Davido Reveals How Miscommunication with Omah Lay Sparked Grammy-Nominated Collaboration ‘With You’

Afrobeats superstar Davido has shared the heartwarming backstory behind his hit collaboration "With You" featuring Omah Lay, revealing that a simple misunderstanding led to one of the standout tracks on his fifth studio album, 5ive—now nominated for Best African Music Performance at the 2026 Grammy Awards.

In a recent interview, Davido recounted the origin story: During a 2024 livestream in Lagos with American streamer Kai Cenat, an Omah Lay song played in the car. When Cenat asked about the artist, Davido enthusiastically replied, “Oh! This is Omah Lay, he is hot.” The next day, Omah Lay tweeted his surprise at the shoutout, confessing he had always thought Davido “hated” him.

Davido immediately DM’d Omah Lay: “Why would you think I hate you? We’ve never met.” This cleared the air, leading the two to exchange numbers and collaborate. They recorded about four songs together before settling on “With You,” which Omah Lay selected for release.

Released in April 2025 via Columbia Records, “With You” has been celebrated for its emotional depth and seamless blend of the artists’ styles, contributing to the track’s global acclaim and Grammy nod.

The revelation highlights the power of direct communication in the music industry, turning a perceived rift into a fruitful partnership that has resonated with fans worldwide.

Mauro Icardi Eyes Serie A Return as Galatasaray Exit Looms – Agents Contact Milan, Roma & Como

 Argentine striker Mauro Icardi, teammate of Victor Osimhen at Galatasaray, is set to leave the Turkish champions this winter with his representatives already in talks with several Serie A clubs for a sensational return to Italian football.

According to reports from Football Italia and Turkish media, Icardi’s time at Galatasaray is coming to an end after reduced playing time this season. Despite scoring eight goals in the Turkish Super Lig, the 32-year-old has started only six matches and accumulated just 800 minutes, pushed down the pecking order by the arrival of Victor Osimhen and Leroy Sané, plus Galatasaray’s plans to sign another forward in January.

His agents have proposed the former Inter Milan captain to AC Milan, AS Roma and Como, with a January move now considered highly likely. Icardi, who joined Galatasaray on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in 2022 before making the switch permanent, is under contract until June 2026—but the club appears ready to let him go early.

The striker’s strong scoring record in Italy (121 goals in 219 Serie A appearances for Sampdoria and Inter) makes him an attractive option for clubs needing immediate attacking depth, especially amid ongoing struggles in front of goal at several teams.

Trump's Expanded Travel Restrictions Threaten Senegal and Ivory Coast Fans' Access to 2026 World Cup Matches in the US

 Fans from Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) face significant barriers to attending their national teams' group stage matches in the United States during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following President Donald Trump's signing of a new proclamation on December 16, 2025, imposing partial travel restrictions on nationals of both countries.

The restrictions, cited by the White House as addressing high visa overstay rates (approximately 4-8% for B1/B2 visitor visas required for tourism), suspend entry for immigrants and non-immigrants, including tourists planning to attend the tournament co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Senegal's group matches against France and Norway are scheduled at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, while Côte d'Ivoire will play Ecuador and Curaçao at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia—both in the US. Their respective third group games are in Toronto, Canada, unaffected by the US policy.

Exemptions apply to athletes, coaches, support staff, diplomats, and individuals deemed to serve US national interests, ensuring players like Senegal's Nicolas Jackson and Iliman Ndiaye, or Côte d'Ivoire's Amad Diallo, can participate without issue. However, ordinary fans are not covered, potentially forcing thousands to watch from home or limit attendance to Canadian venues.

The move adds Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire to a growing list of restricted nations, joining Haiti and Iran (already under stricter bans) among qualified teams. A White House task force has introduced fast-track visa processing for ticket holders, but its applicability to restricted countries remains unclear.

FIFA has historically insisted that qualifying teams' supporters must have access to host nations, as stated by President Gianni Infantino in 2017. No immediate response has come from FIFA or the affected football federations.

The restrictions take effect January 1, 2026, amid broader immigration enforcement priorities.

For updates, monitor official US State Department and FIFA channels.

President Bola Tinubu Reverses Controversial Promotion of ADC Colonel Nurudeen Yusuf to Brigadier-General Amid Backlash

 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cancelled the planned special promotion of his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, to the rank of Brigadier-General, following widespread criticism and interventions from senior military figures.

The decision to reverse the promotion came after intense backlash from serving and retired officers, political commentators, and the public, who viewed the elevation—barely a year after Yusuf's promotion to Colonel in December 2024—as a violation of military norms, a threat to professionalism, and a potential blow to morale within the Nigerian Army.

A leaked letter dated December 12, 2025, from the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had initially conveyed the President's approval for the "special presidential promotion," with Yusuf set to retain his role as ADC even at the higher rank—a precedent unseen in Nigerian history.

Sources indicate that consultations with senior military officials, including interventions by two respected former Chiefs of Army Staff, persuaded President Tinubu to shelve the plan, citing risks to military discipline and institutional integrity. A Presidency source described the reversal as the President "bowing to superior argument."

Critics, including commentator Mahdi Shehu, had labeled the initial move a "toxic, unilateral assault on professionalism," warning it could demoralize officers and set dangerous precedents. Shehu later commended the reversal as "commendable," showing the President could listen to counsel.

The controversy highlighted tensions between executive authority and established military promotion procedures, with concerns that rapid advancements for close aides could undermine hierarchy and fairness.

No official statement has been released by the Presidency or the Nigerian Army on the reversal, but the development has been widely reported and welcomed by those who raised alarms.

President Bola Tinubu Signs Executive Order Banning Export of Wood and Allied Products

 The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially prohibited the exportation of wood, charcoal, and allied products through a new Presidential Executive Order signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The order, titled Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025, was signed by the President and gazetted on October 16, 2025. It was formally unveiled on December 17, 2025, by the Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal, during the 18th National Council on Environment meeting in Katsina State.

The Executive Order aims to curb illegal logging, protect Nigeria's forest resources, and align with constitutional obligations under Sections 17(2) and 20 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Minister Lawal emphasized that forests are critical for environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, clean air, and water resources. Continued unchecked exportation of timber exacerbates deforestation and undermines these benefits.

Key definitions in the order include:

• Forest resources — All trees, vegetation, and associated biodiversity in Nigeria's forested areas.
• Illegal logging — Unauthorized harvesting, transporting, processing, buying, or selling of timber or other forest products in violation of Nigerian laws.

This policy builds on existing export prohibitions (such as those on rough or sawn timber) and reinforces efforts to combat environmental degradation while promoting sustainable development.

The announcement was made under the theme: “Tackling the Triple Planetary Crises: Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, and Pollution for Sustainable Development in Nigeria.”

The Federal Ministry of Environment urges strict compliance and collaboration with relevant agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, to enforce the ban effectively.