ENYA'S GIST BLOG

Afrobeats musician Femi Kuti pulled off an electrifying show with his band ‘The Positive Force’ at the Central Park, New York on Sunday. Femi, the son of late music legend Fela Kuti, performed the sixth concert in his ‘One People, One World’ global tour at the park which sparked raving reviews from guests. He shared clips of the show on his Instagram page @femiakuti, on Sunday with the caption, “@Summerstage thank you. Thank you New York.” The show was described as the biggest so far in the United States leg of the tour following just concluded shows in Boston, New Jersey and Toronto. Earlier, Femi Kuti and his band had shut down the XPoNential Music Festival in New Jersey where his musicianship was one of the major highlights of the 3-day festival. The XPoNential Music Festival is WXPN’s signature annual concert event that draws audiences from throughout the Greater Philadelphia area, Mid-Atlantic region, and Northeastern US and held from July 27-29. Performing on the River stage, ...

Three Nigeria students have won gold for proper documentation of processes on engineering note at the 2018 World Adolescent Robotic Competition in China. The students – Tawakalitu Giwa, Oluwaseun Omotayo and Ayomide Adetunji – also won the “Rajaa Cherkaoui El Moursli’ Award for Courageous Achievement at the event organised by the China Association of Science and Technology. The National Coordinator of the competition, Remi Willoughby, announced the victory in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday Mr Willoughby said that the students returned to Nigeria on Friday after the five-day event which ended last Tuesday in China. The competition’s challenge was on Water Problem. NAN reports that the students – two females and a male from Lagos State schools – were part of the Team Nigeria to the FIRST Global Robotic Olympics (GRO) in Washington DC in 2017. They were selected for the China competition based on their performances at the FIRST GRO. The team was s...

Notable Afrojazz singer, Bisade Ologunde, popularly known as Lagbaja is set to perform alongside singer, Simi, at the Johnnie, Jazz & Whisky concert on Saturday. The event will hold at the Central Park Arena in Abuja, the Johnnie, Jazz & Whisky concert will see Lagbaja give his first major performance in years. The event will feature live performances from the ‘Konko Below’ and ‘Joromi’ singers. Guests will be treated to various side attractions as they share in the delight of Johnnie Walker Black Label’s distinctive flavours – fruity, tropical, creamy & smoky. With a career almost three decades long, Lagbaga has become an icon in Nigerian music history. Respected for his musical prowess, the singer is more recognisable for his masks, which he says, is an “icon of man’s facelessness”. Simi recently released the extended version of her critically acclaimed album, ‘Simisola’. The deluxe version contains two new remixes alongside the 14 original tracks. The remixes include ‘Or...

Nigerian singer, David Adeleke, known widely by his music moniker, Davido, has hinted that he might have just recorded the biggest feature of his career. The multiple-award winner made this known on Thursday via his Twitter handle. He also revealed that a release date has been set for his new single “NWA BABY.” “Keep me in your prayers I might have just recorded the Biggest feature of my career that can literally change my life and also I Finally got a release date for ‘NWA BABY’ … clear your playlist !! Daddy coming !!,” he said. Davido’s music career has continued to see better days with some of the biggest hits, collaborations and signings to his credit. Just recently, the ‘Assurance’ crooner won the BET (Black Entertainment Television) Awards as “Best International Act,” edging out his Nigerian contemporary Tiwa Savage, Cassper Nyovest (South Africa), Stormzy (UK), Fally Ipupa (DR Congo), and others to cop the highly coveted award. During his acceptance speech, he thanked BET for t...

The Nigerian Army and Police on Thursday repelled an attack by Boko-Haram insurgents who attempted to invade Jakana town in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno, an official said. Dozens of the insurgents armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the town Thursday evening. Brig-Gen Bulama Biu, GOC 7 Div, Maiduguri, who confirmed the incident to NAN, said the attack was promptly repelled. “Yes, there was an attack and we are on top of the situation. I will get back to you for details,” he told NAN in a telephone interview on Thursday. A policeman stationed in Jakana, who did not want his name mentioned, said the troops fought gallantly to repel the attackers. Adamu Kemdi, a resident of Jakana who fled the town, told NAN that the insurgents came with sophisticated weapons mounted on more than 15 vehicles. Mr Kemdi said he was suspecting the they stormed the town in search of food items, as Thursday is the market day in Jakana. NAN Thursday night reported the attack on Jakana, a town locat...

The U.S. Deputy Chief ‎of Mission Nigeria, David Young, has urged the Nigerian government not to allow perpetrators of deadly violence in many states get away with their crimes. He called for a crackdown on deadly attacks that have led to over a thousand deaths in various northern states. Most of the attacks are linked to herdsmen – farmers clashes. Mr Young suggested ways the Nigerian government could end the ongoing killings in Zamara, Kaduna and Plateau states. My Young, ‎while addressing journalists in Kaduna on Wednesday, described the killings as tragic and very complex to deal with. ‎He explained that part of the solution to the problem would be for the government to arrest those behind the killings. Mr Young, who said he visited the three states affected by the herders-farmers crisis, also said it was very important for justice to take place to stem the tide. “As Nigeria deals with its issues of insecurity and violence, I know it is a major concern, that I heard about from p...

R Kelly has opened up on the allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against him in a new 19 minute long song, “I Admit It”. The singer, who is the target of a boycott campaign over his treatment of women, hit backMonday in a 19-minute song on Instagram TV. He told his 1 million Instagram followers, “Today is the day you’ve been waiting for. I admit it.” “I never thought it would come to this, to be the most disrespected artist,” he sings over a mid-tempo R&B beat. “So I had to write a song about this, ’cause they always take my words and twist it.” Halfway through the song, Kelly says that a family member touched him sexually from a young age until he was 14. He said, “Now, I admit a family member touched me (touched me, touched me, touched me)/ From a child to the age 14, yeah/ While I laid asleep, took my virginity (sleep, gini’)”. In the lyrics of the song, he says; “I done made some mistake… “How they gon’ say I don’t respect these women, when all I’ve done is represent (30...

Nigerians and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) have lauded singer, Folarin Falana a.k.a Falz for addressing sexual violence in his latest music video. The reactions came after the award wining artiste announced the release of the video titled “Child of the world” on his social media platform @falzthebahdguy FALZ – “Child Of The World” official video out”. According to DSVRT, it acknowledged Falz’s effort to speak up about “real life issues” on their official twitter account. Falz   @DSVRT “We would like to use this medium to appreciate Falz for spreading the word on Sexual Abuse in the recently released video for his song, Child of the World. “Together we will tackle this menace. Thank you for pointing Survivors in the direction of Help and Justice @falzthebahdguy”. There has been a popular demand for Nigerian music artistes to use their art to speak on issues affecting the Nigerian society and lifestyle.” While Some Nigerians took to Twitter to praise th...

 Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has expressed satisfaction with ongoing work at the 30000 tonnes per anum cocoa processing plant in Ikom. Ayade, who was visibly excited by the delivery of equipment for the plant, said the factory will soon be ready for commissioning. "I am really impressed. As you can see, intellectual money is on display here. From what I have seen, the contractors deserve excellent pats on the back. This is what we call commitment and consistency," the governor remarked. He said the plant has the capacity to process cocoa beans to chocolate bars. "Again, we are going to be the first in Africa as this is the first cocoa processing plant that will process cocoa beans to chocolate," he stated. He said with the delivery of the equipment, his vision for cocoa revolution in the state is crystallizing. The governor, who said he knew from the first day he was sworn in, what he needed to do to enhance the economic well-being of the peo...

A prosecution witness, Chuks Igboerika, a manager with Access Bank Plc, on Monday told Justice M.S. Hassan of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos how a suspected fraudster, Ifeanyi Nwaneri, had carried out fraudulent transactions to the tune of N1,231,105,297.00 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Thirty-one Million, One Hundred and Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety- seven Naira, Eighty Kobo) using a Point of Sale, POS. Mr Nwaneri is facing trial alongside Omede Silas Shehu and Monday Akor on an 11- count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N1.2 billion. The complainant, Access Bank Plc, alleged it deployed a POS terminal enabled for international transactions/cards to Nwaneri, who is one of the bank’s customers with account number 0047820964. It was further alleged that Mr Nwaneri, who claimed to be a businessman, was later found to have carried out fraudulent transactions on the POS. The bank also alleged that on September 22, 2017, the POS Unit of the bank received ...

The National Chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has said that he is happy that some members of the Senate and House of Representatives left his party for opposition parties.  15 senators and 36 members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday left the APC. Majority joined the PDP. Mr Oshiomhole, who spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, said those who left are “mercenaries” who were in APC just to win election. He said the governing party is “not disturbed at all” and that he is not losing sleep over the defections. Mr Oshiomhole also said it is good that those who never believed in the APC are leaving ahead the electioneering activities because that would enable the party concentrate on its campaigns. He said those who defected cannot affect the electoral fortunes of APC because President Muhammadu Buhari got more votes than them in their own constituencies in the last election. H...

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has confirmed July 24 for the commencement of orientation course for prospective Stream 1, Batch ‘B’ corps members nationwide. The spokesperson of the agency, Adenike Adeyemi, disclosed this in a press statement Wednesday. She said the orientation course for the batch will hold from July 24 to August 13. According to the statement, the Director-General of the Scheme, Suleiman Kazaure, disclosed the information at a pre-orientation meeting of the NYSC Management with state coordinators and Camp Commandants in Abuja on Tuesday. According to the spokesperson, Mr Kazaure said details regarding the conduct of the stream II edition of the orientation course would be released later. The Director-General urged the coordinators to communicate policy issues discussed at the meeting to camp officials for effective conduct of the programme. He also directed the coordinators to pay adequate attention to issues of security and general welfare of corps membe...

On Tuesday, former US President Barack Obama delivered the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture. Mr Obama addressed thousands of people including Bill Gates and South African leaders in Johannesburg, South Africa. He described late Mandela as an inspiration to young people in the late 70s. “Madiba’s light shone so brightly that in the late seventies he could inspire a young college student on the other side of the world to re-examine my own priorities – to reconsider the small role that I might play in bending the arc towards justice,” remarked Mr Obama. “And now an entire generation has now grown up in a world that by most measures has gotten steadily freer, healthier, wealthier, less violent and more tolerant during the course of their lifetimes. It should make us hopeful.” In his speech, Mr Obama tracked the enormous social and democratic progress the world has recorded in the 100 years between Mandela’s 1918 birth and 2018. July 18 marked the 100th birthday of the late Nelson Mandela a...

 As President Donald Trump continues to "clarify" his views on whether Russia launched an assault on the 2016 presidential election, the FBI director made his own views clear today: "Russia attempted to interfere in the last election," FBI Director Chris Wray stated unequivocally. Speaking at the annual Aspen Security Forum, Wray also reiterated his belief that Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into those Russian efforts, and possible collusion with the Trump campaign, is not a "witch hunt," as Trump has called it so many times. Asked to respond to Russian President Vladimir Putin's denial of interference, as he stood next to Trump at the summit in Helsinki on Monday, Wray simply said Putin has "got his view." "I can tell you what my view is," Wray added. "The intelligence community's assessment has not changed, my view has not changed, which is that Russia attempted to interfere in the last election, and t...

The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development on Thursday 5th day of July 2018 in Abuja shared N84 million to 11 universities to conduct research and development of minerals deposit in Nigeria. The minister, Abubakar Bwari, who presented the universities with letters of participation, said that they were required to conduct research and development in various areas relating to mapping and evaluation of particular mineral deposits in Nigeria. Mr Bwari said that this would no doubt increase the fountain of geosciences data required by mining investors. He said that the research would also impact on students and lecturers that would be involved in the fieldwork, as it would also improve the quality of learning in tertiary institutions. “The research will improve the quality of learning in our schools; we have seen so many graduates of geology and mining who cannot identify basic mineral types,’’ he said. Obafemi Awolowo University was given N9 million for mapping and evaluation of Talc/Talc...

Anthony Joshua has signed a deal to stage his next two bouts at Wembley stadium, the first in September and then next April, the 28-year-old announced via promotions company Matchroom Boxing. The WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion beat Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in April 2017. However, his next two fights, a 10th round stoppage of Carlos Takam and points win over Joseph Parker, were at the Principality Stadium in Wales. The Briton will return to England’s national stadium for fights on Sept. 22 and April 13, although his opponents have yet to be confirmed. “Being north London born and raised, it is in my blood.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said on Thursday that the celebration of the 2018 Nigerian Army Day – NADCEL at Mongunu in Borno North was a proof that the “end of the Boko Haram terrorists group “will come sooner than later.’’ Vice President Mr, Yemi Osinbajo Mr Osinbajo, who spoke at a Mini Trade Fair and Military Equipment Exhibition as part of activities to mark the day, also said that it was a proof that the terrorist had been “substantially degraded”. According to him, Borno and the entire region (North East) will surely bounce back, and, with the support of the rest of the country, make up for the years of bloodshed and destruction. The vice president said that the Sambisa forest, once the symbol of Boko Haram’s domination of the region, had been reclaimed, while the work of rebuilding had started in many communities across the state. “Indeed, we are here to celebrate all of these wonderful successes, and progress. “At a point, a few years ago, it felt as though they – terrori...

The United States says it has committed more than $5.1 billion to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria through its President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The U.S. Charge d’ Affaires, David Young, said this on Thursday in Abuja at the opening of a photo exhibition to commemorate PEPFAR’s 15th Anniversary in Nigeria. “Since 2003 the PEPFAR has transformed lives through access to life saving HIV prevention treatment services. American people have kept this commitment over the past 15 years. “Today our global commitments stand at 72.7 billion dollars, combating what has been described as the worst human scourge in history. “In Nigeria we have committed more than five billion dollars to the fight against HIV/AIDS since the inception of PEPFAR,” he said. He reiterated the commitment of the U.S. government to collaborating with the federal government in the fight against HIV/AIDS. “By pushing ahead together, we can control an epidemic for which there is no ...

Nominees for the 6th annual Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) have been announced. The announcement for the 2018 edition was made on June 30 by Nigerian comedian, Bovi, and Ghanaian actress, Joselyn Dumas, on Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv respectively. This year’s nominees list see the heavyweights in the movie industry battle it out in all 27 categories. Comic Nigerian rapper, Folarin Falana, better known by his stage name, Falz, has earned himself another nomination for his role as a supporting actor in the movie “New Money.” Falz had earlier bragged about his 2016 win at the AMVCA on a track titled “Bad Baddo Baddest” where he said “which other rapper do you know is having AMVCA.” The rapper won the award for the role he played as Segun in popular Nigerian TV series “Jenifa.” The award ceremony is scheduled for September 1. See full list of nominees below. Best Actor in a comedy Kalu Ikeagwu – Dr Meekam IK Ogbonna – Excess Luggage Blossom Chukwujekwu – The Big...

Alternative Afro pop singer, Adekunle Gold, celebrated rich African culture in his sold out solo concert at the Indigo O2 in London. The show tagged ‘The About 30 concert’ saw the ‘Ire’ crooner perform with his band 79th Element in a brilliant display of African costumes and dances. The most striking performance featured Adekunle Gold on a throne wearing a brilliant gold apparel, flanked by body guards while his sister gave the ‘oriki’ in Yoruba alongside a brilliant talking drummer. Adekunle Gold took to his Instagram page @adekunlegold on Sunday, to reminisce on the event which took place on Friday night. He wrote: “What a night! We actually sold out O2 Indigo!!!! Pinch me please. By all means, dream.” The show also featured other artists like Tolani, Falana, Juls, Harry Marshal and Bimbi Phillips. There was a surprise appearance by Simi as she performed ‘No Forget’ with Adekunle Gold on stage. Meanwhile, fans have taken to Twitter to praise the show and particularly, the brillian...

An Abuja Division of the Federal High Court (FHC) has  granted a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, bail. Mr Dasuki was arrested by operatives of the State Security Service in December 2015 and has remained in the detention facility of the secret police since his arrest. He is accused of masterminding the diversion of $2.1 billion from his former office. He is also accused of unlawful possession of firearms. The former NSA is facing multiple charges for the alleged offenses. Various court orders for his release had been made which were not respected by the security operatives. Mr Dasuki had also demanded the enforcement of his rights at the ECOWAS court of justice which ordered his unconditional release. That order was also not respected by the federal government. In the application decided on Monday, Mr Dasuki asked the Federal High Court to determine whether his detention for over two years was not in negation of his fundamental rights. Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu d...

South Sudan’s army said that 16 civilians have been killed and 22 others wounded including foreign nationals in the latest ceasefire deal violation. Sudan’s People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) spokesman, Lul Koang told Xinhua by phone in Juba that rebel leader Riek Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) forces attacked government position in Southern Liech, Northern Liech States in former Unity state on Saturday. “In Northern Upper Nile state, opposition forces loyal to Machar attack a cattle camp in Maban County leaving 16 civilians dead, 22 others wounded and livestock stolen,” Mr Koang said. He confirmed that the agreement has been violated hours after President Salva Kiir and March ordered its implementation. “Among the dead were three Ethiopian nationals that were doing business with the locals in the area,” Mr Koang said. He noted that the rebels wanted to gain more territory before the permanent ceasefire became effective on Saturday. The recent agreemen...