The Nation Newspaper

Category: The NewsMaker

  • Yul Edochie’s surprise: A second wife!

    Yul Edochie’s surprise: A second wife!

    Popular actor and movie director Yul Edochie stunned many of his fans and colleagues during the week when he announced he had a son with his second wife, Judy Austin.

    It is the first time the actor who is also nursing a 2023 presidential ambition, would be bringing to public notice that he has a second wife.

    His disclosure shocked many because the star had been married to one wife – May Aligwe.

    The 40-year-old actor set social media abuzz after sharing pictures of himself and the boy on his Instagram page.

    He wrote: “It’s time for the world to meet my son.

    “His name is STAR DIKE MUNACHIMSO YUL-EDOCHIE. Born by my second wife @JudyAustin and I love him so much, just as much as I love my other children.”

    His friends and fans quickly took to social media to express their views about the thespian’s action. Some even labeled him unfit to run for the 2023 presidency. He had indicated interest in running for the highest office in the land.

    Edochie had once hailed his first wife, May, for standing by him for 16 years while he was struggling. But the announcement of the second wife wasn’t well-received by May who called down the judgement of God on her husband and his new spouse.

    In the comment, May wrote: “May God judge you both.” Last year, she gave hints about troubles in her marriage after sharing a cryptic message on Instagram.

    The mother-of-four had shared a post that had the photos of Barack and Michelle Obama in their early years and then when they became the U.S. First Family.

    “Never forget a woman who helped you build yourself and stand by you when you had nothing… if she was with you in hell, be with her in paradise,” the post read.

    Reacting, former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, noted that polygamy is not a sin, adding that it is better than adultery or fornication.

    He said: “In my personal opinion, I don’t think polygamy is a sin.” He added that it was only forbidden for “bishops, overseers and elders in the church – 1 Timothy 3:2.”

    Yul’s colleague, Uche Maduagwu, questioned if Edochie was still a Christian following his latest revelation.

    Another colleague Victoria Inyama expressed disappointment saying she was deeply hurt and embarrassed.

    The day following the stunning revelation, Edochie woke up to shower praises on his first wife via his verified Instagram handle. He shared two lovely pictures of his first wife and captioned the post, “NUMBER ONE. @mayyuledochie. Undisputed.”

    The couple got married at the young age of 22 in 2004, after they had dated for six years. They celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary in October 2021.

    They have four children – three boys and a daughter. Their names are: Danielle, Kambi, Karl, and Victory.

    Yul’s new wife, Judy, is a Nollywood actress, producer and brand influencer from Anambra State.

    She’s is not a new face in Nollywood as she has featured in several movies and even starred alongside Yul.

    Until recently, Judy had maintained a low profile, not until her husband revealed her as his second wife and the mother of his newborn son.

    Many Nigerians have since taken to Judy’s Instagram page, calling her out for ‘ruining’ May’s marriage.

    Yul, who graduated from the University of Port Harcourt, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts, followed in the footsteps of his father, Pete Edochie, a veteran actor.

    Prior to his presidential bid, he had contested for the Anambra State governorship election in 2017 under the Democratic Peoples Congress (DPC) but lost after securing only 145 votes.

    He was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Creative and Entertainment Media to Willie Obiano, former Anambra governor, in 2018.

    He resigned a few months later and defected from All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

  • Temi Otedola’s unusual love story

    Temi Otedola’s unusual love story

    Popular singer, Oluwatosin Ajibade, better known by his stage name Mr Eazi, has proposed to his long-term girlfriend, Temi Otedola.

    Mr Eazi is the pioneer of Banku Music, a fusion of sound he describes as a mixture of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions and patterns, while Temi is an actress and one of the daughters of billionaire Femi Otedola.

    The singer and Temi shared a video that captured their moments together. Many friends, fans and family were indeed delighted to watch the beautiful chemistry.

    Temi made her Nollywood debut in 2020 in ‘Citation’ by Kunle Afolayan.

    Mr Eazi’s proposal comes less than two years after Otedola had asked the pair when they planned to tie the knot.

    Temi and the ‘Leg Over’ crooner have been dating since 2017.

    The singer’s marriage proposal continues to elicit reactions on social media, with many celebrities taking to the comment section of Temi’s post to celebrate them.

    Joining the fray, Otedola wrote, “Somebody is taking my baby.”

    Others like Tiwa Savage, Simi, Joeboy, Adesua Etomi, Broda Shaggi, Sharon Ooja, and BBNaija stars Bisola, Neo, were palpably excited and congratulated the love birds.

    Temi’s sister, popular Disc Jockey and artiste Florence Otedola, aka DJ Cuppy, who is currently studying for a second Master’s degree at the University of Oxford, tweeted: “Today is one of the HAPPIEST days of my life… Thank you Mr Eazi for bringing such joy to our family! … Oya what is the hashtag for the wedding? Congratulations to my favourite couple on their engagement!”

    DJ Cuppy is said to have played a very pivotal role in the celebrity couples’ love story, as it was through her that Mr Eazi and her sister met. That was what she meant when she tweeted that she introduced them to each other.

    Eazi had in an interview in 2018 said though he met Temi through her (DJ Cuppy) she did not introduce her sister to him, in the strict sense of the word.

    “I met Temi in London. Her sister was playing at the event, somewhere in Knightbridge and she said, oh come out come out, follow me to this event, so I followed her to the event and then she was deejaying and all of a sudden it was just me and Temi sitting down and just watching her,” he said.

    Back in 2021, the two started their own podcast – How Far, where they talked about their relationship and the dos and don’ts in a relationship.

  • Osinachi Nwachukwu: Domestic violence martyr?

    Osinachi Nwachukwu: Domestic violence martyr?

    The sudden and untimely death of gospel singer and songwriter, Osinachi Nwachukwu, came as a rude shock to many.

    She was the twin sister of Amarachi Grace Eze who is also a famous gospel singer.

    Shockingly, Osinachi’s demise crept in quietly and became the subject of various news outlets with different accounts of what the deceased went through.

    While some persons claimed she died of throat cancer, others said she died as a result of domestic abuse by her husband.

    Her death left many fans heartbroken and elicited nationwide outrage especially from her colleagues, friends, members of her church — Dunamis International Gospel Centre. While calling for probe and investigation into her death, the catchphrase ‘Justice for Osinachi’, trended on social media.

    Osinachi’s angelic voice and songs which brought relief and joy to many always make the list of top Nigerian gospel music hits.

    The 42-year-old artiste who died after spending days at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja, was a lead singer at her spiritual father – Pastor Paul Enenche’s Dunamis Headquarters, Glory Dome, Abuja.

    She shot into the limelight with the hit song “Ekwueme” – meaning ‘the God who says and does’, which has been watched over 72 million times on YouTube.

    The mesmerizing lines of the chorus of this hit song, have become an anthem among many gospel music lovers in Nigeria and beyond.

    The deceased’s older sister, Favour Made, in an interview disclosed that the singer sang her verse in the Ekueme hit song from a place of pain.

    But sadly, the acclaimed gospel singer was alleged to have been a silent victim of domestic assault by her now-embattled husband, Peter Nwachukwu.

    Peter was immediately arrested after Osinachi’s death was attributed to physical abuse.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Josephine Adeh, disclosed he was still being investigated.

    But in his reaction, he told investigators he was not responsible for his wife’s death.

    Denying allegations of battery, assault and other domestic violence levied against him by family members and close associates of the popular artist, Peter said the truth was that his wife had been sick for a long time (since November last year) and he had been moving her from one hospital to another in a bid to get her treated.

    Late Osinachi and Peter met during one of her ministrations. Their union produced four children.

    Meanwhile, Eneche, speaking about the controversies surrounding Osinachi’s death said he decided to set the record straight by disclosing what he knew regarding the circumstances surrounding the late singer’s demise.

    He said that he could not tell if complications from alleged domestic violence contributed to Osinachi’s death, but was only aware of her respiratory health challenge, for which he helped her secure medical assistance.

    Enenche further said he had asked Osinachi’s first son what transpired between his mom and dad and he confirmed the stories.

    He quoted the son as saying that he refused to speak up in order not to attract his father’s anger.

    The pastor insisted that all he knew about the deceased’s plight at the hands of her husband came after her death.

    Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, in a statement stated that the husband would be prosecuted.

    According to the minister, Peter, brutalised his late wife and her four kids, adding that the late gospel artiste had no bank account of her own as all her proceeds were usurped by her husband.

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan also called on relevant authorities to probe the singer’s death.

    Osinachi’s family and associates disclosed that the late singer’s husband allegedly alienated her from them, her colleagues and fans.

    She lived a quiet life. Her unfulfilled dreams of giving her kids the best of motherly care, winning more souls for Christ and staying strong in the vanguard of dishing out spirit-filled songs have sadly been cut short.

  • Orlando Julius: Curtains fall on legendary showman at 78

    Orlando Julius: Curtains fall on legendary showman at 78

    AS condolences pour in from friends and associates of Orlando Julius Ekemode aka Orlando Julius, the global music industry is weighed down in mourning.

    The legendary Nigerian musician, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist passed on exactly 160 days before his 79th birthday. He died on Thursday night, April 14, 2022, in the arms of Lady Latoya Aduke Ekemode, his wife now turned widow, at his Ilesha country home, Osun State.

    One of the unsung music legends – in comparison with his contemporaries outside the shores of Nigeria – OJ left an everlasting memory that even in death looms large in the consciousness of Afro-soul, highlife, and Afrobeat enthusiasts within and outside the shores of Nigeria.

    From the mathematical Segun Odegbami to Dr. Olajide Akinyemi, who is Julius’ childhood friend, Prof Isaac Adebisi, Olufemi Adeyemi, Duro Ikujenyo, Tunde Kelani, Wale Fanu, and Tunji Bamishigbin, OJ’s death has dealt a blow that would take some time to recover – if some of them ever recover.

    For over five decades, he propagated the gospel of traditional African rhythms, highlife infused with American soul, pop, and R&B with captivating showmanship. Ably supported by his better half, OJ’s showmanship became a reference and talking point with every performance where he kept the audience on the dance floor.

    He was born on September 22, 1943, in Ikole-Ekiti, southwest Nigeria. He grew up between Ekiti and Ilesha in Osun State where his father hails from. He went to St. Peter’s Anglican School in Ikole and played in the school band until 1957 when he dropped out of school at age 14 after the demise of his father. At 14, the artiste left for Ibadan to pursue a career as a musician and start life on his own.

    Reminiscing on his early life, Ekemode would quickly recall his first musical influence, his mother, who would sing and dance while he played drums to her delight. By the time he left his hometown at 14, he had mastered the art of playing the drums or flute on his own – the stage was set for his emergence as a multi-instrumentalist. In Ibadan, OJ’s encounter with highlife musician Jazz Romero spurred his knowledge of the saxophone, an instrument he would become best known for after much practice.

    His journey in life also took him through a time with Rex Williams in Ibadan, before he became established. And by 1960, Julius had prepared the platform to become one of the forerunners of Afrobeat. He started out with the great trumpeter Eddy Okonta and he recorded his first single, ‘Igbehin Adara,’ with the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation the same year.

    His musical journey also saw him pass through IK Dairo, Tunde Nightingale, Chris Ajilo, Bola Johnson, St. Augustine, Ojoge Daniel, and Dele Ojo before leaving for the United States in 1974 where he collaborated with artists like Ambrose Campbell, Hugh Masekela, Lamont Dozier, and many others.

    In 1966, his mastery of the saxophone had become a pathfinder to what will become his musical legacy as he released ‘Super Afro Soul,’ an album that made him a celebrity in Nigeria.

    Julius’s musical prowess grew so much that he joined famed guitarist Carlos Santana to play at a Hawaii festival in 1992.

    Until he breathed his last, OJ remained one of the passionate performers that tried to revive highlife music. This led him to record albums with Nigerian legends like Fatai Rolling Dollar and Alaba Pedro. Some of his evergreen classics are ‘Adara’, ‘Ololufemi’, ‘Colombia’, ‘Ope’, ‘Ise logun ise’, and ‘Jagua Nana.’

    Julius is indeed a wellspring of gaiety, whose genius had him traversing the terrains of the godfather of soul, James Brown, and Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. As his influence gained ground, he met with the American in Ibadan in 1970 and they went on to create magic on the sound, ‘James Brown Ride On,’ after both entertainers had exchanged cultural nuances.

    Though he didn’t have a bosom encounter with the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti except when he welcomed him on the Ibadan Independence Club stage after the latter returned to Nigeria from the UK around 1963 and 1964. OJ once narrated how ladies, almost instantly, were smitten with the late Abami Eda after coming on stage as well as how some of his band members took to Fela’s personae and joined him to start the Koola Lobitos band.

    He would later become a topic when Fela wanted OJ to join his band during a conversation with his band members but they were quick to shut the thought down and Fela never asked OJ. The two had mutual respect for one another but had different paths.

    Julius was certainly a lot of things but not many knew of his impactful role with the early birds of the Nigerian film industry in the late 80s and early 90s. After his Afro Sounders recordings had spread pioneering influence like wildfire across US and UK, he went on to contribute his quota to the burgeoning movie industry. Working with some of the best professionals, he recorded movie soundtracks for Wale Fanu’s ‘Owo Blow’, Tunde Kelani’s ‘Saworoide’ and Tunji Bamishigbin’s ‘Eku Ida’ among many others.

  • Nkechi Blessing: From love to war

    Nkechi Blessing: From love to war

    Popular Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing Sunday and her husband, Ekiti-born politician, Opeyemi David Falegan, during the week, set social media agog as they opened a can of worms amid a messy breakup.

    Last year June, Nkechi confirmed her marriage to Falegan after she shared photos from their traditional marriage on Instagram. She was constantly ‘hyping’ the politician who is based in London. The union produced a son.

    Also, Falegan in February, took to his Instagram page to celebrate the actress on her birthday. He wrote, “Happy birthday my goddess, my hope, my joy, and my happiness. Please be with me forever, my love. My unending love for you is my vision, my hope, my goal, and my soul. Together forever.”

    But now, it appears the once-sweet relationship has gone sour just one year after they got hitched.

    It was learnt the duo started having issues when Nkechi completed her house in Nigeria; her husband was absent at the housewarming.

    The 33-year-old actress, who has been in the news for so many controversies recently, had in 2020 said she wished to never make the mistake of marrying someone who would disgrace her on social media, should the union eventually collapse.

    Confirming their separation, the estranged lovers – Nkechi and Falegan – spoke about their ‘broken relationship’ in separate videos on Instagram. There were a series of accusations and counter-accusations.

    Their posts have opened the floodgates of mixed reactions on social media platforms.

    Falegan threw the first salvo on Instagram live video where he stated he couldn’t be the husband of a lesbian.

    But Nkechi, while beating her chest in rage, affirmed that she was a lesbian and proud of it.

    “I’m coming out with my full chest that I’m a lesbian, so what now happened? This life will end? If you say I’m a lesbian, yes with my full chest, I am…”she said.

    During Nkechi’s onslaught of rage via a live video, she told her over two million Instagram followers that she had had female sexual partners and looks forward to having more.

    She also called Falegan a “two-minute” man, describing his alleged failure to actively carry out his sexual responsibility as a husband, adding that her sex toys satisfy her better than him.

    Nkechi also spoke of the alleged fake life of the Ekiti politician, adding that he would “buy economy ticket but wait till flight is empty to snap pictures from business class”.

    Nkechi is the Group Managing Director of a real estate company, Ojulowo – Omoluabi Empire Holdings Limited in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. The actress is accused of dating the owner of the company. A notorious Nigerian gossip blog had accused her of having a secret affair with a realtor for an endorsement deal.

    She later broke down in tears, cursing the blogger behind the reports that she cheated on her husband. Nkechi explained that “this relationship ended in February when I chased him out of my hotel room, but something led to all these tonight. I am a partner at a real estate Company called Ojulowo- Omoluabi Empire Holdings Limited. So for every land I sell, I know how much I get.

    “So tonight, Gistlover published that I am dating the Chairman of the company, Omoluabi Estate, and that got me freaked out. But before I can say, Jack! I saw a video where Opeyemi was saying, ‘I am nobody’s husband and all,’ and that got me extremely angry, and that was what caused my anger and outburst.”

    Reacting, Falegan disclosed that he had a name to maintain and would never want to associate himself with anyone that would dent his image

    He said: “I don’t want to be known for any notoriety or anything controversial. I have a name, that name is my pride. I want to be known as someone who added value to people and who will keep doing the work for people.

    “I have a name that I am trying to protect here. Anything at all, husband of who? Where did you see the husband? “I’m not the husband of a lesbian; put some respect on my name.”

    There are still lots of controversies over the reasons for the failed marriage of Nkechi and Falegan. Social media users, who are surprised that the two love birds disowned each other, will be interested in the turn-out of events over the next couple of weeks.

  • Leke Adeboye: In the name of the father

    Leke Adeboye: In the name of the father

    In the last few days, Pastor Leke Adeboye, son and Personal Assistant to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, sparked outrage over his comment on his verified Instagram page about some pastors preaching after his father’s usual thanksgiving day sermon.

    The first Sunday of the month in RCCG is designed as Thanksgiving Day.

    The church’s parishes across the world are expected to connect to the national headquarters in Ebutte-Metta where the General Overseer of usually delivers his sermon.

    But after the cleric’s message last Sunday, some pastors were said to have delivered their own messages, an action which seemed to have enraged Leke. But he apparently took his anger too far.

    “Why would you preach another sermon after Daddy GO has just finished preaching. You’re not a son. You’re a goat, sir. Next thanksgiving service, just do altar call, then thanksgiving,” Leke wrote in the now-deleted post.

    Incidentally,  his father’s sermon last Sunday was one of the most usual in recent times. Daddy GO as he’s fondly called, is normally very diplomatic in addressing public issues that call for concern.

    But his comments last Sunday stemmed from reactions to the memo the church sent out to parishes setting up the Directorate of Politics and Governance.

    Suggestions in many quarters was that the directorate was set up to galvanise support for Vice President  Yemi Osibajo over his alleged presidential ambition. Both the church and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) have seen debunked the insinuation. They have made it clear the church is only galvanizing its members to be politically active and they should do this by registering to vote and protecting their vote come 2023.

    Adeboye came out hard on politicians and took the government to the cleaners over the state of economy and lingering insecurity.

    He also expressed his fears about the 2023 election stating. He was yet to hear from God if 2023 election will hold.

    He asked series of questions about Nigeria, especially the killings in Kaduna State. “I have a lot of things occupying my mind. Kaduna is on my mind. You can’t travel to Kaduna by air, by train or by road. The question is: Why Kaduna. Who is trying to isolate Kaduna? After Kaduna which is next. Some of you are killing yourself about 2023.

    Adeboye also lamented oil theft in the country, warning that Nigeria might go bankrupt if the trend was not checked.

    His comments thrust him into the epicenter of controversy and national discourse, with many hailing him for his fortright comments.

    While Nigerians were still ruminating on his remarks, by midweek his son seized the headlines with his controversial social media post.

    On Wednesday, it was reported that the younger Adeboye was made to appear before a three-man panel for insulting pastors and labeling them ‘goats’. This led to his public apology which he posted on his verified instagram page on Thursday.

    Many social media users have reacted positively to his apology

    A facebook user, Olanite Emmanuel said “Thank God for the humility and fear of God in you my dearest Pastor Leke, the devil has been put to shame over the church and all the members, we shall all finish well and strong in Jesus mighty name Amen. God bless you sir.

    Another Facebook user, Kunle Falade said that the outburst was extreme but to err is human and to forgive is divine. Bless you pastor. We are all learning, trying to work out our salvation and the grace of God will continue to uphold you in Jesus Name Amen.

    In his apology post Leke had suggested that some form of disciplinary action has been meted to him. He wasn’t specific and the church hasn’t indicted what has been done to him. He did say he accepted the punishment. Could it be a social media ban perhaps? Time will tell if this is the case.

  • Mubarak Bala’s blasphemy woes

    Mubarak Bala’s blasphemy woes

    A 37-year-old self-proclaimed atheist, Mubarak Bala, was during the week sentenced to a 24-year jail term after pleading guilty to an 18-count charge of blasphemy levelled against him by the Kano State Government.

    Bala was initially arrested in 2020 in Kaduna State, following a petition by a lawyer, S.S Umar, and other Islamic clerics and was transferred to Kano State.

    The Kano State High Court convicted Bala after he pleaded guilty before the court on 18 charges.

    The conviction has generated mixed reactions. Organisations including such as the Humanist Association of Nigeria, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), have described it as a sham court process.

    Bala, who is the president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, was arrested at his home in Kaduna State on April 28, 2020, over his Facebook post considered to be critical of Prophet Mohammed and Islam.

    In 2020, he compared popular Lagos pastor and president of Synagogue Church of Nations late Prophet T.B Joshua to Prophet Mohammed.

    In another post, Bala said, “Whoever believes religion has been duped – If you can’t take blasphemy against Islam, criticism of its doctrines, this page is not for you. I have not even started ooo.”

    “Religion insults human reason and conscience, duped me that I have another lifetime,” Mubarak said in his Facebook bio

    His posts were greeted with threats of arrest for blasphemy in the comment section. Unperturbed, Bala said the threats were from ‘morons’ who should know better.

    Days later, a group of lawyers petitioned the Kano State Police Command to prosecute Bala for insulting Prophet Muhammad. He renounced his Islamic faith in 2014.

    The post was said to have caused outrage in many parts of Northern Nigeria where people are predominantly Muslims.

    Bala was awarded Humanist Society Scotland’s Gordon Ross Humanist of the Year Award on 8 January 2021.

    He became well-known in 2014 when the media reported that he had been forcibly drugged and committed to a psychiatric unit by his family members after telling them he was an atheist. He was released shortly thereafter and became an outspoken advocate for Nigerian atheist rights and freedoms.

    While pleading with the court to tender justice with mercy on the case with blasphemy, Bala reportedly promised not to repeat the said blasphemous post, saying he did not know it would elicit the sort of reactions it got when he shared them.

    Bala’s lawyer told the court that his client had health-related problems, for which he was treated at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.

  • Mr Ibu’s poisonous ordeal

    Mr Ibu’s poisonous ordeal

    Nollywood actor and comedian John Ikechukwu Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has confirmed that he is back stronger after being poisoned for the third time in about three years.

    The 61-year-old actor is one of Nigeria’s most talented comic characters. His amusing and witty gestures constantly send fans into fits of laugher. Many admire his acting which is often characterised by acts of silliness and hilarious gestures.

    The Enugu-born actor has featured in over 200 Nollywood movies, including Mr Ibu (2004), Mr Ibu and His Son, Coffin Producers, Husband Suppliers, International Players, Mr Ibu in London (2004), Police Recruit (2003), 9 Wives (2005), Ibu in Prison (2006) and Keziah (2007).

    The actor who hails from Nkanu West Local Government, Enugu State, finished elementary school in 1974. He moved to Sapele, Delta State, to stay with his brother after his father’s demise.

    While there he did menial jobs so he could sponsor himself to school and support his family. He worked as a hairstylist, ventured into photography and also worked in a company that produces crates.

    After secondary school, he was admitted to the College of Education, Yola, but pulled out due to financial difficulties. He later enrolled in the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, as soon as he was financially able to.

    In past years, Mr Ibu had battled with series of attacks. He stated that his ‘village people’ had attempted to kill him twice through poison. He also faced what he described as an unknown ailment for a long time.

    He was ill in the past weeks and received treatment at Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre Abuja, but has fully recovered and was discharged from the hospital.

    The leadership of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) paid a get-well-quick visit to him. A video shared by the Guild’s Director of Communications, Monalisa Chinda-Coker, on her Instagram page, showed the ailing actor was in a cheerful mood, as the actress stood beside him.

    Explaining his ordeal, Ibu said he was poisoned during his numerous trips to his country home in Nkanu West, Enugu State. He said the effects weighed him down when he returned to his base in Abuja.

    The comic who claimed that his ‘kinsmen’ had attempted to kill him. In 2020, raised the alarm about how they allegedly paid his domestic staff to poison him because of his successful career.

    He recounted how he was kidnapped and poisoned at an event in Nnewi. He also noted that his protruding stomach was a result of the poison.

    Ibu remains a household name in Nigeria’s thriving movie industry. Last year, he said hopes to die at 100 as his mother died at 90.

    He posted: “My name is John Ikechukwu Okafor. It is another God sent day for me. I have completed 61 years; Jesus! I cannot believe this, are you serious. My mother died at 90 years and I said I am going to go 100 years. It is by God’s power not by any man. I do not know what is going to happen when I get to 100 years but I know that I want to leave a history in this country.”

  • Portable: Stirring pots of unending controversies

    Portable: Stirring pots of unending controversies

    Every week, activities in the entertainment industry are incomplete without a dose of controversy from fast-rising singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable.

    He has become notorious more for his antics than for his singing talent since coming into the limelight, and continues to make headlines for the wrong reasons.

    Many music lovers view Portable as arrogant due to his frequent outlandish conduct. Some others see him as outspoken; a person who does not hide his displeasure or feelings over any issue.

    Although his career has witnessed series of dramatic events, clashes, and conflicts – especially with stories of face-off with colleagues, family and friends – the singer has grown to become one of the most talked about entertainers.

    Portable’s rise to stardom towards the end of last year took many by surprise. He gained popularity with ‘Zazoo Zeh‘, his collaborative single with Poco Lee and Olamide.

    The slang ‘Zazoo Zeh‘ from the hit single became an alliteration that found its way unconsciously or consciously into the lips of many Nigerians.

    The street-inclined song became the rave of the moment on social media platforms and social gatherings. It offered the singer opportunity of performing at several concerts with top music artistes such as of Tiwa Savage, Small Doctor, Wizkid, Davido, Zlatan Ibile and many others where he sent the audience into a frenzy.

    But trouble began when Portable had called out popular dancer Poco Lee for allegedly ripping him off on their hit track. He accused him of claiming ownership of the song.

    The star further had a fallout with his promoter, Quadri Taoreed, aka Kogbagidi, when he accused the Poco Lee of taking $2,400 out of the $3,000 that Wizkid allegedly ‘sprayed’ him during their performance at the Livespot concert in Lagos.

    Expressing his anger in a video, Kogbagidi said: “Unruly and unprofessional conduct is always expected from up-and-coming artistes. One can never tell what goes on in their minds or heads. I am shocked and embarrassed at this point. Do I need to fix your career and your head at the same time?”

    The singer would later claim his altercation with the promoter was a publicity stunt. Apparently it wasn’t because he and Kogbagidi who had called the former an ungrateful person soon parted ways.

    In January, a popular Kenyan radio presenter, Black Cinderella, called Portable out for sharing videos of his moments with ladies in the East African country.

    He stirred fresh controversy when he threatened to use charms on anyone who comes to raid his house in search of drugs. This was after operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested some of his colleague artistes in February.

    On the romance front, Portable has disclosed he has two kids with different women.

    But it’s not all been controversies and scandals. In a touch of positive news, the singer recently bagged an endorsement deal worth N50 million with socialite, Obi Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, to be the face of his newly-launched Odogwu Bitters.

    However, that rare bit of positivity didn’t last long. He set tongues wagging again on social media after announcing via Instagram that he had fired every member of his crew – including his manager, personal disc jockey and show promoter.

    The ‘Zazzu‘ crooner said he no longer wanted their services because of ‘fake love’ and mediocre professionalism. He further accused them of being “unruly” whenever he wanted to mingle with new people.

    But this singular action by Portable came at a price: he lost the chance to perform at a forthcoming show organized by a comedian, MC Morris, in Canada. Morris made the announcement on Instagram shortly after the news went viral that the singer had sacked his close associates.

    Portable had claimed that his manager, deejay, and promoter were solely dependent on him for money.

    But reacting, his enstranged promoter, popularly known as Ijoba Danku, said he never collected a dime from the singer while acting as his promoter.

    A few weeks ago, the singer alleged that he was being threatened by one Yusuf Ija-Omode in Ogun State and that the latter had given him a seven-day ultimatum . But he shortly after disclosed that he had settled the rift with with the individual.

    The latest of his controversial actions was the crashing of his new white Range Rover SUV.

    Portable said his vehicle ran into a fence and iron railings after the vehicle veered off the road due to brake failure. He had received the vehicle as a gift in December last year.

    In a video of the accident shared on Instagram, the ‘Zazoo Zeh‘ singer claimed the crash was the handiwork of “enemies” who he said “touched the SUV with spiritual hands”.

    Even if Portable turns out to be a one-hit wonder, his unending controversies are bound to keep fans entertained for a long time to come.

  • Aliko Dangote’s dream comes through

    Aliko Dangote’s dream comes through

    Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, is famed for being a foremost industrialist. Apart from his intimidating profile as the country’s biggest employer of labour, he has successfully reinvented and redefined various productive ventures.

    He is the owner of several mega factories including sugar refineries, cement plants, mega fertiliser plant, petrochemical and petroleum refinery, with footprints across Africa.

    Unrelenting in his quest, Dangote Fertilizer Plant, which has an installed capacity of 3.0 million metric tonnes of Urea per annum, was unveiled during the week.

    President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the project in the presence of dignitaries including Dangote, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu, Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele, Minister of Trade and Investment Niyi Adebayo, among others.

    The plant situated at the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State – 500 hectares of land in Lekki Free Trade Zone, is the largest in Africa and the second-largest urea plant globally.

    Understanding the critical role fertilizer plays in the food supply chain, many observers opined that Nigeria could be on its way to attaining self-sufficiency in its production and supply.

    Read Also: Otedola’s take on Dangote

    According to Dangote Industries Limited, the project was built at the cost of $2.5 billion.

    The plant’s capacity would also be expanded to produce multi-grades of fertiliser to meet soil, crop, and climate-specific requirements for the African continent.

    Buhari at the commissioning said the plant will further advance Nigeria’s drive towards achieving self-sufficiency in food production, create jobs, increase the inflow of foreign exchange and accelerate economic growth.

    Commenting on the successful inaugural launch of the plant, Dangote said: “It is an ambitious project that will reduce unemployment in Nigeria.”

    “The plant will boost productivity and enhance output across the nation as products from plants have reached the African market, and across Brazil, India, and Mexico.

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stole the show at the commissioning with his powerful speech. He described the plant as a major milestone, saying that: “The audacity of the project is amazing.”

    Undoubtedly, the plant would create more opportunities in the areas of job creation, and further address the issue of unemployment in the country.