Nigerian comedian Wale Gates is marking his 17th wedding anniversary with his wife.

The British-Nigerian funnyman went on a date with his wife to mark their anniversary. 

He shared photos from the date across his social media accounts.

He then wrote: “Since you asked…. It was our 17th wedding anniversary #DateNight yesterday.”

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• Dr. Charles Apoki, a Nigerian clergyman, has released a video discussing Pastor Chris Okafor’s marriage to his new wife, Pearl.
• The video addresses Pearl’s aspirations of having children with Okafor.
• Apoki cautions Pearl against expecting her husband to change after marriage.

Dr. Charles Apoki, a Nigerian clergyman and international conference speaker in several denominations, has released another video about Pastor Chris Okafor‘s marriage, this time focusing on his new wife, Pearl.

Reacting to Pearl’s comment about her dream of having children with Okafor, Apoki, in a video shared via his Facebook page, warned her about expecting her husband to change.

The Christian leader boldly alleged that Okafor is addicted to ‘copulation and immorality,’ claiming there were reports about his promiscuity from around the world.

He added that Pearl will be faced with the challenges of trying to keep a good image of her marriage in public and the reality of a promiscuous husband.

In his words, “I can see you have a lot of aspirations of raising children for him that would be as huge as himself. Chris Okafor will not change. From all the reports right from the United States, from Cameroon, from all over the world. He is addicted to copulation, to immorality, and you are going to be battling with trying to maintain sanity at home by not letting people see you as having made the bad choice and the reality of a promiscuous husband.”

He added in the caption of the video, “An advice for Pearl, Dr. Chris Okafor’s new wife: The reality of promiscuity.”

Recall that Dr. Charles Apoki had previously criticised Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, expressing deep disappointment with his involvement in Chris Okafor’s wedding with Pearl.

Apoki questioned the moral implications of officiating at the wedding amid unresolved allegations.

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Read some comments below:

@Hope Joseph Joe:”My brother…. what kind of talk be this Na?”

@Okeimute Emuobosa:”Dr, I hope you have not become “Assistant Jesus “?”

@Asika Igbokwe:”Some ladies are ready to stay in such marriage as long as there’s money and affluence. It’s possible she’s aware of all those reports. Looking at the rush with which the wedding was done despite the news in public space. She’s just carried away by the money.”

@Mayaki-Obende Blessing:”She no go hear She Don win jackpot.”

@Steve Paul:”Hmmmmm. Na wa oooo. Social media has done more harm than gud. So this is how an elder can advise a newly wedded couple.”

@Adewumi Zainab:”The fact is the man will want to make this new union with the new lady be a wonderful experience for her, because basically a lot has been said about him and he will not want his new wife to see those characteristics in him…….”

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Davido delivered a show-stopping performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) during the opening ceremony on Sunday, December 21, during the opening match between the Host nation, Morocco, and Comoros, reinforcing his status as one of Africa’s most influential global music exports. Taking center stage in Morocco, the Nigerian superstar thrilled fans with an electrifying performance of the tournament’s official soundtrack alongside American rapper French Montana, blending music, football, and continental pride.

The moment marked a powerful full-circle return for Davido, who last appeared at AFCON in 2017. Eight years later, his comeback reflected both his artistic growth and the global rise of African music, as he captivated thousands in the stadium and millions watching across the continent. The performance stood out as one of AFCON 2025’s most memorable off-pitch highlights.

Davido’s AFCON appearance also added to his growing legacy at football’s biggest events. In 2022, he performed at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, having featured on the tournament’s official soundtrack.

Here are six Nigerian artists who have performed on football’s biggest stages, including the FIFA Club World Cup, FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, AFCON, and the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

1. Tems (2025 FIFA Club World Cup Final)

Tems performed at the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup on July 13 at the MetLife Stadium in the United States, sharing the stage with American rapper Doja Cat and Latin star J Balvin. She performed her grammy-winning single, ‘Love Me Jeje’ off her 2024 debut album. Her performance marked a major milestone as she made her debut appearance at a football event of such global scale and etched her name into the history books on Sunday night as she became the first African artist to perform at the FIFA Club World Cup Final Halftime Show.

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup was the inaugural edition of the expanded tournament, which brought together top clubs from around the world, including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Chelsea, PSG, Juventus, Al Hilal, Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly, Flamengo, Inter Miami and others. The competition began on June 14 and concluded with a high-profile final in which Chelsea defeated PSG 3-0 thanks to a brace from Cole Palmer and a goal from Joao Pedro to be crowned world champions.

2. Davido (2022 FIFA World Cup Final)

Davido performed the official FIFA 2022 World Cup soundtrack, “Hayya Hayya (Better Together)”, alongside Aisha and Trinidad Cardona. He became the first Nigerian artist to perform at a FIFA World Cup final event, appearing during the closing ceremony on December 18, 2022.

The final saw Argentina defeat France 4–2 on penalties after a dramatic 3–3 draw following extra time. Kylian Mbappé scored a historic hat-trick, while Lionel Messi played a decisive role, scoring twice to lead Argentina to World Cup glory.

3. Burna Boy (2023 UEFA Champions League Final)

Burna Boy delivered a memorable performance at the 2023 UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show by Pepsi at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. He co-headlined the show alongside Brazilian star Anitta, with Swedish DJ Alesso making a guest appearance.

The Afrobeats star thrilled over 80,000 fans with performances of “Last Last” and “It’s Plenty”. On the pitch, Manchester City secured a 1–0 victory over Inter Milan, with Rodri scoring the winning goal to hand the club its first Champions League title.

4. Yemi Alade (Africa Cup of Nations 2023)

Yemi Alade performed at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which took place in 2024, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. She joined Ivorian group Magic System and Egyptian singer Mohamed Ramadan to perform the tournament’s official theme song, “Akwaba”.

The ceremony was held at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara, which has a capacity of 60,000 spectators. The final of the tournament saw Ivory Coast defeat Nigeria 2–1 to be crowned champions of Africa.

5. Rema (Ballon d’Or Ceremony 2023)

Rema made history on October 30, 2023, by becoming the first African artist to perform at the Ballon d’Or ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. He performed his global hit “Calm Down”, marking a landmark moment for African music.

During the performance, Rema interacted with football stars in attendance, exchanging handshakes with players including Kylian Mbappé, Emiliano Martínez, Aitana Bonmatí, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, İlkay Gündoğan, Rúben Dias, Rodri, Alejandro Balde, Erling Haaland, and Bernardo Silva. Lionel Messi went on to win his eighth Ballon d’Or on the night.

6. D’banj (2013 Africa Cup of Nations)

D’banj performed at the closing ceremony of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. He performed “Top of the World”, a song that later featured visuals from his performance alongside highlights of Nigeria’s tournament run.

The final was contested between Nigeria and Burkina Faso on February 10, 2013. Nigeria won the match 1–0 thanks to a goal from Sunday Mba, securing their third AFCON title after previous triumphs in 1980 and 1994.

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American rapper Nicki Minaj has revealed why she chose to speak out publicly on the situation facing Christians in Nigeria, pointing to her personal connections to the country and disturbing reports of attacks on worshippers.

Minaj spoke on the issue during a surprise appearance at AmericaFest, where she responded to questions from the audience.

While answering a question about Nigeria, she said the country holds deep personal significance for her and that reports of attacks on Christians have been deeply distressing.

She revealed that her pastor is a Nigerian and that she has a strong fan base in the country, popularly known as “Nigerian barbs,” noting that these connections made it difficult for her to remain silent.

According to Minaj, reports of kidnappings and killings of Christians during church activities should provoke global concern.

She said, “Nigeria is a place I’ve always loved. Someone very dear to me, my pastor, is Nigerian, and I have lots of Nigerian barbs.

“So hearing that people are being kidnapped while they’re in church, people are being killed, brutalised, all because of their religion that should spark outrage.”
The rapper emphasised that silence only emboldens oppression, declaring that she is no longer willing to stay quiet on matters of faith and persecution. She said.

“We’re not backing down anymore. We are not going to be silenced by the bullies anymore. We will speak up for Christians wherever they are in this world,” she said.

Minaj also spoke on the broader issue of religious freedom, pointing out that many people globally do not enjoy the basic right to worship openly.

She warned that such freedoms are often taken for granted in countries where they are protected.

She said, “We take for granted that there, right now in this world, are people who cannot worship God as they please, where they please.

“Every time we pray in fellowship, we have to remember the people that are right now in this world hiding to pray in fellowship, and we have to pray for them.”

Her remarks come weeks after she reacted to a social media post by United States President Donald Trump, who claimed that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria.”

At the time, Minaj expressed gratitude for the freedom to worship and condemned religious persecution.

She wrote, “Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God. No group should ever be persecuted for practising their religion.”

During the AmericaFest event, Minaj also praised Trump and Vice President JD Vance, saying they understand the concerns of ordinary people.”

“She added that Christians face challenges even in the United States, stressing that leadership is crucial in safeguarding religious freedom.

“Christians have been persecuted right here in our country in different ways. So when we talk about Nigeria and other countries, know that prior administrations saw nothing wrong with that, and that’s what was wrong with them,” she concluded.

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Controversial Nigerian influencer and social critic, Verydarkman, has pledged to expose what he claims is scandalous evidence involving Pastor Chris Okafor and Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin.

Verydarkman made the threat on Sunday afternoon in a video shared on his Instagram page while reacting to the arrest of actress Doris Ogala.

While calling for Doris’s release before Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Verydarkman vowed to make public alleged criminal evidence against Pastor Chris Okafor of the Grace Nation Bible Ministry and Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin.

Sharing details of his phone conversation with Doris before her arrest, Verydarkman claimed that the actress had already sent all the evidence to him.

“Doris is not as evil as the pastors that use her to cover atrocity, the pastor that manipulated her and promised to buy her a car so that she could do their bidding. These so-called evil men of God hide under the name of Jesus Christ to take advantage of women, girl children, boys, and married women under the name of Jesus Christ.

“Doris is one of the many that have been manipulated by the so called men of God. A lot of women out there have different stories to talk about. Please note that Doris was used; she was an accomplice. Take it from me. Now, to the Nigeria Police, or DSS or whoever that arrested her, I know your plan is because she said she get evidence. Your people’s move is to take the evidence from her, mess her up and then release her later.

“Let me advise you, just let her go. Everything you think is on her phone is with me. So, you better let her go. I give you until Tuesday to let her go. If you don’t let her go, there’s no problem, then we all start. And you know what I do? I go very hard. I’m talking to you, Chris Okafor. I’m talking to you Jeremiah. If by Tuesday I don’t see that lady, hell will be let loose. It will be very, very messy if by Tuesday she’s not out.

“Trust me, I have so much proof. It will be very messy. And guess what? The people can’t do me anything because the EFCC encounter has taught me a lot. I have sent all the evidence to 20 different persons and I will wipe the chats. I will wipe the chats after they have received it. You cannot even know who I sent it to, just in case the police pick me up , they will just be seeing evidence flying right and centre,” he stated.

VeryDarkMan shares voicenote with Doris Ogala, gives Pastors Chris Okafor and Jeremiah a warning to release her before Tuesday else “Things Will Get Very Messy”.pic.twitter.com/gWJREzPvge

— Rita Sunshine (@1RitaSunshine) December 21, 2025

Doris Ogala was arrested on Saturday, December 20, 2025, after calling out the founder of the Grace Nation Bible Ministry, Chris Okafor, over his alleged failure to fulfil a marriage promise to her.

In a series of posts on Instagram, the actress disclosed how she allegedly helped Pastor Chris Okafor and Jeremiah Fufeyin to silence the case of a missing child, Testimony, as well as other criminal cases levelled against them.

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Siobhan MacGowan almost looks surprised as she remembers.

“It went very, very quickly. Even the first year went really quickly. Two years… you know,” she tails off.

The 24 months since her brother Shane died have flown by in one sense, but it’s clear that the family’s grief has barely subsided.

“It’s still very raw for me,” Siobhan says. “I can’t listen to Shane’s music, and I can’t watch him on video or listen to him speak.”

Image:
Siobhan MacGowan

Legendary frontman of The Pogues, Shane MacGowan died on 30 November 2023 at the age of 65, following a long illness.

He passed away in the lead-up to Christmas, a time when his voice is heard on every radio station and in every pub – in the form of Fairytale Of New York.

Image:
Shane and Siobhan on the Tipperary wilds

For his sister, the festive anthem – which he co-penned with the band’s banjoist Jem Finer – is now a visceral torment.

“You can be a genius, the way you can avoid it [the song]”, Siobhan says. “If it’s coming on, I just turn it straight off. If I’m in a supermarket, I just block it out, or I go into the loo, or I go outside, or I do something like that, but I have to block it.”

She can’t listen to Fairytale “at all”. “It’s just pain. Pain in my heart. It’s just so painful.”

We look at a picture of Siobhan and Shane from Christmas Day 1987. Fairytale Of New York was number one in Ireland, but had been pipped by the Pet Shop Boys in the UK.

Image:
Christmas in 1987. Family photo

“I remember him saying he wouldn’t have minded if it had been Michael Jackson that had beaten him,” Siobhan recalls. “But he couldn’t forgive the Pet Shop Boys. And it was a terrible cover of Always On My Mind! It was dreadful like, so he couldn’t forgive that.”

But Shane got over it? “No,” she bursts out laughing.

Image:
Siobhan and Shane celebrating his 60th birthday , on Christmas Day, in Tipperary, Ireland

On a fresh, clear winter’s day, we are sitting by the banks of the Shannon in Dromineer, Co Tipperary. It’s one of the locations that inspired Shane’s song The Broad Majestic Shannon. Since the death of the singer, born in the UK to Irish parents, fans have made the pilgrimage to this part of Ireland, desperate to seek out the places that shaped his music.

Siobhan, along with Shane’s widow, Victoria Mary Clarke, has launched a self-guided walking tour called Unravelling Shane, in a bid to give some structure to those journeys.

In the town of Nenagh, we visit some of the spots on the map, including Philly Ryan’s pub, Shane’s favourite watering hole. Philly is behind the bar, an ebullient force of nature, dressed like an undertaker. That’s because he is one. In time-honoured Irish fashion, he is both publican and funeral director.

Image:
Shane about to perform at Philly Ryan’s

In one role, he enjoyed many a raucous night with Shane MacGowan. In the other, he planned the funeral of his great friend. “Such a shock,” he says, recalling the phone call from Siobhan after her brother died.

Sitting among endless Shane and Pogues memorabilia, Philly reckons the late singer would enjoy the posthumous boost to Tipperary tourism.

Image:
The flag from Shane’s coffin framed in Philly Ryan’s pub in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, Ireland

“Shane loved Nenagh,” Philly says. “He’d have loved to get that attention onto Nenagh as a gift from Shane MacGowan to people of Nenagh. Nenagh was his town and he loved it dearly.”

Fans from all over the world wander into the pub now, looking for a tangible taste of Shane MacGowan’s legacy.

“We’ve had requests from places like Serbia, Italy, Germany, America, Japan,” says Carmel Ormond of the new walking tour. She’s a tourism officer with Destination Lough Derg.

Image:
Murals in the town of Nenagh, Co Tipperary

“It’s a huge amount of people interested from Japan, from Australia. We’ve requests from all over the world. We constantly meet people that are rambling around trying to find an area. It has become a huge tourist attraction.”

Another stop in Nenagh is the St Mary of the Rosary church, where Shane used to attend Sunday mass with his mother. Two years ago, it was the venue for his funeral. Attended by Johnny Depp and Nick Cave, it was streamed live around the world, as family members danced in the aisle to Fairytale Of New York.

Image:
Shane (wearing cap) and Siobhan (in front of him) on a farm in Tipperary, Ireland

“I danced with my husband and my heart was absolutely breaking,” Siobhan remembers. “I danced through it, and I did it for him. It was a dance of defiance against death. I thought, death is not going to stop this song.”

As his family continue to grapple with their loss this festive period, Shane MacGowan’s legacy is continuing to be shaped. Siobhan says his passing made her finally appreciate the full gifts of her sibling as an artist and a person.

“It was then I realised the huge volume of work and people’s reaction to him and his work that, to me, was extraordinary. Like I thought, wow, look at what you did. That’s what I said, look at what you did, you know.

“It only seems to be getting stronger. His legacy only seems to be getting stronger.”

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Grammy-winning Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy ignited the crowd on Friday night with an unannounced appearance during Shallipopi’s headline performance at Iconiq Fest in Lagos, sending fans into a state of sheer excitement.

The surprise moment unfolded at the Landmark Event Centre, where Burna Boy joined Shallipopi on stage during the closing segment of the rapper’s set.

🤯 The WHOLESOME MOMENT shallipopi surprised the crowd with Burna boy 🐐

ODG really fvcks with Pluto presido fr.. from uk to France to Manchester to Lagos 🐐 https://t.co/kvh9ZE9AgP pic.twitter.com/ZLbJ2g77Ff

— My Godfather! (@mygodfather0) December 21, 2025

Dressed casually, the global star instantly lifted the energy at the venue, turning the performance into what has since become the most talked-about moment of the festival’s three-day debut.

The duo thrilled fans with a live rendition of “Laho II (Remix)”, after which Burna Boy went on to perform his hit single “Dem Dey.” At one point, Shallipopi hailed Burna Boy as “ODG, the highest,” a remark that drew thunderous cheers from the packed audience.

🚨Burna Boy made a Surprise Appearance at Shallipopis Lagos Headline show 🤩🔥 pic.twitter.com/ybrXDENgxx

— HYPETRIBE (@hypetribeng) December 21, 2025

Iconiq Fest ran from December 18 to 20, with Chike, BNXN and Shallipopi headlining across the three days. Other acts on the lineup included Famous Pluto and Zerry DL, as the festival carved out a strong place for itself in Lagos’ ever-growing “Detty December” calendar.

Organisers recorded a strong turnout throughout the event, with no major disruptions reported. Burna Boy’s unexpected appearance, however, stood out as the defining highlight, instantly dominating conversations on social media and among concertgoers.

In a December already filled with high-profile shows and musical comebacks, the unplanned collaboration served as a reminder that the most electric moments in live music are often the ones no one sees coming.

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Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has shared her perspective on society’s current perception of single mothers.

In a video, the mother of two said the attitude has changed as more men are openly seeking serious relationships with women who already have children.

The actress spoke on December 20, 2025, while addressing the growing confidence among single mothers and how they are now better accepted in relationships and marriage.

She explained that single motherhood is no longer seen as something to be ashamed of, noting that many women in this situation are thriving in their careers and raising successful children.

According to her, the old belief that single mothers should be sidelined is fading fast.

Iyabo Ojo said many men now prefer single mothers because they are more mature and understand life better.

She added that these men are no longer interested in casual relationships but often make it clear that they want commitment and marriage.

She also encouraged women who have gone through broken relationships not to lose hope, stating that the end of one relationship does not mean the end of love or marriage opportunities.

The actress described herself as the President General of the Single Mothers Association and urged single mothers to carry themselves with confidence, strength, and self-respect.

She advised them not to feel embarrassed about their status, stressing that their value is not reduced because they have children.

Iyabo Ojo concluded by reminding women that being left by a partner does not make them unwanted, as there will always be someone ready to love and accept them fully.

She said: “Gone are the days when being a single mother was a stigma. Single mothers’ children are doing great things in life. Men are chasing single mothers. They are even begging us that they don’t want us to be a side chick. They want us to marry them because we have experience. If a man leaves you, another man will accept you. I am The President General of the Single Mothers Association.”

” Men are now chasing after single mothers, they are begging us because we have experience” – Iyabo Ojo pic.twitter.com/5HI8BgpCHY

— Metro Naija (@metronaija) December 20, 2025



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The arrest occurred on Saturday, December 20, 2025, during a live video session in which Ogala was speaking with an online personality.

Nollywood actress Doris Ogala has reportedly been arrested following a heated online dispute connected to her recent allegations against Lagos-based pastor Chris Okafor.

The arrest occurred on Saturday, December 20, 2025, during a live video session in which Ogala was speaking with an online personality.

While the livestream was ongoing, she confirmed that police officers were present inside her home.

She was also heard scolding a woman identified as Charity for allowing people into the house despite earlier warnings.

The interviewer advised her to keep her phone active and asked whether the officers had a warrant.

That moment the police entered Actress Doris Ogala’s house and got her arrested when she was on Facebook Live🙆🏼‍♂️ https://t.co/dZvsiGse6N pic.twitter.com/WwSWbFo1AC

— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) December 20, 2025

Shortly after the incident, comedian and former Big Brother Naija housemate Dee One announced on Instagram that Ogala had been arrested.

He stated that he had earlier cautioned the actress and added that she would now have to answer questions in court over the matter.

The situation followed a social media post by Ogala, in which she shared an image allegedly showing the cleric in a private setting.

In the post, she accused him of deceit and claimed she had video evidence to back her claims.

The controversy gained more attention after the pastor recently married a woman identified as Pearl earlier in the week.

The wedding reportedly went ahead despite Ogala’s online accusations, which included claims of betrayal, emotional manipulation and a broken promise of marriage after what she described as a long-term relationship.

Over the past few days, Ogala had shared emotional videos online in which she accused the cleric of damaging her life.

She claimed the relationship began around 2017 and alleged that she ended her previous marriage at his request, only to be left distressed after the relationship suddenly ended.

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Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo is celebrating her 48th birthday today, December 21.

The movie star, who has been excitedly counting down to her birthday, shared stunning photos of herself on her Instagram page, describing this year’s celebration as her best.

Iyabo noted that becoming a mother-in-law and grandmother was the best gift she had received. Expressing gratitude to her Maker, she stated that his blessings will be permanent.

The controversial singer said she always told God that the only riches she desires are happiness, her kids, loved ones, and thriving.

“This is one of my best birthdays.

“Daddy, adding ‘mother-in-law’ and ‘Glamma’ to my title is the best gift I got this year. Thank you, Lord, — and yes! It shall be permanent.

“I’ve always told God that the only riches I desire are happiness and my kids, family, and loved ones thriving. I’m blessed because I’m surrounded by blessings…. Thank you, Lord, for making 2025 my year; I know 2026 is mine too…..

“I’m God’s own special child, and I don’t take it for granted…… clock it! Happy birthday to me!”.

Many took to her comment section to drop birthday wishes.

Susan Peters wrote, “Happy birthday, sister mi. Many more years ahead and God’s blessings. Have fun in the new year

Efe Irele wrote, “Happy birthday, Aunty Iyabo! Joy and peace of mind look amazing on you! May your joy be forever!

Omowunmi wrote, “Happy Birthday Queen Mother! You’re blessed

Queen Tobi wrote, “Happy birthday, beautiful Grandma

Kaffy wrote, “Happy birthday, queen

Chidi Mokeme wrote, “Happy birthday, queen

Lola Magret wrote, “Happy birthday, Iysexy. The sexy glamma”.

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