READ: Sad news: Nigeria the 55th poorest country in the whole world with the world richest pastors
Bio Data
Full Name | Ifedayo Olarinde |
Popularly known as | Daddy Freeze |
Date of birth | 6 May 1976 |
Age | 46 Years Old |
Place of Birth | Cluj-Napoca, Romania |
State of Origin | Osun State |
Nationality | Nigerian-Romanian |
Religion | Christian |
Marital Status | Married |
Profession | Talk Show Host, Broadcaster, Media Personality |
Net Worth | $500,000-$1.5 Million |
Early Life and Education
Ifedayo Olarinde (DAddy Freeze) was born to a Nigerian father and a Romanian mother in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. He is the first child of three sisters, Yetunde, Omolola, and Oluremi. His father is of Yoruba descent from Osun state, and his mother is from Europe. Daddy Freeze has dual citizenship because he was born in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, but was brought back to Nigeria. He spent most of his childhood in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. As earlier stated, he spent most of his childhood in Ibadan, Oyo State, where he attended the International School, and he graduated from the University of Ibadan with a degree in Sociology. He is from Oyan Town in Osun State’s Odo Otin local government area.
READ: Funke Akindele and all the Nigerian celebrities contesting in 2023 elections
Career
Daddy Freeze began his radio career in 1996 with the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Ibadan, as a correspondent on The World Chart Show. He joined Cool FM in 2001, where he worked in radio presenting, television, and general entertainment. At Cool FM Lagos, he was a senior broadcaster.
Also, Daddy Freeze works as an event host. In Nigeria, Ghana, and the United Kingdom, he has hosted a number of music concerts, comedy shows, and Nollywood premieres. He is the man behind the #FreeTheSheeple movement.
Daddy Freeze founded the Free Nation Online Church in 2017, where he pastors Sunday and weekday services.
Freeze announced his departure from Cool FM, where he had worked for over 20 years, in 2020.
Daddy Freeze’s broadcasting career kickstarted when he was on a trip to Romania. There, he got a chance to get his first radio gig in 1996 at Radio Galaxia in Romania which pans for three months. He returned to Nigeria the following year and got a job at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS Ibadan). There he worked for 5 years and was paid 1,500 Naira, which was very little at the time, but he was doing what he loved.
Daddy Freeze is considered a successful broadcaster as he through the years of his career was able to meet a number of world-famous and influential celebrities. Pointing out part of his exploit, Daddy Freeze also serves as a judge on Star Quest, a popular talent show in Nigeria, alongside Paul Play Dairo KCEE. For three seasons, he hosted the show Coca-Cola Mega Millions, and he has also hosted game shows and live telecasts for MLotto mobile lottery, The John Utaka Premier League Challenge, Multilinks Telcoms’ ‘Break the bank,’ and many others.
Daddy Freeze’s Net Worth
Following years of his successful career, Daddy Freeze is believed to have amassed a net worth between $500,000-$1.5 million. He probably is one of the wealthiest broadcasters in Nigeria. But, definitely, he is one of the most popular and influential. Not to forget, he is one of the most controversial.
READ: Top 10 richest pastors in Nigeria, source of wealth and net worth
Personal Life
Daddy Freeze was married to Opeyemi Olarinde, with whom he had two children before divorcing. According to Daddy Freeze, he was a victim of domestic violence. However, their divorce process was a messy one as both parties threw allegations of adultery and domestic violence at themselves. Finally, their divorce process was finalized and they were able to go their separate ways.
A few years later (in 2022), Daddy Freeze got married to his long-time partner, Benedicta Elechi in a private wedding in the United Kingdom. Before then, Benedicta’s ex-husband had accused the duo of having an affair when they were still married.
READ: Actress Toyin Abraham net worth, cars, houses, biography and achievements
Awards & Recognitions
Although Daddy Freeze has won several awards over the course of his career, below are some of his awards:
- 2011 – Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards – Most Popular Radio Presenter
- 2012 – Mode Men Awards – Radio Personality of the Year
- 2013 – Nigeria Entertainment Awards – Best Radio/TV Personality
- 2014 – Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards – Favourite Nigerian On-Air Personality