Daily Digest Online

Ile-Ife, the ancient Yoruba cradle, witnessed an unprecedented gathering of African power and royalty on Monday as Ghanaian President John Mahama was installed as the Aare Atayeto Oodua (a high-ranking traditional chieftaincy title) by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. The historic ceremony drew an illustrious roll call of dignitaries from across the continent, underscoring the deep cultural ties and diplomatic significance of the event. A Gathering of Titans: Dignitaries in Attendance The palace square was a spectacle of color and prestige, with security heavily reinforced due to the presence of numerous high-profile figures. The guest list was a testament to the event's importance: *   Political Leadership: Ghana's President John Mahama was the guest of honor. Also present was former President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi. *   Business Royalty: Africa's richest man and industrialist, **Ali...

Lagos nightlife was electrified over the weekend when American hip-hop mogul Rick Ross made a completely unannounced appearance at a packed club, creating a viral moment that underscored the city's status as a global entertainment capital. The Miami-born rapper, who was in the city for the TAPE Lagos pop-up event, took the stage unexpectedly on Saturday night, sending the crowd into a frenzy of loud cheers and excitement. A Viral Night of High Energy The surprise performance became the undisputed highlight of the evening. Videos circulating online show Ross, appearing relaxed and engaged, interacting with the enthusiastic audience under the venue's glittering chandeliers. The atmosphere was already buzzing with popular Afrobeats tracks from artists like Shallipopi, but Ross's presence shifted the energy to another level. Adding to the spectacle was the dramatic performance of celebrity aide **Israel DMW**, whose energetic and acrobatic dance moves dr...

The ancient city of Ile-Ife and the broader socio-political landscape of Osun State are in mourning following the death of the Oluomo of Ile-Ife, Chief Gbenga Owolabi, who passed away early on Sunday, December 14, 2025. He was 65 years old. Chief Owolabi died after a brief illness. According to his close associate, Mr. Lawrence Omidiora, the community was informed of his deteriorating health in the early hours of Sunday. Despite efforts to get him urgent medical care, he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. A Life of Influence Across Business, Politics, and Chieftaincy Chief Gbenga Owolabi was a towering figure whose influence stretched across multiple spheres. He was widely respected as a successful entrepreneur, a savvy politician, and a dedicated community leader. He was the proprietor of the renowned XELA Hotel and several other business ventures, earning a reputation as a kind-hearted and cosmopolitan businessman. His deep commitment to the progress of Ile-Ife wa...

Burna Boy has made history by becoming the first and only African artist to sell out the 18,000-capacity Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. This milestone comes just days after the controversial cancellation of his Orlando show, with fans and the media hailing the sold-out concert as proof that his star power is untouchable. The Grammy-winning superstar is currently on his United States tour in support of his new album, "No Sign of Weakness." His performance at the Prudential Center featured hit songs from the new album, as well as his previous projects. To commemorate the historic sell-out, Burna Boy was presented with a plaque. He took to Instagram to express his gratitude, writing, "Thank you for the incredible honour and recognition. This isn’t just for me; it’s for my team, my band, my fans, and every single person who showed up." The concert continues the singer's remarkable journey of growth in the American market...

Burna Boy's concert at the Kia Center in Orlando has been canceled just hours before the Grammy-winning artist was set to perform on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. The cancellation was confirmed on Ticketmaster, which stated the event was "called off by the organizer." The show was part of the artist's ongoing "No Sign of Weakness" tour. Refund Process and Broader Tour Context Ticketmaster has notified ticket holders that refunds will be processed automatically to the original payment method within 14 to 21 days. For transferred tickets, the refund will go to the original purchaser. No official reason has been given for the last-minute cancellation. The Orlando date follows other recent changes to the U.S. tour leg, including canceled shows in Minneapolis and Chicago. The cancellations have sparked online discussion, with some outlets linking them to reports of slow ticket sales and scrutiny following a recent on-stage inci...

Former President Goodluck Jonathan joined Senator Ned Nwoko on Wednesday to celebrate the promotion of the senator's brother, Kingsley Nwoko, to the rank of Major General in the Nigerian Army. The decoration ceremony was held in Abuja on December 10, 2025. Senator Nwoko shared the event on his social media, expressing pride in his brother's achievement, which he attributed to years of dedicated service. The presence of former President Jonathan among other dignitaries highlighted the significance of the occasion. The event was celebrated by family, community members, and well-wishers. * Source : YamanNews.ng *

President Bola Tinubu has convened a meeting with All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in Osun State, urging them to embrace unity and consensus ahead of the party's primary election scheduled for Saturday. The meeting, held at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, aimed to foster harmony among contenders. Attendees included key aspirants such as former Deputy Governor Olugboyega Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, and Senator Babajide Omoworare. They were joined by top party officials, including APC National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and SGF Senator George Akume. Appeal for Party Supremacy and Victory President Tinubu commended the aspirants for their contributions and appealed for cooperation to avoid the internal divisions that impacted the party in the previous Osun election. He emphasized their collective duty to ensure an APC victory. "You all have a duty and obligation to the party by ensuring the...

In a significant display of cultural unity, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, alongside a gathering of Ijaw monarchs, held a thanksgiving service at the sacred Gbaraun Egbesu Temple in Oporoza, Delta State. The event, which took place on Wednesday, December 10, was attended by traditional rulers from Delta, Bayelsa, Edo, and Ondo States, led by HRM Oboro Gbaraun II, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom. Dignitaries, elders, and youths from across the Ijaw nation convened to honor their deities, particularly the revered Egbesu, and to pray for peace and development in the Niger Delta and Nigeria. A Ceremony of Unity and Reflection Tompolo, the Chairman of Tantita Security Services and a prominent figure in the region, addressed the gathering. He commended the traditional institutions for their role in maintaining peace and reiterated his commitment to the welfare of the Ijaw people and the stability of the Niger Delta. "This ...

A woman's account of the moment her mother died without warning while resting on her shoulder during a ride home has resonated across social media, creating a wave of shared grief and highlighting the suddenness of loss. In a viral TikTok video, the woman, identified by the username @eastside_goddess01, recounted the traumatic events of August 25, 2019. She explained that she and her mother had spent the day visiting a friend, with her mother appearing "healthy and sound" throughout the outing. The tragedy occurred during their journey home in a "keke," a common term for a motorized tricycle taxi widely used in Nigeria. The woman recalled, "On our way home inside keke, my mum lay her head on my shoulder. I thought she was sleeping, not knowing she’s dead." She continued, describing the devastating moment of realization: "Like 5 mins later I turned to wake her, I saw the rice she ate there coming out from her nose and mouth ...

Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has publicly addressed the criticism she faced after directing Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to shorten his remarks during a high-profile event over the weekend, framing the backlash as an overreaction by critics. The incident occurred at the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, where Mrs. Tinubu was being honored with the traditional title of Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua. As Governor Adeleke delivered his goodwill message and performed a short celebratory dance, the First Lady interjected from her seat at the high table, stating: "Enough with the music, or I’ll switch off the microphone. Conclude in five minutes." The public directive, made in front of gathered dignitaries, was captured on video and quickly circulated online, sparking a wave of commentary. Many social media users criticized the tone as abrupt and disrespectful toward a sitting governor. Th...