Entertainment
Late reggae legend Majek Fashek battled alcoholism, lived in denial
A United States-based Nigerian journalist and author, Azuka Jebose, speaks about his latest book on the late reggae superstar, Majek Fashek, and other issues
What inspired you to write the book, ‘Majek Fashek: Before and After The Rain’?
The inspiration to write this book came from the subject, Majek Fashek. My privileged relationship with him traced back to his days at Tabansi Records as an artiste and repertoire manager, alongside him being the lead guitarist and front man for the Jahstix Reggae Band in the 1980s, was a fantastic inspiration (for this book). I needed to capture those magical and complex moments with Majek and the Nigerian music scenes (back) then. I was a young freelance entertainment reporter, mostly a stringer for the PUNCH Entertainment Desk, anchored by my mentor, Ladi Ayodeji. A few years later, I became the entertainment editor of the Saturday Highlife pages and the entertainment editor of The PUNCH.
I thought if I had to write the memoir of one of the most iconic, yet, eccentric and brilliant musicians of my generation, I needed to go deeper into Nigeria’s music scenes before Majek, especially after the Civil War in the early 1970s and through the 1980s. This was the period when Majek manifested as an amazing singer, songwriter, guitarist, and frontman for a unique first Nigerian reggae music band with an engaging band name: Jahstix. So, ‘Majek Fashek Before and After the Rain’ is perhaps one of the few Nigerian books that explored the history of Nigerian music and entertainment scenes after the war.
How would you describe your relationship with the late singer?
My relationship with him was at times complicated and most times fascinating, especially during our early years as we were both struggling to make impacts in our different professions. Majek and I usually met at Tabansi Records back in the days at Oregun and Alausa junction (in Lagos) where many young artistes were waiting to be discovered, and I was nosing for fresh exclusive entertainment news and gossip. We, most times, ended up inside Goddy Tabansi’s (the then director-general of Tabansi Records) office and just sat, jived and listened to new demo tapes he produced for other young aspiring acts then such as Peterside Otong, Charlie Boy, Jide Obi, and Mike Okri, who were also always around us, including Stella Monye.
Felix Lebarty was a widely respected superstar, yet he came around and hung out with us. Some years later, after the release of Majek’s debut album, ‘Prisoner of Conscience’, which featured the monumental single hit, ‘Send Down the Rain’, our relationship soured. I watched his charming character and humanity charred by new success and management. I was a reporter and reported on some of those shenanigans, and my reports and gossip displeased him.
Did you get the consent of Majek’s family before writing a book on him?
No, I did not get the consent of the family. I didn’t need any family consent to write about my privileged experiences with a late iconic reggae music legend. What you will read in ‘Majek Fashek Before and After the Rain’ is a personal cherished experience I had with him. I have every right to write about my experiences with Majek. From his explosive arrival on the music scene to becoming an undisputed king of Nigerian reggae music, Majek’s life was a symphony of highs and lows. Unveiling the untold story of a musical maverick, I delved into the glory days when his resonant voice could heal wounds and mend souls. But beneath the spotlight, a relentless battle raged within him.
This memoir takes an unflinching look at the demons that haunted Majek – his tumultuous struggles with alcoholism and a hidden battle with undiagnosed schizophrenia. He fought not only for his place in the music world but also for his sanity.
In ‘Before and After the Rain’, I walked with Majek through the peaks and valleys of his life, from the euphoria of performing on the world stage, to the dark abyss of self-doubt and addiction. This is an intimate and breathtaking account that pulls no punches, revealing the human behind the legend. I was in the front row of those moments in the United States of America with him. I don’t need anyone’s approval to tell my story.
What do you hope to achieve with this work?
I hope it documents the early history of Nigerian music and also about one of its greatest musicians – Majek Fashek. I would also hope it triggers national conversations regarding mental health diseases such as schizophrenia (a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves).
Majek had a series of struggles with his health as he was said to be addicted to drugs. In what ways did you help him in this regard?
Majek was an alcoholic. I tried so many times to get him into rehabilitation, but he was always in denial. There is nothing anyone can do to addicts. The only person that can help an addict is the addict (himself). The addict has to recognise that he or she is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol and reach out for help. Otherwise, we are all wasting our time trying to force an unwilling addict into any rehabilitation treatment. Most of my fights with Majek came from my various appeals to him to seek intervention. You will read the most brazen attempt in the book and how he was conned out of it.
Is the book simply for online or is there a plan for the hard copy, and how do you intend to get more readers to buy it?
The book shall be first available as an E-book on Amazon, Kindle and Okada on November 18, 2023. Amazon and Kindle (will) make available hard copy orders too.
Do you intend to give any part of the proceeds from the book to Majek’s family?
No. I do not.
What were the challenges you faced while writing the book and how did you overcome them?
The initial reactions were negative from a few members of his family and friends who think they are entitled to the Majek story. They were scared of the other side of Majek, but his life and challenges were no secrets.
Aside from this work, what are your other works?
I am a storyteller. I have written two fictional books – ‘Waiting for my Husband to Die’ and ‘Victims of the City’.
Can you say something about your family, educational and career trajectory?
I am married. We (my wife and I) are blessed with five girls and a son. My oldest daughter is 29 years old and she is a researcher. I migrated to the USA in 1989 and live in North Carolina, where I manage my business. I have lived here since 1990 and attended the Friday Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the early 1990s.
What are the memorable moments you had with Majek?
Every moment spent with Majek was complexly memorable. He was quite a unique and charming character. I used to call him John the Baptist.
Who were the people who made this book a success?
The people who made this book a success included my niece, Temitope Marcus, who edited the last script of the book and assumed the role of the publisher. She’s responsible for the book’s publication and everything else. She’s been an amazing believer in this project. My secondary school classmate, Dr Nduka Otiono, pushed for this book to be written even while I was being blasted by COVID-19 in 2020. My brother, Uzor Uzoatu; veteran actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo; the awesome Jahstix members – Black O’Rice and Amos McCroy; Emma Ogosi, Laolu Akins and Femi Akintunde-Johnson also contributed to the success of the book.
Source: PUNCH
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has appointed popular Nollywood actress, Destiny Etiko, as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Youth Engagement and Creative Economy.
Etiko announced her appointment in a post on her Instagram page on Monday, November 9, 2026, expressing gratitude to the governor for the opportunity to serve in his administration.
The actress described the appointment as an honour and pledged her loyalty, dedication and commitment to the governor’s vision and the development of Enugu State.
“With profound gratitude and humility, I am honoured to announce my appointment as Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Enugu State on Youth Engagement and Creative Economy,” she stated.
Etiko expressed appreciation to Mbah for the confidence reposed in her, promising to discharge her responsibilities with dedication and a determination to make meaningful contributions to the state.
“My heartfelt appreciation goes to His Excellency, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for this confidence and opportunity to serve.
“I pledge my unwavering loyalty, dedication and commitment to your administration’s vision and the good people of Enugu State,” she said.
The actress further pledged to embrace the responsibility with humility and work towards creating more opportunities for young people while advancing the state’s creative economy.
“I embrace this responsibility with pride, humility and a determination to make a meaningful impact,” she added.
Etiko concluded her message by calling for collective efforts to translate the talents of young people into opportunities and the state government’s vision into reality.
“Thank you, Your Excellency. Thank you, Enugu State. Together, let us turn talent into opportunity and vision into reality!” she said.
Nigerian rapper Tochukwu Gbubemi Ojogwu, popularly known as Odumodublvck, has accused the man who filed an assault case against him of presenting a falsified hospital report before the court.
The rapper made the allegation during an interview with NewsCentral TV on Friday, where he recounted his version of the incident and explained why he rejected his lawyers’ advice to settle the dispute out of court.
The suit was filed in November 2025 by Levi Ogbogiri, also known as Kraziecent, who accused the rapper of assaulting him at a public event on December 16, 2024.
Ogbogiri alleged that the incident occurred while he was taking photographs and videos and resulted in physical injuries, emotional distress and damage to his iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Veteran Nollywood actor Diewait Ikpechukwu has died at the age of 71.
The actor reportedly passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2026, following a prolonged illness, according to family sources.
Ikpechukwu was a respected figure in the Nigerian film industry, with an acting career spanning more than 25 years.
Before venturing into Nollywood, he played professional football before later working as a business office manager in Nike.
He subsequently established himself in the movie industry, featuring in several Nollywood productions, including The August Meeting, Royal Palace (2005), The Guilty (2006), Across the River (2006), Python King (2007) and Ìjé Love (2022), among others.
Beyond acting, Ikpechukwu reportedly owned a communications company and was passionate about mentoring young talents in the entertainment industry.
He regularly encouraged upcoming actors to remain dedicated to their craft, avoid desperation and guard against exploitation in the movie industry.
Details surrounding his death remained sketchy as of the time of filing this report.
His death marks another loss to the Nigerian movie industry, where he spent more than two decades contributing to the growth of Nollywood.
Entertainment
Soludo’s Wife Denies Son Campaigned for Peter Obi, Threatens Legal Action Over Viral Video
The wife of Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Dr Nonye Soludo, has denied claims that her son, Ozonna Soludo, produced a viral video campaigning for the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.
The disputed video, which has circulated widely on social media, shows Ozonna, a social media personality, dancing to a song promoting Obi, with the former Anambra governor’s photograph and the NDC logo inserted into the clip.
However, Mrs Soludo, through her media aide, Daniel Ezeigwe, described the video as doctored, insisting that it did not originate from her son.
In a statement, she alleged that the video was deliberately circulated to create the false impression that Ozonna was involved in Obi’s political campaign.
“The video being mischievously circulated and falsely attributed to Ozonna Soludo, son of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, did not originate from him. Any attempt to associate him with the video is false, malicious, and entirely unacceptable,” the statement read.
The statement also identified one Kelechi Simon, reportedly a medical radiographer based in Delta State, as a person allegedly connected to the creation and circulation of the video.
Mrs Soludo warned those responsible for circulating the video to desist, threatening legal action against anyone found engaging in misinformation, defamation or other unlawful conduct.
“Those peddling this misinformation are hereby warned to desist immediately. The laws against misinformation and libel remain in force, and anyone who engages in unlawful conduct should be prepared to face the full consequences.
“The internet is not a lawless territory, and political desperation is no defence against the law,” the statement added.
She also urged members of the public to verify information before sharing content on social media, warning that deliberate attempts to spread falsehoods could attract legal consequences.
The statement, however, acknowledged the right of individuals to support political candidates of their choice, express political opinions and participate in legitimate political discussions.
It cautioned against using fabricated content to misrepresent individuals or advance political interests.
“Everyone is free to campaign for their preferred candidate, express political opinions, and engage in legitimate political debate. However, such freedom must not be abused through fabricated stories, malicious propaganda, or deliberate falsehoods,” the statement said.
The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran Nollywood actor, Francis Duru, who passed away at the age of 57 after a brief illness.
His family confirmed the sad development in a statement published on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026.
Announcing his passing, the family expressed appreciation to fans, colleagues and well-wishers for their prayers and support during the difficult period.
“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness.
“We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen,” the statement read.
The late actor is survived by his wife, Adokiye, and children.
His death comes barely four months after he publicly dismissed widespread reports suggesting that he was battling a life-threatening illness.
In June, Duru had taken to Instagram to debunk the claims, describing a video circulating online about his health as false and criticising those responsible for spreading the information.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru received his primary and secondary education in Cameroon before relocating to Nigeria, where he studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, graduating in 1996.
He began his acting career in 1989 with his debut appearance in Missing Mark, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko.
However, his breakthrough came in 1995 when he played Ahanna in the iconic Nollywood movie Rattlesnake, produced by the late renowned filmmaker, Amaka Igwe.
The performance established him as one of the industry’s prominent actors and paved the way for a successful career spanning more than three decades.
Among his notable movie appearances were Blood Money (1997), Stigma (2013) and Mboputa (2020).
His contribution to the Nigerian film industry earned him several recognitions, including the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
He was also honoured with the United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in 2007 in recognition of his positive influence on young people.
Beyond acting, Duru served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010 and received a nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards that same year.
His passing marks the end of a distinguished career that helped shape the growth and development of Nigeria’s film industry.
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