Despite Age, Mama G's Relevance In Nollywood Remains Unwavering

    Veteran actress, Patience Ozokwor, popularly known as Mama G, remains one of the few entertainers who have built a lasting brand while staying grounded and consistent through the years.

Famous for her unforgettable portrayals of domineering mothers and strong-willed characters in Nollywood classics of the 90s, the screen icon has continued to prove that relevance is sustained through talent, discipline and reinvention. From acting to music, she has shown that entertainment thrives when one keeps evolving.

Though regarded as one of the pioneers of Nollywood, Ozokwor has shown no signs of slowing down. Even as she advances in age, she continues to make meaningful contributions to the movie industry. This year alone, she has featured in several productions, reaffirming her status as a dependable force on screen. It was, therefore, no surprise when she was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

Beyond her achievements, the actress continues to show that true legacy does not require noise. Unlike many who thrive on controversy or the constant need for online attention, she has chosen dignity over drama. Her relevance is not driven by trends, but by the respect she has earned across generations of viewers.

Another admirable side of the actress is her warm relationship with her children and grandchildren. In a recent video that surfaced online, Ozokwor joined her granddaughter in a playful trend, drawing praise from fans who admired her youthful spirit and family bond.

She has also continued to embody humility and respect. Recently, she was seen bowing respectfully to greet fellow Nollywood legend, Pete Edochie, despite her own legendary status.

Culled from the Punch 

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Funke Akindele Condemns Airpeace's London Airport Flight Delay

Filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele has criticised Air Peace for its handling of a flight delay that left passengers stranded for hours at London’s Gatwick Airport on Friday.  

Akindele, who was among those affected, said the disruption began around 6:30 am.

Passengers were initially told a bird strike had grounded the aircraft, an incident requiring safety inspections before departure.  

Hours later, Akindele said travelers remained at the airport without access to checked luggage or clear updates on accommodation.

“Passengers (including elderly people) have been stranded since 6:30AM at London Gatwick Airport with no proper communication. After hours of delay, we were told there was a bird strike and promised a hotel. Hours later, people are still sitting at baggage claim hungry, exhausted, and without their bags,” she wrote.

Akindele posted on X that passengers, including elderly travelers, were waiting at baggage claim hungry and exhausted after being promised hotel arrangements that had not materialised.  

She described elderly passengers struggling and families growing tired amid the uncertainty, adding that many travelers sat on the floor due to exhaustion and lacked access to essential items in their bags.

“Elderly passengers are struggling. Families are tired. No clear updates. No support,” she said, urging the airline to act swiftly.

She called on the airline to release luggage immediately and provide the promised hotel support.  

“Release passengers’ luggage immediately and provide the hotel you promised. Do something NOW,” she added.

Akindele said passengers had gone hours without food or adequate communication despite assurances from staff.

She accused the airline of failing to provide basic care during the disruption.

“We have been here for hours without food or proper communication,” she said. “They promised a hotel, but nothing has happened.”

Air Peace responded directly to Akindele on X, expressing regret for the inconvenience and stating that safety and operational efficiency remain priorities.

The airline said delays can occur due to factors beyond its control and that its team was working to assist affected passengers.  

“Dear Funke @funkeakindele we sincerely empathize with you over this experience and all inconveniences this has caused to your travel plans.

“Such actions are never intentional as we prioritize safety and operational efficiency, and while we strive for on-time departures, certain factors beyond our control can sometimes cause delays”, it wrote.

The airline added that efforts were underway to assist affected passengers.

  

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Eniola Badmus Expresses Appreciation Over Appointment As Co-chair Of National Women Empowerment Rally Committee

Popular actress Eniola Badmus has expressed deep appreciation following her appointment as co-chairperson of the Entertainment Committee for the National Women Mega Empowerment and Rally 2026.

Badmus made the announcement in a post on her Instagram page, where she conveyed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to serve.

The high-profile event is being organised by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and is themed “The Power of 10 Million: One Voice! One Movement!! One Choice!!!”.

It is scheduled to hold on May 5, 2026, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

She wrote, “Federal Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development presents: National Women Mega Empowerment & Rally 2026. The Power of 10 Million One Voice! One Movement!! One Choice!!! I am deeply honoured to be a Co-Chairperson of the Entertainment Committee…….I really appreciate and feel so honoured. Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;

“Her Excellency, Hajiya Fatima Abbas Tajudeen, Wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Honourable

Minister of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development,

for their unwavering dedication to empowering women and strengthening our society. This is more than a rally – it is a movement of purpose, unity, and national impact. Women Supporting Women – Always”.

The Entertainment Committee is chaired by Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, First Lady of Lagos State, with several co-chairpersons including Hannatu Musa Musawa, Rachael Umahi, Ramatu Tijani, Rahama Sadau, Eniola Badmus, General Deaconess Ngozi Okoh, and Tola Akerele.

Other notable Nollywood personalities such as Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham, and Joke Silva are also part of the broader committee.

This appointment adds to Eniola Badmus’s growing profile in public service. She currently serves as the Special Assistant to the Speaker of the House of Representatives for Social Events and Public Hearings.

The mega rally aims to mobilise millions of Nigerian women in a unified push for empowerment, economic inclusion, and national development, with the entertainment committee expected to deliver a vibrant cultural and creative experience.

  

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Basketmouth Takes 'Moral Of The Story' Stand-up Comedy To Los Angeles

    Comedian and actor Bright Okpocha, aka Basketmouth, has thrilled audiences in Los Angeles with his stand-up comedy special, ‘Moral of the Story.’

The show, at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center, formed part of his 2026 North America tour.

Speaking during the event, Basketmouth expressed surprise at the impressive turnout as the Los Angeles venue was a last-minute addition to the tour schedule.

“Los Angeles was added to the tour at the last minute; it wasn’t in our initial plan. I’m really impressed with this large turnout tonight,” he said.

He commended the host, Seyi Brown, for assembling a capable team of organisers on short notice, as he credited their efforts for the event’s success.

The evening also featured performances from emerging artistes, including Oludesh, Josh Breeze and Seyi Brown, before Basketmouth took to the stage for a lively set that kept the audience entertained for more than 45 minutes.

  

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POETRY: Bills Like Hills By Godson Osarenren

Bills Like Hills

 

This survival mood has grown teeth,

That survival itself is hunted,

A sacred prey dragged through alleys of want.

Who will save survival?

 

Our dreams winged like dawn,

Packed, stiff and swollen,

Like dead donkeys by the roadside,

Flies humming lullabies over forgotten purpose,

Because survival is King.

 

We rise not only to live,

But to outrun hunger.

To wrestle bills that breed in the dark,

Multiplying like shadows that refuse light.

 

A system, feral and famished,

Has had its way with us,

Left us bruised, breathless,

Gang-banged into obedience,

Until rest became a rumour

And sweetness, a language we no longer speak.

 

Who has time to be honey,

When survival tastes of rust?

From silver spoons to mud-stained hands of exhaustion,

We have learned to sip life from cracked vessels.

 

Survival marries survival,

"Confusion break e yoke, ye-kpa"

No joy, just a ceremony of endurance,

Where hope wears gloves,

Punching till something happens.

 

And so the cycle spins,

A wheel greased with sweat and years,

Thirty-five harvests of labour

With barns still echoing empty.

 

Tell me!

What name do we give a life,

That labours like a god with nothing to show,

But prayers of hope for tomorrow...

That stubborn lungs that breathes survival.

 

Copyright: Godson Osarenren

Godson Osarenren is the founder and convener of Naija Poetry Fest Community

  

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Lagos 2027: Jandor Withdraws From Governorship Race, Endorses Obafemi Hamzat

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has announced his withdrawal from the 2027 Lagos State gubernatorial race.

Jandor made the announcement on Thursday, a few days after procuring the APC Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the 2027 Lagos State gubernatorial election.

In a statement, Jandor revealed that he took the step out of conviction, consultation, and a genuine desire to contribute to the progress of the state, prioritising collective interest above personal ambition.

He also stated that his decision followed the endorsement of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadiri Hamzat, by President Bola Tinubu and APC leaders in Lagos.

According to Jandor, the decision is not borne out of weakness or a lack of capacity, but out of strength, discipline, and a deep respect for party cohesion and unity.

“Let me be unequivocal: I remain a loyal and committed member of the APC. I also reaffirm my unalloyed loyalty and respect for the President and national leader of our party, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. His leadership remains central to the stability and progress of our party and the nation at large.

“In line with this, I hereby fully align myself with the position and direction of Mr. President regarding the Lagos State gubernatorial process. Party supremacy and strategic alignment are critical to sustaining the gains we have collectively built over the years,” he said.

Jandor extended gratitude to the Lagos4Lagos Movement, which he said has never been about one individual but about a cause, equity, inclusion, and a better Lagos for all.

“That cause remains alive, and it must now find expression in our collective support for the party’s chosen direction.

“I urge all our supporters, leaders, and stakeholders to remain calm, focused, and committed. This is a moment to consolidate, not to divide; to build, not to fracture,” Jandor said.

  

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Carter Bridge To Be Demolished And Reconstructed With N548 Billion - FG

The Federal Government has approved the complete demolition and reconstruction of the Carter Bridge in Lagos at a cost of N548.98 billion.

The approval came after independent investigations confirmed that the iconic structure’s underwater piles and pile caps had deteriorated beyond repair.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced the approval after Thursday’s Federal Executive Council meeting.

Umahi said the decision followed investigations conducted at multiple points in 2013, 2019 and again under the current administration through Julius Berger, all of which concluded that the bridge could not be saved.

“We convocated a stakeholders’ engagement, and all the technical experts all over the country, and even internationally, all agreed that we could not redeem Carter Bridge, and it has to be completely demolished and rebuilt,” Umahi said.

He explained that the underwater piles and pile caps had deteriorated at what he described as a “geometrical progression,” leaving demolition and full reconstruction as the only viable option.

The contract was won by CCCC after a competitive bidding process that included Julius Berger, CCECC, CBC, and China Harbour High Tech.

Umahi said the new bridge would be longer than the original, with the total length extended from 1.525 kilometres to 1.93 kilometres following the addition of a flyover ramp designed to eliminate the bottleneck that has long plagued traffic flow in the area.

“We’ve gone through rigorous procurement and design. The initial total length of that bridge was 1.525 kilometres, with three lanes, dualised. We have now increased the project to 1.93 kilometres because we increased a flyover ramp, so that the bottleneck that is usually there will no longer exist. The total contract sum approved is N548.98bn,” he said.

The new bridge will also feature a navigational waterway of 105 metres by two, according to the minister.

The FEC also separately approved N24.89 billion for underwater elements of the Third Mainland Bridge, to be handled by Julius Berger, among projects being readied for commissioning ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office on May 29.

The Carter Bridge is one of Lagos’s oldest and most historically significant bridges, serving as a critical link between Lagos Island and the mainland.

Named after Gilbert Carter, a former British governor of Lagos Colony, the bridge has been a vital artery for traffic across Lagos Lagoon for decades.

The bridge has been the subject of recurring concerns about its structural integrity, with authorities periodically restricting heavy vehicle access and carrying out patch repairs over the years.

Its deterioration has been widely attributed to age, heavy traffic load and the corrosive effects of its saltwater environment on its foundational infrastructure.

  

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Woman Remanded For Attacking Her 15-Year Old Daughter With Knife In Ipaja

    The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has confirmed the arrest and arraignment of a woman accused of assaulting her 15-year-old daughter in the Ipaja area of the state.

Public outrage trailed a viral video showing a woman allegedly assaulting her 15-year-old daughter at 32 Tashoro Street, near Ipaja.

The disturbing footage, which surfaced in the early hours of Wednesday, showed the woman straddling the teenager while holding a knife above her after reportedly beating her near the entrance of a residential compound.

Giving an update on the incident in a statement shared on X on Thursday, the LSDVA disclosed that the incident came to light following a viral video.

According to the agency, the report prompted an immediate response in line with the state’s protection protocol.

It noted that the victim was subsequently rescued by the Child Protection Unit of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development and placed in a shelter where she is receiving care and other support services.

It added that the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps and taken to the Ipaja Police Station.

 “The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency was alerted to a distressing viral video depicting the alleged assault of a 15-year-old girl by her biological mother in the Ipaja area of Lagos State on Wednesday, 29th April 2026. The Agency immediately activated the State’s response protocol upon receipt of the report.

 “The survivor was swiftly rescued by the Child Protection Unit of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development and has been placed in a shelter, where she is currently receiving appropriate care and support services.”

 LSDVA noted that the case was later transferred to the Family Support Unit of the Ipaja Division of the Lagos State Police Command for further investigation, after which the matter was charged to Court 23 of the Samuel Ilori Magistrate Court in Ogba on Thursday.

It noted that the defendant was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The agency commended residents who reported the incident, describing their actions as crucial to ensuring the safety of the victim and the progress of the case.

“Following diligent investigation, the case was charged to court on Thursday, 30th April 2026, and heard at Court 23, Samuel Ilori Magistrate Court, Ogba, Lagos, even as the defendant has been remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the outcome of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ advice.

“We commend the swift collaboration of concerned Lagosians and mandated reporters in ensuring the safety of the survivor and the progression of the case through due legal process.”

The agency reiterated the Lagos State Government’s zero-tolerance stance on all forms of child abuse.

It also assured the public of its commitment to protecting victims and ensuring that offenders are prosecuted in accordance with the law.

 The statement concluded by urging residents to report cases of domestic and sexual violence through designated helplines and official communication channels.

  

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Sisii Alagbo Apologizes After Leaked Sex Video

        Eniola Fagbemi, popularly known as Sisi Alagbo, has publicly apologised after a private video involving her surfaced online, sparking widespread reactions on social media.

The popular herbal vendor addressed the situation in a Facebook post on Wednesday, admitting fault and expressing regret over the incident.

“I own my mistakes, and I apologise with all sincerity for the video circulating online,” she wrote. “I am deeply sorry to everyone who felt disappointed in me.”

Beyond the apology, Sisi Alagbo revealed that the backlash from the incident has taken a serious emotional toll on her, affecting her daily life and well-being.

“I am already passing through a lot. I can’t eat or sleep for days. Even sleeping medicines aren’t working for me any longer,” she said.

Appealing to the public for understanding, she added, “Please forgive me. I don’t want to injure myself. I only have a little strength left.”

She further explained that social media remains her primary source of livelihood, urging followers not to judge her too harshly as she navigates the fallout.

“Please, let’s move past this because this media platform is where I get the little support I need to feed myself. Please do not condemn or castigate me,” she added.

Sisi Alagbo, who has built a large following online, is known for promoting herbal remedies related to fertility, infections and general wellness.

  

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Why Kissing On Screen Is Weird And Uncomfortable - Nollywood Actor, Saga Adeoluwa

Actor Saga Adeoluwa has expressed his dislike for kissing scenes in movies, stating that he would avoid them if he had the choice.

In an episode of the Nolly Icons podcast, the reality star-turned-actor revealed that contrary to public perception, most actors do not enjoy onscreen kisses and only engage in them for proper script interpretation.

Adeoluwa disclosed that he has never had a pleasant onscreen kiss experience despite featuring in several romantic films.

He described the act as weird and uncomfortable, particularly due to the exchange of saliva.

He noted that actors are often misunderstood, as many people assume they derive pleasure from such scenes.

According to him, kissing in movies is simply part of storytelling and not something performers enjoy.

He admitted to once kissing four different actresses in a single day on set.

Adeoluwa further stated that actors who perform kissing scenes deserve commendation rather than judgment.

“It is not easy to kiss another actor. It is weird. I have not really had any good onscreen kiss. It is weird having people invade your mouth with saliva.

“It is not something we enjoy. People think we enjoy it, but we don’t. We are just doing it for the story most times. If I had my way, I won’t kiss anyone in a film… There was a day I kissed four different girls on set. I don’t blame anybody for judging us but they should applaud us instead,” he said.

  

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