SOUTH African superstar Tyla solidified her status as Africa’s leading musical export on the international stage, taking home the Favourite Afrobeats Artist award at the 2025 American Music Awards held Monday night at the glitzy Fontainebleau, Las Vegas.
The 22-year-old ‘Water’ hitmaker outshone a stacked category that featured some of Nigeria’s biggest musical giants Wizkid, Rema, Tems and Asake.
Asake earned his nomination following the success of his third studio album Lungu Boy, while Tems was recognised for her acclaimed debut Born In The Wild.
Rema’s nomination came on the heels of his sophomore release – HEIS – which cemented his place as one of Africa’s most consistent hitmakers
Tyla’s win further cements her trailblazing momentum as the face of a new generation of Afrobeats and Amapiano artists breaking barriers globally.
But the night belonged to Billie Eilish, who swept all seven of her nominated categories, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year, making her the most awarded artist of the evening.
In a surprising twist, fan favourites Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande walked away empty-handed, suffering the night’s biggest snubs despite multiple nominations.
Hip-hop legend Eminem made a notable comeback, winning his first AMA in 15 years. He clinched Favourite Male Hip-hop Artist and Favourite Hip-hop Album, marking a triumphant return to the awards spotlight.
The 2025 American Music Awards once again highlighted the global evolution of music, with artists like Tyla proving that African stars are not only present but they are dominating.
AS Nigeria celebrated Children’s Day, on Tuesday, May 27, with the theme “Tapping into the Untapped Natural Treasure,” among the sectors where the theme resonates distinctly is the nation’s entertainment scene, where a new wave of talented children are already on their way to stardom.
Their stories prove that children are not just the leaders of tomorrow – they are shaping culture today.
Emmanuella – Africa’s comedy queen
At 14, Emmanuella Samuel is arguably Nigeria’s most famous child comedian. She became a YouTube sensation through the Mark Angel Comedy series, with her sharp wit and perfect comedic timing winning fans across Africa and beyond.
Her viral sketch “This Is Not My Real Face” has racked up millions of views and even earned her an invite to the Nigerian Senate and CNN’s Young Achievers list.
The Oguike Sisters – Nollywood’s young power trio
Chisom, Chidinma, and Chinenye Oguike have become household names in Nigeria’s film industry, captivating audiences with their performances in the popular series My Kids and I. Born in 2008, 2009, and 2010 respectively, these sisters have showcased remarkable talent from a young age.
Their on-screen chemistry and individual charisma have earned them roles in various Nollywood productions, solidifying their status as rising stars. Beyond acting, the sisters engage with fans through their YouTube channel, The Oguike Sisters, offering a glimpse into their creative world.
Eniola Shokunbi – Young Inventor
At just 12 years old, Eniola Shokunbi, a Nigerian-American student in Connecticut, designed a low-cost air filter to improve air quality in schools. Inspired by the need to prevent the spread of airborne viruses like COVID-19, her invention – made from a simple fan, filters, and cardboard – proved over 99 per cent effective in removing harmful particles.
Her project impressed scientists at the University of Connecticut and led to an $11.5 million state initiative to install her design in classrooms. Eniola’s innovation shows how kids can solve big problems with smart, simple ideas when given a chance,
Looking ahead, Eniola aspires to see her air filters implemented in classrooms across the world, especially in her country, Nigeria. Also, she stressed the importance of scientific solutions in protecting children’s health.
“A lot of people don’t realise that the only thing standing between them and getting sick is science,” Eniola said.
Sekibo Tamundodumotein – Nigeria’s Young Science Champion
At 15 years old, Sekibo Tamundodumotein, a student at Loyola Jesuit College in Abuja, has emerged as Nigeria’s brightest young scientist. He clinched the top spot in the 2025 774-Young Nigerian Scientist Presidential Award (774-YONSPA), outshining 29 finalists from across the country.
The competition, organised by the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, aims to foster interest in STEM among Nigerian youths. Sekibo’s victory not only earned him national recognition but also a presidential handshake, a cash prize, and a scholarship to any Nigerian university of his choice.
His achievement underscores the immense potential of Nigerian youths in driving scientific and technological advancement.
Why does it Matter?
Child psychologist Dr. Ini Ekong explains: “When children are given space to create, perform, and express themselves, they develop confidence, empathy, and leadership. Entertainment isn’t just play – it’s growth.”
FORMER Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, condemned the alleged demand of N700,000 from traders to reopen their Onitsha Head Bridge Market shops.
The former Governor described the action as “insensitive” and called on authorities to reconsider the charge.
The ICIR reports that the N700,000 demand and an ‘undertaking form’ to be signed by pharmaceutical traders’ shop owners across the board, followed months of closure of the market by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC) in its fight against substandard drugs. The N700,000 payment and signing of the letter of undertaking by all pharmaceutical traders at the Onitsha Head Bridge market shops is a precondition for reopening of their shops, respectively, an affected shop owner who was not officially authorised to speak on the matter told The ICIR.
Obi, in a statement released on Tuesday, May 27, via X, recalled his earlier visit to the market during the initial phase of its closure. He said he had stood in solidarity with regulatory authorities, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, in their efforts to rid society of fake drugs and counterfeit goods.
“I recall visiting the Head Bridge Market during the initial phase of its closure, standing in support of the authorities to ensure our society is free from fake drugs and counterfeit goods,” Obi stated.
NAFDAC Logo and The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Christianah Adeyeye
He explained that his support was based on the understanding that investigations would be conducted quickly and the market reopened promptly to reduce the hardship on small business owners, many of whom are already struggling under Nigeria’s current economic climate.
“It is, therefore, deeply unfortunate to learn that shop owners are now being asked to pay N700,000 to reopen their stores,” he said.
Obi expressed concern over the impact of such charges on small and medium-scale enterprises, pointing out that more than seven million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises have collapsed in Nigeria in the past two years.
“Our MSMEs’ businesses are at a ‘we can’t breathe’ stage, and the very system that should be offering them oxygen to support their breathing is instead suffocating them,” he said.
He described the demand for such payment as “economic sabotage” and urged relevant authorities to reconsider the decision in the interest of justice and economic recovery.
“These shop owners have already endured prolonged closures, mounting unpaid bills, and economic strain. Adding further burdens to them and their families at this time is simply unjust,” Obi added.
While affirming his earlier position, the former presidential candidate said, “Let us prioritise compassion, economic recovery, and the survival of our small businesses at this critical time in our nation.”
He appealed to the authorities once more, saying, “Please review and drop this charge. Allow these businesses to reopen. Compassion must lie at the root of government action.”
Meanwhile, a pharmaceutical dealer at the Onitsha Bridge Head Market, who is a victim of business closure but explained that he was not among those found guilty of fake drug selling, while speaking with The ICIR alleged that “the exercise was shrouded in secrecy.”
“They didn’t make their findings on the so-called fake drug. How can everyone with a shop pay N700,000 whether NAFDAC finds them culpable of fake drugs or not? The payment is across the board and not even those not guilty of fake drugs are exempted,” he noted.
The ICIR reached out to NAFDAC’s official spokesperson, Abubakar Jimoh, but the phone was switched off as of the time of filling this report.
BARELY five months after a deadly blast rocked a school in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, another explosion has sent shivers down the spines of the city’s residents.
On May 26, an explosion rocked a bus stop opposite the Mogadishu Cantonment, one of the largest military barracks in Abuja.
Initial reports indicated that the blast claimed the life of one person, suspected to be a suicide bomber, while another individual was critically injured.
A short statement by the Nigerian Army on its X handle, confirmed the incident, adding that the explosion happened at the bus stop opposite the cantonment.
“Explosion at bus stop opposite Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja. Situation under control. Details later,” the statement read.
Reacting to the incident, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command confirmed that a “comprehensive investigation” was underway to determine the cause and nature of the explosion.
The Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, in a statement, said officers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit were deployed to the scene after the Command received a distress call around 2:50 pm.
The area, located along the busy Mararaba-Nyanya bypass, was cordoned off to ensure the safety of residents and commuters.
Adeh confirmed that one male victim was rescued and taken to a hospital, where he is receiving medical attention.
“One male victim was rescued at the scene and promptly taken to the hospital, where he is currently receiving medical attention. A comprehensive investigation has commenced, including detailed forensic analysis, to ascertain the exact cause and nature of the explosion,” the statement read.
While the military and police did not officially confirm any deaths, videos circulating from the scene showed a man’s lifeless, disfigured body being carried into a security vehicle.
This latest explosion came barely five months after the incident at the Tsangagyar Sani Uthman Islamiyya School in Kuchibuyi village, Bwari Area Council, where an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated, killing two men who had allegedly brought the device to the school.
The blast also left a female trader and a third visitor critically injured.
Abuja has not only witnessed attacks by suspected terrorists, it has seen several cases of abduction of its residents by gunmen in recent months.
NIGERIA is celebrating Children’s Day today – a day set aside to honour and reflect on the challenges facing children, and the importance of children in national development.
This year’s theme, “Tapping into the Untapped Natural Treasure,” highlights the immense potential children hold and the urgent need to nurture, protect, and empower them.
In a statement personally signed by President Bola Tinubu and released by the Presidency on X to mark the day, Tinubu described Nigerian children as “the heartbeat of our nation’s future and the custodians of tomorrow’s promise, innovation, and leadership.”
However, he warned that these treasures would not thrive in an environment plagued by bullying, violence, and neglect.
He condemned child bullying in all forms and emphasised the need to build a society where every child feels safe, respected, and heard – both in physical spaces and online.
“Just to be clear, violence, bullying, and neglect have no place in the Nigeria of today,” the President said, adding that “A child who learns in fear cannot learn well. A child who grows in fear cannot grow right.”
Citing troubling statistics on issues affecting children, Tinubu noted that globally, more than one in three children experience bullying, while in Nigeria, up to 65 per cent of school-age children faced physical, emotional, or social aggression.
He said the situation was unacceptable and promised stronger action by his government.
The president outlined key initiatives already underway in Nigeria, including the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030), which provides a strategic framework for prevention, prosecution, and support for victims.
He also acknowledged progress in child protection laws, noting that all 36 states had domesticated the Child Rights Act.
However, Tinubu stressed that laws alone were not enough and that there must be collective action from parents, teachers, religious leaders, lawmakers, and communities at large to address issues affecting children.
“I commend states taking bold steps for our children’s welfare and urge those yet to act: now is the time. Our children are not just statistics – they are the heart of our nation,” he said.
He challenged Nigerians to recognise children not just as future leaders, but as present-day treasures who deserve dignity, peace, and love.
THE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) sealed off the headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Wuse district of Abuja on Monday, May 26.
According to eyewitnesses, FCTA officials arrived at the premises around 2 p.m. and directed the security personnel to contact those responsible for the property.
The move is linked to a broader initiative launched in March by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, targeting properties with outstanding ground rent obligations.
The PDP headquarters is among 4,794 properties whose land titles were revoked by the FCTA for non-payment of ground rent, some for over four decades.
The revocation list, approved by Wike, includes a number of high-profile institutions and organisations, namely Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Others affected include Borno and Kaduna State Government lodges, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, Nigerian Postal Service, and the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN)
The FCTA had warned that enforcement would proceed regardless of ownership, stressing that the government would act in line with established legal procedures.
“Ownership of the revoked 4,794 properties… had already reverted to the FCTA,” the FCTA stated, adding that “As from Monday, next week, the government will begin to exercise its rights of ownership on the affected landed properties without consideration as to ownership.”
The PDP, one of Nigeria’s main opposition parties, has yet to issue an official statement on the sealing of its headquarters.
The ICIR reports that Wike is a PDP member who took appointment in President Bola Tinubu’s government, after the president won the 2023 election.
Since he accepted the offer, endorsed by his party, the PDP has been in tatters, swimming in pools of crises that have led to many of its members detecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)
Many stakeholders in the party have been at war with the minister, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his successor in Rivers State, where he was governor for eight years before becoming a minister.
Tinubu eventually suspended Fubara for six months after the crisis between him and Wike got to its peak in March.
CONTROVERSIAL Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Ahmad Gumi, has been barred from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.
Gumi was deported by Saudi authorities after he was initially granted a visa to travel to the country.
Gumi, who reportedly arrived in Medina on Saturday, May 24, around 10:30 p.m. aboard an Umza Air flight, was denied entry and deported upon arrival.
The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. It is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey.
Confirming the incident on his Facebook page on Monday, May 26, Gumi suggested that his political views might have influenced the decision.
“For some obvious reasons, my views about the world politics, the Saudi authorities are uncomfortable about my presence in Hajj after giving me the Hajj Visa,” he said.
He further expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for promising to intervene with Saudi authorities, saying: “Thanks to the Nigerian authorities who have pledged to take up the matter immediately with Saudi authorities. That is the value of our cherished freedom and democracy.”
While Gumi did not specify the exact reasons for the Saudi decision, his controversial public positions on national security and terrorism in Nigeria have often placed him in the spotlight.
The ICIR reports that Gumi has been outspoken about the killings of children and women in the ongoing Gaza-Israel conflict.
In several of his posts, he has condemned the violence in Gaza, sharing reports that blame the administration of United States President Donald Trump.
He has also criticised Arab leaders for ‘welcoming’ Trump into their countries despite his policies on the conflict.
Previously, Gumi has acted as a negotiator between the Nigerian government and terrorists whose hideouts he had visited in different states with the sacked Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), now the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Usman Yusuf, a professor.
Gumi had also called for dialogue with the terrorists on several occasions, saying that terrorists had taken up arms due to government neglect and injustice and that they did so in self-defence.
He predicted that the country would be peaceful if terrorists were granted free education and basic amenities. He also warned against using the military approach to address insecurity in the North, recommending that amnesty be granted to them.
A day after bandits were declared terrorists in Nigeria, Gumi had described the decision as an exercise in futility.
“The decision by the government will not have any practical value because even before the declaration, they had been fought and treated as terrorists. So it is just a nomenclature which I believe will not change the dynamics on the ground,” he had said.
THE 2025 edition of the Global Youth and News Media Prize seeks entries for its journalism award.
This year’s award highlights outstanding collaborations with young people that help strengthen and sustain local newsrooms.
The competition is open to all types of news organisations worldwide, regardless of platform, age group, or structure.
To be eligible, the outlet must be effectively serving a local community, in part through a meaningful partnership with young people (defined as those up to university age).
Entries may be submitted directly by candidates or nominated by third parties. The award aims to showcase and share impactful examples of successful youth and newsroom collaborations globally.
The submission deadline is June 16, 2025. Apply here.
THE House of Representatives has announced the withdrawal of a controversial bill that sought to amend the Electoral Act 2022 and make voting compulsory for eligible Nigerians following widespread public outcry.
The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, announced the withdrawal of the bill on Monday, May 26, in a statement, noting that the decision followed consultations with key stakeholders.
The ICIRreported that the bill was co-sponsored by the Speaker and Daniel Asama Ago, and had passed its second reading. It proposed penalties, including potential jail terms, for citizens who failed to vote in elections.
It imposed a maximum of six months imprisonment or a fine of no more than N100,000 for Nigerians of voting age who fail to vote during elections.
Prominent human rights lawyers and civil society groups were quick to condemn the bill. They called it unconstitutional.
Human Rights lawyers Femi Falana, Olisa Agbakoba, Yiaga Africa, an election observation and civic advocacy organisation, disapproved of the bill in separate statements.
In the latest statement, the Speaker said the bill was introduced with the best intentions to boost civic engagement and address low voter turnout, which has plagued recent electoral cycles in Nigeria.
“The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, wishes to inform the public that, following extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, he has decided to withdraw the Bill to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians, which he co-sponsored with Daniel Asama Ago.
The speaker explained that the bill was introduced to bolster civic engagement and strengthen democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout, copying from countries like Australia, Belgium and Brazil.
“Compulsory voting has long been practised with notable success in countries such as Australia, Belgium and Brazil, where it has helped sustain participation rates above 90 per cent, while nations like Argentina and Singapore have also implemented similar measures to foster inclusivity at the ballot box,” the speaker said.
Tajudeen noted that he acknowledged that lawmaking is ultimately about the people and that any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment. Rather than compel participation, he said he was committed to exploring positive incentives and innovative approaches that would make voting more attractive and accessible to all Nigerians.
The Speaker stated that the withdrawal would create room for further dialogue on how to best foster a culture of voluntary participation that respects both democratic values and the rights of citizens.
It’s worth recalling that this public outcry echoes a similar backlash in 2024, when the same Speaker who sponsored this bill was forced to withdraw a controversial bill he proposed and was widely condemned for threatening free speech and silencing dissent.
The Counter Subversion Bill, which had reached the first reading in parliament, was pulled back by Abbas, after widespread condemnation by Nigerians.
The bill, introduced in July 2024, included 24 clauses that proposed harsh penalties for a range of activities deemed subversive. Among the most contentious measures was a 10-year prison sentence or a hefty fine for refusing to recite the national anthem, and a five-year sentence for erecting illegal roadblocks or organising unauthorised protests and curfews.
TENSION gripped residents of Kuchibuyi village in the Byazhin area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after gunmen stormed Grow Homes Estate in the early hours of Monday, May 16, and abducted two people in a daring attack.
The FCT Police Command, in a statement by its spokesperson Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident, stating that the attackers gained access to the estate by breaching the rear perimeter fence.
Adeh noted that a distress call was received around 1:00 a.m. from police officers stationed in front of the estate, adding that while responding to the incident, officers engaged the attackers in a gun battle that lasted approximately 40 minutes.
She further stated that one of the abducted victims, identified as Chinyere Joe, was rescued during the shootout, while the second victim was taken away by the fleeing assailants.
“Upon swift deployment to the scene, it was discovered that the armed attackers had breached the estate through the rear perimeter fence and forcefully abducted two victims.
“The responding police officers exchanged gunfire with the attackers for about 40 minutes and rescued one of the victims, identified as Chinyere Joe. Unfortunately, the attackers escaped with the second victim,” the statement added.
The police anti-kidnapping unit, in collaboration with the Army and other security agencies, has launched an intensive operation to track down the perpetrators and rescue the remaining abducted victim.
The police urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement officers by reporting any suspicious activity.
The attack on Grow Homes Estate in the Byazhin area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is not an isolated incident as it highlights a disturbing pattern of insecurity that has increasingly plagued Nigeria’s capital and its surrounding areas in recent years.
For instance, in February 2025, The FCT Police Command rescued a 25-year-old lady, Promise Eze, from a suspected ritualist and armed robber at a hotel in the Wuse area of Abuja.
According to the statement, Promise Eze, from Ebonyi State, was found on Friday, January 31, tied to a chair, and her mouth sealed with plaster.
“She was found unconscious and in distress. Officers acted immediately, freeing her from captivity and rushing her to Wuse District Hospital, where she was resuscitated,” the police said.
A similar incident occurred in a hotel in the Wuse area of Abuja in 2024, where a man was apprehended for allegedly attempting to kill a lady for ritual purposes.
The man had reportedly tied the lady’s hands and legs but was caught and forced to loosen her.
He was eventually arrested by officers of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and handed to the FCT police who paraded and charged him in court.
Earlier in January this year, The ICIRreported how Eliojo Salomey, a 24-year-old serving National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) member based in Mararaba, a fast-growing community near Abuja, was allegedly butchered by her boyfriend, a gospel singer, Timileyin Ajayi.
