Magodo Phase 2, Lagos, houses top Nigerian celebrities. Some are residents, while others have business interests, such as salons, boutiques and adult stores in the estate. The Point brings to you what the celebrities, who are your next door neighbours, are doing and what makes them tick..
JOSEPH BENJAMIN
Joseph Benjamin is an actor, a model and a television presenter mainly known for co-hosting MTN “Project Fame”, a talent reality show. He won the African Actor of the Year award at the 2012 African Film Awards.
Benjamin played his first movie, Crossroads, in 1991, but had his screen debut at the age of 12 when he featured in the then ‘Tales by Moonlight’ on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
Benjamin has featured in several television series, including ‘Edge of Paradise’. He starred with Genevieve Nnaji in the drama ‘Tango With Me’ and has appeared in TV and radio commercials. Together with Adaora Oleh, he has been a co-host of MTN Project Fame since 2009.
In the movie, ‘Murder at Prime Suites’, which was inspired by a real life happening in Lagos, he played a detective. The film was about a woman murdered by someone she met on Facebook. Movies to his credit include: Dark Side, Married But Living Single; Mr. and Mrs. and many others.
Mayokun Awodunimila aka May D
It was reported in 2013 that Mayokun Awodunimila, aka May D, bought a house in Magodo phase 2, worth N150 million, though the claim could not be confirmed.
The young man almost had his career truncated in 2013 after he fell out with his former record label, Squared Records. The label was then owned by the twin musicians, P-Square. He has done collaboration with P-Square, Akon, Iyanya, Davido, South African singing duo, Mafikizolo, and a host of others.
May D, who hails from Ekiti, was born in Lagos to a family of seven. He gradually walked into music, while listening to musicians such as Michael Jackson when he was a kid.
The graduate of Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, started his career in secondary school where he was a member of dance and single duo, ‘Just Us’. When his partner relocated to the United Kingdom, he continued to develop his art until he got the big break. P-Square signed him, though as stated earlier, the relationship quickly went sour.
Bisi Ibidapo-Obe
The beautiful indigenous actress, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe, came into the limelight after starring in a Yoruba movie, entitled, ‘Omo Logba Logba.’
Bisi has a beautiful daughter, Oluwajomiloju Melaye, for Kogi-born controversial politician, Senator Dino Melaye.
On May 18, 2015, the actress officially launched her adult store, BIO Lingerie in Magodo, where she sells lingerie and sex toys.
Bisi, who has produced movies such as Oyin Ade, Omo Jesu and Igboran San, made her production debut in 2004.
Yomi Gold
Yomi Alore, popularly known as Yomi Gold, is a Lagos-based actor and producer. He has featured in movies such as Wendy, Teekay, Street Girls and a host of others. He has also produced his own movies, including the Richest boiz.
Gold is married to Victoria Ige, a nurse, who is based in the United States. They are blessed with two children, a girl and a boy. He gave birth to his second child, a boy, on February 14.
Moji Olaiya
Moji Olaiya began her acting career late. With the help of Bukky Wright, Moji got acquainted with a crew, while the crew was shooting a film, ‘Super Story’. In No Pains No Gains, she played Ireti.
After her debut in a Yoruba movie, entitled, Agunbaniro, it became obvious that she had what it takes to thrive in the movie industry. She was nominated the Best Supporting Actress of the year at the Reel Award in 2003 and won the Best New Actress award. Her famous movies are: Sade Blade in 2005, Nkan Adun in 2008 and Omo Iya Meta Leyi in 2009.
Born into a Christian family, Moji later became a convert to Islam after falling love with the religion. She walked out of her marriage, accusing her ex-husband, Bayo Okesola, of abusing her. She quit the matrimonial home , according to her to protect herself and her daughter.
She also has her boutique and salon in Magodo, which was declared open last year.
Bukky Wright
Bukola Sekinat Ajoke, popularly known as Bukky Wright, has done well in the movie industry. An indigene of Ogun State, she started acting in 1996 and has featured in more than 50 exciting movies.
The Economics graduate of the University of Lagos was born to parents with mixed faith. Her father is a Christian and her mother, a Muslim.
Though a single parent, which has stirred controversy several times, she has two sons, Eniola and Gbenga Wright. One is an upand- coming musician. She is also a grandmother.
Also, she has a fashion and lifestyle outfit, B Collections, and a Beauty Spa.
In 2014, the actress made a bid to serve her constituency as a senator under the auspices of the Social Democratic Party, but she didn’t win.
Rachael Oniga
Rachael Tabunao Oniga was born on May 23, 1957, in Delta State. She began her acting career in 1993, shortly after her divorce. She briefly worked at Ascoline Nigeria Limited, a Dutch Consultant Company, before featuring in her first movie, Onome. Her debut Yoruba movie, Owo Blow, won her many fans at the time.
Over the years, she has featured in notable Nigerian films such as: Super story, 30 Days in Atlanta, Passion of Mind, Out of Bounds, Restless Mind, and a host of others.
She became a grandmother when her daughter, Georgia, gave birth to a girl in Lagos in September, 2014.
Sotayo Sobowale
Sultry actress, Tayo Sobola, better known as Sotayo, has an office in Magodo Estate. She also has a TV production studio with latest movie cameras, production gadgets and an editing suite. She launched the office on December 27, 2015, her birthday. An Ogun State indigene, the actress studied Public Administration at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, and also has a Diploma in Law from the Lagos State University. Her first movie production was Arewa Onijogbon, produced in 2010, though she almost gave up on acting when things took an unfavourable turn. She is a lover of tattoos, she has three tattoos; one on her left arm, right leg and behind her right shoulder.
