Nigeria had a number of hottest events, controversies and scandals that surrounded its activities in 2021.
There is no doubt at all that the year 2021 has indeed been an eventful year and there have been several issues that caught the attention of many and went viral on social media.
As the year comes to an end, DAILY GIST revisits some of those scandals, events and controversies which kept the media busy and Nigerians entertained in 2021.
1. Alleged Infidelity Scandal Between 2baba And Wife, Annie
Annie Idibia, wife of popular Nigerian music star 2Baba, had in September 2021 called out her husband over his suspicious relationship with one of his baby mama, Pero Adeniyi.
Trouble surfaced after Annie in a now-deleted Instagram post claimed that the singer ‘‘slept under the same roof’’ with Adeniyi Pere and the children when they vacationed in Disneyland, United States.
Pero who is based in the US is 2Baba’s first baby mama who gave birth to three kids for the music star.
The actress stated that some of the actions of the singer brought public disgrace to her. She also lamented that she deserves better from him for always being by his side even when it was glaring that 2Baba’s family never liked her.
Annie had alleged that her husband had deceived her when he claimed he went for a video shoot for his album.
She alleged that 2Baba connived with his cousin, Frank and his manager, Efe Omorogbe, to travel to the United States in order to be with his baby mama
2. Tonto Dikeh’s Controversial Break-Up With Prince Kpokpogri
Controversial Nollywood star, Tonto Dikeh, and her ex-lover, Prince Kpokpogri, dominated the news headlines all through September even though they officially parted ways in July.
Mr Kpokpogri, who is also the chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum, described his ex-lover as “Helen of Troy” and claimed their short-lived affair was tumultuous.
“We dated for barely three months and it was more or less a living hell! So much has happened in such little time that I overlooked it for the sake of the so-called relationship and my sanity,’’ Mr Kpokpogri said while reacting to the news of their break-up.
Mr Kpokpogri was thrust into the limelight after Ms Dikeh unveiled him on the occasion of his birthday on 27 June on her official Instagram page. The once happy relationship crashed after a viral voice note and a phone call between Mr Kpokpogri and a socialite was leaked online by a notorious Instagram gossip blogger. Ever since then, the once admirable couple have been locked in a war of words on Instagram.
In the thick of their blossoming romance, Ms Dikeh’s fans pleaded with her to take their affair off Instagram and celebrate each other privately. Their pleas fell on deaf ears as Ms Dikeh took the open display of affection on Instagram a notch higher while her fans wished the affair could stand the test of time but little did they know that they would become sworn enemies in no time.
In a petition against Mr Kpokpogri dated September 6 and addressed to the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Dikeh through her counsels in Festus Keyamo Chambers, Okechukwu Uju-Azorji, and Arinze Egbo made several shocking revelations.
She accused him of blackmail, extortion, a threat to life, hacking, obtaining by false pretence and cyberstalking, and other unprintable allegations.
Mr Kpokpogri hit back at his ex-lover accusing her of infidelity and drug addiction. The Nigerian gossip mill went into overdrive with reports that the DSS had arrested Mr Kpokpogri but he would later debunk the report and in a matter of days, filed a petition against Ms Dikeh, requesting N10 billion compensation.
3. Burial of Obi Cubana’s mother
In this part of the world, funerals are usually elaborate affairs. But, in June 2021, socialite and club owner, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, practically changed the way people viewed funerals.
Cubana hosted a lavish burial ceremony in Anambra State and it was the talk of the town for a long time. With many celebrities and socialites in attendance, the burial will go down in history as one of the most talked about in the country.
Though he was criticised by some for spending such a huge amount of money on a funeral, the socialite stated that he did it to honour his mother. According to him, he and his siblings had planned to organise a carnival-like eightieth birthday ceremony, but she died before the plans could come to fruition. Cubana added that they then decided to invest all the resources earmarked for the birthday on her burial.
During the burial, several people sprayed huge bundles on cash and it seemed like a competition to see who could spend the most money. Over 200 cows were also said to have been bought for the event.
However, Cubana later stated that most of the funds and other materials used for the burial were got from friends as a form of goodwill in reciprocation of how he had also been of help to them in the past.
a petition against Mr Kpokpogri dated September 6 and addressed to the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Dikeh through her counsels in Festus Keyamo Chambers, Okechukwu Uju-Azorji, and Arinze Egbo made several shocking revelations.
She accused him of blackmail, extortion, a threat to life, hacking, obtaining by false pretence and cyberstalking, and other unprintable allegations.
Mr Kpokpogri hit back at his ex-lover accusing her of infidelity and drug addiction. The Nigerian gossip mill went into overdrive with reports that the DSS had arrested Mr Kpokpogri but he would later debunk the report and in a matter of days, filed a petition against Ms Dikeh, requesting N10 billion compensation.
4. Jane Emena’s alleged sex tape
It was Tonto Dikeh who revealed that her ex-boyfriend had the sex tapes and nude photos of a famous Instagram dancer, Jane Emena, and other Nigerian celebrities and politicians on his smartphone.
Orezinena Jane, 28, is married to her long-time lover, Andre Plies.
Mr Kpokpogri clarified saying that he’s only but a family friend to Mena, whom he said is an Isoko woman. He also said the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, must conduct some tests on Ms Dikeh.
“Is Janemena my friend? Yes! Beyond going to her shop opening years back, our relationship has only been on the phone. We have been family friends for years and the husband is someone that’s close to me.
“It is a taboo where I come from to sleep with a married woman even though I am still single, worst of all, with a married Isoko lady, who will pay the ultimate price if she does that.
“Don’t drag her and any other name in your imagination into our ship that has long sunk. I’ve lived and living a clean life. No amount of blackmail can pull me down.
Ms Dikeh’s strong allegation sparked several reactions from fans, especially because Ms Dikeh alleged that Mr Kpokpogri built a store for Emena in Delta State.
5. Controversial Love Tangle Between BBNaija’s Boma And Tega
The Big Brother Naija ‘Shine Ya Eye’ edition witnessed several evictions and drama since it began on July 24.
Tega and Boma’s alleged amorous 1 was one that surprised the housemates and caused tongue wagging among viewers of the show.
Tega after she was evicted from the show admitted that she and Boma pushed their luck too far when they engaged in intimate moments in the House.
Tega, 29, and a mother of one was the only married woman during the season 6 edition of Big Brother show. Fans of the show had expressed disappointment on her for engaging in an amorous relationship with a housemate, Boma on live TV while still being married.
Tega, had while explaining what happened under the duvet with Boma said, “I went in too hard. We never crossed the boundary. No sex; but we needed something for it to look real.
“I also saw videos of when he called me to the executive lounge and I was still trying to take off my nightwear.
“I think I wanted to have a bath when he called me to get dressed fast. When he said that, I just took off my nightwear and wore jeans and a singlet, then we went in.
“The kiss was prompted by us talking about the production crew focused on what we were doing.
“For those saying he fingered me, that never happened. We never crossed the boundary.
“I am not saying this to defend myself, but I own up to everything and admit that I went in too hard.”
Both Boma and Tega were voted out of the show by fans shortly after their sexual controversy.
6. TB Joshua, Baba Suwe, Sound Sultan, Rachel Oniga, other deaths
The deaths of popular actor, Babatunde Omidina, aka Baba Suwe; actress, Rachel Oniga; veteran singer, Victor Uwaifo; actor, Victor Olaotan; singer, Olanrewaju Fasasi, aka Sound Sultan; actor, Bruno Iwuoha; and another actor, Karibi Fubara, threw many into mourning at different times in the year.
Their demise got millions of their fans mourning, with public figures, politicians, and other entertainers paying glowing tributes to them.
7. Bobrisky and Mompha versus Oye Kyme
For Bobrisky, September 2021 was brutal as his former personal assistant, Oyemyke brought some of his dirty secrets to the limelight.
She said Bobrisky allegedly had a sexual relationship with popular a Nigerian Instagram celebrity, Ismail Mustapha aka Mompha.
Bobrisky invited Kyme over to Nigeria to become his PA after she tattooed him on her body. However, their work relationship ended on a sour note and Kyme took to Instagram to answer questions about her former boss.
During the Q & A, Kyme made a number of allegations but what struck Instagram users the most is her claim that Mompha dated Bobrisky.
Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky was born a man but transformed into a crossdresser and identifies himself as a woman.
However, in a joint Instagram live session held by popular radio presenter Daddy Freeze in a call with both parties, requested that Bobrisky `Clear Mompha in the matter.” In response, Bobrisky said, he is just friends with Mompha and even Mompha’s wife can confirm their friendship.
8.Bobrisky versus GistloverBlog
The notorious Nigerian gossip blog, Gistlover, came really prepared to mess things up for some Nigerian celebrities last month. The gossip blogger dragged Bobrisky on social media accusing him of scamming businesses by showing off fake screenshots of his supposed account balance on the internet.
The blogger claimed that Bobrisky’s skin has been seriously damaged and that most of the pictures he posts on social media are heavily filtered.
Gistloversblog also alleged that Bobrisky deceives brands and businesses with fake bank account balances in order to appear credible to them. Bobrisky fought back and dared the blogger to expose his real identity and face him with his ‘full chest’.
The blogger posted Bobrisky’s real phone number, this got fans super excited, as they were given the opportunity to call him up at will. In revenge, Bobrisky posted the real phone number of the anonymous blogger.
9. Baba Ijesha’s Rape Allegation
The comic actor is currently standing trial for allegedly molesting a minor, the foster daughter of his female colleague, Adekola Adekanya, also known as Princess, seven years ago.
Baba Ijesha’s trial has been trailed with several shocking revelations from forensic reports and medical reports conducted on the survivor.
The actor was arrested on April 22 and released on May 17.
10.Tiwa Savage’s Leaked Sex Tape:
Nigerian singer, Tiwa Savage, had in October revealed that she was being blackmailed over a sex video during an interview with American OAP, Angie Martinez of Power 105.1, and begged fans to defend her when the intimate video hits the Internet.
The ” Water And Garri” crooner claimed that the sex video was mistakenly uploaded on Snapchat by her lover, and was deleted immediately, adding that the blackmailer got a hold of the video before it was removed.
Her revelation drew mixed reactions from Nigerians. As some felt that she was lying, others wondered how someone who referred to herself as a grown-up woman, a mother, and a role model could make a sex tape and publicise it, even if it was just for one second.
Before the sex tape surfaced online, the singer while performing at a show event in Lagos on 17 October 2021 had boasted that no one would see the tape.
However, a blog known as ‘Gistlovers’ took to Instagram to post Tiwa Savage’s video after its first Instagram page got deleted.
Before the video surfaced, Tiwa Savage had called out Gistlover, saying that she was in control of the scandal.
“You hated how I was able to control the narrative and get ahead of a story before it consumed me and how I’m able to joke on stage about something you thought should destroy me and make me feel ashamed. You must knock my head when you see me @Gistloversblog1 with my full chest,” she had said.
Gistlovers reacted and said, “Hello, she saw a lot of people finally know it’s all stunt then she had to come up with something all to trend, well madam since you want to trend, let’s meet on Snapchat.”
