Author: Nouman Ali

Mavin Records boss Michael Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, has credited Afrobeats star Ayra Starr with changing his life, describing her as nothing short of a ‘dream Starrgirl’.

The record producer made the remark on X in response to a fan who praised his role in Ayra Starr’s career.

‘She has most definitely changed my own life too. I bless the day I was shown her Instagram freestyle o. And she has been nothing but a dream Starrgirl,’ Don Jazzy wrote.

The Mavin CEO discovered Ayra Starr through her viral freestyles on social media before signing her to the label in 2021.

Since then, she has become one of Afrobeats’ leading voices, with international collaborations and chart success.

Ayra Starr released her third studio album, Starrgirl, on August 14.

The 16-track project features Nigerian stars Wizkid and Rema, as well as international artists ZAYN, Leon Thomas, kwn, Theodora and Danny Ocean.

Wizkid appears on Gimme Dat, while Rema features on Who’s Dat Girl.

The Imole Campaign Council (TICC), which coordinated the re-election campaign of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has thanked residents of the state for their support that secured the governor’s victory at the polls.

The council, in a statement jointly signed on Friday by its Director-General, Senator Lere Oyewumi, and Secretary, Prince Bola Ajao, also appreciated traditional rulers for their prayers and support throughout the election period.

The council said the victory reflected the people’s confidence in what it described as the Imole vision and their desire for continued development and good governance in the state.

It said, ‘We extend our deepest appreciation and gratitude to the good people of Osun State for the confidence, support, prayers, sacrifices, and unwavering commitment demonstrated throughout our journey.

‘The victory we celebrate today belongs, first and foremost, to God Almighty and to the good people of Osun State. It is a testament to the strength of your faith in the Imole vision and your determination to see Osun continue on the path of progress, development, and good governance.’

The council also commended traditional rulers for their counsel, prayers and contributions to their communities.

‘To our Royal Fathers and Traditional Rulers, we salute your wisdom, dignity, and invaluable counsel. Your leadership remains a pillar of our communities, and we deeply appreciate your prayers and support,’ it said.

Religious leaders were also recognised for their prayers, guidance and commitment to peace, unity and the wellbeing of Osun State.

The council said the victory belonged to all residents of the state, including those in the diaspora, and urged them to remain united.

‘To every citizen of Osun State-at home and in the diaspora, we see and value you. You will never be taken for granted. This moment belongs to all of us,’ it said.

The council acknowledged that the campaign was not without challenges but said the outcome demonstrated the importance of collective support for a shared vision.

It stressed, however, that the electoral victory should be viewed as a renewed responsibility to serve the people.

‘As we celebrate this milestone, we are conscious that victory itself is not the destination. It is a renewed responsibility to serve, to listen, to unite, and to deliver on the aspirations of the people,’ the council said.

It pledged that the trust placed in the administration would not be taken for granted.

Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, was captured in a light-hearted moment with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, jokingly claiming victory for his side in a video that went viral on Friday.

The clip, shared on Instagram by OfficialPrinceNwauzor, was recorded on Thursday during a visit by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to Wike’s office.

In the video, Davido, dressed in brown traditional attire, stood and repeatedly told the minister, ‘I won. I beat you guys.’

Wike, seated in a white shirt, responded with a smile, ‘No, no.’

‘I won! I beat you,’ Davido insisted.

‘You beat us?’ Wike asked.

‘I beat you,’ Davido replied, as laughter and shouts of ‘I beg o’ filled the background.

The exchange ended with Davido prostrating before Wike and embracing him, drawing cheers and applause from those present.

Governor Adeleke had earlier met President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa before proceeding to visit the FCT Minister.

Adeleke won the Osun governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party with 511,067 votes, defeating the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.

He won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas.

Eko Akete (Mainland) Cooperative Multipurpose Society Limited has held its 64th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Annual Report in Ikotun, Lagos.

President of the society, Victor Olusanjo Falemi, lamented the inflation and attendant hardship in the country, but stated the Management Committee’s resolve to ‘stay focused on the cooperative’s mandate, cushion the hardship through savings, affordable credit, and viable investment for our members’.

The president announced that the society recorded an increase in total income compared to 2024, driven by higher loan portfolio turnover, loan recovery and diversified income streams from investment outlets. He also announced that the society achieved a significant increase in net surplus for the year ended December 31, 2025.

He pledged that the management would remain prudent in the deploying of funds into low-risk high return ventures.

The Treasurer, Fredrick Olufemi Onabanjo, said the society realised a total income of N679,425,398.06, and N277,181,075.13 in expenditure; culminating in a net surplus of N402,244,322.93.

This was against N651,931,372.65 in 2024 – an increase of N27,494,02.41.

Onabanjo said the total expenditure in 2025 stood at N277,181,075.13, as against N267,604,768.43 in 2024, an increase ofN9,576,306.70, which he ascribed to rising operating and overhead costs.

Notably, loan interest was also raised from eight to 10 per cent from August 19.

The president cited the economic situation for the hard decision.

He informed members of plans to digitalise loan applications, to enable easier online application by members.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Darlington Nwauju, has applauded the three-year scorecard of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Describing Tunji-Ojo as a dedicated, visionary and committed minister, Nwauju said the minister had transformed a hitherto redundant ministry.

The former Rivers State Publicity Secretary of the APC recalled that Tunji-Ojo was among the 45 ministers Tinubu appointed, and that Tinubu assigned him to an unpopular ministry known only for headlining announcements of national public holidays.

But he said, ‘In the last three years, the Interior Ministry underwent measurable reforms and, in a particular instance, last year received parliamentary commendations for surpassing the revenue generation target set for it by the National Assembly for the 2024/25 fiscal year.

‘For those of us who believe that there is a serious need to deliberately inject fresh blood into every leadership stratum in this country, Dr Tunji-Ojo stands as empirical evidence. Having been tried and having delivered beyond the imaginations of naysayers.’

He said the Interior Minister remained a source of pride to the people of Ondo, the youth demography in the country and a silver lining for visionary and impactful leadership.

He said the minister hit the ground running as soon as he was appointed, mobilising funds through corporate social responsibility to the tune of N585 million to pay court fines and compensation for 4,068 indigent inmates in November 2023, as part of measures to decongest the custodial centres nationwide.

He said that, as part of the prison reforms introduced by Tunji-Ojo, many Master’s, undergraduate and PhD candidates had successfully completed their studies, with numerous others enrolling for NABTEB/NECO examinations.

‘Other empirically verifiable projects/policies like the remodelling/upgrade of the National Fire Academy; launch of ECOWAS national biometric identity card (ENBIC); a new NIMC Act 2026 empowering NIMC as the mother certification authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI),’ he said.

Nwauju said under the minister, the immigration services in the country witnessed a turnaround following the digitising of expatriate quota and resident permit processes, and the inauguration of a Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre, the first of its kind in the 62-year history of the NIS

‘These are all testaments to performance delivery, which speaks volumes of an accountable leadership paradigm,’ he said.

He added, ‘It is my time-tested principle and belief that politics and governance should and must be about the good of the greater majority. In that light, the Interior Ministry under Dr Tunji-Ojo’s watch has promoted over 75,000 paramilitary officers, with elevations across various ranks, thereby ending years of career stagnation.

‘There is also an ongoing recruitment exercise of 60,000 youths into the four paramilitary agencies under that Ministry.’

Traditional rulers from the South-West, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, are set to hold a security meeting with Yoruba nation activist and founder of the Iru Ekun Security Network, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

The meeting is scheduled to hold in Ijero Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Friday and will be hosted by the Owa Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole.

According to a statement issued by Igboho’s media office, the meeting will focus on security in Yorubaland and measures to sustain peace and communal stability across the South-West.

The statement said monarchs from Oyo, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Ogun and parts of Kwara states are expected to attend the meeting.

It said the meeting would be presided over by Ogunwusi, who is Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) and Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC).

The stakeholders are expected to discuss ways of strengthening security across the region and improving cooperation between traditional institutions and local security initiatives such as the Iru Ekun Security Network.

The statement said particular attention would be given to protecting rural communities and strengthening the role of traditional rulers in local security, given their proximity to communities and their roles in preventing and resolving conflicts.

The organisers commended the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for their support for the Iru Ekun Security Network.

They also pledged continued cooperation with security stakeholders to sustain peace and safety across the South-West.

The statement specifically commended the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.); Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu; Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; and heads of other paramilitary agencies for their efforts in combating insecurity and criminality.

Transcorp Power Plc has won the Power Generation Excellence Company of the Year award at the Business Times Awards 2026 for its operational performance and contribution to Nigeria’s power generation sector.

The company received the award at the Grand Gala Award Ceremony on Thursday at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, where it received a golden plaque and an Award Certificate of Recognition.

The Business Times Awards Editorial Board cited Transcorp Power’s leadership, innovation and impact on the power sector as reasons for the recognition.

Speaking on the award, the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Peter Ikenga, said the recognition reflected the commitment of the company’s board and employees to maintaining reliable power generation.

‘This award belongs to the board and every member of the Transcorp Power team whose commitment keeps our turbines running and power flowing to homes and businesses across Nigeria,’ he said.

Ikenga said the company would continue to focus on improving generation reliability, strengthening relationships across the power value chain and creating sustainable value for shareholders and the country.

Transcorp Power Plc is a power generation subsidiary of Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group), with investments across the power, hospitality and energy sectors.

Actor and former WWE superstar Dave Bautista has been cast as Kratos in the upcoming God of War television series, replacing Ryan Hurst, who left the production after sustaining an injury.

Bautista confirmed the long-rumoured casting on Instagram, sharing an image of the iconic video game character, ending weeks of speculation over who would lead the adaptation of Sony’s popular PlayStation franchise.

According to Deadline, which first reported the development, production on the series will restart from scratch when filming begins later this year.

The God of War franchise has been one of Sony’s most successful gaming series since its debut on the PlayStation 2 in 2005. Initially inspired by Greek mythology, the action-adventure game gained a massive following for its cinematic storytelling, intense combat and the journey of its central character, Kratos, a Spartan warrior who rises to become a god.

The franchise underwent a major reboot in 2018 on PlayStation 4, shifting its storyline from Greek mythology to Norse mythology while introducing Kratos’ son, Atreus, as a central character.

Earlier this year, the first official images from the television adaptation featured Hurst as Kratos alongside Atreus before the actor’s departure from the project.

Prime Video said the series will closely follow the storyline of the 2018 game, with Kratos and Atreus embarking on a journey to fulfil the final wish of Kratos’ late wife by spreading her ashes.

‘Through their adventures, Kratos tries to teach his son to be a better god, while Atreus tries to teach his father how to be a better human,’ the streaming platform said.

Bautista, 57, has established himself as a successful Hollywood actor since retiring from professional wrestling in 2019. He is widely recognised for portraying Drax in six Marvel Cinematic Universe films and has also appeared in Dune, Dune: Part Two, Spectre, Army of the Dead and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

Before transitioning to acting, Bautista spent two decades in professional wrestling, becoming one of WWE’s biggest stars and a multiple-time world champion.

The Kebbi State Government is to establish a forest reserve in Kalgo Local Government Area for traditional medicine practitioners, as part of efforts to preserve indigenous knowledge and prevent the extinction of medicinal herbs.

Governor Nasir Idris gave the directive when he received leaders of the Coalition of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), Kebbi State chapter, at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi, yesterday.

‘We do not want our traditional medicine to vanish. I have directed the Ministry of Environment to find a forest reserve for the association in Kalgo Local Government Area,’ he said.

Idris pledged to fulfil earlier commitments to the association, including appointing one Senior Special Assistant from each of the state’s four emirates, and said the government would organise a capacity-building workshop for members. The government had also donated two vehicles to support the association’s activities.

The Governor listed ongoing federal projects in the state, including the Malando-Warra-Ngaski, Koko-Dabai and Koko-Besse-Zaria Kala-Kala-Bagudo road projects, and said more than 2,000 primary and secondary schools had been renovated statewide. He added that 26 of the state’s 30 general hospitals had been renovated, along with 176 of 225 primary healthcare centres, with the remainder to follow.

Idris said his administration’s achievements justified continued support for President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging the association to sustain its cooperation.

NANTMP Kebbi Chairman, Alhaji Rilwanu Wasagu, reaffirmed the association’s loyalty to Idris and pledged to mobilise its more than 40,000 members for the APC in 2027, commending the governor’s record in infrastructure, healthcare, education and agriculture.

He also praised the free fertiliser and farm input distribution, and appealed for land allocation for medicinal plant cultivation as well as a permanent secretariat for the association.

Following the tragic death of more than 100 artisanal miners in a devastating gold-mine collapse in Zamboye, Central African Republic (CAR), the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) has issued a continental call to action, demanding immediate reforms to end the human toll of unregulated mining operations.

In a statement in Abuja on Friday, AMSG chairman, Dr Dele Alake, described the incident as a profound tragedy that ‘Should trouble the conscience of our continent.’

Expressing solidarity with the bereaved, Alake emphasised that behind the alarming numbers are individuals whose absence leaves irreplaceable gaps in families and local communities.

‘These were not just miners. They were our brothers, fathers, uncles, sons, and indeed, breadwinners,’ Alake stated. ‘On behalf of the African Minerals Strategy Group, I extend my deepest condolences to the Government and people of the Central African Republic… We stand in solidarity with them at this moment of grief.’

While addressing the broader ramifications of informal extraction across the continent, the AMSG Chairman warned that illegal operations inflict far-reaching damage-robbing African states of critical revenue, causing severe environmental degradation, and fueling illicit trade networks.

However, he stressed that the loss of human capital remains the most destructive fallout of all.

‘This tragedy is again a painful reminder that behind every statistic about illegal mining are human beings-young men and women trying to earn a living, support their families and escape poverty,’ Alake noted, adding firmly: ‘No mineral is valuable enough to justify the loss of a human life.’

To prevent similar disasters in the future, the AMSG advocates a dual-track policy across member nations: clamping down on illicit networks while offering legitimate avenues for small-scale miners to transition into safer environments.