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Medical personnel attached to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, are battling to save a four-year-old girl, Faridat Shittu, who is in critical condition after a cooking gas explosion ravaged their residence at 1, Odubanwo Street, off Olaniyi Street, Gbinrinmi in Ojokoro LCDA, Lagos.
It was learned that Faridat’s grandfather, grandmother her uncle also suffered burns in the incident that occurred on Sunday.
Narrating what happened, one of the victims, Faridat’s grandmother, who is currently in severe pain in hospital said she was frying meat and suddenly the oil caught flame and efforts to control it got beyond their capacity, which led to an explosion of the cooking gas.
“The little girl of four years, Faridat Shittu was sleeping in the room when the incident happened about 2p.m., but was rescued by community members and other injured victims.
The 14-room building, including shops was burnt down due to the intensity of the explosion, thereby rendering 11 families homeless.
Jimi Solanke was a Nigerian folklore musician, film actor, dramatist, poet, and playwright, renowned for his mastery of storytelling as a cultural custodian who skillfully preserves and promotes Nigeria’s rich heritage through captivating performances.
The iconic figure, known for his multifaceted talents, breathed his last on Monday morning after a brief illness while en route to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.
Here are 15 things to know about the late Jimi Solanke
1. Jimi Solanke, a native of Ipara-Remo, Ogun State, was born on July 4, 1942, in Lagos.
2. He was fondly called ‘Uncle Jimi’ or ‘Baba Agba’
3. He was a Nigerian storyteller, film actor, dramatist, folk singer, poet, and playwright.
4. He attended Olowogbowo Methodist School for his elementary education before proceeding to Odogbolu Grammar School, Ogun State.
5. He graduated from the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a diploma certificate in drama.
6. Solanke joined the Department of Dramatic Arts at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU) in 1969.
7. After graduation, Solanke moved to the United States, where he created a drama group called The Africa Review, focusing on African culture. Members of this group usually put on African clothing, specifically Yoruba costumes.
8. Jimi Solanke established himself in Los Angeles, California, where his storytelling career began. He was described as a “master storyteller.”
9. In 1986, he returned to Nigeria with three members of the African Review Group to work with the Nigerian Television Authority. Then, he came up with Storyland, where he tells stories with the insertion of artistic works by artists. At the same time, he plays his guitar with kids surrounding him, singing and dancing.
10. Some of his songs include Onile Gogoro, Eje ka jo, Jenrokan, and Na today you come. He also produced albums such as Eke ka jo (Let us Dance), In the Beginning, Ase, Storyteller, America Has Got Magic, Orin Orisa, Multiplicity of Praise, Hidden Gold, and Once Upon a Time.
11. He starred in several shows on Nigerian Television (NTA) starting from the 1960s to date, including The Bar Beach Show, For Better for Worse, Village Headmaster, Family Scene on Lagos Television (LTV), Children’s Half Hour, Storyland, African Stories on (AIT), and Sango.
12. He began his professional acting career in 1961 as one of the pioneer members of the Orisun Theatre Group, founded by Wole Soyinka.
13. He was part of the team that made the film Kongi’s Harvest by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.
14. As an actor, he played different characters in movies such as Kurumi, Chattering and the Song, Ovoramwen Nogbaisi, The Divorce, Death and the King’s Horseman, and Siswe Bansi’s Death.
15. He was the voice of the narrator in Nollywood movie, Jagunjagun.
Members of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria have said they are storming the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to protest against the ban on the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets.
In an invite sent to The PUNCH on Monday, the association said the protest would hold today (Tuesday) at NAFDAC Office on the Lagos-Oshodi Apapa Expressway, Isolo, Lagos.
“We are extending our invitation to you to attend the peaceful protest on NAFDAC’s ban on alcoholic beverage drinks in sachets and pet bottles,” the notice said.
The association’s reaction came shortly after the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye,announced on Monday that the agency would begin the enforcement of the ban on the importation, manufacture, distribution, sale, and use of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET, and glass bottles of 200ml and below.
Adeyeye also told The PUNCH that NAFDAC would collaborate with the National Union of Road Transport Workers to enforce the ban.
She said, “We intend to work with the NURTW to ensure the enforcement of the banned products. We surely will work on that, and ensure that they are stopped and phased out.”
The NAFDAC DG, at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, said the agency had commenced the enforcement of the ban on the importation, manufacture, distribution, sale, and use of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET, and glass bottles of 200ml and below.
“As of January 31st, 2024, there is no alcoholic beverage in these categories that are registered by NAFDAC. I also want to inform you that the agency has started enforcement actions to enforce the implementation of this policy. The window period given to manufacturers by NAFDAC to sell off all alcoholic drinks in this category elapsed on January 31st, 2024.
“To this end on the first day, after the elapse of the window period, the agency commenced nationwide enforcement actions on February 1st, 2024 to enforce the implementation of the new policy,” she said.
She noted that during enforcement actions, it was discovered that some manufacturers of these banned products were still in production of the products, and still had stacks of both finished products and packaging materials of the products in their possession.
“This situation is of course not acceptable, and the agency views this as flagrant disobedience to the laws of Nigeria. NAFDAC views this matter seriously, and will engage all statutory means, which may include prosecution, to deal with the matter.
“I want to use this medium to ask all holders of alcohol in sachets, PET and glass bottles, empty sachets, PET bottles, empty glass bottles, and other packaging materials of these banned products to immediately report to the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC for hand-over of same to NAFDAC for destruction, to prevent sterner measures including prosecution,” she declared.
In January 2022, NAFDAC stopped the registration of alcoholic beverages in sachet and small volume PET and glass bottles below 200ml.
This decision was based on the recommendation of a high-powered committee of the Federal Ministry of Health and NAFDAC, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and the Industry represented by the Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers, Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, in December 2018.
As a result of the decision reached at the end of the committee meeting, producers of alcohol in sachets and small volume agreed to reduce the production by five per cent with effect from January 31st, 2022, while ensuring the product is completely phased out in the country by January 31st, 2024.
“NAFDAC committed to ensuring that the validity of renewal of already registered alcoholic products in the affected category does not exceed the year 2024.
“NAFDAC is resolutely committed to the strict implementation of the regulations and regulatory measures towards safeguarding the health of Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable youth, against the dangers of reckless consumption of alcohol,” Adeyeye assured.
The don warned that the people mostly at risk of the negative effects of consumption of the banned pack sizes of alcoholic beverages are the under-aged, commercial vehicle drivers and riders.
“The World Health Organisation has established that children who drink alcohol are more likely to use drugs, get bad grades, suffer injury or death, engage in risky sexual activity, make bad decisions, and have health problems. The WHO also stated that harmful consumption of alcohol is linked to more than 200 health conditions including infectious diseases – Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS; and non-communicable conditions- liver cirrhosis and different types of cancer.
“It is also associated with social problems, such as alcohol addiction and gender-based violence.
“To curb the menace of abuse of alcohol, WHO recommended some actions and strategies to policymakers that have shown to be effective and cost-effective, which includes regulating the marketing of alcoholic beverages, and regulating and restricting the availability of alcohol,” she said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has said it will arraign the General Overseer of Faith on the Rock Ministry International, Nasarawa State, Apostle Theophilus Ebonyi, whom it reportedly arrested for allegedly defrauding church members and other Nigerians as soon it concludes its investigation.
The anti-graft agency made this known in a statement tagged “EFCC Arrests Pastor for N1.3 Billion Fake Grants, Money Laundering” posted on its verified X handle, @officialEFCC, on Monday.
The statement said the pastor was arrested for allegedly using fake grants from the Ford Foundation to the tune of $1,319,040,274.31.
However, Ebonyi, in a Facebook Live video monitored by our correspondent on Monday evening claimed he was not arrested by the EFCC or any other organisation while faulting bloggers for being responsible for the “fake news”.
This was countered by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, who told PUNCH Metro exclusively that Ebonyi had been released on bail after his arrest in June 2023.
The statement partly read, “Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested the General Overseer of Faith on The Rock Ministry International, Apostle Theophilus Oloche Ebonyi, for defrauding church members and other Nigerians using fake grants from the Ford Foundation to the tune of N1,319,040,274.31 (one billion, three hundred and nineteen million, forty thousand, two hundred and seventy-four naira, and thirty-one kobo).
Ebonyi was arrested for defrauding his victims, comprising non-governmental organizations, NGOs, and individuals, by advertising an intervention project through his NGO (Theobarth Global Foundation), claiming that the Ford Foundation was offering a grant of $20,000,000 (twenty billion United States dollars) to assist the less-privileged in society.
“He allegedly beguiled his victims to subscribe as beneficiaries of the phony grant by asking them to pay for registration forms and clusters. Each subscriber was made to pay N1,800,000 (one million, eight hundred thousand Naira only). Through this arrangement, Ebonyi allegedly raked in N1,391,040,274.31.
“His subscribers are innocent and unsuspecting Nigerians and NGOs across the country.
“Investigations by the EFCC showed that the Ford Foundation had no arrangement, grant, relationship or business with Ebonyi.
“The Foundation pointedly disclaimed him and his NGO, stressing that it had no link whatsoever with them. The Commission has also traced five properties he acquired as a result of his criminal dealings.
“Ebonyi is still reportedly reaching his subscribers on some social media platforms to market his spurious grant from the Ford Foundation.
“He will be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded.”
Olaiya Igwe, the esteemed Yoruba actor also known as Ebun Oloyede, has issued a public apology to Nigerians for going naked at a beach to campaign for Bola Tinubu.
In a now-deleted video shared on his Instagram account on Monday, the actor explained that his actions were driven by a divine revelation he claimed to have received regarding Tinubu.
In the video, Igwe acknowledged Tinubu’s assistance, particularly in matters related to his health, as the reason behind his show of support for the politician.
Speaking in Yoruba, Olaiya said, “Because of things he has done for me, health-wise, and I received a revelation to pray for him at the beach, which I did.
“I was criticised and cursed after I did, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t annoyed with him (Tinubu), and neither did I react negatively to him. I knew the criticism was inevitable because I am a much-loved actor.
“People who didn’t expect my actions must have been shocked, wondering why I did what I did. I know the criticism would have come from Bola Tinubu’s rival parties.”
Igwe attracted attention in 2023 for praying naked at a beach for Tinubu.
Media
VIDEO: Veteran Yoruba Actor, Olaiya Igwe Apologises for Praying Naked For Tinubu
— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) February 5, 2024
Olaiya Igwe, the esteemed Yoruba actor also known as Ebun Oloyede, has issued a public apology to Nigerians for going naked at a beach to campaign for Bola Tinubu.
In a now deleted video shared… pic.twitter.com/jwA3D9jRx2
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has disclosed that over 50 percent of certificates of imported pharmaceutical products into Nigeria are counterfeit.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made this revelation during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with regulators, policymakers, and law enforcement agencies held in Abuja on Monday.
The certificate of a pharmaceutical product follows the format recommended by the World Health Organization. It confirms the status of the pharmaceutical product and the applicant for the certificate in the exporting country.
This certificate is specific to a single product, given that manufacturing arrangements and approved information for various dosage forms and strengths can differ.
Adeyeye indicated that the objective of the meeting with stakeholders is to ensure that medical products available in the market are of appropriate quality, safe, and effective.
She also stated that substandard and falsified products pose a threat to the accessibility of safe, effective, and affordable medicines and hinder the attainment of universal health coverage in Nigeria and Africa.
“We have 55 countries in Africa, and we belong to the Member States globally, and we agreed to ensure that products coming to the region are of quality and WHO created a scheme called certificate of pharmaceutical product, and what this means is that if we send a certificate of pharmaceutical product out to another country, we are assuring the receiving country that it will be of quality.
“Most of our medicines come from South East Asia, and we belong to the member states too. We have a scheme where before medicines that were approved leave that part of the world, we do pre-shipment testing, and that comes with CPP to assure us of quality, but that is not the case because, through our scheme, we have been able to stop over 140 products that were approved from coming in.
“We found out that more than 50 per cent of the CPPs that come into our country are fake. Part of the responsibility is our people who go to China or India, and we are going to deal with it. It’s a Member States issue, and we are going to deal with it.
“We are very stringent than ever, and there is no cutting of corners, we have blacklisted many companies, we have sanctioned them because we want people to respect our people. Trade is a mutual agreement and if that agreement is harming one part of the agreement, we will stop it. If a company is suspected to be compromising, in two hours we will be there, and we will shut the company down,” she noted.
The NAFDAC boss lamented that the relatively high prevalence of substandard and falsified medicines in Africa is a major threat to public health.
According to her, the prevalence of substandard and falsified medicines in the region is due to limited regulation processes.
“Only about 10 per cent of national regulatory agencies have attained maturity level three. What leads to maturity level three is market control, and that is one of the nine models of maturity level three, so we have a lot of work to do in Africa.
“The NAFDAC’s mandate puts a burden on us to see a reduction in substandard and falsified medicines, both the ones that are locally manufactured and the ones that are imported.
“NAFDAC is doing its best to fight substandard and falsified medicines and products based on three thematic areas, which are to prevent, detect, and respond. It is a community effort to fight this, and we seek partnership to find out lapses so we can fight it,” she stated.
The World Health Organization (WHO) certified NAFDAC in 2022, affirming its stable, well-functioning, and integrated regulatory system with a maturity level 3 rating on the Global Benchmarking Tool scale.
NAFDAC meets the criteria for inclusion in the transitional WHO Listed Authority, a compilation of the world’s regulatory bodies of reference recognized for meeting WHO and other international standards.
Attaining ML 4 status signifies the highest level in the WHO’s classification of regulatory authorities for medical products.
Some gunmen hijacked transport buses heading to Abuja from Kogi State and kidnapped the passengers.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command, CP Bethrand Onuoha, has deployed a tactical team to rescue the victims of Sunday’s incident, in which some transport buses heading to Abuja yesterday were hijacked by kidnappers on the Kogi State axis of the Abuja expressway.
In a statement by the Command’s Spokesperson, SP William Ovye Aya, “the incident happened, but the DPO, local vigilantes, and hunters have been in the bush in an effort to rescue the victims.”
“CP has deployed an additional Tactical Squad consist of Quick Response Unit, Police Mobile Force, and Counter-Terrorism Unit, as well as conventional police personnel, to the area to continue with the bush combing and to ensure all victims are rescued unhurt.”
Narrating his ordeal as a result of the kidnapping of his wife, a middle-aged man (names withheld) disseminated the information about the ugly incident on social media.
According to him, “I tried to message you on X and IG, but none went through, so I decided to send you a mail.
“Kindly assist in raising awareness about the hijacking of a bus by gunmen at Kogi yesterday, and unfortunately, my wife was in that bus.
“The bus left Umuahia at 7:30 a.m. and was hijacked in Kogi State. The company said they have contacted security services, and they are tracking them.
“The kidnappers called this morning via my wife’s phone and were demanding N15 million. Kindly assist in creating awareness on social media.”
This development has sent shivers down the spines of road users, as they are now afraid of being victims of the activities of kidnappers within the Kogi/Abuja expressway.
However, many road users are optimistic that with the level of mobilization by security agencies, the victims will be rescued and the suspects arrested.
Nollywood actress cum politician, Tonto Dikeh, and his former boyfriend, Prince Kpokpogiri, are reportedly back together as friends.
Naija News reports that this was made known by Nigerian entertainment journalist, Stella Dimoko Korkus.
According to her, Tonto and Kpokpogiri agreed to become friends again after the Intervention of Senator Ned Nwoko, husband of Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels.
Recall that the former lovebirds had a messy break-up in 2021, a few months after they announced their romantic relationship online, with Tonto Dikeh alleging threats to her life.
However, Ned Nwoko reportedly invited Tonto and Kpokpogiri to his Abuja house on Sunday, February 5, 2024, and pleaded with them to make peace and be friendly towards each other.
They both agreed, shook hands and decided to bury the past and move ahead as friends.
According to the source, the duo were spotted laughing over their controversial fight that shook the internet and their reality.
The General Overseer of Faith On The Rock Ministry International, Apostle Theophilus Oloche Ebonyi, has been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He stands accused of defrauding his congregation and other Nigerians through the use of counterfeit grants, purportedly from the Ford Foundation, totalling N1,319,040,274.31.
According to a statement by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Ebonyi’s arrest stems from allegations of swindling victims, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals.
He allegedly promoted an intervention project via his NGO, Theobarth Global Foundation, falsely asserting that the Ford Foundation was offering a $20,000,000.000 grant to aid the less fortunate in society.
It was reported that Ebonyi utilized various social media platforms to promote his fraudulent grant, supposedly from the Ford Foundation, to his followers.
The statement added that Ebonyi “allegedly beguiled his victims to subscribe as beneficiaries of the phony grant by asking them to pay for registration forms and clusters.
“Each subscriber was made to pay N1,800,000. Through this arrangement, Ebonyi allegedly raked in N1,391,040, 274.31. His subscribers are innocent and unsuspecting Nigerians and NGOs across the country.”
EFCC investigations revealed that the Ford Foundation had no affiliation, grant, association, or dealings with Ebonyi.
The Foundation explicitly disavowed any connection with him or his NGO, emphasizing their lack of association.
Additionally, the EFCC has traced five properties acquired by Ebonyi as proceeds from his illicit activities.
The anti-graft agency further stated that the suspect would face charges in court once investigations are concluded.
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, yesterday, lamented that many Nigerians are suffering difficult times bedeviling the country.
He, however, declared that the governors and the President are secure and unaware of the hardship in the country.
He spoke during the February Thanksgiving Service themed: ‘Let The Wind Blow’, held at the Throne of Grace Parish, RCCG Headquarters, in Ebute Meta, Lagos.
Adeboye, who maintained that the wind was already blowing, begged Nigerians to pray and cry to God to show mercy on Nigeria.
Speaking on the value of the dollar to naira, he said: “Remember at the beginning of the year, God said that things are going to get worse before they get better. If you know the value of the naira to the dollar by January 1, if you compare the value of the naira to the dollar today; you would say, it looks like this boy knows what he was saying.”
According to him, when things get worse, it is the innocent people who would suffer.
His words: “We have to pray with all our strength because when you say things would get worse before they get better. We don’t know how worse or how farther before they can get better. With all your heart, cry to God and say please have mercy on us, intervene quickly.
“It does not matter how much they are changing the dollar, they are secured where they are. The Governor does not need to know the cost of petrol; he doesn’t want to know how much petrol is in his tank. When he wants to go out, he comes out and enters his car. He doesn’t queue at the petrol station.
“The President doesn’t need to know how much they sell bread; that is none of his business; it would get to his table when he wants to eat.
“It is the common people like you and I who can tell that at the beginning of the year, this is how much they are selling rice, because we have to buy.
“I have told you that I am not a Prophet, I am a Pastor. At the beginning of the year, the Lord said that the wind was going to blow, and the wind was already blowing. As it is, there is nothing we can do to stop it.”
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The United Kingdom has revealed two kinds of English language tests required for nationals seeking immigration routes.
Britain made this known in its updated information on its website on Monday.
It stated that an assessment of reading, writing, speaking and listening abilities is required for applicants like health and care workers, high potential individuals, innovator founders, ministers of religion, scale-up workers, skilled workers, start-ups, and students.
“There are 2 types of test as different immigration routes require different levels of English language ability. The test you will need to take depends on what you are applying for,” it disclosed.
“For the following application routes, you will need to take a test that assesses your reading, writing, speaking and listening abilities: Health and Care Worker, High Potential Individual
Innovator Founder, Minister of Religion, Scale-up Worker, Skilled Worker, Start-up, and Student.
It added that only speaking and listening abilities are prerequisites for citizenship, international sportsperson, parent, partner, Representative of an Overseas Business, and settlement.
“For the following application routes, you will need to take a test that assesses your speaking and listening abilities: citizenship, International Sportsperson, parent, partner, Representative of an Overseas Business, and settlement (also known as indefinite leave to remain),” it added.
“The level of test you will need, known as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level, will depend on the route you are applying for. To find out which level you need, see the specific guidance for your immigration route.
Speaking about approved test providers, it disclosed, “If you are in the UK, you can only take a SELT with one of the following providers: LanguageCert, Pearson, Trinity College London, and
IELTS SELT Consortium.
“If you are outside of the UK, you can only take a SELT with one of the following providers: LanguageCert, Pearson, PSI Services (UK) Ltd – Skills for English (UKVI), and IELTS SELT Consortium.”
Former Nollywood couple, Saidi Balogun and Faithia Williams mark their 55th and 57th birthday respectively
AdminNigerian film actress, Faithia Williams has sweetly celebrated her estranged husband and father of her kids, Saidi Balogun on his birthday today.
The former power couple, both turn a new age today and have taken to social media to celebrate their new age.
In a lengthy post on his Instagram page, Saidi described the past year as a roller coaster with highs and lows, curves and bends. However, his engine keeps moving and never topples.
The Yoruba actor stated that he is not just celebrating his birthday today, but is celebrating all Aquarius worldwide, most especially February-born and those who share the same date with him. Saidi Balogun wrote:
‘We won’t give you the power to dumb Afrobeats” – Davido’s hypeman, Special Spesh fumes over Grammy results
“All those who are born in February hands up ???? ????
Life has been a roller coaster with highs and lows, curves, and bends. But the engine keeps moving, it never topples. Ground solid, no sinking. Dogs barking, sometimes biting, it never penetrates but breaks their teeth. Why, because I dwell under the shadow of Almighty Allah S.W.T, the author of my destiny.
Another year added, I celebrate with all Aquarius worldwide, All February born especially February 5. Happy birthday to us!.”
Taking to his comment section, his estranged wife, Faithia Williams wished him a happy birthday, she wrote:
“Happy birthday SB”.
Faithia Williams also took to her Instagram page to share a clip of her dancing, as she stated that she is embracing a year of growth, laughter, and more. She cheered on to more years of celebrating life’s beautiful journey. She wrote:
“Embracing another year of growth, laughter, and cherished moments. Here’s to celebrating life’s beautiful journey on my special day”.
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has said it is too early to criticize President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, but those in government should not be complacent.
Naija News reports that the former lawmaker stated this during Legit’s recent Twitter Space titled; “Tackling Corruption or Insecurity: Priorities for the FG in 2024”.
Sani noted that Tinubu does not have the luxury of time to waste and must take action regarding governance because Buhari’s government also asked for time and ended up doing nothing in eight years.
He said, “I believe six/seven months is still too early, but we shouldn’t be complacent because of the last administration. The best thing is to still give them time and see what they can achieve.
“But the President does not have the luxury of time to waste. He has to wake up and do what is needful. That’s why he was elected into office.”
Speaking further, Sani said there has been improvement in terms of security on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway since Tinubu assumed office.
Sani said kidnapping is still going in that axis, but there are few reported incidents compared to Buhari’s administration.
He said, “Kidnapping is still going on, people are still being kidnapped, and terrorists are still resurging. But I can tell you comparatively that what the army, police and security forces are doing today is better than where we came from.
“It was virtually impossible for people for people to move from Kaduna to Abuja. But now reported incidents are very few.
“It is still going on up till today and the president has to know if he is going to make a difference in the hearts and minds of Nigerians and prove that he is different. People will not tolerate a certain percentage of progress but they want a complete peace and restoration of law and order in this country which is a challenge to him.”
Bose Ogulu, the mother and manager of Nigerian award-winning singer, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has taken to social media to celebrate her son, despite losing his four Grammy nominations.
Naija News reports that amidst Burna Boy’s loss, he still shone brightly at the 66th Grammys for making history as the first Nigerian and Afrobeats artiste to perform live at the award mainstage.
The ‘African Giant’ crooner performed a medley of songs from his latest album, ‘I Told Them’ to a hyped audience at the Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles.
He was later joined on stage by legendary singer, Brandy, and rapper, 21 Savage.
Before the performance, Burna Boy lost the Best Global Music Performance award to ‘Pashto’ by Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer and Zakir Hussain; Best Global Music Album to Shakti’s ‘This Moment’; Best Melodic Rap Performance to Lil Durk’s ‘All My Life’; and Best African Music Performance to Tyla’s ‘Water.’
However, Bose took to her Instagram page to celebrate her son, describing him as the blueprint of Afrobeat music.
The excited mother said the singer is continuously etching his name in the sands of time.
She wrote, “burnaboygram etching his name in the sands of time. Legacy. So proud of @fromtheoutsiders & my entire Spaceship team. Champions you are Ebunoluwa, the gift of God that adds blessings & no sorrow. You are indeed the blueprint.”