E-Money Reacts to Report of Police Probe Over N1.2bn Dispute With Lagos Firm
Music executive E-Money has responded to a recent report alleging that the police have declared him wanted in relation to a N1.2 billion dispute with Autocrop Limited.
In order to address this report, he utilized his Instagram platform to express his thoughts.
In a statement released on Thursday, May 9, he emphasized that the online stories circulating are “misleading and do not accurately depict the true nature of the situation.”
“Our attention has been drawn to the Punch Newspaper publication affecting the person of E-Money, the CEO of Emy Cargo & Shipping Services Limited. The pieces of information contained in the said publication are misleading and do not represent the facts of the matter.
“Unequivocally, the news alleging a Police probe into a N1.2 billion dispute between E-Money and Autocorp Limited is not an accurate representation of facts. The Nigeria Police is investigating a report by Autocorp Limited against Emy Cargo & Shipping Services Limited on a business transaction regarding the clearing of vehicles in the year 2019/2020.’
“Unreservedly, E-money and Emy Cargo & Shipping Services Limited have visited the Police as a law-abiding citizen to give accurate details of the business dealings.
Accordingly, we urge the public to refrain from spreading unfounded rumors and sensationalized information. The truth of the situation is far more nuanced and does not warrant the sensationalism portrayed in recent reports. Thank you. #itistoolatetofailamen.”
My Fiancé just canceled everything because I lied to him. I went to give my ex boyfriend my wedding Invitation.
My intention wasn’t to sleep over. He started begging me that we have a lot to talk about. That I should allow us talk now that I’m still single.
He begged me to sleep over and I did. One thing lead to another, we had sex all through. l didn’t tell my fiancé and he has never
questioned me about that.
Not knowing that he hacked my phone and he’s waiting for the time he will be with me to talk about it. He asked me and I lied.
Then he provided an evidence. There was no way out so l started apologizing.
In my presence, he called both parents and asked them to cancel any wedding preparations.
When they asked why, he told them I will explain better. He left me in his house and went to a hotel and he’s going back to Abuja from the hotel.
He instructed his gate man to make sure I leave tomorrow and I should drop the house keys with him. I’ve called him over 800 times, he’s not picking.
Please what can I do to remedy this. I don’t want to loose my man. We love each other so much. I need help please. My fragile heart can’t survive this.
“She Funny Pass AY”: Singer Simi’s Daughter Deja Gets Fans Laughing Hard With Joke for the Day
“She Funny Pass AY”: Singer Simi’s Daughter Deja Gets Fans Laughing Hard With Joke for the Day Thursday, May 09, 2024 at 4:40 PM by Taiwo Owolawi Nigerian celebrity couple Adekunle Gold and Simi’s daughter, Adejare aka Deja, is once again making headlines A video made the rounds of the little girl sharing her joke for the day with her mother and getting her to laugh at it The viral video warmed the hearts of fans as they laughed hard at Deja’s joke and even compared her to some top Nigerian comedians
Nigerian singers Adekunle Gold and Simi’s daughter, Deja, has once again won the hearts of fans with her comedy skills.
Simi has been known to share sweet moments of her bonding with her daughter and this time wasn’t any different. In a video that made the rounds online, the singer begged her child to tell a joke for the day. According to her, people find it funny.
Deja then obliged her mother’s request by going on to tell a joke. She said:Simi looked on in confusion for a while before realising that her daughter had already told the joke. Then she started to laugh at her child’s wit. See the adorable clip below:
Fans react to Simi’s daughter’s joke The video of Simi’s daughter, Deja, telling her joke for the day amused many netizens leaving them rolling with laughter. Some of them even claimed the singer’s daughter was funnier than some comedians. Read some of their comments below: _iam.lamarr: “The mom laughing to the joke even if it’s not too funny>>>.” obli_ga_do: “She’s so smart. She don reach to senior.” updated_rufus: “Person talk say that joke funny pass AY.” READ ALSO “Looks good on her”: BBNaija star Liquorose sparks BBL rumours as video of her body surfaces online Asapshiru_auc: “She just threw a shade at her mum.” pretty_dupsy_: “U laugh Abi u no laugh .” Internet__sweetheart: “Don’t leave me .” eshomanialimited: “All Nigerian celebrity kids are very sharp and smart, like mummy Tiwa’s son ❤️.” Iamlucidkally: “E funny pass A Y.” papi_tega01: “Far way too better than watching some stand up comedians I won’t call names, but if u want me to call names just say yes.” iamdemarine11: “Girl low-key dey savage her mom, cause her jokes are boring .” Adekunle Gold watches Yoruba film with daughter Meanwhile, Adekunle Gold and his daughter have continued to warm hearts any time they have a conversation and it surfaces online. In the clip which was sighted by Legit.ng, Deja was watching a Yoruba movie and her father asked her for the title of the film. The singer was later seen teaching her how to speak and pronounce the title.
2024 UTME: Mass failure demands national concern – Peter Obi
The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party at the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has expressed displeasure over the massive failure recorded in the 2024 Joint Admission Matriculation Board, JAMB, UTME examination.
In a post on his official X account on Thursday, Obi pointed out that the shocking statistics paint a troubling picture that demands urgent national attention.
The former Governor expressed worries that the country’s education sector was far behind countries like Iran, Bangladesh, and Egypt.
The post reads, “The recent revelation regarding the JAMB UTME 2024 results and percentages has sparked deep concern about the state of education in our country.
“These statistics paint a troubling picture that demands urgent national attention and discussion.
“The distribution of scores is alarming, with only 0.5% of candidates reportedly scoring 300 (75%) and above, while a staggering 76% scored below 200 (below 50%).
“This brings to limelight an obvious gap in the quality of education provided nationwide. Education remains a critical determinant of a nation’s progress on the Human Development Index, HDI.
“Unfortunately, Nigeria has continued to lag behind in education, reflected by its low HDI ranking of 164 out of the 191 countries measured. This places Nigeria far below other comparable nations like Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Bangladesh and the Philippines which are within medium and high HDI.
“Though we claim as a nation that our literacy rate is above 50 percent, which is far below the global average of about 80% and continues to lag behind other comparable countries like Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Bangladesh and the Philippines with literacy rates of above 70%. This again, underscores the systemic challenge in access to quality education, particularly in rural areas”.
According to Obi, “One of the consequences of the reported general poor performance in UTME is that with our population of over 200 million, Nigeria can only boast of about 2 million full-time students in different universities, while Iran with a population of over 89 million has over 8.2 million students in one University alone, Islamic Azad University, Bangladesh with a population of about 173 million boasts of over 2 million enrolled undergraduates in the National University of Bangladesh”.
He called for urgent attention to be given to the education sector by aggressive investments, enhancing teacher training programs and implementing inclusive policies.
Rivers crisis: Pro-Fubara APC members counter call for impeachment
Some members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State have countered calls for the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Recall that the APC state chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, on Tuesday directed the Rivers State House of Assembly to immediately commence proceedings for the impeachment of the governor.
The call followed the political crisis rocking the state in the wake of the face-off between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The APC members, under the aegis of Solidarity and Development Forum, described the call for Fubara’s impeachment as “reckless, and irresponsible”.
They also said it threatens the very fabric of the country’s democracy.
The APC members, who are believed to be loyal to Fubara, said the renewed crisis was no longer needed, stressing that President Bola Tinubu had settled the matter.
The group in a statement signed by its conveners, Comrade Kabir Matazu and Igwe Ude-Umanta, said the call was a clear attempt to destabilize the government and create chaos in the state.
“The President himself, in his wisdom, has called for all parties involved in the disagreement to maintain the status quo and work towards a peaceful resolution,” the statement said.
“Governor Fubara has heeded this call and has demonstrated his commitment to the vision of inclusivity and good governance that our dear president has upheld since assuming office.
“It will be unfair, and unwise for any party member, or individual not to resonate in the same frequency as our president.
“It is very disheartening to witness Chief Tony Okocha’s unguided utterances, which not only disregard the president’s call for peace but also pose a threat to the stability and progress of our beloved party,” the statement added.
9 super-effective strategies for dealing with stress in your marriage
Stress in a marriage can take a serious toll on your relationship with your spouse, which impacts your health. But, what can you do to keep your love alive while dealing with stress? There are several strategies to deal with the everyday stress of marriage and strengthen your marriage.
Arguing and worrying over family problems may lead to an increased risk of dying in middle age. “Stressful social relations in private life are associated with a two- to three-times increased risk of dying,” said lead researcher Dr. Rikke Lund, an associate professor in the Department of Public Health at the University of Copenhagen.
Here are 9 super-effective strategies for dealing with stress in your marriage:
1. Talk openly about your feelings and emotions.
In times of stress, the tendency is to keep everything bottled up inside or to explode at the slightest disagreement. However, this approach will not work if you want your marriage to survive and thrive. In successful marriages, couples talk about everything.
Share with your spouse insights about everything. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
Make a conscious effort to hear what your spouse is saying with an attitude of acceptance.
Become each other’s best friends with unconditional support, total trust, and complete honesty.
2. Approach all financial challenges with teamwork and open communication.
Balancing the family budget requires teamwork, especially when introducing children into your marriage, dealing with unusual financial burdens, or losing a job comes your way. People in love support each other through thick and thin; if you don’t work together to address head-on the economic challenges and stresses in your marriage, there is little hope of success.
Always talk about your finances; don’t let a debt or an unpaid bill slip by unnoticed.
Work together to determine your financial goals and budget.
Never make a major purchase without talking it over with your spouse and sleeping on it.
3. Don’t blame each other when things get tough.
The blame game doesn’t work in love and marriage, and it is destructive. There is a natural tendency in tough times to blame the one you love for your collective misfortune and stress. But people in love don’t blame, castigate, or chastise each other in challenging times.
No matter how you feel, always treat your spouse with respect and love.
The truth is, there usually is no one person to blame. Figure out how you contributed to the problem and what you can do differently in the future.
Give your spouse’s opinion serious consideration as you work together to discover solutions to your problems.
4. Don’t wallow in self-pity.
No problem has ever been solved by feeling sorry for yourself or your situation. Successful couples grab “the bull by the horns” and work for solutions. Making a family work is difficult even in the best of times and even more challenging when you have many stressors.
Sit down with your spouse to figure out possible solutions to your problem and determine a plan both of you can support.
Celebrate your successes as you accomplish each step of the plan. Feeling like you are moving in a positive direction helps eliminate self-pity.
5. Make an effort to keep the flame of your love affair alive every day.
What type of priority do you place on making time for fun and romance with each other in your hectic lives? Doing so can help you overcome the challenges by reminding you of why you fell in love in the first place.
Make a point of touching your spouse lovingly at least ten times a day.
Carve out time to have a romantic date with each other: bring home flowers, get a hotel room, go for a long walk together, drink a bottle of wine watching the sunset, write a love note, or even snuggle in bed a little longer in the morning.
Plan a vacation (or even just a staycation). Nothing helps people reconnect better than a little time away from the daily grind.
6. Allow each other occasional time for privacy and aloneness.
One of the keys to a successful marriage is when both partners allow each other to have privacy and aloneness. We live such hectic lives at work and home that the time to be alone with our thoughts is paramount to our ability to engage in meaningful communication with each other. The quality of communication can only be enhanced between you after refreshing your mind and spirit with alone time. You have to belong to yourself before you can belong to others.
The amount of time available to satisfy these needs varies from one marriage to another and from one marriage partner to another and can increase during stress. Talk with your spouse about each of your needs and desires for privacy and alone time.
Work together to determine a plan you both will honor to allow each other occasional time for privacy and aloneness.
7. Remember that the simple things matter in marriage, and they need to be practiced daily.
Thirty-two years of research on love and successful marriage has taught us many things, but first, no love has blossomed or been sustained without doing the simple things. Big things don’t matter until your relationship has mastered the art of doing the simple things day in and day out. Too often, when we are engaged in stressful life situations, we forget to do the simple things for the one we love the most.
Make a list of 20 things you will do to make your spouse’s life better. Examples include remembering to say thank you, calling when you are going to be late, or leaving a sticky love note on your lover’s wallet or purse.
Be more generous with your time for each other.
Engage in simple acts of kindness and spontaneous feel-good moments.
8. Develop a network of support from family, friends, and relatives.
You and your spouse do not have to deal with the stress by yourself. Don’t be deluded into thinking you can or even should do it alone. Your friends and family want to support you through thick and thin. Take full advantage of their willingness to help.
Cultivate good relationships with your family, friends, and relatives. They can be your best supporters in times of need.
Don’t be shy about asking for help from your family, aunts, uncles, or neighbors.
9. Stay healthy and happy, both physically and mentally.
It is nearly impossible to take care of others when you don’t take of yourself.
Live healthier: take your vitamins and medications, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and cut down the use of alcohol and nicotine.
Engage in a daily exercise program with your spouse.
Don’t forget your annual physical exams.
Dealing with the many stressors in your marriage and life can be challenging. Dealing with them effectively could save your marriage and improve your health.
8 cringe-worthy signs you’re the other woman or one of many
Have you ever been in a relationship and wondered WHERE your man is? Have you wondered why he takes secret phone calls? Have you ever questioned why, after all this time, you still haven’t met his family? It’s probably because you’re the other woman. There are many telltale signs you’re his side chick, but as women, we get so caught up in the emotions, good intimacy, and sweet nothings that we’re too blind to see them. Here are eight signs you’re not his main chick you should look out for.
Here are 8 cringeworthy signs you’re the other woman or one of many:
1. He only calls you between 9 AM and 5 PM
Unfortunately, if he doesn’t come rushing home to you after work, you’re not his priority (and probably not his only woman). But if he works nights, this doesn’t apply to you.
2. He never has his phone on after 5 PM
After five is family time, so his focus is on his main chick and not on you. He must first satisfy his responsibilities before he can play with you. (Again, if he works nights, this probably doesn’t apply to you.)
4. He whispers on the phone with you like he’s undercover
Girl, he’s hiding in the bathroom like he’s an undercover brother. That’s NOT cool. He knows he’s been feeding you some good lines, good intimacy, and good times — he WANTS to keep you. When his main chick is sleeping, he’s making his secret plans to catch up with you.
5. He booty calls you
Now, if this is cool with you, do your thing. But I’m pretty sure it’s not because you’ve fallen for this guy, and he simply can’t give you what you want. He only wants to come over, touch you up, and leave.
6. He still hasn’t given you any personal details
If you’ve been seeing each other for a while, yet you still don’t know where he lives, that’s a BIG red flag. What’s the big secret? He probably has another family! Truth is, there may be some potential life-threatening things that you just don’t know about him — know before you go.
7. He still hasn’t introduced you to his family
If you still haven’t met his friends, family, or loved ones, it’s because you can’t. On some rare occasions, he will bring you to meet his friends and family, and they won’t say a word because they’re loyal to him.
8. He flat-out said you’re not the only one he’s seeing
This one is a no-brainer. He already told you that you are not his only woman, but for some reason, you don’t want to believe it. Sorry hun, it’s true. If this is you, you may want to rethink and/or re-evaluate your relationship. You don’t have to settle for this. If he cares for you, you’ll be his only woman — don’t settle for something less than you deserve! Know that you’re great and find someone worthy of you.
Drumming Marathon: FUOYE student completes 200-hour record attempt
A student at Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Olaniyi Israel Adewale achieves a new individual world record by completing a 200-hour drumming marathon.
Adewale initiated a 150-hour drumming session on April 29 using an African talking drum, aiming to achieve the Guinness World Record title for the longest drumming marathon.
Upon reaching the 150-hour milestone, the 300-level computer science student whose attempt was approved by the Guinness World Records (GWR) opted to extend the drumming marathon by an additional 50 hours.
On completion of his 200-hour mark, he extended a heartfelt appreciation to his fans and supporters on his Instagram page.
In a post, he wrote;
“My deepest appreciation to every one who showed up, reposted, shared, engaged, comment, tell friends about this, and those who were cheering me up during live sessions”
“I am honestly not taking this love for granted, ofcourse beating African talking drum for 200 hours is the most challenging thing I experience as a percussionist, because this was the first time I am doing this.
“Thanks to Guinness world record @guinnessworldrecords for granting me approval to do so.
“Special thanks to @mlpercussions For sponsoring this official attempt, sent me cash and other materials to energize my interest on this new achievement, thanks to you sir, God will continue to enrich and bless you beyond measures ijn.
“And I must openly appreciate a great man with the oil of gladness who showed his impact on this challenge, I would never imagine @woliagba_ayoajewole will acknowledge and repost on his page I sincerely will ever appreciate this greatly sir, and thanks to all notable and loved Celebrities who engaged… Omor, I can’t start mentioning names.”
Cardi B reacts as TMZ asks Ayra Starr shady question about her Met Gala outfit
American singer, Cardi Bhas reacted after TMZ asked Nigerian singerAyra Starr, a shady question about her outfit at the Met Gala.
Social media users saw a video of the Mavin Records signee being approached by a reporter in the street, asking questions about Cardi B’s Met Gala attire.
The TMZ crew revealed in the video that Cardi B’s star-studded event costume took months to produce, but when asked, she was unable to recall the designers.
The reporter went on to question Ayra Starr about whether or not if she thought that was disrespectful to the rapper’s designer.
Cardi B, American singer
The reporter said:
“The dress that she wore to the Met Gala took months to make and she didn’t remember the name of the designers who made the dress. She said she was supposed to stand and pose on the podium and there was a lot going on but you’ve been on a lot of red carpets, is it disrespectful to not know the designer’s name?”
When asked what she thought of Cardi B forgetting the names of her designers at the Met Gala, Ayra Starr responded by saying that she thought the rapper was just nervous.
She said; “It’s nerves sometimes, I don’t know, to be honest, I don’t know.”
The reporter further asked; “You’ve been on tons of red carpets, it’s kind of why you’re there. So if I came to you and said I forgot the name of your new album, you’d be like ‘What the hell, do you research girl’. Is there a way that you remember things that you need to know that maybe you can give advice to Cardi B on?”
Ayra Starr replied once again;
“I don’t know. I love Cardi B always, every time.”
Berekum Chelsea head coach, Samuel Boadu, reaffirmed his dedication to his team despite their loss to his former club, Hearts of Oak.
During his time with Hearts of Oak, Boadu led the team to victory in five competitions in just over a year.
However, a misunderstanding led to his departure from the club.
After the recent match at the Golden City Park, Boadu expressed his affection for his new team, stating, “That is the game. I am working for Chelsea, so my heart is with Chelsea. They won, that’s the game.”
Despite his commitment to Berekum Chelsea, Boadu voiced frustration over his team’s missed opportunities.
“We had chances to score in the first half, but we squandered them all. That’s football; when you waste opportunities, the opponent will punish you” he said.
Berekum Chelsea’s next match is at home against Asante Kotoko at the Golden City Park in Matchday 30.
EPL: Man Utd receive double injury boost ahead of Arsenal clash
Manchester United have welcomed back Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez to training, ahead of the Premier League clash against Arsenal on Sunday.
The Premier League club confirmed this in a statement on their official website.
“Manchester United have welcomed Lisandro Martinez and Marcus Rashford back into first-team training at Carrington.
“Our exclusive pics from the club’s base show the Argentina international and homegrown forward working with the main group after spells on the sidelines,” it read in part.
The Red Devils are on the verge of failing to qualify for any European competition, following a 4-0 humiliation at Crystal Palace on Monday.
However, the availability of Rashford and Martinez will be a big boost for Erik ten Hag, who is under immense pressure at Old Trafford.
Tiwa Savage triumphs in the film ‘Water and Garri’
Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage has long held a unique position in African music as the leading female artist in the Afrobeats genre.
After headlining global tours, collaborating with Beyoncé and Brandy, and championing newcomers, Tiwa Savage is embarking on her next venture: starring in and executive producing her debut full-length feature film, “Water and Garri.”
The film, slated for global debut on Prime Video on May 10, follows Aisha, a successful fashion designer, as she returns to Nigeria after a decade in the United States.
She’s taken aback by the profound changes that have swept through her homeland and the people she once knew. Set to the evocative soundtrack of the same name, Aisha’s journey unfolds to reveal poignant cultural shifts.
The accompanying soundtrack is a key component of the experience, as the film’s tracklisting mirrors Aisha’s interactions and feelings throughout.
The soundtrack makes heavy use of live instrumentation and ambient sound effects to create an immersive experience while Tiwa returns with her signature overtone singing. The project includes an array of sonic elements from Afrobeat and Afropop to amapiano to R&B, gospel, and hints of mainstream trap and pop.
Featured are Grammy-nominee Ayra Starr, and Afro-reggae fusion artist Black Sherif, with highlight contributions from Olamide and rising Nigerian star Young Jonn.
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“Water and Garri” draws inspiration from Tiwa’s eponymously titled 2021 EP, and her journey as a Nigerian-born British woman who ventured to Brooklyn to ignite her music career as a songwriter. Directed by Meji Alabi, this marks his debut in full-length filmmaking. The film also stands as an investment from major entertainment conglomerates as the demand for African content continues to rise and stabilize.
“Audiences worldwide crave well-crafted, contemporary African narratives, and ‘Water & Garri’ delivers precisely that with a fresh perspective,” said Ayanna Lonian, director of content acquisition at Prime Video. “Both Meji Alabi, in his directorial role, and Tiwa Savage, as the lead, have truly delivered a stellar debut alongside an exceptionally talented cast and crew.”
Additionally, a commitment to authenticity is evident as a Nigerian production company collaborates with Prime Video and Tiwa’s production team.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Prime Video, who grasp the significance of this cultural milestone celebrating the intersecting power of film and music, especially emanating from Africa at this exciting time,” said Jimi Adesanya, producer and Unbound Studios executive.
Variety caught up with Tiwa Savage in New York to discuss the film, her journey with her own African identity, challenging herself at this stage in her career, and much more.
The name of this film is “Water and Garri,” which is also the name for your 2021 EP. Why did you decide to keep the name the same; is there a connection between the two?
When the ‘Water and Garri’ EP came out, I had no idea of doing a feature film. I thought, ‘Okay, I’m just getting bored of doing music videos.’ I wanted to do a visual album. I was inspired by (Beyonce’s) “Black is King” and Kanye’s films.
Then we were like, ‘Okay, we’re going to do a visual album.’ I got the script and I was like, ‘This is amazing. Let’s do a short film instead.’ We started shooting it and it ended up being a full feature. And so I couldn’t change the name. It felt like there was nothing else that fit. Water to Garri is like love to pain and that resonates a lot in the movie. Now the EP is a standalone project and we have a completely new soundtrack for the movie.
Why did this feel like the right time now to go into acting? Had film opportunities come up for you before?
I’ve gotten many roles before but I wasn’t ready. Acting was my first love before music. So I knew I was going to go back to it at some point. Why now? Honestly, I got bored. I got bored of, producing the album, doing music videos, and then going on tour and moving to the next thing. I was like ‘No, I need to do something else.’ Not completely forgetting music but I needed to be challenged. I needed to be scared. And, and this is a this is a good scare.
I also feel like, many of us, I’d say, Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, are at a place where we’ve established ourselves as household names, and at this point can do something new or do anything that we want to do.
You worked with director Meji Alabi, a previous music video collaborator, and with this being your first film, how did he support you? What was the creative and preparation like?
This is his first [film] and this is my first so it’s special for both of us. Meji was amazing. Because it started out as a short and then evolved, the pressure wasn’t there for either of us. I took acting classes in London for a couple of weeks. One of the things that they helped me with on set was [staying in character]. They made sure that everybody kept calling me Aisha. The whole team, Meji, and my partners Jimmy and Vanessa – everybody was incredible.
It’s good to know that you had like a group of people around to make you feel safe.
I’ve worked with [Jimmy and Vanessa] for years. We clicked, from day one. So they can tell when I’m a bit nervous about something and they’ll give me a shot of tequila.
This soundtrack explores a lot of Afrobeat elements but also showcases experimental concepts with jazz, gospel, and more. Was there any hesitation to stepping a bit outside of your comfort zone?
People expect a certain sound from me. So by doing a soundtrack, I could [experiment]. The title track with Richard Bona and the Cavemen is very jazz. I was able to do so many things because obviously, it’s a soundtrack.
I went to Berklee [College of Music] and I studied jazz. My background is jazz and R&B — but, even though that’s my background, I didn’t start as a jazz artist. I kind of have to ease my fans into those types of genres and show them that I can do that.
You were among the first to modernize African music and bring it to the global stage and really break out of that “Afrobeats” box people tend to place African music in. On your “Water and Garri” EP, you worked with Amaarae, who is also praised for defying genres. Is that intentional?
Amaarae is incredible. I love that people expect me to be African and I’m going to always be African. I don’t have to wear dashiki or have braids (laughs) but I am, what I am. But yes, I like to experiment but African culture – I would either put it in my fashion or put it in my music, always. It’s because it’s beautiful to be African, I’m sorry, like, I’m not ashamed of it at all! That’s especially important in a time where some African artists are saying, “Don’t box me in an Afrobeats. Don’t call me an Afrobeat artist.”
I think everybody has different experiences. Some artists were born and bred in Africa, so for them, they want to explore other things. Although I was born in Africa, I lived in London and I lived in America… when I was growing up in London, I was bullied for being African. And now, it’s the coolest thing. It’s the coolest thing. So for me, I have a different perspective. Like, I’m not, I’m not trying to shy away from it at all. In fact, I’m running more towards it because I lived away from Africa for so long.
You just spoke about having to leave home at points and go chase after your career. Your character, Aisha, reflects that experience — she leaves home for 10 years and she comes back to everything being so different. Did you at any point experience that?
I would always go back in December. [December is a high tourist and celebration season in Nigeria and other parts of Africa] And when you go back in December, I don’t really feel like you really experienced Nigeria. You’re experiencing the fun parts of Nigeria. Now when I moved back and I was there for like a few months, I was like, ‘This isn’t dirty December (laughs).’
You’ve worked with so many up-and-coming artists. You’ve previously worked with Ayra Starr and now you have Ayra on this project as well. We spoke about Amaarae earlier. You also have Black Sherif on this project as well. Is working with new artists a conscious effort or does it just happen
It literally just happens. I’m just a lover of music and a lover of artists. So I just want to work with anybody. I don’t care if you have 10 streams or 10 million streams. like As long as the song is great. I didn’t plan to work with mostly up-and-coming artists, but I also feel like they’re more hungry. I feel like when two big artists come together, there’s too many [logistics], and then it just gets complicated. It’s always, it’s always just fun to just work with someone new and someone who is just hungry for it.
You’re obviously in the midst of promoting and supporting this film and its accompanying soundtracks but what sonic direction can people expect from your next studio album?
I’m not really thinking of collaborations right now. I’m just recording. It started off as an Afro R&B, I don’t know [the words for it in English]. It’s just music because I’ve just got so many different sounds. Now, the challenge is to tie it all and make it sound like an album, not like just different songs that I’ve just put together.
So, I’m trying to find something to tie everything together. But individually, all the songs are magical and I’ve got lots of live instruments. I’m recording some parts in New Orleans and Nashville as well. So it’s a, it’s a different sound, but like I said, it’s always going to have the African element. I’m really excited because I’m not, limiting myself to anything and vocally too. I’m pushing myself like I’m singing, singing [laughs].
What do you hope people take away from this film?
First of all, if they’ve never been to Africa, they should come because the way Meji shot it was so beautiful. And I’d say not being afraid to pursue your dream. Where Aisha she’s coming from, you would never imagine that she could be anything. But she ended up being very successful as a fashion designer, but then she still went back home. So, I think the film can encourage anyone. I don’t care if you’re from the slums, all it takes is just that dream and it definitely can happen. Whatever you put out, what you speak with your tongue, it has to – it will to come back.
Transfer: Ex-Chelsea star, Petit advices Blues not to sign Osimhen
Former Chelsea midfielder, Emmanuel Petit has advised the club to stick with Nicolas Jackson and not sign Victor Osimhen.
The Blues have been strongly linked with a move for Osimhen as they look to add more firepower to their attack.
Senegal international, Jackson, who is in his first season at Stamford Bridge has been criticised for missing clear-cut chances for the London club.
Petit, however, said Chelsea should keep faith with Jackson instead of bringing in Osimhen or any other striker.
Emmanuel Petit urges Chelsea to trust Jackson over buying Osimhen or Isak:
“Chelsea do not need [Victor] Osimhen or [Alexander] Isak. We all know about the No.9 curse at Chelsea and in the last couple of months, we’ve seen what [Nicolas] Jackson can do,” Petit told Grosvenor Sport.
“There’s no need to put more pressure on him by signing someone like Isak on his back. You need competition in every position, but when you have someone like Jackson starting to emerge, don’t put pressure on him and let him explode. For me, if I’m Chelsea, I’m not buying Isak as Jackson is already beginning to flourish.”
Northern Elders kick against CBN’s cybersecurity levy
A prominent socio-cultural organization, The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has kicked against the Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to impose a cybersecurity levy on bank customers.
In a statement signed by the NEF’s Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the forum expressed its dissatisfaction with the policy.
They cited the escalating costs associated with banking transactions as a result of multiple charges.
The NEF criticised the CBN’s directive as arbitrary, illegal, and out of touch with the realities faced by Nigerians. The forum called on the government to reconsider the policy and explore alternative measures to ease the financial strain on individuals while still promoting the use of electronic payments.
The NEF pointed out that the introduction of cybersecurity levies, in addition to existing fees such as stamp duty, transfer fees, value-added tax, and SMS charges, has placed an unbearable financial burden on individuals engaging in electronic transactions.
The forum highlighted the various charges that bank customers now face, including cybersecurity levies ranging from ₦5 on ₦1,000 to ₦50,000 on ₦10,000,000 transactions, transfer fees, stamp duty, and value-added tax. These additional costs have significantly increased the overall expense of electronic transactions for both senders and receivers.
While acknowledging the importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding electronic transactions, the NEF emphasized the need for a more balanced approach that ensures the costs of security measures are reasonable and do not excessively burden bank customers.
The NEF said that in a country already grappling with economic challenges and hyperinflammatory conditions, the additional financial burden imposed by the cybersecurity levy is unjust and unfair, and urged the government and relevant stakeholders to find a sustainable solution that strikes a fair balance between enhancing cybersecurity and alleviating the financial strain on the Nigerian populace.
“It is imperative that the administration takes into account the concerns raised by a vast majority of Nigerians and prioritises policies that protect the interests of the people while also fostering economic growth and development.”
Toni Kroos joins exclusive UEFA Champions League club alongside Messi, others
Real Madrid icon Toni Kroos has ascended to the ranks of football royalty, alongside luminaries such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, by achieving a milestone of at least 150 appearances in the UEFA Champions League.
Kroos showcased his brilliance across both legs of Real Madrid’s triumphant semifinal clash against his former club Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
In the initial encounter at the Allianz Arena on April 30th, the German midfielder orchestrated a masterful victory for Real Madrid, orchestrating a precise pass that dissected Bayern’s defence, leading to Vinicius Junior’s decisive goal.
Following a hard-fought 2-2 draw in the first leg, Kroos played an indispensable role in the return fixture on May 8th, as Real Madrid staged a stunning 2-1 comeback, clinching their berth in the final.
His commanding presence at the Santiago Bernabeu further solidified his status among the football elite, joining an exclusive fraternity of players with a minimum of 150 UEFA Champions League appearances, according to Opta Jose.
Kroos is poised to expand upon this illustrious tally when Real Madrid squares off against Borussia Dortmund in the final showdown at Wembley.
In the pantheon of Champions League stalwarts, Kroos becomes only the seventh player to achieve this remarkable feat.
Leading the pack is the indomitable Ronaldo, boasting an unmatched 183 appearances, closely followed by the legendary Iker Casillas with 177.
Messi claims the third spot with 163 appearances, trailed by Karim Benzema at 152.
Notably, Kroos’s entry places him alongside the esteemed company of Xavi Hernandez and Thomas Muller, each with 151 and 150 appearances respectively.
Serie A: Napoli can’t replace ‘unique striker’ Osimhen – Calderisi
Former Italy forward, Guiseppe Galderisi believed Napoli will find it difficult to replace Victor Osimhen if the striker departs the club this summer.
Osimhen is expected to leave the former Serie A champions at the end of the season.
The 25-year-old played a crucial role in Napoli’s Scudetto success last season, scoring 26 goals in 32 league appearances.
The Nigerian international has already scored 15 goals this season despite missing a number of games due to injury and international duty.
Galderisi claimed Osimhen is unique and it would be difficult to get a like-for-like replacement for him.
“He (Osimhen) always makes the right move. He has Characteristics that I don’t see around Europe. You find another Osimhen, he commands respect in the penalty area,” Galderisi quoted by Calcio Napoli.
Turkey: Trabzonspor coach dispels Onuachu’s injury fear
Trabzonspor manager, Abdullah Avci has refuted claims that Paul Onuachu sustained a major injury in the club’s Turkish Cup semi-final victory against Fatih Karagumruk on Wednesday night.
Onuachu opened scoring for Trabzonspor after 54 minutes in the 4-0 victory.
The big striker had to leave the pitch three minutes later after he sustained an injury during an aerial duel.
The Nigeria international has only just returned from injury.
There are fears he could be set for another spell on the sidelines but Avci has moved to debunk such claims.
“We learned that it is not a serious condition, it is a spasm-like condition. I think he will be ready by the end of the week,” Avci was quoted by Taka Gazette.
Trabzonspor will battle Besiktas in the cup final as they aim for their tenth triumph.
They last won the cup competition in the 2019-2020 season.
The House of Representatives has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withdraw the circular directing banks in the country, to start charging a 0.5% cybersecurity levy on all electronic transactions within the country.
The motion was moved by the member representing the Obio/Akpor Constituency, Kingsley Chinda.
The House urged the CBN to withdraw the circular and “issue a more understandable one,” as Chinda had drawn the attention of the House to multiple interpretations of the CBN directive against the specifications in the Cybersecurity Act.
Darren Bent chooses between Declan Rice, Kylian Mbappe
Former Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent has voiced a bold opinion, asserting his preference for Arsenal’s midfield maestro Declan Rice over Paris Saint-Germain’s star forward Kylian Mbappe.
Bent made this striking declaration while participating in talkSPORT’s UEFA Champions League semi-finals coverage.
Rice’s acquisition by Arsenal from West Ham United for a staggering £105 million raised eyebrows, yet his exceptional performances have silenced critics.
He seamlessly complements team captain Martin Odegaard in midfield, featuring prominently in 49 matches this season.
Beyond his defensive prowess, Rice has displayed remarkable creativity and goal-scoring abilities, tallying seven goals and 10 assists.
His contributions have been instrumental in Arsenal securing 17 clean sheets.
When posed with the hypothetical scenario of trading Rice for Mbappe, Bent staunchly rejected the notion, stating unequivocally, “No, absolutely not.”
