Fuji and Apala fans are in for a treat as contemporary Apala-Fuji star, Wasiu Haruna Ishola L1, prepares to release his highly anticipated double album, Masterpiece, in Lagos this November. Supported by Big Bodeyy Promotions, the launch is scheduled for the second week of the month.

The album offers two distinct listening experiences — one side rooted in Fuji rhythms and the other in pure, original Apala music — giving audiences a fresh yet authentic take on indigenous Nigerian sounds.

Popularly known as Lagunja 1, Wasiu Haruna Ishola is the son of late Apala legend Haruna Ishola Bello and brother to renowned musician Musiliu Babatunde Haruna Ishola. With Masterpiece, he both honours his lineage and recognises the influence of his mentor, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde K1 De Ultimate, whose artistry helped shape his approach to music.

“This album is both a tribute to tradition and a bold step into the future,” Lagunja 1 said. “It is dedicated to my late father and to my mentor, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde K1 De Ultimate, while embracing digital innovation.”

He stressed that Nigerian musicians must embrace global advancements to rejuvenate audience tastes:

“We have to explore more, acquire new knowledge and take advantage of the ever-evolving digital world,” he added.

With its seamless blend of heritage and modern artistry — and inspired by K1 De Ultimate’s groundbreaking style — Masterpiece is positioned to be one of the standout Nigerian music releases of the year.

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc is set to make a bold statement on the global stage as it will be gathering world leaders, policymakers, and investors and other private sector players at the forthcoming 2025 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

This year’s gathering at the UNGA, which is the 80th Edition, will be held between September 15th and September 25th, and as always, UBA Group has mapped out series of engaging activities to spotlight Africa’s opportunities and foster high-level dialogue with global leaders towards boosting the continent’s potential.

A key part of the event, will be the UBA’s unveiling of a ground-breaking whitepaper that presents actionable strategies for unlocking Africa’s vast economic potential, as part of the bank’s mission to drive sustainable growth across the continent.

The whitepaper, a first-of-its-kind initiative by a leading African financial institution at UNGA, titled ‘Banking on Africa’s Future: Unlocking Capital and Partnerships for Sustainable Growth’, will highlight opportunities in trade, infrastructure, digital innovation, climate finance, and inclusive growth.

By providing a roadmap for collaboration between Africa and the global community, UBA aims to position the continent not just as a beneficiary of investment, but as a critical driver of future global prosperity.

Apart from the Whitepaper launch, other activities of the group will include the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) Roundtable to be hosted by UBA America, as well as the annual UBA Reception.

The reception will convene world leaders, policymakers, and influential business executives who will be involved in critical dialogues on investment and development across the continent.

UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, emphasized the strategic importance of these dialogues, explained that over the past few years, UBA has become an active leader in conversations and activities that will drive tangible investments to the continent.

“These conversations are fundamentally different from previous discussions because they will be followed by feasible and actionable decisions. UBA will actively work to implement these outcomes for the benefit of the continent, as committed partners in Africa’s development and sustainability,” Elumelu noted.

Continuing, he said, “’The United Nations General Assembly is the largest and most official gathering of world leaders, and we cannot let such an opportunity pass without major African players like UBA taking centre stage to bring these leaders together and showcase Africa’s potential.”

UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, who remarked on the upcoming event, especially the whitepaper’s significance, emphasized the need for more private organizations and players to demonstrate their commitment to the continent’s development through concrete action and proven capabilities.

United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, today, Sunday, August. 31, formally accepted the hosting rights for the 2025 Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, marking the 17th edition of the prestigious pan-Nigeria, annual event.

The presentation took place at the Lagos House, Marina, where the governor received a delegation of Nollywood stars including Segun Arinze, Biola Adebayo, Femi Branch, Wole Ojo, and Scarlet Gomez, along with BON Awards founder, Seun Oloketuyi, and the Executive Director, Feranmi Olaoye.

The event, which was also witnessed by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Toke Benson- Awoyinka, highlights the Lagos State Government’s commitment to supporting the creative industry.

During the presentation, the governor commended the organisers for their ambitious plan to attempt a Guinness World Record for the longest red carpet, spanning an impressive 8 kilometers.
In his address, Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke on the importance of government support for the creative sector, beyond just financial sponsorship. “Sometimes, it’s difficult to quantify what we do, but we know too well that the industry needs support. The sector needs to be elevated and encouraged.”

He added, “Everything that we’re doing should be thought of around the benefits that come, not necessarily to us as a government, but, in a way that people will appreciate. It’s certainly not about us, it’s not about the ministry; it is about the people, that’s the whole context for us.

“We are also very intentional about helping the creative industry give opportunities and voices to the voiceless that may not get the opportunity to be heard. More importantly, also help in terms of employment generation and wealth creation, ensuring that we can support a huge demographic of young people,” the governor added, linking the vision to the state’s broader economic agenda.

“For us, it’s really not just about supporting or sponsoring; it’s more around ensuring that the sector has the kind of support that is needed.”
In his statement, Oloketuyi, reiterated that while BON Awards began in Lagos, in the last 17 years, it has visited all six geo-political zones of the country and has yet to return to Lagos. He shared that the awards has been hosted by states like Kwara, Kano, Imo, Oyo, Osun, Kogi, Ondo and more.

Billed to hold on Sunday, December 14 at the Federal Palace Hotel, V/I, Lagos, the event promises to add even more colour to the annual Detty December season thatbhas become Lagos’ flagship Yuletide celebration.

The Best of Nollywood Awards, founded by Seun Oloketuyi, is a celebrated platform that honours outstanding achievements in the Nigerian film industry. The decision to host the 2025 edition in Lagos is a strategic move, solidifying the state’s status as the heart of Nigeria’s creative economy and providing a grand stage for the industry’s biggest night.