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“I’m Familiar with Grief” – Editi Effiong Discusses His Connection with ‘The Black Book’

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By Milcah Tanimu

In response to critics of the portrayal of grief in the movie ‘The Black Book,’ Editi Effiong, the producer and director of the project, shared a personal connection with the main character, Paul Edima, portrayed by Richard Mofe-Damijo.

During a conversation with Chude Jideonwo, Effiong revealed that grief was not an unfamiliar emotion to him, as he had experienced the loss of two dear people in painful ways. He addressed the criticism by saying, “I read someone in the comments; one says the grief in the black book was so superficial and people don’t grieve like that… No, you do not know grief more than I do. You see, my youngest brother was my first child… I lost him to cancer; it’s the worst way to die.”

Effiong went on to share another heart-wrenching experience of losing his son after a lengthy struggle. He recounted the painful decision he had to make when he received a call about his wife’s condition while she was giving birth, saying, “I just left America, got back to Lagos, and then I got called. My wife is in the hospital, and we were having a child, and I had to answer the question, Who do we save? My child is born 24 months and then he’s not going to make it.”

‘The Black Book’ narrates the story of a father seeking revenge for the unjust killing of his son by an old adversary from his dark past. The film delves into the complexities of grief when a loved one is lost and touches on themes such as corruption.

Effiong also discussed the challenging journey of marketing the film for two years after completing production in 2020. He described the numerous rejections the movie faced, with feedback such as “It cannot be an original because there are certain standards it hasn’t met.”

Upon its release, ‘The Black Book’ achieved significant success, quickly becoming the third-most-watched film on Netflix globally between September 25, 2023, and October 1, 2023, with 11.2 million views and 21.3 million hours of viewing recorded. The film remained in the top 10 global rankings for English films on the streaming platform for an additional three weeks.

The movie garnered views from 69 countries, including South Korea, the United States of America, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Kenya, Martinique, Panama, Poland, Romania, Venezuela, and Nigeria, subsequently breaking global records.

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Entertainment

Mercy Johnson-Okojie and Daughter Purity Drive Girls Tag: A New Era in Period Care for Nigerian Families

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Nigeria’s menstrual health landscape is set for a major transformation with the introduction of Girls Tag, the country’s first all-in-one period care kit. At the forefront of this groundbreaking launch are actress and philanthropist Mercy Johnson-Okojie and her daughter Purity Okojie, who have been unveiled as co-brand ambassadors. Their involvement underscores the brand’s mission to combine authenticity, family values, and empowerment in addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing young girls today.

For years, inadequate access to menstrual education and hygiene products has left many Nigerian girls unprepared for their first period. Girls Tag was created to bridge this gap, offering a complete solution that blends practical care with educational support. By doing so, it aims to normalize conversations around puberty and ensure that families have the tools to guide their daughters with confidence.

Mercy Johnson-Okojie explained why the initiative resonates deeply with her: “As a mother, I want my daughter to step into womanhood without fear or embarrassment. Girls Tag is doing exactly that—helping families replace shame with pride and confusion with confidence.”

A key highlight of the Girls Tag kit is Mercy’s newly authored book, “Youberty”, a puberty guide for boys and girls aged 10–13. The book, included in every pack, provides relatable advice and reassurance, ensuring that children feel understood and prepared as they navigate adolescence. This educational component sets Girls Tag apart, making it not just a product but a holistic support system.

The kit itself is carefully curated to meet the diverse needs of young girls. It includes premium sanitary pads in multiple sizes, overnight period pants for maximum absorbency, panty liners, disposable bags for safe disposal, and a stylish, discreet carrying pouch. Together, these items provide comfort, dignity, and ease, ensuring that girls can manage their periods confidently both at home and in school.

Eddie Madaki and Oche Ejiga of iBlend Services, the regional agency for Girls Tag, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership: “Mercy and Purity’s voices are genuine. Their journey together mirrors the experiences of countless Nigerian families, making them the perfect ambassadors for Girls Tag. This collaboration positions the brand perfectly for the Nigerian audience.”

Girls Tag is scheduled to be available nationwide in Q2 2026, through retail outlets, pharmacies, and malls, as well as direct sales via the official website and social media handle @girlstag.ng. The brand’s distribution strategy ensures accessibility, making it possible for families across Nigeria to benefit from this innovative solution.

With Mercy Johnson-Okojie and Purity leading the charge, Girls Tag is more than a product launch—it is a business innovation with social impact. It represents a cultural shift toward normalizing menstrual health, empowering families, and ensuring that every girl grows up with pride, knowledge, and confidence.

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Entertainment

Imisi has been crowned the winner of Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) Season 10.

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Show host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu made the announcement during the grand finale on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

She walked away with the ₦150 million grand prize, courtesy of the show’s sponsors

The top five finalists are Koyin, Dede, Imisi, Sultana, and Kola.

Earlier,  Kaybobo, Isabella, Mensan, and Jason Jae were evicted from the show.

The BBNaija season 10, which began with 29 housemates, ended in spectacular fashion as Imisi triumphed over Dede, who finished as runner-up.

Recall that Imisi revealed that she has no fixed plan for the grand prize if she emerges as the winner, stressing she would first seek professional financial guidance before deciding how to spend the money.

During her final diary session with Big Brother on Sunday, the housemate appeared both excited and reflective as she spoke about her journey, the lessons she had learned, and her hopes for life after the show.

She said, “Honestly, right now I don’t have a set plan for the money.

“I need to seek financial advice first because I’ve never had such a large amount before. I Want to Avoid Costly Financial Mistakes”

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Abuja-Lokoja Highway Gridlock: FRSC Blames Motorists’ Impatience

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By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has expressed frustration over motorists’ lack of cooperation in easing the gridlock on the Abuja-Lokoja highway.

Kogi State Sector Commander, Kumar Tsukwam, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that officials had been battling since Sunday to clear the traffic, which stretched from Ogbobo/Ozi to the Murtala Mohammed Bridge in Koton-Karfe.

He attributed the gridlock to ongoing road construction, broken-down vehicles on the single lane, and motorists’ impatience.
“Some drivers blocked opposing lanes, worsening the situation. We are doing our best to restore free movement for travellers,” Tsukwam said.

Motorists and commuters lamented the hardship caused by the standstill. Mohammed Yusuf, a driver, said he spent nine hours travelling from Abuja to Lokoja on Sunday.
“I left Abuja before 3 p.m. but didn’t reach Lokoja until midnight. The fuel wasted on the road is unbearable, especially with current prices,” he said.

Another traveller, Christopher Adamu, recounted spending the entire night in traffic after leaving Abuja in the evening. He urged authorities to take urgent measures to address the situation.

NAN reports that a construction company is currently working on the right lane of the highway between Koton-Karfe and Abaji, forcing traffic onto a single lane and worsening congestion.


Do you want me to make this more hard-news (short, direct, fact-heavy) or human-interest focused (emphasizing the commuters’ suffering and quotes)?

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