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As the year comes to an end, 2025 stands out as a powerful year for music. Artists across different genres and countries released projects that not only topped charts but also connected deeply with listeners. These albums told real stories, showed artistic growth, and reflected the mood of the times. From hit songs everyone sang along to, to deep tracks that hit hard and are relatable, the music released this year left a strong impression. With great production, meaningful lyrics, and strong replay value, these projects rose above the rest.

These are the albums that truly defined the year.

5ive – Davido

Davido ‘5ive’

Davido released ‘5ive’ album and it arrived as a confident and well-planned project, showcasing an artist fully in control of his sound and direction. The album blends Afrobeats, Amapiano, and R&B, with Davido sounding relaxed, assured, and reflective. Throughout the project, he touches on success, faith, and resilience, drawing inspiration from his personal journey and growth.

While the production and features are strong, some songwriting feels simple, especially on love-themed tracks that favor catchy lines over deep emotion. Still, the album shines through its impressive collaborations. Artists like Chris Brown, Becky G, Shenseea, Musa Keys, Tayc, Dadju, Victony, Odumodublvck, Chike, and Omah Lay all contribute, adding variety and global appeal. Notable tracks include 5ive, Anything, Be There Still, CFMF, 10 Kilo, Offa Me, Don’t Know, R&B, Awuke, Holy Water, Nuttin Dey, Lately, Tek, Funds, Lover Boy, and With You.

Among all the tracks, With You featuring Omah Lay became the biggest highlight and one of the most talked-about songs of the year. Overall, 5ive shows Davido at his most confident and self-aware. He reflects on his journey without overdoing it, proving he’s comfortable with his achievements and ready to keep growing as an artist.

No Sign of Weakness – Burna Boy

Burna Boy entered 2025 with a mission, and No Sign of Weakness proves he isn’t slowing down. The eighth studio album from the Nigerian superstar spans 16 tracks, including Love, Born Winner, Tatata, Bundle by Bundle, Update, Empty Chairs, and 28 Grams. The project blends his signature Afro-fusion with bold experiments in rock, country, and baile funk, showing his creative range and global appeal.

The album features standout collaborations, such as Empty Chairs with Mick Jagger, the high-energy TaTaTa with Travis Scott, and Change Your Mind with Shaboozey. Themes of resilience and self-preservation run throughout the album, from the militant opener No Panic to the triumphant closer Born Winner. Burna Boy balances grit with vulnerability on tracks like Sweet Love and the Stromae-assisted Pardon, highlighting his growth as a songwriter.

What makes No Sign of Weakness one of 2025’s best albums is its versatility and cultural impact. Burna Boy bridges musical worlds, bringing legends like Mick Jagger into Afrobeats without losing the genre’s essence. The album also earned him two nominations at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in 2026  for Best Global Music Album and Best African Music Performance for the hit single Love  bringing his career total to 13 nominations and solidifying his status as the Nigerian artist with the most Grammy nods in history.

Olamidé – Olamide

Olamidé is the eleventh studio album by Olamide, a 17-track project that marks a major milestone in his decade-long career. The album blends his raw street-hop roots with polished Afrobeats production, demonstrating both growth and mastery of his craft.

The project features high-profile collaborations, including Kai! and Billionaires Club with Wizkid, and the chart-topping 99 with Asake, Seyi Vibez, and Young Jonn. These collaborations reinforce Olamide’s status as a global power player and highlight his leadership in the Nigerian music scene through his YBNL Nation imprint. The album transitions from the soulful, reflective opener Prelude to high-energy street anthems like Hybrid and Lalakipo, showcasing his versatility across genres.

What makes Olamidé one of 2025’s best albums is its balance of legacy and freshness. The album captures Olamide’s versatility, relevance, and enduring impact, proving why he remains one of the most consistent and influential artists of his generation.

Catharsis – Fola

If 2025 had an emotional core, Catharsis would be it. This highly anticipated debut studio album from Fola is an 11-track intimate musical diary, tracing his rapid rise from the 2024 breakout single Alone to becoming one of the most talked-about new artists in the industry.

The album blends smooth R&B textures with heartfelt lyrics. Guest appearances include Kizz Daniel on Lost, Victony on Golibe, Gabzy on Robbery, and Young Jonn on the high-energy Disco. Other standout tracks include You, Healer, Cruise Control, and Izz Going.

The narrative of Catharsis explores the space between pleasure and pain. Songs like Eko pay homage to Lagos hustle culture, while Gokada and Caricature highlight Fola’s emotional storytelling. The album’s impact was cemented by a record-breaking streaming debut and a sold-out performance at the Mainland Block Party in December 2025. Its combination of raw emotion and polished production makes Catharsis a standout in a year dominated by high-energy party tracks.

Captain – BNXN

Captain is BNXN’s second album, and it shows him stepping fully into his power as an artist. The album highlights his growth with honest lyrics and polished production. BNXN teams up with big names like Rema, Seyi Vibez, Fola, Victony, and the Soweto Gospel Choir, giving the songs variety and depth. Tracks like Laye Mi, Jies, In Jesus Name, and Cutesy stand out for their catchy melodies and smooth rhythms. And focus on Bigger songs on the project such as Fi kan we kan with Rema, Very soon with Fola,

The album focuses on themes like leadership, direction, and resilience, reflecting BNXN’s journey in the music industry. Songs like I Alone, Ashimolowo, and Captain show him finding his place and growing more confident. The lyrics mix personal storytelling with moments of strength, giving listeners a clear sense of who he is and where he’s headed.

Musically, Captain blends Afropop, Amapiano, R&B, and gospel in a way that feels fresh and personal. The production is clean and dynamic, making each track unique while keeping the album cohesive. With Captain, BNXN proves he’s mastering his sound and establishing himself as one of 2025’s most exciting artists.

Fuji – Adekunle Gold

Fuji is the sixth studio album by Adekunle Gold and one of the most culturally rich albums of 2025. The 15-track project explores “Finding Uncharted Journeys Inside,” blending traditional Yoruba sounds such as fuji, apala, and tungba with his evolved AG Baby pop aesthetic.

The album blends traditional genres like apala, tungba, and fuji with modern Afrobeats. Tracks such as “Big Fish” recount his rise in the music industry, while “Believe” and “My Love Is the Same” explore love and family. The project also continues his practice of embedding fuji sounds into his work, a technique present since his 2016 debut Gold.

The album features a diverse lineup of guest artists, including Davido, Lojay, Shoday, Asa, Simi, 6lack, Deja, Cruel Santino, Mavo, Yinka Ayefele, Don Toliver, Tkay Maidza, Robert Glasper, and the Soweto Gospel Choir. A nostalgic appearance in the music video by Fuji legend Yinka Ayefele on Many People is a standout moment. Other tracks include Obimo, Coco Money, Bobo, and Don Corleone.

The album reflects growth, identity, and artistic confidence. Tracks like Big Fish and Many People showcase Adekunle Gold’s evolution, while production bridges tradition with modernity. Fuji succeeds because it preserves culture while pushing boundaries, proving that African music’s future lies in embracing its roots.

Industry Machine – Odumodublvck

Odumodublvck’s Industry Machine is a 23-track album featuring an elite mix of global and domestic artists, including Wizkid (Big Time), Davido and Seun Kuti (Grooving), Skepta, Stormzy, and Saweetie. He is one of the few artists to have both Wizkid and Davido on the same project.

The album also includes Chike, Ayo Maff, Zlatan, Phyno, Pa Salieu, Giggs, Cash Cobain, Patoranking, Psycho YP, Jeriq, Modenine, Reminisce, PrettyboyDO, Tobe Nwigwe, and more. Odumodublvck announced the album creatively, asking football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano to reveal the guest list as if it were a player transfer, highlighting his unique style.

Odumodublvck experiments across genres: streetwise vibes on Layi Wasabi with Reminisce, Caribbean influences on Maradona with Saweetie and Justin Quiles, romance on My Angel with Chike, UK drill on Adenuga with Skepta, and highlife on Halleluyah with Jeriq and Phyno. While not every track hits the same high level, Industry Machine is one of 2025’s most ambitious and noteworthy projects.

Honourable Mentions

Prince Of The Street — Ayo Maff

Blue Disco — Young Jonn

Blownboy Ru — Ruger

The Game Needs You – Reekado Banks

Symbol of Hope — Zlatan

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• Sarah Martins has raised alarm after allegedly apprehending a newly hired worker who stole ₦3 million from her business account barely a week into the job.
• She disclosed that the suspect gained unauthorized access to her phone and bank details, sparking widespread concern online about personal and business security.

Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has alerted the public after allegedly catching a new employee who stole ₦3 million from her business account just one week into the job.

The actress revealed that the suspect, who had only been in her employment for 14 days, managed to gain unauthorized access to her phone and bank details.

According to the actress, the theft was carried out with startling speed. She expressed shock that an individual she had recently welcomed into her workspace could orchestrate such a high-stakes robbery so quickly.

“The suspect reportedly accessed my mobile phone, logged into my Zenith Bank account, and transferred the money, just seven days after resuming work.”

Sarah highlighted that the worker did not have long-term or intimate access to her personal life, raising concerns about how easily the security of her mobile banking was compromised.

The incident has triggered a wave of reactions from fans and business owners on social media:

“This is why people are extra careful with domestic staff,” one user commented.

“Seven days? That’s scary,” another added

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British actor Idris Elba has been awarded a knighthood in the UK’s 2026 New Year Honours list, officially becoming Sir Idris Elba. The recognition covers his work in film and television, as well as his long-running commitment to youth-focused charity initiatives.

Elba, best known for The Wire and Luther, co-runs the Elba Hope Foundation with his wife, Sabrina. The foundation supports organisations working with young people across the UK, the US, and parts of Africa. He’s also been vocal about tackling knife crime in London, backing programmes aimed at prevention and early intervention.

Reacting to the honour, Elba said he accepted it on behalf of young people whose “talent, ambition and resilience” continue to inspire his work.

Other figures recognised in the list include football coach Sarina Wiegman, actress Meera Syal, and entertainers Matt Lucas and Richard Osman.

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Ayo Makun, the Nigerian comedian and Nollywood actor, who is popularly known as AY, has blamed the government for the tragic accident involving British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua.

Recall that the world-famous heavyweight boxer was on Monday involved in a road accident along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Makun area of Ogun State.

He was reportedly travelling in a Lexus SUV with registration number KRD 850 HN, which collided with a stationary truck, resulting in the de@ths of two people, while Anthony Joshua sustained minor injuries.

Reacting to the development, Ay, in a post via his Instagram page, described the situation as devastating, stressing that it is due to the failure of the country’s road safety systems, infrastructure and leadership.

The thespian emphasised that the accident is traumatising and unacceptable, adding that the country needs a government that treats human life as sacred, not disposable.

He said, “Today is a painful reminder of how cheaply lives are treated in Nigeria. It is devastating that a Nigerian who has carried our flag with pride across the world can return home only for two of his closest associates to be met by de@th on our roads. Two precious lives gone. Friends. Brothers. People with families, dreams, and futures.  This is not fate. This is failure. Failure of  Failure of infrastructure. Failure of leadership.

“How many more must d!e before our roads are made safe? How long will we keep celebrating excellence abroad while exposing our own people to danger at home? This tragedy is traumatising and unacceptable.

“A country that cannot protect its people is a country in urgent need of accountability. We need safer roads, proper enforcement, effective emergency response systems, and a government that treats human life as sacred, not disposable.

“My heart is heavy for Anthony Joshua. My prayers are with the families of the departed and with everyone grieving this senseless loss. May their souls rest in perfect peace. Nigeria must do better. Lives depend on it.”

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2025 was not just another year for BosaLin, it was the year the rapper made a statement, and laid the foundation for what is to follow in 2026.

Stream ‘Street Catechism’ across all Platforms

Real name Bosah Nwako, Utalinator as he is fondly called has stamped his authority as a force to be reckoned with in the Nigerian Hip Hop scene, stretching conversations about him beyond the Igbo Rap Genre.

The Awka-raised rapper, began the year with visuals for his stand out tracks (“Heartless” and “Isi Bekee”) off his debut project “Better Late Than Never.” With the visuals enjoying heavy rotation on major music platforms, including MTV Base and Trace TV, he built a momentum that ushered in a fresh project.

Mid-December 2025, he crowned the year’s grind by the launch of his fresh project titled “Street Catechism – a project, for many fans and critics. “Street Catechism” features solo cuts like “Why” and “Send Advice in Bitcoin,” alongside “Trenches” and “Gone Are the Days,” which saw collaborations with Jeriq and Emtee.

Street Catechism cover art

Stream Street Catechism across all Platforms here – effectdistrro.lnk.to/streetcatechism

BosaLin has continued to build on that success, showing signs of not slowing down, with continued presence across his social media platforms – signaling what is to come in 2026.

You can check him out across his socials to stay updated.

IG: @BosaLin
X: @BosaLin
FB: BosaLin

Get the latest Naija music of 2025 here and Get Fresh updates as they drop via X and Facebook

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Isiah Whitlock Jr., who was best known for his role on The Wire, has died aged 71.

“It is with tremendous sadness that I share the passing of my dear friend and client Isiah Whitlock Jr.,” his manager said in a statement. “If you knew him – you loved him”.

Whitlock Jr. portrayed openly corrupt city councilman Clay Davis on 25 episodes over five seasons of The Wire from 2002 to 2008.

The fan-favourite character was known for his trademark expression – “sheee-it” -, which was first delivered on the show in 2002.

The profanity inspired the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum to release a 20th Anniversary Edition Isiah Whitlock Jr. Talking Bobblehead in 2022.

The creator of The Wire, David Simon, shared a caption-less picture of Whitlock Jr. on Bluesky in tribute on Tuesday.

Image:
Whitlock Jr., far right, with the cast of Veep at the premiere of the show’s third season. Pic: AP

Whitlock Jr. starred in the political satire Veep alongside Julia Louis-Dreyfus, playing secretary of defence George Maddox for three seasons from 2013 to 2015.

He also appeared in several Spike Lee films, including 25th Hour, Da 5 Bloods, BlacKkKlansman, Red Hook Summer, Chi-Raq and She Hate Me.

Read more from Sky News:
JFK’s granddaughter dies aged 35
The most striking pictures of 2025

Lee paid tribute to Whitlock Jr. on Instagram, writing: “Today I Learned Of The Passing Of My Dear Beloved Brother ISIAH WHITLOCK. GOD BLESS.”

Whitlock Jr. had several guest roles on TV shows like Cagney and Lacy as well as Law & Order and appeared in small roles in the 1990 films Goodfellas and Gremlins 2: The New Batch.

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Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has accused a newly hired staff member of making unauthorized transfers totaling ₦3 million from her account, an incident she detailed in a video shared online.

In the video, Martins said she employed a 20-year-old man as her videographer and business sales manager about two weeks earlier.

She claimed that ₦2 million was transferred from her Zenith Bank account on December 22, followed by another ₦1 million shortly after.

According to Martins, she initially suspected a banking error when she noticed the first transaction and did not immediately link it to the staff member. She explained that the transfer allegedly occurred during a high-profile event she attended earlier in the month, which delayed her suspicion.

The actress, who appeared visibly distressed in the video as bystanders tried to calm her down, later apologised publicly to Zenith Bank for initially doubting the institution. She commended the bank for what she described as its swift response and detection of irregular activity.

Martins also said the experience has made her more cautious about future hires, especially as she continues to engage in charity and business activities.

It is important to note that the claims were made solely in the video shared by the actress, and no official confirmation or court ruling has been issued regarding the alleged theft.

VIDEO: Actress Sarah Martins alleges ₦3m unauthorised transfers by staff member

Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has alleged that a recently hired staff member made unauthorized transfers amounting to ₦3 million from her account, an incident she detailed in a video shared… pic.twitter.com/5OdixrSNXK

— The Nation Nigeria (@TheNationNews) December 30, 2025



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Actress Laide Bakare has criticised the manner in which some fans and Nollywood colleagues have taken to social media following the death of actress and filmmaker Allwell Ademola.

She said many people appear more focused on creating content online than showing respect for the late actress.

In a message shared on Instagram, Bakare said that she was pained to see people who were close to Allwell still active on entertainment platforms, making videos and taking gifts from followers soon after the news of her death.

She described the behaviour as careless and disappointing.

She wrote: “The way fans and colleagues are creating contents with the passing of our dear sister is really sad 😔.

“Anyway God is watching everyone. Rest well All well. Still in shock, some of her very close pals even still open Tictock App yesterday Doing Tap Tap busy playing games and collecting Gifts 🎁!

“Haaaaa!!! Aiye le ooo!

She captioned it, “If you know them, Tag them, ko da o 🥲.”

Allwell Ademola passed away on Saturday, December 27, at the age of 49.

She was rushed to Ancilla Hospital in Agege but later died there.

She had worked for many years in both English and Yoruba movies and earned a strong name in the film industry.

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• Sophia Momodu has cautioned fans and content creators against referring to her as Davido’s wife, stressing that their relationship ended years ago.
• She described such labels as disrespectful, especially since the Afrobeats star is now married to Chioma, and urged the public to respect boundaries and allow all parties to move on peacefully.

Entrepreneur and influencer Sophia Momodu has issued a stern warning to fans and content creators who continue to link her to her former partner, Afrobeats star Davido, by referring to her as his wife.

During a recent video broadcast, the mother of Davido’s first child, Imade, expressed her discomfort with the title, clarifying that her relationship with the singer ended many years ago.

Sophia recounted a recent incident where she was approached by a content creator who used the singer’s alias to “hail” her, an action she found disrespectful to the current reality of both parties.

“I once met a content creator who, started hailing me as ‘mama Imade, OBO [Davido’s] wife’ upon seeing me. I was shocked because I am not his wife.”

Emphasizing that Davido is now married to his longtime partner, Chioma, Sophia urged the public to respect marital boundaries and personal choices. She insisted that she has found peace in moving forward and wants the public to do the same.

“Stop referring to me as Davido’s wife. Let’s respect people’s marriages and rules. If people have moved on, allow them to move on in peace. Everyone is happy and doing what they are supposed to do.”

“Please stop calling me davido wife, let’s all have respect for each other, I have already moved on from davido.”

– Sophia Momodu warns everyone referring to her as Davido’s wife pic.twitter.com/NykCFqBDUF

— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) December 30, 2025

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The organisers of the All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) have officially announced Nigerian rapper and actor Falz, alongside French Senegalese actress Liliane Maroune, as hosts of the highly anticipated 9th edition of the awards ceremony.

Originally scheduled for late November, the prestigious pan-African music celebration has now been rescheduled and will take place in Lagos from January 7 to 11, 2026. The event is being staged through a collaboration between the AFRIMA International Executive Committee, the African Union Commission, and the Lagos State Government.

With this announcement, Falz becomes the second Nigerian to host AFRIMA, following legendary singer 2Baba, who anchored the maiden edition of the awards in 2014. Organisers described Falz as “one of Africa’s most respected figures in music and film,” praising his sharp lyricism, commanding stage presence, and fearless social commentary.

His co-host, Liliane Maroune, brings international flair to the stage. The Senegalese-Lebanese-Mauritanian actress is widely known for her roles in popular West African TV series such as Emprises and Coeurs Brisés, and is celebrated for her elegance, versatility, and strong screen presence.

Speaking on the choice of hosts, AFRIMA’s Regional Director for Central Africa, Nde Ndifonka, said Falz represents intelligence, creativity, and a strong African voice that resonates across generations. He added that Maroune embodies modern African excellence, diversity, and global appeal.

The five-day celebration will kick off on January 7 with a welcome soirée for nominees and guests at the British Deputy High Commission House in Lagos. The Africa Music Business Summit follows on January 8 at the Eko Convention Centre, while a special concert will light up Ikeja City Mall on January 9.

On January 10, nominees, past winners, and industry stakeholders will gather for the official AFRIMA Nominees and Industry Party. The grand finale—the awards ceremony will take place on January 11 at the Eko Convention Centre, featuring live performances, red-carpet moments, and a broadcast reaching audiences in over 80 countries worldwide.

Nigeria leads this year’s nominations, with Burna Boy and Davido topping the list with five nominations each. Rising star Shallipopi follows closely with four nods, while Rema earned three nominations and Ayra Starr picked up two.

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Idris Elba, ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, as well as England’s victorious women’s football and rugby teams, are among 1,157 people recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Sir Idris, 53, who is known for his roles in The Wire and Luther, is knighted for services to young people, having founded the Elba Hope Foundation.

He said: “I receive this honour on behalf of the many young people whose talent, ambition and resilience has driven the work of the Elba Hope Foundation.

“I hope we can do more to draw attention to the importance of sustained, practical support for young people and to the responsibility we all share to help them find an alternative to violence.”

Torvill and Dean say honour is ‘wonderful and humbling’

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Dame Jayne Torvill and Sir Christopher Dean reveal how they found out they were recognised in the New Year Honours list

Dame Jayne and Sir Christopher, who took home the Olympic gold at the 1984 Winter Games and saw success at the World, European and British Champions, are made a Dame and Sir for services to ice skating and to voluntary service. They said the honour is “wonderful and humbling at the same time”.

They are joined by Paul Elliott, one half of the Chuckle Brothers, who is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), and Matt Lucas, half of the Little Britain comedy duo with David Walliams, who becomes an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

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Watch: Torvill and Dean final Bolero performance

Lionesses and Red Roses

The Lionesses feature heavily on the list after their Euros win in the summer. Captain Leah Williamson is made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), while Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone become MBEs.

The team’s Dutch manager, Sarina Wiegman, who has won the Euros twice with England and once with the Netherlands, is awarded an honorary damehood, the Cabinet Office said.

Wiegman said: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this honour. When I first arrived in England, I could never have imagined the respect and warmth I’ve experienced from the English people. I deeply thank the fans for their support.”

Image:
England manager Sarina Wiegman. Pic: PA

Members of England Women’s Rugby World Cup winning squad are also featured, with Marlie Packer and Zoe Aldcroft becoming OBEs, along with coach John Mitchell. Their teammates Ellie Kildunne, Sadia Kabeya and Megan Jones are made MBEs after the Red Roses defeated Canada in the final in September.

Three-time London Marathon winner Paula Radcliffe, who held the women’s marathon record for 16 years, is made an OBE.

Image:
Paula Radcliffe. Pic: PA

‘Best thing that’s ever happened to me – and I’ve been in Star Wars’

Also made OBEs are presenter and author Richard Osman, actor Warwick Davis and broadcaster Gabby Logan. The Kumars At No 42 actress Meera Syal, 64, becomes a Dame.

Image:
Richard Osman. Pic: PA

Osman, 55, author of The Thursday Murder Club book series, said he was “absolutely thrilled” with the honour, while Davis, also 55, said: “This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I’ve been in Star Wars.”

Image:
Warwick Davis. Pic: PA

Wicked star Cynthia Erivo is made an MBE for services to music and drama, while football commentator Clive Tyldesley becomes an OBE for services to sports broadcasting and to charity.

Writer Roy Clarke, who created the sitcoms Last Of The Summer Wine, Open All Hours and Keeping Up Appearances, becomes a knight.

Image:
Cynthia Erivo. Pic: PA

Oldest Horizon IT scandal victim and D-Day veteran honoured

A woman thought to be the oldest victim of the Horizon IT scandal, 92-year-old Betty Brown, has said it was a “shocker” to have been made an OBE for seeking justice for subpostmasters.

D-Day veteran Mervyn Kersh, 101, said it was a “wonderful thing” to be awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to Holocaust remembrance and education.

Image:
Mervyn Kersh. Pic: PA

The oldest person on the list is 102-year-old John Hearn, one of four centenarians included, who receives a BEM for services to Judo and to the community in northeast England.

The youngest recipient is 20-year-old Olympic gold medal-winning sports climber Toby Roberts, from Elstead in Surrey, who becomes an MBE.

‘The very best of Britain’

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “This year’s Honours list celebrates the very best of Britain – people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives.

“Their quiet dedication speaks to the decent, compassionate country we are proud to be. On behalf of the whole nation, thank you – and congratulations to everyone recognised today.”

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Veteran entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charley Boy, attributes the longevity of his 46-year marriage to his ability to navigate and manage various aspects of the union.

Charly Boy made this known in a post via his Instagram page on Tuesday.

The singer cum Nollywood actor said many people see him and think he is stupidly in love, but they do not understand that it takes effort to keep the marriage.

According to Charly Boy, he sometimes gets tired of the marriage but keeps pushing because they have ‘decided to both die here.’

He said, “When people see me and my wife of over 46yrs, dem go think say we are stupidly in Love. Humm, it’s not like dat ooo. Some go say, “it’s good to marry your friend. Some go say, ” Dis na how I want my marriage to be” referring to our longevity.

“True true, no marriage is “made in heaven” I emphasize that successful unions require hard work, commitment, and cultivation on Earth, no union is divinely perfect from the start. Marriage is a fragile thing dat can easily crack. It is something built through effort, not just found.

“Make una no dey look us like say we are free of problems ooooo. As I dey so, am a champion manager, even when sometimes wey I no dey feel am again, I keep pushing. Anyway, for us, we have decided to both die here. Na over try dey worry me sef.”

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I came across Where Love Lives, Bimbo Ademoye‘s latest film, via TikTok. The clip that caught my attention featured Bimbo as a new arrival in a gated neighbourhood, facing off against three resident women who have come to “welcome” her. What followed was verbal volleyball: sharp barbs, thinly veiled insults, and a clear attempt at marking territory.

I was intrigued enough that the next morning, I sat down to watch, cautiously optimistic.

The film opens with a couple moving out of their home while three women stand across the street, champagne flutes in hand, openly gloating. These women, Queen Dekan (Chioma Nwosu), Imade (Osas Ighodaro), and Eno (Emem Udonquak), are collectively known as the Big Three. They clink glasses in celebration. The schadenfreude is unmistakable.

Enter Ekene (Uzor Arukwe) and Demilade Okechukwu (Bimbo Ademoye). Newly arrived from Alaba, newly wealthy, newly homeowners. Demilade is ecstatic about the move and eager for them to act in a manner befitting their new status. Ekene is loud, rough around the edges, and blissfully unaware of the social codes governing their new environment. Demilade wants him to match the neighbourhood’s polish and signal their upward mobility.

The Big Three arrive unannounced almost immediately. This leads to the TikTok scene that drew me in, a sparring match of words that ends with Demilade dismissing them with faux politeness before retreating indoors. From that moment on, she becomes a disruption to the existing order, particularly to Queen, the neighbourhood’s reigning alpha.

When elections for the residents’ association president arise, the rivalry between Demilade and Queen takes centre stage. Queen is used to being in control. She has social capital, longevity in the estate, and a domineering presence that has kept challengers in check. Demilade has spark, composure and refuses to be cowed. Their dynamic propels much of the film.

Parallel to this is Demilade’s marriage. Ekene is a wealthy Igbo businessman whose lack of refinement causes his wife embarrassment. He yells when he speaks, dresses tackily, and misses social cues entirely. Yet he is also deeply kind and devoted. He calls her Nwanyi Oma. She calls him Obim. Their affection is sincere and disarming, reminiscent of Gomez’s adoration of Morticia Addams.

Gregory, a single man who sprinkles gratuitous French into conversation, complicates things. Whether he is a native speaker or simply posturing is unclear. What is clear is that his friendliness feels performative. Demilade meets him on a morning run, and soon they are running together, texting, and hanging out casually. He offers neighbourhood gossip and generous compliments.

Demilade does not actively encourage him, but she does not firmly shut him down either. Worse, she hides the relationship from her husband. The film initially suggests that infidelity will be the central marital conflict, but this thread is resolved quickly. Instead, the real rupture comes when Ekene loses everything. Their wealth evaporates, and with it many of Demilade’s comforts. She grows cold and distant, unwilling to accept their new reality. The film asks whether her love is rooted in the man himself or in what his money afforded her.

The Big Three are not written as caricatures. Queen, while abrasive, has dimension. Imade has a subplot involving blackmail. Eno’s storyline revolves around fertility struggles and a possibly unfaithful husband, though her character feels the least developed. Whether due to writing or performance, she fades more easily into the background.

The film is undeniably cheesy at times. Gregory’s dialogue in particular veers into eye-roll territory. The runtime does it no favours either. At two hours and twenty-six minutes, it drags toward the end, a familiar issue in many Nollywood productions. The sound engineering is also uneven. At times, the audio resembles a faulty pair of earphones, with audible mic bumps breaking immersion.

Still, Where Love Lives is funny and largely enjoyable. Every time Demilade’s inner Alaba girl surfaced, I found myself cheering, because it always led to a well-deserved dressing down. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys a strong lead shaking up the status quo.

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Italian-Nigerian singer and songwriter Charles Onyekachi Onyeabor has shared a poignant reflection on Nigeria in the wake of the recent accident involving world-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua.

Earlier, Tori News reports that Joshua was involved in a fatal road accident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which claimed the lives of two of his friends. The boxer, however, escaped death by a whisker.

Reacting to the incident, Onyeabor, on his Instagram page, wrote: “This Anthony Joshua situation got me thinking out loud once again. Thank God he is alive, and sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.”

He went on to reflect on Nigeria’s persistent challenges, saying: “Whenever I say that Nigeria may never get better, people think I’m trying to downgrade the country or talk it down. But this is not about hate — it’s about reality. I have lived outside Nigeria for over two decades. During that time, instead of things improving back home, the situation has actually gotten worse. So when someone confidently tells me, ‘Nigeria will get better,’ I honestly ask myself — based on what evidence?”

Onyekachi lamented the nation’s inability to reflect on its problems: “The most painful part is this: anytime you try to state the obvious about Nigeria’s problems, or when a foreigner speaks the truth about the situation in the country, Nigerians don’t reflect, they attack, insult, and troll the person. We are very good at comparing ourselves against each other, but very bad at comparing our country with other countries.”

He criticized Nigerians for focusing on individual successes while ignoring systemic failures:

“We compare Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid every day, forgetting that all three are rich, successful, unique Nigerian artists who have already won. We compare Obi Cubana and Jowizaza. We argue about who has a Grammy and who doesn’t. But we refuse to compare Nigeria itself with other nations.”

Onyekachi highlighted the country’s infrastructural deficits: “Why don’t we compare a country with no constant electricity, poor road networks, bad hospitals and emergency services, lack of clean water and basic amenities, with countries where these things are normal, not luxury?”

He also criticized the nation’s focus on tribalism, religious division, online insults, and internal fighting rather than demanding better systems.

“Until we learn to accept truth, stop being defensive, and start holding systems accountable instead of worshipping individuals, nothing will change,” he wrote.

Onyekachi concluded: “This is not hate. This is not bitterness. This is an observation. As things stand today, it is hard to see Nigeria truly getting better again.”

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Reacting to her sudden passage, many of her colleagues, including Iyabo Ojo, Lateef Adedimeji and others took to social media to express shock and shared condolences messages.

The brother of late actress Allwell Ademola has called out actress Iyabo Ojo, Lateef Adedimeji, and other A-list Nigerian actors for allegedly failing to support his sister.

He called out the actors after sharing pictures of his late sister on their social media page.

Recall that Allwell Ademola, a popular actress and movie producer died on Saturday December 27 2025, barely 24 hours after singing “this year will never see my end” song in her last post.

Reacting to her sudden passage, many of her colleagues, including Iyabo Ojo, Lateef Adedimeji and others took to social media to express shock and shared condolences messages.

In response, the deceased’s brother called them out for not supporting her while alive but were quick to announce her death.

Speaking in a now viral video, Allwell’s brother who refused to disclose her actual age, said “You guys should stop posting my sister, you don’t know her age. She’s not 43, stop posting her, you guys never honor her when alive.

“Everybody dey post Allwell rest in peace, how many of you support my sister when she was alive? Na only in her movie I dey see her. All of una A-list artistes wey call una self her friends, Iyabo Ojo. Adedimeji Lateef and other A-list make una remember say my sister carries all of una join body including Owonikoko, all una was coming to our house to film.

“Allwell supported when you all joined the industry, you people don’t use her in your cinemas movie but now you guys are posting her, did you guys ever promote any of her movies ?”

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