Showbiz
When Powerful Nigerians Stormed Oyo for Tomori Williams
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Sunday, February 28, will be etched in the history of Oyo Town for a very long time and this was because that day, the Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, conferred the title of Aare Onikoyi of Yorubaland on Otunba Tomori Williams.
Indeed, on that day, endless blessings flowed, as the town was agog with activities.
The three days event was incomparable to anything that had been seen in the state, as mouths were left agape by the display of wealth, opulence and taste.
Kicking off with a DJ night on Friday, February 26, guests were treated to a night of dance music.
If the first day was for the young at heart, the second day which saw guests hosted to a Sabaka Night was something else, as a blend of adults and youths enjoyed themselves to traditional old school music.
The climax of the event was on Sunday, February 28. Guests witnessed a show stopper event with people from all works of life in attendance.
Kicking off at 10am, the palatial marquee, the venue of the event stood tall at the Aganju Forecourt of Alaafin’s palace. Indeed, it was a sight to behold as it was tastefully designed with drapes of delicate fabrics, chill air conditions, metal detectors, and what have you.
Indeed, such a marquee had never been spotted in the history of the town, as a lot of people confessed.
While the massive marquee served as the venue of the event, a smaller one was made available for the comfort of food vendors. It was indeed mind-blowing.
As expected, inside the marquee was a gathering of who-is-who, as almost all the important personalities in the southwest were in attendance.
Present at the event were notables such as Oyo State Peoples Democratic Party Chairman, Alao Akala; House of Representative member, Shina Peller; Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom, Oba Saheed Elegushi; Akinsiku of Lagos, Olalekan Dosunmu; and Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Oloyede Gbadamosi.
Also present were Oloyan of Oyankingdom, Oba Kelani and his Olori; Alara of Ilara Epe, Oba Folarin Ogunsanwo; the Lagos/mainland council of white cap chiefs; Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka; Onibogun of Ibogun, Oba Ifakayode Ajigbotifa; Chief Executive Officer of Sodium Brand Solutions Limited, Bisoye Fagade; Chief Olawale Andus, the Aro of Oto, representative of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Mogaji Nureni Akanbi; the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams and Onishagisha of Magodo.
Others at the event were Ambassador Ayanlakin, Oloye Akin Fijabi, Chief Wale Saranda, Chief (Mrs) Kadijat Bakare, Bashiru Fakorede, Mustapha Dodo among others.
Music was supplied by the king of Fuji music, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, who doubles as the Mayegun of Yorubaland. He ensured that guests dance into the evening, as he dished out both old and new songs to the amazement of guests present.
Presenting a certificate of office to the newly installed Aare Onikoyi of Yorubaland, Oba Adeyemi described Aare Tomori Williams as a brave successful businessman whose philanthropic gestures can’t be overemphasized.
Aare Tomori Williams is the MD/CEO of T. Williams Construction Nig. Limited, the Managing Director of Olaleye Property and Investment Limited, MD Maintek Property, and MD Olaleye New Town Developments Ltd. His various working expertise includes real estate developments, construction, and consultancy.
Indeed, history will remember Aare Tomori Williams for a long time to come.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A 12-hour non-stop entertainment event offering various performances and activities all night long will take place in Lagos from the evening of December 21 into the early hours of December 22, 2025.
This programme known as InsomniaQ, is being put together by one of Africa’s leading digital payments platforms, Quickteller.
Quickteller is a brand powered by the Interswitch Group, and InsomniaQ was created to celebrate African creativity.
The all-night music and entertainment experience will hold at the Ballroom of the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island.
It is designed to capture the vibrancy and cultural energy that define Lagos in December. InsomniaQ is positioned to become Africa’s newest must-attend December destination.
The concert blends diverse African soundscapes, creative expression, and immersive lifestyle experiences, offering a night curated for music lovers, diaspora returnees, cultural enthusiasts, and everyone drawn to the city’s festive season.
More than a concert, InsomniaQ represents a new cultural moment, one that celebrates the richness, depth, and diversity of African talent. With a lineup cutting across contemporary and alternative genres, the festival aims to introduce a bold, fresh, and unforgettable experience within Lagos’ already vibrant entertainment landscape.
“InsomniaQ is an invitation to celebrate African creativity in a way that feels bold, fresh, and true to who we are.
“Quickteller has always been an essential part of the experiences people value, and this festival brings that connection to life in an entirely new dimension.
“As Lagos welcomes friends, family, and visitors from around the world each December, we are proud to introduce a platform that showcases our music, our culture, and the vibrant energy that defines this season,” the Divisional Head of Growth Marketing for Quickteller Ecosystem at Interswitch, Mr Olawale Akanbi, noted.
Through Quickteller, Interswitch continues to champion initiatives that go beyond digital transactions to enrich the everyday life of millions of Nigerians.
InsomniaQ extends this mission by empowering cultural expression, unlocking creative opportunities, and supporting the continent’s growing entertainment ecosystem.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The quartet of Oyindamola Timothy (Fashion), Steve Adeyemo (Tech), Uche Kalu (Dance), and Emmanuel Elijah (Music) emerged the category winners of the Stanbic IBTC FUZE Talent Show 4.0.
They received N10 million each for their efforts, along with mentorship opportunities, industry exposure, and support to advance their creative journeys.
The four were chosen from the 12 finalists at an event aired on Sunday, December 14, 2025, on AIT (DStv Channel 253) at 7:00 pm, Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151) at 5:00 pm, and streamed live on the official Stanbic IBTC YouTube channel, connecting millions of viewers to the excitement and energy of the show.
The 2025 edition drew over 6,000 entries nationwide and continued to inspire a new wave of innovation among young Nigerians in fashion, technology, dance, and music. The participants fought for a share of the N90 million in prizes put up by the organisers.
This year, the FUZE Talent Show also introduced an exciting new twist: The Fan Favourite Feature, which allowed viewers across the country to vote for the contestant who most inspired them. This addition deepened audience participation and further strengthened FUZE’s mission to connect creativity with community support.
“FUZE 4.0 truly lived up to its promise as The Ultimate Show, a platform that celebrates courage, creativity, and innovation.
“Every contestant who graced that stage reminded us of the extraordinary potential of Nigerian youths.
“At Stanbic IBTC, we are proud to continue creating opportunities that help young people dream bigger, think bolder, and achieve more. It is all about home-grown talent for us as we power the made-in-Nigeria initiative,” the chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr Chuma Nwokocha, said.
As excitement builds for FUZE Festival coming up on Saturday, December 20, 2025, attendees can anticipate experiencing this year’s edition theme The Ultimate Show in full, with circus-style attractions, from magicians and parade performers to flash mobs and art displays.
An expanded marketplace, freebies from participating partners and on-site Stanbic IBTC services will enhance convenience, while performances by Wande Coal, Pheelz, Chike, and Ms DSF will add a nostalgic, high-energy finish. Interested attendees can register to attend via the Stanbic IBTC Events App or visit www.events.stanbicibtc.com to secure their spot.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The 2019 single released by Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer, CKay, Love Nwantiti, has officially surpassed one billion streams on Spotify.
This feat has made him one of the few African artists to reach this milestone and the first Nigerian solo act to achieve this.
The song has sustained a global appeal, with listeners from the United States, India, Indonesia, Brazil, and the United Kingdom playing it in the last 28 days alone, a proof of the track’s staying power well beyond its viral peak.
This achievement places CKay in an elite group of African artists with billion-stream records on Spotify, which includes hits driven by collaborations with Nigerian artists, such as Drake’s One Dance (featuring Wizkid and Kyla), Future’s Wait For U (featuring Drake and Tems), and Rema’s Calm Down (featuring Selena Gomez), and solo song Water, by Tyla.
Love Nwantiti was released on CKay’s EP titled CKay the First. It began as a slow-burn masterpiece that captured a global audience. It then broke out by blending the grooving rhythm of Afrobeats with an emotional feeling and an entrancing melody, a sound CKay himself pioneered and coined as Emo-Afrobeats, fusing African rhythms with raw, heartfelt emotion.
The song, which translates to sweet gentle love in the Igbo language, communicates an intense desire for a love interest. Its journey from a homegrown Nigerian track to a cultural sensation fuelled by countless dance challenges, social virality, and international remixes is proof of the widespread power of its sound.
It remains a fixture on playlists globally, with over 3.9 million playlist adds and sustained streaming momentum across continents.
CKay achieved this historic mark with a solo, non-collaborative lead release by a Nigerian artist. This distinction highlights his unique vision and singular impact as both a writer and performer, making him a true torchbearer for the new generation of African music talent.
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