Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Ayra Starr, NBA Star for Giants of Africa Festival
Nigerian pop sensation Ayra Starr and LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard have been added to the list of stars for the Giants of Africa Festival 2025, which will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, from July 26 to August 2.
Giants of Africa Festival 2025 will bring together 320 young athletes from 20 African nations, and more than 20,000 spectators for a week of community, culture, basketball, education, and entertainment.
Ayra Starr will perform at the festival’s closing concert on August 2, joining a powerhouse line-up that includes Afrobeats stars Kizz Daniel and Timaya.
Additionally, local Rwandan artist Alyn Sano is now set to perform at the festival’s inaugural Threads of Africa Fashion Show on July 31.
Launching a week of unforgettable music moments, the festival’s exhilarating opening show on July 27 will feature performances by South African DJ phenomenon Uncle Waffles and MTV VMA-winning choreographer Sherrie Silver. Rwandan stars Kevin Kade, Ruti Joël, Boukuru and Chriss Easy will also perform on the opening weekend.
Two-time NBA champion Leonard has also been added to the Giants of Africa Festival 2025’s all-star line-up.
The LA Clippers forward will mentor youth campers, open a new basketball court in partnership with Giants of Africa at St Ignatius School, and host a special clinic for 50 local youth at Club Rafiki in one of Kigali’s most underserved districts.
Additional celebrity guests appearing throughout the week include Robin Roberts, Chiney Ogwumike, Didier Drogba, Michael Blackson, Boris Kodjoe, and more.
Giants of Africa is a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering African youth through basketball, founded by basketball executive and former player Masai Ujiri.
Ujiri recently appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show and Good Morning America to discuss how the festival unites communities, spark potential, and drive transformative change across the continent.
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Court Awards N125, 000 Cost against Odumodublvck
An Abuja High Court on Wednesday awarded N125, 000 against a rapper, Tochukwu Ojogwu, popularly known as “Odumodublvck”, for asking for adjournment.
Justice J.O.E. Adeyemi-Ajayi awarded the cost while adjourning the matter until Oct.
27 for cross-examination and defence.The claimant, Ogbogiri Okey Levi, popularly known as Kraziecent, instituted an assault and battery suit against Odumodublvck.
At the resumed hearing, the claimant’s counsel, Uchenna Ojembe, announced his appearance and told the court that the matter was slated for cross-examination and defence.
Ojembe said his witness was in court and ready to proceed.
The Defendant’s Counsel, Ikenna Magnus, however pleaded with the court to grant him another date to enable him prepare for cross-examination and defence.
Magnus told the court that he was just coming into the matter and needed a little time to put his house in order.
Ojembe opposed the application and told the court that it was the usual delay tactic by the defence to obstruct and stall proceedings.
“This is the usual delay tactic to obstruct and stall proceedings. We will not be applying to keep them out, but we will be applying for N5 million cost,” Ojembe said.
However, the defence counsel again begged the court for leniency.
In her ruling, Justice J.O E. Adeyemi-Ajayi awarded a cost of N125, 000 against the Odumodublvck for delaying proceedings
She adjourned the matter until Oct. 27 and Oct. 29 for cross-examination and defence.
The News Agency Nigeria recalls that “Kraziecent” alleged that Odumodublvck assaulted him at a public event in December 2024, damaged his iPhone 15 Pro Max and caused him emotional distress.
He is seeking payment of medical expenses, a public apology via the defendant’s social media platforms and two national dailies, or N2 billion in damages.
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Hunger Changed My Mind, Timini Egbuson on Embracing YouTube movies
Nollywood actor Timini Egbuson has reflected on his changing perception of YouTube movies, joking that he might have struggled financially had he continued to look down on productions made for the video-sharing platform.
Egbuson shared the thought in a post on X Tuesday night, writing, and “Can’t believe I was looking down on YouTube movies at some point.
Hunger go don kpai me by now. ”His remark highlights the growing commercial appeal of YouTube movies in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, where actors and filmmakers are increasingly using the platform to reach audiences and generate revenue from their productions.
Egbuson, who has now featured in YouTube movie productions, has embraced the growing market, adding to his work across Nollywood’s film and streaming landscape.
Many Nollywood actors have long prioritised cinema movies, often seeing them as more prestigious and commercially rewarding than YouTube productions. As a result, some overlook online films, despite their growing audiences and earning potential.
However, the success of YouTube movies is gradually changing perceptions within the industry.
Reports show that Nigerian filmmakers were increasingly turning to YouTube amid the pullback by global streaming companies, with the platform offering easier access to audiences and fewer barriers to distribution.
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
BBNaija Season 11: Keivo Becomes Second Housemate to be Disqualified
Keivo has become the second Big Brother Naija housemate to be disqualified from Season 11.
This follows his physical altercation with fellow housemate, Tram.
The fight broke out after Tram accused Keivo of taking one of his shirts.
Keivo did not take the allegation of theft lightly, and the situation eventually became violent.
It took the intervention of other housemates to calm both men down.
On Tuesday, Biggie sent ninjas to escort Keivo out of the house through the storeroom.
Biggie eventually gathered the remaining contestants and confirmed Keivo’s disqualification.
Nomy was the first housemate to be disqualified due to repeated defiance and refusal to wear an assigned punishment outfit.


