Air Peace has launched flight operations to Abidjan, the capital of Cote d’Ivoire.
The airline’s inaugural flight P47770 on B737-500 aircraft piloted by Capt. Gerald Nmorka, touched down at Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan and was welcomed with a ceremonial water salute.
The Management of the airline led by the Director of Flight Operations, Capt. Augustin Kamano, was received by Ivory Coast’s airport authorities, the Nigerian Embassy officials in Abidjan and the Nigerian community.
Captain Kamano reiterated the commitment of the airline under the Chairmanship of Dr. Allen Onyema to bridge connectivity gap among West African countries and reduce the air travel burden for Africans.
He also hinted that the airline’s 10th regional route, which is Cotonou in Benin Republic, would be launched on January 27, 2024, adding that passengers can also fly from Abidjan to Dakar, Senegal.
He said: “Nigeria has a long-standing relationship with Ivory Coast and the launch of flights by Air Peace into Abidjan today will deepen commercial cooperation as well as solidify bilateral ties between both countries.
“Since we commenced operations in 2014, we have been on an aggressive but strategic route expansion mission, becoming famed for our no-city-left-behind initiative which goes beyond the West Coast to include international destinations.
“The airline is committed to providing increased connectivity across key cities in the West African sub-region and promoting economic prosperity for Africans. We want to make air travel easier for the collective development of all West African countries.”
President of the Nigerian Community in Ivory Coast, Chief Michael Onwuchelu, commended the Chairman of Air Peace for his initiative to connect the African continent with air transportation.
“This is our own and we must specially support Air Peace. Côte d’Ivoire has been a hospitable country, we are all happy here. We will support our own,” Onwuchelu added.
Following the Friday’s judgment of the Supreme Court reaffirming that Election Petitions Tribunals and Court of Appeal have no jurisdiction to entertain pre-election matters, Seriki Adinoyi writes on the need for the judgments that sacked federal and state lawmakers in Plateau State over pre-election issues to be reviewed in the interest of justice
It is no longer news that the Supreme Court on Friday overturned the decision of the Court of Appeal which sacked Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State.
Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared the winner of the governorship election that was held on March 18, 2023, after he polled a total of 525,299 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Dr. Nentawe Yilwadta of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who got 481,370 votes.
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Plateau State had also affirmed the election of the governor. But in a curious twist, a panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Elfrieda Williams-Dawodu, in a unanimous decision in November 2023 ruled that Muftwang was not validly sponsored by the PDP because the party has no structure. The court therefore nullified his election and declared the candidate of the APC, Yilwatda as the governor of the state.
In what seemed like a grand plot by the Court of Appeal to return the state to the APC, the appellate court also nullified the victories of nearly all the candidates of the PDP that were elected into the state and National Assembly on the same ground of alleged invalid nomination, which was obviously a pre-election matter.
Expectedly, the PDP and legal experts had cried foul and described the judgment as a miscarriage of justice, not only on the grounds that the matter was a pre-election matter, which falls outside the jurisdiction of the Election Petition Tribunal but also because the party truly has a valid and solid structure. The PDP went further to argue that by its constitution, candidates are nominated by the National Working Committee (NWC), and not the State Working Committee (SWC), insisting that on that ground, its candidates were validly nominated. It also said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored its congresses and affirmed that they were duly conducted.
The PDP alleged that the Court of Appeal might have been compromised, and warned that such was dangerous for Nigeria’s nascent democracy.
The decision of the Court of Appeal prompted Muftwang to approach the Supreme Court. The apex court did not surprise legal experts when Justice Emmanuel Agim who read the lead judgment, noted that the APC’s contention that the appellant was not qualified to contest the election because of non-compliance with the electoral law was faulty.
Justice Agim said: “We have held in a plethora of cases that the sponsorship of a candidate for election is an internal affair of a political party. The Court of Appeal lacks the jurisdiction to determine the validity of the candidacy of the PDP. Yilwatda of the APC has no right to challenge the emergence of Governor Mutfwang as a ticket-holder of the PDP.”
He said that the Court of Appeal had anchored its decision sacking the governor on the alleged failure of the PDP to comply with an order of the Plateau State High Court to conduct fresh congresses before holding primary elections for nomination of its candidates for the 2023 general election. The apex court held that the order of the High Court had nothing to do with the party’s power to conduct primaries for the Plateau PDP as it did to nominate Mutfwang as its candidate for the governorship election.
Justice Agim ruled that despite that, there is evidence showing that the order of the Plateau State High Court was complied with by the party.
“Can the tribunal and the Court of Appeal determine the validity of the nomination of a candidate?” he queried.
Justice Agim declared that, “The order of the High Court of Plateau State had nothing to do with the power of NEC of the PDP; it is a jurisdictional matter.”
He said that for these reasons, “this appeal is allowed. The judgment of the Court of Appeal is set aside, inclusive of the orders made therein. The judgment of the tribunal is restored. The election of the governor is further restored.”
In his consenting decision, Justice Inyang Okoro who headed the five-member panel, said: “My only worry is that a lot of people have suffered as a result of the Court of Appeal’s decision. It was absolutely wrong. The appeal is allowed.”
Justice Okoro was apparently referring to the state and federal legislators sacked by the Court of Appeal in a similar miscarriage of justice.
Also consenting, Justice Helen Ogunwunmiju, said: “It was very wrong for the Court of Appeal to go into the issue of party congresses. To make matters worse, the party challenging the issue is another political party.”
She added that the Court of Appeal made a fundamental error by shifting the burden of proof on Governor Mutfwang.
Justice Adamu Jauro also agreed with the judgment.
The apex court’s judgment caused a sporadic excitement in Jos, the state capital, as the entire state marched on the streets of Jos to celebrate the victory of the governor. The people literally shut down Jos, the state capital as commercial vehicles and motorcycles abandoned their duty posts to join the convoys of PDP supporters in driving around the city in jubilation.
But the big question is: What now happens to other candidates of the PDP who had suffered a miscarriage of justice in the hands of the Court of Appeal, but who do not have the opportunity to take their appeals to the Supreme Court?
The PDP national and state assembly members in the state fall into this category. For instance, Senator Napoleon Bali’s victory was nullified and handed freely to Senator Simon Lalong on a platter of gold; the former Senate Minority Leader, Simon Mwadkon’s victory was annulled and the senatorial zone ordered to go back for another election.
Hon Beni Lar, Musa Bagos, Musa Agah, and many others were also affected by the miscarriage of justice of the Court of Appeal on the ground of invalid nomination
Reacting to the victory of the PDP and discussing the way forward, a former governor of the state, Senator Jonah Jang, in a statement signed by his media consultant, Mr. Clinton Garuba, said: “As sad as it is, the damage that has been done to Plateau by the miscarriage of justice at the Court of Appeal is of great proportion because the kind of judgments that were delivered by the court have robbed the people of their rightful representation both at the state and the National Assembly. But all hope is not lost.
“The good people of Plateau State through the government of Plateau State and the PDP have already petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) to review all the judgments involving Plateau State that were delivered by the Court of Appeal which effectively stopped those that have been elected into the national and the state of assemblies from representing their constituencies.
“We thank Plateau people for their vigilance; for trooping out in their hundreds and thousands in condemnation and resistance after the miscarriage of justice by the Court of Appeal. They all came out to lend their voice against the injustice. We salute your resilience.
“With the Supreme Court’s judgment, it has become an abnormality for them to remain as legislators when they could not win elections at the poll; this should not be allowed to stand. The authorities must give back to the people their true representatives and restore their mandate.”
He, however, thanked the justices of the Supreme Court “for upholding the Rule of Law, thereby affirming the long-held belief that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.
“We thank them for not allowing themselves to be manipulated because we are aware that the same forces of darkness, in their usual manner, had wanted to thwart the mandate of the people, plunge the state into disarray, and set us years backwards.”
Also speaking on the nullified elections of member of the national and state assemblies elected on the platform of the PDP over same issues that were thrown out by the Supreme Court, Governor Mutfwang said: “We have just crossed the bridge and when we settle down to savour this victory, we will know what to do.”
He, however thanked their lordships at the Supreme Court for restoring confidence in the judiciary, and President Bola Tinubu for showing himself as a true democrat and not allowing the political space to become intoxicated.
Benin City, the Edo State capital stood still as Asue Ighodalo officially declared his governorship ambition with a promise to run an inclusive government that will create economic rejuvenation of the state, Adibe Emenyonu reports
For a greater part of Wednesday, January 17, commuters and residents around the Airport Road axis of Benin City, the capital of Edo State, had a hectic time trying to access the area as Asue Ighodalo, former Chairman on the boards of Nigerian Breweries, Sterling Bank, the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, declared for the governorship of the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Leaders of the PDP in attendance include: Edo State PDP chieftain and past senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District, Senator Clifford Ordia; Secretary, Edo PDP Senatorial Caucus, Central, Mr. Luckson Ogendengbe; National Leader of the PDP, Chief Tom Ikimi; Edo PDP Senatorial Vice Chairman, Central and Senatorial Caucus Chairman, Archbishop Anthony Okosun, and Deputy Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Mrs. Marie Edeko.
Others are former House of Representatives member representing Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency, Joe Edionwere; past deputy speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Omo Ezomo; serving House of Representatives member, Hon. Marcus Onobun; former Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly and former member of the House of Representative, Friday Itulah, among others.
Ighodalo in the last seven years has been the Chairman of Alaghodaro Summit Limited, a private sector think-tank which means in Bini parlance, ‘moving forward.’
He was accompanied to the PDP state secretariat along the Airport Road, Benin City, by thousands of party loyalists and leaders, where he assured the people that if given the ticket, and eventually elected governor, he would run an inclusive government that would guarantee economic rejuvenation and equal development the three senatorial zones of the state.
The PDP governorship aspirant, who hails from Okaigben, Ewohimi, in Esan South East Local Government Area of the state, which is under Edo Central Senatorial District, was presented to the crowd by the former Foreign affairs Minister, Ikimi, as the consensus candidate of the zone, and was endorsed by the former deputy governor of the state, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, who noted that the Edo North Senatorial District leadership and members of the party also endorsed the aspirant’s ambition as the candidate that had the capacity to retain the state for the PDP in the September governorship election.
Declaring his intention to occupy the Dennis Osadebey Government House, Ighodalo said as the Chairman of Alaghodaro Summit, he had in the past seven years advised the state government on how to resolve some of the economic problems confronting the state. According to him, he had decided to go beyond giving advice, and deliver the real solution that would unleash a new future for the state and its citizens.
Also, during the eight years of Adams Oshiomhole as governor, Ighodalo also featured prominently as a member of the state Economic Team headed then by the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki, thus making him a “home boy” right from time.
Speaking, Asuelinme, which is Asue’s full name, noted that contrary to the insinuation that he was new to the state’s core governance, he had in the last 16 years been part of the team that chattered a new economic course for the state right from the government of the former governor, Oshiomhole, where “I served on the Economic Team, providing insights and inputs on the development of key government policies, programmes and initiatives, leading to reforms implemented by the then government.”
Ighodalo assured that his policies, if elected the governor of the state, would be tailored towards leading “a government that eliminates deprivation in all its forms, and makes Edo the best place to live and work in Nigeria”, adding that his government would initiate economic policies that “will uplift the poor, support the hard-working men and women of this state, and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.”
“While, in the past, I have advised our leaders on how to resolve some of these problems, today, I am here to ask you for the opportunity to act – beyond giving advice – to deliver real solutions that can unleash the promise of a new future for all of us. As governor, by the grace of God, my mission will be to create an Edo where quality education is accessible to all, where hard work is rewarded and where our talented youth can turn their dreams and aspirations into reality. I believe in the promise of an Edo where every person, regardless of their start in life, can write their own story of success -if we take the right steps, together.
“No part of Edo will be left behind. From the high plains of Kukuruku to the lush vegetation of Ilushi; from the rich, red sands of Sakponba, to Esanland’s incredible biodiversity, we have all that is needed to make our state a mesmerising destination for progress and wealth. Across each administrative zone, in Edo North, Edo Central and Edo South, we will create practical and focused economic development teams that will harness each area’s unique potential to create wealth for all our people.
“I believe strongly that education is the gateway to opportunity; so, we will continue to invest in education as a priority from primary schools to secondary and tertiary institutions — throughout the state. We will ensure that our educational system becomes a beacon of hope, and ladder to opportunity. We will make Edo State’s educational system our key to ending generational poverty, for good, in our great state.
“If, by the grace of God and the will of the people of Edo state, I am given the opportunity to serve, I intend to be the Chief Welfare Officer of the state, providing good and affordable healthcare, decent living conditions and basic food security for all our people. We will also tackle insecurity in all of its forms. While an improved economy will reduce some types of insecurity, we will work doggedly to stamp out the more stubborn forms of insecurity, that continue to deprive our people of their lives and property.”
Ighodalo did not end there he also promised to build on the achievements of the current administration of Governor Obaseki on independent power generation, the Ossiomo Independent Power project, by replicating the same “across the three senatorial zones and exploring affordable ways of providing electricity in rural areas, declaring, “We will create an enabling environment for businesses and people to thrive across the state, and activate economic corridors that will connect our value-added goods and services to domestic and global markets.”
“These are not simply ambitious dreams; they are carefully thought out and financially achievable plans. With innovative financing and cross-sector partnerships, we will access the financial resources to fund these projects, and more. My personal experience, local and international networks, and decades of negotiating, fundraising and project finance experience are part of what I will bring to bear to achieve our goals.”
Explaning how the Edo Central Senatorial District arrived at Ighodalo’s candidacy, Ikimi said that he led the committee that midwifed the consensus that led to five other aspirants from the district such as two former speakers of the State House of Assembly, Friday Itula, who was a two-term member of the House of Representatives, and Marcus Onabu, the immediate past speaker, stepping down, followed by the former Chairman of Esan North-East Local Government Area, Mr. John Yakubu, and a two-term senator, Clifford Odia.
Ikimi, while thanking the leaders of the PDP in Edo North and Edo South Senatorial Districts for conceding the governorship to Edo Central, assured that the carefully-selected candidate, Ighodalo, would fulfill their aspirations for a greater Edo State.
Similarly, Ogiadomhe reiterated that the leadership of the party in Edo North endorsed Ighodalo as the consensus candidate because of his antecedents and the belief that he “has all it takes not only to win the coming election, but to also improve on all the gains of the current PDP administration in the state”.
From all indications, Ighdalo will contest the PDP ticket with the incumbent deputy governor, Philip Shaibu; the former state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), now in PDP, Mr. Anslem Ojezua; former council Chairman, Felix Akhabue and Ambassador Martins Uhumoibhi if they insist on going ahead to slug it out at the party primary election coming up in February.
The growing Motorsports industry in Nigeria got a kick over the weekend when Nigeria’s international Kart racer, Phillip Gana, announced his readiness to feature and also sponsor the few drivers at X-Kart Series in Ogun State to be hosted at the Work and Play Arena on Sagamu-Abeokuta Express Way.
President of the Work and Play group, Ade Ojuoko, announced the celebrated racer’s inclusion when fleshing out plans for the earlier announced X-Kart Series later in February.
“I guess it is a good thing that the Motorsports community is generating traction to have attracted the interest of Phillip Gana. As one of the front runners in the promotion of the sports, we believe this will further our developmental plans in several ways.”
Work and Play partnered Metallic Horses to host an inaugural event at the purpose-built race track along Shagamu Express road last December 16, 2023. It paved the way for the series lined up for February and March of 2024.
Ojuoko also announced that Phillip has hinted that his team will be drawn from made up of teenage drivers between the ages of 14 to 19.
“The X-Kart series is essentially a youth-driven sport and Gana will be featuring a largely teenage team and that also leaves the other competitors in the coming series challenged.”
He confirmed that the off-road series that will also have its Ondo version in March is being checked on all sides for safety.
“From our gears to the building of the karts, safety is our first consideration. There are also other safety protocols, that include the Federal Road Safety Commission’s checks on the facilities and all Karts, and the inclusion of first aid officials at all event venues.”
He maintained that the X-Kart Series will deepen interest in the sport and further corporate support as well. He also mentioned that, more information on how different X-Kart groups can register for the event would be rmade public soonest.
The event, has been endorsed by the Racing Autos Development Association (RADA), the umbrella body for Motorsports racing in Nigeria.
West Ham United are pushing to break their transfer record to sign Victor Boniface.
According to the British tabloid The Sun, West Ham technical director Tim Steidten is pushing for massive transfer coup to sign Victor Boniface from his former club before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
Victor Boniface has been a huge hit in his first season with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.
He has netted 16 goals and provided eight assists in 23 games thus far.
West Ham have the cash on a major transfer and manager David Moyes supports going big for a proven goal scorer.
It was reported the German club are prepared to sell the 23-year-old striker, who is currently on the mend after groin surgery.
He missed the AFCON due to the injury.
Other Premier League who have been linked with him are Chelsea and Newcastle.
Hardly anyone can boast of such “instability” like the Italian championship, in the good sense of the word. With a high degree of probability, Napoli will not be able to repeat last year’s success. There are several reasons.
The main one is the loss of a coach! 21 points in 12 tours and fourth place is a suitable reason for dismissal. He was replaced by Walter Mazzarri, a stranger to Naples. But, as you know, you cannot step into the same river twice. Under the leadership of the new “old” coach, the Neapolitans dropped another four positions. An important factor is the much lower performance of last year’s leaders. The team’s odds to win the tournament on Melbet is getting lower.
What happened to Milan
Milan has a serious fever. The Rossoneri are still in the Champions League zone, but Fiorentina and Bologna are breathing in their backs. The situation with injuries in the team is difficult, rather even stalemate. During the first part of the season, health problems plagued Milan players 31 times. For comparison, Pioli’s team scored 32 goals in the last 18 matches.
At the same time, if we evaluate the entire period of the head coach’s work, a trend can be traced. Milan suffered from similar problems even during the championship season. The team’s main star, Rafael Leau, lacks stability; he only scored three times during the first round. There is a short pause ahead, which should help. Milan will also have to enter the transfer market, otherwise it will be difficult to get into the main European Cup zone.
Main contenders
The leaders of the standings: Inter and Juventus look the most complete. The Milan club is only two points far, but it is Simone Inzaghi’s team that is considered the main contender for the trophy. Despite the loss of Milan Skriniar, Inter have the most balanced squad. We managed to replace the departed veteran Dzeko. Newcomer Marcus Thuram (7+6) copes well with the functions of the main goal scorer. Juventus traditionally spends more than others on the purchase of new players, which is why the demand from Allegri is serious. There are still many matches ahead, but there is a feeling that these teams will play for the gold.
Surprising team
The main troublemaker of Italian football is Bologna. Thiago Motta is doing a phenomenal job. The team beat three top rivals at once in one week: Inter, Atalanta and Roma. The end of the first round was blurred by the defeat from Udinese – 0:3, but even that did not spoil the overall impression. Among the others, striker Joshua Zirkzee stands out, who scored seven goals. There is already serious demand for it.
Whether they will be able to keep the leaders or not is the main question ahead of the opening of the transfer window. The future prospects of the team will depend on this. We should not forget about the Roman teams, which are not critically behind the top four. Without a doubt, Atalanta will fight for the Champions League. As always, the “boot” pleases us with intrigues, which will tighten even more as the denouement approaches. We continue to follow the main events of Serie A.
The Premier League is set to come to Showmax from February 12, 2024, as the streaming service introduces the world’s first standalone Premier League plan for mobile, showcasing all 380 games live, including analysis and highlights at a pocket-friendly price of N2,900.
This was explained at a media briefing, held recently, for the new Showmax, including the unveiling of its new app.
At the conference, the Chief Executive of the Premier League, Richard Masters, in a recorded video, lauded the innovative partnership between the Premier League and MultiChoice, which is set to allow fans to enjoy every Premier League match on their smartphones at a mobile-friendly price point.
Highlighting the important role of Africa in the Premier League’s global influence, Masters said: “Africa is incredibly important to the Premier League and our clubs. On the pitch we have more than 50 registered players from Africa in our first team squads this season and our research tells us that three quarters of all adults in Africa identify as fans of the Premier League, with nearly 20% of the live TV audience on any given match day tuning in from Africa.
“These are the foundations that make the launch of the new Showmax so important and exciting for all of us. We’re delighted with this new initiative from MultiChoice to put the Premier League in your pocket, with a new price point to watch all Premier League matches on mobile phones so that millions more can enjoy our fantastic competition”, he continued.
The Premier League’s integration into the Showmax platform is a boon for football enthusiasts and aligns with the ever-growing smartphone usage in Africa, where over 450 million smartphones are currently in use. This ambitious venture is poised to make Showmax the go-to destination for football lovers, marking a new era of accessibility to sports entertainment.
The new Showmax app will become available in app stores from 23 January 2024 onward, as part of a staggered migration process across 44 markets
Liverpool saw off Fulham in the Carabao Cup semi-finals to set up a final showdown with Chelsea at Wembley on 25 February.
The Reds led 2-1 from the first leg and their draw at Craven Cottage was enough to get the job done.
Luis Diaz gave Liverpool an early lead, chesting down Jarell Quansah’s diagonal ball, cutting inside and beating Bernd Leno at his near post too easily, albeit with the help of a deflection.
Marco Silva’s hosts had good spells and deserved their equaliser on the night when Issa Diop bunded in Harry Wilson’s deflected ball.
Another Fulham goal would have sent the tie to extra time and Wilson’s long-range strike was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.
But the Cottagers could not find a second goal despite pushing for one and their wait for a first EFL Cup final goes on.
Both sides are in FA Cup fourth-round action this weekend, with Fulham hosting Newcastle on Saturday and Liverpool at home to Norwich on Sunday.
Chelsea booked their place at Wembley on Tuesday with a 6-1 win over Championship club Middlesbrough, who won the first leg 1-0.
Netflix has unveiled a slate of exciting movie titles coming on the platform this January. From drama to romance, action and even documentaries, the streaming giant is leaving no genre out this month. Titles such as Adire, Merry Men 3: Nemesis and Dinner are out from January 12, 18 and 24th of the month.
Adire tells the story of a sex-worker-turned-entrepreneur who moves to a small town and launches her own lingerie business, only to draw the ire of a preacher’s wife. While Merry Men 3 sees a group of affluent men seek vengeance against the ones they believe are responsible, following a tragic death.
In Dinner, two old friends and their partners gather for a celebratory meal, where a fifth guest stirs up secrets that threaten to bring down both relationships. Viewers can also catch Good Grief, a riveting tale about an artist grieving the loss of his beloved writer husband who takes his two best friends on a trip to Paris, where they unpack messy secrets and hard truths.
To end the month on a spectacular note, viewers can see Alexander the Great on the 31st on the streaming platform. This docudrama combines expert interviews with gripping reenactments to explore the life of Alexander the Great through his conquest of the Persian Empire. There are other titles currently available for viewing on the platform.
This includes Ijogbon, The Black Book, and The One for Sarah, and The Rise of Igbinogun. In Ijogbon, four teenagers from a rural village in South–West Nigeria stumble upon a pouch of uncut diamonds — but before long; others come looking for the bounty.
While in The Black Book a bereaved deacon takes justice into his own hands and fights a corrupt police gang to absolve him after his son is framed for a kidnapping.
In The One for Sarah, a fashion designer who goes on a quest to regain her self-worth takes a few twisty turns through a series of relationships while recovering from trauma. The Rise of Igbinogun sees a warrior become a legend among the people when she steals from the rich to empower the poor despite incurring the fury of the king’s guards.
In the realm of music performances, Heart of Worship Tour stands out, seamlessly blending Yoruba and Igbo traditions in a captivating performance set to charm global audiences during their upcoming U.S. tour. Led by the soulful vocals of Blessing Akintunde, Sarah Dada, Emmanuel Onyegbula, Gift Christopher, Adeyinka Okeleye, Oluwaseun Tanimola, Daniel Igbojionu, Daberechi Okwuoha and Ozioma Nwankwo. This ensemble of talented singers and instrumentalists celebrates diversity by fusing traditional melodies with modern beats. Recent performances in Lagos showcased their unique blend, incorporating traditional dance recitals for an enchanting visual experience.
Blessing Akintunde’s commanding voice guides the group through a range of emotions, from exuberant praise to contemplative worship, creating a multi-dimensional sonic journey. Rooted in Yoruba and Igbo Gospel traditions, Heart of Worship fearlessly embraces a contemporary sound, infusing elements of Highlife and other genres. As anticipation builds for their U.S. tour, Heart of Worship promises to bring this enriching cultural experience to a global audience, a testament to the harmonious fusion of tradition and modernity in the world of music.”
The group is scheduled to perform in Chicago, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Atlanta amongst others.
Caroline Danjuma, former actress and ex-wife of Musa Danjuma, the younger brother to a former defence minister, General TY Danjuma (rtd), has always been in the news for so many different reasons.
While she was not one of the A-list actresses in the nation’s movie industry, otherwise known as Nollywood, she, however, commands respect for her charm and beauty.
Before her marriage to the Taraba State-born billionaire, she had allegedly been romantically linked with the award-winning musician, Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia and a former Super Eagles player. Her marriage to billionaire Danjuma offered her a new lease of life leading to a total transformation in her life.
For 10 years of their marriage, it was a source of envy to many celebrities who looked at it as a marriage made in heaven.
During the years of their sizzling romance, the dazzling beauty enjoyed marital bliss and her hubby flaunted her like a new bride, while she also enjoyed expensive gifts from the man either on their wedding anniversary or on her birthday celebrations.
However, a few years into the marriage there was news of an alleged break-up. But on every occasion the story hit the street, the couple denied it, while they also made appearances at parties or social events. At the time, not many were aware that it was all cosmetic until the marriage that produced three children crashed like a pack of cards due to irreconcilable differences.
She subsequently picked up the pieces of her life and moved on when she went into another romantic affair with her friend, Tagbo Umenike, who died in 2017.
The mother of three, quite expectedly, was distraught over the loss of Tagbo for many months.
As expected of a beautiful lady, a source revealed to us then that though she got attention from men, she had refused to look their way, even though there was an unverified rumour that she was in a sizzling romance with one London-based big boy and businessman, Lekan Gbadamosi. The romance tales later disappeared just like it started.
But it seems the Nigerian-Scottish-born lady who has been off social media for a while has learnt her lesson the hard way, probably she is tired of being in the cold, ready to go back to the warm hands of her ex-husband.
Recently, she granted an interview with actress Innih Emah on a YouTube show, ‘Speak Your Truth with Innih.’ The former actress confessed that she still loves her ex-husband and it would not change.
She said: “He would always be the love of my life. He is the father of my three children. He is the one I said, and you know what? This man is worth being my husband. So, yes, he would always remain the love of my life, and that would not change.
“I would love to marry again, whether it’s my ex-husband or a new amazing man God sends. I want to have a family.”
She has set tongues wagging ever since she made the revelation.
After joining forces with Comcast NBCUniversal and Sky to revamp its app and service, Showmax is now focusing on African markets. At a press parley to announce its upcoming launch, the streaming service said it will be present in 44 African countries, against seven countries it had operating units in when it initially launched.
The shift in the market comes as more global streaming giants eye the continent’s over one billion population, even though the streaming era is yet to catch up on the continent. And with over 450 million smartphone users on the continent, Showmax is positioning itself as a dominant player with the relaunch.
“In tandem with Multichoice Nigeria’s focus on indigenous content creation, Showmax emerges as a hot driving resource of streaming video-on-demand in the region,” said the General Manager, Showmax Nigeria, Opeoluwa Filani.
The new Showmax app comes with a sleek design and a new technical platform powered by Comcast NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming service. The Peacock streaming platform will be active in more than 70 countries and is continually enhanced by the combined expertise of thousands of engineers.
“Peacock’s best-in-class technology platform will deliver a world-class streaming experience to Showmax audiences,” said Patrick Miceli, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Direct-to-Consumer and International, NBCUniversal. “The Peacock platform was designed from day one to support both live and on-demand content, including the biggest live sporting events, so we look forward to extending that capability and reliability to the new Showmax.”
Additionally, there are four new plans, out of which the standalone Premier League plan for mobile is at the heart of the business. Showmax hopes to bring the continent’s 250 million football lovers to its platform, offering all 380 games live on the new plan for N2,900.
Other plans include Showmax Entertainment Mobile offered for N1,200 a month, Showmax Entertainment at N2,500, and the Bundled plan is offered at N3,200.
Accessibility and affordability, according to the Head of Marketing at Showmax Nigeria, Arinola Shobande, is key to the service’s ambition to be a dominant streamer in Africa. She emphasized the app’s customisation for the African market, saying the new Showmax is effortless for subscribers to access and afford the stories they love while highlighting the low-data mode.
“A remarkable feature of the new app is that viewers can now stream on Showmax for 24 hours with just 1G of data. To put it in perspective, watching an hour of Showmax content on mobile requires as low as 40MB, offering an exceptionally cost-effective streaming experience.”
Showmax is betting heavily on content, rolling out about 21 new Showmax Originals in February alongside the relaunch, which include five Nigerian Originals, and offering more than 1, 300 hours of Showmax Originals produced in the year, representing a significant 150 per cent increase in production output compared to the year before.
With its new international partners, the streaming service now offers multiple international shows, including award-winning titles as recently seen at the Emmys where shows like ‘Succession,’ ‘The Last of Us,’ and ‘The White Lotus’ picked up 29 awards. This signified a big deal for Showmax as it looks to take the lead in Africa.
Showmax’s content offering is further boosted by its focus on the African market and strengthened by the vast creative and commercial presence already established by MultiChoice. “Nobody understands Africa like we do. Showmax is putting the continent first with a powerful streaming service that will revolutionise streaming in Africa in 2024,” said the CEO of West Africa, MultiChoice, John Ugbe.
But with its focus on African markets, Showmax is exiting international markets. What this means is that its content will only be available through third parties. It, however, believes that the future holds more promises.
Responding to questions about whether the relaunch is promoted by market competition, the Executive Head, Corporate Affairs of MultiChoice Nigeria, Caroline Oghuma said the company is more invested in innovation, and technological advancements to bring better streaming experience for the continent.
Showmax relaunch is coming just as Amazon Prime is making plans to lay off staff and scale back its local content production in Africa and the Middle East as part of a restructuring plan, according to a report by Variety.
The new app will be available to existing and new users on January 23, 2024, and DStv subscribers can still link Showmax to their accounts.
The serene and opulent atmosphere of Lagos was literally set ablaze weeks back with splendour and merriment, as the prominent Osi-Bobagunwa, Yemi Lawal, celebrated the marriage of his daughter in grand style.
The Lagos real estate industry icon and Chairman, Seagle Group of Companies, Lawal, radiated joy and happiness as his daughter, Olayemi Hafisat Lawal tied the knot with her dashing groom, Olanrewaju.
The wedding, which was held on Saturday, December 30, 2023, was nothing short of a spectacle. The Nikkah took place at the luxurious Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, while the reception unfolded at the esteemed Landmark Event Centre.
The elite event, which was graced by an illustrious array of dignitaries, including members of the Presidency and notable figures from various industries, is undoubtedly an affair to remember.
Among the distinguished guests were Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, representing President Bola Tinubu, and the venerable Baba Ijebu Adebutu Kessington. Furthermore, the presence of Governor Dapo Abiodun, former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, and Ladi Adebutu added a touch of political charm to the occasion.
The gathering was a testament to the widespread admiration and respect for Lawal, whose influence extends across both state and industry lines. Titans from the realms of real estate and banking joined in the celebration, further enhancing the event’s grandeur and prestige.
Royal presence was also felt with Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (jájá II) leading a distinguished array of royal fathers, alongside notable personalities such as Rev. Esther Ajayi, Gbenga Ashafa, juju maestro, Ayo Balogun, Yemi Edun and Chairman Address Homes Properties, Dr. Bisi Onasanya, among others.
The guests were treated to the finest and most expensive liquors and delicacies. Champagne arrived in flûtes on trays, and the guests emptied them with gladness in their hearts, even as they rocked the dance floor.
The evening was made even more illustrious by captivating performances from legends King Sunny Ade and Chief Ebenezer Obey, who serenaded the guests with their timeless tunes, adding an extra touch of class to the grand celebration.
The wedding party counts as one of the biggest in Lagos this year, solidifying Lawal’s esteemed status in Lagos’ real estate industry and also a testament to his affluence.
As the event unfolded, the air was filled with joy and warmth, as cherished alliances were celebrated and new connections were made. The wedding exemplified the coming together of distinguished personalities to honour the union of the Osi-Bobagunwa’s daughter, creating memories that will be cherished for years to come.
The Nigerian music industry has witnessed substantial growth over the decades, giving rise to unique and talented artists, notably in the genre of Afro Beats, which has swiftly gained prominence on the international stage.
Beyond artists, there is a notable surge in skilled Disk Jockeys, or DJs, who play a pivotal role in the industry by introducing new music, promoting emerging artists, and shaping trends through live performances that elevate entertainment experiences.
Despite this growth, Nigerian DJs encounter various challenges, including piracy, a recognition gap, lack of standardized payment structures, financial constraints from high equipment costs, limited access to formal training, intense competition, brand-building difficulties, and uncertainties in the gig economy.
In an interview with DJ Demola DSA, a seasoned professional DJ with over 30 years of experience and a two-time DJ for the popular BBnaija in 2019 and 2021 respectively, he emphasized the importance of viewing DJing as a significant component of the music industry. DJ Demola said ‘there is need for those entering the profession to transition from a hobby mindset to a professional one. The DJ industry needs to be taken as seriously as other facets of the industry.’ He called for collaborative efforts to address challenges and find solutions, particularly in ensuring seamless performances during busy event seasons.
DJ Demola DSA’s extensive career includes roles as a radio presenter at OGBC II FM and Raypower FM (Port Harcourt), as well as playing at the prestigious Niteshift from 1990 to 1995, where he ascended to the position of music manager in 1992.
Recognized internationally for his experience and commitment, DJ Demola DSA emphasized the indispensable role DJs play in promoting Nigeria and Africa’s music to the global audience. ‘There is an urgent need to address challenges hindering industry growth, and to facilitate easier pathways for emerging talents contributing to the advancement of African music on the world stage.’ he said.
With more voices like DJ Demola DSA, speaking on behalf of the upcoming DJs and the music industry at large, Nigeria music is just beginning to experience its finest season of being the world music super star.
In the celebration of ‘Detty’ December 2023, Smirnoff took the center stage at three of the biggest music festivals in Lagos; Empire Warehouse, Nativeland Festival and Asake Live in Concert.
These events provided an unmatched platform for consumers to revel in the thrill of live performances and the infectious energy that defines Smirnoff events.
Revellers were immersed in the world of Smirnoff with Instagramable photobooths, exciting Smirnoff cocktails, Smirnoff Merchandize stands, tattoo station and epic performances by an array of hot-in-culture artists including, Asake, Olamide, Ayra Star, Odumudo Blvck, Bloody Civilian, Shallipopi as well as DJs, Uncle Waffles, DJ Titanium.
‘Smirnoff is renowned for its commitment to innovation, quality, and delivering unrivalled experiences.
Our partnership with these hot-culture-platforms showcases Smirnoff’s unwavering dedication to providing immersive consumers experiences, one sip at a time.’ said Abi Ipaye, Senior Brand Manager, Smirnoff.
