Oduduwa News

Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has revealed that he is currently seeking a divorce, saying the decision is tied to his intention to marry multiple wives.

Afolayan made the disclosure during a watch party for his latest film where he spoke about marriage and his upbringing in a polygamous household.

In a video from the event that has since gone viral, the filmmaker said he is already in court and is prepared for the process involved.

“I am in and out of court seeking a divorce. I don’t mind the toll. So I can marry many wives now,” he said.

He attributed his views to his late father, who had ten wives and 25 children, noting that his own life and career were a direct result of that family structure.

“Without my father, there wouldn’t be a KAP Village or even Kunle Afolayan. I am the seventh child of my father because he had ten wives,” he said.

Afolayan also encouraged men to consider polygamy or multiple relationships, arguing that legacy and continuity are important.

Traditional religion worshippers in Osun State have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reschedule the 2026 governorship election, citing a clash with the annual Osun-Osogbo Cultural Festival.

The group said the poll, fixed for August 8, comes immediately after the festival’s grand finale on August 7, creating concerns over logistics and public safety.
In a letter to INEC leadership, the traditionalists explained that the Osun-Osogbo Festival runs from July 27 to August 7 and follows a fixed spiritual calendar that cannot be altered.

They noted that the festival attracts thousands of worshippers, tourists, and visitors from within and outside Nigeria, leading to heavy movement and gatherings across Osogbo.
The association warned that holding an election a day after the festival could overstretch security agencies and make enforcement of election-eve restrictions difficult. They also expressed fears that the large crowds could be exploited by political actors to cause unrest or disrupt the electoral process.

Citing past precedents where elections were postponed due to security concerns, the traditionalists urged INEC to consider shifting the poll date in the interest of peace and credible elections. The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 8, 2026, to choose a successor to the incumbent administration.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has ordered the immediate suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and mounting public concern over the exercise.

The directive was announced on Tuesday by Mr. Noheem Adams, Chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium.

Adams called on all relevant state ministries and agencies to halt demolition works with immediate effect and assured affected residents that compensation would be paid for demolished properties.

“On behalf of the Speaker and all 40 members of the House, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” Adams was quoted as saying.

He also demanded transparency in the exercise, calling for the release of the full list of members of the taskforce involved and the criteria used for their engagement. Adams stressed that residents of the affected communities must be fully involved and carried along in all processes.

“We want to see the list of the taskforce and the criteria for their engagement because the residents must be duly involved,” he said.

Addressing residents directly, Adams gave assurances that the Assembly would protect their interests. “As your representatives, we assure you that demolitions will stop and that compensation will be provided for all those whose properties have been affected,” he added.

Also speaking, Mr. Stephen Ogundipe, a member of the ad hoc committee, emphasised the need for clear and timely communication, noting that residents slated for relocation or redevelopment should be adequately informed of government plans ahead of time.

Meanwhile, Mr. Babatunde Olajide, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on E-GIS and Urban Renewal, disclosed that a sum of $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 for the transformation of Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.

He confirmed that enumeration of affected properties is currently ongoing and reiterated the state government’s commitment to handling the matter with a human face, prioritising safety and fair compensation for residents.

Reacting to the development, the Baale of Makoko, Mr. Yusuf Sagra, described the Assembly’s intervention as a “word of peace,” while another community leader, Mr. Orioye Ogungbure, commended the government for what he termed its “democratic responsiveness.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Tuesday stirred controversy at the commissioning of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Ibadan, where he openly described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as a “vagabond.” The governor said the Oyo PDP would not allow external forces to destabilise its structure or hijack its affairs.

Speaking before party leaders and supporters, Makinde used a Yoruba proverb to criticise individuals he described as disruptive elements within the party. He said such figures dominated the PDP after it lost federal power in 2015 and engaged in what he termed “vagabondry” for nearly a decade before being expelled from the party in 2025.

Makinde questioned Wike’s moral authority to intervene in PDP matters in Oyo State, asking what the former Rivers State governor had done to strengthen the party in his own state. He added that the Oyo PDP remains united, focused and determined to chart its own course without interference.

The governor also admitted that he was once aligned with Wike’s faction but said he had since distanced himself from that camp. He stressed that the PDP in Oyo State is now repositioned ahead of future elections, declaring that there is “no more vagabond” within the party as it moves forward.

At least three people were feared dead in a tragic road accident that occurred on Tuesday morning at Iwo Road, Ibadan. The incident involved a commercial Micra car that was crushed by a trailer after the heavy-duty vehicle reportedly suffered brake failure.

Granule Bank Launches in Bashorun, Ibadan, Strengthening Financial Access and Local Growth

Eyewitnesses said the trailer rammed into the Micra, causing extensive damage to the smaller vehicle and leaving it beyond repair. While three occupants of the Micra reportedly lost their lives, the driver of the trailer was said to have escaped from the scene.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) promptly arrived at the location and cleared the wreckage to prevent traffic gridlock along the busy corridor. The victims were evacuated and taken to a nearby hospital.

Authorities have urged motorists, especially drivers of articulated vehicles, to ensure proper maintenance of their vehicles and adhere strictly to safety regulations to prevent avoidable accidents.

Ibadan, Oyo State — In a significant boost to grassroots banking and financial inclusion, Granule Microfinance Bank has officially commenced operations in Bashorun, Ibadan, with a strong commitment to empowering individuals, micro-entrepreneurs, and small businesses through accessible and innovative financial services.

Established to serve the underserved and unbanked segments of society, Granule Microfinance Bank is positioned to become a trusted financial partner for traders, artisans, farmers, salary earners, and small-scale enterprises within Ibadan and its environs. The bank offers tailored savings products, micro-credit facilities, and financial advisory services designed to stimulate economic activities at the community level.

Speaking on the vision behind the new institution, the management of Granule Microfinance Bank stated that the bank was founded on the belief that sustainable economic development begins with inclusive access to finance. “Granule Microfinance Bank is not just about banking; it is about building financial confidence, supporting livelihoods, and creating opportunities for growth,” the statement said.

The bank operates with a customer-centric approach, leveraging efficient service delivery, ethical banking practices, and compliance with regulatory standards set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Its strategic location in Bashorun positions it to effectively serve both urban and peri-urban communities in Ibadan.

Granule Microfinance Bank also emphasizes financial literacy, encouraging responsible savings culture and prudent borrowing among its customers. By supporting small businesses with affordable credit, the bank aims to contribute meaningfully to job creation and economic resilience in Oyo State.

As Nigeria continues to pursue deeper financial inclusion, the entry of Granule Microfinance Bank into the microfinance landscape underscores the growing role of community-focused financial institutions in driving inclusive growth and development.

For more info visit: granulebank.ng, support@granulebank.ng or contact +23409134447452.

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans to deport no fewer than 79 convicted Nigerians listed on its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal immigrants register.

Findings by PUNCH Metro on the DHS website on Monday revealed that the individuals were convicted of serious offences ranging from fraud, drug trafficking and robbery to assault and manslaughter, among others.

According to DHS, the arrests were carried out as part of a sweeping crackdown on criminal immigrants by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

An accompanying statement on the DHS platform read:
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise by carrying out mass deportations, beginning with the most dangerous offenders.”

The list includes several Nigerians convicted across different states in the US, reflecting the administration’s intensified enforcement against undocumented and criminal immigrants.

The development comes amid renewed immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump, which has triggered anxiety among immigrant communities. Saturday PUNCH had earlier reported that some Nigerians in the US have gone into hiding, while others are quietly returning home following the heightened deportation campaign.

Joy Osesanmi, a First Class graduate of Geophysics from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has attributed her academic success to deliberately locking herself out of social media to avoid distractions and stay focused on her studies.

She explained that excessive time spent on social media began to affect her concentration, prompting her to take the bold step of restricting access to the platforms, especially during examinations and intensive academic periods.

According to Osesanmi, the decision helped her regain valuable study time, improve discipline, and develop a consistent reading routine, despite the difficulty of staying disconnected in a digital-driven environment.

She emphasized that achieving a First Class degree requires intentional sacrifices, self-awareness, and prioritizing long-term goals over short-term pleasures, noting that social media will always be available after school.

Her story has inspired many students and drawn praise from education stakeholders, serving as a reminder that academic excellence is attainable through focus, discipline, and deliberate time management.

The Oyo State Government has approved the early closure of offices across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to enable public officers to fully participate in the grand finale marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state.

The directive was contained in a statement signed on Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Adetunji Babatunde.

According to the statement, all state government offices are to close by 12:00 noon on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
The approval was granted by Governor Seyi Makinde as part of preparations for the golden jubilee celebration, tagged Oyo@50.

Heads of MDAs have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the directive while making adequate arrangements for skeletal services in critical areas where necessary.

Prof. Babatunde urged that the information be given the widest publicity to ensure awareness and compliance across the state.

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa has said that the military officers arrested over an alleged foiled coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu were fully aware of the consequences of their actions and are prepared to face the law.
Speaking on the development, the minister stated that the 16 officers implicated in the plot—including a brigadier general and a colonel—“must have made up their minds” before engaging in what he described as a grave violation of military discipline and a direct threat to national security.

According to him, the Nigerian Armed Forces operate under strict codes of conduct, and any act capable of undermining constitutional order would be treated with utmost seriousness, regardless of the ranks of those involved.
The officers were arrested in October 2025, when the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on October 4 that some personnel were under investigation for “acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.” At the time, the DHQ did not disclose the full details surrounding the arrests.

However, on January 26, the DHQ confirmed that the arrests were connected to a foiled plot aimed at overthrowing President Tinubu’s administration, clarifying months of speculation surrounding the earlier announcement.

The defence minister stressed that the matter is being handled strictly within the confines of the law and military justice system, assuring Nigerians that due process will be followed. He added that the military remains loyal to the constitution and the democratically elected government.

The development comes amid renewed assurances from security authorities that Nigeria’s democracy is secure and that the armed forces remain professional, disciplined, and committed to defending the nation against both internal and external threats.