₦airaland Forum

To buttress the point permit me to share the words of Mr. Kio Amachree, a Stochkholm-based Nigerian writer.




On 13th July he wrote the following on X.




"I do not know a Nigerian who would sell his soul the way the anti-immigrant mobs of South Africa have done this past month. Every unreconstructed apartheid nostalgist is laughing behind his locked gates at how easily these movements were turned against their fellow Africans, doing the dirty work of division for free and making the power grab of others so much easier".


He added:


"Ask the obvious question. Who is writing the cheques? March and March charters buses across provinces, prints shirts by the thousand, stages press conferences and floods social media with coordinated campaigns, yet its own public crowdfunding raised barely thirteen thousand rand. Researchers at Wits University say plainly that this is not a grassroots movement of the unemployed, that there is external funding. A Stellenbosch professor calls the movement inorganic, coordinated and amplified by people with a political agenda, with money moving in ways no one can trace. Former President Thabo Mbeki calls it what it is, a funded counter-revolutionary project that does not come from the people. Somebody with deep pockets is bankrolling the spectacle of Black South Africans hunting fellow Africans, and every day the financiers stay hidden, the beneficiaries of a divided, burning South Africa sleep more peacefully behind their locked gates. Follow the money and you will find the true authors of this shame".


He added:





"The movement is led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, a former radio presenter enjoying her fifteen minutes of fame, flanked by Zulu regiments and regional agitators like Mthokozisi Gumede in KwaZulu-Natal. This is not patriotism. It is a political project wearing the stolen clothes of liberation. Stockholm Syndrome is too weak a term for what ails this movement. Its foot soldiers appear to have been taught to hate themselves, and they have no regard for the sacrifice of the thousands of freedom fighters, many sheltered and armed by the very African nations they now terrorize, who gave them the right to breathe as free men and women".


He concluded with the following:


"Meanwhile those who dreamt of the good old days of white rule watch Black South Africans do to fellow Africans what apartheid once did to them, and they could not have scripted it better themselves. Every burnt shop, every checkpoint, every whip raised against a Zimbabwean domestic worker or a Nigerian trader is a gift to those who always said Africans could not govern themselves. The freedom fighters who died from Sharpeville to Soweto did not die for this. South Africans deserve to know whose money is buying their liberation back from them, rand by rand".


Amachree is right.





South African Minister of Justice, Mamoloko Kubayi hit the nail on the head when she said "foreign entities are stoking unrest in South Africa".


The truth is we do not have to dig too deep to know just who those foreign entities are when we consider the words of an essay written by Israeli columnist Grant Arthur Gotchin that was published on January 2nd 2026 in the Times of Israel in which he argued that "Africa must fragment and South Africa must be the first to fragment".


The objective is clear.


It is an imperialistic and neo-colonialistic design and construct whose purpose is to destroy, divide and rule us ALL.





Outside of that permit me to ask Minister Ntshaveni and those that think like her the following questions.


Are the majority of Nigerians in South Africa not properly documented, hard working, responsible, decent people who have major investments there?




Is it fair for you to suggest that the majority of Nigerians in South Africa are undocumented and illegal immigrants, drug dealers and criminals who "live in shacks" when you know very well that this is not the case?


Is it Nigerians that bring drugs into your country through your ports and borders?

Is it Nigerians that manufacture drugs there?

Is it Nigerians that make up your police force, customs and law enforcement agencies that colluded with the drug dealers to bring drugs in and sell them?


Is it Nigerians that consume drugs in your country or force others to consume them?


Are Nigerians the only ones that are involved in the drug trade in South Africa?


Are 98% of the people in South African prisons South Africans and not Nigerians?




Is it not a fact that, as South African Minister of Correctional Services Dr. Pieter Groenewald recently confirmed, there are only 28,000 foreign prisoners in South Africa and that less than 300 of them are Nigerians?


Does this not torpedo the absurd notion that all Nigerians that reside in South Africa are criminals, scammers and drug dealers?


Have any Nigerians been implicated or accused in the ongoing Madlanga Commission of Inquiry which is probing allegations of corruption and drug related crimes or is it only South Africans including South African law enforcement and Government officials?





There was a 2 billion rand (120 million USD) drug bust in South Africa recently which involved South Africans and nationals of a South American country. There were no Nigerians involved.




The two former Heads of the South African Police that were prosecuted for drug trafficking and the suspended head of the South African Police that is under investigation for drug trafficking and corruption today are NOT Nigerians but South Africans.


All these events and facts speak volumes and clearly point to the fact that the commission of crimes in South Africa and elsewhere are not the exclusive preserve of Nigerian nationals.




There is no doubt that there is a drug and crime problem in South Africa in which some Nigerians are involved and we hold as much contempt and disdain for them as you do for indulging in such heinous crimes that brings so much misery to South African families.




We urge you to deal with such criminals decisively within the confines of your laws and we will assist you in this in any way that we can.




To however allege or imply that ALL Nigerians and ONLY Nigerians are involved in such criminality is disingenious and false.




Was a South African woman who was carrying her three year old child not arrested at Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos in early July smuggling large amounts of cocaine into our country?




Was another South African not caught smuggling 7.5 kilograms of heroine in Thailand a few days later?


Does this mean that all South Africans are drug dealers?


Surely not!




Did the South African Ministers that treated Ireti Bakare Yusuf with such contempt and accused her of being rude and disrespectful simply because she asked Minister Ntshaveni whether she thought she ought to apologise to Nigerians for suggesting that we were all drug dealers do the right thing?


Was treating a female journalist that asked a legitimate question in that way and even subjecting her to threats of being thrown out of the hall and being manhandled by aggressive and hostile security officers not unacceptable?




Is this the way to build bridges between our two countries and does this attitude and behaviour towards a respected Nigerian journalist reflect the fact that many in South Africa, including some in Government, view our people as nothing but criminals?




There are thousands of documented Nigerians in your country lawfully who are doing a great job in numerous responsible professions and spheres of human endeavour, who are adding immense value to your community, who are employing and providing essential legal, medical and academic services for your people and who are hardworking, proud and law-abiding citizens.




Many have even married South African nationals and are raising their children in your country.




They are indeed your guests and we expect you to treat them as such and not set them up for persecution and villification by referring to them as drug dealers and criminals.




I take strong objection to this mischaracterisation of our citizens and it is indeed painful that a country of 250 million people that contributed so much to your liberation struggle and that has opened its markets and borders to your companies and nationals for so many years can be referred to and treated in this way.




I call for caution and restraint.




Permit me to add the following.




Some have tried to frame the hostility, violence, challenges and insults that black African foreign nationals, including Nigerians, are facing in South Africa as a consequence of a "migration problem".


I respectfully disagree.


According to census figures the number of documented and undocumented foreigners living in South Africa is 3 million.


3 million out of a population of 64 million can hardly be described as a migration crisis.


The problem that South Africa has is one of wealth creation and distribution and not migration.

The migrants are simply the scapegoats for what is essentially the failure of the state to effectively fight poverty and better the lives of its citizens.

The sooner the poverty problem is solved the sooner Afrophobia and the murderous hate and violence that goes with it will cease.




That should be the focus and objective of South African Government officials and the South people and not the demonisation and mischaracterisation of Nigerian nationals, or any other African nationals, that reside in their country.





We want to have a productive and mutually respectful relationship with South Africa which will enhance trade and strong strategic relations with our country and not one of disrespect and recriminations.


As a Nigerian that has immense respect and profound admiration for the struggles and sacrifices of your heroes past like Nelson Mandela, Oliver Thambo, Walter Sisulu, Steve Biko, Chris Hani, Thabo Mbeki, Govan Mbeki,
F.W. De Klerk, Desmond Tutu, Alan Boesak, Tokyo Sexwale, Joe Slovo, Winnie Mandela, Jessie Duarte and so many others I sincerely hope and pray that we can achieve this.




Wisdom and diplomacy insists that sovereign nations must treat one another with respect in order to strengthen and build strong bilateral relations.




This is especially so when there is so much at stake.


Thankfully for every repugnant expression of racism, arrogance, ignorance and hate from the likes of Jacinta Ngobese- Zuma and others we have expressions of fraternity, understanding, appreciation and Pan-African solidarity from seasoned and experienced South African leaders and diplomats like Minister Firoz Chachalia and Mr. Zane Dongor and therein lies the hope for the future.


Extremists and racists that are working for a foreign power and that have a hidden agenda from both sides of the divide shall not prevail and shall not set us apart.




Whatever our challenges and our concerns about one another may be we will sit down, work them out and stay together all for the sake of our respective nations and the benefit of Mother Africa.


As High Commissioner of Nigeria to South Africa it is my primary duty to strengthen ties between our two great nations and ensure that our relationship remains strong, respectful, mutually beneficial and cordial.


In addition to that I have a duty to protect the interests of every Nigerian in South Africa that is properly documented and that abides by the law.




I shall not fail in these duties or be found wanting.




Responsible diplomacy and law enforcement is the way out of the challenges that South Africa are facing with illegal migration and drug related crimes and not the blanket villification of a fellow African nation.




This is especially so given the fact that that African nation offers nothing but support and good tidings for the Government and people of South Africa, a country we have loved and respected for many years.





(END OF PART 5)




(Chief Femi Fani-Kayode is a former Minister of Culture and Tourism, a former Minister of Aviation and the Ambassador-Designate of Nigeria to South Africa)

The latest police invitation issued to Nigerian music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, over an alleged $50,000 performance contract involving Loud in Lagos has revived memories of another high-profile performance dispute that once placed the singer in legal trouble.




In 2024, Davido and Brownhill Investment Company Limited, owned by former Nigeria Football Federation President Amaju Pinnick, resolved a N2.3 billion breach of contract lawsuit out of court. The dispute arose after allegations that the singer failed to perform at the 2023 edition of the "Warri Again" concert despite receiving payment. Under the settlement, Davido agreed to perform at the 2024 edition of the concert and pay N30 million towards the claimant's legal costs, while both parties withdrew their legal disputes.





Now, a fresh controversy has emerged involving LoudLagos, a Victoria Island entertainment establishment. Its proprietor, Muse Ariyoh Bolaji Ariyoh, through his solicitors, has petitioned the Nigeria Police, alleging that a total of $50,000 was paid in connection with a proposed Davido performance that never took place after the event was postponed. The petition claims only $5,000 was refunded and seeks the recovery of the alleged outstanding balance alongside a police investigation.
Following the petition, the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) invited Davido to assist with its investigation. The police invitation is part of a fact-finding process and does not amount to a finding of wrongdoing.





While the Pinnick dispute ended in a negotiated settlement, the LoudLagos matter remains unresolved and is still under investigation. At the time of this report, the controversy has since spilled onto social media, with Davido appearing to dismiss the allegations in posts widely interpreted as taking a swipe at the proprietor of LoudLagos, rather than directly addressing the substance of the petition.





In response, the management of LoudLagos insisted that its claims are supported by evidence. According to the management, it is in possession of video recordings and other materials which it says corroborate the performance agreement and the financial transaction. The management maintains that it is prepared to present the evidence to investigators as part of the ongoing police probe.





The two cases nevertheless underscore the importance of clear contractual obligations, transparent communication and prompt dispute resolution in Nigeria's entertainment industry, where headline performances often involve substantial financial commitments. Whether the LoudLagos dispute follows the path of settlement or proceeds through legal channels will depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.

Permit me to offer a history lesson and share a few facts with Minister Khumbudzo Tshaveni about who and what we are as a nation and the contributions and sacrifices that we made for the emancipation of her people all in the name of Pan-Africanism.




Ours is a great and proud nation of strong, enterprising and resilient people whose Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed, condemned the Western powers and their support for white minority rule in South Africa and formally declared Nigeria as a member of the famous "front line states" in the fight against apartheid!



Outside of that he not only deployed 13,000 Nigerian troops to do battle against the apartheid forces in southern Africa using some of South Africa's neighbouring states of Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique and Angola as a base and springboard but he also went to the OAU (todays AU) Heads of Government meeting in Addis Ababa in 1975 and delivered the most powerful anti-apartheid speech ever delivered by an African leader titled "Africa Has Come of Age".


In that speech he vicerated the white South African Government in Pretoria and chastised and challenged their American and Western backers.




He essentially told American President Gerald Ford to "shut up" and "go to hell" after the latter sent a memo to African leaders, including him, 'directing' them to soft-peddle in their fight against the Afrikaaners and white minority rule in apartheid South Africa.



Permit me to qoute a portion of that historic speech, which was delivered with fire and passion before a hall that was filled to the brim with African Presidents and Heads of State, in this essay.


He said,


"When I contemplate the evils of apartheid, my heart bleeds and I am sure the heart of every true-blooded African bleeds...We cannot pretend that we are unaware of the machinations and conspiracies against our Continent by not just the racists of South Africa but even by those who pretend to be the friends of this Continent but whose sole interest is in what they can get out of us…Not content with its clandestine support and outpouring of arms into Angola to create confusion and bloodshed, the United States President (Gerald Ford) took upon himself to instruct African heads of state and government, by a circular letter, to insist on the withdrawal of Soviet and Cuban advisers from Angola as a precondition for the withdrawal of South African and other military adventurers. This constitutes a most intolerable presumption and a flagrant insult on the intelligence of African rulers… Africa has come of age. It is no longer under the orbit of any extra-continental power. It should no longer take orders from any country, however powerful. The fortunes of Africa are in our hands to make or mar. For too long have we been kicked around; for too long have we been treated as adolescents who cannot discern their interests and act accordingly. For too long has it been presumed that the African needs outside ‘experts’ to tell him who are his friends and who are his enemies. The time has come when we should make it clear that we can decide for ourselves; that we know our own interests and how to protect those interests; that we are capable of resolving Africa's problems without presumptuous lessons in ideological dangers which, more often than not, have no relevance for us, nor for the problem at hand!"


This was undoubtedly Nigeria's finest moment and General Mohammed backed up his words with concrete action by not only defying the Americans but also by knuckling down and doubling our efforts in support of the gallant fight against the apartheid Government in South Africa and white minority rule.


His speech inspired other African leaders to stand strong and resulted in them rejecting the attempt by the Americans to impose their will and intimidate them.



The General's words encouraged them to increase their efforts in the struggle against western imperialism, neo-colonialism and the Boers of South Africa.


The fact that he was murdered in an attempted military coup a few months after delivering it in Addis Ababa speaks volumes and there are those that believe that it was because of his hard line approach to apartheid South Africa and his uncompromising stand against western imperialism that he was murdered.



Thankfully our contribution to the South African struggle did not end there but became even more aggressive and assertive after General Murtala Mohammed was assasinated.


For example General Olusegun Obasanjo, General Mohammed's erstwhile second in command who succeeded him as Head of State after his assasination in 1976, took the fight against apartheid a stage further and even refused to shake the hand of James Callaghan, the British Prime Minister, because of the support that the United Kingdom insisted on giving the white minority Government in South Africa.


That is how far we went and that is the Nigerian for you.


Once we commit to a struggle we are as constant as the Northern star.



Ours is a civilised nation of large hearted people which was the moving force at the United Nations in the fight against apartheid and white minority rule in South Africa and which Chaired and powered the United Nations Special Commitee Against Apartheid from the early 1960's!



We were also the primary force that ensured that apartheid South Africa was expelled from the British Commonwealth and was banned from participating in international sports competitions like the Olympics, the Rugby World Cup and the Soccer World Cup.



The fact is that without the support of Nigeria, Cuba, Libya, the Soviet Union, the Nordic countries (particularly Sweden), the "Frontline State" African nations of Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Mozambique and later Zimbabwe and the nations and people of Africa generally the defeat of white minority rule and apartheid in South Africa would not have been achieved in 1990!


Again no country gave Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the armed wing of the ANC, more funding and logistical support than Nigeria and Libya whilst Cuba and the old Soviet Union provided them with military advisers, arms and training.


Ours is a nation that is prepared to stand up for the oppressed and sacrifice for others and there was a time, during your struggle and when General Olusegun Obasanjo was in power, that Nigeria nationalised British Petroleum and threw out Barclays Bank because of the support that the United Kingdom and Barclays insisted on giving the white minority Government of South Africa and as a result of our total commitment to black majority rule in your nation.




We also opened up our Universities for free education for black South Africans, gave your people our passports to enable them to travel the world freely, taxed our civil servants with 2% of their salaries which was donated to a free South Africa Fund (this was known as the Mandela Tax) and gave sanctuary to your leaders including President Thabo Mbeki.



And guess what?


It was not only Thabo Mbeki that took refuge in our shores but also President Nelson Mandela.


Mandela lived in Nigeria between 1962 and 1963 and was sequestered in the home of the Parliamentary Secretary who later became Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, in a town called Ukpor in the old Eastern region which is in present-day Anambra state.



This means that both South Africa's first and second post-independence Presidents, Mandela and Mbeki, were both living in exile in Nigeria at one point or the other and both enjoyed the full protection of our Federal Government.


Mbeki lived in our country from 1977 till 1984 and went on to become President of South Africa in 1998 after Mandela had served as President from 1994 till that year.



Ours is a caring and sharing country where our children gave up their lunch allowance in school and instead of buying lunch used the money to raise over 10 million USD for the struggle for emancipation and liberation in South Africa.



Ours is a loving nation who is willing to give her all for those that are suffering injustice and those we care for and who gave no less than 61 billion USD (according to the South African Institute of International Affairs) between 1960 and 1994 as our contribution to your struggle against apartheid and white minority rule.


Ours is a nation that still supports and brings enormous benefits to your country today through trade and we are one of the three countries, together with Angola and Mozambique, that provide 90% of your energy needs in terms of oil and gas.


We are also one of the 53 African countries that collectively provide a market for 80% of your goods and finished products today.


Ours is a nation that sacrificed so much for you and that between 1975 till 1990 refused to sell our oil and gas to nations that insisted on supporting the white minority regime and apartheid Government in South Africa consequently losing approximately 30 billion dollars USD worth of sales over that period of time.



We may have our fair share of challenges as a nation but, unlike yours, at least our land is vested in the hands of the Nigerian people and we do not have a situation whereby 70% of it together with 80% of our economy and commerce and 90% of our wealth is vested and in the control of a white minority that constitute 7.2% of your population.


Outside of that 45.7% of South African youths and 32.6% of South African adults are unemployed whilst 70% of the companies that are listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange are owned by white South Africans and foreign nationals!



According to the Institute for Security Studies and the University of Johannesburg, immigrants, including Nigerian nationals, make up 6.5% of South Africa's population and yet contribute up to 9% of your GDP.


Nigeria has the biggest and largest number of banks on the African continent and 94% of them are owned by Nigerians whilst not a single bank in South Africa is owned solely by a black South African.



Nigeria has a large number of privately owned commercial airline carriers that ply international and transatlantic routes throughout the world and they are ALL owned by Nigerians whilst black South Africans only own two out of which only one flies outside of Africa!


Again Nigeria has the highest number of private jets in Africa numbering 240.




Sadly black South Africans can hardly boast of having a stake or their fair share of the wealth that is firmly embedded in their own country.





70% of black South African children do not live with their fathers with devastating consequences on their pysche and no less than 4 million black South Africans are themselves undocumented which means that as far as the state is concerned they don't exist!




Despite our challenges in Nigeria at least our people do not suffer the unconciable level of racial discrimination that the black South African has had to live with from time immemorial!


Nigeria can boast of having the richest black man on the planet and 4 of the 23 billionaires in the African continent from within its shores.



Only your nation, which has 7, and Egypt, which has 5, has more billionaires than Nigeria in Africa but the point that many fail to grasp is that at least three of those that are billionaires in South Africa derive their wealth from doing business with Nigeria and having access to the Nigerian market.


To add to that we have the largest oil refiney in Africa and the first and second largest cement factories on the continent and they are all owned by Nigerians.



Our military is three times the size of South Africa's and ranks third only to Egypt and Algeria in terms of capacity and firepower in Africa.


We have the largest population in the continent which stands at no less than 250 million and our economy is not only regaining its strength but remains the third largest and fastest growing in Africa.



Our professionals and intellectuals are the best educated in Africa and have been attending the best universities in the world in numbers for at least 150 years!


Nigerians are one of the two best educated ethnic groups in the United States of America with over 60% of our people holding Bachelors degrees.


We are second only to the Indians in America with 75% of them holding Bachelors degrees.





The first African to graduate from a University was His Royal Highness Olu Atuwatse I (Dom Domingos), a Nigerian, who was the 14th Olu of Warri and who studied and graduated in Theology from the University of Coimbra in Portugal in 1611.



The first African to be called to the English Bar and become a lawyer was Christopher Sapara Williams, a Nigerian, who was admitted to the Inner Temple and was called to the Bar in 1879.




The first four Africans to graduate as medical practitioners were Dr. William Broughton Davies, a Sierra Leonnean/Nigerian of Yoruba descent, who graduated from the University of St. Andrews in 1858, Dr. James Africanus Beale Horton, a Sierra Leonnean/Nigerian of Igbo descent, who graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1859, Dr. Nathaniel King, a Nigerian, who graduated from the University of Aberdeen in 1874 and Dr. John Randle, a Nigerian, who graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1888.



The first African to receive an Honorary Doctorate from Oxford University was a Nigerian by the name of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther who received an honorary Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) degree from the University in 1864.


The first African to be consecrated as a Bishop by the Anglican Church was again Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther and this again took place in 1864.


The first African to attend Oxford University was Christian Frederick Cole, a Nigerian/Sierra Leonnean, who initially gained entry as a non-Collegiate student and graduated in Classics in 1876 after which he gained entry into University College, Oxford, studied law, graduated in 1879, was admitted to the Inner Temple and was called to the English Bar in 1883.




The first African to attend Cambridge University was George Gurney Nicole, a Nigerian/Sierra Leonnean who attended Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, studied law and graduated with a B.A. in 1879.


The first African woman to attend Oxford University was Kofoworola Aina Ademola, a Nigerian, who studied Engiish Literature and Education at St. Hugh's College, Oxford and earned her degree in 1935.


The "smartest and best educated" family in the United Kingdom are a Nigerian family by the name of the Imafadion.



The only family in the history of Africa that can boast of having "five generations of Oxbridge-level University graduates", spanning from 1893 till 2026, are a Nigerian family by the name of the Fani-Kayode.


The first and only black woman to earn a PhD in pure Mathematics in the 148-year history of the University of South Africa (UNISA) is Professor Oghenetega Ighedo, a Nigerian lady who completed the programme in just 3 years while raising her family.




Some ask why all this matters and the answer is simple: it matters because it reminds both ourselves and our sea of detractors of who we are as a people and where we are coming from.



Our history, education and cultural heritage and our contributions to humanity and the arts are second to none and in terms of tried and tested ancient Empires, Kingdoms and sophisticated organisational structures, unlike most, ours stretch back for thousands of years.



So NO Minister Tshaveni, we are not a nation of drug dealers but a nation of strong-willed, determined, hard-working, versatile, resourceful, courageous, and resilient men and women whose ancestry is rooted in a great and noble heritage and whose head may be bloodied but certainly not bowed.


Yet it does not stop there.







(END OF PART 3)


(Chief Femi Fani-Kayode is a former Minister of Culture and Tourism, a former Minister of Aviation and the Ambassador-Designate of Nigeria to South Africa)

International music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has been invited by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, over a petition alleging a breach of a performance contract involving a US$50,000 payment.

The petition, filed by Braintree Solicitors on behalf of Muse Ariyoh Bolaji Ariyoh, owner of Loud by Mami Chula, alleged that Davido was contracted to perform at the official opening of the establishment but failed to honour the agreement after the event was postponed due to technical issues.

According to the petition, US$50,000 was paid for the performance and related promotional activities. The complainant claimed Davido acknowledged receiving US$30,000 during a telephone conversation and that only US$5,000 had been refunded, leaving an alleged outstanding balance of US$45,000.

Based on the petition, the police invited Davido to appear before the Anti-Fraud Section of the FCID as part of an ongoing investigation. The complainant also alleged intimidation and requested police protection.

As of the time of this report, neither Davido nor Mr. Ifeoluwa Babalola, CEO of Snapcode Africa Nigeria Limited, had publicly responded to the allegations. The police invitation is part of an investigation and does not amount to a finding of guilt. All parties remain presumed innocent unless proven otherwise by a court of law.

Linda Ikeji Media today announced that its new feature film, THE NIGHT OF JUNE 7TH, opens in cinemas nationwide on Thursday, August 28, 2026. Written and produced by Linda Ikeji and directed by Toka Mcbaror, the film marks the studio's bold return to Nigerian theatres with the story a nation has waited twenty-one years to see on the big screen.





THE NIGHT OF JUNE 7TH is inspired by the 2005 extrajudicial killing of six young Nigerians in Apo, Abuja, an incident that sent shockwaves across the country, ignited national outrage and years of protest, and culminated in a landmark court judgment that saw two police officers sentenced to death. Two decades later, the case remains one of the most consequential chapters in Nigeria's struggle for police accountability and justice.





The film features a powerhouse cast led by Gideon Okeke, Femi Branch, Ali Nuhu and Charles Lenny.





“This is the film Nigeria has waited twenty-one years for,” said Linda Ikeji, writer and producer. “Six young people went out one night and never came home, and this country has never stopped asking why. The Night of June 7th is not just a film. It is a reckoning, and it belongs to every Nigerian who refused to forget.”





“We approached this story with the weight it deserves,” said director Toka Mcbaror. “Our responsibility was to the truth of that night and to the memory of the six. Audiences should come prepared to feel everything.”





THE NIGHT OF JUNE 7TH opens exclusively in cinemas nationwide on August 28, 2026, and is distributed by Nile Distribution. Tickets go on sale at all major cinema chains ahead of release.





ABOUT LINDA IKEJI MEDIA


Linda Ikeji Media is a Nigerian media and entertainment company founded by Linda Ikeji, spanning digital publishing, television, and film production. THE NIGHT OF JUNE 7TH marks the company's return to theatrical features.

What has made the situation even more tense is the fact that the spokesman of President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mr. Vincent Magwenya, issued a statement on 15th July accusing Nigeria and Ghana of "spreading fake news" and orchestrating an attempt to "misrepresent South Africa" and drag her before international institutions for formal sanctions.


Whilst it is true that Nigeria, Ghana and ECOWAS intend to take this matter up at the African Union, it is FALSE to allege that either country is spreading 'fake news'.


I wonder whether Magwenya will also claim that the events of 1995, 1998, 2000, 2008, 2015, 2019 and 2024, each of which witnessed the targetting and cold-blooded murder of African nationals including Nigerians, by wild, violent and spear-wielding black South African mobs, were also 'fake news' and not clear evidence of Afrophobia?


These attacks have become endemic.


In 2008 alone 62 African nationals were killed and tens of thousands displaced during the attacks and this is not a misrepresentation but an incontrovertible fact!


The orgy of violence against African nationals that we are witnessing in South Africa today are not isolated events but are part and parcel of a well-orchestrated ritualistic cycle of bloodshed and afrophobic hate which raises its head on a regular basis.




This is a problem that the South African Government must acknowledge.





The truth of the matter is that Afrophobia is alive and well in South Africa and has resulted in the murder of many African nationals, the displacement of many of our people and the pillaging, theft and destruction of their legitimate businesses, properties and lawful possessions.




If there was no Afrophobia in South Africa as the South African Presidency would have us believe then what informed the June 30th deadline for African nationals, including Nigerians, to leave their country and why was the Federal Government constrained to fly no less than 1,500 of our nationals who had been living in mortal fear for their lives and camping in the grounds of the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria for safety, in 6 separate plane flights out of South Africa and back home over the last two months at the cost of over 2 million USD!


If there was no Afrophobia in South Africa why were 150,000 African nationals forced to flee for their lives and be repatriated to their respective countries by their respective Governments over the last three months?


If there was no Afrophobia in South Africa how can armed mobs arrest African nationals, including Nigerians, in the streets and storm shops, hospitals, industrial sites, factories, farms, companies, schools, restaurants, homes, corporate offices and elsewhere demanding that all foreign black Africans working there must be thrown out immediately.




In some cases those that carry out these crimes claim to be policemen but blatantly refuse to provide any form identification whilst at other times officers of the South African Police Service stand by silently and witness the events refusing to do anything about it.




That is how bad things are.




Again if there was no Afrophobia in South Africa why are two Ghanaian nationals, Mr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a former Government spokesman and Mr. Emmanuel Kotin, a terrorism analyst, accusing South Africa of crimes against humanity and filing a petition against her at the International Criminal Court (ICC)!


News Central Nigerian journalist Princess Sazi, who is in South Africa, reports that,

"children born and raised in South Africa are now living in makeshift camps after xenophobic attacks forced their families to leave. With their education disrupted and futures uncertain, many are preparing to return to a country they barely know".


If there was no xenophobia or Afrophobia in South Africa how could this be going on?


If there was no Afrophobia how do you explain the plight of the Malawians who have suffered more than any other and the Congolese, one of whom was burnt alive in his home?


If there was no Afrophobia how do you explain the fact that Nigerians have fled their homes, come from far and wide all over South Africa and are now camping outside the gates of the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria with nowhere else to go?


What we are dealing with is a sheer wickedness and racism in its rawest and most primitive form and it has resulted in a massive and avoidable humanitarean crisis that cannot be ignored.




If something is not done about it at the soonest it will get worse and more lives will be lost.


The presidential spokesman also spoke of "devastating economic consequences" for Nigeria and Ghana if either ever contemplated the idea or implemented the threat of appropriating the funds or assets of South African companies that are based in our respective countries.


His exact words:


“So any move to appropriate South African company assets in any of these countries will be counterproductive and will undermine those countries’ economic development aspirations. It will signal that those countries are now closed for trade and business. It will also signal a greater degree of uncertainty of doing business in those countries. It will be a move whose repercussions go beyond South Africa for that matter. We are not overly worried about that talk.”




These are unwise words that have been spoken against two brother African nations that harbour no ill-will towards South Africa and that have merely expressed their collective concerns about the welfare of their nationals in a nation where they are being subjected to hateful sentiments, vile persecution and mortal danger.


We are worried that our nationals are in a country in which they are being subjected to apartheid-like subjugation, oppression, humiliation, dehumanisation and violence.


Must we wait until they are subjected to a Rwanda-like genocide or massive pogrom before we register our fears, concerns and displeasure?





Must thousands of our people be subjected to mass murder and ethnic cleansing before the South African Government gives the matter serious attention?




Surely the best way forward is to assure us that they will be well protected and not attempt to give us lectures about the supposedly "devastating economic consequences" of doing what many of our citizens are urging us to do but which we have so far refused to do.




A de-escalation of this matter is the wisest course for South Africa to take because to escalate it would result in a series of unforseen consequences.




You do not threaten us when our people are being subjected to violence by armed local militias and angry mobs.




The Presidential spokesman would do far better by offering his profound and sincere apologies and to provide us with assurances that the violence that we are witnessing on their streets against our nationals and other African nations will stop.


On our part we cannot be expected to sit by silently and wait until our people are subjected to even greater violence before we take strong action.




Respectful dialogue is the way out of this conundrum and not threats of "devastating economic consequences" against our nation. Nigeria is far too big for that and I daresay so is Ghana.




Sadly the concerns of our leaders have been met with deflection.


Permit me to share just one example.


Despite the outrage that Minister Ntshavheni's words provoked in our country, when asked directly by Nigerian journalist Ireti Bakare-Yusuf during the course of a Ministerial press conference in Pretoria whether she would take the opportunity to offer an apology to Nigerians, South African Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi interjected, refused to allow Ntshavheni to answer for herself and instead responded on her behalf by saying,


"I don't think Minister Ntshaveni needs to issue an apology. When she spoke, she spoke on behalf of South Africa".




The truth is that whatever the Minister of Justice of South Africa or anyone else says the import of Minister Ntshaveni's words is alarming.


Surely we must priotise respectful dialogue between our two nations in an attempt to strengthen bilateral relations and put our collective enemies to shame.


We consider South Africa to be an ally, a respected fellow African country and an important trading partner and one wonders why Minister Tshaveni harbours such ill-will towards us.


There is no doubt that some Nigerians are involved in crime, including drug dealing, in South Africa just as some South Africans indulge in crimes in nations outside their own, but the insidious innuendo that ALL Nigerians in South Africa are drug dealers is false and unacceptable.





Racial stereotyping is dangerous and demonising an entire race and referring to them as drug dealers is provocative.


South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world and has been described as the "world's homicide capital" (58 South Africans are murdered per day) but that does not mean that it is rational or acceptable to label ALL South Africans as murderers.




South Africa has the highest rate of HIV in the world but that does not mean that all South Africans are irresponsible or careless and it would be a gratutious insult for anyone to say so.




Divisive comments like those coming from Minister Tshaveni can be expected from the afrophobes in organisations like March on March but certainly not from South African Government officials.


Permit me to remind the Minister that there are no less than 120 South African companies operating successfully and that are making millions of dollars in Nigeria and no South African company or national has ever been persecuted, threatened or subjected to racial stereotyping in our country.




According to Ralph Mupita, the Chief Executive Officer of the MTN Group, 82% of his company's revenue is generated from outside of South Africa and in Africa with only 12% generated from within South Africa itself.


He argued that Pan-African economic integration and co-operation and not isolation are essential for the continent's future growth and prosperity.


He is right and it is clear that such "economic integration and cooperation" is equally important to the economic growth and prosperity of MTN itself given the fact that the company makes no less than 12 million USD per day in Nigeria alone!


To lose the Nigerian market would diminish the fortunes of MTN and it's South African shareholders.




And there are many other South African companies in Nigeria such as Multichoice, DSTV, GOTV, Showmax, Shoprite, Standard Bank,
Stanbic IBTC and others whose fortunes are equally blessed.


If nothing else does that not prove to Minister Tshaveni and those that think like her that we are not a nation that has nothing to offer?





(END OF PART 2)

(Chief Femi Fani-Kayode is a former Minister of Culture and Tourism, a former Minister of Aviation and the Ambassador-Designate of Nigeria to South Africa)

In 1988 Mr. P.W. Botha, who was President of apartheid South Africa from 1984 till 1989, said the following:




"Black people cannot rule themselves because they don't have the brain and mental capacity to govern a society. Give them guns, they will kill themselves. Give them power, they will steal all the government money. Give them independence and democracy, they will use it to promote tribalism, ethnicity, bigotry, hatred, killings, and wars!"


These choice words coming from this racist Afrikaaner and white supremacist appaul me.


They have been entrenched in the inner recesses of my spirit and soul ever since I first came across them 33 long years ago.


My repugnance and revulsion for such sentiments and those who harbour them will never subside.




To be sure racism has no place in the civilised world or indeed in the land of the living.




Botha's mindset seeks to dehumanise us and negate who and what we are as Africans and turn us into what we are not.


It is for this very reason that we have an obligation before God to prove him wrong and that is precisely why a failure of governance in either post-apartheid South Africa, Nigeria or indeed anywhere else in Africa is not something that we can accept, tolerate or abide.




We must not only get it right but we must also work closely together in the spirit of Pan Africanism and solidarity.


If we fail to do so racists like Botha will laugh in their graves as they witness black South Africans killing their own black African brothers that reside in their country.




Such behaviour, if unabated, provides clear evidence and a stark confirmation of the self-serving narrative and false gospel that Botha seeks to preach which asserts that black Africans are little better than animals and cannot govern themselves.




This is a narrative that we as Africans must NEVER give legitimacy or credence to by our words and actions or allow to stand.


Ours is to love one another, work together, help and encourage each other, resolve whatever differences we have and acknowledge the fact that our collective interest and future resides in and can only be guaranteed by love, peace, understanding, unity and solidarity between all of the 54 nations that make up the African continent.


Permit me to go deeper.


When you look at the map of Africa and hold it vertically you will see a pistol.




Nigeria is in the position of the trigger and South Africa is at the tip of its mouth.


In order for the gun to become a functional, lethal weapon which can hold its own in today's challenging, fast-changing and competetive world both the trigger and the mouth of the pistol must work closely together and be on the same page.




If the two ever fall apart or move in different directions the gun will lose its functionality and can no longer work: it will at best be nothing but an impotent ornament and soon to be forgotten relic which can be displayed on the shelf of a museum or, at worse, an old piece of worthless iron scrap which can be thrown into the dustbin.


That must never be allowed to happen to us. We must resolve our differences and be in one accord if we seek to achieve our full potentials and if we hope to effect God's purpose in the lives of our respective nations and indeed our continent.




Without a successful and productive collaboration between her two largest, most powerful and most towering economies, Africa is not going anywhere and those that believe that the black man has no business running the affairs of his own nation and that believe he is wholly incapable of achieving any meaningful success when it comes to governance would have been proved right.


This is why the relationship between our two great countries matters and must be nurtured and sustained despite numerous difficulties and our many challenges.


It is also important to recognise the fact that Nigeria and South Africa must be courageous enough to speak the truth to one another when there are challenges in order to ensure that, together, we can overcome the hurdles, remove the obstacles, right the wrongs, build a stronger partnership and sustain the historical ties of solidarity and fraternity that have always existed between us.




The truth is that ours is a sacred bond, forged in fire and blood and sealed by the collective struggles of our forefathers and heroes past.




That bond must never be broken.




We must deploy our best efforts towards normalising the partnership between our respective countries and cultivate a core of leaders from both sides of the divide that are committed to this noble cause.




Yet despite this, the truth, no matter how bitter, must be spoken.


It is in that context, coupled with the concerns of the people and Government of Nigeria that I have taken my time to pen this series and make this contribution.




Consider the following.


After ruling out the possibility of any form of compensation to our nationals that lost their investments, businesses, chattels, properties and homes and that were compelled to relocate back to Nigeria as a consequence of the afrophobic attacks that are taking place in South Africa, Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, a Minister in the South African Presidency, said the following:


"We would be interested to know where the drug dens of Nigerians are. They can show us where they have been keeping the drugs so that we can clean up the drug dens in South Africa urgently".


These words, coming from a high ranking South African official are disrespectful and disappointing.


They represent a direct attack on the dignity, honor and integrity of our people.


Worse still the following day she knuckled down by writing the following on X:


"I hope I was loud and clear on the issue of properties: I mean ALL properties!"


Her message and its intention to firstly emphasise the fact that Nigerians will NOT be compensated for the loss of even their LAWFULLY acquired chattels, businesses, properties and homes and secondly to paint ALL Nigerians drug dealers that operate and own 'drug dens' and thereby further endanger their lives is noted.




Permit me to put all this in context.


According to Nigerian Embassy officials in Pretoria no less than 6 Nigerians have been murdered in South Africa this year alone whilst a total of 98 of our nationals have been murdered between 2022 and 2026.


All this yet not one South African has been arrested, detained or brought to justice for ANY of these murders and extra-judicial killings.


Again thousands of our nationals have been forced to flee their homes, have had their lawful and legitimate businesses taken from them and have been forcefully displaced.




Nigerians, whether documented or not documented, together with their children have been subjected to all manner of violence and humiliation and are targetted by the South African security forces and elements within the South African community even where and when they have done no wrong.


This is unacceptable and when coupled with the hostile rhetoric that is now coming from South African Government officials like Minister Ntshavheni it gives cause for even more concern.


The extra judicial killings of two Nigerian nationals by the South African police in the last few weeks and the cold blooded murder of a third by "unidentified individuals" have made matters even worse.


Our Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued a formal statement on this and the unfortunate utterances of Minister Ntshaveni and has condemned the killings.


Amongst much else the spokesman of the Foreign Ministry said,

"these killings raise further questions over the general safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa" and that "the continuing pattern of such terrible incidents is clearly evidence of complicity on the part of security operatives which raises the question of state responsibility under International Law".




He added:




"Nigeria expresses great concern over the recently televised public statement by the spokesperson of the South African Government, asking Nigerians leaving the country due to the ongoing xenophobic protests to show where they hide illegal drugs. The unguarded public statements are unacceptable and are strongly condemned. Such derogatory, unprofessional and uncensored generalised public statements by highly placed government officials constitute hate speech that influences and incites negative and criminal actions against members of the Nigerian community".




He concluded by saying,


"We wish to place the Government of South Africa ON NOTICE that if the situation continues to persist, all options remain on the table, some of which will be activated if the uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance and apartheid-style behaviour of South Africa against foreigners is not addressed".





This statement is loaded.





Sadly despite our concerns the extra-judicial killings have not abated.


According to the Nigerian Citizens Association (NICASA) a Nigerian national by the name of Chika Ibe was allegedly "tortured to death" by members of the South African Police Service after raiding his home in Cape Town on July 23rd.


During the course of the same raid another Nigerian by the name of Egwabor Patrick Chucks was shot in the mouth and severely injured by the South African police.




This is a serious development.


Yet the matter does not end there.


Senator Shehu Sani, a high ranking Senator representing Kaduna state, expressed his concern by pointing out the malevolent intent and undeniable hostility of Minister Ntshavheni's words on X when he wrote:


"This is from a SENIOR Government official and NOT a thug from the streets".


Sani reflected the consternation of Nigerians.


Sadly instead of de-escalating the issue the Minister responded to him directly by posting the following on X. She wrote,


"I didn’t stutter!"




Clearly this Minister lacks restraint.


Yet 'stutter' or no 'stutter' we did not mince our words.


Our humble appeal is that you stop the killing of Nigerians, treat our people like human beings, show them a modicum of decorum and respect and pay compensation to all those that were unlawfully deprived and denied of their lawful property.




Thankfully for every Minister Khumbudzo Tshaveni in the South African Government that displays nothing but disdain and contempt for the Nigerian people there is a Minister Roland Lamola, the Minister of International Integration and Cooperation, who interacts with us with courtesy and decency and shows us nothing but respect and understanding.


(END OF PART 1)


(Chief Femi Fani-Kayode is a former Minister of Culture and Tourism, a former Minister of Aviation and the Ambassador-Designate of Nigeria to South Africa)

Fellow Ghanaians, I trust this letter finds you well, though I confess I did not write it to make anyone comfortable.

By now you have seen the video. Yakubu Mohammed, MP for Ahafo Ano South East, stood before a group of visiting schoolchildren, singled out a young girl, told her she was beautiful, and announced to the room that he would marry her when she grew up, that she was, from that moment, his wife. The room laughed. He smiled. The clip spread. Within hours, an apology arrived, careful and unqualified on paper, and we were told, gently, to move on. I will not move on, and I do not believe you should either, because before we talk about culture or intention, we need to talk about what this moment actually put at risk.

The first reason this matters is that Ghana already has a measurable problem with treating girls as brides in waiting, and it is not a fringe problem. Ghana's National Strategic Framework on Ending Child Marriage 2017–2026 tells us roughly one in five girls in this country is married before the age of eighteen. That is not an abstraction. It represents hundreds of thousands of Ghanaian girls whose childhoods were exchanged for someone else's idea of when they became ready for marriage. When a Member of Parliament jokes, in a public building, in front of cameras, about a primary school pupil becoming his wife one day, he is not stepping outside that reality. He is speaking comfortably inside it, using the exact language that, for far too many girls in this country, is not a joke at all but a preview of what actually happens to them.

The second reason this matters is that Ghana also has another measurable problem with sexual violence against girls, and the numbers should stop every one of us mid laugh. National survey data has found that close to thirty eight per cent of girls between fifteen and nineteen years old report having experienced at least one act of sexual violence. In a single year(2020), Ghana's Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit recorded over a thousand cases of defilement, and researchers who study this issue consistently note that reported cases are widely understood to represent only a fraction of what actually happens, because shame, stigma, and fear keep most victims and their families silent. We are not talking about a society with an occasional bad actor. We are talking about a society where a great many girls already live with the daily possibility of being treated as objects of adult desire, and where a public official's joke about marrying a child, made from a position of real power and broadcast to the nation, does not float above that context. It lands directly inside it, and it tells every girl watching that even in the one building meant to represent the seriousness of her country, her body can still become the punchline.

Once we are honest about that context, the apology looks very different. An apology offered only after a video goes viral is not remorse. It is damage control. Nothing about that comment was whispered in doubt or said in a private moment he later regretted. It was said in full view of a room of adults, to laughter, by a man entirely comfortable saying it. The discomfort came from the rest of us, once the internet refused to let it go. That is not conscience. That is calculation, and it does not undo the fact that in a country already struggling with this scale of harm to girls, we have collectively agreed to treat the incident as a minor lapse in judgment rather than a symptom of the very culture that produces the numbers above.

Some have rushed to explain the comment away as culture, an old, teasing tradition, misunderstood by a public too quick to take offence. I reject that defence, plainly. A tradition that requires a child's silence and a room's laughter to survive is not being honoured here. It is being used as a shield. Culture explains where a phrase came from. It does not excuse where it lands, and given what we now know about how many Ghanaian girls are actually married as children or exposed to sexual violence, we can no longer afford to let that distinction go unexamined.

This is why the third piece of this conversation matters as much as accountability itself. We need sustained public education that helps Ghanaians separate genuine cultural heritage from the convenient cover we have built around it. We cannot continue old customs around playful betrothal which were formed in contexts very different from a national broadcast, a public office, or a primary school excursion. Naming that difference honestly does not require us to abandon our traditions. It requires us to stop hiding behind them whenever a powerful adult says something to a child that would alarm us instantly if a stranger said it on the street.

I ask that Parliament impose real, visible consequence, not merely a statement but an actual sanction with weight. I ask that every institution that hosts children adopt a safeguarding protocol with teeth, so that no elected official is ever again alone with a microphone and a child and nothing but his own judgment standing between them. I ask our media, our chiefs, and our churches to invest in the kind of public education that teaches the difference between an inherited custom and a modern excuse. And I ask every Ghanaian reading this to stop being the laughter in that room. The next time a man tells a little girl she will be his wife one day, do not smile. Say something, because the silence in that Chamber was not neutral. It was permission and given what the data already tells us about what happens to girls in this country when permission goes unchallenged, none of us can afford to grant it again.

We say our children are our future. He showed us, on camera, exactly how much some of us still believe that. Now it is our turn to show him otherwise.

Respectfully,

A Ghanaian Woman

Akosua Asaa Manu

Trade FM; an online radio and news platform created specifically for the people driving Nigeria’s economy, as well as the millions of Nigerians in the diaspora who tune in, is the brainchild of Nigerian journalist Sharon Ijasan, who has carved out something truly distinctive in the media space.

Ijasan is no newcomer to serious journalism. An award-winning investigative reporter, she is a two-time winner of the Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting in the broadcast category, has spent over a decade as a Labour and Education correspondent for Television Continental (TVC News), and is the author of "The Tripartite," a book examining the relationship between government, employers, and organized labour in Nigeria. That track record of translating complex economic and policy issues into stories ordinary people can use is now the founding logic behind Trade FM.

"Trade FM is more than a digital radio platform and news website; it's a daily partner for every professional, entrepreneur, and citizen invested in Nigeria's economic journey," the platform states. "We provide the information, analysis, and inspiration needed to make smarter decisions, grow wealth, and navigate the marketplace."

What sets Trade FM apart is who it's built for. On one side are Nigeria's business owners and entrepreneurs; the market traders, startup founders, SMEs, and corporate professionals who need real, usable economic intelligence: interest rate movements, currency shifts, trade policy changes, sector-specific opportunities, and the everyday realities of running a business in Nigeria's marketplace. On the other side is the diaspora; the millions of Nigerians living in the UK, US, Canada, the Gulf, and across Europe who remain financially and emotionally invested in the country's economy but are often left relying on fragmented WhatsApp forwards, outdated headlines, or entertainment-first outlets for information that shapes real decisions: where to invest, what to send home, which businesses to back, and how to stay connected to opportunities on the ground.
Trade FM positions itself squarely in the gap between those two audiences; giving local business owners a platform that treats their concerns as serious news, while giving the diaspora a direct, reliable line back into the Nigerian marketplace without having to sift through noise to find it.

The timing tracks a broader shift in how Nigerians both at home and abroad engage with economic news. As remittances continue to be one of Nigeria's largest sources of foreign exchange, and as more diaspora Nigerians look to invest in property, startups, and local businesses rather than simply send money home, the demand for trustworthy, business-literate journalism as opposed to general news or entertainment has grown alongside it. Ijasan's background covering labour markets, informal sector workers, and policy from the ground up gives Trade FM a reporting instinct rooted in how the economy actually functions for ordinary people, not just how it's summarized in official statements.

By combining live radio with a news website, Trade FM is also able to meet its two audiences where they are; accessible in real time for listeners on the ground in Nigeria, and available on-demand for a diaspora audience tuning in from different time zones, all built around one goal: helping people, wherever they are, make smarter decisions about the Nigerian marketplace they're still deeply invested in.

About Trade FM:

Trade FM is an online radio and news platform providing information, analysis, and inspiration for professionals, entrepreneurs, and citizens invested in Nigeria's economic journey.

About Sharon Ijasan:

Sharon Ijasan is an award-winning Nigerian journalist and investigative reporter, a two-time Wole Soyinka Award winner, and the author of "The Tripartite." She is the founder and owner of Trade FM.

Nigerian Afrobeats star Runtown has broken his silence following reports surrounding the ongoing legal dispute with his former record label, Eric Many Entertainment. 

Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) account, the singer dismissed the claims against him, accusing the label's chairman, billionaire businessman Dilly Umenyiora, of repeatedly misleading the public with what he described as "fake court orders."

In the strongly worded post, Runtown wrote: "Back outside! So not going to let any agenda run… Mr Dilly, every year you try to deceive people with fake court orders… you think after 9 years, I'll give you passwords and access to my catalogue?? lol nice try… Keep trying!" 

His tweet is a direct response to the recent court order obtained by Eric Many, which declared that the recording agreement between both parties remains subsisting pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The latest exchange marks another chapter in the long-running legal battle between Runtown and Eric Many, a dispute that dates back to 2016. While the record label has maintained that the artiste remains contractually bound by their agreement, Runtown's latest comments suggest he intends to continue challenging those claims. 

Back outside ! So not going to let any agenda run …Mr Dilly ,every year you try to deceive people with fake court orders … you think after 9 years ,I’ll give you passwords and access to my catalogue ?? lol nice try …. Keep trying !

Source

Most people believe the hardest part of relocating is getting a visa. It isn’t. The hardest part is knowing what to do before you ever apply.

That’s where most professionals lose months. Not filling out forms. Not attending interviews. Not waiting for approval. They lose time trying to answer one question: “What’s the right pathway for someone like me?”

So they do what almost everyone does. They Google it. They watch YouTube videos. They read immigration blogs. They ask friends who “know someone.”

The result? More information. Less clarity. One article tells you to apply through one visa route. Another says that route isn’t right for you.

Someone on social media claims relocating is almost impossible. Someone else makes it sound effortless. Eventually, many professionals stop moving forward altogether.

Not because they aren’t qualified. But because they’re overwhelmed by conflicting advice. The irony is that many people who successfully relocate today started from exactly the same place.

They weren’t necessarily more experienced. They didn’t have better qualifications.

They simply found reliable guidance, understood which pathway matched their background, and made informed decisions instead of emotional ones.

For professionals who have spent years building careers in medicine, technology, business, law, research, engineering, academia, finance, and the creative industries, understanding the right pathway can make the difference between making progress and spending another year wondering where to begin.

As more African professionals explore international opportunities, one thing is becoming increasingly clear. Access to information is no longer the problem.

Access to the right information is. To help professionals better understand their options, VeriPass is hosting a free live webinar on Saturday, August 1, where participants will gain practical insights into relocation pathways to the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia.

https://go.veripass.org/webinar-page

The session will explain common misconceptions, discuss the mistakes that delay progress, and provide practical guidance to help professionals evaluate their options with greater confidence.

Relocating is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. It shouldn’t be based on assumptions. It should begin with clarity.

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has issued an order declaring that Nigerian music star Douglas Jack Agu, popularly known as Runtown, remains bound by his recording agreement with Eric Many Limited.

In the court order dated 16th July 2026, Justice O. A Musa ruled that the recording agreement executed between Eric Many Limited and Runtown in June 2016 remains valid and binding, holding that it "has not been terminated in accordance with the provisions of the agreement" and continues to subsist between both parties. The court further declared that Runtown remains under contractual obligations to the label. The order also restrains the artist from breaching the recording agreement while the matter remains before the court. 

The court specifically declared that the recording contract remains effective and that Runtown is obligated to perform his contractual duties under the agreement until the legal dispute is finally resolved. In addition, the court restrained Runtown from taking any action inconsistent with the agreement, including actions that could amount to a breach of the contract.

The court also awarded ₦53 million in costs and damages against the singer in favour of Eric Many Limited. 

According to the ruling, the contractual relationship between Runtown and Eric Many remains in force. As a consequence, any performances, appearances, recordings, tours, or other commercial activities governed by the agreement would be subject to the terms of that contract until the court reaches a final determination.

The court ruling also confirmed that the name and trademark ‘RUNTOWN’ belongs to Eric Many Records while also awarding the record label the sum of #266 million  to be paid in bulk forthwith being the outstanding balance from the label’s investment and expenses on the contract, which was yet to be recouped.

This means that any engagements; including any planned international performances such as a proposed United Kingdom tour, if they fall within the scope of the recording agreement would need to comply with the contractual obligations recognized by the court. Whether a specific event is permitted would ultimately depend on the terms of the contract and approval by the record label.

The legal battle between Runtown and billionaire businessman Prince Okwudili "Dilly" Umenyiora, Chairman of Eric Many Entertainment, dates back to 2016, when disagreements arose over the singer's attempt to exit his recording contract.

At the time, Eric Many accused Runtown of breaching his recording agreement by accepting performance bookings, recording music, and planning international tours without the label's authorization. The dispute resulted in multiple court proceedings in both Nigeria and the United States. In 2016, Nigerian and U.S. courts issued interim orders restraining certain performances while the contractual dispute was being litigated.

In 2018, the parties again returned to court after Eric Many alleged that Runtown continued to perform and release music despite existing court orders. The label maintained that the artiste remained contractually bound and that third parties dealing with him without the label's approval could face legal consequences.

Over the years, both sides have publicly claimed legal victories at different stages of the litigation, while the contractual dispute continued through various proceedings.

With the latest ruling, Eric Many has secured the final declaration affirming that the recording agreement remains in force.

Find attached the full court ruling below….

Nigerian artiste Charles Onyeabor has released a new album titled Legacy Continua, a project that celebrates heritage, honours the past, and looks toward the future.

The title Legacy Continua translates to the idea of “the legacy continues,” making the project a meaningful statement about family, culture, identity, and the importance of carrying a legacy forward.

The album cover itself reflects this message, featuring a young child seated in a position of honour, surrounded by powerful cultural imagery. The words “Honouring the Past, Inspiring the Future” further capture the central idea behind the project.

About “Legacy Continua”

With Legacy Continua, Charles Onyeabor presents a project built around the idea of continuity. It is a reminder that the work, values, culture, and achievements of one generation can become the foundation for the next.

The album’s visual presentation immediately creates a strong sense of heritage and tradition. From the traditional clothing and coral beads to the symbolic throne-like setting, the artwork connects the project to African culture and the importance of identity.

At the same time, the young figure at the centre of the artwork represents the future. This creates a powerful connection between the past and the next generation.

Charles Onyeabor Continues His Musical Journey

Through Legacy Continua, Charles Onyeabor continues to share his creativity and artistic vision with listeners.

The album represents more than just a collection of songs. Its title and presentation suggest a project connected to family, history, culture, and the responsibility of preserving something meaningful for the future.

The phrase “Honouring the Past, Inspiring the Future” serves as a strong message for the project and gives listeners an insight into the ideas behind the album.

As music continues to evolve, projects like Legacy Continua show how artistes can use their work to celebrate culture while also looking ahead.

A Project About Legacy

The idea of legacy is something that connects generations. It can be found in music, culture, family, values, and the stories passed down from one generation to another.

With Legacy Continua, Charles Onyeabor places this idea at the centre of his latest album. The project serves as a reflection on where people come from while also looking toward where the next generation is going.

The album’s artwork communicates this message even before listeners hear the music. The contrast between the older faces in the background and the young figure in the foreground creates a visual representation of the past, present, and future.

I’ll be honest, when I first heard about “The Bee Shop” I thought it was one of those too-good-to-be-true stories floating around Nigerian Twitter. I mean buy anything, post a review with photos or video, and get up to 100% of your money back? Yeah right. Sounds like the plot of a Nollywood movie where everyone suddenly becomes a millionaire. But then I tried it, and I can tell you this isn’t just another online store. Welcome to The Bee Shop, Nigeria’s first e-commerce platform where you truly buy, review, and get up to 100% of your money back. The Bee Shop is rewriting the rules of e-commerce in Nigeria, and it’s as sweet as pure honey itself.

I’ll never forget the day I stumbled on The Bee Shop. I was scrolling through my feed, tired of the usual online stores with their hidden fees and slow deliveries. Then I saw chubby yellow bee character throwing peace signs surrounded by a mountain of colorful gift boxes. The caption says “Welcome to Bee Shop, where your review pays for your shopping”. Curiosity got the best of me. The website is vibrant, fun, and super easy to navigate. No complicated categories or endless loading screens. I added a few skin care products I’d been eyeing for months to my cart. Total was substantial, but I didn’t feel the usual buyer’s guilt because I was expecting my money flying back into your account.

The delivery came faster than regular, neatly and premium packaged. Everything was perfect. I took beautiful unboxing photos and a quick honest review video on my phone. Posted on Facebook with the hashtags and 48 hours later, I got a notification. My review was approved and money refunded to my account. I had just shopped and got my money back. The only payment was my genuine review. And because they only want real reviews, the platform maintains excellent product quality.

The Bee Shop isn’t just an e-commerce platform, it’s a movement. On other regular platforms, you pay and that’s it. At The Bee Shop, every purchase turns into content that helps other shoppers make better decisions. You become part of a buzzing community that’s changing Nigeria’s e-commerce game through reviews. Furthermore, The Bee Shop comes with premium products, secure payments getaway, vibrant packaging, and speedy delivery across Nigeria.

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to treat yourself without breaking the bank, this is it. This isn’t a discount, it’s not a cashback gimmick. It’s literally shopping for free. Your review becomes the currency. Head over to The Bee Shop today, and experience shopping that actually pays you back.

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Renowned Nigerian artist, Duke Asidere will present Udu Umadon (Heart of Steel), a landmark solo exhibition by acclaimed sculptor Matt Ehizele, at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos, from 18th to 25th July 2026. The exhibition celebrates Ehizele's exceptional artistic journey and his enduring contribution to contemporary Nigerian sculpture through a remarkable collection of steel works that transform industrial material into compelling expressions of humanity, culture, resilience, and identity.

Udu Umadon, an Edo phrase meaning Heart of Steel captures the essence of Ehizele's artistic philosophy. For more than four decades, the distinguished sculptor has explored the expressive possibilities of steel, reshaping discarded industrial materials into elegant figurative sculptures that embody strength, grace, memory, and cultural pride. His works reveal the emotional potential of one of the world's hardest materials, inviting audiences to discover beauty, hope, and resilience forged from steel.

Presented by Duke Asidere, one of Nigeria's most respected contemporary painters, the exhibition represents a meaningful convergence of two outstanding figures in Nigerian visual arts.

Beyond professional admiration, the presentation reflects a relationship built on mentorship, artistic excellence, and a shared commitment to advancing African contemporary art. Asidere's endorsement of the exhibition underscores the significance of Ehizele's contribution to the country's artistic heritage and highlights the importance of celebrating master artists whose works continue to inspire younger generations.

Visitors to Udu Umadon will encounter sculptures that speak eloquently about the human condition while drawing inspiration from Nigeria's rich cultural traditions. Through carefully welded steel forms, Ehizele explores themes of family, femininity, leadership, spirituality, and communal life. His sculptures possess an extraordinary sense of movement and emotion, demonstrating technical mastery alongside profound conceptual depth.

According to Duke Asidere, "Matt Ehizele's work reminds us that true artistry lies in the ability to transform ordinary materials into extraordinary experiences. His sculptures communicate strength without aggression, elegance without excess, and humanity without compromise. Udu Umadon is both a celebration of artistic excellence and a tribute to the enduring spirit of Nigerian creativity."

Ehizele's career has earned widespread recognition both within Nigeria and internationally. A graduate of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained First Class Honours in Sculpture before completing a Master of Fine Arts, he has devoted decades to advancing sculpture through both studio practice and teaching.

His distinguished academic career includes years of lecturing at Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Benin, where he mentored generations of emerging artists while maintaining an active exhibition practice. His sculptures have featured in numerous national and international exhibitions and are admired for their innovative treatment of metal and their powerful visual storytelling. Recent profiles of the exhibition have highlighted how Ehizele transforms reclaimed steel into expressive works that explore resilience, memory, and the human experience.

The exhibition also reflects growing global appreciation for contemporary African sculpture and Nigeria's expanding influence within the international art landscape. As audiences increasingly seek authentic narratives rooted in African experiences, Udu Umadon offers an opportunity to engage with works that bridge tradition and modernity while demonstrating the limitless creative possibilities of recycled materials.

Collectors, curators, artists, students, academics, cultural institutions, and members of the public are invited to experience this special presentation at the National Museum, Onikan. Beyond showcasing exceptional craftsmanship, the exhibition encourages conversations about sustainability, cultural identity, innovation, and the transformative power of art.

Speaking on the importance of the exhibition, Matt Ehizele notes that steel, though often associated with rigidity and industry, possesses remarkable emotional possibilities in the hands of an artist. Through each sculpture, he seeks to reveal the quiet strength that exists within people and communities, expressing stories of endurance, hope, dignity, and renewal.

Udu Umadon (Heart of Steel) promises to be one of the notable visual arts events of the season, offering visitors an immersive encounter with sculptures that celebrate the resilience of the human spirit while affirming Nigeria's place as a leading force in contemporary African art.

The exhibition is curated by Abisola Akindehinde and will be open to the public at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos, on Saturday, 18 July to Saturday, 25 July 2026. Admission is open to all art enthusiasts, collectors, students, and members of the public.

Reactions continue to pour in from within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after an Accra High Court sentenced Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to 20 years' imprisonment with hard labour on charges connected to illegal mining at his Samreboi concession. The court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, convicted him on all counts brought against him and also imposed a fine.


Akosua Manu, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) spokesperson for Gender and Social Protection took to Facebook shortly after the NPP’ presser following the verdict to say; "Justice must not only be done. It must be seen to be done," Manu wrote. "When so many rules and guidelines are overlooked in the quest to secure a speedy conviction we do not only harm our perceived enemies today but we do irreparable harm to our justice delivery system, ultimately undermining the trust the good people of this country have in our judiciary."


She went further, describing Wontumi as collateral damage in a wider political battle. "Chairman Antwi Boasiako is a victim of a government in dire need of a scapegoat to distract from the train wreck of a government," she said, adding a pointed warning to her followers: "It may be Wontumi today, it could be YOU tomorrow. The Ghanaian people are the ultimate judges."


The party's national leadership followed with a formal statement signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, Esq., announcing its intention to challenge the ruling on appeal.


"We address you today with profound disappointment, but also with an unwavering commitment to the rule of law, constitutional democracy, and the pursuit of justice," the statement read, adding that while the party respects the judiciary's authority, "respect for the judiciary does not require silence in the face of a judgment that is fundamentally flawed."


The NPP argued that the prosecution failed to prove its central allegation. According to the party, it was "never disputed that Chairman Wontumi lawfully acquired his Mineral concession," and the real question at trial was whether that concession had been unlawfully assigned or transferred. On that point, the statement said, "no evidence was adduced before the Court establishing any such assignment or transfer of mineral rights by Chairman Wontumi," and the conviction instead "rested on assumptions and inferences which in our view, could not amount to proof beyond reasonable doubt."


The party also placed the verdict in a broader political context, accusing the Mahama-led NDC government of pursuing opponents while shielding its own. The statement pointed to unresolved allegations against several NDC-linked figures, including National Organiser Joseph Yamin, Vice Chairman Abanga Yakubu, MP Mohammed Yakubu of Ahafo Ano South, and MP Oscar Ofori Larbi of Aowin, asking why "the nation not witnessed the same level of urgency and determination in those matters." It further noted that "the President himself has acknowledged that persons in his administration are involved in Galamsey," while asking what action has followed those admissions.


"Justice cannot be selective," the statement said, warning that the fight against illegal mining "cannot become credible only when it targets political opponents in respect of whom evidence of wrongdoing does not exist."


The NPP closed its statement by pledging solidarity with its embattled regional chairman. "Chairman Wontumi is not alone," the party said, confirming that its legal team "has already commenced the necessary steps to challenge this judgment through the appellate process." The statement labeled him a "political prisoner."

John Akinboyewa, Nigerian American founder of The HungreeApp, is heading into Lagos on a humanitarian mission following floods that have displaced families, damaged businesses, and left thousands uncertain about their next meal. His visit carries a message beyond emergency relief: sharing should not begin only when disaster strikes. Sharing is a lifestyle.

“When I saw what was happening across Lagos families displaced, food spoiling, businesses shutting down, and people asking how they could help, I knew I had to come,” Akinboyewa said. “Knowing we already had a platform that had been used for disaster relief in the State of Colorado in the US, I felt I had to come home and show Lagosians how easily we can share with one another during this difficult period. The HungreeApp gives people a practical way to turn compassion into action by sharing food and useful items with nearby others in real time.”

Heavy rainfall has inundated communities across Festac, Gbagada, Oworonshoki, Ikoyi, Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikorodu, Ajah, and other parts of Lagos. Homes have been submerged, livelihoods interrupted, food spoiled, and residents displaced. While many people want to help, most lack a simple way to connect with those who need assistance.

That gap is exactly what The HungreeApp was created to solve.

The HungreeApp connects neighbors, restaurants, businesses, universities, farms, organizations, and households with surplus food and useful items to people who need them. Instead of waiting for a crisis to organize generosity, the platform makes sharing possible every day; before, during, and after emergencies.

In the United States (Colorado, California, Georgia, and many other locations), the platform has helped communities coordinate support, share resources, and respond faster.

John of HungreeApp said the visit is not simply about distributing food once and leaving. It is about helping Lagos build a lasting culture and infrastructure for sharing. If more people had the tool before the flooding began, those wanting to help could have acted immediately instead of only discussing the crisis.

John Akinboyewa, a Class of 2026 Most Influential 100 (MIPAD) Hall of Fame Award recipient, will collaborate with MIPAD and Lagos Food Bank Initiative to launch the Diaspora Giveback Campaign this December.  The initiative will enable Nigerians abroad to provide recurring or one-time support for local food recovery, with real-time in-built transparency and record keeping a first of its kind.

During his visit, Akinboyewa will meet with humanitarian organizations, community leaders, and stakeholders. His team will be using The HungreeApp to help surplus food and useful resources within Lagos reach affected people quickly.

The larger lesson is that communities become stronger when sharing becomes part of everyday life. The long-term goal is to leave Lagos with something more lasting than a giveaway: a tool people can keep using to reduce waste, fight hunger, and care for one another.

HungreeApp Call to Action for Lagos and Nigeria

Residents, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, farms, businesses, and humanitarian organisations with surplus food or useful items or those seeking to support affected communities are encouraged to join any relief effort through The HungreeApp.

To donate, partner, volunteer, or request assistance, simply download The HungreeApp for free at thehungreeapp.com/download or call or WhatsApp 0813 744 2845.

About The HungreeApp: The HungreeApp is a sharing platform connecting “Providers” with surplus food and useful goods to “Hungrees” who can use them. It helps reduce waste and make sharing a daily habit. Learn more at thehungreeapp.com and start sharing with the app at thehungreeapp.com/download for FREE.

The Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA), Lagos State Chapter, has announced the appointment of Kenny Saint Brown (KSB), as its new Director of Media & Publicity.

The appointment reflects RHA's commitment to strengthening its communication architecture, expanding public engagement, and effectively projecting the vision, programmes, and achievements of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors across Lagos State.

Widely respected, KSB brings a wealth of experience spanning entertainment, journalism, reputation management, and campaign communications. Over the years, she has built a reputation for delivering and fostering stakeholder engagement.

In her new role, KSB will lead the media and publicity directorate of the Lagos State Chapter, overseeing communication strategies, media relations, digital engagement, public information campaigns, and brand visibility initiatives.

Speaking on the appointment, the leadership of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Lagos State Chapter, expressed confidence in KSB's capacity to reposition the organisation's media presence.

"We are delighted to welcome Kenny Saint Brown to our leadership team. Her extensive experience, professionalism and approach to strategic communication will undoubtedly strengthen our engagement with members of the public, the media, and other critical stakeholders."

Reacting to her appointment, KSB expressed appreciation to the leadership of the organisation for the confidence reposed in him.

"I am deeply honoured by this appointment and grateful for the opportunity to serve. Effective communication remains one of the strongest tools for nation-building and citizen engagement. I look forward to working with the leadership and members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Lagos State Chapter, to amplify the organisation's vision, promote its programmes, and foster greater public participation in our collective mission."

The Renewed Hope Ambassadors is a grassroots-driven movement committed to promoting good governance, citizen engagement, leadership development, and the Renewed Hope agenda through advocacy, community outreach, and strategic partnerships.

Akosua Manu, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) spokesperson for Gender and Social Protection has accused the government of President Mahama of using arrests and stringent bail conditions to intimidate political opponents, alleging that the moves are part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent and pave the way for a controversial third-term agenda.



Speaking on the issue, Akosua Manu, claimed that recent arrests of government critics were designed to stifle opposition voices rather than uphold the rule of law.



According to her, the opposition remains the most vocal critic of the current administration, and the government is seeking to weaken every avenue of accountability.



"They are arresting dissenters and imposing excessive bail conditions to silence critics. The opposition is their loudest critic, and they believe they already have control over much of the media while some civil society organisations that would ordinarily speak out have also been muted," she said.



Manu further alleged that the government's actions were laying the groundwork for a constitutional amendment that would allow President John Dramani Mahama to seek another term in office beyond the constitutional limit.



She argued that Ghanaians should not remain silent, insisting that citizens must continue to hold the government accountable and resist what she described as attempts to undermine the country's democratic institutions.



The NPP spokesperson also referenced the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, claiming the public initially paid little attention to the development but has since become more critical of the government's actions. She further argued that key campaign promises, including the proposed 24-hour economy and job creation initiatives, have yet to materialise.

Manu also alleged that some members of the governing NDC privately oppose any attempt to pursue a third-term agenda but are unwilling to speak publicly due to expectations of political appointments. In her words, 'Even within their party (NDC), there are people against the third term agenda plan but they just can't say it because most of them are still waiting for appointments so they can't criticize it but they know for sure that its a bad idea'.


She warned that any move to alter presidential term limits would pose a significant threat to Ghana's democracy, arguing that weakening constitutional safeguards could expose future generations to authoritarian leadership.

Media executive and cultural strategist Jide Taiwo will convene the inaugural Eko Creative Summit on July 15, bringing together government officials, creative industry leaders, entrepreneurs and emerging talent for what organisers describe as a practical intervention aimed at preparing Lagos-based creatives for opportunities in the fast-growing creative economy.

Powered by the Lagos State Council for Arts & Culture, the summit holds on Wednesday, 15th July 2026, the United Nations’ designated World Youth Skills Day and comes amid increasing recognition of the creative economy as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing sectors, which contributes significantly to employment, exports and youth entrepreneurship. The one-day programme will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions and masterclasses exploring topics including exporting Nigerian creative talent, intellectual property, digital innovation, financing creative ventures, career development and entrepreneurship. Participants are expected to come from across the music, film, fashion, design, gaming, publishing, media, and digital content sectors.

According to Taiwo, founder of CultureWorx, a culture infrastructure company that helps brands, institutions, governments, and creators understand, build, document, and activate culture, the summit was conceived in response to a persistent gap between creative ability and commercial success.

"Nigeria is producing extraordinary creative talent, but talent alone is no longer enough. The creators who will define the next decade are those who understand business, intellectual property, technology and global markets. This summit is about equipping young creatives with the knowledge, networks and opportunities to compete successfully."

Over the last decade and a half, Jide Taiwo has built a multidisciplinary career that spans publishing, research, cultural programming, exhibitions, documentaries, biography writing, and creative strategy, previously speaking at platforms such as ArtX, African Creative Markets, and NECLive, among others. He also hosts Fuji Opera, recently published a book on Fuji icon King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal and is incubating Juju Revue, a major initiative dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of Juju music. He’s widely regarded as one of the leading voices in Nigeria’s cultural space and a bridge between heritage and contemporary culture.

The Eko Creative Summit reflects the Lagos State Government's broader efforts to strengthen the creative economy through skills development, cultural promotion and youth empowerment. Beyond discussions, the summit is expected to facilitate networking opportunities, mentorship and collaborations between established industry figures and emerging creatives, while highlighting Lagos' continuing position as one of Africa's leading centres for cultural production.

The inauguration of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement in Abuja featured tributes to the decades-long grassroots activism of the movement's founder, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, including a personal recollection from a first-class Anambra monarch dating back to the 1990s.

HRM Igwe Engr. A. C. Emelobe, traditional ruler of Oba Kingdom in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, recounted his first encounter with Tompolo as a young oil industry engineer. "I met two young men as an oil industry company engineer, representing my company. And this young man, a grassroots mobiliser, is Tompolo. In that meeting, I asked them, 'What do you really want, empowerment or money?'" he recalled.

The monarch said the response he received left a lasting impression. "What they told me remains a shocking message. They said, 'We want our people to have water and light.' Tompolo was a selfless and committed grassroots mobiliser," Igwe Emelobe said.

Tompolo, addressing guests at the inauguration, said the launch of the movement's national executives is part of a continued effort to deepen grassroots mobilisation and civic participation across Nigeria — a mission organisers say traces back to his early community work decades ago.

Also speaking at the event, Managing Director of Tantita Security Services, Kestin Ebimorbowei Pondi, said: "Tinubu represents purposeful leadership and renewed hope for a better Nigeria," adding, "With unity, resilience, and determination, Nigeria will get to the promised land."

...To Deny Senator Ned Nwoko His Mandate WoulWouldd Be to Punish Loyalty and Reward Political Opportunism


Political parties derive their strength not merely from their constitutions, but from the confidence that members place in the integrity of their internal democratic processes. Once that confidence is eroded, a party begins to lose the moral authority upon which electoral success is built.

The current debate surrounding the Delta North Senatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is therefore much more than a contest between two political figures. It is a defining test of whether the party will uphold the will of its members or allow political expediency to override democratic choice.

In the Senatorial Primaries conducted in May 2027, on ground reports backed up with open videos showed that Senator Ned Nwoko won his opponent, the former Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa with a clear wide margin. In the APC Senatorial Primary Election conducted across the Delta North Senatorial District Nwoko secured approximately 123,000 votes against the 6,000 votes garnered by Okowa.



Suspecting sinister moves to change the tide by Okowa backed up by the Governor of Delta State, Nwoko’s media office made public the results from several wards across the senatorial district:



Ward 7, Ndokwa West: Ned Nwoko – 1281; Okowa – 26; Void – 35; Total Accreditation – 1342.

Ward 9, Abbi, Ndokwa West: Ned Nwoko – 1505; Okowa – 420.

Ward 7, Akumazi: Ned Nwoko – 687; Okowa – 5.

Ward 13, Ute Ogbeje, Ika North East: Ned Nwoko – 415; Okowa – 13.

Ward 10, Idumuesa, Ika North East: Ned Nwoko – 2719; Okowa – 13.



Ukwuani LGA Ward 8: Ned Nwoko – 450; Okowa – 20.

Ukwuani LGA Ward 1: Ned Nwoko – 1438; Okowa – 68.

Ukwuani LGA Ward 10: Ned Nwoko – 940; Okowa – 9.

Ukwuani LGA Ward 9: Ned Nwoko – 750; Okowa – 200.

Ukwuani LGA Ward 2: Ned Nwoko – 251; Okowa – 56.

Oshimili South Ward 3: Ned Nwoko – 1221; Okowa – 41.

Oshimili South Ward 4: Ned Nwoko – 1465; Okowa – 59.

Oshimili South Ward 6: Ned Nwoko – 5398; Okowa – 53.

Oshimili South Ward 8: Ned Nwoko – 2335; Okowa – 61.

Oshimili South Ward 7: Ned Nwoko – 1412; Okowa – 21.

Oshimili South Ward 5: Ned Nwoko – 4642; Okowa – 101.

Oshimili South Ward 1: Ned Nwoko – 500; Okowa – 115.

Oshimili South Ward 9: Ned Nwoko – 3679; Okowa – 49.

Oshimili South Ward 10: Ned Nwoko – 1234; Okowa – 99.

Oshimili South Ward 2: Ned Nwoko – 1551; Okowa – 103.

Oshimili South Ward 11: Ned Nwoko – 4355; Okowa – 54.

Ndokwa West Ward 8: Ned Nwoko – 14.



These figures were not isolated—they reflected a consistent and overwhelming pattern across the district. The people spoke clearly in favour of Senator Ned Nwoko,

As at the time of writing this piece, the APC national headquarters was yet to release the official results as it affects Delta North Senatorial district. What was in the open were conflicting reports creating more of confusion and a waiting game that clouds the reality.

If the APC were to deny Senator Ned Nwoko the senatorial ticket after he reportedly secured this overwhelming victory in the party primary, it would send a deeply troubling message—that loyalty, hard work and the freely expressed will of party members can be subordinated to political influence.

If the true status of the figures earned by Nwoko remain the officially declared outcome of the primary, they represent not a narrow victory but an emphatic endorsement by APC members across Delta North.

In any democratic political party, such a margin ought to settle the question of legitimacy.

To reverse or undermine such a mandate through administrative or political manoeuvres would inevitably raise serious concerns about fairness, internal democracy and respect for party members.

The controversy becomes even more sensitive because of the perception that the incumbent Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, is backing the emergence of his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. Whether or not this perception ultimately proves decisive, many party faithful would understandably question why is the Governor interfering against the political preference of the majority of the people of the Delta North in APC

Such perceptions matter in politics because they shape public confidence.

Political loyalty has value only when it is reciprocated.

Few politicians in Delta North have demonstrated the level of commitment to the APC that Senator Ned Nwoko has shown since joining the party. At a time when political calculations might have encouraged hesitation, he invested his political capital, mobilised support, expanded the party's reach and consistently projected the APC as a credible platform for development in Delta North.

Beyond party politics, Senator Nwoko has distinguished himself through legislative advocacy and constituency engagement.

His sustained campaign for the creation of Anioma State has revived a long-standing constitutional aspiration of the Anioma people and elevated it to national prominence. Whether one agrees with every aspect of the proposal or not, few would dispute that he has become one of its most visible and persistent advocates.

Within the National Assembly, he has also pursued initiatives on infrastructure, national development and constituency representation, while maintaining an active presence among his constituents.

Outside government, his philanthropic interventions have touched numerous communities through educational support, healthcare assistance, youth empowerment initiatives and other programmes aimed at improving the welfare of the people of Delta North.

These contributions have strengthened his public standing and, by extension, enhanced the visibility of the APC within the district.

Politics ultimately depends upon trust.

When party members participate in primaries, they do so with the expectation that their votes will determine the outcome. If overwhelming victories can later be displaced by political considerations, ordinary members inevitably begin to question the value of participating in future internal elections.

The consequences extend far beyond one senatorial district.

Disillusioned party faithful may withdraw from mobilisation efforts. Grassroots enthusiasm may diminish. Volunteers may become reluctant to invest time and resources in campaigns whose outcomes they believe can be altered after the fact. Independent voters may likewise question the party's commitment to the democratic principles it publicly espouses.

Electoral victories are rarely secured by party structures alone. They are secured by motivated members who believe that their sacrifices matter.

Delta North remains one of the APC's most strategically important battlegrounds. Preserving unity there requires not merely political negotiation but visible justice. A party that protects the integrity of its primary process strengthens its credibility before the electorate. A party perceived to disregard the clearly expressed wishes of its members risks internal division at precisely the moment cohesion is most needed.

This issue is therefore larger than personalities.

It is about whether democratic participation within the APC has real meaning. It is about whether loyalty is rewarded or rendered irrelevant. It is about whether overwhelming electoral mandates deserve protection.

Political parties become stronger when rules prevail over influence, when institutions prevail over individuals and when the clearly expressed will of members is respected without fear or favour.

If Senator Ned Nwoko legitimately won the APC primary by the margin publicly attributed to him, then both democratic principle and political prudence point in the same direction: the mandate should be honoured.

Doing otherwise would not simply affect one candidate. It could weaken confidence in the party's internal democracy, diminish grassroots morale and create avoidable political costs for the APC in Delta State.

In politics, justice is not only a moral obligation.

It is often the wisest electoral strategy.



Charles Ozoemena is a political Analyst and writes from Abuja

Stealth Mode Ltd, powered by Zillionaire Media and in partnership with Sidophobia Entertainment, is proud to officially announce Alhaji Obesere Live in Concert: OVERTHROW–THE LEGACY CONTINUES, a landmark entertainment and cultural experience scheduled to hold on Sunday, 18th October 2026, at Sol Lounge Resort, Abuja. 

Widely regarded as one of Africa's most influential indigenous music performers, Alhaji Abass Akande Obesere, popularly known as Agbaakin Abobagunwa of Yoruba Land, has spent over three decades shaping, redefining and elevating Fuji music through his electrifying performances, cultural storytelling and enduring connection with audiences across generations. OVERTHROW – THE LEGACY CONTINUES represents more than a concert.

It is a celebration of legacy, culture, identity and the enduring power of indigenous African music. The event will bring together music lovers, cultural enthusiasts, business leaders, government officials, diplomats, celebrities and entertainment stakeholders for an unforgettable evening of music, luxury and cultural immersion. 


The concert is expected to attract over 5,000 attendees, making it one of the largest indigenous music experiences to be staged in Nigeria's capital city. Speaking on the announcement, Kaycee Nnamdi Oguejiofor, Managing Director of Stealth Mode Ltd, stated: "Alhaji Abass Akande Obesere is more than an entertainer; he is a cultural institution whose impact transcends music. Through OVERTHROW – THE LEGACY CONTINUES, we seek to celebrate his extraordinary contribution to African music and culture while delivering a world-class entertainment experience worthy of his legacy." 

Speaking ahead of the concert, Alhaji Abbas Akande Obesere said: "My fans have stood by me for decades, through every season, every album and every performance. OVERTHROW – THE LEGACY CONTINUES is my way of celebrating that journey, our culture and the music that has united generations. Abuja should expect the full Obesere experience — energy, culture, nostalgia and a performance they will never forget. This is not just another concert; this is a celebration of legacy." 

The organisers have also announced that ticket sales, VIP packages, executive table reservations and sponsorship opportunities officially open today, July 7, 2026. The event will be supported by an extensive integrated marketing campaign spanning television, radio, print, outdoor advertising, digital platforms, influencer marketing and strategic public relations activities, with an anticipated reach of over 10 million impressions across Nigeria and the African diaspora. 

As one of the most celebrated figures in the history of Fuji music, Alhaji Abass Akande Obesere continues to inspire generations through his artistry, cultural influence and enduring legacy. OVERTHROW – THE LEGACY CONTINUES promises to be a defining entertainment and cultural event in Nigeria's capital city.  

EVENT DETAILS Event: Alhaji Obesere Live in Concert: OVERTHROW – THE LEGACY CONTINUES

 Date: Sunday, 18th October, 2026. 

Venue: Sol Lounge Resort, Jahi, Abuja

My dearest brother Prince Nazir Ado Ibrahim of the Royal House of the Atta's in Ebiraland, Kogi state has passed and it has hit me hard.


We grew up together, shared an eventful and rich childhood with many remarkable experiences and went through thick and thin together for 60 years!


I thought we would grow old together and share the memories of our childhood whilst in retirement.


I thought we would comfort each other in old age whilst the world quietly passed us by.


I thought so much and planned so much but alas you are gone!


You were one in a million brother. Always putting smiles on everyone's faces.




I remember the days of Atta Lodge in Yaba, Lagos, your dear father, the late Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty Dr. Abdulrahman Ado Ibrahim's private house, where we all used to meet with friends and have a great time in the late 1970's and early 1980's.


I remember our days in the United Kingdom, at my apartment in Pier House, Chelsea, my fathers "Tower House" in Temple Gardens, Brighton and your father's massive mansion in Belgrade Square, Belgravia.




I remember the days of Lagos Polo Club, Ikoyi Club and Apapa Club where we used to gather and move around in our fearsome and daring "gang" of wild and adventurous friends!


I remember the boxing and karate lessons we used to have and what a great warrior and courageous fighter you were.


I remember how we were at JB' s house in a place called Bourdillon near the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos and police raided the place!


I remember how we fought back to back and shoulder to shoulder together against our assailants whenever either of us was attacked or threatened.


We never lost brother and they never had us down! That is what made our relationship so special. Nothing and no-one could come between us.


We spoke a strange language to one another and we communicated in code and with our eyes.




We walked the dark side together and, by the grace of God, we both survived.




I remember how we learnt to ride horses together and play polo and how we used to both love marking the streets and treading the paths of the rougher sides of old Lagos in flashy cars whilst flexing our hard and crazy muscles.




I remember the rivalries we all had over the girls, I remember the fights with the white boys and the locals, I remember the squabbles we all used to have over the most insignificant things, I remember the love that our band of brothers shared, I remember the numerous controversies we got into, I remember the numerous punishments that we jointly faced from our respective parents for our many wild outings and I remember how we used to go to night clubs like Legends, Tramp, Main Squeeze, Monkberrys and others in London, Studio 54 and Xenon in New York and Princes in Federal Palace Hotel Lagos which was owned by the Dan Princwill brothers.




I remember visiting you in a place called Geneva in upstate New York where you went to University and how we drove to meet our brother Des Braithwaite in a place called Syracuse, where he was at University, again in upstate New York!


I remember your Porsche 928 S and his and mine and I remember how, in the various cities in the world, the police would stop and ask us how we could afford such cars at such a young age.


We laughed them to scorn because they did not know who and what we were and more often than not we served them with hot words and left them with teary eyes and red faces!




That was in the early-1970's to the mid-1980's and my goodness we had fun!







Do you remember the wild teenage years that we shared?

Do you remember when we stormed the home of the Adeyeye brothers in large numbers in the dead of the night in a strange place called Catford for daring to make a pass at one of our girlfriends?




Do you remember Layeni Fagbayi, Tonye Amachree and those we fondly called the Kentucky Fried Chicken gang?




Do you remember that pretty, tall, slim, wild white girl with long and jet black hair from the Kings road that refused to leave my apartment?




Do you remember Glenn "the shady character" in Sloane Square and Etan "the fixer" in Hampstead?




Do you remember the Good Earth Chinese Restaurant on the Kings Road, Mr. Chows in Knightsbridge, the White Elephant on the River on the banks of the Thames and in front of Dolphin Square and Mumtaz, London's best Indian restaurant in St. Johns Wood, all four of where we used to wine, dine and make merry whenever you flew into London from the United States?


Do you remember the Horn of Plenty, that beautiful restaurant in the beautiful English countryside of Devon and do you remember Sloopy's, the nightclub in Brighton where the Swedish, Norwegian and Danish female students used to flock?


Do you remember Peter Noble, Bertie Wilkins and Charles Draycott, colleagues of mine at Brighton College in the early 1970's with whom we used to have so much fun and such good times whenever you were in town?


Do you remember the West Pier, the Palace Pier, the Devil's Dyke, the Pavilion, the Grand Hotel and the Seven Dials in Brighton and the charm and warmth of that beautiful seaside town on the southern coast of England in the summer?


Do you remember Brighton beach and the sound of its beautiful white seagulls as they flew above the water?


Do you remember the long hard pink candy that was known as Brighton Rock?




Do you remember your older brother Azad's beautiful mews house behind your fathers mansion in Belgrave Square?


Do you remember the wild parties we had there and do you remember Jackie, his beautiful and caring wife, who at least attempted to keep us on the straight and narrow?


Do you remember when I first went into politics in 1988 and set up the September Club and how you told me that it was a great idea even when others attempted to dissuade me?


Do you remember Tim Espir with whom I was at Harrow School and who later brought one of the worlds largest commodity companies to do business in Nigeria?




Do you remember how well you got on with him and the long discussions you and him had about the prospects of doing business together in Nigeria?


Do you remember Simon Loopuit, my dearest and closest English friend, with whom I was at Kelly College, with whom I spent much of my time with in London and who eventually founded, established and led one of the United Kingdom's most successful companies called Vox Gen and, years later, established, founded and led another called Trust Hub.




Do you remember how the two of you exchanged ideas and discussed your dreams and aspirations for your respective futures?




Do you remember the Indian Azad Shivdasani who we spent time with at the Lagos Polo Club and who brought his huge company called Inlaks to Nigeria?




Do you remember Julio, the kind-hearted doorman at the Dorchester Hotel in Mayfair, who was always so happy to see us and who we used to give huge tips?




Do you remember the brilliant, highly respected, much loved, eccentric and colorful English epicurean and bon vivant, Mr. Robert Bairamian, my affable and kind Headmaster at Holmewood House School, whose father Sir Vahe Bairamian had been a High Court Judge in Nigeria during the colonial era, who taught me classics and latin whilst at Holmewood, who later became my guardian in the United Kingdom and who taught you, me and the children of so many other Nigerian elites so much about the challenges, intricacies and complexities of associating and mingling with the children of British High Society?


Do you remember us going to Lords Cricket ground in St. Johns Wood to watch the annual Eton versus Harrow cricket match and how we always used to cheer on my old school Harrow?




Do you remember how you used to accompany me to Twickenham to watch the annual Oxford versus Cambridge Rugby match and how, in solidarity, we wore the white and light blue colors of Cambridge University together and cheered on our team?




Do you remember your successful forays into the oil and gas business under the guidance of your brilliant, innovative and extreemly
successful father?




All these conjured and resurrected memories of the good, the bad and the ugly paint a childhood that was filled with vitality, colour, adventure and mixed experiences and fortunes.


And, to be sure, each and every one of them was priceless.




Beautiful memories: yet this is all we have. These are the only things that will follow our precious souls into eternity where not even our earthly bodies can go.




Long after we are buried and our flesh returns to dust those memories shall remain embedded in the inner recesses of our spirits and souls reminding us of who and what we once were and when we grieved, when we sorrowed, when we were enraged or when we loved and were filled with that paece which passeth all understanding and the sheer and utter bliss of immeasurable and inexplicable joy.


Ours was a blessed generation of fertile, well-educated, enlightened, exposed and brilliant minds and a beautiful bouquet of sophisticated and refined souls.


We were the best of the best and the brightest of the brightest mostly destined for notable achievements in our chosen fields of human endeavour.





We lived life to the fullest with Azad your older brother (who your father named the Royal Palace in Okene after), Des Braithwaite, Kunle Braithwaite, Tonye Amachree, Deremi Ajidahun, the late Layeni Fagbayi, the late Gbegi Ojora, the late Dapo Ojora, the late Oscar Ibru, Gregg Mbadiwe, Gbolahun Sanyaolu, Ade Adetona, the late Ike Monu, Yusuf Tuggar, the late Kole Fisher, my older brother the late Rotimi Fani-Kayode, Obi Nwandu, Femi Gbajabiamilla, Wole Atunrase, Eddie Otudeko, Alimi Abdulrazak, Rahman Abdulrazak, the late Peter Appio, the late Segun Awolowo, Bukola Saraki, Kojo Williams, the late Gigi Williams, Baba Dantata, the late Sani Dangote, the late Bello Dangote, Mohammed Gobir, Femi Otedola, the late Demola Fagbayi, Olu Adewunmi, Bayo Amusan, Tayo Amusan, Jojo Dawodu, Folabi Ajidahun, Folabi Caxton Martins, Kola Oke, my cousin the late Segun Sowunmi, Wole Sanyaolu, Kio Amachree, Yinka Rhodes, Tunde Folawiyo, the late Ibrahim Kojo Claude-Enin, Deinde Edu, Koye Edu, Deji Adebiyi, Tolani Shasanya, Laja Shasanya, the late Kunle Alakija, the late Baba Alakija, Patrick Mbu, Dayo Akinkugbe, Yinka Akinkugbe, the late Bimbo Ogunbanjo, the late Toksy Wiliams, the late Abba Kyari, Mofe Atake, Fafaa Princewill, Otoks Princewill, Terry Waya, Niyi Adebayo, Sola Adebayo, Wale Babalakin, Muktar Shinkafi, Tokunboh Ogunbanjo, Joseph Onoh, Yemi Adefarasin, the late Abayomi Kolaosho, Nduka Obaigbena, Chike Ogeah, Deolu Adefarasin, John Nwanchukwu, Michael Prest, Kola Kareem, Sam Iwuajokwu, the late Kabiru Jibril, Gbolahun Animashaun, the late Roland Nicole, the late Tunde Lipede and so many others who I cannot mention due to space constraints.




Later in the 1980's you became my in-law after I married your beautiful cousin Saratu 'Baby' Atta, who was the daughter of your Uncle, the late Governor Adamu Atta of the old Kwara state.




She and I have a beautiful daughter called Folake who you used to dote over with such affection and who you had a soft spot for when she was a baby.




So much happened since that time but through it all you and I loved each other in the same way that Achilles and Patrocholus loved one another.


Always watching each others backs and standing up for one another, often fighting over small matters and always coming back together again.




Sadly we did not spend much time together in the last few years and were only in touch from time to time but when I heard of your passing something broke in me.





I realised that you were literally the living symbol of my lost childhood and the rallying point and star of those of us that grew up with you and loved you.




You were the bridge between the North and the South: who spoke Yoruba better than I did but who was proud of his noble Ebira Northern heritage and his Royal roots.




You were also the bridge between the children of the elites who went to the best schools from a very young age in England and those who went to the very best schools from a young age in Nigeria.




We fought gang wars between the two groups in those days whenever we came home for holidays from abroad at the parties we used to meet and the various social clubs we all belonged to but you brought us all together.




Ours was a generation of love and brotherhood which can never be matched or replaced.




We were rich, we were powerful, we were healthy.


We were what the French describe as the "creme de la creme" of high society and we didn't have a care in the world!


We lived life to the fullest, we had it all, we saw it all, we watched each other's backs and accepted each other as we were.




Those were the days when brotherhood meant something. Those were the days when loyalty was everything.




Those were the days when secrets were kept and brother stood for brother no matter what!




Those were the days when we took pride in who we were and in being Nigerians.




Those were the days when we, as a people and generation, bowed to no-one, never backed down from a challenge and had it all.





Those were the days we rocked London, New York, Paris, Athens, Cannes, Marbella, Malaga, Nassau, Monte Carlo, St. Tropez, St. Moritz, Juan Le Pins, Acapulco and much of the world without a care and with no apology, spending as if there were no tomorrow!




We were tough, proud, wealthy, healthy, strong, respected and feared young Nigerian men who had everything that we could ever want and we moved together like a pack of young wild lions.




Those were the days my brother and we thought they would never end. Those were the days when our parents would worry about us and our futures and we would exchange notes and share jokes behind their backs and make a mockery of their fears.




Then came adulthood with all its challenges and responsibilities and I believe that we all kept the flag flying and acquitted ourselves well.





Outside of that our nation changed and the carefree days of joy and abundance for all came to an end as the fortunes of our beloved Nigeria dwindled.


Ours were the days of the oil boom and cement armadas when one of our Military Heads of State told the world that "money is not our problem but rather how to spend it".




In our days one naira was the equivalent of one dollar but sadly today one thousand four hundred naira is the equivalent of one dollar!




This means that over the last 46 years the exchange rate of the naira to the dollar has increased by approximately 140,000 whilst the naira itself has been devalued by 99.93% from its original value against the dollar and we are all suffering the consequences of it today.


What this means in real terms is that in 1980 one million naira was the equivalent of one million USD but today one million naira is the equivalent of 726 USD.


In case you didn't get it let me put it in another way.


In 1980 one million USD would buy you one million naira but today one million USD will buy you one BILLION, three hundred MILLION naira!




Please pause for a moment and let this sink in.




Inflation has done its worse over the decades and our nation has been pauperised and brought to her knees!




Is there any coming back from this? The answer is YES because with God all things are possible.




He will never leave us and neither will He forsake us!


This is especially so if we continue to have faith in our people and in our country and we work hard and refuse to give up.


We pray for better days ahead and that our children and grandchildren can enjoy the essence, wealth, abundance and greatness of our people and country the way we once did.




Meanwhile my brother I commit you into the hands of God.


May He forgive you for all your sins and may He grant you eternal peace and rest in heaven.




May your name never fade away or be forgotten and may your legacy, a great legacy built by your distinguished ancestors and forefathers, remain strong.




I miss you already. I miss our fellowship. I miss our shared experiences and our many secrets.




I miss our joint childhood and all our other brothers many of whom have passed on.




Ours is a dwindling generation.
We had our time and God was good to us. We had everything and cannot complain.




Now it is time for you to rest brother and for those of us you have left behind to accept the inevitablity of what lies ahead.




God is with us and you are with Him. Greet our brothers that crossed over before you and tell them that FFK sends his love.




I pray for your precious soul brother and know that I shall NEVER forget you, whether in this world or the next.


Rest well Suku Su and may the Lord strengthen, bless and protect your wife, children, family and loved ones that you have left behind.




(Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Culture and Tourism, a former Minister of Aviation, a former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs and Spokesman of President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria's Ambassador-Designate to South Africa, the Sadaukin Shinkafi, the Wakilin Doka Potiskum, the Otunba Joga Orile, the Aare Ajagunla of Otun Ekiti and a Legal Practioner)

The Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) has officially opened nominations for its highly anticipated Best of the Year 2026 Awards, to be held in Lagos, Nigeria. The announcement was made on June 18th, 2026 coinciding with the United Nations Sustainable Gastronomy Day, marking a powerful intersection of African excellence, culture, and global recognition.

In celebration of the United Nations Sustainable Gastronomy Day, MIPAD executives joined a landmark Gathering of Stakeholders Taking Nigerian Cuisine Global; a high-level convening of public and private sector decision-makers committed to elevating Nigerian cuisine on the world stage.

The gathering brought together a distinguished assembly of chefs, restaurateurs, culinary entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, hospitality leaders, media professionals, influencers, and cultural ambassadors all united by a shared vision of positioning Nigerian cuisine as a globally celebrated culinary tradition.

The MIPAD Best of the Year 2026 Awards will celebrate outstanding individuals of African descent who have demonstrated remarkable impact across key sectors including Politics & Governance, Business & Entrepreneurship, Media & Culture, and Humanitarian & Religious affairs. The End of Year edition, hosted in Lagos, underscores MIPAD's commitment to Africa as both a home and a hub of global influence.

Speaking on the 2026 nominees, Kamil Olufowobi, Founder & Chairman of Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD), said ‘we are absolutely thrilled to open nominations for the MIPAD Best of the Year 2026 Awards here in Lagos, and the energy surrounding this year's class is unlike anything we have seen before. Africa is producing world-class leaders, innovators, and cultural titans at a pace that commands global attention, and it is our honour and mission to shine the brightest light on them. MIPAD exists to tell these stories with the pride, precision and power they deserve, and I invite the world to join us in celebrating the most compelling generation of African achievers we have ever had the privilege of recognising’.

Nominations are now open. Members of the public, institutions, and organizations are encouraged to submit nominees who exemplify excellence and have made meaningful contributions to the advancement of people of African descent worldwide.

About MIPAD

Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) is a global civil society initiative supporting the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent. MIPAD identifies and celebrates high-impact leaders while convening platforms that advance policy dialogue, investment, and global collaboration.

www.mipad.org

In what appears to be a brewing showdown between the governor, party elders, and the majority of party members in Kwara State, the leader of the APC Elders Caucus, Chief (Dr.) Bamisaiye Ayeni, led members including several political office holders such as Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, Lanre Isa-Onilu, and Elder Olayemi (Chairman, APC Kwara South) to the party's national headquarters with a strong petition against Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's handling of party affairs.




The caucus complained bitterly about being manipulated, intimidated, and sidelined throughout the party primaries and congresses. Led by Chief Ayeni, the group alleges and says it has evidence that the governor did not conduct any genuine primaries, but instead fabricated figures without due consultation with party elders and members.




The caucus warned that if this process is allowed to stand, it could trigger anti-party activity and other serious consequences. They grounded their position in their loyalty to the party and to President Bola Tinubu, acknowledging how much the president had sacrificed to free Kwara politics from the grip of the Saraki dynasty.

The elders appealed directly to the president to look into the matter and bring relief to their grievances. According to them, having fought the "Otoge" struggle to rescue Kwara from Saraki control, they fear that another emerging dynasty under Governor AbdulRazaq threatens to undo that very victory.




They further alleged that in over seven years, Governor AbdulRazaq has failed to consult party elders in any meaningful way to support the party's growth. The elders said they had attempted to address the recent crisis around the party primaries directly with the governor, but were left waiting for more than three hours at the Government House before being told he could not see them; an experience they described as disgraceful and embarrassing.

Following this, the party elders met with key national figures, including the Senate President, the party chairman, and the Attorney General of the Federation who is also a party leader in Kwara State. The meeting, held on June 18, 2026, concluded with a resolution that whoever emerges as the party's governorship candidate must be upheld and supported. The elders maintained that a candidate handpicked solely by Governor AbdulRazaq cannot win the election in Kwara State as things currently stand.

Senator Ned Nwoko has called on the National Leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to demonstrate its commitment to justice, fairness, and transparency by resisting any pressure aimed at overturning the mandate given to him by party members of the Delta North Senatorial District.

He said that it would amount to unresisted callousness to subvert the clearly expressed wishes of party members in his Senatorial District through the substitution of genuine votes with manufactured and dubious figures being promoted by his opponents.

In a statement issued through his Media Office in Abuja, Senator Nwoko maintained that he won the APC Senatorial Primary Election conducted across the Delta North Senatorial District by a wide margin, securing approximately 123,000 votes against the 6,000 votes garnered by former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

He admonished that any attempt to overturn the wishes of thousands of APC members who participated in the primary election would amount to a disregard for their democratic rights and could negatively affect the fortunes of the party in Delta North.

“Subverting the mandate freely given by APC members who turned out in large numbers to participate in the primaries would amount to an abuse of their wishes and sensibilities. Such an action could undermine the confidence of party members and supporters who believe in the democratic process,” he said.

He urged the National Working Committee and the National Leadership of the APC to ensure that justice is done and seen to be done by protecting the integrity of the primary election process and respecting the mandate freely given by APC members across the Delta North Senatorial District.

According to him, the outcome of the exercise can be independently verified through extensive video evidence obtained from the wards where the primaries were conducted.

“I defeated Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa overwhelmingly in 97 of the 98 wards, and I have video evidence from across the district to support the outcome. Are authenticated video recordings from 98 wards not more credible than figures allegedly concocted by a panel appointed by the governor who is openly working for Okowa?” Senator Nwoko queried.

The Senator urged the APC National Leadership to uphold the party’s rules and traditions of fairness by disregarding what he described as manufactured narratives and ensuring that the final declaration accurately reflects the choice made by APC members across Delta North.

“The future of our party in Delta North depends on the confidence of our members that their votes count and that their voices will not be silenced by political manipulation. I trust the National Leadership of our great party to uphold the truth, protect the democratic process, and affirm the mandate freely given to me by APC members across Delta North.”

The overwhelming support he received from APC members, he said was a reflection of their confidence in his legislative performance and his commitment to advancing the interests of Delta North, particularly his sustained advocacy for the creation of Anioma State.

Senator Nwoko also emphasized his longstanding commitment to the APC, noting that he joined and worked for the party well before the defection of former Governor Okowa and other political actors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He firmly rejected what he described as a “self-imposed and propagandist declaration of victory” by former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, arguing that such a declaration violates established party procedures.

The Senator recalled that before the primary election, the APC National Organising Secretary had clearly outlined the official process for collation and declaration of results, including ward collation, local government area collation, constituency collation, and final submission to the party’s National Headquarters.

“The authority to collate, authenticate, and declare the results of the primary election rests solely with the appropriate organs of the APC National Leadership. Any premature declaration of victory is contrary to party guidelines and amounts to an attempt to influence public perception ahead of the completion of due process,” he stated.

Signed

Senator Ned Nwoko Media Office

On Global Africa Day, Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD), in partnership with The Pyne Hospitality Company, announces the Global Top 100 Travel, Tourism, Hospitality Edition — Class of 2026, recognizing influential leaders of African descent shaping the global tourism economy across government, aviation, hospitality, investment, culture, media, and destination experiences.

The recognition highlights the growing influence of African and diaspora leadership in one of the world’s most dynamic economic sectors. The list celebrates leaders whose work continues to elevate Africa and the global diaspora through tourism, travel, culture, hospitality, and storytelling.

The Class of 2026 spans Africa, the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Latin America, and the global diaspora, honoring leaders across six categories:

• Government, Tourism Boards & Policy Leaders
• Travel Infrastructure & Enablers
• Corporate: Hospitality, Travel & Experience Brands
• Travel Influencers & Cultural Storytellers
• Culture, Entertainment & Experience Curators
• Investment, Development & Tourism Economy Builders

This year’s honourees include globally respected leaders helping shape how the world experiences Africa and the diaspora.

Among those recognized are Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism of Jamaica; Patricia de Lille, Minister of Tourism of South Africa; Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy; Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Minister of Tourism of Morocco; Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities; Yvonne Makolo, CEO of RwandAir; Mesfin Tasew Bekele, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines; Adebayo Ogunlesi, Chairman & CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners; Sheila Johnson, Founder & CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts; Marcus Samuelsson, celebrity chef and restaurateur; Jessica Nabongo, global travel storyteller and founder of Jet Black; Martinique Lewis, President of the Black Travel Alliance; Pierre Thiam, chef, restaurateur and cultural ambassador; Tayo Aina, travel filmmaker and African storyteller; and Wode Maya, African travel vlogger and digital storyteller.

Kamil Olufowobi, Founder & Chairman of Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD), said: “Beyond recognition, this initiative will serve as a strategic coordination platform — identifying and convening the leaders shaping global travel flows, tourism investment, and hospitality infrastructure across Africa and the diaspora. Through curated engagements, honorees will be connected with capital allocators, destination leaders, and industry partners to drive partnerships, investment, and cross-border collaboration. The goal is not only to celebrate influence — but to activate it.”

Tourism remains one of the world’s most important economic and cultural sectors — driving investment, preserving heritage, creating jobs, shaping perceptions, and connecting people across borders. The Class of 2026 reflects the growing influence of African and diaspora leadership across the global tourism ecosystem and the increasing role of tourism as a driver of economic diplomacy, infrastructure development, cultural exchange, and international engagement.

“Tourism is one of the most powerful tools for reshaping narratives, building economic bridges, and reconnecting the global African diaspora to culture, heritage, and opportunity. This list recognizes the leaders using tourism and hospitality not only as industries, but as vehicles for influence, diplomacy, investment, and global cultural exchange,” said Amaka Amatokwu-Ndekwu, Founder & CEO of The Pyne Hospitality Company.

Women continue to play a defining role across the tourism industry, with female leaders represented prominently across government, destination marketing, hospitality, aviation, and cultural tourism.

The Global Top 100 Travel, Tourism, Hospitality Edition initiative aligns with the broader vision of The Pyne Hospitality Company and MIPAD to elevate Africa and the diaspora within the global tourism economy while fostering stronger cultural and economic connections across continents.

Nominees for Best Country Campaigns
• Black Star Experience — Ghana
• Magical Kenya: Origin of Wonder — Kenya
• Visit Rwanda — Rwanda
• Morocco: Kingdom of Light — Morocco
• Experience Egypt — Egypt
• Feel Our Island Energy — Mauritius

Winner of Best Country Campaign will be announced at the 6th Edition of Pyne Africa Events & Awards — Africa’s premier celebration of hospitality and tourism excellence. 24–26 September 2026 | Maputo, Mozambique

The complete Global Top 100 Travel, Tourism, Hospitality Edition — Class of 2026 will be published globally in celebration of Global Africa Day.

For media inquiries, partnerships and speaking engagements:
[kamil@mipad.org] & [amaka@thepyneawards.com]

About MIPAD

Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) is a global civil society initiative supporting the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent. MIPAD identifies and celebrates high-impact leaders while convening platforms that advance policy dialogue, investment, and global collaboration.

www.mipad.org // http://www.mipad.org

About The Pyne Awards Africa

The Pyne Awards Africa is one of the continent’s leading platforms recognizing excellence in hospitality and tourism. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has engaged over 68,000 participants across 21 African countries, driving industry recognition, partnerships, and global visibility for African tourism.

One of Afrobeats’ most promising new voices; Romeeyo, born Daniel Oluwatobi Aderibole makes his grand entrance onto the global music scene with his debut single, “Mummy Mi,” an emotionally rich Afro’Adura vibe melody that celebrates the most important person in every child’s life; mother.



“Mummy Mi” is a heartfelt dedication and a solemn promise. Rooted in a soul-stirring melody, the track fuses the spiritual depth of Nigerian prayer music with the warm, infectious groove of contemporary Afrobeats. Romeeyo pours raw emotion into every lyric, channelling the gratitude, love, and unwavering reverence that children hold for their mothers.



The song carries a powerful message: a young man’s vow to rise, to achieve, and to make his mother proud. Speaking about the song, Romeeyo said, “This one is for every mother who sacrificed everything. I made a promise, and ‘Mummy Mi’ is the beginning of me keeping it”.



The single released under the Megalicious inprint is masterfully produced by Spirit Vybes, whose signature touch elevates the track with lush, atmospheric instrumentation and a hypnotic rhythm that perfectly complements Romeeyo’s vocal delivery.


Link: https://open.spotify.com/track/1WvHPwm2Bxx3sXwAzSBmg6?si=RTtqNtfsQZGWXKQqGfgtvg


Mummy Mi: https://unitedmasters.com/m/mummy-mi-1

ASABA — Delta North stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have firmly rejected what they described as a “self-imposed and propagandist declaration of victory” by former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, insisting that results from the field show Distinguished Senator Ned Munir Nwoko won the senatorial primaries by a wide margin.

In a strongly worded statement, the stakeholders accused Okowa of attempting to subvert established party procedures by prematurely claiming victory, despite clear guidelines issued by the APC National Organising Secretary.

According to them, the party had, before the primaries, outlined a strict process for result collation and announcement, including Ward Collation, Local Government Area (LGA) Collation, Designated Constituency Collation Centres, and final submission to the National Headquarters.

“The authority to declare results rests solely with the National Committee. What Okowa has done is a clear violation of party rules and an attempt to manipulate perception ahead of due process,” the statement said.

The stakeholders maintained that figures emerging from across Delta North overwhelmingly favour Senator Ned Nwoko, dismissing Okowa’s claim as “fiction sustained by propaganda.”

They cited results from several wards across the senatorial district:

Ward 7, Ndokwa West: Ned Nwoko – 1281; Okowa – 26; Void – 35; Total Accreditation – 1342.

Ward 9, Abbi, Ndokwa West: Ned Nwoko – 1505; Okowa – 420.

Ward 7, Akumazi: Ned Nwoko – 687; Okowa – 5.

Ward 13, Ute Ogbeje, Ika North East: Ned Nwoko – 415; Okowa – 13.

Ward 10, Idumuesa, Ika North East: Ned Nwoko – 2719; Okowa – 13.



Ukwuani LGA Ward 8: Ned Nwoko – 450; Okowa – 20.

Ukwuani LGA Ward 1: Ned Nwoko – 1438; Okowa – 68.

Ukwuani LGA Ward 10: Ned Nwoko – 940; Okowa – 9.

Ukwuani LGA Ward 9: Ned Nwoko – 750; Okowa – 200.

Ukwuani LGA Ward 2: Ned Nwoko – 251; Okowa – 56.

Oshimili South Ward 3: Ned Nwoko – 1221; Okowa – 41.

Oshimili South Ward 4: Ned Nwoko – 1465; Okowa – 59.

Oshimili South Ward 6: Ned Nwoko – 5398; Okowa – 53.

Oshimili South Ward 8: Ned Nwoko – 2335; Okowa – 61.

Oshimili South Ward 7: Ned Nwoko – 1412; Okowa – 21.

Oshimili South Ward 5: Ned Nwoko – 4642; Okowa – 101.

Oshimili South Ward 1: Ned Nwoko – 500; Okowa – 115.

Oshimili South Ward 9: Ned Nwoko – 3679; Okowa – 49.

Oshimili South Ward 10: Ned Nwoko – 1234; Okowa – 99.

Oshimili South Ward 2: Ned Nwoko – 1551; Okowa – 103.

Oshimili South Ward 11: Ned Nwoko – 4355; Okowa – 54.

Ndokwa West Ward 8: Ned Nwoko – 14.

“These figures are not isolated—they reflect a consistent and overwhelming pattern across the district. The people have spoken clearly in favour of Senator Ned Nwoko,” the stakeholders stated.

They further alleged that the primaries were marred by intimidation and violence in areas where support for Nwoko was most pronounced.

In Ward 9, Obiaruku (Ukwuani LGA), a party member, Igelige Chukunomnazu, recounted how voters were allegedly coerced, counting processes were manipulated, and supporters of Nwoko were attacked. He and others sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital.

Similarly, in Ward 8, Aniocha North LGA, an individual identified as Ernest was reportedly stabbed during the exercise, with video and photographic evidence available.

In Ward 3, Anishi Primary School, stakeholders said violence escalated to the point that the returning officer fled the venue for safety.

Describing these incidents as “coordinated attempts to suppress genuine voter expression,” the stakeholders called on the APC National Committee to intervene decisively.

“The integrity of the party is at stake. This is not just about a primary election—it is about whether internal democracy will be upheld or sacrificed to manipulation,” the statement added.

They urged the National Committee to disregard what they termed “manufactured narratives” and ensure that the final declaration reflects the true outcome as expressed across the wards.

“For us in Delta North, the result is already evident. What remains is for the party to uphold its own rules and formally affirm the will of the people,” the stakeholders concluded.

The National Vice-Chairman (South-East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, has applauded the successful and peaceful conduct of the party’s House of Representatives primaries held across the five states of the Southeast geopolitical zone. In a statement issued on Monday, Dr. Arodiogbu described the exercise as a resounding success that reflected the growing unity and internal democracy within the party in the region. He noted that the primaries were marked by high levels of transparency, orderliness, and massive participation by party members.

The APC chieftain specifically commended Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, who is also the party’s leader in the Southeast zone, for his unwavering support and strategic leadership. According to Dr. Arodiogbu, Governor Uzodimma’s continuous guidance and commitment played a pivotal role in ensuring the exercise was transparent, credible, and hitch free.

“Governor Uzodimma’s dedication to the party’s success in the Southeast has been exemplary. His support provided the necessary framework for a smooth and credible primary process,” Dr. Arodiogbu stated. He also extended appreciation to the elected officials of the party across the zone for their exemplary conduct during the primaries.

Dr. Arodiogbu equally thanked all party members for trooping out en masse to participate actively in the democratic process, describing their turnout as a clear demonstration of renewed confidence in the APC’s leadership and vision for the region. He also congratulated the winners and urged them to be humble in victory and to remain resolute as the party works towards a resounding victory in 2027.

Looking ahead, the National Vice-Chairman assured party faithful that the upcoming Senatorial and Governorship primaries would equally be conducted seamlessly and without any hitches. He called on all members to remain united and committed as the party prepares for the general elections.

Dr. Arodiogbu also disclosed that according to reports made available to him by the electoral committee and the election monitors appointed by the party's National Working Committee, the aspirants elected in Abia State include: Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu (Bende), Hon. Nkiruka Onyejeocha (Isuikwuato/Umunneochi), Hon. Uzor Azubuike (Aba North/Aba South), Hon. Chinedum Orji (Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South), Hon. Uzoma Theodore Uka (Isiala Ngwa North/Isiala Ngwa South), Hon. Udo Alozie (Obingwa/Osisioma/Ugwunagbo), and Hon. Ikenna Nicholas (Arochukwu/Ohafia).

Elected aspirants in Imo State include: Ngozi Pat-Ekeji (Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala), Chukwudi Anyanwuocha (Ahiazu/Ezinihitte), Sandra Inyama (Ideato North/South), Canice Moore Nwachukwu Omeogo (Orlu/Orsu/Oru East), Jonas Okeke (Okigwe South), Uchenna Agasu (Okigwe North), Dibiagwu Eugene (Oguta/Ohaji-Egbema/Oru-West), Cosmos Maduba (Nkwerre/Nwangele/Isu/Njaba), Akarachi Amadi (Mbaitoli/Ikeduru), and Tochi Okere (Owerri).

In Enugu State, elected aspirants include: Dr. F.S.A Uzor (Udi/Ezeagu), Hon Mark Chidi Obetta (Nsukka/Igbo Eze South), Hon Dennis Agbo (Igbo-eze North/Udenu), Hon Cornel Onwubuya (Uzowani/Igbo-Etiti), Chimobi Sam Atu (Enugu North/South), Nnolim Nnaji (Nkanu-East/West), Anayo Onwuegbu (Aninri/Oji River/Awgu), and Chijioke Edeoga (Enugu East/Isiuzo).

Aspirants elected in Ebonyi State include: Nkemanma Kama (Ohanivo), Emmanuel Uguru (Abakaliki/ Izzi), Eze Nwachukwu Eze (Ebonyi/ Ohaukwu), Chinedu Ogah (Ezza South/ Ikwo), Joseph Nwobasi (Ezza North/ Ishielu), and Igariwey Idume Enwo (Afikpo/ Edda).

In Anambra State, aspirants elected include: Engr. Johnbosco Onunkwo (Aguata), Hon. Paul Obu (Orumba North/South), Mr. Vincent Onyeka (Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo), Hon Joy Njideka Madubuike (Ihiala), Barr. Akonam Okoloudo (Awka North/South), Barr. Richard Egenti (Aniocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia), Barr. Kingsley Ezekwelu (Idemili North/South), Sir Arinzechukwu Awogu (Ogbaru), Rt Hon Linda Ikpeazu (Onitsha North/South), Mrs Ifeoma Chukwuma (Anambra East/West), and Hon Obinna Christopher Okafor (Oyi/Ayamelum).

The successful primaries are seen as a significant boost to the APC’s preparations in the Southeast ahead of the 2027 polls.