Nigerian celebrities Mr Macaroni and Emma Oh my God were some of the popular faces that spiced up the 15th anniversary of real estate firm, GText Homes.
The two celebrities joined Gospel music acts, Laolu Gbenjo and BJ Sax, to thrill attendees of the event that was led by Dr Stephen Akintayo, an inspirational speaker, serial entrepreneur and the chairman of Gtext Group and Investment Limited. Akintayo used the opportunity of the company’s 15th anniversary to launch three of his books as well as shower encomiums on his lovely wife, Olabisi Akintayo.
In celebration of the 15th year anniversary of Gtext Holdings, rising CEOs got $20,000 worth of one-on-one mentorship with Dr Akintayo for nine months. In the same vein, Ebele Ajaba got the sum of $5,000 grant from the Stephen Akintayo Foundation.
Akintayo also shared heartwarming stories and some of the company’s groundbreaking projects with testimonials and announcements. He announced some of the company’s plans to start operating in the United States of America and Kenya after extending the company’s tentacles to the United Arab Emirates.
American born singer Anna Mae Bullock aka Tina Turner has died at 83.
She died in her abode in Switzerland after a prolonged illness.
Her death was announced in a statement by her representative.
It reads: “Tina Turner, the Queen of Rock ‘n’ roll has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland.
“The music industry has lost a legend. May her soul rest in perfect peace.”
Music star Teniola Apata aka Teni, Eniola Badmus, and Elvina Ibru are popular entertainers who have opened up on their body weight loss. OLAITAN GANIU explores the wellness journey of these three celebrities who had their weight loss through ketogenic diet, exercise or surgery.
Teni The Entertainer
The Afropop singer recently made headlines with her stunning body transformation.
From a 260 pounds weight, the ‘billionaire’ singer shocked the general public when she slimmed down to less than 70 pounds. According to Teni, she was able to shed weight through determination without any form of surgery.
Detailing her new look, Teni explained how challenging it was to restrain herself from consuming her favourite foods and drinks in her bid to seek better health.
“Imagine going for dinners and paying for everybody’s food and you can’t eat what they are eating…,” the vocalist said.
“You can ask my Personal Assistant (PA), I went to ‘Yankee’ (in Maimi) because that is where most of my guys are — we go out, we have fun, crabs — I couldn’t eat any of that because I’m dieting. It’s sad,” the singer said.
Teni also said she realised she only has one life to live.
“But then, you now grow and learn that these things you are doing are not good for you. So, you start to change. You start to adopt better choices for yourself. You start to realise that I have this fame, I have this money. I need to be able to live a long time to enjoy it.”
Before now, Teni would lambast critics who comment about her body weight.
“Stop asking me when I’ll lose weight, I don’t know I like fried rice too much. Worry about your moms jamming thighs,” she shaded social media trolls.
Eniola Badmus
Several fans of actress and producer Eniola Badmus still marvel at her dramatic weight loss.
After delivering her chubby role in Jade Osiberu’s ‘Gangs of Lagos’ in 2021, Badmus returned to screens with a slim body stature.
The ‘Gbogbo Big Girls’ star, who used to weigh 170kg, took the world by storm when she shared her new look on social media in 2022.
Speaking on her body transformation, Badmus said she considered shedding weight when her body size was bigger.
“At one point in my life, ‘I was like Eniola na so you go just dey go. I used to be 170kg which is quite alarming. I started this journey on April 28, 2021,” she revealed.
“I never reduced for my life before. The highest wey I do be say, in two months of my gym, I go reduce 2kg. If I reach house, I go still go chop eba, rice, and semo. The gym go just be like a wasted effort.
“I come dey look am sey e be like say I go burst ooo. I started by reducing food. I think gyming is just 20-25 percent, what we take is mostly the problem,” she said.
Eniola decided to stay glued to her diet routine after consulting a dietician and therapist.
“I had to see a dietician and I went for a lot of therapy as well. So, I started abstaining from carbohydrates and beef. I eat a lot of salad and vegetables.”
Elvina Ibru
For Elvina Esewvre Ibru, 50, the decision to undergo weight loss came after she started feeling sluggish.
The Delta-state-born actress was weighing 210kg before she was encouraged by her sister to reduce her weight.
“It got to a point when I was beginning to feel sluggish. I felt I was suddenly trapped in my own body,” Ibru said.
“There were some things I had always loved to do, but my body was just not responding. But, I did not have ailments such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or hypertension, except for a small ache at my back. I didn’t want a situation where I would become unhealthy. So, Gloria, my elder sister, inspired me with her gradual weight loss.”
Other entertainers who have their bodies transformed include Chigul, Lepacious Bose, Uche Ogbodo, Ngozi Ezeonu and Georgina Ibeh.
Gospel minister, Raqell and her music group have performed in an unparalleled track record of melodious african themed songs with compositions set off with traditional instruments such as the talking drum, omele, shekere, agogo and a host of other instruments.
These performances have come to establish her brand and pattern over the years as she works tirelessly with her band to continue to spice up their performances delivering a one of kind session at various concerts, church programs, Africa tradition events and more.
The traditional african singing group have been involved in the production of some Nollywood movies soundtracks and commercial radio jingles in Nigeria and across Africa because of their culturally unique style of music genre.
The multi-award winning cultural group has performed in Nigeria, several African countries such as Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, the sixth annual better day givings luncheon and some other cities in Europe and more with the beauty of their evergreen African music compositions which has been seasoned with flow of originality.
Her 30 man group would be shortlisted to 12 persons who would be going alongside for the tour and performances in african culture heritage.
Nigerian Afrobeats artist and realtor, Olanrewaju Odumewu aka Labosky has said that easy access to drugs poses great danger to society.
The multitalented act said this while reacting to a recent news of a young man who died of drug overdose.
Labosky urged the government to look into the situation while questioning the laws of importation in the country.
“They seem to get it very easily these days and they are not hiding it. We are not even talking about the danger that lies ahead enough. In a couple of years I pray our society will be bearable,” Labosky told The Nation.
“We know Nigeria imports a lot but are there working rules guiding this importation? I’ve asked overtime how these drugs get into this country if they are not produced here. Young people are dying everyday due to drug abuse and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Go out there and you will see how unhealthy some of them are on the streets. The rich ones are also doing drugs in clubs and in their private homes.
“I urge Nafdac and other concerned agencies to take this fight more seriously before it becomes a norm in our society.
“Many of them die of drug abuse and their families blame it on their close friends or lovers alleging that they were poisoned.”
Arise TV and Silverbird TV shone like bright stars at the maiden edition of The Nigeria Broadcasting Awards (TNBA) which was held on Wednesday, May 17.
Arise TV topped the list of winners on the night with three awards that included the Television Station of the Year award and Best Television Station – News in English Language award, and Reporter Of The Year-Television.
Silverbird Television also took home two awards on the night in the television category. Silverbird’s presenter, Victory Wilson, emerged winner of the Presenter of the Year – Television category, while the station’s ‘Jankara Market’ show won the Best Television Show Indigenous Language category award.
Organised by Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), TNBA is aimed at recognising and rewarding excellence in the broadcast media industry.
In his opening address at the ceremony, BON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, said the awards attest to BON’s commitment to continuous improvement of standards in the broadcast profession.
“As an organisation, BON’s vision is to foster a future-proof environment for radio, TV and new media broadcasters to serve their audiences and contribute to the development of our society. We consider it equally important to reward excellence and project the Nigerian broadcasting industry as one committed to continual improvement of standards. Through these awards, we commit to shining the spotlight on exceptional talent, and seeing to it that those deserving are duly recognised and celebrated.
“I must say that the pool from which tonight’s winners will emerge is impressive. This is an attestation to the fine crop of professionals we have in the industry. I would like to extend hearty congratulations to all the nominees tonight. Being nominated is a testament to your professionalism and contributions to the broadcasting profession in Nigeria and, in my book, you are all winners,” Ugbe said.
Other winners include Ruth Aguele of NTA, who was crowned Newscaster of the Year – Television; NDNTV won the Best Television Production in Documentary/Feature – English Language award, for the feature documentary titled “Ogiame Atuwatse III The Making Of A King ”; Lagos Television’s “Pataki Kaadi Idibo” emerged as Best Television Production in Documentary/Feature – Indigenous Language; “Law And Order” by Trust Television emerged Best Television Show English Language; Benue TV bagged the Best Television Station – News Indigenous Language award, while Channels TV won the Best Television Station – Original Production in Business/Drama/Sports English Language Diaspora Network award.
In the radio category, Nigeria Info’s “Boat Mishap Report” won the Best Radio Production in Documentary/Feature English Language category award; Hit 95.9 FM Calabar won the Best Radio Show English Language category award with “Tell Your Story With Quinesta”; Nigeria Info FM Port Harcourt won the Best Radio Station – News in English Language category award, while Eko 89.7 FM emerged Best Radio Station – Original Production in Business/ Drama/Sports English Language, with its programme titled “Appeals Half Hour”.
Ahmad Kabo Idris of Freedom Radio 99.5 FM Kano was crowned Newscaster of the Year – Radio, George Iniabasi of Comfort FM took home the Presenter of the Year – Radio, Nigeria Info Lagos was crowned Radio Station of the Year, while Adeniyi Bakare of FRCN bagged Reporter of the Year – Radio award.
Industry icons, Dr. Christopher Kolade, former Managing Director, National Broadcasting Corporation; Mr. Vincent Maduka, former Director-General, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA); Mallam Mohammed Ibrahim, former Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and NTA were honoured with Life Achievement Awards in Broadcasting at the ceremony.
High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, founder DAAR Communications and Mr. Michael Ajegbo, founder, Minaj Broadcasting, Obosi were also celebrated for their contributions to the growth of broadcasting in Nigeria, while posthumous awards were given to Ambassador Segun Olusola, Mr. Mike Enahoro, Alhaji Dahiru Modibbo and Mr. Kunle Olasope, for their meritorious contributions to the broadcast industry.
Dotun Taylor, in over two decades cut his teeth as a film producer, radio show host and a passionate historian of African culture – with a knack for Yoruba history. He was appointed a representative of the Ooni of Ife in the diaspora three years ago and he has been working with the palace from the U.S. Recently, he filmed a story that sees Afro-Americans tracing their roots back to Ile Ife and his involvement with Yoruba culture spoke to ASSISTANT ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR, GBENGA BADA on his passion, new role in this interview.
You were many hats including filmmaking, broadcasting and documentary, what inspired your new project Take Me Home?
I’m not a filmmaker. I’m a historian, who now chooses film as a medium of expression, which means I will not make a random action movie unless it has a historical perspective. The motivation all the time has always been culture and also it’s a story of the repatriation of African arts. I am a Yoruba ambassador so immediately I saw the story, I decided this is what I should do.
What about other films you have worked on, how do you promote culture?
I’ve produced a couple of films. I used to anchor a radio show while I was here in Nigeria. I have written a couple of books. So if I did not have film, I would use the microphone. If I did not have the microphone, I would write. So candidly I mean it that I am not a filmmaker, but I just use these mediums because I can manipulate them to tell the stories I want to tell. First of all, I want to tell a story. I don’t mind the medium.
This project encapsulates what the Take Me Home is about which has a movie as well?
I used that same title for this for the first quarter trip, because we are planning to have another one towards the Olojo Festival which is coming up in September 2023.
Can you shed more light on the film Take Me Home?
The movie was majorly filmed in Hollywood studios and in Ile Ife in Osun State, Nigeria. It has mainly three Nigerian actors. They are Lateef Adedimeji who had to travel from Nigeria to Hollywood to play his role, Bayo Bankole of the Boy Alinco fame and I played a cameo role though I’m not an actor. We have shot entirely all of it. Right now, we are in the post-production stage where we are doing sound design and all that. And it’s also being edited by a Hollywood editing outfit. We are looking at it being in cinemas during Halloween in November because it is technically a horror comedy and it is actually centered around the Halloween experience in the United States. We have the main actors, Hollywood actors, like Mefi Black, Dave Sheridan, Amber Rivette, Felissa Rose and others.
So what is unique about the movie?
I like to inform you that I choose to tell stories as a historian and my medium of expression is movie making because I know I can reach more people. So I believe as a storyteller, the movie was written for both audiences and Nigerians will get to watch the movie and love it.
So the information about the African and Nigerian artefacts which are scattered around the world, that is the message. So I believe I carry a message. And this message comes out in everything, music, arts, any kind of arts, even the tourism I am doing. I’m not bringing people to Lagos only because I want them to go to clubs; I am bringing people to Lagos and Ife because I want them to experience culture.
How did you manage Ooni on set, was it deliberate considering this is his first appearance in a movie?
First of all, my Kabiyesi, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi seems to be human, he’s young and versatile, his father worked with BCOS as communicator, so he’s familiar with production of filming, with lights and cameras. He writes some of the scripts of his own documentaries by himself. So it wasn’t difficult to put him in the spotlight. Ooni is not an actor as he only made an appearance in the movie. And it’s not strange to me because I know that the Queen of England appeared in a James Bond movie. So he only took a scene in a movie and the crew and cast were able to pull it off.
So, when are you looking at screening Take Me Home in Nigeria?
As regards screening in Nigeria, we are talking to all the distributors because what is the essence of making a movie if no one watches it? So Take Me Home is coming to all Cinemas.
Can you share the production cost of the film?
Since the beginning of this production more than $100,000 US Dollars has been spent so far with post-production and still not yet done, since we filmed in Hollywood, and we have to go the Hollywood way.
As a Yoruba ambassador, what is the most intriguing thing about the Yoruba culture for foreigners or literally for the US you have come across?
The size of the Yoruba people around the world, mostly the Yoruba culture is a transcontinental culture. It is a real surprise that there are more people of Yoruba descent in the diaspora and more than the number in West Africa. For instance, Yoruba is the second official language of Brazil and there are millions people who are of Yoruba descent in Brazil, to and there just about 65 million here in Nigeria, which means a larger number even in diaspora, and most of them are in Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, California. So, I came to actually realise that although this is the source where everything started, there are a lot of Yoruba people in Europe and Yoruba culture is everywhere in the world, but interestingly a lot of us don’t even know each other. We don’t know and we cannot because some of them have already been colonised by the Spanish people. So, they don’t know the ones that have been colonised by the English people. And the ones that were announced by the French don’t know the ones colonised by the Portuguese. So, we’re larger than we really think the size or number of Yoruba descent around the world.
Is it possible to give specific figures in the United States?
When we say Yoruba people, I am not talking about people who have migrated out of Nigeria by choice to go seek livelihood in the United States. I have not been sent to that category, I have been sent to people of Afro-American descent. People of the children of slaves or the people who are Yorubas that live in the diaspora after the world broke and divided so in that population we’re talking about over 500 million people.
These people you’re talking about did you get to meet by chance or is it as a result of them tracing their roots back to the Yoruba people?
An average Afro-American is concerned about the question; Who am I? The question remains in his or her mind, because probably he or she in the country for generations, for example in the United States, you can trace the history of a horse more than that of a black man race because the horse is recorded more as they given birth, they deliberately didn’t tell them, where their great grandparents were stolen from slaves. So there’s this need right now and now that the science is available and that’s what they call the ancestral DNA, they check their blood and it tells them your 70% Yoruba; or 60% from West-Africa. So when they know that of course the natural thing is looking for how to find their way down to West Africa and Ile-Ife being the cradle of Yoruba land.
Is there a background story to your love for history as a Yoruba cultural ambassador?
I have B.A degree in history from the University of Ilorin. Apparently I always wanted to tell stories, that I chose to study history to be a better storyteller and I fell in love with history while I was studying in Ilorin. So since then, I’ve taken interest in history and culture and more reason, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II gave me the platform as the Asoju Asa Oodua of Yorubaland in the United States to promote and showcase the beauty of the Yoruba culture to the world with my little efforts, people across the globe have been able to experience and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people. It has been critical in connecting the Yoruba people in the United States with their roots and fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of Yoruba culture. This would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of the Ooni of Ife, who recognized the passion for promoting Yoruba culture and gave the opportunity to make a difference on a global scale. Ooni as the cradle of Yorubaland, through his dedication and commitment, the Yoruba culture has been able to reach a wider audience, and more people are gaining insight into the history, traditions, and customs of one of Nigeria’s most prominent ethnic groups.
What other cultures aside from Yoruba?
Yoruba is the only culture that I know about. I don’t delve into what I don’t know.
You recently returned to Nigeria with some immigrants, are they tourists?
As you know I am full bred Nigerian based in California, as Asojú Àṣà Oodua and representative of His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife; Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi in the United States of America. I brought some Afro-Americans to Nigeria for tourism which is a business that I do. I have a vacationer company called Ile-Koko. I brought these tourists to Nigeria, to trace their roots, which is what the company basically does, helping to trace and identify their roots. They are basically African Americans right now and have the advantage. They have the advantage of having a strong DNA and if you could check their DNA, you will know where their ancestors are from Africa. These can lead them to become good ambassadors of the African continent.
So we brought these Americans who are already very curious and aware of their African roots. So these are people who are willing to trace their roots. Also in addition to this, we also know that these people are willing to have dual nationalities. And since we accepted that they’re Africans and Nigerians, we have an agreement and to establish their Nigerian nationalities, with the Ministry of External Affairs so they can have Nigerian passports and choose if to stay here for the rest of their life.
What was the memorable experience when the American tourists met the Ooni and visited the ancient places in Ife?
Those moments are unforgettable, because it was a beautiful and awesome experience. Some of them (Americans) went into trance by touching the Opa Oranmiyan and some of them cried. You know, it was ecstatic actually, particularly when only a few can trace their ancestral roots. The Ooni told them that he can trace over 60 of his own generations and they know they cannot trace more than two or three generations. There is no African American that can trace more than two or three of their generation, only their fathers and grandfathers. They really do not know where they came from until the scientific discovery that points them towards that direction.
How often do you do this and what is always the feedback?
I had the launch of my company last Olojo Festival in Île-Ìfẹ́, in September 2022, I launched the company. I’ve always been doing tourism in that regard. Though the feedback had been so beautiful and very wonderful, this is the second edition and so far about 10 to 15 Afro-Americans have come with us from the United States to experience the beauty of Yoruba culture and find their roots.
As a cultural ambassador, what are some of the interesting things about Yoruba culture that easily fascinates anyone?
I wish I could say, it’s the only culture I know let me say everything is fascinating. I’m not a tribal-centric person but the truth is it’s the only culture I know and I pay attention only to what I know. I’m just going to tell you the most fascinated by the Yoruba culture in that the entire world started out of Ile Ìfẹ́. I have seen Indian people tell me that their ancestors told them that their people migrated out of West Africa. I have seen Brazilians tell me and Cubans tell me and I know that the world started from one source and it’s not Israel because Israel is a desert. All the proof of creation says it is a place of water, plants, and beautiful animals. It didn’t say it’s a desert. I have proof of that. So one of the most fascinating things is that the world started out of Ilé Ìfẹ́ and if you take the world map and spread it in front of you and then draw the equator, divide the world into two it falls in Ilé Ife. The meaning of Ile Ife means where it expanded, this is why they all came. That’s why they flew 26 hours, all my American friends, because they want to see the center of the world. There’s a Mexican, they are not all African Americans, and Mexicans are more Yoruba than some of us here. They worship Sango, Osun, Obatala and Ifá. So it’s not about the colour really. It’s more of the blacks that are seeking it.
The three-day lineup of events for the ninth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) kicked off on Thursday, May 18 with the Opening Night and Cultural Day event.
The Opening Night formally kicked off the series of activities preceding the Award Night on Saturday, May 20.
Dr. Busola Tejumola, Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels at MultiChoice Nigeria, stated that this year’s edition of the AMVCAs is focused on raising the bar when it comes to recognizing and rewarding talents in the various aspects of the African film and television industry.
She said, “Last year, we had an eight-day lineup of activities leading to the Award Night. This year will be no different. We have decided to sustain the momentum by bringing back all the activities. The only difference is that they will all take place within three days.”
The three-day extravaganza began on May 18 with the ‘Opening Night and Cultural Day’ event – a celebration of African culture and diversity, followed by the ‘Runway Show and Nominee Gala’ scheduled for today, Friday May 19, a nod to the key role fashion, style and design play in the film and television industry and a means to give young designers a boost in their careers.
In this year’s runway competition, the winners stand the chance to walk away with cash prizes and opportunity to work with the brand team of Pepsi, one of the brands they are set to create innovative designs for on the runway. The celebration will climax with the award night on Saturday, May 20.
