Sunday Igboho regains freedom in Benin after two years.

Sunday Igboho regains freedom in Benin after two years.

Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho, has regained his freedom from the Beninese authorities.

The embattled agitator said on Sunday he was now legally free to leave Cotonou, capital of the Benin Republic, to Nigeria and other countries.

“I am now free to return to Nigeria and visit any country in the world. I have fulfilled all the legal conditions attached to my bail a few years back and I am coming home to Nigeria, my country of origin, any moment from now.

“I can confirm to you that I am now free to come back to Nigeria. There is no legal encumbrance again. Even though I have been living in Cotonou for some time, I can confirm to you categorically that I have now secured the liberty to leave Cotonou for Nigeria,” Adeyemo told the Nigerian Tribune on Sunday.

He regained freedom after two years of trial by the Beninese government.

It was reported that Adeyemo stirred the hornet’s nest when he declared the Yoruba Nation’s sovereignty in March 2021.

He started a campaign to chase killer herdsmen and kidnappers out of the South-West states and went on to call on Yoruba in Hausa/Fulani or Igbo territories to return home.

He, however, fled Nigeria in July 2021 following a nocturnal invasion of his Ibadan residence by the operatives of the Department of State Services.

The attack led to at least one death, while some of his belongings were vandalised.

The DSS claimed that seven AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, and 5,000 rounds of ammunition, charms and other weapons were recovered from his apartment during the invasion.

The judgment was later set aside by the Court of Appeal in August 2022.

He was later arrested at the Cardinal Bernardin International Airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic while attempting to flee to Germany.

Attempts by the former President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to repatriate him to Nigeria were unsuccessful.

Credit: Punch Newspaper 

President Tinubu Pledges 500,000 Jobs As Ajaokuta Steel Nears Completion.

President Tinubu Pledges 500,000 Jobs As Ajaokuta Steel Nears Completion.

....Flags off Kogi APC governorship campaign.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared on Sunday that with the hitherto abandoned Ajaokuta Steel Complex now nearing completion, the project will have the capacity to employ 500,000 Nigerians once designated as a free trade zone. 

The President further promised to fully harness the potentials of the Complex once it is completed, as it would boost Nigeria's foreign direct investment and provide avenue for the creation of the much-needed conducive business environment for all sectors to thrive. 

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented the President, made this known at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital. 

The governorship poll in the state is slated for November 11. 

Addressing a mammoth crowd in Lokoja, VP Shettima also noted that Tinubu remained committed to completing the constructions of the River Niger, the Kabba-Lokoja and the Abuja-Lokoja roads. 

President Tinubu, VP  Shettima stated, is a man of plenty ideas who is determined to reposition the nation in its rightful place, especially as it borders on restructuring and stimulating the Nigerian economy. 

"Given Mr President's commitment to the development of Kogi State and indeed the entirety of Nigeria, Kogi in particular being a confluence state, cannot afford to have a governor who is hostile to the center. We must be partners in progress and work hand in hand to develop this great nation," the Vice President said. 

He further hinted about plans by the Tinubu administration to make the Itakpe crop processing project a dream come true, just as he promised jobs and affordable education under the present government. 

Reemphasising that the welfare of the citizenry would never be willfully compromised, VP Shettima called on Kogi citizens to come out en masse on November 11 to vote for the candidate of the APC, Ahmed Usman Ododo, in order to consolidate on the achievements of the APC government in the state. 

He added that the natural endowments of Kogi State would be harnessed for the development of the state and the nation at large, adding that President Tinubu had further given his nod for the rehabilitation of Obajana-Okene road in Kogi State. 

Speaking earlier, Kogi State Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello, thanked President Tinubu for accepting to flag off the governorship campaign in his state, disclosing that his administration has achieved a lot, and it is time for consolidation in order to move the state forward. 

"We have done a lot in the area of security, education and health, among others. We want to consolidate on that. I am, therefore, calling on the people of our dear state to vote for our candidate in order to move Kogi State forward," he said. 

For his part, APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, said because Governor Yahaya Bello has provided good governance to the people of Kogi, the state cannot afford to be left behind by giving power to another party different from the one at the center. 

Also, the Chairman of the APC Campaign Council for Kogi State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, enjoined the people of Kogi State to clean up their voter cards and turn out in numbers to vote for the candidate of the APC in the November 11 governorship election. 

On his part, Kogi State APC governorship candidate, Ahmed Ododo, pledged to carry the people of the state along if elected, saying he remained committed to the development agenda of Kogi State. 

"We will build on the legacies of my mentor, Governor Yahaya Bello. We will give attention to security, education, agriculture and health. Our women will also be empowered," he said. 

Other dignitaries at the campaign rally were the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, and members of the National Working Committee of the APC, among others. 

The Vice President's engagements in Kogi had started with an audience with traditional rulers and other stakeholders of the state ahead of the November 11 governorship election. 

At the audience with the stakeholders, VP Shettima also solicited support for the APC candidate in the forthcoming election. 

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the President, Kogi State Traditional Council and the Attah of Igala, HRH Mathew Ipaluwa, pledged their support for President Bola Tinubu. 

The royal father commended the state governor, Yahaya Bello, for working hard in addressing security challenges in the state. 

IPOTI Diamond Sisters Empower 20 Widows In Ipoti-Ekiti.

IPOTI Diamond Sisters Empower 20 Widows In Ipoti-Ekiti.

The diamond sister yesterday at their annual empowerment put smiles at the faces of 20 widows selected across churches in Ipoti Ekiti.

The empowerment which they started last year was conducted in a low key yesterday at Otunba Kunle Ajayi House one of the patron to the club. The special guest of the occasion Hon. Sunday Olayinka Awoyomi in his address which was delivered by his personal assistance as usual appreciate club members on their good move in assisting their fellow men especially the widows. 

The club was represented by members of the executive.

President - Mrs Remi Akinola

Vice president - Deaconess Kehinde Afolayan

Secretary - Chief Mrs Victoria Daramola

Treasurer - Olori Olajumoke Asekunowo

P.R.0 - Mrs Awe Omolara Grace

Ex-officio - Mrs ldowu Arigbede.

The men of God Alhaji Odeyemi, Alhaji Leteef Yusuf, Elder Olajide, Deacon J.0. Dada in their prayers appreciate God for the grace of better life for others.

Afe Babalola Doles Out N11M To Ekiti Farmers.

Afe Babalola Doles Out N11M To Ekiti Farmers.

Elder statesman and founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) has presented a sum of N11.5 million as empowerment to farmers across the 16 Local Government Areas of the State.

Babalola doled out the cash award to the outstanding farmers at the weekend during the grand finale of the 2023 edition of Afe Babalola Agricultural Exhibition ( AB-EX) and empowerment of youths in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital.

At the event, about 80 farmers from the 16 LGAs received a sum of N9.2 million; the overall best farmer got N2 million and other cash awards for the local council areas; while 32 youths received empowerment tools for self-reliance.

Babalola who congratulated the farmers for success of this year’s edition explained that his efforts in empowering farmers in the last nine years in the state were borne out of his genuine concern to boost food sufficiency in the society and contribute to the economic growth of the country.

He revealed that the decision of the Forum for International Green Sustainability (FIGS) which is a body that promotes food security across the world to decorate him as grand patron and the distinguished African Man of the Year in food security 2014, necessitated his resolve to fund the yearly farmers exhibition.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said that investment in agriculture remains the only way for the country to survive its current challenges, adding that when farmers are producing in commercial quantities it would reduce the over-dependence on foreign foods and unemployment rate.

Floods kill 28, displace 48,168 as Cameroon opens dam.

Floods kill 28, displace 48,168 as Cameroon opens dam.

The Federal Government, on Saturday, said 28 people have been killed and 48,168 others displaced by widespread flooding in the country.

It also drew the attention of states of imminent flooding on the River Benue line as the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon has been spilling water since October 1, 2023, a development that usually leads to massive flooding in Nigeria.

The government announced this through the National Emergency Management Agency during an emergency meeting with stakeholders in Abuja on Saturday.

Speaking at the meeting, the Director-General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed, said, “I wish to update you on the NEMA situation room dashboard which indicates that this year’s flood scenario has affected 159,157 people, resulted in the loss of 28 people and the displacement of 48,168 individuals in 13 states across Nigeria.”

Ahmed said Adamawa, Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Delta, Edo, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Nasarawa and Bayelsa states had been affected by the floods.

He, therefore, called for the activation of all emergency response units to be ready for any emergency because the flood would increase as the days went by.

“The update from NEMA is that the agency has been alerted to the sudden increased inundation of riparian communities and farmlands along the banks of River Niger in Adamawa, Taraba and Benue states in the past 48 hours.

“The sudden situation is attributed to the rapid release of water from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon and has resulted in the displacement of several inhabitants of the affected communities,” he said.

He added, “Furthermore, croplands and valuable infrastructure are at risk of getting washed away by the flood waters. Situation reports from Adamawa State confirm the upsurge of flood waters along the flood plains of River Benue.

“The situation is expected to be replicated in downstream states of Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa, as the River Benue joins River Niger and flows to the Atlantic Ocean through the Niger Delta.”

Construction of Adamawa’s third flyover begins.

Construction of Adamawa’s third flyover begins.

Work officially started Saturday morning on the construction of the third flyover in Adamawa State.

The project is in the state capital, Yola, where the first two flyovers were also located.

As with the new project, the first two, completed in 2021 and 2022 respectively, are the brain child of the administration of Governor Ahmadu Funtiri.

Formally laying the foundation for the new flyover at the Mubi Road Roundabout in Jimeta, Yola, Fintiri said it is a fulfilment of his campaign promises. 

The Governor said urban renewal is one of the cardinal goals of his administration as encapsulated in his 8-point agenda.

“In our first term in office, we prosecuted this campaign with great vigour and in this second term, I want to reassure you that we shall prosecute this campaign with even greater strength.

“We have improved the infrastructural status of both our urban and rural centers tremendously and we are not willing to back pedal on this course until the narrative is completely altered for the better,” Fintiri said.

With specific reference to the new project, Fintiri said: “To the Glory of God, the former Mubi Road Roundabout is by this groundbreaking confined to antiquities. And in its place, we shall have an overhead bridge with the reconstruction of the roads linking the adjoining streets.”

He disclosed that the contract for the project is awarded at the total contract sum of ₦9,264,498,755.33K.

“It is awarded as Lot 1 with a completion period of 18 months,” he explained.

Ex-NFF boss Pinnick, Davido fight over $94,600 ‘no show’ allegation.

Ex-NFF boss Pinnick, Davido fight over $94,600 ‘no show’ allegation.

Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick, has called out Afrobeat singer, Davido, for failing to perform at an event despite being paid $94,600.

Speaking during the 19th edition of Warri Again, Amaju claimed that the organisers also booked a private jet for $18,000 for the ‘Unavailable Crooner’ but he never showed up.

He stated that the organisers had to replace him with another act, Shallipopi.

According to him: “We paid Davido $94,600 on the 6th of April. We paid $18,000 for his plane.

“If he says he’s a big boy, we will tell him we are bigger than him.

“I’m not joking. So, while he was playing his games back and forth, we decided to hunt to find another artiste, Shallipopi.

“You see, when people say they are big, I’m amazed. Is Burna Boy not the biggest artiste in Nigeria today? Burna Boy is half Itsekiri. Burna Boy’s paternal grandmother is Itsekiri. So, he’s bigger than him (Davido).

“Is there anyone bigger than RMD in the acting industry? Or someone bigger than Ali Baba in the comedy industry?

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“We have stars aplenty in Warri. Nobody is bigger than Warri.”

However, the Afrobeats star in what looked like a subtle response posted on X, Saturday, bragged that nobody could stop him from performing anywhere in Nigeria.

He assured fans in Warri that he would be in their city soon.

“Nobody can stop me from performing anywhere in Nigeria… Warri I will see you soon,” he wrote.

He also posted a picture of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) logo with the caption; “Make I no talk.”