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GLITZ AS AFRIMA FETES JURORS AT ANNUAL PATRON’S DINNER

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AFRIMA

GLITZ AS AFRIMA FETES JURORS AT ANNUAL PATRON’S DINNER

……..surprises Patron, Onasanya at 61 with a special birthday shout-out

AFRIMA

 

It was an exciting blend of glitz, glam and euphoria as the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) hosted its annual patron’s dinner with the jury members, held Wednesday, in Lagos, Nigeria.

 

The event, which feted stakeholders in Africa’s creative economy, including media and music executives, and African entertainers, among others, gave a glimpse into what to expect from this year’s edition, as the #RoadToAFRIMA22 continues to take an interesting glide in highlighting and celebrating talents from all parts of Africa.

 

AFRIMA

 

Also present at the continental event, which in the past nine years, has continued to celebrate African talents, were music enthusiasts, stakeholders, artiste managers, as well as musicians such as Eltee Skhillz, Major AJ, Tariq, among others.

 

Held at the EbonyLife Place, in Victoria Island, Lagos, the dinner was a close experience into the AFRIMA Award experience, as the dignitaries present met with the jurors, composed of music aficionados from across all five regions in the continent and in the diaspora, as well as a representative from the African Union Commission (AUC).

 

AFRIMA

 

 

Hosted by AFRIMA Patron, Dr. Bisi Onasanya, the annual patrons’ dinner with the jury is a special gathering, held during the annual adjudication, to appreciate the jury members for their unflinching support in sieving out the best of talents for nomination at the awards.

The jury members are presently in Lagos, Nigeria, for an 8-day adjudication which began, last Friday, to select the nominees for this year’s edition from 9,076 entries submitted – the highest the awards has ever recorded since inception in 2014. The nominations list would be unveiled Monday, August 22, 2022, while voting begins Wednesday, August 24, 2022.

 

 

 

 

Onasanya expressed enthusiasm at the successes recorded by AFRIMA, noting that the enduring vision of the award body, in conjunction with the AU, will continue to come to fruition.

He said, “This event is to appreciate all the jury members. They are wonderful. They have been very thorough and have given AFRIMA the credibility it has today. They have been working assiduously for the growth of our creative sector. I am very proud to be associated with AFRIMA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“African music is taking over the whole world by surprise. You go to other parts of the world these days and you hear African music being played. I am always excited because it didn’t happen a decade ago. The whole world is now respectful of African music, and they are learning from us. This is a great achievement. AFRIMA, last year, was awesome. It was broadcast all over Africa. If you think last year was awesome, just wait until you see what will happen this year.”

In her keynote speech, a juror representing the African Union, who is the Head of the Culture Division at the African Union Commission, Mrs Angela Martins, appreciated the stakeholders in Africa’s creative space, as well as the award’s organisers for their invaluable contribution to the development of the African creative economy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

She said, “The African Union Commission, which has been a partner with AFRIMA since its inception in 2014, wishes to congratulate AFRIMA for its enthusiasm and priceless efforts in promoting the growth and development of the music industry in the continent, despite the challenges including the Ebola crisis in 2015 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In 2020, AFRIMA played a key role in supporting the AUC in thinking out of the box and finding creative ways of using music to sensitise the continent on issues relating to the pandemic and to mobilise resources for the AU COVID-19 response fund. Hence, we organised a joint conference titled, Stronger Together.

“Since AFRIMA’s inception, we have been part of this pan-African music platform and we have watched it grow and bear fruits and award the most deserving music talents on the continent. This is an excellent contribution to the development of the creative economy of the continent. It has created opportunities for young people in the creative sector. The great work that AFRIMA is doing would not have been possible without the support of well-wishers and believers in the potential and viability in the creative economy of the continent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We know that this is enormous for the well-wishers and supporters, but on this occasion, we wish to pay special tribute to the AFRIMA patron who came on board last year and has been supporting this pan-African music initiative wholeheartedly and unconditionally. His support has increased the visibility of the award. We appreciate and salute him.

“We also wish to express gratitude to the AFRIMA jury from the five regions of the continent and from the diaspora who have supported and believed in this initiative. The adjudication process is a long process and it requires dedication, fairness, transparency and hard work. It takes An African music lover to perform their duties in the way they have been doing so since the inception of the process. We applaud them. We also wish to thank the media whose work has been essential in ensuring the popularisation and growth of the cultural and creative sector of the continent.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another juror representing Western Africa, Mr Motolani Alake, appreciated the AFRIMA team for its efforts in promoting African talent, encouraging African music lovers to unite and consolidate efforts in developing the continent’s creative sector.

“I really wanted to serve the world and Africa. I have learned great things and learned a lot about talents and our impact here. I want to encourage everybody to know that as much as African music is travelling all over the world now, it is also important to support our own and watch it grow,” he said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Similarly, another juror representing Central Africa, Mr Charles Tabu, lauded the prospects in AFRIMA’s drive to boost inclusiveness in her mission to celebrate and spotlight African talent on a global stage.

He said, “It gladdens me to see the creative work that comes out of Africa being awarded. I would like to thank the entertainers for always submitting their entries and believing in the growth of the African creative space. I am from Francophone Africa and I am glad to see artistes from all regions get a chance to be celebrated across the continent and in the diaspora.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Giving his vote of thanks, AFRIMA’s Executive Producer/President, Mr Mike Dada, appreciated believers in Africa’s creative industry, adding that AFRIMA’s work would remain consistent in achieving its objective.

“I am delighted by the support from every stakeholder in our creative economy, from the Patron, to the media, to the entertainers and record executives. I am delighted that we are working closely to make Africa great again. The idea of the patron’s dinner is to thank our jury members. They sit for 18 hours daily for 10 days to sieve out the best talents from several thousands to be nominated for the respective categories they fall under. We do this yearly. And we are not resting on our oars. Together, we will make Africa the pride of the world.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the event raced to its end, AFRIMA’s patron, Onasanya who was surrounded by family, friends and well-wishers, was surprised with a special cake to celebrate his 61st birthday.

Born August 18, 1961, Onasanya, who is a firm believer in the potential of the African creative sector, built a legacy within the African financial and banking sector over the years. After his meritorious retirement, in 2015, the mogul delved into the luxury real estate development sector, currently thriving as a leading player within that sector as the founder and Chairman of The Address Homes, in addition to impacting other spheres, including Africa’s culture and creative scene.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The AFRIMA awards ceremony will feature a 4-day fiesta of music, glitz, and glamour. The event is scheduled to commence with the welcome soiree, followed by the AFRIMA Music Village, the host city tour, African Music Business Summit, and the exclusive nominees’ party and concluded with the live awards ceremony broadcast to over 84 countries around the world.

African music lovers can take part in the events on social media, live stream on the AFRIMA website at www.afrima.org and visit the social media platforms (Instagram – Afrima.official; Twitter – Afrimawards), and they can watch the event coverage by tuning in to their local and cable TV providers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In partnership with the African Union Commission, AFRIMA is a youth-focused music platform that recognizes and rewards the work and talents of African artistes across generations and primarily stimulates conversations among Africans, and also the rest of the world, especially on the potential of the creative arts for fostering real human enterprise, contributing significantly to social cohesion, economic growth as well as sustainable development in Africa.

Metro

Woman nabbed for stealing infant during christening

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Woman nabbed for stealing infant during christening

Woman nabbed for stealing infant during christening

 

The Nasarawa State Police Command says it has arrested one Khadija Aliyu for allegedly stealing a seven-day-old baby girl during a naming ceremony in the Keffi area of the state.

This is just as the command also arrested an ex-convict, Hussaini Mohammed, for allegedly stealing motorcycles in the same area.

it was reported that  in a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Rahman Nansel, on Sunday, that the suspect was arrested at about 6:30 pm on Saturday.

Nansel said the suspect had pretended to be pregnant and, while the christening was ongoing, she sneaked into the house and stole the baby who had been laid to sleep

 

She was said to have carried the baby on her back, covered her with a veil, and escaped before being tracked down by police operatives.

He said, “At about 6:30 hrs, police operatives attached to the Keffi Division arrested one Khadija Aliyu for stealing a seven-day-old baby girl during a naming ceremony in Keffi.

“The suspect, who had been claiming to be pregnant, attended a naming ceremony at Behind INEC office, Keffi.

 

“While the event was ongoing, she sneaked into the house, stole the baby that was laid to sleep, carried the child on her back, covered her with a veil, and escaped before she was later arrested.”

 

In another incident, Rahman disclosed that Mohammed was apprehended for allegedly stealing motorcycles in the same area.

According to the PPRO, Hussaini, who was recently discharged from a correctional facility, was apprehended during the investigation into a case of stolen motorcycles.

Nansel said, “During the investigation, three motorcycles suspected to be stolen items were recovered from the suspect as exhibits.”

He added that the Commissioner of Police, Umar Shehu Nadada, called on members of the public with cases of stolen motorcycles to visit the Angwan Lambu Division in Keffi with proofs of ownership and lay claims to the items.

PUNCH Metro reported in July 2023 that a 19-year-old woman from Ishehi Hamlet in Misau Local Government Area of Bauchi State was arrested by the police for allegedly stealing a newborn baby.

The suspect, Hajara Usman, had allegedly stolen the infant after conspiring with an 18-year-old man, Ibrahim Usman, of Dugurgama Hamlet.

 

The Bauchi State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, said the suspect was arrested after a resident of the Galawa Area of Akuyam District in Misau LGA reported the incident at the Akuyam Police Outstation that his daughter’s newborn baby was stolen at about 4:30 am.

 

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11 states Received Alerts Over planned Release Of lagdo dam By Cameroon By shonibare Timileyin

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FG unveils plans to bring back 12,400 japa doctors

11 states Received Alerts Over planned Release Of lagdo dam By Cameroon

By shonibare Timileyin

 

 

The Federal Government on Tuesday alerted Nigerians to the water release from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

The FG made this known in a press statement signed by the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Umar Muhammed.

The statement noted that the authorities of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon will initiate controlled water releases starting from Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

It said the water discharge is anticipated to progressively escalate to 1000m³/s over the next seven days based on the inflow from the upstream Garoua River.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency wishes to notify the general public that the authorities of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon have communicated to the agency that they will initiate controlled water releases at a rate of 100m³/s (8,640,000m³/day) starting today, 17 September 2023.

“The water discharge is anticipated to progressively escalate to 1000m³/s over the next seven days based on the inflow from the upstream Garoua River, which serves as the primary source into the reservoir and a significant tributary to the Benue River.

“Nonetheless, the dam operators have indicated that the planned water discharges will be gradual to avoid surpassing the conveyance capacity of the Benue river system and triggering substantial flooding downstream in Nigeria. The overflow from the Lagdo Dam is projected to cease once there is a noticeable reduction in the flow into the Lagdo reservoir,” the statement read in part.

The agency, however, said there was no cause for alarm.

“The agency unequivocally states that there is no need for alarm as major flooding downstream in Nigeria is not anticipated since the flow levels along the Benue River are still within cautionary limits.

“Nevertheless, it is of utmost importance for all states bordering the Benue River system, namely: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, and Rivers, along with the government at all levels (federal, state, and LGAs) to heighten their vigilance and implement appropriate preparedness measures to mitigate potential flooding impacts that may arise due to an increase in flow levels of our major rivers during this period.

“The agency will continue to diligently monitor the flow conditions of the transboundary Benue River and the national inland rivers, and consistently provide regular updates on water levels across major rivers to prevent further flood disasters,” it added.

The dam is located in the Northern Province of Cameroon, on the Benue River, in the Niger basin. The lake covers an area of 586

The release of water from Lagdo Dam has long been a cause for concern for many in Nigeria as it affects many states because it serves as the entry point of River Benue.

Last week, there was a devastating flood in Borno State which killed over 30 persons and affected over a million citizens in the state.

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Cleric Cries Out For Help as wife gives birth to 11 babies

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Cleric Cries Out For Help as wife gives birth to 11 babies

Cleric Cries Out For Help as wife gives birth to 11 babies

 

A 56-year-old Islamic cleric based in Ajasse-Cotonou in the Benin Republic, Alfa Yahya Nafiu, has confirmed that his wife delivered 11 babies in Nigeria’s neighbouring country between July and August this year.

Yahya, an indigene of Onikeke compound, Popo Giwa area, Ilorin, Kwara State capital, said his wife, whose name was given as Chognika Latoyossi Alake, a native of Ajasse-Cotonou, gave birth to the 11 babies in a traditional birth attendant’s home in Porto Novo in Benin Republic between July 7 and August 14, 2024.

He, however, lamented that two of the 11 children were lost at birth leaving the rest nine surviving.

 

 

In a telephone conversation on Wednesday, Yahya said, “Yes, it is true that my wife gave birth to 11 children after a long period of pregnancy. They are eight boys and three girls. The babies were delivered in two separate months, July 7 and August 14 at a traditional birth attendant’s home in Porto Novo. She gave birth to six children in July and the rest five in August. We lost two of the children at birth. One out of the first six died while one of the last five children also died but I’m grateful to Allah that the rest nine children and their mother are alive”, he said.

 

 

He, however, lamented that his family was having financial challenge due to the huge amount of money required in taking care of the babies and their mother as well as transporting the babies to Ilorin.

“One other major challenge that we are  now facing before we could bring the children home to Ilorin to show them to my parents is how to raise money for the marriage rites, as well as medical bills and police report”, Yahya said.

He appealed to both the Federal and Kwara State governments as well as well-to-do people in society to come to his aid by giving him financial assistance to take care of the babies whom he described as a favour from Allah.

 

Also, the Chief Imam of Iponrin in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alhaji Zakariyau Nafiu, who is the elder brother of Yahya confirmed that Latoyosi, who is the third wife of his brother, gave birth to 11 babies in Cotonou.

He said, “My brother’s third wife, Latoyosi, gave birth to 11 children in Cotonou. As it is customary of the Ilorin people, we have informed the Emir of Ilorin, Mai Maitaba Olola wa Alhaji Sulu-Gambari of the birth of the children and other people who are supposed to know of it.”

Also reacting to the news of the birth of the babies, the national president of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union, Alhaji Abdulmumini Abdulmalik, confirmed that the father of the children hails from Onikeke Compound, Popo Giwa area of Ilorin.

 

 

He expressed delight that an Ilorin indigene living in Cotonou, Benin Republic had been blessed with decuplets.

“While welcoming the decuplets and congratulating the parents on this uncommon blessing, we rejoice with the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, during whose reign this glorious history of an Ilorin indigene having decuplets is recorded”, he added.

Abdulmalik appealed to both government and public-spirited individuals, especially the philanthropists in Ilorin Emirate, to support Nafiu financially and materially to enable him to fulfil his parental responsibility.

 

 

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