Nigeria News
Crisis Stopped My Wedding Plans
• D’Banj: Says crisis stopped his wedding plans
Music superstar, D’Banj, tells FUNSHO AROGUNDADE about his forthcoming album and why he shelved his marriage plans
Tell us your experience on stage as one of the headliners at the recently held MTV All-Stars concert held in Durban, South Africa?
I felt so happy that day. I never knew the concert would be as such a huge show. I really feel so blessed performing on the same stage that night with legendary Snoop Dogg.
How did you feel when you were called back on stage by Snoop Dogg for a joint performance?
Honestly, I was surprised because the MTV people didn’t tell me that Snoop had agreed to perform our collaboration that night. In fact, it is the highpoint of my career. And not many people know that after the performance, we both sat down and discussed on further collaboration. And right there, we went into the studio to record another song, which will be in my new album.
And you nearly overshadowed Snoop during your performance and was like the real star of the night.
For me, I didn’t even think about it. I was just thrilled by the collection of artistes at that concert. For me as an artiste, I always put all my energy into every show. I always mount the stage with the sole purpose of entertaining the crowd. Even if it is one person, I always make sure that the person has loads of fun. At that Durban concert, I was very happy that everybody was entertained, including Snoop, as he did the Koko dance. I felt humbled seeing him doing my dance. I have been a big fan of Snoop from way back. You can imagine Snoop feeling my vibe. Come on, this guy has been in the game for decades. Baba Agba niyen. It was a good feeling with all those stars that night. He even had to invite all the other artistes that performed for a joint performance to close the show. We did Young, Wild and Free, the song he had with Wiz Khalifa, and it was electrifying.
Let’s talk about your coming DKM Concert.
That is my 23 June DKM Concert. It is a 3-in-1 event and it is going to be great. The last concert I had in Nigeria was Koko Concert and some things were not really right then. It was a funny experience, as people dubbed it Koko Trek. People actually trekked miles to the venue at the Atlantic City. But I want to tell my fans again that I am really sorry to have put them through such stress. This time, it is live inside the Eko Hotel and Suites. This concert is very special to me. It will be the launch of my DKM album, which is a compilation of songs from some artistes. I will also be releasing my first post-Mo’Hits album and celebrate my birthday. I turned 33 on 9 June, but at the concert, I would be celebrating it with all my fans.
What exactly does DKM mean?
DKM means D King’s Men. It is like a movement on how to get our music global. It is about how we are going to erect a structure that is bankable. The DKM album is just like what Kanye West did last year with the album Cross Summer. That wasn’t Kanye West’s album, but a compilation from all the GOOD Music artistes. Banky W’s EME did the same thing last year and also Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records has had its Solar Plexus. So, DKM is having its own and we already have songs featuring artistes like Olamide, Durella, Kayswitch and J Sol. We also have international collaboration with guys like Fally Ipupa.
There has been a lot of confusion about artistes on to your label. Can you set the records straight?
The truth is that I have not signed anybody.
•D’banj at the MTV Africa All Stars concert
Including your brother, KaySwitch?
Yes. But I have a record label called D’Banj Records and its only artiste so far is me. D’Banj Records has a worldwide distribution deal with Universal/Def Jam Records, and Sony Music. We are already using D’Banj as an experiment and he is successfully working very well for us right now and we pray it goes beyond that.
What exactly is D’Banj Records bringing to the table?
We are bringing a breath of fresh air into the Nigerian music scene. This is what I have been trying to do in the last two and a half years that even cost me a brother and family simply because they couldn’t see the vision that I have. I don’t want all these young ones to experience such.
What is the difference between DKM and D’Banj Records?
D’Banj Records is a record label that has worldwide distribution deal with Universal/Def Jam Records, and Sony Music. We make music, we make hits. But DKM is like my baby. It is a media and management company that gave you the Koko Mansion reality show in 2008. And since 2009, DKM has been organising Koko Concerts all around. There shouldn’t be any confusion about these two organisations. We have friends, colleagues and families that work with us through DKM Media. We have a studio where we jam together and rub minds on how to elevate our craft. When eventually KaySwitch is ready, he could be signed on to Sony Music. If it is Durella’s turn, we know that Atlantic Records will fit his style and we will fix him there. The same thing could happen to Olamide once we get that opportunity. That is the difference. D’Banj Records has not signed any artiste except myself.
Tell us the complexion of this new album, your first after the Mo’Hits era?
Definitely, this new work is going to be as confusing as many people felt when they first heard Top of the World.
How do you mean?
People are going to hear some of the songs in my new album and will be confused whether this is D’Banj or not. When you listen to the album, you will be treated to different sounds, as we are not only appealing to the African audience but to the global one. My fan base has grown phenomenally and in the new work, you are going to have a Don Jazzy feel, a European feel and all sorts. This is because we have entered the new stage, which we had been waiting for in Africa. The vision is for a D’Banj song that will be appealing to every music lover on the planet. In this new work, Africa is well represented and you will be very proud of me. D’Banj brand is very well represented as you all know me in this new work. I have fully evolved and it is very well presented in the new work.
How much do you miss Don Jazzy?
I really miss Don Jazzy and I miss the whole Mo’Hits crew. But are we talking about the engine or about the whole car?
How do you feel having your song on constant rotation on many European radio stations and clubs, including those with white audiences and clientele?
Honestly, it puts me on my toes. It was especially so when I heard that my song, Oliver Twist, topped the chart in a country like Romania. This set me thinking that I need to work harder to have more number one songs in the future.
Many have complained that D’Banj has abandoned Nigeria for abroad. Would you like to clarify that?
I have heard that many times. The truth is that many people ran into me and said they had been trying to get me booked for shows, but were told that I no longer stay in Nigeria. That is not true. Surprisingly, I spend more time at home than what people think. I am still based here, but travel most of the time. The fact that I spend more time abroad doesn’t mean that I have relocated. Despite the big American presence of Shakira, she doesn’t live in the United States. She still stays in Colombia and only breezes into the US to do her job. The fact is that since last year, I have been so busy touring America, Europe and other continents, maximising the success of Oliver Twist. Even at that, I have been more at home. In the last one year, I have performed at major shows on the continent. I performed at the closing ceremony of the Big Brother Africa among other big shows. This year alone, I have done African Cup of Nations and the recent MTV All Stars. But what I need to point out to people is that I no longer consider myself a Nigerian or African artiste. I am now an international artiste just like Wyclef Jean, who you cannot easily tell his country. Not until the earthquake disaster and when he said he wanted to run for presidency in his country that many people got to know that he is from Haiti. So, people should perish that perception, as I still live in Nigeria. Now, I service the global audience.
But many believe D’Banj spends more time on razzmatazz than improving creative content. How do you react to this?
Maybe because they see me hanging more on the front rows at major shows around the world with the likes of Kanye West, JayZ and co. But I tell you, Rome wasn’t built in a day. The so-called razzmatazz is part of my evolutionary process. People see only the razzmatazz, but I know what I am doing. Now, I am having my concert this month, featuring stars like 2Chainz and Fally Ipupa. After that, I am touring Europe. For me, I see global. And right now, I believe I am getting the necessary experience and the exposure. Very soon, people will see it from my music and my life.
Talking about the African Cup of Nations and the song, Top of The World, many were surprised that the song came from you?
That song was written by me and three others. It was produced by one of Kanye West’s producers called Anthony. The song was brought to me by my colleagues over there who felt the song would fit into what was happening to me at that time. That was the time Oliver Twist was burning up the charts in London and 11 other European countries. I felt like I was on top of the world. Then we started working in the studio and waiting for the perfect time to release it. In fact, the song was even ready before Oyato, but I didn’t feel ready to drop it. In-between, Supersport approached me for a song for the Nations Cup and we decided to submit it and they so much loved it. That was it.
But listening to that song, one would think you specifically did it for the tournament or you reworked it.
We actually had to go back into the studio to rework the third part of the song. That is where we had to mention the names of the 16 participating countries and fortunately, Nigeria was the last country that I mentioned and we eventually won the tournament.
You later performed the song at the final.
Oh my God! I was crying that day. I was so emotional with the crowd and the response. It was so electrifying. After my performance, I went to sit at the top wing of the stadium and began to reflect about what God has been doing in my life.
How did you feel that night after Nigeria won the cup?
Yeepa! You needed to see me that day. I ran from where I sat in the stadium straight onto the field to meet the players. In fact, there are some pictures in circulation where I was holding the medals with the likes of Mikel Obi. I was like, ‘Yeah, we are on top of the world’.
But why have you not really been pushing this song just like Oliver Twist?
You are making me feel as if the song hasn’t been released at all. But the truth is that the song was actually released for the African Cup of Nations. It will surely be in my new album, but some parts will not be there, especially those parts that were added for the tournament. Since February, a lot of my songs have been released, but Top of the World and its video will surely follow. Just the same way Nigerians have been positive about it, I believe the whole world will feel this song and it will be given the push it requires.
How far have you gone on your proposed collaboration with British singer, Rita Ora?
My brother, there are so many things happening now and you just have to cross your fingers because I am in the big league now.
Really?
Oh my God! Yes, I feel like a big boy. But truly, I felt like a new artiste because with the position that we are in now, we have a door opened for us to present what we have to the rest of the world. Just like the Jamaicans. Thankfully, we have culture and respect that speak for us. We just have to tap into it now that the door has been opened. All African artistes have to look at how to tap into the opportunity to appeal to the world, especially the Western world. The bulk of the sales comes from there.
Did you expect this phenomenal growth?
Never. Honestly, some things happen to you and you can’t really tell why they happened. But I believe everything is for a reason. To me, I believe in the saying: ‘To whom much is given, much is expected.’ All these things are for a particular purpose. After all, I am not the best singer or the best looking guy. But I believe I don’t move alone. God is deeply involved in my situation. In South Africa, I was asked by some journalists on what we Nigerians are doing that the rest are not. And I said it is all for the fact that our people have just woken up to reality.
How far has D’Banj gone on all his popular Koko-branded businesses?
All these brands are still on. Everything from the Koko Mansion reality show to Koko Mobile is there. There is a saying that you can never go wrong with food. That is what necessitated the coming of Koko Garri. While we were in South Africa, it was Koko Garri that we were drinking. The garri is now being sold in five African countries and in so many universities. I remember walking into some stores in London and not finding real garri Ijebu. Most shops that sell the fairly good garri are owned by the Lebanese. You can imagine having garri like Kellogg’s Corn Flakes. It would sell in all these stores like Tesco and Sainsbury’s. That is my plan for Koko Garri and it is still very much in view. For the Koko Mobile, we only produced limited samples to test the market and we got a great review and feedback from the people who used it. The whole consignment we brought was completely exhausted that I don’t even have single handset with me now. It is just a matter of time. Recently, I was approached by some people to do the new series of Koko Mansion. Everything about the Koko brand is still on. And again, I must tell you that we are not in this business for quick returns.
How much would you say D’Banj is worth now?
Oshee! I can tell you that Eja nla (big fish) is comfortable. But sincerely, I don’t know how much I am worth because I have not really taken my time to check. In fact, I don’t even want to check so that it won’t get into my head. But I must confess to you that God is really involved in my life right now.
Many see you as having the potential to be as big as Fela. How much has Fela influenced you?
You want to hear the truth?
Yes.
I am not influenced by Fela but he is everything to me as well as to a lot of other people. Recently, I watched a documentary on Fela and heard him saying “Music is spiritual; if you misuse it you die young.” I paused and was a bit scared. Misuse music and die young? I became totally afraid hearing that from someone like Fela. He was like a divinity and I said to myself: ‘I hope I am not misusing this talent because I don’t want to die young.’ Honestly, I shiver when people try to compare me with Fela. You can’t just compare me with him. What I heard of Fela was that he would tear a promoter’s money and tell him to go bring what he would pay the likes of Michael Jackson. He didn’t take crap and was highly spiritual. But here is little me still running after the likes of Kanye West and Snoop Dogg and some people are comparing me with Fela. E joo, e fimisile (Please, let me be). I am just D’Banj.
When are you going to get married and have kids?
To tell you the truth, I would have been married if Mo’Hits had not broken up. The crisis really affected me and I had to start so many things afresh. Just like my mentor 2Face Idibia, I will be married and have my own kids one day.
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Posted in Nigeria News. A DisNaija.Com network.
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The Kano State Government on Saturday said it has transferred 1,098 ‘almajiris’ to different states of the country.
The commissioner for local government, Murtala Garo, disclosed this while presenting a report before the state’s task force on COVID-19 at the government house, Kano.
Almajiris are children who are supposed to be learning Islamic studies while living with their Islamic teachers. Majority of them, however, end up begging on the streets of Northern Nigeria. They constitute a large number of Nigeria’s over 10 million out-of-school children.
Mr Garo said the Kano government transported 419 almajiris to Katsina, 524 to Jigawa and 155 to Kaduna. He said all of them tested negative for coronavirus before leaving the Kano State.
Despite the coronavirus test done in Kano for the almajiris, the Jigawa government earlier said it would quarantine for two weeks all the almajiris that recently arrived from Kano.
Mr Garo said another 100 almajiris scheduled to be taken to Bauchi State also tested negative to COVID-19.
In a remark, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje said the COVID-19 situation in Kano was getting worse. He appealed for a collaborative effort to curtail the spread of the virus in the state.
Mr Ganduje, who commended residents for complying with the lockdown imposed in the state, said the decision was taken to halt the spread of the virus.
Kano State, as of Saturday night, has 77 coronavirus cases, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
The decision to transfer the Kano almajiris is part of the agreement reached between Northern governors that almajiris in each state be transferred to their states of origin.
However, even before the latest agreement by the governors, the Kano government had been transferring almajiris to other states and neighbouring countries after it banned street begging in the state, most populous in Northern Nigeria.
Despite the transfers, however, no concrete step has been taken to ensure such children do not return to Kano streets as there is freedom of movement across Nigeria although interstate travel was recently banned to check the spread of the coronavirus.
Sourced From: Premium Times Nigeria
By Ugochukwu Alaribe
Operatives of the Abia State Vigilante Service, AVS, popularly known as ‘Bakassi Boys’ have arrested 24 market women hidden in a container truck, at Ekwereazu Ngwa, the boundary community between Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The market women, said to be from Akwa Ibom State, were on their way to Aba, when they were arrested with the truck driver and two of his conductors for violating the lockdown order by the state government.
Driver of the truck, Moses Asuquo, claimed he was going to Aba to purchase stock fish, but decided to assist the market women, because they were stranded.
A vigilante source told Sunday Vanguard that the vehicle was impounded while the market women were sent back to Akwa Ibom State.
Commissioner for Home Land Security, Prince Dan Okoli, who confirmed the incident, said that smuggling of people into the state poses great threat to the state government’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID- 19.
Sourced From: Vanguard News
Operatives of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Yaba of the Lagos State police command have arrested one Mrs Nene Steve for allegedly killing her maid, Joy Adole
The maid was allegedly beaten to death by Nene for requesting for her salary at their residence located at 18, Ogundola Street, Bariga area in Lagos.
Narrating the incident, Philips Ejeh, an elder brother to the deceased said that he was sad when they informed him that his sister was beaten to death.
He explained that the deceased was an indigene of Benue State brought to Lagos through an agent and started working with her as a maid in January 2020.
‘’She reported that her boss refused to pay her and anytime she asked for her salary she will start beating her.
She was making an attempt to leave the place but due to the total lockdown she remained there until Sunday when her boss said she caught her stealing noodles and this led to her serious beating and death,’’ Ejeh said.
He called on Lagos State Government and well- meaning people in the country to help them in getting justice for the victim.
The police spokesman, Bala Elkana, stated that the woman and her husband came to Bariga Police Station to a report that their house girl had committed suicide.
Detectives were said to have visited the house and suspected foul play with the position of the rope and bruises all over the body which confirmed that the girl had been tortured to death and the boss decided to hang up the girl to make it look like suicide.
He said: “The police moved on with their investigation and found a lot of sign of violence on her body that she has been tortured before a rope was put on her neck.’’
He added that the police removed the corpse and deposited it in the mortuary for autopsy to further ascertain the cause of the death.
Elkana said the matter has been transferred from Bariga police station to Panti for further investigation while the couple have been arrested and will be charged to court.
Ostensibly alarmed by the latest killings of dozens of soldiers by Boko Haram insurgents, President Muhammadu Buhari has summoned an urgent meeting of Service Chiefs to find ways to stop the trend.
He has also dispatched the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali, to the neighbouring Republic of Chad for an urgent meeting with President Idris Deby and his defence counterpart.
Knowledgeable sources said in Abuja on Friday that the president is worried by on the deterioration of security situation on the Nigeria – Chad Border that has led to the recently increased Boko Haram terrorism in the area.
The sources which did not want to be named in Abuja said: “Nigeria has a Chad problem in the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) put together to secure the Lake Chad basin areas and repeal the Boko Haram terrorist attacks against all the countries neighbouring the Lake.”
The sources noted that Chad is believed to be having their own internal security challenges and this has reportedly led to their pulling away their own troops manning their own border around Lake Chad, saying: “That lacuna is being exploited by the Boko Haram terrorists, who go in and out of Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon to launch terrorist acts. This is a clear illustration of the fact that terrorism is beyond national borders.”
When contacted, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, confirmed that the Defence Minister is going to Chad but said he is unaware of the purpose.
Meanwhile, the military authorities are said to be in the process of identifying the families of the latest victims with a view to making contact with them.
Credible sources revealed that it is the reason the president is yet to make any pronouncement on the matter.
“The President has called an urgent meeting with the Service Chiefs, as well as the fact that families of the latest victims of the Boko Haram are being identified and contacts made before a government pronouncement on the tragic attacks. This, it is understood, is the reason for the silence of the government over the incident,” the source said.
Sourced From: Tribune
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Military, Police Ring Abuja to Forestall Boko Haram Attack
UFC: Usman gets N584m after beating Masvidal
Insecurity: Lagos bans occupation of abandoned buildings
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