Entertainment
NBA Provides Reasons For Portable’s Performance At 2023 Conference
The Nigerian Bar Association has clarified the reason behind singer Habeeb Okikiola, also known as Portable, performing at their 2023 Annual General Conference.
They have debunked rumors suggesting that the artist was paid for the performance.
Last night, social media users criticized the NBA for inviting Portable to perform at an event attended by “learned” individuals.
Some expressed the view that this decision damaged the association’s reputation and portrayed them as “unrefined.”
Others considered the event a humorous and embarrassing departure from the traditionally conservative image associated with the legal profession.
However, in response to these criticisms, the National Publicity Secretary of the NBA, Akorede Lawal, explained during an exclusive interview with PUNCH on Friday that Portable’s participation at the event was linked to entertainer Obi Cubana’s role as the headline sponsor of the program.
Additionally, Lawal mentioned that the Cubana Group, as the headline sponsor, brought Portable to the event because he was one of their product brand ambassadors, specifically for Odogwu bitters.
The sponsorship arrangement also included the responsibility of bringing a guest artist to perform at the ‘Unbarred concert,’ a tradition that features lawyers, regardless of their professional status, to conclude the conference.
Lawal said, “We did not pay a dime to Portable for the concert. It is the largest gathering of lawyers anywhere in the world and so to that extent, we always write to sponsors to finance every level of our events.
“We have partners from America, Chile, and a host of other countries who pride in what we do and take it upon themselves to get the programme financed annually.
Speaking on whether lawyers staged a walkout on Portable at the event, the publicity secretary said, “No, they did not. The Friendship Centre is the customary place where all lawyers go to unwind, network and do all other social activities.
“So, the concert was meant to take place there but we later told the lawyers to move to the ‘Unbarred concert’ at the Velodrome of the National Stadium in Abuja because we don’t want two events at the same time given that that place (Friendship Centre) had been decorated already to promote their brands.
“They were the headline sponsor of the centre and that’s where the DJs and every other social activities had been going on since the start of the event. So we closed the place down to have a unified event,” he added.
Nigerian rapper Speed Darlington has alleged that he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt early on Monday morning.
The rapper shared the shocking claim on social media, stating that the incident occurred as he was driving home from a club in the Victoria Island area of Lagos.
In a video posted on his Instagram, Darlington revealed the damage to his car, showing multiple bullet holes in the rear.
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“Long face sent killers my way, and I have not even posted anything. Bro, is this necessary? You tried to take my life. Really?” he said, visibly shaken in the footage.
The rapper further expressed his disbelief, saying, “I never talk anything he don dey send killers, what is he scared of! That means am right.”
Though he did not explicitly identify the person behind the alleged attack, his comments have fueled speculation that the incident may be linked to his recent controversies and publicized detention.
Recall that Speed Darlington had been released from Kuje prison, where he had been held for undisclosed charges.
His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has previously suggested that the Afrofusion star Burna Boy played a role in the rapper’s detention.
Authorities have yet to comment on the matter, and an investigation is reportedly underway.
Media personality, Toke Makinwa has criticized music icon, 2Baba for publicly revealing the collapse of his marriage to Annie, after 12 years together.
Biztellers reports that in a candid Instagram post on Sunday, 2Baba disclosed that he and Annie had been separated for some time and were now in the process of filing for divorce.
Toke, who has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights, expressed her disapproval of 2Baba’s decision to air their private matters online.
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Responding to the video, she wrote, “This is wrong on all levels, and you should be ashamed of yourself for bringing this here. Bring it on. If you think she’s alone, let me tell you here that you’ll have to fight all of us.”
The media personality further vented her frustration in an Instagram story, urging women to speak out against the situation.
“I’m not one for too much talk, but what is wrong is wrong, and as a woman, if you sit on the fence on this one, if it misses you, it’ll touch your daughter or any female in your family,” she posted. “No one is innocent, and if you want to bring the media into it, knowing what is happening, we would fight for her.”
Toke’s anger didn’t stop there.
On Monday, she shared another Instagram story, questioning 2Baba’s decision to make the divorce public at this particular time.
“Nobody is asking anybody to stay in a situation that’s not serving them any purpose anymore; by all means, leave if you must, but why bring this online this very moment?” she wrote.
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She also suggested that the true details behind their separation would eventually come to light, adding, “We know what is going on behind closed doors. The world doesn’t know anything; it’s already been hectic with opinions flying around, and when I say we will fight for her, I’m not talking about the general public. A handful of people know the truth, and time will tell.”
Toke concluded her message by highlighting the importance of timing and empathy in handling personal matters, especially when it involves high-profile individuals like 2Baba and Annie.
“You constantly preach love; you cannot add to the narrative that’s out there when you know what is really happening behind closed doors,” she stated.
Nigerian music icon Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has confirmed his separation from his wife, Annie Idibia, after 13 years of marriage.
The singer also dismissed earlier claims that his Instagram account had been hacked, stating that a controversial post about the separation was, in fact, made by him.
The now-deleted post, which first appeared on his Instagram page, announced the end of the couple’s marriage, stating:“Hello to my beautiful people of all federations. Well, this thing I have to say is short but also long…I and Annie Macaulay have been separated for a while now and currently filed for divorce.
“I would grant a press release soon to say my story. Not because it is anyone’s right to know about my personal life but because I love my people and I need them to know my innocence or offense. Stay blessed my people. I love you all.” It added
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Shortly after the post went viral, another update appeared on the same account, claiming that the page had been compromised.
The follow-up read, “My Instagram account has been hacked, efforts are being carried out to take back control. #onelove!”
However, in a video shared on his Instagram story late Sunday, 2Baba clarified the situation, confirming that his account had not been hacked.
He implied that the initial post about the separation was authentic, leaving fans and the public stunned.
However, 2Baba assured his fans of a forthcoming press release to explain his side of the story.
2Baba and Annie Idibia, who tied the knot in 2012, have long been considered one of Nigeria’s most iconic celebrity couples.
News of their separation has sparked widespread reactions, with many expressing disappointment and support for the couple during this difficult time.
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