Entertainment
Ini Edo: My movie is not a slight to Christian celebration
Nollywood actress and producer, Ini Edo, has dismissed claims that her new film, ‘A Very Dirty Christmas,’ is an attempt to undermine the Christian celebration of Christmas, describing the title as a metaphor rather than a mockery of faith.
The controversy surrounding the movie has sparked conversations across religious and creative circles, with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) raising concerns over what it perceived as a trivialisation of a sacred season. However, industry stakeholders insist the film is being misunderstood.
In a statement issued by the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), signed by its outgoing president, Emeka Rollas, the guild maintained that the title does not insult Christianity but rather serves as a creative expression used to convey the film’s storyline.
Speaking at a private media screening held at Filmhouse Cinema, Landmark, recently, Edo explained that the title was chosen to reflect the events that unfold during the Christmas season in the film.
“The whole idea was that it is Christmas and they are coming home to celebrate. The events that unfold during that period are what informed the title. It’s metaphorical and meant to spark curiosity,” she said.
The actress explained that the title was also influenced by commercial considerations and the need to keep audiences intrigued without revealing too much of the plot. She added that no objections were raised before the film’s release and that the title would have been reconsidered if concerns had been expressed earlier.
Edo further disclosed that the word ‘Dirty’ was initially intended to be spelt as ‘Detty,’ but the alternative was already trademarked. While she admitted considering a title change, she noted that it would be difficult given that the film is already showing in over 70 cinemas nationwide.
“I don’t want anyone to feel hurt by something that was meant to entertain. I respect Christianity deeply and would never intentionally disrespect it,” she said.
Entertainment
Davido Bags Political Appointment
Nigerian singer, David Adeleke, better known as Davido, has announced his appointment as head of youth mobilisation for Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke’s re-election campaign council.
Naijapunchnews reports that Davido made this known in a post via his 𝕏 on Tuesday.
While expressing optimism for Adeleke’s victory at the polls, Davido said he is looking forward to a smooth campaign.
He wrote, “I have been appointed by the Governorof OSUN STATE @AAdeleke_01 and flag bearer of the ACCOD PARTY 01 as HEAD YOUTH MOBILIZATION OF CAMPAIGN COUNCIL! We look forward to a smooth campaign and you RE – election your EXCELLENCY! 4+4”
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Osun State Chapter has responded to allegations by Governor Adeleke that the party’s council officials have hijacked funds meant for local government council staff.
Adeleke, during a stakeholders’ meeting in the State, disclosed that his administration’s shouldering of LG workers’ salaries stalled some of his ongoing projects, as APC council officials have hijacked the funds to the tune of ₦300 billion.
He lamented that the state has to shoulder the responsibility of paying local teachers, health workers, pensioners and local government workers for more than one year now.
“If Osun APC lacks conscience by diverting funds meant for local workers to their personal use, I cannot do it. I cannot abandon local workers who the court sacked APC chairmen intend to punish by criminally hijacking and diverting LG funds in open violation of local government finance laws. The workers have families and their own needs. Why should a party decides to hate and punish workers for no just reason? So the state government has been footing the bills all along.”
However, the APC, in a statement by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, accused the governor of inciting senior local government workers not to release payment vouchers to blackmail the party.
Entertainment
I was once a prostitute before God saved me – DJ Kulet
Disc jockey Kudirat Gbemisola, popularly known as DJ Kulet, has disclosed that she was once involved in prostitution before turning her life over to Christ.
She made the revelation during a testimony session in a church service on Sunday, where she spoke about her past experiences and personal transformation.
Kulet said her former lifestyle in Surulere, particularly around the Lawanson area of Lagos, was widely known, adding that she had lived a turbulent life during that period.
In a post shared on Instagram on Monday, she described her journey as one that moved “from a mess to a message,” noting that she was once homeless and engaged in prostitution while living on the streets of Lagos.
She recounted how her living conditions gradually improved over time, beginning with a single-room apartment rented for her by a man, followed by a self-contained apartment also sponsored by another benefactor before she was able to sustain herself through her work as a disc jockey and rent a room-and-parlour self-contained apartment.
Kulet also said she once lived for two years in a building without a toilet facility due to incomplete construction by the landlord, forcing her to rely on external facilities.
She added that her circumstances later improved further, allowing her to move into a four-bedroom en-suite apartment funded through her DJ career.
She said she bought a house in Surulere in April 2024 and paid in full, including agent fees, without funding it through sex work.
She said, “How Jesus bought me my own house in Surulere, the same Surulere where the devil once messed me up. Jesus Christ turned my mess to a message (His gospel).
“I was once homeless, and sleeping around. Of course you know me because I was very popular then. I was into prostitution. I was roaming the streets of Lagos homeless. Then a man rented a face me I slap for me. My cheap asewo work now elevate me to a room self-contained with a man’s money until Jesus Christ now elevated me to a room and parlor self-contained, then my DJ work don dey pay but the landlord frustrated me. He did not do the toilet for two years, I was going around to defecate.
“After two years of living in a house without a toilet, I was elevated to a four bedroom ensuite apartment where I’m currently living through my work as a DJ. Fast-forward to April last year, God bought a house for me here in the same Surulere. I did not sleep around to pay, and I paid in full with agent money.”
Entertainment
Toyin Abraham appeals for calm, urges fans to stop attacking Abike Shugaa
Actress and filmmaker Toyin Abraham has called on her fan base, known as “Toyin Titans,” to stop attacking her former protégé, Pelumi Olawuni, popularly called Abike Shugaa, following their ongoing public disagreement.
In a Snapchat video posted on Monday, Abraham appealed for forgiveness and urged supporters to move past the controversy that has continued to generate online attention.
“Please, to everybody, it’s okay. Please forgive her,” she said.
She noted that anger is a normal human emotion but encouraged restraint, adding that people should not allow the issue to escalate further.
“There is no one that cannot get angry. Even Jesus was angry… let everything slide. This is a new week. Toyin Titans, no distractions, please,” she said.
Abraham further appealed for calm, stressing that it was a new week and urging her fans to avoid distractions.
She also referenced upcoming professional engagements, including several YouTube film releases and a major project scheduled for December.
“We have a big task ahead of us. We have a lot of YouTube movies coming, and we have a bigger task ahead of us in December,” she said.
Abraham also spoke on past controversies, including the backlash she faced in 2023 and 2024 after publicly supporting President Bola Tinubu.
She said critics heavily targeted her during that period.
“For those asking why I didn’t spill the tea in 2023 and 2024… they were bashing me that period, they wanted to kill me,” she said.
She noted that her experience with Abike and recent feedback had shifted her approach to relationships and boundaries.
She said she had learned her lesson and Abike had learned hers, and urged fans to change the topic.
“You said create boundaries, I will create boundaries. You said I should stop helping people, no problem. I have learnt my lesson, her too has learnt hers. Let it slide, let us change the topic,” she added.
Her appeal followed Abike’s disclosure on Sunday that YouTube issued a privacy-related notice on her video about the dispute.
The platform flagged timestamps for potential privacy concerns and gave her the option to edit or remove the content before further review. No strike or penalty has been issued.
Abike responded sarcastically, stating critics organised to mass-report the video.
The fallout became public after Abike uploaded a detailed video last Friday, now with over 100,000 views, outlining their relationship from mentorship to its breakdown.
The video included allegations of control, betrayal, and threats, which Abraham has denied.
Tensions heightened when Abike accepted a PR package from Funke Akindele for “A Tribe Called Judah,” a decision she said she had communicated in advance.
While Abike insisted she was telling her side after years of silence, Abraham has declined a point-by-point rebuttal and said she will not engage in public disputes.
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