Entertainment
TAFTA Celebrates Alumni Spirit and Community Growth at ÀRÌRÀ 2025
Terra Academy for the Arts TAFTA successfully hosted the maiden edition of ÀRÌRÀ, an alumni homecoming designed to strengthen creative connections and celebrate the achievements of its growing community. The event took place on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos, and brought together alumni from multiple cohorts across Lagos, Ogun and Kano.
ÀRÌRÀ delivered an engaging cultural experience that highlighted creativity, collaboration and community spirit. The gathering featured performances, storytelling, food, competitions and an atmosphere of shared purpose. One of the standout moments of the evening was a spoken word performance by Divinefavour Udechukwu, a TAFTA alumna whose delivery captured the essence of resilience and artistic expression.
![]()
A major highlight of the event was the official launch of the TAFTA Young Women Advisory Group YWAG. The initiative is designed to elevate young women within the academy’s network by providing mentorship, leadership training and structured support to help them thrive in the creative marketplace. The launch was met with excitement from alumni who described it as an important step toward building a more inclusive and empowered creative community.
The evening also featured a friendly inter cohort competition that brought participants together in a display of talent, teamwork and creativity. Alumni representing different years showcased their energy and skills in a series of performances that added vibrancy to the event and strengthened the sense of belonging within the TAFTA community.
![]()
Speaking on the success of the event, JO Umoibom, Academy Lead at TAFTA, expressed pride in the continued growth of the alumni network. He said, “ÀRÌRÀ has become a reminder of why TAFTA exists. We are not only training young creatives, we are building a community that continues to support one another long after the classroom experience. The energy, creativity and camaraderie we witnessed tonight reflect the strength of this network and the potential it holds for the future.”
Chinedu Isagbah, Programs Manager for Lagos State, also emphasized the importance of alumni engagement. He said, “The creative economy grows stronger when communities stay connected. ÀRÌRÀ reinforces the importance of continuous learning, mentorship and collaboration. I am excited to see how this gathering contributes to the professional and cultural ecosystem TAFTA has worked hard to create.”
![]()
![]()
With over 57,000 young creatives trained across its three locations and more than 32,000 already employed in various creative fields, TAFTA continues to position itself as a catalyst for transformative skills development and industry empowerment. ÀRÌRÀ served as both a celebration of alumni achievements and a reaffirmation of the academy’s commitment to sustaining a vibrant and supportive alumni network.
For media inquiries or more information, please contact [email protected]. Follow TAFTA on social media at @tafta_academy
—END—
![]()
Entertainment
“My colleagues copy my outfits, hairstyles, and the way I talk and walk” – Angela Okorie laments
Nollywood actress Angela Okorie is advocating for a copycat police in the industry.
In her Instagram story, she claimed that the number of colleagues who copy her in the industry is high.
According to her, people copy her outfits, hairstyles, even the songs she uses in her videos, and the way she talks and walks.
Calling them yeyebrities, she questioned why they can’t admit they like her and instead choose to copy her style and claim they did it first.
“If I start to put together pictures of people copying me, internet go scatter nah.
In fact, we need a copycat police in our industry.
I mean, dem don copy my outfits, hairstyles, down to the songs I use in my videos. Even to the way I talk and walk.
So-called yeye brities, like, why don’t you tell me you like me?
Rather, you copy my styles and act as if you did it first, Goddamit.
Say it; it makes you more real,
‘I wanna be like you’
Then stealing people’s styles and acting as you did it first, Ndi oshi.
Copy copy akaria in this raining season.
Am not smiling this period, I fit wounjo person wey resemble me o”.
![]()
Entertainment
“This is insensitive” – Mixed reactions as Sam Larry reportedly makes his first public appearance after surviving ghastly accident
Nigerian socialite Sam Larry has reportedly made his first public appearance after surviving a ghastly accident which claimed his bouncer’s life.
It was reported over the weekend that the music promoter was involved in a road accident along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos State. According to reports, the vehicle carrying Larry and his bouncer collided with a trailer, leaving the car severely damaged.
While Larry survived the accident and is reportedly receiving treatment in the hospital, his bouncer lost his life.
In a video captured online, speaking live from the hospital bed, Larry gave fans an update on his situation, saying he is doing well and expected to be discharged soon. He, however, said he can’t walk and would be relying on a wheelchair to move around for a while.
In an update, it seems Sam Larry is hale and hearty, as he has reportedly made his first social outing since the incident.
He was captured on a video making the rounds online, amid his friends as they celebrated him.
The friend who posted the video expressed gratitude to God for his life.
“Thank God for life blood”.
Sam Larry reportedly makes his first public appearance after surviving the accident. pic.twitter.com/SMYnDhaNqp
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) July 10, 2026
The news has left many outraged, especially knowing that a life was lost.
One King Amen wrote, “This is very insensitive. O. Someone died in that accident, and they are here laughing
One Arsenal Gyokeres wrote, “So they are happy he survived and forgot the bouncer that lost his life; this world is evil
One E! wrote, “So the person that died at the scene isn’t human? Isn’t this too insensitive?
One Femi wrote, “No regard for the life lost? Age doesn’t amount to common sense
One Winning Wunmi wrote, “But the other person lost his life. This is so insensitive, please
One Big Dreams wrote, “Bounder don die, Sam Larry don move on with his life
One Rayy Abdul wrote, “I wonder what the family of the bouncer will be feeling right now seeing this
One teejay_uzo wrote, “Someone passed away, and instead of them being sober, they are shining teeth
One queenellachris wrote, “Na the bouncer I pity, at the end life goes on”.
In 2024, Larry also survived a car crash. Speaking online, he expressed gratitude for his life, saying that God will complete his healing soon.
The news of his survival made many unhappy, and it may have stemmed from the fact that he’s not well liked ever since Mohbad’s death.
Recall that Naira Marley and Sam Larry lost the admiration of Nigerians when a video of Sam assaulting the late Mohbad surfaced online.
The video sparked a flurry of reactions from the online community and led to the cancellation of Naira Marley and his label.
The duo were arrested and kept in police custody for more than five weeks but were released on November 17th after they met their bail conditions. Following their release, the singer and his aide have been engaging in several charitable deeds to win back the hearts of Nigerians.
![]()
Entertainment
“How I started crying in movies to differentiate myself from Odunlade Adekola” – Lateef Adedimeji
Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji has shed light on how his crying character in movies started.
While speaking with Morayo Afolabi Brown, he said that when he came into the industry, people used to call him that guy who looks like Odunlade, but he wanted people to know him for something specific, hence his crying talent.
Lateef Adedimeji crying in movies
He noted that he became popular for his crying role, and people used to call him the crying machine and identify him with it, even without knowing his name.
“At some point, people started calling me the crying machine. They don’t know my name, but they describe me as that guy that cries a lot in movies.
When I came into the entertainment industry, people used to call me that guy that looks like Odunlade, but I wanted people to know me for a particular thing, hence my crying talent”.
Speaking about his Iya Peju character, he said it started during lockdown, and wasn’t something he took seriously until people started asking for more.
“The Iya Peju character started in lockdown, and it wasn’t something I took seriously until people started asking for more”.
“At some point, people started calling me the crying machine. They don’t know my name, but they describe me as that guy that cries a lot in movies”
“When I came into the entertainment industry, people used to call me that guy that looks like Odun, but I wanted people to know me… https://t.co/lj0odeGPIq pic.twitter.com/HKdTIM4Tf5
— Just Eniola 💜 (@JustEniola01) July 9, 2026
The father of triplets spoke about his journey after receiving an Icon Award at the Africa Illustration Awards. He said that when he set out on his journey, the goal was to find creative ways and make a name for himself. Now, he went from looking up to icons to becoming one.
At the 12th edition of the AMVCA on Saturday, Lateef’s movie Lisabi won Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa) and Best Makeup. While receiving his award, he dedicated it to his wife, who has given him three children.
Last year, Lateef, while reflecting on his journey, recalled how people questioned his colleague, Yewande Adekoya, when she handpicked him for a role, but she stood firm and saw the future. Lateef said when his personal production failed, he almost gave up, but he kept hustling and did lots of free work before heaven smiled on him.
In a previous post, while reflecting on his journey, he admitted it wasn’t smooth. However, that’s what makes the triumphs sweet, hence why his heart can’t be filled with gratitude.
The talented actor opened up on his pre-fame journey recalling how the man who trained him in the Yoruba movie industry told him that he would fail within one year. The movie star stated that he replied to the man, telling him to give him two years, and he would see what he would become.
![]()
-
Entertainment5 years agoBBNaija: “Shameful For A Married Woman” – Boma, Tega Doing ‘Stuff’ Under Duvet Sparks Outrage (See Video)
-
Entertainment4 years agoSinger, Oxlade In Big Mess After His Sex Tape With A Strange Lady Surfaces Online (Watch Video)
-
Entertainment6 years agoBBNaija: Kiddwaya Sucks Erica’s Boobs, Licks Dorathy’s Neck In Truth Or Dare Game (Video)
-
Entertainment3 years agoI’m Not Ashamed Of My Leaked Nude Photos, Ifunanya Confesses (See Photos)
-
Crime1 year agoNDLEA intercepts Saudi, UK-bound cocaine in lipsticks
-
Entertainment6 years agoI’m Not Sick But Only Lost Some Weight – Kiss Daniel
-
Crime1 year agoNDLEA seizes N3.4bn worth of opioids in Lagos, PH, uncovers drugs in chocolate tins
-
Entertainment5 years agoHow Women Should Act During Sex – Actress, Blessing Okoro Reveals (Vdeo)



