Obasempire reports that the family of the late Nigerian gospel artist, Aduke Ajayi, widely known as Aduke Gold, has finally addressed the cause of her death.
Naija News reports that this announcement follows a viral video of Aduke Gold circulating online, which led many to speculate that she had undergone fibroid surgery that might have caused her demise.
The singer’s sudden death sparked varied reactions on social media as fans and industry colleagues continue to mourn.
In response to the controversies surrounding her untimely death, her brother, Pastor Ajayi Aderogbo, stated in a video circulating online that Aduke Gold passed away at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, on Monday, August 12, 2024.
He confirmed that the music star succumbed to cervical cancer and urged those spreading unverified claims to cease.
He said, “Whoever is saying what is not should stop it, our daughter was ill, she had cervical cancer, she was taken to UCH in Ibadan and unfortunately, she died. The information spreading around is false.
“Whoever is saying she died of fibroid surgery should stop it. Our daughter was ill, to the glory of God, she rested on Monday, 12th of August. It is always ideal that you get information from the right source.”
Obasempire reports that Nigerian music star Wizkid has finally responded after facing significant criticism for his recent post.
The Starboy took to his verified accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to share a cryptic message reading “Una papa!” which means “Your father!”
The post was accompanied by several photos of himself.
While some of Wizkid’s fans appeared to accept the comment, others quickly voiced their anger and disapproval.
One X user, @ArewaAdebukolaa, fired back at Wizkid, saying “Your papa too… this midget will just wake up, smoke igbo, and tweet rubbish. Your papa papa x10. Werey ni e nii?”
In response to the criticism, Wizkid took to his X account today, August 16th, to share a message of love and subtly addressed those who had attacked him.
Wizkid wrote, “Don’t get it twisted, love is a beautiful thing!”
He added, “Awon werey kan Lon correct daddy won,” which roughly translates to “Only mad people correct their fathers.”
Obasempire reports that Nigeria’s senior women’s football team, the Super Falcons, have maintained their 36th spot in the latest FIFA global rankings, as announced on Friday, August 16, 2024.
The Super Falcons also retain their position as the top-ranked women’s team in Africa, highlighting their continued dominance on the continent.
This ranking comes despite a poor performance at the recent Women’s Summer Olympics football tournament in Paris, France.
The Super Eagles fell in the latest FIFA rankings as Spain rose to 3rd.
The Super Falcons struggled to progress past the group stage, with three straight losses. They were defeated 1-0 by both Brazil and Spain, followed by a 3-1 loss to Japan, ending up at the bottom of Group C.
In the African rankings, South Africa follows Nigeria (50th), Morocco (59th), Zambia (62nd), and Ghana (66th).
Obasempire reports that a Nigerian lady, Ada Egede has claimed that some women cannot give birth while some men cannot impregnate their wives because they already have children in the marine realm.
This is one of the reasons why you still have issues after some Olu mmiri is done.
Mind you if you’re one of us who has given birth in the Spiritual world you’re onye olu, you can’t run away from it. Fasting and prayers can’t help you. Ka afor ta mara anyi nile mma”.
Obasempire reports that a French court has authorized the confiscation of three presidential jets associated with the Federal Government of Nigeria as part of a legal conflict involving Zhongshan, a Chinese firm.
The dispute originated from a business conflict with the Ogun State government, prompting this major legal action.
The three confiscated jets consist of a Dassault Falcon 7X at Le Bourget airport in Paris, a Boeing 737, and an Airbus 330 located at Basel-Mulhouse airport in Switzerland.
All three aircraft are part of Nigeria’s presidential air fleet and are currently undergoing maintenance.
Two of the jets were recently listed for sale, while the Airbus 330 was bought by Nigeria but had not yet been delivered. The Nigerian government reportedly paid over $100 million for the Airbus.
The seizure is a result of a 2016 decision by the Ogun State government to cancel Zhongshan’s export processing zone management contract.
Following this cancellation, an independent arbitration tribunal, led by a former UK Supreme Court President, awarded Zhongshan $74.5 million in damages.
However, the Ogun State government has yet to fulfill the award, prompting Zhongshan to seek enforcement against Nigerian assets abroad.
The French court’s order prohibits the movement, sale, or purchase of the seized jets until the $74.5 million compensation is settled to Zhongshan.
Bailiffs have already served legal notices for each aircraft, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing legal dispute.
Zhongshan has secured charging orders against two properties in Liverpool—15 Aigburth Hall Road and Beech Lodge, 49 Calderstones Road—which are valued between £1.3 million and £1.7 million.
Obasempire reports that Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila (NNPP – Kano South) has addressed the debate over the true salary and allowances of federal lawmakers.
Sumaila disclosed that he receives N21 million in allowances each month, in addition to a monthly salary of approximately N1 million.
Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central during the 8th Assembly, previously revealed that each Senator receives a monthly running cost of N13.5 million, besides the N750,000 stipulated by the RMAFC.
The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), responsible for setting salaries and allowances of public officials, announced on Tuesday that each Senate member’s total monthly salary and allowances amount to N1,063,860.00.
The Commission detailed the total monthly pay for lawmakers, which includes: a basic salary of N168,866.70; motor vehicle fueling and maintenance allowance of N126,650; N42,216.66 for a personal assistant; domestic staff – N126,650.00; entertainment – N50,660.00; utilities – N50,660.00; newspapers/periodicals – N25,330.00; wardrobe allowance – N42,216.66; house maintenance – N8,443.33; and constituency allowance – N422,166.66.
However, speaking to BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday, Sumaila stated that the monthly salary was set by the RMAFC.
“My monthly salary is less than N1million. After deductions, the figure comes down to a little over N600,000,” Senator Sumaila said, adding that: “Given the increase effected, in the Senate, each Senator gets N21million every month as running cost.”
“For instance, furniture allowance (N6,079,200 million) and severance gratuity (N6,079,200 million) are paid once in every tenure and vehicle allowance (N8,105,600 million) which is optional is a loan which the beneficiary has to pay before leaving office.
“A closer look at the monthly entitlement of Senators reveals that each Senator collects a monthly salary and allowances of the sum of N1,063,860:00 consisting of the following: Basic Salary- N168,866:70; Motor Vehicle Fuelling and Maintenance Allowance N126,650:00; Personal Assistant N42,216:66; Domestic Staff-126,650:00; Entertainment-N50,660:00; Utilities-N50,660:00; Newspapers/Periodicals-N25,330:00; Wardrobe-N42,216,66:00; House Maintenance -N8,443.33:00 and Constituency Allowance- N422,166:66; respectively,” the RMAFC chairman said in a statement he personally signed on Tuesday.”
He noted that with the exception of some few political and public office holders such as the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representative, among others, all public and legislative officers are no longer provided with housing as was the case in the past.
“The Commission also wishes to use this opportunity to state that any allegation regarding other allowance(s) being enjoyed by any political, public office holder outside those provided in the Remuneration (Amendment) Act, 2008 should be explained by the person who made the allegation.
“To avoid misinformation and misrepresentation of facts capable of misleading citizens and members of the International Community, the Commission considers it most appropriate and necessary to request Nigerians and any other interested party to avail themselves of the opportunity to access the actual details of the present Remuneration package for Political, Public and Judicial Office holders in Nigeria published on its website: www.rmafc.gov.ng,” he said.
He lamented that RMAFC does not have constitutional powers to enforce compliance with proper implementation of the official remuneration package, a lacuna he said was being addressed by the National Assembly.
Obasempire reports that Kogi-born artist, Sharon Sonia, has criticized those urging her to abandon music and alter her lifestyle following her conversion to Islam.
In a Facebook update on Tuesday, August 13, the artist, who embraced Islam last week, emphasized that she has no plans to abandon her musical talent.
She also mentioned that if the harassment persists, she might reconsider her new faith.
“I didn’t become a Muslim to be threatened or harassed. The Malam that recited kalimatu shahada for me, didn’t tell me I’d quit music. If he had told me, I wouldn’t convert because God gave me this talent and I so much love it,” she wrote.
“I sing songs that inspire people.
“If you all keep coming for me or tryna frustrate me for coming into the religion, I’ll leave peacefully
“Y’all won’t be in your house committing sins and com on FB to judge me
“I want peace, not what you are giving me now
“I wasn’t forced into the religion, I could leave if my peace and sanity is at risk.”
Obasempire reports that Nigerian Afrobeat star Damini Ogulu, better known as Burna Boy, has established the ‘Burna Boy Football Academy’ with training centers in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
The academy aims to provide a setting where future African footballers can master the basics of the game, alongside education, discipline, and skill development, to succeed both on and off the field.
According to the academy’s website, the program caters to players aged 4-15 and 16-21, offering training sessions three times a week, with each session lasting two hours.
The academy’s website also revealed that it has formed partnerships with several prominent football clubs, including Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City, and Brighton from the English Premier League, as well as Watford from the Championship and Scottish teams Hearts and Hamilton.
“We strive to engage parents in sports education, emphasising its importance alongside academic pursuits,” they said.
Obasempire reports that the relatives of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, widely known as Mohbad, have requested that groups and individuals intending to mark the first anniversary of his death postpone their plans.
This appeal was made in a statement signed by Monisola Odumosu, a member of the family’s legal team.
The family conveyed their wish to grieve privately, without elaborate ceremonies that could impact their emotional well-being.
“It has come to the attention of the Aloba family that some organisations have been planning to celebrate the first anniversary of the death of our late son and singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (Mohbad). The Aloba family wishes to appeal to such interest groups to suspend such ideas.
“The late singer is yet to be buried. As such, the family would wish the public to join them in prayers at his anniversary rather than organise any elaborate event that will affect their emotions.”
The family also expressed concern that some individuals and organisations might be planning to use Mohbad’s memory for commercial purposes.
This is as they appealed to them to seek approval from the family before proceeding with such a plan.
“It is no longer news that some individuals and organisations have been planning to carry out events to commemorate the late singer’s death.
“We will appeal to such persons and organisations to seek proper approval from the family before going on with such plans. The Aloba family would not wish the goodwill of their illustrious son to be employed for commercial purposes,” the statement added.
The family has urged individuals and organisations to respect their wishes and join them in prayers during this difficult time.
Mohbad, a former record label signee of Marlian Music owned by Naira Marley, died on September 12 at the age of 27, with the circumstances surrounding his death sparking controversy on social media.
Obasempire reports that independent fuel distributors in Nigeria are anticipating that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will price its Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, at N600 or N650 per litre upon its market release.
Retailers affiliated with the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) believe that the Dangote refinery will lower petrol prices, similar to its impact on diesel.
IPMAN National Vice President, Hammed Fashola, informed our correspondent in an interview on Monday that the $20 billion refinery could reduce fuel costs if it receives adequate support, particularly regarding crude oil supply.
He noted that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the exclusive importer of PMS, has been selling to marketers at N570 per litre, while many IPMAN members purchase from private depot owners at N700 and above.
“We are marketers, we go for the best. We have been buying from the NNPC, but if the opportunity of Dangote comes and the price is favourable, we will grab it. It depends on the price.
“The official price from the NNPC is around N570/litre, but the third parties, the private depots sell PMS to most of our members at N700 and above.
“Plus or minus, we hope Dangote can sell between N600 and N650/litre. N600 is still okay. However, it depends on the cost of the production from Dangote’s end. We have to be factual and sincere to ourselves. The NNPC we are talking about has an element of subsidy or what they now call under-recovery. I think something is hidden there,” Fashola stated.
Speaking about diesel price, Fashola recalled, “We know Dangote refinery crashed the price of diesel. When the refinery started producing, diesel was around N1,600 and it went down to N1,000.
“Now you can buy diesel at N1,150 or N1,200/litre. We expect the same with PMS, but this crude crisis is a major challenge. Even if Dangote is buying crude in naira, if it is at the international market price, it will make no difference. We have to be realistic.”
The IPMAN leader said the association has had business discussions with some officials of the refinery on a possible partnership, saying the marketers are waiting for Dangote.
“The discussion continues. We are on course. I think very soon we will conclude the discussion. We are waiting,” he stated.
