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The Michael Jackson biopic Michael has officially crossed the $600 million mark at the global box office, making it one of the most commercially successful films of 2026.

The film continues to perform strongly across international markets, with consistent audience turnout driving its steady climb at the box office since release. 

A  musical biographical drama that chronicles the life and career of Michael Jackson, tracing his journey from his early days with the Jackson family to his evolution into one of the most influential entertainers in history.

The film highlights key moments in Jackson’s career, including his breakthrough as a solo artist, his groundbreaking performances, and the global cultural impact of his music. It also explores the personal pressures and challenges that came with worldwide fame.

The project has also benefited from strong word of mouth, with viewers praising its emotional depth, musical recreations, and portrayal of Jackson’s rise from child star to global superstar.

The lead role of Michael Jackson is played by Jaafar Jackson, a member of the legendary Jackson family and the son of Jermaine Jackson.

Jaafar’s casting drew global attention due to his close resemblance to his uncle and his musical background. Before the film, he was already pursuing a career in music, but Michael marks his most high-profile acting role at the moment. 

His performance has been widely discussed for its attention to detail in recreating Michael Jackson’s stage presence, dance style, and vocal delivery. 

The family of Nigerian actor Alex Ekubo has announced his passing following complications arising from advanced metastatic kidney cancer.

In a statement released by the family on his official instagram handle, it was disclosed that the actor died at Evercare Hospital after what was described as a “brief but courageous battle” with the illness.

According to the statement, Alex Ekubo faced his health challenges with “remarkable strength, unwavering faith, and enduring hope,” maintaining a positive spirit throughout his treatment journey.

The family expressed deep sorrow over the loss, a beloved husband, son, brother, and friend. They also requested privacy during the difficult period, while thanking fans, colleagues, and supporters for their prayers and solidarity.

Further details regarding funeral arrangements and memorial activities are expected to be communicated by the family in due course.

The announcement has prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from fans and figures within the Nigerian entertainment industry, as colleagues continue to react to the news.

Gospel singer Ebuka Songs has responded strongly to past criticism surrounding a 2024 worship moment he shared with Nollywood actors Alex Ekubo and IK Ogbonna, where he led an intimate worship session that went viral online.

In a reflective post shared on Instagram, the singer recalled how he was criticized by some people who questioned why he would worship with individuals they described as “unbelievers” or why he would associate with them at all.

“Some of you criticized me then. ‘Why are you worshipping with someone like that?’ ‘Why associate with an unbeliever?’”

However, Ebuka Songs said he is grateful he chose to ignore the backlash, stressing that what many saw online was more than just a controversial moment. It was, in his words, a genuine encounter with God’s presence.

He explained that while some people were busy judging from a distance, he witnessed what he described as a “soul encounter” in real time, emphasizing that people often underestimate what God is doing in the hearts of others.

According to him, believers are not called to condemn but to reach others with love and compassion.

“Our assignment as believers is not to condemn people from afar, but to reach them with love… The same people you write off may be one encounter away from surrender.”

He further reflected on the uncertainty of life and the importance of grace, warning against judgmental attitudes that could push people away from faith rather than drawing them closer.

“Jesus did not come for the already ‘perfect.’ He came for the lost.”

Concluding his message, Ebuka Songs expressed gratitude for the moment and the experience, calling for more love, less judgment, and a stronger focus on evangelism rather than condemnation.

“Less judgment. More love. More evangelism. More Jesus.”

The worship session, which featured emotional moments from Alex Ekubo and IK Ogbonna, had previously sparked mixed reactions online, with some praising its sincerity while others debated the optics of a gospel minister worshipping alongside non-church figures.

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Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy has been confirmed as one of the headline performers for the 2026 edition of the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands.

The Grammy-winning Nigerian artist is scheduled to perform on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Rotterdam Ahoy, where thousands of music lovers from around the world are expected to gather for the globally celebrated event.

Burna Boy’s name appears among top international acts announced for the festival’s landmark 50th anniversary lineup, alongside stars such as Charlie Puth, Thundercat, Cassandra Wilson, and Adekunle Gold.

The North Sea Jazz Festival is widely regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious music festivals. Founded in 1976 by Dutch jazz enthusiast Paul Acket, the festival began in The Hague before moving to Rotterdam in 2006.

Over the years, the event has evolved into a global celebration of music, bringing together legendary and emerging artists across jazz, soul, blues, funk, hip-hop, R&B, world music, and Afrobeats. The festival has hosted iconic performers including Miles Davis, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, and Erykah Badu.

Held annually at Rotterdam Ahoy in the Netherlands, the three-day festival is known for its diverse lineup, multiple performance stages, and unforgettable live collaborations that attract music fans from across the globe.

For the 2026 edition, organizers are preparing a special 50th anniversary celebration with a star-studded lineup featuring Burna Boy and several internationally acclaimed artists.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved Nigeria’s bid to host the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards and the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly, major milestone for the country’s football administration and international sports profile.

The approval was announced following a high-level meeting between President Tinubu and CAF President Patrice Motsepe during the Africa Forward Summit held in Nairobi.

According to reports from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the meeting also had in attendance Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, former NFF President Amaju Pinnick, and CAF Acting General Secretary Samson Adamu.

The 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly is scheduled to take place in 2026 and is expected to bring together representatives from CAF’s 54 member associations, football administrators, and stakeholders from across the continent.

Nigeria will also host the prestigious CAF Awards ceremony, one of Africa’s biggest football events that celebrates outstanding achievements by players, coaches, clubs, national teams, and football officials.

The decision is seen as a major boost for Nigerian football and sports tourism, as the country prepares to welcome football executives, athletes, media organizations, and fans from across Africa and beyond.

Nigeria has previously hosted the CAF Awards in cities such as Lagos and Abuja. The last time the country hosted the event was in 2017, when Algerian football star Riyad Mahrez won the Men’s Player of the Year award, while Nigerian striker Asisat Oshoala claimed the women’s award.

More details, including the official host city and event schedule, are expected to be announced by CAF in the coming months.

The Nigerian entertainment industry is mourning the loss of celebrated Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo, who reportedly passed away at the age of 40 following a prolonged battle with cancer. Multiple Nigerian media platforms confirmed the development on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. 

Known for his charisma, versatility, and strong presence in the industry, Alexx Ekubo built a successful career in Nollywood with appearances in several hit movies and television productions. He became one of the industry’s most admired actors, earning recognition for both his talent and influence in African entertainment.

News of his death has triggered an outpouring of grief across social media, with colleagues, fans, and public figures paying tribute to the late actor. Actress Funke Akindele, actor Bolanle Ninalowo, and singer Peter Okoye were among celebrities who shared emotional messages in his honour. 

In the past, concerns had grown among fans over the actor’s absence from social media and public appearances. Reports now indicate that he had been privately battling health challenges during that period. 

Alexx Ekubo rose to prominence through standout performances in romantic dramas, comedy films, and blockbuster Nollywood productions. Beyond acting, he was widely respected for his fashion style, humanitarian activities, and impact on youth culture within the entertainment industry.

May his soul rest in peace.

X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, has begun rolling out a new feature called Custom Timelines, renewing a significant shift in how users discover and interact with content on the platform.

The update allows users to pin up to 75 topics directly to their Home tab, creating multiple dedicated feeds tailored to specific interests such as sports, entertainment, technology, or finance. Each pinned topic functions as its own timeline, offering a more structured alternative to X’s traditional “For You” feed.

At the core of the feature is Grok, the AI system developed by xAI. Grok analyzes posts across the platform, categorizes them by subject, and curates content streams based on a user’s activity and engagement patterns. As users interact with posts through likes, reposts, and replies, the system refines each timeline to better match their preferences over time.

The feature is currently being rolled out as early access to Premium subscribers on iOS devices, with support for Android expected in a future update. There is no confirmed timeline yet for a broader public release, as other latest reports will also be reported by us. 

Custom Timelines represents an evolution of existing features like Lists, combining them with AI-driven recommendations and deeper personalization. Instead of relying on a single algorithmic feed, users can now navigate between multiple interest based streams within the same interface.

The update also signals X’s continued investment in AI-powered discovery tools, as the platform looks to increase user engagement and content relevance. In addition to Custom Timelines, X is reportedly testing tools that would allow users to temporarily mute or “snooze” specific topics from appearing in their feeds.

Ladies and gentlemen, today we're launching one of our biggest changes to 𝕏

Introducing Custom Timelines

This feature allows you to pin a specific topic to your home tab. With support for over 75 topics, you can dive deep into your favorite niche on X.

It's powered by Grok's… pic.twitter.com/9jkIEXvubj

— Nikita Bier (@nikitabier) April 21, 2026

Nigerian singer FOLA delivered a defining moment in his fast-rising career on Sunday night, selling out indigo at The O2 for his first-ever UK headline show.

The venue, which holds approximately 2,500–3,000 attendees, reached full capacity days before the event, underlining the growing international demand for the 21-year-old artist. Backed by a live band and supported by Genysis Events, the show marked a significant step in FOLA’s transition from emerging act to global contender.

FOLA’s ascent over the past year has been closely tied to the support of Bella Shmurda, who played a key role in amplifying his early reach. Since then, the singer has built momentum through a blend of melodic Afrobeats, introspective songwriting, and a growing catalogue of fan-favorite records.

From the moment doors opened, the crowd’s anticipation was evident. FOLA’s entrance was met with sustained chants, setting the tone for a performance built on high energy and audience connection.

Performances of tracks like “Get Better” and “Caricature” drew loud sing-alongs, with the live band adding depth and texture to his sound. The set maintained momentum throughout, driven by tight transitions and consistent crowd engagement.

The night’s biggest highlights came through a series of guest appearances:

Bella Shmurda: As the artist who first spotted FOLA’s talent, Bella’s appearance felt poetic. He joined FOLA on stage, delivering high-octane verses and hyping the crowd into a frenzy. 

Shoday followed with a mid-set appearance, performing “Paparazzi” and “Nakupenda,” shifting the atmosphere into a full crowd-driven party.
BNXN brought a more emotive tone with their collaboration “Alone,” creating a standout moment defined by synchronized vocals and audience participation.

At just 21, FOLA is proving he belongs among the next generation of Afrobeats global stars. With more UK and Ireland dates on the horizon (Birmingham on April 26, and more to follow).

🚨Fola Brings out Shoday at his Sold Out O2 Indigo Show 🔥 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/rNtw7y5CNk

— HYPETRIBE (@hypetribeng) April 19, 2026

Nollywood actress and producer Toyin Abraham has publicly responded to claims made by actress Abike Shugaa regarding her experience working on the 2023 film Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper.

The issue surfaced after a video circulated online in which Shugaa detailed her involvement in the film. In the clip, she stated that she shot two scenes for Ijakumo and was paid ₦50,000, but later discovered that her scenes were removed from the final version of the film. She also said she was not informed about the removal before the film’s release.

In response, Abraham addressed the claims in posts shared on X (formerly Twitter), confirming aspects of the account. She stated that she paid ₦50,000 for two scenes in Ijakumo and added that the scenes were removed by the film’s director.

Abraham also referenced a separate project, stating that she paid Shugaa ₦500,000 for work related to the film Malaika.

In a follow-up post, Abraham said she had initially chosen not to speak on the matter, describing Shugaa as someone she regards “like a daughter.” She also mentioned providing support to Shugaa earlier in her career, including financial assistance.

Shugaa, in her earlier statements, compared her experience on Ijakumo with other projects, including work done with Funke Akindele, where she said she earned between $600 and $800 for PR and content-related roles.

The exchange has generated reactions across social media, with discussions focusing on compensation, communication, and post-production decisions in Nollywood.

Abike Shugaa is the stage name of Olawuni Oluwapelumi Abike, a Nigerian actress, TikTok content creator, and influencer who transitioned from social media fame into Nollywood roles.

She first gained attention on TikTok and Instagram through lifestyle content, skits, fashion posts, and short-form entertainment videos, where she built a young online following. She later moved into acting and gained recognition for appearing in Nollywood productions, including: Malaika (2023), produced by Toyin Abraham. 

I never paid anyone such, I paid 500k for Malaika and 50k for two scenes in Ijakumo and the director removed it, pls I won’t say a word. https://t.co/c5biLMubK5

— TOYIN ABRAHAM AJEYEMI (@toyin_abraham1) April 17, 2026

MTN Nigeria has suspended its airtime and data borrowing services, widely known as XtraTime and XtraByte, cutting off a widely used fallback option for millions of subscribers across the country.

The move, which quietly took effect this week, has triggered reactions among users who depend on the service for urgent calls, messages, and data access, especially in moments when immediate cash is not available.

At the center of the decision is a new regulatory position introduced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), which now classifies airtime and data borrowing as a form of digital lending.

This reclassification changes the nature of the service entirely. What was once seen as a telecom convenience is now being treated as a financial product, requiring telecom operators to meet stricter legal and consumer protection standards. As a result, companies like MTN must secure proper licensing and demonstrate compliance with lending regulations before continuing the service.

Existing borrowed balances, however, remain valid and will still be deducted whenever users recharge their lines, ensuring that prior usage is not erased by the suspension.

MTN maintains that the suspension is temporary, positioning it as a compliance step rather than a permanent discontinuation. The expectation is that the service will return once regulatory approvals are secured and operational adjustments are completed.

MTN’s move is unlikely to exist in isolation. Other telecom operators are expected to follow similar compliance paths, suggesting that this is not just a company-specific decision but an industry-wide transition.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission serves as Nigeria’s primary consumer protection authority, established to regulate fair business practices and safeguard users from exploitative systems across industries.

In 2025, the commission introduced a sweeping framework targeting digital and non-traditional lending. Under this regulation, any service that provides value upfront and recovers payment later is now legally defined as a loan. This includes not just cash lending platforms, but also telecom-based services like airtime and data borrowing.

By bringing these services under formal lending laws, the FCCPC is requiring providers to operate with the same level of transparency and accountability expected of financial institutions. This means clear disclosure of charges, defined repayment structures, proper user consent, and stricter data protection standards.