News / politics

TeeMac makes U-turn, says Tinubu is competent to lead Nigeria

TeeMac had earlier warned Nigerians not to vote for Tinubu in the presidential election. In a new statement released by the Delta State-born flutist, TeeMac said the competence of Tinubu to lead Nigeria is not in doubt.

“My attention has been drawn to a post that has gone viral on Social Media regarding a private banter with a Facebook acquaintance on the eligibility of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” part of the statement read.

“Whilst it is regrettable that such a private conversation went viral video from a Facebook Account, let me state that the conversation was taken out of context. In the first instance, I have high regards for the person of the APC Presidential candidate; a two (2)-Term Governor of Lagos State, and a revered leader of the APC. I have lived in Lagos since I relocated from Switzerland, and I can attest to his transformational impact in the State.”

“More significantly is his ability to identify and engage exceptionally and committed technocrats in governance with tangible results over time, and maintaining relationships with them, and others across board. This, I believe will be replicated if he is given the opportunity at the Federal level.”

“His all-inclusive style of governance has seen people from other states, ethnicities and faith take up appointments in Lagos, serving meritoriously too! Consequently, his competence is not in doubt. I only expressed my fear for the rigors of the office.”

“My personal view is that anyone can choose any candidate, but must ask themselves if they have chosen rightly. This is a pertinent question for everyone. I simply admonished a friend to vote by his convictions. My only grouse, which I still stand by is that it was Tinubu who sold Buhari to the nation in 2015, which candidate, contrary to all expectations, underperformed.”

“The above notwithstanding, I neither have a personal grudge with Asiwaju, nor would pursue a path of acrimony with my cousin, Remi Tinubu, whom everyone adjudged pleasant and

…
Music / News

Ne-Yo’s wife, Crystal Renay, accuses him of cheating on her for 8 years

Renay made this known via her Instagram page on Saturday, July 30, 2022. In what many have described as a passionate post, Renay said the music star accused her husband of cheating on her with “numerous” other women over the course of their nearly decade-long relationship.

“8 years of lies and deception. 8 years of unknowingly sharing my life and husband with numerous of women who sell their bodies to him unprotected… every last one of them!” she wrote.

“To say I’m heartbroken and disgusted is an understatement. To ask me to stay and accept it is absolutely insane. The mentality of a narcissist. I will no longer lie to the public or pretend that this is something it isn’t,” she continued.

“I choose me, I choose my happiness and health and my respect. I gained 3 beautiful children out of this but nothing else but wasted years and heartache.”

“If someone can’t love you the way you deserve then it’s up to you to love yourself. With no hate in my heart, I wish him nothing but the best.”

On Sunday, July 31, Neyo responded to his wife’s post on Twitter.

“For the sake of our children, my family and I will work through our challenges behind closed doors,” he tweeted.

“Personal matters are not meant to be addressed and dissected in public forums. I simply ask that you please respect me and my family’s privacy at this time.”

Renay and Neyo started dating in 2015. Neyo proposed that same year.

The couple briefly split in 2020 before remarrying in 2022, throwing a lavish ceremony in Las Vegas to celebrate their reunion.

…
News / Oil & Gas

Forex: How NNPC remitted $2.7 billion in six months

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited remitted $2.7 billion in six months, from January to June this year, into its accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The revelation has put to rest claims that the national oil company has not been contributing to the national purse.

This claim has also led to another that the lack of contribution by the NNPC, which trades largely in foreign exchange, was responsible for the spiraling value of the naira.

The funds remitted comprise of $645 million for dividend paid by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited and $1.786 billion from the NNPC operational activities.

Further details showed that the NNPC Limited remitted $18.77 million in January 2022,  $194.56 million in February 2022, and $373.233 million in March 2022.

Other NNPC remittances were $247.884 million in April 2022, $591.565 million in May 2022 and $880.906 million in June 2022.

This followed claims that zero remittance by the NNPC Limited has been responsible for the acute scarcity of the dollar, leading to the sharp depreciation of the naira last month.

The naira depreciated by N3.95 to N429 per dollar at the end of July in the Investor and Exporters window from N425 per dollar at the end of June.

Similarly, the naira depreciated by N95 to N710 in the parallel market at the end of July from N615 per dollar at the end of June.…

Law / News

Why we must clear illegal land dealings — Ogun Attorney General

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ogun State, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), says there is a need to clear all illegal land dealings in the State in order to further pave way for economic development and create a conducive environment for investors to thrive.

He spoke at the inaugural public sitting of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry on Land Allocation and Documentation.

The event held at the Ministry of Justice Conference room, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The Commissioner stated that facts about land matters would be revealed as Committee members were ready to follow proceedings to get to the root of all petitions, seeking maximum cooperation from parties involved.

In his address, Chairman of the Commission, Justice Solomon Olugbemi (retd.), noted that it was set up with terms of reference, pointing out that the key feature was to unravel illegalities in land transactions, which had prompted it to relate with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.

Justice Olugbemi said seven petitions would be considered at the inaugural sitting having received 56 petitions from the concerned parties, advising witnesses not to give false evidence and be ready to alter clear statements when called upon. In his remark, the Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Kameel Abolade urged members of the public to continue to forward their complaints to the Commission, noting that the State Government was ready to suggest ways to curb any identified illegalities in land dealings.…

News / politics

We are facing most challenging times in our country — Obi

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has reiterated the need for the church to remain in prayers, saying the nation was facing the most challenging times in its history.

Obi spoke at the inauguration of Most Reverend Daniel Okoh as the new President, Christian Association of Nigeria.

At the event in Abuja, who received a rousing welcome with loud ovations of “OBIdients”, stated that unless Christians prayed and worked hard towards electing good leaders for the nation, the situation may continue to deteriorate.

He said: “Fellow Nigerians, please continue to remember our country in prayers.

“We are facing very difficult challenges in our nation at the moment.

“With the prayers of the church and our hard work as a people, we will come out victorious.

“Above all, remember all of us, the public office holders, in your prayers that we will use public money for public good.”

Obi praised the leadership of CAN for the smooth and peaceful transition of power, noting that it was worth emulating.

He said: “I think we have to come and learn from you so we can have a seamless transition as we go along.”

The inauguration of the new leadership of CAN had in attendance many dignitaries, political and spiritual.

The Governors of Delta and Benue States, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and Benue Samuel Ortom; and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, were among those in attendance.

…
News / War

Ukraine military steps up shelling on Kherson

As Ukraine’s military steps up its strikes on Kherson, hinting at a new offensive to recapture the region, there is another force working alongside.

The force is Ukraine’s shadow army, a network of agents and informers who operate behind enemy lines.

Our journey to meet the resistance fighters takes us through a landscape of sunflower yellow and sky blue to Mykolaiv. The first major town on Ukrainian-controlled territory west of Kherson, it has become the partisans’ headquarters on the southern front.

Driving through military checkpoints, we pass giant billboards showing a faceless, hooded figure alongside a warning: “Kherson: The partisans see everything.” The image is designed to make the region’s Russian occupiers nervous and boost the morale of those trapped under their rule. ”The resistance is not one group, it’s total resistance,” the man standing in front of me insists, his voice slightly muffled by a black mask he’s pulled up from his neck so I can’t see his face as we film him, in a room I can’t describe so that neither can be found.

I’ll call him Sasha.

Shortly before this war, Ukraine bolstered its Special Forces in part to build and manage a resistance movement. It even published a PDF booklet on how to be a good partisan, with instructions on such subversive acts as slashing the tires of the occupier, adding sugar to petrol tanks or refusing to follow orders at work. “Be grumpy,” is one suggestion.

But Sasha’s team of informers have a more active role: tracking Russian troop movements inside Kherson.

“Say yesterday we saw a new target, then we send that to the military and in a day or two it’s gone,” he says, as we scroll through some of the many videos he’s sent from the neighbouring region each day. One is from a man who drove past a military base and filmed Russian vehicles, another is from CCTV footage as Russian trucks pass by, daubed with their giant Z war-marks.

Sasha describes his “agents” as Ukrainians “who have not lost hope …

Education / News

Gov. El-Rufai threatens to sack KASU staff for joining ASUU strike

Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State has threatened to sack the striking members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), of Kaduna State University, KASU, and declare their positions vacant if they refuse to return to classrooms.

The governor who spoke on a live radio program yesterday night, among others, said: “ASUU has a problem with the Federal Government (FG), not the state government.

The Acting Vice Chancellor has assured me that they will resume and I have asked them to find out if they actually resumed work because I initially instructed that their salary be stopped. “But I was later told they didn’t join the strike; so I asked that it should be investigated and those that collected salary and joined the strike will be asked to refund the salary. This is because Nigeria’s law says ‘no work, no pay’. This is the law. So whoever joined the strike will not be paid salary. We have been telling the KASU lecturers that they have no problem with state government. ASUU’s problem is with the Federal Government; therefore, why will our staff who have no problems with us join the strike?

“If this continues, I will wake up one day to sack them all, I swear to God. We will sack them all and declare their positions vacant on the pages of newspapers. They once did the same thing and we gave them warning, now they repeated it. I’m only waiting to receive the report from the Commissioner for Education. I swear to God, we will sack all those that joined the strike if they refuse to resume work.”

Speaking on the aftermath of the APC Presidential primaries, he said he and other APC governors were fully in support of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket and would work assiduously for their success in 2023 because they have proven to be good leaders as governors in their respective states. El-Rufai, however, said he was not appointed Director-General D-G of the Tinubu campaign as was insinuated, but saddled with an assignment on the campaign …

News / Security

Bwari attack: Troops eliminate 30 terrorists who attacked soldiers – DHQ

The Defense Headquarters says military troops have eliminated 30 of the terrorists who attacked troops of the Guards Brigade in Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Sunday.

The Director, Defense Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko, made this known on Thursday in Abuja.

Onyeuko, who spoke at the bi-weekly news conference on military operations, said the operation was conducted by troops of 7 Guards Battalion and 167 Special Force Battalion in conjunction with the air component of “Operation Whirl Punch” between Sunday and Tuesday.

He said the troops successfully cleared Kawu and Ido villages, neutralizing the terrorists and destroyed their enclave and hideout.

According to him, the ground troops also recovered six motorcycles, two AK47 rifles, one fully loaded LMG magazine amongst others during mob up.

Onyeuko said: “The hierarchy of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies wishes to re-assured Nigerians of its commitment and pact with all Nigerians.

“With the recent operations carried out between from July 23, we wish to assure residents of FCT in particular that we are undaunted and unrelenting in our efforts to ensure the safety of lives and properties.

“People should go about their normal business as their safety is guaranteed.

“The support and cooperation of all Nigerians is hereby solicited as security is everybody’s business.

“Citizens are encouraged to report any unusual persons in your community to security agencies.

“If you see something say something.”

On his part, the Director Defense Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor, urged media to continue to support the military in ensuring that the enemies of the nation were defeated.

On the voice note being circulated on social media purportedly belonging to a soldier involved in the attack, Akpor said that enquiries to know its authenticity was unnecessary.…

News / Security

Terrorists attack Military checkpoint in Abuja, kill soldiers in shootout

An unknown number of soldiers were said to have been killed on Thursday night by Boko Haram terrorists stormed an Army checkpoint around Zuma Rock, the border between the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Niger State.

Sources said the terrorists arrived Zuma Rock on the axis of Madalla and Suleija along the Abuja-Kaduna highway at about 8:30pm and took the soldiers by surprise, opening fire from different angles.

“They were shooting continuously at the checkpoint for more almost one hour, and soldiers at the checkpoint were fighting back. But after a while, the shooting stopped,” a source said.

The sources said the terrorists later abandoned their mission of moving into Abuja and retreated towards Kaduna axis.

While retreating, the bandits who were said to be in several motorbikes, reportedly attacked some villages and shops in Madalla and carried foodstuff on their motorbikes before bolting.

Following the retreat of the terrorists, more troops and equipment from the Army base in Zuma Barracks were deployed for reinforcement to the scene.

Another source said a joint security operatives team were going on patrol around the axis when sounds of gunshot erupted and they moved towards the scene only to discover that it was an ongoing battle between soldiers and bandits.

The source said the security operatives immediately radioed the Army Barracks at Zuma Rock, resulting in the deployment of reinforcement to the scene.

The fighting reportedly caused severe traffic jam, as motorists remained trapped on the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.

The attack comes barely six days after terrorists carried out an ambushed a patrol team of Presidential Guards team along the Bwari-Kubwa Road resulting in the death of six soldiers and officers following intelligence report that they were planning to attack the Nigerian Law School in Bwari.

The attack and other kidnapping incidents have resulted in heightened tension in the FCT, with schools closed.

The management of Federal Government College, Kwali asked parents to evacuate their children from the school as a result of an attack by bandits in a neighboring community 24 hours earlier.…

Awards / Law / Movies / News

Angelina Jolie wanted to subpoena Brad Pitt at the SAG awards and Oscars

With Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie locked in a bitter dispute over their French winery following their divorce.

The actress’ lawyers even.tried serving Pitt with a subpoena during this year’s Screen Actors Guild awards, which were held in February.

With Jolie‘s lawyers unable to serve Pitt so far, reports suggest that a man was hired to ambush Pitt at the awards ceremony, though the attempts were unsuccessful.

According to Page Six, Jolie’s lawyers wanted to make a second attempt at the Oscars, though this time Pitt‘s attorneys would intervene.

Jolie‘s lawyers were apparently trying to subpoena Pitt to hand over records and correspondence relating to the Chateau Miraval winery that the pair had invested in while they were together.

What is Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s fallout over?

Pitt and Jolie invested in a winery while they were still together.

Following their separation, the couple now find themselves in a bitter dispute after Jolie sold her shares in the winery to a subsidiary of the liquor firm Stoli.

Pitt has since claimed that the shares could not be sold without his approval as he had the first right of refusal if Jolie were to sell any part of her stake in the company.…

Music / News

Shakira risks prison if she does not reach an agreement with Barcelona tax authorities

Shakira could find herself in the dock for alleged tax fraud, after deciding not to reach a plea bargain with the prosecutor’s office.

The president of the Union of Treasury Technicians, Carlos Cruzado, spoke on a late night talk show about the singer’s case. She has been charged with six tax offences.

“She runs a very great risk being charged with six tax offences, with the penalties that this could entail,” Cruzado said.

Could Shakira go to prison?

Cruzado said he was surprised that the singer risked going to trial with a sentence that could even land her in jail.

“It is very likely that before the trial she will reach an agreement, because most of her tax offences are aggravated and with penalties that could reach up to six years in prison for each of the offences,” Cruzado said.

If not, “it is very likely that she could find herself with problems”.

Signs of a crime

The expert said that the authorities have consistent evidence and each of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which filed the complaint, and the judge who admitted it and the Barcelona Provincial Court “see signs of a crime and the need to prosecute it”.

However, he points out that the mitigating factor is that she paid the amount claimed by the tax authorities.

Shakira swears her innocence

On Wednesday it was reported that the Colombian singer rejected a deal offered by the Barcelona prosecutor’s office to avoid being tried for defrauding the tax authorities of 14.5 million euros and has decided to go on trial for tax fraud, as she is “fully confident” of her innocence, according to EFE.

Shakira considered the prosecutor’s proposal as disproportionate and contrary to her interests. She accuses him of being “intransigent” and of resorting to “undue means to exert pressure”.

And although the possibility of reaching a deal remains open until the day of the trial, everything points to the singer finally sitting in the dock.…

Boxing / News / Sports / War

Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko in an emotional interview: Today it is easier to die for our country than to live for it

Heavyweight brothers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko both reached the pinnacle of their sport as world champions, but since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February have been forced to fight much closer to home.

Vitali Klitschko is now the Mayor of Kiev, Ukraine’s capital city, a post that he’s held since 2014 whilst younger brother Wladimir joined the Kyiv Territorial Defense Brigade when Russia invaded.

“You know the simplest thing you can do? Die for your country. The most complicated? Live for your country,” Wladimir told Piers Morgan.

“That means fight for life, protect your people, protect your country, protect yourself.

“It’s so complicated that at some point you really catch a feeling like ‘you know I’m going to run to my death,’ so to speak, just to end this misery.”

Vitali talked about meetings a child who didn’t know he’d just been orphaned, and added: “This war can touch everyone in Europe.”

The war in Ukraine is into its fifth month with no end in sight, and tens of thousands casualties reported.

“The strength is of us Ukrainians that we don’t want to die even though a lot have already been killed and tortured and raped and now still putting life on the line,” Wladimir said.

“But, living for your country is more complicated and challenging and it’s definitely something that we don’t want to do as Ukrainians is run to our death.

“So, we stay strong, we stay alive and we fight for our choice not to live on our knees.”…

Music / News

‘Justin Bieber is the easiest collaboration I ever had’ Omah Lay reveals

How it all started: According to Nigerian singing sensation Omah Lay, his friendship with Justin Bieber started after he put out his first project ‘Get Layd’ EP in 2020. Justin texted him on Instagram and followed him and the two became friends.

How ‘Attention’ came about: While sharing how his collaboration with Justin ‘Attention’ was created, Omah Lay revealed that while working with an international powerhouse such as Justin Bieber could be such a difficult possibility, it is actually his easiest collaboration to date.

“I just sent a song, he loved the song and sent back a verse,” Omah Lay said while sharing how the single which appears on his debut album ‘Boy Alone’ came about.

‘Boy Alone’ is Omah Lay’s highly anticipated debut album released on July 15th, 2022, and it has been described by critics and fans to be a bold, honest, and perfectly curated project.

In a display of the connection between the two talented music stars, Omah Lay has performed the single alongside Justin Bieber on his 2022 ‘Justice Tour’.

Another Win for Afrobeats: Omah Lay’s revelation that his collaboration with Justin Bieber is the easiest in his career showcases the current status of Afrobeats.

Afrobeats is gaining palpable international fame and success and with this fame comes respect, and acknowledgment that will further position Nigerian superstars for global success.

…
Education / News

Google unveils Third Google News Initiative Innovation Challenge winners

Google has announced 34 recipients of the third Google News Initiative Innovation Challenge.

The winners, drawn from Africa, Middle East, Israel and Turkey, were unveiled by Google in a statement on Thursday.

The recipients, among them 21 journalists and publishers from 10 countries in Africa, were selected for their promotion of diversity, equality and inclusion in the journalism industry.

The GNI Innovation Challenge is part of Google’s $300 million commitment to helping journalism thrive in the digital era and has seen news innovators step forward with many exciting initiatives demonstrating new thinking.

“This year, we sought to broaden our criteria to include digital innovation initiatives that promote goals like reader engagement, new reader income, subscriptions, disinformation among other things Following a thorough assessment, a round of interviews, and a final jury selection, 34 projects from 17 countries were chosen to receive $3.2 million in funding,” said Ludovich Blecher, Head of Innovation, Google News Initiative.

The recipients met all the five criteria requirements: impact on the news ecosystem, equity and inclusion, inspiration, innovation, diversity and feasibility.

Some of the recipients include Kenya’s WANANCHI Reporting, Nigeria’s Dubawa and South Africa’s Quote This Woman+.

WANANCHI Reporting provides features that allow both the unserved and underserved Kenyans from remote and excluded areas to tell their stories and highlight diversity in a manner that avoids misrepresentation by allowing them to contribute to the news ecosystem through their technology-driven interactive platform.

Nigeria’s Dubawa is a digital platform that helps newsrooms source and license quality images from local African photographers and photojournalists.

Starting with Nigeria, ATLAS is looking to host relevant news images and editorial images curated from local African photographers and photojournalists, which anyone can instantly download.

South Africa’s Quote This Woman+, an interactive online database solution and tool, helps journalists and newsrooms to efficiently access diverse expert sources for their news coverage.

The database provides a growing community of African women+ experts from all fields, including science, public health, economic policy, politics, education reform and environmental justice.

This year’s challenge received a total of 425 …

Church / Movies / News

Apostle Suleman speaks on alleged sexual relationships with celebrities

The General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has reacted to allegations bordering on infidelity levelled against him.

Recall that The Eagle Online had reported that an Instagram blogger, Gistlover, released the list of female celebrities.

It claimed that Suleman had intimate relationships with the celebrities, adding that there were many names missing as Big Brother Naija female stars should also be included.

Reacting to the allegations in a video he shared through his Instagram page on Wednesday, the clergyman said: “I have been busy with this crusade but I heard that they are dragging me on social media, that the man is diabolic.

“Diabolic kee you there.

“You wan to drag me?

“We will drag ourselves.

“I’m being accused of knowing some people.

“These are people who come to my church.

“Should I deny my children because of what is being written?

“The list is not long enough.

“Make it 200.

“I am the one who will disappear that blog.

“You attack politicians, you attack celebrities and you came for me.

“You have entered my trap.

“If you are brave, reveal your identity.

“You can’t be hiding.

“Reveal your identity, drop your address and let’s pay you a visit.”…

News / Transportation

FG approves additional N16b to complete Kano-Katsina Expressway

The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved an augmentation of N16 billion for the completion of the dualization of the Kano-Katsina Expressway.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made this known on Wednesday after the FEC meeting.

He spoke while briefing newsmen at the end of the Council’s meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mohammed said: “A memo that sought the Council’s approval for the revised total cost of contract for the dualization of the Kano-Katsina Expressway was approved.

“The contract on the 78km road was actually awarded sometime in 2019.

“The contractor, having done appreciable work asked us for a review of the Bill of Quantity of engineering work.

“The contract deal was augmented with the sum of N16 billion, thereby revising the subsisting contract from N29 billion to N46 billion.”

The Minister also told newsmen that more than N800 million was approved for the procurement of 32 operational vehicles for the NDLEA.

Mohammed added: “The Council approved that the NDLEA buys 32 operational vehicles to enhance its operations.

“I am sure we have all noticed that there has been an improved performance on the part of the NDLEA in the last couple of months.

“Resulting from this enhanced performance, there has been the need for more operational vehicles.

“The good thing about the request is that all the operational vehicles are being bought from local vehicle assembly plants.

“The total cost is N821.7 million.”

On his part, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, told newsmen that the Council approved a Nigeria Mining Chain Revolution Policy.

He explained that the policy would reduce the exportation of raw ore so that Nigeria could benefit more from its value chain.

Adegbite said: “The ministry was able to pass a memo in Council.

“It is essentially on a policy drive initiated by this administration and that is what we call Downstream Policy.

“Essentially, it’s to prevent us from exporting raw ore from Nigeria so that we can have some benefits before minerals are exported.

“Essentially, the …

Music / News

Burna Boy’s ‘Last Last’ climbs 14 places on Billboard Hot 100

In the latest issue of the Billboard Hot 100, Burna Boy‘s ‘Last Last’ occupies the 72nd position. Afrobeats Megastar Burna Boy is currently enjoying a fine run on the Billboard Hot 100 which is the official chart in the United States. Last Last’ climbed up 14 places rising from the 86th spot to the 72nd position in the latest issue of the chart. The hit single is enjoying its second week on the charts haven debuted at the 86th spot last week.

Can ‘Last Last’ go further up the chart?: ‘Last Last’ has soared in acceptance in recent weeks with the single enjoying impressive patronage in the US. its latest impressive ascension on the charts indicates its growing acceptance and with the Grammy winner currently touring the US, the single can be expected to continue its fine run on the charts.…

Awards / Music / News

Headies withdraws Portable’s nominations due to police investigation

The Headies Academy’s decision was necessitated by Portable’s recent running of the law where he claimed he is the founder of the deadly one million boys gang which terrorized Lagos citizens during the lockdown.

Portable would later refute this claim after it attracted wide criticism and led to a police investigation.

Portable has previously threatened to kill other nominees should he lose either of the two categories he was nominated for.

The Headies Academy’s decision to withdraw Portable’s nomination means that he won’t be getting a chance to win the Rookie of the Year and Best Street Hop which he was nominated for.

…
Awards / Music / News

Tems earns 2022 MTV VMAs nomination

The single is one of the songs on Future’s 9th solo studio album ‘I Never Liked You’ and it features Drake and also samples vocals from Tems‘ ‘Higher’.

‘Wait For U’ debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 thus earning Tems her third Billboard Hot 100 entry and made her only the second Afrobeats act to reach number one on the chart.

Full nomination list for 2022 VMAs:

Video of the Year

  • Doja Cat – ‘Woman’
  • Drake ft. Future & Young Thug  – ‘Way 2 Sexy’
  • Ed Sheeran – ‘Shivers’
  • Harry Styles – ‘As It Was’
  • Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – ‘INDUSTRY BABY’
  • Olivia Rodrigo – ‘brutal’ 
  • Taylor Swift – ‘All Too Well’ (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) 

Artist of the Year

  • Bad Bunny
  • Drake
  • Ed Sheeran
  • Harry Styles
  • Jack Harlow
  • Lil Nas X
  • Lizzo

Song of the Year

  • Adele – ‘Easy On Me’
  • Billie Eilish – ‘Happier Than Ever’
  • Doja Cat – ‘Woman’ – Kemosabe Records
  • Elton John & Dua Lipa – ‘Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)’
  • Lizzo – ‘About Damn Time’
  • The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber – ‘STAY’

Best New Artist

  • Baby Keem
  • Dove Cameron
  • GAYLE
  • Latto
  • Måneskin
  • SEVENTEEN

Best Collaboration

  • Drake ft. Future & Young Thug – ‘Way 2 Sexy’
  • Elton John & Dua Lipa – ‘Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)’
  • Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – ‘INDUSTRY BABY’
  • Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa – ‘Sweetest Pie’
  • Post Malone & The Weeknd – ‘One Right Now’
  • ROSALÍA ft. The Weeknd – ‘LA FAMA’
  • The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber – ‘STAY’

Push Performance of the Year

  • September 2021: Griff – ‘One Night’
  • October 2021: Remi Wolf – ‘Sexy Villain’
  • November 2021: Nessa Barrett – “I hope ur miserable until ur dead”
  • December 2021: SEVENTEEN – ‘Rock With You’ – PLEDIS Entertainment
  • January 2021: Mae Muller – ‘Better Days’
  • February 2022: GAYLE – ‘abcdefu’
  • March 2022: Sheneesa – ‘R U That’
  • April 2022: Omar Apollo – ‘Tamagotchi’
  • May 2022: Wet Leg – ‘Chaise Longue’
  • June 2022: Muni Long – ‘Baby Boo’
  • July
…
Business / News

Nigerian government most difficult client, says AfDB official

A Senior Special Adviser to the President of the African Development Bank, Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, on Tuesday, described the Federal Government as the bank’s most difficult client.

He said this while delivering a keynote address at 2022, 3rd Biennial African Scientific Integration Network Conference hosted by the Centre for Energy Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state.

The AfDB boss delivered a paper virtually on the topic, ‘Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development.’

While responding to questions on what the bank was doing to assist the growth of industries in Nigeria, he made specific reference to a loan facility that the Board of the bank approved for Nigeria and how the Federal Government delayed its approval. He said, “I can tell you we have many projects in Nigeria and I am leading one of them. For the Special Arrangement Industrial Processing Loan, we raised $540m for each zone in Nigeria.

“We raised it, and the board of the AfDB approved it on December 13 but the Ministry of Finance did not sign until June 1. We were begging them to sign. By the way, this loan has less than a one per cent interest rate for 25 years and an eight-year moratorium.  It is like someone is giving you money for free.

“Other countries have just one zone and they have been calling to thank us, thank the president, thank everyone for what you have done for us, but in Nigeria, you will be asked why you are pushing too much. We were supposed to launch the project by March 1. The Nigerian government is the most difficult client.”

Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor, OAU, Prof. Simeon Bamire, said the prevalent global environment was creating challenges for poor, small, landlocked, as well as resource-dependent economies. He then charged the conference to seek to identify these challenges and attempt to proffer solutions to them.…