Latest news with #Lagos
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Why Nigerian authorities declare Speed Darlington wanted
Di National Agency for di Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons [Naptip] don declare Nigerian Content creator, Darlington Okoye wanted. Di anti-trafficking and sexual abuse agency declare Darlington wey pipo sabi as Speed Darlington, wanted in connection wit alleged offences wey include rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking. Dis dey come afta Naptip bin invite di rapper and content creator to come ansa kwesion on top accuse wia e admit say im bin sexually abuse pikin. Im wahala start sake of video wey im use im hand post for Instagram live wia e allegedly confess say im bin abuse 15-year-old girl. Dat time, e bin no clear weda e dey serious wit di comment or e just dey do content. Pipo begin drag Naptip put inside di mata sake of say dem want Naptip to torchlight di mata. Mr Okoye bin come for social media to allegedly tok about di time wey im sleep wit 15 year old pikin for hotel and e "disvirgin her and give am 2k". Wen pipo first drag Naptip attention to di trending video, di agency bin direct di mata to di Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) bifor dem decide to handle di case by demsefs. But dis time di agency say if anybody see am make dem report to dem. Authorities bin invite di content creator afta alleged child abuse 'confession video' Speed Darlington and controversy Speed Darling dey always enta tori sake of tins wey dey controversial. E neva tey wey im comot from police hand before e do dis one again. Police bin detain am sake of defamation case against Burna Boy becos of video wey blow afta US rapper Diddy arrest. For one one viral video wey bin spread ontop social media, e show wia, Speed Darlington dey ask Burna Boy how e take win im Grammy award in 2021. Di 39-year-old wey pipo sabi as "Akpi" ask di Grammy award winner, Burna Boy if Diddy rub "oil for im nyash" bifor e win di trophy. "E no tey afta Burna Boy post im foto wit Diddy na im, e win Grammy," e tok "I just dey wonder, Burna Boy I dey ask you kwesion. No vex . How many oil Diddy drop for your nyash bifor dem give you trophy." Video of im arrest bin dey trend ontop social media, afta some pipo escort am comot from im gate. Meanwhile, di main pipo behind di arrest of 'Akpi', as Darlington dey call imsef no come out come tok. Afrobeats giant Burna Boy wey evri body dem call im name no also chook mouth for di mata. Who be Speed Darlington Speed Darlington na di son of Nigeria singer Pericoma Okoye, wey die on 16 February 2017 for Okigwe, Imo state Southest Nigeria. Im mama na Queen Theresa Onuorah. E blow for Nigeria afta im song BangDadaDang! comot for 2017 and pipo start to dey meme am for social media. E even tok say na Diddy bin inspire dat im song wen im drop am. Dat song blow sotay pipo even start to dey play am inside clubs and parties at di time and na wen Speed Darlington start im social media career. At di time wey e get im first hit, im bin dey live for di US but a few years later, e come relocate back to Nigeria. Di 39 year old rapper dey very popular for im social media persona wey im dey take tok about a lot of issues, mostly sex and how to make money.
Forbes
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
E1 Looks To Capture New Fans Through Roc Nation Team-Up
UIM E1 World Championship is partnering with Roc Nation to expand its fanbase. E1, the electrified raceboat equivalent of F1, known for its sustainability-first mission and its famous team owners like Tom Brady, LeBron James, and Rafael Nadal, is partnering with Roc Nation Sports International (RNSI) to expand its global audience. According to the official launch release, the partnership will be focused on content creation, leveraging 'RSNI's cultural influence and talent ecosystem to showcase E1's purpose-driven ethos through compelling storytelling and creative campaigns.' The agreement between the two entities runs through the remainder of the 2025 season, which at the time of writing, includes races in Lago Maggiore, Monaco, Lagos, and Miami. 'Being different and challenging the status quo is embedded within the DNA of Roc Nation Sports International, and E1 aligns perfectly with that,' said Michael Yormark, President of RSNI. 'It's an electrifying, high-octane sport, yes, but it's so much more. It's a movement. It aligns perfectly with our ethos of innovation, cultural relevance, and impact. We saw the potential to not only expand the global audience for E1 but to also bring its powerful message of sustainability and cutting-edge technology to the forefront.' E1 and Roc Nation Partnership E1 will lean on RSNI's expertise and talent roster to transcend its traditional audience and reach potential fans. E1 athletes will also be incorporated into the wider RSNI entertainment ecosystem, giving them greater exposure and allowing for cross-pollination opportunities in the areas of lifestyle, music, and entertainment. 'Roc Nation Sports International gets what we're building here at E1 in terms of both the sport and the opportunity, ' said the on-water racing championship's CEO, Rodi Basso. 'We already have the technology, the talent, and the backing from major athletes. What RSNI brings is the understanding of how to find new audiences who don't even know they want to watch E1 racing yet.' There also seems to be alignment around environmental sustainability, an arena that is paramount to E1, whose founder, Alejandro Agag, recently won the Reuters Energy Transition Award for his exceptional dedication in promoting and facilitating the transition to net-zero. Speaking to me via video call from Lago Maggiore, Basso said, 'For sure, they are interested in this topic. They haven't dealt with it so much before, but within their roster of celebrities, some people are very passionate about oceans, lakes, and rivers.' Basso insisted that sustainability would be 'the first area we will start working with them on.' From his side, Yormark noted that, 'E1's commitment to being the world's first and only all-electric race boat championship is incredibly inspiring. It's a clear demonstration of how high-performance sport can coexist with environmental responsibility.' While they may have less experience with sustainability than the innovators over at E1, RSNI seems no less committed to promoting their mission. 'At Roc Nation Sports International, we believe in using our platform to drive positive change and inspire,' Yormark told me. 'Partnering with E1 allows us to amplify that message, showcasing how innovation can lead to a more sustainable future. We're not just about entertainment; we're about progress, and E1 is a prime example of that progress in action.' When asked exactly how RSNI would help elevate the E1 brand and expand their drive for environmental sustainability, Yormark said, 'RNSI will work with E1 to continue to build awareness of how purposeful and innovative this thrilling sport is, and to showcase this to new fan audiences.' E1 team owners like Tom Brady, Didier Drogba, Rafael Nadal, and Steve Woki have helped bring the ... More championship unprecedented exposure in just two seasons. E1's U.S. Presence Part of the reasoning behind E1's partnership with RNSI is their desire to increase their presence in North America. With five of their seven races in Europe and the Middle East, a physical presence in the U.S. is critical if the competition is going to garner greater awareness in the biggest sports market in the world. According to Basso, it is the expertise that RSNI brings in the U.S. market that makes it a particularly attractive partner. He said, 'We are already very excited about this partnership. It is based on the value of celebrity and the ability to generate value and content. We are very much U.S.-focused, and they [RSNI] are very competent in that market.' Basso also openly expressed the competition's plan to add more races in the U.S. and North America as a whole. He could not disclose which cities could be potential hosts, but did note that E1 is already in expansion conversations with several North American metropolises. Fans of the competition can expect more races off North American shores in the coming years. Ahead of the E1 season finale in Miami, both Basso and Yormark said fans can expect new and exciting market-specific content collaborations. Neither were able to provide specifics, but Yormark said, 'We're looking at unique content series featuring our talent immersing themselves in the E1 experience. The goal is to create authentic connections that resonate with a global audience and bring new eyes and ears to the incredible world of E1.' Basso said, meanwhile, that both teams are excited about the market prospects and are already discussing 'how to go for big brand exposure and activations for the Miami race.' Bringing E1 to Africa Expanding to the U.S. follows quickly on the coattails of E1's push into Africa. Earlier this season, E1 announced two new race locations: Dubrovnik, Croatia and Lagos, Nigeria. The latter is a step towards globalizing the sport and bringing technological innovation to the mother continent. Basso says the expansion into Africa is very important for a few reasons, most notably that it allows the brand to build a global competition that is inclusive. He explains that Team Drogba has been inspirational since joining the championship and was a pivotal actor in the push into African markets. As Basso explains, E1 is looking 'to contribute in their small way to accelerate Africa's technological evolution.' The expansion has been met with open arms by the regional government. The Mayor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also blessed the plan, with Basso noting, 'Sanwo-Olu is very excited to have E1 there.' So, for E1 and RNSI all of this means a new collaboration, a new continent, amplified sustainability messaging, and hopefully, many new fans.
Zawya
10 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria's Dangote aims to end Africa's fertiliser imports
Africa will be self-sufficient in fertiliser within 40 months, Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote said on Friday, on the basis of a planned expansion of his $2.5 billion plant on the outskirts of Lagos. Africa currently imports over 6 million metric tons of fertiliser annually as it struggles to produce enough food in often challenging growing conditions. The benefits of increasing domestic production would include reduced foreign exchange expenditure, which has been a major economic burden in Nigeria because of the weakness of the local currency. "In the next 40 months, Africa will not import fertiliser from anywhere. We have a very aggressive trajectory right now. We want to put Dangote to be the highest producer of urea, bigger and higher than Qatar - give me 40 months," Dangote said at the annual Afreximbank meeting in Abuja. Dangote runs Africa's largest granulated urea complex, which has annual capacity of 3 million tons, 37% of which it exports to the United States. It will need to double current output to achieve his ambition. Dangote has said he is not worried about the impact of Trump tariffs. Analysts say the market outlook for fertiliser is bullish, but there are also challenges and the kind of expansion Dangote seeks requires infrastructure to be built. "Any new fertiliser plant or expansion project faces cost overrun risks to the producer," Seth Goldstein, senior equity analyst at Morningstar Research, said. Mikolah Judson, an analyst at global risk consultancy, Control Risk, cited the need for "transport infrastructure and port capacity," saying "bottlenecks routinely delay various import and export projects in Nigeria". Dangote has a track record for delivering big projects. He also owns the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Africa's largest, although its launch was repeatedly delayed and it exceeded its initial budget. He has said he intends to list the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery next year and on Friday he also confirmed plans to list his fertiliser plant on the local stock exchange this year.
Zawya
11 hours ago
- General
- Zawya
Unchecked accumulation of marine debris threatening Nigeria's maritime competitiveness — Stakeholders
Stakeholders in the maritime sector on Thursday called for a strengthened national policy framework to tackle marine debris, warning that unchecked accumulation is threatening Nigeria's maritime competitiveness and endangering the future of its waterways. The stakeholders, who made this call in Lagos during the 2025 annual summit of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN), stated that marine debris impairs navigational safety, disrupts port operations, and pollutes coastlines—undermining tourism, coastal livelihoods, and community health, among other concerns. Speaking at the summit, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, said marine debris threatens biodiversity, including fish, marine mammals, and seabirds, often leading to entanglement and ingestion. Dantsoho, who was represented by Capt. Femi Oyewole, Principal Manager, Marine, NPA, noted that as custodians of Nigeria's seaports, the NPA is deeply committed to advancing national and global efforts to combat marine litter and preserve the integrity of the marine ecosystem. He emphasized that the dangers are no longer distant possibilities, but present and escalating, hence the need for urgent action. According to him, 'The NPA has taken several proactive measures to confront the menace head-on. It operates and regulates port reception facilities at all major ports in Nigeria, ensuring full compliance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78), particularly Annex V, which addresses garbage disposal from ships calling at the Authority's four pilotage districts: Lagos, Delta, Bonny/Port Harcourt, and Calabar.' 'These facilities provide secure, environmentally sound reception and handling of waste from vessels calling at Nigerian ports. They are equipped to receive a wide range of ship-generated waste, including plastics, food waste, domestic garbage, oily rags, and hazardous residues, as well as daily sludges and bilges. By doing so, we eliminate the incentive for illegal disposal into the marine environment and ensure all waste is treated, recycled, or disposed of in accordance with national and international environmental standards.' He added that the NPA also regularly undertakes dedicated marine litter and seaweed cleanup exercises within and around port channels, berths, and quay aprons. 'By removing plastics, packaging materials, vegetation waste, and other solid litter, we are able to protect marine life, reduce blockages in port drainage systems, and ensure the smooth operation of vessels in port environments and navigational channels,' he stated. ALSO READ: Tinubu International Conference Centre fully booked until 2027 — Wike Also speaking, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers' Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, applauded SCAN for choosing such a critical topic and emphasized the need to prioritize the clearance of water channels to ensure the free movement of vessels on inland waterways. Akutah, who was represented by the NSC Deputy Director of Monitoring and Enforcement, Adeshina Sarumi, stated that having water channels littered with debris or shipwrecks poses a significant challenge to Nigeria's water transportation system. He urged the media to verify reports and present them accurately, with facts and figures, in order to aid the effective operation of relevant agencies. In his address, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, called on stakeholders to show greater commitment to tackling marine debris and stressed the need for increased public awareness, especially among residents of coastal communities. Oyebamiji, who was represented by an Assistant General Manager at NIWA, Mrs. Aisha Eri, noted that marine waste is a global issue, not just a Nigerian one. He stated that a marine litter action plan is already in place, involving shared responsibilities among all stakeholders. He emphasized that while NIWA and other agencies are making efforts, residents of coastal areas must also desist from polluting the waterways. The Guest Speaker and President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners, Captain Tajudeen Alao, expressed concern that some strategic areas, which should serve as tourist centers, have been overtaken by debris. He warned that the unchecked accumulation of marine debris continues to threaten Nigeria's competitiveness in the maritime sector. Represented by the Second Vice President of the Association, Captain Olugunwa Jide, Alao called for the establishment of a legislative framework backed by the National Assembly and proposed a fine of ₦5 million for illegal waste disposal. Speaking on the theme of the event, 'Marine Debris: The Danger Ahead,' SCAN President Moses Ebosele emphasized the urgent need to address the crisis of marine debris and its threat to the maritime industry, marine ecosystems, and coastal communities. He said the summit aimed to facilitate national dialogue, share knowledge, and build collaborative strategies to combat marine debris and other forms of marine pollution. 'The growing prevalence of marine debris is not just an environmental issue; it is a socioeconomic threat that can undermine the very foundations of our maritime industry and coastal communities,' Ebosele said.
Zawya
11 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
AfDB projects Nigeria's GDP growth to moderate to 3.2% in 2025
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has projected Nigeria's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to moderate to 3.2 percent in 2025 and 3.1 percent in 2026, down from 3.4 percent in 2024, largely due to persistent structural bottlenecks and heightened global uncertainty. The AfDB urged Nigeria to adopt a more strategic and coordinated approach to capital mobilisation as the country advances its economic reform agenda. This is contained in the recently launched 2025 Nigeria Country Focus Report (CFR), titled 'Making Nigeria's Capital Work Better for Its Development'. The report highlights the urgent need to improve how Nigeria mobilises, manages, and invests all forms of capital: fiscal, financial, human, natural, and business capital to accelerate structural transformation and foster inclusive growth. The launch comes amid Nigeria's bold economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, unification of exchange rates, and tax reforms. These measures reflect the government's commitment to long-term macroeconomic stability and self-reliant development. 'Despite this momentum, the report projects that real GDP growth will moderate to 3.2 percent in 2025 and 3.1 percent in 2026, down from 3.4 percent in 2024, largely due to persistent structural bottlenecks and heightened global uncertainty,' the AfDB said. In his opening remarks, Dr Abdul Kamara, Director General for Nigeria at the African Development Bank, emphasised the significance of this moment for the country's development agenda. He said, 'This report is both timely and practical. Nigeria is demonstrating bold leadership through difficult but necessary reforms. Its capital is more than financial; it includes human, natural, and institutional assets. What this report shows is the need for integrated strategies that make every form of capital work together to drive inclusive and sustainable transformation.' Prominent among the report's findings is the urgent need to enhance domestic resource mobilisation to close Nigeria's annual development financing gap of USD 31.5 billion. While tax reforms and non-oil revenue expansion are beginning to yield results, the informal sector remains large, tax compliance low, and the tax-to-GDP ratio among the lowest in the region. Mr Olufemi Olarinde, Head of Fiscal and Tax Reforms Implementation Division at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), officially launched the report on behalf of the Federal Government, noting its relevance to Nigeria's current fiscal trajectory. He said, 'We appreciate the efforts of the African Development Bank in contributing to this important report, which reflects our ongoing work in fiscal and tax reforms. It accurately captures both the strides we are making and the challenges we face as we strengthen Nigeria's public finance system.' To meet development goals, the CFR recommends broadening the tax base, improving compliance, reducing tax expenditures, and investing in the institutional capacity of revenue-generating agencies, while ensuring public spending is both efficient and impactful. The report also highlights governance constraints as key obstacles to effective capital mobilisation; fragmented oversight, overlapping mandates, and limited institutional coordination continue to undermine public trust and investment confidence. In this context, Dr Jacob Oduor, Lead Economist for West Africa at the African Development Bank, emphasised that policy tools like market-based exchange rate systems can support Nigeria's economic resilience but only when backed by credible institutions and disciplined macroeconomic management. Reinforcing this, Peter Engbo Rasmussen, Country Economist for Nigeria, noted: 'Nigeria's commitment to fiscal reform is crucial to building a resilient economy. The CFR reveals that strengthening non-oil revenue and improving public financial management will not only reduce reliance on volatile oil markets but also provide the fiscal space needed to invest in people and infrastructure.' Beyond fiscal policy, the CFR aligns with private-sector perspectives. Dr Joseph Ogebe, Head of Research and Development at the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), echoed the report's attention to inflationary pressure and the role of productivity. He said, 'The CFR's findings resonate with our position at NESG. Price stability remains a pressing concern, with inflation disproportionately affecting micro and medium-sized businesses. We continue to advocate for a productivity-led deflation strategy and recommend a growth-with-depth approach that prioritises sustainable economic expansion over reliance on borrowing.' The 2025 Nigeria Country Focus Report is part of the Bank's annual analytical series that mirrors the African Economic Outlook at the country level. These reports offer localised, evidence-based analysis tailored to national priorities and are designed to support reform implementation, policy dialogue, and development planning across the Bank's Regional Member Countries. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
