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Fuji icons K1, Kollington reunite at Pasuma’s ‘40 years on stage’ Lagos concert
Fuji maestro Pasuma’s 40 years on stage Lagos concert, held at the Sheraton Balmoral Hall, Ikeja, on Tuesday, is notable for several reasons.
Aside from marking four decades of Pasuma’s illustrious career and electrifying performances, it also saw fuji icons Kollington Ayinla and Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, reunite.
The highlight of the evening was the emotional reunion between Kwam 1 and Kollington, two Fuji legends whose strained relationship had long been a subject of public interest.
Their rivalry has always revolved around supremacy in fuji music, with their fans usually pitting them against each other, a trend that has trailed the genre for decades.
However, at the gathering hosted by singer Alariwo of Africa, the music icons were spotted sharing lighthearted moments, chatting, laughing, and posing for photographs as fans and media scrambled to get photos of the landmark moment.
Also at the gathering, Saheed Osupa and Pasuma, who recently ended their long-standing feud, shared a rare moment of friendship as they hugged and shared the stage. Thereafter, Osupa, Pasuma, and Malaika challenged each other on stage to a fuji singing marathon battle, much to the admiration of their fans. Their performances and camaraderie elevated the night to a truly historic occasion. Portable also graced the event.
Goodwill messages
On the other hand, intermittently during his performance, Pasuma spoke about his music journey and how he has grown through the ranks and grown a loyal fan base beyond the shores of Nigeria.
In his remarks, Koliington, who also graced the stage, said, ‘‘On behalf of all Fuji practitioners home and abroad in the Diaspora, we congratulate you. You will continue to excel in your generation. Forty years on stage is not a joke. You shall continue to rise and rise … (You will not die on the road like smoke, but you will get to the promised land, your answered prayers will not suddenly become confusing) singing’’.
Kwam 1 said: ‘‘You are up already, and you will not fall. You will not die young. Whoever is unhappy with what you have done today, only God can determine the end of such people. What has allowed two elders (Kollington &Wasiu) to be in attendance for what you are doing today? You will continue to do greater things’’.
Ending the day on a high note, Pasuma surprised band members who had spent 30 years and beyond with N10m each.
Pasuma, an aspiring footballer turned singer who nursed the ambition of competing for Nigeria in the 1985 FIFA U-16 World Championship in China, was raised in the Lagos state neighbourhood of Mushin. He chose to do music because he was excluded from the 1985 squad that participated in the FIFA/KODAK World championship in China, which Nigeria ultimately won.
Inspired by his role model, K1 de Ultimate, Pasuma began writing songs in 1984. In 1993, he released “Recognition,” his debut album. Since then, he’s put out more than 30 albums.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has expressed deep grief over the passing away of former Super Eagles skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu, describing him as a football icon, titan, and phenomenon.
Reacting to the development on Saturday Mbah said: “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing away of Chairman Christian Chukwu. It is a personal loss to us as Ndi Enugu, his home state, and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent.
“Christian Chukwu was a national icon, a football titan, field marshal, and phenomenon. His exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed.
He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others.
“Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football.
Our dear legend has gone the way of all mortals, but the fond memories and the pride he gave Ndi Igbo and Nigeria as a whole will be cherished forever.
“My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
No fewer than seven people lost their lives on Saturday following the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
The deadly incident occurred along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road, a notorious route that cuts through the Sambisa Forest—an area long plagued by insurgent activities.
The victims were part of a convoy of vehicles being escorted by the military from Damboa to Maiduguri.
According to eyewitness accounts and local sources, the explosion struck as the convoy—organized to provide safe passage through the volatile region—was underway. Several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Maiduguri for urgent treatment.
The Maiduguri-Damboa Road serves as a vital link between the state capital and several local government areas in southern Borno, including Chibok and Gwoza.
For years, the route remained closed to civilian traffic due to persistent terrorist threats. However, under the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum, the road was reopened, with military escorts deployed to accompany travelers twice weekly after clearing the area for explosives.
Saturday’s attack raises fresh concerns about the safety of the corridor, despite consistent military presence. The blast also comes just days after Governor Zulum publicly raised alarm over renewed Boko Haram activity in the state, highlighting the persistent threat the group poses to peace and development in the region.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident, while investigations and security operations in the area continue.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has initiated a search following the theft of a black Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nuhu Ribadu, which was stolen during Friday’s Juma’at prayers in Abuja.
It was gathered that the vehicle was parked around 1:05pm opposite the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) complex in Area 10, while the official attended prayers at a nearby mosque.
Security source, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the incident via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, revealing that the ONSA official returned from the mosque only to find the vehicle missing.
According to him, a sources said the theft was immediately reported to the Garki Police Division at approximately 2:00 p.m., leading to a swift response by law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command promptly activated a stop-and-search operation at various checkpoints and across all entry and exit points in the capital city.
Police authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing and all efforts are being made to apprehend the culprits and recover the vehicle.
The Command said it had intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen Hilux.
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