Welcome To Egungwu Chukwuka Benjamin's Journalism Archive

  N igerian actor,  Chimezie Imo  in this exclusive interview shared his experience in the entertainment industry, including a transformative time on the Nigerian talent show, ‘The Next Movie Star Reality Show’, in 2014. He revealed how he felt when he won the Trailblazer Award, the challenges he faced in his acting career, and how he overcame them. The actor, who became more famous after starring in the popular movie ‘The Breath of Life’, clinched the Trailblazer Award at the recently held Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA). He was nominated for Best Promising Young Actor in the 2020 Movie Academy Award, and nominated for The Future Awards Africa Prize for Acting in 2020. In 2023, he received another nomination for Best Actor in a Drama at the AMVCA Awards, before finally bagging one at the 2024 AMVCA Awards.  EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN  brings excerpts.   Tell us about yourself, your educational background.  I am a graduate of Applied Ecology ...

  N igerian actor, comedian and OAP,  Michael Uba  popularly known as  ‘OGBOLOR’,  in this exclusive chat with  EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN,  discusses his background, offers a glimpse into his acting journey. He also reflects on the challenges in the movie industry as an actor. The actor gained popularity for portraying the character ‘James’ in the popular Television series ‘Jenifa’s Diary’, and as a presenter on Wazobia Max TV, hosting the program ‘Ogbenge Show’. Excerpts:   T ell us about your background.  I am an entertainer, a comedian, an actor, and a producer of my own events and shows. I’m also a content creator and training to become a professional relationship coach.  I hail from Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State, Nigeria. I was born a twin, and I have a BSC in marketing from the Lagos State University.  What motivated you to pursue a career in acting? Nothing in particular. I have always just been a good actor. I have always ...

P opular Nigerian guitarist, Ifiok Effanga , known by the stage name ‘Fiokee’, expressed his feelings of not getting the due credit for his contributions to the growth of Afrobeats in this exclusive interview with  EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN . Despite collaborating with popular singers in the industry, he feels he hasn’t received the recognition he deserves for playing a significant role in shaping the sound of Afrobeats. In 2008, the guitarist-cum-singer emerged the winner of ‘Star Quest’, a reality talent TV show hosted in Lagos. He played guitar in songs like: “Pick Up” by Adekunle Gold (The Guitar Version), “Ferrari” by Yemi Alade, “God Over Everything” by Patoranking, “Woju” by Kizz Daniels and many more. Excerpts.     How did you start your music career, and what inspired you to become a guitarist and singer?  I started in the children’s choir at my parents’ church in the late 1980s. Then, in the year 2000, I began learning to play the guitar from a taxi driver....

  BY – EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN   ✓ Freedom Of Speech VS Defamation: Farotimi’s Arrest Ignites Firestorm   On Tuesday, December 3rd, National newspapers reported about the shocking arrest of renowned Nigerian legal partisioner and activist, Dele Farotimi by police officers from the Ekiti State Police Command. The officers traveled to Lagos to apprehend Farotimi, who was taken down to Ekiti state and held in custody until his court appearance. According to reports, Farotimi was arrested and detained following a petition filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Afe Babalola. This triggered online chaos, as many condemned the arrest and referred to it as an abuse of power. It led to call for his release with the hashtag #FreeDeleFarotimiNow by netizens on X (formerly Twitter), and many notable individuals, including Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi, and non-profit associations like the Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afen...

BY – EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN ✓ Emefiele Embroiled In Corruption Scandal   First week of December, a shocking revelation erupted, as former central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele was linked to a massive estate with 753 duplexes and apartments in Lokogoma, Abuja. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seized the property, and the news sent shockwaves across the country, with alot of buzz on online and offline. The EFCC’s investigation alleged that Emefiele and his associates acquired the properties with proceeds from forex kickbacks. The estate which covers 150,462.86 square meters, was abandoned after Emefiele’s arrest in June 2023. On Tuesday, 3rd December, The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), secured final forfeiture of the duplexes in Abuja, but stated that no individual or organisation accepted ownership of the properties. Though in the court papers, they claimed that they discovered the property while investigating the former CBN govern...

  By Egungwu Chukwuka Benjamin O ur Nation has been plagued by poverty for decades. Despite having vast natural resources, the country is termed one of the poorest in the world. Poverty in Nigeria is not just a result of economic mismanagement; it is also a deliberate tool used by the leaders in the country to subjugate or bring down its citizens. Let us have an overview of what poverty entails. Poverty is often thought to be just the lack of money, but it is more than that. It goes beyond just physical or material needs. According to the World Bank Organisation, “Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. Poverty is limited access to education and healthcare. Poverty is vulnerability to violence and exploitation. Poverty is feeling voiceless and powerless to change one’s circumstances.” The Nigerian government has consistently failed to address the country’s poverty crisis, instead, they focus on trivia issues such as; changing the national anthem, renovating properties, build...

F ast Rising Nigerian act behind the hit track ‘ Live Forever ’, ‘ Oluwakayode Oyetoro ’ popularly known with the stage name, ‘ Kayode ’, in this exclusive chat with‘ EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN ’, discloses what inspired the TikTok viral sensational sound, and how his musical career is going. The native of Ogun State , released the song, ‘Live Forever’ in 2021. It was produced by ‘ NINEZ ’, and the video was directed and shot by ‘ KEMZ ’. Excerpts:  Tell us about your family and education background?  I grew up in Ikorodu , Lagos , alongside three siblings, I am the third child. I had my early education in Ikorodu. I attended Model College Igbogbo , then I went on to study Political Science at the University of Lagos .   How did music start for you?  I grew up in Ikorodu, and my major introduction to music was in the church, and the music my dad played when I was kid. That period in my life made me fall in love with music.  When did you start singing professional...

EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN  T he introduction of eNaira and cNGN stable coin (crypto currency) is a great concept to aid digital trading in Nigeria, but might not aid in stabilizing the Naira.  Nigeria is the first country in Africa to roll out a digital currency by the central bank.  Recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) launched eNaira (a digital currency) on 25th October, 2021, with the intention of making transaction seamless and easier.  On 29th December, 2023, report emerged on national dailies, stating that Nigerian banks – Access bank, Sterling bank, First bank, Providus bank – were in collaboration with payments companies – like Budpay, Kora (formerly KoraPay), Interswitch, Blockchain consultants Convexity and Interstellar – to create a stable coin, cNGN.  This is after the federal government lifted the ban on cryptocurrency. Each was created to serve as legal tender, equivalent to the physical Naira (cash).  The introduction of cNGN coin wa...