Entertainment

5 Nigerian Celebrities Who Came From Total Poverty But Are Now Celebrities

Celebrities who were poor – Everyone loves a rags-to-riches story, especially when it involves a celebrity. There’s something about knowing that with hard work and a dream, one is able to overcome even the most dismal of circumstances.

Before they were bright and shiny Nigerian stars, these celebrities came from humble beginnings. Yet with their talent, hard work, and dedication to a shared dream, these celebrities persevered against all odds, rewriting their destinies to include fame, success, and net-worths beyond their wildest dreams. Here are 5 celebrities whose fortunes prove they paved their own way along the walk of fame.

1. Wizkid

Wizkid’s name is synonymous with success. With a career spanning over 10 years, Wizkid has managed to keep her finger on the pulse of Africa’s music industry, turning everything she touches into gold. But wizkid’s story did not start out a fairytale; he had to work hard for it.

In 2018, Wizkid became one of the Highest Paid Artists for Bookings in the World, as he performs at a Royal l Wedding at one of the world’s top private residences, Umaid Bhawan Palace in India. Wizkid was reportedly paid 50 million Rupees ($681,200, N245.9 million.

Wizkid was born into a poor family background, although his parents were civil servants but they were still poor as they could not afford some basic needs at home. Wizkid grew up in Ojuelegbe, a part of Surulere in Lagos State.

In a bid to free his family from poverty Wizkid started visiting the studio regularly and showcasing his talents through freestyling and music challenge. Unlike some artists that were born with “golden spoons” and had billions in their accounts even before venturing into music, Wizkid was not thatf fortunate He literally became a studio rat; he ate and slept in popular studios in pursuit of his dreams. But today he has becom very successful.

Apart from music, Wizkid streams a considerable percentage of his wealth from leading corporations such as MTN, Pepsi, and TECNO.

2. Don Jazzy

Michael Collins Ajereh is popularly known as ‘Don Jazzy’ and one of the richest music producer in Africa.

Don Jazzy is widely famous and loved for his artistry. He is a founding star at Mavins Record, which is sometimes called Supreme Mavin Dynasty.

Don Jazzy has been inspiring generations for decades now and is greatly admired in the continent, which bows to his solo and collabo music releases. Don Jazzy who grew up in the slum of Ajegunle is now living a life of too much money.

3. Mark Angel

Mark Angel is famous Nigerian YouTube celebrity and a comedian He was born and raised in Port Harcourt, River State Nigeria. He is originally from Imo State.

Mark Angel is the founder of the popular comedy skit “Mark Angel Comedy” a short comedy video published every Friday on YouTube. Mark Angel is currently sitting on over 6 million subscribers on his YouTube channel and has over 6 million followers on his official Facebook page and over1 million followers on his official Instagram account. Mark Angel was born into a poor family background.

Mark Angel did not complete his university education, infact he is a dropout. In 2008 Mark Angel gained admission into Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria to study Medicine and Surgery but unfortunately his sponsor died few months later and he had to quit school because nobody was there to cater for his academic needs.

After dropping out from Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife due to financial problem, Mark Angel relocated to Lagos and stayed with a friend. He knew nobody will sponsor him and so he decided not to go to school again. Instead he used the money in his savings to travel to India to studyc cinematography.

After studying cinematography in India for 6 months, Mark Angel returned to Nigeria and joined the Nigeria movie industry (Nollywood) in 2010.

He started professionally as a Nollywood movie editor and director of photograph (DOP). He later quit Nollywood few years laterw when he discovered that the pay was less and some producer could not even pay him at all.

In 2012 Mark Angel met with his friend Denison Igwe and together both of them decided to start an online media organization that will be based on comedy. That idea gave birth to Mark Angel Comedy, a weekly comedy skit published on YouTube every Friday. Today Mark Angel is the most successful YouTube personality in Nigeria earning over $100,000 dollars monthly.

4. Mercy Johnson

Before Mercy Johnson won hearts nationwide, she once lived in an uncompleted building.

The actress once revealed in an interview with Tribune that sometimes when she cries on set, its because she remembers how she started.

According to her, her family once moved into an uncompleted building, where they lived with lizards and when rain fell they had to take cove

5. Patoranking

Before hitting it big with his hit song ‘Alubarika’, Patoranking quit school due to financial difficulties, moved from Cape Coast to Accra and spent most nights on the streets of Osu for survival.

Patoranking has once revealed his song, ‘Nothing to Something’ was the chronicle of his life. During that period the reggae singer lived in a one room apartment and sold rat killer in traffic.

He was also a bricklayer for a while and dabbled into so many things to achieve his dreams.

We hope this post inspires you to get out there and achieve your dreams regardless of obstacles life throws your way.

Entertainment

15 Nollywood Actors Who Have Dig Into Politics [SEE LIST]

Over the years, many Nollywood actors and actresses in the country have been invited by their state governments to receive political nominations while some have knowingly delved into politics with the hope to serve the people.

We brings you 15 Nollywood actors who have either run for offices or have been appointed.

1. Femi Adebayo

In February 2016, popular Yoruba Nollywood actor Femi Adebayo was made the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed on Arts, Culture and Tourism. Although the actor was appointed in 2016, he is currently contesting for the post of a senator in the upcoming elections. The actor who hails from Kwara made his interest known in representing Asa/Ilorin West at the Nigerian National Assembly delegation from his state.

2. Ini Edo

Nollywood Actress Ini Edo Reportedly Welcomes New Baby (See Baby Daddy) — Ini Edo

Ini Edo is a professional actress, movie producer, and director. She is one of the actresses that has held a political position.

In 2016, the beautiful actress was appointed as the Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on culture and tourism

Ini Edo’s appointment was renewed in 2020 when Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, current governor of Akwa Ibom State, was re-elected into office.

3. Banky W

Nigerian singer, rapper, actor, entrepreneur and politician Olubankole Wellington aka Banky W On November 11, 2018, Banky W declared his intention to run for the Lagos’ Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, on the platform of Modern Democratic Party (MDP), formed in 2017. On February 23, 2019, Bankole Wellington lost the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency elections to Babajide Obanikoro of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

4. Zubby Michael

Zubby Michael is a talented Nigerian actor and media personality who has impressed lots of entertainment lovers with his unique talents and creativity.

In 2019, Zubby was appointed by the current Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano as the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor.

5. Desmond Elliot

Desmond Oluwashola Elliot is a famous Nigerian movie star, who has featured in many Nollywood blockbuster movies, television shows and soap operas. He was elected as a lawmaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Surulere Constituency, in 2015.

6. Kate Henshaw

On 19 July 2014, Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw officially unveiled her campaign website as she was aspiring to represent Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal constituency under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. Kate Henshaw lost the primary election to Rt. Hon Essien Ayi but was appointed as Special Advicer Liaison, Lagos by the Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade in December 2015. Recently, she recounted how she spent N35 million to chase her ambition to become a member of the House of Representatives and her regrets.

7. Bob Manuel

Bob-Manuel Udokwu is a veteran Nollywood actor who contested for the position of house of assembly for the Idemili North Local Government Area for Anambra state in 2015.

He was appointed into the cabinet of Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, as the Senior Special Assistant on Movie/Entertainment.

8. RMD

Nollywood veteran actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo was appointed as the Special Adviser of Culture and Tourism to the then Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2008, later on became the commissioner for Culture and Tourism of Delta State, Nigeria in 2009. His tenure ended in 2015.

9. Hilda Dokubo

Ace Actress, Hilda Dokubo was one of the first Nigerian celebrities to get into the political game. She was appointed Special Adviser on Youth Affairs to the former Rivers state governor, Peter Odili in the early 2000’s.

10. Mercy Johnson

Mercy Johnson Shares New Set Footage, Says She’s ‘Doing What I Love To Do Best’ (Video) — Mercy Johnson

On March 15th 2017, Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie was appointed a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello on Entertainment, Arts and Culture.

11. Nkiru Sylvanus

Nkiru Sylvanus was one of the first set of celebrities to venture into politics. In 2011, she was appointed the Special Adviser on Lagos Affairs to the Imo State Government. She was later made Special Adviser on Public Relations to the same state Government.

12. Kanayo O. Kanayo

Kanayo O Kanayo joined the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and had his eyes on the seat of House of Representatives, member for Ahiazu/Ezinihite Mbaise Federal Constituency in 2011. However, he lost in the primary election.

13. Funke Adesiyan

Funke Adesiyan is a Nollywood actress who contested for the Ibadan South-East constituency seat in the Oyo State House of Assembly. The actress won the Oyo State House of Assembly primary election on the platform of the PDP in 2014.

At the time, she was the second entertainer to win a primary election after Desmond Elliot who set the pace by winning the APC primary election for the Lagos State House of Assembly. While Desmond won his election, Funke lost to her APC opponent by a large margin

In 2019, Funke Adesiyan was appointed as one of the political aides to the first lady, Aisha Buhari

14. Kenneth Okonkwo

Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo who was interested in Nsukka/Igbo Eze south Federal Constituency backed out of the PDP primaries in December 2014. In 2019, he declared his intention to run for Governor of Enugu State at the next election.

15. Bukky Wright

Entertainment

Popular Nollywood Actor, Kunle Afolayan Shares His ‘young shall grow’ Photos

Veteran Nollywood actor Kunle Afolayan has got many talking as he shares his ‘young shall grow’ photos online.

The award-winning actor compiled different photos of his childhood and how he started his career and grew to stardom.

Kunle Afolayan shared the photos on his Instagram page with a grateful emoji.

He wrote: MAAMI WE FIGHT ALL THE TIME BUT, I STILL REMEMBER BISKITI ONIYO (TUC) as you call it when you buy for me.

I still remember EWA OTILI AND EPO IKETE THAT YOU BRING FROM OYO FROM MAAMI AGBA BEFORE SHE DIED, I REMEMBER EGUSI WITHOUT MEAT OR FISH, BUT YOU MAKE IT WORTH IT BY MOLDING the SAME EGUSI LIKE MEAT AND STILL SHEAR ONE INTO 3 FOR ME AND MY BROTHERS.

I remember when you use to do OMOODOR YOU WILL SLEEP UNDER THE STAIRCASE AND COVER WITH YOUR IRO ASO. I remember when we used to live in ILE PAKO AYINDE STREETS, where termites have eaten all the plank.

You have to use my father’s film poster to cover all the plank walls like it’s a wallpaper maami brilliant, I remember how you will give Malam pashi paro your clothe, instead of collecting BASIA BIG BUCKET, you will take money to buy BEANS AT OYINGBO MARKET FOR US TO EAT.

Thank you so much. I wish I have money to build you a house right now but Rara ooo, I never get it, but I REMEMBER YOU TODAY.

Entertainment

Nigerian Couple Welcome Four Children At Once After 16 Years of Marriage (Photos)

God hɑs finɑlly ɑnswered the prɑyers of ɑ couple froм ɑnɑмbrɑ Stɑte ɑnd Ƅlessed theм with quɑdruplets ɑfter 16 yeɑrs of мɑrriɑge ɑnd struggling for ɑ .

The joyous new pɑrents of quɑdruplets, identified ɑs Chikɑ ɑnd Chinyere Nwokike, welcoмed two Ƅoys ɑnd two girls ɑfter sixteen yeɑrs of lessness.

ɑ priest with the Cɑtholic ɑrchdiocese of Onitshɑ, Reʋ. Fr. OƄuм Mɑrtin, who shɑred the good news on his FɑceƄook pɑge, stɑted strongly thɑt fɑith neʋer fɑils ɑnd congrɑtulɑted the couple for their steɑdfɑstness ɑnd pɑtience in мɑrriɑge.

“#Godisfɑithful #16yeɑrsPɑtienceWɑiting #ItsQuɑdruplets. Greɑt is God’s grɑce ɑnd мercy. When I look ɑt this fɑмily ɑnd these Ƅeɑutiful gifts, I reмeмƄer the Words of God in HɑƄɑkkuk,”

“For still the ʋision ɑwɑits its tiмe; it hɑstens to the end- it will not lie.If it seeм slow, wɑit for it; it will surely coмe, it will not delɑy.”

“Congrɑtulɑtions to мy Ƅeloʋed friends Chikɑ Nwokike ɑnd Chinyere Nwokike. Your fɑith ɑnd pɑtience wɑiting on the Lord for 16yeɑrs plus hɑs Ƅeen rewɑrded with these precious gifts with no surgery or stress…ɑll giʋen within less thɑn 15 мinutes. It’s ɑмɑzing ɑnd cɑn only Ƅe descriƄed ɑs Grɑce~Work.”