The highly anticipated Big Brother Naija reality show has officially announced the commencement date for its Season 9 edition.

The announcement was made by the show organisers on their official Instagram page on Friday evening.

According to the graphics posted, the show, which will span 71 days, is set to begin on 28th July 2024. The organisers have intriguingly titled this year’s edition “Two Journeys in One House”.

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“BBNaija Season 9 is HERE! This is a must-follow Season! Get ready for double the drama, ships, and HUGE competition! Cameras 24/7 for 71 days. Don’t miss the premiere on 28th July at 7 PM WAT,” the organisers stated.

Earlier hints had suggested that the show would take place in July, and now fans can mark their calendars for the exciting premiere at the end of the month.

Doyinsola Anuoluwapo David, popularly known as Doyin, a former Big Brother Naija contestant, recently disclosed her disconnection from the ongoing economic difficulties in Nigeria.

In a podcast interview with YouTuber, Olufemi Daniel, Doyin admitted to being largely insulated from the harsh realities that many Nigerians face daily.

“I am the most detached Nigerian you can ever meet. I don’t even know what is happening. I don’t know the price of anything. I don’t go to the market. I send my chef and they don’t tell me what the price is,” Doyin confessed.

She acknowledged hearing about the country’s hardship and expressed sympathy for those affected. Doyin noted the rising costs of various items, such as wigs, makeup, nails, cars, and houses, but admitted she is unaware of the prices of basic foodstuffs like tomatoes.

READ MORE: I Won’t Marry Man Who Can’t Afford A Cook, Cleaner – BBNaija’s Doyin

“It’s sad because people are suffering. I’m sure because we see things on social media. I also went to the market one time at Ogba, and I cried that day because I saw how people were suffering. People were reacting to ₦50,000 like it was ₦5 million. That shows how badly people are suffering,” she added.

Doyin criticised Nigeria’s leadership, describing the country as a “shithole” and lamenting the lack of care from those in power. Despite her pessimism about immediate solutions, she advised people to do their best to support themselves and their families and suggested that relocating abroad could be a viable option.

“I hope we’ll have a country one day where the average Nigerian can at least feed. That should be the basics. But we are not there yet. I hope we get there one day,” she concluded.

The custody battle between Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido and his first baby mama, Sophia Momodu, has taken a new turn.

Dele_Momodu, a renowned journalist and Sophia’s uncle, has disclosed that the court has referred the case for possible settlement through alternative dispute resolution (ADR). This development comes amid a highly publicised legal struggle over the custody of their daughter, Aurora Imade Adeleke.

In a statement shared on his official social media handles, Momodu urged both parties to engage sincerely with the ADR process and to avoid making harmful statements on social media. He emphasised the importance of prioritising the welfare of their daughter and keeping the matter out of the public eye.

“The court yesterday referred the case for possible settlement by ADR during Settlement Week. I strongly advise that David and Sophia should engage truly with the process instead of making harmful and irreversible statements on social media, which not only violate the law but also harm the interests of their child,” Momodu wrote. He added, “I have spent the past nine years trying to ensure amicable resolution of disputes and encouraging both parents to establish a proper structure for their daughter’s welfare. It is important to note that Sophia did not initiate this court action; she is only seeking to protect their child and ensure there is a structured, safe, and sustainable way for the father and child to engage with each other.”

READ MORE: Chivido 2024: Davido, Wife Chioma Depart Nigeria After Lavish Wedding

This development follows a series of allegations and counter-allegations from both parties. Sophia Momodu recently filed a 102-paragraph counter-affidavit in response to Davido’s lawsuit seeking joint custody of their daughter. In her affidavit, Momodu, represented by her legal team led by Anthony Idigbe SAN of Punuka Attorneys and Dr Bimpe Ajegbomogun, accused Davido of being an absentee father and failing to fulfil his responsibilities.

Davido, on the other hand, claimed that he has consistently met his financial obligations towards their daughter and that Sophia has made unreasonable demands aimed at frustrating him. He is seeking joint custody and unrestricted access to ensure he remains an active part of Imade’s life.

Sophia Momodu’s counter-affidavit also detailed instances of alleged neglect and inappropriate behaviour by Davido. She claimed that the musician only visited their daughter when it suited his media image or to fulfil his sexual desires. Momodu stated that Davido had refused to see their daughter since July 2022 by his own choice and that she had solely borne the responsibility for their daughter’s care for the past two years.

In response, Davido took to his official X page (formerly Twitter) to express his frustration over the allegations. “You constantly bring up the death of my child at any point you can to remind us of this tragedy that haunts us every day of our lives. Imade will grow up to see that I fought for her. As for now, you can have her. P.S.: She won’t be a child forever. Enjoy Imade Aurora Adeleke! Your father loves you!” he wrote.

The legal tussle has seen heated exchanges, with both parties accusing each other of various wrongdoings. Sophia alleged that Davido used their daughter for media stunts and promotions, while Davido claimed that Sophia’s demands were unreasonable and aimed at harassment.

The court proceedings have also drawn attention to the publication of hearing notices in national newspapers, where the name of their daughter was mentioned multiple times. Chief Idigbe, representing Sophia, highlighted this issue and reminded the court of the provisions of the Child’s Rights Law of Lagos State 2015, which prohibits the publication of a child’s name in such cases. The judge concurred and instructed that the child’s name should not be mentioned in future publications.