Author: David Great

By Olumide Awofesobi With concerns that democracy in Nigeria is under assault, here are notable media professionals pushing back. The proposition that journalism in Nigeria today has become more of a quid pro quo transaction is not entirely baseless. Not a few Nigerian citizens view it as a trade-off, where access, favours, and loyalties frequently influence the truth. In many ways, we have observed the inroads into media practices of such things as overbearing political influence, financial inducements, and institutional pressure, which are threatening the core values of journalism in the country. Let us cite an example. A notable federal…

Pascal Dozie, the visionary founder of the now-defunct Diamond Bank and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s business landscape, has passed away at the age of 86. Sources close to the family confirmed that Dozie died following complications related to old age. Widely respected for his role in shaping Nigeria’s banking and telecommunications sectors, Pascal Dozie was also a co-founder of African Capital Alliance and Kunoch Limited. He served as chairman of both MTN Nigeria and Pan-Atlantic University during his illustrious career. Born on April 9, 1939, in Egbu, Owerri, Imo State, Dozie studied Economics at the London School of Economics…

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has confirmed he is “fully fit” and ready for action in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Courtois, 32, had been sidelined for Madrid’s last three games due to injury. However, he assured fans on Monday that he is back in shape. “I am fully fit and I feel good,” Courtois said during a press conference at the Emirates. “It was not a big issue so I could train in the gym, and I have been on the pitch for the last day so I feel fine and 100…

The leadership crisis within the Labour Party took a new dimension on Monday, as the Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee (NEC) announced the removal of Hon. Afam Ogene as the LP Caucus Leader in the House of Representatives, citing anti-party activities. At the end of a NEC meeting held at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, the Labour Party’s National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk, read a communiqué stating that the disciplinary committee may also sanction the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, if they proceed with their planned stakeholders’ engagement on Wednesday and any…

The United States Supreme Court has issued a temporary pause on a lower court’s deadline requiring the return of Kilmar Garcia, a Maryland resident mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March. The administrative stay was granted by Chief Justice John Roberts on Monday, according to CNN. Garcia, a Salvadoran national and father of three, was deported on March 15 due to what authorities admit was “an administrative error.” Despite a previous immigration judge’s ruling that granted Garcia temporary protection from deportation—citing threats from a gang in El Salvador—he was still removed from the country. His legal team has argued that…

The woman who accused former Brazil and Barcelona football star Dani Alves of rape has officially appealed the recent overturning of his conviction. Her legal representative, Ester Garcia, confirmed on Monday that the appeal was filed on the final day permitted by law. Alves, 41, was initially sentenced in February 2024 to four-and-a-half years in prison for allegedly raping a young woman in the VIP restroom of a Barcelona nightclub on December 31, 2022. However, a Barcelona appeals court overturned the verdict on March 28, citing contradictions in the trial and a lack of sufficient evidence to support the conviction.…

This year’s Laffmattazz tour with Gbenga Adeyinka D1st and Friends themed ‘About Time Tour’ is set to takeoff at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan on Easter Sunday, 20 April, 2025 with an array of A-list entertainers on the bill. Peter ‘Mr P’ Okoye, one half of the famous P-Square group is headlining the show alongside Terry Akpala, Babatunmise and Keanzo, while the star-studded comedy department parades the likes of Omobaba No.1, Bash, Dr. Smile, Madiba, Kenny Blaq, Taichi, Rapin Dady, Kiekie, Baba Alariya, Kamo State and Mr Escom, the rave of the moment and ‘pitipiti’ master. Others include Stylo, Prince PHELAR,…

Four men previously charged in connection with the October 2023 arson attack on the Rivers State House of Assembly have alleged that they were offered ₦200 million to falsely implicate Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. The men — Chime Ezebalike, Kenneth Kpasa, Oladele Lukman, and MacPherson Olumini — were acquitted in November 2024 after spending nearly six months in detention at the Kuje Correctional Facility, Abuja. Speaking at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday, Ezebalike claimed a prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) figure from Obio/Akpor Local Government Area contacted them…

Newcastle United continued their impressive run of form with a commanding 3-0 victory over Leicester City, making it four wins in a row across all competitions and propelling them into the Premier League’s top five. The Magpies wasted no time asserting dominance, breaking the deadlock just two minutes in with a beautifully worked team goal. Joelinton found Harvey Barnes on the left, who slipped a pass to the overlapping Tino Livramento. His cross was met at the far post by Jacob Murphy, who poked it home. Just nine minutes later, Murphy doubled the lead, capitalizing on a sensational long-range strike…

Justice S.M Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kano has convicted and sentenced a make-up artist, Abdullahi Musa Huseini (a.k.a Amuscap) to six months imprisonment for naira abuse. He was jailed after pleading guilty to one-count charge bordering on abuse and mutilation of the naira. The charge reads: “That you, Abdullahi Musa Huseini, on the 6th day of December, 2024, at Ali Jita Event Centre, Kano, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whilst dancing during a social event tampered with the sum N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand naira) in 1000 notes denomination issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by…