Seun Kuti, the acclaimed musician and prominent activist, has forcefully criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent policy change. Kuti specifically targeted Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy. He characterises it as a callous move that harms ordinary Nigerians. The singer, known for his outspoken nature, didn’t mince words when he called it a “wicked decision” during a recent live broadcast on his Instagram account.
Kuti argued passionately that the Nigerian administration has already demonstrated its ability to function without relying on citizens’ contributions.
He began, “Don’t let anybody tell you that there is something in Nigeria that the government cannot afford or that they need some private person to invest. If someone tells you that, tell the person to shut up!”
Seun Kuti forcefully contrasted the government’s lavish spending on personal luxuries with its neglect of crucial public sectors. He pointed out how officials eagerly purchase high-end items for their own use while education and infrastructure languish without adequate funding. To illustrate this stark disparity, Kuti zeroed in on a specific example.
He highlighted the eye-watering sum of $150 million that the government allocated for a presidential private jet. This extravagant expense, Kuti argued, throws the administration’s skewed priorities into sharp relief. He used this striking contrast to challenge the government’s claim that it lacks funds for essential public services and to question its commitment to the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.
He asked, “Who donated for the $150 million jet for Tinubu? Who did they ask for donations?”
“That $150 million do you know how many schools it will build? Or how long it will run a primary school? 10 good primary schools would be run on that money for at least 20 years. 10 good primary schools would be built and run, that will educate ten generations of African people,” he added.
Kuti intensified his critique by targeting the government’s approach to providing essential services. He lambasted the administration for its heavy reliance on public-private partnerships. The activist pointedly argued that the government only seems to favour these collaborative arrangements when they involve community investment.
Kuti insinuated this strategy unfairly shifts the burden onto citizens, requiring them to contribute financially to services they should rightfully expect from their government. He portrayed this approach as a convenient way for officials to abdicate their responsibilities, stepping in only when they can leverage community resources rather than fully funding vital services themselves.
“When it comes to their enjoyment and building houses of billions of naira, they don’t say that they need the public to donate money. But when it is time to build for the people, that’s when they need a public-private partnership. Nonsense talk!” he said, outraged.
Kuti slammed the government, saying, “The president cannot tell us that this petrol matter is not in his control. He is the president and minister of petrol. They say they take tough decisions but there is no tough decision taken here. President Tinubu took a wicked decision, this whole subsidy and floating the dollar there is nothing tough about it.”
Wizkid’s ‘Kese (Dance)’ Reclaims Top Spot on Apple Music Nigeria
Wizkid’s latest single, ‘Kese (Dance)‘ dramatically returned to the Apple Music Nigeria Top 100 chart. The song temporarily disappeared on November 18, 2024, sparking widespread speculation among fans and music enthusiasts.
Fab.ng first reported the unexpected chart removal. Despite vanishing from the Nigerian chart, ‘Dance’ maintained its position on global Top 100 lists. Remarkably, it remained the sole Nigerian and African track on international charts.
Apple Music’s chart management protocols suggest potential reasons for the temporary removal. The platform commonly investigates potential streaming manipulation. When suspicious activity emerges, they remove and then reinstate tracks after verifying stream authenticity.
Fans and industry watchers developed multiple theories. Some believed the removal resulted from technical complications. Others suspected a deeper investigation into streaming patterns. The exact mechanism remained unclear.
Within hours, ‘Kese (Dance)’ returned to its top chart position. The song demonstrated sufficient streaming strength to reclaim its previous standing. Wizkid’s continued musical dominance remained unquestionable.
The incident generated additional excitement around Wizkid’s upcoming album ‘Morayo.’ Scheduled for release on November 22, 2024, the album generates significant anticipation. Wizkid strategically shared the official tracklist, further fueling fan enthusiasm.
Music industry observers noted the incident’s potential marketing impact. The temporary chart removal inadvertently increased visibility for both the single and the upcoming album. Wizkid’s strategic music release continues to capture the audience’s attention.
The event underscores the complex dynamics of digital music platforms. Streaming charts represent more than simple popularity metrics. They reflect intricate algorithmic and investigative processes.
Wizkid continues to demonstrate his significant influence in Nigerian and global music scenes. ‘Kese (Dance)’ represents another milestone in his remarkable musical journey.
Fans remain eager to experience the full ‘Morayo’ album, anticipating another potential chart-topping release from the superstar artist.
Davido’s “Na Money” music video, featuring Angélique Kidjo and The Cavemen, has earned the prestigious Best Costume/Styling (Craft) award at the 12th Berlin Fashion Film Festival.
The vibrant video is directed by Dammy Twitch and produced by Blessing Uzzi. The video captivated audiences with its colourful costumes, cultural depth, and breathtaking visuals. This celebrates African heritage with impeccable creativity and style.
The win underscores the team’s exceptional attention to detail in showcasing the beauty of African fashion and culture. From the elaborate traditional attire to the contemporary designs, the video seamlessly blends visual artistry with the powerful Afrobeat sound of the track.
This recognition cements “Na Money” as a benchmark for combining music and fashion in innovative storytelling.
The Berlin Fashion Film Festival celebrates fashion and film annually.
It has recognized outstanding talent since its establishment. The festival is part of the larger Berlinale, a global cinema event dating back to 1951.
It focuses on creativity and craftsmanship in filmmaking. The festival highlights emerging talent across various artistic disciplines. It awards prestigious honours like the Golden Bears.
The event attracts filmmakers, designers, and film enthusiasts from around the world. The festival provides a platform for innovative storytelling through visual media.
Recognizing creative excellence supports artistic development. The award represents a significant achievement for artists and creators. For Davido and his team, this recognition underscores their contribution to global cultural representation.
The festival continues to be an important stage for showcasing innovative artistic expressions.
The video’s dynamic visuals and cultural richness not only earned industry accolades but also resonated with fans worldwide.
To experience the award-winning brilliance firsthand, watch Davido’s “Na Money,” featuring Angélique Kidjo and The Cavemen, now.
Let the stunning visuals and captivating storytelling take you on a journey through Africa’s vibrant cultural tapestry.
Explore the full list of winners on the festival’s official site and join in celebrating this milestone for African music and fashion.
Reginald Jumbo’s compelling short film “The Interrogation of Lotanna” has earned prestigious recognition with six nominations at the upcoming 2025 Film Joint Awards.
The nominations span major categories. They include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Indigenous Film (Nigeria), Best African Film, and the Best Jury Award for Outstanding Storytelling.
The FilmJoint platform stands as a vital global initiative that connects short filmmakers with international audiences. They provide them with a stage to showcase their creative works.
Through its annual awards ceremony, FilmJoint celebrates exceptional short films that advance African cinema’s artistic and cultural landscape.
Producers Ibukun Serah Adetoyinbo and Oreoluwa Obadofin bring to life a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of civil unrest.
The plot follows Captain Ardo, a military commander tasked with suppressing an eastern rebellion led by the elusive Zuru Nkwu.
After months of fruitless searches, intelligence leads Ardo to interrogate a suspect named Lotanna. Despite enduring severe torture, Lotanna steadfastly maintains his innocence throughout the ordeal.
The film showcases powerful performances from an ensemble cast. The cast features William Chinoyenem, Cassey Oritsejolomi, Anthony Nwahiri, Francis Sule,Michael Embraiz, and Mr. Rala.
Each actor brings depth and authenticity to their respective roles, contributing to the film’s emotional impact and storytelling prowess.
These nominations underscore the film’s artistic merit and its significant contribution to African cinema. The recognition from the FilmJoint Awards particularly highlights the film’s excellence in storytelling, direction, and performance.
Meanwhile, it also acknowledges its cultural significance as both a Nigerian and African production. The winners will be revealed at the 2025 FilmJoint Awards ceremony, where “The Interrogation of Lotanna” stands as a strong contender across multiple categories.
