Entertainment
Ali Baba: “I Almost Got Killed Because Of My Joke About General Abacha”
Veteran Nigerian comedian Ali Baba recently shared a harrowing experience from the 1990s during a guest appearance on the Leadership Podcast, detailing how a seemingly innocuous joke almost cost him his life under the authoritarian rule of General Sani Abacha.
Reflecting on a tense moment at an event in Abuja, Ali Baba recalled addressing then-President Abacha while hosting a performance by the Akwa Ibom cultural group. With a touch of humor, he remarked to Abacha, “Your Excellency, sir, it’s almost 10 pm. Why are you wearing dark shades? Remove this shade, nah, or don’t you want to see their performance?” This direct confrontation sparked an immediate reaction, as Abacha removed his sunglasses and whispered to an aide.
As security personnel began to accumulate backstage, Ali Baba realized the gravity of the situation. In a swift decision to protect himself, he moved closer to Abacha. In a surprising turn of events, the general attempted to ease the tension with humor, to which Ali Baba playfully responded, “Don’t worry, sir, let them arrest me here.” This lighthearted exchange managed to elicit a rare smile from the notoriously strict leader.
Abacha’s reign from 1993 until his death in 1998 was characterized by significant political repression, where dissent was met with severe consequences, including imprisonment and torture. Ali Baba’s anecdote serves as a poignant reminder of the fine line between humor and peril during one of Nigeria’s most tumultuous political eras.
Nigerian singer Naira Marley’s family life has become a topic of public interest after Instagram model and TikToker Sandra Benede publicly acknowledged being the mother of his twin daughters, Aishat and Simiat Fashola.
The admission occurred during a recent livestream with streamer Peller, who initiated the conversation regarding the children. While Ms. Benede confirmed her parentage, she clarified that she and Mr. Marley are not married.
Speculation regarding a potential relationship between the two figures arose in May 2022 following a birthday greeting from Ms. Benede to Mr. Marley. The recent confirmation now sheds further light on their connection and the children’s parentage.
Nollywood actress Mary Njoku has recently ignited a debate regarding the necessity of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination for university admissions in Nigeria. In a statement posted on her Instagram story, Njoku questioned the need for JAMB and post-UTME, arguing that the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) should be sufficient proof of a candidate’s completion of secondary education.
Her statement comes amidst recent controversy surrounding JAMB, particularly following widespread reports of mass failures in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME). While JAMB has admitted to errors and announced retakes for affected candidates, Njoku’s questioning highlights a deeper concern regarding the redundancy and potential inefficiencies within the current university admission process. The actress’s comments add fuel to an existing debate about the effectiveness and fairness of the JAMB examination in evaluating a student’s readiness for tertiary education.
South African sensation Tyla is poised to make history as the first African personality to host the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. Organizers announced the Grammy-winning artist as the host of the 2025 edition, scheduled to air live on June 21st from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.
Beyond hosting duties, Tyla has also secured two nominations: Favourite Global Music Star and Favourite Music Collaboration for “Show Me Love” with WizTheMc, and “bees & honey.”
The nominations list is topped by Kendrick Lamar, Ariana Grande, and Lady Gaga, each receiving four nods. Selena Gomez, Dwayne Johnson, Jelly Roll, and Jack Black follow closely behind with three nominations apiece.
Expressing her excitement on X, Tyla simply stated, “I’m really about to host the kids choice awards.” This landmark achievement further solidifies Tyla’s rising star on the global stage.
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