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Easter Gospel: These are the Songs Soundtracking Nigeria’s Easter Celebrations

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easter FG declares holidays

For Christians around the world, the 7th of April kicks off the celebration of Easter, the annual Christian celebration of the Resurrection. Global streaming platform Spotify hosts an Easter playlist featuring some of the most definitive gospel tracks to lift spirits and help listeners channel their beliefs and inspire their faith during one of Christianity’s most venerated holidays.

Typically, the celebration is marked by church services, festive family meals, Easter egg decoration and gift-giving. For Nigerians, it’s also a time to commemorate that great sacrifice that defines Christianity by bonding over local Gospel music. Spotify data shows that Nigerians listen to more gospel music during the Easter period.

“Nigerian Gospel is a very special offering that combines local sensibilities with the exalting message and belief of global faith. We’re excited to deliver those songs alongside Gospel essentials from the world over as part of this unique experience to inspire the faithful during this important celebration,” says Victor Okpala, Artist and Label Partnerships Manager, West Africa for Spotify.

According to data from Spotify, listenership trends around gospel music from Nigeria during Easter paint an interesting picture. Even more so, the music of Nigerian artists has travelled far and wide and as Easter comes nearer, becomes a source of upliftment to fans in multiple territories globally.

Gospel Exports

Nigerian music is one of the country’s most popular exports, even more so during the streaming era. In keeping with this trend, some of our favourite local Gospel songs have also found massive global audiences outside Nigeria, and become big music exports enjoyed by Christians around the world. Kumama Papa by Grace Lokwa, Moses Bliss and Prinx Emmanuel is the most exported of the bunch. According to Spotify data, more than half of its streams come from the UK, United States, Ghana, France, Canada and Kenya. Keeping up the spirit of collaboration, Nara by Tim Godfrey and Travis Greene follows at No. 2 with God Turned It Around by Nathaniel Bassey, Tim Bowman Jr. and Tim Godfrey at No. 3.  His Words by Grace Tena is the only solo track in the top 5.

Easter Favourites

For Nigerian listeners, there’s no shortage of Gospel classics to soundtrack the Easter season.  However, data from Spotify suggests that certain songs strike a chord among listeners uniquely during the Easter period, leading to massive spikes in listenership during the holiday. Of the Easter favorites among Nigerians, Chandler Moore’s Worthy of My Song (Worthy of It All) saw a 43% increase in streams during the Easter season in past years. It’s followed by Diana Hamilton’s Adom Grace which inspired a 30% spike during Easter.

Local gospel is represented by Onaga, the collaboration between Tim Godfrey, Youthful Praise and JJ Hairsto, which has seen a spike of 24% during the season. Further down the line are Travis Greene’s You Waited and Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s For Your Glory – Live, both of which have seen spikes of 23% during the Easter season.

See the full lists of Nigeria’s top gospel exports and Easter favourites below:

 

TOP NIGERIAN GOSPEL EXPORTS

NIGERIA’S EASTER FAVOURITES

  1. Kumama Papa – Grace Lokwa, Moses Bliss, Prinx Emmanuel

  2. Nara – Tim Godfrey, Travis Greene

  3. God Turned It Around – Nathaniel Bassey, Tim Bowman Jr, Tim Godfrey

  4. His Words – Grace Tena

  5. Mighty God (Remix) – Joe Praize, Soweto Gospel Choir

  6. Dansaki – Lara George

  7. I’m Good – Sal Ly

  8. Most Beautiful – Grace Tena

  9. My God – Grace Lokwa, Moses Bliss

  10. Evidence – Tim Godfrey

  1. Worthy of My Soul (Worthy of It All) – Chandler Moore, Maverick City Gospel Choir, Maverick City Music, Phil Wickman

  2. Adom Grace – Diana Hamilton

  3. Onaga (It’s Working) – JJ Hairston, Tim Godfrey, Youthful Praise

  4. You Waited – Travis Greene

  5. For Your Glory (Live) – Tasha Cobbs Leonard

  6. King of Kings – Chandler Moore

  7. Be Lifted (Live) – MOGMusic

  8. You Know My Name – Jimi Cravity, Tasha Cobbs Leonard

  9. Your Spirit – Kierra Sheard, Tasha Cobbs Leonard

  10. Won’t Let Go – Travis Greene

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The Ade-Williams Are Back, But They Are Not The Only Ones Bringing Drama This August

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The Ade-Williams Tinsel DStv

There aren’t many TV shows that can make you remember characters more than a decade after you first met them.

Mention Sheila Gardia or  Freddy Ade-Williams and anyone who has followed Tinsel instantly remembers the boardroom battles, unexpected betrayals, complicated romances and family feuds that made it impossible to stop at just one episode. Through every season, viewers have watched alliances shift, businesses rise and fall, and relationships survive or crumble under pressure.

Now, the story continues.

Season 19 of Tinsel premieres on Monday, August 3, taking viewers back into the world of the Ade-Williams family, where the drama is far from over. This season, the Reel Group is looking to grow bigger than ever, but that growth comes with new enemies determined to bring the company down. As business rivalries heat up and people begin plotting against each other, familiar faces will also have to deal with personal challenges and unexpected investigations that could change everything. If there’s one thing Tinsel has always proven, it’s that just when you think things are finally settling down, another twist is around the corner.

The new season welcomes back familiar faces including Ireti Doyle as Sheila Gardia, Dozie Onyiriuka as Freddy Ade-Williams, Linda Ejiofor as Bimpe, Ibrahim Suleiman as Damini, Iyke Okechukwu as Chuks and Florence Uwaleke Okechukwu as Ene, alongside the gripping storytelling that has kept audiences invested for nearly two decades.

Catch new episodes of Tinsel every weekday from Monday, August 3, at 7:30 pm WAT on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151 and GOtv Channel 8).

And just when you think the drama is over…

Africa Magic is also introducing a brand-new story that asks one simple question: What happens when the truth you’ve been protected from is finally revealed? Premiering on the same day is Secret Lives, a brand-new drama that explores what happens when hidden truths finally come to light.

The series follows Zee, whose life takes an unexpected turn after a shocking discovery puts her relationship and future in doubt. As she begins to uncover secrets that have been hidden from her for years, she is forced to deal with heartbreak, betrayal and difficult choices while trying to protect the people she loves.

Blending romance, family drama and suspense, Secret Lives stars Oluchi Amajuoyi, Keppy Ekpeyong, Nonso Odogwu, Eyiyemi Olivia Rogbinyin, Ejiro Badare, Floyd Igbo and Favour Etim in a story where every episode promises fresh twists and emotional turns.

The series, produced by FEEMO and helmed by AMVCA-nominated showrunner James Omokwe, explores themes of love, identity and generational secrets, making it the perfect follow-up for viewers who enjoy emotionally layered dramas.

Secret Lives premieres on Monday, August 3, with new episodes airing weekdays at 8:30 pm WAT on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151 and GOtv Channel 8), with episodes also available on DStv Stream.

Whether you’re returning to the familiar world of Tinsel or diving into the mysteries of Secret Lives, one thing is certain: August is bringing the kind of stories that will keep you counting down to the next episode.

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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P-Square’s Multi-Billion Naira Music Catalogue Sale Collapsed Over Irregularities—Mr P

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peter okoye P-Square

By Adedapo Adesanya

Mr Peter Okoye, professionally known as Mr P, has alleged that a proposed multi-billion Naira sale of the defunct P-Square’s music catalogue collapsed after prospective buyers uncovered irregularities during the due diligence process.

This revelation offers a fresh financial dimension to the long-running dispute that has divided Nigeria’s most successful music duos.

The singer made the allegation in a video series posted on his social media pages, where he shared his account of the events surrounding the group’s 2021 reunion and the disagreements that followed with his twin brother, Mr Paul “Rudeboy” Okoye, and their elder brother and former manager, Mr Jude “Engees” Okoye.

According to Mr P, the failed catalogue transaction occurred after the brothers publicly reunited in 2021.

He alleged that interested buyers had made offers worth billions of Naira for the rights to P-Square’s music catalogue, but the proposed deal did not proceed after issues were allegedly discovered in backend records submitted as part of the due diligence process.

As of press time, neither Rudeboy nor Mr Jude Okoye has publicly responded to the latest allegation.

Mr P’s claims add another layer to the financial disagreements that have repeatedly overshadowed the affairs of the award-winning music duo, whose catalogue includes hit songs such as Bizzy Body, Do Me, Personally, No One Like You and Chop My Money.

Beyond the alleged failed sale, the singer claimed that shortly after the brothers reconciled in 2021, he was asked by his two other brothers to sign documents aimed at reviving P-Square under a new bank account.

The music maker said he declined because he wanted to preserve the renewed family relationship rather than return to a business arrangement he believed could recreate the conflicts that had led to the group’s earlier split.

Mr P also alleged that before the reunion, both Rudeboy and Jude had disagreed over a N90 million loan. According to him, Rudeboy assured him that he would be kept informed about discussions taking place behind his back.

The singer insisted that the widely celebrated reunion in November 2021 was never intended to revive P-Square as a commercial entity. Instead, he said the brothers had only agreed to reconcile as family members while continuing their respective solo music careers and supporting each other’s work.

P-Square, formed in 1999 by Peter and Paul Okoye with Jude serving as manager, became one of Africa’s biggest music acts before publicly splitting in 2017 following years of disagreements over management, finances and creative control. Although the brothers reunited in 2021 and returned to the stage, their relationship deteriorated again, with Rudeboy later confirming that P-Square no longer existed.

The latest revelations also come against the backdrop of an ongoing criminal case involving Mr Jude Okoye.

Last year, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the former manager before the Federal High Court in Lagos on allegations involving approximately N1.38 billion, $1 million and £34,537.59 in alleged money laundering. He has since pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.

Mr P, who testified for the prosecution during the trial, said his video series is far from over and promised to continue sharing what he described as the true story behind the collapse of P-Square and the business decisions that ultimately strained the family’s relationship.

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Controversial Nigerian Musician Saint Janet Dies

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saint janet

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Popular musician, Mrs Iyun Janet Oluwatoyosi Ajilore, otherwise known as Saint Janet, has died.

The singer, known for her explicit lyrics, was said to have died in the early hours of Sunday, August 2, 2026, after a brief illness.

Her demise has thrown some of her admirers into shock. Some of her fans and colleagues have started to send their condolences.

The Highlife musician, who is also fondly called Mama Yabis, rose to fame after her controversial Faaji Plus featured lewd lyrics and was banned multiple times by regulatory bodies like PMAN and the Lagos State House of Assembly.

However, this did not stop her from performing at private events, as she was loved by some who were moved by her guts and electrifying live performances, energetic stage presence, and unique style of engaging audiences through satire, humour, and socially unfiltered commentaries.

St Janet

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