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Inside Amazon’s Big Push in Latin Music: Exclusive
The online retail giant launches its first major Latin music brand. Amazon Music is placing a new big focus on Latin music with the launch of “Amazon Music LAT!N,” a Latin music brand with a broad umbrella that includes over 100 new and revamped playlists, an emerging artist program, merchandise, video and multiple catalog programs among many other initiatives. Using the tagline “La Musica que nos conecta” (The music that connects us) — a reference to the fact that Latins come from many countries and cultures but are connected by music and language — the LAT!N hub, which includes music in Spanish and Portuguese, will live within Amazon at amazon.com/latinmusic. It seeks to establish Amazon as a major player in Latin music streaming and content, as well as retail. “T...
Saudi Arabia set to begin Umrah for local pilgrims
The Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday that the “resumption of Umrah will be done gradually depending on COVID-19 conditions.” According to Haramain Sharifain, Umrah will first be resumed for locals (residents of Saudi Arabia) and that too will be allowed in ‘limited numbers’. The source confirmed previous speculations that an application is being developed which will allow for registration of the pilgrim’s intended time and date for the performance of Umrah and also a negative COVID-19 PCR report will be a mandatory requirement. If the intending pilgrim fulfils all conditions then an “Umrah permit” will be issued. Regarding the opening date of Umrah, the source said that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will announce the full mechanism in the coming days. It will be recalled that Saud...
Katsina spends N3 billion on WAEC, NECO fees in five years
The Katsina State Government has spent more than N3 billion on payment of Senior School Certificate Examination fees for 320,058 candidates who sat for the examination between 2015 and 2019. The Commissioner of Education in the state, Prof. Badamasi Lawal, made this known during media briefing in Katsina on Thursday. He said that out of the number, 216,832 candidates scored five credits and above in five subjects, representing 68 per cent. Lawal added that 138,612 candidates obtained five credits and above including English Language and Mathematics, which represents 63 per cent. He said that the money was paid to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), National Examinations Council (NECO) and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB). He also said that the gover...
Governor Diri sues for understanding over Bayelsa, Rivers boundary dispute
Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has called on the Rivers State government to show understanding in order to amicably resolve the dispute between Oluasiri Clan in Bayelsa and their Kalabari neighbours in Rivers. The Oluasiri communities in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa and their Kalabari Ijaw kinsmen are locked in dispute arising from the location of oil wells within the boundary area. Diri made the plea in Yenagoa during a meeting with stakeholders from the Oluasiri clan led by the paramount ruler, Chief Iyerite Awululu. He sought the support of Ijaw leaders and elders to resolve the age-long feud between the two Ijaw communities. In a statement by his acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, the governor said the state government will protect its territories and work with the ...
Governor Wike asks President Buhari to make Edo election a model
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to make Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State a model. Wike, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Campaign Council for the poll, spoke during a live television programme in Port Harcourt. A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, quoted the governor as saying that the outcome of the election would provide hope for 2023 general election. He said: “Everyone that loves this country should ensure that tomorrow’s election is credible, free and fair. “The police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should show Nigerians that they can support credible elections. “INEC should ensure that result sheets are not in the hands of i...
Zamfara APC expels Sirajo Garba, 125 others for violating NEC order
The Seven-Man Disciplinary Committee Set up by Zamfara State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has expelled Sirajo Garba and 125 others for violating National Executive Council resolution of the party and anti-party activities. Garba, with membership registration 01002642 from Dodo Ward, Gusau Local Government Area, is the Chairman, Marafa’s faction of APC. Newsmen report that the National Secretariat of the APC had earlier directed the State Chapter of the party to set up a disciplinary committee to sanction any member who violated the directive of its NEC. The directive was for the withdrawal of all subsisting court cases by the members and Garba was among the 140 members who took party to court after the NEC directives. A statement signed by the Chairman of the committee, ...
Edo election: Governor Obaseki declares Friday work-free
Ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Edo State, the government has declared Friday, September 18, 2020, as a work-free day. This was contained in a statement titled ‘Edo 2020: Obaseki declares Friday work-free day’ on Thursday. The statement noted that the declaration of a work-free day was to enable workers in the State Public Service to travel to their respective Constituencies to exercise their franchise. It quoted the Edo State Head of Service, through the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Aziegbemhin P.E, as saying, “Sequel to the forthcoming Edo State gubernatorial election scheduled to hold on Saturday September 19, 2020, Mr. Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has approved Friday 18th September 2020 as a work-free day to enable workers in the State Public Service travel to their respective ...
Police warns Zamfara APC against intervening in security issues
The Zamfara Police Command has warned the leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state to avoid intervening in security issues. The State Police Commissioner, Usman Nagogo issued the warning in Gusau on Thursday at a press conference while reacting to a protest by some APC members at the Police headquarters on Sunday in Gusau. The protest was over alleged illegal arrest of 18 APC members by the police. The police had said that the 18 people were arrested over their alleged meeting with some repentant bandits. The police commissioner said the arrest of Alhaji Habu Dantabawa and 17 others was a proactive measure by the police to curtail any act of banditry and related criminality in the state. “On the 12th September 2020, the police on intelligence and credible information g...
Police confirm DPO, Inspector’s death in Sokoto
The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the death of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and an Inspector attached to Gidan Madi Division in Tangaza Local Government Area of the state. The command’s Spokesman, DSP Sadiq Abubakar, told newsmen on Thursday in Sokoto that about 100 unknown gunmen invaded the town and engaged the police in a gun battle. Abubakar said the incident occured at about 1:30 a.m. and two officers, including Mr Aliyu Bello, the DPO, and Muhammad Abdullahi, an Inspector, were shot death by the the armed men dressed in army camouflage. He said another ASP Sani Abdullahi sustained injuries and was hospitalised, while the police have drafted senior officers to undertake assessment of the situation. According to him, emergency meetings were conducted by the police al...
Wale Babalakin resigns as UNILAG’s council chairman
Dr Babawale Babalakin has resigned his position as chairman of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, governing council chairman. Following what looked like an irreconcilable difference between the now-former council chairman and the Academic Staff Union of University, UNILAG chapter, Babalakin has finally tendered his resignation. The Federal Government, in August, wielded the big axe by asking the Wale Babalakin-led Governing Council of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, and the embattled Vice-Chancellor, Prof Toyin Ogundipe, to stay away pending the outcome of a probe into happenings in the school. The government also asked the Senate of the university to appoint an Acting VC for the institution. The Federal Ministry of Education spokesman, Ben Goong, made this known in a press statement on Fri...
Paxful breaks ground on fourth in 100-school initiative
Paxful team with pupils in Rwanda Paxful, a global peer-to-peer bitcoin marketplace, announced today that it has broken ground on the fourth in its 100-school initiative aimed at building quality education centers in emerging countries. The fourth school, located in Nigeria, will come fully equipped with a state-of-the-art solar-powered and water well system, and in response to safety requirements associated with COVID-19, Paxful will also provide Personal Protective Equipment for all teachers and students including facemasks and hand sanitizers. According to Ray Youssef, CEO, and co-founder of Paxful, “The #BuiltWithBitcoin initiative now supports over 400 students.” He highlights that through the 100-school plan, Paxful expects to bring education to nearly 15,000 young people throughout ...
Niger insists no going back on roads closure to trucks
Niger State Government says it will not go back on the restriction order placed on heavy trucks plying the state-owned roads which took effect on the 15th September, 2020. This is coming after the State government had assured that its position will be reviewed as event concerning the closure unfolds. The state government maintained that its decision to close down all state government roads was done within the confines of law stressing that adequate consultations and sensitization with relevant stakeholders were made and two weeks notice was also served to general public as well as relevant road transport organizations before the roads were barricaded. As such, the state government will not relent on its oars to ensure that the State owned roads are not accessed by articulated vehicles, the...
