Entertainment

Iconic Nollywood Movie ‘Ti Oluwa Nile’ Adapted To Stage

Published

2 years ago

February 9, 2024

The legendary Yoruba movie ‘Ti Oluwa Nile’, written by veteran actor and producer Alhaji Kareem Adepoju, popularly known as ‘Baba Wande”, is set to be adapted into a stage play titled ‘ASIYANBI: TI OLUWA NI ILE’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ‘Ti Oluwa Nile’ was originally penned in 1987 by Baba Wande and transformed into a cinematic gem in 1993 through collaboration between the esteemed writer and Mainframe Production, under the skilled direction of Tunde Kelani.

‘ASIYANBI: TI OLUWA NI ILE’ is in support of ‘AROBA GROOVE’, an international cultural organisation, signalling a new chapter in the legacy of the cinematic masterpiece.

Akindeji Ibitayo, the project coordinator and supervisory producer at Aroba Groove, said at a news conference on Friday in Lagos that the stage play was about retelling stories and histories in a compelling and exciting style, particularly of African origin.

“We took a deep look at the history of the country, the colonisation, independence, tribulations, challenges, and our growth and evolution over the years, and we concluded that Nigeria is God’s own country.

“So, what project can we use to portray this? Here comes ‘Ti Oluwa Nile’, but in a different format.

“Coincidentally, Nigeria’s recent democracy will be hitting a landmark period of 25 continuous years.

“What better time can the project fall into, for characters such as Asiyanbi who are desecrating and flouting the laws and orders of the land, this is a project to let them know that there will be grave consequences.

“Nigerians and the world in general should watch out for this,” he said.

Also, Dotun Taylor, Executive Producer of the project, said that the 30-year-old movie, which has captivated audiences as one of Nollywood’s most-watched and top-selling stories in history, has left an indelible mark on the hearts of viewers.

“Now, with the upcoming stage production presented by AROBA GROOVE, the timeless story is set to be reimagined and brought to life in a fresh and dynamic theatrical experience,” he said.

According to him, the film intricately weaves a tale of intrigue, betrayal, and societal complexities, drawing viewers into a world where greed collides with tradition and justice is sought through supernatural intervention.

The executive director said that the narrative follows the gripping saga of two individuals who conspire with a corrupt chief to illegally sell ancestral land to a petroleum company for personal gain.

Their deceit met with fierce resistance from the community and the intervention of the oracle, embodying the land’s sacred deities.

As the true ownership of the land is revealed and consequences unfold, the chief finds himself entangled in a web of challenges that test his fate and traditional standing, leading to a climactic showdown that will determine his ultimate destiny.

Taylor noted that with its cinematic debut, ‘TI OLUWA NILE’ garnered widespread acclaim and adoration, solidifying its status as a blockbuster and a cultural touchstone in Nollywood history.

According to Taylor, ‘ASIYANBI TI OLUWA NI ILE’ is prepared to take centre stage, emphasising the enduring relevance and resonance of the timeless story and underscoring its enduring impact on audiences across generations.

“Featuring a talented cast of Nollywood actors of Yoruba descent, the stage play promises to deliver a riveting and immersive experience that honours the legacy of ‘TI OLUWA NILE’, while pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

“AROBA GROOVE’s visionary approach to reimagining this classic tale in a new artistic form underscores their commitment to fostering creativity and cultural enrichment.

“It set the stage for an unforgettable theatrical journey that will captivate audiences far and wide,” Taylor said.

In his remarks, Adepoju said he was grateful to be part of the historic project.

“This is a historic project, and though I am the owner of the story, I must confess to you that I am more than grateful to be part of this project.

“If I am not mistaken and with my experience, this is the first time in this country that I am witnessing a story that has been adapted to a film and re-adapted to a stage play.

“I have not seen or heard it before in this sphere. I give the progenitors and producers of this project kudos for their ingenuity.

“I am happy to be part of it in my lifetime, and I am fully in support,” the actor said.

The director of the project, Ropo Ewenla, says that the movie is full of creativity, promotes cultural heritage, and is investigative.

“I was a bit shocked when I was first contacted about the project, though I understand creativity is limitless.

“But this took me sincerely unaware, and since we have been on it, it has been an exciting experience.

With the level of creativity, and quality of team, cast, and crew put together by the producers, I can assure Nigerians and the world that it’s TI OLUWA NILE redefined.

“It’s an experience that I believe everyone must witness, and being the inaugural director of such a project makes me proud,” he said. (NAN)

Entertainment

Amy Winehouse’s Father Fues Her Friends For Auctioning Late Star’s Clothes

Published

8 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Editor

The father of late British singer Amy Winehouse Tuesday defended his UK lawsuit against two of her friends after they sold some of her clothes at auction for around £730,000 ($970,000).

Mitch Winehouse told the High Court in London that Naomi Parry, the star’s former stylist, and her friend, Catriona Gourlay, did not have the right to sell dozens of items in auctions between November 2021 and May 2023.

Lawyer Henry Legge, acting for Winehouse, told the court on Monday, the first day of the trial, that the two women sold 150 objects which had belonged to Winehouse, including dresses which she wore on her last tour in June 2011.

The British singer-songwriter, who enjoyed meteoric global success, died a month later from alcohol poisoning, aged just 27.

Winehouse was a distinctive figure with her beehive hairdo, heavy black eye makeup, multiple tattoos and smoky voice.

She shot to international fame with her Grammy Award-winning 2006 album “Back to Black” which included the track “Rehab”, charting her battle with addiction.

According to court documents, Winehouse believed that any sums collected from the sales organised by Los Angeles-based Julien’s Auctions would be due to him.

The auctioneers had also been told that a third of the proceeds would be donated to the Amy Winehouse Foundation — a charity set up in the singer’s name working with young people to foster hope and self-reliance.

However, Winehouse’s team accused the women of failing to donate the share of proceeds to the foundation.

– ‘You’re wrong’ –

Ted Loveday, lawyer for Gourlay, said that most of the objects had been given or lent to the two women by the singer, even if there was no proof.

“If a 19-year-old gives a scarf or a pair of earrings to their friends, no one signs a contract,” he told the court on Monday, stressing the singer’s generosity.

Gourlay and Parry met Amy Winehouse in the early 2000s, before she shot to fame. Parry went on to create some of the singer’s most iconic looks — including the green bamboo dress worn on the June 2011 tour which sold at auction for $243, 200.

Beth Grossman, the lawyer for Parry, said the two “women are not thieves and they are not dishonest”.

She accused Winehouse of bringing the lawsuit against the women out of “petty jealousy”, which he strongly denied on Tuesday, saying “you’re wrong”.

Grossman also highlighted the financial differences between the multi-millionaire Mitch Winehouse and the two women who are “living pretty much hand to mouth”.

The hearing is set to last until Friday, with a judgement due at a later date.
(AFP)

Entertainment

FULL LIST: Shallipopi, Belove Olocha, Malumfoodie Win Big At TikTok Awards 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 8, 2025

Editor

TikTok has announced the full list of winners for the 2025 TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigerian stars Shallipopi, Belove Olocha and South Africa’s Malumfoodie taking home some of the biggest honours of the night.

The ceremony held on December 6 in Johannesburg and attracted top creators, performers and industry figures from across the continent. The theme for this year’s event was New Era, New Icons.

The show featured performances from Ciza, Lord Kez, Thuli P, DJ Fif Laa and Thabsie. South African entertainer Bontle Modiselle Moloi hosted the event while Keegan Gordon and Zayaan Noorani handled the red carpet. Influencer Mihlali Ndamase made a surprise appearance to present the Video of the Year award. Olympian Akani Simbine also presented the Sport Creator of the Year category.

Brands including NIVEA, inDrive, Coca-Cola, PEP and Dis-Chem supported the awards.

TikTok’s Head of Content Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa, Boniswa Sidwaba, said the platform is recognising creators who are shaping global conversations.

She said, “Tonight’s ceremony was a gathering of the trailblazers who have redefined what it means to be a creator in Africa. From Sokoto to Nairobi, and Accra to Pretoria, we honoured the creators who turned 60-second clips into cultural movements. We are honoured to celebrate them as they amplify their voices and take their stories from Africa to the world.”

The ceremony will be rebroadcast on December 11 at 20:00 SAST on TikTok LIVE through the @tiktok.africa account.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

Creator of the Year
Raja’atu Muhammed Ibrahim @diaryofanortherncook (Nigeria)

Storyteller of the Year
Brian Nwana @briannwana (Nigeria)
He said, “Every single creator is a storyteller. We all tell stories that help drive the local communities, our cities, and our countries, and when we do that we change the perception that the world has about us”.

Video of the Year
Fanuel John Masamaki @zerobrainer0 (Tanzania)
He said, “I am truly grateful to my fans and the love I have received from Tanzanians. Thank you so much . This win was for all of us.”

Rising Star of the Year
@tunero_animations (Kenya)
Runner up: Esther Francis @estherfrancisbackup (Nigeria)

Social Impact Creator of the Year
Dejoke Ogunbiyi @noositiwantiwa_ (Nigeria)
Runner up: Sinethemba Masinga @ufarm_julia (South Africa)

Food Creator of the Year
@malumfoodie (South Africa)
He said, “From my humble beginnings of Haamanskraal, to Soshanguve and to all of South Africa, now we are in Africa!”

Runner up: Abena Amoakoaa Sintim Aboagye @chefabbys (Ghana)

Sports Creator of the Year
John Maingi Mbugua @zozasportscast (Kenya)
He said, “Winning isn’t the finish line, it’s fuel for the next chapter. Every piece of content, every discussion, every moment captured was driven by passion, and receiving this recognition means that passion is resonating far beyond my expectations.”

Runner up: Victor Ademola @ademolavictortv (Nigeria)

Entertainment Creator of the Year
Belove Olocha @beloveolocha (Nigeria)
Runner up: Jabulani Macdonald @jabu_macdonald (South Africa)

Education Creator of the Year
Izzi Boye @izziboye (Nigeria)
Runner up: @michelle_expert (South Africa)

Artiste of the Year
Crown Uzama @theycallmeshallipopipp (Nigeria)
He said, “Thank you, TikTok, for supporting all upcoming artists and giving them a spotlight to shine.”

Entertainment

TikTok Temporarily Restricts Late Night Live Feature In Nigeria

Published

1 day ago

December 8, 2025

Editor

TikTok has restricted late-night LIVE access for Nigerian users, as the platform now blocks the feature during peak night hours.

The restriction started on Sunday at midnight when the app quietly shut down all LIVE activities across Nigeria, leaving accounts unable to host or even watch late night streams.

According to an in-app message sent to creators, TikTok wrote, “We’re temporarily limiting LIVE late at night in Nigeria as part of our investigation to ensure our platform remains safe and our community stays protected.”

Many affected users shared that their screens showed a “No Access” label between 11pm and 5am, confirming that the shutdown was nationwide and not a technical glitch.

Reports showed that only creators with at least 1,000 followers received the notice, since they are the only ones allowed to host LIVE sessions on the platform.

Several of them confirmed that all LIVE activities stopped throughout the night, and no one could even view broadcasts from other countries during the restriction.

TikTok users who earn money through LIVE gifting said their balances were not touched, easing fears of sudden financial loss.

By Monday morning, LIVE access returned, but the whole situation triggered long conversations on social media as Nigerians questioned why the company picked late night hours, which usually record the highest traffic for match streams, entertainment shows and interactive trends.

TikTok’s latest move came a few weeks after the platform released fresh safety figures for West Africa at its Safety Summit in Dakar, Senegal.

The company revealed that in the second quarter of 2025, it took action against 2,321,813 LIVE sessions and 1,040,356 creators worldwide for breaking LIVE monetisation rules.

It also disclosed that Nigeria alone recorded 49,512 banned LIVE sessions within the same period.

TikTok added that it removed 3,780,426 Nigerian videos between April and June 2025 for violating Community Guidelines, noting that 98.7 percent were deleted before anyone viewed them, while 91.9 percent were taken down within 24 hours.

TikTok LIVE remains a popular feature among young users because it allows real time broadcasting, comments and gifting, unlike pre-recorded videos.

To go LIVE, a creator generally needs at least 1,000 followers, must be above 16 years to stream and above 18 years to earn money.