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BBNaija S7: Prohibit smoking of Tobacco by housemates, group urge NBC

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BBNaija: Five ways to vote for housemates nominated for eviction

Eunice Oluwafunmilayo

The National Broadcasting Commission has been petitioned by the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance to forbid Big Brother Naija Season 7 housemates from smoking.
The National Tobacco Control Act of 2015’s restriction on tobacco promotion, according to the organisation, has not prevented tobacco advertising from appearing in Nigerian movies and online.
This information was released in a press release on Wednesday that was signed by its program officer, Chubuike Nwokorie.
The group also encouraged everyone involved, including the federal government, to enforce the country’s ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship more strictly.
Part of the statement read, “One of the most notorious violators of the TAPS ban is Smoke Box NG, a tobacco vendor that advertises tobacco products on social media with impunity.
“In 2021, Big Brother Naija, a popular reality TV show, hosted on the GOTV and DSTV platforms, sparked public outrage when its participants flagrantly smoked on live TV.
“This depiction of smoking as glamorous challenged the provisions of the NTC Act, 2015 on on-screen smoking. It also threatened the gains made on the ban on TAPS in Nigeria. When it happened, the tobacco control community called on the National Broadcasting Commission to act immediately.
“This year, as the programme is about to begin its 7th season, we are drawing the attention of NBC to proactively engage the organisers of the show to ensure that there is no repeat of last year’s violations.
“We wish to make it clear that should there be reluctance on the part of the regulators or the organisers to ensure a smoke-free programme, we will explore every available option in the interest of public health. It is important to note that entertainment products set the agenda for many young people because they are the eyes through which they see the world.
“We sound a note of caution to the organisers of BBN and a reminder of their responsibility towards the Nigerian population.
“At this time when Nigerians are hungry for quality leadership, a programme with such national reach must be used to portray high-standing role models for the Nigerian people.
“The National Film and Video Censors Board must live up to its responsibility of ensuring that all videos made and consumed in Nigeria strictly abide by the provisions of the NTC Act as it applies to the regulation of on-screen smoking and must see to the inclusion of text warnings or outright removal of needless on-screen smoking depictions.

READ ALSO: BBNaija Organizers announce season 7 date, grand prize

“The National Communications Commission and the National Information Technology Development Agency must monitor, and sanction violators of the TAPS ban in the digital space.
“Finally, we charge all agencies of government tasked with the responsibility of enforcing the NTC Act and its Regulations to work together and ensure that the ban on direct and indirect tobacco advertising promotion and sponsorship is comprehensively implemented in Nigeria in line with Article 13 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.”

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Funke Akindele, Ex-Husband JJC Skillz Reunite in Paris, Spark Reactions

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Actress Funke Akindele Attacked At Lagos Campaign

Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, and her former husband, Abdulrasheed Bello, popularly known as JJC Skillz, have sparked reactions online after they were spotted together in Paris, France, during a family holiday.

The former couple were seen spending time with their twin sons while exploring different parts of the French capital.

In a video shared by JJC Skillz on Snapchat on Wednesday, Akindele and her ex-husband were seen with their children at what appeared to be a shopping centre in Paris.

SEE MORE: Nollywood Mourns as Veteran Actor Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ Dies at 66

The video was captioned, “Family time.”
In another clip, JJC Skillz asked Akindele, “Mama Ibeji, are we playing games?”
She replied, “Yess ooo.”

The former couple were also reportedly spotted at the Eiffel Tower, according to videos shared online.

Akindele also shared a video showing herself, JJC Skillz and their children at a PlayStation section of what appeared to be a mall in Paris.

The family outing comes after Akindele and her children travelled to the United Kingdom for a holiday following the completion of her latest cinema project, The Four.

Akindele and JJC Skillz got married in London in 2016 and welcomed twin boys in 2018.

However, in June 2022, JJC Skillz announced their separation in an Instagram post, citing

“irreconcilable differences.”
Despite their separation, the former couple have continued to maintain a relationship centred around their children.

Their latest reunion in Paris has attracted attention online, with the videos showing the pair enjoying family moments with their children.

The Paris outing is also not the first time Akindele and JJC Skillz have been seen together publicly since their separation.

In 2023, the former couple were spotted together at the Lagos premiere of their movie, She Must Be Obeyed. They were seen dancing and embracing as they joined other celebrities at the event.

JJC Skillz also directed the movie.

 

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Billionaire Okoya’s Son Quits Music, Reveals Why He’s Leaving

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Nigerian Afrobeats singer Raheem Okoya, popularly known as Siraheem, has announced his decision to stop releasing new music, citing the difficulty of balancing his music career with other commitments.

Siraheem, the son of billionaire industrialist Rasaq Okoya, made the announcement in a statement shared on his official Instagram page on Wednesday.

The singer said his journey into music began as a hobby with friends before gradually developing into a serious career.

SEE MORE: ‘Gospel Music Has Power To Transform Nigeria’ – Pastor Declares

“My career began simply, music was a hobby I made with my boys as a means of bonding and connection before it was anything else,” he said.

According to Siraheem, sustaining his music career alongside his other responsibilities had become increasingly difficult over the past year.

“Over the past year, holding that alongside my other commitments has grown harder. I’ve always believed in giving everything my best and I no longer feel I can give this craft the effort, patience, and dedication it truly deserves,” he said.

Explaining his decision, the singer said he owed his fans and colleagues a professional conclusion to his current chapter.

“So I owe it to my true fans, and to my colleagues in this industry a professional exit, I have decided to stop putting out new music,” he stated.

However, Siraheem stressed that his departure from music would not end his creative pursuits. He revealed plans to diversify into other fields and pursue new ventures.

“To my fans the ‘Siraheem music’ era may be closing, but the creative in me is still hungry for new challenges, still reaching. The future stays positive. I have plans to diversify my creative palette into other fields and I will be back with new ventures,” he said.

The singer also left the door open for a possible return to music, particularly with songs he has already recorded.

Siraheem said music remains therapeutic to him and disclosed that he had spent the past year working on what he considered his best material yet.

“Music still remains therapeutic for me. With time, maybe the album finds its way into the world somehow after all,” he said.

Siraheem began releasing music professionally around 2022 and gained attention with songs including Bad Bitch Syndrome, Kowope, SOWETO and TRU$T FUND.

His debut project, By The Order Of The City, an eight-track project, was released on May 1, 2026.

Despite announcing his exit, Siraheem did not completely rule out a comeback.

“Who knows what the future still holds. Never say never,” he said.

He also thanked his fans and collaborators, Mr Fantasy and Mr Miyagi, for supporting him during what he described as an unforgettable year.

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Nollywood Mourns as Veteran Actor Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ Dies at 66

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Nollywood has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, at the age of 66.

Hassan reportedly died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, after battling cancer.

The actor’s death was announced by his daughter, Kira Taiwo, in an emotional video circulating on social media.

SEE MORE: BREAKING: Nollywood Star Alex Ekubo Reportedly Dies at 40 After Health Battle

In the video, Kira, who was visibly distraught, repeatedly said, “My daddy is dead,” as she announced the passing of her father.

The development came days after Kira and her sister, Haleemah, disclosed that the veteran actor had been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.

The sisters had appealed for public support as the family sought treatment options for their father.

Hassan was a prominent figure in the Nigerian film industry, particularly in Yoruba-language productions, where he established himself as one of the veteran actors with a long and influential career.

 

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