• Allwell Ademola ‘s coffin

Nollywood stars on Friday bid a final farewell to actress, producer and filmmaker Allwell Ademola, who was buried in Lagos amid grief and emotional scenes from colleagues, friends and family members.

Videos from the burial showed sombre moments as Ademola’s coffin was lowered into the grave, with several colleagues struggling to hold back tears.

Actress Liz DaSilva was visibly emotional at the graveside, while actors Rotimi Salami, Biola Adebayo, Saheed Balogun and Kunle Afod were present during the final rites.

The burial followed a candlelight procession held in her honour on Thursday night, led by actors Fathia Balogun, Femi Adebayo and Iyabo Ojo.

The procession began hours after a service of songs organised at LTV8 in Lagos.

Several Nollywood figures attended the service of songs, including Wumi Toriola, Afeez Owo, Faithia Williams, Mr Latin, Odunlade Adekola, Eniola Ajao, Yemi Solade, Bakare Zainab, Foluke Daramola and Jigan Babaoja, among others.

During the service, Salami, described by colleagues as one of Ademola’s closest friends, delivered an emotional tribute and appealed for forgiveness on her behalf.

He said, “If there’s anyone Allwell has offended, directly or indirectly, please, forgive her and keep praying for her.”

He added, “I think the only thing we can actually do is to find a way in unity to keep her legacy. Even if she’s gone, let all that she has done stay with us and be with us.

”The service of songs also showed a moment of reconciliation after Ademola’s brother publicly apologised to Iyabo Ojo over comments he made following his sister’s death.

•Ambassador of Portugal to Nigeria, Paulo Martins Santos (middle).

The Ambassador of Portugal to Nigeria, Paulo Martins Santos, has praised the quality and cultural depth of the Carnival Calabar, describing his first experience of the festival as impressive and full of potential for greater international recognition.

Speaking during his visit to Calabar, Santos said he was struck by the organisation and seriousness of the events, starting with the children’s festival, which he attended shortly after he arrived in the state.

Contrary to his expectations of a simple children-focused parade, the ambassador said the event reflected strong planning, symbolism and cultural intent, setting the tone for what he was told would be a series of even bigger spectacles, including the bikers’ parade and the main carnival procession.

Santos, who has lived in Nigeria for more than two years, said he experienced no cultural shock in Calabar, noting the long-standing historical ties between Portugal and Africa, including Nigeria.

He explained that shared history and cultural exchanges over more than five centuries have created a familiarity that makes Portuguese visitors feel at home across the continent.

On hospitality, the ambassador described his reception as exceptional, praising the warmth of his hosts and the opportunity to explore not just Calabar but also parts of neighbouring Akwa Ibom State.

Imani Dia Smith, a Broadway actor best known for playing Young Nala in the stage adaptation of ‘The Lion King’, was stabbed to death at her residence in New Jersey. She was 25 years old.

According to a statement by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, authorities responded to a 911 call reported a stabbing at a residence on Grove Avenue at 9:18 a.m. on December 21.

“Upon their arrival to a residence on Grove Avenue, they discovered Imani Smith, 26, of Edison with stab wounds,” the release stated.

“Smith was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she was ultimately pronounced deceased.”

Smith’s 35-year-old boyfriend, Jordan D. Jackson-Small, has been arrested and charged in connection with her death.

“Moreover, Smith and Jackson-Small knew each other before the incident; thus, it was not a random act of violence,” the prosecutor’s office said.