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Joke Silva thanks supporters as 40-day mourning for Olu Jacobs ends

Joke Silva speaking at an awards event
Photo: Ameyaw Debrah / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva has issued a heartfelt message of thanks as her family marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for her late husband, Olu Jacobs.

What she wrote

In an Instagram post on Saturday, 31 October 2026, accompanied by a photo of herself and her husband, Joke Silva wrote on behalf of the Jacobs family to thank everyone who had supported them. She thanked those who sent prayers, messages and calls, those who visited in person, and those who gave gifts or contributed towards the funeral. She said the 40 days had come and gone, and that the family was humbled and deeply grateful. She signed the message as Ajoke Silva, on behalf of the Jacobs family.

Who was Olu Jacobs

Olu Jacobs was one of the most respected actors in Nigerian film history, with a career spanning stage, television and cinema in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He appeared in many Nollywood classics and international productions and was widely regarded as a father figure in the industry. He and Joke Silva, herself an acclaimed actress and co-founder of the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, were one of Nollywood's most admired couples.

How fans reacted

Fans and colleagues responded with messages of love and prayers for the family, praising Joke Silva for her strength and dignity during the period of mourning.

More gist

Nollywood & celebsReported
Funke Akindele at the AMVCA 2020
Photo: Kaizenify / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Toyin Abraham's throwback TikTok post sparks talk of rivalry with Funke Akindele

Toyin Abraham has shared an old TikTok collaboration from her film 'OverSabi Aunty' and said she looks forward to more ahead of her December release 'Bestie'. Fans linked the post to Funke Akindele's new Facebook partnership for 'The Four', reviving talk of a rivalry.

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Nollywood actress and filmmaker Toyin Abraham has once again found herself at the centre of talk about a rivalry with Funke Akindele, after a social media post that many fans read as a response to her colleague.

What she posted

On Friday, 30 October 2026, Toyin Abraham shared on Instagram a throwback clip of a TikTok collaboration she did while promoting her earlier film, 'OverSabi Aunty'. In the caption, she said she was looking forward to more collaborations ahead of her new film, 'Bestie', which is due in cinemas in December 2026.

Why fans linked it to Funke

The post came just days after Funke Akindele announced a partnership with Facebook for her new film, 'The Four'. Many fans interpreted Toyin's post as a subtle reminder that she had worked with a major platform first, although she did not mention Funke, and her intention has not been confirmed.

Background

The two actresses are among the most successful filmmakers in Nollywood, and fans have long compared their box office results. Toyin has also faced accusations of copying Funke's ideas, which she has denied. In the past she has spoken warmly about Funke, congratulating her and calling her the winner of their rivalry after one of Funke's films crossed ₦1 billion at the box office.

How people reacted

Reactions were divided. Critics questioned the timing of the post and accused her of seeking attention, while her supporters said she had every right to talk about her own past work. Funke Akindele has not commented.

Nollywood & celebsReported
AY Makun in sunglasses and a sequinned jacket
Photo: Kaizenify / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

AY Makun responds to backlash after missing Cardiff show, promises free return

Comedian AY Makun has defended himself after failing to appear at his AY Live show in Cardiff, which led to calls for him to be cancelled. He blamed repeated problems on the tour and promised a free return show, while saying ticket holders will still get refunds.

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Comedian and filmmaker Ayo 'AY' Makun has spoken out after facing a wave of criticism for not turning up at his AY Live show in Cardiff, Wales.

What happened

Fans who bought tickets for the Cardiff show on Sunday were left angry when the comedian did not appear. Many criticised him on social media, and some called for him to be cancelled. AY had earlier apologised, saying fans' time, money and trust deserved respect, but the apology did not end the criticism.

His side of the story

In a long statement reported on Friday, 30 October 2026, AY said veterans in the industry had advised him to stay quiet, but he felt his audience deserved an explanation. He said he had spent years performing at events where payment promises were broken, sometimes paying fellow performers from his own pocket. He said a five-hour drive from Sheffield to Cardiff, after repeated bad experiences on the same tour, became his breaking point, but added that the fans who turned up had done nothing wrong. He also complained that negative stories about him get more attention than his achievements, and said calls for cancellation would not make him give up.

What he promised

AY said he would host a free return show in Cardiff, paid for by himself, once a venue and logistics are confirmed. He said this would not replace refunds owed to people who bought tickets for the original event.

Background

AY is one of Nigeria's best-known comedians and has run the AY Live brand for many years, as well as producing hit films. His account of the tour problems has not been confirmed by the organisers.

PoliticsReported
President Bola Tinubu
Photo: Nosa Asemota / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

US court rejects bid to seek evidence from Tinubu in FOIA case, Presidency says

A federal court in Washington has reportedly refused a request by US researcher Aaron Greenspan to seek evidence from President Bola Tinubu and a lobbying firm in his records lawsuit against the FBI and DEA. The Presidency welcomed the ruling, while the underlying case continues.

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A United States federal court has turned down an attempt to obtain evidence from President Bola Tinubu as part of a long-running records lawsuit, according to a statement from the Presidency on Saturday, 31 October 2026.

What the court decided

The case, before the US District Court for the District of Columbia, is a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by American researcher Aaron Greenspan against the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). On 30 October, the court reportedly denied Greenspan's request for limited discovery from President Tinubu and the lobbying firm DCI Group, which he had linked to alleged cyberattacks on his website. The court found the request was not relevant enough to the main records dispute. It also rejected a request by a third party to file a friend-of-the-court brief, refused a related request for judicial notice, and denied Greenspan's motion for summary judgment, meaning the main case continues.

The Presidency's reaction

The President's adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the development. Lawyers quoted in the statement said the ruling kept the case focused on the issues properly before the court and set clear limits on what it would consider.

Background

Greenspan has for several years sought the release of US government records he says relate to investigations involving the President in the 1990s. The President's lawyers have consistently opposed the release of the records, and the Presidency has dismissed the claims linked to them. The case has drawn wide attention in Nigeria, particularly from opposition supporters.

What happens next

The FOIA case itself will continue, and further rulings are expected. Greenspan had not publicly responded to the decision at the time of the report.

Creators & podcastsReported
VeryDarkMan
Photo: CoreTechLogic / Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Content creator De Peters questions how VeryDarkMan presents his power station business

Content creator De Peters has criticised VeryDarkMan for presenting his power station venture as a favour to Nigerians when he is selling the units for profit. He also accused VDM of criticising other influencers for promotions while advertising his own products.

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Social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) is facing fresh criticism over his power station business, this time from content creator De Peters.

What De Peters said

In comments reported on Saturday, 31 October 2026, De Peters reportedly asked why VDM was acting as though he was giving Nigerians free power stations, when he was in fact selling them to make money. He argued that VDM often criticises other influencers for promoting cryptocurrency, betting platforms and other products, yet was now promoting his own goods. He also said other businesses already sell power stations in Nigeria, some with similar capacity and specifications at lower prices.

Background

VDM has spent recent weeks promoting his Ratel power stations, imported from China, with videos from a warehouse and demonstrations of the units. He has said buyers will be limited to two units each and has clashed with businessman Blord, whom he accuses of copying the idea. Other commentators have praised VDM for bringing more affordable solar options to Nigerians, with one claiming that prices of power stations have fallen since the Ratel brand launched. The debate comes as federal agencies warn celebrities they will be held responsible for promoting fraudulent products, although there is no suggestion that VDM's products are fraudulent.

How people reacted

The comments sparked a wider conversation about influencer marketing. Some users agreed that VDM should not present a business as charity, while his supporters said he was offering a useful product at a fair price. VDM had not publicly responded at the time of the report.