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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Morning recap: Obasanjo calls Atiku biggest mistake, S. Africa denies visa rejection claims, Portable loses rematch

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo called his 1999 decision to select Atiku Abubakar as his running mate his biggest mistake.
  • The South African government denied claims that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr was denied a visa, while Tyla canceled a Lagos concert.
  • Musician Portable lost his celebrity boxing rematch against actor Charles Okocha by disqualification.

In Nigerian political news, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has publicly stated that choosing Atiku Abubakar as his vice-presidential running mate in the 1999 election was the "biggest mistake" of his presidency. Obasanjo made the remarks during a recent event in Lagos, suggesting that his understanding of Abubakar at the time would have led him to make a different choice.

Meanwhile, in entertainment and diplomatic news, the South African government has refuted claims that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr and her team were denied visas to enter the country. The South African Consul-General to Nigeria stated that immigration authorities have no record of such an application or rejection. Amidst these visa claims, South African artist Tyla has removed a scheduled December concert in Lagos from her world tour, though the reason cited is not directly linked to the visa issue.

You’re my biggest mistake

— Olusegun ObasanjoFormer President Olusegun Obasanjo described his choice of Atiku Abubakar as his running mate in 1999.

In the realm of celebrity sports, street-pop singer Portable has lost his boxing rematch against Nollywood actor Charles Okocha. The disqualification occurred after Portable walked out of the ring during the first round of their bout, which took place in Lagos.

Ayra Starr and her team were denied visas, saying immigration authorities have no record of any application or rejection.

— Prof Bobby MoroeThe South African Consul-General to Nigeria denied claims of visa denials for Nigerian singer Ayra Starr.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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