Last weekend, Nigerian gamer and mental health advocate Bolade ‘Verde’ Bezi made history in Benin City, streaming more than 48 hours of continuous God of War gameplay in an ambitious Guinness World Record attempt. But this marathon was much more than breaking records.

Verde set out to play for 48 hours straight, but she didn’t stop there. Pushing past her original target, she completed her attempt at 49 hours and 14 minutes, demonstrating the kind of determination that defines true champions. 

Her mission extended far beyond gaming: using her platform to shine a spotlight on mental health awareness, particularly for young Nigerians facing silent struggles.

I used this marathon not just to break and set a record, but also to break the silence. So many of us use video games to cope with things we don’t always talk about like depression, stress, anxiety, loneliness.
— Verde

The challenge tested every limit. Verde faced exhaustion, technical difficulties, and the psychological toll of pushing human endurance beyond normal boundaries. Through it all, she stayed committed, buoyed by her support team and a community of viewers who rallied behind her from across Nigeria.

My hope is that this event encourages more people to speak up, check in on their friends and not be afraid to ask for help. Your feelings matter and you’re not alone in whatever you’re going through.
— Verde

While Guinness World Records has yet to verify the official results, Verde’s achievement stands as something bigger than numbers on a clock. This marathon represents a breakthrough for the gaming community, a victory for women breaking barriers in tech and esports, and proof that personal passion can drive real social impact.

Official confirmation may still be pending, but Verde has already secured her legacy as someone who used gaming to start conversations that matter.

You know those people who make life look effortlessly complicated? Meet Chidi Okereke, a marketing and communications leader, entrepreneur, bartender, actor, ex rapper, etc etc., who’s somehow juggling work across two continents while maintaining strong opinions about the virtue of doing your own back!

Born in Lagos and now based in Toronto, Chidi has lived and worked in very different worlds. From attending four secondary schools to abandoning a Mechanical Engineering degree for the social sciences, his journey is filled with lessons, pivots, and plenty of stories.

Dive into a conversation about ambition, authenticity, and why sometimes the best life advice comes from people who aren’t afraid to keep it very real.

Where were you born, and where do you proudly call home today?

Born in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos Nigeria. Currently living in Toronto.

Lapo or Nepo baby?

Lapo baby like mad. Like, Lapo baby by every single metric. 

What’s your education journey been like?

I attended 4 secondary schools, UNIPORT to get a Bachelors in Engineering, and Ajayi Crowther for my MBA

Relationship status

Pre-married (don’t ask me any questions). 

What do you currently do for a living, and if money wasn’t an issue, what hustle would you chase with joy?

I work in Marketing and Comms. Sometimes I’m a bartender at Citi Lounge in Lagos. If money wasn’t a factor, I’d run a creative studio, tell timeless stories via movies, series and interactive games. I’d also release a hiphop/rap album. (Again, don’t ask me any questions). 

What would your 10-year-old self say if they saw your life now: big “you try” or small side-eye?

My 10 year old self would wonder where the billions are. But my more realistic 20 year old self would marvel at how far I’ve come 

Describe your vibe in 3 words, no sentences

Measured. Strategic. Expressive. 

What’s your forever favorite food – something you’d never turn down? Afang soup. Amala and Ewedu with bite-size pieces of goatmeat. All types of spaghetti (seafood, cream, tomato) 

What’s your most-used emoji when chatting? 

😎🫠🙂‍↕️👀❤️

What’s the very first app you open when you wake up?

Instagram. Then Twitter. Then Whatsapp

iPhone or Android – and why are you loyal to that tribe?

Even if Android can download food, I’ll still go with an iPhone. There’s no spectacular reason – except the superior clean minimalistic UI. 

Are you the early riser who’s tweeting by 6 a.m. or the one replying DMs at 2 a.m.?

To be honest, it depends. I have the most erratic schedule, because I work across two continents with a 5-7 hour time difference. 

Beach, city, or mountains – where are you most at peace?

Beach. I want to own a beach home someday. That’s where I’m most at peace 

Dogs, cats, or none of the above? 

Future dog and maybe cat dad. I’ve lived with dogs but only experienced cats through others. I don’t mind them. I can’t have them now though, because I travel a  lot, but soon

What are your top 3 songs of all time

Viva la vida, Coldplay

Somewhere only we know – Keane

Renegade – Jay Z and Eminem

Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond

Go Solo – Tom Rosenthal 

I’m giving you 5 because I no dey hear word!”

Top 3 movies of all time

Titanic (I know, I know)

Shawshank Redemption 

Avengers 

Top 3 series of all time

Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones

I know how we all feel about that last season, but it’s still superior to anything ever made. 

Favorite sports, and the goat of that sport

Football. Messi. 

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Nigeria if there’s constant light, sensible police and security and good roads. Right now, asides Toronto, maybe Texas. Relatively decent cost of living with opportunities to be wealthy

What’s been your favorite travel destination and why did it stand out?

I really like Dubai when it’s cooler. Small city with just about everything. But I’ve heard so many good things about Bangkok and I want to go. 

What’s one thing you do now that your 20-year-old self would laugh at (or not believe)?

Revenge. I used to let things go, now I always want to do my own back – when the infraction is deliberate

What’s one thing people always assume about you that’s completely off?

That I’m a social butterfly. I’m actually a couch potato and I like being at home more than anything else

What’s your “I’ve made it” retirement number?

I’m not greedy. $5million and I’ll focus on family, philanthropy and making indie films 

If your life had a title right now, what would it be? 

Jack of many trades, master of some. I want to change it to Demure soon, because I’m tired. 

Favorite quote

Better to have and not need than to need and not have. 

Follow Chidi on X, Instagram and Facebook to keep up with his next chapter, and stay tuned to Lists.ng for more real stories from real people, told one list at a time.

The figures keep increasing, and the money keeps on rolling in. The well of funds looted by former military dictator, General Sani Abacha doesn’t seem to dry up as more funds are being unearthed every other year.

With the discovery of fresh funds, some Nigerians have taken it as a blessing in disguise. As hilarious as it sounds, Abacha is sending us money from heaven at a time when we need it, and people are pleased. So we have curated all the times Abacha loot was discovered in some bank somewhere. Enjoy, share.

July 1999 -President Olusegun Obasanjo discovered and froze $420 million in assets

May 2002 – President Olusegun Obasanjo made a deal with the Abacha family for the recovery of $1.2 billion.

November 2003 – Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala claimed that $149 million Abacha loot from Jersey Island had been recovered.

September 2005 -It was stated by finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala that Switzerland had returned $458 million in cash and $2 billion in assets.

March 2014 – Switzerland repatriated $380 million of Abacha funds.

June 2014 – Liechtenstein returned $227 million of Abacha’s loot

August 2014 – United States Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that the largest amount of money ever returned in the organisations history was $480 million which they intended to return to the Nigerian government

2016 – Switzerland confirmed that they had returned $723 million so far to the Nigerian government from Abacha loot.

December 2017 – Switzerland also promised to release $322 million dollars more of the Abacha loot

May 2019 – £211 million found in a bank in Jersey, United States.

January 2020 – The latest discovery is a fresh $321 million in a bank in Jersey. On January 29, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the signing of an agreement with the Island of Jersey and the United States of America for the repatriation of the stolen assets.

May 4 2020 – In a statement from the Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, it was disclosed that approximately $311,797,866.11 of the Abacha loot was repatriated from the US and Jersey.

August 14 2020 – Ireland signed a memorandum of understanding with the federal government to return €5.5 million looted by Sani Abacha.

Is your mind blown? Well, remember a member of the Abacha family was rumored to have said “no matter how much money they (the FG) discovers, we still cannot be as poor as Dangote”. Let’s be watching as the sugar daddy sends us more money in the future.

August 2022 –  The United States returned another $20million dollars to Nigeria as part of the loot traced to Sani Abacha, former Nigerian military leader and his co-conspirators.

November 2023 – The French Government announced on Friday November 3rd its decision to return $150 million of the late General Sani Abacha loot.