By Eric Elezuo

Nigeria’s born music prodigy, Tems, who was born Temilade Openiyi, is nothing short of sensation, a force to reckon with, and if her profile is anything to give by, a clean sheet of zero scandal. Tems is one celebrity singer, whose name only resonates with the positives, and has consciously made herself scarce with any form of bad energy. She is a celebrity worth celebrating.

Born on June 11, 1995, and looking forward to her 30th birthday, Tems, in two short months of 2025, has landed landmark achievements that have left his peers and contemporaries gaping in wonderment.

On February 13, 2025, she landed for the second time in her prolific seven years old professional musical career, the prestigious and dream of every singer, the Grammy Award. She is also an Oscar nominee in singing, songwriting and producing. And only last weekend, narrowly lost out at the Mobo Award to a fellow Nigerian.

Also in February, the Dowen College, Lagos product, who is also a graduate of a Monash South Africa, for her tertiary education, where she obtained a degree in Economics, joined the San Diego FC ownership group as a club partner ahead of their 2025 MLS expansion season.

While her move makes her the first African woman to own – in part or full – a professional team in the USA, it however, adds to the growing number of African women who are taking ownership roles in clubs outside Africa.

The SDFC chairman, Sir Mohamed Mansour noted in a statement that “We are delighted that Tems has joined San Diego FC as a club partner.

“Tems is a globally significant artist who will help us to reach new audiences and spread the word about our unique project, which of course has its foundations in sub-Saharan Africa through the unique Right to Dream organization.”

Delighted, she took to her Instagram handle to share her excitement about her investment, expressing her deep connection to football.

She wrote: “Hey San Diego, it’s Tems, and I’m so excited to be a part of SDFC. I am thrilled to join San Diego FC’s ownership group and be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture, and community. Football unites people in a powerful way, and I’m eager to help build something special in San Diego.”

“I have always loved football. Growing up, I watched my brother play with his friends, and I was always intrigued.”

Reports have it that beyond her ownership ambitions, Tems is also committed to developing young football talents through a partnership with Right to Dream Academy, pointing to the parallels between music and sports in providing opportunities for young people.

She however, rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid’s 2020 single “Essence”, which peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of the remix version with Justin Bieber. The song earned her a Grammy Award nomination. That same year, she was featured on the song “Fountains” by Canadian rapper Drake.

The Wikipedia captured more of her rise as follows:

“In 2020, Tems released her debut extended play, For Broken Ears. Her second extended play, If Orange Was a Place (2021), was released after she signed a record deal with RCA Records. In 2022, Tems’ vocals from her song “Higher” were sampled by Future on his single, “Wait for U”, which led to her being credited as a featured artist alongside Drake on the song. It debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, making her the first African artist to debut at number one and the second Nigerian artist to top the chart. The song earned her the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance. Tems covered Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack album in July 2022 and in the same month, her song “Free Mind” from her debut EP debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 46 and breaking the female record for longest charting number one song on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. She also co-wrote and rendered background vocals on the song “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna, which earned her nominations for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media.

Nigerian music star, Patoranking, is guest this week on the Glo-sponsored African Voices, the magazine programme of the Cable News Network (CNN) International.

He will share the story of how he rose from the slums of Lagos to global fame to host of the programme, Larry Madowo.

The programme will equally host Ghanaian Derrick Cobinnah, who has been using his “Forces Help Africa” to turn round for good the fortunes of Ghanaian war veterans.

Patoranking, whose full name is Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, hails from Onicha in Ebonyi State. He was born in Lagos on 27 May 1990. He is a Nigerian Afrobeats and reggae-dancehall singer and songwriter who starred out in life as a street musical performer.

He has won notable awards including Headies, Vodafone Ghana Music Awards as well as the MTV Africa Music Award in recognition of his hit albums including God Over Everything (2016), Wilmer (2019), Three (2020) and World Best which was released last year.

Patoranking has used his wealth and his position as a UNDP Regional goodwill ambassador to champion the cause of youth development in Nigeria.His counterpart, Derrick Cobinnah, has been employing his Forces Help Africa, a non-government organisation to render help and support to war veterans who are sick, injured, displaced or destitute.

The current edition of African Voices started airing on DSTV Channel 401 om Saturday, with repeats coming up on Sunday at  7p.m. and at 4 a.m. on Monday.

Disc Jockey, DJ Cuppy, has prophesied that Valentine’s Day 2025 will be her last one as an unmarried woman.

The 32-year-old, in a post on X, expressed faith in God to help her get a husband.

“Happy #ValentinesDay to me! Manifesting that this is my last one unmarried… Lord, do your thing!” she wrote.

There have been diverse reactions to her post. While some professed love to her, others dished out unsolicited advice and even made recommendations for life partners.

Ogunniyi Taiwo (@tcarz45) wrote: “Baby come let me give you love unconditionally.”

Another X user “SanTa ExqCobar”≠ (@SanTaExqCobar) commented: “If na bad character make you never marry, change am. Happy Val.”

Mr Gibenny (@mrgibenny) suggested: “@uchecrypt is single @cuppymusic. @Crypto__hub is single @cuppymusic. Choose either of them, you won’t regret it.”

Mezie Abia (@MezieAbia) had this advice for Cuppy: “I hope you do realize that the Lord will not find husband for you? Go out there and make use of your woman skills to lure a man who will stick with you. We can’t have a good number of handsome and single men roaming the cities, and you’re always worrying and disturbing Lord to do His thing every damn year.

“Heaven helps those who help themselves, therefore, make a haste while the sun shines (sic).”

Olubunmi Aro (@bummiearo) wrote: “Don’t be under any pressure to marry please.”

Sulucious (@sulucious) asked Cuppy to marry him. “Let get married, na you they fine who get money,” he wrote.

DJ Cuppy announced her relationship with British boxer, Ryan Taylor, in December 2022.

After getting to know each other for 25 days, she disclosed that they got engaged.

However, after un-following each other on Instagram in July 2023, the couple gave rise to rumour that they were no longer together.

Cuppy later opened up about the failed relationship while recounting the setbacks in her life at an event.

Born as Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, DJ Cuppy is the daughter of billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola.