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Lekki Free Zone’s turnover hits $5b

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Managing Director, Lekki Free Zone (LFZ), Bolatito Ajibode has said about $5 billion has been generated as revenue through the zone, with investment ranging from infrastructure to industries and raw materials.

 

Ajibode disclosed this during a media tour organized by the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority NEPZA in Lagos, stating that In terms of revenue to the government, the zone remits pay as you earn tax to the state government, with 3,200 workers coming to the zone each day to earn a living, which is a significant employment opportunities created by the Lekki zones.

 

According to the MD, “The zone is the largest trade zone with a land area of 3,000 hectares, it currently has 60 enterprises in operation and an additional 30 under construction across various sectors, including manufacturing, real estate, logistics, recreation, and oil and gas.

 

“The first challenge in that area is the road infrastructure from Lekki to Eleko junction, which has been handled by the Dangote Group and will be completed soon. Another challenge is the devaluation of the naira. We currently sell in dollars, and it has been a bit of a challenge for investors, whether coming in or going out, especially Nigerian investors who buy our lands.

 

“We have different options for large-scale manufacturers and small retailers, but it’s people who have deep pockets that can come in. Nigerian investors struggle to cough out the money, which is why we have more foreigners here, like 20 to 80 per cent foreigners around the zones.

 

The Managing Director NEPZA, Olufemi Ogunyemi had earlier disclosed that Nigeria’s free zones, numbering 46 licensed zones in 2022, have provided 38,429 direct employment jobs and an additional 172,930 indirect jobs towards the end of 2023, so far free zones in the country have created an enabling environment aimed at enhancing economic growth and development of export-oriented manufacturing in the non-oil sector of the economy.

EFCC files objection to suit disowned by Sanwo-Olu

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EFCC files objection to suit disowned by Sanwo-Olu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to reject a fundamental rights suit filed in the name of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to stop possible arrest by the anti-graft agency.

 

In its counter-affidavit opposing the suit, the EFCC described the legal action as speculative and a mere conjecture.

 

EFCC filed its objection on 31 October, a day after the Lagos State Government disowned the suit on behalf of Mr Sanwo-Olu.

 

The Lagos State Government, through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, issued the denial in a statement maintaining that Governor Sanwo-Olu never engaged any lawyer to file such a suit and had no reason to do so.

 

“We need to clarify that Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at no time, sued or briefed any legal practitioner to file a suit on his behalf concerning the above subject matter,” the statement read in part.

 

PREMIUM TIMES cannot immediately verify if the suit was withdrawn after the Lagos State Government distanced the governor from it on 30 October.

 

It is a severe professional violation for a lawyer to file a suit on behalf of a person without being engaged by the person.

 

Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports seeing on Monday EFCC’s counter-affidavit filed in court on 31 October, a day after the suit was denied by the governor’s camp.

 

NAN further reported that when the suit last came up on 29 October, the judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, adjourned until 26 November.

 

 

NAN, however, gathered that though hearing notices had been served on the parties ahead of the 26 November proceeding, the suit may be withdrawn by Mr Ozurumba by then.

 

Suit

The newswire reported that Mr Sanwo-Olu, through his lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba, had sued the anti-graft agency as the sole defendant over alleged threat to arrest, detain and prosecute him after his tenure as governor.

 

The originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/773/2024 dated and filed on 6 June, raised seven questions and sought 11 prayers.

 

It sought a declaration that under and by virtue of the provisions of Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, “the plaintiff, as a citizen of Nigeria, is entitled to right to private and family life as a minimum guarantee encapsulated under the Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, 1999 before, during and after occupation of public office created by the Constitution.”

 

The suit also asked the court to declare that based on the community reading of the provisions of Sections 35(1) & (4) and 41(1) of the constitution, the threat of his investigation, arrest and detention by the EFCC during his tenure of office as governor is illegal.

 

The governor prayed the court to declare that the incessant harassment, threat of arrest and detention, against him upon the EFCC’s instigation by his political adversaries based on false and politically motivated allegation of corruption is a misuse of executive powers and abuse of public office.

 

Therefore, the suit sought an order restraining the EFCC from harassing, intimidating, arresting, detaining, interrogating or prosecuting him in connection with his tenure as the governor of Lagos State, among others.

 

EFCC counters

However, the anti-corruption agency, opposed the suit in its counter affidavit filed by its lawyer, Hadiza Afegbua, on 31 October, a day the Lagos State Government distanced Mr Sanwo-Olu from the suit.

 

The filing said contrary to the governor’s claims, the EFCC neither threatened, invited nor took any step at all to encroach on his right to freedom of movement nor violated his right to private and family life and personal liberty.

 

In the application, Ufuoma Ezire, a superintendent and litigation secretary in the Legal and Prosecution Department of EFCC, who swore to the counter-affidavit, denied the claims in the suit.

 

The official said the commission was not investigating the governor and had never invited him or threatened to arrest any member of his staff, domestic or otherwise.

 

“That I know as a fact that the defendant invites members of the public for interview, interrogation or any engagement vide a written invitation, phone calls or text messages by any of its officers who shall introduce himself or herself by name, rank, designation, and Section to enable the invitee trace the officer easily.

 

“That no officer of the defendant could have invited the plaintiff or his aides without furnishing them with such detailed particulars of himself.

 

“That contrary to the depositions in paragraphs 5 of the plaintiff affidavit, the defendant did not intimidate, harass or threaten the plaintiff or subjected him to any trauma,” he said.

 

He said the agency was unaware of any threat to arrest Mr Sanwo-Olu’s aides.

 

He also stated that the anti-graft agency was not aware of the “accusation of maladministration or diversion of Lagos State’s funds nor is it aware of any likelihood of a breach of the applicant’s right to liberty or right to own movable and immovable properties in this case.”

 

“That the action of the plaintiff in this case is mere conjecture and speculations as there is no petition or any intel gathered before the defendant to warrant the men and officers of same to invite, threaten to arrest the plaintiff at the moment.

 

“That the entirety of the dispositions contained in the plaintiffs’ affidavit are not true, as the application is misconceived and brought in bad faith to mislead this honourable court.

 

“That the defendant is not in a position to deny or confirm the depositions in paragraphs 4 and 4(iii) as the defendant is not a party to the conversation between deponent and the plaintiff.

 

“That it will be in the interest of justice to refuse the reliefs sought by the plaintiff,” the counter-affidavit added.

 

NAN had earlier reported that when the matter was called for mention on 29 October Mr Ozurumba, who appeared for the governor, informed the court that he had withdrawn the earlier originating summons filed and replaced it with a new one.

 

The lawyer said the anti-graft agency had been duly served with the latest court documents.

 

However, EFCC’s counsel, Hadiza Afegbua, said she had yet to see the latest documents.

 

Besides, the proof of service of the processes was not in the court file and the judge adjourned the matter until 26 November for further mention.

UBA announces appointment of Henrietta Ugboh as an Independent Non-Executive Director

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UBA announces appointment of Henrietta Ugboh as an Independent Non-Executive Director

UBA announces appointment of Henrietta

 

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced the appointment of Henrietta Ugboh as an Independent Non-Executive Director as Owanari Duke retires from the Group Board.

 

The appointment has been approved by the relevant regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria.

 

UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, CFR commenting on the appointment, said, “Henrietta Ugboh brings a track record of professional success, integrity and leadership, which will further strengthen the UBA Group Board, underlining once again the Group’s commitment to robust corporate governance.”

 

Ugboh holds a degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Benin, an MBA from ESUT Business School, and is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School’s Executive Management Program. She has over 30 years of experience in banking with Citibank and is an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (FICA).

 

Elumelu added that with her considerable experience and expertise, which includes commercial banking, credit, and risk management, the UBA Board is delighted to welcome Mrs Ugboh to the Group Board, “We look forward to her invaluable contribution to the Group, as we continue to execute our unique growth strategy across Africa and globally.”

 

 

The Board also announced the retirement of Mrs. Owanari Duke, an Independent Non-Executive Director, who joined the UBA Group Board in October 2012.

 

During her tenure, Mrs. Duke provided distinguished leadership, serving on Committees of the Bank including the Board Governance Committee, Board Audit, Governance, Nomination & Remuneration Committee, Board Credit Committee, Finance & General Purpose Committee and Statutory Audit Committee.

 

On behalf of the board, Mr. Elumelu expressed UBA’s deep appreciation to Mrs. Duke for her dedication and significant contributions to the Group, wishing her the best in her future endeavour.

 

 

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than forty-five million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With a presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and related banking services

How My Ex Husband Deprived Me Access To Our Son For Years…

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How My Ex Husband Deprived Me Access To Our Son For Years…

Nollywood star Doris Simeon has broken her silence about the painful years spent separated from her son, David, after her ex-husband, director Daniel Ademinokan, took him to the United States without her consent.

 

Simeon, who married Ademinokan in 2006, gave birth to David before the couple separated in 2010. Ademinokan later remarried actress Stella Damasus, with whom he moved to the U.S. with David in 2013.

 

Following his recent divorce from Damasus, Ademinokan married screenwriter and producer Tope Oshin in a private ceremony in 2023, and they welcomed a son, T.J., in July.

 

Simeon, who relocated to the U.S. in 2018 to be closer to her son, opened up about the traumatic events for the first time since the ordeal began.

 

She said, “Many people know my story with my ex. He told me he was going to his mom’s place but suddenly vanished. He stopped picking up my calls, and then I heard he was in Abuja. He took my son without telling me. I tried everything to prevent this from happening.”

 

Reflecting on her repeated attempts to connect with her son, the actress shared how a friend revealed that her ex had left with David.

 

She stated, “One of my friends eventually told me. I had been trying to contact them, but he never answered. When he did, he’d say, ‘I’ll call you back,’ but I wouldn’t hear from him for months. I finally moved on because I couldn’t reach my son. Later, I got to speak with my son, and he asked me, ‘When am I coming home?’ That conversation was one of the last I had with him before the legal proceedings began.”

 

Describing her ongoing legal battle to regain access to her son, Simeon said, “When I got to the U.S., I spent about four to five years involved in court proceedings.

 

“Every morning, I’d drive to court, hoping for a favorable outcome. In the end, the court granted custody to my ex-husband, reasoning that he lived in the U.S., which they saw as providing a ‘better life.’ It was painful, especially since I had raised him in Nigeria. The court ruled that my son should visit me in Nigeria twice a year during holidays, as he was attending school in the U.S.”

 

Emotionally drained by the custody battle and continual separation, Simeon admitted, “I grew tired of the constant back and forth. I was frustrated and depressed, but I kept a strong face, as my parents raised us to be resilient. Eventually, I decided to let go and move forward, realizing that life would go on for my son even if I wasn’t there.”

 

Responding to her ex-husband’s accusations that she was not a responsible mother, Simeon stated, “I always took my son with me, even when traveling for work outside Lagos. If I was working locally, I would always return home afterward. I made sure to be present. When he made those claims, it was frustrating because he frequently traveled as well and wasn’t around to know my routine with our son.”

 

Simeon also addressed the rumors surrounding Ademinokan’s relationship with Damasus, which began while she was still married to him. Ademinokan and Damasus later married secretly in 2011, sparking controversy and fueling speculation. However, Simeon dismissed any suspicions, saying, “At one point, I even encouraged him to go out and socialize, so I never suspected anything.”

 

Asked about her reaction to her ex-husband’s remarriage, Simeon said, “By that time, I had moved on. We had already divorced legally. What hurt the most was not being able to mother my son. That’s the only part that stings. My son is 16 now, and maybe that’s the way things are meant to be.”

 

When questioned about her own romantic life, Simeon hinted that she’s open to love again.

 

“There is someone in my life, but I’m keeping it private. I’m not promising a wedding anytime soon, but I have someone,”

Nollywood’s Holiday Hits: Top 3 Cinema Movies for December

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Nollywood’s Holiday Hits: Top 3 Cinema Movies for December

As the year draws to a close, the atmosphere seems detty with December streamlined with many cinema releases. It’s obvious that December is saturated.

Everybody Loves Jenifa
Everybody Loves Jenifa

Over ten blockbusters will be premiering this holiday, among these there are top 3 holiday hits that will thrill audiences in a unique manner this December.

Alakada Bad and Boujee
Alakada Bad and Boujee

Here we go! The top three industry giants in the Nigerian Film Industry are Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham and Mercy Aigbe.

THINLINE
THINLINE

These three are set to premiere their cinematic blockbusters “Everybody Loves Jenifa”; “Alakada Bad and Boujee”; and “THINLINE”, all on 13th and 20th December respectively.

Based on their previous holiday releases, these three movies from these three Nollywood giants are must-watch for movie lovers.

“Everybody Loves Jenifa” promises to be an iconic comedy touching on culture, traditional beliefs and many more. This new ‘Funke Akindele’ release is a reform for the big screen. Her 2023 movie grossed N1.4 billion at box office and with the energy she is vesting in publicity, themovie will gross at least N5 billion.

“Alakada Bad and Boujee” will be dramatic as it centers on elitism and fake lifestyles. This is Toyin Abraham’s 4th cinema release. Her 2023 cinema release grossed N302 million, there are possibilities that “Alakada Bad and Boujee” will gross over N2.5 billion at box office.

“THINLINE” is set to premiere on December 20 and with the snippets released so far, the movie seems to be centered on lifestyle. This is Mercy Aigbe’ second cinema release.

Her first cinema movie “Ada Omo Daddy”, grossed over N200 million at box office, it is predictable that her second cinema movie, “THINLINE” will gross N1 billion.

This December, Nollywood promises to deliver captivating cinema experiences. Get ready to laugh, learn and be entertained!

AFRIFF: French Embassy Offers To Boost Nigeria’s Creative Industry

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AFRIFF: French Embassy Offers To Boost Nigeria’s Creative Industry

Last week was filled with glamor with the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) celebrating its 13th edition and 20 years of existence. Behind the glitz of the film festival came a collaboration between AFRIFF and the French Embassy to boost Nigeria’s creative industry.

AFRIFF founder, Chioma Ude
AFRIFF founder, Chioma Ude

The French Embassy in Nigeria held a business-to-business meeting last week between the French and Nigerian creative industry. During the meeting the French Embassy offered to boost Nigeria’s creative industry.

The meeting was held in Lagos on November 4 – 6, the French Embassy agreed to collaborate with AFRIFF to organize an event which will enable Nigerian and French creatives in the audiovisual sector to be endorsed within Nollywood and beyond.

The French Embassy offered to collaborate with AFRIFF to launch international co-productions, raise new talents in Nollywood and as well ensure that Nollywood is subsequently selected for “CANNES”, an International Film Festival.

“The new generation of Nollywood is sensitive to the possibilities of international co-productions, the search for new audiences, and the opportunity to one day be present in the selection of major International Film Festivals like *CANNES*”, the French Embassy representative said.

This is an achievement for AFRIFF and the Nigerian film industry at large. AFRIFF is the biggest film festival in Africa, with the 13th edition attended by over 70,000 creatives across Africa.

Wizkid, Burna Boy, Asake, Rema, Lojay, Davido, Yemi Alade; Nigerian artistes sweep Grammy nominations

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Wizkid, Burna Boy, Asake, Rema, Lojay, Davido, Yemi Alade; Nigerian artistes sweep Grammy nominations

Wizkid, Burna Boy, Asake, Rema, Lojay, Davido, Yemi Alade; Nigerian artistes sweep Grammy nominations

 

In addition, Beyoncé leads the 2025 Grammy nominations with 11 new nods, setting a record as the most-nominated artiste in Grammy history.

 

Nigerian artistes have secured a strong showing at the upcoming 67th Grammy Awards, with top acts such as Wizkid, Burna Boy, Asake, Rema, Lojay, Davido, and Yemi Alade receiving multiple nominations across major categories.

 

The Recording Academy announced the nominees for the 67th Grammy Awards on Friday, November 8. The event is set to take place in Los Angeles’ at the Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, February 2, 2025.

 

Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems stands out with the most Grammy nominations of any Nigerian artiste this year, receiving three nods. Her hit single “Love Me JeJe” is nominated for Best African Music Performance, placing her alongside fellow Nigerian superstars Wizkid, Burna Boy, Asake, Rema, Lojay, Davido, and Yemi Alade in the category.

 

Both Rema and Tems have also received nominations for Best Global Album, with Rema’s sophomore album ‘HEIS’ competing alongside Tems’s debut album ‘Born in the Wild’.

 

Nigerian Grammy-winning artiste Burna Boy continues his streak on the international music scene, becoming the first African artiste to receive Grammy nominations for six consecutive years. His hit single “Higher” earned a nomination in the Best African Music Performance category.

 

Asake returns to the Grammys after narrowly missing a win at the 66th Grammy Awards in the Best African Music Performance category. His latest single, “MMS,” featuring Wizkid and part of his album Lungu Boy, set a new record on Spotify Nigeria with 870,000 streams on its first day, surpassing Wizkid’s previous record of 626,000 streams for “IDK” featuring Zlatan.

 

In addition, Beyoncé leads the 2025 Grammy nominations with 11 new nods, setting a record as the most-nominated artiste in Grammy history. These nominations bring her total to 99, surpassing her husband, Jay-Z. Beyoncé’s genre-spanning album Cowboy Carter earned her nominations across various categories: three in the general fields, including Album of the Year and Record and Song of the Year for her single “Texas Hold ’Em.” She also received four nominations in country, two in pop, one in rap, and one in Americana.

 

Following Beyoncé, Charli XCX, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Post Malone each received seven nominations, while Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Taylor Swift followed closely with six each

 

Here is the full list of nominees for the 2025 Grammys

 

Record of the Year

“Now and Then,” The Beatles

 

Giles Martin & Paul McCartney, producers; Geoff Emerick, Steve Genewick, Jon Jacobs, Greg McAllister, Steve Orchard, Keith Smith, Mark ‘Spike’ Stent & Bruce Sugar, engineers/mixers; Miles Showell, mastering engineer.

 

“TEXAS HOLD ‘EM,” Beyoncé

Beyoncé, Nate Ferraro, Killah B & Raphael Saadiq, producers; Hotae Alexander Jang, Alex Nibley & Stuart White, engineers/mixers; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer.

 

“Espresso,” Sabrina Carpenter

Julian Bunetta, producer; Julian Bunetta & Jeff Gunnell, engineers/mixers; Nathan Dantzler, mastering engineer.

 

“360,” Charli xcx

Cirkut & A. G. Cook, producers; Cirkut & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Idania Valencia, mastering engineer.

 

“BIRDS OF A FEATHER,” Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish & FINNEAS, producers; Thom Beemer, Jon Castelli, Billie Eilish, FINNEAS, Aron Forbes, Brad Lauchert & Chaz Sexton, engineers/mixers; Dale Becker, mastering engineer.

 

“Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar

Mustard, Sean Momberger & Sounwave, producers; Ray Charles Brown Jr. & Johnathan Turner, engineers/mixers; Nicolas de Porcel, mastering engineer.

 

“Good Luck, Babe!,” Chappell Roan

Dan Nigro, producer; Mitch McCarthy & Dan Nigro, engineers/mixers; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer.

 

“Fortnight,” Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone

Jack Antonoff, Louis Bell & Taylor Swift, producers; Louis Bell, Bryce Bordone, Serban Ghenea, Sean Hutchinson, Oli Jacobs, Michael Riddleberger & Laura Sisk, engineers/mixers; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer.

 

Album of the Year

New Blue Sun, André 3000

André 3000 & Carlos Niño, producers; André 3000, Carlos Niño & Ken Oriole, engineers/mixers; André 3000, Surya Botofasina, Nate Mercereau & Carlos Niño, songwriters; Andy Kravitz, mastering engineer.

 

Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé

 

Beyoncé, Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant & Dave Hamelin, producers; Matheus Braz, Brandon Harding, Hotae Alexander Jang, Dani Pampuri & Stuart White, engineers/mixers; Ryan Beatty, Beyoncé, Camaron Ochs, Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant, Dave Hamelin, S. Carter & Raphael Saadiq, songwriters; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer.

 

Short n’ Sweet, Sabrina Carpenter

 

Jack Antonoff, Julian Bunetta, Ian Kirkpatrick & John Ryan, producers; Bryce Bordone, Julian Bunetta, Serban Ghenea, Jeff Gunnell, Oli Jacobs, Manny Marroquin, John Ryan & Laura Sisk, engineers/mixers; Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff, Julian Bunetta, Sabrina Carpenter, Ian Kirkpatrick, Julia Michaels & John Ryan, songwriters; Nathan Dantzler & Ruairi O’Flaherty, mastering engineers.

 

BRAT, Charli xcx

 

Charli xcx, Cirkut & A. G. Cook, producers; A. G. Cook, Tom Norris & Geoff Swan, engineers/mixers; Charlotte Aitchison, Henry Walter, Alexander Guy Cook, Finn Keane & Jonathan Christopher Shave, songwriters; Idania Valencia, mastering engineer.

 

Djesse Vol. 4, Jacob Collier

 

Jacob Collier, producer; Ben Bloomberg, Jacob Collier & Paul Pouwer, engineers/mixers; Jacob Collier, songwriter; Chris Allgood & Emily Lazar, mastering engineers.

 

HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, Billie Eilish

 

Billie Eilish & FINNEAS, producers; Thom Beemer, Jon Castelli, Billie Eilish, FINNEAS, Aron Forbes, Brad Lauchert & Chaz Sexton, engineers/mixers; Billie Eilish O’Connell & FINNEAS, songwriters; Dale Becker, mastering engineer.

 

The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, Chappell Roan

 

Daniel Nigro, producer; Mitch McCarthy & Daniel Nigro, engineers/mixers; Daniel Nigro & Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, songwriters; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer.

 

The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift

 

Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift, producers; Zem Audu, Bella Blasko, Bryce Bordone, Serban Ghenea, David Hart, Mikey Freedom Hart, Sean Hutchinson, Oli Jacobs, Jonathan Low, Michael Riddleberger, Christopher Rowe, Laura Sisk & Evan Smith, engineers/mixers; Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift, songwriters; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer.

 

Song of the Year

“A Bar Song (Tipsy),” Sean Cook, Jerrel Jones, Joe Kent, Chibueze Collins Obinna, Nevin Sastry & Mark Williams, songwriters (Shaboozey)

 

“BIRDS OF A FEATHER,” Billie Eilish O’Connell & FINNEAS, songwriters (Billie Eilish)

 

“Die With a Smile,” Dernst Emile II, James Fauntleroy, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars & Andrew Watt, songwriters (Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars)

 

“Fortnight,” Jack Antonoff, Austin Post & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone)

 

“Good Luck, Babe!,” Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, Daniel Nigro & Justin Tranter, songwriters (Chappell Roan)

 

“Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar, songwriter (Kendrick Lamar)

 

“Please Please Please,” Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff & Sabrina Carpenter, songwriters (Sabrina Carpenter)

 

“TEXAS HOLD ‘EM,” Brian Bates, Beyoncé, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Megan Bülow, Nate Ferraro & Raphael Saadiq, songwriters (Beyoncé)

 

Best New Artiste

Benson Boone

 

Sabrina Carpenter

 

Doechii

 

Khruangbin

 

RAYE

 

Chappell Roan

 

Shaboozey

 

Teddy Swims

 

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical

Alissia

• “Bugs” (Jamila Woods)

• “Don’t Matter” (Rae Khalil)

• “Honey” (BJ the Chicago Kid feat. Chlöe)

• “Irreplaceable (Interlude)” (Rae Khalil)

• “Is It Worth It” (Rae Khalil)

• “Love Takeover” (Lion Babe)

• “Spend the Night” (BJ the Chicago Kid, Coco Jones)

 

Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II

• Algorithm (Lucky Daye)

• “Bar Song” (Koe Wetzel)

• “Die With a Smile” (Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars)

• “HERicane” (Lucky Daye)

• “I Love U” (Usher)

• “One of Them Ones” (Usher)

• “Power of Two” (From Star Wars: The Acolyte) (Victoria Monét)

• “That’s You” (Lucky Daye)

 

Ian Fitchuk

• “AMEN” (Beyoncé)

• Angel Face (Stephen Sanchez)

• Deeper Well (Kacey Musgraves)

• Don’t Forget Me (Maggie Rogers)

• “Lemon” (Still Woozy)

• “Oh, Gemini” (Role Model)

• “Peaceful Place” (Leon Bridges)

• “Redemption Song” (Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired By The Film) (Leon Bridges)

• “Three Little Birds” (Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired By The Film) (Kacey Musgraves)

 

Mustard

• Faith of a Mustard Seed (Mustard)

• “Not Like Us” (Kendrick Lamar)

• “Parking Lot” (Mustard & Travis Scott)

 

Daniel Nigro

• “Can’t Catch Me Now” (From The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes) (Olivia Rodrigo)

• The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess(Chappell Roan)

• “girl I’ve always been” (Olivia Rodrigo)

• “Good Luck, Babe!” (Chappell Roan)

• “So American” (Olivia Rodrigo)

• “stranger” (Olivia Rodrigo)

 

Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical

Jessi Alexander

• “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” (Luke Combs)

• “All I Ever Do Is Leave” (Luke Combs)

• “Chevrolet” (Dustin Lynch feat. Jelly Roll)

• “Make Me a Mop” (Cody Johnson)

• “Never Left Me (Megan Moroney)

• “No Caller ID” (Megan Moroney)

• “Noah” (Megan Moroney)

• “Remember Him That Way” (Luke Combs)

• “Roulette on the Heart” (Conner Smith & Hailey Whitters)

 

Amy Allen

• “Chrome Cowgirl” (Leon Bridges)

• “Espresso” (Sabrina Carpenter)

• “High Road” (Koe Wetzel & Jessie Murph)

• “Please Please Please” (Sabrina Carpenter)

• “Run for the hills” (Tate McRae)

• “Scared of my guitar” (Olivia Rodrigo)

• “Selfish” (Justin Timberlake)

• “Sweet Dreams” (Koe Wetzel)

• “Taste” (Sabrina Carpenter)

 

Edgar Barrera

• “Atención” (Ivan Cornejo)

• “(Entre Paréntesis)” (Shakira & Grupo Frontera)

• “It Was Always You (Siempre Fuiste Tú)” (Carin Leon & Leon Bridges)

• “No Se Vale” (Camilo)

• “The One (Pero No Como Yo)” (Carin Leon & Kane Brown)

• “Por El Contrario” (Becky G With Ángela Aguilar, Leonardo Aguilar)

• “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” (Karol G)

• “Sincere” (Khalid)

• “Tommy & Pamela” (Peso Pluma & Kenia Os)

 

Jessie Jo Dillon

• “Am I Okay? ” (Megan Moroney)

• “Go To Hell” (Post Malone)

• “Heaven By Noon” (Megan Moroney)

• “Lies Lies Lies” (Morgan Wallen)

• “Messed Up As Me” (Keith Urban)

• “Never Left Me” (Megan Moroney)

• “No Caller ID” (Megan Moroney)

• “Sorry Mom” (Kelsea Ballerini)

• “Two Hearts” (Post Malone)

 

RAYE

• “Ask & You Shall Receive” (Rita Ora)

• “Because I Love You” (Halle)

APM Terminals Receives Largest Vessel With 7,000 Containers At Apapa Port

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APM Terminals Receives Largest Vessel With 7,000 Containers At Apapa Port

The APM Terminals Apapa, on Wednesday, received the largest container vessel to ever visit Lagos Port Complex in Apapa.

 

LEADERSHIP reports this event marked the first time a Nigerian port welcomed the vessel, setting a new milestone for Nigeria’s premier port.

 

The vessel, EA CENTAURUS, is owned by COSCO Shipping and currently flies the Singaporean flag.

 

This impressive vessel, measuring 272 metres in length, 43 metres in width, and with a 14.3-meter draft, boasts a capacity of 7,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

 

The vessel’s arrival was celebrated by senior officials from APM Terminals, COSCO Shipping, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Nigeria Customs Service, underscoring the importance of this moment for Nigeria’s trade sector.

 

Commenting on the historic berthing, APM Terminals Apapa’s Manager, Steen Knudsen, emphasised the economic implications of welcoming such a large vessel.

 

“The arrival of EA CENTAURUS represents a turning point in the size and scale of vessels that Apapa can handle.

 

“Larger ships mean more efficient economies of scale, which can ultimately lower the cost of imports to Nigeria. This milestone is a testament to Nigeria’s increasing trade capacity and APM Terminals’ commitment to supporting this growth,” Knudsen said.

 

Knudsen highlighted the operational advantages for both the port and its customers, adding, “By consolidating more cargo onto a single vessel, we’re enhancing efficiency and lowering freight rates for importers. This is a direct benefit to Nigeria’s economy, as it reduces import costs and encourages more robust trade activity.”

 

The Chief Commercial Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Caroline Aubert-Adewuyi, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership between APM Terminals and COSCO Shipping, calling it an important step forward for Nigeria’s trade infrastructure.

 

“This vessel, with its 7,000 TEU capacity, marks a new level of cooperation between APM Terminals and COSCO, as well as Nigeria’s commitment to improving its import and export capabilities,” Aubert-Adewuyi remarked.

 

“We’re looking forward to the positive impact on growth, not only for the country’s economy but also for our customers and trade partners.”

 

Managing Director of COSCO Shipping Lines Nigeria, Rex Wang, spoke on the strategic importance of the arrival of EA CENTAURUS.

“This is a landmark event for COSCO, as it is the largest vessel we’ve handled in this region, underscoring the expansion of our services in West Africa,” Wang said.

 

He expressed confidence in the region’s resilience and potential for growth, adding, “Our expanded capacity in West Africa will bolster our market presence, and we are optimistic about an economic rebound, supported by an increase in exports like minerals, sesame seeds, and cashews. We believe in the continued recovery and growth of West African trade.”

 

The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, pledged the Nigeria Customs Service’s support in facilitating swift cargo processing.

 

“This achievement highlights our commitment to ensuring the rapid and efficient handling of larger shipments.

 

“We are dedicated to trade facilitation, which not only boosts revenue but also encourages more vessels of this scale to berth at our ports,” Olomu stated.

 

Adding to the commendations, Port Manager of Lagos Port Complex Apapa, Adebowale Lawal Ibrahim, emphasised the significance of handling such a “gigantic vessel.”

 

Lawal who was represented by Traffic Manager, Jimoh Anthony, said, “Facilitating larger imports and exports is vital for Nigeria’s economic growth, and we applaud APM Terminals and COSCO Shipping for their roles in helping us achieve this new standard.”

 

The Hook Creative Agency realigns leadership, launches new entertainment venture

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The Hook Creative Agency realigns leadership, launches new entertainment venture

Lagos-based creative agency, The Hook, has appointed Akinwale Muse as its new Chief Executive Officer, following the launch of a new entertainment-focused subsidiary, HookEnt.

 

Akinwale, a co-founder and formerly the Business Director of the impact-driven, six-year-old agency, steps into his new leadership role effective November 1, 2024.

 

This development is coming on the heels of success achieved by the pioneer CEO, Sam Ochonma who recently completed his tenure.

 

Mr. Ochonma will now lead its new off-shoot, HookEnt as the inaugural CEO.* The new company is dedicated to investing in Nigeria’s creative economy, with a focus on developing intellectual property, infrastructure, talent, and content in the entertainment industry.

 

Additionally, Toheeb Dele-Balogun and Adebayo Owosina, previously Creative Directors, will now serve as Chief Creative Officers, overseeing The Hook’s expanding creative services.

 

Speaking about this strategic expansion, Adebayo Owosina explained that The Hook is optimistic about the potential within Nigeria and Africa’s entertainment and integrated marketing communications sectors. “Instead of focusing on the challenges often highlighted in the region, we see tremendous opportunity in Nigeria and Africa’s young and rapidly growing populations,” he shared. “With improving governance and structural advancements, there’s a unique chance to drive economic growth through creative industries.”

 

Owosina emphasized that this move aligns with The Hook’s long-term vision: “The Hook is designed to be more than just another creative agency, we’re building an African brand with a global presence. Our journey is one of intentional growth.”

 

Over the past six years, The Hook has collaborated with some of Nigeria’s most prominent companies, including Airtel, Meristem, Fidelity Bank, Leadway, Indomie, Sterling Bank, Wema Bank, Oando, Lush Hair, Indomie Noodles, Fujifilm, and Enyo Retail. With this new chapter, The Hook is poised to make an even greater impact in the creative and entertainment sectors across Nigeria and beyond.

Three reasons Nigerians remit billions of dollars from abroad – CEO Lemfi 

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Three reasons Nigerians remit billions of dollars from abroad – CEO Lemfi 

Nigerians abroad represent a significant portion of the African diaspora, contributing billions of dollars in remittances to Sub-Saharan Africa.

 

This observation comes from Ridwan Olalere, CEO of Lemfi, an international money transfer company founded in Nigeria.

 

His remarks align with a recent World Bank report that highlights Nigeria as a leading recipient of diaspora remittances in Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for approximately 35% of the region’s total inflows in 2023.

 

Lemfi, which operates remittances for Nigerians, Ghanaians, Kenyans, and Ugandans across North America and Europe, noted Nigeria as the largest remittance segment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigerians send funds frequently, “averaging four transactions per month with typical amounts around $150.”

 

He also explained why Nigerians remit money from abroad referencing his company’s internal data.

 

Why Nigerians remit money from abroad

According to Ridwan Olalere, there are three core reasons Nigerians remit money from abroad. He highlighted these reasons at a meeting held alongside the IMF discussions in Washington, D.C., attended by representatives from the Central Bank of Nigeria, diaspora representatives, bank executives, and CEOs of International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs).

 

According to him, three main drivers fuel this high remittance activity:

 

Family Support: The primary motivation is to support family members back home.

Cultural Commerce: A surprising trend has emerged in the UK, where Nigerians prefer to purchase items like wedding attire from Nigerian tailors known for high-quality fabrics, demonstrating a commitment to supporting local commerce despite living abroad.

Investment and Business Ventures: Nigerians also remit money to fund investments such as mortgages, hotel operations, and other businesses back home.

What he said

“We’ve identified three main reasons Nigerians remit money. The first is family support. The second is commerce, particularly for unique purchases like wedding dresses, where Nigerians in the UK prefer to buy from Nigerian tailors because of the high-quality fabrics used. The third reason is for investments, such as mortgages, hotel operations, and other business ventures back home.”

 

These insights underline the unique relationship between the Nigerian diaspora and their home economy, fostering cross-border commerce and long-term investment.

 

What to know

Already, the World Bank report buttresses Raymond’s point as Nigeria attracted around $19.5 billion in diaspora inflows last year, making it the highest in the region.

 

While Nigeria’s remittance inflows saw a slight dip of 2.9% from the previous year, this remains a significant sum, especially when compared to neighboring countries. Ghana and Kenya, also major remittance destinations in the region, received $4.6 billion and $4.2 billion, respectively.

The World Bank report further underscores the vital role remittances play in many Sub-Saharan African economies. In nations such as Gambia, Lesotho, Comoros, Liberia, and Cabo Verde, remittance inflows constitute nearly one-fifth of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP), underscoring the reliance on diaspora inflows for economic stability and growth.

Despite Nigeria’s leading position within the region, its $19.5 billion in remittance inflows is modest compared to global giants like India, which received approximately $119 billion in the same period.

Already, the CBN Govenor, Yemi Cardoso stated that although naira had lost approximately 75% of its value since Tinubu’s inauguration, while fuel prices have increased fivefold.

Despite these difficulties, remittance flows have surged from $250 million per month earlier this year to $600 million in September, with authorities now aiming to achieve the ambitious $1 billion target.

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