Showbiz
Onimama Fausiya, Leye Williams Clinch 2017 Ariya Repete
By Dipo Olowookere
Onimama Fausiya and Leye Williams have both emerged overall winners of the 2017 edition of Ariya Repete, the Yoruba cultural music talent hunt, at the grand finale event which held at Trans Amusement Park, Ibadan on Friday, July 21, 2017.
Fausiya, a budding female Fuji musician from Ilorin, Kwara State clinched the overall prize of One Million Naira plus a recording deal in the Fuji category, while Leye Williams, a talented Juju artiste from Osun State clinched the same prize of One Million Naira with a recording deal in the Juju category.
An elated Fausiya, who is the first female artiste to clinch the Aare 1 of Fuji music under Ariya Repete platform, could not hide her excitement when announced the winner as she responded to the hearty cheers of the crowd who was astonished by her breath-taking performance.
She revealed that her belief in herself due to the inspiration she got from her dad who is also a Fuji musician led her to choose music as both her passion and career. “I always watched my dad during rehearsals with his musical band while I was growing up, and it instilled the level of confidence and inspiration that has helped me in my own musical sojourn,” she said.
“Words cannot express my feelings at the moment but I know that Ariya Repete has changed my life for the better. I will never forget this day,” she further said.
Leye Williams, who was crowned the Aare 1 of Juju music that same night also made history by being the first Juju artiste to be crowned under the cultural music talent hunt platform. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Goldberg and Nigerian Breweries for making the cultural contest an expanded music platform that also identifies with aspiring Juju artistes in Nigeria.
“I have not seen any other cultural music contest like Ariya Repete in the Southwest. My story and victory is a testimony that Juju music is alive again and will be revived fully amongst the youths who aspire to promote our Juju musical heritage, courtesy of Goldberg,” he said.
Azeez Ajani and Wasiu Onilewura emerged first and second runners up in the Fuji category and carted away Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira and Five Hundred Thousand Naira respectively, while Adeniyi Temitope and Yomi Bright emerged first and second runners up in the Juju category and also went home with Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira and Five Hundred Thousand Naira each.
Other contestants in both Fuji and Juju category who made it to the final this year received consolation prizes of One Hundred Thousand Naira each.
Franco Maria Maggi, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc congratulated the winners and implored them to be good ambassadors of the platform, Ariya Repete, which has brought them to the limelight. “Congratulating you will not be enough, but I must enjoin you to be good ambassadors of this platform that seeks to discover and promote indigenous Yoruba music genres that has made you the newest Fuji and Juju superstars in Nigeria,” he said.
He challenged the other contestants to keep alive their dreams saying that they are all winners and must remain good ambassadors that should represent their musical passions in a positive light.
Fuji legend, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM1) used the occasion to acknowledge the success of Ariya Repete in its maiden edition saying that Nigerian Breweries has proved her capability of growing an entire music industry in Nigeria.
“To those of you that bring Fuji and Juju music back to reckoning, the industry thanks you. I hereby use Ariya Repete platform to commend Nigerian Breweries for their immense support to boost the industry that will preserve the cultural heritage of our people,” he affirmed.
It was a night filled with spectacle and musical excitement as the contestants and legendary artistes kept the audience excited by their magical performances.
Legendary Juju icon, King Sunny Ade, Pasuma Wonder, Taye Currency and pop star, Adekunle Gold all created an exhilarated euphoria that kept the crowd glued to their positions for over seven hours of undiluted entertainment that spiced up the night and lit up the city of Ibadan.
With Ariya Repete, Goldberg continues to bring to its consumers the best of Fuji and Juju music, two indigenous Yoruba music genres, aimed at promoting the culture of the people of South Western Nigeria, in line with the brand’s 3-point agenda of culture, respect and enjoyment.
The first official voting of Big Brother Naija Season 11 is here, and fans have the power to decide who stays in the House and who leaves the competition.
After a week of getting to know the housemates, watching alliances form and seeing personalities emerge, this is where fans move from watching the game to influencing it. If you’ve been thinking about voting, here are five reasons why now is the time.
1. This Is the Season’s First Real Eviction
First evictions are always significant. They set the tone for the weeks ahead, reshape the House and often change the direction of the game. Viewers hold the power to change the trajectory of the game as they influence who continues their BBN journey and who the first set of housemates to leave are.
2. It’s Too Early to Lose Someone You Enjoy Watching
You may not have settled on a favourite housemate yet, and that’s perfectly normal. It’s only the first eviction. But if there’s someone you’ve enjoyed watching over the past week, this is your chance to help keep them in the House. Waiting until you’ve picked a favourite could mean losing a housemate you wish had stayed a little longer.
3. Every Vote Shapes the Competition
Who stays and who leaves affects everything from alliances and rivalries to tasks and strategies. The decisions viewers make this week will have an impact on how the game unfolds in the coming weeks.
4. Online Buzz Doesn’t Keep Housemates in the House
A housemate may trend all week, but that doesn’t automatically translate into safety. At the end of the day, it’s the votes that determine who survives eviction.
5. Don’t Leave It to Someone Else
It’s easy to assume other fans will do the voting, but every vote contributes to the final result. If there’s a housemate you’d like to see remain in the competition, this is your opportunity to back them.
Here’s How to Vote
Voting is available through the MyDStv app and MyGOtv app, as well as the Africa Magic voting website.
To vote:
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Register or log in using your mobile number and password.
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Select your favourite housemate.
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Choose the number of votes you’d like to cast.
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Submit your votes before the voting window closes.
Looking to boost your voting power? You can also earn bonus votes by playing games and completing quizzes on the MyDStv app and MyGOtv app.
The voting window for the first eviction is now open and closes on Thursday at 10:00 p.m. If there’s a housemate you’d like to see in the House for another week, be sure to cast your votes before the deadline.
Catch all the drama live and 24/7 on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 49. BBNaija season 11 is also available to watch on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream. For updates and exclusive news, visit www.africamagic.dstv.com/
After days of anticipation, Flora and Aikou have been confirmed as this season’s Gambits after receiving the highest number of votes from viewers. This was revealed during Sunday’s live show, where host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu announced the pair as the viewers’ choices.
Introduced as a brand-new twist for Season 11, The Gambit guarantees two selected housemates a place in the House until the final day. Although they will participate in tasks and House activities throughout the season, they will not be eligible to compete for the grand prize.
Sunday’s live show also marked the end of the Ladies-versus-Gentlemen format that defined the opening weeks of the competition. With the teams officially dissolved, the housemates will now compete as individuals.
Biggie also unveiled this week’s wager task, Game On, challenging the housemates to define the identity of Season 11. Through a creative presentation incorporating elements such as a logo, slogan, song, artwork and props, the housemates have been tasked with capturing what they believe this edition of Big Brother Naija should stand for and how they want it to be remembered.
The excitement continues today with the second Head of House Challenge at 2:00 p.m., where housemates will once again battle for power in the House. This will be followed by this week’s nomination show at 7:00 p.m., when viewers will find out who will become the first set of housemates to face possible eviction.
With Flora and Aikou’s fate in the House secured till the last day and the housemates now playing as individuals, the stakes have never been higher as the battle for the grand prize gathers momentum.
Viewers can enjoy the 24/7 BBNaija Season 11 experience on DStv and GOtv, or stream every episode live on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream.
For more updates, visit Africa Magic’s Big Brother Naija page and follow #BBNaija on X (@bbnaija), Instagram (@bigbronaija) and Facebook (Big Brother Naija).
By Adedapo Adesanya
Former P-Square manager, Mr Jude Okoye, has dismissed fresh allegations by his younger brother, Peter Okoye, professionally known as Mr P, insisting he never diverted the group’s earnings.
His response comes after Mr P claimed that the proposed sale of the defunct group’s multi-billion Naira music catalogue collapsed due to financial irregularities, including disputes over royalty payments, backend records and access to the group’s digital assets.
The music executive described the allegations as “blatant lies” and “manipulative tactics,” arguing that the issues raised by Mr P had already been investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and are currently before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
“So, what is he doing, coming out again now, if not to spill emotional blackmail, manipulate, and make me look like a bad person by dragging Paul into this?” he said.
Responding to allegations that he diverted royalty payments, Mr Okoye said the disputed funds were distributed based on instructions contained in a June 1, 2016, email from Arrow Kings and IROKO.
According to him, the correspondence directed that Mr P receive $12,891, while $25,782 meant for Jude and Paul be paid into the Nosa Entertainment account.
He argued that Mr P presented only part of the transaction publicly, creating the impression that he and Paul had appropriated funds belonging to the entire group.
Jude also rejected claims that his younger brother was excluded from the group’s bank accounts.
Displaying what he said were account mandate documents from FCMB, he maintained that Peter, Paul and himself were all authorised signatories to P-Square’s accounts, disputing claims made by Peter.
He further claimed the matter was addressed during court proceedings, where Peter allegedly acknowledged being a signatory after documentary evidence was presented.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the proposed catalogue sale, Jude denied withholding backend records or streaming data from potential investors.
He said Peter requested royalty statements and catalogue documents on October 16, 2022, after which he immediately contacted Lex Records.
According to him, the financial statements were forwarded the same day, while the backend logs were received six days later and sent to Peter without delay.
He therefore dismissed claims that it took more than three months to provide the documents, describing the allegation as false.
Jude maintained that the disputed royalty payments, email correspondence and supporting documents had already been reviewed during the EFCC investigation.
He claimed Peter and his legal representatives were shown the records during the probe and raised no objections at the time.
Accusing his younger brother of attempting to retry the matter on social media while the case remains before the court, Jude said the videos were intended to manipulate public opinion and drag Paul Okoye into the dispute.
Jude said he would leave the issues to be determined by the court, adding that Peter had failed to attend some recent court sittings, resulting in the matter being adjourned until September. He also claimed his bank accounts, passport and travel documents remain restricted because of the ongoing proceedings.
“If I’m found guilty, if they prove I took even one Kobo that wasn’t mine, let them send me to jail. I’m ready for that,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, Peter had not publicly responded to Jude’s latest claims. The criminal proceedings remain pending before the Federal High Court in Lagos, where Jude has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
