Qris Chinedu Ebeatu Set To Revolutionize African Music Distribution With NextXtar

The brainchild of Qris Chinedu Ebeatu and partners, NextXtar.com has simplified the approach to music distribution, licensing, and publishing worldwide. It achieves this via a user-friendly dashboard that allows artists to upload their content "FREE OF CHARGE" in 3 easy steps. 

NextXtar is supported by established partnerships with major global digital music and social media platforms ranging from UDUX, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, Tidal, Amazon, Instagram, Tik Tok, Deezer, Vevo, Facebook (Meta), etc.

The NextXtar platform also gives the artists the opportunity to compete for fabulous prizes, attract more fans, and judge how people perceive their art, while the NextXtar radio gives subscribers the opportunity to listen to the music uploaded by NextXtar's represented artists and labels. 

Qris Chinedu Ebeatu, Co-Founder/CEO of the music distribution platform, explained that NextXtar was founded from a passion for discovering new talent and music.

NextXtar’s purpose is not only to ease digital music distribution in Africa and beyond but to assist with the marketing and promotion of the artists and their songs. This is achieved by:

1: There will be no fees for uploading music to the platform.

2: Tapping into NextXtar’s vast online community of creators and avid music lovers, also described as a bona fide "street team."

3: The platform's community interacts with, shares, and promotes the music, as well as over 500 music stores and streaming services.

NextXtar’s digital music distribution model makes it easy for young talent from Africa and other countries to gain access to the global market for "FREE."

As for what's next, he said, "NextXtar will be adding video to the platform." "This will allow creatives to upload and share viral videos on the platform with subscribers, street teams, and beyond."

The NextXtar App is available for download on the Google Play and Apple Play stores for Android and iOS devices..

Sterling Gifts Investment Portfolios to 50,000 Nigerians Youths

 

Sterling Bank PLC; a leading commercial bank in Nigeria and Africa’s Most Agile Company, has chosen to celebrate this year’s Valentine season by gifting 50,000 young customers with an audacious bouquet of stocks in 14 of the top performing equities currently listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

With the Valentine-4-A-Lifetime campaign, Sterling is giving the gift of continuing returns with a portfolio of stocks from the best performing companies on the Nigerian bourse. This unique gift, comprising carefully selected shares from leading companies in the telecommunications, manufacturing, construction and infrastructure, consumer-packaged-goods, and financial services sectors, has been curated based on the equities’ proven records of outperforming the market and delivering value to shareholders, regardless of economic conditions. Some equities in the bouquet include Sterling Bank, Dangote, MTN Nigeria, AXA Mansard, Fidson Pharmaceuticals, Unilever, Cadbury, UAC Nigeria, RT Briscoe and Julius Berger. 

Speaking on the first-of-its-kind Valentine’s gift in Corporate Nigeria’s history, Chief Marketing Officer of Sterling, Ibidapo Martins, said that recent thoughts on the true meaning of love were the inspiration for this unique gift. 

According to Martins, “Real love is more than just an expensive dinner, flowers and perfumes.  When the dinner is eaten, the flowers withered, the music stopped and the lights are out, what will be left of Valentine’s Day?” He concluded by saying that, “This is why the leadership at Sterling has chosen to give something much like true love, that grows every day, appreciating in value for the receiver with each passing day. This gift lays a foundation for a life of value; by starting the young customer on a path for continuous earnings tomorrow and beyond with an investment in today’s best stock options.”

“The first 50,000 youth to apply and complete the process will receive the equities within 48hrs of having their BVN validated, and will be free to transact in the equities once their portfolios are set up. Like most opportunities that come knocking, some will embrace it and commence a life of saving and investing, ultimately leading to their financial freedom.  While others will squander the gift.” Martins added.

Chief Executive Officer of I-Invest, a leading tech-based investment firm and creators of Nigeria’s first treasury bills investment mobile app, Mr. Seye Olusoga, commented that each bouquet comprises shares combined from these top-performing companies. The selected companies have a combined valuation of over 8 Trillion Naira on the NGX as of 11 February 2022, with recipients of this special gift given the opportunity to create a better future by making the right choices today. 

In a statement about the campaign and partnership, Mr. Olusoga said, “The path to wealth runs through investing and entrepreneurship. In many cases, the foundation for the entrepreneurs is their investment portfolios with which they can break free and live out their dreams because the right choices for tomorrow have been made today with shrewd investments.”

To enjoy this special gift of a lifetime, interested recipients are encouraged to download and register on the OneBank mobile app on iOS and Google Play Stores with additional details of the special gift being made available on sterling.ng/truelove.

I Am Not In EFCC Custody – Newly Appointed First Bank MD, Nnamdi Okonkwo Says

 

Former Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo has refuted claims that he is in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

In an exclusive interview with The Source magazine on Monday, the seasoned banker who was recently appointed GMD of First Bank Holding Company said “I cannot be in my bedroom and somebody somewhere will be saying, EFCC has arrested me and that I have be in custody’ of the anti-graft commission for days”.

The magazine had, last week, reported that the former Fidelity Chief executive was not arrested by the Abdulrasheed Bawa led EFCC, following report by some online publications that he was indeed, taken into custody by the commission.

Premium Times, an online newspaper claimed that “details of Mr Okonkwo’s arrest remained sketchy Sunday night although some sources said he was being questioned over his role in the transfer of $153.3 million from the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission in favour of Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former petroleum minister. The banker was managing director of Fidelity Bank at the time”.

But speaking with the magazine today, Okonkwo said he has spent the last few days preparing to take up his new role as First Bank Plc Holdco GMD.

He said “I have been enjoying with me family, apart from going to the gym” to keep in form. “I have also held series of meetings with my new employer in the last few days. So, I don’t understand what Premium Times is saying. I can’t be in EFCC custody and they will allow me to speak to you”, he said.

Okonkwo was appointed, three weeks ago as the new GMD of First Bank Nigeria Holdings Plc

According to the statement by the first generation commercial bank, Okonkwo will assume office as the GMD of FBN Holdings Plc effective January 1, 2022, following the resignation of UK Eke from the position.

It further said Okonkwo would bring to bear on the board of FBN Holdings more than 30 years of banking career spanning local and international experience.

His appointment is subject to the approval of regulatory authorities, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, a source close to EFCC, who said he’s not allowed to speak on the matter said “the banker cannot be in our custody and no statement will be issued to that effect. Our operations are guided by truth and transparency to the public. Nothing is hidden”.

EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren did not answer the calls made to him by this Newspaper.

Sterling Bank Commended For Supporting Ake Arts and Books Festival

Sterling Bank Plc has received commendation from poet and novelist Lola Shoneyin who is the founder and Director of the annual Ake Arts and Books Festival. This year's edition featured thirty events, including book chats, panel discussions, documentary and film screenings, a poetry video album, an art show-case and a music concert. The festival curated five intergenerational conversations that reflected the 2021 festival theme: Generational Discordance.

In her closing remarks at this year’s edition of the festival, which held virtually for the second year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Shoneyin said, "Having Sterling Bank by our side makes our heads swell. From their commitment to the belief in the transformative power of our stories and for helping us document and archive our ideas, we thank you.”

 

She said Ake Festival is the envy of cultural entrepreneurs and organisations across the African continent, adding that Sterling Bank has become the code word for companies that support the Arts with sincerity of purpose.  "Across the continent, cultural activists often say 'we need a Sterling Bank'," she added.

 

Also speaking, Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Sterling Bank Plc, said the bank has continued to support Africa’s biggest literary festival because education is one of the five sectors that the bank is currently concentrating investments in. The others sectors are health, agriculture, renewable energy and transportation.

 

The three-day festival featured ‘The Life and Times Series’ event with Booker-Prize shortlisted author, Maaza Mengiste, in a conversation with the festival headliner, Professor Abdulrazak Gurnah, who was announced as the winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize for Literature. 

 

Gurnah, a Tanzanian author, spoke about the invasion of East Africa and noted that until recently, most conversations about colonial presence in Africa had always excluded Germany. The Nobel Laureate, however, used his novel as a medium to narrate how Germany established colonies in present-day Namibia, Cameroon, Togo, parts of Tanzania and Kenya as well as Rwanda and Burundi.

 

According to him, German colonial rule was as brutal as colonial enterprises were in an era known for its oppression and violence. The author, in Afterlives noted that it was Germany that perpetrated the first genocide of the 20th Century in 1904 and 1908 respectively. The genocide was part of a campaign of ethnic extermination and collective punishment waged by the German Empire against the Herero, the Name and the San in German South West Africa (now Namibia).

 

Commenting on this year’s theme; Generational Discordance, Shoneyin said the internet has amplified generational differences in almost every area of African life. "From relationships, love and marriage; spirituality and religion; gender and feminism to politics and activism, the differences in perspective are glaring. Where earlier generations of Africans are anchored to their cultural identities, our younger compatriots see themselves as a part of a globalised world. It is easy to assume that our aspirations are poles apart but they are not. Africa cannot afford the luxury of endless culture wars,” she said. 

 

“Engagement and communication - characterised by a willingness to listen - as well as mutual respect and empathy are what will face down the retrogressive forces and the structures and systems that oppress and dehumanize us. We must eschew the sensationalism and divisive influence of digital algorithms and find a more harmonious continental rhythm that allows us to talk to, and not past, each other," she remarked.

 

Some of the book discussions included Bring Back Our Girls by Drew Hinshaw and Joe Parkinson; Lionheart Girl by Yaba Badoe; His Only Wife, by Peace Medie; Formation: The Making of Nigeria from Jihad to Amalgamation by Fola Fagbule and Feyi Fawehinmi; Prince of Monkeys by Nnamdi Ehirim; An Ordinary Wonder by Buki Papillon; Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi; Born in Blackness by NYT columnist Howard French; When the Sky is Ready The Stars Will Appearby EC Osondu; The Sex Lives of African Women by Nana Dorkoa Sekyiamah and The Teller of Secrets by Bisi Adjapon.

 

Alongside the intergenerational conversations, panel discussions also focused on African crime-writing, conspiracy theories and healthcare; disability rights and repatriating Africa’s stolen treasures, with discussions moderated by Harper Collins’ (UK) Nancy Adimora, which explored Of This Our Country; a new collection of essays and reflections by 24 Nigerian writers. 

Virtual visitors enjoyed interviews with Denrele Sonariwo of Rele Gallery and Ade Bantu, Founder of Afropolitan Vibes. 

Singer Tplay Reveals Plans To Work With Davido, Wizkid, Olamide, Flavour, Burnaboy

 

Enugu State born entertainer, Tplay has revealed Nigerian music stars, he'd like to work with. The singer and composer, while feeding question on fellow singers he would love to work with, said Davido, Wizkid, Olamide, Flavour, Burnaboy are his top choice.

"The likes of Flavour, Davido, burna, wizkid, Yemi Alade and Olamide are major names I can't wait to do a song with, they inspire me a whole lot. Every Nigerian artistes is making an impact in their own right with their music, but we must always acknowledge those who paved the way for the rest of us coming from behind, shout out to all everyone doing music"

Tplay whose real names are Hyginus Ikechukwu Ezeme also revealed how music started for him, and what he would have been doing, if he wasn't doing music; "A few things were major parts of my musical journey. I started as a producer. Now here I am Singing to the world. If I was doing music, I will be doing business, I would have been a full time businessman" he said.

On his viral single, "Wahala No Dey Finish" the energic performer shares the feelings of having ace music producer, MasterKraft on his banging tune, "Oh yeah, Shout out to my big brother, MasterKraft, for giving me a good sound and also jumping on the song. Great talent, he is, and I am lucky to have him as a friend. I am excited at the speed the song is moving, thanks to all my fans" he appreciated.

"Wahala No Dey Finish" is a dancing song that reflect on the need to have fun and enjoy life as it comes, putting aside the stress of day to day hustle and challenges of life. Produced by award winning producer cum singer, Sunday Ginikachukwu Iweke, widely called MasterKraft. The video of the song which was shot in Lagos features top Nigerian entertainers.

Wow! Snoop Dogg & wife, Shante Broadus Celebrate 21st Wedding Anniversary With Throwback Photos

Rapper Snoop Dogg and his wife, Shante are celebrating their 21st wedding anniversary. They tied the knot in 1996 and have three kids together; 22-year-old Corde, 20-year-old Cordell, and 17-year-old Cori.

Back in 2004, he filed for divorce from Shante citing irreconcilable differences, but eventually called it off. They later renewed their wedding vows in 2008.