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 Ondo APC primary, sheer show of shame - Akinterinwa The Wale Akinterinwa Campaign Organisation has described the governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state on Saturday as a show of shame. Wale Akinterinwa, a former Commissioner in the government of the late Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, is one of the 16 aspirants seeking the party’s ticket to contest the Nov. 16 governorship election. The Spokesperson of the organisation, Mr Segun Ajiboye, in a statement on Sunday in Akure, said that no election was held in the state by the Gov. Usman Ododo-led primary election committee. “Without any fear of contradiction, we state here that no election was held in any part of Ondo State on Saturday to elect the candidate of the APC. “It is on record with incontrovertible evidence that nothing in the semblance of a primary election was held in all the 203 wards in Ondo State. “At best, what can be said to have happened was that the committee chairman, Gov. Ododo, ...

Graça Machel: Meet woman who became First Lady of two different countries Graça Simbine Machel is the only woman to have become the First Lady of two different countries – Mozambique and South Africa. She is only person in history to have been the first spouse to two different democratically elected African leaders. Machel was born on October 17, 1945, in Mozambique. Her journey is one of resilience, activism, and an unwavering commitment to education and social justice. She excelled in school; earning a scholarship to attend the University of Lisbon in Portugal where she studied German. She developed a love of languages and today is fluent in her native Xitsonga, Portuguese, French, German, Italian, and English. Her father died three weeks before her birth and left an instruction that she must be educated through high school — a will that was carried out by her older siblings. After completing high school, the Methodist church granted her a scholarship to study at Lisbon University, P...

 We don’t have to be negatively competitive, Toyin Abraham tells Funke Akindele Actress and filmmaker, Toyin Abraham has penned a long note of reconciliation to her senior colleague, Funke Akindele. The duo have dominated the box office space but Funke Akindele has moved past the competitor’s stage after hitting a billion and above in her last year’s cinema movie ‘A Tribe Called Judah’. Following them closely is Mercy Aigbe who just had her cinema debut in December 2023. In a lengthy Instagram post, Abraham noted that they became “competitors and persona non grata” due to gossip. She recalled that their rivalry began in the Yoruba movie industry and they carried it over to the Nigerian-English cinema when they crossovered to Nollywood. Abraham, however, said age and wisdom have made her realise that they can compete without being negatively competitive. She wrote: “If you guys knew the fierce competition to be number one in those days in the Yoruba industry (I don’t know if that st...

 Aiyedatiwa declared winner of Ondo APC primary Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has secured the nomination of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming November 16 governorship election, following his declaration as the party’s candidate. Aiyedatiwa clinched the nomination with a resounding victory, amassing a total of 48,569 votes in the primaries. His closest contender, Mayowa Akinfolarin, trailed behind with 15,343 votes, while Chief Olusola Oke secured the third position with 14,865 votes. The announcement was made by the Chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee and Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo. Governor Ododo, reflecting on the competitive nature of the primaries, highlighted the rigorous contest that characterized the electoral process. The primaries, held across the 18 council areas of Ondo State, witnessed fervent participation from party members and supporters. With the nomination secured, Aiyedatiwa and the APC now shift their f...

 New Nigeria possible with right leaders in government, Obi tells Diaspora Nigerians   The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has restated that the hope for a new Nigeria is much possible if the right leaders are recruited at all levels of government. Obi spoke yesterday in West Orange, New Jersey, USA , at the Naija-We-Can Town Hall Event where he used the opportunity to thank various U.S-based Nigerians who supported his candidacy during the 2023 general elections. The evening, titled “Appreciation Town Hall: A Conversation with Peter Obi,” was marked by impassioned discussions, visionary insights, and a resounding call to action by Naija -We -Can’s leadership for a brighter future for Nigeria A statement from the organisers said Obi made it clear that though the elections and campaigns were over, discussions on nation building must continue. He offered insights into the current challenges facing Nigeria and discussed how some of them can be addr...

 Account for trillions of FAAC allocations or face legal action, SERAP tells 36 govs, Wike   Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Nigeria’s 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Mr Nyesom Wike to provide our organization with documents on the spending of trillions of FAAC allocations received by your state and the FCT since 1999, and to widely publish any such documents. SERAP also urged them to invite Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to jointly track and monitor the spending of FAAC allocations by your state and the FCT and to probe any allegations of corruption linked the allocations. The requests followed reports that the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursed N1.123 trillion to the federal, state, and local governments for March 2024 alone. States collected N398.689 billion. In the Freedom of In...

 Daughter defies dad's wishes in the best possible way. She snuck and donated her kidney to him against his wishes. 25-year-old Deylane Ivanowski  had a lot of explaining to do after pulling a sneaky move on her father a year ago.  Her dad John has been suffering from a kidney disease known as IgA nephropathy. Tests had revealed that John was in total kidney failure and although Delayne was a match for the donor program he had forbidden her going through the ordeal of giving up a kidney, even though he was having to get dialysis 3 times a week.  So Delayne, being a loving daughter did what any daddy's girl would do, she lied. She secretly went through all the screenings and procedures to donate a kidney to her father. Her plan went on without a hitch on February 16th, and the next day, she told her father the truth. As he laid in bed recovering from his "miracle" kidney transplant that doctors had somehow secured for him, Delayne walked in his room still hooked up to...

 10 year old Texas boy who admitted to killing a man while the man was asleep 2 years ago cannot be charged. On April 12th, Gonzales County Sheriff's department was called about a student at Nixon Smiley Independent School district. The principal told the deputies a 10-year-old boy had threatened to kill a student on the school bus. When the deputy arrived he got a lot more than he bargained for. School officials informed him that the student had confessed to killing a man 2 years prior. As the authorities spoke with the child, the full shocking story emerged. The boy said he was visiting  his grandfather on January 16, 2022 when he took a 9mm pistol from his grandfather's glove box. He then entered  32-year-old Brandon Rasberry's RV while he was sleeping. The boy did not know Brandon Rasberry or ever met him. The boy then shot and killed the unsuspecting victim just to do it. Rasberry was found deceased on January 18th and the case has stood as an unsolved homicide until...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE  PRESIDENT TINUBU TO OPEN AFRICAN COUNTER-TERRORISM SUMMIT IN ABUJA President Bola Tinubu will on Monday, April 22, open the African Counter-Terrorism Summit in Abuja.    Nigeria, with the support of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), is organizing a high-level African counter-terrorism summit under the theme, 'Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Institution Building to Address the Evolving Threat of Terrorism', in Abuja, from April 22 to April 23.   The objective of the summit is to enhance multilateral counter-terrorism cooperation and reshape the international community’s collective response to terrorism in Africa, while emphasizing the importance of African-led and African-owned solutions.  The summit will provide a platform to review the nature and severity of the threat of terrorism on the continent, with a view to agreeing on concrete strategic priorities and measures to address this scourge. It will...

 TROOPS GALLANTLY FIGHT THROUGH AMBUSH, INFLICT CASUALTY ON TERRORISTS  ... Experience temporary setback in Niger State Troops of  1 Division Nigerian Army deployed at Allawa  and Erena, while on a fighting patrol to Karaga Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State had an encounter in an ambush staged by terrorists on 19 April 2024. Troops gallantly fought through the ambush and eliminated several of the terrorists as well as captured some of their equipment.  Sadly, the troops suffered a temporary setback as 6 personnel comprising 2 officers and 4 soldiers paid the supreme price. The General Officer Commanding 1 Division and Commander Operation Whirl Punch, Maj Gen Landers Saraso has on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff sympathized with the families of the deceased personnel and promised them that the unfortunate setback will be avenged by the troops. He said the troops are currently trailing some of the terrorists who survived and fled after the ...

 LASG CLAMPS DOWN ON ILLEGAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENTS IN EPE  The Lagos State Government has clamped down on illegal estate developments in the Epe corridor of the State. Acting on a State Executive Council directive, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide recently led a special joint exercise to the axis where erring estate developers were served notices and requested to come forward to the relevant authorities to perfect their documents. He said that under no circumstances should any developer go ahead and start the development of estates without obtaining layout approval,  Planning Permit, and Fencing Permit as may be required, adding that these requirements were to ensure the attainment of organised, livable and sustainable built environment.  He explained that the layout approval was required for the proper arrangement of the estate to give room for appropriate services and infrastructure while the planning permit addressed...

 LAGOS STATE POLICE COMMAND COMMENCES INVESTIGATION INTO THE MURDER OF ANOSIKWA PATRICK  ⁃ assures justice will be served The Lagos State Police Command has commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Anosikwa Patrick allegedly stabbed by a police officer at the Skymall shopping mall, Ajah on Saturday April 20, 2024. The Manager and  Chief Security Officer of the mall are already in custody assisting with the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, the police officer has been identified as Inspr Taofeek, member of visiting 12 PMF squadron to Lagos. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, mni has directed detectives of the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to ensure a speedy and diligent investigation towards ensuring that the culprit is brought to book.  Members of the public shall be kept abreast of the investigation as it progresses.  SP BENJAMIN HUNDEYIN, anipr, mipra  POLIC...

University Student Has Been Suspended For Impregnating Female Lecturer.  A bachelor of Computer Science student, Kevin from the Federal University of Lafia (Fulafia) has been expelled from the higher learning institution, after sleeping with a lecturer and successfully impregnating her. The university disciplinary board is said to have received the disheartening news of the student impregnating his lecturer with acute shock, before deciding such a cruel penalty on him. Kevin’s action which has since put the university in the limelight for immorality and promiscuous behavior has not only watered down the dignity of the university but also the integrity of the lecturers therein; sadly learned that this affair with the lecturer had not only resulted in him impregnating her but also landed him in trouble. Kevin confessed that he had slept with the lecturer on so many occasions, including in her office set within the administration block. Crying for clemency and seeking pardon, the stud...

 Abia Police Parades ABSU 500-L Student Who Killed Rival Cult Member, As He Makes Shocking Revelation A 500-level student of Abia State University (ABSU) Uturu, Emmanuel Victor attested for the murder of a fellow student, Emmanuel Uche in front of Miracle Lodge has confessed to the crime. He along with others arrested for various crimes in Abia State was paraded at the police headquarters in Umuahia on Sunday He said he killed Emmanuel Uche because both of them belonged to two rival cult groups. According to Victor, while he belongs to the Vikings cult group, the late Uche was a member of Aiye. He said a day before the killing of the late Uche, he (Uche) along with members of his gang had gone looking for a member of his (Victor) gang but could not see him. According to him, Uche and his gang members accosted another member of the Vikings and collected his phone, then took it to Miracle Lodge, the same place where Uche was killed. The suspect along with members of his gang mobilize...

 66-year-old intoxicated driver crashes into birthday party, killing 2 siblings and injuring 15 others. First responders were called to Swan Boat Club at around 3 p.m. Saturday in Berlin Township, Michigan. Crews were responding to the report of a vehicle crashing through a building with multiple casualties.  Once on scene the full scale of the destruction was made clear.   Officials report the vehicle driven by the 66-year-old woman came to rest approximately 25 ft after slamming through the wall leaving carnage and destruction in its wake. As a result of this vehicle crash, sadly an 8-year-old girl and her 5-year-old brother lost their lives. 15 other victims were left in various states of injury and distress.  In all, 9 additional people were hospitalized in serious to critical condition. The identity of the woman who is being held in the Monroe County Jail is being  withheld until her arraignment on multiple charges.

 “The Best Way To Help Your Family Is To Turn Your Back On Incessant Monetary Demands From Them” — Activist, Charles Ogbu He wrote: “Most times, the best way to help your family is to turn your back on incessant monetary demands from them and focus on building yourself to the point where you are in a position to render sustainable help without crippling yourself.  The most common mistake most people make which has kept many in stagnant financial position is trying to attend to every family need even when they themselves could barely solve their own needs. That way, both the one trying to help and the family they are trying to help end up remaining in poverty. I'm sure many of us can relate to this. I DID NOT say you shouldn't help your family ooo. I said, don't try to solve every family problem when you are still struggling financially.”

 Abiodun Flags Off  Sale of Rice At Discounted Rates, Says Ogun Remains Committed To Workers' Welfare  Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, at the weekend, commenced the sale of rice to civil servants in the state as parts of his commitment to the welfare of the workforce. The event took place at the 'Oja Irorun' Civil Servants Farmers' Market at the Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. Governor Abiodun, who was represented by the Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya said the occasion was a significant step in the ongoing efforts of the state government at improving the living standards of workers in the state. The governor praised the dedication and the commitment of the workers to service, which he noted contributed immensely to the success achieved by his administration. "Ogun State civil servants' dedication and hard work form the bedrock of the progress and prosperity of our dear state. Recognising this invaluable essence of workers to the act...

Over 30 cows dead after consumption of poisonous grain in Kwara Over 30 cows have died over after allegedly consuming poisonous grains in Kwara State. According to an eyewitness, the cattle were brought out for their routine grazing from Mandate market to the School of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies when the incident occurred at the weekend. Speaking with our reporter, one of the owners of the affected cows who simply identified himself as Mr Olugbon, explained that he received a call that the cows were falling down while returning to Mandate market “We discovered they ate poisonous grains on their path and about 30 had died before we got to the scene.” “This loss is quite huge, but we suspect sabotage. This is not the first time we have taken them through that route. We pass there daily while taking them for grazing and compensate owners of farm they destroyed. This is very terrible.” On his part, Mr Ismail Ibrahim, another cattle rearer, said “other affected cows have been treated ...

 Naira: Concerns over fresh threat from Crypto traders ....Speculators count losses as naira rises against dollar ....Naira will continue to appreciate against dollar – Shettima The Naira appears to be up against a fresh threat from two crypto exchange platforms, just six weeks after the clamp down on Binance operations in Nigeria. The national currency had slumped badly in the forex market in the weeks preceding the clamp down on Binance, exchanging for as much as N1,950 in mid-February. But soon afterwards, the Naira started to recover and was at a time N1,200 until the middle of last week when it lost some grounds to the dollar again. Observers blamed its earlier misfortune on alleged manipulation of the market by Binance and are citing the new crypto exchange platforms BYBIT and BITGET as the cause of the latest slip. But Vice President Kashim  Shettima declared yesterday in Abuja that the Naira would continue its upward mobility against the dollar. An investigation by The...

 Bandits invade Abuja community, kidnap five Bandits on Saturday night invaded Dutse, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under Bwari Area Council, kidnapping at least five persons. The bandits invaded the community through the hilly part that links the area to Mpape, another community within the FCT. It was gathered that the bandits arrived at the Mango Tree area, New Jerusalem part of Duste at about 8pm on Saturday. A resident of the area who does not want her name in print, said those living in the area could not sleep till daybreak as a result of fear. The source said: “They came around 8pm. One woman, three men and two boys were kidnapped. “One of the boys, who is three years old, was found in the bush today (Sunday) morning. “The mother of the two boys that were among those kidnapped were beaten by the kidnappers. She is currently at the hospital receiving treatment.”

 ‘Fool at 40’: Venita reacts, throws jab at Veeiye Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Venita Akpofure, has responded to an alleged shade from her colleague, Veeiye, after being labeled as a ‘fool at 40.’  The disagreement began when Venita endorsed a disparaging tweet directed at Vee, shortly after Vee shared a glimpse of her undisclosed romantic partner, hinting at a new relationship.  Recall that Vee faced accusations for flaunting a sneak peek of her newfound man as a response to a charming snapshot of her former boyfriend, Neo Akpofure, alongside his new girlfriend, Beauty. Responding to the ‘fool at 40’ jab, the mother of two took to her X platform to address Vee, urging her to let bygones be bygones. She wrote: “I’m not Jesus. I cannot perform miracles and I cannot raise Lazarus from the dead. Namaste. The past should stay exactly where it belongs…in the very stiff back.”

 Stop avoiding your responsibilities by using paternity test excuse – Mary Njoku tells men Actress and filmmaker, Mary Njoku, has expressed her concern about men using DNA tests to evade responsibility for their children. She shared her thoughts on this issue on her Instagram page, where she observed the ongoing controversy surrounding DNA tests. Mary stated that for the results to be confirmed, the man must have carried out the test in at least three different hospitals to ascertain the accuracy. She said that many hospitals misdiagnose a lot of illnesses, adding that the probability of doing so for a DNA test is not far-fetched. In the video, she stated that she believes a responsible and loving father should not be afraid to carry out multiple tests to ensure that he is not disowning his biological children. She said: “Oga! Stop avoiding your responsibilities by using the paternity test excuse. Consider seeking second and third opinions. Misdiagnosis is very common. What if you ...

 Bandits reportedly kill 6 soldiers and captain in Niger State Bandits reportedly ambushed and gunned down six soldiers at Roro, Karaga and Rumace communities, Bassa Ward, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.  A captain was also said to have been abducted during the attack which occurred on Friday night, April 19, 2024.  It was gathered that the abducted captain identified as Adamu, was reportedly killed. According to Daily Trust, the soldiers had left their camps at Allawa and Erena to respond to a distress call when the armed bandits ambushed them at Roro village. The bandits were also said to have killed a hunter and two farmers as well as burnt houses, food banks and motorcycles. Residents, who spoke to the publication on Saturday about the latest killing of soldiers, said that the incident happened around 9pm and lasted for hours. "Six soldiers lost their lives and one volunteer hunter,” one of the residents said. Another source, Mustapha Bassa, said the ban...

 Police Launch Manhunt As Gunmen Kidnap RCCG Pastor, Other Bus Passengers In Oyo Passengers of a 14-seater bus including a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Olugbenga Olawore, have been kidnapped in Oyo State. The cleric and other passengers were reportedly abducted on Friday night in the Maya axis of Lanlate-Eruwa Road, while the cleric was returning from Ipapo town, where he had gone to fine-tune burial arrangements for his mother. SP Adewale Osifeso, Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the abduction to journalists on Saturday. The police spokesman, however, said that some of the abductees had been rescued. “Some of the rescued victims are assisting with useful leads that can help the investigation.  “All routes around the area, including the adjoining forest areas, are being combed. “Investigation is ongoing. Updates would be provided accordingly,” he said.

 FG receives $3.5m seed funding for Artificial Intelligence, makes case for African Council on AI The federal government has advocated for the establishment of African Council for Artificial Intelligence (AI) just as it confirmed the receipt of 3.5 United States dollars as seed funding for AI strategy from interested partners.  The Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the African Council for AI has become imperative to ensure that the deployment of Artificial Intelligence in Africa is shaped by uniform regulations and market prospects.  He said: “We already have same markets and trade regulations within Africa and in some sub-region, it is important the future of AI in Africa follow same pattern for ease of transactions, shared experiences and mutual opportunities and benefits.” He made the remarks at the weekend during the closing ceremony of a four-day international workshop on National Artificial Intelligence and Strategy for ...