Author: Festus Adeloye

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate activation of the National Emergency Response Centre in response to the catastrophic flooding in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, which has claimed over 100 lives and left many families homeless. The President’s directive came early Saturday after receiving distressing reports about the magnitude of the disaster. Local sources confirm that at least 75 bodies have been buried, while more than 100 people remain missing amid ongoing search-and-rescue efforts. In a statement shared on his official X account, @officialABAT, President Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and assured a prompt federal…

A six year jail term in Finland awaits self- styled prime minister of Biafra, Simon Ekpa, if the court now trying him for alleged terrorism in that country accedes to the request of his prosecutors. Ekpa, who was arrested last November by the Finnish authorities, appeared before the Päijät-Häme District Court yesterday to face terrorism-related charges in a preparatory hearing. His court appearance coincided with the fresh sit at home in the South East called by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra ( MASSOB), to mark ‘Biafra Day’. The…

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has handed over Enugu State-based native doctor, Obi Obieze to the Lagos State Police Command after he was arrested on Wednesday at the Gbaji checkpoint along the Badagry-Seme Expressway in an attempt to flee the country. The suspect, who was brought in by NIS operatives yesterday, was seen wearing a mask and restrained with both hand and leg cuffs during the handover to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, at the Command headquarters. Selected journalists invited to witness the handover were not permitted to speak with the suspect. Recall that Obieze had…

The University of Ibadan (UI) has named its Postgraduate College Administrative Building in honour of a foremost scientist, seasoned educationist, and one of Nigeria’s most distinguished scholars, Late Professor Sanya Dojo Onabamiro. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale said the University immortalised Onabamiro’s name on the edifice to etch his legacy into the very fabric of the University and reaffirm the commitment of the institution to honouring those who helped to lay the foundation for its academic excellence. He said Professor Onabamiro was not just an academic colossus but a titan, a trailblazer in parasitology, a visionary educator and a dedicated…

Nigeria’s former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called students writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in darkness a ‘national disgrace.’ Speaking in a statement, Atiku called for swift action to address the systemic failure in the country’s education sector. “This is not merely an unfortunate incident, it is a damning indictment of our systemic failure to uphold the most basic standards in public education. “It is unacceptable, unjustifiable, and utterly indefensible that in 2025, our children are forced to write critical national exams in pitch darkness like second-class citizens. “Examination preparedness is a shared responsibility between students…

Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that he has come to a point where difficult decisions must be made in the interest of the people and Rivers. Fubara, in a statement he personally signed to mark two years of his administration, said the support of the people had emboldened him to embrace the path of peace, reconciliation and forgiveness. Fubara said, “We are at a crucial point in our journey, where difficult decisions must be made. Be assured that every step we take will be guided by your best interests and the enduring good of Rivers…

A former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele, has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja, praying it to set aside a judgment granting the government full control of a substantial estate in Abuja comprising 753 housing units. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier obtained a court order to seize the estate, situated in the Lokogoma district of Abuja. The estate was originally linked and recovered from an unnamed former government official. However, Emefiele, through his legal representative, A.M. Kotoye, filed a motion as an interested party in the suit. He contends that he ought to…

Billionaire tech mogul, Elon Musk, has announced his departure from the Trump administration, bringing an end to a controversial chapter in the United States governance marked by aggressive budget cuts and mass layoffs. Musk, who held a temporary position as a Special Government Employee, helped oversee the Department of Government Efficiency, ironically dubbed “Doge”, an agency tasked with drastically reducing federal spending and bureaucracy. In a post on his social media platform, X, Musk confirmed his exit, “As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity…

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reiterated his administration’s determination not to yield to blackmail from any quarter, particularly regarding the enforcement of ground rent payments. He stressed that his greatest challenge remains the refusal of some residents, especially the elite, to pay ground rents. “My greatest challenge is people refusing to pay their money. I will speak on that in the next media chat. And people just want facilities; people want infrastructure, but nobody asks where you are getting these funds from. Abuja is not one of the oil cities, we only rely on taxes. These are…

Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong’o, considered one of East Africa’s greatest literary figures, died on Wednesday, his daughter announced on Facebook. He was 87. “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dad, Ngugi wa Thiong’o this Wednesday morning,” wrote Wanjiku Wa Ngugi. “He lived a full life, fought a good fight,” she added. Messages of support and respect quickly poured in for the celebrated author, whose decision to stop writing in English and start using only his native Kikuyu made him a powerful symbol of post-colonial African identity. “My condolences to the family and…