Entertainment / Music / News

Rotimi and Vanessa Mdee welcome baby boy

American music star Rotimi has welcomed a baby with his wife, Vanesaa Mdee.

The multi-talented actor and singer took to his Instagram page on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, where he announced the big news.

“Seven Adeoluwa Akinosho,” he captioned the photo of his baby and wife’s fingers.

The couple first announced that they were expecting their first child together some weeks ago.

Rotimi proposed to Mdee back in December 2020 at a very colorful ceremony.

They made their relationship public back in 2019.

The ‘Power’ actor hinted to everyone about their relationship after he posted a photo of himself and Mdee all loved up.

Interestingly, after the photo went viral, Mdee confirmed their relationship during an interview.

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BBNaija / Entertainment / News

BBNaija 2021: Pere reveals how he intends to spend N90 million prize

‘Shine Ya Eye’ housemate, Pere has disclosed how he intends to utilize the prize money should he emerge winner of the season.

Pere, in a chat with Biggie on Tuesday, revealed that he hopes to invest heavily in giving back to the society and is currently considering setting up a charity organization.

“I’ll find ways and avenues to give back to society; give back to the people who made it possible and just all around, be a blessing to humanity. I’m thinking about NGOs and different things in my head as well, to help me achieve that goal.” the housemate said.

In the heart to heart session with Big Brother, the 36-year-old former US soldier revealed that he hopes to help raise awareness for Asthma in children as he battled the ailment as a child until he turned 22.

“I was six months old when I started suffering from asthma and I had it up until I was 22. So as someone that suffered from asthma for 22 years, I’ll set something up to help people who are suffering from that as well. Sounds like a lot but I’m sure I can do it. Yeah, that’s what I’ll do,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pere won himself a brand new car on Tuesday from one of the final sponsored games. Recall the housemate almost missed a shot at the finals after Big Brother introduced a game twist that saw him compete alongside Angel for a spot even though he won over 20% of fan votes.

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BBNaija / Entertainment / News

BBNaija 2021: Angel reveals how her grandmother kept her a virgin

‘Shine Ya Eye’ finalist, Angel has opened up about some of the crude methods her grandmother adopted to ensure she didn’t get pregnant as a teenager.

Angel, who revealed earlier on in the show that she was born out of wedlock, recently revealed to Cross how her grandmother tried bizarre methods to avoid a repeat of history.

“There was pressure on me to not get pregnant. So she was scared. I remember she would tell me to lie down in bed to check if I’m a virgin. And that’s stupid because not every woman has a hymen.

“Some women are virgins and they don’t have hymen. I remember one time she made me swear that I was a virgin. I think I was still 16. There was a lot of fear, lot of anxiety, and a lot of everything.”

The housemate also talked about how distant she felt from her biological parents while growing up with her grandmother.

“When I was in high school, I went years without seeing my mum. The funny thing is I didn’t know my mum was my mum until I was a certain age. I thought my granny was my mum.” She said.

When Cross asked Angel how old she was when she first met her mother, she replied, “I think I found out she was my mum when I was probably like seven.”

Recall Angel had shared that her mother had her at age 16 and had to deal with the stigmatization of teenage pregnancy.

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Entertainment / Movies / News

Nollywood veteran Joke Silva celebrates 40 years in the film industry

Nigerian film industry veteran Ajoke Silva is celebrating four decades in the industry alongside her 60th birthday.

The screen and stage actress recently released stunning photos on Instagram to mark the milestone. She wrote:

“Numbers are very important to me, so this year as I turn 60, I also mark 40 years in the industry I love.”

The multiple award-winning actress has featured in over 100 productions since her career kicked off from stage. Joke landed her breakout role starring alongside Colin Firth and Nia Long in the British-Canadian film ‘The Secret Laughter of Women.’

In 2006 and 2008, the actress won the Best Actress in a Leading role and Best Actress in a Supporting role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). She has also received multiple recognitions for her contribution to arts and culture.

Silva is also one of the few veterans who made a successful transition to what has been described as the ‘new Nollywood’ era.

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Entertainment / News

‘I got into trouble with the government because of #Endsars’ – Davido tells Trevor Noah in new interview

Nigerian music star Davido has revealed how he got into trouble with the Nigerian government during the #EndSars protest in 2020. The singer made this known during his guest appearance at Trevor Noah‘s ‘The Daily Show.’

Noah asked the music star how his song ‘Fem‘ became the anthem for the movement even though the song wasn’t recorded for the protest.

“I did not record that song thinking that was going to happen. Honestly, it is amazing how I saw my voice be an instrument for the people. It was amazing…I got into a lot of trouble, I got into a lot of trouble. I had to actually leave the country it was that bad because I got into a lot of trouble,” he said. “It was amazing to see people come out like that. I’ll tell you this, they listened, they heard us. They might have changed nothing but they were shocked.”

Davido was one of the celebrities who led the #Endsars protest in 2020.

He didn’t just protest as he helped secure the release of some of the protesters who had been arrested by the police authority.

The music star joined the list of celebrities who came out to lead or join the #EndSars protests across the country and abroad.

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News / Transportation

Independence anniversary: FRSC assures of free flow of traffic

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it has deployed personnel to ensure free flow of traffic during and after the nation’s 61st Independence Day celebration on Friday.

FRSC’s Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, gave the assurance in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, on Thursday in Abuja.

Oyeyemi called on motorists and other road users to imbibe decent and safe driving habit during the period.

“I have ordered the full deployment and participation of the corps’ personnel throughout the duration of the celebration, including active participation in the combined military and paramilitary parade in solidarity for the unity of the country,” he said.

Oyeyemi also said that the FRSC would use the period to intensify its ongoing ember months’ campaign, adding that aggressive sensitization had begun across its formations nationwide.

The theme of the 2021 ‘ember months’ campaign is: ‘Maintain Safe Speed, Avoid Night Travels and Enjoy Quality Road Experience’.

Oyeyemi urged motorists to report traffic situations such as gridlocks, congestion, obstructions and other emergencies, using the corps free toll free number 122 or 08052998090 and 0906700001.

He also urged them to celebrate within the ambit of the law, avoid drunk and reckless driving.

The corps marshal warned that the anniversary is not an opportunity for lawlessness as the corps would not spare anyone caught violating traffic laws.

He congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his steadfastness, exemplary leadership and commitment to issues that border on safety of lives and property of all Nigerians.…

BBNaija / Entertainment / News

BBNaija 2021: Queen, Nini & Saga have been evicted

The semi-final lap of the ‘Shine Ya Eye’ season kicked off with yet another major prank, this time with viewers none the wiser at least for a few minutes.

Show host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu left fans of Pere stunned after announcing the housemate’s eviction. Minutes later, Ebuka confirmed that Pere was evicted from the house and not the game.

The first real eviction of the show was later confirmed to be Queen. Having had an impressive run, the now ex-housemate revealed she will be going head-on into governance.

Shortly after Queen’s eviction announcement, Ebuka confirmed Nini as the second housemate to be officially evicted from the show. For her eviction chat, the ex-housemate spoke about her triangle relationship with Saga and her much talked about boyfriend.

The third housemate to officially exit the show turned out to be Saga which may not come as a surprise for followers of the show. In a second and final twist, Ebuka announced the eviction of housemate Angel.

A look at how fans voted:

Both Angel and Pere will be moved to a separate location in the house for another major ‘Shine Ya Eye’ move. The housemates were moved to the White room and issued what Big Brother described as the most intense games of their lives. The game of trucks and screws will afford one housemate an opportunity to join the house as the fifth finalist.

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Boxing / Sports

‘I want to live’: Oleksandr Usyk ready for time off after biggest fight

Heavyweight champion said his corner helped him execute his plan, while a pensive Anthony Joshua will analyze mistakes. The new champion walked in first, just after one in the morning, with his face bearing the brutal realities of heavyweight boxing. Despite his dominant defeat of Anthony Joshua on Saturday night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Oleksandr Usyk wore the marks of battle. A jagged cut ran above his right brow while his bruised skin had turned a shade of burst violet below that same eye. The swollen mouse beneath his left eye was even more prominent and a reminder that Usyk had fought 12 rounds against a world champion who weighed 19 pounds more than him.

Usyk is not a small man but he also gave away four inches in reach and three inches in height. Yet in the final moments of the last round the usually imposing figure of Joshua, who is 6ft 6in, had sagged against the ropes as Usyk came close to winning by stoppage.

A singular character, who is as intelligent as he is amusing, Usyk was nonchalant as he sat down to address his stunning rise in boxing’s premier division to become the new IBF, WBA and WBO world champion in only his third fight as a heavyweight. When someone asked him to break down his fight strategy, for this had been a dazzling display, he spoke in Ukrainian. His fellow countrymen and women laughed before the translator tried to inject some of that comedy into English.

“The plan was just to walk in, to see, to start. So we went in, we saw, we started and then in the 12th round they said speed up and so I did and then they said: ‘….and the new [heavyweight champion of the world].’ So that was the plan.”

Usyk continued in more serious vein. “I tried a few times [for the stoppage]. I put my speed into it. I punched him a couple of times but then I was losing rhythm. I went back to my …

Boxing / News

Anthony Joshua’s intimidating physique will soon be revealed – but is he built for speed or power?

Unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua collides with undefeated Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, the WBO mandatory challenger, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Britain’s heavyweight star will have a final face-off with Oleksandr Usyk at today’s weigh-in before their world title fight on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports Box Office. But has Joshua packed on muscle or shed pounds for his crucial showdown with Usyk?…

Law / News / Security / Transportation

CP charges motorists, police officers to obtain their driver’s licences

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Hakeem Odumosu, has reiterated that obtaining a driver’s license is a civic responsibility of all drivers, including police officers, plying Lagos roads.
This was contained in a statement by the Route Commander, Federal Road Safety  Corps and the Public Education Officer, Olabisi Sonusi.
The statement in Lagos on Thursday said Odumosu made the disclosure after his physical capture for driver’s license renewal at the FRSC Ojodu Driver’s License Centre in Lagos.
Odumosu was quoted as having said: “Once you are above 18 years of age, it is expected that the person interested in driving must apply through accredited driving schools for their electronic driving school certificate which is a prerequisite for applying for fresh driver’s license.
“Also, applicants for renewal are expected to appear physically to be captured or through bypass. Any process devoid of this is fake.”
He encouraged Officers of the Nigerian Police who drive, to get their driver’s license in order to serve as good examples for other motorists.
The Sector Commander, FRSC Lagos Sector Command, Corps Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide, was impressed with the leadership quality displayed by the CP and handed over the temporary driver’s license to Odumosu personally.
Ogungbemide promised that the CP’s permanent license would get to him shortly.
He pleaded with other security agencies to emulate the exemplary style of the CP.
Ogungbemide charged all motorists to always maintain safe speed and obey all traffic rules and regulations at all times as we enter the last quarter of the year.
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News / politics

We have enough laws backing electronic transmission of results — INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission has disclosed that there are enough laws that capacitated the electoral umpire to transmit election results electronically.
It therefore said it will not go back on the electronic transmission of results from polling units in future elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ogun State, Olusegun Agbaje, stated this during a news conference at the state INEC headquarters in Abeokuta on Thursday.
According to Agbaje, who just resumed in the state as the REC, the INEC already had enough laws that capacitated it to transmit election results electronically.
Agbaje said: “We have enough laws that capacitated us to go ahead, but if the National Assembly says we cannot do it with the new committee that had been set up, we will stop and that will be a new law.
“If they are going to make a new law that will incapacitate us that will be too bad.
“With the shout of Nigerians, non-governmental bodies, the media and many other stakeholders, I believe the National Assembly will do the right thing so that INEC can go ahead.
“If the National Assembly sees that there is any way that NCC (Nigeria Communications Commission) can help, they should tell the NCC.
“They have enough time to do that.
“They have more than one and a half years to do necessary things before the general election.
“We have an understanding that if results cannot be transmitted at a particular polling unit or location, due to network problems, they can move from the unit level to ward level where there is network and do it.
“Even before the transmission, all the party agents would have the manual copies of the results.
“To the INEC, we are very much ready and we have the capacity to do it to the admiration of all Nigerians.
“Where we have governorship election this year, in Ekiti and Osun States next year, we are going to do that if the National Assembly does not stop us.
“It is not only in the southern part of the
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Entertainment / Music / News

Jason Derulo and girlfriend Jena Frumes break up 4 months after birth of their son

American singer Jason Derulo and his girlfriend Jena Frumes have ended their relationship four months after giving birth to their son.

The music star announced their split via his Twitter page on Thursday, September 23, 2021.

“Jena and I have decided to part ways. She is an amazing mother but we feel being apart at this time will allow us to be the best versions of ourselves and the best parents we could be,” he tweeted.

“Pls respect our privacy in this time.”

The pair of exes welcomed son Jason King on May 8, with Derulo calling it, “The happiest day of my life.”

Derulo and Frumes meet in 2020 just before the pandemic, he told People in a recent interview.

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BBNaija / Entertainment / News

BBNaija 2021: Saga shares reason he is displeased at Nini’s return

‘Shine Ya Eye’ housemate, Saga has maintained his displeasure at his love interest Nini’s return following Big Brother’s exit prank.

The housemate made the revelation on Thursday in a chat with co-housemate Pere. He revealed that the prank forced him to display strong emotions on live television.

“I’m happy to see her but I’m still angry. I’m not happy because I even felt genuine emotions, I can’t lie. I’m not happy that I had to just display such emotions on TV like that, for nothing. That’s why I just shut up my mouth. I didn’t want to talk too much,” Saga said

In response, Pere detailed how he felt about the prank. “At some point, I knew it was a prank not until Whitemoney started talking about fake housemates, I bought it.

“If Nini was a fake housemate, I would have enrolled in a psychiatric hospital. Somebody I’ve been talking to 24/7 and for 8 weeks, I won’t know that person is fake? I didn’t even buy that one for one second.”

“So she has been playing me from the very beginning? Because I’m now a fool, I don’t have sense?” Saga responded.

Since Nini’s return from from her prank exile, Saga has expressed mixed emotions. Recall that the housemate was an emotional wreck following Nini’s exit. Several attempts to pacify him turned futile

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Entertainment / Music / News

Korede Bello’s ‘Like That’ gets certified Gold in the US

On Wednesday, September 23, 2021, Nigerian singer, Korede Bello‘s 2017 single, ‘Do Like That’ has been certified Gold in the US.

By so doing, the MAVIN Records product becomes the sixth Nigerian record to be certified Gold this decade, after records by Burna Boy, Davido and Wizkid.

Currently, the song has 120 million streams on YouTube. This comes after news that Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ has been certified platinum in the US. ‘Do Like That’ has also become MAVIN’s first gold record in the US.

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Entertainment / Foreign / Music / News

The Fugees are set to visit Nigeria

On September 21, 2021, Grammy-winning Hip-Hop/R&B supergroup, The Fugees announced an international reunion tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their landmark 1996 album The Score.

This will bring the group, consisting of Ms. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel together for the first time in 15 years. Despite only releasing two albums together, their legacy is filled with classic records, which have become a staple for sampling in Hip-Hop.

Their tour, which will be produced by Live Nation will visit 12 locations, including Lagos, Nigeria – on an unannounced date – and Ghana, on December 18, 2021.

As part of the tour, then will make stops in New York, California, Georgia, London, Paris and more.

After the group went on their first hiatus, Ms. Lauryn Hill went on an incredible early solo run, which produced the classic album, Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which won five Grammy awards in one 1999 night.

Wyclef Jean has also become a cultural staple, with several platinum records, and strong affiliations to Nigeria.

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Foreign / Music / News

Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ set to become the first Nigerian record to hit platinum in the US

On September 21, 2021, Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar, Wizkid’s groundbreaking Billboard Hot 100 hit, ‘Essence’ was rumored to have hit one million in sales equivalent.

This news was broken by the reliable Chart Data. This comes barely two weeks after the record was certified Gold in the US, becoming Wizkid’s second Gold record after ‘Come Closer’ featuring Drake. With this milestone, ‘Essence’ becomes the first Nigerian song to go platinum in the US.

After it fell last week, ‘Essence’ is back to No. 17 on the charts. Recently, Nigeria’s premier music chart publication, Turntable Charts also reported that ‘Essence’ has been the third biggest Nigerian song of 2021, so far.

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Entertainment / News

Davido’s official photographer, Fortune is reportedly dead

There are reports that Davido’s official photographer, Fortunate Umurname Peter is dead.

According to several posts on social media, the celebrity photographer passed away on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.

“Davido’s photographer Fortune is dead. Jesus Christ. F**k I’m heartbroken, he’s my friend. I’m so heartbroken. It shouldn’t have been fortune God, he’s hardworking, very ambitious, he worked so hard to gain the spot he achieved like wtf,” one of the tweets read.

He was the brain behind most of Davido’s photos on Instagram and a member of his crew.

Fortune was born and raised in Bariga, Lagos but hails from Owerri in Imo state.

He was 24 years old.

Until his death, the celebrity photographer worked with several celebrities including Davido, Pogba, Popcaan, Lil baby, Cassanova, Mayorkun, Wizkid, Jidenna, Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, Patoranking, Akon, DMW and many more.

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Agriculture / News / politics

El-Rufai to Southern Governors: You can’t implement anti-open grazing law

The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasil el-Rufai, has told his counterparts in the South that the anti-open grazing law that their House of Assembly are passing and which they are signing into law are not implementable.

El-Rufai said this on Tuesday during his visit to the headquarters of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja.

The Governor, who spoke with newsmen, said since there are over 14 grazing reserves in Kaduna State he would want to convert into ranching, he would be glad if the Federal Government can support his state with N140 billion.

He said: “The Northern Governors Forum has already taken a position that open grazing is not a sustainable way of livestock production. “And we must move towards ranching.

“But moving towards ranching cannot be done overnight.

“We have to have a plan, we have to have resources and we have to implement it sensibly.

“It is not a matter of populist legislation or saying tomorrow this or that.

“It is not a solution.

“We have taken a position as northern state governors and we are implementing that.

“And in my state, for instance, we are developing a huge ranch to centralize the herders.

“And that is the solution, a long time.

“But can it be done overnight?

“No.

“This project we are doing will cost us about N10 billion.

“The CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) is supporting us with about N7.5 billion.

“And it will take about two years to do.

“We will be settling about 1,500 Fulani herders family.

“And I hope that they will see that there are alternative ways of producing livestock instead of running up and down with cattle going to people’s farms to cause all kinds of problems. We want to solve the problem.”…

News / politics / Security

Umahi raises alarm as FG declares South East ‘red zone’

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has expressed the fear that the declaration of the South East as a red zone due to the spate of insecurity will deprive the area of federal projects.

Umahi made the remark on Tuesday in Abakaliki while inaugurating the new leadership of the South East Traditional Rulers Council, headed by Eze Charles Mkpuma, the Chairman of the council in Ebonyi State.

He said that Federal Government’s Ministries recently declared the South East as a red zone because of the high wave of insecurity in the area.

According to him, the insecurity in the zone, occasioned by agitations for self-determination, amounts to “self-inflicted injury” by the people. He said: “The declaration of the South East as a red zone by these Ministries means that what is due to us would be difficult to come.

“It is time for the zone’s leaders and people to collectively say no to the killings in the zone because we no longer see the real agenda of the agitations.

“The people should support governors from the zone and other leaders to permanently stop this bloodshed because we know the parents and communities of the perpetrators of the heinous acts.”

Umahi further said the agitation for secession had been hijacked by cultists, kidnappers and other criminal elements, hence the need for the acclaimed freedom fighters to critically review the situation.

He said: “It is presently difficult for trucks with goods from other parts of the country to come to the zone as we did not harmonise adequately to determine areas of comparative advantage.”

Umahi reiterated his stance that the Federal Government should continue to collect and distribute proceeds from the Value Added Tax.

He commended the immediate-past Chairman of the zonal council, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, for his quality leadership and urged his successor to build on his legacies.

In a speech, Achebe thanked the southeast traditional rulers for their support during his tenure and urged them to extend similar gesture to his successor.

“I am delighted over …

News / politics

UNGA 76: Buhari gets date to present Nigeria’s statement

President Muhammadu Buhari, who arrived in New York on Sunday to participate in the ongoing 76th Session of the UN General Assembly, is to present Nigeria’s statement to the General Assembly on September 24.

Buhari would be the second speaker on the fourth day and would deliver his address at 9am, which is 2pm in Nigerian.

He had earlier attended the opening of the General Debate of the 76th session of the General Assembly.

Buhari was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande; and Head of Chancery of the Permanent Mission, Muyiwa Onifade. No fewer than 100 heads of state attended the General Debate in person in New York, while others spoke through pre-recorded videos, the UN correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria reports.…