music

By Nazirah Muhammed,

Before the first note of his debut single, My Time, hit any speaker, Boluwatife Balogun lived in a world deliberately shielded from the glare of celebrity, a rare reality for the firstborn son of Afrobeats icon Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid. To understand his entry into music, you must first appreciate the calm, structured upbringing that shaped him.

Born in 2011, the same year Wizkid’s Superstar album launched him into global recognition, Boluwatife arrived at a moment that reshaped his father’s life. Unlike the public drama that often surrounds celebrity births, his early years were quietly protected. His mother, Shola Ogudu, Wizkid’s former partner and one-time manager, built a bubble of normalcy around him, ensuring that despite his father’s fame, his childhood remained grounded.

Privacy defined Boluwatife’s early life. While fans saw only occasional birthday photos or short videos, Bolu lived what many would consider a normal Lagos childhood. He attended regular schools, played basketball, hung out with friends, and focused on his education. Photos shared over the years showed a cheerful, well-adjusted boy enjoying vacations, milestones, and hobbies far from the spotlight. It was a deliberate effort to let him grow into himself, not into the expectations attached to his surname.

As he got older, one truth became impossible to ignore: Boluwatife is the spitting image of his father. From his eyes to his smile and lean frame, the resemblance earned him the nickname “Wizkid’s twin” among fans. And while Wizkid rarely posts about his children, the love is unmistakable. In a 2020 birthday message, he called Bolu his “twin” and expressed heartfelt affection, a glimpse into a quiet but strong father-son bond.

But beyond the looks, Boluwatife was absorbing another inheritance: music. Growing up around one of the most successful African musicians meant witnessing the creative process up close. The first public hint of his musical journey came in 2023, when his mother shared a video that quickly went viral. It didn’t just show a teenager singing along; it showed Boluwatife in a home studio, headphones on, confidently recording original material.

That clip changed everything. His voice, youthful but melodic and steady, revealed a natural ease with music. It was the moment “Boluwatife the artiste” shifted from speculation to reality.

My Time didn’t appear out of nowhere. It is the product of years spent watching, listening, learning, and quietly preparing. The same boy who hustled on the basketball court and completed assignments is now stepping into the booth with intention. His sheltered upbringing gave him self-awareness; his environment gave him artistry.

His debut marks not just a career launch but the beginning of a new chapter for a young man raised with care, balance, and an understanding of the legacy he represents. The world may just be hearing him now, but Boluwatife Balogun has been getting ready all along.

Nazirah Muhammed is an intern with PRNigeria. She can be reached at nazirahmuhammed01@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Federal Government has increased the monthly allowance for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to N77,000, effective July 2024. 

This development follows the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024, according to a statement by Caroline Embu, NYSC’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations. 

The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission confirmed the allowance hike in a letter dated September 25, 2024, signed by Chairman Ekpo Nta. 

NYSC Director General Brigadier General Y.D. Ahmed had earlier advocated for improved welfare for corps members.

He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government. 

He was quoted as saying, “I am thankful for the timely gesture, which will bring succour to corps members, boost their morale, and motivate them to serve the nation.” 

The new allowance represents a 133% increase from the previous N33,000 monthly stipend.

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has disputed claims made by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) regarding the pricing of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and its impact on the Dangote Refinery.

MURIC had asserted that recent adjustments to petrol prices would prevent the Dangote Refinery from offering lower prices and that NNPCL had become the exclusive offtaker of all products from the refinery.

In a statement released by NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, the company clarified that petroleum product pricing, including that from the Dangote Refinery, is dictated by global market forces.

The recent changes in PMS pricing, it noted, do not affect the refinery’s access to the Nigerian market.

NNPCL noted that the refinery could sell its products at lower prices if the current market rates are perceived as high, and reiterated that domestic refining does not guarantee lower prices when compared to global parity pricing.

Furthermore, NNPCL stated that it would only become a full offtaker from the Dangote Refinery if PMS market prices exceeded local pump prices.

It also made clear that both the Dangote Refinery and other domestic refineries are free to sell directly to any marketers on a willing buyer, willing seller basis.

NNPCL denied any intention of becoming the sole distributor for the refinery’s products and underscored its billion-dollar investment in the business, urging MURIC to verify facts before making public statements that could incite the public.

By Muhammad Ubale Kiru

I am glad it happened. I am talking about the controversy around a video song of people dancing in front of a mosque on their praying mats soon after they supposedly finish their prayers. And, Davido shared the offensive video on his timeline on Twitter.

Some individuals mindlessly follow these singers, imitating their style of dressing, adopting their haircuts, imitating their mannerisms, and even trying to talk and walk like them. This has been an issue we have repeatedly addressed.

These musicians often lack respect for your culture and faith; their apparent affection towards their fans is often just a façade. Despite the video causing an uproar on the internet, Davido has refused to take it down, showing how far some of these artists are willing to go to offend others.

Mocking Islam in the manner Davido did is the last thing he should have done. As I have always said, there seems to be a tendency to test the limits of our tolerance. If he faces no consequences this time, he may repeat such actions in the future, and others might follow suit.

I must point out that our Yoruba brothers are not doing justice to Islam either. Many Yoruba comedians also indulge in mocking Islam in similar ways. One example is the well-known comedian Aisha Ibrahim, who partakes in blasphemous shows for entertainment. Regrettably, her Yoruba elders are doing nothing about it. There must be a clear distinction between cultural expression and religious beliefs.

On the other hand, our Christian counterparts must understand that not everything falls under the category of freedom of speech, and not all forms of expression are acceptable. We are often accused of religious intolerance, but how can we be expected to tolerate disrespect towards our faith?

For instance, if a film producer were to create a movie disrespectfully portraying Jesus, such as Jesus being depicted as gay or as a masquerade, that may be a concern for the Christian community, as it may not show proper respect for Jesus (peace be upon him). In Islam, we take such matters very seriously, as our faith prohibits the mockery of other religions.

Let us all strive to stay within the limits of decency and respect. Honouring and respecting other people’s faiths and cultures is crucial, even as we express our own beliefs.

Muhammad Ubale Kiru is a tech enthusiast, social activist and freelancer. He can be reached via muhdujkiru@gmail.com.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The family of late Nigerian artiste, Olanrewaju Fasasi, popularly known as Sound Sultan, has released an album of the late artiste posthumously.

According to the family, he was working on the album before he passed away.

“We are having the one-year remembrance of Sound Sultan, iconic Nigerian singer and we are having his official listening party for the album, Reality CHQ. This was the album Sound Sultan was working on before he answered the call of the Almighty. This is a very special project.” The late artiste’s brother, Baba Dee, said in a video he posted.

Sound Sultan reportedly died of throat cancer in the United States of America on Sunday, July 11, 2021, and was buried there in line with Islamic teachings.