Entertainment
Chris Okafor Withdraws Apology To Actress Doris Ogala, Says He Was Under Pressure
Chris Okafor, founder of Mountain of Liberty and Miracle Ministry, has withdrawn his earlier public apology to actress Doris Ogala, who had accused him of being in a seven-year secret relationship with her.
Speaking during a recent church service, Okafor said the apology was made under pressure from people he described as friends.
According to him, he initially resisted issuing an apology because he believed it would be interpreted as an admission of wrongdoing.
“You lose a fight to win a war. I was under immense pressure from certain people around me, saying I should do different things. I said that what I am being asked to do is like accepting what I did not do,” he said.
Okafor further clarified that his apology was not directed at Ogala but was meant to protect respected church leaders from being dragged into the controversy.
“Firstly, the reason why I apologised was that the fathers of faith were being dragged, and I did not want them to be dragged, Pastor Matthew and Bishop Abioye,” he said.
“There is no single apology to that person. There is no apology for what I did not do or for someone I have not met face to face. I knelt down because of those fathers, not because of any Jezebel anywhere.”
The cleric said he is now relying on the legal process to resolve the dispute.
“We have chosen the right course, and the right course will prevail,” he added.
The controversy began last year after a video of Okafor’s engagement to Pearl Okafor surfaced online.
Ogala subsequently alleged that she had been in a romantic relationship with the pastor since 2017. She claimed she ended her previous marriage at his urging and accused him of betraying her after years of intimacy and promises of marriage.
The actress later issued an ultimatum, demanding that Okafor either marry her or pay her N1 billion in damages for an alleged breach of promise.
Despite the dispute, Okafor proceeded with his marriage to Pearl in both traditional and white wedding ceremonies.
Days after the controversy escalated, the cleric publicly knelt and apologised, acknowledging aspects of Ogala’s claims about their past relationship, before now retracting that apology.
-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
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NFVCB Boss Urges Stronger Distribution Channels As Coal City Film Festival 2026 Opens In Enugu
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