Category: PM News

Grammy award-winning Nigerian superstar, Burna Boy, has unexpectedly cancelled two major stops on his No Sign of Weakness U.S. tour.

According to an update on the Ticketmaster website, the Minneapolis concert originally scheduled for November 28, 2025, at The Armory, was cancelled just one day before the event. Another show planned for December 1, 2025, in Chicago has also been pulled down.

Tour organisers have yet to give a clear reason for the cancellations.

However, the development follows intense criticism directed at the singer after a controversial incident in Colorado, where he ordered a couple to be escorted out of his show for sleeping in the front row.

The couple’s removal, met with boos and cheers from the crowd, went viral and triggered widespread debates online, especially after reports emerged that the woman was grieving a personal loss.

Burna Boy later doubled down during an Instagram Live session, saying he only wants fans who “actually bought tickets to see him.”

In the early hours of Friday, the artiste confirmed the cancellations on his Instagram Story, sharing the Ticketmaster link showing the two removed dates while all other shows on the tour remain intact.

Nigerian Disc Jockey Michael Babatunde Adeyinka, popularly known as DJ Tunez, has thrown subtle shade at Afrobeats artist, Burna Boy for giving out coffee at his shows.

The act, which was done as a response to the recent controversy, where Burna Boy sent a sleeping couple out of his show, quickly stirred up reactions from fans and other users.

DJ Tunez on his X handle, reacted with a meme, announcing that no coffee will be served at his show. He added that fans are allowed to sleep during the rave, if they feel like it.

“No coffee will be served at blackout, if you like sleep,” he wrote.

His comment reignited the topic of Burna Boy’s action in Colorado, and his follow up apology.

Nigerian young artist Oseremen Marvin, popularly known as Mavo has been crowned as the Billboard African Rookie of the month.

The artist, while speaking with Billboard, spoke about his plans for the coming year, stating that he has ‘serious music’ underway.

“I have a really, really big thing happening during the first quarter of next year. It will be “serious music. What I’m going to do is going to actually blow minds by God’s grace,” he stated.

Mavo who was recently solidified as one of Afrobeats big talents, is a 22-year old optometry student at Afe Babalola University in Ekiti State, Nigeria.

He opened up about his collaborations with two of Nigeria’s biggest artists, shortly after his big break. Mavo revealed that both Wizkid and Davido’s team had reached out to him for the collaboration.

“They came to me. DJ Tunez texted me in September saying, “Wiz and you should do a song. Can you send the chorus?” I’m like, “OK, can you send me the beat?” Then he sent it. I just did my thing.” The result was “MONEY CONSTANT,” he said on his collaboration with Wizkid.

He further explained that his remix with Davido was more direct as Davido reached out to him via his Instagram account.

“He just texted me on Instagram. He’s like, ‘Could you send me ‘Shakabulizzy’? I want to do something,” he recalled.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has called on judges and judicial officers nationwide to accelerate the handling of commercial disputes, stressing that timely justice is essential to keeping businesses afloat and attracting investment.

Fagbemi made the appeal on Friday at the opening session of the 2025 conference of the Network of Justice Sector Reform Teams (NJSRT) in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The gathering brought together representatives of key institutions working to improve justice delivery across the country.

The minister said that resolving commercial conflicts promptly requires seamless coordination across the justice sector, beginning with stronger pre-litigation engagement and wider use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to prevent already overstretched courts from being burdened with avoidable cases.

Describing the conference theme,”Interoperability between Access to Justice and the Ease of Doing Business,” as highly relevant, Fagbemi noted that it aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises investor confidence, job creation, and sustainable economic expansion.

He argued that a functioning economy cannot exist without a justice system that is predictable, efficient, and trusted by citizens and investors alike. According to him, improving the business environment is not only about reforming administrative processes but also about strengthening legal protections and ensuring that disputes are handled transparently and quickly.

Fagbemi said: “It is our responsibility to assure the small business owner in Lafia, the tech innovator in Lagos, and the international investor in London that their rights will be respected, their agreements upheld, and any disagreement resolved without unnecessary delay.”

He lamented that Nigeria’s justice system continues to be viewed as slow and intimidating, a perception that he said inflates business costs, discourages innovation, and scares off long-term investment.

The minister commended the Nasarawa State Government for its efforts to modernise justice delivery, especially through the establishment of a Family Court, which fully aligns the state’s judiciary with its Child Rights Law.

He also emphasised the importance of the NJSRT, describing the reform teams as strategic engines for improving justice delivery at state level. He challenged delegates to develop measurable targets, including reducing the average timeline for commercial cases, embedding ADR into routine court procedures, and leveraging technology to support small and medium-sized enterprises.

Veteran Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has spoken about his marriage of over two decades, describing it as a union directly ordained by God.

The 51-year-old rapper shared the intimate details during an interview on the Olofix Podcast, where he emphasized that the secret to a long, peaceful life is to marry only one wife.

According to the “Mr Lecturer” crooner, God specifically prepared his wife for him, and it would be foolish for him to allow another woman bear a child for him.

Eedris, who has been married since 2004, said the divine nature of his marriage became even clearer when his wife donated one of her kidneys to save his life during his health crisis.

He said:

“I met my wife on September 18, 2003. We got married on December 11, 2004. And based on what God told me to do, that is how I take my action.

Now, 20 years later, God said, ‘I am not done with you yet.’ You had a covenant with me. This is 21 years later.

od gave me my own wife, not another person’s wife. Why will I be stupid to let another woman give birth to a child for me again?”

While acknowledging that African culture and Islam permit polygamy, the rapper argued that equal love among multiple wives is simply impossible.

He added:

Veteran Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has spoken candidly about his marriage of over two decades, describing it as a union directly ordained by God.

The 51-year-old rapper shared the intimate details during an interview on the Olofix Podcast, where he emphasized that the secret to a long, peaceful life is to marry only one wife.

According to the “Mr Lecturer” crooner, God specifically prepared his wife for him, and it would be foolish for him to allow another woman bear a child for him.

Eedris, who has been married since 2004, said the divine nature of his marriage became even clearer when his wife donated one of her kidneys to save his life during his health crisis.

He said:

“I met my wife on September 18, 2003. We got married on December 11, 2004. And based on what God told me to do, that is how I take my action.

Now, 20 years later, God said, ‘I am not done with you yet.’ You had a covenant with me. This is 21 years later.

od gave me my own wife, not another person’s wife. Why will I be stupid to let another woman give birth to a child for me again?”

While acknowledging that African culture and Islam permit polygamy, the rapper argued that equal love among multiple wives is simply impossible.

He added: “Truly, we are Africans. You are allowed to be polygamous in nature. Even Islam says if you love women equally, you can marry as many as you can.

But let us be sincere — it is not possible to love women equally. You can only love one woman.

nd as men with wisdom, if you want to live long, make sure only one woman gives birth to your children. If you want to live a sweet life, make sure it’s only one woman.”

Eedris Abdulkareem has been celebrated for openly appreciating his wife, who played a crucial role in helping him survive a life-threatening illness in 2022.

Joseph Aloba, father of the late Nigerian singer Mohbad, has once again stirred controversy after releasing a new video making fresh allegations against his son’s widow, Wunmi.

In the recorded statement shared online, Mr Aloba doubled down on his demand for a DNA test, insisting there were unresolved issues surrounding the paternity of Mohbad’s son.

He also challenged claims that a traditional wedding took place between Mohbad and Wunmi, questioning who collected the supposed bride price.

According to him, he only attended an introduction ceremony, not a wedding, and was shocked to hear rumours that a full marriage took place behind the family’s back.

He said:

“When my son was alive, and Cynthia claimed to be pregnant, I felt it was necessary to meet her family properly.

When we got there, I saw many family members sitting. We did the introduction, and that was the first time I met my son’s father-in-law.

But to now hear that a traditional wedding happened without my knowledge or without the head of the family present? Who collected the bride price?”

Mr Aloba also claimed that before his death, Mohbad confided in him that he had caught Wunmi cheating, leading him to call off their marriage plans.

He alleged:

“He said he caught her with another man. He told his friend Myson, his elder sibling and his mother before he came to tell me. That was why he cancelled the marriage plans.”

These revelations, according to him, are part of the reasons he insists a DNA test must be carried out.

“And that is one of the reasons why I’m asking for DNA,” he said.

The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, says no contact whatsoever has been made with the gunmen who abducted hundreds of pupils and teachers from St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara LGA.

Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, the bishop said the silence from the kidnappers has deepened fears among families still waiting for news.

“So far, we have not had any contact with them. As I’m speaking now, we’ve not had any call regarding the abductors,” Yohanna said.

The attackers invaded the school in the early hours of November 21, shooting a security guard and taking away pupils, students and teachers.

While initial figures put the missing at 215 pupils and 12 teachers, a detailed verification by security agencies, community leaders and diocesan officials later revealed the scale was far worse.

According to Yohanna, 315 persons were initially confirmed abducted 303 students and 12 teachers. The number dropped after 50 pupils escaped and were reunited with their families.

“Out of that number, we deducted them from the 315. We now have 265 as of now. That is the number that is missing,” he said.

ttackers Tried Reaching the Convent First

The bishop narrated how the gunmen first attempted to access the convent where the sisters lived.

“I think the first attempt was to see if they could break through where the sisters are living. That didn’t happen So they shot him and then forced the gate open,” he said, referring to the school gateman.

He said the attackers then tried to force another gate separating the convent from the school but failed, eventually heading to the hostels where the children slept.

Claims of Prior Warning ‘Surprising’ Bishop

Yohanna pushed back against suggestions that the school had been warned ahead of the attack.

“Well, what I do know is that in 2021/2022, we had rumours that the school would be attacked we shut down the school immediately,” he said, explaining how the diocese reinforced security, built a fence and deployed additional guards.

“This accusation came as a surprise because if we had a warning back then I see no reason why we should have that kind of instruction and not obey it,” he said.

This followed the Niger State Government’s statement claiming the school operated “without notifying or seeking clearance” despite intelligence alerting to possible attacks.

Yohanna confirmed ongoing communication with security agencies.

“The one I’ve been communicating with is the DSS in Kontagora The police at the DPO in Kontagora called to say the sisters are to go and make a statement,” he said.

;hParents Traumatized, Schools Shut;/h Speaking on the emotional state of parents, Yohanna said:

“Of course, they are traumatised and worried. We are praying and hoping that by the grace of God, their children will be released.”

On broader school security, he said churches had acted on their own initiative in the past and noted that all schools in Niger State have now been shut down by the government.

By Stephen Adeleye

Nigerian Army confirmed that a soldier and a vigilante operative were killed during rescue of 21 passengers from bandits along the Kabba-Obajana road axis of Kogi State.

The spokesperson for 12 Brigade, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, confirmed on Saturday in Lokoja.

Abdullahi added that rescue efforts had continued toward locating any remaining abductees and apprehending the perpetrators.

“Yes, it’s true. The incident happened on Thursday, and the troops are still combining the forest to apprehend the perpetrators,” Abdullahi said.

Sources had earlier reported that about 100 bandits targeted a convoy of six vehicles travelling between southern and northern Nigeria.

The source said that the attacks, which occurred around 2:00p.m, affected a Toyota Siena (YAB968AX), from Osogbo to Kaduna, a Toyota Hiace (7BGT78LG) from Owo to Abuja.

It also added that a Hiace (GKP178XA) from Abuja to Ekiti, a Toyota Carina (JMU648AA) from Lokoja to Kabba, a Dangote truck hauling 900 bags of cement, and a J5 bus (FTA313XV) carrying pepper from Kano to Lagos, were also involved in the attacks.

The source said a joint rescue operation by the 12Brigade Nigerian Army, Quick Response Units (QRU), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilante, and hunters engaged the bandits in a gun duel, securing the release of 21 passengers, including men, women, and infants.

“Rescued individuals include: Moses Oladimeji, Adele Jacob, Obed Onche, Babayemi and Funmilayo Ajayi, Samuel Olawoyin, Samuel Job, Jemima and Nanko Joseph, and Enenche Paulina.

“Also rescued were Bright, Rachael and Deborah Enenche (9days old), Bukola and Toyin Clement, Glory and Faith Clement, Peter Olawale, and the drivers of the Dangote truck and J5 bus.

“Tragically, one soldier from Oshokoshoko sector and one vigilante from Odoape were killed,” the source said.

A troops of the 12 Brigade had in a coordinated operation on Tuesday, foiled an ambush by bandits, killed one bandit and rescued a kidnapped victim along Kabba-Obajana road.

The communities were urged to remain on high alert amid rising bandit activity in Kogi State.

(NAN)

The Enugu State Government has arrested the parents of a 13-year-old girl, the groom, his parents, and a matchmaker involved in an underage marriage in Amufie community, Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.

The Commissioner for Gender, Women and Children Affairs, Hon. Ngozi Eni, said the arrests were made after all those involved ignored an invitation from the ministry. Their refusal to appear raised suspicion, prompting the government to act.

She explained that the marriage had already taken place even though the girl, Amarachi, is only 13 years old and could not give consent or understand what marriage means.

According to Eni, those arrested include the groom’s parents and a native doctor named Mrs. Patience, who acted as the matchmaker. The matchmaker claimed she did not know child marriage is against the law.

Amarachi, now under government protection, told officials she was forced into the marriage and has never attended school. The groom’s mother defended the marriage by saying her son is an only child, but she reportedly went silent when informed that child marriage is a crime.

The ministry’s legal team educated the arrested persons on the Child Rights Law and the dangers of early marriage, including health problems like VVF, cervical cancer, and psychological harm.

Security agencies are now handling the case. Amarachi and a two-year-old child found during the operation–whose mother has not been identified–are both in protective custody.

The commissioner assured that the government will take care of Amarachi, rehabilitate her, and ensure she gets an education. The illegal marriage will also be officially cancelled.

She thanked the Chairman of Igbo-Eze North LGA, Hon. Ogalla, the area’s House of Assembly member, and the Chairman of the Enugu State Civil Service Commission for their support during the operation.

Three people have lost their lives and another was injured in two unrelated fire incidents that occurred in Kano State on Friday, the State Fire Service has confirmed.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Service’s spokesperson, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, said the first emergency involved a petrol tanker carrying 30,000 litres of fuel which overturned and exploded at Kura Market Junction on the Zaria Road around 1:30 p.m.

The tanker, registered as NGZ 250 XA, was said to have struck a motorcyclist before bursting into flames. A retired Civil Defence officer, Danlami Muhammad, alerted the fire service, prompting the swift deployment of an emergency team from the headquarters.

“When our team arrived, the tanker was completely ablaze. Four people were involved. Three were found unconscious and later confirmed dead, while the motorcyclist survived the incident,” the statement said.

Firefighters, assisted by police officers and personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps, eventually brought the fire under control. The bodies of the victims were handed over to ASP Ahmad Lawan of the Kura Police Division. Two fire engines–one from the headquarters and another from Kura station–were used in the operation.

The cause of the accident is still being determined.

A second fire incident was recorded about an hour later at Hamisu Plaza on Maiduguri Road in Taruni Local Government Area. By the time fire crews reached the scene at approximately 2:45 p.m., the upper floor of the two-storey commercial building was already engulfed.

Three shops were completely gutted, though firefighters managed to prevent the flames from spreading to other parts of the building. A fire engine stationed at the ongoing trade fair responded to the call.

The cause of the blaze at the plaza is also being investigated.