Category: Featured

A Nigerian medical doctor, Okeho-born Festus Babarinde, has attributed his selection for the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr Community Service Award in the United States to his long-standing commitment to training medical doctors, strengthening healthcare systems, and supporting underserved communities.

Babarinde, who spoke in an interview with Diaspora Tales, said the honour reflects years of deliberate work in capacity building and community service, rather than a single standout achievement.

He received the award at the 44th Annual Dr Martin Luther King Jr Commemoration Ceremony, held at the Chevy Chase Auditorium, Johns Hopkins Hospital, on the East Baltimore campus. The annual event celebrates individuals whose work reflects the ideals of service, equity, compassion, and social justice championed by the late American civil rights leader.

He was honoured alongside professors and senior research fellows from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in recognition of his exceptional contributions to community health and human capacity development in both Nigeria and the United States.

According to Babarinde, the award was not tied to one project but to a sustained record of community-focused interventions.

“I believe the award recognises a consistent commitment to service, leadership, and impact across clinical care, medical education, and allied health training both in Nigeria and the United States,” he said.

He explained that he founded The Concept Academy, an educational platform that has trained doctors across more than 13 countries for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). The platform also offers free classes to less privileged candidates preparing for the examination.

Through the academy, Babarinde developed a simplified, concept-driven approach to teaching medicine for high-stakes examinations, emphasising clinical reasoning, pattern recognition, and systems thinking rather than rote memorisation.

He noted that the model has helped many international medical graduates overcome structural and educational barriers to medical licensure.

Currently an intern at the Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center and a Master of Public Health candidate at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Babarinde said his stay in the US has been less than a year, stressing that the award largely recognises work carried out over several years in Nigeria.

“My time in the US has helped me scale some of these initiatives, particularly in medical education, and has given me stronger tools in leadership, quality improvement, and health systems management,” he said.

“This is about representation. It shows what Nigerian and African professionals can contribute globally when local service is combined with global engagement.”

He added that the recognition was made possible through the support of colleagues, mentors, students, and communities who share his commitment to service-driven leadership.

“This is not just my story. It reflects the collective effort of everyone who has worked with me and believed in service,” he said.

The event which started yesterday, graciously hosted by Governor, His Excellency Engr. Seyi Makinde, brought together eminent personalities, leaders and well-wishers to celebrate five decades of growth, unity and resilience.

.A major highpoint of the Opening Ceremony was the cutting of the 50th Anniversary Cake, symbolizing unity and collective pride.

This was followed by a colourful moment as the Governor and other dignitaries released anniversary balloons into the sky, signifying hope, renewal and the bright future ahead for Oyo State.

The event was hosted at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan and a lecture slated to hold at the same venue tomorrow.

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a police inspector during a rescue operation for a kidnapped victim in Oyo West Local Government Area of the state.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday at Olorunda Village, Ojongbodu, where suspected kidnappers invaded a residence and abducted a man identified as Haruna Lawal. The attackers also fled with the victim’s motorcycle.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso — sorry — Olayinka Ayanlade, the command received a distress call at about 2:10 a.m. from a woman identified as Alimot, reporting that armed suspects had stormed her brother’s home.

Police operatives were immediately deployed to the area on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna. The swift response and aggressive search of surrounding bushes forced the kidnappers to abandon the victim and flee as patrol vans advanced with sirens. Lawal was subsequently rescued alive.

However, during the operation, a police inspector was killed while bravely confronting the assailants. Preliminary investigations indicate that some of the suspects sustained gunshot injuries. A manhunt has been launched to track and arrest the fleeing attackers.

The rescued victim sustained a head injury during the attack and was rushed to the General Hospital in Oyo town, where he is currently receiving medical attention. The police command described the rescue as a reflection of its commitment to protecting lives and property, adding that investigations into the incident are ongoing.

A civil society group has dragged the Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc. (NBET) before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged failure to account for ₦128 billion in public funds.
The group, in a suit filed last Friday and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/143/2026, is seeking an order of mandamus compelling the Minister and NBET to explain the whereabouts and use of the alleged missing or diverted funds from the Ministry of Power and NBET.

According to the plaintiffs, the allegations are contained in the latest annual report released by the Auditor-General of the Federation on September 9, 2025, which reportedly flagged serious financial irregularities in the power sector.

They argued that corruption has continued to undermine Nigeria’s electricity supply, linking it to the frequent national grid collapses. The group noted that Nigerians recently experienced the first grid collapse of 2026, plunging many parts of the country into darkness.

In the suit, the group is also asking the court to compel Mr. Adelabu and NBET to disclose detailed records of how the ₦128 billion was allegedly spent, including dates of disbursement, names of beneficiaries or contractors, and their registered business names and addresses.

The group said Nigerians are bearing the brunt of what it described as “widespread and grand corruption” in the power sector, stressing that there is strong public interest in ensuring transparency and accountability.

They added that granting the reliefs sought would help curb corruption in the sector, address persistent transmission failures, and improve Nigerians’ access to stable and uninterrupted electricity supply.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has criticised President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima over the newly implemented tax administration law, saying the current federal leadership has made it difficult to “speak truth to power.”

Speaking in Ibadan at the 60th birthday celebration of cleric Samson Ajetomobi, Makinde said he misses the governance style of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, whom he praised for being open to consultation and differing opinions.

The governor recalled how Osinbajo’s intervention during a National Economic Council meeting in 2020 influenced his decision not to impose a full COVID-19 lockdown in Oyo State, describing it as an example of inclusive leadership and balanced decision-making.

Makinde contrasted that with the Tinubu–Shettima administration’s handling of the tax reform bill, noting that calls for broader consultation were ignored. He added that despite a recent closed-door meeting with President Tinubu, he remains in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Traders and passers-by at the Apete area of Ibadan on Sunday were thrown into panic after a gas-laden truck was almost completely engulfed by fire near Nobility Filling Station.

The incident occurred around 5:00 p.m., prompting traders and other road users in the busy area to scamper for safety over fears of a possible explosion.

Eyewitnesses said the fire started from one side of the truck, reportedly around the battery compartment, forcing the driver to abruptly halt in the middle of the road. The driver quickly deployed fire extinguishers in an attempt to contain the blaze.

The fire was eventually brought under control, and no casualties were recorded.
As of the time of filing this report, the truck remained parked on the road to allow it to cool before resuming movement, while traffic in the area was temporarily disrupted.

Street sweepers employed by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) have raised alarm over what they describe as daily abuse, harassment and inhumane treatment from Lagos residents, saying their job has become increasingly dangerous and degrading.

The sweepers shared their experiences during an episode of The Morayo Show, where emotional testimonies revealed the harsh realities behind keeping Lagos streets clean — realities they say are marked by insults, threats and deliberate sabotage of their work.

One of the sweepers, Kafilat, lamented that motorists who park illegally often turn on them instead of taking responsibility for their actions.
“They park anywhere they like and tell us to go and sweep somewhere else,” she said. “As if we are not human beings doing our job.”

Another worker, Olatitoye Adeola, accused some residents of intentionally dumping refuse on cleared roads after LAWMA trucks have completed waste evacuation.

“When we caution them, they threaten us,” she said. “They ask, ‘Is it your father’s land?’ They are ready to fight us.”
Taiwo Ologunro also described a frustrating cycle in which traders and householders repeatedly litter already-cleaned areas, forcing sweepers to redo the same work multiple times.

According to the workers, the persistent disrespect and stigma attached to their jobs have taken a toll on their morale, despite the essential role they play in maintaining environmental hygiene across the state.

They called on the Lagos State Government and the general public to show greater respect for sanitation workers and to support efforts to keep the city clean. If you want, I can also make it shorter, more emotional, or more investigative-style for online news platforms or blogs.

Former presidential candidate, Gbenga Hashim, has accused the Nigerian government and elements within the security apparatus of complicity in the country’s worsening insecurity, warning that terrorism and mass kidnappings cannot be defeated amid official denial, suppression of facts, and intimidation of affected communities.

Hashim made the remarks while reacting to the kidnapping of over 170 persons in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, an incident that security authorities initially denied before later acknowledging.

According to him, the denial exposed a troubling and increasingly common pattern in Nigeria’s security management, the suppression of information rather than decisive action. “No matter the level of international action against terrorism, Nigeria will not get results as long as local authorities are compromised and complicit,” Hashim said.

He described the initial handling of the Kajuru incident as a “calculated attempt to erase a crime,” arguing that it reflects a system that now treats truth as a liability instead of a foundation for effective security response. Hashim also raised concerns over the alleged intimidation of victim communities, noting that affected populations are often pressured into silence rather than protected by authorities.

The former presidential candidate linked this trend to heightened international scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation following the United States’ Christmas Day airstrikes on terrorist locations in northern Nigeria.

According to him, the period after the strikes witnessed further attacks that were allegedly concealed by officials. He cited reports from Kebbi State, where terrorists reportedly killed at least nine people about a week after the U.S. operation.

“Credible community leaders confirmed that information about the killings was officially suppressed, and warnings were issued against speaking out,” Hashim stated.

He further criticised the federal government’s response to the U.S. strikes, accusing the APC-led administration of failing to leverage the operation to dismantle terrorist networks.

Hashim said that despite claims by government officials that Nigeria had prior knowledge of the strikes, there was no corresponding deployment of ground forces to intercept or apprehend fleeing insurgents.

“Surviving terrorists were allowed to escape across the border into Niger Republic. This was a missed strategic opportunity,” he said.

According to Hashim, the failure, or unwillingness to intercept retreating insurgents raises serious questions about intent within Nigeria’s security architecture.
“Nigeria’s insecurity is no longer just about capacity, funding, or intelligence. It is increasingly about intent and accountability,” he added.

He concluded by warning that unless official denial, information suppression, and alleged complicity are confronted head-on, Nigeria’s security crisis will persist, regardless of foreign support or military intervention.

The Awujale kingmakers are determined not to accept any imposition, according to Olorogun Sonny Folorunso Kuku, Chairman of the Interregnum Council and Head of Kingmakers in Ijebu-Ode. The government had halted the selection process, citing petitions from stakeholders and security agencies, but the kingmakers haven’t received any official communication. They’re working with the government to resolve the issue and resume the process .

The selection process had generated 95 applications, with six fully completed. The kingmakers are reviewing the documents carefully to ensure a fair and peaceful outcome. Security presence around the palace is heightened, but it’s reportedly not related to influencing the process.

The kingmakers assure the public that their actions are guided by the desire for peace and selecting the best candidate. They’re taking their responsibility seriously, considering the impact on the Ijebu people for generations to come .

Ogun State is set to witness a significant economic boost following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the commencement of commercial oil drilling at Eba in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, alongside renewed momentum for the Olokola Deep Seaport project.

Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed this at the weekend while receiving the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, during a courtesy visit to his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

According to the governor, President Tinubu’s approval marks a major breakthrough after years of anticipation surrounding both projects, describing the development as a turning point in Ogun State’s economic history.

“Mr President has approved the commencement of commercial oil drilling operations at Eba, Ogun Waterside. Going forward, we will begin to see increased activities in that area,” Abiodun said.

“Our proposed Olokola Port, which has been on the drawing board for several years, is now back on the table. In the last two weeks alone, we have held several meetings on Olokola, and Mr President has clearly expressed his desire to see the port become a reality.”

The Olokola Deep Seaport, to be developed as the Blue Marine Economic Zone, is expected to become operational next year. The port is designed to decongest the Lagos ports, improve logistics efficiency, and position Ogun State as a major maritime and trade hub in West Africa.

Governor Abiodun said the project would also enhance national security, noting that the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operations Base at Tongeji Island, approved earlier, would oversee the coastline up to Edo State. He added that the state government provided land to facilitate the naval base in order to strengthen coastal security and prevent cross-border infiltration.

The commencement of oil drilling at Eba is expected to place Ogun among Nigeria’s oil-producing states, making it eligible for 13 per cent derivation funds. The development is also projected to generate employment opportunities, stimulate economic growth in coastal communities, and provide funding for infrastructure and social development. There is also potential for bitumen extraction in the area.

On the economic impact of the Olokola Deep Seaport, the governor noted that the deep-water facility would accommodate large vessels, eliminate demurrage costs due to its Free Trade Zone status, and serve as a major transit point for goods destined for the hinterland, eastern and northern parts of the country.

The seaport is projected to generate substantial revenue for the state through trade, logistics, leases, and royalties, as well as create direct and indirect employment opportunities.

Abiodun also highlighted the state’s ongoing investments in infrastructure, including the Gateway International Airport and Aerotropolis at Iperu-Ilishan, which features a 4-kilometre runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft. The airport is expected to support cargo processing, agricultural exports, and logistics services.

He said the state’s integrated development strategy, which includes industrial parks, agro-processing zones, and transport infrastructure, aligns with the administration’s ISEYA agenda aimed at driving sustainable economic growth and positioning Ogun State as a leading investment destination in Nigeria.

The governor reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to collaborating with federal authorities and private investors to ensure the successful implementation of the projects.