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Filmmaker Shina Sanyaolu is dead

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Shina Sanyaolu, the Nigerian producer and director famous in the Yoruba film industry, is dead.

Bolaji Amusan, the president of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), confirmed Sanyaolu’s demise via an Instagram post on Wednesday.

“Sleep well uncle Shina Sanyaolu,” he wrote.

While the cause of his death and date of passing remained unknown, colleagues in the film industry have taken to social media to pay their last respects.

In a tribute post via Instagram, Jide Kosoko described Sanyaolu as a “beacon of kindness and warmth”.

“Shina Sanyaolu was just not a remarkable man, he was a beacon of kindness and warmth to all who had the privilege of knowing him,” he wrote.

“His love for arts and his unwavering support for our industry were unmatched. Shina was always there for us, offering a helping hand and opening doors where there seemed to be none.

“For those of us who traveled to the UK in the 80s, he made it feel like home. Welcoming us with open arms, giving us a place to stay and even taking time off from his busy life to drive us around.

“Shina your generosity knew no bounds and your spirit touched countless lives. You were truly a rare gem. The world feels emptier without you but we take solace in knowing that your legacy lives in the hearts you have touched.”

Doyin Amodu, TAMPAN UK president, also mourned her colleague. She wrote: “Your love for arts and unwavering support for the industry were unmatched. Good night my brother and director. You will deeply be missed.”

Sanyaolu was known for his exceptional directing skills. He contributed to the production of films like ‘The Honourable’, ‘Two Wives’, and ‘Omo Olosan’.

Entertainment

Bimpe Akintunde warns Nigerians against scammers impersonating her on WhatsApp

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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.”

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Davido advises black Americans not to relocate to Nigeria, says ‘the economy is in shambles’

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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.

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US actor Jussie Smollett’s conviction for staged attack overturned

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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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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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