The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, has officially declared that Ramadan will commence today. In a statement from his palace, Abubakar announced that the crescent moon was sighted on the evening of February 28, marking the 29th day of Shaban.

Encouraging all Muslims to devote this holy month to prayer, the Sultan emphasized the importance of seeking Allah’s blessings and guidance for the nation and its leaders. He confirmed that the reports of moon sightings from various regions of the country were thoroughly verified and accepted by the council, thus confirming the beginning of Ramadan 1446.

“We must promote acts of charity and emphasize the importance of supporting the less privileged so that they can also participate in the fasting period,” stated the Sultan.

President Bola Tinubu, in his address to Muslims, urged Nigerians to come together in prayer and action for the nation’s continuous growth and development, seeking Allah’s guidance and protection.

The President also encouraged Muslims to strengthen their relationship with Allah and with each other.

He emphasized, “Ramadan is a time for deep contemplation, renewed devotion to Allah, and acts of kindness and generosity towards humanity. It is a period of spiritual renewal, self-discipline, and empathy towards those in need. Let us utilize this time to strengthen our connections with Allah and one another, promoting unity and peace within our communities.”

The President expressed optimism that during this holy month, both words and actions would demonstrate a collective dedication to peace, unity, and progress.

Likewise, the President General of the Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society, Ayodeji AbdulRauf, called on Muslims to pray for an end to insecurity and suffering in the country.

He remarked, “We must not forget the millions of lives affected by conflict and hardship worldwide (in Ukraine, Syria, Palestine, Pakistan, and elsewhere) and in our own country, particularly in the northern region of Nigeria.

“Many Muslims may not have the privilege of observing Ramadan in their homes this year or celebrating Eid with their families. It is crucial that we continue to work together to alleviate the suffering of these individuals. This sacred period serves as a reminder of our shared responsibility to uphold the dignity of every human being.”

AbdulRauf highlighted that Ramadan presents an opportunity for introspection and spiritual growth, promoting forgiveness, patience, resilience, compassion for the less fortunate, and unity among communities.

Burna Boy, Bose Ogulu and Ayra Starr have been nominated for the 2025 Music Week Awards.

The event organisers announced the nominee list in a recently released statement. The statement said only projects between January 1 and December 31, 2024, were considered for nomination.

The Music Week Awards celebrate the contributions of industry professionals working behind the scenes, including record labels, music publishers, live events, A&R, radio, marketing, and PR.

Bose Ogulu, Burna Boy’s mum, was nominated in the ‘Manager of the Year’ category for her work and efforts in growing Spaceship Collective.

Burna Boy and Ayra Starr were also nominated in the ‘Music & Brand Partnership’ category.

Burna Boy earned a nomination for his campaign with G-Star and UTA, while Ayra Starr secured hers for her work with Saint Harison, Platoon, Honda, and Orci.

The event is scheduled to take place on May 8 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London.

Below is the list of nominees:

Music & Brand Partnership

• Black Sabbath x Adidas x Aston Villa FC x CAA – Kit Launch 2024/2025 Season
• Cat Burns x New Balance x Wasserman x OKQ Agency – European Ambassador Partnership
• Charli XCX x H&M x Warner Music – H&M Global Rebrand
• Coldplay x Warner Music x FC Barcelona x Spotify – Moon Music FC Barcelona Partnership
• Ezra Collective x Pale Waves x Maverick Sabre x Nova Twins x Metropolis Studios x Crack Magazine – Jack Daniel’s Presents Live To Vinyl
• Laufey x AWAL x Microsoft – Microsoft Live Performances
• Olivia Dean x DHL x Globe, Universal Music Group – From Rio With Love
• Ayra Starr x Saint Harison x Platoon x Honda x Orci – Honda Stage
• Raye x O2 x Live Nation x Wasserman – Priority Gig At O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
• Anne-Marie x Teddy Swims x Pepsi Co/Rockstar x Live Nation UK x Truant London – Summer Of Music
• Tom Grennan x Gillette x Various Artists Management x Sony/4th Floor Creative x Insanity – The Best A Man Can Get
• Burna Boy x G-Star x UTA – SS24 Global Campaign

Live Music Promoter (Company)

• AEG Presents UK
• Communion ONE
• DHP Family
• Kilimanjaro Live
• Live Nation
• Metropolis Music
• Music Plus Sport
• Senbla
• SJM Concerts
• TEG Live Europe

Manager Of The Year

• Alistair Goldsmith, Prof Jonathan Shalit OBE & Ade Shonubi – Chosen Music/FlyStr8
• Bose Ogulu – Spaceship Collective
• David Bianchi, Hannah Browne, Rebecca Dixon, Joseph Etchells, George Shepherd & Sheena Welch – Various Artists Management
• Neil Hughes & Charlotte Malecki – Tileyard Music
• Paul McDonald and Ryan Lofthouse – Closer Artists
• Peter Loraine, Adam Klein & Sarah Jackson – Fascination Management
• Sam Eldridge, Roy Eldridge and Kate Hardwick – UROK Management
• Sophie Kennard & Becci Abbott Black – Frame Artists
• Tony Beard & Liv Plunket – Tap Music
• Trenton Harrison-Lewis, Daniel Tuffin & Akosua Scantlebury – Ghetts
• Twiggy Rowley & Sam Pringle – Project Gold
• Wes Banton – D-Block Europe

A&R Award

• Atlantic
• Columbia
• Decca
• EGA Distro
• Island EMI Label Group
• Ministry Of Sound
• Polydor Label Group
• RCA
• Robots + Humans
• Sony Music Publishing
• Universal Music Publishing Group
• Warner Chappell Music UK
• Warner Records/Parlophone Label Group

Artist Marketing Campaign

• Aurora – Decca Records
• Blossoms – Odd SK/The Orchard
• Bring Me The Horizon – RCA
• Charli XCX – Atlantic
• Dua Lipa – Warner Records
• Kneecap – Heavenly Recordings / [PIAS]
• Nemzzz – ADA
• Nia Archives – Island EMI Label Group
• Nines – Zino Records / EGA Distro
• Rachel Chinouriri – Parlophone
• Robbie Williams – Columbia
• The Cure – Polydor Label Group

Catalogue Marketing Campaign

• Amy Winehouse – Universal Music Recordings
• Bananarama – London Records
• David Bowie – Rhino Records
• George Harrison – Dark Horse / BMG
• James Blunt – Atlantic
• Mason & Princess Superstar – Armada Music UK
• MF Doom – Rhymesayers/Secretly Distribution
• Natasha Bedingfield – Sony Music Commercial Group
• Oasis – Big Brother Recordings Ltd
• Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Universal Music Recordings/Polydor Label Group
• Suede – Demon Music Group
• Wham! – Sony Music Commercial Group

Festival Of The Year

• American Express Presents BST Hyde Park
• AVA Festival
• Bearded Theory
• Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
• Latitude Festival
• Liverpool Sound City
• Planet Rockstock
• BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend
• Reading & Leeds
• Wireless

Grassroots Venue: Spirit Of The Scene – public voted 

• Camden Assembly, London
• Little Buildings, Ouseburn, Newcastle
• The Leadmill, Sheffield
• The Bodega, Nottingham
• The Boileroom CIC, Guildford
• The Bunkhouse Music Venue, Swansea
• The Half Moon, Putney
• The Sugarmill, Stoke
• Tunbridge Wells Forum, Kent
• The Sound Lounge, Sutton

Independent Publisher Of The Year

• Beggars Music
• Concord Music Publishing
• Defected Music
• Dirty Hit
• Downtown Music Publishing
• Phrased Differently
• Reservoir
• Sentric
• Stellar Songs/Tim & Danny Music
• Tileyard Music Publishing
• Ultra Music Publishing
• Young Songs

Independent Record Company

• Communion Records
• Concord Label Group
• Defected Records
• Dirty Hit
• EGA Distro
• EMPIRE
• Heavenly Recordings
• Modern Sky UK
• NQ Records
• Partisan Records
• The Other Songs Group
• XL Recordings

International Marketing Team Of The Year

• [PIAS]
• Partisan Records
• Sony Music
• The Orchard
• Universal Music UK
• Warner Music UK

Label / Artist Services Company

• [Integral] UK
• Absolute Label Services
• ADA
• AWAL
• Believe
• Cooking Vinyl Limited
• EGA Distro
• FUGA
• Secretly Distribution
• SoundOn/TikTok
• The Orchard
• Virgin Music Group

Live Music Agency

• ATC Live
• CAA
• Earth Agency
• Mother Artists
• Primary Talent International
• Pure Represents
• UTA
• WME

Music Consumer Innovation

• Apple Music – Manchester In Focus
• Bring Me The Horizon x RCA x 4th Floor Creative – Post Human: Nex Gen NFC Card
• J Hus x 4th Floor Creative/Sony Music UK x Picnic Studios x P4SD – Alien Girl Interactive Video & Tokenised Engagement
• Meta x BRIT Awards – BRIT Awards 2024 Digital-first Partnership
• Music Glue – Ticket Access Pass
• Saarey Music – Saarey Music App
• Serenade x Whynow x Rise Records – Sum 41 x Rock Sound Collaboration
• TikTok – Add To Music App
• Universal Music UK x Yoto – Yoto Cards
• Vodafone x Glastonbury – The Official Glastonbury App

PR Campaign

• Beabadoobee – Inside Out
• Central Cee – Wired PR
• Charli XCX – Huxley
• Dua Lipa – DawBell
• English Teacher – Super Cat PR
• Ezra Collective – August Agency
• Idles – MoKho PR
• Jade – Simon Jones PR
• Nia Archives – 9T9T
• Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – The Outside Organisation
• Oasis – DawBell/Fear PR
• Rachel Chinouriri – Chalk Press Agency

Promotions Team Of The Year

• Atlantic
• Brace Yourself PR
• Columbia
• Got Your Back
• Listen Up
• Plugged In
• RCA
• Virgin Music Group
• Warner Records & Parlophone Label Group
• Your Army Ltd

Publisher Of The Year

• BMG UK
• Kobalt Music
• Sony Music Publishing
• Universal Music Publishing Group
• Warner Chappell Music UK

Radio Show 

• Jordan North, Chris Stark & Siân Welby – Capital Breakfast, Capital
• Elton John – Rocket Hour, Apple Music 1
• Romesh Ranganathan – For The Love Of Hip Hop, BBC Radio 2/Sounds
• Jamz Supernova – BBC Radio 6 Music
• Jo Whiley – BBC Radio 2
• Jack Saunders – New Music Show, BBC Radio 1
• Remi Burgz – BBC Radio 1Xtra
• Rickie, Melvin and Charlie – BBC Radio 1
• Steve Lamacq – BBC Radio 6 Music
• Dotty – The Dotty Show, Apple Music 1
• Ace – The KISS R&B Show, KISS
• Jasmine Takhar – The Official British Asian Music Chart, BBC Asian Network

Radio Station

• BBC Asian Network
• BBC Radio 1
• BBC Radio 2
• BBC Radio 3
• BBC Radio 6 Music
• Capital Dance
• Capital Xtra
• Heart
• Hits Radio
• Kerrang! Radio
• KISS
• Radio X

Record Company

• Atlantic
• Columbia
• Decca
• Island EMI Label Group
• Ministry Of Sound
• Polydor Label Group
• RCA
• Relentless
• Robots + Humans
• Warner Records Parlophone Label Group

Sales Team Of The Year

• Believe UK
• [Integral] UK
• Lasgo Worldwide Media
• Proper Music Group
• Sony Music UK
• The Orchard
• Universal
• Virgin Music Group

Sync Team Of The Year

• Beggars Group
• Believe UK
• BMG
• Concord Music Publishing
• Kobalt Music Publishing
• Sentric
• Sony Music Entertainment
• Sony Music Publishing
• Universal Music Group, Globe
• Universal Music Publishing Group
• Warner Chappell Music UK
• Warner Music

Ticketing Company of the Year

• AXS Europe
• Dice
• Gigantic Tickets
• Music Glue
• Ticketek UK
• Ticketmaster
• Tixel
• Twickets Limited

In a joyous and spirit-filled ceremony, Senator OGD and renowned cleric, Mama Esther Ajayi,with other distinguished guests at the Asoludero Hall in Sagamu, Ogun State, to commemorate the New Year Thanksgiving Reception for 2025.

This annual tradition, a hallmark of Senator OGD’s unwavering faith and commitment to his community, brought together OGD Apostles, followers, and well-wishers to dedicate the new year to God Almighty. The event was a testimony to the power of faith, unity, and community, as attendees joined in prayers, songs, and praises to celebrate the dawn of a new year.

Senator OGD, in his remarks, expressed heartfelt gratitude to God for His mercy, guidance, and protection over his family, OGD Apostles, and followers. He reaffirmed his commitment to serving his community and upholding the values of faith, hope, and charity.