Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

South African singer Tyla was named Best New Artist at the BET Awards 2024 on Monday. Tyla’s debut single, ‘Water’, catapulted her to global fame and earned her several accolades, including the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance in February 2024. At 22 years old, she became the youngest African artist to receive a Grammy. In the early hours of Monday, she accepted the award for Best New Artist, edging out her fellow African act, Ayra Starr, 41, 4Batz, Bossman Dlow, Fridayy, October London and Sexyy Red. In her acceptance speech, Tyla said, “This is such a gift…

Gareth Southgate said Sunday that he didn’t feel ready for Euro 2024 elimination after Jude Bellingham’s late heroics kept England in the competition by the skin of their teeth. England were a goal down to Slovakia and on the verge of an embarrassing last-16 exit in Gelsenkirchen when Bellingham saved Southgate and his team-mates with a superb bicycle kick in the final seconds. Harry Kane then popped up early in extra-time with a trademark header to give under-par England a hard-fought victory. “We knew that one goal would change the whole atmosphere in the ground. I believed that we could…

Mixed reactions are trailing the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN’s, move to deploy gun-wielding officers of Aviation Security, AVSEC, special force across international airports in the country. Opinion is not only divided over the development, facts regarding the increasing presence of arms bearing security personnel have also been expressed. In separate conversations with Vanguard, some aviation security experts complained that foreign travellers who have a phobia for guns might not find their presence attractive, saying it could affect the psyche of travellers. However, others called for the perspective to be jettisoned, explaining that the series of incidents in the…

Controversial social media critic, Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has been arrested by Nigerian police operatives at his Abuja residence on Sunday. While the reason for his arrest is yet to be disclosed, his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed that it is related to his recent exposé on his X.com. According to Adeyanju, Otse was arrested on the orders of CP Igwe for allegedly defaming someone who had been accused of scamming a Nigerian abroad. He wrote, “Our client, #thatverydarkman has just been arrested by the police on the instruction of CP Igwe for exposing someone who allegedly duped a…

Veteran Nollywood actor, Oludotun Jacobs, is alive and well, contrary to rumours circulating on social media. A Nigerian columnist, Betty Irabor, made this known in a message posted on her social media account on Sunday. “Olu Jacob is well and alive.. please ignore all rumours of his passing. He is alive please,” she wrote. The rumours of Jacobs’ death had earlier spread online without official confirmation. This is not the first time such news about the veteran actor will trend online. In June 2020, there was a similar report that trended on the then Twitter (now X) and Facebook. The…

Okoi Obono-Obla, Former Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, has made startling allegations that recovered $69 billion fund was returned to looters under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Speaking on the Mic On Podcast, Obono-Obla, once a presidential aide, criticized the Buhari administration for allegedly failing to combat corruption, a cornerstone of its mandate effectively. Obono-Obla recounted instances where his efforts to prosecute alleged looters were thwarted within the administration, citing former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, as obstructive. He highlighted a case involving a significant…

The feud between the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye and the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Sheik Teliat Yunus Ayilara appears not abating even after an Oyo State High Court restrained the monarch from removing the Chief Imam. This is as camps of the Soun and the Imam, yesterday engaged each other in a war of words. Justice K.B. Olawoyin of an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ogbomoso had yesterday barred the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye and kingmakers in Ogbomoso land, led by Chief Sobalaje Otolorin from removing the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Sheik Teliat…

The Turkish Embassy in Nigeria has confirmed that there is no visa ban on Nigerian passport holders, as against reports that have raised concern. On Thursday, reports surfaced, suggesting that Ethiopia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates had revoked certain privileges for Nigerian passport holders, such as visa-on-arrival, e-visa, and outright passport issues. Specifically, Turkey no longer allows Nigerian passport holders to obtain its e-visa, which was previously a seamless process. The Personal Secretary to the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Wunmi Evelyn, told newsmen that “There is no visa ban on Nigerian passport holders. “As it is well-known, if there…

Argentina shrugged off the injury absence of Lionel Messi to maintain their perfect start at the Copa America on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over Peru in Miami. Lautaro Martinez scored twice at the Hard Rock Stadium to seal a win that ensured Argentina advance to the quarter-finals as Group A winners. With Messi sidelined after complaining of a sore right hamstring, and coach Lionel Scaloni serving a one-game suspension, Argentina made nine changes to their starting XI at the Hard Rock Stadium. But despite the makeshift-looking line-up, Argentina were always in control against a disappointing Peru side who managed…

No fewer than 30 persons died, with over 100 injured when suicide bombers attacked wedding and funeral ceremonies in Borno state. The First Class Emir of Gwoza Local Government Area in Borno state, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, on Saturday, confirmed that multiple suicide attacks were carried out at various locations, including a wedding reception and a burial ceremony in Gwoza town. The coordinated incidents, which took place in the afternoon, caused pandemonium as people scamper for safety. Reliable sources said: “More than 30 innocent civilians were killed, while over 100 sustained various degrees of injuries. “Many of…