Author: Olóyè Gbenga

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the closure of the popular Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders ignored the state government’s directive to resume normal business activities on Mondays. The governor announced the decision on Monday during an on-the-spot visit to the market, where he arrived with top government officials and security operatives. His visit followed reports that many traders once again stayed away from their shops in compliance with the long-running Monday sit-at-home order, despite repeated assurances of improved security. According to Soludo, the continued shutdown of businesses every Monday is no longer acceptable, as…

The King of the ancient Bangha Kingdom in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, His Royal Majesty Suanu Baridam, narrowly escaped death on Sunday after gunmen attacked his convoy and shot him at close range. The first-class traditional ruler was reportedly ambushed between Taabaa Junction and Sogho community while returning from an engagement in Okwale, all within Khana LGA. According to sources familiar with the incident, the assailants attempted to stop the monarch’s vehicle, but the driver refused to halt and tried to drive through the area. The gunmen then opened fire on the vehicle, hitting the monarch in…

The palace of the Arujale-Ojime of Okeluse Kingdom in Ondo State has issued a stern warning to the general public over what it described as growing incidents of disrespectful modes of address directed at the traditional ruler, Oba Oloyede Adekoya Akinghare II. In a statement released on Friday, the palace stressed that the monarch must be addressed strictly as His Royal Majesty at all times, warning that any deviation from this standard would no longer be tolerated. The statement was issued on behalf of the palace by the Chief of Staff to the monarch, Prince Adefemi Olorunfemi. According to the…

Rivers State Governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the programmes and activities of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state, assuring corps members of improved welfare and infrastructure at the orientation camp. The governor gave the assurance on Friday at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area, during the swearing-in ceremony of 2026 Batch A Stream 1 corps members posted to Rivers State. Governor Fubara was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Benibo Anabraba, who conveyed the administration’s goodwill to the newly deployed…

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has intensified efforts to strengthen accountability and enforcement in Nigeria’s oil, gas and mining sectors by deepening its strategic partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The renewed commitment was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by NEITI’s Director of Communications and Stakeholder Management, Mrs Obiageli Onuorah, following separate courtesy visits by the agency’s leadership to the headquarters of the two anti-graft bodies. According to the statement, the engagement reflects NEITI’s resolve to move beyond transparency disclosures to concrete…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for justice following the killing of seven civilians at a mining site in Wat, Kuru District of Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State, on 21 January 2026. In a statement posted on the party’s official X handle on Friday, and signed by the Plateau State Publicity Secretary, Mr Choji Dalyop, the PDP condemned the incident, describing it as a tragic and unacceptable loss of innocent lives. The party also criticised the government for what it termed an “egregious failure” to fulfil its constitutional responsibility of protecting citizens. According to the PDP, the…

The leadership of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, in Ekiti State has reaffirmed its support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji and restated its affiliation with the All Progressives Congress (APC), firmly distancing itself from a group known as Afenifere Ekiti. The Ekiti State Chairman of Afenifere, Mr Jonathan Alade, and the Secretary, Mrs Ronke Okusanya, made the position clear on Thursday, describing members of the splinter group as self-seekers who do not represent the organisation’s ideals or leadership. Their response follows a recent stakeholders’ meeting organised by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), during which a group identifying itself as Afenifere Ekiti…

The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Chibuzor Simeon Amadi, has declined a request to constitute a seven-member judicial panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Dr Ngozi Ordu, citing binding court orders restraining him from taking such action. In a letter dated 20 January 2026 and addressed to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martins Amaewhule, Justice Amadi explained that his decision was based on two subsisting court orders served on his office on 16 January 2026. According to him, the orders expressly bar him from receiving, forwarding…

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has commenced a campaign tour of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the forthcoming council elections, leading members and supporters of the African Democratic Party (ADC) in a show of grassroots engagement. Obi, who recently defected from the Labour Party to the ADC, made his first stop on Wednesday at the popular Kugbo furniture market in Abuja, which was devastated by a recent fire. The visit marked his first major public engagement in the FCT since joining the party and was aimed at expressing solidarity with traders while mobilising support ahead…

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has said growing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States has moved beyond diplomatic engagement to deliver measurable operational gains in the fight against terrorism and transnational crime. Ribadu made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja during the inauguration of the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group, describing the partnership as one that has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s security architecture in recent months. “I would like to place firmly on record Nigeria’s appreciation for the depth, quality and impact of US–Nigeria military and security cooperation,” Ribadu said. “Since the November 2025 engagements, this cooperation…