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Nigerian comedienne, Helen Paul, gets professorship appointment. Here’s what we know

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One of Nigeria’s top female comedian, Helen Paul, on Monday, announced that she had become a Professor at the Heart International University in the United State of America, while her husband, Femi Basimile, also attained a Doctorate of Law in the same institution.

The Nigerian entertainer who took to her Instagram page to announce the double celebration, added that she was also appointed as the Head of the Department of the Arts, Music and Entertainment for the school.

“Congratulations to us my love. Such a great honour for both of us. You graduated as a Doctor of law and I was promoted too.

“Thank you for all the sleepless nights. Thank you for sacrificing for us. #grateful @femi_bams,” she posted.

In another post with photos, the proud Helen Paul wrote:

”Congratulations to all of us at Heart University. I am now officially Professor Paul Helen. The ceremony was a beautiful one indeed.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CeKaDn5MGUP/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

The news of the ‘achievement’ coming barely three years after she announced that she had gotten a doctorate degree, got many Nigerians curious and many began digging to find out the truth in her professorial claims.

Fact checks by Ripples Nigeria on the authenticity of Helen Paul’s professorial claim came up with stunning revelations which showed that the awarding institution is an obscure faith-based college in the US which is not an accredited institution.

Results of the fact checking also reveal the full name of the institution as Heart Bible International University (HBIU), a theological institution, as against the Heart International University that Helen Paul had stated.

A search of the university on the website of the US Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), returned zilch as the institution was not found among approved colleges listed on the website.

Founded in 2008, information on the ‘About us’ page of the HBIU website describes it as “an online institute of higher education where students discover and grow in their God-giving gifts and callings.”

“Let it be known that the credits and degrees earned through our Christian University are for religious services and may not be accepted by all colleges,” the institution added on its website.

The Florida Department of Education website also states that religious institutions are not under its purview and may operate without governmental oversight but subject to an annual verification by sworn affidavit.

“A religious college may operate without governmental oversight if the college annually verifies by sworn affidavit to the commission that ” it stated.

As a caveat, the Florida board said:

“The titles of degrees issued by the institution cannot be confused with secular degree titles. For this purpose, each degree title must include a religious modifier that immediately precedes, or is included within, any of the following degrees: Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, and Doctor of Education.

“The religious modifier must be placed on the title line of the degree, on the transcript, and whenever the title of the degree appears in official school documents or publications.”

What the caveat means therefore, is that Helen Paul’s professorial appointment is, in its true form, not a secular professorship as she put out to the public.

Although her achievements is worthy of celebration, what Helen Paul failed to indicate was a religious modifier to distinguish her new position from a secular professor.

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Culture

Obama names three African artistes in his Favorite Music list 2024

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In keeping with the tradition of naming his favourite music list of the year, former United States President, Barack Obama, has released his favorite music from 2024, which includes three African artistes.

The Obama Favorite Music list 2024, which he dropped on social media, has Nigerian stars Asake, Rema, and South African Ampiona sensation, Tyla, alongside Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, amongst other world-renowned stars.

While dropping the list, the former US President wrote:

“Here are my favorite songs from this year! Check them out if you’re looking to shake up your playlist – and let me know if there’s a song or artist I should make sure to listen to.”

The top picks for Obama’s shortlist were Billie Eilish’s “Lunch,” Jordan Adetunji’s “Kehlani,” Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby,” Karol G’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” Bonny Light Horseman’s “Old Dutch,” Central Cee, Asake’s “Active,” Lil Baby’s “Band4band,” Rema’s “Yayo”, Karol G’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” and “Gata Only” by FloyyMenor and Cris MJ.
and more.

The Obama Favorite Music of 2024 list also showcased a vibrant mix of genres and artists, reflecting his diverse musical preferences, spanning hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and reggaeton, showcasing his appreciation for a variety of musical styles.

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Culture

Moroccan tourist arrivals hit record-breaking 16 million

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The year 2024 has seen Morocco celebrate a record-breaking 16 million tourist arrivals, surpassing the 12 million mark set in 2023, with the country continuing to see impressive growth in tourist arrivals.

Data from the country’s Ministry of Tourism, the Directorate of Studies and Financial Forecasts (DEPF) reveals that additional indicators reveal that the sector reached remarkable numbers in just 10 months, surpassing the total number of arrivals typically seen in a full year.

According to the new details from the directorate, which is affiliated to the Ministry of Economy, the country’s tourism revenues reached MAD 96.9 billion by the end of October, an increase of 9.3% compared to the same period last year.

A statement by the Ministry said
Morocco notably reached a new record of 14.6 million tourists by the end of October, the directorate indicated, noting that this far surpassed the previous record set at the end of 2023 in just 10 months.

“The number marks a 19% increase year on year, representing 2.3 million additional arrivals by the end of October 2024,” it said.

“This remarkable growth is driven both by foreign tourists, whose numbers have increased by 22%, and Moroccans living abroad.

“This past October was an especially strong month for the Moroccan hospitality industry. Approximately 1.5 million visitors traveled to the North African country during that month, representing an increase of 30% compared to October last year,” it stated.

The Ministry of Tourism celebrated the upward trend during a meeting of the Moroccan National Tourism’s Board of Directors held on Monday, with data showing that the North African country saw a record 15.87 million visitors by the end of November, marking a 20% increase while tourism revenues soared to MAD 97 billion.

“The sector achieved a growth rate of 19%, higher than the world average of 12% and most competing destinations,” the Moroccan Tourism Office said.

Speaking at the event, Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor:

“Our tourism roadmap is bearing fruit and we can now enter the year 24 with confidence and determination.”

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