Obasanjo visits South-East Govs, moves for Nnamdi Kanu’s release


The South East Governors, on Tuesday, hosted former President Olusegun Obasanjo who paid the governors a solidarity visit while they decided to meet President Bola Tinubu to press for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Addressing the media, after over seven hours of marathon meeting, the Governors of the region who were all in attendance also set up a burial committee by Former Senate President, Anyim, Pius Anyim, for the late minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.

According to the Chairman of the South East Governors Forum and Governor of Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodinma, “The Forum commiserates with the family of Ebonyi, Abia, Imo and indeed the entire South East region and entire the family of Ogbonnaya Onu on the demise of His Excellency Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.

“The Forum received a delegation of the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and His Royal Majesty Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, who came on a solidarity visit to this Forum.

“The Forum deliberated on the reviewed report of the South East security and economic summit held in Owerri Imo state on the 28 September 2023 and agreed to implement the aspect of the report about security and economic integration of the South East region and affirmed its desire to put actionable plan on the key issues agreed.

“The Forum resolved to visit Mr. President to discuss all pressing issues concerning the South East region. The Forum also deliberated and resolved to interface with the Federal Government to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

Other members of the Ogbonnaya Onu burial committee included the former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amechi who serves as the Secretary of the committee, and other Igbo leaders drawn from the Igbo-speaking states.

KenyaProtests: Kenyans Begin Fresh Nationwide Protest To End Bad Governance

Occupy Everywhere: Kenyans Begin Fresh Nationwide Protest To End Bad Governance

It was learnt that the nationwide demonstration which fully began on Tuesday was an effort to intensify demands for improved governance.

Kenyans in their thousands have stormed major streets across multiple regions in the country to begin a fresh nationwide protest over bad governance in the East African country.

It was learnt that the nationwide demonstration which fully began on Tuesday was an effort to intensify demands for improved governance.

It all started as anti-finance bill demonstrations last month but now escalated into widespread anti-government protests.

Today’s rallying call from protest organisers is "Occupy Everywhere."

Protest have started in Mombasa, Kisumu, Kisii, Migori, Kitengela, and Makueni, while Nairobi remains relatively calm, although reports and live footage indicate gathering crowds in various parts of the capital.

Meanwhile, SaharaReporters reported last week that at least 30 people died in protests in Kenya, triggered by the government's plan substantially to raise taxes, according to the Human Rights Watch on Saturday.

The demonstrations erupted across the country as citizens expressed their anger over the economic strain caused by the proposed tax increases.

In a statement on Saturday by the associate Africa director at the Human Rights Watch, Otsieno Namwaya, "Kenyan security forces shot directly into crowds of protesters on (Tuesday) June 25, 2024, including protesters who were fleeing."

"Shooting directly into crowds without justification, including as protesters try to flee, is completely unacceptable under Kenyan and international law,” he said.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the protesters gathered yet again in Nairobi as Kenya’s security officials put up roadblocks and fire tear gas and rubber bullets at the demonstrators.

Kenyans are determined to continue the protests despite President William Ruto's U-turn in signing the finance bill that has sparked outrage in the capital, Nairobi and other parts of Kenya.

The protesters gathered yet again in Nairobi as Kenya’s security officials put up roadblocks and fire tear gas and rubber bullets at the demonstrators.

Deadly protests were sparked weeks ago by the 2024 finance bill as the initially peaceful rallies gathered momentum across the country.

About two weeks ago, Kenya's Parliament was partly set ablaze and at least 22 people were reported killed across the country.

Declare July 13 Wole Soyinka Day, Ogun monarch urges FG


The Alake of Egba Land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare July 13 a national day dedicated to celebrating the contributions of Noble Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, to humanity both nationally and globally.

Gbadebo also said that the Federal Government should honour Soyinka with the second highest national honour of Grand Commander of Order of Niger as the Nobel laureate marks his 90th birthday.

The traditional ruler said that Egba land has already decided that July 13,which is the birthday of the Nobel laureate, would henceforth be celebrated as Wole Soyinka Day.

This, he said was to further promote his ideals and excellent scholarship disposition in the coming generation.

THE LOUNGE: Which Would You Marry For: Love, Money or Peace of Mind0.00 / 0.00
The monarch said that Soyinka, being the first African Nobel Prize winner in Literature and an international playwright who is wanted in every part of the world, deserves to be so honoured back home.

Gbadebo made this call on Tuesday, at a press conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, to herald a series of events lined up to mark the 90th birthday of the first African Nobel Prize winner in Literature.

He described Soyinka as a global icon, a living legend, a playwright, actor, human rights and political activist, a hunter and a globally respected elder statesman with roots in Ake, Abeokuta.

This, he said was why the Egba land is rolling out the drums to celebrate the honour and glamour the famous poet has brought to his kith and kins in Ogun State.

He said that the theme for the 90th celebration of the Nobel Laureate fondly called, Kongi is “Defiance and Creativity: A Celebration of Soyinka’s Artistic Ingenuity and Impact on Nigeria, Africa and The Entire World”.

Gbadebo said, “It will be appropriate for the Federal Government to adopt July 13 as a national day to celebrate Prof Wole Soyinka given his contribution to literature and humanity globally.

“It will be good to henceforth adopt his birthday which is July 13 as Wole Soyinka Day. In fact, New Orleans in the United States of America has already adopted a day to celebrate him, so why can’t we do so to honour our own too?

“The Federal Government should also in addition to this confer on Wole Soyinka the second highest national honour of Grand Commander of Order of Niger because of his contribution to register our dear nation on the global map.”

The convener of Soyinka’s 90th birthday, Paul Bankole, said the essence of the celebration was to acknowledge Soyinka’s contributions both academically and to humanity as a whole.

Bankole said, “I believe that people like Prof Soyinka should be celebrated while they are alive.

“We must not wait till they are gone before we begin to pour accolades on them. Let them understand that we value them and acknowledge their unique contribution towards having a better world,”

See the wedding pictures that got people talking....for me this marriage will last more than those lavished weddings. May God bless their home.

Troops kill wanted IPOB kingpin, arrest two other ‘notorious terrorists’

The Nigerian army said the troops killed the wanted kingpin and arrested others during multiple operations in Nigeria's south-east.

The Nigerian army says its troops have killed a suspected kingpin of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed militant wing Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Imo State, South-east Nigeria.

The army, in a statement on its Facebook page on Monday, said the troops killed the kingpin and arrested two other notorious terrorists during multiple raids of IPOB hideouts in the state.

It said the operations were conducted in collaboration with other security agencies.

The statement, however, did not identify the security operatives who took part in the operations.

Killing of the kingpin
The army said one of the operations was conducted at a suspected IPOB hideout in Ezeinyen Okwe Umucheke, a community in Onuimo Local Government Area of the state.

It said the operation was targeted at the suspected IPOB kingpin identified as Chinemerem, popularly known as “Bam Bam” in the community.

“The operation led to the neutralisation of Chinemerem, as he attempted to reach for his weapon and the arrest of several of his accomplices,” it said without giving details of the arrested accomplices.

“A substantial amount of weapons, ammunition, and IPOB/ESN paraphernalia were seized, and the hideout was subsequently destroyed.”

The statement said the troops subsequently intercepted other suspected IPOB/ESN members at another hideout in Ama Hausa in Okigwe Local Government Area of the state.

“Overpowered in the ensuing shootout, the (suspected) terrorists were forced to flee in disarray, abandoning a cache of ammunition and motorcycles,” it said.

Seventy-two rounds of 7.62 x 51mm NATO ammunition, four rounds of 7.62 mm (special), three rounds of 5.56mm, one FN rifle, a pair of military desert boots and one green beret were recovered from the hoodlums, according to the army.

The arrest of two other ‘notorious terrorists.’

The army said another operation was conducted in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, which targeted two other notorious kingpins, Izuchukwu Emejuru, otherwise known as “Kingkong,” and Chibuzor Chikwe, also known as ‘’Onyema.”

“The raid resulted in the arrest of these suspects and the confiscation of a variety of weapons, including a Semi-automatic pump-action gun, a locally made gun, and a pistol,” it said.

The statement indicated that some valuables reportedly belonging to Ugonna Iriele, the traditional ruler of Ogberuru in the Orlu Council Area, were recovered by the troops.

Mr Iriele’s palace was razed by gunmen who attacked the area in September 2023.

IPOB, a group seeking the independent state of Biafra to be carved out of the south-east and some parts of south-south Nigeria, has been linked to the deadly attacks in the regions.

But, the group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks.

More arrest
The army, in a related development, said its troops tracked down and arrested a suspected terrorist, Ibrahim Abdullahi, in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, north-central Nigeria.

It added that the operation led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, magazines, and ammunition.

The statement did not indicate when the multiple operations took place.

“These operations underscore the synergy and commitment of the security forces in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by terrorist groups and criminals,” it said

Indigenes of Lagos State have vowed to reject a Bill seeking the return of Nigeria to regional government.

Speaking under the aegis of De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, the Lagos Indigenes, in a statement by its Media Office, revealed that a proposed Bill seeking approval of the National Assembly to return Nigeria to regional system is set to be considered but insisted that Lagos State people will not be part of the Western Region.

But De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, in a statement by Adelani Adeniji-Adele said: “This bill that is being proposed or suggested spells an ominous sign to us from Lagos State. It is a further attempt to subsume our aspiration into a larger group that is antithesis to whatever we believe in as indigenes of the state.

“The first most important is that vast consultations were not held on the matter to find out if being submerged into another subgroup is a thing we desire. It cannot be generally assumed.

“Generally and since Lagos and its environs became a colony, we have always maintained that we prefer a stand alone status and not be part of any Western Region or Province.

“In recent times, our various indigenous groups had always maintained that we as indigenes of Lagos had always been having a raw deal from our neighbours in the South West, who see nothing good in us as they are only for project to marginalize us and see our state as ‘spoils of war’.

“We recall that in our history of over 100 years, Lagos indigenes in their various forms, towns and villages have never made progress and development as part of any region not to talk of the Western Region. The brief balkanization of our state to be part of the Western Region was an aberration.

“Nothing should be assumed especially from the contents of this proposed bill, especially if it has the inclusion of Lagos State as part of any region. We demand a referendum to actually reflect the wishes of the people.

“We, the indigenes of Lagos State, do not wish to be part of the regional state as being proposed in the Bill returning Nigeria to regional government. Our leaders and traditional rulers opposed it in 1953 and we gained respite in 1967. We, offspring of our heroes’ past, will not accept it.

“We enjoin our representatives in the National Assembly to consult with the elders statesmen and stakeholders before taking any action on the Bill. This is beyond the ruling party and state government affairs. Lagos State cannot be brought into nothingness through the South West Region proposal by this Bill surreptitiously.

Tinubu to inaugurate refurbished Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos-Calabar highway to mark first year as president

In Lagos on Sunday, the president will inaugurate the concrete-paved road to the nation’s major ports in Apapa and Tin Can Island.


PRESIDENT TINUBU SET TO INAUGURATE PROJECTS TO MARK ONE YEAR IN OFFICE

Ahead of the first anniversary of his administration on 29 May, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu today departed Abuja for Lagos to begin a commissioning spree of projects completed under his administration.

In Lagos on Sunday, the President will inaugurate the concrete-paved road to the nation’s major ports in Apapa and Tin Can Island. The reconstructed road which began under the Muhammadu Buhari Administration was financed by the Dangote Group, using its tax credits.

On the same day, President Tinubu will formally inaugurate, by virtual means, the refurbished Third Mainland Bridge, which has drawn public acclaim for its excellent finishing and aesthetic furnishing. He will also commission, virtually, the rehabilitation of 330 roads and bridges across the country.

The highpoint of the President’s engagements on Sunday will be the inauguration of the iconic Lagos-Calabar Superhighway, estimated to cost about N15 trillion. Work has begun on the legacy project that will connect nine coastal states, with Section Two already awarded to Hitech Construction Limited.

President Tinubu will return to Abuja on Tuesday to begin another round of commissioning. He will first inaugurate the Southern Parkway, which the Nyesom Wike-led FCT Administration named after him.

On Wednesday, the President will attend the National Assembly Dialogue Series, after which he will unveil the National Assembly Library Complex, named after him.

President Tinubu will leave the National Assembly to relaunch the commercialisation of Abuja Light Rail, also known as Abuja Metro. He will symbolically join a train ride to the city centre.

The Abuja Metro was completed in 2018 by the Buhari Administration. It was put into commercial use up till 2020. But with the onset of COVID-19, the train service was abandoned. Vandals descended on the facility, putting it out of use.

FCT Minister Wike, after spending $15 million and building access roads to the various stations, has refurbished it for commercial service.

After the train ride, President Tinubu will also inaugurate the Wuye Flyover-Link Bridge and the Defence Intelligence Agency Headquarters.

On Friday 31 May, President Tinubu will commission the NASENI-Portland Compressed Natural Gas(CNG) Reverse Engineering Centre at Utako.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser Information and Strategy.

atiku4President:
The season of two Emirs

waynetee:
I listened to Wole Soyinka Interview and I can't stop wondering how that old can still put his thoughts together in a very eloquent way.
Everything he said is 100% correct, even his enemies knows that, reason they are sad
And bitter

Peter obi on the other hands, he keep getting advice from mad people. He has never made any sense in his life, all is intentions is always failing. He is always saying "China went back to China".

The old miscreant he is also working with called Dafti. That one that got popular with his thieving attitude after he was sent of Abuja for rigging. That oldest daftest human being i've ever seen. The fool didn't even win his polling unit and they wants to be president.


Let's tell overselves the truth, Peter obi will never be president, at least not in Nigeria. You can wail from now till you die, that won't Change anything

Agbadocassava:
3.2 Star I see here

mmadu4:
ugly girl. the king is a disgrace

Idun2024:
Nawa oo

The police man was wrong for firing tear gas into onyebuchi’s face.

Onyebuchi too was wrong, why e go dey drag with police?

Just follow police go clear yourself for station, everything no suppose be nzogbu nzogbu.

Rip to him and as for the police officer, if no be say Onyebuchi attack am before he fire that tear gas dem suppose comot hin uniform

"A picture of Princess Hajar, who was considered so beautiful, that 13 suitors ended their own lives when she rejected them", 1930s

The sentence above has accompanied this picture for about 6 years, however, there is no evidence to back this up. The woman above was not even called Hajar, but her name was Zahra Khanom and she was a princess in Persia during the early 20th century.

Naser al-Din Shah Qajar was her father. Zahra has several masculine features including a moustache, broad shoulders and her stocky posture, which were considered to be attractive features in a woman at the time. She was married by the age of 12.

She was actually a very interesting individual. She was a women's rights activist, anti slavery activist, a painter and a writer in a time when these things were taboo for a woman to do. She also got a divorce from her husband and she is believed to be the first persian princess to do so. She also chose not to wear the Hijab and wore Western clothing.

Credit:xpressng

A death row inmate gouged out both of his eyeballs and ate one of them to delay his execution.


Incident happened in March 2023

Andre Thomas had been set to be executed on April 5, sentenced to death for fatally stabbing in March 2004 his estranged wife Laura Christine Boren, 20, their 4-year-old son Andre Lee and her 13-month-old daughter Leyha Marie Hughes, cutting out the hearts of the two children

He later told police God had instructed him to commit the killings and that he believed all three were demons. The killings of Boren and her children shocked Sherman, a city of about 45,000 residents 65 miles (105 kilometers) north of Dallas.

State District Judge Jim Fallon issued an order withdrawing the execution date. Fallon’s decision came after Thomas’ lawyers had requested additional time to prepare for a court hearing to review his competency.

The Supreme Court has prohibited the death penalty for the intellectually disabled, but not for people with serious mental illness. However, it has ruled that a person must be competent to be executed

“We are confident that when we present the evidence of Mr. Thomas’s incompetence, the court will agree that executing him would violate the Constitution,” Maurie Levin, Thomas’ attorney, wrote in a statement. “Guiding this blind psychotic man to the gurney for execution offends our sense of humanity and serves no legitimate purpose.”

His attorneys have said that after he gouged out the second eye, he ate it to ensure that the government could not hear his thoughts.

More than 100 faith leaders and others had earlier asked Gov. Greg Abbott to stop the 39-year-old’s execution.

Abia Christians celebrate Israel at 76, pray for peace


Christians in Abia State have celebrated the state of Israel at 76 years of statehood while praying for peace in that region.

Under the auspices of the Abia State chapter of Christian United for Israel Prayer Outreach, they include orthodox churches under the umbrella of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Federation of Nigeria.

During the occasion, prayers were offered to God to continue to abide by his people, the state of Israel, which came to be on 14th May 1948 through a six-day war led by one-eyed General, Moshe Dayan.

In his brief remark during the occasion, the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Michael Freeman, who delivered a letter from the state of Israel to CUFI through the 2024 state coordinator of CUFI, Rev. Dr. Chris Nwachukwu, said, “It is my honour and pleasure to celebrate with you today and to express my gratitude to the management, and all involved with the Christian United For Israel Prayer Outreach and the incredible young people who have come together from different parts of the country to celebrate Israel at 76.

“This year, we mark and celebrate our 76th Independence Day, but our hearts are still heavy with the memory of 1200 Israelis and others who were brutally murdered by Hamas on October 7.

“And still today, 132 Israelis and other citizens are still being held by Hamas in their terror dungeons in Gaza. Together we must demand their release and pray for their safe returns.

“Israel continues to thrive as a diverse and vibrant democracy, a leader in agriculture and technology, entrepreneurship and innovation and human development and ingenuity. Together with our friends and partners in Nigeria, we will continue to build a better future for all of us, our children and grandchildren.

In his opening address, the 2024 state coordinator of CUFI, Rev. Dr. Nwachukwu, called for prayers for the unity of Christians and churches and prayers for Israel, stating that as of date, many had been displaced and the land divided into three units.

He said that the great golden dome in the region signifies Islam, which occupies the major part of Israel, noting that Muslims and Jews occupy 76 per cent of Israel, with Palestine wanting to occupy Gaza, making the Christians not to have control of the land.

In his admonition, the state chairman of the PFN, Bishop Chikezie Elekwa, described God as a “convent-keeping God,” noting that Israel has passed through a lot, adding, “They went from one captivity and enslavement to another. They were scattered everywhere, dead, and dried and had no idea that they would come up alive again. Today, this nation of Israel is standing as a great army and will never be defeated.”

Abia State governor, Alex Otti, represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Religious Matters, Apostle K. C. Wiper, said as Israel is the firstborn to God, Nigeria is the second born, stating, “As Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, Abia State is the capital of Nigeria.”

Archbishop Chibuzo Raphael Opoko of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Umuahia Archdiocese, who was represented by the Bishop of Umuahia East Diocese, Right Rev. Ikechukwu Nkulo, used the opportunity to advise the state government to institute and solidify its pilgrims’ board.

A Cautionary Note To Northern Emirs, By Nasir Aminu



The news that Sanusi Lamido will be returned as the Emir of Kano is worrying following the passing of a new traditional institutional bill that repeals the one passed in 2019.

Kano is one of the oldest traditional emirates in West Africa. It has a rich traditional history, with its first Sultan dating back to 1349. Throughout this illustrious history, such a shameful act or political gimmick has never tarnished its legacy.

As things stand, the new law repeals the Kano State Emirates Council Law of 2019 and its subsequent amendments. All the newly created emirates under the 2019 law will be dissolved. This includes the abrogation of all positions and titles that were established as part of these new emirates. The law calls for all individuals who were given titles or positions under the repealed 2019 law to return to their previous roles, provided those roles existed according to traditional customs before the enactment of the 2019 law. The new law also gave theGovernor of Kano State the power to take all necessary actions to restore the traditional emirate system to its state before the 2019 law was passed.


In saner climes, the legitimate northern emirs will unite to reject the removal of the current Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero. And when the appointment of Sanusi Lamido is ever contemplated, the northern traditional rulers should reject the idea, too. But this is an assumption that our traditional rulers are objective, have a fear of God in their minds, and are not scared of telling the truth to power, the way our fathers and grandfathers did.

Of course, there is a precedence. When the controversial Emir of Muri was appointed in 1988, the northern traditional rulers came together to boycott him because he was not elected by the Kingmakers. They have since refused to engage with him, and the Emirate has been relegated to among those who are less revered.

The boycott is a similar feat facing the Zazzau emirate, and this is due to the role SLS played in supporting el-Rufai's appointment of an unelected candidate by the kingmakers in October 2020. The public followed the event, and everyone was clear that the kingmakers did not select him to be the Emir, but they went on to install him. SLS’s controversial interference has left Zazzau handicapped with diminished relevance in the north, quite unlike what it used to be under the last Emirs since the 1800s.

This controversy is making the Kano emirate a political playhouse for the political parties. If the removal of the Kano emirs is allowed to succeed, then the removal of emirs will be made as easy as removing an unelected government official. As I mentioned in November 2020, the long-term consequences of el-Rufai's action will only appear once he has left the government. The action that is thought to be a one-off is becoming a permanent fixture for politicians, and it will continue. If left unchecked, this will be replicated all around the country.

Therefore, the legitimate Northern Emirates must act fast. They must come together to reject this controversial political gimmick. They must remember that the legitimacy of the Northern Emirs is based on traditional governance methods. The interference of a governor only creates more crisis, as we witnessed in Zazzau, Sokoto, Gwandu, Muri, Borgu, Kwande, and many other emirates in the last decades. Choosing to delay will be costly for them, if not immediately, eventually.The northern Emirs must remember that our traditional institutions, a foundation for our culture and discipline, will be weakened and even governed by impostors, as we have witnessed recently.

The traditional institution is one that makes policy implementation effective and efficient because they are the closest to the community. Providing feedback to the government on the social well-being of society signals the effects of policies. Whenever there is a break in trust between the political leaders and the constituents, the traditional leaders work tirelessly to rebuild it. They are the political fire brigades because of their credibility and the historical trust between them and the community. They are the approachable elites in the society because their lives are as Spartan as any commoner. Several democratic regimes, and even the military administrations, relied on credibility to build and rebuild trust within the public.

Therefore, if the northern emirs choose not to intervene, we may witness the people from the five emirates of Kano resorting to vigilantism. God forbid we see a repeat of the uprising we witnessed when SLS was appointed Emir in 2014. Similarly, we may see unrest in different emirates across the north, where the people are dissatisfied with their leaders. This could even be the springboard for the people to demand the traditional institutions and empires that existed pre-1804. It could also spur national security challenges in an already volatile region.

To Save Submarine Cables, Lagos-Calabar Highway Leaves Shoreline, Reverts To Original Route For 9 Kilometres

Works Minister Dave Umahi says the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway will revert to the gazetted alignment between kilometres 16 and 25.

Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has announced that the federal government will do away with the proposed new route of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway from kilometres 16 to 25 of the 47-kilometre highway, and revert to the gazetted alignment.

Umahi disclosed this in Lagos at the 3rd stakeholders meeting of the coastal highway project on Thursday.

During a two-hour session that included presentations and a question and answer segment, Umahi invited representatives of telecommunications companies affected by the ongoing project, residents of Okun Ajah community, as well as other stakeholders, to make a case for why the new alignment should be altered.

He revealed that reverting to the old alignment would see 750 houses demolished (though illegally built he said), while the new alignment will lead to the demolition of 490 houses. According to him it was a tough decision either way. He urged those for and against to speak.

Highlighting the concerns of MTN, 2Africa and other telecoms companies was the Group CEO of Machine and Equipment Consulting of Africa.

“We have three critical infrastructure that are located on one spot. One is the 2Africa submarine cable that cuts across 33 countries connecting about three billion people. That cable landed at Mopo and where it landed, the West African cable systems (WACS) had already been located there about 17 years ago.

“We have a mega IPP which is to provide power to the 2Africa cable and the WACS cable. The power plant is a 50 megawatt power plant expected to support this infrastructure.

“The (new) corridor is passing right on the submarine cable and the other side is on the IPP. You cannot have the submarine cables without power. They will not function. The submarine cable is a critical national security infrastructure. If it is affected, everybody will be affected,” he said.

He made reference to the recent subsea cable diruptions that caused internet outages in several countries across Africa.


“Two months ago, there was a challenge as far as Cote d’Ivoire but a significant part of Africa was blanked out. Our appeal today is in view of the fact that this is not just a private project, it’s a national project, it’s the internet gateway to the nation and it’s linked to national security.

“We are therefore appealing that for this critical infrastructure located at Mopo, that the road be diverted back to the original gazette.

“We welcome and commend the federal government for building this road, we think this is a major national infrastructure that enhances development, but we’re appealing that for such national telecommunications infrastructure, government should find a way of being sensitive to that reality, and divert the road away from this critical national infrastructure.”

Following several interventions and appeals catering to diverse interests, Umahi said:

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have our proposal here and we have the old alignment, the gazetted alignment.

“To the glory of God, to solve MTN, 2Africa and Okun Ajah community (complaints), we are diverting completely from the new alignment and we are rejoining back to our new alignment at kilometer 25. Congratulations.”

This revelation was met with rancorous applause and palpable relief by residents of Okun Ajah, who had previously expressed their concerns over the potential demolition of their properties, including ancestral homes, due to the controversial highway project.

The revised alignment – apart from preserving the community’s heritage – also avoids disrupting essential infrastructure, especially submarine communications cables. Stakeholders present hailed what they deemed an indication of a responsive and adaptive approach by government to their concerns.

Umahi made sure to reveal that the decision was not necessarily because of pushback from the communities affected, but solely due to President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.

Following Umahi’s pronouncement, members of the Okun Ajah community praised the Tinubu administration for the decision not to pass the new coastal alignment through their axis.

Umahi invited those present to join him in welcoming President Tinubu, who will be in Lagos to flag-off the coastal road project on Sunday.

Japa School owner in Ibadan disappears after collecting WAEC and NECO fees from students, travels abroad

An unidentified school owner in Ibadan has left the country after receiving WAEC and NECO exam fees from his students.

Adejoke Lasisi, the founder of Planet 3R, expressed her dismay on Facebook, revealing that some parents had borrowed money to pay the fees, only to find out that their children were not registered for the exams.

Adejoke added that the school owner sold his house and all his belongings to fund his relocation, leaving the students’ lives in ruins.


She wrote on Facebook; “Some people don’t fear God at all oooooo Imagine collecting WAEC/NECO money from all of your students and used it to JAPA. An incident happened in my area recently…there’s this man that own a school…the school has been in existence for a while now at Amuro, Egbeda LG Ibadan. The owner collected money for WAEC and NECO, some parents even went to borrow it only to find out he didn’t register the students for exam.

I heard he sold his house, school and all properties in order to travel abroad. He just ruined those students life for his selfish gain, some might not be able to pay for another exam next year.

Imagine, having an extra year before getting admitted into higher institution gangan. This reminds me of what happened to my younger brother many years ago…thank God he’s now a licensed physiotherapist.

Things weren’t okay financially back then, so we could not pay for his exam as the school was asking to make payment of 3rd term school fees with the examination money. We sha managed to raise money later…I think it was N16,000 and paid someone who said he would help him register. We filled form and everything ooooo.

He started attending lessons and studying as well. I was already a medical student at OAU back then. Only for exam time to come and we knew he didn’t register my brother…it was so painful that we cried.

We heard he collected from different people ooooooo We sha looked for another money to get GCE form for him. Adewale so ranti igbayen ni Ife? We thank God for the journey and the lessons learnt so far.

I just pray there’s a way to catch that e.v.i.l man who used people’s hard earned money to travel with his family. Werey man yen gba N95,000 each lowo awon omo olomo. Guess the name of his school ooooo….”The Lord’s Favour”. He has been running the school for over 20years now. He started with just primary before he added secondary to it.

Imagine building something for that long only to be brainwashed into using people’s sweat to JAPA No one is saying people should not JAPA but do it with your money and property OR get a loan if you have to. Bottomline, Olorun ma je ki a pade alagbako 🙏.”


When asked for the name of the school and the school owner, Adejoke promised to provide them, confirming that it happened at a school near her residence.

She told Legit.ng: “Yes, it’s in my area here in Ibadan. Not far from my workplace. It’s a trekking distance. They even took the matter to Agidigbo.”

See reactions below;

Sodiq Snusi said: “Master Lord’s favor niyen kiloun sanu, God saved one of my brother sef.”

Ayidu Faith said: “This is the height of wickedness.”

Fatimah Oluwatoyin Olokodana said: “This was me in 2017, person use my money japa and he thinks he will succeed over their. Hmmmmm, I don’t need to curse him.”

Adewale Lasisi said: “In fact, the experience was so painful that I had to wait for another form to be out. Me that have read my book from cover to cover. I cried eh.”

I was unlucky with women – 84-year old retired police officer

A retired Police Superintendent, Chief Bayo Alugbin, shares with TEMITOPE ADETUNJI his career life and other experiences

What was turning 84 like?

It made me think a lot about my life. I’m happy and thankful to God for keeping me going this long. It’s a good feeling to know I’ve made it this far. I look back on my life and feel grateful for the good times and for getting through the tough times. I know life is short, but I also feel peaceful knowing I’ve reached 84. I thank God every day for giving me another year and for all the good things in my life. I want to make the most of every day and appreciate what I have. Turning 84 has reminded me to enjoy life and be thankful for everything.

What was growing up like for you and where are you from?



I am from Idikan in Ibadan North West, Oyo State. My family name is Alugbin, and my village is also called Alugbin. I grew up in a compound called Agbole Okebiyi.

When did you get married and how did you meet your wife?

I met her in 1963 and got married in Ibadan in 1965.

How did you meet her?

We met in Benin City. I was a young officer. I was an assistant superintendent of police at the age of 23. In 1963, I was about the youngest civil servant in the country. I met my wife in 1963, and one thing led to another, and we got married in 1965.

What qualities drew you to her?

She was a very quiet and nice lady. I got married at age 25 in 1965, but we got divorced in 1972, and I haven’t been married since then.

What led to your divorce in 1972?

I can’t even say exactly what led to it. We just found out we couldn’t be together. We each have our own status to deal with. We discovered we had no more capacity to get along.

Why didn’t you remarry?


I tried to, but it just didn’t work out.

Is your wife the mother of the seven children?

No, I have other children from another woman.

So, why didn’t you get married to the other woman?

I tried to, but it didn’t work out.

How did you cope with the kids when you divorced?

I may not be lucky in my women, but I was very lucky with my children. I took care of them until they were grown enough to take care of themselves.

Why did you retire prematurely?

I mentioned that I was among the first set of people retired by Muritala Mohammed Junta. They termed it as being in the interest of the nation – whatever that means.

How have you been able to create a bond with your children?

By the grace of God, I have other children. They are all over the world doing well, and I’m grateful to God for that. I have four of them in the United States, I have one in Europe, and I have three here in Nigeria. They’re all doing great in their chosen careers, and I have been able to create bonds among the children.

What were the memorable cases or operations you were involved in during your tenure as a police superintendent?

I took part in the Civil War. I was posted to the war front, and I was able to survive the war and come back safe. After that, I was posted to Sokoto. I met a lot of very important people, including traditional rulers. And then in 1975, we were among the set of people that were retired after the coup that removed Gowon. I was retired at the age of 35 and they paid me my benefits. I’ve been receiving a pension since then.

You mentioned that you retired at 35 years as a superintendent, was that the normal age for retirement then?


I was among the first set of people retired by Muritala Mohammed Junta. They termed it as being in the interest of the nation, whatever that means. Normally, before you retire, you must have put in 35 years of service or you are 65 years unless you have a medical issue. However, mine was not so. I was 35 years old when I retired.

What inspired you to pursue a career in law enforcement?

In my final year in a technical college in Sapele, the government of the western region introduced various professions to us. I was fascinated seeing police officers smartly dressed. Luckily for me, my height was right, I was over six feet even then. Only two of us were recruited by the police force, and we were thirteen in that class.

I was trained at the southern police college, Ikeja, then at a police training school, Hendon in London, and all sorts of local training. You had to undergo different training for you to be in the service in those days, and we were lucky to have the opportunity because we just gained independence. Nowadays, people think the government doesn’t want to give jobs because we had jobs then, but it was because there were always vacancies then. In 1960, there were only three universities and we have about four colleges of education compared to what we have today. The number of people that graduated then and now is not the same.

How was the leadership structure within the police force then and what values were most important to you as a police superintendent?

We have clear guidelines on what you should do as a policeman. We have superiors and subordinates.

Can you share some insights into what led to the dissolution of your marriage?


I divorced in 1972. You see it is wrong for people to be judgmental about marriages and divorce. It’s wrong. Each couple knows why they were friends yesterday, and are less friendly today. People should stop passing judgment on others for choosing to pursue a divorce, as it is a personal decision. So it’s an individual matter.

Could you share the schools you’ve attended?

I attended Sacred Heart School, St. Patrick’s Ibadan, and then from there, I went to St. Michaels School, Ibadan. I then went to Government Technical College Sapele. I left there in 1960 after which I joined the Nigeria Tobacco Company. I worked there for about three months I also worked with BEWAC company located in Apapa. After that, I joined the Nigerian Police where I worked for 15 years. I have an autobiography I am writing to share my story. It will be published soon.

What were you doing after retirement?

I told you that my basic training was in automobile engineering. I worked with organisations, served as a consultant, and acted as an adviser to AIT.

What are the lessons you’ve learned so far?

My life experience will take a whole book. For instance, as I said, I have an autobiography I’m just writing, and it will be published very soon.


How would you describe the evolution of law enforcement since your tenure as a police officer?

Law enforcement has changed a lot since I was a police officer. In those days, people respected and feared policemen, but it is not so anymore.

Can you share insights about mentors who significantly influenced your career, and how their guidance shaped your professional journey?

Two people significantly influenced my career. One is a white man, the late Mr. B.A.H Moreton, and a black man, Prince Adebobajo Adesida. They are both late now but they were great men. When I was posted to Ibadan, Mr.B.A.H Moreton was in charge and he provided the necessary guidance for me. He was transferred to Benin and I was lucky to be posted to him in Benin again. He was the first man who asked for my salary bank statement and advised me on how to manage my salary. I was an inspector then, and he advised me to allocate 10 per cent of my salary towards life insurance as a prudent financial measure. That provided valuable guidance to me.

What technology do you wish you had access to during your law enforcement career?

The first thing one would think about is the communication. In those days, you have the telephone wire and the rest. Things have now evolved and communication is faster and better with the communication technology we now have. Even the vehicles that we now drive are technologically advanced. Then we typed all documents with the typewriter in the office, but now you can write a memo and share it from your computer. The computer has taken over all the things we do then. I wish we had technology in those days, it would have made life easier for us.

Who were some of your colleagues and friends you worked with during your time as a police officer?


I worked with and have some wonderful friends who were also very trustworthy and close to me, but they’ve all passed on now. As I’m sitting down here and the sun is shining, if they tell me the sun is not shining, I will believe them because they are always telling the truth. They are friends I trust. One of them is the late Elder Akintokun. We went to Technical College together, and we were friends for life. There is also the late Stephen Akiga. He was a prison officer and later a minister of youths and sports under Obasanjo. I’m lucky I still have some of my friends who are still alive. Like General Akinrinade, if he tells me “Bayo there’s no road here, even if I see it wide, I will not go because I know that’s the truth. Then I have someone like General Alabi Isama as a friend. We were at the battlefront together, and we saw people die beside us, but we’re still alive today while many of our friends are gone.

Reflecting on your career as a police superintendent, what achievements or contributions are you most proud of?

I’m proud of the service I rendered.

What advice would you give young people considering a career in law enforcement today?

If a young man is interested in any job, he should be ready to put in his best. There are no half-measures in anything. Put in your best, and you’ll get the reward. What I find strange is that people will say they want to have another string of income. I can’t imagine that in my time. What you do is take all the options of investment like insurance, but for a policeman to set up a beer parlor, that’s wrong. You must avoid anything that could distract you from your duty.

What do you hope your legacy is within law enforcement and what impact did you believe you had?

I don’t think I have a legacy because I was not a very senior officer. To talk of legacy you need to talk about the commissioner of police and above. However, at the level where I served, all the officers and men who worked with me, I believe they must have learnt from my attitude to work.

How did you maintain a work-life balance during your career as a police officer?

Well, your work-life balance was not easy because, in the police, you are always busy. That is the nature of the police force. Crimes can occur anytime and your attention might be needed.

Can you share a time when you had to manage a crisis and how you pulled through it?

That was when I was posted to Sokoto and the major senior officers were not around. There was a tribal conflict between the Yorubas and the indigenes. The traditional ruler, Sir Abubakar, the sultan of Sokoto managed the situation very well. He put his foot down and we were able to address the situation and bring things under control before the arrival of the senior officers.

What are you most grateful for?

I’m grateful that I’m here, alive. I’m grateful for being a Nigerian, and I am grateful God gave me good health too.

I don’t collect bribe, it’s a taboo – Police spokesman, Adejobi

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Sunday, said he doesn’t collect bribes because doing so is taboo to him as a prince.

He also described the collection of bribes as “ungodly.”

Adejobi noted that such acts result in putting some other people in a state of sorrow.

The Force PRO stated this while replying to a user on X.com who had asked him the question earlier.

“Have you taken a bribe before?” Valentine Kruze tweeting as #ValentineKruz14 had asked.

Adejobi, a prince born to Oba Moses Adejobi, the late Olowu of Orile-Owu, in the Ayedade Local Government Area of Osun State, responded via his X handle #Princemoye1, noting, “No. It’s taboo for a royal prince to take a bribe. Taking a bribe definitely makes someone somewhere cry for many reasons, and it’s ungodly to do so.

“Your main purpose in life is to put smiles on people’s faces. It’s Godly and rewarding. It’s my personal principle and a call to duty.

“I preach this to my colleagues and many others always. May we have the grace to remain steadfast and purposeful in life.”

This follows the dismissal of a police Inspector, Adabo Mohammed, who was accused of criminal conspiracy and armed robbery, among others.

Mohammed, alongside five others, was said to be a member of an armed robbery gang allegedly responsible for the stealing of N29.8 million from a victim in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory.

Adejobi, on Friday, had stated the resolve of the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun to ensure the commitment of the police operatives to uphold professional standards within the Force.

“In a decisive move to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity within the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has emphasised his administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards any form of indiscipline.

“He stressed that the mandate of the police is to serve and protect with honour and integrity, and as such all breaches of the core values of the NPF will be met with decisive action to maintain public trust and ensure justice,” the statement partly read.

In December 2023, the Nigeria Police dismissed two special constabularies – Jimoh Lukmon and Kareem Fatai, who attempted to extort a Dutch power bike cyclist.

The dismissal was announced by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Hamzat Adebola, at the police headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The two special constabularies identified were captured in a viral video soliciting money from the Dutch tourist.

FG under fire over N90bn Hajj subsidy


The Federal Government has come under fire for its recent decision to subsidise the 2024 Hajj with N90 billion despite allocating only N50 billion for the student loan scheme in the 2024 budget.

Education and legal experts have slammed the decision, noting that spending such a humongous amount of money to subsidise Hajj is a misplacement of priority.

Representing President Bola Tinubu at the flag-off of the inaugural airlift for the 2024 Hajj exercise at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, on Wednesday, Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed that the president had ordered the N90 billion subsidy for the 2024 Hajj.

The VP said the president took this initiative given the economic situation of Nigeria, urging the intending pilgrims to pray for peace, unity, and progress in the country.

Shettima said, “Mr President is committed to this year’s Hajj due to the economic situation. He has contributed N90bn billion to subsidise this year’s Hajj exercise to ensure a smooth and successful operation.

“You may recall that this year, we had a major challenge in announcing the final Hajj fare for the 2024 Muslim pilgrimage due to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.

“President Bola Tinubu also works round the clock to control the downward spiral of our local currency to bring relief to our pilgrims and other Nigerians.

“A move that eventually succeeded in lowering the fare. The president approved the release of N90 billion to subsidise the cost of pilgrimage for this year’s Hajj,” the VP stated.

Recall that a directive by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria had asked pilgrims to pay an additional N1.9m balance in accordance with current foreign exchange rates, before the deadline of March 29, 2024.

NAHCON, in a statement signed by the Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Usara, in March 2024, explained that late and non-remittances of fares pushed the commission beyond the deadline given by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, noting, however, that the government intervened by appealing for cost reductions.

Speaking in separate interviews with Sunday PUNCH, stakeholders within the education and legal sectors lambasted the Federal Government for the huge subsidy on religious pilgrimage, saying it reflects the government’s gross insensitivity to the prevailing mass hunger, rising poverty, and wanton underdevelopment afflicting education in the country.

They described the Federal Government’s move as a brazen misplacement of priority.

Former Vice-Chancellor of Dominican University, a Catholic-based institution in Ibadan, Professor Hyginus Ekwuazi, described the Hajj subsidy as a gross misplacement of priority given the wobbling state of the Nigerian economy and the depreciating revenue-generating capacity of the government.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, he said, “It is not just that it is the Hajj, it is that they are channelling the money into where it should not go at all. Whether it is even the Christian pilgrimage or the Muslim pilgrimage, it is wrong and a crass misplacement of priority. We are all looking forward to the day the government will be able to channel its resources to the right areas, where there is demand. Certainly and most certainly, that won’t be a pilgrimage. It will be education, health, and social welfare. Those are the three cardinal issues.

“What will happen next is that the government will try to balance it by putting some amounts into the Christian pilgrimage. So we are looking at the two together. Let’s just not say it is Islamic or for Muslims alone. The implication again is that we already have a wobbling economy. The government is now taking money that is a scarce commodity and putting it where it is unnecessary as it will not address the common good. So the implication is negative.”

Also speaking with our correspondent, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said the union would holistically look at all pilgrimages sponsored by the government and issue a statement afterward.

“We, as a union, don’t want to be involved in any religious matters. Now, they have paid for Hajj, and I know that they are also giving to all other groups for pilgrimage. But we, as a union, will look at all of them holistically before making our statement known,” the ASUU chair told Sunday PUNCH.

Reacting to the issue, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Awa Kalu, urged the Federal Government not to get involved in religious matters because it is not its duty to subsidise religious programmes.

“It’s been discussed for some years now that government should not get involved in pilgrimage or religious matters. I support this. If you want to go on a pilgrimage, gather your money and go. It should not have anything to do with the government,” he stated.

Human rights lawyers have also knocked the Federal Government for the religious subsidy.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, a human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, noted that the Federal Government’s decision reflects both a constitutional and moral aberration as it is not the legal responsibility of a government to subsidise religious pilgrimage because it is a personal affair.

He stated, “The government of Nigeria has no business sponsoring Hajj or Christian pilgrimage. That is not the business of the government. The majority of our people are wallowing in abject poverty and tattered penury. Religion is a personal issue. So the government should not have any business with it. Imagine a country that is wallowing in abject poverty, whose citizens can barely feed, now subsidising pilgrims to Mecca or Jerusalem? I think it is a clear waste of people’s resources and a case of misplaced priority.

“We just have to be very sincere to ourselves. What is the government’s business with sponsoring people who want to go to Hajj? How does that contribute to national development? How does that solve the hunger crisis in the country? How does it solve the insecurity crisis in the country? So I think the subsidy and allocating such a wanton amount of money is reckless and does not reflect the reality of our people.”

Another human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said the decision showed that the Federal Government is unserious and does not care about the sufferings of the Nigerian masses.

“It shows that the Federal Government is very unserious. Given all we are going through in this country, that is unfair and a decision that is against the people’s interest. That money can build and establish 90 industries in Nigeria. If you take one billion each to build industries, we will have 90 industries. It is a lot of misplacement of priority.

“This is a wake-up call that Nigeria’s system of electing leaders needs to change. It is a shame and abuse. It shows those of us in positions of authority don’t care about Nigerians and they are not as religious as you think. They are doing it for political patronage,” he opined.

Speaking in a similar vein, another lawyer, Malcolm Omirhobho, said the Federal Government’s move is unconstitutional and symptomatic of the political class’s quest to continuously weaponise the widespread poverty in the country for selfish gains.

He stated, “The Federal Government subsidy of the cost of pilgrimage for this year’s Hajj is illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional. Section 10 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria (As Amended) provides that ‘the government of the Federation shall not adopt any religion as a state religion’. Using the literal rule of interpretation, it is clear that the lawmakers intended that the Federal Government or any of its 35 state governors must not take Islam, Christianity, African traditional religion, or any other religion as a state religion.

“This by implication makes Nigeria a secular state. The legislative mischief of section 10 of the 1999 constitution is against the establishment of religion by law and it is intended to erect a wall of separation between religion and the Nigerian government.

“So subsidising pilgrimage for any religion is a violation of section 10 of the Nigerian constitution. Nigeria is a country of over 200 million people with different religious beliefs so for the Nigerian government to use public funds to subsidise pilgrims for Muslims and Christians is discriminatory to African traditional worshipers and Nigerians of other religious beliefs. This is also a violation of section 42(1) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (As Amended).

Paddy Adenuga, the son of billionaire businessman Mike Adenuga, has revealed why he can handle women.

The 39-year-old businessman admitted that women are powerful but he can manage them because of his ancestral powers.

According to him, without the ancestral powers, it wouldn’t have been easy to manage the women in his life.

He disclosed this on his X page when he wrote: “Women have powers. It’s just that my village ancestors gave me small powers to manage them. That is why I’m okay. If not…”

Gen Z go think say na Buns... 😂😂😂

1900s, what is this