The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Southwest Zone, on Friday, appealed to the Federal Government to reverse its decision on the invalidation of degrees from Benin Republic and Togo, saying the action affects over 22,000 Nigerian students.

The Southwest Coordinator, John Alao, the Zonal Secretary General, Sanni Sulaimon Olamide, and Zonal Public Relations Officer, Peter Oluwadamilola Bamigboye, in a statement, said the student body was distressed to note that thousands of graduates who invested heavily in their education abroad have been rendered uncertain about their future.

“In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, who has declared that no Nigerian student will be forced to drop out of school, it is distressing to note that thousands of graduates who invested heavily in their education abroad have been rendered uncertain about their future.

“This decision not only undermines their academic achievements but also places them in a precarious position, potentially exposing them to anti-government elements eager to exploit their frustration.

“We acknowledge the government’s concern over the rise of substandard educational institutions and the need to curb academic racketeering.

“However, the outright ban on degrees from Benin Republic and Togo without due diligence, particularly when these certificates were once validated, is both unfair and discriminatory.

“We urge the government to reconsider this decision, as it risks driving talented young Nigerians into the arms of unrest, insurrections, and anti-government activities.

“Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in the world, with over 70 per cent of our population under the age of 30.

“Many of these young people are struggling in a harsh economic environment, seeking any opportunity for education and betterment.

“By invalidating their degrees and leaving them without recourse, we risk deepening youth unemployment, crime, and insecurity in the country.”

They appealed to the government to do the right thing and protect the future of Nigerian students.

They said: “It is our belief that the government should implement a more targeted approach in addressing the concerns of academic fraud.

“Rather than a blanket ban, the authorities should review each institution on a case-by-case basis, collaborating with regional educational bodies to ensure standards are met.

“The government must also engage in dialogue with affected students, providing alternatives and solutions to mitigate the impact of this decision.

“We appeal for the Federal Government’s intervention to ensure that the rights and future of Nigerian students are protected.

“Let us not allow isolated cases to cast a shadow on the legitimate efforts of thousands of Nigerian students. We trust in the government’s wisdom to make a fair, just, and practical decision that will ensure peace and progress in our nation.”

Nigerian music sensation, Harrysong, has publicly addressed speculation surrounding his sexuality, following a recent encounter with a gay admirer on social media.

During an interactive session with his fans on Instagram, an anonymous individual expressed admiration for the singer, sparking a conversation about his sexual orientation.In a clear and concise response, Harrysong clarified that he identifies as straight, stating,

“I’m not gay. I am very straight.

” However, the ‘Reggae Blues’ crooner also took the opportunity to emphasize his acceptance and non-discriminatory stance towards individuals from the LGBTQ+ community.

“But I don’t discriminate,” he added, conveying a message of inclusivity and respect for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation.

By doing so, Harrysong has demonstrated his commitment to promoting a culture of acceptance and understanding, while also setting the record straight about his own personal life.

The singer’s response has been met with praise from fans and supporters, who appreciate his candor and openness on the matter.

As a prominent figure in the Nigerian music industry, Harrysong’s words carry significant weight, and his message of acceptance is likely to resonate with a wide audience.

By addressing the issue in a straightforward and respectful manner, Harrysong has helped to promote a more inclusive and tolerant environment, where individuals can feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of judgment or discrimination.

His response serves as a reminder that everyone deserves respect and dignity, regardless of their sexual orientation or identity.

Grammy-winning Nigerian R&B sensation, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has expressed her openness to the idea of marriage, setting herself apart from many celebrities who have publicly dismissed the notion.

During a recent appearance on the “Shopping The Sneakers” podcast, Tems was asked about her future plans regarding marriage, to which she responded with a hopeful “Yeah, we’ll see.

“The 29-year-old singer’s candid response suggests that she is leaving room for the possibility of marriage in her future.

Notably, Tems is not publicly linked to anyone romantically, having previously debunked rumors of a pregnancy with American rapper Future.

In a past interview with YouTuber Korty EO, Tems shared her perspective on relationships, stating that many men lack a genuine agenda beyond physical intimacy.

Despite this, Tems remains open to the idea of marriage, leaving fans and followers eagerly anticipating what the future holds for the talented artist.

The crowning of Chidimma Adetshina as Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 has led to another heated digital conversation between South Africa and Nigeria.

Chidimma, who was born to a Nigerian father in South Africa, withdrew from the Miss South Africa competition due to backlash over her nationality.

Her Nigerian heritage attracted vicious xenophobic attacks and sparked controversy when she was announced as a Miss South Africa finalist in July, while the government said it was investigating a claim that her mother may have stolen the identity of a South African woman.

Despite not being in the country in 20 years, organisers of the Nigerian contest invited her to join their final, saying it was a chance for her to “represent your father’s native land on an international stage.”

The former Miss South Africa contestant was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria on Saturday. After her win, Chidimma stated, “This journey has been a tough journey for me and I am so proud of myself and I’m really grateful for the love and the support.”

However, many South Africans have taken to social media to express their discontent, with some calling Nigeria “lawless” and accusing the country of being a “fraud.”

Others accused Nigeria of “robbing other girls” and “cooking” the competition and some questioned the legitimacy of Chidimma’s Nigerian citizenship and claimed that she was only crowned to spite South Africa.

https://x.com/Gats_Jr/status/1830135695899234767 says “A lawless country like that one makes me laugh 😂 to crown a fraud”

https://x.com/_LeratoMabuzaM/status/1830136693329981847 says “Nigeria 🇳🇬 is lawless, what more can you expect from them”

https://x.com/elizabethmokoe4/status/1830136053761524175 says “It is a fact that Nigeria robbed other girls just to prove a point to SA that Chidima can be Miss Nigeria if they want to.”

https://x.com/OzalwauMaMnguni/status/1830139888181620984 says “Obviously it was cooked. First of all, they called her into the contest out of spite to SAns, without her auditioning. Obviously, they had to give her the title. I wonder how the other contestants are feeling about her reign!”

https://x.com/PresentMckennz1/status/1830147927882203338 says “Just waiting for Miss Universe organisers to have a say on this matter. I don’t see her taking part in Mexico because she is under investigation for identity fraud in SA, then boom got her papers sorted to be a Nigerian citizen, and boom she is now crowned. Lots of loopholes here.”

https://x.com/SocietyNews/status/1830146771772670157 says “Congratulations to Miss #ChidimmaAdetshina on winning the much coveted Miss Universe Nigeria. I hope she was not used as a Trojan horse to prove a point at the expense of other contestants, as many suspected. But I knew she would win. Don’t ask me how.”

Meanwhile, some South Africans have rallied behind Ufa Dania, a contestant representing Kwara State who did not win.

During the Chidimma controversy, Dania received an outpouring of support from South Africans online, with many voting for her. Some South Africans, who expected Dania to win, expressed sympathy for her, calling her the “true queen” and saying she would get bigger things than that crown.

“All eyes were on Nigeria; they had a chance to make history and change stereotypes, but as usual, they disappointed us Miss Kwara you will always be our Queen #MissUniverseNigeria.” wrote one X user.

Another user said “To all my Southy 🇿🇦 who voted for Miss Kwara Here is a reminder that you didn’t make a mistake. 🥺🤍 SADC we did it 😭 This is the year of Inclusivity 🤞🏽”

” Dear Miss Kwara, This pageant was just a stepping stone, not the ultimate destination. You will get bigger things than that crown. Your destiny is international, not local. See you on the global stage.👑”

Nigerians, on the other hand, were divided. While some celebrated Chidimma’s win and her resilience, others also questioned her deep connection to Nigeria.

https://x.com/LawrenceOkoroPG/status/1830148629841002651 says “Congratulations, Queen Chidimma Adetshina, Miss Universe Nigeria 2024. I feel very sorry for those girls who have worked very hard preparing for this contest only to be rigging for clout. The organisers need the clout; Chidimma needs the crown; it’s a win for both parties.”

https://x.com/Night_OwlQueen/status/1830136525624852922 says “Chidinma Adetshina??? Which part of Nigeria is she from???? Adetshina is name, what state exactly?????”

https://x.com/LopezIyke_/status/1830136125937140142 says, “Let’s imagine what could have happened to Chidinma Vanessa Adetshina if she didn’t win Miss Universe. The South Africans would have killed her with their negative abuses since yesterday. Now let’s imagine that she wins Miss Universe (World). They will cry blood.”

A former Miss South Africa contestant hounded over a nationality row was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria on Saturday, capping a difficult few weeks for the beauty queen.

Born to a Nigerian father in South Africa, 23-year-old Chidimma Adetshina withdrew from the country’s competition “for the safety and wellbeing of my family and I” after a backlash that exposed anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa.

“This journey has been a tough journey for me and I am so proud of myself and I’m really grateful for the love and the support,” Adetshina told AFP minutes after being crowned in Nigeria’s commercial capital of Lagos.

“This is something that I’ve always wanted, and I’m really glad that I have a second shot as well at achieving it,” Adetshina said.

Her Nigerian heritage attracted vicious xenophobic attacks and sparked controversy when she was announced as a Miss South Africa finalist in July, while the government said it was investigating a claim that her mother may have stolen the identity of a South African woman.

Despite not being in the country in 20 years, organisers of the Nigerian contest invited her to join their final, saying it was a chance for her to “represent your father’s native land on an international stage”.

“We all need to stop with the xenophobia… with the tribalism,” first runner-up Paula Ezendu told AFP.

“We’re all one family. We’re all human beings,” she added.

The nationality controversy notwithstanding, Adetshina insisted she loved South Africa and was grateful for the support from the country.

She will represent Nigeria at the international Miss Universe competition in November.

“I know we are going to win,” she told reporters.

Popular Nigerian musician, Habeeb Okikiola, better known as Portable, has claimed that he has secured a 10-year Canada work visa.

Portable made the claim in a video posted on Instagram on Friday.

Showing off the visa he had received, Portable said that he can now perform his shows in Canada.

“Alhamdulilahi 🙏 CEO DR ZEHNATION Going to Canada 🇨🇦 Going and coming 10 years working permit,” he captioned the video.

However, findings by The Guardian show that it is possible what Portable got is a multiple entry visa.

Canadian work permits are typically valid for a period of 1-2 years, with some exceptions. A visa officer will usually not issue a work permit for longer than the validity of an applicant’s passport or past the validity indicated on the applicant’s Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

According to ircc.canada.ca, while valid, a multiple entry visa will let you travel to Canada for six months at a time as many times as you want. It will be valid for up to 10 years or one month before your passport expires, whichever is shorter. You must arrive in Canada on or before the expiry date on your visa.

Portable became famous after contributing to the song, ‘ZaZoo Zehh,’ which featured Nigerian rapper Olamide and famous dancer Poco Lee.

During his early stage of fame, he became popular for always calling out his business partners on social media, accusing them of defrauding him on business deals.

In April 2023, Portable was arrested by the police in Ogun State and arraigned on five counts bordering on alleged assault and stealing at the Ifo Magistrate Court.

He was remanded at the Ilaro Correctional Centre thereafter but released after meeting his bail conditions.

In May 2024, Portable was again arrested by the police for refusing to pay the balance of a G-Wagon vehicle he purchased from a car dealer.

He was reported to have purchased the vehicle worth ₦27 million but paid only ₦13 million.

In a viral video, Portable was seen to have scaled a gate after policemen approached him with an arrest warrant to follow them but refused, which led to him being handcuffed and taken into a waiting vehicle.