Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, has landed a spot in Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024.

Legendary Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo wrote a tribute to the ‘Last Last’ crooner on Time’s website.

She noted that Burna Boy played a pivotal role in the global acceptance of African music.

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Kidjo wrote: “Burna Boy has made that vision [acceptance of African music] a global reality. His music draws from the rich well of Nigerian folk traditions, and he carries the torch lit by Fela Kuti. He is history in the making.”

Burna Boy was joined on the list by British-Nigerian stars Skepta and Damson Idris.

The Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People recognition is a prestigious honor that celebrates individuals who have left an indelible mark on the world through their contributions to art, activism, and cultural influence.

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Since its inception in 1999, this annual list has highlighted the achievements and impact of leaders, innovators, artists, and advocates from diverse fields and backgrounds.

Burna Boy, on the other hand, has garnered international acclaim for his unique sound and socially conscious lyrics. In addition to his musical prowess,

He has been recognized for his activism and advocacy, speaking out on issues such as police brutality and socio-political injustice in Nigeria and beyond.

Named among the Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2020, Burna Boy’s inclusion reflects his significant impact on the global music landscape and his role as a cultural ambassador for Afrobeat music.

The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has granted freedom to an inmate of Auchi Medium Security Correctional Centre.

The freed inmate, Saliu Akande, who had been incarcerated since 2020 over alleged rape gained freedom when the CJ visited the facility on Thursday.

Okungbowa directed that the inmate be granted freedom due to non-availabilIty of case files and charges against him for the past four years.

The Chief Judge said the visit was part of his activities to decongest the correctional centre and to promote speedy trials.

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“Section 470 (2) of Edo State Administration of Law 2018 has entrusted us with the mandate to ensure the criminal matters are speedily dealt with and congestion of criminal cases in courts are drastically reduced.

“Since my assumption of office, I have together with members of Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee worked assiduously to ensure that our mandate is accorded much desired seriousness.

“To this end, my avowed and unalloyed commitment is that no one is made to remain here one day longer than necessary unless as prescribed by law.

“Today’s exercise, therefore underscores the passion and commitment of my administration to achieve these goals” Okungbowa said.

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The CJ thanked the members of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee for their support and effort aimed at decongesting correctional/custodial facilities in the state.

Okungbowa said he was aware of the perennial challenges faced by the correctional services in Edo and assured to ameliorate the problems.

He called on those who have benefited from the exercise in the state to be of good behaviour and ensure they avoid any act of misbehaviour that may bring them back as they may not be lucky next time around.

Welcoming him to the centre, the Assistant Controller of Auchi Command of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS), Kingsley Ebare, commended the Chief judge for his efforts at ensuring that only those qualified inmates benefited from the exercise.

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“The visit will restore hope to the hopeless and reposition their minds that Justice will be served to deserving persons according to the laws of the land,” he said.

Ebare thanked the CJ for appointing a substantial judge at the high court for prompt trials.

“In recent past, trial process at the high court Auchi were crawling, but for your benevolence of appointing a substantive judge, we are optimistic that adjudication of cases will pick up.

“To this extent, we are grateful to you in particular and to the state government at large” he said.

He, however,, appealed to Okungbowa to help the centre to liaise with the state government for assistance in the area of logistics and medical care for inmates.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted.

According to a statement on its official Facebook, Thursday, EFCC declared Bello wanted for offences relating to economic and financial crimes.

“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCC for offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 billion.

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“Anybody with information as to his whereabout should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station,” the EFCC said.

Recall that on Wednesday the anti-graft agency’s officials besieged the former governor’s residence in Abuja to effect his residence.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo came with his security operatives and whisked him away from the grasp of the EFCC.