Entertainment

How Failed Movie Gigs Turned Me To Cab Driver In U.S – Nigerian Actor

Published

2 years ago

August 9, 2023

Nollywood actor Joseph Benjamin has revealed that failed movie gigs turned him into a cab driver after he moved to the U.S.

The 46-year-old disclosed that he relocated to the US after someone promised him movie gigs, but the individual later disappointed him.

He made this known while appearing on the latest episode of the Teju Babyface Deep Dive podcast hosted by comedian Teju Oyelakin.

He said, “I got to America on a promise that I had some gigs waiting for me. So I thought I was going to have a soft landing there. I packed up everything from Nigeria, bought a one-way ticket, and came to America.

“I was put in a well-furnished house and all of that. Then two days later, the person who I was supposed to book a deal with said to me, ‘Those our financiers have pulled out. They have an issue.’

“So, I said, what do I do? He was like, ‘From next month on, you will have to start paying rent in this house.’ The amount of the one-month rent was equivalent to a one-year rent in Nigeria.

“I’m like, ‘I’m not earning any money so what do I do?’ I don’t know what to do. So, shot into that life, I had to figure out what to do. I had nowhere to go. Nothing to turn to.

“My phone was buzzing, like, ‘When are you coming back to Nigeria? We have this gig for you.’ $1,500 was all I came to America with. How do I buy a ticket to go back to Nigeria?”

Benjamin also disclosed that he drove Uber, Lyft, and delivered Amazon packages to pay his bills in America.

“And then someone gave me a car. I’m like, What do I do with the car? And they said Uber. I was driving for Uber and Lyft to pay my bills.

“I carried a lot of Nigerians, my name on the Uber App was Joseph. The moment they get in or three minutes into the journey, they know I’m the one.”

“One woman even had to call her husband, and she ended up taking pictures with me. I even had some people say to me ‘Boss you will make it.”

Entertainment

Nigerian Musician Dies In Canada

Published

2 days ago

November 3, 2025

Editor

Popular live music band leader, Akinloye Tofowomo popularly known as Akiin Shuga, has died at the age of 50.

His death was confirmed in a statement released by his family on Monday.

Akiin Shuga died on October 30, 2025, in New Brunswick, Canada.

The statement described the Shuga Band founder as “a revered music icon and custodian of rhythm, culture, and the spirit of performance”.

The family also said details of funeral arrangements will be revealed in due course.

In the meantime, they requested for “privacy and quiet reflection at this deeply difficult time”.

Akiin Shuga leaves behind his wife, children, siblings, and mother.

Entertainment

Jarvis Threatens To Sue Peller Over Money Laundering Allegation

Published

2 days ago

November 3, 2025

Editor

Popular content creator and TikToker, Amadou Elizabeth Aminata, better known as Jarvis, has threatened legal action against her boyfriend, Peller.

Peller, who is also a TikTok star, had in a recent livestream named Jarvis among other TikTokers that laundered money through the platform’s gifting feature.

Reacting to the allegation, Jarvis management, Aiso Entertainment, tagged Peller’s claim as false.

Jarvis management in a statement shared on her social media page, threatened to sue Peller for defamation, noting that “such accusations are an attack on her character and legality, which deserve stringent legal action of this kind”.

“The management alongside her esteemed legal counsel, denies these allegations and we are currently exploring the possibility of initiating a defamation lawsuit against Mr. Peller,” the statement added.

Entertainment

Popular Kannywood Actor Passes Away

Published

2 days ago

November 3, 2025

Editor

A popular Kannywood actor, Mato Na Mato, also known as Malam Nata’ala, has reportedly passed away after a protracted illness.

Malam Nata’ala, a native of Potiskum in Yobe State, is known for prominent role as almajiri school teacher in a popular Arewa24 Hausa drama series, Dadin Kowa’.

Before his death, the actor had severally made online posts seeking financial help to settle his medical bills.

His online posts drew the attention of Niger’s President, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, who supported him N27 million.