Author: Festus Adeloye

Friends and family searched for missing hajj pilgrims on Wednesday as the death toll at the annual rituals surged past 900. Relatives scoured hospitals and pleaded online for news, fearing the worst after temperatures hit 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 Fahrenheit) in Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, on Monday. About 1.8 million people from all over the world, many old and infirm, took part in the days-long, mostly outdoor pilgrimage. It held this year during the oven-like Saudi summer. Speed Painting, like medicine, leaves no room for error — Dr. Ojeabuo, A Speed Painter0:00 / 0:00 An Arab diplomat told AFP that…

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, Peter Obi has celebrated Nigerien Chef, Grace Nwaokobia, for breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest home kitchen cooking marathon. Obi praised Chef Grace’s accomplishment in a statement via his verified X handle on Wednesday. The former governor of Anambra attended the event to celebrate Chef Grace’s achievement. The marathon, which began on Friday, saw Chef Grace cook for an impressive 86 hours, surpassing the previous record of 68 hours and 30 minutes. The cooked meals were largely donated to charity, including The Little Saints Orphanage in Ilupeju. He called…

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abia state chapter, has accused the Abia state government of a lack of due process and transparency in the award of contracts in the state. The party stated this while reacting to the current spat between the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa and the Innoson Motor Company over the non-supply of vehicles allegedly paid for by Gov. Alex Otti for members of the State Assembly. The PDP, in a statement by its Acting State Publicity Secretary, Elder Abraham Amah, noted that the spat between the speaker and the company…

Manchester United are exploring a move to sign Dutch and Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee. The 23-year-old, born to a Nigerian mother, enjoyed a good debut season with the Italian side, helping the team qualify for the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. The English side are looking to recruit a new forward following the departure of Anthony Martial. According to reports, United faces stiff competition from Italian side AC Milan, as they are willing to pay his release clause of €40 million (£33.7m) and have agreed personal terms with the striker. Zirkzee was forced to cut…

The Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he will, under section 17 of the Federal High Court Act, seek negotiations with the Federal Government. Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act states: “In any Proceeding In the court, the court may promote reconciliation among parties thereto and encourage and facilitate the amicable settlement thereof”. Speaking through his lead counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, Kanu made this known on Wednesday after he moved two applications brought before the court. The first application is to move form 49 and…

World champions Argentina get an expanded Copa America under way on Thursday with Lionel Messi looking to add a second continental title in what is almost certainly his final appearance in the tournament. The 108-year-old competition is being held in the United States with the host nation among six teams from the CONCACAF region joining the 10 South American nations looking for a place in the July 14 final in Miami. While FIFA will be looking closely at the organization of the event, two years out from the World Cup which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico,…

Armed men suspected to be cultists have killed a young man identified as Endwell Awunze at Ula-Pata-Ahoada, Ahaoda Local Government Area of Rivers State. This was as panic has continued in the state over the local government area leadership crisis rocking the state. It was learned that Awunze, alleged to be a “whistle blower” against cultism and other violent crimes in Okporowo community in Ahoada East LGA, was reportedly trailed and killed by cultists. A source in the area disclosed that the victim had left the venue of protest opposite Ahoada East Council where they were protesting against tenure elongation…

A female student of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, identified as Adekolore Idowu Glory, has been reportedly raped to death. Glory, 22, a recent graduate of the university, was said to have been beaten and raped to death at Iyowa Community in Benin City, on June 13. In an X post, a user who identified as Glory’s brother said unknown men attacked her while she was on her way back home from school. Glory, who graduated in April this year, was said to have been processing her clearance when she was killed. Her body was reportedly left close to her…

Former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has lost his mother, Florence. Florence died on Tuesday at the age of 89. Saraki confirmed his mother’s death in a statement shared on his social media handles. The statement read, “With profound sadness and total submission to the will of Almighty God, I announce the passing of my beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and matriarch, Chief Mrs. Florence Morenike Saraki, who peacefully transitioned today, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. “Details regarding funeral arrangements will be shared in due course. We appreciate your love, prayers, and support as we mourn Mama’s passing.” Mourning the deceased,…

Opposition federal lawmakers under the aegis of G60 have called for treason charges to be filed against 23 former local government chairmen in Rivers State over their alleged failed plan to illegally remain in power beyond June 17. At an emergency press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the lawmakers accused the former local government chairmen of attempting to forcefully retain their seats even after their constitutionally mandated three-year tenure expired on Monday, June 17, 2024. “This was a treasonable act and clear attempt to unlawfully occupy positions of power in breach of the constitution,” said the spokesperson of the G60,…