Entertainment
Charles III’s Coronation Marks First UK Crowning in 70 Years
After a lifetime as heir to his late mother Queen Elizabeth II, Charles III was officially crowned king on Saturday in the first coronation in Britain since 1953.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed the St Edward’s Crown on Charles’s head at 12:02 pm, symbolizing the monarch’s authority, while cries of “God Save the King” rang out from the 2,300-strong congregation at Westminster Abbey.
The coronation ceremony, steeped in 1,000 years of British history and tradition, featured sumptuous robes and priceless regalia, and was attended by heads of state and global royalty, as well as members of the public who were invited to sit alongside them.
While many of the intricate rituals and ceremonies were similar to the 39 other monarchs crowned at Westminster Abbey since 1066, Charles sought to update aspects of the service. Women bishops participated for the first time, as did leaders of Britain’s non-Christian faiths, while seasonal flowers and foliage were brought from around the country to fill the abbey. A gospel choir sang for the first time at a coronation, and the coronation themes reflected Charles’s interest in biodiversity and sustainability.
Despite the celebratory mood, police arrested dozens of protesters. The anti-monarchy movement Republic said six of its organizers were detained, while climate activists Just Stop Oil said 19 of its members were held. Both Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International voiced concern at the arrests. London’s Metropolitan Police had some 11,500 officers on the streets in one of its biggest ever security operations.
While polling indicates waning support for the monarchy, particularly among younger people, the huge crowds of royal fans camping out all week at The Mall outside Buckingham Palace indicate that the royals still have a central role in British culture and history. Many of those camping out to watch have flown in from abroad, underlining the royal family’s untouched position as Britain’s leading global brand.
Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has publicly declared love and appreciation for her former husband, Olakunle Churchill, years after their highly publicised split.
The emotional moment occurred during their son King Andre’s 10th birthday celebration held in Abuja, where Dikeh offered heartfelt prayers and words of affirmation for Churchill in the presence of guests.
In a video from the event that has since gone viral on social media, the actress described Churchill as “an amazing father” and expressed gratitude for his role in their son’s life.
SEE MORE: Tonto Dikeh, Bodyguard Summoned To Court Over Alleged Assault, Others
“You are an amazing father, thank you so much,” she said. “Your businesses will flourish; whoever curses you shall be cursed. I love you with the love of God.”
Dikeh further prayed for Churchill’s family and children, asking for divine protection, success and progress in all their endeavours.
“I pray for your family. I pray for your business. I pray for all the children. They will progress. Failure will not meet them. Everything that they touch will be blessed,” she declared.
The development marks a significant shift in the relationship between the former couple, whose marriage ended in 2017 amid allegations and public disputes that dominated entertainment headlines for years.
Recently, Dikeh revealed that they had reconciled and “buried the hatchet,” signalling an end to their long-running feud and a renewed focus on peaceful co-parenting.
Churchill later married actress Rosy Meurer in 2021, and the couple have two children together. Despite past controversies, both families appear to have embraced maturity and mutual respect.
The birthday celebration and Dikeh’s public declaration have since sparked mixed reactions online, with many applauding the former couple for putting aside differences for the sake of their son.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor.
According to the statement, the governor approved the appointment as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen communication between the government and the people of Edo State.
ALSO READ: Court Grants Angela Okorie ₦5m Bail Over Alleged Cyberbullying of Mercy Johnson
“This is to inform the general public that Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of Mercy Johnson-Okojie as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy,” the statement read.
Johnson-Okojie, a renowned actress, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, is widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most celebrated figures, with nearly two decades in the industry and appearances in over 200 films.
Beyond her acting career, she is the founder of the Mercy Johnson Okojie Foundation, which focuses on women empowerment, child welfare, educational support, and healthcare outreach.
The Edo State Government expressed confidence that her influence, public appeal, and grassroots connection would help boost awareness of government programmes and encourage citizen participation in state policies.
Her husband, Odianosen Okojie, represents Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
The appointment has sparked conversations across social media, with supporters describing it as a strategic move to bridge the gap between governance and the entertainment industry.
Preliminary autopsy results have ruled out food poisoning as the cause of death for two Nollywood production crew members found dead at a movie set in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, on February 7, 2026.
The victims, 36-year-old cinematographer Walter Odediran and his childhood friend Godstime Imeh, Lighting Director and Chief Officer of GeeTee Light, were discovered lifeless inside a Nissan car owned by Imeh, parked within the premises of Evercare Hospital, where a film was being shot.
SEE MORE: 2 Nollywood production crew members found dead on location
Nollywood Actress Doris Ogala Comes Hard On Gov Alex Otti Over Abia Money
According to sources, the autopsy revealed that one of the victims had an empty stomach, while the other had only a small amount of food — “almost as if he hadn’t eaten anything,” a source said.
Walter Odediran’s elder brother, Kola Odediran, confirmed that the family had received the preliminary autopsy report. He said: “The autopsy itself is complete, and no food was found in my late brother.
“The results indicate he did not eat anything. But they are going to carry out toxicology and histology tests, which will provide the definitive answers we are looking for.”
To determine the exact cause of death, experts will conduct additional tests on blood and tissue samples to find out whether the victims ingested or inhaled any harmful substances before their deaths.
These results are expected in two to three weeks.
Relatives of the deceased, as well as colleagues in the Nollywood industry, are awaiting the findings with bated breath, hoping the upcoming tests will shed light on the mysterious circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
Nigeria Wants to Export Electricity to Togo While Citizens Face Outages
Leadership Shakeup: ADC Kicks Off Nationwide Elections
‘Why My Retirement Came at the Perfect Time’ — Ex-IGP Kayode Egbetokun
Airfares Likely to Rise as Aviation Fuel Price Spikes by 80%
Shell Completes Turnaround Maintenance on FPSO, Resumes Production at Bonga
Sahara Group expands fleet with new 40,000 cbm LPG Carrier
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
