Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has named the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as his favourite Nigerian politician, praising the former Western Region premier for his vision and developmental initiatives.

Edochie made the remarks during an interview with Isbae U on the Curiosity Made Me Ask podcast, where he also spoke about his admiration for the Yoruba people and reflected on his long acting career.

“I love the Yorubas a lot, one of my sons is married to a Yoruba girl,” the veteran actor said.

Although he said he was not interested in politics, Edochie singled out Awolowo as the politician he admired most.

“I am not into politics, but if you asked me who is my favourite politician, I will tell you it is Awolowo. There is a reason for it,” he said.

According to Edochie, Awolowo stood out because of his ability to clearly explain his plans, including how he intended to fund them.

“Awolowo will tell you, ‘I am going to build this thing, it will cost this amount, and this is where I will get it.’ There have been no politician to achieve that,” he said.

Edochie credited Awolowo with introducing several initiatives that were previously unavailable in Nigeria, including television and free primary education.

“Awolowo introduced so many things in Nigeria that were not there previously. He brought television to Nigeria in 1959, and we in the East started using TV in 1960. He also introduced free primary education,” he said.

The actor expressed regret that Awolowo never became president of Nigeria.

“Regrettably, he never became president,” Pete Edochie added.

The veteran actor also used the interview to highlight his long career in the performing arts, stressing that he began acting decades before the Nigerian movie industry became known as Nollywood.

“I started acting before Nollywood was created in 1992. I first appeared in The Merchant of Venice in 1962 at the age of 15,” Edochie said.

He further claimed that his acting career had reached an international audience, pointing to an instance where foreigners travelled to Nigeria specifically to interview him.

“I’m the only person who has done a film that made white people fly in to Nigeria just to interview me. Nobody has achieved that,” he said.

Vanguard News

A representative of Imo State Isinwa Chidozie Senator, has been crowned Mr Universe Nigeria 2026 and Mr Cosmo Nigeria.

Senator on Saturday emerged the overall winner at the grand finale of the pageant held on Saturday at Skyview, The Lekki Coliseum, Lagos.

In a video shared from the event by the Nigerian organisers, the anchor was seen announcing the Imo State representative as the winner of the competition, while Mr Lagos was seen holding his hand before the announcement.

“The winner for Mr Cosmo Nigeria and Mr Universe 2026 is Mr Imo,” the anchor said, prompting applause from the audience.

The victory earned him the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the Mister Cosmo International pageant in Vietnam in January.

As part of his prizes, Senator will receive a brand-new car, cash awards and other gifts valued at more than N7m.

A fashion model and sports enthusiast, Senator is an alumnus of Imo State University, where he previously served as Mr Imo State University.

He was also the first runner-up at a previous edition of Misters of Nigeria before returning to compete for the national title.

His latest achievement marks another milestone in his pageantry career and gives him the opportunity to represent Nigeria on the international stage.

Mr Lagos emerged as the first runner-up, while Mr Edo finished as the second runner-up.

Mr Benue won the Gentlemanx Top Model category, while Mr Enugu clinched the Mister Tourism Africa Nigeria title.

Mr Ogun was also crowned Man of the Year.

The Mr Universe Nigeria pageant, organised to select representatives for international male pageants, featured contestants from various states across the country.

Senator will now represent Nigeria at the Mister Cosmo International pageant, where he will compete against representatives from other countries.

Recall that in 2025, Chidi Udengwu was crowned Mister Universe Nigeria and represented Nigeria at the international Mister Universe competition in the United States.

Udengwu emerged as one of the Top six finalists at the Misters of Nigeria 2025 grand finale held on May 11 at the MUSON Centre in Lagos.

Senator’s emergence as Mr Universe Nigeria 2026 and Mr Cosmo Nigeria adds to his previous achievements in male pageantry and places him among Nigeria’s representatives at international competitions.

The organisers of The Headies have dismissed claims that gospel artistes are sidelined from major award categories, insisting that faith-based musicians remain eligible to compete for mainstream honours.

In a statement shared on its official Instagram handle, Headies said its record contradicts suggestions that gospel artistes are excluded. It pointed to previous successes by musicians including Lara George, Kefee, Nikki Laoye and Timi Dakolo. The organisers also pointed to the Inspirational Single category as a dedicated platform for recognising music that promotes faith, hope and positive values.

The clarification followed an open letter by Afrogospel singer Gaise Baba. He questioned why gospel and inspirational musicians appeared to receive limited consideration in some of the award’s major categories.

Gaise Baba argued that artistes should be judged by the quality, sound, and impact of their work. He said they should not be restricted because of the religious message in their songs.

“A rap record is a rap record,” he wrote, arguing that a song should remain eligible for its appropriate genre category whether its lyrics focus on wealth, relationships, social issues or faith.

He also questioned whether commercially successful gospel songs such as “Favour” and his collaboration with Lawrence Oyor, “No Turning Back II,” were being adequately considered alongside mainstream Nigerian records.

Gaise Baba further recalled his experience as a Headies nominee. He noted that the Inspirational Music category was among those not announced during the main ceremony at one edition. He argued that nominees invest time in publicity, preparations and attendance. Therefore, he said they should receive proper recognition when a category has been created by the organisers.

Nollywood actors, including Yinka Quadri, Jide Kosoko and Toyosi Adesanya, have arrived in Ilaro, Ogun State, for the burial of veteran actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.

The actors arrived in the hometown of the deceased on Monday morning ahead of the burial rites scheduled to hold later in the day.

Also among those who arrived in Ilaro are Ireti Osayemi and Bisi Omo Logbalogba, who are expected to join other colleagues, family members and well-wishers for the Janazah prayers for the late actor.

Actor Bola Oyin-Adejobi also paid tribute to Ogogo during an interview with newsmen ahead of his burial, while praying for the deceased to attain Al-Jannah Firdaus.

The burial rites come a day after Ogogo’s remains were taken to Ilaro, his hometown, following his death on Sunday.

Ogogo died at 3pm on Sunday at the age of 66, according to a burial announcement by veteran actor, Jide Kosoko, on his Instagram page.

Kosoko had announced that the actor’s remains would be taken to Ilaro, where a lying-in-state ceremony would be held on Monday.

The statement read, “With heavy hearts and profound sadness, we announce the passing of Alhaji Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, who passed away at 3:00 p.m. today Sunday, 23rd August 2026. At 66 years.

“His remains will be taken to his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State today where the lying-in-state ceremony will take place tomorrow.

“Date: Monday, 24th August 2026

“Time: 11:00 a.m.

“Venue: Pavillon, Ilaro, Ogun State.

“We pray that Almighty Allah grants him eternal rest and gives his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones the strength and fortitude to bear this great loss.

“May his soul rest in perfect peace. Ameen.”

The Ilaro Muslim Community also announced the burial prayer for the veteran actor.

The announcement, shared by the founder of Best of Nollywood, Seun Oloketuyi, read, “Innalillahi wainna ilaihi raji’un.

“The Ilaro Muslim Community wishes to announce the burial of our beloved brother, Alhaji Hassan Taiwo (Ogogo).

“Burial Prayer at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground. 10am.

“Announcer. Chief Imam Ilaro.”

Ogogo’s death came days after his daughters, Kaira and Lima Taiwo, appealed for medical assistance for their father, who had been battling stage-four cancer.

Kaira had disclosed that doctors informed the family that they could no longer administer chemotherapy because of his condition, prompting the family to seek other treatment options.

The actor was a prominent figure in the Nigerian film industry, particularly known for his contributions to Yoruba-language films.

His career spanned more than four decades, during which he featured in hundreds of films and became one of the most recognisable faces in Yoruba cinema.

A statement made available to The PUNCH on Monday said the film, produced by Funke Akindele Network and distributed exclusively by FilmOne Entertainment, would be released in cinemas globally.

The new production comes as Akindele continues her run as one of Nigeria’s most commercially successful filmmakers, following a string of major box-office successes that have strengthened her influence in the country’s film industry.

According to the statement, The Four is a drama centred on friendship, motherhood, resilience and the bonds between women, with its story moving between the Odu community and the city.

It said the film follows Esosa and three women closely connected to her as they confront challenges surrounding the future of a young man they love.

“The Four unfolds between the picturesque Odu community and the vibrant pulse of the city,” the statement said.

It added that the four women would be confronted with circumstances that test “their courage, faith, and loyalty in unimaginable ways.”

The production, according to the filmmakers, also seeks to combine its central human story with elements of Nigerian cultural identity, including music, fashion, language and tradition.

The statement said the film “celebrates the country’s rich cultural identity through music, fashion, language, tradition, and breathtaking cinematography,” while exploring themes of hope, sacrifice and unity.

Akindele, who wrote, directed and produced the film, said the production was designed to connect with audiences through relationships and experiences that are familiar to them.

“Audiences have grown with us over the years, and they expect stories that entertain while reflecting who we are.

“With this film, we are exploring the relationships that shape us, challenge us, and stay with us. I think audiences will find a part of themselves in this story,” she said.

The film boasts an ensemble cast drawn from different segments of Nollywood and the wider Nigerian entertainment industry.

It stars Akindele alongside Bisola Aiyeola, Chioma Akpotha, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Timini Egbuson, Lateef Adedimeji, Ali Nuhu, Uzor Arukwe, Ronke Oshodi-Oke, Antar Laniyan and Wunmi Toriola.

The cast also includes singer Waje, Afrobeats artiste Shoday and entertainment personalities Samuel Banks, Kolapo Omotosho and Ayomide Iwasokun.

The statement described The Four as the latest addition to Akindele’s body of commercially successful films, which includes Omo Ghetto: The Saga, Battle on Buka Street, A Tribe Called Judah, Everybody Loves Jenifa and Behind The Scenes.