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Why Nollywood actors should be paid royalties – Stella Damasus

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Stella Damasus has suggested that a percentage of proceeds from Nollywood movies should be paid to actors as royalties.

The ace actress gave her opinion during a recent interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90MinutesAfrica.

Damasus argued that actors are usually paid meager money for their movie roles.

She said to meet their financial obligations, they shoot multiple movies at a time with little rest in between, which can adversely affect their health.

Damasus also sought that contracts include clauses stipulating that actors should receive a royalty from movies.

She said this would curb cases of Nollywood veterans pleading for financial assistance from the public in the twilight years of their careers.

“A lot of filmmakers make their films and pay the actors one-off,” she said.

“But they take the film to show in different places, sell it to different people who will dub it to different languages, sell it to different platforms, and then they keep the money.

“But the actors don’t get royalties like it’s obtainable in other places. Imagine doing thousands of episodes of a film that can show for years without you having claim to a dime in royalties.

“You shoot back to back because you are paid stipends, and you don’t have royalties. So you depend on what you are paid on set.

“Now you go from set to set and don’t have time for a proper medical checkup. You are dealing with your body in a way that you probably don’t understand, and when you are in your fifties or sixties, the health complications begin to show up.”

Damasus advised the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) to set up health insurance and emergency funds to help members during difficult times.

“The film industry should have something like healthy insurance,” she said.

“They can partner with hospitals and pay a stipulated amount monthly, even if it is for the initial consultation or tests that can be covered, for card-carrying members of the guild.”

Recently, there have been cases of Nollywood actors embarking on public fundraising to tackle medical emergencies.

These appeals have elicited mixed reactions from the public, with questions raised on how some of these actors used the proceeds they received from movies in their prime.

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Producer Adey narrates how he was shot by a police officer in Ikorodu

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Adegboyega Ikwue Ogunlesi, the music producer better known as Adey, has accused some police officers in Lagos of harassment.

In a post via X, Adey claimed that while driving on Ikorodu road in Sunday, he encountered police officers who “forcefully” took control of his vehicle, alleging that he tried to kill them.

He alleged that one of the officers swerved him off the road into a ditch. He also claimed that one of the officers shot at him.

The music producer, however, did not reveal the cause of the confrontation between him and the police officers.

“Nigerian police shot at me today, claimed I tried to kill them, and almost totalled my car by grabbing the steering wheel and driving me into a ditch. No wahala sha,” he wrote.

“Bro this man shot at me and grabbed my steering wheel to try and total my car on Ikorodu road while I was driving!”

As of the time of this report, the Lagos police have not reacted to the allegations. A message sent to Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos police spokesperson, has yet to be responded to.

Adey, who studied engineering in America, returned to Nigeria to pursue his passion for music. He has collaborated with several prominent artists, including Olamide, Ycee, Femi Kuti, and Bisola Aiyeola, a Nollywood actress.

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Mark Angel narrates how he contemplated suicide after losing $3.7m to forex in 2024

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Mark Angel, the Nigerian comedian, has revealed that 2024 was the hardest year of his life.

In an Instagram post on Monday, the content creator recounted losing over $3.7 million to a failed forex investment, which left him “financially and emotionally devastated”.

Angel said the weight of the loss was “suffocating”, adding that he found himself “drowning in debts” and watched his “properties slip into the hands of loan sharks”.

The skit maker said that in his darkest moments, he even “considered ending it all”. He, however, expressed gratitude to those who supported him during the period.

Angel mentioned that his family, closest friends, and ex-wife stood by him, offering kindness and prayers.

“The year 2024 began like every other year, but I had no idea how much it would test me how much it would break me, yet ultimately reshape me. It was the year I lost everything,” he wrote.

“I trusted the wrong hands in forex and lost all my money. Nobody knew except my family and closest circle. The weight of the loss, over $3.7 million was suffocating.

“I was drowning in debts, and one by one, I watched all my properties slip into the hands of loan sharks. It felt like my world was crumbling, and in my darkest moments, I considered ending it all.

“But God… If not for His mercies, I wouldn’t be here writing this. He sent angels into my life when I needed them the most. Blessing, my friend who became family, never gave up on me. My pastor and his wife stood by me, praying and guiding me.

“My daughters, Victoria and Mila, reminded me of the beauty of life, even when it felt unbearable. My ex-wife Mandy extended a hand of kindness I will never forget. My son, Schoolboy, showed me strength beyond his years. And Bright, my social media assistant, stood as a pillar in moments I thought I’d collapse.”

The comedian also spoke about a scandal that rocked his career, revealing that it exposed fake friends and those sabotaging his peace.

“While I was still trying to heal, undergoing therapy to recover from the trauma, life dealt another blow. A scandal hit, shaking the foundation of my career and questioning the loyalty of those around me,” he added.

“It was in that storm that God began to uncover the truth. He exposed the fake friends, the pretenders, and the ones who had been silently sabotaging my peace and my circle. It was painful, but it was necessary.

“2024 was the hardest year of my life, but it was also the year God drew me closer to Him. Through the ashes, He taught me resilience, faith, and the true meaning of grace. I don’t take it for granted that I’m alive today. To everyone who stood with me, prayed for me, and held me up when I had no strength left, thank you.

“Here’s to God’s unwavering faithfulness. If 2024 taught me anything, it’s that even in the darkest valleys, His light never stops shining.”

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Adebisi Edionseri, aka ‘Cash Madam,’ dies at 89

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A popular socialite and businesswoman, Adebisi Edionseri, popularly known as Cash Madam, has died at the age of 89.

She died after a brief illness on Sunday, January 5, 2025, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Platform Times reports.

Her passing away was announced in a statement on behalf of the family by one of her children, Dr Adebayo Adebowale.

The statement noted that the renowned businesswoman touched many lives in her family and community, as she was a “shining example of grace, dignity and unwavering faith.”

“With deep gratitude to Allah for a life well-lived, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Princess Kadijat Abike Adebisi Edionseri (née Elegbede), who returned to her creator on January 5, 2025, at the age of 89, following a brief illness.

“Her life was a shining example of grace, dignity and unwavering faith. Princess Edionseri touched the lives of many through her wisdom, kindness and dedication to both her family and her community. She taught us the importance of love, resilience, and faith in Allah, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations.

“As we grieve this monumental loss, we also celebrate the remarkable life she lived. Her laughter, warmth, and the values she instilled will forever remain in our hearts, guiding us as we navigate life without her physical presence,” the statement partly read.

Following Islamic rites, Edionseri will be buried on Monday, January 6, 2025, by 4 pm at her residence in the Abeokuta Government Residential Area of the state.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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