Celebrities of yesteryear and their new businesses

Fame, like beauty, is transient. A superstar at the peak of stardom could become a footnote in history within the twinkle of an eye. A lot of stars have shone on the horizon but not all of them are still up there. In this piece, we take a look at what some of our stars of yesteryear are up to now

Emeka Ike

Emeka Ike is one actor that many movie lovers wouldn’t forget in a hurry. He was a toast of the industry in the early 2000s. Often cast as a lover boy, Ike was that actor that many loved to hate because of his brash charaterisation of roles.

However, the actor has been absent from the silver screen for some years now, even though he was the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria at some point. The actor also owned a school which was shut down some years ago.


In a chat with One of our correspondents, the actor maintained that his business activities have been keeping him busy. Ike said, “I have many investments. I own a TV channel on TSTV and we will be going on Startimes soon. I used to own a studio in Surulere, Lagos, but it has been closed down. I also had a school, St. Nicholas College, which was one of the best in the area but my ex-wife shut it down on the day I travelled out of town. Our former students are doing very well in different parts of the world right now based on the foundation they got from the school. A professor recently called me from America and said he was amazed at how I was able to run the school so well.”

The Not Man Enough actor added, “A school is a very capital intensive business and I spent well over N400m to run it. All the money I made in my youth was invested in the business. I stopped acting in movies because I had become a CEO and money maker. I didn’t see any reason I should continue going on set to make the kind of movies we were making then. The people who think I went into business because I stopped making money from acting can continue believing whatever they want.”


Idowu Phillips

Popularly called Iya Rainbow, Idowu Phillips was an absolute delight whenever she appeared on screen.

Loved for the energy she infused into playing her roles, it was evident that she knew her onions when it came to make-believe.

However, she abruptly exited the scene and many of her fans wondered why. She is now a cleric and in a chat with Sunday Scoop, she insisted that she was fulfilled with her current role as a woman of God but she still missed her days as an actress. She said, “I’m still interested in acting; and as long as I am alive, I still have action in my body. If anybody calls me, I can act in any type of movie except as a prostitute, and I can’t put tattoos on my body, or wear short, revealing dresses. I really miss my acting days. When we go to locations to shoot movies, we enjoy ourselves and interact with friends. We sleep in hotels and eat whatever we like in a relaxed atmosphere. I also enjoy myself in the church, but we do more of fasting and praying, and lots of vigils.


“It is the work of God that I’m doing now. I go from mountain tops to pray, to America, London, Canada, and other countries to minister. I find joy being in the ministry. It is easy, and at the same time, not easy because it is a congregation of different types of people. People come to you with various problems, and it is my prayer that God should intervene in whatever issue they bring to me.”

Meanwhile, she recently returned to public consciousness in a television commercial for a telecommunications company.

Daniel Wilson

In the nineties, Daniel Wilson, was one of the biggest artistes in the country. His song, Mr. Ragamuffin, helped to cement his popularity and he was the favourite of many music lovers of that time.

However, his career failed to evolve beyond the nineties and not many people know what he has been up to since then. The singer has since delved into different spheres of business. He has been involved in manufacturing, advertising and politics. But the most notable of his business ventures is a bakery which is owned by his family.

Speaking about his business concerns in a recent interview, he said, “I started by managing a food business that my late dad left behind. I got into it with my brothers and we took it from a one industry to about 11 industries. We spread all across Nigeria and we had factories in places such as Ilorin, Niger, Edo, Cross River. We were practically the biggest bread and confectionary makers in the country. We went to bread fairs round the world. Then, I moved into making plastics. From there, I went on to own an advert company and secured different contracts. At that point, the kids had started coming and there were bills to pay, so one had to be creative and start doing a lot of businesses to keep them going.”

Last year, the singer released a song titled, Never Again.

African China

Singer, Chinagorom Onuoha, aka African China, thrilled a lot of fans with hit songs such as Crisis, Mr President, No condition is Permanent, among others. However, after he was involved in an alleged rape scandal in London, his music career experienced a decline.

Not one to stay down, the singer has since diversified into other areas of business such as running a salon.

He explained why he decided to become a businessman. He said, “It is always good for an entertainer to have other business. Even up and coming artistes need it so that they don’t have to rely on promoters, friends and family to fund their music. In showbiz, you cannot be there forever; so you need to have others. Doing so, you wouldn’t be stuck.

“My businesses include a salon, boutique and I’m into real estate. I also have an entertainment outfit and I rent out sound and stage equipment. Right now, I’m planning to bring in more cameras for movie productions and other things.”

Insisting that he didn’t diversify into other lines of business because his music career wasn’t doing well, he said, “People who think like that are myopic. And you will find out that such people don’t even have anything of their own. If someone like Jay Z, Jenifer Lopez and P-Diddy can have a clothing line and other businesses, who am I not to toe that line?”

Ruggedman

Michael Stephens, aka Ruggedman, undoubtedly redefined rap music in Nigeria. With hits such as Ehen, Peace or War, Baraje, among others, many looked up to him to go international with his craft.

However, the rapper seemed to run out of steam after his 2007 album, Ruggedy Baba. Perhaps distracted by his beef with 9ice and Mode 9, the rapper didn’t pay much attention to his career. The emergence of younger rappers also contributed to his decline.

But the rapper has always been business-minded. Even at the peak of his career, he launched a clothing line, Twentieth September Wears, and he has since invested in other streams of income.

Telling one of our correspondents about the businesses he is involved in, he said, “I own a virtual soccer gaming brand called Rugged Premier League. I also host events and TV reality shows. Only ignorant people would say that I went into business because I was no longer making money from music. I started working on Twentieth September Wears in 2004/2005. Some of the shirts we used in my videos, Peace or War and Baraje, of many years ago, were made by TSW. A lot of people are quick to say things despite the fact they cannot prove it or how silly it sounds.”

Bisi Ibidapo-Obe

Actress, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe, shot to limelight with her role in the movie, Bisi Omo Logbalogba. She appeared in a lot of movies after and many expected her to build a lasting career. However, she abruptly went out of circulation and stopped featuring in movies.

At a point, she was reported to have had a baby for controversial lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye.

Some years ago, she established an adult shop, where she trades in lingerie and sex toys. In a chat with Sunday Scoop, she maintained that business has been good and she enjoys what she is doing.

Liz Benson

At a point in the nineties, Liz Benson was practically the biggest actress in the country. She dominated the movie industry and appeared in majority of the movies produced during that period.

Known for movies such as True Confession, Witches, Diamond Ring, Chain Reaction, among others, she had movie lovers eating out of her palms. Loved for her sterling interpretation of roles, she won many awards and garnered a lot of acclaim.

However, when many were expecting her to continue soaring, the talented actress took a bow from the industry.

She is now an evangelist and lives in Delta State with her husband, who is also a cleric.

Hilda Dokubo

Hilda Dokubo was one actress whose portrayal of roles was always so believable that viewers were often confused as to whether she was acting or being real. She seemed to be able to cry on cue and the range of emotions she displayed endeared her to many fans.

With movies such as Without Love, Jezebel, Evil Passion, End of the Wicked, Onye-Eze, among others in her kitty, Dokubo was a delight to watch.

However, she took a long break from the industry and newer stars have since overtaken her.

She once served as a special adviser on youth affairs to a former Rivers State governor, Peter Odili. She is also a cleric and an activist.

Regina Askia

Former actress and beauty queen, Regina Askia, was the delight of many whenever she appeared on movie screens. The one-time Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria commanded the attention of many with her beauty and her face helped to sell lots of movies back in the day.

However, she took a bow when the ovation was loudest and relocated outside the country. She currently lives in USA and works as a family nurse practitioner. She is also a healthcare and education activist, television producer, writer and public speaker.

Saint Obi

Obinna Nwafor, aka Saint Obi, was the quintessential bad boy in movies. Talented and prolific, he was the first choice of many movie producers and directors.

He made waves in movies such as Sakobi: The Snake Girl, Fantasy, The Final Battle, among others.

However, it’s been a while since the actor appeared in a movie. Not many people know that he is now a singer, consultant and social crusader.






























Rainbowgist

I’m not a cheat, Serena says, as she accuses tennis of sexism

Serena Williams insisted she was not cheating in the US Open final on Saturday before accusing the sport which has made her a global icon and multi-millionaire of sexism.

Naomi Osaka won the final 6-2, 6-4 to become Japan’s first ever Grand Slam singles champion and delay Williams’s bid for a record-equalling 24th major title.


However, the final was overshadowed by the American’s angry and tear-filled tirade in the second set.

It has already been dubbed ‘The Mother of all Meltdowns’ by the New York Daily Post.

The 36-year-old was handed a code violation for coaching, a penalty point for racquet abuse and a game penalty for calling umpire Carlos Ramos a “liar and a thief” and insisting “you owe me an apology”.

“He alleged that I was cheating, and I wasn’t cheating,” Williams told reporters later.


“I don’t use on-court coaching (where it’s allowed at WTA tour events).

“One thing I love about tennis is being out there. It’s the one time I don’t want to hear anyone tell me anything. You have to figure out. You have to problem-solve.”

Williams said that her coach Patrick Mouratoglou had not been coaching her even though the Frenchman told ESPN that he had and that all coaches do it.

“I just texted Patrick, like, What is he talking about? Because we don’t have signals. We have never discussed signals,” said Williams.

Williams said the incident strengthened her belief that women players are treated differently to their male counterparts in the sport.

“I’ve seen other men call other umpires several things. I’m here fighting for women’s rights and for women’s equality,” she claimed.

“For me to say ‘thief’ and for him to take a game, it made me feel like it was a sexist remark.


“He’s never taken a game from a man because they said ‘thief’. For me it blows my mind. But I’m going to continue to fight for women.”

Williams made reference to the incident last week when French player Alize Cornet was warned for removing her shirt on court during a heatwave.

Cornet was accused of “unsportsmanlike behaviour” before tournament chiefs apologised, admitting the umpire made the wrong decision.

– A strong woman –

“Cornet should be able to take off her shirt without getting a fine. This is outrageous,” said Williams warming to her theme.

“I just feel like the fact that I have to go through this is just an example for the next person that has emotions, and that want to express themselves, and want to be a strong woman.

“They’re going to be allowed to do that because of today. Maybe it didn’t work out for me, but it’s going to work out for the next person.”


Williams left the media interview room to applause.

Meanwhile, Mouratoglou took to Twitter to also take aim at Ramos.

“The star of the show has been once again the chair umpire,” he wrote.

“Should they be allowed have an influence on the result of a match? When do we decide that this should never happen again?”



























Rainbowgist

I was surprised when Emilia accused Theo Ukpaa of rape – Victim’s friend

Ever since model and video vixen, Emilia Samuel, accused media personality, Theo Ukpaa, of rape, different sides to the story have continued to emerge.

Shortly after the allegation was made public, Theo was sacked from his job as the head of programmes at Linda Ikeji Media. However, Theo has since denied the allegations even as Linda Ikeji, who claimed to know more than what is in the public domain, threatened to get him arrested if he continues to assert his innocence.

However, a lady, Kaka, whose name was mentioned by Samuel in the rape saga, said she was surprised when Emilia accused Ukpaa of rape. She said, “Immediately after the Spice Girls competition, I left for Abuja, not Port Harcourt. From there, I went to Ghana. I wasn’t in touch with both of them for years, but I ran into Ukpaa at some point and I told him I needed his help for the things I do. He then gave me his number and we’ve done things together afterwards.


“Though I don’t really know what happened between Ukpaa and Samuel because I didn’t witness anything, I have never seen him as a rapist and he has never given me reasons to think so. When I saw the story, I was surprised too.”

Kaka said the last time she spoke to Samuel was when she was going to Ghana, adding that when she (Samuel) mentioned her name in the post, she couldn’t remember her face until she went through her photos on Instagram.

“Immediately after the competition, I left for Abuja. I cannot remember if she called me or not but I know I told her I was going to Ghana. Also, I am not sure we talked about a training as I didn’t attend any training after the show,” Kaka added.

Efforts to reach out to Samuel to speak further on the issue were unsuccessful.















Rainbowgist

Mass Communication Student Gets Yam Tuber, Live Chicken As Best Graduating Student, Anambra State University

The Best Graduating Student of the Department of Mass Communication, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), formerly Anambra State University, Best Somadina Nwabuwa has been celebrated for his exceptional feat.

Nwabuwa was given award by an online news platform, massmediang to celebrate his achievement.

He was given an undisclosed sum of money, a live chicken and yam tuber by the news platform, an organisaton known for celebrating excellence in communication education using agricultural products.

The presentation was made today, at the Francis Oladele stand, at the Igbariam campus of the institution.




















Rainbowgist

2013 MTN Project Fame winner, Olawale becomes a cab driver in Lagos

These are not the best of times for Olawale Ojo, who won the sixth edition of the MTN Project Fame in 2013. Olawale who has struggled in recent years with getting the right attention for his songs has been off the radar recently until he was discovered by journalist, Tope Delano who ordered a cab on her phone and her driver turned out to be Olawale.

In the interview, Olawale opens up about his struggle and how he has embraced his new life.








Rainbowgist

Ali Nuhu, Odunlade Adekola, Bisola, speak on bagging AMVCA awards

The Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards has come and gone but those who went home with plagues are still basking in the excitement of having the awards on their shelves.

Beaming with smile, popular actor, Ali Nuhu, said, “I won best indigenous movie/TV series Hausa with the movie ‘Mansoor’, which is basically about children that are born out of wedlock. It portrays the way they are treated and the movie also goes to show that these children are not to be blamed for whatever happens in the marriage because they are just victims.

“I am so happy that I have this award and I think Africa Magic is doing very well by encouraging indigenous filmmakers but I still want to plead that Kannywood should be included in all categories like the technical category. It should be in contention because you get to see some very good movies but they restrict them to just indigenous category, which I don’t think is fair.”


Former Big Brother Naija contestant, Bisola Aiyeola, who not only went home with a plaque but also a car, dedicated her award to her recently deceased baby daddy.

She said, “I won the trailblazer award for the AMVCAs 2018 and I am so excited about this award. I’ve been on a journey. I started out in the entertainment industry in 2006 and in 2008; I was on MTN Project Fame West Africa. I have been acting prior to my Big Brother experience and now we are here after Big Brother in 2017, so I wouldn’t say Big Brother gave me all of the mileage I’m getting now.

“I’m stressing it because a lot of people might think I woke up one day and just went for an audition. I’d auditioned for over eight years before I finally made it into Big Brother Naija house. And at the time, it was Big Brother Africa that I was auditioning for, so it’s been a journey, but I didn’t give up. I’m dedicating this award to him and everybody in my life.”


Ace actor, Odunlade Adekola, said the award reflected a lot about his career. He said, “I won best actor in a movie comedy and this speaks a lot about my career; it’s not a very easy task to make people laugh and also have a great time. Sincerely, I feel very good.”

















Rainbowgist

Ibeju-lekki residents lose valuables to flood

Some residents of Ibeju Lekki in Lagos today lamented their loss of valuables worth millions of Naira to flood caused by persistent rainfall, coupled with poor drainage facilities in the community.

Some of the residents, in interviews with News Agency of Nigeria, said the early morning downpour left several roads and homes in the area flooded.

Mr Luqman Balogun, a member of the Community Development Association, in Ibeju-Lekki, said that it had been a long time since the community witnessed such torrential rain.

“We can neither go to the office nor stay at home comfortably now as many of our valuables are already destroyed by a flood.

“I never believed we could be sacked by flood because we live in a predominantly sandy environment, due to our proximity to the ocean.

“What I have observed now is that there are no working drainage channels in Ibeju-Lekki, as we have in other parts of Lagos State,’’ he said.


Balogun mentioned some of the areas affected by the flood included Kajola, Majek first-gate area, Lakowe, Eleko, Oribanwa and Awoyaya, among several others.

According to him, the flooding has affected commercial businesses in the community, including the hospitality sector.

“I am a hotel operator. We hotel owners are also complaining of low patronage due to bad roads, epileptic power supply, the absence of a functional drainage system and other issues.

“Despite all the challenges, government is still giving us estimated taxes and ridiculous bills.

“We have not been enjoying any infrastructure in this community, yet we pay our taxes and there is virtually no serious encouragement from government,’’ he said.

Also, Mr Seyi Bakare, a resident, decried the poor condition of the Ibeju/Lekki expressway.

He noted that the major road in the area had started to develop several portholes, thereby causing some traffic bottlenecks on the expressway

Bakare added that the journey from the Ajah axis to Epe/Ibeju -Lekki which ought to take about 45 minutes now lasts about an hour-and-a-half.


Another resident, Mr Lanre Solution, appealed to the Lagos State government to fix the Lekki/Epe Expressway, which he said, was the major road linking Ibeju/Lekki to Epe.

He said that adequate maintenance of the road would enhance business activities in the area.

Mrs Bola Fadahunsi, another resident, lamented that the bad roads and flooding were causing a lot of damage to the vehicles of residents, costing them more money to maintain.












Rainbowgist