Entertainment
‘I’m alive, my time not up yet,’ Ebenezer Obey debunks death rumour
Legendary musician, Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, also known as Chief Obey Commander, has affirmed that he is alive, strong, and healthy, refuting rumours of his death.
This is coming hours after the news of the veteran singer’s death went viral on Monday, with fans reacting with mourning messages.
Obey, while speaking with Tribune Online late Monday night, urged the public to disregard the unfounded report.
“Thanks so much. I am very active and nothing happened to me. It is fake news; it is a pure lie, and this is not what Jesus Christ has written about me. What Jesus has written about me is only what will manifest upon my life. I am alive says the Lord. I dey kampe. My time is not up yet. I thank you so much for checking up on me. Meanwhile, it is not new to me, I have been rumoured dead several times. But my God has been keeping me safe and healthier,” he said.
He expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of concern, saying, “I thank every concerned person. I have received so many calls since last night, which made me slept so late. I appreciate everyone that checked on me and prayed for me. I pray God will continue to protect us all.”
Reacting further, Obey described the situation as “a reckless mistake.”
“I see this as a reckless mistake of the originator of the false news. I wonder what happened to the tenet of cross-checking to authenticate news items before publishing. I doubt if the breaker of the news ever passed through a journalism school! It’s a big shame and embarrassment to such person. Can you imagine? He first posted the fake news on social media and then started reaching out to media contacts to verify already publicly circulated falsehoods,” he added.
The rumour, which went viral on social media on Easter Monday, has since been confirmed as false. In reality, the music icon was very much active on Monday, leading the Ebenezer Obey Dynasty in celebrating the 60th birthday of his daughter-in-law, Pastor (Mrs.) Aduke Rotimi Obey.
He also made a dignified appearance last Friday at the wedding of popular actress Iyabo Ojo’s daughter in Lagos, blessing the couple during the engagement ceremony as the ‘bride’s grandfather.’
Also, the Miliki maestro, in a video posted on his Instagram handle Tuesday morning to further refute the death rumour, started with a spirited song — a mix and match of Yoruba, English and Pidgin — describing Satan as a lie.
Obey-Fabiyi sang, “Hello, my name is Professor Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi.
Satan, you don lose o, Satan, you don lose o, you don pafuka. Na lie lie you dey talk, you don Pafuka.”
However, this is not the first time rumours of the legendary musician’s death have gone viral on social media.
Around July 2020, Obey, in an Instagram Live with Dele Momodu, debunked rumours of his death, saying, “It’s not yet time for me to die. I’ve not finished what God sent me to do. I must fulfil my purpose and complete my assignment. It (death) is something that will surely come, but now.”
Despite being falsely declared dead on multiple occasions — reportedly up to 12 times, with this incident marking the 13th — the revered musician remains a vibrant presence in both private and public spheres.
-Tribune
Entertainment
Government Demolishes Influencer Ola Of Lagos’ Car Showroom
The Lagos State Government has reportedly demolished a popular luxury car showroom owned by social media influencer and car dealer, Waris Olayinka Akinwande, widely known as ‘Ola of Lagos’.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, was first brought to public attention through a viral TikTok video posted by another car dealer, Ibilo, who captured the remains of the demolished property.
The caption read, “Lagos State Government Demolishes OOL Autos. Heavy one today.”
As of press time, the state government had not issued an official statement regarding the demolition, leaving the motive behind the action unconfirmed.
However, widespread speculation on social media suggested that the structure was pulled down because it was allegedly built beneath a high-tension power line in violation of safety and urban planning regulations.
One TikTok user, Adekunle Autoparts, commented, “They demolished it because he built it under a power line.”
Another user, Sisi Noni, expressed mixed feelings about the development, highlighting both the safety risks and the harshness of the government’s approach.
“I’m not trying to sound hateful, but the first time I saw this structure, my eyes got hold of the high tension. But as usual, I felt the country doesn’t send anymore once you have money,” she wrote.
“Building under the high tension is very risky. But at the same time, they should have asked him to relocate — maybe they would have dismantled the structure without destroying it so he can make use of some of those materials in his new site.”
The demolition came amid a broader enforcement drive by the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources against illegal constructions across the state.
On the same day, the government also demolished no fewer than 17 houses illegally erected on the Right of Way (RoW) of the Ikota River alignment in the Lekki area.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who led a monitoring and enforcement team to the site, warned residents against activities that endanger the environment or obstruct natural water channels.
“We stopped them then, but we were alerted again recently that the encroachment had resumed aggressively, with attempts to sell to unsuspecting buyers,” Wahab said.
He stressed that the exercise formed part of the state’s broader efforts to reclaim and protect flood-prone areas, adding that offenders behind illegal reclamation and construction activities would be identified and prosecuted.
Recovered evidence from the Lekki site showed several ongoing reclamation projects, sand-filling operations, and partially completed structures built directly on natural waterways, a violation the state said poses serious environmental risks.
-Leadership
Entertainment
Davido Becomes Grammy Voting Member Ahead Of 2026 Awards
Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has been officially inducted as a voting member of the Recording Academy, the body behind the prestigious Grammy Awards.
The move gives the ‘Feel’ crooner, who secured three Grammy nominations in 2024, a direct role in the Academy’s nomination and final-ballot processes for the 2026 ceremony.
Confirming his membership, the Recording Academy shared a video on Instagram on Tuesday featuring Davido alongside other newly admitted members.
The post read, “Creating a song or an album takes heart, time, and dedication. ✨ That’s why Recording Academy members including #Davido, #ravynlenae, #offsetyrn, #jessiereyez, #zacbrownband, #anneakikomeyers, #miles.minnick, #mayaelizabethmusic, #damiensneed, #damarismusica, and #stewart_copeland are sharing why your participation matters.”
Speaking on the milestone, Davido expressed pride at joining the global community of music professionals shaping the awards.
“Understanding the importance of how our voices are heard, I am participating in the GRAMMY Award process. It is a game-changer. I have learned that voting empowers you to have a say in what is considered and voted on in each season. I am honoured to be part of the Recording Academy community, and I look forward to voting,” he said.
Davido’s inclusion underscores the Academy’s ongoing efforts to diversify and expand its membership base, with growing representation from African and other international artists.
The Academy also announced that voting for the 2026 GRAMMY Awards will open on October 3. “Recording Academy voting members: review the ballot, listen, and vote early, starting October 3,” it said.
-Leadership
Entertainment
Tyler Perry Faces $260m Sexual Assault Lawsuit From Actor Derek Dixon
Filmmaker Tyler Perry, known for Acrimony and his popular Madea comedy series, is battling a $260 million sexual assault lawsuit after actor Derek Dixon, who played Dale on Perry’s BET drama The Oval, went public with allegations of harassment and abuse.
In his first on-camera interview with ABC News on September 9, 2025, Dixon claimed Perry fostered a coercive dynamic that blurred professional boundaries and left him fearful for his career.
He alleged that Perry pulled down his underwear and grabbed his buttocks at the producer’s Atlanta home. “I was under constant stress, scared I’d lose my job or be killed off the show if I didn’t comply”.
Explaining the damages sought, Dixon said the lawsuit reflects both personal losses and a deterrent against future abuse.
“Part of that number is my lost job, my lost income, the loss of a show. The other part of that is a deterrent, how do you stop a billionaire who won’t stop themselves from doing this?” he said.
Dixon also accused Perry of failing to deliver on a promise to produce a pilot he had written, which he said Perry still controls.
Despite the risks of speaking out, Dixon said he went public “to protect future generations of actors and creatives,” adding, “Never exploit someone’s aspirations to coerce them into a relationship. That’s unprofessional.”
Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, dismissed the claims, saying, “This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be an elaborate scam. But Tyler will not be coerced, and we are confident that these unfounded harassment claims will not succeed.”
Dixon, who joined Perry’s productions in 2020, filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in January 2024 before leaving The Oval later that year.
His June 2025 lawsuit has since intensified scrutiny of workplace harassment and power dynamics in Hollywood.
-Leadership
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