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CNN meets Hollywood actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim

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On this week’s episode of African Voices, CNN meets actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim who has returned to his roots to help teach aspiring thespians. Kae-Kazim discusses the future of ‘Nollywood’ and why he feels passionate about celebrating African storytelling.

Kae-Kazim explains to the programme how his acting career began: “My interest [in the theatre] happened from an early age, at 15 or something like that. I trained as an actor, went to the [Bristol Old Vic] Theatre School and then did the Royal Shakespeare Company in the United Kingdom, then the National Theatre… I did some amazing plays with some amazing people. I just walked my way though, doing amazing projects.”

Known best for his powerful portrayal of a Hutu warlord in the critically acclaimed film Hotel Rwanda and for his role in Pirates of the Caribbean, Kae-Kazim is now returning to his home country to help teach young actors. He explains to the programme how this opportunity came about: “A director had come over to LA from Nigeria, had seen me work in 24, and said, ‘No one knows you’re Nigerian, you should come back, there are people who would love to see you, they’ll be surprised that you are Nigerian.’ So off the back of that I thought, you know, what a good idea. Let me go back and see what’s going on.”

Kae-Kazim outlines why he wants to share his knowledge: “I’ve come back to do some training with actors and people in production so that we can get to an understanding of the discipline really required to produce a top-notch film or television production.”

Sharing his skills hasn’t been the only thing he’s been busy doing since returning to Nigeria, he’s also been spending some time in front of the camera, making his ‘Nollywood’ debut in 2010: “The very first thing I did was a musical film called Inale. I then did a little film called Last Flight to Abuja and that was a really lovely little piece about the airline industry.”

Kae-Kazim describes why he feels passionate about supporting the film industry in Nigeria: “I am very proud of ‘Nollywood’, in terms of what the people have done. They’ve put Nigeria on the map and they’ve done this without any support of any kind and I think they must be acknowledged. I think what has to happen now is that the industry has to expand, it has to get bigger and better. It’s really about upping the technical anti of the film [and] being able to tell stories that are very true to the African voice.”

Kae-Kazim tells the programme that in order for this to happen, more needs to be done to support the industry: “No one is going to come and shoot there when the lights go off or when you need generators which are going to destroy your sound. That again is a lack of incentive to help build an industry which could be doing tremendous stuff for Nigeria.”

On why ‘Nollywood’ must continue to produce films and its’ potential to compete with the content being produced by the best in the industry, Kae-Kazim states: “We have to start to tell these stories for ourselves, to me, that’s the most important thing. You know, I’m coming back from Hollywood, not to come and say, ‘Let’s bring Hollywood here’, but to really make ‘Nollywood’, Hollywood. To inspire the fact that we should be the stewards of our own stories. We have a myriad of different stories that we can tell that are all uniquely Nigerian on one level and uniquely African on another level.”  

Kae-Kazim explains that part of supporting the industry would be to make cinemas more accessible in Nigeria: “I think building more cinemas in and around Nigeria would certainly help… I would love to see more cinemas going up in places like Ajaygunlay and Surelee with affordable prices.”

He describes what he hopes to see from ‘Nollywood’ in the future: “I want to see Nigeria as the hub of African filmmaking, not just concentrating on Nigerian films, but on films that tell you about the African voice from the African perspective.”

Kae-Kazim offers some advice for aspiring actors: “Just keep loving what you do, but it’s really [down to] working hard, trying to improve not only yourself as an actor but the state of the industry. That also means [improving] the day to day discipline and making sure one is on time and focused when one is at work.”

CNN

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Peter Obi Breaks Silence on Rome Visit Amid Smears and Propaganda Storm

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Peter Obi Breaks Silence on Rome Visit Amid Smears and Propaganda Storm

Presidential hopeful and former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has calmly addressed a wave of politically charged misinformation following his recent visit to the Vatican, where he attended an inauguration ceremony. The backlash, largely fanned by known government allies Femi Fani-Kayode, Reno Omokri, and Omoyele Sowore, misrepresented the nature of his visit and falsely accused him of refusing to “pay homage” to the Pope until a supposed presidential intervention.

Peter Obi Breaks Silence on Rome Visit Amid Smears and Propaganda Storm

Contrary to the sensational headlines, Mr. Obi clarified that he did not meet the Pope, nor was such a meeting on his agenda. “I bought my own ticket and traveled for what I believe is a personal, non-political trip,” he told a close confidant in Abuja before departing. Emphasizing his commitment to modesty, Obi disclosed that he flew economy class, adding, “It’s the difference between business class and economy that I use for donations to build classrooms.”

Obi’s visit to Rome mirrored his past trips to the Vatican, including the 2013 inauguration of Pope Francis. A Papal Knight and longstanding Catholic faithful, Mr. Obi is no stranger to such events. This time, he traveled alongside former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi, both of whom held official passes granting them VIP access. They also paid a visit to Cardinal Francis Arinze, a 90-year-old Nigerian cleric and longtime Vatican figure — an act Obi has made a tradition of during such visits.

The criticisms have drawn widespread rebuke, with many questioning why a man known for self-funding his travels and donating millions to health and education continues to face political smears, while those squandering public funds remain unchallenged. Obi’s quiet return to Nigeria was followed, as usual, by school and hospital visits — the kind of grassroots outreach that has cemented his reputation as a man of service, not spectacle.

As misinformation continues to plague Nigeria’s political discourse, observers are calling for a return to truth and substance. “Enough of the lies. Enough of the propaganda. The truth has no tribe,” said a supporter who met with Obi before his Rome trip.

In an era of performative politics, Obi’s response has once again underscored his consistent message: humility, service, and transparency over noise.

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Casssahaaat!” – Davido Sparks Frenzy After Flaunting Mysterious Multi-Million Dollar Paycheck

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Casssahaaat!” – Davido Sparks Frenzy After Flaunting Mysterious Multi-Million Dollar Paycheck

Afrobeats sensation Davido has set social media ablaze once again after teasing fans with a cryptic Instagram post flaunting a massive paycheck — but keeping the final figure under wraps. In the now-viral post, the superstar shared an image revealing just “$11” followed by a string of blurred-out zeros, captioned simply with his signature exclamation, “Casssahaaat!”, and laughing emojis.

Casssahaaat!” – Davido Sparks Frenzy After Flaunting Mysterious Multi-Million Dollar Paycheck

The post has sparked a wave of speculation and banter online, with fans and critics alike attempting to decode the real figure behind the blurred digits. Many believe the paycheck is a staggering $11 million, roughly ₦1.7 billion, though Davido has yet to confirm.

This latest flex follows backlash the singer received for flaunting his $500,000 diamond-studded teeth and $2 million necklace, fueling debates around extravagance and humility. But Davido, never shy to stir the pot, appears unfazed by the criticism.

Fans flooded the comment section with mixed reactions. One user, Rich Hommie_yslimm, joked, “Make I show my account balance na radio station?” while Victor Timilehin quipped, “Fatherless children will soon start crying.” Another fan, Akass Onah, threw shade with, “30BG but we ain’t sure the amount, that might be 11k dozz,” and Ayomitunde Adeleke chimed in, “Now I know why they call me the broke Adeleke.”

As usual, Davido remains a master of both music and mystery — leaving fans guessing, critics grumbling, and the internet buzzing.

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From the Pulpit to the Tarmac: Televangelist Timothy Omotoso Deported After 8-Year Legal Battle

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“Unwelcome Return: South Africa Deports Televangelist Timothy Omotoso After Acquittal

 

JOHANNESBURG — Controversial Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been deported from South Africa after being declared an undesirable person by the Department of Home Affairs, just weeks after his dramatic acquittal on high-profile criminal charges.

Omotoso was officially deported on May 18, 2025, with viral footage showing him being escorted by South African police and Home Affairs officials as he boarded a flight back to Nigeria at OR Tambo International Airport.

The founder of Jesus Dominion International was acquitted in April of 32 charges, including rape, human trafficking, and racketeering — allegations that had kept him behind bars for nearly eight years following his arrest in 2017. His case gripped the South African public and drew widespread international media coverage, particularly due to the graphic nature of the testimonies and repeated delays in the judicial process.

From the Pulpit to the Tarmac: Televangelist Timothy Omotoso Deported After 8-Year Legal Battle

While Omotoso walked free from the courtroom last month, his legal vindication did not spare him from expulsion. According to the South African Department of Home Affairs, his presence in the country was no longer considered welcome, prompting immediate deportation proceedings.

“Mr. Timothy Omotoso has been declared an undesirable person under the Immigration Act. He was removed from the Republic on May 18, 2025,” the department confirmed in a brief statement.

The deportation has reignited debate around South Africa’s immigration and justice systems. Critics argue that Omotoso’s lengthy pretrial detention and eventual acquittal reflect deep flaws in the country’s legal machinery. Others insist his removal was necessary to preserve public trust and prevent further division.

Omotoso’s defense team, meanwhile, has decried the move as politically motivated and unjust, suggesting the televangelist is being punished despite his acquittal.

“This is not just deportation. It’s an attempt to erase a man who was never proven guilty in a court of law,” a source close to Omotoso’s ministry told reporters.

Since his return to Nigeria, Omotoso has remained out of the public eye, with no official statement yet from his church or legal representatives. Whether he will attempt to continue his religious mission from his home country — or mount a legal challenge to his deportation — remains to be seen.

His case, marked by emotional testimony, legal wrangling, and now, forced removal, is likely to be remembered as one of the most polarizing chapters in South Africa’s recent legal history.

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