Discountenance the wicked rumour. And this is authoritative. Legendary musician, Bongos Ikwue and Nigeria’s former first lady, Mrs. Maryam Babangida never dated, according to the information at the disposal of YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine.
And confirming this, is veteran musician and producer, Emma Ogosi. According to the ‘Ebe awele m di’ crooner, who described Mrs. Babangida as a cousin and Bongos as a childhood friend and professional colleague, nothing of such ever happened.
Taking to his Facebook page to wish the hit maker and consummate producer well on his birthday, Ogosi, married for years to the queen of reggae, Evi Edna, before they parted ways, had this to say: “Bongos & I used to joke about this in d late sixties when we were both starting our professional careers in music in Kaduna….. that he is my elder, by two months… ONLY!
Secondly, we sat for same school cert in 1962. Got d same result, above average; lived on same street, Sardauna Crescent, Kaduna.”
Veering into the romance rumour now, he added: “One more thing before I close; d rumour about him & a former First Lady is absolutely & completely untrue. D lady in question was my maternal cousin, so I should know AND I knew it did not happen. Finally, my friend HAD some health issues last year….I use d word had because I know him for who he is….. a tiger, a fighter & I know that that sickness is paying dearly for its misadventure. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY DEAR FRIEND”.
Continuing, he said: “By d way, I nearly forgot to mention that I was his special guest @ his five-star hotel in Oturkpo his home town a few years ago & he treated me (among many other things) to a full concert with me as d only audience for two very exciting hours with d full compliment of his band. That… Is…. A…. Friend!!!
CONGRATULATIONS, MY DEAR BONGOS, MY “HALF” SENIOR!!!”
It would be recalled that the romance rumour between the elegant Mrs. Babangida and Bongos, for decades, has refused to die. Especially with many constantly referring to one of his popular numbers, Mariam as being dedicated to her by the music star from whose fecund imagination emerged other popular hit tracks like Still Searching, Cock Crow At Dawn, among others.
Currently in his 70s and based in Otukpo, Benue State where he runs a hotel, Maryam, on the other hand, was married to ex-President Ibrahim Babangida. She died years ago from complications arising from cancer.