KICNEWS

Blog

  • Ayra Starr becomes first woman in 16 years to win best African act in MOBO Awards

    Ayra Starr becomes first woman in 16 years to win best African act in MOBO Awards

    Ayra Starr has won the Best African Music Act at the 2025 MOBO Awards, making her the first woman in 16 years to win the award.

    The Nigerian singer also took home the Best International Music Act award at the ceremony held in Newcastle.

    Ayra Starr beat Nigerian singers Asake and Tems and also South Africa’s Tyla to win the award.

    For the Best International Act, Tyla was up against Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, Megan Thee Stallion, Tems, Latto and she beat them all.

    The event, hosted by Indiyah Polack and Eddie Kadi, celebrated the best of Black music and culture.

    A post on the official MOBO X account read: “Global star, unstoppable force! @ayrastarr took home Best African Music Act at the #MOBOAwards – repping African music at the highest level!”

    In her acceptance speech, the visibly emotional singer said: “Okay, this is my first MOBO. And this is the first time I’m winning a MOBO Award—make some noise! I am actually shaking right now. I am actually nervous.

    “Thank you so much to everybody who supported me. Thank you to my team—my amazing MOB-STARS.

    “My amazing brothers who make music with me—the producers in the studio—my studio partners in crime; my label—MAVINS record, Embryo, my mummy…

    “Thank you so much. Thank you, MOBOs.”

    The MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin Awards), founded in 1996 by Kanya King, is an annual British music ceremony that honours excellence in music of Black origin, spanning genres such as hip-hop, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel, and African music.

  • Casemiro chooses better player between Messi, Ronaldo

    Casemiro chooses better player between Messi, Ronaldo

     

    Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has weighed in on the GOAT debate about who the better player is between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

    Casemiro shared a dressing room with Ronaldo at both Real Madrid and United.

    However, it appears the Brazilian considers Lionel Messi the superior player.

    When asked by Diario AS about the two footballers, Casemiro praised Messi’s qualities that made him great.

    “I could never stop him on my own,” he said.

    “It was impossible. I needed help from Toni Kroos, Luka Modrić, Sergio Ramos, but just me? Impossible. He was unstoppable.”

    However, Casemiro insisted that football may never see another duo like Messi and Ronaldo.

    He added: “It’s difficult to explain.

    “Messi was one of the best players in history, but we had another player—Cristiano Ronaldo. What they both did is unrepeatable. In my generation, the best were Cristiano and Messi. They did a lot for football and changed it.”

  • Amotekun sends back 114 northerners in Ondo

    Amotekun sends back 114 northerners in Ondo

     

    The Amotekun security outfit has sent back at least 114 individuals, mostly from the northern part of the country in Ondo State. The security network accused them of illegally entering the state’s forests.

    Adetunji Adeleye, the State Commander of Amotekun, while addressing the media on Sunday, confirmed that the individuals who were being transported in two trucks were bound for distribution across the state’s forest areas, including the Ore and Ofosu regions.

    Adeleye explained that, over the past few weeks, security agencies had been engaged in intense operations to curb the infiltration of foreign individuals into the forests of Ondo State.

    He further stated that the state governor had issued a directive to evacuate all individuals who could not justify a legitimate reason for being in the state’s deep forests.

    These individuals, Adeleye said, would be sent back to their places of origin.

    “I want to make it clear that several weapons were recovered from them. These were locally made firearms that they used to carry out various criminal activities. Their modus operandi is to hide in the forests, launch attacks, and then retreat back into the woods,” Adeleye said .

    “The group of over a hundred individuals was loaded into two trucks, intending to be scattered across the state’s forest belt, from the Ore area to Ofosu and beyond. We conducted a thorough profiling and found that, except for three of them, none knew where they were headed. They were simply sent into the forests, awaiting further instructions from their handlers.”

    The Amotekun commander added that while Nigeria guarantees freedom of movement, it must be done with a legitimate purpose. He also said that the state governor had ordered their return to their places of origin.

    Adeleye displayed some of the locally made weapons seized from the group during the operation.

    In response to the development, the leader of the Hausa community in Ondo State, Bala Umaru, expressed gratitude to the government for prioritising the safety of residents and ensuring the safe return of the individuals to their home state.

    The individuals have since been sent back to their respective locations across the country.

  • Anambra denies authorising arrest of ladies without bras, pants

    Anambra denies authorising arrest of ladies without bras, pants

     

    The Anambra State Government has refuted rumours circulating that it authorised the arrest of women not wearing bras and pants.

    In a terse statement via the X handle of the

    The Anambra State Government in a terse statement on its X handle on Tuesday, February 18 debunked the trending announcement by a town crier in Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area, stating that the information was not issued by the State Government.

    The statement reads: “Anambra State government has not authorized the trending announcement on women who do not wear underwear.”

  • Panic as Airtel Nigeria increases data prices (new list)

    Panic as Airtel Nigeria increases data prices (new list)

    Airtel Nigeria, the country’s second-largest telecommunications operator (Telco) has made significant adjustment to its data pricing structure.

    A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) using the *312# code and on the Airtel website showed the revised data prices.

    According to the telco’s website, the revision, which affects various data bundles, is aimed at mitigating the impact of escalating operational costs on the company’s operations, amidst a challenging economic landscape.

    The revised data plans, published on its website, include daily plans: N50 for 40MB (valid for 1 day), N100 for 100MB (valid for 1 day), N200 for 200MB (valid for 3 days), and N350 for 1GB (valid for 1 day).

    On the other hand, weekly plans have become N350 for 350MB (valid for 7 days), N500 for 750MB plus 1GB YouTube Night and 200MB YouTube Music/Spotify (valid for 7 days), N500 for 1GB plus 1GB YouTube Night and 50MB Socials (valid for 7 days), and N500 for 2GB (valid for 2 days).

    Other changes for monthly plan include 3GB for N2,000 (from 1.5GB at N1,200), 4GB for N2,500 (formerly 3GB at N1,500), and 8GB for N3,000 (formerly 4.5GB at N2,000).

    Other adjustments include 10GB for N4,000 (formerly 6GB at N2,500), 13GB for N5,000 (from 10GB at N3,000), 18GB for N6,000 (formerly 15GB at N4,000), and 25GB for N8,000 (replacing 18GB at N5,000).

    Airtel’s call rates rose to 25 kobo per second from about 18 kobo per second. Like MTN, Airtel has left some tariff plans untouched. For instance, the 5GB plan/week for N1,500 remains unchanged.

    This development comes on the heels of a tariff hike of about 50 per cent by MTN Nigeria, which took effect almost a week ago, in a bid to cushion the impact of rising operational costs.

    NAN reports that a look at the telco’s X page revealed bitter complaints by subscribers.

    A Subscriber, Okikiola (@okikiola_Ayoade) said: “Return our data bundles back e no easy to dey get money, you people dey inconvenience us, data from 3000 for 20gb is now 3000 for 10gb ,Why are we suffering for what we are paying for, ogun dey kee una shey until when we no get clothes for neck again?

    Also, Jessy Paul (@Firstjessy), another Subscriber, queried the telco for stopping its previous data offer, saying that the only reason he was using Airtel was because their plans were reasonable.

    “Can you change it back to what it used to be or should I break my Airtel SIM and switch to another network?” Paul asked.

    Another Subscriber, ShadeFX D BoiCrypt (@ShadeFx__) said: “Life is already hard for us and you decided to add more to it by being heartless, Why increase data plans and then exhaust it so fast.

    “What did we do wrong by choosing to use your network? Does it sounds fair to you now? Are you happy? This is Evil,” he said.

    However, Airtel on its X page apologised for the inconveniences caused by the data increase to subscribers who complained.

    “We extend our sincere understanding regarding your concerns, and wish to apprise you that comprehensive revisions have been effectuated across our voice and data plans,” Airtel said.

    NAN reports that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry’s regulatory body, had approved a maximal increment of 50 per cent tariff adjustments to operators, citing the need to ensure the sustainability of the telecommunications industry.

    The commission said its approval was in response to prevailing operational costs and was made pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA).

    The NCC said that, while recognising the concerns of the public, the decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors.

     

     

  • Davido apologises to Osun CP over derogatory remarks

    Davido apologises to Osun CP over derogatory remarks

     

    Afrobeat star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has apologised to the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Umar Abba, after calling him out over the political turmoil in the state.

    The Grammy-nominated singer had earlier criticised the commissioner, telling him to respect the rule of law.

    However, in a post via his X handle, Davido made a U-turn, apologising for his outburst.

    He commended the commissioner for his dedication to upholding law and order and also praised the security agencies for their efforts in maintaining peace across the state.

    He wrote: “In memories of the innocent souls lost, human emotions overwhelmed me and many of my friends around. We did not know the Commissioner of Police had been having sleepless nights alongside other commanders. At this point, the contributions of the police commissioner were not fully appreciated by me. This is a grave oversight, and I want to declare that his support for the rule of law and protection of peace in Osun state is hereby acknowledged and appreciated.

    “I now see that the issue is more than that of the Commissioner of Police or other security chiefs. The needless killings of today angered me so deeply that I thought such should have been nipped in the bud. Yet, I can see that the security agencies led by the Commissioner of Police put in their best and deserve commendation.

    “My Take on Osun CP, NPF, and Forthcoming LG Elections Further review of political development in Osun state revealed more facts, which include several genuine efforts of the state security agencies, including the state Commissioner of Police. The bloodshed of today infuriated me so much that I heaped all the blame on the Commissioner of Police.”

    Follow us for more breaking news and video content

    For more stories: http://thenationonlineng.net

  • It is spiritual attack – Portable breaks silence after being declared wanted 

    It is spiritual attack – Portable breaks silence after being declared wanted 

     

    Controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly called Portable, has broken his silence after he was declared wanted by the Ogun State Police Command on the allegation of assaulting some government officials on lawful duties.

    LIB had earlier reported that the controversial singer was declared wanted by the police through a statement on Monday,February 17. In a series of posts on his Instagram story, Portable denied the allegations against him, saying he did not commit murder.

    He further described the polic declaration and arrest warrant as an attack against him.

    “I didn’t kill anybody. If anything happens to me, there will be trouble. They should post the evidence of where I fought them at my bar. They are evil people, and they are lying against me. Just kill me and let everywhere scatter” he wrote.

    In another post, Portable begged the Ogun State government to forgive him, claiming that he was under spiritual attack.

    “All this evil thing wey dey happen to me, na spiritual attack. God save me. I’m facing a lot of sicknesses all over my body. I’m taking care of myself. Pain in my body. Make Ogun State government forgive me,” he pleaded.

    In a video he shared, he said that he is not a criminal and doesn’t want to be locked up.

  • BREAKING: Edwin Clark Dies at 97

    BREAKING: Edwin Clark Dies at 97

    Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, former Federal Commissioner for Information and prominent South-South leader, has died at the age of 97.

    The elder statesman passed away on Monday night, February 17, 2025, according to a statement signed by Prof. C.C. Clark on behalf of the family.

    “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON, on Monday 17th February, 2025. The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will be announced later by the family,” the statement read.

    Clark’s death comes just days after the passing of Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, who died at the age of 96.

  • Ned Nwoko Speaks On Marriage, Pregnancy Rumours With Actress Chika Ike

    Ned Nwoko Speaks On Marriage, Pregnancy Rumours With Actress Chika Ike

     

    Senator Ned Nwoko has denied recent rumours alleging that he is planning to marry Nollywood actress Chika Ike as his seventh wife and that she is pregnant with his child.

    This development comes amid reports suggesting that Nwoko had been involved in an affair with Ike.

    The rumours intensified after the silence of Nwoko’s wife, Regina Daniels, who deactivated her Instagram account, leading to heightened public speculation.

    In a statement released by his Director of Communications on Monday and shared on Nwoko’s Instagram page, alongside pictures of the Senator and Regina, the rumours were dismissed as “entirely baseless” and a product of malicious speculation, urging the public to disregard the claims.

    The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to the recent false rumours alleging that Senator Prince Ned Munir Nwoko is planning to marry Nollywood actress Chika Ike as his seventh wife and that she is pregnant for him. We categorically state that these claims are entirely baseless and a product of malicious speculation.”

    It also addressed claims that Nwoko had made controversial remarks regarding Tuface Idibia and polygamy.

    “Similarly, reports claiming he made statements about Tuface and polygamy are completely untrue. As a public figure and with his wife also being an actress, it is not unusual for bloggers seeking attention to fabricate such stories,” it added.

    The statement added that Nwoko who is reportedly on a national assignment, is “focused on delivering on his political mandate, and has no time for distractions. ”

    The office concluded by warning against the spread of fake news, urging the public to disregard these rumours and rely only on official statements from Nwoko’s office.

  • My ex-boyfriend died few months after breakup – Actress Teniola Aladese

    My ex-boyfriend died few months after breakup – Actress Teniola Aladese

     

    Actress, Teniola Aladese, has opened up on how she struggled to come to terms with the tragedy of losing her ex-boyfriend.

    Speaking in a recent interview on #WithChude, Aladese revealed that her ex-boyfriend died just months after their breakup, leaving her with a deep sense of loss and anger towards God.

    The actress, known for her role in The Christmas in Lagos, questioned God’s reason behind her ex-boyfriend’s untimely death, citing his talent, plans and potential.

    She said: “He passed a couple of months after we broke up and was even dating someone else after we ended things. We remained friends, but after he passed, it was a huge blow – on me, on his friends, on his family members. I don’t even want to know how his mum copes. He was the only son. One daughter, one son.

    “For me, it took a lot of reassurance that people come into this world for a certain purpose. Because the reason I was angry with God was that this guy had his whole life ahead of him. He was so talented, he was a writer. He had plans to direct and even after we broke up, he said to me, ‘You are still going to produce my films.’ And so there were all these plans, and just like that, accident and the guy goes. I am like, ‘Why would you allow this to happen?

    “Now what I use to console myself is that he was here for a purpose. He left his mark. All of us that were his friends remember him for who he was and for how good of a person he was.”