2017: Events that rocked entertainment scene

It has been a year of mixed feelings for stakeholders in the Nigerian entertainment industry. For many of them who spoke with Sunday Tribune in the beginning of the outgoing year, it was one year they had looked forward to with high expectations. While some of them believe the year has been good despite the myriad of challenges they confronted, others simply concluded they look forward to a better New Year. Several events happened during the course of the year which sent the internet on a frenzy. With pockets of scandals, of fierce competition, home break-ups amongst artistes, SEGUN ADEBAYO and SEYI SOKOYA beam spotlight on some of the moments that evoked reactions on the entertainment landscape.

 

 

 

 

The deaths…

Iya Kike:

The Yoruba movie industry was the first to record death in the year following the demise of veteran actress, Toyin Majekodunmi, also known as Iya Kike.

The chubby actress who was married to a fellow actor, Solomon Majekodunmi, famously known as‘Baba Kekere died on January 2 after a brief illness.

Sunday Tribune gathered that her husband’s appearance in movies waned since the demise of her wife and would attempt to make a comeback in the New Year.

Modupe Oyekunle:

Though she was not very famous, Modupe Oyekunle, was one of the fast-rising thespians in the Yoruba speaking movies, who lost her life after giving birth her third child. Modupe, who was popularly called Oyinbo, caught the attention of movie lovers for her role in the blockbuster movie, Ibi Giga. It could not be established as of the time of compiling this report what happened to the baby after the death of  the actress.

 

Olumide Bakare:

The movie industry woke up to news of the death of veteran actor, Olumide Bakare, who reportedly died of a cardiac arrest before he could be rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH), on April 22. Before his demise, Bakare had been sick for one year, having been diagnosed of a heart and lung disease.

He was admitted to UCH, and was later discharged after spending days at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital. Bakare, it was gathered, was said to be recuperating at home before his sudden death.

His personal assistant, who was with him when he died, said he woke up to eat in the middle and breathed shortly after meal.

 

 

Moji Olaiya:

Moji Olaiya’s death was one that ravaged the entertainment industry for weeks and left questions on the lips of her fans.The actress died in a Canadian hospital days after child delivery.

There were conflicting reports about the nature of her death, as some reports had it that Olaiya died of complications arising from child delivery.

Information gathered by Sunday Tribune revealed that Olaiya, whose remains were flown to Nigeria following the intervention of Senator Bola Tinubu, had died of heart attack.

 

 

Pastor Ajidara:

Seasoned Yoruba actor, Samuel Adesanya, popularly called Pastor Ajidara, died on May 7. Mr. Ajidara, 62, died of kidney failure.

Despite efforts by his family and colleagues in the movie industry to raise the N12 million needed for the surgery, the actor died before the money could be raised.

He would later be buried in his home in Abeokuta same day Olumide Bakare was buried in Ibadan.

 

Victor Eze:

Victor Eze Okwuchukwu, who played Alika in the popular TV series, Fuji House of Commotion, passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2017, after a long battle with stroke. Eze was an actor, dancer and writer, known for Stigma (2013), Widows, Beyond Reason, Baby Guards 2 (2005), Changing Faces, and Together as One (2003).

 

Adebayo Faleti:

A renowned journalist, poet and actor, Adebayo Faleti, passed away on July 23, 2017, at the age of 86, in his Ibadan residnce.

He was a renowned journalist in his prime, having taken up top management positions at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) as a General Manager and also as the Film Editor and Librarian at the National Television Authority (NTA), Ibadan, Oyo State.

 

Obi Madubogwo:

Popular for his role in Conspiracy, Obi Madubogwo announced in 2016 that he was in need of public support for his health.

He had just come out of coma after a toxic battle with a diabetic wound, and was in need of financial support for a surgery, tests and medications to avoid amputation of his leg.Unfortunately, the actor died on August 28 and was laid to rest on November 10, 2017.

 

Alhaji Kasimu Yero:

The Cock Crow At Dawn actor passed away at the age of 70.

He died at his house on Sunday, September 3, 2017, in Kaduna State after a protracted illness.

His son, Masur Yero confirmed his death. The veteran was buried after the funeral prayers that took place at the Sultan Bellow Mosque according to Islamic rites.

 

Tunde Oloyede:

Tunde Oloyede, the producer and director of the defunct television drama series, Village Headmaster, reportedly died in his sleep at his residence in Festac Town, Lagos State.

Mr.Oloyede was a former president of the Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria. He was also the producer/director of the popular TV drama series, Tightrope, amongst several other productions.Until his death, Oloyede ran his own production outfit, Media International Production.

 

Tonto Dikeh’s failed marriage:

There were many sides to Tonto Dikeh’s crashed marriage to Churchill than meet the eye. Before the crash, Dikeh was soaked in Churchill’s love and was always praising her husband for showering her with love and gifts. In fact, there was a time she described their union as the best decision she ever made.

She would later reveal after they had gone on their separate ways that she endured a troubled and abusive marriage. Her husband, who denied Dikeh’s claims, appeared to have moved on from his failed marriage.

The philantrophist, whose foundation has continued to cater for the needy, has said he would not be dragged into any controversy with his ex wife again.

 

Dammy Krane credit card scandal

This was arguably the biggest scandal in the Nigerian music industry in 2017. Former Hypertex Digital music star, Dammy Krane was arrested in far away Miami for credit card and grand auto theft.

Photos of his mugshot flooded the internet.

TwitterNG community added more insult to injury as Dammy Krane became the butt of jokes. Krane, who has since been left off the hook, appears to be struggling to get his music career back on track.

He has however told those who cared to listen that he would be coming back with a bang in the New Year.

 

P-Square splits finally

There may be fresh moves to reconcile the P-Square brothers of Paul and Peter Okoye but nothing concrete has happened for now. It is no more news that they finally broke up after series of back and forth over the battle to keep the group together.

It was one split that left many in shock as people feared it could signal the end of their music career. While they have both moved on to pursue solo careers, questions are being asked about how long one will last without the other.

They have both managed to release new songs but they seemed to lack the vibe that made them the toast of many for more than a decade.

 

Banky W, Adesua Etomi walked down the aisle

One of Nigeria’s most eligible bachelors and professional fine boy, Banky W called it quits to bachelorhood. The self-acclaimed king of R&B threw the internet into a big frenzy when he disclosed his engagement to actress Adesua.

The couple got married in a superlative wedding that held in South Africa weeks back and arrested the attention of Nigerians.

The whole process from his engagement to the white wedding was highly publicised with the popular hashtag #BAAD2017. Just days after their wedding, Mr Banky mistakenly put his wife’s bare bottom on display on social media and it got many people talking.

 

Davido roped into the death of his friend, Tagbo

Davido may have had a good year, but the N30 billion musician did have some troubled moments some months back, when he was fingered in the death of his friend, Tagbo, who died in a mysterious circumstance.

The singer has moved on and even staged one of the biggest music concerts in the country some days back at the Eko Convention Centre.

Those who are close to him revealed that he would never pray for such sad occurence again.