Ibukunoluwa Daramola

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<p>Recently, the Osun State government appointed musician Davido as the chairman of the State’s Sports Trust Fund. His appointment was made in an effort to leverage his extensive social network to raise the funds needed to transform the state's sports sector. </p>

<p>The Afrobeats star’s appointment adds him to a growing list of celebrities who have been tapped to lead public offices. From actors to musicians, these celebrities are bringing their wealth of experience, social currency, and creativity to lead policy-making and governance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rapper MI Abaga was appointed as the Honorary Adviser on Entertainment and Creativity by the Caleb Mutfwang-led Government of Plateau State in July 2023. The governor disclosed the appointments in a statement released and signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, who stated that the appointments were based on his resolve to put the state back on sound footing.</p>

<p>In April 2025, Music icon<a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/entertainment/celebrities/2face-idibia-bags-political-appointment-in-benue-2025042315194230793"> 2Baba was appointed Technical Adviser</a> on Entertainment and Community Outreach to the Hyacinth Alia-led Government of Benue State. Alia announced the appointment at Government House, Makurdi, during a sympathy visit from the singer.</p>

2Baba appointed as the Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach

<p>Nollywood actress Eniola Badmus is another star <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/news/politics/tinubu-appoints-eniola-badmus-toyin-abraham-other-nollywood-stars-into-inauguration-2024072611030512192">who recently landed a public position.</a> In May 2024,&nbsp; she was appointed as Special Assistant on Social Events and Public Hearing to the Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria.</p>

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMa2aL4orvE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMa2aL4orvE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMa2aL4orvE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by ENIOLABADMUS  🇳🇬 FIRST DAUGHTER (@eniola_badmus)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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<p>In 2024, famous Kannywood actor Sani Musa Danja was named Kano State's adviser for youth and sports. Danja will have a significant influence on how the state develops its youth and sports programs.&nbsp; Before his appointment, Danja was a devoted follower of Governor Yusuf and was instrumental in the NNPP candidate's 2023 gubernatorial campaign.</p>

<p>In 2023, Osun State Governor, <strong>Ademola Adeleke,</strong> appointed Nollywood actress and filmmaker Laide Bakare as Senior Special Adviser on Entertainment, Arts, Culture, and Tourism. She announced the news via her Instagram account. Her appointment continued the trend of entertainers being favoured to serve in the Arts and Culture sector.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In July 2025, Edo state governor, Monday Okpebholo, appointed BBNaija star Anto Lecky a<a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/entertainment/celebrities/ex-bbnaija-housemate-anto-lecky-bags-political-appointment-in-edo-state-2025072019354446606">s his Senior Special Assistant,</a> SSA on Tourism and Creative Economy.</p>

<p><strong>Umaru Musa Ikhilor Esq</strong>., the Secretary to the Edo State government, signed a statement announcing Anto’s appointment, stating that it was in a bid to position Edo State as a leader in the travel and creative industries both in Nigeria and internationally.</p>

<p>In 2024, Kannywood actress Rahama Sadau was appointed as a technical committee member overseeing the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprise (iDICE) programme that seeks to promote investment in digital and creative industries. Sadau and other appointees were inaugurated into the programme by Nigeria’s vice president, <strong>Kashim Shettima.</strong></p>

<p>Another famous actor who was appointed to a political office in 2024 is Kannywood actor Ali Nuhu. Ajuri Ngelale, the president's spokesperson, announced in January that President Tinubu had named Nuhu director of the Nigerian Film Corporation.</p>

<h2>Can Entertainers Make A Difference In Policy Making?&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The appointment of entertainers in creative sectors indicates a desire by the government to have the prominent figures in the show business bring their expertise to leading critical areas needed to position the country as a tourist hub.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As musicians and actors, these celebrities have a robust understanding of the challenges confronting the creative sector and the policies needed to address them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While having creatives in governance gives the industry a stake in policymaking, political willingness on the part of executives and legislators is needed to actualise the vision of the celebrities appointed to public office.&nbsp;</p>

Davido and other Nigerian Celebrities Who Hold Political Appointments

From music to movies, some stars are taking up public positions to promote creativity, youth engagement, and community development.

Davido and 8 Nigerian Celebrities Who Hold Political Appointments

Odion Okonofua

<h1>Nigerian music icon 2Face Idibia has dragged the management of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for frustrating Nigerians trying to travel out of the country.</h1>

<p>The music star took to his Instagram page on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, where he called out the orgainsation over its flawed process of COVID-19 testing for travelers.</p>

<p>On the NCDC website it is stated that a pre-boarding COVID-19 PCR test must be done within 96 hours before departure.</p>

The NCDC requires travelers to undertake a pre-boarding COVID-19 test [NCDC]

<p>But to the frustration of many including the veteran musician, travelers undertake the COVID-19 testing but fail to get the Quick Response (QR) code which shows their results from the NCDC website, leaving travelers stranded.</p>

<p><em>"Ridiculous&nbsp;@ncdcgov&nbsp;compulsory covid 19 arrival test portal collects N50k per passenger and fails to deliver QR code. Passengers stranded. Business and personal commitments messed up. Who bears responsibility for this?"</em> a frustrated 2face said in a video he shared on his Instagram.</p>

<p>On his Instagram Stories, he continued to express frustration at the way and manner the NCDC staff have caused unnecessary hardship for travellers.</p>

<p><em>"NCDC or whatever portal, you people better wake up. You are causing serious hardship for people travelling. You go dey airport them go say pay one thing...what kind of wickedness is that?''</em> he asked.</p>

<p><em>"Just imagine Nigerians stranded in the airport because...this is totally unacceptable. It is annoying. This is wickedness."</em></p>

<p>Other passengers are seen in 2face's video expressing their disappointment at the NCDC for causing flight delays.</p>

Nigerian music icon 2Baba Idibia [Instagram/Official2Baba]

Idibia slams the organisation over its poor handling of passengers travelling outside the country.

2Baba Idibia drags NCDC on Instagram, says they are causing problems for Nigerians travelling abroad

<h1>Nigeria actress Annie Idibia and her hubby, music icon 2Baba Idibia are celebrating their eighth wedding anniversary and she has so many cute things to say about her husband.</h1>

<p>The movie star took to her Instagram page in the early hours of Tuesday, March 23, 2021, where she penned some adorable words for her hubby.</p>

<p><em>"Yes !!! I Married My First Crush ! Yes!!! I Married My First Love ❤️ Yes!! I Married The baby daddy to My first child “my sunshine” 🤩 I Always Knew It Was You ... How it would happen or work out ??? That I was clueless about ... a puzzle I never ever wanted to solve!"</em> she wrote.</p>

<p>The mother of two who posted a photo from their famous wedding said she always knew they were soulmates.</p>

<p><em>"But I knew it had to be you ... it just had to be u.. or else the chemistry... n ofcos my heart won’t feel the way it always did ! I truly , n honestly believe everyone has his/her soulmate !!! Ain’t no doubt that we are soulmates❤️"</em></p>

<p><em>"I gave you all of me , knowing that in you , n you only has this imperfect girl found perfection!!!👑❤️( mbok figure d meaning out yasef o🙈) Either in this lifetime or another, it would have been ... n it has always been YOU 💕 Happy ANNIEversary “ a guy” @official2baba 👑 #LYTID 23rd March 2013 💕"</em></p>

<p>Congratulations to the Idibias on their wedding anniversary from all of us at Pulse.</p>

<p>The couple tied the knot back in 2013 in one of the most extravagant celebrity weddings of modern time.</p>

<p>They have two daughters, Isabella and Olivia.</p>

Music icon 2Face Idibia and wife Annie Idibia [Instagram/AnnieIdibia1]

Annie and 2Face Idibia have two daughters; Isabella and Olivia.

'I married my first crush' - Annie Idibia says as she celebrates husband 2Baba on their anniversary

<h1>Nigerian music icon 2Face Idibia has called out African leaders for oppressing their citizens.</h1>

<p>In a post shared via his Instagram Stories on Sunday, March 14, 2021, the music star and activist slammed African leaders and the elites for using their powers to oppress the poor.</p>

<p><em>"Dear African leaders/rulers and elites, what are you guys using your so-called power for? Cos your power is nothing if it is only used for the oppression of your people,"</em> he wrote.</p>

The music icon slams African leaders and the elites over their overzealous use of power to oppress people. [Instagram/Official2baba]

<p><em>"Just a simple question. #RiddleMeThis #UnWashTheBrainWasher."</em></p>

<p>Idibia is not just known for his singing prowess but activism.</p>

<p>The singer has at several times called out the government over its decisions and governing style.</p>

<p>Earlier in January, the music star <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/2face-says-hes-still-proud-of-nigeria-despite-the-politicians-who-have-messed-up-the/2jwtzw1">took a swipe at the government</a> when said he was hopeful for a better Nigeria despite his personal feelings for the politicians that run the affairs of the country.</p>

The music icon slams African leaders and the elites over their overzealous use of power to oppress people.

2Baba calls out African leaders over oppression of their citizens

<h1>Nigerian music icon, 2Baba Idibia has shaded Apostle Johnson Suleman over his statement about 'money-making through speaking in tongues' during a sermon.</h1>

<p><a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/metro/apostle-suleman-boasts-about-his-new-jet-says-he-prayed-for-covid-19-not-to-end/bdzk9b4">In a now-viral video,</a> Suleman revealed that he prayed for the pandemic caused by covid-19 not to end and also laughed off the notion that he acquired a money-making machine.</p>

<p>The music star took to his Instagram page where he slammed the pastor over his comments during the now controversial sermon.</p>

<p><em>"Pastor tell em congregation say them accuse am say he get machine wen dey print money...say na speaking in tongues dey bring money. The congregation dey clap. Dem nor know say na dem be the machine wen dey print the money,"</em> he said.</p>

<p><em>"I weak. Abeg make nobody come to me with em religious arrogance. All of us go find our way go heaven."</em></p>

<p>Idibia's comments are coming on the heels of Suleman's controversial sermon.</p>

Apostle Johnson Suleman had during a service revealed that he prayed for the pandemic not to end [Instagram/ApostleJohnsonSuleman]

<p><em>“In COVID (pandemic) I bought a jet; the third one. I have three. I was praying for COVID-19 not to end because I was resting. While people were complaining, my wife asked, ‘Can life be this sweet?’ Am I talking to somebody here?,"&nbsp;</em>Suleman said.</p>

<p><em>“No stress. I read on the Internet that there’s a rumour going around that I have a machine that prints money. I like that rumour. They say, ‘he should be investigated. He has a machine that prints money.</em></p>

<p><em>“Somebody asked if it’s true and I said it is true. They said, ‘It’s risky o’. I said I didn’t know it’s risky because I already bought the machine. When you speak in tongues, you’re printing money.”</em></p>

Nollywood actress Etinosa Idemudia has slammed Apostle Johnson Suleiman over bleaching statement credited to him, says his 'side piece' is guilty of it.

<p>The last time Suleman was dragged by a celebrity was in 2020 when actress <strong>Etinosa Idemudia</strong> <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/etinosa-idemudia-slams-apostle-johnson-suleman-over-bleaching-statement/q0gtw2p">accused him of having an extramarital affair</a>.</p>

Nigerian music icon 2baba Idibia and Apostle Johnson Suleman

The music icon mocks the popular pastor's congregation for being gullible.

2Baba Idibia shades Apostle Johnson Suleman over 'money-making through speaking in tongues' sermon

<h1>Nigeria music icon 2Baba Idibia says he is still hopeful for a better Nigeria despite his personal feelings for the politicians that run the affairs of the country.</h1>

<p>The music star made this known via his Instagram stories on Thursday, January 28, 2021.</p>

<p><em>"No matter how I dey feel about how politics and some politicians don mess Naija up, I still proud of Naija with my full chest,"</em> he wrote.</p>

The singer believes that someday, the country will get it right. [Instagram/Official2Baba]

<p><em>"E choke die now but I believe say e go enter. E fit be after I don kpai sef but the engine don start. Bless us. Bless Naija aka the headquarter of Africa."</em></p>

2Face Idibia thinks the Nigeria system is in shambles and it had been hijacked by criminals met to be leaders. [Instagram/Official2baba]

<p>Recall that in January 2017, 2baba&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/2face-idibia-music-star-to-lead-nationwide-protest-against-nigerian-government-id6112786.html">announced a nationwide protest</a>&nbsp;against the policies of the federal government.</p>

<p>According to him, the Nigerian government has failed its people leading the country into an economic downturn.</p>

<p>However, after coming under intense pressure to drop the demonstration,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/2face-idibia-true-story-behind-music-stars-cancelled-protest-id6174583.html">2baba announced the cancellation</a>.</p>

The singer believes that someday, the country will get it right.

2Baba says he's still proud of Nigeria despite the politicians who have messed up the country

<h1>Nigerian music icon 2Baba Idibia has slammed his former bandmate Blackface for saying he never spoke up during the PDP administration.</h1>

<p>Their unending beef started again when Idibia took to his Twitter page on Monday, October 19, 2020, where he tweeted about the #EndSars protests across the country.</p>

<p><em>"I wonder why everybody is still going to work. We need total shutdown until these politicians start to answer!! Unless them wan use sars come pursue us go wor #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality #endimpunity #endlooting Make only market for essential things dey,"</em> he tweeted.</p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I wonder why everybody is still going to work. We need total shutdown until this politicians start to answer!!<br>Unless them wan use sars come pursue us go work<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndSARS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EndSARS</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndPoliceBrutality?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EndPoliceBrutality</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/endimpunity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#endimpunity</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/endlooting?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#endlooting</a> <br>Make only market for essential things dey.</p>&mdash; #ONELOVERELIGION #UNWASHTHEBRAINWASH #OPENYOUREYES (@official2baba) <a href="https://twitter.com/official2baba/status/1318198491009716226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>While reacting to his tweet, Blackface called him out for looking at the other side when the country experienced a similar situation during the administration of former President Obasanjo.</p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">When e bad pass like this under PDP you no talk say make them close our country down, you been dey sing say you dey feel like Obasanjo...because you dey under their payroll abi wetin ? My guy this your point no valid,I no believe say you reason before you talk am 🇳🇬✌ <a href="https://t.co/B8sD3Oa5U1">https://t.co/B8sD3Oa5U1</a></p>&mdash; GHETTO CHILD (@Blackfacenaija) <a href="https://twitter.com/Blackfacenaija/status/1318253124696551424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p><em>"When e bad pass like this under PDP you no talk say make them close our country down, you been dey sing say you dey feel like Obasanjo...because you dey under their payroll abi wetin? My guy this your point no valid, I no believe say you reason before you talk am,"</em> he tweeted.</p>

<p>It didn't take long before Idibia responded to Blackface's tweet, calling him an idiot.</p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/Blackfacenaija?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Blackfacenaija</a> Austin ahmedu u are a total idiot. Fuck u and all u are. Stupidity kee u there.</p>&mdash; #ONELOVERELIGION #UNWASHTHEBRAINWASH #OPENYOUREYES (@official2baba) <a href="https://twitter.com/official2baba/status/1318940947443494913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p><em>"@Blackfacenaija Austin ahmedu u are a total idiot. Fuck u and all u are. Stupidity kee u there,"</em> he tweeted.</p>

<p>With these series of tweets, it appears that the unending conflict between 2Baba Idibia and Blackface might have opened new wounds in their frosty relationship.</p>

2Baba Idibia and Blackface's lingering conflict continues to rear it's ugly head [Instagram/Official2Baba] [Instagram/BlackfaceNaija]

The unending conflict between 2Baba and Blackface resurfaces on Twitter.

2Baba Idibia slams Blackface on Twitter, calls him an idiot

<h1>Nigerian music icon, Innocent '2Baba' Idibia's wife, Annie threw him a surprise party to mark his 45th birthday.</h1>

<p>The music star's wife took to her Instagram page on Sunday, September 20, 2020, where she shared some of the photos from the surprise birthday party.</p>

<p><em>"We had so much fun !!! #aGuyat45 💫"</em> she captioned the photos.</p>

<p>Among those who were present to celebrate with the music icon were his wife, four of his children, other family members, and close friends.</p>

<p>Annie had on Friday, September 18, taken to her Instagram page <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/annie-idibia-celebrates-hubby-2baba-idibia-on-his-45th-birthday/f9x0tp1">to celebrate her husband on his 45th birthday.</a></p>

<p>In 2012, 2Baba and Annie married in Lagos in a private ceremony. A civil ceremony was also held in&nbsp;<strong>Dubai</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>UAE</strong>&nbsp;in March 2013 and had a high attendance of celebrities.</p>

<p>They have two daughters,&nbsp;<strong>Olivia</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Isabella</strong>&nbsp;Idibia.</p>

Music icon 2Baba Idibia and his daughter, Olivia at his 45th birthday party [Instagram/AnnieIdibia]

Annie Idibia threw her husband a surprise birthday party on Saturday, September 19, 2020.

See photos from 2Baba Idibia's surprise birthday party

<h1>Nigerian legendary singer 2Baba Idibia turned 45 on Friday, September 18, 2020, and his wife Annie, took out time to celebrate him on his special day.</h1>

<p>The actress took to her Instagram page where she shared a loved video of them.</p>

<p><em>"Oh, my WORLD ....😍 H A P P Y B I R T D A Y ❤️ No need for epistle anymore! You know my world revolves around you! The world knows ... That you are my WORLD 🙏🏽 LYTID ❤️ Happy Birthday My “Mine” @official2baba #myBestFriend #mysupportsystem,"</em> she captioned the video.</p>

<p>Happy birthday to 2Baba from all of us at Pulse.</p>

<p>In 2012, 2Baba and Annie married in Lagos in a private ceremony. A civil ceremony was also held in <strong>Dubai</strong>, <strong>UAE</strong> in March 2013 and had a high attendance of celebrities.</p>

<p>They have two daughters, <strong>Olivia</strong> and <strong>Isabella</strong> Idibia.</p>

The couple got married in 2012 and have two daughters together.

Annie Idibia celebrates hubby 2Baba Idibia on his 45th birthday

Motolani Alake

<h1>Music icon and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Innocent Idibia aka 2Baba has formally unveiled INNOBIA Cooperatives Organisation (INNOBIA ALLIED LTD), an agro-allied business concern with headquarters in Nigeria and branches in State of Israel and the United Kingdom.&nbsp;</h1>

<p>During a live chat with <strong>Nigerian Stock Exchange</strong> CEO, <strong>Mr Oscar N. Onyema,</strong> OON, at the virtual ringing of the gong to close the market on Monday July 13, 2020, <strong>2Baba</strong> stated that the initiative was birthed out of the desire to key into the government policy of diversification of the economy through agriculture and its ancillary businesses.</p>

<p>"<em>We want to create jobs for our youths and empower our women in order to break the chain of poverty and contribute meaningfully to the economy. Our target is to empower a minimum of 1,000 youths in each of the 36 States and the FCT by the year 2021"</em>, he declared.</p>

<p>He added "<em>On behalf of the board and management of INNOBIA, I seek your support and partnership in our bid to achieve the ultimate objective of addressing the issues of food sufficiency and job creation for our people."</em></p>

<p>Working in partnership with seasoned local and international agribusiness experts and concerns, Idibia commenced the INNOBIA operations months ago. The pilot project to engage, train and empower 10,000 women and youths in rice and soya beans production is ongoing in Benue State.</p>

I've been kidnapped - 2Baba makes light of mother's claim that he's gone missing

Working in partnership with seasoned local and international agribusiness experts and concerns, Idibia commenced the INNOBIA operations months ago.

2Baba unveils ambitious agribusiness project, Innobia

<h2>On June 27, 2010, 2face Idibia released his fourth body of work, ‘The Unstoppable (International Edition) under Hypertek Entertainment. Nigerians saw it as a comeback for Tuface, whose career had been hampered by bad publicity and negative perception for three years prior to that point.</h2>

<p>It was the moment Nigerians realized that <strong>2face Idibia </strong>was not going anywhere. It was also the moment when Nigerians subconsciously re-accepted their defiant heartthrob who was bent on succeeding on his own terms.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ</strong>: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/wizkid-olamide-burna-boy-top-10-nigerian-albums-of-the-decade-the-2010s/4q2d3f4">The top 10 albums of the decade (The 2010s) </a></p>

Cover art for 'Unstoppable (International Edition)' by 2Baba).' (Amazon)

<p>The 14-track <strong>The Unstoppable (International Edition)</strong> is like a deluxe version of 18-track <strong>The Unstoppable, 2face</strong>’s third album which had dropped under <strong>Hypertek </strong>in 2008. The <strong>International Edition </strong>contained eight new tracks and also produced two hits, ‘Only Me’ and ‘<em>Implication’</em> despite selling for N1,000 per copy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The album won Best Pop/R&amp;B Album at the 2011 <strong>Headies, </strong>helped <strong>2baba </strong>to win Best Male and Artist of The Year at the 2010 <strong>MTV African Music Awards </strong>and <strong>Best International Act </strong>at the 2011 <strong>BET Awards. </strong>His song, ‘<em>Power of Naija</em>’ was also a soundtrack for the 2010 World Cup for a brand.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The legendary artist who now goes by<strong> </strong>2<strong>baba Idibia</strong> rejects the ‘comeback’ tag, “<em>I never left, I nor know where dem see am</em>. <em>I never gave anybody space, I was always working but at the time, na belle matter dey my mind (laughs), so I just wanted to make music.”</em></p>

<p>However, he admits that<em>, “‘</em><strong><em>The Unstoppable</em></strong><em>’ was a flop so to speak. Na flop (laughs) compared to my previous albums and my own bar. E tight pass some other people own, but I don’t think it was well-received nor did it have the desired impact.&nbsp;</em></p>

<p><em>“I think the mixing on some of the songs was not properly done, but majorly, there was so much going on in my life at the time that was not music-related and those things deflected attention from the music itself. The media really wanted to latch onto everything they could in my life and amplify it. That then affected the music and ‘The Unstoppable.’&nbsp;</em></p>

<p><em>“However, I think neither the coverage of my life by the media and its perception it made people have of me nor the reception ‘The Unstoppable' got was fair.”&nbsp;</em></p>

<p>As he adjusts to sit properly with a face mask on he says, <em>“I get am o and I understand am, but it wasn’t really fair when you think about it. The media didn’t even properly report that I released an album. In the end, a lot of people didn’t even listen to the album.”</em></p>

<h1>How did 2face get to that point?&nbsp;</h1>

<p>On December 8, 2006, Nigerian superstar, then known as 2face Idibia released <strong>OJB Jezreel</strong>-produced socio-politically charged sophomore album, <strong>Grass 2 Grace</strong> under <strong>Kennis Music.</strong> What he didn’t realize at the time was that the album was going to be a second consecutive classic, after his classic debut <strong>Face 2 Face.</strong></p>

<p>Around that time, media coverage of and scrutiny into <strong>2baba</strong>’s personal life also intensified. 11 months prior, he had fathered a first child, <strong>Nino Idibia</strong> with then girlfriend, <strong>Sumbo Ajaba, </strong>now married to <strong>Pastor David Adeoye. </strong>In April of the same year, he also fathered his second child, <strong>Ehi Idibia </strong>with <strong>Pero Adeniyi.&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>A year prior, he had been the subject of a robbery. But the negative press truly began in 2004, with the release of the <strong>Cobhams</strong>-assisted <strong>Faze </strong>debut, <strong>Faze Alone. </strong>On the title-track, <strong>Faze </strong>chronicled the break-up of the <strong>Plantashun Boiz, </strong>which also included <strong>BlackFace, </strong>who had also accused <strong>2face </strong>of not giving him proper credit for the globally successful classic single, <em>‘African Queen</em>’ off <strong>Face2Face.&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>As <strong>Grass 2 Grace </strong>got commercial success and far-reaching impact, so did media scrutiny of his life and the newsworthy events that never stopped happening. On October 4, 2007, <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/2face-idibia-remember-when-the-music-legend-was-shot-by-armed-robbers-in-2007/x1ytkhl">he got shot by robbers</a> on his way back from collecting his <strong>MOBO Award </strong>for Best African Act in London. The bullet left in him would have done greater damage, but for the laptop that was on his lap.&nbsp;Again, Nigerian media painted <strong>2face </strong>as a villain.</p>

<p>Between April and December 2008, he fathered <strong>Zion Idibia </strong>with <strong>Sumbo Ajaba </strong>and <strong>Isabella Idibia, </strong>with actress, entrepreneur and the woman who became his beautiful wife, <strong>Annie Idibia. </strong>Nigerians accused <strong>2baba </strong>of irresponsibility and stand-up comedians didn’t help matters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At his 40th birthday, <strong>2baba </strong>jokingly attacked Bovi<strong> </strong>for how the comedian had attacked him through the years.</p>

<p>Ironically, <strong>Basketmouth </strong>who is<strong> </strong>another comedian that made jokes about <strong>2baba</strong>’s personal life in the 2000s walked in on the conversation this writer had with <strong>2baba </strong>at <strong>FreeMe Space </strong>on Saturday&nbsp;June 27, 2020, the day <strong>The Unstoppable (International Edition) </strong>clocked 10.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was obvious that he and <strong>2baba </strong>were close friends because the interview stopped for a few minutes as <strong>2baba </strong>and <strong>Basket Mouth </strong>exchanged pleasantries, “<em>My brother make we continue, </em><strong><em>Bright Okpocha </em></strong><em>na my brother</em>,” <strong>2baba </strong>said after he was done.</p>

<h2>‘NBC Flex’ as ‘Enter The Place’ gets ‘Banned’</h2>

<p>In the middle of 2008, <strong>2face </strong>released ‘Flex,’ a single that was purported to feature <strong>R. Kelly. </strong>Controversy ensued when Nigerians called <strong>2face</strong>’s credibility into question over the accuracy of the <strong>R.Kelly </strong>feature and the single subtly tanked. ‘Enter The Place’ was released in the final weeks of 2008 and its video on January 15, 2009.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the song, <strong>2baba </strong>also created a satire out of his own personal life when he sang, “<em>...Make we see if you no go carry belle too…”</em></p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ</strong>: <a href="https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/movie/7183/rkelly-denies-duet-with-tuface-idibia-afolabi-adekoya-cit.html#:~:text=According%20to%20him%2C%20in%20a,US%20before%20recording%20the%20song.&amp;text=Expectedly%2C%20many%20people%20were%20expecting%20to%20see%20Tuface%20perform%20with%20R.">The Tuface vs. R.Kelly drama explained by Efe Omoregbe</a>&nbsp;</p>

<p>On March 6, 2008, the rumour was that the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation had banned the video for <em>‘Enter The Place’</em> alongside <strong>Mo' Hits All Stars</strong>' ‘<em>Close to You</em>,’ D'Banj's ‘<em>Suddenly</em>’ and <strong>Kelly Handsome</strong>'s <em>‘Maga Don Pay.’ </em><strong><em>2</em>baba </strong>says he never got an official statement on the reason the video was supposedly banned.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>“The way wey una hear am, na so me sef hear am (laughs). I never got an official word on why that happened. I still dey hear am [the news and the video] sha,”</em> <strong>2baba </strong>says. The drama continued as <strong>2baba </strong>endured intense competition from the golden era of Nigerian Hip-Hop (2008-2010) and the intensifying force of <strong>Mo’Hits. </strong>Something had to happen…&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Why title his album ‘The Unstoppable’?</h2>

<p>The album title was a dig at the bad press around him at the time. 2face fancied himself a moving train that could not be stopped by bad publicity and wrong perception.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He says, <em>“We titled it ‘The Unstoppable’ because I wanted to send a message that they could not stop me and that I was moving at a pace that nobody could control. But e nor work the first time abi (laughs)... But I think it clicked the second time, apparently.”</em></p>

<p><strong>2baba </strong>also notes that there was a difference between the creative approach to <strong>Grass 2 Grace </strong>and <strong>Unstoppable. </strong>He says, <em>“I was still under a label for Grass 2 Grace, I was younger and I had schedules and deadlines - they were not authoritative, but they still had a contract tied to them (laughs).&nbsp;</em></p>

<p><em>“The freedom I had for both versions of </em><strong><em>Unstoppable </em></strong><em>allowed me to do different things and experiment.</em>”</p>

<p>After the drama of the original <strong>The Unstoppable, 2baba </strong>got into that personal space where he knew that he wanted to make something different and something special. He says, “<em>I didn’t want or have any distraction and you can hear the genuine emotion behind some of the songs on the album.&nbsp;</em></p>

<p><em>“I titled it ‘International Edition’ because after the first one flopped so-to-speak, I still wanted to make a statement. The album was international standard - from the packaging to even the pricing. I made it to be different and appealing in a unique way…”</em></p>

<p>Before the <strong>International Edition </strong>was released, <strong>2baba </strong>and <strong>Hypertek </strong>experimented with an EP featuring the <strong>Hypertek </strong>all-stars and it worked. Some of the songs from the EP then made the album.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Making 30 million upfront from International Edition</h2>

<p>With the steep pricing, <strong>2baba </strong>says, <em>“We made some dough but e nor even reach 50% of what N150 copies would have sold (laughs). We tried but it was more about the statement. It was around that time that I said to myself that, “If we wan make CD, make we kuku package am.</em>””</p>

<p>The sales for the album were hindered by piracy but <strong>2baba </strong>didn't feel it, “<em>We had to collect money from pirate to pirate to pirate (laughs). That was a trend at the time you know, they were the creators of the CDs and the pirates. So instead of worrying artists, they would pay us upfront. It’s better than pushing on your own.</em></p>

<p><em>“I think the amount I got for that album was N30 million and that had a time limit. When that time pass, we still renegotiate say, ‘How far nah… That kind thing...’ The good thing for them is that they knew each other and they seldom messed each other up. But if nobody do the work, na free hand you dey o. Dem go chop you…”</em></p>

<p>On the original <strong>The Unstoppable, Jay Sleek </strong>he produced three songs without significant traction. But on the <strong>International Edition, </strong>he produced <em>‘Implication</em>’ and <em>‘Only Me</em>’ and some other new tracks. Nonetheless, <em>‘Implication’ </em>and ‘<em>Only Me’</em> had been made during the recording phase for <strong>The Unstoppable.</strong></p>

<p><strong>2baba </strong>met <strong>Jay Sleek </strong>through a friend whose name he can’t remember in 2008. But first, he heard a beat <strong>Jay Sleek </strong>produced and made sure that he had to work with the producer.&nbsp;He says, “<em>Jay Sleek was ahead of his time and that’s why we still work together till today. I think the success of ‘Implication’ did a lot for </em><strong><em>International Edition </em></strong><em>and he contributed to that.</em></p>

<p><em>“But I also think that the video angle to ‘Implication’ aided the success of the song because visual and audio used to be a two-pronged attack</em>.”</p>

<p>From <strong>International Edition, </strong>‘<em>Only Me’</em> was the song that truly marked that era and <strong>2baba </strong>acknowledges it. Interestingly, the song was recorded after <strong>2baba </strong>and some friends had just gotten back from the club in the wee hours of a particular morning in 2008 but he says that rumours that the song was inspired by a <strong>Mikel Obi </strong>encounter are blatant lies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He says, “<em>I have told people to help me find the person that started that rumour o, e go sabi market things well. I actually spoke with </em><strong><em>Mikel </em></strong><em>then and we just laughed about it. But incidentally, that was the last time Mikel and I spoke. We even laughed heavily about it.</em></p>

<p><em>“The first time I met Mikel was when I won the MOBO Awards in London (In 2007) and we all went to the club together. Na him even clear everything and spoil everywhere that night. D’Banj, Don Jazzy, P Square and a lot of us were there. Michael Essien and Kolo Toure were also there but Drogba was not.</em></p>

<p><em>“There was nothing like that. Essien and Kolo even dragged the bill with Mikel that night, but he paid. I was shocked when I heard that rumour… But that was also the last time Mikel and I saw each other…”</em></p>

<p>While <strong>2baba </strong>has fun memories about the <strong>MTV Africa Music Awards </strong>in 2010, he was crowd surfing when he infamously yelled, “<em>Easy, easy…</em>”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Describing what led to that, he says, “<em>O boy, some things miss for my body before I reach stage back (laughs hard). My belt and my bracelet were gone, even my shoes almost disappeared. As I got back to the stage, I felt light (laughs).”</em></p>

<p>In the end, <strong>2baba </strong>says, “<em>I’m glad that I made [International Edition] and that it had success. It was a different side of me to the ‘Grass 2 Grace’ version of me. I was evolving at the time and the album contained my truths. The core me is still the core me, but that was also a version of me.</em>”</p>

<p>If <strong>The Unstoppable [International Edition] </strong>was a football competition, it would be the <strong>UEFA Champions League </strong>season that ended in <strong>Athens </strong>circa<strong> </strong>2007, won by <strong>AC Milan. </strong>They had lost the <strong>Istanbul </strong>final to <strong>Liverpool </strong>in 2005 by throwing away a three-goal lead.</p>

<p>Without that success at a material time which heralded the birth of contemporary Nigerian pop, things might have been different for this legend.</p>

<p>It was a defining moment that ensured that <strong>2Face Idibia </strong>reigned with a third generation, not as a third wheel but as a defining presence when superstars like <strong>D'Banj, 9ice </strong>and others faded away.. As recently as 2018, he still released a smash hit single in '<em>Amaka'</em> featuring <strong>Peruzzi. </strong>The legend of <strong>2Face Idibia </strong>needed <strong>The Unstoppable International Edition </strong>to happen, we just didn't realize how much at the time.</p>

<p>It was the acceptance of a flawed genius by the Nigerian mainstream. It was the quintessential victory of art over human perception and sentiment. <strong>2Baba </strong>can boast, he did what most people couldn't. After that album, he released an even better project in <strong>Away and Beyond. </strong></p>

<p><strong>Tubaba </strong>is working on some things. We’d hear about them as the year progresses.&nbsp;</p>

2baba Idibia talks as ‘The Unstoppable (International Edition)’ turns 10. (Silverbird TV)

As ‘The Unstoppable (International Edition)' clocks 10, 2face Idibia tells Pulse about making N30 million from the album, the lies around 'Only Me,' how he never had problems with Mikel Obi&nbsp;and more.

Here is how 2baba Idibia staged a comeback with 'The Unstoppable [International Edition] as album turns 10 [Pulse Interview]

<p><strong>Album Title</strong>: Warrior</p>

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