Entertainment
I am so mad and angry – Peter Okoye
Nigerian musician of P-Square fame has shared how unhappy he is, to say the least, following a publication that captured how Nigerian military troops allegedly shot dead dozens of defenseless citizens in Ogbaru, Anambra.
According to a publication by SaharaReporters, troops of the Nigerian military comprising the Navy and the Army on June 28 and 29 reportedly killed dozens of innocent citizens in the productive age bracket in Ogbaru communities of Anambra State.
Reacting to the development in a tweet, the livid musician said, “I am so mad and angry! This is unacceptable!… We must get it right come 2023. Get your PVCs.”
Below is the full report as published by saharareporters.com:
Troops of the Nigerian military comprising the Navy and the Army have reportedly killed dozens of innocent citizens in the productive age bracket in Ogbaru communities of Anambra State.
SaharaReporters was told that the wanton killings, it was gathered took place on Tuesday night, 28th and early hours of Wednesday, 29th June 2022 at Ossomala, Umunankwo and Obeagwa communities.
The deployment of the military personnel in the area had begun in the evening of Tuesday during which they claimed to be looking for unknown gunmen that recently laid the area under siege, according to sources.
The soldiers, according to information SaharaReporters obtained, later turned their guns on the defenseless and unarmed natives and others, while abandoning the forests where the locals said were the hideouts of the unknown gunmen located inside big river/swamp forest of Obene-Ochuche/Umuzu/Okija divided by Ulasi River.
The soldiers were said to have been mobilised from Ogbaru Naval Base and Onitsha 302 Artillery Regiment in over 20 trucks with arms and ammunition. They were said to have targeted defenseless locals mainly young males and opened fire on them at close range and killed dozens. They also wounded and arrested others who are later to be questionably labelled as “ESN/IPOB hoodlums”.
Relatives were equally seen crying besides corpses. Women were also seen carrying the corpses of their husbands on wheelbarrows.
In some videos, soldiers were seen placing pump action guns on top of some of the citizens killed to probably justify the massacre or their labeling as “IPOB/ESN” fighters.
They were said to have also invaded several of traditional sanctuaries and destroyed them or displayed their symbols to invariably link them to the pro-Biafra group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its security outfit, Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Speaking to SaharaReporters on the recent development, on Saturday, security analyst who is also Board Chairman of the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law otherwise known as Intersociety, Chief Emeka Umeagbalasi, described the killings as a genocide.
Umeagbalasi said “no doubt that Ogbaru is one of the Anambra Council areas presently under the grip of syndicated criminal entities engaging in several nefarious activities including abductions, killings, armed robberies and ransom demands as well as counterfeiting ESN trademarked modes of operation by attacking security operatives and government facilities.
“Information available to Intersociety also has it that they have camps at different forests in Umunankwo and Ogwuanaocha.
“Consequently on the night of Tuesday, 28 June 2022, over 20 trucks of soldiers, arms and ammunition were mobilized and the areas were invaded in an aimless war grade operation and instead of the military personnel including Naval and Army Personnel from Ogbaru Naval Base and Onitsha 302 Artillery Regiment going into the affected Forest camps, they let loose on innocent locals, shooting them at close range including foreheads, chests, manhood and other terminal regions.
“Several or dozens were killed in the end as you might have seen in the videos and pictures of the aftermath of the invasion.
“The rampaging military personnel also went into villages and broke homes at late night, forcing scores to be killed and other defenseless natives of the affected communities to escape through River Niger and others.”
The Board Chairman of the Intersociety explained that the pictures and videos of those slaughtered showed or bore the images of passersby, returning youth farmers and occupational others.
In their usual way referring to (security agencies), he said in order to justify their conduct atrocities, “attached pictures and videos showed how they placed pump action guns on body top of some of the victims and raided traditional religious sanctuaries and destroyed them or displayed their items to make their massacre pictorially trademarked their usually concocted “ESN/IPOB mayhem or attacks or terrorism”.
He further explained that the investigation conducted did not show any evidence of the slain being killed in a gun duel as no single report of killing of soldiers or wounding them was recorded.
“Our findings further showed that the slain could not have been armed members of the criminal entities because judging from the attached pictures and videos, nobody, not even relatives or friends of the slain would have dared nearing the corpses and wailing or screaming profusely or checking them if they are to be forest-based members of the criminal entities or “Unknown Gunmen” especially the street criminal entities or counterfeiters.
“The pictures and videos also circumstantially indicated that the slain were members of defenseless locals and have nothing to do with “Unknown Gunmen” who the Nigerian security forces have severally and publicly acknowledged to bear charms preventing bullet penetration.
“Also no armed person could have been shot at such close range and killed easily that way at his terminal region without dodging and stiff defensive resistance,” he argued.
Source: mynigeria.com
Entertainment
Nanabanyin Dadson Honoured with Prestigious TGMA Titan Award
The Palms Convention Centre at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel was ablaze with glitz, and electrifying performances as the 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) celebrated its winners in an exclusive event dubbed “Nite with AOTY” on Friday, June 6, 2025.
The night was not just about music—it was also a night of honour and legacy, with veteran journalist and cultural icon Nanabanyin Dadson taking home the prestigious Titan Award for his immense contributions to Ghana’s music and arts ecosystem.
This award was presented by the CEO of Charterhouse, Mrs. Theresa Ayoade, who lavished praise on Dadson, highlighting his invaluable contributions to the industry and to the Ghana Music Awards scheme since its inception.
Titan Award: Nanabanyin Dadson’s Enduring Legacy
Nanabanyin Dadson is a distinguished Ghanaian journalist, arts critic and educator whose influential career spans over three decades. His work has left a lasting imprint on Ghana’s creative and cultural landscape – particularly in the areas of music journalism, arts criticism, and cultural tourism.
A graduate of the University of Ghana with a degree in English and a diploma in Performing Arts, Mr Dadson further pursued postgraduate studies in African Studies and Communication.
He began his journalism career as an arts reporter and columnist with The Mirror and Daily Graphic, before becoming Editor of Graphic Showbiz. Under his leadership, the paper rose to prominence as Ghana’s foremost publication dedicated to entertainment, music and the creative arts.
Throughout his career, Mr Dadson has consistently championed the arts and tourism sectors, using his platform to advocate for greater visibility, understanding and appreciation of Ghana’s rich cultural heritage.
His commentary and reportage helped elevate cultural tourism into national conversation, encouraging the public and policymakers alike to recognise its value.
His work has been published in a range of national and international outlets – including West Africa Magazine, African Concord, Africa Magazine, Africa Asia, and the Torino Film Festival Magazine – and cited in academic publications such as Africa Cinema, Politics and Culture by Manthia Diawara.
He also contributed to landmark publications including Jubilee Ghana – A 50-Year News Journey Through Graphic, the Journalism Style Book, and the Journalism Policy Guide for the Graphic Communications Group.
Widely acknowledged as the only arts journalist of his time with both academic and practical grounding in the arts, Mr Dadson brought critical depth, eloquence and clarity to his writing.
His stated mission – to move the arts from the margins and reposition them as a serious and essential part of public discourse – has been largely realised, due in no small part to his pioneering efforts.
Now serving as Head of the Department of Journalism, Visual and Digital Communication at the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra, he continues to mentor and inspire the next generation of media practitioners.
He has also delivered lectures at institutions such as New York University (Ghana), the Ghana Institute of Journalism, and BlueCrest College.
His contributions have been recognised with several awards – including the Ministry of Information’s Artswriter Prize (1986, 1988), the Ghana Journalists Association’s Arts & Culture Writer of the Year (1996), and the GJA Recognition Award for Journalism (2004).
Nanabanyin Dadson remains a towering figure in Ghanaian cultural journalism – a passionate advocate for the arts and tourism, and a custodian of Ghana’s creative legacy.
Receiving the Titan Award, Dadson was celebrated as a true custodian of Ghana’s creative legacy, whose work has elevated cultural tourism and arts discourse in the nation.
Other Honourees of the Night
The event also recognised two other outstanding personalities:
1. Opoku Sanaa – Instrumentalist of the Year
A renowned bassist and music director, Sanaa has performed globally, from Expo 2020 Dubai to the Coca-Cola Arena, and worked with top artists like Joe Mettle, Diana Hamilton, and Cwesi Oteng. His 2024 album, “It’s Time”, showcases his genre-defying talent, solidifying his place among Africa’s finest instrumentalists.
2. Susuma Pan-African Dance & Music Ensemble – Traditional Artiste of the Year
Founded in 1991 by Nana Kwame Dadzie, this award-winning ensemble has taken Ghanaian traditional music and dance to global stages, preserving and promoting the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Entertainment
An Unforgettable Night of Music & Honors: King Promise Thrills at “A Nite with Artiste of the Year”
The Palms Convention Centre at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra was alive with energy on Friday, June 6, as Ghana’s music industry gathered for the second edition of “A Nite with Artiste of the Year” (AOTY).
The exclusive event, celebrating King Promise’s historic Artiste of the Year win at the 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs), delivered stellar performances, prestigious recognitions, and unforgettable moments.
King Promise Lights Up the Stage
The “5 Star General”, King Promise, took center stage for an intimate, electrifying performance, reminding everyone why he claimed the TGMA’s top prize.
From “Terminator” to “Paris”**, he had the crowd singing along to every word, blending smooth vocals with infectious energy.
The night also featured powerful opening performances by urban gospel artiste Scott Evans, while Titi Owusu (a Best Female Vocal Performance nominee) and dynamic duo Lalli x Lola kept the vibes high.
Honouring Excellence: Special Awards Presentation
Beyond the music, the night celebrated outstanding contributors to Ghana’s entertainment industry with three honorary awards: Opoku Sanaa – Instrumentalist of the Year.
A versatile bassist and music director, Opoku Sanaa has worked with top artists like Joe Mettle, Diana Hamilton, and Cwesi Oteng while performing globally at events like Expo 2020 Dubai. His latest album, “It’s Time”, showcases his innovative artistry.
Susuma Pan-African Dance & Music Ensemble – Traditional Artiste of the Year
For over 30 years, Susuma has been a cultural ambassador, promoting Ghanaian music, drumming, and dance worldwide.
Their performances continue to preserve and elevate Ghana’s heritage. Nanabanyin Dadson was the recipient of the Titan Award.
A renowned journalist and educator, Nanabanyin Dadson has shaped Ghana’s music and arts journalism for decades.
As former Editor of Graphic Showbiz, his work has been pivotal in elevating Ghana’s creative industry.
TGMA Winners Receive Their Plaques
The night also saw plaque presentations to 26th TGMA winners, including Empress Gifty, King Paluta, Team Eternity, Beeztrap KOTM, Epixode, OliveTheBoy, Peewezle, Banini, Ether Goodwyll and Tulenkey, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
Industry Networking & Key Announcements
Hosted by the vibrant Andy Dosty (who also DJ’d the event), the night fostered great connections among industry players.
Robert Klah, Head of Public Events & Communications, announced the upcoming TGMA Music Summit slated for June 21 at the British Council, a key event for music professionals.
Brought to You by Telecel & Partners
Produced by Charterhouse, with support from TV3, Closeup, Guinness Ghana, and the British Council, the event was proudly presented by Telecel – Connecting Energies.
“A Nite with Artiste of the Year” was a perfect blend of celebration, recognition, and memorable performances. With King Promise’s captivating stage presence and deserving honorees, the night proved once again why Ghana’s music scene shines bright.
