Oduduwa News has just gathered that no fewer than four people have been dead in an accident involving three heavy trailers along Oyo-Ibadan Expressway.
According to an eyewitness who narrated the incident to the Correspondent of Oduduwa News, the accident occured at early hours of today. It was gathered that one truck was towing another faulty truck along the expressway and the driver was stopped by some area boys who were hellbent on collecting money before he would be allowed a passage.
Unfortunately, one oversped trailer coming from the third lane of the road and rammed on the four ‘area boys’ while they were negotiating with the driver. The four men died immediately and their lifeless bodies were badly affected beyond recognition.
The security operatives and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps were mobilized to the scene and their corpses were taken away.
As at the time of filing this report, no official statement has been released by the Federal Road Safety Corps on the incident.
Justice Josephine Oyefeso of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ajah, Lagos, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, convicted and sentenced one Chukwudi Okonkwo Goodness to 74 years imprisonment for stealing and issuance of dud cheques.
He was arraigned on June 6, 2016 on a 33-count charge bordering on stealing and issuance of dud cheques to the tune of N360,000,000.00 (Three Hundred and Sixty Million Naira) by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Chukwudi Okonkwo Goodness, sometime between the months of June and July, 2015 at Ikeja, within the jurisdiction of the Honorable Court, fraudulently converted and stole the sum of N360, 000. 000.00 (Three Hundred and Sixty Million Naira), property of one Henry Nnadike and committed an offence of stealing by conversion contrary to Sections 278 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against him, thereby leading to his full trial.
During the trial, prosecution counsel, T.J. Banjo called four witnesses and presented several pieces of evidence to prove his case against the defendant.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Oyefeso found Goodness guilty on 32 of the 33 counts and sentenced him accordingly.
The judge sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on count one of stealing.
He was sentenced to two years imprisonment on each of counts three to thirty-two for the issuance of dud cheques, without an option of fine.
The judge also sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on count 33, without an option of fine.
He was, however, discharged and acquitted on count two of possession of documents containing false pretence.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
The judge ordered him to restitute the sum of N215 million within 30 days of the judgment and further held that he might be considered for a fine thereafter.
The convict bagged his imprisonment when he was arrested for fraudulently converting and stealing the sum of N360m, property of one Henry Nnadike. The court found him guilty and convicted him.
The Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crimes, and Anti-Corruption Commission (SPFACC) has initiated a thorough investigation into allegations of a job buying scandal involving the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), the agency announced on Sunday, 8 June 2025.
The probe follows complaints from job seekers and parents of long-unemployed education graduates, who have accused government officials of commodifying public service positions. Reports suggest that candidates allegedly paid sums ranging from ₦200,000 to ₦1,200,000 to secure teaching roles during a recent recruitment exercise. In March 2025, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa approved the hiring of 1,100 primary school teachers across the state’s 18 local government areas to address critical vacancies in public primary schools, following the completion of a recruitment process by SUBEB and TESCOM.
SPFACC Secretary, Professor Adewole Adeyeye, confirmed the investigation in a statement issued in Akure, the state capital. “The allegations are serious. They reflect not just corruption, but a systemic failure,” he said. “We want victims to help us break this cycle by stepping forward. Their identities will be strictly protected.” The commission has urged those who paid for jobs or faced extortion to come forward with documents, account statements, or any evidence to support the probe, assuring confidentiality. Victims are encouraged to contact SPFACC directly at 08035025879.
The scandal has raised concerns about the integrity of the education system, with observers warning that such practices undermine merit-based recruitment. “When unqualified people pay to become teachers, students suffer. And when qualified people are shut out, the profession loses credibility. This is not just corruption, it’s sabotage,” said Tayo Oloba, Media and Strategy Director of the Coalition for Transparency (CT).
The investigation aims to hold the guilty accountable and drive systemic reforms, including transparent hiring practices, fair treatment of teachers, and timely payment of retirees’ gratuities. Established in March 2023 by the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SPFACC seeks to tackle corruption at the state level, a mission now gaining momentum under Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration.
As the probe widens, the people of Ondo State await answers, hoping for a cleaner, fairer system that prioritises merit and restores trust in public education.
The former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Falode has paid homage to President Bola Tinubu in his residence and used the ocassion to inquire about his stance on Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s re-election.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his support, stating, I support Governor Biodun Oyebanji for a second term.
“Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, Governor of Ekiti State, is doing very very well. All the former Governors in the state are behind him.
And for us, Ekiti is not about the party we belong to; it is our primary constituency. It is by the unity of the state that people can benefit.
I just asked Mr. President expressly where his interest lies because the last time I was here, I asked him about his take on the governor, and he said that’s where his heart is.
I needed to ask him again this time around based on counter rumors about his position on the Ekiti State Governor to run for second term, and he told me that’s where he’s and that I should remain there. And so, I’ll remain with the Governor.”
The ancient city of Ilorin came alive with pomp and grandeur as the 2025 Durbar Festival unfold today, marking a breathtaking fusion of tradition, royalty, and community pride.
The event, held at the newly expanded central parade ground, drew thousands of spectators from across Nigeria and beyond.
The highlight of the festival was the majestic arrival of the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, who was ushered in with traditional fanfare, royal praise singers, and a stunning procession of horsemen clad in regal attire. The Emir’s entrance at exactly 1:00pm signaled the formal commencement of the grand parade, to the cheers of an enthusiastic crowd.
“This is cultural pride in motion. From the traditional drummers to the warriors’ dance, the energy was incredible. It shows that Ilorin is deeply rooted in heritage”.
Other highlights of the day included:
Hawan Daushe where horsemen performed thrilling gallops and salutes to the Emir.
A display of traditional cavalry formations symbolizing the ancient military organization of Ilorin. Cultural troupes performing Yoruba, Fulani, and Nupe dances, reinforcing Ilorin’s unique multicultural heritage.
Security was tight, with combined teams from the Nigerian Police, Civil Defence, and local vigilante groups ensuring a peaceful event. Vendors, artisans, and local fashion designers reported brisk sales, as tourists and locals patronized everything from woven caps to handmade leather sandals.
This year’s Durbar, organized in collaboration with the Kwara State Government and the National Tourism Development Authority, is being hailed as the most successful in recent memory.
As the horses return to their stables and the music fades, one thing remains clear the Ilorin Durbar is not just a festival. It is a proud echo of history, a celebration of unity, and a royal salute to a vibrant cultural identity.
Chairman, Southern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers(SNCTR) and Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi,CFR, Ojaja II, has visited the Nigerian President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Queen’s Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos on Sunday for the first time since Tinubu was elected in 2023 to lead Nigeria as president.
During the meeting which held privately, Ooni Ogunwusi who is also the Natural Father and Leader of the entire Oduduwa race worldwide and Mr President had important discussions touching on the peace and tranquility in the South West part of Nigeria. The discussions at the meeting also enabled the Ooni to brief Mr President on his recent visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan invited by the country’s president Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev where he had participated as Africa’s Royal Delegate and gave a speech during the Astana International Forum on the necessity for Kazakhstan to form strategic partnerships with Nigeria and Africa at large.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Yera Olafare.
“I just came back from a strategic trip to Kazakhstan on the special invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan where I went to showcase business and economic potentials of Africa, Nigeria in particular. I in my speech, I asked the business community in Kazakhstan come and invest in our country Nigeria and that of the entire Africa.
So, I came here today to brief Mr President on my recent trip to Kazakhstan. The good thing is that Tinubu is opening Nigeria to foreign investors that were hitherto so scared and unwilling to do business with Nigeria and I think we traditional rulers should capitalize on this opportunity by going outside Nigeria to attract foreign direct investments to our country complementing efforts of Mr President who has made lots of audacious progressive economic policies which has now opened our economy to so many developed countries around the world who were hitherto so scared and unwilling to invest in Nigeria. But by virtue of what he has done in terms of policies and reforms, he has opened up Nigeria to many countries to look the way Nigeria for their investments.”
The world is watching us, as a nation and we don’t need to leave everything to the government, we traditional rulers should lead by example by working to complement government to give hope to our youth. Here is another testimony to the youth, so many companies are coming to Nigeria to open businesses which will create massive employment opportunities for the Nigerian youths. Kazakhstan is the largest economy in the Central Asia with very large land for farming, they have huge production for chocolate while Nigeria has cocoa raw materials for chocolate, it is a country between China and Russia and they are very similar to us in the areas of Natural resources, they have Oin and Gas, they manufacture Armoured vehicles and other war artillery equipments needed to combat our insecurity, very large land for farming to train and work with our youths not only in Yorubaland but also across Nigeria. So, I needed to come and brief Mr President because he is also being expected to visit Kazakhstan before September this year. The hope is actually real and I am so proud of our president for these reforms.”
The Ooni, it will be recalled, had sent his own delegation to Kazakhstan in early February 2025 to engage with investors, government officials, and business stakeholders with the goal of attracting investment to Nigeria. The delegation included his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare, the Executive Secretary of Nigeria – Kazakhstan Business Council, chief Kehinde Adeniyi Akepe and the Honourary Consul of Kazakhstan to Nigeria, Mr Bruce Ayonote met with key figures including Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, business leaders, and representatives from various industries such as agriculture, mining, IT, and manufacturing. They explored opportunities for bilateral trade and cooperation, particularly through the Nigeria-Kazakhstan Business Council, which has Ooni Ogunwusi it’s chairman. This visit was part of broader efforts to strengthen economic ties following a meeting between Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev earlier in the UAE.
The delegation’s work paved the way for a 30-member delegation from Kazakhstan to Abuja in February this year to attend the Nigeria-Kazakhstan Business Council International Conference held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja and hosted and funded by the Ooni of Ife, also attended by some top Federal Government functionaries such as; Minister for Agriculture and Food Security….. Central Bank of Nigeria…..The summit aimed to strengthen economic collaboration between Nigeria and Kazakhstan, focusing on trade, investment, and food security during which Ooni Ogunwusi praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, highlighting improvements such as the closure of the gap between parallel and official exchange markets, which has created a more investor-friendly environment. During the summit in Abuja, leader of the delegation and Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alibek Kuantyrov, called for the establishment of a Nigerian embassy in Kazakhstan to facilitate trade. The event featured Nigerian government officials and business leaders, and followed a recent Nigerian delegation visit to Kazakhstan to explore investment opportunities. The summit marked a significant step in deepening bilateral economic ties between the two countries.
Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi,CFR, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife is an astute international business magnate and strong promoter of Youth Development. He is the Natural Father of all the members of the Oduduwa race worldwide, Permanent Chairman, Osun State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Permanent Chairman, Southern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers(SNCTR), Co-chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN), owners of the OJAJA Park and Residences, Akure, Ondo State, OjajaMore shopping outlets in Akure, Ile-Ife, Lagos, Osogbo and other cities in Yorubaland, Inagbe Grand Resorts in Lagos and Ife Grand Resorts and Industrial Hub in Ile-Ife. He is the Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsuka(UNN) and Founder, OJAJA University located in Eyenkorin near Ilorin in Kwara state, Nigeria.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has urged the Supreme Court of Nigeria to order the Osun State Government to refund the 8 month allocations due to the 30 local governments in the state which the Adeleke government collected from July 2024 to February 2025.
The FG stated this in an affidavit deposed to by the Special Assistant to the President, Taiye Hussain Oloyede in response to Suit No: SC/CV/379/2025 by the Osun State Government against the Federal Government.
According to the Federal Government, “the only way to vindicate the authority of the Supreme Court is to order the plaintiff ( Osun State Government) to pay back to the Minister of Finance all the money due to the local governments of Osun which the plaintiff claimed it had collected from July 2024 to February 2025. The Minister of Finance will then pay the money to the owners of same ( the local governments of Osun State.”
A check at the Office of the Accountant General of the Federal indicated that from July 2024 and February, 2025, N84 billion was disbursed to the 30 local governments of Osun State, the money which the state government cornered and appropriated without legal authority.
A further check showed that in July and August 2024, N9.7bn and N8.8bn were paid respectively. In September, N9.4bn was paid while N10.5bn was disbursed for the month of October.
However, in November, the net allocation went up to N11.5bn while in December, N10.3bn was paid. For the months of January and February 2025, N12.2bn and N12bn were paid in that order.
The FG explained that only those elected in the local election conducted by the immediate past government of Osun State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress that are in charge of the affairs of the local government and only banks account details supplied by them to the office of the Minister of Finance could be recognized for the direct receipt of the LG’s monthly allocation.
The FG argued that the Court of Appeal in February 2025 legalized the local government election conducted under the administration of ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and only the officials produced by the election are legally mandated to appropriate the monthly allocation due to the local governments in the state.
The FG clarified that the Supreme Court judgement of 11th July, 2024 has made it illegal for a state government or its governor or other agencies to keep, control, manage, or disburse in any manner allocations from the Federal Account to Local Governments.
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday met with Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu at his private residence located in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu’s visit to Tinubu followed that of foremost Yoruba Monarch and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, who had departed the residence, after he told Newsmen that his visit was primarily to mark the Sallah break with the President and to personally debrief him following his recent trip to Kazakhstan.
The Lagos Governor hopped into a waiting, high capacity coaster bus (White) and departed the residence along with the Governors Advisory Council (GAC) in a convoy.
The Advisory Council, is a powerful political body within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The GAC is widely recognized as the apex decision-making organ of the APC in Lagos, wielding significant influence over the state’s political direction and governance.
Moments later, his Deputy Governor, Femi Hazmat, also departed amid cheers from onlookers as he waved in acknowledgement.
However, emerging from the closed door meeting, Sanwo-Olu dismissed any rift with President Tinubu, describing speculation in the media as “people crying more than the bereaved”.
Dismissing the alleged notion between them with humour, Sanwo-Olu described the reports of it as baseless and misleading.
The Lagos State Governor who firmly denied the rumors of a discord, further clarified that the Ikoyi meeting was a traditional courtesy visit by the GAC, a long-standing practice during festive periods.
The governor emphasized that the visit was also an opportunity to pray with the President, offer well wishes and continued support, while acknowledging the impact of Tinubu’s leadership over the past two years.
The Kwara State Fire Service has recovered the lifeless body of a 43-year-old man from a domestic well at Ile Alapo, Edun area of Ilorin.
The distress call was received by the Fire Service control room at about 10:29 hours, reporting that a man had fallen into a well. Firefighters were immediately deployed to the scene, where they successfully recovered the body from the well.
The victim, identified as Kazeem, reportedly jumped into the well under the influence of a hard substance known as Colo (Colorado) shortly after returning from Eid prayers.
The body was handed over to Inspector Babatunde Amos of the C Division Police Station, Ilorin. The Ministry awaits formal identification and claim of the body by the victim’s family.
The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, expressed deep sadness over the incident. He used the opportunity to admonish residents of the state to stay away from drug abuse, warning that such acts often lead to tragic outcomes.
