Entertainment
US city, Boston declares March 2 ‘Burna Boy Day’
By Francesca Hangeior
The City of Boston, Massachusetts, USA, has declared March 2 as “Burna Boy Day”, in recognition of the Nigerian artiste’s performances and advocacy works.
This was disclosed in a letter signed by Ruthzee Louijeune, the Boston City Councilor.
The letter reads: “Singer and songwriter Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, known professionally as “Burna Boy, was born and raised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria and is now a global cultural icon who has helped introduce and popularise afrobeats to the entire world.
“For too long, mainstream narratives have marginalised African voices and overlooked the richness of the continent’s cultural heritage, with Buma Boy’s rise to prominence highlighting a shift in this paradigm.
“Buma Boy proudly embraces his Nigerian and African identity, infusing it with contemporary sounds to create music that resonates with audiences worldwide, thereby challenging stereotypes about African artistry and opening doors for aspiring artistes from similar backgrounds.
“Through his performances and advocacy work, Burna Boy amplifies the voices of marginalised communities and advocates for their recognition and rights.
”Using his platform not only to entertain but also to educate and inspire, starting conversations about social justice, equity, and representation.
“Nigeria is the largest source of African immigration in the Unitcd States and Massachusets is one of the top 10 states with the highest Nigerian-born population, according to the American Community Survey.
“Boston’s commitment to recognising and celebrating culture and diversity is evident in the range of cultural events, festivals, and community initiatives that showcase the city’s multicultural landscape.
“Burna Boy’s legacy serves as a reminder of possibility, reminding us to continue amplifying voices that have long been silenced or overlooked.
Burna Boy is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer, who won Best Global Music Album for “Twice As Tall” at the premiere ceremony of the 63rd GRAMMY Awards.
Veteran Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter, Toun Soetan, popularly known as Evangelist Shouet, has passed away at the age of 73.
The respected evangelist and gospel music icon, was widely recognised as the original composer of the popular Christian chorus ‘Darling Jesus’, a song that has remained a verse in churches across Nigeria.
Reacting to her passing, former Secretary of the Oyo State chapter of the Entertainment Writers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Kunle Bakare, described the late musician as a divinely gifted minister whose songs carried powerful spiritual messages.
“The late gospel music player will also be remembered for her music college, where she trained so many gospel music players, most of whom are reigning today,” Bakare said.
Also confirming the incident, gospel musician Peters Olaniyi Olusegun shared the news in a Facebook post.
“We just lost another legend this morning, Mummy Toun Soetan. May the Lord be with the family and Daddy Titus Soetan,” he wrote.
Beyond ‘Darling Jesus’, the late evangelist was also known for other notable songs such as ‘Ke Pe Jesu’ and ‘Cast Your Burdens’, which became widely used in Christian worship gatherings.
A popular Nigerian comedian and content creator, Broda Shaggi, has been hospitalised after allegedly sustaining a gunshot injury while filming a comedy skit in Ogun State.
According to reports, the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon beneath the Sango-Ota bridge, where the entertainer was filming a skit alongside members of his crew.
According to a police source, the comedian sustained the injury during the filming session, although the exact circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear.
Following the incident, members of his crew quickly rushed him to Blooming Care Hospital in the Alakuko area of Lagos State, where medical personnel administered emergency treatment.
Report further revealed that he was later transferred to Duchess Hospital located in the Government Residential Area of Ikeja for further medical attention and monitoring.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Abimbola Adebisi, said the police were alerted after the injured entertainer was brought to the hospital.
She explained that detectives and a patrol team were immediately deployed to the hospital after the report was received, where they discovered the victim to be the popular skit maker known as Broda Shaggi.
Adebisi added that the entertainer was found on a stretcher with an injury to his thigh. She further noted that the alleged incident occurred in Sango-Ota, Ogun State, which falls outside the jurisdiction of the Lagos State Police Command.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, said the incident had not been officially reported to the police in the state.
At the time of filing this report, authorities are yet to determine how the shooting occurred as investigations into the incident continue.
A Nigerian human rights lawyer, Ike Obasi, has given actress, politician, and self-proclaimed evangelist, Tonto Dikeh, 72 hours to apologize over a viral video showing her conducting a deliverance session on a school child, describing the act as abusive and a violation of the minor’s rights and dignity.
Obasi said the footage circulating on social media was deeply troubling and highlighted the need to protect children from degrading treatment.
“It is disturbing that an innocent child could be subjected to such abusive and degrading treatment under the guise of religious deliverance,” he said.
He added that such actions, capable of humiliating or traumatizing a minor, should not be tolerated.
“I hereby give Tonto Dikeh 72 hours to tender a public apology to the child involved in the video,” Obasi stated.
The lawyer warned that failure to comply would leave him no choice but to pursue legal action.
“If she fails to apologize within the stipulated period, we will take the necessary legal steps to ensure accountability and protect the rights and dignity of the minor involved,” he said.
In a related development, social media influencer and activist Vincent Otse, popularly known as Very Dark Man (VDM), also condemned Dikeh’s actions.
He described it as a violation of the child’s rights and warned her never to set foot in the school again, recalling that she had been absent when the school was left dilapidated until his non-governmental organization rehabilitated it with 30 million Naira.
VDM joined a growing chorus of influencers and activists criticizing the actress for allegedly pinning the child on a sandy floor, with her long nails pressed on the child’s eyes, under the guise of deliverance.
The incident raises pressing questions: Will relevant authorities intervene, or will it be overlooked? Has any law been broken? Will Dikeh apologize as demanded by the lawyer, and if she refuses, will legal action be taken? Only time will tell.
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