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Tag: Nigerian

  • Meet the ‘Calmest  Nigerian’ in Accra

    Meet the ‘Calmest  Nigerian’ in Accra

    Akosuah, that’s the name of the dark and beautiful manager of the hotel where I have been lodging since I arrived in Ghana last week.

    She deceptively appears like the typical ‘ajebutter’ in Nigeria but in reality she has no diplomacy in the way she discharges her duties at the hotel.

    So, yesterday I confronted her in the presence of the young man who owns the hotel and I wanted to know why she turns down requests without exploring options at least to satisfy the lodgers.

    For instance, I wanted her to direct me to the nearest point where I can change dollars to Cedis but she didn’t even make any efforts to ask around even when she claimed that she was new in the area.

    After settling my grievances with her amicably, we began discussing about happenings in Ghana and Nigeria.

    Read Also: Tinubu approves appointment of FCTA Head of Service, Perm Sec, others

    As a typical Ghanaian, she has this impression that every Nigerian is desperate to make money and can do anything to get rich.

    But she said I changed that impression right from the first day I checked into my room.

    She said every Nigerian that have lodged in their hotel are usually problematic and aggressive.

    I tried to convince her that her conclusion was not a true reflection of most Nigerians.

    From her body language, it was obvious she’s has made up her mind but on a personal note, I felt humbled by her kind words.

  • E-nocent, the ill-nocent and the innocent: The Nigerian reality

    E-nocent, the ill-nocent and the innocent: The Nigerian reality

    • By Ganiu Bamgbose

    Sir: No one plays football better than spectators. Of course they can tell how the player should have rolled the ball or who the coach should or should not have removed. This is the case in Nigeria where everyone knows what the government could do to actualise the Nigeria of our dream, but thinks, talks or bothers less about what we can do as individuals towards the actualisation. Like the Yoruba would say, a lamp cannot see its base. It is of course pleasurable to analyse the weaknesses of others and this is one of the times humans are most knowledgeable. The dumbest person in Nigeria can proffer solutions to the problems facing the country. We only might not know, admit nor confess our quota to the decadence. I categorise Nigerians into the e-nocent, the ill-nocent and the innocent and, thereafter, draw my conclusions for public consumption.

    I have coined the word, e-nocent, to categorise the many Nigerian citizens who have become special advisers to public office holders on the social, print and electronic media. These are the ones who post, tweet, share and/or publish articles daily or regularly on what the government is, is not, should and should not, do to salvage the unpleasant situation of the country. While such critiques are crucial to keep the government in check, one wonders why the e-nnocents are not so expressive on the roles of the citizens in the situation. How does the government come into the decision of some retailers and wholesalers to hike prices even before buying at the inflated rate? Are you making it easy for the government or contributing your quota to the betterment of the country when you keep foreign currencies with the hope of making huge gains when there is increase in exchange rate?

    The employer who invests his employees’ salaries for a turnover also knows what Tinubu is not doing right. The gentlewoman who disobeys traffic laws and the gentleman who rolls down to dispose of his Coca-Cola can also have advice for those in power. The leaders of the country are from among us and that only suggests that they are a reflection of us. We all as citizens must move beyond our e-nnocent appearance in the public space to take responsibility for the country we desire in our private spaces.

    Read Also: Tension as Senate meets over N3tr alleged padding of 2024 budget on Tuesday

    I conceive of the ill-nocent as the power that be in all the significant sectors of the country, from the political, to the economic, social, religious and even cultural sectors. To begin from the cultural perspective, one wonders the role of traditional institutions in ensuring a developed country. It is hard to believe that the councils of kings and chiefs in the different parts of the country have not been made moribund through government enticements.

    With government officials running accounts through/with clergymen and politicians building and donating to places of worship, one wonders if our ill-nocent men and women of God would ever be able to speak to power? The ill-nocent actors and musicians who should use their art to call for change have been paid huge money to perform or appear during political rallies/campaigns. Even the poor have sold their votes for Indomie and N2000. Are we all not ill-nocent citizens in one way or the other?

     Shall we talk about the business moguls? If the dark storms loom, well, let us just hope that the action leads to financial recovery for the nation. Of course the most ill-nocent are the politicians. They are in a class of their own, by their own, for their own. If they are willing to be partakers in the project of a new Nigeria, their coffers can certainly finance the dream.

    A question is important: how many Nigerians are truly innocent? We all parade ourselves as the innocent, but we are either just being e-nocent or are actually ill-nocent. The Nigeria we desire is a collective effort. Together, we can achieve it if we do more and judge less.

    •Ganiu Bamgbose, PhD,

    Lagos State University, Ojo.

  • Cobhams: Lots of Nigerian talents are being exploited

    Cobhams: Lots of Nigerian talents are being exploited

    Hugely talented music producer and performing artist, Cobhams Asuquo has made a name for himself in the last two decades. In this brief chat with The Nation’s KAYOWA ADEGBOYEGA, he spoke about Afrobeats, the music industry amidst other issues.

    Thoughts on Afrobeats

    I think that the music is increasing in Nigeria or in Africa, I feel like the spectrum is very wide. It might be tricky to lump it under one genre. And so I can understand that argument. But I think also, it’s important that if there is some kind of rise to the music that’s coming out of this space, it really doesn’t matter what you call it for me, right? I can call it Afro funk for like, the most important thing is, we have a sound that is intrinsically as it is unique. It has a lot of nuances and our cadences, and it is actually hitting the world right now. And I think that’s what’s important. It’s not so much the name you give it, even though I recognise that name is important, but it is the power that it has to evoke emotions, and to put us out there, and to create a different image of us as a people. I think that’s what that music is doing for us right now. And as we progress, I think other genres, you know, or sub genres, if you will, are going to find expression within this one namespace. So yes, the spectrum is very wide. And there’s room for variety. You know, Johnny Drille does not make Afrobeats as it were, but his music resonates with Nigerians, Timi Dakolo’s music resonates with Nigeria. So I think, let the music find its feet. And we will, also, name it appropriately as we progress. What matters for our music is to try and fasten, you know, borders, and continents and beliefs and ideologies. And that’s what I stand for. Thank you.

    Thoughts on varied sounds on the Nigerian music scene

    As a producer, as a musician, I think that the sound we have now is evolving. On the question of whether or not everyone sounds alike, if you look at every genre that music has evolved from, there’s always been a similarity and sound. So in the 1600 and 1700s, it was the Elizabethan sound. You know, whether it was Bach (inaudible) or Beethoven, it was pretty much the Elizabethan Baroque style of writing that we had, it was also reflected in the art of that period, as well, it’s in the nation’s period, or the classical period, or, you know, Chicago in the 60s, or, you know, New York in the 40s and 30s. It was a swinging era of, you know, jazz and what have you. So, there has always been similarity in music whether it’s classical or R&B or Yele music in Senegal, or whatever it is. And this era is no different. You know, it’s an expression of music that has its roots in certain ideologies and certain expressions, and certain temples and certain experiences. So naturally, there will be a lot of similarities. But as we evolve, you know, people begin to find their identity. And as you look deeper, you can hear the identity in the lyric and the weights and all of that, that makes the songs work. So yes, there is similarity, but I don’t think there’s anything bad about that.

    Read Also: Nigerian awards not credible, worst than Grammys – Timaya

    What’s lacking in the music industry?

    Well, there’s a lot we can do. I would hate to say that there’s anything lacking necessarily. I think, now it’s an opportune moment for us as a people to take charge of the economics of our music, we’ve established that we have talent. But a lot of the talent that we have is being exploited by infrastructure that is set up outside of Nigeria. And I think that, you know, we need to function from a place where, as opposed to, you know, government sees this as just a means to make money by, you know, imposing whatever on musicians, it’s creating an enabling environment, so that business and credit, and all of these things are support people who can deal with the technology, and the economics of music, so that, you know, we have our own Apple Music, our own Spotify, our own, you know, basically do what you know, China has done with Tiktok, when, as opposed to America’s Instagram.

    Thoughts on boosting creative industry?

    I like to talk about politics through my music, because I feel like that way, it’s better thought out and best expressed because sometimes when I talk about politics, a lot of emotions run wild. And I think that’s, it’s good for one to be careful and think about occupying a position of responsibility. I have my thoughts, but I wanted to share my thoughts in a manner that is succinct. Catch me in my music if you want to hear what I think.

  • 2024: Year of optimism – Nigerian clerics

    2024: Year of optimism – Nigerian clerics

    As 2023 winds up today with its ups and down, some Nigerians clerics in this interview with ADEOLA OGUNLADE talks about their expectations in 2024

    2024: a year with great opportunities for rebirth — Oke

    The National President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Wale Oke in a statement made available to our correspondent, urged Nigerians to be optimistic.

    Speaking on behalf of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), he said Nigerians should be thankful to God for preserving them in 2023, and the attitude that they should continue in2024.”No matter what happened in the past, the Lord saw us through, and now we are here”.

    Oke, posited that the New Year holds a promise of great opportunities- opportunities for a rebirth, opportunities for new things, opportunities for prosperity, and opportunities for greatness.  God has said in His word: Remember ye, not the former things; neither consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”  Isaiah 43:18-19.

    He noted that the New Year would come with its diverse challenges, “we should, however, know that challenges are the food of champions.  Rather than pretending that the challenges are not there, we should look them straight in the eyes and tackle them one by one with the help and the wisdom of God.”

    Oke added “Let us therefore be resolute to make this year great. Let us pray, seek the help of God, and receive clear direction from Him on how to handle our challenges.  We should thereafter go to work, decisively, diligently, and conclusively resolving whatever challenges we face, individually or corporately.  The Scripture is clear that “With God all things are possible.” Mathew 19:26.”

    “It is with pleasure that we welcome you to a year of great possibilities, a year of great opportunities, a year of great prosperity, a year when the Lord shall make all things new in our lives individually, and as a nation.  He has said it in His word:  “And he that sat on the throne said, Behold I make all things new.  And he said unto me, Write, for these words are true and fruitful”. Revelation 21:5”

    Nigeria will be great again–Uche

    Speaking in the same vein, the Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Uche, said in an interview with The Nation, said that  Nigerians have reasons to thank God, not minding the fact that the citizens started myriads of challenges, including the challenges of cashless policy, fuel price hike like, but “the Bible says in everything, we should thank God. The Bible says in 1st Thessalonians 5:17, “Rejoice evermore”. Since we are still alive, ours is to pray that things will be well and we will smile again.”

    Uche, who expressed his optimism about a better year again for Nigerians, said that God was already there to assist Nigerians to do better in the New Year. “I believe that some of the policies of the government to revamp our economy will pull through in the New Year. For instance, when the refinery of our crude oil starts operations, it will greatly improve our economy. I recently listened to Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu who said that Nigeria is not poor. She knows what she is saying.”

    The prelate, while recognising that the country’s economy has been mismanaged, he added “I believe those at the helm of affairs be it in the judiciary, executive, and legislatures, will turn a new leave and serve Nigeria honestly, faithfully, diligently, and maintain the rule of law and love for all.” Expressing optimism, he reiterated that God is not a God of confusion, adding that He has always blessed Nigeria.

    He advised the Nigerian leaders and the citizens to be God-fearing and love for one another, eschew bitterness, hatred, and malice, and see ourselves as one entity and one Nigeria.

    “We will attain a lofty height that will be the envy of Africans and other nations of the world. If you look well, our country is blessed abundantly in many ways. When we see the various disasters plaguing some nations, we will realise that God is good to us as a country. Everything that is needed to make Nigeria great has been graciously given to us by God”.

    “When God created man, he gave man the mandate to dominate. Dominion is the ability to harness. I love our country and I believe that Nigeria will be great because God has given us the ability to be great. What remains as citizens is for us to play our part. We must be determined to fear God, revere him, and love humanity”.

    Our focus should be on quality education, human capital development-Ighele

    Speaking to The Nation on his expectation in 2024, the Chairman of the Financial Accountability Commission of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Charles Ighele stressed the need for the leaders to care for the masses.

    The cleric condemned a situation where the nation’s leaders have failed to use leadership to lift the common man.

    While decrying the parlous state of the nation in his New Year message, Bishop Ighele said, “My concern is the proverbial Hobbessian ‘state of nature’ Nigeria has descended to.

    He said, “From the first civilian government right to the first military coup till now, the quality of human life in Nigeria has been nasty to the extent that Nigerian prostitutes in Niger, Libya, and many other countries are the cheapest and the most dehumanised prostitutes in those countries.

    “With mass illiteracy at all levels and mass semi-literacy at all levels giving birth to mass unemployment and mass poverty and mass crime, I expect past and present governments at the local, state, and federal levels to address the root causes of Nigeria’s decaying human capital”.

    The cleric said the only way forward is access to mass quality education which will give birth to mass quality and globally competitive labour force.

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    “There should also be mass access to capital and land which are all critical factors in wealth creation. A massive entrepreneurial class that is likely to emerge will eventually provide jobs for the masses.

    “Without this, Nigeria will continue to be like a giant factory that keeps producing human beings, many of whom are likely to become criminals in a social system and culture that does not government mentally parents its citizens, especially the weak ones.”

    We need a more cohesive, united alliance for the nation’s growth—Akinadewo

    President, Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC)- Baba Aladura Israel Akinadewo said that as we stand on the threshold of a new year, 2024,  the leaders and the led need to re-strategise to form a more cohesive and united alliance in rescuing the country from the strangulation of socio-economic and socio-political pandemonium.

    Akinadewo said Nigeria, possesses great potential and resilience, yet there are pivotal shifts required to invoke God’s blessings and secure breakthroughs in the year ahead.

    According to him, to pave the way for these blessings, the nation also requires unwavering faith, brotherly love (1 Corinthians 16:14), and deliberate actions, with measurable appraisal techniques, for effective feedback on real growth..

    He also counselled that the diverse ethnics, religious groups as well political class should eschew bitterness in their interpersonal relationships, and consider the larger interest of the country than individual aspirations.

    Akinadewo, who is also the Prelate, Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW) noted that embracing  the diverse differences in Nigeria while fostering a spirit of togetherness would fortify the nation’s fabric and “allow us to weather challenges with collective strength.”

    The cleric posited further that as individuals and as a nation, the citizens must prioritize integrity, justice, and compassion in all her endeavours, be kind, compassionate, and kindhearted (Ephesians 4:32), and declare A Day of Thanksgiving across the country.

    “Our political leaders should embark on a path of sustainable development, focusing on education, healthcare, infrastructure, economic empowerment, and other activities that promote peace to ensure a brighter future for all.

    “May this New Year mark the beginning of a transformative journey, where our collective efforts, guided by faith and unity, propel our dear nation toward the fulfillment of God’s blessings and abundant breakthroughs. With faith and determination, we can surmount any obstacle and realize a flourishing future for our beloved nation,” he said.

  • The hardy Nigerian people

    The hardy Nigerian people

    You find them everywhere. Working, toiling, playing, praying and laughing. They do all these as if things are rosy. They hide their pains behind their laughter. ”Man dey; man no die, man no rotten”, they say with philosophical calmness as they go about their means of livelihood. Welcome to the world of the people, the common man, the masses, the hoi polloi! They are called all these and more.

    All they want are the basic things of life. Food, shelter and clothing. They hardly get these things because of their low income. You pity them when you come across these poorest of the poor that successive governments planned to lift out of poverty.    

    These were the people President Bola Tinubu had in mind when he talked about Nigeria of his dreams in his Independence anniversary broadcast last October 1. ”Reform may be painful, but it is what greatness and the future require. We now carry the costs of reaching a future Nigeria where the abundance and fruits of the nation are fairly shared among all, not hoarded by a select and greedy few.

    ”A Nigeria where hunger, poverty and hardship are pushed into the shadows of an ever fading past. There is no joy in seeing the people of this nation shoulder burdens that should have been shed years ago. I wish today’s difficulties did not exist…”

    Indeed, the people have gone through a lot. In the midst of their sufferings, they live on hope that ‘one day, he go better’. When that day will come remains unknown, yet they keep hope alive. They occupy the lower rungs of the ladder.

    Yet, they are the propellers of prosperity for the rich and the nation. They turn the wheels of labour, yet they find no dignity in labour. They are the tillers of soil, hewers of wood and drawers of water, the shop floor workers in the firms which declare huge profits at the end of every year. They toil for these companies, without having anything to show for it.

    The irrepressible afro-beat icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, painted their picture aptly years ago in his song: “Suffering and Smiling”. Nothing seemed to have changed for the people over 45 years after Fela’s masterpiece. The people continue to smile through their sufferings, pains, hunger and inability to make ends meet. They send their children to backwater schools and lack access to basic healthcare facilities. Low-cost housing is also out of their reach.

    For years, the government’s slogan has been ‘tomorrow will be better’, with an appeal to them to be patient. But that ‘better’ tomorrow remains seemingly elusive. Instead of pursuing the prosperity of the people, their pauperisation appeared to be the agenda. Despite President Tinubu’s soothing words, the people are still hard pressed.

    The President may have rekindled hope with his Renewed Hope Agenda, but things are still as tough as ever. The people even say they are tougher, citing the fuel subsidy removal and the unification of the foreign exchange rates.

    Under these twin economic policies, the cost of living has shot up. The people can hardly feed as the prices of rice, bread, garri and beans hitherto seen as the staple foods of the common man have hit the rooftop.  A bag of rice sells for between N60,000 and N70,000; while a loaf of a family-sized bread goes for N1,000. The policies are meant to make life better for the people in the long run, but their short term impact so far is having the opposite effect.

    With the price of petrol hitting over N600 per litre in some parts of Lagos and higher than that in other states of the federation, and the ballooning cost of food, rent and transport, the lives of the people have been disrupted.

    The multidimensional poverty gulf has widened in the process. In 2022, the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in its National Multidimensional Poverty Index (NMPI) Report, said over 134 million Nigerians “are multidimensionally poor”. Multidimensional poverty is all about those who suffer poor health, lack education, maintain inadequate living standards and live in environmentally-hazardous areas. The people still face these conditions. They, however, remain resilient.

    Read Also: Be patient with Tinubu – Oluwo urges Nigerians 

    Apparently sensing that their resilience is petering out, the President asked them to bear with him. ”I am attuned to the hardship that has come. I have a heart that feels and eyes that see. I wish to explain to you why we must endure this trying moment. Those who sought to perpetuate the fuel subsidy and broken foreign exchange policies are people who would build their family mansions in the middle of a swamp. I am different… To endure, our home must be constructed on a safe and pleasant ground”.

    The task before the President is enormous. What the people want now is immediate relief. How soon they get it will determine how fast their fortunes will change. He has introduced N35,000 wage award and announced the rolling out of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to cushion the effect of subsidy removal. The states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have adopted these measures. But the wage award is a drop in the ocean amid the myriad challenges facing the people. The soaring cost of living has wiped away whatever may be its gain.

    With inflation eating deep into their pockets, they have been left high and dry. It has been hard and turbulent for the people in the outgoing year, but hope beckons. The President assured them at every turn that he would prioritise their welfare and well-being. As a man who also went through the mill, the President knows where the shoe pinches.

    ”Poverty”, he told his ministers at a retreat, ”is not a shameful thing, but it is not acceptable… we should find a way to dig ourselves out of it. So, it is left for you and me to navigate this ship out of poverty…”  The people will be happy to have that anchor.

  • Eight Nigerian artists who were once arrested, detained

    Eight Nigerian artists who were once arrested, detained

    Several Nigerian stars have been faced with legal issues for flouting laws and orders.

    In spite of their stardom, they all took full responsibility for their misconduct.

    Below are artists who have been arrested and detained:

    1. Burna Boy:

    In 2010 Burna Boy was arrested for a gang-related stabbing in the UK. He pled not guilty, but he went to jail, he was released after 11 months on parole for his good behaviour while in prison.

    The self-acclaimed African Giant fled the UK and came back to Nigeria to start his music career before his parole was over in the UK.

    2. Naira Marley:

    Naira Marley, along with other individuals, was arrested by the EFCC on May 10, 2019, in relation to suspected online scamming and money laundering activities. Although the other detainees were freed five days later, Naira Marley was kept in detention due to suspicious materials discovered on his computer. He faced 11 accusations and was confined to Ikoyi Prison for several days before being granted bail. The bail terms required him to provide two sureties, who each had to guarantee a sum of 2 million naira.

    He was also recently arrested on the allegations that he was involved in the death of late former signee, MohBad.

    3. Omah Lay:

    Omah Lay was also arrested in Uganda In December 2020, when he and Tems went to Uganda to perform at a concert. This was anticipated to be a night of entertainment and music for their fans. Regrettably, the situation turned into a nightmare when the Ugandan authorities arrested both performers for allegedly violating the COVID-19 regulations.

    Omah Lay took to social media to express his displeasure with the turn of events. He revealed that he was treated “like an ordinary thief.” The artist stated that the preceding few days had been among the most arduous of his life. The Nigerian administration played a part in securing the release of both Omah Lay and Tems, who were detained for two days in police custody before being freed and returning to Nigeria.

    4. Portable:

    On Friday, March 31, 2023, Portable was arrested by the operatives of the Ogun Police Command after failing to surrender himself despite being given an ultimatum.

    The artist was caught on camera using abusive language at police officers who visited his bar in the Sanga Ota district of Ogun State to detain him. He declined to cooperate with the officers, stating that he was a baboon and could not be apprehended. Portable was arraigned on five charges by the Ogun Police Command, which included assault, disorderly conduct, and theft of musical equipment. He was accused of pilfering musical devices.

    On Monday, April 3, 2023, the magistrate presiding in Ifo town, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, granted Portable bail after he was held in the Ilaro Correctional Centre to fulfill his bail conditions.

    The Zazoo crooner was reported to the police by his former apprentice. The artist claimed that he reprimanded the apprentice for refusing to reform and fired him.

    According to Portable, the former worker went to the police station and lodged an assault complaint against him for simply correcting him. He defended his actions by stating that he was the apprentice’s boss and that he disciplined him by beating him.

    5. Zlatan Ibile:

    He was also arrested alongside Naira Marley and three others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in May 2019. The arrest was in connection to an alleged case of internet fraud and money laundering.

    He had collaborated with Naira Marley on the controversial song, “Am I A Yahoo Boy”, which was one of the reasons for the arrest.

    After spending five days in custody, Zlatan and the other three individuals who were arrested with him were released. However, Naira Marley remained in custody as a result of incriminating items found on his laptop.

    Following his release, Zlatan dropped a new single titled “4 Nights In Ekohtiebo”, which talked about his ordeal during his time in prison. In the song, he shared his experiences of being in custody and his fears of being locked up for a long time.

    6. Tems:

    She was arrested in December 2020 in Kampala, Uganda.

    The reason for the arrest was reportedly due to flouting COVID-19 guidelines. Tems had performed at a show in Uganda that had been condemned due to the Covid-19 rules that were in place at the time.

    The Ugandan police force described the suspects as selfish individuals who were “bent on violating the directives on COVID-19 with the purpose of making money while risking the lives of many Ugandans.”

    The show was held during a time when political rallies of more than 200 people and churches in Uganda were restricted to 100 people. Many Ugandan artists and citizens condemned the widely promoted concert, which had more than 1,000 people in attendance.

    As a result, Tems and her manager spent two days in police custody before being released and returning to Nigeria on December 17, 2020.

    In response to the situation, Tems released a statement expressing her sadness that attendees could have possibly been exposed to COVID-19. She also stated that she would never have participated if she had known that the event would not meet standard operating procedures and put Uganda’s citizens at risk.

    She thanked the Nigerian and Ugandan governments and everyone behind the scenes who played a part in resolving the matter. She also expressed her appreciation for her “rebel gang” of fans who continue to show her love and support.

    7. Seun Kuti:

    In May 2023, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, ordered the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command to arrest Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti, after he was captured on video assaulting a police officer in uniform.

    A Lagos State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Yaba, remanded the Afrobeat singer in police custody for 48 hours to enable the police to conclude its investigation into an allegation of assault brought against him.

    Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun, who presided over the matter, also ordered the police to release the musician after the stipulated period on bail and also send the case file to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), so that legal advice can be issued.

    Read Also: Omashola’s son rejoices as he gets Nigerian Passport

    8. D’Banj:

    Popular Nigerian musician, D’Banj in December 2022, was arrested and detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC).

    The music star was detained after ICPC operatives closed in on him, forcing him to surrender himself at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, over charges of fraud.

    D’Banj was accused of fraudulently diverting hundreds of millions of naira earmarked by the Nigerian government for the N-Power project, an empowerment programme set up by the Nigerian government in 2016 to address youth unemployment and increase social development.

    Reports said that D’banj was a Brand Ambassador for the ministry. It was alleged that the singer colluded with some government officials to introduce ghost beneficiaries into the payroll of the scheme. The stipend paid to those beneficiaries was then paid to accounts that have now allegedly been linked to the pop star.

  • Winners emerge at Nigerian Marketing Awards

    Winners emerge at Nigerian Marketing Awards

    Various winners emerged in different categories of Nigeria Marketing awards held recently at Eko Convention Center Lagos.

     MTN Nigeria won the Best Reputation Management Award, while Dettol’s Rickett won Best Social Responsibility Campaign, Palmpay emerged as the Best Use of Social Media of the Year, and Red Media bagged the Best Influencer Marketing of the Year award.

    ZAGG was also decorated with the award for Brand Innovation of the Year, while Pepsi was honoured for Campaign of the Year. The Brand Manager of Maltina and Malta Good, Nigerian Breweries PLC, Ifeyinwa Madu, was crowned with the award for Rising Star of Marketing of the Year, while Kelvin Olumese from Palmay was named Brand Manager of the Year.

    There were other winners at the event.

    Life Continental Lager Beer was recognised as the Best Alcoholic Brand of the Year, Palmpay won the Financial Institution of the Year award while Sprite was honoured with the award for excellence in experiential marketing.

    Read Also: Trial of Catholic Knight, who trafficked 2.169kg of heroin fixed for Jan 17

    Red Media was crowned with the award for the PR Agency of the Year, while Seleem Adegunwa was recognised as the Inspirational Marketing Leader of the Year, Nigerian Breweries was given the award for the Marketing Company of the Year and Azeez Disu emerged Brand Journalist of the year.

    The Chairman of the Awards Decision Council, Iquo Ukoh, said the Nigerian Marketing Awards was one of the attempts aimed at instilling the consciousness of an entrepreneurial mindset in marketing managers, advertising agencies, and experiential marketing agencies.

    According to her, in accessing each entry we looked at problem identification, marketing solutions employed to address the problem, tactics used to execute the identified solution and results achieved or the performance outcome.

    Earlier, the founder of Nigerian Marketing Awards, Tony Agenmonmen

    said, “Our theme for this year, “Elevate, Innovate, Inspire” encapsulates the very essence of what we, as marketers, strive to achieve every day. It represents a call to action for the marketing industry in Nigeria to rise to new heights, embrace innovation, and inspire future generations of marketers.”

  • How Nigerian teen’s app caught the eye of Canadian FinTech

    How Nigerian teen’s app caught the eye of Canadian FinTech

    In a world where FinTech giants and banking institutions loom large, the story of an 18-year-old Nigerian prodigy, Pleasant Balogun, and his groundbreaking app, Scrim, shaking hands with Canadian FinTech powerhouse Chimoney, is nothing short of a modern-day David and Goliath tale.

    Pleasant Balogun, a teenager with a vision to simplify and democratize global payments, created Scrim—an app that allows users to send payments through social media handles and direct messages. This innovative idea, nurtured in the bustling tech hubs of Nigeria, caught the attention of Uchi Uchibeke, founder of Chimoney.

    Uchibeke, a former Shopify Engineer and patent inventor at Royal Bank of Canada, has been at the forefront of the AI revolution and global payments. His company, Chimoney, has become a beacon of innovation in the FinTech space, offering a robust API and infrastructure that power remittances, rewards, and payouts globally and enabling Businesses to pay anyone in the world using just the receivers Email or Phone Number.

    The acquisition of the Scrim App by Chimoney is not just a tale of two apps coming together. It’s a strategic move that underscores the potential of African ingenuity in the global tech landscape. The merger is a testament to Chimoney’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting emerging talents in the FinTech arena. 

    “For us, Scrim is not just an app. It’s a vision that aligns perfectly with Chimoney’s mission to unlock economic opportunities for everyone everywhere,” says Uchibeke.

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     “Pleasant Balogun’s ingenuity and Scrim’s unique capabilities are exactly what the FinTech world needs.”

    Chimoney’s API has been a game-changer, offering startups like Scrim and established businesses alike the tools to launch and scale their FinTech solutions rapidly. With a full end-to-end integration of Chimoney’s API on Scrim, Scrim is poised to offer more value to users by combining social Payment capabilities with the ability to earn, swap and transfer to 100+ countries, demonstrating the power of collaboration and technology in bridging the gap in global payment solutions.

    “The story here isn’t just about an acquisition; it’s about a shared vision to revolutionize the way the world handles payments. It’s a narrative that challenges traditional banking norms and opens up a realm of possibilities for entrepreneurs and developers worldwide.

    This merger is a clarion call to startups and developers looking to make their mark in the FinTech space. Chimoney’s infrastructure, combined with Scrim’s innovative approach, is a clear indication that the time to integrate and innovate is now.

    The potential for startups to leverage Chimoney’s API and launch their FinTech solutions is immense,” adds Uchibeke.

     “We’re not just building platforms; we’re build a global Payments Operating system to empower a new generation of entrepreneurs.”

    The story of Chimoney and Scrim has sent ripples through the investor community, generating interest and a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out). This merger highlights the untapped potential in the African FinTech scene and the lucrative opportunities that lie in innovative solutions like Scrim.

    As more investors turn their gaze towards Africa, Chimoney and Scrim stand as beacons of hope and innovation, paving the way for a new era in global payments.

    In conclusion, the union of Chimoney and Scrim is more than just a business transaction. It’s a narrative of hope, innovation, and the limitless possibilities when visionaries from different parts of the world come together. As the African tech scene continues to burgeon, stories like that of Pleasant Balogun and Uchi Uchibeke will undoubtedly inspire a new wave of entrepreneurs and developers, ready to leave their mark on the world.

  • UK-based Nigerian woman dies mysteriously in apartment

    UK-based Nigerian woman dies mysteriously in apartment

    A Nigerian woman residing in the United Kingdom (UK) Joy Nsude, has been found dead in her residence in Hartlepool.

    Nsude was a mother of two children- a four-year-old boy and a two-year-old girl.

    She was until her death a student of International Management at Teesside University, Middlesbrough.

    A member of the Nigerian Community in the UK, Ibironke Khadeejah Quadri, announced Nsude’s death in a Facebook post.

    Quadri wrote: “It is with deep sorrow that we inform you of the passing of our esteemed member of Nigerian Society (Teesside University) Middlesbrough, United Kingdom, Joy Osunde, a student of International Management.

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    “She is a mother of two children who are a 2-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy. She passed away in her apartment on the 2nd of November 2023, in Hartlepool in England after speaking to many people on phone including the husband while he was on his way to work on that fateful day.

    “The cause of death is not yet reviewed. Justice Nwaru, the husband who is devastated at the moment, is soliciting for your kind and generous donations from friends, families, groups, institutions, associations to enable him to arrange her funeral.”

  • How Nigerian scammed 70 American businesses of $6m

    How Nigerian scammed 70 American businesses of $6m

    A 40-year-old Nigerian, Alex Ogunshakin, is now awaiting trial in the United States for allegedly swindling 70 American businesses to the tune of $6 million.

    Ogunshakin was recently arrested in Nigeria and extradited to the US for trial.

    He had been at the top of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Cyber’s Most Wanted List since 2019.

    The accused, according to the charges against him, defrauded more than 70 businesses in Nebraska and across the U.S. of over $6 million.

    His mode of operation was a business email compromise (BEC) scheme.

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    He and his co-conspirators were said to have, between 2016 and 2017, posed as the chief executive officer, president, owner, or other executives of the targeted companies.

    Using spoofed email accounts, they directed business employees to complete wire transfers.

    Two unnamed companies in Nebraska lost more than $530,000 in the scam, The London Mail reports. 

    Ogunshakin provided his co-conspirators, including Richard Uzuh, who led the BEC scheme, with bank accounts that were used to receive fraudulent wire transfers.

    He also assisted in sending spoofed emails to businesses used to solicit fraudulent wire transfers, according to the indictment.

    Some of Ogunshakin’s co-conspirators have also been arrested.

    One of them is Adewale Aniyeloye, who sent the spoofed e-mails to the target business.

    He was sentenced in 2019 to 96 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $1,570,938.05 in restitution.

    Another is Pelumi Fawehinimi, a bank account facilitator, who was also jailed in 2019 for 72 months and ordered to pay $1,014,159.60 in restitution.

    There is also Onome Ijomone, a romance scammer, sentenced in January 2020 to 60 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $508,934.40 in restitution after his successful extradition from Poland.