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Christopher Kolade, Fmr. Nigeria’s High Commissioner To UK, Boardroom Guru, Dies

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Christopher Kolade

By Adesina Soyooye

Family Confirms passing, celebrates his incredible life

Dr Christopher Kolade, a former Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, has passed on.

Kolade, a  boardroom wizard, the boss of Cadbury Nigeria for years, broadcaster, and teacher, according to an announcement by his children, died peacefully early Thursday.

The family said he lived an incredible life, and passed on quietly.

The statement reads part:

“We are thankful for his incredible life of faith and service, and are grateful for God’s abundant blessings.

“Kolade had a distinguished career as a diplomat, academic, advocate for integrity and corporate governance, among other things.

“Born in 1932 in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Kolade was the son of an Anglican missionary. He attended Government College, Ibadan, before proceeding to Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where he completed his higher education.

Kolade began his career in broadcasting, eventually rising to the position of Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation.

He later became Chief Executive and Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, where he was widely recognised for his ethical leadership and corporate reforms.

“The deceased also served Nigeria as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, leaving behind a legacy of diplomacy, integrity, and professionalism.

“Kolade taught Corporate Governance and Human Resources Management at the Lagos Business School and Leadership & Conflict Management at the School of Media & Communication, both part of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.

Kolade, a former member of the university’s Governing Council, also served as its Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, and was later Chancellor of McPherson University, Ogun State.

“Deeply committed to promoting ethical standards in business, Kolade chaired several integrity-driven organisations, including Integrity Organisation Ltd GTE and The Convention on Business Integrity Ltd GTE.

World University Ranking: UI Leads Others

By
Ayodele Oni
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University of Ibadan- UI

By Ayodele Oni

After two years of non recognition, the University of Ibadan (UI) has bounced back, reclaiming its position as Nigeria’s best University in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026.

The ranking, released on Thursday, placed UI between 801 and 1,000 globally, ahead of all other Nigerian Universities. The Ibadan-based institution last held the top national spot in 2023.

UI moved up from fourth place in 2025 to first in 2026, displacing Covenant University, which had dominated the rankings in 2024 and 2025.

The University of Lagos (UNILAG), Bayero University, Kano (BUK), and Covenant University (CU) followed in second, third, and fourth positions, respectively.

THE evaluated 2,191 universities from 115 countries, using 18 performance indicators across five key areas — teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook.

The 2026 edition highlighted shifts in global higher education. More than 18.7 million research publications, generating 174.9 million citations, were analysed. The ranking also drew input from over 108,000 scholars worldwide.

Among Nigerian universities, UNILAG achieved the highest research quality score of 66.7. BUK topped the chart for international outlook, while Covenant University earned the highest industry score, reflecting its strong ties with the private sector.

Suspected Killers Of Sommie, Arise TV’s News Anchor, Arrested

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu

By Adesina Soyooye

Just as the funeral rites for Arise Television’s News Anchor, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu is about to begin, the Police Command, Abuja, has arrested 12 of the suspected armed robbers who attacked her Unique Apartments, Katampe residence, an attack which led to her tragic death after she jumped from the balcony of her apartment to escape them. They were 15 in number, according to reports.

The attack, also, led to the death of a security guard, Barnabas Danlami who was shot to death by the robbers. He was buried last Saturday.

In a post on its Website on Thursday, Arise Television disclosed that the arrest of the 12 suspects is a product of an operation led by the Scorpion Squad under the FCT Command, based on intelligence provided by a forensics firm, Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB  STRATOC.

The Scorpion Squad of the FCT Police Command which made the heartwarming arrest, was led by ACP Victor Godfrey.

After the the September 29, 2025 attack which occurred around 3:30 a.m, the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, ordered a manhunt for the arrest of the hoodlums, and promised they would be apprehended.

‎The suspects are

  • ‎Shamsudeen Hassan ‘m’ from Malumfashi LGA Katsina state
  • Hassan Isah ‘m’, 22 years from Zaria kaduna State
  • Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. abba ‘m’, 27 years from Musawa LGA katsina state
  • Sani Sirajo a.k.a. dan borume ‘m’ 20 years from Malumfashi LGA katsina state
  • Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. abba ‘m’ 28 years from Igabi LGA kaduna state
  • Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. dan-sule ‘m’ 21 years from Malumfashi LGA katsina state
  • Abdul Salam saleh a.k.a. na-durudu ‘m’ from katsina lga katsina State
  • Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. gwaska ‘m’ 23 years from chikun lga kaduna state
  • Musa adamu a.k.a. musa hassan ‘m’ 30 years from malumfashi lga katsina state
  • Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. baby ‘m’ 27 years from Sammaka LGA, Kaduna state
  • Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. abbati ‘m’, 25 years from Zaria LGA, Kaduna state
  • Musa Umar a.k.a. small ‘m’ 31 years from Maiduguri LGA Borno state.

‎

‎Meanwhile, Sommie will be laid to rest in her native hometown, Agulu, Anambra State on Saturday, October 18, 2025. She was a Lawyer and a former Beauty Queen and lived in the United Kingdom before she came back to Nigeria and joined Arise Television in 2024.

NIMASA DG Harps On Effective Service Delivery For Economic Growth

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Dayo Mobereola - NIMASA DG

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA has officially launched its 2025 Customer Service Week celebrations under the inspiring global theme, “Mission: Possible.” The Agency  is leveraging this annual celebration to reaffirm its commitment to transforming customer challenges into opportunities and consistently delivering exceptional service to grow the Nigerian Maritime sector.

In his remarks, the Director General/CEO NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, noted that effective service delivery remains central to the Agency’s mandate, stressing that excellence must begin internally before extending to external stakeholders.

Providing service is paramount, both internally and externally. We must remain prepared, committed, and available to solve problems together as a team. Excellence in service delivery defines who we are and what we represent,” Mobereola stated.

He further highlighted teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement as essential drivers of institutional growth and public confidence.

The Head of SERVICOM Unit, Hajiya Rakiyyah Lammai, appreciated the Director General for his continued support in strengthening customer service structures within NIMASA. She noted that this year’s theme aptly reflects the dedication and resilience of the Agency’s staff in upholding service quality.

The 2025 Customer Service Week was commemorated across NIMASA offices nationwide with recognition programmes, engagement activities, and customer feedback sessions aimed at promoting a culture of responsiveness and efficiency.

The celebration at the Agency’s headquarters was attended by the Executive Directors and Management Staff, who collectively  reaffirmed their commitment to upholding service excellence.

As NIMASA continues to promote safety, security, and sustainability within Nigeria’s maritime domain, the 2025 Customer Service Week reinforces that service excellence remains the cornerstone of effective public service

Nnamdi Kanu: “President Tinubu Watching Judiciary Closely” – Orji Kalu

By
The Source
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Orji Uzor Kalu
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu

By Gideon Njoku

“The proper process of discontinuing a case lies with the Attorney General not with people shouting on television or in their homes. We should all respect the law and follow due process”

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has urged  restraint from those who discuss the case involving Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Leader of the Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra, IPOB.

Speaking Wednesday night on Channels Television’s flagship programme, Politics Today,  Kalu, Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, called for caution in discussing a case that is in Court already. He said such discussions like going on television to shout,  for example, does not show respect for the Judges handling Kanu’s case or the Court.

He said that only the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice  can ask for the discontinuation of  cases and added that President Bola Tinubu is watching the Judiciary closely.

The former two-term Governor of Abia State, who comes from same State as the IPOB leader admitted that a peaceful solution to Kanu’s case is the most appropriate, and would help bring peace to the South-east, but he added that such should come after the Court processes have taken their course.

He also disclosed that a number of discussions are going on behind closed doors, including his own private discussions with the President over Kanu, but insisted that his discussions with the President on Kanu are not for public consumption.

Kalu: “You know this case is before a Court of competent jurisdiction. It is not a very good thing for me to come out openly to start canvassing my opinion without knowing the position of the Court or the President. The President is watching the Judiciary very closely.

“Discussions are ongoing at various levels, but I will not divulge private discussions held with President Bola Tinubu on the matter.

“I have discussed this issue with the President many times. But I cannot tell you what I discussed with him. It’s a privilege for me to have spoken to the President. What matters is that everyone wants a peaceful solution.

“I have a lot of respect for the Judiciary. I urge Nigerians to allow the Courts to conclude their work before drawing conclusions.

“All of us are doing what I call backdoor diplomacy because of the utmost respect I have for the Judiciary. We must not make Justice Nyako or any Judge look like a fool by discussing this case publicly. Nigerians must respect the decisions of our Courts.

“The proper process of discontinuing a case lies with the Attorney General, not with people shouting on television or in their homes. We should all respect the law and follow due process.”

Kanu has been in the custody of the Federal Government since 2021 when he was brought back to Nigeria from Nairobi, Kenya, where he was on a visit from Britain which citizen he is. He is being prosecuted for sundry issues including alleged treasonable felony.

“We Stopped Obasanjo’s Third Term With Help From US President Bush” – Orji Kalu

By
The Source
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Orji Uzor Kalu

By Gideon Njoku

The Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Uzor Kalu, has, literally, dubbed former President Olusegun Obasanjo a liar.

The Senator spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday where he responded to Obasanjo’s assertion in Ghana, recently, that he never sought for a third term in office as Nigeria’s President.

Obasanjo who spoke at the Annual Goodluck Jonathan Foundation’s Democracy Dialogue which held in Accra Ghana, said he never went after an extension of his tenure and would have  have gotten it if he so desired.

But speaking  Wednesday night, Kalu put a lie to Obasanjo’s claim.

He said the former President wanted a third term but that a former President of the United States of America, George W. Bush and other world statesmen stood against that, confronted him, and joined those of them who were strongly against it to stop Obasanjo.

He also claimed that Obasanjo, at the time, invited him to the Presidential Villa and told him point blank that he was going for a third term. Orji said that he told Obasanjo that was not possible, and, also, claimed that it was the beginning of his sour relationship with the former President. He mentioned former Senate President, now National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as one of those who know the truth.

Senator Kalu: “With due respect to President Obasanjo, what he said in Ghana was naked lie, naked fallacy. Many people who were part of that period are still alive. David Mark is alive, others are alive. They know the truth.

“Senator Wande brought N50 million which they shared, and they asked me if I would take as a Governor, I said no, go and give it back. Even the National Security Adviser at that time was aware of  what was happening. Obasanjo was at the centre of it all.

“My quarrel with him started when I told President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and George Bush of the United States that Obasanjo was running for a third term. I even told Nelson Mandela, may his soul rest in peace. They all confronted him. I don’t know why Nigeria should be built on lies by Statesmen.

“He called me to the Villa and told me he wanted a third term, and I told him ‘no’. That was the beginning of my quarrel with him. I told him it was not possible.  He had already convinced some Governors, but people like me and a few others said no. I am a committed Christian. I took an oath with the Bible to serve only eight years, and that was the end of it.

“He told many Northern Northern Governors too. If those Governors are courageous enough, they will say the truth. He wanted a third term and we stopped him. He was even at loggerheads with Governor Peter Odili over it. The man cannot rewrite history, he wanted a third term.

“That’s why he started having issues with me.

We stopped him with the help of former President Bush.”

At the time of filing this, there has been no response from the former President.

For the records, though, there is no love lost between Obasanjo and Kalu.

“Jonathan Constitutionally Barred From 2027 Presidential Race” – Orji Kalu

By
The Source
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Orji Uzor Kalu and Goodluck Jonathan

By Gideon Njoku

A former two-term Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, has advised former President Goodluck Jonathan not to waste time in preparing to contest for a second term in office in 2027.

Jonathan lost his bid for a second term in office in 2015 when he was defeated by late President Muhammadu Buhari who ran under the All Progressives Congress, APC. That defeat was championed by current President Bola Tinubu who rallied opposition parties behind him, and was the  APC Leader.

Jonathan ran under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but lost mainly due to sabotage from within even his own Party.

In the run up to the 2027 Presidential Election, as was the case in 2023,   not a few people have been throwing Jonathan’s name in as a Presidential candidate. There has been a lot of pressure on him too as well as lobbying by those who want him to run.

But even though Jonathan has not said a word as to whether he would run or not, obstacles are already being thrown his way. Recently, he came under an inexplicable blistering attack by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga. Onanuga not only rubbished Jonathan’s performance in office, but threatened him  with a Court action. Even if he contested and won, Onanuga said, it would be the Court’s job to decide whether he was qualified to run or not.

A couple of days ago, one lawyer went to Court to stop Jonathan from running in 2027, toeing Onanuga’s position that Jonathan is barred by the Constitution from running having been sworn-in two times as President  – first, when as Vice President, he served out the tenure of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua when the later passed on, and second, in 2011 when he contested and won.

Kalu, speaking Wednesday on a  Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today, even though he had said a combination of Jonathan, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi would be defeated by President Tinubu, still went on to tell Jonathan not to run because, “Constitutionally, Jonathan is barred from running.”

For the records, two Courts had declared Jonathan qualified to run for another term since he was sworn-in the first time just to serve  out Yar’Adua’s first term in office.

Senator Ehigie Uzamere Dumps PDP

By
The Source
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Senator Ehigie Uzamere,

By Adesina Soyooye

The umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has continued to tear and leak.

The Party has just lost one of its strongest pillars in Edo State.

Senator Ehigie Uzamere, a former two-term Senator, Edo South Senatorial District, has dumped the Party.

In his resignation letter addressed to his Ward Chairman, Ward 12, in Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Osaigbovo Godspower, Uzamere said his “decision to resign from PDP was driven by conviction and continued commitment to the service of his people and not by animosity.”

He said it has become imperative to seek a new platform which “aligns more closely with his vision and desire to continue serving his people effectively.”

The letter reads in part:

“Politics, at its best, is a vehicle for service and representation. A means through which leaders express their commitment to the welfare of the people.

“However, as the dynamics of the Nigerian political landscape continue to evolve, I find it necessary to seek a new platform that aligns more closely with my vision and desire to continue serving my people effectively.

“In doing so, I remain guided by my philosophy of Aiguiyekampe politics without bitterness. My decision is driven by conviction, not animosity, and by a continued commitment to the service of our people,

“I therefore wish to formally tender my resignation from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) while expressing my sincere appreciation for the opportunities and experiences the Party afforded me in the past.”

Uzamere, an ally of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar was present at the inauguration of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Elected Senator on the platform of the PDP in 2007, he was reelected on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011. But he re-decamped to the PDP, and has decamped again.

Speculation is that he is likely to join Atiku in the ADC.

Man Set To Bury His Family Of Six -Wife, Five Children Who Died Within 72 Hours

By
The Source
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Robison Aghalu Family

By Charles Igbo

A retired Soldier, Robison Aghalu, will, on October 18, finally, in one fell swoop, lay to rest, the bodies of his wife and five children.

The children, Ebube, Uchenna, Abuchi, Ikechukwu, Dumebi and their mother, Adaobi, all passed between May 4 and May 8, 2025.

They died, allegedly, of food poisoning.

They had all eaten a meal of foo-foo, prepared by their mother. But after the meal, all of them developed same symptoms of uncontrollable vomiting and stooling. They were rushed to different hospitals where they passed one after the other. Their mother was the last to pass on May 8, 2025.

It is not known why their father/husband, who is aged 79 years, was not affected or, perhaps he did not partake in the “feast of death”.

The only surviving child of the couple  escaped his siblings’ fate because he lives with his uncle somewhere else and attends school from there.

They will be laid to rest at their country home, Uru-Owelle, Nkwell-Ogidi, Anambra State.

Arise TV’s Dead News Anchor: Family Announces Funeral Rites

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu

By Adesina Soyooye

The devastated family of Arise Television’s News Anchor,  Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, has announced dates for her funeral rites.

Popular as Sommie, the late rising star’s life was cut tragically short when armed robbers invaded her Unique Apartment at Katampe, Abuja on September 9, 2025.

According to the family, the funeral rites will begin on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, with a Service of Songs at Corpus Christi Cathedral, Kaduna Street, Port Harcourt. Her parents live in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The funeral Mass will follow on Saturday, October 18, at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Agulu, Anambra State.

Sommie, a United Kingdom-trained Lawyer, was also a former Beauty Queen before settling for a job at Arise Television on return to Nigeria.

Aged 29, she, in panic, jumped down from her balcony when 15 well-armed robbers invaded the Estate’s 18-  Block apartments.

They divided themselves into groups and were robbing from flat to flat when Sommie, in panic, before they arrived her flat, jumped down from her balcony to escape them.

It was a fatal jump. Her body, sprawled on the ground, was discovered long after the devils had left. Attempts were made on the spot to revive her by a neighbor who gave her CPR. She was, thereafter, rushed to the Maitama General Hospital where after trying to breathe life into her to no avail, the Doctors on duty declared her dead- on-arrival.

The Police, allegedly, arrived few minutes after the devils had made good their escape.

The manner of Sommie’s death triggered outrage nationwide.

President Bola Tinubu ordered an immediate investigation and an urgent arrest of the criminals.

Till date, however, there is no news of any arrest.

A security guard at the Block of Flats, identified as Barnabas, was shot dead when he tried to confront the armed robbers.

His body was laid to rest on Saturday.

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