Connect with us

Celebrity/Entertainment

Meet Ken Olisa: The most powerful black man in Britain

Published

on

Ken Olisa

Ken Olisa, he’s the Queen’s escort in London, the Queen’s Lord Lieutenant of London, he has officially been named the most powerful black person in Britain. He locked horns with John Bercow and has a library named after him at Cambridge – not bad for a boy who grew up without a loo in Nottingham.

In a top 10 including high profile figures such as Sir Lenny Henry, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Lewis Hamilton and Mo Farah, Olisa was chosen as number one on 2016’s Powerlist.

Olisa, whose motto is “Do well; do good”, was the first black Briton to serve as a director of a FTSE 100 company (Thomson Reuters).

He is also the first black Briton to be appointed as Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London.

This position means that Olisa is the Queen’s personal representative in the capital. He is responsible for upholding the dignity of the Crown, supporting the Royal Family in Greater London and improving Londoner’s sense of belonging and, therefore, advancing social inclusion.

Ken OlisaKen Olisa has been chosen as the most influential black Briton on the Powerlist 2016

Unassuming and usually dressed in the commuter’s favoured uniform of suit and raincoat, the only thing that hints at his influence is his trademark bow tie – he owns more than 100.

Otherwise, there is little to suggest that Mr Olisa is, according to the annual Powerlist – which names the most influential black people in Britain, more important than Sir Lenny Henry or Mo Farah or the Oscar-winning film director Steve McQueen. How could anyone know that this quiet man from Nottingham wields more power than Lewis Hamilton or Baroness Lawrence?

READ ALSO:  'MohBad died before he was brought to our facility', hospital reveals

But wield power Ken Olisa does. The 63-year old was the first British born black man to serve on the board of a public company (Reuters), has his own merchant bank (Restoration Partners), and a library named after him at his Cambridge alma mater (Fitzwilliam).

He is a keen philanthropist (the library came after a £2 million donation), a former governor of the Peabody Trust, a chair of not one but two charities (Thames Reach, which deals with the homeless, and Shaw Trust, which helps the disabled), and is on the board of the Institute of Directors.

Olisa is also chairman of the homeless charities Thames Reach and Shaw Trust.

He was selected for the top spot for his inspirational work and tireless support of charity.

====================

Powerlist 2016 Top 10

  1. Ken Olisa, OBE, founder, Restoration Partners and Lord-Lieutenant Greater London
  2. Sir Lenny Henry , comedian
  3. Sharon White, Chief Executive of OFCOM
  4. Steve McQueen, film director
  5. Lewis Hamilton, racing driver
  6. Baroness Doreen Lawrence, justice campaigner
  7. Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, space scientist
  8. Mo Farah, athlete
  9. Dr Sandie Okoro, global general counsel of HSBC Asset Management
  10. Adrian Joseph, MD, customer solutions and innovation at Google for Northern and Central Europe

Unveiling the Powerlist 2016, its publisher Michael Eboda said: “I am delighted to salute the truly inspirational men and women in this year’s magazine.

“Ken is wonderful role model who highlights the exceptional talent in black communities.”

The Powerlist celebrates the achievement, excellence and success of people of African and African Caribbean heritage in Britain across a wide range of industries.

READ ALSO:  Ohanaeze Ndigbo Election: Imeobi rejects electoral committee 

=============================

Ken Olisa with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Premiere of Spectre.

And as if all of that weren’t enough, in April, he was made Lord Lieutenant of London, appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister. The title gives him an office in Whitehall, a staff of 90, and puts him in charge of all visits made by the royal family within the city – with him even standing in for them on occasion.

So he escorted the Queen to the Home Office last week, and had the miserable task of accompanying the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the Spectre premiere last month, along with Prince Harry. The next morning he was up early to spend yet more time with the Duchess – this time, on a charity visit to Islington Town Hall.

“I do a lot of calming down in the moments before their arrival,” he explains. “People tend to get very wound up and stressed.” Not so Olisa, who is as cool as the proverbial cucumber, even when wearing the heavy military-style uniform of the Lord Lieutenant.

“He hates the idea of quotas, thinks that they humiliate the people that they are intended to help”

All of this is a very long way indeed from his humble beginnings in Nottingham, where he was brought up in straitened circumstances by his single mother (he never knew his father, who left them to return to Nigeria when he was young).

“This Powerlist, it shows that black people can do everything. There can no longer be an argument that if you can’t get on because you are black. There are lots of other reasons you can’t get on – you’re incompetent, you can’t speak properly, you can’t spell, you don’t get to work on time. But it’s not because you are black.”

READ ALSO:  Popular Skit Maker Dies in Lagos

Does he think we will ever have a black prime minister? Or a black member of the royal family?

“There is no reason why there shouldn’t be. There’s a Lord Lieutenant who isn’t white now.” But he thinks we have always been a multicultural society – from the 25,000 Caribbean soldiers who volunteered to fight for us during the Second World War to the Polish pilots who took part in the Battle of Britain – and he says we would do well to remember that – especially in light of the Paris attacks and the recent furore over refugees.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Celebrity/Entertainment

How Nigerian TikToker Geh Geh Made ₦45 Million in One Night

Published

on

A Nigerian TikTok sensation known as “Geh Geh” has stunned the internet after pulling in over $30,000 from a single live session that attracted more than 177,000 viewers.

The young entertainer, who calls his platform the “University of Wisdom and Understanding,” has quickly built a cult following with his raw and unfiltered lectures about women, money, and survival in Nigeria.

During the live broadcast on Thursday, August 21, viewers showered him with virtual gifts that he later calculated to be worth over $30,000.

The milestone instantly pushed him into the spotlight as one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising online personalities.

 

Reacting in disbelief after the stream, Geh Geh said:

“More than 177,000 people watch my lectures today. Jesus! University of wisdom and understanding, the only university where once you graduate, woman go fear to ask you for money.”

 

Despite not having a formal education, Geh Geh proudly calls himself “the first illiterate to find a university in the history of Nigeria.” In a video after the viral live, he reminded fans of his humble background:

“I no be graduate too, but by the grace of God, I don find school. I be orphan, but now Nigerians don show me love.”

 

The TikTok star admitted he was overwhelmed by the generosity of his supporters.

“See gift I made over… more gift when they give me today is worth about $30,000. I no go take this love for granted, because I no really do anything for am.”

 

His rise has been hailed as proof of how social media is transforming lives in Nigeria. With no degree, no rich background, and no industry connection, Geh Geh has managed to build a fanbase that now calls themselves “students” of his unusual university.

READ ALSO:  Nigerians slam Murray-Bruce over #BuyNaijaToGrowTheNaira calls while his children are abroad

 

Still, his controversial views on women and relationships continue to spark heated debates. While some dismiss his advice as reckless, others insist his boldness speaks directly to Nigeria’s frustrated youth.

 

Reflecting on his sudden fame, Geh Geh compared himself to great thinkers:

“If Nigeria be country wey value great people, by now them suppose dey compare people like me with Aristotle, Wole Soyinka, Einstein… but I thank God say people dey see my head and my own difference.”

From an orphan with no prospects to a viral star earning in dollars, Geh Geh’s story has become one of digital empowerment.

His journey shows how platforms like TikTok are creating new forms of fame, money, and influence for Nigerians especially those once written off by society.

Continue Reading

Celebrity/Entertainment

Big Brain Naija Reality Show Set to Launch in Nigeria – What to Expect

Published

on

Nigeria is set to welcome a new kind of reality TV show, Big Brain Naija (#BB9JA), which the organisers describe as a platform designed to discover, celebrate, and showcase the country’s brightest minds.

Diaspora Digital Media gathered that the show, powered by Big Brain Productions in collaboration with DAAR Communications Plc, will officially debut in October.

According to the organisers, it will air on Africa Independent Television (AIT) and will be staged in the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking at the official signing of the partnership agreement in Abuja, Chief Executive Officer of Big Brain Productions, Mr. Kel Ameobi, explained that the initiative seeks to balance entertainment with innovation.

He stressed that the show would focus on creativity, ideas, and problem-solving rather than the usual theatrics and controversies that dominate popular reality shows in Nigeria.

“Big Brain Naija was created with a simple but powerful vision: to build a platform where intelligence meets entertainment,” Ameobi said.

He added that Nigerian youths have often been denied opportunities to showcase their ingenuity on the big stage, while entertainment spaces tend to reward superficial content.

He continued: “For too long, we’ve seen platforms celebrate emptiness and drama, while the brightest among us have no avenue to shine.

Big Brain Naija is not a show of noise but a stage for innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. We want to celebrate ideas, not controversies.”

Joining him, Chief Executive Officer of DAAR Communications Plc, Mr. Marcel Anyalechi, praised the project as a refreshing departure from the norm.

He noted that DAAR Communications would fully support the show across all its media platforms.

READ ALSO:  PHOTONEWS: Otedola gives ₦1m each to 750 students of Augustine University

“This project blends innovation and creativity, and we believe it will bring real impact to the entertainment industry.

We are excited to partner with Big Brain Productions to showcase Nigerian talent not just to Africa but to the world,” Anyalechi said.

Adding to the details, Chief Operating Officer of Big Brain Naija, Mr. Ossai Ilome, explained that the first season will feature 37 contestants representing all 36 states and the FCT.

To make the competition even more unique, the show will introduce AI-powered judges, making it the first reality TV show in Africa to integrate artificial intelligence at such a scale.

Ilome revealed that the winner of the maiden season will walk away with a grand prize of N30 million and a brand-new car.

He emphasized that beyond entertainment, the project aims to reinforce Nigeria’s global image as a nation of intelligent and industrious people.

“The time has come to showcase Nigerians as visionary and exceptional people. While the show will retain the entertaining aspect of reality TV, its heart lies in celebrating intellect, ideas, and innovation,” Ilome said.

The organisers expressed optimism that Big Brain Naija would not only captivate audiences but also inspire young Nigerians to dream bigger and push creative boundaries.

With its unique blend of entertainment, innovation, and national representation, the show aims to become a defining moment for the Nigerian entertainment industry when it premieres in October.

Continue Reading

Celebrity/Entertainment

Popular Skit Maker Dies in Lagos

Published

on

dead body

The Lakowe community in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State was thrown into panic last week after a skit maker and hairstylist, simply identified as Austin, was brutally murdered by suspected cultists.

Diaspora Digital Media gathered that the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, August 14, 2025, left residents in shock as the victim’s mutilated body was discovered with deep machete cuts.

Witnesses said the attackers severed one of his hands during the gruesome killing.

According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants stormed the area at dawn in search of Austin.

Upon locating his residence, they allegedly dragged him out of his apartment before hacking him to death in front of horrified neighbors.

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity told PUNCH Metro:

“There was commotion early Thursday morning, but nobody knew what was happening.

Later, we found Austin’s corpse with machete wounds, and one of his hands cut off. That was when we realized the noise we heard was linked to the attack.”

Shockingly, friends and neighbors revealed that Austin may have anticipated his death.

A close acquaintance disclosed that the deceased posted a cryptic farewell message on his WhatsApp status just a day before the attack.

“Austin was a well-known hairstylist and also created comedy skits online. People close to him said he sensed danger and left a post hinting that something bad was about to happen,” a resident explained.

Videos shared with reporters showed his lifeless body lying on the ground with sympathizers gathered around, mourning the tragic loss.

When contacted, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, did not answer calls placed to his phone. A text message sent to him also went unanswered as of the time of filing this report.

READ ALSO:  Arsenal Star Saka: I'd have been playing for Nigeria

The killing comes just days after Lagos police confirmed the arrest of six suspected cultists in connection with the violent murder of another man, identified as Kamoru, alias Keeper, in the Ebute Meta area.

In a statement released in mid-July, Hundeyin disclosed that the suspects — Raphael Ashim (30), Wasiu Kareem (33), Sadiq Olabisi (40), Olamilekan Oluwatosin (27), Olalekan Olugbodi (54), and Ibrahim Oladimeji (22) — were apprehended by detectives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit during an intelligence-led operation in Surulere.

Police said the suspects were involved in multiple cult clashes across Lagos, which have claimed several lives, including that of Kamoru.

Cult-related violence has been on the rise in Lagos communities, with gangs clashing over territorial control, drug turf wars, and political influence.

Many residents have repeatedly called on the state government and security agencies to intensify efforts to curb the menace.

Austin’s killing has once again highlighted the growing insecurity in Lagos suburbs, especially in fast-developing areas like Ibeju-Lekki, where rapid urbanization has also attracted cult activity.

For residents of Lakowe, the incident has created fear and uncertainty. Some expressed concern that young men in the area are being lured into cult groups due to unemployment, peer pressure, and lack of opportunities.

Community leaders are now urging the Lagos State Police Command to launch a thorough investigation and bring Austin’s killers to justice.

Many fear that without swift action, cult-related killings could escalate and spread further across Ibeju-Lekki and surrounding communities.

As of press time, security presence in Lakowe has been increased, but residents remain on edge, mourning the loss of a popular young hairstylist and entertainer whose life was cut short by suspected cultists.

Continue Reading

Celebrity/Entertainment

JUST IN: Tears as Nollywood legend Fabian Adibe passes away sadly

Published

on

(DDM) – The Nigerian film industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran Nollywood actor Fabian Adibe.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the veteran performer, widely known for his role in the classic adaptation of Things Fall Apart, passed away in the early hours of Wednesday.

According to reports, Adibe died at 2:30 a.m., a development confirmed by celebrity journalist Seun Oloketuyi via his Instagram handle.

The news has triggered an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, fans, and stakeholders within the entertainment sector.

Fabian Adibe was celebrated as one of Nollywood’s foundational actors who helped shape the industry’s storytelling tradition.

His role in Things Fall Apart and several other Nollywood classics remains etched in the memories of movie lovers across generations.

Industry insiders described him as an actor who brought authenticity, depth, and emotion to every character he portrayed.

His passing marks another painful loss for Nollywood, which has lost several veterans in recent years.

Fabian Adibe’s contribution to Nollywood

Adibe began his acting career during Nigeria’s formative film years, appearing in stage productions before transitioning to television and home videos.

He was known for his ability to interpret roles rooted in traditional culture and African history.

His performances helped establish Nollywood as a hub of African cinematic expression.

Things Fall Apart, adapted from Chinua Achebe’s iconic novel, remains one of his most enduring legacies.

Critics hailed his performance for capturing the emotional weight and historical depth of the story.

Tributes pour in

Since the announcement of his passing, social media has been flooded with condolences and emotional messages.

READ ALSO:  Quit fake life and face reality, Kelly Hansome tells fellow artistes

Actors, filmmakers, and fans alike have celebrated his life and legacy.

Seun Oloketuyi, who confirmed the news, described Adibe as “a pioneer and a legend whose absence will be deeply felt.”

Others praised his mentorship of younger actors and his commitment to professionalism throughout his career.

Nollywood’s recent losses

Adibe’s death adds to a growing list of Nollywood veterans who have passed away in the past two years.

The industry has lost icons like Saint Obi, Mr. Ibu (John Okafor), and Don Brymo, sparking concerns about the preservation of Nollywood’s history.

Film historians have called for more archival work to document the contributions of early actors like Adibe.

Final farewell

While funeral arrangements are yet to be announced, colleagues are expected to hold memorial events in his honour.

Fans have taken to social media with messages such as, “Rest in peace, Fabian Adibe. Nollywood will never forget you.”

 

Continue Reading

Celebrity/Entertainment

Why single mothers can’t raise boys into proper men — Jim Iyke

Published

on

Jim Iyke

Nollywood actor Jim Iyke has sparked heated debate with his recent comments on parenting, asserting that a single mother cannot raise a boy into a “proper man” without the involvement of a male figure.

Speaking during an interview on Okay 101.7 FM in Accra, Ghana, Iyke emphasized the importance of male influence in shaping boys into responsible and disciplined men, while acknowledging the critical nurturing role women play in child-rearing.

“A woman can’t raise a man. You can’t, you’re not built for it. A single mother cannot raise a man properly,” Iyke declared. He added that the presence of a trusted male figure—whether a brother, father, or mentor—is essential. “There has to be a male presence in it [raising a boy child],” he insisted.

According to Iyke, women are naturally inclined to nurture and love, but he argued that this alone is insufficient for instilling discipline and resilience in boys.

“What you’re going to raise is a very weak man. He is going to be everything like the men that left you. You need somebody who would discipline him, tell him ‘No’ as often as possible, and put him in the grind,” he explained.

To illustrate his point, Iyke shared a personal anecdote about his four-year-old son during a family holiday in the south of France.

When his son was bullied by other kids during a football game, Iyke deliberately refused to intervene, instructing his wife to step back as well.

He described the moment as a “conversation between two men,” explaining that the experience taught his son resilience.

“He went back, fought for his ball, and came out stronger. I’ve never been more proud of him,” Iyke recounted, adding that this underscored his belief in the value of a father figure in a boy’s development.

READ ALSO:  Arsenal Star Saka: I'd have been playing for Nigeria

Iyke’s comments have since gone viral, igniting passionate discussions across social media. While some agree with his perspective on the importance of male influence, others have criticized his stance, emphasizing the strength and success many single mothers have demonstrated in raising well-rounded men.

 

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Latest from DDM TV

Latest Updates

‘Gate of Hell’ Will Open on Gaza’– Israeli Defence Issues Finally Warning to Hamas

NAFDAC Raises Alarm as Fake Cowbell Milk Floods Nigerian Markets

‘Misplaced Priority’: Peter Obi Blasts FG’s ₦142bn Bus Terminal Project

Why I’ll never encourage my son to visit Nigeria — Taribo West

Hardship: Man commits suicide in Imo

Canada Announces Permanent Residence Lottery Results for Foreign Workers

First son blocks mother’s burial in imo over alleged settlement dispute

Nigeria is on the rise again, return home — Tinubu tells Nigerians in diaspora

Japan Designates City as Hometown for Nigerians

Elon Musk’s SpaceX Launches Secretive US Military Spacecraft

Subscribe to DDM Newsletter for Latest News

Trending

Copyright © 2023 -2024 Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) www.diasporadigitalmedia.com. All Rights Reserved . NOTE: All opinion articles published on Diaspora Digital Media are ENTIRELY those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publishers.

Get Notifications from DDM News Yes please No thanks