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Podcasts have become a staple in the social media space, with many entertainers hosting different ones to interview fellow entertainers. However, one notable feature of most of the podcasts is the controversies they have generated. As a result of the outlandish claims made on some of those podcasts, many have even opined that they should be scrapped.
Naomi Chima takes a look at some of the outrageous and contentious statements that have emanated from such platforms
Honest Bunch
Undoubtedly, one of the most prominent podcasts at the moment, the Honest Bunch Podcast is hosted by a popular on-air personality, Chinedu Emmanuel, aka Nedu; and three others — Deity Cole, Husband Material and Ezinne.
Several top entertainers have graced the podcast, and have made several controversial statements.
While appearing as a guest on the show, an actor, Kunle Remi, alleged that a male celebrity proposed to ‘disvirgin’ and help him become successful in the industry.
He said, “This guy sells the whole ‘fruity’ thing to me in a big way. He paints a picture that if I don’t bend my bum over, I won’t make it.”
An actress, Monalisa Stephen, also appeared on the show and stated that she often got oral sex from her ex-boyfriend during her menstrual flow. She said, “My boyfriend used to go down on me when I was on my period. The first time he did it, I did not know what he was trying to pull. Then he did it again and again.”
Popular comedian, Basketmouth, as a guest on the show, addressed his long-standing beef with another comedian, Ayo Makun, claiming that they were never friends.
He said, “He (AY) did something, and that did not even annoy me, because I was expecting him to do it. I just used that opportunity to give am space.
“So, it’s not like our friendship soured. There was never a time (that we were friends). I did not invite him to my wedding.”
One of the show’s hosts, Nedu also courted controversy when he stated that most BBNaija contestants had nothing else to offer but sex.
He said, “The Big Brother participants are hungry folks. The show takes people from the bottom to the top very fast, but there is no substance to hold onto. Most of them only have sex to offer. They intentionally go on the show just to get ‘customers’.”
Buttressing Nedu’s claim, a former BBN winner, WhiteMoney alleged that many female BBN contestants usually asked him to hook them up with his rich friends.
Some weeks ago, a singer, Joshua Iniyezo, aka Solid Star, also revealed that at the height of his battle with drug addiction, he was admitted to the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos at two different times.
Toke Moments
Another popular on-air personality and socialite, Toke Makinwa, is no doubt one of the top lifestyle enthusiasts in the country.
On her podcast, Toke Moments, she has interviewed quite a number of popular figures, including Funke Akindele, Ini Edo; and controversial cross dresser, Bobrisky.
On one of the show’s episodes, actor, Deyemi Okanlawon, generated social media buzz when he stated that he viewed sex like food, and could indulge in it many times in a day/week.
He added that sex between couples should not have a timetable.
He said, “You need to be having sex every day… as much as you eat. There is no timetable for this thing.”
Rants, Bants and Confessions
This podcast was launched by a content creator, Ogechi Ukonu, aka Caramel Plug or Caramel Sugar; and two other influencers— Lydia and Maliya.
In one of the shows, one of the hosts stated that women usually had men to fulfil different needs in their lives.
She said, “Women have men for everything. They have the ones who’ll give them gifts, those who will just be there and sleep with them. So, if you are coming into a woman’s life, and you say, ‘I want you to be submissive, I want you to stroke my ego, I want you to do everything’, you have to make sure you are ticking all the boxes (of what the different men are doing for her).”
Expectedly, that statement caused an uproar on social media, with many bashing the host, and accusing her of presenting women as cheap gold diggers who had nothing but their bodies to offer in exchange for material support.”
Gold Room
Popular actress, Iyabo Ojo, is known to have a vibrant social media presence, as she constantly engages her fans online.
Her podcast called Gold Room also features discussions with celebrities. The first episode of the show featured Shaffy Bello. At another time, she also featured a content creator, Kiekie.
While appearing on the show, an actress, Olaide Oyedeji, also revealed to Ojo that her first baby daddy was far better than the second, a statement that revealed a lot about her life’s journey.
During the show, Ojo has also spoken about her background and the experiences that have shaped her into who she is today.
Talk to Biola
This podcast is hosted by an actress, and producer, Biola Adebayo.
Biola has had interesting personalities on her show including a fellow actress, Ronke Oshodi-Oke, who made shocking revelations about her marriage. The actress confessed that she would have been patient and prayed instead of leaving her earlier marriage.
An actress, Kudi Alagbo, also spoke about how she became a mother while still in secondary school during a session with Adebayo.
Bahd and Boujee
This podcast is hosted by a media personality, Moet Abebe; and an ex-BBN contestant, Tolani Baj.
During several episodes of the show, Abebe and Baj have made many controversial statements which attracted a lot of criticism on social media. Many social media users have accused the hosts of espousing wild and ludicrous beliefs during the show.
A former BBN housemate, Busayo Abiri, aka Khloe, also stirred the hornet’s nest during an appearance on the show. She had stated that women should not carry their natural hair to her events, rather they should wear wigs. Her statement did not go down well with Nigerians, as she was roundly criticised on social media.
In her defence, Khloe stated that the episode she appeared in was edited to suit the producers, who she claimed intentionally wanted to mar her image. She added, “May we never become victims of miscommunication. The media and those who control the narrative are truly not to be trusted.”
Other guests who have appeared on the show include Frank Edoho and Etim Effiong.
The Teju Babyface Deep Dive
Hosted by a comedian, actor and writer, Gbadewonuola Oyelakin, aka Teju Babyface, the Deep Dive Podcast has featured many entertainers, including Funsho Adeolu and Deyemi Okanlawon.
While appearing on the show, Adeolu stated that many Nollywood actresses were living above their means because they usually got money from men. Expectedly, his opinion attracted a lot of backlash online, as many people accused him of belittling hard-working women and their achievements in the industry.
