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Eedris’ Song: Tinubu Gets 48 hours Ultimatum to Reverse Ban

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has handed the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) 48 hours ultimatum to reverse the ban on the single track of Nigerian musician Eedris Abdulkareeem. The National Broadcasting Commission had on April 9 issued a memo declaring that the track ‘Tell Your Papa’ not to be aired on all television and radio stations in the country. The Commission cited Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code for its action, saying the track content is deemed inappropriate, offensive, or in breach of public decency from being aired on Nigerian broadcast platforms. In a post on Twitter now X, SERAP, however, has threatened to institute a court process should the Commission refuse to reverse the ban after 48 hours. “The Tinubu administration must immediately reverse the unlawful ban by the National Broadcasting Commission stopping Nigerian radio and TV stations from airing Eedris Abdulkareem’s new single. “We’ll see in court if the ban is not reversed within 48 hours,” SERAP stated.

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Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency Receives Brand-New Patrol Vehicles

The Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency on Thursday received brand new patrol vehicles from the Lagos State Government via the Lagos State Security Trust Fund. Receiving the New Patrol Vans, Prince Ifalade Oyekan, FISN, expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for his unrelenting efforts at ensuring a safer Lagos. In his words, “We are committed to delivering on the safer Lagos initiative, and we have no option considering Mr. Governor’s deliberate efforts and investments at ensuring a conducive working environment for our officers.” Oyekan also commended the Executive Secretary of the Trust Fund and the entire staff of the fund for their commitment and dedication. The General Manager, however, took the time to warn the officers to always remember that every government resource belongs to the good people of Lagos and is held in trust for them by the Officers. “These vehicles are part of the trust bequeathed to your trust and deserve your utmost attention and care”, he stated.

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Eedris Abdulkareem’s song ‘Tell Your Papa’ Banned from Radio, TV

The National Broadcasting Commission has barred Nigerian radio and television stations from airing the trending song “Tell Your Papa” by veteran rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem, citing its “objectionable nature.” In a memo dated April 9, 2025 and issued by the Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, Susan Obi, the commission declared the track Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB) under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. This section prohibits content deemed inappropriate, offensive, or in breach of public decency from being aired on Nigerian broadcast platforms. According to the NBC, while the song has gained momentum across social media platforms, its lyrical content fails to meet the standards of responsible broadcasting. The statement titled, “Restriction on boradcasting ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem,’ read, “The National Broadcasting Commission has identified the song ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem, currently trending on social media, as content deemed inappropriate for broadcast due to its objectionable nature. ” It is therefore classified as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB), as it violates Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. “The commission requests that your station exercises discretion and refrains from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards. “Your cooperation and commitment to upholding greatly appreciated. Thank you, Susan Obi -Coordinating Director, Broadcast Monitoring.” The controversial song, released earlier this week, targets Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, calling on him to confront his father over the worsening socio-economic conditions in Nigeria. In the track titled “Tell Your Papa,” which was shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Abdulkareem delivered a blunt message, painting a grim picture of the hardships facing everyday Nigerians. The song comes in response to Seyi Tinubu’s recent comments in Adamawa State, where he described his father as “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history.” In the hard-hitting lyrics, Abdulkareem raps, “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga.” “Seyi, how far? I swear your papa no try. Too much empty promises. On behalf of Nigerians, take our message to him; kidnappers dey kill Nigerians. “Seyi, try travel by road without your security make you feel the pains of fellow Nigerians. You dey fly private jets, insecurity no be your problem.”

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Sanwo-Olu Congratulates Marwa, Pedro on Doctorate Awards

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), and former Deputy Governor of the State, Otunba Olufemi Pedro, for the Honorary Doctorate degrees conferred on them by the Lagos State University (LASU). Marwa, a former Military Administrator of Lagos State, was awarded Doctor of Humane Letters (Infrastructure, Security and National Development) Honoris Causa, while Otunba Pedro, a member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), received Doctor of Business (Banking, Entrepreneurship and National Development) Honoris Causa during LASU’s 28th Convocation ceremony on Thursday. Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, said the distinguished honourees are exemplary leaders who have left an indelible mark on Lagos State. He said the honours bestowed on Marwa and Pedro are well-deserved considering their roles in the development and growth of LASU, Lagos State and Nigeria in different capacities as public officers and their remarkable impact in their chosen professions. “Your wealth of experience, exemplary leadership, and innovative spirit serve as a beacon of inspiration and have earned you a place among the most revered individuals in our society. These honorary degrees serve as a testament to your unwavering commitment to positive change in the state and nation at large,” he said. Governor Sanwo-Olu said Marwa’s innovative and impactful programmes, such as “Operation 250 Roads” and “Operation Sweep”, spearheaded by him during his regime as the Military Administrator of Lagos State, greatly improved the state’s infrastructure and security. He said Pedro’s exceptional leadership and economic expertise significantly helped to boost Lagos State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), particularly during his tenure as the deputy to former Governor Bola Tinubu, now President of Nigeria.

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Comedy House on Fire as Seyi Law, Mr. Macaroni Fight Dirty

Prominent Nigerian comedians, Seyi Lawrence popularly known as Seyi Law and Adebowale “Debo” Adedayo also known as Mr. Macaroni are on each others jugular over who brought the latter to limelight. Social media is awash with both comedians claims as at press time. While Seyi Law claimed to the the brain behind Mr. Macaroni’s development in the industry, which the ‘Freakie Freakie’ Star denied.. In a post on Thursday, Seyi Law while promoting his show tagged; ’20 Years on stage, The Mic Tyson,’ said he was instrumental to Mr. Macaroni’s journey. He also backed it with a video. The 41-year old comedian wrote; “There are so many things that are oblivious to the media, and one of them is how I have selflessly supported several talents in this country without collecting a dime. Many may not acknowledge my impact in their lives, but that doesn’t write them off. “I remember my cousin, @toluthejesusbaby, disturbed me several times to meet this young, talented Nigerian, and he brought him to my mother’s birthday in January 2020. I spoke with him, and I agreed to support his craft. “I wrote this script for him and went ahead to act with him, and like they say, the rest is history. Many skit makers benefited from my benevolence by using my voice, where I shouted, ‘Yeeee! Yeeeee!!’ in their skits without royalty payment. ‘Kundus’ to them for their massive success. “While some of them are grateful, others like @talkingdrum_cfrn who used one of my jokes from an experience in my elder brother’s house and turned around to tell me, the same thing happened in their home. “Anyway, it has been 20 years of God’s grace and impact.” In a swift reaction, Mr. Macaroni refuted the claims, stressing that he had been a widely known comedian and that his skits have alreadily gone viral before the Seyi Law’s episode. “Ehya Uncle Seyi, you shouldn’t be doing this to yourself. I am ashamed that you are doing this and it breaks my heart that I also have to respond to you this way to correct some of these unnecessary lies. “Firstly, I never asked your cousin to reach out to you on my behalf. How could he have brought me to ask for your support in 2020 when it was you who reached out to me in December 2019 telling me you had an idea that would do so well if we worked on it together. “Bear in mind that I was already a viral sensation at this time with the daddy wa contents having almost 100,000 followers which is why you reached out with the idea. I don’t deny that collaborating with you on that content was a big deal for me for which i showed love and respect and reciprocated when you also called upon me to help you promote your show. “Secondly, contrary to your claim that you agreed to support me when Tolu brought me to your Mom’s birthday in January 2020, you invited me yourself for the birthday celebration and I honored you with my presence. “I remember taking pictures with some of your guests who were happy to see me and we all had a great time. Thirdly, before I posted the content I created with you, I already had over 100k followers with lots of viral contents including collaboration with other Stars e.g Lateef Adedimeji and Broda Shaggi to mention a few. “Lastly, you shared this idea with me and we worked on it together to make the content. “You making it seem like I was one nuisance that ambushed you at your mother’s birthday party who you decided to help is far from the truth! You saw an existing value, made an investment and cashed out when you called me to help promote your show two months after,” the 31-year old refutes unequivocally.

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This Lagos Museum Is Challenging The Traditional ‘Eurocentric’ Model (See Photos)

This Lagos Museum Is Challenging The Traditional ‘Eurocentric’ Model

A new museum in Lagos is rewriting the rules of art curation by moving away from the traditional Eurocentric lens that has long dominated global museums. The recently opened John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, located in the heart of Lagos Island, is leading this shift by placing African stories, voices, and aesthetics at the center of its exhibitions. Unlike many Western institutions that often showcase African artifacts in isolation or as relics of a bygone era, the John Randle Centre presents Yoruba culture as a living, evolving force. From multimedia installations to immersive storytelling, the museum blends tradition with technology to tell the Yoruba people’s history from their own perspective — vibrant, dynamic, and unapologetically local. Curators at the museum have taken a bold approach, collaborating with historians, artists, and community members to build exhibits that reflect Yoruba identity beyond colonial narratives. Items on display are not only historical artifacts but also contemporary pieces that explore themes of heritage, spirituality, fashion, and resistance. By redefining how African culture is presented, the Lagos-based museum is not only preserving history but also reclaiming it. In doing so, it challenges the global art world to reconsider whose stories are told — and how they are told — within the walls of museums.

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Nigerian Cinema Shines as My Father’s Shadow Set to Premiere at Cannes Film Festival

Nigerian Cinema Shines as My Father’s Shadow Set to Premiere at Cannes Film Festival

In a landmark development for Nigerian cinema, My Father’s Shadow, the debut feature film by Nigerian-British director Akinola Davies Jr., is scheduled to premiere at the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. This selection not only underscores the film’s artistic merit but also highlights the growing recognition of African storytelling on the global stage. Set against the backdrop of the 1993 Nigerian presidential election, the film follows two young brothers, Remi and Akin, as they navigate Lagos with their estranged father, Folarin. Throughout their journey, they encounter the city’s vastness and witness their father’s daily struggles amidst political unrest. The film boasts a talented cast led by Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, known for his roles in His House and Gangs of London. The production is a collaborative effort among Element Pictures, Fatherland Productions, BBC Film, and the British Film Institute (BFI). It has also garnered international distribution through Mubi for territories including North America, the UK, Ireland, and Turkey. Akinola Davies Jr. expressed his enthusiasm about bringing the film to life, stating that working with Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù elevated the script to new heights. He also acknowledged the support from BBC Film, the BFI, and the production teams that made the project possible. The premiere of My Father’s Shadow at Cannes represents a significant milestone for Nigerian cinema, reflecting the industry’s expanding influence and the universal appeal of its narratives. As the film continues its journey through international festivals, it paves the way for more African stories to be told and celebrated worldwide.

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Trinidad battles

Unity Cup 2025: Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium to host Nigeria, Jamaica, Ghana & Trinidad battles

The final signatures, seals and indentures were achieved on Wednesday, for this year’s Unity Cup Invitational Tournament involving Nigeria, Jamaica, Ghana and Trinidad & Tobago to go ahead at the 17,250-capacity Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, West London in the last days of May 2025. Rotimi Pedro, of AfroSport, said: “We are proud to bring back The Unity Cup. It’s been a long journey to revive this important community event, and we’re delighted that fans of African and Caribbean football will once again enjoy top-tier international football at Unity Cup 2025. We are grateful to Brentford FC for providing a home at the Gtech Community Stadium and look forward to what, even after 20 years, remains a cultural moment for many who attended previous Unity Cup tournaments. Unity Cup 2025 is a week-long celebration of our interconnected culture in food, music and comedy anchored around elite footballing talents from our home nations.” The tournament will kick off with the first semi-final on Tuesday, 27th May as Trinidad & Tobago tackle Jamaica in the first-ever ‘Trini-Jam’ on UK soil. The following day, three-time African champions Nigeria will take on four-time African champions Ghana in the second semi-final, which will come with all the intrigues and elements of a 74-year rivalry between the two continental giants. All four teams will return on Saturday, 31st May for the grand finale, with the losers of the semi-final fixtures featuring in the third-place game, before the Final to determine The Unity Cup 2025 champions. President of NFF, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said: “We signed on to the tournament as it offers a vital opportunity for our team to bond ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September. The Unity Cup has a special history, and the Super Eagles have always been part of that journey.” While Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Eric Chelle, noted that “we’re looking forward to taking part in the Unity Cup as it will give us the chance to try out a few new players in different roles, helping us to strengthen our squad before the matches in September and October,” team captain William Troost-Ekong said: “This is a great tournament for us to reunite and continue strategizing for the upcoming World Cup qualifying games.” Marcus Gayle, Brentford FC ambassador and former Jamaican international, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome the Unity Cup back and to host it here at the Gtech Community Stadium. This tournament will not only showcase elite football talent from Africa and the Caribbean, but also celebrate the deep cultural and sporting ties between these regions. It’s a brilliant platform for players to shine, and we’re excited about the entertainment and community spirit the tournament brings.”

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