Category: Featured

A security altercation involving Fuji music icon, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, disrupted a scheduled ValueJet flight at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Monday, August 5, 2025.

According to a statement released by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Wednesday, the incident occurred during boarding for Flight VK 201 to Lagos when the musician reportedly attempted to carry an undeclared liquid, later confirmed as alcohol, onto the aircraft, in violation of aviation safety regulations.

FAAN said K1 ignored multiple warnings from Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and the aircraft’s captain, insisting on taking the item aboard despite being reminded of the 100-millilitre liquid limit mandated by Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Security Programme and ICAO Annex 17 standards.

“Despite being informed of these regulations, the passenger declined to comply and, in the process, allegedly poured the contents of the flask on a ValueJet security officer,” FAAN stated.

Eyewitnesses said the confrontation escalated when the singer refused to leave the aircraft’s front section after boarding had closed, delaying the flight’s departure. He was later escorted off the plane by AVSEC’s Crime Unit and taken in for questioning before being released.

The incident, which has since sparked online debates on VIP misconduct at airports, prompted FAAN to initiate a formal investigation, emphasizing that “no individual, regardless of status, is above the rules governing civil aviation.”

Aviation analysts have called for tougher enforcement of passenger conduct regulations, warning that special treatment for high-profile individuals compromises safety and order.

FAAN concluded by reiterating its commitment to professionalism and the enforcement of aviation laws, saying that all those found culpable will face appropriate sanctions.

The Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) has secured the conviction of Mr. Wahab Nasiru Olabanji for fraudulently collecting money from unsuspecting job seekers under the guise of securing employment for them.

Olabanji, a Grade Level 14 officer and former Chief Executive Officer (Accounts) at the Oyo State Hospital Management Board, was found guilty of extorting various sums from applicants during the last recruitment exercises at both the State Hospital Management Board and the State Teaching Service Commission.

In a press release signed by OYACA Chairman, Hon. Justice Eni Esan (rtd), on Tuesday, it was revealed that the convict was charged with a 30-count charge bordering on official corruption, obtaining money under false pretence, and unlawful conversion.

Following a 17-month trial, the court delivered its judgement on Friday, August 1, 2025, finding Olabanji guilty on all counts. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment with an option of a ₦50,000 fine for each of the 30 counts.

The court further ordered the convict to refund all monies fraudulently collected from his victims within a three-month period, as restitution for the harm caused.

Justice Esan reaffirmed OYACA’s unwavering commitment to eradicating corruption from Oyo State’s public service, emphasizing that there will be no tolerance for fraudulent practices.

President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours and generous rewards on Nigeria’s female basketball team, D’Tigress, following their remarkable victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship.

Each member of the team received the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), alongside a monetary reward of $100,000 and a flat. The team’s technical crew, led by Coach Rena Wakama, was also not left out, as each member was awarded $50,000.

The honours were presented during a reception held Monday evening at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, in celebration of the team’s historic fifth consecutive AfroBasket championship title.

The D’Tigress defeated Mali 78-64 in the final, which saw them claim their seventh AfroBasket title overall and extend their unbeaten streak in the tournament to 29 matches since 2015.

The final game was tightly contested in the early stages, with both teams going into halftime tied at 41–41. Nigeria, however, pulled away in the third quarter with superior defence and sharp shooting.

Key players such as Amy Okonkwo, Ezinne Kalu, Promise Amukamara, Victoria Macaulay, and Musa stepped up, with Kalu scoring 20 points and Okonkwo adding 19, helping the team maintain momentum through the final stretch.

To reach the final, Nigeria overcame Senegal 75-68 in a gripping semi-final clash widely considered the “final before the final” due to its intensity and high stakes.

The reward follows a similar gesture by President Tinubu last week when he honoured the Super Falcons for their record 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations win.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the 2025 WASSCE results with a startling revelation: only 38.32% of candidates obtained credit passes in five subjects including English Language and Mathematics — representing a 33.8% decline from the previous year’s performance.

Announcing the results at a press briefing in Lagos, the Head of the Nigeria National Office, Dr. Amos Josiah Dangut, described the outcome as “concerning” but recoverable, urging deeper commitment from all education stakeholders.

“This year’s performance reflects a dip when compared to 2024. We acknowledge this challenge and remain committed to working colluaboratively with schools, governments, and parents to address the root causes,” he said.

The 2025 WASSCE for School Candidates ran from April 30 to June 24, 2025, and was conducted in 13,396 centres nationwide. Of the 1,883,973 candidates who registered from 20,222 schools, a total of 1,876,571 sat for the examination. WAEC successfully processed and released results for 1,761,262 candidates, while 35,642 results are being withheld over various forms of malpractice.

Despite the overall decline in performance, Dr. Dangut praised the smooth conduct of the exam, attributing the success to improved logistics, coordination with state ministries, and enhanced digital surveillance.

However, examination malpractice remains a persistent threat. WAEC disclosed that 8,297 candidates, 52 supervisors, and one staff member are facing disciplinary action or prosecution over infractions, particularly involving digital leaks and rogue websites.

“The Council remains vigilant and unrelenting in its drive to preserve the integrity of its examinations. There is no miracle centre anywhere — and there never will be,” Dangut warned.

WAEC urged tertiary institutions and employers to authenticate results through its official online platforms. The 2025 results have now been uploaded to the WAEC Result Checker portal and are available to candidates.

The Olubadan-In-Council, on Monday, nominated Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The nomination took place at the Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, in the Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The new Olubadan was not in attendance during the meeting.

Presiding over the meeting, the Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, said, “We (members of the Olubadan-In-Council) have all signed and nominated Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.

“We will forward the resolutions of our meeting to our Governor, Seyi Makinde. He will now pick a date to present a staff of Office to the new Olubadan.

“The late Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, will be buried this week. So, this week is not feasible.

“He (Makinde) may decide to pick three weeks, two weeks or one week.”

Details later…

The Oyo State Environmental Mobile and Tribunal Court has convicted 13 individuals for operating unlicensed diesel sales businesses along the Toll Gate axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway without permits from relevant regulatory authorities.

Each defendant was fined ₦200,000 or, in default, faces a five-year prison term for engaging in hazardous waste-generating activities in violation of the state’s environmental laws.

Delivering judgment at the premises of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), Ibadan, Presiding Judge, Barrister Jubreel Adio, noted that the sale of diesel and petroleum products without proper authorization poses significant environmental and safety hazards and attracts serious penalties under Oyo State Environmental Laws and Regulations.

“The defendants admitted to operating without the necessary approvals and pleaded for leniency. However, ignorance of the law is not an excuse,” the judge said

While the standard penalty for the offense is ₦5 million or a five-year prison term, the court exercised discretion, considering the offenders were first-time violators and appeared to be ordinary traders. A reduced fine of ₦200,000 was imposed on each as a warning.

“Let this serve as a deterrent to others. Should any of the defendants reappear before this tribunal, they will face the full weight of the law without leniency,” Barrister Jubreel warned.

As part of a goodwill arrangement, community leaders Alhaji Olalere Taiwo Hassan and Mr. Saheed Folarin volunteered as sureties for the convicted individuals. Alhaji Hassan deposited the vehicle documents of his silver 2006 Toyota RAV4 (Registration Number: LLD 587 JQ) as collateral. The documents will be held by the Ministry of Environment until all fines are fully paid.

The presiding judge further emphasized that the sureties would be held liable should the fines remain unpaid.

He concluded by reiterating that the tribunal’s purpose is not to punish unnecessarily but to enforce compliance, safeguard the environment and ensure public safety.

We’ve previously fined similar offenders up to ₦1 million each. This court is not an avenue for extortion, but to uphold the law. Today, you’re fortunate. Next time, you may not meet a lenient judge,” he said.

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has officially suspended its nationwide warning strike following a formal agreement with the Federal Government, Oduduwa News can confirm.

The suspension was announced in a circular jointly signed by the association’s National President, Haruna Mamman, and General Secretary, T.A. Shettima, after an emergency virtual meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) held on Saturday.

The strike, which began on Wednesday, was intended to push for urgent government action on key issues affecting nurses across the country. These included poor remuneration, critical staff shortages, unpaid allowances, and unsafe working conditions. It came shortly after a 15-day ultimatum given to the federal government expired.

It was gathered that the industrial action had significantly disrupted healthcare services across several parts of the country, including Lagos, compounding the impact of an ongoing doctors’ face-off with government over welfare-related matters.

According to the circular titled “Suspension of the Ongoing Nationwide Nurses’ Strike”, the NEC resolved to suspend the strike following a detailed review of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached during a meeting with key government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Office of the Head of Service, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and others.

The statement noted, “NEC acknowledges the positive steps taken by the Federal Government in responding to the nine core demands of NANNM, particularly the commitment to clear timelines for implementation.”

It further stated that nurses across all states are to resume duties immediately, while reiterating that no nurse including interns and locum staff should face victimization for participating in the strike.

“The NEC appreciates the commitment and solidarity of all members throughout this action and reiterates that NANNM remains steadfast in defending the welfare, dignity, and professional rights of all nurses and midwives in Nigeria,” the statement added.

A major milestone was recorded in Nigeria’s agricultural and economic transformation drive as Vice President Kashim Shettima, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, and Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Saturday performed the groundbreaking of the Oyo State Agribusiness Industrial Hub at Ijaiye, under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme.

The ceremony, which held at Atan Village in Akinyele Local Government Area, drew stakeholders from across sectors, including top government officials, traditional rulers, development partners, agribusiness experts, and rural community leaders.

Representing Vice President Shettima, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, praised the Oyo State Government’s commitment to using agriculture as a foundation for economic empowerment. He stated that the Federal Government is fully backing the project, which he described as a transformative initiative capable of unlocking vast potentials in the state and beyond.

“The future of Nigeria lies in turning agriculture into a value-driven sector. What is happening here today is a symbol of the partnership between states and the Federal Government to drive that transformation,” Kyari said.

In his remarks, Governor Makinde declared the Ijaiye hub a clear demonstration of his administration’s dedication to the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development, 2023-2027, which envisions agriculture as a commercial enterprise—not just subsistence—capable of creating jobs, attracting investors, and securing food systems.

“We’ve been to the Oyo zone. We’ve been to Ibarapa zone. Now, we’re in Ibadan zone. This is Ijaiye. We are ensuring that the benefits of agribusiness development reach every region of our state.

“Well, let me also say this. We identified six old farm settlements established during the Western Region days. Then, the people had vision. They never thought about federal allocation; they were looking at productivity in their local environment.

He added: “I would like to appreciate you, Governor Makinde. You are an exemplary governor and I must tell you all; he is a very efficient governor. You are very visionary, passionate, and committed, and you have a heart for the people and I am very very appreciative of everything that you do.

“Fasola settlement was one of those settlements in those days. It was moribund as many of the old farm settlements were done by our Papa Awolowo, but you actually went there and thanks to the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, which has totally transformed that place.

Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has recounted her journey from street hawking to international football glory during a church testimony in Ogun State.

Ajibade, who led Nigeria to its record 10th WAFCON title in Morocco, spoke on Saturday at the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries’ monthly ‘Power Must Change Hands’ programme.

She told the congregation she once sold olive oil, kunu, and zobo drinks around the church premises during deliverance services as a young girl.

Now a professional footballer with Atletico Madrid, Ajibade said her rise is the result of prayer, hard work, and persistence.

She urged the audience not to give up in the face of challenges, stressing the importance of faith and determination.

Ajibade’s appearance drew cheers as she credited her faith for helping her through tough moments in her club and national team career.