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FTAN Partners with NTDC on Tourism Development

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The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has expressed its willingness to partner with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) to promote tourism development in the country.

The President of FTAN, Mr Nkerewem Onung, said this on Wednesday when he led the new executive of the association on a courtesy visit to the Director-General of NTDC, Mr Folorunsho Coker, in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Onung led-FTAN executive emerged as a result of election held in July 8.

Onung said that the visit was to sustain friendship with the NTDC and seek collaboration in order to achieve the association’s mandate for its members.

The President, who said that the association had finished its Annual General Meeting, said that it was planning tourism summit and other programmes, adding that without the support of NTDC, it could not achieve them.

“We are here to pay a courtesy call on the Director-General of the NTDC for greater collaboration and then we are going to be able to work together.

“It is time now to purify the issue of tourism from the private sector in Nigeria. We are seeing ourselves and NTDC as one; we have commonality of purpose and focus.

“It is time for us to collaborate and develop tourism industry from the point of grassroots, from the local and state governments, a more could be done so that domestic tourism would be flourished.’’

Onung said that the association would support the NTDC’s plans for repeal and re-enactment of the NTDC Act which was created in 1992.

“We don’t have any problem with the adjustment or amending the bill if we have details. Now we are talking about people speaking with one voice.

“It is time to look at what are the inclusions in the bill that did not allow it to go through. So, we really intend to work with the Corporation,’’ he said.

Responding, Coker urged the association to re-echo the issue of capital for tourism development as well as digital revolution that would benefit tourism in the country.

He suggested that  members of the association should engage in new endeavours  that would appeal to domestic markets.

He urged them to ensure safety of travellers as well as their travel insurance, to boost domestic tourism in the country.

“Domestic tourism has always been our agenda because it is only platform of domestic tourism that the international tourism will grow.

“There is commonality of purpose and focus between the FTAN and NTDC, we are both promoting tourism. FTAN is association of all tourism bodies in Nigeria while the NTDC is a regulatory body.

“We have just met to look at specific areas where there are problems and how best we can collaborate in terms of the delivery of whatever advice, palliative or support starting with the stakeholders meeting as well as NTDC/FTAN retreat.`

“So, it is just drilling down into deeper collaboration.’’ Coker said.

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Spotify Spotlights Fola, Thakzin as Africa’s Next Music Icons

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Spotify has announced Nigerian Afrobeats talent, Fola and South African Afro House DJ and producer, Thakzin, as part of its RADAR Africa initiative.

According to the streaming platform, these artistes have promoted and shaped Sub-Saharan Africa’s music scene.

Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, said this in a statement on Thursday.

According to her, the platform is committed to discovering and amplifying emerging voices in championing boundary-pushing artistes shaping the sound of tomorrow.

Okumu said that Spotify Radar was not just a platform, but a launchpad.

“It reflects Spotify’s commitment to empowering local artistes across Sub-Saharan Africa and delivering the best listening experience in the region.

“From Lagos to Johannesburg, RADAR celebrates the diversity of talent on the continent, offering artistes equal access to global audiences.

“At Spotify, we believe in the power of African storytelling through music,” she said.

She described FOLA and Thakzin as incredibly unique artistes who represent the spirit of RADAR.

“By amplifying their journeys, we hope to inspire more creators across the continent to believe in their vision and reach for bigger stages,” she said.

Fola, born Folarin Odunlami, first caught attention with his freestyles on social media, quickly making a name for himself with his blend of Afrobeats rhythms and soulful storytelling.

His breakout EP ‘What A Feeling’, featuring the Bella Shmurda-assisted hit, “Who Does That”,  laid the foundation for a fast-rising career that now includes collaborations with BNXN, Magixx, and BhadBoi OML.

“Looking at where I’m coming from, I see every opportunity as a blessing. So, it’s a blessing to have been selected, just like others before me.

“I want my fans to know that in the midst of all the noise, I made something they could truly connect with, feel and share with those who mean something to them.

“I want everyone who listens to at the very least, recognise that they’re witnessing the early days of something truly special,” Fola said.

On the southern tip of the continent, Thakzin’s journey began in Ivory Park, Johannesburg, where early jazz and kwaito influences.

Also, a deep respect for traditional percussion shaped his signature sound.

With co-signs from Black Coffee and international tastemakers like Laurent Garnier, his genre-defying approach to Afro House, heard in his 2023 anthem, “The Magnificent Dance”.

Following the release of Magnificent Dance, his version of ‘Horns In The Sun’, by DJ Kent, became a viral hit across South Africa and gained global traction, potentially surpassing the success of ,Magnificent Dance’.

Thakzin’s sound is rooted in African spirituality and healing, inspired by the rhythmic power of traditional drums.

Shaped by a musical upbringing and guided by his father, a keyboardist, he blends rich harmonies with percussive elements to create an immersive Afro-house experience.

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Popular Chinese Singer Executed by Firing Squad over Murder of Girlfriend

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Popular Chinese actor and singer, Zhang Yiyang has been executed for the murder of his underage girlfriend.

Zhang Yiyang became the first ever Chinese celebrity to be executed by firing squad.

The Intermediate People’s Court of Xianyang in North Shaanxi Province made the report of his execution public in July 2025.

According to the report, the actor was executed on December 18 2024 for attacking his 16-year-old girlfriend with a knife in 2022, cut her left carotid artery, jugular vein, trachea and esophagus, which after massive bleeding led to her death.

Zhang started dating the victim in September 2021, before the victim proposed breaking up after a dispute.

After the murder, he took away the deceased’s mobile phone, discarded the knife and other weapons and related items in a reservoir to destroy evidence.

On the following day, he attempted to commit suicide at a hotel but was discovered by one of the hotel workers, who reported to the police.

His popular songs include ‘I Only Care About People Who Care About Me’, ‘So Care About You’ and ‘Crying Man’.

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Why Igbo Men Struggle in Politics – Pete Edochie

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Veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, has stirred controversy with a bold statement about Igbo politicians, claiming they are not adept at navigating the Nigerian political landscape.

In a recent interview, Edochie argued that the average Igbo man lacks the temperament required for politics, which often involves a degree of “treachery” and strategic compromise.

“An Igbo man is not a good politician.

And I will tell you why: people who are used to politics or the treachery that characterises politics can overlook a lot of things. But the Igbo man is not constituted to condone treachery a second time,” he said.

Edochie emphasized that once an Igbo man is betrayed, he is unlikely to forgive or reconnect with the offender, which, in his view, hinders long-term political alliances.

“If you hurt the Igbo man once in politics, he will never give you an opportunity to hurt him again. He will recoil. That’s the average Igbo man.”

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