But soft life has a hard ending for many.

Let me tell you about three girls. Not statistics. Not headlines. Girls with laughter, dreams, and mothers who once plaited their hair under dim bulbs.

All Amaka wanted was a quick escape from poverty. She came from a one-room face-me-I-face-you in Ajegunle. Her mother sold akara; her father was a name spoken only in anger. Poverty sat with them at the table and slept in their flat rickety beds.

Amaka was beautiful in that careless, effortless way that needs no makeup: skin like morning, eyes that could convince you to sell freezer to an Eskimo. At 19, she was already tired of her life—tired of hawking, tired of being owed, tired of dreaming small dreams, tired of life passing her by.

Then she met Bose.

Bose wore wigs that entered the room before her. Her phone never stopped buzzing. She always had money—real money, not the kind that needed explanation. “You’re wasting your face,” Bose told Amaka one evening, sipping red wine like she owned the world.

They soon went into business.

The first time, Amaka cried in the bathroom afterward. The second time, she told herself it was just a transaction. By the third month, she had made enough money to move into an apartment in Lekki and started speaking through her nose.

Money came fast, faster than her sense could keep up with.  Each client left her with a little damage to body, psyche.

But fast money has fast shadows.

One night, she followed a “big client” to a private apartment. Big client, big money, small sense. He wasn’t alone. The story changed midway. What was supposed to be a transaction became a trap, group sex and dark ritual.

Amaka was found two days later, broken in body and spirit. No police report. No justice. Just silence and stitches, rumours and rage. The “big client” had vanished into the same Lagos night that once promised her escape. Amaka returned to Ajegunle—not with riches, but with scars no wrapper could hide. Poverty was still waiting. This time, it came with shame.

Zainab didn’t come from poverty. She just wanted to be a star. Her father was a civil servant; her mother, a school teacher. She had options—university, NYSC, a steady climb up the ladder of modest respectability.

But Zainab wanted more.

She wanted the kind of life she saw on Instagram and Facebook: Dubai trips, designer bags, destination birthdays, champagne breakfasts. She wanted to be seen. Not just known, seen.

At the university, she became popular. Not for her grades, but for her glow. Her friends whispered about “runs,” but Zainab didn’t whisper. She upgraded.

She had rules. High-end clients only. No repeat nonsense. Everything neat, controlled, curated like her social media page. For a while, it worked.

Some win for a while. A few escape unscathed. But many, like these three, pay prices that no currency can cover.

Her Instagram was a movie. Soft lighting, hard currency. Comments full of fire emojis. “Baby girl for life,” they called her.

Then one night, the movie cracked.

A jealous “friend” leaked her private chats and videos. Screenshots spread like harmattan fire. Her carefully built image turned into a public spectacle overnight.

The same people who praised her now dragged her.

Her university called her in. “Reputation issues,” they said gently, before showing her the door.

Her parents? That was the real breaking point.

Her father stopped speaking to her. Her mother cried the kind of tears that age a woman overnight. The house that once held her childhood became too heavy to breathe in.

Zainab still had money, yes. But the leaked chat had already ‘spoilt’ things and money cannot buy back dignity once it has been shredded in the market square. Her soft life was funded by rich men. The spotlight she chased became the fire that burned her.

Betty thought she was in control.

She was sharp. Street-smart. The kind of girl who believed she could enter the lion’s den and come out alive.

She didn’t see herself as a victim. Never.

“This is business,” she would say, adjusting her handbag like a CEO. “Men need something. I provide it. They pay. End of story.”

She was disciplined. Saved her money. Invested small-small. She even helped her siblings through school.

If there was anyone who could “do runs” and retire clean, it was Betty.

Or so she thought.

One evening, she met a regular client—quiet, generous, predictable. The kind that made her believe she had mastered the game. But games have hidden levels.

The man became possessive. Calls turned into demands. Gifts turned into chains. Betty laughed it off at first.

“I’m not your property,” she snapped once.

He didn’t argue. He just changed tactics.

Soon, threats followed. Subtle at first. He knew where she lived. He knew her real name, her family.

Soon, Betty started feeling stalked and suffocated and tried to cut him off.

That was when things turned dark.

One night, he showed up uninvited. Words became violence. Violence became a hospital visit.

Betty barely survived—but something inside her didn’t.

Control is a beautiful illusion until it shatters.

She left the city quietly after that. No farewell post. No dramatic exit. Just a girl who once thought she was playing chess, only to realise she had been someone else’s pawn.

It is easy to judge these girls, easier still to dismiss them.

“Na their choice.”

“Yes… and no.”

Amaka chose escape. Zainab chose attention. Betty chose control.

But beneath those choices were deeper currents—poverty, pressure, comparison, the loud drumbeat of a society that celebrates wealth but rarely questions its source.

We live in a time where “soft life” is marketed like pure water. Where patience is mocked and process is insulted. Where young girls are taught—subtly, persistently—that their value can be negotiated.

And so they negotiate.

Some win for a while. A few escape unscathed. But many, like these three, pay prices that no currency can cover.

The body remembers. The mind keeps receipts. Society never forgets.

And the night, that beautiful, dangerous night, always collects its dues.

Because the truth is this: not every fast road leads forward. Some are just shortcuts to places you can never return from.

So when next you see the glitter—the hair, the bags, the curated laughter, look closer. Sometimes, behind the shine is a story struggling to breathe.

Too many times, that story ends badly.

*Egbemode (egbemode3@gmail.com)

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The post INTIMATE AFFAIR: Soft life, hard ends, By Funke Egbemode appeared first on Frontpageng.

The producers also said the cinema release would be preceded by a global premiere in the United Kingdom on August 29.

Veteran Nollywood star, Ibinabo Fiberesima, released the film’s trailer on Instagram with the caption, “The First of Its Kind! A movement, not just a movie”.

The star-studded blockbuster, directed by renowned filmmaker Fred Amata, is produced by Ibinabo Fiberesima, an actress and former president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN.

The movie features a seasoned cast, including Nkem Owoh, Monalisa Chinda, Columbus Irosanga, Uju Okoli, and Ibinabo Fiberesima herself, who also takes on a lead role in the film.

READ ALSO: Six die in Katsina building collapse

Set in 1892 Niger Delta, ”Amanyanabo: The Eagle King” chronicles the true-life story of King Ibanichuka, the last sovereign ruler of Okrika, as he faces colonial forces and internal betrayal.

The historical drama depicts an organised African city-state with thriving politics and challenging stereotypes of pre-colonial African governance and social systems.

Filmed in the creeks and marshlands of Okrika, the production captures the beauty, conflict and resilience of the Ijaw people.

With its star power, historic narrative, and cultural depth, ”Amanyanabo: The Eagle King” promises to be a cinematic milestone for Nollywood and a groundbreaking portrayal of African history on the big screen.

Source: NAN

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Police spokesperson in Lagos State, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this on Monday in Lagos.

He said that the incident happened on Saturday at about 10:30 a. m., at Apano Street, off Nurudeen Obe Street, in Ejigbo.

Hundeyin said that a distress call was received at Ejigbo Division that the fence of a school collapsed and fell on three persons.

“The fence collapsed on Amaka, 30; Etim, 28; and Emmanuel, 12, all residents of Ejigbo, while they were walking home during the heavy rainfall.

READ ALSO: Tanker accident claims three lives in Lagos

“As a result, the victims sustained serious injury and became unconscious.

“They were rescued and rushed to Isolo General Hospital for treatment, where Etim and Emmanuel were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.

“Amaka is still receiving treatment at Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi,” he said.

The image maker said that based on the report, detectives from the division visited the scene.

He said that the hospitals were also visited, where the surviving victim and corpses were inspected and photographed.

The spokesperson said that the corpses had been deposited at the hospital’s morgue for autopsy.

According to him, investigation is in progress.

Source: NAN

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INEC had failed to transmit results electronically from polling units nationwide in the February 25 presidential election despite assuring electorates before the election day.

Logistics glitches, violence, intimidation of voters, ballot box-snatching, and insecurity dominated reports from observers and civil society groups.

Speaking during Public Conscience, an anti-corruption radio programme produced by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development, PRIMORG, Wednesday in Abuja, data analyst at Dataphyte, Dennis Amata, called on INEC to prevent a repeat of logistics and technology glitches, as well as other forms of electoral malpractice ahead of March 11, state elections.

Amata asked the Prof. Mahmood Yakubu-led commission to adhere to its guidelines and ensure the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, and INEC Result Viewing Portal, IREV, works.

Amaka noted that the failure of the electoral body to transmit election results from polling units cast doubt on the credibility of the process.

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was declared the winner of the February 25 presidential poll, sparking outrage and dissatisfaction from some political parties, some local and foreign observers, and some electorates over the manual transmission of results.

His words: “INEC must take a big lesson from what we experienced in the general election, which are issues of logistics, the IREV particularly is the major thing.

“INEC must ensure that things work. You (INEC) made a promise. They must keep to that promise. You have regulations and guidelines. Follow the guideline, ensure that the BVAS work properly, and transmit and scan the result uploaded on the IREV so that people at every level can track the result from each level to the final point.

“INEC must also boost security, especially in Lagos state where we had violence in the election. In Rivers also, there were issues of rigging and all of that. Those are comments we have seen. This must also stop. INEC must play its part. Citizens also have their role when voting, counting and ensuring the result is uploaded.”

Similarly, speaking on the integrity and transparency of the 2023 presidential election, Chief Facilitator at Equity Advocate, Ene Ede, stressed that “many things went wrong” while blaming INEC and the National Assembly.

Her words: “We (Civil society organizations) and Nigerians didn’t do enough to hold all stakeholders accountable, media CSOs, faith organizations, we didn’t do enough.

“Let me give you an example. When there was a problem with whether INEC had gotten money, we were not even pushy enough; we were not holding the National Assembly accountable enough. The National Assembly has to bring so much light to each responsibility of holding all stakeholders accountable; they failed in all their functions, even in the appropriation; we are not sure what transpired or how much money was released because we know what the Electoral Act states, so generally, the preparation was not good enough. The failure rests more squarely on the National Assembly, then INEC.”

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Modella, who joined two weeks into the show as a fake housemate was evicted on August 28.

In a zoom media chat, Modella said she was sure she delivered good vibes and energy on the show and never disappointed her fans.

She also said she did justice to her role as a fake housemate.

“Coming into the show, I promised bringing in good vibes and energy which I did to the best of my ability.

“Going into the show, I had no idea of what to do, I went in like every other person there, on the scale of 10, I will rate myself 10, I did justice to my task as a fake housemate,” she said.

According to Modella, her eviction was not shocking as she knew she was leaving that night having shared all her “pocket naira”.

READ ALSO: BBNaija: Amaka evicted as Biggie introduces new eviction twist

“I knew I was going to leave, it didn’t come as a shock for me, I already shared my money, it is a win-win situation for all. I am happy, I was able to sell myself in a short while.

“I have not had any sad moment since my eviction, it is okay for me, I am enjoying myself,” she said.

Commenting on her “situationship” with fellow housemate, Bryan, she said, “I love our friendship and I only wanted to maintain that in the house, I like him as a friend but he wanted more.”

According to Modella, she is ready to welcome any business that comes her way as a fashion designer, film maker, actor, model and skin care expert.

Source: NAN

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Amaka during a zoom interview session with newsmen in Lagos said that aside being more focused, the show also taught her a few morals.

“The Big Brother Naija show has been a springboard to sell my brand, I met different people and the show has taught me to be more focused in life.

“l learnt a lot on the show, it has made me realised that I am me and I am in the best position to modify myself, I need to stand up for myself at all time and I learnt that women are strong beings.

“My eviction was also a sad one for me but I am trying to live on the energy I am getting from my fans. I had pure love for the housemates but it is what it is.

“I already knew I was going to be nominated but didn’t see the eviction coming,” she said.

READ ALSO: BBNaija: Modella emerges overall winner for Showmax challenge

She noted that going forward, she remained open to every sector of the entertainment industry and would be as focused and hardworking as much as she could.

According to her, the most challenging of all the tasks in the house was the “Supa Komando” challenge which she never participated in.

She said it was such a painful one for her when Biggie disqualified her from participating due to her refusal to engage in a mini task ahead of the “Supa Komando” challenge.

“I enjoyed every bit of my stay in the Big Brother Naija house, I found all the arena challenges interesting,” she said.

Amaka, who was at a point in the house sanctioned by Biggie for leaving the microwave oven on until it got burnt, said she was heartbroken due to the incident.

“Leaving the microwave oven burnt was not intentional, the sight of the burnt remnants of the microwave oven left me heartbroken.

Amaka predicted that either Hermes or Phyna would finally win the grand prize of N100 million as they had good fan base and were also doing well on the show.

She described Hermes as an intelligent individual.

“For me, I feel either Hermes or Phyna will win the grand prize because they have good number of fans and I can see Hermes as an intelligent fellow.

“Hermes is one person I will love to roll with after the show; he is real; he gives good counsel; he is one person I can have as my friend after the show,” she said.

Amaka was evicted on August 29 after Biggie introduced a twist in the game.

The housemates were made to nominate their fellow housemates for immediate eviction.

Amaka was nominated for possible eviction by Chomzy, Gidifia, Adekunle, Bryan, Eloswag and Dotun.

Source: NAN

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This came after Biggie, the coordinator of the show introduced a new eviction twist to the game.

Biggie had asked all the housemates to nominate two fellow contestants for immediate eviction and Amaka got the highest nominations.

Biggie announced the eviction to the housemates at the lounge, following their nominations.

Amaka left the house leaving some of her fellow housemates emotional, most especially, Phyna, who wept uncontrollably.

READ ALSO: BBNaija: Chomzy emerges first female Head of House

After Amaka’s eviction, Biggie announced that all the housemates were up for possible eviction which would hold on Sunday.

Amaka was nominated for possible eviction by Chomzy, Gidifia, Adekunle, Bryan, Eloswag and Dotun.

Recall that Modella, one of the fake housemates was evicted on Sunday during the eviction night show.

19 housemates are currently on the show, bidding for the grand prize of N100 million.

Source: NAN

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In a statement by the NBBF president, Engr Musa Kida, the federation described the demise of the member of the D’Tigress 2003 Afrobasket Championship as tragic which has left the basketball team in deep shock and state of mourning.

“The former First Bank captain will forever remain in our heart because we have lost an irreplaceable gem. Her career trajectory and achievements indicated that she was a true professional.”

Kida described her as one of the best point guards that ever came out of Nigeria as she strode the domestic and international stage like a colossus.

“Generations to come will read about her and be inspired. She was a good example of what every girl child should be.”

The late Amaka won series of gold and silver medal for the Lagos State women basketball team at the 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006 national sports festival

At the club level, she was part of the invincible First Bank Women’s team that dominated and won the Zenith Women National Basketball league from 2002 to 2009.

READ ALSO: Peter Aluma’s demise leaves NBBF in shock

The former Nigerian international was part of the D’Tigress team that clinched the 2003 and 2005 Afrobasket championship titles and the 2003 All African Games gold medal.

Apart from her string of successes, she was part of the First bank team to win the 2003 and 2009 Afrobasket Club Championships.

She was appointed as First Bank’s assistant coach between 2007 and 2010.

“We pray that her gentle soul finds a perfect peace in the bosom of her maker as those of us left behind deal with the vacuums left in our hearts.”

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