Author: damazah@gmail.com

Few figures in Esan music history have had the cultural influence and staying power of John Okoduwa, popularly known as Godly Showpromoter. Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Obito Highlife music, the veteran musician and Chief Ozemire of Uromi Kingdom has spent decades shaping a sound that blended Esan traditional rhythms with modern Highlife instrumentation, creating a genre that became deeply associated with celebrations, burials, and social gatherings across Esanland. Born in 1948 into the family of Okoduwa Eboh from Idunmhu Ague Afandion in Uromi, Edo State, Godly Showpromoter’s journey into music began after watching legendary musician Sir…

* With Germany pledging more investment in Nigeria as trade volume rises by 10% Michael Olugbode in Abuja Nigeria and Germany have reaffirmed their commitment in strengthening bilateral ties, with both countries exploring expanded cooperation in renewable energy, digital innovation, manufacturing, security and human capital development. The commitment was made on Wednesday in Abuja during a bilateral meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Johann Wadephul. Welcoming the German delegation, Odumegwu-Ojukwu described Germany as one of Nigeria’s most important strategic partners in Europe, noting that decades of cooperation between both countries…

* Expresses delight in standing with Nigeria in fight against terrorism to make the nation stronger and more prosperous Deji Elumoye in Abuja United States President Donald Trump has hailed his Nigerian counterpart, Bola Tinubu, for his decisive leadership “on behalf of the Nigerian people to tackle the issues plaguing Nigeria, especially the violence affecting Christian communities”. In a letter dated July 6, 2026 to President Tinubu, Trump declared that: “It is a true honour to stand with you in the fight against these terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous.” According to a statement…

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and 247 Travels have launched Book Now, Fly Later, a financing programme that allows eligible customers to borrow up to ₦10 million for international flight tickets and repay over three to nine months. The programme is designed to help Nigerians spread travel costs for business, education, healthcare, tourism, and family commitments. The facility, powered by FCMB Premium Banking, is available exclusively for airline tickets purchased through 247 Travels.  “At FCMB, we believe banking should empower people to pursue their goals without unnecessary financial strain. Our Book Now, Fly Later solution makes travel more accessible and…

The San Diego Comic-Con kicks off tomorrow, and DC Studios and Warner Brothers are setting the stage by dropping the first full trailer for Clayface, part of the DCU’s “Gods and Monsters” arc. The film started out as a Mike Flanagan project (he’s the horror master who brought us The Haunting of Hill House, The Fall of the House of Usher, Midnight Mass, and Doctor Sleep, among other creepy delights). Flanagan said he was inspired by the 1992 “Feat of Clay” episode in Batman: The Animated Series, aspiring to create a film that combined body horror with a tragic thriller.…

We strode wearily up a rise, our enviro suits glinting orange and green in the slanting sunset light, the colours a stark contrast to the sere tans of the moon Varga’s surface. Jalaya’s boots raised small clouds of regolith that puffed up to calf-height before settling, only to be flung up again by me, and once more by young Filip, who followed me. Inside my helmet, I heard my own exerted breathing, magnified, and the softer crunch of our footsteps.The radio crackled as Filip said, “Next time I’m walking lead. Can’t see shit through your dust.”Jalaya didn’t slow as we…

Cameron Menzies’ match against Ross Smith at the World Matchplay Darts was abandoned after the Scot fell ill and was taken off stage for medical attention on Wednesday night.Menzies was 2-1 up in the second-round match when he doubled over in discomfort and appeared to become unsteady on his feet, with both Smith and the match officials coming to his aid. Medics continue to assess Menzies following the incident, but confirmed he was conscious and talking to his partner. The match was officially abandoned, with Smith progressing to the quarter-finals. More to follow…

EXCLUSIVE: Netflix has assembled some more buzzy young supporting cast for its 13 Going on 30 reboot, including Taylor Zakhar Perez (Red, White & Royal Blue), Owen Thiele (Adults), Nasim Pedrad (Aladdin), Supriya Ganesh (The Pitt), and Myra Molloy (Girls Like Girls). Other newcomers include Charley McCain (Nocturne), Henry Samiri (The Pitt), Audrina Miranda (Jurassic World Rebirth), and Kai Zen (Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3). As we first reported, Emily Bader and Logan Lerman lead the cast, which also includes Adeline Rudolph, Jessica Alba, Taylor Ortega, Tim Meadows and Dan Bucatinsky. While unconfirmed, we’re told the original film’s stars, Jennifer Garner and…

Juliet Akoje In Abuja. The Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria (RTIFN) campaign has concluded its three-day project assessment and media tour of Kogi State, declaring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms are beginning to translate into visible infrastructure development, stronger public institutions and expanded opportunities for citizens across the state. The movement, which is conducting a nationwide project assessment tour, said Kogi State represents one of the clearest examples of how the Federal Government’s economic policies and increased allocations to states are supporting the implementation of major development projects and improving access to social and economic opportunities. According to…

The Bayelsa State Government has denied reports claiming it plans to relocate the College of Health Sciences of the Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, describing the speculation as false. In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Daniel Alabrah, the government said there was no proposal before Governor Douye Diri to move the college from its current location. “The rumour that the Bayelsa State Government is planning to relocate the College of Health Sciences of the Niger Delta University is unfounded and emanated from the contorted imagination of its purveyors,” the statement read.…