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LAST MINUTE: 2021 Miss World pageant cancelled after 23 contestants test positive for COVID-19

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The Miss World 2021 beauty pageant billed to be held December 16 in Puerto Rico was postponed at the last minute after 23 participants tested positive for COVID-19.

The organisers said the global broadcast finale was postponed due to health and safety interest of contestants, staff, crew and general public

The finale will be rescheduled at Puerto Rico Coliseum Jose Miguel Agrelot within the next 90 days.

Here is the statement issued late Thursday:

After meeting with the virologists and medical experts hired to oversee the Miss World 2021 event and discussing with the Puerto Rico Health Department, the decision has been made by the organizers of the event to postpone the globally broadcast finale at the Puerto Rico Coliseum Jose Miguel Agrelot to be held within the next 90 days.

As of yesterday, additional safety measures were implemented in the best interest of the contestants, production team and spectators, understanding the event increased risks on the stage and in the dressing room.

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However, after additional positive cases were confirmed this morning after consulting with health officials and experts, the postponement decision was made.

The next step according to the medical experts is immediate quarantine, pending observation and further testing according to best practices in situations like this.

Once and only when contestants and staff are cleared by health officials and advisors, will contestants and related staff return to their home countries.

“We are very much looking forward to the return of our contestants, (who we have grown to know and love), to compete for the Miss World crown” said Julia Morley, CEO of Miss World Ltd.

Puerto Rico offers a safe environment and a spectacular backdrop for filming the Miss World Festival!”

One of the contestants affected by COVID-19 is Telangana native Manasa Varanasi, who would have represented India at the international contest.

“We were in great disbelief that she might not be able to grace the world stage inspite of her immense hard work and dedication, however her safety is of utmost importance to us,” the Miss India Organisation posted on their Instagram.

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“We can’t wait to welcome Manasa back home, nurture her back to health and send her back stronger, healthier and happier.”

The Miss World Malaysia organisation also confirmed that their contestant Lavanya Sivaji had tested positive.

Last year’s Miss World was cancelled due to the pandemic and so the reigning beauty queen is 2019 winner Toni-Ann Singh from Jamaica.

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Entertainment

Olu Jacobs laid to rest in Lagos

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Family, friends and colleagues gathered for the funeral service of veteran actor Olu Jacobs on Friday, as his remains were laid to rest at the This Present House Church, Lekki, Lagos.

The service was witnessed by members of the entertainment industry and other dignitaries, who came to pay their last respects to the late thespian.

Among those who paid their respect was entertainment entrepreneur, Darey Art Alade, who performed his hit song Pray For Me, featuring Olu Jacobs and his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva.

The actor’s son, Olugbenga Jacobs, also presented his father’s biography during the funeral proceedings.

The burial follows a Night of Tributes held on Wednesday at Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos Island, where Nollywood stars and well-wishers gathered to honour the late icon.

Jacobs died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84.

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Lateef Adedimeji rewards first 10 winners of Baba Eta Challenge on DusDus

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It was a moment of excitement and celebration in Lagos on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, as popular Nollywood actor, Lateef Adedimeji, personally presented prizes to the first 10 winners of the recently concluded Lateef Adedimeji (Baba Eta) Challenge on DusDus.

The presentation, which took place at the DusDus office in Lagos, brought together the winners, representatives of the platform and the award-winning actor, who appeared delighted to personally celebrate participants who distinguished themselves in the challenge.

Coker Oluwarantimi who came first in the challenge received cheque of 1million naira while Ajewole Ayomide and others received 200,000 naira each.

The Baba Eta Challenge, which leveraged Adedimeji’s popularity and his much-loved “Baba Eta” persona, provided fans and followers with an opportunity to participate in a fun-filled digital campaign while competing for prizes.

For the winners, meeting the actor in person added an extra layer of excitement to what had already been an engaging experience.

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Rather than simply having the prizes distributed on his behalf, the actor chose to personally hand them over to the first 10 winners, turning the presentation into an intimate celebration of creativity, participation and the growing relationship between entertainers and their digital audiences.

Adedimeji’s collaboration with DusDus further highlights the evolving relationship between entertainment personalities and digital platforms, where challenges, audience participation and creator-led campaigns are increasingly becoming powerful tools for engagement.

The prize presentation also underscored the importance of recognising audience participation in digital campaigns. For the winners, what began as a social-media challenge culminated in a face-to-face encounter with one of Nollywood’s popular faces.

With Adedimeji personally presenting the prizes, the Baba Eta Challenge ended not merely as another online campaign, but as a memorable experience for its first set of winners.

DusDus is an entertainment and creators contest app that empowers young Nigerian content creators to create, share and win rewards for their video posts in a variety of engaging challenges. It is available for free downloads on playstore and Applestore.

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BREAKING: Veteran actor Olu Jacobs dies at 84

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Veteran actor, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.

Jacobs’ passing was disclosed by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, in a post on Instagram on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, saying the family was grateful for his life and asking the public to respect their privacy.

“It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought, that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and uncle. The Lion of Lufodo.

Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs (MFR)

11/07/1942-16/09/2026

We call on all bloggers and social media influencers to respect our families privacy at this time.”

Olu Jacobs was one of Nigeria’s most prominent veteran actors, with a career spanning theatre, television and film.

He was also a film executive and a major figure in the development of Nigeria’s contemporary film industry.

Olu Jacobs was widely recognised for his commanding performances and roles across Nigerian and international productions, earning him a lasting place in the country’s entertainment history.

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