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Police removed me from my abusive marriage — Victoria Inyama

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What do you remember most fondly about the era of filmmaking when you were active on the movie scene?

I remember the authenticity. We were very real, down-to-earth, humble, and hungry to showcase our talents. There was no competition, no obsession with views or popularity. We just wanted to act, even when many of us didn’t fully understand what the industry entailed. We got into it with passion and truly enjoyed it. That sincerity is what I remember the most.

Many fans would love to see you on the screen again. Are you open to a comeback, or has your passion shifted completely to other things?

My passion has shifted, but if the right opportunity comes along, I would gladly step in front of the camera again. Right now, though, my focus is on psychology, wellness, and mental health; supporting people on their journeys of healing and well-being. That’s what truly drives me now.

What’s one role you played that still lives rent-free in your mind today?

I loved all my roles. Each of them was impactful in its own way. I don’t take on roles just for entertainment; they have to mean something. If I had to pick one, it would be ‘Love From Above’. It touched on domestic violence at a time when I didn’t even fully understand what domestic violence was. Life later gave that role a deeper meaning for me.

You’ve become a vocal mental health advocate and are training in therapy. What inspired you to go down that path?

I have always cared deeply about people and been curious about why we behave the way we do. Psychology gave me the tools to study and understand human behaviour. Growing up in Nigeria and later moving abroad exposed me to very different cultures, and I wanted to know: what truly shapes us?

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How do our experiences and beliefs influence our identity?

Spirituality has always been central to my life, but I also wanted to go deeper. That curiosity led me to psychology. For me, it’s not only about mental health, but about wholeness and well-being.

You’ve been living in the United Kingdom for a while. What do you miss the most about Nigeria?

I mostly miss my friends. Apart from that, not much. Nigeria feels chaotic compared to where I live now—in a quiet village in Kent. I have become accustomed to the calm here, so while I miss the people, I don’t necessarily miss the environment.

What have you learnt about identity as you navigate life abroad?

My experience has been different from many others. When I came to the UK, I stayed with my dad, who worked in the House of Commons, so I didn’t struggle with integration the way some people did. I focused on academia, which made things easier for me. That said, navigating identity abroad is complex, and sometimes there are things I prefer not to say openly for professional reasons.

How do you keep your Nigerian roots alive in your everyday life and parenting?

I speak Igbo to my children, teach them about their culture, and stay active in our family and village meetings. I am proud of my heritage. I come from a beautiful royal family, and I instill that pride in my kids. Roots give you confidence and identity. That’s why I make sure my children know who they are and where they come from.

If you could go back in time and give young Victoria one piece of advice, what would it be?

Don’t be too kind. Kindness is beautiful, but people often take advantage of it and mistake it for weakness. When you eventually push back, you’re painted as the bad person. I still remind myself to set boundaries and not be overly accommodating.

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In a world full of filters, how do you stay true to yourself on social media?

By being content. I don’t fake it. I don’t believe in “fake it till you make it”; that’s too stressful. I’m not a fashionista; I’m more focused on academics and personal growth. Education and training will take you far, not pretense.

Even my children know this. My eldest son is entrepreneurial, but I insist he gets at least a degree and a Master’s, because education gives you the foundation to manage your future. On social media, I post and move on. My work is sensitive, so I don’t get into unnecessary exchanges.

What’s your secret to staying fresh and young?

I mind my business. In the past, I tried to correct people on social media, but I learnt it wasn’t worth the backlash. Peace of mind and letting go of unnecessary stress keep me looking and feeling young.

You’ve spoken candidly about surviving abuse. How did your personal experience shape your counselling and healing?

Psychology has been instrumental in my healing. It gave me knowledge and tools to understand what I went through. My spirituality also helped, through forgiveness, gratitude, and letting go. That’s how I’ve been able to move forward.

You once said domestic violence is a norm in Nigeria. Can you elaborate?

Unfortunately, many people in Nigeria don’t recognise domestic violence for what it is. They see it as normal. I have been attacked online for speaking out because the assumption is always that the man is the abuser, when women can be perpetrators too.

Over time, I realised that society often brushes it aside. If the abuser is wealthy or influential, people excuse it. It used to hurt me deeply, but now I see how normalised it is. The mentality really needs to change.

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How did you find the strength to leave your toxic marriage?

I didn’t leave; I was removed by the police. That’s the truth. I wouldn’t have left otherwise.

What advice do you have for women trying to reclaim their voices after years of silence and domestic violence?

Move on and live your life. Improve yourself, release the pain, and don’t let the past destroy your future. In psychology, we say, “the body keeps the score.” Stress leaves marks on the mind, heart, and even physical health. Many survivors later develop illnesses because of the toll stress takes. My advice is to let go, focus on your healing, and make the best of the life you still have.

How do you balance being a mum, psychologist and a public figure all at once?

I can’t tell you exactly how I do it; I just take it one day at a time. First of all, being a mother is everything. After God, my kids come first. Having a great relationship with them is paramount, because I don’t want them to have miserable childhood memories. I make sure I’m present for all three of them. They’re young adults now, and they need guidance and direction. We are friends, but with healthy boundaries.

With my master’s in applied psychology and coaching psychology, I also support people through therapy. My style is personal because I know what it feels like to be in certain situations. Even though everyone’s experiences differ, there’s often a sense of sadness or drowning. My duty is to help lift people up.

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Fans mourn late Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo

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Fans and followers of late Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo across social media platforms have expressed sadness over his demise, describing the incident as shocking and heartbreaking.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning since Tuesday when news of the actor’s passing surfaced online.

Social media posts by his close colleagues, and trending media reports, stated that he died after a prolonged battle with cancer.

The incident has continued to generate frenzy on social media platforms, with fans across Nigeria and beyond pouring in condolence messages and tributes to the late thespian.

A fan, @Mr. Rekindled of AFC, asked: “Is this some late April Fool joke. God, what kind of news is this? Rest in peace bro I don’t even know what to type”.

@perpetua Ebubech wrote: “Rest well Alex I am done pressurising myself and being ungrateful. Being alive is enough. Aaaaaah Alex”.

@Amed Oshiorenua commented: “This one hurts me ooo”.

@sheismirah_bakr noted that: “Indeed, every soul shall taste death. May we leave behind kindness, love, and good memories May we be celebrated while we are alive, not only mourned when we are gone”.

@oheneba_nanayere_joyce wrote: “Ooo my God, have mercy on us”.

@SAMPSOLO on X wrote: “Omoh, sometimes when I hear such news I just sit down and think about life.

“Everything we’re struggling for can just end in one moment. It’s really scary”.

@nyarkowai23 said: “Aww fine boy. May his soul rest in peace”.

@_emefaaa wrote: “This is really sad, may his soul rest in peace”.

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@ceeyahs_xclusivcollection commented: “Social media makes a lot of us look like we are living happily when we are actually fighting our battles. Remember we are all passing through something. Stay humble, stay kind”.

@DOG3tt said: “What’s wrong with Nollywood, why is everyone dying young?”

@bbelleamieeee wrote: “I loved him in Keeping My Man with Ramsey and Ini. Sad news… rest easy Alex”.

Ekubo’s passing has also attracted tributes from his colleagues and other celebrities, with many describing him as a talented actor and a kind-hearted friend.

Veteran actor Richard Mofe-Damijo wrote: “Life is not only fickle, it can also feel unreal. Even as I type this, I still struggle to fully process it, and it deeply saddens me to hear this news.

“Rest in peace to a truly great soul. You came, you saw, and you conquered. We are proud of the life you lived, the journey you embraced, and the legacy you leave behind.

“Sleep well, our dear Alex.”

Actor Bolanle Ninalowo also wrote: “Rest on, Alex. May God heal your family and us all.”

Singer Peter Okoye simply posted: “RIP”.

Actor Chinedu Ikedieze wrote: “Jesus, how?”

In a post on his X page, human rights activist and politician Omoyele Sowore described the late actor as a “rare talent”.

“My profound condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Nollywood star Alexx Ekubo, who I understand passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer.

“I never met him personally, but I still cannot forget a movie of his I watched on an Emirates flight from New York to Dubai en route to Nairobi.

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“He was a rare talent whose presence lit up the screen effortlessly. May he rest in power.”

NAN reports that Alex Ekubo, born on April 10, 1986, was widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most versatile actors, known for his performances in several hit films and television productions.

However, his prolonged absence from the public had raised concerns among fans and colleagues, as he stayed away from social media and public events for a long time.

His last post on Instagram was made in December 2024, shortly after reports emerged that his engagement to US-based model Fancy Acholonu had been called off.

(NAN)

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Why I assaulted my daughter, Ilebaye – Father

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Father of former Big Brother Naija All Stars winner, Ilebaye Odiniya, Emmanuel Odiniya, has broken his silence over the viral altercation involving his daughter, claiming he was provoked before allegedly assaulting her during a family confrontation.

In a voice note purportedly from Odiniya, and shared on Facebook on Sunday by Kogi-based journalist, Jeremiah Promise Enemona Ocheme, now circulating online, the father said the incident was not driven by hatred for his daughter but by frustration over what he described as her changed behaviour after winning the reality TV show.

“I want to put the records straight that what led to that incident was not that I don’t love my daughter. She is one of my best children,” he said.

He claimed he made sacrifices and mobilised support for her emergence as the winner of the BBNaija All Stars edition.

“During her time in the Big Brother Naija house, I contributed a lot. I stood by my daughter and made sure people voted for her massively. I used my influence and connections, including governors and other people, to support her until she won,” he stated.

According to him, their relationship allegedly deteriorated after her victory, accusing the reality star of becoming disrespectful and physically aggressive towards him.

“After she came out and won, she changed. Ilebaye stopped listening to me. I would book her appointments five to six times in a week and she wouldn’t give me audience. She stopped regarding me as her father,” he alleged.

The father further criticised her lifestyle, particularly her alleged cosmetic procedures.

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“I warned her against getting cosmetic surgery — face reconstruction with fillers and BBL. She’s too young for that,” he said.

Emmanuel also alleged that his daughter had physically attacked him on previous occasions.

“She has hit me twice, and I didn’t do anything to her. One day she took an AC hanger and hit me with it till blood started gushing out of my body,” he claimed.

Speaking on the latest confrontation, he alleged that the reality TV star assaulted him first before the situation escalated.

“In this recent incident, she insulted me, hit me first with a sea hanger, causing bleeding, pushed me, and then broke an electric lantern on my head,” he said.

He also accused her of neglecting him financially despite his health challenges.

“I am very sick and needed to go for medical treatment in Dubai. I called Ilebaye to help me with some money and promised to refund her. She said she didn’t have money. But I saw her video spraying bundles of naira at a colleague’s wedding,” he alleged.

The father further alleged that his daughter negatively influenced her younger brother and interfered in his marriage.

“She has also influenced her younger brother with drugs, and he was expelled from school because of it. She once advised me to divorce her mother,” he added.

Despite the accusations, Emmanuel maintained that he still loved his daughter and wanted reconciliation.

“I still love my daughter deeply. I want her to change and do better. I ask for prayers from Nigerians. The police have already intervened and settled the matter,” he said.

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PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Ilebaye, alongside members of her family, including her father and younger brothers, were hospitalised following the confrontation at their Abuja residence.

The incident became public after the reality TV star shared an emotional livestream video crying for help, sparking concern among fans and followers online.

Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Josephine Adeh, disclosed that all parties involved sustained injuries and were receiving medical treatment.

“The man is in the hospital; he is sick. All of them were badly injured and are all in the hospital,” Adeh had said.

She also stated that the siblings were under police protective custody while investigations continued into the matter.

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Kwara concludes airlift of pilgrims for 2026 Hajj

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The Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has concluded the airlift of intending pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj exercise with the departure of the last batch of 223 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

The pilgrims departed aboard Max Air from the Babatunde Idi-Agbon International Airport, Ilorin, at about 6:05 am on Saturday.

The development was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Press Secretary of the Board, Sodiq Abdulmumin Folarin.

Speaking before the departure, the Chairman of the Board, Prof. Mashood-Mahmud Jimba, thanked Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for supporting the successful transportation of the pilgrims.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, advised the pilgrims “to be good ambassadors of the state and country at large while in Saudi Arabia.”

Also speaking, the Amirul-Hajj and Etsu Tsaragi, Aliyu Abdullahi Kpotwa, urged the pilgrims to pray for peace and unity in the country and the state.

The final batch was accompanied by Jimba, Abdulkadir, Kpotwa and other state officials.

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