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Open Relationships, Norm or Taboo?

In today’s evolving landscape of love and intimacy, relationships are taking on new shapes, challenging conventional ideas of exclusivity and long-term commitment. Open relationships, once considered fringe, are slowly making their way into mainstream discussions, igniting debates about whether they represent a new norm or a lingering taboo.

What Are Open Relationships?

The term “open relationship” typically refers to a romantic arrangement in which individuals are free to engage in emotional or sexual connections with multiple people, all with the mutual consent and understanding of everyone involved.

The core distinction between open relationships and infidelity lies in the element of honesty. Unlike secret affairs that involve deception, open relationships are built on transparent communication and trust. Each partner knows and agrees to the boundaries of the relationship.

This non-traditional approach to love comes in various forms. Some individuals have a primary partner—whether a spouse or long-term lover—but engage in occasional sexual encounters outside the relationship. Others maintain more than one long-term, committed relationship simultaneously, while still others form group marriages where several adults live together and share both emotional and sexual bonds.

In essence, the key principle of an open relationship is the acknowledgement that one partner cannot always fulfill all emotional, sexual, or companionship needs.

Why Do Some People Choose Open Relationships?

There’s no singular answer to why people seek out non-monogamy, just as there’s no definitive reason why someone may identify as gay, straight, or bisexual. For many, the appeal of monogamy lies in its promise of security, stability, and a deeper emotional connection with one partner.

A monogamous relationship can offer protection from sexually transmitted infections and the simplicity of focusing on one person. Many people also find the exclusive nature of such relationships easier to manage within their busy lives.

However, not everyone feels satisfied with monogamy. Some people discover, after trying to live monogamously, that this model does not meet their emotional or physical needs. The idea that one person can provide all the love, companionship, and sexual fulfilment for an entire lifetime seems unrealistic for some. These individuals might turn to “serial monogamy,” moving from one relationship to another, often ending each due to a lack of compatibility.

For these people, open relationships offer a potential solution to common relationship pitfalls. Instead of ending a relationship because of a lack in one area, they choose to supplement their connection with additional relationships. This approach allows them to avoid the disillusionment often experienced in traditional monogamy, where expectations of lifelong satisfaction from a single partner can lead to disappointment and dissatisfaction.

The Appeal: More or Different?

At the heart of open relationships, people generally seek either “More” or “Different.”

More: Some individuals are satisfied with their primary relationship but want a little extra—more romance, more time, or more sexual experiences. They are content with their partner but desire an additional element that might be missing, whether it’s more attention, physical intimacy, or even new adventures.

Different: Others seek a type of connection that their current partner cannot offer. This could be something as simple as differing sexual preferences or interests—one partner might not enjoy camping while the other loves it. The desire for “Different” might also stem from a longing for a new kind of romantic or sexual connection, whether that’s with someone of a different gender, someone with shared interests, or simply for the novelty that variety brings.

These dynamics allow individuals to continue valuing their primary relationship while fulfilling needs elsewhere, maintaining both stability and excitement in their romantic lives.

Swinging and Open Marriages

One of the more commonly recognized forms of open relationships is swinging. Typically practiced by heterosexual couples, swinging involves engaging in sexual encounters with other couples or individuals, often in a party or social setting.

For some, this means only having sex with others in the presence of their spouse, while others allow for casual sexual relationships outside of their primary partnership without emotional attachment. Swinging often operates on the understanding that while sex outside the marriage is permitted, emotional involvement is not.

This clear distinction between physical and emotional fidelity can offer couples the freedom to explore sexually without jeopardizing their primary bond. Still, the idea of separating love and sex remains controversial for many.

Is Society Ready to Accept Open Relationships?

While open relationships are gaining visibility, especially with more people discussing their experiences on social media, they still face significant stigma. Many people continue to view lifelong monogamy as the ideal relationship model, often equating multiple partners with a lack of commitment or moral failure. Religious and cultural norms, particularly in Western societies, tend to uphold monogamy as the highest form of romantic connection.

That said, as conversations about sexual orientation, gender identity, and relationship structures become more open and diverse, non-traditional arrangements like open relationships are becoming less taboo. Younger generations, in particular, are more open to questioning established norms around love, marriage, and sex, leading to a growing acceptance of alternative relationship styles.

However, societal shifts in this area remain gradual. Open relationships challenge deep-seated ideas about ownership, jealousy, and the sanctity of marriage, and while they may be gaining ground, they are far from universally accepted.

Open relationships are neither fully embraced nor entirely taboo; they exist in a complex space where personal choice, cultural values, and shifting social norms intersect. For some, they offer a liberating alternative to the constraints of monogamy. For others, they are an unsettling departure from the intimacy and security that comes with exclusivity.

As more people explore what love, sex, and companionship mean in the modern world, the question of whether open relationships will become a new norm remains open—much like the relationships themselves.

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Kunle Afolayan’s Mother Passes On: A Tribute to a Pillar of Strength

The Nigerian film industry has been thrown into mourning as Nollywood actor and director, Kunle Afolayan, loses his mother.

According to reports, Kunle Afolayan’s mother, Mrs. Afolayan, passed away on at the age of 81. The cause of her death is yet to be disclosed.

Kunle Afolayan took to his social media page to announce the passing of his mother, saying: “My dearest mother, I will miss you so much. You were my rock, my confidante, and my best friend. I will never forget the sacrifices you made for me and the love you showed me. Rest in peace, mama.”

The news of Kunle Afolayan’s mother’s passing has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian film industry, with many of his colleagues and fans taking to social media to express their condolences.

“Kunle, my brother, I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother,” wrote actor, Ramsey Nouah. “May she rest in peace and may God give you the strength to bear the loss.”

Kunle Afolayan’s mother was a pillar of strength and support to him throughout his career, and her passing will be deeply felt by him and his family.

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Why Bobrisky was re-arrested in Lagos – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has given reasons for re-arresting controversial crossdresser Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, known as Bobrisky.

Speaking in a telephone conversation on Friday morning, the EFCC spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, said the self-styled ‘Mummy of Lagos’ was arrested because he refused to honour several invitations sent to him.

Oyewale noted that the crossdresser was arrested in connection with the allegation of bribery against him.

“We arrested him last night and we took him to Abuja because our team investigators are in Abuja,” the EFCC spokesman said.

He continued: “He was trying to run away from mentioning those he said collected bribes from him. We sent him an invitation, but he refused to honour our invitation, and he was trying to leave the country.

“This was why we arrested him. We want him to come and mention the names of the officials involved in the bribery, but he has not shown up.”

The Guardian gathered Friday afternoon that Bobrisky has been flown to Abuja to answer questions relating to allegations of bribery and corruption.

Bobrisky was stopped and removed from an Amsterdam-bound KLM flight at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and detained by immigration officers late Thursday night while attempting to leave the country for London, the United Kingdom.

The popular crossdresser posted on his Instagram page to alert followers about the arrest, stating that he had sustained injuries during an altercation with the immigration officers.

Bobrisky alleged that the EFCC was responsible for his detention.

He wrote, “Nigerians help me, EFCC just arrested me. I’m badly injured.”

Bobrisky had, in a voice note shared by a controversial social critic, Martins Otse (aka VeryDarkMan) allegedly said he bribed EFCC officers with N15 million to drop money laundering charges against him.

Although the EFCC denied the allegations, it set up a committee to investigate the matter.

At a press briefing on Thursday, the Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwajaren, had hinted that Bobrisky could face a fresh charge from the commission if the allegations against the EFCC were false.

Uwujaren stated that one could be charged for giving false information to the EFCC, let alone making false allegations against the commission.

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Spooky Movies to Watch This Weekend (2020-2024)

As the weekend approaches, many of us are looking for a way to get into the spooky spirit. One of the best ways to do this is by watching a scary movie. Here are some spooky movies from 2020 to 2024 that are perfect for watching this weekend:

2020 Spooky Movies

  1. The Invisible Man (2020): This movie is a modern retelling of the classic H.G. Wells novel, and it follows a woman who escapes from an abusive relationship, only to be haunted by her ex-boyfriend, who has become invisible.
  1. Gretel & Hansel (2020): This movie is a dark retelling of the classic fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel. It follows a brother and sister who are lost in the woods and come across a witch who has sinister intentions.
  2. The Lodge (2020): This movie follows a family who becomes trapped in a remote cabin with a sinister presence.
  3. Antebellum (2020): This movie follows a detective who must solve a series of murders that are connected to a mysterious figure from the past.

2021 Spooky Movies

  1. Candyman (2021): This movie is a sequel to the 1992 classic, and it follows a group of friends who are haunted by the vengeful spirit of Candyman.
  2. The Night House (2021): This movie follows a widow who discovers that her recently deceased husband was hiding a dark secret.
  3. Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021): This movie follows a smokejumper who must protect a young boy from a pair of assassins in the wilderness.
  4. The Forever Purge (2021): This movie is the fifth installment in the Purge franchise, and it follows a group of people who must survive a night of chaos and violence.

2022 Spooky Movies

  1. Scream (2022): This movie is a reboot of the classic franchise, and it follows a group of friends who are being stalked by a masked killer.
  2. The Black Phone (2022): This movie follows a young boy who is kidnapped by a serial killer and must use a mysterious phone to escape.
  3. Barbarian (2022): This movie follows a woman who books a rental home, only to discover that it is already occupied by a strange man.
  4. Smile (2022): This movie follows a woman who is haunted by a mysterious smile that seems to be spreading to those around her.

2023 Spooky Movies

  1. M3GAN (2023): This movie follows a robotic doll that becomes self-aware and starts to wreak havoc on its owner’s life.
  2. The Pope’s Exorcist (2023): This movie follows a priest who is tasked with performing an exorcism on a young boy.
  3. The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023): This movie is a horror film based on the true story of the Demeter, a ship that was said to be haunted by vampires.
  4. Insidious: The Red Door (2023): This movie is the fifth installment in the Insidious franchise, and it follows a family who must navigate a haunted house.

2024 Spooky Movies

  1. The Exorcist: Believer (2024): This movie is a sequel to the 1973 classic, and it follows a group of people who are haunted by a demonic presence.
  2. The Conjuring 4 (2024): This movie is the fourth installment in the Conjuring franchise, and it follows a pair of paranormal investigators who must solve a series of mysterious events.
  3. A Quiet Place: Day One (2024): This movie is a prequel to the 2018 film, and it follows a family as they navigate a post-apocalyptic world where monsters that hunt by sound have taken over.
  4. Hellraiser: Inferno (2024): This movie is a reboot of the Hellraiser franchise, and it follows a group of people who are haunted by the vengeful spirit of Pinhead.

These are just a few of the many spooky movies that you can watch this weekend. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic horror film or a modern thriller, there’s something on this list for everyone.

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Banky W confirms arrival of second child

Nigerian singer, Bankole Wellington, aka Banky W, and his actress wife, Adesua Etomi, have announced the arrival of their second child, a baby boy.

Banky W shared the news on Instagram, releasing a video clip that showed a glimpse of his dedication to family life since the new addition.

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Reflecting on his family commitment, he said, “But more importantly than I am a husband and a father. We just had our second child, who is an amazing young boy.”

Banky W and Adesua married in South Africa in November 2017.

They welcomed their first child, Hazaiah Olusegun Wellington, in 2021.

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US rapper Young Thug freed after guilty plea in street gang case

Rapper Young Thug was released from jail Thursday after pleading guilty to involvement in a criminal gang as well as drug and firearms charges, an abrupt twist to the longest trial in the history of the southern US state of Georgia.

The 33-year-old Atlanta artist, born Jeffery Lamar Williams, was one of 28 alleged street gang members indicted in May 2022 on racketeering and other charges.

Prosecutors accused Young Thug of being the leader of YSL, or Young Slime Life, a part of the Bloods gang, and charged him with violating state racketeering laws.

The underlying offenses in the racketeering indictment included murder, assault, carjacking, drug dealing and theft.

The Grammy-winning rapper pleaded no contest to racketeering charges and no contest to being a leader of a criminal street gang, but guilty to six other counts including firearms and drug charges.

The New York Times reported he was sentenced to time served and 15 years of probation by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker, who replaced a previous judge who presided over the protracted trial.

Online Fulton County jail records showed Young Thug was released Thursday in a listing under his birth name. The disposition of the charges were listed as “time served” or “probation” on the database listing.

Jury selection in the case began in January 2023 but opening arguments were not held until November 27 of that year.

During opening arguments, prosecutors said Young Thug’s record label, YSL, was a front for a crime ring and he was the leader.

“The evidence will show that YSL checks all of the boxes for being a criminal street gang,” Fulton County prosecutor Adriane Love said.

Love read verses from Young Thug’s track “Take It To Trial,” saying the lyrics the prosecution had identified had “an uncanny similarity to very true, and very real, and quite specific events.”

“We didn’t chase the lyrics to solve the murder, we chased the murder and found the lyrics,” she said.

The defense insisted that YSL stands for Young Stoner Life Records, a hip-hop label that Young Thug founded in 2016 and which, they say, amounts to a vague association of artists, not a gang.

Defense attorneys had sought to exclude lyrics from evidence, saying that “rap is the only fictional art form treated this way.”

A rap vanguard essential to the Atlanta scene, Young Thug is one of contemporary hip-hop’s most famous and most idiosyncratic figures.

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BREAKING: Popular Yoruba Actor, Charles Olumo ‘Agbako’ is Dead

Veteran Nollywood actor Abdulsalam Sanyaolu, better known by his stage names Charles Olumo and Agbako, has passed away, leaving a profound legacy in Nigeria’s film industry. The sad news of Agbako’s death was shared by fellow actor Jide Kosoko in a heartfelt Instagram post on Thursday.

Although Kosoko did not disclose the details surrounding Agbako’s death, he paid tribute with a simple and poignant message: “Good night ooo, Baba Charles. a.k.a Agbako, 102 years, ba wasa ba. R I P,” indicating the actor’s remarkable longevity and vibrant spirit.Born on February 19, 1923, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Agbako had a fascinating journey before finding his calling in acting. He initially worked as a mechanic and even dabbled in amateur boxing, displaying his multi-talented nature. In 1953, he took a decisive step towards acting, beginning his career with a drama group at the Apostolic Church in Mushin, Lagos State.

This was a turning point, as he soon became a beloved figure in Nigerian theater and, later, in Yoruba cinema.

Agbako’s impact on the film industry is legendary, particularly in the Yoruba-speaking regions, where his powerful performances captivated audiences.

Over the years, he starred in many popular films that cemented his status as a household name, including ‘Taxi Driver,’ ‘Jagun,’ ‘Amin Orun,’ ‘Aiye,’ ‘Jayesinmi,’ ‘Soworo Ide,’ and ‘Igbo Dudu.’ Each role showcased his versatility and skill, earning him a devoted fan base and respect from colleagues and viewers alike.

His career spanned over four decades, highlighting not only his enduring passion for acting but also his ability to adapt to the changing landscape of the film industry.

Known for his memorable performances and unique style, Agbako leaves behind an indelible mark on Nollywood and will be fondly remembered as one of the pioneers of Yoruba cinema.

His passing at the age of 102 is a reminder of a life well-lived and a career that inspired countless others.

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