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Why I Became Taxi Driver In The US -Actor Joseph Benjamin Recounts His Ordeal

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Nollywood actor Joseph Benjamin has revealed the reason behind his decision to become a cab driver in the United States Of America.

Benjamin 46, who relocated to America in 2016, revealed while appearing on the latest episode of the Teju Babyface Deep Dive podcast hosted by the comedian, Monday, that he drove cabs to pay his bills.

“I got to America on a promise that I had some gigs waiting for me. So I thought I was going to have a soft landing there. I packed up everything from Nigeria, bought a one-way ticket, and came to America.

“I was put in a well-furnished house and all of that. Then two days later, the person who I was supposed to book a deal with said to me, ‘Those our financiers have pulled out. They have an issue.’

“So, I said, what do I do? He was like, ‘From next month on, you will have to start paying rent in this house.’ The amount of the one-month rent was equivalent to a one-year rent in Nigeria.

“I’m like, ‘I’m not earning any money so what do I do?’ I don’t know what to do. So, shot into that life, I had to figure out what to do. I had nowhere to go. Nothing to turn to.

“My phone was buzzing, like, ‘When are you coming back to Nigeria? We have this gig for you.’ $1,500 was all I came to America with. How do I buy a ticket to go back to Nigeria?”

Benjamin continued saying he eventually began to drive Uber, Lyft as well as work as a delivery person for Amazon just so he could pay his bills in America.

He said, “And then someone gave me a car. I’m like, What do I do with the car? And they said Uber. I was driving for Uber and Lyft to pay my bills.

“I carried a lot of Nigerians, my name on the Uber App was Joseph. The moment they get in or three minutes into the journey, they know I’m the one.

“One woman even had to call her husband, and she ended up taking pictures with me. I even had some people say to me ‘Boss you will make it.”

Actor Joseph Benjamin

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Remembering Iyalode of Yorubaland

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By Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji

By Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji

Precisely 365 days today at about 6. 45am, a telephone call I first received came from the home of Alaba Oluwaseun Lawson.

My heart skipped…and listening to the voice from other end of the phone, It was sad news… Mama has gone to the Lord.

Honestly, I was immediately confused and still on my Jalamia, (Pyjamas) I drove straight to her private residence at Quarry Road in Abeokuta. Reality dawned on me on arrival and I couldn’t hold back tears which rolled down my face and I became speechless.

It was a Saturday I used to appear on live radio program on fresh F.M between 9-11am. When I regained my consciousness, I put a call across to management of the station, that I can’t make it because I was bereaved. As I was still trying to comport myself and further regain my strength as a man, there were torrential phone calls from my colleagues in the pen profession, knowing that I was her media adviser, trying to confirm authenticity of the sad news.

 I had no choice I had to issue a press statement early enough to avoid speculations and wrong news dissemination. I must confess in my career as journalist of over three decades that was my first time I will be writing a press statement on a demise of any individual.

 I must again openly say this, late Iyalode Alaba Lawson, Iyalode of Yorubaland, I knew for over 30 years was my great benefactor and I will continue to appreciate her even in death. She was there for me all time, a reliable mother, a sister and aunty from another womb.

 I have no regret knowing her, if there is opportunity to keep relationship in heaven, I will keep that relationship with Alaba Oluwaseun Lawson (Omo Jiboku Tanatana). Its exactly a year today you left this sinful world to rest in the arms of the Lord. The legacies you left behind speak volume. I pray you continue to rest in perfect peace. Adieu

Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji is founder of Penpushing Media and Media Adviser to late Iyalode of Yorubland, Iyalode Alaba Lawson

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Why I’m Not Ready For Kids – Singer Burna Boy Reveals

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Grammy Award-winning singer Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has revealed why he is not yet ready to have children.

He made this known during an Instagram live session on his page on Wednesday.

Burna Boy claimed that his desire to provide the same level of love and dedication his parents gave him is the reason why he is not having kids.

Explaining further, Burna Boy said, “Why haven’t I had kids yet? Bro, it’s because I don’t want to have kids. Like, have you seen my operation? Have you seen my mom the way she loves me? Have you seen my dad the way he loves me?

“Bro, I know I can’t give that to anyone right now with the life I live. So until I am settled and can be there for my children every day, every minute of every day, I am not having any kids.”

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Men Of The Lagos State Police Command Have Arrested Singer Portable

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The singer was arrested or rather dramatically dragged into the police van while he was trying to run away from the arrest on May 14 following a petition from a car dealer.

Portable being dragged into the van by the police

Portable allegedly purchased a G-Wagon worth N27 million from the car dealer, made a down payment and took the vehicle away with the promise to pay the balance.

After waiting for a while without any word concerning his balance, the dealer reached out to the singer who claimed the car he purchased had faults. The dealer then asked the singer to return the car or pay the balance but Portable allegedly refused.

Following a petition from the dealer, the police moved in and arrested the singer who is currently in their custody.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Lagos state police command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the arrest of the singer.

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