Foreign / Music / News

Burna Boy becomes the first-ever Nigerian to sell out the Madison Square Garden in New York

Grammy Award-winning Afro-fusion pioneer, Burna Boy has officially become, not just the first Nigerian artist to headline at the Madison Square Garden (MSG), New York, but also the first to sell it out when he live-streams his wildly anticipated “One Night In Space” show at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden on April 28th, 2022 at 9:00 pm ET, exclusively on YouTube. This massive win for Burna Boy and the entire African continent goes to buttress his point in the lyrics of ‘Way too Big’ when he sang “Because I’m way too big”. It’s clear he wasn’t joking. Featured as a guest on the American Talk show “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah”,

Burna Boy left everyone including Trevor himself, in stitches with his naturalness and authenticity — a teaser of what to expect at the MSG. Burna Boy — who has also revealed that an exclusive limited line of merch will be made available to commemorate this historic event as the first Nigerian musician to ever headline the world-renowned venue — promises a classic fusion of elements and themes combined with his explosive energy and the true spirit of New York City, which will culminate into an unforgettable night in New York City.

This ‘One Night In Space’ showcase follows Burna Boy’s recently sold-out debut at LA’s The Hollywood Bowl, electrifying performances at 2021 Global Citizen Festival and The Governor’s Ball, as well as sold-out international shows at London’s O2 Arena, Paris’ Accor Arena, Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome and more venues around the globe, as part of his 2021 Space Drift tour which echoes the sounds from his groundbreaking fifth studio album TWICE AS TALL — an immediate sensation, earning more than 5M worldwide streams within its first hour of release.

Fueled by such singles as “Wonderful,” “Monsters You Made (Feat. Chris Martin), “Real Life (Feat. Stormzy),” and “23,” TWICE AS TALL – which features additional collaborations with Youssou N’Dour, Sauti Sol, and Naughty by Nature – debuted at #1 on Billboard’s “US World Albums” chart …

Entertainment / Music / News

Burna Boy narrates how he produced the ‘Twice As Tall’ album on Zoom

Last night, the African Giant, who recently sold out Madison Square Garden, appeared on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, where he discussed his journey since their last conversation, as well as how he was able to produce his Grammy award-winning album.

Burna Boy performed at the show two years ago, shortly after the release of his fourth studio album, ‘African Giant.’ Returning to the show last night, Burna Boy discussed how he was able to put together a Grammy award-winning album during the lockdown.

See full video to his interview;

…
Entertainment / Movies / News

Yul Edochie welcomes son with 2nd wife

Nollywood actor Yul Edochie has welcome a son with his second wife, Judy Austin Moghalu.

The movie star shared the big news via his Instagram page on Wednesday, April 27, 2022.

“It’s time for the world to meet my son. His name is STAR DIKE MUNACHIMSO YUL-EDOCHIE. Born by my second wife @judyaustin1 And I love him so much, just as much as I love my other children,” he captioned the photo.

This is the first time the actor will be revealing his son and second wife.

Prior to the announcement, the actor was married to May and they have four children.

Interestingly, May gave hints about hiccups in her marriage in November 2021 after she shared a cryptic message on IG.

The mother of four took to her Instagram page where she shared a post that had the photos of Barack and Michelle Obama in their early years and then when they became the US First family.

“Never forget a woman who helped you to build yourself and stand by you by when you had nothing… if she was with you in hell, be with her in paradise,” the post read.

She captioned the post with the quote ”Not for this generation.”

Judy Moghalu is a Nollywood actress and producer.

…
News / politics

How Tambuwal’s senatorial ambition forced only Sokoto PDP senator to defect to APC

Facts have emerged that the secret ambition of the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, to come to the Senate if he eventually loses the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party forced the Deputy Minority Whip of the Senate, Ibrahim Danbaba, to defect to the All Progressives Congress.

Governor Tambuwal and Senator Danbaba are from same Senator District: Sokoto South Senatorial District.

There are indications that Tambuwal has bought both presidential and senatorial Expression of Interest and Nomination forms of the PDP.

In order to avoid facing Tambuwal in a senatorial race, Danbaba was said to have taken the easy way out, with assurances from the APC that he would be given the ticket. The lawmaker’s decision to join to the APC was conveyed in a letter read at the start of plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Wednesday.

Danbaba was nominated by the PDP on July 15, 2021 for the position of Deputy Minority Whip following the defection of the former Deputy Whip, Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u, representing Zamfara North Senatorial District, from the PDP to the APC.

Danbaba’s defection brings the total number of APC Senators in the upper chamber to 71, and PDP 37.

The lawmaker, in his letter, explained that his decision to leave the PDP was informed by the lingering and multifaceted crisis at the zonal level.

Senator Danbaba’s letter reads: “I write to formally inform you and distinguished colleagues of my decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

“My decision is anchored on the continuing multifaceted crisis that have bedeviled the PDP, especially at the zonal level which has created not only credibility problems, but has undermined party discipline, cohesion and focus.

“The situation at the state level has not helped matters either as depicted by lack of political sanity, focus and credible leadership.

“I have in APC, the political ideology in consonance with my personal political philosophy. This Ideology also seems the best suited to meet the expectations and aspirations of my constituents.…

Crime / Entertainment / News

British DJ, Tim Westwood accused of sexual abuse by multiple women

According to the Guardian, the women claim Tim abused his position as a renowned DJ in the music industry to exploit them.

The Guardian indicates that three out of the seven women have accused the DJ of sexual behaviour that is “opportunistic and predatory.”

The other four have alleged that the DJ groped them at events.

These revelations were made public through a joint inquiry by the Guardian and the BBC, focused on the DJ.

The allegations against Tim goes as far back as 1992 and the most recent is in 2017.

One of the women said: “Someone taking advantage of my naivety and lack of confidence isn’t something that I should have to carry with shame.”

The seven women who spoke to the BBC are all black.

The women tell their stories in a BBC Three documentary, Tim Westwood: Abuse of Power, which airs on BBC Three at 21:00 on Tuesday.

According to two of the women, who were aspiring to start a career in the industry, they agreed to meet the DJ in London to discuss music. They accuse the DJ of driving them to a flat and initiating unwanted and unexpected sex. One was 19 at the time, while Westwood was 53.

Another woman, then a member of an R&B group, said she met Tim when she was 17 and the DJ was in his mid-30s. She says the DJ subjected her to unwanted oral sex after agreeing to meet him.

The women who accused him of groping said the DJ touched their bottoms or breasts as they posed for photographs with him at different events where he was performing.

The BBC and the Guardian changed the names of the women, to protect their identities. The media outlets indicated the women do not know each other. Some of them still work in the music industry and fear repercussions, according to the BBC and the Guardian.

Allegations about Westwood’s behavior toward young black women have circulated on social media for some time. In 2020, Westwood issued a

…
Entertainment / News

Comedian Bovi reveals why he was banned from the United States of America

Nigerian comedian Bovi Ugboma has revealed that he has been banned from entering the United States of America.

The comedian made this known why answering questions from his fans via his Instagram Stories on Tuesday, April 27, 2022.

According to Bovi, he was banned from the country after he clashed with a visa-issuing officer and got labelled. The popular comedian said he was banned from entering the United States of America because he had an ego clash with a visa issuing officer. “ill luck! Met a charity like issuing visa officer. Egos clashed! I got labelled,” he wrote.

When asked to advise people addicted to hard drugs including cocaine, the comedian urged victims to “seek help through therapy. To defeat something stronger than you, you need something/someone more powerful than you.”

He also spoke about his frosty relationship with comedian, Ayo Makun.

A fan asked why they have refused to perform at the same show

“You ever seen Chris Rock at a Kelvin Hart show,” he replied.

Bovi Ugboma is a Nigerian stand-up comedian, actor and writer.

He has organized popular stand-up comedy concerts like Bovi: Man on Fire across the globe.

He is married to Kris Asimonye and they have three children.

…
Entertainment / Music / News

Wizkid hints on getting $1 million to headline at the Rolling Loud concert in Toronto

Rolling Loud has announced the Nigerian singer as one of three headliners for their first concert in Canada’s largest city, Toronto. Wizkid, Dave, and Future are the headliners for the three-day concert, which will take place at Ontario Place, a 15,000-person capacity outdoor concert venue in the heart of Toronto.

Following the announcement and confirmation of his story by Wizkid, the Nigerian pop star made a shocking revelation. He hinted in his story that he was paid a million dollars to be one of the event’s headliners. Wizkid will perform on the third day, September 11th, 2022. Other than Wizkid, Mavin Records Rema is the only Nigerian scheduled to perform at the concert.

Wizkid teases a $1 million payday to headline the Rolling Loud concert in Toronto. Wizkid’s story is simply a confirmation of Future’s tweet from a few days ago, in which he claimed he was paid a million dollars to headline a concert. “How many trap niggas u kno can get 1mil ah show??? #IMDATNIGGA,” he tweeted.

…
Education / News / politics

ASUU strike: Varsity lecturers making negotiation difficult – Ngige

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has blamed the Academic Staff Union of Universities for prolonging the industrial strike in the country.

The minister said the union had made negotiation difficult for both parties.

Ngige disclosed this in a statement by Patience Onuobia, Acting Head of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The minister was reacting to the insinuations that he was responsible for the ongoing action by the union.  Ngige, however, said he had done what many could not do to forestall strikes by ASUU.

According to him, negotiation now is being made impossible by ASUU.

He said: “For example, ASUU insists that National Information and Technology Development Agency should take the payment platform, University Transparency Accountability Solution that it developed.

“That they should deploy it for payment in the university whether it is good or bad, whether it failed integrity and vulnerability test or not.

“ASUU members know that fraud committed on payment platforms can run into billions.

“If a hacker adds zeros to hundreds, it becomes billions.”

Ngige noted that NITDA brought out the report of its test on UTAS, noting that it passed the user acceptability but failed vulnerability and integrity tests that were the two critical tests that prevented fraud.

He said: “As a conciliator, I spoke to ASUU and NITDA to continue the test and see whether they could make up the lapses and arrive at 100 per cent because that is what NITDA insists on.

“NITDA said they cannot even take the platform at 99.9 per cent of vulnerability and integrity.

“That they can’t take that risk on a payment system, that it can be hacked into.

“These are the issues.

“So if you hear someone saying Ngige is responsible, it is wrong.

“I’m not the one that implements.

“I’m the conciliator.

“I conciliate, so that there will be no more warfare and even in conciliation, once I apprehend, the parties go back to status quo ante, which means, you call off the strike.

“ASUU …

News / politics

2023: I’ll never drop presidential ambition – Kalu

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor-Kalu, has said that he did not drop his 2023 presidential ambition, as reported by some sections of the media.

He said he would contest the presidential ticket of the All Progressive Congress if the party zoned it to the South-East.

Kalu, who cleared the air over a statement he released on Tuesday, maintained that equity demanded that the South East should be supported to get the presidential ticket of the APC.

He said, “My stand is very clear, I didn’t drop my presidential ambition and I will never drop it. “I only urged our brothers from the South-South and South-West geo-political zones who came out en masse to contest for the office of the president to drop their ambition and support us because of equity.…

News / politics

Just In: Supreme Court voids Andy Uba’s participation in Anambra governorship poll

The Supreme Court has voided the participation of Andy Uba in the last governorship election in Anambra State as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

A five-member panel of the court, held in a judgment on Tuesday, that the APC breached its guidelines for the conduct of primaries and thus, failed to conduct valid primary from which Uba emerged as the party’s candidate in the Anambra governorship election.

The Supreme Court affirmed the February 23, 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the December 20, 2021 judgment by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The apex court proceeded to dismiss the appeals filed by Andy Uba and the APC – marked: SC/CV/240/2022 and SC/CV/241/2022. In the December 20, 2021 judgment, Justice Ekwo held among others that Uba was never a candidate in the election held on November 6, 2021 having emerged from an illegally conducted primary election held by the APC.

Justice Ekwo held that the plaintiff, in the case marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/648/201, George Moghalu (an APC aspirant for the election) succeeded in proving that the APC did not conduct a valid primary election from which Uba claimed to have emerged as the party’s candidate.

Details Shortly……

Fraud / Law / News / politics

Probe: Court orders CCT Chairman to appear before Senate

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, to appear before the Senate.

In his ruling on Tuesday, Justice Inyang Ekwo said the order was to allow Umar to face his probe over alleged public misconduct.

The judge held that Umar is answerable to the Senate on moral standards and conduct as a public officer administering the law.

Justice Ekwo stated that Umar’s suit seeking to stop his probe by the Senate lacked merit and was consequently dismissed.

The Senate asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit filed by Umar seeking to stop his probe for alleged misconduct.

Umar had initially gone to court to challenge the powers of the Senate to investigate him over an alleged assault he perpetrated against a security guard at the Banex Plaza.

He was alleged to have publicly assaulted one Sargwak, a security guard at the Banex Plaza in Wuse 2, Abuja, following a disagreement between them over a parking space on the premises.

Details later……

Entertainment / News

Music Exec, Abu Abel denies issuing threats against suspected cultists

The Chief Executive Officer of Obimzy Records and Properties, Abel Egbarin, popularly known as Abu Abel, has debunked social media reports crediting him with threats against some alleged cultists in the country.

There had been a widely speculated message online insinuating that the music exec had ‘declared war’ against cult members.

Reacting to the development, Abu Abel told Punch how much he valued the sanctity of life, while also expressing his disdain for any form of violence.

He said, “Every human life is sacred, I do not support any form of violence, and I do not have the capacity to perform the function of security agencies whose primary responsibility is to maintain law and order in the country.

“I admonish these misguided elements who are working tirelessly to pitch me against some alleged cult members to desist from such irresponsible acts and find something worthwhile to do with their time for the betterment of society.

The business mogul further expressed his dismay over the length to which the proponent of the fake news went to attribute his name to such a life-threatening message.

Abu Abel said, “It is worrisome that those who are circulating this slander even added my name and claimed that I pledged to reward anybody that can kill one Dolapo, otherwise known as Dolly Pizzle. I however advise the public to disregard the viral rumour as such will never come from me.

“Furthermore, as a law-abiding and responsible citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I hereby disassociate myself from any criminal activities that may arise from the post. Consequently, I have written a petition to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, notified security agencies, and instructed my legal team to immediately take necessary legal steps to apprehend whoever might be behind the post.

“More important than the need to even exonerate myself, is the need for people to know that I am a gentleman with good character, and I will never sponsor a murder or an attack on anyone. People should not

…
Crime / Entertainment / Music / News

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky spotted at dinner for 1st time since rapper’s arrest

Barbadian singer Rihanna has been spotted with her partner A$AP Rocky for the first time since his arrest.

According to PageSix, the couple had dinner at the popular celebrity spot, Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica, California on Saturday, April 23, 2022.

As usual, Rihanna had her belly bump on full display while also rocking a black bra, black-and-white jacket and sparkly mini shorts.

PageSix said Rihanna and Rocky were at the dinner with family friends for a baby shower.

It would be recalled that Rocky was arrested at the Los Angeles airport on Wednesday, April 20, upon his arrival from the much talked about trip to Rihanna’s home country, Barbados.

According to PageSix, he was taken into custody and charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

The rapper is under investigation by the LAPD for his alleged involvement in a Nov. 6 shooting.

The rapper first ran into trouble with the law in 2019 after he was arrested in Sweden.

He was arrested for his involvement in a public fight with some alleged drug addicts.

In an interview, he described his time in prison as “very difficult and humbling experience.”

He was jailed for a month.

Rocky and his partner Rihanna are expecting their first child together.

…
Entertainment / Music / News

Banky W claims Wizkid owes his record label 3 albums

The Nigerian singer, music executive, and politician spoke with Bounce Networks’ Ebuka. Banky W spoke about his deal with Wizkid and how they ended things in the interview with his wife and Nollywood actress, Adesua.

When discussing his contract with Wizkid and how they parted ways, he stated that Wizkid wanted to leave despite the fact that he had not fulfilled the terms of his contract. He revealed that Wizkid only released two albums, as opposed to the five stipulated in his contract. In his words,

“I think it was a 5 album deal and he had done 2 solo albums… I think he still owed 3 more albums but he wanted to leave. And for me, that was enough because I don’t want anybody to stay where they want to stay.”

When asked if he tried to talk him out of it, he replied, “No, because I could tell that mentally he was ready to do other things. For me, I just felt like some things are just meant to happen for a season and that was the season we were meant to work together.”

Recall that Wizkid joined Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) in 2009 and released two albums, ‘Superstar‘ (2011) and ‘Ayo‘ (2014), before leaving the label in 2014.

…
Entertainment / Music / News

Tems says she doesn’t think about how people will receive her music

On episode two of Tems‘ ‘Leading Vibe Radio,’ on Apple Music 1, she is joined by her manager, Muyiwa and Def Jam boss, Tunji Balogun, to explore ‘The Other Side’ of humanity as they talk self-awareness, fear, celebrity, therapy and empathy.

Here are some excerpts from the chat;

Tems On Focus, Taking Time Between Releasing Music And How People React To That

People imagine themselves to be in your position, but don’t actually understand the actual work that goes into it. So everything that they say is based off of their imagination. One thing that a lot of people never notice until now is that the first half of every single year, since I ever released music is my time to work on myself, work on my music, do everything I need to do. And in that time it seems like, “Oh my God, what’s going on?” Nothing is going on. And people start talking because everybody is scared. It looks like they have something important to say, or they have something reasonable to say, but really it’s fear.

And they’re scared for me in quotes, but if you go to the roots of that, it’s really because they’re afraid of doing what they really want to do. And they feel like, “Oh, how can this person just be chilling? What is she doing?” But you actually don’t know what I do on a daily basis. You actually don’t know how my life actually is in real life; you can’t even fathom it. And if you were me, do you know whether you’d be alive? Do you know whether you wouldn’t have done something by now? Do you know whether you would’ve handled it better than me? Because you don’t know what I’ve seen or what I’ve gone through. And a lot of this is really self-projection. Just projecting your own fears.

Tems On Whether She Thinks About How People Will Receive Her Music

Honestly, I don’t. Maybe on the day that we’re releasing it, the day of, I’ll

…
Music / News / Telecommunication

Snoop Dogg says his latest album made $21 million in the metaverse on the first day, and 34,000 downloads in the real world

On April 19, 2022, legendary American rapper appeared on popular podcast, Drink Champs, opposite NORE. During the conversation, he revealed that his latest album made $21 million in the metaverse and $34,000 in real life.

He says, “Boom dropped the album, it made $21 million the first day, but in the real world, it streamed like nine million [somewhere], seven million somewhere else, but only got 34,000 downloads.”

He released BODR, his latest album as an NFT in February 2022. The album is his third – but 23 years apart from his second – on Death Row Records, which he recently purchased from eOne Music. In the same month, Music Business Worldwide reported that Snoop Dogg had sold $44 million worth of NFT stash box in five days.

During the chat with Drink Champs, he also revealed the details behind his acquisition of Death Row Records, a label that signed him in the early 90’s, when it was owned by Dr. Dre and Suge Knight.

Watch the chat below;

…
News / Transportation

Confusion as Lagos-bound passenger dies at Abuja Airport

There was confusion at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja following the death of a passenger at the domestic wing of the airport.

The passenger, simply identified as Mama Tobi, was at the boarding area for her flight to Lagos when the incident happened.

She was said to have slumped as a result of high blood pressure.

A lawyer, Felix Ashimole, said the woman died as medical personnel from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria did not respond on time. Ashimole said: “Where is the money they claim was sunk into renovating the airport into world standard?

“For 13 minutes, no FAAN medical personnel.

“She died in my hands and few others.

“A medical doctor on his way to Kano tried but as he finally said, ‘we lost her.’

“But she would’ve been saved had FAAN provided basic insulin.

“She was diabetic.

“Her sugar went high; She entered coma; No medical attention; She saw the light and moved towards it.

“We kept calling her, Mama Tobi, Mama Tobi, don’t leave us, wake up, Good morning but saliva trickled down, foams bubbled and I knew she had seen a better place and wouldn’t be coming back!

“FAAN and the entire airline staff on ground were stupidly acting as if è no concern them.

“They kept announcing boarding and NEVER USED their speaker to ask if there is any medical personnel on ground. Finally they brought an ambulance from their fire fighting department, to take her corpse away! Good night Mummy Tobi.

“Your country and countrymen, failed you.”

It was learnt that the corpse of the deceased was taken to the NAF Medical Centre at the airport.

When contacted last night, spokesperson of FAAN, Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, said it was not true that FAAN did not respond on time, adding: “Our doctors were there.

“We are not happy it happened. We regret it happened but God knows the best in every situation.”

Hope-Ivbaze, however, expressed the condolence of FAAN to the family of the deceased and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to …

News / politics

Pro-Buhari organisation distributes rice to vulnerable people in Kebbi

The Buhari For All Organization (BUFAO), has begun the distribution of rice, loaded in five trucks, to less-privileged people in Kebbi.

While briefing newsmen at the distribution point, the Former Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji Bello Dantani, who is the State Coordinator of the organization, said that the gesture is to assist the less-privileged people in the society.

“The exercise is just the beginning of the distribution of five trucks of 25-kg rice off-loaded by the organization in the state.

“Today, orphans, persons living with disabilities, widows and the less-privileged people within the society are going home with bags of rice as assistance to them from the organization,” he said. Dantani urged the beneficiaries to continue to pray for the unity of the country and administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to surmount its challenges before the end of its tenure.

The coordinator also urged the beneficiaries to use the items received judiciously in order to cushion the effect of some hardships they faced during the Ramadan period.

In his remarks while flagging off the distribution of the rice, Gov. Atiku Bagudu commended the organization for its benevolence in reaching out to orphans, widows and the less-privileged in the spirit of social service to the citizenry.

Bagudu, represented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Mineral Resources, Alhaji Maigari Dakingari, said his administration attached premium to enhancing the welfare of the less privileged and the indigent in the state with emphasis on orphans and similar groups.

He further stated that the distribution of the rice by the organization is in line with the policy of the incumbent administration to uplift the social and economic well-being of the people.

The governor also said that the government has already distributed food items throughout the 21 local government areas as Ramadan palliative.

Also speaking, the National Co-ordinator of the organization, Alhaji Aminu Sani-Tagi, represented by Alhaji Muhammad Umar, the Zamfara State Commissioner for Arts and Culture, described the method adopted by the state chapter of the organization as the best in the country. …

Education / Entertainment / News

DJ Cuppy says returning to djing distracted her from studies

Nigerian disc jockey Florence Otedola popularly known as DJ Cuppy revealed how she has been hugely distracted from school since returning to djing.

Cuppy gained admission to the prestigious University of Oxford in 2021.

In a post shared via her Instagram stories on Sunday, April 17, 2022, the billionaire heiress said she has forgotten about her studies because of the several gigs she has been getting lately. “I can’t even lie…Since I started djing again and taking on projects and bookings I have genuinely forgotten that I am indeed still a full-time student as Oxford university and have a whole research thesis due this summer,” she wrote.

According to Cuppy, she has to remind her team about the importance of her studies.

“I have to keep reminding myself and my team that music cannot get in the way of school. Damn.”

It would be recalled that she was accepted into the prestigious university in March 2022.

This will be the music star’s second master’s degree in six years.

Cuppy earned a master’s degree in Music Business from New York University in 2015.

She is one of Nigeria’s most influential disc jockeys.

…