Entertainment
Top Nigerian Entertainers Count Losses As COVID -19 Rages
Top Nigerian Entertainers are counting their noses as the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt activities lined up for the first quarter of the year as the industry continues to record low revenue.
From music to movie and comedy, the entire entertainment sector is quietly accepting their fate with the raging coronavirus. Already Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial centre and the base of entertainment has been on lockdown for two weeks. The lockdown is to enable government and health agencies to battle the spread of the raging virus.
Award winning singer, D’Banj took to his twitter handle to express his concerns over the effect of coronavirus on the music industry. According to him, he is worried about the creative industry and the huge blow the spread of the virus has dealt it.
“I’m a bit concerned about how the creative industry is going to cover up the losses brought up by the lack of shows and physical performance: “I love the challenges circulating in the internet, it reminds us who we are, what we are, what we have and what we can do, with this whole pandemic going on”, he said.
D’banj’s reactions is coming weeks after Afro Pop Star, Davido was forced to cancel his North American Music Tour, “A Good Time Tour”. I am saddened to halt what has been a fantastic sold out tour so far, but postponing it is the right thing to do”, he announced via instagram.
Following the cancellation of the tour, the singer had lamented that COVID-19 is biting hard at his fortunes and he is beginning to spend funds meant for savings. The singer who seems to be the most affected had his fiancée Chioma testing positive for the virus.
Also, Afrobeat Star Femi Kuti announced the cancellation of his European spring tour. According to him, the cancellation was due to the global pandemic . “Due to the prevailing circumstances, our spring European tour has been called off, our thoughts are with every one, stay safe” he announced.
Kuti had not only cancelled his European tour, but also stopped weekly musical gigs at the new Africa shrine.
“The management of the new Africa Shrine has decided to cancel all musical activities this weekend as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19. We will continue to monitor the situation”, he said.
Over 10 Nollywood flicks scheduled for release in April 2020 have been suspended due to the raging pandemic. Toyin Abraham whose film, “Fate of Alakada” scheduled for an April release expressed sadness, but maintained that the safety of the general public and fans remains paramount to her.
Meanwhile, the box office numbers from Cumscore and published by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria has witnessed a major decline following the lockdown which has prevented cinema outfits from operating in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja. The numbers had drastically declined films currently in cinemas which are no longer enjoying viewership from the audience.
One of the biggest comedy shows in the country ‘AY Live’ scheduled for Easter Sunday, April 12, was suspended. The man at the helm of affairs Ayo Makun popularly known as AY said the decision to postpone AY Live is inevitable as we strive to do our quota by stopping the spread of COVID-19 by encouraging social distancing.
Similarly, popular comedian, ‘190 die’ has cancelled his upcoming show aimed at celebrating his 25th anniversary on stage, while Gbenga Adeyinka first cancelled his 10th edition of Laffmattazz show in Ibadan to curb the spread of the virus.
“In the same vein ID Africa, organizers of the Nigeria Entertainment Conference (NECLIVE) announced the postponement of the 8th edition of the annual conference originally scheduled to hold in April,” ID Africa said.
“The recent outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID -19) is challenging the world including Nigeria with several new cases detected over the past weeks.
“As a responsible organsation we believe this decision is in the best interest of every one, we are thankful to our partners, sponsores, exhibitors and media friends who through the years make necessary preparations to support NECLive in various ways.
“For now the NECLive organizing committee will continue to monitor national and global developments on COVID -19 and work on our plans remotely, whilst reducing or completely avoiding all non essential physical meetings or gatherings. A new date for the conference Teni be announced in due time”.
Other entertainers who have been forced to cancel their events include: Wizkid, Teni, Asa, Seun Kuti, Neophlames amongst others.
Spotify yesterday revealed a significant surge in heartbreak song streams in Nigeria during the Valentine’s Day season, with a 626 percent increase between 2022 and 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos, Nigeria by Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa Phiona Okumu.
Okumu said, “Spotify data reveals a surprising trend, a massive surge in heartbreak song streams.
“Nigerians are turning to their playlists to express their emotions, with a staggering 626 per cent overall growth in heartbreak streams from 2022 to 2024.
“This Valentine, the sound of love is accompanied by the sound of heartbreak, and the data shows it’s louder than ever before.”
She said on Valentine’s Day, most surprisingly, male listeners streamed heartbreak songs at a significantly higher rate than female listeners, with a 362 per cent increase compared to 169 per cent among women.
“This could suggest that men resonate with the feeling of heartbreak more and turn to music as a private outlet for processing emotions.
“Whatever the reason, one thing is clear, when love is in the air, so is heartbreak and Nigerian men are pressing play on their pain more than expected.
“While Valentine’s Day is often celebrated with grand gestures, heartbreak is a common theme on Valentine’s Day -more than what’s publicly shown,” she said.
Nigerians will join their counterparts across the world to mark the 2025 Valentine’s today.
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has joined MLS side San Diego FC’s ownership group as a club partner.
SDFC announced today that Tems joined the ownership group through her company, The Leading Vibe.
In the process, Tems became the first African woman to be involved in MLS ownership.
“We are delighted that Tems has joined San Diego FC as a club partner,” SDFC chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour said in a statement.
“Tems is a globally significant artist who will help us reach new audiences and spread the word about our unique project, which, of course, has its foundations in sub-Saharan Africa through the unique Right to Dream organisation.”
Reacting to her addition as the latest partner in SDFC’s ownership group, the singer said: “I am thrilled to join San Diego FC’s ownership group and to be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture, and the power of community.
“Football has a unique way of bringing people together, and I am excited to help build something special in San Diego, a city that thrives on diversity and innovation.”
Fashion and beauty entrepreneur, Toyin Lawani, has claimed she is enduring back pain and that her spine is degenerating.
Lawani revealed this in a video posted on social media last Tuesday.
In the clip, she opened up about her experience with epidural anesthesia, an injection administered to pregnant women in the spine to reduce pain during childbirth.
The mother of three claimed that since receiving the injection, she has not felt like herself.
She accused doctors of not fully informing women about the long-term side effects of epidurals.
According to Lawani, she received the anesthetic injection during the birth of her last two children.
She said, “When you hear ‘epidural,’ run. Doctors tell you about the side effects but do not tell you about the long-term effects on your body. I have about three friends having the same issues that I am having.
“Like, I am just 42, how did I end up with spine issues? I have a degenerating spine. I have implants in my spine. I go paralyzed. I can’t stand for a long time. I can’t even breathe properly sometimes because it affected so many things in my body when I had the surgery.
“They will not tell you because you just want the pain to go away. I have had two epidurals. I had my first as natural birth. The last two were epidural. The last one I had epidural because I had to undergo a surgery and I had no choice.
“See, the pain does not stop. My back is killing me and my spine is degenerating.”