September 19, 2024

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Entertainment

Kulikuli entertainment boss calls for promotion of Afrobeat music

By Priscilla Osaje

Mr Francis John, Executive Director, Kulikuli Entertainment Records Label, USA, has called for the promotion of Afrobeat music to set new global standards in the music industry.

John made this call at the news conference and  introduction of ‘NYcee’, KuliKuli Entertainment USA’s first afrobeat artist to the world in Abuja.

He said  afrobeat singers infused contemporary capacity that make songs to be  electrified and  such would take afrobeat  to  new heights.

John  said that introducing an exceptionally talented NYcee, the first artist to be officially signed under the music label, was an exciting moment.

According to him, NYcee was not only being celebrated because of her potential,  but also the endless possibilities that afrobeat holds on the global stage.

“At KuliKuli Entertainment, we believe in talent that transcends borders,  NYcee is the very definition of that.

“Her voice carries the heartbeat of afrobeat, infused with a contemporary flair that makes her music both electrifying and soothing.

“She is bold, creative and committed to making a lasting impact. This is why we have taken the leap to invest in her journey.

“We believe that with the right backing, she will not only shine in Nigeria but around the world,” he said.

He  further  said that  their openness was  not limited to just rising stars like NYcee, but they also  welcome collaborations with successful musicians, promoters, producers, and financiers across Nigeria, Africa and America.

”Whether you are an established artist looking  for collaboration, a promoter ready to showcase talent, or a financier interested in backing groundbreaking projects, we are  ready to work with you.

“Together, we can create something truly remarkable that elevates afrobeat and sets new global standards.

“I sincerely thank you all for being here, for your support and believing in the vision. Together, we will take afrobeat to new heights, and NYcee will become a name the world will know and love,” he added.

Also speaking, Dr Halima Mahaja, Chief Executive Officer, Global Diverse Consortium LLC Atlanta Georgia, said the introduction focused on believing in the possibilities of human potential.

She described NYcee as a young woman with incredible talent, but more importantly,  a symbol of resilience, dedication and the power of dreams.

Mahaja,  an associate partner of Kulikuli, said that NYcee represented the hope of countless young artists, who were waiting for their moment to shine and the  moment began for her from today.

“KuliKuli Entertainment, under the visionary leadership of  John, has seen what others may have overlooked.

“They have taken a risk, investing not only in an artist, but in the future of afrobeat and global music culture.

”In a world where the next big thing can emerge from any corner of the globe, NYcee’s journey reflected the dreams of many who wished to make their mark.

”We are not just here to celebrate one artist, rather to extend our hands to collaborators, promoters, producers, and financiers in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond,” she said.

”Together, we can create music that resonates across continents and touches lives in ways we cannot even imagine.With KuliKuli Entertainment at the helm, we are poised for extraordinary success.

“This is not just about financial return, this is about cultural impact, brand recognition, and being part of a movement that elevates  afrobeat to new heights,” she added.

She urged stakeholders  to continue  to work together, by  ensuring that the dreams  nurtured here  would take root and blossom into a future filled with music, collaboration and success.

Mr  Harrison Emmanuel, Danteslen from the UK, said the bold vision of  Kulikuli Entertainment, as well as the  exciting future of afrobeat would continue to captivate hearts around the world.

Emmanuel, who specialised in photography, cinematography, and filmmaking, said Afrobeat born from the soul of Africa, has emerged as a global movement that speaks to the hearts of millions across continents.

“Today, we add a new voice to that movement, a voice that is powerful, fresh, and poised to make waves on the international stage ‘NYcee’.

“NYcee is more than a musician. She is a symbol of perseverance, talent, and authenticity.

“Her journey from the streets of Nigeria to this global stage has been one marked by dedication, resilience, and an unwavering belief in her talent.

“As we all know, the road to success is rarely smooth. There are challenges and setbacks, but the key is to rise stronger and more determined,” he said.

The convener, Nancy Bernard popularly known as NYcee, said she feels so excited and blessed, for people above someone to actually believe in a person  that was not up to their standard.

Bernard said that professionally, she had been in the music industry since 2012  through  other management.

According to her, being an afrobeat singer would help her to stay glued to her roots, as well as enabling her to influence her society.

”I have known Kulikuli  Entertainment for over 10 years now , it is the right network that can work with my personality and bring out the best in me.

”A lot of people do music for different reasons, but as a  human activist, I do not just do it for money but to pass messages  across to the society,” she added.

Bernard appealed to her fans and well-wishers to always support her in her music career,  in order to attain her goals in the industry.(NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Sports

Golf: Iyene’s exploits at St. Lawrence University excites Runsewe

By Victor Okoye

Olusegun Runsewe, President of Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), has commended Nigeria’s female teenage golfer, Iyene Essien, for her exploits at the St. Lawrence University Fall Invitational in Canton, New York, U.S.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Essien, a first-year Electrical Engineering student of Union College, Schenectady, New York, had a record-setting weekend to start her collegiate career at the SLU Fall Invitational.

This was after she carded rounds of 70 and 81 to earn medalist honours with a programme-record two-day score of 151.

She smashed the school record by five strokes with her two-under 70 in her collegiate debut on Saturday, carding three birdies, an eagle, and no holes higher than bogey.

Facing incredibly difficult conditions, Essien carved up the course with the first sub-par round in Union golf history, surpassing the previous record of 75 set by current senior Liz Bentsianov on Sept. 17, 2022 at the tournament.

The 18-year-old carded an eagle on the par-five 11th to go with three birdies and three bogies in her collegiate debut, carding dual nines of 35 on the way to her record-setting score.

She followed up with an 81 on Sunday to break the school two-day scoring record and post a four-stroke victory.

It was only the third individual medalist honour in programme history and the first at an event with more than three teams.

Her effort ensured that she led the Union College women’s golf team to a third-place finish at the season-opening tournament, held on Saturday and Sunday at Oliver D. Appleton Golf Course.

Her excellent performance also saw her earn the Union College Women’s Golf Performer of the Week award and three more earning spots on the weekly honour roll.

Runsewe, while commending Essien, a product of IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, on Wednesday, described her accomplishments as an inspiration to the younger generation.

He added that she was an ambassador of Nigeria’s grassroots golf development.

He said her exploits, while in college, was a fulcrum of great possibilities and renewed hope for Nigeria and Nigerians.

The NGF President said the success story of Essien was the motivating factor behind his desire to ensure that more talents were discovered at the grassroots in the country.

“Under my leadership as the NGF President, I have always emphasised the need to concentrate on grassroots development of the sport.

“This is why we have been able to build the Golf and Health Signature, a hub for the growth and development of young talents in the country.

“This is the way other advanced countries grew the game,” he said.

He said other countries started well and early, “and that’s exactly what we are also trying to achieve here at the Golf and Health Signature.

“These young talents are the future of the sport, and in a few years to come, they will represent Nigeria in different circuits around the world.”

He also commended the efforts of Essien’s parents who committed their time, energy and resources to seeing her through the most crucial part of her golfing career, while also ensuring that she gets the best education.

He urged other parents to borrow a leaf from Essien’s story and encourage their children to start playing golf at an early age.

He also assured of the NGF’s continued support for young golfers to enable them reach their full potential.

The NGF boss also called for more sponsorship by corporate bodies, private institutions and philanthropists to support grassroots development of the sport in the country. (NAN)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

Foreign

U.S. House Democrats introduce article of impeachment against Trump

Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced an article of impeachment against outgoing President Donald Trump on Monday, as Republicans blocked a measure calling on Vice President Pence to remove his boss from office.

The single impeachment article charges Trump with incitement of insurrection.

It accuses him of stoking violence against the U.S. government after a mob of his supporters, riled up by his claims of election fraud, stormed the U.S. Capitol last week.

Democrats also introduced a resolution urging Pence to invoke the Constitution’s 25th Amendment and strip Trump of his powers by declaring him unfit to perform his duties.

House Republicans rejected the bill, paving the way for a vote in the full House on Tuesday.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that by blocking the measure, Republicans were “enabling the president’s unhinged, unstable, and deranged acts of sedition to continue.”

“Their complicity endangers America, erodes our Democracy, and it must end,” she said in a statement.

If Pence refuses to act, as is expected, House Democrats have vowed to quickly move ahead with impeachment proceedings.

The House could vote as early as mid-week.

The impeachment article notes that Trump repeated debunked claims that he won the November election in a speech before the deadly assault on Congress, which temporarily halted a joint session to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s election victory and forced lawmakers to go into hiding.

The article also cites Trump’s pressure on officials in the U.S. state of Georgia to “find” him more votes in an effort to overturn his election defeat.

“In all this, President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of government,” the resolution reads.

“He threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power, and imperiled a coequal branch of government,” it added.

Trump, who has only nine days left in his term, could become the first U.S. president to be impeached twice.

He was impeached in 2019 on allegations of abusing his position, but the Republican-controlled Senate cleared him of charges last year.

If the Democrat-led House voted to impeach the Republican president again, a trial would then be conducted in the Senate, where a two-thirds majority would be needed to convict him.

Few Republican lawmakers have so far publicly voiced their support for the moves.

There will almost certainly be no outcome before Jan. 20.

If convicted, Trump could be barred from running for office again in 2024.

In the aftermath of the attack on the Capitol, Trump eventually promised an orderly transfer of power on Jan. 20, the day of Biden’s inauguration.

The nation’s capital remains on high alert as authorities brace for more possible unrest.

Mayor Muriel Bowser on Monday urged people to stay away from the city on the day of the inauguration, while the National Park Service will suspend Washington Monument tours.

Two Capitol police officers have been suspended for their behaviour as the pro-Trump mob stormed the building, U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan told reporters on Monday.

One officer was suspended for taking a selfie with rioters and another was suspended for putting on a MAGA (Make America Great Again) hat and directing people, Ryan told reporters.

Ryan said between 10 and 15 other officers were under investigation.

Up to 15,000 additional National Guard troops could be deployed there by the weekend, CNN reported, citing National Guard chief Daniel Hokanson.

Meanwhile, Trump approved an emergency declaration for the U.S. capital that runs from Jan. 11 until Jan. 24 – four days after the inauguration – and authorises the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate with local authorities.

Biden on Monday said he was “not afraid” to take the oath of office outside.

According to CNN, the incoming president also told a journalist that he is hopeful that the Senate can hold an impeachment trial while at the same time confirming his cabinet nominees and passing a coronavirus stimulus package.

U.S. first lady Melania Trump on Monday broke her silence on last Wednesday’s violence, saying she was “disappointed and disheartened with what happened.”

She added that her heart went out to those who had died since the attack, first naming the deceased rioters and then the two Capitol police officers.

The first lady did not reference her husband’s role in egging supporters on to march to the Capitol.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a long-time Trump loyalist, said he was hopeful that the “criminals” who engaged in the rioting would be “brought to justice swiftly.”

“Law and order, not mob action, is how American democracy is sustained,” he tweeted from his personal Twitter account.

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