Entertainment

Glitz, Glamour, Razzmatazz As Silverbird Crown Winners at 2024 MOTY Awards

Published

2 days ago

March 22, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Convention Centre of the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, was a beehive of activities when the who’s who as well as the crème de la crème of the society gathered to celebrate achievers as the foremost media outfit, Silverbird Group, pull all stops to host the 2024th edition of the Silverbird Man of the Year Award.

This year’s awards, like the ones before it, celebrated past achievers, who somehow have finished their work on planet earth, and have been translated to the great beyond.

The event, which lived to all its billing, kickstarted at 5pm with an runway-like and elaborate red carpet. The session was a ceremony on its own as celebrities, notable State officials, politicians, industrialists, entertainers of repute, entrepreneurs and more, took time out to showcase to mettle, intellectually and fashion-wise before clicking klieg lights.

Not a few of them, including Chairman, Air Peace, Allen Onyema, remarked that Silverbird has come of age, in branding and celebrating achievements of Nigerians, dead and alive.

With the red carpet show concluded, the glamour of the night shifted to the main hall of the Convention Centre where the duo of Patrick Doyle and Seun Davies were classic hosts, delivering mouthwatering performances that left dignitaries cheering throughout the duration of the brief fiesta.

In his speech at the event, the Chairman of the Silverbird Group, Ben Murray-Bruce, told the story of the humble beginning, unhappily revealing the division among African countries while calling for unity and peaceful coexistence among Africans using Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina as a building block for the African continent.

On her part, Miss Chidinma told her own story, expressing gratitude to Nigerians and to as many that stood for her as she faced the crisis of origin in South Africa; a path that took her to Nigeria, and eventually to Mexico, where she was was crowned queen as runner up to the eventual winner.

With the individuals joyously mounting the podium to cart away their coveted prizes, the show dovetailed the major highlight of the evening; the award of the Silverbird 2024 Man of the Year, which was won by the Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Mr. Abiodun Oyebanji.

An annual retreat of some sort, the Silverbird Man of the Year Awards, presents a platform, devoid of political discourse or presentation of government policies, but a stage where speeches of achievements and appreciation are entertained even as various awardees, who had excelled in their various fields, excitedly receive their rewards.

Another landmark signature of the event was the raffle draw competition, where 20 lucky winners, were given N500, 000 each to celebrate the 20th edition of the awards.

Among other winners, who joined His Excellency, Abiodun Oyebanji, Governor of Ekiti State, to shine on the night were the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his counterpart from Enugu State, Mr. Peter Mbah,who received the governors of the year awards.

In the same vein, the Minister of Works, who doubles as the former Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. David Umahi, was recognized as Minister of the year just as the retinue of Prof. Tam David West, Chief Alex Akinyele, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, and Prof. Dora Akunyili were posthumously honoured. Their contributions to the development of the country in their various fields, cannot be overemphasized.

Other awards recipients on the night include prolific music producer, promoter, song writer and singer, Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, who received the extraordinary achievement award, and popular actor, who fits the tag, veteran, Richard Mofe Damijo, receiving the lifetime achievement award.

Other awardees were veteran actors Toyin Abraham and Chidi Mokeme, who were crowned with the trailblazer awards.

Others were Victory Wilson, and Habeeb Hamzat aka Peller, who won the Influencer of the year award in company of his content creating partner, Jarvis, whose real name is Elizabeth Amadou.

It was for all intent and purpose, a night to remember!

Photos: Koya Adegbite

Entertainment

Meet the Ever Rising Nollywood Diva, Luchy Donalds

Published

20 hours ago

March 23, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

A combination of beauty, class, hard work and brains, Nollywood diva, simply referred to as Luchy Donalds, is quite a bundle. Her excellence in the business of make belief has practically become a reference point, and to an extent, a case for study.

A proud graduate of the Tansian University, Umunya, Anambra State, where she majored in Microbiology, Luchy, who was born Oluchi Donalds, on May 28, 1991 in Owerri, Imo State to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Nwocha, the only daughter among three children. Her male siblings gave her the protection, with which she grew, inculcating in her the fearlessness that characterised her headlong involvement in the Nollywood industry, which she joined about a decade ago.

Before pitching tent with Tansian University, Luchy had cut her young tooth at the Mount Camel Premier School for her primary and secondary education, which enhanced the standard moral upbring her parents blessed her with. It is no wonder that she has enjoyed a scandal free career in the make belief industry, where tales of uncanny happenings play major parts in the actors’ lives.

In a 2023 interview she granted the Vanguard, she frowned at lawlessness, especially as it regards ‘immoral’ dressing.

“You see, nowadays, decency has become oldskool to a majority of our society. Do not get me wrong, anybody, especially an adult, has the right to do anything. For me, it’s okay to look beautiful, to be stylish and fashionable. It’s good for you as an individual, good for the brand you want to build. But what I do not condone is nudity. That is where I draw the line,” she revealed.

Luchy is one actress one can’t but love at first meeting. Her humility and friendliness, even to strangers are contagious, sometimes extraordinary.

“My craft gave me the beverage to exhibit humility at all times because I meet a lot of people every time, in addition to the discipline my parents inculcated in me. In fact, those two did a lot job when it comes to moral upbringing,” she said.

Luchy Donalds cut her acting teeth in Nollywood in 2015, with her first movie, ‘The Investigator’. Her excellence performance even as a rooky star, threw her into the limelight. She has since featured in many other blockbuster movies since then, running into scores in number.

Some of her other movies with notable actors in the Nigerian and other countries film industry include, but not limited to the following:

Seed of Sorrow (2020)
Royal Sibling (2021)
Lust in Marriage (2021)
Marriage Bride Price (2021)
Songs and Sorrows (2021)
Crazy Fighter (2021)
Trust no one (2021)
Billionaire and his Blind Wives (2021)
Soul on Fire (2021)
The Classic Ladies (2021)
Chef Augusta (2021)
Cheating in Marriage (2021)
At Age 18 (2021)
Desperate Virgin

In 2021, Luchy, satisfied with herself for a job well done so far, fetes herself with a new car. She is her own hype queen, and not in habit of dependence on others for her rewards. A hard worker, she knows when to rest.

As beautiful as she is, Luchy is media shy, as she thinks publicity in the media is more about comparison on who is better in the celebrity world.

“I prefer doing my thing, and using myself as my own comparison. I strive to outdo my previous achievements, and that I am doing. There is alot of criticism among us when it comes to who is the best, who deserves the top spot and so much gossips. These are not healthy. I tend not to concern myself with all that,” she said.

On which of her very many movies will she rate as the the best, Luchy insisted that every job she does is targeted to be the best.

“I can’t say this or that is my best, no. All the movies I partake in are for utmost best, because I put in my best in all flicks. I put in my very best.

“I don’t have a best movie; they’re just more of me doing my job. If I say one or two movies as my best work it shows the effort I put in orders is unappreciated. So all my movies are tailored to be the best,” she said.

Many has compared her physical appearance to Ghanaian movie actress, Jackie Apiah, but Luchy maintains that “I’m just myself. I actually look like myself”.

Except for a revelation in 2022, when she a certain biyfriend gufted her N10 million, her relationship status remains unknown and a close wrap for herself, alone.

A product of Owerri, Luchy is based in Port Harcourt from where she shuttles the sets and locations of movie making across the world. Her worth is a matter close to her chest, tells anyone that cares to listen that “I’m satisfied with myself. I’m a contended being”.

Her efforts in the industry saw her winning the Nigerian Achievers Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2019. She was also nominated for the City People Entertainment Awards for Most Promising Actress of The Year (English) as well as African Magic Viewers Awards for Best New Actress of The Year.

Luchy is one actress to look out for in the coming days, as she is concurrently cooking something mind-blowing, and in her own words, ‘extraordinary’.

Congratulations girl!

Entertainment

Court Bars Public Viewing of Movie, ‘Gang of Lagos’

Published

2 weeks ago

March 13, 2025

Eric

A Lagos High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) has banned public viewing and streaming of a controversial film titled, “Gang of Lagos”.

The order was contained in a consent judgment delivered by Justice Idowu Alakija.

It followed terms of agreement between parties in the suit delineated LD/6903GCM/2023 between Isale Eko Descendants Union & 2 Ors against Amazon Web Services and 11 others.

The judge agreed with the submission of the applicants that the movie erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage of “the well respected Eyo Masquerade of Lagos and the peace-loving nature and the long standing traditions of the Isale-Eko People.”

Justice Alakija ordered the defendants in the matter to “tender an unreserved apology to the applicants in this regard”.

Justice Alakija also asked the defendants to tender an apology to the applicants, Isale Eko Descendants Union.

“In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and in full and final settlement of all the claims in this suit, the parties hereby agreed that the 3rd to 11th respondents shall jointly issue a letter recognising the applicants’ position that the movie titled, “Gangs of Lagos” erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage of the well-respected Eyo Masquerade and the peace-loving nature and the long-standing traditions of the Isale-Eko People, and shall therein, tender an unreserved apology to the applicants in this regard.

Entertainment

TEMS: Stainless, and Noiselessly Breaking Barriers

Published

3 weeks ago

March 2, 2025

Eric

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.

At the Grammys, Tems saw off the likes of Yemi Alade, Burna Boy and Wizkid to take home the Best African Music Performance Grammy for her hit Love Me Jeje. The category is running for its second year. Its introduction has been widely acknowledged as a recognition of the impact of African artists on the global music scene.

Aside from the Best African Music Performance, Tems was nominated in two other categories – Best Global Music Album for Born in the Wild and Best R&B Song for Burning. Across her career she has now received eight nominations in all.

While making an emotional acceptance speech, she said her “heart was beating so fast”.

The beautiful singer also praised her mother on the Los Angeles stage.

“Wow, dear God thank you so much for putting me on this stage and bringing this team, and tomorrow is my mum’s birthday and this is her first Grammys.

“I just want to thank you mum,” she said gesturing towards her, “because she has done a lot for me and my brother.”

Love Me Jeje, which samples a line from Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 Nigerian classic of the same name, has racked up 125 million listens on Spotify and 21 million views on YouTube.

The award places Tems on top list of Nigerian to have two Grammys to her name after winning the Best Melodic Rap Performance in 2023 for featuring on Future’s hit Wait For U.

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.

Following her landmark achievements, celebrated Nigerians, especially politicians, have reached out to her in congratulations. President Bola Tinubu, while commending the singers, said she brought “pride” to the country on the global stage for the “second time”.

Tems took her destiny into her own hands when in 2015, she made up her mind never to listen to any other music while she craft hers so as to have her own distinct originality devoid of sounding like popular celebrity singers. She took more steps towards self production, coming out in 2018 and 2019 with know singers before hitting her album in 2020.

She began making a name for herself in 2018 with the release of her self-produced debut single Mr Rebel.

Tems gained further attention in 2019 with Try Me. Her international profile was boosted after being featured on Wizkid’s song Essence, which earned her several award nominations, including one for a Grammy.

She has received various accolades throughout her career, including multiple NAACP Image Awards, a Soul Train Music Award and BET Awards.

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.

“In 2024, Tems released her debut studio album Born in the Wild to critical acclaim. The album reached the top thirty in the Netherlands, Switzerland and in the United Kingdom where it peaked at number 24. She further embarked on her ongoing Born in the Wild Tour, a supporting world tour. Tems received three nominations at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Global Music Album, “Burning” for Best R&B song and won “Love Me JeJe” for Best African Music Performance.”

Throughout her career, Tems has received many accolades, including two Grammy Awards, a Billboard Women in Music Award, four NAACP Image Awards, four BET Awards and three Soul Train Music Award.

In her seven shirt years in the music industry, Tems has given mean to her name, Temilade, which translates to “the crown is mine”.

A Nigerian of Yoruba origin, Tems relocated with her family to the United Kingdom in her infant days, but returned to Nigeria when she was five years old. She had lived in Ilupeju, Lekki and Ajah.

Tems early beginning was fraught with challenges among which is the bullying she suffered at high school because of her voice. Undeterred, she joined her school choir at 11, and soon began singing in falsetto. It was the sharp eyes of her music teacher that discovered her, and went ahead to coach her towards becoming a voice in piano playing. Tems often practiced singing with her brother, who often accompanied her on guitar.

Tems has not looked back since her first single debuted in 2018, the shenanigans of the Ugandan government against her and Omah Lay in 2020 notwithstanding. She is a role music, who has consistently remained on the winning without stain, and without noise.