Entertainment
NFVCB Approves 304 Nollywood’s New Films
English-language productions dominated the industry with 201 films classified within the period under review. Igbo-language productions accounted for 44 films, while Yoruba recorded 42. Hindi films stood at nine, Hausa productions accounted for five, while Bini-language films recorded three classifications.
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) declared that it approved and classified 304 films between January and April 2026.
In a statement, Director of Film Censorship and Classification at the board, Deborah Malgwi, said that the figure represented an increase from the 267 films classified during the same period in 2025.
Classification data released by the board shows that January 2026 recorded the highest number of approvals with 102 films, followed by 83 in February, 77 in March and 42 in April.
In comparison, the board classified 25 films in January 2025, 58 in February, 114 in March and 70 in April of the same year.
The statistics also showed that English-language productions dominated the industry with 201 films classified within the period under review. Igbo-language productions accounted for 44 films, while Yoruba recorded 42. Hindi films stood at nine, Hausa productions accounted for five, while Bini-language films recorded three classifications.
Further analysis indicated that most productions fell within the “15” and “18” age categories, reflecting prevailing themes in contemporary film productions.
Entertainment
Nigerian-British Singer Talay Riley Dies in London Stabbing, Others Mourn
Grammy-winning Nigerian-British singer and songwriter Talay Riley, whose real name was Mark Yinka Orabiyi, has been stabbed to death at the age of 35 in East London, sparking an active murder investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
Emergency services responded to reports of a stabbing around 9 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026, at a property on Pankhurst Avenue in Silvertown. Riley was found with multiple stab wounds in the garden of the property and was pronounced dead at the scene despite paramedics’ efforts.
A second man was also injured in the incident and hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries. Police arrested three individuals nearby on suspicion of murder; two have since been released, while a 27-year-old man remains on bail pending further inquiries.
Born in Nigeria and based in the UK, Talay Riley was renowned as a hit songwriter who collaborated with global stars including Dua Lipa, Usher, Chris Brown, Britney Spears, Nick Jonas, and Khalid. He also worked closely with Craig David on the 2018 album The Time Is Now.
Tributes have poured in from the music industry. British rapper Stormzy commented, “I’m sorry, bro.” Craig David wrote: “Sending so much love to you and the family. His beautiful energy will continue to be felt and shown from the other side.”
In a family statement, relatives described Riley as a “beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend whose kindness, talent, and spirit touched many lives.” They added: “We will always cherish his kindness, beautiful spirit, and remarkable talent.”
Homicide detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation and have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
Entertainment
Legendary Beauty and the Beast singer Peabo Bryson dies at 75
As news of his passing spread, fans and fellow artists took to social media to share tributes, celebrating a career that bridged decades, genres, and cultures, leaving behind a timeless body of work that continues to resonate with listeners worldwide.
The velvet-voiced R&B balladeer and two-time Grammy Award winner, Peabo Bryson whose soaring duets defined a generation of Disney classics, has died at 75.
Bryson is survived by his wife, Tanya Boniface Bryson, his children, and his grandchildren.
His family confirmed that the singer passed away peacefully on the evening of Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
The news follows reports from earlier in the week that Bryson had been receiving medical care after suffering a stroke.
In a heartfelt statement, his family expressed both their grief and their gratitude for the life he lived.
“For more than five decades, Peabo’s extraordinary voice served as the soundtrack to some of life’s most cherished moments,” the statement read.
“His music carried generations through joyful celebrations, great love stories, and enduring moments of comfort and inspiration, creating a legacy that will forever live in the hearts of those who loved him and the countless lives he touched through song.”
Born Robert Peapo Bryson on April 13, 1951, in Greenville, South Carolina, he began his professional musical journey in the 1970s.
Over the course of his distinguished career, he established himself as one of R&B’s most consistent and respected performers, celebrated for his smooth tenor and emotional range.
While his solo catalog featured numerous hits—including “Feel the Fire,” “I’m So Into You,” and “Can You Stop the Rain”—Bryson gained international fame for his legendary collaborations. He is perhaps best known for his work on two of Disney’s most iconic animated films:
“Beauty and the Beast” (1991) where his duet with Celine Dion -the film’s title track- and earned him his first Grammy Award.
Also, “A Whole New World” (1992) which is his collaboration with Regina Belle for Aladdin became a global phenomenon, winning him a second Grammy and cementing his status as a master of the romantic power ballad.
Beyond his commercial success, peers and colleagues remembered Bryson for his deep passion for his craft and his genuine connection to his fans.
Comedian and television host Loni Love, reflecting on a recent encounter with the singer on a cruise ship, described him as someone who spoke with immense love for his music and shared stories with profound warmth.
As news of his passing spread, fans and fellow artists took to social media to share tributes, celebrating a career that bridged decades, genres, and cultures, leaving behind a timeless body of work that continues to resonate with listeners worldwide.
Entertainment
Kanye West performs to 118,000 in Turkey, heads to the Netherlands
The 48-year-old rapper is set to perform in the Netherlands on June 6 and 8.
• Kanye West
US rapper Kanye West on Saturday performed for two hours in Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium to an audience of 118,000, state-run Anadolu Agency said.
Among the audience were fans from Britain, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Poland and the Middle East, Anadolu said.
The 48-year-old rapper is set to perform in the Netherlands on June 6 and 8.
Ye has faced a global backlash, not least for his release of “Heil Hitler”, a song promoting Nazism.
In April, Britain denied Ye entry on grounds that his presence would not be conducive to the public good, forcing the cancellation of a planned appearance at the Wireless Festival in London.
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