Entertainment
Salle: The Weird Transformation of a Once Street Hawker
By Eric Elezuo
Nigerians first saw her clutching a silver coloured aluminum tray with a faded wrapper across her shoulder. She was wearing a brown maid’s gown typical of the the job she did particular, and generally her background. Everything about Salle, whose real names are Kosisochikwu Gospel Peters, spoke loudly of unrewarding hustle. Her background was probably nothing to write home about. However, she had one thing that spoke louder above the voice of deprivation, which she endured; it was her voice. It was, and still is nothing short of angelic.
As the internet world watched her when Tunde Ednut posted her on the net, no one noticed her deprivation; no one noticed her hawking career; no one noticed that she was just a common everyday girl on the streets of Owerri, Imo State. The only thing was the voice she exuded; the candour she carried and the goose pimples that she drew from from bodies of listeners. Salle was made with that single video. Thanks to those who found her.
But today, the 17 years old has gone from the timid street hawker to a classy fast rising singer and song writer, promising the world of soul inspiring sounds. Not only she moved fast on the singing lane, her photos as Nigerians saw again depicted the appearance of absolutely someone else. She had a total makeover, appearing next to naked even as she is still pursuing stardom. This has got tongues waging as to whether her handlers took the right decision in portraying her they way the did. A lot has described her transformation as weird. Some say she has gone gaga just about a month after she was discovered. Can it be blamed on her handlers, who threw caution to the wings, and dressed her in ‘borrowed robes’ not suitable for her young immature mind.
Though no one as at the moment can tell the origin of the so called poor street hawker as regards background; of course till now, we are yet to hear of her parents and other things. But most Nigerians followed the trajectory of singers like Simi, Teni among other females who made it big without going naked. The question arise why would the handlers of Salle expose her to nudity in the name of promotion.
No doubt she is a great singer with great talents, but decorum should be applied in order not to turn a supposedly good girl to an instant soured milk.
Presently, we hear that one of world’s biggest news outfit, CNN and celebrated singer, Rihanna, have reached out to the young singer. Obviously, Salle does not need to go nude to make it big. Her talent will make a way for her.
Nudity sells, but for a very brief while…Salle should get that into her thick skull!
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.
