Funke Akindele Reveals How Tyler Perry Inspired Her Journey To Becoming A Top Filmmaker

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Award-winning Nollywood actress, producer, and filmmaker Funke Akindele has opened up about her inspiring journey in the Nigerian film industry, revealing that she taught herself the art of filmmaking by watching movies and studying the works of renowned Hollywood filmmaker Tyler Perry.

In a recent interview with BellaNaija, the box office record-holder reflected on her humble beginnings, describing herself as a young and inexperienced storyteller who was determined to create meaningful and entertaining films despite having no formal training in film production.

Akindele explained that she never attended a film school to learn directing, screenwriting, or production. Instead, she developed her skills through self-learning, observing movie sets, and gaining practical experience in the Yoruba movie industry.

Looking back on the early days of her career, particularly during the production of the popular Jenifa series, the actress said she was simply focused on telling authentic stories that audiences could connect with.

“I was young, inexperienced and self-taught when it came to film production,” she recalled, noting that passion and determination kept her moving forward despite the challenges she faced.

The celebrated filmmaker disclosed that Tyler Perry played a significant role in shaping her creative approach. According to her, watching his films and television series helped her understand storytelling, scriptwriting, and film production techniques.

“I didn’t go to school to study film. I just watched films. I actually learnt to write from watching Tyler Perry movies and series. That’s my role model. I really love him so much. I can’t wait to meet him and work with him,” she said.

Read Also: Uche Ogbodo Says She’s Receiving Over 100 DMs Daily After Announcing Split From Bobby Maris

Akindele noted that her continued success is rooted in her willingness to keep learning and adapting to the ever-changing entertainment industry. She stressed that she constantly challenges herself to improve rather than becoming satisfied with past achievements.

She explained that reinvention has been one of the key factors behind her longevity in Nollywood, encouraging aspiring creatives never to become complacent.

The actress also highlighted the importance of teamwork, humility, and collaboration in her career. Rather than believing she has mastered every aspect of filmmaking, she regularly works with other professionals to improve the quality of her productions.

“I keep collaborating with professionals in the film industry. I don’t believe I know it all. That has helped me over the years. I’m not perfect,” she added.

Akindele’s story has resonated with fans and aspiring filmmakers, many of whom have praised her dedication, resilience, and commitment to lifelong learning. Her journey from a self-taught actress to one of Nollywood’s most successful filmmakers continues to inspire a new generation of creatives across Africa.

Uche Ogbodo Says She’s Receiving Over 100 DMs Daily After Announcing Split From Bobby Maris

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Nollywood actress Uche Ogbodo has revealed that her social media inbox has been flooded with messages from admirers following the announcement of her separation from her estranged husband, Bobby Maris.

Taking to her Instagram Story, the actress shared her surprise at the overwhelming attention she has received from men since news of her marriage breakdown became public. According to Ogbodo, she now receives more than 100 direct messages every day, with many people expressing interest in getting to know her.

Reacting to the unexpected influx of messages, the actress appealed to those reaching out to give her some space as she is not yet ready to begin another relationship.

“100 DMs a day is too much for me. Please, you all should chill. I’m not searching yet. Let me breathe first. It’s like all these men have been looking for a way to get to me because what in heaven is going on in my DM?” she wrote.

Read Also: Burna Boy Makes History As First African Artist To Top Billboard Global 200 Chart

The mother of two admitted that she never imagined her inbox would become so busy simply because she disclosed her marital challenges. She jokingly suggested that it seemed as though many men had been waiting for an opportunity to approach her.

Ogbodo recently confirmed that her marriage to Bobby Maris had ended after years together. Explaining her decision, the actress said she became exhausted by the relationship, claiming her estranged husband behaved “like a princess” despite their years as a couple. Her remarks quickly sparked conversations across social media, with fans and followers expressing mixed opinions about the split.

Since then, the actress has remained active online, sharing updates about her personal life while asking supporters to respect her privacy as she adjusts to the new chapter.

Her latest revelation about receiving hundreds of messages has generated fresh reactions from fans, with many finding the situation amusing, while others encouraged her to take time to heal before considering another relationship.

Burna Boy Makes History As First African Artist To Top Billboard Global 200 Chart

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Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy has etched his name into music history by becoming the first African artist to reach the No. 1 position on the Billboard Global 200 Songs chart.

The Grammy Award-winning singer achieved the landmark feat with ‘Dai Dai,’ the official FIFA World Cup collaboration featuring Colombian music icon Shakira. The song climbed to the summit of this week’s Billboard Global 200 rankings, marking a major milestone for African music on the global stage.

The success of ‘Dai Dai’ extended beyond the main global chart, as the hit single also claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Global 200 Excl. U.S. chart, highlighting its massive popularity across international markets.

In the United States, the song continued its impressive rise by jumping 12 places to reach a new career-best position of No. 55 on the Billboard Hot 100. The achievement further cements Burna Boy’s reputation as one of Africa’s biggest musical exports and reflects the growing global influence of Afrobeats.

The historic accomplishment comes as Nigerian artists continue to dominate international music charts and earn widespread recognition for their contributions to the global entertainment industry.

Read Also: Funke Akindele: I Stopped Partying to Make My Movie Gross N2.7 Billion

Meanwhile, fellow Nigerian singer Tems also recorded another impressive milestone on the Billboard charts. Her hit song ‘What You Need’ climbed five places to a new peak of No. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 after spending 15 weeks on the chart.

The track has also enjoyed remarkable success on American radio, recently reaching No. 1 on both the Billboard Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and the Mediabase Urban radio airplay chart.

With the achievement, Tems remains the first solo African artist to top both airplay charts, further strengthening Nigeria’s growing influence in the global music industry.

The latest accomplishments by Burna Boy and Tems underscore the continued rise of Afrobeats, as Nigerian artists break records, dominate international charts, and introduce African music to an ever-expanding global audience.

Funke Akindele: I Stopped Partying to Make My Movie Gross N2.7 Billion

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Nollywood actress and film maker, Funke Akindele has revealed the sacrifices she made for her latest movie, Behind The Scenes which has grossed N2.7 billion.

Speaking with Bella Naija, she said: I put myself very busy and gave my all. She said she gave herself up to work, didn’t do her hair, didn’t go to parties, didn’t visit people’s houses to say hello.

Akindele said she was in it neck deep, put in the time and is now reaping the rewards. The director said it took a lot of sacrifice, sleepless nights, forgetting to eat and giving her all.

. . . “What I do differently to attain this level of success is lots of work. By “a lot of work” I mean, “do your best.” I gave myself up for work; I don’t even do my hair unless I am going on the red carpet or somewhere important. I don’t do parties, I don’t go say hello at home, I stop everything. I’m buried in work, I give my time to it. Now I am relaxed, feeling fresh, doing the skincare. It was a lot of sacrifice, sleepless nights, forgetting to eat, giving my all.”

Funke said nobody told her to dance for her movie and she does more than dance. “On dancing to promote her movie, Funke said no one asked her to dance and stated she does more than just dance. The box-office queen said her work should not be reduced to just dancing as she also does nails for people.

Read Also: Doris Ogala Declares Bid For Abia Governorship, Says ‘I’ll Be Your Next Governor’

At Wema Bank International Women’s Day program with Morayo Afolabi Brown, Funke talks about the sacrifices she made to build her brand. She revealed she had to give up her social life, didn’t attend parties and locked herself up in her Estate for almost two years. “My colleagues were angry with me, called me a sadist, not knowing that I was building my brand,” she said.

Akindele had shared some of the steps she took toward making her dream a reality in a post on Instagram. It didn’t happen in a day,” she said. “It took learning, praying and choosing to re-strategise, re-evaluate and re-execute.

In another post, she spoke about the pressures she faced in the industry, revealing that it didn’t break her but matured her. According to her, it taught her patience, discipline and emotional control.

The box office Queen was honoured by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) for her record-breaking achievements.

Funke took to her Instagram page and said, she is honoured and recognized for her hard work and consistency in the entertainment industry and she expressed her gratitude.

Funke has set new records as her Cinema 2025 film, Behind The Scenes, earned N2,100,000,000 in one month. She said she was excited and thanked God for being on the move and for her big win.

Akindele celebrated 27 years in the movie industry late last year. She acknowledged how God’s favour and hard work has brought her this far, and shared the secret to achieving continuous success.

Doris Ogala Declares Bid For Abia Governorship, Says ‘I’ll Be Your Next Governor’

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Abia State African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate, Doris Ogala, has triggered reactions on social media with her declaration that she would be the next governor of the state, stressing that Abia people have “no choice” but to accept her leadership.

The Nollywood actress made this remarks during a TikTok Live session where a clip of her started going viral widely on Sunday, eliciting mixed reactions from social media users ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Ogala spoke confidently during the livestream, claiming her victory was by divine ordainment.

You have no option as your Governor, I, Doris Ogala, Doris will be your governor, you have no choice.

“God has said it, so it shall be. It’s simple, why can’t you see that?”

Read Also: Jay-Z’s Final Yankee Stadium Concert Delayed Over Four Hours After Ticketless Crowd Breaches Security

The comments immediately sparked debate online, with many users reacting to the tone and certainty of her statement.

Ogala is the AAC’s governorship candidate for the 2027 Abia governorship election, a race she will contest against incumbent governor, Alex Otti.

“I will focus on the welfare of the people of Abia, create jobs and stimulate economic growth if elected,” the actress promised after her emergence.

Prior to his involvement in partisan politics, Ogala had a career in Nollywood and later became involved in the political advocacy space through the AAC where he participated in campaigns and protests on issues affecting Abia State.

In June 2026, she collapsed at a political meeting in Umuahia and was taken to the hospital. She was admitted to the Federal Medical Centre where she later interacted with patients from a wheel chair and prayed with them. The incident also generated mixed reactions on social media.

 

Jay-Z’s Final Yankee Stadium Concert Delayed Over Four Hours After Ticketless Crowd Breaches Security

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Jay-Z’s final concert of his three-night run at Yankee Stadium in New York was delayed by more than four hours on Sunday after hundreds of people without tickets attempted to force their way into the venue, causing major security concerns and forcing officials to temporarily shut all entrances.

According to concert promoter Live Nation, the disruption began when large groups of ticketless individuals overwhelmed entry points and pushed past fans who had valid tickets. The situation created safety risks both inside and outside the stadium, prompting security personnel to halt admissions while order was restored.

A representative of Live Nation said the decision to close the gates was necessary to protect concertgoers and staff.

“Hundreds of individuals in large groups who did not have tickets to tonight’s performance stormed over peaceful ticket holders, and in some cases, breached security,” the representative said.

Read Also: Opeyemi Famakin Reflects On His Journey From 9-to-5 Job To Food Critic

The official added that all stadium entrances were closed for an extended period before being reopened gradually and carefully to ensure the safety of everyone at the venue.

The concert had originally been scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. local time, but the security breach left many legitimate ticket holders stranded outside for hours as authorities worked to control the crowd and secure the area.

After the situation was brought under control, fans were admitted in smaller groups while additional security measures were put in place. Jay-Z eventually appeared on stage at approximately 12:15 a.m. on Monday, more than four hours later than planned.

Before starting his performance, the American rap star briefly addressed the audience and explained the reason for the delay, thanking fans for their patience before continuing with the show.

The concert marked the final performance of Jay-Z’s three-night Yankee Stadium series and his first major solo concert run since 2017. Despite the lengthy delay, more than 40,000 fans remained at the venue and stayed through the night to watch the performance after security officials successfully resolved the incident.

Opeyemi Famakin Reflects On His Journey From 9-to-5 Job To Food Critic

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Popular food critic and content creator Opeyemi Famakin has shared a candid reflection on his life before achieving fame, revealing that he genuinely enjoyed every 9-to-5 job he held and remains thankful for the experiences that helped shape his career.

In a heartfelt post on social media, Famakin challenged the common perception that corporate jobs are always unpleasant. According to him, the work itself was never the problem. Instead, the most difficult part of his daily routine was the long and exhausting commute to and from work by public transportation.

“I genuinely enjoyed all my 9-to-5s, and I learnt a lot. The only thing I disliked about 9-to-5 was commuting to work by bus. It’s the only thing as an adult that made me depressed,” he wrote.

The content creator explained that despite the stress associated with commuting, he looks back on his time in the corporate world with gratitude. He credited those years with teaching him valuable life lessons, building his character and preparing him for the success he enjoys today.

Read Also: Funnybone Says Being Born Again Doesn’t Automatically Heal Childhood Trauma

Famakin also used the opportunity to acknowledge one of the people who played a significant role in his professional development—his former boss at Green News Media. He described the company’s chief executive as the best boss he ever worked with and someone who believed in his abilities from the beginning.

“I forgot to add my job as a journalist at Green News Media. The CEO there was easily my best boss and, of all my bosses, I think he was the one who believed in me the most,” he added.

His post has resonated with many Nigerians, particularly young professionals who face the challenges of long work hours and difficult daily commutes. Many social media users praised Famakin for highlighting the value of every career stage and acknowledging the mentors who helped shape his journey.

For many of his followers, his story serves as an inspiring reminder that success is often built through perseverance, hard work, supportive leadership and the willingness to embrace every opportunity, even when the journey is far from easy.

Funnybone Says Being Born Again Doesn’t Automatically Heal Childhood Trauma

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Nigerian comedian and actor Funnybone has sparked widespread discussions on the relationship between faith and mental health after stating that becoming “born again” does not automatically erase childhood trauma or long-standing emotional and behavioural struggles.

In a post shared on social media, the entertainer challenged what he described as a common misconception within some Christian circles that spiritual conversion alone is enough to resolve deep emotional wounds.

According to Funnybone, many believers place greater emphasis on outward signs of moral transformation, such as abstaining from smoking, drug use and premarital sex, while neglecting unresolved trauma that continues to influence a person’s emotions, relationships and behaviour.

Read Also: Diamond Platnumz And Wife Zuchu Announce Separation After Six Years Together

“I hope that one day the church understands that being ‘born again’ doesn’t erase childhood trauma or behavioural dysfunction,” he wrote.

The comedian explained that while a person may have embraced the Christian faith and adopted a new lifestyle, they can still struggle with bitterness, anger, emotional pain or unhealthy behavioural patterns rooted in past experiences.

He noted that unresolved trauma often shapes subconscious reactions, making emotional healing just as important as spiritual growth.

Funnybone also stressed that seeking professional help should not be viewed as a sign of weak faith. Instead, he argued that therapy and spirituality can work together in helping individuals achieve complete healing.

“Therapy, prayer, spi

Diamond Platnumz And Wife Zuchu Announce Separation After Six Years Together

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Tanzanian music stars Diamond Platnumz and his wife, singer Zuchu, have ended their marriage, with the award-winning songstress confirming that the couple is now separated and undergoing divorce proceedings.

Zuchu made the announcement in a heartfelt message shared on her Instagram Story on Sunday, bringing an end to months of speculation about the state of their relationship.

The singer, who is also signed to Diamond Platnumz’s WCB Wasafi record label, did not reveal the specific reason behind the breakup. However, she suggested that despite their efforts to make the marriage work, circumstances had led them in different directions.

“We tried, but Allah has His own plans,” she wrote, expressing gratitude while acknowledging the difficult decision to walk away from the relationship.

Zuchu disclosed that after six years together, she had decided to prioritize her own well-being, explaining that she now wants to focus on healing, improving her health and advancing her music career.

Read Also: Davido Reveals His Greatest Fear, Says He Prays For The Right Time To Leave Music

“I have finally decided to choose myself. This is a time to heal and focus more on my health and career. My husband and I are now separated and going through a divorce. I announce this with a heavy heart,” she stated.

The couple officially tied the knot in June 2025 after dating for about five years, becoming one of East Africa’s most celebrated celebrity couples.

Following the announcement, Diamond Platnumz’s former partner, Ugandan socialite Zari Hasan, reacted to the news. Zari, who previously ended her relationship with the singer over allegations of repeated infidelity, praised Zuchu for enduring the relationship for as long as she did.

Although Diamond Platnumz has yet to publicly comment on the separation, news of the split has generated widespread reactions from fans across East Africa, with many expressing sadness over the end of one of the region’s most high-profile celebrity marriages.

Davido Reveals His Greatest Fear, Says He Prays For The Right Time To Leave Music

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Afrobeats superstar Davido has spoken candidly about one of his deepest personal fears, admitting that he worries about not knowing the right time to step away from the music industry.

The award-winning singer, whose real name is David Adeleke, made the revelation during a recent broadcast while reflecting on the pressures that come with fame and long-term success. According to him, remaining relevant in the entertainment industry is a challenge, and he hopes to avoid staying in the spotlight beyond the right moment.

Davido explained that watching once-celebrated public figures lose their influence and popularity has left a lasting impression on him. He said the emotional struggles experienced by celebrities after falling from grace are often overlooked, adding that many of them would benefit from professional mental health support.

The singer disclosed that if he had the opportunity, one of the projects he would love to establish would be a therapy centre dedicated to helping former celebrities and successful individuals adjust to life after fame. He believes the transition from being admired worldwide to living outside the spotlight can be emotionally overwhelming.

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“It is crazy to be on top of the world and the next moment you are not,” Davido said, noting that success can be temporary despite years of hard work and achievements.

Drawing a comparison with football, Davido referenced his friend, Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, saying that even after winning numerous major trophies and setting remarkable records, the legendary player still faced criticism following Portugal’s exit from the FIFA World Cup.

The singer said the experience serves as a reminder that public admiration can quickly change, regardless of past accomplishments.

Davido added that his greatest concern is damaging the legacy he has spent years building. He revealed that he constantly prays for wisdom to recognise the right time to retire from music, stressing that he wants to leave the industry with his reputation and achievements intact rather than overstaying his welcome.