Author: Festus Adeloye

Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, says traditional institutions should be insulated from the “arbitrary” influence of powerful state governors. Abubakar’s comments come amid attempts by some state governments to alter the age-long structure of traditional institutions in their domains. In Kano, a protracted emirship tussle has seen Aminu Bayero refusing to relinquish his position as monarch, after the state government repealed a 2019 law and ousted him. The government subsequently reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi, who was dethroned in 2020, as emir. On Monday, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) alleged that the Sokoto state government is plotting to dethrone Muhammad Abubakar as the…

Filmmaker Funke Akindele has shared her inspiring story of perseverance and self-taught skills in the film industry. In an interview with Arise News, she revealed her early struggles in landing roles in English-language films, which led her to explore opportunities in Yoruba-language films. According to her, Ayo Adesanya, introduced her to a producer and she began working in Osogbo, where she met industry ‘gurus’ like Fathia Balogun and Iyabo Ojo. “When I didn’t get roles in English I got frustrated. So I was on a project with Ayo Adesanya, and I told her that I don’t have roles and she…

Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday hosted (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji OON, Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc. Umeoji and her team came to felicitate with the governor on the ocassion of his 59th birthday. Posting pictures of the meeting on his official Facebook page, the governor wrote “I had the pleasure of hosting Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji OON, Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc on a courtesy visit today at the Lagos House, Marina”. “We engaged in insightful discussions about the banking industry and exchanged perspectives on current trends and challenges”. “She shared her ideas and experiences,…

A lacklustre Brazil launched their Copa America campaign with a dour 0-0 draw against Costa Rica on Monday as James Rodriguez inspired Colombia to a 2-1 win over Paraguay. Brazil, chasing a 10th Copa America crown, dominated possession and territory in the Group D game at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles but struggled to break down a resolute Costa Rica. The Brazilians thought they had taken the lead in the 30th minute after Marquinhos tapped in at the back post after a flick on by Rodrygo following a free-kick by Raphinha. But after an agonising VAR delay, the goal…

According to Calcio Mercato, Napoli still haven’t received any offers for Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, and are now willing to listen to proposals in the region of around £85m instead of the initial £100m release clause as they look to cash in on the striker this summer. Other reports in Italy state that the Serie A side would agree to a player-swap deal with Manchester United, which will see Mason Greenwood join the former Serie A champions, with Osimhen heading in the opposite direction. Manchester United are keen to sell Greenwood in the summer, even though the rape charges against…

Southern governors yesterday said having state police will give them more control over security decisions in their states. They believe locals are better placed to fight crime because they understand the terrain and language. The state helmsmen met under the Southern Governors Forum (SGF) in Abeokuta. They appointed host Governor Dapo Abiodun as chairman. Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, was named Vice Chairman. Also in attendance were Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Alex Otti (Abia), Godwin Obaseki (Edo) and Ademola Adeleke (Osun). Others are Bassey Otu (Cross River), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Duoye Diri…

Mr Femi Otedola, billionaire businessman and chairman of First Bank Nigeria (FBN) Holdings Plc, yesterday, acquired additional 797,946,415 units of the company’s shares through the Nigerian Exchange Limited, NGX, to sustain his majority stake in the company. The acquisition was disclosed in a corporate filing on the NGX, as the shares were traded at N21.58 per share valued at N17.219 billion. The fresh acquisition further shows that Otedola’s shareholding has now reached 11.63 percent, the highest in the company. It will be recalled that last week, Otedola, increased his stake in FBN Holdings, with the purchase of 546, 674, 034…

Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye has revealed that former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration lavished the initial $100 million of a $500 million World Bank loan for women empowerment on meetings. Ohanenye made this revelation in an interview with Arise Television on Monday. According to the minister, Buhari’s government “lavished” the $100 million on meetings, advocacy and consultancy. Recall that the World Bank on June 27, 2023 approved a fresh $500 million loan for Nigeria to help improve the livelihood of women in Nigeria. Ohanenye commended President Bola Tinubu for his proactive involvement in the project, particularly his scrutiny of…

“The Sultan is the Sultan of Sokoto. But he is much more than that; he represents an idea. He is an Institution that all of us in this country need to jealously guard, protect, promote, preserve, and project for the growth of our nation.” The above were the words of Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Monday. Shettima gave the advice while delivering his speech at the ongoing North West Peace & Security Summit in Katsina State. The Vice President advised the Sokoto State government to protect the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III. Recall that the Executive…

Justice Mohammed Liman of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday acquitted a former speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, and his former aide, Oyebode Atoyebi, of 54 counts of money laundering. Delivering judgement, Justice Liman held that the prosecution failed to discharge the burden of proof placed on it by the provisions of the law. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ikuforiji is charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside Atoyebi on a 54-count charge bordering on alleged N338.8 million in money laundering. They had each pleaded not guilty…