Entertainment
Comedian Shokunbi gets N1m, scholarship after winning skit contest
A fast-rising online comedian named Qudus Shokunbi has been unveiled as the winner of Airtel TV’s skit contest.
Airtel TV had a presentation event for its first Super Skit Makers contest on Wednesday at its Lagos headquarters.
Shokunbi received a ₦1,000,000 cash reward and a scholarship to Del-York Creative Academy, a Lagos film school.
The media brand, owned by the telecommunication company Airtel, handed out prizes ranging from ₦250,000 to ₦1,000,000.
Launched in March 2023, the Airtel TV Super Skit-Makers competition is an initiative by the fledgling platform to “recognize and reward the country’s outstanding talent” in the emerging online skits genre.
Shokunbi received his prize in the midst of a thrilled crowd at the presentation ceremony.
“I am happy that Airtel TV organized this competition and offered this large prize. Their support will go a long way to encourage more youths to produce more creative skits,” the skit maker said.
Shokunbi’s win was followed by additional prizes for other winners and contestants.
The second and third-place winners were presented with cash prizes of ₦500,000 and ₦250,000, respectively, alongside similar film school scholarships.
For their notable participation, makers of the top 10 most viewed videos that were entered into the competition also received branded Airtel TV merchandise.
Speaking at the event, Femi Oshinlaja, chief commercial officer at Airtel Nigeria, said: “Airtel Nigeria is excited to host the Skit-Makers and celebrate the incredible contributions of young skit-makers to the comedy genre.
“We believe in supporting and promoting creativity in Nigeria, and with Airtel TV, we are thrilled to recognize and reward the impact of these talented creators.
“We hope that the prizes will not only serve as a form of recognition for the winners but also as a source of inspiration to other aspiring skit makers.”
Entertainment
Rapper NBA YoungBoy pleads guilty in drug fraud case
NBA YoungBoy, the US rapper, has pleaded guilty to charges connected to a prescription drug fraud scheme.
The Louisiana rapper appeared in a courtroom in Logan, Utah on Monday, where he admitted to two counts of third-degree felony identity fraud, two counts of third-degree felony forgery, and six counts of misdemeanor unlawful pharmacy conduct.
YoungBoy, who is still serving 27 months on federal charges, also entered a “no contest” plea for 36 additional charges. He initially faced 46 state charges.
The plea deal reduced the felony charges to Class A misdemeanors.
Spencer Walsh, the judge, suspended a prison sentence, instead imposing a $25,000 fine.
The judge acknowledged YoungBoy’s prior agreement to serve over two years in prison and five years of probation for a related federal case resolved in September.
Authorities revealed that YoungBoy orchestrated the scheme from his home in Huntsville, Utah, where he posed as a doctor, using stolen identities to call in fraudulent prescriptions.
His associates allegedly collected the drugs from area pharmacies.
During sentencing, Walsh offered words of encouragement for the 25-year-old artiste.
“I’m sure that in your future, once you’re done with your federal prison time, you can be really successful on federal probation and have a really bright future where you can reach your full potential in every aspect of your life,” he said.
YoungBoy, known for his 2018 debut studio album ‘Until Death Call My Name’ and projects like ‘AI YoungBoy 2’ (2019) and ‘Sincerely, Kentrell’ (2021), is also facing an unresolved federal gun case in Louisiana.
The rapper, born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, recently announced plans to release his new album, ‘I Just Got a Lot on My Shoulders’, on December 6.
Entertainment
Nancy Umeh welcomes third child via surrogacy after secondary infertility battle
Nancy Umeh, the Nigerian chef and public health scientist, and her husband have welcomed their third child via surrogacy.
Surrogacy is when a woman carries and delivers a child for a couple or individual. This is done by fertilizing eggs from the surrogate or an egg donor with sperm from a donor to create an embryo.
In an Instagram post, Umeh shared a video capturing the process of childbirth. She said she opted for surrogacy because she battled “secondary infertility” for seven years after the birth of her last child.
Secondary infertility is the inability to conceive or carry a baby after previously giving birth without any assistance or trouble.
Umeh expressed her excitement while appreciating her surrogacy agency for the support. She also thanked the surrogate who she described as “an angel”.
“Our princess is here. Talia Tobechukwu Umeh,” she wrote.
“Too stunned to speak right now. I can’t believe we are parents again. Our last son is 8 years old and we have tried for 7 whole years.
“An angel carried our child for us. An angel sent from God through Meet Surrogate Mothers. I can’t believe we are holding our child.”
In an accompanying caption, she wrote: “Somebody pinch me. 7 years later. God bless you indeed Meet surrogate mothers. #parents again #secondary surrogate”.
The chef tied the knot with her husband in 2015. They now have three children.
Umeh is the older sister of popular Nigerian dancer Korra Obidi.
Entertainment
‘It hurts’ — Don Jazzy laments not having partner
Michael Ajereh, the Nigerian music executive better known as Don Jazzy, has lamented his relationship status.
In an Instagram post on Monday, the founder of Mavin Records expressed his desire to participate in a trend ‘suspect challenge’.
The ‘suspect challenge’ is a new social media trend in which couples take turns to playfully tease each other.
The 41-year-old entrepreneur said he would like to join the trend but has no partner.
“Suspect wants to do suspect challenge but no suspect partner,” he wrote. In the accompanying caption, the music executive lamented that “it hurts”.
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