Entertainment
Tiktok Ban in New Zealand From Lawmakers’ Devices
New Zealand set to ban Chinese-owned social media app TikTok from lawmakers’ devices, officials told news media on Friday, becoming the latest Western nation to act on security fears about the platform.
According to Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero he said that TikTok will be banned on all devices with access to the parliamentary network.
The ban he said will start from March 31.
Gonzalez-Montero said the risks were “not acceptable in the current New Zealand Parliamentary environment”
This decision has been made based on our own experts’ analysis and following discussion with our colleagues across government and internationally,” he added.
New Zealand joins Canada, Britain and the United States in banning the popular app from government-issued devices amid cyber security concerns that data could be viewed by officials in Beijing.
The European Commission has also ordered that TikTok should be struck from their employees’ devices.
“This decision has been made based on our own experts’ analysis and following discussion with our colleagues across government and internationally,” he added.
New Zealand joins Canada, Britain and the United States in banning the popular app from government-issued devices amid cyber security concerns that data could be viewed by officials in Beijing.
The European Commission has also ordered TikTok struck from their employees’ devices.
Entertainment
Skitmaker Rejects INEC Youth Ambassador Job, Gives Reason
Nigerian skitmaker and satire content creator, Kevin Chinedu, popularly known as ‘Governor Amuneke’, has explained why he turned down an offer to serve as a youth ambassador for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a video shared on his X handle on Monday, Governor Amuneke said he was contacted for the role via social media and initially felt a deep sense of pride, describing the recognition as a major milestone in his journey.
“Reports came to me that I was going to be appointed as INEC Youth Ambassador. I have never felt as proud of myself when I got that message,” he said.
He noted that the opportunity meant even more to him because of his background and the struggles he endured before gaining visibility as a content creator.
“This is supposed to be a national honour. I do not know how to feel about it, but it brought me tears of joy when I thought about how far I have come,” he added.
Amuneke said he was informed that the role would place him alongside notable figures and involve engaging young Nigerians on civic responsibilities such as voter registration and participation in elections.
However, his excitement waned after he raised concerns about how the role might affect the nature of his content, which is largely built on political satire and criticism of governance.
“I asked a simple question. I said, ‘Am I going to still be able to criticise INEC if I’m appointed?’” he said.
According to him, the response he received indicated that while he could continue creating content and even promote civic awareness, he would not be allowed to directly criticise the electoral body.
“They told me they have seen the type of content I do. All of that can still go on. As a matter of fact, I can even preach about getting PVCs and all of that. However, I cannot criticise directly INEC,” he stated.
Amuneke explained that the restriction raised serious concerns, given that his work was rooted in holding institutions accountable and amplifying the voices of ordinary Nigerians.
“The moment I heard that, what seemed like congratulations disappeared. I wish it did not come with certain conditions to box my voice,” he said.
He stressed that accepting such a condition would contradict the core purpose of his platform, which he said is driven by real-life experiences and the struggles of citizens across Africa.
“My passion is rooted in so many things. First, tears of millions of Africans. Second, messages I get from different parts of Africa about governance. Thirdly, my background where I came from and what I have seen,” he said.
Amuneke added that the pressure to remain silent on certain issues would be worse than the challenges he currently faces as a critic.
“The pressure is worse when I am doing nothing. Those voices keep resounding, and that is what drives me,” he noted.
The comedian also used the moment to reflect on the responsibility that comes with influence, urging fellow content creators not to compromise their voices for recognition or financial gain.
“If you have a platform today and you do not compromise, always remember there are millions of people whose hope is on that voice. That voice is not just yours,” he said.
While declining the offer, he expressed appreciation to those who considered him for the role, describing it as meaningful recognition of his work.
“I want to thank the person who recommended me. I do not take these opportunities for granted. I am open to working with brands and institutions, but not under conditions that restrict my content,” he said.
The development came months after Governor Amuneke revealed that he had previously rejected financial inducements from political actors who allegedly attempted to influence his satirical content, reinforcing his stance on maintaining independence in his work
Entertainment
Fans Attack Tems For Declaring Self ‘Jesus Baby’
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has sparked controversy after declaring herself “a Jesus baby.”
The Crazy Tings crooner made the declaration while responding to a question about her zodiac sign in an interview with The People Gallery at the 2025 Fashion Awards.
“Oh, I’m a Jesus baby. My sign is love, peace and joy,” she said.
This earned Tems backlash after a clip of the interview went viral on social media, with critics chastising her for associating herself with Jesus despite being a secular artist.
Read some of the reactions on X below: xm_muva wrote: “She [Tems] makes worldly music and shakes her fine ass on stage to the entire world. Christians are hypocrites lol. Y’all think your religion is a buffet, bro. Be free, ah?”
Phena95 opined: “Jesus or Christianity is not an aesthetic; it’s not just about love, joy and peace. Repentance as well.”
Chocodilish wrote: “Add some personality to your music, this Jesus baby bllsht is killing your brand abeg.”
max_sticks said: “It’s funny when I see believers attacking her [Tems] for doing too much. Your identity is Christ and not one useless zodiac sign, please.”
Gigialwashere added: “I agree with her [Tems]. Grown past being a Gemini, now I identify as a Jesus baby.”
Entertainment
P-Square fraud trail: EFCC disowns Peter’s $800k claim against Jude
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday told a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja that it has no evidence to support the allegation that Jude and Paul Okoye of P-Square fraudulently withdrew $800,000, contrary to claims made by their brother, Peter Okoye.
Peter had in 2024 petitioned the EFCC accusing Jude of diverting the P-Square group funds, operating 47 undeclared bank accounts and manipulating the share structure of Northside Entertainment Ltd, a company jointly owned by them
The EFCC subsequently filed charges against Jude over alleged financial misconduct in the management of the P-Square brand.
During resumed cross-examination, EFCC counsel, M.K. Bashir, told Justice Rahman Oshodi that the commission could not present evidence for the alleged withdrawal.
When asked by the judge to substantiate Peter’s claim, Bashir said: “We do not have it. It is his evidence. Let him prove it. I can’t give what I don’t have.”
Peter had testified on May 23, 2025, that he obtained new evidence showing how Jude and Paul allegedly withdrew and shared more than $800,000 between March 2023 and October 2024.
But when defence counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN, confronted him with inconsistencies, he shifted his position, stating that the alleged withdrawal actually occurred between 2013 and 2014.
The defence further challenged Peter’s assertion that Jude operated 47 bank accounts.
Peter insisted the EFCC held the evidence, but Bashir denied the claim, saying: “I do not have 47 bank accounts. It is one of the witness’s claims, but I do not have such a copy.”
Onwuenwunor asked the court to order Peter and the EFCC to produce the alleged 47 accounts.
Justice Oshodi however rejected the request and ruled that the defence must apply formally since the documents were neither before the court nor part of the admitted evidence.
The defence also confronted Peter over his claim that Jude owned 80 per cent of Northside Entertainment.
Although Peter maintained he had proof, the defence tendered CAC records contradicting his assertion.
Peter was further questioned on his claim that he was unaware of the existence of Northside Music and that Jude signed artist Cynthia Morgan without his knowledge.
He said he only discovered the company in 2024 when Cynthia Morgan sent him her contract on Northside Entertainment letterhead, adding that while the contract was signed with Northside Music, her albums were credited to Northside Inc.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter to December 12, 2025, for continuation of trial.
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