Category News

Trending right now in Nigeria is the list of 23 Nigerians said to be on death row in Saudi Arabia over drug-related offences. They were arrested between 2016 and 2017 at King Abdul-Aziz International Airport, Jeddah, and Prince Muhammad Bin Abdu-Aziz International Airport, Madinah.

The list was first published in April after the execution of Nigerian widow, Kudirat Afolabi, who had brought into Saudi Arabia, a prohibited drug.

The list, comprising mainly Yoruba and some few Hausa/Fulani people, all muslims, was exhumed on Sunday by some Twitterati to show that crime is not limited to a particular ethnic group in Nigeria.

The list #23Nigerians was the number one trending topic on Nigerian Twitter, supplanting #Igboyahooboys, which emerged after the FBI released on Thursday the list of almost 80 Nigerians, indicted for wire fraud, romance scams and Business email compromise crimes. Later another hashtag, #yorubadrugdealers emerged.

Commenters on Sunday bemoaned how the Nigerians, from the Yoruba and Igbo ethnic groups, are destroying the national reputation, internationally.

Some commenters even wondered why Nigerians would risk taking drugs to Saudi Arabia, when they knew the consequences, if caught.

The Saudi Arabian Government said back in April that the 23 suspects concealed the narcotic substance in their rectum, an act the Saudi Government says contravenes its narcotic and psychotropic substances rules.

The offence is punishable by death. Back in April then, Saheed Sobade, another Nigerian was also awaiting execution.

“It is well-known for all those interested in travelling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that the penalty for drug trafficking is the death sentence and the said sentence is applied on all persons convicted without any exceptions, as long as the evidence is established against them, and this is conveyed to every person prior to his trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia said in April, after Nigerians criticised the killing of Afolabi.

See the full list of Nigerians arrested for drug trafficking:

The Saudis have not said whether the trial of the 23 suspects have been concluded and whether they will all face the death penalty. Their last word on the matter was published in April.

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Source: PM News

 DJ Switch and Housemate, Khafi Kareem stunned fans at the Saturday party in the ongoing fourth BBNaija season.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the party, is the seventh since the show started and the third interesting party in a row, according to fans.

Reeling with excitement over winning a 7.6 million Naira IVM fox car, Khafi showed up on the dance floor dressed in a wine coloured outfit and pulled off killing dance moves.

On her part, Disc Jockey, DJ Switch churned out dance hall tunes one after the other that kept the housemates, and fans at home, dancing.

Omashola, however, retained this title as the king of the BBNaija dance floor, showing off his skills to the rhythm of the songs.

Ike also joined the dancing for the first time in a while, instead of sitting to talk or capturing moments with the Oppo phone.

Here are some fan reactions.

@Fattyrule said, “Khafi look exceptionally pretty and happy. Cindy looks cute. Venita looks gorg as always. Mercy Issa pepper. Tacha looks yummy.”

@Iamkinfevwra said, “Khafi is feeling like the Boss lady. She got every reason to feel on top. #BBNajia #BBNaijaparty.”

@Sweetmavos said, “Khafi energy level is not here oooo…. so happy for her…It’s not easy to be a car owner…#BBNaija”

@Dapson tweeted, “Please biggie just give the 60mill to Dj switch.”

NAN reports that members of Cruisetopia are up for eviction and will know their fate on Sunday night.

…as reality show-inspired movie goes to cinema

By Benjamin Njoku

Andy Boyo, known for his big-budget movies including  ‘Untamed’, Spirit of Assassins’,  ‘Fugitive’ ‘Reflections’,  and ‘Destitute’  is at it again. The respected producer  cum director, just held a private screening of his latest flick, “House of Talents’ in Lagos, to further boost his ego.

The private screening was coming weeks after the movie  received a standing ovation during its premiere in Enugu. It will start its cinema run  nationwide from August 30.

Starring the likes of Liz Benson, Kalu Ikeagwu, Sola Sobowale , Chiwetalu Agu, Seun Kentebe and Cossy Orjiakor, ‘House of Talents’ is a movie about a talent show competition. Other  stars  include Koko Ashley, Binta Ayo Mogaji and Daniel K Daniel.

Boyo tries to use the medium to highlight on different creative talents. It explores the message that young talents should not give up on their dreams and aspirations, despite the odds. Speaking on the film which he co-wrote the script as well as composed ninety percent of performed songs, Boyo pointed out that he wanted to do something different.

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“I just returned from the United States and I realized that most movies in cinemas were mostly drama and romantic comedies. Only one action movie has done well in Nigeria so far and that’s the ‘King of Boys.’ I decided to experiment with ‘House of Talents’, it has a bit of every genre.”

By Benjamin Njoku

Nollywood actor, Femi Adebayo has described his delving into politics as a divine calling, noting that he didn’t go about lobbying for his appointment as the Special Adviser to the former Governor of Kwara State on Arts, Culture and Tourism, AbdulFatah Ahmed

.

Adebayo said this in a recent chat with Potpourri. The actor said that people started seeing him differently the moment he ventured into politics. “I cannot deny the fact that being popular as an actor has helped me to get in touch especially with people at the grass roots.”

“ I think if you are loved by the people, you should be the person to be a politician. I was called to serve as a special adviser to the governor of Kwara State. I didn’t go lobbying for it.”

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“That means you feel the people more and they in turn will feel free to express what they need from you and you will be able to execute those things you think will be of immense benefit to them.”

As the former  Special Adviser to the Governor of Kwara State,  Adebayo recalled that, he championed the rebranding of the cultures and tourist attractions in Kwara State, where he brought them  under one umbrella tagged “Our Kwara.”

Explaining further, the son of legendary actor, Adebayo Salami alias Oga Bello said: “When I got to my state, I realized we have many beautiful cultures and tourist attractions that people do not know. We decided to create awareness about the cultures and tourist attractions in Kwara State for people to know and of course, encourage investors. And to God be the glory, we were able to achieve that. I did branding for those cultures and tourist attractions, bringing them under one umbrella tagged: Our Kwara. It’s all over Kwara and that’s what makes up Kwara State: our culture and our tourism potentials.”  The actor, who trained as a lawyer but dumped the noble profession for acting revealed that  he’s currently working on the sequel of his movie, Jelili titled, “Return of Jelili.”

Adeboye said they shot the movie, which he reportedly earmarked N25 million as his budget about a year ago, in Ibadan and Ilorin.

By Tolulope Abereoje

Nigerian media personality cum Vlogger, Toke Makinwa recently advised her followers on social media to avoid people, who are stingy not only to themselves but also, to others.

Toke Makinwa

The fashionista took to her Instagram page to share a short clip of the video she had earlier shared on her YouTube channel, where she criticized men who take ladies on dates and expect them to pick the bills or they split it evenly.

“Dating a miserly man is like a disease, dating a miserly woman is like hell fire. When you’re dating a guy who is stingy to himself, its the worst kind of relationship you can be in. You’ll always be excessive in his books,” she said.

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Her caption read: “Let’s talk about those miserly people. I call it “scarcity mentality”. They hate to spend on themselves talkless of spending on other people. Dating a miser is so exhausting, even if you work hard, you will always be excessive even for the basic things of life to them. They will always find a way to make you look wasteful or feel bad for wanting more out of life.

“Stay away from people who suffer from “scarcity mentality” for your own peace of mind or you’ll defend why your kids should go to good schools, why you want more out of life, you’ll always explain yourself forever.”

By Tolulope Abereoje

In today’s world, a lot of people boast of grabbing people’s attention with their body features such as butt, legs, face, boobs and curves to mention a few. But that is not the case with Nollywood actress, Favor Thompson.

In a chat with Potpourri, Favor Thompson disclosed that her complexion is the compelling force that attracts all and sundry to her. “Whenever I ask, people always tell me that my complexion and beauty was the first attraction when we met. I’ve heard it over and over again such that I’m now used to it.

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I’m not surprised that is the attraction though; I am a skin therapist and I can tell you that I know everything that has to do with skin care and that is the secret behind my glowing skin,” she said.

Being the eldest of four children, Thompson revealed that although she has been having a swell time since she joined the movie industry, she has had an experience with directors and producers who wanted to “get down” with her, thanks to her complexion.

“Yes, I have had a few approach me and they made sexual advances to me but I bluntly refused because I know that I don’t have to mess my way to the top and with God on my side, I will reach the zenith of my career,” she said.