Entertainment
Why We Bankrolled Kelani’s Ayinla – First Bank’s CEO, Sola Adeduntan
The MD/CEO of First Bank Nigeria Limited, Adesola Adeduntan has explained why the bank decided to bankroll Ayinla, a joint production of Tunde Kelani and Jade Osiberu.
In a recent chat, Adeduntan explained the bank’s resolve to sponsor socio-cultural initiatives in the creatives and arts industry.
He said, “Over time, we have been involved in the sponsorship of several socio-cultural initiatives in the creative arts industry like Moremi, Mokalik, Oba Esugbayi stage drama, October 1, and the Calabar Festival.
“Even in the music industry, we have supported and sponsored artistes like Davido, Burna Boy, and a host of other reigning stars. Importantly, the Bank’s sponsorship of ‘Ayinla’ affirms the bank’s support for the development of arts in Nigeria under our First@arts initiative.’
Speaking further, Adeduntan noted that: “First Bank believes that our culture, our art, is a very important part of who we are, and it reflects who we are. And for us to ensure that our culture, our arts, our practices don’t perish, especially one that will continue to mainstream our arts, and that is what this movie emphasizes a lot.”
On Sunday, June 13, the bank joined other brands to participate in the premiere of ‘Ayinla’ at the EbonyLife Place.
The premiere had film stars like Kunle Afolayan, Kunle Remi, Mr. Macaroni, Femi Branch, Toyin Abraham, Mercy Aigbe, Omowunmi Dada, Bimbo Ademoye, and Big Brother Africa’s Tayo Faniran, amongst several others in attendance.
The highlight of the event was when First Bank handed a cheque of N500,000 each to actress Osas Ighodaro and actor Akah Nnani for being the best-dressed female and male respectively.
The movie, ‘Ayinla’, appeals to a multifaceted audience that cuts across fans of highlife and Afrobeat music, the youth, and the elite Yoruba demography. It is about the life and times of late Nigerian musician, Ayinla Omowura who made fame with his Apala music laced with wisdom, grit, and yabs.
Entertainment
Simi Welcomes Second Child With Adekunle Gold
Popular Nigerian music star, Simisola Bolatito Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has welcomed her second child with her husband, singer Adekunle Kosoko, widely known as Adekunle Gold.
She shared the news on Instagram on Wednesday evening.
In her post, Simi revealed that the baby was born on March 10, 2026.
She posted maternity photos and addressed earlier rumours that she had given birth to twins in January, making it clear that this is her second child.
Simi referred to herself as “mommy of two,” while Adekunle Gold responded in the comments, calling himself “Daddy of two.”
She wrote, “+1. 3.10.26. God bless my little family. Mommyof2.”
The couple did not disclose the baby’s name or gender.
Entertainment
Bill Cosby Ordered To Pay $19m Over Sex Abuse Case
A woman who said she was drugged and sexually assaulted by veteran US entertainer Bill Cosby was awarded more than $19 million on Monday after a civil hearing in California.
Donna Motsinger said she was working as a waitress more than 50 years ago when the performer began to target her.
In the civil case decided in Santa Monica, the suit stated that the comedian had initially come into the restaurant where the now-84-year-old Motsinger worked.
According to court filings, one day, when he picked her up in his limousine, Cosby gave her a glass of wine and what she thought was aspirin.
She began slipping in and out of consciousness, and the next thing she knew, she was waking up at home, wearing only her underwear.
“She knew she had been drugged and raped by Bill Cosby,” the suit said.
Attorneys said Cosby, 88, did not remember any sexual contact with Motsinger, but that any that had occurred had been consensual.
The jury took three days to deliver its verdict, ordering Cosby to pay $19.3 million, a figure that could increase if they add punitive damages.
The case was heard in the same courthouse where a 2022 jury ordered Cosby to pay $500,000 in damages to Judy Huth after finding that he had molested her in 1975 when she was just 16 years old.
The man formerly known as “America’s Dad” was jailed in Pennsylvania for drugging and molesting a woman in a separate criminal case in 2018, but was freed in 2021 when his conviction was overturned on a technicality.
Cosby was a towering figure in late 20th-century American popular culture, including for his starring role in “The Cosby Show,” which ran from 1984 to 1992.
Dozens of women have accused Cosby of being a calculating, serial predator who plied victims with sedatives and alcohol before assaulting them over four decades.
AFP
Entertainment
Funke Akindele’s Record-Breaking “Behind The Scenes” Hits Netflix On April 3
Funke Akindele’s blockbuster film, which broke box office records in West Africa, will premiere on Netflix on April 3.
This follows a successful theatrical run that grossed over N2.7 billion, making it the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time.
The film’s streaming debut marks Akindele’s return to Netflix since “Omo Ghetto: The Saga”, highlighting her consistent cinema-first approach and record-breaking annual December releases.
“Behind The Scenes” features an ensemble cast, including Scarlet Gomez, Uzor Arukwe, and Tobi Bakre, and explores themes of generosity, family, and personal responsibility.
Produced by Akindele and Wendy Uwadiae Imasuen, the film’s success extends beyond Nigeria, with notable performances in the UK, Ireland, North America, and Canada.
It became the first Nollywood film to cross the N2 billion mark and achieved N512 million within its first 12 days.
The film’s distributor, Filmone, announced its Netflix premiere, stating, “From shattering box office records to streaming in YOUR HOME and on the go! The record-breaking title, Behind The Scenes, is coming to you on NETFLIX.
“After shattering records with over 2.7 billion at the Box Office, Behind The Scenes will be available for streaming from April 3rd. Watch Behind The Scenes on Netflix from April 3rd”.
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