A Nigerian footballer has reportedly died in far away Turkey after suffering a heart attack while playing a football match.
The young man reportedly died after suffering a cardiac arrest during a match, yesterday, in Turkey.
Ekundayo who plays as a striker for the Sarayköyspor football club, collapsed in the 35th minute of his side’s match against YeÅŸilköyspor at the Servergazi Stadium and was rushed to the Servergazi State Hospital where he was confirmed dead.
While reacting to the news, the Denizli Amateur Sports Clubs Federation President, Feyyaz Cesen, who wore Ekundayo’s jersey, expressed deep sadness.
A Nigerian lady identified on Twitter as Weird Bella, took to her page to advertise her line of business while also listing the terms and conditions her propective clients must abide by.
Weird Bella wrote ;
‘I am a real runs girl, I can travel anywhere as long as you can pay book my flight and pay well for your satisfaction.’
I am a real runs girl, I can travel anywhere as long as you can pay book my flight and pay well for your satisfaction!!! Please kindly Retweet my customer might be on your TL…! pic.twitter.com/LsYHVJ7hqh
A United State woman has called out Nigerian popstar, Runtown and his brother, and accused them of fraud.
According to her, ‘I wrote him two checks in two companies name, $32,000 and $107,000, after he got the checks and cashed he started saying stories, later on he started saying they would pay after runtown’s show in Canada, I and my fiancée couldn’t have it because, we never invested on anyone’s music, I even had to come down to Kenya just to be certain my fiancée wasn’t involved, and even arrested the Alex, and after investigations and all we found out it was jack, his brother and wife trying to play a fast one on us, his wife claimed they had the money returned to me, which I also have the record of’.
She went on to say, ‘I and my fiancée has used over $18,000 for both legal fees tickets and hotel bills already, he had to even travel to Nigeria to make a report also. This past months I have been dealing with cancer and chemo and catching flights from Texas to New York regularly just as result of my fiancée trusting his fellow country man so much. I gave this people $107,000 and they only paid $150000 to my fiancée. Above was when jack got the check, and also a 3 way call with him Alex and my fiancée’.
See the videos and screenshots shared by the woman below;
Today, November 5th, the trial of movie producer, Seun Egbegbe resumes, after he’s spent about 20 months in prison.
Recall Seun was arrested in February 2017 for allegedly trying to rip off an unsuspecting Bureau de change operator of the sum of 10 million naira while pretending to be a medical doctor at Gbagada General hospital.
The Lagos state police comand had arraigned him before Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo on February 2nd for alleged serial frauds involving N39, 098,100, $90,000 and £12,550.
He was alleged to have fraudulently obtained the money from no fewer than 40 Bureau De Change operators in Lagos over a period of two years – 2015 to 2017. He was arraigned alongside Lawal Kareem, Olalekan Yusuf Muyideen, Shoyombo and Oyekan Ayomide.
Egbegbe and his accomplices were each granted N5m bail with two sureties in like sum. Justice Oguntoyinbo while granting them bail, said one of the sureties must be a civil servant on at least Level 16 and must own a landed property in Lagos State and that the the Certificate of Occupancy of the landed property must be deposited in the custody of the court. Justice Oguntoyinbo ordered that the defendants to be remanded in the prison custody until they meet the bail conditions.
About 20 months after the bail was granted, Egbegbe, who was known for lavish spending, has, however, remained in the Ikoyi Prison custody, as he has not been able to meet the bail conditions.
The case against him continues today November 5th.
An American journalist, author, and investigative reporter, Robert Neuwirth, who gave a TED talk on age-old sharing economies of Africa, talked about the Igbo apprenticeship system.
According to Robert Neuwirth, the Igbo apprenticeship system is the largest business incubator platform in the world because when an apprentice serves, his master is expected to set him up in business.
The journalist further added that apprenticeships that work like locally generated venture capital and systems for allocating scarce water, can propagate and scale these models that could help communities thrive from the bottom up.
Popular Instagram model and socialite has attested to the fact that beautiful and famous women can also be intelligent.
It elaborates the obvious to state that Kenyan socialite, Corazon Kwamboka, is one of the most popular Instagram personalities in this part of the world. Touted to have one of the widest and curviest hips in Africa, Kwamboka does not hesitate to flaunt her ‘assets’.
Her Instagram page is loaded with pictures that would make any warm-blooded man drool.
However, many don’t know that Corazon is also a qualified lawyer. In a chat with Sunday Scoop, the model and entrepreneur bemoaned the fallacy that a lot of people think she’s just a beauty without brain.
She said ;
“I have had situations where colleagues didn’t take me seriously not because of my shape but due to the stigma that comes with being a socialite.
People assume that if you are beautiful and popular, then you cannot be intelligent too. But I like being underestimated because I like to see their faces when they finally get to hear me speak.
I do practise law – both commercial and criminal. My firm is in Nairobi; so, if you ever need legal representation, you know who to talk to.
Imagine a beautiful, powerful woman like me who actually knows what she’s doing representing a client; you can never go wrong.”
Nigerian singer, Paul Okoye of the defunct Psquare group, has stated that Ghanaian music has fallen behind Nigerian music because Nigerian artistes are smarter than Ghanaian musicians.
Speaking during an interview on WGHC Radio in Chicago, USA, the singer revealed that most of the trends come from Ghana but Nigerian singers pick these trends and make them big.
“Nigerians, we’re too sharp…most of the sounds you’re talking about they come from you guys [Ghanaians]… if you’re not sharp enough, Naija we’re sharper,” he said.
The father of eight, was on his way to work, driving the company’s brown Toyota Corolla when he stopped on the third mainland bridge, pretending to be pressed and that he needed to urinate. Suddenly, he jumped, headfirst, from the bridge into the Lagoon.
Reacting to the sad news of her husband’s demise and the way he died, Mrs Oladejo, said she could not give an explanation as to why her husband decided to take his own life, adding that he was a peace-loving husband and father.
She told PUNCH
“God is the only one who sees the intention of his heart for choosing to take his own life; I don’t know what could have been his reason. We have been married for over 40 years and nobody ever tried settling a dispute between us. When he was leaving for Lagos on Sunday, he prayed for us and one of the children followed him to the park. He was a peace-loving man; he was not in the habit of fighting with anyone and anytime he had money, he would buy things for all the children around.”
Atheists in Kenya have shown their support behind calls for the amendment of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, that will expunge any reference to God.
The atheists insisted that the Constitutional referendum should be held before the 2022 General Elections.
“We would like to make it clear to the public that we shall be pushing for the following amendments to the Constitution of Kenya 2010: First. That the preamble which states: We, the people of Kenya acknowledging the supremacy of the Almighty God of all creation: be expunged,” read part of atheists statement.
According to them, the Constitution must not assume that all Kenyans believe in a Supreme Being and that Article 170 on Kadhi Courts be expunged. “We would like a Constitution that is truly secular. We would want equal treatment of all religions by the state. That the words so help me God be expunged from all the oaths of affirmation under the third schedule.”
The photo is trending on social media for obvious reasons.
See photo below ;
What do y’all think about the dress?
In related news, a slay queen took time to explain why she dates only married men. The Lady identified as simply_tacha said ;
Married men are less stress, they give us money without us asking, they don’t f**k the hell out of us and they can’t cheat on us because they already have a wife.
But you see the regular boyfriends, they are always broke and when they manage to give you the least 5k, they would want to hang your legs and f**K the hell out of you”
Nigeria’s queen of music, Tiwa Savage has won the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards (MTV EMAs) in the Best African Act category.
The annual MTV EMA held last night at the expansive Bilbao Exhibition Center, Bilbao, Spain, amidst glitz and glamour, awarding music artistes around the globe in different categories.
The African act category was infused into the MTV EMA to enhance musical alliances across borders, and promote cultural integrations.
Tiwa was nominated alongside fellow Nigerian act, David Adeleke, aka Davido; South Africa’s Distruction Boyz and Shekinah; Kenya’s Nyashinski and Fally Ipupa from the DRC.
The songstress, in June of this year, lost to Davido, in the Best International Act category of the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards.
Speaking with The Nation on the red carpet, prior to the award show, Tiwa was full of accolades for Davido whom she proudly called by his alias; O.B.O.
She said it was humbling being nominated in the same category of the award with Davido. She also gave a shout out to fellow contestant from DRC, Fally Ipupa.
It may be the second time that Tiwa was rocking the MTV red carpet, having won the Best Female Act at the African version of the reward scheme called MTV Africa Music Award (MAMA) in 2014.
Delighted by her first-time experience in Bilbao, Tiwa simple said she loves the Spanish food, while also describing the award organisation as ‘incredible’.
Also, a 26-year-old Nigerian lady, Hauwa Ojeifo won in the first edition of MTV EMA Generation Change Award category.
Miss Ojeifo who was selected among four others was missed on the red carpet, as she could not secure a Schengen Visa from the Spanish embassy in Nigeria to embark on the trip.
Her award category was presented during the MTV EMA red carpet pre-show.
The award aims to elevate and empower the fearless, original young people who are changing the world.
Ojeifo was selected alongside a 21-year old Afghanistan, Sonita Alizadeh; 17 year old Lebanese, Mohamad Aljounde; 20 year old Briton, Ellen Jones and an 18 year old Xiuhtezcatl “X” Martinez.
The MTV EMA was broadcast live in 81 countries around the world.
Nigerian actor, Richard Mofe Damijo has penned a captivating and sweet letter to his daughter, Efemena who turned 16 today.
Sharing her photo on his Instagram page, RMD wrote ;
“My Efemena, My Princess, I can’t believe it’s been 2 years since I wrote you “that letter” and low-key made some promises -sigh- had I known 2 years were going to creep up on me so quickly, I wouldn’t have been so quick to! -sob-
I look at you and still thank God for gifting you to me, I still worry about the difference between your generation and mine and still worry that I would never be a good enough parent to you and your brother.
I just wish I raised you to speak Urhobo beyond Migwo, that is one regret I have in raising you but trust me I’m about to change that.
I also wish I could connect more to you by letting you wear whatever you wish to wear, go wherever you wish to go and let you stay out as late as you wish but sorry honey that’s never going to happen, not even at 21 or 25 because I’m that African Dad that will come to your house and set my rules, sorry but I’m not sorry.
I still want to be the really cool dad so go ahead make that IG account you’ve been hiding for several months public (Yea, I guess you thought I didn’t know, haha, you be Americana, I be Warri boy). Anyway, Efemena, do not let go of first, your Christian then your African values as they are important.
Let’s just be clear that, I will still Censor your friends, Create a curfew, Censor your outfits and be a “monitoring spirit” unto your social media accounts and if you create a covert one, I will find it so don’t bother.
I still choose what is right and appropriate over what is cool.
I understand if you think 16 isn’t getting you the full free pass, don’t sweat it baby, even 25 probably won’t.
Thank you baby for loving me unconditionally, I do love you much more.
Happy 16th birthday Efemena Mofe-Damijo, God bless and keep you always.
Nollywood actress Ihuoma Linda Ejiofor is getting married. Earlier today, she shared photos via Instagram of herself with a man whose face was covered by a hoody and wrote; ‘Approved’. This set off speculation that she was engaged and set to marry.
Her colleague and good friend, Adesua Etomi-Wellington has now confirmed that a wedding is in the works by sharing a photo of Ihuoma at her bridal shower.
Adesua Wrote ;
My sister…My heart is full…So FULL????
No words.
Love you tons.
#ISQUARED18 ,
Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola is in all shades of smile as he celebrates his 56th birthday today in far away Marrakech, Morocco,
Taking to his IG page the billionaire shared the above picture with the caption; ‘Thanking God for another year, Happy Birthday to me; in Marrakesh! ?? … F.Ote?’
His daughters, Florence Otedola (DJ Cuppy) and Temi Otedola to their different IG handles to celebrate their father, with lovely photos.
His daughter and DJ Cuppy took to Instagram to celebrate him, saying;
“Happy birthday to my business partner and my best friend @FemiOtedola ?? LOVE YOU DADDY! #FamilyFirst”
Temi Otedola, the other daughter took to her IG page to share a picture with her dad, with the caption, ‘jtofashionHappy Birthday Papa! I’ll always be your baby angel ?? @femiotedola’.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has ordered its members across the country to commence an indefinite industrial action.
This followed a meeting of leaders of the union on Sunday at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The National President of ASUU, Professor Abiodun Ogunyemi, told reporters that the union took the decision due to the poor funding of universities in the country.
He consequently directed all members of the union across various universities to withdraw their services, stressing that the strike would be total and indefinite.
A young man identified as Nwakalor Emmanuel, was reportedly found dead in an uncompleted building in Lekki area of Lagos.
The young man is believed to have died of an illness, as a hospital card was reportedly found on him. The corpse which has been deposited at Mainland Hospital, Yaba, was found on Friday, November 2, in an uncompleted building close to the Lekki Conservation Centre.
While attempts have been made to locate the deceased’s family, it was gathered that he will be buried in six weeks if no family member come forward to retrieve the corpse. Facebook user, Francis Owolabi who shared the story wrote;
Pls continue shearing this post until it will get to his family. This guy was found dead this morning in an uncompleted complex behind lekki conservation center immediately after chevron, ajah Lagos state.further investigation shows that the guy is sick cos hospital card was found in his wallet which shows that he’s sick and no Trace’s of drugs found on him.his name is Nwakalor Emmanuel.His Corp is now in mainland Hospital,yaba. Pls continue shearing it cos after six week’s without no identification from his families, his body will be buried as mass burial according to the mortuary, cos there is no way to trace his family,no phone found on him and no number to call.May his gentle soul rest in the peace in Jesus name,Amen
The Nigerian Army has officially kicked off operation “Crocodile Smile 3”, an initiative aimed at maintaining peace in the restive Delta State communities of Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh.
Led by the General Officer Commanding (6) division of the Nigerian Army Maj. Gen. Jamil Sarham, the military team visited both communities on Saturday, urging them to shun violence and embrace peace.
According to the force, the initiative called the Operation Crocodile Smile (III), seeks to build a strong relationship between the military and residents, while protecting oil facilities. Addressing community chiefs and the traditional ruler, the GOC said, “We solicit your understanding, support and cooperation throughout the period of the exercise and we urge you to always use dialogue to resolve your differences. “We are here to conduct operation crocodile smile three 2018’’ in your domain, soldiers are servants of the people, we are agents of peace, we engender development”.
Sarham later led his team to the army set up camp at the border of both communities where he inspected a guard of honour. Thereafter, the team proceeded to the IDP camp in Ogbe-Ijaw where they donated food items and other relief materials to the flood victims.
Nollywood actress, Eniola Badmus was dragged into a banter with a Toke Makinwa fan over her comment on a post Tunde Ednut‘s post he made about the media personality on her birthday.
Tunde Ednut made a post on his IG page saying; ‘Toke Makinwa tried to break the internet, but the internet no gree break’.
Eniola Badmus then took to the comment section with a laughter emoji saying ‘Tunde you’re a fool’. But this comment got to a Toke Makinwa Fan on the wrong side, which made her reply Eniola Badmus, with insulting words.
A 22-year-old woman has been arrested in Kenya after she strangled her one-year-old son and disposed of his body at a dumpsite.
According to The Directorate of Criminal Investigations, DCI Kenya, Mercy Chepngeno was arrested on Saturday, in Kuresoi by Homicide Detectives.
She confessed to strangling the child and dumping the body at the Kenya Meteorological Department Staff Quarters’ dumpsite where she had worked as a house help for a few days.
The suspect will be arraigned in court after necessary police action and be charged with infanticide contrary to section 210 of the Penal Code.
A Nigerian man identified as Honourable Nelson Uwua, who claims to be one of the five neighbours of the woman who killed her husband and children in Makurdi, has shared his own side of the story.
Read what he shared below;
TRUTH AND THE REPORT OF WHAT HAPPEN ABOUT A WOMAN (RACHAEL) WHO SLAUGHTER HER 3KIDS AND KILL HUSBAND (NICK ADETSAV) IN BENUE STATE. The neighbors are not wicked!
I happens to be one of the neighbor, we are in the house of five neighbor’s which is five apartment, the four neighbors always come together for something, sometimes we even eat together, we show love to each other among the four tenant, but for nick and his wife and children, they don’t greet or neither answer greeting,
we don’t touch anything that belongs to them, because you will not even see it at first place, they are always indoor especially the woman, the kids go to school everyday except Saturday and Sunday and during Holliday’s, the husband is a worker with Mkd local government, a senior staff,
I was surprise, when they told me the wife too is also a worker with the same Mkd local government, in agric department because she’s always indoor, so they care if anybody wake up or not, outside people don’t come to the compound, if one try to get water, she will drag the water down and push you outside and close the gate, the woman is very wicked, I have never seen such in my life before.
That evening, the woman put her Television on with a high volume, three generator were put on in the compound, everybody was inside watching news or films, we don’t see or notice any sign of fight but she kill her husband with pestle before slaughter her three children ,
I was not there or saw her doing it, but we notice her passed action when she come out to smarsh the car, that was when we got to know something was going on, she went inside and lock her door and there was no sign of human sound inside the room because we draw close to their window after her action outside,
the neighbor’s decided to call the police and vigilante and they responded immediately, when they came and brake the door, we saw them death.
A video is currently going viral on the internet and it shows a beautiful young lady explaining with serious conviction, the reason why she dates only married men.
In the video, she is heard saying:
Married men are less stress, they give us money without us asking, they don’t f**k the hell out of us and they can’t cheat on us because they already have a wife.
But you see the regular boyfriends, they are always broke and when they manage to give you the least 5k, they would want to hang your legs and f**K the hell out of you”
Kim Kardashian’s boyfriend between 2005-2007, Ray J, has revealed some dark and dirty secrets about her.
According to The Sun, the singer made revelation from spending $100,000 per year on G-strings, her Louis Vuitton trunk of sex toys to her need to snack mid-sex, while talking to party-goers in London on Thursday night.
‘Kim and I had fun times – marathon session,’ he began while speaking to fans during the ‘boozy’ and ‘wild 12-hour party session’, claims the publication.
‘But she didn’t like getting sweaty and would stop to do her makeup if she did.’ And Ray J claims she’s always been particular about looking her best and the right lighting even whilst doing the deed.
‘She liked to look dope during sex, the right lighting, setting the mood. She was wild – there was a red Louis Vuitton trunk of sex toys.’
Nollywood actress, Adesua Etomi has shared a photo of herself rocking a Hijab and her muslim fans are absolutely loving the never seen look.
The wife of singer and actor, Bankole Wellington (Banky W) rocked the look for a new movie in Bauchi area of Northern Nigerian.
Her husband who also had a role in the movie has asked his fans to check him out in the movie titled “Up North”
Adesua shared the combination of the different looks she wore for the movie where she played the role of “Zainab”
Upon sharing the photos, she wrote;
Zainab and her many expressions.
I’m excited for you guys to meet her.
Being in Bauchi and shooting on set of Upnorth is definitely not something I’ll forget anytime soon. The people, the rich culture, the mountains, the giraffes, the scenery…left me in awe and I know it’ll do the same for you when you watch @upnorththefilm_ Nigeria is beautiful…we just need to love her better, treat her better and keep her healthy.
This story is one of the most beautiful I have read in recent time and I can’t wait to share it with you.
Zainab, it was an honour to be you.
It’s in Cinemas from December 28.
I fit right in, don’t I guys? People used to think I was Fulani when I was younger oh?
A wedding ceremony came to a dramatic end in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Saturday, when father of the bride suddenly called off the wedding of his daughter, Oluwaseun Adugbe to his fiancée, Tunji Curtis, a few hours to the commencement of the ceremony.
Mr Adugbe, a native of Edo State and father of the bride was said to have announced that the wedding would no longer hold and directed her daughter to return all the goodies brought by the groom’s family to them immediately without giving any reason.
Groom’s family members
Members of the groom’s family, who had arrived from Lagos in the early hours of Saturday, were said to have been left in shock and could not understand why the family of the bride would cancel their daughter’s wedding without any prior notice.
They were said to have been told that the wedding could no longer hold and that all preparations should be suspended. The father insisted that no marriage would hold in his house and that he would not be a party to the union.
Sunday Tribune learnt that Tunji and Oluwaseun have been dating for about five years and their relationship has produced a child, who will clock five in a few months.
When pressed by Tunji’s family for reasons for his would-be father-in-law’s actions, it was said he had accused Tunji of failing to honour a meeting with other members of the family on Friday, a development which left them with no option but to cancel the wedding.
Sunday Tribune gathered that Tunji arrived at his fiancée’s family house on Friday evening with no inkling that his wedding would be called off the next day.
According to him, he arrived in Ibadan on Friday morning and was asked by the bride’s father to come for what he described as a crucial meeting with other members of the family, but failed to meet up with the 1p.m appointment due to other engagements.
He claimed that he arrived late at his fiancée’s house on Friday, but no one told him the wedding had been cancelled as preparations for the next day had begun.
He claimed that he had no problem with his fiancée’s father and could not understand why such a drastic action would be taken without his being informed. He added that his wife to-be could not explain the rationale behind her father’s decision.
“This is shocking. I don’t believe this is truly happening, because my wife and I had no issues at all and I can’t remember having any issue with her father. In fact, I sent money to her father last week Thursday as part of my contributions towards the wedding,” he said.
Distraught Tunji, who was almost moved to tears while speaking with Sunday Tribune, said no one could explain to him what went wrong as things were still not cleared to him as of the time he was talking.
According to him, “I asked my father in-law what went wrong; he told me that I failed to honour a meeting yesterday. I tried to explain to him that I was extremely busy making sure that everything was in place so that we could have a smooth celebration.”
Some residents of the area
Asked what his next plans would be, Tunji simply said: “ Right now, I just want to forget about this drama and cool off. I will think of the next thing to do when I wake up tomorrow.”
Also speaking with Sunday Tribune, Tunji’s elder sister, Abibat, who came to Ibadan with about 15 persons, including family members and friends, said she was disappointed by the actions of the bride’s family, adding that: “You can imagine the excuse that they gave for the cancellation of the wedding. I have never seen any family that is as irresponsible as this. I don’t blame them; I blame our son, who took the wrong step. The wedding is over and we will be going back to Lagos anytime from now,” she lamented.
Another member of the family, Olayinka Ogunbajo, who brought the wedding cake from Lagos said the family members met the father of the bride on their arrival from Lagos with the cake, saying “the father told us where we would keep the cake on Friday. He welcomed us heartily into his house and there was no reason for us to think otherwise. On getting here this morning, we were told that the wedding had been called off. I am speechless.”
At the bride’s family house in Oshodi area of Felele Rab, where Tunji in company with his friends and family members were told that the wedding had been cancelled, residents and other well-wishers lamented bitterly.
The atmosphere was pensive when Sunday Tribune arrived at the house of the bride as no one was willing to disclose what had happened. People could be seen muttering words that suggested that all was not well between the two families.
Some members of the family were seen moving their gifts and other foodstuffs back into their cars as they blamed the bride’s father for ruining their day of joy.
However, some residents of the area cashed in on the moment as they were seen with polythene bags filled with cooked meat meant for the celebration.
One of them, who spoke with Sunday Tribune, said since the wedding had been cancelled and everybody was confused, “their pain is our joy”.
Efforts to speak with the bride’s father proved abortive as he declined comment when Sunday Tribune approached him for his reaction in his house.
His response was “I am not ready to talk to anybody. Please go.”
Angela Simmons’ ex-fiancee and baby daddy has died. Sutton Tennyson was shot and killed at his home today, The Shaderoom reported.
The unfortunate news was confirmed by his dad who gave no further details.
Angela and Sutton began dating in later 2015 and welcomed their baby, Sutton Jr., in September 2016.They split in December 2017.
The single mom said that she tried to salvage her relationship with Tennyson, including going for counseling.
“For me, it’s already a lot, then everyone has to look at me like, ‘oh you’re not married, you’re this, you’re Reverend’s daughter.’ So I’m going through all of that and I have to raise a kid in front of the world…single! People are always going to be in my comments, ‘where’s the dad? what’s this?’ It’s non-stop! They’re always worried about my ring and if it’s on or off. [People] think they know me and they don’t. They have no idea.”
Our condolences go out to the Tennyson as well as the Simmons family.
This has to be the biggest twist in the entertainment industry as Freeway alongside Co owner of Bo entertainment alongside “FREDO” takes a different path to even go Farther in breaking boundaries
Normally we have seen DJ’s, producer’s, promoters and even hypemen do collaborations with Music star’s but he stood out as been the first record label CEO to chune out a song to his name featuring artists ( Chidokeyz, Ben Anansi, Pixie, OD vibes) signed under his umbrella .
Rumour’s has it that he has a full verse to him self and we might even be expecting an Ep and also albums in no time.
A young carpenter was, this morning, nabbed in #Ibadan, Oyo State, while trying to use the destinies of his neighbors for money ritual.
The suspect was spotted, by a young girl, having his bath on a local grinder used by all the occupants of the house where he resides at Moniya garage.
He was subsequently reported to the elders and summoned. Upon interrogation, he confessed that an Islam cleric, Alfa, recommended it to him, so that he can become rich. .
The elders further asked what the fate of other neighbors who use the grinder would be and he said nothing will happen to them again since the ritual has spoilt after he was caught. .
The suspect was about to be dragged to the police station, but his mother pleaded. He was eventually taken to his room, where all the black soaps he uses were retrieved before being pardoned by the residents.
Popular Nollywood actor, IK Ogbonna, has finally spoken on what is actually going on between him and his estranged wife, Sonia.
Speaking exclusively with JOY MARCUS, the actor talked about his career, marriage and other issues.
When did you realise that you had an interest in acting?
At some point in my life, I knew I wanted to be in the spotlight, impacting lives and doing something positive. It was not about becoming a celebrity really, I just wanted to be able to affect lives on a wider scale. In 2005, I attended auditions for the Amstel Malta Box Office television show in Abuja. I decided to try it out, not knowing if I could act or not. I went to Abuja for the audition and I was picked. So, I came for the other auditions in Lagos and that was what necessitated my coming to Lagos. I thought it would be an automatic entry for me into the industry but it was not. So, I focused on the modelling aspect of my life because I had been a model for many years.
How was your journey into the movie industry?
I met Elvis Chucks who gave me the opportunity to present two shows on TV, Amstel Malta Legend and Musical Vibes. He always knew I had something in me that I wasn’t exploring. He cast me in a few of his TV series such as Secrets and Scandals for two seasons. At that time, I was doing it because it was an opportunity to do something and not because it was what I wanted to do. I was more focused on my modelling career. Then, in 2013, I met actress, Rukky Sanda, at a club, and she decided to feature me in the movie she was producing at the time. When I got on set, I developed a cold feet; I gave an excuse to run away but she still called me for another movie she produced. My output in the movie wasn’t really good because I had cold feet. My confidence level was very low but I did what I could do. I acted as a model which increased my fan base. After that movie, I got another one and that was how my career kicked off.
What movie brought you to stardom?
I cannot really say because so many people love me for the different movies I have featured in. I can’t point to a particular movie that gave me fame. I believe people love me for my roles and personality because you can relate with me as an actor or as a person who is full of mysteries. I think I got a lot of female fans from the first movie I did which was Lovelorn, produced by Rukky Sanda, even if my acting was not as good (as it should have been). I was always taking off my shirts in the movie. I focused on my appearance in that movie and all the girls that like fine boys liked that one.
What are the challenges you faced starting up?
I was a very chronic stammerer; I had to hit my foot on the floor before I could complete a sentence. I worked on it so much that you can hardly tell now when I talk and I thank my father for that. It affected my confidence level and how I related with people. Back then, when I saw people around, I kept quiet because I didn’t want to embarrass myself. At the time I started presenting on TV, I had worked on myself so well that people couldn’t tell if I was a stammerer or not. However, there are still days it comes and I find it difficult to control myself. But some directors that know me well just give me a few minutes to calm down.
How much were you paid for your first movie?
I was paid N50,000 and the title of the movie is Lovelorn by Rukky Sanda. I won’t say how much I charge now but I am well paid as an actor.
What are some of the challenges you face in the movie industry?
Funding is one of the major challenges we face in the industry, coupled with the chain of distribution houses. I think that the structures should be reformed. There should be some kind of sensitisation in the industry because most actors are not well paid.
Very few of us are actually well paid but most of the actors are underpaid because when producers invest their money in projects, they don’t get it back. Sometimes, if your movie is not going to the cinema, it will rather go to an online platform where you either sell exclusively to them or the TV houses. There are limited platforms to distribute movies which affects the budget of a movie because if you go all the way out to produce, you may be shooting yourself in the foot.
That is why some producers have one big name in their movies and a few other up and coming actors. Or he can decide to have all the big names in his movie because he will be going to the cinema. I also thank Nigerians because they are beginning to support Nollywood. When you go to the cinemas, you see people watching more Nigerian movies than foreign movies. The industry has really grown because the quality of movies produced then is totally different from what we have now. We just need to have more community houses and cinemas.
What are some of your aspirations?
I take each day as it comes. I have a big picture of what I want for myself and my family. I want to live a fulfilled life and build people as well. I want to create platforms where I can make more millionaires. I can’t sit back and say it is the responsibility of the government because if the government is failing, we, as individuals, should not do the same. As a producer, I want to be able to make movies that will compete with international movies and as an actor, I want to be able to work alongside people such as Denzel Washington and Brad Pitt, who are great actors and businessmen.
How do you achieve work-life balance?
It is really difficult to balance a career that is flourishing. You have to be out there because if you take a break, it will affect you. You have to keep working; yet, you have a family that needs you. Most successful people have their families suffer for their career and I must give credit to my wife because it has not been easy. Sometimes, you might be on the road all day. Right now, I am in a hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, because I got off set by 2am and I can’t drive back to my home in Victoria Island. If my wife was in town, she would be at home while I would be in a hotel. I also have to travel back to Enugu to film and after that, I will move to Paris; then, Malaysia. As a celebrity, your life is basically on the road. Sometimes you just have to say no to a N2m job so that you can give that one week to your family. It is a constant hustle but thank God for those spouses that understand.
Having married a foreigner, did your family oppose your marriage?
Nobody has a say in my life. I live my life for me and my immediate family, which consists of my wife and son. That is what matters. I respect my family but ultimately my happiness lies with me.
Is there really crisis in your marriage?
Well, I don’t want to talk about what some of these blogs are saying. If they are good journalists, they should investigate things before bringing it out to the world. They just post things because they want traffic to their blogs. If my wife and I are divorced, people will know because we won’t be single and acting married when other hot singles are out there looking for attractive spouses. I am still married to my wife and that is what matters for now. Every relationship, whether it is marriage or courtship, experiences good and bad times; so, mine is not devoid of that. I love my wife and she loves me too; so, we will definitely have our good and bad times. What is important is the love we have for each other.
How do you feel when people tongue lash her for dressing in certain ways?
I feel that nobody has the right to insult another person irrespective of how they dress. Even if it is out there in the public eyes, it doesn’t give anyone the right to talk or insult her. She dresses appropriately for every single event. If you feel comfortable wearing agbada in a pool or beach, then that is your business. Even when she is going to the club, she doesn’t dress provocatively; she dresses appropriately and I am not bothered. I love who she is and I definitely love her dress sense. Other people’s opinions don’t matter.
Where did you school?
I studied Sociology at the University of Jos. Then I came to Lagos to chase my dreams. I am not really an office person. I don’t think I can do a 9 – 5 job. I just feel that the whole schooling think was to fulfil all righteousness.
