Protesters By Mandy Park For many petty traders in Lagos, the ban on sachet and small-sized plastic-bottled alcoholic beverages has become more than a regulatory policy – it has become a threat to their livelihoods and ability to feed their families. Members of the Lagos State chapter of Concerned Drink Sellers and Traders Across Nigeria are appealing to the Federal Government and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to suspend the enforcement of the ban on alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and plastic bottles below 200ml. The traders,…
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ECOWAS president, Diop, seeks tolerance, respect among member states
General Birame Diop By Mandy Park The new President, Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission), General Birame Diop, has called for respect and tolerance among members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as he takes over leadership from Dr Aliou Omar Toure. Speaking yesterday at the official handover ceremony in Abuja, Diop emphasised that for the commission to be effectively positioned, leaders must bear a responsibility that is tolerant and patient considering the distinct cultural backgrounds of members. He also decried that the…
Read MoreHURIWA commends DSS boss Ajayi over professionalism, intelligence-led reforms
MENU HURIWA By Mandy Park Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, for what it describes as an encouraging shift towards more professional, accountable and human rights-compliant intelligence operations. In a statement in Abuja, HURIWA welcomed “the reported review of old DSS watchlists, including restrictions dating back decades, noting that outdated intelligence records should not continue to unjustifiably affect the liberty, dignity and freedom of movement of citizens.” In a statement signed by its national coordinator, Comrade…
Read MoreGunmen kill One, abduct APC Chairman in Kano attack
By :Mandy Park Fresh deadly banditory attack in Kano have disrupted communal activities in Rogo local government area of the state, leaving one Alumajir Killed. The suspected kidnappers also abducted Alh. Abdullahi Beli, Chairman of All Progressives Congress APC in Rogo local government area during the attack Monday evening. Eyewitness revealed that the APC Chairman was abducted in his house during an overnight invasion at his Beli village near Zarewa town. The onslaught of the criminals which triggered pandemonium in the village led to sporadic shooting and killing of a…
Read MoreNigeria Has All It Needs to Prosper, Requires Competent Leadership — Obi
Photo: Mr Peter Obi By Mandy Park Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said Nigeria possesses the human and natural resources required to become a prosperous nation, but requires competent, honest and purposeful leadership to harness its enormous potential. Obi made the assertion while participating as a guest and panellist alongside other presidential candidates and representatives at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The 2026 NBA conference, themed “Beyond Limits,” was held from August 21…
Read MorePolice Invite VeryDarkMan Over Allegations Linking Checkpoint Officers to Kidnappers
Photo: Martins Otse, VeryDarkMan By Mandy Park The Nigeria Police Force has invited social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to provide evidence supporting allegations he made against police officers at the recent Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt. VDM had reportedly alleged during the conference that some police officers manning checkpoints along major highways identify wealthy travellers and allegedly pass information about their identities and movements to kidnappers and bandits, thereby facilitating abductions for ransom. Reacting to the allegation, the Police Force, in…
Read MoreMintage Africa Unveiled in Abuja to Drive Wealth Creation, Entrepreneurship for African Youth
By Mandy Park A new continental platform focused on wealth creation rather than aid, Mintage Africa, was officially launched on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Ventures Park, Maitama, Abuja. The launch drew young entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, and ecosystem stakeholders for conversations centred on repositioning Africa for sustainable economic growth through entrepreneurship, innovation, and mentorship. ‘Africa Must Shift From Aid to Wealth’ Delivering the keynote, Dipo Fisho, serial entrepreneur, business mogul, author, pastor and Co-Founder of Mintage Africa, said the continent must urgently move away from dependency on poverty alleviation…
Read MoreDolly Parton, Country Music Legend, Dies at 80
Photo: Dolly Parton By Mandy Park Country music legend, singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist, Dolly Parton, has died at the age of 80. Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, her family announced. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who served as her head of security for more than two decades, announced her death in a video shared on social media. The death of Parton brings to an end a remarkable career spanning about seven decades, during which she became…
Read MoreMy Brother Is an Animal – Peter Obi
Photo: Mr Peter Obi By Val Obienyem In my article to mark Obi’s 65th birthday, titled “The Odd Quirks of Peter Obi at Sixty-Five,” I tried to recall some of his unusual habits, instinctive reactions and characteristic sayings. I began with Plutarch, who, in the preamble to his”Life of Alexander”, wrote: “I am writing biography, not history; and the most brilliant exploits do not always manifest a man’s virtue or vice so well as a slight thing, a word or a jest, which often tells us more of his character…
Read MoreCross River APC Hails Otu’s Appointment as South-South Coordinator of 2027 Presidential Campaign Council
Photo : Governor Otu By: Mandy Park The Cross River State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has congratulated the state Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, on his appointment as the South-South Zonal Campaign Coordinator of the party’s 2027 Presidential Campaign Council. In a statement issued by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Hon. Emmanuel Edem Inyang, the State Chairman, Rt. Hon. Christopher Sunny Etta, and members of the State Executive Committee described the appointment as a recognition of Otu’s political experience, leadership capacity and influence across the South-South geopolitical zone.…
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