The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has taken to his verified Twitter account to share pictures of when he hosted the talented Ikorodu Bois in his office. The comedy group paid the governor a courtesy visit.

In his post, the Governor mentioned that the young boys’ creativity put them and Ikorodu on the world map.

The Governor tweeted,

“Today, I welcomed generational film-making talent @IkoroduB, whose creativity has put them and Ikorodu on the global map of international platforms like Netflix, earned them a nomination at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards and put their faces on billboards in Times Square, NY.

“As a state, we are proud of them and I thank them for visiting me today. We are committed to developing creative talent in Lagos as we continue to serve as the premiere destination for musical, art and creative talent generation in Africa."

The comic group consists of Muiz Sanni (15), Malik Sanni (10) and Fawas (13). They are known for remaking, mimicking and recreating multi-million dollar music videos, movie scenes and movie trailers using ordinary household items.

They seem to be on a roll this year as a few days ago, popular American Talk Show host, Steve Harvey, took to his verified Twitter account with about 4.2 million followers to hail the Nigerian internet sensation

The iconic American entertainer gave the lads a thumb up by posting on his Twitter a video of one of the youngsters standing in front of a television set as he mimicked one of his messages, which was delivered on his programme, Motivation.

Hollywood director, Zack Snyder, had a virtual video where he made it known that he loves the Ikorodu Bois’ remake of his movie trailer, Army of the Dead.

Last year, the Ikorodu Bois drew the attention of the producers of the movie, Russo Brothers, following the remake of the movie trailer, Extraction.

After watching their remake, in a tweet, the Russo Brothers expressed excitement at the remake and invited the trio to the world premiere of their Netflix action film sequel.

Also, Netflix — a US media service and streaming giant — enlisted Ikorodu Bois for its campaign to mark this year’s edition of the Oscars.

Moreso, the skit makers were nominated for the Favourite African Social Media Star’ category at the 2021 Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards. However, they lost out to Nigerian comedienne, Emmanuella.

 Germany will start returning Benin bronzes to Nigeria in 2022, the country’s foreign and culture ministries said on Friday.

They said in a statement that the move was part of a growing trend to return cultural artifacts seized during the colonial era to their places of origin.

Britain’s soldiers seized thousands of metal castings and sculptures in 1897 during a raid on the Kingdom of Benin, then separate from British-ruled Nigeria.

The “bronzes” —- actually copper alloy relief sculptures, many showing court figures —- were auctioned off and then spread among institutions from New Zealand to Germany and the U.S.

The biggest collection was in London.

“In addition to maximum transparency, we primarily aim for substantial restitution,” German Culture Minister Monika Gruetters said in the joint statement issued with the foreign ministry and German museums.

“We want to contribute to a common understanding and reconciliation with the descendants of the people who were robbed of their cultural treasures during the times of colonialism,” Gruetters added.

The Ethnologisches Museum in Berlin has more than 500 historical artifacts from the Kingdom of Benin in its collections, mostly bronzes.

The University of Aberdeen in Scotland said last month it would return a Benin bronze to Nigeria within weeks, one of the first public institutions to do so.

The British Museum, which holds hundreds of the sculptures, has alongside several other museums formed a Benin Dialogue Group to discuss displaying them in Benin City, some officially on loan.

Plans are underway in Edo to build a centre to store and study the returned artifacts by the end of 2021, and a permanent museum by 2025.

The German ministries issued their statement in conjunction with German museums that are part of the Benin Dialogue Group.(NAN)

 Nigeria Afrobeats stars Burna Boy and Wizkid have won at the 2021 Grammys.

Burna Boy won the Best Global Music Album category while Wizkid won the Best Music Video for his song with Beyoncé; Brown Skin Girl, from Lion King: The Gift album.

Beyoncé's daughter Blue Ivy was also a winner on the song.

Burna Boy, real name Damini Ogulu, a nominee for a second consecutive year, won with his Twice As Tall album.

The 29-year-old beat four others including the Malian band, Tinariwen.

The Grammys described Twice As Tall as "a masterclass in the vibe and hustle that have made Burna Boy an international musical force".

"[He] continues to torch limitations, seamlessly blending styles and genres and fearlessly fuelling the fire heating the melting pot of pop, Afrobeat, dancehall, reggae and more," it said.

The album features a wide range of international artists such as Stormzy, Youssou Ndour, Naughty By Nature, and Chris Martin of Coldplay, and had Sean Combs as executive producer.

Second time lucky

Burna Boy was nominated in the same category in 2019 - then known as Best World Music Album - but lost out to Angelique Kidjo at the awards ceremony in 2020.

However, Kidjo dedicated her win to him, saying: "Burna Boy is among those young artists that come from Africa that is changing the way our continent is perceived and the way that African music is the bedrock of all music."

Born in Nigeria's Port Harcourt, Burna Boy released his first album, LIFE, an acronym for Leaving an Impact For Eternity, in 2013.

That album was followed by the release of Redemption in 2015 and Outside in 2018 that included the international hit track, Ye.

But it was with his 2019 African Giant album that Burna Boy really hit the international scene and earned his first Grammys nomination.

Often compared to Nigerian superstar Fela Ransome-Kuti, whose songs Burna has sampled generously, he has become increasingly vocal about social causes in Africa.

At the height of the xenophobic attacks in South Africa in 2019, he threatened to never set foot in the country again unless the government took action, although he has since performed in the country.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has received final approvals for its ongoing conversion from a mutual, member-owned company to a public limited liability company, paving the way for the public listing and trading of the shares of the Exchange in the nearest future.

Nigeria’s apex capital market regulator, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the regulatory body for corporate affairs, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) gave the final approvals for the conversion, otherwise known as demutualisation.

With these approvals, the Exchange has now completed its demutualisation process.

Under the demutualisation plan, a new non-operating holding company, the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (‘NGX Group’) has been created.

The Group will have three operating subsidiaries: Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX Limited), the operating exchange; NGX Regulation Limited (NGX REGCO), the independent regulation company; and NGX Real Estate Limited (NGX RELCO), the real estate company. All the entities have been duly registered at the CAC.

President, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo, said the successful demutualisation was one of his fundamental objectives when he assumed the presidency of the Exchange, noting that SEC’s decision today to approve the NSE’s demutualisation plans brings this aspiration to a successful conclusion in a process that included the passage of the Demutualisation Act through the National Assembly.

“We are elated that this milestone has been achieved as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the commencement of trading at the Exchange and now look forward to the future public listing of its shares on NGX Limited. On behalf of the NSE, I would like to warmly thank all those that have worked assiduously to achieve this watershed event on our journey to make the NSE a multifaceted exchange that extends across various markets and geographical regions,” Ogunbajo said.

The approvals by the SEC and CAC signify that the NSE can now activate its transition plan to a new operational structure and holding company. The extensive transition plan, taking the Group and its subsidiaries through to full operational launch, covers legal and practical changes to enable the functioning of the new corporate structure, with no loss of service and a seamless transition for market participants.

The transition plan will also see the inauguration of Boards for each of the new entities, staff reallocation to their respective functions within the operating subsidiaries, operationalisation of business plans and budgets, technology systems transfer, and the requisite arm’s length agreements between the entities. Upon Operational Launch, the Group’s new brands, including a new website, will be unveiled and the Group will be in position to execute on its strategic vision. Stakeholders, including our new valued shareholders will benefit from The Group’s enhanced Corporate Governance framework, access to capital to fund strategic developments and a more globally competitive Exchange.

The approvals also enable the shares of NGX Group Plc, which have been registered with the SEC, to be allotted to the membership pursuant to the Court approved Scheme of Arrangement. Ahead of its listing on NGX Limited, the shares of NGX Group Plc will be available for bilateral trades to be executed in line with extant rules and regulations of the Nigerian capital market. Otunba Ogunbanjo will serve as the inaugural Chairman of NGX Group Plc’s Board of Directors.

Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Oscar Onyema, said the Nigerian capital markets should play a role commensurate with Nigeria’s status as Africa’s largest economy.

“At the Nigerian Stock Exchange, we have a vision that the new group will become the premier exchange hub for Nigerian businesses and for the African economy. We are implementing a series of measures towards this goal, demutualisation being a critical milestone. The completion of demutualisation is a truly significant moment, and we welcome the new possibilities that have opened up for us today,” Onyema said.

Demutualisation of the NSE is pivotal in that it creates new strategic opportunities that will enable the Group realise its vision of becoming Africa’s leading capital market infrastructure provider. The creation of a holding company and a new capital structure will also enable NGX Group Plc to form new dynamic relationships, drive strategic partnerships and gain capital raising flexibility. It will be recalled that NSE members approved at its last AGM, the listing by introduction of NGX Group Plc on NGX Limited.

The year 2020 is probably the year with the most musical releases from female artistes in the Nigerian music industry than in the last five years. Prominent Nigerian female artistes from Teni, to Cuppy, Niniola, Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage, Tems and Simisola just to name a few all released musical projects in 2020. Teni dropped the Lockdown EP with DJ Neptune, Cuppy dropped her debut album - "Original Cuppy", Niniola dropped "Colours and Sounds", Yemi Alade dropped "Empress", Tems dropped "For Broken Ears" and Simisola dropped "Restless" EP. Other rising stars like Lady Donli, Phlow, GoodGirlLA, Amaarae also dropped two or more singles this year.

The female artistes in the industry came correct with very good songs that excel in terms of production, lyrics, delivery and overall appeal. Artistes like Tiwa Savage scored some international collaborations with Steflon Don and Sam Smith, Yemi Alade with Dadju and Angelique Kidjo and Niniola with Timbaland.

However, one of the noticeable things about these projects from these wonderful female artistes is the level of acceptance received compared to their male counterparts. In terms of streams, reach and critical acclaim, it seems a lot of work still needs to be done.

Asides Tiwa Savage's Album where some singles like "Koroba" and "Ole" ft. Naira Marley are proving to be a hit, as well as Sinach's International fame with her single "Way Maker " and Cuppy's surprise debut album, projects from female artistes have not received wide spread acclaim and generated heated discussions like the albums of Wizkid, Davido, Olamide and Burna Boy. These albums are not topping charts overseas, causing arguments between fans of the artistes or generating much buzz. It seems the vibe and culture dies down when it comes to projects of female artistes, no matter the genre.. be it pop, afrobeats or alternative music.

Could there be a valid reason for this particular issue?

https://naijatastic.com/page/discover?p=why-are-albums-by-female-artistes-in-nigeria-not-making-waves

Written by Iamsynord. He is an A/R for independent Artistes , Entertainment Lawyer and Freelance Writer Open to Working with Creatives Across Nigeria and Africa as a whole . He tweets via @iamsynord