Dele Farotimi, a prominent human rights advocate, has regained his freedom after meeting the stringent bail conditions set by an Ado-Ekiti magistrate court. Farotimi was released from the Ekiti State correctional facility on Tuesday morning, following his arrest on December 3 for alleged defamation against renowned legal luminary Afe Babalola. The controversy surrounding Farotimi’s arrest stems from his book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System,” which was released on July…

Taiwo Oyedele, the Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, has stated that some Nigerians swore at him and rained curses on him and his family over the tax reform bills. Spoke during an event for the presentation of the report of a technical committee set up by the League of Northern Democrats (LND) to review the controversial tax reform bills on Thursday in Abuja, Oyedele, however said he…

By Yomi Olugbenro 1. The proposed spending represents 37% increase over 2024 amended budget of N35.06 trillion. While this appears to be highly ambitious, the quantum leap is directly attributable to Naira devaluation. Using the budgeted exchange rates for both years, 2025 budget amounts to $32b (N1, 500/$) against 2024 budget of $44b, a reduction by 37%. So, blame it on the currency’s value! 2. The budget is christened as…

The wrath of Cyclone Chido has left a trail of devastation across northern Mozambique, with scientists attributing the storm’s ferocity to the intensifying effects of climate change. The cyclone made landfall on December 15th, bringing destructive winds of up to 120 km/h and torrential rains that exceeded 250 mm within a single day. The provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa bore the brunt of the storm’s impact, while neighboring…

By Babafemi Ojudu If you have ever witnessed the Ede masquerade, the Aladoko, or the Alamudu perform, you will instantly appreciate the poetry of Niyi Osundare, the world-renowned poet. Osundare hails from Ekiti, as do these mesmerizing masquerades. Had education not found him, Osundare might well have been a bearer of one of these magnificent masks—adorned with multicolored feathers and mirrors cascading from the nape to the feet—chanting profound verses…

UK court sentenced Urfan Sharif, 43, and Beinash Batool, 30, to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of 10-year-old British Pakistani Sara Sharif, who died after enduring a prolonged campaign of “torture” and “despicable abuse.” The pair will serve minimum terms of 40 and 33 years respectively, as ruled by Judge John Cavanagh at London’s Old Bailey. The court heard harrowing details of Sara’s suffering, with her body found covered…

Recently, the singer David Adeleke was given a global stage to do whatever he wanted and deliver any message. Sadly, Mr. Adeleke used the opportunity to speak in an American accent. Not only that, he used that American accent to talk down on Nigeria and tell the world not to invest in Nigeria because, as he put it, Nigeria’s “economy is in shambles”. Coincidentally, a month after his faux pas,…

Language is a dynamic tool shaped by interaction, cultural perception, attitudes, and beliefs.While some see language as a simple system of words, research shows it is a complex set of symbols, expressions, and actions that resonate with specific communities.In Nigeria, known for its creativity and linguistic diversity, 2024 has seen a surge of new words and phrases popularised through social media.These expressions are quickly adopted into daily interactions, showcasing the…

Shina Peters, 66, a Nigerian juju icon, reveals his ordination as a Cherubim and Seraphim bishop, citing his gospel-inspired music’s spiritual impact. According to Peters, his journey to becoming a bishop was not planned. He revealed that the decision came after a divine instruction was given to the church leaders. “The Almighty God told the leaders of the church that I should be made the first bishop in the C&S…

By Dr. Okolo Oteri Eme Kemi Badenoch is not the only one who demeans Nigeria to gain acceptance from Caucasians. Unfortunately, this behavior has become the default mode for many Africans, especially Nigerians. I’ve seen and heard it too many times for it to be dismissed as a coincidence. This attitude might be one of the reasons we have progressed so slowly as a people. We are often too personally…

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol today announced he would ‘step aside’ following a parliamentary vote to impeach him, urging an end to divisive and confrontational politics. In its Saturday’s report, it was stated that in a televised address, Yoon acknowledged the decision, signaling his temporary withdrawal from the political stage. “Though I must now step aside for a while, the journey toward the future must never come to a…

In a tragic incident that occurred in Lokoja on Friday morning, two female students from the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) and Kogi State Polytechnic lost their lives in a ghastly motor crash along the Felele axis of the state capital. According to reports, the accident involved a heavily loaded articulated vehicle heading toward Abuja, which lost control and rammed into a tricycle (commonly known as Keke NAPEP) carrying passengers toward…