April was a month of whistle blowing and uncovering millions of hidden naira by the EFCC in Nigeria. Big Brother Naija also ended this month. April was a great month for award-winning actress Mercy Johnson who was awarded a government official post. However Reuben Abati especially and oba of Lagos got backlashed this month, AY comedian and Helen Paul were not left behind. Find out why below.
AY’S COMEDY CONCERT RETURNED ON EASTER
Award-winning comedian, Ayo Makun was also known as AY returned in April with his annual comedy concert, AY live which held on Easter Sunday at the convention centre of the prestigious Eko hotel and suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. This year’s edition was tagged ‘Generations of laughter’ and comedians such as I go dye, Okey BAKASSI, Kenny Blaq, Akpororo, Helen Paul and a host of others were invited.
TBOSS EMERGED SECOND RUNNER UP IN THE BIG BROTHER NAIJA SHOW
T boss emerged the second runner up of the Big Brother Naija reality show on April 9, 2017. When asked if a controversial statement she made about being able to spend 25 million naira completely in a week s she had debts made her lose the competition, she responded ‘ I’m happy with the winner and if I lost the prize money because of that comment then such is life. But I still stand by it that with the debts I have that money go finish. at the end of the day, I may end up not having one million.’ Tboss also was known as Tokunbo Idowu was given the price of 500 000 as the overall winner of house games.
EFE EMERGED WINNER OF BIG BROTHER NAIJA 2017
Efe Ejeba regarded as the people’s favorite, emerged the winner of big brother Naija on the 9th of April a Sunday. He won the 25 million naira cash price, he beat the likes of Bisola who came second runner-up with Tboss third in that order.
BISOLA GAVE EPIC APRIL FOOL’S DAY PRANK AND ALSO BECAME ONE CAMPAIGN AMBASSADOR
Bisola of big brother Naija, pranked and deceived her fellow housemates on April fools day, Big brother popularly called ‘Biggie’ called Bisola into the room so she can explain how the prank will go down. Later she stormed out of the diary room crying that big brother wanted to disqualify her. Some of the housemates fell for it. One of the housemates of the Big Brother Naija house, Bisola who came the second runner-up with Tboss was made the ONE campaign ambassador after she won the ONE campaign task prize.
RUNTOWN SPENDS 150 MILLION TO ACQUIRE BRAND NEW LAMBORGHINI IN 2017
Nigerian singer Douglas Jack Agu popularly known as Runtown bought a Lamborghini Gallardo worth 150 million naira in April, the car is extravagant and has excellent transmission system.
JANET JACKSON split WITH BILLIONAIRE HUSBAND
In April, American musician Janet Jackson split with her billionaire husband Wissam Al Mana, months after giving birth to a child at age 50. Some sources claim the split is amicable and the couple will co-parent their son others said the marriage had faced trouble for months. Jackson had complained about her younger husband of 41 years old, accusing him of being too controlling, the couple had thought the birth of their son Eissa Al Mana would help matters but it didn’t.
SERENA WILLIAMS CONFIRMED SHE WAS PREGNANT
Star Tennis player, Serena Williams who is 35 years old and engaged to Alexis Ohanian confirmed she was pregnant for him in April and didn’t play any match since winning her 23rd grand slam title at the Australian open in January. A lot of people were excited for her.
SGF SUSPENDED
The secretary to the federal government, Babachir Lawal was suspended and Dr. Habibat Lawan the permanent secretary to the SGF’s office took over as acting SGF. The SGF was suspended over claims of violations of law and due process in the awards of contracts under the presidential initiative in the North East.
IKOYI RAID, EFCC RECOVERED MILLIONS OF NAIRA (WHISTLE BLOWING)
The EFCC economic and financial crimes commission raided an empty apartment in Ikoyi a highbrow neighbourhood and bundles of cash in dollar, pound sterling and naira currencies was found, totalling up to $43.4 million. While the agency was yet to identify the owner of the property, a federal high court in Lagos ordered a temporary forfeiture of the money. The discovery was made under the Nigerian whistleblower policy, the policy under the president Buhari regime encourages Nigerians to report ill-gotten funds and corruption-related offences.
DAVIDO HELD LIVE CONCERT IN CHICAGO OVER NEW SINGLE ‘IF’
Davido’s hit song ‘IF’ which was regarded as the biggest afrobeats song at the time was performed by Davido in Chicago on Saturday April 29. It was a sing along session as the audience sang along with Davido and a live band.
ADEKUNLE GOLD CONFIRMS HE WROTE ORENTE FOR SIMI
Singer Adekunle Gold who used to be in a relationship with singer Simi, finally admitted that he wrote one of his hit singles, Orente for her. A Twitter user asked Simi if she inspired the song Orente, and Adekunle Gold replied confirming that he wrote the song for her.
HELEN PAUL AND AY CONDEMNED FOR MAKING JOKES ABOUT TBOSS AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
At his comedy concert, ace comedian, AY alongside Helen Paul and actress Funke Akindele, made fun of TBoss onstage at the #AYLive2017. In a hilarious manner, they recreated one of the latter’ saga back at the house, ‘The National anthem saga’.
Where the Boss lady Tboss graced the Internet negatively, received bashing from Nigerians after she failed to recite the national anthem back at the Big Brother Naija house.
Also at the concert organised for the ex-housemates in Warri, Helen Paul cajoled Bisola into making peace with ThinTallTony after the first runner-up said the married housemate betrayed their friendship by hiding his marital status from her.
At the same event, Helen Paul made jokes about Kemen and TBoss, reducing the molestation TBoss endured at the hands of Kemen to simply ‘small touch’.
The comments earned the female comedian a lot of criticism from folks on social media and even Rita Dominic who joined other voices speaking out against the culture of normalising sexual abuse against women.
“It is not rational to say that sexual misconduct or abuse of any kind is normal behaviour. We should not tolerate this school of thought,” the legendary actress said.
REUBEN ABATI SPEAKS ON BIG BROTHER NAIJA, TWITTER FOLLOWERS FIRED BACK
Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati gave his thoughts and idea on the concluded Big Brother Naija reality show in a rather lengthy post. Here is some of his words:
“What a relief! So, the Big Brother Naija reality television programme is finally over. It ended Sunday evening with 23-year old Efe Michael Ejemba, University of Jos graduate of Economics and singer winning the N25 million + SUV at stake, with 57.6% of the votes from over 24 million voters across Africa. Warri, where Efe’s family lives, erupted in excitement. At the Multichoice viewing centre in Ikeja, Lagos, where Katung Aduwak took charge so brilliantly, there was a similar eruption of incandescent joy. I was relieved because for about 70 days, the Big Brother Naija show was a big distraction, crass capitalism at its most cynical edge, a source of unmanageable madness in homes and on the streets. Now that it is over, it is time for some honest frank talk for the attention of all stakeholders involved.
Let me start with the lessons, on a positive note, before delivering the blows. Lesson one: In a very instructive manner, the Big Brother Naija reality television show promoted the ideas of choice and people power at the heart of democracy. Televised across Africa, the viewers had the final say in determining who stayed in the house or left during eviction moments on Sundays.
Lesson Two: in every business concept, perseverance pays. In business, once you have a good, attractive product and you can capture the market, you can fool everybody and make profit. Multi choice, weh done – in Falz, the bad guy’s voice.
Lesson three: humility pays. At the end of the day, in the last week of the programme, the decision by the viewing public was a moral, sentimental one. The biggest star of the programme was, I don’t know what you think, TBOSS (real name: Tokunbo Idowu), half Nigerian, half-Romanian. She dominated the space with her Jezebelic antics, even got some of the male participants ousted by entrapping and outsmarting them with her sexual wiles. She projected herself as a sex object, the ultimate manipulator, the champion Delilah of the Big Brother Africa series. She even made a joke of the entire Big Brother concept by saying she didn’t need the money and if she won, she would spend it in two weeks to pay off debts, and in any case, she had men hitting on her, offering to take her on a ride in their private jets. She played the role of a female barracuda.
Given her looks and talents, she would have been a perfect winner. She would have looked good on the billboards. But she lost because of her arrogance. Attitude is everything: this is the lesson of TBOSS’s disgrace and humiliation. When she was sent out of the House as the second runner up, the viewing centre in Ikeja, Lagos, including Kemen whose nemesis she was, danced in joy. “They are taunting me?” she asked Ebuka, the anchor. No, sweetheart, they were making a far more serious statement about you. The melodramatic ending of Big Brother Naija 2017 is its only redeeming outcome. Bisola, the first runner up does not even have a degree but she showed talent and resolve, even if her whorish flirtation with Thin Tall Tony is so cheap and self-denigrating. Her One-Nigeria consolation prize is something big she should take seriously. Efe won because of his humility. He is considered the poorest and the most needy of the contestants. Patrons of the programme chose to vote for the contestant who looked and sounded like he would need the money and the opportunity. They gave him a chance in life, although the organizers must ensure that going forward, the show does not become a poverty alleviation scheme. Bisola came second because she too looked like she needed help. Debbie Rise and Marvis also made the finals, but that was meant to be a great compliment to their good conduct, but they didn’t have enough support to make it to the top. TBOSS is the main star who lost. Marketing helps. Branding is everything. Propaganda is profitable. Packaging is nice. Big Brother Naija is nothing but marketing, branding, days of BBNaija was packaged, marketed, carefully branded and manipulated. Ebuka, the Big Brother, thumbs up, the scenic designers, kudos, the content developers, three hearty cheers, Multichoice, you guys are the smartest capitalists around, well done! The finale was a bit overdone though, dragged out, over-delayed. Tiwa Savage (hey baby, watch that growing fat around your waist and thigh), Tuface (thanks TuBaba but next time tell Annie to twerk for us- what was that!). In all, the power of television was well advertised
Reality shows have become an established form on television, but whereas there are reality shows that promote talent, music, human capability and genius, enhanced relationships, and intellect, Multichoice, through its Big Brother Naija and Big Brother Africa franchises seems committed to the promotion of base values, chiefly adultery, prostitution, love of money, nudity and sex. What just ended as Big Brother Naija 2017 was nothing other than the corralling of some human beings into a zoo, pressured to behave like nothing but animals. The organizers made money devaluing other human beings. Multichoice and Payporte, the sponsors, turned alcohol and pornography into legitimate sport.
TBOSS and the other girls kissed and got groped by the boys on live television putting their upbringing to shame. TBOSS, who claimed she didn’t need the money even exposed her breasts on live television more than once. I have seen better breasts TBOSS. I am not too sure those private jet owners will be excited by your fluffy, South-looking, slightly bigger than mangoes breasts. If the same men see bigger assets, I mean, those interesting Ojiakor-like ones that look like papayas, pineapples and watermelons, they will not send private jets, they will deploy submarines and fighter jets! And that ‘s why you got N500k in the end, way back behind Bisola with her hard facial features, and Efe whose victory is based on poverty logistics and appeal. But I have no doubt that TBOSS will end up doing better in the larger, outside market than the other finalists, because even those who did not vote for her, know in their hearts that she represents the message of the programme.
It is a wrong message and that is why Big Brother Naija drew more audience in Southern Nigeria than in the North. In the last week of the programme,, every town in Southern Nigeria was seized by the #BBNaija fever. Prayers were offered in churches for Efe. One lady threatened to commit suicide if Efe did not win. Another one said she would not stop crying until Efe won. Nollywood stars declared support for housemates. There was Team Bisola, Team Efe, EfeNation, TBOSSNation, TeamDebbieRise (small), TeamMarvis (even smaller). There were public processions even in universities. We were told how to vote. Twitter was on fire. What I saw was nothing but sheer madness. T-shirts were printed. One musician turned his personal car into a billboard. Nigeria became a mad house because of one reality television show……”
Reuben Abati was seriously condemned by the general public for this post.
TEKNO AND LOLA RAE RUMORED TO BE DATING
The rumours of Nigerian superstar, Tekno dating singer, Lola Rae gradually became headlines online as Nigerians on social media took to the ‘Pana crooner’s comment section to react to the breeding romance.
The singer known for his catchy tunes and delivery took to his social media page on Instagram to post a photo of himself with female singer, Lola Rae.
Fans however took to his page to interpret the photo as an hint to the duo’s relationship status and based on this gave their verdict of the relationship.
TOKE MAKINWA EMBARKED ON 3 CITY BOOK TOUR.
Sequel to her successful book tours in Nigeria, Ghana and the United Kingdom, media personality and best-selling author, Toke Makinwa embarked on a 3 city book tour in the USA in efforts to promote her bestselling memoir; ‘On Becoming’.
She visited 3 major cities; Houston, New York and Washington DC; across America with Houston being the first stop. The first event which took place on Saturday, 15th of April 2017, at 024 Grille-Memorial City, Westin, Houston, was in collaboration with Of A Kind Creative and Segun Gele, and was moderated by Agatha Ashiofu; of ironyofashi.com
CHRISTOPHER IDOWU, TBOSS’S BROTHER ACCUSED OF BEING A WOMAN BEATER ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Christopher Idowu, a brother to former Big Brother Naija housemate, Tokunbo Idowu (popularly known as TBoss) has been accused of beating one Dammy, who the accusers claimed was his former girlfriend when he was in Delta State University.
The accusations came as comments under one of his posts. Christopher had condemned joking about rape in the post, adding that “karma is a dish best served cold”. The commenter immediately attacked him, claiming kemen was better than him and she was going to destroy him on the Iinternet for beating up obe Dammy who he was constantly sleeping with and aborting for.
Tunde Ednut also called him out on social media following the accusations, TBoss’ brother, Christopher Idowu denied the accusations and called ace Nigerian music producer, Tunde Ednut, an attention seeker. Tunde Ednut, who shared a report also exposed some alleged dark secrets no one knows about the Idowu family.
MERCY JOHNSON OKOJIE SWORN IN AS SSA IN KOGI STATE, LAUNCHED TALENT HUNT FOR YOUTHS IN THE SAME MONTH.
Beautiful and curvaceous actress Mercy Johnson Okojie was sworn in on the 4th of April 2017 as the senior special Assistant to Kofi state Governor on entertainments, arts and culture.
She also launched a talent hunt for the youths of Kogi state on 17th of August, and was described as a rare gem to the people of the state.
The Obadofin of Oweland and the paramount ruler of the Okun people, Oba Michael Yusuf, made the remark when he received the actress and her team in Kabba, Kogi state.
JULIA ROBERTS BECAME PEOPLE MAGAZINE’S MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN
Julia Roberts became the 2017 World’s Most Beautiful Woman in PEOPLE magazine.
It’s been 26 years since Julia Roberts was first on the cover of PEOPLE’s World’s Most Beautiful issue, and she’s still their favorite pretty woman.
The stunning star was, for a record fifth time, the Most Beautiful Woman in the World. “I am very flattered,” she told PEOPLE’s editor-in-chief Jess Cagle.
VICTORIA BECKHAM RECEIVED AN OBE
Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham received an OBE ( Order of the British Empire) from Prince William for services to the fashion industry. Victoria, who was joined by her husband and parents for the investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, was recognised for her 17-year career.
Former heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill was made a Dame, and celebrated actor Mark Rylance received a knighthood.David Beckham, former England football captain, was made an OBE in 2003.
On being given the title, Victoria said: “It was an absolute pleasure to be at Buckingham Palace . I’m proud to be British, honoured and humbled to receive my OBE from the Duke of Cambridge.”If you dream big and work hard you can accomplish great things.
“I’m so happy to share this very special occasion with my parents and husband; without their love and support, none of this would be possible.”
KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN ADDED ANOTHER YEAR, GAVE A TIMELINE OF HER RELATIONSHIP WITH SCOTT, TOOK TIME OUT WITH KIM
Kourtney Kardashian celebrated her 38th birthday earlier this month and celebrated with a girls-only trip to Tulum, Mexico. The eldest Kardashian had the company of her sister Kim as well as close friends Stephanie Sheppard, Malika Haqq, Brittny Gastineau, and Larsa Pippen. The ladies bared it all in tiny bikinis , Kourtney showed a ton of underboob while Kim’s greatest asset was on display in a vintage Dior two-piece and appeared to have a blast while splashing and posing for photos in the ocean. Kim later shared some pretty wild tales about the, activities via Twitter, while Kourtney shared a couple of racy snaps on Instagram. Later in the week, the sisters were out and about again, flaunting their fit figures in sequined swimsuits on the beach at Joe Francis’s Casa Aramara in Punta Mita.
Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian gave a timeline of their relationship, how they started and how it ended as well.
EFCC UNCOVERED MORE MONEY (WHISTLE BLOWING).
The Lagos State zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, recovered over 400 million naira in an abandoned bureau the change in Lagos State.
The anti-graft agency in a video posted on its Facebook page said they had counted over N400m while the counting is still ongoing as at 8:33pm.
OBA OF LAGOS SNUBBED OONI OF IFE, NIGERIANS REACTED TO THE NEWS.
Nigerians took to social media, to criticize the Oba of Lagos, HRH Rilwan Akiolu, for ignoring the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, at a public gathering.
There was an immediate buzz as the Ooni walked into the venue, with one of his aides rushing to wipe his chair clean, but the Oba of Lagos sat uninterested and looked away.
The Ooni shook hands with another monarch and he made to exchange pleasantries with the Oba Akiolu, who only raised his hand indifferently.
The clip went viral, with Nigerians not happy with the Lagos monarch’s reaction, with some describing it as “a public disgrace” and “pure disrespect”.
BOBRISKY AND TOYIN LAWANI FIRED SHADES AT EACH OTHER
Fashion and beauty entrepreneur Toyin Lawani allegedly threw some “shade” at Nigerian male barbie, Bobrisky and there was war!
The two personalities attended the burial of actress, Eniola Badmus’ father. At the event, Toyin posted a quote on Instagram which laughed about how Instagram filters helped to fine tune the appearances of some people she met in real life.Bobrisky who knew she was referring to him, without doubt, took to social media to call her names, saying she was too small to talk at him and that he had gone way pass her in the industry.
BIG BROTHER NAIJA GRAND FINALE HELD
The Grand finale of Big Brother Naija reality show held in April. The voting results revealed that Efe received the highest percentage of votes while Marvis received the least percentage of votes and that’s why she was the first housemate to be evicted from the Big Brother Naija house during to the. Finale.
Grand finale’s voting results indicated that Efe received the highest percentage of votes with 57.61%, he was followed by Bisola with 18.54%.
KEEP THE CHANGE BAE HASHTAG ROCKED ON TWITTER WITH INDUSTRIES AND ORGANISATIONS USING IT FOR PROMOTIONS
A Nigerian guy Ayodeji went on a ‘date’ with a lady named Ore. Turns out she wasn’t interested in a relationship and told him. The “kid” went on Twitter and started ranting that he took her out on a date, spent money and she still turned him down. Ore then dropped a tweet that we consider one of the greatest comebacks of all time.
She refunded him and asked him to keep the change. Everywhere scattered. Someone used the hashtag #KeepTheChangeBae, and the rest, as they say is history. The guy later apologized on social media but starting with Wema bank (where the broke guy banks), brands took the opportunity of the trending hashtag to promote their brands. Quick teller, yudala, Baton Nigeria and several other brands joined the conversation flourishing with it.