Connect with us

Entertainment

Housing Experts Decry Labour Cost

Published

on

Experts in the housing sector have expressed concern over the rising cost of labour and the dearth of artisans in Nigeria. A cross section of the experts told our correspondent in Lagos that the scarcity had become a national problem which required the attention of the federal and state governments. Mr Femi Olomola, a former chairman of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) in Lagos, said that good artisans were few in the country. He said that the rising cost of labour was worrisome, adding that one was not even sure of getting quality work after paying highly for services. “The dearth of manpower in the housing sector is a big problem in Nigeria. We do not have good carpenters, electricians, masons, bricklayers and even labourers. “This has assumed a national problem that requires government’s attention,’’ he said. According to him, associations in the construction industry cannot do much about the situation because they cannot influence the school system. Mr Femi Shodunke, Vice President of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) in Lagos, noted that charges for labour were not regulated and so the charges varied and were always on the high side. He said that the cost of labour currently varied between N1,500 and N2,000 per day compared to N500 and N600 in the past. “This also depends on how one source the labour. As of now, one bargains on ability to pay,’’ he said. Chief Charles Adebiyi, the Managing Director, Charles Adebiyi and Company a firm of estate surveyors and valuers, said that the dearth of artisans needed urgent attention by the government. He said that good artisans were aging as many of them were in their 60s while young people were not available to replace them. Adebiyi said that the situation had resulted to the closure of the Federal Ministry of Works training schools and non-functional technical schools to train technicians and artisans. According to him, the federal and state governments need to resuscitate the training schools and hand them over to private individuals to manage. Adebiyi said the rising cost of labour was due to the economic situation in the country. “There is inflation; prices of basic necessities of life are on the increase, including house rents. “The artisans have to charge to survive but whether they do a good job to justify the payment is another thing altogether,” he said.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Why Fans No Longer Faint For Musicians – Paul Okoye

Published

on

Nigerian singer and half of the defunct P-Square duo, Paul Okoye, aka Rudeboy, has claimed that social media has reduced the prestige and value fans attached to musicians due to the mystique that artistes had before the era of social media.
Speaking in a recent interview with Lun Lifestyle TV, Rudeboy argued that social media, despite all its benefits, has shattered the illusion of artistes being mysterious and godlike.
This he said has reduced the buzz artistes previously enjoyed whenever their fans got the opportunity to see them whether physically or visually.
The ‘Reason With Me’ crooner explained that because artistes are no longer mysterious, fans are no longer eager to watch them in music videos.
He claimed that shooting music videos is now a waste of money.
Rudeboy said, “Music videos somehow now, because of this generation, is a waste of money. I am sorry to say this. But do you remember us [P-Square] before? You don’t see us anywhere. You just watch music videos, you see us and that’s it, or we come to your country, you see us.
“The reason you don’t see people faint for artistes anymore is because they see them on TikTok every day dancing and promoting your music. If Michael Jackson was alive now and doing promotional content on social media, nobody would see him and faint.
“Unfortunately, it’s too late for us to bring back the era of artistes being mystiques. How can you advise an artiste to post every day? How? Post what? You don’t need to.
“Social media brought positive change to the industry but it also led to ‘see-finish.’ Artistes are now too exposed. Fans see how they eat, cry. Before when artistes go to club, they stay in restricted VIP areas, but now when they are clubbing, everyone is filming.”

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Davido’s Aide Offers Cash Reward For Missing Phone At Zlatan’s Wedding

Published

on

Afrobeats superstar, Davido’s aide, Damilare Aladegbola, popularly known as Dre, has offered a cash reward to whoever returns his phone, which he claims went missing during rapper Zlatan Ibile’s wedding ceremony.
Dre made the appeal in a post on his Instagram page on Monday, pleading with the person who allegedly took the device to return it in exchange for money.
“If na u carry my phone for Zlatan wedding, abeg return am, I go give you money please,” he wrote.
The aide also expressed frustration over what he suggested was a method being used to take phones at social gatherings.
He said he would no longer tolerate waiters asking whether guests had finished eating so they could clear their plates, alleging that the practice could provide an opportunity for phones left on tables to be taken.
“From now on, if I go any party or dey any party and any stupid waitress tell me say are you done eating so I can pack your plate, na swear I go swear for you cause na pattern wey una dey use pack phone for table be that now,” he added.
However, Dre did not identify anyone suspected of taking his phone or provide further details about how the device went missing.
Zlatan Ibile tied the knot with his longtime partner, Davita Lamai, during a traditional wedding ceremony on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
The ceremony, held in Lagos, attracted several celebrities, fans and well-wishers, with Davido among the prominent guests and leading the groomsmen.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

I Ran Away From Nigeria, Never Wanted To Come Back-Chidinma

Published

on

Popular singer, Chidinma Ekile has revealed that before transitioning from secular music to the gospel genre, she “ran away” from Nigeria.
Speaking at a recent Eezee Conceptz event, Chidinma explained that she travelled abroad and wanted to secure permanent residency because she didn’t want to return to Nigeria, but failed.
She revealed that while she was abroad, the CEO of Eezee Conceptz was the only person calling her from Nigeria, so she decided to work with him upon her return.
“I travelled. I ran away from Nigeria. I was processing my papers not to come back to Nigeria, but for some reason, it didn’t work.
“While I was abroad, the CEO of Eezee Conceptz was the only one who was calling me from Nigeria. He kept encouraging me, and I found the strength to come back to Nigeria. When I came back, I asked him to give me a gospel music contract because I want to spend time with God. And he gave me a contract that even my lawyer said seemed like a charity,” Chidinma stated.
The music star added that she did not transition into gospel music because she wanted to make gospel, but because she wanted a serious relationship with God.

Continue Reading

Trending