Entertainment
BBNaija host Ebuka Obi, other celebrities pay tribute to Rico Swavey
By Funmilayo Olusanya
Former Big Brother Naija Season 3 housemate Rico Swavey has been receiving a flood of condolences following his death in an auto accident.
The reality star, aged 29, was put on life support due to the effects of the accident.
His management and the deceased teammates Alex Unusual and Tobi Bakre confirmed that he was in serious condition while pleading for everyone to hope for a miracle.
Read also>>>Ex-Big Brother Naija star, Rico Swavey is dead
His close coworkers and friends announced his death on Thursday morning. Rico, as he was affectionately known, didn’t make it.
On their social media pages, celebrities among many who paid tribute are;
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu said: “The actual warmest human being. This is truly heartbreaking… Rest in Peace Rico.”
Kate Henshaw tweeted: “Death is never easy to accept…. no matter how hard we try to be strong in the face of it, it still hits a nerve… Receive his soul O Lord and comfort his loved ones left behind. Remind them daily that you are with them always. RIP Rico.”
Tobi Bakre wrote: “This is how I’ll always remember you. Rest in Peace my Brother.
Alex Unusual stated: “This was not what we agreed Rico. Rest In Peace #ricoswavey.”
Toyin Lawani wrote: “Aye yi ,aye asan just make sure you make your mark , Man like Rico , Today is indeed a sad day. I can never forget how wonderful, respectful and kind you are. This death was really untimely, But it was a blessing to have had you on this earth with us Rip Rico rest on.”
Groovy tweeted: “This is so unreal. This was just on Sunday at the winners party. My Team had told me Rico was around and I immediately went over to him to say thank you for all the support and love.We lost a Real one. God give your family strength to bare this loss RIP RICO.”
Beverly Naya said: “Was praying it wouldn’t get to this, RIP Rico. He was literally the sweetest soul, working with him on Tinsel was always such a joy. Always smiling, always joking, always laughing. This is heartbreaking, gone way too soon. Praying for his family and loves ones.”
Ifuennada wrote: “This is how I’ll always remember you Rico. You were the best of us, so full of life, so kind-hearted, so easy-going, so hardworking, so talented. You were a great friend and you loved me even at my worst. You were so supportive. I’m so sorry this happened to you. I’ll always remember you Rico. Thanks for sharing your light with this world. Rest in Power.”
MI Abaga said: “RIP Rico Swavey Life can be so cruel.”
Erica Nlewedim stated: “RIP Rico. God help us.”
Beauty Tukura tweeted: “I didn’t get to know you much but it hurts still. RIP Rico I pray God grants his family & friends all the comfort during these times.”
Entertainment
Why Nigerians Think I’m Wicked — Patience Ozokwor Finally Reveals the Truth
Veteran Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor has opened up about the public perception that she is wicked in real life, explaining that the belief stems from the villainous roles she has played throughout her successful acting career.
Popularly known as “Mama G,” the 67-year-old actress said many Nigerians often struggle to separate her on-screen characters from her real personality.
SEE MORE: Patience Ozokwor Inspired Me To Stop Indecent Dressing – Mercy Johnson
Speaking during a recent video chat, Ozokwor stressed that the tough and controversial roles she portrays are meant to expose societal problems rather than define who she is as a person.
According to the veteran actress, she deliberately takes on challenging roles that reflect real-life issues, including family conflicts, oppression, and other social vices that many people prefer to ignore.
“I feel bold to expose the ills in society. Those things happen and nobody wants to expose them. I am exposing them,” she said.
Ozokwor noted that while she is often cast as a strict mother, troublesome mother-in-law, or other antagonistic characters, those roles are simply part of her profession as an actress.
The Nollywood icon emphasized that she is nothing like many of the characters she portrays on screen and urged fans to understand the difference between acting and reality.
“I am not like that, but I expose it. I am extremely proud of myself and Mama G lovers are proud of me,” she added.
The actress further explained that storytelling plays an important role in addressing societal issues and encouraging positive change.
She expressed satisfaction that many of her fans appreciate the deeper messages behind her performances rather than judging her based solely on the characters she plays.
Over the years, Patience Ozokwor has built a reputation as one of Nollywood’s most respected actresses, earning praise for her powerful performances and ability to bring complex characters to life.
Entertainment
Grammy-Winning Singer Talay Riley Stabbed to Death in London
Grammy-winning Nigerian-British singer and songwriter Talay Riley has died after being stabbed in East London, a tragic incident that has prompted a murder investigation by British police.
Talay, whose real name was Mark Yinka Orabiyi, was reportedly attacked around 9 a.m. on Friday on Pankhurst Avenue in Silvertown, East London. Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene but were unable to save the 35-year-old musician.
Homicide detectives from the Specialist Crime Command have since launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
READ MORE: Talay Riley
Confirming the heartbreaking news, Talay’s family released a statement expressing their grief and paying tribute to the late artiste.
“It is with overwhelming sadness that we confirm that Mark ‘Yinka’ Orabiyi professionally known as Talay Riley passed away yesterday morning,” the family said.
They described him as a Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum-selling songwriter and artist whose humour, generosity and presence touched countless lives.
“We are deeply grateful for the enormous outpouring of love and support that we have received through messages, calls and visits over the past hours,” the statement added.
Talay, the brother of renowned music producer Scribz Riley, built a successful career spanning more than a decade in the R&B music industry.
He secured a publishing deal with Global Publishing at the age of 18 before later signing with Jive/Sony Records after featuring on rapper Chipmunk’s 2009 single.
Reacting to the tragic loss, Scribz Riley shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, describing his late brother as a mentor, inspiration and a light to many.
“My heart is shattered! This doesn’t feel real. It feels like a bad dream. Just before he went to sleep we spoke about the future, staying positive and about everything we still had left to do. I never imagined that would be our last conversation,” he wrote.
He continued: “Yinka wasn’t just my brother. He was my mother’s son, a friend to many, a mentor, an inspiration, and a light in so many people’s lives. He had one of the purest hearts I’ve ever known. He loved deeply, gave freely, and touched countless people through his talent, kindness, and spirit.
“The outpouring of love already shows how many lives he impacted. You inspired so many people and your legacy will continue to live on through your music, your family, your friends, and everyone blessed enough to have known you.”
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the music industry, with notable artistes including Stormzy and Craig David among those mourning the late singer.
Police investigations into the fatal stabbing remain ongoing.
Entertainment
Singer Niniola Announces Death of Husband
Nigerian afro-house singer Niniola has announced the death of her husband, Michael Ndika, in a series of emotional posts shared on her Instagram story in the early hours of Wednesday.
The Grammy-nominated artiste disclosed the heartbreaking news with short but emotional messages accompanied by photos of herself and her husband.
SEE ALSO: BREAKING: Nollywood Star Alex Ekubo Reportedly Dies at 40 After Health Battle
“God took him,” she wrote in one of the posts.
In another post, the singer added, “My husband died,” before sharing a third message that read, “God took him. 13 years. 13 f***ing years.”
Until his death, Michael Ndika was the Chief Executive Officer of NaijaReview, a multimedia platform known for promoting afro-house and contemporary African music.
Details surrounding the cause of his death were not immediately made public, as the singer has largely kept her private life away from social media and public attention over the years.
Niniola, 39, rose to fame after emerging as one of the top contestants on Project Fame West Africa in 2013. Since then, she has built a successful music career and gained international recognition for her afro-house sound.
Her hit single “Maradona,” released in 2017, earned global acclaim and attracted recognition from international stars including DJ Snake, Drake, Timbaland, and Beyoncé.
Fans, colleagues, and well-wishers have since taken to social media to sympathise with the singer over the tragic loss.





