Tonto Dikeh Explained

Tonto Dikeh
Birth Name:Tonto Charity Dikeh
Birth Date:1985 6, df=yes
Birth Place:Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Years Active:2006–present
Nationality:Nigerian
Alma Mater:Rivers State University of Science and Technology
Party:African Democratic Congress
Children:1
Module:
Embed:yes
Instrument:Vocals
Years Active:2011–2017
Label:Poko Entertainment

Tonto Charity Dikeh (born 9 June 1985) is a Nigerian actress, singer,[1] songwriter, and humanitarian.[2] On 27 August 2000, Tonto Dikeh set up her foundation, "The Tonto Dikeh Foundation".[3]

In June 2022, Tonto was announced as the deputy governorship candidate under the African Democratic Congress in the 2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election.[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] She was welcome by Port Harcourt people after her declaration as deputy.[9]

Movies and television

Tonto Dikeh was featured in a movie titled Dirty Secret, which generated controversy among Nigerians due to its inclusion of adult scenes. While some people criticized her role for being nontraditional and un-African, others stated that Dikeh was merely being professional.[10] [11]

Music career

Following a successful acting career, Tonto Dikeh decided to pursue a music career. Before that, she was featured in a music video for Amaco Investments, alongside Patience Ozokwor.[12] She made her music debut by releasing the singles "Hi" and "Itz Ova", the latter of which features Snypa.[13] [14] On 13 June 2014, Nigerian singer D'banj signed her to his record label, DB Records.[15] Tonto Dikeh announced her departure from DB records in March 2015.[16]

Personal life

Tonto Dikeh was born into a family of seven and is the third of five children. Her family is from Obio-Akpor, a LGA in Rivers State, south-south Nigeria and is of Ikwerre descent.[17] [18] At age 3, she lost her mother and was raised by her step-mother, who has two children.[19] Dikeh studied petrochemical engineering at Rivers State University of Science and Technology.[20] In September 2021, Tonto Dikeh's ex-fiancé, Prince Joseph Kpokpogri, sued her and the Department of State Security (DSS) for allegedly threatening his fundamental human rights.[21] Kpokpogri said he left Tonto because of her hard smoking and bad drinking habit.[22]

Controversy

Her traditional marriage to Olakunle Churchill was held in August 2015. In 2014, she was rumored to have been in a sexual relationship with Rukky Sanda. However, during an interview with Rukky Sanda the rumour was debunked. In February 2016, Dikeh gave birth to her son 'King', whom she nicknamed Baby X.[23] However, since then, the couple has gone on and moved different ways.[24]

Dikeh had in early October 2021 entangled herself in a web of controversy after publishing in her social media handles, purported voice notes suggesting that her ex-lover, JOSEPH EGBRI (popularly known as Prince Kpokpogri) had sex tapes and nude photos on his smartphone of Usiwo Orezimena Jane, a Nigerian twerk dancer, popularly known as JANEMENA. Dikeh was reported to have made the allegations in the wake of her messy breakup with her ex-lover, Kpokpogri, in September.[25]

Endorsements

On 5 February 2016, Tonto Dikeh was named an Ambassador to a property firm in Abuja (NUMATVILLE) worth millions of Naira.[26]

On 9 January 2018, Tonto Dikeh gets an endorsement as a brand ambassador for a beauty and skincare brand (Pels International). The beauty brand is popularly known for making skin brightening beauty products.[27]

On 8 March 2018, Dikeh became an ambassador for Sapphire Scents, a new perfume line offering distributorship business opportunities to Nigerians.[28]

On 27 April 2018, Tonto Dikeh bagged an endorsement deal with the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP) on human trafficking.[29]

On 24 March 2019, Tonto Dikeh was revealed as the brand ambassador for Amstel Malta. This had happened when Tonto Dikeh stepped out in style for a dinner party organized by Amstel Malta. The dinner, organized specifically for brand influencers, saw Dikeh announced as one of its ambassadors.[30]

On 23 May 2019, Tonto Dikeh signed a 100million Naira endorsement deal with Zikel Cosmetics.[31]

Selected singles

Title Year Ref
"Hi" 2012 [32]
"Itz Ova"
"Crazically Fit" (featuring Terry G) [33]
"Jeje" 2013 [34]
"Sheba" (featuring Solid Star)[35]
"Ekebe" 2014 [36]
"Sugar Rush" (featuring D'banj) 2015 [37]

Selected filmography

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Trin . Mercy . 2022-02-26 . Kayanmata: Amidst criticisms, actress Tonto Dikeh issues out a public statement . 2022-03-15 . Kemi Filani News . en-GB.
  2. Web site: ABOUT TONTO DIKEH . 20 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160628094415/http://www.tontodikehent.com/about.php . 28 June 2016.
  3. News: Tonto Dikeh Foundation. 2 June 2020. today.ng . today.ng . 2 June 2020.
  4. Web site: Olowolagba . Fikayo . 2022-06-24 . Yul Edochie reacts as Tonto Dikeh emerges ADC deputy governorship candidate . 2022-06-25 . Daily Post Nigeria . en-US.
  5. Web site: 2022-06-24 . Rivers ADC gov candidate nominates Tonto Dikeh as running mate . 2022-06-25 . Punch Newspapers . en-US.
  6. News: ADC Nominates Tonto Dikeh As Deputy Governorship Candidate For Rivers . 2022-06-25 . Channels Television.
  7. Web site: 2022-06-24 . Tonto Dikeh emerges running mate to Rivers ADC governorship candidate - Premium Times Nigeria . 2022-06-25 . en-GB.
  8. News: 2022-06-25 . Tonto Dikeh heads to Government House The Nation . The Nation Newspaper . 2022-06-25 . en-US.
  9. Web site: Trin . Mercy . 2022-07-25 . Tonto Dikeh receives a grand welcome as she storms River State for her political campaign (Video) . 2022-07-26 . Kemi Filani News . en-GB.
  10. Web site: Nigeria: Nollywood Splits Over Tonto Dike . allAfrica.com . 4 February 2011.
  11. News: Nigerian celebrities and Tattooing. 6 January 2012. The Vanguard. 15 January 2012. Lagos, Nigeria.
  12. Web site: Tonto Dikeh life history and profile, Playing music with Patience Ozokwor . Anambra fashion week. 22 January 2012.
  13. Web site: World Premiere Tonto Dikeh. Too Xclusive.
  14. Web site: Tonto Dike needs to learn how to sing . Nigeria films.
  15. Web site: D'banj Finally Unveils DB Records Lee Family . Joints Arena.
  16. Web site: Tonto Dike Leaves D'banj's Record Label . Naija Loaded .
  17. News: Tonto Dikeh. Naij.com – Nigeria news.. 9 February 2017.
  18. News: Actress Tonto Dikeh Full Biography Life And News – How Nigeria. 29 September 2015. How Nigeria. 9 February 2017.
  19. Web site: Photos – Tonto Dikeh Shares Late Mum, Step Mother & Dad. MJ Celebrity Magazine. 24 October 2016. .
  20. Web site: 2012-10-20 . Ten things you may not know about Tonto Dikeh - Premium Times Nigeria . 2022-06-28 . en-GB.
  21. News: Tonto Dikeh's estranged lover, Prince Kpokpogri drags DSS, actress to court over threat to fundamental rights . TonyGutsy . 16 October 2021 . 22 September 2021.
  22. Web site: 2021-09-23. Your hard smoking and heavy drinking made us break-up, Kpokpogri claps back at Tonto Dikeh. 2021-11-22. Punch Newspapers. en-US.
  23. Web site: 18 February 2016. Actress welcomes first child, releases maternity photos. 7 April 2019. Pulse Nigeria.
  24. Web site: 28 April 2019. Actress reveals sadness over her relationship with husband, Churchill, in an interview with OAP Daddy Freeze. 7 May 2019. TonyGutsy.
  25. Web site: 2021-10-11. Popular dancer, Janemena, petitions police over Tonto Dikeh's cyberstalking, defamation. 2021-10-20. en-GB.
  26. News: Property firm appoints Tonto Dikeh as brand ambassador. 24 May 2020. Inemesit Udodiong . 24 May 2020.
  27. News: Tonto Dikeh Gets Endorsement Deal With Beauty Brand. 24 May 2020. mystatenews . mystatenews . 24 May 2020.
  28. News: Tonto Dikeh Becomes Sapphire Scents Brand Ambassador. 24 May 2020. Naija Gists . 24 May 2020.
  29. News: Tonto Dikeh bags endorsement deal. 24 May 2020. Kemifilani . Kemifilani . 24 May 2020.
  30. News: Tonto Dikeh Revealed As Amstel Malta New Brand Ambassador. 1 August 2019 . Plat4om . Plat4om. 1 August 2019.
  31. News: Tonto Dikeh bags N100m deal with Zikel cosmetics . 25 June 2019 . Oak TV Newstrack . Oak Tv . 23 May 2019.
  32. Web site: Tonto Dikeh – Itz Ova + Hi. 17 October 2012.
  33. Web site: Single Premiere: Tonto Dikeh ft Terry G - Crazically Fit - 360Nobs.com.
  34. Web site: Tonto Dikeh – JEJE. 28 February 2013.
  35. Web site: Tonto Dikeh – Sheba ft Solidstar. 9 June 2013.
  36. Web site: Tonto Dikeh premieres New Song "Ekebe" – Listen. 20 February 2014 .
  37. Web site: VIDEO: Tonto Dikeh – Sugar Rush ft. D'banj. 28 April 2015.