Author: Gbenga Olaleye

Veteran Nollywood actor Yemi Solade has spoken candidly about his fallout with a former church and its leadership over what he described as unrealistic religious demands that nearly jeopardised his career. Speaking on a recent episode of the Honest Bunch podcast, the 64-year-old actor recounted a pivotal 2013 incident that led to his complete withdrawal from church attendance, after a pastor asked him to stop accepting film roles that required him to work on Sundays. “I’d been told in the church that I should tell producers not to call me for work on Sundays. And I cursed the pastor,” Solade…

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, is set to return to the National Assembly later this month following the expiration of her six-month suspension. Her legal counsel, Victor Giwa, confirmed the development in Abuja. According to Giwa, the senator is currently on vacation in London but has already concluded plans to resume plenary when the Senate reconvenes on 23 September 2025. “Actually, she’s ready to resume her term. She’s in London. Everything is in place, and the six months have expired. The only thing left is her resumption,” he said. The lawyer further noted that there is…

Despite last-minute appeals by the Federal Government, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has commenced a nationwide strike today, in protest against alleged anti-labour practices by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The industrial action threatens to paralyse fuel distribution across the country, with industry insiders warning of imminent fuel scarcity and economic disruption. The union’s president, Comrade Williams Akporeha, confirmed that while the government had reached out to the union and scheduled a conciliatory meeting for today in Abuja, the strike would proceed as planned. “The Federal Government and the NNPC have been in touch with us,…

Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has revealed his anxiety every time Victor Osimhen joins Nigeria’s Super Eagles for international fixtures, following the striker’s ankle injury during Nigeria’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory against Rwanda on Saturday. Osimhen, 26, was substituted in the first half of the match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo and replaced by Cyriel Dessers. The injury has cast doubt over his availability for Nigeria’s next crucial qualifier against South Africa on Tuesday. Speaking on Now Spor and quoted by habersarikirmizi, Buruk said: “If there is a problem with Osimhen, we want to send a plane immediately…

Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has shed light on why Rwandan players appeared to deliberately target Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen during Nigeria’s narrow 1-0 victory over the Amavubi on Saturday. Osimhen, who plays for Turkish giants Galatasaray, was injured in the first half of the fiercely contested match held at the Uyo Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State. He was subsequently substituted by Cyriel Dessers, leaving fans anxious about his availability for Nigeria’s next game. Earlier, Nigerian coach Eric Chelle expressed doubts over Osimhen’s fitness ahead of Tuesday’s crucial qualifier against South Africa at the Free State Stadium. Reports…

The Kano State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has responded to criticism over the recent expulsion of House of Representatives member, Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, representing the Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency, citing gross disloyalty and alleged political trading with the All Progressives Congress (APC) as reasons for the action. Chairman of the NNPP in Kano, Alhaji Suleiman Hashimu Dungurawa, told journalists on Sunday that the party had no obligation to offer Kofa a fair hearing, as he had already demonstrated public disloyalty and declared his intention to leave the party. “We took the drastic measure of sacking Abdulmumin Jibrin…

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has reaffirmed its decision to commence industrial action on Monday, 8th September 2025, citing alleged anti-labour practices by the management of Dangote Refinery. In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday and signed by the union’s President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olufemi, NUPENG accused the Dangote Group of attempting to undermine legally recognised labour rights and union freedoms. According to the union, the core of the dispute lies in what it describes as efforts by the Dangote Refinery and its affiliated entities to compel drivers to join an…

Kano, Nigeria – Federal lawmaker Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa has officially announced his departure from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), just hours after the Kwankwasiyya faction of the party declared his expulsion. In a personally signed statement released on Saturday, Kofa described the expulsion as a “rude shock” but said he accepted the decision “in good faith”. He urged the party to allow him to leave in peace, without further acrimony. “While I would have loved to stay in the NNPP and continue my service to our people and country despite differences on some issues, the party has made and…

Abuja, Nigeria – Individuals declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are usually subject to an extensive legal and investigative process prior to public declaration, legal experts have said. According to legal practitioner Pelumi Olajengbesi, the declaration of a person as wanted by the EFCC is not arbitrary, but follows several procedural steps, beginning with a formal invitation to the individual under investigation. The EFCC, Nigeria’s leading anti-graft agency, is empowered by law to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, including cybercrime, money laundering, contract scams, and public sector corruption. Before declaring a suspect wanted, the Commission typically…

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South-West Development Commission (SWDC), Dr Charles Akinola, has reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to delivering its statutory mandate in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Speaking to journalists after the commission’s inaugural board meeting held on Friday in Ibadan, Oyo State, Akinola described the establishment of the SWDC as a “landmark intervention” by President Tinubu aimed at tackling the region’s long-standing developmental challenges through a strategic, coordinated, and sustainable framework. He outlined the commission’s broad mandate, which includes infrastructure development, industrialisation, regional integration, job creation, and the promotion of human…