Photo: Hon Rotimi Makinde By: Mandy Park Ile Ife, the cradle of Yoruba civilization, stands at a political crossroads. As Osun approaches another election cycle, questions of heritage, federal relevance, and generational inheritance have returned to the front burner. In this exclusive chat, Hon. Rotimi Makinde, former Member of the House of Representatives representing Ife Federal Constituency, speaks with clarity and conviction. He defends Ife’s leadership, rejects fire-brigade politics, and makes the case for strategic alignment with federal power as the only path to the kingdom’s rightful place. The message…
Read MoreBREAKING: Court sentences 4 to death over Owo church attack
By: Mandy Park A federal high court in Abuja has convicted four persons over their involvement in the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo state. Four out of the five suspects initially arraigned were convicted on all nine counts preferred against them by the federal government. The suspects — Idris Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — were arraigned on August 11 on a nine-count terrorism charge. The federal government alleged that they joined the Al-Shabaab terrorist group…
Read MoreCAPPA Warns Of Rising Nicotine Addiction Among Nigerian Youths
By: Daniel Kanu The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA has urged the Nigerian government and relevant stakeholders to take urgent action against the growing appeal of nicotine and tobacco products among young people warning that the country is facing an expanding nicotine addiction crisis fueled by new and emerging products such as vapes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches. Nicotine Addiction Marking the 2026 World No Tobacco Day, at an event in Lagos on Tuesday themed “Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction,” CAPPA said tobacco companies…
Read MoreCHSR Condemns Disruption of Anti-Insecurity Protest, Demands Urgent Action on Rising Violence
By: Daniel Kanu The Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) has condemned the reported disruption of a peaceful protest by individuals allegedly affiliated with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), describing the incident as a threat to democratic freedoms and a reflection of Nigeria’s deepening security crisis. In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its President, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, the rights advocacy group expressed concern over the alleged attack on members of the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement and other civil society organizations who had gathered to protest…
Read MoreGov Otu Unveils ‘Rethinking Our Collective Destiny’ as 2026 Carnival Theme
Photo: Gov Bassey Otu By: Mandy Park Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has officially unveiled the theme for the 2026 Carnival Calabar and Festivals entitled: “Rethinking Our Collective Destiny,” declaring that the globally acclaimed cultural spectacle must continue to serve as a platform for economic growth, social cohesion, cultural renaissance, and national reflection. The unveiling ceremony, held on Sunday at the prestigious Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, attracted an array of distinguished personalities, diplomats, tourism stakeholders, former public office holders, corporate sponsors, and cultural enthusiasts…
Read MoreSERAP Condemns Detention of Author Okey Ndibe, Demands Accountability from Tinubu Government
Photo : Okey Ndibe By: Ndidi Adams The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned the reported detention of renowned Nigerian novelist and author, Okey Ndibe, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival in Nigeria from the United States. In a statement issued on Monday, SERAP described the incident as an arbitrary detention and a violation of fundamental human rights, despite reports that the author was later released. According to available reports, Ndibe was detained by DSS operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport…
Read MoreOpinion: AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CHAIRMAN OF INEC: THE WEIGHT OF HISTORY AND THE REWARD OF DOING RIGHT
Photo: Professor Joash Amupitan, By: Valentine Obienyem AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CHAIRMAN OF INEC: THE WEIGHT OF HISTORY AND THE REWARD OF DOING RIGHT Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, The title of this letter should ideally be: The Choice Before You: Professor Mahmood or Professor Nnenna Oti. The reason is not far-fetched. As you approach your own defining moment, the choice before you is, in many respects, the choice between these two legacies. Both occupied positions of public trust and faced defining moments in Nigeria’s democratic journey, yet history has…
Read MoreBREAKING: Oyo teachers to embark on indefinite strike over abduction By: Mandy Park The Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, has directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw their services from schools beginning Monday, June 1, 2026, until further notice. The directive, issued by the national leadership of the union, is in protest against the continued captivity of abducted teachers and pupils, whose rescue and safe release remain uncertain. The document was signed by the chairman of the NUT, Hassan A. Fatai, and the secretary,…
Read MoreACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY MR. PETER OBI FOLLOWING HIS NOMINATION AS THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OF THE NIGERIAN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (NDC) – MAY 30, 2026*
Photo : Mr Peter Obi Protocols, Esteemed citizens of Nigeria, It is with deep humility that I accept the role of presidential candidate for our party. I express my profound gratitude to the leaders of our party. His Excellency Seriake Dickson, the National Chairman, National Secretary and the National Working Committee, NWC members and members of our relentless supporters, and the Nigerian populace who have steadfastly kept the spirit of hope alive. I commend those who have made the journey from every region of our nation to convene here in…
Read More2027 Presidential Election: NDC endorses Obi, names Kwankwaso as running mate, pledges responsive governance
Photo: Mr Peter Obi By: Mandy Park Peter Gregory Obi, the former governor of Anambra State and the 2023 presidential candidate, has been officially endorsed by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as its presidential nominee for the upcoming 2027 general election. This affirmation took place at a special convention held in Abuja on Saturday, following a motion introduced by Senator Victor Umeh and supported by former Deputy Senate President, Omo Agege. Immediately after his endorsement, Obi nominated Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano State, as his running…
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