In this article, Platinum Times Nigeria runs through a list of top 10 Celebrities who are indigenes of Kogi State, Nigeria.
Kogi State is among the 36 states in Nigeria located in North Central geopolitical zone of the country.
Its capital city is Lokoja and it lies at the confluence of River Niger and River Benue.
The State houses the Ebira, Igala, Kupa-Nupe, Tiv , Bini/ Edo ethnic groups. It was created out of Kwara/Benue State on August 27th 1991.
The state is known to share boundaries with ten other states in the country and also for “the Okene” cloth, woven with rich thread into exquisite styles of varying colours.
Kogi State is rich in mineral resources like coal which is found mostly in the Okaba district of Ankpa Local Government Area.
Over 90,000 people inhabit this state and they belong to the different ethnic groups in the State.
Despite the state’s young age, it has produced very important personalities in diverse field of endeavor.
Below is a list of these important personalities who are natives of Kogi State.
Summary of top 10 celebrities from Kogi State
- Dino Melaye
- Olorunleke Ojo
- Mercy Johnson
- Ilebaye
- Joseph Benjamin
- Esther Audu
- Halima Abubakkar
- Dare Art Alade
- Praise Ugbede Adejo
- Tunde Ednut
Dino Melaye
Dino Melaye is a successful politician who hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
He was a former Senator and representative of Kogi West Senatorial district in the 8th national Assembly. He was born on 10th January, 1974 in Kano State and has a degree in Geography from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Olorunleke Ojo
Olorunleke Oluwasegun Ojo is another public figure from Kogi State. He is a professional Footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Enyinmba and the Nigeria national team.
He was born in 15th August, 1995 and began his career in 2013 and has played for different football teams. He is married to Tosin Ojo and he has a family with her.
Mercy Johnson
Popular Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson Okojie is another indigene of Kogi State. She was born on August 28th, 1984 in Okene, Kogi State.
She is an actress, movie producer and director who has received several awards for her outstanding groles in movies.
She has featured in movies like Hustlers, The Maid, Baby Oku in America War in the palace, Dumebi amongst others.
She is married to Prince Odianosen Okojie and is a brand Ambassador of Hollandia Evap milk and Pennek Nigeria Limited.
Ilebaye
Ilebaye Precious Odiniya, winner of the Big Brother Naija season 8 has her ancestral roots in Kogi State.
She was born on 9th May 2001 in Okpo, Olamaboro local government area in Kogi state, she belongs to the Igala tribe.
She began featuring in TV series like Papa Ajasco, Super Story and Binta & Friends before she became famous.
She is a graduate of Criminology from Salem University, Lokoja.
Joseph Benjamin
Joseph Benjamin is a Nollywood actor, model, siinger and television presenter from Kogi State.
He is known for being a co-host in MTN Project Fame, he also received the African Actor of the Year award at the 2012 African Film Awards.
He was born on 9th November, 1977 and he schooled at the United States of America. Some of his movies includes Tango with me, Murder at Prime suites, Married but living single etc.
Esther Audu
Esther Ene Audu is another Nollywood actress who hails from Kogi State. She is married to Philip Ojire and became famous after featuring in movies like Inikpi, Dinner, Mystified and Order of the Ring.
She was born on March 22nd 1982 in Lagos State to a retired military officer. She is a graduate of Business Management from the University of Jos, Plateau State.
Halima Abubakkar
Halima Abubakar is an actress and CEO of Modehouse Entertainment, a music label and entertainment management company.
She was born on 12th June,1985 in Kano State but hails from Kogi State. She began acting in 2001 when he featured in Rejected and then Gangster Paradise.
She received the Afro Hollywood Best Actress award and has a degree in Sociology from Bayero University, Kano State.
Dare Art Alade
Dare Art Alade is a singer, songwriter and record producer who hails from Kohgi state. He was born in Lagos State on February 9th, 1982 to an african Jazz Musician, entertainer and creative director of Livespot360, Art Alade.
Dare began singing at an early age before joining Cool FM, a radio station where he honed his career.
He has a degree in Music after which he worked as a radio, TV personality and Music Coach. He has also anchored TV shows like Project Fame West Africa, Nigerian Idol, and The Voice Nigeria.
He is the co-founder of Livespot360, a creative agency that organises several festivals and concerts.
Praise Ugbede Adejo
Praise Ugbede Adejo, popularly known as Praiz is an award-winning singer, songwriter and producer from Kogi State.
He hails from the Igala descent in the state and was born on March 8th, 1985 . He has a National Diploma in Computer Science after graduating from Kaduna Polytechnic.
He is signed to Cicada Music where he released his hit singles like “Rich and Famous”, “Sisi” and “I Love You”. He contributed guest vocals to Bez’s 2011 single “That Stupid Song”; the music video for the song mentioned was the first African video to make a world premiere on BET’s 106 & Park.
Tunde Ednut
Tunde Olaoluwa Adekunle, famously called Tunde Ednut is a blogger, comedian, entertainer and Musician from Kogi State. He was born in Katsina State on 20th January, 1986 and has a degree in Graphic design from the Kingsland University, London.
He is a prominent blogger and is noted for his blog songs like Jingle Bell” and “Catching Cold”. He is also noted for supportiing young comedians and artists like Ugoccie, Aloma Isaac Junior, Sydney Talker, and Kiriku to posts their skits on his blog.