Author: Akintayo Adams

Konga, a leading e-commerce group, is set to launch Africa’s first AI-powered FM radio station in Lagos, scheduled for debut in January 2025. The station, KongaFM, will blend technology, entertainment, and commerce to foster impactful connections across Nigeria and beyond. This was confirmed in a statement released on Monday. KongaFM is designed to help brands, distributors, and original equipment manufacturers engage with new markets, providing a platform to revolutionize commerce in real time. The station promises a unique mix of continuous hit music alongside commercial opportunities, offering businesses a new avenue for product visibility and market penetration. The Chief Executive…

The Nigerian Exchange recorded a decline in total transactions in November 2024, dropping by 12.01 percent to N442.34 billion compared to N502.73 billion in October 2024. This was disclosed in the Domestic & Foreign Portfolio Investment Report of Nigerian Exchange Limited on Friday. According to the report, domestic transactions contributed N401.40bn in November, representing an 11.83 percent decrease from the N455.27bn recorded in October. Foreign transactions also fell by 13.74 percent, declining from N47.46bn in October to N40.94bn in November. Retail investors saw increased participation, with transactions rising by 14.90 percent from N170.04bn in October to N195.38bn in November. In…

The naira appreciated against the dollar at the foreign exchange market upon resumption of work after the Christmas holidays. FMDQ data showed that the naira strengthened to N1,534 per dollar on Friday from N1,540.45 exchanged on Tuesday, gaining N6.45. Meanwhile, the naira closed at the black market on Friday at N1,650 per dollar compared to between N1,638 and N1,650 exchanged on Tuesday. This development indicates that Africa’s most populous nation’s currency has continued to fluctuate in the FX market in recent days. FX turnover increased to N23.95 trillion at the end of November 2024, according to FMDQ data. Get instant…

India is holding a state funeral for its former Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday night at the age of 92. The funeral took place at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi with full state honors, including a 21-gun salute. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and various other top civilian and military officials attended the ceremony. Leaders from several countries, including the US, Canada, France, Sri Lanka, China, and Pakistan, have expressed their condolences. A seven-day national mourning has been declared, during which the national flag will be flown at half-mast across the country. Get instant…

Actor and filmmaker Femi Adebayo has revealed that the inspiration behind his latest film, ‘Seven Doors’, came from the life of a king he was close to. In an interview with Saturday Beats, he emphasized the importance of preserving culture through films, stating, “It is extremely important to preserve our culture. Creating content—films—(woven) around the beauty of our culture is one of the ways of preserving it, so that the generations yet unborn can also enjoy it and be educated.” Adebayo shared that his close relationship with a particular king inspired the idea and concept of ‘Seven Doors’. He explained,…

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the appointment of Prince Adesuyi Haastrup as the new Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijeshaland. The governor also approved the appointment of Prince Johnson Adekanmi Abikoye as the Asaoni of Ora Igbomina. A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, obtained in Osogbo on Friday, stated that the approval of the two monarchs was ratified and approved during the seating of the Osun State Executive Council Meeting, presided over by Adeleke on Friday. Earlier, the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House announced the emergence of Haastrup as the Owa-elect, having polled the…

Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his support for Ruben Amorim, affirming that the “storm will finish” at Manchester United under the guidance of his fellow Portuguese manager. Amorim has faced a challenging start at United, losing five of his first ten games since taking over from Erik ten Hag last month. The 39-year-old suggested that his job could be in jeopardy if the team does not improve soon, particularly after a third consecutive defeat, a 2-0 loss to Wolves on Boxing Day. “He (Amorim) did a fantastic job in Portugal with my (club) Sporting,” Ronaldo said at the Globe Soccer Awards…

Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his disappointment over Vinícius Jr.’s omission from winning the Ballon d’Or, calling the decision “unfair” and praising the integrity of the Globe Soccer Awards. Speaking at the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards, where Vinícius was named Best Men’s Player, Ronaldo stated, “Vinícius Jr. should have won the Ballon d’Or. In my opinion, it was clear. It was unfair. This is why I love the Globe Soccer Awards; they are honest.” The event celebrated football’s finest, with Real Madrid’s Vinícius Jr. also receiving the Best Forward award after an outstanding season. Jude Bellingham, another Real Madrid star, won…

Commercial Court 10 of Barcelona has rejected Barcelona’s attempt to re-register Dani Olmo for the second half of the season, casting doubt on the Spanish playmaker’s future at the club. The decision, announced on Friday, leaves the Catalan giants scrambling to resolve financial constraints imposed by La Liga, which have prevented them from making the £50 million summer signing from RB Leipzig a permanent part of their squad. Barcelona had initially registered Olmo on a temporary basis until the end of 2024, pending compliance with La Liga’s financial fair play guidelines. However, with the league pushing for further cost-cutting measures…

A man was flogged inside a mosque in Malaysia on Friday after being convicted of an Islamic offence for spending time alone with a woman who was neither his wife nor relative. The 42-year-old construction worker received six lashes in Terengganu, Malaysia’s conservative state, after being convicted by a Sharia court, according to the official Bernama news agency. This was the first instance of a Sharia court-ordered whipping taking place outside of a court setting in Malaysia, the agency added. An AFP journalist saw the man being brought to the mosque in a prison van after Friday prayers, wearing an…