Rema defends his self-confidence, clarifying that acknowledging his greatness doesn’t equate to arrogance, but rather hard-earned success

Nigerian music sensation Rema has addressed the controversy surrounding his recent statement in which he ranked himself among Afrobeats’ top four artistes.

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Speaking in an interview with *Rolling Stone*, the “Calm Down” hitmaker clarified that his self-confidence should not be mistaken for arrogance, stressing that his recognition of his own success is rooted in his dedication and hard work.

The 24-year-old singer’s comment had drawn attention after he included himself in a list of top Nigerian musicians. Rema, however, believes that acknowledging one’s greatness is not an act of boasting but rather a reflection of belief in one’s own journey.

He expressed his frustration over the backlash, questioning why it’s controversial to stand by one’s success.

“So on ‘Heis’, I was talking a lot of s**t. It is not cocky. It is like, what stops you from saying you’re the best? You can say it and stand your ground. It is even humble to say four,” Rema explained.

The artist also drew comparisons to rapper Kendrick Lamar, pointing out that unlike Lamar’s diss track “It’s just big me,” which often involves tearing others down, he does not feel the need to diminish other artists to lift himself up.

Instead, Rema emphasized that his belief in his place within Afrobeats is part of a larger vision of unity for the genre.

“I didn’t pull down the two, I didn’t pull down the three. I just see myself as one of the greats, and it’s a problem. I’m not saying ‘oh f**k everybody.’

I really vouch for the unity of Afrobeats,” he said, reinforcing his stance of fostering collective success within the African music scene.

Rema’s comments come at a time when Afrobeats is experiencing global recognition, with Nigerian artistes like him continuing to lead the charge in the international music scene.

His openness about his confidence highlights a broader trend where many artistes are asserting their place in the global music hierarchy, which continues to spark conversation about self-promotion and humility in the industry.

Military attacks on electricity distribution companies in Nigeria have sparked outrage, with unions warning of a nationwide strike if violence continues

The Federal Government is facing intense criticism for its failure to address a series of violent attacks by military personnel on electricity distribution companies in Nigeria.

The latest in a disturbing series of assaults occurred on 14 March 2025, when soldiers from the Nigerian Army attacked the Eko Disco substation in Badagry, Lagos, continuing the trend of military aggression against power companies.

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has expressed alarm over the growing threat to the safety of workers, warning that unless these attacks cease, they will have no choice but to withdraw their services nationwide.

The union condemned the assault on the Eko Disco facility, where two employees were abducted, tortured, and detained by soldiers after being accused of poor power supply to a military barracks.

This attack comes just one week after a similar incident at Ikeja Electric, where personnel from the Nigerian Air Force raided the company’s headquarters in Alausa, Lagos, on 6 March 2025.

The military personnel stormed the facility in military trucks, brutalising employees and journalists present on site.

The Air Force had earlier issued an ultimatum to Ikeja Electric demanding reconnection of power due to an outstanding N4bn debt, and upon expiry, took matters into their own hands, resulting in violent reprisals.

The attacks have raised concerns among industry stakeholders about the lack of action from the Nigerian government.

Despite the severity of the assaults, no response from the Presidency, Ministry of Defence, or the Chief of Defence Staff has been forthcoming, leaving many questioning the government’s commitment to protecting civilian infrastructure from military overreach.

The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) has highlighted the alarming trend, suggesting that if the government had taken action against the military personnel involved in the Ikeja Electric attack, the subsequent assault on the Eko Disco substation might have been prevented.

The group’s CEO, Sunday Oduntan, warned that the lack of accountability for the officers involved emboldened others to repeat the violence.

The attacks have also drawn attention to the broader issue of the military’s relationship with civilian entities in Nigeria.

According to Oduntan, the impunity displayed by the military, particularly the officers involved in the Ikeja Air Force Base invasion, has resulted in further harassment of workers, who are now faced with both physical violence and professional intimidation.

“We are calling out the President, the National Security Adviser, and the Chief of Air Staff for their silence on this matter,” Oduntan said.

“The lack of response from these authorities is paving the way for further military aggression. This impunity must stop.”

The attacks on electricity workers have also drawn condemnation from the NUEE, which stated that the abuse of workers, particularly by military personnel, cannot continue.

The union’s Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, released a statement calling the assault on the Eko Disco substation an “unprofessional and atrocious act,” demanding that those responsible be held accountable.

The NUEE warned that unless immediate steps are taken to ensure the safety of electricity workers, they would be forced to go on strike, potentially plunging the country into a nationwide power outage. “To be forewarned is to be forearmed,” the statement concluded.

The recent spate of military invasions has exposed deep concerns about the security of critical infrastructure and the safety of workers across Nigeria.

As the situation continues to escalate, many are urging the government to act decisively to prevent further violence and restore confidence in the country’s power sector.

 The Federal Government has approved the construction of a modular refinery in Abia State, set to drive economic growth and industrial development

The Federal Government has granted approval for the construction of a modular refinery in Abia State, a move expected to boost industrialisation and economic development in the region.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, announced the approval during the flag-off of the reconstruction of the 11.1-kilometre Obehie-Umudibia-Owaza Road.

He revealed that the refinery would be built by H.I.S. Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited and will be located at the Abia Industrial and Innovative Park (AIIP) in Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area.

Governor Otti highlighted the project’s significance beyond infrastructure development, stating that it would revitalise dormant economic assets and create new opportunities for residents and businesses.

“This project is not just about creating access to the towns and villages along this corridor.

It is about reviving dormant economic assets, opening new horizons, and reigniting the dreams that once inspired our forefathers,” he said.

The governor also assured stakeholders that the state government would provide full support to ensure the successful completion of the refinery, positioning Abia as a key player in Nigeria’s industrial growth.

The approval of the modular refinery aligns with ongoing efforts to enhance local refining capacity, reduce dependency on imported petroleum products, and create jobs in the oil and gas sector.