Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Patience Ozokwor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Others Attend Premier of “Ikemba”

A new movie, “Ikemba”, was premiered on Sunday at the Orientals Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, to an array of “A” list actors and movie enthusiasts. The movie which had actors like Pete Edochie, Ramsey Noah, Yul Edochie, Zubby Michael, Patience Ozokwor, Chiwetalu Agu, Kanayo O.
Kanayo and others, was produced by Mr James Oguejiofor. The star studded movie tells the story of how the whitemen came into Nigeria.Oguejiofor told newsmen that the movie had “A list actors” because he wanted the best and also for the message in the script to be perfectly interpreted. “Ikemba movie is about happenings in Africa. If you observe, the colonial masters are still around, they like to cause chaos whenever they intend to get something from Africa.
“The young ones don’t know all these, that is why we are writing these stories to educate our people and also open their eyes. It is not always about making money but to enlighten the people,” he said.The producer added that one of the challenges of shooting the movie was getting actors to location due to insecurity, as the movie was shot in Enugu, Abia and Calabar. Veteran actress, Patience Ozokwor, popularly know as, “Mama G”, said, “Ikemba is a one-stop movie that gives you everything you want in a movie.
“It talks about tradition, culture, education, foreign touch and everything that has happened to us. The message cuts across cultures. “It is a star studded movie but most importantly, it passes an important message on how the foreigners came in and what they did. “I hope people will learn to make movies with great stories like this.”
Actor Kanayo O. Kanayo, also described the movie as being unique, adding that it looks back to the days when the whitemen came and those on ground did not understand them. “Africans are great people who don’t unnecessarily suspect you but then, the whiteman came with Bible in hand and before we opened our eyes, we had the Bible and they had the lands. “They came with entrenched interest, it caused division amongst us, which has not gone till date. Now, we hardly trust people around us. “There is always this tendency of playing the politics of supremacy, these are the stories told by Ikemba which makes it a unique one.” he said.
The movie lead director, Godwin Obiora, popularly know as, “Boko Indentention”, said it wasn’t easy directing a star studded movie, especially those that are well grounded with tradition. He said he had to do detailed research to effectively guide the actors and also tell the story in a way that would be easily understood.
“I did a lot of research to make me connect with the script. I wanted to make something that invalidates some of the teachings we were taught about the whiteman in school. “I decided to change the narrative so that my children and other generations to come would know the true story.” he said.
Emmanuel Eyaba, the Assistant Movie Director, said that directing Ikemba was a big project and that there would be subsequent premiere in Abuja and Port-Harcourt.“Ikemba is another step closer to making movies that promote our culture, heritage and tradition, so that they do not go into extinction. Ikemba is just one of a kind,” he said. Sylvester Madu, who also acted in the movie, described Ikemba as unique and a must see for everyone. Madu said the movie tells why Africa needed to come together and harness its resources rather than let other people do it. (NAN)(
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Spotify Spotlights Fola, Thakzin as Africa’s Next Music Icons

Spotify has announced Nigerian Afrobeats talent, Fola and South African Afro House DJ and producer, Thakzin, as part of its RADAR Africa initiative.
According to the streaming platform, these artistes have promoted and shaped Sub-Saharan Africa’s music scene.
Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, said this in a statement on Thursday.
According to her, the platform is committed to discovering and amplifying emerging voices in championing boundary-pushing artistes shaping the sound of tomorrow.
Okumu said that Spotify Radar was not just a platform, but a launchpad.
“It reflects Spotify’s commitment to empowering local artistes across Sub-Saharan Africa and delivering the best listening experience in the region.
“From Lagos to Johannesburg, RADAR celebrates the diversity of talent on the continent, offering artistes equal access to global audiences.
“At Spotify, we believe in the power of African storytelling through music,” she said.
She described FOLA and Thakzin as incredibly unique artistes who represent the spirit of RADAR.
“By amplifying their journeys, we hope to inspire more creators across the continent to believe in their vision and reach for bigger stages,” she said.
Fola, born Folarin Odunlami, first caught attention with his freestyles on social media, quickly making a name for himself with his blend of Afrobeats rhythms and soulful storytelling.
His breakout EP ‘What A Feeling’, featuring the Bella Shmurda-assisted hit, “Who Does That”, laid the foundation for a fast-rising career that now includes collaborations with BNXN, Magixx, and BhadBoi OML.
“Looking at where I’m coming from, I see every opportunity as a blessing. So, it’s a blessing to have been selected, just like others before me.
“I want my fans to know that in the midst of all the noise, I made something they could truly connect with, feel and share with those who mean something to them.
“I want everyone who listens to at the very least, recognise that they’re witnessing the early days of something truly special,” Fola said.
On the southern tip of the continent, Thakzin’s journey began in Ivory Park, Johannesburg, where early jazz and kwaito influences.
Also, a deep respect for traditional percussion shaped his signature sound.
With co-signs from Black Coffee and international tastemakers like Laurent Garnier, his genre-defying approach to Afro House, heard in his 2023 anthem, “The Magnificent Dance”.
Following the release of Magnificent Dance, his version of ‘Horns In The Sun’, by DJ Kent, became a viral hit across South Africa and gained global traction, potentially surpassing the success of ,Magnificent Dance’.
Thakzin’s sound is rooted in African spirituality and healing, inspired by the rhythmic power of traditional drums.
Shaped by a musical upbringing and guided by his father, a keyboardist, he blends rich harmonies with percussive elements to create an immersive Afro-house experience.
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Popular Chinese Singer Executed by Firing Squad over Murder of Girlfriend

Popular Chinese actor and singer, Zhang Yiyang has been executed for the murder of his underage girlfriend.
Zhang Yiyang became the first ever Chinese celebrity to be executed by firing squad.
The Intermediate People’s Court of Xianyang in North Shaanxi Province made the report of his execution public in July 2025.
According to the report, the actor was executed on December 18 2024 for attacking his 16-year-old girlfriend with a knife in 2022, cut her left carotid artery, jugular vein, trachea and esophagus, which after massive bleeding led to her death.
Zhang started dating the victim in September 2021, before the victim proposed breaking up after a dispute.
After the murder, he took away the deceased’s mobile phone, discarded the knife and other weapons and related items in a reservoir to destroy evidence.
On the following day, he attempted to commit suicide at a hotel but was discovered by one of the hotel workers, who reported to the police.
His popular songs include ‘I Only Care About People Who Care About Me’, ‘So Care About You’ and ‘Crying Man’.
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Why Igbo Men Struggle in Politics – Pete Edochie

Veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, has stirred controversy with a bold statement about Igbo politicians, claiming they are not adept at navigating the Nigerian political landscape.
In a recent interview, Edochie argued that the average Igbo man lacks the temperament required for politics, which often involves a degree of “treachery” and strategic compromise.
“An Igbo man is not a good politician.
And I will tell you why: people who are used to politics or the treachery that characterises politics can overlook a lot of things. But the Igbo man is not constituted to condone treachery a second time,” he said.Edochie emphasized that once an Igbo man is betrayed, he is unlikely to forgive or reconnect with the offender, which, in his view, hinders long-term political alliances.
“If you hurt the Igbo man once in politics, he will never give you an opportunity to hurt him again. He will recoil. That’s the average Igbo man.”