Entertainment

Fathia Williams receives Backlash for new movie ‘Efunroye: The Unicorn’

Nollywood filmmaker, Faithia Williams Balogun has addressed the controversy around her new movie, Efunroye: The Unicorn.

The actress took to X on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, to announce the release of her movie, Efuronye: The Unicorn. Captioned, “Power, Trade, Legacy,” the official film poster that she released caught the attention of netizens.

Journalist David Hundeyin, tweeting, criticized the movie, alleging that Tinubu was an “ultimate slave trader.”

His tweet, among others, read, “A deliberate decision was made to fund a Nigerian movie lionizing not just ‘a’ slave trader but the ultimate slave trader, as in the Efunroye Tinubu herself. The one who decided she would rather sink a ship loaded with a cargo of kidnapped African human beings than reduce their asking price to the European buyers. That Efunroye Tinubu. This would be like getting Tyler Perry and Spike Lee to produce and direct a movie titled ‘Robert E. Lee: The Unicorn.’”

Also, the 2023 Labour Party’s governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, wrote, “The Yoruba were the biggest victims of Madam Tinubu’s kidnapping, human trafficking and enslavement network. In the British attempt to end human trafficking and her ruthless opposition to it, she was exiled from Lagos. When Nigerians do DNA test like 23 and me, etc., they will see the number of unknown relatives they have scattered all across the Americas and the West Indies. They will realize how close and how deep this chapter of our history is. Unfortunately, Nigerians are still dealing with a ruthless elite that amass their fortune at the detriment of their people.”

Amid the backlash on the yet-to-be-released biopic movie, the actress clarified that there was no political intention behind the movie production. She was more than a warrior, she was a ruler who rewrote history. ‘Efunroye: The Unicorn’ is coming to your screens soon! Are you ready?” the post said.

The post sparked a lot of controversy especially because the movie is about Efunroye Osuntinubu, born in 1805, a Yoruba aristocrat, merchant, and slave trader in pre-colonial and colonial Nigeria.

She is said to have used her connections to establish a successful trade network with European merchants in slaves, tobacco, salt, cotton, palm oil, coconut oil, and firearms and allegedly owned well over 360 personal slaves.

As a wealthy woman, Madam Tinubu was able to influence economic and political decisions during her time. She had a massive security force composed of slaves, and she sometimes executed orders usually given by political leaders during the colonial era.

Fathia Williams, however, took to her social media to address the controversy around the film

“Firstly, “Efunroye: The Unicorn” is not a promotional piece intended to glorify or whitewash a divisive historical figure like Madam Efunroye Tinubu. Nor does it carry any political intent or affiliation. This film is purely a work of artistic interpretation and storytelling. As a filmmaker, my goal is to bring Nigerian stories to life on screen, and this is no exception. The movie attempts to present Madam Tinubu’s life in a balanced and nuanced way, showcasing her triumphs, challenges, and the complex legacy she left behind. It is not an effort to reshape or glorify the historical narrative. “Like all historical figures, Madam Tinubu’s story is layered, and this film aims to capture both her strengths and controversies,” the post said.

She also stressed that the movie is inspired by true events and added that it is important to explore our history.

“As with any artistic work, it draws from history but takes creative liberties to make the story more engaging for modern audiences. I believe that through this film, we can explore important parts of our history, but it is important to understand that it remains a work of fiction inspired by real events,” she concluded

Entertainment

Davido Hits the Runway At the Lagos Fashion Week

Fans of Nigerian singer Davido have expressed their excitement over the viral videos showing him walking the runway at the ongoing Lagos fashion week.

In the viral videos, Davido was seen dressed in a stunning piece from his friend Ugo Monye’s new collection, which was being exhibited at the critically acclaimed fashion show. Ugo Monye, who designed Davido’s looks for his traditional wedding in June 2024, also walked the runway during the exhibition.

The singer rocked a brown traditional piece from head to toe, paired with a breath-taking walking stick. This is Davido’s second time on the runway, following his 2022 debut when he walked for Puma at the New York Fashion Week in a custom tracksuit.

Nigerian’s took to social media to react to his appearance at the fashion event, drumming their support for Davido.

A person wrote, “One thing about Davido, he takes his job very seriously, and he understands visibility in Showbiz. He’s the GOAT, no doubt!!!”

“Davido is the kind of friend everyone wishes for in his circle, always coming through for his homies😍😍” said another.

“Them even put him music for background 😂😂😂, na fashion week Abi na film premier una gather Dey do there 😂😂😂😂, said one Instagram user and another wrote, “Man like OBO. A very supportive friend and boss, always carrying everyone along. God keep blessing David Adekeke”

“When I tell you obo is a big deal Una go the cap 🧢…….very humble very demure ❤️❤️❤️❤️money na water”

Celebs

Wizkid Drops ‘Piece of My Heart,’ First Single Off ‘Morayo’

Grammy award-winning artist Ayo Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has released “Piece of My Heart”, the first single from his highly anticipated album, Morayo.

The track features American R&B star Brent Faiyaz, adding to the excitement surrounding its October 18th release. The song is a blend of Afrobeats and R&B which centers around love and heartbreak.

Wizkid has continued to build anticipation for the new album, which is his sixth and is dedicated to his late mother. He described it as his best work yet in a post on his X handle

Morayo follows the success of his recent collaboration on “MMS” with Asake.

Wizkid further fueled anticipation by releasing a teaser for Piece of My Heart just hours before its official release. The teaser offered a sneak peek of the music video, set in a luxurious mansion in the countryside.

Wizkid’s release coincides with Tiwa Savage’s new track, “Forgiveness,” and Ckay’s “Emotions,” stirring excitement for afrobeat and reggae fans.

The album comes hot on the heels of recent social media spats with Davido with a few industry watchers speculating that the much-publicized beef is part of an overall marketing strategy for his new album

Celebs

Nigerian Immigration Aprehend Bobrisky, Accuse Him Of Trying To Flee Country

In a new twist of the ever evolving saga involving Bobrisky and the Nigerin authorities, it is reported that he has reportedly been arrested at the Seme border during a recent attempt to flee the country.

According to a new video shared and posted on the Instagram page of social media activist, Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, the crossdresser has been arrested at the Seme border while on the verge of departing the shores of Nigeria.

VeryDarkMan noted that the Nigerian Immigration Officers have arrested Bobrisky who is now in their custody. He also dared the crossdresser to respond and refute the claims.

“Bobrisky has been Arrested this morning at the seme border while trying to enter BENIN REPUBLIC to escape the current investigation by the house of reps. He is allegedly being held be the Nigeria immigration…MAKE WE WAIT FOR BOB TO DEBUNK. Cho Cho Cho,” VeryDarkMan published as caption.

In the video, he also alleged that Bobrisky hid in his car and sent someone to help him sign his international passport.

“Bobrisky was arrested this morning at Seme border post on his way to escape to Benin Republic. He sent someone to help him sign his international passport, and he hid in his car. The Nigerian immigration service is currently holding him,” he said.

This revelation adds a new twist to the ongoing investigations into Bobrisky’s alleged payment of a bribe to officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

As of the time of this report, Bobrisky is yet to respond or acknowledge the allegations.