Author: Festus Adeloye

Kingmakers in Oyo town, Oyo State, have protested the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo by Governor Seyi Makinde. Owoade’s appointment was announced on Friday in a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, sparking controversy within traditional circles. Oyelade said after extensive consultations and traditional divinations by the Oyomesi, the Oyo kingmakers, Owoade was recommended as the new Alaafin of Oyo and subsequently approved by Governor Makinde. “Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade, after thorough consultations and divinations, has been recommended by the Oyomesi and approved by Governor Seyi Makinde as the…

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday swore in the new Chairman and members of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission. The new executives will be led by Bola Ighile as the Chairman, while other members include Samson Ajibade, Akin Oluwo, Dr Olumide Metilelu, Abeeb Aileru and Oladele Adekanye. Sanwo-Olu urged the LASIEC executives to uphold integrity at the polls, saying, “As you assume this critical role, I urge you to prioritise transparency, fairness and impartiality. The credibility of any electoral process is the cornerstone of its acceptance. Your actions must reflect the highest standards of integrity and accountability.”…

A judge sentenced Donald Trump to an unconditional discharge Friday for covering up hush money payments to a porn star despite the US president-elect’s last-ditch efforts to avoid becoming the first felon in the White House. The judge spared Trump prison or a fine even though the 34 counts of falsifying business records on which he was convicted in May 2024 carried potential jail time. Instead New York judge Juan Merchan handed down the mildest criminal sanction available, an unconditional discharge — a relatively uncommon measure. “Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set…

Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has safely returned to Nigeria after escaping the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. The movie star expressed concerns about the fires on social media, revealing that her friends in the city had been affected and she might need to evacuate. Omotola had prayed for God’s intervention, expressing her heartbreak for her friends who had already been affected by the fires. ”Oh God please We Lift Out City Los Angeles up before you …. We need you….Looking like I might have to evacuate …. Oh Lord …. ! This is heartbreaking for my friends Already Affected. #LosAngelesFire. She…

Former Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro has announced his withdrawal from the race for the president-general position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, citing a court order restraining his participation. Speaking during a briefing in Enugu on Thursday night, Okiro said his decision followed an interim order issued by an Enugu State High Court. The election is scheduled to take place on January 10, 2015. According to Okiro: “I have been made aware of the Enugu State High Court’s interim order, which regrettably restrains me from contesting the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Presidency General Election tomorrow.” Okiro described the court order, which was based on…

In the skies above Los Angeles, air tankers and helicopters silhouetted by the setting California sun dart in and out of giant wildfire plumes, dropping much-needed flame retardant and precious water onto the angry fires below. Looking in almost any direction from a chopper above the city, AFP reporters witnessed half a dozen blazes — eruptions of smoldering smoke emerging from the mountainous landscape like newly active volcanoes, and filling up the horizon. Within minutes, a previously quiet airspace above the nascent Kenneth Fire had become a hotbed of frenzied activity, as firefighting officials quickly refocused their significant air resources…

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered an immediate clampdown on those responsible for the explosion at Nganzai Divisional Police Headquarters in Borno State, which claimed the lives of two police officers. The attack, which occurred on January 9, 2025, at around 12:10 a.m., resulted in the deaths of Inspector Bartholomew Kalawa and Corporal Mustapha Huzaifat. A statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, noted that suspected Boko Haram terrorists were behind the attack. Condemning the act, the IG stated that no individual or group involved in killing police officers would go unpunished. In a statement…

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Thursday, alleged that the chairmen of the 18 local government areas of the state have nothing to show for the N83bn received last year from the Federal Government. The fresh claim by Okpebholo comes two days after he alleged that the chairmen of the 18 LGAs, who have now been suspended, diverted N12bn and gave to the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state. On Thursday, the governor said  President Bola Tinubu’s administration released over N8bn allocations to the 18 councils in the state in December but there was nothing to show…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the terror attack on a Army base in Sabon Gida, Damboa, Borno State, which claimed six soldiers.  The dawn attack on January 4, 2025, has sparked renewed calls for vigilance and proactive measures against insurgency in the region. In a statement on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President extended condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, describing their sacrifice as a cornerstone of the nation’s fight for security. “Their sacrifice in defending our nation will forever be honoured…

Barcelona players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor can play for the club on a temporary basis after the Spanish sports council (CSD) granted the Catalans a precautionary measure on Wednesday. The financially-struggling side failed to register the duo before the deadline at the end of last year after Olmo and Victor were given temporary licenses when they joined in the summer.