Entertainment
Why Nigerians Should Stop Burning Shrines, Dieties – Yul Edochie
Renowned Nollywood actor and self-proclaimed pastor, Yul Edochie, ignited a storm of reactions following his recent Facebook proclamation urging against the burning of shrines and deities.
In a post on Saturday, Edochie urged his followers to reconsider their stance on traditional practices, suggesting that not all deities are inherently evil.
The actor’s statement stirred heated debates across social media platforms, with proponents and critics alike weighing in on the matter. Edochie’s assertion that embracing traditional practices could offer a deeper connection to spirituality and cultural heritage resonated with some, while others viewed his stance as a departure from mainstream beliefs.
He wrote: “Stop burning shrines and deities. Not all deities are evil. Oyibo convinced us that all our ways are evil so we could discard our ways & embrace theirs, making slavery easy. We need to wake up & start embracing our tradition. Many deities acknowledge God Almighty. Burning them could bring you perpetual trouble. If you don’t understand something, leave it. If it’s not disturbing you, don’t disturb it.”
This is not the first time Yul Edochie has courted controversy with his public statements. The actor, who has also ventured into preaching, has previously used his platform to advocate for polygamy and encourage followers to accept Jesus, alongside his second wife, Judy Austin.
READ: Yul Edochie Warns Against Hypocrisy Among Christians
Biztellers gathered some reactions from his followers, see them below;
@Robindo Robinson said “Yes pastor, but God says you shall worship no other gods beside me. Deity means ancestral god, and a believer is not to acknowledge such coz it doesn’t safe anyone. You are either of God or the ancestral deity , u can never be in between.”
@Barrah Collins said “I am not surprised.
What do you expect from a man that called himself into Ministry.”
@Hrh Brume wrote “You don do politician, actor, singer, pastor, entrepreneur, businessman, content creation, etc… I know say you go enta native, you don dey enta small small…Native dockey
”
@Goodness Good said “Yul u are called to serve traditionally so remove that J boy from ur mouth and face tradition specifically. Ezedibia”
Nigerian music legend, Daddy Showkey, has reacted sharply to an order issued by Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, targeting individuals with dreadlocks in Minna.
In a post shared on Instagram, the Ajegunle-born artist, known for his iconic dreadlocks, voiced his outrage at the governor’s decision, questioning the link between dreadlocks and insecurity.
“Na dreadlock dey cause insecurity for the country or na dada dey worry you? What of people with mumu beard?” Showkey asked, visibly upset by the directive.
READ ALSO: Jude Okoye Freed After Two-Month Detention Over Alleged N1.38bn Fraud
The musician also revealed that he had planned a visit to Minna but was now having second thoughts following the order. “Mohamed Umar, dada be your problem? I dey to come Minna but now you have ask your security agents to cut off dreadlocks so hold your state, but make you cut your beer beer,” he said.
The now-reversed directive was reportedly given during a stakeholders’ security meeting at the Government House, where Governor Bago instructed security personnel to shave off dreadlocks and fine offenders.
Widespread criticism from citizens, civil rights groups, and public figures forced the state government to rescind the decision.
Jude Okoye, the older sibling of the famous P-Square duo, has been released from detention after spending more than two months in custody following his arrest in connection with an alleged N1.38 billion fraud.
Okoye, who was formerly the manager of P-Square, faced charges of conspiracy and money laundering, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charges accuse him of using his company, Northside Music Limited, to unlawfully divert royalties and funds meant for P-Square between 2017 and 2021.
READ ALSO: Fraud: Court Grants Jude Okoye N100m Bail
He is facing seven counts in the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, which include laundering amounts exceeding $1 million, £34,537.59, and N1.38 billion.
Part of the allegedly laundered funds was used to purchase property valued at N850 million in Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, with the money reportedly channeled through a Bureau De Change.
Although Okoye was granted bail in early March, his release faced delays due to difficulties in meeting the bail conditions.
His brother, Paul Okoye (Rudeboy), confirmed Jude’s release on Instagram, posting a heartfelt message. “Jude is finally out after two months + …all their efforts to frustrate his bail have finally collapsed. Welcome home, brother @judeengees. And happy birthday,” Paul wrote, sharing a video of Jude’s return home.
This release comes amidst a high-profile family dispute, with Peter Okoye (Mr P), Jude’s younger brother, playing a key role in the case.
Peter testified in court, accusing Jude of depriving him of his fair share of earnings by diverting substantial amounts of money through Northside Music Limited and withholding critical financial records.
“When I asked why financing had stopped, I was told, ‘As you leave P-Square, you leave the money,’” Peter testified in court.
Jude’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate Clement Onwuenwunor, has dismissed the charges as exaggerated, claiming that the case is more about family disagreements than criminal behavior.
Onwuenwunor stressed that Jude had fully cooperated with the investigation, and that the allegations stem from misunderstandings among the brothers.
The EFCC charges also include allegations that between 2016 and 2023, Jude converted more than $1 million and £34,537.59 in digital royalties for his personal benefit.
Jude has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.
The case is expected to continue, with Peter Okoye set for cross-examination when the trial resumes on June 4.
Street-hop sensation Portable has opened up about his wish for a music collaboration with Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy, revealing he would have preferred a feature over the N20 million cash gift recently sent to him by the Afrofusion star.
The singer, known for his eccentric personality and social media outbursts, disclosed during an Instagram live session that Burna Boy’s generous gesture came after his participation in a celebrity boxing match against fellow entertainer, Speed Darlington.
Despite expressing gratitude for the financial boost, Portable shared his disappointment about the silence that has followed from Burna Boy’s end.
READ ALSO: Portable Remanded In Kwara Prison For Failing To Meet Bail Terms
“Shout out to Burna Boy. Some people want to wash my brain with advice, but this man gingered my brain with the N20 million,” he said.
However, the singer made it clear that money wasn’t all he was hoping for. Portable revealed that communication between them has been non-existent, even after several attempts to reach out.
“The person who gave me N20 million has never replied to me on Instagram; I don’t have his number, and he doesn’t pick up my calls,” he lamented.
He went further to call out Burna Boy for not following him on social media despite the generous gift.
“Burna Boy, you gave me N20 million, but you didn’t reply to me. Give me a feature. Why are you stingy about replying to messages? He isn’t following me on Instagram but he gave me money.
“He is my helper but he should feature me instead because the N20 million can finish in a day. If I collaborate with the person who gave me N20 million, I will go viral,” he added.
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