Season five of MTV Shuga Naija has gotten a new date of release.
According to a terse statement from MTV Staying Alive Foundation, the on-air premiere of Season five, which was initially scheduled for Sunday, May 7 will now broadcast on Sunday, May 21.
The highly anticipated series recently premiered with a focus on the issues addressed in the series. The new season combines an exciting ensemble of established on-screen legends and rising stars including Adesua Etomi-Wellington, John Njamah, Tomiwa Tegbe, Maggie Osuome,
Okey Uzoeshi, Gbubemi Ejeye, Genoveva Umeh, Ilooise Omohimin, Sharon Jatto, Lexan Peters, Bolaji Ogunmola, and Susan Pwajok.
Big Brother Titans star, Kanaga Jnr. Eme, and Chioma Edak will be playing lead and supporting acts respectively, having come through the MTV Shuga Naija public auditions last year.
The eight-part series, produced in partnership with 1Pod Pictures, is set for a May 7 African premiere on MTV Base while all episodes of the season will also be available on Netflix and YouTube.
The season two of Netflix’ reality show, ‘Young, Famous & African’ is scheduled for launch on May 19.
The news was made public after the trailer of the season two which features top Nigerian entertainers and fashionista was released.
In the words of one of the show’s stars, Khanyi Mbau, ‘things are about to get messy!’
Last season, the fiery stars from all walks of life on the African continent put their lives and loves on display for the world to see.
For the second season, tensions rise and friendships are put to the ultimate test as new faces Bonang Matheba, Luis Munana and Fantana show up and show off in the sneak peek of the hit series.
With a blow-up between besties, Swanky Jerry and Annie Macaulay-Idibia and a catfight between Zari Hassan and Fantana, fueled by Nadia Nakai over Diamond Platnumz, the show is set to keep the audience glued to their screens.
Patricia Bebia Mawa has distinguished herself as one of the Nigerians hoisting the flag of the country in Canada.
Mawa is currently making giant strides in the media industry as the executive vice president of Silvertrust Media and Afroglobal Television.
The media organisation is currently rated the largest black-owned media organisation in Canada.
Prior to her appointment, Mawa served as president and CEO of Planet Africa Group and Broad Frame Media. She has directed and produced over 15 television programs including ‘The Visionaries,’ ‘The Golden Button,’ and ‘Standing Ovation.’
Currently, Mawa stands tall as the writer and director of Afroglobal Television’s new drama series Omobella Palace.
Unknown to many, Mawa didn’t just get to the top from nowhere. She had cut her teeth as the host of ‘Lunch Date’ and ‘Thinking About You’ on DBN Television in Lagos, Nigeria. Her career in television started at NTA Calabar as host of Sweltyme’s Gospel Music Therapy.
Currently, Mawa is listed as one of the major forces amongst blacks in Canada. She is a recipient of several awards that include Toronto Police Community Service Award, the International Women Achievers Award, the BPPA Harry Jerome Award, and Queen Elizabeth’s II Diamond Jubilee medal. She is named as one of 100 Accomplished Black Women by 100ABC Women.
Africa Magic, under MultiChoice Nigeria, has reiterated its commitment to the growth of local content production and the Nigerian film industry.
This was made known in a recent stakeholders’ session which was held on Wednesday, May 10 at Terra Kulture.
The session had notable actors, filmmakers, and regulators in attendance. It also provided an opportunity to enlighten stakeholders about the process and requirements of content production, and buying of third-party content.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice, Dr. Busola Tejumola reiterated Africa Magic’s continued commitment to the development of Nollywood.
She recounted how Africa Magic has grown from one channel to a family of seven channels, with each channel showcasing unique local content that resonates with their respective audiences.
Tejumola, who expressed her excitement at hosting the stakeholders, noted that the event is critical for deepening a trust-inclined partnership between MultiChoice and stakeholders in the film industry.
She assured all attendees that Africa Magic will continue to innovate and engage with filmmakers to ensure that original Nigerian stories are produced for viewers.
The event had the President of Directors’ Guild of Nigeria, Dr Victor Okhai, who commended Africa Magic for building a healthy synergy with filmmakers and content creators, and Adedayo Thomas, the Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board, who admonished filmmakers to get all of their works approved by the regulatory agency.
Rising Nigerian music star Oludipe Oluwasanmi a.k.a Spryo has said that he is more interested in making an impact with his music.
The Who’s your guy singer affirmed that his music is meant to touch souls and radiate positivity in the world.
Spyro made this known while reacting to two viral videos of religious leaders making reference to his hit song.
In two different videos, two clergies of Islamic and Christian faiths making reference to Spyro’s hit song. While the Christian clergy was seen advising a groom to sing Sypro’s hit song to his wife all the time as reassurance of his love towards her.
In the same vein, the Islamic cleric made reference to Spyro’s song saying, “one wouldn’t know a real friend until they are faced by challenges.”
Reacting to the videos, Spyro said: “ I made a classic. It gladdens my heart anytime references are being made to my song in spiritual sectors (churches and mosques) considering that God is the goal for me, I am more interested in making impact with my music than just having people party to it.”
The remake of the song Tiwa Savage has skyrocketed Spyro’s fame with the official music video garnering over 20 million views on YouTube. Spyro recently released a follow up single entitled ‘Count Your Blessings’ with DJ Neptune.
Huzzle Records‘ new signee, Afrobeats and Highlife music sensation, Ebuka Jude Ezerioha, known as Popito has released his debut single under the record label, titled “Putiro” meaning “We are Outside”.
Putiro is an Afrobeats sound, which mixes several music cultures together; the Nigerian, Ghanian Highlife music with the Congolese Makosa tune churned with South African Amapiano rhythm
Popito who is a music artist with multi dimensional talents and passion for evolving and experimenting with different genres loads the new single with enough positives vibes, verve and plenty of attitude. It is sure a party banger that would rock the airwaves, radio stations and parties across the world.
Popito brings to bear all the elements that make him a fantastic artist on the song, deploying both stimulating instrumentals as well as lyrics laced with stirring lines.
According to Babatunde Oyebode , CEO of Huzzle Records, Popito has expressed his musical identity on “Putiro”.
“The sound, the lyrics and the flow is a creation of a unique talent that would take his pride of place in the industry. We are absolutely confident he can deliver and he has done so with near perfection on this single,” Oyebode said.
Popito is an Afrobeats , Highlife , African Sounds artist.
Experts in the book sector have tasked the government to create an enabling ecosystem for the book sector.
They called for an appropriate regulatory system to be put in place to ensure that the book industry functions, observing that a healthy book ecosystem that supports a vibrant and diverse book industry, according to them, has a great impact on the economy.
They made the submission at the ongoing Nigerian International Book Fair (NIBF) that opened on Wednesday and would run till Saturday, May 13.
With the theme: The role of a functional National Book Policy (NBP), the event, which had Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu as a special guest, attracted experts and critical stakeholders in the book and educational sectors.
According to the Minister, authors and other critical stakeholders occupy a critical role in the development of the educational sector.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Book Fair Trust (NBFT), Dare Oluwatuyi, tasked the government to create an enabling environment for book publishing as well as provide support services needed for the critical stakeholders in the book chain to thrive. “ I call upon our government at various levels to fully identify with the book sector, NIBF in particular, to demonstrate its commitment to the knowledge industry’” he said.
The executive secretary of the Nigerian educational research and development council (NERDC), Prof. Ismail Junaidu, who gave the keynote address, said a dysfunctional book ecosystem can lead to a lack of local content and a reliance on imported books, which may not reflect the local languages, cultures, and traditions.
“Nigeria has continued to be confronted by the existence of books that do not meet the quality standards put in place for book production and distribution. The combined effect of these constraints is the present low level of literacy and readership in general and inadequate support for effective learning in schools at all levels. Let us proceed by first developing a common understanding of the book ecosystem.”
For Nigerians in need of some entertainment, Premier League football is a go-to option. The world’s biggest domestic league has also featured some of Nigeria’s most famous stars over the years, from Nwankwo Kanu at Arsenal to Jay Jay Okocha at Bolton.
Nowadays, two of Nigeria’s most talented players, Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi, are turning out for Leicester City, a side that has gone from winning a remarkable 2015/16 Premier League title to facing the very real prospect of dropping into the Championship come the end of the season. For both Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi, that potential outcome would be disastrous for both of their careers, with the striker and the defensive midfielder undoubtedly aiming to stay in the Premier League for the foreseeable future and make an impact at international level with the Super Eagles.
Leicester are in real trouble
Leicester City’s demise has been pretty remarkable overall. Not many pundits and experts alike had the Foxes as genuine relegation contenders at the beginning of the campaign, but numerous issues have contributed to their evident decline. Leicester have gone from potential top-four challengers to relegation fodder in less than a year, resulting in former manager Brendan Rodgers getting the chop and huge concerns from the fans surfacing after a distinct lack of investment in the team in recent times. With rumours suggesting that the current owners are looking to sell the club, the notable rise that Leicester were illustrating appears to have hit a period of decline, with Foxes fans voicing their concerns, betting sites showing that the club are 6/4 to be relegated, and a somewhat underwhelming appointment of Dean Smith as manager until the end of the season. Leicester certainly aren’t the club that both Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi joined all those years ago, that’s for sure.
Should Leicester find themselves in the Championship next season, it would appear as though the chances of keeping quality players in the shape of Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi would be slim. Alongside the likes of James Maddison, both players have the ability to shine in the Premier League after proving their ability over the years. If a side is in need of a versatile frontman with an eye for goal, then Iheanacho certainly fits the bill. Likewise, while injuries have hampered his career in recent times, Wilfred Ndidi’s reputation appears to be solid still. The holding midfielder has been linked with major clubs in the past, and at the age of 26, he has his peak years ahead of him. If they go down, Leicester City’s star Nigerian duo surely won’t be joining them.
Given their importance to the Super Eagles setup, it would be detrimental to the national team’s chances should both Iheanacho and Ndidi find themselves vying for Championship promotion instead of playing against the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah in European football’s biggest domestic league. As such, it’s hugely important that both players remain at the highest level or the reduced competition they face on a weekly basis could hinder their chances of success with the national team. Of course, both players have the ability to leave Leicester as we’ve mentioned, but it’s not uncommon for players to remain at a club despite relegation, particularly if they’re tied down on a long contract or the selling club in question simply doesn’t receive a suitable offer for the player.
Conclusion
Whatever the outcome this season, to increase Nigeria’s chances of success in the future – and for the good of their careers – it appears as though both Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi need to leave Leicester City, a club on the decline, for pastures new in the summer.
Grange School, Ikeja at the weekend completed a double feat at the Swimming Pool of the Ikoyi Club 1938 as the school emerged overall winner of the Primary School event of the 2023 Zenith Bank Swimming Gala.
The school garnered a total of 283 points in which the swimmer won 28 medals comprising nine gold, 10 silver and nine bronze medals. Saint Saviour School, Ikoyi came second with a total of 162 points after winning 14 medals comprising five gold, our silver and five bronze medals.
Children International School emerged overall third with 157 points and a total of 10 medals comprising two gold, six silver and two bronze medals.
Corona School and Riverbank School, Oniru were 4th and 5th respectively in the overall table in which the placing was determined on points basis by the organisers.
The Chairman of Swimming section of the elite club, Ikedichi Kanu, said the standard of the competition was very high with the young swimmers engaging one another in stiff competition.
“It’s like the beginning for many of them but they exhibited quality talents and promise. It was a very great event and we are very happy about it all. We thank our partners and sponsors Zenith Bank for making it happen again for the kids,” Kanu said.
Three young swimmers won the Most Valuable Swimmer award after the event after winning three gold medals in all their events respectively.
The list include Azazi Ayibamieye of the French International School, Victoria Island, who competed in the 9-10 girls category; Adenusi Imran of the Buttercups School Oniru who competed in the Boys’ 11-12 cadre; and Azeez Omofolarin of Grange School, Ikeja, who competed in the Boys’ 9-10 category.
Olaitan Shabi playing with handicap 27 has won in the men’s category of the maiden BON Classic Golf Tournament after returning with the best scores of 74 while the CEO of BON Sports Promotion that sponsored the event, Mrs. Bose Ngozi Onwuegbu emerged winner in the women’s category with 72 net.
Olayinka Ojo of Tiger Golf Club who doubles as the Chairman of the Planning Committee for the event, emerged with the best gross scores and 88 net in the men’s category while Okunnola Rasheed and Aodonwase ended as first and second runners up respectively.
In the women’s category, former Lady Captain of both Tiger Golf Club and Ibadan Golf Club, Mary Okunola recorded 74 net scores to emerged as the first runners up while Sala Oise playing off handicap 28 with net scores 79 ended as second runners up in the unique tournament that came to an end on Saturday at the Tiger Golf Club, Fajuyi Cantonment, Ojoo Ibadan.
Onwuegbu who was the former Lady Captain of Dolphin Golf Club Lagos , expressed joy for the success recorded at the end of the event, saying the theme of the event is ‘Empowering the less privileged’ hence proceeds from the tournament will be used to support the less privileged in the society.
She said: “I want to thank all and sundry that had played big role in making this event a success, but I must specially thank my husband Navy Commodore MJI Onwuegbu for his constant support and understanding, the former managing Director of Polaris Bank, Innocent Ike that came to Tiger Club Ibadan for the first time to be part of this event.
“Let me also extend my gratitude to the former Captain of Ikoyi Club Golf section, Dr. Innocent Okoro who had hugely supported this dream and my Uncle Hon. Wale Williams. I must also thank the leadership of Tiger Golf Club, led by the Captain, Tunde Salami and the lady captain, Patience Ekwere for their big support, ” added Onwuegbu who is also a South West zonal representative on the board of the Nigeria Golf Federation.
