FEATURES
Online skills training platform, Coursera, has listed the top 10 tech skills that will be in high demand this year 2024.
The company in its Job Skills of 2024 report said the top skills that several organizations will be seeking this year include System Security, which is the skill of securing the networks and resources of an organization; the ability to use the Linux operating system for all devices; and Systems Design.
Changing job market
Coursera in the report noted that a rapidly changing job market is boosting the need for developer skills, which is why three out of ten of the fastest-growing tech skills this year are developer skills React (a web programming framework), software architecture, and Django (also a web framework).
- “They are in demand across verticals and growing the fastest among government-affiliated learners. This correlates with global job growth. In the United States alone over 400,000 new developer jobs are expected to be created by 2031.
- “The skill requirements of developers are meanwhile evolving, as AI-augmented tools like Github Copilot help teams by making suggestions that enable them to code faster. The need for developer skills may also reflect an accelerated investment in both end-user experiences of government websites and e-servicing platforms, alongside digital transformation in key public services, such as benefit applications.
- “Further, the rise in developer skills could factor into a shift in which job-seekers or current employees from non-technical backgrounds seek to expand their skill sets into new areas—with 73% of employees globally reporting that they do not currently feel equipped to learn the digital skills needed by businesses now,” the report stated.
The 10 skills are:
- System Security is the skill of securing the networks and resources of an organization
- Linux, the ability to use the Linux operating system for all devices
- System Design, defining the architecture, product design, modules, interfaces, and data to satisfy specified requirements
- React (Web Framework), which is the ability to create intuitive user interfaces with the React open-source web framework from Meta
- Software Architecture is the skill of translating software characteristics into a structured solution that matches business and technical requirements
- Computer Security Incident Management, which involves creating a comprehensive and robust IT security infrastructure
- Django (Web Framework), the use of Django, a high-level Python web framework that enables rapid development of secure and maintainable websites
- Cyberattacks, which involve protecting an organization’s people and assets against cybercriminals, from ransomware to denial of service;
- Security Software is the skill of ensuring that devices and networks are secure and ready for any challenges, from email security to intrusion detection.
- Security Strategy, developing a dynamic and proactive cybersecurity strategy
How the skills were identified
Providing a background to the report, the CEO of Coursera, Jeff Maggioncalda, said the report identifies the year’s fastest–growing skills, based on insights from five million enterprise learners affiliated with 3,000 businesses, 3,600 higher education institutions, and governments in over 100 countries.
- “These learners, who access Coursera through institutions focused on employment readiness and upskilling, represent a significant subset of Coursera’s total learner base of more than 136 million. This foundation of learner data enables us to identify meaningful skill trends. In addition to examining the fastest-growing skills in the business, technology, and data science domains, this year’s report also explores the fastest-growing AI, cybersecurity, and leadership skills,” he said.
He added that in a world that is increasingly reshaped by technology, AI, and globalization, companies must equip individuals with the right skills to promote career success and stay competitive.
According to him, many business leaders are currently worried that recent graduates are not adequately prepared for the workforce a concern intensified by the rapid advancement of AI and the profound ways in which it is impacting how people live, learn, and work.
[Nairametrics]
•Calls for private sector investment in power transmission
•Economy to remain bleak in next 6 months – NECA
•Says fuel subsidy removal, forex harmonisation worsened socio-economic woes
•Why 2024’ll be challenging for manufacturing sector – MAN
THE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, has called on the federal government to provide more detailed plans and strategies to tackle the critical socio-economic, and security challenges facing the nation.
Reacting to the New Year address by President Bola Tinubu, LCCI Director General, Dr. Chinyere Almona, who commended the President’s commitment to addressing critical issues that impact the economy, noted that the speech had no clear strategies for tackling the challenges.
LCCI spoke as the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, warned that there would be no significant growth in the nation’s economic outlook in the next six months, saying the economy would remain bleak as fuel subsidy removal and forex harmonisation worsened socio-economic woes.
Also, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, said the outlook for the manufacturing sector in the first half of 2024 might not be positive,.
No measures to close widening wealth gap
In a statement, Almona said while the commitment to building a fair and equitable society and addressing inequality was commendable, there were no specific policy measures to close the widening wealth gap in the country.
He said: “LCCI appreciates the President’s efforts to address these critical issues facing the nation. However, the chamber urges the administration to provide more detailed plans and strategies to tackle these challenges such as inflation, under-employment, security, and social inequality. A transparent and inclusive approach to governance will contribute to building public confidence and achieving sustainable economic growth.”
Boosting power supply, food production
LCCI applauded plans for the power sector and food production and recommended steps to achieving them.
“The commitment to power projects, including the Siemens Energy initiative and efforts to enhance the reliability of transmission lines is a positive step towards addressing the critical issue of electricity supply, which aligns with the business community’s aspirations for a robust and diversified economy.
“However, there is an urgent need to address the structure of the power sector. The government needs to consider bringing private sector investment into the transmission segment of the power sector. This would ensure adequate technical and financial capacity for a well-functioning sector to power economic growth.
“The focus on cultivating farmlands to grow staple crops and boost food security aligns with the need to ensure constant food supply, security, and affordability for citizens. However, LCCI cautions that the productivity of the farmlands and the effectiveness of investments in food production are subject to adequate security measures. Investment in agriculture has a limited chance of success as long as the government fails to deal with the security issues.”
New national wage
“The announcement of a new national living wage is a positive step towards ensuring the well-being of workers and promoting inclusive economic growth. The dedication to creating a conducive business environment is commendable. The assurance to simplify fiscal and tax policies, the commitment to removing obstacles hindering business competitiveness, and the call for collaboration with the private sector resonate well with the Chamber’s vision for a thriving business environment,” Almona stated.
Managing fuel subsidy removal impact
The chamber also called for the careful management of the impact of the fuel subsidy removal
“LCCI believes that while removing the fuel subsidy was necessary, its impact on individuals, families, and businesses, leading to discomfort, must be carefully managed. The potential ripple effects on the cost of living and inflation must be closely monitored. Acknowledging the challenges of high inflation (above 28%) and an unacceptable under-employment rate is crucial.
“However, specific strategies to address these issues were not mentioned, leaving room for concerns about the impact on citizens.
“While efforts to address security challenges were mentioned, specific details on comprehensive security strategies were limited. The acknowledgment that security problems are not entirely solved raises questions about the effectiveness of current measures.
“The commitment to building a fair and equitable society and addressing inequality is commendable, however, specific policy measures to close the widening wealth gap are unclear,” the statement added.
Economy to remain bleak in next 6 months – NECA
On its part, NECA, the umbrella organization for employers in the country, said the economy would begin to show signs of growth after six months of the government’s pragmatic implementation of various initiated reforms, among others.“In a chat with Vanguard, NECA Director-General, Adewale-Smart Oyerinde, described 2023 as most challenging for businesses, compounded by the petrol subsidy removal and harmonization of foreign exchange rates.
His words: “2023 was a year in which we had significant economic challenges that created different dynamics for organised businesses. While trying to surmount the obstacles that COVID threw on our way, other challenges that we created for ourselves as a people continued to dig us deeper into the hole. 2023 came with many challenges.
Issues that hurt businesses in 2023
“It is now stale news to say tax remains top of the issue that organised businesses faced. Policy inconsistency from 2022 up to the early part of 2023 was also a serious challenge that organised businesses faced. While the last administration made promises, the rate of reversal of those policies made it very difficult for organised businesses to plan.
“Similarly, regulatory and legislative incursion and harassment negated all the attempts at improving the ease of doing business. These were the things that we faced in the early part of 2023.
“After the general elections, he continued: “The new government came up and removed the fuel subsidy, which naturally increased the cost of doing business and living. Just as energy cost skyrocketed, the cost for logistics also skyrocketed. The harmonisation of the exchange rate also came with its own dynamics.
“The value of naira plummeted significantly and we are still trying to find a balance. Forex, which remains scarce, also had serious effects on the cost of doing business for organised businesses, especially those compelled to import inputs.
“All of these things created problems for organised businesses. Though some have said the government is only seven-month-old and it has started on a good trajectory by trying to reverse the pattern of recklessness that we witnessed in the past, we hope that the effect of those policies will start coming to fruition as quickly as possible this new year.
“We know that the last administration supported the naira with over N150 billion on a monthly basis for us to have a seemingly workable naira exchange rate. This government has stopped that pattern. It also stopped the pattern of fuel subsidy that had become a deep hole in the country’s purse while aligning the fiscal and monetary policy environment. This is a positive for us. We are hoping that the foundation that they have set will create an opportunity for the economy to start booming before the end of 2024, so that the pattern of businesses exiting the country and high rate of unemployment will reduce significantly.
For us, 2023 was a challenging year and we hope that the steps taken by this administration will yield positive results this 2024.”
NECA’s outlook for 2024
On the economic outlook for this year, the NECA DG said: “The first and second quarters might not be called definitive quarters for us. Probably, the end of second quarter to the end of the year might be more friendly. For instance, there was a report that the dollar inflow to the country has increased by about four per cent.
”We also know that the Taiwo Oyedele Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Monetary Reforms will round off its work between the first and second quarters of 2024 with the expectations that the implementation of far-reaching recommendations of that committee will start coming up to make the tax environment much more friendly and make tax collection much more efficient as well as reduce the burden of multiplicity of taxes on organised businesses.
“If that is done, it would create a bit of dynamics within the context of multiplicity of taxes – both legal and illegal – that organised businesses are paying.
“As reported, we know that the Port Harcourt Refinery has come on board, Dangote Refinery has received the fourth tranche of millions of barrels of crude oil. The expectation is that, by the reason of both refineries coming on board and one or two modular refineries, the pressure on forex will reduce.
”The forex that is used in the importation of petrol might be saved, resulting in an increase in the volume of forex we have in the country, which could also have an effect on the value of the naira.
“In the long run, it is all about demand and supply because if there is shortage of dollars and huge naira chasing a few dollars, naturally demand and supply say if demand is more than supply, then the price will go up. If supply is more than demand, the price will come down. It is simple economics.
“The price of crude has also increased significantly. This will change the game for the government as more revenue will come in. We also know that a lot of reforms and private sector engagement are going on in most of those agencies.
“If we aggregate all these signals, we might want to say we are getting a semblance of positive vibes. If all these things are implemented conscientiously with a high level of citizen engagement and consensus, there are chances that 2024 will be better than 2023.
“We believe that with continuous engagement and advocacy by the private sector, 2024 will be a foundational year for the prosperity and economic growth we are all anticipating.”
MAN unveils sector outlook for 2024
In like manner, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Director General, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, in an interview with newsmen, projected that 2024 would be challenging, with a subtle possibility of recovery from the third quarter.
According to him, the envisaged recovery is highly dependent on the deployment of policy stimulus supported with a synthesis of domestic growth, driven by export-focused and offensive trade strategies.
This, he said, would promote resilience, steady growth and ensure that the sector gained meaningful traction in the later part of the year.
He noted that a quick examination of the trajectory of manufacturing globally portrayed a struggling sector challenged by key macroeconomic variables and externalities, leading to dwindling growth.
This, he said, was evidenced by the manufacturing growth rates in China, United States of America, and South Africa with Nigeria not exempted.
He noted that the manufacturing growth rate nose-dived to 0.48 per cent in Q3 2023, against 2.4 per cent in 2021.
Drawing from likely economic dynamics and in the light of the aforementioned, the projections for the manufacturing sector in 2024 are as follows: There will be clarity on the actual and specific policy direction and priority areas of the current administration, especially around deepening industrialisation and we look forward to engaging government in this regard.
“In 2024, sectoral real growth is expected to hit about 3.2 per cent; contribution to the economy will most likely exceed 10 per cent and the Manufacturers’ CEOs Confidence Index is predicted to rise above the 55 points threshold by the end of Q4 2023.
“Average capacity utilisation will still hover around the 50 per cent threshold as the foreign exchange related challenges and high inflation rate limiting manufacturing performance may linger until mid-year.
“The sector may experience a meagre improvement in manufacturing output as foreign exchange and interest rates related challenges are expected to subside from the third quarter.”
Ajayi-Kadir added that higher manufacturing output was envisaged from the beginning of the third quarter of the year as the government disburses capital provisions of the budget to abandoned, ongoing and new capital projects with expected special preference for locally made products.
He said the ongoing concessions of seaports, airports and roads might also provide opportunities for the cement sub-sector and contribute to infrastructure upgrades needed to enhance manufacturing productivity.
He said results of the emerging upward surge in global oil prices, domestic oil and gas production, local refining of petroleum products and projected gains of exchange rate unification would promote stability in the foreign exchange market.
This, he stated, would impact manufacturing positively from the second half of the year and lead to reduction in the pressure on demand for foreign exchange and improve the inflow of export proceeds from oil and gas.
“We should expect dynamic implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, which will increase private investment in renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency and improve electricity supply to the manufacturing sector.
“The improved electricity supply will ameliorate the issue of inadequacy, reduce the disruptions occasioned by frequent outages and in turn improve energy security.
“In broad terms, the year 2024 may start on a tough note for manufacturing but may end with some measured improvements because the envisaged policy reforms, improved commitment to domestic production and general positive outlook seems favourable for the sector,” he said.
[Vanguard]
The abducted Chairman of Akwanga Local Government Council in Nasarawa State, Mr. Safiyanu Isah Andaha, and three other persons abducted by suspected bandits have been released after payment of N10 million ransom.
Daily Trust had reported that the council boss, alongside his friend, Adamu Custom and two others, were kidnapped along Akwanga-Andaha road Monday night.
A close associate to the chairman, who preferred anonymity, told our correspondent that all the victims were released behind an obsolete filling station on Bayan Dutse road on the outskirts of Andaha town.
“They were released on Tuesday night around 9pm behind a filling station on Bayan Dutse road and the sum of N10 million was paid as ransom,” the source said.
The source, however, informed our correspondent that he overheard the council boss narrating his bitter experience to one of his close friends; how the abductors humiliated them in the bush.
Our correspondent learnt that shortly after they were freed, they were rushed to Custom’s residence in Andaha and a few minutes later, the chairman alongside some of the victims were companied by a heavy security opperatives to the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Keffi for medical attention.
The federal lawmakers have increased the budget of the National Assembly budget from N197.93billion proposed for them by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to N344.48bn.
The approved budget of N344.48bn is higher than combined budgets of the 15 biggest federal universities across the country. The universities will be spending just N327.8bn for 2024.
The National Assembly with less than two thousand lawmakers and staff, and with fewer capital projects, will also be spending far higher than eight teaching hospitals with over one million staff and student-doctors.
The Senate and the House of Representatives lawmakers passed the FG budget on Saturday after increasing it from N27.5 trillion proposed by the president to N28.7trn, a difference of about N1.2 trn.
This is happening at a time when many Nigerians are enduring harsh economic pains occasioned by FG’s economic reforms.
In the budget seen by our reporter yesterday, the eight teaching hospitals will be spending justN190.8bn, about N154bn less than N344.48 budgeted for the National Assembly for 2024.
Daily Trust reports that Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, budgetedN37.6bn to spend next year; University College Hosptal, Ibadan:N27.2bn, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu:N25.6bn and University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Uyo:N20.6bn.
Others are Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospitals (AKUTH), Kano:N20.5bn, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ife:N19.9bn, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) Port Harcourt:N19.8bn and University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin:N19.6bn.
Similarly, fifteen federal universities’ cumulative budget of N327.8billion for their capital and recurrent expenditures for 2024 is lower than the National Assembly’s.
According to the document seen in the Budget Office by our reporter, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has a total budget ofN36.6bn, University of Calabar:N29.5bn, Ahmadu Bello University:N29.2bn and Nnamdi Azikiwe University:N26.3bn.
Others include: University of Benin:N24.2bn, University of Ibadan:N23.4bn, University of Maiduguri:N22.3bn, University of Port Harcourt:N19.6bn, University of Lagos:N19.4bn, Obafemi Awolowo University:N17.1bn, Bayero University:N17bn, University of Tech, Owerri:N16.8bn, University of Jos:N16.2bn, University of Uyo:N15.6bn and National Open University:N14.6bn.
Many non-governmental organisations have been calling on the federal government and the National Assembly to increase the budgetary allocation to the education sector.
They said despite the United Nations’ goal for education, Nigeria remains one of the countries with the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, adding that Nigeria still has more than 10 million children out there who can’t afford education.
Going by UNESCO’s recommendation, Nigeria should spend between 15 and 20 per cent of its annual budget on the education sector.
However, a review of the federal government’s proposed budget revealed that the budget for education this year, 2024, is less than seven per cent.
Former speaker of the Ondo state House of Assembly, Bakita Bello, has accused desperate politicians of failing to show enough love and respect for the late Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
Naija News reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain made this known in an interview with PUNCH.
Speaking on the political crisis that rocked the state some months ago between the House of Assembly members, Akeredolu and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Bello admitted that the situation was caused by the failure to comply with the bidding of the 1999 Constitution, which demands the transmission of power to the deputy governor when necessary for the smooth running of government.
Bello frowned at how some politicians exploited the political crisis for their selfish ends and disrespected the constituted authority and the rule of law because of the 2024 governorship election.
He said, “It is common knowledge that the crisis was caused by the failure to comply with the bidding of the 1999 Constitution as Amended (2011), which demands the transmission of power by a governor to his deputy, as and when necessary, for the smooth running of government. Fortunately, the needful was done and the acting governor has now become the substantive governor.
“The worst aspect of the sad situation, however, is the role of some individuals and groups in exploiting the matters for their selfish ends.
“Some have reasoned that the race and interests for the next governorship contest may be the root cause. Yes, it could be true, but the political actors engaged in the logjam had exhibited crass opportunism, insubordination, and total disrespect for constituted authority and the rule of law. They didn’t show enough love and respect for the late governor’s predicament.”
The Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has appealed to Nigerians to support renowned Nollywood actor, Zack Orji, who recently underwent brain surgery on January 1, 2024.
During her visit to Orji at a private hospital in Wuse on Tuesday, Musawa expressed her sympathy to the actor’s family.
A statement by her Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, highlighted Orji’s significance as a “national asset.”
The statement read, “God will heal him and he will be well. We will do all we can to support him. We solicit the collective prayers of Nigerians because he is like a part of our families. We have watched him entertain us and we see him as a national treasure. So the best we can do is to ensure that we support him to have the best treatment.
“We will reach out to other well-meaning Nigerians to support Zack Orji through prayers and other means available to ensure that he survives this ailment.
“This is not only about the Ministry which I am representing. You know that Zack Orji has been in the industry for decades. This is a man who has given his time and effort to entertain Nigerians. He is one of the individuals who laid the foundation for Nollywood and the film industry in Nigeria but now he is sick and the least we can do as an administration is to give him all the necessary support through prayers and otherwise to ensure that we save his life. This will also propel the administration to look at the welfare of artists and others in the industry who have not only given their time and energy, but people like Zack Orji who have become national treasures.”
The Nollywood star’s wife, Ngozi Zack Orji, thanked the minister for her benevolence and for creating time to visit her husband.
Orji’s wife said, “We thank God that he is alive today. He had an emergency surgery late last night after we moved him out of the previous hospital and that saved his life. We are happy that God has shown us mercy. We seek the support of kind Nigerians to pray for his quick recovery and assist us in any way they deem necessary.”
Get Nigeria To Work, Youths Won’t Keep Silent For Long - Sam Adeyemi Send Message To Older Generation:
AdminPastor Sam Adeyemi has called on the older generation to work for the betterment of the country, saying the youths will demand accountability from them.
The cleric and Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre (DCC) spoke on Tuesday, attributing it to youths’ access to information.
He said leaders from all sectors must therefore work together to make the country better in the face of issues affecting Nigeria.
“The elite class – those of us who belong to this class – need to begin to discuss among ourselves and honestly, we need to act with urgency and I need to plead with those of us in the elite class and I am talking about everyone who has been able to walk their way to the top and fairly comfortable and I am talking about people of the highest level in the political class at the National Assembly, the governors, state house assembly and so on. I am talking of those of us in the business sector and those who are heads of religious institutions,” he said on Channels Television’s breakfast show Sunrise Daily.
“It will be in our self-interest to get Nigeria to work now because the younger generation is more enlightened and have access to more information and they are not going to keep silent for long. It will get rougher and rougher to lead because they will demand accountability and good leadership.”
Pastor Sam as he is often called, also said the country needs to evaluate its moral values. This, he noted is key to restoring Nigeria. According to him, every nation grows on certain values which are inculcated in citizens.
He also rued Nigeria’s out-of-school number and said the development leaves much to be desired. According to him, with millions of children on the streets, many of them become easy targets for criminals to recruit.
The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a 31-year-old man, Abubakar Tasi’u Tanimu, with 13 stolen ATM cards, one national identity card, and wallet containing documents.
Spokesperson of the Command, SP Suleiman Nguroje, who disclosed this in a press statement on Tuesday, January 2, 2023, said that the suspect is a resident of the Tsohon Kasuwa neighbourhood.
The PPRO said the suspect was nabbed last Friday, December 29, 2023, by police operatives attached to the Department of State Intelligence while on surveillance patrol around Jambutu Motor Park, Jimeta, Yola.
According to Nguroje, the ATM cards, issued to authentic owners from different banks, were stolen from a market in Mayo-Belwa, a local government area in the southern part of Adamawa State.
"Investigation reveals that the suspect stole the items from Tsohon Kasuwa Mayo Belwa Local Government Area,” he stated, adding that he was in the process of selling the items at a shopping complex.
Nguroje assured that the suspect will be charged in court upon completion of the investigation.
The President of Harvard University, Claudine Gay, resigned on Tuesday after coming under attack for her handling of anti-Semitism during protests over Gaza, as well as allegations that she had plagiarised in her academic work.
Gay was criticised in recent months after reports surfaced alleging that she did not properly cite scholarly sources.
The most recent accusations came Tuesday, published anonymously in a conservative online outlet.
Gay was also engulfed by scandal after she declined to say unequivocally whether calling for genocide of Jews violated Harvard’s code of conduct, during testimony to Congress alongside the heads of MIT and the University of Pennsylvania last month.
Gay, who made history as the first Black person to be president of the powerhouse university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, said in her resignation letter that she’d been subjected to personal threats and “racial animus.”
Her downfall comes after the university’s governing Harvard Corporation had initially backed her after the public relations disaster of the congressional testimony.
But the body did criticise the university’s initial response to the Hamas October 7 attacks that Israel said killed 1,200 people inside Israel and saw around 240 people taken hostage.
Israel’s offensive has reduced much of Gaza to rubble and killed at least 22,185 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
More than 70 lawmakers, including two Democrats, called for her resignation, while a number of high-profile Harvard alumni and donors also called for her departure.
Still, more than 700 Harvard faculty members had signed a letter supporting Gay and her job had appeared to be safe.
The resignation, first reported by the student-run newspaper the Harvard Crimson, was confirmed shortly after by Gay herself.
“It is with a heavy heart but a deep love for Harvard that I write to share that I will be stepping down as president,” Gay said in a statement.
In the United States, the anti-Semitism on campus controversy came amid a rise in attacks and violent rhetoric targeting Jews and Muslims, including at universities, since the Israel-Hamas war erupted.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, a close US ally, has claimed that a “whopping wave of anti-Semitism” has “seeped onto university campuses.”
Yad Vashem, Israel’s official Holocaust memorial, has described it as a “cancer.”
Former student and multi-million-dollar donor Bill Ackman claimed in a letter to Harvard’s governing boards that “President Gay’s failures have led to billions of dollars of cancelled, paused, and withdrawn donations to the university.”
Gay, 53, was born in New York to Haitian immigrants and is a professor of political science who in July became the first Black president of 368-year-old Harvard.
“Leadership failure and denial of anti-Semitism have a price. Hope glorious Harvard University learns from this dismal conduct,” wrote new Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz in response to the reports of Gay’s imminent departure. AFP
For observers and participants in the Nigerian entertainment sector, 2023 was a year of intriguing and notable incidents, both uplifting and distressing, especially within the music and film spheres.
A retrospective review of the year showcases moments that significantly impacted both music and motion pictures:
Demise of Artists
The year began with the shocking loss of Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the National President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), on January 10, 2023, in Lagos. Known as “the Queen of Nollywood Films,” she was the founder of the esteemed Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).
Additionally, veteran actor Sunday Akanbi Akinola passed away on January 9, 2023, at 80. He gained prominence for his role as “Mogaji” in the 1980s series “Feyikogbon” aired on NTA channel 7 in southwestern Nigeria.
Ace actor Femi Ogunrombi, known for his portrayal of Papa Ajasco in Wale Adenuga’s comedy series, died on January 14, 2023.
Nigerian comedian and actress Favour Daniels, recognized for her social media skits, reportedly died in a fatal boat accident on February 5, 2023, at the age of 26.
Another tragic loss was the death of veteran Nollywood actor Ojo Arowosafe, Fadeyi Oloro, on March 7, 2023, at 66, after a prolonged illness.
The demise of Nollywood superstar Obinna Nwafor, “Saint Obi,” shocked the industry. He died on May 7 at 57 after battling an undisclosed illness and was laid to rest on August 18 in Alaenyi Ogwa, Imo State.
Yoruba actor and filmmaker Murphy Afolabi, died on May 14, 2023, shortly after celebrating his 49th birthday. He rose to fame with his role in the movie ‘Omo Rapala.’
Additionally, Nollywood actor Chikezie Uwazie was reported dead on May 14, 2023, following brain surgery in the U.S.
Legendary pop singer Chris Mba died on May 3, 2023, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. He was renowned in the 1980s for hits like ‘Funky Situation’, ‘Baby Don’t Cry’, ‘Making My Way’, and ‘Love Everlasting’.
The passing of popular Nollywood actor Afeez Agoro, widely regarded as Nigeria’s tallest man (7ft 4in), occurred on June 15 after an extended illness.
Fast-rising Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, died on September 12, 2023, under questionable circumstances, sparking protests in Lagos State with the hashtag “Justice for Mohbad”.
Nollywood actor Oluyemi Adeyemi, ‘Suara,’ known for his role in Wale Adenuga’s ‘Super Story,’ also passed away on September 24, 2023.
Grammy Awards
However, it wasn’t just deaths that marked the industry in 2023. Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, aka Tems, became the first female Nigerian artiste to win a Grammy Award, securing the ‘Best Melodic Rap Performance’ category at the 2023 Grammy awards for her contribution to Future’s hit single ‘Wait For U’.
The Grammy nominations for 2024 included Nigerian music superstars Davido, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Asake, and Olamide.
Ailing Nollywood Actors
Additionally, 2023 witnessed reports of seasoned Nollywood actors grappling with critical health conditions, some reaching out to fans and well-wishers for financial assistance.
Comic actor John Okafor, Mr Ibu, publicly shared his health struggles, revealing he underwent seven surgeries and had one leg amputated to save his life.
Veteran Nollywood actor Amaechi Muonagor also sought support in December, disclosing his battle with paralysis affecting his left leg and hand.
Ifeanyi Ezeokeke, known for his role as ‘Ugo Shave Me’ in Nollywood, turned to social media for financial aid due to an undisclosed illness persisting for over two years.
As 2024 unfolds, industry stakeholders hope for a year marked by more positive developments.
By Joshua Olomu, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
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Justice Nana Fatimah Jibrin, the Presiding Judge of Bauchi State High Court No. 11, has sentenced Jalaludeen Zakari, a head teacher in Burra, Ningi Local Government Area of the state, to 11 years in prison for sexually assaulting one of his pupils.
LEADERSHIP reports that Zakari’s victim, a 6-year-old girl, had been at the school for an admission screening but became a victim of assault by Zakari, who detained her for hours after official school closing hours.
Zakari was said to have inserted his finger into the girl’s private parts.
Barrister Dayabu Ayuba, the prosecuting counsel and a state counsel with the Bauchi State Ministry of Justice, disclosed this during an interview with our correspondent in Bauchi.
Ayuba said that during the trial, three witnesses, including the victim, testified before the court.
“The perpetrator asked his victim to stay back, dismissing all other pupils without providing a reason for her extended stay. While she was left behind, the assailant subjected her to sexual assault, an act equivalent to rape in legal terms,” he said.
Ayuba said that the sentencing occurred in July of this year after Jalaludeen pleaded with the court for leniency.
In a prior 2023 report, LEADERSHIP detailed a separate high court case where a judge in Bauchi sentenced Yusuf Boko to life imprisonment for raping a girl inside a mosque.
Additionally, two other men were each sentenced to 35 years for culpable homicide and the barbaric act of removing the private part of a teenage girl in Jama’are.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has revealed that he almost declined the offer to become the Minister of Solid Mineral Development under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Making this disclosure in an interview with ThisDay newspaper, the one time minister disclosed that he was surprised when his name was announced as the minister in charge of solid mineral.
Naija News reports that Fayemi stated that he expected the former president to appoint him to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The former minister claimed that he told his wife that he was going to decline the appointment because he did not want to embarrass himself.
He said, “Before I became a minister, I was Director of Policy for the presidential campaign and also worked in the transition committee, so I had a comprehensive view of what was going on in the Jonathan administration, but I wasn’t prepared to go to the ministry I was assigned to.
“When I was announced as the Minister for Solid Minerals, I must confess, I was surprised. I honestly thought I was going to be Minister of Foreign Affairs, an area in which I was a frontline adviser for President Buhari during the period leading up to the election and before Ministers were announced.
“In fact, I was with President Buhari on his last assignment at the United Nations before the ministerial list was released on the day we returned from the United Nations.
“I got home after we were sworn in and portfolios assigned and told my wife and our leader, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, that I was going to inform President Buhari that I couldn’t take the appointment. What do I know about the ministry? It was not even about being a dry or juicy ministry. I was not prepared to mess myself up, after coming this far. I thought the Ministry should go to a subject matter expert. So, I decided I wasn’t going to take it.
“But Otunba said, no, that would be selfish and that I must put our people into my consideration. I must take it. He added: “Kayode, your strength is in managing people and resources, and you are going to take it and make a statement. Having managed a whole state, you can manage anything.” And my wife aligned with him. But I was still not convinced but at least they stopped me from going to tell President Buhari I was opting out of the cabinet.
“Eventually, President Buhari explained to me that he was deliberate in sending me to the Ministry because he had three priorities – infrastructure, agriculture and solid minerals development and he wanted excellent hands in the three areas. I took it up as a challenge and I believe I grew into the job. In my three years there, we grew the contribution of solid minerals as a percentage of GDP, developed a comprehensive road map for the sector, started the aero-magnetic survey of the country, which was completed during Architect Adegbite’s tenure and also conducted the national minerals exploration project amongst many other initiatives.”
‘In 2023 You Had Time To Do Breast Enlargement Surgery, Tummy Tuck Without My Consent’ – Yul Edochie Blasts May
AdminNollywood actor, Yul Edochie, has slammed his estranged wife, May, for allegedly undergoing breast enlargement surgery and tummy tuck without his consent.
This comes after May, in her New Year post, reflected on the devastating moments of 2023 after Yul declared it was his best year.
Naija News recalls that 16-year-old Kambilichukwu, the first son of May and Yul, died last year after he slumped while playing football in school.
However, in a post on Instagram, Yul expressed appreciation for God’s blessings in 2023, stressing it has been his best year so far.
But in a post via her social media page on January 1, 2024, May lamented how 2023 stole her flesh and blood, leaving her in the most devastating, miserable, and confused state.
In response, Yul, in a post on his Instagram page on Tuesday, accused May of having a romantic affair with a married man while manipulating people on social media to hate him.
The movie star stated that he had been quiet for so long and would no longer tolerate May’s manipulation while protecting her image.
He wrote, “2023 stole your flesh and blood but you still had enough time to do breast enlargement surgery and tummy tuck without your husband’s consent. Obviously endorsed by your married boyfriend.
“Enough of the manipulation. Stop manipulating people on social media to hate me and feel pity for you while you enjoy life secretly. Because they don’t know the real you. I will not take it in 2024. I’ve been silent for too long. I have been doing my best to protect your image while you’re doing all you can do to destroy mine enough.”
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has ordered the arrest of a soldier who violated the ban on okada in the state.
In 2022, Sanwo-Olu, had announced a total and indefinite ban on the operations of commercial motorcycles in six Local Governments area of the state.
Speaking with all Divisional Police Officers in the state at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu urged the officers to ensure total enforcement of the ban.
The governor told them: “After a critical review of our restriction on Okada activities in the first six Local Government Areas where we restricted them on February 1, 2020, we have seen that the menace has not abated.
“We are now directing a total ban on Okada activities across the highways and bridges within these six local governments and their Local Council Development Areas, effective from June 1, 2022.
“The whole of Ikeja, Surulere, Etiosa, Lagos Island, Mainland and Apapa local governments; a total ban. This is a phased banning we are embarking on. So others should know whether to get out or look for something else to do. We want all okada to be completely off these areas.”
But ever since the ban took effect, there has been violation, especially by military personnel.
On Tuesday, when the governor’s convoy was on Lagos-Badagry expressway, some motorcyclists were seen riding against traffic.
Immediately, the governor alighted from his vehicle alongside some of his aides and ordered their arrest.
One of them was heard saying, “Oga, I am a soldier.”
In anger, Sanwo-Olu fired back, saying “That’s the more reason I will lock you up. You are telling me you are a soldier.”
Media
Sanwo-Olu Arrests of 'Okada' Riders Driving Against Traffic https://t.co/ZLYtmQwLXy
— NPOReports???????? (@NpoReports) January 2, 2024
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