Category: Featured

The Obafemi Awolowo University Dental Students’ Association (IFUDSA) has been thrown into mourning following the death of one of its members, who reportedly took his own life shortly after the release of examination results.

In a statement signed by its President, Adebayo Idris, on Wednesday, made available to Oduduwa News, the association described the incident as a “painful reminder of the silent battles many students face.”

“With deep sadness and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of one of our colleagues in the Faculty of Dentistry. We received the painful news that he took his own life shortly after the release of examination results,” the statement read.

The association extended its condolences to the deceased’s family, friends, classmates, and all who knew him, noting that the tragedy highlights the urgent need for stronger mental health support among students.

“This loss is not just the departure of a promising young mind, but a painful reminder of the silent battles many students face. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and no one should ever feel alone in their struggles,” Idris stated.

IFUDSA urged its members to reach out to one another, offer support, and seek professional help when necessary. The association also reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for improved student welfare and mental health services to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

A tricycle operator died while two of his passengers were seriously injured in a head-on collision with a Toyota Venza at Egbe Bridge summit, inward Ikotun, Lagos State on Tuesday.

While confirming the incident, General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki said the driver of the car with registration number GWA 659 RD, fled the accident scene after killing

The statement was signed by Mr Taofiq Adebayo, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA.

According to Bakare-Oki, the driver, in an act of cowardice and moral dereliction, fled the scene after realising the devastation caused by his impatience and reckless driving.

“Law enforcement authorities have launched a concerted manhunt to apprehend the fugitive motorist and subject him to the full rigours of the law,” he said.

He said preliminary findings indicated the Toyota Venza approached from the Ejigbo axis, attempting a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre atop the bridge.

Bakare-Oki expressed condolences to the deceased’s family and wished the injured passengers a quick and full recovery.

Reaffirming LASTMA’s commitment to road safety, Bakare-Oki urged motorists to be vigilant and ensure roads are clear before overtaking, especially on elevated roads and bridge crests.

“This tragic incident is a grim reminder of the deadly consequences of impatience and blatant disregard for traffic laws,” he said.

He stressed the need for discipline, foresight, and strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent avoidable tragedies on Nigeria’s roads.

The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo has ordered withdrawal of cases against the remanded Airbom passenger, Comfort Emmason and the popular Fuji Musician, Wasiu Ayinde popularly known as KWAM1.

In a statement made available to newsmen as read in part:

“A valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides to these incidents and airport security protocol, especially, have been well highlighted for the travelling public. If nothing at all, the episodes have undoubtedly helped to raise public awareness about appropriate conduct within the aviation space.

“As highlighted in my previous statements on the last two incidents, clear wrongs were committed by both the offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved, from all the evidence available to us and that available to the public. It is clear that all the actors involved cannot continue to highlight the injury or injustice done to them without acknowledging their own equal culpability,” the Minister’s statement read in part.

Following deliberations, “including appeals made by well-meaning individuals and remorse shown by the actors”, Keyamo said he had prevailed on Ibom Airline to withdraw the complaint against Emmason.

“In the case of the unruly passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, on the Ibom Airline on Sunday, the 10th of August, 2025, I have conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the Complaint against her today. When the Police took her Statement in the presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.”

Keyamo noted that the female Ibom passenger will be released from Kirikiri prison immediately, and the lifetime flying ban will also be lifted.

“Subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week.

“I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to them to lift the lifetime flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed. The details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently.”

A High Court sitting in Ogun State has issued an interim order restraining the Ogun State Government and its agents from demolishing or tampering with the property belonging to a former governor of Ogun State, Senator Gbenga Daniel.

The ex parte order was granted following an affidavit of urgency filed by the claimants, Senator Gbenga Daniel and his wife, Olufunke Daniel.

The court in suit number HCS/371/2025, said it was satisfied that immediate intervention was necessary to protect the property pending further hearing.

In the ruling, the judge barred the defendants, their allies, proxies, assigns, cronies, and any persons acting on their behalf from carrying out any demolition, enforcing the quit notice issued on August 8, 2025, or otherwise interfering with the claimants’ possession of the property.

The property in question covers approximately 1.659 hectares, within the Government Reservation Area, Sagamu, and is covered by Certificate of Occupancy No. LUD3/LR2693 issued on January 20, 2010.

The court further restrained the defendants from any form of trespass or disturbance of the claimants’ quiet possession until the hearing and determination of the substantive motion on notice.

The suit has been adjourned to August 19, 2025, for the hearing of the application for an interlocutory injunction.

–Oduduwa News

The Nigeria Police Force has begun investigating Fuji music legend, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, over alleged unruly behaviour that reportedly obstructed the safe operation of an aircraft at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had formally petitioned the police over the incident, which occurred on August 5, 2025, in violation of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023.

Following the petition, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, directed the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, to launch a thorough investigation into the matter to unravel the circumstances surrounding the alleged misconduct and ensure justice is served.

“The Nigeria Police Force has received an official petition from NCAA over an alleged incident involving Mr. Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (popularly known as KWAM 1). He is accused of engaging in unruly conduct that allegedly obstructed the safe operation of an aircraft, in violation of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023, following a reported incident on 5 August 2025 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

“In response, the Inspector-General of Police has directed the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the matter,” Adejobi said.

The police assured Nigerians and aviation stakeholders of their commitment to upholding safety and security in the aviation sector, stressing that collaboration will be intensified to ensure strict compliance with aviation laws.

An Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmanson, has been remanded in the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, Lagos, following a violent altercation with crew members on board a Uyo–Lagos flight on Sunday, August 10, 2025.

The incident reportedly began when Emmanson refused to switch off her mobile phone before takeoff, despite repeated instructions from the cabin crew. Upon arrival in Lagos, the disagreement escalated into physical assault. She allegedly attacked the flight purser by stepping on her, tearing off her wig and glasses, throwing the glasses away, and striking her with footwear. She was also accused of slapping another crew member who attempted to intervene.

According to court documents, Emmanson further attempted to wield a fire extinguisher as a weapon, attacked personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and airline security, and damaged airline property, including an aircraft curtain valued at $2,500 and a wig worth about ₦110,000.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has placed her on a lifetime no-fly list, barring her from flying with any member airline domestically or internationally.

Emmanson was arraigned before a magistrate court in Ogba, Lagos, on multiple charges including disorderly conduct, assault, destruction of property, and violation of aviation regulations. The court ordered her remand in Kirikiri until October 6, 2025, when the trial will continue.

Reacting to the development, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, condemned the release of indecent video footage of the incident, ordering that any staff responsible be identified and sanctioned. FAAN also expressed deep concern over the rise in unruly passenger incidents, warning that such acts will attract severe penalties.

The case has sparked public debate on Nigeria’s justice system. Former presidential candidate Peter Obi criticised what he described as selective justice, noting that ordinary citizens like Emmanson often face harsher treatment than politically connected offenders.

Peter Obi in his statement wants popular Fuji Musician, Wasiu Ayinde KWAM1 prosecuted for similar offense in recent times to strengthen the tenet of justice centered on equity and fairness.

EKITI State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has dissolved the State Executive Council with immediate effect.

The announcement was made late Sunday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, who directed all affected Commissioners and Special Advisers to hand over to the Permanent Secretary or the most senior civil servant in their respective ministries, departments, and agencies.

Governor Oyebanji expressed appreciation to the outgoing officials for their service and wished them success in their future endeavours.

However, the statement clarified that the dissolution excludes certain key members of the cabinet, including the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Commissioner for Health and Human Services; Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security; Commissioner for Education; Commissioner for Works; Commissioner for Trade, Investment, Industry and Cooperatives; Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion; and Special Adviser on Lands, Survey and e-GIS.

In addition, all Directors General who are members of the State Executive Council will retain their positions. These include the Director General, Office of Transformation and Service Delivery (OTSD); Director General, SDGs and Project Monitoring; and Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Ọba (Dr) AbdulRosheed Adéwálé Akanbi, has commended the organisers of this year’s Iwo Egungun Festival for setting a standard in the celebration of Yoruba culture and traditions.

The festival, held yesterday in Iwo, was marked by peace, orderliness, and colourful cultural displays. Masquerades showcased their skills through dance competitions rather than violence, with no reports of rancour, weapons, or public disturbances.

The town remained clean and safe throughout the celebration, with improved costumes adding more glamour to the event.

Oluwo described the peaceful conduct as a victory for Yoruba culture and a model for how traditional festivals should be celebrated across Yorubaland.

The management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta has accused operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of invading its premises in the early hours of Sunday, August 10, 2025, in what it described as a “Gestapo-like” operation.

In a statement issued on Sunday made available to POLITICS NIGERIA, the OOPL management alleged that at about 2 a.m., over 50 armed men, purportedly EFCC agents led by one “Olapade,” stormed the complex, shooting into the air and threatening to kill people.

The raid, they claimed, caused chaos and panic among guests and residents, leaving several people injured while trying to flee.

According to the statement, “This morning, at about 2 am, the OOPL premises were invaded by a Gestapo-like gang of over 50 armed men, shootng guns, threatening to kill people, and purported to be from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The invasion, led by one “Olapade” caused serious panic and chaos, leading to serious injuries among participants trying to escape the shooting and near carnage that resulted, and causing terror among residents on the site.

2.⁠ ⁠On inquiry by phone, the “Olapade” informed the Managing Director of the OOPL establishment, Mr. Vitalis Ortese, that they were acting on intelligence about a private event in the amusement facility of the complex. They also informed management that the police have been duly informed of the operation.

3.⁠ ⁠It should be noted that the event was a private event that had been widely attended by members of the public for days prior.

4.⁠ ⁠It should also be noted that both the police officers stationed at the OOPL gates and the additional police sent from the Kemta Police Station, as requested by the organizers of the event and management, stated that they were NOT informed of any planned operation by the EFCC, and neither did they present any warrant. And when the armed men were accosted by OOPL security and assisting police officers, they simply retorted, “We are doing our job”.

5.⁠ ⁠Management wishes to state that this action by the EFCC is a clear case of invasion of private property, infringement of OOPL rights as corporate citizens, and indeed stark and blatant violation of the rights of the people who so gathered for the event.

6.⁠ ⁠Management has commenced its investigation of the invasion and will take up the matter with the highest authorities, including the EFCC, the police, and the Department of State Security,DSS.

7.⁠ ⁠In the meantime, management demands an explanation of these impudent accounts from the Commission and an apology from the EFCC authorities for the infringement of its rights, to all those who gathered, and those who sustained serious injuries from the gangster like induced chaos. Failure for which the management will be compelled to seek redress and sanctions as appropriate.