Veteran Nigerian singer Daddy Showkey has been nominated for the 2026 Entertainment Icon of the year award by Vanguard Newspaper. The music star, whose real name is Chief John Odafe Asiemo, welcomed the recognition with deep appreciation at his home in Lagos.
Speaking after receiving his formal nomination letter, the 57-year-old music star declared that the honor stands as the most important award of his entire journey. According to Vanguard, the singer noted that the media house was instrumental in building his career from its earliest stages.
Showkey expressed strong emotion over the gesture, describing it as an honor from the very institution that introduced him to the public. He explained that Vanguard was the first newspaper in Nigeria to feature his story when he was still an unknown talent trying to find his footing.
The singer admitted that over the years, he frequently wondered when he would also be considered for an honor whenever he saw other public figures receiving awards from the organisation. He added that receiving the nomination now makes him feel truly appreciated by people he regards as his own.
The musician also looked back on his humble beginnings, recalling how he often visited the newspaper's headquarters without ever getting the chance to meet the publisher, Sam Amuka-Pemu, in person. He noted that as a young boy of 13 back in 1983, he spent time around television personality Danladi Bako of the Nigerian Television Authority on Lagos Island, where he was offered meals and encouragement.
Showkey gained widespread fame in the 1990s as the pioneer of the energetic Galala dance style and music genre, which originated from the streets of Ajegunle. Over the decades, his street-inspired rhythm helped establish a unique identity for Nigerian urban music, earning him lasting influence across generations of African artists.
