Afrobeats star Folarin Odunlami, popularly known as Fola, has shared the difficult experience he faced when he first arrived in Lagos to chase his music career.
Naija News reports that the artist revealed that on the very day he relocated to the city in 2018, he was arrested and had to spend the night at a police station.
Fola explained that the incident left him discouraged and nearly pushed him into abandoning his musical journey.
Despite the rough start and the challenges of adapting to life in Lagos, he said his determination helped him find his way in the industry.
The singer rose to fame after joining Bella Shmurda’s Dagbani Republik in October 2024.
His song “Alone” opened doors for him in the music scene, leading to collaborations with major Afrobeats names including Wizkid and Kizz Daniel.
Speaking in a recent interview with The Beat 99.9 FM Lagos he said: “I relocated to Lagos in 2018 to pursue my music career. It has been rough but… I wasn’t born here, so it was so hard at first but I have adapted to both the living conditions and the hustle.
“The very first day I came to Lagos, I assumed arrested. I slept at the police station. It was a long story. I don’t want to remember it. I almost gave up.”
<p><img width="750" height="450" src="https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MixCollage-16-Nov-2023-04-52-PM-1477.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="Coalition Of Opposition Parties Not About 2027 - NNPP National Secretary Opens Up" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MixCollage-16-Nov-2023-04-52-PM-1477.jpg 750w, https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MixCollage-16-Nov-2023-04-52-PM-1477-300x180.jpg 300w, https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MixCollage-16-Nov-2023-04-52-PM-1477-590x354.jpg 590w, https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MixCollage-16-Nov-2023-04-52-PM-1477-400x240.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></p>
<h2>Dr. Ajuji Ahmed has been appointed as the new acting National Chairman of the <a href="https://www.naijanews.com/topic/nnpp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)</a>.</h2>
<p><strong>Naija News</strong> reports that Ahmed takes over from Alhaji Abba Kawu Ali, who resigned from his position at the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting on Tuesday.</p>
<p>This was made known in a statement to journalists by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yakubu Shendam.</p>
<p>Shendam disclosed that Kawu Ali resigned based on medical advice from his Physician.</p>
<p><em>“Dr. Ajuji Ahmed has been elected as the new Acting National Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) following the resignation of Abba Kawu Ali.</em></p>
<p><em>“Abba Kawu Ali, during the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting at the National Headquarters of the Party, 11 Mahatma Gandhi Street Area 11, Abuja, said his decision to resign as the Ag. National chairman was based on advice from his personal Physician.</em></p>
<p><em>“This prompted a motion for the nomination of a New Acting National Chairman, and the choice of Dr. Ajuji Ahmed was unanimously supported by all members of the NWC,</em>" the statement said.</p>
<p>Dr. Ahmed formerly held the position of Deputy National Secretary of the NNPP before his elevation to acting National Chairman.</p>
<p>A source within the party told The Nation that the party had to settle for Dr. Ahmed, who is the highest-ranking officer of the party from the North East, because the Constitution States that the position vacated by an officer of the party will be filled by somebody from the same region.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.naijanews.com/2024/03/26/breaking-nnpp-appoints-new-acting-national-chairman/">BREAKING: NNPP Appoints New Acting National Chairman</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.naijanews.com">Naija News</a>.</p>
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/montreal-street-during-the-holidays.jpg?id=55410843&width=1200&height=600&coordinates=0%2C228%2C0%2C229"/><br/><br/><p>The new year is right around the corner, and with it comes all the early closures and holiday hours that could derail your plans in Montreal. </p><p>Whether you're figuring out New Year's Eve hours for last-minute errands, wondering what's open on New Year's Day in Montreal for a supply run, or just looking for <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/things-to-do/" target="_blank">things to do in Montreal</a> over the holidays, planning ahead is key.</p><p>New Year's Day — January 1, 2025 — lands on a Wednesday this year, and it's a federal and statutory holiday across Canada, meaning most places in Montreal will be closed for the day. But don't stress! A handful of grocery stores, shops and attractions will still be open to help you out, and we dug around to find all of them so you don't have to.</p><p>Meanwhile, New Year's Eve isn't an official holiday, but lots of spots around Montreal are shutting their doors early. We've rounded up all the details on shortened hours to make sure you're not left scrambling while stocking up for your get-together.</p><p>From grocery and liquor stores to malls, public transit, government services and attractions, here's everything you need to know about what's open and closed — or closing early — in Montreal on December 31, 2024, and January 1, 2025, including info on the SAQ, Maxi, IGA, the STM, Services Québec and more.</p><h3>Grocery stores</h3><br/><p><strong>December 31 (New Year's Eve):</strong></p><ul><li>Costco: All locations across Greater Montreal will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.</li><li>Provigo & Maxi: Most Provigo locations will close early at 5 p.m. Maxi's holiday hours are not posted on its website, but they are likely to be similar to its sister company's hours.</li><li>Metro & Super C: Most locations will be open until 5 p.m. You can check the <a href="https://www.metro.ca/en/find-a-grocery" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Metro</a> and <a href="https://www.superc.ca/en/find-a-grocery/holiday-hours" target="_blank">Super C</a> websites for your local store's hours.</li><li>IGA: Most locations will be open until 5 p.m. You can check the <a href="https://www.iga.net/en/find_a_store" target="_blank">IGA website</a> for your local store's hours.</li><li>Walmart: All locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.</li><li>Public markets: Atwater, Jean-Talon and Maisonneuve markets will be open until 5 p.m.</li></ul><p><strong>January 1 (New Year's Day): </strong>Most major grocery chains will be closed on New Year's Day. However, here are a few places you can go if you need something on the holiday:</p><ul><li>Provigo at 1275, av. des Canadiens de Montréal will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.</li><li>Pharmacies: Many pharmacies, especially larger chains like Pharmaprix and Jean Coutu, will be open with reduced hours on New Year's Day. Holiday hours are often not posted on the website, so it's a good idea to call your local store before heading out.</li><li>Depanneurs: Many depanneurs and corner stores in Montreal stay open on New Year's Day for last-minute essentials. You may want to call your local store to confirm their hours.</li><li>Aisle 24: All <a href="https://aisle24.ca/location/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">locations</a> of this cashierless grocery chain are open 24/7, all year round. You'll just need to download the app and create a profile in order to unlock the door.</li></ul><h3>Liquor stores</h3><br/><p>Most SAQ locations will close early at 5 p.m. on December 31 and reopen at 1 p.m. on January 2. While the SAQ isn't open on New Year's Day, many depanneurs will be open, selling beer and wine.</p><h3>Shopping malls</h3><br/><p>Most major shopping centres in Greater Montreal — including Galeries d'Anjou, Place Versailles and more — will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on December 31 and closed on January 1.</p><h3>Services</h3><br/><p>
<strong>STM: </strong> On the night of December 31 to January 1, the STM will extend its hours of operation on lines 1 (Green), 2 (Orange) and 4 (Yellow), with service running until at least 2:30 a.m. on all three lines. Last-train times will vary by station, and you can find them all on the <a href="https://www.stm.info/en/offers-and-outings/events/december-31-stay-later" target="_blank">STM's website here</a>. Line 5 (Blue) will run on its usual weekday schedule.</p><p>
<strong>Canada Post:</strong> Canada Post is closed on national, provincial and territorial <a href="https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/support/kb/sending/general-information/find-out-operating-hours-on-holidays" target="_blank">holidays</a>. That means there is no collection or delivery of mail happening on New Year's Day.</p><p>
<strong>Banks:</strong> All banks are closed on New Year's Day.
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<span></span><strong>Service Canada:</strong> Closed on New Year's Day.
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<strong>Services Québec:</strong> Closed December 31 to January 2, inclusive.</p><h3>Things to do</h3><br/><p><strong>Public markets:</strong> Place Jacques-Cartier Market will be open on December 31 from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. and on January 1 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Mont-Royal Neighbourhood Market will also be open both days from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Atwater, Jean-Talon and Maisonneuve markets will be open until 5 p.m. on December 31, but closed on January 1 and 2.</p><p><strong>Espace pour la vie museums:</strong> All five properties will be open both days, with some modified hours. The Biodome, Biosphere, Insectarium and Planetarium will be open on January 1 from 1 to 5 p.m. The Planetarium will be open on December 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the other three will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Botanical Garden's outdoor spaces are open every day during the holidays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.</p><p><strong>Skating rinks:</strong> The Bleu Blanc Bouge rinks at <a href="https://montreal.ca/en/places/bleu-blanc-bouge-rink-cdn-ndg#section-horaire" target="_blank">Parc de la Confédération</a> (CDN-NDG), <a href="https://montreal.ca/en/places/parc-le-carignan-bleu-blanc-bouge-skating-rink#HRS1" target="_blank">Parc Le Carignan</a> and <a href="https://montreal.ca/en/places/parc-willibrord-bleu-blanc-bouge-outdoor-skating-rink#:~:text=Check%20the%20Weekly%20schedule" target="_blank">Parc Willibrord</a> (Verdun) will be open both days with varying schedules. The Old Port skating rink will also be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. all throughout the holidays.</p><p><strong>Cinemas:</strong> Most cinemas, especially larger chains like Cineplex, are open all throughout the holidays, including New Year's Day.</p><p><strong>Igloofest NYE:</strong> From 8 p.m. December 31 to 2 a.m. January 1, Igloofest is putting on a <a href="https://www.mtl.org/en/what-to-do/festivals-and-events/igloo-new-year-eve-nye-montreal" target="_blank">free outdoor show</a> at Quai Jacques-Cartier in the Old Port. There will be eight artists performing, and it's the perfect spot to catch the fireworks and ring in 2025 in style!</p><p class="">Happy New Year, Montreal!</p>