Former Oyo State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Professor Rahman Raphael Afonja, has called for stronger collaboration between academia and industry to generate groundbreaking research capable of advancing Nigeria’s energy sector and driving national development.

Professor Afonja made the call today while delivering remarks at the 3rd Annual Personality Lecture in honour of Professor Akin Iwayemi, organised by the Centre for Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law CPEEL at the University of Ibadan.

The lecture, which coincided with Professor Iwayemi’s birthday celebration, was themed “Nigeria’s Transition to Competitive Energy Markets: Lessons from Reform and the Road Ahead.”

Speaking on the importance of evidence-based policymaking, Afonja stressed that meaningful collaboration between universities, research institutions, government agencies and private sector players is essential to producing innovative solutions to Nigeria’s energy challenges.

He lamented what he described as the long-standing neglect of the academic community, noting that researchers and institutions have continued to grapple with inadequate funding, a situation he said has limited the country’s capacity to produce high-impact research capable of informing policy and industrial development.

According to him, sustained investment in academic research is critical, particularly in the energy sector, where Nigeria is undergoing far-reaching reforms aimed at liberalising and decentralising the electricity market.

Afonja noted that with the ongoing implementation of electricity sector reforms, which empower sub-national governments to establish and regulate their own electricity markets, there is an urgent need for research that will guide states in developing efficient, competitive and sustainable power systems.

He maintained that robust funding for energy research would provide policymakers with reliable data and practical recommendations needed to ensure the success of the reforms and accelerate economic growth.

The former commissioner urged governments, development partners and private investors to prioritise research funding and deepen partnerships with higher institutions, saying such collaborations would not only strengthen innovation but also enhance Nigeria’s capacity to achieve a secure, reliable and competitive energy future.

The annual personality lecture attracted academics, energy experts, policymakers, students and other stakeholders, who examined the progress of Nigeria’s ongoing energy market reforms and explored strategies for ensuring a more competitive and resilient energy sector.

Panic gripped residents and commuters in the Ojoo area of Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday following a violent clash involving suspected scavengers, popularly known as “Baban Bola,” with one person feared dead.

The confrontation reportedly broke out after a disagreement among members of the group, escalating into a fierce fight that disrupted commercial activities and caused motorists and pedestrians to flee for safety.

Eyewitnesses said weapons including sticks and other dangerous objects were used during the clash, while traders hurriedly shut their shops to avoid being caught in the violence. The incident also resulted in heavy traffic along the ever-busy Ojoo axis as commuters sought alternative routes.

Although one person is feared to have lost his life, the casualty had not been officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report. Security operatives were said to have swiftly responded to the scene, restoring normalcy and preventing the violence from spreading.

Residents have expressed concern over the recurring activities of suspected scavengers in the area and called on the Oyo State Government and security agencies to strengthen measures aimed at preventing similar incidents and ensuring the safety of lives and property.

As of press time, the Oyo State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while efforts were ongoing to ascertain the immediate cause of the clash and the exact number of casualties.

Popular TikTok content creator, Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, and his associate, Bello Oladipo, have been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court over allegations of obstructing police officers while carrying out their lawful duties.

The Lagos State Police Command on Monday, July 6, brought the duo before the court on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, resisting arrest, obstructing police officers, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

According to the police, the charges stem from an incident that occurred on July 2 along the Coastal Road in Lekki, Lagos, where officers intercepted Peller for allegedly driving a vehicle without registration number plates.

Police said Peller explained that the vehicle had been recently purchased, but the officers insisted on taking him to the police station for further investigation.

The situation reportedly escalated after Peller began filming the encounter with his mobile phone. The TikToker later alleged that the officers became hostile, claiming one of them pulled his shirt and pointed a firearm at him. However, the police denied the allegations and proceeded with criminal charges against him and his associate.

In the charge sheet presented before the court, the prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired to resist public officers, obstructed ASP Agbede Victor and three other police officers while they were performing their lawful duties, and conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of public peace by threatening and recording the officers during the operation.

The offences are said to be punishable under Sections 411, 117(1)(2), and 168(a) & (d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Following their plea, the court granted Peller and Oladipo bail in the sum of ₦500,000 each with two sureties. The court directed that one of the sureties must be a blood relative, while the defendants are also required to present two years’ tax clearance certificates.

The case was adjourned until August 11, 2026, for further hearing.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, , has strongly criticised the administration of President over the country’s worsening security situation, calling on the President to either resign or refrain from seeking re-election.

In a statement titled “Worsening Leadership Crisis in the Country Now Evident,” Obi said the increasing wave of insecurity and prolonged captivity of kidnapped schoolchildren reflect a collapse of governance and a lack of compassionate leadership.

According to Obi, the government and people of have every reason to feel abandoned following the abduction of schoolchildren, who, he said, had remained in captivity for more than 50 days without any tangible progress toward their rescue.

The former Anambra State governor disclosed that he had publicly spoken about the incident on two occasions and appealed directly to the kidnappers to release the children. He also revealed that he had contacted Governor twice to express solidarity, describing the incident as a national tragedy rather than an Oyo State problem.

Obi further stated that on July 3, he visited Ibadan alongside to meet with Governor Makinde and discuss the worsening security situation. During the meeting, he said he shared his experiences in tackling insecurity while serving as governor of Anambra State.

He recalled that former Presidents , , and would personally reach out to governors during major security crises.

Obi said he was surprised to learn from Governor Makinde that President Tinubu had allegedly not called him regarding the kidnapping despite the children having remained in captivity for more than 50 days.

Drawing comparisons with the , Obi noted that former President Jonathan faced widespread criticism for delaying contact with the Borno State governor at the time. He argued that President Tinubu, who was among Jonathan’s critics then, should now be held to the same standard.

According to Obi, there have been more than 13 school kidnapping incidents under the current administration, yet the President has allegedly failed to personally reach out to the affected state’s chief executive in the latest case.

Describing the situation as evidence of failed governance, Obi said the administration has demonstrated a lack of capacity, compassion, and sensitivity to the plight of Nigerians.

He concluded by urging President Tinubu to either resign or, at the very least, not seek a second term in office, insisting that his position was driven by patriotism rather than politics.

As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency had not issued an official response to Obi’s remarks.

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a man identified as a masquerade in connection with the alleged murder of a 24-year-old resident of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The suspect was apprehended following an investigation into the killing, which reportedly occurred during a masquerade procession in the city. The incident has sparked outrage among residents, with many calling for justice and stricter enforcement of public safety during traditional festivities.

According to police sources, the 24-year-old victim allegedly sustained fatal injuries during an altercation involving the masquerade. He was rushed to a medical facility but was confirmed dead despite efforts to save his life.

The police said the suspect has been taken into custody, while detectives continue their investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident and whether other individuals were involved.

The Command assured members of the public that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, urging residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.

The incident has renewed calls for better regulation of masquerade activities and improved security measures during cultural festivals to prevent avoidable loss of lives. Police also appealed to witnesses and anyone with useful information to cooperate with investigators to ensure justice is served.

A man identified as Surri Ilupeju has publicly denied allegations linking him to illegal firearms, insisting that he is innocent and has never been involved in armed robbery or any criminal activity.

Speaking emotionally while pleading for justice, Ilupeju maintained that the guns allegedly recovered from him do not belong to him, accusing the police of planting the weapons in a bid to falsely implicate him.

“I’m not an armed robber. I have never held a gun before in my life. I’m not the owner of those guns. Police brought them to implicate me. I’m a transporter; I have never committed any crime,” he said.

The visibly distressed transporter appealed to the public, human rights organisations, and relevant authorities to intervene and ensure that justice prevails.

His claims have sparked conversations on social media, with many Nigerians calling for a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding his arrest and the alleged recovery of the firearms.

As of the time of filing this report, the police have not publicly responded to Ilupeju’s allegations or provided additional details addressing his claims.

The case remains under investigation, and no court has determined Ilupeju’s guilt or innocence.

Traders at the Bode Traditional Herbs and Other Products Market, popularly known as Iso Alagbo, in the Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State, have been thrown into distress after a fire outbreak destroyed shops and goods in the early hours of Friday, 03/07/2026.

The inferno reportedly engulfed a section of the market, destroying traditional herbs, medicinal products, and other valuable items estimated to be worth millions of naira.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire started in one of the shops before spreading rapidly to nearby stalls, leaving extensive destruction in its wake. The exact cause of the incident has yet to be confirmed.

Affected traders were seen assessing the damage and lamenting their losses. While some believed a power surge may have triggered the fire, others said the cause remained unclear and called for a thorough investigation.

The total value of the destroyed property is yet to be officially determined.

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested 11 students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho over an alleged cult-related plot, recovering firearms and other dangerous items during the operation.

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State disclosed that the suspects were apprehended following credible intelligence indicating that members of rival cult groups were planning coordinated attacks within the university community and its surrounding areas.

According to the police, operatives from the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit swiftly launched a targeted operation, leading to the arrest of the suspects at different locations around the institution.

Items recovered during the operation include two locally made pistols, several live cartridges, suspected cult insignia, charms, and other incriminating materials believed to have been used in cult-related activities.

The Police Command stated that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly belonged to rival secret cult groups and were mobilising for violent confrontations before security operatives foiled the plan.

The Commissioner of Police reiterated the Command’s commitment to combating cultism, armed violence, and other criminal activities across the state, warning individuals involved in unlawful associations to desist or face the full weight of the law.

He also assured parents, students, and residents that adequate security measures have been put in place to maintain peace within the university environment and across Oyo State.

The suspects are currently in police custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. Meanwhile, the Command said efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members connected to the alleged cult network.

The controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has taken a fresh turn as Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to head the body, rejected allegations by the Presidency that the agency is fictitious, insisting he is being unfairly targeted.

The latest development follows a detailed statement by the Presidency defending the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and explaining the circumstances that led to criminal charges against Adeyemi over alleged forgery, impersonation and the operation of a non-existent government agency.

According to the Presidency, Gbajabiamila petitioned security agencies in October 2025 after discovering that forged appointment letters bearing his purported signature were being used to create the impression that Adeyemi had been appointed Director-General of the PFIPC and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), bodies the government maintains do not exist. Investigators also alleged that Adeyemi operated several bank accounts in the names of fictitious government agencies and held meetings with diplomats and other stakeholders while presenting himself as a government official.

However, Adeyemi has dismissed the allegations, describing the Presidency’s position as an attempt to silence him. He questioned how the PFIPC allegedly appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act if the agency truly did not exist and called on President Bola Tinubu to establish an independent panel to investigate the matter. He also denied wrongdoing and claimed his life was under threat.

The Federal Government has since confirmed that Adeyemi and two others are facing an eight-count charge before the Federal High Court over alleged conspiracy, forgery and impersonation. The case is expected to come up for hearing later this month.

With both sides standing firmly by their positions, the PFIPC controversy has continued to generate nationwide attention, raising questions over government procedures, public accountability and the authenticity of the disputed agency. The outcome of the ongoing court proceedings is expected to determine the veracity of the competing claims.

The Ekiti State Government has commenced the registration of commercial motorcycle operators across the state as part of renewed efforts to enhance security, improve regulation of the transport sector and strengthen intelligence gathering.

The exercise, according to the government, is aimed at creating a comprehensive database of commercial motorcyclists operating within the state to aid security agencies in identifying operators, tracking criminal activities and promoting public safety.

Officials said all commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as okada operators, are expected to participate in the registration exercise, which will capture their personal details, operational locations and other relevant information.

The government explained that the initiative forms part of broader measures to address rising security concerns, curb criminal activities linked to the misuse of motorcycles and ensure that only properly identified and registered operators are allowed to conduct commercial transport services.

Authorities urged riders to cooperate with the exercise, stressing that it is not intended to punish law-abiding operators but to protect residents and improve security across the state.

The state also called on transport unions, community leaders and other stakeholders to support the registration process to ensure its success, noting that the database would assist law enforcement agencies in investigations and emergency response when necessary.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, adding that additional security initiatives would be introduced to complement ongoing efforts to maintain peace and order throughout Ekiti State.