Author: Akintayo Adams

Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) leader and former minister of finance, Edwin Clark, has passed away at the age of 97. The elder statesman, who was also a former Federal Commissioner for Information, died on Monday night, February 17, 2025. His family confirmed his passing in a statement signed by Prof. C. C. Clark on behalf of the Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State. Edwin Clark was a prominent advocate for the rights of the Niger Delta people and played a significant role in Nigeria’s political landscape. His contributions to national discourse, regional development, and the fight for…

The Republic of Niger has begun enforcing new immigration restrictions on Nigerians traveling with the ECOWAS passport, barring entry for those without a valid international passport. This move follows Niger’s recent withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) alongside Mali and Burkina Faso. Despite maintaining an open border with Nigeria, new immigration measures are being implemented at crossings such as Illela (Nigeria) and Konni (Niger). Cross-border traders and commuters now face difficulties as Nigerien authorities refuse to recognize the ECOWAS passport as a valid means of identification. Alhaji Mansur Abdullah, a trader who frequently travels between the…

The Oyo State Government has announced plans to connect the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan to its Independent Power Plant (IPP). This was made known via a statement posted on its official social media handle. This is to address ongoing power supply challenges at the federal health facility. This move aims to provide a medium-term solution to the hospital’s electricity woes, which have led to disruptions in critical healthcare services. The state government emphasized that despite UCH being a federal institution, they intend to offer relief through integration with the state’s power infrastructure. Patients and residents have welcomed the…

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) said it has disbursed over N22 billion under the student loan to 215,514 students. The agency also said it has disbursed N12,818,960,000 upkeep support to 169,114 students. It said it would close the 2023/2024 student loan application cycle on Feb. 21 and commence the 2024/2025 application cycle on Feb. 22. Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday. Sawyerr said NELFUND received 364,042 applications in 229 days, with an average of 1,000 applications per day. He said: “In just 220 days, we have received an impressive…

A Nigerian monarch from the Southwest region of the country, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, who was reported missing in March 2024, has been found in FBI custody. He is facing serious charges of defrauding the U.S. government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. It was gathered that the Nigerian monarch, also a U.S. citizen, is currently battling a 13-count fraud indictment in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. According to U.S. court documents, Mr. Oloyede was arrested on May 4, 2024, after a warrant was issued for his apprehension. The FBI accuses…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has successfully concluded its latest recruitment exercise. The firm described it as one of the most rigorous and transparent in the country. In an official statement released on Monday, NNPC Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, confirmed the completion of the process and assured that successful candidates would soon receive their appointment letters. NNPC expressed gratitude to all applicants who participated in the process and encouraged those who were not selected to look forward to future opportunities with the company. The recruitment drive, which began in July 2024, attracted widespread attention and aimed…

The sacked chairman of Irewole Local Government, Osun State, Remi Abass, has been shot dead by unknown gunmen at the local government secretariat in Ikire. According to reports, attackers stormed the secretariat in broad daylight on Monday, firing multiple gunshots. “It was sudden and chaotic. People ran for safety,” said a local resident who requested anonymity. The Osun State Police Command confirmed the incident and stated that investigations had begun. “We are working to apprehend the perpetrators and restore calm in the area,” said Police Public Relations Officer, SP Yemisi Opalola. Abass was among the local government chairmen, elected on…

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adélékè, has urged residents to stay away from local government secretariats due to escalating tensions and potential violence. This comes after supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed over control of the secretariats, leading to chaos and sporadic gunshots in several areas, including Osogbo and Olorunda. Adélékè passed the order across in a statement signed by Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Spokesperson to the State Governor. “I therefore direct all law abiding Osun residents to stay away from the council secretariats especially as they are expected to be under lock and…

Operatives from the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force have taken control of the Lagos State House of Assembly premises in Alausa, Ikeja. The security personnel arrived early on Monday and sealed the offices of Speaker Mojisola Meranda, her deputy, and the clerk of the House. This move comes amid a leadership dispute following the controversial removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who has since filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of his removal. There are signs that Speaker Mojisola Meranda may resign in light of the ongoing crisis. Obasa, who was removed in absentia while…

The world’s ‘first openly gay’ Imam, Moegsien Hendricks, has been shot d3ad in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The cleric was k!lled near the southern city of Gqeberha where he reportedly came to officiate a wedding between a lesbian couple in Bethelsdorp on Saturday, February 15, 2025. According to Facebook user Rif’at Brower, the local community and imams refused to marry the lesbian couple (Naadira Abader’s daughter). “Naadirah Abader’s daughter was getting married to another female non-Muslim. Sheikh Mukhtar of (Port Elizabeth) PE said that they will not marry the two females and no one in PE will,” he wrote.…