Showbiz
Sound Sultan: The Poetic Ambassador on Migration UN Never Had
By Segun Adesokan
Motherland, referring to Nigeria in his song, at the time of its release, was timely and its messages even till the present day is rich and timeless as it could be passed off as an immigrant travel guide.
The early part of the song had reminded us about how Chinedu had borrowed some money to fund his trip to Chicago. It further adds: how Nnamdi had also sold off his car to facilitate the trip of a beloved to America. In the middle of it all is also the emotionally drained lover or spouse left behind, whose wellbeing and fragile mind is left hanging in the balance, sadly in some instances, some partners never return.
The song perhaps appears to have critically observed the obsession of many immigrants whose inordinate or misplaced quest for survival believes that immigrating to the West or other European countries is a critical means by which survival is sought, hence Sound Sultan’s Motherland came in handy: offering some counsel, suggesting that sometimes, a sojourner may have to beat a retreat by returning to his ancestral home, Motherland, given the fact that sometimes, in a bid to survive in a foreign land, the unpredictability of such adventures may unavoidably require one to do so.
As often the case with many immigrants from Nigeria and by extension many others from African countries, who had at one time or the other undertaken such adventurous trips in search of greener pasture abroad, even the period leading to their departure also comes at a great cost and sacrifices as some families sell off assets and other prized possessions to fund such trips, unsure whether the risk would eventually pay off or not.
While the craze in search of the golden fleece rage on, some Africans in their desperation may have also thrown caution in the air, leading to situations where thousands have reportedly died in the wake of risky voyages across Mediterranean or Sahara wastelands, as hundreds have also fallen prey to wild beasts, transnational armed syndicate and human traffickers who deal in drugs and séx slaves, having promised many unsuspecting victims an elusive Eldorado life, waiting for them in Europe.
Many African households have believed some of these false narratives built into their psyche for many years and it has become so difficult to undo.
The late singer was never opposed to the idea of people seeking better opportunities or greener pastures outside the country, but rather also reminds them about home and the need for them to apply cautious optimism where applicable, in their quest to travelling overseas.
Notwithstanding, the home would still be home regardless of the prevailing circumstance which may have forcibly led to one’s uneventful return.
This writer believes late Olarewaju Fasasi, fondly called Sound Sultan, as a social crusader, an iconic singer using his musical crafts as a vehicle to remind us about the need to be introspective, also feels compelled to note that Motherland, mirroring the life of most immigrants and some of the challenges often associated with it, brings to the fore also a social problem and the need for concerned international organisations like UN and its relevant agencies to do more in terms of advocacy and policies in reversing the tales of woes of many migrants.
Though UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes for the first time the contribution of migration to its sustainable development, thus, 11 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) contain targets and indicators relevant to migration or mobility for which parts of its Agenda’s core principle is to “leave no one behind,” not even migrants.
The SDGs’ central reference to migration is made in some of its major targets, which is to facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
Other targets directly related to migration mention trafficking, remittances, international student mobility, and more. Moreover, migration is indirectly relevant to many more cross-cutting targets.
UN, more recently, through International Organization on Migration, a leading partner on the inter-governmental organisation in the field of migration works to ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.
In 2016, IOM entered into an agreement with the United Nations, becoming one of its specialized agencies.
However, the above plans and efforts of UN appear commendable but today’s realities in some part of Europe and other Asian countries, judging by their immigration policies at present largely remains a far cry from the much-advertised SDG’s policies.
While many Africans battle so hard to grapple with harsh realities and hostilities of their host countries ranging from racism, prejudice, little or too rigid legal documentation processes for immigrants, and biting chances of economic survival, many have also become susceptible to illegal drug dealings which in most cases often result in cruel fate or even avoidable deaths.
The sad news on the passing of Sound Sultan, one of Nigeria’s notable songwriter, artist, producer, and comedian, who a few weeks ago was reported to have lost the battle to a cancerous related aliment around the throat, brings with it feelings of pain, grief, and national loss.
By national loss, Nigeria just lost a voice and a social crusader reputed for his numerous campaigns against bad governance, injustice, corruption, and bad leadership a major clog in the wheel of Nigeria’s progress. He will fondly be remembered for his many statesmanly roles towards mobilizing the citizens through his several songs on how to constructively hold them accountable to their constitutional functions.
To the memory of the late singer, President Muhammadu Buhari also penned a glowing tribute to him for his contribution to basketball development in Nigeria.
He was even reported to have co-owned a basketball team. D’Tigers, the Nigerian men basketball national team, would also honour the late singer by wearing T-shirts bearing the late singer’s name and image on it, for his roles in promoting the sports.
Coincidentally, his death would also leave a lasting memory following D’Tiger’s phenomenal triumph over the US men basketball national team, a feat no African team had ever done, the same day he was said to have died.
The Motherland crooner died at age 44 in the US and his remains have since been buried in the US, same day, according to Islamic rites, leaving behind his three kids and his beloved wife.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Paramount+ and HBO Max will become a single, unified streaming service after Paramount Skydance stepped in to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) following the surprise exit of Netflix from the bid.
The company’s chief executive officer (CEO), Mr David Ellison, announced during a call with investors on Monday that the company plans to merge Paramount+ and HBO Max into a single, unified platform.
“Our combined company will be home to many of the greatest, most recognisable and beloved franchises in the world, from ‘Harry Potter’ to ‘Top Gun,’ ‘Star Trek’ to ‘Looney Tunes,’ ‘Game of Thrones’ to ‘Yellowstone.’ This represents a tremendous opportunity, and we fully intend to invest in the creative engines of both studios, making them the most sought-after destination for the industry’s leading creative talent,” he said.
Mr Ellison also reassured investors that HBO’s identity and creative vision as a studio would remain unchanged.
“Our viewpoint is HBO should stay HBO.” He also committed to maintaining a robust theatrical slate, pledging 15 films per year, per studio, for a total of at least 30 annual theatrical releases.
This announcement comes on the heels of Paramount’s recent agreement to acquire WBD in a deal estimated at $110 billion. The merger would bring together a vast array of film, TV, and news assets under one corporate entity and is expected to upend the Hollywood landscape as we know it. It also furthers the trend of consolidation seen among other major streaming platforms, such as the combination of Disney+ and Hulu.
With a projected subscriber base of over 200 million, the new streaming service will be positioned as a serious contender among the top streaming giants.
However, the merger also invites close scrutiny from the US Department of Justice over concerns about media concentration and market competition.
Also, industry observers warn that the merger is likely to result in significant job cuts, heightening employee anxieties over layoffs and wage reductions.
There have also been concerns over editorial independence, particularly in light of the Ellison family’s political connections to Donald Trump and increasing scrutiny of newsrooms at CBS and CNN.
Regardless of the concerns, Mr Ellison was optimistic that the transaction would move forward smoothly.
He described the merger as “pro-competition, pro-consumer, and pro-creative community,” emphasising the transaction will “create a stronger Hollywood and global production ecosystem, one that expands consumer choice and unlocks opportunities for creative talent.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
Streaming giant, Netflix, has backed away from its proposal to buy Warner Bros Discovery, clearing the way for Paramount Skydance to win the long battle for one of Hollywood’s most storied studios in a deal worth over $100 billion.
Warner Bros, which announced it was up for sale last year, said Paramount’s latest bid was “superior” to the one from Netflix, which in turn refused to raise its offer.
Paramount, which has been insistent regarding the deal, would also need approval from the US Department of Justice as well as European regulators.
Netflix executives say they have declined to match Paramount’s bid as “the deal is no longer financially attractive” at that price.
The buyer would gain control of the iconic studio along with its films and media networks.
The takeover has been touted to significantly reshape the global media landscape, which includes the streaming market.
Last December, Warner Bros agreed to a takeover offer from Netflix for some of its assets, in a deal worth roughly $82 billion, including debt.
Paramount then made a rival proposal, which was refused by Warner Bros, but an increased offer was made earlier this week, boosted by $1 per share.
“The transaction we negotiated would have created shareholder value with a clear path to regulatory approval,” Netflix co-chief executives Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters said in a statement. “However, we’ve always been disciplined.”
“This transaction was always a ‘nice to have’ at the right price, not a ‘must have’ at any price,” the Netflix executives added.
The announcement came just hours after Mr Sarandos had visited the White House on Thursday.
The development marks the possible end of the saga that saw offers and refusals and could possibly change the global streaming market as Paramount is backed by some of the biggest names in the industry, including Oracle owner, Mr Larry Ellison.
There is something undeniably captivating about wildlife documentaries. The moment a predator locks eyes with its prey, the awe of seeing animals in their natural habitat, the thrill of nature’s drama playing out in real time. These are experiences that rein us in and refuse to let go. NatGeo Wild doesn’t just show the wild; it invites us to feel it, understand it, and marvel at it.
What is it about the wild that keeps pulling us back, no matter how many times we watch?
The Explorer in All of Us
At our core, we are wired much like the animals we watch. Curiosity drives us the way it drives a leopard to investigate a sound in the distance. Wildlife shows activate that instinct. We scan scenes like hawks from above, reading body language, anticipating danger, noticing subtle shifts in behaviour. In these moments, we’re more than viewers; we’re explorers, investigators, and sometimes even adventurers.
It’s a way to witness danger safely. A way to test our instincts and a way to connect with the power and beauty of the natural world, all from the comfort of home.
The Comfort of Nature’s Stories
Nature may be ruthless, but it is rarely random. Like a herd moving in rhythm or a pack operating with purpose, wildlife shows follow a structure we instinctively understand: predator and prey, threat and escape, loss and resilience.
Within a single episode, chaos settles into balance. Even in harsh environments, there is order just as there is in the wild. That predictability offers comfort, reminding us that survival follows rules, patterns, and rhythms older than humanity itself.
NatGeo Wild Shows That Keep Us Glued to the Screen
Over the years, NatGeo Wild has mastered the art of storytelling that moves like nature itself, quiet when it needs to be, explosive when it matters most. These are not just documentaries; they are immersive experiences that sharpen the senses and stir instinct.
Africa’s Deadliest
Step into the African wilderness, where survival is a daily contest of speed, strength, and strategy. Africa’s Deadliest introduces us to predators that hunt with the patience of chess players and the precision of seasoned warriors. From crocodiles lying in wait beneath murky waters to lions coordinating attacks across the savannah, each episode breaks down how instinct, timing, and dominance decide who eats and who doesn’t.
Wild, Smart and Deadly
Wild, Smart and Deadly is where brains meet brawn in the animal kingdom. This series delves into the intelligence behind nature’s deadliest hunters, showcasing creatures that use strategy, cunning, and sheer wit to survive. From octopuses escaping predators with mind-blowing tricks, to predators setting up elaborate ambushes, every episode reveals how survival in the wild is a high-stakes chess game. Watching it feels like witnessing nature’s most elite tacticians at work, where one smart move can mean the difference between life and death.
Born in Africa
In the wild, birth is only the beginning. Born in Africa follows young animals from their first breath into a world that offers no mercy. Every stumble, chase, and lesson learned is part of a race against time. From a giraffe learning to stand within minutes to lion cubs discovering the rules of dominance, the series captures vulnerability, growth, and resilience in its purest form.
Wild Mediterranean
The Mediterranean may look serene, but beneath its surface lies a battlefield of survival. Wild Mediterranean uncovers a world where predators hunt in crystal waters and creatures adapt to shifting coastlines and hidden dangers. From dramatic underwater pursuits to life along rugged shores, the series reveals a region shaped by adaptation, resilience, and quiet ferocity.
Hostile Planet
Here, nature shows no mercy. Hostile Planet explores environments so extreme they feel uninhabitable, yet life persists. Animals endure freezing tundras, scorching deserts, and violent storms, adapting in ways that defy belief. Every episode is a testament to resilience, revealing how instinct, evolution, and sheer willpower allow life to survive against impossible odds.
These shows captivate because they do more than entertain; they educate, inspire, and transport us into worlds we’d rarely get to see otherwise. Every episode is an invitation to explore, learn, and marvel at the wonders of nature.
Catch all these incredible wildlife stories on NatGeo Wild, GOtv Channel 100.
Subscribers can also enjoy more value with the We Got You offer, available until 28th February 2026. Pay for your current package and automatically get upgraded to the next one at no extra cost, giving access to more channels, more shows, and more moments like these.
To subscribe, upgrade, or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. You can also stream anytime with the GOtv Stream App.
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