2024 brought profound losses to the Nigerian entertainment industry as it bid farewell to several iconic figures who left an indelible mark on us. From veteran actors whose artistry shaped the industry to beloved singers and stars who captured the hearts of audiences, these individuals are remembered for their talent, passion, and lasting legacies.

John Okafor (Mr. Ibu)

Beloved Nollywood comic actor, John Okafor, also known as Mr. Ibu, passed away at 62 on March 2, 2024. Known for his comedic brilliance, his death followed a series of health challenges, including hospitalization and the amputation of a leg​.

Junior Pope

One of the most shocking celebrity deaths this year was that of actor Junior Pope who sadly passed away after drowning in a boat accident in April. The accident happened mere hours after he posted the video of himself on a boat without a lifejacket in Asaba, on the way to a movie set. The news came as a huge shock to Nigerians and confusion followed until the news was sadly confirmed. His wife and three children survive him.

Onyeka Onwenu

Another celebrity who died in 2024 was veteran singer and actress Onyeka Onwenu. She reportedly slumped following a performance at Stella Okoli’s birthday party on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, and was then rushed to Reddington Hospital in Lagos, unfortunately, she didn’t make it. She was 72 years old.

Charles Olumo (Agbako)

Nollywood veteran Charles Olumo died at age 101 in October 2024 and the news was announced by the president of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Bolaji Amusan, via his Instagram account on October 31, 2024.

Deji Aderemi (Olofa Ina)

Veteran Yoruba actor, Deji Aderemi, popularly known as Olofa Ina, passed away on January 4, 2024, at the age of 73. He was a revered figure in the industry, known for his impactful roles in Yoruba films. Aderemi succumbed to cancer after battling the illness​Ethel EkpeThe veteran actress best known for her role in the classic NTA sitcom Basi and Company died on February 7, 2024, in Lagos. Ekpe had been battling cancer for a long time and was celebrated for her iconic performances​.

Sisi Quadri
Yoruba Nollywood actor Tolani Quadri Oyebamiji, famously called Sisi Quadri, passed away on March 1, 2024, at just 44 years old. Known for his comedic talent, his death came as a shock to fans and colleagues​

Amaechi Muonagor
A veteran known for his roles in films such as Aki and Paw Paw, Amaechi Muonagor passed away on March 24, 2024. He battled kidney disease for a long time and sought financial assistance shortly before his passing​.

Adejumoke Aderounmu
Popular for her role as Esther in Jenifa’s Diary, Adejumoke Oreoluwa Aderounmu died on March 7, 2024. Her passing shocked fans, as she was celebrated for her vibrant contributions to Nollywood​

Zulu Adigwu
Veteran actor Zulu Adigwu died on April 23, 2024. Known for his versatility and dedication to Nollywood, his death marked a significant loss to the film industry​

Dayo Adewunmi (Sule Suebebe)
Veteran actor and director Dayo Adewunmi, famously known as Sule Suebebe, passed away on June 12, 2024. A notable figure in the Yoruba film industry, his comedic talent and unique style made him beloved among fans​

Stella Ikwuegbu
Actress Stella Ikwuegbu died on June 16, 2024, after battling leg cancer. She was known for her impactful roles and her dedication to Nollywood​.

Ganiyu Oyeyemi (Ogunjimi)
Veteran Yoruba actor Ganiyu Oyeyemi, popularly called Ogunjimi, passed away on April 26, 2024. To this day, his contributions to Yoruba films and theater are celebrated by his peers and fans alike​

Jimi Solanke
Nollywood veteran Jimi Solanke also passed away this year at age 81 after a brief battle with an illness. He was said to have passed away on February 5, 2024, while being transported from his rural home in Ipara Remo, Remo North Local Government Area, Ogun State, to Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan. Reports also stated that Solanke had been in and out of the hospital between December 2023 to February 2024 before passing away.

American rapper Jay Z has refuted the claims that he raped a 13-year-old girl alongside Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in 2000, as stated in the amended lawsuit against Diddy.
The woman, who is identified as a ‘Jane Doe’ in the lawsuit, said she was only 13 years old at the time Diddy and Jay Z allegedly assaulted her at an after-party on the heels of the Video Music Awards in 2000.

According to her suit, she alleged that she began to feel woozy after ingesting a drink at the party and wandered into a nearby bedroom, adding that Jay Z raped her first, followed by Diddy. The woman further claimed that she hit Diddy and was then able to run out of the party.

After the reports became public, a detailed statement was published on X by Jay-Z’s label, Roc Nation.

Bashing the lawyer behind the lawsuit, the statement read, “My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a ‘lawyer’ named Tony Buzbee. He had calculated that the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle. No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are,”

“These allegations are so heinous that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whoever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case” Jay Z added.

In his statement to CNN, he said, “My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people. I mourn yet another loss of innocence. Children should not have to endure such at their young age.”

This updated lawsuit comes on the heels of the original one filed against Diddy who was arrested for sex trafficking, sexual assault, racketeering, and other crimes on Monday, September 17, 2024. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his criminal trial is currently slated to begin on May 5, 2025.

Anita Natacha Akide, a former Big Brother Naija housemate popularly known by her first name, Tacha, has finally fulfilled her promise to remove a tattoo of Nigerian music star Davido.

Tacha vowed to remove a tattoo of Davido’s face drawn on her chest after they fell out late last year.

True to her promise, the reality TV star shared a video of the procedure to remove the tattoo on social media.

In the video, Tacha is seen undergoing the laser procedure before the aftermath which shows the tattoo is now off her chest area.

Recall that Tacha and Davido fell out late last year when the reality TV star tackled the singer for liking a shady tweet about Phyna.

Although Davido issued an apology following the backlash he received, it was not enough to calm Tacha who tagged the apology as fake.

In response, Davido went on to like a tweet that subtly shaded Tacha. In return, Tacha responded by berating him for setting Phyna up for more dragging with his fake apology.

Amid the altercation, a troll predicted Tacha’s downfall as Davido isn’t one to mess with. Tacha replied by reminding the troll that her career didn’t end in 2019 after she was disqualified from BBNaija, declaring that her altercation with Davido will be no different as man is not God.

The two again had a go at each other online when Tacha weighed in on Davido’s beef with Tiwa Savãge, siding with Tiwa. Tacha called out Davido for his audacity and God-complex personality, admonishing him to take up someone his size for once.

Seeing this, Davido liked a tweet ridiculing Tacha and she retaliated by subtly framing Davido as a bully, pointing out the irony in Davido attending Mohbad’s candlelight night while being a bully himself. Tacha noted that Davido doesn’t feed her, hence, she wouldn’t hesitate to call out his foolishness.