To say that the death of a singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, on September 12, 2023, shocked many would be an understatement.
His death, in controversial circumstances, was practically a nationwide issues, as many people took to the streets and social media to call for justice.
He was formerly signed to Marlian Records, which is owned by a controversial singer, Naira Marley, but left in 2022.
His death sparked many protests, and the police set up a special team to investigate the circumstances of his demise.
During the course of the investigation, Naira Marley, Sam Larry (who was seen in videos constantly harassing the deceased), the nurse who treated him, Prime Boy (the friend he fought with), among others were arrested by the cops.
Eventually, it was stated that the 27-year-old singer allegedly died after he was treated for an infection arising from a wound he sustained some days prior during a fight with his friend.
The ‘KPK’ singer was married to Omawunmi and their union is blessed with a son.
Another singer, Oladipupo Oladimeji, aka Oladips, was alleged to have passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. A now deleted post on Instagram by his management read in part, “We are saddened to inform the general public that Oladipupo Olabode Oladimeji, aka Oladips, has passed away on November 14 We are still in shock as we speak. For over two years, he has kept (sic) his battles within himself…”
However, the singer later surfaced online, claiming that he was actually very ill, and some rituals had to be conducted before he was ‘brought back to life.
A popular singer, Ayodeji Balogun, aka Wizkid, lost his mother, Jane, to the cold hands of death on Friday, August 18, 2023.
Known to be close to his mum and having recorded songs in her honour, her demise undoubtedly had a profound impact on him, as he stated that it was one of the toughest times of his life.
The news of her death was greeted by an outpour of well wishes from the singer’s colleagues, fans, government officials and corporate titans.
The singer and his family also spared no expense in giving her a befitting funeral. Which lasted for three days burial ceremony, which included a wake and tribute service, church service and a reception.
A popular singer, David Adeleke, aka Davido, was also in the news for several reasons in the course of the year.
In March, the singer released his first album titled, ‘Timeless’, since the unfortunate demise of his son, Ifeanyi, in October, 2022.
The singer also reportedly got married to Chioma, who was Ifeanyi’s mother. Many were overjoyed when it was reported that the couple had welcomed twins (a boy and girl) on Tuesday, October 10, in Atlanta, United States of America.
Pictures and videos of the couple leaving a hospital had gone viral online on Friday, October 13, 2023. But, Davido later took to social media to knock a music producer, Samklef, who was one of the people who shared the picture online. Davido was miffed that the pictures and videos of his newborns were shared without his consent.
Shortly before that, two ladies— Anita Brown (an American) and Ivana Bay (French)— alleged that the singer put them in the family way, and asked them to get abortions.
One of them, Anita, was so ferocious in her criticism of the singer as she kept posting certain information online to denigrate him.
While speaking at an event on Saturday, October 14, 2023, he revealed how he felt when he realised that Chioma had taken in. He said, “When my wife and I found out, we were shaking. And, it was in the same month my son passed. My son passed away last year in October, and my wife gave birth this year in October.”
‘Timeless’ was also one of the biggest albums of the year. Six hours after its release, it garnered one million streams on Boomplay. It also peaked at number one on Nigeria’s Top Albums Chart, UK’s Top Albums Chart; as well as in 17 other countries on Apple Music.
A veteran actor, John Okafor, aka Mr Ibu, was in the news after he cried out to Nigerians for financial assistance and prayers over his deteriorating health. He had cried out that one of his legs would be amputated if he did not get help on time.
His emotional appeal touched many, as several people all over the world contributed money towards his treatment.
However, one of his legs was eventually amputated to allegedly save his life.
But, his family members got mired in controversy for fighting over how the money that had been donated should be spent. His adopted daughter, Jasmine, claimed that the actor’s wife, Stella Maris, wanted to use the money to buy a new Iphone and undergo cosmetic surgery.
However, Stella Maris, maintained that she was only calling for transparency over the way the money was managed.
In the course of the controversy, it was alleged that Mr Ibu had sexual relations with Jasmine.
In his struggle to get better health wise, his leg had to be amputated and the first video of himself after amputation was on the net on November 16, 2023 via his daughter, Jasmine’s Instagram page.
A controversial artiste, Seun Kuti, went viral when a video of him assaulting a police officer on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos State, surfaced on the Internet.
The singer, who is a son of the late afrobeat creator, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, was later arrested on Monday, May 15, 2023, and detained at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, popularly known as Panti, in Lagos.
In his defense, Kuti stated that the policeman made an attempt on his life and that of his family, who were in the vehicle with him.
The singer was later granted bail on May 16, 2023, but was not released until May 23, 2023.
Actor, Bolanle Ninalowo, aka Nino B, got many sad when he announced his separation from his wife, Bunmi, on September 1, 2023, on social media.
Prior to the collapse of the union, the couple had won the admiration of many for their constant display of affection as the actor never hesitated to flaunt his wife and kids (a daughter— Aliyah, 17; and son— Morakinyo, 15), especially on social media.
Three months after his separation from his wife, he and a colleague, Damilola Adegbite, got tongues wagging as different videos of them together holding hands surfaced on the Internet.
A popular chef, Hilda Bassey, known as Hilda Baci, courted national attention when she broke the Guinness World Record for the ‘longest cooking marathon by an individual’. She had begun the cook-a-thon on Thursday, May 11, and ended it on Monday, May 15, cooking over 100 delicacies.
Her feat was later confirmed by Guinness World Records on June 13, on social media. It was that she broke the record by cooking for 93 hours and 11 minutes. Some hours were shaved off her attempt, because she allegedly took some breaks that were longer than permitted.
Meanwhile, her feat spurred many others to attempt to break her record, with the most popular being Damilola Adeparusi. She was said to have cooked for 120 hours. However, Chef Dami’s record was not certified by the Guinness World Records.
