Entertainment
Naira Marley Always in the News for the Wrong Reasons?
By Eric Elezuo
Has it become a norm that each time popular singer, Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, is mentioned in the news, it will definitely be for the wrong reasons.
Just last weekend, the self styled president of Marlians, was again involved in a crisis with both the authorities of the Federal Government and the management of Executive Jets, a privately owned airline operation services.
Last Saturday, the singer in company of ten members of his traveling crew were ferried from Lagos to Abuja to perform at Jabi Lake. The performance was against federal government laid down rules of social distancing and gathering. Consequently, the event place has been locked up by government while the license of Executive Jets was suspended.
In their bid to defend their actions, the management of the airline tendered an apology to the government wherein they called Marley and his crew ‘bunch of useless people’. In retaliation, Marley has vowed not to patronise the ‘useless’ airline again.
The worst of it all is that the government has threatened to arrest the singer, and if the make do their threat, it will become the umpteenth time he will be visiting the office of the law enforcement agency.
Recall that in March 2019, Naira Marley first made the headlines when he shared a particular post on his Instagram page to defend internet fraudsters. Not a few celebrities gave him the backlash.
Undeterred, he released the record ‘Am I A Yahoo Boy’ which though became a hit led to his arrest in the early hours of Friday, May 10 2019 by men of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for internet fraud.
His trial was talk of the town, and even promoted his brand as fans storm the court premises to catch a glimpse of him. He spent some days in prison, and was granted bail shortly after.
In December of the same year, Naira Marley was again accused of car theft. The singer and his brothers were accused of stealing a Toyota Camry and iPhone from one Mr Adelekan Ademola.
Naira Marley was not done as earlier in 2020 in the peak of the Coronavirus pandemic, he broke the lockdown orders when he attended Funke Akindele’s private birthday party.
He was arraigned among others but was later pardoned after an apology letter was tendered to the Lagos State Government.
Naira Marley is adored by his teeming fans, but he has not at any time fallen on the right side of the law. He has as remained anti-government as he is anti-law with group reputed as lawless and group of people ‘wey no get respect’.
Controversial may be the right name for Naira Marley as this time, but it is imperative to note that though Naira Marley may be popular, he is far from being famous.
Members of Nigeria’s entertainment industry turned out in large numbers on Wednesday for the service of songs of late actor Alex Ekubo.
Ekubo died on May 11, 2026, after a battle with kidney cancer.
Colleagues, friends, and dignitaries filled The Monarch Event Centre for the ceremony, dressed strictly in white as requested by the Ekubo family.
Attendees included Funke Akindele, Kate Henshaw, Chioma Akpotha, Ebele Okaro, Nancy Isime, Ruth Kadiri, Nkechi Blessing, Stan Nze, Blessing Obasi, Ik Ogbonna, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, singer Chike, and socialite Cubana Chief Priest.
The evening featured worship led by gospel ministers Peterson Okopi and Ebuka Songs, with Pastor Jerry Eze, Nathaniel Bassey, and Kaestrings also ministering.
The Ekubo family had earlier released an obituary on the late actor’s Instagram page, asking the public to keep them in prayer.
Wednesday’s service of songs officially opened Alex Ekubo’s burial rites.
The funeral moves to Arochukwu, Abia State, for a wake-keep on June 17, with burial scheduled for June 18.
Tamunosoye Karibi-George has been crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 after emerging winner at the pageant’s grand finale held at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
The 26-year-old beauty queen, who represented Bayelsa State and hails from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, beat 19 other contestants in the competition themed “Pride, Power and Purpose.”
She succeeds Joy Mojisola Raimi, Miss World Nigeria 2025, and will represent Nigeria at the 73rd Miss World Festival scheduled to hold in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from August 9 to September 5, 2026.
Miss Karibi-George is the founder of Beyond Labels, an initiative that supports children with special needs and promotes inclusion and equal opportunities.
Joining Karibi-George in the top five were Dionne Chisom Nwagbo of Anambra State, who finished as first runner-up; Shuntell Ezomo of Edo State, who emerged second runner-up; Irene Irene of Abuja; and Gold of Rivers State.
Miss World Nigeria, organized by the Silverbird Group, is one of Nigeria’s leading beauty pageants and selects the country’s representative for the international Miss World competition.
Award-winning artiste – Davido – is scheduled to perform at FIFA’s World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert in Los Angeles, adding another major global platform to his career.
Davido will perform alongside Major Lazer, the music project led by producer Diplo.
FIFA announced the lineup on Instagram, noting that more special guests will be unveiled in the coming days.
The concert is part of FIFA’s first synchronised live entertainment series across the tournament’s three host nations: the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“Featuring Diplo’s Major Lazer and Davido, and more special guests to be announced soon,” FIFA wrote.
The Los Angeles show will open doors at 5:00pm PT, with the live broadcast beginning at 6:00pm PT.
The series is designed to link audiences across the host countries, with simultaneous live performances streamed from Mexico City and Toronto.
FIFA said the event will stream globally across its digital platforms, including an exclusive livestream on TikTok.
Full concert and behind-the-scenes footage will be available on VuMe Live the following day.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins June 11, 2026.
