Author: David Great

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero, has announced the cancellation of this year’s Eid-el-Fitr Durbar celebration due to security concerns in the state. Speaking at his Nasarawa Mini Palace in Kano on Wednesday night, the Emir emphasized that maintaining peace and harmony among the people was more important than holding the Durbar. He explained that respected Islamic clerics, elders, stakeholders, and his council members advised him to call off the celebration in the interest of stability. Emir Bayero had initially planned for the Durbar to coincide with his fifth anniversary on the throne. However, he urged Kano residents to…

The House of Representatives has moved forward with a bill proposing the recognition of Lagos State’s 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) as full-fledged Local Government Areas (LGAs). The bill, which recently passed its second reading, aims to increase the number of LGAs in Lagos to 57 and the total nationwide to 811. Sponsored by Ikeja Federal Constituency representative Abiodun Faleke and 21 others, the bill seeks to amend the Nigerian Constitution to officially integrate the 37 LCDAs into the governance structure. According to the proposal, Clause 3 of the bill will modify the First Schedule – Section 3, Part…

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has confirmed that winger Raphinha and defender Ronald Araujo will not be available for the team’s rescheduled LaLiga match against Osasuna on Thursday. The match was initially postponed on March 8 following the death of a Barcelona club doctor. However, the club’s appeal against playing it this week was unsuccessful. Flick explained that both players, who participated in South American World Cup qualifiers, need time to recover from their long flights back to Spain. “They will not play, they are not in the team, they have a long flight and it’s not the best way, because…

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has suspended all political appointees and office holders in the state with immediate effect. A statement released on Wednesday by the Chief of Staff to the Administrator confirmed that the decision was taken under the authority granted to Ibas by President Bola Tinubu. Among those affected by the suspension are the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, all commissioners, chairpersons and members of boards, agencies, commissions, and parastatals, as well as all Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants. “This suspension takes effect from Wednesday,…

Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday, hosted the immediate past chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state at his private residence in Port Harcourt. The former chairmen visited to express their unwavering support for Fubara and his administration’s vision, encapsulated in the mantra “Rivers First.” Leading the delegation was Prince Ezebunwo Ichemati, former chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON) and ex-Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council. During the visit, the 23 former LGA chairmen reaffirmed their loyalty to the governor’s mandate, urging…

Embattled Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has issued an apology to former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, following a heated exchange between Ezekwesili and Ebonyi North Senator, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, during a Senate hearing. The altercation occurred on Tuesday during a session of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, where Akpoti-Uduaghan had lodged a fresh petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging intimidation, defamation, and sexual harassment. Ezekwesili, who attended the hearing as a witness alongside Abiola Akiode, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, and petitioner Zubairu Yakubu, clashed with Nwaebonyi, who was representing Akpabio. During the session, Nwaebonyi persistently interrupted Ezekwesili,…

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has ordered the creation of temporary camps for residents displaced by the recent communal clashes involving Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin Osun. The governor also announced that the 24-hour curfew remains in effect, with security agencies intensifying surveillance in the affected areas. The crisis, which began as a boundary dispute between Ifon and Ilobu on Friday, escalated by Saturday, spreading to Erin Osun. In response, the state government upgraded the initial 12-hour curfew to a full-day restriction of movement in the three towns. The violence resulted in casualties and widespread destruction, with many houses set ablaze.…

Iran has secured a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after playing to a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium on Tuesday. Inter Milan forward Mehdi Taremi was instrumental in the match, scoring twice in the second half to ensure Iran’s qualification for a fourth consecutive World Cup and their seventh overall appearance in the tournament. Uzbekistan took the lead early in the 16th minute through Khojimat Erkinov, but Iran responded in the second half when Taremi equalized in the 52nd minute. However, just a minute later, Abbosbek Fayzullaev restored Uzbekistan’s lead, making it 2-1. Taremi then…

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has cautioned against the distortion of historical facts, emphasizing its role in fueling communal conflicts. Speaking at a methodology workshop organized by the Historical Society of Nigeria in collaboration with 12 South West universities, Adeleke urged historians to remain objective in their narratives. The event, themed ‘Cutting Edge Knowledge Production for 21st Historians and Diplomats’, was held at Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, on Tuesday. Represented by Dr. Abioye Oyewusi, a commissioner in the Osun Teaching Service Commission, the governor linked recent communal clashes in Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin Osun to historical distortions. He challenged…

The Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has sentenced Oguzie Chima Joseph, also known as Sergeant Flores Nguyen, to two years in prison for internet fraud. According to a statement released on Tuesday by Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Joseph was convicted by Justice Sergius Onah on two counts of cybercrime. One of the charges against him read, “That you, Oguzie Chima Joseph (a.k.a Sergeant Flores Nguyen), sometime in 2024 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to obtain property and gain advantage for yourself, fraudulently presented…