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Adeboye, Tiwa Savage, Obi Cubana, Other Celebrities Who Received Honorary Degrees In 2022

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2022 brought showers of national and international academic honours for Nigeria’s famous personalities.

From entertainers, to politicians, and religious heads, several public figures received honorary and actual degrees from national and international universities.

Here is a list of famous Nigerians who earned academic recognitions in 2022 as compiled by The PUNCH:

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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Inarguably one of the most academically decorated persons in Nigeria, Adichie opened the floor for the showers of honours this year after she earned her 16th honorary doctorate degree from the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium in April.

The renowned author also boasts of doctorate degrees from several reputable institutions including Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Edinburgh, Duke University, Georgetown University, and Johns Hopkins University.

Professor Helen Paul

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The comedy and acting powerhouse both shines on stage, and in her academic endeavours.

Paul, who bagged a doctorate degree in Theatre Arts from University of Lagos in 2019, revealed in May of this year that she was promoted to a professorship position at the Heart International University, USA, where she currently works.

READ ALSO: Sunday Igboho Bags Honorary Doctorate Degree In War Studies From US Varsity

The comedian and was also appointed as the Head of Department of Arts, Music and Entertainment at the varsity.

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The success was a family affair as Helen’s husband, Femi Bamisile, was also awarded a Doctorate degree in Law, by the same University.

Peter Okoye

Peter, one half of Nigerian music duo, Psquare, bagged an honorary doctorate from the Escae-Benin University, Benin Republic in June.

Announcing the news via his Instagram page, he wrote, “Dear Team P! It’s a great honor to be decorated by a distinguished educational institution, Who have recognized my contribution to Dance and Music as well as my support for the youth in the entertainment industry.”

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IK Ogbonna

Ikechukwu Mitchel Ogbonna was another Nigerian celebrity awarded an honorary degree in June 2022.

Institut Superieur De Technologies Et De Management, Togo, awarded Ogbonna a Doctorate (Honorary) Degree of Arts in leadership and Development.

Wole Soyinka

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Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, added another feather to his already colourful academic cap in 2022.

The prolific writer bagged an honorary degree from the reputable University of Cambridge, UK, in June.

One of the most prestigious honours in the world, the Cambridge varsity honorary degree is bestowed upon people “who have made outstanding achievements in their respective fields,” the varsity’s official site noted.

The Adeboyes

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The founder of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and his wife, Pastor Foluke, both bagged doctorate degrees this year.

READ ALSO: How I Became Professor In US Varsity — Helen Paul

In July, Pastor Foluke was conferred a honorary doctorate degree in Education by the Benson Idahosa University Edo.

Likewise, Pastor Adeboye himself received an honorary doctorate degree from the Oral Roberts University, USA in December.

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In total, Pastor Adeboye boasts of 8 honorary degrees from different universities in the world.

Tiwa Savage

Some call me Queen, but it’s Dr Tiwa Savage from now on,” an excited Tiwa said as she gave her acceptance speech during the University of Kent graduation ceremony which held in July.

While the mother-of-one had a rough 2021, 2022 was definitely her year of bouncing back, better and stronger.

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Coupled with multiple brand deals and hit features, the songstress bagged an honorary doctorate degree from her alma mater, the University of Kent, UK.

Dubbing her the “Queen of Afrobeats” the University hailed Savage for “her inspirational and international career in music.”

Mishael Maro

Nigerian film director and producer, Mishael Maro, was conferred an Honorary Fellowship of the James Currey Society at the African Studies Centre at the University of Oxford in July.

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Maro currently serves as an Academic Visitor at the African Studies Centre, University of Oxford, for the 2022-2023 Academic year

The Fellowship is named in honour of British publisher, James Currey and his contributions to African scholarship and literature.

Ireti Doyle

Wedding Party actress, Ireti Doyle was not left out in the 2022 academic honours galore.

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The veteran thespian was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by the Institut Superieur de Communication et de Gestion University in Benin Republic.

The actress confessed that while she had a “healthy expectation of receiving accolades” she did not envision an academic honour.

Bob Manuel Udokwu

Former Guinness Ultimate Search games master, Bob Manuel, was another Nigerian actor conferred an honorary doctorate degree by the Institut Superieur de Communication et de Gestion University in August.

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Ireti Doyle also broke the news and shared their pictures from the ceremony on her Instagram page.

Both veteran actors incidentally both featured in the movie, Living in Bondage, which clocked 30 years on the day they were both conferred the award.

Queen Silekunola Naomi Ogunwusi

Queen Silekunola, estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi was also decorated with academic honours this year.

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In September, the Queen was conferred an honorary doctorate by the Myles Leadership University, Benin Republic.

Rejoicing via her Instagram page, the prophetess wrote, “While you walk through this world, please work hard. The heat will come but the honours will soon follow.”

Kaffy

Popular dancer, Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau, also known as Kaffy, was also honoured with a doctorate degree from Myles Leadership University in September.

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The 2022 honour is her second, as she earlier bagged a doctorate degree from Escae Benin University, Benin Republic, in 2020.

Adesua Etomi-Wellington

The multi-award winning Nollywood actress not only bags awards for her performances on stage, she was also given a nod in the academic world this year.

In September, Wellington was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by her alma mater, the University of Wolverhampton.

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READ ALSO: Obi Cubana Gifts Former Classmates N40m

In a statement by the UK varsity, Etomi was lauded for her “phenomenal contribution to arts and culture”.

Obi Cubana

Nigerian businessman and socialite, Obinna Iyiegbu was among the several celebrities conferred with honorary degrees this year.

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The club owner bagged a honorary Doctor of Business Administration from the Enugu State University in November.

Celebrating the win, Cubana wrote on his Instagram page, “He wrote, “Ladies and Gentlemen. You may wish to address me henceforth as Dr. Obinna Iyiegbu Okpataozueora 1! (Dr. Of Business Administration).”

Sunday Igboho

In November, Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeymo alias Igboho was also conferred with academic honours.

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Igboho was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Triune Biblical University in Brooklyn, New York, the United States of America.

Governors

Governors of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Rivers State, Nyesom Wike; and Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, all received honorary doctorate degrees from Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo State in December.

The news was shared by the Governor of Lagos State, Sanwo-Olu, where he congratulated his colleagues for the achievement.
PUNCH

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Afrobeat Superstar, Wizkid, Sets Social Media On Fire After Slamming Davido, Don Jazzy

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Afrobeat music giant, Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, on Monday, set microblogging site, X.com, on fire when he took swipes at Davido and Mavin Records boss, Michael Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy.

As a result of the controversial tweet, Wizkid is now trending on X. He is number 4 on Nigeria’s X trends.

During exchanges with his followers, Wizkid dismissed the very successful music producer and label owner, Don Jazzy, as an ‘influencer’, and mocked Davido for his recently leaked viral video where he was seen on his knees crying and begging someone believed to be a female associate.

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The Jaiye Jaiye crooner who hardly tweets but has a penchant for posting controversial tweets set X on fire when he tweeted, “Every day I get things to say but my mouth no good”, at exactly 4:28 am on Monday, to which a fan who tweets as @demigadd responded, “Sha release song”, prompting Wizkid to respond with “Na by force.”

This singular tweet set the pace for an avalanche of conversations, resulting in Wizkid eventually taking a sarcastic swipe at Davido and Don Jazzy.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Finidi George Appointed New Super Eagles Head Coach

It was like the ‘On Top Your Matter’ hitmaker’s fans had been anticipating his tweet, the comment section came alive with a barrage of comments, retweets, likes and views.

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As of the time of this report, his first tweet (Every day I get things to say but my mouth no good), had garnered a whopping 3.5k comments, 8.8k retweets, 36k likes and 1.3m views, and also generated a series of conversations.

At 4:42 am, a fan who tweets as @iretomiwa03 asked if Wizkid could revert to when he used to be very active and interactive on X. The fan wrote, “Can you just go back to old Twitter wiz”, to which the ‘Holla at your Boy’ singer responded by saying “That’s a bully! Let’s leave him for now”.

When another fan who tweets as @patdafenet also pleaded with him to release a new song, Wizkid responded with a viral video of Davido on his knees begging an unseen person, with the caption “Beg me like this. Send video.”

Recall that on April 15, 2024, a leaked video of the ‘Unavailable’ crooner went viral on social media. In the video, he was seen on his knees crying and begging someone.

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READ ALSO: Edo Police Arrest Suspected Cultists Who Allegedly Killed Rival In His Daughter’s Presence

While speculations went viral that he was probably begging his wife, Chioma, for an offence he might have committed, some Netizens speculated that he might have been begging American model, Bonita Maria for an undisclosed offence.

The not-so-friendly fire released by Wizkid then turned in the direction of Don Jazzy when a fan who tweets as @miracledc12 posted, “Wizkid Ladipo still talk nonsense yesterday o. Abeg enter that one too.”

Like he was out for his fellow music stars, the ‘Ojuelegba’ hit singer responded at 6:03 with an innuendo describing Don Jazzy as an influencer. He wrote, “Lol, never chatting to anyone signed to an influencer. Next.”

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Ladipoe is a Nigerian rap artiste signed to popular record label, Mavin Records, headed by ace music producer, singer and music executive, Don Jazzy.

This is not the first time Wizkid would be slamming of fellow celebrity or posting something very controversial on social media.

In April 2016, he took a swipe at Celebrity Blogger, Linda Ikeji, when she posted that the Afrobeat singer had received an eviction notice from his Lekki apartment which he claimed to own.

READ ALSO: DSTV Price Hike: Five Alternatives Nigerians Are Opting For

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She wrote, “In 2013, Wizkid showed off his new place of abode and many people, including myself assumed he bought the house. But it’s been revealed that he only rented the place…and this is a fact. His rent at the 4-bedroom duplex at Ayinde Akinmade in Lekki Phase 1 expired in January 2016 and for reasons best known to him, he refused to renew his rent.

“He was served quit notice yesterday Friday, April 1st. (His reps collected it on his behalf) and he was given until April 11th to vacate the premises. A source close to the singer said his people had already started to gradually move his things out of the house”, to which Wizkid replied with unprintable comments on the blogger’s Instagram page.

Disappointed by their messy public war, popular filmmaker, Charles Novia, reacted. He said, “Wizkid’s reaction was true-to-type. He’s a street kid. A Surulere or Ojuelegba product and he’s not expected to have any chill. Unlike Linda, who is also from a poor background and has some understanding of the rules of the streets of Surulere. Wizkid is a supposed nouveau rich kid whose fame and fortune are grounded in the music of his streets.”

Recall that in November 2022, Wizkid surprised his fans when he made a shocking revelation about his relationship status, lamenting that he had been single for too long. He wrote, “Been single for so long! Gotta find one or two.”

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Many were shocked by his remark because the singer had before then shared a rare family photo of himself, his son, Zion, and a then-pregnant Jada Pollock.

READ ALSO: Lawyer Drags NERC, AGF, Minister Of Power To Court Over Electricity Tariff Hike

Reacting to the comment, Pollock, music executive and Wizkid’s baby mama, said, “Taking arguments to social media is never going to end well.”

She also followed up with another tweet that read, “controlling emotions,” with a padlock and key emoji. The tweets by Jada have since been deleted.

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However, reacting to Wizkid’s tweets which have since gone viral, popular Nigerian journalist and afrobeat music enthusiast, Joey Akan, said, “A manufactured and enforced silence made everyone forget who Wizkid was on the come up. A troll, Linda Ikeji had to go beg the commissioner of Police for protection. The same person who gave Dammy Krane a sneak attack at Quilox.

“With Afrobeats to the world, he simply stopped talking and interacting, leading everyone to ascribe maturity to a mischievous machine on hiatus. The moment he’s started talking again, it’s back to familiar ways. “Una Papa.” “I go do giveaway.” “I make Bollywood.” “…signed to an influencer.” Just like he never left. Same old Wizkid. Same old troll.”

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You’re Wicked Soul – Actress Okorie Slams Zubby Michael For Mourning Junior Pope On Instagram

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Actress Angela Okorie has again slammed her colleague, Zubby Michael for mourning late actor Junior Pope on Instagram.

In an Instagram post she shared, Angela alleged that Zubby took to the social media platform to mourn Junior Pope because he was called out. She also claimed that Zubby never celebrated Junior Pope when he was alive, adding that he should take his ‘’fake love” to Lucifer.

Angela further claimed that some people have planned to attend Junior Pope’s burial to ‘’pack sands from his grave to chain his spirit.”

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READ ALSO: Junior Pope: Delta Billionaire Clergy Gifts Late Sound Engineer’s Family N10m, Nigerians React

She wrote: “Zubby onye bu Nwanne gi cos we don drag you,you Dey post JP make people think say you be better person,
You are a very wicked soul zubby everybody knows that
You have never celebrated him RIP too sweet u to post E
what de heck nigga Ina puala onye iberibe
Take your fake love elsewhere we know you Lucifer
You have never ment well for him people wey know know,
You never posted his birthdays,films,achievements, why posting him now Muderfu*cker

Zubby boli boli wey you give demonic money
Where is he, we all know anybody wey you give money,
His or her life never remains same,is either they stop growing or stop excelling,or fall sick and die, you are evil
Untie peoples destinies else you will have me to contend with for the rest of your life, I Angel of the most high God is your karma, I am the Lords battle Axe, you know say spiritually and physically all of you can’t do me shit,touch me by mistake and die by correction filthy things.
I am light and I have no business with darkness.

READ ALSO: Junior Pope: Delta Billionaire Clergy Gifts Late Sound Engineer’s Family N10m, Nigerians React

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Note: The lord revealed that some people going to Junior pop’s burial are planing to pack sands from his grave to chain his spirit.
Y’all should put your eyes on the ground , his grave should be sealed immediately no1 apart from his family members should go close to his grave,they want to chain his spirit Ndi ala

Rest in power Bro, it’s so painful to know you are gone forever but you are in our hearts forever,we will never forget all your good deeds
While you are alive,The world will miss you, I miss you, nollywood is miss you , bro is still like a dream to me so na JP we Dey go put for ground ah I Dey
Vex.”

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JUST IN: Nollywood Veteran Actor, Ogunjimi Is Dead

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The Nigerian movie industry has again been thrown into mourning after the news of the death of another veteran Yoruba Actor Ganiyu Oyeyemi popularly known as Ogunjimi, surfaced on social media on Friday.

Ogunjimi’s death was announced by a Yoruba actor, Kunle Afod, in a post on his Instagram page.

READ ALSO: Nollywood Actor, Zulu Adigwe Is Dead

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Mourning the actor, Afod wrote, “We tried our best but God loves you more.

“May his soul rest in peace. Baba Ogunjinmi, RIP, Sun re oooo.”

At the time of writing this report, the cause of death has not yet been ascertained.

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