Nigeria News (Standard)
Paul Adefarasin Unveils Theme, Line-Up for Africa Praise Experience 2026 in Lagos
TAPE 2026 to feature top gospel ministers including Nathaniel Bassey, Frank Edwards as House On The Rock opens doors to all worshippers
TAPE 2026 to feature top gospel ministers including Nathaniel Bassey, Frank Edwards as House On The Rock opens doors to all worshippers
House On The Rock has formally announced the theme and details for the 2026 edition of The Africa Praise Experience (TAPE), with Founder and Metropolitan Paul Adefarasin set to host the event on Friday, July 10, at The Rock Cathedral in Lekki, Lagos. Organisers disclosed that this year’s theme is ‘One Altar. One Sound. One God.’
The annual praise concert, regarded as one of the continent’s largest gospel gatherings, will unite worshippers, gospel artists, and faith-based creatives from across Nigeria and Africa for a night of music and spiritual renewal. According to House On The Rock, TAPE 2026 will run from 7:00pm until dawn and is open to the public free of charge.
Adefarasin said the event aims to celebrate unity in worship while spotlighting Africa’s diverse musical expressions. “With ‘One Altar. One Sound. One God.’ we are coming together as one family to lift our voices in gratitude,” he stated during the announcement.
The line-up features some of Africa’s most renowned gospel ministers and groups including Nathaniel Bassey, Frank Edwards, Beejay Sax, Bidemi Olaoba, Kaestrings, Mr M & Revelation, Onos Ariyo, Prinx Emmanuel, Emma OMG, Blessing Lopez, Sunmisola Agbebi, Sonnie Badu, Mercy Chinwo, Moses Bliss, Pastor Tolu Odukoya, IB Quake, Lagos Metropolitan Gospel Choir and The Rock Cathedral Gospel Choir.
Organisers said TAPE 2026 will deliver a blend of contemporary gospel sounds with indigenous African praise traditions. They added that moments of prayer and reflection are designed to inspire hope and renewed faith among attendees. With free admission at the Lekki venue and an impressive roster of artists confirmed, stakeholders expect thousands of worshippers from within Lagos State and beyond to attend.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Experts at Abuja Summit Urge Full Adoption of Green Economy in Nigeria by 2026
Stakeholders at NEST conference highlight urgent need for sustainable policies as Nigeria faces mounting environmental challenges
Stakeholders at NEST conference highlight urgent need for sustainable policies as Nigeria faces mounting environmental challenges
Environmental experts and policymakers have called for the urgent implementation of a comprehensive green economy strategy across Nigeria, citing the country’s rising environmental and economic risks. The call was made on Friday, 19 June 2026, during the National Environmental Summit and Technology (NEST) conference held in Abuja.
Participants at the summit emphasised that a shift towards a green economy is vital if Nigeria hopes to address pressing issues such as deforestation, pollution, and over-reliance on fossil fuels. The event brought together stakeholders from government agencies, academia, and civil society organisations to deliberate on practical measures that could accelerate the nation’s transition to sustainable development models.
Nigeria continues to face significant environmental challenges linked to unchecked urbanisation and industrial activities. Experts at the summit noted that these issues have direct implications for public health, food security, and economic stability. They argued that adopting green economy principles—such as investing in renewable energy, promoting waste recycling, and enforcing stricter environmental regulations—would help create new jobs and safeguard natural resources for future generations.
During panel discussions, participants called on federal and state governments to prioritise policy reforms that would incentivise investment in clean technologies. They also urged the National Assembly to expedite passage of pending bills aimed at strengthening environmental governance. “There is an urgent need for robust collaboration between all sectors if we are serious about tackling climate change and building resilience into our economy,” one speaker said during the plenary session.
The conference concluded with a communique outlining recommendations for government action ahead of NEST 2027. Stakeholders expressed optimism that with committed leadership and public support, Nigeria can position itself as a regional leader in green innovation while meeting its international climate obligations.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Abuja Court Jails Terrorist Kingpin’s Mother, Sister for 20 Years Each over Terror Charges
Landmark judgement comes as government intensifies crackdown on terrorism; human rights groups call for due process
Landmark judgement comes as government intensifies crackdown on terrorism; human rights groups call for due process
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday sentenced the mother and sister of a notorious terrorist kingpin to 20 years imprisonment each after finding them guilty of terrorism-related offences. The court delivered its verdict on 19 June, following a lengthy trial that drew national attention to ongoing anti-terrorism efforts in Nigeria.
According to court proceedings, both women were convicted for their roles in supporting the operations of their relative, identified by authorities as a major figure in organised terrorist activities across the country. The prosecution presented evidence indicating that the duo provided material assistance and facilitated communication for the kingpin, actions which the judge ruled violated Nigeria’s anti-terrorism laws.
This development marks one of the stiffest sentences handed down to family members of suspected terrorists in recent years, underlining government’s resolve to dismantle support networks aiding criminal groups. Security experts say such convictions are rare but could serve as a warning to individuals enabling terrorism either directly or indirectly.
While government officials have welcomed the court’s decision, some human rights organisations have urged authorities to ensure all suspects receive fair hearings and that convictions are based strictly on evidence. A spokesperson for one advocacy group stated that respect for due process remains vital in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.
With this judgement, security agencies are expected to intensify investigations into other suspected collaborators linked to armed groups operating within and outside Nigeria. Legal analysts note that future cases may test how far courts are willing to go in prosecuting those who aid or abet terrorist activities.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Drake Tops Apple Music’s All-Time Streaming Chart as Chart Data Marks 10th Anniversary
Canadian rapper leads global rankings; Taylor Swift and Future follow as American artistes dominate top 20 list
Canadian rapper leads global rankings; Taylor Swift and Future follow as American artistes dominate top 20 list
Canadian rapper Drake has emerged as the most streamed artiste of all time on Apple Music, according to a new ranking published in partnership with Chart Data on Wednesday. The announcement was made globally as Chart Data celebrated its 10th anniversary, highlighting the continued influence of international superstars on music streaming trends.
The list, released in collaboration with Apple Music, features the top 20 artistes with the highest cumulative streams since the platform’s launch in 2015. The ranking is heavily dominated by American musicians, particularly hip hop artistes, who make up half of the entries. Eminem occupies the twentieth position, while Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran hold nineteenth and eighteenth places respectively. Other artistes rounding out the lower half include Rod Wave, Gunna, Lil Durk, Kendrick Lamar (14th), Chris Brown (13th), Ariana Grande (12th), Travis Scott (11th), and Post Malone entering the top ten.
Kanye West claims ninth place on the list, followed by Morgan Wallen at eighth and Canadian singer The Weeknd at seventh. Atlanta-based rapper Lil Baby comes in sixth, reflecting his popularity in contemporary rap music. Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny ranks fifth—the highest for a Latin artiste—while YoungBoy Never Broke Again takes fourth spot as one of the most RIAA-certified rappers to date.
Future ranks third among all artistes, just ahead of Taylor Swift who is not only second overall but also one of only two women featured in the top twenty alongside Ariana Grande. Drake’s position at number one reflects over a decade of commercial dominance across multiple albums and chart-topping singles since Apple Music’s inception.
Industry stakeholders note that this ranking mirrors wider trends seen across global music platforms and signals continued American influence within digital streaming markets. While Apple Music has yet to release official stream counts for each artiste, experts suggest that the dominance of hip hop and pop genres corresponds with listening habits in major markets like North America and Europe since 2015. With streaming now central to music consumption worldwide—including Nigeria where Apple Music has seen growing adoption—these rankings are expected to inform both industry strategy and fan engagement going forward.
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