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Ondo: How NDLEA Official Was Shot Dead During Sting Operation

July 23, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of an Operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), identified as Jide, in Ondo State.

A single barrel gun was also recovered from the scene of the incident.

Spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, who confirmed the arrest, noted that the command is collaborating with the NDLEA to get to the root of the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and we will ensure that everyone connected to this heinous crime is prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the police spokesman assured.

“Immediately it happened, we reinforced some of our officers down to the scene. we have been able to arrest four prime suspects who are now in our custody.

“We have also recovered a single barrel gun, and investigation is also going in collaboration with the NDLEA to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly attack and killing to book,” Mr Ayanlade said.

The officer was shot dead during a raid on an apartment in the Ita’nla area of Ondo town on Tuesday.

A team of the NDLEA came under gunfire when they stormed the building to recover the drugs stored inside the ceiling of the apartment.

An eye witness account revealed that “I guess the team got a tip that some drugs were stored inside the residential building at Ita’nla in Ondo. So, the officials came very early in a sting operation to bust the building.

“Immediately they came in, some of them entered into the building to recover the exhibits while Officer Jide stood outside mounting the sentry guard. Suspected gunmen came from nowhere and opened fire on him and was shot in the neck.

“The officer was immediately rushed to the hospital, but the doctors on duty confirmed him dead on arrival. It is a very sad development.”

Electrification Agency Votes $1.6 Billion For Renewable Energy, Signs Pact With Ondo

Ayodele Oni

July 23, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Government owned Rural Electrification Agency, (REA) has revealed that it has a funding pipeline of close to $1.6 billion to drive renewable energy projects across Nigeria.

The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, explained that the funds, sourced through a blend of public-private partnerships, multilateral institutions, and climate finance windows, are expected to accelerate the deployment of solar mini-grids, standalone systems, and other clean energy infrastructure, particularly in underserved and off-grid communities.

Aliyu said, “We have designed a programme which we developed over time. Through the programme, we will energise 25 communities in every state. So, we have the funding and we are ready to partner with the state to drive renewable energy projects.”

Aliyu spoke in Abuja, during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the agency and Ondo State government was signed following a roundtable engagement, under the theme: “From Access to Impact: Unlocking Ondo’s Renewable Energy Potential for Economic Transformation and Socioeconomic Inclusion.”

The REA boss added that “the essence of this roundtable is to support some of these things that you have already started.

“We have Renewable Energy Service Companies that have developed competencies in deploying renewable infrastructure across the country. They go to the hardest-to-reach areas to deploy this infrastructure.”

The REA boss discussed the readiness level of different states, including Ondo noting that Ondo state has scored four out of five in policy capacity readiness.

Speaking at the event, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa commended REA, and its partners for the timely and strategic dialogue, which aligns perfectly with his administration’s bold vision for energy access, economic growth and inclusive development.

He said: “Today’s programme is not only about discussions, it marks a significant milestone the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of Ondo State and the Federal REA ushering-in a new era of deep collaboration to advance sustainable electrification and localised energy solutions.

“Ondo State has established a State-level Rural Electrification Agency backed by law and structured to serve as a sub-national counterpart to the Federal REA.

“This agency will ensure that local electrification needs are addressed with speed, contextual relevance and strategic collaboration.

“It will serve as the implementation arm of the State’s energy access priorities, ensuring a seamless ‘handshake’ with national frameworks such as the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan (NESIP).

“Interestingly, our efforts have made Ondo State a destination of choice for mini-grid and renewable energy developers.

“We offer clear regulatory pathways, fast-track permitting processes, and targeted fiscal incentives that de-risk investments and accelerate project delivery.

“Developers have found Ondo State to be a dependable partner in the quest to light up rural and underserved communities. And we are committed to doing more.

“Our Electricity Roadmap outlines a holistic vision: to catalyse economic transformation by powering agro-processing clusters, digital infrastructure, healthcare centres, educational institutions and SMEs.

“This vision is anchored in sustainability, inclusion and resilience – especially for last-mile communities in riverine, agrarian and forested zones like Ilaje, Bolorunduro, Idanre, Owo and Akoko.”

The Governor added that beyond infrastructure, his administration is

exploring advanced technological options for energy storage, smart metering and data-driven energy management, to ensure that every investment translates into long-term impact.

Describing the MoU as not just symbolic but catalytic, Governor Aiyedatiwa added that the partnership signals a commitment to ensuring that access to electricity becomes a launchpad for jobs, innovation, equity and sustainable prosperity.

Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye Banned By Italian FA

Akinwale Kasali

July 23, 2025

By Akinwale Kasali

Maduka Okoye, Super Eagles Goalkeeper, has been handed a two-month ban by the Italian Football Federation following a high-profile betting scandal linked to a match against Lazio during the 2023/2024 season.

The Udinese Football Club of Italy Goal-tender was found guilty of sporting misconduct.

Allegations emerged that the 24-Year Old former Watford Football Club of England Goalkeeper deliberately sought a yellow card during the league match against Lazio.

The suspicious booking triggered an investigation into abnormal betting patterns related to that specific incident.

According to a statement from the FIGC, Okoye was accused of intentionally committing an act that led to his caution in order to influence betting outcomes.

The case has raised fresh concerns over the integrity of players’ conduct and the growing influence of illegal betting syndicates on professional football.

Following a thorough disciplinary inquiry, the FIGC’s National Federal Tribunal officially confirmed its decision on Tuesday, announcing that Okoye would serve a two-month ban from all official matches.

The ban will begin from the first official game of the 2025/2026 season.

The court statement, issued by the Disciplinary Section of the National Federal Tribunal read: “The National Federal Tribunal, Disciplinary Section, definitively ruling, imposes on Mr Emil Maduka Okoye the sanction of two (2) months of disqualification in official matches, starting from the beginning of the first official competition of the 2025/2026 sporting season.”

This ruling means Okoye will miss six competitive matches, including Udinese’s season opener in the Coppa Italia against Carrarese on August 18, as well as the first five Serie A fixtures.

He will become eligible for selection again from October 19 when Udinese face newly promoted Cremonese away from home.

The outcome has sparked debate across both Italy and Nigeria, especially given Okoye’s national team status.

It also adds to growing scrutiny on the actions of players involved in controversial betting-related misconduct in recent years.

Okoye, who previously served as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper and played at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, has not yet publicly commented on the ruling.

He has struggled to regain his top form since that tournament and faced criticism for inconsistent performances.

The suspension now places further doubt on his chances of reclaiming a regular starting role at both club and international level.

“The Era Of Rigging Elections In Rivers State Is Over” – Amaechi Vows

Suleiman Anyalewechi

July 23, 2025

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Amidst a rousing reception by thousands of supporters at the Port Harcourt International Airport, former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, on Wednesday July 23, 2025, said it is time to end the notorious regime of election manipulations in the State.

The immediate past Minister of Transportation, who is one of the arrowheads of the emerging Coalition opposition Coalition platform the African Democratic Congress ADC, also urged Nigerians to have implicit faith in the abilities of the Coalition to free the country from the bondage into which it has been held by the All Progressive Congress APC led administration.

Amaechi’s supporters, doning the ADC branded t-shirts and caps, had defiled heavy rain on the day to formally welcome him back to Rivers state from Abuja after successfully joining with like minds to birth the Coalition platform on July 2, 2025.

Other prominent figures within the Coalition include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, forner Senate President, David Mark, former Kaduna state Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai, former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, and many more.

David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola are at the head of the ADC leadership as Interim National Chairman and Secretary respectively.

Amaechi who, only Tuesday, July 22, made public his formal resignation from the APC, while addressing the supporters, regretted that over the years, Rivers State has been widely acknowledged as a centre of election rigging in the country.

He expressed serious concern that such inglorious tag, has also not been helped by the desperation shown by some forces in appropriating the state before the 2027.

According to him, some unscrupulous political elements who ordinarily cannnot win a Local Council Election in a free and fair contest, have been flaunting their unmerited electoral strength after massively rigging elections in the State.

“Our state is now notorious for writing election results. Unfortunately, after mutilating original result sheets to write huge and unmerited figures, they proceed to be boasting about their electoral strength.

“But this time around, we must stop them. We must confront this shameful rigging culture in the politics of Rivers State.

“They make so much noise after intimidating people, and writing election results. Now is the time to stop them from writing results. If you successfully stop them from writing results, from producing mutilated result sheets, their emptiness will be exposed.

“This shameful and barefaced culture of writing election results have characterized elections in the State for ten years. But this time, we will confront the roguish system”, Amaechi vowed .

The former Rivers State Governor who also addressed party faithful at the ADC State Secretariat, urged Nigerians to keep hope alive, while stressing the unwavering commitment of the Coalition to reignite the hope and aspirations of the people.

While suing for unity, and cooperation among party members and supporters, Amaechi appealed for peace and restraints, even in the face of provocations .

The Source reports that the results of the 2023 general elections in Rivers state, particularly, the presidential polls, were adjudged the most disputed in the entire country.

The election saw President Bola Ahmed Tinubu lead the pack with 231,593 votes ,as against Obi’s 175,071.

But not a few observers and analysts allege that the result did not reflect the true situation in the State.

Defections: Threat To Democracy – HURIWA

Ayodele Oni

July 23, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Pro-democracy and civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association Of Nigeria (HURIWA) has cried out that democracy is in danger going by the massive defections of politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Describing the trend as unprecedented, HURIWA pointed out that this could be a potent and attractive tool for anti-democratic forces to overthrow constitutional democracy.

“We are sounding a strong note of warning and a profound caution to Nigeria’s legislators to comply with the constitutional provisions on defections, stop the current political insanity represented by their unbridled cross-carpeting from their original parties into the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

“This anti-constitutional practice by the politicians constitute a dangerous threat to Multiparty democracy, even as this politically sinister tendency of defecting from their parties to the ruling party could provide the needed motivation and elixir for coupists to attempt to torpedo democracy.

In another massive political shift on Wednesday, three senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during plenary at the Senate chamber, National Assembly, Abuja.

The association stated that “several of these current law makers in the 10th session of the National Assembly have similarly and shamelessly abandoned the political parties under which they won the mandates of the constituents to get to the National Assembly, but have left halfway illegally into the ruling political party: APC.”

The Rights group, through the National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko said the law provides that those who defected from their political parties should loose their seats in the legislature.

HURIWA decried what is becoming a defining feature of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic politics, defections in the National Assembly, which the Rights group believes has continued to reshape the legislative landscape.

“HURIWA expressed disappointment because these defections raise critical constitutional questions. Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution clearly states that a lawmaker must vacate their seat if they defect without a valid justification, such as party division or merger. Yet in practice, enforcement is rare.

“Lawmakers often blamed factional crisis as cover, and courts are slow or politically reluctant to rule on such cases.

“HURIWA recalled that at the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June 2023, the APC held 179 seats in the House of Representatives, while the PDP held 117.

“Following the wave of defections, court rulings and the replacement of deceased members, the APC has grown to 207 Members, while PDP’s numbers have declined to 92, further consolidating APC’s majority in the lower chamber.”

HURIWA accused the defecting legislators, who are breaking the law wantonly, of working to undermine democracy, because their direct affront to the provisions of the constitution is a direct invitation of a military coup.

Why Wike’s Mockery of Obi Demands Abati’s Voice

The Source

July 23, 2025

By Valentine Obienyem

Following the knock-out blows that trailed the Governor of Edo State over his conduct and statements – widely condemned as unbecoming of a leader – one can only imagine that Barr. Nyesom Wike placed a consolatory call to him as one of his kind. Presumably, he urged him to remain cheerful and to ignore the voices of Nigerians expressing justified outrage. What other explanation is there for Wike’s theatrical visit to Benin, where he openly encouraged the Governor to dismiss the widespread criticism and behave as though public opinion were of no consequence?

In defending the indefensible, Wike reached for a curious anecdote. He claimed that Peter Obi had informed him before visiting Rivers State during his tenure as Governor, omitting the crucial detail that the visit was in the context of an election campaign, when such courtesy is routine.

Not stopping there, Wike reverted to his trademark style of mockery, aiming once again at Mr. Peter Obi. With sarcasm, he suggested that if elected, Obi would abandon professed readiness to fly commercial airlines and that he would no longer engage in symbolic acts like serving food – acts Wike dismissed as mere political posturing. He sneered: “Did Obi ever serve food as Governor?”

Let us, therefore, correct the narrative. As Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi did serve food during state banquets and official events – not as a stunt, but as a reflection of his deeply held belief in servant leadership. The photographic evidence of this regular practice is attached. More than that, he was a familiar figure in boarding school dining halls, where he would often eat with students, using those opportunities to engage them and understand their reality first-hand.

Naturally, such gestures may seem bizarre – even laughable – to those who equate governance with grandeur and detachment. But to Peter Obi, leadership is about proximity, humility, and human connection. It is not a show to be staged, but a responsibility to be lived – quietly and consistently.

We can only hope that Dr. Reuben Abati listened to his ‘friend,’ who continues to exhibit a pattern of childish infantilism. Perhaps Dr. Abati – the man who possess the antidote to Wike’s excesses – might consider offering him a lollipop to soothe his tantrums.

Meanwhile, I have attached two photographs of Mr. Peter Obi personally serving food during his tenure as Governor. These are not isolated instances. Indeed, many Nigerians can testify to having been served directly by him – acts that reflected his humility, accessibility, and commitment to shared leadership, rather than the aloofness often associated with high office.

Obienyem, a Lawyer and frequent commentator on national issues writes from Awka

UNICEF Accuses Kano Of Poor Child Welfare, Says 143 Underage-Five Die Annually

Ayodele Oni

July 23, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed that 143 under age five children die yearly in Kano State due to poor child welfare.

This is just as the international health body confirmed that three new cases of circulating poliovirus had been recorded in Kano as of August 2025, a development described as a setback to recent progress and “a serious call to action.”

Speaking during a media dialogue on child-sensitive planning and budgeting, organised by UNICEF in Kano, the Chief of Field Office, Mohamed Farah, urged stakeholders to urgently prioritise children’s needs in state development plans, warning that Kano’s future hinges on investments made in its youngest population.

“We are talking about a very important subject planning and budgeting with a child-sensitive approach,” Farah said.

“This is not just a dialogue, it’s a rallying call. Child-sensitive budgeting remains a non-negotiable investment for the state’s future.”

Citing data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2021, Farah said childhood deprivations in the state indicates widespread poverty, malnutrition, low school attendance, and insufficient immunisation coverage.

“In Kano State, we have nearly 6.5 million children, and about 143 children under five years of age die every year before reaching their fifth birthday. That’s an under-five mortality rate of 143 per 1,000 live births.”

He revealed that nearly 2.9 million children in Kano are not fully immunised, and 60 percent lack access to essential vaccines, leaving them exposed to life-threatening but preventable diseases.

Farah further stated that four million children in Kano are experiencing multidimensional poverty, while over 3 million live in monetary poverty. “Alarmingly, 35 percent of children of school age — about 2.3 million are not attending school.

“If we don’t have human capital that is trained, healthy and technically equipped, how do we expect to contribute meaningfully to future economic development?”

The malnutrition crisis in the state, according to Farah, is equally troubling. He disclosed that 4.7 million children aged 6–23 months do not receive the minimum acceptable diet, leading to over three million stunted children in the state.

“Chronic malnutrition is a serious long-term issue. Even when these children get to school, many of them cannot learn effectively due to poor early development.”

While acknowledging efforts made by the Kano state government in addressing child welfare, Farah criticised the inconsistency and inadequacy in funding for the social sector between 2016 and 2020.

He said without transparent and accountable child-focused budgeting, progress would remain marginal.

“Investing in children’s health, nutrition, education, protection, and participation is not charity — it’s a strategic investment in the state’s future.”

He urged the State government to adopt key principles of child-sensitive budgeting, including clear prioritisation, equity, traceability of spending, and impact tracking.

“There must be an explicit prioritisation process for children in the budget. Their needs must be central — visible and well-resourced. Equity is essential. If you’re not budgeting for the most vulnerable, you’re missing the mark and increasing long-term costs for the state.”

Uzodimma Inaugurates Imo Boundary Committee, Urges Peace Restoration In Communities

The Source

July 23, 2025

Governor Hope Uzodimma Tuesday, July 22, 2025, inaugurated a 15 – member Imo State Boundary Committee, mandating them to pursue and restore enduring peace in all the communities where such was lacking due to boundary dispute.

The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, who is the Chairman of the Committee, led the rest of the members to the New Exco Chambers, Government House, Owerri where the inauguration rites were performed by the Governor.

In his brief remarks, Governor Uzodimma recalled that Boundary Committee has a place in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended), and charged the newly inaugurated Committee members to do everything within legal framework to restore peace to the communities in Imo State where boundary issues threaten same.

He reminded the Committee of the gains that could be derived from having a peaceful environment in Imo State devoid of boundary altercations in the communities.

He therefore challenged them to be diligent in settling all boundary disputes in the State in other to restore elusive peace wherever it exists within the locality.

“You are expected to bring prosperity in all environments, and help fulfill the aspirations of the government.”

In her acceptance speech as Chairman,

on behalf of the Committee, the Deputy Governor, Lady Ekomaru, thanked the Governor for finding them worthy to serve in that capacity, and promised not to disappoint his expectations and that of the State.

Lady Ekomaru also assured that through the Committee, members will add value and repute to Imo State.

The other members of Committee, apart from the Deputy Governor include:

Principal Secretary to the Deputy Governor (Secretary), Surveyor – General of Imo State (Member), Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Physical Planning (Member), Hon. Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice (Member), Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs (Member), Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy (Member), and the Commissioner for Finance (Member).

Others include: Chairman, lmo State Council of Traditional Rulers (Member), Commissioner of Police, lmo State Command (Member), Director, State Security Services, lmo State Command (Member), Comptroller of Immigration Services, lmo State Command (Member), Chief Tony Black Nduka (Member), Arch. Vincent Odih (Member), and Dr. Iyke Njoku (Member).

Fuel Importation: Dangote Laments $90bn Annual Loss To Nigeria, Others

Tosin Olatokunbo

July 23, 2025

Oil tycoon Aliko Dangote says it doesn’t make economic sense for Africa to import $90 billion worth of petroleum products annually from Europe and Asia.

The imported products, he said, include petrol, diesel, and natural gas.

Dangote owns the $20 billion petrol-chemical refinery situated in Lagos, Nigerians and has recently upgrade the refinery to 700,000 barrel per day from the initial 650,000 barrel per day.

The Richest man in the continent had also recently promised to purchase the entire crude oil produced in the country to service his refinery, as part of his plan to make the country energy sufficient.

He has also crashed prices for the products apart from purchasing 4000 CNG -powered trucks to make the distribution of diesel and petrol or PMS seamless across the country.

While speaking in Abuja at the Global Commodity Insights Conference on West African Refined Fuel Market, organised by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, in partnership with S&P Global, themed: “Creating a West African Reference Market for Oil and Gas Products” Dangote said a whopping $90 billion is lost annually from the importation of finished petroleum products.

The products are refined in Europe, dumped in countries such as Nigeria and others, which as a result also lose jobs to those countries where crude oil is refined before they are exported to consuming African countries.

He said while Europe and Asia refine 95 percent of crude oil to finished products, Africa only refines 40 percent of its crude.

Dangote: “To compare, Europe and Asia refine around 95 per cent of their consumption. So, while we produce plenty of crude, we still import over 120 million tonnes of refined petroleum products each year, effectively exporting jobs and importing poverty into our continent. That’s a $90 billion market opportunity being captured by regions with surplus refining capacity.

“To put this in perspective, only about 15 per cent of African countries have a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) greater than $90 billion. We are effectively handing over an entire continent’s economic potential to others—year after year.”

“Any Agreement Reached Between Pensioners And Abia State Is Illegal, Null And Void” – NUP National Leadership

Suleiman Anyalewechi

July 23, 2025

Alex Otti - Governor of Abia State — Governor Alex Otti of Abia State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The National Leadership of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners has insisted that whatever agreement that was signed between the Abia State Government and the local chapter of the body was done in error and ignorance.

This is as the Abia state Governor, Dr Alex Otti, directed for the immediate resolution of all areas of disagreements between the pensioners and the Government.

The Source reports that Abia State pensioners and State Government have, since the last one year, been engaged in a smearing face off over issues arising from the latter’s claims of clearing all the accumulated pension arrears and gratiuties in the state over a period of nine years.

While the state Government has insisted that it has settled all that were legally supposed to be paid to the pensioners according to the terms of a purported memorandum of Understanding, MoU, between the two parties, the leadership of the senior citizens has maintained that they were shortchanged, bamboozled and cajoled into signing off a significant portion of the said arrears ,as well as their gratuities.

However, on March, 22, 2025, after several exchange of brickbats by the parties, Governor Otti, promised to take a second look at the pension arrears impasse, but with a caveat- to negotiate and discuss only with the National Leadership of NUP.

He had accused the Abia chapter of NUP of insincerity, as well as being a willing tool in the hands of the opposition to undermine the efforts the State Government.

Governor Otti, while speaking during a visit by the national leadership of NUP on Tuesday, directed his Senior Special Assistant SSA on Labour matters, Comrade Godson Anucha, and other top Government officials to hold talks with the NUP officials on how to resolve any grey areas concerning the pension arrears payments.

The Governor, while acknowledging the pivotal and critical role played by the pensioners in his political trajectory beginning from 2015 to 2023, reaffirmed his administration’s avowed commitment towards ensuring the protection and promotion of the interests of the state’s senior citizens.

He noted that he has, since mounting the saddle on May 29, 2023, taken more than a cursory interest in the wellbeing of the pensioners.

According to him, his administration unlike, the case in the past, has been religious in paying pensioners their monthly entitlements.

He domiciled the blame for whatever perceived disagreement between pensioners and the State Government squarely at the door steps of the NUP leadership in Abia.

Earlier, the National President of the NUP, Comrade Godwin Abumisi, while apologizing for whatever misdemeanour of the Local Chapter, described whatever agreement and documents signed by the State Leadership, as illegal and offensive to all extant labour laws and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He appreciated the Governor for the meeting ,and his decision to review the contentious aspects of the pension arrears payments.

He expressed the willingness of the NUP to cooperate with the Government in the efforts to resolve all the issues.

Other members of the team appointed by the Governor to revisit the issue are the Secretary to the State Government SSG, Chief of Staff CoS to the Governor, Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, and others.

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