My Blog

Category: News

  • Babawale Kolawole, 53, allegedly rapes, impregnates 16-year-old in Ondo

    Babawale Kolawole, 53, allegedly rapes, impregnates 16-year-old in Ondo

    A 53-year-old man, Babawale Kolawole has been arrested and arraigned by the Police Command in Ondo State, accused of raping and facilitating the termination of two pregnancies for a 16-year-old niece.

    DSP Olushola Ayanlade, the command’s spokesperson made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Akure.

    He explained that incident happened at the suspect’s residence at No. 12, Okeodunwo St., Igbado in Ondo West Local Government Area of the state.

    “On the Sept. 13, 2025, a 16-year-old minor, reported at the command that her uncle, Babawale Kolawole, had been subjecting her to repeated sexual assault.

    “The victim further alleged that the suspect engaged in the act almost daily, and that after each episode, he would clean her private part with a piece of cloth.

    “Shockingly, the suspect had also facilitated the termination of her pregnancies on two occasions.

    “Upon receipt of this disturbing report, the Gender-Based Offences Unit of the command immediately swung into action, arrested the suspect, and diligently processed the case for prosecution.

    “The suspect has since been arraigned before a competent court of jurisdiction and remanded in custody pending further trial,” he said.

    Ayanlade reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of women and children, and to ensuring that offenders face the full weight of the law.

    According to him, the achievement is in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

    He explained that the IGP reform-driven leadership continues to strengthen gender-sensitive policing, foster accountability, and reinforce strategic responses against sexual and gender-based violence nationwide. 

  • Fubara resumes today as Tinubu Ends controversial emergency rule in Rivers state

    Fubara resumes today as Tinubu Ends controversial emergency rule in Rivers state

    Suspended Rivers state Governor Siminalaye Fubara resumes duty today as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced an end to the controversial six-month state of emergency in Rivers State.

    The president’s pronouncement paves the way for full democratic governance as the state assembly shall also reconvene today.

    In a nationwide address on Tuesday, Tinubu recalled that the emergency rule, declared on March 18, 2025, was necessitated by a constitutional deadlock that affected governance in Rivers State.

    According to him, the crisis had pitted Governor Siminalayi Fubara against 27 members of the State House of Assembly loyal to Speaker Martins Amaewhule, leaving only four lawmakers on the governor’s side.

    “The paralysis of governance, vandalisation of critical oil assets, and the inability of the governor to present an appropriation bill brought the state to a standstill,” Tinubu said. “Even the Supreme Court affirmed that there was no government in Rivers State.”

    READ ALSO: Civil Society groups backs Ojulari, slams attacks as baseless

    The President explained that after interventions failed to reconcile the two camps, he invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to suspend the governor, his deputy, and members of the state assembly for six months, a move later approved by the National Assembly.

    Acknowledging opposition from some groups who challenged the proclamation in court, Tinubu maintained that the action was necessary to prevent anarchy and restore order.

    “The power to declare a state of emergency is a constitutional tool to safeguard public order and safety. It would have been a colossal failure on my part not to have acted,” he stated.

    READ ALSO: Fubara, Amaewhule to resume on Thursday as Tinubu ends emergency rule in Rivers state

    Tinubu, however, said intelligence reports now show a “new spirit of understanding” and “potent enthusiasm” among stakeholders in Rivers State for reconciliation and peaceful governance.

    “With effect from midnight today, the emergency in Rivers State shall end,” he declared. “Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly will resume work in their offices from September 18.”

    The President urged state governors and lawmakers nationwide to learn from the Rivers crisis and prioritise harmony between the executive and legislature.

    “It is only in an atmosphere of peace, order, and good government that we can deliver the dividends of democracy,” Tinubu said.

  • NASS Clerk Clarifies Role in Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension, Resumption Bid

    NASS Clerk Clarifies Role in Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension, Resumption Bid

    The Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly has clarified its position in the controversy surrounding the suspension and attempted resumption of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, insisting it lacks powers to reinstate her without due process.

    In a statement signed by Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, Director of Information, on behalf of the Clerk, the office said it had been wrongly portrayed in some media reports and public commentary as obstructing the senator’s return.

    “The Clerk’s Office serves strictly as an administrative arm, providing support to the Senate in accordance with their resolutions, Standing Orders, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

    The Clerk does not possess the authority to review, reverse, or interpret Senate decisions,” the statement read.

    Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was suspended for six months by the Senate on March 6, 2025. Although she challenged the action in court, the Federal High Court did not invalidate the suspension, and the matter remains before the Court of Appeal.

    On September 4, 2025, she wrote to the Clerk, notifying of her intention to resume legislative duties. The Clerk explained that while she could have directed such communication to the Senate President as protocol demands, the matter was duly conveyed to Senate leadership.

    According to the Clerk’s Office, the Senate leadership maintained that the issue remains sub judice, and any change in her status must come from either a new Senate resolution or a definitive court order.

    “This communication was what the Clerk to the National Assembly conveyed in the letter, no more, no less.

    The Clerk is therefore not in a position to facilitate her resumption at this time,” the statement clarified.

    The office also expressed concern over a letter from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal representatives, M.J. Numa & Partners LLP, accusing the Clerk of overreach and threatening legal and disciplinary action.

    “While the office respects the right of all parties to seek legal redress, it must be stressed that the Clerk has at all times acted within lawful administrative limits, and in faithful observance of due process,” it stated.

    Reiterating that the decision on her resumption rests solely with the Senate, the Clerk emphasized that its role is limited to administration and not adjudication.

    “The public is urged to remain patient and allow the appropriate institutions including the Senate and the courts to discharge their constitutional responsibilities,” the statement concluded.

  • Over 4.4m Nigerians Register for CVR, Women Lead Participation

    Over 4.4m Nigerians Register for CVR, Women Lead Participation

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says more than 4.4 million Nigerians have registered online in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, with women slightly outnumbering men in participation.

    In a statement on Monday, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, disclosed that 4,445,505 citizens had completed online registration as of September 14, 2025. Out of this figure, 509,929 have successfully finalized the process by completing both online pre-registration and in-person verification.

    The data shows that women accounted for 51.83 percent of online registrations, while men represented 48.17 percent. Young Nigerians between 18 and 34 years dominated the exercise, making up 65.79 percent of registrants, while students alone constituted 25.02 percent.

    For completed registrations, youths again led the figures with 74.15 percent, and students represented the largest occupational group at 38.54 percent.

    Olumekun noted that registration in Anambra State has been suspended until after the November 11 governorship election, while online pre-registration in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been paused to allow ward-level registration ahead of the February 2026 Area Council elections.

    He added that a comprehensive breakdown of registration figures by state, gender, age, occupation, and disability has been published on INEC’s official platforms for public access.“As earlier announced by the Commission, the online voter pre-registration in the FCT ends today, Monday, 15th September 2025.

    For the next two weeks, the physical (in-person) option will be at the designated venues,” Olumekun said.“Thereafter, the Commission will devolve the registration to all the 62 Wards in the FCT from 29th September to 8th October 2025.

    Detailed addresses of the centres have already been uploaded to our official platforms.”The CVR exercise is part of INEC’s preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with officials urging Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity to register and update their voter records.

  • 720,000 people commit suicide annually – WHO

    720,000 people commit suicide annually – WHO

    More than 720,000 people commit suicide every year and many more attempt it, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.

    The Director-General of WHO Tedros Ghebreyesus is calling for “shifting the narrative” on the issue “to challenge harmful myths, reduce stigma and foster compassionate conversations.”

    Speaking on the World Suicide Prevention Day, which is marked annually on September 10, Tedros said “each life lost leaves a profound impact on families, friends, colleagues and entire communities.”

    All age groups are affected by suicide and was the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally in 2021, the last year for which data has been gathered by WHO.

    Suicide does not just occur in high-income countries and impacts all regions of the world, close to three quarters of global suicides occurred in low and middle-income countries in 2021.

    The average number of suicides across the world in 2021 was 8.9 per 100,000 people.

    In Africa, the figure stood at 11.5, while in both Europe and Southeast Asia the number of suicides was recorded at 10.1 per 100,000 people.

    The link between suicide and mental disorders, in particular, depression and alcohol use disorders, and a previous suicide attempt is well established in high-income countries.

    However, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, such as financial problems, relationship disputes, or chronic pain and illness.

    In addition, experiencing conflict, disaster, violence, abuse or loss and a sense of isolation are strongly associated with suicidal behaviour.

    READ ALSO: Suicide in Nigeria

    Suicide rates are also high among vulnerable groups who experience discrimination, such as refugees and migrants, indigenous peoples, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex (LGBTI) persons and incarcerated prisoners.

    “We must move from silence to openness, from stigma to empathy, and from neglect to support,” Tedros said.

    “We must create environments where people feel safe to speak up and seek help,” he stressed.

    “Shifting the narrative on suicide also means driving systemic change, where governments prioritise and invest in quality mental health care and policies to ensure everyone gets the support they need.”

    According to the 2024 Mental Health Atlas report by WHO, median government spending on mental health has remained at a modest two percent of total health budgets since 2017.

    READ ALSO: The rising cases of suicide among Nigerians

    Moreover, there is a significant disparity between high-income and low-income nations.

    Whilst high-income nations allocate up to $65 per person to mental health, low-income nations spend as little as $0.04.

    WHO recognises mental health as a universal human right.

    WHO says that there are effective measures that can be taken to prevent suicide and self-harm.

    LIVE LIFE, the agency’s initiative for suicide prevention, recommends limiting access to the means of suicide (eg, pesticides, firearms, certain medications).

    It also recommended interaction with the media for responsible reporting of suicide;

    Fostering socio-emotional life skills in adolescents, early identification, assessment, management and following up anyone who is affected by suicidal behaviours are other effective measures, according to WHO

  • INEC finally recognises Mark-led ADC leadership

    INEC finally recognises Mark-led ADC leadership

    It was victory at last for members of the Sen. David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as it finally secured the recognition of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

    The Nigerian Anchor reports that the commission updated its website on Wednesday to reflect the names of Sen David Aleichenu Bonarventure Mark and others as the new members of the NWC of the party.

    Among those listed to replace the former Raph Nwosu-led NWC was Mr Rauf Aregbesola, who now serves as the party’s National Secretary.

    Also published on the website were Mani Ahmad as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor as National Legal Adviser.

    The outgoing National Chairman, Raph Nwosu, had on July 2 announced the appointment of David Mark as interim chairman and Aregbesola as interim secretary.

    The development serves as a morale booster to the leadership and membership of the party as it puts pay to months of meddlesome interference by some disgruntled members of the party, following its adoption as the party of choice by members of the opposition coalition.

  • Just in: Victory at last!

    Just in: Victory at last!

    NUPENG suspends strike as Dangote workers can join labour unions

    Following an agreement with Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals management on the controversial topic of workers’ unionization, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has called off its statewide strike.

    Both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a conciliation meeting called by Labor Minister Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi in Abuja.

    It was stated in the resolutions that Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals will permit willing workers to become members of legally recognized unions.

    This decision came after NUPENG members accused the Dangote Group of depriving workers the opportunity to join recognized labor unions during two days of industrial action.

    When the dispute came to a head, the federal government stepped in through the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

    The process of unionization will start right away and be finished in two weeks, from September 9 to September 22, 2025.

    Additionally, the agreement states that no employee would face consequences for taking part in the strike.

    A part of the MoU read: “That since workers’ unionisation is a right in line with the provisions of the extant laws, the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals agreed to the unionisation of employees of Dangote Refinery and unionisation of employees of Petrochemicals, who are willing to unionise.

    “That the process of unionisation shall commence immediately and be completed within two weeks (9th–22nd September, 2025), and it was agreed that the employer will not set up any other union.

    “Arising from the strike notice, no worker or employee of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals will be victimised.”

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Dangote Group, NUPENG, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Ministry of Labour and Employment all signed the agreement.

  • PDP condemns move to stop Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption

    PDP condemns move to stop Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption

    The party however, fell short of stating the action it would take to protect Sen Akpoti-Uduaghan

    In a usually tepid act of opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) merely condemned the alleged plan by the Senate to bar Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from resumption.

    Sen Uduaghan is currently serving a six-month suspension and expected to resume when her colleagues return from the annual recess that ends September 23.

    It has however, been reported that the Clerk of the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria has released a communication asserting that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan may not be allowed to resume at the expiration of her suspension due to a pending court order.

    Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, Clerk of the National Assembly

    Responding to the stance of the management of the National Assembly, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba issued a statement, Tuesday in Abuja to condemn it.

    Ologunagba said that the reported action by the Clerk of the National Assembly was a calculated attempt to abridge the right of representation of the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District and deny them a voice at the highest law-making body in the country.

    He noted that the attempt to use the National Assembly establishment against an elected Senator was in gross violation of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 (as amended) and the Standing Rules of the Senate.

    According to him, this constitutes a clear danger to the democracy of the country and attempt to silent the opposition and attacks on the right of women.

    Ologunagba called on the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio to come clean of the matter.

    He said that the extreme persecution of six months suspension unjustly imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan, “contrary to the Rules of the Senate” was more than enough.

    He expressed the PDP solidarity with the people of Kogi Central and all well-meaning Nigerians in condemning the unwarranted renewed plot against the lawmaker.

    The PDP national publicity secretary called on the Clerk of the National Assembly to withdraw the said letter and play by the rules by being neutral as a bureaucrat.

    He advised the Clark not to allow himself to be politically entangled and used as a tool to undermine democracy and the Rule of Law in the National Assembly and Nigeria.

    He also urged Akpoti-Uduaghan to discountenance the reported letter by the Clerk of the National Assembly and get ready to resume at the Senate.

    He further called on the Senate leadership to ensure that Akpoti-Uduaghan was allowed to resume her duties and perform her roles as an elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unhindered.

    Mr. Ologunagba, however, did not state the action that the leadership of the PDP, Nigeria’s leading opposition party would take in the event that the National Assembly prevented Sen Uduaghan from resuming at the senate.

  • Wike spoils for a fight with old friend, Tambuwal

    Wike spoils for a fight with old friend, Tambuwal

    In his ever expanding list of enemies, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, has vowed to take on his former friend, former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal.

    Over the weekend, Mr. Tambuwal appeared on Channels TV’s “Politics Today” where he was alleged to have made statements considered offensive to Mr. Wike and President Bola Tinubu.

    Not someone reputed for shying away from fights, Wike vowed to square up to Tambuwal in no distant future.

    Mr Lere Olayinka, the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, made this known in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

    Olayinka assured that the FCT minister would not allow Tambuwal’s  aspersions  against him and the President, to go without appropriate responses.

    Tambuwal had said on Channels Television’s “Politics Today”, on Friday, that his political choices had always been guided by principles of leadership and not by personal relationships.

    The former governor also said that he would support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over Wike, if he had to make a choice on who should lead the country.

    Olayinka said that he had been inundated with calls, especially from journalists, seeking the minister’s reaction to Tambuwal’s comments.

    “Apart from what he said against the minister, Tambuwal also cast aspersions on President Tinubu and such will not go unresponded to.

    “Therefore, what I can say is that the minister will respond accordingly. He will definitely tell Nigerians what a betrayal is and what it means to have integrity.

    “Till then, let’s keep our fingers crossed,” he said.

  • Marafa’ll bury himself in shame – Zamfara APC Chairman

    Marafa’ll bury himself in shame – Zamfara APC Chairman

    Alhaji Tukur Danfulani, the Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Zamfara, has described recent political comments against President Bola Tinubu by Sen. Kabiru Marafa as unfortunate.

    Danfulani, in a statement he issued in Gusau on Thursday, described the comments by Marafa as an action of selfish motives.

    He said: “We, therefore, call on Marafa to come to Zamfara and reassess his popularity among the electorate, I believe he will bury himself in shame.

    “Marafa’s unguarded utterances are just out of frustration of loosing election and his inability to secure appointments in President Bola Tinubu administration.

    “Ordinarily, if not because Marafa touched Mr President in his uncivilised manner, we would not have responded to a lower and rejected politician like him.”

    According to Danfulani, the State APC leadership had listened to the recent interview granted by Marafa, threatening to reduce one million votes from Tinubu’s 2023 votes.

    “I would like to address that by telling the Nigerian public that apart from being disgraced from the Senate by his constituents in 2019,  he has not recovered from his dementia.

    “Even in the 2023 polls where he made uncorroborated  calls on the 2023 elections, it should be noted that Marafa could not even win his constituency in the same elections.

    “Talk less of securing the votes which largely came through the faith the electorate have in the party and in Matawalle, Yari and other respected party leaders in the state,”the chairman said.

    Danfulani recalled that Matawalle, the present Minister of State for Defence now, served as the Coordinator of Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council for the whole of North-West and initially to doubled as the Zamfara Coordinator.

    “Matawalle honourably suggested that the Zamfara coordination should be given to Marafa but unfortunately, he, Marafa did not merit it.

    “Having lost everywhere, Marafa who insisted he be given a high ranking position in the government, began to create one problem or the other.

    “He sometimes used alliances with other trouble makers who would also leave him immediately they discovered his selfish motives,” he added.

    Danfulani said that the APC supporters in Zamfara had grown wiser and more loyal to political leaders like Matawalle, Yari and many others who were carrying them along.

    “That was why the party won the just- concluded Kaura Namoda South State House of Assembly by-election with a wide margin against the runner up (PDP).

    “This was without any input from the likes of Marafa who tried to sabotage APC’s chances of winning through anti-party maneuvers that didn’t work for them.

    “It’s laughable that Marafa who couldn’t win even his ward of Yandoton Daji or his local government of Tsafe or his central constituency, could boast of reducing one million votes out of President Bola Ahmed’s votes of 2023.”

    “The question is, from where Marafa will get these votes, because the entire Zamfara votes in 2023 were not close to one million votes, except if he is going to use his bragging nature.

    “So, I want the public to consider Marafa as just a l@me dog that can only bark but without any tooth to bite,”Danfulani added.

    He said that what was expected from Marafa during the interview was to tell the world how many votes he secured himself and that of his opponent in the last election.

    “He should have done this before talking about reducing President Bola Tinubu’s votes while peddling lies and propaganda that are dead on arrival,” Danfulani further said.