• Peter Igho

The Palace of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, has announced that the formal turbaning ceremony of Chief Peter Igho as Kakakin Daular Usmaniyya will take place on November 1, 2026.

Chief Peter Igho is a legendary Nigerian broadcaster, television producer and media icon.

A former Executive Director at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), he is best known as the Producer/Director of timeless classics such as Cock Crow at Dawn and other pioneering programmes that defined Nigerian television.

He is a recipient of numerous national and international awards for broadcasting excellence and has mentored generations of media professionals.

Chief Igho, who hails from the Niger Delta, is also a respected cultural ambassador and community leader noted for his philanthropy and commitment to national integration.

The prestigious traditional title was conferred on Chief Igho by His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on September 10, 2025, in recognition of his invaluable contributions to the development of the Sultanate Council, Sokoto State, and Nigeria in general.

The ceremony is expected to be witnessed by prominent Nigerians from all walks of life, and across the country, serving to further cement cordial relations and national unity among the diverse peoples of Nigeria.

The Sokoto Caliphate, also known as Daular Usmaniyya, was founded in 1804 by the great Islamic scholar and reformer, Shehu Usman Dan Fodio.

It remains one of the most significant empires in African history, renowned for its scholarship, administration, justice and promotion of Islamic values.

At its peak, it was the largest state in West Africa.

Today, the Sultanate Council, under the Sultan of Sokoto, remains the pre-eminent custodian of its heritage and a central institution for Islamic leadership, peacebuilding, and national cohesion in Nigeria.

Veteran Nollywood actor, producer and director Steve Echendu has died after battling an undisclosed illness, adding to a wave of grief currently sweeping through the Nigerian film industry.

The news was announced by his colleague, Wisdom Nwankwo, in a Facebook post in which he expressed deep pain over the loss of two industry figures within five days. Nwankwo also mourned media personality Austinfair Nwaulu, who died days earlier and was buried on Tuesday. He described Echendu as one of the “gladiators” of Nollywood’s formative years and a key figure associated with OJs Production.

“I don’t take chills in doing this, but I am really touched and pained,” Nwankwo wrote. He urged people to check on friends who had been absent from their social media timelines, noting the unpredictability of life. “Just a space of five days, oh Lord, let your will always prevail.”

Echendu was known for his work both in front of and behind the camera. His film credits include Fury (2019), Knockout Blessing (2018) and Infant at Heart (2024). Colleagues remembered him as a dedicated contributor during the period when the Nigerian home-video industry was expanding and consolidating.

His death comes just hours after the industry also lost veteran actor Francis Duru, whose family announced his passing on 23 October 2026 at the age of 57 following a brief illness. The back-to-back losses have left many in Nollywood in shock.

As of Saturday morning, details about Echendu’s exact age, the nature of his illness and burial arrangements had not been made public. Tributes continue to pour in from colleagues and fans across social media.

Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, his family confirmed in a statement released on Friday, October 23, 2026.

The family announced the news on Duru’s official Instagram page, writing: “We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness. We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”

The confirmation followed a tribute the previous day from Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), who posted: “Another great thespian gone… Rest in peace Francis Duru!!”

Duru rose to prominence in the mid-1990s with his role as Ahanna in Amaka Igwe’s 1995 film Rattlesnake. He began his acting career in 1989 and built a decades-long presence in Nollywood, appearing in numerous productions and earning recognition for his versatility. He served as interim president of the AGN in 2010 and received a United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in 2007 for his positive influence on youth.

Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, graduating in 1996. He is survived by his wife, Adokiye, and their children. The family had previously lost a son, Ifeanyi, in 2024.

In June 2026, Duru publicly dismissed circulating videos and speculation about his health, assuring fans he was well. His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and fans across the industry.