Broadcasting
Asa Absent in Court Over Allegation of Lesbianism
The failure of popular jazz and soul musician, Bukola Elemide, commonly called Asa to appear at a Lagos High Court last week for cross examination, stalled a N700 million suit she instituted against publishers of a Lagos-based magazine, News of the People.
Asa and her manager, Janet Nwose had in the suit against the publishers of the publication, urged the court to declare that the statement and picture in the December 14-22 edition of the magazine, entitled “Lesbianism Tale Trails Asa and Manager” was defamatory.
When the matter came up, her counsel, urged the court to adjourn the suit to enable her appear in court.
In a letter to the Registrar of the court, Asa explained that her failure to be in court was as a result of her musical engagements outside the country.
Trial judge, Justice Adenike Coker, consequently adjourned the matter till April 26.
Asa wants the court to declare that the allegation of lesbianism against her and Janet is false, illegal and a violation of their rights.
They are also asking the court to restrain the defendant from further publication of what they described as malicious statements against them, adding that the alleged defamatory statement was calculated to discredit and malign them in their ‘unblemished’ career as international music artists with high moral standing, which they have consistently conveyed in their songs.
They also accused the defendants of portraying them as loose, and licentious persons with pervert sexual orientation and therefore lacked any claim to moral rectitude.
The media house in their statement of defence, said words complained of by the claimants were not defamatory, adding that the defendant as journalist and in pursuance of his Constitutional role under Section 22 and 39 of the Constitution, have a duty to inform the public on issue that are of public interest.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
Broadcasting
Davido, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Karl Toriola, Others To Be Honoured At The Most Influential People of African Descent Awards In Lagos
Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) is excited to announce the Lagos Diaspora Experience 2025, a week-long celebration of African art, culture, innovation, and connection, culminating in the End of the Year Awards & Celebration on Sunday, December 21st, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria.
The Most Influential People of African Descent Awards
This historic occasion marks the first time the world-famous Most Influential 100 Recognition & Awards Ceremony—traditionally held in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)—will be hosted in Lagos, Nigeria.
The week will feature events such as Diaspora Day at the Fela Exhibition (Afrobeat Meets Diaspora), Cultural Heritage Day, and Business Leadership Luncheons, all culminating in the awards celebration.
The evening will honor the Best & Brightest of the Year, recognizing exceptional individuals and institutions whose work has advanced Global African Achievement and Black Excellence across business, government, media, culture, and technology.
Key Recognitions for 2025
– Governor of the Year & City of the Year: His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, honored alongside Lagos as City of the Year for its global leadership in culture, innovation, tourism, and diaspora engagement.
– Her Excellency Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, will be honoured as Minister of the Year for her contribution to the creative economy’s role in nation branding and cultural diplomacy.
– Most Influential Woman of the Year: Olorì Atúwàtse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom
– Most Influential Man of the Year: Adewale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, OANDO
– CEO of the Year: Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria; who will deliver a keynote address, recognized for his transformative leadership and impact on Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital economy.
Others include; Karl Toriola of MTN as CEO of the year, Uche Pedro of Bella Naija as Lifestyle Personality Of The Year, Ojy Okpe of Artise News as Most Influential News Anchor Of The Year, Stephanie Busari as Media Executive of the Year, Kayode Okikiolu as Pressman of the year, Davido as Artist of the year and several others.
In celebrating this year’s honorees, Michael Ehindero, Managing Director, Pernod Ricard Nigeria, owners of Martell Cognac, who emerged as Brand Of The Year expressed deep appreciation for the brand’s continued global recognition, saying: “It’s a great reward for the team who’s delivered Martell excellently in Nigeria over the years.
“We say thank you to the teams, we say thank you to our consumers and we say thank you to MIPAD.
“Martell has a lot of promising experiences in the years to come in Nigeria and with this we invite you over to Nigeria to experience Detty December”.
The ceremony will also celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025 Honorees, alongside past Nigerian honorees who were unable to attend their year of recognition in New York.
“For the first time, we’re bringing our world-famous recognition platform home to celebrate excellence within the Global Africa Family — right here in Lagos,” said Kamil Olufowobi, Founder & Chairman of MIPAD. “This is more than an event; it’s a movement uniting the best of us — connecting, collaborating, and working together to change the world.”
Event Details
📍 Lagos, Nigeria
– Friday, Dec 19 – #DettyDec Diaspora Day at Fela Exhibition FREE
– Sunday, Dec 21 – End of Year Recognition & Award Ceremony STRICTLY BY INVITATION
🎟️ RSVP: https://rsvp.oakenevents.com/mipad
The Mood Market to Light Up Lagos with a Rooftop Gifting, Food & Lifestyle Fair this Christmas
Access Holdings Shareholders Approved to Raise N40bn Capital Through Private Placement
Jumia Kicks Off December Holiday Sale, Bringing Festive Deals to Shoppers Nationwide
Dangote, Monopoly Power, and Political Economy of Failure
OAU, Baptist Day School Oluponna honour Akano with Distinguished Alumnus Awards
Nigeria Records Highest Weekly Cyberattacks in Africa — Report
Cyber Tsunami Hits Nigeria as Breaches Surge 1,047%, esentry Q3 Report Reveals
Jumia’s Data Shows Nigerians Turning to Digital Retail to Navigate Inflation Pressures
GenAI Adoption Among African workers Outpace Global Peers
How Insecurity is Bleeding Nigeria about $15bn Annually and Destroying Its Economic Future
E-Business3 days agoNigeria Police Arrest Okitipi, Nigerian Allegedly Linked to Microsoft 365 Hack
News3 days agoNITDA Partners OGP to Drive Presidential Digital Goals
E-Financial3 days agoWorld Bank to Approve $500m Loan for Nigeria Today
E-Financial3 days agoCustoms Slam 3 Percent Surcharge on Banks over Delayed Revenue Remittance
Telecom3 days agoWhy Econet Wireless is Switching to VFEX
E-Financial2 days agoAccess Holdings Shareholders Approved to Raise N40bn Capital Through Private Placement
General News2 days agoJumia Kicks Off December Holiday Sale, Bringing Festive Deals to Shoppers Nationwide
Broadcasting2 days agoNIMC rolls out Pre-Enrolment Portal for seamless NIN registration