Entertainment
90% of my secrets are with my mum in her grave –Chioma Akpotha
For popular Nollywood actress, Chioma Akpotha, every May 22 of each year would forever be a day she would set aside to celebrate the life of her mother who died about five years ago.
In a recent chat with the actress, she told Saturday Beats that she was so close to her mother as the first daughter that her mother went to her grave with 90 per cent of her secrets.
With teary eyes, she recalled the way her left-handed mother used to deal with her whenever she erred but despite all the slaps and beatings she received, it never affected the love she had for her mother.
“It has been five years that my mother has died and till date, I still miss everything about her. Being the first daughter, she was my best friend but whenever I misbehaved, she hardly used a cane on me, instead, she would use her hand, slippers, pestle, among other things.
“She was left handed but I always forgot that aspect whenever she was beating me, so there were times that I would expect the slap on the right cheek and would have guarded the right side of my face only for the slap to land on the left side.
“I miss her a lot. My mother went to her grave with about 90 per cent of my secret and that is how close I was to my mother. She was practically my backbone. When I had my first son, my mother stayed with us for about a year. Although she had a restaurant at the time, she abandoned it to look after my child and would accompany me to the various movie sets I had to attend. She was running her business from the movie location. I miss everything about her. “There is a saying that Igbo people have which states, ‘the day you lose your mother is the day you lose your God. Her death has thrown me into the open but I believe she is now an angel who watches over me from up above and she is fighting for me,” she said.
The screen diva told Saturday Beats that although she was flogged several times by her mother, it was not because she was a stubborn child. She further stated that although she joined the Nigerian movie industry as a teenager, she never dared to embrace any vice because of the kind of upbringing her mother gave her.
Akpotha said, “I was not mischievous per se but I did not believe that you could cheat me out of what is mine. If my mother did not have any other job, she probably would have been a soldier. I am the first daughter and as an Igbo woman, the first daughter had to be an example of what a good home would be like, so I could not have indulged in any bad vice during my early years in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
“Also, when it comes to my personal hygiene I am allergic to smoke among other things. I get ‘high’ easily and I act in silly ways but I like to comport myself in public hence when you see me, you tend to think I am uptight.
“I had friends that took alcohol and tried to cajole me into taking some but I always refused because if you know who you are, why succumb to peer pressure?”
*Punch
By Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji
Precisely 365 days today at about 6. 45am, a telephone call I first received came from the home of Alaba Oluwaseun Lawson.
My heart skipped…and listening to the voice from other end of the phone, It was sad news… Mama has gone to the Lord.
Honestly, I was immediately confused and still on my Jalamia, (Pyjamas) I drove straight to her private residence at Quarry Road in Abeokuta. Reality dawned on me on arrival and I couldn’t hold back tears which rolled down my face and I became speechless.
It was a Saturday I used to appear on live radio program on fresh F.M between 9-11am. When I regained my consciousness, I put a call across to management of the station, that I can’t make it because I was bereaved. As I was still trying to comport myself and further regain my strength as a man, there were torrential phone calls from my colleagues in the pen profession, knowing that I was her media adviser, trying to confirm authenticity of the sad news.
I had no choice I had to issue a press statement early enough to avoid speculations and wrong news dissemination. I must confess in my career as journalist of over three decades that was my first time I will be writing a press statement on a demise of any individual.
I must again openly say this, late Iyalode Alaba Lawson, Iyalode of Yorubaland, I knew for over 30 years was my great benefactor and I will continue to appreciate her even in death. She was there for me all time, a reliable mother, a sister and aunty from another womb.
I have no regret knowing her, if there is opportunity to keep relationship in heaven, I will keep that relationship with Alaba Oluwaseun Lawson (Omo Jiboku Tanatana). Its exactly a year today you left this sinful world to rest in the arms of the Lord. The legacies you left behind speak volume. I pray you continue to rest in perfect peace. Adieu
Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji is founder of Penpushing Media and Media Adviser to late Iyalode of Yorubland, Iyalode Alaba Lawson
Grammy Award-winning singer Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has revealed why he is not yet ready to have children.
He made this known during an Instagram live session on his page on Wednesday.
Burna Boy claimed that his desire to provide the same level of love and dedication his parents gave him is the reason why he is not having kids.
Explaining further, Burna Boy said, “Why haven’t I had kids yet? Bro, it’s because I don’t want to have kids. Like, have you seen my operation? Have you seen my mom the way she loves me? Have you seen my dad the way he loves me?
“Bro, I know I can’t give that to anyone right now with the life I live. So until I am settled and can be there for my children every day, every minute of every day, I am not having any kids.”
The singer was arrested or rather dramatically dragged into the police van while he was trying to run away from the arrest on May 14 following a petition from a car dealer.
Portable allegedly purchased a G-Wagon worth N27 million from the car dealer, made a down payment and took the vehicle away with the promise to pay the balance.
After waiting for a while without any word concerning his balance, the dealer reached out to the singer who claimed the car he purchased had faults. The dealer then asked the singer to return the car or pay the balance but Portable allegedly refused.
Following a petition from the dealer, the police moved in and arrested the singer who is currently in their custody.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Lagos state police command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the arrest of the singer.
Badaru on Operational Tour of 82 Division, other Military Installations in Enugu and Imo States
Boost for Nigeria’s Oil Production, As NNPC’s Utapate Crude Grade Hits Global Oil Market
Defence Minister in S’Arabia to Discuss Counter-Terrorism
LASG Acquires New Outboard Engines For Optimum Boat Performance
Elon Musk builds Hotel in Mars, Sets to launch soon at $5million per night – Photos
We Do Not Accept Refugee Application Directly From People – Canadian Govt.
-
Spotlight3 days agoConcerned citizens appeal to Gov Sanwo-Olu, Dangote Foundation, Banks, MTN Foundation, NNPC, others to assist journalist for brain surgery
-
Politics3 days ago
President Tinubu Restructures Media and Communications Team
-
Travel2 days ago
Defence Minister in S’Arabia to Discuss Counter-Terrorism
-
GRPolitics3 days ago
With Commitment, Resilience We’ll Defeat Banditry and Terrorism – Badaru
-
Energy22 hours ago
Boost for Nigeria’s Oil Production, As NNPC’s Utapate Crude Grade Hits Global Oil Market
-
News16 hours ago
Badaru on Operational Tour of 82 Division, other Military Installations in Enugu and Imo States
