News

OGUN STATE: I Would Have Been An Actor Or Comedian, Popular Priest, Agbotifayo

Published

5 years ago

October 19, 2021

A popular Priest in Isara, Remo North area of Ogun State, Ifadare Ayedun, popularly known as Agbotifayo Empire has given an insight on his journey so far as a priest.

He sheds more light on this and many more in the interview

The excerpts

Q: Can we meet you sir ?

A: My name is Ifadare Ayedun, I am popularly known as Agbotifayo Empire. I am From Isara, Remo North Local Government, Ogun State.

Q: Can you tell us your educational background?

A: After finishing my secondary school, I tried to further my education after I have sat for my GCE and JAMB. I had a dream of going to the University of Ibadan but my dad told me that I have to go and learn Ifa that that is my line. He said he had consulted the oracle about it so I had no choice than to go and learn Ifa. He said even if I want to go to school, I must learn that Ifa first because he wanted me to be a priest so I decided to learn Ifa and forgot about school.

When I started learning, I discovered that my dad was right so I started having more customers if I do charm for them and I asked them for two thousand they will compensate me with 200k so I was surprised and I said truly this is my way so I focused on it and I was committed about it my mum wanted me to to school
So people started coming to me to seek solution to their problems so I have been having lot of clients when I do charm of 2000 , they will compensate me with hundred thousand naira. I started getting more clients at the age of 21, many people believe when you are not into yahoo or any fraudulent acts you can’t make it, but I prove them wrong,
With my achievements, I thank God for my life now.

Q: What Are your challenges so far?

A: in this life, we have to face challenges, part of it was when my in-law reported me at the Police station that I should not marry her daughter because of my religion, my in-law is a deaconess and my wife was a church choir. It was a challenging time for me then because whenever police wanted me to appear I have to go there, it got to a point that my people started following me to police station over the issue, I don’t want to leave my wife because I love her so much. it is not my in-law’s fault but because people have tarnished the traditional religion.

People believe that traditionalists are evil and that is not right, the Pastor, Alfa are not better than the traditionalists we are better than them.

Q: Why Do You Say Traditional Religion is better than Others ?

A: The traditional religion is the best to do, we are all Yorubas, Oranmiyan is in Igbo, yoruba land and Hausa land, there is Ifa everywhere, Nigeria and Africa, traditional religion is the only way, white people have been coming down here to visit me, they love Ifa, if you see them chanting Ifa, you will know what am saying. All these pastors we are talking about are desperate well it is not the fault of the people that tarnished the image of the traditional religion but the fault of our forefathers, everybody has tradition even the white, they also have their tradition.

Q: Why are you being generous?

A: I think when you have enough, you have to give back to the people who don’t have. It is good to put smiles on people’s faces. It is not even untill you have much before you can start to give

Q: We also learnt that you have sponsored many students in schools, what prompted that?

A: It is what Ifa told me to do and I will continue to do that, I pray God gives me the strength and good health to do it.

If you are not a priest what other thing will you love to do?

If am not a priest, I will love to be a comedian or an actor.

Q: How do you feel receiving leadership award tagged “Man Of the Year”?

A: I felt elated because the award came from Nigerian youths like me. I really appreciated the youths for giving the award that shows they appreciate me and recognize me. I also want to assure them that I will continue in my good work to humanity.

Awards

Central Music Awards 2026: Full List of Nominees

Published

3 days ago

October 2, 2026

Bismark Botchwey

Heritage Promotions, organizers of the annual Central Music Awards (CMA), have officially unveiled the nominees for the 15th edition of the awards scheme. Heritage Promotions announced the nominees online on Friday, September 25, 2026, after concluding the nomination and assessment processes for the 2026 edition. According to the CMA Academy Calendar for August 2025 to August 2026, 261 nominees have been shortlisted across 36 award categories from 381 nomination applications received from the 22 districts of the Central Region.

This year’s edition marks the 15th anniversary of the Central Music Awards, which continues to provide a platform for recognizing, celebrating and promoting outstanding musical talent and creative excellence from the Central Region.

The highly anticipated Artiste of the Year category features Kwesi Taadi, Kojo Vypa, Yhaw Fargo, Skyty Nero, Koffi Tome and Okintoe, who will compete for the coveted award. As part of the 15th anniversary celebrations, the winner of the New Artiste of the Year category will receive a GH¢5,000 cash prize, generously sponsored by Candyman Lucas Mensah, Founder of the Central Music Awards.

The main awards ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, November 28, 2026, at the Centre for National Culture (CNC), Cape Coast, where distinguished musicians, industry stakeholders, creatives, media professionals and music enthusiasts are expected to converge to celebrate the achievements of the region’s music industry.

Ahead of the awards night, the CMA will host a Hip-Hop Cypher featuring nominees in the Rapper of the Year category. The initiative is expected to provide a platform for nominees to showcase their lyrical abilities and creativity.

The 3rd edition of the CMA Campus Tour will also be held at a selected Senior High School in the Central Region. The initiative is designed to inspire, motivate, and empower young people while providing an avenue to identify and showcase emerging creative talents.

The 15th edition of the Central Music Awards promises to be a significant celebration of the region’s music, creativity, and cultural heritage. Join Heritage Promotions and the Central Music Awards Academy as we celebrate, honour, and recognize outstanding musical talents from across the Central Region. The full list of nominees is as follows:

CENTRAL MUSIC AWARDS 2026: FULL LIST OF NOMINEES

FEMALE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR