After the disappointments and setbacks of the previous month, which included losses at AFCON and the Grammy’s, many Nigerians approached March 2024 with a sense of hope for better things. However, little did they know that this third month had its own share of letdowns in store, catching netizens off guard. While March did have a few scattered victories, the overall tone of the past month was far from joyful. From heartbreaking departures to incidents of kidnapping, issues with network connectivity, and an unexpected twist at the end of the month, here are the most viral and trending news stories that captured our attention during the last 31 days.
RIP NOLLYWOOD LEGENDS
March began on a somber note as the renowned Nollywood actor Tolani Oyebamiji, popularly known as Sisi Quadri, passed away at the general hospital in Ogbomoso, Oyo. He had been undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness. Sisi Quadri was widely recognized for his witty one-liners and humorous roles in Yoruba movies and social media skits. Tragically, his demise coincided with the release of his latest movie, “Anikulapo: Rise of the Specter,” in which he portrayed one of the three ghost characters in the mystical epic series directed by Kunle Afolayan.
Adding to the sorrow, the following day, the veteran Nollywood actor and beloved comedian, Mr. John Okafor, fondly known as Mr. Ibu, passed away at the age of 62. He succumbed to cardiac arrest at Evercare Hospital in Lagos, following multiple surgeries aimed at saving his life, including the amputation of his leg. After his passing, his adopted daughter Jasmine took control of his TikTok account, renaming it after herself and deleting videos that did not feature her, which was met with criticism for her self-centered actions.
However, the string of celebrity deaths did not end there. On the 24th of March, another esteemed Nollywood actor, Amaechi Muonagor, passed away at the age of 62 due to kidney failure. Just days prior to his demise, Amaechi had taken to his social media platforms to seek assistance for his medical condition, making his loss even more poignant.
Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to the families of these late actors. May we always remember and honor their legacies and the valuable contributions they made to the industry.
BANDITRY AND KIDNAPPING
On Thursday, the 7th of March, a distressing incident unfolded in Kuriga, Kaduna State, as bandits abducted over 130 pupils and teachers from Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School. The abductors forcibly took them into the forest, causing nationwide outrage. Demanding a ransom of N1 billion, the kidnappers set a deadline of March 27, 2024, for the payment. Initial reports suggested that 287 individuals had been abducted, but subsequent investigation and clarification revealed that the actual number of victims was 137.
In response to the abduction, the federal government of Nigeria assured the public that all efforts would be made to safely rescue the abductees. True to their word, and in what can be considered one of the few positive news stories of the month of March, the kidnapped victims were eventually released and joyfully reunited with their families. The Kaduna State Government officially confirmed the release of the 287 schoolchildren from Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area, in a statement issued by Governor Senator Uba Sani on Sunday, the 24th of March.
Moving forward, we expect that the federal and state governments, along with intelligence and military agencies, will collaborate closely to ensure improved security in the region and prevent such incidents from occurring again.
KAI CENAT VISITS NIGERIA
On March 9th, popular American streamer Kai Cenat embarked on a memorable visit to Nigeria, where he had the time of his life. The content creator was warmly hosted by Nigerian actor and comedian Shankcomics, who ensured he had an incredible experience. During his stay, Kai had the opportunity to meet with the mega Afrobeats star Davido and also crossed paths with the infamous Cubana Chief Priest. It was quite amusing to witness the streamer’s reactions as he documented the cultural shock he experienced while living in the country for a few days. However, there was no doubt that he thoroughly enjoyed his time in Nigeria.
Upon his return to the US, in a streamed video, Kai expressed his gratitude to everyone who made his visit memorable. He shared that he had a remarkable time, even surpassing his own expectations. Although he departed on the 13th of March, he has already expressed his intentions to return to Nigeria in December, indicating his eagerness to revisit the country.
INTERNET GOES M.I.A
There’s a peculiar sense of timing surrounding the events of this month, giving the impression that the obstacles are somehow deliberate or planned. Despite fluctuations in the value of the dollar, the cost of goods and services continues to rise, and Nigerians typically seek solace by immersing themselves in the internet as a distraction from their problems. Therefore, it was quite alarming when data connectivity suddenly became unreliable right in the middle of the month, precisely when it would cause the most inconvenience.
According to reports, the internet outage was a result of damage to international undersea cables that supply connectivity to Nigeria. As a consequence, numerous individuals experienced difficulties accessing websites and apps, particularly X, and encountered slow network speeds and long page loading times. The banking sector was also affected as the limited network connectivity disrupted their day-to-day activities and transactions, consequently leading to a surge in complaints and issues. Subsequently, it was discovered that the damaged undersea cable had also impacted other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, not just Nigeria.
While internet access has indeed improved compared to its abysmal state during the middle of the month, internet service providers have revealed that it may still take up to a month to fully resolve the issue.
MILITARY DEATHS IN DELTA
Also during the middle of the month, another deeply tragic incident unfolded. Sixteen Nigerian soldiers lost their lives while on a mission to quell clashes between two communities in the southern state of Delta on Thursday, the 14th. These troops, belonging to the 181 Amphibious Battalion stationed in the Bomadi region, had been deployed to address the conflict in the Okuoma community. However, they were tragically killed by enraged youths during a communal clash that arose from a land dispute between the Bomadi and Okuoma communities.
In response to this horrific event, the Nigerian military and the Defense Headquarters expressed their determination to apprehend the culprits responsible for the soldiers’ deaths and ensure that justice is served. Burial arrangements have been made for the fallen soldiers, with a ceremony scheduled for March 27. The President will attend as the special guest of honor, paying tribute to the deceased soldiers. Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to the families of the deceased soldiers.
BEST DRESSED FEMALE ISN’T FEMALE
The month, despite being marred by tragedy, also witnessed some internet drama. During the Lagos premiere of the new movie “Ajanaku: Best of Two Worlds” on March 25th, there was an unexpected and amusing twist when the award for ‘Best Dressed Female’ went to someone nobody anticipated. The event was graced by fashionable Nollywood A-listers such as Toyin Abraham, Mercy Aigbe, Odunlade Adekola, Femi Adebayo, Sola Sobowale, and many others, known for their flair and glamour. However, in a surprising turn of events, the award for ‘best dressed female’ was given to Bobrisky, whose birth name is Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju. Bobrisky, the controversial influencer who, despite being born male, became a crossdresser and later underwent a transition.
The award for ‘Best Dressed Male’ was won by former BBN housemate Groovy, but it did not garner as much attention as the fact that a biological male, Bobrisky, received the award for ‘Best Dressed Female.’ Further adding insult to injury, Bobrisky was awarded a cash prize of 1 million naira for the accolade.
The event sparked a wave of reactions, mostly negative. Many questioned the sensibility of the organizers and judges who awarded Bobrisky, as it meant overlooking actual women who attended the event. Leading the critics was Nollywood star Dayo Amusa. Additionally, the presenter of the award, actor Femi Adebayo, who also stars in the movie, faced criticism.
Amidst the backlash, the organizers and judges of the award night came forward to clarify that awarding Bobrisky the best dressed female award was meant as a ‘joke’ to promote their movie and nothing more. However, one cannot help but wonder how many people would be inclined to watch the movie after the controversial stunt they pulled.
As we reflect on the month of March, with its mix of tragedies and dramas, there is a collective hope that April will bring better days. It’s possible that there may have been some trendy news that didn’t make it into this article. If you believe there are important stories we overlooked, please let us know in the comment section. We value your input and encourage you to engage with us on all our social media platforms.
