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Commissioner Suspends Greater Lagos Fiesta 2021

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Greater Lagos Fiesta 2021

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture in Lagos State, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, has announced the suspension of the Greater Lagos Fiesta 2021.

A statement signed by her explained that the decision to put a hold on the event was because of the rising cases of COVID-19 in Europe and other places.

A few countries in Europe, including Germany, Austria, Greece, are reintroducing lockdowns amidst the fourth wave of the virus and in order not to erode the gains recorded so far in curbing the disease in Lagos, the state government said it was imperative to follow the latest proactive advice from health authorities to suspend all activities earlier announced for the festival.

She said the government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, agreed to follow the sound advisory from health authorities in respect of the mammoth crowd expected at some of the gatherings as well as the dangers associated with attendance by members of the Diaspora community, who may be returning from Europe and other parts of the world now experiencing the fourth wave.

“We have seen Germany, Austria, and Greece reintroduce restrictions to curtail the spread of the pandemic. Germany is particularly a country in Europe with many Nigerians, who typically return home for the Christmas holidays. This is what science enables us to predict to forestall the tragic experience of last December when scores of our citizens died during the pandemic around yuletide.

“Our emotions favour going ahead with the plans but we must, as a responsible government, submit our will to the predictive intelligence and overriding power of science,” she said in the statement.

“The strategic intent of the state government in wanting to hold the fiesta was to accelerate the process of reflating the economy of Lagos State by putting money in the hands of our people through the deluge of commercial activities planned to take place during the fiesta.

“But the imperatives of protecting the lives of our people clearly override all economic and commercial considerations,” the Commissioner added.

Mrs Akinbile-Yussuf thanked all the corporate sponsors who have so far indicated interest to support the carnival, saying, “we will not forget your rare demonstration of goodwill towards the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and, indeed, the people of Lagos State at a challenging time when businesses are battling with limited resources. You will remain our partners for this and similar initiatives that are in the works.”

The Commissioner, therefore, counselled event organisers and owners of event centres in the state with plans to host events in December to seek the guidance of the Lagos State Safety Commission, as well as the Ministry of Health, and enforce strict adherence to all COVID-19 health safety protocols.

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Your After‑Work Escape: GOtv Shows You Can’t Miss

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After‑Work Escape GOtv Shows

After a long day of work, traffic, deadlines, and back-to-back responsibilities, the last thing most people want is more stress. They just want something that helps them relax. Something familiar that helps their mind slow down. For many households, that small moment of calm begins with the TV.

It is the background comfort while dinner is being made, the show you ease into from the couch, or the story that gently pulls you away from the stress of the day. And with GOtv’s mix of drama, family favourites, and everyday storytelling, finding something to match your evening mood is easier than ever.

Whether you want light entertainment or an engaging drama to sink into, these shows make the perfect after-work escape.

Sister Sister – 6:30 PM | ROK 2

Sister Sister follows the intertwined lives of identical twins Nelly and Nora,  two women born of the same blood but shaped by very different experiences. As they navigate Lagos, love, ambition and family expectations, the sisters find that even the closest bonds can be pushed to the brink when secrets, choices, and personal dreams collide.

This isn’t just another family drama. It is a story about identity, loyalty, and the unspoken ties that bind us. With every episode, you’ll find yourself drawn deeper into their world, laughing, feeling their losses, and wondering how far the family can stretch before it  breaks.

Battleground – 5:00 PM | Africa Magic Family

At the heart of Battleground is Chief Kolade Badmus, a man of influence whose drive for success leaves his family entangled in rivalry, secrets and betrayal.

Kolade’s elegant but sharp‑witted wife, Adaora, tries to hold the family together while his second wife, Cissy, navigates her own place in the home. Their children,  from Mayowa to Teni and Ayo, each carry ambitions and wounds that fuel personal battles and fierce emotional stakes.

Battleground tells a powerful story where loyalty is tested, love is complicated, and every family dinner could uncover another buried truth. With strong performances from veterans like Joke Silva and Shaffy Bello and a narrative that feels as intense as real life, this series is the kind of drama that makes you want to close work early and beat the traffic just so you don’t miss it.

Gifted – 8:00 PM | ROK 2

When young Ebele’s parents die suddenly, she’s thrust into a world of hardship, living under the care of an uncaring uncle and his cruel wife. But in the midst of grief and struggle, something extraordinary begins to stir within her.

Gifted is the story of the transformation of a girl who discovers a remarkable ability that challenges everything she thought she knew about herself. As Ebele’s gift begins to unfold, so does a journey of self‑discovery, resilience and unexpected purpose.

This is not a heavy drama. It is emotional, inspiring, and deeply human. Gifted offers a narrative that reassures, uplifts and reminds you that strength often arrives from the most unlikely places.

The Split – 8:30 PM (Thursdays & Fridays) | Africa Magic Showcase

In a busy banking world, three ordinary professionals, Abdul, Harriet and Tola, face pressure that few of us can imagine. A dormant bank account surfaces, tempting them with the promise of the life they’ve always wanted. But what starts as a risky opportunity slowly evolves into moral conflict, betrayal, and decisions that blur the lines between right and wrong.

The strength of The Split lies in its characters, people you quickly grow to care about, fear for, and judge with every choice they make. It’s a slow-burning drama that pulls you in and keeps you daydreaming, counting the days and hours until the next episode.

These shows are more than just TV content,  they are stories with heart, tension, depth and character that make your evenings feel richer. Whether you want laughter and empathy, deep family drama, emotional transformation, or edge‑of‑your‑seat twists, there’s a perfect unwind waiting for you.

Right now, subscribers can enjoy all these and even more value with the We Got You offer, available until 28th February 2026. When you pay for your current package, you’re automatically upgraded to the next package at no extra cost,  giving you access to more channels, more shows, and even more ways to unwind.

To subscribe, upgrade, or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. You can also stream your favourites anytime with the GOtv Stream App.

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Facebook Convenes 1,000 Innovators, Others for 2026 African Creators Summit

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Facebook 2026 African Creators Summit

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Over 1,000 creators, storytellers, innovators, and digital entrepreneurs from across Africa were brought together in Lagos recently for the 2026 African Creators Summit organised by Facebook.

The event was put together by the social networking platform to brainstorm on how to share the future of the continent’s creative economy.

It was also to empower participants with tools and resources to reach wider audiences, build meaningful communities, and earn sustainably from their content.

It was the second consecutive year Facebook is delivering a dynamic creator experience that reinforced its ongoing commitment to Africa’s growing creative economy.

As the platform with the largest network of people who can reach a massive audience, Facebook has always been about connection and continues to empower creators to connect more deeply with actual people and earn real money across all the content formats they share.

Some of the notable creators at the summit were Abiri Tobi Festus (Folagade Banks), Ify’s Kitchen, Nons Miraj, Nancy Umeh, Lolo Mbakara, Broda Shaggi, Gilmooree, Jenni Frank, Cute Abiola, One Khan, and King – Ana, among others.

Commenting on the initiative, the Head of Communications for Sub-Saharan Africa at Meta, Oluwasola Obagbemi, said, “Our presence at the African Creators Summit was about meeting creators where they are, creating meaningful moments of connection, and demonstrating how Facebook empowers creators to succeed.

“Seeing creators engage, share their stories, and create content live at the booth highlights how powerful these spaces are in strengthening Africa’s creator community.

“Creators who haven’t fully explored Facebook are missing out on real opportunities. Over the past few years, we’ve introduced features that support monetisation, audience growth and discovery, and community building, and we’re doubling down on making it even easier for creators who share original and engaging content to succeed.”

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Connections Tested as Heartbeat Heats Up in Episode 3

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Heartbeat Watch This Weekend on DStv

Episode 3 of Heartbeat picked up right where the drama left off, and this time, emotions ran even higher as new games, unexpected pairings, and bold choices changed the energy in the Love Pad.

After winning the kissing challenge, Igwe claimed the Love Nest key and chose Toria for a private night together. While the pair shared a cosy evening, the morning after came with mixed feelings. Toria admitted she felt uncomfortable being so exposed on camera and began questioning their connection, while Igwe seemed ready to move on, saying the spark just wasn’t there anymore. Just like that, what looked promising quickly cooled off.

But the house didn’t stay quiet for long. The singles were thrown into the Love Dip game, where everyone picked numbers, and anyone who matched automatically became partners for the night. The random twist led to surprising combinations across the house, forcing some singles to step outside their comfort zones.

Still, not everyone stuck to the rules. Despite being paired with other people, Ken and Latifah couldn’t resist each other. The two quietly slipped away from their assigned partners and ended up cuddling on the couch, proving their connection might be stronger than they’d like to admit.

Elsewhere, different emotions were brewing. Alvin’s calm and unreadable personality left Shekinah confused about where they stood, while Chidera and Kenna grew even closer, deciding to focus solely on each other rather than risk outside distractions. Their decision to “lock in” made them one of the most stable pairs in the house.

Then came a playful but revealing poolside card game, where singles had to complete daring or flirty tasks. From seductive dances to bold moves meant to send messages, the challenge stirred jealousy, laughter, and side-eyes across the group. Feelings were tested in real time, and it became obvious that everyone was still very much exploring their options.

But the biggest moment of the night was the official Heartbeat Game.

In this challenge, each male sat in the “hot seat” while the women had one minute each to impress him using props from a mystery box,  from scarves to feathers and other playful items. The goal was simple: charm, tease, and create a spark. After every round, the men secretly scored each woman over ten.

The woman with the highest total score would win the ultimate prize,  the Love Nest key and the power to choose who she’d spend the night with. One by one, the scores rolled in, and confidence filled the room as the women gave it their all.

When the final results were counted, Latifah came out on top, earning the highest ratings and securing the key. With all the power now in her hands, she had a major decision to make: return to Ken, the connection everyone already knew about, Henri, her new paired partner or Igwe, to explore someone new.

In true Heartbeat fashion, she chose unpredictability. Latifah made a bold decision about who she would take into the Love Nest, leaving Ken visibly stunned and the rest of the house buzzing. But who did she actually pick? Tune in next week to find out.

If Episode 3 proved anything, it’s that comfort zones don’t last long in Heartbeat, and one bold choice can change everything.

Catch Heartbeat every Sunday at 9 pm on Africa Magic Showcase, GOtv Channel 8.

To upgrade, subscribe, or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. For catch-up and on-the-go viewing, download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.

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