Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Ijaw Leader Chief Edwin Clark Passes Away At 96. Renowned Ijaw leader and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, has passed away at the age of 96. His family confirmed his demise in an official statement released on Monday, 17th February 2025. The statement, signed by Prof. C. C. Clark and Penawei Clark on behalf of the family, read: “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON, on Monday, 17th February 2025.” “The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will…

Peter Obi Condemns Blanket Closure Of Onitsha Head Bridge Market. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023 and former governor of Anambra State, has strongly criticised the complete shutdown of Onitsha’s Head Bridge Market over allegations of illicit drug trading. The closure, which was prompted by suspected drug sales in a section of the market known as Ogbo Ogwu, has raised serious concerns about its impact on neighbouring markets and the livelihoods of traders. Speaking on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Mr Obi reiterated his firm stance against the sale of illegal drugs. “One unequivocally condemns such…

Tragic Death Of Commercial Motorcyclist In Zuba, FCT. A 23‐year‐old commercial motorcycle rider, Mubarak Abdullahi, has been brutally murdered by a gang of hoodlums in the Zuba area of the Federal Capital Territory. The fatal attack occurred around 5am on Nitel-Pole Road, which links Zuba to Madalla town. Abdullahi, a native of Madalla in the Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, was discovered by a neighbour who promptly alerted his younger brother, Bello Abdullahi. “I was informed by a neighbour that my brother was seen lying around Nitel-Pole Road, so I rushed to the scene at about 7am,”…

Missing Osun Monarch Found In FBI Custody Over Alleged $4.2M Fraud. In a surprising turn of events, Oba Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, has been located after being reported missing since March 2024. The traditional ruler was found in the custody of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), embroiled in allegations of defrauding the U.S. government to the tune of $4.2 million in funds intended for COVID-19 relief. The revelation came to light through sources close to the investigation and has since stirred considerable interest both in Nigeria and among the Nigerian diaspora in the U.S.…

Arsenal Fined £65,000 Over Player Reaction To Lewis-Skelly Red Card. Arsenal have been handed a £65,000 fine by the FA following their players’ conduct during the Premier League clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 25 January 2025 at Molineux Stadium. In the 43rd minute of the match, referee Michael Oliver issued a straight red card to 18‐year‐old defender Myles Lewis-Skelly for a foul on Wolves’ Matt Doherty. The decision prompted an immediate protest from several Arsenal players, who surrounded Oliver in an attempt to challenge the call. Despite the red card being overturned on appeal – with Lewis-Skelly’s three-match suspension…

Deadly Clashes Erupt In Osun Over Local Government Control. At least five people were feared dead, and several others sustained injuries in Osun State on Monday following violent clashes over control of local government secretariats. The crisis stemmed from a recent Court of Appeal ruling in Akure, which purportedly reinstated All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors who were removed from office in 2022. Tensions escalated as APC members attempted to reclaim local government offices, leading to violent confrontations with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposing groups. The state government maintained that the court’s judgment did…

 Senator Ndume Reacts To Canadian Visa Denial Of Nigeria’s Defence Chief. Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has reacted to the visa denial of Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, by the Canadian High Commission. Last week, General Musa disclosed that he and other senior military officers were denied visas, preventing them from attending an event in Canada honouring war veterans. Speaking at an event in Abuja, he described the incident as a reminder that Nigeria must strive for self-reliance and should not be taken for granted on the global stage. At the same event, National…

NFF Mourns The Passing Of Former Midfield Star Ayo Ogunlana. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Super Eagles midfielder Ayo Ogunlana, who died in Kaduna on Friday after his early-morning walk. NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, paid tribute to the late midfield maestro, recalling his contributions to Nigerian football during the 1980s and his performances at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria. “We are very sad to learn of the sudden passing of Ayo Ogunlana, only a couple of weeks after the demise of another former Eagle, Moses…

Starmer Ready To Deploy UK Peacekeeping Troops In Ukraine, As Europe Intensifies Effort To Halt War With Russia. As European leaders gather in Paris for emergency talks, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared his willingness to deploy British peacekeeping troops to Ukraine once the war ends. Speaking ahead of the high-level meeting, Starmer affirmed the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s security, stating: “I am willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on the ground if necessary.”   Europe Rallies Amid Ongoing Conflict  The emergency discussions in Paris, led by French President Emmanuel Macron,…

Ruben Amorim Faces Tough Task As Manchester United Struggles Continue. Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim admitted his job is “so hard” after his side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham, leaving them 15th in the Premier League. James Maddison’s 13th-minute goal secured victory for Spurs, handing United their eighth loss in 12 league matches under Amorim. The Portuguese coach has been dealing with a growing injury crisis, with 12 first-team players unavailable, forcing him to include several academy players on the bench. Despite trailing for most of the match, Amorim made just one substitution, introducing 17-year-old Chido Obi…

Jannik Sinner Accepts Three-Month Ban After Doping Settlement. World number one Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month suspension from tennis following a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) over two positive drug tests last year. The 23-year-old Italian, who won the Australian Open last month, will be suspended from 9 February to 4 May, making him eligible to compete at the French Open, which begins on 19 May. Sinner had initially been cleared by an independent panel after testing positive for clostebol, a banned substance, in March. However, WADA appealed the decision, seeking a suspension of up…

Imam Muhsin Hendricks Shot Dead In South Africa. Muhsin Hendricks, known as the world’s first openly gay imam, has been shot dead in South Africa. The 57-year-old cleric, who led a Cape Town mosque known for welcoming LGBTQ+ and marginalised Muslims, was ambushed near Gqeberha on Saturday. According to South African police, two masked gunmen fired multiple shots at a vehicle in which Hendricks was a backseat passenger. Security footage circulated on social media shows a car blocking Hendricks’ vehicle before an attacker emerged and fired through the back window. “Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out…