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Dangote, PENGASAN End Face-Off

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Dangote Refinery

The Federal Government has brokered truce in the labour dispute between Dangote Petroleum  Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASAN.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, the two parties  agreed to end the crisis following the conciliatory meetings with some officials f the federal government which included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Fiance and Coordinator of the Economy, Wale Edun, Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS among others.

The following resolutions were agreed on, the statement said.

1 The Honourable Minister of Labour informed the meeting that unionisation is a right of workers in accordance with the laws of Nigeria, and this right should be respected.

2 After examining the procedure used in the disengagement of workers, the meeting agreed that the management of Dangote Group shall immediately begin the process of redeploying the disengaged staff to other companies within the Dangote Group, with no loss of pay.

3 No worker will be victimised arising from their role in the impasse between Dangote and PENGASSAN.

4 PENGASSAN agreed to start the process of calling off the strike. Both parties agreed to this understanding in good faith.

The agreement has therefore brought to end the two-day strike embarked upon by PENGASAN since monday this week.

Lawyers Seeking Notary Public Status Can Now Apply Online – CJN Kekere-Ekun

By
Ayodele Oni
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Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun

By Ayodele Oni

As part of ongoing reforms in the judiciary, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has approved the commencement of online applications for lawyers seeking appointment as Notaries Public of Nigeria.

In Nigeria, a Notary Public is an appointed legal practitioner who certifies the authenticity of documents such as contracts, deeds, birth certificates, and powers of attorney, particularly those intended for use in international transactions.

In the past, to become Notary Public, You will  complete an application, pay fees, potentially take a training course and/or pass an examination and obtain a notary bond and supplies.

The online approval, said to be a landmark step by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, is aimed at revolutionizing the appointment process for legal practitioners,

A statement on Wednesday by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Court, Dr Festus Akande said that legal practitioners in the country seeking appointments as Public Notary can now apply for the same through the digital means.

The statement reads “This pivotal decision underscores the judiciary’s unwavering commitment to embracing digital innovation, enhancing efficiency, and fostering greater accessibility within the legal community.

“This significant development marks a new era of convenience and transparency for aspiring Notaries Public.

“Previously a paper-intensive process, the new digital platform will streamline submissions, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure a more expeditious review of applications.

“Interested and qualified lawyers could now submit their applications through the newly launched, secure online portal at https://notary.gov.ng.

“This user-friendly platform has been meticulously designed to guide applicants through each step of the process, ensuring a seamless and straightforward experience”, it added.

Kogi Govt Confirms 26 Casualties In Boat Mishap, Condoles Victims’ Families

By
Ayodele Oni
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Usman Ahmed Ododo - Governor of Kogi State
Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo.

By Ayodele Oni

Kogi State Government has mourned the death of 20 persons that lost their life in a boat mishap on Tuesday.

The mishap occurred on River Niger,at about 4:30pm in Ibaji Local Government area of Kogi State with many others still declared missing.

It was gathered from a farmer, Mr. James Otoga that witnessed the incident, in the local government area said that it occurred in the evening of Tuesday .

According to him , the boat fully loaded with people departed from Onugwa community in Ibaji heading to Ilushi market, capsized leaving yet to be identified number of people dead.

“The boat was fully loaded with our people going to market for the first of October celebration. Only five survival have surfaced yet and 20 bodies have been recovered so far and more of our people are lying lifeless beneath the river Niger.

“Even those who came for a burial in Onugwa and were returning back to Ilushi were also missing. We are yet to confirm the number of people onboard and those who survived” he stated.

Confirming the incident the Chairman, Ibaji local government area, Ugeh Emmanuel through a telephone conversation with journalists, described the incident as the most disastrous in the history of the local government, saying many people have lost their lives in the accident.

“As I am speaking with you now, no body can authoritatively say this is the actual number of casualties. And again we can not even ascertain the number of people onboard right from their departure time..

“This is a very serious accident , the boat has not even reached Ilushi when the mishap occurred around 4:30pm. Most of the victims were moving to Ilushi for the cerebration of first October, which has been a tradition in the community before they met their untimely death”

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, on Wednesday, stated that “The Government and people of Kogi State received with deep sadness the news of the boat mishap which occurred on the River Niger, involving traders traveling from Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State to Ilushi market in Edo State.

“Reports indicate that the unfortunate incident has allegedly claimed the lives of not less than 26 passengers. This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased, as well as the entire Ibaji Local Government Area, in this moment of grief.

“His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, has expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and has directed relevant agencies, including the State Emergency Management Agency, to work with local authorities to provide immediate support and relief to those affected.

“The Governor further assured that the State Government will intensify ongoing efforts in collaboration with federal agencies to improve safety measures on our waterways in order to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy.

“We call on our people, especially riverine communities, to always prioritize safety by avoiding overloading and by using life jackets and other precautionary measures whenever they travel by water.

 “The Government of Kogi State stands with the people of Ibaji LGA and will continue to support them through this difficult time.”

Kwara Attacks: Security Agents Eliminate Bandits, As Govt Flays  Report

By
Ayodele Oni
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Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State

By Ayodele Oni

The Kwara State Government has condemned reports aimed at discouraging security agents that are currently confronting bandits unleashing terror on communities in the state.

The state government, in a statement in Ilorin, stated that reports which claimed that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) disarmed vigilantes in Oke-Ode, a town in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state was untrue.

Gunmen had on Sunday killed 12 and abducted an unspecified number of people, with several others injured in the deadly incident.

In a viral video that trailed the attack, a lady, obviously, distressed, was seen mourning her dead husband and his brother, while accusing the DSS of disarming the town’s vigilantes prior to the attack, a move she claimed, gave the assailants undue firepower advantage.

However, the state government in a statement described the claim as false, saying at no time did the DSS disarm vigilantes in any part of the state.

“There is no truth to the claim that DSS withdrew weapons from the forest guards at any time. The leadership of the forest guards has disputed this claim,” Rafiu Akakaye, who is Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, said in a statement.

The statement came on a day the DSS and troops of the Nigerian Army eliminated several terrorists on the border between Kwara and Kogi States.

According to top security sources, notable among those killed was a terrorist kingpin called Maiwada and several foot soldiers of his.

Kwara State Government regretted that security agencies in the State have “expressed strong reservations about the demoralising, albeit false, claim which was made in a viral video.

“We pray to God to console the bereaved woman— and every other one — but her claim is not true,” noted the statement, quickly adding, “this clarification does not in any way delegitimise her grief.”

Continued the state government, “Politicians do not miss opportunities to wrong-foot their opponents. Average citizens who are concerned about all of us getting out of this crisis stronger and better as a community should not join such chitchat. It is not worth it.

“News media have used pictures from thousands of kilometers away to illustrate their stories…some have said we are in a state of war. It is their own way of saying it,” the state government added.

“We will get out of this stronger and safer,” assured the government, advising, “let us remain united and calm, and refuse to be at daggers-drawn with ourselves.”

Oluwo To Ooni: My War With You Just Started

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Controversial Osun state traditional ruler, who’s also the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi has drawn the battle line with Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, saying their fight will never end.

Oba Akanbi made the remark in a viral video saying he can never abandon the fight with Oba Ogunwusi because he tried to kill him,  by conniving with his ex-Canadian wife.

Akanbi said the plot was one of the many failed attempts by Oba Ogunwusi to kill him, noting that he cannot be killed by either ‘Sango’ or Ogun, the Yoruba deities because they are his forefathers, and that no father will like to kill his own child.

According to the Oluwo, his ex-Canadian wife was introduced to him by Oba Ogunwusi, who later tried to take his life by conniving with the woman, who he said had a child for him.

He said he now doubts whether the child from the Canadian woman belongs to him, as he’s considering conducting a paternity test to determine who fathered the child, alleging that Oba Ogunwusi had an extra-marital affair with his ex-wife.

Akanbi: “He (Ooni) was looking for my downfall, and the next thing, they packaged a woman for me; I don’t know her from Canada, but it was packaged for me. It was a setup. She was in my house, and they talked to her and set me up with videos and many things. She’d ask me questions inside the room, and they communicated with me.

“She was there (in my house) for over three years. She had a child, which I don’t even know if it’s my child now. I have to confirm that through DNA because they want her to kill me. She poisoned me twice. They set up an assassination attempt. They did everything so that maybe their gods would kill me, but they failed. After I found out the secret, I kicked this woman out. It was Ooni who accommodated her.”

“When I get on the throne, you see me talking about this Ooni Adeyeye and what you don’t know, I will tell you today—the governor of Osun State, the commissioners, and all. I helped Ooni Adeyeye, but because he was holding orisa, and God has put me above orisa as a king and a kingmaker that I was, he doesn’t want me to tell the story in the future.

“Ask him (Ooni of Ife) what the lady (my ex-wife) was doing with him in the hotel. I won’t mention the hotel, but when I need clarification, I will mention it. He rented a house for her and the child. People are telling me that I’m talking too much, but if it were you—if a wife was planted in your home to kill you, tried to kill you but failed—would the fight ever end?”

“That is why this fight will continue. No one can kill me, no matter their voodoo. Sango cannot kill me; he is my father, but a son must be more powerful than his father. I am a king. Sango cannot kill me. Sango is not a criminal. Ogun is not a criminal. They cannot kill me; they do not kill their children. They do not kill people. Only God determines when someone will die.

“Let him (Ooni) continue to wage war. They say the Ooni suspended me. Can one paramount ruler suspend another? Does that mean he is older than me in age or rank? If three kings were chosen in Osun, I would be number one because I am a paramount ruler. Everyone should understand there is much more behind this. In the past, when people did evil to me, I kept quiet, but in the future I will speak. There is more to come. And if it were you, would you accept it? The Ooni is now living with the same woman and doing everything together.”

Meanwhile, Oba Ogunwusi has reacted to the allegations, describing them as false. According to his spokesman, Moses Olafare, the Oluwo of Iwo knew that his claims are false, and that’s why he has chosen to sensationalize the issue, instead of reporting to the police, adding that it was not the first time Oba Akanbi had made such allegations, stressing that Oba Ogunwusi has decided to treat the allegation as the ranting of a child. .

“I hope he has reported it to the police station. If somebody alleges a threat to his life or an attempt to kill him, should he report it to the security agencies or to the media? That should give you an idea of what lies behind the so-called allegations. He is always rushing to the media to shout. When did that happen? It happened many years ago. So why is he only talking about it now? This is not the first time he has said this, anyway. But has he ever reported it to the police station? Has he ever reported it to the government?

“So if he has not done that, why run to the media to say it? That does not concern me. On the matter of infidelity, that does not concern me either. It is between him and his ex-wife; that is nobody’s problem. Whatever happened between them is private. It does not concern me. It does not concern the Ooni. He has remarried now and should have forgotten everything. And the woman, too, has remarried, wherever she is in Canada.

“He’s not the first person to experience issues in his marriage. Even the Ooni he is referring to had issues in his marriage. So, can he now come up to me and say, ‘You are the one who arranged for my wife to leave me’? You see, that is an allegation. Honestly, it is an allegation too childish to respond to,” Olafare said.

“Death Sentence On Me? Perish The Thought, No Judge By Such Name” –  Ikpeazu, Fmr. Abia Gov

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

A former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has dismissed as false and laughable the viral social media reports alleging that he was sentenced to death by hanging for allegedly stealing ₦1 trillion during his tenure.

Ikpeazu in an interview with journalists, described the publication as a poorly fabricated story lacking any iota of truth.

A viral social media report surfaced Tuesday evening to the effect that the Abia State High Court has sentenced former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to death by hanging after investigators traced ₦1 trillion to his secret foreign account in Australia.

“The money, according to court documents, was originally earmarked for the ambitious Abia International Airport project and a light rail system that promised to change the face of the state. Instead, prosecutors revealed it was siphoned off and hidden abroad.

“Delivering the verdict, Justice Chukwuemeka Nwogu said:

“The evidence before this court is overwhelming. This was not just theft — it was the betrayal of millions of Abians who were denied progress and hope. Such crimes against humanity must carry the highest penalty.

“With ₦1 trillion, Abia could have had two airports, a modern rail line, and stable electricity. Instead, the state was left in decay. This sentence is not just punishment, but a message that no one is above the law.”

According to Ikpeazu, there is no judge in Nigeria by the name “Justice Chukwuemeka Nwogu” who was credited with delivering the alleged judgment.

He noted that the entire allocation of Abia State in his eight years as governor did not amount to ₦500 billion, let alone ₦1 trillion.

“This one is not news, it is laughable. No judge in Nigeria is called Justice Chukwuemeka Nwogu.

“The total allocation of Abia State in my eight years did not even reach ₦500 billion. So, where is the ₦1 trillion they claimed I stole coming from? When was the trial conducted?” he queried.

Ikpeazu further stressed that even if cases of fraud exist, the Nigerian judicial system does not classify financial crimes as capital offences warranting the death penalty.

“Even if it is true that there was fraud, is the punishment for fraud a capital offence? Let people be guided with the type of story they bring to the public,” he added.

The former governor urged the public to disregard the viral report, describing it as an attempt by mischief-makers to mislead Nigerians and smear his image.

There Is Hope For Right Leadership In Nigeria – Atiku Abubakar

By
Ayodele Oni
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Atiku Abubakar
Atiku Abubakar

By Ayodele Oni

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has observed that Nigerians are still in pain occasioned by raging insecurity, rising food scarcity, mass unemployment, and a dangerous climate of hopelessness.

In his Independence Day message to Nigerians, the opposition leader alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration has abandoned Nigerians to their fate.

He however praised Nigerians for what he described as “uncommon patience, endurance, and resilience despite living under suffocating socio-economic and security conditions.”

Atiku lamented that “It is tragic that in a country blessed with immense human and material resources, millions of our people have been reduced to refugees and beggars in their fatherland. Every responsible government holds the welfare and security of its citizens as supreme.

“But what we have today is an administration that has abandoned its people. Hunger is killing Nigerians, bandits are massacring communities, yet President Bola Tinubu and his cabinet stand by, unmoved and uncaring.”

While calling on citizens not to lose faith, Atiku reminded Nigerians that 2027 provides a clear opportunity to reject bad leadership and reclaim the promise of a better tomorrow.

“The beauty of democracy lies in the power of the ballot. Oppressed and battered as our people may feel today, they will have the chance to sweep away this inept government at the next polls. That is the power no cabal can take away from the people.”

Atiku said, At 65, Nigeria remains a giant moving painfully slow on feet of clay — a direct result of decades of poor leadership and wasteful governance.

He however, urged Nigerians to keep hope alive, insisting that with the right leadership, the country can still rise from the ashes of failed governance to reclaim its rightful place among the comity of nations

The opposition leader also wished Nigerians a happy 65th Independence Day anniversary celebration.

Patronize Made In Nigeria Products – President Tinubu Admonishes Nigerians

By
Ayodele Oni
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has encouraged Nigerians to work towards making the country a nation of producers, not just consumers.

On the occasion of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, The president stated that “Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce.

“Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first. Let us pay our taxes’, he said in his broadcast Wednesday.

The President also spoke about the progress the country has made since Independence. He said: ‘Nigerians today have access to better education and healthcare than in 1960. At Independence, Nigeria had 120 secondary schools with a student population of about 130,000.

” Available data indicate that, as of year 2024, there were more than 23,000 secondary schools in our country. At Independence, we had only the University of Ibadan and Yaba College of Technology as the two tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

“By the end of last year, there were 274 universities, 183 Polytechnics, and 236 Colleges of Education in Nigeria, comprising Federal, State, and private institutions.

“We have experienced a significant surge in growth across every sector of our national life since Independence – in healthcare, infrastructure, financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, aviation and defence, among others.”

While admonishing the youths, President Tinubu said that “I have a message for our young people. You are the future and the greatest assets of this blessed country. You must continue to dream big, innovate, and conquer more territories in your various fields of science, technology, sports, and the art and creative sector.

“Our administration, through policies and funding, will continue to give you wings to fly sky-high. We created NELFUND to support students with loans for their educational pursuits. Approximately 510,000 students across 36 states and the FCT have benefited from this initiative, covering 228 higher institutions.

“As of September 10, the total loan disbursed was N99.5 billion, while the upkeep allowance stood at N44.7 billion.

“Credicorp, another initiative of our administration, has granted 153,000 Nigerians N30 billion affordable loans for vehicles, solar energy, home upgrades, digital devices, and more. YouthCred, which I promised last June, is a reality, with tens of thousands of NYSC members now active beneficiaries of consumer credit for resettlement.

“Under our Renewed Hope Agenda, we promised to build a Nigeria where every young person, regardless of background, has an equitable opportunity to access a better future—thus, the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme.

“The Bank of Industry is driving the programme, in collaboration with the African Development Bank, the French Development Agency, and the Islamic Development Bank.

“This initiative is at the cusp of implementation. Over the last two years, we have collaborated with our partners to launch the programme, supporting our young builders and dreamers in the technology and creative sectors.”

Independence: Tax Policy Not To Punish Nigerians, Tinubu Declares

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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As Nigerians prepare for a new tax regime next year, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised that the intention is not to punish Nigerians.

The president made the admonition in his national broadcast to Nigerians on Wednesday in commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

On this day in 1960, Nigeria secured independence from the United Kingdom, marking the beginning of a statehood after many years of colonial rule.

According to President Tinubu, the country has achieved huge milestones, notwithstanding some setbacks, saying the reforms introduced by his administration, including the tax reforms are to ensure a better future for the country, saying the intention is not to punish but to bring more people into the tax net, to raise revenue for the development of the country.

He stressed that by ensuring that more Nigerians pay tax, there will be more resources freed up for the government to provide critical infrastructure, aside from ensuring that low income earners in the country enjoy tax relief.

“Our tax-to-GDP ratio has risen to 13.5 per cent from less than 10 per cent. The ratio is expected to increase further when the new tax law takes effect in January. The tax law is not about increasing the burden on existing taxpayers but about expanding the base to build the Nigeria we deserve and providing tax relief to low-income earners.”

The magazine reports that Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Tax Reform Committee recently disclosed that the tax net will be expanded to ensure that sex workers also pay tax, beginning from next year.

Oyedele had earlier stared that the federal government will determine whether the new tax regime will take off from January 2026.

Tinubu To Nigerians: The Worst Is Over, We Have Turned The Corner

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu - President

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that the worst is over for the country, because according to him, the nation has turned the corner amidst the economic crisis facing her.

The Nigerian leader made the remark in his nationwide broadcast to the people of the country, in commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th Independent Anniversary celebrations.

He thanked Nigerians for enduring the pains of his administration’s reforms, saying the reforms are now yielding tangible results, adding that he will not take for granted the confidence reposed in him by Nigerians to steer the affairs of the country.

Citing the various sectors in the economy, including agriculture and food security, the president noted that the administration is focused on bringing down the cost of food item for the benefit of Nigerians.

Tinubu: “I am pleased to report that we have finally turned the corner. The worst is over, I say. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief. I salute your endurance, support, and understanding. I will continue to work for you and justify the confidence you reposed in me to steer the ship of our nation to a safe harbour.

Under our leadership, our economy is recovering fast, and the reforms we started over two years ago are delivering tangible results. The second quarter 2025 Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.23%—Nigeria’s fastest pace in four years—and outpaced the 3.4 per cent projected by the International Monetary Fund. Inflation declined to 20.12% in August 2025, the lowest level in three years. The administration is working diligently to boost agricultural production and ensure food security, reducing food costs.”

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