Deaths…
Aisha Abimbola
One of the deaths that shocked many patrons of the movie industry is that of Aisha Abimbola, popularly known as Omoge Campus. The beautiful actress and mother of two lost her battle to breast cancer in Canada in May 16 2018. Aisha, who was a member of The Golden Movie Ambassador (TGMA) could not fulfill her many dream, one of which was to build a home for people battling breast cancer. News of her death shook the industry and put many of her colleagues in bad shapes for weeks. Since her death, her popular movie for which she was known, ‘Omoge Campus,’ continues to keep her memory fresh in the minds of her fans, who only have to reach for it and she is brought to life again. Not much has been heard of his two children since her passing but information gathered revealed that life has not remained the same for them since the demise of their mother.
Ras Kimono
Reggae legend, Ekeleke Elumelu, popularly known as Ras Kimono, died in Lagos hospital after a brief illness. Before his death, the reggae star confirmed that he had been a vegetarian for 37 years and neither smoked nor drank alcohol. His death came at a time when people felt he had got his groove back as he was already making a big come back with his reggae music. He performed at some major gigs with and outside the country and took his music around the globe. The singer, who died at the age of 60, lost his wife, Efe Okedi three months after his death. Many people were devastated by the death of Kimono’s wife with some people claiming that she died as she could not get over the death of her husband.
Uduak Akrah
In August this year, the movie industry was thrown into mourning as it lost one of its rising stars, Uduak Akrah, to the cold hands of death. Uduak was said to have died from complications arising from a slip in the bathroom. According to her colleagues, she died in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). She was based in Abuja before she was transferred to LUTH where she was confirmed dead. Until her death, she was an actress, event planner and singer.
Chike osuji too…
Veteran actor, Chike Osiju also died this year. The actor died at the age of 65 and was survived by wife and four children. Osiju, who hails from Imo State starred in a number of movies during his prime. The book of Harragon, 40 days in the Wilderness, The Governor, are among his popular movies.
Chukwudi Bambino
Nollywood actor and producer, who has been in the industry for 25 years also died after a brief illness. He starred in many movies and produced such prominent movie such as “The Missing God.” Chukwudi Bambino died on 16th of June, 2018.
Ajimajasan
Veteran Yoruba actor, Ola Omonitan, popularly known as Ajimajasan, died at the age of 80 after a prolonged battle with heart-related ailment. The actor, who was one of the earliest Yoruba theatre artistes to popularise comedy was based in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. His contemporaries include Ayinla Olumegbon, Lere Paimo, Ojo Ladipo, Moses Omilani and Jimoh Aliu.
Baba Sala
Veteran comic actor, Moses Olaiya, otherwise known as Baba Sala, died in Ilesha, Osun State on October at 82. He had been rumoured to have died in November 2017 and the news went viral but his son, Emmanuel debunked the news that time. Regarded as the fathr of modern Yoruba comedy, Baba Sala, alongside other dramatists like Hubert Ogunde, Kola Ogunmola, Oyin Adejobi and Duro Ladipo, popularised theatre and television acting in Nigeria.
Ignis Ekwe
Nollywood also lost another veteran, actor, Ignis Ekwe. The actor was popular for his roles in rested soap operas like Behind the Clouds, Everyday People and Cockcrow At Dawn. He actor died after a brief illness. His most memorable role was in Everyday people, which paraded a rich cast that included the late Sam Loco, Ify Onwuemene, and Desmond Eliot.
Chike Osuji
Nollywood actor, Chike Osuji passed away at the age of 65. The Imo State-born actor was a legend in the Nigerian movie industry, which was why his death was a big loss to many stakeholders in the industry, especially those who fell in love with his acting deliveries. Okojie was famous in movies like 40days in Wilderness, The Governor and The book of Harragon.
For more than two months, Nigerian audience were held spell bound to their screens seeing the drama the unfolded from the popular reality show, Big Brother Naija (BBN). The show, which was aired from South Africa on cable TV with more than 100 million viewers saw the winner, Miracle Igbokwe walk home with 45 million naira comprising of N25m in cash, a brand new SUV worth N12m, an all-expenses paid trip for two to an exotic destination valued at N4.7m. He was also blessed with home entertainment appliances worth N3.3m. Miracle is currently living his dreams and would soon become a pilot.
Small Doctor’s arrest
Less than 72 hours to his Omo Better Concert, Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command arrested popular hip-hop artiste, Small Doctor for alleged possession of firearm and indiscriminate shooting. The arrest, which threw up discussion on social media platform almost forced the music star to cancel his concert, but some people believe it was a ploy to draw attention to himself ahead of the concert. In his reaction, the artiste said the arrest was not a hoax even as he added that he felt humiliated but insisted that he had moved on from the drama.
D Banj loses son
One of the news that left many people in bad state this year was the sudden death of D’banj’ son, who reportedly drowned in a pool inside the music star’s apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos State. D’banj was said to have been on tour when the incident occurred but his wife, who was at home with their son could not save the boy. The incident took D’banj away from the social media space for almost six months as he took out time to mourn his son’s death. The singer made his comeback in a concert in South Africa in November and has since returned to what he used to do. He has also not allowed the incident to affect his love for his wife. They have both moved on and are said to be on vacation at the moment.
Marriage break-ups
Juliet Ibrahim and Iceberg Slim
Some months back, the name Juliet Ibrahim was usually synonymous to the name Iceberg Slim. This was because the Ghanaian actress and the Nigerian rapper were known to be what was called five and six. Not only were they just dating, they were also known to be very close. However, recently, Juliet Ibrahim took to her page to announce that she had broken up from the ma, who used to be the love of her life. This unexpected breakup shook many people and generated a lot of controversy while it lasted.
Ik Ogbonna, Sonia Morales
That Nollywood actor IK Ogbonna and his wife Sonia would ever have any issue in their marriage was unexpected. It is not new to many people, who have followed their relationship for sometime as the couple always dazzled with their love affair. Some months back, there were reports that the marriage was heading for the rocks after it emerged that Sonia had removed her husband’s name from her Instagram handle. At first, it was a sheer rumour that was stirred up when Sonia began to post pictures of herself and her son alone. These photos were taken in some sort of holiday spot near the Mediterranean Sea. As speculations began to arise, the beautiful Columbian lady threw another dice on the table – the lady went on to show off her hands, and surprisingly, there was no ring on it. Beyond doubt, IK Ogbonna also took to his Instagram page to confirm that his marriage was undergoing some issues which he hoped would be resolved soon. It is not clear yet the state of things between them but information pieced together revealed that calm may have returned to their home as they were both seen together recently.
Mercy Aigbe’s and Red dress drama
Call Mercy AIgbe one of the most popular and talked-about celebrities in Nollywood, then you may be stating the obvious. Apart from always hitting the headlines with her style, Mercy has also cultivated the idea of carrying her fans along for the good and wrong reasons. Having moved on from the marriage break-up drama between him and her former husband, Gentry, Mercy got into another drama on January 1, when she celebrated her birthday. The actress could not avoid another round of drama. Mercy had released photos from her birthday shoot and she got called out by a certain lady, who claimed the dress Mercy wore belonged to her. They went back and forth on social platforms for weeks before the issue was said to have been resolved amicably after Mercy had threatened legal action against her tailor, who was said to have given out the same dress to two clients.
Toke Makinwa finally splits from Maje
Media personality, Toke MAkinwa and her former husband, Maje Ayida had been enmeshed in divorce drama for more than a year, but the former lover birds finally made their divorce official this year, with Toke claiming that she was now struggling to find the right man again. While Maje is said to be taking his game to another level, there seems no be reconciliations plans on the cards for the both of them.
Olamide, BurnaBoy, also rocked
For Olamide, Wizkid, Burna Boy and Davido, 2018 is a big year that brought more fortune to them. They all had popular tracks that ruled the airwaves for months and dominated the media space at different times. They would later end the end year in style with their separate end of the year concerts that shut down the city of Lagos.
Wizkid and Tiwa Savage’ romance
Wizkid and Tiwa Savage broke the internet with their Fever video some months back. There had been rumours that Tiwa and Wizkid are having a secret affair, but Tiwa has denied the allegation saying the only thing that existed between her and Wizkid was their work. While many people disregarded Tiwa’s claim, others simply said the closeness was to keep drawing attention to themselves in order to sell their trades. Tiwa broke up with his TeeBillz three years ago and have not been together since then. Their marriage, which was held in Dubai, produced a son, Jamil. Wizkid is a father of three babies from three women.
and then