Popular plus-size Nollywood actress and content creator Monalisa Stephen has reportedly died.
Chronicle NG gathered that she died in Lagos on Tuesday after battling low blood sugar and internal bleeding.
Monalisa’s demise was announced on Wednesday by the founder of Best of Nollywood, Seun Oloketuyi, on Instagram.
Sharing a photo of the late content creator, Oloketuyi wrote, “Brand influencer Monalisa Ayobami Stephen is she died yesterday in Lagos after losing the fight against low sugar and internal bleeding. Her immediate younger sister confirmed the death of this hard-working and beautiful soul.”
Monalisa, also known as Gabacci during her lifetime, featured in movies like Mami Wata (2023), Breaded Life (2021), and a myriad of comedy skits.
She rose to fame by using her platform to champion self-love and body positivity amongst plus-size women.
Monalisa was vociferous in her fight against the discrimination of plus-sized actresses in the Nigerian movie industry.
Earlier this year, in an interview with The PUNCH, she lamented over the alleged discrimination of plus-sized actresses in Nollywood.
“They’re biased against plus-size actresses, and it’s becoming worse for a generation with a fast mind,” she said.
“I don’t know who started the idea of putting one’s look over one’s talent. That is so ridiculous.
“They need to do better—all sizes should be included! Not even from a place where my forefathers and mothers were built like this. I can’t do anything about it; it’s in the genes,” she added.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
