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Blackface: I’ve Not Received Any Music Award, Nigeria media ruined my career

Ahmedu Obiabo, Nigerian singer better known as Blackface, says he has not received any music award in his career despite his efforts.

The musician spoke in a recent interview with Chude Jideonwo wherein he reflected on his career struggles and determination to brace the odds.

Blackface said he has largely been unsuccessful in the music landscape because his efforts are not recognised as they should.

He also took a swipe at the media for “bringing his brand to zero” with several narratives.

The singer, however, said he remains unperturbed by the perceived hostility from some quarters, adding that such will not stop him from producing music.

“I came into music to make music for the fans. I did not come into music because I wanted to get rich. I am yet to get any award since I became a singer. Why? Because I am the one they don’t want to rate,” he said.

“I haven’t been successful in the music industry. The media has succeeded in bringing the brand Blackface Naija to ground zero. I am the one they don’t want to talk about. But as long as the people embrace my music, the who cares?”

Blackface also dismissed claim that he is jealous of 2Baba, his former colleague, saying he has no problem with him.

“Someone should tell the reason I should be jealous of 2Baba. He (2Baba) has always been the favourite, everyone likes him even when we were growing up. But I have heard people said I have problem with him. I don’t have a problem with him,” he added.

Senate Approves N13.98tr 2022 Budget Figure As It Passes 2022-2024 MTEF/FS

The federal government Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) has been approved on Wednesday by the Senate.
In approving the framework, the lawmakers assumed an international oil price of $57 per barrel and daily crude oil production of 1.88 million barrels.

Other parameters assumed by the legislators in passing the fiscal framework include an exchange rate of N410 to a dollar and an inflation rate of 13%.

According to Naija News, the assumptions will form the basis for the N13.98 trillion 2022 budget figures to be prepared and submitted for approval by the executive arm of the federal government.

The N13.98 trillion estimate is made up of total recurrent (non-debt) of N6.21 trillion; Personnel Costs (MDAs) of N3.47 trillion; Capital expenditure (exclusive of transfers) N3.26 trillion; Special Intervention (recurrent) amounting to N350 billion; and Special intervention (Capital) of N10billion.

The Senate approval follows the presentation of a report of the finance committee headed by Senator Solomon Olamilekan during Wednesday’s plenary.

He recommended that “the daily crude oil production of 1.88mbpd, 2.23mbpd, and 2.22mbpd for 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively, be approved, in view of average 1.93mbpd over the past three years and the fact that a very conservative oil output benchmark has been adopted for the medium term in order to ensure greater budget realism.

“That the benchmark oil price of $57 per barrel should be approved because of the clear evidence of wide consultations with key stakeholders. and the age long fiscal strategy of addressing the oil price shocks by the adoption of a higher than forecast oil price benchmark for fiscal projections over the medium term.

“That the exchange rate of N410.15 to a dollar proposed by the executive for 2022-2024 be approved.”

It is understood that the parameters approved which include a projected Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 4.20 percent were as suggested by the Federal Executive Council and the Senators didn’t make any adjustment.

Source: Naija News

Just In: Ganduje Reacts To death of Emir of Gaya

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state has said that he received with immense sadness and deep feeling of a great national loss, the news of the passing away of the Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulkadir.

In a statement signed by the commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, the governor observed that despite his ailing condition, the monarch’s uncommon leadership qualities earned him respect as traditional ruler since his days as Sarkin Gaya and until his death as first class Emir in Kano.

He said the death of the Emir of one of the oldest Emirates in northern Nigeria has created a vacuum difficult to be filled considering his contributions to peace, stability and progress in his domain and the country.

Alhaji Abdulkadir, who has been on the throne of Sarkin Gaya since 1990 has held several traditional positions to include district head of Kunchi and that of Minjibir, among others. He was one of the four Emirs elevated to first class Emirs by the Ganduje administration after the creation of Rano, Gaya, Bichi and Karaye Emirates in 2019.

Governor Ganduje, who is away in Abuja when the Emir’s death was announced, stated that the demise of the monarch is a big blow to his immediate family, Gaya Emirate, the government and the entire people of Kano state.

He prayed Allah in His infinite mercy to grant his soul Aljannah Firdausi and called on the entire people of the Emirate to bear the loss with the spirit of acquiescence to God’s will.

The governor also urged them to take solace in the fact that endurance was not the measure of a good life but the sense of fulfilment.

Source: Vanguard News Nigeria

Obasa, Lagos Assembly mourn late Hon Risikat Adegeye

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday mourned the passing of a former member, Hon. Risikat Adegeye.

This was as the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, described her demise as the “fall of a shining star.”

Adegeye, wife of respected musician, King Sunny Ade, was said to have died in the early hours of Tuesday after battling a brief illness.

The Speaker, in a statement by his media office, said her death was shocking and that the incident had thrown him and his colleagues into mourning.

According to Obasa, Mrs. Adegeye, a philanthropist, died at a period she was still very relevant to the progress of Lagos.

“As a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, she had a very robust relationship with her colleagues.

“Madam Adegeye bonded with staff and management of the Assembly. She was always jovial and loved everyone irrespective of status. She touched lives. She truly did.

“She also played very vital roles to the growth and development of Lagos.

“Even after leaving office as lawmaker, we could not just allow her wisdom to lay fallow. She was appointed as Commissioner in the Lagos State House of Assembly Commission where she again brought her experience to bear in the scheme of progress in the legislature and governance of our dear State.

“To say we are shocked is an understatement. The feeling her demise has brought us is beyond description. It is a huge loss to us and to the State. Indeed, a shining star has fallen, a wisdom-filled person has left us.

“As we continue to mourn her demise in the days ahead, we take solace in the fact that she touched lives positively, she served Lagos with passion and was very dedicated to her constituency.

“We at the Lagos State House of Assembly pray for divine strength for her husband, her children, her beneficiaries and all those who are affected by this loss.

“May God grant her a special place in His kingdom, amen.”

While at the House of Assembly, Hon. Adegeye, a loyal member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), represented Amuwo-Odofin Constituency 1

Ecobank Nigeria MD Makes Case For Eurobond Market

The Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan has described Federal Government’s plan for a Eurobond issuance in the International Capital Market (ICM) as a step in the right direction, stressing that the fundamentals and potentials of the nation’s economy are strong with capacity to meet its debt obligations. The Ecobank boss, who was assessing the global market as Nigeria makes its announcement of multibillion dollar Eurobond offering, during an interview on Arise TV Lagos, said the economy is showing strong trends owing to investments in infrastructure such as road and rail transportation which is giving a lot of positive impact to the overall economy, adding that the private sector is also making remarkable improvement in power sector, telecoms, and information technology.

According to him, “You look at the fundamentals, what is the story of this economy? You look at Nigeria, the fundamentals are strong, coming from the lessons learnt in being a mono product economy which was dependent on oil. We have since embarked on the journey of diversification and we are beginning to show early fruits. Exports are improving, Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

provides the opportunity to expand that even further. So, you look at the fundamentals, look at the openness of the economy, the transparency of reporting and look at the opportunities to enhance real growth, output, capacity improvements and stability of policies. All these are factors to look at with a view of participating in the economy like that of Nigeria.”

He observed that international borrowing will allow Nigeria as a country to access more foreign currencies, deepen external reserve, allows more confidence in the medium-term planning in the private sector, adding that it allows a bench mark to be established in terms of how funding and investment are priced within the local economy. “It also gives more rooms for the local economy to be able to breathe a bit more because when the country takes on Euro bond that portion is reduced from local country financing or public sector debt within the country. All these factors play strongly to the benefit of the private sector and the entire economy at large.”

“In the last two quarters, we have seen the global market rebounding from the very deep end of the covid-19 that plagued 2020. We have seen, since the arrival of vaccines, the gradual opening of the global economy such that there is much more optimism now in the market because we have learnt that shutting down the economy is not the best way to handle an epidemic and we have seen support from sovereigns ensuring that there is steady growth within the various economies; supply chain has opened and we have seen in sub-Sahara Africa renewed interest in the Eurobond market in the international debt market; we have seen Benin republic, Ghana, Cote d’ivoire and Kenya all are approaching the market with significant success. Over subscription in each of them ranges from 200% to 300% and an all high in Kenya close to 600% or six times over subscription. This is a positive period for major economies like Nigeria, which is the lead economy in Africa, to take advantage and invite the global community to hear our story, invest in us and get good returns.”

Citing example with Ecobank’s $300 million Eurobond offer earlier in the year which was over-subscribed by 300 per cent, Akinwuntan advised those approaching international debt market to have clarity of purpose and state clearly their strengths and weaknesses. “We are the first banking entity in Africa to do that in 2021 and it comes from our long-term planning in the economy of Africa; we are the pan African bank and when we look at Africa, Nigeria is a major player. Quickly we understood that arising from a scenario of pandemic and all-time lows of 2020 is time to look at the brighter side and we stepped out for the $300m US Eurobond offer which met positive response from investors across the globe within the country. Ecobank attracted more than 3 times in subscription. But we kept to the book of doing $300m because it is based on our plan in participating in positioning Nigeria, as the leading export country in the AFCTCA environment in the continent and giving our unique position as the Pan African bank, it was very clear to us and the market responded positively. Our experience also tells us that, what is critical is to have clarity on your strength, be very frank about your weakness or the areas of concern and how you intend to handle that positively.”

Details Of How Five Davido’s Crew Members Died In Four Years

It’s apparently not a good time for popular musician Davido especially with the web of deaths around him in the past few years.

The singer has been in the eye of the storm due to the trail of deaths involving his crew members and close associates.

Many fans are worried over the psychological and mental state of the Jowo coroner.

Some others called on the public to pray for the singer as he could be going through a lot especially with the series of ugly trend around him.

The singer has lost a handful of friends in the space of four yearsband at different times mourned the demise of his associates on social media platforms.

Davido has also been watchful. On June 6, 2021, a video showing a pastor prophesying that Davido would be poisoned by a friend went viral on the Internet.

The cleric had said: “I am telling you about one singer called Davido. They will poison him. I don’t know him. I’ve never seen him in my life.

“But they will put something inside his drink. He’ll be rushed to the hospital (and) he’ll be admitted. He’ll be unconscious.

“I’ve been dealing with it in prayers but the Lord says it will happen. And the person that will poison him is sleeping in his house.

“Somebody give the Lord a clap offering. Did he die? I didn’t see him die, but he will lose something in his body that will handicap him.”

In an apparent reaction to the prophecy, Davido tweeted, “God will expose and deal with any wickedness around me near and far. Amen. I’m blessed.”

Here is a list of crew members who have died in four years:

1. Fortunate Ateumunname Peter, popularly known as Fortune, was the Davido Music World (DMW) chief official photographer. He died in September 2021.

The photographer is the fifth member of Davido’s crew to pass away in four years in a controversial circumstance.

2. Uthman, also known as Obama DMW, died in June 2021. He was said to have complained of breathing difficulty.

3. Tagbo Umeike, died in his car parked in front of Lagos Island General Hospital.

He died on his birthday in 2017 after it was reported that he downed shots of tequila.

4. Olu Abiodun, also known as DJ Olu also died in 2017.

He was found dead with one Chime Amaechi on Saturday in a BMW car in a garage on Block B, Banana Island, Lagos

5. Tijani Olamilekan, aka Teejay, who has been the singer’s personal bodyguard for 11 years, also died after a brief illness in December 2020.

Source The Nation

Just In: Health minister tests positive for Covid-19 at UN gathering

Brazil’s Health Minister Queiroga talks with Brazilian Deputy Barros before a ceremony. (Reuters)

BRASILIA: Brazil’s Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga tested positive for Covid-19 Tuesday after attending the UN General Assembly in New York that was inaugurated by his president, Jair Bolsonaro, according to an official statement.

“The other members of the delegation have been tested and are negative,” said the official Brazilian government press release.

Queiroga, who had received a Covid-19 vaccine, was the second member of Bolsonaro’s entourage to test positive for the virus since arriving in New York for the UN gathering.

The 55-year-old health minister will remain in the United States for a period of isolation, even though the rest of the delegation has returned to Brazil.

Bolsonaro, who appeared without a mask on several occasions during the trip, has not been not vaccinated and repeated that he would be “the last” Brazilian to receive the vaccine.

Queiroga was with Bolsonaro, who last year survived a bout of the virus, at several events, including a meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday.
He was “doing well,” the statement said. He wrote on Twitter that while following “all health security protocols,” the ministry “will continue to take firm action to deal with the pandemic in Brazil.”

Bolsonaro caused a stir on social media after a photograph showed him taking few precautions against contagion while around others in his delegation, as he ate a slice of pizza from a New York street vendor.
The health minister was the only one in the photo wearing a mask, but he had pulled it down under his chin.

Under fire for his controversial handling of the pandemic, which has claimed more than 591,000 lives in Brazil, Bolsonaro opened the General Assembly with a speech in which he made several misleading or inaccurate statements, some of which related to the pandemic, according to AFP’s Factcheck team.

Buhari Appointed A ‘Supermaket Manager’ To Head NNPC Board – Adeyanju

Popular activist, Deji Adeyanju, has slammed President Muhammadu Buhari over the appointment of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as the chairman of the Board, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
It will be recalled that President Buhari on Sunday, September 19, approved the incorporation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

In a statement made available to newsmen by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the President approved also the appointment of the Board and Management of the NNPC Limited.

Senator Ifeanyi Ararume was appointed as Chairman and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), while Mele Kyari was appointed as Chief Executive Officer.

According to Naija News, each of the six geo-political zones in the country also has a representative on the board and all the appointments take effect from the date of the company’s incorporation.

Reacting to the development in a post on Wednesday, Adeyanju described Ararume’s appointment as a travesty.

The Convener of Concerned Nigerians said he believes the All Progressive Congress has more qualified and experienced people in the oil and gas industry who could have been given the appointment.

Adeyanju pointed out that Ararume is inexperienced in the industry dealings and hence not fit for the appointment.

He noted his only major achievements are being a Senator and managing a supermarket.

“The All Progressives Congress, APC we believe has more qualified technocrats and well-experienced players in the oil and gas industry as members that could have been appointed as the chairman of Board of the country’s mainstay source of revenue,” Adeyanju noted.

He added: “Nigeria’s oil and gas sector represents about 65% of government revenues and such sensitive sector ought to be superintended by a competent person who has the requisite knowledge and experience of the industry instead of appointing Ararume whose only major achievement is being a Senator and managing a supermarket.

“Ordinarily, after the incorporation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited as a business entity, one would have thought that the president would appoint a business-oriented technocrat with vast knowledge in oil and gas to pilot the affairs of the company but alas, the rudderless government of President Muhammadu Buhari’s led Federal government opted for a politician with zero experience in oil and gas industry.

“The appointment of Ararume whom former president Olusegun Obasanjo in 2011 described as the “Big Thief” has brought to the fore, President Muhammadu Buhari’s penchant for outlandish and unconventional methods of appointing cronies and men of questionable characters.

“We call on the President to as a matter of urgency, reverse the appointment of Senator Ararume as chairman of Board, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited as it goes against reason and logic,” he added.

Source: Naija News

FIRSTBANK EXPANDS ITS INTERNATIONAL MONEY TRANSFER NETWORK, REINFORCES ITS COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE.

In furtherance of the need to expand diaspora remittance inflow into the country, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has increased its network of International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs), targeted at easing the accessibility of its customers to receive money from close to 100 countries across the world in a safe and secured manner. With over 750 branches across the country, customers can receive money from the nearest FirstBank branch closest to them.

Over the years, FirstBank has been in partnership with Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria, Transfast, and WorldRemit. The bank is also in partnership with other IMTOs which include Wari, Smallworld, Sendwave, Flutherwave, Funtech, Thunes and Venture Garden Group to promote remittance inflow into the country, thereby putting Nigerians and residents at an advantage in receiving money from their families, friends and loved ones across the world.

Beneficiaries can receive remittance in US dollars in any of our over 750 branches spread across the country. Customers without an existing domiciliary account can have dollar account automatically created for their remittances. You can also receive inflow directly into your account through Western Union.

In addition, FirstBank has launched its wholly owned remittance platform named First Global Transfer product to promote the international transfer of funds across its subsidiaries in sub-Saharan Africa. These subsidiaries include FBNBank DRC, FBNBank Ghana, FBNBank Gambia, FBNBank Guinea, FBNBank Sierra-Leone, FBNBank Senegal.

Reiterating the Bank’s resolve in promoting diaspora remittances, regardless of where one is across the globe, the Deputy Managing Director, Mr Gbenga Shobo said “at FirstBank, expanding our network of International Money Transfer Operators is in recognition of the significant roles diaspora remittances play in driving economic growth such as helping recipients meet basic needs, fund cash and non-cash investments, finance education, foster new businesses and debt servicing.

We are excited about these partnerships, as it is essential to ensure our customers are at an advantage to receive money from their loved ones and business associates, anywhere they are, across the world.”

FirstBank pioneered international funds transfer and remittances over 25 years ago and has been at the forefront of promoting cross border payments in the country, having started the journey with Western Union Money Transfer. The Bank’s wealth of experience and operation in over 750 locations nationwide gives it the edge in the market.

FrieslandCampina Celebrates 150 Years of Grass-to-Glass Dairy Cooperative

FrieslandCampina celebrates 150 years of grass-to-glass dairy Cooperative

From left, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Mrs. Ore Famurewa; Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr. Michel Deelen; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat; Managing Director, FrieslandCampina Sub-Saharan Africa Cluster, Mr. Ben Langat; and Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo

Global dairy cooperative, FrieslandCampina has flagged off series of activities to celebrate its 150th anniversary. Starting from its international headquarters in The Netherlands Wednesday 8 September, the dairy giant hoisted its anniversary flag simultaneously in all the production locations of FrieslandCampina across the world, including Nigeria.

Ore Famurewa, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, FrieslandCampina WAMCO who announced the flag off ceremony to the media in Lagos explained that the history of FrieslandCampina as a dairy cooperative dates back to 1871 when some farmers established the ‘Vereeniging tot Ontwikkeling van den Landbouw in Hollands Noorderkwartier’ (Association for Agricultural Development in Hollands Noorderkwartier).

She said, “This association is the oldest legal predecessor of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A. In 1872, 20 farmers in the Dutch village of Wieringerwaard in North Holland, decided to collaborate. The farmers bought a building, two cheese tubs and a weighing scale. They appointed a cheesemaker, and the first official cooperation of farmers was established.

“In the village of Warga in Friesland, a group of farmers united also formed another cooperative. After many mergers, these cooperatives finally resulted in FrieslandCampina. Today, the dairy industry is one of the Netherlands’ most important industrial sectors” Famurewa explained.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO and sub-Saharan Cluster, Mr. Ben Langat, said “Today, we share our history because we believe it is significant to encourage enterprise, promote collaboration and drive continued investment across the dairy industry.

“In sub-Saharan Africa, the company brands such as Peak, Bonnet Rouge, Three Crowns and Omela are household names with strong brand reputation. We have championed the dairy sector development with the formation of cooperatives for Nigerian farmers to pool milk into our collection points. This in turn is collected to our factory and these are learnings from the experience of our Company’s 150 years knowledge in dairy industry” Langat said.

Hein Schumacher, CEO of Royal FrieslandCampina N.V in a statement he made in the Netherlands said, “The company is built on 150 years of cooperative knowledge and experience. Its foundations consist of family businesses that have been members of the current cooperative and its legal predecessors for many generations. We have enterprising farmers working together daily to provide millions of consumers throughout the world with the goodness of milk, from grass to glass. I am really proud of this.”

Also speaking at the flag-off ceremony in the Netherlands, Erwin Wunnekink, Chairman of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A. said, “Our ancestors already knew that together we are strong. That was true in those days and it still is. It is the core of our identity. We have been successful in new markets by working together. We initially did this close to home in the cities, then just across the borders and eventually, all over the world. Almost all the people in the world know our cheeses and our infant nutrition. With almost 17,000 members, FrieslandCampina is one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the world. This cooperation has made us really successful.”