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.
Local government chairmen in the Kwara South Senatorial District have ordered the immediate closure of all Kara (cattle) markets in the area over security concerns.
The decision, announced on Thursday, was taken under the aegis of the Forum of Seven Local Government Chairmen in Kwara South after what they described as “extensive stakeholders’ engagement and reviews.”
The chairmen said the shutdown, which takes effect from Friday, September 19, would remain in place until further notice.
They added that all other produce markets in the senatorial district must also close by 6pm on market days.
In a jointly signed statement, the council bosses said the measure was part of efforts to protect lives and property in the zone, which has witnessed a series of violent attacks in recent months.
“While the invading criminals have been operationally decimated in the last few weeks, clean-up operations by the military and hybrid operatives are still ongoing. Therefore, all Kara markets have been ordered to shut down with immediate effect,” the statement read in part.
They acknowledged the economic impact of the closure on residents but maintained that security must come first.
“We’ve chosen to prioritise the safety of lives and property and adhere to long-term coordinated and structured security advisement over and above short-term inconveniences,” the chairman added.
The leaders assured residents that the state government and security agencies were working with local councils to restore peace, urging communities to cooperate with security operatives.
The statement was signed by the executive chairmen of Ifelodun, Isin, Irepodun, Ekiti, Oke-Ero, Offa and Oyun Local Government Areas.
Earlier on Friday, PUNCH Online reported that the National Youth Service Corps has relocated its orientation camp in Kwara State from Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area, to the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, over rising insecurity.
State Coordinator, Mr Onifade Olaoluwa Joshua, confirmed the relocation to our reporter in Ilorin, saying the approval came from the state government after concerns were raised about the safety of corps members.
He said, “We are fully prepared to host the orientation course, and the welfare of participants will be safeguarded. Soldiers and other security personnel will be deployed to guarantee the safety of corps members during the three-week exercise.”
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Power and its agencies, said it is prepared to partner with the government of Akwa Ibom State to realise its resolve of delivering a reliable and affordable electricity to its people.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, made the pledge during his opening remarks at the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Summit 2025 held in Ikot-Ekpene Local Government Area on Thursday.
The minister, who was represented at the occasion by his chief Technical Adviser, Adedayo Olowoniyi, said only through collaboration can such an ambition be realised.
” As Akwa Ibom State embarks on the development of the electricity market, let me reaffirm that the federal government, through the Ministry of Power and its agencies, stand ready to partner with the state government to realise its resolve of delivering reliable and affordable power supply to its people.
”We believed such ambition can only be achieved through a strong partnership, cooperation between the federal, state and local government levels.
While noting the constitutional rights of the government of Akwa Ibom State to fully determine the trajectory of its electricity market, Adelabu emphasised the importance of effective coordination with the federal government
He said as custodian of the national grid and wholesale market, such coordination is necessary to ensure state-level initiatives align with national frameworks to safeguard stability, reliability and efficiency of the entire electricity value chain.
In his remarks, the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, expressed delight with the hosting of the summit, emphasising that it should not be another talk shop but must chart a roadmap and be seen as a call to action, with clear timelines and expectations outlined.
Eno said that only through this can the state successfully said to be ready to move forward on the journey to achieving electricity for all.
The governor, who noted that the state is blessed with abundant resources, lamented that many homes, hospitals and schools are still grappling with epileptic power supply, adding that the question must be asked on why the state-owned power plant with an installed capacity of 191 megawatts, is not working optimally for the benefit of the people since it was established in 2001?
‘Eno said, ‘We are blessed with abundant gas, a State-owned power plant, yet too many of our homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals are grappling with epileptic power supply. The question then becomes: Why is our State-owned Ibom Power Plant, which has an installed capacity of 191 megawatts, not working optimally for the benefit of our people since it was established in 2001?
”What clear path can we adopt to make it work despite the huge resources that have been sunk into its operations, of which we, today, are repaying the Afreximbank loan of 9m USD? Do we undertake an overhaul or institute a PPP arrangement?
”Therefore, this Electricity Summit, even though it holds great promise to us, should not just be another talk shop. It should chart a Roadmap and be seen as a call to action, with clear timelines on who should do what, when such should be completed, and clear expectations outlined. Only then can we successfully tell ourselves we are ready to move forward on our journey to achieving electricity for all.”
The governor said the state’s vision for electricity access is anchored on the principle that electricity is not a luxury but a fundamental enabler for modern life.
He said, ‘Our vision in Akwa Ibom for total electricity access is anchored on a simple principle: electricity is not a luxury; it is a fundamental enabler of modern life. When a rural health clinic has steady power, lives are saved. When our farmers can process and store their produce, incomes rise.
”When our artisans have reliable energy, productivity soars. When our children can study under good lighting, the future becomes brighter, both literally and figuratively. Electricity is the basic and most important resource to give our people the opportunities to live longer and to live better.”
The Nigeria Immigration Service has officially ended passport production at multiple centres, transitioning to a single, centralised system for the first time in 62 years.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said this on Thursday while inspecting Nigeria’s new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja.
He stated that since the establishment of NIS in 1963, Nigeria had never operated a central passport production centre, until now, marking a major reform milestone.
“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that old machines could only produce 250 to 300 passports daily, but the new system had a capacity of 4,500 to 5,000 passports every day.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he added, describing it as a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria.
“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week.
“Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” the minister said.
He noted that centralisation, in line with global standards, would improve uniformity and enhance the overall integrity of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as a step toward bringing services closer to Nigerians while driving a culture of efficiency and total passport system reform.
He said the centralised production system aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosting NIS capacity and changing the narrative for better service delivery.
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, has called on the Federal Government to release the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to enable him to seek proper medical attention.
This is as Azuta-Mbata called on Igbos across the country to ensure they register in the ongoing voters’ registration exercise and obtain their voter cards.
Azuta-Mbata said this in a short video message of himself speaking, which he sent to our correspondent on Thursday.
Kanu’s detention has remained one of Nigeria’s most contentious political and security issues in recent years. Kanu, who was first arrested in 2015 on charges bordering on treasonable felony, jumped bail in 2017 and fled the country.
He was rearrested in Kenya in June 2021 in a controversial operation by Nigerian security operatives and has since been held in the custody of the Department of State Services.
He also urged the government to explore a political solution in handling the issue of the detained IPOB leader, saying the apex government does not have any advantage in the continuous detention of the IPOB leader.
Azuta-Mbata stated, “I’m calling upon Ndigbo-nine (Igbos in general) wherever you are in Nigeria to quickly go and take advantage of the voter registration exercise that is going on right now. Go and get your cards as quickly as possible.
“Secondly, I would like to call upon the federal government of Nigeria to quickly release Nnamdi Kanu. The Government has no serious advantage in keeping him. It is important that the government ensures his safety and his welfare, and that the Government must allow him to go and get medical treatment as quickly as possible.
“The Government must adopt a political solution to this situation. I do not believe that the Government has any serious advantage in keeping him any further.”
Natasha Osawaru, the Deputy Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, has poured glowing tributes on her husband, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, as the Afrobeats legend clocked 50 on Thursday.
In an Instagram post, Osawaru described the music star — who is 20 years older than her — as “the love of my life,” adding that waking up beside him daily was “one of the greatest gifts ever.”
“Happy birthday to the love of my life. You are 50!!!!! Oh wow!!!!!! You spaced me with 20 years and you look younger than I do…
“Innocent Ujah Idibia my husband… words cannot express the joy you’ve brought into my life. My joy is complete with you in it,” she wrote.
The lawmaker and the multi-award-winning singer tied the knot in a private traditional wedding in Benin City in April, barely months after 2Baba ended his long marriage with actress Annie Macaulay-Idibia.
The traditional rites, held at the residence of the Esama of Benin, drew close family and associates but were kept off-camera in a bid to preserve the ceremony’s privacy.
2Baba had earlier, in February, confirmed his relationship with Osawaru publicly, declaring: “Yes, I love her. I want to marry her.”
President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep condolences to the families of victims and to the management and staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service and United Bank for Africa following Tuesday’s fire outbreak at Afriland Building on Broad Street, Lagos Island.
PUNCH Online reports that seven victims have been confirmed dead after the fire incident at the Tower.
The victims were said to have died in hospitals across the state, where they had been rushed to after being evacuated from the high-rise building.
Among the victims are four staff members of FIRS, which occupies the sixth and seventh floors of the Towers.
In a statement signed on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu commiserated with Afriland Properties Limited, FIRS and UBA over the loss of lives.
He extended sympathy to those injured, who are receiving medical attention.
The statement read, “President Tinubu extends his condolences to the management and staff of Afriland Properties Limited, the FIRS, UBA, and particularly those who lost loved ones in the inferno, and the injured who are currently receiving medical attention.
“The President commends the emergency responders, including the Federal Fire Service, first aiders, medical personnel, and members of the public, for their quick intervention and notes their deep sense of responsibility during the evacuation.
“President Tinubu advises more caution, training, and alertness to avert such emergencies in the future.
“The President prays that God Almighty will receive the souls of the departed and grant quick recovery to the injured.”
PUNCH Online gathered that doctors are battling to save the lives of the remaining victims in the hospitals.
The incident was one of two separate fire incidents that rocked the Lagos Island Business District on Tuesday, which left several others injured and goods worth millions of naira destroyed.
With its marbled walls, exposed lightbulbs, and plentiful mirrors, the bathroom at The Library, a nightclub in Lagos, Nigeria, is practically begging patrons to snap a photo.
Then it comes, a message delivered on a gold-framed sign: “No selfies in the restroom… just kidding.”
In Nigeria, bathroom selfies are no joke.
From the buzzing mega-city of Lagos to the stuffy capital Abuja and conservative Kano in the north, bars and lounges are decking out their restrooms—not just to catch up with times but also to bring in new customers.
AFP sent reporters to women’s bathrooms across Africa’s most populous country to document the trend.
Renovations have been made, mirrors rearranged, and lighting adjusted. More is more: Marble and gold, sometimes of the faux variety, are popular design choices.
At Zaza, a nightlife staple, pressing a button on the bathroom wall will summon a complimentary glass of champagne that pops through a small window. It’s all part of a campaign to ease nerves—and draw smiles—among those in front of the mirror.
“The decor plays a huge role, especially for Nigerian ladies. And we try to attract as much as we can,” Johnny Franjeh, assistant general manager of Zaza, told AFP.
Inside, women adjusted the necklines of their brightly coloured dresses, swayed their hips, and batted their fake eyelashes, phones in hand.
The walls are adorned with floral wallpaper and multiple mirrors, allowing for different shooting angles.
From Abuja to Kano
There is something in it for the clubs, as well: the free advertising that comes with so many people posting their selfies to social media—including influencers with massive followings.
One such influencer, known as Comiebarbie, with 100,000 followers on Instagram, admitted that one of the first things she does upon arriving at a trendy locale is to “quickly go to the restroom with my friends so I can take pictures.”
In the smartphone era, the bathroom mirror selfie might be a long-established trend.
But Lagos, a boisterous megalopolis home to more than 20 million people, has found a way to make it an over-the-top novelty—as have quieter places like Abuja, the all-work-and-no-play planned city that serves as the nation’s capital.
Psychedelic-patterned walls adorn the “selfie room,” just off the women’s restroom at A Bar Called Paper, in the upscale Maitama neighbourhood.
“The most important thing I’m looking for is a suitable angle,” said Stephanie, a 26-year-old wearing a sequined, halter-neck dress that reflected endlessly as it bounced across multiple mirrors.
The trend extends all the way up to Kano, the cultural and economic capital of Nigeria’s mostly Muslim, largely conservative north.
At Antika, a lounge popular with the city’s youth, the dresses are looser and less revealing, their sleeves are longer, and patrons’ make-up is more subtle.
But once they make their way to the bathroom, they have plenty in common with partygoers in the south, spending long minutes playing with their reflections in mirrors carefully arranged against tropical wallpaper.
‘We invented that trend!’
Amid the current restroom arms race, there are also rivalries and claims of being first.
“We invented that trend!” Ghada Ghaith, CEO of Rococo, another Lagos haunt, told AFP.
Two weeks before opening, staff from the cabaret bar posted a photo from its bathroom.
“Maybe two hours later… we got like 200 requests for booking,” Ghaith said, with those making reservations mistaking the restroom for the restaurant itself.
It’s easy to understand the mix-up: no toilets were visible in the photo, though a crystal chandelier was.
At least six additional deaths have been confirmed following the fire outbreak at Afriland Towers, a six-storey commercial building on Broad Street, Lagos Island, Lagos State.
The victims were employees of United Capital, a financial and investment services firm occupying the 3rd and 4th floors of the tower.
The confirmation comes just hours after the Federal Inland Revenue Service announced that four of its staff members also died in the incident on Wednesday evening.
The PUNCH reported that the fire, which reportedly started in the inverter room in the basement around 1:30 pm on Tuesday, sent thick smoke into the air and triggered panic among occupants. Some individuals were seen attempting to escape through windows as emergency responders battled the flames.
Officials of the Federal Fire Service, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other first responders rescued at least nine persons from the building. Five were revived, while four remained unconscious.
“A total of nine victims have been rescued. Five individuals have been resuscitated. Several others escaped unhurt, while efforts are ongoing to revive the remaining four,” the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement on Tuesday, raising concerns about possible casualties.
In an exclusive statement shared with our correspondent on Thursday morning, United Capital confirmed it lost six members of staff to the tragedy. This takes the confirmed number of deaths from the Afriland Towers fire tragedy to 10.
“It is with profound grief that the Management and Staff of United Capital Plc announce the passing of six of our dear colleagues, following the tragic fire at Afriland Towers on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
“Our departed colleagues were an integral part of our company and family. Their painful loss leaves an immeasurable void. We extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones, and we continue to hold them in our thoughts and prayers, as well as provide all the support we can to them during this most difficult time.
“We are making preparations for an appropriate memorial service to honour their lives and mark their passing with dignity and solemnity. We thank the emergency services and all those who responded for their valiant assistance at the time of the incident.
“In this moment of untold grief, we stand together in solidarity, drawing strength from one another as we navigate this period. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” the company said.
Emergency responders had earlier confirmed rescuing several occupants after the fire, which was believed to have been triggered by an inverter explosion. While officials have yet to release an official casualty figure, eyewitnesses and internal company sources insist that “not everyone made it out alive.”
Attempts to reach the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the National Emergency Management Agency, and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency for confirmation were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
A self-styled African tribe in Scotland has claimed woodland near Jedburgh in Scotland as ancestral land and set up camp there, despite repeated evictions.
The Scottish Borders Council said sheriff officers had already cleared the group from private land on Tuesday, but not long after, they moved a few metres away onto council-owned property. The council has now launched fresh court proceedings to remove them.
As reported by BBC on Tuesday, the three members of the self-proclaimed “Kingdom of Kubala” were woken by sheriff officers at 08:00 on Tuesday and removed from their original encampment in private woodland.
However, the group, led by Ghanaian Kofi Offeh, 36, who calls himself King Atehehe, alongside Zimbabwean Jean Gasho (Queen Nandi) and American Kaura Taylor (Asnat), quickly re-established their camp over a fence on council land.
Kofi Offeh, who calls himself King Atehehe, is from Ghana. Photo credit: BBC
They insist they are “reclaiming land stolen 400 years ago”, a claim dismissed by the council as unlawful occupation. “We are not trespassers, we are reclaiming what belongs to our ancestors,” Offeh declared.
Deputy leader of the council, Scott Hamilton, confirmed that new legal papers had been filed. “They have rebuffed every opportunity to engage with us. We can help them, but we won’t sit back and let them break the law,” he said.
The eviction order was issued last week by Sheriff Peter Paterson after the group ignored earlier instructions to vacate. Officials and police officers spent nearly 90 minutes dismantling their tents and packing up belongings before the relocation.
The group, which first arrived in Jedburgh in the spring, have attracted a significant online following, with more than 100,000 supporters across TikTok and Facebook.
They previously camped at multiple sites, including hillside land above the town and woodland near an industrial estate, each time facing legal challenges from landowners.
Local officials said the repeated encampments had left owners with “no option” but to seek court-backed eviction orders. Hamilton described the latest move as “disappointing but not surprising.”
Despite mounting legal pressure, the “Kingdom of Kubala” has vowed to remain in Jedburgh, insisting its claim to the land is legitimate and symbolic of its ancestral rights.
The group previously camped on the left of the wire fence and has now moved a few metres to the right. Photo credit: BBC
