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Why I Chose Acting Over Sports, Dele Odule Reveals

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Dele Odule

Veteran Nollywood actor, Dele Odule, in this interview with EBENEZER BAJELA talks about his passion for table tennis, his love for the Super Eagles and more

How do you relax when you are not on set acting?

I am a table tennis player and I play a little bit of it even though I am not a professional player but I know the game and when people see me play they know that I am good at it. I am not a football fan at all but that is not to say that I do not know what football is all about because I went to a teacher’s college and before graduating, Physical and Health Education was a compulsory subject, so I have a knowledge of football and other sports but the one I play effectively is table tennis.

Apart from table tennis, what other sport do you love?

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I played volleyball for Ogun State. Volleyball was a game I played when I was in the teacher’s college and I played till the state level and I represented Ogun State in the early 80s. That is the only sport I will say I effectively took part in when I was much younger but occasionally I still play table tennis.

A lot of our readers will recall seeing you in the movie ‘Ti Oluwa N’ile’ where you displayed your table tennis skills as a king. Why didn’t you make a career out of it?

I couldn’t do the two at the same time. I have chosen theatre and I think I am comfortable with that. I started acting even before I went to the teacher’s training college. Immediately after my modern school I started acting and it was because I love to be well-read that I went to the teacher’s training college as an alternative to the secondary school that I should have gone to, It was when I got to the college that I developed all the likeness for sports because it was compulsory that you get yourself involved in PHE.

Did you ever put in for any competition and won medal?

I never put in for any competition because it was all just for fun for me.

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Who will you rate as the best table tennis player this country has ever produced?

For me, I think I will say Waheed Ekun, he is very old now and there is also another player with the name Musa from Benue but I can’t remember his other name. For the female, I will go for Kehinde Okenla from Ogun State. Aruna Quadri is another great player who has been making the country proud. I may not know much about the young generation but I know a lot about Aruna Quadri and it is my love for table tennis that made me still know about him.

How did your love for table tennis start?

You know as a child we put benches together to play table tennis and because it was more fun, that was how I developed an interest, I later had the opportunity to play on a better surface and that was how I got better at that game. It is until recently that I don’t have table tennis kits at home anymore. I have always had the table and the kits but it looks like theatre has taken the better part of my time and I don’t have time for it but when I visit friends or go to places where I see table tennis I still joined to play.

You said you are not a big fan of football, does that means you don’t watch the Super Eagles when they play?

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It is like asking me if I am interested when Yoruba culture is on display, I do watch the Super Eagles whenever they play because I am always interested in them even though I may not be able to stay abreast of their activities but the moment I learned they are playing I try to watch them. I am passionately in love with my country, passionately in love with my state and my town. I love Nigeria more than any other country and that is why I will not leave Nigeria for any other country. I pray that I don’t have any reason to relocate to another country and I will never do that.

The Eagles were once rated among the best football nation in the world but the last FIFA rankings saw us drop to 40th. How does this make you feel?

I think the problem with this is that we rely too much on overseas-based players and the bitter truth is that they will not put in their best. I am confident that the home-based players will put in more effort because they want to protect their country. During the era of Mudashiru Lawal, Segun Odegbami, they were in Nigeria and not overseas-based players and the passion was there because they wanted to make their country proud. When you travel abroad to go and beg a player to play for the country, there is a limit to what he will deliver unlike those born and raised here.

I can use myself as a case study when we wanted to shoot ‘Ti Oluwa N’ile’ some 30 years ago, they said they needed a young king that will deliver effective and I told them I was the right man for the job because they also wanted to bring someone in for the same role. If we can reduce the over-reliant on oversea-based players and get a good technical person I believe we will get our football back on track.

Nigeria seems to still be relying on the old hands in major tournaments, what do you think should be done to nurture talents?

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My candid opinion is that sports should be put in the school curriculum and it has to be enforced. I equally laugh at some people when they say we are depending on old people to get things done but we shouldn’t forget that the old ones started when they were young. This new generation is an era where babies are parenting babies and a generation when the younger ones are not ready to do anything. Muammadu Buhari was 22 years when he became a platoon commander and to date, he is still there because those that should take over are not ready and doing fraud. That is the same problem with our sports and that is why it has to be introduced into the school curriculum and should be enforced. That is the only way we can discover talent.

When I was in a teacher’s training college, there was something we called intercollegiate and it was a yearly event in the country and that was how some top athletes were discovered but today I doubt if there are any competitions within the secondary schools. All these activities need to be reintroduced and students must take part in one sport to enable them to collect their certificate.

Your friend and colleague Jide Kosoko said he once played street football with Haruna Ilerika but no longer goes near the football and you are saying you hardly play table tennis…

(cuts in) Old age has a way of depriving you of doing sports and that is why it is almost impossible when you get to a certain stage in life. Even our own profession is an exercise on its own. Right now I am driving to a location and changing of costumes can be demanding because you keep bending down and standing up. Sports and acting have a lot in common.

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Portable slams Saheed Osupa for removing song over copyright dispute

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Portable Saheed Osupa copyright dispute

Portable criticises Saheed Osupa for reporting his song over copyright issues, sparking a viral rant on social media

 

Controversial Nigerian singer Portable has sparked a heated dispute with veteran Fuji musician Saheed Osupa, accusing him of taking down his song from major streaming platforms over copyright infringement.

The altercation began when Osupa reportedly raised concerns over Portable using a line from one of his songs without permission, prompting the removal of the track from Spotify and Apple Music.

In a viral Instagram video posted on Wednesday, Portable lashed out at the veteran Fuji artist, expressing his frustration over the incident. “Saheed Osupa, you are big for nothing. If you can’t embrace me, I will drag you,” he declared, addressing the alleged snub and criticism from Osupa.

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The issue arose when Portable incorporated a line from Osupa’s song into his own music, which led to Osupa filing a copyright complaint.

According to reports, Osupa and his distributors objected to the use of the sample, ultimately resulting in the track’s removal from popular streaming platforms.

Portable, who is known for his unapologetic and controversial public persona, went on to compare the incident with a similar situation involving another prominent musician, Pasuma.

“The same way I used a line from your music is the same way I removed three verses from Pasuma’s song. But Pasuma never reported my song,” Portable said, indicating that Pasuma had taken a more supportive approach despite the music overlap.

In his rant, Portable also praised Pasuma, calling him a “good man” for embracing him, unlike Osupa, who he described as a “big for nothing fellow.”

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He emphasised the differences in how the two artists had responded to similar situations, contrasting Pasuma’s willingness to collaborate and support him with Osupa’s decision to challenge his use of the sampled lyrics.

Portable’s comments have since sparked widespread debate on social media, with fans and critics alike weighing in on the copyright issue and the dynamics of support within the Nigerian music industry.

While some agree with Portable’s stance, others argue that artists have the right to protect their intellectual property.

The ongoing clash between Portable and Saheed Osupa highlights the complexities of copyright law in the music industry and the challenges artists face when it comes to collaboration and permission.

It also raises questions about the role of established musicians in nurturing and supporting younger, emerging talents.

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As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the two artists will come to a resolution or whether the tension will escalate further, continuing to fuel discussions within the Nigerian music scene.

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Lady Gaga slams ageism in pop music industry at 2025 iHeartRadio music awards

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Lady Gaga ageism

At the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, Lady Gaga criticised ageism in pop music, declaring that being in her late 30s should not be seen as “old” for a pop star

 

American singer Lady Gaga has strongly criticized the ageism prevalent in the pop music industry, particularly the idea that women in their late 30s are considered “old” for a pop star.

The 38-year-old superstar made this bold statement while accepting the Innovator Award at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 17, 2025.

Reflecting on her career during the award acceptance speech, Gaga expressed how difficult it was to fathom receiving an honour at the age of 38. She challenged the industry’s narrow perception of age, especially for women in the spotlight.

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“I don’t know totally how to think about this because winning an award honouring my entire career at 38 years old is a hard thing to get my head around,” Gaga said.

“The world might consider a woman in her late 30s old for a pop star, which is insane, but I promise you I’m just getting warmed up,” she added, making it clear that her journey in music was far from over.

Gaga’s comments sparked conversations about the unrealistic standards imposed on women in the music industry, especially regarding their age. Her powerful words continue to challenge the stereotypes that often limit the careers of women as they age.

In other news from the iHeartRadio Music Awards, Nigerian singers Burna Boy and Tems, who were nominated for the inaugural World Artist Of The Year award, lost out to South African artist Tyla.

Despite the loss, their nominations marked significant milestones for African music on the global stage.

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Honey Berry accuses singer Portable of threatening her life amid child custody dispute

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Portable Honey Berry child custody threat

Honey Berry accuses Portable of threatening her life in an ongoing child custody dispute, claiming her son has nothing to learn from him

 

In a dramatic turn of events, Honey Berry, the third baby mama of Nigerian singer Portable, has publicly accused the singer of threatening her life amid their ongoing child custody dispute. The controversy dates back to January 2023, when Berry initially accused Portable of neglecting their son, Akorede Badmus.

The latest outburst came on Monday when Berry took to Instagram to share a threatening message allegedly sent to her by the singer. According to Berry, Portable’s words were not only aggressive but a direct threat to her safety.

In her post, she urged the public to hold the controversial singer accountable should anything happen to her or their son.

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Berry’s statement highlighted her belief that Portable’s behaviour and lifestyle offered no positive examples for their child. “My son has nothing to learn from you,” she stated, criticising Portable for his perceived neglect and lack of responsibility.

This was a sharp response to Portable’s claims that he had not seen his son in two years but had previously sent money for his upkeep.

The singer’s alleged message to Berry included the words: “Bring my son before I make life tire you. Hope you get a lawyer. I no see my son for two years now.

I dey sent food money before, but as you no bring my son how you go collect money again. Bring my son before I say make them dey look for you.”

Firing back at Portable, Honey Berry was quick to label his message as a direct threat, stating: “You stated that you want nothing to do with me and my son. If you do not want misfortune in your life, don’t ever threaten me again.”

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Berry further warned the singer that any harm that befalls her or their son should be attributed to him. She also declared, “If you go low, I will go lower. If you bring fire to my door, I will bring hell to yours.”

Despite the tension, Berry made it clear that if Portable truly wanted a relationship with his son, he should not be selective about when he chooses to act as a father. She added:

“Even if you want a relationship with your son, you don’t pick or choose when you want to be a father. My son has nothing to learn from you. The evidence full ground.”

This public dispute between Honey Berry and Portable has raised serious concerns about the singer’s behaviour and his involvement in his child’s life. While Berry insists that her son deserves better, the custody battle is likely to continue as tensions escalate between the two.

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