Entertainment
Regina Daniels fires back critics of her comment on #EndBadGovernance protest
Regina Daniels, the Nollywood actress, has fired back at critics calling her out over her remarks on the recent #EndBadGovernance protest.
Many Nigerians took to the streets on August 1 to protest against poor governance and the increasing cost of living in the country.
But in a nationwide broadcast on August 4, President Bola Tinubu called for an end to the protest “so we can create room for dialogue”.
The film star earlier came under intense criticism on social media after she condemned acts of “violence carried out by some protesters”.
“Today is August 1, the first day of the national protests in Nigeria. We all know that the masses are suffering and want a better living, hence the protest. There is nothing wrong with protesting, but there is everything wrong with violence,” she said in a video shared on Instagram.
“Once violence gets involved, it defeats the whole purpose of the protests. I urge everyone to try and make this protest as peaceful as possible.”
Some critics, however, tackled the actress for making such remarks on the protest.
They also argued that the movie star was speaking from a “privileged position,” adding that she does not understand the suffering of the masses.
However, in another footage, Daniels, who is married to Ned Nwoko, the billionaire businessman and senator, fired back at her critics.
The actress acknowledged her privileged position but stressed that it does not prevent her from protesting against the economic challenges in Nigeria since her domestic staff “need to be catered for”.
The 23-year-old also shared a video of some protesters in the north waving a Russian flag, implying that the protest was “becoming difficult to control”.
“Hoisting the Russian flag! Is that what we want? Mind you, whatever happens in the north can get to you,” she said.
“I preached against violence and ignorant Nigerians said it’s because I am privileged and opportune. Yes, the fact remains that I am privileged and opportune.
‘‘But that doesn’t stop me from understanding that my nanny needs to be paid extra or that my gate man or my cooks need to be catered for because of insecurity and extra bills to be paid in Nigeria.
‘‘The point remains that Nigeria cannot be changed in a day and not by one man. I am not speaking for the government, neither am I speaking for you people to love me because I don’t need it. I am just stating the obvious fact and that is the truth.”
Entertainment
Bimpe Akintunde warns Nigerians against scammers impersonating her on WhatsApp
Bimpe Akintunde, the Nollywood actress, has raised an alarm over a fake WhatsApp account created in her name to scam unsuspecting individuals.
The film star took to her Instagram story to share screenshots of the impersonator, posing as her to solicit money from her followers.
Akintunde expressed her frustration and disappointment, cursing the scammer for attempting to profit from her hard work. She warned the public to be cautious of the impersonator on any media platform.
The actress urged her fans to help report the scammer’s WhatsApp and bank accounts.
She also prayed that God should keep such fraudulent individuals away from her and her loved ones.
“What a morning. Tell me how this country wants to be great, when a lot of people are struggling, working hard to build a name and brand, and boom, one person will take their pictures and name only to be defrauding people up and down,” she wrote.
“Who gave birth to such a child? Useless children, may God keep them away from us.
“Please disregard any message from anyone, either in your DM or WhatsApp, asking you to send money.
“Please, it not me. I do not own this above number. I would appreciate it if we could find a way to report both the WhatsApp and the Opay account.”
Entertainment
Davido advises black Americans not to relocate to Nigeria, says ‘the economy is in shambles’
Davido, the Afrobeats star, has advised black Americans against relocating to Nigeria, citing the country’s economic challenges.
In an appearance on The Big Homies House podcast, the singer shared his thoughts on the struggles bedeviling Nigeria, stating, “It is not cool back home. The economy is in shambles”.
Davido also mentioned Nigeria’s struggles with bad leadership, a high exchange rate, and skyrocketing oil prices, which are negatively impacting the country.
“It is not cool back home. The economy is in shambles. I do my part, I am an ambassador. When I go home and I am filming, I am no going to show the bad parts,” he said.
“I am talking about the situation in the country. Now the exchange rate is messed up, a lot of stuffs are not going well.
“The economy is just not good enough. The oil price is too high. Imagine the country that produces oil, paying more for it than a country importing oil.”
Despite the challenges, Davido emphasised the entertainment industry’s positive impact on Africa’s global image.
“Regardless, entertainment is one of the thing that has made Africa look good. We do not have the best leader, that is a fact,” he said.
Entertainment
US actor Jussie Smollett’s conviction for staged attack overturned
American actor, Jussie Smollett’s conviction for fabricating a racist and homophobic hate crime in Chicago in 2019 was overturned Thursday on due process grounds.
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that Smollett, 42, should not have been charged again by prosecutors after a prior agreement saw over a dozen original charges dismissed.
It is the latest twist in Smollett’s legal saga, which began with his initial claim in January 2019 that he had been attacked on a Chicago street.
The gay African-American actor, then a cast member of the hit TV series “Empire,” said two masked men assaulted him late at night, shouting slurs and placing a noose around his neck.
Smollett staged the attack after receiving a legitimate piece of hate mail which he felt was not taken seriously by his employers, prosecutors said.
But those charges were suddenly dropped in March 2019, under an arrangement in which Smollett forfeited his $10,000 bond and agreed to do community service.
The dismissal was met with anger by some city officials, including then-mayor Rahm Emanuel, who argued $10,000 was only a fraction of the actual investigation costs.
A special prosecutor eventually took over the case and several charges were reinstated.
Smollett, who has always maintained his innocence, was found guilty in December 2021.
Though he was sentenced to 150 days in prison with 30 months on probation, he was released pending the outcome of his appeal.
He was also ordered to repay $120,106 to the Chicago Police to cover their investigation costs.
The case had initially sent shock waves through a deeply divided country still plagued by racial and sexual discrimination, and the actor had immediately received support from celebrities in political and cultural circles.
The Illinois Supreme Court ruling said that bringing the charges a second time after “the defendant has performed his part of the bargain” represented “a due process violation.”
“We therefore reverse (the) defendant’s conviction,” the ruling said.
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