Social Media Roundup: Nigerian women are doing well!

Hey people, welcome to August, a colleague told me earlier that this is going to be a very long month and I am yet to decide how I feel about that. while for some, it’s a great thing, for others, not so much. For the first review of the month, we are focusing on Nigerian women.

Well then, I am happy that August is finally here and we can finally have the august break from the rainy season. If you live in Lagos then I am certain you are happy the rains haven’t been as heavy cos you know this city and the rains do not get along. 

This week on the social media roundup, we bring you the top stories that caught our attention in the social space. 

Let us get to it…

Nigerian women got the gold

Last week, we celebrated Tobi Amusa’s record-setting win at the world athletics championships in Oregon.

Nigeria is set to receive more gold as we have so far clinched 3 gold medals already from the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022, taking place in Birmingham.

Chioma Onyekwere made history on Tuesday night at the Alexandra Stadium in Birmingham with her Season’s Best throw of 61.70m. Though she was ranked second among the throwers on parade ahead of the final, Onyekwere went ahead to beat the fans’ favourite to win the gold medal for herself and Nigeria. 

Nigeria’s Folashade Oluwafemiayo clinched the gold medal for Nigeria in the women’s heavyweight powerlifting event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Still at the commonwealth games, Obiageri Amaechi, also got on the podium, clinching the bronze medal in this event.

The two medals won on Tuesday night are the first set of medals Nigeria will win in Athletics at the ongoing Games in Birmingham.

Go team Nigeria, bring home the gold!!!

Well, while some Nigerian women are putting their gifts and talents to good use, winning medals and awards and breaking records, some others are also breaking things in a not-so-good way. 

But fails woefully I might add.

BBN S7: Amaka did not disappoint

Big Brother Naija housemate Amaka (Chiamaka Crystal Mbah) had tongues wagging and her name trending on Twitter for the risque swimsuit she donned for the pool party of level 2 (fondly known as the Trenches) housemates yesterday.

Amaka why??? 

Amaka, who seems to be interested in a housemate named Groovy, got into a flirty mood as she whined, twerked, and rocked Groovy, who was sitting with his favourite female housemate (say babe), Beauty.

Her action has gotten followers of the reality show talking as many questioned her motive. But, we know what it is:  Amaka has kept to her words to destroy ships (relationships) in the house.

Now to some welcoming news…

Justice for Ini has finally become a reality as

Ini Umoren’s killer sentenced to death

An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has sentenced Uduak Frank Akpan to death by hanging for the murder of Iniubong Umoren.

The case of the murder of Iniubong Umoren, a graduate of Philosophy, the University of Uyo whose life was taken in may 2021 while on a job hunt seems to have concluded and justice has been served. Uduak Akpan the now convicted killer, contacted Ini Umoren on social media after she responded to a job advert he put out to lure in his victims.

The Court on Thursday sentenced Uduak Frank Akpan to death by hanging for the murder of Iniubong Umoren. Uduak’s father, Frank Akpan, and his sister, Anwan Bassey (2nd and 3rd accused) were discharged and acquitted.

Ini Umoren’s sister who was at the court reports that “after his verdict and sentence were read out, Uduak Akpan resisted handcuffing and tried to strangle one of the lawyers in the courtroom before he was overpowered.”

When the convict first appeared in court on July 26, 2021, he pleaded guilty to murder, but not guilty to rape. Having admitted to murdering the victim, the court, however, entered a not-guilty plea for the murder of Ms Umoren.

To the surprise of many, Akpan later made a U-turn during his trial and denied raping and killing Ms Umoren. But Ama Okeke, a call data analyst with the DSS, who testified before the court, presented a video recording of Mr Akpan’s interview session which countered his claims. The court admitted the video as evidence.

Some back story:

Having been lured out of her home in Uyo with a fake job interview by Uduak Akpan, the victim went missing on 29 April 2021. Ms Umoren’s friend, Uduak Umoh, said she heard her scream for help when she established contact with her on the phone.\

The situation forced several Nigerians to use the hashtag #FindHinyUmoren to help track the missing woman’s location or uncover the identity and location of the person she went to meet. On April 30, 2011, Ms Umoren’s corpse was exhumed in a shallow grave by police operatives, a day after she was raped and killed at Akpan’s family compound.

Her gruesome murder sparked nationwide outrage and condemnation over increasing rape cases in Nigeria. This led to the arrest of Uduak Akpan and his prosecution.

Shakira faces jail times for tax evasion

Popular Colombian Music star Shakira might be facing as much as 8 years in jail if found guilty of tax evasion in Spain. A Spanish prosecutor is seeking a prison term of eight years over a 14.5 million-euro tax fraud allegation. 

According to Reuters, the singer, who has sold more than 80 million records worldwide with hits such as “Hips Don’t Lie”, earlier this week rejected a settlement offer from the prosecutor’s office to close the case.

She is accused of failing to pay taxes between 2012 and 2014, a period in which Shakira says she did not live in Spain.

The prosecutor’s document, seen by Reuters, asserts that Shakira was resident in Spain between 2012 and 2014 and in May 2012 bought a house in Barcelona which became a family home for herself, her partner and their son born in Spain in 2013.

They asked for an eight-year prison sentence and a fine of more than 23 million euros ($23.5 million) should she be found guilty. No date for a trial has been set yet. 

That’s all from me on the social media roundup this week. Let us know what you think. Until next week!