AD-DICTION MEDIA CONCEPTS

By: Seyi Lawson A Magistrate Court sitting in Zuba, the outskirts of Abuja has dismissed the case of assault instituted by the Nigeria Police Force against the lawmaker representing Adamawa-North, Senator Elisha Abbo Although there is a viral video showing Senator Abbo assaulting a woman, Osimibibra Warmate; and a televised press conference in which the lawmaker apologised to the victim, the court dismissed the suit for lack of diligent prosecution by the police. The Magistrate, Abdullahi Ilelah, who upheld a no-case submission filed by Senator Abbo, said the police failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the lawmaker indeed assaulted Osimibibra Warmate on May 11, 2019. In the course of the trial, two witnesses testified against Senator Abbo and they are Warmate who was the nominal complainant and a police officer, ASP Mary Daniel, who investigated the matter. In her testimony, Warmate said she had gone to visit a friend, Kemi at Pleasure Chest Sex Toy Shop, Banex Plaza, Wuse 2,...

By: Agosu Omoleye Ebony state Governor, David Umahi The Governor confirmed this in a statement he personally signed on Friday. He disclosed that his daughter and three of his close aides also tested negative for the virus. The governor thanked God for his recovery and the people of the state for their prayers and support. This comes four weeks after they were infected by COVID-19. On July 4, Governor Umahi announced that he, his daughter and aides tested positive after carrying out the test. Although he said they were not showing any symptoms, he, however, said they went into isolation in line with protocols laid down by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). He, therefore, directed the Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe, to take over the frontline coordination of the state’s fight against the pandemic to protect Ebonyi people.

By: Agosu Omoleye Late Chief Bode Akindele As the remains of the astute industeialist is committed to mother earth, the Olubadan of Ibadan had ordered the closure of three major Markets Tomorrow in Honour of Late Chief Bode Akindele. The Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has ordered the closure of three major markets in the metropolis in honour of late reputable industrialist and philanthropist, Chief Bode Akindele, whose remains will be buried in Ibadan tomorrow. This unprecedented gesture was announced yesterday by the Ekefa Olubadan, Oloye ‘Lekan Alabi, during the Service of Songs and Evening of Tributes held for the deceased at his Ibiyemi Villa residence, Alomaja, Ibadan. Oloye Lekan Alabi delivering Olubadan’s message at the Service of Songs for the late Akindele, yesterday. Alabi, who represented the monarch at the ceremony, said the affected markets include, Agbeni, Amunigun and Ogunpa, which will remain shut from 8am to 1pm in honour of the late businessman. The late Akindele hold...

By: Toba Gold The remains of Alexander Kareem, brother of ex-BBNaija star, Khafi has been buried amid tears. The 20-year-old was shot dead at Askew Road in Shepherd’s Bush West London, on June 8 as he left a convenience store in a case of mistaken identity. Around 30 people attended the funeral service at the Church of the Holy Ghost and St Stephen in Shepherd’s Bush on Wednesday, July 29, and dozens more paid their respects at the burial in Margravine Cemetery in Hammersmith. At the funeral, the family of Alexander Kareem begged the public not to view his death as “just another black boy who’s been shot.” In a heartfelt eulogy to her brother, Khafi Kareem, said she and her brothers “would have taken the bullet for him”. In Khaffi's words: “To anybody who’s seen this (in the news) and is thinking this is just another black boy who’s been shot by violence, I want to tell you that is not the case. “Alex’s life mattered, he had a future ahead of him, he’s not just another black boy. H...

By: Agosu Omoleye There have been at least two bomb blasts within Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, within the last 10 minutes. A source who prefers to be anonymous made it known that the first blast occurred at Gunge, a residential area, around 6pm today Thursday 30th July 2020. According to a security source, the other blast happened around a place where cars are sold in the state capital. It is unclear if Boko Haram insurgents are behind the attacks which happened 24 hours after the convoy of Babagana Zulum, the governor, was attacked in Kukawa local government area of the state. Boko Haram has continued to operate in different parts of the north-east, especially in Borno state despite the claim of the government that the sect has been defeated. Reacting to the attack on his convoy, Zulum had said he would mobilise hunters to protect the people if the military is unable to secure them. “We have over 1,181 soldiers in Baga; 72 officers, 107 solders, 400 soldiers in mile 4 and 1,900 ...

By: Opara Keith Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has enjoined Muslims and indeed all Nigerians, to use the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, to rejuvenate their faith in God and pray fervently for the peace, unity, security and progress of the nation, especially as the country battles the novel COVID-19 pandemic. In his Sallah Message, Gov. Ugwuanyi felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari and other Muslim faithful, and wished them the blessings and guidance of Allah. The governor urged Nigerians to embrace the virtues of love, charity and sacrifice as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Mohammed. While wishing all Nigerians a peaceful and healthy celebration, Gov. Ugwuanyi advised them to stay safe and adhere strictly to all precautionary measures for the containment of the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Enugu State is in the hands of God!

By: Agosu Omoleye The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has hailed late Yoruba leader, Pa. Ayo Fasanmi, as a hero of Nigerian democracy. Aged 94, Pa. Fasanmi’s death was announced on Thursday. “Our highly revered Pa Fasanmi lived a good life, ran a good race, and has gone home for a well-deserved rest,” Fayemi said via a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode on Thursday. “There is no doubt we shall miss his wise counsel, but we are consoled with the fact he lived a good life and left a good legacy. Our prayer is that God will grant him eternal rest and comfort his family.” Fayemi described Pa Fasanmi as a steadfast Awoist and committed progressive who was a torchbearer for younger progressives in his lifetime, according to the statement.   He added that Fasanmi’s death had robbed Nigeria of one of her most selfless politicians and patriots who demonstrated unalloyed commitment for a better country where justice and equity occupy a pride of place. In...

By: Agosu Omoleye The Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, on Wednesday ordered the immediate swearing-in of Raheem Agboola, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for the Ilorin South state constituency in the 2019 general elections into the Kwara State House of Assembly. The appellate court dismissed the motion filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the election, Azeez Elewu, and declared that the APC had no candidate in the election. The appeal court in November last year had earlier declared Agboola as the winner of the Ilorin South constituency of the Kwara State House of Assembly election held on March 10, 2019 and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue certificate of return to the PDP candidate in the election. The appellate court also ordered that Elewu and his party should pay a fine of N50,000. But the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi, refused to swear in Agboola, who is the only member of the opposition par...

By: Agosu Omoleye The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN has appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for the role he played in the actualization of the Bitumen exploitation in the state. The Governor who took to his twitter account to share the “Journey of Hope” of the Bitumen project said it’s understandable that a sustainable project takes time but a promise is a promised that must be fulfilled. The Governor in another tweet appreciated President Buhari for his commitment to the project through the Presidential Economic Diversification Initiative which was launched in 2017. In his tweets: “We understand that sustainable development takes time but a promise is a promise. When we say it, we always do it. #DevelopOndo.” “I must also appreciate @MBuhari for his commitment to this project through the Presidential Economic Diversification Initiative which started around the beginning of my administration.” Quite a number...

By: Agosu Omoleye Former National Chairman of APC kneeling down for Edo Elders The Deputy Governor of Edo State and the running mate to Governor Godwin Obaseki in the September 19 election, Philip Shaibu, has said no amount of kneeling stunt would save the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, and his party’s candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, from defeat. Shaibu said this during a campaign that started from Akpakpava Road in Benin City, through Ekpoma to Jattu, in the Etsako West Local Government Area of the state. He, however, noted that the governorship electioneering would be issue-based, with a focus on performance and not on persons nor throwing of tantrums and making deceptive public appearances. He said, “No amount of kneeling stunt will save the former national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, and his candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, from defeat.” The Deputy Governor explained that the election would present Edo people the opportunity to deci...

By: Agosu Omoleye Barely a day after a gas explosion killed one in Lagos, three others have been confirmed dead in a similar explosion on Tuesday at Inua Mohammmed Street, Ajao Estate, Isolo. Ibrahim Farinloye, the acting coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the explosion injured two other persons. According to Mr Farinloye, the explosion occurred at a panel beater’s workshop within the estate. “The explosion occurred while the technician was trying to up his oxycytelene flame popularly known as cabad’s cylinder. “The incident led to the death of three persons and rescue of two. One was immediately resuscitated while the other is in the hospital with severe burns. Seven shops were partially affected,” Mr Farinloye said. It was earlier reported how Usman Bello, a 30-year-old, was killed in an explosion on Monday, while three persons sustained injuries. Giving the update, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said the explosion was from a ga...

There’s probably no known acting Dynasty in today’s Nollywood as the Adeyemi ‘Adelove’ Afolayan Dynasty. Some prominent actors and pioneers of the Nigerian movie industry that passed on will always be remembered but the Adelove legacy will always be a mark of reference as his children keep flying the flag of their late father. The Adelove dynasty has made the Nation proud in various fora across the globe. Before the death of the Patriarch in 1996 as a result of complications of stroke, the Adelove family have been acting and till date they have kept his memories alive in the heart of his fans especially the older ones of his generation. This has confirmed the Yoruba saying that ” Ti ina ba ku, afi eru boju, ti ogede, ba ku, afi Omo e ropo’ meaning, ” when a fire dies it covers itself with its ashes and when a banana tree dies, it sprout forth another one.” They have been representing the name of, Adeyemi ‘Adelove’ Afolayan in various ways in Nollywood. Meet the children and sister of A...

By: Agosu Omoleye Akinwumi Adesina, president of the Africa Development Bank, has been exonerated of all whistleblower allegations by the independent review panel led by Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland. This clears the way for Adesina, who is the sole candidate for the upcoming election, to seek a second term. “The panel concurs with the committee in its findings in respect of all the allegations against the president and finds that they were properly considered and dismissed by the committee,” a document made available to our correspondent quoted the panel to have said. Some whistleblower allegations of favouritism had been levelled against Adesina and although he had been cleared by the ethics committee of the bank, the US had requested for an independent investigation saying it was not satisfied with the report of the committee. In a letter signed by Steven Mnuchin, its treasury secretary, the US government said it had ” deep reservations about the integrity of the commit...

By: Agosu Omoleye Three members in the board of Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Area Development Commission on Monday resigned their appointments, citing political and personal reasons. The members are: Osamwonyi Atu, Emmanuel Odigie, and Rilwanu Oshiomhole, representing Edo-South, Edo-Central, and Edo-North respectively in the board of the commission. In their separate resignation letters dated July 27, they gave different reasons for their resignations.   Atu, who represented Edo-South in the board, said he was resigning for family reasons. “I need to resign to take care of compelling family issues that need my immediate attention.” However, Odigie and Oshiomhole, cited different reasons. Odigie said, “Following due consideration and wide consultations, I have resolved to resign as a member representing Edo Central Senatorial District in the EDSOGPADEC. “The appointment was given to me based on my membership and commitment to the APC. I have contested elections twice to the House...

By: Agosu Omoleye Third Mainland Bridge Some motorists in Lagos State on Monday said the partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge for repairs since Friday had increased their travel time to-and-from the Lagos Island. The motorists decried the timing of the repairs, saying the work should have been done during the COVID-19 total lockdown. The Federal Government had ordered total lockdown in Lagos, Abuja, and Ogun State for over five weeks from the end of March through early May as part of measures to curtail the spread of the pandemic. Road users said the repair works on the bridge, which spans over 11.8km and reported to be the busiest in Nigeria, should have been done during the lockdown even though the repair of the bridge which started on Friday is expected to last six months. The bridge alongside the Carter Bridge and Eko Bridge connect Victoria Island to the mainland. In his comment, a motorist, Titus Ayodeji, said the Federal Government needed to attend to other major roads t...

By: Agosu Omoleye Former Vice-Chancellor of the  Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, MOUAU, Professor Hilary Edeoga, has felicitated the former Governor of Enugu State, Dr. R Okwesirieze Nwodo. Edeoga in a statement, described the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as a quintessential leader and accomplished Nigerian. According to the former VC, Nwodo’s legendary contributions to the development of Enugu State and Nigeria in general in different spheres of life will ever be appreciated by posterity.   The  former Commissioner of Agriculture, Enugu State prayed God to shower Dr. Nwodo with more strength and wisdom for more accomplishments in his diamond age. Wishing him long and peaceful life, Edeoga urged the younger generation to emulate the leadership acumen, patriotism and enterprising spirit of the elder statesman.

By: Agosu Omoleye Aviation Investigation Bureau (AIB) Reveals Why Vice President Osinbajo’s Helicopter Crashed during the last election campaigns. Osinbajo had departed Abuja on a chartered helicopter flight to Kabba in continuation of the family chats and next level engagements. Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo’s helicopter crash on February 2, 2019 was caused by an inflight visibility restriction, the Accident Investigation Bureau has revealed. The Agusta Westland 139 chopper with registration number 5N-CML owned and operated by Caverton Helicopters Limited had crash-landed at Kabba Stadium. AIB Commissioner, Akin Olateru, said the crew of the flight, which took off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for Kogi, sighted the intended landing area – a football field – and “approached with the speed of 20 kt to about a 100 ft, and entered a hover to land”. Listing the causal factors, Olateru blamed the incident on misjudgment of distance by the crew members, inappropriat...

By: Agosu Omoleye Director General, Department State Services The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has received sone intelligence reports that some some persons and groups to take advantage of the latest developments in different parts of the country to destabilise Nation and made it clear that the security organisation will do all it can to resist such evil plots. In a statement signed on Monday, the DSS Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, Ph.D., said some prominent personalities and socio-cultural groups have resorted to divisive acts through inciting statements aimed at pitting individuals, groups and ethnic nationalities against another. While the Service did not disclose any names, it said "it is without a doubt that we are aware of such plans and their sponsors". The DSS, therefore, warned that it will no longer tolerate the orchestrations by subversive and unscrupulous elements to cause a breakdown of law and order in the country. It also noted that it ...

By: Agosu 'Tayo File photo: Rauf Aregbesola The Federal Government has declared Thursday, July 30TH and Friday, July 31ST as public holidays marking this year’s Eid-el-Kabir Celebration. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Georgina Ehuriah. According to the statement, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, congratulated Muslim faithfuls and all Nigerians based at home and abroad on the occasion. “He called on the Muslims to continue to imbibe the true spirit of love, peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and the stability of the country especially as the world is witnessing global health challenges caused by the novel Covid-19 pandemic,” the statement read in part. While reiterating President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s commitment to battling the scourge of COVID-19 pandemic, Aregbesola a...

By: Agosu Omoleye The Minister for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has been urged to open the Nigerian Airspace for airline operators, to avoid further economic meltdown ravaging the country. Speaking to with newsmen in Lagos on was the CEO, Aeroland Travels, Mr. Segun Adewale, who has tasked the Federal Government, to see reasons with operators and those in related businesses as regards why Airports across the country should be opened for both local and international operations. According to him, since the lockdown started in March due to COVID19, the Travel and Tours Idustry which has over 20,000 direct members and employees running into hundreds of thousands have not had it any good. He said, it was good that the government worked very hard to contain COVID-19 pandemic, which is a global phenomenon, but while the airspace was locked down, that, it did not inhibit private jets and chartered aircraft from moving in and out of Nigeria, which negates the need for a lockdown of our airspace in th...

By: Agosu Omoleye The Federal Government on Monday asked schools in the country to reopen for graduating pupils effective August 4. It also announced that this year's West African Senior School Certificate Examination would commence on August 17. This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong. In the statement titled, 'Exit Classes To Reopen August 4th', the ministry said the agreed dates were part of the resolution reached after a consultative meeting with the education commissioners of the 36 states of the federation and other stakeholders.  However, the statement signed by Goong on Monday read, "Secondary schools in the country are to reopen from the 4th of August 2020 for exit classes only. "Students will have two weeks with which to prepare for the West African Examinations due to start on the 17th of August 2020. "These were the unanimous decisions reached today at a virtual...

By: Dele Akanbi Irenosen Okojie Nigerian author, Irenosen Okojie, has won the 2020 AKO Caine Prize for African writing. The Caine Prize is one of the most prestigious literary prizes on the continent and is awarded to a short fictional story by an African writer published in English, whether in Africa or elsewhere. Another Nigerian writer, Lesley Nneka Arimah, won the 2019 edition. Irenosen, whose debut novel Butterfly Fish won a Betty Trask Award, clinched the £10,000 award Caine prize for her short story Grace Jones, following an impersonator of the singer as she mourns the death of her family in a house fire. Caine prize chair of judges and director of The Africa Centre, Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp, said that the journey of Okojie’s main protagonist Sidra, a young woman who has moved to London from Martinique, “moves exquisitely and seamlessly between the exploration of the universal experiences of unspeakable suffering, pleasure, and escape, and the particular experience of being black...

By: Agosu Omoleye General Tukur Buratai The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai on Sunday visited wounded soldiers who are undergoing treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna state, where he promised to improve their welfare while praying for their quick recovery. Most of the soldiers are those that sustained various degrees of injury while fighting  the Boko Haram menace in the North-East and armed bandits in the North-Western zones of the country. During the visit, the Army Chief had lunch with the injured soldiers and personally joined in serving the meals. The Army Chief while noting that the fight against insurgency is a collective effort that requires determination, however, assured to improve on the welfare of the soldiers including ensuring that all those in critical condition are giving proper medical attention. He also said that despite recording some challenges in the counter-insurgency operations, including deaths and injuries, the...

By: Fred Njideka Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi The governors of the southeast have asked teachers in the country to undergo compulsory COVID-19 test. The Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ forum and Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, disclosed this at the Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital while briefing newsmen of the outcome of the virtual meeting of the forum on Sunday. Umahi said the forum also reviewing the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region, adding that school infrastructures will be reviewed to support the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols pending when the Federal government decides on when it is safe to reopen schools. While urging the Igbo people to continue to comply with the COVID-19 protocols, the governor said eastern states will commence COVID-19 testing on every household, targeting people of 65 years and above. To Reopen Or Not The South-East Governors’ decision comes as the debate on whether to reopen scho...

By: Bisodun Roxanne Bassey. As a mother careth for her children so is the inbuilt attitude of Honourable Abayomi Fagbenro Founder Hope Also Need Help Foundation. As he mentioned that a Good mother will not hear the cry of her child and keep mute without coming to the rescue. One of the holy books confirms this by saying "will a mother forsake her suckling child and say if he likes he live or die?". While on a Condolence support visit to the bereaved Family of  late victim of Rape that was widely reported in ibadan, Baraka a 100level student of Awolowo Obafemi University of Agriculture I.A.R and T Odo- on a Campus who was raped to death in the late hours of 1st of June 2020 in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State Ibadan, leaving behind her parents and nine year old  Abdul-Azeez younger brother in this sinful world. HANHF paid Barakat's family a condolence visit and took the opportunity to gift the family some materials as some form of support. Reactions of well mean...

By: Chukwuka Udeh  Photo credit: Enugu West Youth General Assembly Jubilation rented the air as the Enugu West Youth Assembly unveil plans to truly empower the people. This was contained in the Press Release issued by Ambassador Elvis Obi-Nwankwo. According to the youth leader "over the years, the Enugu West have laid siege for meritocracy in almost every youth development initiative in our communities, denying ourselves the deserving commitment, passion and dedication to incubate successful ventures in our communities, and that is why Enugu West Youth General Assembly, having established its  plans to embody the visions of the entire youth of Enugu West's plans to unleash a youth development strategy that will create kindred impact in every community". Ordinarily, our community development projects are slot based which our stakeholders share to their cronies who may not have value for the training, and as thus the purpose is never met. EWYGA plans to improvise this ...