Oduduwa News

Former 2023 presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, has lambasted the federal government’s reward structure, calling it “brutally unfair” to long-serving Nigeria Police officers.

His comments followed President Tinubu’s lavish recognition of the Super Falcons after they clinched the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

At the presidential reception in Abuja, each of the 24 players received the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) honour, $100,000 (about ₦150 million), and a three-bedroom apartment.

The Falcons’ coaching crew, 11 members, each got $50,000 (₦75 million) and housing under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.

“Super Falcons… trained for one year, played for one month, rewarded with $100,000 each and houses!” Sowore tweeted. “Police officers protected them for decades, retired with $1,500 gratuity, no homes, no full medicals…”

He contrasted that with perks for political elites: “The President or Governor gets $1 billion in gratuity, lifetime pension, homes everywhere, full medicals!”

In response, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga defended the decision, comparing it to the ₦150 million grand prize for BBNaija winners, and arguing the Falcons deserved the recognition for inspiring Nigerians.

Sowore’s reaction comes amid protests from retired police officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme in Abuja, Edo, and Benin City.

Retirees marched to the National Assembly and blocked the Force Headquarters gate in Abuja, demanding removal from the scheme that has left many destitute.

One retiree lamented, “A retired CSP cannot even send his children to school… our condition has deteriorated beyond repair.”

In Benin, retired SP Anthony Nnachor warned that many former officers were dying because of inadequate pension benefits and urged the government to exempt them from the current scheme.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has strongly condemned the recent protest in Ghana where some citizens demanded the deportation of Nigerians, describing the generalization of Nigerians as criminals as “unfair and dangerous.”

NIDCOM Chairman, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, made the statement on Tuesday in response to a viral video showing Ghanaians accusing Nigerians of engaging in criminal acts and calling for their expulsion.

Dabiri-Erewa said while a few individuals might be guilty of wrongdoing, the majority of Nigerians living in Ghana are law-abiding, peaceful, and contribute meaningfully to the local economy and society.

“Nigerians are not criminals. They are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves,” she said. “Those who break the law should face the consequences, but blaming an entire nationality is unjust and harmful.”

She also appealed to Nigerians living in Ghana to remain calm and not resort to violence, adding that the Nigerian government is engaging Ghanaian authorities through diplomatic channels to resolve the issue.

The NIDCOM boss dismissed rumours that Nigerian-owned shops and properties were being destroyed in Ghana, stating that no credible evidence had been found to support such claims. She urged social media users to refrain from spreading inciting content.

Dabiri-Erewa praised the efforts of the Nigerian and Ghanaian High Commissioners, as well as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, for proactively working to defuse tension and preserve the long-standing relationship between both countries.

The Oyo State House of Assembly has confirmed the nomination of the reappointment of Alhaji Kamoru Aderibigbe as the Chairman Oyo State Civil Service Commission along with other four members to paddle the affairs of the commission.

This follows a report presented by the Chairman Committee on Establishment and Training Hon.Olalekan Abiola during the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin.

In his report, Hon. Abiola stated that the nominees were fielded with questions based on their Curriculum Vitae submitted and their past experience in Public Service to the State.

Other members of nominees include;

1. Mr. Kolajo Isiaq Adewale — Commissioner 1
2. Mr. Akanmu Olutoyin Adedeji —- Commissioner 2
3. Mr. Oladapo Oladimeji Olusegun —Commissioner 3
4. Pastor Taiwo Oluwagbemiro. In the same vein , the House also approved the nomination of Mr. Musibau Adetunbi, SAN ,Barr. Wahab Adedigba , Chief Joshua Abioye,and Mrs. Moyosore Ajani as members, of the State Judicial Service Commission.

The Chairman, Committee on Public Petitions, Justice and Judiciary, Hon. Abideen Ogundare in his report declared that the nominees were screened and confirmed appointable.

” Having thoroughly screened the nominees and satisfied with their presentation, responses ,and professional experience, the Committee hereby recommends pursuant to Section 198 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 ( as Altered ) that, the appointment of the nominees be confirmed.” The report concluded.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has slammed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing his administration of using manipulated statistics to conceal the deepening economic crisis in the country.

In a statement posted on his X handle on Monday, the former Anambra State governor recalled Tinubu’s 2022 campaign remark, where the now-president dismissed Obi’s reliance on economic data, saying, “Na statistics we go chop? All I want is to put food on the table of Nigerians.”

Nearly two years into Tinubu’s tenure, Obi said that promise remains unfulfilled, with millions of Nigerians slipping deeper into poverty and hunger.

“Today, Nigeria is classified as one of the hungriest nations in the world. Millions of Nigerians do not know where their next meal will come from,” Obi stated.

He accused the Tinubu-led administration of feeding the public “wrong statistics” to paint a false picture of economic stability. Obi pointed to questionable unemployment rates, inaccurate inflation figures, and a controversial GDP rebasing as examples of what he described as “data manipulation” aimed at deceiving the masses.

“These wrong figures are not helping anyone. They are masking the real suffering going on in Nigerian households,” he said.

Obi’s criticism adds to mounting concerns over the country’s economic direction, with food prices, inflation, and unemployment hitting record highs.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has showered the Super Falcons with unprecedented rewards in appreciation of their contributions to Nigerian football, marking a historic moment for the 10-time Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champions.

During a grand reception held in Abuja on Monday, President Tinubu announced a series of generous gifts for the players and technical crew, acknowledging their outstanding service to the nation.

Each player of the Super Falcons squad is to receive a cash gift of $100,000, while members of the technical crew will receive $50,000 each. In addition, all team members and officials have been allocated a three-bedroom flat in the Renewed Hope Estate – a flagship housing project of the current administration.

As a further mark of national recognition, President Tinubu conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on both the players and their coaches.

Aisha Falode, a prominent figure in Nigerian football administration, described the gesture as historic, noting that the Super Falcons have “never had it so good.” She commended President Tinubu for the unprecedented honour and recognition accorded to the team.

“This is a moment the players and indeed the entire nation will never forget,” she added.

The Lagos State Government has appealed to medical doctors to shelve their three-day warning strike scheduled to begin today, saying negotiations and engagements with the Medical Guild are ongoing.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Director, Public Affairs in the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo.

The government assured that all grievances of the doctors were being looked into with utmost sincerity and urgency.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Medical Guild is an association of doctors under the employment of the Lagos State Government on July 26 declared a three-day warning strike.

The warning strike, scheduled to begin on Monday, was announced by the Medical Guild at a press conference on Saturday

The state government acknowledged the concerns raised by the leadership of the guild, emphasising that the government was particularly concerned over the welfare, motivation, and productivity of all healthcare workers in the state.

“A conciliation committee comprising representatives from both the Medical Guild and the Government was previously constituted to resolve all outstanding issues.

“Meetings have been held, and documents submitted by the guild are being carefully reviewed in line with existing policies and fiscal regulations.

“As a responsible government, we value the critical role our healthcare professionals play in delivering quality and timely health services to the over 20 million residents of Lagos State.

“We urge the medical guild to continue on the path of dialogue while we work to reach a peaceful and just resolution in the interest of all parties, especially the residents who may bear the brunt of any service disruption,” the government said.

The government commended Lagos residents for their patience and understanding, assuring the public that contingency plans are being implemented to minimise the impact on healthcare services during the period.

NAN reports that at a news conference held at the guild’s secretariat in Lagos, Chairman, Dr Japhet Olugbogi, said the action followed series of failed attempts to address the matter through dialogue.

He said the disagreement began in April when the state government unilaterally deducted part of doctors’ salaries.

Although the deductions were later reversed following what he described as “spirited intervention and strategic engagement,” the situation relapsed in July with a fresh round of deductions, ‘’this time without prior notice or explanation.”

The Oyo State Government has announced the scheduled movement of Ibadan-based popular Oloolu Masquerade across selected areas in Ibadan, from Monday, July 28 to Thursday, July 31, 2025.

In a statement issued and made available to the Media by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, explained that the popular Oloolu, one of the most significant Egungun (Masquerades) in Ibadan, is deeply rooted in the City’s Cultural History.

He explained that popular Oloolu is traditionally forbidden to be seen by women, except for women born as triplets,who are believed to receive special blessings from the Masquerade.

The Commissioner maintained that unlike other masquerades, Oloolu does not follow a fixed route, as its movement is guided spiritually, adding that some of the notable areas expected to be visited during the procession include Aafin Olubadan, Beere, Oje, Idi Arere, Gate, Agbeni, Orita Merin, Oja-Oba, Ayeye, Oranyan, Oke Aremo, Agugu, and Ore Meji, among others.

The Government appealed to residents of Ibadan, especially women, to remain mindful of the cultural significance of this festival and to cooperate with local authorities and community leaders during the movement of the masquerade.

He appreciated the continued support and understanding of the general public as we celebrate this important aspect of Ibadan’s rich cultural heritage.