Category: Featured

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned members endorsing President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid to desist or face disciplinary action.

In a statement on Friday, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba said the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) was alarmed by persistent public support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate from some prominent members.

The NWC described such endorsements as “anti-party activities” in breach of Section 10(6) of the PDP Constitution, which prohibits aligning with rival parties to undermine the PDP.

“These activities have caused division, disaffection and the loss of members, with the potential to weaken our electoral chances if unchecked,” the statement read. It added that violators risk sanctions under Section 59(1) of the constitution.

The party urged members to remain loyal ahead of its national convention, scheduled for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Notable PDP figures have recently backed Tinubu, including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who pledged to deliver Rivers State for the president in 2027, despite the APC securing less than 10 per cent of votes there in 2023.

In Ogun State, PDP chairman Abayomi Tella and 2023 governorship candidate Ladi Adebutu endorsed Tinubu during a by-election rally, while Osun State PDP caucus, led by Governor Ademola Adeleke, adopted him as its preferred candidate on July 22.

The Osun endorsement sparked rumours of Adeleke’s possible defection to the APC ahead of 2026, though he insists he remains committed to the PDP.

All markets in Ibadanland were ordered closed on Friday morning as the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, is buried.

Oba Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan, died on July 7, 2025, two days after his 90th birthday.

He will be buried today, August 8, at the St Peter’s Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan.

The babaloja General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekeen Abass, in a statement on Thursday, directed that all markets be shut from 5 am to 12 noon on Friday, to honour the departed monarch.

The closure, according to Abass, was to pay last respects to the revered traditional ruler who, he said, “diligently served the country, the state and, most importantly, Ibadanland.”

He stated, “Traders and artisans in Ibadan will continue to remember the late monarch for maintaining peace and creating an enabling environment for marketers in the ancient city.

“Let me, therefore, advise the market leaders in Ibadanland to ensure strict compliance with the directive in their various markets.”

Abass also prayed for the soul of the departed king and asked God to grant the royal family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Meanwhile, the final burial ceremony began on Thursday with a lying-in-state at the historic Mapo Hall in Ibadan South East Local Government Area.

Present at the solemn ceremony were members of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Mogajis (family heads), religious leaders, both Christian and Muslim, traditional worshippers, and other dignitaries.

The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Interfaith Affairs, Femi Ibikunle, described the late Olubadan as “an astute and articulate traditional ruler.”

He said, “The late Oba Olakulehin always had the people’s interest at heart. He was hardworking and accommodating, and his tolerance of all religious groups helped ensure peace during his reign.”

Also speaking, the President of the Ibadan Mogajis, Chief Asimiyu Ariori, said the late monarch lived a meritorious life, leaving an indelible impact on Ibadanland.

On behalf of the family, the first son of the late king, Sunmbo Owolabi, expressed gratitude to CCII, Mogajis, and all indigenes of Ibadan for their support.

He prayed that the city would “continue to wax stronger.”

Later in the evening, a Christian wake was held at the Olubadan Palace in Oke-Aremo, within the Ibadan North Local Government Area, as part of the continuing rites of passage.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered that Fuji legend King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as Kwam 1, be placed on a no-fly list over his role in disrupting a ValueJet flight at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The directive, announced via Keyamo’s official X handle on Thursday, August 7, 2025, followed an incident two days earlier where the musician reportedly obstructed a ValueJet aircraft from taxiing to the runway, sparking safety concerns.

Citing reports and video evidence submitted by aviation authorities, the minister accused Kwam 1 of repeatedly standing in front of the aircraft after a disagreement with airline staff. He described the act as a serious breach of international aviation safety standards.

“In the circumstance, I have also directed the NCAA to place Kwam 1 on a no-fly list pending further and full investigation,” Keyamo wrote. “All airlines, both domestic and international, should immediately be informed of this directive.”

Keyamo also warned that any airline that violates the order risks having its operating licence withdrawn. He criticised what he called selective enforcement of regulations, insisting that both the artiste and the flight crew must face consequences for the safety breach.

Before the directive, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had suspended the pilot and flight captain involved for proceeding to taxi while the tarmac was not cleared, but the minister said this measure was not enough.

The incident, which occurred during boarding for Flight VK 201 to Lagos, began when Kwam 1 allegedly attempted to carry an undeclared flask containing alcohol onboard. Despite warnings from Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel, he reportedly refused to comply and later poured the contents on a security official, escalating the confrontation.

The musician was eventually removed from the tarmac by AVSEC operatives and released after preliminary questioning, as investigations into the matter continue.

Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested fifty-five (55) suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation.

The suspects were arrested at K Hotel in Itori, Ewekoro area of Ogun State on Wednesday, July 6, 2025 following credible and actionable intelligence available to the Commission regarding their suspected fraudulent internet activities.

The suspects are Ogunniyi Oluwaseun, Babalola Ibrahim, Dada Qowiyu, Kunle Ajayi, Rufai Suleman, Babajide Shedrack, Oloyede Toheeb, Monday Joseph, Akinbode Babatunde, Oyedipe Micheal, Adekunle Jeremiah, Mustapha Muyideen, Mike Opeyemi, Bale Abayomi, Odukoya Samuel, Joseph Oyegunle, Bakole Abayomi, Babalola Micheal, Tajudeen Adeyemi, Ogunsola Habeeb, Amao Samson, Amuleya Matthew, Aroleyun Ifeoluwa, Babalola Ayomide, Popoola Oluwaloseyin, Mayowa Fasola, Muhammed Bahil, Asiru Qoyim and Babatunde Qudus.

Others are: Akande Ibrahim, Ojerinola Tumininu, Adedokun Hassan, Ogundele David, Opakunle Ayomide, Adeniyi Isreal, Yusuf Sikiru, Jimoh Olamilekan, Tosin Abiodun, Bamiduro Afeez, Lamina Usman, Bakare Farouq, Ilori Michael, Segun Titiloye, Anifowose Musa, Idowu Peter, Laisi Ibrahim, Olaofe Emmanuel, Akeem Obabunmi, Afolabi Micheal, Afolabi Idris, Bamidele Ibrahim, Godwin Joshua, Adeeko Ayoola, Owoeye Kolawole and Mutiu Olude.

Items recovered from the suspects include six exotic cars, two locally- made pistols, one motorcycle, several mobile phones and laptops, incriminating documents, eighty-nine unclaimed phones among others.

They have given useful information to the Commission and will be charged to court soon.

Amnesty International has strongly condemned the arbitrary detention of human rights activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore who has been detained by the Nigeria Police Force since yesterday.

According to statement made available by Nigeria Police Force, Sowore was invited to the Force Headquarters in connection with an allegation of defamation and forgery levelled against him.

Omoyele Sowore and his team of followers stormed the Headquarters to answer the invitation but was subsequently arrested and detained.

In a statement made available to newsmen, Amnesty International said the Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Sowore and drop all bogus and politically motivated charges against him.

“The authorities should listen to critics instead of seeking to gag them through outright abuse of power.

“Nigerian authorities must allow Sowore to freely exercise his rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

“Apart from putting him through sham trials based on bogus charges, Sowore has been subjected to series of human rights violations.

Meanwhile, the former Nigeria’s Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has also joined voices in condemning continuous incarceration of the Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore.

In a statement made available via his official X handle, Atiku Abubakar was quoted as saying:

“The treatment of Omoyele Sowore by the IGP Monitoring Team is a shameful abuse of power. It is wrong, unlawful, and must be condemned by all who believe in justice.

“Sowore’s only offence is speaking out against injustice, nepotism, and misrule. For that, he was reportedly attacked at dawn, beaten, had his arm broken, and sprayed with chemicals by policemen acting on petitions from the IGP’s own office.

“This is personal vendetta, not policing.

“Even the Nigeria Police Regulation forbids this. Regulation 367 states:
“No police officer shall institute any legal proceeding in his own personal interest or in connection with matters arising out of his public duties.”

“The IGP cannot be a complainant and still deploy the force to carry out his grievance.

“This is not about Sowore alone, it is an attack on every Nigerian who dares to speak truth to power”.

Earlier this year, Oluwasegun David had the distinct honor of meeting with the Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada, alongside the CEO of Kuumba Community Housing Canada—a Pan-African non-governmental organization—to address a growing concern shared by many in the diaspora: the rapid erosion of Nigerian languages and culture among our children, especially as global migration trends continue to rise.

During this conversation, he opined that one fact became painfully clear: younger generations, both at home and abroad, are becoming increasingly disconnected from their native languages, cultural heritage, and traditional identities. The consequences of this cultural drift are profound.

In a statement made available to Oduduwa News, Oluwasegun David was quoted as saying:

“Our children, who should proudly carry the torch of our heritage, are at risk of growing up without a deep understanding of who they are and where they come from. This is not just a cultural concern—it is a national crisis that demands immediate and sustained attention.

“In response, I have taken a step toward addressing this challenge by developing a Yoruba-language educational resource, gearing up for a book launch titled: Yoruba Learning Foundation Part 1 ( Ipinle Èdè Yorùbá fún Ọmọdé , with plans to expand into other Nigerian languages. This project leverages the power of art and storytelling to make language learning engaging, accessible, and culturally relevant for children in Nigerian families across the world.

“Through interactive, visually rich materials, the initiative seeks to reconnect children with their roots—making heritage a living part of their everyday learning.

“However, individual efforts alone are not enough. What we need is a nationwide movement—a coordinated response that brings together public institutions, private sector stakeholders, artists, educators, and technology innovators.

“I therefore urge the Nigerian government to place urgent emphasis on transforming our education system by embedding art, culture, creativity, and innovation at its core. Immediate action is needed in the following areas:

1. Integrating digital tools and creative methods into early childhood education to promote indigenous language and cultural learning.
2. Developing and distributing culturally relevant educational content in Nigerian languages for children, both within the country and in the diaspora.
3. Fostering collaboration between artists, technologists, and educators to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation.

“We must understand that our children are more than just students—they are the architects of Nigeria’s future. If we fail to instill cultural literacy and creative confidence early on, we risk nurturing a generation detached not only from its heritage but also from its full potential.

“The tools to bring this vision to life already exist. The urgency cannot be overstated. Now is the time to act—before we lose our languages, and with them, the stories, values, and identity that define us as a people.

“Let us be bold. Let us act. The time is now.

Oluwasegun David (OD) is a Nigerian based in Canada and the Author of the proposed book launch.

Fuji legend, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, has publicly distanced himself from the ongoing controversy surrounding ValuJet Airlines, clarifying that he holds no managerial or operational role in the company.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the music icon addressed growing speculations about his connection to the embattled airline, stating that any perceived affiliation was based purely on goodwill and public appearances—not ownership or business involvement.

“Let me state clearly and unequivocally: I am not directly involved in the operational or managerial affairs of ValuJet Airlines,” K1 affirmed. “Any perceived association is either based on artistic engagements or gestures of goodwill, not business ownership or executive decision-making.”

The veteran musician explained that he has, over the years, supported various Nigerian-led ventures as a show of encouragement and national pride, but warned the public not to conflate this with corporate endorsement or accountability.

“It is important to distinguish goodwill from business responsibility. If any individuals or groups feel aggrieved by issues relating to ValuJet, I strongly urge them to channel their concerns to the appropriate corporate and regulatory bodies,” he stated.

K1 also urged the public and media to avoid spreading unverified information capable of damaging personal reputations, noting that his focus remains on promoting music, culture, and community development.

“My name and legacy remain rooted in music, culture, and community upliftment. I remain committed to using my voice to unite and uplift—not to divide or mislead,” the statement concluded.

The Lagos State Government has alarmed residents in the Lekki axis with a shocking revelation that those relying on boreholes for water may be consuming heavily contaminated underground water.

Speaking at a recent stakeholders’ meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Mahmood Adegbite, issued a blunt warning, saying:
“Everyone digging borehole within the Lekki axis is probably drinking what I will call ‘shit water.’”

The startling statement has drawn outrage across the state, with many residents and public health experts questioning how the situation was allowed to reach such a crisis point.

Lekki, one of the fastest-growing urban areas in Lagos, is largely populated by residents who depend on private boreholes due to the absence of government-supplied water. However, experts say years of unchecked urban development, poor drainage, and inadequate sewage systems have led to groundwater contamination.

Adegbite stressed that unless wastewater in the area is properly treated, it will continue to seep into underground water sources, posing serious health risks.

“If wastewater is not properly treated, the result is waterborne diseases, especially when it mixes with groundwater that people drink without purification,” he said.

The revelation has left residents furious and anxious, with many demanding urgent government intervention.

“This is frightening. Are they just realizing now that our children may have been drinking sewage water all along? Where is the testing? Where is the solution?” a concerned resident of Lekki Phase 2 told Lagos Reporters.

Public health advocates and environmental experts are now calling on the state government to immediately conduct free water testing for homes using boreholes in Lekki, enforce proper waste management regulations, and provide alternative access to safe drinking water.

They also demand that the government stops giving media soundbites and instead implements lasting solutions to the ongoing environmental and health threats facing the region.

The West African Examinations Council has come under renewed fire following the temporary shutdown of its result checker portal on Wednesday evening, a move it attributed to “technical issues.”

The announcement, posted via WAEC’s official X handle, @waecnigeria, sparked fresh criticism as many Nigerians continue to express outrage over the poor performance recorded in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, particularly in English Language.

“WAEC hereby informs the general public that the result checker portal @waecdirect.org is temporarily shut down due to technical issues.

“However, the Council is working assiduously to ensure that candidates are able to access their results in the next 24 hours. We apologise for any inconvenience this might have caused you,” the notice read.

Wednesday’s notice has further fuelled speculation and public discontent over the examination body’s credibility, especially after Monday’s announcement that only 38.32 per cent of the 1,969,313 candidates who sat the 2025 WASSCE obtained credits and above in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, the worst performance recorded in a decade.

Across social media platforms, many candidates and concerned Nigerians pointed fingers at WAEC’s logistics failures, especially the delayed conduct of the English Language paper, which reportedly held late into the night at many centres on May 28.

On X (formerly Twitter), several users shared screenshots of results showing credit passes in other subjects but failure in English, calling for a comprehensive review of the English Language scripts.

Tweeting at @sikimark, Mark Imohi wrote, “It is concerning that the English exam, which was delayed at centres nationwide, is now resulting in widespread failures. If JAMB could make amends, we hope you (WAEC) will take steps to rectify the situation. It was a national disgrace.”

Another user, @_samad1, lamented, “We wrote exams at 8 pm. We were given one hour or 30 minutes to answer questions that should last two and a half hours. There was no light, and everyone was in a hurry to leave. Please rethink.”

Some candidates expressed optimism that once the portal is reopened, there could be changes in the scores.

“When the portal is reopened, you will see magic,” tweeted Daniel Ebitimi (@ebitimi_da15726).

Others alleged deliberate manipulation and revenue generation motives behind the poor grading.

“Just like JAMB, WAEC is gambling with the future of Nigerians. If the majority of the D’s, E’s and F8’s awarded in English are rechecked, WAEC will pay dearly,” @JayTrezy posted.

Parents also joined the chorus of displeasure, expressing confusion over how students who excelled in other subjects could have failed English.

“My daughter got five A1 and two B2, only to get D7 in English and Physics (withheld),” tweeted a parent, @Johnway11145073.

Another user, @DEYHOT_official, pleaded, “WAEC, please I am begging, help us check the English Language exam again. I can’t accept this result. I struggled so hard to get money and pay for this exam, and now you failed me. This result is affecting my future.”

Some went as far as demanding a total recall of the 2025 results.

“We reject this year’s results, particularly the English and Maths. WAEC, please do the needful to avoid mass protests,” @pastorbtdaniels posted.

The Teacher, @MarquizDejavex wrote, “Students wrote English paper in the mid night and yet WAEC failed them.”

King Jeporphs, @e_okwori tweeted, “The students who were robbed and given abysmal grades in English should tag presidency, Minister of education to have an external body revise the whole exam process.”

WAEC has yet to issue any further clarification on the English Language grading or respond to the growing demands for a review of the affected scripts.