Find out Abeni’s smart move, Ned Nwoko’s talk-of-the-town project, D’Banj’s struggle with reality and more in this collection

SALAWA ABENI

Popular singer, Salawa Abeni trended on social media when she played a fast one on a certain individual simply identified as Jason who threatened to blackmail her with nude photos of her taken years back.

This singer stole the thunder of the blackmailer when she swiftly released the semi-nude pictures of herself on Instagram after Jason had sent her the said photos on WhatsApp, threatening to release more to the public if Salawa Abeni didn’t pay him.

The singer said she was moved to share the photos on social media herself to thwart the move of her blackmailer, stating in a recent interview that; “For anyone to decide to blackmail me in this critical time when the world is on lockdown, battling the coronavirus pandemic is bad. So, since the person threatened to release the photo, I decided to ‘help’ him by posting the photo online myself.”

NED NWOKO

Billionaire businessman and politician, Ned Nwoko is warming his way into the hearts of his kinsmen in Idumuje-Igboko, Delta State with another laudable investment.

Celebrity Gists reports that Ned Nwoko is currently building a sports university in his serene agrarian community in Delta State known as Stars University after identifying sports education as one of the critical areas in a nation’s economic development.

Gists say the Stars University which is the acronym for Sports Technology and Arts University will offer professional first degree certificate in sports-related fields. Upon completion, the facility according to reports will boast of a three-floor academic building, top-scale art library, medical centres, Olympic-size swimming pool, and standard pitches for football, hockey and baseball.

COMEDIAN AY

Not deterred by the seeming limitations thrown up by the new coronavirus disease which has spread across the globe, ace comedian Ayo Makun aka AY has developed and released a new comedy series titled “Call to Bar”.

Celebrity Gist can confirm that the new comedy series which stars actors like; Ik Ogbonna, Williams Uchemba, Linda Osifo, Chi Gurl, Osas Ighodaro, Buchi, Broda Shaggi, and Sexy Steel, chronicles AY’s personal experience in his early days as a bartender at NNPC Junior Staff Club in Warri, Delta State.

Further reports reveal that the comedy series, which is directed by Patrick Ovoke Odjegba, is ready with the first episode entitled “The Bragger” set to premiere very soon.

D’BANJ

Despite fathering another son by his wife, Lineo Didi Kilgrow, in the United State of America on the 19th of September, 2019, ‘Koko Master’, Dapo Oyebanjo, aka D’Banj, is still struggling with the reality of the loss of his first son, Daniel Oyebanjo III, who died on June 2018.

The singer who sent tongues wagging recently when he suggested that he may be expecting a set of twins, gave away his feelings when he revealed on social media that sleeping in his room for the first time in 21 months wasn’t as easy for him as he had expected after losing his first child.

D’Banj who used the post on social media to encourage people going through any personal issues or any hardship said that he thought it would be easier for him to sleep in his room after many months but according to him, the “memories are so fresh.”

READ ALSO: What has COVID-19 got to do with Tinubu and Runtown? Is Odion Ighalo’s marriage collapsing? Here’s all the celebrity gist we tracked

BOX OFFICE LOSSES

As many continue to count their losses over closure of business due to the outbreak of coronavirus, the movie sector which has also been hit by the restriction on social gatherings has recorded huge losses as cinema houses are under lock and key.

According to the Group Executive Director, Filmhouse Cinemas / Managing Director, FilmOne Entertainment Moses Babatope, box-office figures declined by as much as N500 million during February and March as a result of the fear of the spread of the virus.

Babatope also revealed further that estimates show that losses are expected to grow to approximately N1.5 billion if cinemas remain closed for April and that figure does not include the losses from concessions such as popcorn and drinks, which could top N800 million for the same period.

PASTOR ADEBOYE

The General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A Adeboye, did the needful during the week when he contributed his own quota towards the concerted battle against the coronavirus pandemic which is fast spreading in the country.

Celebrity Gist can confirm that the clergy donated 8,000 Hand Sanitizers, 8,000 Surgical Face Masks and 200,000 hand gloves to support the efforts of the Lagos state government in equipping the medical staff with necessary protective gears needed to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

We can also confirm that Pastor Adeboye also made another donation of N20 million to the government of the State of Osun to support the state government’s effort to cushion the effect of coronavirus on the Osun residents.

TONY AWARDS

The latest industry event to be postponed because of the outbreak of coronavirus is the much anticipated Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, commonly known as the Tony Award.

The postponement of the show which was originally scheduled to air live on CBS, from Radio City Music Hall in New York City, on June 7, has been pushed back indefinitely by the American Theatre Wing, which backs the show.

“The health and safety of the Broadway community, artists and fans is of the utmost importance to us,” the American Theatre Wing said in a statement. “We will announce new dates and additional information once Broadway opens again. We are looking forward to celebrating Broadway and our industry when it is safe to do so.”

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