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Tag: Banky W

  • Banky W slams Buhari over Sowore’s rearrest

    Nigerian singer and politician, Banky W has condemned President Mohammadu Buhari to right the wrongs on the rearrest of Omoyele Sowore, convener of the RevolutionNow Movement.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that on Thursday, the Department of State Services (DSS) had released the embattled activist — 124 days after he was arrested for “threatening public peace.”

    A few hours after his freedom, the DSS stormed the federal high court in Abuja, disrupted Sowore’s trial in a move that resulted in uproar, and eventually rearrested him, as against a subsisting court order.

    Following the development, Banky W took to his Twitter handle on Friday to join the league of who have condemned the occurrence.

    He also described the rearrest as both an “absolute disgrace” and “blatant abuse of human rights.”

     

    “This brings shame to our fragile Democracy. This is an absolute disgrace to our country & a blatant abuse of human rights. It doesn’t matter whether you agree with Sowore’s political ambitions or not. This is a new low, even for us. M.Buhari, pls surprise us & do the right thing,” he wrote.

     

  • Photo: Ex-BBNaija housemate, Mike, wife sign endorsement deal with Banky W’s EME

    Photo: Ex-BBNaija housemate, Mike, wife sign endorsement deal with Banky W’s EME

    Big Brother 2019 first runner up Mike Edwards and his wife have signed a management deal with Empire Mate Entertainment owned by Nigerian singer and politician, Banky W.

    The deal comes a day after Mike announced that he won’t honour any invitation with his wife.

    The deal was announced Friday via EME’s official Instagram page:

    “We are so pleased to announce that @aireyys is now signed to the management division of Empire Mates Entertainment.

    We welcome you to our family and cannot wait to do amazing things together. Thank you for trusting us with your brand.”

    Banky W also took to his personal Instagram to announce the deal:

    “#ManlikeMike – @aireyys is unquestionably one of the most focused housemates EVER in the history of #bigbrothernaija. Even BEFORE he got on the show, he was an ambitious and accomplished athlete and Businessman – with his stellar line of Beard Oil, Caps and @aireyyscigars (first black-owned cigar company in the UK). Proud of the classy way he carried himself during the show, and excited to be partnering with him and his incredible wife @itspsd on their vision and plans going forward. Glad to announce that Mike has signed to @theofficialeme_’s management division. Welcome, Mike and Perry to the family!!! Thank you for trusting us. We will build something special together by God’s grace.”

    Mike joins the likes of Ebuka, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, DJ Xclusive, Toolz and others managed by the agency.

    EME is a media agency jointly owned by recording artiste Banky W and aeronautical engineer Tunde Demuren.

  • Sowore endured difficult times trying to speak up for a better Nigeria- Banky W

    Musician turned politician, Banky W has reacted to the ruling of a Federal High Court in Abuja ordering the Department of State Services to immediately release pro-democracy activist, Omoyele Sowore, on bail.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Omoyele Sowore, a co-convener of the RevolutionNow movement was granted bail by an Abuja Federal High Court on Tuesday.

    The Justice Taiwo Taiwo-led court said there was no longer a subsisting order holding Sowore in detention, hence the need to grant him bail.

    Justice Taiwo, however, ordered Sowore to deposit his international passport to the court while releasing him to his lawyer, Femi Falana.

    The co-convener of the RevolutionNow movement had allegedly called for a revolution over the supposed failure of the current Federal Government.

    Reacting via his Twitter handle, Banky-W said Sowore endured hardship trying to speak up for a better Nigeria.

    “I’m so thankful that our justice system made the right call by granting the release of Omoyele Sowore. Nigeria has a way of punishing the innocent and trampling on the rights, dreams and hopes of the regular citizens.

    “Every time our leaders do wrong and get away with it, we lose a little piece of our soul. We become numb, we lose hope, and we subconsciously accept that this is how things are and there’s nothing we can say or do to change it.

    “You didn’t need to be a voter or volunteer for Mr Sowore to see that this was clearly an infringement on a basic human right and a grave injustice. Freedom of speech and the right to peacefully protest is the unassailable right of every Nigerian citizen.

    “May God bless those in our justice system who stood on the right side of history by doing the right thing.

    “May God strengthen, comfort and bless Sowore, his wife and family as they have endured the most difficult of times while only being guilty of attempting to speak up for a better Nigeria,” he wrote.

     

  • Xenophobia: Omotola, Banky W, Belinda Effah others condemn attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

    Xenophobia: Omotola, Banky W, Belinda Effah others condemn attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

    More Nigerian celebrities and public figures have continued to condemn the recurrent attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
    TheNewsGuru had reported the widespread attacks on Nigerians and their businesses in South Africa.
    The President of the Nigeria Union in South Africa (NUSA), Adetola Olubajo said on Monday that the attacks began on Sunday morning in Jeppestown area of Johannesburg when a building was set ablaze by an angry mob.
    .
    Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade wrote:“Hmmm… I have had to think very deeply and try to calm myself down to even get to writing this. I am shaking and still can’t collate all my thoughts …This is Really Sad. It’s beyond. Xenophobia. It’s deep. What is the Value of a Nigerian life! Nigeria Rise up how you have fallen?”
    Similarly, Funke Akindele wrote:“This is so sad. Why? Must violence be the solution to every problem? I woke up to horrific pictures and videos of our countrymen being attacked and killed. This has to stop o!!!
    “We all are out there hustling to put food on our tables! Why the killings. I appeal to the Nigerian government to see to the immediate end of this. All lives matter! #saynotoxenophobia .”
    Nollywood actress, Belinda Effah made a video where she was weeping over Nigerians who lost their lives during the ongoing attacks.
    In her words: “I don’t Know What else to say – All the videos making the rounds is so disheartening- This Could Be You or I. Human Lives Matter Please . It’s not normal to watch someone die and then go about your business because it’s not you. Please let’s lend our voice until something is done”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B19BWAWFfyw/

     

    Banky W, Popular Nigerian musician also gave his views on the killings saying, “This is not the SA that Mandela fought and sacrificed for. This is not the SA that a lot of us have come to know and love. I just watched a video of a man burnt alive in front of a crowd. It’s sick and heartbreaking. “Hell must be empty because all the demons are here”.
  • It’s time for us to take the business of showbiz seriously -Banky W

    It’s time for us to take the business of showbiz seriously -Banky W

    Nigerian singer, Bankole Wellington better known as Banky W has expressed his views about Nigerian entertainers who have had to lobby for funds for their medical treatment. He added that entertainers need to take the business of entertainment seriously.
    Speaking in a chat with HipTV, the entertainer cum politician said such situations can be blamed on the present-day obsession of stakeholders in the industry to show more interest to entertainment at the expense of the business of showbiz.
     
    “It breaks my heart when artistes fall ill and have to drive people to help foot their medical bills. I’ve chipped in for a few medical bills. So, I know. But it shouldn’t be that way,” he said.
    “People who have contributed to entertainment, to the culture; to the history — whether musically or cinematically — should have their work continue to pay for them, even after their moment in the sun is over.
    “The only way to fix that is if we start paying more attention to the business of showbiz; the structure; the organizations and what is going on in them. Let’s require an audit of ourselves and see if we’re doing the right thing.
    Banky W noted that all stakeholders in the industry need to do better with the managerial side.
    “We’ve seen the creative industry in Nigeria evolve. We’ve seen them grow. We’ve seen them achieve things in leaps and bounds and I’m proud to be part of this group of creatives,” he said.
    “If we’re talking about creatives and entertainment, we call it showbiz for a reason, right? There’s the show and there’s the business. The show is about creativity and, in that aspect; we’re doing great by putting out amazing content.
    “But on the business side, we’re found lacking. I think we need to do better. It’s time for us to take the business of show business seriously so that our royalties can pay for our children and our children’s children.”
     

  • Banky W, Simi, others slam Senator Elisha Abbo over assault

    A lawmaker representing Adamawa-North senatorial district, Senator Elisha Abbo, attracted condemnations from a large section of Nigerians after being caught on video slapping a nursing mother repeatedly at a sex toy shop in the Wuse 2 area of Abuja.
    The assault was done in the presence of an armed policeman who rather than assist the victim, arrested her.
    The trending video has caught the attention of a few Nigerian celebrities who condemned the act.
    Nigerian singer and politician, Banky W wrote: “I’ve been saying that we need to pay attention to who we let into our National Assembly. Now we have CCTV footage of a SITTING SENATOR physically assaulting a woman in an adult toy store in Abuja, IN THE PRESENCE OF A POLICE OFFICER. Her only “crime” was saying “Oga take it easy” when he got aggressive with her female store owner friend. For that, he slapped her multiple times, and then made his policemen arrest her. This is an absolute disgrace”.
    https://www.instagram.com/p/BzbLlh0H24C/
     
    Sonorous singer ,Simi who is known for lending her voice on issues concerning women wrote: “You can only slap and rape for so long, one by one judgement will find yu and drag you down”.
    https://www.instagram.com/p/BzcjqtUprGD/
     
    October 1st actress, Kehinde Bankole said issues like this make her angry.
    In her words: “These are the kinds of things that drive me mad. Look who we elected. Imaging waking up to things like this and many more online. Our people, Politicians, our police, they give me such grief! Is there no law at all in this country? ”
    Veteran comedian and actor, Okey Bakassi wrote: “When People who are not worthy to lead are paid with tax payers money, they not only abuse office they also abuse the people they are supposed to serve. Shame on you stupid senator!”
     

  • COSON shouldn’t become your retirement home- Banky W slams Okoroji

    COSON shouldn’t become your retirement home- Banky W slams Okoroji

    The lingering crisis affecting the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has taken a new dimension as Banky W has slammed COSON chairman, Tony Okoroji over turning the organisation into his retirement home.

    Banky W made this known on Wednesday via his Instagram page.

    In his words:” Chief Tony Okoroji has been Chairman of COSON since 2009, and has spearheaded many important strides taken. However, a leadership position in society must not be allowed to become a potential retirement home.
    “The truest test of a man’s character is not when he is faced with adversity, but when he is given power. I’d like him to agree to the audit, and also put in limits on how long anyone can be in power. I hope he remembers Goodluck Jonathan: sometimes, your legacy in power is determined by how you hand it over”, the singer had said in his social media post.

    Speaking further, Banky W noted that COSON has been riddled with different tales of financial impropriety under the watch of Okoroji.

    Hear him:” 2 weeks ago @official2baba called for an Independent audit of COSON’s bank accounts. Allegations abound that the society went from spending 1m on security in 2017, to 31m in 2018, as well as rumours of Directors paying themselves as consultants and contractors for the Society’s events…so much so that the NCC has now suspended COSON’s operating license.

    “We’ve seen so many of our icons ascend to the highest heights, only to end up in illness and abject poverty, because their Intellectual Property was never properly paid for. In Nigeria, most musicians are only as wealthy as their last performance. There’s a reason why the catalogues of Michael Jackson and the Beatles are worth billions of dollars, while many of our greatest creators are left to rot, after their moment in the Sun.

    “A COSON that works would mean a producer like ID Cabasa would be PROPERLY compensated for co-creating Gongo Aso. It would mean that OJB Jezreel (RIP), producer of “African Queen”, wouldn’t have needed crowd-or-celebrity-funding to pay his medical bills.

    “2Baba is completely justified as a pioneer, living legend and major stakeholder in our Industry, to request that our society’s accounts be audited. I found the response to his request to be belittling and insulting… with the Chairman claiming that 2Baba was just trying to be on @efeomorogbe‘s side, because Efe is his manager and many members have voted for Efe to replace him”

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/ByVQV68HKnV/

  • Banky W shows excitement as Adesua Etomi covers Vogue magazine

    Banky W shows excitement as Adesua Etomi covers Vogue magazine

    Sensational actress, Adesua Etomi has made the cover of international magazine, Vogue. Her husband, Banky W cannot keep calm.

    The singer who recently turned a politician took to his Instagram page on Thursday, March 14, 2019, where he showered praises on his wife for making it to the front cover of one of the biggest fashion and lifestyle magazines in the world.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu_QN-GH1MR/?utm_source=ig_embed

     

     

    “Breaking news: My wife is on the cover of VOGUE MAGAZINE!!!!!!!!!! Susu you are such a star and an inspiration!!! I’m soooo PROUD of you and happy for you. You’re an incredible actor, and an even more incredible human being, and you deserve to shine so bright that the whole world has no choice but to see it. This is incredible. Thank you to @voguemagazine and glory to God,” he wrote.

    TheNewsGuru, TNG recalls that Omotola Jalade Ekeinde was honoured as one of the 100 most influential people of African descent.

    The AMVCA award-winning actress announced the good news via her Instagram page on Thursday, October 4, 2018.

     

    “Honoured to be one of the Most Influential 100 People of African Descent at the United Nations by @mipad100,” she wrote. Congratulations to Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde for flying high the name of our country.

     

  • I am grateful, even in defeat-Banky W declares

    Nigerian singer and politician, Banky W recently accepted defeat after coming second in the National Assembly election for his constituency, Eti – Osa Federal constituency.

    Banky who contested on the platform of the Modern Democratic Party, MDP, may have to wait another 4 years – after polling 11 less votes below the APC candidate who won.

    The singer took to his Instagram page on Monday stating that he is porud of what he accomplished in just three months.

    “I hope we realise that winning some areas in Eti Osa is proof that we can do this anywhere.I hope we know it’s only failure when you stop trying.I hope we made our generation proud, we were greatly outnumbered but we stood out in the crowd”.

    In a chat with Punch, Banky W declared that he is grateful even in defeat.

    Hear him:” I feel very grateful, even in defeat, because of the things we were able to accomplish. Just by running the kind of campaign we ran, and winning some of the major polling units in our area, especially in places like Lekki, Agungi, Idado, Northern Foreshore, Badore, etc.

    “Even in the places where we didn’t win, we were consistently placed in the top three right alongside the two major powers that be. And we did all this with a new, unknown party with no godfather or major sponsor and in the space of three months. It shows that we can compete. You have to remember that a lot of the voters were accustomed to just picking sides between the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party. We actually earned every single vote we got, and that’s something to be proud of.

    “We also hopefully inspired our generation enough to know that it can be done and to participate in the future. We made it to the top three in just three months; imagine what we can do with four years of consistent effort? We may not have won the election in Eti-Osa, but we won something far greater. We won their hearts”.

     

     

  • Banky W accepts defeat, loses seat to APC

    Nigerian singer and politician, Banky W has accepted defeat after coming second in the National Assembly election for his constituency, Eti – Osa Federal Constituency.

    Banky who contested on the platform of the Modern Democratic Party, MDP, may have to wait another 4 years – after polling 11 less votes below the APC candidate who won.

    The singer took to his Instagram page on Monday stating that he is proud of what he accomplished in just three months.

    “I hope we realize that winning some areas in Eti Osa is proof that we can do this anywhere.I hope we know it’s only failure when you stop trying.I hope we made our generation proud, we were greatly outnumbered but we stood out in the crowd”.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Banky W declared his intention to contest for the House of Reps back in 2018.

    In his declaration speech, Banky W said:” We want to fix Nigeria, but we must begin by rebuilding our communities. Everybody seems so obsessed with the Presidential race – it’s one of the most frequent suggestions I get – “Banky W, run for President”. But see, like I said earlier, I do believe in dreaming big, but I believe in starting small, and working your way up. Hope is what we needed in ’93. 25 years later, hope is what we’ll need in 2019. And it is with the greatest sense of humility, purpose and destiny, that I announce my candidacy for the 2019 Federal House of Representatives, in the Eti Osa constituency of Lagos State”.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BuUJgqyH9XY/

     

    With his clean-shaven head, immaculately groomed moustache and beard, and fashionably large sunglasses, Banky W hopes to continue in the battle for the birth of a new Nigeria.