Check Out These 7 Nigerian Superstars Who Started As Street Hawkers Before Rising To Fame
In this article, I will show you Nigerian celebrities who were once street hawkers. Before some of them rose to stardom, they were once hawking in the street and some of them have publicly spoken up on how it helped their lives.
Street hawking or selling is common to Nigeria and Africa at large. A lot of people resort to street hawking in order to meet their daily needs.
Nowdays, we see street hawkers in big cities, traffic jams and by road sides. In order to make things easier for themselves, street hawkers convey their goods using wheelbarrow, mobile kiosks, table tops and others.
Most common products hawked on the street include bread, Ankara, food items, Gala, Snacks, Soft drinks and others.
Now, some of our Nigerian celebrities have successfully left the street hawking business. Below are the names of Nigerian celebrities who were once street hawkers:
1. Don Jazzy
Don Jazzy whose real name is Michael Collins Ajereh is one of the biggest record producer in Nigeria.
The CEO of Mavins Records label was once a street hawker. Taking to micro-blogging platform, Twitter, Don Jazzy tweeted, “My brother, I dey sell Akara before o. The memory is still fresh in my head. I sold Akamu, Agidi, Fried yam and plantain”
2. Mercy Johnson
Mercy Johnson who is a popular Nigerian actress, philanthropist, and politician, hailed from Okene in Kogi state.
Before she joined the Nollywood movie Industry, she once hawked Sachet water in order to meet her daily needs.
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3. Comedian Holy Mallam
In 2019, Comedian Holy Mallam revealed in an exclusive interview with Vanguard newspaper, that he was once hawking bread and pure water to make ends meet.
He said that he sold his father’s house in Festac and moved to Okoko. After he could no longer pay his school fees. He started hawking bread and sometimes his classmates would see him on the streets and laughed at him.
4. Ibrahim Chatta
Ibrahim Chatta who was born on October 13th, 1970 in Edo Local Government Area of Kwara state, is a Nigerian Yoruba actor, Writer and producer.
He is also among Nigerian celebrities who were once street hawkers, as he revealed that he had a rough childhood life.
“I suffered so much while growing up but the truth is that past experiences helps in one way or another. I hawked Ice cream, doughnuts and even worked as a bus conductor. I don’t have any regrets,” Ibrahim said.
5. Model Olajumoke Orisaguna
Olajumoke Orisaguna who is now a mod was once hawking bread on the streets of Lagos. She became popular after she unknowingly walked into a photoshoot session of British rapper, Tinie Temprah,. By Nigerian photographer, Ty Bello for Nigerian’s This Day magazine.
She was so popular that her story got featured in CNN, BBC Africa and others main streams media.
6. Biola Adebayo
From bread seller to PhD holder, Biola Adebayo shared her past experience on social media.
Before she joined the Nollywood movie Industry, she hawked different things on the street, lost 4 different admission because she couldn’t afford to pay and even waited 7 years to finally get admitted into the University.
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
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
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.
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
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 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
Kate Henshaw
On 19 July 2014, Nollywood actress Kate Henshawofficially 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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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In 2019, Funke Adesiyan was appointed as one of the political aides to the first lady, Aisha Buhari
14. Kenneth Okonkwo
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.
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.
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.”
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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.
