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Tag: Dbanj

  • D’banj finds strength after son’s death

    WITH a picture that depicts a pensive mood in what seems like a pew in a church, notable Nigerian singer, Dapo Oyebanjo, aka D’banj, on Thursday, shared how the passing of his one -year -old son has been tough on him and his family.

    “The past few weeks have been incredibly trying and difficult, but God’s love has kept me and my family going,” he posted on Instagram.

    “I can’t thank my team enough and the incredible love from you all. May God keep us all. #StrongerTogether”

    Dbanj’s son, Daniel Oyebanjo III, had drowned in their family pool on June 24. Since then, the Koko Master, as he is fondly called, had been silent on social media. Apart from expressing thanks to those who supported him and his family during the trying period, the artiste only took to Instagram on July 13 to share the promo of Mandela 100 Global Citizen Festival which is expected to hold on December 2, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    Artistes performing alongside the artiste at the concert include Beyonce Jay Z, Cassper Nyovest, Ed Sheeran, Eddie Vedder and Femi Kuti. Others are Pharell Williams and Chris Martin, Sho Madjozi, Tiwa Savage, Usher and WizKid.

  • BBNaija’s Alex Unusual, IfuEnnada lead fans on PVC registration

     Alex Unusual and Ifu Ennada, BBNaija `Double Wahala” 2018 stars led some of their fans to register for Permanent Voters Card (PVC) in Lagos on Wednesday.

    The duo selected ten fans to accompany them on the ‘PVC Date’ which featured registration for PVC and a hangout afterwards.

    In a joint post on their Instagram pages @alex_unusual and @ifuennada, they wrote, “Your PVC is your choice. Make sure you get it.

    “There are several people we could vote into power, when we get to that bridge, we would cross it.

    “If this is successful, I will do more ‘PVC Dates’ but please don’t wait for me to get to your area.

    “Go out and get yours because registration is closing very soon,” they said.

    Ifu Ennada in another post thanked the fans who came out for the registration exercise after sharing a video of the ‘PVC Date’.

    Read Also: BBNaija: Alex urges young women to pursue their dreams

    She wrote, “PVC exercise with @alex_unusual. Thanks to everyone who came out.”

    Several celebrities including musicians, actors and fashion entrepreneurs alike, have also been leading the PVC registration campaign.

    Musicians Falz, Simi, D’banj and Banky W alongside Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Rukky Sanda, Alex Ekubo and IK Ogbonna have led campaigns for their fans to get PVCs.

    Similarly, Yomi Casual, Swanky Jerry, Tobi Bakre, 2Baba and Efe Omoregbe have joined the train of celebrities clamoring for voters registration.

    NAN

  • D’banj thanks Nigerians

    Dapo Oyebanjo a.k.a D’banj has expressed his gratitude to Nigerians for their support and messages of condolence during the passing of his first son Daniel Oyebanjo III.

    Daniel drowned on Sunday, June 24 in a swimming pool at the Oyebanjo’s Lagos residence.

    The entertainer who spoke on behalf of his wife and family took to his Instagram to speak for the first time since the demise of Daniel Jr.

    “We want to use this medium to thank everyone that has extended a hand of support to us during this period,” he wrote.

    “On behalf of myself and my family, we are awed by the demonatration of love and care from both near and afar.

    “May God bless you all. From the Oyebanjos.

  • Tough times for D’banj

    Lai Mohammed, A li Baba, Banky W, others mourn with pop star over son’s death

    A PALL of grief descended on the cozy Ikoyi, Lagos home of one of Nigeria’s top pop singers, Dapo Oyebanjo, better known as D’banj, on June 24, 2018. Death snatched his lovely son, Daniel Oyebanjo lll, in a tragic manner.

    Little Daniel, who was born on May 27, 2017, was said to be playing with some visiting family friends, when he strayed into the backyard of their residence, slipped into a pool and drowned.

    It was said that the little boy was rushed to an unnamed hospital where he was confirmed dead. D’banj, popularly known as Koko Master, according to media reports, was in Los Angeles, United States of America, for the 2018 Black Star Entertainment Awards (BET) when the incident occurred.

    It, however, emerged that the one-year-old boy was left in the company of some grown up children in the house at the time the unfortunate incident occurred.

    In what looked like a confirmation of the sad incident, D’banj took to his Instagram page to post a black-pitch image with a caption: “Trying Times. But my God is Always and Forever Faithful”.

    His Instagram page message was trailed by torrents of sympathies from colleagues and friends and even from the Federal Government through the Minsiter of Information and Culture, Chief Lai

    Muhammed.

    According to reports, the remains of the child have been moved to the morgue.

     

    Commiserating with D’banj, popular comedian, Alibaba, said: “I cannot imagine what you are going through. I have experienced losses that shook me to the bones. Zakilooooo and Endurance… two of my brothers.

     

    “I still wear a black band for each one till date. That’s like five years after. So I cannot say snap out of it. Because it doesn’t go away.” Rotimi Martins a.k.a. Alariwo of Africa, wrote: “It’s a very sad news; woke up in the middle of the night to speak with a friend abroad because of our time difference, only to hear the sad news. May God give Dapo the strength to bear the loss and bless him with twins in little time.”

     

    Popular singer, Banky W, described the death of the child as “a nightmare and heart wrenching news.” “Sending prayers up for @iambangalee, his wife and their entire family. This is a nightmare. Heart-wrenching news. May God strengthen and comfort you all in this absolutely terrible time, in Jesus name,” he said.

     

    Another notable pop singer, Wizkid, wrote on Instagram: ‘’Wow! Praying for strength for you and your

    family Dbanj… God’s own!” Also, sympathising with D’banj, Nigerian actress, Shan George, wrote: “It’s a very sad day for the industry and the country. I pray that the Almighty God comforts everyone who has lost their loved ones. “I have lost close family members before; the pain is not something I will wish for even an enemy.”

     

    Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement by his Special Assistant, Segun Adeyemi, said although words can never be enough to console D’banj, the family should take solace in the outpouring of condolences from Nigerians.

     

    “My prayers and kindest thoughts are with you and your family at these trying times. May God give you the strength and the comfort that will see you through,” Mohammed said. But the circumstances surrounding the death of the todler had triggered harsh commentaries on the social media, with some respondents accusing D’banj’s wife, Lineo Didi Kilgrow, who was at home at the time of the incident, of ‘negligence’ for not monitoring her little boy enough.

     

    Popular fashion entrepreneur and mother of two, Toyin Lawani, however, defended D’banj’s wife, describing the accusations as baseless and unfeeling.

     

    In a post on her Instagram page, Toyin recalled how her own son, Tenor, almost drowned in a pool where she had gone to work while the son was in the care of her nanny, noting that the incident does not in any way portray her as a bad mother. She wrote: ”I had to put this right here. I’m super irritated. This is not about any of us, but we can learn from our mistakes. That is why I said people pointing fingers should go watch how it happened to my son, ’cause it happened so fast and I was right there. No one is selling any market here, just stating the obvious. I can’t believe even in death, people

    still criticise, Jesus is Lord.

     

    ”I had to delete my previous post, ’cause of all the silly comments. Today is not the day for trolling and point fingers. Give yourselves brain. I was so disappointed with the comments I read online about this issue. Why, why, why do you people do this all the time? “It’s so sad for our nation to always bring down people, even at their  lowest. What if the mum hurts herself with all your harsh words? Think for once about the damage your comments can cause. No parent prays for this.”

     

    The trying times for the pop star and his wife may be far from over, going by a statement issued by the Police, asking them to officially explain how his son died. While sympathising with D’banj, the Lagos State Police Command, in a statement released via their official Instagram page and signed by Police Public Relations Officer Lagos State Police Command, Mr Chike Oti, asked the singer to formally report the incident to the police when the mourning period is over. The statement reads in part: ”The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Edgal Imohimi, on behalf of officers and men of the Lagos State Police Command, wishes to commiserate with the family of Mr and Mrs Oladapo

     

    Daniel Oyebanjo a.k.a D’BANJ @iambangalee on the death of their one year-old-son, Daniel (Jnr) Oyebanjo whose sad event took place yesterday 24/06/2018, at the Ikoyi-Lagos residence of the family. The CP wants the family to know that at this period of their grief, the entire Command shares in their pain.

  • Minister condoles with D’banj over son’s death

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has condoled with star musician, D’banj,  and his wife on the tragic loss of their son, Daniel.

    In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the minister said although words could never  be enough to console them, they should take solace in the outpouring of sympathy from Nigerians.

    Read Also: D’banj’s only child dies

    ”My prayers and kindest thoughts are with you and your family at this trying time.

    “May God give you the strength and the comfort that will see you through,” he said.

    Dapo Oyebanjo, popularly known as  D’banj and wife Lineo Kilgrow’s one-year-old son reportedly drowned at a pool in the singer’s residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, on  Sunday afternoon.

    NAN

  • Fans, colleagues condole with D’banj over son’s death

    Condolences have been pouring for popular singer, Daniel Oyebanjo, aka D’banj, over the death of his son, Daniel Oyebanjo III.

    The singer had confirmed the death of his son on Sunday night on his Instagram page.

    Sharing a black picture, he wrote @iambangalee, “Trying times but my God is always and forever faithful.”

    Daniel, who celebrated his first birthday in May, reportedly drowned in the family pool.

    Following confirmation of the sad news, condolences began to pour in from celebrities and fans alike replicating the black picture shared by the bereaved D’banj.

    Former label mate and producer, Don Jazzy wrote, “Just heard the worst news in a long time.”

    Singer Bank W wrote @bankywellington, “Sending prayers up for @iambangalee, his wife and their entire family. This is a nightmare. Heart wrenching news. May God strengthen and comfort y’all in this absolutely terrible time in Jesus name.”

    Music diva and Mavin First Lady, Tiwa Savage also wrote; “I was just holding you last month celebrating your birthday. I am in shock, my heart is broken. This is unbearable.”

    Another former label mate, Dr Sid said, “The Lord is your strength my brother.”

    Others including Big Brother Naija 2018 alumni, Alex, Tobi Bakre, singer Dija and actress, Tonto Dikeh have also expressed their condolences.

    Meanwhile, fans of the singer have taken to social media to mourn with him.

    @Ify_love tweeted, “the worst news. Couldn’t possibly imagine what they are going through.”

    @felyxxx01 wrote, “This is really sad. Such a lovely kid. My condolences to Dbanj and his wife.”

    Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Edgal Imohimi, on behalf of officers and men of Lagos State Police Command, commiserated with the family of the entertainer on the death of his one-year-old son.

    In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer Lagos, CSP Chike Oti, Imohimi said that the entire Command shares in their pain at this period of their grief.

    Although a delegation from the Command, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Ikoyi Division, CSP Mustapha N’Abba, who were at the Ikoyi home of the Oyebanjos on a condolence visit did not meet anyone at home, they were urged to formally report the circumstances that led to the unfortunate death of little Daniel to the police when the mourning period is over.

  • Mo Hits: Don Jazzy, D’Banj hint on reunion tour

    The yearnings of Fans for a reunion by the defunct Mo Hits Squad, is gradually becoming a reality as Michael Collins and Dapo Oyebanjo a.k.a Don Jazzy and D’Banj respectively have publicly announced a ‘Reunion Tour’.

    The duo made the announcement on their respective instagram handles.

    D’Banj, with over two million followers on instagram @iambangalee, stated: “@donjazzy Are they ready’’

    Similarly, Don Jazzy, with about 3.9 million instagram followers in his characteristic responded on @donjazzy “@iambangalee How many states/countries should we give them?’’

    However, the exact dates, venues or artists to perform during the tour were not mentioned in their different posts.

    Nevertheless, it is a welcome and cheering news for fans of Mo Hits Records, after members of the group went their separate ways in 2012.

    The group founded in 2004 dominated the Nigerian music scene between 2004 and 2012.

    The defunct Mo Hit Records artists first performance after the break up took place at the recent “Davido’s 30 Billion Music Concert’’ in December last year.

    The Squad had artists such as Don Jazzy, D’Banj, Dr Sid, Wande Coal, D’ Prince aka Omoba and K-Switch.

    After the break up, Don Jazzy went on to establish another record label known as Mavin Records (MR) and took along with him, D’ Prince, Dr Sid and Wande Coal.

    Later, the iconic producer and the Chief Executive Officer of MR went on to sign the likes of Tiwa Savage, Korede Bello, Di’Ja, Reekado Banks, Johnny Drille, Poe and the DNA Twins.

    D’Banj On the other hand, signed a record deal with American Kanye West’s “Good Music’’.

    He founded DB Record where he signed his younger brother, K-Switch alongside two producers Jaysleek and Deevee.

    The 38 year-old Kaduna-born artist also known as `Kokomaster’ later signed controversial Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh to the label.

    NAN

  • Fear of poverty made me think out of box – D’banj

    Fear of poverty made me think out of box – D’banj

    Nigeria’s music star and entrepreneur, Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo  (a.ka. D’banj) says fear of poverty made him to think out of the box to create wealth, urging youths to follow suit.

    D’banj said in Lagos on Wednesday that Nigerian youths must go the extra mile, be creative and have a new perspective to be relevant and make wealth.

    He spoke at the 2018 Social Media Week ( SMW ) Lagos which began on Monday.

    D’banj spoke on the topic: “Changing the Game: Artistes are leaders”.

    The music star said that fame might not bring wealth but thinking out of the box will.

    “The fear of being poor made me to think out of the box to create wealth for myself and remain relevant.

    “Fame will not guarantee you money; fame will not give you wealth, but it can give you what you need if you channel it properly.

    Read Also:  Reviewing D’Banj’s ‘It’s Not A Lie’

    “Channelling your fame properly to create wealth is another advantage that stands you out,” D’banj said.

    He said that it was high time artistes created brands for themselves and be ambassadors of their own brand.

    Mr Uzoma Dozie, Managing Director, Diamond Bank Plc, said that the bank would invest in artistes if information and data available on their revenue flow would be available.

    Dozie called for professionalism in the music industry especially as more people would be going digital.

    “What you do to inspire people and how you do it matter,” he said.

    The News men reports that Social Media Week Lagos is currently in its sixth edition with the theme: ‘Closer’.

    The event which will end on March 2 is featuring discussions covering the future of the media, tourism, governance, gender inclusion, entertainment and emerging ideas and trends across the globe.

    NAN

  • Dbanj conferred with Chieftaincy title in Imo

    Dbanj conferred with Chieftaincy title in Imo

    Nigerian musician and Kokomaster, Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo aka Dbanj, has been conferred with a chieftaincy title in Imo State.

    The veteran artist who famously sang about being conferred with a chieftaincy title everywhere he visits was conferred with the title of “Enyi Ka Nwanne of Amuzi Obowo” in Obowo LG of Imo State.

    D’banj who shared photos of the event on his Instagram page was spotted wearing Igbo ‘isi agu’ attire while being flanked by his friend and business partner, Mr. Damian Ifeanyi Okoroafor as he received the title.

    He wrote: “2018 Happiness …It’s Another OneEgweji “The Enyi Ka Nwanne of Amuzi Obowo.”, 2018 starting like…

    The Kokomaster recently performed with his Mo Hits Records label mates including Wande Coal, Don Jazzy, D’prince, and Dr. Sid, at Davido’s 30 Billion Concert in Lagos after long years of hiatus as a group since their fall out in 2012.

  • D’banj doles out millions of naira as CREAM clocks one

    D’banj doles out millions of naira as CREAM clocks one

    IT was a successful entrepreneur that met with the press on Wednesday, outside of his personal musical accomplishment.

    Dapo Oyebanjo, otherwise called D’banj, oozes benevolence, grinning from ear to ear, ready to dole out millions of naira at the Renaissance Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, last Wednesday, as the next set of beneficiaries await their rewards for participating in the Creative Reality Entertainment Arts Music (CREAM).

    It was the one year anniversary event of CREAM, his innovative digital talent hunt platform, in partnership with MTN.

    His excitement is understandable. Not only is he succeeding in the project that has boycotted the usual ‘godfatherism’ chain and lifted the talents of several youths across the country, who may not have the opportunity of being heard, D’banj took a loan of N50 million from the Bank of Industry, and paid back in less than one year. This was a record-setting feat to the DFI among other beneficiaries of its creative industry fund scheme.

    D’banj said he conceived the CREAM idea because “I was being inundated right, left and centre by people who wanted to ‘blow’. It was a time too that I wanted to reach out to those talents in Ogbomoso, Langtang and everywhere else who could not come to Lagos to achieve their dreams but have the talent and passion to do music.” He added, “I wanted a platform that can help find creative talent from anywhere in Africa and give them a fair chance of making their creative dreams come true, from the comfort of their homes.”

    CREAM, thus, started with a mission to offer a veritable platform for uncut musical talents across the country to have their songs recorded and released, shoot musical videos for deserving up and comers and help unknowns secure collaboration with established acts. At the outset in September 2016, there were only a few hundreds of tentative subscribers on the platform.

    By July 2017, D’banj sensationally revealed that the CREAM platform had grown into a staggering 2million subscriber base and is now worth an estimated $100million. While the first set of beneficiaries on the platform were Rayce, TK Swag, MKJ, Leke Benson and Legend Courage, the lives of many other subscribers have altered dramatically with cash prizes ranging from N50, 000 to N1million during the monthly draws.

    He also used the occasion of the anniversary to dispel insinuations that CREAM is a scam. “I have a great team of judges and A n R which includes Godwin Tom and Harrysongs, Ice Prince, Wande Coal, to help mentor the artistes we are bringing on board. So, it’s not a lottery platform, the lottery part of it is just an added incentive. The winners are usually chosen by judges so even if I help the artistes shoot a video, they still need to make money, look good and move around, and for those who have already received their money, they know it is not a scam.”

    Speaking on the challenge of the initiative, he said the widespread distrust in the country makes some winners doubt even their own winnings.

    “Some people have been registering on the CREAM platform and winning prizes ranging from a million naira to N50, 000, but I noticed that whenever we call the artistes to inform them of winning huge amounts of money, they become scared and don’t bother coming to claim their prizes, it is understandable because of the present situation of the country. They think it is a scam, they think it’s unreal, but I am here to tell you that it is not a scam, I have invited them here for you to see.”