celebrity radar - gossips
Nigeria at 65: Completing the Work of Freedom By O’tega “The Tiger” Ogra
Nigeria at 65: Completing the Work of Freedom
By O’tega “The Tiger” Ogra
Independence is not a single moment in history. It is a covenant that each generation must renew with sacrifice. In 1960 our fathers and mothers lifted the green and white flag and claimed political freedom. Sixty-five years later we stand again at a turning point. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu now carries the burden of a second independence, one that must deliver economic sovereignty, social justice, and the dignity of safety and prosperity for every citizen.
Our story has never been easy. We have endured civil war, dictatorship, squandered wealth, and the quiet pain of dreams deferred. We have known inflation, poverty, and insecurity. Yet Nigeria has never surrendered. We bend but we do not break. We stumble but we do not fall apart. That resilience is the deepest proof that the idea of Nigeria is greater than its trials.
But resilience is not enough. A nation cannot survive on endurance alone. It must transform resilience into progress. This is why President Tinubu has chosen the difficult road of reform. Fuel subsidies that drained the treasury have been removed. We now export more than we import. Federation revenues have grown by over 400% since May 2023. A distorted exchange system that enriched a few at the expense of many is being dismantled. These choices are not easy. Rent seekers who once benefitted from the distortions in our economy are fighting back. The reforms stretch households, they test patience, they invite criticism. But they are the choices of a leader who understands that nations are not built on illusion but on truth.
President Bola Tinubu knows this because he has lived it. He was exiled for demanding democracy. He was persecuted because he refused silence in the face of dictatorship. The courage that once secured our political freedom is the same courage now driving his mission to secure our economic freedom. Leadership is not about avoiding pain. It is about facing it so that the next generation may inherit strength rather than weakness.
We must be honest about where we are. Insecurity still troubles our borders and our highways despite the serious gains of our security agencies and armed forces. Too many children remain out of school even though going to school is no longer a burden on families. Too many young people are still searching for jobs despite the opening up of the economy for productive enterprise. These are not statistics. They are lives. They are the reason the Renewed Hope Agenda puts security, education, and opportunity at its heart. A stronger currency and balanced finances matter only if they become schools that teach, hospitals that heal, jobs that restore dignity, and communities that are safe.
At sixty-five our duty has never been clearer as leaders or as citizens. We must secure our land. We must educate every child. We must create work for our young people and give them reason to hope at home. We must prove that the green and white flag is not only a relic of history but a promise of justice, unity, and greatness.
This anniversary is more than a celebration. It is a summons. It calls citizens to stand firm. It calls leaders to act with urgency and integrity. And it declares to the world that Nigeria is not a story of decline but a nation in the making.
Nigeria is not yet what it must be. But Nigeria is not finished. With the help of God, with the resilience of our people, and with the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we will complete the work of freedom.
And when history tells of this moment it will not speak of despair. It will speak of a people who chose courage over comfort, discipline over drift, and hope over fear. It will also speak of a President who carried the sacrifices of the past into the promise of the future. It will speak of a Nigeria that refused to fail. A Nigeria on the path to shared prosperity.
Nigeria will rise. Nigeria will endure. Nigeria will prevail. And Nigerians will rise with her.
~ O’tega Ogra is the most senior adviser to the Nigerian President, President Bola Tinubu, on Digital Communications, Engagement and Strategy. He heads the Office of Digital Engagement and Strategy in the Office of the President. He writes from the State House, Abuja.
celebrity radar - gossips
Another Feather for Nollywood Icon Fidelis Duker
**Another Feather for Nollywood Icon Fidelis Duker
*Lagos, Nigeria* — In a remarkable celebration of artistic achievement, renowned Nollywood figure Fidelis Duker received yet another prestigious accolade last weekend, solidifying his role as a key player in the growth of the Nigerian and African film industries. The award was presented in a ceremony held at Duker’s Lagos office by esteemed film and theatre director, Mr. Alex Eyengho, founder of the Warri International Film Festival, alongside Marketing and Strategy Director, Mrs. Matel Eyengho.
The recent recognition builds upon Duker’s previous achievement at last year’s ECOFEST in Dakar, where he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. This latest accolade is a testament to his unwavering dedication and substantial contributions to the cinematic landscape.
“I am truly humbled by this recognition,” Duker expressed during the event. In his speech, Alex Eyengho lauded Duker’s pioneering efforts in establishing significant film festivals in Nigeria, particularly the Abuja International Film Festival, which has played a vital role in promoting local talent and storytelling.
Eyengho emphasized, “Fidelis has not only paved the way for emerging filmmakers but has also helped elevate Nigerian cinema on the global stage. His creative vision and commitment inspire all of us in the industry.”
As Duker reflects on this honor, he acknowledges the importance of teamwork and collaboration in achieving success. “This acknowledgment reaffirms to my team and me that our work is being observed, and it motivates us to continue contributing to the development of our sector,” he stated.
With numerous projects on the horizon, Duker remains a relentless advocate for the growth and recognition of African cinema. His latest recognition is yet another testament to the vibrant and evolving landscape of Nollywood, as industry leaders like him continue to inspire future generations.
As the film industry anticipates the next phase of development, Duker’s continued influence signals a promising future for filmmakers in Nigeria and across the continent.
celebrity radar - gossips
E‑Money’s Grand Gesture: A Closer Look at the SUV Gift to Chinedu “Aki” Ikedieze
E‑Money’s Grand Gesture: A Closer Look at the SUV Gift to Chinedu “Aki” Ikedieze
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG
“Public Generosity, Celebrity Loyalty and the Symbolism of Wealth in Nigeria’s Entertainment Elite.”
On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Nigerian billionaire and entrepreneur Emeka Okonkwo, widely known as E‑Money, once again captured national attention with a lavish and highly publicised act of generosity, gifting a brand‑new 2024/2025 Ford SUV to veteran Nollywood actor Chinedu Ikedieze, affectionately called Aki, during his high‑profile birthday celebration.
The event, held in Lagos amidst a constellation of entertainers, business figures and socialites, was itself part of an annual tradition in which E‑Money marks his birthday (on February 18) with large‑scale giveaways and spectacular shows of material philanthropy. This year, he announced the gift of over 30 cars to friends, staff and family, a gesture that quickly went viral as videos and images circulated across social media platforms.
In the case of Ikedieze, E‑Money’s gift appeared to be deeply personal. During the festivities, E‑Money stood beside his elder brother, Grammy‑nominated musician KCee and recounted how Ikedieze stood by him at his 2007 wedding. The billionaire explained that the SUV was a “token of appreciation” for the enduring support the actor had shown over the years which is a narrative that blends friendship with public celebration.
Ikedieze, a Nollywood staple with a career spanning more than two decades and over 150 film credits, including the iconic Aki na Ukwa franchise, visibly reacted with humble surprise as he received the vehicle, bowing his head in respect and gratitude. The actor later shared the moment on his Instagram account with a caption celebrating the gift, further fuelling online engagement around the event.
Beyond the spectacle, this incident underscores evolving dynamics in Nigerian celebrity culture and the intersection of wealth, influence and reciprocity. Sociologist Dr. Chinedum Uche of the University of Lagos, speaking on the broader implications of such high‑profile gifts, notes: “Philanthropy that is highly publicised can reinforce social bonds, but it also reflects a culture where generosity is intertwined with reputation economy; where giving becomes as much a social signal as it is an act of kindness.” The quote highlights how public acts of wealth transfer among elites serve layered social functions that extend beyond pure altruism.
Critics of such displays argue that ostentatious giveaways, particularly in a country with stark economic disparities, risk amplifying social envy and exacerbating perceptions of inequality. Economist Dr. Ifunanya Nwosu from the Lagos Business School observes: “In societies marked by economic stratification, celebrity largesse may inspire admiration, but it can also inadvertently highlight structural inequities; prompting questions about systemic investment in public welfare versus individual generosity.”
Still, supporters maintain that E‑Money’s annual tradition (which has in past years included cash gifts to his brother KCee, comedians and even domestic staff) reflects genuine gratitude and a commitment to uplifting his immediate circle, albeit within the private sphere.
For Ikedieze, the SUV stands both as a heartfelt gesture from a longtime friend and a public affirmation of their enduring relationship. As the video of the moment continues to circulate, the broader narrative has ignited discussions about the role of private wealth in public life, celebrity culture and how acts of giving are interpreted in contemporary Nigerian society.
In a landscape where influence and generosity often play out in equal measure on public stages, E‑Money’s gift to Aki is more than a headline, it is a flashpoint in ongoing debates about wealth, friendship and visibility in Nigeria’s entertainment and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
celebrity radar - gossips
Spiritual Reality: Wicked People Are Possessed by Wicked Spirits — Dr. Christian Okafor
Spiritual Reality: Wicked People Are
Possessed by Wicked Spirits — Dr. Christian Okafor
…..“You don’t need to offend them before they attack you.”
…..“Your only true help comes from God.”
Demons are strategic and calculating. They detect threats quickly and position themselves to resist any power that may expose or overpower them.
According to the Generational Prophet and Senior Pastor of Grace Nation Global, Christian Okafor, spiritual intelligence operates both in light and in darkness—and believers must understand this reality.
Dr. Okafor delivered this message on Thursday, February 19, 2026, during the midweek Prophetic, Healing, Deliverance and Solutions Service (PHDS) held at the international headquarters of Grace Nation Worldwide in Ojodu Berger, Lagos, Nigeria.
The Operations of Demons
Teaching on the subject “Spiritual Reality” with the subtitle “Operations of Demons,” the Man of God explained that when demons possess individuals, their behavior changes. Such people may attack, bully, or resist those sent by God to help them, unknowingly rejecting divine assistance and prolonging their struggles.
“You don’t need to offend a demon before it attacks you,” he said. “What you carry is enough to provoke opposition. The greater your potential, the greater the battle.”
Dr. Okafor noted that many believers misinterpret battles as signs that God has abandoned them. However, he explained that some battles are permitted for growth, training, and divine glorification.
According to him, God may allow certain confrontations so that believers understand spiritual warfare and emerge stronger.
“Some battles are necessary,” he emphasized. “They push you into your turning point.”
He further stated that God does not respond to lies, blackmail, or bullying. He responds to His Word. Therefore, opposition is not proof of God’s absence, but often evidence of destiny at work.
The Weapon Against Demonic Attacks
Addressing solutions, Dr. Okafor described prayer as the strongest weapon against satanic operations.
“Prayer is the license that invites God into your battles,” he declared. “God does not intrude—He responds to invitation.”
According to the Apostle of Altars, understanding the principles and discipline of prayer enables believers to receive divine strategies for overcoming demonic resistance. Without prayer, he warned, spiritual help cannot be activated.
“You cannot receive help without God,” he concluded. “And you cannot engage God without prayer.”
Manifestations at the Service
The midweek gathering was marked by a strong move of the Spirit, with testimonies of deliverance, miracles, restoration, and solutions to various challenges presented before God. Several individuals reportedly committed their lives to Christ during the service.
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