Nigerian Afrobeats singer, Divine Ikubor, also known as Rema, has revealed that the Nigerian music industry is filled with ‘fake people’, which helped inspire his song.

The singer made this known while speaking at the listening party for his sophomore album, ‘HeIs,’ in Lagos on Thursday night.

According to Rema, one of the tracks on the album “Now I Know” was inspired by the “fake” nature of the Nigerian music scene.

He said, “There are a lot of fake people in the [music] industry, the industry is fake. So when people come and say ‘Yo, I love this guy,’ nobody should tell them that they’re chasing clout. No, it’s real.

“When somebody comes out, it’s because they’ve seen someone who’s real among everybody in the crazy industry, mixed with both the fake and the real. And that’s what this song [‘Now I Know] is all about. Now I know who dey for me.

“All those I loved turned enemies. Now I know who dey for me. All those I trust turned enemies.”

As Nigerians’ confidence in govt anti-corruption effort drops

A National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, survey report has shown that Nigerians paid N721 billion in cash bribes to public officials in 2023.

The Survey report titled: “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and trends”, released yesterday, indicated that more than 95 per cent of all bribes Nigerians paid in 2023 were in monetary form.

Meanwhile, the report also showed that Nigerians’ confidence in the government’s anti-corruption effort declined during the review period.

The report stated: “Overall, it is estimated that a total of roughly N721 billion ($1.26 billion) was paid in cash bribes to public officials in Nigeria in 2023, corresponding to 0.35 per cent of the entire Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria.

“In 2023, bribes paid in a public official’s office and the street accounted for around 35 and 36 per cent of all paid bribes, respectively.

“11 per cent of bribes were paid in the respondents’ own homes, while 7 per cent were paid in public buildings such as restaurants, malls, or stations.

“In 2023, the largest share of Nigerian citizens that had contact with health care professionals and public utility officers for bribery was at 30 per cent and 24 per cent respectively.

“Police officers came third, with a contact rate of 20 per cent.”

On Nigerians confidence in government anti-corruption efforts, NBS said: “Nigerians’ confidence in the government’s anti-corruption effort has been declining over time and across regions.

“While in 2019, more than half of all citizens thought that the government was effective in fighting corruption, in 2023, the share declined to less than a third of all citizens.”

NBS report also revealed that private sector bribery increased from 6.0 per cent of citizens who had at least one contact with a private sector actor in 2019 to 14 per cent in 2023.

The Police Command in Lagos State says it has arrested a couple (name withheld) over an alleged attempt to sell their two-year-old son to travel to Canada.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

Hundeyin said that the couple, aged 28 and 22, were arrested on Tuesday while attempting to sell the boy.

The spokesperson said that on Tuesday, at about 2.45 p.m., the Isolo Divisional Police Officer (DPO) received information that a couple went to Isolo General Hospital and declared their intention to sell their baby boy.

“Upon receipt of the information, operatives from the station moved swiftly to the hospital, where they were about to sell their child.

“The baby’s age is two, and he has been rescued. Upon interrogation, the couple confessed that they decided to sell the baby to enable the man to travel to Canada for a greener pasture.

“However, the investigation is ongoing,” he said. (NAN)

The House of Representatives has set up a nine-man committee to investigate the National Hajj Commission or NAHCON on how it spent the N90bn donated to it by the federal government and sundry financial receipts for the 2024 Hajj operation in Saudi Arabia.

The House condemned the performance of NAHCON and FCTA Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board in the 2024 Hajj exercise describing their roles as abysmal.

Also to be investigated apart from NAHCON and the FCTA Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board are their agents, and sub-agents in the 2024 Hajj exercise.

The resolutions emanated from the adoption of a ‘Motion of Urgent Public Importance moved by Hon Mohammed Omar Bio on the Urgent Need to Investigate the National Hajj Commission and FCTA Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, Their Agents, and Sun Agents Over The Shoody Arrangement And Treatment of Nigerian Pilgrims’ in the 2024 Hajj Exercise.

Omar Bio noted that the Hajj exercise is important in the life of every Muslim and is, in fact, one of the five pillars of Islam.

He said, “NAHCON was set up to provide efficient and effective services to the pilgrims through implementation of NAHCON Act;

“Seamless coordination in the states of the federation, each state has a Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and that of FCT is the FCTA Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

“About 50, 865 Muslim Pilgrims across the states in Nigeria were under the care of NAHCON, and some of them were not taken care of in terms of welfare, organisation, guidance and monitoring as expected.”

The Lawmaker stressed that despite the “huge amount paid by the Pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj exercise, NAHCON’s 2024 Budget Allocation, intervention from the Federal Government to the tune of 90 Billion Naira, and support from the Government of Saudi Arabia, NAHCON and FCTA Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board’s below performance in the 2024 Hajj Exercise especially in Makkah and Mina is unexpected.”

He said it’s disturbing that “if this poor performance of NAHCON is not investigated with a view to improve future performance,” further “Hajj exercise for Nigerian citizens may be more complicated and put the entire country in a bad light in the committee of nations.”

The house consequently set up the committee with a mandate to investigate and report back during a legislative day.

Hon Akinremi Jagaban’s death OyO state city boy ambassador pay tribute to Hon Akinremi Jagaban.

Hon Omotosho Muyiwa (Maury) The National financial Secretary of City Boy Ambassador and leader in Oyo state. On behalf of the group, commensurate with the family, friends, APC Party members, the good people of Ibadan North LG and Oyo state, on the death of Hon Akinremi Muslieu Jagaban. 

He described the late Hon.as lover of the people, a dutiful law maker of the national assembly and a philanthropist of great repute. 

He then pray that the Lord will grant late Hon Akinremi Jagaban family the fortitude to bear the lost of the great man.

The House of Representatives has passed for a second reading, a bill seeking the creation of Etiti State out of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states from the Southeast geopolitical zone.

The piece of legislation which scaled through the debate stage at plenary on Thursday is titled; “Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Creation Of Etiti State out of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States and for Related Matters (HB. 1525).

Sponsored by Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah (Abia), Hon. Miriam Odinaka Onuoha (Imo), Hon. Kama Nkemkama (Ebonyi) Hon. Princess Chinwe Nnabuife (Anambra) and Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu (Enugu), the bill seeks to address a longstanding issue of regional parity and administrative efficiency within the Southeast geopolitical zone.

It proposes an alteration to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to accommodate the creation of Etiti State, thereby increasing the number of states in the Southeast geopolitical zone from five to six.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, Hon. Ogah (LP, Abia) said the establishment of Etiti State was not just a matter of administrative convenience but a step towards ensuring balanced regional development and effective governance.

The lawmaker said it responded to the aspirations of the people of a very important region to the country and aligned with the principles of equity and inclusivity enshrined in the country’s democratic ideals.

“Mr Speaker, distinguished colleagues, it is not news that the current structure of the Southeast region with just five states—Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo—as against other regions of the country which have no fewer than six states, has been a subject of debate and advocacy for reconfiguration.

“The creation of Etiti State is a proactive step towards aligning the region with the structural realities of its other 5 sister regions in the country. Suffice it to say that is a long overdue step in the right direction to foster equitable representation, enhance governance efficiency, and promote socio-economic development within the region.

“Let us bear in mind that the Southeast, with its rich cultural heritage and strategic economic potential, deserves a governance framework that optimally serves its diverse communities.

“The creation of Etiti State will facilitate more targeted development initiatives, better resource allocation, and improved service delivery to the people. As we deliberate on this historic Bill, let us remain guided by the imperative of fairness, efficiency, and progress. The creation of Etiti State represents a unique opportunity to strengthen our federal structure, empower our communities, and foster national unity.

“I urge all Honourable Members to support this Bill, which promises to reshape the socio-political landscape of the Southeast for the betterment of all. Mr Speaker, Distinguished Colleagues, I therefore urge us all to thoughtfully consider and swiftly pass this important Constitution Alteration Bill. Let us seize this moment to make history and fulfil our mandate to serve the best interests of the Nigerian people,” he maintained.

A Ugandan court has sentenced Edward Awebwa, 24, a tiktoker to six years in prison for insulting President Yoweri Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, and their son Muhoozi Kainerugaba in a TikTok video.

The charges included hate speech and spreading “misleading and malicious” information against the first family, as reported by BBC.

Awebwa had shared content alleging a rise in taxes under President Museveni’s administration.

Despite pleading guilty and asking for forgiveness, the presiding magistrate, Stella Maris Amabilis, noted Awebwa’s lack of remorse and the vulgar nature of his language.

She emphasized the need for a punitive measure that would teach him to respect the president and his family.

“The accused deserves a punishment which will enable him to learn from his past so that next time he will respect the person of the president, the first lady, and the first son,” said Magistrate Amabilis.

Awebwa received a six-year sentence for each of the four charges, to be served concurrently.

This case has drawn attention from rights groups, who frequently criticize Ugandan authorities for human rights violations and curbing freedom of expression.

In a similar case, award-winning author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija was charged in 2022 with “offensive communication” after making unflattering remarks about the president and his son on Twitter.

Rukirabashaija fled to Germany after a month in jail, claiming he was tortured.

Activist and writer Stella Nyanzi, who is also in exile, faced imprisonment after publishing a critical poem about President Museveni.

President Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, signed a law against hate speech in 2022, which rights groups argue is designed to suppress online freedom of speech.

While the constitutional court later ruled a section of the law penalizing “offensive communication” unconstitutional, Awebwa was charged under the broader law still under challenge.

Ugandan human rights lawyer Michael Aboneka argued that the president and his family should expect criticism from the public.

“Unless they are saying that they are going to arrest every Ugandan for criticizing them at every point,” Aboneka told the BBC Newsday program.

Nollywood actress Joke Silva has celebrated her husband, veteran actor Olu Jacobs, on his 82nd birthday.

In a heartfelt message on her Instagram page, Joke Silva expressed her wishes for the legendary actor.

She said, “82 just like that… Agba ko mi nira l’agbara Jesu… Sir J of life @_olujacobs. Wishing you an amazing year ahead.”

The celebration comes amid recent rumors about Olu Jacobs’ health.

Speculation had surfaced suggesting that the ailing actor had passed away.

These rumors were quickly dispelled by the Jacobs family, reaffirming that the actor is alive.

Joke Silva had previously disclosed that her husband is battling dementia, a revelation that explained his absence from the public eye in recent years.

Despite his health challenges, the couple continues to cherish their moments together, with Silva’s recent tribute highlighting their enduring bond.

Following the Supreme Court decision declaring unlawful the use of the funds meant for local governments by the Nigeria’s 36 governors, Socio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project has called on the governors and FCT minister to account for and return the funds they have collected, or face legal action. 

Recall that the Supreme Court has barred the 36 governors of the federation from further retaining or utilizing funds that are meant for the 774 Local Government Areas, LGAs, in the country.

The apex court ruled that it is illegal and unconstitutional for governors to continue to receive and seize funds allocated to LGAs in their states.

It maintained that the “dubious practice” which has gone on for over two decades, was a clear violation of Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

In its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court held that no House of Assembly of any state has the power to make laws that could, in any manner, interfere with monies meant for the LGAs.

Stressing that the law mandated that LGAs must be governed by democratically elected officials, the Supreme Court ordered that forthwith, funds meant for the LGAs must be directly paid to them from the federation account.

“Demands of justice require a progressive interpretation of the law. It is the position of this court that the federation can pay LGA allocations to the LGAs directly or pay them through the states.

“In this case, since paying them through states has not worked, justice of this case demands that LGA allocations from the federation account should henceforth be paid directly to the LGAs,” the apex court held.

It further declared unconstitutional the appointment of caretaker committees by governors to run the affairs of the LGAs.

It held that the 36 states are under obligation to ensure democratic governance at the third tier of government.

The judgement followed a suit the Federal Government filed to secure financial autonomy for the LGAs.

Earlier, the court dismissed preliminary objections the state governors filed to challenge the competence of the suit.

Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, collapsed outside the courtroom on Thursday, moments before his arraignment trial were set to begin.

Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, is facing a 12-count money laundering charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC alleges that Mamman committed money laundering offenses to the tune of N33bn. As he was about to take a plea, Mamman suddenly collapsed, forcing the court to pause proceedings.

The EFCC’s lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, informed the court that there was a development outside the courtroom, and Ate confirmed that Mamman collapsed “upon being brought into the court premises and had to be resuscitated by the Federal High Court’s medical personnel”.

Ate requested an adjournment for the arraignment to be done on Monday, but the judge fixed it for September ending due to the court’s workload.

Olumide-Fusika had filed an amended charge earlier in the morning, correcting an error in Mamman’s name, but the judge declined to read the fresh charge to Mamman.

After receiving treatment, Mamman told the court that he was fit to continue with the arraignment despite the health issue, explaining that he collapsed due to taking drugs on an empty stomach, which caused his blood pressure to drop. The judge however acknowledged that such incidents can happen to anyone.

The court has adjourned the case to a later date, pending further developments.