The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in Ogun State has uncovered a warehouse used for the storage of illicit substances, along with a haul of Cannabis Sativa concealed inside a Honda Ridgeline pickup vehicle in the Rounder area of Abeokuta.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Haris Musa, said in a statement obtained by DAILY POST on Monday that the discovery was made at about 10:00 pm on Sunday.

Musa revealed that the operation also led to the arrest of a 49-year-old man, identified as Fatokun Rahmon, with a total of 347 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa recovered.

He said, “Acting on actionable intelligence, operatives of the Command, on December 28, 2025, at about 10 pm, conducted a targeted operation at the Rounder, Abeokuta, Ogun State, where a warehouse used for the storage of illicit substances was uncovered.

“During the operation, operatives discovered a haul of Cannabis Sativa concealed inside a Honda Ridgeline pickup vehicle.

“The operation culminated in the arrest of one Fatokun Rahmon, 49 years of age, while a total of 347 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa were recovered.”

While reiterating the command’s unwavering commitment to suppressing illicit drug trafficking within the state, Musa noted that the interception highlights the operational alertness, intelligence-driven strategy, and relentless enforcement posture of the command, even as the year drew to a close.

Musa asserted that the command remains steadfast in sustaining this tempo as part of its mandate to curb the menace of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

SOURCE PAGE

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has spoken on phone with Anthony Joshua, the Nigerian-British former heavyweight boxing champion, and his mother.

Naija News reports that this is following the tragic accident in Ogun State in which Joshua was injured and lost two of his associates.

In a statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President disclosed his also spoke to the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

He said: “I spoke with AJ on the phone to personally convey my condolences over the death of his two associates. I wished him well and prayed for him. He assured me that he is receiving the best care in the hospital.

“I also spoke with AJ’s mother and prayed for her. She was very appreciative of my call.

“Additionally, I spoke to Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was in the hospital with them. The Governor assured me that he will do everything possible to ensure AJ receives the best possible attention.”

In a statement posted on his X handle earlier on Monday, President Tinubu, who is currently abroad, expressed profound sympathy for the boxer over the accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

He said: “I sympathise with you and your family as you bear the emotional weight of this unfortunate incident. As a sportsman, you have always shown courage, discipline, and unwavering love for our country. These are qualities that have made you a source of national pride.

“In moments like this, we must encourage one another as brothers and sisters with a shared destiny.

“I pray for strength, wisdom, and grace for you during this painful period. May God grant you a speedy recovery and repose to the souls of the departed.”

SOURCE PAGE

Former Plateau State Governor and founding member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Jonah David Jang has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that he has defected from the PDP to either the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Jang in a press statement issued in Jos by his Media Consultant Mr Clinton Garuba described the report as fake and misleading, attributing it to the handiwork of mischief-makers bent on causing confusion within the polity.

The statement clarified that, although the former governor would ordinarily have ignored such claims, it became necessary to respond in order to set the records straight and reassure party members and the general public.

Jang, also a former senator who represented Plateau North in the 8th Assembly reaffirmed that he remains a committed and founding member of the PDP, which he described as the party of pride of the Nigerian people, stressing that he has no intention of leaving the party.

He acknowledged that the PDP is currently facing internal challenges and turbulent times, but expressed confidence that the various court cases arising from the crises would eventually resolve the issues.

The former governor believes that these legal processes will restore order, unity and stability within the party and reposition it for future political relevance.

The clarification comes against the backdrop of recent political realignments in Plateau State, particularly the defection of governor Caleb Mutfwang, who emerged as governor with the political backing and influence of Jonah Jang.

While Mutfwang’s defection has fueled public debate, it remains unclear whether the governor will continue to recognise Jang as his political godfather despite now belonging to different political parties.

“The attention of Senator Dr. Jonah David Jang has been drawn to a fake report circulating on social media about his purported defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ADC and, in some quarters, to the SDP.

“As a founding member of the PDP, Senator Jang remains firmly in the party of pride of the Nigerian people.

“Even though the PDP is going through turbulent times, it is the firm belief of Distinguished Senator Jang that the numerous ongoing court cases will bring an end to the various crises and return the party to the pinnacle of Nigerian politics, where it rightfully belongs,” the statement added.

Please follow and like us:

SOURCE PAGE

President Bola Tinubu on Monday spoke on telephone with Anthony Joshua, the Nigerian-British former heavyweight boxing champion, following the tragic accident in Ogun State in which Joshua was injured and lost two of his associates.

This was revealed in a press statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga on Monday, December 29, in Abuja.

“I spoke with AJ on the phone to personally convey my condolences over the death of his two associates. I wished him well and prayed for him.

“He assured me that he is receiving the best care in the hospital.

“I also spoke with AJ’s mother and prayed for her. She was very appreciative of my call.

“Additionally, I spoke to Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was in the hospital with them. The Governor assured me that he will do everything possible to ensure AJ receives the best possible attention,” Tinubu said.

Earlier, in a statement issued on X, the President, who is currently abroad expressed profound sympathy for the boxer over the accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

“I sympathise with you and your family as you bear the emotional weight of this unfortunate incident.

“As a sportsman, you have always shown courage, discipline, and unwavering love for our country. These are qualities that have made you a source of national pride.

“In moments like this, we must encourage one another as brothers and sisters with a shared destiny.

“I pray for strength, wisdom, and grace for you during this painful period. May God grant you a speedy recovery and repose to the souls of the departed.”

Please follow and like us:

SOURCE PAGE

The last post of Latz, a trainer who died in accident involving Anthony Joshua has gone viral online following the sad incident. Netizens mourned his demise.



SOURCE PAGE

By Jideofor Adibe

I was initially asked to speak on the topic of ‘what the Igbos want from Nigeria’. The topic was later modified to ‘Igbo Charter of Demands from Nigeria’, which I believe, was meant to be a set of demands to be tabled as bargaining chips with Presidential candidates in the 2027 election. I have taken the liberty to slightly modify the title to, “What do Igbos really want from Nigeria, and what conversations should we be having among ourselves”? The modified title enables me to go beyond just a “charter of demands we want from Nigeria” to address other pertinent issues that relate to what some people, sometimes, crudely, call ‘the Igbo problem’. For instance, how are we really sure that the Presidential candidates we will present the charter of demands TO will honour their promise if they get to power? And how are we sure they have no vested interest in the perpetuation of the current condition of the Igbos in the country? I believe that the people best positioned to solve the ‘Igbo problem’ are Igbos themselves, not other Nigerians, no matter how powerful, or well-meaning they may be. I also believe that it is through a robust and honest conversations among ourselves that we will be in a better position to articulate what we want from Nigeria.

What is the ‘Igbo problem’?

The question of ‘what do the Igbos want from Nigeria’, is sometimes used interchangeably with the so-called ‘Igbo problem’ On the notion of ‘the Igbo problem’, there is no consensus. From the perspective of most Igbo people, ‘the Igbo problem’ is a feeling of being unwanted (or ‘marginalized’ in political parlance) in the Nigerian federation. The extreme manifestation of this sense of being unwanted is ‘Igbophobia’, which is the weaponisation and institutionalization of this sense of being unwanted.

For other Nigerians, what constitutes ‘the Igbo problem’ could range from earnest conversations about the Igbo feelings of exclusion to the use of such conversations as opportunities to have a dig on the Igbo race, or to perpetuate the same Igbophobia they purport to want to find solutions for. Let me mention immediately that every culture, including the Igbo culture, has something ennobling about it, and something that people would recoil from. For this, the theory of hierarchy of cultures popular with colonial anthropologists have since been discredited in favour of cultural relativity – each culture is judged only to the extent to which it serves its people.

Where did the rain start to beat us?

Igbophobia did not start today. It was there even during the colonial times. It is a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards the Igbos who make up a majority of the people in the country’s South-East, and a sizeable part of the populations of the South-South and the Middle Belt zones.

Its origin can be traced in part to the Igbo socio-political system. Most parts of Igboland did not pass through the feudal epoch with its centralized structures and obsequious attitude to authority. The people were essentially republicans, with an achievement-oriented culture, where age is respected but achievement is revered. This has both positive and negative consequences. On the positive side, it engendered a spirit of competitiveness, ingenuity and resilience. For instance, during the colonial times, while the Igbos were not the first ethnic group to accept western education, once they saw the opportunities in it, they embraced it with uncommon zeal such that within a short space of time, their education, coupled with their diasporic orientation, led to their high visibility (or even dominance) in critical sectors of public service, including the military and the civil service. Of course, dominance by its nature breeds resentment – something lost on some political leaders these days who think they are doing their ethnic, religious or regional in-groups a favour by clannishly making ‘their people’ to dominate choice public positions when they are in power.

Anti-Igbo sentiments arising from the Igbo domination of the public space in the First Republic were exacerbated by the January 1966 coup d’état, the July 1966 counter-coup, the pogroms in different parts of the country, the Civil War, the War propaganda on both sides of the conflict, and the vested interest of some groups in using Igbophobia to gain advantage for their in-groups in the competition for power and scare socioeconomic resources in the country.

One of the negative aspects of the Igbo achievement-oriented culture is that since failure is strongly frowned upon, some Igbo youths not only want to ‘make it’, they also want loudly to be seen to have ‘made it’. This pushes many into looking for shortcuts to ‘make it’, and to be celebrated as having made it. I will propose that some of the unintended consequences of our achievement- oriented culture should form part of the conversations we should be having among ourselves.

Igbo and the search for group identity

It is natural for groups in a multi-ethnic country like ours to have conversations over their future. Several parts of the country hold similar conversations – the core Middle Belt states of Benue and Plateau for instance continue to discuss on whether they should anchor their identity on Middle Belt or accept the current arrangement which lumps them as part of the North; the search for identity among the Yoruba span the spectrum of those who want ‘true federalism’ to those who want outright secession as Oduduwa Republic; many people from the North and South-South are not left out in such conversations, sometimes openly, at other times in hush-hush tones.

In Igboland, we find several groups also embracing different options on where the Igbo should anchor their identity – from whether to be part of the Nigerian federation, and if so, in what form to those who want outright secession. In essence, the conversations in Igboland about the group’s identity is not manifestly different from what is happening in other parts of the country or even across the world.

The secessionist option

The peaceful quest for self-determinations is a worldwide phenomenon from the United Kingdom, through Italy, Spain, Canada and even the United States. In the USA for instance, there are at least ten active separatist movements including in California, the country’s third largest state, where the ‘Yes California Independence Campaign’, was formed in August 2015 by Louis J. Marinelli. There is also The League of the South, an active organization established in 1994 by Michael Hill, Jack Kershaw, and other members and which campaigns for the former Confederacy states (South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee) to secede from the US. As we all know, the attempt by the Confederate States to secede from the US led to the US Civil war that lasted from April 12, 1861 until April 9, 1865. In essence, no one should be made to feel ashamed that there are separatist movements in Igboland.

However, it is important for the various hues of the separatist movements to have a balanced view of their agitation, namely, the idea that independence may not necessarily bring peace or prosperity (as the case of South Sudan demonstrates) and that having the same language and religion are not sufficient conditions for the success of any new nation (as the case of Somalia demonstrates). Militarized quests for separation or the use of acerbic language in such campaigns usually prove counter-productive, and very few of such approaches have succeeded in modern times.

President of Igbo extraction option

There are those who believe that having a President of Igbo extraction is all that is needed to solve the Igbo feeling of exclusion. While I support the idea of a competent and ethically driven President of Igbo extraction (at least for the momentary hurrah effect it could generate among the Igbos), I have my doubts that it will be a sufficient antidote to ‘the Igbo problem’. This is because historically, when a President of a particular ethnic extraction is in power, and is being robustly criticized (something that comes with the job), criticisms by non-members of the President’s ethnic group will often lead to members of the President’s in-group rallying together to defend their own, exacerbating in the process tensions between the President’s ethnic group and others.

Similarly, it may be tempting to pose the question of whether Obasanjo’s tenure as Military Head of State (1976-1979) and civilian President (1999-2007) as well as Tinubu’s current presidency, have assuaged separatist quests among the Yoruba. We can also ask whether Obama’s eight-year presidency in the USA led to African Americans being better accepted in the US or whether his presidency paradoxically led to the weaponization of right-wing politics in the USA which paved the way for the emergence of Donald Trump.

A New Charter of Conversation for the Ohanaeze Ndigbo
I am happy to hear about some of the achievements of the current Ohanaeze leadership, under Senator John Azuta-Mbata, including the desire to promote the Igbo language. The recorded achievements of Ohanaeze Ndigbo are very encouraging but more needs to be done. For this, rather than a ‘Charter of Demands from Nigeria’, I would propose a charter of conversations we Igbos should be having among ourselves, led by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide:
Igbo Identity should be a Core Driver: Experiences from the separatist movements in Spain, Italy, Canada and elsewhere show that regional identity, language, and culture were central to their pursuit of self-determination. We need to do more to strengthen the Igbo identity, including promoting and taking pride in the various Igbo dialects, and respecting the peculiarity of each Igbo group. The distinction between core or non-core Igbos is divisive. Ohaneze should develop a deliberate policy of cultural cooperation, including the use of sports among the Igbos who are located not just in different parts of the country but also beyond. Ohanaeze must find a way of helping several Igbos afflicted with ‘bleaching complex’ – a belief that denying or hiding their Igbo identity will make them more acceptable in the wider Nigerian society. Others demur from showing pride in their ethnic identity for fear of being labelled ‘tribalist’ or an ethnic chauvinist. It must be carefully explained to such people that demonstrating love for one’s ethnic group is not ethnicity or what some call ‘tribalism’ and that it becomes so only when the demonstration of pride in one’s ethnic in-group is framed in conflictual terms.

Economic development of Igboland should be a priority

The Igbo culture seems to revere individuals who do not live within the homeland, often the farther away from one’s village or town, the more the respect. The Igbo adulation of the Diaspora (broadly defined), and its achievement oriented culture, have led to many Igbos investing in other parts of the country to the neglect of their own Igbo enclaves. Though there is evidence that this is changing gradually, more needs to be done. Igbophobia will be less if the region is seen to be economically thriving and a home for both Igbos, and non-Igbos who can add value to the area.

Ingenuity has both time and space dimensions

Igbos are widely respected, even if grudgingly, for their ingenuity and resilience, especially in commerce. I need to mention that various ethnic groups in the country also have their unique abilities and areas they should work on. Many of our people take pride in being good traders. However, we should be conscious of the fact that ingenuity has time and space dimensions. Some 10-20 years ago, going to China to buy goods to resell may make someone a smart trader. These days anyone with android phone could do the same buying and selling from the comfort of his or her home. This means that we cannot sustain what some call Igbo ingenuity in commerce if we remain fixated on what gave us advantage in the olden days when the world around us is changing very fast. We are gradually losing out even in areas where our people were very visible. For instance, though modern Nollywood arguably started in Onitsha, how many films on Igbos or by Igbo producers are today on Netflix?

The get-rich quick syndrome

While this is not specific to the Igbo, this is probably one of the unintended consequences of our achievement- oriented culture. It needs to be an urgent area the Ohanaeze should focus on because it has misled many of our youths into looking for short-cuts with the attendant crimes it brings. We must stop giving the impression that a person’s sources of income do not matter provided the person does charitable work in the community.

Countries that fought the bitterest civil wars could also become closest allies

The United States fought a bitter War of Independence with the United Kingdom from April 19, 1775 to October 19, 1781. Today, they are about the closest allies. Similarly, Japan, where the US dropped the Atom bomb that killed some 200,000 to 300,000 Japanese by the end of 1945, (in addition to other humiliations after the war), is today an ally of the US. The country forms the cornerstone of American security in Asia, with a strong military and political partnership formalized by the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty since the 1950s. In the same vein, Germany fought and lost two World Wars, each with humiliating consequences. For instance, the Treaty of Versailles which ended the First World War in 1919 contained the War Guilt Clause (Article 231) which forced Germany to accept sole responsibility for the war and was ordered to pay 132 billion gold marks (roughly $33 billion at the time), a sum, economists like John Maynard Keynes warned could collapse the European economy. After the country was again defeated during the Second World War, Germany became divided into four occupation zones (US, UK, France, USSR) and consequently became the first modern state to be ruled by foreign powers. Millions of Germans were used as forced labour for years after the war to rebuild Allied nations. For instance, in France alone, an estimated 2,000 German prisoners died monthly while clearing minefields. There was also a massive industrial dismantling of the country, with the former Soviet Union stripping East Germany of factories and skilled personnel as reparations. Today, Germany is not only an ally of the USA, it is a key member of Europe and therefore part of the West.

The above instances suggest that grievances by our youth, while legitimate in many instances, need to be creatively channelled and should not be turned into an ideology.

Unity among the Igbo political class

Most members of the Igbo political class appear self-serving, only to turn around and cry ‘marginalization’ when it suits them. Most seem driven by the doctrine of the ‘goat follows the man with the palm frond’ and for this, are either unable, or too lily-livered to fight for Igbo interest. For example, in the wake of the rampant herdsmen attacks, the South-west Governors united across party lines, and despite opposition from the federal government, set up the Amotekun to protect the region. The South-East governors dilly-dallied, and as often happens in such situations, non-state actors which are not really equipped for the job, (in this case IPOB), tried to fill the lacuna by promising the people protection from the herdsmen through the establishment of the Eastern Security Network. Today, we are seeing the consequences of such state failure and a non-state actor promising to offer what the state could not deliver.

Similarly, when Reno Omokri, who has probably done more than most people in recent times to openly abuse and ridicule the Igbo, was nominated as an Ambassador designate, one would expect a sense of outrage from the Igbo political class, including law makers. Would such a nomination have been confirmed if Omokri was unleashing the same vitriol he has been pouring on the Igbos on the North or the Yoruba? The failure of the Igbo political class is therefore also one of the reasons some Igbo youths move to feel in the lacuna, often compounding the problem in the process.

Moderate the grievances of some Igbo youths by letting them know they are not completely innocent of what they are accusing others of doing to them
Yes, Igbophobia is real, but we are also not altogether innocent of profiling others. Knowing that we are not altogether innocent of what we are accusing others of doing to us, or in fact that virtually every part of the country has its own story of institutionalized memory of hurt, will help to give us a balanced perspective in articulating what we want from Nigeria.

Is Igbophobia fated to be with us forever?

History does not suggest that. I have already mentioned the experiences of Japan and Germany after the First and Second World Wars. Similarly, in the mid-19th to the early 20th century, Italian and Irish migrants to the US were very harshly treated, with some being lynched due to their Catholicism, poverty, and perceived threats to the American Protestant culture. However, by the mid-20th century both the Italian and Irish migrants have effectively become integrated into the American culture as their home countries prospered.

I believe that one of the surest ways to resolve ‘the Igbo problem’ is by having conversations with ourselves, knowing our strengths, weaknesses, and what we can realistically achieve.

*Excerpts from a paper presented by Prof. Adibe at a Meeting of the Imeobi, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, which held at Enugu on December 23, 2025.

SOURCE PAGE

• Gov meets with APC chieftains

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano has appealed to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to stay with the party, warning that defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) would betray the mandate given to him by the people who voted him into office on the party’s ticket.

Speaking with newsmen in Kano on Monday, the party chairman Hashimu Dungurawa warned that any move to defect to the APC would not have their support, and should be resisted by all the party faithful in the state.

He said the party structure had exhausted all avenues to ensure its togetherness, but to no avail, and was still using all available channels to reach out to them and appeal to them not to leave the NNPP.
He added, “Information reaching us indicated certain elements in NNPP are hell-bent on leaving our party, but I would like to make it categorically clear that our party and our national leader, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have no hand in what’s going on.”

“We’ve convinced them not to decamp to APC, and we’re still convincing them to stay with us and carry on with the good work of helping the people, especially in the areas of agriculture and small businesses, as stipulated in our constitution.”

“I want to issue a stern warning to those creating a rift between the governor and his political mentor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Senator Rufai Hanga, Sanusi Surajo Kwankwaso, and myself, Hashimu Dungurawa to desist from it.”

“It’s unfortunate that some people are pointing accusing fingers at us regarding the current happenings, citing our close relationship with Kwankwaso. But I want to make it clear to all that on no occasion have we ever participated in any evil doing against anyone.”

The NNPP’s declaration came on the heels of an emergency meeting between the governor and two APC chieftains from Kano: Alhaji Kabir Alhassan Rurum, a member representing Rano, Kibiya, and Bunkure Federal Constituency, and the Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, Dr. Baffa Babba Dan’agundi, from Kano Municipal local government.
According to sources, the late-night meeting may not be unconnected to Governor Yusuf’s planned defection from the party and the selection of a Deputy Governor from Kano South Senatorial District, a zone that has never produced a Deputy Governor in the state’s history.

SOURCE PAGE

The two fatalities in the road accident involving Anthony Joshua in Nigeria on Monday were identified as “two close friends and team members” Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele by the former world heavyweight champion’s promoter.

“Matchroom Boxing and 258 BXG can confirm that Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment. He is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation,” the promoter’s statement added.

“With profound sadness, it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically passed away,” Matchroom confirmed.

Police said the tragic accident occurred around 11:00 am local time (1000 GMT), in the town of Makun, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said in a statement that the Lexus SUV Joshua was riding in “was suspected to be travelling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit on the corridor, lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and crashed into a stationary truck… by the side of the road”.

Joshua’s family hails from the southwest Nigerian city and he is known to visit there when he is in the country.

Earlier this month, the former Olympic champion knocked out YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a Netflix-backed bout in Miami.

AFP

The post Anthony Joshua’s promoter reveals identities of road accident victims appeared first on Vanguard News.

SOURCE PAGE

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has confirmed that the national grid suffered partial disturbances on Monday, following lingering effects from the vandalism of the Lagos–Escravos-Lagos gas pipeline on December 10.

According to NISO, this incident tripped several generating units and critical 330kV transmission lines, causing widespread power disruptions across parts of the country.

The system operator noted that the Delta generation complex isolated successfully in island mode, sustaining 114 megawatts to key substations, including Oghara, Amukpe, Benin, and Efunrun.

It also said swift action from the National Control Centre in Osogbo, Osun State, restored full supply nationwide, with investigations ongoing to prevent future occurrences.

NISO said investigations into the cause and sequence of events leading to the system disturbance are currently ongoing, adding that appropriate measures shall be put in place to forestall future reoccurrence of such major system incidents.

It also reassured Nigerians of its continued commitment to proactive grid management and the application of best operational practices to ensure the stability and reliability of the National Grid

“The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) wishes to inform the general public and relevant stakeholders that the National Grid experienced a system disturbance at 14:01 hours on Monday, 29 December 2025 that led to a partial collapse.

“It would be recalled that the Lagos–Escravos-Lagos gas pipeline was vandalized on 10 December 2025 which led to the shortage in power generation in the country. This has further led to the fragility and weakness of the national grid.

“Preliminary reports indicate that the disturbance involved the tripping of several generating units and critical 330kV transmission lines, resulting in a widespread impact on electricity supply across parts of the country.

“However, the Delta generation complex successfully operated on island mode at the 132kV sub-transmission voltage level. This enabled the continued supply of electricity to Oghara, Amukpe, Benin, and Efunrun 132kV substations, with a total generation of 114 megawatts from four units at the Delta Thermal Power Station.

“In line with established Operational Procedures, NISO promptly initiated system response measures using its dispatch and monitoring tools at the National Control Centre (NCC), Osogbo.

“Supply has been fully restored to all parts of the country and the system stability normalised,” NISO stated.

SOURCE PAGE

President Bola Tinubu has said that Nigerian-British heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua is receiving the best treatment in Nigeria following an accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Monday.

President Tinubu disclosed this in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday.
The statement said the president had a telephone conversation with AJ and his mother.

“I spoke with AJ on the phone to personally convey my condolences over the death of his two associates. I wished him well and prayed for him. He assured me that he is receiving the best care in the hospital.

“I also spoke with AJ’s mother and prayed for her. She was very appreciative of my call.

“Additionally, I spoke to Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was in the hospital with them. The governor assured me that he will do everything possible to ensure AJ receives the best possible attention,” the President said.

Earlier, in a statement on X, President Tinubu—who is currently abroad—expressed profound sympathy for the boxer over the accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

The statement read: “I sympathise with you and your family as you bear the emotional weight of this unfortunate incident. As a sportsman, you have always shown courage, discipline, and unwavering love for our country. These are qualities that have made you a source of national pride.

“In moments like this, we must encourage one another as brothers and sisters with a shared destiny.

“I pray for strength, wisdom, and grace for you during this painful period. May God grant you a speedy recovery and repose to the souls of the departed.”

DAILY POST reports that AJ was involved in an accident in Nigeria which claimed two lives.

The Federal Road Safety Corps blamed overspeeding for the accident.

SOURCE PAGE

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has signed the 2026 appropriation bill into law with a vow to ensure full implementation and with highlights of the deliveries of the last three years budgets.

Accompanied by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; House Speaker, Adewale Egbedun; the Chief of Staff, Hon Kazeem Akinleye; the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina and members of the cabinet, Governor Adeleke said he signed into law the 2026 Appropriation bill to consolidate and expand governance and service deliveries in line with the five point agenda of our administration.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, the governor, according to his spokesperson in a statement, said the occasion launched into “The final year of our first term with expanded ambitions to complete ongoing projects and launch new initiatives for the good of our people”, reaffirming that his administration has delivered to the admiration of the public.

“Our administration has in the last three budget years laid solid foundation for the sustainable development of our dear state. We completed many abandoned projects and launched new ones.

“We paid billions of naira in pension and salary debt. We targeted workers welfare and approved and implemented payments of promotions arrears and paid many allowances which the previous government neglected.

“Our government touched previously neglected sectors, pouring funding into agricultural mechanisation, health and school rehabilitation, new five star stadium at Osogbo, over 250 kilometers of roads across the state, six different road dualisation in five major towns, three major flyover bridges to ease traffic congestion, innovations in energy, science and climate change among others.

“We ensure value for money in project selection and execution; we moderate the cost of project implementation and reform the procurement process in line with global best practices.

“We implemented local content policy. We stop capital flight which ensures Osun money service Osun people.

“We approved close to Four Billion Naira for disbursement into the cooperative movement. This is deepening the grassroots economy and fostering inclusive financing.

“We boost the domestic economy through an improved business environment. Ease of doing business was enhanced through tax harmonization to avoid multiple taxation, through a 45 days window for acquisition of Certificate of Occupancy.

“Our moribund free trade zones were reactivated and investment inflow has tripled from almost zero in 2022 to almost 40 percent increase under three years. Osun is today attracting multiple business delegations from all over the world.

“The outcome and outputs of our three years appropriation processes have been very positive. Our state came first in the South West on Primary Health care access for both 2024 and 2025.

“Osun performance in national examinations has improved from number 33 in 2022 to number seven for both 2024 and 2025.

“Osun debt profile has reduced by over 40 percent according to the federal Debt Management Office.

“Osun infrastructure deficit which was almost 80 percent as of 2022 is now reduced by 45 percent. Osun economy is under a responsible, transparent and accountable leadership.

“We have garnered several unsolicited local and international awards in recognition of our performance in office.

“Our good work is an open book which many observers acknowledge. We thank the public for their praises and acknowledgement of our contributions for state development”, the governor told the audience.

Speaking on the importance of Budget 2026, the governor said his team has resolved to consolidate our achievements across the sectors”, adding that “the year 2026 is a dual year of renewal of mandate and rolling out of a new agenda for the next four years.

“The consolidation for 2026 is a year of continuation, of further good governance and of continuity for sustainable governance.

“2026 is a loaded era as an election year when by God and people, our mandate will be renewed. But we should not allow governance to suffer. We must multi-task.

We promise Osun people full implementation of the new appropriation act. I charge each ministries and agencies to follow the established timelines for the budget execution.

“We will continue to focus on people’s welfare and complete all ongoing projects and programmes” , the governor posited.

He expressed profound gratitude to Osun people and residents for their unshaken faith in our leadership, declaring “I am personally overwhelmed by the deep love prayers and support from all segments of our society.

“This strong goodwill strengthens our resolve to work only for public interest and public good.

“I won’t disappoint the mass of our people, the artisans, the workers, the labour movement, the youth, the students, the women, our royal fathers and opinion leaders.

I remain faithful in service of the people, for the people and by the people”, the governor was quoted as saying in the press statement.

Please follow and like us:

SOURCE PAGE

At least seven journalists have died, while four others sustained injuries in a single fatal road accident involving a Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ bus in Gombe State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Monday evening as the journalists were returning from a wedding ceremony in Gombe South senatorial district.

The victims were part of a delegation that had travelled to honour a colleague, an employee of the Nigerian Television Authority, who was getting married.

Confirming the incident, the Gombe State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps l, Samson Kaura, said, “From the information available to us, 11 people were involved in the crash. Sadly, seven of them died on the spot, while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries.”

According to him, preliminary findings indicate that the accident was a lone crash, likely caused by a tyre burst.

SOURCE PAGE

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will Tuesday arraign former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami on money laundering charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

He will be arraigned alongside his son, Abubakar Malami, and Bashir Asabe, an employee of a firm linked to the former minister, Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the trio will be arranged before trial judge Emeka Nwite on 16 counts brought against them by the EFCC.

Mr Malami, who has been detained by the EFCC since 8 December, will be attending Tuesday’s proceedings from custody.

The anti-corruption agency accused the defendants of carrying out various suspicious transactions and attempting to conceal the unlawful origin of billions of naira through bank accounts and property acquisitions across Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi.

They allegedly committed the offences between 2015 and 2025, a period that includes the eight years he served as the AGF during the late former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Details of charges

The EFCC alleges that Malami, his son, and Mrs Asabe conspired to disguise the origin of funds, acquire properties indirectly, and retain sums they allegedly knew were proceeds of unlawful activity, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011 (as amended) and 2022.

In count one, the EFCC alleged that between July 2022 and June 2025, Mr Malami and his son directed Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal over N1 billion (N1,014,848,500) in a Sterling Bank account, knowing the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.

Count two states that between September 2020 and February 2021, the duo allegedly concealed more than N600 million (N600,013,460.40) through the same company.

In count three, the commission alleged that in March 2021, Mr Malami and his son retained N600 million as cash collateral for a N500 million Sterling Bank loan to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite knowing the funds were illicit.

Count four alleges that in November 2022, Mr Malami, his son, and Mrs Asabe disguised N500 million used to purchase a luxury duplex in Maitama, Abuja.

In count five, the EFCC claimed that between November 2022 and September 2024, the trio conspired to conceal N1,049,173,926.13 paid through Meethaq Hotels Ltd’s Union Bank account.

Count six states that between November 2022 and October 2025, Mr Malami and his son allegedly took control of N1,362,887,872.96 from the same account, knowing it was illicit.

Count seven alleges that in November–December 2018, Mr Malami and Mrs Asabe concealed N700 million used to purchase No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Garki, Abuja (Hamonia Hotels Ltd).

In count eight, between September and December 2020, the duo and Mrs Asabe allegedly concealed N850 million to buy a property in Jabi District, Abuja (Meethaq Hotels Ltd).

Count nine states that in February 2018, Malami and Hajia Bashir acquired No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja, for N430 million, allegedly from unlawful sources.

In count 10, the pair allegedly concealed N210 million in February 2018 to purchase a property in Asokoro District, Abuja.

Count 11 alleges that between March and June 2021, they concealed N325 million used to acquire No. 1241B Asokoro District, Abuja.

In count 12, the EFCC stated that between November 2015 and January 2016, the duo concealed N120 million used to purchase No. 27 Efab Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

Count 13 alleges that in November 2022, Mr Malami, his son, and Mrs Asabe conspired to hide funds used to acquire a luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.

In count 14, between December 2016 and April 2022, Malami, Mrs Asabe, and others allegedly conspired to acquire additional properties for Mr Malami with proceeds of unlawful activity.

Count 15 states that between June 2023 and January 2023, Mr Malami allegedly concealed N537 million used to purchase multiple properties across Abuja, Kebbi, and Kano.

Finally, in count 16, the EFCC alleged that between October 2018 and December 2021, Mr Malami concealed N415 million used to acquire several properties in Abuja, Kebbi, and Kano.

Proposed witnesses

The EFCC plans to call several witnesses, including commission staff, bank representatives, Bureau de Change operators, and other financial experts. Key witnesses include Folarin Dare, Chinedu Eneanya, Sani Lukeman, Abdulrahman Musa Basheer, Jamilu Mohammed, and representatives of Zenith Bank Plc and Sterling Bank Plc.

Folarin Dare, Chinedu Eneanya, and Sani Lukeman are expected to testify on how the EFCC received intelligence and petitions of alleged monumental corruption against Mr Malami. Abdulrahman Musa Basheer is to provide evidence on Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd’s role in allegedly purchasing properties for Malami.

Multi-billion naira properties linked to Malami

Documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES indicate that Mr Malami is linked to 41 properties across Kebbi, Kano, and Abuja, with a combined estimated value of N212.89 billion. The properties, which include hotels, schools, factories, and residences, were part of EFCC searches conducted at his homes and offices in Abuja and Kebbi State on 17 December.

The revelations came amid an ongoing investigation of Mr Malami by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

READ ALSO: EFCC reacts to court order granting Malami bail

This newspaper had reported that the former attorney general raised the alarm over what he described as raids on his homes and offices in Abuja and Kebbi State by EFCC operatives.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, and shared on Mr Malami’s Facebook page, the former minister said EFCC operatives carried out “coordinated raids” on 17 December, allegedly without prior notice.

Source link

The internal crisis rocking the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) escalated on Monday after the Senator representing Kano Central, Rufai Sani Hanga, described the reported plan by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a deep betrayal.

Speaking in Hausa, Hanga who is the only NNPP Senator from Kano, warned that Kano people have never supported leaders who turn against those who helped them rise.

He said those encouraging the governor to move to the APC do not have his best interests at heart.

“In truth, all those gathering to call on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to join the APC are not his friends,” Hanga said.

“Anyone who truly loves him would not ask Abba to betray the people of Kano, the North, and Nigeria especially at this time of fuel subsidy removal and new tax reforms.”

The Senator also reminded the governor of his long political relationship with NNPP leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, stressing that Abba Yusuf’s political rise was built under his mentorship.

“Anyone who loves Abba would not ask him to be ungrateful to Kwankwaso” Hanga stated.

“He mentored him from when he ‘had no teeth’ until he became what he is today… Is he so desperate for a position that he would allow everyone to perish?”

Hanga warned that defecting to the APC would not sit well with Kano voters, whom he said value loyalty.

He dismissed claims that Kwankwaso might secretly support the move, describing such reports as “theatre”.

“In Kano, we don’t cheer for betrayal; we pity the betrayed. You cannot betray someone and impress the people of Kano. If I see Abba, I will advise him to punish everyone seeking for him to betray Kwankwaso,” he said.

Reaffirming his own loyalty, the senator added: “I am with Kwankwaso 1,000%, until death. No elected official would be as foolish right now as those planning to join the APC.”

The fresh warning comes hours after the NNPP chairman in Kano, Hashim Dungurawa, publicly appealed to Governor Yusuf to remain in the party, admitting that holding the party together had become difficult.

SOURCE PAGE

• Pastor Adeboye’s son is trending over the prayers he made for himself and his wife during their wedding anniversary
• His prayer sparked mixed reactions, as some shared what they observed about the kind of prayer points that he had raised
• Netizens took to the comment section to share their thoughts on the prayers as the video went viral on social media

Leke Adeboye, the son of the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, is trending for his prayers.

The G.O’s son and his wife, Titi, celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary on Sunday, and a video from the event was shared online.

Leke Adeboye’s prayer for himself and his wife is trending online. Photo: @dammiedammie35, Instagram/ @rccgyp1
Source: UGC

In an X video reposted by @dammiedammie35, Leke Adeboye was seen praying for himself and his wife, who knelt beside him.

He prayed:

“Pray for us, that any woman that wants to look finer than my wife that the person will not make it anywhere near me in Jesus name.

Read also

“20 times at night”: Rare clip shows Pastor Chris Okafor disclosing what newlywed wife did

“Any brother with any six packs that want to be packer than my own will miss all the services that my wife will attend in Jesus name.

Watch the X video below:

Reactions trail Adeboye’s son prayers for wife

@callme_Riken said:

“I’m sure the wife too is wondering what kind of prayer is. So if a lady finer than his wife comes close to him baba will cheat? Wonderful.”

@Engrvirus1 said:

“Lmao… You and I both know that’s impossible. The prayer should be that you and your wife have the necessary respect and self control.”

@WomenRightsOrg said:

“That your god should make every man that has six packs to miss church in any service your wife is attending? Like father like son always talking n0nsense.”

@iya_samu_son said:

“The reality of this prayer is most women and men don’t cheat because someone else is finer than their wife or has a six-pack compared to their husband lol. Cheating is rarely about looks. Only insecurity would make someone pray like that. Just my opinion though.”

Read also

Man shares observations about Chris Okafor’s daughter’s body language while addressing allegations

@caryorday00 said:

“The comments are funny. Y’all dont know Pst Leke. . Dude is as funny and as jovial as jovial comes. It shows in his prayers as well. Just check his youtube page for his podcasts with ministers, you’ll see the real LEKE ADEBOYE. Shalom.”

@blakraz said:

“He is not praying to any of your family members He and his wife are praying It’s not your business to put mouth on marriage issues If you are t comfortable with that prayer, go and carry your wife and pray any prayer you want!!!!”

@Amy_beke said:

“This is so weird. What’s wrong with these pastors.”Leke Adeboye is trending over the prayers he made for his wife during their anniversary. Photo: @rccgyp1
Source: UGC

In related stories, Bishop David Oyedepo’s son shared a surprising fact about his marriage, while a video of how his father introduced him at Shiloh caught people’s attention.

Man reacts to Oyedepo’s son’s preaching at Shiloh

Read also

Pastor Chris Okafor presents younger brother as witness to what they caught his ex-wife doing

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a man posted a clip of Bishop Oyedepo’s first son preaching at Shiloh 2025 and shared his observations about the sermon

The man also mentioned what he noticed about Bishop Abioye since he retired from his post as vice president at Winners Chapel

Source: Legit.ng

SOURCE PAGE