What’s Trending: Tourism, Olu Jacobs, Cosplay & Lagos’ All-White Party

Nigeria’s tourism and creative sectors are getting a new push as MyCityApp Nigeria, alongside government and private-sector stakeholders, launched the Ember to Remember National Digital Events and Experiences Calendar.

The calendar brings festivals, concerts, cultural events, food, fashion, nightlife, hospitality and other experiences from around Nigeria into one place. The idea is to make it easier for Nigerians, visitors and members of the diaspora to find things happening across the country.

The initiative was unveiled at a conference at Eko Hotel in Lagos focused on the possibility of turning Nigeria’s tourism and creative economy into a much larger economic sector. The event brought together government officials, tourism operators, technology companies, creatives, hospitality businesses and media organisations.

The platform is also part of the wider Ember to Remember 2026 campaign, developed with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy. MyCityApp already operates MyLagosApp, which brings together events, attractions, restaurants, transport and other city services for Lagos users.

Nollywood is mourning one of its most recognisable actors.

Olu Jacobs died at 84 on September 16, 2026, with his family announcing his death and asking the public to respect their privacy. His wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, described him as “The Lion of Lufodo” and paid tribute to a life she said was well lived.

Jacobs' career stretched across more than five decades, taking him from British television and theatre to international productions and eventually becoming one of the defining faces of Nigerian cinema. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and received several major honours during his career, including the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor and the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic.

He and Joke Silva also founded the Lufodo Group and Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, extending their work beyond acting into film production, distribution and training.

For many Nigerians, Jacobs represented a generation of actors who helped give Nollywood the professional depth and international recognition it has today.

For Lagos-based cosplayer and gamer Lazeelolita, anime started as a childhood obsession and became a reason to learn a whole range of practical skills.

She began making her own costumes because finding anime and character costumes in Lagos was difficult. What started with improvising outfits eventually led her into sewing, makeup, wig-making, carpentry and prop design.

Her work has also come with its share of misunderstanding. She recalled being called a “devil worshipper” after creating a Yamato costume from One Piece because of the character’s horns.

Now she is looking beyond cosplay itself. Lazeelolita says she is exploring mechatronics to build more complex costumes and wants to take her costume and prop-making skills into Nigeria’s film and music-video industries.

Her story is a good example of how a niche interest can turn into a collection of real creative and technical skills.

Lagos is getting another major social night this September as Pretty Mike’s Lagos All White Party returns on September 20 at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island.

This year’s event will also recognise 20 lifestyle impresarios for their contributions across entertainment, fashion, hospitality, nightlife, beauty, media, events and business.

The all-white dress code remains at the centre of the event, with the night set to combine music, entertainment, networking and the awards-style recognition.

The party has become one of Lagos’ more visible lifestyle events, bringing together people from the entertainment, fashion, creative and business scenes. This year, the organisers are putting more attention on the people building the lifestyle industry behind the scenes.