Broadcasting
Here are Five Exceptional Rising African Stars that joined Spotify RADAR Programme
Spotify, global streaming gianton Friday announced the latest RADAR Africa artists – joining a global cohort as part of the programme dedicated to driving the discovery of emerging artists across the world. This year’s list of African artists is made up of the haunting melodies of Bloody Civilian, the soulful sounds of Baaba J, the ethereal vocals of Xenia Manasseh, the genre-defying Tyla, and the fierce energy of Ria Sean.
The all female lineup joins last year’s alumni Ayra Starr, DBN Gogo, Black Sherif, Victony, BNXN and Buruklyn Boyz who were all exposed to new fan communities as a result of the programme. They represent a wide range of styles, from the ambient sounds of West Africa to the masterful Amapiano of South African townships, R&B, alternative and the creative Afropop that has been taking the world by storm. What they all share is a commitment to pushing boundaries and forging new paths in their careers.
Since launching in 2020, Spotify’s RADAR programme has continued supporting artists on their paths to superstardom, helping rising talent at all stages of their development and strengthening their connection to audiences. These African artists joining the Spotify RADAR programme represent the very best that the continent has to offer.
“As the music industry continues to evolve, it’s essential to find new ways to support emerging talent and offer them a fair chance at success both on and off the platform. So we are thrilled to welcome Xenia Manasseh, Bloody Civilian, Ria Sean, Tyla, and Baaba J to the RADAR programme. These artists represent the diversity and vibrancy of the African music scene and we are excited to support them as they continue to grow their careers,” says Victor Okpala, Spotify’s Artist and Label Partnerships Manager, West Africa.
From today, Spotify will prioritise the promotion of RADAR playlists, RADAR podcasts, Spotify Singles, and priority releases from RADAR artists across all regions.
About the artists
Bloody Civilian (Nigeria)
Born and raised in Abuja, Nigeria, Bloody Civilian is a genre-defying singer-songwriter and producer with a passion for storytelling. Inspired by her African heritage and a wide range of musical influences, Civilian’s sound is a fusion of alt-R&B and other genres. She began studying music production at the age of 12 and has since self-produced her debut single, How To Kill A Man. Bloody is driven by a desire to empower and elevate African art and history through her music, making her a rising star to watch in the industry.
Ria Sean (Nigeria)
Ria Sean is a rising Nigerian singer-songwriter who combines Afro-fusion, pop, and R&B into her music. With a distinctive and versatile voice, she has collaborated with artists like Leriq, Moelogo, and Adekunle Gold. Her 2020 hit single Lemonade gained international attention, and she went on to release her debut EP Fluid featuring productions from Saszy, Dunnie, and Grammy-nominated producer TMXO. Her sophomore project Love Station features collaborations with Ayra Starr and French-act Yseult. Ria Sean is a rising star to watch in the R&B scene.
Baaba J (Ghana)
Baaba J is a 22-year-old Ghanaian singer and songwriter with a passion for music and film. Her alternative afro music blends indigenous high life, pop, rap, and soul, with a unique sound that has won the hearts of many. Baaba J’s debut EP, Lumumba St., released in December 2020, was the major launchpad for her career. She draws inspiration from her childhood experiences, growing up in a big family in Ghana’s harbour city Tema. Her music speaks to meaningful matters such as culture, love, and identity, and she is on a mission to show the world that Africans, especially African women, have what it takes to take the world by storm with their unique, multi-faceted music.
Xenia Manasseh (Kenya)
This Kenyan singer-songwriter, possesses a captivating voice that brings a refreshing and pure sound to the music scene. Her debut EP Fallin’ Apart, released in 2019, quickly soared to number one on the Kenyan’s R&B/Soul charts and reached an impressive #2 across all genres. Xenia’s talent extends beyond her own music, as she has songwriting credits on notable tracks like Teyana Taylor’s “Wrong B*tch” and “Shoot it Up” ft Big Sean, as well as Vanjess’s Surrender from the album “Homegrown.” She has collaborated with acclaimed artists such as Sauti Sol, Mr Eazi, Tay Iwar, and has contributed background vocals on Burna Boy’s “Time Flies.” With her genre-defining R&B sound, Xenia Manasseh is making waves not only in Kenya but also in the top markets of the US, UK, Germany, and South Africa.
Tyla (South Africa)
Tyla’s music is a fresh take on pop and R&B, blending South African amapiano and innovative production. Her emotionally-rich songs started at a young age and have led to international success with hits like Getting Late. Her new singles, Been Thinking and To Last, showcase her versatility and push her artistry forward. Tyla was determined to unlock what had always been inside her. “Getting Late” was the breakthrough, and her late 2021 song “Overdue” featuring DJ Lag and Kooldrink soundtracked the second-season trailer of Netflix’s South African teen drama Blood & Water, but “Been Thinking” and “To Last” find Tyla in full control of her own story, especially the emotional “To Last.”
Awba-Ofemili Development Union (ADU) Health Committee has officially announced the launch of the Awba-Ofemili Health Awareness Campaign 2026, a community-wide initiative designed to promote preventive healthcare, disease awareness, early detection, health education, and healthy living across Awba-Ofemili.
Awba-Ofemili Health Awareness Campaign
The campaign, themed “Beyond Elu-Ulee (Buruli Ulcer): Building a Healthier Awba-Ofemili,” will be held on Thursday, 17 September 2026, at the Civic Centre, Awba-Ofemili, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
The programme builds on the success of the committee’s maiden Elu-Ulee (Buruli Ulcer) Awareness Campaign, which raised awareness on Buruli ulcer and strengthened community engagement on preventive healthcare.
According to the Chairman of the ADU Health Committee, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, KSM, the 2026 campaign represents a significant expansion of the committee’s health intervention agenda.
“This campaign is about moving beyond awareness to action. We want to deepen community health education, encourage early detection of preventable diseases, strengthen school health initiatives, promote First Aid awareness, and build sustainable partnerships that will improve the health and well-being of our people,” he said.
The 2026 campaign will feature community health education, free basic health screening, school health support, First Aid awareness programmes, and stakeholder engagement with healthcare professionals, development partners, and community organisations.
The committee has called on sons and daughters of Awba-Ofemili, residents, friends of the community, corporate organisations, philanthropic individuals, NGOs, healthcare institutions, and development partners to support the initiative through financial contributions and strategic partnerships.
To support the implementation of the campaign, the ADU Health Committee has opened a dedicated fundraising channel through Fidelity Bank Plc, with donations payable to Awba-Ofemili Education Volunteers (Account No. 6060490921).
The Committee appealed to all supporters to use “HEALTH FUND” as the transfer narration so that contributions can be properly recorded and accounted for under the ADU Health Committee Health Fund.
Secretary of the ADU Health Committee, Mr. Cornelius Nwakonobi, emphasized that every contribution would make a meaningful impact.
“No donation is too small. Every contribution will support community health education, medical outreach, school health programmes, First Aid support, and preventive healthcare initiatives. Together, we can build a healthier, stronger, and more resilient Awba-Ofemili,” he stated.
The ADU Health Committee reaffirmed its commitment to working with government agencies, healthcare professionals, development organisations, the Nigerian Red Cross, community stakeholders, and the Awba-Ofemili diaspora to advance sustainable health interventions in the community.
For partnership enquiries, sponsorship, or additional information, interested organisations and individuals are encouraged to contact the ADU Health Committee Secretariat.
Broadcasting
NBC Files Fresh Appeal against Judgment Barring it from Imposing Fines on Broadcast Stations
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has filed an application seeking the permission of the court of appeal to file a fresh appeal against the judgement of the federal high court in Abuja barring it from imposing fines on erring broadcast stations.
In the application filed at the court of appeal in Abuja by Dapo Akinosun, counsel to the NBC, the commission argued sanity in Nigeria’s broadcasting sector is under threat and that the public interest would be better served if the court grants the application.
On January 17, 2024, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, a judge at the federal high court in Abuja, restrained the NBC from imposing a N5 million fine on broadcast stations sanctioned in 2022 over allegations of “undermining Nigeria’s national security by broadcasting documentaries on banditry in Nigeria”.
The affected broadcast stations were Multichoice Nigeria Limited, owners of DSTV; TelCom Satellite Limited (TSTV); Trust-TV Network Limited; and NTA StarTimes Limited.
The suit was filed by Media Rights Agenda (MRA).
Dissatisfied with the ruling, the NBC appealed the judgement filed an appeal at the court of appeal in Abuja.
In June, the court of appeal dismissed the commission’s appeal, holding that it was “fundamentally defective” and incompetent.
Jane Inyang, lead judge of the panel, held that the parties before the lower court were identified as “Incorporated Trustees of Media Rights Agenda (as applicant) and National Broadcasting Commission (as respondent)” but in the notice of appeal the purported appellant was described as the “Nigerian Broadcasting Commission”,
The judge held that the discrepancy was significant and that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the commission’s appeal.
In the application, the NBC urged the court to grant it leave to raise and argue a fresh issue on appeal relating to the legal capacity of MRA to institute and maintain the original suit before the lower court.
The commission argued that the defect in the earlier notice of appeal, which resulted in the dismissal of its appeal, arose “solely from an inadvertent misdescription” of its name by its lawyer.
The NBC told the court that the subsisting judgement raises questions on the commission’s statutory powers to regulate broadcasting and enforce compliance with broadcasting standards in Nigeria.
The commission argued that the subsisting judgment is capable of creating uncertainty regarding its regulatory powers if it is allowed to stand.
The NBC also argued that without the pronouncement by the appellate court on the issues raised in the appeal, its regulatory framework would be weakened.
“A weakened regulatory framework may embolden non-compliance with established broadcasting standards, thereby increasing the dissemination of false, misleading and unverified information capable of causing unnecessary public anxiety, panic and social unrest,” the NBC said.
“Absence of effective regulatory oversight may further encourage irresponsible broadcasting practices and the misuse of broadcast and digital media platforms by persons who deliberately publish sensational, inaccurate or inflammatory content to intimidate, harass or unduly influence individuals, institutions and public discourse.”
David Adedeji Adeleke, known professionally as Davido, has shared his past suicidal thoughts as he dropped Oriadé, his sixth studio album yesterday.
Davido
Davido said he chose the date on purpose as it marks exactly 15 years since he began his professional music career.
Oriadé is a Yoruba word combining “Ori,” meaning destiny, and “Adé,” meaning crown.
It translates to “the crowned head.” The album has 13 tracks and features Black Sherif, Aya Nakamura, Leon Thomas, Mayorkun, and Llona.
It follows his 2025 project, 5ive, which reached number two on the Billboard World Albums chart.
Davido also announced an international tour to support the new record.
In the days leading up to the release, Davido gave interviews that revealed personal details about his past and his current life.
Speaking to Vibe Magazine on Thursday, he described a 2014 incident in Ghana that left him feeling suicidal.
He said he invited a woman back to his hotel room after a show, and she later posted a photo of him sleeping online.
He said the fallout overwhelmed him.
“My daddy was calling me. My sisters were calling me. If I saw the balcony that day, I would have jumped,” he said.
He said he was young at the time and did not fully understand the consequences of his actions.
He described the experience as a turning point that changed how he thinks about privacy and fame.
In the same interview, he explained why he often dresses down in public despite his wealth.
He recalled a trip to the South of France where he went out in shorts and slippers without his watch.
“I’ve been on jets, I’ve been flying, I’ve been in all these places since I was a baby. I’ve been seeing money since I was a baby. So all these things don’t really excite me,” he said.
He added that he sometimes prefers to drive a Toyota to the supermarket in Atlanta instead of one of his luxury cars.
In a separate livestream with Davrel, Davido spoke about how his life has changed since marrying his wife, Chioma, and becoming a father.
He said his home no longer holds the large crowds it once did.
“I can no longer have 100 people in my house like before,” he said.
He said he speaks to Chioma every day regardless of his schedule.
He also disclosed that he spends between $200,000 and $300,000 a month on himself, not including costs for his wife, children, jewelry and cars.
He said the amount is lower when he is in the United States, where he described his lifestyle as quieter.
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