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Tinubu, Dangote, Osimhen Make Most Influential Africans List

Published

2 years ago

January 4, 2024

President Bola Tinubu, businessman and Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, Nigerian footballer and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, and Grammy award-winning singer, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, were among Nigerians who made the list of the most influential Africans.

This is according to a publication by New African magazine released Tuesday, being its listing of the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2023.

The list celebrates the achievements and contributions of Africans from various fields and sectors, who have made a positive impact on the continent and the world.

“The list features a diverse and inspiring group of men and women, who have demonstrated excellence, innovation, leadership, resilience, and vision in their respective domains. They include politicians, entrepreneurs, industrialists, environmentalists, creatives, scientists, educators, sports personalities, and more.

“The list also reflects the shifting trends and priorities in Africa, as the continent faces new challenges and opportunities in the post-pandemic era,” a statement by the publishers said, adding that “creatives dominate the ranking with 31 representatives.”

The magazine also said Nigeria was the country most represented on the list, highlighting the country’s dominance in the creative sector and business.

In the politics and public service section, Kenyan President William Ruto, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, President of the African Development Bank, Akinwunmi Adesina, among others were named alongside Tinubu.

In the sports category, Osimhen and the President of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, were named alongside others.

In the creative industry, Nigeria’s Burna Boy and Temilade Openiyi, aka Tems, were named while Dangote made the list of influential persons in the business category.

Tinubu was on May 29, 2023, sworn in as Nigeria’s President after defeating his major rivals, who were Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

Burna Boy won the Best Global Music Album category after beating four other nominees at the 63rd Grammys in 2021.

The head of Kenya’s election body in August 2022 declared Ruto the winner of the country’s closely-fought presidential poll.

Osimhen, who was crowned 2023 African Player of The Year, was also voted the Sportsman of The Year by fans and readers of PUNCH Sports Extra in late December 2023.

The Napoli superstar was given the nod ahead of Barcelona Femeni striker, Asisat Oshoala, women’s 100m hurdles world record holder, Tobi Amusan, and four-time winner of the Bundesliga Rookie of The Month award, Victor Boniface.

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Again, Russia Claims Another Village In Ukraine’s Region

Published

1 day ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The Russian army Monday claimed to have captured another village in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, moving deeper into Ukrainian territory as peace efforts stall.

Russian forces are slowly but steadily gaining ground in costly battles for largely devastated areas in eastern and central Ukraine, normally with few inhabitants or intact buildings left.

Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had seized the settlement of Zaporizke in the region, which Russian troops recently advanced into for the first time in the three-and-a-half-year offensive.

Kyiv denies that Russian troops have gained a foothold in the Dnipropetrovsk region, an important industrial hub.

After another push by US President Donald Trump to broker a Ukraine-Russia summit, hopes for peace dimmed when Russia last week ruled out any immediate meeting between presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.

The central region of Dnipropetrovsk has previously been largely spared from fighting that has ravaged swathes of eastern and southern Ukraine, until Russia said its forces broke through in July.

Dnipropetrovsk is not one of the five Ukrainian regions — Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Crimea — that Moscow has publicly claimed as Russian territory.

Ukraine said Russia had launched over 100 drones Monday, killing a 37-year old civilian driver and wounding two people in the northeastern Sumy region.

Moscow said Kyiv had launched about two dozen drones targeting western Russia

Headline

US Comedian Reggie Carroll Shot Dead In Mississippi

Published

1 day ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

A United States comedian, Reginald “Reggie” Carroll, has been shot dead in Southaven, Mississippi.

The 52-year-old Carroll, widely known as the Knockout King of Comedy, was reportedly killed on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.

The Southaven Police Department confirmed the incident in a Facebook statement on Saturday.

“Southaven officers located one male victim suffering from gunshot wounds.

“The officers and medical personnel provided life saving techniques but the individual succumbed to his injuries,” the statement partly read.

The victim was later identified as Carroll, a Baltimore native.

Police said one suspect was arrested and charged with his murder.

“One male is in custody and has been charged with the murder of Reginald Carroll.

“Our thoughts are with the family of Mr. Carroll.

“Thank you to the community for their patience and understanding,” the department added.

The police further assured that there was no ongoing threat to residents, describing the case as “an isolated shooting.”

Carroll, who built his career in stand-up comedy, gained national recognition touring with Katt Williams and headlining his own showcase, Knockout Kings of Comedy.

He also featured in the 2000 edition of Showtime at the Apollo, appeared on the UPN sitcom The Parkers alongside Mo’Nique and Countess Vaughn, and starred in the 2022 television film Rent & Go.

In 2023, he produced the stand-up special Knockout Kings of Comedy.

The Southaven Police Department disclosed that an investigation into his death is ongoing.

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US Defends New Social Media Vetting For Nigerian Visa Applicants

Published

1 day ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria on Monday reaffirmed that the safety and security of the United States remain the cornerstone of its visa application and decision-making process.

The US said this following its directive last week that mandates Nigerians to disclose all social media usernames and handles used over the past five years as part of the visa application process.

US Mission said Nigerian visa applicants must provide a comprehensive list of their social media profiles on the DS-160 visa application form, and warned that omitting the information could lead to visa denials.

Reacting to the development, the Federal Government said US citizens intending to visit Nigeria will be subjected to the same measures.

“The best we can do is to carry out reciprocal action. Some people from the US might want to apply for a visa, and we will adopt the same measures,” spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said last Monday.

However, in a statement released Monday on X, the US Mission said prospective visa applicants undergo careful vetting to maintain a safe and welcoming environment in the US.

It said, “The safety and security of the United States is at the heart of every #USVisa application and decision process.

“That’s why prospective applicants undergo careful screening to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.”

The Mission added, “These measures help protect American citizens and communities while supporting secure and responsible travel.”