Author: Gbenga Olaleye

Plans by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to rename The Polytechnic Ibadan after the late former governor, Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo, have sparked a wave of divergent reactions from students, alumni, civil society groups, and prominent Ibadan indigenes. Dr Olunloyo, a revered mathematician and the first Ibadan indigene to govern the old Oyo State, passed away on 6 April 2025.  He served briefly as governor from 1 October to 31 December 1983 and was the pioneer principal of The Polytechnic Ibadan. In honour of his legacy, Governor Makinde recently announced plans to rename the institution Victor Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.…

In a significant move in the lead-up to the 2027 Nigerian general elections, former Senate President Senator David Mark and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola have been appointed as the interim Chairman and Secretary, respectively, of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The appointments are part of efforts to create a unified opposition platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Multiple reliable sources who were present at the closed-door meeting in Abuja on Tuesday night disclosed that the leadership of the opposition coalition reached a consensus to elect Mark and Aregbesola to these pivotal roles. These sources, who requested anonymity due…

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has given firm assurances of safety for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed to the state, promising that every necessary measure is being taken to protect them throughout their service year. Speaking on Tuesday at the closing ceremony of the 2025 Batch A Stream II orientation camp in Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area, Governor Alia reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the welfare and security of corps members. “We have deployed additional security personnel to vulnerable areas in the state to enhance safety and ensure that corps members carry out their…

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has reaffirmed that leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are committed to building a strong and united opposition capable of winning the 2027 general elections. Saraki made the remarks in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, following the successful conclusion of the PDP’s landmark 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja. The meeting went ahead despite an earlier disruption at the party’s national secretariat by police officers. Addressing speculation surrounding recent internal tensions and defections within the party, Saraki said the outcome of the NEC meeting proved wrong those who…

Kola Ologbondiyan, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has alleged that governors elected on the PDP platform are facing sustained harassment aimed at forcing them to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Ologbondiyan made the claim during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, in response to the recent political developments involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. His comments come amid a deepening crisis within the PDP, and just days after President Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with Fubara and…

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has declared that there is “no victor and no vanquished” within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the successful conclusion of the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. Despite disruptions on the eve of the meeting—reportedly involving personnel from the Nigeria Police Force—the PDP proceeded with its scheduled NEC gathering at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, marking what Saraki described as a critical turning point in the party’s ongoing efforts to foster unity and chart a cohesive path forward. In a statement personally signed after the meeting, Saraki praised the party’s leadership for…

The Government of Saint Lucia has bestowed one of its most prestigious national honours, the Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL), on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria. In a formal announcement shared via the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Office of the Prime Minister, it was confirmed that the Governor General of Saint Lucia, acting on the advice of the Government, conferred the honour in recognition of President Tinubu’s “exceptional leadership on the African continent, his commitment to advancing South-South cooperation, and his efforts at rekindling cultural, historical, and diplomatic ties with the Caribbean.”…

Tributes pour in for the Nigerian billionaire known for philanthropy, humility and enterprise Medina, Saudi Arabia – Aminu Dantata, one of Nigeria’s wealthiest and most respected businessmen, is set to be laid to rest in the holy city of Medina, Saudi Arabia, following his passing on Saturday in the United Arab Emirates at the age of 94. The billionaire industrialist, uncle to Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, died in Abu Dhabi. His body has since been transported to Medina, where he will be buried later today with the approval of Saudi authorities. The city, revered as the resting place of…

A Nigerian Federal Government delegation has arrived in Saudi Arabia to prepare for the funeral of Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata. Leading the delegation is the Minister of Defence and former Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar. Other members include the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; and Honourable Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, Minister of State for Housing Development. READ ALSO: Shehu Sani mourns passing of billionaire philanthropist Aminu Dantata The delegation also features prominent Islamic scholars such as Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa,…

Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has responded following his team’s 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Club World Cup Round of 16 on Sunday. PSG’s goals came from a brace by João Neves, an own goal by Tomas Aviles, and a strike from Achraf Hakimi, eliminating Inter Miami from the tournament. PSG will now face Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. Messi took to Instagram to reflect on the defeat, urging his team to focus on the Major League Soccer (MLS) season and other upcoming competitions. “Today the Club World Cup ends for us with defeat against the Champions…