Entertainment
Cultural Music Icon, ‘Eze Oriri’ Iwedi Laid To Rest In Emohua
Emohua community in Rivers State last weekend, witnessed a humongous crowd of renowned politicians, celebrated-cultural musicians, socio cultural organisations and various youth bodies who stormed the community to pay their last respects to celebrated cultural icon and traditional music maestro, Elder Ikekwem Kingdom Iwedi, popularly known as ‘Eze Oriri’ (commissioner for enjoyment) who died on January 24, 2021 after a protracted illness.
In his address at the burial ceremony the Chief mourner, Mr. Promise I.K Iwedi stated that until his demise, the renowned musician, grassroot politician and socio-cultural icon, contributed immensely to the promotion of the Ikwerre and Kalabari culture and tradition through his musical group, the Oriri Social Club of Nigeria (OSCON) that displayed the water spirit infused culture peculiar to the Ikwerre and the Riverine people of Rivers and Bayelsa States. His musical exploits earned him the moniker, I.K Dankwa named after the Ghanaian music legend.
He noted that Eze Oriri was also a founding father of several socio-cultural groups in the community including Korkonma Elitist club, Oporo masquerade Deity of Rumuobasi, Wanaburoma Rumuobasi, Oyirimba Rumuolo Age Grade, olo Social Club of Emohua one time chairman of Ikoro Rumuolo, a formidable group I’m the community. He was also the patron of Ibimina Social Club of Bakana and Sekiapu Society of Kalabari.
The chief mourner stressed that politically Elder Ikekwem Iwedi was relevant in the political landscape as a grassroot politician and mass mobiliser who played active politics at the local and state government levels at different political dispensations and belonged to various political parties during his political career. He was an active member of the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP), National Party of Nigeria (NPN) Social Democratic Party (SDP), United Nigeria Centre Party (UNCP), The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and finally the All Progressive Congress (APC) before his demise.
Based on his various political party affiliations his burial at his residence in Rumuobasi, Rumuche Emohua on Saturday, 8th May 2021was attended by a large number of political Juggernauts across the state and beyond. Among whom were Senator ‘Ohna’ Andrew Uchendu, Ohna Sergent Awuse, Chief (Barr) Eme Glory Eme, Engr. Sam Agwo, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, Arthur Uchendu and Prof. Chituru Orluwene. Others were, former Emolga Chairman Allen Nma, former Vice Chairman Emolga, Chief Ndidi Erim, Hon Lucky Worlu and Engr. Nnamdi Abah among others.
Speaking in an interview with The Tide an illustrious son-in-law to the deceased cultural icon, Mr. Onyekachi Wagbara noted that Elder Ikekwem Iwedi was a philanthropist extraordinary who left behind an amazing legacy for others to emulate. He reiterated that his fatherly advice and guidance contributed to the success of his marriage to the first daughter Ijeoma.
According to him their marriage which has lasted for over 21 years has brought countless blessings to his life and family. His death has created a big vacuum in my life, but I take solace in God because my father in-law lived a good life as he rendered selfless service to God and humanity, he said.
Also speaking, the first daughter of the deceased, Mrs Ijeoma Onyekachi Wagbara described her late father as a man of honour, a cheerful giver and a peacemaker who restored peace in Emohua community in 1992 after the protracted communal crisis. She said the community has lost a hero.
By: Jacob Obinna
Entertainment
Why Fans No Longer Faint For Musicians – Paul Okoye
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.”
Entertainment
Davido’s Aide Offers Cash Reward For Missing Phone At Zlatan’s Wedding
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.
Entertainment
I Ran Away From Nigeria, Never Wanted To Come Back-Chidinma
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.
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