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 Kidnappers storm Ogun mosque, abduct cleric, businessman An eight-man kidnapping gang has invaded a mosque and abducted one Murithador Sadullahi Akanho Olamide, the Imam of Muhadul-iftai-wa-sadah Institute of Arabic and Islamic studies. Also abducted was a businessman, Olayemi Arasi, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Hollarams Technical Services Ltd. The incident happened in the Lufuape area, along Sagamu Interchange, Ogun State. The Guardian learnt that the hoodlums targeted the mosque during Friday night prayers and forcibly took the cleric and the businessman to an undisclosed location. The victims were, however, released after spending three days in captivity, following the payment of a ransom by their families. A family source said the kidnappers, suspected to be foreigners, had targeted the cleric but seized the opportunity to abduct the businessman. There are also indications that they had connived with some locals. The source, who was involved in payment of the ransom,...

 Court extends order restraining INEC, Rivers Assembly from declaring 27 pro-Wike lawmakers’ seats vacant A Federal High Court in Abuja has extended its earlier order that restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Rivers State House of Assembly from declaring vacant and conducting fresh election to fill the seats of the 27 members of the Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Justice Donatus Okorowo extended the order on Thursday, December 28, upon an application by lawyer to the defecting lawmakers, Steve Adehi (SAN), which was not opposed by Ken Njemanze (SAN) who represented the Rivers House of Assembly. Justice Okorowo rejected the objection raised by lawyer to the PDP, Adeyemi Ajibade (SAN) and upheld the argument by Adehi that the court, under Order 26, Rule 10 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, has the discretionary power to grant such extens...

Davido gifts cousin diamond wristwatch for being his best staff Afrobeats sensational singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido has given his cousin, Folasade Adeleke, a brand new diamond wristwatch for being his best staff of the year. The moment Davido presented the expensive accessory was shared by Folasade on her Instagram page. Davido presented the boxed watch to her for being dedicated and zealous in her work. On giving it to her, he declared his cousin his best staff of the year. She was immensely excited over this and thanked her brother for the gift. Below are some netizens’ reactions: mzmowgli said: “Dude loves his family member pa!!!!” viposeroland wrote: “It should have been my virgin husband brother na.. if at all na” omoh_miah said: “God bless me to be able to do this to my best people too” dygeasy wrote: “no be juju be that?” domingo_loso wrote: “Sharp. Na so e suppose be. Family is important” amazingwomanskills said: “This is beautiful” wofai.u wrote: “My cousins...

Aiyedatiwa: Battle to elect Ondo deputy governor begins A subtle battle has begun on who would be named the deputy governor of Ondo following the swearing-in of Lucky Aiyedatiwa as fovernor of the state. Sources said the next deputy governor would be picked from among the cabinet members that stuck to Aiyedatiwa when the Ondo Assembly moved to impeach him. Those tipped to be named deputy governor are Chief of Staff, Olugbenga Ale and the Commissioner of Energy and Water Resources, Rasaq Obe. Chief Ale hails from Owo, hometown of former Governor Akeredolu while Obe hails from Ifedore in Ondo Central senatorial district. Some allies of Aiyedatiwa said Ale might be favoured as compensation for the demise of Akeredolu. Another source said Aiyedatiwa might move against Speaker of the Assembly, Hon Olajidi Olamide by picking Obe. The speaker hails from Ondo Central and that agitations would arose for the Speaker’s seat to be move to Ondo North if Obe is picked.  

We will sell cement for N3,500 per bag starting January – BUA The chairman of the BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul-Samad Rabiu, has declared that the company will stick to its pledge to sell cement at N3,500 starting from January 2024. He made this statement on Thursday, December 28, in Lagos while speaking with State House Correspondents following his meeting with President Bola Tinubu. He promised that the business will also make the product available at a reasonably price for consumers. “You know the price that we have set will be N3,500 per bag. You know x factory of course plus VAT and then delivered to customers depending on the region. “As you know, the factory that we have; one is in Edo, the other one is in Sokoto state. So for example, if you want us to deliver cement to you from Sokoto say to Lagos from Adamawa or to Maiduguri, the distance is quite far. “So dependent on the distance and dependent on the location. You know the price changes but we intend to keep that promise,” he sai...

APC to launch e-registration, institute of progressive studies in 2024 — Ganduje The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said it has perfected plans to launch its electronic registration to expand its reach as well as develop a reliable database. The national chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, who disclosed this to journalists on Thursday, December 28, in Lagos after the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) met with President Bola Tinubu, also revealed plans by the party to establish a National Institute of Progressive Studies. Ganduje said the NWC was in Lagos for two reasons; to felicitate with the President for the Christmas/New Year festivities and to commiserate with him over the deaths of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and former Speaker Ghali Umar Na’Abba. Asked what Nigerians should expect from the ruling APC in the new year, the party Chairman said both the party and the government will do more for Nigerians in the new year. “Nigerians should expect more from t...

FULL LIST: Akeredolu’s cabinet members who have resigned their positions Less than 24 hours after Lucky Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as the new Governor of Ondo state following the demise of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, some cabinet members of the former governor have resigned their positions. Some of them said that their decision to resign from their offices hinged on the unfortunate and untimely death of Akeredolu. Here’s a list of those who have resigned so far: 1. Richard Olatunde (Chief Press Secretary CPS) 2. Mr. Dare Aragbaiye (Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties) 3. Olawale Abolade (Special Assistant on Photography) 4. Doyin Odebowale (Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy) 5. Raimi Olayiwola (Ondo state commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing)