- Lagos, Ogun and Oyo declare Thursday work-free for Isese Day
- YouTube is offering millions to keep top creators from Netflix
- Nigeria demands action as Xenophobic attacks on Africans continue in South Africa
- MsJorji accuses Poco Lee of attempted assault in Dallas
- Christian band ‘Demon Hunter’ sues Netflix over K-Pop Demon Hunters’ name
Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the top five Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss.
Lagos, Ogun and Oyo declare Thursday work-free for Isese Day
Lagos, Ogun and Oyo governments have declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day to mark this year’s Isese Day. The states described the celebration as an important expression of Yoruba culture, traditional religion and indigenous heritage.
The holiday will allow public servants and residents to join traditional worshippers for prayers, rituals, processions and other cultural activities. Lagos expects more than three million people to participate in the celebration.
Lagos Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Idris Aregbe, said Isese should not be seen as merely a holiday. He described it as a living expression of Yoruba spirituality, noting that Yoruba traditions remain preserved in countries including Cuba, Brazil and the Caribbean.
YouTube is offering millions to keep top creators from Netflix
YouTube is reportedly offering selected creators millions of dollars to keep their videos exclusively on the platform as it battles Netflix for top online talent. The move comes as Netflix increases efforts to secure content from popular creators.
According to Bloomberg and Business Insider, YouTube has started exclusivity talks with a small number of creators, with one reportedly offered millions for a fixed period of exclusive content. However, no deals have been finalised.
Netflix has been licensing content from creators including Ms. Rachel and Salish Matter, with some videos appearing on both platforms. The streaming giant has also expanded into video podcasts, increasing competition with YouTube.
Nigeria demands action as Xenophobic attacks on Africans continue in South Africa
Nigeria has urged South Africa to take urgent steps to end xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting African nationals. The Federal Government also called for stronger migration policies, responsible leadership, and closer relations between African countries.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sola Enikanolaiye made the call during a virtual roundtable organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. He said Nigeria viewed the situation seriously and that “Afrophobia” better described the attacks.
Enikanolaiye also highlighted the irony of Africans who supported South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle now being treated as unwanted outsiders. He said the Foreign Affairs Ministry had asked the NIIA to document Nigeria’s contribution to South Africa’s liberation.
MsJorji accuses Poco Lee of attempted assault in Dallas
US-based Nigerian musician MsJorji has accused dancer and socialite Poco Lee of attempting to assault her and a friend during a visit to his apartment in Dallas, Texas, in 2024. She made the allegation on Instagram following reports of his alleged arrest in the UK over a sexual assault claim.
MsJorji said Poco Lee made unwanted advances despite knowing she was married and that she slapped his hand away. She further alleged that he tried to pull her friend into a room, leading both women to fight back before leaving the apartment.
The musician said they did not report the incident at the time because they believed they lacked enough evidence. She also claimed she later confronted Poco Lee at a concert and warned him against repeating the alleged behaviour.
Christian band ‘Demon Hunter’ sues Netflix over K-Pop Demon Hunters’ name
Christian metal band Demon Hunter is suing Netflix over its hit film KPop Demon Hunters, accusing the streaming giant of trademark infringement and unfair competition. The lawsuit also names concert promoter AEG Presents.
The band claims the film’s success has caused confusion among fans, including one person who reportedly spent $500 on concert tickets believing they were for a KPop Demon Hunters show. Other alleged mix-ups involve social media users and a television producer.
Demon Hunter’s company, Hyde Lane, is asking the court to stop Netflix from using the name for music, live performances and merchandise. The band is also seeking unspecified damages. It registered “Demon Hunter” as a trademark for recorded music and merchandise in 2022.
