The Holy Spirit Inspired Me To Cook Jollof Rice For iShowSpeed - Theresa Sappor As Nigeria-Ghana Rivalry Resurfaces

A Lagos-based caterer, Theresa Sappor, says preparing Nigerian jollof rice for American online streamer iShowSpeed has transformed her business, drawing patronage, as she credit the cooking to holy spirit

In a now-circulating interview with The Plug, the caterer, who runs Sappor Cuisine at Freedom Park, an old colonial prison, which is now a tourist attraction on Lagos Island, said the experience was almost miraculous.

“This Jollof rice, na Holy Spirit help me cook am. I’m still in shock. Social media get power. Whether we like it or not, Nigerians have good food,” she said.

Sappor recounted that a customer who has never visited Freedom Park before, came to her restaurant to eat the jollof rice she made for iShowSpeed.

“She said she has never stepped a foot into Freedom Park, but she came in because of iShowSpeed.We prepared the Jollof rice that iShowSpeed ate when he came to Nigeria. I tell anybody anywhere that I have the best cook in the world. I’ve been cooking since I was 12 years old. My mother-in-law is a caterer, so I went back to it. I really love cooking,” she added.

Her husband who is a co-founder highlighted the scale of the livestreamed moment. “While he was eating it, over one million people were watching. Lots of expatriates visit this place. They want egusi and fufu. They enjoy it and come back for more,” he said.

iShowSpeed, during his Africa tour titled Speed Does Africa, praised the Nigerian jollof rice during the livestream at Sappor Cuisine, saying, “I am not gonna lie, this is good. I think I might have to go with Nigeria.” The streamer’s comment immediately sparked reactions online, celebrating the quality of local cuisine.

Sappor described the encounter as life-changing, saying, “It has received a global visitation. iShowSpeed, thank you! I know how to cook the best egusi soup too.

“Thank you for raising people. God will bless you. And God will also raise you up.”

During his visit to Nigeria, the streamer visited Freedom Park on Lagos Island,  interacted with skaters, dancers and performers, attempting Nigerian dance steps and reacting with excitement to the skills of unicyclists and skateboarders.

While sampling Nigerian jollof rice at the park, Speed told viewers during his livestream, “I am not gonna lie, this is good. I think I might have to go with Nigeria.”

Speed later travelled to Ghana after his Nigerian visit, where he immersed himself in Ghanaian Jollof cuisine amid the long-standing culinary rivalry between both countries.

After tasting Ghanaian jollof rice cooked in a large-sized pot, the global streamer jokingly reignited the debate when he again declared a preference for the Nigerian version, saying, “I may have to go with the Nigerian one,” moments after backflipping into the massive pot of rice.

The comment sparked widespread online controversy and playful exchanges between Nigerian and Ghanaian fans. Amid the reactions, Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya revealed that the stunt was deliberately arranged at iShowSpeed’s request. “iShowSpeed actually asked for the big jollof bowl,” he said, explaining that the streamer wanted a visually striking experience for his global audience.

iShowSpeed’s Africa tour, which began on December 29, 2025, was scheduled to span 28 days across 20 countries.

His arrival in Lagos drew massive crowds, with residents, traders and passersby running alongside his convoy, waving and filming the popular streamer as he moved through the city.

 

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Lagos Government Warns Content Creators Against Child Sexual Abuse And Exploitative Materials

Content creators, skit makers and social media influencers have been warned against producing or uploading digital content involving children in ways that could harm their dignity, safety and overall well-being.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Monday and shared on the Lagos state government’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.

According to the statement, the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, in collaboration with the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), expressed concern over the growing involvement of children in digital content that exposes them to abuse, exploitation and inappropriate situations.

“The Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, in partnership with the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, seeks to draw the attention of content creators, skit makers, influencers and digital media producers to the importance of safeguarding the rights of children across all forms of online and offline content,” the statement read.

The state government noted that some recent digital content involving children has undermined their well-being and violated their rights.

It stressed that such practices are unethical and contravene existing laws, including the Child’s Rights Law of Lagos State and the Criminal Law of Lagos State, which prohibit exploitative child labour and sexual offences against minors.

The government further urged content creators to consider the long-term psychological, emotional and social consequences of involving children in harmful or unethical content.

“Children deserve protection both online and offline, and the law is clear on their rights. As digital platforms continue to grow, responsible content creation is essential,” the statement added.

“Safeguarding minors is not optional; it is a legal and moral duty. Let us create content that informs, entertains and empowers without causing harm. Child protection is everyone’s responsibility.”

 

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Lagos Enforces Traffic Laws Along Coastal Highway, Confiscates 50 Motorcycles, 10 Vehicles

No less than 50 motorcycles (okada)  and 10 vehicles were confiscated as the Lagos State Government commenced enforcement exercise against banned commercial motorcycle operations, one-way driving, and illegal structures along the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway corridor.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this on his X handles that operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Taskforce carried out the operation as part of ongoing efforts to restore order and improve safety on major roads across the state.

According to Wahab, “Over 50 motorcycles were confiscated for riding on the highway in violation of the Lagos State traffic law, while 10 vehicles were apprehended and charged to court for driving against traffic.”

He noted that the enforcement exercise also included the removal of shanties and makeshift structures illegally erected along the coastal highway corridor.

He further stated that enforcement will be sustained in order to restore sanity on the road. 

 

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Fela Becomes The First African To Be Honoured With Lifetime Achievement Award

Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti has received a major global honour nearly three decades after his death.

The BBC reported on Friday that the Recording Academy will posthumously confer a Lifetime Achievement Award on the Nigerian music icon at the Grammy Awards, making him the first African to receive the honour.

The award recognises Fela’s lasting impact on global music and culture, according to the BBC

Reacting to the recognition, his son and Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, said, “Fela has been in the hearts of the people for such a long time. Now the Grammys have acknowledged it, and it’s a double victory. It’s bringing balance to a Fela story.”

A former manager and long-time associate of the late singer, Rikki Stein, said the honour was long overdue.

“Africa hasn’t in the past rated very highly in their interests. I think that’s changing quite a bit of late,” Stein said.

The BBC noted that the recognition comes amid rising global interest in African music, driven largely by the international success of Afrobeats, a genre rooted in Fela’s work.

In 2024, the Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category, while Nigerian singer Burna Boy earned a nomination this year in the Best Global Music Album category.

Fela’s Lifetime Achievement Award places him among global music legends. Past recipients include Bing Crosby, while this year’s honourees also feature Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan and Paul Simon.

Members of Fela’s family, friends and associates are expected to attend the ceremony to receive the award on his behalf.

“The global human tapestry needs this, not just because it’s my father,” Seun Kuti said.

The BBC described Fela as more than a musician, portraying him as a cultural thinker, political agitator and the creator of Afrobeat.

With drummer Tony Allen, he developed the genre by blending West African rhythms with jazz, funk and highlife, marked by extended improvisation and politically charged lyrics.

During a career that lasted until his death in 1997, Fela released over 50 albums and became a fierce critic of authority, repeatedly clashing with the Nigerian military governments through his music and activism.

 

 

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"I Cannot Dance To Promote My Own Movie", Kunle Afolayan; "Don't Allow Jealousy To Burn You", Funke Akindele Fires Back

A subtle feud appears to be brewing between Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, and fellow filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, following recent comments on the sustainability of current movie marketing strategies in the industry.

While Afolayan criticized the prevailing trend in which movie makers, Funke Akindele inclusive, are compelled to market their own movies through dancing and other skits, Funke believes his criticisms are borne out of jealousy.

Akindele is currently Nollywood’s highest-grossing filmmaker with her movie ‘Behind The Scenes, released in 2025, grossing N2,407,000,000. She is well known for her energetic promotional style, often involving dance videos and comedy skits used to market her films across social media platforms.

Akindele’s comments come amid remarks by filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, who recently questioned the pressure on filmmakers to constantly create promotional content, particularly dance-driven marketing, to sell their films.

Speaking earlier, Afolayan described such promotional demands as exhausting, recalling his experience in the industry.

“In 2006, I did all the runs, and it was exhausting. I want to make a film if you can guarantee I don’t have to dance to sell that film.

“We need to come up with other strategies. How do we sell without exhausting ourselves?

“I don’t know how the likes of Funke Akindele and others are doing it — creating skits every day, changing costumes all the time. I can’t do it,” he said.

He also raised concerns about the financial returns of cinema successes, arguing that high visibility does not always translate into commensurate earnings for filmmakers.

“I don’t want two billion streams at the cinemas and end up receiving ten million naira,” Afolayan said.

This did not go down well with Funke Akindele. In a series of posts shared on her Instagram Story on Saturday, the actress dismissed suggestions that her approach to movie promotion was hindering the progress of others in the industry, stressing that success in Nollywood should be inclusive.

“I’m not the one hindering your progress. Ka rin ka po, yiye nin ye ni,” she wrote.

She further stated that the entertainment industry was large enough for everyone to thrive, urging colleagues to explore alternative approaches rather than criticising existing ones.

“If you can’t beat them or join them, create your own path. No allow jealousy burn you. The sky is so big for everybody to fly,” Akindele added.

The actress also encouraged filmmakers who find the current trend exhausting to adopt other promotional strategies or engage professional marketing firms.

“Go ahead and create alternative promotion or marketing strategies for promoting your business, or hire a company to handle it. You can do it. The opportunities are endless, and everyone has their own path. I’m focused on mine, and I have faith in God’s plan for me,” she said.

 

 

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Outrage As Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo Shows Off The New Tattoo On His Body

Barely a month after Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, said there was nothing wrong with retaining the tattoos on her body despite giving her life to Christ, relationship coach and lead pastor of David Christian Centre (DCC), Kingsley Okonkwo, has sparked an outrage on social media after revealing a new tattoo on his arm. 

The tattoo, which he shared on his Instagram page, with the caption ‘3:16’, has left many of his followers surprised and divided. 

While some supporters argue that faith is about inner conviction, not outward symbols, others question whether tattoos align with the moral image expected of a pastor, citing Leviticus 19:28, which warns against marking the skin.

@iamqneth noted: “The Bible says we should not make a mark on our skin.well I know that the Bible hasn’t changed and God’s word hasn’t change too so all I can say is hmmmmm” 

@ladyrosabel commented: “For those of us that have something to say but decided not to say it, may the peace of the Lord be with us amen”. @iamkingdinero1 shared: “Just know God personally, nó let anyone introduce their own God to you , find your God , know am for yourself’

@sailorojay stated: “It’s baffles me like does this pastor not know it’s a sin to tattoo his skin?? Like I have nothing for tattoos but as a pastor you should be the one person leading your members in the right part with what the Bible teaches. It’s like pastors of these days only use verses in the Bible that favors them and throws the rest out.” @papcy_valery shared: “Leviticus 19:28 Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.”

Okonkwo, known for his teachings on marriage and relationships, has not publicly addressed the controversy.

 

 

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How Police Officers Extorted N250 Thousand From Me In Ajah - Motorist

A mechanical engineer, Uchenna Nwachukwu has accused police officers attached to the Area J Police Command of extorting N250,000 from him during a stop-and-search operation in the Ajah area of Lagos State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Saturday night around the Oral Estate area.

Narrating his ordeal to Punch correspondent on Tuesday, Nwachukwu said he was flagged down by four policemen while returning home after dropping off friends. He said the officers searched him and his vehicle but found nothing incriminating.

“They stopped me around Oral Estate and said they wanted to search me. I cooperated and stepped out of the car. They searched both me and the vehicle and found nothing illegal,” he said.

According to him, the officers then demanded his vehicle documents, which he provided.

“After checking the documents, they asked me to park by the roadside, claiming I was blocking the road.

I parked properly and switched off the engine as instructed,” he added.

Nwachukwu alleged that the situation escalated after he politely questioned the officers about his offence.

“They asked me to step out of the car again. While doing so, I asked why I was being treated that way since I had committed no offence. Suddenly, one of them grabbed me by my trousers and damaged my belt,” he said.

He further alleged that his vehicle was seized and towed to the police station.

According to Nwachukwu, when he reported to the station on Monday morning, he was asked to write a statement before being told that N5m would be required for the release of his car.

“I pleaded with them and said I didn’t have such money. I told them I could only afford N200,000, but they rejected it, saying it was too small. Eventually, they insisted on N250,000 before releasing the vehicle,” he said.

He claimed the officers directed him to withdraw the money from a Point of Sale operator, after which the cash was collected.

    “They took me to a POS where I withdrew the N250,000 in cash. After collecting the money, they handed over my car key,” he added.

However, Nwachukwu said the vehicle was released in poor condition.

    “As we were leaving, we discovered that all the tyres were deflated and the battery had been removed. Everything was down. As a law-abiding citizen, is this how police officers are supposed to behave?” he queried.

Providing an update on Wednesday, the engineer said he reported the matter to the Complaints Response Unit, which gave him the contact details of the station officer. He, however, lamented that despite the intervention, the money had yet to be refunded.

    “I thought the CRU’s involvement would lead to a refund, but it didn’t. When I went to the station today, they simply asked me to leave,” he said.

Reacting to the allegation on Wednesday, the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the incident.

    “The officers involved have been identified and directed to report. They have also been instructed to refund the money tomorrow,” she said.

The incident has renewed concerns over alleged police misconduct in Lagos, with residents repeatedly accusing officers of extortion during stop-and-search operations.

In a related development, a Lagos-based plumber, Nifemi Oyerinde, recently accused policemen of extorting N70,000 from him at gunpoint during a stop-and-search operation near the Otedola Bridge area of the state.

Culled from The Punch 

 

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No Shot Was Fired At Protesters In Alausa - Lagos CP

The Lagos State Police Command has denied claims that its officers shot at residents protesting the demolition of their homes, insisting no gun was fired during Wednesday’s demonstration.

Protesters from communities including Makoko, Oworonshoki, Owode-Onirin and Oko Baba marched to the Lagos State House of Assembly, demanding proper relocation plans, compensation, and justice for residents who reportedly lost their lives during past demolition exercises.

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “A megacity cannot be built on the bones and blood of the poor” and “Justice for Owode-Onirin traders,” the protesters demanded compensation, relocation plans, and justice for past demolitions.

Tensions escalated at the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa when demonstrators were denied entry. According to the report, several people, including journalists and a nursing mother, were affected by tear gas fired to disperse the crowd. One protester sustained a leg injury.

A photograph showing an injured protester being assisted to the hospital circulated widely on social media, sparking claims that the individual was shot.

Responding to the reports, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Olohundare, told Channels Television on Thursday, “No gun was fired. I was there. I was appealing to them to remain peaceful, but they continued to hurl abuses at me. As a police officer, I am trained to work under this kind of pressure, so I did not react.”

He added that the police sought to resolve the situation peacefully.

“We spoke with the leadership of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who promptly — despite being in recess — sent five honourable members to appeal to them. Still, it fell on deaf ears because their aim was to enter the House of Assembly and cause mayhem, which we will not allow.”

He also dismissed reports of bullet wounds reportedly sustained by one of the protesters. He said the case was reported to the area commander, who inspected the injury and determined that it was not caused by a bullet. Jimoh said the injury could have occurred while protesters were fleeing from teargas.

Teargas was used to disperse the crowd, and some injuries were reported. The police chief explained, “When teargas is fired, people run to leave the scene. It is during that process that some may sustain injuries. To our records, nobody reported a gunshot injury to us during the operation after they had been warned that force would be used if they refused to disperse.”

 

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We Are Not Selling Tickets For Lagos–São Paulo Direct Flight - Air Peace

Air Peace has dismissed claims that it sold tickets or stranded Nigerians in connection with the proposed Lagos–São Paulo direct flight, insisting that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently signed between the Nigerian and Brazilian governments was not a flight launch, but a framework to deepen bilateral aviation cooperation.

The airline, in a statement on Friday, described the reports as false, misleading and deliberately sensational.

The statement denied allegations that it connived with the Federal Government to deceive the public over the commencement of the route.

The airline insisted that no tickets were ever sold, no booking platform was opened and no flight date was announced for the Lagos–São Paulo service, stressing that it was therefore impossible for passengers to have been stranded.

“An MoU is a statement of intent. It is not a ticket sale, a flight schedule, or a guarantee of immediate commencement of operations,” the airline added.

It expressed that international long-haul routes required extensive regulatory and operational approvals before operations could begin.

These approvals, it said, included the implementation of Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) frameworks, authorisation from Brazil’s civil aviation authority, airport slot allocations in São Paulo, safety and insurance certifications, as well as aircraft deployment and route-viability assessments.

On fleet availability, the airline declared that it had the capacity to operate the route, noting that it currently operates four Boeing 777-200/300 aircraft, while two of the aircraft are deployed on its London Heathrow and London Gatwick routes and the remaining two are available for other long-haul destinations, including São Paulo, once all regulatory and commercial processes are completed.

Besides, the statement denied making any binding commitment to a specific start date for the route, adding that international route development often takes several years.

It gave an example of its London service, which it said took about seven years from conception to accomplish.

The airline further rejected suggestions that the MoU would automatically lead to reduced international airfares, stating that it did not control global airline pricing or foreign carriers.

“The allegations are an attempt to undermine the airline and discredit the Federal Government,” it added.

The airline noted that preparations for the Lagos–São Paulo route began in 2024 and that it had been engaging Nigerian aviation authorities, the Brazilian government, and other stakeholders to bring the service to reality.

 

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Teargas At Makoko Demolition: How My 3-Week Old Baby Drowned When My Wife Fell Into The Lagoon - Carpenter

A carpenter, Papa Eve Amossou, has narrated how he lost his three-week-old daughter, Morenikeji, during last week’s demolition carried out by the Lagos State Government in the Makoko area of the state.

Amossou, who spoke with PUNCH Metro during a visit to the community on Tuesday, said his wife fell into the lagoon with their newborn while trying to escape the chaos that followed the tear gas fired by policemen attached to the task force team.

According to him, “On that day, the police officers fired tear gas because they said they did not want people to gather in groups. My wife tried to move away from the area with my daughter, and she fell into the lagoon with her.

“When we rescued them from the water and got to the hospital, I was told that my daughter had died before we arrived.

“It was God who saved my apprentice, who also fell into the lagoon. The incident has left my family devastated.”

The carpenter added that his workshop was among the structures pulled down during the exercise, leaving him jobless.

“I am a carpenter, and I have lived here all my life. My workshop was demolished, and I have no job at the moment,” he said.

Some community leaders who also spoke with newsmen alleged that at least five residents lost their lives during and after the demolition exercise. They claimed two children and three adults reportedly died within the period.

A community chief, Francis Samson, told our correspondent that he received reports of deaths from different sections of the waterfront community during and after the exercise.

He added that although there was an earlier agreement with the government to demolish structures within 30 metres of the power line along the lagoon, the demolition extended to about 520 metres from the high-tension poles.

Another community leader, Oluwo Fasinu Felix, corroborated the claims, adding that repeated appeals to the government to clearly mark the boundary had yielded no result.

When contacted, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the state government was not aware of the reported deaths, adding that the allegations would be investigated.

Similarly, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Gboyega Akosile, insisted that there were no such incidents linked to the demolition.

“During the demolition? Please, go and get your facts right. ‘During’ the demolition, you said? Nothing of the sort happened during the exercise,” Akosile said.

Recall that Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had defended the demolition of structures in Makoko, saying it was carried out to avert tragedy.

The exercise has continued to generate reactions from stakeholders across the country.

 

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