From Humble Beginnings: How These Esan Celebrities Made It Big

From Humble Beginnings: How These Esan Celebrities Made It Big

Esanland, a region in Edo State, Nigeria, has produced numerous talented individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields. 

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From the entertainment industry to sports, politics, and academia, these Esan celebrities have made a name for themselves not only in Nigeria but on a global scale. 

Many of them started from humble beginnings and worked hard to achieve success. 

In this listicle, we will explore the inspiring success stories of some of the most notable Esan celebrities who have made their mark in their respective fields. 

Join us as we celebrate their achievements and showcase the rich cultural heritage of Esanland.

Note: The list will updated consistently. Also, you are free to message us in case of omitted names. 

ESAN OYEE!!!

#1 Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen is a highly talented and dynamic football player known for his impressive performances on the pitch. 

He has won several awards and accolades for his skills, including the African Youth Player of the Year award in 2015. He is widely regarded as one of the best young football players in Africa.

Victor Osimhen was born on December 29, 1998, in Lagos, Nigeria to the family of Elder Patrick Isimhen, who hails from Esan south east local government area of Edo State

He grew up in Olusosun, a slum in Lagos, and started playing football at a young age. He attended the Ultimate Strikers Academy, a football academy in Lagos, where he honed his skills.

Not much is known about Victor Osimhen's education, but it is believed that he focused on his football career from a young age and did not pursue formal education.

Victor Osimhen began his professional football career in 2017, with the Bundesliga club, Wolfsburg. He later moved to Charleroi in Belgium, where he scored 20 goals in 36 appearances. 

In 2019, he signed with Lille in France, where he had a stellar season, scoring 18 goals in 38 appearances. In July 2020, he signed with Napoli in Italy for a club-record fee of €70 million. 

He has also represented the Nigerian national team since 2017 and has scored several goals for the team.

Not much is known about Victor Osimhen's family, but he has mentioned in interviews that he grew up in a humble background and that his parents were supportive of his football career.

Victor Osimhen's net worth is estimated to be around €16 million. He has earned his wealth from his career as a professional football player, and he is currently one of the highest-paid Nigerian football players.

Victor Osimhen is known for his philanthropic work and has donated to several charities and non-profit organizations, including the Lagos Food Bank Initiative and the EndSARS movement in Nigeria. 

He is also a devout Christian and has mentioned in interviews that his faith plays a significant role in his life and career.

#2 MC Allamano

MC Allamano

MC Allamano, whose real name is Solomon Okosun, is a talented Nigerian comedian, online content creator, and performing artist known for his unique style of comedy. He was born on February 16, 1987, in Egbele Uromi, Esan North East of Edo State, Nigeria, where he was also raised.

For his education, MC Allamano attended Okpujie primary school Uromi, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate, before proceeding to Agba grammar school and later Obhili secondary school for his West Africa Senior Citizenship Certificate. He later graduated from Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State Nigeria, where he studied Fashion Design and Technology.

MC Allamano's career in the entertainment industry began in 2004 in his hometown Uromi, where he performed at local shows and events. He has since gone on to perform at both local and international shows and events. He is known for his landlord skits as the "Enj oyment Landlord," where he humorously depicts the everyday situations between landlords and tenants.

Apart from his career as a comedian, MC Allamano is also a philanthropist and has been involved in various charitable activities, including buying off every stuff from children hawking in the market and asking them to go home for the day, feeding and clothing homeless children on the street, visiting and bringing food items, clothes, and other materials to over 10 orphanages homes, organizing food competitions on the street for the hungry to eat and win cash prizes, and more. He also founded the MC Allamano Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on empowering the youth and helping the less privileged in society.

He is married to his wife, Onome Okosun, and they have three daughters together.

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#3 Nancy Isime

Nancy Isime

Nancy Isime is a multi-talented Nigerian actress, model, and television presenter. Born on December 17, 1991, in Edo State, Nigeria, Nancy has made a name for herself in the Nigerian entertainment industry, with a career that spans over a decade. 

From starting out as a model and television presenter, to becoming an award-winning actress, Nancy has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. 

She is of Esan descent and grew up in Lagos. She lost her mother at a young age and was raised by her father and grandmother.

Nancy Isime attended the University of Lagos where she studied Social Work. She also attended the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) College, where she studied Journalism.

Nancy Isime began her career as a model, and in 2009, she won the Miss Valentine International beauty pageant. She then started working as a television presenter, hosting shows such as The Squeeze, and Hip TV's Trending. 

In 2011, she made her acting debut in the TV series Echoes, and has since appeared in several Nollywood movies, including A Trip to Jamaica, The Millions, and Made in Heaven. 

In 2019, she won the Best Actress in a Supporting Role award at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards for her role in the movie, Living in Bondage: Breaking Free.

Not much is known about Nancy Isime's family, but she has mentioned in interviews that she was raised by her father and grandmother after her mother passed away.

Nancy Isime is known for her philanthropic work, and has started the Nancy Isime Effect, an initiative that aims to help young girls achieve their dreams. She is also a brand ambassador for several companies, including Bet9ja, and is a co-host of The Voice Nigeria reality show.

#4 DJ Sose

DJ Sose

DJ Sose is a highly skilled and talented DJ known for his unique style of music and impressive performances. He is also a recording artist and has released several hit songs that have gained massive airplay across Nigeria and beyond. 

He is one of the most sought-after DJs in the Nigerian music industry, and he has performed at several high-profile events and concerts.

DJ Sose was born on August 5, 1981, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. He is of Nigerian and Hungarian descent. He grew up in Lagos and attended King's College, Lagos, for his secondary education. 

He later studied Computer Engineering at the University of Lagos but dropped out to pursue a career in music.

DJ Sose began his career as a DJ in 2005 and has since become one of the most sought-after DJs in Nigeria. He has performed at several high-profile events, including the Soundcity Music Video Awards, The Headies, and the MTV Africa Music Awards. 

He has also worked as a judge on several music reality shows, including Nigerian Idol and The Voice Nigeria. In addition to his career as a DJ, DJ Sose is also a recording artist and has released several hit songs, including "Arike", "Omo Naija", and "Bam Bam".

Not much is known about DJ Sose's family, as he has kept his personal life private. However, it is known that he is married and has a daughter.

DJ Sose is known for his unique style of music, which he calls "Genreless." He is also known for his unique appearance, as he always covers his face with a tattoo, which he says is a way to differentiate himself from other DJs.

#5 Odion Ighalo

Odion Ighalo

Odion Ighalo is a highly talented football player known for his impressive performances on the pitch. He has played for several high-profile clubs across Europe and Asia and has won several awards and accolades for his skills. He is widely regarded as one of the best Nigerian football players of all time.

Odion Ighalo was born on June 16, 1989, to the family Sir Paul Ighalo in Lagos, who is a native of Esan west local government area.

He grew up in the Ajegunle slum in Lagos, and started playing football at a young age. He attended the University of Lagos, where he studied Business Administration, but dropped out to focus on his football career.

Odion Ighalo began his professional football career in 2005, with the Nigerian club, Prime FC. He later moved to Norway, where he played for several clubs, including Lyn Oslo and Udinese in Italy. 

In 2014, he signed with Watford in England, where he had a stellar season, scoring 20 goals in 35 appearances. 

He later played for several high-profile clubs, including Manchester United in England and Shanghai Shenhua in China. In January 2021, he signed with Al-Shabab FC in Saudi Arabia.

Odion Ighalo is married to Sonia Ighalo, and they have three children together. His sister, Mary Atole, is also a professional football player and plays for Rivers Angels FC in Nigeria.

Odion Ighalo's net worth is estimated to be around $30 million. He has earned his wealth from his career as a professional football player, and he is one of the highest-paid Nigerian football players.

Odion Ighalo is known for his philanthropic work and has donated to several charities and non-profit organizations, including the Lagos Food Bank Initiative, the Ajegunle Foundation, and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). 

He is also a devout Christian and has mentioned in interviews that his faith plays a significant role in his life and career.

#6 Helen Paul

Helen Paul

Helen Paul is a highly talented and versatile entertainer known for her rib-cracking comedy, acting skills, and hosting abilities. She has won several awards and accolades for her talents, including the City People Entertainment Award for Comedian of the Year in 2014. She is widely regarded as one of the funniest and most talented female comedians in Nigeria.

Helen Paul was born on January 29, 1978, in Lagos State, Nigeria. She is the second child in a family of four children and grew up in Mushin, Lagos. She is from Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State. She attended the University of Lagos, where she studied Theatre Arts and later earned a master's degree in the same field.

Helen Paul began her career as a stand-up comedian, performing at various shows and events across Nigeria. She later transitioned to acting and has appeared in several Nollywood movies, including "The Return of Jenifa" and "Alakada Reloaded". 

She is also a television host and has worked as a presenter on several shows, including "Jara" and "Tatafo" on African Magic. In addition to her entertainment career, she is also a lecturer at the University of Lagos.

Helen Paul is married to Femi Bamisile, and they have three children together.

Helen Paul's net worth is estimated to be around $2 million. She has earned her wealth from her career as a comedian, actress, and television host.

Helen Paul is known for her philanthropic work and has donated to several charities and non-profit organizations, including the Helen Paul Foundation, which focuses on empowering young girls and women in Nigeria. She is also a recipient of the Nigerian Writers Award for Best Comedian of the Year in 2017.

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#7 Ehiz Dada Boy

Ehiz Dada Boy

Ehizojia "Ehiz" Okoeguale, also known as Ehiz Dada Boy, is a Nigerian television personality, video jockey (VJ), and model. 

Ehiz Dada Boy is a popular Nigerian television personality and model. He is known for his lively and engaging personality, and for his work as a VJ on the music channel, MTV Base. He has won several awards and accolades for his work in the entertainment industry.

Ehiz Dada Boy was born on October 4, 1986, in Lagos State, Nigeria. He grew up in Lagos and attended the University of Lagos, where he earned a degree in Computer Science.

Ehiz Dada Boy began his career as a model, working with several high-profile fashion brands in Nigeria. He later transitioned to television presenting and became a VJ on MTV Base, where he hosted several shows, including "Naija Top 10" and "MTV Bigger Friday Show". 

He has also worked as a presenter on several other shows, including "Nigerian Idol" and "The Voice Nigeria". In addition to his television work, he has also worked as a brand ambassador for several companies, including Pepsi and Hennessey.

There is limited information available about Ehiz Dada Boy's family.

Ehiz Dada Boy is known for his philanthropic work and has donated to several charities and non-profit organizations, including the Give a Girl Child a Future initiative, which focuses on providing educational opportunities for underprivileged girls in Nigeria. 

He is also a recipient of the Future Awards Africa Prize for On-Air Personality in 2013.

#8 Phyna

Phyna

Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, also known as Phyna, is a Nigerian actress, model, hype woman, entertainer, and reality TV star who won the seventh season of the Big Brother Naija show. She was born on June 2, 1997, in Lagos State, Nigeria, but hails from the Esan tribe in Edo State.

Phyna had her primary and secondary education in Edo State and is a graduate of Engineering from Auchi Polytechnic. Before joining the Big Brother Naija show, she was a commercial model and had started her career while in college, and was eventually signed by a modelling agency.

She entered the Big Brother Naija house as the tenth housemate in the Level Up season on July 23, 2022. During the season finale on October 2, 2022, Phyna was declared the winner of the show with 40.74% of the final votes, ahead of Bryann with 26.74% of the total votes cast. 

She was entitled to the ₦100,000,000 grand prize, making her the second female to win the show, three years after Mercy Eke won it.

#9 Alex Usifo

Alex Usifo

Alex Usifo is a Nigerian actor and academician who has made significant contributions to the Nigerian movie industry. 

Alex Usifo is a highly respected Nigerian actor who has appeared in over 200 Nollywood movies. He is known for his excellent acting skills and has won several awards for his performances. He is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished actors in Nigeria.

Alex Usifo was born on April 16, 1953, in Ewohimi, Edo State, Nigeria. He completed his secondary education at St. John Bosco's Grammar School, Ubiaja, Edo state after his primary education in Ibadan, Hawking fried fish and fruits to complement his parents’ meager earning. 

He attended the University of Lagos, where he studied Mass Communication and later earned a master's degree in Political Science. 

He also holds a Ph.D. in Information and Communication Technology from Babcock University, Nigeria.

Alex Usifo began his acting career in the late 1980s and has since become a household name in the Nigerian movie industry. He is known for his roles in movies such as "The Return of Issakaba" and "Widow's War". 

He has also appeared in several television series, including "Domino" and "Tinsel". In addition to his acting career, he is also a professor of Information and Communication Technology at Babcock University.

Alex Usifo is married to Princess and they have four children together.

Alex Usifo is a recipient of several awards and accolades, including the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2008. 

He is also a member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR), an honor bestowed on him by the Nigerian government in recognition of his contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry.

#10 Viktoh

Viktoh

Viktoh is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and performer. He is best known for his hit songs "Skibi Dat" and "Mad Jam" featuring YBNL boss, Olamide. 

Viktoh is a popular Nigerian singer and songwriter known for his unique style of music. He has won the hearts of many with his soulful lyrics and catchy beats, and has become a household name in the Nigerian music industry.

Viktoh was born Oluseyi Victor Adebayo on May 29, 1994, in Edo State, Nigeria. He attended Auchi Polytechnic, where he earned a degree in Business Administration.

Viktoh started his music career in 2014 when he was discovered by Olamide, who signed him to his record label, YBNL Nation. He released his first single, "All My Ladies", under the label and followed it up with the hit song "Skibi Dat" featuring Lil Kesh. 

He has since released several other songs, including "Mad Jam" featuring Olamide, "Your Type", and "P-Popping" featuring Olamide. In addition to his music career, he has also worked as a model and has appeared in several advertisements.

There is limited information available about Viktoh's family.

Viktoh is known for his philanthropic work and has donated to several charities and non-profit organizations in Nigeria. He is also a recipient of several awards, including the City People Music Award for Best Collaboration of the Year in 2016.

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#11 Benita Okojie

Benita Okojie

Benita Okojie is a Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter, and television presenter. She was born on March 1, 1988, in Lagos, Nigeria, to John and Maureen Okojie. Benita is the second of four children and grew up in a Christian family.

Benita Okojie attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she studied English Language and Literature. She also holds a Master's degree in International Public Relations and Global Communications Management from Cardiff University, United Kingdom.

Benita Okojie started her music career at a young age and released her debut album, "Child of God" in 1999 at the age of 10. She has since released several other albums, including "Osemudiamen" in 2003 and "Benita" in 2005.

Aside from music, Benita has also worked as a television presenter on the children's show, "Kidz Kount" on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) channel. She has also worked as a host on other television shows, including "Day Pass" on Soundcity TV.

Benita Okojie is a philanthropist and has been involved in several charitable initiatives, including providing educational support to children in underprivileged communities in Nigeria through her foundation, "Benita Okojie Initiative."

Benita Okojie is married to Olawale Adeyina, a media entrepreneur, and they have two children together.

#12 Itohan

Itohan

Itohan Agbator, popularly known as "Itohan," is a Nigerian singer and contestant on the 7th edition of Nigerian Idol. Born on August 3, 2004, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Itohan is a student of Economics at Rivers State University. 

Despite her young age, she has been making waves in the music industry with her soulful voice and powerful performances. Raised in Port Harcourt but originally from Edo State, Itohan has been described by her parents as naturally sensitive to music and sounds since childhood. 

In addition to her participation in Nigerian Idol, Itohan is also a singer on KingStarWorldTv, a YouTube channel involved in music training and production, video production/editing, and live music recording. 

She enjoys traveling and experimenting with food in her spare time.

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