Nigerian comedian Ali Baba has recounted a dramatic encounter with former military leader Sani Abacha that he describes as a ‘near-death experience.’

He reflected on an incident during his recent appearance on the Leadership Podcast, recalling the tense atmosphere surrounding a particular performance during Abacha’s presidency.

At the event in Abuja, the Akwa Ibom cultural group was set to perform, and he had been tasked with introducing them.

Ali Baba narrated, “The first close encounter I had with death was with Sani Abacha. When Abacha was president, Ernest Shonekan had been removed so I went to do an event in Abuja and it was time for the Akwa ibom cultural group to perform. At the time, Abacha was wearing one of those sunglasses that could be folded.”

The comedian recalled his audacious move to address Abacha directly to ask him to remove his sunglasses.

“So then they started dancing I stopped them and faced Abacha, saying, ‘your excellency, sir, it’s almost 10; why are you wearing Dark shades? Don’t you want to see their performance? Remove this shade na,'” he narrated.

“He then removed the glasses and was talking to someone and when he kept the glasses I told the troupe to continue. As soon as they started, I saw the DSS officers going backstage to wait for god knows who o.”

Alibaba recalled how, in a moment of fear, he sat next to the iron-fisted president instead of going backstage, where the DSS operatives were.

“I went down the stage to where Abacha was and sat on the ground next to him. He made jokes of me and asked why I refused to go backstage and I said , ‘Don’t worry, sir, they can come and arrest me here.”

In an interesting turn of events, Abacha gave him the sunglasses as a gift.

See the full interview below:

Johnson Suleman, the general overseer of the Omega Fire Ministries International, appeared to have reacted to Halima Abubakar’s plea for forgiveness.

In 2022, the actress claimed on social media that she and Suleman had a romantic relationship, which led to threats of legal action from Suleman due to “defamatory statements”.

The allegations escalated in 2023 with Halima alleging she got pregnant thrice for the cleric.

In April, a federal high court in Abuja ordered Halima to pay N10 million in damages to Apostle Suleman for defamation.

Yesterday, Halima apologised to the cleric for her past statements, admitting they were “false and hurtful”.

The actress expressed remorse for the harm caused and sought forgiveness from Apostle Suleman and his family.

The movie star said she “was not thinking right then” and added that the apology is prompted by “deep reflections and conscience”.

“I ask you to find a place in your heart to forgive me as I was not thinking right then. Sir, you have done a lot for humanity, extend your hands of forgiveness to me,” she said on Instagram.

Reacting, Suleman requested no further intermediation, emphasizing forgiveness does not erase memories. The cleric added that his stance remains unchanged.

“You all stop calling my phone. Forgiveness is not memory loss! Status quo maintained,” he wrote on X.

You all stop calling my phone..
Forgiveness is not memory loss!..
Status quo maintained!…
AJS.

— Apst Johnson Suleman (@APOSTLESULEMAN) October 23, 2024

Simi, the award-winning Nigerian singer, has emphasized the importance of financial independence for women.

In a recent video shared on her TikTok page, the songstress urged parents to raise their daughters to be financially self-sufficient, rather than relying on people for money.

“Please do not raise your daughters to think that when they grow up, all they have to do is rely on someone—that they don’t have to take care of themselves,” she said.

“When someone is spoiling you, it shouldn’t be because you cannot spoil yourself.

“As they are spoiling you, you too, you’re spoiling them. Let them know that you’re standing strong. There is security in knowing that you got yourself.

“A woman’s economic power is in protecting herself fending for herself and being able to confidently acknowledge that she is a complete person. You deserve good things; you need to occupy space.”

The 36-year-old singer acknowledged her privileged upbringing and encouraged others to provide opportunities for deserving women.

“I admit that I say this from a place of privilege. I grew up among people who believed in me, pushed me and encouraged me. I had chances that took me from here to here,” she said.

“But there are lots of women that have had to work with less. Less love, less faith, less kindness, less opportunity.

“And that’s where we as a society have to step in, and when you are in a position to give a deserving woman an opportunity, please give it to her.”

Simi urged men to support their partners’ financial growth. “If your female friend, girlfriend, or wife is thriving, don’t be intimidated by it. Support is sexy,” she said.

The singer, whose full name is Simisola Bolatito Kosoko, broke into the limelight in 2014 with the single ‘Tiff’.

Since then, she has released a plethora of hits including ‘Joromi’, ‘Soldier’, and ‘Smile For Me’.

Simi is married to Adekunle Gold, who also happens to be a singer. The union is blessed with a child.