Entertainment
Celebrities Unite for Peace Ahead 2023 Elections
- /home/rhoncare/pointblank.ng/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://pointblank.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/IMG-20221027-WA0018-720x600.jpg&description=Celebrities Unite for Peace Ahead 2023 Elections', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/rhoncare/pointblank.ng/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 69
https://pointblank.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/IMG-20221027-WA0018-720x600.jpg&description=Celebrities Unite for Peace Ahead 2023 Elections', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
A non-partisan body of eminent individuals in Nigeria’s entertainment industry has charged Nigerians to come together in order to achieve a hitch-free and peaceful elections come 2023.
The entertainers who under the aegis of Celebrities United for Peace (CUP) include actors, artistes, poets, among others, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
The member of CUP frowned at the degree of hate speech, fake news, and sentimentalism which is rife on social media. They also encouraged Nigerians to embrace patriotism and seek collective interest above other individual or sectional interest.
On Tuesday, CUP organized a media briefing with the theme ‘2023 General Election and National Peace/Order’ in order to express their plans and line of action toward the elections.
Present at the briefing were the Special Adviser to the President on Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Steve Eboh; Dr. Mrs. Olusola Darasimi; the President of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas; representatives from the Department of State Service (DSS); veterans and upcoming acts in the entertainment industry; among others.
Addressing pressmen at the briefing, the convener of Celebrities United for Peace (CUP), Mr. Andy Chukwu observed: ‘Owing to the commencement of electioneering campaign in line with INEC directives, electorates are bound to pitch tents with different political parties and candidates. This usually gives rise to verbal warfare as supporters are always ready to go the extra mile to market and promote their candidate. Sometimes this results to hate speech, dissemination of fake news to discredit their opponents with resultant violence’.
‘Having carefully considered the effect of these vices we have offered ourselves as mediators between the citizens, the political parties, and the candidates to educate them on the need to jettison hate speech, fake news, and shun violence before, during, and after the elections. As we have experienced even before the advent of the 2023 general election calendar, the social media space, regional platforms, and religious communities have been unnecessarily charged by fake news, social instigation, tribal, and religious sentiments’
‘Our ultimate goal is to reignite unconditional patriotism amongst the citizenry and make the protection of our unity and peaceful corporate existence an endearing necessity of collective interest. To this end a peaceful 2023 election becomes sacrosanct. Our focus is to disabuse the minds of all stakeholders and the general public from extremism, hate speech, fake news dissemination and violent engagement throughout the electoral process. The expected impact of this will activate a national conscience-oriented mentality and strategic hacking of these vices from the roots will dismantle agitated structures of conflict and guarantee a rancor-free election’, NAOSNP gathered.
Assuring Nigerians about the nonpartisan nature of the group, Andy Chukwu shared: ‘We are quite aware that most creative minds have pitched tents with different political camps and interests. We, Celebrities United for Peace, are devoid of any partisan interest or tribal alignment, as we are committed to moderating and nurturing the conscience of all for the emancipation of a united and peaceful Nigeria beyond the 2023 election.’
The convener used the opportunity to praise the efforts of all security agencies in Nigeria to avert violence and maintain orderliness. ‘But for the gallantry of our law enforcement agents especially the DSS whose capacity in intelligence gathering and management have ensured national stability as most of these vices are obvious threats to our national unity and security at large’, Chukwu concluded.
In the same vein, the President of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas briefly addressed pressmen. ‘We are not interested in a party, we are interested in Nigeria, in good governance and peaceful elections. That is why we are having this. We want a greater Nigeria.’
‘If you see an actor campaigning for a candidate, they are free to campaign but Actors Guild of Nigeria is not the one campaigning, the Producers Guild is not the one campaigning, Nollywood in general is not campaigning. We are interested in Nigeria. We also want to tell the principals of each political party, please can you convince us with your ideas about good governance’, Rollas noted.
South African Singer, Tyla has cancelled her planned concert in Lagos after backlash from Nigerians over the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans living in South Africa.
Rather than directly address the uproar over the planned concert and the opposition from notable Nigerians like social media activist, Martin Vincent Otse, popularly called, VeryDarkMan, and other Nigerians on social media, the South African singer chose to remove Lagos from the list of cities she is scheduled to visit during her A-Pop World tour.
Social media influencer, VeryDarkMan, in a video post, warned the singer and the promoters of her concert against bringing the singer to Lagos amidst the ongoing xenophobic attacks that has led to the death of many Nigerians living in the rainbow country.
He also criticised Tyla for her silence in the face of the deadly attacks.
In his video post, VDM stated: “There will be no Tyla concert in Nigeria. It is not happening. This is a warning to the organizers and the show promoters bringing Tyla to Nigeria. That show is not happening.
“Not when Chidinma Adetshina is battling deportation in South African court. Now you want to bring in Tyla and sell tickets so that Tyla will make money off Nigerians. The same Nigerians that South Africans hate so much.
“This is a warning to you, if you go ahead with that show, we will come to the venue and we will bring the show down.”
Other notable Nigerians on social media have also called for a total boycott of the concert to retaliate the attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
MultiChoice Nigeria has announced that the 11th season of Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) will premiere on Sunday, July 26, 2026, and the winner to receive a record-breaking grand prize of N160 million.
The announcement was made during a press briefing on Wednesday, and organisers said the prize package, comprising N100 million in cash and a brand-new SUV, is the highest in the reality show’s history.
The launch show will air from 7pm on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family. The 24-hour live channel will be available on DStv Channel 198 and GOtv Channel 49, while viewers can also watch via DStv Stream and GOtv Stream.
Preparations for the new season began earlier this year with physical auditions held from May 22 to 24 in Lagos, Abuja and Enugu after shortlisted applicants were invited to participate.
Participation was free, with eligibility limited to individuals aged 21 years and above who possessed valid means of identification.
The upcoming edition follows the conclusion of Season 10 on October 5, 2025, when Opeyemi Ayanwale, popularly known as Imisi, emerged winner after defeating 28 other contestants. Imisi received a prize package worth N150 million, comprising N80 million in cash and an SUV.
Speaking on the new season, Atinuke Babatunde, Executive Head, Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice, said the show would continue to build on its success.
“Big Brother Naija has consistently redefined entertainment in Africa by bringing together authentic storytelling, compelling personalities and moments that resonate with millions of viewers.
“Season 11 builds on that legacy with even bigger stakes, fresh twists and an exciting mix of housemates that will keep audiences engaged from premiere night through to the finale.”
The organisers also announced a new lineup of sponsors, with betPawa joining Big Brother Naija as the headline sponsor.
Commenting on the partnership, Borah Omary Ndanyungu, Head of Local Marketing & CSR, betPawa, said: “At betPawa, we believe in creating unforgettable experiences that bring people together through the things they are passionate about.
“Big Brother Naija is one of Africa’s most celebrated entertainment properties, and we are proud to come on board as Headline Sponsor for Season 11. We look forward to rewarding fans, deepening engagement throughout the season and delivering exciting experiences that complement the energy and excitement of the show.”
Guinness returns as the Gold Sponsor, while Minimie joins as an Associate Sponsor.
On the partnerships, Babatunde said: “We are delighted to welcome betPawa as our Headline Sponsor alongside Guinness and Minimie, whose partnership reflects the enduring value and impact of the Big Brother Naija platform.”
Since its return in 2017, Big Brother Naija has grown beyond a reality television programme into one of Africa’s biggest entertainment franchises, producing household names, creating jobs across the creative industry and shaping popular culture.
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu will return as host for Season 11, with organisers promising new twists, strategic gameplay, competitive tasks and entertaining challenges throughout the season.
Eligible subscribers will be able to vote through the MyDStv and MyGOtv self-service apps. Viewers can also increase their voting benefits by upgrading their subscription packages or renewing for multiple months.
Anticipation for Big Brother Naija is building up again after organisers teased the return of the reality show for its 11th season, prompting fans to call for an official premiere date.
In a post shared across the show’s social media platforms on Sunday, the organisers announced: “A new chapter begins, and this time, everything is for the taking. #BBNaija season 11 is coming soon.”
The teaser arrives months after the conclusion of Season 10, which ended with Imisi Ayanwale clinching the grand prize of N150 million.
The franchise has stayed in the spotlight since the Season 10 reunion, aired on June 8, when all 29 former housemates reconvened to address controversies that defined the season.
In preparation for the new edition, organisers said auditions have been completed.
The application portal opened in May, followed by physical auditions in Lagos, Abuja and Enugu.
