The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • P&ID: Ex-Lagos AG’s ‘$200k laundering’ trial resumes Feb 21

    P&ID: Ex-Lagos AG’s ‘$200k laundering’ trial resumes Feb 21

    The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos Thursday adjourned the alleged money laundering trial of a former Lagos Attorney-General and Justice Commissioner Olasupo Shasore, SAN, till February 21, 2023.

    Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke fixed the date following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s counsel, Bala Sanga.

    Sanga, who was absent, had sent in a letter on November 21 explaining that he would be away in Abuja for two other matters at the Federal High Court.

    Not opposing the application, defence counsel Olawale Akoni, SAN, urged the court to consider that the adjournment was at the instance of the prosecution.

    The judge granted the anti-graft agency’s prayer.

    Read Also: Alleged P&ID scam: Surety begs for more time to produce Briton fugitive in court

    Shasore was, on October 20, 2022, arraigned on a four-count charge marked FHC/L/447C/2022.

    In it, the EFCC claimed that he committed the offence on or about November 18, 2014.

    The anti-graft agency claimed that the defendant induced a former Legal Director at the Petroleum Ministry, Olufolakemi Adelore, into accepting cash payment of the sum of $100,000 without going through a financial institution.

    Read Also: Court fixes Dec 1 for judgement on Ogun PDP Gov ticket

    He was also alleged to have made a cash payment of $100,000 to Adelore through Messrs Auwalu Habu and Wole Aboderin.

    The charge also added that the former Lagos State Attorney-General also induced and made another cash payment of $100,000 to one Ikechukwu Oguine without going through a financial institution.

    The anti-graft agency said the sums exceeded the amount permitted by law.

    It added that the alleged offences contravened sections 78(c); 1(a) and 16(1)(d) and 18(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and were punishable under sections 16(6) and 16 (2)(b) of the same Act.

    Shasore pleaded not guilty and is out on bail.

  • Kizz Daniel excites Qatar 2022 crowd with ‘Buga’

    Kizz Daniel excites Qatar 2022 crowd with ‘Buga’

    Nigeria’s sensation Kizz Daniel finally got the platform to excite football and music lovers at the World Cup Fans Festival in Doha, Qatar on Wednesday night.

    With his smashing hit track ‘Buga’ Vado made the crowd burst with intense excitement as they danced and screamed along as he performed.

    Before his thrilling performance, the Afro-classic singer addressed his fans and music lovers globally that were already on the lookout and wondering why he didn’t perform at the World Cup opening ceremony.

    Read Also: Qatar 2022: Kizz Daniel sets to perform Wednesday

    He informed that he’d be seizing the FIFA stage by 7pm Nigerian time to unite the globe with his sizzling music and football.

    The tweet reads:“I will be live on FIFA stage 7pm Naija Time ( 9pm AST ) UNITING THE WORLD WITH MUSIC & FOOTBALL #fifaworldcup2022 #qatar2022 #afroclassicworldtour2022 #buga.”

  • Aggrieved artistes should meet to fight under Falomo bridge – TG Omori

    Aggrieved artistes should meet to fight under Falomo bridge – TG Omori

    Music video director and cinematographer, TG Omori has made a suggestion for aggrieved artists exchanging words on social media.

    Singers BNXN and Ruger began a verbal war on Twitter last night after the Jonzing signee mocked his colleague for making songs incapable of thrilling the crowd yet forcing them down throats for years.
    Reacting, the ‘Spaceship Records’ artiste accused Ruger of enjoying illegitimate success, which he claimed was bought by his bosses with the aid of streaming farms.

    The exchange got even more heated as artists like Blaqbonez, Olakira and others jumped on the allegation, pointing accusing fingers at their colleagues for using these illegal means to buy streams and make money from royalties leaving them feeling like losers despite striving genuinely.

    Read Also: I watch Fireboy’s ‘Bandana’ video 18 times daily – TG Omori

    As the debate and accusation of streaming farms patronage continue, Boy Director has recommended that all the aggrieved artists should pick a date to resolve their grievances.

    TG Omori expressly suggested they pick a specific date to meet under Falomo bridge to fight out their frustrations.

    He tweeted: “Make everybody pick date, make them meet for falomo under bridge make them fight.”

  • What to know about ‘streaming farms’

    What to know about ‘streaming farms’

    Streaming farms are regarded as some artists’ easiest gateway to topping music platforms, making them feel more important and successful than others particularly when they or their record labels can afford the fees.

    While on the flip side, it’s the greatest nightmare of some others. Those regarded as the genuine hustlers in the music scene, who work really hard but don’t have their songs top charts because they can’t also buy these streaming platforms as a result of the ‘exorbitant fees’. They end up looking like ‘failures’ or considered musicians who have gone under the radar.

    The discussion of streaming farms continues to reverberate across Twitter and other social media platforms as singers lend their voices against the practice.

    Below are things you should know about streaming farms;

    Definition

    Streaming farms are services designed to inflate streams or add a lot of fake listens to a song.

    By taking advantage of the business model of streaming platforms like Spotify, they massively increase the number of listeners and in turn raise the hype surrounding the artiste.

    Characteristics

    Streaming farms are a relatively new concept and were created to specifically take advantage of streaming platforms like Spotify.

    Similar to the likes of click farms where robots or workers artificially inflate social media metrics such as likes and follows, streaming farms artificially inflate the number of listens of a song.

    The most surprising thing about streaming farms is that if you know what you are doing, they are relatively easy to make.

    It is a “fake it until you make it” approach that although useful for a few, is harmful to artistes who do not engage in such activities.

    Streaming farms are an illegal way to buy streams and make money from royalties.

    The absurd thing is that the people who can afford to pay for streams and have the motivation are the labels and signed artistes.

    This is so because they are struggling to hold their spots on billboard charts and compete fairly with 100% independent artists. The tables have turned and more power is shifting to independents causing labels to fear the loss of power and control.

    Why artiste or record label will use streaming farms

    Read Also: Yemi Alade hails Blaqbonez over artistes using ‘streaming farms’

    After years of being kept a well-known secret, suddenly ‘everyone’ is using streaming farms to make more money, increase their visibility and get traction on their songs.

    Signed artists and labels use streaming farms to increase their streaming numbers and top the charts. This ensures they earn royalties, but more importantly, it proves their artistes are popular even if it’s really not the truth.

    According to reports, to date, the biggest example of streaming fraud took place in 2017 when a fraudster from Bulgaria managed to make about $1 million from fake streams.
    Streaming farms: Cons

    Is it worth paying a company to inflate your streams if it increases your chances of going viral?

    While it may initially seem like a good idea, streaming farms are sabotaging musicians with “honest” streams and doing more harm than good when it comes to overall artist payouts.

    According to a Rolling Stone article, “three to four percent of global streams are illegitimate streams…That’s around $300 million in potential lost revenue moved from legitimate streams to illegitimate, illegal streams.”

    Moreover, faking hundreds or thousands of listeners could backfire. Music professionals can spot fake streams from a mile away, leaving you in a precarious position when applying for legitimate opportunities.

    Things like random top cities, a weird selection of similar artistes and a monthly listener-follower ratio that makes no sense are clear indications of artistes with inflated streams. Word travels quickly and can lead to a bad reputation that you definitely do not need in an industry as connected as that of music.

    All in all, while engineering your own breakthrough via streaming farms might seem like a good idea, it can do far more harm than good.

    A clear focus on long-term goals and opportunities, coupled with a community of true fans is, by far, the superior way to achieving true and lasting success.

  • My mother kneels to greet me – Pastor Blessed Agochukwu

    My mother kneels to greet me – Pastor Blessed Agochukwu

    Head Pastor of Shekina Arena Gospel Ministry International Gospel Agochukwu has claimed his mother kneels to greet him.
    He also said his wife knows when to switch roles from endearing name-calling to calling him ‘her father’.
    In a Facebook post, he advised people to respect grace and call upon a man of God because that is what will make them be rewarded.

    However, netizens didn’t find this stance palatable as they insisted his pride as pertaining his mother’s gestures are dishonorable.

    Read Also: Healing Streams: Avalanche of miracles at largest healing crusade with Pastor Chris

    He wrote:

    “My wife knows when to switch from calling me my baby to my father.
    from my husband to my man of God. To those who are familiar with us what we wear is clothing but to someone else it is called a mantle.

    ”There was a day my mum knelt down to welcome me to her office and her colleagues asked her not to do that again but she said “I am his mother physically but he is my spiritual father”.

    ”She told them how she gave birth to me in a crusade ground and how a dove entered the church on my child’s dedication day. From that day her colleagues became converts to partake in my anointing. they began to testify from my prayers.”

  • Judgement day coming for artistes paying streaming farms – Olakira

    Judgement day coming for artistes paying streaming farms – Olakira

    Singer Ade Ebenezer aka Olakira has joined the growing list of musicians condemning the patronage of streaming farms, an alleged new trend among artistes.

    An heated exchange ignited on Twitter, Wednesday night after Ruger trolled his colleague, BNXN accusing him of making songs incapable of throwing a crowd into frenzy.

    BNXN in turn blasted Ruger, alleging the latter’s bosses employ the services of streaming farms to make his songs top music charts.

    Some artistes including Blaqbonez, Yemi Alade and music video director, TG Omori condemned the acts.

    Read Also: Olakira bags Maserati automobile endorsement

    On his Twitter handle, Olakira bemoaned the negative effect of streaming farms by some artistes on the craft and efforts of genuine working singers.

    The 32-year-old singer whose name means ‘shining star’ in Swahili prayed that the day of judgement for the guilty artistes patronising streaming farms be fast-tracked.

    Olakira said: “And If you no dey pay these streaming farms, one guy from abule agba go borrow data come online talk say you fall off.

    “Y’all ruining the industry for genuine hustlers, Judgement day dey come.”

  • Fans reschedule 30BG Lagos concert for Davido

    Fans reschedule 30BG Lagos concert for Davido

    Fans of Singer Davido popularly known as the 30BG have rescheduled the date for their concert in honour of their idol.
    On Monday, the Afrobeats music star’s fans announced plans to hold a massive celebration for him in Lagos to commemorate his 30th birthday.
    Though OBO had huge plans for his 30th birth anniversary birthday he couldn’t go ahead because of the tragic death of his son.
    The day however didn’t go by without his well-wishers, including dignitaries, celebrities and fans from around the globe sending him love on climbing the ‘third floor’ like they say on social media.

    Read Also: Fans plan Lagos concert for Davido

    The fans made it known that they were postponing the date of the anticipated concert from November 25 to a later date that would be announced in the next 24 hours.
    Citing reason for the postponement, the organisers said a lot of people suddenly signified interest to buy into the event in order to make it a remarkable one.
    Eventually, they announced a new date on Wednesday with every other detail retained.
    According to the latest flier, the event tagged ‘Davido Fans Concert 2022’ now hold at the Wonderland, Eko Energy City, Victoria Island; Lagos on December 1 at 5pm ’till mama calls’.
    The poster while guaranteeing maximum security, indicates free entry for Baba Imade’s fans while as well as numbers to call for sponsorship.
  • Yemi Alade hails Blaqbonez over artistes using ‘streaming farms’

    Yemi Alade hails Blaqbonez over artistes using ‘streaming farms’

    Self-styled ‘Mama of Africa’, Yemi Alade has lauded her colleague, Blaqbonez over his prediction for artiste allegedly patronising streaming farms.

    On Wednesday night, an uproar was sparked off on Twitter when BNXN and Ruger engaged in a heated war of words.

    Ruger had taken a swipe at BNXN accusing the latter of forcing his songs down people’s throats for years in what came across as a puzzle.

    Reacting, the ‘Finesse’ singer carpeted Ruger alleging his boss engage the services of streaming farms to enable his songs top music charts.

    BXNX also wished for doomsdays to every artiste who have these ‘streaming farms’ on their payroll.

    This followed after Ruger appreciated God for one of his latest songs ‘Asiwaju’ which occupied the number one spot on Apple Music 100, Nigeria.

    Corroborating BNXN’s claim, Blaqbonez hoped every artiste using ‘streaming farms’ would be exposed.

    Tagging them as fraudsters, Emeka the Stallion’ tweeted: “All of you using streaming farms would be exposed soon. awon hushpuppi.”

    Read Also: After paying to top charts, singers give God credit, Blaqbonez alleges

    Quoting Blaqbonez words, Yemi Alade hailed him for his more ‘realer’ tweet, obliging anyone to assist in framing it for her so she could have it hung on her wall.

    “Never saw a ” realler ” tweet! Somebody pls frame this tweet for me. I want to hang it on my wall”, said the “Johnny” crooner.

    Streaming farms are a relatively new concept and were created to specifically take advantage of streaming platforms.

    Signed artistes and labels use streaming farms to increase their streaming numbers and top the charts.

    This ensures they earn royalties, but more importantly, it proves their artistes are popular even if it’s really not the truth.

  • After paying to top charts, singers give God credit, Blaqbonez alleges

    After paying to top charts, singers give God credit, Blaqbonez alleges

    Rapper Blaqbonez has accused some singers of indulging in fraudulent acts to get their songs to top music charts.

    In a previous tweets, the ‘Young Preacher’s crooner stated every artist patronising ‘streaming farms’ would be exposed

    “All of you using streaming farms would be exposed soon. awon hushpuppi,” he said.

    He expressed pain over his claim noting while others genuinely strive hard to achieve this feat, some prefer to get it through the ‘back door’.

    The entertainer, who also referred to himself as ‘Emeka the Stallion’ added these particular singers after their closed-door deed come out publicly to give God credit for same.

    Read Also: Blaqbonez warns against crypto investment

    He said: “It’s actually so painful say u go hustle, push your shit, some niggas go just use money buy the charts. same men go come out give God credit. Lmao continue.”

    Blaqbonez’s claim comes few hours after BNXN formerly known as Buju alleged Ruger’s bosses paid for his latest song, “Asiwaju” to top Apple Music Top 100 Nigeria number one spot.

    Ruger in a tweet had expressed gratitude to God and also his fans for actively listening to his songs as his latest output currently tops Apple Music Top 100 Nigeria chart.

     

  • 2023: Meet female Gov running mates

    2023: Meet female Gov running mates

    Ahead of 2023 gubernatorial elections, women are unrelenting in their efforts to ensure their place in the state polity and governance is secured.

    They have ascended and gate-crashed into the male-dominated political terrain.

    There has been an age-long debate on improved inclusion of women in politics and leadership positions but interestingly, in over Nigeria’s 60 years as an independent country, no woman has ever attained the position of president, vice-president.

    However, quite a number of women have been opportuned to occupy the position of deputy governor in some states across the country.

    Women occupying the deputy governorship position have, however, over the years proved otherwise by conceiving and birthing pro-developmental initiatives.

    Here’s a list of female running mates:

    Rivers: In Rivers State, a former commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Odu is the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP while Tonto Dikeh, a Nollywood actress, is the deputy governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    Also, Princess Tambari Hilda Dedam is the deputy governorship candidate of the Accord Party (AP) in Rivers State.

    Lagos: In Lagos State, the PDP governorship candidate Dr. Olajide Adediran, unveiled Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele as his running mate for the 2023 governorship election in the state.

    Kaduna: In Kaduna, the APC governorship candidate, Sen Uba Sani, re-selected the incumbent deputy governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, as his running mate in the 2023 polls.

    Ogun: In Ogun State, some of the female deputy governorship candidates are Olatunji Suliat Nike of ADC; Olaniyo Olubukola Iyabode of AAC; Oseni Oluronke Mishozunu of ADP and Oyewale Modupe Olayinka of the Accord Party.

    The two political parties fielded women as deputy governorship candidates. While the incumbent deputy governor, Engineer Noimot Salako-Oyedele is still paired with her principal, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on the platform of the APC, the Labour Party (LP) has elected Dr Aishat Lawal-Keshinro to pair with its gubernatorial candidate, Kehinde Shogunle, in the election.

    Plateau: In Plateau, the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Caleb Mutfwang, picked Josephine Chundung Piyo as his running mate.

    Niger: In Niger State, the deputy governorship candidate of SDP Umar Rakiya, is a woman.

    Adamawa: In Adamawa, Prof Kaleptapwa Farauta, is the female deputy governorship candidate of PDP in the state.

    Abia: In Abia State, Ifeoma Okoya Thomas will run as the deputy governorship candidate to Chief Chibuikem Jonas on the platform of African Democratic Party (ADP).

    Read Also: Anambra 2021: Any hope for female governorship aspirants?

    Enugu: In Enugu State, there is only one female running mate, Dr. Mrs Edith Ugwuanyi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    Sokoto: In Sokoto State, two women are listed as deputy governorship candidates. They are Hauwa’u Bello, running mate to Abubakar Haruna of Allied People’s Movement (APM), and Hannatu Muhtar, running mate to Abba Sidi Ahmed of the Action People’s Party (APP).

    Cross River: Mrs. Emana Ambrose Amahwe is the running mate to Cross River State PDP governorship candidate, Senator Prof Sandy Ojang Onor.

    Also, the governorship candidate of PRP, Usani Usani, who was former Niger Delta Affairs Minister, picked Mrs Arit Bassey Nsan as his running mate.

    Ebonyi: In Ebonyi, Mrs Patricia Obila was picked as the deputy governorship candidate of APC by the candidate, Hon Francis Ogbonnia Nwifuru, who is the current Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

    Delta: In Delta, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in the state, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, picked Mrs Oshilim Ishioma Rosemary, as his running mate for the 2023 election. Gbagi’s SDP is the only party having a woman as running mate in the state.

    Akwa Ibom: In Akwa Ibom, the PDP has a female running mate, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, who will pair the party’s governorship candidate, Pastor Umo Eno, for the 2023 poll.

    The African Action Congress (AAC) in Akwa Ibom State nominated actress, Caroline Danjuma, as the running mate to its governorship candidate, Iboro Otu, for the 2023 election.