Entertainment
Check Out, Five Nollywood Films Inspired By Historical Events
Kunle Afolayan’s ‘October 1’ is one of the movies that slightly delves into some of the incidents before Nigeria’s Independence.
Over the years, history has been brought to life on screen in many ways, including with the use of feature films.
Fact-based or fictional, films in a historical setting inform, entertain and shape the way people view the past.
In honor of Nigeria’s Independence Day, here are five Nigerian films that are inspired by or attempt an accurate portrayal of a historical event since October 1, 1960.
1. “October 1”
Set in Colonial Nigeria, “October 1” follows the story of a police officer who needs to solve a case before October 1, 1960.
The films shows a police officer from Northern Nigeria who is posted to a remote town of Akote in Western Nigeria to investigate the frequent female murder cases in the community, and have the mystery solved before the Nigerian flag is raised on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day.
Directed by Kunle Afolayan, “October 1” explores tribalism, western imperialism, homosexuality and Nigeria’s independence.
The films stars Sadiq Daba, Kayode Olaiya, David Bailie, Kehinde Bankole, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Nick Rhys, Kunle Afolayan, Femi Adebayo, Bimbo Manuel, Ibrahim Chatta and Demola Adedoyin.
2. “Half of a Yellow Sun”
Directed by Biyi Bandele and based on the novel of the same name by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, ”Half of a Yellow Sun” weaves together the lives of four people caught up in the turbulence of the Nigerian Civil War.
In “Half of a Yellow Sun,” Olanna and Kainene are glamorous twins from a wealthy Nigerian family. Returning to a privileged city life in newly independent 1960s Nigeria after their expensive English education, the two women make very different choices which took them and their lovers on a journey through the war.
“Half of a Yellow Sun” is a powerful, intense and emotional historical drama capable of tugging at one’s heartstrings.
3.’76’
“76” is a meticulously detailed Nigerian historical fiction drama set six years after the civil war. It follows the story of Captain Joseph Dewa, a young soldier accused of complicity in the abortive coup of 1976, and his pregnant wife, Suzy, who helps him prove his innocence.
With “76,” the director Izu Ojukwu transports viewers back to the familiar 1976, six years after the civil war, when General Murtala Muhammed was killed on February 13, 1976, in an abortive coup attempt led by Lt. Col Buka Suka Dimka.
“76” is not entirely a movie about the 1976 coup, however, the events of the year pilot the circumstances that form the setting for the movie.
The movie stars Ramsey Nouah, Chidi Mokeme, Rita Dominic, Ibinabo Fiberesima and Daniel K Daniel.
4 “The Amazing Grace”
Youssou N’Dour played the role of Olaudah Equiano in the movie Amazing Grace.
A Jeta Amata film, “The Amazing Grace” tells the remarkable story of British slave trader John Newton, who had sailed to the now Nigeria in 1748 to buy slaves but later gave up the trade and became an Anglican priest.
After he almost lost his life in a violent storm at sea, Newton gave his life to Christ. According to him, it was the grace of God that saved his life.
Subsequently devoting his entire life to religion, Newton penned one of the world’s most famous religious hymns ever, Amazing Grace.”
The Nigerian film stars Nick Moran, Joke Silva, Scott Cleverdon, Mbong Amata, Fred Amata and Zack Amata.
5. “Invasion 1897”
A Lancelot Imasuen film, “Invasion 1897” tells the story of the removal of the powerful Oba Ovarhehem Nogbaisi of the Benin Empire by the British colonialists in 1897.
The movie parades an impressive cast which includes Mike Omoregbe, Segun Arinze, Rudolph Walker, Charles Inojie, Paul Obazele, Justus Esiri, Charles ‘Chucky’ Venn and Leo Mezie.
Entertainment
Why Fans No Longer Faint For Musicians – Paul Okoye
Nigerian singer and half of the defunct P-Square duo, Paul Okoye, aka Rudeboy, has claimed that social media has reduced the prestige and value fans attached to musicians due to the mystique that artistes had before the era of social media.
Speaking in a recent interview with Lun Lifestyle TV, Rudeboy argued that social media, despite all its benefits, has shattered the illusion of artistes being mysterious and godlike.
This he said has reduced the buzz artistes previously enjoyed whenever their fans got the opportunity to see them whether physically or visually.
The ‘Reason With Me’ crooner explained that because artistes are no longer mysterious, fans are no longer eager to watch them in music videos.
He claimed that shooting music videos is now a waste of money.
Rudeboy said, “Music videos somehow now, because of this generation, is a waste of money. I am sorry to say this. But do you remember us [P-Square] before? You don’t see us anywhere. You just watch music videos, you see us and that’s it, or we come to your country, you see us.
“The reason you don’t see people faint for artistes anymore is because they see them on TikTok every day dancing and promoting your music. If Michael Jackson was alive now and doing promotional content on social media, nobody would see him and faint.
“Unfortunately, it’s too late for us to bring back the era of artistes being mystiques. How can you advise an artiste to post every day? How? Post what? You don’t need to.
“Social media brought positive change to the industry but it also led to ‘see-finish.’ Artistes are now too exposed. Fans see how they eat, cry. Before when artistes go to club, they stay in restricted VIP areas, but now when they are clubbing, everyone is filming.”
Entertainment
Davido’s Aide Offers Cash Reward For Missing Phone At Zlatan’s Wedding
Afrobeats superstar, Davido’s aide, Damilare Aladegbola, popularly known as Dre, has offered a cash reward to whoever returns his phone, which he claims went missing during rapper Zlatan Ibile’s wedding ceremony.
Dre made the appeal in a post on his Instagram page on Monday, pleading with the person who allegedly took the device to return it in exchange for money.
“If na u carry my phone for Zlatan wedding, abeg return am, I go give you money please,” he wrote.
The aide also expressed frustration over what he suggested was a method being used to take phones at social gatherings.
He said he would no longer tolerate waiters asking whether guests had finished eating so they could clear their plates, alleging that the practice could provide an opportunity for phones left on tables to be taken.
“From now on, if I go any party or dey any party and any stupid waitress tell me say are you done eating so I can pack your plate, na swear I go swear for you cause na pattern wey una dey use pack phone for table be that now,” he added.
However, Dre did not identify anyone suspected of taking his phone or provide further details about how the device went missing.
Zlatan Ibile tied the knot with his longtime partner, Davita Lamai, during a traditional wedding ceremony on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
The ceremony, held in Lagos, attracted several celebrities, fans and well-wishers, with Davido among the prominent guests and leading the groomsmen.
Entertainment
I Ran Away From Nigeria, Never Wanted To Come Back-Chidinma
Popular singer, Chidinma Ekile has revealed that before transitioning from secular music to the gospel genre, she “ran away” from Nigeria.
Speaking at a recent Eezee Conceptz event, Chidinma explained that she travelled abroad and wanted to secure permanent residency because she didn’t want to return to Nigeria, but failed.
She revealed that while she was abroad, the CEO of Eezee Conceptz was the only person calling her from Nigeria, so she decided to work with him upon her return.
“I travelled. I ran away from Nigeria. I was processing my papers not to come back to Nigeria, but for some reason, it didn’t work.
“While I was abroad, the CEO of Eezee Conceptz was the only one who was calling me from Nigeria. He kept encouraging me, and I found the strength to come back to Nigeria. When I came back, I asked him to give me a gospel music contract because I want to spend time with God. And he gave me a contract that even my lawyer said seemed like a charity,” Chidinma stated.
The music star added that she did not transition into gospel music because she wanted to make gospel, but because she wanted a serious relationship with God.
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