READ ALSO:30 People Who Made The News In 2015 (Part 4)
READ ALSO:30 People Who Made The News In 2015 (Part 3)
10. Stephanie Rose
Amsterdam based Nigerian, Dapo Adaralegbe, a former law student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), transformed into a woman and is now known as Stephanie Rose. Dapo was expelled from OAU (1995 – 2010) due to his identity crisis. He then travelled to Europe where he had extensive surgery to become Stephanie Rose (she).
In June 2015, Rose became a trending topic on social media for days following her controversial and outspoken views on God, whom she believes is very wicked, senseless and daft. She unflinchingly expressed her views on her Facebook page. She even shared a post by an avowed atheist, Amenhotep Kingsagreed, where she thinks that God is the devil himself. She claimed that the Bible is evidence that God is the devil.
She made headlines on Newspapers and gained notoriety on social media, as most Twitter netizens accused her of blasphemy; others called her the Anti-Christ.
The once-in-love with Enrique Iglesias transgender wrote an attention-grabbing book titled ‘Nobody Goes to Heaven Because Nobody Goes to Hell Fire’. In the book she vented her fury on God. She also outrageously pronounced that Jesus Christ — who Christians refer to the son of God and Savior of the world– is a myth.
9. Wizkid (Ojuelegba)
Born on 16 July 1990 in Surulere, Lagos, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun popularly called Wizkid is a Nigerian recording artist, songwriter and performer. He comes from a large family and is the youngest of six children. He started his musical career at age 11; releasing a collaborative album with Glorious Five entitled Lil Prinz (2001).
Wizkid signed a record deal with Banky W’s imprint Empire Mates Entertainment in 2009, and then basked in the ambiance of fame and prominence in 2010 with the release of the song “Holla at Your Boy” from his debut studio album, Superstar (2011).
His incessant contribution to the Nigerian Music Industry earned him several achievements, including a BET Award, a MOBO Award, three The Headies Awards, two Channel O Music Video Awards, four Nigeria Entertainment Awards, a Ghana Music Award, two Dynamix All Youth Awards, two City People Entertainment Awards, and a Future Award. In February 2014, Wizkid became the first ever Nigerian musician to have over 1 million followers on Twitter.
On 5 January 2015, Wizkid released the music video for “Ojuelegba”, a song that highlighted the struggles he endured as an underground artist who roamed the streets of Ojuelegba to support his recording career. The official remix to the song features Drake and Skepta; it premiered on OVO Sound Radio in July 2015.
The song, which shared its title with the metropolitan subsection of Lagos Mainland, received numerous airplays on all major radio stations in Nigeria and peaked at number 1 on several charts. The video was greeted with critical reception; while some Nigerians took a swipe on the video saying it’s not a true representation of the song, others said that the video depicted a thorough and true reflection of what the song preaches.
8. Sambo Dasuki
Sambo Dasuki was born on December 2, 1954 in Wusasa, Zaria, Kaduna State, to Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, the 18th Sultan of Sokoto. He is the first son of the deposed sultan. He attended Kaduna Capital School for his elementary education and later Government College, Kaduna, for his secondary education. Dasuki then proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1972.
Dasuki (then a Major) partook in the 1983 Nigerian coup d’état that installed Major General Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s Head of State. Later, Dasuki was among four majors who arrested Buhari in the 1985 palace coup led by Major General Ibrahim Babangida. Following the coup, Dasuki was made Aide-de-camp (ADC) to General Ibrahim Babangida.
READ ALSO: How Dasuki Assisted Boko Haram Import Weapons Into Nigeria- NATFORCE
In early 2015, the retired Nigerian Army Colonel and former National Security Adviser (NSA) to the immediate past President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, Dasuki played a huge security role during the 2015 general elections as he informed the INEC that operations against Boko Haram militants meant the military will be unable to provide adequate security for the upcoming elections. The elections, scheduled for 15 February 2015, were postponed until March 28.
On December 1, 2015, Dasuki was apprehended by Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) for allegedly stealing $2bn and accused of awarding phantom contracts to buy 12 helicopters, four fighter jets, and ammunition meant for the Nigeria’s military campaign against Boko Haram Islamist militants.
Dasuki, and his merryband of looters plead not guilty to 19 charges leveled against them. Due to the inability for Dasuki and his guilty-party crew to meet up with the conditions of bail granted to them by the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, they were made to spend the Christmas in Kuje prison.
His trial led to the massive trending of Armsgate or Dasukigate in the news and on social media since November, as some of the biggest fish were caught in Nigeria’s anti-corruption net. Since Dasukigate was opened by the EFCC, Nigerians have stayed glued to watch the jail terms that would be served to the perpetrators of what is described as the one of the most appalling corruption scandals ever. Until then, the Armsgate will not be shut.
Notable individuals who have been nabbed in the armsgate are High Chief Raymond Dokepsi, Shuaibu Salisu, Bafarawa, Godwin Emiefile, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Muhammadu Buhari (Buharigate), former president Jonathan and Linda Ikeji, who recently joined the gate waiters.
7. Toke Makinwa
Born on 3 November 1984, Toke Makinwa is a Nigerian radio personality, television host, and vlogger. The 30-year-old beautiful woman known for co-hosting The Morning Drive on Rhythm 93.7 FM had a surprising private wedding ceremony with her on and off boyfriend, Maje Ayida on January 15, 2014.
The wedding came as a surprise to many because it happened at a time when every onlooker taught they might be parting away.
In June 2015, reports of Toke Makinwa’s husband’s infidelity ignited wildfire on social media as all her teeming fans were left astonished. Maje Ayida allegedly got his ex-girlfriend, Anita Solomon pregnant and unfortunately for Maje and Toke, the news got out and trended on social media for days. Toke shared photos on Instagram where she hinted that she had now moved into a new home and also moved on with her life.
In July 2015, Toke Makinwa’s cheating hubby Maje Ayida took to his social blogging platform Instagram to publicly apologize to his wife for cheating on her with his ex by impregnating the said lady. Most Nigerians commended his act of remorse while other hurled insults at him.
In December 2015, Twitter was set abuzz. Toke found her way back on the lips of her teeming fans as mixed reactions trail her ‘reunion’ with her estranged hubby, Maje. The couple stepped out together at The Future Awards Africa in Lagos. Their red carpet photo immediately went viral.
6. Suleiman Hashimu
Suleiman Hashimu, a native of Katsina state, was the famous man who trekked all the way from Lagos to Abuja in a bid to fulfil the promise he made if Muhammadu Buhari won the 2015 presidential election.
Hashimu, 33, had made a personal promise in 2013 that should Buhari contest and win the 2015 presidential elections, he would trek the arduous 746Km journey from Lagos to Abuja. Having won the March 28 election, Hashimu was forced to fulfil his promise and on Monday, April 20, 2015, he landed Abuja from Lagos amid a cacophony of excitements and surprises. His arrival in Abuja caused traffic jams along the Kubwa expressway where thousands of fans gathered to see him.
READ ALSO: Man Who Trekked From Lagos To Abuja Recounts How Robbers Gave Him N200, Pure Water On The Road
Speaking to pressmen upon his arrival, he said: “I made a promise for this mission to show my love for the leader of the masses, General Muhammadu Buhari and for the 13 days journey I have embarked upon, I have condemned five pairs of canvass shoes.”
What he did not say to them was the instruments he used in tracking his movements and the hours covered. Ahmad Salkida, who witnessed Mr. Suleiman’s arrival to Abuja, said that “I am not good at maths or physics but did Suleiman use a compass or other modern equipments to track his movements?” “What is the expert account on the number of hours a man like Suleiman needs to cover such a distance?”
It is worth mentioning, that Hashimu’s journey triggered mixed reactions among Nigerians. While many commended him for his bravery, many others doubted that Suleiman embarked on such a feat. Some have voiced their reservations about how realistic it is for someone to trek from Lagos to Abuja.
To be continued….
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