Nigerian content creators Korty EO, Layi Wasabi, and Taaooma have been featured in Rolling Stone’s Creators Special 2024.

The magazine highlighted their efforts in “keeping their Nigerian communities and culture front of mind and finding success”.

According to the magazine, “Local brands are often eager to give social media stars ad deals.

Some of these creators say they want to expand their audiences and profitability and are looking elsewhere to do it.”

In an interview, Korty EO (Eniola Olanrewaju) revealed that her latest hobby is “making money”.

She expressed her desire to expand her platform’s reach, aiming to create more opportunities for Nigerian creatives to share their stories.

“I can do that across the globe and it will connect with every single person,” she said.

“We are very industrious and ambitious people, but there is also a lot of poverty here. That is the importance of collaborations with other people on other continents.

“It just brings more eyes to the beauty happening here.”

On her part, Taaooma, born Maryam Apaokagi, said she wants to make movies and “definitely” wants a Western audience.

The skit maker also told Rolling Stone that she believes in staying true to herself and tailoring her content to her community.

“When you stretch your hands out to other places, your community is going to support you. So, that is what I have tried to do,” she said.

The US-based magazine described Layi, born Isaac Olayiwola, as “one of the most recognisable faces on the young Nigerian internet”.

It said Layi’s content plays into Pan-African folktales, which “reflects hope and resourcefulness in harsh conditions”.

“What sells Layi is him reflecting what Nigerian life actually is,” the magazine wrote.

Renowned Nigerian music legend, Onyeka Onwenu, has passed away at the age of 72.

Born on January 31, 1952, she died at Reddington Hospital in Lagos after collapsing at a birthday celebration for Mrs. Stella Okoli, the founder of Emzor pharmaceutical company.

Onwenu had performed at the event, which was held to mark Okoli’s 80th birthday.

Witnesses initially thought her collapse was a prank, but sadly, it was confirmed that the music icon had indeed passed away.

“I have never seen anything like this before. She had just come down from the stage after performing energetically and admirably as always. And went to her seat where she slumped. It is still like a dream.”

Another eyewitness said: “It is very sad. Onyeka Onwenu just performed at the birthday of Mrs. Stella Okoli today, and after performing, she slumped. She was taken to Reddington Hospital and she couldn’t make it.”

As at the time of going to press, TheNiche reliably gathered that even the doctors were in disbelief and are yet to take her body to the morgue.

Another source who was among the people that rushed her to the hospital said, “Apparently, she had a heart attack. The doctor has advised that the body should be kept until later this morning. It is unbelievable.”

Onyeka was a singer, songwriter, actress, human rights and social activist, journalist, politician, and former X Factor series judge.

Dubbed the “Elegant Stallion” by the Nigerian press, she is a former chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture.

In 2013 she was appointed the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.

Onwenu hailed from Arondizuogu, a town in Ideato North, Imo State, but was raised in Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State.

She was the youngest daughter of Nigerian educationist and politician D. K. Onwenu, who died when she was four years old in an autocrash a week before his appointment as Minister for Education, leaving his widow, Hope, to raise five children alone.

Onwenu possessed a BA in International Relations and Communication from Wellesley College, Massachusetts, and an MA in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research, New York.

She worked for the United Nations as a tour guide before returning to Nigeria in 1980 to complete her mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), in Lagos, Nigeria.

As an NTA employee, Onwenu made an impact as a newsreader and reporter. In 1984, she wrote and presented the internationally acclaimed BBC/NTA documentary “Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches,” which became the definitive film about corruption in Nigeria, as well as the intractable Niger Delta agitation for resource control and campaign against environmental degradation in the oil rich region of Nigeria.

A former member of the NTA board, she has also worked as a TV presenter, hosting the shows Contact (1988) and Who’s On? (1993) both on NTA Network.

• Music

Originally a secular artist, Onwenu made the transition to gospel music in the 90s, and most of her songs are self-penned. She continued to write and sing about issues such as health (HIV/AIDS), peace and mutual coexistence, respect for women’s rights, and the plight of children.

She began her recording career in 1981 while still with the NTA, releasing the album For the Love of You, a pop album which featured an orchestral cover of Johnny Nash’s “Hold Me Tight”, produced by Berkley Jones. Her second album was Endless Life, produced by Sonny Okosun, and included another cover – the Everley Brothers’ “Walk Right Back”. Both records were released under the EMI label.

Onwenu’s first album with Polygram, In The Morning Light, was released in 1984. Recorded in London, it featured the track “Masterplan” written by close friend Tyna Onwudiwe who had previously contributed to Onwenu’s BBC documentary and subsequently sang back-up vocals on the album.

In 1986, she released One Love which contained an updated version of the song “(In the) Morning Light from the previous album. Another song, “You and I”, was re-recorded for the 2001 film Conspiracy starring Nkem Owoh and Onwenu herself.

For the 1988 album Dancing In The Sun, Onwenu adopted a more Afrocentric sound and collaborated with veteran jùjú artist Sunny Ade on the track “Madawolohun (Let Them Say)”. This was the first of three songs the pair worked on together; the other two – “Choices” and “Wait For Me” – centred on family planning, and were endorsed by the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria who used “Choices” in their PSA.

Dancing In The Sun, Onwenu’s final release on Polygram, was dedicated to Winnie Mandela, the subject of a song of the same name which Onwenu performed live when Nelson Mandela and his wife visited Nigeria in 1990 following his release from prison.

Onwenu diverted to Benson and Hedges Music in 1992 and released the self-titled Onyeka!, her only album with the label, after which she made the transition to Christian/gospel music. Her latest collection, “Inspiration for Change,” focused on the need for an attitudinal change in Nigeria.

• Acting

Onwenu’s first movie role was as Joke, a childless woman who adopts an abandoned baby in Zik Zulu Okafor’s Nightmare.

She has since featured in numerous Nollywood movies, and in 2006 she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in the movie “Widow’s Cot”. She was also nominated that same year for Africa Movie Academy Award for “Best Actress in a Leading Role” in the movie “Rising Moon”.

In 2014 she was in the movie Half of a Yellow Sun with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton, and Lion Heart (2018).

• Politics

Onwenu was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party. She contested twice to become the Local Council Chairman of her Local Government, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, and lost at both attempts but was appointed Chairperson of Imo State Council for Arts and Culture by former governor Ikedi Ohakim. On September 16, 2013, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan appointed her the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.

• Activism

In 2000, Onwenu protested against her former employer NTA over their refusal to pay royalties on her songs (NTA 2 Channel 5 had used “Iyogogo”, a track from the Onyeka! album, in station idents without asking her permission). After then-director general Ben Murray-Bruce blacklisted her from transmission, she embarked on a hunger strike outside the station’s premises.

Onwenu’s activism attracted widespread support from various artists, including Charly Boy, who lambasted Nigeria’s reluctance to pay royalties when songs are broadcast on television and radio. NTA resolved to settle the issue amicably but denied barring Onwenu from appearing on their channels.

The protest was called off after six days when Onwenu and NTA came to an arrangement regarding royalties.

See pictures from Onyeka Onwenu’s last performance below

The excitement is building as Aroba Groove’s highly anticipated stage adaptation of the film Ti Oluwa Ni Ile gears up for its grand debut. Titled Asiyanbi Ti Oluwa Ni Ile, this captivating theatrical event is set to open at Terra Kulture in Lagos from October 4th-6th 2024. Following the Lagos event, the play will tour Oyo from October 18th-20th and Osun from October 25th-27th, Then international stages in the UK, USA, Maryland, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Caribbean.

This is not just another theatre production; Asiyanbi Ti Oluwa Ni Ile represents a grand celebration of Nigerian culture and creativity. Described by the Aroba Groove team as a “Wholesome Entertainment Experience,” the play promises to offer audiences a vibrant fusion of tradition and modernity. Dotun Taylor, CEO of Aroba Groove, shares, “We’re not just putting on a show; we’re reviving our cultural heritage and celebrating the rich tapestry of our past with a fresh, exhilarating twist. This is an invitation to join us in an unforgettable journey through the heart of Nigerian tradition.”

Adding to its cultural significance, Asiyanbi Ti Oluwa Ni Ile has received the endorsement and partnership of the Ooni of Ife, Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, further emphasizing the production’s authenticity and importance.

The stage adaptation features an impressive cast of Nigeria’s most celebrated talents, including the legendary Baba Wande, Yomi Fash Lanso, Aisha Lawal, Jude Chukwuka YAW, Dele Omo Woli, Lekan Agba Inaki, Jigan Baba Oja, Baba Alariya, Yemi Elesho, Ozain, Mummy G.O, and Iya Mufu. Their collective talents promise to deliver a performance that is both deeply engaging and visually stunning, ensuring an unforgettable experience for theatre goers.

Project Coordinator and Producer Mr. Akindeji Ibitayo emphasizes the meticulous craftsmanship involved in creating Asiyanbi Ti Oluwa Ni Ile: “We’ve spared no effort in crafting a production that showcases our cultural richness. Every element, from technical design to set and lighting, has been thoughtfully executed to offer a mesmerizing and immersive experience.” This commitment to excellence is set to redefine Nigerian theatre standards, making Asiyanbi Ti Oluwa Ni Ile a must-see event for those who appreciate high-quality, culturally resonant performances.

Originally penned by the esteemed Alhaji Kareem Adepoju (Baba Wande), Ti Oluwa Ni Ile explores the comedic and intricate world of land transactions in Nigeria. The film adaptation, a 1993 blockbuster hit produced by Mainframe Productions and directed by Tunde Kelani, now finds a vibrant new life on stage through Aroba Groove’s creative adaptation.

Since its announcement, Asiyanbi has generated significant buzz among fans of the original film and theatre enthusiasts. This stage adaptation is not merely a revival but a dynamic celebration of artistic excellence and cultural pride.

For more information about this landmark theatrical event, visit www.asiyanbi.com