Entertainment
I Was Criticised For My Role In ‘Nneka The Pretty Serpent’ – Idia Aisien
Fast-rising actress, Idia Aisien has opened up about the heavy criticism she faced for her debut role in “Nneka the Pretty Serpent.”
Specifically, some Nigerian audiences were disappointed to see a non-Igbo, dark-skinned actress play the lead role, which was originally played by a light-skinned, Igbo veteran actress named Ndidi Obi.
Despite playing alongside notable actors like Bovi Ugboma and Beverly Osu, Aisien shared that the criticism initially affected her, but she was encouraged by the positive reviews she received from the international community.
In an interview with Chude Jideonwo, the 31-year-old actress expressed her disappointment with some of the negative feedback she received upon the movie’s release in Nigerian cinemas.
“Comments about me not being light-skinned or Igbo, about me destroying what meant something to a lot of Nigerians. Nigerians loved their veteran actors. They love their Nollywood classics.
“So, it was something that I just wished people could see how much passion went into it at the time.
“But, with the international market, and the kind of feedback we are getting, I am getting messages from the Philippines, French Guiana, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica, and Los Angeles.
“I was hurt at first because Nneka is a fictional character and anyone could bring something different to the character but I don’t think that tribe and skin colour should matter.
“I mean, Black Panther was Americans pretending like they are in Africa. A lot of people who criticised it (the film- Nneka the pretty serpent), criticised it because of the choice of Nneka, which broke my heart.
“When Nneka came out, some were like, ‘we heard Idia killed it o’. This very famous female said, ‘abeg, I am sure she paid for that job’.
“She saw me recently and was nice to me. She said she finally watched it, and it was great, but you know when you hear stuff, it’s like, ‘do I take the one I heard you say’. or ‘do I take how you feel now that you have watched it’. This is why it is important to give people a chance.”
The public dispute between renowned singer Timi Dakolo and Pastor Femi Lazarus has intensified, with Dakolo now accusing the Light Nation Church founder of profiting from ministry teachings.
The controversy first erupted when the two clashed over whether gospel artistes should charge fees for performing at church events.
Pastor Lazarus, in a widely circulated video, argued that gospel musicians should not demand payment for ministering, insisting that they should trust God for provision rather than seeking financial gain.
READ ALSO: Sometimes I Suck At My Parental Duties – Timi Dakolo
According to him, gospel artistes are not mere entertainers but ministers of the gospel.
Dakolo, however, pushed back against this view, accusing pastors of pressuring gospel singers to offer their services for free.
He defended their right to earn a living, pointing out the financial responsibilities they face.
He also suggested that instead of expecting professional gospel musicians to perform without payment, pastors should focus on developing their church choirs.
Clarifying his stance, Dakolo stated that his response was made out of respect and love. He emphasized that, while he grew up in the church, he does not identify as a gospel artist.
However, he then shifted the discussion by accusing Pastor Lazarus of charging students for enrollment in his ministry school, which provides Christian teachings.
According to Dakolo, the school’s enrollment fee is approximately $150 per student, with about 1,000 students reportedly registered. He backed up his claims by sharing a screenshot that allegedly details the fee structure.
He criticized the pastor for monetizing what he described as a “freely given gift and revelation.”
“All this was said in love and with respect, sir. I am not a gospel artist but a Christian raised in church. Let’s not shift the goal post,” Dakolo stated.
“By your definition, if anyone charges to minister, they are not gospel artists; they are performers. And by that definition, if any preacher charges to teach and minister, they are merchants of hope and motivational speakers too.”
Questioning the structure of the ministry school, he added:
“Sir, you are charging as low as $150 per person for your school of ministry, teaching and preaching Jesus, probably having as much as 1,000 students. Let’s do the maths. You even have premium and standard for God’s house? Are you not selling the gift and revelation freely given to you? Again, let’s not keep shifting the goal post.”
Nigerian singer Orezi has sparked discussions on relationship dynamics after revealing that he once received ₦30 million from a woman who simply admired him.
Speaking in an interview on The Echoroom, the Rihanna crooner recounted the unexpected experience, explaining that the generous woman, whom he met in Abuja, sent him the money the day after they had fun at a club.
“The highest amount of money I’ve received from a woman? I don’t want to mention the amount I received, but okay. It was 30 million Naira, back in Abuja. I wasn’t married to her or anything, she just liked me.”
READ MORE: Afrobeats Without Me Is Not Worth listening To– Orezi
Orezi emphasized that the money was given freely, without him asking or being in a committed relationship with the woman.
“It’s not like I needed money, I have money, but she just gave me. We weren’t dating, but we had something going on. I was shocked, I can’t lie.”
The singer also pointed out that men, especially celebrities, sometimes receive financial gifts from admirers, just as attractive women often benefit from admiration.
“A lot of artistes enjoy things like that, it’s a normal thing. The same way pretty women enjoy pretty privileges; men enjoy it too. In fact, there was a friend I had in university whose school fees and provisions were handled by a woman. It’s a topic swept under the carpet a lot; women do things for men a lot.”
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Wizkid has expressed his delight with the Super Eagles’ preparation ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali.
The team, now under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Eric Chelle, held its first training session on Tuesday afternoon as they gear up for the crucial encounter.
Reacting to the squad’s intensity in training, Wizkid took to his X handle on Wednesday to praise the new-look Super Eagles.
READ ALSO: WCQ: Osimhen, Others Arrive Super Eagles Camp Ahead Of Rwanda Clash
“New Super Eagles team! Love the energy,” he tweeted.
The Super Eagles will take on Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium on Friday, March 21, with kickoff scheduled for 5 PM Nigerian time.
The team will then return to Nigeria to face Zimbabwe in Uyo on Tuesday.
With their World Cup hopes on the line, the Eagles will be aiming to secure maximum points from both fixtures to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the 2026 tournament.
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Timi Dakolo Accuses Apostle Femi Lazarus Of Charging $150 For Ministry School
