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” Why I reconciled with Kemi Afolabi “- Actress, SheBaby reveals

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9 years ago

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Seyi Ariyo popularly known as SheBaby is an actress cum singer. In this exclusive chat with Sahara Weekly Magazine , the delectable actress opened up on new single,  Champion and why she reconciled with Kemi Afolabi

Q –You just released a musical video trending now; can you tell us what inspired it?

R – I was inspired to write that song just for positive vibes, for the masses. I just wanted to write something inspiring. I did it for the masses, for the young ones because nowadays, what we hear in songs is nothing to write home about. So we can still have our groove and still have some meaningful songs because in recent times, what we have now is out of it – we enjoy the music, we dance to it, but talk about the lyrics, its a NO. It’s something I came up with that you can still dance to, yet the music will make a whole lot of meaning.

What informed the title of the song ‘Champion’?

You know, I was there, I left for so long and for me to face it back, it’s champions that do that. It’s not easy when you go to the battle frontline and after everything, you are still standing, you can still do things. So many people we started together have dropped, we can’t place them again. It’s not easy to come back; so coming back, you are a champion. It has its own message. Even if it’s not giving you the positive outcome, but for the fact that you’ve taken that bold step, you are a champion.

You were off the entertainment radar for 5 years; what were you doing?

At a time, I was married. Normally, I had to settle down, have my baby in London before I came back to Nigeria. Though I was acting alongside, I wasn’t taking it as full-time work. But I felt I was being deprived of what I had passion for, so I had to put something together and come back.

It is usually not easy for women that are married in the industry to make it back in the industry because they have added responsibility. How do you intend to manage your family along with your career?

I’ll like to put it out that normally, I don’t spend 24hrs with my child. I could do that when she was still an infant but my baby is 6 years now. She goes to school , and during that period she’s somewhere else, I’m somewhere else. And during the time, I would have done one or two things, and when she comes back, I can leave her with my mum or sister and do other things. So, because I’m married doesn’t make me not to be responsible, for the fact that I have to work. There are a lot of career ladies that their homes are intact –family, the church, they combine it and their marriage is still intact, and even works. They are doing fantastically well, so I see no reason why I can’t do such. Acting isn’t an everyday thing; music, I don’t go to studio every day. So when you plan well, God will give you the grace to scale through.

 

So what would you say about the industry you left four years ago. There have been so much changes. What is your opinion about these changes and what are you doing to make an impact with the current trend of things?

Yeah, a whole lot of changes. Before I left the industry, after doing a song you could go to a presenter, they fix you up, do interviews without even thinking of collecting anything from you, they promote your job at length. But it’s so alarming that the kind of industry we had then is nothing close to what we have now. After the music, it’s supposed to be enjoying airplay but it’s not. Because even if your song is as sweet as honey, you can’t play it yourself. You can’t just keep them, you have to tip them to play your song; that’s the way it is. And to people, it’s as if it’s normal: if you don’t tip them, nobody is going to play it. No matter how beautiful your job is, they won’t play it. Corruption is everywhere. Gone are those days you went to the studio and they even wanted to beg to interview you, make you feel important. But nowadays, you will beg them, not even with mouth but you have to add some cash to it. And to me, you have to join them because I want people to view my job. I can’t shoot my video and want only a particular area to listen to it, so you have to join the trend. I’m already in the system, there’s nothing I can do about it.

Your video ‘Champion’, knowing the current situation of things in the country, how were you able to churn out such clear picture, good concept video? Knowing full well that you’d been off the industry for some time, and practically not been making money in the industry, what gave you the confidence to drop such amount for the video? And talking about money for promotion, how do you intend to get that money?

Initially I was supposed to introduce myself as an entrepreneur – I have a fashion house and I tell you that the little money I generate from it, it might sound crazy, but most of the money I generate, I put it back into movie and my music. I left the industry but I wasn’t idle, I was training people on fashion. So the money I get there, I packed it, went to Dre San’s studio and thought I could feature Ortishefemi. I’ve known him for over 15 years, so when I called him, I didn’t pay him and he didn’t even ask. Though it might be difficult to get them, eventually they will deliver because they know I’m not that kind of person they will ask of money from. Even when I featured Pasuma back in those days, I didn’t drop any money for him; I was up-and-coming but he supported me because I was a lady who wanted to do something positive. After we recorded ‘Champion’ with Oritshefemi, I called the director and explained things to him, we planned, and it was a success.

For every glory, there’s always a story to tell.  What has been the greatest challenge so far in making this musical video?

It’s marketing. Let me relate it back to our marketers out there, I don’t know how they will curb this piracy of a thing; it’s like a monster that needs to be lynched. After shooting a video of a million naira, I’m talking about movie now. The marketer would want to buy it for N700,000. I have a story like that: I shot a movie in four countries, it was with me for like 8 months and when I kept going to marketers – you know they have an association – since they knew I’d been taking it to marketers, they started beating down the price, from N1 million to N800,000, to N600,000. And I didn’t only go to Ghana to shoot it, I took Oga Bello, Kelvin Ikeduba, others to Ghana to shoot it, because we had Arik Airline as our sponsors. So imagine after all this and the marketer to tell me he wants to pay 600,000. I was like I would rather keep it, and I did. For like 8 months it was with me, and someone said I’ll beg to sell it if I didn’t do so on time. In tears, I sold it for 600,000, something worth over N2 million. And I premiered it, people came and supported me. Apparently, we will get money from movie launch, premiere, then marketer gets it back and they tell you it’s pirated. Thats the greatest challenge any actor or musician can have. Marketing, piracy, I don’t know how it can be curbed. Imagine, government said if someone is caught, he will pay N200,000. They have to make it tighter. If someone is caught, millions has to be paid for his or her bail. Someone that has made millions will easily pay N200,000. These are the challenges we have, so we are not growing. I just pray that I get endorsements, and I won’t relent. There’s another track already which we will be promoting in the next few weeks so they will know I’m back fully in the industry. And this time, I want to give it to them. I have to make it because it’s not easy.

Interestingly, you are also a known face in the movie industry. Does it mean we should be expecting a comeback from you in the movie industry?

I already did that last year. I did Aye Alaye. I did the premier, it featured about 16 known faces in the entertainment industry, cutting across musicians and actors.

A few weeks ago we learnt you and Kemi Afolabi have settled your issue. Do you want to talk about it? What’s the situation like now?

You know, when that thing happened, it was a big, dirty fight on the social media and I regretted it, because she actually made the post known to everybody. My own was just a display picture on my BBM and few people were like I had to take it off. After the whole thing she just went on Instagram and posted, to which I didn’t reply her. After the whole thing, we stopped talking; whenever we saw, we didn’t greet for several months. Last month, April, made it one year that the incident happened. So on her birthday, I wanted to do something weird. Because she was on the receiving end, so to say, she felt so bad about the whole thing. On her birthday, I just put up my instagram page and I was like, ‘Kemi Afolabi, I was wrong, you were wrong, even the media and the fans exaggerated everything but at the end of the day, we are still one family, we are still friends. Happy birthday, Kemi Afolabi, I wish you all the best.’  She saw it and was shocked. It was her publicist, Yomi Fabiyi, that saw it and was like, for She Baby to have swallowed her pride, she should let it go. And I wrote there that I take back my words. That is the weirdest thing I’ve ever done because it still hurts me, but for peace to reign.

She commended and appreciated. I saw her at an event recently and a whole lot of people were looking at us, so I was watching her because I didn’t want to receive a cold reception. And I’m sure she was reading my attitude too, because she might come to me and I give her a cold reception. So she was reading me but I was calm. She was close by and wasn’t smiling but I’m sure she looked around and saw people looking at us and I was like, if I choose to hug her and she gives me a cold reception, it would be documented that I greeted her but I’ll do my part. So interestingly, she read me and I read her; I was reading her and I was lost in thought. Before I knew it, she was in front of me. To her, it was like I didn’t want to greet her. But to me, I wanted to see that connection coming. Then we hugged and I said ‘I’m sorry’ and she said, ‘It’s over,’ so we sat close to each other.

Are we looking at more songs from you anytime from now?

Yes, I already recorded 6 tracks but because of funds I have to do this for now. I recorded Mr DJ Featuring JayWon and Oritshefemi; it’s dropping in a few weeks.

What is your advice to upcoming ones?

Firstly, I would love to let them know that it’s not until you sleep with big actors  or a marketer before you get there. Apparently, what these marketers do is sleep with all these young girls, promising them to put them on the poster, and because they don’t have much experience, they agree and they keep passing them around. Marketers will not make you, it’s only God that can make you a star; you already have the talent, nobody can collect it from you. Discover yourself and work on it. I don’t have vacation. Even when I go abroad, I work – I do launching, shoot movie – I work from sunrise to sunset because most of this upcoming are kind of lazy; once they knock on a door and it’s not opening, they don’t want to knock another door. I’ve pushed several doors because you can’t keep doing something you are good at for years and someone won’t recognise you. That’s where the breakthrough starts from. Education is everything, you will be needing it because you will be widely exposed. It cuts across the globe. If you are educated, you can stand anywhere, you will have value. You can’t compare an uneducated tomato seller to an educated one – the packaging that one will give it will be different. Just make sure one way or the other, you are educated

 

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

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Wema Bank Plc Sets the Record Straight on False and Misleading Publication by NDIC on Legacy Transactions Involving Defunct Gulf Bank Plc

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21 hours ago

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May 15, 2026

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Wema Bank Plc Sets the Record Straight on False and Misleading Publication by NDIC on Legacy Transactions Involving Defunct Gulf Bank Plc

 

 

General Comments

Wema Bank Plc has noted with concern recent media publications containing false, misleading, and wholly unsubstantiated allegations regarding the sale of certain Banana Island properties purportedly linked to the defunct Gulf Bank Plc. We unequivocally reject these claims, which are inaccurate, malicious, and clearly intended to distort the true position. For the benefit of our stakeholders—shareholders, customers, regulators, and the general public—we set out below the factual background to the transaction.

 

The Original Exposure and Default

In 2002, Wema Bank Plc (the Bank) made an inter-bank placement with Gulf Bank Plc in the sum of ₦4.6 billion. By August 2004, that exposure had been reduced to approximately ₦1.2 billion, after which the outstanding obligation became delinquent. In seeking to recover depositors’ and shareholders’ funds, Wema Bank pursued lawful recovery steps, which ultimately dovetailed into a criminal investigation of the then Managing Director of Gulf Bank Plc.

 

Based on the investigation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the funds were found to have been diverted and used to acquire properties in Banana Island, Lagos, through two separate companies Bacad Finance & Investment Company Ltd (now known as Supra Commercial Trust Limited) and Euston Wenberg Eng Ltd. It is important to note that neither Bacad Finance & Investment Company Ltd (nor its successor, Supra Commercial Trust Limited) nor Euston Wenberg Eng Ltd is one and the same as Gulf Bank Plc. They are separate and distinct entities with no identity or equivalence to Gulf Bank. And the two companies are not subject to NDIC supervision.

 

In the course of its investigation, the EFCC conducted asset-tracing exercises that uncovered significant underlying fraud on a substantial scale. Following the EFCC’s findings, Bacad Finance & Investment Company Ltd and Euston Wenberg Eng Ltd voluntarily relinquished their proprietary interests in the Banana Island properties towards the satisfaction of Gulf Bank Indebtedness to Wema Bank. That process formed part of Wema Bank’s lawful recovery efforts and underscores the legitimacy of its actions against Gulf Bank.

 

NDIC’s Acknowledgment, Admission of Indebtedness, and Payment of Shortfall.

Critically, following the liquidation of Gulf Bank, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) admitted Gulf Bank’s indebtedness to Wema Bank in two separate letters:

A letter dated September 26, 2007, addressed to the Federal Land Registry; and

A letter dated June 10, 2009, addressed directly to Wema Bank Plc.

These letters constitute clear and formal recognition by the NDIC of the validity of Wema Bank’s claim against the defunct Gulf Bank and its interest over the property in question. Fortunately, both letters form part of the documents frontloaded by NDIC lawyer Dr. Dada Awosika SAN in court in the ongoing proceedings before Justice Allagoa of the Federal High Court Lagos.

 

Furthermore, after the sale of the properties, the NDIC in fact paid to Wema Bank, the shortfall of what was due to the Bank. These facts demonstrate that the NDIC was not only aware of the transaction but actively participated in settling the outstanding balance following the sale.

 

In light of the foregoing:

the voluntary relinquishment by Bacad (now Supra Commercial Trust Limited) and Euston Wenberg (distinct entities not constituting Gulf Bank), of the properties in Banana Island for the settlement of the indebtedness of the defunct Gulf Bank

 

the NDIC’s formal admission of Gulf Bank’s indebtedness to Wema Bank via its letters of September 26, 2007 (to the Federal Land Registry) and June 10, 2009 (to Wema Bank), both of which have been frontloaded in court by NDIC itself, and the acknowledgement of the relinquishment of the Banana Island properties, and

 

the NDIC’s own payment of the shortfall to Wema Bank,

 

NDIC is precluded from and cannot in good faith contest the relinquishment of those interests or the appropriateness of Wema Bank’s recovery efforts.

 

While we acknowledge that the NDIC has recently commenced two separate actions against Wema Bank at the Federal High Court, Lagos, purportedly in its capacity as liquidator of Gulf Bank Plc pursuant to a winding-up order, those proceedings do not alter the material facts stated above. As these matters are currently before the court and therefore sub judice, Wema Bank will refrain from commenting further on issues that fall for judicial determination. The Bank is taking all necessary steps to contest the suits filed in court and will explore all legal and legitimate means to protect its rights and interests.

 

Conclusion

 

Wema Bank Plc remains steadfast in its commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and transparency. We reaffirm our dedication to ethical and prudent banking practices and assure our shareholders, customers, regulators, and all relevant stakeholders that the Bank will continue to act responsibly, lawfully, and in the best interests of all parties it serves. The Bank will continue to exert its rights and will not succumb to the shenanigans of unscrupulous individuals who want to reap where they did not sow.

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Johnson Lebile

General Counsel/Legal Adviser

[email protected]

 

About WEMA Bank Plc

Wema Bank Plc (NGX: WEMABANK) is the pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, and one of Nigeria’s most resilient banks. With decades of experience in the business of banking, the Bank has remained innovative in delivering value to its stakeholders. Wema Bank operates a network of over 150 branches and service stations backed by a robust ICT platform. The publicly quoted Nigerian company has successfully built a legacy of trust and resilience that has won it the loyalty of its customers. The Bank is constantly introducing products and services tailored to the needs of its customers at every stage of their lives. It is a proud partner to more than one million individuals, families and businesses across Nigeria, helping them achieve their personal and financial goals.

 

 

More information can be found at https://www.wemabank.com/about-us/

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Group Signs Investment Promotion Agreement in Ivory Coast as UNIPGC Deploys Funding for Capital Projects  

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2 days ago

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May 14, 2026

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Group Signs Investment Promotion Agreement in Ivory Coast as UNIPGC Deploys Funding for Capital Projects

– Ivorycoast, Cot’devouir 

 

Noble & Gold Consulting Ltd has officially signed a partnership agreement with Gicobat Group of Company to facilitate funding for capital projects in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, through the UNIPGC–Global Economic Development Council (GEDC), during a high-level Business and Investment Roundtable held in the country.

 

The meeting, which took place on May 12, 2026, at the World Trade Centre in Abidjan, brought together senior executives and stakeholders from both organizations, including His Excellency, Amb. Jonathan Ojadah GCOP, Global President of UNIPGC; Mr. Noble Eze, CEO of Noble & Gold Consulting Ltd; and the Chairman of Gicobat Group of Company, Côte d’Ivoire.

 

The roundtable focused on opportunities for capital project financing, investment promotion, and business development across strategic sectors of the economy. Following extensive deliberations, the parties finalized terms and signed an agreement aimed at advancing the projects discussed during the engagement.

 

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the UNIPGC-GEDC, His Excellency Amb. Jonathan Ojadah, delivered a presentation titled *“How Reputable Brands Can Secure Funding for Capital Projects.”* He stated that the agreement represents a major milestone in supporting high-profile business initiatives that require structured financing and professional project management.

 

According to him, the partnership aligns with UNIPGC-GEDC’s mandate as a leading investment promotion, advisory, and business development institution operating across Africa and internationally.

 

> “Today, I am delighted to address this important topic on how leaders of established and reputable brands can secure the capital required for major expansion, technological advancement, or infrastructure development. The objective is not merely to find funding, but to attract the right funding at the most competitive cost of capital,” he stated.

 

He emphasized that brand reputation remains a critical asset in attracting investors and financial institutions.

 

> “In business, reputation is everything. In the world of capital-intensive projects, reputation is more than public perception; it is an asset class. A reputable brand represents stability, proven performance, and trustworthiness,” he added.

 

Amb. Ojadah further noted that successful funding processes begin long before formal investment pitches are made. According to him, investors seek organizations that demonstrate value stewardship, operational excellence, and financial discipline.

 

Drawing from his international experience in capital project engagements across Egypt, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and other countries, he highlighted several categories of major funding institutions involved in large-scale development financing. These include multilateral development banks, government agencies, private foundations, and impact investors focused on infrastructure, healthcare, real estate, energy, oil and gas, and sustainable development.

 

Among the institutions he referenced were the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the European Union (EU), the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Mastercard Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the UNIPGC Foundation.

 

He explained that through the UNIPGC Global Economic Development Council (GEDC), the organization facilitates funding opportunities for startups, private sector operators, and government projects through public-private partnerships (PPP), leveraging its network of international funding partners and financial institutions.

 

Amb. Ojadah identified three critical indicators commonly assessed by investors and lenders before financing projects:

 

1. **Transparency and Financial Performance** – Organizations must maintain audited financial records, quality assets, and sustainable growth patterns.

 

2. **Operational Excellence** – Investors prefer businesses with proven operational systems and stable cash flow generation, which reduce investment risks.

 

3. **A Strong Project Narrative** – Businesses must clearly demonstrate how proposed projects align with long-term strategic goals such as digital transformation, automation, infrastructure expansion, or increased market competitiveness.

 

He also outlined key strategies reputable brands can adopt in securing project financing, including bank financing, strategic partnerships, vendor financing arrangements, private equity investments, and asset-based lending structures.

 

> “Securing capital for projects as a reputable brand is ultimately about combining trust with strategic planning. Reputation is your strongest asset, and when paired with sound financial planning and a compelling vision, it becomes a powerful tool for building the future,” he concluded.

 

For Gicobat Group of Company, the partnership is expected to accelerate the execution of ongoing and proposed projects by leveraging UNIPGC-GEDC’s network of investors and financial partners. Officials of the company expressed confidence that the collaboration would significantly improve project implementation timelines and financing accessibility.

 

Organizers noted that the choice of the World Trade Centre, Abidjan, as the venue reflected the international scope and significance of the engagement, particularly for negotiations involving capital-intensive projects in infrastructure, trade, and industrial development.

 

UNIPGC-GEDC describes itself as a leading global investment promotion, advisory, and business development consultancy, working with governments, private enterprises, and institutional investors to structure, finance, and manage large-scale projects from inception to completion.

 

According to the organization, the Abidjan agreement adds to its expanding portfolio of strategic partnerships aimed at unlocking capital for projects with significant economic and social impact. It also confirmed that due diligence and project structuring processes had been completed prior to the signing to ensure project bankability and investor confidence.

 

Officials from both organizations further disclosed that implementation teams would be constituted immediately to oversee the next phase of the agreement. Although specific project details were not disclosed, both parties assured stakeholders that updates would be communicated as implementation milestones are achieved.

 

UNIPGC-GEDC also encouraged businesses, institutions, and investors with high-impact projects requiring financing or management support to engage with its team for collaboration opportunities. Further information on its services is available via UNIPGC-GEDC Official Website www.unipgc.org/gedc

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Dennis Ekamah Isn’t Building Houses—He’s Redefining What Home Means for Africans Through PropTech

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2 days ago

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May 14, 2026

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Dennis Ekamah Isn’t Building Houses—He’s Redefining What Home Means for Africans Through PropTech.

 

The founder of coHouse.ng is reimagining how millions of Africans access, experience, and share housing through technology.

 

In Africa’s rapidly evolving innovation landscape, the most transformative companies are no longer defined by the industries they enter, but by the systems they redesign.

 

For Dennis Ekamah, the opportunity was never about constructing buildings, it was about confronting a deeper question.

 

why is access to housing still so structurally difficult for millions of Africans in a digital age?

 

Rather than stepping into real estate as a developer. Dennis chose a different path, positioning coHouse.ng as a PropTech platform rethinking how housing is accessed, experienced, and shared. At the heart of this vision which is connecting potential home owners together via resource pooling for the purpose of either Living or Growth. Simply, *Connect. Live. Grow.*

 

*A Platform Not a Property Company*

 

coHouse.ng is not a real estate company. It is a technology-driven ecosystem connecting like-minded individuals into structured communities where they can live intentionally, invest collectively, and grow within a shared system.

 

From Insight to Recognition

 

In 2025, coHouse.ng was recognised among the Top 50 Tech Startups in Africa. Even ahead of its official launch, the platform attracted over 1,000 early waitlist users, individuals eager to be part of a new way of living and investing.

 

Solving for Access, Alignment, and Trust

 

Dennis Ekamah’s diagnosis goes deeper than supply shortfalls. The real barriers he argues are access, coordination, and trust. coHouse.ng tackles all three through identity verification powered by a third party verification system api. coHouse is not flying solo without the help and collaboration with government bodies across Nigeria and other African countries.

 

In his words;

“Imagine what you would achieve as an individual or group if you’re living with the right people or like-minded individuals around you.”

 

I’m not a developer, I’m not a professional realtor, I’m just someone who sees the need for this solution based on the problem we face as youth/young entrepreneurs in today’s housing deficiency across Africa.

— Dennis Ekamah

 

Join our waitlist by visiting www.cohouse.ng

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