YOUNG, FAMOUS & AFRICAN SEASON II
Netflix has launched the second season of the reality TV series “Young, Famous & African.”
Following the success of its first season, which provided insights into the lives and loves of African celebrities, the series is back with even more drama and excitement.
In this new season, tensions rise, and friendships are put to the ultimate test as new faces, including Bonang Matheba, join the likes of Swanky Jerry, Annie Macaulay-Idibia, and 2Baba and promise to enthral audiences.
Also newly included in the A-list crew as Director of Hair and Makeup is Africa’s leading and award-winning makeup artist, Joyce Jacob of Joyce Jacob Beauty, who is revamping the glam on the cast this season. We are eagerly anticipating the antics of this season as they unfold.
LAGOS SPACE PROGRAMME WINS THE 2023 WOOLMARK PRIZE
The Woolmark International Prize, which celebrates outstanding fashion talents from around the globe, announced Adeju Thompson of Lagos Space Programme as the winner for 2023 on Monday, May 15 th. 31-year-old Thompson impressed the jury with the brand’s modern use of craftsmanship in his designs, earning him the prize money of $200,000 AUD (approximately ₦100,188,000. The money is for the designer to invest in the development of the brand, which is known for its locally-made fabrics and prints.
HILDA BACI IS THE NEW WORLD RECORD HOLDER
Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, has broken the record for the longest cooking hours done by an individual. She cooked for 100 hours to surpass the current record holder, Chef Lata Tondon of India, who held the record at 87 hours and 45 minutes. Chef Baci, in the 100 hours of her cooking marathon, cooked over 100 meals from 4 p.m. Nigerian time on Thursday, May 11th, to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 15th. The cooking sensation received a wave of support from political leaders, celebrities, clerics, and other well-meaning Nigerians during the time she spent cooking to break the existing record at Amore Gardens.
SEUN KUTI ARRESTED
Nigerian Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer.
Kuti handed himself in on Monday, the 15th of May, after a video on social media captured him assaulting a police officer in uniform. His actions drew widespread condemnation, with many calling for his arrest. It is still unclear what caused the altercation, which showed an agitated Kuti pushing a uniformed policeman before striking him twice in the face on a busy road in Lagos.
Kuti, the son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, finally went to the police headquarters on Monday with his lawyer and family to turn himself in and has since been detained for further investigation.
US TAKES STEPS TO IMPOSE A VISA BAN ON NIGERIANS WHO DISRUPTED 2023 ELECTIONS
The United States of America has announced in a statement posted on the US State Department website that it has taken steps to impose a visa ban on all persons who disrupted the 2023 general election held in February and March in Nigeria. Secretary of State Antony Binken said, “The United States is committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Nigeria and around the world. Today, I am announcing that we have taken steps to impose visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process during Nigeria’s 2023 elections cycle.”
According to the statement, these individuals, under the US Immigration and Nationality Act, are subject to restrictions on visas to the United States under a policy covering those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy. Nigerians earlier this week took to their social media handles to commend the United States on this move and are calling for the Nigerians listed as affected to be named.
SAINT OBI DEMISE
It was a shock to fans to hear about the demise of veteran actor Obinna Nwafor, popularly known as Saint Obi. The actor passed away on May 7th after battling with an undisclosed ailment for a while at the age of 57. Obi was famous for his roles in ‘State of Emergency,’ ‘Candle Light,’ ‘Sakobi,’ and many more. He graced our screens for many years with his brilliant acting skills, and we will surely miss him. Rest well, Saint Obi.
ARISE TV NEWS WINS BEST TELEVISION STATION OF THE YEAR
ARISE TV News has been awarded television station of the year 2022 at the maiden edition of The Nigeria Broadcasting Awards (TNBA), which was held on Wednesday, May 17 th, 2023, at the Eko Convention Centre of the Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island. TNBA, organised by Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), is aimed at recognising and rewarding excellence in the broadcast media industry. The board recognised and awarded the television station for its excellence in disseminating local and foreign news from an African perspective to the rest of the world in the areas of politics, business, sports, entertainment, arts, and culture.
YEMI MOBOLADE BECOMES COLORADO SPRINGS FIRST ELECTED BLACK MAYOR
Nigerian-born American businessman Yemi Mobolade has become the new mayor of Colorado Springs in Colorado State, United States of America (USA). Mobolade, who had no prior political experience, became the first elected black mayor of Colorado Springs after he defeated Wayne Williams on Tuesday night in the city’s runoff contest. His victory represents a political change in Colorado Springs, long known as a conservative stronghold. Williams is a Republican, while Mobolade is unaffiliated. He received 57 percent of the vote against Williams’s 43 percent which secured him the seat as the 42nd mayor of Colorado.
FG RENAMES FEDERAL MINISTRY OF AVIATION
The Federal Government on Wednesday, the 15th of May, announced that the Federal Ministry of Aviation had been renamed the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace of Nigeria. The announcement was made by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, during the Federal Executive Council meeting held in Abuja led by President Muhammadu Buhari. Sirika emphasised the connection between aviation and aerospace and the importance of aligning Nigeria’s policies with both entities.
Is Elon Musk Set to Launch Robot Wives?
Over the weekend, pictures of Elon Musk and a humanoid surfaced online and went viral on various media platforms. The picture shows the tech billionaire and a woman robot in an intimate position, and it was alleged that Musk’s company was on the brink of completing the creation of a robot companion, commonly referred to as a “Robot Wife.” But many news platforms have come out to debunk the news and describe the whole thing as a hoax. The picture was designed using artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and this isn’t the first time images of Musk have been fabricated and shared online to deceive people.
In a world of technological advancements and innovative ideas, Elon Musk is a visionary entrepreneur, business magnate, and investor who has continuously pushed the boundaries of what is possible.
