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September 4, 2023

September 4, 2023September 4, 2023 IFM Social Media

Ayra Starr Publicly Criticizes The Headies For Off-Stage Best Female Artist Award

The 2023 Headies Award, a highly anticipated event in the African music industry, unfolded on September 3, 2023, at the Cobb Energy Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. With prominent stakeholders and music enthusiasts in attendance, the evening was poised to celebrate the vibrant world of Nigerian music.

One of the most significant moments of the night was the announcement of Ayra Starr as the winner of the Best Female Artist category, triumphing over formidable competitors, including Tems, Tiwa Savage, and Simi. However, what should have been a joyous moment took a different turn when Ayra Starr took to her Twitter account to express her sentiments about the award not being presented on the grand stage.

In a heartfelt tweet, Ayra Starr articulated her disappointment, asserting that she could not feel truly grateful for an award that was not considered significant enough for an on-stage presentation.

Her tweet read, "I will never be grateful for winning a category that wasn’t even deemed fit to be announced on stage! Best female artist, na beans? We work hard, every single one of us! I’ve seen Tiwa record four hit songs the same night; Tems breathes and lives for music; we didn’t deserve such nonchalance! Nigeria, you didn’t raise me to settle for less."

It is worth noting that the 2023 Headies opted to announce only a portion of the winners during the ceremony, with the Best Female Artist award being one of the 14 awards, including the prestigious Record of the Year, announced after the event in Atlanta.

Ayra Starr's candid tweet reflects the sentiments of some viewers who perceived the decision not to present the female artist award on stage as a sign of disrespect towards the female segment of the music industry. Her message underscores the importance of recognising and celebrating the accomplishments of female artists on an equal footing with their male counterparts.

September 4, 2023

September 4, 2023September 4, 2023 IFMNEWS

FG Appeals To NLC To Call Off Warning Strike

In a plea to maintain industrial harmony and preserve the progress achieved so far, the Federal Government has called upon the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to reconsider its two-day warning strike.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, appealed in Abuja on Monday, emphasising the potentially adverse consequences and the risk of undermining the government's ongoing efforts.

Minister Lalong urged the NLC to exercise patience and allow the government time to delve into the issues raised by the union comprehensively. He stated, "It has become pertinent to appeal to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to suspend its intended two-day warning strike, as such action would be detrimental to the gains already being recorded on our course to securing a greater future for Nigerian workers and citizens at large."

Furthermore, he acknowledged being briefed on the concerns raised by the NLC leadership and affirmed the government's commitment to address these concerns holistically in the coming weeks.

Minister Lalong reassured the Nigerian workforce of the government's unwavering commitment to their welfare and prosperity, emphasising that it could only fulfil this commitment in an atmosphere free from industrial unrest. He said, "Consequently, I use this opportunity to reassure Nigerian workers that this government would never take them for granted nor fail to appreciate their support and understanding. We shall continue to pursue policies aimed at massive employment generation in all sectors of the economy and look into the immediate challenges that have emerged from the government's policies. We cannot do this in an atmosphere devoid of industrial peace."

Notably, the minister acknowledged that the ministry had not received formal notification of the impending strike from the NLC, as required by law. However, he indicated that a meeting was scheduled with labour leaders on Monday afternoon to engage in constructive dialogue and explore ways to avert the strike.

September 4, 2023

September 4, 2023September 4, 2023 IFM Social Media

Pete Edochie Receives Two Honorary Doctorate Degrees At The Age Of 76

Pete Edochie, the revered veteran of Nollywood, recently basked in the glory of a remarkable double honour when he was bestowed with not one but two distinguished doctorates and a prestigious lifetime achievement award.

The grand occasion unfolded at his residence, where representatives from ISTM University in Togo had gathered to pay tribute to the illustrious actor. In a heartwarming viral video capturing the moment, Edochie was magnificent in ceremonial attire as he received these remarkable accolades. The three distinctive honours included a Doctorate in Literature, a Doctorate in Arts, and a Lifetime Achievement Award.

In a touching gesture, the representative from ISTM University in Togo commended Edochie's unparalleled contributions to the world of entertainment, remarking, "For all the work he has been doing, and he has been the pioneer in everything that all the younger ones are copying. Dr. of Literature and ISTM Management wish to give you these awards. Congratulations, sir." This heartfelt accolade reflected the industry's and fans' deep respect and admiration for the iconic actor.

Edochie graciously accepted the awards and was showered with well-deserved accolades for his remarkable achievements and enduring impact on the arts and entertainment field. In response, he thanked the representatives for their recognition and support.

Pete Edochie's journey to legendary status in Nollywood is a testament to his dedication and talent. Born in Enugu State, Nigeria, he pursued his primary and secondary education in Northern Nigeria, attending St. Patrick's College for his secondary studies. After gaining some life experience, he began enrolling in a journalism and television course at the prestigious School of Journalism and Television in London.

Edochie's acting career began to flourish with his debut in "The Village Masquerade," a beloved Nigerian television drama series produced by the Eastern Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation. However, his captivating portrayal of Okonkwo in the 1987 film adaptation of Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" catapulted him to stardom and made him a household name in Nigeria's entertainment landscape.

Since then, Pete Edochie has graced the silver screen in over 70 films, solidifying his status as one of Nigeria's most prominent and influential actors. His enduring legacy continues to inspire generations of artists and fans alike, cementing his place as a true legend in cinema.

September 4, 2023

September 4, 2023September 4, 2023 IFMNEWS

Tribunal To Announce Verdict On Obi And Atiku’s Petition Against Tinubu On Wednesday

On Wednesday, September 6, the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) is set to deliver its judgment on petitions challenging the declaration of Ahmed Bola Tinubu as the February 25 presidential election winner.

Following the closure of their cases in June, the petitioners—The People’s Democratic Party with its standard bearers, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, and the Labour Party—await the court's verdict. The court also has pending petitions from the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) challenging Tinubu's election victory.

The court consolidated the three petitions into one case to streamline the proceedings, as they all addressed related election issues. The petitions are CA/PEPC/05/2023, CA/PEPC/04/2023, and CA/PEPC/03/2023.

The case stems from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaration on March 1, 2023, which declared Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu the election winner. Tinubu secured victory because his party, the All-Progressives Congress (APC), garnered the highest number of votes and met the constitutional requirements by securing at least one-quarter of the votes in two-thirds of the states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Tinubu's victory was confirmed with 8,794,726 votes (36.61% of the total), while Atiku came second with 6,984,520 votes (29.07%), and Peter Obi followed with 6,101,533 votes (25.40%). Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP secured fourth place with 1,496,687 votes (6.40%), and Princess Chichi Ojei, the only female presidential candidate, received 25,961 votes.

The petitioners, Obi and Atiku, argue that INEC's failure to carry out electronic transmission of results from polling units and Tinubu's alleged failure to secure the required majority of votes in the election and in the FCT are key constitutional issues at stake. Additionally, the petitioners raised concerns about the double nomination of the APC vice-presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima, as both the vice-president and a senatorial candidate for Borno Central.

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