Legendary Nollywood icon Pete Edochie has once again debunked rumours of his death, dismissing the latest viral claim as yet another false alarm.

The 78-year-old screen legend, fondly known as Ebubedike, confirmed he is alive and in good health, expressing frustration over the repeated hoaxes that have trailed him for years.

This latest rumour follows a long pattern of fabricated stories dating back to 2012, with false claims suggesting he died abroad, perished in a plane crash, or passed away under mysterious circumstances.

Speaking during a telephone conversation with Vanguard, Edochie made it clear that reports of his death are completely untrue.

“I’m alive and will die when my maker calls me home,” he said firmly.

“I’ve Been Killed Seven Times”

The veteran actor revealed that he has been falsely declared dead at least seven times.

“I have been killed about seven times. There was a time they said I travelled abroad and died there. At other times, they said the plane I boarded from Enugu to Ethiopia suddenly crashed and I didn’t survive,” he recounted.

He also shared how one of the rumours affected his family.

“There was a day my wife woke up to prepare for church service when her phone rang and someone told her I had passed away that morning. Last year, someone from Ghana alleged that Pete Edochie was already in the grave,” he added.

Despite the disturbing nature of the rumours, the veteran actor remains calm and philosophical about the situation.

Lessons from Zik and Family Longevity

Edochie referenced advice he once received from Nigeria’s first President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, during an interview.

“There was something late Nnamdi Azikiwe taught me. He said anybody wishing you death will die before you. All those people who wished Zik death died before him,” he said.

The respected actor also pointed to longevity in his family as a source of confidence.

He will celebrate his 79th birthday on March 7 and revealed that his father lived up to 96 years.

“My father died at 96, so we have longevity in my family,” he stated.

A Living Legend

Pete Edochie remains one of Nollywood’s most respected figures. He holds the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) and has received the AMVCA Industry Merit Award in recognition of his immense contribution to the Nigerian film industry.

Despite persistent online death rumours, the legendary actor is alive, well, and still commanding respect across generations.

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Afrobeats superstar Davido has melted hearts online after celebrating his daughter Imade Adeleke’s victory at her school’s singing competition with a special outing in Lagos.

Imade, Davido’s daughter with Sophia Momodu, emerged first place at the competition held over the weekend, earning a gold medal and a ₦100,000 cash prize for her performance.

A visibly proud Davido took to Instagram to share photos and videos of the moment, praising his daughter’s achievement and expressing joy over her talent and confidence on stage.

To mark the win, the singer treated Imade to a lavish lunch at an upscale restaurant in Victoria Island, arriving in style in his rare white Lamborghini Revuelto, reportedly worth about $1.6 million. The appearance drew attention as police escorts and cheering onlookers gathered around the luxury car.

Fans were particularly charmed by selfies shared by Davido showing him and Imade widely described as his lookalike smiling together, as well as clips of the young star enjoying a smoothie and burger during the outing.

Social media users flooded the comment sections with praise, calling the moment “pure daddy-daughter joy” and applauding Davido for publicly celebrating his child’s achievement.

Many fans also noted the emotional significance of the moment, coming after the personal losses Davido has endured in recent years, describing the celebration as a heartwarming reminder of family, resilience, and happiness.

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Reality TV star and entrepreneur Mercy Eke, winner of Big Brother Naija Season 4 (Pepper Dem), has added another milestone to her achievements as she graduated from the University of Sunderland, United Kingdom.

The proud moment was celebrated in London, where Mercy shared photos from the graduation ceremony, drawing congratulatory messages from fans, celebrities, and fellow BBNaija alumni. Dressed in her academic gown, the reality star beamed with joy as she marked the completion of her postgraduate studies.

Mercy, who has consistently spoken about the importance of education alongside her entertainment career, described the achievement as a personal win and a reminder that it’s possible to balance fame with self-development.

Since winning BBNaija in 2019, Mercy Eke has built a strong brand across entertainment, fashion, and business, and her latest academic feat further cements her reputation as one of the most successful alumni of the reality show.

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Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh has warmed hearts online after reuniting amicably with her ex-husband, Olakunle “Churchill” Churchill, during a family meeting with their son.

The reunion, which took place in January 2026 at the residence of popular cleric Pastor Jerry Eze, marks a significant turn in the once-bitter relationship between the former couple, whose marriage collapsed between 2015 and 2017 amid public allegations of infidelity, domestic disputes, and a prolonged custody battle.

In videos that have since gone viral, the ex-couple were seen sharing tender moments with their son, who happily moved between both parents. Dressed casually, the atmosphere appeared relaxed and cordial, a sharp contrast to the years of hostility that once defined their relationship.

Announcing the reconciliation earlier in January, Dikeh credited prayers, humility, and personal growth for healing what she described as “nearly a decade of bitterness.” The actress revealed that her son played a key role in the breakthrough, explaining that his prayers moved Churchill to release passport documents that had previously delayed her travel plans.

According to Dikeh, this act marked the first time she felt at peace speaking positively about her son’s father, signalling a new chapter built on mutual respect and co-parenting.

Fans and colleagues across social media have praised the development, applauding both parties for prioritising their child’s emotional well-being and embracing reconciliation for his sake.

The reunion has been widely celebrated as a rare and encouraging example of growth, forgiveness, and responsible co-parenting in the Nigerian entertainment space.

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South African singer Tyla has emerged winner of the Best African Music Performance category at the 2026 Grammy Awards, defeating top Nigerian stars Burna Boy, Davido, and Ayra Starr.

Tyla clinched the prestigious award with her song Push 2 Start, edging out Burna Boy’s Love, Davido’s With You featuring Omah Lay, Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s Gimme Dat, as well as Hope & Love by *Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin.

The win marks Tyla’s second Grammy Award, further strengthening her position as one of Africa’s fastest-rising global music stars. In just three years, the singer has now amassed an impressive 48 career awards, highlighting her rapid ascent on the international stage.

The Best African Music Performance category, introduced to spotlight African sounds globally, once again showcased the continent’s musical depth. Nigerian artistes dominated the shortlist, with three Nigerian acts Burna Boy, Davido and Ayra Starr earning nominations, reflecting Nigeria’s continued influence in global African music.

Tyla’s victory has sparked widespread celebration across Africa, as fans and industry stakeholders applaud her growing impact and the continued global recognition of African music at the Grammys.

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