Nollywood actor Osita Iheme, popularly known as Pawpaw, has made a global list of people who became internet legends through viral moments as kids.

Nollywood actor Osita Iheme, popularly known as Pawpaw, has found himself on a global list of people who became internet legends through viral moments associated with their childhood, although there is one funny detail about his inclusion.

A post shared by foreign social media account REALIBITY placed Iheme alongside famous internet personalities and meme figures such as Success Kid, Bad Luck Brian and Side-Eyeing Chloe, who became widely recognised after photos or videos of them went viral online.

The inclusion of Pawpaw has caught attention because, unlike most of the people on the list, Iheme was not actually a child when he became famous.

The Nigerian actor was already 25 when he rose to prominence after starring alongside Chinedu Ikedieze in the 2002 Nollywood blockbuster Aki na Ukwa. Iheme played the mischievous character Pawpaw, while Ikedieze played Aki.

The pair became hugely popular for playing childlike characters despite being adults, with their small stature contributing to them being repeatedly cast in children’s roles. Their performances eventually became a major part of Nollywood’s pop culture legacy.

Years after their films became popular, clips, screenshots and facial expressions from Iheme’s movies found a second life on social media. His images became widely used as reaction memes, allowing Pawpaw to reach an entirely new audience outside Nigeria.

By 2019, memes featuring Iheme and Ikedieze had become a major part of internet culture, with their images being used to express emotions ranging from confusion and frustration to excitement and disbelief. The popularity extended beyond Nigeria, with international brands and media also using the memes.

Iheme as one of the Nollywood actors who had become a major part of Nigerian meme culture, noting how internet users frequently use his expressions from old movies to add humour to online conversations.

The viral list also features people whose faces became globally recognisable from individual childhood moments.

Sam Griner, known online as Success Kid, became an internet meme after his mother posted a photograph of him as a toddler. Kyle Craven became known as Bad Luck Brian after his school yearbook photograph was turned into a meme, while Chloe Clem became known as Side-Eyeing Chloe after a 2013 video of her reaction to a surprise Disneyland trip went viral.

Pawpaw’s story is different but arguably just as remarkable. His internet fame did not come from a childhood photograph or a random viral video. Instead, it came years after he had already established himself as a Nollywood actor, when old scenes from his films were rediscovered and transformed into some of the internet’s favourite reaction memes.

So, while the internet may have placed Pawpaw in the company of famous viral kids, Nigerians know the real gist: Pawpaw was already a grown man, he was simply playing the role of a child.

More than two decades after Aki na Ukwa, Iheme remains one of Nollywood’s most recognisable faces, with his Pawpaw character continuing to live on across social media through memes and reaction images.

The Northern States Governors’ Forum on Thursday mourned the death of the Emir of Gumel in Jigawa State, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ahmad Muhammad Sani II, and the Emir of Zurmi in Zamfara State, His Royal Highness Alhaji Bello Sulaiman.

The Chairman of the forum and Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, expressed the governors’ condolences in a single message issued by the Director-General, Press Affairs, Gombe Government House, Ismaila Misilli.

Yahaya described the death of the Gumel Emir as “a profound loss to Jigawa State, the northern region and Nigeria.”

He said the late traditional ruler was respected for his wisdom, humility, peace-building efforts and commitment to the welfare and development of his people.

According to him, the late emir’s reign contributed significantly to the stability, unity and progress of the Gumel Emirate.

“Throughout his years on the throne, the late royal father made significant contributions to the stability, unity and progress of the Gumel Emirate, leaving behind a legacy that would continue to inspire generations,” the governor said.

The NSGF chairman commiserated with the royal family, the people of Gumel Emirate, the Jigawa State Government and the people of the state over the loss.

He urged members of the royal family and the people of the emirate to sustain the values of peace, unity, service and community development associated with the late monarch.

Yahaya prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive the late emir’s shortcomings, reward his good deeds and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.

Similarly, Yahaya, on behalf of the Northern governors, mourned the death of the Emir of Zurmi, Alhaji Bello Sulaiman.

He described the late emir as “a respected custodian of tradition and a committed leader” who devoted his five-year reign to the peace, unity and wellbeing of his subjects.

He said the death constituted a significant loss to the Zurmi Emirate, Zamfara State and the traditional institution in Northern Nigeria.

“The death of the royal father is a significant loss to the Zurmi Emirate, Zamfara State and the traditional institution in Northern Nigeria,” he said.

The governor also commiserated with the late emir’s family, the people of Zurmi Emirate, the Zamfara State Government and the people of the state.

He urged them to draw strength from the positive impact and enduring legacy of the deceased monarch.

Yahaya prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive the late Emir Sulaiman’s shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has signed the 2026 State Appropriation Bill into Law, describing it as “a breath of fresh air” and the beginning of a new chapter of unity and progress for the state.

The State House of Assembly had earlier on Thursday passed the state’s 2026 Appropriation Bill of N1.

85 trillion, christened the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” into law following extensive committee reviews, deliberations and legislative scrutiny.

At a brief ceremony held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara expressed gratitude to God, stakeholders, and the State House of Assembly for the successful passage of the budget.

“First of all, we want to thank the Almighty God for making this day a reality. I strongly believe that it is a breath of fresh air and a healthy relationship moving forward,” he said.

Fubara commended the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly particularly, for their diligence and speed in handling the budget.

“I thank members of the State House of Assembly for a wonderful job at this very critical time of our life,” he said.

Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the “Rivers First” mantra, and pledged that the 2026 budget will be implemented with the people’s welfare as the central focus.

“I want to assure you that our intention will still remain the progress and development of our dear state,” he said.

Fubara specially acknowledged the role of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, in facilitating the process that led to the passage of the bill and its eventual signing into law.

“Let me also thank our leader, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike for facilitating this meeting and this process that we are all signing into.”

Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Major Jack, who had earlier presented the bill to the Governor for his assent, said the lawmakers passed the budget with the best of intentions, believing that it will be implemented accordingly for the benefit of the people of Rivers State.

In a remark shortly after the bill was signed, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, commended Governor Fubara for the various provisions made in the budget, describing them as indications that the Fubara administration is prepared to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers.

“We took time to look at the budget and from what we saw, we want to tell you that it shows that you are willing to move forward and ensure that this democracy is actually what will get to Rivers people,” Amaewhule said.

Fubara had a few months ago presented a budget of ₦1,854,248,734,475.76, representing approximately ₦1.85 trillion to the house.

The 2026 appropriation is 24.5% higher than the revised 2025 financial estimates.