Entertainment
Wizkid Rejects N25m Fee For International Show
Nigerian artist Wizkid has confirmed that money is not a problem to him, after reports claimed that he was offered (£50,000) N25m for an international show but rejected it saying his brand is not cheap. It had been rumored that Wizkid has been charging £100,000 for shows outside Nigeria for sometime now.
The deal was said to have been brokered by his international management “Disturbing London” affiliated to United Kingdom Pop star Tinie Tempah. Although Wizkid hasn’t said anything concerning the rumour yet, the news has gone viral in the social media.
Born on July 16th 1989, Ayo Balogum also known as Wizkid recorded his first album at the age of 11, the album was produced by one of the most celebrated music producers in the country-OJB Jezreel and it was a 7-track album that was released for his church in Lagos.
The 2006 album launch was well received by Ayo Balogun’s parents, friends and other artistes. Ayo Balogun’s growing passion for music and the use of his God given talent inspired him to get back into the studio and perfect his music acts. It was in 2006 that Ayo Balogun dropped his initial stage name – Lil Prinz and he began working with some of the best artistes in Nigeria today, these include Naeto C and Ikechukwu.
Since 2006, Wizkid songs enjoyed continuous radio plays while himself, enjoyed collaboration with the best artistes in Nigeria, but it was not until 2009 when this young talent got his first major break in the music industry-according to Wizkid twitter. His collaboration with one of Nigeria’s best rappers and MCs-MI Abaga, on “fast money fast cars” track drew major attention to Wizzy’s unique voice and style.
Ayo Balogun is also a song writer. A side being featured by so many established artists, Ayo Balogun also featured in several TV commercials, the most recent is the Pepsi Co-advert which also featured one of the best female performers – Tiwa Savage. His first TV commercial was “Turn by Turn” by Kel’s which became Barcelo’s radio jungle.
He signed a multi-million naira deal with the Empire Mates entertainment (EME), a recording label owned by versatile performer and one of the best R&B artistes cum producer and manager-Bank W, in 2009.
He has continued to release hit songs with EME records since 2009, his music career has gone beyond the chores of Nigerian borders especially with his numerous international stage performances and collaboration with international artistes such as Akon, Kardinal official and Young Jeezy to mention just a few.
In 2010, Ayo Balogun fully broke into the music industry with the release of his smash hit singles, “Don’t dull, “Holla at your boy,” and “Tease me.” Ayo Balogun’s Debut album – “Superstar” was released in 2011 and in June 2011 also, he performed several sold-out concerts in Nigeria, UK and the United States.
Wizkid’s Biography is not complete without making mention of some of his numerous awards. Ayo Balogun won the 2012 till date, he has 2010 till date, he has also won several other numerous awards in Nigeria, South Africa, the UK and the US.
Entertainment
“French Up Your Career” PH, 2025 :Consul General Of France Harps On Proficiency In French
The Consul, General of France in Nigeria, Laurent Favier has encouraged French Learners to improve their skills on the language, as there are lots of opportunities up for grabs on the job market with fluency in French Language, saying that there are many other career paths which are often less well known to learners of French.
Participants at the “French Up Your Career” event held in Port Harcourt.
Favier who disclosed this during the just concluded third edition of the seminar tagged “French Up Your Career” organized by Alliance
Française, Port Harcourt explained that learning French doesn’t mean adding a language to your resume. It rather provides learners with new opportunities. Irrespective of their area of interest, be it diplomatic and International relations, international development, translation and Interpretation or journalism.
According to the Consul General, it was important to create awareness for young Nigerians in Port Harcourt who desire to have better understanding of how been fluent in French can create diverse career opportunities for users of the languages in Nigeria and the world at large, emphasizing that proficiency in French could possibly make learner a bridge between Nigeria and fast-developing regions.
“You previously heard this morning about how you can improve your French skills. This afternoon you will discover how being fluent in French can provide a significant edge on the job market and lead to professional careers that you may not have even considered before,”
“This event comes at the right time, as it launches the celebration of the richness and diversity of French-speaking cultures, which will mobilize us for more than a month throughout Nigeria and alongside other French-speaking countries,” Favier added.
He further highlighted that French is spoken by over 300 million people across the world, saying that, it’s one of the official languages of the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union.
“There are many neighbouring African countries to Nigeria ,who have French as one of their primary languages of communication including Cameroon, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. So, what does this mean for you as students here in Nigeria?” He asked
“These sectors in which the French Embassy is often mobilized are the business and marketing field for example, as French is often the preferred language in many multinational companies, particularly those in the energy, oil and telecommunications sectors. I’m thinking as well in technology and IT,” he said
He noted that French-speaking countries in Africa are investing heavily in tech, innovation, and infrastructure, revealing that companies in Tech are looking for bilingual professionals to assist with software localization, customer support, and managing projects in French-speaking regions.
“The French embassy is not only mobilized to help learners discover promising sectors. We are also providing our support and expertise in
training teachers and optimizing university programs,” he summed up
Also, the linguistics cooperation attaché, French Embassy in Nigeria, Magaly Losange, who also gave a lecture at the seminar, in an interview with Newsmen said that the main purpose of the seminar was to be more informative and supportive to those who want to make a skill out of French Language,saying that as the linguistics cooperation attaché of the French Embassy it is her duty to promote French language through culture.
She cited traditional stereotypes as a major challenge affecting the growth and development of French in Nigeria, as school, teachers at the primary and secondary level in most cases teach French using the traditional way, where students learn French, but could not put words and grammar together as a skill for communicate.
“French is important. I don’t see French as colonization, l see French as a key to embrace globalization, l hope that learners will be inspired and ready to embrace the global village,” Losange said.
She however said that the French Embassy is working to ensure that equipments to facilitate the learning of French is put in place to enable learners improve their skills fast, which in two to three years learners should be able to communicate with French, advising learners to be intentional with learning the language, through social media and other workable devices to advance their skills for certification and better opportunities.
Highlight of the event which had about 250 participants in attendance was the eloquence award ceremony where students were awarded for their eloquence in French language by the Director, Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs.Marina Lacal alongside the Linguistics cooperation attaché of the French Embassy in Nigeria, Magaly Losange.
After two edition of the seminar it was the turn of the Alliance Française, Port Harcourt to host the Third edition.
It would be recalled that the first edition of ” “French Up Your Career” event was organized at the Alliance Française Lagos on October 23, the second one at UNILAG on November 24, 2024 respectfully.
Popular Nigerian comedienne, Tomama has revealed how she waited for Afrobeats superstar, Wizkid outside the bathroom.
She shared this while recounting her encounter with the singer at a recent event with heavy security.
In a video posted on her Instagram page, Tomama explained that she waited by the bathroom in an attempt to have a one-on-one conversation with Wizkid.
She stated that she positioned herself near the restroom, hoping Wizkid would eventually use it, giving her the perfect opportunity to speak with him.
“Wizkid, I saw you, and I waited for you to pee, but you didn’t even stand up from where you were sitting. You just stayed there. All your crew members standing around got up to go pee. I was standing by the bathroom, waiting for you to come pee so that you would notice me,” she said.
Content creator and actor, Mr Macaroni has opened up about his financial struggles, saying he was both a victim of a scam and a failed investment in 2021.
He revealed that after losing all his savings, he resorted to borrowing to settle pending commitments and slipped into N500 million in debt.
He admitted that he is financially reckless and generous, impacting his financial stability negatively.
In lengthy post shared via his X handle yesterday, Mr Macaroni wrote, “Sometime around 2020/2022, I was a victim of a scam and simultaneously a failed investment that cost me all I had saved at the time. It shook me deeply but I told no one about it. If you know me well enough, you would know I do not like to share my problems. I could be going through the worst and at the same time helping others solve their own problems but I just would never share mine.”
“After I lost all the money I had then, Trouble started when I had to borrow money from different sources to settle all pending commitments and also fulfill certain responsibilities I have always believed were mine to fulfill. I make money in millions so I never thought borrowing money to pay back with interest could ever be a problem. But I got too comfortable and it took me a long time to realise that I was using the money I was earning to pay back interests. Also, my financial recklessness did not help. Please don’t borrow money! But if you must, please be responsible.”
The actor stated that 2024 marked a pivotal moment in his acting career but it was also the most challenging year for him as he faced over half a billion naira in debt.
Mr Macaroni revealed that his frustration grew worse after he was betrayed by someone he considered “a friend and sister.”
He added that with the support of family and friends who stood by him during his trying times, he now “feels better than I have felt in the last three years!”
The comedian stated that he decided to finally share his story to encourage others who are going through challenges.