Tag: activism

  • Burna Boy and VDM Visit Kirikiri Prison to Free Inmates

    Burna Boy and VDM Visit Kirikiri Prison to Free Inmates

    A TikTok video by @verydarkman_official has captured the moment global superstar Burna Boy and controversial activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) visited the Kirikiri Maximum Security Custodial Centre. During the visit, Burna Boy reportedly donated $145,000 to facilitate the release of inmates held for minor offenses.

    The collaboration between the ‘African Giant’ and the social media critic has shocked many, given their vastly different public personas. The visit aims to draw attention to the plight of prisoners in the Nigerian correctional system and the need for judicial reform regarding petty crimes.

    Crowds gathered at the prison gates as the duo arrived, with Burna Boy seen interacting with the facility’s officials. This move marks a significant shift for the singer toward more direct social activism in 2026.

    As documented by The Nation Nigeria, ‘Burna Boy and VDM’s visit to Kirikiri has elicited massive talk online, particularly regarding the singer’s $145k donation.’ Vanguard Nigeria further supported the development, quoting an official: ‘The donation will be used strictly for the legal fees and fines of those eligible for release.’

    Echotitbits take: This is a masterclass in PR and social impact. By partnering with VDM, Burna Boy taps into a grassroots audience that values ‘street’ credibility and direct action. It positions him as a local benefactor.

    Source: Tribune — https://tribuneonlineng.com/burna-boy-verydarkman-visit-kirikiri-set-to-pay-fines-for-inmates/ January 5, 2026
    Photo Credit: Tribune

  • Brigitte Bardot dies at 91, closing a polarising chapter in French celebrity history

    Brigitte Bardot dies at 91, closing a polarising chapter in French celebrity history

    2025-12-28 09:00:00
    An update from Punch says French cinema icon Brigitte Bardot has died at 91, describing her as a defining face of a generation of film and celebrity culture.

    Her legacy runs in two lanes: global stardom and later decades as an animal-rights campaigner, alongside controversies tied to politics and repeated public backlash over her rhetoric.

    The renewed attention following her death is likely to reopen debates in France over celebrity influence, activism, and the boundaries of public speech.

    The Guardian quotes Emmanuel Macron calling Bardot a “legend of the century,” while AP reports Bardot once said, “Man is an insatiable predator.”

    Echotitbits take: When cultural icons die, countries argue over what to keep and what to discard. Watch how France’s media frames the balance between Bardot’s cultural impact, activism, and controversies.

    Source: The Punch — December 28, 2025 (https://punchng.com/french-film-legend-brigitte-bardot-dies-at-91/)
    The Punch 2025-12-28

    Photo Credit: The Punch