8 May 2021, a Saturday, opened with an event hosted by Taiwo Adebiyi, publisher of Spotlight Africa Magazine, and her siblings in commemoration of their mother’s 85th birthday and witnessed by socialites from Ekiti, her hometown, Ondo, and Lagos.
Madam Rachael Aladekomo Adelusi was born on Monday, 23 March 1936, in Ereguru, Ado-Ekiti, the capital city of Ekiti State, into the family of Late Pa Ogunmilua and Late Mrs Memunat Omolola. Without formal education, she became a foremost aficionado in the garri business, which she learnt from late Mrs Ibitoyo, whom she lived with due to her parents’ financial challenges.
Two striking features of the celebrant, upon close affinity, are her dazzling looks and agility that defy all odds characteristic of octogenarians. At 85, she is tenacious, steadfast, peaceful, loving, amiable, inspirational and energetic. These qualities have, over the years, helped her raise successful children and impact her immediate environment.
Commemorating her 85th birthday was a service held at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Ado-Ekiti, conducted by Canon Francis Bankole, with other officiating ministers, where family members, church leaders, congregants and guests gathered.
The iconic Madam Rachael Aladekomo Adelusi (JP), at the Afe Babalola Civic Centre, University Road, Ado-Ekiti, the venue of the event, received the greatest honour she could ever imagine, as throngs of guests filled the hall to the brim while different hues of canopies were erected to accommodate the overflow of guests.
The celebrant arrived at the venue in a black Mercedes-Benz jeep and was ushered in by family and friends amidst beautiful songs. Seemingly present at the birthday party were top celebrities from Ado-Ekiti, Akure, Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and overseas were at the party. The attendance list also included reputable party vendors from Ado-Ekiti and Lagos whose engagements added glamour to the event, changing the venue to a mini-paradise amidst elaborate decorations in their baby pink and burgundy outfits and giving life to the event as packaged by Makabis and Bennet, a Lagos-based popular event planner. The high point of the party was the display of the magnificent birthday cake – a three-step beauty clothed in white, gold, and a touch of pink.
Pastor Wale Ojo declared the event open with prayer, after which the Fuji maestro, Adewale Ayuba, delighted the sitting guests with his sonorous voice and both local and continental dishes by Famfab catering and drinks were excellently served by ushers in their black outfits, while Sola Oladele aka Pa Aristo, Niyi Adeyemi aka Alawada and Afolabi Olorunfemi aka Asorogbayi were masters of the ceremony.
Speaking glowingly about the celebrant, Chief Ogunojo Ogundare Aduloju described her as a humble, generous and loving woman.
Babatope Abayomi Adebiyi, a Lagos-based business tycoon and chairman, St. Jacobs’ Hotel, Akure, is a name that repeatedly resonated throughout the event. King Jafil, as he is fondly called, is the husband of Taiwo Adebiyi, otherwise known as the celebrant’s son-in-law. People not only came from across Nigeria to the event but also from far and wide, especially from overseas. The USA, the UAE, the UK and Turkey were ably represented by Messrs Olumide Adakeja, George Akande, KC and I. K. Adeyanju.
Equally represented at the party were top female socialites whose different styles made deafening fashion statements. On this list were Regent Omotunde Adelabu, Erelu Folu Iginiga, Princess Kemisola, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Cofie, Hon. Tosin Aluko, Erelu Tolabo Ajibade, Princess Adelanke, Chief (Mrs) Arije among others.
Also at the occasion was Chief Ajayi of Little by Little Photography. The affluent chief from Iworoko-Ekiti chaired the occasion alongside his lovely wife, Mrs Hadizat Ajayi and was instrumental in the livening up of the grand event.
Other VIPs on the guest list include Barristers Adedipe (SAN), ex-Ondo lawmaker, Tunde Oguntuase and Tunji Lawal and Dayo Ajayi, MD/CEO, Lexshield Properties Limited, Honourables Olu Araoyinbo, Fawekun Abiodun and Tunde Osanyitolu, Chiefs Tokunbo Asheer Lawal, Commissioner for Environment, Ekiti State, Chairman Hilmart hotel, Chief Idowu Olanrewaju, Princess Iyabo Okemeyin, CP Babangida Yisa, Colonel Ajepe, Tosin Agbebi, Goke Olatunji, Niyi Okeya, Busayo Lawal, Mrs Bolaji Egbeyemi- Olagbaju, Ekiti State Deputy Governor’s daughter, HRM Peter Idiniga and wife, Prince Akintade Olayisade and Bolu Iginiga, Ewi-in- Council, Deaconess Adakeja Funke, Mrs Ogunsakin Modupe, Chairman West Park Hotel Mr Rasaq Oseni, among others.
Davido Comes Under Fire For Comments On Ishowspeed’s ‘Multiple Women’ Massage in Ghana
Afrobeats star Davido became the subject of online discussion after sharing a playful Instagram story that many Nigerians interpreted as controversial. On 26 January 2026, the Grammy-nominated singer reposted a viral video of American streamer IShowSpeed receiving a massage from multiple women in Ghana, during his African tour.
In the repost on his Instagram Stories, Davido tagged his wife, Chioma Rowland Adeleke, with a light-hearted caption that appeared to seek her permission for a similar “Ghana shea butter massage.”
The caption read: ‘@thechefchi oh boy my darling wife pls permit me 😅😅this nah Ghana???’
The post was framed as humour, but screenshots of the story quickly circulated on X (formerly Twitter), where it gained significant attention beyond his Instagram audience.
While some viewers interpreted the message as harmless banter between a married couple, others viewed it as inappropriate, particularly given Davido’s public profile and marital status.
The post generated a range of reactions from Nigerian social media users. Some expressed discomfort with the public nature of the message, questioning its appropriateness given Davido’s marital status. Others used humour or satire to comment on the situation, while several users framed their reactions.
While some comments implied that the post reinforced long-standing perceptions about his personal life, other users defended the artist, describing the post as an unserious “cruise” or typical celebrity humour taken out of context.
It is worth noting the budding relationship between Davido and IShowSpeed (real name Darren Watkins Jr.). The two have connected through the streamer’s recent African tour, which included stops in Nigeria and Ghana.
On 21 January 2026, IShowSpeed’s 21st birthday, Davido surprised him with a FaceTime call during a live stream in Lagos, Nigeria. The Afrobeats hitmaker, who was in Paris at the time, wished Speed a happy birthday, congratulated him on reaching 50 million YouTube subscribers, and promised a future collaboration in the US
Ayra Starr’s Much Anticipated Album To Drop in 2026
Ayra Starr has sparked a whirlwind of anticipation across the global music landscape. Following her meteoric rise, the Mavin Records superstar and Roc Nation signee has stirred excitement among fans by hinting at her forthcoming project.
Featured in Spotify’s “Our Frequency” zine issue 033, the ‘Celestial Being’ shared insights into her personal and professional aspirations, including a tease that her next album could land in 2026. This disclosure emerged within Spotify’s platform dedicated to celebrating Black artists and their creative narratives, with the recent edition spotlighting Starr’s journey of growth and artistic evolution.
Spotify’s “Our Frequency” initiative offers artists a space to reveal intimate details about their lives and craft. In the Spotify feature, Ayra Starr reflected on her formative years and how diverse environments shaped her distinctive sound and personality.
The 23-year-old drew interesting parallels between cultures, noting that, “Growing up in Benin and Nigeria, it was two different vibes.” She likened the energy of Nigeria’s commercial hub to a global city: “Lagos is almost like New York.”
In stark contrast, the 2026 Grammy nominee described her experience in the Benin Republic: “Benin Republic has more like a beach vibe. Everywhere is, like, calm. Everybody is quiet, so I can’t put it into, like, a few words. It’s made me who I am.”
It was within this context of personal evolution that Ayra Starr dropped the major album news, offering insight into her 2026 goals: “In 2026, I’m looking forward to learning how to cook more known Nigerian food, and my album, Amen.”
This deliberate pacing suggests a strategic shift towards quality control following her management deal with Roc Nation in July 2025, which handles her global brand strategy and touring
I am Bigger Than Fela, WizKid Fires Back At Seun Kuti
Afrobeats icon Wizkid has ignited fresh controversy by directly addressing Seun Kuti, the youngest son of the iconic Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, in a series of pointed Instagram stories on 20 January 2026.
The exchange stems from ongoing tensions between Seun and Wizkid’s devoted fanbase, known as Wizkid FC, who have been accused by Seun of disrespecting Fela’s legacy through comparisons favouring Wizkid
The spat, which has dominated X (formerly Twitter) timelines, highlights the contrast between Fela’s politically charged Afrobeat and Wizkid’s global Afrobeats success.
Wizkid, who had previously stayed silent, appeared to be provoked by Seun’s claims that he does not value his fans. This led to a barrage of stories where Wizkid not only claimed superiority but also reposted a fan’s video harshly criticising Seun and the Kuti family.
In one widely shared post, the 35-year-old hitmaker wrote in a now-deleted post: “@bigbirdkuti I’m Big Wiz everyday bigger than u do papa!! Wetin u one do f**l?”
Another story escalated the insult: “P*y boy @bigbirdkuti ok I big pass your papa!! Wetin u one do ? Fl at 40!
A third simply stated: “@bigbirdkuti Hungry boy! U too small! Na ur papa we dey talk to.”
Additionally, Wizkid reposted a fan’s video with the caption: “Seun kuti omo baba oni pata gig an 😂😂.”
These posts came after a series of scathing posts on X from Wizkid aimed at Seun Kuti. One post read: “Fela fight for freedom this fool Dey fight fc! Oloshi Omo ale!”
In turn, Seun wasted no time in replying to Wizkid on Instagram, telling the Grammy winner: “Just be yourself, short Man. you are also great,” before labelling Wizkid a b****h for deleting his earlier posts on his Instagram Stories.
The online reaction has been intense, with users divided over the back and forth.
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