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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

VeryDarkMan, popularly known as VDM, has slammed Afrobeat musician Wizkid for disrespecting music legend Fela Kuti

In a viral video released on Thursday, VDM stated that Nigeria is the only county that do not recognize music legends, stating that while other countries honors great artists, Nigerians disregard theirs as “past glory”.

He further went ahead to say that some Nigerian music pioneers and veterans who voice out their concerns on national and industry issues are either insulted or ignored.

His comments came amid the ongoing clash between Seun Kuti and Wizkid.

Calling names like Eldee the Don, African China, Plantation Boiz, Psquare, Remedies, Tony Tetuila, Jazzman Olofin, 9ice, Vector, Sasha P, Asa, Weird MC, 2Face Idibia and Blackface, he said, “People you are supposed to idolise and respect are called ‘past glory’ in this country.”

The social media influencer and activist further criticized Wizkid’s comments, saying they caused his fabs to insult Fela.

He claimed that although disagreements are normal, Wizkid should have handled the situation better.

He address the ongoing comparisons between Wizkid and Fela Kuti, especially arguments centred on the Grammy Award.

He dismissed claims that Wizkid’s Grammy win places him above the late Afrobeat icon.

VeryDarkMan argued that the award was largely influenced by Beyoncé, not Wizkid’s solo artistry.

Wizkid had won a Grammy in 2021 for Best Music Video as a featured artiste on Beyoncé’s Brown Skin Girl, alongside Blue Ivy.

VDM pointed out that international music superstar, Beyoncé, has repeatedly celebrated the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, recalling how she once performed Zombie as a tribute and praised Fela in several interviews.

According to him, Zombie was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2025, while Fela Kuti is also expected to receive a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award.

In contrast, VeryDarkMan singled out Burna Boy and Tems as Nigerian artistes whose Grammy wins were based purely on individual musical contributions.

He referenced Burna Boy’s Best Global Music Album win for Twice As Tall, as well as Tems’ multiple Grammy awards, arguing that their recognitions were a direct reflection of artistic merit.

The activist also came to Fela Kuti’s defence over criticisms of his personal life, particularly his multiple marriages.

He questioned why historical figures such as King Solomon are widely revered despite similar controversies, while Fela continues to face harsh judgment.

VeryDarkMan insisted that Wizkid, musically and artistically, has not surpassed Fela Kuti or other members of the Kuti dynasty, including Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti and Made Kuti.

According to him, the Kuti family’s enduring influence on African music and global cultural discourse remains unmatched by many contemporary stars.

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A faith‐based civil society organisation, CSO, Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, has written a letter to the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, raising concerns over delays in refunding excess Hajj fare funds amounting to N437,000 per pilgrim who participated in the 2025 holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

In the letter dated January 19, 2026, and signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, the organisation said its independent monitoring revealed a significant financial surplus arising from exchange rate differentials during last year’s Hajj operations.

IHR noted that while pilgrims were charged at an exchange rate of N1,600 to the dollar, payments for services in Saudi Arabia were reportedly made at rates between N1,507 and N1,520.

According to the organisation, the exchange rate variation translates to an unutilised balance estimated at between N80,000 and N93,000 per dollar per pilgrim, with about N437,000 allegedly due for refund to each pilgrim who completed full payment by the February 10, 2025 deadline.

It stated that NAHCON had earlier assured pilgrims and stakeholders that refunds would be made after the completion of post-Hajj financial reconciliation, which it said had already been concluded.

The group, therefore, called for immediate action, including public disclosure of the total refund amount within seven working days and prompt disbursement to eligible pilgrims through the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards within 14 working days.

It urged NAHCON to act in the interest of transparency and accountability, stressing that timely refunds would help ease the economic burden on pilgrims and reinforce public trust in Nigeria’s Hajj administration.

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Department of State Services (DSS), in a joint operation with Forest Guards, has successfully rescued seven individuals abducted by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants during a fierce gun battle inside a forest enclave in Borno State.

Security sources revealed that the victims were kidnapped on January 19 while collecting firewood near Ajiri Camp on the outskirts of Maiduguri. Two of the abductees managed to escape and alert the community, while the terrorists later released another on a bicycle to demand a ransom of N20 million.

Acting on intelligence, DSS personnel and Forest Guards quickly mobilized to the area. To avoid detection, the operatives dismounted their motorcycles and trekked for nearly an hour before confronting the ISWAP elements, leading to a fierce gunfight.

The terrorists eventually fled, abandoning all seven victims, who were rescued unharmed and are now receiving support and undergoing profiling.

Mr. Hassan Modu, Commander of the Forest Guards, attributed the success to timely
intelligence and smooth collaboration with the DSS. “We moved quietly on foot and engaged them.

The terrorists fled once they realized we had closed in on their enclave,” Modu said. He also urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies to help combat criminal activities.

The Forest Guards, a community-based auxiliary security unit, are trained, equipped, and supervised by the DSS, receiving instruction in intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

Regular drills and guidance from the DSS ensure professionalism, discipline, and effective coordination in joint operations against terrorists and criminal elements.

If you want, I can also craft a shorter, punchy version suitable for social media captions while keeping the story accurate. Do you want me to do that?