Ooni of Ife is my father, not lover –Ara

Aralola Apake, popularly known as Ara

 

Tofarati Ige & Olushola Ricketts

There have been reports that popular singer and drummer, Aralola Apake, popularly known as Ara, is in a relationship with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and that she may be his next queen. However, in a chat with Sunday Scoop, Ara rubbished the stories. She said, “There is no iota of truth to such reports, please disregard them. The Ooni is like a father to me, and he takes me as his daughter. There is no love affair between us at all. The monarch is a very great lover of our culture, and it is obvious that he has done a lot to support and promote the Yoruba culture. I am also a cultural ambassador and the Ooni has lent his support to our cause. I believe that there are a lot of potential in this country that can be tapped. If we harness the tourism potential of Nigeria, it would fetch the country more money than oil and gas. There are a lot of beautiful sites across the country that foreigners would love to visit, and with my foundation, I have decided to showcase the country’s beauty through movies and other forms of entertainment.”

The singer added that she is in a relationship at the moment. “I am in a relationship at the moment, and my man makes me happy all the time. He has all the qualities that I want in a man, such as being God fearing, confident and caring. Even as I am talking to you now, you would notice that the tone of my voice has changed. That should tell you how happy he makes me, even in his absence,” she said.

I regret getting married– Gifty Powers

Gifty Powers

 

Tofarati Ige

Background

My grandfather is from Obosi in Anambra State. He is a Reverend Father and a barrister. He married my grandmother who is partly Liberian and Sierra Leonean, and they gave birth to my mum before they got divorced. I am my parents’ first daughter, but I’m the second child. I grew up in Ghana, Accra precisely.

Education

For my post-elementary education, I attended St. Theresa International School, Accra, Ghana. For my tertiary education, I attended University of Legon, Ghana.

Acting

I first knew that I wanted to become an actress at the age of 15, but my mum once told me that at the age of five, I used to apply her lipstick and stand in front of her mirror to act. However, I joined the movie industry in an absurd manner. I can’t remember the exact year but on a hot Saturday, I drove in my friend’s car to buy some things. While driving, someone hit the car and I became angry. He apologised and introduced himself as a movie producer. He gave me his complimentary card but still I insisted that  he fixed the car. The following week, I went to a location and I was given a sub-lead role.

Music

I have appeared in a lot of music videos, that I have lost count of the number. It has been my mum’s dream for a very long time that I should become a singer. She tells me that there is a future for me in music, so yes; there is a chance that I may delve into music. I recently went to a friend’s studio and soon, I will be releasing something cool.

Lessons

While growing up, I faced a lot of humiliation with my mum and siblings, and that really taught me a few lessons about life that cannot be forgotten. Some people say to me that I’m not the only one that has suffered, but I believe that it’s not about how easily the words come out of your mouth; it’s about how well you can tell your story. I don’t have any challenges. Challenges are rather scared of me. If you cannot make the necessary moves while young, then you would have to sit in a corner and cry out your eyeballs while watching your mates doing what you should have done. Don’t blame the devil if you’re too lazy to climb that ladder.

Big Brother Naija

I had a great time at Big Brother Naija. I enjoyed the Friday game nights the most. I also enjoyed the tasks, the truth or dare nights, the shower hours, and hearing Big Brother speak. One of the lessons I learnt while in the house is that one has to be tolerant. If I were to go back into the house again, I wouldn’t show the insane part of Gifty Powers. However, making out with guys in the house was a strategy and I don’t regret it at all. I will do it again if I have to.

Breakthrough

A lot of opportunities have come my way after Big Brother Naija. Every second of my career has been amazing.

Marriage

I do feel like I got married too early. However, I plan to give details about what actually happened. It’s a big regret that I wouldn’t stop talking about. I thought I was in love but I found out that it was just lust. I didn’t make proper findings before saying ‘I do.’ I went through hell and I don’t wish the same for my enemies. It is part of my life’s experience and I’m glad that I conquered it all.

Mr. 2kay

To be honest with you, I don’t know how to define my relationship with Mr. 2kay. I’m still searching for a term to describe it.

Current projects

I have some employees who manufacture skin products. That’s because I have been asked several questions on what I apply on my skin that makes it glow so much. I also have Gifty Powers Lingerie for both men and women, though I have yet to launch it. I have a lot of crazy ideas, and it would shock you to know that I may even be aiming to climb the highest mountain in the world.

Romance

To be my ideal man, all you have to do is to be yourself. I can date and marry someone in the entertainment industry. Understanding is all that is needed to make it work.

Scandals

Whenever I read or hear negative things about me, I become amused. They also embolden me. It feels special to be wanted. Even an unborn baby has enemies.

Role models

I admire Kim Kardashian and she has influenced me in several ways. Aside from her maturity and strength, which are out of this world, I love her style. I also admire my mum. She was once a runway supermodel who practised abroad. Due to her experience and exposure, she designs my clothes. At 51, she has the strength of a 12-year-old girl.

Balance

My mum always tells me never to stop trying if I want to make it in life. You have to work till you are able to get what you want. My mum manages my company. She handles its operations whenever I’m busy with other things, and I pay her.

Fashion

I love to step out looking classy, elegant and sexy.

Relaxation

I relax by spending time with my nuclear family or by going to the club with my mum.

Reekado won’t apologise for saying he is better than Lil Kesh – Manager

Reekado 

 

Tofarati Ige & Olushola Ricketts

Reekado Banks’ manager and brother, Temi Solomon, insists that his artiste doesn’t feel sorry for saying he is a better artiste than Lil Kesh.

It will be recalled that when Reekado was adjudged the Next Rated Artiste at the 2015 Headies Awards, it generated mixed reactions. Olamide, who was Lil Kesh’s boss at the time, was furious that his protégé didn’t win the award. While reacting to Olamide’s public outburst, Don Jazzy (Reekado’s boss) said he was ready to let Olamide and his boy have the car prize if that was what made them upset. That comment degenerated into a war of words on the Internet before both parties were implored to sheathe their swords.

Two years after the ugly event, at his recent Thank You concert in Ibadan, Reekado declared in pidgin English that he is better than Lil Kesh and his father.  He said, “I remember when they said I didn’t deserve the Next Rated award. The person that they said deserved the award, I am better than his father.”

When Sunday Scoop reached out to Reekado’s manager and brother over the statement, he said his brother only said what was on his mind, but he didn’t mean to hurt anyone

He said, “It is not something I want to talk about. If certain people were annoyed because he spoke his mind, I think those people are not his fans. Our fans would not complain about what he said in that manner. He didn’t mean to hurt or harm anyone and we don’t have something against the artiste (Lil Kesh).”

According to Temi, Banks was not misinterpreted, neither was he under any influence when he said he is better than Lil Kesh. He said, “If he said he is better than someone, he probably meant it. I really want to know the fans who were angry about it. Was it Reekado’s fans or the person’s fans? He said what was on his mind and it is not compulsory for everyone to agree with him.

“People who feel that he is arrogant because he said what he wanted to say have their reasons to think so. If I say that one newspaper is better than another, it is my opinion. That he didn’t say a word since the 2015 Headies Awards’ fallout doesn’t mean he has not felt like talking. So, if he said he was better than Lil Kesh, it was just an expression.”

Men can’t stop toasting me – Kiki, Jenifa’s Dairy

Lota Chukwu, aka Kiki in Jenifa’s Dairy

 

Tofarati Ige & Olushola Ricketts

Like most women, the dream of actress, Lota Chukwu, aka Kiki in Jenifa’s Dairy, is to be a size 10. Though she is not out of shape, the fear that she could grow fat someday made her take a bold step.

Speaking with Sunday Scoop, Kiki stated that she started yoga at a point in her life when she was struggling to shed some weight.

he said, “I enjoy yoga because it helps me to stay in shape and it also helps to relax my mind. I exercise a lot and I also pay attention to what I consume, when and how I consume such food.”

Being a pretty lady, she stated that she could not stop men from showing interest in her. “Like I always say, it’s normal for men to make advances at me, but where it goes from there is what the problem is. I’ve been able to make friends with a lot of male folks and this has helped me to handle men,” she said.

The actress also revealed that she doesn’t like to dwell on challenges. “How we overcome challenges is what defines us. I always put God first and I try not to think too much of any situation. I just do my best and leave the rest to God. I have no regrets. I try as much as possible to learn from my mistakes and move on with my life. I give my best at every chance I get and that is always enough for me,” Kiki added.

While it is believed that Jenifa’s Dairy introduced her to the world, she attributed her rise to all the works she has done in her career. “I will attribute my success so far to every work that I’ve done. Every project I have worked on has contributed to where I am today, but Jenifa’s Diary has a big role in it,” she said.

I’m proud of my body –Biodun Okeowo

Biodun Okeowo 

 

Tofarati Ige & Olushola Ricketts

Popular actress, Biodun Okeowo, aka Omobutty, is known to be one of the sexiest persons in the Nigerian movie industry, especially the Yoruba sector.

She recently released some pictures to celebrate her birthday, and it set the pulse of a lot of people racing. In a chat with Sunday Scoop, the actress stated that she didn’t release the pictures to court attention, rather to thank God for what He had done for her. She said, “For every year one spends on earth, we have to thank God because it is all by His grace that we are alive. I have every reason to be thankful and I don’t hesitate to give God praise. I posted those pictures as a way of celebrating my birthday, and not for any other purpose. I am proud of my body and I always love to look good. I thank the people who have been appreciating me and it makes me feel good to know that there are a lot of people who love me out there.”

On how she feels when people ogle her in pictures and give it different sensual captions online, she said, “I don’t feel any way about that. The truth is that I don’t even see them. I always stay true to myself at all times and I mind my business.  You can never find me in a place where I’m not supposed to be. I’ve been in the industry for a while and I am used to reading all sorts of untrue things about me. They don’t affect me anymore; I just move on.”

Why I performed in my NYSC uniform –LAX

Damilola Afolabi, aka LAX

Tofarati Ige & Olushola Ricketts

Singer, Damilola Afolabi, aka LAX, was criticised on the Internet after he performed at Olamide’s concert in December in what looked like a National Youth Service Corps uniform.

Talking with Sunday Scoop, he explained why he turned out that way at the event. “I had just completed my National Youth Service Corps programme at the time, and I wanted to pay homage to the scheme and Nigeria in my own way. I also wanted to inspire people to know that they can pursue their dreams and still go to school. It is not too good that people always like to dwell on the negatives when reacting to issues. I really didn’t pay attention to anybody who criticised me, and that’s because the people who appreciated and commended me were more. Those were the ones that I paid attention to,” he said.

Reacting to the notion that his career has suffered a decline after he left Starboy Records, LAX said, “People who are saying that need to go and check the records. I had three big songs that had a lot of views online last year. I travelled to a lot of countries and I enjoyed massive love everywhere that I performed. I will be releasing my debut album this year and I want my fans to watch out for it. People should listen to good music, not thrash.”