The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested two Chinese nationals and two Nigerians for attempting to export solid minerals without the necessary permits.

The anti-graft agency in a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the Chinese nationals who are siblings are identified as Wang Jiang and Wang Richard, while the Nigerians are Donatus Agupusi and Michael Benneth Agu.

Oyewale said Wang Jiang was apprehended at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu after suspicious stones, believed to be solid minerals, were found in his luggage during the hold baggage screening.

The other suspects, Donatus Agupusi and Michael Benneth Agu, were arrested at the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.

According to the statement, the arrest of the suspects followed an intelligence received by the Commission through the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on November 3, 2024

The statement added, “Jiang who was intercepted at the hold baggage screening point, where unidentified suspicious stones believed to be solid minerals wrapped in three different pieces were discovered in his luggage.

“Preliminary investigations into the matter revealed that Agupusi, owner of Great Wall Construction Limited, is the employer of the remaining suspects. Investigation also revealed that Jiang was attempting to travel out of the country with the solid minerals in order to carry out some tests on them in China.

“Investigations further revealed that none of the four suspects had a permit to export the solid minerals to China.

“The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”

The 2025 Grammy nominations have been revealed, with Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems, leading the Nigerian nominees with three nominations.

The event which is scheduled for 2 February at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, will celebrate recordings released between 16 September 2023 and 30 August 2024.

The Grammy nomination presented a star-studded lineup of artists, albums, and songs competing for honours at the 67th annual ceremony.

Leading this year’s nominations with 11 is Beyoncé, whose genre-blending album Cowboy Carter is up for major categories, including Record, Song, and Album of the Year, as well as pop, rap, country, and Americana fields.

This brings Beyoncé’s career total to a remarkable 99 nominations.

Among the notable nominees for the new Best African Music Performance category are Yemi Alade, Asake & Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, and Tems.

In the Best Global Music Album category, Rema and Tems received a nomination.

Other top nominees include Billie Eilish, Post Malone, Kendrick Lamar, and Charli XCX, each with seven nods, followed by Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, and Sabrina Carpenter, who have six nominations.

Here is the full list of nominations, announced on Friday by the Recording Academy.

Record of the Year
The Beatles – Now and Then
Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Charli XCX – 360
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight

Album of the Year
André 3000 – New Blue Sun
Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter
Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft
Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Charli XCX – Brat
Jacob Collier – Djesse Vol. 4
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department

Song of the Year
Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile
Sabrina Carpenter – Please Please Please
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight

Best New Artist
Benson Boone
Doechii
Chappell Roan
Khruangbin
Raye
Sabrina Carpenter
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims

Best Global Music Performance

Angélique Kidjo & Soweto Gospel Choir – Sunlight to My Soul
Arooj Aftab – Raat Ki Rani
Jacob Collier Featuring Anoushka Shankar & Varijashree Venugopal – A Rock Somewhere
Masa Takumi Featuring Ron Korb, Noshir Mody & Dale Edward Chung – Kashira
Rocky Dawuni – Rise
Sheila E. Featuring Gloria Estefan & Mimy Succar – Bemba Colorá

Best African Music Performance

Asake & Wizkid – MMS
Burna Boy – Higher
Chris Brown Featuring Davido & Lojay – Sensational
Tems – Love Me JeJe
Yemi Alade – Tomorrow

Best Global Music Album

Antonio Rey – Historias de un Flamenco
Ciro Hurtado – Paisajes
Matt B & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Alkebulan II
Rema – Heis
Tems – Born in the Wild

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Alissia
Daniel Nigro
Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II
Ian Fitchuk
Mustard

Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical
Amy Allen
Edgar Barrera
Jessi Alexander
Jessie Jo Dillon
Raye

Best Pop Solo Performance
Beyoncé – Bodyguard
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Charli XCX – Apple
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Ariana Grande, Brandy & Monica – The Boy Is Mine – Remix
Beyoncé Featuring Post Malone – Levii’s Jeans
Charli XCX & Billie Eilish – Guess Featuring Billie Eilish
Gracie Abrams Featuring Taylor Swift – Us.
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile

Best Pop Vocal Album
Ariana Grande – Eternal Sunshine
Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft
Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department

Best Dance/Electronic Recording
Disclosure – She’s Gone, Dance On
Four Tet – Loved
Fred Again.. & Baby Keem – Leavemealone
Justice & Tame Impala – Neverender
Kaytranada Featuring Childish Gambino – Witchy

Best Dance Pop Recording
Ariana Grande – Yes, And?
Billie Eilish – L’Amour de Ma Vie [Over Now Extended Edit]
Charli XCX – Von Dutch
Madison Beer – Make You Mine
Troye Sivan – Got Me Started

Best Dance/Electronic Music Album
Charli XCX – Brat
Four Tet – Three
Justice – Hyperdrama
Kaytranada – Timeless
Zedd – Telos

Best Remixed Recording
Charli XCX – Von Dutch A. G. Cook Remix Featuring Addison Rae
Doechii & Kaytranada Featuring JT – Alter Ego (Kaytranada Remix)
Julian Marley & Antaeus – Jah Sees Them (Amapiano Remix)
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso (Mark Ronson x FNZ Working Late Remix)
Shaboozey & David Guetta – A Bar Song (Tipsy) (Remix)

Best Rock Performance
The Beatles – Now and Then
The Black Keys – Beautiful People (Stay High)
Green Day – The American Dream Is Killing Me
Idles – Gift Horse
Pearl Jam – Dark Matter
St. Vincent – Broken Man

Best Metal Performance

Gojira, Marina Viotti & Victor le Masne – Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)
Judas Priest – Crown of Horns
Knocked Loose Featuring Poppy – Suffocate
Metallica – Screaming Suicide
Spiritbox – Cellar Door

Best Rock Song

The Black Keys – Beautiful People (Stay High)
Green Day – Dilemma
Idles – Gift Horse
Pearl Jam – Dark Matter
St. Vincent – Broken Man

Best Rock Album
The Black Crowes – Happiness Bastards
Fontaines D.C. – Romance
Green Day – Saviors
Idles – Tangk
Jack White – No Name
Pearl Jam – Dark Matter
The Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds

Best Alternative Music Performance
Cage the Elephant – Neon Pill
Fontaines D.C. – Starburster
Kim Gordon – Bye Bye
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Song of the Lake
St. Vincent – Flea

Best Alternative Music Album
Brittany Howard – What Now
Clairo – Charm
Kim Gordon – The Collective
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Wild God
St. Vincent – All Born Screaming

Best R&B Performance
Chris Brown – Residuals
Coco Jones – Here We Go (Uh Oh)
Jhené Aiko – Guidance
Muni Long – Made for Me (Live on BET)
SZA – Saturn

Best Traditional R&B Performance
Kenyon Dixon – Can I Have This Groove
Lalah Hathaway Featuring Michael McDonald – No Lie
Lucky Daye – That’s You
Marsha Ambrosius – Wet
Muni Long – Make Me Forget

Best R&B Song
Coco Jones – Here We Go (Uh Oh)
Kehlani – After Hours
Muni Long – Ruined Me
SZA – Saturn
Tems – Burning

Best Progressive R&B Album
Avery*Sunshine – So Glad to Know You
Childish Gambino – Bando Stone and the New World
Durand Bernarr – En Route
Kehlani – Crash
NxWorries – Why Lawd?

Best R&B Album
Chris Brown – 11:11 (Deluxe)
Lalah Hathaway – Vantablack
Lucky Daye – Algorithm
Muni Long – Revenge
Usher – Coming Home

Best Rap Performance
Cardi B – Enough (Miami)
Common & Pete Rock Featuring Posdnuos – When the Sun Shines Again
Doechii – Nissan Altima
Eminem – Houdini
Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – Like That
Glorilla – Yeah Glo!
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us

Best Melodic Rap Performance
Beyoncé, Linda Martell & Shaboozey – Spaghettii
Future, Metro Boomin & The Weeknd – We Still Don’t Trust You
Jordan Adetunji Featuring Kehlani – Kehlani (Remix)
Latto – Big Mama
Rapsody Featuring Erykah Badu – 3:AM

Best Rap Song
Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – Like That
Glorilla – Yeah Glo!
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Rapsody & Hit-Boy – Asteroids
¥$, Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign & Rich the Kid Featuring Playboi Carti – Carnival

Best Rap Album
Common & Pete Rock – The Auditorium Vol. 1
Doechii – Alligator Bites Never Heal
Eminem – The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)
Future & Metro Boomin – We Don’t Trust You
J. Cole – Might Delete Later

Best Spoken Word Poetry Album
Malik Yusef – Good M.U.S.I.C. Universe Sonic Sinema Episode 1: In the Beginning Was the Word
Omari Hardwick – Concrete & Whiskey Act II Part 1: A Bourbon 30 Series
Queen Sheba – Civil Writes: The South Got Something to Say
Skillz – The Seven Number Ones
Tank and the Bangas – The Heart, the Mind, the Soul

Best Jazz Performance
The Baylor Project – Walk With Me, Lord (Sound | Spirit)
Chick Corea & Béla Fleck – Juno
Dan Pugach & Nicole Zuraitis Featuring Troy Roberts – Little Fears
Lakecia Benjamin Featuring Randy Brecker, Jeff “Tain” Watts & John Scofield – Phoenix Reimagined (Live)
Samara Joy Featuring Sullivan Fortner – Twinkle Twinkle Little Me

Best Jazz Vocal Album
Catherine Russell & Sean Mason – My Ideal
Christie Dashiell – Journey in Black
Kurt Elling & Sullivan Fortner – Wildflowers Vol. 1
Milton Nascimento & Esperanza Spalding – Milton + Esperanza
Samara Joy – A Joyful Holiday

Best Jazz Instrumental Album
Ambrose Akinmusire – Owl Song
Chick Corea & Béla Fleck – Remembrance
Kenny Barron – Beyond This Place
Lakecia Benjamin – Phoenix Reimagined (Live)
Sullivan Fortner – Solo Game

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album

The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra – And So It Goes
Dan Pugach – Bianca Reimagined
John Beasley Featuring Frankfurt Radio Big Band – Returning to Forever
Miguel Zenón – Golden City
Orrin Evans & The Captain Black Big Band – Walk a Mile in My Shoe

Best Latin Jazz Album
Donald Vega Featuring Lewis Nash, John Patitucci & Luisito Quintero- As I Travel
Eliane Elias – Time and Again
Hamilton de Holanda & Gonzalo Rubalcaba – Collab
Horacio ‘El Negro’ Hernandez, John Beasley & Jose Gola – El Trio: Live in Italy
Michel Camilo & Tomatito – Spain Forever Again
Zaccai Curtis – Cubop Lives!

Best Alternative Jazz Album
Arooj Aftab – Night Reign
André 3000 – New Blue Sun
Keyon Harrold – Foreverland
Meshell Ndegeocello – No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin
Robert Glasper – Code Derivation

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

Aaron Lazar – Impossible Dream
Cyrille Aimée – À Fleur de Peau
Gregory Porter – Christmas Wish
Lake Street Dive – Good Together
Norah Jones – Visions

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album

Béla Fleck – Rhapsody in Blue
Bill Frisell – Orchestras (Live)
Julian Lage – Speak to Me
Mark Guiliana – Mark
Taylor Eigsti – Plot Armor

Best Musical Theater Album

Hell’s Kitchen
Merrily We Roll Along
The Notebook
The Outsiders
Suffs
The Wiz

Best Country Solo Performance

Beyoncé – 16 Carriages
Chris Stapleton – It Takes a Woman
Jelly Roll – I Am Not Okay
Kacey Musgraves – The Architect
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

Beyoncé & Miley Cyrus – II Most Wanted
Brothers Osborne – Break Mine
Dan + Shay – Bigger Houses
Kelsea Ballerini & Noah Kahan – Cowboys Cry Too
Post Malone Featuring Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help

Best Country Song

Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em
Jelly Roll – I Am Not Okay
Kacey Musgraves – The Architect
Post Malone Featuring Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)

Best Country Album
Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter
Chris Stapleton – Higher
Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well
Lainey Wilson – Whirlwind
Post Malone – F-1 Trillion

Best American Roots Performance

The Fabulous Thunderbirds Featuring Bonnie Raitt, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal & Mick Fleetwood – Nothing in Rambling
Rhiannon Giddens – The Ballad of Sally Anne
Shemekia Copeland – Blame It on Eve
Sierra Ferrell – Lighthouse

Best Americana Performance

Beyoncé – Ya Ya
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Empty Trainload of Sky
Madi Diaz & Kacey Musgraves – Don’t Do Me Good
Madison Cunningham – Subtitles
Sarah Jarosz – Runaway Train
Sierra Ferrell – American Dreaming

Best American Roots Song

Aoife O’Donovan – All My Friends
Iron & Wine & Fiona Apple – All in Good Time
Mark Knopfler – Ahead of the Game
Shemekia Copeland – Blame It on Eve
Sierra Ferrell – American Dreaming

Best Americana Album

Charley Crockett – $10 Cowboy
Maggie Rose – No One Gets Out Alive
Sarah Jarosz – Polaroid Lovers
Sierra Ferrell – Trail of Flowers
T Bone Burnett – The Other Side
Waxahatchee – Tigers Blood

Best Bluegrass Album

Billy Strings – Live Vol. 1
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes – I Built a World
Dan Tyminski – Dan Tyminski: Live From the Ryman
The Del McCoury Band – Songs of Love and Life
Sister Sadie – No Fear
Tony Trischka – Earl Jam

Best Traditional Blues Album

Cedric Burnside – Hill Country Love
The Fabulous Thunderbirds – Struck Down
Little Feat – Sam’s Place
Sue Foley – One Guitar Woman
Taj Mahal – Swingin’: Live at the Church in Tulsa

Best Contemporary Blues Album
Antonio Vergara – The Fury
Joe Bonamassa – Blues Deluxe Vol. 2
Ruthie Foster – Mileage
Shemekia Copeland – Blame It on Eve
Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour – Friendlytown

Best Folk Album

Adrianne Lenker – Bright Future
American Patchwork Quartet – American Patchwork Quartet
Aoife O’Donovan – All My Friends
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Woodland
Madi Diaz – Weird Faith

Best Regional Roots Music Album

Big Chief Monk Featuring J’wan Boudreaux – Live at the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Kalani Pe’a – Kuini
New Breed Brass Band Featuring Trombone Shorty – Live at the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
The Rumble – Stories From the Battlefield
Sean Ardoin & Kreole Rock and Soul – 25 Back to My Roots

Best Gospel Performance/Song

Doe – Holy Hands
Melvin Crispell III – Yesterday
Ricky Dillard – Hold On (Live)
Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Erica Campbell & Israel Houghton Featuring Jonathan McReynolds & Jekalyn Carr – One Hallelujah
Yolanda Adams – Church Doors

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song

Bethel Music, Jenn Johnson Featuring CeCe Winans – Holy Forever (Live)
CeCe Winans – That’s My King
Elevation Worship Featuring Brandon Lake, Chris Brown & Chandler Moore – Praise
Honor & Glory & Disciple – Firm Foundation (He Won’t)
Jwlkrs Worship & Maverick City Music Featuring Chandler Moore – In the Name of Jesus
Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore Featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard – In the Room

Best Gospel Album

CeCe Winans – More Than This
Karen Clark Sheard – Still Karen
Kirk Franklin – Father’s Day
Melvin Crispell III – Covered Vol. 1
Ricky Dillard – Choirmaster II (Live)

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album

Brandon Lake – Coat of Many Colors
Doe – Heart of a Human
Elevation Worship – When Wind Meets Fire
Forrest Frank – Child of God
Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine – The Maverick Way Complete

Best Roots Gospel Album
Authentic Unlimited – The Gospel Sessions, Vol. 2
Cory Henry – Church
The Harlem Gospel Travelers – Rhapsody
Mark D. Conklin – The Gospel According to Mark
The Nelons – Loving You

Best Latin Pop Album

Anitta – Funk Generation
Kali Uchis – Orquídeas
Kany García – García
Luis Fonsi – El Viaje
Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran

Best Música Urbana Album

Bad Bunny – Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana
Feid – Ferxxocalipsis
J Balvin – Rayo
Residente – Las Letras Ya No Importan
Young Miko – Att.

Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album

Cimafunk – Pa’ Tu Cuerpa
El David Aguilar – Compita del Destino
Mon Laferte – Autopoiética
Nathy Peluso – Grasa
Rawayana – Quién Trae las Cornetas?

Best Música Mexicana Album (Including Tejano)

Carín León – Boca Chueca, Vol. 1
Chiquis – Diamantes
Jessi Uribe – De Lejitos
Peso Pluma – Éxodo

Best Tropical Latin Album

Juan Luis Guerra 4.40 – Radio Güira
Kiki Valera – Vacilón Santiaguero
Marc Anthony – Muevense
Sheila E. – Bailar
Tony Succar & Mimy Succar – Alma, Corazón y Salsa (Live at Gran Teatro Nacional)

Best Reggae Album

Collie Buddz – Take It Easy
Shenseea – Never Gets Late Here
Various Artists – Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired By the Film (Deluxe)
Vybz Kartel – Party With Me
The Wailers – Evolution

Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album
Anoushka Shankar – Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn
Chris Redding – Visions of Sounds De Luxe
Radhika Vekaria – Warriors of Light
Ricky Kej – Break of Dawn
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Opus
Wouter Kellerman, Éru Matsumoto & Chandrika Tandon – Triveni

Best Children’s Music Album

Divinity Roxx & Divi Roxx Kids – World Wide Playdate
John Legend – My Favorite Dream
Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band – ¡Brillo, Brillo!
Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats – Creciendo
Rock for Children – Solid Rock Revival

Best Comedy Album

Dave Chappelle – The Dreamer
Jim Gaffigan – The Prisoner
Nikki Glaser – Someday You’ll Die
Ricky Gervais – Armageddon
Trevor Noah – Where Was I

Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording

Barbra Streisand – My Name Is Barbra
Dolly Parton – Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones
George Clinton – …And Your Ass Will Follow
Jimmy Carter – Last Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration
Various Artists – All You Need Is Love: The Beatles in Their Own Words

Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media

London Symphony Orchestra, Yannick Nézet-Séguin & Bradley Cooper – Maestro: Music by Leonard Bernstein
Various Artists – The Color Purple
Various Artists – Deadpool & Wolverine
Various Artists – Saltburn
Various Artists – Twisters: The Album

Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (Includes Film and Television)

Kris Bowers – The Color Purple
Hans Zimmer – Dune: Part Two
Laura Karpman – American Fiction
Nick Chuba, Atticus Ross & Leopold Ross – Shōgun
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross – Challengers

Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media

Bear McCreary – God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla
John Paesano – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Pinar Toprak – Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Wilbert Roget II – Star Wars Outlaws
Winifred Phillips – Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord

Best Song Written for Visual Media
Barbra Streisand – Love Will Survive (From The Tattooist of Auschwitz)
Jon Batiste – It Never Went Away (From the Netflix Documentary “American Symphony”)
Luke Combs – Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma (From Twisters: The Album)
*NSync & Justin Timberlake – Better Place (From Trolls Band Together)
Olivia Rodrigo – Can’t Catch Me Now (From The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes)

Best Music Video

A$AP Rocky – Tailor Swif
Charli XCX – 360
Eminem – Houdini
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight

Best Music Film

Jon Batiste – American Symphony
June Carter Cash – June
Run-DMC – Kings From Queens
Steven Van Zandt – Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple
Various Artists – The Greatest Night in Pop

Best Recording Package

The Avett Brothers – The Avett Brothers
Charli XCX – Brat
iWhoiWhoo – Pregnancy, Breakdown, and Disease
Kate Bush – Hounds of Love (Baskerville Edition)
The Muddy Basin Ramblers – Jug Band Millionaire
Post Malone – F-1 Trillion
William Clark Green – Baker Hotel

Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package

Alpha Wolf – Half Living Things
John Lennon – Mind Games
Kate Bush – Hounds of Love (The Boxes of Lost at Sea)
Nirvana – In Utero
Unsuk Chin & Berliner Philharmoniker – Unsuk Chin
90 Day Men – We Blame Chicago

Best Album Notes

Alice Coltrane – The Carnegie Hall Concert (Live)
Ford Dabney’s Syncopated Orchestras – After Midnight
John Culshaw – John Culshaw – The Art of the Producer – The Early Years 1948-55
King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band & Various Artists – Centennial
Various Artists – SONtrack Original de la Película “Al Son de Beno”

Best Historical Album

King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band & Various Artists – Centennial
Paul Robeson – Paul Robeson – Voice of Freedom: His Complete Columbia, RCA, HMV, and Victor Recordings
Pepe de Lucía & Paco de Lucía – Pepito y Paquito
Prince & the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls (Super Deluxe Edition)
Rodgers & Hammerstein & Julie Andrews – The Sound of Music (Original Soundtrack Recording) (Super Deluxe Edition)

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical

Charlotte Day Wilson – Cyan Blue
Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well
Lucky Daye – Algorithm
Peter Gabriel – I/O
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Willow – Empathogen

Best Engineered Album, Classical

Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel & María Dueñas – Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina
Los Angeles Philharmonic, John Adams & Los Angeles Master Chorale – John Adams: Girls of the Golden West
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra & Manfred Honeck – Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 – Bates: Resurrexit (Live)
Skylark Vocal Ensemble & Matthew Guard – Clear Voices in the Dark
Timo Andres, Andrew Cyr & Metropolis Ensemble – Timo Andres: The Blind Banister

Producer of the Year, Classical

Christoph Franke
Dirk Sobotka
Dmitriy Lipay
Elaine Martone
Erica Brenner
Morten Lindberg

Best Immersive Audio Album

Ensemble 96, Current Saxophone Quartet & Nina T. Karlsen – Pax
Peter Gabriel – I/O (In-Side Mix)
Ray Charles & Various Artists – Genius Loves Company
Roxy Music – Avalon
Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Nick Davies – Henning Sommerro: Borders

Best Instrumental Composition

Akropolis Reed Quintet, Pascal Le Boeuf & Christian Euman – Strands
André 3000 – I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a “Rap” Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time
Chick Corea & Béla Fleck – Remembrance
Christopher Zuar Orchestra – Communion
Shelly Berg – At Last

Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella

Béla Fleck – Rhapsody in Blue(Grass)
Henry Mancini & Snarky Puppy – Baby Elephant Walk (Encore)
Jacob Collier Featuring John Legend & Tori Kelly – Bridge Over Troubled Water
Säje – Silent Night
Scott Hoying Featuring Säje & Tonality – Rose Without the Thorns

Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals

Cody Fry Featuring Sleeping at Last – The Sound of Silence
John Legend – Always Come Back
Säje Featuring Regina Carter – Alma
Willow – Big Feelings
The 8-Bit Big Band Featuring Jonah Nilsson & Button Masher – Last Surprise (From “Persona 5”)

Best Orchestral Performance
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra & JoAnn Falletta – Kodály: Háry János Suite, Nyári este & Symphony in C Major
Esa-Pekka Salonen & San Francisco Symphony – Stravinsky: The Firebird
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel & María Dueñas – Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina
ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra & Marin Alsop – John Adams: City Noir, Fearful Symmetries & Lola Montez Does the Spider Dance
Susanna Mälkki & Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra – Sibelius: Karelia Suite, Rakastava & Lemminkäinen

Best Opera Recording

Los Angeles Philharmonic, John Adams & Los Angeles Master Chorale – John Adams: Girls of the Golden West
Lyric Opera of Kansas City & Gerard Schwarz – Moravec: The Shining
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra & The Metropolitan Opera Chorus – Catán: Florencia en el Amazonas
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra & The Metropolitan Opera Chorus – Puts: The Hours
San Francisco Symphony Chorus & San Francisco Symphony – Saariaho: Adriana Mater

Best Choral Performance

Apollo’s Fire & Jeannette Sorrell – Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54
The Choir of Trinity Wall Street, Artefact Ensemble & Novus NY – Sheehan: Akathist
The Crossing, Donald Nally & Dan Schwartz – Ochre
Skylark Vocal Ensemble & Matthew Guard – Clear Voices in the Dark
True Concord Voices & Orchestra, Jeffrey Biegel & Eric Holtan – A Dream So Bright: Choral Music of Jake Runestad

Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance

Caroline Shaw & Sō Percussion – Rectangles and Circumstance
JACK Quartet – John Luther Adams: Waves & Particles
Lorelei Ensemble & Christopher Cerrone – Christopher Cerrone: Beaufort Scales
Miró Quartet – Home
Yo-Yo Ma, Leonidas Kavakos & Emanuel Ax – Beethoven for Three: Symphony No. 4 and Op. 97 “Archduke””

Best Classical Instrumental Solo

Andy Akiho – Akiho: Longing
Curtis J Stewart, James Blachly & Experiential Orchestra – Perry: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
Mak Grgić & Ensemble Dissonance – Entourer
Seth Parker Woods – Eastman The Holy Presence of Joan d’Arc
Víkingur Ólafsson – J. S. Bach: Goldberg Variations

Best Classical Solo Vocal Album

Fotina Naumenko – Bespoke Songs
Joyce DiDonato, Il Pomo d’Oro & Maxim Emelyanychev – Wagner: Wesendonck Lieder
Karen Slack & Michelle Cann – Beyond the Years
Nicholas Phan, Farayi Malek & Palaver Strings – A Change Is Gonna Come
Will Liverman & Jonathan King – Show Me the Way

Best Classical Compendium

Amy Porter, Nikki Chooi, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra & JoAnn Falletta – Lukas Foss: Symphony No. 1 & Renaissance Concerto
Andy Akiho & Imani Winds – BeLonging
Danaë Xanthe Vlasse, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Michael Shapiro – Mythologies II
Experiential Orchestra, James Blachly & Curtis J Stewart – American Counterpoints
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel & María Dueñas – Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina

Best Contemporary Classical Composition
Andrea Casarrubios – Casarrubios: Seven for Solo Cello
Decoda – Coleman: Revelry
Esa-Pekka Salonen, Fleur Barron, Nicholas Phan, Christopher Purves, Axelle Fanyo & San Francisco Symphony Chorus & Orchestra – Saariaho: Adriana Mater
Eighth Blackbird – Lang: Composition as Explanation
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President Bola Tinubu has approved that ministers of state be given full powers to supervise the agencies under them, TheCable can report.

Until now, files pertaining to departments and agencies under their supervision were sent by their permanent secretaries to the senior ministers.

With the new dispensation, ministers of state can now grant all necessary administrative approvals on the governance process of these agencies and departments.

According to a source in the office of the head of service of the federation, “the president was not pleased with the prevailing governing framework in which ministers of states were just ministers in name”.

This, Tinubu reportedly said, led to the “underutilisation of the expertise and capabilities” of most ministers of state.

“The president believes ministers of state should have the right to make decisions and direct action within their areas of responsibility,” the official added.

The source said the idea — first mooted by Hadiza Bala Usman, special adviser to the president on policy coordination and head, central delivery coordination unit — got an instant buy-in from the president.

With the new directive, the administration hopes “to unleash” the potential of all the ministers, the source added.

Tinubu’s cabinet is made up of 48 ministers, but 16 of them are junior.

Ministries with ministers of state are: agriculture and food security, defence,education, FCT, foreign affairs, health, petroleum (oil), petroleum (gas), humanitarian and poverty reduction, and women affairs.

Others are: works, regional development, labour and employment, finance, trade and investment, and housing and urban development.

Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, says no law in Nigeria criminalises the prosecution of minors.

Fagbemi spoke at the commissioning of the Law Corridor’s new office complex and the presentation of a book on the modern legal system.

The AGF said the minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protest were rightly arraigned before the Abuja federal high court.

The nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest lasted from August 1-10. Some protesters were arrested and arraigned in different parts of the country.

A handful of the suspects arraigned in Abuja were minors — eliciting outrage from across the country.

On Monday, the president directed the AGF to withdraw the charges against the minors.

On Tuesday, a federal high court in Abuja struck out the suit against 119 persons who allegedly participated in the protest.

The minors were released and hosted by Vice-President Kashim Shettima at the State House.

Addressing criticisms that trailed the arraignment, the AGF said: “No law in this country says a minor cannot be tried, and I have also heard suggestions that they should go to a family court”.

“The study of the law and the constitution leaves you no other conclusion than that the federal high court has jurisdiction in matters bordering on treason and related issues. So, whatever the situation, the president has closed the chapter by his decision to have these young men released,” Fagbemi added.

“The president was very compassionate; he is a father and a grandfather. If you look at the facts in the possession of the security agency, you would marvel.

“But the president said, despite all this, ‘I have children, grandchildren,’ and that motivated his passion to release them and also enable them in some ways.

“So the credit goes to him for showing compassionate consideration in releasing the young chaps.”

Gov Alex Otti of Abia State has disclosed plans to prosecute some civil servants accused of pension fraud.

Speaking on Thursday during a media briefing at the Government House in Umuahia, Governor Otti said about 10 or 11 people have been arrested over their involvement in the fraud, and they would be arraigned in court soon.

While reiterating the stand of his government against corruption, Otti described the suspects as thieves, adding that those defending the suspects and calling for their release are equally thieves.

The Governor, who disclosed that some of the suspects are outside the country, said such persons would be repatriated to face prosecution at home.

“My question is somebody stole and I arrested him and you went to the press to say I shouldn’t arrest a thief, that means you are a thief.

“They are about 10 or 11. From the report I got, some of them are outside the country. We are going to repatriate them to answer to their sins,” he said.

The Governor also disclosed that the decision to relocate the Abia State University Umuahia campus back to Uturu main campus won’t be reversed despite objections by some students.

According to him, the decision was in the best interest of the students.

He assured that adequate accommodation, water and modern facilities would be put in place in Uturu.

The popular Nollywood actress, Adebimpe Oyebade, is the young and beautiful wife of famous actor, Abdulateef Adetola Adedimeji.

With a rising career that kicked off in 2016 after she began establishing herself as a model, the  native of Ijero Ekiti, Ekiti State, Mo Bimpe, as she’s fondly referred to, is the last of her parent’s six children of her parents who grew up in Akure, Ondo state.

Unknown to many, her incursion into the world of films and storytelling is one of the traits she picked up from her father, who is a renowned historian best known for his storytelling.

Despite denying her relationship with Adedimeji for fears of scandals in the industry, this English graduate of the Ekiti State University, the leggy actress cum model walked down the aisle with Adedimeji in a colourful wedding that remains the talk of the town till the end of 2021.

“At first I was like ‘no way’ because I was scared obviously because of the way the industry is. And the way society is‌. I was so scared. I told him no, we can’t do this,” she told The Nation.

On her journey into being Mrs Adedimeji, she said, “Lateef is a very open person. He made it very easy for me because he told me everything, even the things that would really annoy me. He told me everything, this is me, can and will you accept me like this? So if you want to marry me, know that. This is my past. So, he told me everything. There’s nothing I would hear that I would say what am I hearing because I’ve already heard it from him. So he made the journey easy.”

For her primary and secondary school education, Mo Bimpe attended Asset College and Omelete school in Akure, Ondo State before she proceeded to study English at Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti after which she observed her compulsory National Youth Service Corps service in Benin, Edo state.

Unlike her husband, who just made his mark as a producer with the Netflix feature film, ‘Lisabi,’ Mo Bimpe has made her mark as a producer with over 20 films in her kitty. Some of her films include ‘Entrapped,’ ‘Jade’s Cross,’ and ‘Dear Sister.’

As a supportive wife, Mo Bimpe featured and also co-produced the biopic ‘Lisabi,’ alongside her husband.

On taking criticisms and backlash as a producer, she said, “Okay, the only thing I would say is, as a producer, you have to check. I was telling him (Lateef) that the only reason I’m reading all this thing – comments and criticisms – is to take notes for next time. Some will open your eyes to things that you didn’t even know. Some make sense, but some are just talking. So for me, I would say I picked my pen and paper, writing down some sensible ones, so that’s it. You learn better.”

In a brief chat, Lateef Adedimeji confirmed that Mo Bimpe joined in the casting of the film. She revealed why she chose Ibrahim Chatta and Mr Macaroni for their individual roles.

“Like he (Lateef) said, choosing uncle Ibrahim has been since when we came up with the story because personally, I’m a big fan of uncle Ibrahim and I feel like I’ve never worked with him personally.

"I was like, ah finally, there’s a chance to work with uncle Ibrahim closely. And then the character you can tell you’ve seen the movie can tell he killed it. So we knew that oh, it was either uncle Ibrahim or no nobody else. And for Debo (Mr. Macaroni), he is obviously very close with my husband in real life. They are very close.

"He was his best man for our wedding. So they are very close and we knew that for this role, we needed somebody that is very close with him so that people can relate with the character and with the friendship. And that was why we chose Debo.”

Nollywood veteran cum politician, Desmond Elliot  has addressed allegations claiming that he is gay.

Naija News recalls that Elliot’s name was among the top Nigerian celebrities alleged to be involved in homosexuality.

The list, which captured the names of many prominent figures in the country, sparked  fierce backlash from netizens.

Reacting to the allegation in an interview with TVC, the politician described the allegation as baseless.

He noted that he has more important issues to focus on than responding to malicious gossip.

He said, “Why would I respond to allegations made against me when it did not reduce or increase my life? Secondly, it is an opinion that is being conceived. And I don’t think it is necessary for me to come out and say it’s true or not true; as long as I’m affecting people positively, I’m good. So let me state it very clearly that I am straight.”

A Man Who Is Too Clean Might Be Gay – Daddy Freeze

On-Air-Personality, Daddy Freeze, has claimed that a man who is unnecessarily clean might be gay.

He stated this during a a live session on his Instagram page.

According to him, a guy who cuts his hair twice a week, grooms his beards and his nails might be gay.

Daddy Freeze argued that painted and dreaded hair are not signs that a man is not straight.

He said, ‘’Let me tell you one of the signs to look out for. When a guy is unnecessary clean, cuts hi hair twice a week, grooms his beards, it could be a sign that he is gay, When a man’s nail are too clean, no rough edges around the guy, when a man is squeaky clean, he is tilting towards being a gay man. 

“Being gay is no joke. Painted hair and dread hair are not the sign. The sign is a normal guy is way too clean. When a man cuts his hair, draws parting on one side, looks very fresh, that is a problem. They are usually clean. When you see a guy whose armpit is clean, his beard is clean, it is a problem. 80% is that he is gay.”

The family of the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno, has formally announced the arrangements for her burial.

The funeral is set to take place on November 29, 2024, with a service at her country home in Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.

Governor Umo Eno, her grieving husband, along with the bereaved family and the State Government, have finalized the arrangements to celebrate her impactful life and lasting legacy.

The official announcement was made on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Enobong Uwah.

He expressed the family’s heartfelt appreciation for the outpouring of love and support from all corners of the nation.

“We are deeply thankful for the overwhelming prayers, tributes, and comforting words during this profoundly difficult period,” Uwah stated, encouraging friends and well-wishers to participate in the planned events honouring Pastor Patience Eno’s life.

Naija News previously reported her death on September 26, 2024.

Pastor Patience Eno’s passing has left a significant void, as she was known for her unwavering faith and dedication to community service. Her legacy of compassion and devotion continues to resonate with many across Akwa Ibom State and beyond.