2baba, Makhadzi, Stonebwoy, Eddy kenzo, Nikita others storm Ethiopia as AU unveils AFRIMA 2025 Calendar, Host City

Celebrated African music icon 2baba Idibia will headline a dynamic lineup of artists and global music industry leaders as panelists at the upcoming AFRIMA 2025 Music Conference, which forms part of a two-day event organized by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Committee of the All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) to unveil the AFRIMA 2025 Calendar and Host City, at the AU Headquarters, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from May 13 to 14, 2025.

Joining 2baba on the panels are top names such as South African superstar, Makhadzi; the vibrant Kenya music sensation, Nikita Kering; Ugandan multiple-award winner, and music executive, Eddy Kenzo; international pop star and ARIMA 2018 best artist in Raggae/Ragga from Ghana, Stonebwoy; Founder and CEO of Bana Records, Ethiopia, Bien Mekonnen; AFRIMA’s Regional Director and CEO of Yekwatu, Mike Strano; and Leo Fakhrul the Founder and Managing Director, Mamba Sounds, Edinburgh, UK amongst others. Together, they will engage in forward-thinking conversations around the future of African music, and the continent’s evolving creative economy.

According to Eyob Alemayehu, AFRIMA’s Country Director in Ethiopia, the excitement surrounding the hosting rights bid will hit its peak when the winning city is officially announced and awarded a certificate during the event.

Alemayehu also mentioned that the official theme for this year’s Africa’s global Music Award and the biggest music event in Africa, AFRIMA 2025 will be revealed during the two-day event, which will feature other exciting activities and programs that speaks to the seven (7) pillars of AFRIMA; (1) Music Awards (2) Music Festival (3) AFRIMA Kreative Academy (4) Talent Discovery and Promotion (5) Africa Music Business Hub (6) Policy Debate and Advisory (7) Advocacy

The first day will begin with an intellectually engaging Music conference with theme: Music Beyond Borders, followed by a host city announcement and calendar unveiling. Experts will dive into important topics like music industry policies, international collaborations, and strategies to boost Africa’s creative sector from developmental and economic growth prism. The calendar unveiling will provide information on the various programs, build-up activations and dates for main ceremonies of AFRIMA 2025.

“It’s a fully loaded first day,” said Alemayehu. “The Music Conference will kick off with the first panel session, ‘Borderless Beats: The Future of African Music in a Globalized World’, exploring how African sounds are resonating with global audiences. This will be followed by Panel Session 2, ‘Unlocking and Monetizing Africa’s Music Economy’, where top industry experts will discuss strategies to grow and sustain the continent’s creative sector.”

“We are bringing some of Africa’s most respected voices in music, and key industry leaders to Ethiopia because this is a crucial moment for the continent’s creative industry. Their insights and experiences are vital as we discuss and dissect the future of African music and explore strategies to grow a sustainable creative economy that speaks to both our heritage and our global aspirations.”

The day will wrap up with the AFRIMA Dinner & Social Networking Event, an exclusive gathering featuring AFRIMA and AU officials, renowned artists, and special industry stakeholders. This is a fantastic chance for everyone in the African music scene to connect and explore potential collaborations, Alemayehu said.

He added that on the second day, delegates will have a fantastic opportunity to explore the country’s rich cultural heritage. The City Tour will take participants to intriguing historical landmarks, heritage sites, museums, and artistic hubs, allowing for an immersive experience of Ethiopia’s vibrant culture.

“The unveiling of the AFRIMA 2025 Calendar and Host City is not just the beginning of another award season, it is a strong statement that Africa’s creative industry is moving forward. This moment starts the journey to another exciting edition in 2025, where the continent and the diaspora will come together to celebrate our music and culture,” Alemayehu.

Buratai advocates fusion of military strategy, diplomacy in global peace efforts

A former Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd), weekend, made a strong case for embedding military leadership to the fabric of international diplomacy and conflict resolution.

Buratai made the call while speaking as a special guest of honour at a one-day simulation of the United Nations General Assembly for students of the Department of Political Science, Nigerian Army University, Biu.

Lt-Gen Buratai, who was represented by Brig-Gen Muhammad Kabir Galadanci (rtd), stated the evolving responsibilities of military figures in today’s global arena, asserting that modern military officers must not only command on the battlefield but also influence diplomatic dialogue and multilateral cooperation.

Buratai pointed out that 21st-century security landscapes required leaders with both strategic defence expertise and solid grasp of diplomacy.

“Today’s military commanders are frontline contributors in negotiations, conflict mediation and peace partnerships,” he stated.

He spotlighted Nigeria’s distinguished history in global peacekeeping, recounting its early presence in the UN mission to Congo in 1960 and the nation’s leadership in ECOWAS peace interventions across West Africa.

“Nigeria has participated in 41 peacekeeping missions with over 200,000 troops deployed globally,” he said, referencing operations in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the Gambia.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s pioneering role in founding the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), Buratai acknowledged the operational hurdles it faced, including poor coordination and funding challenges.

Despite these, he maintained that ECOMOG laid a strong blueprint for regional peace enforcement and intergovernmental collaboration in West Africa.

Buratai didn’t shy away from Nigeria’s current internal security trials as he argued that ongoing challenges such as insurgency, armed banditry, and communal unrest have constrained the country’s external engagement.

He urged investment in defence training, modern combat technology, and stronger civil-military synergy to enhance Nigeria’s capacity to fulfil its global peace commitments.

Reinforcing Nigeria’s position on international reforms, Buratai reiterated the need to democratise global institutions, particularly the UN Security Council, to ensure fair representation for Africa. “A permanent African seat isn’t just symbolic; it is essential for inclusive decision-making on global peace and security,” he stated.

“Blood on the Road: 17 Arrested as Bayelsa Police Unravel Cult-Linked Murder of Two NDU Graduates”

The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 17 suspects in connection with the brutal murder of two graduates from the Niger Delta University (NDU), whose bodies were discovered in the Gbarantoru community of Yenagoa Local Government Area.

The arrest, carried out by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) led by CSP Bishop Elemide, followed a stop-and-search operation mounted along the Amassoma Road on Friday night after receiving a distress alert.

According to police sources, the suspects were intercepted in a Suzuki mini-bus, with over 13 young men cramped inside, some visibly stained with blood and carrying machetes believed to have been used in the killings.

“We saw over 13 boys squeezed into the bus, some with blood stains on their bodies and weapons,” a source said. “It was immediately clear that they were fleeing the scene of a violent crime. Further questioning revealed they had earlier traveled in two buses, but one broke down, forcing them all into one vehicle.”

Among those arrested are four suspected internet fraudsters, commonly referred to as ‘Yahoo boys,’ who allegedly sponsored the killing of the victims, identified as Ayaokpo Sinclair and his unnamed colleague.

Police sources further revealed that the murder may have been cult-related, involving suspected members of the Vikings Confraternity, acting on orders from the cyber fraud suspects. The victims, however, were said to belong to rival cult groups — the Neo Black Movement (Black Axe) and possibly the Bobos cult group, though this remains unconfirmed.

“This was a hit backed by cult rivalry and digital crime,” another officer added. “What we are seeing is a dangerous fusion between cultism and cybercrime in our tertiary institutions.”

Spokesman of the Bayelsa State Police Command, Musa Mohammed, confirmed the arrests and said the investigation was ongoing to determine each suspect’s level of involvement.

“Yes, some major arrests have been made, and the command is thoroughly investigating the matter,” Mohammed stated on Sunday.

The gruesome killing has sent shockwaves through the student community and surrounding areas. Reports indicate that known members of the Vikings confraternity in NDU, other universities, and even secondary schools in Yenagoa have gone into hiding, fearing retaliatory attacks.

As the investigation deepens, residents and parents are urging the state government to intensify efforts to rid campuses of violent cult activities and bring the masterminds of this heinous act to justice.