Nigerias entertainment industry is one of the best in the world, from acting to musicals; the world is spellbound with delightful entertainment experience. No doubt, great talents are in Africa and Nigeria is the home of all the brightest in the continent.

The never dying spirit of most Nigerians has made them excel in their endeavours. In Education, Sport, Politics, Science, Computer programming, engineering and host of others, you can be sure that a Nigerian of origin would be mentioned in one of the success stories of the industry.

Nigerian Music and Movies are now screened across the world. The five individuals drawn below are few of the talented and determined entertainers that have overcome the storming blocks that many of their peers would ordinarily use as an excuse for failing.

It is noteworthy that these individuals have shown high sense of leadership, commitment, and creativity. Brand Times brings to you these remarkable individuals, in no particular order, they have strived and they have excelled:

Cobhams Asuquo

Absence of sight is not a storming block for a man with a vision

Cobhams Asuquo is a visually impaired Nigerian musician, producer, songwriter and the Chief Executive Officer of CAMP (Cobhams Asuquo Music Production) which has Bez Idakula and Stan Iyke as its artiste. He was responsible for Aşa’s highly acclaimed international album ASA and has been mentioned on many artists’ sleeve credits as producer and writer.

Cobhams revealed his journey to stardom “I think it has been intriguing and interesting with its ups and downs. It’s been beautiful and amazing so far. It is obviously a rosebush with thorns, but fewer than many things in life that are interesting. I started out just doing this for fun but now it is paying my bills. From my early days with Faze and the group, Maintain, before they split up, these are some of the people that took the risk of having me work with them. I remember some key moments like the first time I actually sat down to make music at New Wave Production (Charly Boy’s studio).

“The experience was simply amazing. Although I had been in the studio before, I found myself doing what I had always dreamt of doing and I was just about 16 then. I continued afterwards, making music and meeting people. I was introduced to Faze by his brother, who was my senior in secondary school (King’s College) and later I met Maintain’s manager in the studio. They took a chance with me and it just began to happen from there. It literally exploded.”

He won these awards: The Future Awards 2006 and 2009 (Producer of the Year), Hip-hop World Awards 2007 and 2008 (Producer of the Year), Nigeria Music Awards (NMA) 2007 Producer of the decade, Nigerian Music Awards (NMA) 2008 for “Producer of the Decade”, LEAP Africa Award 2007 for his “Creativity, Fortitude & Exemplary Leadership In the Music Industry”, The Partnership Awards 2008 for “supporting the Worship For Change Concert” , One Gospel Awards for “Gospel Composer/ Writer of the Year” (2008)

Osita Iheme

Tall ideas can live in any man

Osita Iheme is a Nigerian actor. He is widely known for playing the role of ‘Pawpaw’ in the film Aki na Ukwa alongside Chinedu Ikedieze. Osita Iheme (popularly known as Paw-Paw) has often been described as one of the best actors of his generation. He is the founder of Inspired Movement Africa. A movement set aside to inspire, motivate and stimulate the minds of young Nigerians and Africans.

In less than a decade he has gone on to become one of the most in-demand actors in Nollywood. In 2007 Osita received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the African Movie Academy Awards. He is considered to be one of Nigeria’s most famous actors.In 2011, he was honored as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

Osita’s brand speaks to anyone who is dealing with adversity, be it physical or otherwise. His story is one of over coming setback; it is a story of triumph, which serves as an inspiration to countless people across the globe. His fan base is vast and diverse; from mothers to children and everyone in between. Osita Iheme’s personality is one that resonates with many.

source: Wikipedia

Chinedu Ikedieze

Being short is not an excuse

Chinedu Ikedieze is a Nigerian actor. He is best known for playing alongside Osita Iheme in most movies after their breakthrough in the movie Aki na Ukwa. In 2007 Ikedieze received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the African Movie Academy Awards.

However, in 2007, Chinedu Ikedieze received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the African Movie Academy Awards.

Aki & Paw Paw

Chinedu Ikedieze was also given a National award by the Nigerian Government when he was made a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(MFR) in 2011.

Paw Paw & wife

In December 2011, Chinedu Ikedieze got married to Miss Nneoma Nwaijah; a Fashion Designer and in 2012, the couple were blessed with a Daughter.

Yinka Ayefele

A bitter experience could turn a man’s life around

For many years that Yinka Ayefele worked as a freelance broadcast

journalist at the FRCN, Ibadan, Nigeria, not many Nigerians knew about him and his talents for music. He used to produce jingles and musical works on radio.

He became a household name after he was involved in a ghastly automobile accident in 1997, which damaged his spinal cord, and paralyzed from the waist down. Yinka Ayefele, a Tungba Gospel music artist, with a fusion of local juju, Fuji, and Makosa flavor, turned a mishap into a great opportunity that has left him a household name.

After spending nine months on the hospital bed, his friend, Kola Olootu advised that instead of wasting away in the hospital, he should put some songs together. The plan was for him to launch the album and use some of the proceeds for further medical treatment abroad. Ayefele’s dexterity in musical composition ironically came into limelight after releasing his first album; “Bitter Experience”.

The success of Bitter Experience marked the turning point in his life, with the release of “Sweet Experience”. Ayefele’s profile in the gospel music industry has been on the rise since Sweet Experience. There have been successful albums such are “Something Else” and “Divine Intervention”.

Source: ayefeleradio.com

Eniola Badmus

Size is not a disadvantage

Eniola Badmus, (born September 7, 1977), popularly known as “Gbogbo Bigz Girls”, is a Nigerian film actress. Eniola’s career in acting professional started in 1997 until in 2008 when she shot to recognition upon starring in two Yoruba films titled Jenifa and Omo Ghetto. Both movies are instrumental to her rise in the Nigeria entertainment industry which has since seen her star as both lead and supporting actress in several Yoruba and English films.

In March 2016, Eniola was unvieled as brand ambassador for telecommunication company Etisalat.

In 2011, she won the Best Crossover in a Film in ‘Best of Nollywood Awards’; in 2014 th, she won the Best Actress of the Year (Yoruba) in ‘City People Entertainment Awards’; in 2015 she won the Best Comedic Act in ‘Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards’ and same year she won the Best Actress in Africa in ‘Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts’.

source: Wikipedia