Prominent Chief, Olu-Ode Declared M!ssing Over kingship tussle....Read Full Article>>

One of community leaders told SaharaReporters that the kingship tussle in the community has turned deadly.

Aprominent traditional chief, Olu-Ode, has been declared missing over the lingering kingship tussle causing uproar, disaffection and division at Ido-Osun community in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State.

SaharaReporters gathered that the leader identified only as Baba Olu-Ode has been missing since on Wednesday.

One of community leaders told SaharaReporters that the kingship tussle in the community has turned deadly.

“The issue has turned deadly, they have been using the police to look for everyone. Even me, as I talk to you now, the matter is tough.”

“Baba Olu-Ode is nowhere to be found since on Wednesday, we don’t know whether Baba has been whisked away. This is while Otunbalogun is still in detention,” the source said.

SaharaReporters had reported how operatives of the Nigeria Police Force arrested a kingmaker from Ido-Osun community in the Egbedore local government area of Osun State.

The kingmaker, Chief Rasheed Odeyemi, the Otun Balogun of Ido-Osun, was arrested by the police on the alleged orders of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to impose one of his officers, Superintendent Jokotola Yinka as the future king (Oba) of the town, according to community sources who spoke to SaharaReporters.

According to sources, Superintendent Jokotola is also vying to be chosen as the future Oba of Ido-Osun, and the police force has been intimidating all the kingmakers in the town to force them to unanimously select him as the most qualified candidate without due process.

The Olojudo stool was left vacant following the demise of Oba Aderemi Adedapo on May 17, 2024. He served as secretary of the Yoruba Council of Obas in Nigeria until his death.

“This was why they arrested Chief Rasheed yesterday (Thursday). They said it was an order from the IGP. And when we asked why he was arrested, they only told us a petition was written against him. We requested to see a copy of the said petition, but the police could not provide one,” one of the community sources told SaharaReporters.

The source added that the arrest by the police was clearly intended to influence the kingmakers’ decision to support one of their senior officers, Jokotola, who is also vying for the crown.

“He (kingmaker) is currently being detained at Alagbon Police Station (Force Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon) in Lagos State. What I learned was that Superintendent Jokotola is a close ally of the public relations officer of the Police Force, Muyiwa Adejobi and that he was the one who passed down the order of the police IG to arrest the chief,” another source said.

“The police have also threatened other kingmakers who insisted that due process must be followed in selecting the new king,” another source said.

A statement made available to SaharaReporters by Ido-Osun Youths under its forum, IYF, jointly signed by its President Prince (Comr.) Adeyeye Abass and General Secretary Mr Akano Kamorudeen, accused the police of unlawfully interfering in the ongoing monarchy dispute in the town.

In an effort to ensure value for money, accountability, and transparency in the implementation of public projects, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has commenced tracking of N10 billion worth of Federal Government-executed projects in Osun State.....Read Full Article>>

The commission started the phase 7 of project tracking exercise at Boripe community, Egbedore Local Government area of the state, Temidire Estate, Osogbo, among others. The N10 billion worth of projects include eight solar-powered boreholes, 120 solar streets light and some kilometers of drainage in the community.

The ICPC tracking team leader, Mary Oke, said that the Commission will track projects valued at N10,470,872,906.60 in Osun State, ensuring that government-funded projects provide value for money and are executed according to specifications.

Oke disclosed that exercise is part of the Commission’s mandate to promote accountability and transparency in the implementation of public projects.

Oke adds, “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, is in the phase 7 of its Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Exercise in the State.

“The exercise, which include assessing the status of various constituency and executive projects, is to also ensure that public resources are judiciously utilized to deliver quality infrastructure and services to the citizens.

“Relevant stakeholders, including community members and civil society organizations should support the tracking exercise by providing the Commission with relevant information that can aid in achieving its objectives”.

Meanwhile, the treasurer of Boripe community, Egbedore Local Government area of the state, Mr Olorunsola said that the federal government projects had impacted positively on the lives and exonomy of the community.

He disclosed that the solar street lights, installed over a year ago in the community has safe them from been attack by the people of underworld.

He said, “I want to enjoin members in the community to be vigilant and take good care of these facilities that we enjoy from the government.

“The government has done its own part and it is left to us to maintain and keep vigilant so that the people of underworld will not vandalise the facility.”

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged President Bola Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, address the hardship, especially hunger confronting Nigerians.....Read Full Article>>

The student association declared that economic deprivation is killing the people.

The NANS Clerk of the Senate, Abdulyekinn Odunayo, madd the call ib a statement released in Abeokuta on Saturday.

Odunayo lamented that the current administration has forced Nigerians to endure needless poverty and hunger.

According to the statement, the Tinubu-led government’s simultaneous elimination of fuel subsidies and floating of the national currency has further sunk Nigerians into economic despair, increased hunger and hiking the cost of living for millions of residents.

Odunayo acknowledged that some students have benefited from the student loan program implemented by Tinubu’s administration, but he called for a complete economic reform so that Nigerians can experience the good governance that the President has promised.

The statements reads, “There is an urgent need by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to put measures in place to arrest hunger, poverty, impoverishment going on in the country.

“Nigerians are seriously groaning under the heavy burden of the present parlous economic situation. The nation has not had it this bad.

“The dual swords of Damocles of fuel subsidy removal and float of naira have stabbed Nigerians at their hearts.

“Many families can no longer feed even once in a day, let alone three times a day. Free falls of our currency against the dollars and other international currencies have capped the sufferings of Nigerians,

“As representatives of the Nigerian students, we are making a passionate call on the President to tailor and rev up his economic policies to provide short term, medium term and long term reliefs for Nigerians.

“Things need to improve as many Nigerians are finding it difficult to survive.”

In a story sparking intense online discussion, a man has reportedly withdrawn from a marriage proposal due to a highly demanding traditional bride price list provided by the woman’s family.....Read Full Article>>

The incident, shared by social media user Princess Adeola, highlighted the emotional toll on the man and drew attention to cultural practices that some argue may discourage potential suitors.

The bride price list, meant to honor the family, included numerous items such as crates of drinks, livestock, clothing, and monetary gifts for various members of the bride’s extended family. The total value was estimated at ₦3.5 million.

The prospective groom, reportedly eager to marry and even committed to taking the bride abroad and sponsoring her education, expressed heartbreak after realizing the bride herself supported her family’s demands, citing the rising costs of living in Nigeria.

Adeola expressed sympathy for the man, describing him as a “good man” who was willing to go to great lengths for his partner. She criticized the bride’s family for what she termed “greed” and urged women to advocate for reasonable expectations from their families.

Many online users joined the discussion, debating the relevance and practicality of traditional marriage customs in modern times. While some defended the practice as a cultural heritage, others viewed it as a hindrance to relationships and an unnecessary financial burden.

See the tweets below……

https://twitter.com/dearolaa/status/1860224037680546136?s=19

United States President-elect, Donald Trump, is considering appointing his former intelligence chief, Richard Grenell, as special envoy for the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Guardian UK reports.....Read Full Article>>

The newspaper quoted four sources familiar with the transition plans.

Grenell served as Trump’s ambassador to Germany and was acting director of national intelligence during his first four years in office between 2017-2021.

He would play a key role in the President-elect’s efforts to stop the war if he is ultimately selected for the post.

Trump is said to be considering dedicating a special envoy to resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The US President-elect could ultimately decide not to create a special envoy for the conflict in Ukraine, although he is strongly considering doing so, the sources said.

If he does, he could ultimately select someone else for the role, and there is no guarantee Grenell would accept.

Trump vowed on the campaign trail to swiftly end the conflict, although he has not said how he will do it.

Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca has insisted Jamie Vardy is England’s best striker, ahead of Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney.....Read Full Article>>

Maresca spoke before Chelsea’s Premier League 2-1 win over Leicester City on Saturday.

Vardy played a key role in Leicester City’s promotion campaign last season under Maresca.

The 37-year-old is still banging in the goals for Leicester.

“People don’t realise how good he is,” Maresca was quoted by Metro UK as saying.

“I know England have been quite lucky because of Kane and Rooney, this type of striker, they are fantastic.

“But Jamie is, if you ask me, the best one.”

Kane currently plays for Bayern Munich, while Rooney has since retired from the game.

Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni has approved the payment of N70,000 minimum wage to state civil servants with effect from December 2024.....Read Full Article>>

According to Comrade Mohammed Mamman, Director General, Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, the approval was contained in a memo signed by Governor Buni CON, following recommendations by the committee on Minimum wage constituted by the state government.

I want to sell out 02 Arena for Yoruba language and act – Yusuf Gemini Balogun, oral poet

“The committee had recommended a reconciliation of local government finances to ensure a hitch free transition process of the local government councils from the existing salary structure to the new minimum wage.

“The reconciliation process which is nearing completion is expected to be concluded soon for approval, and quick enrolment of the local government employees into the new minimum wage salary structure.

“The Government expects civil servants in the state to reciprocate the gesture by putting in their best to ensure effective and efficient service delivery”. Mamman stated

‘Don’t hide it, seek help,’ Obasanjo cautions drug addicts....Read Full Article>>

Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Saturday, admonished African youths to stay away from drug, saying that it can destroy both their dreams and lives.

I spent 24 years in prison for refusing to join in murder, money ritual plot — Ismaila Lasisi

Obasanjo gave the admonition while speaking at the 2nd edition of Fly Above The High sensitisation programme on drug abuse, organised by the Recovery Advocacy Network, in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

He described substance abuse as destructive.

The former President lamented the growing challenge of drug and substance abuse in sub-Sharan Africa, saying that “drugs consumption in Africa is an issue and it has grown worse in the last 10 years”.

He called on youths that have challenge with drug abuse not to hide it. Obasanjo asked them to seek help in order to get out of the catastrophic effects of addiction which include untimely death.

Obasanjo said, “While serving as the Chairman of West African Drug Commission under the auspices of Kofi Anan Foundation, we were nine on the commission;

“We went round the West Africa with the belief that we were free from drugs which come mainly from Latin America and goes to North America and Europe.

“But to our dismay, displeasure and pain, at the end of the exercise, we found out that West Africa has equally been a centre for drug consumption in a very bad way.

“That was more than 10 years ago, so the situation has since gone worse. And whatever applies to West Africa, applies to all other parts of Africa.”

Obasanjo lamented the havoc drugs cause in the life of the youths, pleading with them never to succumb to the temptation of going near it for any reason.

He said he always talked about drugs with all soberness because there was a time one of his cousins, a carpenter who got involved in drugs, died a drug-related death despite doing everything possible to rehabilitate him and make him live a normal life.

Obasanjo counselled that “addiction is a form of disease. Some diseases cannot be cured but could be managed.

“I have been living with diabetes for over 40 years and I am still here by the grace of God.

“I know of about six or seven friends who were equally diabetic but they have died. I watch what I eat, I stick to my doctor’s advice.

“So, people with addiction should not hide it, they should seek for help before it is too late.”
Advocates support for addict

The former President called on the people to support those who have gone into drugs and are willing to come out of it. He added that saying a word of prayer for them as well could prove to be the turning point.

Also speaking, the President of Recovery Advocacy Network, Dr. Kunle Adesina, said there is need for the sensitisation to step up campaign against drug and substance abuse in the country.

Dr Adesina said, “The essence of the gathering is to talk to the young ones about the evils of drugs; that they should not get involved in taking any psychoactive substances no matter how harmless or friendly they appear to be because of their ruinous effects.”

He explained that the last report on drugs abuse in Nigeria revealed that about 14.3m people have used one substance or the other in the last six months.

It has also been discovered, he added, that one out of every five users of drug is a female, confirming that the girls are also getting entangled in the web of drug abuse.

Adesina called for a very strong legislation to curb the menace of drugs availability in the country while everyone must also take ownership of the fight against drug abuse.

Dr Sam Abah, a mental health expert who spoke on “Rewired for Dependency: How Drug Use Affect The Brain”, urged the young ones to stay away from drugs because drug addiction destroy the brains, leaving the life of its victims hanging in the balance.

Dr Abah cautioned the youth never to indulge in drugs so as not to destroy the beautiful future ahead of them while those already embracing drugs should stop it and seek for help to overcome the challenge.

Aisha Yesufu, a frontline rights activist, on Thursday said she would stop import duties on goods if she were Nigeria’s president. Yesufu said she would make goods cheap, tackle insecurity, and revamp tourism.....Read Full Article>>

In an X post, Yesufu said she would have worked extensively on infrastructure and cheap capital to attract industries to set up shops in Nigeria and produce there. She wrote: “If I was the President of Nigeria, I will propose that we do away with import duties on all goods.

Ensure that goods coming into Nigeria are extremely cheap, then focus on making the default place to come for cheap goods by all other African countries and also other continents.

“Tackle insecurity and revamp tourism. People coming to buy goods will use transportation and stay in hotels. Then extensively work on infrastructure and cheap capital to attract those industries to even come set up shops in Nigeria and produce here.

“Massive training of skilled workers for different jobs. I want Apple to have the skilled workers and infrastructure for them to come make their products here for the African market and the rest of the world.

“I will focus on primary and secondary school education and training for the 21st-century jobs instead of certificates. Yes, I am that crazy. #OneOfMyCrazyIdeasForNigeria.”

Choguel Kokalla Maïga, Prime Minister of Mali, has been dismissed following his criticism of the military rulers. The development was announced on Wednesday by the Secretary General of the presidential office, Alfousseyni Diawara.....Read Full Article>>

He declared that “the duties of the prime minister and the members of the government are terminated.” It was gathered that the move came a few days after Maïga’s remarks at a rally in Bamako, when he accused the junta of unilaterally and indefinitely postponing the transition process that was initially scheduled to begin on March 26.

Maïga also expressed frustration over the lack of debate on the issue, claiming he has been left to rely on media reports for updates.

While military leader Assimi Goïta had previously promised elections would be held in February, those plans have since been delayed “for technical reasons” with no new timeline provided.

Goïta was among the rebels to overthrow the government in 2020 and then became interim president after another coup in 2021.

He then announced a 24-month transition timetable starting in March 2022 to return Mali to civilian rule.

The government has yet to announce who will replace Maïga as prime minister.