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AFRIMA partners YouTube for 8th edition

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The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has partnered with YouTube for its eight edition in Dakar, Senegal.

The organisers of the awards announced the partnership in a statement sent to newsmen on Wednesday.

The eight edition of the annual awards is scheduled to hold from January 12 to 15 in 2023.

The statement said with the partnership, YouTube will help in providing visibility, artist-focused educational sessions and live streaming support for the awards.

It added that the streaming service will also be partnering with AFRIMA on a special incubator programme tagged ‘AFRIMA Creative Academy’, which aims to empower one million Africans (and in diaspora) in the music and creative industry in the next five years.

Angela Martins, the head of culture division at the African Union Commission (AUC), said the partnership is a welcome development.

“It is important that we spread our efforts to promote inclusivity and ensure that the world can see the impact of AFRIMA at the global centre stage. It is easier for people to now follow up with the award ceremony via their smartphone or other devices,” Martins said.

“It is also vital we continue to create more education for creators to help them thrive in their crafts, and we are happy to align with YouTube on achieving this shared vision.”

On his part, Mike Dada, AFRIMA’s president and executive producer, said “in the spirit of uplifting the African creative ecosystem, we are excited to work with a driven and innovative team like YouTube”.

Also speaking, Addy Awofisayo, YouTube’s head of music in Sub-Saharan Africa, said: “YouTube has been consistent in its support for Africa creatives over the years and has played an essential role in the discovery and development of African music & culture and exporting it to audiences and listeners worldwide, enabling collaborations both locally and globally.

“We are excited for our partnership with AFRIMA and the African Union to deepen our relationship with the music stakeholders on the continent, provide educational support for African creatives, and to help music fans be a part of some of the most iconic music moments as they unfold live on YouTube, wherever they are around the globe.”

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Rapper NBA YoungBoy pleads guilty in drug fraud case

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NBA YoungBoy, the US rapper, has pleaded guilty to charges connected to a prescription drug fraud scheme.

The Louisiana rapper appeared in a courtroom in Logan, Utah on Monday, where he admitted to two counts of third-degree felony identity fraud, two counts of third-degree felony forgery, and six counts of misdemeanor unlawful pharmacy conduct.

YoungBoy, who is still serving 27 months on federal charges, also entered a “no contest” plea for 36 additional charges. He initially faced 46 state charges.

The plea deal reduced the felony charges to Class A misdemeanors.

Spencer Walsh, the judge, suspended a prison sentence, instead imposing a $25,000 fine.

The judge acknowledged YoungBoy’s prior agreement to serve over two years in prison and five years of probation for a related federal case resolved in September.

Authorities revealed that YoungBoy orchestrated the scheme from his home in Huntsville, Utah, where he posed as a doctor, using stolen identities to call in fraudulent prescriptions.

His associates allegedly collected the drugs from area pharmacies.

During sentencing, Walsh offered words of encouragement for the 25-year-old artiste.

“I’m sure that in your future, once you’re done with your federal prison time, you can be really successful on federal probation and have a really bright future where you can reach your full potential in every aspect of your life,” he said.

YoungBoy, known for his 2018 debut studio album ‘Until Death Call My Name’ and projects like ‘AI YoungBoy 2’ (2019) and ‘Sincerely, Kentrell’ (2021), is also facing an unresolved federal gun case in Louisiana.

The rapper, born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, recently announced plans to release his new album, ‘I Just Got a Lot on My Shoulders’, on December 6.

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Nancy Umeh welcomes third child via surrogacy after secondary infertility battle

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Nancy Umeh, the Nigerian chef and public health scientist, and her husband have welcomed their third child via surrogacy.

Surrogacy is when a woman carries and delivers a child for a couple or individual. This is done by fertilizing eggs from the surrogate or an egg donor with sperm from a donor to create an embryo.

In an Instagram post, Umeh shared a video capturing the process of childbirth. She said she opted for surrogacy because she battled “secondary infertility” for seven years after the birth of her last child.

Secondary infertility is the inability to conceive or carry a baby after previously giving birth without any assistance or trouble.

Umeh expressed her excitement while appreciating her surrogacy agency for the support. She also thanked the surrogate who she described as “an angel”.

“Our princess is here. Talia Tobechukwu Umeh,” she wrote.

“Too stunned to speak right now. I can’t believe we are parents again. Our last son is 8 years old and we have tried for 7 whole years.

“An angel carried our child for us. An angel sent from God through Meet Surrogate Mothers. I can’t believe we are holding our child.”

In an accompanying caption, she wrote: “Somebody pinch me. 7 years later. God bless you indeed Meet surrogate mothers. #parents again #secondary surrogate”.

The chef tied the knot with her husband in 2015. They now have three children.

Umeh is the older sister of popular Nigerian dancer Korra Obidi.

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‘It hurts’ — Don Jazzy laments not having partner

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Michael Ajereh, the Nigerian music executive better known as Don Jazzy, has lamented his relationship status.

In an Instagram post on Monday, the founder of Mavin Records expressed his desire to participate in a trend ‘suspect challenge’.

The ‘suspect challenge’ is a new social media trend in which couples take turns to playfully tease each other.

The 41-year-old entrepreneur said he would like to join the trend but has no partner.

“Suspect wants to do suspect challenge but no suspect partner,” he wrote. In the accompanying caption, the music executive lamented that “it hurts”.

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