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My Family Never Believe I Will Go To School – Helen Paul

Published

5 years ago

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Last week, popular comedienne, Helen Paul, achieved a feat that is not common among her contemporaries in the entertainment industry. The ace comedienne, actress, and filmmaker bagged a PhD from the University of Lagos.

In an exclusive chat with Punch, Tatafo, as she is fondly called by her friends and fans, revealed that her family members always thought she would drop out of secondary school but today, she has a PhD.

She said, “In my family, no one believed that I would complete secondary school education let alone attend university. My mother always told me that if I finished from secondary school with good grades, she would kill a cow because I was very restless and playful.

When I finished from secondary school and took my result to her, I demanded my cow but she was not forthcoming so I asked for a chicken, but she simply told me she had cooked rice and that I should go and eat it.

“To motivate me the more, she said that I should complete my university education, and that is when she would believe that I had really achieved a feat in life.”

The humour merchant noted that she did not gain admission into university for a while, saying, “I tried gaining admission the first time but it was to no avail. I tried the second time and got admission at the University of Ilorin.

By the time I got to the school, they told me that admission had closed. I began to cry as I was trekking everywhere in the school, showing people my result and the newspaper in which my name was published as part of those that passed the examination.

“The third time I tried, I chose the University of Lagos and I gave it all my best. I would not say that I am the most brilliant person but I have God’s favour. I believed that I could do it and I did it. Despite having a PhD, I would rather people continue calling me Helen Paul and not Dr Helen Paul because nothing has changed about me.”

She further hinted that being a PhD holder would not affect her career in the entertainment industry.

“Bagging a PhD would not affect my career at all; in fact, it would make me better at it. I have learnt ways to entertain and educate people at the same time,” she said.

Still excited about her recent achievement, the mother of three simply said, “I feel humbled about bagging a PhD and I cannot believe it because it is a dream come true. While I was studying, it was not easy combining it with my work as a comedienne and also an actress.

There were times that I would get frustrated; there were times I would write and feel it was the best work but my supervisor, who always believed in me, would tell me to redo it because he knew I could do better. Eventually, when I passed, I felt happy and relieved at the same time. I am excited and calm. I really do not know how to explain this mood.

“Already I have an academy, the Helen Paul Theatre Academy, so I did not go to get a PhD to become a lecturer. I just want to impact life and I do not necessarily need to do it by becoming a lecturer. I just want people to know that education is key and people should always imbibe the culture of constant learning. I feel I am already a teacher by being a good role model in the society.”

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Davido kicks as producer Napji calls him out over unpaid royalties

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1 day ago

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April 24, 2024 6:47 am

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Davido, the Nigerian singer, has reacted to a claim by Napji, the music producer, that he has yet to complete his payment for “royalties and publishing”.

In an X post on Tuesday, the producer claimed the singer has yet to pay him fully for producing three songs off his 2020 album ‘A Better Time’.

Napji, who claimed to have produced ‘Fem’, ‘Jowo’, and ‘Sunlight’, added that he would release more details soon.

“I am Napji, producer behind Fem, Jowo and sunlight on @davido album (A better time) which was released 13th November 2020,” he wrote.

“I was paid an advance of 500 thousand naira for each of the songs. I will be releasing more information as I seek to collect my royalties & publishing.”

In his reaction, Davido, who neither denied nor confirmed the claim, hurled insults at Napji.

The Afrobeats star had faced similar accusations in the past.

In August 2023, Alabi Adetutu, the Nigerian model, accused Davido of owing her for her role in ‘Wonder Woman’ visuals.

In 2022, Dammy Krane, the singer, also called out Davido to pay him for his contribution to the hit song ‘Pere’.

Krane said despite co-writing the 2017 hit song — which featured Rae Sremmurd and rapper Young Thug — “Davido is yet to pay my outstanding fee”.

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Tyla praises Tems for opening door of global recognition for female artistes in Africa

Published

2 days ago

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April 23, 2024 9:40 am

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Tyla, the South African singer, says Tems, the Nigerian songstress, paved the way for global recognition of female African artistes.

The music stars recently joined forces on ‘No.1’, a song off Tyla’s self titled album.

In a recent interview on Kiss Fresh FM, Tyla described Tems as an “amazing” singer who opened doors for African female artistes globally.

She also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with her.

“Amazing. Tems is so talented. She is literally a force. I am so honoured to have worked with her. She has opened so many doors for us,” she said.

“We made such a beautiful song with such a beautiful message. It is a song for the girls and it is made by the girls.”

In 2023, Tyla revealed Tems inspires her as an African artiste.

In response, Tems graciously accepted the accolades, and expressed confidence that Tyla is similarly empowering young South African girls through her music.

“Man, it is an honour, I am very very, 100% sure that she’s inspiring many many many many South African babe, many girls around the world as well”, she said.

Both artistes have continued to enjoy fame globally for their talents.

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Celebrities

Music producer Dr Roy calls out Mercy Chinwo over unpaid debt (Video)

Published

3 days ago

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April 22, 2024 10:33 am

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A Nigerian music producer identified as Dr Roy in a video breaks into tears as he narrates his ordeal while working with gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.

The middle-aged Nigerian music producer tearfully calls out gospel singer Mercy Chinwo over unpaid debt.

Dr Roy made this call out while featuring as a guest on the audio-visual podcast “The Honest Bunch: hosted by media personality Nedu and co-podcasters.

According to Dr Roy, he used to work with gospel singer Mercy Chiwno till 5 am then wake up by 7 am everyday in a back to back manner.

Speaking further, Dr Roy asserts that he produced, Excess Love, Omekannaya, Regular, Receive it and more for Mercy Chinwo and she never paid him.

Dr Roy further breaks into tears while on the podcast as he stressed that he was working hard while with Mercy Chinwo thinking he would make millions to feed his family but she left her with nothing but unpaid debt.

He noted that there was a time he informed Mercy Chinwo that his father had a stroke and she should assist him but she responded by saying “Make I no worry, he would be fine.”

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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