Linda Ikeji | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Linda Ifeoma Ikeji 19 September 1980 [1] |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupations | |
| Website | lindaikejisblog.com |
Linda Ifeoma Ikeji (born 19 September 1980) is a Nigerian blogger, writer, entrepreneur, and former model. [1] [2] She is known for her blog and controversial online publications. [3]
Ikeji was born and raised in a Catholic family in Nkwerre, Imo State, Southeast Nigeria. She is the second child. She began writing at the age of 10. She completed her secondary school education at the age of 17 and at 18, enrolled at the University of Lagos, where she studied English language. To assist her family and support herself through school, she held part-time jobs as a waitress, model, and writer. [4]
Ikeji graduated from the university in 2004. In 2006, she started blogging as a hobby. At that time, the internet was not as prominent in Nigeria, and she had to make her posts at a cybercafé. [5] [6]
Ikeji started blogging in 2006. [7] She became an active blogger in 2007 using a blogger sub-domain lindaikeji.blogspot.com and later obtained her domain, www.lindaikejisblog.com. [8] She also ventured into online radio broadcasting. The station is operated from the Linda Ikeji Media Office. Some of its programmes are broadcast live on Linda Ikeji TV. [9] [10]
Ikeji also opened a music platform known as LindaIkeji Music which was launched on 21 November 2016, but it became dormant three months after the Launch. [11] She introduced a social networking platform named Linda Ikeji Social, operating on the domain name LindaIkejiSocial.com. Ikeji runs a non-profit project themed "I'd rather be self-made; No thanks". In her interview with HipTV, she revealed that through the project, she assists young girls aged 16–25 who have great business ideas and are willing to venture into entrepreneurship. She gave out the sum of ₦10,000,000 in Phase 1 of the project. [5]
In 2023, Ikeji made her debut into the Nigerian film production, by producing her first movie titled Dark October which centered on the Aluu Four lynching story. [12]
In August 2012, Forbes Africa dedicated itself to celebrating African women that month's issue. In that issue, Forbes profiled Africa's 20 Most Prominent Women and the issue featured profiles on two young Nigerian women: Linda Ikeji, as well as Chibundu Onuzo. [13] The name Linda Ikeji was the most searched item by users of Google in Nigeria. [14] Ikeji shares new year resolution for 2020. [15]
Ikeji was interviewed by BBC on their Focus on Africa programme. [16] The interview aired on 25 September 2012. [17]
On 8 August 2018, Linda Ikeji was among eminent personalities drawn from different countries across multiple disciplines who were conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degree from Trinity International University in Georgia for her outstanding job in Business and Media in Africa. [18] Others conferred includes Steve Egboro, Nigerian filmmaker and event manager, Chairman Daily Times Newspaper, Dr. Fidelis Anosike, Dr. Obeahon Ohiwerei, GMD/ CEO of Keystone Bank Limited, renowned lawyer Mike Ozekhome and few others. [19] [20]
Ikeji has dealt with controversial posts which include the #SaveMayowa Campaign and also about celebrities such as Funke Akindele, Richard Mofe Damijo, Djimon Honsou, Wizkid and Tonto Dikeh. [21] [22] [23] [24] She also made controversial publications about politician Doyin Okupe who described the publications as defamatory. [25]
Ikeji's blog was shut down on 8 October 2014 but restored on 10 October 2014 around midnight by Google for undisclosed reasons. Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google's West Africa spokesperson, said: "We take violations of policies very seriously as such activities diminish the experience for our users. When we are notified of the existence of content that may violate our Terms of Service, we act quickly to review it and determine whether it actually violates our policies. If we determine that it does, we remove it immediately." [26]
Ikeji revealing that she was pregnant was quite controversial as several ladies who looked up to her were disappointed at the fact that she preached celibacy and went ahead to get pregnant [27]
In 2018, the online editor for the Punch Newspaper , John Abayomi, threatened to file a lawsuit against Ikeji for untrue story about him being the owner of instablog9ja. He also claimed the publication puts his life and that of his family in danger. [28]
Ikeji says she and her son's father Sholaye Jeremi are not suitable partners. She took to her blog to detail reasons why her relationship with her son's father, whom she met in December 2015, didn't work out nice as expected. [29]
| Awards | Year | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria Blog Awards NBA | 2013 | Best Entertainment Blog [30] |
| Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards | 2013 | Website/blog of the year [31] |
Iniobong Edo Ekim is a veteran Nigerian actress from Akwa Ibom State. Ini Edo began her film career in 2000, and has featured in more than 200 movies since her debut. In 2013, Ini Edo was a judge for the Miss Black Africa UK Pageant and De9jaSpirit Talent Hunt. In 2014, Miss Ini Edo was appointed by the United Nations as a United Nations Habitat Youth Envoy.
Munachi Abii is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, model, actress and beauty pageant titleholder. She performs under the name Muna. She is the winner of Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 2007. She is Igbo and hails from Imo state.
Helen Paul is a Nigerian comedian, singer, and actress. She is also a stand-up comedian, known as Tatafo, characterized by a voice range that makes her sound like a child.
Chude Jideonwo is a Nigerian TV host, filmmaker and media entrepreneur.
Japheth Joshua Omojuwa is a Nigerian writer, political commentator and social media expert. A columnist with The Punch newspaper, Leadership newspaper and Naij.com, Omojuwa's articles have appeared on CNN, This Day and other platforms. His works have been translated into German, French, Portuguese and Greek.
The Netng also known as NET is an online entertainment news organisation based in Lagos, Nigeria. It is a leading source of African entertainment, fashion and lifestyle news. Netng formed part of NET Newspaper Limited (NNL) until 2019 when it was acquired by ID Africa. Netng is the organiser of NECLive and the NET Honours.
Legit.ng, also known as Legit News is a Nigerian digital media and news platform run by Naij.com Media Limited, part of Legit (ex-GMEM).
Shaffy Bello is a Nigerian film actress and singer. She first shot into the entertainment scene when she featured vocals in a 1997 hit song by Seyi Sodimu titled "Love Me Jeje".
Tosin "OloriSuperGal" Ajibade is a Nigerian known for her lifestyle and entertainment website, OloriSuperGal.com and recently her personal website, TosinAjibade.com. She is also the organizer of the New Media Conference that is held annually in Nigeria.
Oladotun Ojuolape Kayode is a Nigerian on-air personality, video jockey, actor and media entrepreneur, popularly known as Do2dtun. After pioneering a dance group called Xtreme dancers while in the university and featuring in music videos like Same Ni by Dj Zeez, Dotun came to wider prominence as a TV and radio personality, hosting shows and concerts.
Caroline Samuel, better known as Maheeda, is a Nigerian singer, nude model and former prostitute. According to her, she began her musical career as a hip hop singer but became a gospel singer after becoming "born again". She is widely known for sharing raunchy photos on Instagram and making controversial remarks on issues and have been censored from the social media site on several occasions. In 2014, she released her debut gospel track, "Concrete Love", which she noted was inspired by the love of God towards her.
Kehinde Olorunyomi is a Nigerian actress and screenwriter, and filmmaker notable for her role in the defunct soap opera DOMINO and several screenplays.
Matse Uwatse, popularly known by her first name Matse, is a Nigerian on-air personality and food blogger.
Adejumoke Aderounmu 26 March 1984 – 6 or 7 April 2024) was a Nigerian actress. She is best known for playing roles like Esther And Kelechi in the popular Nollywood TV series Jenifa's Diary and Industreet, Jummy Adams in Nollywood's film Alakada 2 (2013) alongside Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham, Odunlade Adekola, Linda Ejiofor, Falz, Juliana Olayode, and Omotunde Adebowale David (Lolo).
Isaac Emokpae is a Nigerian visual artist, painter, and photographer. His work is defined by duality and is known for its expressionist and surrealist features.
Olasunkanmi Rehanat Alonge, better known by her stage name Sunkanmi, is a Nigerian songwriter and singer; Sunkanmi rose to recognition in 2015 when she released "For Body", a song which had her enlisting the collaborative effort of a popular Nigerian musician by name Olamide. She is currently signed to Hit The Ground Records under which she has released numerous singles.
Ugwu Lotachukwu Jacinta Obianuju Amelia is a Nigerian actress popularly known as Lota Chukwu. She gained popularity after starring in popular Nigerian television series Jenifa's Diary, alongside Funke Akindele, Juliana Olayode and Falz, in which she plays the role of "Kiki", a friend of the lead character, Jenifa. She is also a yoga fitness enthusiast.
Lorenzo Menakaya is a Nigerian on-air personality, actor, event host, filmmaker and singer. He received nominations for On-Air Personality (OAP) of the year at The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) 2011 and 2012; and he won the award of Outstanding Radio Presenter at the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards 2016. He also hosted the Africa Movie Academy Awards, 2019.
Miss Africa Great Britain is a beauty pageant open to African women resident in the United Kingdom. The winner becomes a goodwill ambassador for Miss Africa Great Britain, charged with designing and implementing a charity program based on her Pageant Platform.
Layole Oyatogun is a Nigerian broadcaster, actress, compere and public relations manager. She is the daughter of late veteran broadcaster Walter Oyatogun.
{{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)