Entertainment

Strange things that happened to me —Iya Awero

Published

2 weeks ago

February 19, 2026

Veteran Nollywood actress, Olanrewaju Hassan Adeshina, aka Iya Awero has revealed many strange things that have happened to her in the course of her career.
Mama Awero, who made a name in the 70s and 80s, while featuring in a Yoruba comedy series, Awada Kerikeri, led by Ojo Ladipo, aka Baba Mero, was a contemporary of Adebayo Salami, Oga Bello.
The 75-year-old actress, who began her acting career in 1964, reliving her travails, lost two of her children in the course of her career, which spans over six decades.
In her words, “I was acting on stage at the same Glover Hall, and I went backstage to check on my child, who was backstage. When I got to where my child was, the child was already dead. Sadly, I returned to the stage to continue with the show. You know, as they say in our industry, the show must always continue.”
Talking about another nasty experience in her early acting career, she said, “I went to Baba Mero, who was my boss’, burial, with my child. After the burial, we went to bed only to wake up to a dead child. These are sad experiences on the job, but again, we thank God for where we are because one has to move on, irrespective of whatever has happened. I moved on, and here I am today. I have children who are successful and doing great – in fact, one of them is in the industry, and he’s my manager.”
She lost her husband before her 35th birthday, and ever since, she has refused to remarry.

Entertainment

I never liked being an actor, says Oga Bello’s son

Published

13 hours ago

March 7, 2026

The Exclusives

Sadiq, one of the children of a Nollywood icon, Adebayo Salami, aka Oga Bello, has revealed his aversion to what many see as a family profession.

Sadiq’s brother, Femi Adebayo, is one of the A-list in the industry and is currently doing very well.

The patriarch of the Adebayo’s Oga Bello is one of the oldest living actors in Nigeria.

In what appears to be a departure from the norm, Sadiq, a production manager, in an interview, expressed his reservations about acting.

Reacting to why he chose to be behind the cameras, after a stint with acting said,” I didn’t feel the urge even till now because I never liked acting from the beginning. I’m a bit shy, and I don’t like crowds. I like to do my things discreetly. I don’t like it when I walk on the street, and people recognise me. I like my freedom.”

Sadiq revealed that he started as a dancer in 1993 , adding that Tope and Lasun Ray were the lead dancers. “I loved dancing, but I acted a few times. But when I started production management, I just didn’t want to act again, taking off clothes and putting them back on wasn’t just my thing. I didn’t even like it from the beginning. “

He disclosed that he would follow the path of his father, Oga Bello, who never at any time forced any of his children to tow a particular career path.

“Our father never forced us or called any of us to say I want you to start acting or follow my path. None of us studied Theatre Arts. None of my kids is showing that trait, and neither will I force any of them to get into the industry.”

Entertainment

Segun Ogungbe: My wife and babymama are not friends

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2026

The Exclusives

Segun Ogungbe, a prominent Nigerian film producer and actor, has addressed recent speculation regarding the relationship between his wife and his babymama.

Ogungbe, speaking during a programme, disclosed that his wife Tinuke and his babymama, Wunmi Ajiboye, were never friends saying the two women had never been close or friends from onset.

He disclosed that the woman in question had earlier made advances at him, but when he did not budge, started the rumour after finding out that he had impregnated someone outside of wedlock.

According to Ogungbe, this admirer was someone who had shown interest in him for a long time but whom he had declined to marry.

“My wife and my babymama were never friends. The rumour of them being friends was a lie that was generated from social media,” he disclosed.

He explained that this admirer began helping him financially with his movie projects several years ago, as a way to support his career. During this period, she repeatedly expressed her desire for them to get married, but Ogungbe made it clear that he had no intention of taking another wife.

Later, after he became involved with someone else and that relationship led to a pregnancy outside of wedlock, the admirer found out and became upset. It was after learning about the pregnancy that she went online and claimed that his wife and babymama were friends, and this false narrative quickly spread on social media and was picked up by blogs.

“She got pissed and went online to say that my wife and baby mama were friends, and blogs picked it up from there. It’s not true.”

The story of Wumi and Segun Ogunbe trended for a long time last year.

Though Wumi and Segun have since parted ways, Segun was around during one of Wumi’s events.

Wunmi has repeatedly said that she was never married to Segun; they just had kids together.

“Segun Ogungbe and I didn’t do an introduction talkless of marriage. We were never married. He doesn’t know my people. We only have kids together. The party that people are dragging me for was not sponsored by MC Oluomo. I paid for everything myself. Segun Ogungbe came as a guest to the party, and his kids went to play with him,” Wunmi reacting, after she was dragged about the treatment Segun received when she came for her party.

“Will he chase his kids away? I was shocked that people said I turned him into a babysitter. We were already having issues then, but nobody knew. When I was in his life, I didn’t spoil his life; things were going fine for him, and now that I am not in his life, his life is still good. Everyone should please let me be and stop dragging me,” Wunmi stated further.

Entertainment

More garlands for Funke Akindele

Published

7 days ago

March 1, 2026

The Exclusives

One of the leading Nollywood actresses and film producers, Funke Akindele, was honoured by the The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), in a brief ceremony in Lagos.

She was presented with the awards she had won since 2020.

In attendance were several industry practitioners, including the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts, who was represented by the GM/CEO of the National Theatre, Mrs Tola Akerele; AVRS Chairman, Mahmood Ali-Balogun; AGN Vice President and actress, Dayo Amusa; President of the Association of Movie Producers, Dr Blessing Ebigeson; AFRIFF Founder, Chioma Ude; CEAN representative, Patrick Lee; DGN Vice President, Grace Edwin Okon, amidst several others.

Funke was presented with the Box Office Champion Award for the year 2020 with the film, ‘Omo Ghetto.’ The award was presented by the representatives of the guilds present at the event.

The box office queen was also presented with the Audience Choice Award (2024/2025) for the film, ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ presented by Mahmood Ali-Balogun; Box Office Champion (2024/2025) for ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ presented by Chioma Ude; and Box Office Champion (2025/2026) for the film ‘Behind The Scenes’ presented by Mrs Tola Akerele.

An elated Akindele expressed gratitude to every attendee, saying she appreciated the gestures.

She also reiterated that the success she enjoys today is due to her dedication, hard work, and diligence.

Speaking during the event, Dr Shaibu Hussieni said the reason for the event was that Akindele has achieved so much for herself and to the delight of the industry, such that it would not be right to present the awards to her without a proper event. He also noted that he has a career history with Akindele, which dates back many years and is happy to have been associated with her.