Category: Featured

Armed robbers invaded the Awolowo Hall of Residence at the University of Ibadanu in the early hours of Saturday, dispossessing students of their valuables worth thousands of naira.

The stolen items include assorted mobile telephone handsets, jewelry, clothing, and other valuables.

According to reports, the affected students were also tortured during the raid, which lasted for several hours.

A source within the university revealed that the security team was alerted by the screams of the affected students and quickly responded to the incident.

Some of the suspects were arrested and handed over to the Police at Sango Police Station, while a manhunt has been launched for the remaining suspects who are on the run.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the University of Ibadan, Mrs. Joke Akinpelu, stated that reports from the hall wardens indicated that the robbers made off with the students’ mobile telephone handsets.

Efforts to get across to the Police Public Relations Officer CSP Adewale Osifeso for further confirmation proved abortive.

The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has announced that Ramadan 1446 AH (2025) will begin on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

This marks a major departure from the long-standing practice of waiting for an official declaration from the Sultan of Sokoto, the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims.

In a communiqué issued by the Grand Mufti’s Office, the League stated that its decision was based on precise astronomical calculations and resolutions from international Islamic conferences, including those held in Istanbul, Paris, and within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). According to these sources, the crescent moon signaling Ramadan will be visible after sunset on Friday, February 28, 2025, making March 1 the official start of fasting.

The League referenced the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) hadith:

“Fast when you see the crescent and break your fast when you see it.”

This independent declaration has sparked discussions about religious autonomy among Yoruba Muslims, some of whom have long questioned the centralized religious leadership in Nigeria. The move comes amid recent tensions over the Sultan’s call for the imposition of Sharia law in Yorubaland, which the Yoruba Nation Self-Determination Movement condemned as “disrespectful.”

As of now, the Sultan of Sokoto and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) have not responded to this declaration. However, the League stands by its decision, citing historical precedents and scientific confirmation of the lunar calendar.

With Ramadan approaching, this shift could redefine how Yoruba Muslims observe Islamic traditions in Nigeria.

The nation mourns as Afenifere chieftain and renowned politician, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has passed away at the age of 96. The elder statesman died peacefully at his residence in Lekki, Lagos State, on the morning of Friday, February 14, 2025.

An official statement from his family confirmed the news, expressing gratitude for a life dedicated to the service of God, the nation, and humanity.

“With a heart full of gratitude for a selfless life spent in the service of God, the nation, and humanity, we announce the passing on of our beloved patriarch, Chief Samuel Ayodele Adebanjo. He died peacefully this morning at his Lekki, Lagos Nigeria home at the age of 96.”

Chief Adebanjo was a prominent nationalist, elder statesman, distinguished lawyer, and an unwavering advocate for true federalism in Nigeria. He was a former organising secretary of the Action Group and served as the national leader of Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political group.

The revered politician is survived by his 94-year-old wife, Chief Christy Ayo-Adebanjo, as well as children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His family paid tribute to his relentless dedication to justice and equity, highlighting his unwavering fight for a truly independent and progressive Nigeria.

“We will forever cherish his commitment to fighting for truth, equity, and justice. His belief and struggle for a truly independent and progressive Nigeria was total, and this he fought for until he breathed his last breath,” the statement read.

Funeral arrangements are currently underway as the family engages with relevant stakeholders and associates across the country.

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has voiced support for the implementation of Sharia law in the Southwest.

Oloyede, who is also the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), said Sharia panels would serve the interests of Muslims in the region.

He called on leaders in the South-West geopolitical zone to support the establishment of Sharia panels in the six states of the zone.

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has announced an 18 percent increase in bus fares across all Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) schemes in Lagos, effective Monday, February 17, 2025.

In a statement released on Thursday, LAMATA attributed the fare hike to rising operational costs and the need to sustain bus services for efficient transportation across the state.

“Please be informed that there will be an 18 percent increase in the bus fare on all Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) schemes. The fare increase is because of the increase in the cost of operations and the need to ensure that buses keep running and guarantee your movement around Lagos,” the statement read.

LAMATA, which oversees transport planning, implementation, regulation, and franchising in the state, emphasized that the increase is necessary to maintain the efficiency of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and other components of the Bus Reform Initiative.

Following the announcement, many Lagos residents expressed frustration over the fare hike, citing the ongoing economic hardship in the country. Commuters lamented that the increment would further strain their finances, making daily transportation even more difficult.

A resident, Akindele Ojo, said, “Life is already hard enough with the rising cost of food and other essentials. Increasing bus fares now will only make things worse for the average Lagosian.”

Others called on the government to intervene and provide relief measures to cushion the impact of the increment on low-income earners.

As the new fare structure takes effect, Lagosians brace for the impact, hoping for possible interventions to ease the financial burden.

Oduduwa News will continue to monitor and provide updates on this developing story.

Tensions escalated in Osun State when members of the Southwest Security Outfit, Amotekun, attacked and injured police officers stationed to protect illegal miners.

Sources informed that the police officers, led by ASP Ako Abiodun, formed a task force at the illegal mining site along Ibadan Road, Osogbo, after reportedly accepting bribes.

The deployment order was allegedly issued by ACP Ige Adekunle, Commander of MOPOL 39 Osogbo.

Details later.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is currently hosting South West Governors at the State House, Ikeja.

The South West governors already at the venue of the meeting are: Dapo Abiodun, Seyi Makinde, Ademola Adeleke, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Biodun Oyebanji, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States respectively.

The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen.

According to Omotoso, “The South West Governors’ Forum will discuss issues of common interest, such as agriculture and food security, to advance economic growth, foster collaboration and enhance development initiatives in the Zone.

“Security of lives and property will also be part of the agenda.”

Recall that a similar meeting was held in Lagos on June 10, 2024 when Sanwo-Olu was unanimously appointed as Chairman of the forum.

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, says the relationship between President Bola Tinubu and the north has deteriorated less than two years into his administration, warning that he may be given the Goodluck Jonathan treatment ahead of the 2027 elections.

El-Rufai made the statement in a post on his verified X handle yesterday, titled, “2027: South West, Tinubu’s supporters playing with fire – Part 1.”

El-Rufai had been attacking the ruling APC and the policies of the Tinubu government, even as political gladiators across party lines continued to mull the idea of floating a coalition capable of defeating APC.

In the post on X, El-Rufai stated, “It is actually premature to be talking about 2027 elections less than two years into our first tenure, but what is happening in the political arena is forcing me to speak to it, for as they say, ‘a stitch in time saves nine’.

“As an APC member, I naturally would want my party to win re-election in 2027. However, as a realist, I have my concerns.”

El-Rufai recalled that during the 2019 party primaries, he saw the way APC handled the primaries, and wrote that if the party was not careful, it could go the way of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which lost power after 16 years.

He said he predicted then that if APC did not return to its promised progressive path and ideology, but stayed obsessed with just winning elections at all cost, just like PDP, the ruling party could lose power at the federal level by 2031.

El-Rufai said, “When I wrote that, we were not faced with the current situation we are faced with. Indeed, I never imagined that we would be in the current situation any time soon, surely not under President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Note, I am not talking about the present economic situation and the likes. I am talking about the current and increasing ‘ghaghagha’ in our party and among APC members and support

The national grid has suffered yet another system collapse, throwing many Nigerians into darkness.

Reports indicate that the grid lost power generation some minutes after 11 on Wednesday morning.

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company confirmed the development via its X handle on Wednesday.

“Dear Valued Customer, We regret to inform you that a system disturbance occurred on the national grid at 11:34 am today causing a power outage across our franchise areas.

“While gradual restoration of power supply has commenced, please be assured that we are working closely with relevant stakeholders to fully restore electricity as soon as the grid is stabilised. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to serve you better,” the post reads.

Moreover, sources in some power generation companies confirmed that there was a general grid disturbance on Wednesday morning.

Sources revealed that there was a trip-off and the power went off before noon. Most power plants on the grid lost generation when the incident occurred.

At 11 am, hourly power generation was 4064 megawatts but this dropped to 1,203MW at 12 pm and 0.00MW at 1 pm.

This is about the first time the grid will collapse in 2025 after it experienced a line tripping in January.

Recall that in 2024, the grid collapsed 12 and over 100 times in 10 years.