Entertainment
From Fathia to Funke | By Tunde Busari
About five years after I had picked the cd from my distributor at Iyana Ipaja back then, I just found the time to watch the content of Fathia Balogun’s IYA ALALAKE. I recall that the poster, which advertised the film, stimulated my urge to pick the cd, seeing Fathia in a completely odd costume of a female musician behind microphone, backed up by men at a live show.
Regardless of the story being told by the film, Fathia proved she is an all-rounder performer by her proficiency, deliberately sustaining the humorous intent of the film with her regular chant of ofooro mantra at every tensed mood. I still want to believe that beyond theatre, the film is an exposition of a reality of life and times of a Yoruba female songbird with her beauty in being rave of her time and ugliness of being a nuisance to her supposed clients.
She determines which show to attend and which to snub even after having pocketed engagement fee. In predictable conspiracy with her manager acted by Muyiwa Ademola, she commits the crime without considering feelings of her disappointed clients. But she meets her match in a serving soldier whose wife insists in having Fathia performed at her occasion. As usual she disappoints and finds herself arrested and subjected to physical punishment by a team of soldiers.
It’s funny I could not watch the film to the end to have a full grasp of its theme. The disk was embarrassingly skipping and thus putting my patience to test. However, I must buy another copy of the two-part cd to enjoy the fun by Fathia, Iyabo Oko, her mother from whom she inherits music; Femi Adebayo, a band member, Sanyeri, another band member, Kamilu Compo, Fathia’s frustrated husband.
I enjoy dialogue between Fathia and that guy when he is pressed to assert himself as her husband over another disagreement. Fathia charges and reminds him the history of their marriage, including how she is the breadwinner in the matrimony. Wow! The man is speechless on the spot, perhaps wishing a force took him out of sight. His immediate reaction is a visit to Oga Bello, perhaps an uncle, to protest and seek permission to call it quit with Fathia. Oga Bello, however, advises him against divorce. The option he gives him unfortunately disappears with the skipping cd, denying me the rest of the hilarious story.
It is said that Fathia is a Delta blood but water of Lagoon in her system is thicker, for she is more Yoruba than an Ile-Ife daughter, for instance, born by parents who say Yoruba speaking is prohibited in their household. One who is not very deep in Yoruba culture would have messed the Iya Alalake character up because there are some non-verbal communication skills required to give more meaning to the script. God bless the talents of Fathia the more because she is really impressive in that film.
Before I sign off this Wednesday morning, I need to make a stopover at Funke Akindele’s residence with a warning to other celebrities to thread softly. If Funke had read my last week message through Alhaja Salawa Abeni titled BEHIND THE CURTAIN, she probably would not have got her fingers burnt.
I wrote: “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.”
Prophetically, I added: “Assuredly, however, hers (Salawa Abeni) 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.”
Will they listen? Hmmnn, time will tell. But certainly, failure to manage fame is a sickness plagued most of these people in entertainment, going by their occasional pellets which they fire at one another over trivial issues like skirt and blouse, shoes and bags, cars and other mundane acquisitions.
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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