Entertainment

‘I make a lot of club records but I feel like a pastor’ — Wizkid

Published

1 year ago

November 6, 2022

Advocate News Nigeria

Multiple award-winning singer, Ayo Balogun, fondly known as Wizkid or Big Wiz, started his career in the church.

Little wonder that he recently made it known that although he makes songs for the club, he feels like a pastor.

In a recent interview with theguardian.com, the singer detailed how his career began and grew to the point it is now.

Speaking about his spirituality, Big Wiz said, “I’m a very spiritual human being. I know I make a lot of club records but I feel like a pastor, really.”

The 32-year-old Grammy award winner who recently welcomed his fourth child is about to release his latest music project, ‘More Love, Less Ego’.

Speaking on the album, Wizkid noted that his biggest concern is not letting fame get to his head. “Everyone fights with their ego and that’s where I’m at. I’m still trying to shed my ego, like everyone else.”

Fondly referred to as Starboy, the artiste revealed that if he did not go into music, he would have turned to a life of crime as his parents wanted him to become a lawyer or doctor.

“Music was more than a hobby for me, more than a talent. It was my escape. I was in the hood. It was either music or turn to crime. That’s why I don’t joke with music.

“My parents wanted me to be a lawyer or a doctor. That was a very hard conversation to have when I said I wanted to make music. I had to just prove [myself] to them.”

Entertainment

Junior Pope: South East filmmakers protest in Enugu

Published

1 week ago

April 18, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

• Protesting Southeast filmmakers

Different groups involved in filmmaking under the auspices of South East Film Crew Welfare, Wednesday afternoon, took to the street protesting the manner five of their members died after a boat conveying them to shooting location capsized in Anambra River.

Junior Pope, Abigail Frederick, Precious Oforum, Joseph Anointing and Friday Okoroafor, all lost their lives in the unfortunate incident.

Members of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria (CDGN) in Enugu State and others marched on the streets of Enugu metropolis from Okpara Square, Independence Layout, through Rangers Avenue, Bissala Road and terminated at Film Arena, National Museum.

A candle light procession was slated in honour of the fallen heroes and heroines.

Their spokesperson, Jonas Onunweze, a props and set designer, condemned the treatment given to artistes and other Nollywood crew members by film producers.

Entertainment

EFCC to arraign Cubana Chief Priest over naira abuse

Published

2 weeks ago

April 16, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

• Cubana Chief Priest

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has filed a three-count charge against Cubana Chief Priest, a popular Instagram celebrity, who has been accused of abusing the naira, Nigeria’s currency.

Cubana, real name Pascal Okechukwu, is expected to be arraigned on Wednesday, April 17, before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Okechukwu is facing three count charges for allegedly spraying and tampering with the naira at a social event contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007.

A copy of the document filed on April 4th by EFFC’s prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) alongside seven other lawyers representing the chairman of the Commission read:

1- “that you, Okechukwu Pascal on 13th Feb. 2024, at Eko Hotel, within the jurisdiction of the court, while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.

2 – “that you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in 2020, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.

3 – “that you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in January 2024, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.

Another popular social media personality, Bobrisky was recently sentenced to six months in prison without an option of fine for abusing the naira.

Entertainment

Grieving Junior Pope’s family appeals for privacy from public

Published

2 weeks ago

April 14, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

Junior Pope

The family of late Nollywood star, John Paul Obumneme Odonwodo popularly known by his stage name, Junior Pope, has formally reacted to the sudden demise of their son, saying the circumstances of his death was “wholly avoidable.”

Junior Pope died in a boat mishap on Wednesday, 10th April, 2024 while going to movie set.

A statement issued by Dr Divine Odonwodo on behalf of the family said the funeral arrangements will be announced soon, while the relevant authorities continue with their investigations into the unfortunate incident.

Dr. Odonwodo also appealed to the public to give the family privacy “as we grieve and mourn this irreparable loss.”

The three-paragraph statement reads:

“We regret to announce the sudden death of our son, brother, husband, friend and very well loved Nollywood movie star, John Paul Obumneme Odonwodo (Junior Pope). This wholly avoidable tragedy took place on the 10th of April, 2024 at Asaba Delta State.

“Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family. While the authorities investigate the circumstances leading to this unfortunate event, the family asks for privacy as we grieve and mourn this irreparable loss.

May his beautiful soul and the souls of all the victims of the boat accident rest in peace. Amen”

Born on May 7, 1984, in Bamenda, Cameroon, Pope Obumneme Odonwodo, widely recognized as Junior Pope, is a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.

His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Luke Odonwodo, belong to the Ukehe tribe in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State South East Nigeria. After spending his formative years in Cameroon, Junior Pope completed his primary and secondary education before later relocating to Nigeria.

Junior Pope’s upbringing in Cameroon provided him with a diverse cultural background and experiences that influenced his personal and professional life.

After completing his education in Cameroon, he made the transition to Nigeria, where he embarked on his journey in the entertainment industry. His multicultural upbringing serves as a significant aspect of his identity and has contributed to shaping his perspective as an actor and public figure.

After completing his college education, Junior Pope attended the University of Nigeria Nsukka in Enugu State, where he graduated with a degree in Accountancy.