Former Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst on Sunday died at 30 after jumping from her high-rise New York City apartment.
New York Department confirmed that Kryst’s death was by suicide.
Here are Eight international female celebrities who committed suicide:
1. Nafisa Rizvi Khan
Nafisa Rizvi Khan
Nafisa Rizvi Khan was born on February 20, 1988 and died on June 3, 2013. She was popularly known as Jiah Khan. She was a British-American actress and singer who worked in Indian films.
She appeared in three Hindi films from 2007 to 2010
On 3 June 2013, she was found hanging from a ceiling fan in her bedroom of her family’s residence in Juhu, Mumbai. Deemed a suicide in 2013, and re-confirmed as a suicide in 2016 following an extensive investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and a hearing at the Bombay High Court, Khan’s mother continued to claim that Khan had been murdered by her boyfriend, actor Sooraj Pancholi, leading the prosecution to make a failed attempt to lay charges of murder and sexual assault in 2017.
2. Malinda Gayle McCready
Malinda Gayle McCready
Malinda Gayle McCready was born on November 30, 1975 and died on February 17, 2013. She was an American country music singer. Active from 1995 until her death in 2013.
A pornographic video tape of McCready and an ex-boyfriend went on sale by Vivid Entertainment in 2010.
On February 17, 2013, McCready’s neighbours called the Sheriff’s Office of Cleburne County, Arkansas, reporting gunshots. McCready was found dead on her front porch from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
3. Mary Kay Bergman
Mary Kay Bergman
Mary Kay Bergman was born on June 5, 1961 and died on November 11, 1999. Bergman, an American voice actress and voice-over teacher, was also credited as Shannen Cassidy
Bergman suffered from bipolar and generalised anxiety disorders, which she hid from her family, friends, and her co-stars. When her mother was diagnosed with cancer, Bergman’s depression was mistaken as a reaction to her mother’s illness along with job-related stress. Andrade said that he found herbal mood medications that Bergman had hidden in their home.
On the morning of November 11, 1999, Bergman contributed to a radio program celebrating Disneyland’s 45th anniversary. She was last seen alive at 9 p.m, while she was talking to a friend on the phone. An hour and 20 minutes later, her husband and his friend, John Bell, returned home to find that she had taken her own life by shooting herself in the head with a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun. She was pronounced dead in the hospital at 10:18 p.m. at the age of 38.
4. Simone Sherise Battle
Simone Sherise Battle
Simone Sherise Battle was born on June 17, 1989, and died on September 5, 2014. She was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress from Los Angeles, California. She was a finalist on The X Factor in 2011 and a member of the girl group G.R.L. from 2012 until her death in 2014.
Battle was found dead on September 5, 2014, at the age of 25. The cause of death was ruled as suicide. A spokesperson for Battle stated that she suffered from depression due to financial issues.
5. Phyllis Linda Hyman
Phyllis Linda Hyman
Phyllis Linda Hyman was born on July 7, 1949 and died on June 30, 1995. She was an American singer, songwriter, and actress Broadway in the 1981 musical based on the music of Duke Ellington, Sophisticated Ladies, which ran from 1981 until 1983.
Hyman suffered from bipolar disorder and depression for years, having been diagnosed in the 1980s. She often self-medicated with alcohol and drugs, and frequently spoke about suicide.
On the afternoon of June 30, 1995, six days before her 46th birthday, Hyman died by suicide by overdosing on a mixture of Tuinal and vodka in the bedroom of her New York City apartment at 211 West 56th Street. She was found unconscious at 2:00 p.m. (EDT) and died at 3:50 p.m. at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital (now Mount Sinai West) hours before she was scheduled to perform at the Apollo Theater.
6. Caroline Louise Flack
Caroline Louise Flack
Caroline Louise Flack was born on November 9, 1979 and died on February 15, 2020. She was an English actress and television and radio presenter.
Flack was found dead in her flat, in Stoke Newington, London, on 15 February 2020, aged 40. The lawyer acting for her family stated that her death was a suicide.
7. Charlotte Dawson
Charlotte Dawson
Charlotte Dawson was born on April 8, 1966, and died on February 22, 2014. She was a New Zealand–Australian television personality.
On 22 February 2014, Dawson died by suicide in her Woolloomooloo home. A real estate agent found her body when he arrived to inspect the property ahead of its auction. Police were called and confirmed her death at 11:18 am; there were no suspicious circumstances to the death. Her friends were reportedly concerned when she had not updated her Twitter or Instagram accounts in the previous 19 hours.
Her death by suicide attracted Australian-wide news coverage.
8. Cheslie Kryst
Cheslie Kryst
Cheslie Corrinne Kryst was born on April 28, 1991, and died in January 30, 2022. She was an American television presenter, model, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss USA 2019. As Miss USA, she represented the United States at the Miss Universe 2019 competition and finished in the top ten. Outside of pageantry, Kryst was a licensed attorney and had served as a correspondent for Extra from October 2019 until her death.
Cheslie’s body was found at 7:05 a.m. Sunday 30 January on the sidewalk just outside the Orion Condominium building in Manhattan where she resided.
Victims of Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) usually encounter all manner of difficulties in their quest for justice against their violators and abusers. In this report, CHIKA MEFOR-NWACHUKWU examines how the families of these victims undermine their efforts in accessing justice.
For 18 years, Georgina, a petty trader in Emene, Enugu State, has suffered domestic violence at the hands of her husband. Every time he physically abuses her, she runs back to her father’s house, but returns to her abusive husband after being persuaded by her in-laws and family members.
“It started immediately after we got married. Whenever he beat me, his brother would intervene and try to talk some sense into him, but it seemed like the more his brother talked, the worse he became,” she lamented.
After enduring the dehumanizing treatment for years, Georgina decided five years ago, to seek the help of a non-governmental organization (NGO), Women Aid Collective, in New Haven, Enugu State. The NGO quickly summoned her husband and mediated their disputes, and after which she was urged to go home with him. But the assaults did not stop. Time and time again, he threatened to kill her despite her pleas for mercy. Her brother-in-law who was an EFCC staff, discouraged her from going to the police, claiming that it was a family issue that ought to be resolved within.
The mother of five said she could not return to the NGO to complain again because she had lost confidence in them, owing to how they had earlier handled her case.
Georgina who is now 45, lamented that the violence in her house did not only affect her but that it affected her children who she said were performing very poorly in school.
“One of my children told me that he was always losing concentration because of his father’s actions. My children are not doing well academically. Secondly, my first son, Chinedu, is nowhere to be found. Before he ran away, he said he would not continue to watch his father beat his mother. I cannot explain to you what my eyes have seen in the last 18 years,” she said as she struggled to hold back the tears.
She said she has resigned to fate as she prays fervently for her abusive husband not to beat her to death one day. “I leave it to God for His intervention,” she concluded.
According to UNICEF, an estimated one in three women worldwide will experience physical or gender abuse in her lifetime. Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) refers to any act that is perpetrated against a person’s will and based on gender norms and unequal power.
Georgina’s story is typical of how families hinder victims of sexual and gender-based violence from accessing justice. Her in-laws and members of her immediate family did dissuade her from speaking up and reporting her predicament to relevant authorities. She was told to stay back in the abusive marriage and continue to endure the inhuman treatment that was being meted out to her by her husband. She was told to consider her children and remain in the marriage.
Then, a major reason why most of the women who find themselves in a similar situation as Georgina’s are forced to remain in their abusive marriages is that they lack the means to survive independently. They are usually totally dependent on their partners for financial support and upkeep.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), up to 99% of domestic violence victims experience economic challenges during an abusive relationship, and finances are often cited as the biggest barrier to leaving such relationships.
Marriage as a bondage
•Chidimma
Chidimma was deceived into a shammed marriage when she got unwantedly pregnant at the age of 17, in 2016. The woman who deceived her came with the tale that her brother who lived in Onitsha had assigned her to organize the marriage rites on his behalf, as he was too busy to come back and do it himself.
Chidimma, a native of Nsukka in Enugu State, was encouraged by her family to accept the marriage proposal. So, she ended up marrying a man she didn’t know. Two years after the marriage and with the birth of her baby girl, Chidimma still continued to wait for her supposed husband to show up. She eventually got a hold of his contact and then got the shock of her life.
“The man told me he knew nothing about me and the baby, and that he was already married. That was how we found out that the said man had been married for years with no issue and that his sister, the one who approached my family, wanted desperately to help him have children,” she narrated.
Chidimma who is now 23, wants out of the marriage, but Ifeyinwa Okeke, who paid her supposed bride price, is insisting that her family must pay back the whole money she spent on the marriage.
“She told my family that we will have to pay her N273,000. Where will I get such money? I am in bondage right now, and I don’t know how to free myself from it,” she lamented.
Chidimma had approached an NGO, Civil Resource Development and Documentation Center (CIRDDOC), to help her out of the quagmire, but her family had kicked against it. For them, the matter was a case of tradition and should be handled as such, and the only way to do that was to pay back the pride price to Ifeyinwa.
Payment of bride price is proof that a marriage has been sealed between a couple. Without bride price, a marriage cannot be said to be valid. This is according to the Igbo customs and traditions. So, the refund of the bride price signifies the dissolution of the marriage.
Because of their belief in the consequences of violating tradition, Chidimma who wants to start up a new life for herself is now stuck.
“No man will marry me with all these hanging on my neck,” she lamented.
Unreported rape cases due to stigmatization
Many SGBV victims rarely speak up, report their experiences or seek justice due majorly to the fear of stigmatization.
These were the cases of Oluchi and Esther. Oluchi was raped by a ‘pastor’ whom she had been friends with for years.
He had invited her to his church’s anniversary celebration and the event proceeded into the wee hours of the night. She then decided to pass the night outside her home instead of taking any risks. She narrated her story thus:
“He offered to pay my hotel bills. So, while I was checking in, he escorted me to the room to ensure that I settled in properly, and as soon as we had entered the room, he pinned me down on the bed and carried out the wicked act.”
Oluchi who is today the founder of an NGO that caters to SGBV survivors, refused to report the case due to the stigma that is usually borne by victims of rape cases.
“I couldn’t do anything with myself after that awful experience. And whenever I considered my position in the society, I was even more pained. I was dying inside, yet I couldn’t speak to anyone about my ordeal. The culprit has been apologizing over the years because he’s scared I would speak up, but I have said nothing all this while,” she explained.
Esther, on the other hand, was raped by a member of Enugu State House of Assembly whom she has refused to call out, not just for fear of societal stigma, but also because she feared for her life as the man in question was a top politician and had strong ‘connections.’
The sad incident had occurred at a popular hotel in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu State. Esther was then a student and needed money for her clearance fees, and the politician whom she said she had a lot of respect for, had offered to help.
“He told me to come to a hotel where he was having a meeting. The meeting lasted till 1:00am. He called and apologized for keeping me waiting for too long and taking all my time, and then offered to pay for my lodging,” she narrated.
Esther, who was unsuspecting, went to sleep and was awakened by a knock on her door. On enquiring, the politician announced his presence and then she went to open the door. While still at the door, he informed her that he had only come to check on her, that they would talk more in the morning.
“I said okay and was about to close the door when he swiftly and forcefully entered the room, locked the door behind him and pinned me down. He tore my dress and forced himself on me,” she explained.
Sometimes, the families of rape victims, mostly minors, chose to accept money from the abusers of their relatives and quash the cases, instead of suing for justice. This consequently hinders the victims’ access to justice.
Speaking on one such incidences, head of the legal department of CIRDDOC, Mazi Jerry Udochu, narrated the case of a 13-year-old girl who was defiled severally by a 53-year-old security guard at a United Bank of Africa (UBA) branch in Abakpa, Enugu State.
He explained that the family of the girl had wanted to cover the case up, but the doctor who had examined her in the hospital had already reported the case to his organization.
“We swung into action after that. We wanted to prosecute the man, but he kept begging that he had a wife and children, and that they would suffer if he was sent to jail. The family of the girl then told us that they would rather go for mediation,” he narrated.
He added that while they were still trying to convince the victim’s family to pursue the case, they went behind and collected N250,000 from the culprit, and insisted that they had settled the matter.
Also speaking on the issue recently, Center Manager, Tamar Sexual Assault Referral Center (TSARC), Mrs. Evelyn Onah, said that the greatest challenge to the onslaught against rape was that most families sometimes abandoned such cases in the court because of the fear of stigmatization, and to protect their name.
“Some will even collect as low as N10,000 to settle out of court because of poverty in the land,” she said.
Access to justice stalled by the police and court
While many SBGV victims opt to rather remain silent for fear of being stigmatized, the few who summoned courage to expose their damning situations and pursue justice encountered real challenges and upheavals that were enough to keep them from continuing their pursuits. At the centre of their frustration are the Police officers who sometimes sabotage the entire process.
•Doris
In Abuja, 14-year-old Doris was raped by a man who was said to be married with two wives. The man who was simply known as David was a neighbour and had threatened to kill her if she exposed him. David’s act would have been concealed and buried just as he had wanted it, but Doris ended up pregnant, and that was how his act caught up with him.
When she narrated her ordeal to her father, he immediately went in search of the rapist but alas, the man had disappeared.
“I was in a state of shock. How can a grown man who is said to have two wives in the village come here to do this to my daughter?” Samuel Agbonoga, Doris’ father, asked.
The father of four explained that he had since reported the case at the Ijayapi Police Station, Kubwa, and added that the police had assigned an officer to investigate the matter.
“This David, I was told, was brought to Abuja by his relative. He is from the South West and I heard his two wives are in the village. When the police came to arrest him, he had already escaped. They now took his relative whom he was squatting with. They were hoping that the relative will produce David,” he said.
According to Agbonoga, the relative had asked the police to give him two weeks to search for his brother, and then he was released. He added that after two weeks, the relative couldn’t produce David. He further stated that he had gone to the police station severally to get an update on the case, but that his inability to fund the investigation stalled the case.
“My family and I have decided to stop pursuing the case,” he said with a tone of finality. He did not bother to return to the Police Station to withdraw the case, and no one had called him since then to ask of his intentions towards the case.
Also in Abuja, a 17-year-old girl was molested from when she was 10 years of age. Divine, an orphan, had come to Abuja from Kaduna in 2014 to stay with her aunt at Lokogoma. Her aunt’s live-in-lover then groomed her into his sex toy. Even when she left Abuja and returned to her family in Kaduna, her insistence on returning to Abuja got her family suspicious. Upon interrogation, she confessed all that had happened to her in the past seven years.
“We decided not to let the matter rest. We are intent on getting justice for her,” revealed Bitrus Dodo, Abigail’s uncle.
He had reported the case at the Apo Divisional Police Headquarters and the accused named Obed Jika from Wamba Nasarawa State, was arrested. Dodo revealed that one Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sarah, had urged him to accept money from the culprit and close the case, but that he had rejected the advice and that that was the beginning of his frustration.
“They took the case to a magistrates’ court even when I was insisting that the matter wasn’t under its jurisdiction. They also changed the charges from Rape to Incest. We were just going back and forth until the matter was referred to a High Court in Maitama,” he explained.
Dodo added that for two years now, he has not been able to get justice, and that since he wasn’t financially buoyant to push the matter, that he had opted instead to focus on providing psychological support for his niece.
Reports have shown that victims and families of victims who are seeking justice are being frustrated not by the police alone, but also by the slow judicial process in Nigeria. It is even more difficult with cases in the South East, considering that there is more threat to the life of the average policeman in that part of the country than elsewhere, and also with the constant sit-at-home order given by the proscribed separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
•Ikechukwu
Secretary of Enugu State Network of Civil Society Organizations, Engr Umeh Ikechukwu, stated that mobilizing the police to effect arrests in cases pertaining to SGBV has become really difficult with the rising insecurity in the region.
Ikechukwu who is also the founder of the Initiative for Gender and Civil Development (IGCD), said the IPOB sit-at-home order has contributed to prolonging cases in court, adding that this has frustrated and discouraged SGBV victims.
Last year, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, announced that the federal government was engaging with heads of courts to ensure the establishment of special courts for fast-tracking the dispensation of justice to SGBV victims.
Ikechukwu said such a move will no doubt improve the dispensation of justice to victims of SGBV and serve as a deterrent to potential abusers.
NGOs are arm-twisted when families decide to withdraw cases
Udochu, who is chairman of the Enugu State Child Protection Network, said the NGOs are usually helpless when families of victims decide to withdraw their cases, adding that some of the families would even go to the extent of ‘throwing you under the bus if you insist’.
“There was a rape case we insisted we would take to court, but the father of the minor told me that as long as he was the one that reported the matter, that he also had the right to withdraw it. He said that if I continued with the case, that he would come to court and testify against me,” he added.
Udochu further stated that most times, court processes and the cost of navigating through those processes are cumbersome, and that ignorance and illiteracy have continued to hinder victims’ access to justice.
He added that over the years, they have taken sensitization and awareness campaigns to local communities to educate rural-dwellers on their rights and on the provisions of the Child’s Rights Act (CRA) and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, so that they don’t remain silent in the face of SGBV and other crimes.
•Falaiye
Beyond sensitization, Oluwatoyin Falaiye, an Abuja Based Lawyer, said the government ought to mete out stiffer penalties to gender-based violators and abusers, adding that there should be other means of convicting abusers and not solely on evidence-based judgment.
“There was so much awareness on HIV that we now know we can freely hug an HIV patient without being infected. We need that type of campaign for gender-based cases. We need people to know that they ought to speak out and that if they do, they would be protected.
“Thank God that today, there are Sexual Assault Referral Centers all over. The media should make SGBV an all-time trending topic, until there is considerable reduction in the cases of abuse and SGBV,” she opined.
Falaiye who is the founder of Jewel Hives Initiative and a rape survivor and a Trauma Recovery and Mental Health Coach, said SGBV victims should be offered counselling and psychosocial support as that would enhance their healing and closure.
This report was facilitated by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) under its Report Women initiative.
There is no doubt that weight gain can be harmful to one’s health if not controlled. When one is slim or fit, one does not know the enjoyment behind it. Not everyone in the world was born slim.
Some favourite celebrities with heavy or huge figures felt there was a need to slim down. Some had to diet or through surgery to keep fit and attain their figure.
Here are 5 Nigerian female celebrities who went from fat to fit:
· Eniola Badmus
Eniola Badmus
Eniola Badmus is a versatile professional film actress, scriptwriter, entertainer and a social media influencer. She got everyone talking since photos of her new figure broke the internet.
She recently lost 33kg in few months, causing her to join the fat to fit gang.
· Elvina Ibru ‘Baby’
Elvina Ibru ‘Baby’
Elvina Esewvre Ibru is a broadcaster, actress and filmmaker who also took weight loss decision.
She made the decision to work towards achieving her desired weight because of her health after seeing it work for her sister.
Despite winning a Miss Big and Beautiful Competition UK, the beautiful actress still chose a slim decision. She shared her story noting that weight loss is not an easy task.
· Ogunboye Bose
Ogunboye Bose
Bose Ogunboye aka Lepacious Bose is a popular comedian. She also had and shared her weight lose story.
She lost over 70 kg. Speaking on how she achieved her transformation, she said that she stopped eating anything that comes her way and had a weekly food programme. She also did a little bit of skin removal and surgery.
· Ngozi Ezeonu
Eniola Badmus
The actress, former journalist and a businesswoman fondly called (Young Mama) because of her ever young looking body shape.
The actress also had a weight loss, through the help of some diet program that helped her lose over 50% of her body weight.
· Georgina Chinenye Ibeh
Georgina Chinenye Ibeh
The actress moved from 98.9kg to 75.8kg within two years because she felt her body weight was causing a halt in her career.
The entertainment industry has quite a number of celebrities with traditional titles and the number is only increasing.
Perhaps, this is because some of them have done well in being the best ambassadors of their states or essentially in light of the fact that the position likewise helps to bring their communities to the spotlight.
Here is a list of celebrities with traditional titles:
· Laycon
Laycon
The former Big Brother Naija housemate and winner of the 2020 season took his fans and followers on social media by surprise after sharing the news that he had bagged a title in Ogun state.
The Onipokia of Ipokia, Oba Yisa Adesola Olaniyan, installed Laycon as the Akeweje of Ipokia kingdom in 2020.
· Omogoriola Hassan
Omogoriola Hassan
The actor and filmmaker had initially been appointed as the King-elect of Uba Land, Imobi Kingdom.
However, he was confirmed as the king after a consultation was made with the Ifa oracle to confirm his status as the one true king.
· Alex Ekubo
Alex Ekubo
The actor bagged a traditional title Ikuku of Amumara town, Mbaise, Imo state. The actor shared the good news with his fans and followers in September 2020.
· Genevieve Nnaji
Genevieve Nnaji
Popular actress Genevieve Nnaji received the title of Eze Ada 1 of Amuzu Nweafor in her home town in Mbaise, Imo State.
Genevieve has starred in movies like Most Wanted, ije, last party, Ijele, mark of the beast, etc.
· Kanayo O Kanayo
Kanayo O Kanayo
Actor and lawyer, Kanayo O. Kanayo bagged a chieftaincy title; ‘Ihe Mbaise Ji Ka Mba’, in his hometown of Mbaise, Imo state.
· Tuface Idibia
Tuface Idibia
Tuface was honoured with the “Tafidan Kudendan of Kudendan” by the His Royal Highness Galadima of Kudendan Chiefdom.
The title translates to “Ambassador of Peace”.
· Chika Ike
Chika Ike
Actress Chika Ike was given the title of Akwa Ugo 1 of Amoli Kingdom of Enugu State by the traditional ruler of Amoli kingdom for her contribution to the growth and development of Igbo culture.
Chike Ike has starred in movies like paradise, mirror of beauty, to love a stranger, girl cot reloaded, etc.
· Whitemoney
Whitemoney
The Big Brother Naija season 6 winner was conferred the title of Ozopuru Ini Ego 1 of Udi Kingdom in Enugu State.
Billionaires inspire us to be great just as they are. However, they didn’t achieve success by mere luck. Instead, they got there by developing good habits which are powerful tools that can be used to reach certain goals in areas like health, fitness, money, relationships etc.
Inculcating the habits below will not guarantee you become a billionaire; however, it will help you become more productive and successful in your life endeavours.
Below are some billionaire habits we can all develop:
· They wake up early and exercise
Billionaires make the best use of time by waking up early, thereby creating time for other priorities. Exercising is also part of the morning routine because that is when testosterone levels are high. It has other benefits such as strengthening the heart and playing a major role in increased energy, positivity, and stress management.
Research shows that exercising early in the morning will help boost memory, concentration and mental sharpness – which are traits that can have a big influence on career and success.
Femi Otedola, in an interview with one of the national newspapers, said he wakes up around 6:30 am every morning and heads to the gym for 1 hour.
Aliko Dangote wakes up before 5:30 am and goes on a 10-kilometer run.
· They network/follow up
Billionaires know how to network. This gives them the opportunities to have exclusive rights to many things that are not offered to ordinary individuals; Speaking engagements, trips, best of meals, private and public events, and most importantly the ability to push their ideas forward by meeting the right people.
The truth is they are also good at politicking because they know that political leaders make policies that will affect their businesses. So, they get involved. A brief look at some billionaires perspectives on networking
Jim Ovia: Place more value in who you know than what you have. The entrepreneur sees a potential ally in everyone. Establish your network 1 person at a time by being reliable and patient. Pave the way instead of burning bridges.
Tony Elumelu on his advice to youths on what worked for him, said: “Never take others for granted. Nurture your relationships. In the same way, as you start out in your career, build your relationships, seek to learn, don’t be afraid to understudy the experts, reach out to potential mentors and learn from them.”3.
· They are learners
Billionaires read a lot. They just don’t read for entertainment, they study trends, concepts and apply what they have learnt to become successful. To show how much of a reader he is, Tony Elumelu, on World Book Day, recommended 5 books that have had a huge impact on his life.
They include –Outliers by Malcom Gladwell, The Creation of Wealth: The Tatas from 19th to 21st Century by R.M. Lala, Think Big by Ben Carson, Kane & Abel by Jeffrey Archer, and Shall We Tell The President by Jeffrey Archer What they watch also matters. Aliko Dangote spends his time watching a lot of business channels such as Bloomberg TV. Doing this gives him insightful information about global business.
· They diversify
Nigerian billionaires are experts at diversifying major things in their lives. They diversify their sources of income/products, they diversify the countries they invest in, and they diversify the people they surround themselves with. Mike Adenuga has investments in oil, telecoms, real estate, and banking sectors. Femi Otedola has investments in Oil, Shipping, Real Estate, amongst other sectors.
· They surround themselves with smart people
There is a saying “you are the average of the 5 people you spend most of your time with”. Nigerian billionaires surround themselves with the smartest people ranging from strategists, advisers, accountants, and fellow billionaires who they continually brainstorm with on ideas to keep expanding their frontiers.
Aliko Dangote once hosted his friends Femi Otedola, Tunde Ayeni, Donald Duke, Segun Awolowo and Niyi Adebayo on his yacht to celebrate the Salah holidays.
Are you a student tired of always asking your parents for money? Ever wondered what kind of jobs you can take up that won’t interfere with your studies? Well, this is for you.
Here are eight lucrative businesses you can venture into as a student on campus:
· Writing
If you’re that student who’s always had a flair for writing, now is the time to learn how to monetise that resourceful skill. With the advent of technology, monetising your writing skills has never been easier. You could take on a job as a content writer, writer for online publications, blogger, copywriter and so much. Writing opportunities are limitless! You could decide to sign up on freelancing websites, get jobs and even get paid in dollars. And the best part is that you can work remotely and choose when you want to work. This way, your academics aren’t affected.
· Tutoring
Tutoring is another way to make money while on campus. If there’s a list of courses you know you’re good at, organise paid tutorials for your classmates or juniors. You can fix these tutorials in your schedule such that it doesn’t affect your lecture and study times. The best part about tutoring is that you not only make money, you also get better at that particular course as well. Since you can’t teach what you don’t know, studying becomes easier because you know you have to understand the topics to teach them and make your money.
· Graphic designing
If you’re good with illustrating and creating visuals, then graphic designing is the right side hustle for you as a student. If you know how to use Adobe, Photoshop, and other design software perfectly, you can work as a contract designer or content creator for businesses around you. You can take on as many clients as you can and make as much money.
· Brand ambassador/influencing
With the popularity of social media, you can become a brand influencer or ambassador for upcoming brands or brands that want to gain ground among students. What you do is represent the brand to students just like yourself. If you already have a large following on social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter, this is an even better opportunity for you! You probably already spend a lot of time scrolling through social media, so why not make some money while you’re at it?
Different organisations hold countless events in various places around you. Many of these events require ushers to have a smooth and properly-coordinated event, and the organizations are ready to pay decent amounts to the ushers. You could reach out to these organisations yourself or Google event planning and ushering agencies around you that you can join. Apart from making money, ushering jobs give you exposure and networking opportunities.
· Selling thrift items
If you decide to sell fashion items such as bags, clothes, and shoes, you would never run out of business. This is because everyone on campus wants to look good at an affordable price! Most boutiques have nice things at back-breaking prices. So if you sell quality items at affordable prices, students will patronise you.
· Digital marketing
Digital marketing is the aspect of marketing that uses the internet to promote products and services on digital platforms. As a student, this is so easy because all you need to do is position yourself and use your mobile phone to promote products and services of brands.
· Content creation
If you’re creative enough to create the right contents for the right audience on various social media platforms, you can make money off it. Tiktok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube now pay a substantial amount of money to content creators who can post consistently and have gathered a certain amount of followers. If you’re good at jumping on social media trends and engaging people, then content creation is definitely for you.
Finally, with the advancement in technology and social media, working flexibly and making money has been made easy. With a bit of discipline and determination, you can juggle your academics and a side job without one affecting the other.
Some Yoruba actors and actresses are not giving up on love after their first marriages crashed.
These celebrities chose to give love another chance and have been having a loving time with their spouses.
Here are nine Yoruba Nollywood actors/actresses who remarried:
1. Toyin Abraham
Toyin Abraham
You most likely would know her as Toyin Aimakhu. The producer and director got married to a Nollywood actor Adeniji Johnson in 2013. The union appeared sweet on social media as the duo never ceased to gush on each other.
Surprisingly, in 2015, news went round that the celebrity couples were having it hot as they announced their separation.
It is however interesting to know that the duo has moved on with their lives as Toyin Abraham recently welcomed a baby boy with another actor Kolawole Ajeyemi.
2. Bukky Wright
Bukky Wright
Bukky Wright was married to Gboyega Amu, who is the father of her two sons. Shortly after separating from Amu, due to what she termed irreconcilable differences, she moved into the arms of fellow actor and former member of the House of Representatives, Rotimi Makinde without officially divorcing Gboyega Amu.
The union lasted a few years before she moved on in the same fashion and found solace in the arms of society journalist and image-maker, Femi Davies. Bukky and Femi got married at the Akodo Registry in Lagos.
3. Solomon Akiyesi
Solomon Akiyesi
Solomon Akiyesi has been married four times. He wedded his university love, Ezinne in 2003. He was alleged to still be married to Ezinne when he contracted another marriage with Lilian, who was said to be eight-month pregnant and living in Port Harcourt when Solomon attempted to marry another wife, Uloma Agwu in Lagos on April 13, 2013.
Akiyesi and Agwu were almost pronounced as husband and wife when Lilian stormed the Overcomer’s World Outreach church, Surulere Lagos where the wedding was going on. She stormed the place with some family members and policemen
4. Clarion Chukwura
Clarion Chukwura
Clarion Chukwura tied the nuptial knot with her US-based fiancé, Anthony Boyd making it her third marriage. She once had a relationship with Afro-Juju legend, Sir Shina Peters and bore a son, Clarence Peters after she ended her first marriage to a certain Mr. Abiola in 2003.
She then remarried Femi Oduneye popularly known as Femi Egyptian in 2004. They, however, separated in 2006, after which they got back together before they finally got divorced. She, however, lost her first husband, Tunde Abiola, and her second spouse, Femi Oduneye in 2017.
5. Femi Adebayo
Femi Adebayo
The actor, filmmaker and director has three children with his first wife Khadijat. This was his first marriage and, just as many things in life, turned out to be a failure. Khadijat gave birth to the three adorable kids within the eight years of their marriage but in the end, they decided not to wait any longer and broke apart
He got married to Omotayo Adebayo after staying out of marriage for 8 years. They got married in October 2016.
6. Mercy Aigbe
Mercy Aigbe
Mercy Aigbe, who is popular for her fashion sense on social media, was a wife to an Igbo man and had a beautiful daughter for him but the union couldn’t stand the test of time as it crashed a few years later.
Mercy and Lanre officially tied the knot at the Ikoyi Registry in 2013 but the marriage acrashed in 2017.
Mercy on Sunday, January 23, 2022 unveiled her new boo four years after leaving her erstwhile husband, Lanre Gentry.
7. Foluke Daramola-Salako
Foluke Daramola-Salako
She married Babatunde Sobowale in 2005 and the union ended in 2008 after two kids over allegations of wife-battering and infidelity. The actress has since remarried and is happy with her latest husband, Kayode Salako.
8. Doris Simeon
She was once married to a movie producer and director Daniel Ademinokan. Doris and Daniel met on a movie set where love bound them. Together the couple bore a son, David Ademinokan but separated in May 2013 with a subsequent court divorce.
However, Doris Simeon found love again as she got married to Taiwo Oduala in 2019.
9. Shan George
Shan George
George’s first marriage was in 1985 when she was 16. She had two children for her first husband, whom she left in 1991 when she was 21.
It is rumoured that she married a certain man which didn’t last as well.
She later met and married Anthony Nwosisi, making him the third husband but the marriage too did not last.
Nobody wants to fail in life. So, we clamour for success right from the moment when we are able to know our right from left.
But many of us still do not know what to do, many are not motivated, they live anyhow and allow the wind to toss us without sincere planning.
However, if we must succeed in life, we must follow certain principles to make our dreams come through like some of the world leaders and business gurus have done.
Here are successful tips from past world leaders among others to help us guide ours:
Barrack Obama 10 successful rules
1. Move the ball forward
He was a community organiser in Chicago before earning his law degree.
2. Have hope
He worked as a civil rights attorney and taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School between 1992 and 2004.
3. Don’t get complacent
He served three terms representing the 13th District in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004.
4. Stay focused
He received national attention during his campaign to represent Illinois in the United States Senate with his victory in the March Democratic Party primary
5. You can’t do it alone
After a close primary campaign against Hillary Clinton in 2008, he won sufficient delegates in the Democratic Party primaries to receive the presidential nomination.
6. Commit to something bigger
He then defeated Republican nominee John McCain in the general election and was inaugurated as president on January 20, 2009.
7. Stop making excuses
Nine months after his inauguration, Obama was named the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
8. Don’t take yourself too seriously
He was re-elected President in November 2012, defeating Republican nominee Mitt Romney.
9. Stick to your plan
He normalised U.S. relations with Cuba.
10. Follow your passion
He spearheaded discussions that led to the 2015 Paris Agreement on global climate change.
Donald Trump’s 10 rules
1. Create your own luck
2. Don’t do it for the money
3. Go against the tide
4. Just keep going
5. Change your mindset
6. Protect against the downside
7. Be able to handle pressure
Never settle
9. Live healthily
10. Help others
BONUS
Go out and do it
Have mentors
Add value
Oprah Winfrey’s 10 rules
1. Focus on service
2. Use every experience
3. Be a great reader
4. Fill your cup
5. Build trust
6. Get in sync with life
7. Set boundaries
8. Be open & vulnerable
9. Relax
10. Surprise your fans
11. BONUS – Aim for excellence
Tyler Perry’s 10 rules
1. Don’t stop
Perry is known for both creating and performing as the Madea character, a tough elderly woman.
2. Challenge the thinking
He also creates films, some produced as live recordings of stage plays, and others professionally filmed using full sets and locations with full editing.
3. Own the show
He’s estimated to have earned around $75 million by 2008.
4. Love working
Many of Perry’s stage-play films have been subsequently adapted as professional films.
5. Become your best self
He has also created several television shows, his most successful of which is Tyler Perry’s House of Payne.
6. Never despise small beginnings
In 2012, he struck an exclusive multi-year partnership with Oprah Winfrey and her Oprah Winfrey Network.
7. Have fun
He has created multiple scripted series for the Oprah Winfrey Network, the most successful being The Haves and the Have Nots.
8. Be a student of life
As of 2014, The Haves and the Have Nots have given OWN its highest ratings to date.
9. Have faith
As of 2015, Perry’s net worth was estimated to be $400 million.
10. Be a point of light
In his Huffington Post editorial, sociologist Shayne Lee lists Perry among the pantheon of today’s most innovative filmmakers.
Michelle Obama’s 10 rules
1. Keep moving forward
She’s a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School.
2. Be authentic
She spent her early legal career working at the law firm Sidley Austin, where she met her husband.
3. Work hard
She worked as the Associate Dean of Student Services at the University of Chicago.
4. Don’t be afraid to fail
She held positions in the Chicago city government as an Assistant to the Mayor, and as Assistant Commissioner of Planning and Development.
5. Choose your own path
She served as a salaried board member of TreeHouse Foods, Inc., a major Wal-Mart supplier.
6. Earn success
In May 2006, Essence listed her among “25 of the World’s Most Inspiring Women”.
7. Take your role seriously
During the 2013 Academy Awards, she became the first First Lady to announce the winner of an Oscar.
8. Enjoy the balance
As First Lady, she has become a fashion icon, a role model for women, and an advocate for poverty awareness.
9. Do what is hard
In 2009 she was named Barbara Walters’ Most Fascinating Person of the year.
10. Have fun
She also served on the board of directors of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Bonus:
Ignore the noise.
Love what you do.
Know who you are.
Maya Angelou’s 10 rules
1. Just do right!
She became a poet and writer after a series of occupations as a young adult, including fry cook, sex worker, and nightclub dancer.
2. Be courageous
She was an actor, writer, director, and producer of plays, movies, and public television programs.
3. Love
In 1982, she earned the first lifetime Reynolds Professorship of American Studies at Wake Forest University.
4. Laugh
She was active in the Civil Rights movement and worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
5. Be a blessing to somebody
Beginning in the 1990s, she made around 80 appearances a year on the lecture circuit, something she continued into her eighties.
6. Turn struggles into triumphs
With the publication of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou publicly discussed aspects of her personal life.
7. You are talented
Attempts have been made to ban her books from some U.S. libraries, but her works are widely used in schools and universities worldwide.
8. Learn to say no
She made a deliberate attempt to challenge the common structure of the autobiography by critiquing, changing, and expanding the genre.
9. Always do your best
Her books center on themes such as racism, identity, family, and travel.
10. Keep rising
She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees.
A staff of the National Assemblyrecently collapsed and died while ascending the second floor of the White House through the staircase.
The spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, Chika Nwoba also slumped in court.
The Chairman of Akwanga Local Government Council in Nasarawa State Hon Emmanuel Leweh recently slumped in his office at the council Secretariat, Akwanga.
Last year, an Airport staffer at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja also slumped and died on duty in the Abuja radar control room.
Here are a few tips to adhere to which can help one to avoid slump:
1. Improve your sleeping pattern/hours of rest
Sleeping is just as important as regular exercise and a healthy diet.
Research shows that poor sleep has immediate negative effects on your hormones, exercise performance, and brain function
For many, sleep quality and quantity has declined. In fact, many people regularly get poor sleep.
2. Regular health checkups
Regular check-ups can help find potential health issues before they become a problem.
When you see your doctor regularly, they are able to detect health conditions or diseases early. Early detection gives you the best chance for getting the right treatment quickly, avoiding any complications.
By getting the correct health services, screenings, and treatment you are taking important steps toward living a longer, healthier life.
3. Good diet
Eating healthy food is important as it helps to avoid having heart diseases or even suffering kidney failure.
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been scientifically proven to provide numerous health benefits, such as reducing your risk of several chronic diseases and keeping your body healthy.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health, and can help you feel your best.
This means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions, and consuming the right amount of food and drink to achieve and maintain healthy body weight.
Among lots of other health benefits, eating a balanced breakfast can help sync up your biological clock by letting your body know that it’s time to wake up and get going.
4. Regular water
Staying hydrated is one of the simplest ways to keep energized and focused.
The body constantly loses water throughout the day, mostly through urine and sweat but also from regular body functions like breathing. To prevent dehydration, you need to get plenty of water and food every day.
5. Always check your blood pressure
High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of sudden cardiac arrest or heart issues.
High blood pressure (also called hypertension) happens when your blood moves through your arteries at a higher pressure than normal.
Many people have high blood pressure without even being aware. Most people who have high blood pressure do not have symptoms. This is why it’s sometimes called “the silent killer.” It is very important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
6. Reduce alcohol intake
Quitting alcohol isn’t easy but the reduction is very important.
According to statistics, Alcohol consumption contributes to 3 million deaths each year globally as well as to the disabilities and poor health of millions of people. Overall, the harmful use of alcohol is responsible for 5.1% of the global burden of disease.
DMW label boss, David ‘Davido’ Adeleke is the last child of Dr Adedeji Adeleke, the CEO of Pacific Holdings Limited. Adeleke is also the founder and president of Adeleke University in Ede, Osun State.
Davido hit the music industry in 2011 with ‘Back When’ featuring Naetochukwu ‘Naeto C’ Chikwe.
•Mayorkun
Mayowa ‘Mayorkun’ Adewale is the son of popular Nollywood actor, Toyin Adewale, prominent for her roles in Yoruba movies.
Mayorkun was discovered by Davido, who signed him to his label, DMW. After releasing ‘Eleko’ in 2016, the former banker has gone ahead to churn out other hit songs attracting awards and accolades from his fans.
•Falz
‘Bop Daddy’ crooner, Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana is the son of human rights lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana.
Falz, who is also a trained lawyer, has award winning rap songs under his belt, and has featured in movies, winning the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) twice.
•Naeto C
Naetochukwu ‘Naeto C’ Chikwe is the son of Kema Chikwe, the former Minister of Transport, and then Aviation, during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. Kema is also a former ambassador to the Republic of Ireland. She is the National Woman Leader of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Naeto C, during his time as one of the most sought-after rappers, won notable awards including MTV Africa Music Awards 2008 – Best New Musician; 2009 Channel O Music Video Awards – Video of the Year and MTV Africa Music Awards 2009 – Best New Artist.
Lekan ‘Lojay’ Osifeso Jnr, who is unarguably one of the raves of the moment is named after his father, Lekan Osifeso, Chairman of Retro Group of companies and Lekai Construction Company, a major player within the construction industry space.
Lojay took the music industry by storm with ‘Monalisa’, enlisting the production expertise of popular music producer, Sarz.
•DJ Cuppy
Florence ’DJ Cuppy’ Otedola is the daughter of serial businessman, Femi Otedola, with stakes across different sectors of the economy.
DJ Cuppy started out as a DJ before trying her hands on music and recording success featuring artistes like Tekno, Zlatan Ibile, Teni, Fireboy DML among others.
•L.A.X
‘Sempe’ crooner, Damilola ‘L.A.X’ Afolabi is the son of Taiwo Afolabi, founder and CEO of SIFAX Group, a conglomerate that deals in maritime, aviation, haulage, hospitality, financial services and oil and gas. Afolabi recently hosted the crème de la crème including Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the launch of Lagos Marriot Hotel.
•Kach
Uche ‘Kach’ Kachikwu is the son Ibe Kachikwu, former Minister of State for Petroleum.
Kach’s song titled ‘Dino’ named after Senator Dino Melaye went viral after he featured him in the music video.
The trap music singer has been one of the few voices promoting the genre in Nigeria.
•Tolani
Olawunmi ‘Tolani’ Otedola is also one of the daughters of businessman, Femi Otedola.
Tolani gained attention after her song, ‘Bamilo’ featuring Reekado Banks.
•Chubbz
Seni ‘Chubbz’ Saraki is the son of former Senate President Olubukola Saraki.
The rapper is one of the most important young people behind the solidification of the Alté movement and culture in Nigeria.
He has worked with artistes like Odunsi the Engine, Lady Donli and Cruel Santino on crafting their music projects. He’s also the Editor-in-Chief at The NATIVE – a key music publication for young Africans at home and in the diaspora. He co-founded the magazine with his colleague, Teezee of the DRB Lasgidi group, who is also a rapper.
•Tillaman
Adetona ‘Tillaman’ Adeyemi who prides himself as ‘the real omoba’ is the son of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
Tolani gained attention after her song, ‘Bamilo’ featuring Reekado Banks.
