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Ayra Starr Names Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, And Rema As Her Personal Afrobeats “Big 3”

Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr has revealed her personal “Big 3” of the genre, naming Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, and Rema as the artistes she considers the most influential. The singer shared her picks during a recent interview with Hot 97 FM, when asked to identify the Afrobeats acts that have had the biggest impact on shaping the sound and global reach of the music. “My Afrobeats Big 3 would be Tiwa Savage, Wizkid and Rema. My solid Big 3,” she stated. Starr explained that her choices reflect the unique contributions each artist has made to the evolution of Afrobeats. She praised Tiwa Savage as a pioneering female figure whose success has paved the way for women in an industry traditionally dominated by men. Her comments add a fresh perspective to the ongoing debate over the genre’s so-called “Big 3.” For years, fans and industry watchers have typically used the term to refer to Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy, citing their commercial dominance and global influence.

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Court Warns Omoyele Sowore Over Absence, Threatens Bail Revocation And Bench Warrant

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has cautioned Omoyele Sowore, politician and online publisher, that his bail could be revoked if he fails to appear at the next hearing in his ongoing cybercrime trial. The judge also warned that a bench warrant could be issued to ensure Sowore is brought to court. The warning followed submissions by the prosecution, led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), who said Sowore deliberately missed Thursday’s court session despite being properly served with a hearing notice through his lawyers. Sowore is facing charges from the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegedly making false claims against President Bola Tinubu on X and Facebook, describing him as a criminal. Neither Sowore nor his team of about 30 lawyers attended Thursday’s proceedings. Kehinde noted that the day’s business was scheduled for the defence to complete its cross-examination of the first prosecution witness. He stressed that Sowore had no valid reason for his absence and had not provided any explanation. Citing Sections 352(1) and (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the prosecution requested that the court revoke Sowore’s bail and issue a bench warrant for his immediate production. In his ruling, Justice Umar confirmed that Sowore had been properly served and acknowledged his consistent attendance in previous hearings since the case began late last year. He observed that earlier adjournments had been requested by both parties. The judge ultimately granted Sowore the benefit of the doubt for his first absence but made it clear that repeated non-appearance could lead to bail revocation and immediate enforcement measures.

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King Charles III Hosts Nigerian Diaspora Ahead Of President Tinubu’s Historic UK State Visit

King Charles III hosted members of the Nigerian diaspora in the United Kingdom on Wednesday evening in a special reception ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s upcoming state visit—the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years. The reception, held at a royal venue not publicly disclosed, featured jollof rice and live performances by Dele Sosimi and the Afrobeats Orchestra. The Royal Family described the gathering on its official X account as “a wonderful evening.” “Last night, The King hosted a reception with members of the Nigerian diaspora in the UK, ahead of the incoming State Visit of the President of Nigeria. With jollof rice and music by Dele Sosimi and the Afrobeats Orchestra — it was a wonderful evening. Thank you to everyone who joined us,” the post read. President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu are expected to travel to the UK as guests of King Charles and Queen Camilla from Wednesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 19, 2026. The visit marks the first Nigerian state visit to the United Kingdom since 1989, when former military president Ibrahim Babangida was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II for four days. 🇬🇧🇳🇬 Ahead of Presidential Visit:King Charles III has received a Nigerian delegation ahead of the planned UK visit of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.The delegation was led by Yusuf Maitama Tuggar and included Abike Dabiri-Erewa, alongside members of the Nigerian diaspora. The meeting took… pic.twitter.com/ZpkLNoBSLy — Judon Tv (@JudonTv) March 12, 2026

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Shade 45 DJ And Hip-Hop Icon Lord Sear Dies At 54

Legendary Shade 45 DJ and radio host Lord Sear has passed away at the age of 54. Shade 45 confirmed the death of Steve Watson, known professionally as Lord Sear and also as Stak Cheda, in a statement on Wednesday. Details surrounding his passing have not yet been disclosed. To honor his legacy, Shade 45 will air a tribute episode on Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. ET on SiriusXM, celebrating Sear’s contributions to hip-hop and radio. “It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Lord Sear. He was more than a voice on the radio — he was a force, a friend, and family to so many of us,” Shade 45 said in a social media post. “Rest easy, Lord Sear. The culture will never forget you.” Following the announcement, fans and fellow artists paid tribute on social media, including E-40, Hit-Boy, Fat Joe, Mickey Factz, Rapsody, Tony Yayo, 9th Wonder, and Skyzoo, celebrating the influential DJ’s impact on hip-hop culture.

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Atiku’s Son, Adamu Abubakar Officially Resigns From PDP

Adamu Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has formally quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with his resignation taking immediate effect. The announcement was made in a resignation letter dated March 4, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of PDP in Jada 1 Ward. In the letter, Abubakar expressed his gratitude to the ward leadership and members for their support throughout his time in the party. “I hereby formally resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at Jada 1 Ward with immediate effect,” the letter read. He went on to thank the party for the opportunities he had while serving and requested that his resignation be officially communicated to the relevant authorities. “I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to have served and the support extended to me by the ward leadership and members over the years. Kindly accept this as my official notice and communicate same to the appropriate authorities,” he added.

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House of Representatives Urges FG To Lift Blanket Ban On Benin and Togo Degrees

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to lift the blanket ban on degree certificates obtained from the Republic of Benin and Togo. The call came after the House adopted a report from the Committee on Public Petitions during plenary on Wednesday. Chairman of the committee, Laori Kwamoti, said the report was prepared following a petition submitted by Sovereignty Legal Practitioners on behalf of stakeholders in the education sector. The petition challenged the government’s decision to invalidate degrees from institutions in the two West African countries amid concerns over academic fraud. The committee recommended that the government reverse the blanket ban, noting that it could unfairly penalize graduates who legitimately earned their qualifications. Instead, lawmakers suggested implementing a case-by-case verification process to address proven instances of fraud rather than applying a general sanction to all certificates. The House further urged the Federal Ministry of Education to work closely with education authorities in Benin and Togo to improve verification systems, prevent academic fraud, and ensure proper authentication of foreign qualifications. In January 2024, the Federal Government had suspended the accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from Benin and Togo following an undercover investigation that exposed widespread certificate racketeering.

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BBNaija’s Angel Smith Announces Upcoming White Wedding With Female Partner

Former Big Brother Naija housemate Angel Smith has announced that her white wedding with her female partner is just around the corner. The couple first made headlines a few weeks ago when reports of their upcoming marriage surfaced, along with images of a wedding ring and a marriage certificate. Angel had stayed silent at the time but recently showcased her ring on social media. She later shared a post featuring their wedding invitation card, which included the hashtag #Tunmisangel2026 and asked guests to dress in black for the celebration. Angel also addressed critics in a collage post, responding firmly to negative remarks. One person questioned her choice of wedding color, and she shot back, asking if they were even invited. Another critic suggested that no man was “good enough” for her, prompting Angel to respond angrily, telling them to “shut up.” Fans will recall that a few years ago, Angel stirred pregnancy rumours while dating fellow reality star Soma after posting a pregnancy emoji on Instagram, leading to congratulatory messages and speculation about Soma being the father. The upcoming wedding has reignited public interest in Angel’s personal life, as fans eagerly await the celebration of her love.

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Hilda Baci Celebrates Fiancé Dapson After Guinness World Record For Largest Afrobeats Orchestra

Celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci has praised her fiancé, music executive Damilola “Dapson” Akinwunmi, following his historic achievement at the “Trench Symphony: The Dapper Live Experience” in Lagos. Dapson’s team at Dapper Live and Dapper Music Entertainment made history by assembling the largest orchestra ever featured at an Afrobeats concert, with 85 musicians performing alongside some of Nigeria’s top Afrobeats artistes. The feat was officially recognised by Guinness World Records, marking a milestone not only for Dapson but for the global Afrobeats scene. Sharing a video capturing the historic moment, Hilda reflected on the hard work behind the achievement. She wrote: “I’ve seen the work. The sleepless nights. The risks. The reinvesting. The belief when things weren’t always easy. Watching this moment happen for you and the team at Dapper Live and Dapper Music Entertainment feels incredibly special. What started as a vision for Trench Symphony has now become a historic moment — officially a Guinness World Record for the largest orchestra at an Afrobeats concert. I’m so proud of you. Proud of the resilience, the passion, and the way you continue to create platforms for talent and for the culture. Also… our kids will definitely hear this story one day. Record breaker daddy. Record breaker mummy.” Dapson, founder of Dapper Group and owner of Dapper Records, has played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s music industry, nurturing rising talents including Shallipopi and other emerging artistes. Through his record label and live entertainment company, he has created opportunities for artistes to showcase their talents on major platforms, helping to elevate Afrobeats to a global audience. Adding a personal touch to the celebration, Hilda shared photos from their traditional couple photoshoot, captioning them: “Love that flows like an ocean #meetthedapsons26,” giving fans a glimpse of their forthcoming wedding. The record-breaking achievement and Hilda’s heartfelt tribute have drawn widespread admiration, highlighting Dapson’s dedication to music and culture and the couple’s shared journey of support and success. This milestone positions Dapper Live as a trailblazer in large-scale Afrobeats productions and reinforces the growing international recognition of Nigerian music and orchestral collaborations.

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