Beauty Queen “Beauty Tukura” indeed looks good in just about anything. But when it comes to posing for a photoshoot, the reality star proves time and again that you can be comfortable, fun, or even tell a beautiful story without uttering words.
Nigeria was notably excluded from a high-level U.S.–Africa economic summit held at the White House from July 9–11, attended by leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal, prompting sharp criticism from the Nigerian opposition .
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), via spokesperson Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, slammed President Bola Tinubu for failing to secure Nigeria’s seat at the table, despite the country being Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation . They described the exclusion as a “damning international indictment” of Nigeria’s economic mismanagement, weak diplomacy, and declining global stature .
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, through aide Phrank Shaibu, echoed these sentiments, calling the omission “a verdict — scathing in symbolism and staggering in implication.” He attributed it to Tinubu’s “chaotic presidency” and declining regional leadership, citing Nigeria’s faltering ECOWAS influence as additional evidence .
The summit reportedly selected participants based on their willingness to “help themselves,” a criteria critics argue Tinubu failed to meet . At the same time, Africa-watchers noted the diplomatic repercussions, saying Nigeria is shifting “from giant of Africa to diplomatic ghost,” especially as BRICS alignment triggered additional U.S. policy friction .
As Africa experiences a rapid digital transformation across sectors like fintech, e-commerce, AI, and blockchain, legal frameworks across the continent are struggling to keep pace. This mismatch creates risks for innovation, user protection, and regional collaboration.
A report by Naspers and MISTRA suggests that South Africa could benefit from regulatory sandboxes that allow startups to test new services under lighter regulation, potentially unlocking R91.4 billion ($5 billion) in value by 2035.
In Nigeria, the “digital free zone” developed by Itana, co-led by Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, operates in the Lekki Free Zone and is backed by global investors like Binance and the Charter Cities Institute. This setup raises both excitement and concerns about equity and governance.
Blockchain technologies are being tested for land rights by initiatives like Bitland in Ghana and Medici Land Governance in Zambia, but legal recognition of blockchain-based records remains limited.
While many African countries have enacted data protection laws, implementation is uneven. The Malabo Convention, a continental cybersecurity treaty, has been ratified by only 16 African nations. Countries like Kenya, South Africa, and Rwanda have made progress, but most still lack independent enforcement agencies.
Efforts by the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and SADC aim to harmonize digital governance frameworks, but overlapping laws continue to complicate regional integration.
Legal-tech tools are gaining ground among law firms, yet there is a strong need for “digital-savvy lawyers,” as emphasized by experts such as Tunde Okewale OBE, to handle the complexity of tech-driven legal challenges.
The legal gap not only slows innovation but also puts users at risk and hinders Africa’s full participation in the global digital economy. Strengthening laws, building legal capacity, and harmonizing regional frameworks will be key to unlocking Africa’s digital future.
In July 2025, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and appointed Firoz Cachalia as acting minister, following serious allegations of corruption and interference in police investigations. The move came after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu and Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya of disbanding a task force investigating political killings and colluding with criminal networks.
Mkhwanazi presented digital evidence, including WhatsApp messages, indicating that a criminal syndicate had infiltrated key state institutions such as the police, judiciary, and correctional services. In response, Ramaphosa announced a judicial commission of inquiry chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, with findings expected in interim reports over the next six months.
While Senzo Mchunu denies all accusations, calling them “baseless,” the political fallout has been significant. Opposition parties such as the Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters have called for his permanent removal, criticizing Ramaphosa’s decision to place him on leave rather than dismiss him outright.
This crisis poses a major challenge to Ramaphosa’s Government of National Unity and comes amid broader concerns over South Africa’s high crime rate, which the World Bank estimates costs the economy nearly 10% of its GDP annually. The scandal could also impact Mchunu’s standing within the ANC, where he was seen as a potential 2027 leadership contender.
The outcome of the commission could determine not only the future of Senzo Mchunu but also the credibility of Ramaphosa’s ongoing anti-corruption efforts.
In July 2025, nearly 250 imams and Islamic preachers from across Burkina Faso convened in Ouagadougou for a national workshop organized by the Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina (FAIB). The gathering aimed to combat the rising spread of hate speech and extremist content on social media, which has increasingly contributed to division and radicalization across the country.
The event introduced a new code of conduct urging religious leaders to refrain from using violent or divisive language both in public preaching and online. Sanctions for violations include up to two years preaching ban and possible legal consequences. The initiative was sparked by a recent video where a preacher incited violence against another Muslim congregation—an act FAIB condemned as a “dangerous deviation in religious discourse.”
This comes at a time when Burkina Faso is facing a surge in extremist violence, with a 68% increase in terrorism-related deaths, making it the deadliest country for such fatalities globally. The UNDP and other international agencies have warned that social media platforms are being exploited to recruit and radicalize youth in the Sahel region.
FAIB’s move aligns with recent government efforts to regulate hate speech. The Ministry of Security has issued legal warnings, and the Superior Council of Communication now requires religious broadcasts to be screened before airing to avoid live incitement. FAIB has a history of promoting unity, previously rallying 700 imams in 2022 to denounce religious and ethnic intolerance.
The initiative reflects a growing effort in Burkina Faso to merge religious leadership with digital responsibility, offering a grassroots model for peacebuilding in a region facing chronic insecurity.
Togo’s municipal elections, originally set for July 10 but postponed to July 17, 2025, include an early voting phase on July 14 for security, defence, and paramilitary personnel. This measure ensures these forces can vote before assuming their election-day security duties .
In Lomé, the process unfolded calmly and in an orderly manner, according to local polling station officials . The opening of this phase signals both logistical preparation and symbolic importance, especially given the high stakes surrounding control of municipal councils.
However, this election cycle isn’t without tension: some civil society groups designated the early vote period as days of mourning through July 14–15. Meanwhile, web-based activists from the pro-democracy M66 movement planned online protests on July 16–17 . These gestures reflect broader unrest tied to recent electricity price hikes, harsh crackdowns on critics, and constitutional changes that critics say deepen President Faure Gnassingbé’s hold on power .
Campaigning is currently underway, with the ruling UNIR pushing messages of continuity and stability, while key opposition parties are asserting participation despite some boycott calls .
In June 2025, Nigeria’s headline inflation eased to 22.22% year-on-year, down from 22.97% in May—marking the third consecutive monthly decline, according to the National Bureau of Statistics . This follows a significant drop in January after the consumer price index was rebased, but the pace of decrease has since slowed .
However, this modest improvement masks ongoing economic strain:
– Food inflation remains elevated, rising from 21.14% to 21.97% in June .
– Month-on-month, the Consumer Price Index increased, signaling persistently rising prices for essentials like food, transport, and housing .
Economic hardship has fueled public discontent, as reflected in recent demonstrations protesting the high cost of living .
The Central Bank of Nigeria has held interest rates steady at recent meetings, awaiting more sustained disinflation before considering policy adjustments; it is set to meet again next week and could use these dynamics to guide future decisions .
In 2023, Burna Boy real name Damini Ogulu sparked widespread backlash when he said on an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe that most Afrobeats music “literally has no substance,” claiming around 90% of songs lacked real-life experience and were about “nothing, just a great time.” His remark divided fans and prompted reactions from fellow musicians and critics.
On July 16, 2025, Burna Boy issued a public apology, explaining that the comment stemmed from a period when he was mentally in “a dark place.” He clarified that calling himself an “Afrofusion” artist was never meant to diss Afrobeats, but to express how his sound didn’t fit into that specific box. He acknowledged Afrobeats as a necessary umbrella genre that helped African artists gain global recognition, and said he now understands “why the tag matters.” Burna Boy concluded: “I apologise for the misunderstanding. We need to stick together.”
The apology marks a turning point following the tensions caused by his initial critique of the genre, which had led to debates across the African music industry and conflict over genre identity.
Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group, is shaking up Nigeria’s space by slashing Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices. Announcing plans to reduce the nationwide cost of cooking gas (currently ₦1,000–₦1,300/kg), he revealed his refinery produces around 2,000 tonnes daily, with the goal to ramp up to 22,000 tonnes to make gas more affordable and shift households away from firewood and kerosene .
But this aggressive move has drawn sharp criticism from LPG marketers, who have accused Dangote of seeking a content monopoly. Godwin Okoduwa, ex-Chair of the Lagos Chamber’s LPG downstream group, stressed that growth was achieved through collaboration—not monopolization. He criticised Dangote for potentially undermining industry players who helped expand the market from 70,000 tonnes in 2007 to over 1.3 million tonnes in 2022 . Similarly, Bassey Essien, CEO of the Nigerian LPG Marketers Association, expressed doubts that Dangote could really crash prices and urged for fairness .
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan visited Lagos, Nigeria, as part of his first-ever African trade mission aimed at boosting ties between the UK and Africa. His visit focused on building collaboration between London and Lagos in the areas of technology, business, and the creative industries.
Mayor of London in Lagos
During his visit, Sadiq Khan participated in a tech summit where he met with Nigerian startups and tech leaders to explore investment and business opportunities. Lagos was highlighted as the fastest-growing tech ecosystem in the world, and the discussions centered on how Nigerian startups could expand into the London market.
Khan also attended the Lagos Canvas cultural showcase co-hosted by Mo Abudu, which featured performances by artists like Konstance and exhibits by Nollywood creatives such as Jade Osiberu and Kayode Kasum. A London edition of this cultural event is expected to take place later this year.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s creative sector contributes $5.6 billion to its GDP and is the second-largest employer in the country. His delegation included representatives from 26 UK companies, many of which are leaders in fintech, sustainability, and enterprise.
Khan met with Nigerian business leaders from organizations such as Dangote Group, Unilever, Reckitt, and IHS Towers, and was accompanied by the British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter and London & Partners’ Howard Dawber.
This visit was aimed at fostering deeper cooperation between London and Lagos, unlocking mutual growth opportunities in technology and the creative economy, and building bridges between the two cities’ business communities.
ON THE NON-TRADITIONAL BURIAL OF HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, OBA (DR.) SIKIRU ADETONA, GCON, OGBAGBA II, THE AWUJALE AND PARAMOUNT RULER OF IJEBULAND
Date:13/07/2025
Issued by: Concerned Sons and Daughters of Ijebuland
It is with a heavy heart and a deeply troubled spirit that we condemn in the strongest cultural and spiritual terms the decision to bury our revered monarch, the Awujale of Ijebuland, outside the sacred grounds of Igbo Odu, the traditional resting place of our fathers.
This act is not merely a deviation it is an abomination.
> “Eku may no longer cry as eku, eja may no longer cry as eja, and Omo eniyan may no longer speak with the dignity of mankind…”
These are not empty words; they echo the depth of our spiritual fears and ancestral warnings. To bury the custodian of our culture, our history, and our soul within the confines of his personal residence, rather than within the sacred earth prepared by our forebearers, is to shake the foundations of Ijebuland’s spiritual covenant.
Let it be known that:
This act violates centuries of ancestral protocols.
It threatens the spiritual continuity of our kingship.
It invites ancestral vengeance, disrupts communal harmony, and may plague generations yet unborn with confusion and misfortune.
Muslim Burial Rites
The Awujale was not a mere mortal in our eyes; he was Orisa, a symbol of divine authority and as such, he deserved not just our respect in life, but the sacred transition owed to every true monarch in death.
We therefore call on the Council of Chiefs, royal lineage, custodians of Ijebu traditions, and all well-meaning sons and daughters of the land to:
1. Review and correct this abomination, if at all still spiritually possible.
2. Ensure this unholy precedent is not repeated or normalized.
3. Convene a reconciliation with the ancestors to appease the offended spirits.
The abomination in Yoruba land, especially Ijebu which is home of traditions and cultural heritage
The place where Obas (traditional kings) are buried is traditionally known in Yoruba culture as “Ile Odù” or “Igbo Orò” or “Ìgbó Olófin or Igbo Oloja” depending on the town or kingdom.
It is often a sacred forest or ancestral shrine set aside specifically for the burial of kings and sometimes high-ranking traditional chiefs. The exact name may vary from one Yoruba kingdom to another, but the concept is the same,a spiritually significant place reserved solely for royal burials.
*_WHY ARE OBAS BURIED DIFFERENTLY_*?
Obas are not buried like ordinary people because:
1. Spiritual Continuity: Obas are believed to be semi-divine or representatives of the gods on earth (e.g. some are seen as descendants of Oduduwa or Oranmiyan). Their burial is considered a transition to the ancestral realm.
2. Preservation of Sacred Knowledge: Some believe certain rituals must be performed to transfer spiritual authority and protect the kingdom from chaos.
3. Cultural Tradition: The process is tied to long-standing customs, often involving traditional rites, secret societies (like the Ogboni’s,Osogbo’s or Oro cult), and kingmakers.
4. Protection of Royal Secrets: The location and method of burial often remain secret to protect the sanctity of the royal stool and kingdom.
What Happens If a King Is Not Buried in the Designated Place?
Disregarding these traditions is believed to have serious consequences:
1. Spiritual Disruption: It is feared that the spirit of the king may not rest or may become vengeful, causing unrest in the kingdom.
2. Cultural Desecration: It is seen as an abomination, which could invite curses, misfortune, or disunity within the community.
3. Loss of Legitimacy: Future kings may be seen as illegitimate if the predecessor was not properly buried, affecting traditional authority and rites.
4. Ancestral Disconnect: It disrupts the line of spiritual succession and communion with the ancestors, which is vital in Yoruba cosmology.
It’s Abomination to Yoruba land when all the spiritual rites are not thoroughly put in place for any king in our society
May the land forgive us.
May the ancestors find a voice again And may Ijebuland not become a shadow of herself.