Ayra Starr has made history as the first woman in 16 years to win Best African Music Act at the 2025 MOBO Awards.

The Nigerian star also took home the Best International Music Act award at the ceremony held in Newcastle.

Ayra Starr clinched the award, by beating co-Nigerians Asake and Tems and also South Africa’s Tyla.

She also beat stars like Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, and Latto.

Ayra Starr (2025) joins Wizkid (2017, 2021) and Burna Boy (2020, 2022) as the only Nigerian artists to have won the MOBO Award for Best International Act.

The event, hosted by Indiyah Polack and Eddie Kadi, celebrated the best of Black music and culture.

A post on the official MOBO X account read: “Global star, unstoppable force! ?✨ @ayrastarr took home Best African Music Act at the #MOBOAwards – repping African music at the highest level! ??”

Best African music act

Asake (Nigeria)

WINNER: Ayra Starr (Nigeria)

Bnxn & Ruger (Nigeria)

King Promise (Ghana)

Odumodublvck (Nigeria)

Rema (Nigeria)

Shallipopi (Nigeria)

Tems (Nigeria)

Tyla (South Africa)

Uncle Waffles (South Africa)

Ayra Starr’s Speech

In her acceptance speech, the visibly emotional singer said: “Okay, this is my first MOBO. And this is the first time I’m winning a MOBO Award—make some noise! I am actually shaking right now. I am actually nervous.

“Thank you so much to everybody who supported me. Thank you to my team—my amazing MOB-STARS.

“My amazing brothers who make music with me—the producers in the studio—my studio partners in crime; my label—MAVINS record, Embryo, my mummy…

“Thank you so much. Thank you, MOBOs.”

Other Big Winners

According to PUNCH Online, other notable winners at the 2025 MOBO Awards included Bashy, Darkoo, and Odeal.

Darkoo also secured the Best Female Act award.

Another celebratory post from the MOBO X account read: “From bangers to big wins! ?? @Darkoo takes home the Best Female Act award at the #MOBOAwards – a well-deserved victory! ?”

MOBO Awards

The MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin Awards) is an annual British music ceremony that honours excellence in music of Black origin, spanning genres such as hip-hop, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel, and African music.

Founded in 1996 by Kanya King, the awards have been instrumental in celebrating and recognizing Black artists in the UK and globally, providing a platform that has helped shape the careers of many.

With Ayra Starr’s historic win, the MOBOs continue to showcase the undeniable influence of African music on the global stage.

The Ogun State Police Command has dismissed claims by controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, of being in psychiatric treatment, insisting that he remains a wanted man.

Portable, in a video on Tuesday, declared that he is a “madman” and undergoing treatment at the Federal Neuropsychiatric, Aro, Abeokuta.

He said this while appealing to Nigerians and the Ogun State Government after being declared wanted by the state police command.

Speaking to PUNCH Metro on Tuesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, maintained that Portable remained wanted and would turn himself in for investigation.

She said, “Portable will come and submit himself. He cannot be in the psychiatric hospital in Aro. Everybody knows that he is a wanted person. So, if he is going to be in anybody’s facility, the police will not accept that. He is a wanted man.”

The singer was reportedly involved in a violent altercation with three officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ota Zonal Office—TPL Onabanjo Abidemi, TPL Raymond Lateef, and TPL Ridwan Oyero Akinlesi—during an enforcement exercise at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota, Ogun State.

According to the officials, they initially encountered Portable’s father at Odogwu Bar, where he informed them that his son was unavailable. Moments later, the controversial singer allegedly arrived armed with a firearm and, along with nine thugs, launched an attack on the unarmed officials.

The police reported that the enforcement officers sustained injuries but managed to escape and report the incident to the Ota Area Command, which escalated the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department. While nine of Portable’s alleged accomplices were arrested, the singer reportedly fled the scene and has since gone into hiding.

Odutola had in the statement declaring him wanted stated that multiple formal invitations were sent to Portable, requesting his presence at the command’s headquarters but deliberately ignored them without offering any legal representation.

“Following his repeated evasion, the Ogun State Police Command has obtained a valid court order declaring him wanted,” she added.

Reacting to the allegations, Portable took to Instagram on Tuesday in a series of rants, claiming that he was being set up because he wore a vest featuring the image of the lawmaker representing Ogun West, Senator Adeola Solomon, popularly known as Yayi. He also reiterated that he is mentally unstable and has a medical history at the psychiatric hospital.

“I fear government. I am Federal Government liability. I am a madman; I have medications that I usually take. You can confirm from Aro Hospital. I have a card that certifies me as one of their patients.

“I am from Abeokuta, and they are taking care of me there. I am not a thief; I help people around me without even looking at their background,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Special Assistant to Senator Adeola on New Media, Damilare Oloyede, has distanced the lawmaker from Portable’s predicament.

Oloyede who spoke to our correspondent on Tuesday urged the singer to take responsibility for his actions, adding that name-dropping won’t help him evade justice.

He said, “Portable should be responsible for once. Senator Yayi won’t help him in this predicament that’s purely a result of his irresponsibility, lack of decorum, and sheer display of lunacy (as confirmed by himself). How does one think name-dropping of Senator Yayi would help him evade justice after being declared wanted by law enforcement agencies?”

“For the umpteenth time, Senator Yayi is a law-abiding public servant. He is a responsible leader to his constituents, followers, and admirers. Hence, he won’t, can’t, and will never tolerate irresponsible acts around him,” Oloyede concluded.

Operatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service have arrested 40 illegal immigrants at different locations in the Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.

A breakdown of the migrants shows that 27 are Cameroonians, two are Ghanaians, 10 are Beninese, and one is a Togolese.

Of the 40 arrested, eight are female and 32 are male, all between the ages of 18 and 35.

A statement on Tuesday by the Oyo State Comptroller, Tayo Dada, revealed that 10 of them are farmers, while 30 claim to be involved in online marketing.

Dada added that none of the foreigners possessed residence cards or travel documents.

The statement read, “Following credible intelligence, 40 illegal migrants were arrested at their hideouts in different locations within the Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.

“Their profiling revealed that 27 are Cameroonians, two are Ghanaians, 10 are Beninese, and one is a Togolese. Of the 40 arrested, eight are female and 32 are male, all between the ages of 18 and 35. While 10 of them are farmers, 30 others claim to be involved in online marketing.

“All 40 foreigners entered the country through unauthorised routes, and none could present residence cards or any travel documents during interrogation.

“The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, has ordered that necessary actions be taken to repatriate the foreigners to their countries of origin.”

In January, the Minister of Interior,Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed that the Federal Government deported 828 illegal immigrants in 2024 as part of its intensified efforts to combat irregular migration and enhance national security.

The National Assembly, on Tuesday, reviewed the 2025 budget, which was passed last week, reducing the capital expenditure component while raise the recurrent expenditure.

The lawmakers said the review became necessary following some errors in the passed budget.

Although the budget size remains N54.99tn, the capital expenditure was reduced by more than N500bn while the recurrent expenditure was increased by the same amount.

At plenary sessions on Tuesday, both the Senate and the House of Representatives effected corrections in the figures earlier passed for some of the ministries, departments and agencies, with some increasing, while others had a downward review.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive (APC, Delta), who presented the motion for the review of the approved  items said the action became necessary because “the Joint Appropriation Committee noticed errors in the figures earlier passed.”

“The final figure of N54.99tn as well as the statutory transfer of N3.64tn and N14.32tn remained unchanged, the recurrent (non-debt) expenditure of N13.56tn and capital budget of N23.44tn were affected,” he said.

In the document, the Ministries of Defence and Police Affairs, National Pension Commission, Universities Pensions, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (civilian pensions),  Pension Transition Arrangement Directorate and a few other agencies had their budget estimates reduced.

Waive added that the Presidency, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Office of the National Security Adviser, Office to the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security, Works, Labour and Employment, Transportation, Innovation, Science and Technology, Education, Environment, Health and Social Welfare among others had their budget proposal increased for the 2025 fiscal year.

The Delta lawmaker said it was the duty of the House to make the corrections identified in the document in the process of compilation by the Joint Committee, noting that the rescission and passage will not affect the N54.99tn budget size.

Controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has declared that he is a mad man who is undergoing treatment at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta.

Portable said this while appealing to Nigerians and the Ogun State Government on Tuesday after being declared wanted by the state police command.

The zazoo-zeh crooner was reportedly involved in a fight with three officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ota Zonal Office: TPL Onabanjo Abidemi, TPL Raymond Lateef and TPL Ridwan Oyero Akinlesi. They were conducting an enforcement exercise at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota, Ogun State.

The town planners claimed they encountered an elderly man, later identified as Portable’s father, at Odogwu Bar in the area.

Upon identifying themselves and requesting the approved building plan, the father informed them that his son was unavailable.

However, moments later, Portable, armed with a firearm and other weapons, led a gang of nine thugs in a violent attack on the unarmed officials.

The police claimed, “The enforcement officers sustained various bodily injuries but managed to escape and reported the incident to the Ota Area Command, which subsequently escalated the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further action.

“Nine accomplices were arrested, but Portable fled the scene and has since gone into hiding.”

However, reacting to the declaration, Portable in a multiple rants took to his Instagram on Tuesday appealing to Nigerians and the state governor, Dapo Abiodun alleging that he was set up because he was putting on a vest with the face of Senator Adeola Solomon popularly known as Yayi.

The singer also noted that he was a madman and has a card at Aro hospital where he usually takes his treatment.

He said, “I fear government. I am a federal government liability. Then I’m a madman; I have medications that I usually take. You can confirm from Aro Hospital. I have a card that certifies me as one of their patients.

“I am from Abeokuta and they are taking care of me there. I am not a thief, I help people around me without even looking at their background.”

“I AM a Nigerian, I love Nigeria, Nigeria is my country, I am proud to be a Nigerian,”

The family of South-South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, who died Monday night, aged 97, have revealed his last words before his passing away.

Naija News reports that this came as President Bola Tinubu, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senate President, Godswil Akpabio, and former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, and governors mourned the passing of the nationalist.

Others include Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, and Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum, SMBLF, where he was also the leader.

According to Vanguard, Clark, who was admitted at DIFF Medical Centre, Abuja, died about 11.45p.m., on Monday, ahead of his 98th birthday that would have been May 25, 2025.

Speaking to the platform, the National Chairman of PANDEF, Amb. Godknows Igali and the first child of the elder statesman, Mrs. Rebecca Clark-Okorodudu, said those he was leaving behind, especially members of PANDEF and SMBLF, must continue with the struggle, and should not rest on their oars in the fight for restructuring.

“I AM a Nigerian, I love Nigeria, Nigeria is my country, I am proud to be a Nigerian,” the family revealed those as part of Clark’s last words.

According to them, “Chief Clark said in his last hours that the people must not have a ‘giving up spirit,’ assuring that they would surely succeed in making Nigeria a better society again”.

Before his death, Clark also warned that no one should mourn when he departs the world, but said there should be celebration all round.

He also advised that anyone who came to his house during the period should be given food and drinks.

These were what he told those around him last Friday before he could no longer speak and was rushed to the hospital where he was admitted when condition had became critical.

Ahead of the 2023 elections, the Obidient Movement has vowed to ensure the emergence of leaders such as former Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The Movement vowed to ensure that competent leaders emerge alongside Obi in 2027.

The National Coordinator of the Movement, Tanko Yunusa, disclosed this via a statement he issued on Tuesday.

The statement reads, “On Wednesday, 12th February 2025, the Obidient Movement took a significant step forward by successfully hosting its first Advisory and Directorate Committees meeting.

“This milestone gathering brought together key stakeholders who reaffirmed their commitment to unity and strategic action in the collective mission to build a new Nigeria.

“The movement has an unwavering commitment to develop and ensure that competent (value-based) leaders such as Peter Obi emerge in our political space as the march towards 2027 general elections.

“The meeting served as a platform for meaningful dialogue, with members aligning on the path forward. Discussions reinforced the importance of organisation, coordination, and active participation to drive the movement’s mission and vision.

“Participants left with a renewed sense of purpose, fully aware of the responsibility ahead and the urgency of action.

“We appreciate all those who have accepted appointments to serve in various directorates and advisory councils, taking on critical roles in shaping the movement’s future.

“We also salute the millions of Obidients across Nigeria and beyond who continue to work tirelessly, mobilising, advocating, and pushing for a better Nigeria every day. Your dedication remains the heartbeat of this movement.

“With renewed energy, the Obidient Movement will continue to strengthening its structures, expanding its reach, and ensuring that every supporter is empowered to play their part.

“This is a collective mission; together, we will deliver the leadership and governance that Nigerians deserve. We encourage all supporters to stay engaged, participate actively, and remain steadfast in their commitment.

“A New Nigeria is within reach if we work for it.”

The Lagos State House of Assembly has distanced the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, from the crisis rocking the assembly.

This was made known in a statement issued by the House spokesperson, Olukayode Ogundipe, on Tuesday.

There have been speculations alleging that President Bola Tinubu’s wife may be backing the ousted Speaker of the Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.

The House distanced itself from such rumour, saying all the lawmakers hold the First Lady in high esteem.

“We categorically dissociate all members of the Lagos State House of Assembly from this false and baseless claim. The report is purely a fabrication and has no basis in truth.

“All members of the Assembly hold the First Lady in the highest regard. As a distinguished former First Lady of Lagos State and now the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has made significant contributions to governance and national development.

“It is, therefore, inconceivable that any member of the Assembly would accuse her of involvement in legislative matters or seek to tarnish her reputation. We firmly state that the First Lady has no role in any internal disagreements within the House. Any attempt to link her to these issues is entirely unfounded.”

Meanwhile, some lawmakers on Tuesday met with the executives of the executives of the All Progressives Congress in the state to brief them about happenings at the House.

The state chairman of the party, Cornelius Ojelabi, in a post on X, said the State Working Committee received members from the Lagos State House of Assembly. “They provided us with updates on the latest developments, fostering official communication between our party and legislative members,” he wrote.

When contacted, the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Seye Oladejo, said the meeting was simply to brief the executives of the happenings at the assembly.

“It was just a courtesy visit to brief the party about what’s happening at the House, nothing more than that. And whatever is going on in the House, our position remains that it has to be resolved by the House,” he told our correspondent in a telephone interview.

The PUNCH reports that there was chaos at the House following the mililtarisation of the Assembly complex by DSS officials on Monday.

The crisis deepened following reported moves by ousted Obasa to return to the House on Tuesday.

Obasa, who was removed by the majority of the lawmakers at the House on January 13, 2025, had last week approached the court to seek redress.

The Lagos Assembly and the DSS also differed over the invasion, as the security agency noted it was invited by the House to beef up security.

“Contrary to reports by a section of the media that Department of State Services officers stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly, sealing offices of the Speaker and his deputy, it was the Assembly that invited security agents to maintain order.

“The clerk of the Assembly wrote to us that there was a potential security threat to the Assembly and its members and requested to increase the number of operatives there and ensure strict access within and outside the assembly,” a top DSS official who spoke on condition of anonymity for not being authorised, told our correspondent.

In its defence, the House in a statement issued by the spokesperson, Ogundipe, late Monday, clarified why it invited the DSS to the House.

It argued that even though it invited the security agency, it did not ask them to seal the offices of the principal officers of the House.

“We wish to categorically state that this is not the first time the House has sought security support from the DSS.

“However, it is important to emphasise that in all previous instances, the DSS operatives have been stationed at the main gate of the Assembly complex, ensuring that unauthorised persons do not gain entry.

“For the avoidance of doubt, at no point did the letter requesting security assistance instruct the DSS to invade the legislative chamber, lock and restrict access to the Speaker’s office, lock the office of the acting Clerk and lock the Deputy Speaker’s office.

“The events of today (Monday) raise serious concerns about undue interference in legislative affairs. The sanctity of the Lagos State House of Assembly was undermined by armed DSS operatives who actively obstructed lawmakers from performing their constitutional duties,” Ogundipe said.

Meanwhile, the DSS, on Tuesday, threatened to take legal action against Africa Independent Television and Channels Television over their reports on the involvement of the service in the Lagos Assembly crisis.

The DSS described the reportage by the broadcast stations as false and malicious.

In a letter to the stations by its lawyer, Adedeji Adedipe (SAN), the DSS alleged that the stations misrepresented its actions during a tense period on February 17, 2025, when concerns arose over the possible return of former Speaker Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.

Adedipe stated that DSS’ role was purely to support existing security forces, and it did not engage in any unlawful activities.

The DSS demanded an immediate retraction of the reports and a public apology to be broadcast across all platforms for three consecutive days.

The service, however, warned that failure to comply within seven days would prompt civil and criminal legal actions against the stations under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act

The letter dated February 17 read, “Your publication and/or broadcast has greatly injured the character of our client and tarnished and lowered its esteemed image in the eyes of the public.

“Having regard to the fact that your broadcast was false and coupled with the fact that, you did not ensure balancing in your report, as enjoined by the ethics of journalism, our client has instructed us to demand the following:

“An immediate retraction of your defamatory publication and/or broadcast on all your news platforms.

“The retraction shall be accompanied by an apology which must be published at least five (5) times daily for three consecutive days on all your new channels and platforms, including all the social media handles to which your media House has its presence.

“Please note that should you fail, to comply with the above demands within a period of seven days after the delivery of this letter to you, we shall, on behalf of our client, seek redress by pursuing both civil and criminal actions against your organisation as your conduct also runs contrary to the provisions of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act of 2015, as amended in 2024, without further reference to you.”

Group warns Atiku

Meanwhile, a group,  Arise Lagos Movement, on Tuesday, cautioned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to refrain from interfering in Lagos State politics.

The warning followed Atiku’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of meddling in state affairs rather than addressing national issues.

“Tinubu should focus on bringing Nigeria out of the mess he plunged the country into rather than interfering in state matters,” Atiku stated in a post on his X.com page on Monday.

In response, the group’s convener, Abe Kolawole, addressed journalists at a press conference in Ogba, Lagos, on Tuesday, reaffirming their support for President Tinubu and describing him as a leader committed to democracy, justice, and progress.

“We stand before you today collectively on behalf of committed loyalists, mentees, and well-meaning Nigerians who recognise the invaluable contributions of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to human capacity development, defence of the rule of law, and the development of Lagos State and Nigeria at large,” Kolawole stated.

He criticised what he described as attempts to drag Tinubu’s name into the Lagos Assembly crisis, suggesting that the controversy was politically motivated.

“You may be aware of the comment made by the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on an issue that is local to the Lagos State House of Assembly. This indicates the dimensions and motives of those behind the imbroglio,” he said.

According to Kolawole, the ongoing drama is part of a broader strategy to influence the 2027 elections and seize political control of Lagos, alleging that Monday’s events were deliberately orchestrated to discredit Tinubu.

“We take further note of the Nollywood-style drama orchestrated yesterday in an attempt to drag the name of our leader through the mud. How do you describe an institution inviting security agents to enhance security with clear and specific requests, only to accuse them of following orders from above?

“This was nothing more than an appeal to public sentiment. But we are happy that Nigerians, particularly Lagosians, were not fooled. They know the puppets have a puppet master,” Kolawole noted.

He claimed that, as direct beneficiaries of Asiwaju’s visionary leadership, mentorship, and unwavering dedication to Nigeria, it was necessary to set the record straight, emphasising that President Tinubu remains a statesman committed to national development, unity, and prosperity for all, without bias.

He urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in their trust in President Tinubu’s leadership and to focus on the collective goal of national progress.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has put the governorship nomination form of the party for the Anambra State governorship election at ₦35 million.

Naija News reports that this was contained in a letter addressed to Anambra PDP Chairman,Chidi Chidebe, by PDP National Organizing Secretary, Umar Bature.

In the later, Bature, on behalf of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) blamed the economic trajectory of the country for the upward review of the nomination form.

“This is to inform you that the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great Party, the PDP, has approved the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the upcoming Governorship Election in your State.

“You may recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released its Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Governorship Election in your State, and drawing from our previous experience, the Directorate of Organization and Mobilisation (DOM) has drafted our own timetable which is in conformity with the Commission’s timeline,” it read.

The statement further disclosed that female aspirants and persons living with disabilities were exempted from paying for nomination forms; while young people under 40 years have a discount of 50 percent of the nomination form price.

“It is important to draw your attention to the new highlights according to the approved timetable. The fees for the Nomination and Expression of Interest have been reviewed upward to reflect the current economic situation in the country. To this effect, please find below the current approved fees:

“3-Adhoc Delegate Form – ₦50,000.00; National Delegate Form – ₦150,000.00; Expression of Interest Form -₦5,000,000.00; Nomination Form – ₦35,000,000.00

“However, pursuant to the Constitution of our Party, female aspirants and Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWD) are exempted from paying for Nomination Forms also Youths below 40 years are to purchase Expression of Interest Forms but with a 50% discount on Nomination Form,” it added.

The Anambra State Police Command has launched an operational plan to re-arrest two suspects involved in the murder of Justice Azuka, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly.

Naija News reports that in a statement issued on Tuesday in Onitsha, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that disciplinary action had been initiated against officers implicated in the escape of the suspects.

According to Ikenga, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, was informed on February 18 about the escape of the two suspects linked to the killing of the Onitsha 1 Constituency lawmaker.

In response, the Commissioner deployed human, operational, and intelligence resources to track and re-arrest them.

“Preliminary information reveals that following the confession of the criminal gang, two of the suspects assisting the Police Investigating Officers in an operation to arrest the receiver and recover the operational vehicles used in their activities, escaped,” Ikenga stated.

During the police operation, the alleged receiver of stolen goods was apprehended, and two vehicles suspected to have been snatched from the public were recovered. However, the two other suspects managed to flee the scene.

Ikenga assured that the police remained committed to combating crime in the state, emphasizing that all efforts were being intensified to recapture the fleeing suspects and ensure justice is served.

Additionally, he confirmed that officers found negligent in the case would face disciplinary measures.