NEWS
Headies Award Returns to Nigeria

The Headies, Nigeria’s biggest music award, is set to return home with the hosting of two separate editions of the annual show in 2025, its organisers have said.
In a video shared on Headie’s X page, Ayo Animashuan, founder of The Headies, said the 17th edition of the award would take place on April 5, focusing on the music of 2024.
He also revealed that the nominations list for this 17th edition will be released on February 12,and the 18th edition would take place in December, celebrating music from 2024 and 2025 respectively.
He said: “This awards that is happening in April was meant to happen last year, but for some reasons, it didn’t happen last year.
“We did not want to miss a calendar year… So the next is going to happen in December. It is going to be a part of the Detty December trend.”
The Headies, originally called Hop World Awards, is a prestigious music awards show established in 2006 to recognise outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.
The first edition, hosted by Darry Art Alade, was held on March 10 at the Shell Hall of the MUSON center on Onikan, Lagos.
Some artistes who were on the honour’s roll at the maiden edition of the Headies include Don Jazzy, P-Square, Jude Okoye, Mode 9,DJ Jimmy Katt, Keke Ogungbe and Dayo.
However the organisers took the 16th Headies Awards to the United States, hosting at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia on September 3, 2023.
The biggest winners of the night were Rema and Burna Boy, who each took home three awards, other winners included Wizkid, Davido, Ayra Starr, Asake and Omah Lay.
The event was also marked by the induction of Angelique Kidjo into the Headies Hall of Fame.
In February 2024, the award organisers, disclosed that the 17th award event would return to Nigeria after hosting the 2022 and 2023 editions in the United States.(NAN)
NEWS
Police Reunite 35 Rescued Kidnapped Victims with Families

The Police Command in Niger, says it has reunited 35 rescued kidnapped victims and survivors with their families in Niger.
This is contained in a statement by its Public Relations officer, Wasiu Abiodun, on Tuesday in Minna.
According to the statement the rescued victims consist of 16 women and 19 children.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) in Niger, Adamu Elleman, represented by the DCP investigation, Ibrahim Adamu, said the victims were from Kagara, Tegina and Agwara.
According to the CP, the victims had been in custody for some period for counselling and deradicalisation processes before handed over to their Council Chairman of Rafi LGA and relatives.
He appealed to members of the public to continue to cooperate with the police by providing actionable information on criminal activities.
NEWS
Turkish Embassy Pledges Partnership with Asset Media Group

By Donald Andoor, Abuja
The Turkish Embassy in Nigeria has pledged a working relationship with the Asset Media Group and Nigeria’s media in general to further boost long lasting diplomatic and trade relations existing between the two countries.
Head of Political Office, Embassy of the Republic of Turkiye, Muzaiffer Hakan Tok who was exchanging views with the management team of Asset Media Group in Abuja, yesterday recalled the robust diplomatic, trade and cultural relationship between Nigeria and Turkiye.
While stressing the cordial relationship existing between the two nations over time, he said there was need for media practitioners to be further enlightened about those things that were common and binding between the two nations.
He applauded the people of Nigeria and the government for the hospitality accorded Turkish nationals in the country.
Earlier, Dr. Cletus Akwaya, Proprietor of Asset Media Group, owners of the Daily Asset Newspaper and Asset Television, said the visit was to explore ways of media partnership with the embassy.
He appealed to the Turkish Embassy in Nigeria to initiate avenues for exchange of visits between journalists of the two countries to enable them to enlighten and educate the public about opportunities that abound in the country.
The diplomatic relations between the two nations started when Turkey opened an embassy in Lagos in 1962. The embassy was moved to Abuja in 2001 after Nigeria’s proclamation of Abuja as the new capital.
On the other hand, Nigeria has an embassy in Ankara, the capital of Turkey and the two countries are members of a group of eight developing nations, code named D-8.
The delegation of the Daily Asset Group included Donald Andoor, Chairman Editorial Board and General Manager of Asset Television, Ayami Sunny Ayami.
NEWS
NCS Cautions Nigerians against Breach of US Visa Terms

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a public advisory urging Nigerians to use U.S. entry visas responsibly, following concerns raised by the United States government over visa misuse.
The NCS emphasized that Nigerian travelers must adhere strictly to the purpose stated in their visa applications, warning that engaging in activities inconsistent with their visa classification could lead to revocation.
It reminded the public that security screening by U. S. authorities continues beyond the point of entry, and that visa holders remain under regular monitoring.The agency also reiterated the importance of complying with U.
S. immigration laws, including import/export regulations. Travelers were further reminded to declare any cash in excess of $10,000 or its equivalent at entry or exit points, and to avoid carrying any prohibited items in their luggage.NCS advised all passengers to maintain lawful conduct both within Nigeria and abroad, cautioning that fraudulent acts committed in any country could result in legal consequences under both Nigerian and U.S. laws.
Assuring continued collaboration with the U.S. Mission in Abuja, the NCS stated that efforts are ongoing to ensure Nigeria avoids inclusion in any future visa restrictions, thus safeguarding the travel rights of Nigerians with legitimate purposes for visiting the United States.