Entertainment
Kizz Daniel, BBNaija, Mercy Chinwo, FIFA U-20 World cup, EPL, other top social media trends
Reality TV show, Big Brother Naija “Level Up” edition, has continued to dominate social media trends since the show kicked off on July 23.
Biztellers while keeping tab on trends, noted that a “record breaking” disqualification of a housemate and other dramas generated several reactions on the social media during the week.
On Aug. 7, BBN housemate, Beauty Tukura, known as Beauty, was disqualified after actions which Big Brother described as “out of line”.
Beauty had earlier in the week been given a strike for an altercation between her and Ilebaye, during which she pulled the housemate’s wig.
Also, on Aug.6, Beauty had a misunderstanding with Groovy after the Saturday night party and threw her wig and glasses at him while she also attempted to break the housemate’s microphone.
She was eventually issued a double strike by Big Brother, which made her the first housemate to receive a strike and also get disqualified in the first week before an eviction.
On Monday, Nigerian singer, Kizz Daniel was arrested in Tanzania during his Afroclassic Tour after he did not show up for a show which he had been paid for.
The social media was agog after Kizz Daniel was seen escorted to a police station by policemen on the orders of the show promoter.
There were different reports alleging that Kizz Daniel refused to perform because his gold chain or some clothes were left behind on his previous flight.
Kizz Daniel’s Road Manager, however, in live streamed conference on Instagram with media personality, Daddy Freeze, said lack of coordination and proper arrangement of the slated event by promoters of the show led to the misunderstanding.
Kizz Daniel subsequently apologised for the incident and decided to perform at a later date for free.
While the social media was cooling off with Kizz Daniel’s arrest, reality TV show, BBN began trending after housemates Khalid and Daniella were seen making movements under the duvet.
The housemates turned lovers were wrapped under the sheets as the camera showed movements which viewers described as “aggressive cuddling”, on social media.
On Tuesday, Nollywood was once again thrown into darkness after the news of the death of 54-year-old filmmaker, Biyi Bandele, filled the air.
Biztellers gathered that Bandele has a yet-to-be-released work, “Elesin Oba” (the King’s Horseman),an adaptation of Prof. Wole Soyinka’s classic drama, “Death and The King’s Horseman”.
The movie which he directed for EbonyLifeFilms is slated to be screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF, in September.
READ ALSO: BBNaija’s Tega Dominic advises women against abusive marriage
While the industry waa mourning the death of Bandele, another Nigerian filmmaker, Otu Njama, reportedly died on Wednesday after his lifeless body was discovered in his apartment at Badore, Ajah area of Lagos.
Njama, who was said to be in his thirties was reported to have seen his doctor before he was being told to get rest which he did but did not wake up after.
On Thursday, Nigeria’s under-20 National Women’s Football Team (Falconets), trended with about 20,000 searches in anticipation of their match against France at the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San Jose.
The Falconets later defeated France 1- 0 after Flourish Sabastine converted a pass from Mercy Idoko to a late winning goal in the 85th minute.
On Friday, Nigeria striker, Asisat Oshoala, joined the trends after she was shortlisted for the 2022 Women’s Ballon d’Or Award.
Oshoala was recently crowned the 2022 CAF Women’s Player of the Year. An award she won for the fifth time to surpass other contenders.
On Saturday, English Premiere League (EPL) team, Manchester United, trended with over 500, 000 searches on Google after the team suffered a 4-0 defeat against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
This is, however, the team’s second loss of the new Premier League season after successful pre-season matches which had given fans hope of an interesting season.
Fans of other English football clubs have continued to troll Manchester United fans with memes suggesting that other games of the team be moved to kids channel for more serious ones to occupy the sports channel.
On the same day, Gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo, trended with over 20, 000 searches after she and her husband, Pastor Blessed Uzochikwa, tied the knot in a church ceremony.
Fans and well wishers have continued to congratulate the singer, after singer and politician, Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, shared a photo of himself and the groom on his Instagram page.
Entertainment
Why Nigerians Think I’m Wicked — Patience Ozokwor Finally Reveals the Truth
Veteran Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor has opened up about the public perception that she is wicked in real life, explaining that the belief stems from the villainous roles she has played throughout her successful acting career.
Popularly known as “Mama G,” the 67-year-old actress said many Nigerians often struggle to separate her on-screen characters from her real personality.
SEE MORE: Patience Ozokwor Inspired Me To Stop Indecent Dressing – Mercy Johnson
Speaking during a recent video chat, Ozokwor stressed that the tough and controversial roles she portrays are meant to expose societal problems rather than define who she is as a person.
According to the veteran actress, she deliberately takes on challenging roles that reflect real-life issues, including family conflicts, oppression, and other social vices that many people prefer to ignore.
“I feel bold to expose the ills in society. Those things happen and nobody wants to expose them. I am exposing them,” she said.
Ozokwor noted that while she is often cast as a strict mother, troublesome mother-in-law, or other antagonistic characters, those roles are simply part of her profession as an actress.
The Nollywood icon emphasized that she is nothing like many of the characters she portrays on screen and urged fans to understand the difference between acting and reality.
“I am not like that, but I expose it. I am extremely proud of myself and Mama G lovers are proud of me,” she added.
The actress further explained that storytelling plays an important role in addressing societal issues and encouraging positive change.
She expressed satisfaction that many of her fans appreciate the deeper messages behind her performances rather than judging her based solely on the characters she plays.
Over the years, Patience Ozokwor has built a reputation as one of Nollywood’s most respected actresses, earning praise for her powerful performances and ability to bring complex characters to life.
Entertainment
Grammy-Winning Singer Talay Riley Stabbed to Death in London
Grammy-winning Nigerian-British singer and songwriter Talay Riley has died after being stabbed in East London, a tragic incident that has prompted a murder investigation by British police.
Talay, whose real name was Mark Yinka Orabiyi, was reportedly attacked around 9 a.m. on Friday on Pankhurst Avenue in Silvertown, East London. Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene but were unable to save the 35-year-old musician.
Homicide detectives from the Specialist Crime Command have since launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
READ MORE: Talay Riley
Confirming the heartbreaking news, Talay’s family released a statement expressing their grief and paying tribute to the late artiste.
“It is with overwhelming sadness that we confirm that Mark ‘Yinka’ Orabiyi professionally known as Talay Riley passed away yesterday morning,” the family said.
They described him as a Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum-selling songwriter and artist whose humour, generosity and presence touched countless lives.
“We are deeply grateful for the enormous outpouring of love and support that we have received through messages, calls and visits over the past hours,” the statement added.
Talay, the brother of renowned music producer Scribz Riley, built a successful career spanning more than a decade in the R&B music industry.
He secured a publishing deal with Global Publishing at the age of 18 before later signing with Jive/Sony Records after featuring on rapper Chipmunk’s 2009 single.
Reacting to the tragic loss, Scribz Riley shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, describing his late brother as a mentor, inspiration and a light to many.
“My heart is shattered! This doesn’t feel real. It feels like a bad dream. Just before he went to sleep we spoke about the future, staying positive and about everything we still had left to do. I never imagined that would be our last conversation,” he wrote.
He continued: “Yinka wasn’t just my brother. He was my mother’s son, a friend to many, a mentor, an inspiration, and a light in so many people’s lives. He had one of the purest hearts I’ve ever known. He loved deeply, gave freely, and touched countless people through his talent, kindness, and spirit.
“The outpouring of love already shows how many lives he impacted. You inspired so many people and your legacy will continue to live on through your music, your family, your friends, and everyone blessed enough to have known you.”
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the music industry, with notable artistes including Stormzy and Craig David among those mourning the late singer.
Police investigations into the fatal stabbing remain ongoing.
Entertainment
Singer Niniola Announces Death of Husband
Nigerian afro-house singer Niniola has announced the death of her husband, Michael Ndika, in a series of emotional posts shared on her Instagram story in the early hours of Wednesday.
The Grammy-nominated artiste disclosed the heartbreaking news with short but emotional messages accompanied by photos of herself and her husband.
SEE ALSO: BREAKING: Nollywood Star Alex Ekubo Reportedly Dies at 40 After Health Battle
“God took him,” she wrote in one of the posts.
In another post, the singer added, “My husband died,” before sharing a third message that read, “God took him. 13 years. 13 f***ing years.”
Until his death, Michael Ndika was the Chief Executive Officer of NaijaReview, a multimedia platform known for promoting afro-house and contemporary African music.
Details surrounding the cause of his death were not immediately made public, as the singer has largely kept her private life away from social media and public attention over the years.
Niniola, 39, rose to fame after emerging as one of the top contestants on Project Fame West Africa in 2013. Since then, she has built a successful music career and gained international recognition for her afro-house sound.
Her hit single “Maradona,” released in 2017, earned global acclaim and attracted recognition from international stars including DJ Snake, Drake, Timbaland, and Beyoncé.
Fans, colleagues, and well-wishers have since taken to social media to sympathise with the singer over the tragic loss.





