Category: Nigerian Tribune

Ghanaian singer, Charles Nii Armah Mensah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, has explained that Ghanaian artists earn pennies compared to Nigerian artists.

Speaking during a recent episode of The Honest Bunch Podcast, Shatta Wale said many Ghanaians do not appreciate the success of their entertainers.

He also claimed that artists in Ghana earn little from their careers, adding that he experienced similar financial challenges.

‘Nigerians appreciate success, Ghana doesn’t appreciate success. As a star, I was sleeping on the street as big as I am. At one point, my girlfriend who was living with her parents’ was the one accommodating me.

‘Even as a big Ghanaian artist, back then, I take taxis to shows. Not just me, a lot of Ghanaian artists do that. Ghanaian artists earn pennies, while their Nigerian counterparts earn big,’ he said.

According to Shatta Wale, the situation reflects the level of support entertainers receive in Ghana compared to Nigeria.

The 41-year-old singer also urged his colleagues in Ghana’s entertainment industry to set higher standards and work toward improving the industry’s value.

ABOUT 441 cases of cholera outbreak and 14 deaths have been recorded across four local government areas of Plateau state.

The Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, who disclosed this in Jos, also confirmed 20 positive Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) cases and six laboratory-confirmed cases through culture, with infections affecting 25 wards and 107 settlements.

He stated that only three patients remain on admission in Jos North, describing the development as an indication that government’s interventions are yielding results.

According to him, the outbreak was first detected in Mangu Local Government Area in June, prompting the ministry of health to activate a coordinated multi-sectoral emergency response in collaboration with local government areas, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) as well as development partners.

Ba’amlong said Mangu, the epicentre of the outbreak, recorded 53 suspected cases, with 10 testing positive through RDT and four confirmed by laboratory culture, while 10 deaths were reported across nine wards and 64 settlements.

He said there is currently no active cholera case in Mangu, with the last reported case recorded on July 22.

He further disclosed that Jos North has recorded 277 suspected cases, seven positive RDT, one laboratory-confirmed case and four deaths, affecting 61 settlements in 14 wards.

In Jos South, the commissioner said only one confirmed case was recorded, adding that the patient had been successfully treated and discharged without any fatality.

He added that Barkin Ladi Local Government Area recorded its first case on July 16, with 23 suspected cases, two positive RDT, no laboratory-confirmed case, and no death reported, while two settlements in one ward have been affected.

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has reached a new career milestone after his collaboration with Colombian singer Shakira Isabel Mebarak, popularly known as Shakira, ‘Dai Dai,’ became the highest-charting FIFA World Cup song in Billboard Hot 100 history.

The song climbed 25 places on this week’s Billboard Hot 100 to a new peak of No. 17, overtaking Shakira and Freshlyground’s 2010 World Cup anthem, ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).’

In addition to its Billboard success, Burna Boy’s ‘Dai Dai’ rose to No. 3 on the Canadian Hot 100 and is currently competing for the No. 1 position on the UK Official Singles Chart.

The latest chart performance makes Burna Boy ‘Dai Dai’ the highest-charting FIFA World Cup song to date, adding another milestone to Burna Boy’s international career. The track has also emerged as one of the standout songs of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Meanwhile, Billboard has announced that it has discontinued its World Digital Song Sales chart, with the final edition published on June 27, 2026.

The chart tracked some of the best-selling digital songs from markets including Nigeria, Asia, the Caribbean, South Africa and other regions.

Nigerian artists such as Wizkid, Mr Eazi and Rema previously reached No. 1 on the chart.

The Oyo State Government on Tuesday bolstered its security architecture with the delivery of two surveillance aircraft, as Governor Seyi Makinde said the investment would significantly improve intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance and rapid response to security threats across the state.

The aircraft were received by the governor at the newly upgraded tarmac of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, about one year after the state announced plans to procure them as part of efforts to strengthen security operations.

Speaking with journalists shortly after taking delivery of the aircraft, Makinde said the procurement was conceived long before the recent abduction of pupils and teachers at Ahoro Community Grammar School, Oriire Local Government Area, stressing that the acquisition was part of a strategic security plan and not a reaction to the incident.

According to him, the decision was informed by the vast geographical size of Oyo State and the need to complement conventional security operations with aerial surveillance.

‘When we took the decision to purchase these surveillance aircraft, it was because of the sheer landmass, the size of our state. We knew that we had to complement the boots on the ground,’ the governor said.

Makinde noted that while some critics questioned the delay in the arrival of the aircraft, the government remained focused on delivering a long-term solution to the state’s security challenges.

‘We didn’t know that Oriire was going to happen. I’ve seen people criticise us and ask, ‘Where are the aircraft?’ But we planned for the aircraft so that we would be able to cover as much of the landmass of our state as possible within the shortest possible time.

‘I’m glad that now it’s here and I believe we will always do what is right in the interest of our people because, in an atmosphere of insecurity, you can hardly do anything.’

The governor described security as the foundation for development, saying no meaningful economic or social progress could be achieved where lives and property are under threat.

He expressed relief over the recent rescue of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire, saying the state was now moving forward with its broader development agenda.

‘People can say it is better now because our children are back, our teachers are back and we are moving on with the plan for Oyo State,’ he said.

Makinde also disclosed that the surveillance aircraft would be deployed for operations immediately through a partnership between the Oyo State Government and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

According to him, the aircraft were flown into Ibadan by Air Force pilots, while an operational framework has already been put in place to ensure their effective deployment.

‘We are hitting the ground running. You can see they were flown by Air Force pilots. We have negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Air Force and we will be working on this together,’ he said.

He explained that the collaboration with the Air Force would ensure that the aircraft are professionally operated while strengthening intelligence sharing and coordinated security operations across the state.

The governor reassured residents that his administration would continue to prioritise the protection of lives and property, promising that the government would sustain investments aimed at keeping Oyo State safe for residents and investors.

‘My message to the people of Oyo State is that their government will always be there to serve them,’ he said.

Following the collapse of a two-storey building at Baale Road, Ajuwon, in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Monday, the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has ordered a comprehensive technical investigation into the incident.

Governor Abiodun, in a statement issued by his Media Adviser on Information and Strategy, reaffirmed his commitment to protecting lives and preventing similar incidents across the state.

The statement said the incident happened following a severe thunderstorm, which claimed one life, while several occupants were reported to have narrowly escaped.

According to the statement, preliminary findings by a multi-agency investigation team revealed that the structure suffered a catastrophic structural failure, causing the lower floors to sink into the ground, with only portions of the upper slab remaining visible above the debris.

Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred at about 3:00 p.m., shortly after a heavy downpour accompanied by intense thunderstorms and a reported lightning strike in the vicinity.

Two women and their children reportedly escaped moments after noticing signs of structural distress, while a young man sustained minor injuries as he fled the building before it gave way.

The statement said that emergency responders, including officials of the Ogun State Safety Office, State Fire Service, Ministries of Environment, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Works and Infrastructure, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Ifo Local Government Water and Environmental Sanitation Department, immediately mobilised to the scene and commenced coordinated search-and-rescue operations.

Contractors working within the Akute-Alagbole and Agbado axis also swiftly deployed heavy equipment to the site, joining the rescue efforts less than 10 minutes after the collapse.

It was gathered that initial surface searches did not locate any victims, while traces of blood and footprints beneath the rubble prompted emergency teams to undertake a carefully controlled excavation exercise.

The operation eventually led to the recovery of one deceased victim, whose identity had yet to be confirmed at the time of the report.

The investigation team noted that while adverse weather conditions preceded the collapse, the exact cause of the structural failure could not be determined at the scene. Experts explained that only detailed structural, geotechnical and forensic engineering investigations would establish whether the incident resulted from foundation failure, soil instability, construction defects, the use of substandard materials, or other underlying factors.

Consequently, Governor Abiodun has directed specialists from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, the Ogun State Building Control Agency, the Building Production Management and Material Testing Agency, and other relevant regulatory bodies to conduct comprehensive assessments of the collapsed structure, evaluate soil conditions, examine construction materials, and inspect adjoining buildings to determine whether they have also been compromised.

Governor Abiodun expressed deep sadness over the tragic incident and extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, while sympathising with all those affected by the collapse.

He also commended emergency responders, first responders, volunteers and community members for their prompt intervention, which led to the successful rescue of several occupants and helped minimise further loss of life.

The Governor assured residents that the State Government would provide every necessary support to those affected while investigations continue. He stressed that anyone found to have violated approved building regulations, deviated from approved plans, or compromised construction standards would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The Ogun State Government also expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government for its support during the emergency response, describing the collaboration as a demonstration of the strong partnership between both states in protecting lives and property.

Reaffirming its commitment to strengthening enforcement of physical planning regulations across the state, the government urged property developers, builders, artisans and residents to obtain all statutory approvals before commencing any construction project and to adhere strictly to approved building plans and specifications issued by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

The government warned that unauthorised alterations to approved building designs, the use of substandard materials, and non-compliance with established construction standards pose grave risks to lives and property. It stressed that strict adherence to building regulations remains the most effective safeguard against avoidable structural failures.

The Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board (LGSPB) has commenced the payment of ?3 billion in gratuities to more than 1,000 retired primary school teachers, local government workers and next of kin of deceased pensioners across the state.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held on Tuesday at the Local Government Staff Training School, Secretariat, Ibadan, the Chairman of the Board, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige, said the payment exercise would be carried out across the state’s geopolitical zones.

Ige disclosed that Governor Seyi Makinde approved and released the ?3 billion for the exercise, describing the gesture as another demonstration of the administration’s commitment to the welfare of retired workers.

He said, ‘The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, has approved and released the sum of Three Billion Naira for the payment exercise. I congratulate all the beneficiaries of this gratuity payment.’

The Chairman urged residents to continue supporting the Makinde administration, saying, ‘A government that cares for its workers and pensioners deserves our collective support and prayers.’

He also advised the retirees to make prudent use of their benefits and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Staff Pension Board, Tpl. Olufemi Akinwale, said the Governor had remained committed to the welfare of pensioners since assuming office.

According to him, ‘In his characteristic manner of ensuring that adequate planning is put in place for sustainable payment of gratuity and other retirement benefits, the Governor has recently approved the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). Unlike other states, the Oyo State Government will contribute 12 per cent, while the enrollees will contribute eight per cent.’

He added, ‘All hands must therefore be on deck to ensure the successful implementation of the new pension scheme that will run alongside the Defined Benefits Scheme.’

In his goodwill message, the Majority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanjo Adewoyin, congratulated the beneficiaries and commended Governor Makinde for sustaining the payment of gratuities and other retirement benefits. He also praised the appointment of Hon. Ige as Chairman of the Board, describing him as experienced, committed and dedicated to the development of the state.

The event featured the symbolic presentation of cheques to selected beneficiaries.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Adisa Gafar and Mrs. Bejide thanked Governor Makinde for prioritising the welfare of pensioners and consistently putting smiles on the faces of retired workers and senior citizens.

Dignitaries at the event included the Permanent Secretary, Ibadan Zone I, Barr. Jubril Alaga; Acting Head of Local Government Administration, Alhaji Musibau Ladele; Chairman of the Retired Primary School Teachers Wing, Comrade Dosu Akinpelu; Chairman of the Retired Local Government Staff Association, Alhaji Muniru Adesope; Secretary of the Retired Primary School Teachers Wing, Comrade Tunji Ogunwale; and heads of departments of the Local Government Staff Pension Board.

The Federal Government has identified strategic public procurement as a critical tool for strengthening Africa’s logistics systems, reducing post-harvest losses, and boosting food security, saying procurement decisions must go beyond routine government spending to drive economic transformation and sustainable development.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, made the call on Tuesday at the Africa Procurement and Supply Chain Summit and Awards 2026 held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Public Procurement is Live: Creating Opportunities for Sustainable Growth in Africa,’ Ogunbiyi said public procurement had evolved into a strategic instrument for institutional strengthening, industrial development, and improving the quality of life of citizens.

He noted that governments across the continent spend between 12 and 20 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on public procurement, making every procurement decision an opportunity to stimulate local industries, create jobs, improve infrastructure, and deliver greater value to the public.

According to him, the agricultural sector remains one of the biggest beneficiaries of efficient procurement systems, particularly in addressing logistics and supply chain bottlenecks that continue to fuel food losses and rising food prices across Africa.

He noted that poor transport networks, inadequate logistics infrastructure, fragmented cross-border systems, high freight costs, limited warehousing facilities, and delays in moving goods continue to undermine public investments and weaken Africa’s competitiveness.

Ogunbiyi explained that the challenges are more severe for farmers who rely on timely delivery of seeds, fertilizers, machinery, and extension services, while harvested produce must be transported quickly to aggregation centres, storage facilities, processing plants, and markets.

‘Weak logistics and transportation systems contribute significantly to post-harvest losses, reduce farmers’ incomes, increase food prices, and weaken food security across the continent,’ he said.

The Permanent Secretary urged African governments to deploy transparent and well-planned procurement systems to invest in critical infrastructure, including roads, railways, inland waterways, ports, cold-chain facilities, warehouses, and digital logistics platforms capable of linking producers to markets and supporting trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He also advocated the adoption of digital procurement platforms, electronic contract management, artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, data analytics, and smart logistics solutions, while calling for stronger regional collaboration to modernise procurement and supply chain systems.

According to him, transparent, technology-driven procurement and resilient supply chains are essential to achieving the objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and unlocking the full economic opportunities presented by the AfCFTA.

Highlighting reforms within the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ogunbiyi said procurement is being deployed as a strategic mechanism for implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by enhancing agricultural productivity, expanding mechanisation, strengthening irrigation, improving storage and processing infrastructure, and developing competitive agricultural value chains.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2007, noting that procurement processes would continue to be guided by integrity, transparency, competition, due process, and effective contract management.

The Permanent Secretary also outlined ongoing reforms within the ministry, including the digitalisation of procurement processes, stronger monitoring and evaluation systems, professionalisation of procurement officers, and increased stakeholder engagement to improve service delivery.

The summit ended with an awards ceremony recognising outstanding individuals and organisations for excellence in procurement and supply chain management across Africa.

Ogunbiyi congratulated the award recipients and called for sustained collaboration among governments, development partners, and the private sector to build procurement and supply chain systems capable of strengthening public trust, supporting industrialisation, improving logistics, enhancing food security, and driving shared prosperity across the African continent.

President Bola Tinubu has condemned the deadly attack on Naridon Village in Kaduna, ordering security agencies to hunt down the perpetrators and rescue abducted residents.

The attack, which occurred early Monday in Kamaru Ward, Kauru Local Government Area, claimed about 30 lives, including women and children, while several houses were burnt.

Tinubu described the assault as a barbaric and cowardly act of terror against defenceless citizens.

This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday in Abuja.

‘I have directed the Armed Forces, police, and relevant intelligence agencies to intensify operations across the affected areas to track down the perpetrators swiftly, secure the release of abducted individuals, and restore normalcy to the region,’ he said.

The president warned that those seeking to undermine the hard-earned peace and security enjoyed in Kaduna would not escape justice.

He extended condolences to the bereaved families, Gov Uba Sani, the Kaduna State Government and the people of the state.

Tinubu assured the state government and affected communities of the Federal Government’s support in confronting security challenges.

‘Our administration has an unwavering commitment to strengthening security infrastructure, equipping response personnel, and neutralising criminal networks attempting to disrupt the peace of the nation,’ he said.

The president also urged residents to support security agencies with credible intelligence to enhance prompt response to threats.

‘I urge our local communities to cooperate with security forces by providing actionable intelligence that would help early response efforts,’ he added.

This statement reflects the views of industry experts and stakeholders advocating comprehensive regulation of Africa’s real estate industry as a crucial step toward attracting investment, protecting consumers, and promoting sustainable housing development.

During AIHS forum in Abuja, the experts emphasised that introducing stronger regulatory systems, similar to those in the UAE, could reduce fraud, enhance transparency, encourage mortgage financing, and attract both local and international investment into Africa’s housing sector.

They argued that effective regulation has become essential rather than optional. By recommending the adoption of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) real estate regulatory system in Nigeria and other African nations, the experts highlighted how the UAE has become one of the world’s most attractive real estate investment destinations due to a robust regulatory framework that fosters transparency, professionalism, investor confidence, and market stability.

Cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi have transformed into global property hubs because government institutions established clear rules that protect buyers, developers, investors, and financial institutions while ensuring that only qualified professionals operate within the sector.

Unlike many emerging markets with loosely regulated real estate activities, the UAE has implemented a structured system where accountability is a cornerstone of the industry.

The stakeholders explained that real estate in UAE is regulated by government agencies with clearly defined responsibilities. In Dubai, for instance, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) oversees all property transactions, title registrations, and ownership records, while the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) regulates developers, brokers, property managers, and other industry practitioners.

‘These institutions formulate regulations, issue licenses, monitor compliance, and impose sanctions when necessary,’ they stated.

They noted that every property developer in Dubai must obtain government approval before launching any project. Developers are required to demonstrate financial capacity, submit approved building plans, and comply with all regulatory requirements before they can market or sell properties. This process reduces the risk of fraudulent developments and protects buyers from incomplete projects.

One of the UAE’s most successful reforms has been the compulsory use of project escrow accounts, where money paid by buyers is deposited into regulated bank accounts dedicated solely to specific projects. Developers can access these funds only based on construction progress certified by independent professionals. This system prevents the diversion of buyers’ funds and significantly reduces the number of abandoned housing projects.

Moreover, every real estate broker, agent and property management company must be licensed. Professionals are required to undergo training, pass certification examinations, and adhere to a strict code of ethics before practicing. Government regulators continuously monitor their activities and can suspend or revoke licenses for misconduct.

The stakeholders also noted that the UAE’s real estate success is enhanced by digital land registration, with property ownership records fully digitised. All land transactions, title verifications, mortgage registrations, and ownership transfers in the UAE are conducted electronically, making the processes transparent, efficient, and challenging to manipulate.

These digital systems have reduced fraud and increased investor confidence.

In terms of dispute resolution, the UAE has established effective mechanisms. Buyers, tenants, landlords, and investors can access specialised real estate dispute centers where complaints are resolved quickly, avoiding prolonged litigation. This has strengthened public confidence in the property market.

Additionally, the UAE enforces strict anti-money laundering compliance. Recognising that real estate can be susceptible to illicit financial flows, the UAE has implemented robust Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations. Developers, brokers, and agents are mandated to verify clients’ identities, report suspicious transactions, and comply with financial intelligence requirements. Violations result in severe penalties, including fines, license suspensions, and criminal prosecutions.

Finally, the experts pointed out that transparency in property transactions is crucial.

Information regarding sale prices and ownership details is made public, further enhancing the integrity of the real estate market.

The G6 group of governorship aspirants in the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s claim that he is the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election, insisting that the APC is yet to produce a standard bearer.

The group also dismissed Alli’s assertion that aggrieved aspirants had embraced reconciliation and agreed to support his candidacy, describing the claim as premature.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the aspirants maintained that the party must adopt a credible consensus process capable of producing a candidate acceptable to the majority of members.

The G6 said it remained committed to the success of the APC in the 2027 general election but stressed that the current process should be reviewed.

‘As loyal party members, we remain committed to the victory of the APC and are ready to work with whoever President Bola Ahmed Tinubu picks as the consensus candidate,’ the group said.

‘We are good party men and we will be pleased to work for the victory of the party with anyone that Asiwaju Tinubu picks as the consensus candidate.’

The aspirants insisted that Senator Alli’s claim to the party’s governorship ticket was unfounded.

‘Oyo State APC is yet to have a governorship candidate, and Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who has been parading himself as the candidate of our great party, is living in delusion,’ the statement added.

The group reiterated its demand for a credible consensus arrangement to be supervised by President Tinubu, rather than what it described as attempts by an aspirant to impose himself on the party through propaganda.

‘While G6 is committed to the success of our party in the 2027 general elections, we insist that the process must be reviewed to produce a consensus candidate that most party members will accept and support, not an aspirant who is using propaganda in his bid to impose himself as the party’s candidate,’ the statement read.

The aspirants maintained that the APC in Oyo State remains ‘one indivisible family with a strong electoral profile,’ stressing that their position on the governorship race has not changed.

Their reaction followed comments by Senator Alli, who, during the ‘A Day With BSA’ interactive session organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, claimed that the party was making progress in reconciling aggrieved members.

Alli had disclosed that one of the G6 members visited him on Monday to assure him of the group’s willingness to cooperate with the reconciliation process.

He also revealed that he recently met with another governorship aspirant in Abuja to discuss strategies for strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 election.

‘On my part, I have also been going round to reconcile with members, both the governorship aspirants and the senatorial aspirants. I can tell you this party is going to resolve all that you think is crisis,’ Alli had said.