NEWS

Staff Of Atiku’s Radio, TV Stations Lament Non-payment Of Salaries

Published

7 years ago

December 24, 2019

Staff of the Atiku Abubakar-owned TV and radio station, GOTEL Communications, have lamented the non-payment of their salaries since September.

Gotel is the largest media organisation in Mr Abubakar’s group of companies.

It operates television, radio, and other multimedia platforms, covering largely the northern parts of the country

Mr Abubakar is considered the second-highest employer of labour in Adamawa after the state government.

Apart from Gotel Communications and Adama Beverage, the former vice president also owns the American University of Nigeria and Rico Gado feed mill factory.

Prior to September, the workers groaned under hardship after three months (July, August and September) of non-payment of salaries.

Gotel Communications, which is the only private radio and television station in north-east Nigeria, retrenched about 50 per cent of its staff at the peak of Nigeria’s economic recession in 2016.

Some members of staff who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday said since the first rationalisation in 2016, no new condition of service was introduced at the station.

They said the station is yet to be restructured, the reason the Gotel Restructuring Committee gave for laying off staff in 2016.

“Staff are in limbo as to what condition of service is applicable. Are they going to rely on the old one or what? The staff that were retained (after the rationalisation) were not paid their entitlements) to date.

“There has not been a single promotion since the establishment of the organisation. The majority of the workforce had no single promotion since they accepted an appointment with the organisation. No, career development courses for operational staff, etc. Of all Atiku’s businesses, Gotel Communications Limited is the only one passing through such difficulty,” said the sources who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation.

They also said the current pattern of salary payment is not palatable to staff.

“You don’t know when the next salary will come, hence, staff cannot plan. Staff of Gotel Communications Limited are being owed October, November, and December salaries,” they said.

“The founder of Gotel Communications Limited, Alh Atiku Abubakar, has done his best for the station, as the station has been single-handedly financed by him 100 per cent. However, the latest developments cannot be determined by the staff of the organisation. Is the station winding down? The staff need to know their fate.”

A top management staff told this newspaper on Monday that the payment of two months’ salary arrears were made (on Friday), while the other months will be made in January.

But the workers discountenanced his claims, saying they were yet to receive their salaries as at press time Monday afternoon.

Paul Ibe, the Media Adviser to Mr Abubakar, told this newspaper that he could not comment on the issue because he is no longer on the board of Gotel.

Meanwhile, repeated calls and messages to the MD of Gotel Communications Limited, Mohammed Elyakub, were unanswered.

NEWS

Becky Slim Crowned AFROMAICA June Edition Dancehall Queen

Published

2 days ago

July 1, 2026

Baba Blow

Becky Slim Crowned AFROMAICA June Edition Dancehall Queen

AFROMAICA which is Nigeria’s Number 1 monthly urban reggae dancehall party delivered another unforgettable celebration of reggae and dancehall culture on june 25th 2026 as Emediong Emmanuel Edet, popularly known as Becky Slim won the cash prize of #500,000, she emerged the overall winner after an outstanding performance that earned her the admiration of both the organizers and the audiences at Club Plan B by Carabana. Afromaica happens every last thursday of the month at same venue.

Representing Kenya also know as Slim Shady showcased remarkable stage presence, confidence, and authentic dancehall energy throughout the competition. Her captivating performance distinguished her from a lineup of talented contestants, securing her the coveted Dancehall Queen title in what proved to be one of the most competitive editions of the event.

The June edition featured an impressive display of reggae and dancehall artistry, highlighting the depth of emerging talent across the African music scene. Contestants thrilled fans with energetic performances and a passion for preserving the vibrant spirit of the genre.

Adding to the excitement of the event recorded the presence of several notable entertainment personalities who came out to support the movement. Popular Facebook content creator MC Mbakara, respected reggae artist Tossy Young, and dancehall heavyweight Bclean were all in attendance, lending their support to AFROMAICA‘s vision of promoting reggae and urban dancehall music while encouraging the next generation of performers.

Their presence further demonstrated the growing influence of AFROMAICA as a platform that continues to unite entertainers, content creators, artists, and music lovers under one cultural movement dedicated to the advancement of reggae and urban dancehall across Africa.

The event is proudly powered by Spartan Media Ltd and Club Plan B, with valuable support from Element Irish Whiskey, TM Luxury Apartments, Aurum Trading Exchange, Jogab Logistics, The Cove, and Isno Hotels. Their partnership played a significant role in delivering a well-organized and memorable experience for contestants, guests, and fans.

As AFROMAICA continues to expand its impact on the African entertainment landscape, anticipation is already building for the next edition, where more gifted dance and lyrical artists will bring mind blowing performances while celebrating the rich heritage and enduring influence of reggae and urban dancehall music.

Congratulations to Emediong Emmanuel Edet (@Beckslim001 on tiktok ) on her well-deserved victory at the AFROMAICA Dancehall Queen June Edition. Her success stands as a testament to hard work, talent, and dedication, inspiring aspiring artists to pursue excellence while keeping the spirit of reggae and urban dancehall alive.

See Exclusive photos below

NEWS

Popular Nigerian Singer Ceena Gears Up for October Release as He Joins Forces with Speroachbeatz (Watch Video)

Published

2 weeks ago

June 17, 2026

Baba Blow

Popular Nigerian Singer Ceena Gears Up for October Release as He Joins Forces with Speroachbeatz

Nigerian music sensation Ceena has once again set tongues wagging after being spotted in the studio with legendary producer Speroachbeatz, fueling anticipation for what could become one of the biggest records of 2026.

Although details surrounding the project remain under wraps, including the official title and release date, sources close to the camp reveal that the highly anticipated collaboration is expected to arrive in October 2026.

Known for his consistency, creativity, and ability to deliver captivating records, Ceena appears determined to elevate his career to a new heights. The singer reportedly disclosed that the forthcoming track is designed to serve as an anthem that listeners from all walks of life can relate to and embrace.

The studio session has already generated excitement among fans and industry stakeholders, especially considering Speroachbeatz’s impressive track record of producing chart-topping hits for some of Africa’s biggest stars like Davido.

With Ceena’s growing influence and Speroachbeatz’s production genius, expectations are high that this collaboration will make a significant impact upon release.

As the countdown to October begins, music lovers will be eagerly awaiting further updates on what promises to be a spectacular hit project from the talented singer.

See video teaser below;

NEWS

How “Hardest Truth” Became One Of Nigeria’s Most Searched Emerging Songs and Number 4 Song On Shazam Worldwide Chart.

Published

1 month ago

May 20, 2026

Baba Blow

In a music industry constantly chasing noise, controversy and trends, fast-rising Nigerian artist Jubet is building momentum differently, through emotional honesty.

Born Akanbi Oluwa Jubelo Emmanuel and raised in Ilora, Oyo State, Jubet’s journey into music started long before the numbers began rising. During his secondary school days, he developed his passion for music through freestyle sessions and raw self-expression, gradually shaping the emotionally driven sound that listeners are now connecting with across streaming platforms and social media.

A graduate of Obong University, Akwa Ibom State, where he won the Best Performing Artist Award in 2025, Jubet represents a new generation of artists using music to communicate pain, reality, heartbreak, struggle, reflection and survival in a deeply relatable way.

His breakout record, “Hardest Truth,” has quickly become one of the most emotionally resonant emerging songs in Nigeria’s digital music space.

Within just TWO WEEKS of release, the song has generated:

• Over 119,600 Spotify monthly listeners
• More than 504,000 Spotify streams
• Over 1.3 million Audiomack streams
• More than 406,000 Boomplay streams
• More than 411,000 YouTube audio views
• Over 281,805 Shazams
• More than 900,000 TikTok user-generated contents (UGC)
• #1 on Shazam Viral Nigeria
• #1 Shazam in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia
• #4 Shazam Worldwide
• #60 Shazam United Kingdom
• #109 Shazam Canada
• #133 Shazam United States
• Spotify Nigeria Top 100 entry
• Apple Music chart entries across multiple African countries
• Placement across dozens of editorial playlists on Audiomack and Boomplay

The rapid growth has been driven largely by organic audience connection, emotional relatability and massive social sharing across platforms, with listeners strongly connecting to the song’s raw honesty and reflective storytelling.

What makes Jubet’s rise stand out is not just the numbers, but the emotional relationship listeners are building with the music. Across social media, fans continue to describe “Hardest Truth” as deeply relatable, emotionally painful, honest and reflective of real-life experiences many young people silently go through.

Rather than positioning himself around luxury, hype or internet theatrics, Jubet’s music speaks directly to people navigating heartbreak, betrayal, pressure, emotional struggles and everyday realities.

As momentum around “Hardest Truth” continues to grow globally, Jubet is steadily emerging as one of the new emotionally driven voices to watch in Nigeria’s evolving music landscape.

Jubet is currently managed under the Louiza Williams -led LOUI-K EMPIRE LTD, as efforts continue toward building his long-term creative and commercial growth.

Listen to “Hardest Truth”: https://linktr.ee/jubetjayyouhttps://linktr.ee/jubetjayyou