Bolanle Austen-Peters’ latest film, House of Ga’a, has topped the Netflix film chart in Nigeria since its release on July 26. Set in the ancient 18th century Yoruba history, House of Ga’a tells the gripping tale of a power-hungry political figure, Ga’a, who orchestrates a brutal betrayal within the Oyo Empire.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the star-studded epic movie has maintained its top position on the chart since its debut. Following House of Ga’a, the Indian movie Savi, which focuses on a woman’s determination to break her husband out of prison, is ranked second. The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior holds the third spot.

Other films in the top ten include:

4. Non Negotiable – a thriller about a hostage negotiator rescuing the Mexican president and his wife after they are kidnapped.
5. Maharaja – an Indian action movie.
6. Titanic – an epic romantic disaster movie.
7. Shina – an action movie.
8. Chhota Bheem and the Curse of Damyaan – an action-adventure film.
9. Trigger Warning – another action-packed film.
10. Mr and Mrs Mahi – a sports drama.

These rankings highlight the diverse preferences of Netflix viewers in Nigeria, showcasing a blend of local and international films across various genres.

Ugandan internet sensation Rango Tenge Tenge has garnered attention by being among the 1,658 people followed by Nigerian songstress Tiwa Savage on Instagram, where she boasts 18.8 million followers. Rango Tenge Tenge himself has a substantial following of 2.1 million. After following him, the “Koroba” hitmaker extended an invitation to the TikToker to join her in London for her son’s birthday celebrations. Savage’s son will be turning nine this year.

Tiwa Savage shares her son with entertainment executive and talent manager Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun. The couple had their traditional marriage on November 23, 2013, at The Ark in Lekki, and their white wedding on April 26, 2014, at the Armani Hotel in Dubai. On January 1, 2015, Tiwa Savage and Balogun announced they were expecting their first child together, who was born six months later.

Nigerian actress and reality TV star Bisola Aiyeola responded with humor and wit to a fan’s comment speculating about a possible marriage proposal. On July 30, 2024, the actress posted a video on her Instagram page, playfully refuting the fan’s prediction of an engagement.

She began, “My sister Raquel, you smell wrong; you smell very wrong. The only thing I smell, the only manner of engagement that I smell, is engagement on my page. You see the ring fingers are empty; there is no ring on them. There is no engagement; I don’t even sniff it on the horizon. That’s right; I don’t smell it. The only thing I smell is you going to my page and buying brown girl magic products.”

Continuing in her light-hearted tone, Bisola invited the fan and prospective suitors to buy her products, adding, “My sister, don’t really think much of engagement. ko si, E no dey, but I do smell you engaging with my products. And for any man out there who thinks he can engage me, you can engage me by buying bottles of brown girl’s magic. I would most definitely say yes to that. Goodbye from the non-engagement lady.”

“Na Sharon cause this thing since she marry,” she quipped in between laughter.

Bisola’s witty post raked up tons of reactions from her colleagues, fans, and followers who took to the comment section.

Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing commented, “She don’t Dey🤣 Abeg yellow skin fit use the products?” BBNaija star Dorathy also commented, saying, “😂 I smell it too,” and actress Adesua Etomi said, “Skrimmmmm 😂”

Nigerians woke up to the sad news of the passing of legendary singer Onyeka Onwenu, who died at the age of 72 on July 31, 2024. Onyeka Onwenu was a celebrated artist whose efforts contributed significantly to the commercial success of Nigerian music, paving the way for future female stars to shine.

Onwenu’s music, which defined the 80s and 90s, continues to inspire future generations. She was famous for her pro-Nigerian songs and heartwarming love records, embracing her Igbo culture. Her impact on the Nigerian music industry was captured in Burna Boy’s 2020 Grammy-winning album “Twice As Tall,” which featured a track named after her.

In her diverse career, Onyeka Onwenu’s work stretched across music, movies, journalism, politics, and civil society. As a musician, she transitioned to gospel music in the mid-90s while continuously spreading her message of national pride and unity.

As we remember the late legend and her contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry, here are seven classic songs by Onyeka Onwenu that capture her legacy:

1. One Love
   • “One love keeps us together” is the popular lyric of this classic that continues to be a mainstay on Nigerian radio and TV stations decades after its release. The song spreads the message of peace, love, and unity among Nigerians.
2. Wait For Me (feat. King Sunny Ade)
   • This duet with the Grammy-nominated Juju music legend King Sunny Ade reflects Onwenu’s popularity and commercial success. At her peak, she was one of Nigeria’s biggest pop stars in the 1980s.
3. You and I
   • This love song reflects the influence of funk and jazz in Nigerian pop music in the 80s. Onyeka Onwenu uses pidgin and Igbo to craft a classic love song that remains a favorite soundtrack in Nigerian movies.
4. Ekwe
   • Funk meets Igbo folk music in this fusion where Onyeka Onwenu tells the story of a relentless suitor who has his eyes fixed on a damsel uninterested in his advances.
5. Bia Nulu
   • In this record, Onyeka Onwenu leans into her spirituality, calling on God to listen to the plight of His people and ease their burden.
6. Alleluya
   • Another popular gospel song from Onyeka Onwenu, where she expresses gratitude and joy.
7. Iyogogo
   • A beautiful folk love song in which Onyeka Onwenu expresses the depth of her love while demanding total commitment from her lover. The song was interpolated by P-Square in their single “Bank Alert.”

Onyeka Onwenu’s contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry will be remembered and cherished. Her music, message, and legacy continue to inspire generations.

In a bold move, disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly has taken his fight for freedom to the highest court in the United States. On July 31, 2024, Kelly’s legal team filed an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking to overturn his convictions on multiple sex crime charges.

The controversial artist, known for hits like “I Believe I Can Fly,” was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2022 after being found guilty of sexual exploitation of minors, forced labor, and racketeering. Kelly’s lawyers argue that his trial was marred by several legal errors and that these mistakes violated his constitutional rights.

Key points of the appeal include:

1. Unfair Jury Selection: Kelly’s defense claims that the jury selection process was flawed, potentially leading to a biased panel that was predisposed against him.
2. Questionable Evidence: The appeal challenges the admission of certain pieces of evidence that the defense believes should have been excluded from the trial. They argue that this evidence unduly influenced the jury’s decision.
3. Witness Credibility: The legal team questions the reliability of the testimonies from key witnesses, suggesting that their accounts may not have been trustworthy.

Kelly’s lawyers are pushing for either a complete reversal of the convictions or a new trial, insisting that the original trial was far from fair. The Supreme Court’s decision on whether to hear the case could be a turning point in Kelly’s long-standing legal battles.

The U.S. Supreme Court only hears a small percentage of cases each year, so it’s uncertain whether they will take up Kelly’s appeal. However, if they do, it could potentially lead to a new trial or even a release from his current sentence. For now, the world waits to see if the once-celebrated artist will get another chance to clear his name.

As the drama unfolds, many are left wondering whether justice will prevail or if this is just another chapter in the saga of a fallen star.

On the heels of the start of Big Brother Naija season 9, former housemate Pere Egbi has weighed in on the newly married housemates Kassia and Kellyrae of team Doublekay. Recall that the pair have not told their housemates that they are married.

Taking to the microblogging platform X on July 30, 2024, Pere emphasized that the pair may develop trust issues in the house, which would exhibit when they leave the show. He wrote, “You see that married couple, na dangerous game den dey play. The kind of trust issues when this their game go generate, na outside dem go feel am when don commot.”

Pere’s post received various comments from his followers, with some agreeing with him and others voicing their approval and support for team Doublekay.

“I know they will have significant issues before they leave that house. Who gets married and then lies about it to catch a cruise on such a platform?” said a commenter in agreement.

Another follower said, “A difficult game they are playing, hopefully, they succeed,” and someone else said, “I kind of like their game and it’s going to make them go far in the game.”

“But there is going to be a drama in the house between them. Because some guys are beginning to like her and her husband will not like that. I like it though because I want to see how it is going to play out,” another X user wrote.

It is noteworthy that Kassia and Kellyrae are a newly married couple who tied the knot in February 2024, after 10 years of courtship. However, they have kept this information from their housemates and have adopted the tactic of being best friends.

Onyeka Onwenu’s immense contributions to the growth of the entertainment industry will always be revered. Legendary Fuji musician, Adewale Ayuba, mourned Onyeka Onwenu, Nigeria’s music legend, who passed away on July 30, 2024, at the age of 72. Ayuba, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, expressed his deep respect for Onwenu’s impact on the entertainment industry. He said, “I celebrate the life of our beloved Onyeka Onwenu. Though she may have been taken from us too soon, her spirit, good works will forever live on in the memories we cherish and the love we shared. Many would have ample and lofty things to write about her efforts on Nigeria’s entertainment industry growth. Onyeka has left this world in glory. May her soul rest in peace.”

Nigerian singer and activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, paid tribute to Onwenu on X, formerly Twitter. He wrote, “The Igbo nation mourns the loss of this iconic figure, whose impact transcended the entertainment industry. Onwenu’s death follows the recent passings of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, marking a period of profound loss for the Southeast region of Nigeria. Onwenu’s legacy as a cherished talent and tireless advocate will continue to inspire future generations. Oh! My sister, Rest In Peace.”

Similarly, Afrobeat musician, Femi Kuti, expressed shock at the death of Onwenu. He said, “Shocked, waking up to very sad news of the passing of Mrs. Onyeka Onwenu. Rest in peace Ma, your beautiful voice will live forever. Condolences to her family and loved ones.”

Nigerian “Galala” singer, Daddy Showkey, displayed a picture of the deceased on his Instagram page and wrote, “RIP Great Legend Onyeka Onwenu. Nobody knows the news wey you go hear when you wake up in the morning.”

Onyeka Onwenu was born in 1952 and began her music career in the 1980s, releasing her debut album, “For the Love of You,” in 1981. She released numerous albums and singles, including the hit song “One Love.” Onwenu also acted in several Nollywood films and won numerous awards for her contributions to music and film. In addition to her entertainment career, Onwenu was involved in politics. She was appointed as the Chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture in 2013 and later became the Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development in 2016. She was awarded the National Honours of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011.