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.
Popular Nigerian TikTok stars Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, and Amadou Elizabeth Aminata, better known as Jarvis or Jadrolita, have fired back at critics of their recent wedding, urging them to stop being envious and focus on their own lives.
The couple, whose wedding became one of the biggest talking points on Nigerian social media over the weekend, shared a now-viral video of themselves dancing and singing while seemingly addressing those who questioned their decision to marry at a young age.
SEE MORE: ‘Show Me Where I Said Don’t Marry’ — GehGeh Fires Back After Viral Wedding Backlash
In the video, the newlyweds sang: “Na we dey love, na them dey cry. Go and make it. No dey jealous. Na we dey buy car. You will run mad. Stop thinking.”
The clip quickly gained traction online, with many social media users interpreting it as a direct response to the criticism that followed their wedding.
Reacting to the video, a social media user identified as Lombardio commented, “This boy did the worst mistake of his life, but he has no idea. Here in America, before you agree to a court wedding with a woman, you need to sign a valid prenuptial agreement.”
However, others defended the couple’s decision.
Another user, Osinachi Wisdom, wrote, “This marriage will favour them; many people expect them to break up later, but believe me, their union will be one of the best. Kudos.”
Similarly, another commenter, Jay, praised the couple for embracing each other’s imperfections.
“They both saw and knew their shortcomings; still, they got married. That’s real love. Marriage isn’t about love alone but the ability to manage the shortcomings. I wish you two everlasting happiness and peace in your union,” Jay said.
Peller and Jarvis’ wedding, held on Saturday, attracted congratulatory messages from fans, celebrities and fellow content creators.
However, it also sparked debate, with some Nigerians arguing that the pair were too young and questioning whether they were emotionally and financially prepared for marriage.
Despite the backlash, many supporters maintained that age should not determine the success of a marriage, insisting that mutual understanding, commitment and compatibility are more important.
Africa’s biggest reality television show returns today as Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) Season 11 officially premieres, with millions of fans across Nigeria and beyond eagerly waiting to meet a fresh set of housemates competing for the biggest prize in the show’s history.
The new season, themed “Everything Is For The Taking,” promises another 10 weeks of non-stop entertainment, drama, unexpected twists, strategic alliances and fierce competition as contestants battle for glory inside Biggie’s house.
SEE MORE: Why I’m Giving Back To Ekiti Youths Through Sports – BBNaija’s Kaybobo
In what has become the most lucrative reward since the reality show began, organisers have unveiled a record ₦160 million grand prize, comprising ₦100 million in cash and a brand-new SUV, raising the stakes higher than ever before.
As with previous editions, the identities of this season’s contestants have been kept secret ahead of the opening night, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the moment the new housemates walk through Biggie’s famous doors.
Popular media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu returns as the host of the hit reality show. Beyond anchoring the live eviction and launch shows, Ebuka’s launch-night fashion has become one of the programme’s biggest attractions over the years, with viewers once again looking forward to his signature stylish appearance.
Time and How to Watch
The BBNaija Season 11 premiere begins at 7:00 p.m. (WAT) today.
Fans can watch the live launch on:
Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151)
Africa Magic Family (DStv Channel 154 and GOtv Channel 7)
Viewers who prefer streaming can also follow the premiere live through the DStv Stream and GOtv Stream apps on compatible smartphones, tablets and smart TVs.
Following the launch show, fans will have unrestricted access to every moment inside Biggie’s house through the 24-hour live broadcast on DStv Channel 198 and GOtv Channel 49, allowing viewers to keep up with the contestants throughout the season.
With a record-breaking grand prize, a brand-new lineup of housemates and another unpredictable journey ahead, BBNaija Season 11 is widely expected to deliver one of the most competitive and entertaining editions of the reality show.
Popular Nigerian content creator and self-styled relationship and finance influencer, Emmanuel Obruste, popularly known as GehGeh, has responded to criticism after videos of him attending what appeared to be a traditional wedding ceremony sparked widespread reactions online.
The controversy began after GehGeh shared videos from the event on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday.
SEE ALSO: Child Marriage, Abuse Are Not Culture — Kano Emir Issues Strong Warning
In the clips, he was seen dressed in a matching burgundy traditional outfit with a lady, while an invitation card identified the couple as Mary and Prosper, leading many social media users to speculate that the influencer had secretly tied the knot.
The videos quickly went viral, with several Nigerians accusing GehGeh of hypocrisy, claiming his appearance at the ceremony contradicted the relationship advice he is known for giving on social media.
Addressing the backlash, GehGeh dismissed the claims, insisting that he has never advised anyone against marriage. He also clarified that he was only representing his brother, who lives abroad.
“So I no fit represent my brother wey dey abroad?” he wrote in one of his posts.
Responding directly to critics, GehGeh challenged anyone to produce evidence that he had ever discouraged marriage.
“I never for once told y’all not to get married. Did I? If yes, show me a video of me telling you not to marry.”
He further argued that many Nigerians misunderstand how social media works, saying: “Nigerians really don’t understand how social media works. If you know how to use it properly, you will never lack.”
Despite his clarification, the incident has continued to generate mixed reactions across social media, with some users accepting his explanation while others remain sceptical.
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