Entertainment
Comedian AY Breaks Silence On Long Time Rift With Colleague
Popular comedian, Ayodeji Richard Makun, better known as AY has recently spoken out about his fallout from his colleague, Bright Okpocha a.k.a Basketmouth.
In 2022, during an Instagram question and answer session, AY had stated that Basketmouth possessed an unmanageable sense of superiority and he had to stay clear of his colleague’s constant immaturity in order to preserve his own mental well-being.
However, in his recent interview with popular media personality Chude Jideonwo, AY shed more light on his controversial statement in 2022.
In his word: “In 2006, Basketmouth usually had multiple wedding gigs on Saturdays’. So what he used to do at that point in time was to attend one, and at a point, leave the venue to catch up in the other venue, and then he will need someone else to stand in for him. That was the opportunity one got, of which I’m very appreciative of till date.
“Now, One of the gigs that I got his endorsement to go stand in. Usually, what we get at that time is N30,000 and 30,000 at that time was everything to me. I got this job, and the people weren’t too happy to see me because they were expecting Basketmouth to come, but the guy was later happy after my performance. There was an exchange of contacts. Then I left.
“Two weeks later, I haven’t seen 30k. Because I didn’t see the 30k, and I was starving, I decided to ask for 30K, and he said this person hasn’t remitted, this person hasn’t paid, And then i was like, but this person said he was impressed and happy? Me, I don’t care if you give Basketmouth 100k for the job, but my 30k is my 30k.
“It was very funny to now heard from them that the full payment had been made long before the event. I forwarded their message to one another. So they now started fighting and all of that. I didn’t do that because I wanted to get at Basketmouth. But because I was hungry, I was hustling and I needed food on the table at the time.”
Another portion of the interview, posted by Jideonwo on social media, also revealed more about the longstanding rift that has left them as sworn enemies over the years.
According to AY, after the 2006 incident, he attempted to attend Basketmouth’s wedding but wasn’t permitted into the venue.
He said: ”When we arrived, my wife’s name was on the guest list, but my own was noticeably missing. I was looking at my wife, my wife was looking at me, and she said, let’s be going home since you are not qualified to enter.”
“It’s so bad that my name will be removed from an event sometimes. Basket will be at an event. Maybe AY is on the bill, and he won’t introduce me if he’s the MC. I will just go and pick up my mic on the floor and go and do my thing. But I never gave up. Every opportunity, maybe the wife gives birth, I would go with my wife, or maybe something is going on. I kept doing everything.
”One day, Basket was in the club with a glass of drink, so I walked up to him. I said: Bright Okpocha (He’s my senior colleague but my junior in real), how far my guy. As you can see, God has blessed us. You have a house in Lekki, I have a house. You have a child. I have a child. This thing that happened in 2006 guy drop am.
“And my dear colleague looked at me eyeball to eyeball and said, I’m a beast. I don’t forgive.”
Meanwhile, in 2021, during a Black Box interview with media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Basketmouth stated that his falling out with AY was due to a breach of loyalty.
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.
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“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.
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“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.
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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.
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