Entertainment
National Theater: The Bankers’ Committee “made me eat my words – Soyinka
President Tinubu stated that there was no controversy surrounding the renaming of the National Theatre, adding that he considered Prof. Soyinka’s contributions to the arts and culture.
•From left: First Lady Oluremi Tinubu; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Prof Wole Soyinka and Lagos State Governor Babajide-Sanwo-Olu…yesterday.
Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka says that before the renovation of the National Theatre, located at Iganmu, Lagos, he thought it was irredeemable, but the Bankers’ Committee “made me eat my words.”’
The renovated edifice was renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, by President Bola Tinubu, as parts of events marking Nigeria’s 65th independent anniversary, yesterday.
Soyinka praised the transformation of the building, noting, “If eating one’s word produces a morsel like this, then it’s a very tasty set of words.”
Soyinka emphasized that he accepted the renaming of the National Theatre after him : ” I never believed that the monument could ever be revamped.”
He admitted that he accepted the honour with mixed feelings, despite being a critic of many past leaders, who appropriated public monuments.
“I have to stand up in public and watch my name being put up as yet another appropriator. It just didn’t seem very well for me,” the literary giant said.
The Bankers’ Committee committed N68 billion into the project.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the occasion directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to float a National Arts Theatre Endowment Fund to ensure the maintenance of the national edifice.
Among the prominent persons at the event were First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, who coordinated the Bankers’ Committee, Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi, who is a former CBN governor; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.
The Bankers’ Committee committed N68 billion into the project.
President Tinubu said there was no controversy in the National Theatre being renamed, adding that he considered Prof Soyinka’s contributions to the arts and culture. Prof. Wole Soyinka is one of the greatest assets of the world. So, the renaming could not have gone to anyone else,” he said.
President Tinubu stated that there was no controversy surrounding the renaming of the National Theatre, adding that he considered Prof. Soyinka’s contributions to the arts and culture.
Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, disclosed that the Bankers’ Committee, the Lagos State Government, and the Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy came together with a shared purpose to deliver this national project, with the Bankers’ Committee alone committing approximately N68 billion, not as corporate social responsibility but as a deliberate investment in Nigeria’s cultural future.
He said that the project stands as proof that when the public and private sectors unite behind a shared national purpose, there is no limit to what Nigeria can achieve.
The CBN boss stated that 65 years after our nation’s founding, Nigeria’s creative spirit remains alive, pervasive and shaping global culture.
Entertainment
Popular US actress Imani Dia Smith Stabbed To Death
Smith’s 35-year-old boyfriend, Jordan D. Jackson-Small, has been arrested and charged in connection with her death
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.
Entertainment
Grammys to honour Fela with special merit award
The Recording Academy described Fela as the “architect of Afrobeat,” noting that the late musician is among ten people to be honoured with the special award.
Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti will be honoured with a special merit award at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
The organisers of the prestigious award, Recording Academy, announced this via a post on Instagram on Friday, December 19, 2025.
The Recording Academy described Fela as the “architect of Afrobeat,” noting that the late musician is among ten people to be honoured with the special award.
The academy said the Afrobeat legend will be honoured with a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award on January 31, 2026.
Entertainment
Gbenga Bada Urges NIJ Students: Embrace Passion, Professionalism in Entertainment Reporting
Seasoned Nigerian entertainment journalist Gbenga Bada has called on students of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) to approach entertainment reporting with unwavering passion and strict adherence to professional standards.
Speaking at a recent engagement with students at the prestigious journalism institution in Ogba, Lagos, Bada, who serves as Assistant Entertainment Editor at *The Nation* newspaper, emphasized that the dynamic field of entertainment journalism demands more than mere reporting—it requires genuine enthusiasm and ethical rigor to stand out in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
“Entertainment reporting is not just about chasing headlines or celebrity gossip,” Bada reportedly told the aspiring journalists. “It thrives on passion for the arts, culture, and stories that shape our society, combined with the professionalism that ensures accuracy, fairness, and credibility.
“Bada, known for his in-depth coverage of Nigeria’s vibrant entertainment industry—including music, film, and celebrity features—drew from his extensive experience to inspire the students.
He highlighted the importance of building strong ethical foundations amid the rise of digital media and social platforms, where misinformation can spread rapidly.
The session, part of NIJ’s ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between academia and industry practice, resonated with attendees, who praised Bada’s practical insights into navigating the challenges and opportunities in entertainment journalism.
As Nigeria’s creative sector continues to grow globally, voices like Bada’s underscore the need for a new generation of reporters equipped not only with skills but with the drive to elevate the profession.
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