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Iyabo Ojo Turns Up the Glam for Grandson Rakeem’s 1st Birthday with Cowboy Chic and Orange Glam

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene 

If anyone still doubted Iyabo Ojo’s title as the “sexiest glamma,” Rakeem’s first birthday settled it.  

The Nollywood actress and filmmaker joined daughter Priscilla Ojo and son-in-law Juma Jux over the weekend to celebrate their son Rakeem’s first birthday. The little one, born on August 24, 2025, turned one on August 24, 2026, and the family marked the milestone with a Western-themed celebration and a full fashion moment from grandma herself.

Look 1: Cowboy Luxury

For the main shoot, Iyabo went all-in on the cowboy theme. She stepped out in a chocolate-brown, high-neck catsuit with long sleeves and thumbholes, layered under a floor-length cow-print faux-fur coat in black, white and brown. The coat was styled off one shoulder, adding drama to the fitted silhouette.

She completed the look with textured, over-the-knee faux-fur boots featuring cow-print panels over black pointed heels, and a distressed tan leather cowboy hat accented with a dark band and a metallic longhorn skull.

Gold accessories tied it together — a chunky Cuban-link choker, a low-slung butterfly chain belt, and stacked bracelets. Her honey-blonde bob was styled with soft, flipped ends, while smoky eyes and a glossy nude lip kept the glam polished.

Look 2: Party-Ready Orange

For the after-party, Iyabo switched gears completely. She changed into a custom orange mini dress with gold studs, a high neckline and dramatic structured shoulders. Orange tassel fringe fell from the shoulder caps, while black fan-shaped embroidery detailed the hips.

She kept accessories minimal this time: black strappy heels, mixed silver and gold bangles, and long metallic silver nails. Her platinum blonde hair was styled in soft half-up curls, paired with defined eyes, highlighted cheeks and a glossy nude-pink lip.

 

Iyabo’s double look offered two approaches to cowboy-inspired dressing: full commitment with hats, prints, fringe and boots, or picking one statement piece to elevate everyday wear. From Western belts to cowboy boots with dresses, the message was clear — you don’t have to stick to one aesthetic all night.

For Iyabo, Priscilla and Juma’s family, the celebration was extra special. Rakeem is Iyabo’s first and only grandchild, making his first birthday a memorable one for the Ojo family album.

 

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Entertainment

Shakira Launches Madrid Residency as a “Celebration” of Latino Culture Amid Global Fear

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By Prosper Mene

Colombian star says 12-night “Shakira Stadium” run is a response to persecution and a tribute to Latin identity

Shakira is taking her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour to Madrid, but this stop is more than just another concert. The Colombian superstar says her upcoming 12-date residency is a deliberate act of joy in response to the challenges facing Latino communities worldwide.

“This began with pain. It began when I saw our people persecuted simply for being Latino, families forced to live in fear,” Shakira wrote in an op-ed published in El País_.

“Faced with that, anger is legitimate. But I chose to respond with a celebration: the biggest we could possibly imagine. Because the most powerful response to fear is to exist with all the strength, all the joy, and all the dignity in the world.”

While she did not name specific countries, the singer used the essay to highlight the role of immigration and to explain why she chose Spain as the host.

“Because something happens here that the world deserves to see: Latin American immigration isn’t tolerated, it’s celebrated. Spain has embraced it, and that embrace has made it younger, more vibrant, more creative,” she added.

The residency will be held at a custom-built venue dubbed “Shakira Stadium” inside the Iberdrola Music complex. The arena will hold more than 50,000 fans per night.

But Shakira says the project extends beyond music.

“Alongside the stadium, we’re building something more: a city. Thirty acres to celebrate and understand our culture, with over a hundred participating artists,” she wrote.

The cultural space will feature exhibitions, talks, workshops, food experiences and other programming. It is inspired by Macondo, the fictional town from Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude.

Shakira’s Madrid residency kicks off September 18 and runs through October 11, 2026.

The announcement comes months after she wrapped U.S. dates on the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, including a July 20 show at Barclays Center in New York.

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Lifestyle

Florence Otedola on Freedom, Purpose and Becoming Herself

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By Prosper Mene

Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola is rewriting her narrative.  

For years the world knew her as “Cuppy”* — the pink wigs, bold fashion, DJ sets, and Afrobeats hits. But today, the 33-year-old is stepping past the persona to focus on something bigger: education, philanthropy, and advocacy across Africa, on her own terms.

“This is the emancipation of Cuppy, and she is freeing herself of the perceptions of others,” Florence said. “Now, I do not apologise for who I am, and I don’t do things I do not want to do.”

From Stage to Global Impact

Cuppy first captured attention with her signature pink hair, DJ sets, and debut album Original Copy featuring Rema, Wyclef Jean, Sir Shina Peters, Fireboy DML, and Julian Marley. Music, she says, remains central to who she is.

“As Africans, we communicate so strongly through music. I learned that when I was younger, and I hold it close to me even now. It is and will always be a form of healing for me,”_ she shared.

But in recent years her focus has shifted off stage and into boardrooms, classrooms, and global policy spaces.

Through the Cuppy Foundation, she has championed children’s welfare in Nigeria. Since 2018, the foundation has been Save The Children’s largest single funder in Africa, raising over $17 million for displaced and impoverished children.

For Florence, giving is no longer just about donations.

“Charity is just giving because you want to. Being a philanthropist, though, is about making a lasting difference. It’s about long-lasting results. If my privilege ends with me, what is the point of it?”

A Voice on the World Stage

That philosophy has taken her beyond Nigeria. Florence is now a familiar face at the United Nations General Assembly, advocating for African youth. In 2025, the Gates Foundation named her a Goalkeeper for her work pushing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals — especially Quality Education and Gender Equality.

Unlearning the Persona

Growing up as Femi Otedola’s daughter in the spotlight came with pressure.

“It’s really hard to grow up when everyone is watching you. I learned from a young age that high standards are what we do in my family. Whatever you want to do, you must be excellent at it,” she said.

For a long time she leaned into the Cuppy character — the pink wigs, lashes, and high-energy DJ. But she’s now choosing to let that go.

“I had gotten used to performing who I am, and that is something I am unlearning. For a long time, I felt like people applauded Cuppy’s energy, but they failed to recognise my depth as Florence.”

“I woke up one day and said, ‘I don’t want to wear a pink wig or false lashes. So what?’”

That shift isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about ownership.

The pink-haired DJ will always be part of her story. But Florence is making space for the other parts: the advocate, the philanthropist, the African woman grounding herself in culture and purpose.

The music isn’t gone. The mission is just bigger now.

“The Cuppy you remember will always be there. But this chapter is about everything else I’ve become too.” She ended with a notable remark

 

 

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Entertainment

Ayra Starr Makes History as First African Artist to Headline NFL International Halftime Show

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By Prosper Mene

Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr is set to break new ground as she becomes the first African artist in history to headline an NFL international halftime show.

The NFL made the announcement on Thursday, August 27, 2026, confirming that the 24-year-old “Rush” and “Heaven Baby” star will headline the halftime performance at the 2026 NFL London Game.

The game is scheduled for Sunday, October 11, 2026 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

This milestone marks a major moment for African music on a global sports stage. The NFL’s international games have grown into major cultural events, and Ayra’s selection shows the league’s recognition of Afrobeats’ worldwide influence.

The Mavin Records artist has been one of Afrobeats’ fastest-rising exports. Since breaking out in 2021, she has scored global hits, toured internationally, and become a Gen Z style and sound icon. With this halftime slot, she joins the ranks of global performers who have used the NFL platform to reach millions of viewers.

The 2026 NFL London Game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is one of several international fixtures the league hosts each season. The halftime show is expected to feature a full production with dancers and a live band, showcasing Ayra Starr’s signature blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and pop.

Fans and industry stakeholders have hailed the announcement as a win for African music, with many noting that it further cements Afrobeats’ place in mainstream global entertainment.

Ayra Starr is expected to share more details about her setlist and performance in the weeks leading up to October.

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Health

AXA Mansard Intensifies Hepatitis Awareness Campaign with Free Community Screening

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As part of its drive to promote preventive healthcare and early disease detection, AXA Mansard Health has expanded its hepatitis awareness initiative to various communities across Nigeria, beginning with a recent outreach in Bariga, Lagos. The programme provided residents with free hepatitis screening, health education, and support services.

Organized in commemoration of World Hepatitis Day 2026, this initiative underscores the health management organization’s ongoing commitment to improving access to preventive healthcare, especially in underserved areas where routine screening and health information remain limited.

Participants in the programme received free hepatitis screening and were educated on prevention, diagnosis, and the importance of seeking timely medical attention. The outreach also extended beyond medical intervention, with relief packages distributed to vulnerable families as part of efforts to provide immediate support.

According to AXA Mansard Health, taking health education and screening directly into communities is critical to closing awareness gaps and increasing access to preventive services. The initiative highlights the rising importance of preventive healthcare in Nigeria, where delayed diagnosis and limited access to routine screening can exacerbate the health and financial impacts of treatable diseases.

For insurers and health maintenance organizations (HMOs), emphasizing prevention and early detection can also help reduce long-term healthcare costs by encouraging timely intervention before illnesses worsen. The Bariga outreach exemplifies a broader shift in healthcare delivery towards awareness, screening, and early intervention rather than treatment after diseases have progressed.

AXA Mansard Health has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that empower Nigerians with the knowledge and resources necessary for making informed health decisions. The organization stressed that sustained public education and improved access to screening are vital to preventing hepatitis from advancing into serious, life-threatening conditions.

The campaign also highlights the vital role of private-sector healthcare providers in complementing government and public health efforts to expand access to preventive services at the community level. As Nigeria continues to face challenges related to healthcare access and affordability, stronger collaboration among healthcare providers, insurers, government agencies, and communities will be essential to building a more preventive-focused health system.

For AXA Mansard Health, the hepatitis awareness campaign is part of its broader mission to bring healthcare services closer to Nigerians, fostering greater awareness, early detection, and preventive care across the country.

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Entertainment

Dolly Parton, the country music icon whose songs of love, hardship, and resilience touched millions across generations, has died at the age of 80.

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene

The singer-songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, and philanthropist passed away on August 25, 2026. In a career spanning more than six decades, she sold over 100 million records worldwide, wrote more than 3,000 songs, earned multiple Grammy Awards (including a Lifetime Achievement honor), and became one of the most beloved and recognizable figures in American entertainment.

Dolly at age 9

Born Dolly Rebecca Parton on January 19, 1946, in a one-room cabin in Locust Ridge (near Pittman Center) in Sevier County, Tennessee, she was the fourth of 12 children of sharecropper and farmer Robert Lee Parton and Avie Lee Owens Parton. The family lived in deep poverty in the Great Smoky Mountains of Appalachia, where music, gospel, folk ballads, and homemade instruments—was woven into daily life. Her mother sang the old songs; an uncle gave her a guitar as a child. Parton began performing early, appearing on local Knoxville radio and television by age 10 and making her Grand Ole Opry debut at 13 in 1959, introduced by Johnny Cash.

The day after graduating from Sevier County High School in 1964, she moved to Nashville to chase a music career. On her first day there she met Carl Dean; they married in 1966 and remained together until his death in March 2025. Parton’s early recordings included the single “Puppy Love.” Her breakthrough came in 1967 when she joined The Porter Wagoner Show, becoming his duet partner and gaining national exposure. That same year she released her debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly. Hits with Wagoner followed, but she soon established herself as a solo force.

Her first solo No. 1 country hit was “Joshua” in 1971. The early 1970s brought signature songs that defined her artistry: the autobiographical “Coat of Many Colors,” drawing on childhood poverty and her mother’s love; the haunting plea “Jolene”; and “I Will Always Love You,” written as a farewell to Wagoner when she left his show in 1974 to pursue a solo path. (Whitney Houston’s later version turned the song into a global phenomenon.) Parton famously wrote “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” on the same day.

She crossed over into pop without abandoning her country roots. “Here You Come Again” (1977) brought a Grammy and broader audiences. In 1980, “9 to 5”—the theme to the hit comedy film in which she starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin—topped both country and pop charts and became an anthem of workplace resilience. Other film roles included The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Steel Magnolias. Duets such as “Islands in the Stream” with Kenny Rogers further expanded her reach. She released dozens of albums, scored 25 No. 1 country singles (a record for a female artist), and later returned to bluegrass roots with projects like The Grass Is Blue.

Beyond music, Parton built a business empire with characteristic savvy and humor. She opened the Dollywood theme park in 1986 in her home region, creating jobs and drawing millions of visitors. The Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library has distributed free books monthly to preschool children, beginning in Sevier County and expanding internationally. She received the National Medal of Arts, Kennedy Center Honors, induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame (1999) and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2022), and numerous other accolades. In later years she continued creating, including the 2023 album Rockstar and plans for a Broadway musical and a major Nashville museum chronicling her life.b70090

Biography

Parton often described herself first as a songwriter. Her lyrics blended sharp observation, emotional honesty, and Appalachian storytelling—whether chronicling poverty, romantic longing, or everyday struggles. She maintained a distinctive public image of big hair, sequins, and self-deprecating wit while remaining deeply private about her marriage and personal life. Fans and fellow artists admired her work ethic, generosity, and ability to connect across cultural and political lines.

In her final months, after her husband’s death, Parton spoke openly about health challenges she had set aside while caring for him. She canceled a planned Las Vegas residency, made limited public appearances (including a surprise visit to one of her travel stops in June 2026), and explored new technological possibilities such as avatar performances so her music could continue reaching audiences. She insisted she was still working and healing.

Dolly Parton’s songs—rooted in the mountains of East Tennessee yet universal in their feeling—will continue to be sung for generations. From a cabin with no running water to stages around the world, she turned personal experience into shared emotion and left a legacy of music, enterprise, and kindness that touched millions.

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Entertainment

Burna Boy and Tems Fly Nigeria’s Flag with 3 Nominations at 2026 MTV VMAs

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Published: August 21, 2026|By Prosper Mene 

Nigerian music stars Burna Boy and Tems are leading the country’s charge at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, securing three nominations between them.

Burna Boy bags two nods alongside global pop icon Shakira for their hit single “Dai Dai” in the Best Collaboration and Best Latin categories. The Afro-fusion superstar and Shakira have been performing the track to packed crowds, with children in yellow shirts joining them on stage during recent live shows.

Tems earns her nomination in the Best R&B category for “Raindance” with British-Nigerian rapper Dave. The soulful collaboration puts Tems back in the VMA spotlight following her previous global acclaim.

The 2026 MTV VMAs will hold on Sunday, September 27 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

No Best Afrobeats Category This Year

In a notable shift, MTV has dropped the Best Afrobeats category for 2026. Introduced in 2023, the category produced three winners:

– 2023: Rema & Selena Gomez – “Calm Down”

– 2024: Tyla – “Water”

– 2025: Tyla – “Push 2 Start”

Tyla remains the only artist with two wins in the category. Rema is still the sole Nigerian winner of Best Afrobeats. With the category absent this year, Burna Boy and Tems are representing Nigeria in broader genre and collaboration fields.

Other African and Diaspora Nominees

African and diaspora artists remain visible across the nominations:

– PinkPantheress leads with 5 nods, including for “Stateside” with Zara Larsson

– RAYE picks up 2 nominations

– Shaboozey appears in Best Country and Best Cinematography

– Tyler, The Creator is nominated in Best Hip-Hop

– French Montana earns a Best Collaboration nod

MTV also removed several categories this year, including Best Rock, Best Pop Artist, Best Album, Video for Good, Best Group, and Song of the Summer. Best Dance returns for the first time in seven years.

Madonna tops the 2026 nominations with 11, followed by Taylor Swift* with 9. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each have 7, while Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress, and Zara Larsson have 5 apiece.

2026 MTV VMA – Major Nominee List

Video of the Year

Ariana Grande — “hate that i made you love me”

Bruno Mars — “I Just Might”

Madonna — “Confessions II – The Film”

Taylor Swift — “The Fate of Ophelia”

Sabrina Carpenter — “Tears”

Artist of the Year

Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Madonna, Morgan Wallen, Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift

Best Collaboration

Shakira and Burna Boy — “Dai Dai”

Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter — “Bring Your Love”

PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson — “Stateside”

Best R&B

Dave and Tems — “Raindance”

Bruno Mars — “I Just Might”

Justin Bieber — “YUKON”

Best Latin

Shakira and Burna Boy — “Dai Dai”

Bad Bunny — “NUEVAYoL”

KAROL G — “Papasito”

Best Hip-Hop

Tyler, the Creator — “SUGAR ON MY TONGUE”

Drake — “Janice STFU”

Travis Scott — “DUMBO”

The full list of nominees is available on MTV’s official channels.

 

With no dedicated Afrobeats category this year, all eyes will be on Burna Boy and Tems to extend Nigeria’s VMA legacy on September 27.

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Entertainment

History Made! Angélique Kidjo Becomes First African Musician to Receive a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

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Published: August 19, 2026 | By Prosper Mene 

Benin’s global music icon Angélique Kidjo has made history. 

The 5-time Grammy winner was honoured on August 18, 2026 with the 2,854th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Recording category — becoming the first African musician ever to receive the recognition.

The unveiling took place at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, with Kidjo kneeling beside her star in a vibrant orange outfit and blue headwrap.

To mark the occasion, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce officially declared August 18 as “Angélique Kidjo Day” in Hollywood.

This is a first for African music. While the Walk of Fame has celebrated global icons for over 60 years, Kidjo is the first Black African artist and the first African musician to be immortalized there. Across all entertainment categories, she is only the second African-born entertainer to receive a star, after South African actress Charlize Theron.

Born in Ouidah, Benin, Kidjo grew up surrounded by West African rhythms before moving to Paris in the 1980s. Over the last 40 years, she has released 19 studio albums, blending Fon, Yoruba and pan-African sounds with jazz, funk, R&B and pop.

Her accolades include:

– 5 Grammy Awards

– Polar Music Prize

– A spot on TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list

– Years of advocacy as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

The ceremony was hosted by Variety correspondent Angelique Jackson and drew a powerful crowd.

Speakers included Oscar-nominated actor Willem Dafoe, longtime friend of Kidjo, and Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy.

Beninese actor Djimon Hounsou and Nigerian star Adekunle Gold were also in attendance to support her.

In her acceptance speech, Kidjo made it clear the honour was bigger than her.

“We Africans don’t know what we’ve given to the world, and what we continue giving to the world for music to exist,” she said.

“It’s not just my star. It’s our star.”

For many, this star is long overdue. Kidjo helped pave the modern path for African music on the global stage — long before “Afrobeats to the world” became a catchphrase.

From Ouidah to Hollywood Boulevard, her star now sits permanently in the Recording category, a reminder that African sound has always shaped global music.

 

 

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EntertainmentUncategorized

Ayra Starr’s Starrgirl Is the Album That Wants You to Dance, Feel & Believe in Yourself

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By Prosper Mene

Ayra Starr has released her third studio album, Starrgirl, a 16-track project featuring Wizkid, Rema, ZAYN, Leon Thomas and more, wrapped in a rich purple aesthetic.

Has Ayra Starr convinced you to make purple your colour of the season? The Nigerian superstar has officially dropped her third studio album, Starrgirl, cloaked in a vivid purple visual identity that defines this new era.

Following the success of 19 & Dangerous and The Year I Turned 21, the 16-track project affirms her place among Afropop’s most inventive and self-assured talents.

The title itself deepens her personal lore, positioning her as a multifaceted star fully owning her space at the top of her game.Starr teams up with an impressive mix of global and local heavyweights across the record. She links with Wizkid on “Gimme Dat,” joins Mavin labelmate Rema on “Who’s Dat Girl,” and features UK singer kwn on “Amazing.”

American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas appears on “Pressure,” French artist Theodora joins her on “Ms. Paper,” and Colombian star Danny Ocean features on the remix of “Hot Body.”

One of the album’s most talked-about moments is “Heaven Baby,” a piano-driven duet with UK pop star ZAYN, where their contrasting vocal styles create an instant standout. Before the full release, Starr built steady momentum with a series of strategic singles that kept her prominent on the charts. Early previews arrived via “Gimme Dat,” “Hot Body,” “Who’s Dat Girl,” “Where Do We Go,” and the June single “Tornado,” each feeding directly into the album’s arrival.

From the full-band crescendos of “Letter to God” to the late-night rhythms of “Midnight in New York,” Starrgirl delivers across moods and textures. At its core sits her declaration on the track “Dance”: “Feels good to be who I am.”

 

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Beauty

Meet Tamunosoye: The 26-Year-Old Miss World Nigeria 2026 Championing ‘Beauty With Purpose’

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By Prosper Mene

Tamunosoye Karibi-George has arrived in Vietnam as Nigeria’s representative at the ongoing 73rd Miss World Festival.

The 26-year-old model and advocate from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, will compete against delegates from around the world for the coveted Miss World crown.

From Lagos to the World Stage

Karibi-George, popularly known as “Soye”, was crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 at the Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos. She emerged winner ahead of 19 other finalists after representing Bayelsa State at the national competition.

She succeeds Joy Mojisola Raimi, who represented Nigeria at the 72nd Miss World pageant in India and finished in the Top 20.

Ahead of her departure, Soye described the pageant as more than a beauty contest. In an August 7 Facebook post, she wrote:

“With purpose in my heart, I depart Nigeria to represent our great nation at the 73rd Miss World Festival in Vietnam. This journey is about more than competing for the Blue Crown. It is about representing the strength, culture, tenacity, and compassion of our nation.”

“Vietnam is calling, and Nigeria is coming,” she added.

Beauty With a Mission

Beyond pageantry, Karibi-George is a trained communications professional and associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. She studied at Madonna University, Okija, after attending Obiye High School and Obiye Academy.

She has built her public profile around advocacy for children with special needs. As founder of Beyond Labels, she champions inclusion, dignity, and empowerment for children living with disabilities.

“Through the initiative, I advocate for a society where children are not defined by their disabilities or circumstances but are given the opportunity to discover their abilities, develop their talents and pursue their ambitions,” she said.

The Miss World competition emphasizes “Beauty With Purpose,” making her advocacy central to Nigeria’s campaign.

Pageant Experience

This is not Soye’s first time on the international stage. She previously won Miss Africa International 2024 in Accra, Ghana, an experience she says prepared her for the global Miss World platform.

Now in Vietnam, she will take part in various challenges, talent segments, and advocacy presentations leading up to the grand finale. Contestants are judged not just on appearance, but on intelligence, confidence, communication, and commitment to social impact.

Nigeria will be hoping she can improve on Raimi’s Top 20 finish at the last edition.

For Karibi-George, the mission is clear: showcase Nigerian culture, amplify the voices of children with special needs, and prove that beauty, purpose, and impact can thrive together.

“This is about telling Nigeria’s story,” she said.

 

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