Entertainment
I once vowed not to have anything to do with Igbo girls, but ended up marrying one — Nosa Rex
Nosa Rex Okunzuwa, popularly known as Babarex started out as a promising actor, back in 2010, when he made his acting debut, but today, the handsome actor has become one of the most talked about skit makers in the Nigerian entertainment circuit.
Having made it happen by himself, Nosa is best known today for his comedy videos on Instagram and TikTok than he’s popular on the big screen.
Shock of my father’s death
I lost my father some time in February, but God decided to bring him back with the birth of my baby boy. That’s why I said my dad has come back to life. The pain of his death is still fresh in my mind. I was very close to him and he was my best friend. But I just realized that I am an orphan now. I have always been a family-oriented and serious person.
I just have to double my efforts now. This is because I have so many responsibilities now, with my young ones looking up to me. I am now the decision maker in the family, I have so many people looking up and waiting for me to make the decision on how they will live their lives. It’s another phase in my life. Those things I didn’t do when my father was alive, I won’t do them now. I’m still going to be that cool, responsible and family-oriented person that I am known for.
Lessons I learnt from my late father
My father taught me a lot of things. He taught me how to be patient. In every situation, my father would always say it’s well. What I would miss most about him is the fact that my father always prayed for me any time he called me on the telephone. I studied engineering and decided to delve into acting. You need a supportive father to be able to follow your dream. I learnt a whole lot of things from him and I pray that God will help me.
London trip with my family
It was part of the good life we wanted to experience. My family demanded it and I gave it to them.
Discovering my other side during COVID-19 lock down
First and foremost, I would say that the best decision I have ever made in my life is to delve into skit making. It was the direction of the Almighty God. I have always had that funny side of me but the opportunity to unleash it never came my way until the COVID-19 lock down era in 2020. I started my career in 2010, and since then I have done a lot of movies, but 2020 was the year God decided to announce my funny side to the world.
While people were indoors playing with their phones and watching movies on YouTube, I was busy creating content with my wife and those that were around me then.To me, the journey has been smooth and great. I believe in step by step, I don’t skip the process. But switching to the comedy side was just a happy moment for me because I enjoy what I do now. I’m not forcing it, that’s why it’s not stopping. I have just carved a niche for myself . For those people that know me very well , they know that this funny side of me has always been there.
I just needed the opportunity but nobody gave it to me because when producers want to give me a role in movies, they don’t put my funny side into consideration . Babarex TV was just an opportunity to let the world see the funny side of me and now that they have seen it , every producer wants to give me a funny role in his movie. I took advantage of the corona-virus lock down to unleash my funny side to the world.
Pressure arising from content creation
The bad aspect of content creating business is pressure and being consistent. When you drop a hit skit, you need to sustain the tempo. What I have done for myself is that I have never allowed anybody to put me in any kind of pressure. I am not in competition with anybody. If you want to be the best , that’s when you start having problem. So, if I don’t conceive an idea, I would drop nothing. But when it hits me then I drop it.
I don’t allow people to put me under pressure. I roll with my own pace and that’s where some content creators miss it. Just because they want to be dropping content back to back, they will start to do things that are not in line with what they should do. For me, I roll with my pace and that’s why when I drop a content and somebody asks me where the continuation is, I would tell the person it’s not ready yet. I can’t force it. I might shoot the content now and go back to re-shoot it. It has to be funny to me and to my team before I can drop it. So, the pressure in content creation is one of the problems I don’t like about the business.
Pressure from the female fans
Pressure from the female fans will always come, but I am a married man. The whole job comes with its own pressure especially with the kind of content I drop which has some sexual ingredients. But even at that I have many women around me.
Seeing women around me
God blessed me with my wife. She’s a very understanding woman. Sometimes, I wonder if there is any woman that would understand me the way my wife understands me. She was supposed to be the first problem I would have had in this journey. But she’s even the one that always recommend the ladies I should feature in my comedy series. In fact, before I put any content out there, my wife would be the first person to see that content. And she understands that this is a hustle for me. So, whenever I bring any woman close to me, she has to be in the know.
My love life before I met my wife
I was in a relationship before I met my wife, but the relationship was not stable. What attracted me to my wife was the fact that she believed in me from the outset. When she met me, I wasn’t earning anything as an actor. I met her in 2013, and I joined Nollywood in 2010. The only thing I had to my name then was the City People award, which I won in 2013 as a new actor.
I don’t know what gave her the courage to believe in me, even though I had a strong passion for entertainment. She saw the drive in me and knew that I would make it some day. She won my heart with her patience and sincerity. When I saw her sincerity, I decided to end another relationship I was involved in. Interestingly, she’s the only Igbo girl I have dated in my life. I was the one who said that I wouldn’t have anything to do with Igbo girls, but I ended up marrying an Igbo girl.
Vanguard
The news of his passing was announced on Tuesday by a fellow actor, Tony Akposheri, in an Instagram post.
Akposheri expressed shock and sadness over the death of the actor, recalling their recent interactions.
He revealed that they had recently spent time together during the New Year, sharing memories and discussing future plans.
“Today, my heart is heavy. Davis Ofor, fondly known as Clarus from New Masquerade, is gone.
“We crossed into the New Year together, laughing, talking, sharing memories, and speaking hopefully about the days ahead,” he wrote.
“We spoke about life, about plans, about how far we had come. None of us knew that time was already counting differently for you.”
Describing the late actor as more than just a screen personality, Akposheri paid tribute to his character and impact.
“It is hard to believe that the voice I heard not long ago is now a memory. Hard to accept that someone so full of life can suddenly become a story we tell.”
He added, “Rest well, my friend. You came, you gave joy, you made your mark, and you will never be forgotten.”
Clarus gained prominence for his role in New Masquerade, one of Nigeria’s most popular television comedy shows, where his character became a household name.
Details surrounding the cause of his death were not immediately available.
Ofor rose to prominence for his role as Clarus in New Masquerade, a widely acclaimed Nigerian television comedy that aired on the Nigerian Television Authority and became a household favourite in the 1980s.
His portrayal of the comic character earned him national recognition and endeared him to audiences across the country, making Clarus one of the most memorable figures in Nigerian television history.
According to the unaudited financial statements of Nigerian Breweries Plc, International Breweries Plc, and Champion Breweries Plc for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the companies collectively recorded strong top-line performance driven largely by beer sales.
Nigerian Breweries Plc, the largest brewer in the country, recorded net revenue of N1.05tn for the period, up from N710.87bn in the corresponding period of 2024. Cost of sales stood at N631.23bn, resulting in a gross profit of N415.15bn.
After accounting for selling and distribution expenses of N193.85bn, administrative expenses of N59.58bn, finance costs of N39.15bn, and other charges, the company posted a profit after tax of N85.51bn, compared with a loss of N149.50bn in 2024. Basic earnings per share rose to 275 kobo from a loss of 1,455 kobo in the previous year.
In March, Nigerian Breweries Plc announced a return to profitability in the first quarter of 2025, reporting a 186 per cent increase in net profit compared to the same period in 2024. The unaudited financial results released on the Nigerian Exchange Limited showed that revenue for the period ended March 31, 2025, rose to N383.6bn, representing a 68.9 per cent increase from N227.1bn recorded in the first quarter of 2024.
International Breweries Plc, which operates in Nigeria and other West African markets, generated revenue of N472.57bn for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, up from N343.45bn in the same period of 2024.
The company reported a profit after tax of N57.83bn, reversing a loss of N112.81bn in 2024. Cost of sales increased to N311.64bn from N248.58bn, while administrative, marketing, and distribution expenses rose to N92.09bn from N72.68bn.
International Breweries Plc posted a profit of N11.9bn for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, marking a turnaround from a loss of N47.3bn in the same period last year. The company’s unaudited financial statements showed revenue increased to N167.4bn in Q2 2025 from N120bn in Q2 2024, while gross profit rose to N61.9bn from N33.8bn.
Overall, the combined revenue of the three companies amounted to N1.54tn, with Nigerian Breweries Plc accounting for the bulk of sales.
Analysts say the figures highlight the resilience of Nigeria’s beer market, which continues to benefit from strong brand loyalty and distribution networks despite rising production costs and broader macroeconomic pressures.
Commenting on consumer behaviour, the Head of Financial Institutions Ratings at Agusto & Co., Ayokunle Olubunmi, said the market is experiencing a gradual shift in spending patterns, with some consumers reducing beer consumption, a trend influencing how breweries adjust their strategies.
“Following AB InBev’s acquisition of International Breweries, the company invested in new breweries and production facilities to expand capacity. This indicates that firms are prioritising scaling operations and improving efficiency to meet rising demand and strengthen their market position,” Olubunmi said.
On the broader economic impact, the Chief Executive Officer of Economic Associates, Ayo Teriba, cautioned that strong sales figures do not necessarily translate into greater economic contribution.
“The point is that bigger isn’t necessarily better. Sales may be boosted by size, but if that size reflects purchases from other companies rather than actual value added, the contribution to the economy is limited. What really matters is net output, what value the company is actually creating. GDP, after all, is the sum of value created, not just total sales figures,” Teriba said.
Controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been remanded in custody following his arraignment on Monday over multiple criminal charges.
The singer was arraigned on a nine-count charge bordering on assault, theft, causing bodily harm, and resisting arrest.
Confirming the development, Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the charges stemmed from a complaint filed by Portable’s estranged partner, Ashabi Simple.
The arraignment followed a viral video on Sunday showing the singer in police custody.
According to the prosecution, Portable allegedly assaulted Ashabi Simple, several police officers, and other individuals at his bar located in Iyana Ilogbo on New Year’s Day.
Other alleged victims listed in the charge include Ileyemi Damilola, Akinyanju Oluwabusayomi, Olowu Olumide, Demilade Ogunniyi, and Ebuka Odah.
Portable is also accused of stealing a Mercedes-Benz E300 valued at N12 million, belonging to Ileyemi Damilola and reportedly purchased from Wally Dex Auto.
It was gathered that two siblings of Ashabi Simple testified as witnesses in court, although Ashabi herself was absent during the proceedings.
The police further alleged that Portable obstructed and assaulted a female police inspector, Ogungbe Olayemi, while she was carrying out her official duties.
The presiding judge denied the singer bail, citing the absence of the allegedly assaulted police officer in court. The judge ruled that the officer must be present before bail could be considered.
Portable was consequently remanded in custody, with the bail hearing adjourned to January 19, 2026.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The Anambra state government has announced 13 Days of Mass Return of it’s kit and kin ahead of this year’s Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The Mass Return which heralds the liberation of the eight local government areas that had in the past been under the grip of gunmen until the inception of Governor Charles Soludo administration would also witness the home coming of her son and popular highlife musician Mr Chinedu Okoli aka Flavor Nabalia
The over one week celebration would commence from December 18th to January 4th 2026 would also present masquerade and cultural festivities as well as old school and Gen Z musical performances tagged OnwaDezemba .
The State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor who disclosed this while briefing Journalists in Awka on Tuesday, said the celebration is part of lineup of events for the highly anticipated Ọnwa Dezemba, a Christmas extravaganza aimed at making December 2025 memorable for people of the state.
Mefor, said the initiative forms part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s efforts to ensure residents actively participate in the festive season while celebrating Anambra’s rich cultural heritage and entertainment offerings.
Mefor said the programme, scheduled to run from December 18, 2025, to January 4, 2026, will feature music, comedy, sports and cultural performances across different parts of the state.
He noted that the events aimed at making December 2025 unforgettable in the minds of Ndi Anambra.”
He also announced that the state government has put in place adequate security to make the event a peaceful, free and fair event.
Below is the full list of events;
December 18: #onwadezemba City Block (Gen Z-focused music and entertainment) — 6pm, Awka City Stadium (by Solution Fun City)
December 20: #onwadezemba Christmas Carol/Cankata — 4pm, Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka
December 25: #onwadezemba Children’s Christmas Festival — 2pm, Solution Fun City
December 27: #onwadezemba Ịgba Mmanwụ Festival — 2pm, Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka
December 28: #onwadezemba Ịgba Mmanwụ Festival — 2pm, Township Stadium, Ekwulobia.
• #onwadezemba Novelty Match — 2pm, Awka Township Stadium
• #onwadezemba Ịgba Mmanwụ Festival — 2pm, Ezechima Primary School, Onitsha
December 30: #onwadezemba Flavour Home Coming (concert by Flavour n’Abanịa) — 5pm, Solution Fun City Awka.
January 3:
• #onwadezemba Walk for Life — 7am, Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka
• #onwadezemba LOL (Laugh Out Loud) Anambra (comedy show) — 5pm, Solution Fun City
January 4: #onwadezemba All-White Old School Night — 6pm, Solution Fun City
“One of the legacy projects of the Soludo’s administration, was commissioned by President Bola Tinubu during a one-day official visit to the state on May 8, 2025.
“The opening ceremony will featured performances by top Nigerian artistes, including Chinedu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour, who is expected to entertained a large audience of dignitaries and residents of Anambra State.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that Flavour was born on November 23, 1983, in Enugu State, Though born and raised in Enugu, his family hails from Umunze in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State. Growing up in a musically inclined household, Flavour was exposed to various styles of music from an early age. However, it was his involvement in the local church that truly ignited his passion.
The Assembly said she was invited to defend herself over allegations of misconduct leveled against her.
Speaking during plenary, the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, said Irobosa must explain why her conduct had dragged the name of the Assembly “in the mud.”
He said, “Hon. Natasha Irobosa has been summoned to appear before the Ethics and Privilege Committee of the Assembly due to her recent conduct which has been trending online.
“This conduct drags the name of the House into the mud, and it is the responsibility of members of the Assembly to conduct themselves well.
“This House has cerebral minds and educated people who have been dragged in the mud for too long by our colleague, Hon. Natasha. She has been trending on social media and television for the wrong reason.
“The House has members who know what they are doing, and the attitude of our member has brought this House to disrepute, and we will not tolerate it.”
The Speaker added that the committee would submit its findings to the House within two weeks.
Meanwhile, fans of 2Baba have expressed deep concern over the singer’s marriage following a series of disturbing videos circulating online.
One of the videos on Tuesday captured a heated exchange between the artiste and Natasha during an Instagram Live session on Monday.
The live session, hosted by media personality, Daddy Freeze, featured members of 2Baba’s former management team discussing stalled international projects when the singer suddenly joined the broadcast.
Moments into his appearance, he was heard confronting Natasha, asking, “What is your problem?”
The situation quickly escalated, with Natasha appearing to attempt to seize the phone as both raised their voices before the session abruptly ended.
The incident came shortly after another viral clip showed the singer being handcuffed and escorted away by police officers in the United Kingdom. The footage, shared by blogger Tosin Silverdam, captured officers speaking with 2Baba outside a retail store before leading him away.
The viral clips have triggered widespread anxiety among fans and industry watchers, many of whom fear the singer may be experiencing a deepening personal and marital crisis.
“You go out there to make your money; even if it’s 100,000 people listening, the money is enough to sustain you,” his former manager, Kaka Igbokwe, said.
He added that the team’s long-term plan was to elevate 2Baba to the level of globally respected African music icons.
“When I started working with 2Baba, my aim was for him to be larger. You can’t compare yourself to Burna Boy, but you can achieve what Angélique Kidjo has done. You can still do arenas,” he said.
Amid the unfolding drama, popular content creator Nasboi penned an emotional note expressing sadness over the singer’s current situation.
He said the recent clips were damaging to the calm, humble image 2Baba had maintained for decades.
“I’ve looked up to you since I was 16. I loved every bit of your music, your personality, and the humility you carried yourself with. In fact, you were one of the people who taught me what it means to be humble. You have had your criticism in the past, but your character and humility still stood tall,” he wrote.
Nasboi added that the version of events being shared online was unfamiliar to “those of us who truly love and respect you,” urging the veteran artiste to take control of the situation.
In a separate live session with Daddy Freeze, a female fan tearfully called on Nigerian men to intervene in 2Baba’s marriage.
“All Nigerian men should please come out and help him out of this,” she said.
“It’s so disheartening seeing my Idol like this,” another fan, August Chris, wrote on X.
On his part, @Abraham_Gidi posted, “Honestly, this is a fact. I still find it hard to believe. I love and respect him from childhood, and it has stayed like that forever. Legend forever.”
Another X user, @ariyiB, said in a video posted on Tuesday, “2Baba should have stayed on his own since he left Annie. He already has enough kids. I am not happy with what I am seeing about him on social media.”
The relationship between 2Baba and Natasha became public shortly after the singer announced the end of his 12-year marriage to Annie Macaulay in January. He later unveiled Natasha as his fiancée and proposed to her publicly on the eve of Valentine’s Day, February 14.
The couple went on to hold a private traditional wedding ceremony in July in Abuja.
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