Culture

Rema’s Ethiopian Concert cancelled over necklace controversy

Published

1 year ago

September 8, 2023

A much-anticipated concert to mark the Ethiopian New Year’s Eve, which was to feature Nigeria’s Afrobeats star boy, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has been cancelled following what organizers described as “religious sentiment and suggestive imagery” in reference to the artiste’s necklace.

The multiple award-winning singer was to perform at the concert scheduled for the Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa on Saturday, September 9, but the organisers had to call off the event following public outrage over the artwork on his customised necklace which they say is associated with “worshipping the devil”, a statement claimed on Friday.

The management of Sheraton Hotel, which also released a statement announcing the cancellation of the concert, said the “decision came as a result of the artwork used for the concert, where Mr. Ikubor wore a customised necklace that has a burning church and inverted crosses.”

Local media reports that the imagery on the necklace had sparked significant public outcry and condemnation, and was viewed as disrespectful and offensive by many Ethiopians.

“The symbols used by the Nigerian singer, Rema, particularly a burning church featured on his necklace and used as a backdrop for his performances, were viewed as disrespectful and offensive by many Ethiopians,” an online platform wrote.

“The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, with its deep cultural heritage and strong religious convictions, had also condemned the symbols, emphasising that the imagery is against Ethiopian culture, history, and religious values,” it added.

An Ethiopian entertainment enthusiast, who was interviewed by a Nigerian media personality, Daddy Freeze, also confirmed her countrymen’s concerns over the controversial necklace.

In the interview, she explained that “Ikubor’s necklace led to accusations of him worshipping the devil, which ultimately resulted in the cancellation of his show by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.”

“They made a statement, like a press release in Ethiopia about Rema. Yes, you can imagine, it’s a very big deal. They’re basically saying he is worshipping the devil because of what he has on his neck. And to be honest, I never thought of it myself. And there’s more to it; to be honest,” she opined.

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Culture

Ghanaians react angrily as American video vixen Rubi Rose tours Jubilee House

Published

2 days ago

November 3, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Some Ghanaians have been outraged following a tour of the Jubilee House, the country’s seat of government, by American entertainer and video vixen, Rubi Rose.

The visit and tour of the Jubilee House by the controversial vixen, rapper, and OnlyFans content creator who arrived in Ghana on Thursday, October 31, 2024, sparked outrage and angry reactions among Ghanaians on social media who questioned the rationale behind the visit.

The American star was a special guest for a Halloween party in Accra and during her stay, was granted access to the Jubilee House, where she met with Nadia Adongo Musah, Deputy Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, and was given a tour of the premises.

Photos of Rose’s visit to the Jubilee House circulated on social media, prompting discontent among Ghanaians, who questioned why someone with her background was allowed into the Jubilee House, also known as Flagstaff House, which holds significant historical and symbolic value as the seat of Ghana’s presidency.

Some angry Ghanaians took to social media to voice out their discontents.

A X user with the handle @fanti_boy wrote:

“Is this really Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana?”

Another user, @_blacksnow09, said:

“Foreigners have more access to the presidential residence than citizens.”

@CopsonClaude commented:

“The Jubilee House is now Oasis Lounge.”

@PositiveAt59011 said:

“Please, is the place a hotel where Americans do lodge in?”

@DanQuaye22 said:

“They told the citizens Flagstaff House is a security zone, but see who has easy access.”

Culture

Mauritius bans access to social media until after elections

Published

3 days ago

November 2, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Mauritius government has placed a blanket ban on access to social media websites ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled to hold on November 10.

The ban, which was announced on Friday by the country’s national communications regulator, will be in force until November 11, the day after the election.

“The ICT Authority wishes to inform the public that in response to concerns regarding illegal postings that constitute a serious threat to national security and public safety, it has received directives in the evening of 31 October 2024, to direct all Internet Service Providers to temporarily suspend access to all social media platforms until 11 November 2024”, the Information and Communication Technology Authority said on Friday.

The move which came amid a wiretapping scandal in the Indian Ocean nation, has however, raised concerns as opposition parties and prominent figures have a ploy by the governing party to avoid defeat at the polls.

Local media say the unprecedented social media ban follows a wiretapping scandal which rocked the country last month when recorded conversations of politicians, business people, and members of civil society were leaked on social media.

According to media freedom advocacy group Reporters Without Borders (RWB), the recorded conversations of five well-known journalists were leaked published on social media, prompting the ban.

“The government of the Indian Ocean Island country, which has a population of 1.2 million, has claimed that these leaks are a threat to national security and instructed the communications authority to suspend all access to social media,” the RWB said in a statement.

In response to the bank, network service provider, EMTEL, said it would comply with the directive and user experience will be “progressively disrupted”.

“EMTEL understands the inconvenience that this action shall cause to its customers but reiterates that it has no alternative other than to comply with ICTA directive,” the company said.

Local media also quoted a statement from the office of the Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, who is seeking a second term in power, as saying that the suspension of social media was essential to protect national security and the country’s integrity.