Entertainment
Govt, CAN Announce Edo Gospel Art and Creative Award, Winners To Walk Away With N50m

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin
In its bid to harnessing and promoting talents from the religion circle particularly Christianity, the Godwin Obaseki-Edo State government has launched what its called Edo State Gospel Art and Creative Festival/Award (EdoGof).
The festival, to be held in partnership with Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Edo State branch, is aimed at promoting young hidden talents in churches across the three senatorial districts of the state and the 18 local governments.
In a press conference held to herald the festival/award on Tuesday, Chairman of the festival/award committee and Senior Special Assistant to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Religion Matters, Osagie Erhunmwunse, said his principal conceived the idea of promoting talents from the church after rendition by young Chieftain artistes at the thanksgiving service of the immediate past chairman of CAN, Edo State branch, moved him (Obaseki)
He added that having moved by their performances at the thanksgiving service and the performance that took place during the birthday service of Arch Bishop Margaret Benson Idahosa, Obaseki made up his mind to support talents under the umbrella of EdoGof, adding that N50m prize has been placed for winners at different categories.
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“…having witnessed what happened during the May 14th thanksgiving service of a successful tenure of the immediate past Chairman of CAN, Edo State branch, Bishop Dr. Oriname Oyonnude Kure, particularly how gospel singers showcased their god-given talents, His Excellency was so moved and said it’s high time to harness creativity in the gospel,” he added.
The SSA continued: “Last month, during the birthday service of our mother in the faith, Arch Bishop Margaret Benson Idahosa, His Excellency was there and again reiterated his commitment to harnessing creative talent from the church. And in his words: he is going to put a N50m prize for the winners. This prize is for the finalists, that is, those that will qualify to the final stage.”
According Erhunmwunse, to kick start the festival/award, the Governor directed that the talent-hunt start from the 18 local governments in the state before it collapses to senatorial level and finally to the state level which is the final stage, adding that nine winners from different categories would emerge and share the N50m.
“Nine persons are going to be competing to have their share of the N50m,” he added.

He added that, at the senatorial level, 27 winners are expected to take prizes home, emphasizing that their take home would not be part of the N50m.
He, however, said the modalities on how the N50m naira is going to be shared among the prospective winners at the final is being put in place by the committee saddled with the responsibility of organising the award, adding that the sharing formula would be made known at due course
He explained: “The senatorial contest is expected to climax on October 1st, and His Excellency is going to be having a very big event to celebrate the winners. We expect to have 27 winners at the senatorial level.
“The competition is expected to produce at the senatorial level, ‘first place traditional ‘; ‘first place contemporary’; and another ‘first place classical.’ This is how we are going to have it in the soloist and dancer.”
According to the Chairman, the committee is presently focusing on music and dance for the festival, adding: “The plan for now is to focus on just two aspects of this creative hub – music and dance. part of our plans is to ensure there is inclusiveness in every aspect that made up the body of Christ. For the music category we have the traditional, contemporary, the classical.”
Erhunmwunse explained that the senatorial competition is named after the immediate past chairman of CAN in the State, Bishop Kure, while the state competition is named after Arch Bishop Margaret Benson Idahosa.
He, therefore, urged choir members from different churches in the state and other independent choir groups to seize the opportunity to apply for the festival and compete.
Entertainment
‘Women Cheat More, They Are More Discreet’ – Toke Makinwa

Nigerian actress and media personality, Toke Makinwa has shared her opinion on infidelity disparity between the male and female genders.
Speaking in a recent episode of her Toke Moments podcast, the movie star claimed that women cheat more than men but more discreet.
She explained that it is easier for women to cheat unlike men, who have to spend resources, efforts and time to do so.
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Makinwa explained that the realisation that women can also cheat makes her not to regard cheating as a dealbreaker.
She said, “Cheating is not a dealbreaker for me but it comes with a caveat. When I say it some people think that I am encouraging cheating. No. As I grow older, I realised that it is not just men who can cheat. Why are we making these men feel so special as if it is only them?
“Do you know how easy it is for a woman to cheat? It is even easier for us. But men will spend money, efforts and time to cheat.
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“But we, we are the ones receiving. It is easier for women to cheat. You know, we have work boyfriend. A woman not cheating is not because she cannot cheat, it is probably because she has one thing you lack, it is strength.
“Women cheat more, but they know how to hide it.”
Entertainment
‘Wizkid Is My Boy, I Accommodated Him Years Ago’ – American Rapper, Wale

Nigerian-American rapper, Wale has revealed the role he played in the career of Nigerian Afrobeats singer Wizkid.
Speaking during a livestream with Carter Efe, Wale explained that he played a critical role in Wizkid’s career, specifically introducing him to international audience.
He also revealed that he once he once accommodated the singer, whom he referred to as his “boy” in Beverly Hills, California.
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“I have been following Nigerian music, there are so many Nigerian artists that I like listening to. I don’t know some of them but I like listening to their music.
“There are some I know personally like Wizkid. Me and Wizkid have been cool for almost 10 years now. I remember taking him to his first BET Awards show.
“That is my boy. I once accommodated him at Beverly Hills for a whole summer. We were just writing music. We made a lot of songs together like ‘Drop for me’,” he explained.
Entertainment
I’ve Stopped Impregnating Women Anyhow – 2Baba

Veteran Nigerian singer, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has said he has stopped impregnating women anyhow, noting that he no longer lives the way many people believe.
The singer made the statement recently during the MC EdoPikin Undiluted with StarBoy and Legends show in Benin City, Edo State, shortly before his performance.
Speaking directly to the audience, the African Queen crooner said he decided to speak openly so as to correct public perception about his past and clear his name.
“But see, I get confession. I dey make this confession everywhere I go now to set the record straight. I don stop to dey do that kind of thing. I don stop to dey give belle anyhow. I swear, ask anybody now, they will tell you that I’m innocent,” he said.
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2Baba has for years been in the public eye not just for his music career but also for his personal life, which has often sparked conversations on social media due to his relationships with women.
His first known baby mama is Sumbo Adeoye, with whom he has two sons, Zion and Nino. Their relationship reportedly ended around 2009 after revelations of his involvement with other women.
The singer also has three children with his second baby mama, Pero Adeniyi, between 2006 and 2012.
With Annie Macaulay-Idibia, 2Baba shares two daughters. The couple got married in 2012 but announced their separation in 2025.
READ ALSO:2Baba, Wizkid, Flavour, Lead Billboard’s Afrobeats Top Songs Of All Time [Full List]
More recently, the music star welcomed a child with his new partner, Natasha Osawaru, a relationship that has continued to draw public attention following reports of a controversial marriage.
This development comes shortly after 2Baba shared his views on music and talent in the industry, insisting that there is no such thing as a “wack artist.”
In a separate video message, the veteran singer said every song is created to stir emotions and that success in music goes beyond talent alone.
“Every music is tailored to evoke an emotion, to create a spirit. There is nothing like a wack artist,” he said.
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He added that many artistes often labelled as wack end up more successful because they understand the business side of music.
“That is why many of the so-called wack artists are more bankable than the talented ones. Because they understand that it is not the art itself, it is the marketing of that art,” he said.
The singer further stressed that no song can appeal to everyone, noting that acceptance depends largely on promotion and how well the music connects with its target audience.
“No matter how talented you are or how sweet your music is, there is no music that everybody likes. Everything is narrowed down to the marketing, promotion and the business. It is only those who resonate with your music that will like,” he added.
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