Entertainment
I know how to handle male admirers – Laide Bakare.
LAIDE BAKARE is one of the prominent and most active Nollywood Actress who has been able to set a pace by producing her first movie at the age of 18years. In this interview with Idowu Ayodele, she speaks on her most embarrassing moment and the secret behind her relationship.
WHAT KIND OF PERSON IS LAIDE BAKARE?
I am a very shy person, intelligent, God fearing, easy going and easy to understand. I love visiting places, travelling and searching for knowledge.
WHAT EXACTLY ATTRACTED YOU TO ENTERTAINMENT?
My father! Because while we were young, whenever he travels abroad, he comes back with video recording cameras, so we were always around the cameras at home, move close to those that works with the cameras when they return from outings or movie locations.
We have a lot of video cameras in our house, any little event in the house, we always use the advantage of the cameras and it has become a source of entertainment in the house.
Couple with the fact that my father is an hotelier, the movie industry crew always come to lodge in his hotel in Ibadan when they have any movie location and I have been using this opportunity to interact, move closer to them, all these joined together was exactly what induced me in to the industry.
This background really helps me a lot. I produced my first film at the age of 18years – “Ewe oju omi”. In fact, I have been able to set a pace for those who believe producing movie is for the oldies, that was how my contemporaries boost their morale that “ if Laide Bakare can do this, they can also do it” and since then, I have always been working hard to make sure that any movie I produced, must always be better than the previous.
HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU ARE IN A PUBLIC ARENA?
I hardly go to public places. Where ever I am and I feel that the ovation is becoming too much, that is where the shy aspect of me comes out. At a point, I may not be too comfortable or just feel like getting out of the place, if the attention is too much on me.
I am a very shy person, I couldn’t look straight in to people’s eye. I can only be comfortable in a public arena, if there are popular faces at the venue, because the attention will not be on me through out, it will definitely shift to others.
YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT AS A CELEBRITY?
When people see me, they always believe that, I use to be taller on screen than what they are seeing. I got more embarrassed whenever they pass comments, “Laide Bakare, I can’t believe it, so you are this short”. Honestly, I feel more embarrassed, because, personally, I don’t believe I am so short, but that is just their conclusion.
NIGERIAN FEMALE CELEBRITIES ARE EITHER SINGLE MOTHER OR DIVORCEE, BUT IN YOUR OWN CASE, IT IS DIFFERENT. WHAT IS THE SECRET BEHIND YOUR RELATIONSHIP?
I was able to separate my marital life from business. I do guide my marital life judiciously and carefully, simply because, I don’t want to lose it. I don’t allow the stardom and fame to get in to my head, I respect my husband so much and he understands the nature of my job.
What really matters is to understand each other and there are things you need to guide against, just to make your relationship works.
YOUR ROLE MODEL?
A lot of them, but I appreciate
talents and women doing extra ordinary things.
YOU LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL, HOW DO YOU COPE WITH MALE ADMIRERS?
Well, like I said the other time, I am a shy person and that takes me away from so many things. I don’t go to places where I will get all those kind of admiration, even when they do, I know how to handle that carefully, so that I don’t get involved unnecessarily.
I think is just about diplomacy and understanding, you can’t fight people just because they admire or appreciate you, you don’t need to be rude, you have to be nice at least in a very diplomatic way.
WHERE WOULD YOU PLACE YOUR SELF IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?
Is only God that knows, I don’t know I can be where I am today in the last 2-3 years ago, but God has been so great to me. I am just a natural person . Though I have plans for the future but it is only God that controls it. Honestly, I am working hard and praying to be greater than where I am today.
FINALLY, ANY MESSAGE FOR YOUR FANS?
I want to use this opportunity to say thank you to all my fans out there for loving me and patronizing me, I will never disappoint them.
Nigerian singer and humanitarian Sean Dampte has expressed deep concern over reports of mass abductions and growing insecurity across communities in South-West Nigeria, calling for urgent action to protect lives and restore public confidence.
In a heartfelt statement, Dampte lamented the fear and uncertainty facing families, students, and educators in affected communities. He stressed that no child should leave home for school only to become the subject of desperate prayers before returning safely, and that no teacher should have to work under the constant threat of abduction.
Describing the situation as a national concern that transcends politics, ethnicity, religion, and social media debates, the entertainer emphasised that real lives and families are being affected by the crisis.
“My heart is heavy over the reports of mass abductions and the fear spreading across communities in South-West Nigeria,” he said, adding that the pain experienced by victims and their loved ones should never be ignored or normalised.
Sean Dampte expressed solidarity with affected families and communities living in fear, while also joining other Nigerians in demanding immediate and decisive action from authorities. He urged relevant security agencies and government institutions to strengthen the protection of schools, secure vulnerable communities, and ensure the safe return of all abducted persons.
The singer concluded by reiterating his vision for a safer nation, stating that “Nigeria must be a place where children can dream without fear.”
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.
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