In 2024, Africa continues to showcase its influence on the global stage through trailblazers in politics, business, science, sports, and the creative industry.

The London-based New African magazine unveiled its prestigious list of the ‘100 Most Influential Africans of 2024’, celebrating individuals who have significantly shaped narratives and driven progress both on the continent and internationally.

Among the prominent Nigerians featured are Wale Tinubu, nephew of Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest man; and Nigerian football sensation Ademola Lookman.

Highlighting the importance of this recognition, the magazine’s editor, Anver Versi, stated: “We need this because I cannot recall the world being so polarised, so divided, so stone-faced in the face of terrible man-made atrocities.”

The statement read, “The 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024 edition of New African offers an in-depth look at the lives and achievements of the extraordinary individuals shaping the African narrative on the continent and abroad.

“Their stories serve as a source of inspiration and a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the African spirit.”

The 2024 List: A Breakdown by Category

Politics and Public Service

1. Bassirou Diomaye Faye
2. Kemi Badenoch
3. Muhammad Ali Pate
4. Claver Gatete
5. Ali Mohamed
6. King Mohamed VI
7. Ronald Lamola
8. Yemi Osinbajo
9. Nardos Bekele-Thomas
10. Ibrahima Cheikh Diong

Business

11. Robins Tchale-Watchou
12. Fatima Tambajang
13. Dr. Sidi Ould Tah
14. Samaila Zubairu
15. Thierno-Habib Hann
16. Akinwumi Adesina
17. Tariye Gbadegesin
18. Adebayo Ogunlesi
19. Wale Tinubu
20. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede
21. Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah
22. Moulay Hafid Elalamy
23. Olugbenga Agboola
24. Alain Ebobissé
25. Tunde Olanrewaju
26. Nassef Sawiris
27. Aliko Dangote
28. Ismael Belkhayat
29. Hassatou Diop N’Sele
30. Jeremy Awori
31. Manuel Moses
32. Hassanein Hiridjee
33. Rene Awambeng
34. Joseph Moses Oleshangay
35. Mohamed Adow
36. Michael Kakande
37. Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli
38. William Asiko
39. Eva Omaghomi
40. Nelson Amenya
41. Helmy Abouleish
42. Binaifer Nowrojee

Science & Academia

43. Elhadj As Sy
44. Chinasa T. Okolo
45. Tshilidzi Marwala
46. Prof. Colleen Masimirembwa
47. Prof. Moses Obimbo Madadi
48. Rediet Abebe
49. Rachid Guerraoui
50. Abdoulaye Diabaté
51. Joy Buolamwini
52. Abeba Birhane

Opinion Shapers

53. Miatta Fahnbulleh
54. Olajide Olatunji
55. Carlos Lopes
56. Zain Verjee
57. John-Allan Namu
58. Vera Songwe
59. Nesrine Malik
60. Tayo Aina
61. Thebe Ikalafeng
62. Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi
63. Hannah Ryder
64. Ayman Mohyeldin
65. Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard

Creative Industry

66. Zineb Sedira
67. Rita Mawuena Benissan
68. Iansmith Mwenda
69. Idris Elba
70. Ken Wakia
71. Adejoké Bakare
72. Ayra Starr
73. Selma Feriani
74. DJ Edu
75. Eugene Mbugua
76. Chigozie Obioma
77. Kamel Daoud
78. Tesfaye Urgessa
79. Mehdi Qotbi
80. DBN Gogo
81. Yinka Ilori
82. Amina Lola Shoneyin
83. Ekow Eshun
84. Zhong FeiFei
85. Mati Diop
86. Hassan Hajjaj
87. Koyo Kouoh
88. Mo Harawe
89. Victoria Kimani

Sports

90. Patrice Motsepe
91. Letsile Tebogo
92. Imane Khelif
93. Tunde Onakoya
94. Gelson Fernandes
95. Oumar ‘Reug Reug’ Kane
96. Biniam Girmay
97. Ademola Lookman
98. Ruth Chepng’etich
99. Omar Berrada
100. Sifan Hassan

This year’s list celebrates African excellence across diverse fields, reaffirming the continent’s role as a global powerhouse of talent and innovation.

Nigerian activist and humanitarian Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as Verydarkman (VDM), has painfully taken to social media to disclose a devastating setback in his ongoing mission to transform lives.

In a shocking announcement, he revealed that his NGO account, which had recently amassed over ₦200 million in donations for his noble cause, was hacked, and a staggering ₦160 million stolen in what he described as a move beyond his comprehension.

This heart-wrenching revelation comes just weeks after Verydarkman shared his ambitious plans to build schools for underprivileged children who lack access to basic education.

His vision captured the hearts of many, including celebrities, who rallied behind him, contributing generously to the fund. The NGO account became a beacon of hope, symbolizing the promise of a brighter future for countless children.

In a video shared on his official Facebook page on December 27, a visibly distraught VDM recounted the chilling moment he discovered the breach.

Despite the overwhelming sense of loss, he declared that he would not rest until the stolen funds are recovered.

True to his word, Verydarkman shared that he has already launched a full-scale investigation into the cyber heist. In the video, he was seen with a security operative assigned to the case. He disclosed that the duo were en route to Jos, a critical location in the ongoing hunt for the suspected perpetrators.

VDM also revealed that before making this public announcement, he had already taken measures to secure the account, including shutting down the app in hopes of resolving the issue quietly. However, circumstances forced him to update his supporters, as the situation demanded urgent transparency.

All DStv customers will have free access to all DStv channels from Dec. 27 to 29, regardless of their current subscription package.

This is contained in a statement on Thursday by MultiChoice Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seasonal offer is open to all DStv subscribers.

The statement read in part: “No Subscription, No Problem! Switch on your DStv decoder for a gift like no other this festive season, 72 hours of all content, all channels, all on us!

“As we wind down the year and celebrate the holidays, DStv is happy to announce that we are making this December one to remember.

“From Friday, Dec. 27, to Sunday, Dec. 29, we’re giving all DStv customers, connected and disconnected, regardless of their current package, access to every channel and every show at no extra cost.

“Whatever package you’re on, connected or not, this is your chance to unlock the full power of DStv Premium and revel in a world of endless entertainment and authenticity.

“For 72 hours, the only thing standing between you and the best in sports, kids’ programming, movies, and local dramas is your decoder. No payments or calls required.”

Abimbola Fashola, wife of Babatunde Fashola, the former governor of Lagos, says her husband does not discuss political matters with her.

In an interview aired on News Central television on Thursday, the former first lady of Lagos said there is a source through which she gets political updates about her husband.

Abimbola did not provide any information when asked about her husband’s “strained” relationship with his predecessor, Bola Tinubu, during Fashola’s second term as governor of Lagos.

“My husband doesn’t discuss political things with me. I don’t get to hear from my husband. I get to hear from a source. I have a source,” she said.

“It is like a spiritual guide for you to know what you are praying about. That is the way I see it. I don’t have two prayers.”

On accusations that the former Lagos governor had children outside of wedlock, Abimbola said it was a defamation of character and a plot to separate her from her husband.

“Some of my elderly women that I know told me not to worry about everything that was being said,” she said.

“They said that they had defended me, and I should accept the children. They said they know me very well and that I would ask anyone who has a child for my husband to bring them in.

“It was defamation of character. I did not talk about it at all with him. My father had several wives; I have younger ones.

“They thought I was going to leave my husband. And I know he did not do it. Most people would think we don’t talk. I’m not saying he is a perfect man, but he carries me along.”

To spend N35.68trn on capital projects, recurrent get N38.57 trn

•Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Delta, Enugu, A/Ibom emerge as heavy spenders

•Gombe, Yobe, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Nasarawa’re least spenders

•Lagos’ N3trn surpasses North-East six states’ N2.6trn

•Rivers, FCT yet to announce budgets

TO alleviate poverty and improve the fortunes of the citizenry in 2025, the Federal Government and 35 of the 36 states of the country have proposed to spend N74.249 trillion as budget next year.

Rivers State, which is enmeshed in political crisis and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, are yet to announce their budgets.

The N74.249 trillion could be more, by the end of 2025, as the Federal Government and most of the states’ proposals are yet to be passed by the legislature. There is also the likelihood of supplementary appropriations.

According to Vanguard’s summation of the various budgets, the sum of N35.676 trillion or 48.05 per cent would be spent on capital projects while recurrent expenditures were allocated N38.573 trillion (51.95 per cent).

Indeed, most of the 35 states allocated more funds to capital expenditure except Ekiti , Osun and the Federal Government (see table).

Ekiti State proposed to spend N183.464 billion of its N375.790 billion budget on capital projects and earmarked N192.327 billion for recurrent expenditure.

On its part, Osun State proposed N390.028 billion, voted N144.231 billion for capital expenditure, and N245.797billion for recurrent.

At the centre, the Federal Government unveiled a N49.74 trillion proposal made up of N30.45 recurrent expenditure and N19.29 trillion capital expenditure.

The recurrent budget consists of N16.33 trillion (debt servicing) and N14.12 trillion (non-debt recurrent). And the capital expenditure includes N14.85 trillion (projects) and N4.44trillion (statutory transfers).

Among the states, the heavy spenders are Lagos (N3.005 trillion), Niger (N1.5 trillion), Ogun (N1.0545 trillion), Delta (N979.2 billion), Enugu (N971.8 billion) and Akwa Ibom (N955 billion).
The least spenders include Gombe (N320.11billion), Yobe (320.811 billion), Ekiti (N375.79 billion) Nasarawa (N382.57billion) and Ebonyi (N396.59 billion).

Among the zones, the South-West came tops with N6.202 trillion and the least is North-East with N2.610 trillion.

The others are North-West (N4.382 trillion), North-Central (N4.0265trillion), South-South (without Rivers) has N3.807 trillion, and South-East N3.481 trillion).

As the economic nerve centre of the nation, the N3.005 trillion budget of Lagos surpasses the N2.610 trillion proposed by the six states (Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe) of the Northeast.

The Lagos figure is about N476 billion less than the entire budgets of the five (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo) South-East states (N3.481 billion)

Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, has expressed sorrow over the death of over 65 Nigerians rushing for donated free foodstuffs, just as it urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on food nationwide.

The OPC in a statement by its General Secretary, Bunmi Fasehun, lamented the reported deaths last week of 35 people in Ibadan capital of Oyo State, 20 in Okija area of Anambra State, and 10 in Abuja the Federal Capital Territory.

Fasehun said: “As a matter of national emergency, Tinubu must intervene to bring down food prices to reduce hunger in Nigeria and ameliorate the sufferings of the citizens.

“The government must declare a state of emergency on food immediately.

“OPC urges the government to open the borders and ports for food to enter Nigeria quickly. Tinubu must allow for free movement of local and imported rice and other food items through the Nigerian highways. This government must mandate Customs and other agencies to stop seizing food and to stop hindering the transportation of edibles and consumables.”

Expressing the sympathy of OPC on the tragic incident, Fasehun said the deaths reflected the hopelessness and frustration experienced by a vast majority of Nigerians.

Fasehun said: “These avoidable deaths sound a loud and tragic message about the millions of Nigerians who are constantly confronted by crippling starvation and deep poverty. Yet governments at all levels show no concern.

“Why should Nigeria, with its reputation as the giant of Africa, record such tragic mishaps? Those deaths are a disgrace to our status as a nation blessed with natural resources, abundant human capacity and millions of hectares of arable land mass.

“Truth be told, the palliatives the government feels it has provided are not working because they never reach the intended targets. Such provisions, no matter how well-intended, are grossly inadequate. Even worse, the distribution channels are too few and too selective to get the items to the really needy among Nigeria’s 240 million citizens.

“Today, a bag of rice has risen to more than N100,000, three times its price under Muhammadu Buhari, and about 15 times its value under Goodluck Jonathan.

“Cooking gas has risen to over N18,000 today, from less than N10,000 under Buhari, and N2,000 under Jonathan. The cost of transportation is higher than it has ever been.

“There is scarcity of Naira notes. Banks are rationing notes and customers are not able to collect more than N5,000 to N20,000 cash per day. This is unacceptable.

“The government must scrap all policies that have impoverished Nigerians and brought unprecedented economic hardship on poor citizens. Policies that must go include: Zero-fuel subsidy, increased tariff on electricity, and high fees in government-owned educational institutions.

“Every policy must have a human face. What is the use of government recording increases in revenue allocation when inflation eats up all the gains and Nigerians are being killed by hunger, frustration and desperation?

“President Tinubu’s government must dedicate itself to guaranteeing food security. Every effort must be aimed towards restoring to Nigerians the conducive atmosphere and secure space to help farmers return to their farms.”

Former spokesperson and Director-General of Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has stated that the South, not the North, should produce Nigeria’s president in 2027.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Lagos, Okupe argued that geopolitical considerations make it unfair for the North to reclaim the presidency after President Bola Tinubu’s tenure.

Okupe acknowledged that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is eminently qualified to run in 2027.

However, he contended that Atiku’s candidacy would face the same challenges as in 2023 when his bid was perceived as disrupting the North-South power rotation.

The ex-presidential spokesman said the problem with the idea of Atiku’s presidency in 2027 is geopolitics, not age, adding that the South should be allowed to complete its eight-year term, just as the North did before Tinubu’s coming.

Okupe said, “Atiku failed in 2023, not because he was not a good person, but because people felt that a northern Muslim cannot succeed another northern Muslim after eight years.

“If Atiku still contests in 2027, he has a right. He is eminently qualified and one of the best we have, but geopolitics is an issue.

“The conditionality still persists, a Southerner would have just completed four years and needs another four-year term.

“It’s not in the constitution, but we agree that when a Northerner does his eight years, a Southerner will do.

“So, the North cannot now terminate the tenure of the South in 2027. It is not going to work.”

The ex-LP chieftain said Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party could also vie for the highest office in the country in 2027 as a southerner.

He, however, said it would be difficult for Obi to dislodge Tinubu as the President.

“Obi can contest. Obi is a young man, very dynamic and very ambitious; but geopolitics is important in a country that has not achieved horizontal and vertical unity.

“The person who is occupying the place right now, Tinubu, is also a Southerner, who is doing well.

“We can see what this gentleman (Tinubu) is doing. I wish Obi luck, but it is going to be an uphill task,” he said.

On whether alliances of politicians and parties could unseat Tinubu in 2027, Okupe said he did not see any political gang-up working against the president.

According to him, alliances against Tinubu will fail because the participants will not be willing to give concessions.

Okupe stated, “I have been in this game for 40 years and above. I came into politics in 1978. I have been in several talks, and discussions and I have represented my party, and my movement in several alliances.

“We have not attained that maturity to get to the level of being rational and reasonable and ready to give the necessary concession for a group interest. We are not there yet.

“Even if you look at our private businesses, go and check, 90 per cent of business partnerships will crumble within the first three years.

“I wish those who are trying alliance, I wish them luck but it is going to end up the same way it has always ended up. All the alliances will end up in futility.”

On the alliance that brought ex-President Buhari in 2015, Okupe said that though he criticised the alliance, the leader of the alliance, Tinubu, conceded everything to make it work.

“The man who spearheaded that alliance has grown beyond this constitution of naivety and selfishness.

“You put up an alliance, you set up a dining table, you cook food, and say other people should go and eat it. It is not done anywhere.

“Everything, he conceded, so that the thing could work,” he said.

He expressed doubt in the readiness and willingness of opposition leaders such as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (LP), and Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, mulling an alliance against Tinubu in 2027, to concede for one another.

“If you look at it very well, that kind of maturity does not exist,” Okupe added.

NAN

The Kogi State Police Command has arrested a man, Abdulmuqeet Musari, for allegedly luring his 19-year-old friend, Usman Tijani, to a burial ground, robbing him of N200,000, and slitting his throat in the Adavi Local Government Area of the state.

Tijani, a Point-of-Sale operator and a 200-Level Cybersecurity student at Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, was attacked on December 24, 2024.

He was later found critically injured and is currently undergoing surgery at a Lokoja hospital.

A family member of the victim, Zainab Avosuahu, who narrated the incident, disclosed that the suspect on Tuesday allegedly lured her nephew into the bush, collected N200,000 from him, and slit his throat.

“We received a shocking call from my sister on Tuesday that left us devastated. Please, this is a call for justice for my nephew, whom his friend dragged to the bush, collected 200k from, and still had his throat butchered.

“He is currently undergoing surgery in Lokoja while the ‘devil in disguise’ of a friend is on the run. Please, we are on the lookout for him. This is all the information we can get now, as the victim can’t say much,” she stated.

However, the suspect was later apprehended by the vigilante and security architecture of the local government, who followed him to a neighbouring community in Ekiti.

According to Suleiman Acheneje, the Senior Special Assistant to the LG chairman, Bashiru Okatenwu, the security personnel of the LG swung into action when they heard about the situation.

He stated, “In the late hours of December 24, 2024, 7 pm to 8 pm precisely, unforeseen circumstances happened around Adavi burial ground, where a young boy named Usman Tijani got attacked by one of the bad eggs we still have in our society.

“Usman who happens to be a 200-level student of Cyber Security in Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara was brutally injured by Abdulmuqeet Musari, whose intent was no doubt to kill him.

“The victim was found nearly dead and rescued around 2am (on Christmas day) in New Zango, Adavi LGA, where he was immediately rushed to Lokoja and has since been receiving treatment in a very sound hospital there.

“The culprit was already on the run but kudos to the Executive Chairman Of Adavi, and their security intel, as they were able to apprehend the culprit in Ekiti state.”

It was gathered that the suspect had been handed over to the police.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Williams Aya, confirmed the incident and the arrest of the suspect.

Aya said, “The suspect has been arrested and is currently in police custody, and the investigation is ongoing. He will be arraigned in court on completion of the investigation,”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, knocked a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus,  for describing him (Wike) as an enemy of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Wike, who spoke at the Ahoada East and Ahoada West PDP End of Year Thanksgiving in Rivers State, said  Secondus was Fubara’s real enemy.

According to him, as PDP Chairman, Secondus opposed the choice of Fubara as Rivers governor in 2023.

Wike said Secondus rather wanted his cousin, Tele Ikuru, to become Rivers Governor.

Wike, who backed Fubara to become governor, said it was this reason he plotted the removal of Secondus as the PDP National Chairman.

Who, who has now fallen apart with Fubara, berated Secondus and a former Rivers State governor, Celestine Omehia, for backing Fubara in the ongoing political war.

Last week, Secondus, who was in Rivers State as Fubara’s guest during the inauguration of a road project, told the governor he would overcome his political enemies.

“Be strong and be courageous, because you will overcome your enemies. Those who are shouting in Abuja, how were they made? It is God and some of us and the leaders seated here today that made it possible.

“Your Excellency, don’t worry, power comes from God. The same way God gave it to them through us, God has given it to you. From what we have seen, you will excel because you love and respect the people, leaders, and elders of the State,” Secondus told Fubara.

But speaking on Thursday Wike lampooned Secondus, describing him as Fubara’s real enemy.

Wike also refuted claims that he left unfinished projects for Fubara to complete, challenging the governor to name any such uncompleted projects.

He said, “I heard Secondus say the other day in Bori that I awarded the Bori Internal Road as governor.

“I paid 50 per cent and thinking that we have a governor that we all agreed to continue. Secondus was saying that his enemies;  who are the enemies of the governor? Secondus that refused him to be governor!

“I kicked out Secondus as PDP National Chairman when he wanted to make his cousin, Tele Ikuru, to be governor.  Today, he is saying now that we are enemies.

“He (Seconds) was the one who refused the man (Fubara) to be governor; he wanted his cousin to be governor. He has now become the governor’s friend and we have now become the enemies. To God be the glory,” Wike said.

Wike also tackled Omehia for describing him as an underperformer.

He claimed that Omehia’s grouse with him stemmed from his being booted out of the government house.

“I overheard one imbecile, and let him challenge me, an imbecile Celestine Omehia. I say so and that is why when he wanted to occupy the Government House, I kicked him out. We could not have an imbecile as governor.

“He said they should ask me what I have done for Rivers State. That is why I say he is an imbecile.  If he understands that, I am not a minister of a ministry!

“I am the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. When I was Minister of Education, he would have challenged me and asked ‘What did you bring to Rivers State?’ I was Minister of Education, I brought the Faculty of Law to the University of Port Harcourt.  I gave grants to Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic;  I gave grants to Ignatius Ajuru University.  I made sure to renovate the  Federal Government Collage Port Harcourt and the Federal Government Girls College, Abuloma. That was what I thought,” Wike stated.

He said though as the FCT Minister now, he cannot bring road projects or FCT money to Rivers State, “I can help Rivers people. And I have been helping Rivers people.”

He also boasted that “by the instrumentality of Mr President,  there is no governor in this state that has attracted political appointments to this state than myself. Go and count it.”

“By the instrumentality of Mr President; by his grace, by his love for us, he said, ‘Go and give me these names for political appointments’.  So, Mr Omehia,  are you not aware that Rivers people have more political appointments than even when you are serving somebody? Are you not aware?”

Wike described the chief host of the thanksgiving, Chibudum Nwuche, as a worthy and steadfast politician loved by his people.

 “What you (Nwuche) have shown today is what is called steadfastness. It is very difficult for you to see people who are steadfast. It is very difficult,” he said.

He also thanked the Chairman of the Rivers State All Progressives Congrats and his team for coming to rejoice with Nwuche, who is former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Wike commended the Rivers APC Chairman for resolving not to play politics of bitterness but rather embracing inclusivity.

The minister said he was proud that his wife hailed from the Ekpeye kingdom.

 “Today your daughter is a Justice of the Court of Appeal,” he remarked.

Earlier in his welcome address, the chief host, Nwuche, thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing Wike as the FCT Minister.

Nwuche stated, “Today is thanksgiving for the PDP in Ahoada East and Ahoada West, products of the tribes of Ekpeye and Engine. We chose today to give gratitude to God. Like the preacher said, as it is in the Bible, those who give gratitude can ask for more from God. Those that don’t, will have their journeys cut short.”

He said though the PDP loyalists toiled to be in government, they had been pushed aside.

He urged them not to despair, saying “Time is ticking and very soon we shall reclaim our state.”

Addressing Wike, he said, “Your Excellency I want to commend the President for appointing somebody of your capacity as the Minister of the FCT.”

According to Nwuche,  Wike has shown Nigerians that what he did in Rivers State was not a fluke.

 “It’s your nature to transform states and cities. Wike is working. Abuja is being transformed. Projects awarded 20 years ago are now being completed. Abuja is truly a modern city compared to any other in the world.

“Ekpeye has seen over four governors, from Ada George to Dr Peter Odili to Rotimi Amaechi. You are the only governor who has given Ekpeye and Enhene a pride of place.”

Present at the event were former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, members of the House of Representatives, including Alwell Nyosu, Solomon Bob, Victor Obizor, Dummamene Dekor, and the member representing Rivers State on the board of the NDDC, Chief Tony Okocha, among others.