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ICYMI: Highlights from the Monkey Shoulder Press Play Concert in Abuja
Weekends are the perfect time to turn up, but on Saturday, November 18, Monkey Shoulder brought the roof down at Harrow Park, redefining what it means to have a good time. Known for epitomizing good vibes and playfulness. Monkey Shoulder transformed the capital city into a vibrant playground of music and games, complete with an unmistakable adrenaline rush that made the Press Play Concert a total rave. Every element from the amazing light show to the electrifying live performances and the daring acts, set the stage for a night we won’t be forgetting in a hurry. Adding to the allure, well-known media personalities like VJ Adams, Josh 2 Funny, Eso Dike, The Real Warri Pikin, and many more graced the event with their presence. Did you miss any of it? Here’s an exclusive scoop on what you missed ● Dynamic DJ Sets and Live Performances: The Monkey Shoulder Press Play Concert was a complete blast for many reasons and the thrilling performances are at the top of that list. From Teni The Entertainer’s captivating performance to Bella Shmurda’s energetic tunes, the Press Play Concert was filled with music at its finest. But that was not all, there was also Magnito, Bloody Civilian, Psycho YP, and Laime who delivered pulsating rhythms that had us dancing from start to finish. DJs Baggio, Romie, Gigi Jasmine, Borsh, Burna, and Young Gee also kept the energy soaring, creating a non-stop dance party. ● FC 24 Tournament Triumph: The Monkey Shoulder Press Play Concert was not your regular concert. There were classic games, thrilling challenges, and a FIFA 24 Tournament with a juicy cash prize for the winner! In a gripping display of gaming prowess, Farouk Umar Manzo-Ahmed emerged as the 2023 winner of the highly competitive FIFA 24 Tournament, leaving the audience captivated by his exceptional skills. The Game Zone was transformed into a battleground of digital athleticism, with each match delivering thrilling moments that had spectators on the edge of their seats. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as players navigated the virtual pitch, showcasing strategic moves, precise plays, and jaw-dropping goals that added an extra layer of intensity to the tournament. The million naira prize served as the grand culmination of this electrifying gaming experience, turning Farouk into the undisputed champion of the FIFA 24 Tournament. ● The Made for Mixing Experience: What’s the Press Play Concert without bottles of Monkey Shoulder and an abundance of cocktails blended to perfection with the iconic Scotch Malt Whisky? At the Press Play Concert, we got all the Monkey Shoulder we could have asked for, each sip embodying the spirit of the brand’s playful escapism. Guests also indulged in a variety of delicious finger-licking foods from the food vendor stalls at the concert.. From savory bites to delectable treats, attendees had many delectable treats to satisfy their diverse palates, enhancing the overall sensory experience of the concert. Art and Fashion was also a key highlight of the wholesome experience as vendor stalls for artists and clothing vendors who came to display their unique pieces were also on ground. ● Mesmerizing Light Shows and Acts: Guests at the Press Play Concert were swept up in a whirlwind of mesmerizing light shows and performances, featuring gravity-defying aerial displays, electrifying flying pole maneuvers, enchanting LED lollipop twirls, and dazzling mirror ball performances that left everyone awestruck, gripping the edge of their seats. Needless to say, Fantasy Box displayed artistic dexterity that gave a touch of amazement to the overall experience. Without a shadow of doubt, the Monkey Shoulder Press Play concert left an indelible mark, with attendees eagerly anticipating the next spectacular event. The energy was unmatched, and we can hardly contain our excitement for the next experience! To stay updated for more experiences, follow @monkeyshoulderng on social media.
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Kwara Monarch Kidnap: Primate Ayodele Warned But They Didn’t Listen
Oba Salman Aweda, his wife and another resident have been kidnapped emidnight invasion of Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.He was recently elevated by the state government.The heavily armed gang stormed the palace of at about 1:40 a.m. on Saturday, firing sporadically to scare residents before taking him and two others to an unknown destination.This is the noise we have been making regarding how they treat the prophecy of Nigerian prophet, Primate Elijah Ayodele of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church.Before now, people used to say Primate Ayodele talks about politics alone but at the moment, his prophecies about insecurity in the country has been top notch; nobody comes close if we are to rank it but it is alarming that people who are supposed to secure people have turned deaf ears.This has repeated itself several times and it seems the time has come for us to ask questions; do our security operatives enjoy hearing the death and kidnap of innocent Nigerians let alone prominent individuals?Before the recent attacks on military base, an ondo monarch, bomb attacks in Borno, attack on church on Easter Sunday, Primate Ayodele specifically warned the security operatives and the government about the impending attacks but they never listened. Now, few weeks ago, Primate Ayodele revealed that next target of terrorist in Nigeria and stated that they are planning to attack some traditional rulers. He even went as far as revealing the states where the attacks would be carried out.These were his words:“Terrorists will start kidnapping traditional rulers in some states that include Kebbi, Niger, Zamfara, Kano, Kogi (Lokoja axis), Ondo, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi and Yobe, with concerns that the threat could also extend to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”The happening in Kwara state has fulfilled this prophetic warning. Obviously our security operatives didn’t do anything about it. Now, how long do we continue like this?
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How Tinubu’s Government Is Suffering For Ignoring Primate Ayodele’s Early Prophecies On Insecurity
After swearing-in on May 29, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received goodwill messages from renowned men of God, with many prophesying that his administration would be better, especially in terms of security.
Many of these messages were based on the earlier promise of the All Progressive Congress that the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, would tackle insecurity adequately for the country.
However, in the midst of these praises and goodwill messages, renowned prophet, Primate Elijah Ayodele, who is known for always revealing the future of any new administration, spoke in a prophetic message that went viral, that insecurity will be used as a great tool against Tinubu’s administration.
The prophet had been talking about another APC government since 2022, noting that Nigerians will face several economic hardships, and he was detested by the ruling party and its supporters because of this. They saw him as an opposition party when they were supposed to listen to his prophetic warnings. However, it happened; the major indices of the economy are energy and currency. The exchange rate and price of petrol have never been so much like it has been for the past three years now.
The prophet warned repeatedly that insecurity and the economy would be the major issues President Tinubu would face in his administration, but did they listen? Absolutely not, because if they did, some of the issues being faced in the country would have disappeared.
Beyond his statement before the election, Primate Ayodele continued to warn the government against insecurity, even as far as warning against an impending coup. The prophet had revealed that some powerful Nigerians are angry with the president and have planned to remove him unconstitutionally. Of course, they never believed this till it happened. If not for the prophetic security alert issued by the prophet, the president may have been removed when the coup came to light.
These were his warnings regarding the coup:
“There will be an attempt to unseat Tinubu unconstitutionally; the NSA, DSS, and Chief of Army Staff must be careful about this. There are some gangs planning between November to January to unseat him.”
Thankfully, they were arrested, and some of them have been detained.
More recently, there were attacks on some states on Easter Sunday, leading to the death of some Christians. This happened as a result of obstinacy on the part of security operatives because just days before it, Primate Ayodele specifically warned that some states would be attacked from Easter Sunday, and it did happen, with security operatives having nothing to do to stop the incident.
These were Primate Ayodele’s warnings.
“Our security operatives must watch Easter Sunday well because plans have been concluded to carry out attacks in seven states starting from that day.
“The states to watch out for include Kogi, Kwara, Ondo, Ogun, Nasarawa, Kebbi, and Kaduna.
“The security operatives must be extra vigilant in these states starting from Easter Sunday.”
Yesterday, there was an internal memo released by the Nigerian Customs Service that Boko Haram are planning to attack some prisons and airports in the country.
This corroborated the prophetic warning of Primate Ayodele, which he shared some weeks ago, regarding some prisons, specifically mentioning Kuje prison.
These were his words:
“Break jail is imminent, Kuje prison or they send a bomb into Kuje prison, it’s a midnight work…..”
Meanwhile, Primate Ayodele had warned that there are people sponsoring insecurity in President Tinubu’s government. He also urged him to name some of them in order to curb it, but this has yet to be done.
President Tinubu’s government would have been one of the best, but insecurity has tarnished it greatly, and the country is gradually returning to the days of daily killings; even Nigerian high-ranking soldiers are not spared. This insecurity has given the administration a bad record internationally, with the US naming Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
If the president had listened, Nigerians, and even the government, wouldn’t have suffered this much. However, it’s not too late for them to turn a new leaf.
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Building Systems that outlive Founders – Bidemi Oke
There is a quiet misconception in many growing companies that vision alone is enough to sustain momentum. Founders are often the engine because they are decisive, driven and deeply involved. But what happens when the engine steps back?That question is where real companies are separated from fragile ones. Building something that outlives a founder is not about removing their influence; rather, it is about translating that influence into systems, repeatable, observable and transferable structures that do not rely on constant presence. Without this, growth becomes personality-dependent, and scale becomes inconsistent.At the early stage, founder-led execution works. Decisions are faster, direction is clearer, and there is less friction. But as the company grows, that same model becomes a bottleneck. Every approval, every escalation, every strategic shift begins to orbit one person. The business does not slow down because of external pressure; it slows down because its internal architecture cannot carry its own weight.Usually, “system” is often misunderstood. It is not just about tools, dashboards or policies. It is about designing how decisions are made, how information flows and how accountability is structured. It is about making sure that the logic behind actions is visible, not assumed.For example, a strong system answers questions before they become problems. What triggers a decision? Who owns it? What data informs it? What happens if it goes wrong?When these are unclear, teams default to escalation. When they are clear, teams operate with autonomy.This is where many founders hesitate. System-building feels like losing control. In reality, it is the only way to extend control without being physically present. It shifts leadership from being reactive to being embedded.One of the most overlooked aspects of building enduring systems is Documentation.Now, not as a formality but as a strategic asset. Decisions that are not documented become opinions. Processes that are not documented become inconsistent.Over time, this creates invisible friction. Teams solve the same problems repeatedly but differently each time.Documentation, when done well, becomes institutional memory. It ensures that the company remembers even when individuals move on.Another critical layer is Feedback Loops. Systems should not be static; they must evolve with the business. This requires structured ways to capture what is working, what is failing and what needs refinement. Without feedback loops, systems become outdated. With them, systems become adaptive.There is also a cultural dimension to it. Systems do not operate in isolation; people execute them. If the culture rewards speed over clarity, systems will be bypassed. If the culture values accountability, systems will be strengthened. The goal is alignment where systems reinforce behaviour and behaviour reinforces systems.In fast-moving industries, this becomes even more important, take fintech, for instance. The pace of regulatory change, market volatility and user expectations demands consistency under pressure.Companies that rely solely on founder instinct struggle to keep up, while those that invest in structured decision-making, risk management frameworks, and operational clarity are better positioned to adapt.This is something we are increasingly seeing in companies like FlashChange, where the focus is not just on growth, but on building operational resilience. The emphasis is shifting from “who is making the decision” to “how decisions are made.” That shift, while subtle, is very powerful. It creates a foundation that can support scale without losing direction.Ultimately, building systems that outlive founders is about redefining leadership. It is not measured by how many decisions a founder makes, but by how many decisions the organisation can make without them.The strongest companies are not those where the founder is always present. They are the ones where the founder’s thinking is quietly embedded, shaping actions, guiding priorities and influencing outcomes, even in their absence. That is how legacies are built.Not through constant control, but through systems that carry intent forward.About the AuthorBidemi Oke is the Chief Executive Officer of FlashChange, a fintech platform focused on secure digital asset exchange. He is an entrepreneur and vibrant leader, recognised for driving innovation and redefining access in the financial technology industry.
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