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Rapper and humanitarian Michael Ugochukwu Stephens popularly known as Ruggedman, has predicted that the Afrobeats label for contemporary Nigerian music may soon fade.

Appearing on Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds, he expressed a strong intuition that the term’s dominance could end.

He stated: ‘I just have a feeling that this whole Afrobeats thing, the tag might end soon. Nigerian music is in the forefront and I’m happy it is Nigerian music’.

He celebrated Nigerian music’s global prominence but criticised a perceived drop in lyrical and artistic quality, noting that few current artists deliver the depth he respects.

‘The only change that I don’t fancy much is the quality of the music, and not too many of them are giving me what I really respect,’ he added.

Ruggedman distinguished Afrobeat, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s revolutionary, jazz-infused genre from Afrobeats, the modern, commercially driven pop sound.

He opposed retroactively grouping legends like Fela, King Sunny Ade, and Kwam 1 under the Afrobeats banner, preferring the broader term Nigerian music.

Ruggedman also attributed rap’s reduced presence to artists prioritising quick financial returns over the genre’s demands.

He highlighted the higher cost of promoting rap compared to Afrobeats, which discourages investment in hip-hop.

‘Unfortunately, rap has kind of taken a backseat, because people want to do something that gives them money quickly. Not too many people are doing rap, and it costs more to push and promote rap than Afrobeats’, he said.

He criticised Nigeria’s reliance on foreign distribution platforms and the ongoing pursuit of international validation, questioning the lack of independent infrastructure.

Ruggedman added that he recently released acoustic versions of five classic tracks, Ruggedy Baba, Baraje, Change, Won’t Battle, and One Man, featuring only guitarist Fiokee.

He described the project as the first of its kind in Nigerian rap, designed to emphasise lyrics and emotional resonance.

The rapper announced upcoming 2026 collaborations with Odumodublvck, Jeriq, Magnito, 2Baba, and others, signaling his commitment to advancing Nigerian hip-hop amid shifting trends.

He said, ‘This is the first time, no Nigerian rapper has done this acoustic, just guitar and rap.’

‘So this gives you an opportunity to hear the lyrics and feel the soul, the heart behind all the words I use, and nobody has done this before,’ he added.

Media personality Toke Makinwa has expressed gratitude to God as she marks her 41st birthday as a new mom.

Makinwa, who welcomed first child, Yakira Eliana, in August, expressed gratitude for the gift of motherhood, describing it as a dream come true.

She shared stunning photos of herself and her daughter, both dressed in red, as she dedicated her birthday to prayer and reflection.

She wrote: ‘365 days of mind-blowing grace, I started manifesting 2025 to be the kind of year that’ll have me saying ‘what a difference a year can make’, I honestly cannot believe the difference between last year, living it up in Spain and now living in my dreams.

‘Happy birthday, Omotoke. You are loved by God, a praise in the earth. Your life is a testimony that the promises of God will surely come to pass. It’s my first birthday as a Mom, y’all, say a prayer for me’.

Makinwa’s birthday celebration comes after she dedicated her daughter to God in a ceremony attended by prominent figures in the entertainment industry, including Funke Akindele, Tiwa Savage and Toyin Abraham.

As a new mother, Makinwa has been open about the joys and challenges of motherhood, often sharing heartfelt moments with her daughter on social media.

Mavin Records founder Don Jazzy has claimed he can afford to purchase a private jet or any luxury car of his choice but he deliberately avoids such extravagances in favor of investments, self-development, and supporting others.

During an interview with Habby FX, the producer and music executive stressed that material displays of wealth pale in comparison to building sustainable value.

According to him, he has been financially positioned for years to acquire top-tier vehicles or even a private jet, yet views these as distractions from priorities that matter more.

‘I’ve been blessed enough for a long time to be able to afford any type of car I want or even buy a private jet. But I have more important things to take care of. Nothing beats investment,’ he said.

Investment, he stated, remains unmatched in importance and comes in various forms, including personal growth.

Don Jazzy encouraged youths to prioritise practical abilities over conventional career paths, noting that the rise of the internet and AI threatens many traditional jobs.

‘The forex that I’m learning now is an investment in myself. Tomorrow, it’s going to turn into something a skill I can use. Don’t just be useless. Go and acquire some skill,’ he said.

He argued that aspiring to be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer is no longer the only route.

‘You don’t have to be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. In this internet and AI age, a lot of jobs will disappear. Why not learn something tangible?

‘Even carpentry or furniture making, we still import tables and chairs from Turkey and China. If we had skilled people here, we could produce those things ourselves,’ he said.

The Lagos State Police Command has declared activist and politician Omoyele Sowore wanted over alleged plans to incite public disorder and obstruct major roads across the state.

Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, announced this on Monday while addressing journalists at the Iyana-Oworo end of the Third Mainland Bridge.

According to him, the police are closing in on Sowore and other individuals accused of coordinating activities aimed at disrupting public peace.

‘Sowore should surrender at the nearest police station or face arrest wherever he is found.

‘Anyone attempting to cause disturbance or block our roads will face the full weight of the law,’ Jimoh warned.

The police chief said intelligence reports revealed alleged plans by Sowore and his associates to stage demonstrations at key locations, including Third Mainland Bridge, Lekki Tollgate, and Freedom Park.

Late American singer Michael Jackson has been crowned the highest-paid deceased celebrity of 2025 by Forbes magazine, raking in an estimated $105 million in pre-tax earnings.

The King of Pop’s financial dominance is attributed to a lucrative deal with Sony Music, where the estate sold a 50% stake in his master recordings and publishing catalog for a whopping $600 million.

Jackson’s estate has generated a sum of $3.5 billion since his passing in 2009, solidifying his position as the most posthumously successful celebrity of all time.

His Broadway hit, MJ: The Musical, has grossed nearly $300 million worldwide, while his long-running Las Vegas residency, Michael Jackson ONE, surpassed 5,000 performances this year.

Other notable musicians on Forbes’ annual list include Prince, John Lennon, and Bob Marley, who collectively earned $541 million in the past year.

Dr. Seuss secured the second spot with $85 million in earnings, driven by robust book sales and Netflix licensing deals.

Pink Floyd co-founders Richard Wright and Syd Barrett each earned $81 million after Sony purchased the band’s catalog for $400 million.

Jackson’s influence extends beyond record sales, with his estate’s empire continuing to expand.

A highly anticipated biopic, ‘Michael,’ starring his nephew Jaafar Jackson, is set to premiere in April 2026, expected to drive another wave of renewed interest and earnings.

Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on National Assembly Matters, Ibrahim Olarenwaju, has lauded Ekiti Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on his induction into the Ekiti State University (EKSU) Alumni Hall of Fame.

In a statement in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, Olarenwaju described the honour as a well-deserved recognition of Governor Oyebanji’s unwavering commitment to education and immense contributions to the growth and development of his alma mater.

The former federal lawmaker noted that the Governor’s investiture into the EKSU alumni Hall of Fame was particularly symbolic, as he is the first alumnus of the university to become the state’s governor.

Olarenwaju added that the recognition underscores the governor’s uncommon dedication and support to the growth of the institution and his impressive record of service to Ekiti State.

He said: ‘The accolades poured on the governor by the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor, particularly, citing the over 100% increment in the subvention to Ekiti State University and his consistent support, serve as a powerful testament to the Governor’s deep connection to his alma mater and his dedication to its growth.’

He praised the Governor for his visionary leadership, describing him as a shining example of quality of leaders nurtured by the university.

Olarenwaju noted that the Governor has continued to make the EKSU alumni community proud through his people-focused governance and commitment to excellence

‘Governor Oyebanji is a shining example of the quality of leaders nurtured by the Preston Ekiti University. ‘His impressive performance in office is matched by his demonstrable passion for development of the university, proving that he has not forgotten his roots.

‘This honour is an historic celebration of his exceptional leadership, visionary governance, and his success in making the alumni body profoundly proud. We celebrate this unique achievement with His Excellency and look forward to even greater strides in his continued service to Ekiti State and the nation,’ he added.

He added further that the investiture has solidified Governor Oyebanji’s legacy as an outstanding alumnus and visionary leader whose impact would continue to resonate beyond the state and serve as an inspiration to future generations of EKSU graduates.

The Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and security chiefs will brief the media on Monday afternoon, The Nation learnt.

The briefing is in response to the threat by U.S President Donald Trump to send troops to deal with terrorists in Nigeria.

The Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mallam Lane Issa-Onilu disclosed this at the monthly National Joint Security Press Briefing aimed at updating the media on ongoing activities of government to contain insecurity and other vices.

Issa-Onilu said the briefing will provide adequate response to the allegations of genocide.

Nigerian magician Ibitoye Kingfahd, popularly known as Faddothegreat, is set to make history with a Guinness World Record attempt for the Longest Standalone Magic Performance, scheduled to hold from November 27 to 29, 2025, at Pop Landmark, Victoria Island, Lagos.

A first-class graduate of Civil Engineering, Faddothegreat combines technical excellence with artistic creativity, crafting many of the unique props used in his performances.

Over the past decade, he has transformed his passion for magic from a hobby into a mission to elevate live entertainment in Nigeria.

Renowned for his humour, stage presence and captivating illusions, he has performed at major events including Lagos Startup Week, the Pulse Influencer Awards, Light Up Lagos and the Endeavor Tech Founders Networking Event.

The three-day performance is expected to deliver a festival-style experience, featuring continuous magic displays, illusion booths and carnival-themed attractions.

The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has supported indigent detainees with free legal representation and works to speed up criminal trials.

The organisation said that it achieved this through its ongoing Reform Pre-Trial Detention Project that is helping to ensure that all Nigerians, regardless of their social status, have access to justice without financial barriers.

The organisation added that the initiative had already provided legal aid to over 20,900 indigent detainees, resulting in several being granted bail, discharged, or convicted after delayed cases were finally heard.

Head of Programmes for PPDC, Aniekwe Ogechukwu said this during a Justice Walk in Abuja at the weekend ahead of the Access to Justice Parley next week.

Ogechukwu decried the loss of public trust in the judiciary.

He said many Nigerians now believe justice can be bought, a perception he said the organisation was determined to change through its interventions.

Ogechukwu explained that the Reform Pre-Trial Detention Project-a three-year initiative that began in 2023-operates across five states: Plateau, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Kaduna, and the Federal Capital Territory.

‘The project ensures that, no matter your background or status, you still have the right to justice. It is free, and it helps those who cannot afford legal fees,’ he said.

He revealed that through the deployment of a new case management system and virtual court hearing technology, delays caused by logistics challenges-such as lack of transport from custodial centres to courts-had been drastically reduced.

‘We can now pull up case files in four minutes, and judges can preside virtually from anywhere in the world,’ he noted.

The programme, supported by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), also focuses on educating citizens about their rights during arrests and trials.

Ogechukwu stressed that the PPDC’s goal was to make justice accessible to the poor and marginalised, not just the elite.

‘Many interventions in Nigeria tend to benefit the powerful. Our aim is to take justice to the grassroots and empower citizens to speak out for themselves,’ he said.

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof Is-haq Oloyede has said the agency uncovered 15, 000 candidates who forged their admission letters to be eligible to participate in the national service organised by the National Youth Service Corps.

Oloyede said these individuals are being tried by the Board for alleged forgery.

The JAMB registrar spoke on Monday during the 2025 Batch C pre-mobilisation workshop organised by NYSC in Abuja.

Oloyede disclosed that 17 Deputy Vice – Chancellors; Deputy Registrars, including four JAMB staff, are in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged forgery.

The JAMB Registrar said: ‘One day I ran to your predecessor (referring to DG of NYSC) because I couldn’t believe that 15, 000 candidates forged admission letters.

‘As I speak with you some deputy registrars are being tried by ICPC. Some deputy vice – chancellors, not less than 17, including four JAMB staff, are in prison custody. We took them to ICPC.

‘Those who want to go to jail should do so knowingly, not by accident.

‘I want to advice you: follow the rules and you will have less problems. I suggest you follow the right path and you will see that most of the problems that are self created by you will be eliminated.’

Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, urged stakeholders not to allow the mobilisation process to suffer disrepute.

The DG said the organisation continue to experience cases of forged credentials, multiple registrations, and identity theft by unqualified individuals attempting to infiltrate its system.

According to Nafiu, this is a direct threat to the credibility of the mobilisation process of the NYSC.

He said: ‘We all know that mobilising eligible Nigerian graduates for national service remains central to the NYSC’s mandate. As a matter of fact, mobilization is the gateway to the service year and a vital link in preparing young Nigerians graduates for national integration and development. This key aspect of our operations can therefore not be allowed to suffer disrepute

‘Over the years, NYSC has earned public confidence for its transparent mobilisation process. We were able to do this in the analogue era and managed to transition that confidence to the digital era. For about 11 years now, we have continued to build digital databank, and our mobilisation process is today almost fully digitised.’

The DG explained that since the scheme adopted the NYSC Integrated System (NIS) in 2014, there had been significant improvements in efficiency but also an increase in cyber threats.

‘We have strengthened our digital defences and continue to invest in protecting the Scheme’s online assets,’ the NYSC chief stated.

He also said that activities of unapproved study centres and ‘degree mills’ remained a major concern.

‘Some of them operate under dubious affiliations with accredited institutions. Let me emphasise that the NYSC will continue to apply sanctions wherever such unethical practices are discovered. Low Data Management Capacity. Some officers handling mobilisation data still need to improve their digital literacy. Effective data validation and system management require continuous training and retraining,’ the NYSC DG added.

Director, Corps Mobilisation, Rachel Idaewor noted that the NYSC has seen remarkable progress in its mobilisation efforts in recent years, largely due to innovative approaches and enhanced cooperation.

‘Nevertheless, significant challenges remain, particularly concerning data integrity. The fraudulent uploading of unqualified persons continues to affect the credibility of our mobilization process negatively,’ she said.

She charged participants at the workshop to address contemporary issues affecting the mobilisation process.

She added: ‘The integrity of our data is not just a technical challenge; it has far-reaching implications for the personal and professional futures of our youth. Accurate, reliable data forms the backbone of any successful operational strategy, enabling us to effectively mobilise our youth for national service.’