American pop star Taylor Swift has made history as the most followed singer on Spotify.

She became the most followed artist after overtaking British singer, Ed Sheeran.

The ‘Cruel Summer’ hit 114.6 million followers to break Sheeran’s record.

Swift also holds the record for the most expensive tour for the highest-grossing music tour in history.

Her ‘Eras’ tour which grossed over $1 billion broke British legend, Elton John’s five-year farewell tour which generated $939 million (£749 million) over 328 shows.

In December 2023, Swift set a new Guinness World Record as the first musician to become a billionaire solely on music earnings.

The expulsion of Martin Amaewhule and 24 others from the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Rivers State High Court has been nullified.

The nullification order was given on Thursday by the Appeal Court in Abuja.

A 3 member panel of the appellate court unanimously held that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to grant the exparte order.

Section 272(3) of the Constitution gives the federal high court powers to determine whether the seat of a House of Assembly member has become vacant.

The federal high court has the exclusive jurisdiction to determine if the seats have become vacant.

The express mention of the federal high court in section 272 (3) of the constitution automatically excludes all state high courts from having the jurisdiction.

The exparte order having been made without jurisdiction is null and void

Afrobeats star, Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid has penned a tribute to his late mother, Mrs. Morayo, on her posthumous birthday.

He stated that he misses her so much while urging her to watch over him.

The ”Essence” crooner said that nothing makes sense without her as his heart has been forever broken over her demise.

With a tweet that expressed his deep sadness, he wrote:

“Happy birthday love of my life! Miss you every day. First one without you here feels unreal. Nothing makes sense without you, mama! Life is empty without you. Continue to watch over us! My heart is broken forever!

“Your smile is all a memory I will never forget. Your laugh! Your hugs and kisses. I miss you dearly!”

See Post Below;

President William Ruto of Kenya has ordered the withdrawal of salary increment for his ministers and lawmakers following weeks of protest.

The order for the withdrawal was given on Tuesday.

Mr Ruto conveyed this directive through Hussein Mohammed, spokesperson for the Kenya State House, on Wednesday, amidst criticisms following reports of the pay rise for ministers and lawmakers.

“The President has emphasised that now more than ever, the Executive and all arms of government must live within their means,” Mr Mohammed said, adding that Mr Ruto has instructed a review of salaries for his ministers and lawmakers.

It was reported on Tuesday that Mr Ruto’s ministers and Kenyan members of parliament received a pay rise effective July 1.

According to local media, the pay rise for Mr Ruto’s cabinet members and lawmakers coincided with nationwide protests that have resulted in over 39 deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Previously, each cabinet secretary who earned Ksh. 957,000 will now earn Ksh. 990,000 plus allowances, and each of the 51 principal secretaries who earned Ksh. 792,519 will now earn Ksh. 819,844.

The salaries of the speakers of the National Assembly and Senate increased from Ksh. 1,185,327 to Ksh. 1,208,362, while salaries of members of parliament increased from Ksh. 725,502 to Ksh. 739,600.

Although deliberations on salary increments for Mr Ruto’s cabinet members and lawmakers occurred months ago, their implementation coincided with deadly protests against a tax hike.

However, Mr Ruto later announced the suspension of the pay rise for his ministers and lawmakers for the time being.

Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has lodged a petition with Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, regarding the alleged torture of a former Super Eagles player by Nigerian Army personnel.

Mr. Uche Nwofor was reportedly assaulted on May 20, 2024 at Modebe Memorial Primary School in Onitsha.

In a petition dated June 7, 2024 and obtained by SaharaReporters, Inibehe Effiong described the attack on the Nigerian footballer as barbaric, absurd, condescending and embarrassing.

He said the action of the soldiers was a flagrant violation of the fundamental right to dignity which is criminal, illegal, unjust, unlawful, and unconstitutional.

The lawyer therefore urged the Chief of Army Staff to set up a disciplinary panel to investigate the case, and sanction the erring officers in line with the Armed Forces Act, 2004.

He also demanded monetary compensation for the victim for unjustifiable violation of his fundamental human rights.

The petition read in part, “We act as Solicitors to Mr. Uche Nwofor, a professional footballer and ex-Nigerian Super Eagles International (hereinafter referred to as “our Client”) and it is in line with his instructions that we write you this petition. A brief profile of our client as reported by the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Updates is herewith attached as “Annexure A” for your perusal.

“Our client briefed us and we verily believe him as follows: On the 20th day of May, 2024 at about 5:30 pm, after his daily football training with his club – “All Stars Football Club” at Modebe Memonal Primary School, Onitsha, our client together with two of his friends and teammates (Mr. Ozor Philips Ex-Enugu Rangers International and Mr. Uzoma Charles (based in Turkey) entered the Onitsha Army Barracks in their usual manner, to relax and see some old friends, since they could safely be regarded as ‘barracks boys’ having spent most of their formative years in football playing for the Barracks Football Team – Vulcans FC Barracks.

“Shortly after our client and his friends got to a restaurant at the Onitsha Barracks, the CO of the barracks whom our client immediately recognized as Mr. Nandang together with two other soldiers, in the most condescending, embarrassing, and intimidating manner, ordered our client’s friend Mr. Uzoma Charles to come out from the restaurant and sit on the bare main road.

“Every explanation of our client and Mr. Uzoma Charles to the soldiers that they are footballers whose identities can easily be confirmed by a simple search on Google fell on deaf ears and being aware of the possible outcome of any resistance, Mr. Uzoma Charles succumbed to their order. His dreadlocks which he has had for many years were consequently shaved off with a very unhygienic pair of scissors by CO Nandang and two other soldiers.

“Thereafter, they commanded and forced our client to also sit on the tarred road in the public glare. Our client initially resisted and tried all he could to explain who he was to them (a fact our client reasonably believes to be well known to them, especially to CO- Nandang; our client and his friends having presented a signed and customized All Star Football Club jersey to him sometime in January 2024, when they paid him a courtesy visit after hearing of the wanton, illegal, wrongful, unsanitary and arbitrary shaving of head being carried out by officers of the Nigerian Army, especially within the Onitsha Barracks), but all efforts proved abortive.

“Our client whilst being brutally forced to sit on untarred road, reminded CO- Nandang that he had assured them during that courtesy visit that professional footballers or other “stars” were safe from the rampant shaving of heads by the military but they remained adamant. We have attached as “Annexure B” a copy of the photograph of CO- Nandang and our client (with the same Mr. Uzoma Charles and Mr. Ozor Philips) during the said courtesy visit for your perusal.

“The ill-treatment of our client and Mr. Charles Uzoma shortly became the fate of Mr. Ozor Philips. Throughout this ungodly, embarrassing, and humiliating exercise, these officers made mockery and fun of our client and his friends. Our client was called all sorts of unprintable names and was even referred to as “Yahoo boy”, “bad boy” and “guy man” by both the officers and some passersby alike.

“In light of the above, it is abundantly clear that the actions of these soldiers constitute a flagrant violation of the fundamental right to dignity of our client’s person, and are criminal, illegal, unjust, unlawful, and unconstitutional.

“Our client is not just a well-respected member of the society, but is also one that has brought so much joy to millions of football-loving Nigerians in the past. There cannot, therefore, be any justification whatsoever for the dehumanizing treatment he faced in the hands of these soldiers.

“Our client by keeping clean and well-maintained dreadlocks, did not commit any crime known to Nigerian law nor has he done or omitted to do any act that would warrant the degrading treatment which he suffered in the hands of the soldiers.

“Our client was wrongly and unjustly profiled and treated as a common criminal and we dare say, that even criminals do have and enjoy fundamental rights recognized and protected by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) except where such fundamental rights have been taken away from them by a Court of competent jurisdiction.”

The lawyer said in view of the foregoing, “demand is hereby made upon your good office to immediately set up a disciplinary panel to investigate this case, and award appropriate punishment to the erring officers in line with the Armed Forces Act, 2004”.

“In addition, we strongly demand appropriate monetary compensation to be paid to our client for the unjustifiable violation of his fundamental human rights,” he added.

Phillip Shaibu, the immediate past Deputy Governor of Edo State, has said he has been vindicated by the Federal High Court judgment which invalidated the governorship primary election of Edo State.

In a reaction on Thursday to the judgment delivered by Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo, Shuaib claimed that what PDP tagged as a primary election on February 22, 2024, was nothing but a tea party with no force of law.

He said he had consistently and persistently cried out loud and clear that the PDP killed internal democracy with the fraudulent ways its purported primary election was conducted at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin.

The former Deputy Governor maintained that those who voted for him at his parallel primary election were the authentic delegates lawfully chosen by the people to nominate the governorship candidate for PDP.

On the move by the All Progressives Congress, APC, for him to defect to the party, Shaibu claimed that there was nothing wrong as long as democracy remains a game for the vast majority of people.

“When you see a political party wooing people to its group, that party wants to win but when you see a party chasing people away as in the case of the PDP, that party is planning nothing but rigging of election.

Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo had in his judgment invalidated the February 22 PDP primary election on the ground that 378 delegates who were supposed to vote in the election were unlawfully excluded.

More details…

Mrs Faith Nwoye, the teacher who flogged a 9-year-old pupil to death, has been convicted.

The teacher was sentenced to 21 years imprisonment by a special court handling Women and Children related matters in Awka.

The incident happened in Landmark International School Mgbakwu, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The deceased, Master Henry Okonkwo, has been buried in his home town, Igbakwu in Ayamelum Local Government Area of the State.

The pupil died in the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital in Awka after being beaten into a coma by the teacher.

Commiserating with the Okonkwo’s family, Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh expressed condolences of the Education family and State Government for the heavy loss.
 

Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani has sent a message to President Bola Tinubu and other African countries.

He warned them against taking foreign loans and grants with demonic conditions.

In a post on his X handle on Thursday, the former lawmaker suggested that all African countries, including Nigeria, who appended their signatures should go back and ‘unsign’ the Samoa agreement.

He wrote: “African states should not accept loans or grants from any country, group of countries or international institutions that came with demonic conditions antithetical to our culture, religious faiths and values. All African countries including Nigeria who appended their signatures should go back and ‘unsign’ the Samoa agreement.”

Janet Gimba, a judge of the Upper Customary Court in Kaduna State, who was abducted by gunmen suspected to be terrorists along with her four children has regained her freedom.

Sadly, the eldest of the four children was killed by the terrorists over delay in receiving a ransom of N300 million they had demanded.

SaharaReporters reports that the three of her children are still in the custody of the abductors.

SaharaReporters on Wednesday reported how Galadima, and her four children were abducted by gunmen on Sunday, June 23, 2024.

The victims were abducted at their residence in Mahuta, Kaduna State, North-West Nigeria.

The judge’s husband, a medical doctor, was away on duty at the time of the incident, SaharaReporters learnt.

An X user @I_Am_Ilemona said on Tuesday that the abductors were demanding a ransom of N300 million in exchange for their safe release.

“This phone call I just took broke my heart. The wife & 4 sons of a friend’s friend were kidnapped a few days ago in Kaduna. The kidnappers asked for a N300m ransom (which he doesn’t have), or they’ll kill his children.

“They killed his first son today. My heart is heavy.

“This phone call I just took broke my heart. The wife & 4 sons of a friend’s friend were kidnapped a few days ago in Kaduna. The kidnappers asked for a N300m ransom (which he doesn’t have), or they’ll kill his children.

“They killed his first son today. My heart is heavy.

“They dropped his boy’s body somewhere and told him to go get his lifeless boy. The boy was 14. They told him it’s a warning. They said they’ll kill the others. The surviving children are 12, 9 & 6,” he wrote on Tuesday.

This phone call I just took broke my heart. The wife & 4 sons of a friend’s friend were kidnapped a few days ago in Kaduna. The kidnappers asked for a N300m ransom (which he doesn’t have), or they’ll kill his children.

They killed his first son today. My heart is heavy.

— 20.10.2020 (@I_Am_Ilemona) July 2, 2024

ASP Mansir Hassan, the spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters on Wednesday evening, stating that the police had escalated their efforts to rescue the abducted family members.

“We are trying our best to rescue the victims,” he said.

However, the husband, Musa Gimba confirmed the judge’s release on Thursday morning, noting that the woman was released without her three children.

He explained that the bandits had reduced the ransom demanded to N150 million and that it should be paid within three days.

He said they threatened to kill his children if the money was not paid.

In an X post on Thursday morning, @I_Am_Ilemona confirmed that the ransom had been reduced by the abductors.

“Mrs Janet Gimba was released yday. However, her 3 sons – Jeremy (12), Nathan (9) & Ibrahim (6) – are still in captivity. The kidnappers have reduced their demands to N150m,” he said.

A veteran Nigerian suya seller has made a revelation.

In a recent interview, the man revealed that he makes N50k daily in his ‘suya‘ business.

In a video shared by Timi Agbaje on the popular social media platform, TikTok the suya vendor disclosed that he has been in the suya business for about 47 years.

The man went on to detail his extraordinary sales achievements, with daily earnings occasionally reaching N80,000, N100,000, and even N150,000.

Netizens Reactions:

TheOlasubomi_Ayeni said: “Preboye, UI ibadan. This man is a living legend.”

Legacy wrote: “The robbers that attacked him will be watching this video like this oo.”

Haji Pounds said: “Go Allen junction for Ikeja… University of suya.”

Foods_bychefchika11 said: “Is this not Abu suya at UI pre boyes.”

Sulaimon Olasunkanmi said: “If am down and not happy with life, once I see someone who is happy and smiling BOOM my mood change and I will surely be happy. Can someone please tell me the meaning of that.”

Shuga_8 said: “Me and my 500 naira suya laughing ourself , my suya dey ask me if we are broke.”

Naya said: “Wait is this not this suya guy by UI?”

Peaceofmind4ever said: “Maybe that person na wizkid because na him like suya that much.”

Adunni_dunni said: “E be like say this man na Yoruba for him first life. Because the way he sang that paso song.”

Oluwadamilola said: “Preboye ui best of it all.”

Zuko said: “There’s a suya man i know in Maiduguri hin place dem dey make like 500-700k a day.”

Kweendilish said: “I love this man,very very nice and humble, the best suya in ibadan.”

Ibijoke said: “Pre Boye Suya nah my husband be this nah make I go show am this video.”

See below;

@timiagbaje

I met one of the successful suya sellers in Nigeria.

♬ original sound – Timi Agbaje