It is interesting that one of the first things a Taiwanese asks a visitor to the country is: “Have you visited the Night Market?” If your answer is no, the next response would be “Try it out. Don’t leave Taiwan without going to one.” Gracefully, they are in all neighbourhoods.
With this challenge and testimony from citizens, the night market became a usual hunt for me to taste the flavour and feel the tempo of Taipei. They are like what we had in Africa in the past; markets where things are sold and fun and theatrics are added to make patrons enjoy themselves. Africans and Asians indeed have a lot in common!
Night markets in Taiwan are said to have sprung up around temples, of which there are legions, during the Tang dynasty. During this period, traders and sellers of various articles and food gathered at night fall to sell their wares to workers who were there to pay obeisance to the gods. This tradition of night market grew and blossomed after World War II with the arrival new urban workers and migrants. It grew in leaps and bounds and by the late 20th century places like Shilin, Shida, Gongguan, and so on sprung up with growing corner shops.
The night markets are usually held by street sides and corners where traders set up their mobile kiosks with assorted food and articles. However, at the end of each day, all dirt and traces of last night trading have vanished because they all make sure they clean up the streets. They are where delicacies are beautifully displayed and all a customer needs to do is make a choice from French fries to noodles, special Taiwanese fried chicken (which was my favourite), vegetables, duck meat, beef, fish, pork and so on. However, I still think the varieties are limited, not as many as we have in Nigeria.
Beside the interesting night markets, there are other places to visit in Taipei alone. One of the most iconic places that I found very educating and exciting is the Chiang Kai-shek (CKS) Memorial Hall. It is a vast swath of land with iconic Chinese/Taiwanese styled buildings with history writ large. It is a place where visitors from all over the world converge on a daily basis soaking in the breath of the spectacle of the memorial arcade. The size and grandiloquence of the buildings are breathtaking, all embossed in mostly white and Taiwanese colours, Visitors to the monuments are captivated and mesmerized in the splendour of the buildings. Chiang Kai-shek (October 31,1887 –April 5 ,1975) was a politician, revolutionary, and military commander and leader of the Republic of China (ROC) from 1928 until his death in 1975.
A stone throw from the Memorial Hall is the National Central Library (NCL). It is a grand building that gives a lie to those who think the world has moved away from reading books. The NCL is a living testimony to the fact that technology may have affected the world of books but it has not in any way diminished its importance. The multi-floored building on a daily basis hosts thousands of Taiwanese and foreigners who troop in to read and conduct researches. Students, young and old visit and get soaked in knowledge. The managers of Nigeria’s National Library perhaps need to visit and get to see how a viable library is run in this age of technology.
As for what a university library should be like, the place to turn to is the National Chengi University (NCCU) Library with its curvaceous building that is a cynosure on the campus. It is multi-layered with very large reading and meeting rooms, and electronic sections that could be used to host private or public meetings. It is so massive that it does not look like a university library but a national library. But this is not surprising. NCCU is the country’s elite university established by CKS to train the country’s top elites and administrators.
The CKS’s statue sitting on a horse stands tall in the centre of the road that serves as the fork to various parts of the campus. It is a massive statue draped with many myths and stories. The horse is rumoured to be capable of shifting positions from time to time, especially at night! According to the myth, it could be seen lifting its right front leg at a particular time of the night, while at another it would be the left with CKS waving!!
When CKS moved to Taiwan from China, he decided to establish the elite university as a production mill to supply the administration with intellectuals and first grade administrators to run the engine of the new government. To a large extent this has been achieved. It was only recently that the university began to run science courses; it was devoted to producing top grade administrators.
The Taipei Zoo is another place of interest to visit for anyone in search of rare animals, while the most sobering place to go is the National Human Rights Museum. A visit here would fill you with goose pimples. It is scary. It houses the grim records and pictures of the Martial Law period otherwise known as the ‘White Terror’. The period when Taiwan went through one of its most depressing periods under a terrible dictatorship. I have never visited Rwanda, but I was told that this museum and that of Rwanda are similar; a place of record to remind us as humans that we should never allow history to repeat itself. Tyranny kills; autocracy is deadly and not an option. No wonder Taiwan is a flourishing democracy.
(To be continued)
Dr Oyegbile, journalist and media scholar just concluded a postdoctoral fellowship at Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD).
•Family rejects police claims of generator fume, demands autopsy
Sorrow, grief and anguish unsettled the compound of the Obele family in Ogale, Rivers State on Wednesday. There was wailing from different corners of the house whose occupants had known nothing but agony since January 11.
What could have been responsible for the sudden death of an entire family of six in a single night and in the same enclosure?
Theophilus Obele, father, 49 years old; Eunice, wife, 35; Saka, son, 18; Peace, daughter, 14; Nyimenka, daughter, 7 and Abel Nwaka in-law, 25, all vivacious and young people, slept on Saturday in their village’s two-bedroom flat but could not wake up the next day. They all died untimely with their dreams and aspirations buried in a jiffy.
The Obele 5 returned to their home town in Ogale from Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State on January 1 to enjoy the yuletide in the village as was their regular practice. They spent over a week at the village and got ready to travel back to the city. They invited their in-law, the younger brother to Eunice, wife of Theophilus, to their home to help them in parking their belongings. His arrival increased their number to six.
They had prepared to leave for Port Harcourt on Sunday morning. Theophilus, the father was to resume his work at Onne Port on Monday while the children geared up to return to school the same Monday. Therefore, the Sunday journey was inevitable. Returning to Port Harcourt would take less than an hour’s drive.
The holiday was over and they dreamed of recalling the memories of the period later in Port Harcourt and maybe share their experiences with their friends in the city. But the memories died with them immediately they went to bed on Saturday. They could not wake up to see the daylight of Sunday. Everything paused. No more journey, no more schools and no more work. They were all found stone cold in various positions in the house.
Their deaths shattered the peace of Eleme and sent shockwaves into the spines of everyone that heard about it. How can the entire family die in one night? How can the lineage of one man end in a twinkle without any survivor? Was their untimely demise natural or was there a foul play?
Some wondered if someone had poisoned the food they ate before retiring to bed.
While the confusion of the cause of their deaths persisted, the police said their preliminary investigations suggested that they died from inhaling carbon monoxide from the generator they stationed close to their house.
The police said: “Preliminary investigation suggests possible generator fume poisoning as the cause of death. The generator was reportedly left on in the parlour of the Victims.
“The corpses have been deposited at Last Home Mortuary, Ebubu Eleme, for autopsy. Photographic evidence has been taken, and investigation is ongoing”.
However, the extended family members rejected the first verdict of the police. They maintained that the report was not in tandem with the reality and wondered why the police hastily blamed the cause of death on generator fume.
They argued that since they came back home, the generator had supplied them electricity from the same spot without any issue. Where was the generator located?
Investigations showed that the building where the tragedy occurred is a two-bedroom flat. It has a wide living room. From the main entrance into the living room, there is a door at the right rear that leads to the back of the house.
Behind the door is a balcony and beside it at the right hand side is a three-ft window secured with an iron burglary. It is at that balcony the generator is kept. From the living room at the left rear is a door that opens into another lobby where the master’s and the children’s rooms are located.
This axis of the lobby is far from the balcony where the newly acquired generator was kept. With such distance, most people find it difficult to believe that the generator was capable of producing enough fume to kill the deceased.
The younger brother to Theophilus, Godwill Ogoso, vehemently dismissed the position of the police. He said the deceased bubbled with life on the eve of their death. In fact, he narrated how he spent quality time with his brother till 12am at midnight when he decided to recline into his bed.
He said: “The night before the incident, my brother and family were okay and healthy. We were all together outside till 12am having discussions, because they were supposed to go back on the 11th of January 2026, which was on Sunday.
“He was supposed to resume work on Monday and his kids were expected to resume school too. He works with Onne Port. We were outside till that time when he entered the house and I entered my house too.
“He has been using this same generator on the same spot since 1st of January when he came with his family and nothing had happened.”
Recalling how he discovered the incident and raised the alarm, he said: “I woke up on Sunday and went to the back house to pump water since the generator was on. I pumped till the water was full and I switched it off.
“I noticed that the generator was still on and they were still sleeping. But I decided not to disturb their sleep since they were leaving that same day.
“I entered and slept off till 1pm when my little niece came to tap on the door asked, ‘Uncle, why is brother and the wife still sleeping till this time?’ I shouted, ’till now?’
“By then the generator had gone off. I tried reaching out to them on the phone; the phone kept ringing but no one picked up.
“I kept trying and banging on the door but no one was responding. My mother and my wife kept panicking and I was trying to calm them down, still looking out for alternatives”.
Godwill said he decided to forcefully open the door and became the first to behold the tragedy. Their various positions of death baffled him. Their remains seemed well-arranged in their father’s room. But the remains of the wife were found in the toilet after she had finished defecating.
Godwill tearfully narrated: “I forcefully opened one of the windows because everywhere was locked and they were dead.
“The house is a two-bedroom apartment with children’s room and masters room. What baffles me is how they were neatly arranged in the master’s bedroom.
“How did the children and in-law leave their rooms to be in one room and the wife was found dead in the toilet after stooling?
“The eldest son was found lying by the bed alongside a plate. The first daughter was lying on the bed with saliva and foams from the mouth, same with their last born.
“My brother was on the floor and his in-law was lying beside the door and he was bleeding from the nose and ears without any visible injury.”
The horrible scene could continue to cast everlasting torment to the memories of Godwill till death. “I was shocked beholding that scene. Even the son and daughter too were bleeding.
“When we tried lifting the daughter, we found faeces under her dress too, proving that they struggled till death. There were no suspicious movements in the neighbourhood and we had no issue with anyone,” he said.
Wrapping his head around the possibility of a third party being responsible for the agonising development, Godwill said his family had no issue with anyone apart from what he described as a small land dispute, which he said was swiftly resolved at the police station the same day the incident occurred.
He said: “But we had a small family dispute concerning the building and the fence and we were before the DPO of Eleme police station on Thursday, Friday and Saturday when they closed the case and settled everything about it. That same night, they slept and never woke up again.
“The family involved in the case were not available. We are not accusing anyone, but there’s more to this incident. We are still waiting for the results of the samples collected by the Ministry of Health in Rivers State.”
Insisting that the incident had nothing to do with generator fumes, he said: “We are begging and calling on the government to assist us and speed up the process. We want to know what really killed them. This isn’t generator fumes but a murder case.
“The local government chairman was here to see us and urged the ministry of health to be fast in their investigation. He asked us not to be in haste to bury them because he also is interested in knowing how six persons just died in his local government.
“We thank the chairman for coming. We know it is not easy for him to show up, but he did and has been helpful in playing the role of a leader. He promised us the results would be out. We have a mother who is aged.”
Godwill lamented that his deceased elder brother was the breadwinner of the family and the one taking care of their aged mother. “He is the only one who assists us and now we don’t have anybody to help us.
“We want the government to intervene. My mother is still in shock losing her child, grandchildren, daughter-in-law and in-law. It looks somehow,” he said.
Another young brother to the deceased Theophilus, who identified himself as Elero Obele, said he went outside the community on an errand commissioned by his deceased brother when he received the news of the incident. He said the brother had sent him to bring the elder sister of their mum to come and see the house he built for their mother.
He said: “On Saturday evening around 9 to 10pm, my elder brother called me and sent me on an errand to go pick our aunt from Akposia. She is the elder sister to our mother and he wanted her to come see the house he built for our mother.
“He works at Onne and wanted her to come stay with her since he was going back to Port Harcourt with his family. We concluded that on Saturday night.
“On Sunday, by five minutes past 1pm, I called him based on our agreement but he did not respond. I felt he was in church since I don’t stay here with them.
“I was at Aleto when my younger brother called that I should start coming because our elder brother and family were dead.
“I asked him what happened, he said he did not know because he only realised it when the wife’s sister came and he was calling but no one responded to their calls.
“They noticed from the window. The younger brother of the wife only came in that Saturday night so he could assist them in packing up their luggage.
“According to our customs and tradition, we bathed them before depositing their bodies at the mortuary. No investigation is being carried out yet.
“On Monday, we saw a team from the Rivers State Ministry of Health who came to get samples of the food they ate and the blood samples from their mouth.
“Currently, we are hearing from the Rivers State police command that my brother and family died from generator fumes, which is not correct.
“They haven’t done anything or obtain an autopsy report to truly know wat killed them, so why is the rumour going round that it’s generator fumes?
“The generator was a brand new one, and it was kept there since they came on the 1st of January. We don’t have money to conduct any test. That is the breadwinner of the family who left us without a word.
“We are calling on the government to help us with the test review and let it be in their investigation records if they find out it is related to the fumes as claimed.”
The Executive Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Chief Obarilomate Ollor, paid a condolence visit to the family. He described the incident as painful and shocking.
Ollor expressed sorrow over the unfortunate occurrence and conveyed the heartfelt sympathy of Eleme Local Government Council to the affected family. He noted that the loss of multiple family members under such circumstances is a tragedy no household should be made to endure.
He said a comprehensive investigation would be conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, adding that the probe would include necessary medical examinations and autopsy to determine the exact cause of death and rule out any form of human error.
Ollor said the investigation was intended to address public concerns, dispel fears, ensure clarity, and appropriate response where necessary. He urged the bereaved family to find strength and consolation in God during the difficult period, while also encouraging them to remain united and peaceful.
As sympathies poured in for the bereaved family, the police are expected to carry out a full-scale investigation into the matter to determine whether it was actually carbon monoxide emissions from the generator that killed the bubbling family of six.
They must spread their dragnet to capture all potential suspect including those portraying their innocence. But despite the report of any investigation, the painful memory of the incident will continue to haunt the family.
Speaking on the collaboration, Wizkid described the process as effortless as they are both creatively aligned.
“Working on this record with Asake came naturally. We speak the same musical language,” he said.
For Asake the collaboration happens out of respect for African culture.
“When Wizkid and I collaborate, it feels special because it’s coming from a real place of friendship, mutual respect, and love for our culture,” he said.
Barely five days after controversial singer, Portable, was remanded in prison for a nine-count criminal charge, his first wife, Omobewaji, was delivered of a little tot.
After he was arraigned on Monday, January 12, 2026 at a Federal High Court in Ogun State, the presiding judge declined to grant Portable bail, citing the absence of the allegedly assaulted police officer in court.
The troubled singer was remanded in custody, with bail consideration adjourned to January 19, 2026.
Meanwhile, Omobewaji, welcomed a newborn baby while the singer remains in prison.
Sources claimed that the news of the arrival of his new born baby has been conveyed to the singer in prison. It was further alleged that he received the news with joy and can’t wait for his bail hearing so as to meet his child for the first time.
Portable got into trouble with one of his wives, Ashabi Simple and allegedly assaulted a police officer during the clash.
Matthew Omotola Jaiyeola, popularly known as Mr Gbera, has said that he finds joy when his music inspires and heals people.
Speaking recently, Gbera, who started music at a tender age in his daddy’s church, is one of the greatest indigenous gospel lyricists not only in Nigeria, but globally.
“There are many recorded testimonies, and they keep coming day by day, even to date. I cannot forget a woman in Abeokuta who lost two of her children within a month and was ready to commit suicide. The planned suicide was aborted through my songs.
There was also a man I met around Ikeja, Lagos, who lost his way and was trapped in mourning the loss of his twins. Pastors, friends, and family tried their best to help him out of the situation, but all to no avail—until one fateful day when he stumbled upon my songs online, and that became his freedom.”
While reeling out a series of testimonies, many got through his music ministrations, and he gave credit to God for this.
“My inspiration comes directly from God. I draw energy from the same source, and I am always happy and active in making positive impacts in the lives of people.”
Gbera’s fan base extends beyond Nigeria.” This light has spread to unimaginable lengths and breadths across the world, and sometimes our fans and music lovers want to see us or meet us in person. We cannot deny them that opportunity. I only travel to make more global impact,” he said.
The music minister also acknowledged Nigeria’s vibrant and globally influential music scene.
While expressing happiness, he said the evidence is everywhere.” It will get even better than what we are seeing presently.”
He is currently working on some new songs and collaborating with his colleagues.
“ All my songs are great, and I love performing every one of them. However, based on requests and popularity, I often perform Iriri, Olorun Lo N’ Mumi bo, and Alanu Lo Njagun Aye Mi, to mention a few, “ Gbera said.
Some of Nigeria’s biggest Afrobeats exports including Ayra Starr, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Davido and Rema have been nominated for the 2026 Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards, reaffirming the country’s growing influence on the global music scene.
Others are Adekunle Gold and Shallipopi.
The MOBO Awards, founded in 1996, recognises excellence across a wide range of genres including Afrobeats, hip-hop, R&B, jazz, gospel, electronic and alternative music.
Among the Nigerian nominees, Ayra Starr stands out with two major nominations in different categories.
The 23-year-old singer is up for Best African Music Act and Best International Act where she will compete with global stars including Cardi B, Gunna, Kehlani, and Vybz Kartel.
Since her debut, Ayra has continued to push boundaries with chart-topping releases and international collaborations. This successful outcome is what positioned her as one of Africa’s most influential young voices.
The 2026 MOBO Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 26, 2026 at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.
The event is expected to attract music executives, artistes and fans from across the globe.
“2026 is extra special as the MOBO Organisation marks 30 years of shaping culture, championing talent, and creating unforgettable moments,” the organisers said in a statement.
MOBOs have played a pivotal role in shaping Black music culture in the UK and beyond, spotlighting emerging talents while honouring established stars over the years.
As part of its plans to strengthen partnerships, expand content ecosystem and unlock new opportunities for collaboration across the globe, leading media, creative and cultural platform, Blackdrum 360, has appointed Amanda David as its Business and Partnership Manager.
The appointment, according to a statement from the management, is effective from January 1, 2026.
Dr. Emmanuel Odole, CEO, Blackdrum 360, said the appointment marks a strategic move by the company in its bid to accelerate growth across television, digital platforms, live events and international content partnerships.
Odole described Amanda David as a proven industry professional whose experience aligns strongly with the company’s vision. “Amanda brings a rare combination of strategic thinking, industry insight, and relationship – building expertise that is critical to where Blackdrum 360 is headed. Her appointment reflects our commitment to strengthening partnerships, expanding our content ecosystem, and unlocking new opportunities for collaboration across Africa and the global market,” he stated.
Amanda joins Blackdrum 360 with a strong track record in business development, media partnerships, and brand collaborations across the creative and entertainment industries. Her experience spans working with content creators, broadcasters, agencies and corporate brands – driving value through strategic alliances and innovative deal structures.
In her new role, Amanda will lead business growth initiatives, strategic partnerships, sponsorship development, and content collaborations across Blackdrum 360’s platforms, including its television properties and expanding digital footprint. She will also play a key role in scaling partnerships for live events, original programming, branded content, and emerging digital channels.
Reacting to the appointment, Amanda David expressed enthusiasm about joining the company at a pivotal time. “Blackdrum 360 represents the energy, originality and cultural relevance of modern Africa. I’m excited to work with the team to build meaningful partnerships, create impactful content collaborations, and help position the brand as a global reference point for African stories and experiences,” she declared.
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigerian artistes who emerged winners at the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards.
He described their performance as proof of the country’s growing influence in African and global music.
According to a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said the success of the artistes reflected “the depth of talent, creativity and hard work that define Nigeria’s music industry”.
He also added that their achievements had made the nation proud.
“I warmly congratulate our outstanding Nigerian artistes for their remarkable achievements at the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards. Your success on this great continental stage is a proud moment for our nation and a strong reflection of the depth of talent, creativity and hard work that define Nigeria’s music industry.
“You have not only won awards; you have projected our culture, amplified the voice of our youths and strengthened Nigeria’s creative identity across the continent and beyond. I commend each of you for your dedication and urge you to continue to use your talents to inspire hope, unity and pride, while contributing meaningfully to the growth of our creative economy and the development of our nation,” he said.
Wizkid has signed a major deal but is keeping the details close to his chest. On Sunday, January 11, 2026, the ‘Essence’ singer announced that he has signed the biggest deal of the New Year.
In a terse tweet, he wrote, ‘Happy new Year! Signed the Biggest.’
In 2025, there were reports that the singer successfully secured a significant partnership for 2026.
However, there are tales that his decision to join headliners for Afro Nation Portugal 2026, joining Asake and Tyla, might be the big news.
The AfroNation is the world’s largest Afrobeats celebration and is scheduled to run from July 3, 2026 to July 5, 2026 in The Algarve, Portugal.
Heartbeat wasted no time kicking off the search for love, and from the very first episode.
The show host Seyitan Atigarin set the tone immediately by asking the singles to reveal who caught their eye before they even stepped into the Love Pad. Judging by their answers, sparks were already flying, at least in theory.
Chidera had her eyes on Alvin, saying he looked like someone who could match her energy. Alvin, on the other hand, was drawn to Queen Latifa, describing her as exactly the kind of woman he would actively pursue. Attraction crisscrossed the room in every direction: Queen Latifa picked Igwe for his bad boy look, Igwe chose Hilda, and Hilda… also chose Alvin. Ken was into Hilda, too, while Toriah was intrigued by Igwe’s tattoos. Kena picked Chidera for her aesthetic, and Shekinah also chose Alvin, calling him spicy.
Very quickly, a pattern emerged. Alvin and Igwe were clearly the house favourites among the ladies, while Chidera was the most sought-after among the men.
A surprise task had the housemates searching the house for a hidden Love Box in the Love Pad, containing a key with serious perks. Ken found it and earned the power to choose one person to spend the night with in a love nest. He picked Queen Latifa and not long after this, the two were seen kissing.
For the rest of the housemates, fate took over. They were asked to draw numbers from a box, with matching numbers deciding who would pair up for the night. And the official pairings are Chidera and Kena, Igwe and Hilda, Shekinah and Alvin, Toria and Henri, and Ken and Latifah.
