Lifestyle

‘I didn’t secretly sell my husband’s properties’ — Mr Ibu’s widow

Published

56 minutes ago

June 28, 2026

The widow of late Nollywood actor John Okafor, Stella Maris Okafor, has dismissed allegations that she secretly sold her late husband’s properties and kept the proceeds to herself.
Recall that the family of the late actor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, recently opened up about their struggles and financial situation.

In a recent video now making the rounds online, while speaking to content creator King Mitchy, Stella Maris explained that the sale of the properties was carried out in line with a court order and with the consent of Mr Ibu’s two sons, Valentine Okafor and Daniel Okafor.

She further backed her claim, stating that she has the relevant documents.

“I have to show you this document. This is a court order. We—I didn’t, not me alone. My husband’s two sons, Valentine Okafor and Daniel Okafor, and I did it according to the court order. Every evidence is here. We sold the house. I am not the one that sold the house,” she stated.

She also disclosed that she currently runs an online jewellery business, explaining that her late husband had initially discouraged her from venturing into it while she was still acting.

“I have a page online where I sell jewellery, and I am still selling my jewellery. When I wanted to start this business, my late husband stopped me because I was acting. My late husband was my colleague in the industry,” she said.

She further revealed that she is planning to move out of her current residence, describing it as too expensive and saying she only relocated there due to security concerns and public pressure following her husband’s death.

“I did not intend to come to this place. It’s because of pressure and security, but I am packing out.”

Addressing claims by a young man who alleged online that he is one of Mr Ibu’s children and was denied financial support, Stella Maris said disagreements over money began shortly after the actor’s burial.

She alleged that some family members demanded that she share the money given to her during the burial for the upkeep of her children.

“Before they sold the land, we were still in the village, and they were dragging with me over the money that was given to me during the burial. They insisted that I should share the money with them. I told them that this was money given to me for my children. Why should I come and share it with you people?”

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Lifestyle

‘I was a thief in my younger years’ – Charly Boy

Published

2 hours ago

June 28, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigerian activist and entertainer, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has admitted that he was involved in crime during his younger years in the United States.

Charly Boy made this confession on Friday when he appeared as a guest in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

The vocal social commentator said he made several poor decisions in his younger years and engaged in activities he now looks back on with regret.

“I’ve made mistakes in my life. I’ve been a thief. I’ve done very risky things. I’ve done very stupid things, very foolish things. In fact, I have no business being here with you tonight, but I guess there’s a purpose for my life,” he said.

According to the activist, his years in America were filled with reckless choices, including involvement in financial crimes.

“I was doing white-collar crime when I was in America. I was about 25 years old. I was doing a lot of stupid stuff. That’s why I say I’ve been there,” he added.

The social commentator pointed out that rather than hide those parts of his story, he chose to document them fully in his memoir to show his complete journey from rebellion and mistakes to transformation and self-discovery.

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Lifestyle

New league of Alfas, Imams to correct past mistakes — Oluwo

Published

17 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has called for radical reforms to correct the mistakes recorded by unregistered leagues of Muslim clerics.

Oba Akanbi made the call in his remarks while endorsing the launch of a one thousand member registered league of Imams and Alfas for South West states, Edo and Delta in Ibadan on Saturday.

While affirming his full support for the coalition, Oluwo stressed that the registered league is legally binding with full recognition by the government through the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC.

The monarch noted that “the body will create a sense of belonging through a decentralised power of the state Imams by recognizing Imams and Alfas at the local levels”.

He challenged Yoruba Imams and Alfas to participate in active politics saying, “Active politics will expose the virtues of good Muslims and further provide an opportunity to improve people’s standards.”

Oluwo also called for collaboration and consistency to ensure the newly planted league survives any challenges confronted at the germination stage.

“There may be challenges at the formation stage. I have strong hope that this registered league will strive and become greater. This is the only league of Imams and Alfas known by law, legally binding and recognized by the government. It is here to stay, fully certified and recognised by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with registration number 9003000.

“Aside from consistency, I appeal for your active participation in politics. If you are politically powerful, the politicians will call you. You won’t run after them as we experience presently. We need you to be in power. You can be elected or appointed. Join a political party today and be active. As Muslims, you need power. The power will not come to you on a plater of gold.

“I charge you all to dedicate yourself to this course of reviving the league through a decentralized power sharing that creates a sense of belonging and togetherness for the local Imams and Alfas.

“I commend those who ensured Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta Muslims under Imams and Alfas are registered to be recognised by law. It’s an improvement and one of the testimonies that our children should be greater than us. It is not a division. It is an improvement,” he said.

The over 1,000 Imams were drawn from the six south west states – Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Lagos, Ekiti and Ogun, as well as Edo and Delta states.

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Lifestyle

PHOTOS: Veteran actor Kola Oyewo for burial August 7

Published

22 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The remains of renowned Nigerian actor and theatre scholar, Chief Dr Adekola Gabriel Oyewo, popularly known as Kola Oyewo, will be laid to rest on Friday, August 7, 2026, in Osun State according to a funeral programme released by his family.

Oyewo, who died at the age of 80, was celebrated as one of Nigeria’s foremost theatre practitioners, with a career spanning several decades on stage, television and in academia.

In a funeral announcement, the Bangbola Oyewo family of the Ese-Ola Royal House, Oba-Ile, described the deceased as “a beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, colleague, esteemed traditional ruler, and a veteran of the Nigerian theatre.”

In a flier issued by the Balogun Oyekola Oyewo Memorial Committee, the three-day funeral programme will run from Wednesday, August 5, to Friday, August 7, 2026.

“With gratitude to God for a life of purpose, honour and enduring impact, the entire Bangbola Oyewo family of the Ese-Ola Royal House, Oba-Ile, announces the passing of our beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, colleague, esteemed traditional ruler and veteran of the Nigerian theatre,” Newspeak quoted the family’s statement as saying on Saturday.

The late actor was also the Balogun of Oba-Ile in Osun State and an Associate Professor of Drama, earning widespread recognition for his contributions to the development of theatre arts in Nigeria.

Activities lined up for the burial rites will commence on Wednesday, August 5, with a wake-keep and service of songs at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Igboya, Ile-Ife.

On Thursday, August 6, a commendation mass will be held at the same church, while an artistes’ night featuring tributes and cultural displays is scheduled for later that day at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

A major highlight of the funeral programme will be an exhibition of Oyewo’s works and photographs at the Pit Theatre, African Studies Building, Obafemi Awolowo University, beginning on Thursday and continuing through Friday.

The funeral cortege will leave the late actor’s residence at Ese Ola’s Compound, Oba-Ile, on Friday morning before a requiem mass at St Joseph Catholic Church, Oba-Ile.

Interment will take place at 12:45 p.m. on Friday, August 7, at Labaluyegbe Villa, Oba-Ile, in a ceremony restricted to family members and close associates.

A reception for guests will follow at Aderonmu Grammar School Field, Oba-Ile.

Widely regarded as one of the leading figures in Nigerian theatre, Oyewo inspired generations of actors, playwrights and scholars through his work in performance, teaching and cultural preservation.

His death marks the end of an era in Nigeria’s theatre community, where he remained a respected voice and mentor for decades, the family noted.