Author: Friday Omosola

Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the former First Lady of Ondo State, has criticised Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for ordering the demolition of the memorial park dedicated to the victims of the tragic June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo. The park, a project initiated by the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, was built to honour the memory of over 40 worshippers who lost their lives in the brutal assault. Despite its significance, the memorial was torn down on Saturday under the directive of Mr Aiyedatiwa’s administration. READ ALSO: Ondo govt pulls down Owo church attack victims’ memorial park Authorities explained…

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun, has arrested ten suspected kidnappers, including those allegedly responsible for the abduction and murder of Nelson Adepoyigi, a ward chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. The New Daily Prime reported that Adepoyigi, who chaired Ward 5 in the Ose Local Government Area, was abducted while parking his car at his home in Ifon and was killed despite his family paying a ransom of N5 million. READ ALSO: Amotekun rescues teen from rape, apprehends 21 suspects While parading a total of 32 suspects in Akure, the Amotekun Commander, Adetunji…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for the integration of Africa’s vast informal economy into the formal intra-African trade structure, stressing that the continent’s future prosperity hinges on this transformation. He spoke  on Monday at the opening of the 4th African Union Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Forum in Abuja. Mr Shettima emphasised that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a vital opportunity to formalise the informal sector, which currently accounts for nearly 90 per cent of the continent’s workforce. He warned that failing to harness the potential of small businesses within the informal sector would leave…

The Lagos State Government has launched the implementation phase of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Executive Order mandating compulsory health insurance for all residents of the state. At an event held at the Ministry of Health Conference Room in Alausa, the government inaugurated the Management Committee (ManCo) of the Lagos Private Health Partnership (LPHP), which will lead the rollout of the health insurance initiative. Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who presided over the inauguration, described the development as a major step in the state’s efforts to achieve universal health coverage. READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu hosts APC stakeholders ahead of Lagos LG…

The Ondo State Government has removed the memorial park established by the late former governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, in remembrance of the victims of the 2022 terrorist attack on St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo. The cenotaph, which carried the names of those killed in the attack and stood prominently in the centre of Owo town, was reportedly dismantled on the directive of the current governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. READ ALSO: Judicial activities halted in Ondo as court workers begin indefinite strike Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to Mr Aiyedatiwa, confirmed the park’s demolition to journalists. He explained that the government acted…

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Yenagoa has condemned the abduction of Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, a sitting judge of the Bayelsa State High Court. The NBA described the incident as not only a direct assault on the judge but also a serious threat to the judiciary’s independence and the rule of law. READ ALSO: Popular rapper NBA YoungBoy freed from prison Justice Omukoro was kidnapped by armed men wearing masks on the evening of Saturday, 21st June 2025, at Kilimanjaro Eatery, located opposite Ekeki Park in Yenagoa. Sources revealed that the judge had just returned from an official trip to Warri,…

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has restated his administration’s commitment to resolving the local government leadership issue in the state through legal and peaceful means. In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed yesterday, Mr Adeleke congratulated the people of Osun on the recent Court of Appeal judgement. READ ALSO: Davido mocks APC’s Owoeye over alleged Adeleke-Tinubu defection deal The judgement he described as a final affirmation of the legitimacy of the elected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councillors. The court had earlier sacked the All Progressives Congress (APC) Yes/No chairmen in 2022. The governor praised the patience…

President Bola Tinubu has expressed concern over the slow pace of activating the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Standby Force. He urged West African leaders to move decisively from planning to implementation in the fight against terrorism and transnational crime. He spoke at the opening of the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja. Mr Tinubu, in one of his final engagements as chairman of the 50-year-old regional bloc, emphasised the urgent need to operationalise the force amid growing insecurity in the region. READ ALSO: Lamido: Tinubu backed June 12 annulment,…

President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone on Sunday took over as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). He succeeded President Bola Tinubu, who ruled for a two-term tenure leading the West African bloc. The formal handover ceremony took place during the 67th Ordinary Session of the Authority, convened in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. This development put to rest earlier speculation that Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye might have been chosen for the role during private discussions preceding the main session. READ ALSO: Nigeria, ECOWAS move to accelerate work on Abidjan–Lagos highway project In his inaugural…

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has submitted the names of four additional commissioner nominees to the State House of Assembly for confirmation. He disclosed this in a statement by Ebenezer Adeniyan, his Chief Press Secretary. This latest nomination, conveyed in a letter dated 21 June 2025, brings the total number of cabinet nominees to 16, following the governor’s earlier submission of 12 names last week, who are currently undergoing screening by the House. READ ALSO: Aiyedatiwa nominates 12 commissioners for confirmation In the letter addressed to the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, Mr Aiyedatiwa cited Section 192 (1&2) of the 1999 Constitution…