Acting means everything to Hope Omenihu Samuel as she has done just about everything regarding the craft, including making a mark as a producer.
But for the woman from Elelenwo, Porthacourt, Rivers State pursuing a career in acting shouldn’t be at the expense of every other thing in anyone’s life.
She frowns at the fact that some girls drop out of school to pursue a career in acting, saying that it is a wrong choice that could have dire consequences in the future.
“Aspiring to make a living in the movie industry should not be a do or die affair. I don’t believe in young girls dropping out of school and messing themselves up because they want to be movie stars. Go to school hold onto something as a graduate and then you can join the queue in the industry,” she advises.
Hope Samuel understands the place of priorities all too well as she has had to put her passion aside to focus on a more important thing in her life.
“I started producing and acting professionally in 2003. It wasn’t easy for me in my early days. My kids were still little,, so l had to stop acting and producing to tend to issues. I came back in 2013, though it’s not being rosy, I believe we will get there,” she says.
Apart from acting and producing movies, the woman who also revealed that she came into the industry as a married woman and mother is an entrepreneur and Motivational speaker. She is currently resident in Abuja.
She has displayed her acting prowess in movies such as Household Murder, Broken Home, Love/SACRIFICE, Domestic Chaos, Locked, Christmas Holiday and many others.
As an executive producer, her works include Sweet Candy, The Love I Found, My Rich Girlfriend, and Kiki’s Dilemma.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has disclosed that he has never for once accepted a bribe of any kind since he started active service as a police officer.
Adejobi, who is an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), made this revelation in a post on his verified X account on Sunday.
The Force PRO, while responding to a netizen who asked if he had ever taken bribes before, said accepting bribes is a taboo for him as a royal prince.
According to him, accepting a bribe is not just ungodly but also affects someone somewhere anytime it is taken.
Adejobi, an alumnus of the University of Ibadan, added that the essence of life is to put smiles on the faces of others and not to be the source of their tears.
He further revealed that he has taken it upon himself to preach against accepting bribery to his fellow police officers and other people around him.
He wrote, “No. It’s a taboo for a royal prince to take a bribe. Taking bribe definitely makes someone somewhere cry for many reasons, and it’s ungodly to do so. Your main purpose in life is to put smiles on people’s faces. It’s Godly and rewarding. It’s my personal principle and a call to duty. I preach this to my colleagues and many others always. May we have the grace to remain steadfast and purposeful in life.”
Adejobi, who is a prince from Orile-Owu Community in Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State, was reappointed as the Force PRO by the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, in August 2023.
Says things may get worse even till 2026
‘This govt should go into agriculture...’ he declares
Seer and spiritual head of Inri Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Babatunde Elijah has to his credit a catalogue of fulfilled prophecies. These include the current political state in Chad; the Togolese constitutional amendment; the coup against Ali Bongo as Gabon’s president; warning against increment in Nigeria’s VAT and stamp duty; the current legal crisis that Nigeria’s ex-CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, is faced with; the economic hardship being faced under the current presidential administration, among several others. In this interview, Ayodele speaks on what Nigeria and the rest of Africa should expect.
Security
NIGERIA’S military should build three towers to curb the incessant killing of military personnel and to help end insecurity in the country. ISIS, Boko Haram, and Al-Qaeda are working to form a formidable network to attack the nation’s military convoys and formations. There are moves to attack some sensitive places. The military must rise against these for them not to happen. They must be watchful and careful. The military must carry out airstrikes and cleansing in the locations where these terrorists are lodged. One of the top second-in-commands of Boko Haram will be arrested. There will be a rise in kidnappings in the country which will unsettle the military. The following states should be under serious security surveillance: Kogi, Kaduna, Sokoto, Yobe, Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Niger, Imo, and Anambra.
There will be disasters as a result of floods. This will render many people homeless, thereby creating panic and tension. The government must do something about it very urgently to avert it. We must pray against attacks on our refineries. We must also pray against gas and tanker explosions in the country. We must pray against the collision of airplanes. Let them keep all our airports safe against fire outbreaks. We must protect all our universities.
The African continent
There will be moves to construct inter-regional road networks to create free trade zones in Africa. Also, another coup is possible in Africa. Burkina Faso must be very careful. Mali must be very careful. Gabon must be very careful. This is because of unexpected coup attempts. In Chad, the president will make advances to remain in office for a very long time beyond what is allowed. He will take over the sectors of the country. He wants to become a life president. The military will rise against him. The Togolese president, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, will go for another term in office. There will be political tension in Togo. In Benin Republic, there will be confusion on who to pick but the president will pick someone in his cabinet who will take over from him. If he picks someone in his cabinet, not an outsider, then the election will be tough for the opposition parties. A close associate of the president will be up against him. The coming election in Benin Republic will shock the opposition.
Let us pray not to lose any president or former president in Africa; we must also pray that no president will be incapacitated. The Togolese head of parliament, the Benin Republic’s head of parliament, and Congo Brazzaville’s head of parliament must pray for good health. China will take over the economic direction of many African nations. China will enslave a lot of African nations. Africa will have so many financial difficulties. Some African countries will go into recession. Some nations will experience natural disasters. The president of DRC will have tough times ahead as a result of many political tensions. This country must be very careful. It should pray against natural disasters. Cote d’Ivoire will experience flooding. The same thing will happen in Cameroon. Also, the Benin Republic and Niger must watch very closely against this. In Mozambique, the current president will not be allowed to run for another term. Someone else will take over; whoever this is will be from the ruling party. He will be the next president of Mozambique.
Politics
Peter Obi is not ready to be Nigeria’s president. His plans to be president in 2027 are not intact. There is no certainty that he can be president in 2027. If former Vice President Atiku Abubakar decides to run in 2027 on PDP’s platform, the party will lose. Only a new presidential candidate from the PDP will take the party to the next level. The northerners will gang up against President Bola Tinubu; the northern region will be divided about Tinubu. A sitting governor will decamp from PDP if the party is not careful enough. Let us pray against accidents and attacks on governors’ convoys. Not all Tinubu’s cabinet members will finish their terms in office. Some of his ministers will be removed. We must pray against death or explosion at the villa. We must also pray against protocol breaches at the villa. The president must address the issue of hardship in the country. I see this hardship turning into a mass protest. If the president does not implement regulations in his government, this will affect him within three to four months from now. Nyesom Wike should leave Governor Fubara alone. It is not his war because God is fighting for Fubara. Also, there should be no political tension in Taraba. The current governor will take the state to greater heights. God is with the governor. Osun APC will experience more crises. Not all the governors will finish their term in office.
Economy
The exchange rate between the naira and the dollar will not go down despite the work being done at the moment. Nigeria will still borrow money despite the huge debt profile of the nation. China will take over a part of the economic governance of Nigeria. This government should go into agriculture. Many states will collapse under the weight of the proposed minimum wage. Nigeria’s civil servants should not be deceived because the government cannot pay a minimum wage of N120,000. Let them fight against hunger in the land. The price of a bag of rice cannot be reduced to N30,000 anymore. The government must fight against hunger, famine, and food scarcity. Many economists are deceiving Tinubu’s government. Many of them are not qualified to be in his economic team. They are only there to carry out their business. Unless the government has its cement factory, a bag of cement cannot be bought for N2,000. The economy will bite very hard if it is not handled very well and very quickly. Nigeria is sitting on a time bomb. Many are deceiving the president. The economic team is doing nothing. I warned earlier that the energy tariff would be increased. What do we do now? Tinubu needs to review his cabinet. Many of them don’t know why they are there.
The truth is bitter. The president is refusing to listen to the truth. Let him look for people who are proactive and are ready to work. The people surrounding him are not ready to work. Our economy is not smiling. Nigeria will experience more inflation. It cannot come down this year. No magic can be done in this regard this year. If care is not taken, it will be extended to 2026. Concerning the crisis in the price of petrol, the Nigerian government is yet to do the right thing. Until we refine crude oil ourselves, the pump price will not come down. The Dangote refinery will not help at all. We are just deceiving ourselves.
The following banks should be watchful so as not to run into unforeseen crises: First Bank, Titanic Bank, Providus Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, Union Bank, Wema Bank, and Heritage Bank. They must be very careful and they must pray not to lose any of their prominent directors. The names of some banks will be changed.
Telecommunications
I have seen another indigenous telecommunications trying to start operations in Nigeria. This is meant to compete with Globacom. Globacom will have several challenges; there are moves to knock Globacom out of operations. Despite all these challenges, Globacom will remain a leading telecommunications company. Yet, the company must be careful. 9Mobile will retrench some of its workers. Airtel will be penalized. Meanwhile, the government will increase VAT on telecommunications. There will also be an increase in the tariff paid on telecommunication. This will affect the services of the telecommunications companies. The NCC will issue a notice to all telecommunications companies which will be protested seriously against. There will be issues with Nigeria’s satellite.
British heavyweight fighter, Tyson Fury has expressed his frustration over his split decision loss to Ukrainian fighter Oleksandr Usyk, implying that sympathy for Usyk’s war-torn country influenced the judges’ verdict.
The undefeated Ukrainian became the first undisputed world champion of the century after a closely contested fight against Fury in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
Usyk, donning his national colours, dedicated his historic win to the people of Ukraine in the aftermath of the judges’ announcement in Riyadh.
He had temporarily returned to Ukraine following the Russian invasion in February 2022 before resuming his boxing career.
Fury, visibly disappointed, suggested that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine may have swayed the judges.
“I believe I won that fight. He won a few rounds, but I won the majority of them,” Fury stated in the ring after the fight.
“We both put on a good fight. His country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war. Make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion.”
Grammy-winning singer, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, has sparked debate on who is the biggest artiste in Nigeria once again, with his bold claim on the remix of the viral South African song ‘Tshwala Bam’ by TitoM and Yuppe.
The ‘African Giant’ crooner boldly declared in the opening verse of the remix, which was released last week, that he is the godfather of the Nigerian music industry.
“As long as Naija la wa…Them they call me the Godfather,” he sings.
Burna Boy has been very vocal about being the leader of the Nigerian music industry.
He sparked controversy years back after declaring himself the “blueprint” of the Nigerian music industry following his Grammy win.
His colleague Davido has also laid claim to Afrobeats’ leadership in the past.
On a track titled ‘Godfather’ in his fourth studio album, ‘Timeless’, Davido asserted himself as the godfather of the Nigerian music industry.
Nigerian singer, Oritsefemi Majemite Ekele, popularly known as Oritsefemi, has claimed that he is his colleagues, Wizkid, Burna Boy and Davido’s godfather.
He said he had already made money from music before they came into limelight.
According to him, he encouraged the trio to do music.
Speaking in a recent interview with Chude Jideonwo, Oritsefemi said, “I had already made money [from the music industry] when some people were sleeping [yet to come into limelight].
“Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, so many of them [young artists], I encouraged them. I’m like their godfather.
“Even some female celebrities who are now trolling me on social media, I accommodated them in my mansion in Lekki back in the days. Even Burna Boy, I once accommodated him.”
Nabila Fash, the ex-wife of Nigerian singer, Oritsefemi, has dismissed a recent interview in which her ex-husband made a series of accusations against her, including having 21 miscarriages during their marriage.
Naija News reported that Oritsefemi, during an interview with media personality, Jude Chidonwo, disclosed that his wife, Nabila, who had accused him of cheating on her in their home and having children behind her back, betrayed him.
However, in an interview with celebrity journalist, Stella Dimoko Korkus, Nabila urged the public to disregard Oritsefemi’s interview, stating that it was all a lie.
Speaking on the 21 miscarriages, she said, “How is it possible that I miscarried 21 times and I am still normal? How is it possible that I lost 21 children? Why the lies? PLease anyone who listened to his interview should disregard the narrative because it s not true at all….
This is just a distraction, I am presently out of Nigeria working, so you can imagine the calls and encouraging words i have been getting, I was actually confused as to what was going on until it was made clear to me what he had said, this is a distraction but a funny one cos its all lies.”
Nabila also confirmed that they are officially divorced, and she is living her best life, “We are officially divorced. On March 21, 2024 our divorce pulled through, I am officially divorced and officially single and i am happy and living my best life!”
Nabila described the accusation of sending 20 of her friends to attack Oritsefemi as a figment of the singer’s imagination.
She said, “I dont even have up to 20 friends and that never happened…..He is not the kind of person that anyone would attack and get away with it, so trust me that it never happened….it is a figment of his imagination.”
On the accusation of being nasty to his kids, she said, “Never. We have a good relationship. We still spoke today when the interview became viral, one of them called me and was upset that her father all said all what he said and i calmed her down….I was good to his kids and they will never forget me.”
Nabali added that her marriage to Oritsefemi was a nightmare and urged young ladies to look before they leap.
She said, “My marriage was a nightmare that i woke up from.. I dont believe in running down an ex so i will not banter words. God has blessed me and elevated me and i will not look back in regret. I am not angry and i am at peace .i found closure from all the horrible things that happened. My advice to young ladies is look before you leap cos that jump might land you in deep shit.”
An unidentified middle-aged man has reportedly died while watching a football match in Lagos State.
Naija News understands that the unfortunate incident occurred on Thursday, May 16.
According to Punch, the deceased, who is said to be a regular customer of the open bar, walked in, sat down, and started to watch a football match until he fell asleep.
However, all efforts to wake the deceased when the match ended were abortive, as he was found motionless.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident, saying it was reported to the Elere Police Division.
According to him, “The owner of a bar located along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway reported at Elere Division that at about 6:15 pm on Thursday, one of his male customers in his 50s, whose name and address are yet unknown, came into the open bar to sit and watch television.
“He was later observed to be sleeping on the chair and in an attempt to wake him up, it was discovered that he was lifeless. The scene was visited by detectives of the division, and the deceased was seen lifeless on the chair without any mark of violence.
The body has been removed to the Mainland General Hospital mortuary, Yaba, Lagos State for autopsy. Efforts to trace his family are in progress.”
Nigerian striker, Victor Boniface has flew his childhood coach who discovered his potential while starting his career as a juvenile in Akugre, Nigeria, to watch the Bundesliga champions' coronation, Newspremises reports.
Boniface finished an outstanding first season with the BayArena outfit with his 14th goal of the Bundesliga campaign as Leverkusen defeated Augsburg on the final day.
Despite winning the league in April, Bayer Leverkusen were presented with their medals and the trophy in a fully packed BayArena on Saturday, May 18, 2024.
In pictures shared on social media, Boniface who was encouraging his fans not to give up on their dreams posted photos of when he started football with his ex-coach and his crowning moment with the man known as Coach Perez holding the Bundesliga title.
Boniface has been a key figure at Leverkusen since joining the club from Belgian side, Union Saint-Gilloise, last summer, scoring 21 goals and delivering 10 assists across all competitions, per Transfermarkt.
The 23-year-old could end the season with an unprecedented treble as Leverkusen prepare to face Kaiserslautern in the DFB Pokal final and Atalanta in the Europa League.
Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso's men are now 51 games without a defeat.
Real Madrid defender, Jesus Vallejo has described as fake recent reports claiming that he and his partner María Delgado divorced after a 12-year relationship.
The Spaniard said he is still in the relationship and has no intention of dumping his wife.
He also shared pictures with his wife from his wedding at Catedral-basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza.
“News published by Aimara G. Gil in the AS Newspaper that Maria and I broke up is TOTALLY FAKE.
“Maria and I have been in a relationship for 12 years and have always been together and still together today,” he wrote on Instagram.
Vallejo joined Real Madrid in 2015 but has been loaned to several clubs for the majority of his ongoing tenure at the Spanish capital.
[DailyPost]
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Pep Guardiola urged history-chasing Manchester City to seize their title “destiny” as the battle for Premier League supremacy reaches a thrilling climax on Sunday.
Guardiola’s all-conquering team go into the final day of the season with a two-point lead over second-placed Arsenal thanks to an eight-game winning streak.
City host West Ham knowing a win will seal an unprecedented fourth successive English title.
Arsenal have been near flawless themselves in 2024, with 15 wins and one draw, away to City, in 17 league matches.
Arsenal, who finished second last year, must beat Everton at the Emirates Stadium and hope City fail to win if they are to end their 20-year wait for the title.
Guardiola doesn’t expect a favour from Everton, who have nothing to play for, and will instead focus on ensuring his players finish the job themselves.
“The destiny is in our hands, but if you are thinking that Everton are going to do something, forget about it. I have seen Arsenal all season,” he said.
“We just focus on what we have to do against West Ham. There is not any contamination in my brain about anything other than what we have to do to beat West Ham.”
Not for the first time, City have been at their relentless best in the intense heat of the run-in.
Guardiola’s men have dropped just six points since mid-December, in draws against Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.
As City close in on a sixth title in seven seasons under Guardiola, the competitiveness of the world’s most-watched league has been questioned.
But the Catalan coach has hit back at suggestions the Premier League has become boring and that City’s dominance is thanks purely to the financial muscle of their Abu Dhabi-based owners.
“It’s not boring, it’s difficult,” Guardiola said.
Arsenal have set a club record by winning 27 Premier League games this season, but that still might not be enough to dethrone City.
“We have to give ourselves the opportunity to live a beautiful day on Sunday, where the dream is still alive and is possible,” Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said.
“It’s football and once we are there we just have to live the moment.”
– Man Utd face Euro exile –
There will be an emotional farewell for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp at the end of his memorable nine-year reign, but the Reds will finish third regardless of their result against Wolves at Anfield.
“I spoke before about how hard it will be to say goodbye,” Klopp said.
“I love absolutely everything about this place, I do. I take memories with me, fantastic memories, I take relationships with me forever.”
Manchester United are at risk of missing out on European football altogether after a miserable season.
Erik ten Hag’s men sit eighth and must better Newcastle’s result at Brentford when they visit Brighton to avoid finishing outside the top seven for the first time since 1990.
Tottenham visit relegated Sheffield United knowing a point is enough to guarantee fifth spot, while in-form Chelsea would secure a top-six finish with a draw against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge.
The top six teams will all definitely qualify for Europe, while seventh could be enough as long as Manchester United do not shock City in next week’s FA Cup final.
At the bottom, Luton will be relegated if they fail to beat Fulham or if Nottingham Forest avoid defeat at Burnley.
Even if Luton win and Forest lose, the Hatters’ vastly inferior goal difference means they need a mathematical miracle to survive.
Fixtures
Sunday (all 4pm Nigerian time)
Arsenal v Everton, Brentford v Newcastle, Brighton v Manchester United, Burnley v Nottingham Forest, Chelsea v Bournemouth, Crystal Palace v Aston Villa, Liverpool v Wolves, Luton v Fulham, Manchester City v West Ham, Sheffield United v Tottenham
AFP
Grammy Award-winning singer Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has revealed why he is not yet ready to have children.
During an Instagram live session monitored R, Burna Boy explained that his desire to provide the same level of love and dedication his parents gave him is the reason he is not having kids.
“Why haven’t I had kids yet? Bro, it’s because I don’t want to have kids,” Burna Boy stated. “Like, have you seen my operation? Have you seen my mom the way she loves me? Have you seen my dad the way he loves me?”
He further elaborated, “Bro, I know I can’t give that to anyone right now with the life I live. So until I am settled and can be there for my children every day, every minute of every day, I am not having any kids.”
[Nigerian Tribune]
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team defeated their counterparts from Burkina Faso to advance to the fourth and final qualifying round for the 2024 FIFA U17 World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
The Flamingos powered to a well-deserved [6-0] win over their West African neighbours inside the National Stadium in Abuja to secure a [7-1] aggregate victory.
Harmony Chidi was Nigeria’s outstanding performer as the young forward netted an excellent hat-trick while Peace Effiong claimed a brace to inspire the Flamingos to another huge win.
It would be recalled that the two teams played out a [1-1] draw at the Stade 26 Mars in Bamako, Mali, last week.
However, the Flamingos were in no mood for niceties in Abuja on Saturday as the coach Bankole Olowookere took a two-goal lead into the halftime break.
Chidi gave Nigeria the lead in the 11th minute before Peace Effiong doubled the advantage just past the half-hour mark.
Nigeria extended the superiority after the interval with Chidi heading home her second of the match and the Flamingos’ third and Ramota Kareem’s brilliant effort compounded the woes for the visitors.
Chidi completed her hat-trick four minutes from time before Peace Effiong bagged her second of the encounter as the rampant Flamingos made light work of Burkina Faso.
The Flamingos’ [6-0] win equals Nigeria’s biggest win during the qualifiers and the country’s best result since beating Azerbaijan 11-0 at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in 2012.
Nigeria have now advanced to the final qualifying round of the 2024 Women’s World Cup, where Flamingos will face either Senegal or Liberia.
The Flamingos won a bronze medal at the 2022 edition of the U17 Women’s World Cup in India after beating Germany in the third-place match.
[Leadership]
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team has defeated their counterparts from Burkina Faso to advance to the fourth and final qualifying round for the 2024 FIFA U17 Women World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
The Flamingos powered to a well-deserved 6-0 win over their fellow West African side inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja to secure a 7-1 aggregate victory.
Harmony Chidi was Nigeria’s outstanding performer as the young forward netted an excellent hat-trick while Peace Effiong claimed a brace to inspire the Flamingos to another huge win.
It would be recalled that the two teams earlier played out a 1-1 draw at the Stade 26 Mars in Bamako, Mali, last week.
However, the Flamingos were in no mood for niceties in Abuja for the return leg match on Saturday as the Coach Bankole Olowookere-led side took a two-goal lead into the halftime break.
Chidi gave Nigeria the lead in the 11th minute before Peace Effiong doubled the advantage just past the half-hour mark.
Nigeria extended the superiority after the interval with Chidi heading home her second of the match and the Flamingos’ third and Ramota Kareem’s brilliant effort compounded the woes for the visitors.
Chidi completed her hat-trick four minutes from time before Peace Effiong bagged her second of the encounter as the rampant Flamingos made light work of Burkina Faso.
The Flamingos’ 6-0 win equals Nigeria’s biggest win during the qualifiers and the country’s best result since beating Azerbaijan 11-0 at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in 2012.
Nigeria have now advanced to the final qualifying round of the 2024 Women’s World Cup, where Flamingos will face either Senegal or Liberia.
The Flamingos won a bronze medal at the 2022 edition of the U17 Women’s World Cup in India after beating Germany in the third-place match.