I t’s official. The Headies are back, and this year a breakout star is leading the race. Organisers unveiled the full nominee list for the 18th Headies Awards on Tuesday. The big night will hold in Toronto, Canada, on October 25, 2026, celebrating the best songs and performances released between August 1, 2024, and April 30, 2026. This year’s nominations cover 35 categories, reflecting a music scene that keeps growing bigger, bolder, and more diverse. From chart-topping veterans to fresh faces breaking through, everyone got a seat at the table. Topping the list is newcomer Fola, who earned 10 nominations off the success of his debut album 'Catharsis'. Close behind is Omah Lay with 8 nods, while Wizkid and Mavo both picked up 7 nominations each. Heavyweights Davido and Asake also pulled in 6 nominations each. On the female side, Ayra Starr and Tiwa Savage lead with 5 nominations apiece. The battle for 'Song of the Year' looks set to be a thriller. In the running are Kunm...

T he Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, says solving Nigeria’s unemployment problem will take more than government action. He wants communities and private businesses to take the lead. The monarch spoke in Osogbo while unveiling the second branch of Ojaja Moore, his youth-focused enterprise hub. According to Champion Newspaper , Oba Ogunwusi told the gathering: “At this point in our nation, we all must do our part. We cannot keep waiting on government alone. There should be stronger community participation and business-driven projects.” He noted that even traditional rulers must step in to create opportunities for young people. “Nigeria is at a point where we must back our youths. That is the reason we are growing Ojaja Moore,” he stated. The Ooni said the brand was set up to give young Nigerians a chance to earn, create, and build. He described Ojaja Moore as a place for young makers to show their talent and turn ideas into products and income. “It is important for our youth to showca...

M anchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City striker Bunny Shaw were the big winners at the Professional Footballers’ Association awards held early Wednesday. According to Sky Sports , Fernandes was voted the best men’s player in the Premier League for the 2025/26 season by other players. The 31-year-old set a new league record with 21 assists, beating records previously held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. He also scored 9 goals and helped United finish third in the league and qualify for Europe’s top club competition. “It is obviously a very proud moment,” Fernandes said. “They are the ones you go on the pitch against and it's probably not easy to vote for someone you play against, so it is a very good moment.” He is the first Manchester United player to win the award since Wayne Rooney in 2010. On the women’s side, City’s Shaw, 29, won the best women’s player award for the second time. She scored 21 goals, won the top scorer prize for the third year in a ...

W ork has begun on demolishing the old Carter Bridge in Lagos after the Federal Government declared it unsafe for further repairs. News Digest reported that checks done in 2013, 2019 and this year all showed the same result: the bridge’s underwater supports were badly damaged.  Works Minister David Umahi said the submerged piles and caps had weakened beyond fixing. He noted that pulling the bridge down and starting afresh was the only safe option. The bridge currently spans 1.525km. Its replacement will run 1.93km and include a flyover ramp to cut traffic jams around the corridor. The new design also provides two 105-metre water channels for boats to pass through. CCECC won the construction contract after competing with Julius Berger, CBC and China Harbour High Tech. Before that, the Federal Executive Council approved N5.6 billion for detailed design and cost estimates. For decades, Carter Bridge has linked Lagos Island to the mainland. But years of heavy traffic and salt water to...