JUST IN: Popular Nollywood Actress Allwell Ademola dies in Lagos

The Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of popular actress, producer and filmmaker, Allwell Ademola, who reportedly died on Saturday at the age of 43.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ademola, a Yoruba film star, was pronounced dead at Ancilla Hospital, Agege, Lagos, on Saturday afternoon.

Reports indicate that the actress suffered a heart attack at her residence before she was rushed to the hospital.

News of her passing filtered through social media on Saturday, sparking shock and disbelief across the industry.

Filmmaker Seun Oloketuyi was among the first to hint at the tragedy in an Instagram post, which was later deleted, but candlelight emojis and tribute posts from colleagues soon confirmed the grim reality.

Confirming the development, veteran Nollywood actress Faithia Williams announced Ademola’s death via her Instagram page, writing: “Haaaa. This hit me so bad. Eniobanke.”

Actor Damola Olatunji also confirmed the news, posting a candlelight image with the caption: “Life is a mirage.”

Actress Bidemi Kosoko, in an emotional Instagram post, wrote: “No way. No, no, no. Ko possible ooo. This isn’t true. God forbid, in Jesus’ name.”

She added: “I refuse to accept this one lai lai. Olorun oni je. Just reply to my message, abeg oremi, aunty mi. I will wait patiently for your reply.”

Similarly, actress Mide Martins described the day as a dark one for the industry, writing on Facebook: “Black Saturday.

“This is not fair. May God forgive your shortcomings, Allwell.”

NAN reports that Allwell Ademola was a multifaceted entertainer, an actress, filmmaker, director, singer and scriptwriter.

She made significant contributions to the Yoruba segment of Nollywood and was widely celebrated for her versatility and dedication to her craft.

Born on Aug. 9, 1983, in Lagos State, Ademola hailed from a royal family in Abeokuta, Ogun. She was the granddaughter of Justice Adetokunbo Ademola, Nigeria’s first Chief Justice.

Her journey in entertainment began early, as she appeared as a child actor in 1986 on NTA’s Animal Games with Uncle Wole.

She officially joined Nollywood in 1992 and rose to prominence with notable roles in films such as You or I (2013), Omo Emi (2017), and Aye Keji.

Beyond acting, Ademola was also a passionate musician. She formed her band, Allwell and Company, in 2002, released an album in 2006, and officially inaugurated the band in 2010.

As tributes continue to pour in, colleagues and fans alike have described her death as a painful and untimely loss to Nollywood and the Nigerian creative industry. (NAN)

Drama as 2Baba and new Wife Natasha fight on live show

An Instagram live session hosted by media personality Daddy Freeze took an unexpected turn when singer 2Baba and his wife, Natasha Osawaru, were heard in a heated argument in the background, an incident that quickly went viral on social media.

The controversy began after 2Baba’s former management team, Kaka Igbokwe and Lori Tosan, joined the live session and made allegations against Natasha.

During the broadcast, they claimed she sought “full control” over 2Baba’s personal and professional life, describing her as prone to “fits of rage” and confirming a previously denied arrest incident involving the couple in the United Kingdom.

The managers asserted that Natasha manages 2Baba’s finances and public engagements, insisting that the artist needed to be “saved” from her influence.

They also referenced past confrontations, including an airport incident and a domestic dispute that nearly required police intervention.

Recalling one of the confrontations, Lori said: “From the happenstance at the airport, just trying to put all this together, as I saw that outburst, that toxic nature of her. You know, the first time that you meet someone and that person is toxic, those are red flags. That outburst was pure rage, from zero to 1000.”

He added: “That person needs to be evaluated and understood because how would [someone] have so much rage from zero? I met them a couple of times aside from the airport, I went to the apartment and what we witnessed again, same rage, see screaming. We were trying to keep her down so that police does not come a second time, she did not care. I want us to use this platform and let us save our artiste. You know sometimes, artistes speak through their music, anytime I hear that song ‘Save Me From Myself’, that is just 2Face crying out.”

The situation escalated when 2Baba joined the live session, abruptly telling his former managers to “shut the fvck up” and stop discussing his private affairs.

Loud arguments between him and Natasha were then heard off-camera, growing increasingly heated before the broadcast was cut.

2Baba and Osawaru’s relationship became public shortly after his split from estranged wife Annie Macaulay Idibia in January.

He later clarified that his romance with the Edo lawmaker was unrelated to the breakup.

He proposed in February, received family approval in April after Natasha met his mother, Rose, and the couple officially married in July.

Group reacts to calls for removal of Service Chiefs over insecurity, by President Tinubu

An advocacy group, Northern Nigeria Bridge Builders, has condemned calls for the removal of Nigeria’s service chiefs, describing such demands as informedand politically motivated.

The group made its position known at a press briefing held on Thursday at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Hall in Kaduna.

It was responding to a recent statement credited to Mr Dominic Alancha, the Convener of the Northern Ethnic National Forum, who called for the sack of service chiefs over alleged professional incompetence.

Speaking on behalf of the group, the Convener, Mr Goodheart Sheyin, said Alancha lacked the grassroots connection and credibility to speak on behalf of Northern communities affected by insecurity.

He described the activist as “a featherweight politician” and dismissed his views as unrepresentative.

The group referred to a statement by the Zamfara Governor, Alhaji Dauda Lawal, who had expressed confidence in ending banditry within two months, if granted operational control of the security agencies.

According to the group, such comments reflect growing confidence in the military’s support for state-level anti crime efforts.

The bridge builders also cited recent directives by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, who instructed military personnel to take decisive actions against criminal elements without waiting for any formal orders.

The group said such measures demonstrated the military’s renewed commitment to internal security.

A prominent Islamic cleric, Mallam Muhammad Sharif-Zaria, was also referenced as having commended the defence chief’s directives in a viral video, describing them as courageous and appealing.

The cleric called on Nigerians to support the security agencies and warned that saboteurs might seek to frustrate ongoing efforts.

The group also extolled the remarks of Sen. Mohammed Ali-Ndume, former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, who described calls for the removal of the service chiefs as unpatriotic and unjustified.

Ali-Ndume said the military leadership had the requisite training and experience and required only adequate resources and motivation.

Similarly, popular Northern musician, Zakky Azzay, was quoted as praising the chief of defence staff, describing him as humble and intelligent.

He also commended the recent publication of the CDS’s book titled ‘Taking a Stand Against Insurgency, Terrorism and Banditry in Nigeria’.

A civil society group, Campaign Against Injustice (CAI), was also cited as opposing Alancha’s position.

The group warned that such calls could demoralise troops and undermine the tremendous gains made in the ongoing security operations.

CAI urged President Bola Tinubu to maintain his current support for the military hierarchy.

According to the bridge builders, recent reports from The Nation Newspaper on September 8 highlighted progress made by the Nigerian Armed Forces in neutralising criminal elements across the six geopolitical zones, including efforts against oil thieves, insurgents, and kidnappers.

The group acknowledged that while security challenges remained in parts of the North, significant improvements had been recorded in several communities previously overrun by terrorists.

It said the current service chiefs had demonstrated capacity and cohesion in the fight against insecurity.

The group commended Tinubu for his “due diligence” in appointing competent service chiefs and called for increased support and motivation for troops on the frontlines.

It also recognised the efforts of Northern Governors and urged the youths to contribute meaningfully to national peace and development.(NAN)