According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu, has expressed deep condolences on the death former Green Eagles captain and legendary footballer, Christian Chukwu.

The statement reads in full:

PRESIDENT TINUBU MOURNS FOOTBALL LEGEND CHRISTIAN CHUKWU

President Bola Tinubu extends his condolences to the family, friends, and associates of Nigerian football icon Christian Chukwu, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 74, leaving a void in the hearts of many football fans.

The President joins the football community in mourning the loss of a legend whose contributions to the beautiful game elevated Nigeria’s status globally.

A towering figure in Nigerian football, Chukwu captained the Green Eagles to a historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations victory and later coached the Super Eagles, which won a bronze medal at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations under his leadership.

Nicknamed “Chairman” for his commanding presence and leadership on the field, Chukwu devoted his club career to Enugu Rangers, where he won multiple national titles and led the club to continental glory with their 1977 African Cup Winners’ Cup triumph.

President Tinubu eulogises Chukwu for a trailblazing career defined by passion, discipline, and commitment to national pride.

“Christian Chukwu was more than a footballer and coach. He was a symbol of excellence and patriotism. He brought joy to millions, mentored a generation of footballers, and stood as a pillar of Nigerian brand and sportsmanship on and off the pitch.

“His legacies will continue to live on in the trophies he won, the lives he touched, and the exciting moments he provided to football fans and spectators on the field and in the technical area. We are forever grateful for his contributions to the sport we all love, and we will always remember him with great respect and admiration,” the President says.

President Tinubu prays for the repose of the departed sportsman and comfort for his family, hoping they find solace in his enduring legacy.

The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria has voiced strong objection to ban imposed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on rapper Eedris Abdulkareem’s trending song, “Tell Your Papa.”

The IPMAN President, Pretty Okafor, emphasised that the ban was likely to backfire, as it only serves to amplify the song’s reach and relevance in light of the current socio-economic challenges facing Nigerians.

Okafor stated: “The first major mistake is banning the song because it’s going to make the song even go viral right now. Those who haven’t heard about the song or haven’t even listened to it will go now to look for the song and will start promoting it. The song has practically pinched the government somewhere, that’s why they ordered for the ban. So, there is already a mistake that has been made by the NBC or even the government by paying attention to that particular song.”

Discussing PMAN’s position on the matter, Okafor remarked, “We don’t have the power to offer the artiste support right now because it is a very sensitive issue, so, we need to be careful. We will just be watching because people are dying and the suffering is too much. How do we repair the economy? We cannot pretend that all is well. The song is telling us the truth, and there is nothing wrong with that song.”

The NBC barred Nigerian radio and television stations from airing the trending song, “Tell Your Papa,” by popular rapper Eedris Abdulkareem, citing its “objectionable nature.”

In a memo dated April 9, 2025, and issued by the Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, Susan Obi, the commission declared the track “Not To Be Broadcast” under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

This section prohibits content deemed inappropriate, offensive, or in breach of public decency from being aired on Nigerian broadcast platforms.

According to NBC, while the song had gained momentum across social media platforms, its lyrical content failed to meet the standards of responsible broadcasting.

The statement titled, “Restriction on broadcasting ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem,” reads, “The National Broadcasting Commission has identified the song ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem, currently trending on social media, as content deemed inappropriate for broadcast due to its objectionable nature.

” It is, therefore, classified as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB), as it violates Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

“The commission requests that your station exercises discretion and refrains from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards.”

The controversial song, released earlier this week, targets Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, calling on him to confront his father over the worsening socio-economic conditions in Nigeria.

In the track titled “Tell Your Papa,” which was shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Abdulkareem delivered a blunt message, painting a grim picture of the hardships facing everyday Nigerians.

The song comes in response to Seyi Tinubu’s recent comments in Adamawa State, where he described his father as “the greatest President in Nigeria’s history.”

In the hard-hitting lyrics, Abdulkareem raps, “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga.”

“Seyi, how far? I swear your Papa no try. Too much empty promises. On behalf of Nigerians, take our message to him; kidnappers dey kill Nigerians.

“Seyi, try travel by road without your security, make you feel the pains of fellow Nigerians. You dey fly private jets, insecurity no be your problem.”

Technology and digital solutions services provider, Globacom, on Tuesday opened a retail shop in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. The opening of the retail shop is meant to bring Glo products and services closer to the people of the area.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Ikechukwu Onuekwusi, Globacom’s Retail Sales Chief for Oyo Division, stated that the commissioning of the retail and customer service shop was in keeping with Globacom’s goal of expanding its platforms to enable customers access its extensive array of products and services.

“As you are aware, our approach to customer service is underpinned by innovation and total inclusiveness. This is why we are consistently seeking innovative channels to make available our array of services to them,” he said.

He disclosed that the newly commissioned facility also stocks high-end and reasonably priced devices, smartphones, and other accessories. He also assured customers in and around Ogbomoso of quick and satisfactory resolutions of all issues ranging from SIM replacement and registration to recovery of over-scratched cards, refilling, unblocking of phones and laptop configurations for internet services, among other services.

Globacom promised that courteous, well-trained, and customer-friendly staff have been deployed to the new shop to offer first-rate services and handle client complaints in addition to meeting their needs for products and services.

Honorable Timothy Oyedokun, the Chairman of Ogbomoso South Local Government, praised Globacom for always providing Nigerians with various forms of relief. He also commended Globacom for being a proud Nigerian company.

“Since I have known Globacom, it has not changed in its resolve to serve the people of this nation. This shows that the management holds the wellbeing of the people in high esteem,” he noted.

Equally, Mrs. Olufunke Olaniyi, the Local Government Secretary, Ogbomoso North Local Government, who spoke on behalf of the Chairman, Hon. George Gbadegesin Ogunlade, noted that the Glo “network belongs to us, so I want to encourage all sons and daughters to patronize Globacom”.