Olajumoke, Salkida, Jibrin… The accidental celebrities of 2016

People attain celebrity status by being rich, ubiquitous and most often, being on television, but some find themselves in the spotlight with little or no planning.

These persons gain media attention and become household names by chance, accident and/or circumstance.

Here are six individuals who became celebrities unexpectedly in 2016.

Olajumoke Orisaguna

Olajumoke Orisaguna’s story is almost like a fairytale. The mother of one became a celebrity by straying into a photo shoot and got featured on CNN in a matter of weeks.

Orisaguna, a trained hairdresser in Osun, came to Lagos to earn a living by hawking bread.

One fateful evening, she walked into the set of photographer TY Bello, who was shooting Tinie Tempah, a British artiste.

The rest, they say, is history.

Ahmad Salkida

Although he was known in the media circle, Salkida may have never surged into national reckoning if the Nigerian army had not declared him wanted for having links to Boko Haram.

The 41-year-old journalist with a strong focus on reporting terrorism had previously worked for Daily Trust and Blueprint newspaper.

He was arrested in September by security operatives and has since been released. After his interrogation by the army, during which no felony was established against him, he demanded a public apology and nothing of such has been done.

Abdulmumin Jibrin

Jibrin is a lawmaker representing Kiru/Bebeji federal constituency of Kano state but that is not why he is popular.

This 40-year-old lawmaker became famous for accusing Yakubu Dogara, the speaker of the house of representatives, of padding the 2017 budget.

He was suspended for 180 legislative days and has gone on exile, blaming President Muhammadu Buhari for being quiet about his accusations.

Bobrisky

Known as Bobrisky, Okuneye Idris invaded the Nigerian media space in 2016, in an unusual manner.

Some refer to him as the Nigerian Barbie because of his whitish and plastic looks; he is usually seen wearing makeup and faux nails like a lady.

He is a “skin whitening expert” and a cross-dresser who says he uses his outfits to attract customers.

Bobrisky is also popular for displaying money on his Snapchat account claiming that they are gifts from his “bae”.

Although constantly accused of being homosexual, Bobrisky insists he isn’t.

Abubakar Sidiq

Abubakar Sidiq, a political blogger, was in August arrested by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a publication on his website.

Sidiq was picked up from his home in Kubwa, Abuja.

In reaction to the public outcry and criticism that trailed his arrest, the EFCC had alleged that Sidiq was being questioned for offences bordering on cyber stalking.

The anti-graft agency eventually released the blogger after more than 24 hours in detention.

Abdulahi Olatoyan

Olatoyan became a viral sensation by virtue of dressing dapper to his job as a windscreen washer.

“He is the first suited windscreen cleaner I have ever seen”, said Daniel Sync, the photographer who shared Abdulahi’s photos on the internet.

Daniel said he spotted Abdulahi on his way to work in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

Upon discovery, he was described by Yahoo! News As “social media’s latest success story” and even got mentioned on CNN.

Because of his sartorial appearance, Uche Nnaji, CEO of Nigerian clothing line OUCH, gave him a job at his company.