The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran Nollywood actor, Francis Duru, who passed away at the age of 57 after a brief illness.

His family confirmed the sad development in a statement published on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026.

Announcing his passing, the family expressed appreciation to fans, colleagues and well-wishers for their prayers and support during the difficult period.

“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness.

“We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen,” the statement read.

The late actor is survived by his wife, Adokiye, and children.

His death comes barely four months after he publicly dismissed widespread reports suggesting that he was battling a life-threatening illness.

In June, Duru had taken to Instagram to debunk the claims, describing a video circulating online about his health as false and criticising those responsible for spreading the information.

Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru received his primary and secondary education in Cameroon before relocating to Nigeria, where he studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, graduating in 1996.

He began his acting career in 1989 with his debut appearance in Missing Mark, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko.

However, his breakthrough came in 1995 when he played Ahanna in the iconic Nollywood movie Rattlesnake, produced by the late renowned filmmaker, Amaka Igwe.

The performance established him as one of the industry’s prominent actors and paved the way for a successful career spanning more than three decades.

Among his notable movie appearances were Blood Money (1997), Stigma (2013) and Mboputa (2020).

His contribution to the Nigerian film industry earned him several recognitions, including the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.

He was also honoured with the United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in 2007 in recognition of his positive influence on young people.

Beyond acting, Duru served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010 and received a nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards that same year.

His passing marks the end of a distinguished career that helped shape the growth and development of Nigeria’s film industry.

Amb. David Obama Onyekachi Christopher Geoman, popularly known as The Green Panther and Son Of Grace, is a Nigerian multi-talented entertainer, singer, songwriter, actor, beat maker, emerging music producer, humanitarian and youth advocate whose remarkable journey began at an unusually young age.

Born on 16 January 2010 through a Caesarean section at St. Gerald’s Catholic Hospital, Kaduna, David is the third child and first male child of High Chief Amb. Christopher Columbus Onukwugha Geoman and Lolo Stella Geoman. He hails from Ezuhunguru in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, while his upbringing and formative years have been closely connected to Kaduna State in Northern Nigeria.

From his earliest years, David displayed an unusual interest in performance and creativity. His father noticed his talent when he was just three years old and encouraged him to nurture and develop his abilities. That early encouragement became an important foundation for what would eventually grow into a multifaceted career.

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

David began his nursery and primary education at St. Anne’s Catholic Nursery and Primary School, Kaduna. After completing his primary education, he proceeded to St. Augustine Boarding College, Kujama. However, insecurity in the region eventually forced the school to shut down, prompting him to continue his secondary education at Demonstration Secondary School, Kaduna.

On 8 August 2026, David graduated from Demonstration Secondary School, Kaduna, where his talents earned him recognition as the Most Talented Graduating Student. He also made history as the school’s first prom king.

Following his secondary education, David began studying Theatre Arts at Veritas Catholic University, Abuja, where he is among the pioneer students of the institution’s Applied Arts Department.

FROM AFRICAN MICHAEL JACKSON TO THE GREEN PANTHER

David’s artistic journey began with one of the world’s greatest entertainers, Michael Jackson.

As a child, David was fascinated by Jackson’s music, dance and stage performances. He studied the legendary entertainer closely and began performing as a Michael Jackson impersonator. His remarkable performances earned him the nickname “African Michael Jackson.”

However, David’s ambition gradually moved beyond imitation.

As he matured, he began developing his own artistic identity. The young performer evolved from the African Michael Jackson into The Green Panther, and eventually embraced Son Of Grace as a broader personal and creative brand.

The transformation reflected a desire to build an identity rooted not only in entertainment but also in creativity, purpose, faith, humanitarian service and youth empowerment.

MUSIC WITH A MESSAGE

David’s transition from performing to songwriting and recording came at an exceptionally young age.

At just eight years old, he wrote and recorded “Heal Nigeria,” a song inspired by his observations of the challenges facing his country and his desire for peace and positive change.

The song became the title track of his first album, which also featured songs including “This Life,” “Orphans Cry,” “I Am Alive” and “Clearing My Head.”

For David, music is more than entertainment. It is a means of communicating ideas, expressing emotions and addressing issues affecting society.

One of the major milestones of his early musical career came when a song composed and performed by him was adopted as the Diaspora Anthem by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).

His performance journey has also brought him onto major platforms and alongside established names in Nigerian entertainment, including 2Baba (Tuface Idibia), Burna Boy, Di’ja, Small Doctor, Ibro, Zule Zoo, MC Tagwaye, Klint da Drunk, Ozzy Bosco, Gordons, Acapella, Rita Orji, Zack Orji, Chucks Mordi and Zeb Ejiro, among others.

He has also performed at major entertainment events, including One Lagos Fiesta and Panafest in Ghana, expanding his artistic exposure beyond Nigeria.

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS

David’s accomplishments extend beyond music and performance.

At the age of eight, he received a National Humanitarian Award. At nine, he was honoured with a Global Peace Ambassador Award and the Abuja Entertainment Stars Award.

At 10, he received recognition from the Africa Dance Academy, Nero Dance Academy and BEA, while also becoming an associate member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Chapter.

At 11, he became a brand ambassador for the Save Young Talent Foundation.

At 12, he was inducted into the 1,000 Nigerian Peace Ambassadors, while at 13, he was inducted into the Kaduna Political Awards Hall of Fame.

His subsequent recognitions include the Ohaneze Ndigbo Youths Award for Exceptional Talents, the Personality of the Year Award by the North Satisfied Awards, as well as brand ambassadorships involving NIDCOM, London Til Career Institute UK and Celina Celebrity Magazine.

These recognitions reflect the breadth of David’s activities across entertainment, humanitarian service, peace advocacy, journalism and youth development.

THE BIRTH OF SON OF GRACE

On 16 January 2026, David marked his 16th birthday by officially launching the Son Of Grace brand at his alma mater, St. Anne’s Nursery and Primary School, Kaduna.

The launch represented an important turning point in his journey as he sought to give his growing career a more defined identity and purpose.

The vision became even more concrete on 19 September 2026, when he unveiled the operational headquarters of the Son Of Grace platform in Kaduna.

The Son Of Grace brand embodies David’s desire to combine his artistic career with humanitarian service, youth empowerment and positive social impact.

Through the Son Of Grace Charity and Humanitarian Initiative, he seeks to contribute to the welfare and development of vulnerable members of society and use his growing platform to inspire young people.

BEYOND ENTERTAINMENT

David’s ambitions extend beyond music, acting and performance.

Together with his sisters, he is involved in The 3 Gees (Good Children Series), a talk-show podcast that focuses on issues affecting children and young people.

The platform addresses subjects such as drug abuse, kidnapping and other social challenges confronting the younger generation.

Through the project, David and his siblings aim to create conversations that educate, inspire and encourage young people to make positive choices.

His work demonstrates an ambition to use his voice not only through music but also through advocacy and public engagement.

THE HIGHER HIGHER CHAPTER

On 1 October 2026, coinciding with Nigeria’s Independence celebration, David released his latest album, “Higher Higher.”

The project represents another chapter in his evolution as an artiste and creative personality.

The album features tracks including “Dropping Bars,” “Midnight Rain (Anti-Xenophobia Vaccine)” and “I Dey Shine.”

Following its release, the album has attracted reviews, views and airplay in Nigeria and beyond, further increasing David’s visibility and strengthening his aspirations for an international career.

With Higher Higher, David is seeking to demonstrate that his artistic identity has moved beyond the early days of impersonation into a developing career built around his own music, message and creative direction.

FAMILY, HERITAGE AND INFLUENCE

David comes from a family with strong connections to creativity, enterprise, community service and leadership.

His father, High Chief Amb. Christopher Columbus Onukwugha Geoman, is a craftsman, community leader, entertainment personality and healthcare support worker associated with RoyalTv247 UK.

His late grandfather, Geoman Ekeji Ebereuche, is remembered by the family for his pioneering contributions to radio technology and broadcasting.

David also carries the Igbo chieftaincy title Afunwaechetanna, reflecting his connection to his cultural heritage and traditional identity.

These influences have contributed to the young creative’s understanding of culture, service, leadership and personal responsibility.

A LEGACY STILL IN THE MAKING

At 16, Amb. David Obama Onyekachi Christopher Geoman has already experienced a journey that spans entertainment, music, acting, songwriting, humanitarianism, youth advocacy, public speaking and brand development.

From the three-year-old child whose father discovered an unusual talent, to the young performer known as the African Michael Jackson, and from The Green Panther to Son Of Grace, David’s story has been one of continuous transformation.

His journey demonstrates the possibilities that can emerge when talent is identified early, supported consistently and combined with discipline and purpose.

Yet, despite his accomplishments, David considers himself only at the beginning of his journey.

His ambition is to become a global creative personality while using his influence and future resources to inspire young people, support humanitarian causes and contribute positively to society.

His philosophy is rooted in a simple message: difficult circumstances should not determine the future of a young person. Through talent, discipline, faith, perseverance and purpose, he believes that young people can overcome limitations and create better futures for themselves and their communities.

At 16, The Green Panther — Son Of Grace — is still writing his story.

And if the journey so far is any indication, the next chapter could be even bigger.

By Chinedu Adonu

ENUGU — Nollywood movie, Ikenga: The Last Festival, has grossed more than N100 million in cinema revenue within one month of its release, its Executive Producer, Anita Odiakaose, has disclosed.

Odiakaose made the disclosure on Tuesday in Enugu at a media briefing organised to celebrate the film’s commercial success and highlight its role in promoting Igbo language, culture and heritage.

According to her, Ikenga opened in cinemas nationwide on August 21 and crossed the N100 million mark while still running in cinemas.

She said the movie was, as of Saturday, recognised as the highest-grossing Igbo film in West Africa, describing the feat as a major milestone for culturally driven Nigerian cinema.

Odiakaose said the movie was deliberately produced to promote Igbo identity, language, traditions and cultural heritage through entertainment.

She explained that the filmmakers blended fiction and non-fiction with an Igbo cultural festival and a love story to create a production capable of attracting both local and international audiences.

“About 90 per cent of the language in the movie is Igbo, with subtitles, while about 90 per cent of the cast and crew are Igbo,” she said.

The film features veteran and contemporary Nollywood actors, including Pete Edochie, Patience Ozokwor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Zubby Michael, Jidekene, Beverly Osu and others.

The producer said the film’s performance had demonstrated that audiences were interested in stories that reflected their culture and identity.

She, however, expressed concern over the declining use of the Igbo language, noting that even she could not speak Igbo fluently despite being an Igbo woman.

Odiakaose challenged filmmakers to become more deliberate in promoting indigenous languages and cultural values through their productions.

She said, “We need to do more as filmmakers. We need to be deliberate about using Igbo names, Igbo language and Igbo cultural elements in our films.”

According to her, culturally rooted films could also help Nigerians in the diaspora reconnect with their heritage and expose younger generations to their language, traditions and cultural practices.

Odiakaose disclosed that Ikenga was not her first production, saying she had produced about 70 films for YouTube and other platforms, but that the movie marked her first cinema production.

She said the success of the film had encouraged the production team to take it beyond Nigeria, revealing that international screenings were being planned for the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.

She disclosed that the United States premiere was scheduled for October 30, while screenings in the UK and Canada were planned for November and December respectively.

Odiakaose said the commercial performance of Ikenga had shown that films built around indigenous culture could attract large audiences while also generating substantial revenue in the cinema market.

Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.
His son, Olusoji Jacobs, announced his death in an Instagram post on Wednesday, describing him as “The Lion of Lufodo.”
Olusoji said the family was grateful to God for the life their father lived and appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect the family’s privacy.
Olu Jacobs was one of Nigeria’s most respected veteran actors, with a career spanning theatre, television and film.
Born on July 11, 1942, Jacobs trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. He began his acting career in British television before featuring in international productions and later returning to Nigeria, where he established himself as a major figure in the country’s film industry.
He appeared in numerous Nigerian films and was recognised with several industry honours, including the Industry Merit Award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Africa International Film Festival.
Jacobs was also involved in film production and the development of the performing arts in Nigeria. Alongside his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, he was associated with the Lufodo Group.
His death marks the loss of one of the most recognisable figures in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

Nigerian dancer and entertainer Iweh Odinaka, popularly known as Poco Lee, has been granted bail in the United Kingdom ahead of his scheduled appearance at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

According to court information, Odinaka was granted bail on September 11, with a plea and trial preparation hearing scheduled for September 15.

“The Defendant has been granted bail on the 11th September 2026,” the court stated, adding that “There is a plea and trial preparation hearing on the 15th September 2026.”

The bail decision clarifies the entertainer’s current custody status following earlier reports about his release.

However, the granting of bail does not mean the criminal proceedings have been discontinued or that the allegations against him have been resolved.

The Crown Prosecution Service had previously confirmed that the case remained active and that Odinaka was due to appear before Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Odinaka is facing five sexual offence charges, including attempted rape, two counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration.

He has denied the allegations and maintained his innocence. The charges remain before the court and have not been determined.

In a video shared on Instagram by social commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, Poco Lee said he remained confident because he knew he had not committed the alleged offences.

He said: “If I were inside there and I did what I was accused of, I would have felt I was paying for my sins, but since I knew I didn’t do what I was accused of, my mind is pure.”

The case followed Poco Lee’s visit to the UK for the Davido and Friends concert at the Crystal Palace Bowl in London on August 14, 2026.

Poco Lee has not been convicted of any offence. His next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, 2026.