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Oyo 2027 and Bimbo Adekanmbi’s open baptism

A child cannot be so daft that he wouldn’t recognise his own mother. Omo o le gò k’ó má mo iya è… This Ibadan-ish proverb is for all the political party members or supporters reading this. I am not saying that your choice of candidate in the coming elections should be determined by what one Sam Nwaoko is going to say here. Indeed, we all know what we want and how we want them. My thoughts were triggered by the desire to listen to Bimbo Adekanmbi, the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) in Oyo State, in his open baptism, and how he would fare on The Morning Show of Arise News Channel last Tuesday. And I am glad I did.

That Tuesday morning, I stumbled on Mr Abimbola Adekanmbi. The Morning Show. I had just tuned in to the TV station that morning in-between some errands, and there he was. I had turned on the TV as a routine, but I couldn’t believe my luck! That interview was one thing I had craved so much and when I chanced on it, I felt really very lucky. Fortunately, what I was doing could wait, so I had a very easy choice of temporarily jettisoning some of those chores for a few minutes to see the programme.

Some days earlier, when one issue that concerned Oyo State was on the same TV station’s ‘What’s Trending’ segment of The Morning Show, the panelists had said they too had not heard the Oyo APM candidate speak. It might also have meant that they hadn’t heard from him… In any case, the calling out sounded more like a challenge to the man, the political party he is representing and his ambition.

That open call-out by the crew of Dr Reuben Abati, Ayo Mairo-Ese and Rufai Oseni ignited my interest. Even though I was curious, I was still triggered. I craved to hear the man and hear from him. I desired to hear him speak and address not just the people of Oyo State, but Nigerians who are desirous of knowing the kind of people who are going to be governing them from 2027 – even if, as we have come to know now, it means that they would only be some far-away, fringe participants if they would at all.

I was even more triggered because I know, and had heard Senator Sarafadeen Abiodun Ali who is flying the flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the same election. Although I have not listened to Senator Ali on his 2027 governorship ambition, I can infer from previous experiences what he sounds like and how it might go. Recognition of a person begins from little things like a voice you have come to be familiar with. So, in some ways, I am familiar with the voice, diction, and a few of the nuances expected of Sarafadeen Abiodun Ali.

However, I don’t have any such thing with APM’s Adekanmbi. I could say I had never listened to him. And, I cannot confidently wager that I had even heard him. Besides, from my mind of innocence, a casual look at Adekanmbi’s photos presents him to me as unprepossessing. Indeed, that came from a place of honest assessment of a guileless bystander. I had my impressions, which were more in the red than they were in the green. I was not convinced by what I saw in posters and billboards. So, those impressions of the man I see in his photographs and in political posters created a basis for that urgent need to hear him, and listen to him and assess him – from my little cocoon.

What does he sound like? What would he sound like? Would he pass the numerous soundchecks of the other monitoring spirits in the house called Gen Z? Deep down, I wished that everything works with regards to how he sounds and that he was balanced enough to curry some favourable contentions. Would he set himself up for verbal ridicule by these curious and sometimes unfiltered young people, with regards to how he sounds? Would ‘Bimbo Adekanmbi ‘clock it’? I was indeed curious, and this ‘curiosity made me ask’ questions.

Thinking about how the Oyo APM flagbearer would come across made me reminisce on my first meeting with Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin. That first meeting was a few months before the 2003 general election. He was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Oyo Central senatorial district. You could not easily get as much information on individuals and phenomena as you can nowadays. This is the information age. So, I went to my meeting with Teslim Folarin with the very little information on his person I could get. My first impression was quite interesting. His nonchalant headgear was the first signpost; I found it awkward for such a young man. Today, OloyeTeslim Folarin’s headgear will always speak, but regardless of how crude it might appear to people, the man was quite polished and tasteful. He even spoke with a London accent!

Back to Adekanmbi. I left what I was doing and sat down in front of the TV. I grabbed the TV’s remote control and pumped up its volume. Did I hold my breath? Maybe. I didn’t even remember NEPA, that wicked arbiter strikes at will, and who could strike. So, I heard ‘Bimbo Adekanmbi. I also listened to him. I waited for reactions from the judges still around me at home before I said, ‘This man sounds way better than I had thought.’ And upon that, I could not deny that he is quite intelligent and sharp!

‘Who is he?’ My wife too was interested in what drove me to the TV with such seriousness. ‘That is ‘Bimbo Adekanmbi’, I said without thinking, eyes still glued to the TV show. ‘Oh, that’s the man who wants to take over from Seyi Makinde. I think he is very confident and intelligent,’ she concluded. Her comments were casual, but I trust she had it ‘clocked’. She had often seen how some of the guests on The Morning Show had caved in under the weight of what those presenters at Arise News Morning Show do to their guests. She might have seen one presidential candidate who obviously talked himself into his own mortification on the show last week. The man was literally dragged through the mud created by his own answers, when he could not competently defend the academic qualifications he spoke so proudly about in answer to some questions. The panelists even jocularly called ‘Vietnam’, which meant something to those who saw the interview.

So, I heard Bimbo Adekanmbi at last. I also listened to him. He did not stutter; he did not falter. He did not beat about the bush. He was steady. I liked what I saw, and I bet the Arise News Morning Show crew must have been impressed too. Just a day after Adekanmbi, the PDP governorship candidate in Abia State, Dr Kelechi Anosike, also featured on the Morning Show. I do not think he made as much of an impression on me as Adekanmbi did. Dr Anosike was too eager to impress and muddled issues up. So, I decided to write the impression of Oyo APM’s Bimbo Adekanmbi which I took from his appearance on that ubiquitous programme. He made my morning, regardless of the brewing drama from Rufai Oseni.

As good as Adekanmbi was on the show, I don’t think that he answered Mr Oseni’s question on how to fund his campaign well. I had expected him to explain the fact that campaigns are usually funded not just by a candidate. Campaigns are funded mostly by the candidate and his ‘team’, the team being a conglomerate of like interests. This could be made up of friends, political and business stakeholders, party stalwarts and even godfathers. Some of the godfathers might even not be politicians. I had expected him to say that.

In all, I must have judged a book by the cover. I had expected a typical Nigerian politician. But I was wrong. It is also a pointer to the fact that one should not rush into conclusions about individuals, groups, a people and phenomena. It is always better to view all sides and weigh or appraise perspectives before arriving at conclusions.

Now that Adekanmbi has answered the call of that stellar team of Arise News TV, I challenge the station to call out others in the Oyo State governorship race. They need to speak also and be seen for what they are.

NAFDAC reveals findings on Ondo killer herbal concoction

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has revealed its findings on the locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions which killed 48 people in Ondo State with 182 others critically ill.

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye revealed the findings in a statement she issued in Abuja on Friday.

The NAFDAC boss noted that the tragedy affected several communities, including New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu, and Oniparaga, all situated within Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Adeyeye explained that the incident was first reported in early September 2026, after multiple residents suddenly fell ill and died after consuming the suspected herbal substance.

According to her, initial field reports indicated 31 fatalities-comprising 20 victims in Odigbo Town and 11 in Araromi-Obu-while scores of affected persons were hospitalised or placed under strict medical observation.

She noted that as regulatory and public health investigations progressed, the casualty figures escalated significantly, bringing the total number of critically ill patients to 182, alongside 48 recorded deaths.

She said that the remaining affected persons experienced varying degrees of illness and complications, adding that part of the affected persons, 90 were admitted and subsequently discharged.

The NAFDAC boss said that six of these persons had remained hospitalised, 31 were treated as outpatients, while five persons reportedly became totally blind while two others were being partially blind.

‘The general clinical features reported among affected persons included headache, generalised body weakness and pain, visual disturbances, difficulty in breathing and altered consciousness, with some cases reportedly deteriorating rapidly.

‘NAFDAC investigations revealed that 15 persons have so far been arrested in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the implicated locally produced alcoholic/herbal beverages,’ Adeyeye said.

She said that NAFDAC had continued to investigate, and had taken samples of the suspected concoction for comprehensive laboratory examination and toxicological studies.

The NAFDAC boss said that these analyses were important for determining the chemical composition of the suspected product and identifying any potentially toxic substances, adulterants, contaminants or undeclared ingredients.

‘The laboratory conducted toxicological, microbiological and chemical screening to identify potential toxicants on the fifteen (15) unlabeled samples that were submitted to the laboratory.

‘Acute Oral Toxicity Test was performed using official methods-animal models (Laboratory mice) in accordance with Laboratory SOPs and OECD standard guidelines.

‘Chemical analysis was conducted using gas chromatography to detect toxic contaminants, while microbiological examination was conducted in line with USP standards and Laboratory SOP Preliminary Findings.

‘The acute oral toxicity test results for all samples recorded critically sick mice and approximately 50 per cent mortality were recorded in six samples out of the 15 analysed, indicating significant toxic potential of the samples,’ she said.

Adeyeye said that those critically ill recovered after 24 hours of administration, adding that there were possibilities that those that recovered might die if challenged with a second dose (estimated dose).

She said that the chemical screening results indicated that eleven (11) samples have cannabis indica while chemical analysis with Gas chromatography confirmed the presence of high concentration of methanol.

According to her, methanol is a highly toxic substance known to cause severe health effects including blindness, organ failure, and death.

She that the preliminary conclusion with the combination of high mortality in animal testing confirmed methanol contamination strongly suggests that the samples pose a serious public health risk.

Adeyeye said that the findings, however, required further confirmatory analyses, adding that the findings required immediate regulatory intervention to prevent further harm.

She noted that further confirmatory testing was ongoing to quantify the methanol concentration and identify other possible toxic agents.

According to her, methanol in oral preparations is extremely dangerous, and ingestion can cause severe poisoning leading to blindness, organ failure, and death.

She said that the Ondo incident currently represented a significant public health concern due to the increasing number of deaths and those required medical attention

She said that the current reported situation as at Sept. 17, 2026 summarised that the above figures remained subject to continued verification as the investigation and surveillance activities continued.

The NAFDAC boss commiserated with the bereaved families, praying for the repose of the souls of the departed as laboratory analyses and investigations continued to identify the toxic contaminants.

Asian Games: Philippines eyes medals in busy September 20 slate

Team Philippines has medal opportunities in soft tennis, teqball, wushu and triathlon among a crowded Sept. 20 program at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan.

The Philippine women’s soft tennis team faces host Japan in the semifinals, putting the squad within reach of the medal rounds.

Prince Agustin will play Myanmar’s Friday Saw for bronze in men’s singles teqball, giving the Philippines a direct opportunity to add a medal.

Wushu also offers multiple chances for the delegation. Agatha Wong competes in women’s taijiquan and taijijian, while Jenifer Kilapio takes part in the women’s 52-kilogram sanda quarterfinals.

Four Filipino triathletes are also scheduled for individual finals at the Gamagori City Triathlon Venue.

Iñaki Emil Lorbes and Fernando Jose Casares are entered in the men’s individual final at 8:30 a.m. event-local time, while Raven Faith Alcoseba and Marion Kim Mangrobang compete in the women’s individual final at 11 a.m.

The Philippine swimming campaign begins with Gian Christopher Santos in the men’s 200-meter individual medley. The country is seeking its first Asian Games swimming medal since Ryan Papa won two bronzes at the 1998 Bangkok Games.

In women’s beach volleyball, Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons open against Bangladesh.

Alas Pilipinas, the Philippine women’s volleyball team, faces Qatar in the classification round after missing the quarterfinals.

The program gives the Philippine delegation a mixture of direct medal opportunities and chances to advance deeper into competition one day after the Asian Games opening ceremony.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio urged the delegation to keep its focus as competition intensifies.

‘You have worked hard and sacrificed much to be here,’ Gregorio said in a statement. ‘Focus your mind and remember your purpose-for yourself, your family, and the country.’

Laws, guidelines causing difficulty in our operation in Nigeria, CSOs lament

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s civil society sector have lamented the difficulties organisations face navigating the country’s increasingly complex legal and regulatory environment, demanding clearer laws and practical guidelines to help them understand and comply with their obligations.

The stakeholders made the demand at a Scoping and Experience-Sharing Session organised by the LEGIS360 Centre for Advocacy, Development and Public Enlightenment Initiative in Abuja as part of its project, ‘Know the Law, Stay Safe: Strengthening CSO Legislative Literacy and Digital Resilience Against Restrictive Frameworks in Nigeria.’

The session brought together representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs), activists, journalists, human rights defenders, community-based organisations and legal practitioners to examine the legal and regulatory environment affecting civic action in Nigeria.

Participants shared experiences of navigating laws, regulations and administrative requirements governing their activities, highlighting the challenges posed by the volume and complexity of applicable rules.

In a communique signed by LEGIS360 founder, Samuel Folorunsho, the participants also identified difficulties in accessing clear and reliable information on what organisations are required to do to remain compliant.

The communique noted that smaller and grassroots organisations were particularly affected by the situation because of their limited access to legal and compliance support.

According to the participants, the regulatory environment would be easier to navigate if relevant laws and guidelines were clearer and compliance information was readily accessible to civic organisations.

They called for practical tools to help CSOs understand their legal obligations and also proposed the creation of a one-stop regulatory resource bringing together relevant compliance requirements across different legal and regulatory frameworks.

‘Participants also proposed the creation of a one-stop regulatory resource consolidating relevant compliance requirements across different legal and regulatory frameworks,’ the communique read in part.

The proposed resource, according to the stakeholders, would reduce the administrative burden on CSOs and make it easier for organisations to understand and meet their legal obligations without having to rely on multiple, scattered sources of information.

The discussions examined provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, the Cybercrimes Act 2024, as well as emerging proposals relating to the regulation of non-governmental organisations.

Participants also identified knowledge gaps to be addressed through LEGIS360’s forthcoming Legislative Literacy Guide on Civic Space Restrictions in Nigeria.

Folorunsho said the insights gathered from the session would inform the scope, structure and content of the Legislative Literacy Guide to ensure that it responds to the practical challenges faced by civic actors.

He said the project formed part of the organisation’s broader efforts to strengthen informed civic participation, institutional accountability and democratic resilience by making legal and legislative information more accessible to citizens and civil society actors.

He added that consultations with stakeholders across Nigeria’s civic space would continue in the coming months, with the engagements expected to contribute to the development of practical tools aimed at strengthening legislative literacy, regulatory compliance and digital resilience among CSOs and community-based organisations.

Congress urges Tinubu, Ribadu to probe alleged exclusion of Itsekiri beneficiaries from PAP programmes

The Itsekiri Congress United Kingdom (ICUK), the apex umbrella body representing Itsekiri diaspora organisations in the United Kingdom, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to urgently investigate what it described as the alleged systematic exclusion and marginalisation of qualified Itsekiri youths from the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, foreign scholarships and other capacity building initiatives.

In a joint statement issued by the ICUK President, Mr Sunny Oritsegbubemi Okuku, and the Public Relations Officer, Mr Norris Orighoye, the organisation expressed concern over what it described as the glaring absence of qualified Itsekiri beneficiaries from recent high profile academic and technical programmes implemented under the PAP.

ICUK specifically cited the deployment of more than 270 beneficiaries for specialised postgraduate studies abroad in fields including Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Data Science, Maritime/Energy Law, Forensic Auditing, Fintech Analytics and Construction Engineering Management.

According to reports available to the diaspora leadership, the organisation alleged that the scholarship cohort showed significant ethnic imbalance, with the beneficiaries allegedly drawn almost exclusively from select Ijaw communities, particularly Gbaramatu, and networks linked to certain political interests, with little or no representation from eligible Itsekiri candidates.

ICUK said the Presidential Amnesty Programme was established as a federally funded security, development and stabilisation initiative for impacted Niger Delta communities and should not be perceived as an exclusive patronage network or ethnic preserve.

The organisation therefore demanded a transparent public disclosure of the selection criteria and metrics used in awarding the foreign scholarships, stressing that the alleged complete omission of qualified Itsekiri candidates from a 270-person advanced scholarship cohort required urgent clarification. ICUK also appealed to the Office of the NSA to review the offshore postgraduate deployment and verify the beneficiaries and selection process.

The organisation further raised concerns over the ongoing deployment of approximately 3,900 PAP beneficiaries to tertiary institutions across Nigeria for the 2025/2026 academic session.

ICUK urged the PAP leadership to ensure that the ongoing online application exercises were conducted transparently and did not merely serve to legitimise predetermined beneficiary lists. It called on the NSA’s office to mandate the publication of quota distributions, selection criteria and verifiable merit-based standards across all participating oil-producing ethnic nationalities, so that qualified beneficiaries can have confidence in the process.

The congress specifically called on the Special Adviser to the President on the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro, to rise above what it described as parochial considerations and administer the programme in accordance with the principles of federal character, equity, fairness and transparency.

ICUK noted that historical disputes surrounding administrative partiality and community delineation in Delta State remain fresh in the minds of the people, warning that any perception of ethnic favouritism under the present PAP leadership could reignite distrust and undermine the hard-won peace in the oil-rich coastal belt.

Reiterating that the Itsekiri nation has historically remained a peaceful and law-abiding host to major oil and gas infrastructure, ICUK warned that the community’s peaceful disposition should not be exploited or misconstrued as weakness.

The organisation demanded immediate affirmative action to integrate qualified Itsekiri beneficiaries into upcoming vocational training tranches, professional certification programmes and subsequent foreign educational opportunities.

It also urged Dr Otuaro to demonstrate good faith by engaging directly with accredited Itsekiri stakeholders in order to identify and address any disparities in the implementation of the programme.

ICUK therefore urged President Tinubu and NSA Ribadu to act decisively by instituting a comprehensive review of both the foreign postgraduate scholarship deployment and the onshore tertiary education admission lists.

The organisation maintained that justice, equity, fairness and verifiable transparency must remain the guiding principles of the Presidential Amnesty Programme if it is to retain public confidence, legitimacy and fulfil its mandate across the Niger Delta.

Which Canadian Golfer Actually Has a Shot on the PGA Tour Now

Canadian golf has produced a steady stream of talented professionals over the years, but the question of which player currently has the best realistic shot at sustained PGA Tour success generates genuine debate among analysts who track the sport closely. Unlike some other Canadian sports where the pipeline has become fairly predictable, golf’s development path remains considerably more unpredictable given the sheer difficulty of consistently competing at the tour’s highest level.

A Debate That Divides Serious Analysts

Several names typically come up in these conversations, each bringing a different combination of strengths and question marks. Some possess elite ball-striking ability but have struggled with putting consistency under tournament pressure, while others show the opposite profile, excelling on the greens but lacking the distance off the tee that has become increasingly important on modern PGA Tour setups. Golf analysts and fans tracking these storylines throughout the season have found detailed tournament odds through 1mlnbet ca, where shifting probabilities across multiple events offer a useful, real-time gauge of how the broader golf community currently views each player’s actual chances.

An interesting fact worth noting: Canada has produced relatively few sustained PGA Tour winners compared to countries of similar population size, making any genuine breakthrough season an especially significant story within the country’s broader golf community.

What Separates Genuine Contenders from Long Shots

A few specific factors tend to separate genuine PGA Tour contenders from longer shots:

Consistency of ball-striking statistics across multiple consecutive tournaments rather than isolated strong rounds.

Performance specifically in major championship conditions, historically the toughest test on tour.

Mental resilience during final-round pressure situations with genuine contention on the line.

Physical durability across a demanding schedule that spans nearly the entire calendar year.

These factors, taken together, tend to be far more predictive of sustained success than any single strong tournament result, no matter how impressive it might look in isolation.

The Long Road Still Ahead

Ultimately, sustained PGA Tour success requires proving these qualities repeatedly across an entire season, not just in a single standout tournament that generates temporary excitement. Canadian golf fans have learned through experience to remain cautiously optimistic rather than prematurely declaring a breakthrough, but the current crop of talent genuinely gives the country more realistic reasons for optimism than it has had in quite some time.

NBI taps Meta to identify netizens mocking Cendaña

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has tapped Meta to trace the individuals behind at least 30 social media accounts mocking the disability and sexual orientation of Akbayan Rep. Percival Cendaña, Director Melvin Matibag said.

This is in response to the Sept. 15 complaint filed by Cendaña – a stroke survivor and openly gay man – seeking the NBI’s help in probing the online accounts – including those of Cho Moreno, MP Miko Pogay and Kiffy Chu – supposedly posting numerous content that could violate the Magna Carta of Disabled Persons and the Safe Spaces Act.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau’s Cybercrime Division ‘is acting on it (Cendaña’s complaint) already.’

‘We are asking Meta for the identification. We have a direct line [now] with Meta for these purposes,’ he told reporters in an interview on Thursday.

‘If you remember, we went to Singapore, that’s one of the commitments of Meta-to provide us documents that we will ask,’ he added.

‘Common thread’

Cendaña cited his experiences from various social media accounts in his complaint.

He pointed out further a ‘common thread’ in the accounts attacking him-their disagreement with his political views.

The lawmaker noted that the attacks pertaining to his physical appearance began after Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa made a remark against him following his filing of an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte in 2024.

The lawmaker said his complaint is not solely about his personal experiences but that of all person with disability experiencing discrimination.

Lagos APC inaugurates campaign council, seeks unity ahead of 2027

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday inaugurated its campaign council, urging members to work together for mobilisation of voters for the party’s candidates.

The council, inaugurated by the PBAT-KOH Campaign Secretariat, is headed by Senator Musiliu Obanikoro as Director -General (DG), with Mr. Rasaq Ajala as Deputy Director-General and Mr Adekunle Olayinka as the Secretary.

At the event held at the party’s secretariat on Acme Road, Ikeja, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, urged All Progressives Congress (APC) members to intensify grassroots mobilisation for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

Hamzat, who is also the governorship candidate of APC in Lagos State, urged mobilisation for continuity of APC administration in the state.

He urged members of the council to work together and take the party’s message to Lagos residents, saying that victory at the polls would require active participation at the grassroots.

According to him, APC members must go out to their wards, communities, friends and neighbours to explain the programmes and achievements of the APC administration.

‘We have a job to do. Every member of the party has a role to play in this campaign,’ he said.

Hamzat also called for unity among APC members, saying they would need to work collectively to secure Tinubu’s re-election and sustain his administration’s development efforts.

He said the party’s campaign should focus on engaging the people and communicating the administration’s policies and programmes effectively.

‘We cannot afford to sit back. We have to go out there and tell our people what has been done and what we intend to do.

‘We must work together as one family because there is a lot of work ahead of us,’ he said.

He urged members of the advisory council to remain committed to their assignment and work in the best interest of the party.

Hamzat expressed confidence in the ability of the APC to consolidate its programmes, saying the administration had undertaken measures aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.

He called on APC members to remain united and focused as preparations for the 2027 elections would be gathering momentum.

The Lagos APC campaign structure released by the Kadri Obafemi Hamzat Media Centre shows that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is Chairman of the party’s Advisory Council, with former governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode as Co-Chairmen.

At the campaign council level, Sanwo-Olu is also the Chairman, while Hamzat is Deputy Chairman.

Former Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro is Director-General, with Mr Rasaq Ajala as Deputy Director-General and Mr Adekunle Olayinka as the Secretary.

The structure comprises directorates and sub-committees covering areas including legal and compliance, party and inter-party affairs, administration and logistics, traditional institutions, diaspora engagement, and residents’ associations

Yemi Alade reveals why new album breaks musical boundaries

Yemi Alade is stepping outside some of the musical territories that have defined her career with her new album, ‘It’s Yemi Alade,’ embracing sounds ranging from Kompa and disco to techno and rap.

The singer said the album was deliberately designed to challenge expectations about what listeners might associate with her music.

At the heart of the project is a simple creative formula: ‘something new, something old, something borrowed.’

The ‘something old’ takes Alade back to her musical roots and some of the sounds that helped establish her career. Rather than simply recreating those influences, however, she said she wanted to push them forward.

The ‘something borrowed’ represents perhaps the most adventurous part of the experiment.

Alade ventured into musical styles outside the Afrobeat and Highlife sounds with which she is widely associated. She explored Kompa, experimented with disco and incorporated techno-inspired sounds reminiscent of music heard in Ibiza.

Then came ‘something new’: a return to rap.

Long before she became known as one of Africa’s prominent Afropop singers, Alade said she fell in love with music through rap.

Her new album therefore provides an opportunity to reconnect with that early influence while incorporating it into the artist she has become.

The singer described the overall creative journey as ‘audacious’, explaining that she has become increasingly comfortable making decisions based on her own artistic instincts.

‘I’m making music on my own terms, enjoying the process on my own terms, and allowing myself the freedom to explore,’ she said.

That philosophy extends beyond genre.

Alade said she hopes the album connects with people who are also navigating personal growth, individuality and self-discovery.

For her, musical experimentation is ultimately connected to personal freedom.

The album therefore represents not just a change in sound, but an attempt to demonstrate that an established artiste can continue to reinvent herself without abandoning the influences that shaped her.

5 Die As Mining Pit Collapses In Taraba

At least five people have died following the collapse of a mining pit at Mayo Kam in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The pit reportedly collapsed on the suspected miners on Thursday, during which 20 people were feared trapped. It was gathered that fellow miners at the site subsequently launched a rescue operation.

The spokesperson of the Taraba State police command, ASP Victor Mshelizah, confirmed the incident, but said only five people lost their lives.

Earlier on Thursday night, a resident of the area, Idris Sarkin Dawa, told our reporter that four bodies had so far been recovered from the collapsed pit at Kusum, an area not far from the main mining site shut by the Taraba State Task Force on Illegal Mining last month.

He said the miners used diggers and other equipment to open up the collapsed pit during the rescue operation.

‘Four bodies were removed from the pit through an operation embarked upon by miners at the site,’ he said.

According to him, the operation began hours after the incident occurred and was expected to continue yesterday morning, adding that the rescue effort was difficult because of the depth of the pit.

The Sarkin Dawa said the identities and places of origin of the victims were yet to be established because miners at the site came from different parts of the country and beyond.

He suggested that the victims could be from the same state as miners usually worked in groups at individual pits.

‘There are many pits at the site, each being manned by at least 10 people or more.

‘What happened yesterday was a sad event and it has brought fear and uncertainty to the miners who work at the risk of arrest or being buried,’ he added.

He said it was difficult to determine the exact number of miners trapped in the collapsed pit because it was a large one where more than 20 miners could work at a time.

It would be recalled that the Taraba State Task Force on Illegal Mining had shut several illegal mining sites across the state in recent months. However, illegal miners have continued to return to some of the sites despite enforcement efforts.