By Seyi Balogun, Lagos

Big Brother Naija winner, Ijeoma Otabor, aka Phyna, has celebrated the fourth anniversary of her reality TV success with another victory, making history as the winner of Nigeria’s first female celebrity boxing bout.

Phyna won the seventh season of Big Brother Naija,
Level Up, on October 2, 2022. Four years later, the reality star marked the anniversary with a boxing victory over Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing by knockout.

Reflecting on the two milestones in a post shared on Friday, Phyna wrote:

“October 2nd will forever be a special date in my life.

“Today marks the anniversary of the day I won BBN, and now, years later, I’m celebrating another historic victory becoming the first female boxer to step into this ring and win this fight. ”

The victory came during Balmoral Promotions’ Chaos in the Ring event at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday.

The former reality star sees her transition from reality television to boxing as part of her determination to challenge herself and break barriers. She wrote:

“From reality TV to the boxing ring, I’ve always been willing to challenge myself, break barriers, and prove that there is so much more to Phyna than what people see.

“This one is for every woman who has ever been told she couldn’t. We can. We will. And we absolutely should.”

Phyna thanked Balmoral Promotions and Bet9ja for the opportunity, describing October 2 as “a date of victory, courage and new beginnings.”

She also received ₦50m as the winner of the historic bout and said she intends to pursue professional boxing, suggesting her victory over Nkechi could mark the start of a longer career in the sport.

Following the fight, Phyna named Nollywood actress Etinosa Idemudia as her next potential opponent, accusing her of disturbing her through direct messages.

“I came in, and I kept my cool and did the thing. Now I would like to fight Etinosa. I think it is time I teach her a lesson,” Phyna said after the bout.

Etinosa, who watched the fight from ringside, accepted the challenge, saying, “I have been advising you to carry the Edo name with pride. We do not run from any fight. I accept the challenge fully.”

Phyna’s victory came on the same night skit maker Carter Efe defeated musician Speed Darlington by technical knockout in their four-round celebrity bout.

By Seyi Balogun

Daddy Showkey, one of the veteran Nigerian singers, has expressed disappointment over the prolonged rift between twin brothers Peter and Paul Okoye of P-Square fame, saying the duo have destroyed what is the biggest music brand Africa has ever produced.

In an interview with Goldmyne TV, Daddy Showkey opined: “P-Square destroyed the biggest brand that Africa produced. P-Square isn’t for them alone.”

He stressed that entertainers owe their success to the public, noting that fans should always be considered in major decisions.

Drawing from his personal experience, he said, “As an entertainer, I can decide to lock myself in my room and celebrate my 50 years on stage. I am celebrating because it is the people that made me Daddy Showkey. If the people have made you, you are not considering them but considering how much you guys are making.”

He warned that the consequences of the brothers’ ongoing feud would become clearer with time, adding that their relationship should take precedence over their differences.

“Dragging themselves like this, the future will tell. No matter what, you guys are brothers. No matter what, you should look for a place to resolve things because you have children. Tomorrow you will carry this beef to your children,” he warned.

Daddy Showkey’s comments come amid the lingering public dispute involving Peter, Paul, and their elder brother Jude, who previously managed the music duo. But their escalating disagreements have occasioned a court matter that may deepen the feud. The disagreements have continued to attract public attention.

By Seyi Balogun

Ghana is set to sanction any television stations that air Nigerian films without permission.

James Gardiner, the Deputy CEO of the Ghana National Film Authority, NFA, announced his country’s plans to crack down on television stations that broadcast Nigerian movies without authorisation.

James Gardiner, made the announcement in video during a conversation with a Nigerian producer, Uchenna Mbunabo.

The Nigerian filmmaker had accused Ghanaian TV stations of downloading Nollywood movies from YouTube and airing them without authorisation.

Mbunabo said to him “I noticed that Ghanaian TV stations, the way they are stealing our films and showing them for free with impunity. Is it legalised in your country for TV stations to go on YouTube, download people’s sweat and show it for free?”

Gardiner responded: “it’s not legalised.”

Mbunabo asked, “What is your government doing about it.”

To this, Gardiner answered “That’s one of the big things that we’re trying to address. We’ve met with the ministry of communication together with NMC and NCA, they govern our TV station in the country. We’re trying to make law to revoke all licenses and all of them will now come to apply afresh.

When asked “how long it will take.”

He replied “by next year (2027), it should be done.”

Nigerians filmmakers including Bimbo Ademoye, Omoni Oboli, Mercy Johnson and Ruth Kadiri among others have condemned Ghana TVs for illegally airing their films.