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The countdown has begun to the most anticipated and insightful learning experience at the Runway Jazz 2017 Music and Business Masterclass, taking place on April 29, 2017 in the Grand Ballroom of Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos, Nigeria.  The Masterclass is a prelude to the Runway Jazz Concert, a special celebration of the International Jazz Day.

Powered by UBA, the Music and Business Masterclass is being facilitated by George W. Russell Jr, Professor and Chair of the Harmony Department at Berklee College of Music, California (the most prestigious music institution in the world), which has produced Grammy award winners Quincy Jones, Lalah Hathaway, Nick Baxter, as well as Nigerian talent like Tiwa Savage and Kaline Akinkugbe to mention but a few.

The Runway Jazz 2017 Music and Business Masterclass is open to individuals, groups, record labels, established and emerging musicians as well as students of music. It will seminar and open up dialogue that will encourage talented musicians and lovers of music to enhance their abilities and turn their gifts into profitable ventures.

“The education is key as it enables the fulfilment of UNESCO’s mandate to encourage peaceful relations and foster the education, participation and creation of unity through the celebration of Jazz Music”, says the convener, Afolabi Oke.

Professor George Russell holds many accolades and is the recipient of the highest award that Berklee gives to faculty, the Most Distinguished Faculty Award. Russell served as a Professor of Harmony and Piano, prior to becoming Chair.  He holds the Ted Pease Award for Excellence in Teaching, along with the Curriculum Development Award for the Writing Division at the Berklee College of Music.

Najee, a Grammy Award winner and American saxophonist, who will be headlining the Runway Jazz Concert on April 30, will join the Professor to facilitate this unique and inspiring Masterclass.

Speaking about the event, Professor Russell says, “Many people understand, or think they understand music, some understand business, but there is a Business of Music that when you get the formula right, will open doors that you never even knew were there in the first place”.

This Masterclass is a result of a strategic partnership with Berklee College of Music and Runway Jazz, partnered by the United Bank for Africa. It will allow participants get a better understanding of the access to scholarship opportunities at Berklee College as they learn how to turn their talent and passion into business opportunites. It promises to be interactive, fun, instructive and inspiring.

To register for the Masterclass, visit www.runway-jazz.com. For group bookings and discounts, call 08180694465 or email [email protected].

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BIG STORY

UPDATE: Portable Remanded In Kwara Prison Over Inability To Meet Stringent Bail Conditions

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Controversial singer, Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has been remanded in the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, over his inability to meet stringent bail conditions imposed by an Upper Area Court in the state.

This follows the singer’s appearance in court on Monday on the charges of defamation of character levelled against him by veteran Fuji musician, Okunola Saheed, aka Saheed Osupa.

The ‘zazoo-zeh’ crooner, however, received bail of N1 million and other stringent bail conditions, including providing two sureties in like sum.

According to the court’s directive, one of the sureties must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, while the other must be a property owner within a Government Reserved Area in Ilorin, supported by a valid Certificate of Occupancy.

Report says the case was documented under First Information Report (FIR) 117(1) CPC, and filed by the State Intelligence Department of the police following a petition dated March 21, 2025, by Osupa.

The petition said Portable made a live broadcast on Instagram, where he allegedly defamed Osupa, claiming the complainant was envious of his success and attempting to destroy his reputation.

In the video, Portable was quoted as saying, “This man dey try bring down my shine! He be like person wey dey chop snail with shell—him no get sense. Osupa carry tortoise for stomach. When Apple Music and Spotify want to drop money for me, na him remove my song from the platform, make I no see money (sic).”

Osupa maintained that Portable’s remarks were not only defamatory and damaging but also intended to incite public hatred and disturb the peace.

It was submitted to the Kwara State Police Command, and its men arrested the street-pop singer who confessed to the allegations while being interrogated.

According to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the petition accused Portable of several serious offences, including criminal defamation, threats to life, incitement, character assassination, conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, as well as the use of abusive and offensive language.

“In view of the weight of these allegations and the supporting evidence presented, the command secured a valid arrest warrant from a Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin.

“Acting on this warrant, operatives from the command proceeded to Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Sunday, 13th April 2025, where the suspect was apprehended at about 19:25hrs. He was immediately brought to Ilorin for further investigations.

“Upon his arrival, the suspect’s statement was taken in the presence of legal representatives from both parties,” the statement read.

However, the Investigating Police Officer, ASP Adeniyi James, confirmed that Portable was charged based on a directive from the police authorities.

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BIG STORY

BREAKING: Kwara Court Grants Portable N1m Bail In Saheed Osupa Defamation Suit, Gives 2 Stringent Conditions

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Controversial singer, Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has been granted bail in the sum of ₦1 million by an Upper Area Court in Ilorin, Kwara State.

This followed his arraignment on charges including criminal defamation, intimidation, inciting public disturbance, and cyberstalking.

The court also ruled that his bail is conditional upon the provision of two sureties in like sum.

One of which must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, while the other must possess a landed property within a Government Reserved Area, backed by a valid Certificate of Occupancy.

Portable, a native of Oke-Osa, Sango-Ota in Ogun State, is expected to meet his bail conditions before regaining freedom. The case has been adjourned, with the trial judge urging all parties to maintain decorum as the court proceeds to hear the matter.

Details later…

 

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BIG STORY

Portable Arrested In Abeokuta, Moved To Kwara Over Threat To Saheed Osupa’s Life, Criminal Defamation, Others

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Portable, the controversial singer, has been arrested by the officers of the Kwara state police command.

The ‘Zazoo Zeh’ hitmaker was apprehended on Saturday over allegations of criminal defamation, threat to life, incitement, and character assassination against fellow musician Saheed Osupa.

The arrest followed a petition filed by Osupa, accusing Portable of using abusive and insulting language that could incite violence and damage his reputation.

In a statement released on Sunday, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the state police spokesperson, disclosed that the singer was taken to Ilorin for further investigation.

It added that Portable’s statement was recorded in the presence of legal representatives from both parties, and he is currently in custody awaiting court proceedings.

“The Kwara State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that following a petition received from one Mr. Okunola Saheed, popularly known as “Osupa,” against Mr. Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, also known in the entertainment industry as “Portable”,” the statement reads.

“Police detectives of Kwara Command have taken lawful steps in line with due process to investigate the allegations.

“The petition borders on serious allegations which include criminal defamation, threat to life, incitement, character assassination, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and the use of abusive and insulting words.

‘’In view of the weight of these allegations and the supporting evidence presented, the command secured a valid arrest warrant from a Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin.

“Acting on this warrant, operatives from the command proceeded to Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Sunday, 13th April 2025, where the suspect was apprehended at about 19:25hrs. He was immediately brought to Ilorin for further investigations.

“Upon his arrival, the suspect’s statement was taken in the presence of legal representatives from both parties.”

The rift between the two artistes began last month when Portable’s song was removed from Apple Music and Spotify due to copyright infringement.

Portable had used a line synonymous with Osupa’s style, leading to Osupa’s team filing a complaint.

The ‘Zazoo Zeh’ hitmaker initially called out Osupa, using derogatory terms like “big for nothing,” which sparked backlash on social media.

However, Portable apologised to Osupa, blaming his temper for the outburst.

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