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KWAM 1 – The Arikuyeri 1 of Abuja

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Now that the hard news–breaking news aspect of the airline saga of August has lapsed, we can now leisurely treat its soft news entertaining aspect, the one involving the music entertainer, Wasiu Ayinde. I will not dabble into that other airline act that gave us boobs show!

Rewind to August 5, 2025, at Abuja airport as the king of music, Wasiu Ayinde, swaggers in majesty to board his flight to Lagos, a gold-coloured flask in one hand, like a royal ‘irukere’.

He had cleared the boarding protocols and stepped onto the tarmac with the self-important carriage of royalty. After all, is he not the ‘Olori Omooba’ (head of the princes/princesses) of Ijebu-land?  He apparently believes that a royal ‘Irukere’ cannot be interrogated. So, he must have regarded it as impudent for the airline staff to ask the almighty KI the Ultimate disclosure of his flask’s content. The Big Man’s arrogance.  The media had created a public impression of Wasiu’s touted friendly relationship with President Bola Tinubu, and he must have felt that the knowledge of that relationship entitled him to preferential and reverential treatment.

When it dawned on him that the airline wouldn’t budge on its demand to know the content of his flask, and that he may not board the plane, Wasiu resorted to self-help by standing in front of the plane, apparently intending to use his body as a barrier to prevent take-off. It was an insane gambit. He did not reckon with the fury of a scorned lady pilot who revved her plane and engaged the gear.  Sensing clear and present danger, survival instinct prevailed over suicidal mission when the musician dodged the plane’s wing, which could have decapitated him. So, I give King Wasiu Ayinde a new title: The Arikuyeri 1 of Abuja.  (The Death Dodger 1 of Abuja).  Life is sweet, after all, particularly for a musician who has so much going for him, moneywise, and wasn’t ready to meet his creator in a gory exit.

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Times are a-changing (apology to Bob Dylan). And times are really, dramatically, changing for the better for musicians, many of whom now belong to the multimillionaire class, upgrading their social connections. Wasiu Ayinde belongs to that nouveau riche class of musicians and has climbed the social and political ladder to the stratosphere. He is even reported to be condescending to Obas!

Before now, musicians were not that well-regarded in society.

They were known as ‘Alagbe’ (beggars), those who perform at social parties and serenade people for money by praise singing. We still have a category of itinerant musicians – individuals, and sometimes in twos or trios – who go to social parties to praise-sing individuals for money. In the early 1960s, musicians were generally not appreciated with currency notes, but with coins, which were often slapped on the musician’s forehead. I often wondered then how those old musicians did not suffer from migraine.

The Wasiu Ayindes of this world, as a luckier generation of musicians, have acquired a sense of entitlement, an arrogance, that they should be deferred to because they have been able to wangle upscale relationships with those generally regarded as their betters. Such socially and politically connected musicians also develop an attitude of impunity, based on ‘man knows man’.  Luckily for Wasiu Ayinde, his purported connection not only got him a clemency from sanctions for a security breach at the Abuja airport, but he was also awarded an ambassadorship in the airline industry.  Nigeria, we hail thee!

I read that Ayinde grew up in the Onola area of central Lagos Island. That was an area of the Young Turks in those days.  So, KWAM 1 possibly must have learnt street smartness and imbibed street confidence during his growing-up days. I lived in that general area, by Campos Square, at the intersection of Bamgbose and Igbosere Streets, in the late 1960s, and knew the terrain from Tinubu Square, to Odunfa, Princess, Inabere, Okepopo, Tokunbo, Oshodi and Freeman streets.  Central Lagos Island was like one huge family in that period, with ‘area fathers’.

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Perhaps, maybe Wasiu knew President Bola Tinubu as an Islander neighbourhood ‘egbon’  in those days or cultivated him when music and money gave him stardom, and he desired a power connection as an icing on his popularity cake.  Whichever way, that connection, presumably, saved him from the hot embrace of the law, as the power man was believed to have facilitated a soft landing for him, apparently out of a self-induced, sentimental obligation to friendship. A case of a power benefactor becoming hostage to his power beneficiary?

Well, Wasiu had an escape from death and from the law. Hopefully, he has learnt a lesson in decorum and humility, that is, if he understands the meaning of decorum and what being humble is.

The one redeeming point about this musician is that he did not forget his roots – Ijebu-Ode, in Ogun State, where he has built a glittering music landmark structure in the GRA section of the town, thereby contributing to turning the area, with its many hotels, into a famed hospitality and entertainment hub.

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Celebrity designer Veekee James, husband welcome first daughter

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Celebrity fashion designer Victoria James, popularly known as Veekee James and her husband, Femi Atere, have announced the arrival of their first child, Eliana.

Veekee James announced this in an Instagram post on Wednesday, revealing that the baby girl was born on May 2, 2026.

She wrote, “She’s Here. #elianaatere. 02-May-26. Eliana Adeife Atere.”

Veekee James, Femi Atere welcome their first daughter, Eliana. Credit: Instagram| veekee_james
Veekee James, Femi Atere welcome their first daughter, Eliana. Credit: Instagram| veekee_james
Veekee James with her daughter, Eliana. Credit: Instagram| veekee_james
Veekee James with her daughter, Eliana. Credit: Instagram| veekee_james

The designer further explained the meaning behind her child’s first name, saying, “EL (God) and ANA (He has answered), signifying ‘My God has answered.

“1 Samuel 1:27 – ‘For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him.’”

Commenting on Veekee James announcement, Media entrepreneur Mo Abudu wrote, “Congratulations, my darling, we give God all glory, she is beautiful.”

Social media influencer Tomike Adeoye wrote, “Thank you, Lord, for our beautiful Testimony!!! Congratulations, Mama ati Papa Eliana.”

Veekee James, Femi Atere welcome their first daughter, Eliana. Credit: Instagram| veekee_james
Veekee James, Femi Atere welcome their first daughter, Eliana. Credit: Instagram| veekee_james

“Congratulations, Oremii, we are so happy! Enitojokosibiikokoogaogo is here! Oluwasheun! Veekee, strong woman!” Skit maker Folagade Banks commented.

Actress Osas Ighodaro wrote, “God is so good! Congratulations, my darling!! AND SHE IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL, sooooo pretty!”

“What the Lord has done for you is marvellous, and His Joy will never depart from you. Congratulations, Veekee,” content creator and actress Kie Kie added.

Veekee James' husband, Femi Atere, and their daughter, Eliana. Credit: Instagram| veekee_james
Veekee James’ husband, Femi Atere, and their daughter, Eliana. Credit: Instagram| veekee_james

PUNCH reported that the couple had earlier announced the pregnancy on February 3, similarly sparking widespread reaction from celebrities and fans who congratulated them.

See more photos below:

Veekee James, Femi Atere welcome their first daughter, Eliana. Credit: Instagram| veekee_james
Veekee James, Femi Atere welcome their first daughter, Eliana. Credit: Instagram| veekee_james
Veekee James, Femi Atere welcome their first daughter, Eliana. Credit: Instagram| veekee_james
Veekee James, Femi Atere welcome their first daughter, Eliana. Credit: Instagram| veekee_james
Veekee James' husband, Femi Atere, and their daughter, Eliana. Credit: Instagram| veekee_james
Veekee James’ husband, Femi Atere, and their daughter, Eliana. Credit: Instagram| veekee_james

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Fans mourn late Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo

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Fans and followers of late Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo across social media platforms have expressed sadness over his demise, describing the incident as shocking and heartbreaking.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning since Tuesday when news of the actor’s passing surfaced online.

Social media posts by his close colleagues, and trending media reports, stated that he died after a prolonged battle with cancer.

The incident has continued to generate frenzy on social media platforms, with fans across Nigeria and beyond pouring in condolence messages and tributes to the late thespian.

A fan, @Mr. Rekindled of AFC, asked: “Is this some late April Fool joke. God, what kind of news is this? Rest in peace bro I don’t even know what to type”.

@perpetua Ebubech wrote: “Rest well Alex I am done pressurising myself and being ungrateful. Being alive is enough. Aaaaaah Alex”.

@Amed Oshiorenua commented: “This one hurts me ooo”.

@sheismirah_bakr noted that: “Indeed, every soul shall taste death. May we leave behind kindness, love, and good memories May we be celebrated while we are alive, not only mourned when we are gone”.

@oheneba_nanayere_joyce wrote: “Ooo my God, have mercy on us”.

@SAMPSOLO on X wrote: “Omoh, sometimes when I hear such news I just sit down and think about life.

“Everything we’re struggling for can just end in one moment. It’s really scary”.

@nyarkowai23 said: “Aww fine boy. May his soul rest in peace”.

@_emefaaa wrote: “This is really sad, may his soul rest in peace”.

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@ceeyahs_xclusivcollection commented: “Social media makes a lot of us look like we are living happily when we are actually fighting our battles. Remember we are all passing through something. Stay humble, stay kind”.

@DOG3tt said: “What’s wrong with Nollywood, why is everyone dying young?”

@bbelleamieeee wrote: “I loved him in Keeping My Man with Ramsey and Ini. Sad news… rest easy Alex”.

Ekubo’s passing has also attracted tributes from his colleagues and other celebrities, with many describing him as a talented actor and a kind-hearted friend.

Veteran actor Richard Mofe-Damijo wrote: “Life is not only fickle, it can also feel unreal. Even as I type this, I still struggle to fully process it, and it deeply saddens me to hear this news.

“Rest in peace to a truly great soul. You came, you saw, and you conquered. We are proud of the life you lived, the journey you embraced, and the legacy you leave behind.

“Sleep well, our dear Alex.”

Actor Bolanle Ninalowo also wrote: “Rest on, Alex. May God heal your family and us all.”

Singer Peter Okoye simply posted: “RIP”.

Actor Chinedu Ikedieze wrote: “Jesus, how?”

In a post on his X page, human rights activist and politician Omoyele Sowore described the late actor as a “rare talent”.

“My profound condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Nollywood star Alexx Ekubo, who I understand passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer.

“I never met him personally, but I still cannot forget a movie of his I watched on an Emirates flight from New York to Dubai en route to Nairobi.

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“He was a rare talent whose presence lit up the screen effortlessly. May he rest in power.”

NAN reports that Alex Ekubo, born on April 10, 1986, was widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most versatile actors, known for his performances in several hit films and television productions.

However, his prolonged absence from the public had raised concerns among fans and colleagues, as he stayed away from social media and public events for a long time.

His last post on Instagram was made in December 2024, shortly after reports emerged that his engagement to US-based model Fancy Acholonu had been called off.

(NAN)

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Why I assaulted my daughter, Ilebaye – Father

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Father of former Big Brother Naija All Stars winner, Ilebaye Odiniya, Emmanuel Odiniya, has broken his silence over the viral altercation involving his daughter, claiming he was provoked before allegedly assaulting her during a family confrontation.

In a voice note purportedly from Odiniya, and shared on Facebook on Sunday by Kogi-based journalist, Jeremiah Promise Enemona Ocheme, now circulating online, the father said the incident was not driven by hatred for his daughter but by frustration over what he described as her changed behaviour after winning the reality TV show.

“I want to put the records straight that what led to that incident was not that I don’t love my daughter. She is one of my best children,” he said.

He claimed he made sacrifices and mobilised support for her emergence as the winner of the BBNaija All Stars edition.

“During her time in the Big Brother Naija house, I contributed a lot. I stood by my daughter and made sure people voted for her massively. I used my influence and connections, including governors and other people, to support her until she won,” he stated.

According to him, their relationship allegedly deteriorated after her victory, accusing the reality star of becoming disrespectful and physically aggressive towards him.

“After she came out and won, she changed. Ilebaye stopped listening to me. I would book her appointments five to six times in a week and she wouldn’t give me audience. She stopped regarding me as her father,” he alleged.

The father further criticised her lifestyle, particularly her alleged cosmetic procedures.

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“I warned her against getting cosmetic surgery — face reconstruction with fillers and BBL. She’s too young for that,” he said.

Emmanuel also alleged that his daughter had physically attacked him on previous occasions.

“She has hit me twice, and I didn’t do anything to her. One day she took an AC hanger and hit me with it till blood started gushing out of my body,” he claimed.

Speaking on the latest confrontation, he alleged that the reality TV star assaulted him first before the situation escalated.

“In this recent incident, she insulted me, hit me first with a sea hanger, causing bleeding, pushed me, and then broke an electric lantern on my head,” he said.

He also accused her of neglecting him financially despite his health challenges.

“I am very sick and needed to go for medical treatment in Dubai. I called Ilebaye to help me with some money and promised to refund her. She said she didn’t have money. But I saw her video spraying bundles of naira at a colleague’s wedding,” he alleged.

The father further alleged that his daughter negatively influenced her younger brother and interfered in his marriage.

“She has also influenced her younger brother with drugs, and he was expelled from school because of it. She once advised me to divorce her mother,” he added.

Despite the accusations, Emmanuel maintained that he still loved his daughter and wanted reconciliation.

“I still love my daughter deeply. I want her to change and do better. I ask for prayers from Nigerians. The police have already intervened and settled the matter,” he said.

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PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Ilebaye, alongside members of her family, including her father and younger brothers, were hospitalised following the confrontation at their Abuja residence.

The incident became public after the reality TV star shared an emotional livestream video crying for help, sparking concern among fans and followers online.

Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Josephine Adeh, disclosed that all parties involved sustained injuries and were receiving medical treatment.

“The man is in the hospital; he is sick. All of them were badly injured and are all in the hospital,” Adeh had said.

She also stated that the siblings were under police protective custody while investigations continued into the matter.

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