On this day in 2016, Microsoft made its biggest move at the time: acquiring LinkedIn for $26.2 billion.

The platform kept its name and CEO, Jeff Weiner, but became central to Satya Nadella’s broader vision to push Microsoft beyond software and into the heart of professional life. While the Activision Blizzard deal eventually surpassed it in size, LinkedIn remains one of Microsoft’s most strategic assets—fueling its growth in enterprise tools, cloud services, and AI-powered learning.

Today, it has over 1.2 billion members and draws nearly 1.8 billion visits each month. It counts over 234 million users in the U.S. alone. Nearly 43% of all consumers have a LinkedIn profile, and one in four engage with brand content daily. Most users are 25–34, with Gen Z quickly joining as they enter the workforce.

Almost a decade after the deal, LinkedIn has grown far beyond a digital résumé—it’s where careers are built and business happens.

(h/t Sprout Social, Statista)

Davido buys a 2026 car in the 6th month of 2025.

Its a brand new Mercedes Maybach SL 680
$750,000,000= 1.2 Billion naira

This is coming after he splashed about 700m on a CyberTruck few weeks ago.

Are Brands Shortchanging The Southeast?

We pride ourselves on having a large market in the Southeast. Numbers and statistics support this claim. When I was in the telecom industry, Onitsha was a big revenue center for the telcos.

However, we cannot say that brands benefiting from the huge Southeast market have shown enough good faith in their social investments decision-making and this is baffling.

Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt usually receive a large chunk of corporate sponsorships from major Nigerian brands, to the neglect of the Southeast market, which can be likened to the goose that lays the golden egg.

We once had MTN as the title sponsor of Enugwu-Ukwu Igu-Aro and the other associated festivals. That relationship stopped and no other brand has bothered to throw their muscle behind the rich cultural fest. Globacom sponsors the Onitsha Ofala Festival. However, other brands are yet to step in as co-sponsors to help blow the festival the same way they have done with the Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state.

These fliers are just a few examples of how other brands have helped to activate the Ojude-Oba festival.

Organizing world-class festivals requires a lot of resources which only brands can provide. We people of the Southeast are demanding more from brands that are generating tons of revenue from the Southeast. Fair is fair.

We are simply asking for a re-think of the corporate social investments (CSI) strategies of major Nigerian brands to also favour the Southeast which also generates the revenues for them.

The argument that insecurity in the Southeast is one of the reasons why brands chose to stay away from CSI investments is not completely true. Insecurity may have impacted social life but people are still making calls and using data in the Southeast so the telcos can’t complain. On the Mondays of sit-at-home, I can bet that data and call usages increase as people idle away at home. On weekends, and even weekdays, bars and nightclubs are still banging so beverage companies are smiling. The financial services sector is thriving despite the security challenges. POS operators are almost lined up inch after inch in our communities. Banks are still declaring trillions of Naira in profits.

During festive periods such as Easter, New Yam, and Christmas seasons when these festivals take place. It’s choc-a-block and bumper-to-bumper traffic in the Southeast. So a bit more CSI gaze towards the Southeast by the brands won’t be a bad idea. The tokenism approach should be discarded because it’s good business for them.

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Regina should steer clear of this drama.

Angela and Mercy go way back—about two decades, in fact. Regina was barely out of diapers when all this started, so it’s unlikely she can grasp the depth of whatever’s simmering between these two seasoned actresses.

Mercy’s career took flight in 2004 when eight of Nollywood’s top stars—names like Omotola, Genevieve, RMD, and Jim Iyke—were temporarily blacklisted for demanding higher pay. That one-year suspension gave rising talents like Mercy Johnson, Ini Edo, and Stephanie Okereke a golden opportunity to shine. Before that, they were mostly stuck playing side characters or friends of the lead.

Adding to Mercy’s luck, Genevieve didn’t return to acting until 2006 when she starred in *Girls Cot*. By that time, Mercy had already stolen the spotlight. She wasn’t just skilled—she had the figure and on-screen charm that fit the era’s favorite roles: queens, village belles, university girls, and the dangerous beauty with secrets.

However, with more fame came more friction. Her first public altercation was in 2010 with Patience Ozokwor. Witnesses claimed Patience criticized a costume and threw subtle shade, saying she wasn’t about to wear something “Mercy-style.” Mercy heard and went off.

The following year, she reportedly butted heads with Mike Ezuruonye. She’d arrived late to a shoot, and Mike called her out on it, reminding her of the humility she once had. That didn’t sit well with Mercy, who allegedly refused to rehearse lines with him afterward.

2011 was also the year she married Prince Odianosen Okojie, even though he was still legally married to someone else at the time. That marriage added more fuel to the bad-girl image that followed her.

Soon after, Mercy made headlines again for allegedly smashing a crew member’s phone. The story goes that the young woman had been recording a romantic scene, and Mercy suspected the footage was meant for gossip blogs as “proof” of infidelity.

(Back then, I was on Mercy’s side. Nigerian gossip bloggers were wild. They made life hell for stars like Tonto, Ini, and Genevieve.)

As Mercy began having kids, she slowly withdrew from the spotlight—but her old controversies kept resurfacing. In 2019, Sonia Ogiri spoke up about how Mercy had allegedly blocked her from landing acting roles. Sonia said she even had to beg Mercy for forgiveness. But by then, Mercy had rebranded and was loved by the public, so Sonia got dragged online for daring to speak out.

In 2020, Davido dropped a cryptic but cutting comment under Eniola Badmus’ congratulatory post for Mercy and her husband’s new baby. “Wicked people… congrats though,” he wrote. When asked about it, he added, “Nothing. Just evil set of people.” Neither Mercy nor her husband addressed the remarks, though he did later deny the baby news.

Then in 2021, Mercy’s daughter, Purity, was allegedly targeted by a teacher who confessed that her grudge was with Mercy, not the child. No one ever disclosed what sparked that resentment.

Now in 2025, Mercy is visibly slimmer, and fans are beginning to question if her weight loss is really by choice. On June 3rd, Angela Okorie went live on Instagram and claimed that Mercy is seriously ill. She urged her to seek forgiveness from those she’d wronged.

Today, Regina Daniels has jumped into the fray to defend Mercy, whom she calls her godmother. She’s dragging Angela left and right online. But Angela is unmoved—she maintains her advice stands and says Mercy needs to make peace with her past.

Honestly, Regina should sit this one out.

Angela may be controversial, but she’s been around long enough to know things Regina doesn’t. It would be wiser for Regina to focus on her own journey—especially with a baby on the way (yes, Ned said so in his anniversary post)—and let the veterans handle their unresolved issues.

This isn't her fight.

The whole situation is complicated and layered, which is why those who witnessed the beginning of it all are keeping quiet and watching from the sidelines.

Davido just picked up another brand new Tesla Cybertruck

I saw a video of Veekee James making a wedding dress few hours to a wedding party simply because the one she had initially planned to wear didn’t come out as expected.

It was an orange lovely dress.

I had to watch the video thrice to see what was actually wrong with that dress she rejected for the other.

..puffed up space at the lower zip region and an uneven stitch in a slit….

I eventually saw what she was unsatisfied about.

Now, any normal Nigerian lady would have said in that lovely dress, “It’s not that bad.” And family and friends would have concurred, “It’s not even visible, unless the person comes close. Wear your thing jare.”

BUT THEN! This was VEE KEE JAMES.

Not the Ajegunle VeeKee — the Forbes VJ Brand.

When it comes to fashion, she knows now that it is no longer only about her, but now about the BRAND.

She had an image to protect and a brand to represent. It had to be excellence or nothing. And excellence never goes for better when there can be best. Never condones “manage it” when there can be perfection.

Anyone could have easily walked up to her in the party and seen that — it would have been sore. And we all know how life happens, the day you decide to manage a thing is the day it gets out unashamedly.

So, that was a beautiful value displayed there.

That video alone gained lots of tractions. It just gave people more reason to trust in that brand — if she can choose perfection in the last minute and beat it hands down, then I can trust her with my look and fit for I know now that VeeKee would do anything to make sure it fits!

You see that value?

That’s what every one should bring to the table when they are called.

In your business…in your life…in every area your prioritize .

It should be excellence or nothing.

Many people are letting emotions cloud their judgment when it comes to the recent drama surrounding Veekee James and a designer allegedly copying her work. While it’s natural to defend someone you admire, business—especially in today’s social media age—operates on strategy, not sentiment.

Here’s the truth: in fashion, smaller brands that mimic successful designers can pose a serious threat, no matter how established the original brand is. It’s not just about who came first or who is more “original.” Sometimes, the imitator uses the attention from that comparison to launch themselves into the spotlight.

That seems to be what’s happening here. The emerging designer may appear less skilled or less known, but he’s cleverly positioning himself to benefit from the controversy. He’s using Veekee’s fame as a springboard, and honestly, it’s a smart—if risky—move.

It only takes one celebrity endorsement to change everything. If a major name decides to give him a shot, and he delivers a bold, fresh design, the internet will explode. People will forget about who copied whom. Instead, they’ll say, “Wow, look what he did!” And unfortunately, Veekee could still catch criticism in the fallout.

That’s why I believe Veekee should’ve played it differently. Publicly reacting gave him the validation he needed. If she had stayed silent and let her legal team quietly handle things, he would’ve had less momentum. Instead, now he gets to be “the guy who copied Veekee”—and that alone could drive his visibility and sales.

In public relations, some individuals act like leeches. They latch onto bigger names, hoping to gain relevance by association. This designer might seem harmless now, but his entire strategy relies on the Veekee brand to boost his own.

And let’s be honest, the internet is emotional and unpredictable. The designer seems to know this—and he’s aimed his strategy squarely at a Nigerian audience that loves an underdog story. If he pulls off one standout piece for a celebrity, the same fans who supported Veekee could turn around and say, “See? He’s even better.”

Bottom line: don’t underestimate a small brand just because they look like they’re copying. Sometimes, that’s exactly the plan. In this game, staying calm, strategic, and legally smart is the best defense.

Veekee didn’t need to respond with emotion. She needed to respond with silence and strength. That alone would have disrupted his plan entirely.

Sola Akintayo is a digital content creator, strategist, and media expert with a passion for helping brands and individuals tell powerful stories that connect and convert. With over a decade of experience across social media marketing, video production, blogging, and brand consulting, Sola has carved a unique niche as one of Nigeria’s leading voices in content creation.

Her journey began with a simple blog in 2013, where she shared everyday lifestyle stories and social media tips. Today, Sola runs a thriving multimedia brand that empowers businesses to grow online using engaging content, smart strategies, and authentic storytelling. From managing viral Instagram campaigns to producing YouTube tutorials that have impacted thousands, she has helped shape the digital presence of startups, fashion labels, NGOs, and thought leaders across Africa.

Sola holds certifications in Digital Marketing, Video Storytelling, and Social Media Strategy. Beyond content creation, she speaks at workshops and conferences, mentoring the next generation of African female creators to embrace their voice and own their space online.

Her content philosophy is simple: "Create with clarity, show up with confidence, and always connect with purpose."

When she’s not creating, you’ll find her curating playlists, exploring Nigerian art galleries, or hosting her weekly Instagram Live sessions where she shares tips on growing a personal brand.

Let’s connect and create magic together.

Starting something new is hard. Really hard. Not because we lack skills or passion—but because fear shows up, loudly and often.

When I think back to every new beginning in my life, one thing was always present: fear.

I felt it when I got accepted to study Nursing—what if I wasn't good enough?
I felt it when I wrote my first book—what if no one read it?
I felt it when I launched my businesses—what if they failed?
Even running a Facebook ad made me pause—what if it flopped?

And when I finally decided to show up online, to build my personal brand and speak up? That took me over two years of wrestling with doubt. I was scared people wouldn’t listen. That my content would flop. That I’d run out of ideas. That I’d start strong but fizzle out.

That fear didn’t whisper. It shouted.

And worst of all, I didn’t have much encouragement from others when I was just starting. So I had to push myself, dig deep, and find the fire within.

Here’s the thing no one tells you: the fear doesn’t vanish before you start. It fades after you begin. With each step forward, confidence grows. You find your rhythm. Your voice gets clearer. It all starts to make more sense.

No, things might not go perfectly at first—but they start moving. And movement is what makes the difference.

So if you’re scared? That’s okay. Start anyway.

Fear is just an emotion. It’s not the truth. You don’t have to wait for it to disappear before you act.

You’ve got what it takes. I’m cheering you on.

– Miss Fantastic

“I will expose Don Jazzy today. Everybody thinks Don Jazzy signed me after seeing the freestyle I did in 2022, where I looked like a street boy, but that’s not true. Don Jazzy actually discovered me in 2019. Before that freestyle, I had already been at Mavin’s Academy for three years. I joined in 2019 and even met Bayanni there. Don Jazzy looks for talent ahead of time and trains them at the academy. It’s honestly like a music school. Things don’t happen in the music industry by chance; they are all planned out years in advance. Don Jazzy told me to do those freestyles, and he even paid to have them promoted.” — Boyspice reveals!

I watched the video, and everything began to make sense!

Don Jazzy is way ahead of his time and knows how to play mind games with fans while branding his artists.

Respect! 🫡

Congratulations to Nollywood actress Rachel Okonkwo as she signed up a multi million naira brand deal from #lushcosmetics

Regina is moving in the right direction.

Recently there have been insinuations that without Baba Ned Regina will go bankrupt and events may happen today or tomorrow that she may need to start fending for herself and so therefore, she has decided to put more push into her fashion brand to make money for herself - leveraging on her massive social media following .

It is no brainer that if just 5% of her combined almost 20 million social media followers patronize her , she would become the biggest selling fashion house in Nigeria. The math is in her favor .

All she needs to do now is to make sure she delivers top quality fashion and aggressive marketing because she has the market, and the heavens will be her limit.

Money is power . If Regina makes her own big money without recourse to anyone; everyone, including her husband, will respect her the more, and then , she can control her own destiny by herself and be truly free.

By the way , na wetin I wanted Chioma to do be this.

Kudos to Regina

Tino writes
#Tinosbullet