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THE PEARL OF NIGERIAN AWARD IS HERE

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6 years ago

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Awards initiatives around the world have become of deep interest, basically because of what they represent. Awards given in recognition of sterling performance are known to make clear statements about specific achievements of outstanding people or organizations that stand out based on predetermined parameters. Our world may have become more innovative and glamorous, but the desire to continually recognize achievement and appreciate such honours underscore an integral part of being human.

Going back in time, Awards or Trophies for victories or achievements in ancient times often took the form of magnificent statues, columns and arches. Following a successful battle, Greek troops often constructed trophies from the arms and armour of captured opponents. Whatever their form, such ancient trophies were generally dedicated to gods. At the original Olympic Games in Greece, victors were crowned with twisted olive branches. Simple as it was then, this was symbolic and highly valued because such awards were only for winners as runners-up do not receive awards at all.

Great achievements are accompanied by great results. Sometimes they are accompanied by rewards too. Prizes are given to the top achievers in fields ranging from sports to politics, to science, to writing. Though they take different forms, all of these prizes are meant to highlight and celebrate those individuals or institutions that have ascended to the top of their game. Currently, awards categories can be classified globally into the following areas: Business and Management, Entertainment and Arts, Fashion, Food, Games and Sports, Humanitarianism, international relations, and service; Hobby and special interest, Humanities, Military and patriotic honours, Science and Technology.

There are top 10 global awards categories worth noting and they include the following:

1. The Nobel Prize
This prestigious award is named for Alfred Nobel, who created dynamite. The first Nobel Prize was presented in 1901, and the number of fields in which it is presented has since increased to six. Prizes are awarded in chemistry, physics, literature, medicine, economics and peace. In addition to receiving a diploma and a gold medal, winners in each category also receive a monetary prize.

2. The Booker Prize

Now known as The Man Booker Prize for Fiction, this is Britain’s most prestigious literary award. It’s handed out every year to one author whose outstanding novel was published during the previous 12 months. Being shortlisted to receive a Man Booker Prize is considered an honour in its own right.

3. The Academy Awards
Perhaps the most well-known award in American cinema, the Oscars are handed out every year to actors, directors, producers and film professionals who worked on the previous year’s best films. The Academy Awards ceremony was inaugurated in 1929, and the event’s broadcast now draws more than a billion viewers worldwide.

4. The BAFTA Awards
These awards, handed out by the British Academy of Film and Television (BAFTA), are the U.K. equivalent of the Emmys. The annual awards honour achievements in both film and television. Many popular actors have won both BAFTA Awards and Academy Awards.

5. The Palme d’Or
Among film festivals, Cannes is the giant. The Palme d’Or is its most prestigious prize, and it’s the most widely coveted on the festival circuit too. The award was created in 1955 and is given to the outstanding film’s director. Among the dozens of notable films that have received the award are Taxi Driver, Apocalypse Now, Pulp Fiction and The Pianist.

6. The Pulitzer Prize
America’s premier prize in journalism, literature and musical composition, Pulitzer Prizes are awarded yearly in 21 categories. In addition to receiving a certificate and medal, winners also receive a $10,000 prize. These prizes have been awarded since 1917. In recent years, categories have been expanded to include online journalism.

7. The Golden Globes
Honouring achievements in film, the Golden Globes are considered the party girl sister of the more reserved Academy Awards. Actors, directors and other film professionals gather to recognize each other. Dinner and drinks are standard at these awards.

8. The BRIT Awards
Launched in 1977, the BRIT Awards honour achievements in popular music. They’re similar to the Grammys, and many of the artists who win awards are top-sellers on both sides of the pond.

9. The Grammys
Awarded in a variety of classical, jazz, country and popular music categories, the Grammy Awards were launched in 1959. Stevie Wonder is among the most notable winners with a total of 22 Grammys as of 2015.

10. The MTV Video Music Awards
It might be hard to believe, but the MTV VMAs have been handed out since 1984. They honour the very best in music videos in a variety of categories. Madonna has won the most VMAs to date with a total of 69 nominations and 19 wins.

Coming back to the home front, the idea of conferring of Awards and honours in Nigeria can be traced back to the National Honours Act No. 5 of 1964 passed into law during Nigeria’s first republic to honour Nigerians and her friends every year who have rendered service to the benefit of the nation.

The national honours in descending order are:

Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR)

Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON)

Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR)

Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)

Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR)

Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)

Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR)

Member of the Order of the Niger (MON)

The GCFR and GCON are bestowed on former occupants of the office of the President of Nigeria and the Vice President of Nigeria including former military heads of state of Nigeria and chiefs of general staff. The GCON is also bestowed on the chief justice of Nigeria and the president of the Nigerian senate during their first year in office, while CON is customarily bestowed on justices of the supreme court of Nigeria.

Others such as the CFR, MON, OFR etc. are awarded to members of the public for great achievements, these include public servants, political leaders, traditional leaders, and distinguished persons in various fields of work.

Although this national Awards and Honours ceremony followed the British example in form and structure of the Order, other events ceremonies have been instituted to recognize and celebrate outstanding performance in other categories. The following awards ceremonies are landmark events that catch the attention of stakeholders in the respective industry:

Nigeria Prize for Literature is a Nigerian literary award given annually since 2004 to honour literary erudition by Nigerian authors. The award rotates among four genres; fiction, poetry, drama, and children’s literature, repeating the cycle every four years. The process and judging are administered by Nigerian Academy of Science with an advisory board made up of members from Nigeria Academy of Letters and Association of Nigerian Authors.

The Headies are awards established in 2006 by the Hip Hop Magazine of Nigeria to recognize outstanding achievement in the country’s music industry. Hip Hop Magazine is a weekly Nigerian music magazine established in 1995.It has sponsored The Headies award since the award’s inception in 2006. The magazine’s publisher is Nigerian journalist and music promoter Ayo Animashaun.

The Nigeria Prize for Science is a Nigerian science award given annually since 2004 for excellence achieved in scientific breakthroughs. It is the country’s highest scientific award. The award is sponsored by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas company. The prize describes itself as “bringing Nigerian scientists to public attention and celebrating excellence in scientific breakthroughs”.

The Nigerian National Order of Merit Award (NNOM) is an academic award instituted in 1979 and conferred on distinguished academicians and intellectuals who have made outstanding contributions to the academic, growth and development of Nigeria. The award is often conferred on its recipient by the government following a nomination and approval of the Governing Board of the Award. It is the highest academic award in Nigeria.

The PEARL Awards Nigeria, an acronym of the “Performance, Earnings And Returns Leadership Awards”, was instituted in 1995, followed by an endorsement by the nation’s apex capital market regulatory authority, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) eight years later in 2003, to annually reward outstanding performance of companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and stakeholders that have contributed towards the development of the Nigerian capital market.

The Nigeria Entertainment Awardsestablished in New York City in 2006 to serve the growing African population in North America. It recognizes the contributions of African entertainers to the entertainment industry. The event aims to promote the image and culture of Nigeria. This has increased the awareness of a new style of African entertainment that has helped promote Nigerian acts in the world.

The Nigeria Media Merit Awardestablished in 1990, a foremost and most prestigious annual celebration of the best in the media industry in Nigeria. The objective is to recognize, encourage and reward excellence in media practice in Nigeria while fostering the mutual symbolic relationship between the media industry and the larger society.Over the years, NMMA has evolved to become Nigeria’s most powerful and influential platform for an Annual re-union of Media Veterans and Practitioners with the crème de la crème of the society and other eminent stakeholders nationally and internally.

The City People Awards has come up with various Awards over the years that cut across different sectors and stakeholders of the Nigerian economy. These include City People Music Awards, City People Movie Awards, City People Entertainment Awards and City People Award for Excellence. The set objectives of these Awards are to stimulate high performance within the targetedsectors and ultimately add value to the national economy.

The Future Awards Africa: is a set of awards given to celebrate young people between the ages of 18 and 31, who have made outstanding achievement in the year under consideration. The award ceremony the a brainchild of the Future Project, a social enterprise communications firm. The awards are given to winners in ten categories and this was trimmed down from the initial 21 categories when the awards ceremony started in 2006.

Nigeria Pitch Awards: These awards are presented to Nigerian former and present sports people, administrators and journalist in recognition of their positive role and contribution to sports development in Nigeria. Initiated in 2013 by Matchmakers Consult International and endorsed by the Nigerian Football Federation. The awards were started with 16 categories and by 2016 6 more categories were subsequently added.

The Africa Movie Academy Awards: Been a subsidiary of the Africa Film Academy which was founded on the best film tradition and geared towards research, training and propagating filmmaking in Africa. AMAA was established in 2005 with the aim of providing a reward and recognition platform for filmmakers on the continent.

Nigeria Health Care Awards is an annual event instituted to celebrate and recognize distinguished personalities and organizations who have contributed immensely to the growth of the Nigerian Health sector. The awards ceremony is an initiative of Global Health Project and Resources in partnership with Anadach group. The awards started in 2014 and have become a high profile event in the healthcare industry gaining widespread acceptance from other stakeholders in the healthcare community.

Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards: These awards are presented annually to recognize excellence of professionals in the African/Nigerian broadcast industry who have distinguished themselves as role models, mentors, and propagators of social change in the society. The maiden edition was held in October 2010 and is an initiative of the Reality Entertainment, a showbiz/entertainment firm established in 2005.

Nigerian CFO Awards: Now in its 4th year, Nigeria CFO Awards is an annual event recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of both financial executives and organization for their leadership contributions to their companies’ growth. The annual awards, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria, recognizes success, growth and innovation the CFO and their team bring towards organizational development.

It is worth mentioning that quite a number of the awards ceremonies initiated and instituted in the country have either gone extinct or are being absorbed by other more vibrant initiatives. However, some have stood the test of time and are still weathering the storm in spite of variousnational socio-economic challenges.Benchmarking global standards for adopting criteria meant to nominate and select awards recipients, it is observed that the following are widely used:

· Online or offline voting by fans or clients

· Selection by designated judges on a review of performances

· Nomination or selection of award recipients through technical committee

· Nomination from stakeholders or the general public to an awards committee

· Distinguished or landmark achievement in a specialized field of endeavour

The history of awards ceremonies in Nigeria willcertainly not be complete without giving a most deservedrecognition of one of the most prestigious, credible and respected recognition initiatives in the country that has stood the test of time, for more than two decades now. ThePEARL Awards Nigeria, is a recognition initiative that stands out havingbeen rewarding excellence in the corporate world for well over the past two decades.

Following the Nigerian National Honours and the Nigerian National Order of Merit Award no other recognition event has flourished sustainably like the PEARL Awards and for this reason, we shall be paying attention to the activities of thislandmark initiative recognizing and rewarding corporate excellence with finesse and credibility.

Going the memory lane, the Performance, Earnings And Returns Leadership (PEARL) Awards was instituted in 1995 to reward companies quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange for outstanding operational performance and excellence; thereby enhancing the vibrancy, growth and development of the capital market.

The maiden edition of the Awards Nite was held on May 27, 1995 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, LagoswhereNigerian Breweries Plc carted away the Overall Highest Award (PEARL of the Nigerian Stock Market) among other laurels won by this company at this edition.

Instructively, Dangote Cement Plc,remains the only quoted company to have won same most prestigious Award (PEARL of the Nigerian Stock Market) back to back in 2012 and 2013.

Since inception over two decades ago, the PEARL Awards has recognized and rewarded over eighty (80) companies in different categories of the Awards basedon their sterling performance.

Awards Categories: The PEARL Awards are in three categories. These are

Main Competitive Awards Category

a. Sectorial Leadership Awards

b. Market Excellence Awards

c. Overall Highest (The PEARL) Award

Special Recognition Awards Category

a. Non-Listed Securities Award

b. Stockbroking Firm of the Year Award

c. Issuing House of the Year Award

d. Good Corporate Governance Award

Honorary Awards Category

a. CEO of the Year Award

b. Capital Market Development Award

c. Capital market Correspondent Award of the Year

d. Media Award for Capital Market Development

Methodology of the Awards: The winning companies in the main competitive category emerge through rigorous data analysis and evaluation. The Sectoral Leadership Awards rewards a company for out-performing other companies within the same sector, based on aggregate points garnered from all the ten indices utilized for ranking.

The Market Excellence Awards is based on consideration of the entire market leadership in respect of each of the ranking indices. For each of the indices, points are awarded in order of performance to the top ten companies ranging from 10 points to 1 point. Companies with 10 points win each of the Awards.

The Overall Highest Award considers companies that have emerged as Sectoral Leaders of their sectors and have performed most outstandingly in the market excellence category. The Sectoral Leader with the highest points in the market excellence is therefore awarded the PEARL of the Nigerian Stock Market.

The uniqueness of the PEARL Awards is in theAwards process being based on verifiable facts and figuresobtained from the companies’ financial reports, NSE daily listing, and NSE 52-week trading reports. The parameters utilizedare credible and globally acceptable parameters for data evaluation. These parameters include Turnover Growth, Earnings Yield, Dividend Yield, Return on Equity, Profit Margin Ratio, Net Asset Ratio, Share Price Appreciation etc. It is worthy of note that PEARL Awards remains the only Awards in this part of the world that is based on objective criteria and empirical data.

One of the factors that stand the Awards out is the composition of the Awards Board of Governors over the years. Since inception, the Board has been peopled by time-tested and first class professionals as well as highly respected capital market experts with unquestionable integrity. The Board gives broad based policy guidelines on the activities of the Awards.

The integrity of the Awards has remained impeccable over the decades.The PEARL Awards does not charge any fee from companies nominated for the purpose of winning the Awards as part of efforts to maintain its impartiality and ensure objectivity in its assessment of quoted companies and other stakeholders’ institutions at its yearly Awards.

The Securities & Exchange Commission, the apex regulatory body in the capital marketin appreciation of the shared value of corporate excellence promotion in Nigeria,which PEARL Awards exemplifies, endorsed the PEARL Awards Project in 2003. The Commission also supports the institutionalization of PEARL Awards Africa, a continental version of the Awards in Nigeria.

In terms of innovation, the PEARL Awards in its 23 years of existence has come up with various initiatives aimed at deepening and enhancing capital market development in Nigeria. These include:

PEARL Awards Annual Public Lecture for Capital Market Developmentinstituted in 2005 to provide a forum for seasoned experts and technocrats (national & international) from the public and private sectors to brainstorm annually on germane, contemporary and emergent issues in capital market development with the view to enhancing investors’ protection, strengthen shareholders’ confidence and ensuring market integrity and stability.

Publication of theNigerian Stock Market Annual (NSMA), a research compendium which covers contemporary issues in the Nigerian Capital Market, the Nigerian economy and the global economy. Published since 1995, the publication has helped to impact knowledge on numerous readers that cut across the private and public sectors of the nation’s economy.

The main objective of the publication is to strengthen the knowledge base of shareholders and investors alike on the salient issues concerning the capital market, the Nigerian economy and the global economy among others.

The comprehensive analysis of the PEARL Awards Report culminating to the emergence of winning companies is usually published in this annual publication, and publicly presented at each year’s Awards nite.

Another publication of the Awards Project is the book, “Winning Strategies of Nigeria’s Corporate Giants”, designed to positively project quoted companies in Nigeria who have demonstrated consistent outstanding performance, leadership, resilience and sustainable growth and by so doing have emerged consistent winners in their different categories of the PEARL Awards over the years.

A prominent feature in the book is the incisive interviews where CEOs of market leaders share their wealth of experiences and give insight into the various strategies that have kept their companies on the winning edge in terms of policies, people, products and services.

The PEARL Awards over the years has no doubt remained a reference point for investment decisions by shareholders and investors alike.The direct consequence of the Awards on the quoted companies is the upward trend in the share price of winning companies at the stock market which positively impact the investors’ values.

Similarly, the resolutions and recommendations from the annual PEARL Awards Public Lecture are forwarded to capital market regulatory authoritites for consideration and possible implementation. It is gratifying to note that both the Securities & Exchange Commission and the Nigerian Stock Exchange have intensified efforts on investors’ sensitization, which the PEARL Awards hadhitherto canvassed for at different fora.

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Guv’ Olumese Honored with Special Recognition Award by Ojez Forum

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4 days ago

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January 27, 2025

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The Forum by Ojez honored Guv’ Ken Calebs Olumese with the Special Recognition Award on Sunday, celebrating his immense contributions to Nigeria’s entertainment and hospitality industry. The event brought together distinguished personalities to pay tribute to a man whose legacy has shaped the creative sector.

 

Ehi Braimah, Azuh Arinze, Mayor Akinpelu, Sunny Neji, and Charles Inojie shared heartfelt reflections on Olumese’s selflessness, discipline, and generosity. Segun Arinze, reading the citation, described him as a true pioneer and cultural curator whose iconic NiteShift Coliseum provided a platform for many of today’s celebrated musicians, comedians, and public figures.

 

Nicknamed the “Governor of Nigeria’s Nightlife,” Olumese is revered for blending entertainment with diplomacy, making NiteShift Coliseum a hub for strategic networking and national discourse. His venue regularly hosted top political figures, business moguls, and entertainment icons, reinforcing its status as a melting pot of influence.

 

In his acceptance speech, Olumese thanked Ojez Entertainment Chairman Joseph Odobeatu for recognizing his work even in retirement. He credited his character and integrity for the lasting success of his relationships and urged young entertainers to remain hardworking, professional, and disciplined while pursuing their careers.

 

The Ojez Band entertained guests with nostalgic and electrifying performances, adding to the celebratory atmosphere. The evening saw a star-studded guest list, including Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki), Sunny Neji, Kevin Olumese, Bode Morakinyo, Bonny Alinta, Dr. Julius Nwokoro, Moji Mama Ajasco, Franklin Mgbanwa, Charles Inojie, and other celebrities and business figures.

 

Ojez Entertainment Chairman, Joseph Odobeatu, praised the event’s success and promised more engaging activities throughout the year. The night was a fitting tribute to Guv’ Ken Calebs Olumese’s enduring impact on Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

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I Made You Who You Are… I Will Destroy Your Career’: Mercy Chinwo Finally Breaks Silence, Shares A Heartbreaking Detailed Account Of Her Painful Ordeal With Her Ex-Manager, Ezetee

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6 days ago

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January 25, 2025

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We are Solicitors to Minister Mercy Chinwo, hereinafter referred to as Minister Mercy.

 

It is with deep concern that we address the recent controversies surrounding Minister Mercy’s relationship with Mr. Ezekiel ThankGod (Eezeetee), her former manager. While we would have preferred to maintain silence on this matter, the severity of the falsehoods being circulated compels us to clarify the facts and set the record straight.

 

 

Contrary to the sensational narratives, Minister Mercy did not initiate any court action case against Mr. Ezekiel ThankGod (Eezeetee) regarding her music catalogue. At no point has she claimed that a 50/50 revenue split from her DSP earnings is unfair. The issues with Mr. Eezeetee are, in fact, grave matters that have posed significant threats to her life and cannot be easily exhausted, but she has preferred to remain silent.

 

WHAT WERE THE REAL ISSUES?

 

Minister Mercy’s journey with Eezeetee began humbly during her days as Eezeetee’s backup singer in Port Harcourt. Over time, their work relationship flourished, with Eezeetee assuming a loco parentis role, advising and mentoring her. Their relationship was not born out of contract, but beyond, She honours him like a father.

 

He commenced managing her early in 2017, introduced her to his Pastor, Pastor Temple Odoko and later specifically advised that they sign a management contract on her birthday to remarkably announce their work. He brought the contract, and it was happily executed on September 5, 2017, in Port Harcourt. (Note date and place).

 

WORK RELATION

 

The work relation was super cordial. Minister Mercy “Excess Love” project was recorded in 2017, and it was a major success. Other projects followed. Eezeetee put in the work and passion, he talked big on his vision for gospel music in Nigeria, and she strongly bought into it.

 

RELOCATION TO LAGOS

 

The grace of God was evident, and need to relocate to Lagos became crucial in 2018. He established the structure, and they worked with unity and a common vision. Everyone was committed to the organization vision, and she was instrumental in ensuring that more gospel ministers, starting with Judikay, joined the organization in early 2019.

 

THE TURNING POINT

 

Towards the middle and end of 2019, commencing the 3rd year of working with Eezeetee, things began to change gradually. They had discussions, as usual, about the organization and her plans. He expressed his intention for her to extend her five-year contract to twelve years. However, she declined, stating that she is got other plans.

 

Afterwards, she noticed that at any given opportunity to address any issue, Eezeetee would be hostile and make reference to the contract. He started talking tough and repeatedly about the contract, which was not the norm. It was at this point that she realized she needed to have a copy of the contract. As the situation got worse in 2020 she demanded for her copy of the contract. (By the way, her copy of the contract was only given at the end of the contract time on the 23rd of November, 2022)

 

 

By the fourth year, the relationship had become extremely toxic, as Minister Mercy started to endure untold verbal and emotional assault that literally affected her person. Eezeetee would threaten her with statements like: “I will deal with you, I will mess you up, I made you whom you are, I can shut you up, and nobody will hear you again, I will destroy your career” including the use of the “F” word, sadly on different occasions. Extremely hostile, antagonistic and abusive.

 

Eezeetee continue to intimidate her, isolating and bulling her, misleading people inviting her for events about her availability.

 

 

When she gets invitations to minister at programs, the management would respond to the invitees that she was not available or that she was sick. In some cases, the management would demand an outrageous fee for her to attend programs in order to frustrate the invitation.

 

One of such heartbreaking incidents involved a church program that had been concluded for her to attend in October 2021, hosted by a father of faith in Edo State, Rev. Felix Omobode. Eezeetee suddenly told the host that Minister Mercy could not attend because she had a terminal health problem. She got wind of it and fought back. It became chaos while she threatened it was over and done with the organization.

 

 

She was threatened with the contract but she insisted she will go and minister against the management’s wish. There were interventions, after much pressure, he claimed the organizers did not make flight arrangements. She said she will attend by any means. He eventually booked the flight. To her surprise, her host came along with a medical team to the airport to receive her believing she was unwell and may need support. Meanwhile, Minister Mercy also discovered that her ticket and that of Eezeetee had been long booked by the host.

 

RECONCILIATION

 

Though broken, she made efforts at reconciliation. She prayed and had discussions with her spiritual mentor. She decided to make a deliberate effort to restore the good working relationship. She was led to sow a seed to him. She bought a brand-new SUV for him as a seed. She made efforts, and they tried to achieve a genuine reconciliation. They reconciled, but he was more particular about posting the car on social media to appreciate her. She declined, and things got worse.

 

The situation worsened as there was no longer trust. She lived in tears. She had to narrate her experience to Minister Chioma Jesus, whose intervention led to the management returning her call lines to her in December 2021 to manage her program scheduling herself. Without removing her cost of logistics for travels and remuneration for her team members which she must pay, she remitted an absolute total of 50% of any gift or honorarium with date and evidence to Eezeetee. If she delayed, he would certainly send a mail.

 

CASE OF FORGERY

 

After her contract had expired on the 5th of September, 2022, Minister Mercy was directed to get her copy of the contract from his Pastor, Temple Odoko who has now become their mutual father, and she got her copy November 22, 2022. Shockingly, It turned out that the contract that was signed in 2017 had been replaced with another contract made in 2019. A new contract made in 2019 was altered to seem as if it was the document signed in 2017.

 

Clearly, on the face of the contract, at the front page, the “2019” was altered to “2017” by turning the “9” to “7” with a pen. However, the commencement page was carelessly reading “2019.” Eezeetee is challenged in one word to release the first three pages and the execution page of the contract in public. The contract till date has no original, just the photocopy.

 

 

Due diligence revealed that after signing the original contract in 2017, two years later, when they had relocated to lagos. Eezeetee secured the services of a prominent and respected law firm in Lagos (Udo Udoma & Bello-Osagie) to prepare a new contract in 2019. The contract was used to substitute the 2017 original contract.

 

The contract was prepared and sent to him via email in 2019 by Udo Udoma & Bello-Osagie. He altered the front page of the contract to read 2017 and claimed it was the contract signed. Meanwhile, the commencement date was carelessly left as 2019 on the document. He refused to release the original contract signed in 2017 but the new one 2019.

 

At an investigation meeting, Our Managing Partner, Pelumi Olajengbesi respectfully asked Mr. Mena Ajakpovi, Esq., Partner at Udo Udoma & Bello-Osagie, to speak to the integrity of the contract. The partner confirmed that while they drafted the contract in 2019, it was never signed in their presence as Eezeetee claimed. He added that their firm only sent it to him via email and was not aware of the 2017 alterations on the contract. This exposed the fact that it was not the same contract signed 2017 in Porhartcourt.

 

 

It is important to reiterate that while the 2017 contract was just about 5 pages, the 2019 contract, which was introduced by Eezeetee to replace the old contract was 25 pages, allocating lifetime ownership of all music works to Eezeetee and couched in a manner intended to perpetually have Minister Mercy in servitude.

 

OTHER ISSUES

 

 

Eezeetee, in the continued onerous act, doctored reports received from Symphonic, Africori, and YouTube by not declaring the correct revenue split to be paid out to Minister Mercy. He brought documents in the mid years of the contract that she needs to sign to help recover her revenue from publishing as song writer. Yet, he falsely listed himself as the writer of all her songs, to receive revenues as both writer and producer. He refused to remit her a penny from the publishing revenue for the past seven years, from inception till date and Minister Mercy didn’t make it an issue. He did not remit his ‘choiced’ 50% of the Digital Streams earnings from 2022 to 2024 — a complete two years.

 

 

Eezeetee claimed he has paid her over $600,000; that couldn’t have been the reason for the issues. Minister Mercy recorded and released almost 40 songs with him. Whatever he has remitted to her is from the 50% ratio, and she has never complained about the percentage.

 

AFTER THE CONTRACT

 

Minister Mercy made significant efforts to record an additional album before the expiration of her contract. She had clear instructions on the songs, wrote them down and sent a list to Eezeetee, requesting a recording schedule. However, his responses were dismissive, with one reply stating, “Na you dey teach me work now,” and another time, indicating he was too busy at the time.

 

 

After the original contract, which spanned from 2017 to 2022, had expired, Eezeetee insisted that the contract be extended. He justified this by citing the fact that a third album had not been recorded, referencing a questionable contract clause from 2019.

 

APOSTLE ANSELEM’S MADUBUKO INTERVENTION

 

Apostle Anselem attempted to help resolve the matter on several occasions. We were advised to forgive and forget, and we happily did. Eezeetee was told to remit Minister Mercy’s due, and everyone agreed on an independent audit. A neutral auditor was appointed. The audit was about to start when Eezeetee pulled out and refused to comply further on the excuse that his lawyer was not at the meeting where the audit was agreed upon. The auditor had to resign for lack of cooperation. Having seen the volume of revenue coming, he had to manipulate a new contract.

 

FORGERY AND DIVERSION INVESTIGATION

 

 

At the EFCC investigation panel in 2024, with all parties present and their lawyers, it was established that the sum of USD 274,000 had been unlawfully retained and diverted by Eezeetee from digital platform revenues reviewed as at then. Eezeetee claimed Minister Mercy had asked him to help keep part of the revenue to avoid mismanagement and that he was holding the remaining to ensure reconciliation before releasing the payment. He stated there was no intention to steal. He was understood. The money was recovered peacefully.

 

Eezeetee now admitted at the EFCC office for very first time that there were two contracts, the original signed in 2017 and another he introduced two years after the actual contract had been signed. He, however, appealed that the matter be settled amicably in peace. He started crying and preached peace. Minister Mercy broke down emotionally also in tears. There was forgiveness and reconciliation.

 

The Legal Practitioner representing Mr. Eezeetee, Dapo Akinosun SAN, Senior Partner at Simmons Cooper Partners admonished that parties should settle as Christian family. Eezeetee apologized in tears to Minister Mercy, and reconciliation was encouraged. Parties settled, and the learned silk encouraged that a settlement agreement be prepared and signed afterward.

 

A draft agreement was prepared and sent to us by the Learned Silk representing Eezeetee, outlining terms aimed at amicably resolving the matter. After reviewing the draft, we provided our input to address certain terms and awaited the signing of the final settlement agreement. However, upon following up with the Learned Silk, the last response remained that we should wait.

 

COURT CASE

 

Just as we were waiting for Eezeetee to finalize the settlement peacefully by signing, we were told that Eezeetee had engaged a new lawyer and had now taken the matter to court. Eezeetee was the one who filed a court case against Mercy Chinwo and Judikay separately, in suit referenced – LMDC/09-24/289/WI-M. The same Eezeetee pushed the false report of Minister Mercy taking him to court for a catalogue to mislead the public and draw sentiments or pity to him.

 

He filed another suit in court against the EFCC for investigating the allegations. We latter heard that he has been charged for fraud by EFCC, a warrant of arrest issued for him to be compelled to appear before the court.

 

FINAL SETTLEMENT

 

Minister Mercy firmly believes that the Lord has settled her and wiped away her tears, reaffirming her position that these issues are not beyond resolution. However, Eezeetee should tell the world as he has been doing, what happened to the 2017 contract she signed in Port Harcourt? What is the reason behind the introduction of a new Lagos-based contract in 2019? Why was the document forged? and why has he refused to inform the public about the true state of the two contracts.

 

Minister Mercy deeply appreciates your prayers, love, and continued support during this time.

 

SIGNED:

Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq.

Solicitors and Attorneys-at-Law to Minister Mercy Chinwo

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