Entertainment

21st Anniversary: Glo and Sponsorship of Superstars on African Voices Changemakers

Published

1 year ago

August 29, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Among the giant strides of Dr. Mike Adenuga’s Glo, and its effect on humanity, is the hype of African superstars from various entertainment sectors, giving them voices in a CNN International programme titled African Voices Changemakers.

So far, a sizable number of Africans of distinct innovations and class have been featured. They include but mo limited to:

Ghanaian songstress and composer, WENDY SHAY

Born on February 20, 1996, Shay was originally named Wendy Asiamah Addo. She is a former midwife and nurse who plays a distinctive kind of music that combines hip-hop, highlife, and Afrobeats. “Africa Money” and “Uber Driver” are some of her successful albums.

Among other honours, Wendy Shay, a brand ambassador for Ghana’s Youth Employment Agency (YEA), took the Ghana-Naija Showbiz Awards’ Best New Artiste of the Year title.

Afropop singer, ADEKUNLE ALMARUF KOSOKO, popularly known as ADEKUNLE GOLD, is another guest that has featured on the programme.

He was born on January 28^th, 1987, and reputed for his rich lyrics and unique rendition of his songs, He holds a Higher National Diploma in Arts and Design from the Lagos State Polytechnic. Gold hit the lime lights in 2015 after releasing his hit single “Sade” which was subsequently nominated for Best Alternative Song at the 2015 Headies. He later released 2 more singles, “Orente” and “Pick Up” singles following the success of ‘Sade’.

Gold progressed further in 2015 by signing a record deal with YBNL Nation and released his debut studio album “Gold”, which clinched number 7 on the Billboard World Albums chart.

Adekunle Gold is using his superstar status to raise awareness and rally support for those living with sickle cell, which he also battled behind closed doors for his entire life.

Gold who married a Nigerian songstress, Simi, in 2019, has received many awards including Best New Act Award of the Nigeria Entertainment Awards in 2015 and 2016, the City People Entertainment Awards for Album of the Year in 2016 and 2017; the Best African Music Artist of IARA in 2017 and Songwriter of the Year for The Headies, 2023.

There was also two Nigerian fashion icons, DUMEBI ANDREA IYAMAH (brand name Andrea Iyamah) and RUTH ERIKAN JAMES (brand name Veeke James).

Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, ANDREA IYAMAH is a fashion designer who is Canadian-Nigerian. Her fashion label, “Andrea Iyamah”, specializes in bridal, swimsuit, and ready-to-wear lines. She founded the company and serves as its CEO. Celebrities, including Michelle Obama, Kate Hudson, Gabrielle Union, Ciara, Issa Rae, and Genevieve Nnaji, have all donned her designs.

Iyamah, who was born on March 18, 1993, left her professional studies early at the age of 17 to start her fashion brand, Andrea Iyamah. The company is based in Toronto, and in 2017 it opened a flagship store in Lagos.

Bright colors and intricate patterns are hallmarks of current design, and Andrea Iyamah’s colorful swimwear combines African tradition with style.

VEEKEE JAMES, on the other hand, learned how to sew when she was still a young child from her mother Esther James, who was also involved in fashion design.

In fact, it was her mother who gave her the inspiration to launch “Veekee James”, her own clothing line, in 2019. Over time, she established two fashion brands: “Shoprikan” for ladies and “Veekee James Man” for men. With her magnificent gowns, which are renowned for their flawless craftsmanship and red carpet appeal, Veekee James transforms bespoke couture.

On the weekly feature show, CNN’s Larry Madowo delves into the world of the two Nigerian designers who are revolutionizing international fashion.

Star singer SIMI also featured on Glo-sponsored African Voices

Nigerian songster, songwriter and actress, Simisola Bolatito Kosoko, popularly known by her stage name, Simi

Simi was born on 19 April 1988 in Lagos as the last of four children. She started her career as a gospel singer, releasing her debut studio album in 2008, entitled “Ogaju”. She gained public recognition in 2014 after releasing “Tiff”, a song that was nominated for Best Alternative Song at The Headies 2015. Earlier in 2014, Simi signed a record deal with X3M Music, but left the label in May 2019 following the expiration of her contract.

She released her second studio album “Simisola” on September 8, 2017. Her third studio album “Omo Charlie Champagne”, Vol. 1 was released to coincide with her 31st birthday on April 19, 2019, after which she launched her record label Studio Brat in June of the same year.

The graduate of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State was one of the top judges in Season 7 of the Nigerian idol TV show in 2022.

Simi who married a singer named Adekunle Gold in a private wedding ceremony on January 9, 2019 became a mother for the first time on the 30th of May 2020 when she gave birth to her daughter Adejare.

Ghana’s Afropop and reggae star, STONEBWOY, has also featured as special guest.

Livingstone Etse Satekla popularly known as Stonebwoy was born in Ashaiman, great Accra region of Ghana in on March 5, 1988. He started his musical career from primary school where his talents and abilities as a lyricist and scriptwriter were discovered at an early age.

Since then, he has never stopped singing both songs that he has written and composed and those by artistes he is influenced by In the Ghana music industry.

His current album, 5th Dimension, making waves in the country is an indication of how gifted and talented Stonebwoy is in his music career. The afropop, dancehall and reggae star is currently the CEO of Burniton Music Group and has been recognised and rewarded for his musical feats over the years.

In 2015, he won the duo of Vodafone Ghana Music Awards and Africa category at BET Awards. He also won two Billboard plaques as well as the Golden Club plaque from Boomplay after surpassing 100 million streams on the platform.

In 2019, he was listed as part of the 50 (fifty) young CEOs by YCEO and Avance media. The list honoured distinguished young individuals who are committed to providing solutions to some of Ghana’s problems.

In 2021, three albums in which Stonebwoy featured were nominated for the 2022 Grammy Awards. In 2022, Vodafone Ghana recognised him for using his creativity and music to promote the awareness of environmental and sustainability issues.

There was also Nigerian TOSIN OSHINOWO and South African, LUYANDA MPHALWA.

The two designers have successfully engendered social change while creating more inclusive places for people to live, work, and play.

Lagos-based OSHINOWO is, in addition to practising architecture, also a designer, creative entrepreneur, public speaker and author who weaves identity and culture into her work. She graduated from Kingston College, London, and equally holds a Master’s degree in Urban designs from Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London.

Oshinowo has numerous awards to her credit, including the 3rd City People Real Estate Awards for Architect of the Year 2017 and the Lord’s Achievers Awards for Creativity, in celebration of World Achievers Day 2019. She was among five finalists for the 2023 Diversity in Architecture Divia Awards. ^[

MPAHLWA on his part is an accomplished architect; one of South Africa’s earliest black students permitted to study the course. He uses his life’s journey as a blueprint to uplift those in need in post-apartheid South Africa.

He got a Masters in Architecture from the Technical University of Berlin and is the Director of DesignSpaceAfrica, a Cape Town-based architecture and design practice which he established in 2009.

Also, the flourishing career of Moroccan-American rapper, M.C FRENCH Montana was featured.

Originally named KARIM KHARBOUCH but widely addressed by his stage name, MC French Montana, the November 9, 1984 born hip-hop star so far boasts of 41 platinum singles.

He emigrated with his family to the United States at age 13. His career in hip-hop led him to found Coke Boys Records and its predecessor Cocaine City Records. He signed a joint-venture record deal with Puff Daddy’s Bad Boy Records and Rick Ross’s Maybach Music Group in 2012.

African VoicesChangemakers’ Larry Madowo who was with the multi-platinum selling artiste at his home in Los Angeles followed him to New York where he premiered his new documentary about his life from a struggling immigrant to an accomplishment rapper.

His hit track, “Quarter to Eight” was the first of manycollaborations with Rick Ross who is also a legendary musical artiste. He has either won or been nominated for several awards including the Best Club Banger Award which he won at the BET Hip Hop Awards in 2013. Also, in 2016, he was nominated twice in the Best Rap Song Category and in 2017 for the Best Rap Performance at the Grammy Awards.

The programme also featured Five renowned African musicians: Nigerian songwriter, singer and actor, CHIKE EZEKPEAZU OSEBUKA, popularly known as Chike, L.A.X., DAMILOLA AFOLABI OF STARBOY ENTERTAINMENT, talented singer and rapper, BLESSING AKIODE of Candy Bleakz fame, as well as EKEH CHIAKA JOSEPH (Majeeed,) and WENDY SHAY from Ghana.

Chike, a 31-year-old Glo ambassador, graduated from Covenant University in Nigeria. He gained fame through Project Fame West Africa and acting before pursuing music full-time. He won the 2020 City People Music Award for Album of the Year. L.A.X, is also 31 and he holds a Master’s degree from the University of Manchester and started his music career as a rapper.

Candy Bleakz on the other hand began her musical journey in 2013 in a group of three called Flybois and was signed to Chocolate City Music in 2020, while Majeeed, a Mass Communications graduate from Iscom University, Republic of Benin started his music career with two promotional singles. “Gee for Life” and “Rocky Lo”.

Also Wendy Shay, a Ghanaian honed her musical skills in Germany before launching her career with her debut single “Uber Driver” in 2018. Aged 28, she is a trained nurse.

The Programme shows on DSTV Channel 401 every Saturday at 8.30 a.m. and the show is repeated the same day at noon. Other repeats follow on Sunday at 4.30 a.m. and 7.00 p.m., on Monday at 4.00 a.m., and on Saturday next week at 8.30 a.m. and 12 noon. It will also air again on Sunday at 4.30 a.m. and 7.00 p.m. and on Monday at 4.00 a.m.

Entertainment

Spider-Man Voice Actor Alexis Ortega Dies at 38

Published

10 hours ago

January 30, 2026

Eric

Mexican voice actor of Spider-Man, Alexis Ortega, has died at 38, according to a report by World Dubbing News.

The platform said: “We regret to announce the sensitive passing of voice actor Alexis Ortega, we send our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues in this difficult time.”

The cause of death was not disclosed at the time of the announcement.

Alexis Ortega was born in Mexico in 1987 and began his career in 2013 as an onscreen actor and voice performer. He later became widely known for dubbing Tom Holland’s roles in Spanish for several Marvel films, including Spider-Man: Homecoming and Avengers: Infinity War.

He also worked on multiple Disney projects, providing Spanish dubbing for films such as Big Hero 6 and Star Wars: Rogue One.

Following confirmation of Alexis Ortega’s death, fans took to social media to share tributes and memories of his work.

“Sad news. Way too young at 38. Rest in peace, Alexis,” user Ilman posted on X.

“Such sad news Alexis Ortega brought Spider-Man to life for so many fans. Rest in peace,” Rechardo wrote.

“It’s truly a loss when a talented voice brings so much life to a character we love. Alexis Ortega’s legacy will surely live on through his iconic performances,” Victor shared.

“Lives on for the rest of time with these movies for the world to know him,” Bunsan added.

Beyond voice work, Ortega appeared on screen in shows including Luis Miguel: The Series, Thursday’s Widows, El Candidato, and The House of Flowers. He also collaborated with Mr Beast, dubbing Spanish versions of the YouTuber’s videos.

Ortega’s final Instagram post, shared in November last year, showed him sitting on a couch with his dog at his home in Mexico City. He captioned the photo, ‘My doggo.’

Entertainment

Court Sends Actress Angela Okorie to Prison for Alleged Cyber-Stalking

Published

1 day ago

January 29, 2026

Eric

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of actress, Angela Okorie in the Suleja prison in Niger State following her arraignment on charges of criminal defamation and cyberstalking.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Wednesday while ruling on an oral bail application made by Okorie’s lawyer, Alex Ejesieme (SAN) shortly after his client pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge brought against her by the police.

Justice Nwite ordered that the mother of one be kept in the prison until January 30 when her bail application would be heard.

Okorie of 1 Henry Montero Street, Lekki Palm City, Ajah, Lagos is alleged, in the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/278/2025 to have conspired with Ifeoma Mbonu (now at large) to commit cyberstalking and defamation by calling a fellow actress, Mercy Johnson Okojie a blood sucking demon in their posts on their social media platforms of Instagram and Tiktok.

The police said the offences, allegedly committed in 2024, violated the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention, Etc) Act of 2015.

After Okorie pleaded to the charge, prosecuting lawyer, Victor Okoye urged the court to remand the defendant in Suleja prison and fix a date for the prosecution to open its case.

Ejesieme objected to Okoye’s application, claiming that his client was not afforded adequate time and opportunity to prepare for her defence.

The defence lawyer said even though the prosecution filed the charge since July 2025, it only handed a copy to the defendant about an hour before the commencement of proceedings.

He claimed that his client was never informed about the case in court but only arrested her in Lagos the previous day and brought her to Abuja for arraignment. He also claimed that the police denied him access to her for proper briefing.

Ejesieme prayed the court to allow his client to continue to enjoy the administrative bail earlier granted him by the police.

In the alternative, Ejesieme urged the court to release the defendant to him to enable her make provision for her child that has been left alone in Lagos and for her to also file a formal bail application.

The defence lawyer said his client was a single mother of one, who was not afforded time to make adequate arrangement for her child before being brought to Abuja from Lagos.

Responding, Okoye faulted Ejesieme’s arguments. He argued that the administrative bail granted the defendant has since expired upon her arraignment.

Okoye accused Angela of jumping bail and failing to honour invitations sent to her to report to the police headquarters in Abuja in respect of the case.

The prosecuting lawyer urged the court to order the defendant to file a formal bail application to enable the prosecution exhibit necessary documents in support of its position that the defendant jumped the administrative bail granted her and also failed to honour past invitations sent to her.

Ruling, Justice Nwite confirmed that the police actually sent an invitation to the defendant on January 16 to report at the headquarters in relation to the case.

The judge however faulted the police for denying the defendant access to her lawyers before the court’s proceedings.

He ordered parties to file and exchange all necessary documents in relation to the formal bail application to be filed by the defendant within 24 hours.

Justice Nwite also ordered that the defendant be remanded in Suleja prison and to be produced on January 30 for the hearing of her bail application.

Okorie’s case stemmed from a petition by Mercy Johnson Okojie’s lawyer, in which sundry allegations were made against her and Ifeoma.

Part of the petition, dated Mary 14, 2025 read: “Most alarmingly, in a recent criminal and defamatory publication, Angela Okorie published the following statement via her Instagram page @ realagelaokorie:

‘Blood sucking demon no see blood suck again, E say na slimming tea. Except there’s no God, MJ go and beg people you chop their destinies and destroyed their hornes else no peace for the wicked!!! Gospel songs won’t save you. Your heart Is Dark!!!’

“This malicious statement, clearly targeted at our client, was published with the intent to cause irreparable reputational injury, incite hatred, provoke unrest among the public and further harass and emotionally traumatize our client.

“The tone, content, and framing of the publication aim to portray our client as a destructive person, despite her widely known public image as a humanitarian and devout Christian mother.

“The principal suspect, Angela Okorie, has demonstrated a relentless and calculated effort to incite public hatred and threaten public peace by repeatedly using her social media platform for criminal intimidation, false accusations, and criminal defamation.

“She has become the most aggressive and persistent in this malicious campaign.”

Entertainment

Will Smith Addresses Oscar Slap in New Series “Pole to Pole”

Published

6 days ago

January 24, 2026

Eric

By Samantha Ofole-Prince

Taking a trip has long been associated with pleasure. But there is nothing more bracing — and vitalizing — than immersing yourself in an unforgiving environment, which is what Will Smith does in “Pole to Pole.”

The series follows Will Smith, an actor, rapper, producer and entrepreneur known for his roles in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Men in Black,” “The Pursuit of Happyness,” “Bad Boys” and many more as he soars new heights, treks vast deserts and tackles freezing temperatures while seeking out some of the most extreme places on earth – all in 100 days.

Smith’s travels take him from the South Pole, where he climbs a 300 feet ice wall to the world’s largest rainforest in search of an Anaconda and more. Missions he accomplishes with bravado and comradery.

“When I was a little boy, I always wanted to be an explorer,” Smith shares in the film’s opening sequence, citing his mentor, Dr. Allan Counter, a renowned scientist and explorer who passed away in 2017 who he calls the ‘Black Indiana Jones.’

The first episode of the series sees Smith scaling the Ellsworth Mountains in Antarctica with the aid of Richard Parks, a Jamaican and Welsh polar athlete and the first person of color to ski solo to the geographical South Pole.

“There was a genuine point where I wasn’t sure if Will was going to continue,” Parks shares. “The weather came in so quickly as it does in Antarctica and if you are halfway up an ice wall and the weather comes in, you have to manage that weather on your own. That moment spoke to the authenticity of Will’s journey and that was the moment Antarctica stripped Will back and he wasn’t Will the global superstar. He didn’t have the ancillary things that he has in his normal life around him, but when he got to the top and let out that scream and we embraced, that was one of the most authentic moments.”

There’s nothing quite as thrilling as putting yourself in a hostile landscape, where you’re made inescapably aware of your physical and physiological limits and in this carefully crafted series, complete with panoramic views and a sweeping accompanying score, Smith’s geological adventures are incredible.

In one episode, he embarks on a muddy trek through the Amazon forest with Professor Bryan Fry to extract venom from a giant tarantula. A creature that could hold the secret to saving lives.

He often finds humor on his travels. “How do you find Will Smith in the Antarctic?” he jokes in a scene with Parks. “You follow the fresh prints!”

Easily engaging with his subjects, he treats the people at the places he visits, such as the Waorani tribe, an indigenous community in the Amazon with care, compassion and kindness, revealing that genial and affable nature that has made him so relatable with fans.

This film is also a reflective one for the actor. As he treks to one of the highest, and happiest, villages in the Himalayas in search of the secret of happiness with Professor Dacher Keltner, he reflects on his life and career. It’s there, Smith, who won an Oscar for Best Actor in 2022 for his portrayal of Richard Williams in the film “King Richard,” addresses the infamous incident at the 94th Academy Awards when he publicly struck comedian and host Chris Rock.

Will Smith accepts the Oscar® for Actor in a Leading Role during the live ABC telecast of the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022.

“After the Oscars, I realized that nothing can last forever. I began to ask myself the question. How can I be happy knowing everything falls apart.”

Throughout his travels and his very challenging quests, he throws in historical lessons, career flashbacks and biological briefings along the way. We learn how history is captured in the ice glades and discover how certain animals can aid scientific research for curing ailments as he goes in search of the world’s biggest snake… the giant Green Anaconda and that’s just in the first few episodes.

Although he constantly reminds us that his choices are not good ideas, Smith has given us quite a remarkable film in this soul-searching series which rolls the camera on places and rituals that most people want to know about but will never experience.

The film’s grand achievement is that it positions its subject as a mediator between humans and the natural world. Life cycles on and if we make the right choices, ruin can become regrowth.

Watch the show with an inquisitive mind and you might find them asking questions about what other new things we can learn about earth.

“What’s our evacuation plan if they start tripping?” Smith jokingly asks Parks as they journey to meet the climate scientists at Criosfera 1, a desolate research center situated between the Ellsworth Mountains and the South Pole.

“Pole to Pole” charts the disasters we face in future decades — from global crises to animal extinction and introduces us to cultural and religious ceremonies.

With director Darren Aronofsky, who gave us “Requiem for a Dream,” “Black Swan” “Mother!” and “Caught Stealing” serving as co-executive producer, it showcases some stunning photography juxtaposed with a cinematic score and travel fanatics would devour this series.

Video blogging accompanies Smith’s retrospective and although he appears genuinely nervous in many scenes – who wouldn’t be if facing an Anaconda, he does carry out his mission.

“Give me a second to get my movie star face back,” he grimaces before descending into the Cueva de los Tayos cave in southeastern Ecuador.

He is engaging and informative and does bring charm and humor to it. There is sorrow and there is joy as he reveals through locals how life in Laya, a remote settlement in the Himalayas, can be difficult but the community there are some of the happiest people on earth.

From “Pole to Pole with Michael Palin,” to Eugene Levy’s globe-trotting docuseries, “The Reluctant Traveler,” there’s a long, rich tradition of celebrities conquering continents, but all in all, Smith has risen to the occasion in this refreshing series. This is not just another documentary about traveling to desolate areas few will ever experience in our lifetime, but a fascinating bold sketch of our world told very competently, enthusiastically and modestly, and in a form that whets the appetite.