H ighlife music is a genre that has been harmonizing culture and beats in Nigeria and across Africa for decades. In this interview, Nigerian highlife singer CHIBUIKE JOHNPAUL ANEKWE , best known by his stage name " PROFESSOR ONYE EGWU ", shares his journey, influences, and vision for Igbo highlife. As a visual artist, he brings a unique perspective to the genre, drawing inspiration from Igbo highlife legends. He also discusses his collaboration plans and reveals his plans to introduce Igbo highlife to new audiences. EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA brings excerpts. 1. Can you share a bit about yourself, and when did your love for highlife start? My full name is Chibuike Johnpaul Anekwe, though I am more widely recognized by my stage name, Professor Onye Egwu. Apart from music, I am a visual artist. I guess I was born with music, because I started playing as early as when I was in Primary School. I would always assemble all sorts of tins like in typical drums set up and play to my delight....

  T he Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has extended warm greetings to Christians across Nigeria as they celebrate Easter. In a statement released on the Nigeria Police Force's official X page by DCP Anthony Okon Placid, Force Public Relations Officer, IGP Disu announced that there will be robust security arrangements to ensure a safety environment during the festivities. The measures include deploying at highways, motor parks, and public spaces. The IGP also called on the public to remain vigilant, cooperate with law enforcement agencies, and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through these hot lines: 08057000001, 08057000002, 09133333785, and 09133333786. The measures include deploying tactical and intelligence teams to worship centers and important infrastructure and environ like; highways, motor parks, and public spaces. He further wished all Nigerians a peaceful and joyous Easter celebration.

T he Federal Government has declared April 3 and April 6, 2026, as public holidays so Christians can celebrate Easter. Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement on behalf of the government. In a statement, Tunji-Ojo congratulated Christians in Nigeria and around the world, saying Easter is a time for sacrifice, renewal, and hope. He encouraged Nigerians to be more selfless, forgiving, patient, and loving, like Jesus Christ taught. The minister also called for unity, tolerance, and peace, saying these values are important for Nigeria to move forward. He promised the government will keep working to grow the economy and improve lives. Tunji-Ojo wished all Christians a happy and peaceful Easter.

  T he Ogun State Government, via a press release signed by Hon. Babatunde Olaotan, Special Adviser to the Governor on Government House and General Services, on behalf of Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, Secretary to the State Government, revealed that the commissioning of the Gateway International Airport and other landmark projects, initially scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2026, has been postponed. The event has been rescheduled for Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 12:00 PM at the Gateway International Airport, Iperu-Ilishan Road, Ogun State. Accordingly, guests are advised to arrive by 11:00 AM. All other arrangements remain unchanged. The government apologizes for any inconvenience caused by this change. In related news, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has postponed his trip to Iperu, Ogun State, to enable him visit Jos and commiserate with families who lost loved ones in the recent Plateau attack.  Afterwards, he will proceed to Lagos for Good Friday observance, then continue engagements in ...

  I n a bid to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity defenses, the Federal Government has announced the establishment of a National Cybersecurity Coordination Council. The initiative, led by Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. 'Bosun Tijani, aims to create a unified platform for government agencies, private sector organizations, and civil society to share information and respond to cyber threats. Recent cyberattacks on major institutions have exposed the need for a coordinated defense strategy, and the council is expected to address this vulnerability. The proposed council will bring together experts from various sectors, including Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), law enforcement agencies, and international tech providers. "Cbersecurity is a shared national responsibility," Dr. Tijani emphasized. "Protecting Nigeria's digital economy requires strong partnerships and collective vigilance across government, industry, and...

  I s it possible for someone to buy a "criminal" SIM card? Ms. Titilayo Ibrahim, who narrowly escaped trouble with the police over allegations of murder and kidnapping, explains her ordeal at the hands of the police regarding the unknown charges. Here is a detailed summary of the account shared by Ms. Titilayo regarding her ordeal: The Incident occurred in October 16th, 2025. Titilayo Ibrahim, a businesswoman and then NYSC Corps member serving in Akure, narrated that a woman contacted her business line to purchase nightwear (pajamas). The caller claimed she was using her husband's phone because hers was faulty. They agreed on a meetup location at Titilayo’s estate junction for the delivery. Upon arriving, instead of a customer, she met two men who identified themselves as police officers from the Force Investigation Department (FID), Abuja. They immediately arrested her. The officers informed her that a SIM card linked to her National Identification Number (NIN) had been...

T he National Universities Commission (NUC) has released guidelines to regulate the conferment and use of Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Nigerian universities. The move is aimed at addressing the increasing incidence of indiscriminate conferment and misuse of these degrees within the country's university system. In a public notice issued on its official website, NUC emphasized the need to preserve academic integrity and safeguard the credibility of the Nigerian University System. The guidelines, approved by the Commission's management, are expected to ensure that the conferment process is done in an orderly and transparent manner. According to the notice, all Nigerian universities and other degree-awarding institutions are required to strictly adhere to the provisions of the guidelines. This is in line with the principles enshrined in the Keffi Declaration of 2012, which was signed by all Vice-Chancellors. The Commission also reminded the public that Honorary Doctorate Degrees a...

  T he Federal Government has awarded ₦2.5 billion in grants to 45 outstanding staudent ventures at the 2026 Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG) Bootcamp and Awards. The event, held at the UNDP Innovation Hub, Lagos, recognized the innovative projects of students from across the country. Delivering the keynote address, the Honourable Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to transforming tertiary institutions into hubs of innovation, entrepreneurship, and practical problem-solving. "This initiative is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu," he said. The Minister noted that beneficiaries can access up to ₦50 million in equity-free funding, alongside mentorship, incubation support, and digital tools. The selection process involved 65 finalists, chosen from over 30,000 applications from 404 institutions. This, according to the Minister, is evidence of Nigeria's growing innovation capacity....

  T he Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) has dropped the nominees for its 12th edition. This was announced live on Africa Magic channels on Sunday, 29th March, 2026, hosted by Chimezie Imo . Voting was opened to the public on Sunday, 29th March at www.africamagic.tv/amvca and will close on April 26th, 2026.  View the full list below. Best Short Film • Rise - Jessie J. Rowlands • Fleas - Jordy Sank • Telephone - Fimisinuola Adejonwo • Hussainin - Orire Nwani and Josh Olaoluwa • My Body, God’s Temple - Uzoamaka Power Best Digital Content Creator • Dr Judgina – Situationally Transmitted Delusion • Elozonam Ogbolu and Genoveva Umeh • Destiny Ogie Osarewinda • Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom • Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo • Maryam Apaokagi-Greene (Taaoma) • Steve Chuks • Akwaman Best Indigenous Language (Southern Africa) • Bet I Love You - Joseph Duke and Keamogetse Modise • Sebata - The Beast • Ben Made It - Thabang Mathumetse and Thapelo Dikhutso • Terra Of Queens And Ku...

  T he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), through a press release on their official socials on 29th March, 2026, revealed that mobile network operators will start compensating customers for poor network signals and service disruptions.  According to the NCC, telecommunication firms will now give automatic airtime credits to customers affected by network failures. The compensation will be calculated based on a subscriber's average spending pattern and location. This move is part of the NCC's new "consumer-centric" approach, aiming to hold telecoms accountable for service quality. Tower companies aren not off the hook either; they will  have to reinvest fines into upgrading infrastructure. Credit: X formerly Twitter

P resident Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched a special fund to support Nigeria's Armed Forces, including wounded soldiers and families of fallen heroes, as he celebrated his 74th birthday. In a statement on Sunday, 29th March, 2026, Tinubu directed the Accountant General to set up a dedicated account for the fund. "I celebrate our brave Armed Forces," he said, adding that the fund will support injured personnel and dependents of those who died serving. Tinubu's pledging his salary as seed funding and is calling on governors, lawmakers, and the private sector to contribute. "This isn't charity, it's duty," he emphasized. The President decided to keep his birthday celebration low-key, due to the country's challenges, and thanked Nigerians for their support, as fund details will be shared later. Credit: X formerly Twitter 

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN  T he Imo International Film Festival (IMIFF) is set to make a significant impact on the global film scene with its 2026 edition, themed "Local 2 Global." Scheduled to take place from November 27 to 29, 2026, in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, the festival is sponsored by Julob Entertainment, with professional roots connected to the British Council’s Film Lab Africa and local creative partners like Clifford and Stanford Igbo. In a brief chat, Izuchukwu Okafor , Founder of IMOIFF, stated that the festival aims to bridge the gap between local filmmakers and international distribution platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV. The festival will feature a diverse range of award categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Short Film (Narrative/International), Best Documentary, Best Student Film, Best Animation, and Best Experimental Film, among others. Technical awards for Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress will also be high-profile h...

N igeria's Federal Government pledges to crack down on cyber threats to protect citizens' digital rights and privacy. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on March 16th, 2025, Dr. Ayodele Bakare, Assistant Director of the Cybersecurity Department at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), revealed the country's robust cybersecurity measures. The government has developed policy and regulatory frameworks, including the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy Framework, and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2015, amended in 2024. NITDA has also introduced sector-specific regulations, such as the National Public Key Infrastructure Regulation, to enhance digital security. Bakare highlighted NITDA's role in Nigeria's data protection landscape, including the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019, which has evolved into a full legal framework implemented by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission. The agency is fin...

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN T he advent of the internet and multimedia devices has revolutionized human life, provided unprecedented access to information, promoted e-commerce, aided remote learning and work, and supported entertainment.  It's introduction actually created new possibilities for personal and professional growth. However, I sincerely believe that Nigeria's internet space is cluttered with a lot of noise and some unnecessary content. The emerging content trends include the abuse of platforms, the promotion of sexual acts, infodemics, virtue shaming, and the undermining of our cultural values as Africans. A few days ago, popular Nigerian social commentator Abisoye Olukoya Michael, known as Oyemykke, took to the internet to lament the level of vox pop (interviews) with degenerates, promoting prostitution, while virtue shaming people who practice originality. Another incident is the online feud between popular Nigerian activist Vincent Martin Otse and Michelle Muko...

  BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN T he tragic death of Nanyah, the fast-rising Nigerian singer whose real name was Ifunanya Nwangene but on socials was known with the username ‘Nanyah music’, has triggered a lot of buzz online and offline. The deceased was said to have been bitten by a venomous snake at her residence in the early hours of Saturday, 31st January, 2026, in Abuja.In the early hours of Sunday, 1st February, tributes and a lot of posts by Nigerians clustered the internet, with some apportioning blame to the hospitals she rushed to for not having anti-venom treatment, which led to her death. In reference to the above speculation, The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, debunked the above claim and revealed that the deceased passed away due to neurotoxic complications following a snake bite, despite all the efforts made by the medical personnel who attended to her upon arrival. In this piece, we will be highlighting some of the ways or things we should observe to rep...