Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Nigerian-Born, Montreal-based artist, Prince Oluwasegun Ajayi, has returned to the music scene with his latest single, ‘Waka Waka’.

The energetic track, which comes with a distinctive dance style, is currently gaining attention on social media and streaming platforms.

On the inspiration behind the song, Ajayi said ‘Waka Waka’ was recorded with the idea of movement and exposure.

‘Movement has followed me throughout my life, moving through Lagos, moving through dance, moving between countries, moving between creative disciplines and constantly refusing to remain in one box,’ he said.

According to him, he wanted ‘Waka Waka’ to be a record that could connect with audiences in different settings.

‘I want people to enjoy it. Not every record needs a lecture attached to it. Sometimes music should make you move before it makes you think.’

Looking ahead, Ajayi said his ambition extends beyond building a conventional music career. He wants to develop a wider creative ecosystem around his brand.

‘I don’t want to build only an artiste brand. I want to build an ecosystem,’ he said.

Adding that, ‘The most interesting part of the story won’t just be how far I went. It will be how many people, ideas and opportunities were able to move with me.’

Prince Ajayi is a recording artiste, filmmaker, director, dancer and entrepreneur. As a founder of 361Studios, he blends African rhythm, movement, multilingual expression and cinematic storytelling to create music with global appeal.

Ghanaian film Bed of Thorns has secured a streaming deal with Homi TV, expanding the film’s reach to a wider audience.

The deal follows the film’s recognition at the San Francisco Film Festival, where it became the first Ghanaian film to win an award at the festival.

The production also received recognition at the Abia International Film Festival.

Bed of Thorns was written and directed by Kenny Dee and produced under Sir Nelson Productions.

The film is a romantic drama that combines suspense, emotional conflict and unexpected twists.

It features Nelson Emmanuel, Haillie Sumney, Kofi Adjololo and Sylvia Davis in leading roles.

Sumney, popularly known as ‘Ghana Goddess,’ is a Canadian-born, California-raised Ghanaian actress, television personality, brand influencer, philanthropist and entrepreneur.

She has appeared in productions including Heels and Sneakers, Real Lagos Fake Life, A Way Back Home, Blood Vessel on Netflix and Kintampo on African Magic.

Sumney has also worked across Nollywood, Ghallywood and Hollywood and served as a red-carpet host at the 2018 BET Awards.

The Homi TV agreement marks another stage in the film’s distribution journey, making it available to a broader streaming audience.

Bed of Thorns began streaming on Homi TV on September 18, 2026.

Chioma Ude, Head of the International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and the Africa Film and Content Market (AFCM), has been honoured at the recently concluded Dhofar International Film Festival in Oman.

The Oman Film Society presented the award, recognising Ude’s contributions to the global film industry.

Ude also served as Head of the Short Films Jury at the festival, drawing on her experience in African cinema, film festivals, film markets, production and industry development.

Her participation created opportunities for discussions on AFRIFF, AFCM, cultural exchange and bilateral engagement between Nigeria, Oman and the wider African film industry.

The engagement focused on strengthening relationships among filmmakers, institutions and other industry professionals.

Ude’s connection with the Oman Film Society began last year when she met Ahmed Othman, an Omani film professional and member of the society.

Following the meeting, Ude invited Othman to Nigeria, where he served as a jury member at AFRIFF and AFCM in November 2025.

The visit subsequently led to Ude’s invitation to Oman to explore further opportunities for collaboration.

Speaking at the festival, Ude said, ‘I do not come here by chance. I actually came here as a challenge.’

Reflecting on her experience as a jury member, she said, ‘We worked very hard. We watched great films. Some of the films made us laugh so much… Some of them made us cry… But all in all, we realised the filmmakers worked even harder than we did.’

During her visit, Ude also met Anwar bin Khamis Al Ruzaiqi, Chairman of the Oman Film Society, as well as Bushra Ahmed Razza, the Egyptian actress, singer and producer professionally known as Bushra.

The engagements formed part of broader discussions around film festivals and markets as platforms for film exhibition, professional development, business, investment, co-production and cultural exchange.

Ude’s participation in the festival comes ahead of the 15th edition of AFRIFF, scheduled to be held from November 1 to 7, 2026, in Nigeria.

AFCM will also provide a market platform for business, partnerships, content acquisition, investment and professional exchange within Africa’s film and television industry.

Ude’s recognition at the Dhofar International Film Festival adds to her international engagement in the film industry and comes amid efforts to strengthen connections between African and international filmmakers and industry professionals.

Thousands of worshippers converged on Regal Hall, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, on Sunday, September, 20, 2026, for ‘Praise Affair with Tosin Bee: The Thanksgiving,’ a free gospel concert that blended deep worship with high-energy praise.

The event marked gospel minister Tosin Bee’s first major headline concert since ‘Switch with Tosin Bee’ at the MUSON Centre in 2019. Since then, the singer has been engaged in live recordings, new releases and international ministry.

Performing with his Beezle Nation team, Tosin Bee delivered a bilingual set in English and Yoruba, drawing on his signature Afro-gospel and highlife sound. The crowd responded with dancing, tears and loud shouts of praise throughout the evening.

‘Everything we have, everything we are, is by His grace,’ Tosin Bee said, describing the concert as an act of thanksgiving.

Nine guest ministers joined him on stage: Beejay Sax, Kaestrings, Adeyinka Alaseyori, Eniola Olusoga, Laolu Gbenjo, Steve Hills, Elijah Daniel, SMJ and Lillian Nneji. Each contributed a distinct ministration, from Beejay Sax’s saxophone melodies to Kaestrings’ deep worship and SMJ’s energetic praise.

The Lagos State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Pastor Yemi Davids, addressed the gathering, saying, ‘When we are praising God, we are exalting His abilities.’

He later prayed for the convener, his team and the audience.

Attendees commended the organisation of the event, citing the sound quality, stage production, volunteer coordination and programme flow.

Many worshippers said they were already looking forward to the Praise Affair 2027.

Old Trafford Stadium, the 74,000-capacity home of Manchester United, was transformed into a prayer ground on Saturday as Nigerian cleric, Pastor Jerry Eze, led the NSPPD UK Prayer Conference.

The conference, convened by Streams of Joy International, attracted thousands of worshippers from across the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.

The gathering, which featured intense prayers, worship and fellowship, was free to attend, although participants were required to register in advance due to limited spaces.

Checks showed that demand for tickets far outweighed availability, with several prospective attendees taking to social media, particularly TikTok, to search for spare tickets days before the event after registration was reportedly closed.

The event also had in attendance renowned gospel music ministers, including Mercy Chinwo, Dunsin Oyekan, Sunmisola Agbebi and Kaestrings, who led the congregation in soul-lifting worship sessions.

The NSPPD UK conference is one of the largest Christian gatherings held at the iconic Old Trafford stadium in recent times.

Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold has identified the lack of proper artist development as one of the major gaps in the contemporary music industry.

The singer observed while reflecting on the career trajectory of emerging artists and the tendency for some to disappear from the scene after recording a major hit.

According to Adekunle Gold, having a successful song is not enough to sustain an artist’s career, stressing the importance of developing the skills and knowledge required to function effectively as a professional artist.

‘What is lacking now is artist development. A lot of new artists now have one major hit, and they are gone. Maybe a label has given them some money, and they start to feel on top of the world.’

He noted that some emerging artists lack the necessary skills to perform, communicate with the media and conduct themselves professionally beyond the success of a hit record.

‘You don’t know how to perform, you don’t know how to answer interview questions and even how to be an artist, aside from just having one major hit.’

The ‘High’ singer stressed that artists need to take responsibility for their own growth and develop themselves beyond making music.

‘I think that’s one thing that is very important now. Artists have to develop themselves.’

Following criticism over her absence from the Lagos premiere of ‘Starlomo’, filmmaker Funke Akindele has publicly thrown her weight behind Kamo State’s new film.

The actress and box-office record holder took to social media to urge fans and movie lovers to see the film in cinemas nationwide.

Akindele’s show of support comes days after her absence from the premiere sparked speculation of a rift with the skitmaker-turned-actor Akinyoola Ayoola, popularly known as Kamo State.

Kamo State, however, clarified that they had no disagreement, explaining that Akindele was out of the country at the time of the premiere.

In a post backing the project, Akindele congratulated Kamo State and director Kayode Kasum, and called on her followers to go to the cinemas.

‘STARLOMO. Let’s go see a good movie this weekend. Congratulations @kamo_state @kayodekasum. I wish you all the best at the box office. Starlomothemovie is now showing in all cinemas nationwide. Go see it!!’ she wrote.

‘Starlomo’, which opened in cinemas on September 25, 2026, tells the story of Ayotide, a young man who abandons his family’s food business to pursue a music career in Lagos.

After tragedy forces him back home, he uncovers a hidden history of his parents’ music careers and a lost family legacy, which he uses to reclaim his family’s name.

Directed by Kayode Kasum, the film stars Kamo State alongside Ibrahim Chatta, Abiola Adebayo, Lateef Adedimeji and others, and marks another major step in Kamo’s transition from skit-making to feature-film production.

The Imo State Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy, Mr. Chuck Chuckuemeka, has urged financial institutions and other stakeholders to embrace digital transformation and develop adaptive infrastructure capable of responding to the changing demands of the global economy.

Chuckuemeka made the call while delivering a keynote address at Interswitch TechConnect 6.0, held under the theme, ‘Built for What’s Next – Designing Adaptive Financial Infrastructure for a Dynamic Market.’

He said the theme should challenge financial institutions to examine whether their systems, structures and economies were adequately prepared for the future.

According to him, ‘modern financial infrastructure must be interoperable, data-driven, scalable, secure, inclusive and resilient.’

The Commissioner explained that adaptive infrastructure meant the ability to respond to changes ‘quickly, intelligently and responsibly,’ adding that infrastructure goes beyond banks, payment platforms and physical systems.

He said it also encompasses technology, data, processes, institutions, regulatory frameworks and human capabilities that enable money and financial information to move freely, securely and efficiently.

Chuckuemeka said digital transformation was not merely about computers, software or automation, but about creating value through speed, accuracy, transparency, accountability, reduced costs and improved decision-making.

He urged financial institutions to make data a strategic asset, build interoperable systems, design for resilience and put people at the centre of technology, stressing that ‘the future belongs to institutions prepared to continuously adapt.’

The Commissioner said the Imo State Government under Governor Hope Uzodimma had embraced digital transformation as a critical pillar of modern governance, citing the digitisation of the state workforce, establishment of the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Governance, development of Imo Digital City and digitalisation of the Imo Geographic Information System.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Imo State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Justice Okoye, said financial infrastructure must be built with the future in mind.

Okoye said, ‘financial infrastructure comprises more than banks and payment infrastructure,’ explaining that it includes the systems, institutions, technologies and processes that enable transactions to take place efficiently, securely and seamlessly.

In her remarks, the Chief Sales Officer of Interswitch, Robinta Aluyi, said Interswitch TechConnect was designed to connect businesses, communities and everyday lives while preparing stakeholders for emerging realities in the digital economy.

She said the platform was aimed at fostering conversations and solutions that would enable businesses and institutions to remain responsive to the changing demands of the digital age.

The programme featured panel discussions on ‘Building a Digital Economy: The Role of Government, Industry and Technology in Shaping the Future,’ and ‘Driving Digital Transformation Through Public Private Partnerships.’

The event, which also featured the Anambra State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Nomso Ebonwu, brought together financial experts, technology innovators, government representatives and industry stakeholders to discuss opportunities and strategies for building a secure, inclusive and future-ready financial ecosystem.

No fewer than five hundred participants are expected at the Camporee 2026 organised by the Osun State Council of the Scout Association of Nigeria.

The event holding for two days in Osogbo, the state capital city, will start on Friday, September 25 and end on Sunday, 27.

The participants are drawn from across Nigeria and particularly the thirty local government areas of Osun State.

According to a statement by the Osun State Scout Commissioner, Dr. Sola Olalekan Atanda, the event is being held at the Olutimehin Grammar School, Asubiaro, Osogbo.

Calling on the Osun State government led by Governor Ademola Adeleke to partner and support the Scout Council in the state, Atanda said the youths deserved to be empowered in all areas of their lives for them to be able to channel their God-given talents and energies to good purposes and also to contribute meaningfully to the overall development of the nation.

Atanda, a Marathon ’63 Scouter, said the purpose of the programme was for the participants, who are youths, to learn, grow, connect and build memories through the spirit of scouting.

He said: ‘The programme is not just another camping experience; it is an opportunity to challenge the youths to discover new strengths, serve others, and grow into the leaders they are meant to become.’

He said it was important for everyone in attendance to live up to the principle of our body, ‘Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Through Scouting.’

Atanda, therefore, charged those to attend the event to be prepared, to be intentional and to ensure they participate in all the scheduled activities of the Camporee 2026.

The Deputy Chief of Staff to the Delta State Governor, Sir Christopher Osakwe, has urged operators in the entertainment industry to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other candidates of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Osakwe made the call on Friday when members of the Entertainment Movement for Oshimili North and South (ENFONS) paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba.

He said President Tinubu’s reforms had brought changes to the country, adding that their effects were also being felt in Delta State.

According to him, the reforms had helped address some of the challenges previously experienced by Nigerians, including salary arrears and fuel scarcity.

Osakwe said Governor Oborevwori and his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, had continued to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government through the implementation of programmes in the state.

‘Our Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D., are champions of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President in practical terms, and all of us are beneficiaries.

‘Continue to send out the message through your professional activities,’ he said.

The Deputy CoS stressed the importance of grassroots mobilisation in strengthening communication between government and citizens.

He urged the group to expand its membership and reach, saying: ‘Going forward, grow your numbers, grow your reach, and let the people feel your impact.’

Osakwe said sustained engagement with the grassroots would create greater awareness of government programmes and policies while providing opportunities for citizens to communicate their concerns to government.

He added that the government would welcome groups supporting the President and the state administration.

Earlier, the leader of ENFONS, Hon. Frank Otoide, expressed the group’s readiness to mobilise support for President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori ahead of the 2027 elections.