Entertainment
NIWA Investigates Jnr Pope’s Boat Mishap
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has commenced its investigation into the boat accident that resulted in the loss of lives, including Nollywood actor Junior Pope, in Onitsha, Anambra State.
NIWA expressed its deepest regret over the unfortunate mishap, which resulted in the loss of four lives on Wednesday.
In a condolence message delivered by Dakio Horsfall, the Acting General Manager (Marine) of the authority, NIWA extended condolences to the Actors Guild of Nigeria and the families of the victims for their losses.
The incident, involving two boats on the River Niger en route to Asaba, Delta State, reportedly occurred around 2:00 PM on Wednesday.
The accident involved an unregistered fiberglass boat carrying 12 individuals and a privately owned wooden boat with a single driver.
Tragically, four individuals lost their lives, while seven others were rescued from the incident.
He said: “Preliminary reports indicated that the accident resulted from a frontal collision between the two boats due to over speeding.
“Sadly, two people died at the scene of the accident, two more bodies were recovered 24 hours later off-site, while 7 persons were rescued.
“Consequently, the Authority commiserates with the families of the deceased persons and pray that the good Lord will repose the souls of the departed”.
He mentioned that upon receiving the report of the accident through its community-based network, NIWA promptly dispatched its search and rescue team to the site to initiate immediate rescue operations.
He added that the team, along with local divers and other stakeholders, swiftly mobilized and have been tirelessly conducting search and rescue operations since Wednesday.
He said “As of the last count, one person is still unaccounted for. Also, the Marine Department of NIWA has activated its accident investigation mechanism with a view to determining the cause(s) of the accident and make appropriate recommendations.”
The manager emphasized the importance of all inland waterways users strictly adhering to established safety protocols, including the completion of passenger manifests at loading and offloading points.
He reiterated that wearing life jackets while on the waterways is mandatory, as well as avoiding over-speeding and respecting weather conditions at all times.
Horsfall expressed appreciation to the Marine Police, local divers/fishermen, Maritime Unions, and other compassionate Nigerians who supported the Authority in its rescue endeavors.
Nonetheless, NIWA reassured all Nigerians of its ongoing commitment to enhancing safer inland waterways for everyone’s use.
Controversial Nigerian singer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington or Akpi, has been released from Kuje Prison following a court directive.
Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju disclosed this development on Tuesday, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “Speed Darlington is out of Kuje Prison.”
The singer’s release came after an Abuja court granted him bail. This decision followed intense public pressure on the Nigeria Police Force, which led to his arraignment.
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Prior to his release, Speed Darlington had petitioned Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau, DIG Dasuki Galadanchi, over his prolonged detention. He called on the DIG to comply with a court order directing his release or formal arraignment.
Justice M.S. Liman had earlier issued an order on December 23, 2024, mandating the police to charge the singer within 48 hours or release him unconditionally.
Speed Darlington’s arrest stemmed from allegations he made against Grammy Award-winning singer Burna Boy. The singer accused Burna Boy of being involved in an immoral relationship with embattled U.S. rapper and music executive Sean Combs, also known as P. Diddy.
The situation has sparked widespread discussions, with many Nigerians expressing relief at Speed Darlington’s freedom while others continue to debate the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
Veteran Nollywood actor, Dele Odule, has opened up about the most heartbreaking moment of his life, revealing it was when he lost his first child.
The 63-year-old Yoruba movie icon shared the emotional experience during an interview with his colleague, Kunle Afod, recounting how the loss deeply affected him, especially given the challenges surrounding the child’s birth.
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Odule described the tragic news as “very hard” to bear, adding that he has since come to accept it as the will of God. Despite the acceptance, the actor expressed his fervent hope never to endure such a devastating tragedy again.
He said, “The saddest moment of my life was when I was called that my first child died. It was very hard on me. It was hard because of the situation faced during the child’s birth, but no one can question God’s authority. It was so bad that I don’t pray for it anymore.”
Known for his roles in classic Yoruba films, Odule continues to share both his professional and personal experiences, endearing himself to fans and colleagues alike.
In early January 2025, Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy fulfilled a promise by gifting $30,000 to Bethel Okechukwu, a phone repairer from Alaba Market who had claimed to be related to socialite Cubana Chief Priest.
This act of generosity occurred amid an ongoing feud between Burna Boy and the Cubana Chief Priest.
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Following the donation, Cubana Chief Priest clarified that Bethel Okechukwu is not his brother, stating, “I have only one biological big brother & two kid sisters. They ain’t doing so bad.” He emphasized that he is not obligated to support his siblings financially and urged the public to verify such claims.
As of now, there are no credible reports indicating that Burna Boy instructed Bethel Okechukwu to take any specific actions towards Cubana Chief Priest after receiving the $30,000. The narrative appears to be centered around Burna Boy’s charitable gesture and Cubana Chief Priest’s subsequent clarification regarding his familial relationships.
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