celebrity radar - gossips

Pius Okaba: The Nigerian Ghetto Boy Who Rose to Rule Europe

Published

5 years ago

April 10, 2020

Pius Okaba, otherwise known as Codread is a Nigerian-born model, singer, songwriter, actor and movie director, who has proved his mettle as one of Europe’s most sought-after thespians. His grass to grace story simply depicts hard work, resilience and focus.

Pius was born in Maroko, a volatile slum that would later be demolished by the Lagos State Government under the military leadership of General Raji Rasaki. Maroko was a commumity in Eti-Osa Local Government, Lagos. It was adjacent to Ikoyi and east of Victoria Isalnd. It was a low income area that attracted a lot of migrants due to its proximity to economically robust areas.

In July 1990, the Lagos State Government, under Raji Rasaki, evicted the residents of Maroko and demolished the community. The government said Maroko was below sea level and needed to be filled in with sand and needed infrastructure improvements. About 300,000 people lost their houses and valuables. It was one of the largest forced evictions in Nigerian history.

Pius Okaba was born in Maroko, but grew up in another rural area in Ajegunle Ikorodu. Irrespective of crime and other social vices that were synonymous with the slum, Pius remained focused, as he only engaged in sporting activities –soccer and boxing, the two most popular sports in rural areas. “Soccer was to socialize with my friends while boxing was to protect myself from enemies,” Pius quipped.

As a child, Pius said he “sold vegetables for my Mom, fish for my neighbors and kito/sanders for my older sister’s boyfriend, and this was how I developed an entrepreneurial skill which has shaped my life today. When I became a teenager, I wanted more, so I found my way out of the remote area to live with my brother in Victoria Island where I learned barbing. I tried to get into Lagos State Polytechnic where I studied Business Administration but I dropped out in second year because my brother who was supporting me financially had just lost his salon and I couldn’t continue my studies.”

However, one beautiful afternoon, as he went for a stroll around the neighborhood in Victoria Island, he met a friend, Charles Toye who introduced him to Modela, a frontline designer and modeling agent, who trained him as a runway model.

“A few years later, I became one of the first Glo ambassadors in Nigeria and I had my face on billboards, interstate buses and on advertorials. During a Glo advert shoot, I was introduced to the Creative Director of the production company in South Africa that got me and two other models from Modela signed by a South African modeling agency called Noir Models and this was how I left Nigeria to start my international modeling career,” Pius reminisced.

Today, Pius Okaba has emerged one of the toasts of European film market. The Berlin, Germany-based thespian has over his 10-year career in the film and television industry worked in various fields such as Format Buying, On-Air Image Design, Content Acquisition, Content Development/Management, Airtime Sales, Directing and Production for both the film and television industries.

An alumnus of The New York Film Academy (NYFA) where he studied acting and he holds a Master of Arts Degree in Film Directing from the prestigious University of West London, Pius is currently pursuing a second Masters Degree (MFA) in motion pictures and is a residence lecturer at the Prague Film Institute in Czech Republic. His controversial film AYE, released in 2019 sees a wide acceptance across the European film industry.

AYE won the award for Best Short Film at the Africa In Diaspora Cinema Festival in Florence, Italy and was nominated and screened at I Will Tell International Film Festival, London, United Kingdom, Black Star International Film Festival, Accra Ghana, The South African International Film Festival, Johannesburg, South Africa, Africa international Film Festival, Lagos Nigeria, and Inshort Film Festival, also in Lagos, Nigeria.

Pius’s role as a witch hunter in the most anticipated Czech fairytale film of all time, Princezna Zakletá V Čase (Princess Lost In Time) which is expected to be released in cinemas across Europe in March 2020 has made him a household name in the acting scene in Europe.

Although, his appearance on Berlin Tag Und Nacht, a daily series on German television RTL II was a highlight of his acting career in Germany. He is currently working on his latest film which will be released in the fall of 2021.Before the Corona virus pandemic, he was on location with other Hollywood stars shooting Orisa, a film he is producing. Orisa is a Yoruba word for shrine, as the film centers around kidnapping, child rape and human trafficking.

celebrity radar - gossips

Ayra Starr’s Mother Sparks Buzz with Confession About Her Mystery Crush

Published

7 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Ayra Starr’s Mother Sparks Buzz with Confession About Her Mystery Crush

The mother of Nigerian Afrobeat sensation Ayra Starr has sent social media into a frenzy with a playful revelation about having a crush on someone who, humorously, calls her “mummy.” In a video that quickly went viral, she expressed her excitement about the possibility of meeting her crush at Ayra Starr’s upcoming show on Christmas Day.

Captioning the video, Ayra Starr’s mother wrote: “Wahala, my crush is calling me mummy. Anyways, we will meet at Ayra’s show on the 25th.” Her candid and lighthearted confession immediately captivated fans, sparking a wave of speculation about the identity of her mystery crush.

Many have taken to social media to guess the individual who has captured Ayra Starr’s mother’s affections. A popular theory among fans is that the crush might be none other than Don Jazzy, the renowned Nigerian music mogul and the boss of Ayra Starr’s record label, Mavin Records. However, Ayra’s mother kept the identity of her crush under wraps, leaving fans to wonder and eagerly anticipate any clues that might surface.

As the excitement for Ayra Starr’s Christmas Day show builds, fans are eagerly awaiting the event, with many now watching closely to see if Ayra’s mother’s cheeky prediction about meeting her crush will indeed come true.

Stay tuned for updates and watch the video below as the mystery continues to unfold!

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A post shared by The Tattle Room 🇳🇬 🌎 (@thetattleroomng)

celebrity radar - gossips

Self-Anointed Financial Guru, Geh Geh, Celebrates the Launch of His Luxury Hotel

Published

7 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Self-Anointed Financial Guru, Geh Geh, Celebrates the Launch of His Luxury Hotel

Popular financial influencer and self-proclaimed guru, Geh Geh, has officially opened the doors to his new hotel, marking another milestone in his ever-evolving career. The hotel, a modern and tastefully furnished establishment, was unveiled on December 22nd amidst a wave of excitement from his followers and supporters.

Taking to his X page a few days prior to the launch, Geh Geh teased his fans with the announcement, hinting at the grand opening. True to his word, the influencer shared clips from the event, including a moment where his pastor prayed over the establishment during its official dedication.

The event was attended by friends, family, and well-wishers, who gathered to celebrate his achievement. Online reactions, however, have been a mix of admiration, skepticism, and humor as netizens took to social media to share their thoughts on Geh Geh’s latest accomplishment.

Social Media Reactions

The news of Geh Geh’s hotel opening has sparked lively conversations across social platforms. Some users congratulated him on his success, while others questioned the legitimacy of his wealth and mocked the idea of a pastor blessing a hotel.

@BIG🌍 AP❣️: “Finally, Geh Geh don get the congratulations 🎉 way him dey find since lol 🤣🤣 Congratulations 🎉 Opueh Presido.”
@ucheuch2 MMM: “Geh Geh no get hotel.”
@Quency baby 🫂🥹: “Dem open hotel, pastor dey pray 🤦‍♀️.”
@Elbulletin: “So this guy gets money?”
@Boy alone💜🧎‍♂️🧎‍♂️☹️: “Omo, wait oh, na Geh Geh really get am? Omo, if na him, I go start worship Geh Geh online oh 😞.”
@Babatunde Phillip: “Imagine a pastor attending the opening ceremony of a hotel where Geh Geh said girls go cryyyy.”
@user97174499693224: “So pastor dey pray for hotel opening 😂😂😂.”
@ABIODUN__🌴💙🚬: “I dey cryyyyyyy now, if to say I know, I for worship Geh Geh online 😭😂.”

While the reactions may vary, one thing is clear: Geh Geh knows how to command attention. As he steps into the hospitality business, all eyes will be on him to see if the financial guru can translate his influence into success in this new venture.

@unclenasco_

Congratulations to Geh Geh , he has finally opens his hotel 🏨

♬ original sound – Nasco

Sports

Oleksandr Usyk Defeats Tyson Fury Again, Solidifies Legacy Among Boxing Greats

Published

1 day ago

December 22, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Oleksandr Usyk Defeats Tyson Fury Again, Solidifies Legacy Among Boxing Greats

Ukrainian boxing sensation Oleksandr Usyk retained his heavyweight championship titles and cemented his place in boxing history with a unanimous decision victory over Britain’s Tyson Fury in their rematch on Saturday night.

The judges scored the bout 116-112 in Usyk’s favor across the board, marking his second consecutive win over Fury. This victory extended Usyk’s flawless professional record to 23-0, with 14 knockouts, adding another chapter to a career already highlighted by Olympic gold and an undisputed cruiserweight championship.

A Masterclass Performance

Usyk, 37, showcased his signature precision and relentless pace, repeatedly catching Fury with clean left hooks and dominating the latter stages of the fight. Fury, at 6ft 9in (206cm) and weighing a career-high 281 pounds, attempted to impose his physicality but was unable to break Usyk’s composure.

The fight, held in Saudi Arabia, saw Usyk wearing traditional Cossack attire during his entrance, while Fury entered the arena dressed in a festive Santa-inspired robe to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”

The early rounds were competitive, with Fury landing powerful jabs and body shots. However, Usyk’s endurance and tactical brilliance began to shine in the middle rounds. The Ukrainian landed sharp combinations and dictated the tempo, including a stunning uppercut in the final round that left little doubt about the outcome.

“I thought I’ve won both fights,” Fury said post-match, sporting a bruised right eye. “But I’ll always believe until the day I die that I won that fight.”

A Legacy Sealed

Usyk’s victory solidified his standing as one of the greatest heavyweights in history. Already the first undisputed heavyweight of the four-belt era, Usyk joins the ranks of legends like Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and Mike Tyson.

The bout, reported to have a prize purse of $190 million, also underscored Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sports. Usyk, who served briefly as a soldier during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, celebrated his victory by hoisting a symbolic sabre belonging to Ukrainian nationalist hero Ivan Mazepa.

Fury’s Uncertain Future

The defeat leaves Fury’s future in doubt. Once unbeaten across 35 fights, Fury now stands at 34-2-1. His attempt to reclaim glory after a brief retirement in 2022 has been marred by back-to-back losses to Usyk.

Usyk, on the other hand, continues to add to his already remarkable resume, leaving fans and critics alike in awe of his technical skill, resilience, and determination. As the heavyweight division looks ahead, Usyk’s reign appears unshakable, and his place among boxing’s all-time greats is firmly secured.