Entertainment
Ned Nwoko narrates how he was supposed to board missing Titan sub
Ned Nwoko, businessman and senator representing Delta north, says he was supposed to join the tourists who lost their lives in an underwater trip to see the Titanic wreck.
Nwoko spoke on Friday in a post via his Instagram while mourning Hamish Harding, a British businessman and his friend who was among the five passengers aboard Titan, the missing submersible.
The US Coast Guard (USCG) said the passengers died from a “catastrophic implosion” after debris believed to be from Titan was found near the Titanic, four days after its disappearance.
Nwoko said he was heartbroken by the loss and described Harding as a man who loved adventures and challenges.
The senator said he and the deceased businessman had gone on a few exploits together and were meant to go and see the Titanic wreck via the Titan but he opted out owing to national duties.
“We both went on a very dangerous expedition to the Southpole Antarctica a few years back. He was a gulf stream pilot who flew across the world in a record-breaking expedition by Guinness world record for circumnavigation of the earth some years ago,” Nwoko said.
“He descended into the Mariana. He also invited me on his space shuttle last year and this very Titan ill-fated adventure but I was tied down with national duties.
“Above all, he was a partner in the various researches into the eradication of malaria in Africa project. He was very enthusiastic about it and always gave his support at every given opportunity.
“His last message to me was this last Sunday when he told me they were ready to dive into the Titanic if the weather permits. He loved adventure and challenges.
“My heart bleeds for his dear wife and kids who have become family friends over the years. We will surely miss his wealth of experience.”
Also aboard Titan were Shahzada Dawood, a prominent Pakistani man and his teenage son Suleman; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French diver, and Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate, the ocean exploration company responsible for the Titanic tour.
Entertainment
Bolanle Ninalowo opens up on early career struggles
Bolanle Ninalowo has revealed how he overcame early career setbacks to achieve success in Nollywood.
In an unreleased episode of ‘Off The Top’ podcast, Ninalowo said his initial failures ultimately led to his triumph in the entertainment industry.
When asked about his motivation to persevere in an unreleased episode of ‘Off The Top’ podcast, the 44-year-old emphasised that being down can present unexpected opportunities for self-discovery.
Reflecting on his Nollywood journey, Ninalowo credited his initial failures for his eventual success.
“When you fall flat on your face and you are backed against the wall, that is when you get the biggest opportunities to discover yourself. I tell people that when I came to Nollywood, the secrets of my success are buried in my failures,” he said.
Ninalowo’s entry into Nollywood was far from smooth. He began as a producer but faced failure. He then ventured into music, only to find it wasn’t his calling. Undeterred, he returned to acting in the mid-2000s.
His breakthrough came with the 2015 movie ‘Desperate Baby Mamas,’ which propelled him to fame. Since then, the Ikorodu-born actor has appeared in numerous hit films, showcasing his versatility in both Yoruba and English movies.
Some of his notable roles include performances in ‘Fate of Alakada,’ ‘Coming From Insanity,’ ‘Breaded Life,’ ‘Lakatabu,’ and ‘Alter Date.’
Ninalowo’s resilience and determination have made him a household name in Nollywood.
Entertainment
Basketmouth reveals why he stopped being MC at weddings
Basketmouth, the Nigerian standup comedian, has revealed why he stopped being the master of ceremony (MC) at wedding events.
The 46-year-old entertainer described his decision as a “sacrifice” necessary to preserve his artistic integrity.
“Hosting events as an MC feels like adulterating the art,” he said in a chat with journalists at the premiere of his first feature film ‘A Ghetto Love Story‘.
Basketmouth clarified that he only stopped being MC at private gigs like weddings, not entirely quitting duties as host.
He added that if invited to a private gig, “I will be doing standup comedy, not the MC”.
“The only thing I have stopped is private gigs like weddings and all. It is a sacrifice I have to make because I do standup comedy, that is what I do. I did not enter this industry to be an MC of a wedding and all that,” he said.
“So I felt like I was adulterating the art, I felt bad about it and I had to stop. So if I am doing a private gig, I be doing standup comedy, not the MC.
“Let me just do my 30 minutes and bounce, but not as the MC of any event. I cannot do it anymore, that is like I am cheating on my craft. I am losing a lot of money but it is not about the money now.”
Entertainment
Rapper NBA YoungBoy pleads guilty in drug fraud case
NBA YoungBoy, the US rapper, has pleaded guilty to charges connected to a prescription drug fraud scheme.
The Louisiana rapper appeared in a courtroom in Logan, Utah on Monday, where he admitted to two counts of third-degree felony identity fraud, two counts of third-degree felony forgery, and six counts of misdemeanor unlawful pharmacy conduct.
YoungBoy, who is still serving 27 months on federal charges, also entered a “no contest” plea for 36 additional charges. He initially faced 46 state charges.
The plea deal reduced the felony charges to Class A misdemeanors.
Spencer Walsh, the judge, suspended a prison sentence, instead imposing a $25,000 fine.
The judge acknowledged YoungBoy’s prior agreement to serve over two years in prison and five years of probation for a related federal case resolved in September.
Authorities revealed that YoungBoy orchestrated the scheme from his home in Huntsville, Utah, where he posed as a doctor, using stolen identities to call in fraudulent prescriptions.
His associates allegedly collected the drugs from area pharmacies.
During sentencing, Walsh offered words of encouragement for the 25-year-old artiste.
“I’m sure that in your future, once you’re done with your federal prison time, you can be really successful on federal probation and have a really bright future where you can reach your full potential in every aspect of your life,” he said.
YoungBoy, known for his 2018 debut studio album ‘Until Death Call My Name’ and projects like ‘AI YoungBoy 2’ (2019) and ‘Sincerely, Kentrell’ (2021), is also facing an unresolved federal gun case in Louisiana.
The rapper, born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, recently announced plans to release his new album, ‘I Just Got a Lot on My Shoulders’, on December 6.
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