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The wife of Prince Harry, Meghan Markle has written the Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, HIM Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, for his hospitality and warm reception during their 3-day working visit to Nigeria last month.
The correspondence further acknowledged the Yoruba name "Adetokunbo" given to her by His Majesty during their sojourn in Nigeria.
It could be recalled that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, visited Nigeria last month. And Oluwo was invited as the only Yoruba Oba to give him a royal reception at Delborough Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos. Therein, Oba Akanbi bestwoed on him a Yoruba name, presented gifts of Ofi and Royal beads
Her personal correspondence sent to Oluwo reads " Thank you for your warm welcome to Nigeria. I'm deeply humbled by your blessing of the traditional Yoruba name, Adetokunbo. I treasure the name and appreciate your trust in me to carry it with grace and dignity"
"Our visit to Nigeria was important for many reasons, but not least because it gave us an opportunity to explore and understand my heritage, which extends to our children. We look forward to coming back home one day soon"
The recent news of South Korean billionaire Chey Tae-won’s divorce settlement, totaling $1 billion, has caused a stir online.
PUNCH Online reports that Chey, chairman of the SK Group conglomerate, has been ordered to pay his ex-wife a divorce settlement of 1.38 trillion won (approximately $1bn), marking the largest divorce settlement in South Korean history.
Nigerians reacted in shock, with many commenting that marriage now appears to be a business arrangement rather than a romantic commitment.
However this is far from the largest divorce settlement in history.
In this report, PUNCH highlights some of the most expensive divorce cases.
- Jeff Bezos and Mackenzie Scott
In 2019, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the world’s wealthiest individual with a net worth of $197 billion, ended his 26-year marriage to MacKenzie Scott, finalising their divorce with a settlement of $38 billion.
- Bill Gates and Melinda Gates
The divorce settlement between Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates remained private, with no public disclosure of financial details. While the couple’s combined net worth was estimated at $130 billion, it is reported that Melinda French Gates received over $6 billion in stock shares, but the exact asset division remains undisclosed.
- Alec and Jocelyn Wildenstein
In 1999, French-American businessman and art dealer Alec Wildenstein ended his 21-year marriage to Jocelyn Wildenstein, resulting in a divorce settlement worth $3.8 billion, with Jocelyn receiving an initial $2.5 billion and an additional $100 million annually for 13 years.
- Rupert Murdoch and Anna Torv Mann
Rupert Murdoch and Anna Torv Mann, married for over three decades and parents of three, separated in 1999. Their divorce settlement was valued between $1.2 and $1.7 billion, equivalent to approximately $40-56 million per year of marriage.
- Bernie Ecclestone and Slavica Radic
Bernie Ecclestone, former chief executive of Formula One group, ended his 25-year marriage to model Slavica Radic in 2009, with a reported divorce settlement of $1.2 billion.
- Steve and Elaine Wynn
Steve and Elaine Wynn, Las Vegas casino moguls, had two marriages spanning 1963-1986 and 1991-2010. Their second divorce in 2010 resulted in a settlement worth $1 billion to Elaine, including $741 million in Wynn Resorts stock, the company they co-founded.
- Harold Hamm and Sue Ann Arnall
In 2014, oil tycoon Harold Hamm finalised his divorce from Sue Ann Arnall, paying her $974.8 million in a single settlement payment.
- Adnan and Soraya Khashoggi
According to Forbes, the late Saudi billionaire Adnan Khashoggi paid his ex-wife Soraya Khashoggi a divorce settlement of $874 million in 1982, equivalent to $42 million per year of their 21-year marriage, in an out-of-court agreement.
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum & Princess Haya bint al-Hussein
In December 2021, the Dubai ruler was court-ordered to pay a $728 million to his ex-wife, Princess Haya, ending a prolonged divorce battle marked by allegations of infidelity and threats. The settlement will cover Princess Haya’s lifelong security expenses and ongoing costs for their two children, Al Jalila and Sheikh Zayed, according to CNN.
- Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren finalised their divorce in August 2010, after five years of marriage, with Elin receiving a reported $100 million settlement, equivalent to $20 million per year of marriage.
- Stephen Spielberg and Amy Irving
Film director Steven Spielberg’s 1989 divorce from Amy Irving, his wife of four years, resulted in a settlement worth $100 million, equivalent to half his wealth at the time, or $25 million per year of marriage.
- Paul McCartney and Heather Mills
Paul McCartney’s ex-wife, Heather Mills, received a divorce settlement of $50 million, translating to $12.5 million per year for their four-year marriage.
- Harrison Ford and Melissa Mathison
The Indiana Jones actor Harrison Ford’s 1994 divorce from Melissa Mathison, his wife of 18 years and mother of two of his children, resulted in a settlement of $90 million, equivalent to $5 million per year of marriage.
- Michael Douglas and Diandra Douglas
Two-time Academy Award winner Michael Douglas’s 23-year marriage to Diandra Douglas ended in a divorce settlement of $45 million, which translates to approximately $2 million per year of their marriage.
- Madonna and Guy Ritchie
Madonna’s divorce from film director Guy Ritchie in 2008 reportedly resulted in a settlement of $76 – $92 million, paid to the British film director and her ex-husband of eight years. The specifics of their agreement remain private, so the exact reasons for the payment amount aren’t publicly disclosed.
![[PHOTOS] Suspended Police Chief, Abba Kyari Reunites With Family After Release From Prison](/media/k2/items/cache/62217eaecd5cc998ded79d66f9d9787a_M.jpg)
Suspended police chief, Abba Kyari, received a warm welcome from his family members after being released from detention.
Photos that emerged online captured Kyari in the company of his family members, with a design on the wall that reads, “Welcome back.”
See the photos below:
Top Nigerian celebrities have condoled with award-winning Nollywood actor, Wale Ojo over the demise of his mother.
This comes after Mr Ojo, via his verified Instagram page on Saturday announced the demise of his mother with a photo of himself and mother, saying his world had crashed.
Expressing his grief, the British Nigerian star said he would miss his mother terribly.
“My world has crashed all around me. Mama is gone. Goodnight Mum. I will miss you terribly, terribly,” he wrote.
Reacting, celebrities stormed the comment section of the post to console with award winning actor.
Actor Chidi Mokeme wrote: “My condolences brother. So sorry to hear this. May mama’s soul rest in perfect peace.”
Actor, a_yinna wrote: ”My condolences to you and the family.”
Ace Nollywood actor, Kingsley Ogbonna, aka Dauda, who took comedy to another level, has revealed why he dumped law to transition into skit- making.
Following his unexpected exit from the entertainment industry, Dauda delved into politics, serving as a Special Adviser to former Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, before embarking on academic journey to study law.
Now, he has rekindled his love for acting, this time dedicating himself to content creation, particularly skit-making.
Speaking with The NATION in an interview, Dauda shared insights into his decision to relinquish the legal profession, along with addressing other relevant topics.
Responding to questions about his absence from the spotlight since leaving government, Dauda clarified whether he had forsaken acting for a career in law.
He said, “The truth of the matter is that law is a good profession. It was to add to my profile but you also know that my first love is the entertainment industry with a bias for Nollywood and comedy if you like.
“With what is happening in the industry now, Law is good but it is usually very hard for you to start practicing when you are 50 and above as a new wig. The least is 10 years before finding your bearing.
“The best thing is to go back to what you know how to do best, what the world knows you for, which is entertainment, and going by the trend of events as the industry has left the normal Nollywood television.
“Though those come sparingly, the real thing now is the skit, the online entertainment. I am talking about content creation and people will like it. My first course was marketing. There is this definition of marketing, it is a management process responsible for identifying, satisfying, and anticipating consumer wants efficiently and profitably.
“That profit is very important. Whatever thing you are doing and it is not profiting, leave it. I’m not saying that Law won’t profit, but I am looking at the age bracket and what the Nigerian legal system is all about right now.
“I am not seeing Law as something I will rely on, I will keep the wig and gown aside. It wasn’t easy after 7, 8 years, going to Law School, and coming out, but I liked it. It has exposed me to many things. It has opened my eyes. I see myself as educated, learned.
“I can handle any organisation anywhere. I can fit into any organization. I know how to make money right now. I know what company, establishment means through Corporate Law I learnt in school. I can fit in anywhere.
“But that is not the thing. The thing is that whatever thing you do at this age, it must be profitable because you have kids growing. They are all in school and you want to achieve a lot before you get to a particular point in life where you will not be able to do anything again.”
Dauda emphasized that at 50 years old, having just completed law school last year, he felt the weight of responsibilities at home, including caring for his parents and younger siblings.
He expressed the belief that law was more suited for individuals with established profiles, and at his age, he preferred to focus on entertainment, particularly content creation, which he had already begun.
When asked about his return to entertainment and whether it was due to the favorable social media landscape for content creation rather than passion, Dauda remarked, “I am very blunt when I say this. What people like to paint, I don’t paint it.
“The Igbo man says, ‘I am not dancing now to be seen but to get something from it.’ If it is being popular or being a celebrity, we have tasted that, we have tasted stardom. We are talking about the end result, we need to make money.
“Yes, it is a passion but the passion that is not yielding anything is useless. Do I need to die because it is a passion? And I can tell you that, that is what ridiculed a good number of people in this industry.
“Those who said they are directors, scriptwriters, especially the directors, have the passion to do this job without looking at the business side of it. This is showbiz. I don show finish, na business I want do now.
“A lot of people are falling by the roadside. Some are suffering, some do not even have accommodation right now. I don’t want to mention names.
“Those who started in the 90s, into 2000 actors, and directors who so much love this business and would want to get it right at all times have still not found their feet because of the influx of the Idumota unto Alaba people who saw it as business and not what you are doing that you love. They are talking about doing it and making money and they are making money. That is the business in it.”
Dauda emphasized his lifelong passion for entertainment, which began in kindergarten, where he danced for his school and impressed the school proprietor, leading to his education being sponsored.
He also recalled his involvement in various entertainment activities, including dancing on NTA Channel 6 and serving as a junior choirmaster at a local church.
“The world knows me, but the problem we are talking about now is not only about knowing you but what you got out of it for tomorrow and legacy’s sake. I have a legacy in the entertainment business. I had love for it and I got into it.
“Thanks to the internet. When we started, the kind of money in entertainment now wasn’t there then. And I know I am funny. I now thought to myself, why not go into the internet world for the younger generations who perhaps don’t know me?” He added.
Dauda expressed his desire to return to the entertainment industry to establish a lasting legacy for the upcoming generation, acknowledging that there will come a time when he may no longer want to appear on television or engage in extensive comedy.
Drawing parallels with veteran comedian Ali Baba, he noted that legends evolve their craft over time, eventually stepping back to make way for younger talent.
Dauda anticipated a future where he too would retire from entertainment, possibly within the next decade.
NECO Registrar Blames Economic Hardship For Low Enrollment As Registration For 2024 Unity College Exam Drops
AFOLABI
…Bayelsa, Borno, Gombe Record Low Enrollment As 70,603 Candidates Compete For Admission Slots
…Sponsor Exams Of Students In Your Constituencies, Senate Committee Chairman Urges Lawmakers
A total of 70,603 candidates on Saturday, sat for the 2024 National Common Entrance Examination, NCEE, conducted by the National Examinations Council, into the 110 Unity Colleges nationwide.
Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while monitoring the exercise on Saturday, at Model Secondary School, Maitama and Government Day Secondary School, Wuse 2 Abuja.
He added that the examination was conducted in 599 centres across the country.
While giving a breakdown of candidates’ participation by gender, Wushishi said 33,335 males registered for the 2024 NCEE, while 37,268 females registered for the exercise totalling 70,603.
He lamented that the 2024 registration was lower than that of 2023 which had 34,064 males and 38,801 females, totalling 72,865.
Data released by the council showed that Lagos came top with the highest number of candidates, totalling 17,751, while FCT came second with 10,209 candidates and Anambra in third place with 4,972 candidates.
Bayelsa, Borno and Gombe had the least number of candidates participating in the exercise, after registering only 133, 138 and 174 candidates respectively.
The NECO boss attributed the low registration in 2024 to economic factors as the exam body had slightly raised the registration fee and parents, who are grappling the effect of the economy, were responsible for sponsoring candidates at this level.
“For the males and females, last year’s registration was higher than this year’s registration this could be attributed to so may factors; economic factor is the most prevalent factor that maybe could hinder this large registration,” he said.
Wushishi also refuted claims of NECO registering underage children for the National Common Entrance Examination, clarifying that students participating in the examination were either 10 years old or left with a month or two to be 10.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, who gave a general assessment of the conduct of the exercise, expressed satisfaction with what NECO has put in place to ensure a smooth and seamless exercise.
Walson-Jack disclosed that there were 55 centres writing the NCE in the FCT, stating that everything went on smoothly and students were placed in conducive examination halls to sit for the exercise.
Also speaking, the Chairman Senate Committee on Education, Basic and Secondary, Sen. Lawal Adamu, said he rolled out NECO and JAMB sponsorship in the state and contributed over N250 million for parents to be able to pay for NECO and JAMB examinations.
Adamu, who also called on National Assembly members to provide an educational foundation for every child in their constituencies, lauded NECO for the smooth conduct of the exercise.
The Comptroller General, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, has said that 107,646 produced passports remained uncollected nationwide.
The Service Public Relations Service (SPRO), Mr Kenneth Udo, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
The CG appealed to applicants whose passports have been produced to go for pick-up at the various Passports Issuing Centres across the country.
Nandap lamented that efforts being made at reaching out to the owners had proved abortive.
“Applicants are therefore strongly advised to always provide verifiable addresses and phone numbers when filling their online passport application forms for easy contact, “she said.
This, she said would enable officials attend to applicants coming for the collection of their produced passports only.
“Therefore, those concerned are hereby informed to take advantage of this opportunity.
“For further enquiries, complaints or feedbacks, the Service can be reached through the following channels:
“Twitter: @nigimmigration, Instagram: @nigimmigration, Official Website: http://www.immigration.gov.ng, Contact centre: 09121900655;09121556359;09121477092, “she said.
Nationwide blackouts will commence across Nigeria as electricity workers reveal they will be withdrawing their services from Sunday midnight for the organized labour’s indefinite strike slated for Monday.
The acting General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees, Dominic Igwebike, disclosed this in a notice on Friday.
The development comes in compliance with the indefinite strike action by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress over the failure of the federal government to sign and implement a new minimum wage and the reversal of the April 3, 240 percent electricity tariff hike.
“The withdrawal of services becomes effective Sunday 2nd June by midnight”, the notice stated.
DAILY POST reports that organized labor announced the commencement of the indefinite strike starting on Monday.
The federal government had offered N60,000 as a minimum wage but organized labor proposed N400,000.
Earlier, workers staged a walkout over the government’s N60,000 minimum wage proposal.
Nigerian workers are also using the strike to press home their demand for the immediate reversal of the electricity tariff to N65 kilowatt-hour from the current N208.80.
Nigerian activist, Aisha Yesufu has vowed that she will always sit down during the rendition of the re-introduced national anthem, ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’.
The socio-political activist has been in the news following a viral video that captured her sitting down while the national anthem was being recited at an event.
The video which is presently making the rounds, captured the co-convener of BringBackOurGirls, BBO crossing her legs during the recitation of the anthem.
In the video sighted by DAILY POST, most guests at the event were astonished by Aisha’s display.
In another viral video, Aisha explained why she may never acknowledge the new anthem.
Citing the economic and security crisis bedevilling the nation, she noted that there are better things that should have taken the attention of the National Assembly.
She said, “As far as I am concerned, there is no new and old national anthem, there is only one ‘Arise O Compatriot’ and that is what I know.
“If I am at any occasion I will stand up for the national anthem but if they start playing the ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’ I will sit down and operate my phone.
“For me, that is an obnoxious law, the National Assembly Assembly has things they should focus on. If they are not ashamed of themselves, we citizens of the country are ashamed on their behalf.
“That is not what they should be focused on. Right now, we have companies that are leaving Nigeria, we are losing a lot, our GDP is going down, and there is no security of lives and properties.
“In the midst of all these, adults who are supposed to sit down in one place, said they want to take Nigeria back, saying Nigeria we hail thee. We have a national anthem”.
Grammy-nominated Nigerian singer and songwriter, Ayra Starr, has opened up about her struggle with writer’s block and how it affected her.
The ‘Rush’ crooner said she couldn’t write songs for about six months until she received the demo of her song ’21’ off her new album, ‘The Year I Turned 21,’ from a friend as a birthday present which opened her mind. She said in a viral podcast interview:
“I got the demo of ’21’ from a friend as a birthday gift the day I turned 21,”
“I had told him that it has been so hard… I was having a writer’s block for six months. I couldn’t write about myself then he gave me the first version of the song in a demo as my birthday gift. Recording ’21’ was quite easy for me, I did it in one-take. I was even lying down with the mic in my hand.
“’21’ is special because it is what opened my mind to the rest of the album. With ’21’ I started to see myself again the way I wanted to see myself.”
Still on album releases, Award-winning Nigerian music star, Yemi Eberechi Alade, has opened up on why she named her forthcoming album ‘Rebel Queen’.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos on Friday, the ‘Johnny’ crooner said she is a true rebel in words and action, and the body of work is a combination of her thoughts, melodies and truck load of nostalgia.
Yemi Alade also noted that she made the album because she got tired of the “monotony in genre and style” of Afrobeats music.
The songstress further disclosed that the 16-track album theme encompasses feminity, liberation and consciousness in life.
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Nigerian media personality and actress, Moet Abebe, has said she is open to having sex on the first date.
According to her, she has done it before and has no regrets, because she has no shame regarding things like that.
The thespian disclosed this on the latest episode of the ‘Bahd And Boujee’ podcast, co-hosted by her and reality star Tolanibaj.
Tolanibaj asked: “Would you have sex on a first date?”
Moet replied: “Yes, why not? I have done it before. To be honest, I have no regrets. I don’t regret anything in my life. If I want you, I want you. And I’m also shameless.”
The actress also said she dislikes it when her friends suspect her of snatching their partners.
“I hate when women who are close to me think I want to take their man,” she said.
Tolanibaj inferred, “It’s because you are endowed. I can understand why they are insecure. Your backside is intimidating. But that is because they are also not sure of themselves.”
Award-winning Nigerian music star, Yemi Eberechi Alade, has opened up on why she named her forthcoming album ‘Rebel Queen’.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos on Friday, the ‘Johnny’ crooner said she is a true rebel in words and action, and the body of work is a combination of her thoughts, melodies and truck load of nostalgia.
Yemi Alade also noted that she made the album because she got tired of the “monotony in genre and style” of Afrobeats music. She said;
“I am a true rebel in words and in action. So many albums tend to have monotony in genre and style and it bores me easily most times.
This album is a blend of what my playlist consists of right now; the new and old pop music that cuts across generations and boundaries. I am generally known as someone who has always charted her own course and walked the path less travelled.
“Rebel Queen has something new, old and borrowed. I want to emphasise to you that every song is unique and a capsule of my thoughts and melodies and truck load of nostalgia.”
The songstress further disclosed that the 16-track album theme encompasses feminity, liberation and consciousness in life.
Yemi Alade said;
“It’s a 16 track album that takes you through sounds of Africa on different tempos and rhythms with features from a few of your favorite artistes from different parts of the world. The album covers feminity, style, dance, motivation, liberation and consciousness”.
‘Rebel Queen’ is Alade’s sixth studio album. Her other projects include ‘King of Queen’, ‘Mama Africa’, ‘Black Magic’, ‘Woman of Steel’ and ‘Empress’.
Prominent Nigerian singer, M.I Abaga, has made a surprising revelation about the 2023 general elections.
In a recent interview, M.I disclosed that he and fellow singer, Wizkid were approached with substantial monetary offers from political parties to influence their decisions during the election period.
M.I admitted that he received a payment from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to support their candidate in the presidential election.
However, Wizkid declined his own offer, opting to remain neutral in the political process.
M.I commended Wizkid, stating that his(Wizkid) decision reflected the sentiments of many Nigerians who were seeking change and tired of the status quo.
Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, the ace Nigerian musician, who is popularly known as D’banj has spoken out on the moral disparity between his generation of musicians and the present crop of musicians.
The ‘Koko Master’ noted that there is a huge difference between the moral compass of the times his generation of musicians held sway and now.
He disclosed that sometimes he calls his colleague 2Baba who was engulfed in scandals for having children out of wedlock years back, to jokingly chide him for not encouraging him to do the same.
D’banj noted that, unlike his generation where having a child out of wedlock could end one’s career, celebrities are now being celebrated for having children out of wedlock.
Speaking in an interview with The Beat FM, Lagos, the Koko Master said, “Our generation was so hard. If you had a child out of wedlock, your career could just end. But now everybody is just embracing it.
“I am angry. Sometimes I call 2Face to chide him for not encouraging me back then because it is something different when you now see them celebrating with their kids. They are in their 30s and their kids are teenagers.
“But I think it goes beyond people, it goes to your state of mind: Are you mentally and financially ready? You don’t have to have everything in the world, if you’re ready to embrace what is coming to you, I think that is the best.”