It is not news that Edo people like waka, just ask our neighbors, the Italians. And because of that, you may not know that some Nigerian-based celebrities are actually from Edo. We are about to change that. Here’s a list of celebrities who you may not know are from Edo State.
Rema
Forget that he featured Selena Gomez or is always on Obama’s Playlist, this musical genius is an Edo boy, born and bred. Born in 2000, Divine Ikubor (Rema) came into the limelight with a viral Instagram freestyle to D’Prince’s track Gucci Gang. Since then, Rema has become an international star with his debut album, Rave and Roses, which included the much-loved Calm Down.
Ini Dima-Okojie
Ms. Dima-Okojie is an Edo girl who was born in Lagos. Ini started out as an investment banker but quit that job to attend film school in America. Since then, the Edo girl has done well for herself. She’s had roles in popular Nigerian films and series like Taste of Love, Skinny Girl in Transit, and the Netflix Original Series, Blood Sisters. Of course, we cannot forget her stellar performance as Didi in Namaste Wahala.
Johnny Drille
Don’t let the folksy music fool you, Johnny Drille (aka John Ighodaro) is a son of the soil, born and bred. The UNIBEN alumnus started his journey to fame on the sixth season of Project Fame West Africa in 2013. After a series of singles, including Wait For Me (2015), Johnny Drille released an album, Before We Fall Asleep (2021), and followed it up with an EP, Home in 2022.
Nancy Isime
Nancy Isime is another Edo girl you might not know is actually from this amazing state. While she spent her formative years in a number of places, she was actually born in Benin City. Today, she’s an accomplished actress, model, and media personality. She has hosted popular shows and awards ceremonies like Trending on HipTV, The Headies, and even her own show, The Nancy Isime Show. She also has acting credits in Nollywood films like Shantytown (2023), Blood Sisters (2022), and Merry Men 2 (2019).
Dremo
I know this might come as a surprise to many of you, but this oga is from Edo State (born here even). However, he grew up in Ibadan. In 2016, he was signed into Davido Music Worldwide. Dremo has since gone on to release four EPs.
Linda Osifo
Born in Benin City, Linda Adesuwa Osifo grew up here before moving to Canada with her Grandmother at the age of sixteen. Linda is known for roles in Ticket to Life (2022), A Naija Christmas (2021), and Merry Men 2 (2019).
Notable mentions include Adesua Etomi (whose father is of Esan descent), Waje (whose full name is Aituaje Aina Vivian Ebele Iruobe), and Ikponmwosa “IK” Osakioduwa (who we know you know is from Edo State, obviously).
Did we miss any of your favorite Edo celebrities? Oya, drag us in the comments.
Read about some of our resident sons of the soil here.
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