The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • JUST IN: Tinubu swears in FCC chair, 37 commissioners

    JUST IN: Tinubu swears in FCC chair, 37 commissioners

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday swore in the newly appointed Chairman and 37 Commissioners of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) at the State House in Abuja.

    The ceremony, which took place in the Council Chambers of the State House, saw the new FCC Chairman, Hulayat Omidiran, sworn in alongside commissioners representing the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

    Omidiran, 59, succeeds Dr. Muheeba Dankaka.

    A former two-term member of the House of Representatives, Omidiran represented the Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency of Osun State between 2011 and 2019.

    An indigene of Ikire in Osun State, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and brings to the office wide-ranging experience spanning legislative work and sports administration.

    She previously served as Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Sports and held several roles within football administration, including membership of the Nigeria Football Federation board, chairperson of the NFF Women’s Football Committee, membership of the FIFA Women’s Football Committee, and service on the Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Olympic Committee.

    She is also the founder of Omidiran Babes Football Club, a female football team established in Osogbo, Osun State, in 1997.

    President Tinubu appointed Omidiran on August 11, 2025, in a dramatic reversal after the Presidency had earlier that day announced the reappointment of Dankaka for a second five-year term.

    Read Also: Cyber defamation: Sowore’s post on Tinubu generated tension, threatened public safety – DSS witness

    Her nomination was confirmed by the Senate on November 27, 2025, following security screening and her appearance before the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs on October 30.

    Mohammed Musa was also sworn in as Secretary of the Commission.

    The commissioners inaugurated include representatives from all states and the FCT, among them Peter Eze (Enugu), AbdulWasiu Bawalla (Lagos), Obinna Oriaku (Abia), Lawal Roni (Jigawa), Abubakar Bunu (Kebbi), Eludayo Eluyemi (Osun), Bema Madayi (Adamawa), Dora Ebong (Akwa Ibom), Nnoli Gloria (Anambra), Babangida Gwana (Bauchi), Sir Tonye Okio (Bayelsa), Aligba Tarkende (Benue), Modu Mustapha (Borno), Dr. Stella Ekpo (Cross River), Ederin Idisi (Delta), and Solomon Dagami (FCT), among others.

    After the swearing-in, President Tinubu exchanged handshakes with the chairperson and commissioners.

    The brief ceremony was attended by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Temitope Fashedemi; and the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, Dr. John Ezeamama.

    Details shortly…

  • NLNG trains 32 journalists on digital media skills

    NLNG trains 32 journalists on digital media skills

    The Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) has concluded the training of the first batch of 32 journalists drawn from both the print and electronic media on how to use digital tools to enhance journalism practice.

    The three-day training, which took place in Abuja, is organised by the Journalism Clinic and sponsored by the leading operator in the nation’s gas industry and offered new insights into the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence and digital communication in the newsroom.

    Participants were drawn from Voice of Nigeria, The Nation Newspaper, Blueprint, Daily Trust, AIT, TVC, News Agency of Nigeria, Galaxy TV, Daily Times, Democracy Radio, Independent Television, Arise News, among others.

    Addressing the participants, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, said the company was focused on building capacity, which she described as a key pillar of its Corporate Social Responsibility.

    Tagged #NLNGChangeYourStory, she said the initiative has continued to equip journalists with the required skills and confidence needed to produce professional media content in an increasingly fast-paced and technology-driven media environment.

    She described journalism as a calling that informs, educates, and influences society. She encouraged the participants to apply the knowledge they gained to amplify their impact, and expressed optimism that journalists will continue to enlighten the public and inspire valuable synergies through stories that reflect NLNG’s vision of being a globally competitive energy company improving lives sustainably.

    Read Also: NLNG seeks global strategy to sustain LNG growth

    She further highlighted NLNG’s broader support for the media sector, citing the NLNG Prize for Energy Reporting at the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME), among others.

    Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, said NLNG is deliberate with its investments to raise professional standards in Nigeria’s media practice.

    She said the training reinforces NLNG’s commitment to strengthening stakeholder capability and advancing professionalism within Nigeria’s media space.

    “This workshop moved beyond theory to address the real pressures of a digital newsroom, including speed, verification, audience trust, and relevance. Our support for these competencies is aimed at strengthening a resilient media ecosystem that produces accurate, impactful journalism that is capable of shaping public understanding and contributing to national progress,” she said.

     It featured hands‑on sessions and expert-led discussions with participants exploring how new media tools can be effectively deployed to deliver real-time reporting, expand audience reach beyond borders, and foster meaningful engagement across platforms.

    The workshop, which was facilitated by digital communication specialist Dan Mason and media veteran Taiwo Obe, guided participants through practical approaches to digital storytelling, data visualisation, online fact-checking, audience engagement, and the effective management of digital presence.

    The #NLNGChangeYourStory has so far empowered over 180 journalists with enhanced digital communication and social media skills across its various editions.

  • NCCE begins review of NCE minimum standards, curriculum

    NCCE begins review of NCE minimum standards, curriculum

    The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has commenced a comprehensive review of the curriculum for colleges of education and the 2020 Edition of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) Minimum Standards to enhance the quality of teacher education in Nigeria.

    Executive Secretary of NCCE, Professor Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, disclosed this during the flag-off of the review exercise at Nasarawa College of Education, Akwanga.

    Okwelle said this would address some identifiable gaps in line with the emerging national priorities, global education trends, and the practical realities confronting teacher preparation institutions across the country.

    According to him, the review process brought together a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including teacher educators, policymakers, practitioners, and development partners, whose expertise would enrich the outcomes.

    Okwelle said that the new curriculum framework emerging from the review would integrate Artificial Intelligence and related digital competencies, in line with global trends in education and the future of work.

    He said, “The revised NCE Minimum Standards will embed AI awareness, ethical use of emerging technologies, data literacy, and adaptive digital pedagogy to ensure that future teachers are not only consumers of technology but effective facilitators of AI-enabled learning.

    “This forward-looking approach will position Nigerian teachers to operate confidently in technology-rich classrooms and align teacher preparation with international best practices and national development aspirations.”

    He recalled that the National Policy on Education (2013 revised) established the NCE as the minimum qualification for entry into the teaching profession at the basic education level in Nigeria, stressing that the relevance, quality, and effectiveness of the NCE minimum standards are of paramount national importance.

    Okwelle said, “The goal of the NCCE is to produce Minimum Standards that are academically robust, practically implementable, globally relevant, and responsive to the needs of contemporary classrooms.

    “Over the last few years, the NCCE has pursued a deliberate and far-reaching reform agenda aimed at strengthening teacher education and repositioning Colleges of Education for relevance, quality, and sustainability.

    “Central to this effort has been the successful implementation of major policy reforms, most notably the operationalisation of the Dual-Mode mandate.

    “Under this framework, Colleges of Education are now legally empowered to award Bachelor’s Degrees in Education in their own right, without affiliation to universities.

    “This landmark reform aims to expand access, enhance institutional autonomy, improve enrolment, and restore public confidence in Colleges of Education as credible and competitive centres for professional teacher preparation. Against this backdrop, the review of the NCE Minimum Standards is both apt and timely.”

    Okwelle commended the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, for his effort at promoting teacher education and his presence to flag off the review exercise.

    He noted that the future of Nigeria’s schools hinges on the quality of its teachers while urging the stakeholders to engage constructively and collaboratively during the critical exercise.

    He said that the success of the review would significantly enhance the quality of teachers produced and, ultimately, the quality of foundational education delivered to Nigerian children, thereby securing the future of the nation.

  • 24 Nigerian varsities make 2026 global subject rankings

    24 Nigerian varsities make 2026 global subject rankings

    The Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC) has commended the Nigerian university system for the remarkable improvement in the global rankings of some universities in the country, in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject, which was released on January 21.

    For the first time, 24 Nigerian universities were listed in the global rankings, making Nigeria the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    The rankings cover 11 subject areas, including Arts and Humanities; Business and Economics; Computer Science; Education Studies; Engineering; Law; Life Sciences; Medical and Health; Physical Sciences; Psychology and Social Sciences.

    Reflecting on the newly released data, Chairman of NURAC and former Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof Emeritus Peter Okebukola, described the performance as a “testament to the resilience and burgeoning academic prowess of Nigeria,” noting that the nation’s institutions are increasingly breaking into elite global tiers across a diverse range of disciplines.

    In a statement in Abuja on Thursday, Okebukola said, “This is coming at a time when the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government has given a huge boost to the welfare package of university staff and planned improvement in teaching, learning, and research environment in our universities.”

    He also stated that the feat recorded was in building on the gains of previous administrations, noting the impact of Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed as former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

    The statement explained that to be ranked in a specific subject for 2026, universities had to meet two main criteria- publication threshold: a minimum number of research papers published in that subject over the last five years (e.g., 500 for Engineering, 100 for Law); and staff threshold: a minimum percentage or absolute number of academic staff working in that specific field.

    Okebukola said, “The 2026 rankings highlight a significant shift in global recognition for Nigeria’s professional programmes. Most notably, the University of Ibadan and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka have broken into the top 400 worldwide for Law, both placing in the prestigious 301–400 band.

    “In the field of Medical and Health, the University of Ibadan maintains its position as a global leader in the 301–400 band, followed by the University of Lagos in the 401–500 bracket. Other medical powerhouses include Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University Kano, the University of Benin, the University of Jos, and the University of Nigeria Nsukka, all ranking within the 601–800 band globally, while institutions like Babcock, OAU, and University of Ilorin secured spots in the 801–1,000 range. LAUTECH, LASU, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, University of Calabar, and University of Port Harcourt earned spots in the 1000+ band.

    “Nigeria’s technological institutions have shown remarkable strength in Computer Science, led by Landmark University in the 501–600 band, with Covenant University and the University of Ilorin following in the 601–800 group. In the Physical Sciences, a strong cohort led by the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Landmark University, and the University of Ilorin all secured placements in the 601–800 band.

    Read Also: Varsities collaborate to address challenges

    “In the 801-1000 band are Covenant University, Federal University of Technology, Akure; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; and University of Calabar. In the 1001-1250 band are Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Bayero University, Kano; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; LAUTECH; and University of Lagos. Featuring in the 1250+ band are Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Federal University, Oye-Ekiti; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife; University of Benin; University of Ibadan; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; and University of Port Harcourt.”

    He further observed that the social sciences continue to be a stronghold for the nation, with Covenant University and the University of Ibadan achieving a 501–600 global ranking.

    University of Lagos is placed in the 601-800 band, while in the 801-1000 band are Landmark University; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; University of Ilorin; and University of Nigeria, Nsukka. In the 1000+ band are Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Delta State University, Abraka; Federal University, Oye-Ekiti; Lagos State University (LASU); Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; and University of Calabar. Furthermore, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, distinguished itself as the sole Nigerian representative in Psychology, ranking in the 501–600 band.

    Okebukola emphasised that these rankings are the result of one of the world’s most demanding evaluative frameworks, adding that universities must meet strict publication thresholds, such as producing at least 500 papers over five years for STEM subjects or 100 for Law and Education.

    He added, “The Subject Rankings utilise 18 performance indicators grouped into five key pillars: Teaching (The Learning Environment): accounting for approximately 30% of the score; Research Environment: evaluating productivity, income, and reputation (approx. 29%); Research Quality: measuring citation impact and research excellence (approx. 30%); International Outlook: assessing the ratio of international staff, students, and research (7.5%); and Industry (Knowledge Transfer): highlighting industry income and patents (4%).

    “The data speaks for itself,” Prof. Okebukola stated. “Nigerian universities are no longer just participating; they are competing at a level that demands global respect. We are seeing a new era where Nigerian research in Law, Medicine, and the Sciences is influencing global thought leadership. However, we must not rest.

    “NURAC will continue to work with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to ensure this upward trajectory becomes a permanent feature of our educational landscape.” 

    NURAC is a strategic body dedicated to enhancing the global visibility and ranking performance of Nigerian universities through data-led advisory and ranking of Nigerian universities. 

  • Ekiti 2026: Afenifere denies endorsing ADC gov candidate, backs Oyebanji

    Ekiti 2026: Afenifere denies endorsing ADC gov candidate, backs Oyebanji

    The Ekiti State chapter of Afenifere has denied reports linking the Yoruba socio-political group to the endorsement of the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the June 2026 governorship election, Amb. Dare Bejide.

    In a statement issued on Thursday by its Publicity Secretary, Biodun Akin-Fasae, the organization led by Elder Jonathan Yemi Alade and Secretary, Chief Ronke Okusanya, disowned a group claiming to speak for the organization, describing it as fake and unrecognised.

    The group said that individuals parading themselves as leaders and members of Afenifere were not known to the Ekiti chapter and had no mandate to act or speak on its behalf.

    The organisation stated that the group allegedly led by one Olayemi Olajuyinmi was not listed in its membership register and had no affiliation with Afenifere in the state.

    It accused the group of attempting to exploit the name and reputation of Afenifere for personal and political interests, urging the public to disregard any statements credited to it.

    Reaffirming its political position, Afenifere said that it remained firmly aligned with the APC and unequivocally supported the re-election bid of Governor Oyebanji, whom it said deserved a second term.

    The group stressed that it had no relationship with the ADC or any other political party outside the APC, insisting that any contrary claims were false and misleading.

    It, therefore, urged members of the public to be vigilant and not fall for what it described as attempts by political opportunists to create confusion ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

  • Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners’ breaks Oscar’s record with 16 nominations

    Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners’ breaks Oscar’s record with 16 nominations

    Ryan Coogler’s vampire period horror film ‘Sinners’ has broken Oscar’s record with 16 nominations, including best picture, according to the Academy on Thursday.

    The film, set in the Mississippi Delta and starring Michael B. Jordan, explores themes of Black American history, music, and the supernatural.

    “Sinners” surpasses the previous record of 14 nominations held by “All About Eve,” “Titanic,” and “La La Land.”

    Read Also: Full list of 2026 OSCAR nominations

    Michael B. Jordan received a best actor nomination for his role in the film, which also picked up nods for screenplay, score, and best casting, a new category added to the Oscars.

    “One Battle After Another” came second with 13 nominations, including best actor for Leonardo DiCaprio.

    Other top contenders include “Frankenstein,” “Marty Supreme,” and “Sentimental Value” with nine nominations each, and “Hamnet” with eight.

  • JUST IN: Makinde meets Tinubu in Villa

    JUST IN: Makinde meets Tinubu in Villa

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is currently in the State House, Abuja, for a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, raising fresh political speculation amid ongoing realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Makinde, a key leader of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), arrived at the State House shortly after the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, who recently defected from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and proceeded directly to the President’s office.

    The Oyo State governor was one of five PDP governors—popularly known as the G-5—who opposed the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election and worked against the party’s ticket.

    The group argued that the PDP’s zoning arrangement favoured a southern presidential candidate after the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Other members of the G-5 were former Rivers State governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, former Benue State governor Samuel Ortom, ex-Enugu State governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Abia State governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

    However, Makinde and Wike have since fallen out.

    Read Also: NPS attack: Makinde announces N5m compensation, scholarships to victims’ families

    In a recent interview, the Oyo governor said the rift stemmed from a meeting involving President Tinubu in which Wike allegedly pledged to “hold PDP” for the President ahead of the 2027 election without the consent of other party stakeholders.

    “I was in a meeting with the President and Wike and a few others, and Wike said to the President that I will hold PDP for you against 2027. So, we got up, and I asked Wike, did we agree to this,” Makinde said.

    Makinde stressed that while Wike is entitled to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid, others within the PDP have a right to resist moves they believe could weaken democratic pluralism.

    “The real issue is that Wike would like to support the President in 2027, that’s fine; it’s within his right to do that. But some of us want democracy to survive in Nigeria. We don’t want to drift into a one-party state, and we want to ensure that PDP survives”, he said.

    He added that the President did not solicit Wike’s pledge, describing it as unsolicited.

    “The President did not ask him; he volunteered it,” Makinde said, noting that attempts to persuade Wike to reconsider were unsuccessful.

    “That is why I will never support the President for 2027,” Makinde added, affirming his independence in making political decisions.

    As of the time of filing this report, the agenda of the meeting between President Tinubu and Governor Makinde had not been disclosed.

  • Full list of 2026 OSCAR nominations

    Full list of 2026 OSCAR nominations

    The organisers of the 98th Academy Awards announced the initial slate of nominations for the 2026 Oscars on Thursday, with actors Lewis Pullman and Danielle Brooks revealing the full list across all 24 categories.

    Leading the pack as early frontrunners are Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, which secured 13 nominations, and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which broke Oscar history with a record-breaking 16 nominations, the most ever for a single film, surpassing the previous tie of 14 held by All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land.

    The 98th Oscars ceremony is scheduled for March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood, with Conan O’Brien returning as host.

    Below is the full list of categories and nominees:

    Best Picture

    Bugonia

    F1: The Movie

    Frankenstein

    Hamnet

    Marty Supreme

    One Battle After Another

    The Secret Agent

    Sentimental Value

    Sinners

    Train Dreams

    Best Actor

    Timothée Chalamet, Marty Supreme

    Leonardo DiCaprio, One Battle After Another

    Ethan Hawke, Blue Moon

    Michael B. Jordan, Sinners

    Wagner Moura, The Secret Agent

    Best Actress

    Jessie Buckley, Hamnet

    Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You

    Kate Hudson, Song Sung Blue

    Renate Reinsve, Sentimental Value

    Emma Stone, Bugonia

    Best Supporting Actor

    Benicio del Toro, One Battle After Another

    Jacob Elordi, Frankenstein

    Delroy Lindo, Sinners

    Sean Penn, One Battle After Another

    Stellan Skarsgård, Sentimental Value

    Best Supporting Actress

    Elle Fanning, Sentimental Value

    Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Sentimental Value

    Amy Madigan, Weapons

    Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners

    Teyana Taylor, One Battle After Another

    Read Also: Tom Cruise wins first Oscar with honorary award

    Best Director

    Chloé Zhao, Hamnet

    Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme

    Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another

    Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value

    Ryan Coogler, Sinners

    Original Screenplay

    Robert Kaplow, Blue Moon

    Jafar Panahi, It Was Just an Accident

    Ronald Bronstein & Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme

    Eskil Vogt & Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value

    Ryan Coogler, Sinners

    Adapted Screenplay

    Will Tracy, Bugonia

    Guillermo del Toro, Frankenstein

    Chloé Zhao & Maggie O’Farrell, Hamnet

    Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another

    Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar, Train Dreams

    Animated Feature

    Arco

    Elio

    KPop Demon Hunters

    Little Amélie or the Character of Rain

    Zootopia 2

    Documentary Feature

    The Alabama Solution

    Come See Me in the Good Light

    Cutting Through Rocks

    Mr Nobody Against Putin

    The Perfect Neighbor

    International Feature

    The Secret Agent, Brazil

    It Was Just an Accident, France

    Sentimental Value, Norway

    Sirāt, Spain

    The Voice of Hind Rajab, Tunisia

    Editing

    Stephen Mirrione, F1: The Movie

    Ronald Bronstein & Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme

    Andy Jurgensen, One Battle After Another

    Olivier Bugge Coutté, Sentimental Value

    Michael P. Shawver, Sinners

    Cinematography

    Dan Laustsen, Frankenstein

    Darius Khondji, Marty Supreme

    Michael Bauman, One Battle After Another

    Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Sinners

    Adolpho Veloso, Train Dreams

    Original Score

    Jerskin Fendrix, Bugonia

    Alexandre Desplat, Frankenstein

    Max Richter, Hamnet

    Jonny Greenwood, One Battle After Another

    Ludwig Goransson, Sinners

    Casting

    Hamnet

    Marty Supreme

    One Battle After Another

    The Secret Agent

    Sinners

    Production Design

    Frankenstein

    Hamnet

    Marty Supreme

    One Battle After Another

    Sinners

    Costume Design

    Avatar: Fire and Ash

    Frankenstein

    Hamnet

    Marty Supreme

    Sinners

    Visual Effects

    Avatar: Fire and Ash

    F1: The Movie

    Jurassic World Rebirth

    The Lost Bus

    Sinners

    Sound

    F1: The Movie

    Frankenstein

    One Battle After Another

    Sinners

    Sirât

    Makeup and Hairstyling

    Frankenstein

    Kokuho

    Sinners

    The Smashing Machine

    The Ugly Stepsister

    Original Song

    Dear Me from Diane Warren: Relentless; Music and Lyric by Diane Warren

    Golden

    from KPop Demon Hunters; Music and Lyric by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seon, and Teddy Park

    I Lied to You from Sinners; Music and Lyric by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Goransson

    Sweet Dreams of Joy from Viva Verdi; Music and Lyric by Nicholas Pike

    Train Dreams from Train Dreams; Music by Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner; Lyric by Nick Cave

    Live-Action Short

    Butcher’s Stain

    A Friend of Dorothy

    Jane Austen’s Period Drama

    The Singers

    Two People Exchanging Saliva

    Documentary short

    All the Empty Rooms

    Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud

    Children No More: “Were and Are Gone”

    The Devil Is Busy

    Perfectly a Strangeness

    Animated Short

    Butterfly

    Forevergreen

    The Girl Who Cried Pearls

    Retirement Plan

    The Three Sisters

  • Yeni Kuti weighs in on Wizkid, Seun feud, defends father’s legacy

    Yeni Kuti weighs in on Wizkid, Seun feud, defends father’s legacy

    Yeni Kuti, daughter of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, has broken the silence on the escalating feud between her brother Seun Kuti and Grammy-winning singer Wizkid.

    Speaking on TVC’s Your View on Thursday, Kuti expressed disappointment that Wizkid involved her late father in the dispute.

    Yeni recalled Wizkid’s early days as a backup singer at the Shrine, emphasising her affection for him.

    Read Also: I’m bigger than Fela, Wizkid replies Seun Kuti

    “I love Wizkid a lot, he is my paddy na. He is my small friend. I remember when he started at the Shrine, he was a backup singer. I cannot stop liking Wizkid.”

    The feud began with a social media exchange between Seun Kuti and Wizkid, drawing public attention.

    Yeni said she wished Wizkid had ended it earlier, emphasising Fela’s enduring influence, and expressed concern about the timing, ahead of Fela’s Grammy celebration, saying it’s Nigeria that’s being tarnished.

    “I wish when all these started, he had put a stop to it before it became what it is now. We are just about to celebrate our icon at the Grammy, and you are all doing all this rubbish, as if you are trying to dirty something. It’s not Fela or Fela’s family you are dirtying, it’s Nigeria. If you have a problem with someone, why are you now calling Fela out?,” she said.

    Fela’s legacy, Yeni said, is what’s highlighting his greatness, “Fela has done his own 27 years, 27 years, and you are still calling his name. That is just the answer to his greatness”, Yeni added.

  • Davido thanks father for support amid paternity controversy

    Davido thanks father for support amid paternity controversy

    Music star Davido has thanked his father, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, for defending him amid a paternity saga involving a 12-year-old girl, Anu.

    Dr. Adeleke held a press conference, stating that DNA tests proved Davido is not Anu’s biological father, with a 0.00% paternity probability.

    According to reports, Anu had claimed to be Davido’s daughter, prompting the singer to undergo multiple DNA tests, all of which were negative.

    Read Also: Why Davido can win governorship election over Burna Boy – Seyi Sodimu

    Dr. Adeleke accused investigative journalist Kemi Olunloyo of impersonating Anu online to attack Davido and announced plans to take legal action for defamation.

    Anu had requested a DNA test to establish her identity, citing bullying and mental distress.

    Davido denied paternity, citing the negative DNA tests and threatening to take action against Anu’s mother.

    Dr. Adeleke revealed the family had supported Anu financially, paying school fees and offering her mother a university scholarship, despite the negative tests.

    Davido expressed gratitude to his father on Instagram, writing, “Thank you, my loving father”.