Despite moves by friends and relatives to mend fences between Nollywood actress Mercy Aigbe and her hotelier husband, Lanre Gentry, who allegedly battered her last week, the actress appears unsatisfied as she has reported the assault to the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs for justice.
Though she posted a glowing photographs of herself going to church on Sunday to douse all reports that her marriage had broken down, the New Telegraph on Sunday reported that she had taken the matter to the Lagos State Government for investigation.
A top official in the ministry revealed that the matter has been brought to the attention of the body; stressing it is a matter of urgency due to the mandate given to the ministry by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to crack down on domestic violence especially against women.
“I am commenting on this based on your manner of approach, so please I’d like my privacy to be respected. Truely, the case is with us here.
Mercy Aigbe, it was learnt, personally reported the assault, and because of the governor’s zero tolerance for domestic violence, we are as a matter of urgency investigating the whole drama. It is a good thing that it has also been brought to the public eye.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has zero tolerance for domestic violence especially battering of women
A human rights activist, Esther Ijewere, who was the first to render help to the actress, stressed that there is no justification for domestic violence.
“There is no justification for domestic violence, at all.
“You as a man, if you can’t stand the heat, then take a walk out of the kitchen. Real men don’t hit their wives; celebrities are human, we should not be too quick to judge.
“She has taken a bold step; the best we can do is pray for her and support her in any possible way we can,” Esther said.
The actress had allegedly tried to mend the cracks in her marriage since last year but was said to be physically abused by her husband recently and is recuperating at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos.
Clearly trying to effect damage control, Lanre Gentry posted a picture of himself and his wife on his Instagram account, saying I love my wife and I will never beat her.
But pictures of bruised Mercy Aigbe posted in the social media and one showing her undergoing brain scan in a private hospital put a lie to this assertion by Lanre Gentry.
Friends and business associates, it was learnt, have told Gentry to be careful about the way he is handling the messy scandal to save his reputation and that of his hotel.
Femi Kuti has expressed his views on the mass emigration trend, which Nigerians popularly call the “japa trend,” and has urged Nigerian youth to fight for a better country.
During the 2024 Celebration Festival, Kuti emphasised that he would not relocate to another country, noting that citizens of other nations had to fight for their own freedom.
He began, “People have asked me, ‘Shey you no go japa?’ japa to where?”
“Let me tell you about Europe; you see Europe and what made it great. Do you think they ran away? No, they fought; Europe fought hundreds of civil wars; dem just dey kill themselves. America had one of the worst civil wars in history, which is why till today Americans still carry guns,” he added, describing the past of some of the nations where Nigerians frequently relocate.
“Japa to where? … Made is a British citizen. Where is he? He is in Nigeria. He cannot be anywhere else. Who born am? Na monkey born am?…”
Femi Kuti called on Nigerians to acknowledge their duty to defend and improve their own nation.
“We must understand that we have to stay here and fight for a better country that we love. We did not build the Fela Shrine in Los Angeles or in London; we built it in Africa. Get your senses together because this country depends on you,” the singer continued.
“Made is a British citizen but where is he? He is in Nigeria, and he cannot be anywhere else. What does he want to do there? If they call him for work, he’d go there to play and come back. Who would take over the shrine? I want to retire.”
Omoni Oboli’s new film, The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3, earned ₦10 million in voucher sales just two days after its release. The director made the announcement in a joint post with Nile Entertainment, the film’s distributors.
This rapid success highlights the growing anticipation for Oboli’s work. The Uprising is already drawing attention across the country for its timely themes and engaging plot.
Nile Entertainment expressed excitement over the early sales figures, attributing the film’s success to its strong storyline and Oboli’s established reputation.
“My people, We have sold N10 million on our vouchers alone and counting. This is massive! You made this happen! Because of you, so many people will get to watch THE UPRISING for free!!! Thank you my Besties and everyone for showering The Uprising: Wives on Strike3 film the love that it deserves,” the post said.
Earlier this month, Nile launched a voucher system to allow cinema lovers to pre-order tickets before the premiere of The Uprising. This move helped build anticipation among fans eager to secure their seats ahead of showtime. As a result, the film’s initial sales surged quickly.
The Uprising is a satire that tells the story of a female local government official. She finds herself caught in a web of turmoil, juggling the challenges of her new authority with the complexities of her personal life. The film presents a powerful narrative, blending humor with important social commentary.
Adding to its appeal, Wives on Strike 3 features an impressive ensemble cast.
Leading the lineup are Chioma Akpotha, Uche Jombo, OmoniOboli, and Ufuoma McDermott. These celebrated actresses bring depth and energy to their roles.
Hilda Dokubo also joins the cast, further boosting the film’s star power. Additionally, rising stars like Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, popularly known as KieKie, and May Yul-Edochie deliver standout performances.
Nigerian rapper Falz has clarified that he was not pressured to study law due to his father’s success in the field.
Falz revealed in an interview with Chude Jideonwo on the “With Chude” podcast that his father, Femi Falana SAN, helped and fought for people who inspired him. This experience motivated him to pursue a legal career, contrary to popular belief.
He said,
“I won’t say it was pressure but when I was super young, it was like, ‘These people have to be something’ because I was already getting that reaction everywhere I went. And if I ever mentioned my name, people would be like, ‘Which Falana? Is it Femi Falana? Oh wow.'”
“Everyone sort of had a story about how my dad came to their aid at some point in time and how he fought for them and was there for them. At that time it was me taking everything in, like, ‘this is something’. So at that point in time, I wasn’t pressured; I aspired to emulate what he was doing,” he added.
This recognition made a deep impact on him, and he decided on his own to study law. Although he pursued a legal education, he practiced law only for a short period.
His decision to enter the field came from personal motivation. Despite his brief time practicing, the experience left its mark. Indeed, it shaped his perspective and contributing to his overall journey.
“I did practice law for a short period of time. Very short, almost two years. I worked at the Ministry of Justice during my youth service, which was like 2012 or so, then in 2013 I was at my father’s firm and 2014 was when things started to pick up for me so I started going out of practice,” he added in between laughter.