Entertainment
Ayefele releases 25th album as ‘manifestation’ hits town
•how his 12/12 car crash anniversary thanksgiving shook Ibadan
For fans of the Tungba gospel crooner, Dr Yinka Ayefele, MON, who have been anxious to relish his new album slated for release this month, the wait is finally over.
Ayefele’s new album entitled Manifestation is due to be officially released nationwide on Sunday, December 19, six days to Christmas.
A statement issued by his media team said the nine-track record is marketed and distributed by Aloy Production International in Lagos.
The ‘new baby’ of the award-winning iconic singer, Manifestation, pushes his discography to 25, not counting thousands of live records and a handful of singles.
Also released, according to the statement, is the video of his 2020 album entitled Ekundayo, which is marketed and distributed by the Ibadan-based Role Model Entertainment Limited.
The Chief Executive Officer of the most popular radio station in the South of Nigeria, Fresh FM, hugged limelight 24 years ago with the release of his debut album tagged Bitter Experience.
The first album chronicled his sad experience in a ghastly car crash on December 12, 1997, on his way to Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
To mark the 24th anniversary of the incident which became a turning point in his life, Ayefele, at a ceremony held in Jogor Centre, Ibadan, on Sunday, December 12, 2021, rolled out the drums to celebrate 12 people who, like the rock of Gibraltar, have stood by him through thick and thin.
It was an event graced by who-is-who in the government of Oyo State and politicians from the opposition parties, including members of the State Executive Council, the House of Assembly and the National Assembly, not leaving out chairmen of federal agencies and boards.
Tagged 12/12 thanksgiving, Ayefele gave out awards to the 12 people who are mostly members of his globally acclaimed Merry Maker Band, particularly Mr David Aremu, his lead talking drummer who goes by the stage name Jegede.
His wife of many years and mother of triplets, Mrs Tope Ayefele, who was among the 12 ‘Samaritans,’ got a four-flat building of three bedroom flats each as a gift from her husband in addition to the award.
Appreciating the ‘good Samaritans’, Ayefele said “Please help me thank these people who have been a strong pillar for me since that unfortunate accident which happened 24 years ago. They have been steadfast and loyal.
“The accident of 24 years ago was my turning point. I thank God for His faithfulness. I thank God for the manifestation of His grace, mercy and goodness in my life at all times.
“Today, my bitter experience has turned to sweet experience. Indeed, ekun mi ti dayo [my sorrowful tear has become joy]. Thank you all for your love, prayers and support,” he said.
The event was held together with the annual Miss Oyo Beauty Pageant hosted by Mayor Isaac Brown, Ayefele’s man Friday and host of the popular political interview programme on Fresh FM called Political Circuit.
Not only did Ayefele reward his band members for their loyalty, he also extended the celebration to 12 lucky winners who had bought entry tickets to the event.
Picked through a raffle draw conducted by the regulatory body, Ayefele in appreciating God for sparing him in the accident lavished nine (9) brand new Hisense refrigerators, a complete living room settee and two brand new TV sets on the winners.
The hall erupted in jubilation as the gifts were given to the winners who were full of praise to Ayefele and prayed for God to continue to bless him.
The Ipoti-Ekiti-born singer assured his fans worldwide he will never let them down, promising to continue to dish out good songs.
Popular Nigerian singer, Adekunle Kosoko, better known as Adekunle Gold, and his wife, Simisola Kosoko, also known as Simi, have welcomed a set of twin babies.
The singer announced the good news via his Snapchat story on Wednesday.
“Asked God for another child and He blessed me double,” Simi wrote.
Although the gender of the babies has not been disclosed, the announcement has since attracted congratulatory messages from fans, colleagues and well-wishers across the entertainment industry.
The development comes months after Simi had hinted at her pregnancy. In December, she shared a video on Instagram, captioned, “From my baby, for my babies,” with the clip showing her baby bump.
The arrival of the twins also comes weeks after Simi featured in a snippet from Adekunle Gold’s recently released music video titled My Love Is the Same.
Adekunle Gold and Simi got married in 2019 after years of friendship and musical collaboration. Both artistes were formerly signed to X3M Music early in their careers and have since remained one of Nigeria’s most celebrated celebrity couples.
The couple welcomed their first child, Adejare Kosoko, fondly called Deja, in May 2020.
Renowned Tungba gospel musician, Dr Yinka Ayefele, has released a new studio album titled Reflections, adding another chapter to his long-standing influence in Nigeria’s gospel music scene.
The album, which was released on Monday, December 22, 2025, blends introspection with praise, as Ayefele reflects on life, faith and gratitude to God, drawing from personal experiences marked by trials, near-tragedies and triumphs.
Announcing the release in a statement, the Group Head of Corporate Affairs, Fresh Nigeria and Yinka Ayefele Limited, Samson Akindele, said the album captures the musician’s deep reflections on life and his renewed commitment to thanksgiving and praise through music.
Musically, Reflections is rooted in Ayefele’s signature Tungba style, featuring energetic drum percussions, rich string arrangements and call-and-response patterns, supported by harmonious backup vocals from the Merry Makers Band.
The album also incorporates diverse elements, including Tungba hymnals and an Arabic praise chant rendered by a budding female talent, Harike Jesu, who additionally delivers a danceable Fuji-inspired track.
According to details of the project, the opening track focuses on Ayefele’s life journey and lessons drawn from past experiences, while subsequent tracks express appreciation to fans and sustain a flow of upbeat, dance-friendly rhythms.
Reflections is available on major digital streaming and download platforms, including Spotify, Boomplay, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Audiomack, YouTube Music, Deezer and Tidal.
The compact disc version is expected to be released in the coming days under the Yinka Ayefele Music label.
Jamaican reggae icon, Jimmy Cliff, is dead. He died on Monday at the age of 81.
His wife, Latifa Chambers, announced the singer’s passing in a statement posted on his official Instagram page.
Chambers said Cliff “crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia,” describing the loss as “profoundly saddening.”
She wrote, “I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists, and coworkers who have shared his journey with him. To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career.”
Cliff, revered as one of reggae’s defining figures and widely regarded as the genre’s most influential artiste after the late Bob Marley, enjoyed a stellar career that spanned more than four decades.
A multi-instrumentalist known for classics such as You Can Get It If You Really Want and The Harder They Come, Cliff blended reggae with folk, soul, ska and rock. His music frequently tackled themes of politics, poverty, injustice and social resistance.
He shot to global prominence following the release of the 1972 film The Harder They Come, in which he starred. The movie, partly inspired by his tough upbringing, played a pivotal role in pushing Jamaican reggae onto the world stage.
Reacting to his death, Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, described Cliff as “a true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world.”
“His music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations, and helped to shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today,” Holness said.
“Walk good, Jimmy Cliff. Your legacy lives on in every corner of our island and in the hearts of the Jamaican people,” he added.
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