Entertainment
Government Demolishes Influencer Ola Of Lagos’ Car Showroom
The Lagos State Government has reportedly demolished a popular luxury car showroom owned by social media influencer and car dealer, Waris Olayinka Akinwande, widely known as ‘Ola of Lagos’.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, was first brought to public attention through a viral TikTok video posted by another car dealer, Ibilo, who captured the remains of the demolished property.
The caption read, “Lagos State Government Demolishes OOL Autos. Heavy one today.”
As of press time, the state government had not issued an official statement regarding the demolition, leaving the motive behind the action unconfirmed.
However, widespread speculation on social media suggested that the structure was pulled down because it was allegedly built beneath a high-tension power line in violation of safety and urban planning regulations.
One TikTok user, Adekunle Autoparts, commented, “They demolished it because he built it under a power line.”
Another user, Sisi Noni, expressed mixed feelings about the development, highlighting both the safety risks and the harshness of the government’s approach.
“I’m not trying to sound hateful, but the first time I saw this structure, my eyes got hold of the high tension. But as usual, I felt the country doesn’t send anymore once you have money,” she wrote.
“Building under the high tension is very risky. But at the same time, they should have asked him to relocate — maybe they would have dismantled the structure without destroying it so he can make use of some of those materials in his new site.”
The demolition came amid a broader enforcement drive by the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources against illegal constructions across the state.
On the same day, the government also demolished no fewer than 17 houses illegally erected on the Right of Way (RoW) of the Ikota River alignment in the Lekki area.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who led a monitoring and enforcement team to the site, warned residents against activities that endanger the environment or obstruct natural water channels.
“We stopped them then, but we were alerted again recently that the encroachment had resumed aggressively, with attempts to sell to unsuspecting buyers,” Wahab said.
He stressed that the exercise formed part of the state’s broader efforts to reclaim and protect flood-prone areas, adding that offenders behind illegal reclamation and construction activities would be identified and prosecuted.
Recovered evidence from the Lekki site showed several ongoing reclamation projects, sand-filling operations, and partially completed structures built directly on natural waterways, a violation the state said poses serious environmental risks.
-Leadership
Education
NFVCB Boss Urges Stronger Distribution Channels As Coal City Film Festival 2026 Opens In Enugu
The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shaibu Husseini, has called for stronger distribution frameworks within Nigeria’s film industry to ensure that locally produced content achieves global visibility.
Dr Husseini made this call while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 edition of the Coal City Film Festival, held in Enugu.
Welcoming participants to the festival, Dr Husseini expressed his personal delight at hosting the event in Enugu, his birth state, noting the city’s rich cultural heritage and longstanding contributions to Nigeria’s creative landscape.
He commended the festival organisers, particularly the Festival Director, Uche Agbo, for their resilience and commitment in sustaining the initiative.
According to him, the Coal City Film Festival has grown into a significant cultural platform and a must-attend cinematic event in South East Nigeria.
Speaking on the festival’s theme, “Local Stories, Global Screens,” Dr Husseini emphasised the importance of authenticity in storytelling. He noted that films rooted in local realities, languages, and cultural truths often resonate more strongly with global audiences.
He cited notable Nigerian productions such as “King of Boys” by Kemi Adetiba, “The Wedding Party” by Mo Abudu, “Anikulapo” by Kunle Afolayan, “Black Book” by Editi Effiong, and “Lionheart” by Genevieve Nnaji as examples of culturally grounded stories that have gained international recognition on platforms such as Netflix and at global film festivals.
While acknowledging the growth in film production across Nigeria, the NFVCB boss identified distribution as a major bottleneck in the industry. He observed that many high-quality films struggle to reach audiences both locally and internationally due to limited distribution channels.
Dr. Husseini therefore urged film festivals across the country to evolve beyond networking platforms into active marketplaces where filmmakers can secure distribution deals. He stressed that festivals must attract distributors, exhibitors, streaming platforms, and marketers to create tangible opportunities for filmmakers.
“Film festivals must become gateways to distribution where filmmakers leave not just with applause, but with real opportunities,” he said.
Reaffirming the Board’s commitment to industry development, Dr. Husseini stated that the NFVCB has continued to reposition itself as a partner in progress by engaging stakeholders, improving classification processes, and promoting a balance between creative freedom and social responsibility.
However, he raised concerns over increasing non-compliance with regulatory requirements, noting that some filmmakers bypass the Board by releasing unclassified films or operating without proper licensing.
He reiterated that all films and video works must be submitted to the NFVCB for classification and registration before being released on any platform, including digital platforms such as YouTube.
“This is a legal obligation, and the Board will not hesitate to take decisive action against defaulters,” he warned, adding that regulation is essential for protecting the industry, audiences, and national values.
Looking ahead, Dr. Husseini assured stakeholders of the Board’s continued collaboration with filmmakers and festival organisers to build a structured, sustainable, and globally competitive Nigerian film industry.
He concluded by commending the organisers of the Coal City Film Festival for their vision and contribution to Nigeria’s cultural economy, urging filmmakers to continue telling authentic stories that can resonate across global screens.
-Leadership
Veteran rapper Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, popularly known as Ruggedman, has criticised the use of “Afrobeats” as a catchall term for all African music, calling it misleading.
In a recent interview with Day Genius, the rapper argued that the term is often used to group artistes who lack real talent and rely only on catchy beats.
The rapper also claimed that many artists in this category struggle with live performances and freestyling because they depend too much on autotune and studio effects.
Nollywood actress and comedian, Kudirat Abeniade Soremi, popularly known as Mama No Network, has bought a new car.
She posted on her Instagram page and shared pictures of her new car, congratulating herself.
“Congratulations to me. Your car is next in line for Jesus.
May the celebration never cease in our home. May God surround me and you with people who genuinely love and celebrate God’s gift in your life,” she posted.
Her colleagues and fans congratulated her on this feat. Rejoicing with her, Bimpe Akintunde wrote, “Congratulations, Iye mi
The actress is known for playing a deaf woman and mother in the Yoruba movie industry.
Last year, she was conferred with a chieftaincy title in Texas Ijebuland, which is (Yeye Owu Ojuwo of Ijebuland)
-Leadership
NFVCB Boss Urges Stronger Distribution Channels As Coal City Film Festival 2026 Opens In Enugu
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