Oba Elegushi, Daddy Freeze, Davido, Kanye West hug the headlines. Find out more

OBA ELEGUSHI

The outbreak of the novel COVID-19 virus has stopped many from celebrating elaborately due to the ongoing lockdown order occasioned by strict guidelines on social-distancing and the call for all to stay indoors to stem the spread of the virus.

One of those who has been restricted to just celebrating his birthday and his 10th anniversary as a ruler with his close family members is the sociable monarch of Ikateland, HRH Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi.

We gather that Oba Elegushi who clocked 44 on April 10 and also interestingly marked his 10th year as king was actually planning a 2-1 celebration but the novel COVID-19 disease coupled with the ongoing Ramadan fasting has forced the monarch to halt celebrations at least for now.

BISOLA BBNAIJA

Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Bisola Aiyeola is following the footsteps of other ex-housemates of the reality TV show by equally launching her own program to the delight of her fans.

Celebrity Gist can confirm that Bisola, an actress cum singer is the host of Circle Time, an educational family program which has just been released online for the viewing public.

We gather that Bisola aims to take her audience on an adventure into Africa, the cradle of civilization as she has a novel ambition to help the young generation discover Africa’s rich culture, heritage and heroes.

Further reports reveal that the first episode of Bisola’s Circle Time, which also unlocks new things about our dear country, will focus on the inspirational story of Mr Taiwo Akinkunmi, the creator of Nigeria’s Flag.

SEGUN RUNSEWE

As countries across the world grapple from the effect of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, others are seeking ways to help reduce the spread of the deadly virus.

That’s the line that the Director General of the National Council for Arts And Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe wants Nigerian entrepreneurs and Budding SMEs in the country to tow.

We gather that the DG of the National Council for Arts and Culture is at the forefront of the agency’s drive of looking inwards by encouraging Nigerians to produce locally made sanitisers and face masks using Adire fabrics.

According to Otunba Runsewe, Nigerians should look at what they can do and how best we can position our local industries to help like two other African countries; Madagascar and Senegal which are both looking inwards by producing test kits and ventilators.

DAVIDO

‘Omo Baba Olowo’ as he is fondly called in music circles is reportedly working to raise money for COVID-19 research with a new music video release in collaboration with global fashion brand, Dolce and Gabbana.

The singer who revealed in an interview with CNN that the proceeds from his latest single will be donated towards a COVID-19 research fund informed that he was on tour with the fashion brand, doing the campaign, when the virus broke out.

As a result of the outbreak, he said, they decided to drop the video and give all the proceeds to the cause as well.

“Everybody is affected. We are affected here in Nigeria, the UK and all over the world. So it just felt like that was the best thing to do. This is the first time something like this has paused the whole world. People can’t go to work. A lot of people make money surviving day to day and that is not possible because we have to stay inside,” he said in the interview.

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TONY ALLEN

Lovers of Afrobeat were thrown into mourning when one of its co-founders, and renowned Nigerian drummer Tony Allen passed on to the great beyond in Paris on Thursday aged 79.

The death of Tony Allen who was the drummer and musical director of the music band of Fela Kuti and Africa 70 was announced by his manager, Eric Trosset during a radio interview with NPR radio, where it was also revealed that he died of a heart attack.

Trosse in a Facebook post said: “Your eyes saw what most couldn’t see…as you used to say: ‘There is no end’”.

UK musician, Brian Eno had declared that Allen was “perhaps the greatest drummer who has ever lived”, while Beninois singer, Angelique Kidjo told BBC’s Newsday she was devastated.

“What I want to remember from them is our musical conversation, our laughter, our joy. They are gone, but they are not gone for me,” Kidjo said.

KANYE WEST

Popular American rapper, Kanye West has joined the growing list of musicians and entertainers who have turned billionaires, according to the latest edition of Forbes magazine.

The magazine while announcing Kanye West (husband of reality star, Kim Kardashian) on its list of people worth at least $1 billion on Friday said that it is largely due to his basketball shoes bearing his name that he developed with Adidas.

According to Forbes, the rough figure of wealth of the 42-year-old, Chicago-born rapper whose Yeezy footwear often sells for more than $200 a pair in the US and elsewhere, is put at $1.3 billion.

DADDY FREEZE

Controversial media personality, Daddy Freeze caused a stir on social media when he claimed that he was offered the sum of N5 million by the Founder and head prophet of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry, Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, but he refused it.

Daddy Freeze who revealed this, while responding to a fan on his Instagram page who questioned his actions stated that the online critic was not transparent, as he claimed that he had not received a dime from any man of God.

He wrote, “Apostle Suleman has never given me as much as 50kobo before. Even when he did the stay at home challenge, he paid the winners directly into their personal accounts.

“Neither have I even asked him for money. When Prophet Jeremiah offered me N5 million, I politely declined,” he added.

 

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