Tania Omotayo, Dabota Lawson, Lola Oj and Tomike Adeoye Celebrate as Toke Makinwa’s Daughter Yakira Turns One in London
Toke Makinwa's daughter, Yakira, marked her first birthday surrounded by family, friends and some of Nigeria's familiar fashion and entertainment faces.
Toke Makinwa didn't just throw her daughter a first birthday party—she created a little One-derland for her.
The London celebration was filled with dreamy pink and purple décor, playful details and a whimsical birthday atmosphere, giving Yakira's milestone the fairytale treatment.
Among those who came out to celebrate were Tania Omotayo, Dabota Lawson, Lola Oj and Tomike Adeoye, bringing plenty of personality—and, naturally, plenty of style—to the special occasion.
Toke welcomed Yakira in August 2025 and named her Yakira Eliana, Olakitan, Iyanuoluwa, Ikeoluwa, Adunola. She described her daughter as her “miracle” and said becoming a mother was the happiest she had ever been.
London was the place to be as Toke Makinwa’s daughter, Yakira Eliana, celebrated her first birthday surrounded by family, friends and some of her mum’s stylish inner circle.
Among those who came out for the special occasion were Tania Omotayo, Dabota Lawson, Lola Oj and Tomike Adeoye, who all joined the birthday festivities.
Tomike even gave followers a little glimpse into the excitement online, announcing that they were off to celebrate “the latest one year old in London” while cheekily referring to Toke as the “assistant birthday girl.”
And honestly, that description says a lot.
Because while Yakira was obviously the star of the day, first birthdays have a funny way of becoming celebrations of the mother too.
Yakira Is One!
A year ago, Toke introduced her daughter to the world as her long-awaited miracle.
She announced Yakira’s arrival in August 2025, describing motherhood as the happiest experience of her life and saying, “God heard, God answered.”
Now, that tiny baby is officially one.
And judging from the guest list, Toke wasn't celebrating quietly.
The Girls Came Through
Tania Omotayo.
Dabota Lawson.
Lola Oj.
Tomike Adeoye.
Didi Akinyulire.
It was giving fashion girls, media girls and friends coming together for one very special little girl.
The interesting part is that these aren't random celebrity appearances. They are familiar faces from Toke's wider social circle, making the celebration feel much more personal than a typical celebrity event.
One Year of Yakira
There's something emotional about a child's first birthday.
The baby won't remember the party.
She won't remember who travelled to London, what everyone wore or what the cake looked like.
But one day, she'll look through these photographs and see something much more important:
She was surrounded by people who came to celebrate her.
And perhaps that's the real beauty of a first birthday.
It's not just marking twelve months.
It's documenting the beginning of a life.
For Toke, this is also a completely different chapter from the one she was living a year ago. In November 2025, she described her first birthday as a mother as a moment of “mind-blowing grace,” reflecting on how dramatically her life had changed.
Now she's celebrating her little girl turning one.
Happy 1st birthday, Yakira! 🥂🎂💕
And Tomike may have called Toke the “assistant birthday girl,” but let's be honest—Mummy definitely had her moment too.
**What do you think of Yakira's London birthday celebration?**
Nollywood Actress, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Appointed Juror for Global Arts Prize for Innovation
The Global Leaders Institute announced Dakore’s appointment on its official Instagram page, introducing the actress as a member of the Arts Jury for the prestigious global prize.
According to the institute, Dakore was selected in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the film industry, her influence in the creative sector and her commitment to social impact through storytelling.
The organisation described her as one of Africa’s most celebrated screen talents whose work continues to inspire audiences across the world.
As a juror, Dakore will join an international panel of respected arts and cultural leaders responsible for reviewing entries and selecting recipients of the Global Arts Prize for Innovation.
The Global Arts Prize for Innovation recognises artists, creative organisations and cultural initiatives from around the world that use creativity to drive innovation and create positive social impact.
Winners also receive funding to support and expand their projects.
Dakore’s appointment adds to her growing list of international recognitions and further reinforces Nollywood’s presence on the global stage.
Source: @globalleadersinstitute
“I was born into Nollywood before Nollywood was born.” That is not just a statement — it is a legacy.
Fred Amata’s The Heartbeat of a Filmmaker is a deeply personal reconstruction of an extraordinary journey spanning over four decades of creative passion, sacrifice, innovation, and cultural impact.
Born into a family whose roots were already intertwined with the foundations of Nigerian theatre and screen storytelling, Fred Amata did not merely witness the rise of Nollywood — he helped shape its heartbeat long before the industry had a name.
Through intimate memories, untold experiences, triumphs, betrayals, artistic struggles, and defining moments in African cinema, the book traces the evolution of a filmmaker whose life became inseparable from the story of Nigerian film itself.
It is both a memoir and a historical reflection — a journey through the soul of storytelling, the price of vision, and the enduring spirit of a man who dedicated over 40 years to the growth of an industry that would become one of the largest film movements in the world.
The Heartbeat of a Filmmaker is not simply the story of a career. It is the story of legacy, resilience, family, culture, and the relentless pursuit of purpose through the lens of African cinema.
Adeola Diiadem former friend Berbiedoll lock horns in ugly morning fight
Lagos-based entrepreneurs Adeola and former friend Berbiedoll lock horns in ugly morning fight
Lagos-based beauty entrepreneur Adeola Adeyemi (popularly known as Diiadem) and athleisure brand founder Christiana Kayode (Berbiedoll) were once close friends in the influencer and business circles.
Their friendship reportedly ended around five years ago.
In the early hours of Friday, Berbiedoll broke her long silence after her name was dragged into the ongoing public fallout between Diiadem and Dabota Lawson. She accused Diiadem of remaining bitter, stalking her activities through personal shoppers, using staff accounts to send mean messages, and pressuring collaborators (including videographers and photographers) to choose sides.
Berbiedoll also claimed Diiadem once fired a team member simply for working with her and described the behaviour as evidence of deep-seated envy and insecurity.
‘I ate Hilda Baci food one day, I almost died, her boyfriend Dapper is a ripper’: Seyi Vibez drags his former label boss as T.I Blaze Accuses Dapper Music of ₦1.2bn Revenue Discrepancy.‘I ate Hilda Baci food one day, I almost died, her boyfriend Dapper is a ripper’: Seyi Vibez drags his former label boss as T.I Blaze Accuses Dapper Music of ₦1.2bn Revenue Discrepancy.‘I ate Hilda Baci food one day, I almost died, her boyfriend Dapper is a ripper’: Seyi Vibez drags his former label boss as T.I Blaze Accuses Dapper Music of ₦1.2bn Revenue Discrepancy.‘I ate Hilda Baci food one day, I almost died, her boyfriend Dapper is a ripper’: Seyi Vibez drags his former label boss as T.I Blaze Accuses Dapper Music of ₦1.2bn Revenu‘I ate Hilda Baci food one day, I almost died, her boyfriend Dapper is a ripper’: Seyi Vibez drags his former label boss as T.I Blaze Accuses Dapper Music of ₦1.2bn Revenue Discrepancy.‘I ate Hilda Baci food one day, I almost died, her boyfriend Dapper is a ripper’: Seyi Vibez drags his former label boss as T.I Blaze Accuses Dapper Music of ₦1.2bn Revenue Discrepancy.‘I ate Hilda Baci food one day, I almost died, her boyfriend Dapper is a ripper’: Seyi Vibez drags his former label boss as T.I Blaze Accuses Dapper Music of ₦1.2bn Revenue Discrepancy.‘I ate Hilda Baci food one day, I almost died, her boyfriend Dapper is a ripper’: Seyi Vibez drags his former label boss as T.I Blaze Accuses Dapper Music of ₦1.2bn Revenue Discrepancy.
T.I Blaze, in a series of posts, accused Dapper Music of licensing his intellectual property without mutual agreement and questioned the involvement of Virgin Music in the arrangement.
He also alleged that about ₦1.2 billion in revenue remained unexplained, while claiming that he had waited several months for the matter to be resolved amicably. 
Dabota Lawson Fires Back at Diiadem: “You Begged Me to Send Money the Day You Announced Your Aso-Ebi for Sale So Men Would Give More”
Beauty entrepreneur and Real Housewives of Lagos star Dabota Lawson has issued a detailed public response to claims made by Adeola Adeyemi (popularly known as Diiadem) regarding a ₦5 million transfer and the collapse of their friendship.
Earlier on Thursday, Diiadem shared bank transfer receipts and stated that Lawson sent her ₦5 million as a birthday gift in January 2026. According to Diiadem, after she publicly acknowledged the transfer, she was told it was a “girls’ game” and was required to return the money, which she did.
Lawson further claimed that Diiadem repeatedly asked her to invite wealthy men to her birthday party — requests she said she declined. She added that she spent well over ₦5 million spraying Diiadem at the party, brought others who also sprayed her, and produced souvenirs for the event. She also alleged that Diiadem had previously borrowed money from her and delayed repayment for months.
Beyond the money issue, Lawson addressed several other points raised in the ongoing fallout. She stated that she processed visas for both Diiadem and Churchill for a Bali trip, encouraged Diiadem to participate in a joint campaign opportunity (BIML), supported her during a difficult personal period, and even guided her through faith-related exam preparations. Lawson also referenced a change in Diiadem’s attitude after she (Lawson) successfully secured funding from a finance company that Diiadem had also approached.
Lawson challenged Diiadem to stop making indirect accusations and to state clearly and publicly what specific offence she claims Lawson committed. She wrote repeatedly: “SAY EXACTLY WHAT DABOTA LAWSON DID TO YOU.”
According to Dabota's version, Diiadem allegedly asked her to send money when she announced her aso-ebi for sale, with the purpose of making it appear that money was already coming in so that men would be encouraged to spend more. Dabota says this was not an isolated request: she claims Diiadem repeatedly asked her to invite wealthy men to her events and help create an image of financial abundance.
This is particularly interesting because it changes the meaning of the ₦5 million dispute.
Diiadem's presentation was essentially:
Dabota sent me ₦5 million as a birthday gift, called it a birthday gift, and later asked for it back.
Dabota's counter-narrative is essentially:
You asked me to send the money in the first place—and there was a reason you wanted it publicly visible.
So the two women aren't actually arguing about the same thing.
Diiadem is arguing about what the ₦5 million was.
Dabota is arguing about why the money was sent.
And that distinction is huge.
Dabota also claims she spent more than ₦5 million spraying money at Diiadem's birthday, brought other people who sprayed money and arranged souvenirs for the celebration.
The deeper tea
This makes the fallout look less like a sudden argument over one birthday gift and more like a long-running dispute over reciprocity, social access, money and image.
Dabota's accusation essentially paints the relationship as one where she was being asked to provide social capital—money, wealthy contacts, visibility and access—while Diiadem's account paints Dabota as someone who later weaponised things she had voluntarily given.
Neither version has been independently proven in full.
But there is one thing the public receipts now make difficult to dispute: money was deeply embedded in this friendship. And once money becomes part of how two people measure what they have done for each other, resentment can accumulate very quietly.
That's why this new accusation is significant.
It moves the conversation from “Why did Dabota ask for her gift back?” to:
Was the ₦5 million actually a gift, or was it part of a mutually understood social arrangement that both women now remember very differently?
i remember being g@nged up on and physically att@cked simply because I was one of the first girls around to start wearing human hair… At the end of the day, I have the grace of God… Sincere apologies to all the names I mention yesterday” - Diiadem in new Snapchat story
i remember being g@nged up on and physically att@cked simply because I was one of the first girls around to start wearing human hair… At the end of the day, I have the grace of God… Sincere apologies to all the names I mention yesterday” - Diiadem in new Snapchat story
Diiadem’s new statement — “I remember being g@nged up and physically att@cked simply because I was one of the first girls around to start wearing human hair…” — is now being circulated alongside her apology to people whose names she mentioned during yesterday’s explosive revelations. A social-media post reproducing the statement confirms the wording and says she issued an apology.
The current fallout reportedly began with Diiadem accusing Dabota Lawson of using bloggers and smear campaigns when friendships end. Diiadem specifically brought up the Sophia Momodu “boat saga” and said she became concerned after Dabota allegedly admitted to taking the story to blogger Cutie Julls.
Then Dabota came back with a much broader counterattack.
She alleged that Diiadem was jealous of her success and opportunities and claimed their relationship became strained after Dabota secured a business funding opportunity that Diiadem had also pursued. Dabota also accused Diiadem of asking her to invite wealthy men to parties and create an impression of financial success.
Then the ₦5 million entered the story.
Diiadem showed a January 12, 2026 Providus Bank receipt showing ₦5 million from Dabota, with the narration “Happy birthday in advance.” Diiadem says she publicly acknowledged the gift, only to subsequently be told that it was “girls game” and had to be returned. She says she refunded it immediately and showed the refund receipt.
But the money is only one layer.
Dabota claims she had supported Diiadem at different points, including during her pregnancy, and says she had already spent/sprayed substantial money at Diiadem's birthday celebration. Diiadem, meanwhile, says she once borrowed ₦1 million from Dabota and later repaid ₦1.5 million, including extra money for Dabota's daughter.
Then the argument moved into relationships and social access.
Dabota made allegations involving Diiadem and businessman Olakunle Churchill, including claims about a trip to Bali for which she says she processed visas for both of them. Diiadem disputed Dabota's account and brought up Dabota's alleged interest in connecting people within her social circle.
Ehi Ogbebor was subsequently dragged into the dispute after Diiadem referenced her in connection with Churchill. Ogbebor reportedly responded in a voice note, denying a romantic relationship with Churchill and accusing Diiadem of dragging her into the conflict.
And Berbiedoll also entered the conversation, describing Diiadem as a “terrible friend” and making her own allegations about their past friendship.
So what does today's “human hair” statement suggest?
This is where it gets interesting.
Diiadem appears to be pulling the conversation further back into her personal history. Instead of simply fighting about Dabota, she is reminding people that she has previously experienced hostility from women around her — including, according to her account, being physically attacked over being among the early women wearing human hair.
But there's another important detail: she is now apologising for the names she mentioned yesterday.
That suggests she may have realised that yesterday's revelations went much further than she originally intended, especially because several unrelated people have now been pulled into the dispute.
So I wouldn't interpret the apology as necessarily meaning “everything I said was false.”
It can mean:
“I said too much. I dragged people into something that was originally between me and Dabota. I'm taking responsibility for naming them.”
And that is actually a significant change in tone.
Yesterday was exposure.
Today is containment.
Whether Diiadem's human-hair story is connected to the same pattern of friendship, competition, visibility and perceived jealousy that she believes has followed her throughout her social rise—or whether she is simply recounting an old experience while trying to explain why the current fallout has affected her so deeply.
At this point, those motivations are her perspective, not independently established facts. The current reporting makes clear that both women are presenting competing versions of the friendship's breakdown.
And honestly, the ₦5 million may have been the smallest part of this fallout. The real fight appears to be about loyalty, access, business opportunities, reputation—and who gets to control the story when the friendship ends.
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