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Why I quit Nollywood for 15 years, took up cleaning job in UK — Sola Sobowale

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Multi-awards winning Nollywood actress, Sola Sobowale, has made a shocking disclosure about her decision to relocate to the UK temporarily 11 years ago.

The 56-year-old actress broke her 15-year acting hiatus in 2016.

Fortunately for her, she landed a role in the record-breaking movie ‘The Wedding Party’ upon her return.

The actress opened up about the circumstances that led to her quitting acting for the first time on a recent episode of #WithChude, with the Co-founder of Joy, Inc., Chude Jideonwo.

‘WithChude’ is a unique series of targeted multimedia conversations and investigations focused on narratives that enable and strengthen the mind, heart, and spirit.

The mother-of-five, whose parents were in academia, recalled how, desiring to give her kids the best education, she took them to the UK and left them alone.

During the interview, she said that every parent must cater for their kids.

She said: “Children did not ask to be born. When you decide to have children, you must be ready to take full responsibility for those children.

“They are beautiful creatures. You don’t bring them to this world to suffer. You don’t bring them to this world for anybody to take care of them. You brought them. Then stay with them and do the work.”

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Leaving Nigeria
During her next visit a month later, she recounts, she noticed that things were different with them.

“They weren’t the kids that I took. That motherly touch was not there. So I said ‘to your tent o Israel’. I’m here with my children. So I left stardom.

“The reason I left Nigeria was to guide my children, to make them somebody in life, to give them the legacy I could give and to nurture and take care of them.

“So that was why I left. And to God be the glory, they are successful now,” she said

Dignity in labour
Giving context to the sacrifice she made, the actress said that before leaving Nigeria, she starred in many movies and made good money.

Going down memory lane, she recalls that she shot a movie, ‘Christ in Me’ in Enugu, which opened doors for many other projects.

“I was earning (N)800,000 back in the year 2000. So when I came back to Lagos, I came back with about N5 million. And I left that for 7.50 pounds per hour job in England.

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“And I’m proud. And there is nothing this woman cannot do because I know what is called dignity in labour.

“I will sweep from here to Kenya or Ghana as long as it puts food on my table and put clothes on my children and shelter on my head,” she said.

She recalls how she did menial jobs like cooking, sweeping and cleaning offices in London.

“My life is colourful. On the train or the bus, I wear my uniform with the company’s name.

“Then I hear Nigerians talking, asking if I’m the one. When I say yes, they ask what I’m doing here. I then ask them, you, what are you doing here? I’m glad. I’m happy. Now it’s history,” she added.

Background
As an actress, Ms Sobowale’s acting career spans over four decades.

She opted out of a College of Education to follow her dream by going to Ibadan, then the hub of entertainment in Nigeria. She initially enrolled as a secretary in training at Sight & Sound, Ibadan.

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However, Tunji Oyelana (Sura De Tailor), who married her older sister, Kikelomo, enrolled her in the University of Ibadan’s Department of Music. But she would later switch to Theatre Arts.

Before the limelight, Ms Sobowale had roles in classic series like ‘The Village Headmaster’ and ‘Mirror in the Sun’ and a couple of stage productions, including Femi Osofisan’s ‘Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again’.

“I was lucky to work with Adebayo Salami, and we shot ‘Asewo To Re Mecca’,” she said.

Her first shot at stardom was from playing the now iconic role of Toyin Tomato in Wale Adenuga’s ‘Super Story’ series titled ‘Oh Father! Oh, Daughter’.

Upon her return to the industry in 2016, she starred in Nollywood’s box office hit, ‘The Wedding Party’ and its sequel.

She also played the lead role in the acclaimed movie ‘King of Boys’ and its follow-up series, ‘The Return of the King’.

In July 2022 she landed her first Bollywood role in director Hamisha Daryani Ahuja’s forthcoming film.

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Burial dispute: Oyo police intervene as Toluwanisings’ wife, father, others sign peace deal

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The controversy surrounding the burial plans for late Olayemi Bolaji, better known as Toluwanisings, may have been laid to rest following the intervention by the Oyo State Police Command.

There have been several reports of disagreements between the late singer’s family and associates over his burial arrangements.

But the police command disclosed on Tuesday that the parties have signed a peace undertaking at its headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, after being invited by the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga.

The intervention followed concerns over allegations of conspiracy, defamation of character and conduct capable of causing a breach of the peace amid public exchanges over the singer’s death and burial.

In a statement issued and signed by the Oyo Police Command spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka,  it was stated that the Commissioner of Police received information about the disagreement on October 28, involving the singer’s family and associates over the proposed burial arrangements.

According to the statement, “In view of the potential implications of the disagreement for public peace and order, the Commissioner of Police, exercising his statutory responsibilities under Section 4 of the Police Act and other relevant provisions of the law, directed that all parties be invited to the Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, for an intervention aimed at preventing further escalation and facilitating an amicable resolution.”

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The parties who signed the undertaking included the singer’s wife, Olayemi Elizabeth Damilola; his father, Muniru Olayemi; and his friends and associates, Oyindamola Esther, Babadunni Gbolabo and Lawal Ademola Rafiu.

His personal assistant and other representatives were also present.

The disagreement had centred on where the singer should be buried.

His father had reportedly proposed that he be buried at the house he built or beside his late mother in Osun State, while his wife was said to have opposed the idea of burying him in their home.

According to the police, the parties agreed to maintain peace and good behaviour, refrain from actions capable of causing a breach of the peace and discontinue public exchanges, interviews and discussions that could worsen the disagreement.

The command said, “Under the terms of the undertaking, all parties agreed to maintain peace and be of good behaviour, refrain from any act capable of causing a breach of the peace, and discontinue public exchanges, interviews and discussions capable of inflaming tensions or aggravating the existing disagreement surrounding the unfortunate demise of the singer and related issues.”

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The police added that the parties also agreed to stop circulating information, allegations and publications about the matter through social media, print media, radio, blogs and other communication channels.

The undertaking further requires them to ensure that their proxies, agents, associates and representatives do not make, sponsor, amplify or circulate publications capable of reigniting the dispute.

The Commissioner of Police warned that the agreement must be respected by all parties and those acting on their behalf.

The statement quoted him as cautioning that “no individual should take advantage of the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the singer’s demise to instigate hostility, promote unsubstantiated allegations or engage in conduct capable of disrupting public peace.”

It added that anyone whose actions constituted an offence under applicable laws would be arrested and prosecuted.

The command also appealed to members of the public, bloggers and media practitioners to exercise restraint and avoid amplifying unverified information capable of reigniting tensions.

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Toluwanisings died in Ibadan on October 14, 2026, after reportedly slumping. His death generated controversy over allegations that several hospitals turned him away while efforts were being made to obtain emergency medical attention.

His personal assistant, Babadunni Gbolabo, had alleged that the singer was taken to seven or eight hospitals before his death. The University College Hospital, Ibadan, however, said it had no record confirming that he was brought to the facility.

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Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru dies at 57

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Veteran Nigerian actor, Francis Duru, has died at the age of 57.

The actor’s family announced the news of his passing on his official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, revealing that he died following a brief illness.

“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the post reads.

“We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”

Earlier in June, the actor denied viral reports claiming he was battling a life-threatening illness.

The rumours gained traction after footage showing him in a frail condition circulated widely on social media, raising concern among fans and colleagues.

In response, Duru shared an Instagram video describing the footage as “fabricated and malicious”.

Duru was born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon, to parents of Nigerian origin from Imo state. He completed his primary and secondary education in Cameroon before relocating to Nigeria to pursue a university degree.

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He gained admission to the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers state, where he studied Theatre Arts and earned a B.A. degree in 1996.

He made his entry into the Nigerian film industry in 1989 with a movie titled ‘Missing Mark,’ directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko.

His appearance in the film did little to advance his career at the time, as he was still considered an up-and-coming actor.

He gained greater recognition in the industry in 1995 after appearing in ‘Rattlesnake,’ an action-comedy produced by the late Amaka Igwe. Duru played a notable role in the film as the character Ahanna.

Over the course of his career, Duru received numerous awards and honours for his work. He was named a United Nations ambassador of peace in recognition of his positive influence on young people. In 2020, he won the :Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo)’ award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in ‘Mboputa’.

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Duru married his wife Adokiye in 2003, and the couple had four children together. They lost Ifeanyi, one of their children, in August 2024.

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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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