Entertainment

Canadian-born Nigerian Singer Relocates To Native Delta Village, Says Nigeria Better Than Canada

Published

4 years ago

August 30, 2021

A Canada-born Nigerian, Ndubuisi Okwumabua has relocated to his native place, Isele-Ukwu village, Delta State, Nigeria for his music career to gain more recognition.

Okwumabua, popularly known as Ndu, is a young, up-and-coming rapper, songwriter, and producer, who left his place in Winnipeg’s Forte Rouge in Canada, to settle in Nigeria.

Speaking about his decision, Okwumabua, according to Nigeria Abroad, said, “In Canada you cannot fully own anything, everything you own can be taken away from you.”

“I feel at home. I’m realising my dream. That’s important to me,” he added.

He admitted that living in Nigeria is not the same as living in Canada as many Nigerians are scrambling to migrate to Canada, perceived as a land of opportunities, but the music artiste related differently.

He submitted that Nigeria does not have the same accessible amenities as Canada, but spiritually, Nigeria is stronger.

“A simple life can be a good life,” he stated. “I am among my uncles, aunties, cousins and family friends. I’m okay. Luckily my parents used to bring my siblings and me to visit Nigeria since we were children, so I’m chill here.”

“I’ve written a lot during the pandemic and produced hundreds of songs for other artistes and myself and background music for movies. People are getting to know me around here. That feels hopeful.

“I have a big interest in doing independent mix with afrobeat. I want to do it all, dance music, reflection music, and car-listening music,” he said.

Asked why he felt Nigeria is a better place to accomplish his music dreams, Okwumabua responded that “artistes need genuine support in the beginning but there is not a lot of support for artistes like us who are attempting to break the manufactured mainstream mould.

“People who are seen as socially acceptable and successful get more grants than those of us who are behind the curve. I do not think that is fair or right.”

The rapper who once got a grant said the requirements were a hard nut to crack in Canada.

He added, “When I saw what they needed from me, the red tape and all, I returned it to the funder to avoid any further creative block. I am using my own money to create my music right now. It is a little more cost effective in Nigeria to make music, but that is not including the ongoing electricity problem.

“It is sometimes challenging living in Winnipeg, branded as one of the most racist cities in Canada by Maclean’s magazine, where you can be accused or judged because of the colour of your skin or ethnicity and not by the content of your character.

“Nigeria has its own prejudices and post-colonial tribal conflict, but I am accepted as a human being first here and if you work hard and stay focused, you can own a few things.

“You may think you own a house after paying for it for 25 years and if you do not pay your taxes, it can be taken away from you. It’s not like that in Nigeria. What you own belongs to you.

“Life is good in Nigeria, not perfect but good. I am creating my music the way I want to. I would rather be free and be happy with myself to live longer.”

Entertainment

UK Police Storm Peller’s Apartment After Noise Complaint [VIDEO]

Published

13 hours ago

November 21, 2025

Editor

The United Kingdom police have stormed the apartment of a popular Nigerian Tiktoker, Peller.

The police arrived at the Peller’s apartment following noise complaints.

A viral video on social media captured the moment the police arrived at Peller’s UK residence for a search.

The TikTok star who is currently in the UK was having a live streaming session when the police knocked at the door complaining that Peller was reported to have been making noise.

In response Peller told the police that he was on livestream, but the police insisted on checking the rooms to be sure he wasn’t having a shouting match with anyone.

Watch the video here

Entertainment

Why Some Celebrities Go Broke – Rapper M.I

Published

13 hours ago

November 21, 2025

Editor

Ace Nigerian rapper Jude Abaga, popularly known as M.I, has shared how he handles people’s expectations from him as a celebrity.

The ‘One Naira’ hitmaker disclosed that he trained himself mentally to accept being “broke shamed” so as not to pressure himself into constantly proving that he has a flamboyant life.

Speaking in a recent interview with Chude, M.I explained that many celebrities became broke while living beyond their means just to adjust to people’s expectations.

“When I understood that people in Nigeria tend to broke shame celebrities, I had to make a decision if I want to let that have power over me. Because if you don’t deal with that, it will have exceeding power over you.

“If you are not comfortable with the fact that some fans can broke shame you if they see you driving a car they consider below your level, then you are going to continue adjusting to their expectations. And that is how you go broke. You go broke trying to adjust to people’s expectations.

“One of the things that Nigerians are concerned about is their perceptions. And statistically, we are a country where most people don’t have money. It took me time to mentally prepare myself to accept being broke shamed. All our celebrities who were flying private jets 20 years ago are no longer affluent,” he expressed.

Entertainment

How I Was Sexually Harassed By Music Executives As A Teenager – Yemi Alade

Published

13 hours ago

November 21, 2025

Editor

Nigerian singer Yemi Alade has opened up about the challenges she faced during her early years as a young, struggling female artiste.

The Johnny crooner revealed that sexual harassment was the major challenge she confronted, recalling how music executives often harassed her during meetings and studio sessions while she was still a teenager.

Speaking in a recent episode of the Swift Conversations podcast, Alade said, “In those beginning days, all I thought I needed was just my talent because that’s what I have. I didn’t have a bank account full of money I could use to sponsor myself.

“I just had a talent and a zeal, and a promise that I made to myself and a promise I believed God made to me. So, I always tried to show up. I was told that I needed to work harder and so I worked harder, and it wasn’t enough. There were doors I needed to walk up to and when I walked up to the doors, they didn’t want my talent, they wanted something else.

“Many times from business meetings to studio sessions to even winning certain awards and you meet maybe the managing director or any other executive and they are trying to rub your thighs under the table. And I was just a teen. My grand pa is rubbing my legs and I can’t speak because I’m in shock.

“We are having an actual business meeting. Why are you rubbing my thighs? I had to speak to myself and decided if music was what I wanted to do because the sexual harassment was becoming too rampant. But something in me told me to keep pushing my talent. So, I still showed up. If door was left open for me, I would walk in. If it was shut in my face, I would walk away.”

The singer said she became successful in the music industry after she realised that she “needed to stop walking through the doors and start breaking down the walls.”