•Ambassador of Portugal to Nigeria, Paulo Martins Santos (middle).

The Ambassador of Portugal to Nigeria, Paulo Martins Santos, has praised the quality and cultural depth of the Carnival Calabar, describing his first experience of the festival as impressive and full of potential for greater international recognition.

Speaking during his visit to Calabar, Santos said he was struck by the organisation and seriousness of the events, starting with the children’s festival, which he attended shortly after he arrived in the state.

Contrary to his expectations of a simple children-focused parade, the ambassador said the event reflected strong planning, symbolism and cultural intent, setting the tone for what he was told would be a series of even bigger spectacles, including the bikers’ parade and the main carnival procession.

Santos, who has lived in Nigeria for more than two years, said he experienced no cultural shock in Calabar, noting the long-standing historical ties between Portugal and Africa, including Nigeria.

He explained that shared history and cultural exchanges over more than five centuries have created a familiarity that makes Portuguese visitors feel at home across the continent.

On hospitality, the ambassador described his reception as exceptional, praising the warmth of his hosts and the opportunity to explore not just Calabar but also parts of neighbouring Akwa Ibom State.

Imani Dia Smith, a Broadway actor best known for playing Young Nala in the stage adaptation of ‘The Lion King’, was stabbed to death at her residence in New Jersey. She was 25 years old.

According to a statement by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, authorities responded to a 911 call reported a stabbing at a residence on Grove Avenue at 9:18 a.m. on December 21.

“Upon their arrival to a residence on Grove Avenue, they discovered Imani Smith, 26, of Edison with stab wounds,” the release stated.

“Smith was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she was ultimately pronounced deceased.”

Smith’s 35-year-old boyfriend, Jordan D. Jackson-Small, has been arrested and charged in connection with her death.

“Moreover, Smith and Jackson-Small knew each other before the incident; thus, it was not a random act of violence,” the prosecutor’s office said.

Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti will be honoured with a special merit award at the 2026 Grammy Awards.

The organisers of the prestigious award, Recording Academy, announced this via a post on Instagram on Friday, December 19, 2025.

The Recording Academy described Fela as the “architect of Afrobeat,” noting that the late musician is among ten people to be honoured with the special award.

The academy said the Afrobeat legend will be honoured with a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award on January 31, 2026.