WINNERS EMERGE AT 3RD AYO OLOPON TOURNEY

The curtain has drawn on the third edition of the Ayo Olopon Traditional Tournament with winners emerging in all the categories of the tournament.

The major highlight of the two-day event which held on the 17th and 18th April 2026 was the emergence of Ifa practitioner Sunday Ope as the winner of the men's category. He defeated Damilare Shoderu to cart home the N200, 000 prize money.

For coming second, Shoderu won N150, 000 while  the third place winner Akanbi Olayiwola won N100, 000.

In the female category, it was Lawal Aderonke who triumphed over the rest when she defeated Abebi Adeboso to win the N200, 000 prize money.

Adeboso won N150, 000 for her effort while Oloyede Fausat won N100, 000 for placing third.

Interestingly, it was a smooth sail to victory for young Azeez Rasheed convincingly won the male category children by beating Liakeem Rokeeb to win the N200, 000 prize money while the loser won the N150,000 second place prize. The third place was won by Adebayo Mubarak.

In the female version, Obasa Aminat beat Ogunbayo Darasinmi to emerge winner while Rodist Jimoh placed third.

Speaking after the competition, the Balogun of Ilawo, High Chief Isiak Adesanya who represented the Olu of Ilawo, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Prof) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor expressed his delight at the quality of standard displayed by the participant at this year's event.

According to him, the purpose of organizing the tournament is gradually being achieved.

"The decision to organize the tournament by His Royal Majesty, Oba (Prof) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor is not lost because of the high standard displayed by the participants at this year's event and we are convinced next year would witness higher standard." He said.

HONOUR FROM HOME!

 HONOUR FROM HOME!

. As Kentucky Becomes Life Patron of Ishaga/Isolo NUT

 It was an honour well deserved as hommie and American-based businessman, Kolawole Odubote (a.k.a Kentucky) has been honoured with the Life Patron Award by Ishaga/Isolo branch of the Nigerian Union of Tailors.

In a letter of appointment jointly signed by the Chairman, Shina Ajibade and the secretary, Latifat Aina, the union stated that Odubote's elevation to the union's highest position of honour is in recognition of his remarkable qualities, impeccable character and passion for grassroot development.

It would be recalled at an award ceremony held on Saturday 14th December 2024 at Goloba Street, Isolo, Lagos, the association recognized and appreciated Kentucky’s widow’s mite towards the financial and moral upliftment of members of the union by bestowing a philanthropy award on him.

The Epe-born businessman has been contributing his quota towards the development of his immediate community particularly his neighbourhood in Isolo where he has launched a foundation in memory of his late mum, Alhaja Sikirat Ajoke Odubote.

The foundation has offered helping hands to less-privileged members of the society, business men and women, artisans, professional associations, churches and mosques particularly during festive periods when food items are freely distributed at Christmas and Sallah festivals.

Kentucky's investiture as Life Patron of the union is expected to hold on Saturday 6th December 2025 during the union's 31st year anniversary and inauguration of new executive committee members.

The event is slated to take place at No 28, Salawu Aliu Street, Oke-Afa, Ejigbo, Lagos.

 Oba Ghandi Appoints New Imam, Identifies His Roles 

Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, has on Friday appointed new Imam,Habib Ahmed Adekunle.

This is coming amidst rift with the Ogbomoso Chief Imam, Sheikh Tolihat Yunus Ayilara.

The conferement of the new Imam was done immediately after a special prayer organized by Ogbomoso Muslim community to celebrate Oba Ghandi’s 63rd birthday anniversary.

Identifying roles of the new Imam after issueing letter of appointment, Oba Ghandi, said he will assume the position of “The Imam of Soun’s Palace”.

The monarch further explained that the Imam of Soun’s Palace will not only lead prayers within the palace but also represent him in religious matters concerning the Muslim community both within the town and beyond.

“I firmly believe that the peaceful coexistence of all religious bodies is essential to fostering growth and progress in Ogbomoso. I remain committed to supporting and promoting this unity for the benefit of everyone in our community.

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate and pray with me.” Oba Ghandi’s statement reads in part.

I'm Crushing On Ibrahim Chatta

  — Nollywood Star, Toro Aramide Reveals

Toro Aramide is one of Nigeria’s fastest rising actress. Aramide is not only a pretty face for the camera, she is a film producer with at least 13 movies to her credit. In this exclusive interview, the UK-based star tells why she loves movie production and her dreams to become a Hollywood star.

We haven’t seen you in any English movies. Why is that?

I have not just had the opportunity to do an English movie. Also, for me the Yoruba sector helps you grow faster. A lot of people are of the opinion that people who do only Yoruba movies aren’t fluent in English. I think that is a very wrong opinion to start with because, you need to know why people don’t do certain things before you judge. I am very fluent in English, and just like me, for many it is because they haven’t had the opportunity.

Let’s go back to your coming into the industry, how did that happen, what was your first introduction to Nollywood as an industry?

It all started in September 2019 when I did my first production. I didn’t want to come in as an actor to be honest, I came in as a producer. But while on set, everyone said I have the face, that was what pushed me. For my first movie, I did just two scenes and the comments and accolades kept on coming in, different people encouraging me to go into acting, telling me that I was good at it. I have always had the passion, no doubt, but I didn’t pursue it for reasons like my family; they didn’t want me to act because everybody has this thing about actors especially in Nigeria that acting is an immoral profession. That is also a wrong opinion, but there was nothing I could do even as an adult then because of my family background, I still had to listen to some people. But as time went on, they supported me.

What was the title of your first movie?

‘Ogoji’. It was a really good feeling, and I was surprised because, I didn’t expect it to turn out that way. Maybe it’s because I used my favorite actor, Ibrahim Chatta. I wanted him in that production and it happened, and I was very glad it did.

From that time till now, how many movies have you produced?

13 and counting.

How many movies have you actually starred in?

Two.

Some veteran producers have not been able to record such numbers, what is your secret?

I think it is just the grace of God and passion for me, like something just kept pushing me and I didn’t want to stop. There is this drive in me, if I am not acting or doing anything, it feels like there is something missing in me. It’s just the grace of God.

A lot of people have the same dream that you do, they have the drive, they have the face, they have the talent that you do, they have everything but they can’t seem to get the right funding because making a movie, let’s be honest, is not cheap, how do you fund these movies. Are you from a rich home or did you take loans?

For funding, I get support from my husband, and I am also a project manager and I get a good pay. That’s the way I have been doing my thing.

What is the next thing you want to achieve?

My next plan is to venture into cinema movies, I haven’t done any. That is one of my dreams and it was what I wanted to start with. But you know that you can’t just come into the industry and jump into cinema.

Do you still have any dream role?

Yes. I have a dream to play the role of an ‘Omo Ita’ (Area boy). I don’t know how I am going to do it, but it is something that I really want to do.

But your skin and looks might not fit the role.

I practically told my director that I am going to darken my skin a bit because it will not look realistic if I don’t darken my skin.

A lot of people are against actors who don’t live in Nigeria but come to Nigeria to make movies for Nigerians. Do you face that kind of backlash from any member of this industry?

Never. I have been very fortunate. I was welcomed and I am still very cool with everyone.

You are a very beautiful woman, and I am sure a lot of people approach you with all sorts of scripts, expecting you to play certain roles. Are there any scripts that you have turned down and what made you do that?

I have turned down a few scripts and one of the reasons is because they wanted me to play a proper kissing role and I can’t do that. I feel some people do that because they just want to take advantage and use that opportunity to do that. That is the only type of script I have turned down. There are three in total, and they were all about kissing and nudity.

‘Okirika’ cast and crew went on set in October, what is the key quality that you are bringing into the production as an actor?

Something great, and I don’t want to say it. I want to show myself in this one. If I start saying it now, the hype would reduce. I want to build up anticipation. I have been speaking to people that are fluent in Pidgin English, so that I can learn from them.

What is the one thing that you would change about your journey so far if you could go back in time?

I would have started acting earlier.

In the next 10 years, where do you see Toro Aramide?

Hollywood. It might not sound realistic, but I believe in myself and I have faith.

What other talents do you have apart from acting and producing, if you were not in film making what would you be doing?

I know how to sew, and I am a good artist. I am also good at swimming.

 HOW OSOLO DIED

The Real Cause of His Death

By Lanre Olaleye

Dateline: Osolo's Palace, Isolo, Lagos (Sunday 31st March 2024)

It was a normal day for the Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabir Adelaja Alani Agbabiaka. The Osolo's Palace is a Mecca of some sort for Muslims and all manner of people especially during the Ramadan fasting when the down-trodden and the less privilege gather to collect food items facilitated by the monarch and the Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to break their fast.

As a normal practice, Oba Agbabiaka had Iftar (breaking of fast) with his chiefs, close friends and associates in his palace. Thereafter, he reportedly said his prayers and later rejoined his friends for the normal conversations and banters till around 11 p.m. when he was said to have retired to bed. Some of his chiefs reportedly escorted him to his inner chambers before bidding him goodbye.

Osolo's busy schedule during the day demands he should have a well-deserve night rest. Hence, one  of his wives, Olori Khadijat had left a stern instruction to palace aides not to disturb the monarch from his sleep. 

In what later appeared to be a journey of no return, an insider within the palace recounted the final moments of the Isolo monarch. He exclusively told The Snoop during a chat a loud scream from the Oba's inner chambers rudely shattered the peace within the palace a few hours after midnight when many were fast asleep.

"There was serious commotion in the palace as Kabiyesi was shouting and screaming at the top of his voice and muttering "My head! my head!!, my head!!!. Our source began.

"He was clutching his head even as his screams woke up many of us within the palace. We all rushed to his inner chamber to know what had happened.

There and then, we knew something bad had happened because he was still clutching his head. He was sweating profusely and looked so pale and weak.

"We were confused and dejected because he was not responding to antidotes that were administered on him to subside the headache. He was breathing heavily and caught a pitiable sight even as he continued muttering inaudibly. Then it was decided he should be taken to Newline Hospital around Aswani where his condition worsened because he had lost consciousness. After two days without improvement on his condition, the doctor advised he should be refered to LASUTH for proper intervention," revealed our source who did not want his name mentioned in print for obvious reason.

At LASUTH, the embattled monarch was said to have been given prompt attention following the directive of Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu who reportedly directed the hospital management to muster all resources to save the monarch's life.

The Osolo who until his death was the secretary of the Lagos State Obas Council was placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after falling into coma. 

"He was in coma for about nine days before he eventually gave up the ghost. He was not battling any terminal disease and the sickness came rather too sudden." 

Asked what could have been the actual cause of death, our source said doctors at LASUTH did not discuss his case with anyone except his wife and junior brother. He, however, informed that Cerebral  Stroke was listed as the cause of death in the Death Certificate issued by the hospital management.

Findings revealed Cerebral Stroke happen when a blood clot block the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. These blood clots typically form in area where the arteries has been narrowed or blood over time by fatty deposits. 

However, the hospital verdict has not bode well with the opinion of many who were well acquainted with the late monarch. Speculations were rife that the monarch must have died through supernatural cause. 

"The manner through which it happened gave credence to the fact that it was a spiritual attack. It was a known pattern by evil doers to catch their victims by surprise. It came so sudden and the perpetrators are happy now that they have achieved their aim. But one thing is certain, God will one day catch up with them," another source told our correspondent.

I AM DEPENDABLE

 Many Depend On Me

- Ibeju Crown Prince Hameed Ajijola 

For Ibeju Crown Prince, Hameed Adejoro Ajijola life is not a competition but rather a lone race of destiny. Imbued with humility and hardwork, the Chartered Economist has become an inspiration to many who have found him quite dependable. He spoke with The SNOOP's LANRE OLALEYE on the occasion of his recent 46th birthday anniversary. 

Who is Hameed Adejoro Ajijola?

I am a public health practitioner and a seasoned organization strategist. I was born in the 70s into the Baseusa Oniwonlu Royal Family of Ibeju Lekki, Lagos. I am one of the major aspirants of the vacant Oba Onibeju stool. I have Bsc in Economics and a Master's in Business Administration .I am an alumnus of  different business bchools in Nigeria and abroad. I am a Chartered Economist  with more than two decades of experience in Administration, Tax Consulting, Public Relations, Brand Strategy, Marketing Communications and Interventions, Public Health Management. I am a Fellow of the Institute for Health Insurance & Managed Care of Nigeria(FIHIMN), Chartered Institute of Administration (FCIA), Chartered Institute of Economists of Nigeria (FCE), Institute of Strategic Management (FSM) and Nigeria Institute of Management (FNIM).

KING SOLOMON OF OUR TIME!

 

 Man Marries Triplet Sisters on Same Day in Colourful Wedding Ceremony 

Courtesy: Legit.ng

 
A Congolese man identified as Luwizo is the latest King Solomon in town. The polygamous man from Kalehe, South Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, recently married triplets Natasha, Natalie, Nadege in a colourful wedding ceremony. 

YEMI SOLADE @ 62

'I Won't  Allow Teenagers Abuse Me On Social Media'

Veteran actor, Yemi Solade, has said he will not allow teenagers throw jabs at him on social media.

The ‘Elevator Baby’ actor, who recently clocked 62 years, said, “I am human and I am on social media to express myself. I am not there to encourage anybody to throw jabs at me. I am an African man who is a chieftaincy title holder. I cannot allow an 18-year-old throw jabs at me. I will send that person back to his parents because this is Africa. Social media is not a leveller.”

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!

My Wife Believed In Me – Mike Bamiloye

Veteran Christian filmmaker, Mike Bamiloye, has hailed his wife, Gloria, on her 58th birthday as he recounted how she helped his drama ministry.

In a lengthy Instagram post, the cleric revealed that his wife, during her National Youth Service corps days, used to send him her allowance for him to organise programs.