Author: Alade Adisa

Legal luminary, and founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has been honoured with the 2024 Best Nigerian Patriot Award. ABUAD’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Tunde Olofintila, announced over the weekend that the recognition, conferred by the Association of United Nations Ambassadors for Peace, was communicated in a letter dated December 11, 2024. This prestigious award comes amid controversy surrounding alleged defamation of the esteemed nonagenarian by human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System. The letter co-signed on behalf of the association by the Ambassadors – Chairman,…

The Federal Government has warned Nigerians and politicians against politicising and linking stampedes that occurred during food distributions in Oyo, Anambra and Abuja to President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms. Making the call, the minister Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement signed by his media Senior Special Assistant, Rabiu Ibrahim on Monday, said the tragedies underscored the importance of ensuring proper crowd management during such charitable activities, especially in the festive season. The minister, however, sympathised with the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic incidents which claimed over 70 lives, including about…

The Nigeria Police Force has denied killing protesters during the #EndBadGovernance protests as claimed by Amnesty International in its report titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests.” The Force, through their spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, on Sunday, described the claims as false, misleading, and damaging to the image of the Force. Amnesty International, in the report released on November 28, 2024, accused the police of extrajudicial killings during the August 1-10 #hunger protests, claiming that at least 24 people were killed in six northern states. Refuting these claims, however, the police have asserted that after a thorough investigations…

The federal government has made a passionate plea to state governors who have not implemented the newly approved minimum wage of N70,000 to do so as the special New Year package for workers across various sectors. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, disclosed this in Abuja during weekend while fielding questions from journalists at a press briefing. The minister said the expectation was that the state governors would take advantage of the New Year to grant their workers the minimum wage package, adding that hopefully 2025 would bring industrial peace, devoid of frequent strikes. Onyejeocha also…

The Federal Government, through the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has unveiled plans to begin constructing train tracks on Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in 2025. The details of the announcement were published in a statement on the ministry’s official website on Saturday. Umahi also spoke during an inspection of Sections I and II of the project, which are located within Lagos and being handled by Hitech Construction Company Ltd, on Friday. The minister said, “The President has given very serious attention to road infrastructure. Don’t forget that this Coastal Highway and, of course, the four Legacy Projects…

Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde scored long-range stunners as Real Madrid beat Sevilla to keep up the pressure on La Liga leaders, Atletico Madrid. First-half strikes from Mbappe, Valverde and Rodrygo put Los Blancos in control, before Brahim Diaz finished a fine team move shortly after the break to put the result beyond the visitors. Sevilla captain Jesus Navas, 39, came off the bench to make the final appearance of his career, bringing an emotional end to his 20-year connection with the club. He is retiring mid-season due to a chronic hip injury. Madrid took the lead in the 10th…

Incoming US President, Donald Trump has vowed to “stop the transgender lunacy” on day one of his presidency, in fulfillment of his campaign pledges against LGBTQ rights. Trump’s declaration on Sunday comes as Republicans are set to control both chambers of Congress and the White House continue their push against trans-gender rights. “I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender out of the military and out of our elementary schools and middle schools and high schools,” the president-elect said at an event for young conservatives in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday. He also vowed to “keep men…

Manchester United suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford for the second consecutive year. The result leaves Ruben Amorim‘s United side languishing in 13th in the Premier League standings at Christmas—their lowest position during the festive period since the 1989-90 season—while Bournemouth sit fifth, potentially securing a Champions League spot given the current standings of English teams in Europe. Dean Huijsen opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a header, capitalizing on United’s continued vulnerability at set-pieces. Things worsened when Justin Kluivert converted a penalty after being fouled by Noussair Mazraoui, and Antoine Semenyo added a…

President Bola Tinubu has ordered security agencies to eliminate insecurity, banditry, insurgency, and all forms of criminality in the country by 2025. The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, disclosed this while addressing the gathering of All Progressive Congress supporters that welcomed him in Gusau on Saturday. Matawalle said the President, had at all the opportunities given the security agencies the marching orders and full mandate to rid the country of terrorism, banditry, vices, insurgency, and all acts of criminality by non-state actors who make life unbearable for Nigerians. He said government was determined to provide all that was…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that 78 associations have submitted applications to the commission, seeking to be registered as political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to a senior management staff of the commission, who pleaded not to be named, relevant departments within the commission are already sieving the applications to determine those that meet up the commission’s requirements for eligibility for registration as political parties. He also declined to disclose the names of the organisations. The source said, “It is after that rigorous examination of their applications that the commission would select the ones…