Entertainment

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

Published

1 year ago

December 27, 2022

Editor

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:

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

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.

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

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.”

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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Entertainment

Tears, As Jnr. Pope Is Laid To Rest In Enugu

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2024

Editor

The sleepy town of Uwala Abaka, Ukehe, in Nsukka, Igboetiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, was enveloped by sadness and grief, as the remains of one of their illustrious sons, actor John Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope was laid to rest.

The burial rites commenced at 10 am with a commendation mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Parish, Ukehe, and lying-in-state at his father’s compound, where family members, well-wishers, colleagues and friends had the final glimpse of the late actor before the body was moved to a private venue for internment at about 1.30 pm.

The atmosphere at the burial ceremony was somber as colleagues and fans gathered to pay their final respects to the late actor.

The late actor’s wife, Jennifer Awele couldn’t back tears as she was sighted weeping profusely at the commencement of the final funeral procession.

Her first son, who was trying to console his mother by wiping the tears off her face, equally broke down in tears. Unfortunately, some of the A-list actors and actresses, including the leadership of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, were visibly missing at the burial ceremony.

The 43-year-old actor died alongside four other people on April 10, after their boat capsized in the Anam River, in Anambra State, while returning from a movie shoot.

Speaking at the burial ceremony, veteran actress Rita Edochie said that she was heartbroken when she heard the sad news of Junior Pope’s death.

Entertainment

Spiderman: Reactions As Portable Releases New Track Following Arrest [Listen To Audio]

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2024

Editor

Street-pop artiste, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has released a new song following his recent arrest by the Lagos State Police Command for failing to settle a debt related to the purchase of a G-Wagon.

It was gathered that Portable had paid only N13 million after purchasing the vehicle, which was worth N27 million. He was said to have refused to pay the N14 million balance.

Recall that the Lagos State police command released the singer on bail, on Thursday, after spending a night in custody.

Portable, in an Instagram post on Thursday, released a snippet of a new song, Spider Man.

The song, produced by 2tuponthebeat, hints at the singer’s agility and ability to “fly” over obstacles, referencing how he evaded arrest by jumping over a gate.

Recall that Portable released the track ‘I’m Not A Prisoner’ following his arrest in 2023 after failing to honour several police invitations.

Nigerians react

Portable just dropped a new song. He used the voice over from his arrest video as the intro. I said it yesterday, this guy doesn’t disappoint. Spiderman.

— OLAMIDE 🌸💖 (@Olamide0fficial) May 16, 2024
Portable don drop new song called Spiderman. He even used the voice over from his arrest video as the intro. You can’t shame the shameless.

— ✞ (@Deyvxxd_)
If all artists turned their experiences into songs like Portable does, they won’t struggle with their catalogue.

— Oluwatomisin 🦋 (@tomifab_)

It’s a bad thing to owe, evade arrest and to be an “Onigbese”.But Portable knows how to flip the narrative in his favour.

He understands that attention is the currency of marketing.#portable#spiderman

— Kehinde Ajose (@iamkenniajose)

In this era, it’s never about how good or talented you are anymore; it’s more about how long you can hold people’s attention. Interestingly, Portable has been able to do that consistently since he got his break in 2021 and has chosen not to leave the limelight anytime soon.

Watch video:

Entertainment

[FULL LIST] BET Awards 2024: Burna Boy, Asake, Others Bag Nominations As Drake, Nicki Minaj Lead

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2024

Editor

Afrobeats superstar, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy has secured two nominations for the 2024 BET Awards.

The ‘African giant’ featured in the Best Male Hip Hop Artist and Best Male R&B/POP Artist categories.

The singer is joined by fellow Nigerian acts – Asake, Ayra Starr and Seyi Vibez.

BET announced the 2024 BET Awards nominees on Thursday as Drake leads the nominations with seven, while Nicki Minaj has six.

BET also announced the performance lineup for this year’s awards, including GloRilla, Latto, Muni Long, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, and Victoria Monét.

The BET Awards 2024, will air live on BET on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at 8 p.m. (European Time).

See the full list of nominations below:

BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST

21 Savage
Burna Boy
Drake
Future
Gunna
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
Lil Wayne

BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST

Cardi B
Doja Cat
GloRilla
Ice Spice
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Sexyy Red

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT

Asake (Africa)
Aya Nakamura (France)
Ayra Starr (Africa)
Bk’ (Brazil)
Cleo Sol (UK)
Focalistic (Africa)
Karol Conká (Brazil)
Raye (UK)
Tiakola (France)
Tyla (Africa)

BEST NEW ARTIST

41
4batz
Ayra Starr
Bossman Dlow
Fridayy
October London
Sexyy Red
Tyla

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

11:11, Chris Brown
A Gift & A Curse, Gunna
American Dream, 21 Savage
Coming Home, Usher
For All The Dogs (Scary Hours Edition), Drake
Jaguar Ii, Victoria Monét
Michael, Killer Mike
Pink Friday 2, Nicki Minaj

BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST

Beyoncé
Coco Jones
Doja Cat
H.E.R.
Muni Long
Sza
Tyla
Victoria Monét

BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST

Brent Faiyaz
Bryson Tiller
Burna Boy
Chris Brown
Drake
Fridayy
October London
Usher

BEST GROUP

¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $Ign
2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
41
Blxst & Bino Rideaux
City Girls
Flo
Maverick City Music
Wanmor

BEST COLLABORATION

All My Life, Lil Durk Feat. J. Cole
America Has A Problem (Remix, Beyoncé Feat. Kendrick Lamar
Barbie World, Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (With Aqua)
Bongos, Cardi B Feat. Megan Thee Stallion
Carnival, ¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $Ign Feat. Rich The Kid, Playboi Carti
Don’t Play With It (Remix), Lola Brooke Feat. Latto & Yung Miami
Everybody, Nicki Minaj Feat. Lil Uzi Vert
Good Good, Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage
Rich Baby Daddy, Drake Feat. Sexyy Red & Sza

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Agora Hills, Doja Cat
All My Life, Lil Durk Feat. J. Cole
Barbie World, Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (With Aqua)

Bongos, Cardi B Feat. Megan Thee Stallion

First Person Shooter, Drake Feat. J. Cole
Good Good, Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage
On My Mama, Victoria Monét
Rich Baby Daddy, Drake Feat. Sexyy Red & Sza

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Benny Boom
Child.
Cole Bennett
Dave Meyers
Janelle Monáe & Alan Ferguson
Offset
Tems
Tyler, The Creator

DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD

Award All Of The Glory, Shirley Caesar
All Things, Kirk Franklin
Angel, Halle Bailey
Come Jesus Come, Cece Winans
Do You Believe In Love?, Erica Campbell
God Problems, Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore
Me & U, Tems
Try Love, Kirk Franklin

VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD

Agora Hills, Doja Cat
All My Life, Lil Durk Feat. J. Cole
Gunna, Fukumean
Lovin On Me, Jack Harlow
Made For Me, Muni Long
On My Mama, Victoria Monét
Rich Baby Daddy, Drake Feat. Sexyy Red & Sza
Sensational, Chris Brown Feat. Davido & Lojay
Texas Hold ‘Em, Beyoncé
Water, Tyla

VIEWER’S CHOICE: BEST NEW INTERNATIONAL ACT

Bellah (UK)
Cristale (UK)
Duquesa (Brazil)
Holly G (France)
Jungeli (France)
Makhadzi (Africa)
Oruam (Brazil)
Seyi Vibez (Africa)
Tyler Icu (Africa)

BET HER

16 Carriages, Beyoncé
Blessings, Nicki Minaj Feat. Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Commas, Ayra Starr
Fly Girl, Flo Feat. Missy Elliott
Hiss, Megan Thee Stallion
On My Mama, Victoria Monét
Saturn, Sza
Yeah Glo!, GloRilla

BEST MOVIE

American Fiction
Bob Marley: One Love
Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
The Book Of Clarence
The Color Purple
The Equalizer 3
The Little Mermaid

BEST ACTOR

Anthony Mackie
Colman Domingo
Damson Idris
Denzel Washington
Donald Glover
Idris Elba
Jeffrey Wright
Lakeith Stanfield

BEST ACTRESS

Angela Bassett
Ayo Edebiri
Coco Jones
Danielle Brooks
Fantasia
Halle Bailey
Issa Rae
Regina King

YOUNGSTARS AWARD

Akira Akbar
Blue Ivy Carter
Demi Singleton
Heiress Diana Harris
Jabria Mccullum
Jalyn Hall
Leah Jeffries
Van Van

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

Anthony Edwards
Gervonta Davis
Jalen Brunson
Jalen Hurts
Kyrie Irving
Lebron James
Patrick Mahomes
Stephen Curry

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

A’ja Wilson
Angel Reese
Coco Gauff
Flau’jae Johnson
Juju Watkins
Naomi Osaka
Sha’carri Richardson
Simone Biles