Entertainment
Ex-PMAN President, Bolaji Rosiji Dies At 56
Mr Bolaji Rosiji died in Lagos last Sunday after a brief illness The former President of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Bolaji Rosiji, died at the age of 56 years.
A veteran Nigerian musician, Oritz Wiliki, confirmed Mr Rosiji’s death in a telephone interview with Premium Times on Tuesday.
Mr Wiliki, who worked closely with the deceased when he was the PMAN President, expressed shock and sadness over his friend’s death.
He said: ‘It’s so sad that people who have worked so hard do not end up getting their wages, especially in our entertainment industry. May his soul rest in peace’’.
The Public Relations Officer of Gaurapad Charities, Olayemi Esan, would later confirm Mr Rosiji’s death in a statement.
The statement read: “With utmost sorrow, we announce the sad demise of our CEO, Mr Bolaji Rosiji, who died in Lagos, Sunday, December, 5,2021 after a brief illness.
“Until his death, Rosiji was the founder of Gaurapad Charities, founded in 2004, ex-PMAN president and the former secretary-general of the Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO),”
Esan disclosed that the late entertainer and former monk died in Lagos on Sunday, December 5, 2021, after a brief illness.
Esan stated that Rosiji’s tireless efforts to make Gaurapad Company progress by leaps and bounds, as well as his attitude, guidance and effort were worthy of applause.
Rosiji’s regime identified the need to help youngsters become performing musicians and as such, he spearheaded the establishment of PMAN-owned music studios all over the country. He also fought piracy and negative lyrics and having done that turned his mind to a way of touching their lives and this led to the birth of Gaurapad Charities.
He made news headlines when he publicly resigned from his post and denounced his Harishkrishna monkhood on February 3, 2006, at his Apapa GRA residence in Lagos. A solo artiste and philanthropist, Rosiji was also famous for his single, ‘Heart of Gold’ released in 2010, which was inspired by the Micheal Jackson classic, ‘We are the World’’.
He is survived by his wife.
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.’
