Famous Nigerian Families in Showbiz

THERE is no hiding place for the golden fish is a saying that applies not only to golden fishes but to the children of the rich and famous. Most celebrity children grow up in the limelight under the watchful eyes of the public and through photos and videos that their famous parents share on social media.

But some famous children are popular in their own right. Some of them are now as popular, if not more popular than their famous parents. Entertainment is the biggest sector where most of these famous showbiz families can be found.

Some of these families from generations to generations act in the biggest movies, walk the red carpet at topnotch award ceremonies and have a huge following. It appears that these famous showbiz families have passed the fame gene on from one generation to the next. Some of famous showbiz families include ‘Ade Love’ ( Adeyemi  Afolayan’s) children-Kunle, Gabriel,  Moji  and Aremu;  the  Edochies; the  Kosokos; the Salamis (Oga Bello); the Amatas; Art Alades; the Ejiwunmis; the Olaiyas; Justus Esiris and the Otedolas.

So, take this journey with us and let us meet the kids who got the family torches and ran with them.

The Amatas

The late John Amata, father of showbiz stars: Fred, Zack, Ruke and Mena, was a famous Nigerian filmmaker.  The family is like a movie factory, which has produced some of the country’s biggest producers, actors and directors.  And the siblings have kept the family’s flag flying.

The Otedolas

The former governor of Lagos State, the late Sir Micheal Otedola, was the father of popular businessman, philanthropist and immediate past chairman of Forte Oil, Femi Otedola. In his lifetime, Pa Otedola was a conservative publicity-shy Catholic. But his son, Femi and grandchildren now hug the limelight in a classy, non-fussy way. They include Olawunmi Christy, Temi Odetola, a fashion blogger and social media personality, who is in a relationship with popular singer and entrepreneur Mr. Eazi; and showbiz DJ and singer, DJ Cuppy who is not just popular on the music scene but commands a large following on social media.

The Art Alades

One of Nigeria’s showbiz impresarios, legendary Nigerian MC and Nigerian jazz music pioneer, Art Alade, was the father of multi-talented artiste, Dare Art Alade, popularly known as Darey.  Art Alade was a Nigerian television personality and producer, who was the host of The Bar Beach Show, a weekly variety show on NBC-TV that aired during the 1970s. Darey, a successful musician in his own right, has kept the flag flying.

The Afolayans

Kunle, Gabriel, Aremu and Moji Afolayan are the children of the late cinema icon, Adeyemi Afolayan, popular known as Ade Love, who dominated the big screen in the 70s and 80s.  His children are stars in the movie industry. The highly talented and sought-after four have made the world theirs just as their dad did.

The Falanas

For many years, the Falana name was synonymous with human rights activism and the law. Enter Falz. The multitalented artist is the son of renowned human rights activist parents, Funmi and Femi Falana (SAN). Falz’s rise to stardom is quite remarkable because he is not from a family with deep roots in entertainment. But the artiste, one of the industry’s hardest workers, is now a dominant face in music, movies and the arts. In several ways, his music, which draws attention to the problems in the society, has been an extension of his father’s and mother’s human rights ‘ministry’.

The Edochies

Veteran actor and the dominant face in several epic movies, Pete Edochie, is the father of Linc and Yul. The elder Edochie became famous for his spectacular performance as Okwonkwo, the protagonist of Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”, which has been adjudged many times as one of Africa’s greatest novels. Linc Edochie, the elder brother of Yul, is a multiple talent- filmmaker, movie producer, actor and supervisor. While the younger brother, Yul, has starred in many hit movies.

Adebayo Salami’s (Oga Bello’s) children,

Femi and Tope, followed in their father’s, veteran actor’s footsteps. They are both A-list actors. Oga Bello, as their father is fondly called by many of his admirers, is one of Nigeria’s most successful and accomplished actors.

The Esiris

Justus Esiri had more than 100 TV and film credits before he passed on in 2013. His son, Sidney Onoriode, widely known as Dr. Sid, a singer, songwriter and dentist, is making his mark in the music industry. Dr. Sid has been nominated for and has won several awards; just like his father did years before.

The Dairos

Viewers got to know notable Nigerian Jùjú musician Isaiah Kehinde Dairo’s son, Paul IK Dairo, after the former’s death

The Aluwes

Notable comedian, Sunday Omobolanle, popularly known as Papi Luwe, his wife, Peju Ogunmola, and son, Sunkanmi Omobolanle, also make one of the famous families in showbiz.

The Peters

Juju superstar, Sir Shina Peters, and screen goddess, Clarion Chukwura, are the parents of ace music video director, filmmaker and cinematographer, Clarence Peters.

The Kosokos

Sola and Bidemi are the daughters of superstar actor, Prince Jide Kosoko. Sola is an actress and director. Bidemi is an actress. Both of them are stars in their own right.

The Rays

Muka, Murphy, Lasun and Mama Ray are the children and spouses of Eyinwunmi Ray, who was a great pioneer of the Yoruba theatre industry before moving to home video. And they are doing very well.

Source: The Nation Newspapers