The Gambia’s national university renames its agriculture school after Akinwumi Adesina

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January 3, 2026

The Gambia’s national university renames its agriculture school after Akinwumi Adesina

According to Africa Newsroom (via APO Group), the University of The Gambia has renamed its School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in honour of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, citing his long-standing impact on agriculture and development across Africa.

The move positions the faculty as a symbolic rallying point for food-security research, climate-smart agriculture, and youth-focused agripreneurship—areas that continue to dominate policy conversations across West Africa.

It also signals a reputational bet: when institutions attach a global development figure’s name to a school, stakeholders expect the standard to rise—through partnerships, research output, and funding.

Punch also reported the renaming and quoted Adesina’s reaction, including the phrase “deep sense of gratitude.” The Guardian Nigeria similarly confirmed the development, noting the university “renamed its School” in his honour.

Echotitbits take:
This is soft power turning into institutional opportunity. Watch for what follows the ceremony—new grants, exchange programmes, and targeted research labs that can turn the name into measurable outcomes.

Source: The Punch — January 2, 2026 — https://punchng.com/the-gambia-varsity-renames-faculty-after-ex-afdb-president-adesina/
The Punch 2026-01-02

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Rachel Uchitel marries Dan Donovan in a New Year’s Eve Palm Beach ceremony

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 2, 2026

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2026-01-02 09:00:00

In an exclusive with PEOPLE, Rachel Uchitel married businessman Dan Donovan in a New Year’s Eve ceremony at their Palm Beach home.

The coverage describes a styled celebration with multiple events and notable guests, positioning it as a symbolic ‘new chapter’ story to open 2026.

With the wedding timed for NYE, the story quickly landed in the ‘first big lifestyle headline of the year’ lane across entertainment outlets.

TMZ (Outlet): “Rachel Uchitel… is now a married woman… TMZ has confirmed.”
Page Six (Outlet): “a New Year’s Eve ceremony.”

Echotitbits take: New Year’s Eve weddings are built for attention—high symbolism, high shareability, and instant publication appeal. Watch next for official photo drops and follow‑up interviews, because those usually determine whether a wedding story stays lifestyle‑only or expands into a wider media cycle.

Source: PEOPLE — January 2, 2026 — https://people.com/rachel-uchitel-marries-businessman-dan-donovan-in-nye-wedding-exclusive-11877297

PEOPLE
2026-01-02
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JoJo Siwa’s ‘Joelle’ move: TikTok name change hints at a 2026 rebrand

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 2, 2026

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2026-01-02 09:00:00

According to PEOPLE, JoJo Siwa updated her TikTok name to “Joelle Siwa,” sparking immediate chatter that a bigger 2026 rebrand is underway.

Fans read the change as a signal of a more grown-up era, especially for a star whose identity was built on a highly recognizable childhood brand.

Online reactions range from excitement about a fresh creative chapter to curiosity about whether the new name will carry into music credits and official press.

E! News (Outlet): “Her changing her name from jojo to Joelle has to be the biggest pull ever!!!”
Page Six (Outlet): “2026 is gonna be crazy!!!”

Echotitbits take: On TikTok, identity is discovery: a name tweak can be the first breadcrumb before new music, a doc, or a style pivot. Watch next for synchronized handle changes across platforms, updated visuals, and any rollout announcements that confirm whether “Joelle” is a permanent professional shift or a temporary social experiment.

Source: PEOPLE — January 2, 2026 — https://people.com/jojo-siwa-changes-her-name-2026-plans-11878210

PEOPLE
2026-01-02
Photo Credit: PEOPLE

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G Herbo and Taina Williams reportedly get engaged on New Year’s Eve

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 2, 2026

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2026-01-02 09:00:00

According to TMZ, rapper G Herbo proposed to longtime partner Taina Williams on New Year’s Eve, quickly turning the moment into one of the first major relationship headlines of 2026.

Reports describe the proposal as part of a celebratory night, with fans immediately shifting from congratulations to ring details and wedding timeline talk.

The engagement is also feeding the familiar hip‑hop cycle where personal milestones become full media moments across outlets and socials.

BET (Outlet): “G Herbo ended 2025 by proposing.”
Hot 97 (Outlet): “G Herbo closed out 2025 with a milestone moment.”

Echotitbits take: Hip‑hop relationships now function as pop‑culture events—driving headlines, brand chatter, and sometimes even streaming attention around an artist. Watch next for any official posts from the couple (photos, ring close‑ups, engagement captions), because that’s what typically locks the story down beyond outlet reporting.

Source: TMZ — January 1, 2026 — https://www.tmz.com/2026/01/01/g-herbo-taina-williams-engaged/

TMZ
2026-01-01
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Odumeje’s ‘kabush kabash’ 2026 prophecy becomes a New Year meme factory

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 2, 2026

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2026-01-02 09:00:00

In an update reported by TheCable Lifestyle, controversial cleric Odumeje declared 2026 a year of “kabush kabash,” a phrase that instantly jumped from crossover service theatrics to social feeds.

The slogan is already being remixed into captions, soundbites, and memes—classic Nigeria-in-January internet behavior.

But it also revives the recurring argument about performative preaching and the influence economy that thrives on viral ministry moments.

NigerianEye (Outlet): “2026 is a year of kabush kabash.”
Instagram reel caption (Instagram): “2026 is a year of Dabush Kabash.”

Echotitbits take: Odumeje-style virality sits at the crossroads of religion, entertainment, and influencer culture—where a single soundbite can dominate the week. If you treat it as pure comedy, it spreads faster; if you treat it as serious prophecy, it can shape narratives. Watch next for mainstream pushback, platform amplification, or further ‘crossover’ clips that keep the meme alive.

Source: TheCable Lifestyle — January 1, 2026 — https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/extra-2026-is-a-year-of-kabush-kabash-odumeje-declares/

TheCable Lifestyle
2026-01-01
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Wizkid’s surprise appearance at Gunna’s Lagos set turns Detty December Fest into a headline

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 2, 2026

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2026-01-02 09:00:00

In a report published by BellaNaija, Wizkid made a surprise appearance during Gunna’s Detty December Fest performance, sending the crowd into instant frenzy.

The moment is being shared as another example of Lagos’ December pipeline—global acts arriving, then colliding with Nigerian star power on stage.

Beyond the hype, fans are already asking the practical question: was it a one-off cameo, or the start of a wider collaboration push?

Vanguard (Outlet): “Wizkid thrilled fans with a surprise appearance.”
Instagram clip share (Instagram): “Moment Wizkid joined Gunna on stage.”

Echotitbits take: Surprise stage link-ups now function like mini marketing campaigns: the clips travel, the festival gets free press, and both artists benefit from cross‑audience exposure. Watch next for any official reposts, backstage footage, or remix chatter—those are usually the signals that a viral performance is being turned into a deliberate rollout.

Source: BellaNaija — December 31, 2025 — https://www.bellanaija.com/2025/12/wizkid-gunna-surprise-detty-december-fest/

BellaNaija
2025-12-31
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DDG’s Lagos take—‘Nigeria feels safer than America’—sets off a fresh debate

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 2, 2026

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2026-01-02 09:00:00

According to PM News Nigeria, rapper DDG said the United States is more dangerous than Nigeria, pushing back on what he described as exaggerated fear narratives.

The comment split reactions online: supporters praised the outsider perspective while critics said it glosses over complex security realities.

The clip adds to a growing trend where celebrity travel content shapes perception almost as much as official advisories.

Daily Post (Outlet): “gun violence and gangsterism is not common in Nigeria as in America.”
TheCable Lifestyle (Outlet/X): “Nigeria is nowhere near as dangerous as America.”

Echotitbits take: Pop-culture voices can move travel sentiment quickly—especially for diaspora audiences deciding whether to visit. Still, a single visitor’s experience isn’t a national security assessment. Watch next for more on-the-ground posts from DDG (and others) that either reinforce his point or add nuance when real-life frictions show up.

Source: PM News Nigeria — January 1, 2026 — https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2026/01/01/nigeria-is-safer-than-america-rapper-ddg/

PM News Nigeria
2026-01-01
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Nathaniel Bassey kicks off 2026 with ‘The Glory of His Presence’ rollout

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 2, 2026

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2026-01-02 09:00:00

In a report by BellaNaija, Nathaniel Bassey has started the year with a fresh worship release titled “The Glory of His Presence.”

Early listener reactions frame it as a “January devotion soundtrack,” with fans sharing snippets and favorite moments online.

The drop reinforces how Nigerian gospel continues to command huge digital attention—often driven by community sharing rather than mainstream promo.

Nathaniel Bassey (Facebook (verified/official page)): “GLORY OF HIS PRESENCE… coming in January 2026.”
Apple Music (Platform listing): “Released 2 January 2026.”

Echotitbits take: Gospel releases launched early in the year can become long‑tail staples for churches and personal devotion for months. Watch next for live‑ministry clips, choir-led performances, and worship sessions—those formats usually sustain gospel streaming long after the initial release buzz fades.

Source: BellaNaija — January 2, 2026 — https://www.bellanaija.com/2026/01/nathaniel-bassey-releases-the-glory-of-his-presence-to-start-the-new-year/

BellaNaija
2026-01-02
Photo Credit: BellaNaija

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Adekunle Gold gets a sold‑out plaque at Lagos’ revived National Theatre complex

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 2, 2026

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2026-01-02 09:00:00

Reporting by Channels Television indicates Adekunle Gold received a plaque recognizing a sold‑out show at the renovated National Theatre complex in Lagos.

Fans are calling it both an artist win and a venue win, reading it as a sign that Nigeria’s big‑ticket live entertainment is regaining confidence.

The moment is also fueling fresh talk about how the refurbished space could become a new benchmark for Lagos headline concerts.

TheCable Lifestyle (Outlet): “the first artist to sell out the Wole Soyinka Centre.”
BellaNaija (Outlet): “North America is up next…”

Echotitbits take: Plaques like this aren’t just mementos—they’re signals to sponsors, venue operators, and touring partners that audiences will show up at scale. Watch for a rush of bookings from other top acts, and whether the venue’s programming stays consistent enough to cement it as Lagos’ new prestige stage.

Source: Channels Television — January 2, 2026 — https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.channelstv.com/2026/01/01/adekunle-gold-receives-plaque-for-becoming-first-artiste-to-sell-out-wole-soyinka-centre/amp/

Channels Television
2026-01-02
Photo Credit: Instagram

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Burna Boy reportedly tops Spotify’s African streaming leaderboard for 2025

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 2, 2026

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2026-01-02 09:00:00

Figures reported by Pulse Nigeria suggest Burna Boy ended 2025 as the most‑streamed African artist on Spotify, with totals shared widely across entertainment pages.

The milestone is being framed online as another proof‑point of Burna’s global pull, especially in markets where playlists drive discovery.

As the numbers circulate, the fan debate is shifting toward context—regional splits, catalog impact, and how “streams” compare with touring power.

GossipMillTV (Instagram): “Burna Boy has become the most streamed African artiste in 2025.”
Unorthodox Reviews (Threads): “recording 1.986 BILLION streams.”

Echotitbits take: End‑of‑year streaming stats increasingly influence bookings, sponsorship interest, and international festival positioning. The next thing to watch is whether platform recaps and third‑party trackers publish clearer regional breakdowns—because that’s where the biggest arguments (and bragging rights) live.

Source: dailypost — January 2, 2026 — https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/02/burna-boy-sets-record-for-biggest-streaming-year-by-african-artist-on-spotify/

dailypost
2026-01-02
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