I Have Saved Many People From Committing Suicide –TeeBillz Revealed

Estranged husband to music diva – Tiwa Savage, Tunji Balogun, popularly known as TeeBillz, has revealed that he has saved many people from committing suicide in recent weeks.

The showbiz promoter, who at the height of a marital crisis with Savage in April 2016 tried to take his own life by jumping into the lagoon around the Lekki area of Lagos, said that following that experience, God has been using him to rescue many people attempting to do a similar thing.

United in a colourful wedding ceremony in November 2013 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and blessed with a son – Jamil, the couple’s union began experiencing cracks not too long after following accusations of infidelity and insensitivity for the feelings of each other. By April 2016, the crisis became full-blown, leading finally to their separation.

Speaking exclusively to Saturday Beats earlier in the week, TeeBillz, who had been going through rehabilitation, said that God deliberately made him experience those challenges for him to become a better man and live out his purpose in life.

According to him, without being pushed to the limits by those personal and marital hurdles, he never would have become the man he is today.

He said, “The way I handle things now is completely different from how I acted in the past. I do better now because I know better. If I had gone through the experience before now, it probably wouldn’t make sense to me until I go through some challenging situations. But I thank God that I have been able to overcome all those through the guidance of my coach.

“I only recently understand what it means to have a purpose in life. I have saved many people from committing suicide even though I don’t come out to say it. I was suicidal myself but God preserved me so I could also save others. I just realised that He kept me to touch the lives of others. People surely have their opinion about me and the entire issue, but God sees my heart and knows how much of a new man I am.

 

“I am like Job in the Bible, God made me pass through all these challenges to make me a better person. I am only human, just like everyone else, so I am not immune to committing mistakes. My experience can be likened to a battle between evil and good. I am happy God redeemed me and pushed me on the side of good.

 

“I am not being religious, I am just grateful to Him for giving me a renewed mindset. This is one of the biggest things coaching has done to me.”

Asked if those he called friends stood by him during his moment of trial, the father of one did not waste time in giving his response: “God is the only friend I have.”

When probed further on whether he and Savage had settled their differences and what their relationship looks like these days, TeeBillz declined making any categorical statement, maintaining that “God is the only friend I have. He knows and has the best for me in His vineyard.”

The showbiz promoter, who credits his transformation to the tireless support of his life coach, Mr. Lanre Olusola, said that he is already assisting colleagues in the entertainment industry passing through depressing situations to deal with them.

 

He said, “I am already helping a couple of colleagues in the industry that require the type of coaching I have been through. I am open to working with others needing some sort of motivation and inspiration. Celebrities are humans too, our lives are out there for people to see but that does not mean we cannot make mistakes. The most important thing, however, is for one to surmount the challenge and triumph. I am happy with my life now.”

Yomi Fash Lanso Speaks On Moji Olaiya, Olumide Bakare And Pastor Ajidara's Death

 

Nollywood star, Yomi Fash Lanso, has said that the demise of talented actress and friend, Moji Olaiya, has added salt to an already bleeding wound.

The actor, who spoke to Saturday Beats on Friday – a day after the 42-year-old woman and daughter of Highlife music maestro, Sir Victor Olaiya, died in Canada shortly after giving birth to a baby in March – two months before her actual delivery date.

According to reports, the actress’ health had not been too stable since that period, forcing her to remain in the North American nation to recuperate before death eventually came knocking on Thursday.

 

Lanso, who featured in the very first movie Olaiya appeared in – Owo Ale, said that her demise had thrown them into more misery especially with the industry yet to fully recover from the deaths of Olumide Bakare and Adesina Adesanya fondly known as Pastor Ajidara.

He said, “We are still concluding arrangements for the burial of Pastor Ajidara when the news of Moji’s death hit us. It is like piercing hot iron into an open wound. It came at a time when we have not even recovered from the loss of Olumide Bakare, one of the veterans of our industry.

“I have worked with her for so many years and she is so loving and professional. In fact, I acted with her in the very first movie she appeared, Owo Ale. So, our friendship dates back in time. She was a really nice and wonderful person. Her demise is a big loss to the industry.”

Asked if he agrees with insinuations that the number of deaths that had greeted the Yoruba movie industry in recent times might not be unconnected to some spiritual elements, Lanso refused, maintaining that the events were merely natural.

 

He said, “I do not agree that there is a spiritual reason behind all these deaths in the industry because there is nobody that would not die. People die every day, but when it happens to prominent people, the society begins to read all sorts of meanings into it. I don’t believe that there is any spiritual connection. Her death is very painful to us; she was a very young woman.”

Following her death, reports had emerged that family members were divided over whether to bury her in Canada or fly her remains back home. Olaiya’s first child, Adun, a 20-year-old student of Babcock University, Remo, Ogun State, had told anyone, who cared to listen that she wanted to see her mother’s body in Nigeria.

“She must be brought back, I don’t care what anybody says, I just want my mother’s body,” she said after her mother’s death.

 

But reacting, Lanso told Saturday Beats that as colleagues to the late thespian, they would not interfere with the decision of the family but respect their wish on the matter.

He said, “The only voice that is opposed to her being buried in Canada is her daughter. Only she knows her reason for insisting on this. If the body must be flown to Nigeria, it will cost nothing less than $17, 000. But then it all depends on what the family wants.”

When contacted, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe, one of Olaiya’s closest friends and colleagues, refused to comment on her demise and controversy surrounding the burial arrangement.

A gifted interpreter of roles, the late 42-year-old actress appeared in dozens of movies and television dramas over the years, winning a handful of notable awards along the line for her efforts.

90 Nigerian Deportees Arrive Muritala Muhammed International Airport From South Africa

The South African government on Friday deported 90 Nigerians for committing immigration-related offences, they arrived at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport on Friday afternoon.

DSP Joseph Alabi, the spokesman of the Lagos Airport Police Command confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Alabi said the deportees, who are all men, landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 3.30pm.
He said they were brought back to Nigeria aboard a South African Airways aircraft with registration number BBB712 from Johannesburg.
“This afternoon, about 3.30pm, 90 Nigerians were deported from South Africa for committing immigration-related offences.

“Some of them were alleged to have been living in the country without valid documents.
“They were received by the appropriate agencies including the police and profiled before being allowed to depart to their respective destinations, ” Alabi said.
NAN reports that South Africa had also on Feb. 28 sent 97 Nigerians back home for committing various offences.
They deportees were made up of 95 males and two females.

Oba Of Lagos Reveals The Dos And Don'ts Lagosians Must Abide By As They Celebrate Eyo Festival Today

The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu II spoke at a press conference at Ilupesi Square on Lagos Island to inform residents and visitors about the forthcoming Lagos@50 Eyo Festival scheduled to hold today Saturday, May 20, 2017.

Represented by the Olumegbon of Lagos, Chief Fatai Lawal, who outlined the dos and don’ts of the festival, Oba Akiolu urged everyone not to wear any shoes within the vicinity of the masquerades, adding that female must not to wear any form of head ties to the event.
He said the Eyo Festival was being held as part of the Lagos@50 celebrations to honour illustrious sons of Lagos including His Royal Highness, the Late Elegushi of Ikate, Oba Yekinni Elegushi (Kusenla II) and the deceased Co-Chairman, Lagos@50 Committee, Mr. Rasheed Gbadamosi.

Oba Akiolu assured residents and visitors that adequate security had been arranged for a successful festival and informed the public that the procession would take off at the Iga Iduganran to culminate at the Tafawa Balewa Square where the various Eyo groups would be on parade.

The Oba of Lagos gave assurance that the Eyo Festival would boost tourism as people are expected from all over the world to witness the festival which holds only on important occasions.
He assured the public that free transportation would be provided to the venue from all the divisions of the State.