Entertainment
Nigerian comedy can go global like Afrobeats, says Basketmouth
Basketmouth says he believes the Nigerian comedy industry can gain global recognition just like Afrobeats.
Afrobeats is regarded as one of the most widely celebrated music genres in the world.
Speaking at the unveiling of ‘LOL: Last One Laughing Naija’, Prime Video’s first unscripted African original comedy series, on Thursday, Basketmouth said Nigeria is blessed with talented comedians who should be enjoying global acclaim.
The 44-year-old comic actor added that he sees the series as a perfect way for Nigerian comedy to “break into the global market space”.
“I have always imagined Nigerian comedy in a way where it is globally recognised and when I was approached and given the privy of what the event was all about, I was like this is the perfect way to break into that space,” he said.
“Afrobeats broke into the global market. But comedy in Nigeria is yet to own its own spot. And Prime Video is in over 200 countries across the globe. I was like Bright, we have talented comedians that can break into this space and this is the perfect platform to do it.
“And it is actually what we deserve in our space. We do not have our spot just yet. And this is the best way to own it.
“You guys can see that any comedian that came on the show held it down. Many people across the world will start seeing how spontaneous they are and they will start getting interested.
“So this is actually the birth of the Nigerian comedy industry to the rest of the world. And I am so proud to be part of this.”
The comedy series will see 10 Nigerian comedians compete against one another.
They will be tasked to keep a straight face and also try to make their opponents laugh and lose.
The comedians include Okey Bakassi, Acapella, Mr Funny aka Sabinus, and KieKie.
Others are Buchi, Dat Warri Girl, Taaooma, Senator, IGoSave, and Gandoki.
The winner will receive a grand prize of N40 million and donate the money to their selected charity organisation.
Entertainment
Speed Darlington petitions DIG over continued detention
Nigerian singer, Darlington Achakpo, also known as Speed Darlington, has petitioned the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau in Abuja, DIG Dasuki Galadanchi, asking him to comply with a court order on his continued detention.
In a letter addressed dated January 8, 2025, the singer’s counsel, Rosemary E. Hamza, from the Chambers of Deji Adeyanju & Partners, emphasised that the court order issued by Justice M.S. Liman on December 23, 2024, directed the police to charge Speed Darlington within 48 hours or release him unconditionally.
The letter copied to the Deputy Chief Registrar, Federal High Court in Abuja, is titled: ‘Re; Unlawful Detention Of Darlington Achakpo.’
The letter reads, “As you are no doubt aware, the Federal High Court, per Hon. Justice M.S. Liman, on the 23rd day of December 2024, directed the police authorities to charge our client to court within 48 hours or release him unconditionally.
“On January 6, 2025, the court reiterated the order and urged the police authorities to release him to the lead counsel, our own, Marshal Abubakar, who shall produce him in court for trial.
“Although our client was served with a bail term on January 6, 2025 (a copy is herein attached to this correspondence) requesting him to produce a Grade Level 16 civil servant, Marshal Abubakar, Esq and Mazi David Ihuoma, Esq were at the FIB on January 7, 2025, with a surety to fulfil the bail conditions you imposed.
“However, events and happenings on that day left much to be desired as several calls and messages sent to you by Abubakar Marshal, Esq and Deji Adeyanju, Esq were left unanswered and without response.”
“However, events and happenings on that day left much to be desired as several calls and messages sent to you by Abubakar Marshal, Esq and Deji Adeyanju, Esq were left unanswered and without response.”
The petition noted that Abubakar and Ihuoma will be coming to the FIB on January 9, 2024, with a surety to fulfil the bail conditions imposed.
Entertainment
Ivie Okujaye narrates how government officials criticised her outfit during visitation
Ivie Okujaye, the Nigerian actress, has expressed her frustration, claiming some government officials criticised her choice of outfit during a visit to their office.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Okujaye said the officials questioned her attire, suggesting it was inappropriate for a formal setting.
She said she wore a long dress paired with sneakers, which she believed was modest and appropriate.
The actress said despite her explanation, they insisted that her outfit was unsuitable, adding that she wouldn’t be allowed to dress that way if she were meeting the president.
“I went to a public office today, and the women there were like, “Actress, come here! Why are you dressed like that? Don’t you know you’re coming to a government office?” she said.
“And I was like, ‘Oh, I’m so sorry if this upsets the institution of this place, but I thought I looked decent. I’m wearing a dress that’s almost to my ankles and sneakers.’
“Then one woman said, ‘All this English that you’re speaking, if you were going to see the president, would you dress like this?’ And I said, ‘No.’ She said they would send me out of there. And then she asked, ‘Anyway, anything for us?’
“I was like, wait, how did we navigate the conversation to this point?
“But guys, do you think there’s anything indecent about wearing this to a regular government office, or am I tripping? I wore this on purpose, thinking it was the right thing to wear.”
Entertainment
OAP Do2dtun calls out Soundcity FM for eight months of unpaid salaries
Nigerian on-air media personality Oladotun Ojuolape Kayode, known as OAP Do2dtun, has taken to social media to call out a popular radio station for alleged eight months of unpaid salaries.
OAP Do2dtun took to his official Twitter page today, December 8th, 2024, to call out Souncity over the unpaid salaries. He accused the popular radio station of being very cruel and inhumane.
Speaking further, OAP Do2dtun said that it is not by force to open a radio station as he called on the popular radio station Soundcity to pay their staff the alleged eight months of unpaid salaries.
He wrote; “It’s not by force to open a radio station. Owing your staffs for 8 months is very cruel and inhumane. You don’t need a soothsayer to tell you this.
My friends and colleagues at Soundcity, how do you guys cope? No salary for 8 months ? Mehn that’s crazy!!!!.R”
See screenshot below;
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