Producer and Director, Allwell Ademola: Buried at Atan Cemetery, Yaba, Lagos State.
By Akinwale Kasali
Nollywood Actress, Producer and Director, Allwell Ademola who died of Cardiac Arrest on December 27, 2025, has been buried at Atan Cemetery, Yaba, Lagos State. She was laid to rest on Friday, January 9, as tears rolled down the cheeks of colleagues, families, fans and friends.
Her colleagues from the film industry, including Afeez Abiodun, Rotimi Salami, Kunle Afod, and Abiola Adebayo, among others, attended the burial to pay their last respects to the actress, who was widely known for her role as “Mama Kate” in the 2018 film “Ile Wa.”
The visibly emotional colleagues of the deceased broke down in tears as they poured sand on her coffin, which had already been lowered into the grave.
During a brief sermon at the cemetery, the Pastor who officiated urged attendees to reflect on their lives while they still had the opportunity.
He said the burial served as a reminder that everyone would one day face the same end.
He added that the moment should prompt deep reflection on how one’s life journey would conclude, particularly for those harbouring malice or engaging in wrongdoing.
The Pastor said, “Then you will discover that nobody has time. The will of God is that this should help us mend our ways before our Maker. He said the righteous will always consider this in their hearts. What are we going to do with this? She has lived her life. She has run the race and has gone to meet her maker, but what we are doing here is for you and me. As for her, she is rejoicing in the bosom of Abraham.
“How will you end your journey? That malice, wickedness, “I will not agree” — who knows what is next? That is the million-dollar question before us today. Because in the next few days, nature has a way of putting forgetfulness in things. But will you remember that one day it will be my turn, just as it is her turn today? What God expects of us when we see things like this is to look up to God and say, ‘Father, help me to make the best of the time that is left”.
It would be recalled that several of her colleagues attended her Service of Songs and Candlelight Procession held on Thursday at Blueroof Pavilion at Lagos Television, LTV, Agidingbi, Lagos.
Proominent figures in the industry, including Odunlade Adekola, Saheed Balogun, Bolaji Amusan, Iyabo Ojo, Fausat Balogun, Eniola Ajao and Fathia Balogun and other attendees wore customised white T-shirts bearing Ademola’s portrait as a mark of tribute.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has urged the people to disregard circulating reports suggesting that Governor Bala Mohammad of Bauchi State and Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum has concluded plans to defect to the coalition platform, the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
The party described the reports as not only false and misleading ,but also irresponsible and baseless.
A statement on Friday, January 9, 2025, from the Bauchi State PDP Chapter Chairman, Hon Sama’ila Adamu Burga, stated that Governor Mohammad has no intention to abandon the PDP for the ADC ,and or any other political parties.
The Bauchi State PDP Chairman noted that the issue concerning the alleged planned defection of the Governor was decisively deliberated on and debunked at a” well attended stakeholders gathering held on Sunday January 4,2026 at the Government House Bauchi.
He emphasized that apart from stakeholders passing a resounding vote of confidence in the Governor, the PDP Governors Forum Chairman unequivocally reaffirmed his loyalty and commitment to the party.
Burga further noted that the meeting which was well attended featured the Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, members of the Bauchi State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, members of the state’s Executive Council, state and local Government PDP officials, serving and former members of the National Assembly, and other major stakeholders.
According to him, across all party structures and organs, members reaffirmed their support and confidence in the abilities of Governor Mohammad and other National leaders of the PDP in repositioning the party.
The PDP Chairman, also, informed that stakeholders lauded the Governor Mohammad’s leadership style and qualities ,as well as his courage, humility, patriotism and commitment to good governance ,both as the Bauchi State Governor and the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.
Burga stated that Governor Mohammad’s principled stance on constitutional order, fairness and national issues has come with challenges which include state-sponsored harassment, intimidation and orchestrated media attacks.
He, however, assured that the momentary travails and persecution will not weaken the Governor’s resolve, nor in any way alter his commitment to democratic values and responsible leadership.
According to the PDP Chairman, Governor Mohammad while appreciating the trust and the confidence reposed in him, assured PDP stakeholders of his unflinching commitment and loyalty to the party ,as well as the unity, development and progress of Bauchi State and Nigeria as a whole.
Further debunking insinuations concerning the Governor’s defection, Burga stated that such major political decisions are not taken unilaterally ,but after wide consultations.
“At no time , either privately and or publicly ,has Governor’ Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed expressed any intention to defect to the ADC , APC or any other political party” Burga stated.
He, however, expressed the readiness and commitment of the PDP to constructive engagements with other political parties for the purpose of protecting national stability ,and ensuring democratic consolidation, with the process predicated on truth , mutual respect ,and democratic norms ,not on misinformation and speculation” the PDP chairman noted.
The Source further reports that Governor Mohammad had? of recent, alleged intimidation and harassment owing to his refusal to join forces with the ruling party at the centre-the APC.
He has blamed the ongoing prosecution of some officials of the Bauchi State Government, including Yakubu Adamu the Commissioner for Finance on his refusal to defect to the APC.
Ahead the 2027 elections, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed has urged old politicians in the country to step aside for young Nigerians to take over the affairs of the country.
According to Baba-Ahmed, the new generation of Nigerians have waited too long for old politicians to retire so that they can take over.
He spoke on Channels Television Morning Brief, barely 72 hours after he indicated interest to run for the Presidency under the LP.
The LP 2023 Vice Presidential candidate spoke after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar insisted that he will contest the next presidential election under the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
Not a few Nigerians have urged the former number two citizens to step aside to give younger aspirants, including former LP Presidential candidate, Peter Obi a chance to carry the ADC flag in 2027.
Baba-Ahmed, the magazine recalls was the running mate to Obi in the 2023 presidential election.
He said Abubakar has been running for president as long as he can remember, even while he was serving in the “NYSC”, he should give new generation of politicians a chance to try their luck, the former senator said, adding that younger generation of politicians have the capacity to turn the situation around in the country.
He said: “When I was doing my NYSC, Baba Atiku was an aspirant, and in 2018, we contested the primaries together. In 2023, we contested again, with me as a vice-presidential candidate elsewhere, when his vice president had left him. And, for God’s sake, in 2027 again.
“There is a need for a new generation of Nigerian leaders, and they do exist. A whole new generation is waiting for a new leader to lead them to a new party.
“There are good Nigerians capable of solving Nigeria’s problems, but they are discouraged by an expensive, difficult and treacherous system filled with godfathers and broken promises.”
The Ondo State Government, has secured a ₦50 million support fund from the Global Environment Facility (GEF7 FOLUR-NG) to implement large-scale tree-planting across the state.
The project is aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of climate change, including erosion, flooding, and soil degradation.
The support follows a previous engagement held last month when the FAO GEF7 Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Programme (FOLUR-IP) team paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Tob Loko, in Akure.
Speaking at the signing of the engagement, Dr. Loko reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to creating a safe, healthy and climate-resilient environment for humans, animals and plants.
He emphasized that the escalating impacts of climate change demand urgent, collective and sustained action from all stakeholders.
The Commissioner also highlighted the dangers associated with ozone layer depletion, describing it as an existential threat to life on Earth, with far-reaching consequences for humans, wildlife, aquatic ecosystems and vegetation.
He stressed the need to intensify public discourse on climate change to deepen citizens’ understanding and encourage active participation in environmental protection efforts.
Dr. Loko expressed appreciation to GEF7 for the support, noting that the initiative represents a proactive response to climate change challenges and aligns with global best practices in environmental sustainability.
Confirming the support, the National Coordinator of GEF7, Prof. Oladapo Akinyemi, stated that the passion, commitment and resilience demonstrated by the Commissioner in safeguarding the state’s environment inspired the decision to finalize the partnership.
He commended Dr. Loko for the achievements recorded since assuming office and encouraged him to sustain the momentum.
A Rock and a Hard Place: It was a hard decision. But it had to be made, and very quickly too. And on the 31st of December, 2025, Peter Obi decided to formally join Nigeria’s coalition political group, the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Let’s say he bit the bullet.
It’s symbolic he chose the last day of the year. It’s even more so that the venue had to be Enugu, the regional seat of the Igbo. And more remarkable, for the first time since Obi disrupted the political equation of Nigeria about five years ago, notable Igbo leaders are arrayed behind him.
At the Enugu declaration, there were five former governors of the Southeast in his corner; several serving senators and other respectable Igbo leaders and prominent figures like Chief Simeon Okeke, Prof. Pat Utomi and Osita Ogbu and Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe, to name a few. There was also ADC chairman, David Mark and former governors Tambuwal and Osarienren of Sokoto and Edo respectively; among others.
In an arid political era, that was an assemblage of the cream of the crop of Igbo politics today.
The gathering speaks volumes; for once, there seems to be a meeting of minds of Igbo leaders and all facing one direction and pursuing one goal.
Mr Peter Obi: Joined ADC
It must have taken some doing to mesh together, this caucus! It’s even more salutary that they are queueing behind one of their own.
Igboland have never enjoyed this size of unity of purpose and this kind of ime-obi (elders conclave) camaraderie for a long time. It seems like a good omen for Peter Obi.
But the matter is not so straightforward. Recall that this column had in a recent edition urged Obi to shun the ADC.
The reasons were simple. Obi had been boxed between a rock and a hard place, so to speak.
While rampaging President Bola Tinubu and his APC had devised a scorch-earth strategy to capture and close the entire Nigeria political space on the one hand, the coalition ADC on its part, already has the imprimatur of Atiku Abubakar stamped on it. This makes the party impregnable to other aspirants.
Therefore, as at 31st December, Peter Obi actually had two choices: either to quit politics honourably or join the ADC where he has a slim chance of getting a presidential ticket; where he may be consigned to the role of a bit player.
Whatever choice Obi made, he would probably be condemned by history as THE BEST LEADER WHO NEVER LED! Nigeria’s own Alexander Hamilton of sorts.
Again, whatever choice he made, he would alienate the OBiDIENTS movement, his teeming ‘cult’ followers across the country.
PROMETHEUS BOUND AGAIN: It’s strongly believed that the best Obi would get in the ADC would be the running mate slot… behind Atiku Abubakar!
Die hard Obi supporters like Professor Pat Utomi and Aisha Yusufu have already vowed to disown Obi should he play second fiddle to any candidate. These are the signature supporters.
Millions of his followers and acolytes across the country would be stricken.
Obi for them is not only their president already, he represents, a certain Prometheus, the Greek god who beat all odds to light up the earth and liberate hapless earthlings. But the goodly god was met with a torrid fate. He was eternally bound to a rock to pine away but was eventually freed by Hercules.
Peter to his large followers, is a paradigm shift for Nigeria. He is believed to be the change Nigeria has awaited for 66 years. They were actually on the cusp of stealing the thunder from Nigeria’s old order in 2023 but the tide was turned against them at the nick of time. The old warhorses “glitched” the process at the last minute and practically had to force back the hand of the clock.
WILL ATIKU BUDGE:? Not likely. Not with a Philharmonic of marabouts chanting the majesty of Atiku’s position day and night. He’s already gone beyond the ADC primary. He’s probably at the stage of making a running mate deal with Obi.
Pundits believe only Atiku can wrench power from the sitting President, Tinubu. With the north much disillusioned with the present administration, they would easily vote en masse for their own. The idea of power returning to the north would also be a great advantage in this calculation.
While Peter Obi would of course, lose a chunk of OBiDIENTS, a good number would tarry if convinced that Atiku is the stepping stone to their objective which is ultimately: the making of a new Nigeria!
WHY WON’T ATIKU BACK OBI TO THE DIADEM? Simple: Atiku is not a democrat; he’s a powermonger who seeks to bear the title, ‘President’ at all cost. Otherwise, with a strong backing from Atiku and the entire coalition, Obi will easily win a historic pan-Nigerian mandate in 2027.
Apart from Obi’s magical nationwide appeal, power rotation also favours the southeast.
This is not to mention Obi’s vow to do only one term of four years so power would return to the north in 2031.
RULING APC IN PAINS: As the two major contenders in the 2023 polls come together, ruling APC has been reeling in severe pains. There’s no doubt that Obi and Atiku on one card would be almost impossible to beat.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga was first to make a painful yelp hours after Obi’s announcement. He sounded as if he was struck by a thunderbolt in his hurried, disjointed press release.
Few days ago, it was Festus Keyamo, Aviation Minister who gripped about Obi playing second fiddle as if that has become a criminal offence. As if Obi is the cause of the mire that’s aviation in Nigeria under Keyamo’s watch. APC is surely in a bad place right now!
AS OBI CHOOSES REALPOLITIK… Peter Obi will need a bit of hardshell to convince his adherents that joining ADC or even playing second to obdurate Atiku is the best option available.
He set the tone in his grand Enugu speech: “Let history record that Nigeria’s turning point begins here and now. Together, with courage, unity, and resolve, we can build a new, productive, and inclusive Nigeria.”
Finally, has Obi bitten the bullet or is he stooping to conquer? Time will tell.
LAST LINE: LEADERS CONTINUE THE REVEL… At a time of roiling poverty, Nigeria’s leaders, especially public officials, seem to develop a special fervour for obscene living. A viral post during the year-end season suggests that about a dozen governors were holidaying abroad. The President too seems to be more at home in Europe and Arabia than in Nigeria recently, (nigh every Nigerian wants to flee, actually.)
Meanwhile, Nigeria remains on tenterhooks. Hunger is still pervasive. Insecurity is not abating, jobs are not being created just as the flailing economy enjoys no reprieve.
Let our leaders quit politicking and junketing. Let’s sit up ###
To reduce burden of education on parents, the Federal Government has adopted reusable of high quality textbooks among siblings.
Also as part of the education reform being focused on public schools, a uniform academic calendar has been introduced to promote consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning across the country.
These are part of Federal Government comprehensive policy framework aimed at reducing the cost of education for parents, improving learning outcomes, and promoting sustainability in schools.
A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Boriowo Folasade, this is part of ongoing reforms to reposition the education sector and ease the financial burden on families.
The statement explained that the policy prioritises the use of standardised, durable textbooks designed to last between four and six years, while expressly prohibiting the bundling of disposable workbooks with textbooks in schools.
According to the statement, the initiative allows siblings to share textbooks, lowering recurring education costs for parents, and reducing waste within the school system, thereby supporting environmental sustainability.
It highlighted that the policy introduces limits on the number of approved textbooks per subject and grade level, in line with international best practices.
This measure is expected to improve quality, reduce market saturation, and simplify textbook selection processes for schools and education authorities.
A key provision of the framework is a structured and meaningful revision cycle, where textbook revisions must reflect substantive improvements in content rather than minor changes in layout or pagination, thereby extending the lifespan of approved textbooks and ensuring better value for money.
It added that under the new guidelines, only pupils and students completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) are permitted to hold graduation ceremonies.
The statement emphasised that the policy strengthens the assessment, quality assurance, selection, and use of textbooks and instructional materials nationwide.
It pointed out that the reform responds to longstanding concerns over frequent but cosmetic textbook revisions, weak ranking standards, and practices that compel parents to purchase new textbooks annually without corresponding improvements in content or learning outcomes.
The statement further explained that the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue to play a central role in the assessment and quality assurance of instructional materials, working closely with relevant education agencies to ensure that only high-quality, curriculum-aligned textbooks are approved for use in schools nationwide.
”The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirms the Government’s resolve to safeguard educational standards, promote equity, reduce costs for parents, and ensure that learners across Nigeria have access to high-quality instructional materials that support effective teaching and learning
Prof. Joash Amupitan, National Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has stated the Commission’s readiness to organize an election that is free from any form of interference, fair to all contestants and political parties; credible in the eyes of the global community and transparent in every process come 2027.
Amupitan made this remark at the Induction and Strategic Retreat held by the Commission for Honourable National Commissioners, Secretary to the Commission, Resident Electoral Commissioners, Administrative Secretaries and Directors of the Commission in Lagos.
The INEC Boss stated that the Retreat serves as a bridge between institutional experience and the innovative demands of a rapidly evolving landscape.
He added that it was a rare and vital opportunity to share knowledge, synchronize strategies and fortify the leadership echelon of the Commission as it prepares for the 2027 General Election.
Following complains of logistic and personnel issues during election that has been perennial challenges of ad-hoc Staff and transportation, the INEC Chair stated that this will become history as an Election Management Body will be constituted to address all this.
Amupitan further stated that the aim of the electoral body is to rewrite the history of elections in Nigeria.
“The 2027 General Election must be a free amd fair and be a watershed moment in Nigeria’s history. But we must even aim higher.
“I want us to build an institution that is globally recognized, let it be that under our watch, INEC became the best election management body in Africa- a beacon of integrity, a model of technologically efficiency and a fortress of democratic values”.
The Kogi born Chairman of the electoral umpire charged the Commission’s Staff that INEC can, indeed, conduct a world class, technologically driven and transparent election that is beyond reproach.
As regards the Welfare of INEC Staffs, Amupitan reiterated his administration’s commitment to make the environment conducive, with modern tools made available, stressing that any compromise on the Commission’s values or processes will have consequences.
He stressed that there will be no room for misconduct, whether by omission or Commission.
The All Progressive Congress, APC, has rejected claims suggesting that former Governor of Nasarawa state Senator Abdullahi Adamu has defected to the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
It described as false and totally misleading reports on the social media space that claiming that Adamu, a former National Chairman of the APC, is now a member of the coalition platform ADC.
A statement Thursday evening January 8, 2025, issued by the Nasarawa State APC Organizing Secretary, Hassan Abubakar, also described the purported defection of Adamu as a deliberate propaganda designed to mislead the public and cause confusion within the party.
Abubakar, who is the State Coordinator of the APC’s e-membership registration exercise, informed that the images being circulated on the social media were taken during the former Governor’s e-membership and revalidation exercise, an ongoing programme aimed at strengthening the party’s database, and internal democracy.
The APC emphasized that Adamu remains a card-carrying and loyal member of the APC.
“For the avoidance of doubt , Senator Abdullahi Adamu at no time ,defected, contemplated defection, or associated himself with any other political party”, the APC noted.
The APC expressed serious surprise and shock over deliberate attempts by some political desperados to misrepresent a legitimate party activity as a defection.
The party, therefore, urged APC members and the general public to disregard the claims of the defection of Adamu,and rely only on verified APC sources for information.
The Source further reports that Senator Adamu in 2023 resigned his appointment as the APC National Chairman after an alleged disagreement with the presidency.
He was elected as the National Chairman at the party’s National Convention in 2022 ,but was forced to make way for Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje , immediately after the 2023 general elections owing to perceived irreconcilable differences with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu .
Designation of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara as ‘Madam’ in the impeachment notice served on him on Thursday may turn to be one of the technicalities which can stall the action.
The Rivers State House Assembly had addressed Governor Siminalayi Fubara as “Madam” in the notice of impeachment to the Governor.
The Assembly, on Thursday, initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara.
The Lawmakers launched the process after Major Jack, leader of the Assembly, read gross misconduct charges against Fubara, signed by 26 members of the House.
Martin Amaewhule, the speaker, said the notice of gross misconduct would be served on the governor within the next seven days, as required by law.
The Assembly later served Fubara with the notice of gross misconduct but addressed him as “Madam”.
The notice dated January 8, 2026, was signed by Amaewhule.
The Governor and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu were addressed as ‘Madam’ in the two letters by the Assembly.
The state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has advised the assembly against the action warning members not to be teleguided by outsiders.
Amaewhule has threatened to resign as Speaker if the present impeachment move fails.
Following the abduction of two medical doctors in Edo state within 48 hours, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Edo State Branch, has announced its decision to withdraw medical services across the state, effective Saturday, January 10th, 2026.
The measure comes in response to the recent abduction of two medical doctors, which occurred on January 1st and 2nd, 2026.
Dr. Eustace Oseghale, Chairman of the NMA Edo State Branch, conveyed the association’s decision in a statement released to newsmen in Benin on Friday.
He stated that the withdrawal of services is a direct consequence of the abduction of their colleagues and a reflection of the heightened sense of vulnerability among medical practitioners in the state.
According to Oseghale, the NMA is calling for immediate intervention to secure the release of the abducted doctors and implement measures to prevent future incidents.
The statement reads, “This incident raises concerns about healthcare professionals’ safety in Edo State, threatening their lives and undermining healthcare delivery.
“We demand the immediate release of our abducted colleagues as well as enhanced security protocols for Edo State residents and regular engagement between NMA Edo and the Edo State Government on security concerns.”
The NMA leadership insisted on withdrawal of services state wide if their demands are not met, stressing that a safe working environment is crucial for healthcare providers.
“We’ll continue to withhold services until our demands are met and colleagues are safe.
“We urge a swift resolution and the safe return of our colleagues. Security operatives should take this seriously, as they’ll be held responsible for the consequences of our action.”Oseghale said.
