Kenny Ogungbe, the founder of Kennis Music, says his label was interested in signing Plantashun Boiz before 2Baba launched his solo career.

In a chat with Osi Suave, the media personality, Ogungbe revealed that he offered a contract to Blackface, a member of the now-defunct group after they collaborated with Tony Tetuila.

He said the deal, however, never materialised.

Ogungbe explained that 2Baba expressed his desire to pursue a solo career, which he fully supported.

“2Face is a brother, but first of all, a contract was given to Plantashun Boiz because of their involvement with Tony Tetuila on the album ‘Omode Meta Shere’. I said, let me try to see if I can sign them,” he said.

“I gave Austin (Blackface) the contract, but nothing happened. After a while, 2Face called me and said he wanted to be on his own. I said, no problem.”

Ogungbe addressed claims that he played a role in the breakup of Plantashun Boiz.

He clarified that 2Baba’s decision to embark on a solo career was entirely his own.

Plantashun Boiz, formed in 2000, consisted of 2Baba, Faze, and Blackface.

The group, known for its blend of hip-hop and R&B, disbanded in 2004 after releasing two albums.

Following the split, 2Baba signed with Kennis Music and released ‘Face 2 Face’, one of the most monumental albums in Nigerian music history.

The album featured the classic hit ‘African Queen’, which catapulted him to international stardom.

In 2008, 2Baba left Kennis Music to establish his record label, Hypertek Entertainment

Former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, has been declared winner of the Saturday presidential election in the West African country.

The election has generated attention from across the globe, considering the pedigree of the contesters, especially the major front-runners.

Mahama’s contender who is also the Ghana’s Vice President, Muhammadu Bawumia, has since conceded defeat even before the official announcement was made by the country’s Electoral Commission.

In a phone call placed to Mahama, Bawumia said his decision to concede defeat was to ease tensions in the country which the election period had generated.

He added: “I am making this concession speech before the official announcement by the Electoral Commission to avoid further tension and preserve the peace of our country.

“It is important that the world investor community continues to believe in the peaceful and democratic character of Ghana.

“The people have voted for change at this time, and we respect that decision with all humility.”

As Mahama takes the reigns of power for yet another fresh term, here are things you should know about him.

Background

Mahama was born on November 29, 1958 into an active political family. His father, Emmanuel Adama Mahama, a parliamentarian, had served as regional commissioner during the stint of Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah.

School

John Mahama attended Achimota School in Accra and Ghana Secondary School in Tamale for his Primary and Secondary School education respectively. In 1981, Mahama enrolled into the University of Ghana where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in History and subsequently completed a postgraduate studies in Communication in 1986. After teaching high-school history for a few years, he moved further to acquire a postgraduate degree in Social Psychology from the Institute of Social Sciences in Moscow and obtained his certificate in 1988.

Career

After returning to his country, Mahama started pursuing his career line. He worked in Accra as the Information, Culture and Research Officer at the embassy of Japan until 1995, when he moved to Ghana office of Plan International as Manager of International Relations, Sponsorship, Communication and Grants.

Political Life

Mahama became active in politics in 1996 when he was elected into the Parliament under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and was reelected in 2000 and 2004. At the Parliament, Mahama, who demonstrated high sense of commitment to his statutory roles, held various positions. Between 1998 and 2001, he was Minister of Communications. He was later selected as the running mate of John Evans Atta Mills in the December 2008 presidential election, which they won and were inaugurated on January 7, 2009. But Mahama later became President following the demise of Mills in 2012, who died months before the expiration of his tenure.

During the following round of election, Mahama was selected to be the flag bearer of his party, the NDC, in the country’s presidential election. He was declared winner of the December 2012 election with 50.7 percent, defeating his close rival, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriot Party (NPP), who polled 47.74 percent.

Dissatisfied with the election results, Akufo-Addo filed a petition before the Supreme Court, citing election fraud. But in August 2013, Akufo’s suit was dismissed and Mahama’s victory upheld.

Mahama’s Days as President

During his time as Ghana’s President, Mahama faced challenges when the country’s economy dwindled. With falling global prices on Ghana’s primary exports, increasing debts, power outages, increasing costs associated with public wage, Ghana’s economy was impacted negatively and that unfortunate development put Mahama on a rather disadvantaged position, politically.

Mahama camme under heavy criticisms when his countrymen accused him of not effectively handling the nation’s affairs. Power shortages which affected the country and impacted the economy albeit in a negative way earned the then President a nickname of “Mr. Dumsor, dum-sor” which meant “off-on” in the Twi language, describing the incessant power cuts.

Mahama’s days at the Presidency ended in December 2016 when he was defeated by Akufo-Addo in the presidential election that was contested by many candidates.

Mahama, however, conceded and handed over the reigns of power to Akufo at the end of his (Mahama’s) tenure in January 2017.

Mahama also contested the Ghana’s 2020 election but lost to Akufo-Addo, the victory the former challenged at court, citing irregularities. Mahama’s petition was, however, dismissed in March 2021.

The Comeback

Determined in his cause, Mahama, who remained active in the Ghana’s political space, was once again made the flag bearer of the NDC in the December 2024 presidential election. Mahama, who contested the election along with 12 other candidates, was declared winner of the election.

The former House of Representatives Appropriation Committee Chairman, Faruk Lawan, has stated that he is now a better person.

Recall that Lawan had served five years in prison for receiving a $3 million bribe from oil magnate, Femi Otedola.

Speaking on Saturday during his visit to Shanono/Bagwai Federal Constituency, in a crowded convoy of political supporters, Lawan said, “Today, I am a better person, and I thank God for everything. My visit is not political but rather to pay condolences, sympathize with the sick, and pay homage to our fathers and traditional leaders.”

Speaking further, Lawan, who was dressed in Kwankwasiyya white-red cap attire, stated he is freelancing in politics and presently does not belong to anybody.

He was received by the District Head of Bagwai in Bagwai Local Government, Alhaji Nura Shehu Ahmad, the Magajin Rafi of Kano, who described Faruk Lawan’s incarceration as “a blessing in disguise” for him and his supporters.

He said, “Today, many of us here who were once your enemies have turned into not only your supporters but your loyal supporters, with a deep understanding of who Faruk Lawan truly is and his passion for his people.”

The District Head noted, “Even when Faruk Lawan was in prison, he still connected with us in all facets of life. He supported the needy among us, inquired about everyone, and sent messages to many of us. We really thank you and cherish you.”

The chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has clarified that the recently proposed tax reform bills do not include any provision for an inheritance tax.

He made this disclosure via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, dispelling speculation about such a tax in Nigeria’s fiscal policy.

According to Oyedele, the inheritance tax was abolished in Nigeria in 1996 following the abrogation of the Capital Transfer Tax Decree.

He explained that inheritance represents a one-time transfer of wealth, either as a gift during the giver’s lifetime or upon their death, and differs fundamentally from recurring income subject to taxation under the proposed tax reforms.

“Inheritance tax is a one-time wealth transfer. Unlike inheritance tax, family income covered under the tax bills is expected to recur from time to time,” Oyedele stated.

He further highlighted the provisions of Section 4 of the Nigeria Tax Bill, which defines taxable income. Section 4(3), in particular, addresses taxable income earned by families, stressing that inheritance itself is not taxable under the bill. This approach aligns with existing tax laws, including Section 2(5) of the Personal Income Tax Act (LFN 2004 as amended).

Oyedele elaborated on the taxation of family income, noting that “In the case of income of a family recognised under any law or custom in Nigeria as family income, in which the several interests of individual members of the family are indeterminate or uncertain, tax may be imposed only by the territory in which the member of that family who customarily receives that income in the first instance in Nigeria usually resides.”

He also explained that individual earnings are subject to tax, and when groups such as partnerships, communities, or families earn taxable income collectively, they cannot claim exemption simply because they operate as a group.

“The income will therefore be taxed in the hands of individual members where their respective shares can be determined; otherwise, the group will be collectively taxed. This ensures equity and prevents a potential loophole in the tax law,” Oyedele said.

The clarification reinforces the government’s commitment to maintaining transparency and equity in Nigeria’s tax system, while also addressing misconceptions about the scope and implications of the proposed tax reforms