Entertainment
Iconic Nollywood Actor, Pete Edochie Celebrates 77 Years In Grand Style
Veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, widely acknowledged as the Lion of Africa, celebrated his 77th birthday in a splendid fashion.
The esteemed thespian, and father to actor-turned-pastor Yul Edochie, shared a delightful series of photos on his Instagram page, each capturing the joyous moments of the milestone.
With a brief caption that read “IBOBO 77,” Edochie expressed his gratitude for another year of life and accomplishments.
Renowned as one of Nigeria’s most gifted actors, Pete Edochie has received accolades, including an Industry Merit Award from Africa Magic and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Africa Film Academy.
Born on March 7, 1947, in Zaria, Kaduna State, Edochie hails from Nteje in Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State, and is happily married to Josephine Edochie.
As the veteran actor celebrated his 77th birthday, Nollywood stars and fans flooded social media with heartfelt felicitations, expressing gratitude to God for his remarkable life and contributions to the film industry.
Actress Rita Edochie, the sister-in-law of the celebrated actor, expressed her heartfelt celebration on Instagram (@ritaedochie).
She praised the Nollywood icon, emphasizing his love, care, concern, and overall amazing personality. Rita expressed her delight in being his sister-in-law, thanking God for having no regrets knowing Edochie and highlighting the exceptional person he is.
She said ”In over 30 years of knowing you as my dear husband’s brother, I have never known any regrets nor discomfort.
“Ibobo, you have been remarkably loving, caring, concerned, and amazing. I am greatly delighted to be your sister-in-law.
“I have said it before, and I will say it again, in my next life, I will surely be married by the Edochies.
“On this special day that marks another year of wonderful existence, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible person you are.
“Happy birthday, my great husband, your charisma, wisdom and warm heart have left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know you.
“May this year bring you so much joy, success, unforgettable moments. As you blow out the candles, may your wishes soar high and your dreams come true.
“Your presence in our lives is a true blessing; today is a reminder to cherish the remarkable soul that you are.
“Here is to another year of laughter, love, and unforgettable memories, cheers to you my great brother-in-law, like no other.
“I will always love and respect you, live in longevity, and soar immensely. Wishing you more of March 7, the great lion of Africa,” she added
On his Instagram page, actor Yul Edochie, son of the legendary Pete Edochie, shared a heartfelt birthday tribute to his father, expressing wishes for a remarkable celebration.
He wrote, “A very happy birthday to you, Daddy. The Lion of Africa. The Legendary Chief Pete Edochie (@peteedochie). The most handsome 77-year-old man. Ibobo Umueri, The Greatest. I wish you many more beautiful years filled with God’s blessings. May God lead you always..”
Entertainment
Yemi Alade Accuses Cool FM, Clout Africa of Blacklisting Her Music
Award-winning Nigerian singer and activist, Yemi Alade has accused Cool FM Nigeria and Clout Africa of blacklisting her music after she failed to perform at an event organized by the platforms in December 2023.
The singer, in a series of tweets on Thursday night, alleged that her music has been removed from the stations’ playlists for nearly a year, despite her efforts to resolve the misunderstanding.
Alade explained that she was invited by Cool FM to perform at their December event but couldn’t attend.
According to her, she apologized for her absence in January 2024 but faced a cold reception from the management.
She claims this eventually led to her entire music catalogue being banned from the station’s playlists.
“Mr Serge and Mr Joseph, this life is not hard like that. WE SEE YOU… I SEE YOU @cloutafrica @CoolFMNigeria. This world is a small village. My God will fight for me… Una dey form gatekeepers in 2024,” she tweeted, referring to Cool FM and Clout Africa executives Serge Noujaim and Joseph Adamu.
Alade expressed shock at what she described as a deliberate attempt to sabotage her career by refusing to play her songs. She accused the station of barring both her old and new music from the airwaves.
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“Since December 2023. I personally reached out in January. You are still refusing to play my music and giving my team a hard time. You’re not gatekeepers, and you are not God, Mr Serge Noujaim and Mr Joseph Adamu,” she wrote.
She further criticized the lack of communication from the management regarding the issue.
“The common decency to reach out and clear out any misunderstanding borne out of sheer carelessness on your path for a whole year, and your next move is to place an embargo on my songs? Remove my whole catalogue,” she added.
Entertainment
Davido Is Our Son, Our Pride – Gov Adeleke
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has congratulated his nephew and global music icon, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido on the occasion of his birthday, describing him as a superstar Osun State is proud of.
This was revealed in a statement by his Spokesperson Olawale Rasheed, where he cited Gov Aeleke as pointing to Davido’s consistency, energy and passion yielding the result he has recorded not only in his music career but also in his life as a person.
Gov Adeleke, stated Rasheed, prayed for progress, more success and achievement for Davido, while commending his continuous outreach to the orphanages and less privileged, which he described as ‘a noble act every blessed hand in Nigeria must emulate’.
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He said, ” I want to rejoice with my nephew, David Adeleke, Davido, on the occasion of his 32nd birthday, I am very happy we are all alive to witness it.
“Davido is a global super star that Osun State is very proud of. The consistency, energy and passion he has inserted into building his music career is evident in the result he has recorded not only in his career but also in his life as a person.
“I pray for him for progress, more success and achievement in long life, prosperity, sound health and mind.
“I equally want to commend his continuous outreach to the orphanages and less privileged. I must say that this is a noble act every blessed hand in Nigeria must emulate.
“Once again, Happy Birthday to Davido”.
Entertainment
Wizkid Drops Sixth Studio Album ‘Morayo’
Afrobeats sensation Wizkid has unveiled his highly anticipated sixth studio album, Morayo, released today (Nov. 22) via Starboy Entertainment and RCA Records.
The album, whose title translates to “I see joy” in Yoruba, is an emotional tribute to his late mother, Juliana Morayo Balogun, who passed away in August 2023.
“Best album I ever made!! Now listen! It’s only up from here!” the Grammy-winning artist tweeted in July, building anticipation for the 16-track project.
Morayo features an impressive lineup of collaborations, including Brent Faiyaz on “Piece of My Heart,” Asake on “Bad Girl,” Tiakola on “Après Minuit,” Jazmine Sullivan on “Bad For You,” and Anaïs on “Slow.” The album also includes previously released singles like “Piece of My Heart,” which reached No. 4 on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart and No. 7 on World Digital Song Sales, and “Kese (Dance).”
Notably, Wizkid and Asake’s collaboration on “MMS” has earned a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance in 2025, cementing their impact on the global music stage.
READ MORE: Wizkid Unveils Morayo Album Tracklist Featuring Asake
The tracklist for Morayo includes:
1. Troubled Mind
2. Karamo
3. Kese (Dance)
4. Bad Girl (feat. Asake)
5. Time
6. Piece of My Heart (feat. Brent Faiyaz)
7. Break Me Down
8. Bend
9. A Million Blessing
10. Après Minuit (feat. Tiakola)
11. Bad For You (feat. Jazmine Sullivan)
12. Soji
13. Don’t Care
14. Slow (feat. Anaïs)
15. Lose
16. Pray
This marks Wizkid’s first album in three years, following More Love, Less Ego, which reached No. 2 on the World Albums chart and No. 59 on the Billboard 200. His previous projects, including the Grammy-nominated Made in Lagos (Deluxe), have solidified his place as a global music icon.
Fans can stream Morayo now and experience the evolution of Wizkid’s sound, deeply rooted in love, loss, and celebration.