Entertainment
D’banj, Simi, Obi Asika Returning As Judges On Nigerian Idol – Temjumola

The Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels at MultiChoice Nigeria, Dr. Busola Tejumola, announced that two singers D’banj and Simi, will be returning as judges for the eighth season of Nigerian Idol.
MultiChoice Nigeria is the producer of the country’s most prestigious singing competition, and the show is set to premiere on April 23rd
According to Tejumola, the superstars are being returned as judges following their experiences as performers and brilliant outing at the last edition that saw Progress Chukwuyem emerge as the winner, walking away with N100 million worth of gifts.
Speaking at the media unveiling of the show and the judges during the week, Tejumola said TV host IK Osakioduwa will return for the third time as the host of the show alongside music producer, Obi Asika who will also be a judge in his third season.
“Nigerian Idol has continued to offer talented Nigerian artists the platform to show the continent what they can do and an opportunity to rise to fame through hard work and dedication. It is a rare chance to gain access to the hands-on mentorship provided by the judges, our vocal coaches, the world-class production team and the choreographers that altogether unveil the intricacies of the industry to these talents and a chance for them to hone the skill in readiness for their contracts,” Tejumola said.
She added: “This year we are thrilled to have our entire panel of judges back – D’Banj, Simi, Obi Asika. They will return to steer the course of affairs. We look forward to a wide array of music and song choices across genres and spectacular performances that together deliver a fantastic show.”
On her part, one of the judges, Simi, said for a Nigerian Idol, “talent is not enough but must have a great work ethic and be passionate about his work”.
On the other hand, Obi Asika confessed he was looking forward to beginning the journey of choosing a new winner.
He said, “If you are going to make it to the top 20, that’s a real fight because there are a lot of people, and many fall off. Every single year, I’m upset that we left some people behind. It’s always a battle, but it’s also a pleasure. We are blessed with incredible talents. It’s one of the things that make Nigerians special. These amazing talents come through every year, and I can assure you that there are special people this season.”
The popular TV show Nigerian Idol is making a comeback for its eighth season, with auditions conducted both online and in person after Multichoice announced the show’s return in January. The season will commence on April 23, with the airing of the audition recordings.
The audition and theatre weeks will be aired from April 23 to May 21. The live shows will start on May 28 and end on July 16, with the announcement of the new Nigerian Idol.
Entertainment
‘I Died And Went To Heaven’ – Actress Doris Ogala Shares Remarkable Near-Death Experience

Actress Doris Ogala has opened up about a profound near-death experience, revealing that she died and visited heaven before being sent back to Earth.
In an emotional Instagram post shared on Thursday, Ogala described her otherworldly journey, where she was told by a divine presence that her time had not yet come.
“I may not have much time now. I have to speak up. I died a few days ago. God gave me a second chance,” Ogala wrote, recounting the surreal event that she says occurred recently.
She shared a brief video, giving a glimpse of her experience and recounting her vivid recollections of heaven.
READ MORE: RMD’s Radio Voice Debuts In Lagos, Showcasing Nollywood’s Brilliance
The actress described heaven as a peaceful and serene realm, where she felt liberated from all her earthly burdens. “I saw myself in heaven. Very peaceful. All my burdens were lifted. I didn’t want to come back. It was so cool and smooth.
“The feeling is out of this world. I was a queen. I had servants and gold coins everywhere. Believe me, this is what I saw,” Ogala recalled.
Despite the tranquility and beauty of her heavenly surroundings, Ogala was guided down a “beautiful passage” and told by a divine force that it was not yet her time to remain.
“God said to me, my child go back, it’s not your turn yet,” she explained, expressing her reluctance to leave the blissful experience behind.
Entertainment
‘I Almost Died’ – Funke Akindele Breaks Silence On Personal Struggles

Nollywood star and politician, Funke Akindele, has opened up about the emotional and psychological toll of recent events in her life, revealing that she nearly broke down completely following a series of personal and professional setbacks.
Speaking in an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, the actress detailed how the death of her mother, the collapse of her marriage to Abdulrasheed Bello (popularly known as JJC Skillz), and her defeat in the 2023 elections left her deeply depressed.
“I do not like to mourn. I remember when my mom passed on, I just wanted to get out of it quickly. I like to get out of the situation quickly. I do not allow myself to break down, and it affected me after my mom’s death. And I almost died,” Akindele said.
READ MORE: How Male Celebrities Shine At Funke Akindele’s Movie Premiere
She also addressed her ongoing struggles as a single mother, alleging that her estranged husband has failed to take responsibility for their twin boys, born in 2018.
“I lost my mum, my marriage fell apart, I lost in politics, I have to get back to work, I have to earn a living. I have children I’m raising alone and you are stressing me,” she said.
Recall that Akindele and JJC Skillz were married in 2016 and ended their union in 2022.
The music producer announced their separation in a post on Instagram, stating:
“I’m making this announcement to clear the public that we both are pursuing separate lives. We still have issues such as the custody and wellbeing of our children to be addressed, as well as business interests which need to be disentangled, but I have no doubt that these will be resolved in one way or the other.”
However, Akindele’s recent comments suggest that the issues concerning co-parenting remain unresolved.
In the interview, she recounted a moment when online criticism pushed her to the edge.
“My heart was aching and something happened online. For the first time I took my phone, I went live on social media and I’m like, you all should leave me alone. Do I know this person? No, this person came to act in my movie, got paid, and left. Why are you accusing me of something I didn’t do wrong?” she said.
“Do you know what I’m going through?… So, for the first time, I cried. I broke down for weeks,” she added.
Entertainment
I Want To Fight Anthony Joshua – Portable

Nigerian street-hop sensation Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has withdrawn from his planned celebrity boxing match with fellow artist Darlington Achakpo Okoye, aka Speed Darlington.
The controversial singer made the announcement in a video shared on his Instagram, where he declared that he no longer wished to face Speed Darlington, calling the rapper an unworthy opponent.
Portable took it a step further by challenging former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, to a match, demanding a prize purse of 100 million naira.
READ ALSO: Singer Portable Arraigned In Ogun Court Over Alleged Assault On Officials
“I’m not fighting Speed Darlington again; I want Anthony Joshua with 100m,” Portable boldly declared in the viral clip, which quickly gained traction online.
In the video, Portable also accused Speed Darlington of using the planned boxing match as a publicity stunt to promote his upcoming show set for April.
He further asserted that his standing in the Nigerian music scene is far superior to that of Speed Darlington, who had recently made headlines after his release from Kuje Prison in January, where he was detained for allegedly defaming Afrobeat star Burna Boy.
The announcement comes just days after Speed Darlington began training for the match.
In a mocking video, the rapper was seen buying a coffin, which many interpreted as a taunt toward Portable, before heading to the gym with his trainer to work on his fitness for the planned showdown.
The boxing event was originally scheduled to take place on April 18, 2025, at the Balmoral Convention Center in Lagos State.
However, Portable’s sudden withdrawal has cast doubt on the future of the fight, leaving fans uncertain about the prospect of seeing the two entertainers in the ring.
For now, the anticipated celebrity clash seems to be off the table — at least until another twist in this ongoing drama emerges.