Entertainment
Behind The Curtain | By Tunde Busari
In Yoruba parlance, especially when elders want to guide a promising youth against early fall, they tell him or her that palm oil always goes after white fabrics on destructive mission. This metaphor is a warning to the youth not to lose his head while the flame of his or her fame is burning.
A childhood friend of the late Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, at a public gathering in memory of Barrister in 2013, revealed that his friend had and maintained a split image divided between Sikiru and Barrister.
He told the very, very attentive audience that Sikiru was not Barrister and vice versa. The man, Alhaji Mojeed Kareem, unfortunately also late now, explained that the moment Barrister, coming from functions, stepped the entrance of his Fuji Chamber, he dropped Barrister and put on Sikiru, the no non-sense, fast-talking Mushin-born who was as human as any other person.
But when he was back to town and on stage, he transformed again to Barrister who must watch what he did, how he did it and particularly his endurance level. Why? He was tutored that he was that white fabrics while the people he met in the public could be that palm oil.
That’s what must have informed the gentleman treatment he accorded that woman who sneaked into his living room in Isolo and told him that she was his biological mother, not Alhaja Sifawu Odee whom he was advertising to the world in his albums. That was 1986.
If the evidently provoked Barrister had given in to the burning fire in him and reacted as such, he would have found himself at the wrong side of the law and possibly had his goodwill injured and his music career burnt to ashes.
The wisdom here is that celebrities should always be in charge of themselves, regardless of situations they find themselves. They shouldn’t be carried away by smiles or hard look of the public to fall cheaply and stupidly too into veiled traps by which they are surrounded.
Alhaja Waka Queen Salawa Abeni is a happy woman today because she treated her latest story well. Her prompt release, in which she alerted the world about a danger hovering on her roof, killed the matter, for it is timely. The sincerity, contained in the content of the release, won her sympathy which she couldn’t have got had she reacted differently and denied that aspect of her past. She has, thus, won the war which would have somehow affected her improving health again.
Assuredly, however, hers is not going to mark the end of such scandal as our celebrities appear to be unmindful of their status, thereby engaging in series of unholy acts behind the curtain and sometimes in the public.
They should be reminded that lens of phones is watching everyone, everwhere and everything. So they should watch their back so that they don’t receive Salawa message.
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.
-
News4 days agoOseni Donates Boreholes, Transformer, Solar Streetlights to Ibadan Community
-
News3 days ago
Oseni fulfils ₦5m pledge for Anfaani Central Mosque solar project
-
News7 days ago
Oseni supports Ibadan mosque solar project with ₦5m
-
News4 days ago
Adelabu family aide supplied kidnappers with intelligence on sister’s movement, twins’ abduction – Police
