Fela!, the critically acclaimed musical based on the life of the Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, is to play in his home country for the first time.
The show, which opened in New York more than two years ago, moved to Broadway in 2009, before moving to London in 2010. Nominated for an impressive 11 Tonys last year - winning those for Best Choreography, Best Costume Design of a Musical, and Best Sound Design of a Musical - it will play for six days at the Eko Hotel's New Expo Centre, in Lagos, with tickets going on sale March 15.
Kuti, who died in 1997 aged 58, became a prominent voice for the people of Nigeria during his career, although his politically charged songs made him an enemy of the government. One of his albums in particular, 1977's Zombie, proved to be so unpopular among Nigeria's army, that it prompted roughly 1,000 soldiers to attack Kalakuta Republic, the compound Kuti created in which to house his recording studio, family, and friends - resulting in the death of his mother. The studio was also burnt to the ground.
Following this incident, Fela fled to Ghana, going back to Nigeria in 1978. Given his political activism, it should come as no surprise that the outspoken singer went on to form his own political party, Movement of the People, soon after. And while his bid to become the next president of Nigeria was repeatedly blocked by the government, when his death was announced, more than one million people are believed to have attended his funeral.
Fela!'s popularity has renewed interest in his legacy outside Africa, and the show is sure to get a rapturous response when it opens in Nigeria.
Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5