Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

Nollywood actor and producer Femi Adebayo’s film ‘Jagun Jagun’ has bagged three awards at the 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards, (AMAA). Announcing the news in a post on his page, Adebayo said ‘Jagun Jagun’ won the “Best Male Actor in Supporting Role, Achievement in Visual Effects and Achievement in Makeup.” Other winners at the event, include: Nigeria’s Daniel Oriahi’s ‘The Weekend,’ which bagged four awards, and South Africa’s Jahmil X.T. Qubeka’s ‘The Queenstown Kings,’ which also won four awards. The 20th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards was held at the weekend in Lagos State. Recalls that ‘Jagun Jagun’…

A renowned US record and TV producer Quincy Delight Jones, whose career spanned over 70 years, has passed away at the age of 91. This was confirmed by Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson, he revealed that Jones died on the night of Sunday, 3 November, 2024 at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, surrounded by family. “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family stated. “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family stated.…

In response to the various challenges facing Nigeria, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu are to lead a national prayer session The event, organised in collaboration with both Christian and Muslim leaders, aims to seek divine intervention in the nation’s ongoing crises. The Director General of the National Prayer Forum (NPF), Chief Segun Balogun Afolorunikan, announced the initiative during a briefing in Abuja, themed “Seeking the Intervention of God in Nigeria’s Affairs.” Afolorunikan emphasised the importance of collective action in overcoming the country’s multifaceted challenges, highlighting that unity is crucial for finding lasting solutions. Nuhu…

A set of twin boys seized by a medical doctor for the inability of their mother to offset the medical bill after she was delivered of the babies on Saturday, 4 May, 2024 have been release through the courtesy of a human rights defender, Chidiebube Okeoma, Okeoma, in a statement in Owerri, the Imo State capital on Saturday, 2 November, 2024, said that the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, should be commended for his professional and fatherly intervention which ensured that the twin boys went home despite the doctor’s insistence to keep holding them against their fundamental human rights. According to the…

Tragedy occurred on Saturday, 2 November, 2024 at Ohokobe Ndume, Umuahia North LGA of Abia State as a 70-year-old man, Mr Stephen Irobunda allegedly shot dead a youth identified as Bright Odizuru. Irobunda escaped being lynched in for allegedly killing a young Odizuru. The victim, Odizuru, was said to have been shot dead on Saturday, 2 November, 2024, by the suspect during a war of words between the aged man and some youths in the community. Community sources told an online medium that the victim, together with other youths, were playing football near Irobunda’s house during local government election, which infuriated the suspect.…

A man named Muftau Adefalu, have been arrested by the operatives of the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly killing his ex-wife Yetunde Olayiwole during a fight in Sango-Ota area of the state. The incident occurred at about 8:00 pm on Friday, 1 November, 2024. The 37-year-old suspect, it was gathered was said to have had a misunderstanding Olayiwole which resulted in the fight. The Command Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident to an online platform on Saturday, 2 November, 2024. According to Odutola, the victim slumped during the fight and was confirmed dead at the hospital she was…

Big Brother Naija reality show star, Anita Natacha Akide, known as Tacha has joined the club of celebrities owning football clubs in Nigeria. This was made known in the announcement by the Lagos Liga on Saturday, 2 November, 2024. Sharing the news in a now trending post on its X handle, Lagos Liga wrote “New Lagos Liga club owner alert: Anita Natacha Akide. “In short, the inimitable TACHA! @Symply_Tacha. Formal announcement to follow. Tacha FC is here.” Recall that other celebrities who own a football club in Nigeria include Burna Boy and Don Jazzy.

A Traditional Ruler in Bayelsa State, King David Amakiri, has applauded the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for executing many development projects in communities across the Niger Delta region. The monarch, elevated as the Obanobhan of Emeyal Clan, gave the commendation when the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, led a delegation from the Commission to pay him a courtesy visit at his palace in Oruma, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Ogbuku was accompanied on the visit by the Bayelsa State representative on the NDDC Board, Senator Denyanbofa Dimaro and other Directors of the Commission. King Amakiri acknowledged…

United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy has arrived Nigeria in what is his first trip to the African continent A statement signed on Sunday by the Senior Press & Public Affairs Officer | Comms Lead, Prosperity and Economic Development, Ndidiamaka Eze disclosed that: “Committing to a fresh approach to Africa that works productively from Morocco to Madagascar, the Foreign Secretary will announce the start of a five-month consultation process, to ensure African voices inform and sit at the very heart of the UK’s new approach to the continent. “Accommodating the diverse needs and ambitions of 54 countries, the consultation will…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Hauwau Gimbiya Mukhtar Abdulkarim, the serving Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical) (FCET), Gusau, alongside Abdullahi Boyi, a lecturer with the Sokoto State College of Education (SSCE) Sokoto on alleged certificate forgery. The duo were arraigned on a six-count charge, registered as charge No. SS/213c/2024, before Hon. Justice Muhammad Aliyu Sambo at the Sokoto State High Court. ICPC accused the two defendants of forging an appointment letter and subsequent use of same for application for the position of Provost at the Federal College of Education(Technical) Gusau,…

The Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria (MOTiON) has said it is outraged and appalled by the blatant display of government repression that has led to the unconscionable detention of 76 protesters across the nation including 32 minors. The group in a statement on Sunday by its Convener, Hauwa Mustapha, noted that these protesters are being charged with ludicrous accusations of terrorism, attempted mutiny, and treason simply for exercising their democratic right to protest against government mismanagement of the commonwealth resources, hunger and hardship. The statement read that: “This alarming attempt to criminalize peaceful expression as guaranteed by the 1999…

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have thwarted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the bid by members of an international drug syndicate that operates between Brazil, Ethiopia and Nigeria to smuggle into Lagos a total of 845 wraps of cocaine weighing 18.72 kilogrammes. The drug consignments, said to be worth about N4.5 billion in street value, were recovered from two lavatories of an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft during the post landing cleaning of the cabin of flight ET900 from Addis Ababa to Lagos last Tuesday. A statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency,…

The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has said that contrary to suggestions in a section of the media, the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu administration are based on a clear plan to steer the country away from the tragic path of another oil-rich country, Venezuela. This according to the policy think- tank in a statement by its Chairman Dr Niyi Akinsiju is because years of populist macro-economic policies have sunk the country to a level that the country had to change course or be doomed. “We have observed with interest the criticisms that continue to trail the…

BUA Foods Plc, makers of IRS Pasta, BUA Sugar, IRS Flour, and BUA Rice, has emerged as the 2024 Company of the Year at the prestigious CNBC’s All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) held in South Africa. This historic win makes BUA Foods the first Nigerian organisation to win the Company of the Year award in the 12-year history of AABLA, Africa’s largest premier business award renowned for recognising outstanding achievers in Africa’s business landscape. The award came hours before BUA Foods was named the “Most Valuable Indigenous Food Company” at the 2024 BrandCom Award in Lagos State. In late…

By Femi Ogbonnikan Due to the combined effects of creative thinking and prudent management of resources, Ogun State, under Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration for the umpteenth time, retained itself as one of Nigeria’s resilient and economically viable states amid the global challenges. In governance, it takes a creative mind to identify opportunities for economic expansion to harness them for growth. If only people could open their eyes to see every state has its fair share of human and material resources to develop. What is lacking is the creative thinking of the ruling elite to fashion out a way to enhance…

In a bid to strengthen advocacy against corruption and financial crimes, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is exploring a potential partnership with the Association of Movie Producers (AMP). This collaboration aims to leverage film and creative content to promote anti-corruption messages and enhance public awareness of the commission’s mission. The proposal was discussed during a courtesy visit by AMP National President, Amb Dr. Queen Blessing Ebigieson; accompanied by FTC Chapter AMP members: Dr. Chris Oge Kalu, Chairman of the Abuja Chapter; Desmond Utomwen, Publicity Secretary; former Chairman, Amb. Imaobong Abia; and National member, Barbara Odoh. The delegation was…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has hailed the reports of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which listed the state among the best in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the country. Speaking during the public unveiling and commissioning of the Olumo Courts service apartments and associated facilities in Abeokuta on Saturday, Governor Abiodun quoting the NBS report, noted that Ogun State’s internally generated revenue has surpassed that of several states, showcasing its economic resilience and growth. The governor said through various policies that his administration has been able to grow the economic base of the state to an enviable…

The Edo State Health Insurance Scheme (EDOHIS) has launched a transformative Signup Initiative aimed at expanding healthcare coverage across the state. This initiative seeks to enroll a substantial number of residents, reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for Edo State’s indigenes while enhancing access to efficient, sustainable, and high-quality healthcare services. This pioneering program is set to directly impact the health and well-being of over 2,000 residents across Edo State, providing them with critical healthcare benefits. Furthermore, the initiative will create 200 new job opportunities for local indigenes, fostering employment and community development. Participants will also benefit from extensive training programs held…

The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has handed over Dr Ganiyat Olawale-Popoola, a Nigerian doctor abducted in Kaduna State ten months ago, to her family. Ribadu also reunited Abdulmugniy Folaranmi, a 16-year-old 100-level student of the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, with his family. Thegazellenews.com reports that Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola, a Nigerian Air Force officer, his wife, Dr. Ganiyat Olawale-Popoola, and her nephew, Abdulmugniy Folaranmi, were abducted on December 27, 2023. They were kidnapped from their residence at the National Eye Centre Quarters in Mando, Kaduna. The trio are indigenes of Iseyin in the Oke Ogun geopolitical…

The Defence Headquarters on Saturday, 1 November, 2024 announced that the Nigerian troops have, in the last one week, arrested a notorious terrorist leader, Abubakar Ibrahim (AKA) Habu Dogo in Sokoto and seven IPOB/ESN commanders in South-East. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, in a statement said that Habu Dogo was apprehended at Rumji Village in Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State. According to him, Habu Dogo is a wanted terrorist on the watch list of security agencies both in Nigeria and in the Niger Republic because of the cross border nature of his terrorist activities. He…