Reality TV star and Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner, Ijeoma Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has penned an emotional tribute to her late sister, Ruth Otabor, while also celebrating Ruth’s child who just turned six.
In an Instagram post on Thursday, Phyna poured out her grief and gratitude, describing Ruth as more than just a sister.
“Today, I want to speak from the deepest part of my heart about someone whose presence shaped my life in ways words can barely capture my beloved sister, Ruth.
“Ruth was more than a sister; she was a confidant, a safe place, a protector, and a quiet strength in every storm. Her laughter had a way of softening the hardest moments, and her kindness wasn’t something she performed it was who she was to her core. She carried love with so much grace, gave without hesitation, and taught me what it means to show up for those you care about.”
Reflecting on cherished memories, she added: “There are memories of her that live with me like warm light moments of comfort, jokes we shared, silent understandings, and the way she believed in me even when I doubted myself.
“Losing her left a space that no one else can ever fill, but loving her left an imprint that can never fade. I honor her in the way I live, in the strength I gather, and in every step forward I take.
“Ruth, your name is stitched into my story forever, and I will continue to celebrate you in everything I become. You are loved beyond words, remembered beyond time, and missed beyond measure.”
Phyna then shifted her focus to a bittersweet celebration — her late sister’s child turning six.
She wrote, “Today also marks a beautiful milestone Ruth’s first child turns 6!
“Happy Birthday to this bright, growing star! You carry a piece of your mother’s light, and watching you become your own person is a blessing.
“May your life be filled with joy, wisdom, laughter, protection, and endless opportunities. You are surrounded by love, and your mother’s spirit lives proudly through you. Shine, little one this world is better with you in it. I love you❤”
The reality star, who rose to fame in 2022 after clinching the BBNaija “Level Up” crown, also reflected on her personal journey of four years in the spotlight.
She wrote, “Four Years of Love, Fame & Family – From the very first day till now, it has been a ride of highs, lessons, memories, growth, and grace.
“My fans my people you stood by me in noise and in silence, in celebration and in controversy, in mistakes and in milestones. You didn’t just support me; you became my family, and together we built something powerful.
“To everyone who has loved me, rooted for me, prayed for me, protected me, grown with me, thank you. Ruth, your memory lives in me🕊 I love you baby❤”
The tribute comes weeks after Ruth tragically passed away following complications from an accident involving a truck linked to Dangote Group.
Ruth was laid to rest on Saturday, September 13, 2025, in Ogun State following the accident which occurred in August.
Tributes have continued to pour in for ARISE Television anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, whose death during a robbery attack in Abuja on Monday has sparked grief across the country.
In a fresh statement on X on Tuesday, the management of ARISE described the 29-year-old journalist and lawyer as “delectable, intelligent and bold,” noting that her contributions to the station and the nation would not be forgotten.
Maduagwu, fondly called “Sommie” by colleagues, was said to have first appeared on the ARISE screen as a guest after winning the Miss Tourism Nigeria pageant.
She later represented Nigeria at the Miss Tourism World pageant in Quanzhou, China, in 2023, before formally joining ARISE in September 2024.
“In September 2024, she joined the ARISE NEWS team, where she has made her voice count as a News Anchor, News Producer, and a Reporter.
“Through a blend of her legal dexterity and reportorial vigour, Sommie advocated for out-of-school children and campaigned energetically against sexual and gender-based violence,” the statement read.
Her coverage also included the submission of a memorandum for the Reserved Seats for Women Bill at the National Assembly on September 21.
“There, Sommie, alongside millions of other Nigerian women, advocated for a stronger representation for Nigerian women at the National Assembly,” the station said.
“Sommie’s voice is now silent, but her spirit, passion, and legacy will endure as part of our collective memory.”
Confirming the incident, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, noted that an investigation had begun into the incident.
Viewers and netizens have since flooded social media with tributes, praising Sommie’s courage and professionalism.
Her death has also renewed calls for urgent action against insecurity across the country.
The Federal Government has approved a policy that makes submission of students’ theses and final year projects into the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank, a compulsory requirement for mobilisation into the National Youth Service Corps.
PUNCH Online gathered that effective from October 6, no graduate, whether trained in Nigeria or abroad will be mobilised for or exempted from the NYSC without proof of compliance.
The new directive was contained in a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s approval on Saturday.
The circular stated that the “NYSC mobilisation criteria [have been adjusted] in accordance with the President’s regulation requiring proof of NERD Policy compliance for all prospective corps members, regardless of where they were educated.”
The policy requires all students to deposit their academic outputs, such as theses or project reports, into the national database. According to Section 6.1.23 of the NERD guidelines, the measure serves “as a quality assurance check and as a yearly independent proof of continuous academic enrolment and affiliation.”
Explaining the intent of the reform, NERD spokesperson, Haula Galadima, said,”Apart from the mandate to verify for authenticity as a national flagship, the NERD digitisation programme has a clear objective, to raise the bar in the quality of academic content, output and presentation nationwide.”
She added that the database will capture every detail of academic work deposited.
“Each item shall feature the full name of the student, those of his supervisor, co-supervisor if any, and that of the Head of Department, as well as the sponsoring institution and department,” Galadima explained.
On why the move matters for university supervision, she stressed:
“If our eminent scholars are aware that their names will appear next to those of the students they supervise on a globally available digital platform, there is the likelihood that each lecturer would up his or her standard.
“Very few lecturers would want their names associated with poorly produced academic works.”
In March, while declaring the NERD policy effective, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had emphasised that submission of academic outputs would become obligatory.
“The approved stipulations for mandatory submission of academic outputs as provided in Sections 2.3, 4.3(1), and 7.6.11(c), among others, of the approved National Policy for the NERD Programme shall become obligatory requirements in Nigeria,” Alausa said.
A copy of the approved policy also revealed that President Tinubu endorsed an academic output monetisation mechanism to reward students and lecturers.
“This ensures students and lecturers can earn lifetime revenues from their academic deposits,” the document stated.
According to the SGF’s circular, the enforcement will apply to all graduates from Nigerian universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and foreign institutions.
It clarified that the new rules “do not affect serving corps members or those mobilised before the October 6 enforcement date.”
With the reform, the Federal Government said it aims to curb certificate racketeering, secure Nigeria’s intellectual property, and strengthen the credibility of higher education qualifications.
American rapper Cardi B has made history as the only female rapper to debut her first two studio albums at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
Her sophomore album, Am I The Drama?, debuted at the top spot with 200,000 equivalent album units in its first week, following the groundbreaking success of her debut project, Invasion of Privacy (2018), which also launched at number one.
The accomplishment was confirmed by Billboard on Sunday, in an official post on Instagram, which read, “ Cardi B scores her second No. 1 on the Billboard 200 as ‘AM I THE DRAMA?’ debuts atop the tally. ”
“With 200,000 equivalent album units earned in the United States, according to luminate_data, it marks 2025’s biggest week for an R&B/hip-hop album by a woman.”
“’AM I THE DRAMA?’ is Cardi B’s second full-length studio project, and follows her chart-topping debut, ‘Invasion of Privacy,’ in 2018.”
Beyond this historic feat, Am I The Drama? also recorded the biggest first-week sales of 2025 for a female hip-hop/R&B artist, fueled by massive streaming figures and strong physical sales from multiple vinyl and CD variants.
Cardi B is expected to embark on an arena tour in February 2026 to promote the album.
In addition to her chart-topping success, Cardi B also earned a Guinness World Record for the most drone deliveries in one hour. On September 19, 2025, she partnered with Walmart and Wing Drone Delivery to distribute 176 signed CDs of Am I The Drama? across the Dallas–Fort Worth metro area in Texas.
The official Guinness confirmation stated, “Most deliveries by UAV drones in one hour: 176, by @iamcardib, @AtlanticRecords, @Wing & @Walmart at multiple locations today across the Dallas–Fort Worth region, Texas, USA.”
The initiative marked a groundbreaking moment in music marketing — the first time an artist has tied a world record to an album release using drone technology. Cardi B described the rollout as “a special moment for my fans and a crazy new way to drop music.”
Princes from three royal families on Iwo, Osun State have appealed to the state government and the Osun Traditional Council to regulate use of social media platforms by monarchs in the state.
The princes, who decried incessant fighting among traditional rulers in Yorubaland on social media, demanded an end to the menace before it causes more disunity within the race.
They disclosed this while reacting to the supremacy battle between Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, over who occupies the fourth position in the hierarchy of monarchs in the state at a press conference held in Iwo.
Addressing journalists in Iwo on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the royal families, Prince Adedoja Osunwo, said the feud between the two monarchs could have been averted if necessary internal mechanisms were in place for conflict resolution among traditional rulers.
Osunwo noted that the use of social media by the two traditional rulers to defend their position was not necessary since a gazette existed that states the status of various stools.
Speaking in the Yoruba language, Osunwo said, “We want to urge the state government, the state traditional council and other relevant stakeholders in the state to put necessary machinery in motion to regulate social media conduct of our traditional rulers.
“Our mission here today is not to condemn or find fault with any of the royal fathers on the ongoing verbal attack between the Oluwo of Iwo and the Ataoja of Osogbo. The records are there. It has been gazetted for quite a long time that Oluwo of Iwo, when it comes to traditional rulers ranking in Osun State, occupies number four.
“The verbal attack we are witnessing today between the two monarchs is unnecessary if necessary internal mechanisms have been put in place for conflict resolution. If what is going on on social media regarding Oluwo and Ataoja is not curtailed, it will have a bad effect on the unity of the Yorubas. Yoruba unity is of greater importance, particularly at this time when a Yoruba is at the helm of affairs.”
He added, “The manner in which some of our traditional rulers go on social media is not something that should be welcomed. The outburst we have been hearing through social media is not something that we should be happy about.
“The idea of using social media for defence by the two royal fathers in this dispute is unnecessary. We want to appreciate the role played so far by the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, in his attempt to douse the tension. We also commend the Iwo Board of Trustees for their effort and urged them to find a truce. The need for an internal mechanism for conflict resolution should be embraced by the Osun State traditional council under the leadership of Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.”
Commenting further, he blamed the disagreement on distortion of historical facts, adding that Oluwo’s throne emanated from Ile-Ife and Oluwo was never a lesser chief.
“We want to place it on record that the throne of Oluwo emanated from Ile-Ife, and there is no contention about that. It has never been in history that Oluwo was ever a community chief ‘Baale’ and has such recognition, due to the throne of Oluwo, which should be given to whoever is occupying that throne.
“The ongoing issue was occasioned by the distortion of historical facts through logical thinking, which we believe should be discouraged. Relying on folktales to justify the position being taken by any traditional ruler on issues should be discarded,” Osunwo added.
The PUNCH reports that Ataoja, during a recent lecture at Osun State University to mark his 15th coronation anniversary, revisited the long-standing controversy over the who occupies the 4th position between him and Oluwo.
He insisted that his stool historically occupies the fourth position in the Council—a status he alleged was wrongly ceded to the Oluwo during the reign of his predecessor, Oba Iyiola Oyewale.
Oba Oyetunji narrated how the confusion began, stressing that he was not fighting any monarch but merely asserting the historical rights of his stool.
But Oluwo fired back through his Chief Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, accusing Oba Oyetunji of attempting to distort history.
He urged Ataoja to seek accurate historical knowledge from respected elders of Osogbo rather than distort the hierarchy of Yoruba traditional stools.
Priscilla Ojo, daughter of Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo, has returned to Tanzania with her newborn son, Rakeem Mkambala, where her husband, Tanzanian singer Juma Jux, gave them a grand welcome. The homecoming coincided with the day Rakeem turned one month old.
In a series of videos shared on Wednesday by a popular fan page, the_prisjuxsourcee, Juma Jux was seen warmly receiving his wife and son at the airport with fresh flowers and gifts.
Upon their arrival home, Priscilla was surprised with an elaborate blue-themed welcome party featuring balloons, framed photos, and a banner reading “Welcome Home Mommy and Rakeem.” A large standee spelling “RAKEEM” completed the décor.
Iyabo joined the celebration and playfully teased her son-in-law.
“Juma, you are so extra. What happened? Rakeem is actually one month old,” she said.
Juma proudly replied, “My son. Yes. My first son.”
Iyabo admired the gesture, responding, “This is so beautiful.” Even Priscilla was moved, exclaiming, “Oh my God, Papa Rakeem is extra.”
The family had earlier faced a challenge when Juma Jux was denied a Canadian visa and could not be in Canada during his son’s birth due to what reports linked to strict immigration scrutiny. Despite his absence, he marked the reunion with a lavish celebration in Tanzania.
Rakeem, born in August in Canada, recently received his Canadian passport, confirming his citizenship, a development Iyabo Ojo proudly shared on social media.
Priscilla and Juma Jux, who got married in Tanzania in February, shared clips of the homecoming on their Instagram story.
Priscilla posted a photo captioned “Home,” while Juma uploaded a short video featuring baby Rakeem and Iyabo Ojo, adding to the outpouring of congratulations online.
The celebration has been widely praised on social media, highlighting the couple’s joy and commitment as they embrace parenthood.
Nigerian Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has spoiled his wife, Chioma, with a brand-new 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.
The luxury SUV, which recently hit the market, is priced at over $150,000 (₦240 million) depending on specifications. Known for its cutting-edge design and electric model options, the 2025 edition marks a major upgrade from earlier versions.
Davido, in a video posted on his Instagram Story on Wednesday, was seen hyping the moment as he picked up the vehicle, explaining how he traded in a previous model and added more funds to secure the latest release.
“First of all, we had to take the one I got, then obviously add more money to get the new one.”
He fawned over the moment and emphasised his motivation, declaring, “Only the best for my lady,” he said with excitement.
When he eventually presented the G-Wagon to Chioma, she was visibly excited, while Davido cheered her on, declaring, “We do 2025!”
Davido and Chioma Adeleke’s wedding was a grand and highly publicised series of ceremonies, culminating in a lavish white wedding held in Miami on August 10, 2025.
The Miami event was the final of three weddings, following a court marriage in March 2023 and a traditional wedding in Lagos in June 2024.
This star-studded white wedding reportedly cost about $3.7 million and was attended by notable personalities, including business moguls, political figures, and top entertainers from Nigeria and beyond.
Nigeria singer and songwriter Oludipe David popularly known as Spyro has announced his engagement to his partner, Janet Atom.
The “Who Is Your Guy?” crooner took to his Instagram page on Friday to make the announcement, sharing pictures of his proposal to Atom.
Singer Spyro proposes to lover. Credit: Instagram | spyro__official
Singer Spyro proposes to lover.
Singer Spyro proposes to lover. Credit: Instagram | spyro__official
Spyro revealed that he met his fiancée on March 30, 2024, at 2:48 a.m. while working at a club in Lagos.
He wrote, “The 30th of March 2024, my world paused as I found love in an unexpected place (sic) at exactly 2:48am I met the answer to my prayers #_callme_njure in a Lagos Club while at work and from then till now I have lived every single day a very happy man.
“Thank you for saying YES my sweet J. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Spyro is well known for his song “Who is your Guy?” which was first released in November 2022 and re-released in March 2023 as a remix featuring Tiwa Savage.
Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B, born as Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar, on Friday released her sophomore album Am I the Drama?, ending a seven-year wait since her Grammy-winning debut Invasion of Privacy.
The 23-track album, released via Atlantic Records, debuted at No. 1 on the US iTunes albums chart. It features guest appearances from Kehlani, Megan Thee Stallion, Selena Gomez, and Janet Jackson.
According to Rolling Stone, which rated the project 4.5 stars, the record “delivers raw energy and fearless storytelling.”
Cardi B also premiered a music video for the single Safe and appeared at an Apple Music event in New York City to promote the release. A world tour is planned for 2026.
The album’s arrival follows recent personal announcements. On September 17, PUNCH Online reported that Cardi B confirmed she is expecting a child with New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs after weeks of speculation. In an interview with CBS, she said, “I’m excited. I’m happy.”
It also comes after a legal victory earlier this month. On September 3, PUNCH Online reported that a Los Angeles jury cleared her of assault charges in a $24 million civil lawsuit filed by security guard Emani Ellis, who alleged Cardi B cut her cheek with a fingernail and spat on her outside an obstetrician’s office in 2018. After a week-long trial in Alhambra, the jury ruled in her favour.
With the new album topping charts, a cleared legal battle, and confirmation of her pregnancy, Cardi B’s career enters a fresh chapter marked by both professional and personal milestones.
AFRIMA 2025: FG, Lagos State Declare Readiness to Host Africa In November at Patron’s Dinner with the Jury
L-R: AFRIMA Jury members, Anthony Joseph, (Eastern Africa), Victoria Nkong, Associate Producer, AFRIMA, Motolani Alake, (Nigeria, West Africa),Messie Mboukoud, (Central Africa), Kobele Keita, (Diaspora, North America), Neza Guy, (Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa), AFRIMA President/Executive Producer, Mike Dada, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, AFRIMA Chief Experience Officer, CXO, Aderenle Niyi, Lucy Ilado, (Eastern Africa), Delani Khalima , (Zimbabwe, Southern Africa) and Marwane Fachane, (Northern Africa), at the AFRIMA 2025 Patron’s Dinner with the Jury held on Thursday, August 14 at Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
It was a dazzling evening of elegance, warmth, and celebration as the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, hosted its 2025 Patron’s Dinner with the International Jury in Lagos, Nigeria.
The gathering brought together policymakers, stakeholders in Africa’s creative economy, music executives, artists, media representatives, and AFRIMA’s international jurors from 14 countries who are responsible for ensuring the credibility of Africa’s global music awards.
The event was hosted by AFRIMA Patron, Dr. Bisi Onasanya, Chairman of The Address Homes.
This year’s jury session has brought together jurors from across the five regions of Africa and the diaspora in Lagos, Nigeria. For over a week, they worked tirelessly to select nominees from a total of 10,717 entries received for AFRIMA 2025. The AFRIMA 2025 Nominees List will be announced to the public on August 24, following the conclusion of the adjudication process.
Barrister Hannatu Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, who led a strong cast of dignitaries to the event, praised AFRIMA’s global impact.
“AFRIMA is a testimony of how the creative sector in Nigeria has developed to a global standard, even without strong government backup. We are proud of what AFRIMA stands for and the impact it has made in Africa and on a global scale, projecting our identity, culture, language, and music. As a government, we will continue to support initiatives like this not just because it celebrates art but because it strengthens the economy and unites us,” she said.
Representing the Lagos State Government, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, assured stakeholders, artistes, and fans across Africa that the State is fully prepared to welcome the continent and the rest of the world.
Benson-Awoyinka, who was joined at the event by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, said, “I think we are in the right place at the right time. For us in Lagos, hosting AFRIMA 2025 is not just another event; it is a big honour. People say we are the culture and entertainment capital of Africa, and we are ready to welcome the whole continent and the world to our city for this great event. We thank the Federal Government, our partners, and all those supporting AFRIMA for trusting Lagos to host again.”
In collaboration with the African Union Commission, AFRIMA 2025 is being organised alongside the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Official Host City, Lagos State.
For the Patron, Dr. Onasanya, who was acxompanied to the event by his wife, Mrs Olufunke Onasanya, families and friends and business mogul,Chief Musa Danjuma and Dayo Adeola, the focus is on creating a sustainable legacy and delivering the best AFRIMA yet.
“Tonight, we proudly recognise the incredible work of our jury members and say a big thank you to them. This year, we are excited to welcome Africa to AFRIMA. Africa and the rest of the world will see an amazing show in Lagos because we are confident of organising a successful event. I sincerely thank the Federal Government of Nigeria and our Official Host City, Lagos State, for their tremendous support, as well as our sponsors and every stakeholder who believes in AFRIMA. The last edition was fantastic, but I assure you that AFRIMA 2025 will be the best”
One of the jury members, Guy Neza, an Ivorian who is representing West Africa on the panel, said, “It has been an amazing journey for me to be part of this journey. Africa is full of amazing talent, and it makes me happy to see our music and creativity receiving the recognition they deserve, as AFRIMA is the continent’s biggest music entity. Every artist who sends in their work is helping our creative industry grow stronger. With the quality of music we have screened, I can confidently say that the future of the industry is promising.”
AFRIMA President and Founder, Mike Dada, thanked the jury, patrons, and creative stakeholders for their role in sustaining AFRIMA’s growth and success.
“I am truly grateful for the support from every corner of our creative industry; from the Federal Government of Nigeria, our Official Host City, Lagos State Government and Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, our Patron, to the media, to the artists, producers, and record executives. It is inspiring to see us working hand in hand with one shared goal to elevate Africa’s global music. We said at the beginning of this journey that we would not joke with the credibility of this awards; we insisted that any artist who will be nominated or win award must submit their work to qualify and this patron’s dinner is our way of honouring the AFRIMA jury, who dedicate their time to carefully select the finest talents from thousands of entries for nomination in their rightful categories,” he said.]
L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, founder, Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF, Chioma Ude, Minister of Arts, Culture & Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, President/Executive Producer, All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, Mike Dada, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, AFRIMA’s Patron, Dr. Bisi Onasanya and former minister of Information and Culture, during the AFRIMA 2025 Patron’s Dinner with the Jury held on Thursday, August 14 at Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
Guests were also treated to a soulful performance by fast-rising star Qing Madi. Adding to the sparkle of the night were appearances from music stars Ice Prince Zamani, Orezi, Praiz, and DJ Nana, among others.
The roll call of high-profile dignitaries included Lai Mohammed, former Minister of Information and Culture; media moguls Kenny Ogungbe, Dayo Adeneye and Id Ogungbe; respected journalists Mayor Akinpelu, Ayo Aminu, Mojeed Jamiu, Azu Arinze; Founder of AFFRIF, Chioma Ude, media and Entertainment personalities Olisa Adibua, Ali Baba, Sunday Are, Ehiz and Uti Nwachukwu, among others; alongside other notable figures from the arts, culture, and media space.
The AFRIMA 2025 celebration is set to take place from November 25 to 30 in Lagos. The week-long show will include a variety of events, such as the Welcome Soiree, the AFRIMA Music Village, the African Music Business Summit, a Host City Tour, the Nominees Party, and the main awards ceremony. This ceremony will be broadcast live to over 84 countries.
Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, former minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Minister of Arts, Culture & Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, and President/Executive Producer, All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, Mike Dada during the AFRIMA 2025 Patron’s Dinner with the Jury held on Thursday, August 14 at Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
