The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Fathia Balogun

  • Iyabo Ojo changes ‘name’

    Iyabo Ojo changes ‘name’

    It appears a new wind of ‘rebranding’ is sweeping through the Yoruba movie sector of Nollywood. First, it was actress Fathia Balogun, who reverted to her maiden name, Fathia Williams, after years of marital problems with her estranged husband Saidi Balogun.

    Surprisingly, just as fans of the Delta State-born actress were trying to come to terms with the name change, another top Yoruba actress, Iyabo Ojo, last Wednesday, shocked her fans and loved ones with her post on the Facebook.

    For many of her fans, it is as if the mother of two has also caught the bug of name change, which has crept into the Yoruba movie sector.

    The sexy actress, who opened a salon, FEPRIS World, on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos, last year, announced that she would no longer use the name of her production outfit, Iya Ojo Production, for her subsequent works. Her words: “I will not be using Iyabo Ojo Production as my movie production name. FESPRIS is my new production name henceforth, as I will be dropping the name soon.”

    The star of Agogo Ide added that her forthcoming movies, Tenbelu and Silence, would be produced under the stable of FEPRIS Production.

    There have been speculations that she might remarry. So, against the backdrop of her disclosure, particularly on the fact that she would soon drop the name, Ojo, the question on the lips of many is: What is in a name?

  • Saidi Balogun vs. Fathia Balogun

    Saidi Balogun vs. Fathia Balogun

    THEIRS is one love story gone awry. In recent times, both actor Saidi Balogun and his estranged actress wife, Fathia, have been in the news for the wrong reason.

    Following the breakup of their marriage, Saidi has reportedly dragged Fathia to court for her refusal to drop his surname.

    The recent development has really set some tongues wagging among their fans and colleagues.

    Recently, Saidi Balogun released a press statement, where he tried to put the records of their crashed marriage straight.

    The statement reads in part:

    “Yesterday, I was accused of lying to the press on a recent rumour that has been circulating. I separated from my ex-wife, Fathia Balogun, in 2006, over seven years ago.

    Since we were legally married in court, we have to legally divorce in court to finalize the issue.

    The public is welcome to go to the Lagos High Court to verify these records.

    “This has absolutely nothing to do with any name! I am not asking or forcing Fathia to stop using the name Balogun, as it is one of the most common Yoruba names.

    Furthermore, to set the record straight, Fathia and I had two children together, not three. Fathia’s first child is from a different husband that she later divorced before we were married. I never lied to anyone.

    Journalists presented me with a rumour that had no basis. So, I simply stated that I do not want my private life made public. It is my privacy and this concerns nobody.

    I decided to stay quiet as the two parties involved in this issue are over 40 years old, and I think we are old enough to handle this issue maturely, instead of turning our private matters into a public gossip debate.

    “I hope this issue is now clarified for the public, as I, Saidi Balogun, am divulging the true facts myself, instead of using a misinformed publicist to do so for me.

    There are so many positive aspects of Nigeria’s entertainment industry. But we prefer to focus on negative and meaningless noise, instead of these positive components.

    “Please, give me the respect of keeping my personal life private and out of the public eye. I am focusing on my work. Thank you!”