Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Tiv Community Condemns Hate Speech, Ethnic Profiling By Venita, Bbnaija Housemate
From David Torough, Makurdi
The Tiv Community in Lagos has condemned in strong terms the hate speech and ethnic profiling of the Tiv race by a Big Brother Naija All Stars 2023 Housemate (BBNaija), Ms Venita Akpofure.
The Tiv Community under the auspices of the Mdzough U Tiv (Mutual Union of Tiv People), Lagos State Chapter said her false narrative on the Tiv race using the international platform of Big Brother Naija amounts to ethnic profiling and risks a legal action in a competent court.
In statement signed by the President, Engr. Theophilus Terkura Ukaa, Secretary General, Hon.
Anagbe Raphael Terungwaand Engr. John Terfa Mka Public Relations Officer, the Comuunity also said Venita had taken falsehood too far.
The statement read in part: “The Mdzough U Tiv received with absolute displeasure a trending video which purportedly captured a house mate of the globally popular reality television show Big Brother Naija – BBN, who is referred to as Venita Akpofure, who on the international television show reportedly said the falsehood that the Tiv of North Central Nigeria arguably the fourth largest ethnic group, as their culture gives out their wives for nuptial pleasure to their guests.”
“This statement is not only a falsehood taken too far, but an aspersion cast on not just an individual but an entire tribe, and we take a very strong objection to this unwarranted provocation against our Tiv tribe” the statement indicated.
“The said Venita Akpoture is reportedly a former wife of a Tiv man from an important family in the Tiv Nation, they are now divorced, thus, we expect that she should know better and despite the facts of the divorce, she is said to have children from her former marriage, as such we expect that she should be an ambassador of truth for her children’s sakes” the statement further stated.
“That the said Venita Akpofure has decided to band up with evil conspirators’ intent on image battery of the Tiv Nation and rather champion a course for demeaning her children race, we demand an incontrovertible and unreserved public apology from her whilst she still has the global media platform” the Tiv people demanded unreservedly.
“In the meantime, we have advised our Lawyers to kick start a legal action against Venita Akpofure towards seeking legal redress for this libelous infraction against an entire tribe” the Mzough U Tiv indicated.
Nigerian music superstar, Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, is set to perform at the BlastFest and the Trillville summer festivals in the United States.
The Grammy-winning singer made the announcement in a post on his Instagram page.
Wizkid is slated to headline the BlastFest in Seattle on July 18 alongside DJ Mustard, Shensheea, Tyla and Pheelz.
The ‘Piece of My Heart’ crooner added that he will also perform at Trillville, also known as Tribeville Festival Deluxe,in Minneapolis on July 24.
Wizkid had earlier hinted to his teeming fans that he has several major US festival appearances scheduled for the summer and fall of 2026, especially those that celebrate global black music and culture.
The announcement has got fans buzzing across social media platforms, with many dubbing the season as “Starboy Month”.
Afrobeats sensation, Ahmed Ololade, aka Asake, is set to embark on a world tour ‘In God We Trust’, a global music roll with scheduled performances across venues in Europe and North America.
The singer made the announcement on his official social media platforms, where he unveiled performance dates and some of the world’s biggest music venues.
According to the ‘Lungu Boy’ crooner, the tour will begin with a gig at Afro Nation Portugal before moving to North America in August with performances in Chicago, Toronto, Brooklyn, Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles.
He added that the tour will later continue in Europe with scheduled performances in Paris, London and other cities, with South African Amapiano artiste, Uncle Waffles, joining him on selected North American tour dates.
The tour follows the release of his fourth studio album, “M$NEY”, which dropped on May 1, marking his first project under his own label Giran Republic after leaving YBNL Nation.
The performances will feature songs from “M$NEY” alongside tracks from his previous albums, including Mr Money WithThe Vibe, Work of Art and Lungu Boy.
Asake gained prominence in 2022 after signing with Olamide’s YBNL Nation and releasing the hit single ‘Omo Ope’ and his debut EP ‘Ololade’.
His hit song ‘Amapiano’ was nominated for Best African Music Performance category at the 2024 Grammy Award, despite being sung mainly in Yoruba.
He has performed across Europe, the United Kingdom and North America since rising to prominence, with performances at the iconic London’s O2 Arena.
Nollywood star, Uche Ogbodo, has finally spoken up on her marriage to Bobby Maris, confirming that it has been dissolved.
The actress via her Instagram page addressed the controversy surrounding the union, stating that she has not committed a sin by ending the marriage.
Uche also tagged her husband ‘princesses, stressing that she is tired of being in the marriage.
”For person to tire for marriage now nah taboo because nah woman! Must it always be man must taya? My tayad is tayad! I’m tired of the princess wey dey marry me.
What is wrong with that? To be happy as a woman in marriage is by connection in this country! I no do again nah sin? Make nobody push me to the wall because I be rubber.
8 years of my life is not enough yet? Maybe I should give it 20 years or maybe 6feet under before the crown of thorns can fit me well”, she wrote.
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