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Stevie Wonder: becoming Ghanaian on my birthday is amazing

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Legendary singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder is officially Ghanaian.

On Monday – the US musical icon’s 74th birthday – he was granted citizenship of Ghana by the nation’s president.

“This is it, congratulations!” Nana Akufo-Addo told a beaming Wonder, handing the Grammy winner a certificate at a ceremony in the presidential palace where he was also presented with a birthday cake with a Ghanaian flag iced on top.

Wonder told the BBC that gaining Ghanaian nationality on his birthday was an “amazing thing”.

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The superstar was born and bred in the US state of Michigan but has long had an affinity for Ghana – a West African nation thousands of miles from home.

In 1975, with a string of hit albums behind him, Wonder openly expressed a desire to quit music and move to Ghana. He believed his ancestral lineage could be traced there, reports say.

Wonder stuck with singing and stayed stateside, but after headlining a Ghanaian music festival in the 1990s, he again expressed a desire to set up home there.

On a later trip to Ghana, Wonder wrote the entirety of his album Conversation Peace and in an interview just three years ago the star said he was moving to Ghana in order to escape racial injustice in the US.

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Wonder’s love affair with the country was ignited by the people he met whilst there.

He told the BBC that one of these encounters was with late Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings, who in the 1990s hosted him at the presidential residence.

“I remember the late President Rawlings, who allowed me to be a co-pilot on a flight,” Wonder said.

“I was able to fly with him from one end of Ghana to the other end. The north to the south, and it was amazing.”

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Stevie Wonder gains citizenship in Ghana
Flanked by his family and donning a scarf made of traditional kente cloth, Wonder was visibly delighted to have finally become Ghanaian.

Ghana has long prided itself on being a bastion of pan-Africanism – its founding leader, Kwame Nkrumah, called the West African state a “Black Mecca”.

Wonder is just the latest African-American icon to celebrate this message – writer W E B Du Bois moved to Ghana and was buried there in 1963, while Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali all paid high-profile visits to the country to reconnect with their African roots.

In 2001, Ghana became the first nation on the continent to give the descendants of Africans the right to stay.

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Since then, Africans in the diaspora have been able to live and work in Ghana without renewing their visas or work permits.

And in 2019 the Ghanaian government launched the “year of return” initiative to encourage Africans in the diaspora to relocate there.

More than 300 Africans in diaspora have been granted Ghanaian citizenship since.

In a statement, Ghana’s interior ministry said Wonder becoming a citizen “marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to attract diasporan Africans and recognise outstanding contributions to the African diaspora”.

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The man himself said he now plans to engage in initiatives that will create great job opportunities for Ghana’s youth, who make up roughly 38% of the population.

“The youngest generation is in Africa. We need to begin to think about how their greatness can shine,” he said.

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Entertainment

‘You’re lucky I have a lot to lose’ – Burna Boy reacts to Speed Darlington’s release

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Famous Nigerian singer, Burna Boy has broken his silence over the release of Speed Darlington from police detention.

On November 27, Darlington was rearrested barely two months after his first arrest by Burna Boy.

DAILY POST reports that Darlington had taunted Burna Boy over his affiliation with the embattled American rapper, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs who is currently facing multiple sexual exploitation and human trafficking charges.

Seemingly reacting to the release on his Instagram story on Tuesday, Burna Boy noted that his critics are lucky that he has a lot to lose, else many of them “would not be here no more”.

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“When they talk nobody cares, but it’s a Nuclear disaster when I react.

“You all don’t know how lucky you are that I have too much to lose now, Walahi a lot of you wouldn’t be here no more. Anyway make I just go buy another thing relax.”

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Osimhen joins Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy at Tony Elumelu’s all-white party

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Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen on Monday joined Nigeria’s elite at billionaire Tony Elumelu glamorous all-white party in Lagos, embracing the holiday festivities during a visit to his home country.

The Galatasaray forward, who has been in prolific form, was seen mingling with top celebrities at the event hosted by Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the UBA Group, with an estimated net worth of $700 million according to Forbes.

The star-studded affair featured electrifying performances by some of Nigeria’s biggest music icons, including Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, and Flavour.

Prominent political figures also graced the occasion, with Lagos State Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun among the notable attendees.

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Queen Esther Daniels Crowned Best Idoma Nollywood Actress Of All Time

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Popular actress, model, and activist, Queen Esther Daniels, has been crowned the Best Idoma Nollywood Actress of All Time.

The talented thespian received this accolade ahead of industry legends such as Ene Comfort Ikwumono, Jane Odoh, and others at the Idoma Nollywood Film Festival, which took place during the Idoma International Carnival in Otukpo, Benue State, on Monday, December 23, 2024.

Queen Esther made her acting debut at the age of 15 and has since starred in numerous Nollywood and Idoma movies.

In 2022, she made her production debut with the indigenous blockbuster “Akpa K’Oche” (The Throne).

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She has utilized her talent as a vehicle for advocacy, working against social vices while promoting culture, peace, and unity.

In recognition of her hard work and dedication, she was overwhelmingly voted as the Best Idoma Actress of All Time.

Reacting to the victory via his Facebook page, Hon. Prince Yemi Itodo, the Executive Producer of Akpa K’Oche, stated that Queen Esther’s recognition as the eternal Best Idoma Nollywood Actress was well-deserved.

He expressed his gratitude to the organizers of the Idoma International Carnival for recognizing Idoma talents and promoting tourism.

He wrote, “Tonight, history is made! Idoma people of Nigeria gathered at their traditional headquarters in the ancient town of Otukpo, Benue State, to celebrate this Thespian and screen goddess of unqualifiable measures…

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“Queen Esther Daniels was nominated and won the Idoma Nollywood Actress of All Time, not Actress of the year, not Actress in the past, not Actress in 2025, not upcoming Actress, but Actress of All Time… This means alot to the industry and the family.

“Queen Esther Ene Daniels started gracing our screen right from the age of 15; and back-to-back, she has sustained the steam, the steez and the dexterity, interpreting her professional roles, both in Idoma and Nigerian Nollywood. She is also one of the rare Female Movie Producers in Idoma land, with her blockbuster AKPA K’OCHE (The Throne), short titled in English in 2022 and premiered at Double K Resort, Otukpo.

“This award is well deserving and it’s welcoming.

“We want to appreciate the organisers of Idoma International Carnival , the Global President, who doubles as President of Idoma Association in America, Prince EDWIN OCHAI; Global Vice President and Autotchonous incumbent of the MIC industry and Radio Benue Zcar, Henry Ipole; and all other crew, including the Federal Ministry of Information and Tourism, for this show of love.

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“Finally, this award is dedicated to Almighty God, the Idoma nation, the cast and crew of AKPA K’OCHE (The Throne), especially, the Director, Ochola St Godwins; Editor, Jeff Onjefu, Lead Actor and Producer of OSOFIA IN BRAZIL, Pastor Abel Success, DoP, Richy Billions; Mr. Isaac Ochedikwu, Mummy Eze; Anebi Onobe; Ochagwu; for making Queen Esther a successful Producer.

“Idoma Nation shall be great again!!”

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