By Eric Elezuo

A joint musical tour of West Africa and Europe, featuring two top performers, Amed O and Kingocoro, has been announced.

The exciting collaboration is kicks off in Lagos this July at Starkulue Lounge, Ago Palace before berthing in Abuja, Kaduna, Monrovia-Liberia and Kampala, Uganda.

Known for his oft-quoted lines, ‘the music must go on’, and numerous hit tracks including No Woman, No Man, Ahmed O is reputed as a thoroughbred musician, who is not only versed in vocals but talented in the use of instruments among which are the drums and guitar.

His works are known to have far-reaching unifying effect on the Nigerian nation across tribes and dialect, and he has been celebrated for bringing pure entertainment on stage and preaching the spirit of unity, using the instrumentality of soulful music and stage stylistics.

“The music must go on, and so it’s great to unite with Kingocoro, one of Nigeria’s musical exports to Australia. This is great home-coming for him, and we will be vibing across many stages in West Africa to share joy amongst our fans. Everyone should get ready as we come to the city near you in Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos, Monrovia and Kampala. For 8 weeks, we will be bringing joy to fans in these cities,” Amed O enthused.

For the elated Kingocoro, it is a superlative home-coming, which he is very proud to be associated with.

“Having been out doing my stuff in Australia, there comes a time, when one feels like coming to touch the base, which is home. I am excited to bring my craft to West Africa. I promise to give pure fun to the numerous music fans out there. Let them come out and vibe with us,” the artist said.

Nollywood actor, Fatai Adekunle Adetayo, popularly known as Lalude, has accused the president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), MC Oluomo, of failing to fulfil financial promises made to celebrities who campaigned for President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during the 2023 general elections.

Speaking during a recent episode of the Beyond the Fame podcast, Lalude expressed deep disappointment over what he described as abandonment, revealing that he and other entertainers were promised N1.5 million each by MC Oluomo but never received a dime.

Lalude, known for his iconic ‘babalawo’ roles in Yoruba movies, said he and other actors, including comedian Ganiu ‘Alapini’ Nofiu, were lodged and made to campaign for weeks without proper compensation.

According to him, they initially received N10,000 daily for feeding, but even that was stopped abruptly.

“We were camped for seven weeks. We trekked long distances every day while MC Oluomo followed us in his car. In the end, we were abandoned,” he lamented.

He claimed that both he and Alapini were promised N1.5 million each, a promise that was never fulfilled.

‘We finished the work and no dime was given to us. Is it good? It was MC who called us.

“MC promised me and Alapini. He asked us to demand for whatever we wanted. We did but we got nothing up till date.

“He took us to where we lodged to campaign for the president. He promised to give us N1.5 million each.

“Whoever is behind these misdeeds will not prosper. I know they will still come to us by 2027 and we are waiting for them?” He added bitterly.

This comes just days after veteran Nollywood actor Ganiu Nafiu, popularly known as Alapini, and actress Bukky Adekogbe Raji, also known as Aminatu Papapa, expressed deep regret for supporting President Tinubu during the 2023 presidential campaign.

Popular Nigerian film and stage producer, Kayode Peters, has passed away in Canada.

“Yes, he is,” Yaw told Peoples Gazette when asked if Mr Peters had died. “I am still trying to speak with his brother but he is not picking.”

Circumstances surrounding the producer’s death remain unclear as of the time of this report.

Mr Peters was known for his work on several stage plays and sitcoms, including Extended Family, and he was behind the hit comedy sitcom Flatmates in the early 2000s. He was also regarded as a significant contributor to Nigeria’s contemporary theatre and television space.