Entertainment
Portable In Trouble After US Visa Denial
Again, Portable, the well-known Nigerian street artist whose real name is Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, has made headlines for a negative cause.
Potpourri received a statement indicating that Portable had reached an agreement with one Mr. Musibau Olawale Babalola, a music promoter based in the United States and the Chief Executive of Fathia Entertainment LLC, to collaborate on a musical concert.
The agreement stipulated that Portable would perform in 8-10 cities in North America, and the promoter would obtain an American Visa for Portable and his crew members.
Fulfilling his own end of the deal, the promoter engaged the services of American Attorney and paid the sum of $12,000:00( Twelve thousand US dollars) to secure a work permit for Portable to enable him transverse the designated US cities for the shows, in consonance with US immigration laws.
The promoter also said he paid the sum of $3,950 statutory fee for USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services work permit on behalf of Portable.
The promoter also submitted that he paid Portable the sum of $2,500, N3.4M and N1M respectively and a date was fixed for Visa interview at America Embassy.
“Portable in his characteristic manner, displayed unprofessional conduct at US embassy and exhibited other sundry abrasive behaviors and was denied visa on two occasions. All the pertinent questions normally asked of a visa applicant were posed to Portable and instead of him answering the question in simple English he understands, instead he decided to answer the Consular in his local language, obviously not understood by the Consular,” the promoter said.
“Portable’s denial of visa could be predicated on his claims on social media of being the founding member of a dreaded cult group. The US Embassy does not issue visas to people of questionable character and therefore could be one of the reasons he was denied visa,” he added.
After the visa denial saga, there was an agreement between the promoter and Portable, that the latter will refund all the expenses incurred.
Considering the circumstances, the promoter said he reduced the amount to be refunded to N8M and Portable agreed to make the payment, but pleaded to do so in 5 installments.
Portable made the first installment of N2M, but reneged on his promise to balance up. Due to Portable’s refusal to effect the balance payment, the music promoter engaged the services of M. B. Fabunmi Esq of law firm of Messrs Hoxton Partners to commence a legal proceedings against Zazzu star to recover the said debt and damages.
In the Lawyer”s letter to Portable, the sums of $29,890 and N3.4M were demanded from him and
Although his lawyer denied owing the music promoter $29,890, Portable admitted to owing a total of N8M, of which N2M has already been paid. The case has been assigned to Honourable Justice Ogala of the Ikeja High Court.
Africa’s biggest reality television show returns today as Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) Season 11 officially premieres, with millions of fans across Nigeria and beyond eagerly waiting to meet a fresh set of housemates competing for the biggest prize in the show’s history.
The new season, themed “Everything Is For The Taking,” promises another 10 weeks of non-stop entertainment, drama, unexpected twists, strategic alliances and fierce competition as contestants battle for glory inside Biggie’s house.
SEE MORE: Why I’m Giving Back To Ekiti Youths Through Sports – BBNaija’s Kaybobo
In what has become the most lucrative reward since the reality show began, organisers have unveiled a record ₦160 million grand prize, comprising ₦100 million in cash and a brand-new SUV, raising the stakes higher than ever before.
As with previous editions, the identities of this season’s contestants have been kept secret ahead of the opening night, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the moment the new housemates walk through Biggie’s famous doors.
Popular media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu returns as the host of the hit reality show. Beyond anchoring the live eviction and launch shows, Ebuka’s launch-night fashion has become one of the programme’s biggest attractions over the years, with viewers once again looking forward to his signature stylish appearance.
Time and How to Watch
The BBNaija Season 11 premiere begins at 7:00 p.m. (WAT) today.
Fans can watch the live launch on:
Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151)
Africa Magic Family (DStv Channel 154 and GOtv Channel 7)
Viewers who prefer streaming can also follow the premiere live through the DStv Stream and GOtv Stream apps on compatible smartphones, tablets and smart TVs.
Following the launch show, fans will have unrestricted access to every moment inside Biggie’s house through the 24-hour live broadcast on DStv Channel 198 and GOtv Channel 49, allowing viewers to keep up with the contestants throughout the season.
With a record-breaking grand prize, a brand-new lineup of housemates and another unpredictable journey ahead, BBNaija Season 11 is widely expected to deliver one of the most competitive and entertaining editions of the reality show.
Popular Nigerian content creator and self-styled relationship and finance influencer, Emmanuel Obruste, popularly known as GehGeh, has responded to criticism after videos of him attending what appeared to be a traditional wedding ceremony sparked widespread reactions online.
The controversy began after GehGeh shared videos from the event on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday.
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In the clips, he was seen dressed in a matching burgundy traditional outfit with a lady, while an invitation card identified the couple as Mary and Prosper, leading many social media users to speculate that the influencer had secretly tied the knot.
The videos quickly went viral, with several Nigerians accusing GehGeh of hypocrisy, claiming his appearance at the ceremony contradicted the relationship advice he is known for giving on social media.
Addressing the backlash, GehGeh dismissed the claims, insisting that he has never advised anyone against marriage. He also clarified that he was only representing his brother, who lives abroad.
“So I no fit represent my brother wey dey abroad?” he wrote in one of his posts.
Responding directly to critics, GehGeh challenged anyone to produce evidence that he had ever discouraged marriage.
“I never for once told y’all not to get married. Did I? If yes, show me a video of me telling you not to marry.”
He further argued that many Nigerians misunderstand how social media works, saying: “Nigerians really don’t understand how social media works. If you know how to use it properly, you will never lack.”
Despite his clarification, the incident has continued to generate mixed reactions across social media, with some users accepting his explanation while others remain sceptical.
Global music icon Shakira has revealed why Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy was her top choice for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, Dai Dai, saying she wanted a powerful masculine voice to complement the song’s Afrobeat-inspired sound.
Speaking during an interview on the Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill, which aired on July 8, the Colombian singer explained that the energy of the World Cup and the musical direction of the track made Burna Boy the perfect collaborator.
SEE ALSO: Burna Boy Breaks Record as Africa’s Top-Grossing Concert Artist
According to Shakira, she knew the song needed a strong male vocal to balance its vibrant sound.
“Once I had the song, I felt that I really needed a male vocal, a male voice in the song. The World Cup carries a big male energy, and I wanted someone who could bring that very masculine voice in this Afrobeat setting,” she said.
She described Dai Dai as a fusion of Afrobeats, Caribbean rhythms and elements of R&B, noting that Afrobeats remains the song’s dominant influence.
Shakira also disclosed that she had admired Burna Boy’s artistry for years and had always hoped to collaborate with him.
“I always loved Burna. I always wanted to do something with him,” she said.
The Grammy-winning singer revealed that although Burna Boy initially delayed sending his verse for nearly 20 days, she remained hopeful that the collaboration would come together.
“It took a while. I was waiting for 20 days for him to send something, and I thought maybe he wasn’t going to do it,” she recalled.
However, she said the wait was worth it after the Nigerian star eventually delivered what she described as the “perfect” contribution.
“But then he sent his magic, and it was absolutely perfect. His voice works so well on this song. I couldn’t imagine anybody else on it.”
Shakira further admitted she was determined to have Burna Boy featured on the track.
“I was so obsessed about having Burna on this track. I’m so glad that I got him,” she added.
Dai Dai served as the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and was first performed by Shakira and Burna Boy during the tournament’s opening ceremony on June 11 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The pair later reunited for the historic first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, alongside Uganda’s renowned dance group, Ghetto Kids.
The collaboration marked Shakira’s latest contribution to FIFA World Cup music since the global success of Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) in 2010, while Burna Boy’s appearance further cemented Afrobeats’ growing influence on the international stage.
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