Broadcasting
Rap Sensation, Ikechukwu Stars as Nigerian Idol Judge
Nigerian rap sensation, Ikechukwu real name ‘Ikechukwu Onunaku’ was at the weekend a guest judge in the on-going season five of the Nigerian Idol TV Reality Show for the second time ever, where he joined celebrity judges, Dede Mabiaku, Yinka Davies and Darey ‘Art’ Alade to oversee proceedings during the top 4 show.
The tall, dark-skinned rapper who is famous for the hit single, ‘My Name is Ikechukwu’, was an instant hit with the audience who had given him a rapturous welcome following his introduction by Show anchor, Illryhmz.
He later took a break from his judging assignment to entertain the audience with a performance of his latest work ‘Ololo’ featuring Olamide and which recently shot video is enjoying mass viewership.
Ikechukwu showed his understanding of music genre as he was seen time and again critiquing performances by each of the four contestants.
Meanwhile, the fight to stay and contend for the N7.5 million cash prize in the on-going season five of the Nigerian Idol TV Reality Show continued at the weekend with some rounds of musical performances by the four remaining contestants.
The contestants competing for the top prize include the quartet of K-Peace, Preye, Dolu and Nex2.
They had scaled through the last eviction hurdle which claimed Classic Tunez, who had a rather disenchanting and forgettable performance the previous week.
In what appeared like a repeat of last week’s template, the contestants were scheduled on a run of two solo performances from each, and also two duets centred around the themes Social change and Love.
And on a night that expectedly had promised much, only Dolu showed up with such an overwhelmingly convincing performance to the delight of the audience and judges.
The 25 years old from Ondo was a refreshing reminder of Whitney Houston in her prime as she performed the late diva’s hit song, I Will Always Love You.
She had raised the bar for herself in the first round of performances and subsequently salvaged a night filled with inconsistent performances from the other contestants when she rendered Sam Cooke’s A change is gonna Come.
Celebrity Guest Judge, Ikechukwu could not hide his admiration for her performances as he singled her out as the leading light on the night.
And speaking about this while commenting on her rendition of Sam Cooke’s A change is Gonna Come, the rapper confessed to being brought to tears.
“Before you started the song, I had whispered to the judges here that I would like to see if you would do enough with the song to bring out tears from my eyes. And girl, you did that. I can take off my glasses for anyone to see that it is true.
“The performances tonight were great, but someone stood out more than the others. Dolu was just above the others tonight. She is the complete Nigerian Idol we are looking for, this is how I feel. I hope she carries it across with votes,” said Ikechukwu.
Ikechukwu also offered some advice to the contestants, urging them to scale-up on their performances.
He said, “They have to up their game, and to buttress this a bit more, they should relax too because the only way they can up their game is to be able to naturally embody what they are trying to do. It is not just to come and sing.”
Nigerian Idol season 5 is sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria, Payporte, Cool Fm, Tantalizers, Cadbury Nigeria, Zaron, Dabur Toothpaste, So-Klin, ORS and Ellis Suites.
Netflix has increased its subscription fees in Nigeria for the third time since 2024, with the Premium Plan rising by 21.43%, from ₦7,000 to ₦8,500 per month.
This marks the streaming platform’s first price adjustment in 2025.
Other subscription tiers have also been affected.
The Standard Plan now costs ₦6,500, up from ₦5,500—a hike of 18.18%.
The Basic Plan has increased from ₦3,500 to ₦4,000, while the Mobile Plan moved from ₦2,200 to ₦2,500, reflecting increases of 14.29% and 13.64% respectively.
The latest adjustment aligns with Netflix’s broader global pricing strategy, which the company has linked to its ongoing investment in content and platform development. In a previous communication to investors, Netflix stated, “As we invest in and improve Netflix, we’ll occasionally ask our members to pay a little extra to reflect those improvements. Which in turn helps drive the positive flywheel of additional investment to further improve and grow our service.”
While the company did not explicitly cite inflation in its most recent update, its website indicates that local economic factors influence its pricing structure.
“Price changes are made to respond to local market changes, such as changes to local taxes or inflation,” the statement read.
The move mirrors similar pricing shifts among other major digital and entertainment services in Nigeria.
Companies including Google, DSTV, GOtv, and Microsoft have also raised subscription rates, attributing their decisions to continued inflationary pressures and a weakening naira.
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) have jointly introduced “The Big Picture’, a flagship initiative under Nigeria’s renewed Digital Switchover (DSO) project.
Under the project, Nigerian households will for the first time, gain access to high-quality digital broadcasts via affordable satellite dishes, hybrid devices, and internet-enabled set-top boxes.
Backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda, this strategic shift marks a significant step toward transforming Nigeria’s broadcasting landscape by leveraging the country’s sovereign satellite infrastructure.
At the heart of the initiative is NigComSat-1R, Nigeria’s only communications satellite in orbit, which will play a critical role in delivering Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcasts across the entire Nigerian territory.
This satellite-first approach eliminates the traditional dependence on terrestrial transmission towers, accelerating the nationwide rollout of digital broadcasting by over 65%.
It also offers a scalable, cost-effective, and future-ready model for expanding digital access and promoting national storytelling.
Key figures, including: Charles Ebuebu, director-general, NBC; and Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, managing director, Nigcomsat, have welcomed this forward-thinking strategy, emphasising its importance in maximising the use of national satellite assets and ensuring inclusive access to digital content.
An estimated 10 million homes equipped with DVB-S2-compatible televisions or decoders will have immediate access to free-to-air channels, while others will benefit from next-generation hybrid devices that combine satellite feeds with online streaming capabilities.
These new branded devices are designed with the country’s youth-dominated demographic in mind over 60% of the population is under the age of 25.
They will feature pre-installed apps, voice search functionality, parental controls, and seamless integration with NigComSat’s Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), offering an intuitive and engaging user experience.
In a data-driven upgrade to Nigeria’s broadcasting ecosystem, NBC is also partnering with global analytics firm GARB to introduce real-time audience measurement technology.
This will enable broadcasters, advertisers and content creators to analyse viewership trends across regions and devices, helping to tailor content more effectively and drive higher audience engagement. The introduction of this system is expected to boost advertising revenue by as much as 300% by 2026.
The success of “The Big Picture” will rely on robust collaboration between public and private stakeholders.
The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and other content partners are expected to supply 60% of programming for the new 120-channel platform, using both original and repurposed content.
Meanwhile, local manufacturers will contribute by producing around 5 million compliant devices annually, a move projected to create over 20,000 jobs in assembly plants nationwide.
As part of its commitment to promoting a healthier and more resilient banking workforce, the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) is organizing a special Aerobics Fitness Session on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at the Lagoon Front of the Eko Atlantic City.
The session is open to all bankers and marketing communication professionals within the industry and will feature a lineup of fun and energizing activities aimed at boosting physical and mental wellbeing.
With stress levels and burnout on the rise in high-pressure sectors like banking, ACAMB is taking, as it has done over the years, proactive steps to encourage lifestyle habits that support overall wellness and productivity.
Participants will begin the morning with a body warm-up and short walk to get their energy flowing, followed by an exciting dance aerobics session designed to elevate heart rates and lift spirits.
The day will continue with interactive fitness games that promote movement and team bonding, and will wrap up with a friendly but motivating fitness challenge to inspire healthy competition and personal bests.
“Bankers are vital to the financial ecosystem, and their wellness must be a priority,” said Rasheed Bolarinwa, President of ACAMB.
“This aerobics session is a powerful way to foster a culture of health, team bonding, and preventive care. It reflects our belief as ExCO that a strong mind and body, are essential for long-term professional excellence.”
The session is expected to kick off early in the morning to take advantage of the fresh morning air, allowing participants to start their weekend with energy, movement, and connection. It also presents an opportunity to unwind and build camaraderie amongst colleagues outside the traditional office setting.
This initiative is one of several wellness-focused programms ACAMB is rolling out to reinforce the importance of employee wellbeing in corporate and marketing communication and the broader banking ecosystem.
The Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) is the recognized professional association for marketing communications and public affairs executives in Nigeria’s banking industry.
ACAMB drives ethical communication standards, promotes internal and external stakeholder engagement, and supports member banks in advancing reputation, trust, employee growth and wellbeing.
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