The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Category: Entertainment

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  • Comedian AY Apologises For Disrupted Cardiff Event, Urges Organisers To Issue Refunds

    Nigerian comedian AY apologises to fans after payment disputes disrupt his October 25 Cardiff show, calling for refunds and clear updates.
    Nigerian comedian and actor Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, has apologised to fans after his Cardiff show failed to deliver the advertised performances, blaming unresolved payment commitments for the disruption.
    The comedian issued the apology on Monday, October 26, following the disruption of the Cardiff leg of his “AY Live: Single and Not Searching” UK tour, which was scheduled for Sunday, October 25, at Valegate Retail Park in Cardiff, Wales.
    AY said he and other comedians travelled to the venue and gained entry but were unable to perform before most of the audience left. He also called on the event organisers and UK tour management to provide ticket holders with clear information about refunds.
    In a statement shared on Instagram, AY acknowledged the disappointment experienced by fans who had paid to attend the show and said they should not have been affected by a dispute over payments.
    “My fellow comedians and I travelled to Cardiff to perform and eventually entered the venue. Unfortunately, unresolved payment commitments delayed our appearance, and by the time we arrived at the hall, most of the audience had left,” he said.
    He apologised to attendees, saying they deserved better organisation and timely communication about the event.
    “You deserved a properly organised show and timely information. You should never have been caught in the middle of a payment dispute,” AY stated.
    The comedian also asked fans to watch a video in which he explained his account of the incident before reaching conclusions about what happened.
    He called on the organisers and the tour management to resolve the situation for affected ticket holders, including providing information on refunds. AY said verified updates would be shared through his official channels.
    The disruption drew complaints from attendees on social media, with reports of prolonged waiting and confusion at the venue. As of Monday, no refund arrangements had been announced in the statement, and the organisers had yet to provide a public explanation of the circumstances surrounding the event.
    Despite the Cardiff disruption, AY said the remaining dates on his UK tour were still scheduled to go ahead. The announced performances are in Birmingham on October 30, London on October 31 and Manchester on November 1.
    The comedian also thanked supporters for helping build his brand over more than two decades and said he remained committed to maintaining their trust.
    The resolution for Cardiff ticket holders remains outstanding, with fans awaiting further information from the organisers and tour management. Arise News
  • Nollywood Actor Francis Duru Dies at 57

    Nollywood Actor Francis Duru Dies at 57

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 after a brief illness, his family has announced.

    The family disclosed his death in a statement posted on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, thanking fans and well-wishers for their prayers and support.

    “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.

    His death comes months after the actor dismissed speculation about his health following the circulation of a video showing him looking frail on social media in June.

    Duru had described the footage as “fabricated and malicious” in a video he shared on Instagram, rejecting reports that he was battling a life-threatening illness.

    Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his early education there before moving to Nigeria for his university studies.

    He attended the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he studied Theatre Arts and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.

    Duru began his acting career in 1989, featuring in *Missing Mark*, a film directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko.

    He rose to wider prominence in 1995 after playing Ahanna in *Rattlesnake*, an action-comedy produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.

    Over the years, Duru earned recognition for his contributions to the Nigerian film industry and his influence on younger people. He was also named a United Nations ambassador of peace.

    In 2020, he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in *Mboputa*.

    The actor married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003, and they had four children. The family suffered the loss of one of their children, Ifeanyi, in August 2024.

    Duru’s death marks the loss of a veteran performer whose career spanned several decades in Nollywood.

  • Olu Jacobs’ Funeral Holds Today

    The funeral mass for late Nollywood veteran Olu Jacobs is holding today, Friday, at This Present House, Freedom Way, Lekki Phase I, Lagos, with family members and dignitaries gathered to honour the actor.

    Olu Jacobs’ casket. Photo credit: The Cable

    A live coverage by Lufodo Productions showed Jacobs’ widow, actress Joke Silva, and their sons, Olusoji and Olugbenga Jacobs, at the service, dressed in blue.

    Actress Joke Silva and her sons at the funeral mass. Photo credit: Lufodo Productions | Screenshot

    Jacobs’ casket was placed in front of the church and adorned with flowers as the funeral mass got underway.

    Among those announced at the service were Lagos State First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, and his wife, Chief Mrs Oluremi Hamzat; former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and former Ekiti State First Lady, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi.

    Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat. Photo credit: The Cable | Screenshot
    Former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. Photo credit: The Cable | Screenshot

    Jacobs, whose full name was Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs, died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84.

    The funeral follows a Night of Tributes held on Wednesday, September 30, at Glover Memorial Hall, Marina, Lagos Island.

    Guests attending Friday’s funeral service were asked to wear shades of green, while a private burial will follow the service. Punch

  • Nollywood’s Black Market Sets Guinness World Record With 51,000 Viewers

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Nollywood crime thriller Black Market has set a Guinness World Record after 51,000 people watched the film at a single-location screening at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

    The record-breaking screening was held on Saturday, September 26, as thousands of movie lovers gathered at the Lagos venue for the film’s premiere.

    Guinness World Records recognised 51,000 viewers as the qualifying attendance, surpassing the previous record of 43,624 people who watched the Filipino film Felix Manalo at the Philippine Arena in the Philippines in 2015.

    The figure recognised by the record body was lower than the total crowd at the venue. Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat had put the attendance at about 64,000, but the Guinness count was based on viewers who remained for the required duration of the screening.

    The achievement sparked celebrations at TBS, with cheers and fireworks following the announcement.

    Organisers had targeted at least 50,000 simultaneous viewers for the screening, which was designed to break the 43,624 benchmark. The official event programme stated that the gates opened at 2pm, while the film was scheduled to run from 7pm to 8:30pm.

    Long queues formed around the venue before the screening as movie lovers arrived for the event, which also featured music, games, food and other entertainment activities.

    The event attracted government officials and several Nollywood personalities, including Hamzat, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture Toke Benson, Lateef Adedimeji, Kunle Remi, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Gabriel Afolayan, Kunle Afolayan, Stan Nze and other members of the Nigerian film industry.

    Black Market was directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay and co-written by Gimsay and Abdul Tijani-Ahmed.

    The film centres on five women involved in a cross-border smuggling operation whose activities are disrupted after the daughter of one of them is kidnapped. The cast includes Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Lateef Adedimeji, Omowunmi Dada, Scarlet Gomez, Teniola Aladese, Susan Pwajok, Ibrahim Yekini, popularly known as Itele D Icon, and Uzor Arukwe.

    The project was produced through Rixel Studios, in collaboration with Signet Ring Studios, Switch Visuals Production and FilmOne Studios. Plans for the record attempt had been announced months before the premiere, with the filmmakers targeting 50,000 people at TBS.

    The previous Guinness World Record of 43,624 people was established on October 4, 2015, when Felix Manalo was screened at the Philippine Arena. Guinness World Records lists the same attendance as the record for both the largest attendance at a film screening and the largest audience at a film premiere.

    With the latest achievement, *lBlack Market has moved the record to Nigeria, giving Nollywood another international milestone.

  • Davido Says Lagos Residency Will Showcase Africa’s World-Class Entertainment Venues

    Davido Says Lagos Residency Will Showcase Africa’s World-Class Entertainment Venues

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, says his planned three-night residency at the National Theatre in Lagos will demonstrate that African artists can stage major international-standard entertainment events on the continent.

    Davido is scheduled to perform at the newly renovated National Theatre from December 17 to 19, combining songs from his latest album, Oriadé, with some of his biggest hits and performances featuring collaborators.

    Speaking to CNN, the singer said bringing the production to Nigeria was important to him because of its cultural and economic significance.

    He said his experience touring several African countries last year, after an eight-year break from a broader continental tour, reinforced his desire to perform more extensively for audiences at home.

    “Bringing everything back home is very important for the culture,” Davido said.

    The singer said returning home had also provided him with fresh inspiration and strengthened his resolve to avoid another prolonged absence from his Nigerian fans.

    Davido said his plans were partly influenced by Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny’s 30-date residency in Puerto Rico in 2025, which attracted visitors and generated economic activity beyond the concert venue.

    According to Davido, the residency demonstrated how a major music event could promote a country’s culture while creating economic opportunities.

    He hopes his Lagos shows will have a similar effect by attracting international visitors, particularly during December when Nigerians in the diaspora and tourists travel to the country for concerts and other entertainment events.

    Davido also highlighted the abundance of creative talent in Lagos, saying the city remains a major source of musical inspiration.

    He described the National Theatre as central to his plans because of its historical importance to Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

    Comparing the facility to Madison Square Garden in New York, Davido said the residency would provide an opportunity to demonstrate that Africa has venues capable of hosting major international productions.

    “It’s very important that we show the outside world that we have these kinds of facilities in Africa as well,” he said.

    The singer said the global rise of Afrobeats had created opportunities for African musicians to perform across the United States, United Kingdom, Middle East and other parts of the world.

    However, he argued that international success should be matched by continued investment in audiences and the entertainment industry at home.

    Davido acknowledged that overseas performances can attract higher fees but said bringing major productions to Nigeria could create jobs and stimulate economic activity within the country.

    He also advised emerging musicians to remain connected to the audiences who supported them before they achieved international recognition.

    “Don’t forget where you started,” he said, stressing the importance of appreciating the fans who helped build their careers.

    CNN reported that Davido’s planned Lagos residency would be among the first major residency projects by an Afrobeats artist in Nigeria. Adekunle Gold previously held a smaller Lagos residency in 2018.

  • Veteran Nollywood Actor Olu Jacobs Dies at 84

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.

    His death was announced by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, in an Instagram post on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

    The family, while announcing his death, described the veteran actor as “The Lion of Lufodo” and appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect its privacy during the mourning period.

    Jacobs was born on July 11, 1942, and built a career spanning theatre, television and film. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before working with repertory theatres in Britain and appearing in several British television productions and international films.

    He later returned to Nigeria, where he became one of the prominent figures in the country’s growing film industry and contributed significantly to the development of Nollywood.

    Over the course of his career, Jacobs appeared in numerous stage productions, television programmes and films, working both in Nigeria and internationally. His credits included productions such as *The Dogs of War*, *Pirates*, *Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend* and several Nigerian films.

    His contribution to African cinema earned him several recognitions. In 2007, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He later received the Industry Merit Award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and the Africa Movie Academy Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.

    Jacobs was also honoured by the Nigerian government in 2011 when he was conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, for his contributions to the film industry.

    Beyond acting, Jacobs was involved in developing talents within Nigeria’s entertainment industry. He co-founded the Lufodo Group with his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, with interests including film production, distribution and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts.

    His death marks the end of the career of one of Nigeria’s most recognisable veteran actors, whose work spanned several decades and connected Nigeria’s theatre tradition with its modern film industry.

    The family has appealed for privacy as it mourns the actor and film executive.

  • Toyin Abraham Unveils Pete Edochie as First Major Cast in ‘Bestie’

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Nollywood actress and filmmaker Toyin Abraham has announced veteran actor Pete Edochie as the first major cast member of her upcoming movie, Bestie.

    Abraham made the announcement on Monday, September 14, revealing that Edochie will portray a character named Papa Ngozi in the highly anticipated production.

    The filmmaker unveiled the veteran actor on social media, celebrating his decades-long contribution to the Nigerian film industry and describing him as a “legend” and “GOAT.”

    She also confirmed that Bestie will hit cinemas on December 16.

    Although Abraham has yet to reveal details of the film’s storyline, Edochie’s involvement has generated interest among movie lovers, given his status as one of Nollywood’s most respected veteran actors.

    Further details about the remaining cast members and the plot of the movie are expected to be announced as the release date approaches.

    For Edochie, the role adds to a career spanning several decades, during which he has featured in numerous Nigerian films and television productions and become widely recognised for his diverse portrayals.

    Bestie continues Abraham’s tradition of releasing films during the busy December cinema season.

    Her previous festive-season projects include Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper in 2022, Malaika in 2023 and Alakada: Bad and Boujee in 2024.

    The filmmaker also recorded major commercial success with her 2025 movie, Oversabi Aunty, which surpassed N1bn at the Nigerian box office.

    The achievement earned Abraham a Box Office Champion Award from the National Film and Video Censors Board in March 2026.

    The December release of Bestie will put the movie in competition with several other major Nigerian productions.

    Funke Akindele’s The Four: No One Fights Alone is scheduled to hit cinemas on December 11, five days before Abraham’s film.

    With additional cast announcements expected, Abraham has continued to keep much of Bestie ’s storyline under wraps, while the casting of Edochie as Papa Ngozi has provided fans with an early glimpse of what to expect from the production.

  • Poco Lee Speaks Out, Insists He is Innocent of UK Sexual Offence Allegations

    Poco Lee Speaks Out, Insists He is Innocent of UK Sexual Offence Allegations

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Nigerian dancer and entertainer, Iweh Odinaka, popularly known as Poco Lee, has spoken about his recent ordeal in the United Kingdom, maintaining that he did not commit the offences for which he has been charged.

    Poco Lee made the disclosure during a video conversation with social commentator, VeryDarkMan, which was shared on Instagram on Sunday.

    The dancer said he remained mentally composed throughout the period because he was convinced of his innocence, adding that his major concern was the impact of his situation on his associates and business activities.

    “I was just being myself; God sees my heart. My only worries were about my people: Jago could not do anything business-wise; I didn’t want to stress anyone.

    “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. Nobody would have wanted to associate themselves with something like that, but Burna Boy stood by me, Jago, and some of my other guys,” he said.

    VeryDarkMan, who expressed support for Poco Lee during the conversation, also questioned some of the reports surrounding the entertainer’s case in the UK.

    He acknowledged the support the dancer received from Nigerian singer Burna Boy and social media personality Rahman Jago during the period.

    The development comes amid conflicting reports on social media concerning the status of Poco Lee’s case in the United Kingdom.

    While some reports had claimed that the dancer had been released from prison, others suggested that the complainant had withdrawn the case or that the matter had been settled out of court.

    However, the Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed that the case remains active.

    The CPS Press Office said Odinaka was scheduled to appear before the Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

    “This case is still live, and Odinaka is still set to appear for a PTPH at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 15 September 2026,” the CPS said.

    A Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing is a pre-trial proceeding where issues concerning the defendant’s plea and preparations for a possible trial are considered.

    The CPS did not disclose whether Odinaka was in custody or had been granted bail.

    Odinaka faces five sexual offence charges in the UK, including attempted rape, two counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration.

    The case reportedly followed his trip to the UK for Davido and Friends concert at the Crystal Palace Bowl in London on August 14.

    The Snaresbrook Crown Court had previously listed the matter for a plea and trial preparation hearing on September 15.

    The court has also imposed reporting restrictions to protect the identity of the complainant in accordance with Section 1 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992.

    Poco Lee has denied the allegations against him. However, the charges remain before the court and have yet to be determined.

    He has not been convicted of any offence.

  • Burna Boy Makes History as the First Nigerian Artist to Smash 4 Billion YouTube Views

    Burna Boy Makes History as the First Nigerian Artist to Smash 4 Billion YouTube Views

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Nigerian Afrobeats powerhouse Burna Boy has made history by becoming the first Nigerian artist to surpass four billion total views on YouTube, setting a historic new milestone for the country’s music industry.

    The Grammy-winning global icon, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, officially crossed the monumental threshold on Thursday, September 3, 2026. He accumulated more than 4.02 billion views on his official YouTube channel, which currently boasts a massive community of over 7.21 million subscribers.

    This latest digital achievement highlights the continuous international expansion of his music and his dominant online audience.

    Over his illustrious career, Burna Boy has systematically built an extensive catalogue of high-budget music videos and digital content that consistently pull in millions of views from across the globe. Some of his most-viewed blockbuster tracks leading the charge on the platform include:

    “On The Low”

    “Ye”

    “Last Last”

    “For My Hand”

    This four-billion-view breakthrough builds directly upon the singer’s previous trailblazing track record on the platform. Back in 2021, Burna Boy shattered digital records by becoming the first-ever Nigerian artist to cross the one billion views mark on YouTube.

  • Chris Brown Pleads Guilty to 2023 London Club Brawl Charge

    American R&B star Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to affray, a public order offence, over a 2023 nightclub altercation in London, bringing an end to the possibility of a trial on more serious charges.

    The 37-year-old singer entered the plea on Friday at Southwark Crown Court in London after the charge was read to him.

    “Guilty,” Brown replied while standing in the dock dressed in a beige suit and dark brown tie.

    The guilty plea means he will no longer face trial on additional allegations, including attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon involving a bottle. Prosecutors said those charges, which Brown had previously denied, would be formally dropped at a later date.

    The case stems from an alleged confrontation at Tape, an exclusive private members’ club in London’s Hanover Square, on February 19, 2023, during Brown’s UK tour.

    Prosecutors alleged that a man was struck with a bottle before being chased and assaulted during the incident. The alleged victim, who was also charged in connection with the confrontation, pleaded guilty to affray and will be sentenced alongside Brown.

    Brown, who has been on £5 million ($6.7 million) bail, is scheduled to be sentenced on October 26.

    He was arrested in May 2025 at a luxury hotel in Manchester, northern England, shortly after arriving in the UK by private jet, and spent nearly a week in custody before being released.

    Despite the legal proceedings, Judge Tony Baumgartner later allowed him to continue his scheduled tour, which began in June in Amsterdam.

    Brown rose to global fame with hits including Run It! and No Air and has remained one of R&B’s most prominent artists, though his career has also been marked by several legal controversies. AFP

  • Music Sensation, Une 50, to Perform at 5th Frontier Discourse Public Lecture and Awards

    Music Sensation, Une 50, to Perform at 5th Frontier Discourse Public Lecture and Awards

    Nigerian musician and convener of the Nigeria Music Industry Climate Change Summit, Une 50, born Ugochukwu Vitalis Uneabunso, has been officially announced as a headline performer at the 5th Frontier Discourse Public Lecture and Awards, set to take place on November 11 in Abuja.

    A proud native of Iwollo Oghe in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Une 50 wears many hats: he’s a practicing lawyer, a climate change advocate, the leader of D’Eagles Band, and an artist whose sound fuses highlife, Afrobeat, and “green music”, a genre he is pioneering to promote climate awareness through art.

    As the convener of the Nigeria Music Industry Climate Change Summit, Une 50 has carved a unique niche at the intersection of music and advocacy. His landmark Une 50 Concert and the inaugural 2025 Climate Change Summit in Abuja brought together artists like Johnny Drille, Slow Dogg, and other top creatives, alongside government stakeholders, in a groundbreaking effort to raise climate awareness through sound.

    Known for his soul-stirring lyrics and socially conscious themes, Une 50 delivers messages that resonate deeply. His latest single, “My Guy,” is streaming across all major platforms, adding to a growing catalog of compelling tracks.

    On November 11, Une 50 will bring his signature blend of rhythm and advocacy to the stage at the 5th Frontier Discourse, delivering not just a performance, but a message that matters.

    The 5th Edition of the initiative, with the theme “Politics of Convergence and Collisions: Navigating Power Struggles in Shaping Democracy”, promises an engaging and star-studded gathering of thought leaders, policymakers, development advocates, captains of industry, among others, as delegates.

    Keynote speakers include Prof. Udenta O. Udenta, Founding National Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), and Dr. Ahmad Sajoh, former Adamawa State Commissioner for Information and Executive Director of the FutureNow Initiative.

    Former Vice presidential spokesman, Laolu Akande, OON; Activist, Aisha Yesufu; Senior Special Assistant to Nigeria’s President on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi; and Fiery Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. John Chinenye Oluoma (Fada Oluoma), are part of the panelists.

    The event will be anchored by Broadcaster, Ruth Obozeghie and live streamed across social media platforms. Partners include Human Development Center, Horizontal City Property Developers, LEAD Network Africa, One Stewart Ventures, AnchorNews Media, and Otu Oka Iwu.

    Seat reservations can be made here.

  • Musician, Une 50, Leads Johnny Drille, Others, to Tackle Climate Change Through Inaugural Music Concert in Abuja

    Musician, Une 50, Leads Johnny Drille, Others, to Tackle Climate Change Through Inaugural Music Concert in Abuja

    Isa Umar, Abuja

    The Inaugural Nigeria Music Industry Climate Change Summit hosted by musician and lawyer, Ugochukwu Uneabunso, at the UNE-50 concert has confronted one of the planet’s most pressing challenges, climate change, by uniting industry stakeholders, climate change activists, and policymakers to discuss the role of Nigerian artists in promoting climate action.

    The concert held in the capital city, Abuja, found an expression where the intersection of sound and sustainability was center stage, highlighting how music can raise awareness, inspire action, and contribute to environmental solutions.

    The convener of the summit, Ugochukwu Uneabunso noted that the idea behind the summit was to spread the message of climate change in a way that everyone can understand.

    “A normal person in a local community in Maiduguri does not understand what we call flood, does not understand when we say the sea is rising, does not understand what we call drought and desertification, and does not understand what we mean by afforestation and deforestation.

    “So, these are the things we need to transform into lyrics to tell them that when you do this, this is the effect.”

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, represented by Obinna Nwaka, said the music industry should explore how the cultural, social, and emotional power of music can drive awareness, advocacy, and behavioral change for peace and development.

    He said “As Nigerians, let us not shy away from it because climate change is a call to action that we must all embark on.”

    On his part, a Nigerian Musician and one of the performers, Johnny Drille, said, “I am happy that this discussion is happening now because a couple of years ago, it wasn’t a conversation we wanted to be having, but there’s still a long way to go, but we will get there.”

    Another Nigerian artist, Slowdogg, averred on using his platform to promote the cause: “Well, I have so many social media platforms; once I put it there, fire.”