Entertainment
Timaya Joins MTN Brand Ambassadors
Information at our disposal
has it that Enetimi Alfred Odom popularly known as Timaya has joined Telecommunications and ICT giant MTN as a brand ambassador other artistes that were also unveiled include Headies Next rated award winner Seun Morihafen aka Sean Tizzle and Sound Sultan in addition to Dr Sid, Harry Song and Banky W.
It is no doubt that telecommunication companies in Nigeria have in the last four years turned the lives of our stars around for good ensuring they live the good life. Four major Telecom giants MTN, GLO, AIRTEL and ETISALAT have invested about N2 billion in bettering the lots of our entertainers as their brand ambassadors.
A recent report has it that MTN and Glo lead the park with 21 ambassadors each, Etisalat 6, while Airtel has 1. Glo expanded over N600 million on their current ambassadors. MTN, N500 million, Etisalat N190 million and Airtel N30 million. In 2010 P-Square broke the bank when Globacom scooped them up as brand ambassadors with an endorsement fee reportedly worth N240 million. P-Square charges an average of N2 million has performance fee for a show.
Three years earlier, Glo made a full swoop when they signed as ambassadors a host of actors from Nollywood including Chioma Akpota, Desmond Elliot, Uche Jumbo, Mike Ezuruonye, Ini Edo, Ramson Nouah, Monalisa Chinda, Rita Dominic and later Funke Akindele, Kunle Afolanya, Van Vicker and Odunlade Adekola, each deal was worth N10 million to N25 million.
In May 2013, Glo made another swoop, this time signing a handful of prominent B-list musicians such as Omawumi, Waje, Flavour, Bez, M. I., Burna boy Naeto C and Lynxxx and Efya who all joined Lagbaja, their deals varied but scored an average of N20 million each.
MTN who have been promoting and investing in other aspects of entertainment such as project fame music show, who wants to be a millionaire TV game show and International polo tournament amongst others shocked the industry in 2012 when they picked up Davido as an ambassador for their MTN pulse campaign, a deal reportedly worth N30 million.
It took about 13 months for the next set of endorsement deals to come, this time to past three winners of project fame this include singers like Iyanya N40 million, Mike Anyansodo N10 million, Chidinma N20 million and Praize N20 million. The deal came shortly after MTN has poached actor Hafeez Saka Oyetoro who made a famous move from another Telecom Company Etisalat in a sensational deal reportedly worth N25 million.
MTN then went on an endorsement spree signing on some of the biggest contemporary Nigerian musicians like Wizkid N45 million, Tiwa Savage N30 million, KCee N25 million and later on, Don Jazzy along with younger brother D’ Prince. The telecommunication giant added a new set of artistes to its rich list of brand ambassadors at an event held on Wednesday April 30, 2014 in Victoria Island Lagos.
The company unveiled amongst others Timaya and fast rising hiphop artiste cum Headies award winner Seun Morihafen aka Sean Tizzle. The unveiling completes an exclusive constellation of some Nigerian’s finest hiphop artistes who are doing amazingly well in their musical careers and also serve as MTN brand ambassadors. The addition of Timaya and Seun Tizzle brings to 21 the number of MTN brand ambassadors.
Banky W., Harrybong, Dr Sid and Sound Sultan were recently announced as the ICT Company’s brand ambassadors just as the contracts of Iyanga, Mbuk, Wizkid and a host of others including Yaw Nedu, Mama Gee, Saka and Nkem Owoh aka Osuofia were renewed. Etisalat also broke record when they unveiled star actress, Genevieve Nnaji as their brand ambassador in a deal reportedly worth N100 million.
Culled from Encomium Magazine.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’