Lifestyle

Roland Olubukola Olomola – The story of BABA ARA and how he died

Published

5 months ago

September 20, 2025

Baba Ara is also known as Evangelist Roland Olubukola Olomola was a Nigerian Gospel musician and also a music producer from Ilesha in Osun State Nigeria.

Baba Ara was born on the 2nd of July 1962, and he died on the 31st of August 2004. Baba Ara’s first recorded song was titled “Covenant” which was recorded together with the choir of Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Okiki Imole Parish, Sagamu, Nigeria. His last recorded album is titled “Last Advice”.

Roland Olubukola Olomola, the ace gospel musician popularly called Baba Ara died on August 31, 2004. His death had all the hallmarks of mystery. He died at the height of his popularity and was just 42 years old. TAYO ADELAJA met Adedapo James Fasanya, known as Bengho 2, Baba Ara’s childhood friend, producer and manager

Gospel musician, Roland Olubukola Olomola, popularly called Baba Ara, died, the rumour mill was agog with the probable cause of his death. Among the rumours then were that he took ill from a burst of the cocaine sachet that he had ingested and with which he was planning to travel out of the country. Others said that he must have sold his soul to some occult groups to gain fame and wealth, and to die the way he did.

Yet, to another group his death was as a result of the strong feud between him and his bosom friend who is a shepherd in the Celestial Church of Christ. A decade after his death, a lot of people still hold on strongly to these even as his albums still hold sway in the market.

Adedapo James Fasanya known as Bengho 2, is Baba Ara’s childhood friend. He is also the producer and manager of Baba Ara from his first foray into music to his demise. Fasanya recalled that he met Baba Ara in 1990 when he joined the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Okiki Imole Parish, Sagamu, Ogun State.

Before then, he said that Baba Ara was living in Kano and usually came to Sagamu whenever there was a special programme. Looking back at how they first met, he said simply that, “it was the choir master that introduced me to him. I was an instrumentalist at the church”. He recalled how young and vibrant the choir of CCC, Okiki Imole Parish was then.

He said that the opinion of the choir then of Baba Ara at the time was that he did not know much about music, although they also identified that he had talent and could sing very well. “At first, maybe because of their impression about him, they had problems with him. As an instrumentalist, we used to correct his style of music as he leaned more on percussion than the instrument. It is not a traditional way of playing,” Fasanya added.

Baba Ara other than heeding to their advice insisted on having his way. Adedapo spoke further, “his concept and style of music were totally different and that created rift between us initially. We were forced at that time to go along with him because he was an active member of the church’s choir. At a point in time, we just tolerated each other for the progress of the choir”. The formation of the Baba Ara Band started from the choir and it consisted of four core members of the choir.

At the formative stage, the band comprised of Baba Ara, Dimeji Shodunke, Hassan Bankole and Fasanya. Speaking on the formative stage, he continued, “we had to sit down and agree on a lot of issues about the church because we were the nucleus of the church choir. Fortunately, the four of us always met on Fridays and Saturdays every week for rehearsals. During rehearsals, we had several disagreements due to the fact that we were from different backgrounds and had different ideas about how the music should flow.

“His concept then was totally new and we tried to modify it in vain. Somehow then, I knew he had a vision” He recalled again that, “the peculiar thing about the man, Baba Ara, was that he received messages from the church to go into full time music. He declined the various messages then. He used to ask aloud, “how can I abandon Food Technology and become a musician?”.

He actually did not want to take to full time music due to the stigma attached to the profession. “During that period, Baba Ara was living with the Shepherd of the Church (CCC, Okiki Imole Parish) as he had left his job in Kano. He served and worked briefly in Kano.

“At a point, Dimeji and I moved in with Baba Ara and we lived together for some time. Our staying together actually built our relationship and understanding of one another. “The first record that is credited to him titled ‘Covenant’ was actually done by the choir of CCC, Okiki Imole Parish.

It was recorded in 1993. After the record of Covenant for the church, Baba Ara sat down with me and Janet Abel who is now in the United Kingdom, he told us about his vision and dreams. We prayed about the forming of a band. That took place in 1994. By then, we had gone with him to record his first personal record, entitled, “The Call and the Anointing”.

Speaking on the core issues discussed at the meeting, he said that the plan was to launch the record, and as at that time he needed a band to support his musical career which led to the meeting that was held by the three foundation members and Baba Ara. The name Baba Ara according to Adedapo was given to him in Kano because whenever he sang, he would start with the lyrics, “Baba Ara, Baba Mimo”.

However, he had a band in Kano before resettling in Sagamu, and the band was known as “Baba Ara and Happy Souls”. When the band was formed in Sagamu was discussing on the issue of name, he wanted them to continue with the same name but they eventually agreed on ‘Baba Ara and Divine Voices International’ in 1994.

After his first record, it was common to see Baba Ara in a tailor’s shop at Eleja Area of Sagamu. He was always at the shop of Baba Hassan, the tailor because he was jobless and that man was his close friend as at that time.

The band faced the challenges of acceptance, because people find the style of their beat strange and different from what they were familiar with. The psychology in that is what people know, they destroy; and what they don’t know, they fight. Even in Celestial circle, the acceptance problem was there as their brand of music was quite different from that of the popular Boroboro, Imole Ayo and others. It was tough for the group due to the low level of acceptance.

Adedapo recounted that, “Indeed, it was a great challenge. The level of acceptance was low and that affected us financially. We had to tax ourselves to fund the band and save money for shows. It was very tough financially.”

Gradually acceptance came. People who listened to the first record, “Covenant” loved it. When asked how the record was promoted, he smiled and said, “we did not have money to market it, neither did we have the financial capacity to push it into the market.” Their second album brought them more fans and the third album- ‘let the world know-Je kaye le mo’ was well received, but they were still grappling with the fan base.

The album that actually launched him was ‘Master Key’. Adedapo spoke on that album, “A lot of people thought that ‘Master Key’ was Baba Ara’s first album, which was very wrong. It was just that, that album was a smash in terms of public acceptance. Our style of music in terms of acceptance was gradual.

“Due to paucity of fund, only audio CDs were initially produced without any picture of Baba Ara on them. When we started, we recorded only audio. There was no picture of Baba Ara on the album and a lot of people did not really know him”, Adedapo spoke about their humble beginning.

“When we shot the first standard video in 2001, that was when people began to know who Baba Ara really was. We started with Z-plus as our marketer and that was in 1996. He was a member of the Celestial Church of Christ. We recorded seven albums with Z-Plus before moving to Galaxy Music”, Adedapo added.

He noted that they had to change marketer because they were not satisfied with the distribution of their former marketer. The late Gbenga Adeboye played a major role in their cross over from Z-Plus to Galaxy Music when they recorded “Master Key”. Galaxy Music did a good video for the “Master Key” tape and also gave it good publicity with Gbenga Adeboye opening his popular weekly shows with the music of Baba Ara. “Probably, that may account for the reason for saying Master Key is Baba Ara’s first CD”, Adedapo said.

His latter days and the rumours surrounding his death even made him more popular after his death than when he was alive. It is apt to say that there is a lot of wrong information being dished out to people in this part of the world. “It is a certainty that everybody will die one way or the other. Jesus Christ lived for 33years.

His ministry on earth spanned just only three years and all his disciples died in different ways. It is sad that when any celebrity dies in our country, stories of all sorts will spring up about the person”.

Fasanya looked the reporter straight in the eye and said, “I’m aware that there is a version of the story that he is a cocaine pusher. You know that cocaine pushers are always rich. As at the time of his death, he had only N300,000.00 in his bank account.

At least that can be verified. N200,000.00 of that sum was the money paid into his account a few days before his death for a show we were to perform. People alleged that he was a cocaine pusher, yet that man struggled for three years to build the only house he had.” In a sad and low tone, Fasanya said, “can you believe that before his death, his band did not have musical instruments neither did we have a bus like other musicians? Musicians that came after him had instruments and band buses; we had to rent instruments and bus whenever we had any show.

That was a man who had been in music for over a decade! Do you mean that a cocaine pusher will work and struggle for three years to build a common four flat house in Sagamu and not in Lekki or Ajah?

The reason for going to Galaxy Music was because of the house project he started in 2001. “In 2003 he travelled out of the country for the first time since the band started in 1994. He travelled with his band to Germany on a musical tour. We travelled in April and August, 2003 to Germany.

We were together during the trip and we slept in the same room. He went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem in December same year and returned in January, 2004.” In a changed tone, he said, “I want any doctor to prove to me that anyone with burst cocaine in his stomach as alleged by rumour mongers could work weekly and as hard as Baba Ara and lived for the period he did.”

Speaking further, he said, “The Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, he had was as a result of the sales from his album. I went with the marketer to Cotonou to buy the jeep for him. Imagine a drug peddler using tokunbo car?” Another set of people believed that his death was due to pledge to occultism.

Fasanya’s response to that was sharp, “That’s rubbish. Arrant nonsense! How can you say that somebody who had been in the music industry since infancy only became popular at late 30’s because some occult forces helped him gain fame and then took his life? “I met him in 1990 and from his life history that I am aware of, he had been singing from age six at the Methodist Church, Ago-Oko, Abeokuta. My be-lief is that if you have a vision and you are talented, if you stand firmly by it, you will surely get to your peak.

Indeed, Baba Ara paid his dues as a musician!” he said. When confronted with another rumour linking the cause of his death to the feud between him and the Shepherd of a Celestial Church of Christ Parish. Fasanya sighed and said, “I heard about that story too that the Shepherd who was his bosom friend confessed in London that he killed Baba Ara.

I met the Shepherd when he came back from London after the so-called confession. It is unfortunate that the man too also died about six years ago, but the whole story is totally false.

I have challenged anybody to prove it by providing evidence of the alleged confession. At this age, somebody somewhere would have recorded that confession if it was actually true” He declared that, “for those that peddle the rumours, it is always somebody told me or I heard from someone. Nobody was a living witness of that rumoured confession.

The little I know about that shepherd is that he was a good shepherd and a good fan as well as Baba Ara’s bosom friend till his death.” Some fans of this great gospel musician believed that he had premonition of his death. The belief was hinged on his music messages and lyrics during his lifetime. The producer of Baba Ara did not agree with this school of thought. To him, Baba Ara used his song to remind us of our end as mortals. He said, “The problem people have is due to the message coming from Baba Ara.

If you read the Bible, you will discover that each prophet has his own message. Baba Ara believed that one day, you would die and you should be prepared for it. He was fearless and did not fear death. He used his song as a reminder of the end of us as human beings.

His songs were not about death alone but about praises and wisdom. People often refer to the album ‘The Word’ as their reason for saying so, but he got the message and inspiration from the Bible passages that he read” What can be the cause of Baba Ara death?

Why did he die so young? Why did he die when he was just gaining prominence as a gospel musician? Fasanya disclosed that, “the years we were together, he was always having malaria. He could hardly go for two months without a bout of malaria. In one of his ministrations, he said that death could come through any means. He said it could come through sleep, accident or whatever means. The owner of our soul whenever He needs it, He gets it, no matter where you are.

“The Late Gbenga Adeboye used to say that one who died peacefully while asleep, you cannot really say he died peacefully neither can you say someone who died in an auto accident died terribly because he might have been dead before the crash.

It was time for Baba Ara to die when he did about 10 years ago. He was a man who worked tirelessly and very hard too despite his frail health. Most times, when he was down with malaria, we would still go ahead to perform either at party or other functions. I am sure that you are aware that stress too can kill easily?” He concluded that, “his death did not have anything to do with all the rumours. Rather, it was destined that he would die when he did”.

Published in National Mirror on Feb 15, 2014

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Lifestyle

Why my people hate Nigerians — South African beauty queen, Ntashabele

Published

56 minutes ago

February 21, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

South African model and beauty queen, Phumzile Ntashabele, tells BIODUN BUSARI about the circumstances surrounding the murder of a 22-year-old Nigerian e-hailing driver, Isaac Satlat, in South Africa and the struggle to get justice for him

Can you introduce yourself?

I’m Phumzile Grace Nsabele. I’m a widow and a mother of two. I’m a model, an international queen with a master’s in business administration. I’m a motivational speaker and an author. I’m Mrs Global Universe South Africa 2025, who is always standing for justice.

Who was Isaac Satlat to you?

He was my son’s friend. My son is Kagiso. I’m like a godmother to him. Isaac was one of my son’s friends, so I take all of them as my boys. Contrary to what many think, I’m not his biological mother. I liked him because he was my son’s best friend.

So, they grew up under me. I went with them everywhere that had to do with modelling, though I stayed in Johannesburg, while they stayed in Pretoria. There were like 10 of them, because I helped them in modelling; all of them, including Ugandans and other nationalities.

I met Isaac in 2024. We met at Soweto Fashion Week. He accompanied his friends, who were models. I saw him as they were taking pictures with his other model friend, Emmanuel.

I told him that he could be a model too, and he said, ‘Mummy, I’m short.’ I encouraged him that his height didn’t matter because he was confident. He appreciated me, and that was how we knew each other and got along.

How would you describe him?

He was a young man who was full of life. He had a promising future. He was a 22-year-old young man. Isaac was studying Mechanical Engineering at Divine Favour Progressive College. He was due to graduate next month. His next birthday would be on March 12.

He was going to be 23 next month. Isaac was a loving and jolly boy. He was a champion to all his friends. He was respectful everywhere.

He attended schools from primary to tertiary level in South Africa and was leading a church. He was a God-fearing child, and he was just awesome.

What do you know about his parents?

His father is a Nigerian. He lives in South Africa. Isaac was staying with his dad because he raised him. His mother and two sisters are in Nigeria. There is another man, Mr Solomon; he’s a family member and their spokesperson. We’ve been working together to get justice for him.

Where was Isaac before he received a message that led to his death?

He was with his friends, including my son, because they stayed together. He came back from work, then went into the gym. After the gym, that was when he got a notification to go and pick somebody for his e-hailing business.

His friends even asked him when he would be back and he told them that it was a short trip and that he would be back in 15 minutes. That was the last time his friends saw him.

You said he came back from work; did he have another job?

He was an intern. He was working as an intern at St. Julian. That’s where he was studying. He was not a full-time Uber driver. He was doing Uber only part-time and was also a model.

Was there any time he was attacked by criminals before the one that took his life?

No, I don’t think there was any record of such. These killers just acted like normal people and requested any Uber driver who was available.

He picked up the call and went to attend to them. So, he wouldn’t know they were criminals; he just got a notification from his place to the other place. It was a very short distance.

Do you think it was one of the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians?

It was not a xenophobic crime. It was not Nigeria versus South Africa. It was just a crime that happened here in South Africa; it’s happening to people in many places, especially in Cape Town and Durban.

It’s been happening a lot. Apparently, this was the first time in Pretoria. Even the way they killed him was just so uncalled for.

Are you saying this was the first time a Nigerian would be killed in Pretoria?

Not only a Nigerian, but this was also the first time anyone that I know in the e-hailing business was killed. They’ve been robbing Uber drivers, but it was the first time in Pretoria where an Uber driver was killed.

Remember, nobody knew that Isaac was a Nigerian. I don’t think they targeted him because he was Nigerian. Nobody knew that he was Nigerian. They just wanted an e-hailing driver. They requested one, and it was so unfortunate that it was Isaac.

The sad part was that they did not even take anything, not even his phone. They only took his life. They found the phone near his wallet and his passport; everything was in the car.

Apart from this incident, why do you think Nigerians in South Africa are being killed by South Africans?

The truth is that a lot of Nigerians in South Africa are drug dealers. That’s what the South Africans are fighting against. They say that Nigerians sell drugs to their children. They are angry that Nigerians are destroying their children.

Many South Africans hate Nigerians because of drug dealing in South Africa. Meanwhile, it is not all Nigerians who are criminals. As a South African, I’ve been friends with Nigerians for the past 25 years.

My late husband was Ugandan. My whole life, I’ve been surrounded by foreigners, and they’ve been good friends to me. There was not even one Nigerian who ever disrespected me or did me any harm or wrong. They are my family.

That’s why most Nigerians are my family. It was the reason I liked Isaac. It is the reason I want justice for him. He was such a good young man. He was hardworking and focused.

Even with what I was doing for him and his family, my own South African people have called me names on social media. I’m told to leave South Africa because I am siding with drug dealers and drug lords.

The problem with South Africans is that they think all foreigners are criminals in South Africa. I tell my people that the Nigerians I see around me are hardworking. They are specialists and professionals like doctors, filmmakers, and brilliant people. They have legitimate businesses.

So, that’s why I cannot relate to my fellow South Africans when they are painting all Nigerians as drug dealers. I always tell them that drugs were in South Africa even before Nigerians arrived here. South Africans are just using Nigerians as scapegoats.

Do you think South Africans hate Nigerians because they are successful in their country?

Not all Nigerians are doing bad things in South Africa. The same applies to South Africans. We have rapists who are South Africans. We have murderers, just like those who killed Isaac. But there are good people, too.

I’m South African, and we have many good people like me. I used to say that if we blame foreigners for our problems and pursue them, South Africans will still have internal problems. It will start as racial grudges. It will be white and black.

After that, it is going to be tribal. It would be, ‘This one is Ndebele, and this one is Zulu’. We are always having something to fight about. It’s not foreigners. It’s not Nigerians. We, as South Africans, have our issues to deal with. I think it is self-hate or something like that.

But when we talk and when we side with foreigners, we are told that we are sleeping with Nigerians or foreigners. They will say we must leave the country. I’m taking all the insults. But I know that I’m an African queen. I am the queen that I am today because of foreigners.

It was when I represented South Africa as Mrs Universe South Africa that I won Mrs Worldwide South Africa. I represented South Africa in Singapore. The people who were with us were Nigerians. There were white people also; there were Congolese. So, I became the queen that I am because of foreigners.

When I reached Singapore, I did not represent South Africa. I represented all Africans, and they supported me. That’s why I support Africa in all the things I do. There are just these little people who are hurt. They are painting all Nigerians with the same brush.

How are the South African authorities treating the case?

Initially, a 25-year-old lady handed herself over to the police. Then, two other guys were arrested and there was a court case yesterday (Monday, February 16). It was adjourned till Monday, February 23, when they are going to appear again in the Pretoria Court.

The fourth suspect handed himself over yesterday. So, he appeared in court today (Tuesday, February 17). So, we have suspects. They are in the age group of 25 to 30.

In what ways have you sought justice for Isaac?

I posted Isaac’s pictures as seen in the video because if it were not for that video that was circulating on social media, we would not have been able to arrest these guys.

It was through this video that we managed to get this girl to hand herself in. People already saw who she was. That’s why she handed herself in. We are still circulating all the pictures and asking people to support.

We are asking Africans who are in South Africa to support, because this concerns all nations. It’s not only South Africans and Nigerians.

We are pleading with all Africans who are here to support us to get justice for Isaac. We are also pleading for financial assistance to take Isaac back home. There’s already a link where the connection has been made. We’ve been sharing that.

We designed something where people can make payments to help the father and Isaac go back home.

What kind of justice do you have in mind from the court?

First of all, they don’t deserve bail, which they were not granted. They are criminals. They deserve life imprisonment.

Unfortunately, in South Africa, there’s no death penalty. But if it were any other country, they would deserve the death penalty. Since there is no death penalty in South Africa, I think it should be life imprisonment. They do not deserve parole.

How can you be a woman and do this? If you see the video, Isaac fought for his life. He wanted to get out of the car. But for that woman to even hold his legs until his last breath, she is wicked.

Mind you, she didn’t even show any remorse, even yesterday in court. There was another guy among them who was smiling. They were not remorseful. That’s why their place shouldn’t be in society.

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Lifestyle

Becoming a king won’t end my showbiz career — Okey Bakassi

Published

1 hour ago

February 21, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Actor, comedian and traditional ruler of the Umuihuocha Autonomous Community in Imo State, Okechukwu Onyegbule, popularly known as Okey Bakassi, speaks to NAOMI CHIMA about how he is balancing his career with his role as a traditional ruler

You have spent over three decades in the comedy industry. At what point did you realise that comedy was no longer a hobby, but your life’s calling?

Comedy is just one aspect of what I do. I prefer to describe myself as an entertainer. My work is a blend of acting, stand-up comedy and public speaking; all wrapped into one package.

It began as a hobby during my university days. But when I moved to Lagos for my youth service, I had to confront a defining question: what next? Do I get a paid job or pursue my interest in entertainment? Initially, I wanted to do it part-time because it came naturally to me and brought me joy.

However, I soon realized that entertainment is not something you dabble in. The industry wasn’t as structured as it is today. Roles weren’t waiting for you; you had to chase them relentlessly. It demanded the same level of commitment and energy as any full-time profession.

Toward the end of my service year, after deep reflection, I decided to pursue entertainment fully before considering paid employment. I was driven purely by passion. It gave me happiness and felt effortless. I told myself that if I could also make a living from it, then this was what I was meant to do.

Growing up, did you ever envision that you were a funny person destined for entertainment?

Not at all. I grew up in a close-knit family where we gathered in the living room to gist. My mother was an excellent storyteller. My father, though a military man, had a cheerful side when he wanted to. From a young age, we were encouraged to express ourselves freely, speak our minds and joke around. That environment shaped me.

As a child, I actually wanted to be a military doctor. I eventually studied engineering and somehow ended up in show business. Life has an interesting way of unfolding. At some point, I simply looked at life and said, “Let me do this first.”

Growing up as the eldest in a disciplined military home, how did that shape your humour and work ethic?

Life in the barracks influenced me tremendously. Any “barracks pikin” will tell you it’s a mini Nigeria; a melting pot of tribes, languages and cultures. You grow up with friends from everywhere. That exposure gives you stories, accents, behavioural patterns and perspectives you won’t easily find elsewhere.

Everything was around me — drama, diversity and humour. It all became material without me even realising it.

You’ve spoken about arriving in Lagos with nothing and even experiencing homelessness. What kept you going?

When I left Port Harcourt (Rivers State capital), my family was going through financial difficulties. I’m the first of five children, and I had never even been to Lagos before youth service.

What kept me going was understanding how tough things were back home. I had to choose my own version of “tough”: stay home with a false sense of security while still struggling, or face the obvious hardship in Lagos and fight to survive. I chose to survive in Lagos rather than add to my parents’ burden.

The comedy show, “Night of a Thousand Laughs”, was pivotal in your career. What stands out about its birth?

I was instrumental in creating Night of a Thousand Laughs. When I arrived in Lagos, I realised there was no defined comedy industry. There were travelling theatre groups and actors who did comedy within drama, but no structured platform for stand-up comedy.

Seeing comedians in Lagos who were as funny — or even funnier — than my friends in Port Harcourt made me realise talent was scattered across the country.

The question became: how do we bring them together?

At the time, I worked as Opa Williams’ production manager, alongside Reginald Ebere. We conceptualised a nationwide comedy reality platform to discover talent and bring them to Lagos to compete. Opa Williams embraced the idea. Reginald and I drafted the original concept, and it ultimately contributed significantly to the growth of stand-up comedy in Nigeria.

After acting opportunities slowed down, you reinvented yourself through stand-up. How crucial was that reinvention?

Reinvention was everything. Financial experts talk about multiple streams of income, but at that time, everyone focused on acting because stand-up wasn’t yet an industry.

After my first movie, I experienced what I’d call deliberate isolation from the acting space, and I didn’t understand why. It was a wake-up call. If one door closes, another must open.

I decided to take stand-up seriously, refine my craft and make it versatile. Eventually, I began earning more from stand-up than acting.

Which platform stretches your creativity the most?

Stand-up comedy. Acting and music are collaborative efforts. Radio is unique because you speak to people who can’t see you. But stand-up is just you, the audience and a microphone. There’s no safety net.

It requires presence of mind, sharp mental alertness and the ability to deliver a compelling and funny story in real time. Every audience is different. Their mood changes everything.

It’s intense. In my opinion, it’s the toughest art form.

You were recently crowned the Okwe II of Umuihuocha Obohia. How do you see yourself evolving with this role?

Life evolves in stages. You begin as a bachelor finding direction, then become a husband, a father, and now, in my case, a community leader.

When a community asks you to represent them, it means they see something in you. I see this role as an opportunity, not retirement. We’ve wrongly framed traditional leadership as something for people who are tired. It shouldn’t be.

While you’re strong and connected, you can leverage those connections to uplift vulnerable people and put your community on the map.

When I first “Googled” Umuihuocha, nothing came up. It felt like we didn’t exist. Today, there’s presence and visibility. By the time of the official coronation, the structures will be firmly in place.

How will you balance comedy with the restraints of royalty?

Every stage of life comes with restraints. Marriage brings restraint. Fatherhood brings more. Public office demands another level of responsibility.

I have adapted through each stage. This is simply another phase. Change is constant. There’s nothing frightening about it.

Having spoken about the dangers of intolerance in leadership, how do you assess Nigeria’s present political climate, and what advice would you give both leaders and citizens?

Power reveals character. Give someone power or money, and you’ll see who they truly are.

Leadership should teach humility. History shows that many rise and fade quickly. The people who celebrate you today can withdraw their support tomorrow.

If you’re in leadership, your security matters, but the welfare of the people matters more. Don’t assume a God-like status. You’re not God.

Why do you think your people chose you to lead them?

Years in the public eye without scandal speak volumes. I have carried myself responsibly. I hold a degree in Agricultural Engineering, a diploma in Public Relations, and I’m committed to self-development.

I turn 57 this year. Life has prepared me. I have maintained a stable family life and remained grounded. People recognise consistency.

What role should government policies play in empowering entertainment?

Entertainment is one of the largest employers of youth. One creative person can support hundreds.

Government must create an enabling environment — stable power supply, security and grants for creatives. Without electricity, content cannot be consumed. Without security, creators can’t travel or research safely.

Partnerships can boost tourism, foreign exchange and cultural exports.

You have been married for over 25 years. What’s the secret of your enduring union?

Intentionality. I approached my career with focus and did the same with marriage. My wife is my childhood sweetheart. Early years were turbulent, but grace and intentionality built synergy.

Poverty puts immense strain on families, so working hard to provide is crucial. Respect, faith and shared vision matter.

As a husband, you must paint a future your partner believes in. Consistent progress keeps people together.

As a father, what are you intentional about passing down to your children?

Family values. Without values, a family collapses. We raise our children with the fear of God and a strong sense of identity.

They must understand that their achievements reflect on generations before and after them.

My wife and I operate as a team. The children see that unity and understand its seriousness.

You’ve spoken about polygamy. Would you consider it as a traditional ruler?

I believe polygamy is a valid African system of marriage. Every system has challenges; monogamy included. Divorce rates prove that.

Many modern arrangements are already functionally polygamous; we just don’t label them as such.

The key is responsibility. Marriage systems should protect families and children. The conversation should be honest, not emotional.

Has fatherhood changed you?

Completely. “Daddy” is the highest title a man can hold.

Fatherhood makes you accountable. A traditional African father is wired to protect and provide, sometimes at the expense of emotional closeness. That’s something men must be careful about.

Can you compare parenting across generations?

Technology has changed everything. I won’t say this generation is worse, because every generation says that about the next.

But today’s children face higher exposure to trauma and digital overload. Less outdoor interaction reduces empathy and connection.

That worries me. The world is different, and we must adapt wisely.

Beyond entertainment and a royal title, what legacy matters most to you?

My greatest legacy is the example I set for my children. My primary responsibility before God is to raise people who will become blessings to society, not curses. Every terrorist or criminal out there is someone’s child who was poorly raised and eventually became a scourge to society.

You cannot fail at home as a father and claim success as a leader. Charity begins at home. If you cannot manage your household, how can you lead a community?

At the end of the day, my personal mantra is the pursuit of happiness. I want to be remembered as a man who came, who saw and who was happy.

As a veteran, what is your advice on competition and rivalry in the entertainment industry?

Competition and rivalry are natural in any industry. The important thing is to keep it healthy. Someone else’s failure should not be the foundation of your success.

Rivalry can be intense, but there is no need to harm or sabotage anyone to move forward. Focus on improving your craft. Let your growth speak for you.

You recently served as master of ceremonies at an event in Imo State. How do you respond to those who question a traditional ruler continuing to work as an MC?

Nigerians are still learning to appreciate the dignity of labour. We tend to rank professions unnecessarily; looking down on some and placing others on a pedestal.

In other societies, janitors and fast-food workers are respected because they are earning an honest living and contributing to society. Anyone who works legitimately to serve humanity deserves respect and can aspire to any position.

That mindset is something I hope to challenge. Becoming a king does not mean retiring from meaningful work. As long as I can balance both roles effectively, I will continue. The only time I would reconsider is if one responsibility becomes so demanding that I need to scale back.

Besides, kings are public speakers, and that’s what I do professionally. So I’m well within my lane.

What’s your favourite food and sport?

Football, and I still play to this day. As for food, I enjoy swallow with any good soup.

How do you relax?

I relax by watching sports or movies and by reading. I set a goal to read at least three books a year.

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Lifestyle

Rest every four hours, FRSC issues safety guide for fasting motorists

Published

20 hours ago

February 20, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Federal Road Safety Corps, on Friday, urged motorists who are participating in the fasting periods, to ensure that they take rest at intervals, to avoid road crashes.

The FRSC Commander in-charge of the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway corridor, Mr Nasir Mohammed, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ota.

He noted that the advice had become expedient following the commencement of fasting periods by both Christian and Muslim faithfuls.

NAN reports that Catholic faithfuls had commenced lenten season with the distribution of Ash on Wednesday, which period is marked by 40 days fasting.

In the same vein, Muslim faithfuls had also began observation of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar, which period is also marked by fasting.

Mohammed urged motorists to be cautious of fatigue and possible dehydration during the fasting periods, and ensure that they take hours of rest before returning to the steering.

He also warned motorists against over speeding and wrongful overtaking, which could lead to tragedy, adding that drivers must strictly adhere to all safety rules while on the road.

“We are appealing to motorists, especially Muslims and Christians who are fasting, to always observe the rest after every four hours of driving, to prevent avoidable loss of lives.

“Also, all motorists are enjoined to drive to stay alive; Wishing all safer roads and fuller life.” he said.

(NAN)

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