)
  • Ireti Doyle (All’s Fair in Love)
  • Ini Dima-Okojie (Skeleton Coast)
  • Mercy Aigbe (Farmer’s Bride)
  • Omoni Oboli (Wives on Strike 3)
  • Darasimi Nadi (Aburo)

Best Supporting Actor

  • Gabriel Afolayan (Inside Life)
  • Adedayo Adebowale (Lisabi)
  • Aliu Gafar (Seven Doors)
  • Femi Jacobs (Freedom Way)
  • RMD (Christmas in Lagos)
  • Uzor Arukwe (Suspicion)
  • Mike Afolarin (House of Gaa)
  • Efa Iwara (Princess on a Hill)

Best Lead Actress

  • Chioma Chukwuka (Seven Doors
  • Gbubemi Ejeye (Farmer’s Bride)
  • Uzoamaka Onuoha (Agemo)
  • Uche Montana (Thin Line)
  • Uzoamaka Aniunoh (Phoenix Fury)
  • Hilda Dokubo (Wives on Strike 3)
  • Bimbo Ademoye (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)

Best Lead Actor

  • Gideon Okeke (Tokunbo)
  • Bucci Franklin (The Weekend)
  • Femi Branch (House of Gaa)
  • Thapelo Makoena (Skeleton Coast)
  • Bimbo Manuel (Princess on a Hill)
  • Stan Nze (Suspicion)
  • Femi Adebayo (Seven Doors)
  • Adedimeji Lateef (Lisabi: The Uprising)

Best Movie

  • Lisabi: The Uprising
  • Skeleton Coast
  • Suspicion
  • Inkabi
  • House of Ga’a
  • Freedom Way
  • Christmas in Lagos
  • Farmer’s Bride

Best Director

  • Robert O. Peters (Skeleton Coast)
  • Norman Maake (Inkabi)
  • Bolanle Austen-Peters (House of Ga’a)
  • Awam Amkpa (The Man Died)
  • Daniel Emeka Oriahi (The Weekend)
  • Femi Adebayo, Adebayo Tijani, Tope Adebayo (Seven Doors)

Best Writing in a Movie

  • The Weekend
  • Skeleton Coast
  • Freedom Way
  • Phoenix Fury
  • A Ghetto Love Story
  • House of Ga’a
  • Christmas in Lagos

Best Documentary

  • Walvis Tale
  • Dundun
  • O.Y.O (On Your Own)
  • Women of Salt: The Resilience of Ebonyi’s Women
  • I Will Remember You

Excellence in Film Editing

Recognizing outstanding technical contributions, the nominees for Best Editing include:

Princess on a Hill (Laughter Ephraim, Peter Ugbede)

Inkabi (Tongai Furusa)

Christmas in Lagos (Martini Akande)

Skeleton Coast (Jordan Koen)

Soft Love (Holmes Awa, Paballo Modingoane)

Lisabi: The Uprising (Anthill Studios)

Not Every Talent Will Stand Test Of Time – Blaqbonez

By Azeez Sofiyat

Nigerian rapper, Blaqbonez has urged creatives to stay grounded, noting that not every talent will stand the test of time.

Blaqbonez, however, expressed confidence that he would continue to be relevant in the music industry for as long as he desires.

He stated this while recalling how a fellow up-and-coming rapper mocked him on a freestyle in 2017 after the unnamed rapper got signed to Olamide YBNL Nation

He said the then-YBNL signee namedropped him on a freestyle, saying he would never be successful in the music industry.

While he didn’t mention the rapper who allegedly mocked him during a freestyle on stage, fans are suspecting that he was referring to Limerick.

In a series of tweets, Blaqbonez wrote, “Because u got a deal before me, you added my name to your freestyles, ‘you no go ever blow like Blaqbonez’, all because Olamide signed you, you thought he was God abi??”

“I pray u see these tweets and reflect on your life, at how quick u were ready to sh*t on people, we were in rap battle groups together for years, but as them sign u, it was time to shit on me, my work ethic & everything cos you saw into the future and knew I was never going to blow up right??”

“No be every kind of talent fit last for years, I know who I am, I will be here for as long I want to be, the music i make nobody can make it, I have fans that have been there since the very beginning, not the ones wey discover me with ‘Bling’ or all that sh*t, the ones I’m talking about know themselves.”

Opinion: From Lagos To Potomac: How Nigerian Women Are Shaping The Real Housewives Franchise

By Taiwo Opotu

The Real Housewives franchise has become a cultural phenomenon, offering a front-row seat into the lives of powerful women balancing business, family, friendships and everything else in-between.

The franchise first became a global sensation in the U.S., and its influence extended to Africa, where Nigerian women are making waves both locally and internationally.

Across the Atlantic, The Real Housewives of Potomac (RHOP)’s Dr. Wendy Osefo has brought Nigerian representation, balancing her reality TV presence with a career as a professor, political commentator, and author. Born in Nigeria and raised in the U.S., Wendy has remained vocal about her heritage, often incorporating her cultural identity into conversations on the show.

Halfway through its third season, The Real Housewives of Lagos (RHOLagos) continues to deliver everything viewers signed up for, lavish lifestyles, power moves, and shifting friendships.

With RHOLagos setting new standards for African reality TV and Wendy Osefo expanding Nigerian visibility on an international stage, the franchise continues to evolve while keeping its signature mix of glamour and real-life drama.

As the season unfolds, RHOLagos has kept audiences engaged with shifting alliances, business triumphs, and high-stakes confrontations. The Lagos cast: Adeola “Diiadem” Adeyemi, Carolyna Hutchings, Dabota Lawson, Laura Ikeji, Mariam Timmer, and Sophia Momodu are making it clear that beyond the designer outfits and exclusive events, real-life relationships and ambitions are at the heart of the show. Meanwhile, RHOP’s Wendy Osefo remains a standout personality in the franchise, balancing academia, media, and personal life all while embracing her Nigerian roots.

With reality TV becoming a key part of entertainment culture, Showmax is making it more accessible this March with the Shikini Deal, offering a limited-time-only deal on its General Entertainment plans from as low as N1,000. For those looking to catch up on RHOLagos or explore other must-watch shows, this presents a timely opportunity to do so at a lower cost.

As RHOLagos Season 3 heads toward its finale and fans in Africa catch up on Season 9 of RHOP courtesy Showmax, one thing is clear—Nigerian women are shaping conversations in reality TV, both at home and on the global stage. And with Showmax leading the charge in showcasing these stories, fans have a front-row seat to all the drama, success, and sisterhood that make the Real Housewives universe so compelling.

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