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Nollywood Stars, Dakore Egbuson-Akande and Ini Edo Share Their Encounters with Drug Abuse

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Nollywood Stars, Ini Edo and Dakore-Egbuson Akande shared their personal encounters with drug abuse at the recently concluded Drug Convos, a virtual event hosted by MTN Foundation in partnership with Businessday, MTV Base and Nigerian Entertainment Today (Netng) in commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking marked annually on June 26. The discussion was moderated by author and popular social commentator, Japheth J. Omojuwa and the stars came ready to spill!
Dakore Egbuson-Akande during the Drug Convos
When asked about the role of family and parents in curbing substance abuse among youths, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, mother of twin-girls shared her brush with drug traffickers while she was an undergraduate in the University, “I remember when things were difficult. I was in the university and I could travel abroad at that time. Someone came up to me and said ‘oh, would you want to carry some drugs when you travel and you’ll get paid when you get there?’ I was only 21 at the time!”

She added that parenting plays a major role in shaping the decisions that young people make about drugs and substance abuse as she could have made a decision that will ruin her entire life.”Due to upbringing and the discipline my parents had instilled in me, I didn’t have to run home to ask my parents what to say to the guy. I just knew that omo dat one no go happen!”

She advised Nigerian parents to unlearn some of the parenting and communication styles that they experienced with their own parents because the present-day situation requires an open relationship that will enable children speak to their parents before they make irreversible mistakes.
Ini Edo during the Drug Convos
When J. J. Omojuwa, asked Ini Edo what the Nollywood industry was doing to curb the menace of substance abuse among the impressionable youth, the actress admitted there was a general glorification of substance use in entertainment and there was a need to use movies to show the adverse effect, according to her “the Censors Board [National Film and Video Censors Board] has a huge role to play in this. If you are telling a drug-related success story, there has to be a certain result that shows that if you get into this type of lifestyle, this is what you are likely to get at the end of the day.”

She disclosed that what young people see is the glamourous part of the whole process, “they may be thinking, ‘oh, I need to be high to perform which is probably what they see on TV and on social media but they don’t get to see the adverse effect of abusing drugs and how damaging it can be on young people.”

She insisted that there was a need for drug-abuse education while sharing her experience at a party, “I went to a party some time ago where Cannabis was being served on trays like food and young people not older than 25 were consuming it like it was normal!”
J.J. Omojuwa during the Drug Convos
J. J. Omojuwa, excited by the positive response from the celebrities said, “I am delighted by what we have heard from the celebrities who are also cultural influencers because there is an assumption that once you are a famous person in the entertainment community, you just need some form of drugs to spice it up.”
Other panellists at the event included Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya; Country Manager, ViacomCBS Networks Africa, Bada Akintunde-Johnson; Country Representative, United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Oliver Stolpe; Senior Lecturer and Consultant Psychiatrist, Yewande Oshodi; Director-General, Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministries, Adedokun Adedeji and the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, among others.
Panelists at MTN ASAP’s Drug Convos
The Drug Convos is part of MTN Foundation’s Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP), a multi-sectoral intervention targeted at eradicating drug abuse among young Nigerians from ages 10 to 25. 
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Billionaire Socialite, E-Money To Take Full Responsibility Of Junior Pope’s Sons

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Nigerian socialite Emeka Okonkwo, also known as E-Money, recently expressed his sorrow over the tragic death of his late friend, Junior Pope, who passed away in a drowning accident.

In a heartfelt note, E-Money mourned the loss of the Nollywood star and pledged to take care of Junior Pope’s three sons, making them part of his family. This gesture of generosity and support has touched many hearts, raising questions about the importance of friendship and community support in times of grief.

In his post, He wrote;

“We tenderly remember your final words on the boat, “NA ONLY ME DEM BORN I GET 3 CHILDREN NA ME GO RAISE THEM,” and we solemnly commit to honoring that vow. Your children now find solace in the embrace of the Okonkwo family, and we, as members of that family, pledge to nurture them as you would have wished. Your absence leaves a palpable void, JP, and your memory will forever be held dear. Rest peacefully, knowing that you are deeply cherished, and may God’s blessings encompass your soul, your family, and all who hold you in their hearts. ” – E-Money

E-money’s post

God bless him as he keeps his promise.

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Nollywood Producer And Former Boss To Junior Pope, Tchidi Tchikere Pens Down Emotional Tribute To The Late Actor

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Legendary Nollywood director and producer Tchidi Tchikere has penned down an emotional message for late Junior pope

He wrote;

“My boy. My son . Adieu. I feel like a man who has lost a son. You came to dance in my music video. I paid you and you said ‘Thank you sir’ I was touched by your gratefulness and I asked my production manager to call you back. I took your number and told you I d push your career cos out of all the people I paid that day you were the only one who said THANK YOU. So one month later and after auditions , I cast in a leading role in the movie DEEPER THAN FACES. I surrounded you with established actors like Tonto Dikeh. Uche Elendu and the legend Uncle Pete Edochie. Cos I knew casting you among them would make you fly. And fly you did. I carried your career AMAKA MUSTAPHA. BE NOT AFRAID. NEW JOY etcetera, and you kept flying.

“Others began to cast you and I was happy watching you grow. Casting you as Churchill son of legendary actor Kanayo O Kanayo in GLOBACOM’s sitcom Professor Johnbull was one of the best decisions of my career because again you showed your versatility.

“I don’t know how this happened, it s only God that knows, JP, for me you are not dead, you have only gone to another level. That is the only way I can cope with this terrible news. We will keep holding the flag until we meet again”.

Junior Pope and four other crew members died during a boat accident on their way to a movie location on the 10th of April 2024. His death is still a huge shock.

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Crossdresser, Bobrisky Sentenced To Six Months In Prison For Money Mutilation

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Recall that on April 5th, Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC arraigned Bobrisky in court on a six-count charge ranging from Abuse of the Naira and Money laundering.

The court, however, dismissed the money laundering charges but convicted him for Naira Abuse after he confessed to the crime. The court also ordered that he be remanded in EFCC detention in Lagos.

Bobrisky leaving the court Premises

First photos of Bobrisky as he leaves the courts premises with his luggage after his sentencing earlier today.

The popular cross dresser has been jailed for six months with no option of fine by Abimbola Awogboro, A judge of the federal high court in Lagos, over Abuse of Naira.

The controversial crossdresser, Bobrisky alao confirmed his gender during his trial on charges of naira abuse in court on Friday. He clearly stated that he is a “Man”

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