Call it a period of lockdown, and you would not be wrong, but people might not generally agree that the Covid-19 lockdown has been boring. To some people, it is. Most celebrities who were hardly seen or heard in public are now active on their social media.
They are either engaging in act of human kindness to the less privileged or offering advice to fans on how to protect themselves against the contagious disease.
Since the federal government announced the lockdown, which restricts activities and movement in 2 states and the federal capital-Abuja- ,to curtail the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria, the restriction has not been comfortable to many people. Initially, some people thought it was a joke, believing that they they could always beat the security to do their businesses. Surprisingly, they found out that the reverse was the case.
The lockdown has been hostile to businesses that are not in the bracket of food and medicine supply. Those who live from hand-to-mouth and have to generate income on daily basis to eat and feed their families are agitated on how to survive the period of the lockdown. Worst hit were the self-employed individuals, who have to generate their own revenue.
Nigeria has a very large number of self-employed people. More than 40 percent of household members are self-employed, while about 20 per cent are in paid employment in the public and organised private sectors. Over 2 per cent are employers of labour as 15.7% are unemployed and 13.6% are reported to be non-active in the labour force.
In the last few days, many celebrities have been lamenting the adverse effects of the lockdown and how it was having a negative impact on them and their businesses. But many of them have, however, resigned to fate and changed the pattern of their daily life. . They are now on social media like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, sharing how they have been coping with the lockdown which they found debilitating.
AY COMEDIAN
Popular comedian, AY, is one of the hardest hit by the lockdown order. The talented comedian, who shared his views the first day of the lockdown, said that his popular annual show, AY show, would be affected this year and he said he his preparation to sign a deal with a Chinese company that was expected to hold would also be affected. But a few days after the revelation, he started giving out relief package of N5,000 to N10,000 to ease the pains of the lockdown on his followers.
The talented comedian also hinted how he had been coping with the lockdown in his multi-million mansion. In the morning, he said he would quickly go to get water and from there, he would go to the gym.
He also shared how his daughter and wife have been living in harmony and how the relationship he shares with the two has been warm and satisfying. The fans were so thrilled and greatful to the the comedian for being a good model.
BOYEBEST
Popular Abeokuta-based singer, Boye Best, has also not lying supine. What he does daily now at his base, since the lockdown took off , is holding party on Instagram , where he performs for his die-hard fans. Lately, some of his fans are much eager to see him, especially on Sunday to wanting him to thrill them.
DAVIDO
Nigerian hip hop sensation, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has also revealed how life has been for him , especially, since his fiance, Chioma, has gone into self isolation. David revealed he’s now a nanny, who takes care of their son, Ifeanyi. He was complaining of how difficult life has been since his wife went into self isolation. But that has not deterred him from giving his fans relief package for Covid-19.
TAWAKALITU AJISEFINI
She is a big star in Yoruba movie industry. She is a good actress, who is well known for her versatility. Even before the outbreak of the pandemic, this talented actress had turned his Instagram page to a platform where people are catching fun. She has always been living on Instagram. She would ask her fans to join her and request a song and they would dance and dance. A lot of her fans love her for this. And since the take-off of the lockdown, she’s been attracting more people.
The likes of DJ Cuppy, DJ Xclusive have not been left out. What the 2 now do is very similar. DJ Cuppy is always on her wheels of steel almost everyday to serenade some of her fans. On the part of DJ Xclusive, he has been doing almost the same.
He gives out money to some of her fans as his contribution to help the needy catch up and live well during the lockdown.
What about Odunlade Adekola? He has been on social media for many times to warn his followers about the virus and how deadly it could be. Don’t forget that many people still don’t believe the virus is real and the talented actor, through his association, TAMPAN, has been telling people about the pandemic . He has been giving out money as well to some of his loyal followers.
The Instagram was in a lockdown on Tuesday when two Yoruba movie stars were sharing their experiences in the movie industry, live on Instagram TV. Bimbo Oshin and Afeez Owo, shared their long-time friendship and how they have conquered some of the challenges in the industry. The two were on live and many of their followers joined them to hear about their experiences. It was a fun moment for those who listened to them and their talks.
It was also another good Tuesday last week as popular comedian WoliArole was live on Instagram Tv with a renown property giant, RevolutionPlus Property boss, Dr. BamideleOnalaja. They gave out lots of cash gifts to people who correctly predicted answers to the questions asked.
This was done as their own relief package to the vulnerable in society. The gesture was highly appreciated by their fans and popular Lagos boy and the son of Former Lagos governor Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, Seyi Tinubu popularly called OjuEko joined them and also contributed his own money to the vulnerable who got the answers.
JUMOKE ODETOLA
The talented actress is always on line to interface with some of her fans. What she simply does is to entertain them with some of her roles in the movies. She is always herself when she is asked to explain one thing or the other about her characters in the movie. This has enabled her fans to get to know her more. The like of Nkeji Blessing, Ayo Amusan, Baba Latin and others are also giving out money to many of their fans, almost on a daily basis.
Eniola Afeez is always on his IG handle, showing how he is enjoying and coping with lockdown, as they could no longer go to location.
Pastor Pojumade and Pastor Sam Adeyemi also were not left out. The two came live on Instagram and they called the lockdown unprecedented. Pastor Sam Adeyemi’s wife, Pastor Nike, said the lockdown might work for an introvert, but would not be the same for an extrovert. Pastor Sam Adeyemi revealed what keeps him going and he said first thing is the Bible.
He said he reads it every morning and that lifts his spirit. The second thing he does is planning, which is goal setting and he also said he loves adding value to people’ lives because that’s the essence of life.
Another key aspects they treated in their discussion are a core value and integrity in an organisation; how it could help anyone to excel and beat other to their games. It’s obvious that the two gentlemen of God are friends and many of their members where singing their praises as they both shared experiences.
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