Online streaming platform, Spotify, says Nigeria, South Africa, United States, United Kingdom and Germany are the top five countries that have streamed Amapiano music in the last 10 years. Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music in Sub Saharan Africa, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Amapiano music. Amapiano, meaning “the pianos in Zulu, is a subgenre of Kwaito and house music that emerged in South Africa in 2014. It is a hybrid of deep house, jazz and lounge music characterised by synths and wide percussive bass lines Okumu said in 2023, the…
Author: Editor Francis
The Federal Government has issued a warning to the public, advising against investing in the cryptocurrency token associated with renowned music star, Davido. This advisory comes after Davido, whose real name is David Adedeji Adeleke, launched a new cryptocurrency token, known as $Davido, last month. On Friday, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released a statement highlighting the substantial risks linked to investing in meme coins, including $Davido. The SEC emphasised that $Davido does not fall within its regulatory framework as an investment product or asset class. “The attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria (SEC) has been drawn…
Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for stronger collaboration between the government and business leaders, emphasising that politics should not be left solely to politicians. Speaking at the Heirs Holdings Group Directors’ Annual Summit Dinner in Abuja on Friday, Shettima highlighted the necessity of a partnership between the public and private sectors to drive Nigeria’s economic growth and prosperity. Shettima underscored the importance of open dialogue, shared insights, and collaborative efforts between these sectors as essential strategies for developing solutions tailored to Nigeria’s unique challenges. He stressed that the political and economic spheres are complementary forces crucial for national stability…
In a landmark ruling, the Federal High Court in Kano has mandated the Kano State Government to compensate the deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, with N10 million for infringing upon his fundamental rights. The court has also ordered the state to ensure Bayero’s right to movement and personal liberty. Presiding over the case, Justice Simon Amobeda asserted the court’s jurisdiction to hear Bayero’s rights violation suit before addressing the core issues. Emphasising the importance of jurisdiction, Justice Amobeda noted that any proceedings without it would be void. The judge highlighted that Bayero sought N5 billion in damages from the…
Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading sub-Saharan Africa building materials company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Gbenga Oyebode MFR as the new Chairman of its Board of Directors. This strategic appointment underscores Lafarge’s commitment to excellence in corporate governance and leadership. Mr. Oyebode, who joined the Lafarge Africa Board in April 2020, brings a wealth of experience spanning over four decades in law, corporate governance, and business operations. As co-founder of ALN – Aluko & Oyebode Nigeria, one of Nigeria’s largest integrated law firms, Mr. Oyebode has established himself as a titan in the legal profession. His impressive…
The federal government has approached the World Bank for a $500 million loan to improve rural roads, enhance access to agricultural products, and address rising food prices across the nation. This funding request is part of the Nigeria Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project Scale-Up (RAAMP-SU), overseen by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. According to the World Bank, the project aims to benefit approximately 92 million people in rural areas currently lacking adequate road networks. The RAAMP-SU will focus on three main components: Improvement of Resilient Rural Access ($387 million), Climate-Resilient Asset Management ($158 million), and Institutional…
The Nigeria Police Force has apprehended three individuals suspected of creating fake websites for Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration and falsifying JAMB admission letters. The arrests were announced in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday. In April, both the Nigeria Police Force and JAMB warned the public about fraudulent websites targeting candidates applying for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). These sites were designed to deceive candidates into providing personal information, which was then exploited for malicious purposes. In response, the police and JAMB partnered to combat phishing websites and scammers. At…
Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, has announced plans to venture into steel production with the goal of ensuring that all steel used in West Africa originates from Nigeria. Dangote made this declaration during an interview at the Afreximbank Afro-Caribbean Trade & Investment Forum in Nassau, The Bahamas. Following the completion of his refinery project, Dangote revealed that his next major enterprise would be in steel manufacturing. He emphasised his ambition to see Nigeria become the primary source of steel products for West Africa. “We are not going to take any breaks,” Dangote stated. “Our goal is to make…
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has voiced strong opposition to a bill proposing a single six-year term for the President and state governors, labeling it as “anti-democracy” and a move to restrict the people’s choice. The bill, proposed by 35 members of the House of Representatives under the banner of Reformed-minded Legislators, also advocates for rotating the presidency among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, arguing that this would reduce the cost of governance. In a press conference held in Abeokuta on Thursday, NANS urged Nigerians, pro-democracy groups, organized labor, and trade unions to mobilize against the bill. Yekini Adewale,…
The Federal High Court in Kano has affirmed its jurisdiction to hear the human rights violation case brought by deposed Kano Emir Aminu Ado Bayero and senior councillor Aminu Babba DanAgundi. This follows the contentious reinstatement of Emir Mohammadu Sanusi II. Previously, the court issued an ex-parte order preventing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano from reinstating Sanusi until the substantive suit against his reinstatement is resolved. This order also opposes the abolishment of the four emirates—Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano—as stipulated in a bill passed by the State House of Assembly. Justice Liman directed all parties to maintain the…
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced that it will publish the complete list of institutions that have submitted their student data in accordance with the agency’s requirements. This announcement, made on Thursday by NELFUND’s Head of Media, Nasir Ayitogo, specifies that the list will be made public on June 24, 2024. The publication will include both federal and state-owned institutions and aims to ensure transparency and encourage active participation in the scheme by undergraduate applicants and tertiary institutions. “It is commendable that many federal institutions have already completed the exercise as the first wave, while state-owned institutions are…
Aliko Dangote, founder of Dangote Group and Africa’s richest man, revealed that he has repaid $2.4 billion of the $5.5 billion loan taken for his $19 billion refinery in Lagos. Speaking at the Afreximbank Annual Meetings in Nassau, The Bahamas, Dangote disclosed that his 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery will serve as Nigeria’s strategic reserve, according to This Day Newspaper. Dangote explained that the loan was secured based on the company’s balance sheet. “We borrowed just over $5.5 billion. We have paid a significant amount in interest due to project delays caused by land issues and lengthy sand-filling processes. Despite these challenges, we…