Entertainment
‘Almajiri’ , ‘Obsession’ , ‘Ayinla’ Win Big At BON Awards 2022
Nollywood’s top actors and musicians triumph at the 14th edition Best Of Nollywood Awards (BON) ceremony hosted by Governor Hope Uzodinma in Owerri, Imo State on December 3.
Almajiri by Toka McBaror and Obsession by Director Mo stood out as the two largest winners of the 2022 BON awards.
The awards, which were hosted by Lateef Adedimeji and Queen Nwokoye saw various entertainment stakeholders receive awards for their works in 2022, with ‘Almajiri’ winning the ‘Movie of the Year’ award.
Apart from clinching the Best Actor in a leading role (English), ‘Almajiri’ also bagged the Best Cinematography, Best Actor in a Supporting Role (English), Best Production Design, Best Child Actress, and Best Social Message awards. Giving ‘Almajiri’ a run for its money at the awards were Tunde Kelani and Jade Osiberu’s ‘Ayinla,’ Izu Ojukwu’s ‘Amina’, and Director Mo’s ‘Obsession’.
‘Ayinla’ carted away with four awards in different categories including Best Actor in a Lead Role (Yoruba), Best Actor in a Support Role (Yoruba), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Yoruba), Best Use of Nigerian food, while Izu Ojukwu’s ‘Amina’ also took home the award for Best Costume, Best Sound, and Director of the year. Director Mo’s Obsession also won the award for Best Supporting Actress (English) and Best MakeUp categories.
In the same vein, Prince Jide Kosoko, a popular thespian, and Ebele Okaro won the Special Recognition awards. The awards were presented by Governor Uzodinma, who said he was happy to host the awards ceremony in Owerri.
Kosoko and Okaro expressed delight for being recognised in the creative industry with Kosoko dedicating his award to the industry as well as All Progressive Congress presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The prize for the most promising actor went to Abayomi Alvin, and the prize for the most promising actress went to Efe Irele. Again, Abayomi was recognized for giving the best kiss in a movie. Damilola Oni and Kiki Bakare are two more honorees who received Trailblazers awards. For the Revelations of the Year Awards, Lanre Adediwura and Juliet Njemanze, Cold for Best Editing and Special Effects, Breaded Life for Best Screenplay, and Best Actress in a Leading Role for Cold.
During his statement during the occasion, Seun Oloketuyi, the founder and CEO of BON Awards, emphasized the significance of supporting the Nigerian film industry.
He said: “Nollywood brings about employment, and if properly structured and managed can be a major source of annual earnings. Looking back at the Nollywood year, it’s been tough but practitioners move on as usual while putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians. I thank Governor Hope Uzodinma for agreeing to host the event and not just paying lip service, but going all out to ensure this is a success.”
Entertainment
BBNaija’s Eloswag Responds To Leaked Sextape
Eloswag, a former contestant on Big Brother Naija Season 7, has broken his silence following the release of his private video online.
The reality star reportedly uploaded a clip featuring himself and an unidentified woman on his Snapchat account at approximately 3 a.m. on Sunday.
Though Eloswag swiftly deleted the video, it had already caught the attention of the internet.
The explicit content quickly gained traction after being reposted by the controversial gossip blog, Gistlover, sparking widespread conversations across social media platforms.
In response to the incident, Eloswag took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his frustration and consider possible legal action.
In a now-deleted post, he wrote, “I mistakenly posted a video on my Snapchat by 3am and deleted it immediately, guess who has the video? GISTLOVER? How? Please, can I sue? Because it doesn’t make sense.”
READ MORE: N1.3trn Fraud: EFCC Arrests Ex-Delta Gov, Ifeanyi Okowa
The reality star’s reaction highlights the challenges celebrities face when intimate content finds its way online.
While some supporters have shown empathy, others have engaged in heated debates about the responsibility of public figures in handling their digital content.
Eloswag’s predicament places him alongside other Nigerian celebrities who have dealt with similar scandals, such as Moyo Lawal, Tiwa Savage, Oxlade, and James Brown, whose private videos have previously surfaced online.
Legal experts have weighed in on Eloswag’s potential case, noting that while pursuing legal action against individuals or platforms that share such content can be complex, it is not impossible.
The development has reignited discussions on digital privacy and the ethical responsibilities of content-sharing platforms.
As Eloswag’s fans and critics await further updates, the incident underscores the precarious nature of online privacy and the far-reaching consequences of a single momentary lapse.
Entertainment
Nigerian Contender, Chidimma Adetshina Makes Top 2 On Miss Universe Hot Picks List
Nigeria’s Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina has claimed the No. 2 spot on the Miss Universe Pre-Arrival Hot Picks, solidifying her position as a top contender in the upcoming November 16, 2024, pageant.
As excitement builds for Miss Universe 2024, Adetshina’s ranking has sparked national pride and optimism in Nigeria, with many hopeful she could secure the title.
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Adetshina arrived in Mexico last month to prepare for the competition and has since captured widespread attention.
However, her path to Miss Universe has been marked by challenges.
Initially competing as Miss Taraba in Miss Universe Nigeria, she withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant following online backlash regarding her nationality and accusations of fraud by the South African Home Office.
This setback, however, did not deter her ambitions.
Her current standing as a top pick underscores her growing international recognition and support, positioning her as a formidable contender ahead of the competition.
Many have taken to social media to voice their support, with some declaring her Nigeria’s best chance yet to secure the Miss Universe crown.
Entertainment
FULL LIST: Nigeria Ranks 5th Worldwide For Daily Social Media Usage
Nigerians have been ranked among the top social media users globally, with 2024 data positioning the country fifth in the world for average daily time spent online.
According to figures from Cable.co.uk and We Are Social, shared by World of Statistics on X, Nigerians spend an average of 3 hours and 23 minutes per day on social media.
Leading the global list is Kenya, where users spend the most time on social media at 3 hours and 43 minutes daily. South Africa follows closely with 3 hours and 37 minutes, Brazil with 3 hours and 34 minutes, and the Philippines at 3 hours and 33 minutes.
READ MORE: Prayers Won’t Build Roads, Fund Children’s Education – Jesse Jagz To Nigerians
With an average of 3 hours and 23 minutes, Nigeria ranks just behind these top four countries in social media engagement.
Other nations with notable social media usage include Colombia at 3 hours and 22 minutes, Chile and Indonesia both at 3 hours and 11 minutes. Completing the top ten are Saudi Arabia and Argentina, with daily averages of 3 hours and 10 minutes and 3 hours and 8 minutes, respectively.
By comparison, some countries report lower social media usage. Ghana averages 2 hours and 43 minutes, Egypt 2 hours and 41 minutes, and Thailand 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Among European countries, social media engagement is generally lower, with Portugal averaging 2 hours and 23 minutes, Romania 2 hours and 20 minutes, and Italy 2 hours and 17 minutes, highlighting significant regional variations in social media usage.
Full list:
Kenya – 03:43
South Africa – 03:37
Brazil – 03:34
Philippines – 03:33
Nigeria – 03:23
Colombia – 03:22
Chile – 03:11
Indonesia – 03:11
Saudi Arabia – 03:10
Argentina – 03:08
Mexico – 03:04
Malaysia – 02:48
Ghana – 02:43
Egypt – 02:41
Thailand – 02:30
Bulgaria – 02:26
Vietnam – 02:23
Portugal – 02:23
Romania – 02:20
Italy – 02:17