Year: 2025

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said he is unbothered by what he described as the “noise” from opposition party members in the state.

 

Otti made the remark on Tuesday while receiving a delegation led by the member representing Bende North State Constituency, Nnamdi Ibekwe, who recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party to join the ruling Labour Party in the state.

 

According to the governor, many of those in the opposition who claim they are coming to contest elections are not serious contenders.

 

He said their motives are to seek recognition, negotiate political benefits, or project themselves for the future.

 

“We are not bothered about the oppositions and their noise. There are different reasons why people show up (for elections).

 

“Sometimes, they just want recognition—that their names showed up for the primaries—knowing fully well that they will not win the election.

 

“Some of them also come for negotiations, and then of course, some others also show up for projections. They look at themselves and say, ‘If I start the noise in 2025, maybe by 2040 they will know that I have been in the race and they will call me and recognise me,’ so they are projecting themselves”, Otti stated.

 

He noted that his focus remains on the mandate given to him by the people, and his response to opposition criticism is to deliver tangible results across the state.

“People are making noise, but I respond with work. We are very committed to the job that our people asked us to do. We are doing just that. For us, governance is about stewardship and leadership. And that is what is keeping us here,” he said.

 

Speaking further, Otti congratulated Ibekwe on his decision to join the LP, stressing that it was a voluntary move made without pressure.

 

He reiterated that his administration does not prioritise political affiliations in governance, but is focused on delivering good governance to all Abians.

 

He added that the party is inclusive and welcoming, noting that Ibekwe has become a ranking member of the party.

 

He also announced that an official reception would be organised in his honour.

 

Earlier, Ibekwe said he was attracted to the Labour Party because of Otti’s achievements, which he described as unprecedented.

“This is the best time for Abia people”, he said, while praising the governor’s visionary leadership and assured him of his full support and that of his supporters toward the governor’s 2027 re-election bid.

 

Ibekwe was accompanied by key stakeholders from Bende North State Constituency, including the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze; Labour Party stalwart, Chief Uwakwe Maduka; former Commissioner for Boundary Matters, Mr. Mascot Obike; and the Abia State APC spokesperson, Mr. Okey Ezeala, among others.

The Yobe State Government said it is committed to reaching 80 per cent vaccination coverage by 2026, as it intensifies efforts to close immunisation gaps and protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.

 

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mohammed Gana, who said this on Tuesday at a one-day media dialogue to commemorate the 2025 World Immunisation Day in Damaturu, Yobe State, noted that the state is implementing strategic actions to reach underserved and vaccine-hesitant communities.

 

He stated that unvaccinated children pose a public health risk, contributing to repeated outbreaks of diseases such as diphtheria, cholera, cerebrospinal meningitis, and vaccine-derived polio.

 

“To achieve herd immunity and safeguard our communities, we must reach at least 80 per cent coverage by next year,” Gana said.

 

He urged health workers not to miss fixed immunisation sessions and emphasized the need to prioritise hard-to-reach and zero-dose communities, particularly in areas with low vaccine uptake.

 

Gana said, “Here in Yobe State, we have been recording outbreaks of diphtheria. We’ve seen outbreaks of cerebrospinal meningitis, especially Type C. We have seen outbreaks of even acute watery diarrhoea, sometimes cholera, and others.

 

“Despite all this, we have recorded a lot of success, in the sense that when you compare the 2023 and the 2018 National Demographic Health Surveys, you can see that we have made moderate or modest progress in that regard.

 

“The desire is actually to get up to 80 per cent to 90 per cent of the population for you to be able to achieve herd immunity.

 

“So, because of all these issues, and of recent, the record of type 2 circulating vaccine-derived polio viruses, and then sadly the type 3 in one of the local government areas has been a wake-up call to the entire team, not only the team here in the state, but nationally.”

 

Also speaking, the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation at the Yobe State Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr. Umar Chiroma, stated that as of 2024, 17.5 per cent of children in the state were classified as zero-dose, meaning they had not received any routine vaccination.

“Two LGAs were categorised at the national level as zero-dose LGAs due to high burden of zeth-dose children – Gulani and Geidam LGAs,” he said.

 

He, however said the state is working towards ensuring that the health system is integrated into serving the communities better.

 

The Borno State Immunisation Officer at the State Primary Health Care Agency, Maina Modu, said that the state is intensifying efforts to reduce the number of zero-dose children.

 

According to him, additional outreach activities are being implemented in hard-to-reach settlements to ensure no child is left behind.

He added that eligible children are also being vaccinated at transit team points to receive missed or overdue vaccines.

 

He noted that the efforts are part of a broader Big Catch-Up strategy, which includes targeted local responses tailored to specific community needs.

 

Meanwhile, UNICEF Health Officer Mr. Bashir Elegbede, highlighted that to meet the global targets, there is a need to reduce the number of zero-dose children by 25 per cent by 2025 and 50 per cent by 2030.

 

Elegbede urged all stakeholders to strengthen vaccination platforms and ensure equitable access to routine immunisation.

 

He reiterated the call for collaboration between government agencies, traditional leaders, healthcare workers, and development partners to ensure no child is left behind.

Telecommunications services disrupted in Kogi State are expected to resume by Wednesday following a resolution of the dispute between MTN Nigeria and the state government, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria has said.

 

The Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, told PUNCH Online on Tuesday that the issues that led to the shutdown of telecom masts in the state, primarily affecting MTN, had been addressed, paving the way for service restoration.

 

“We have resolved the issues. Services will be fully restored on Wednesday,” Adebayo said.

 

The shutdown stemmed from a compliance dispute between MTN and the Kogi State Utility Infrastructure Management and Compliance Agency, which accused the telecom giant of violating operational rules and under-declaring the extent of its optic fibre network coverage in the state.

 

KUIMCA Director General, Taofeeq Isah, told journalists in Lokoja on Friday that MTN failed to comply with state operational rules.

 

“After assuming the office last August, I found non-compliance in their files. A four-day verification showed they covered more areas than declared,” Isah said.

He noted that MTN initially claimed to have laid 48 optic fibres across Kogi, but a joint verification exercise revealed a much larger coverage.

 

“I called them for a discussion where they complained of being overbilled concerning the area of the state covered by their optic fibre.

 

“I went with them for a verification exercise to assess their claim, which took about four days, and we found out they were even covering more areas than they claimed,” Isah said.

 

Kogi demanded additional levies, and MTN’s refusal led to a court-ordered facility shutdown, leaving subscribers and businesses frustrated for over a week.

 

Officials from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service also accused MTN of tax evasion and submitting irrelevant documentation during compliance checks.

Two members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria were crushed to death on Tuesday by an articulated vehicle in front of the University of Benin along Lagos Road.

 

One of the deceased was identified as Mustapha through his identity card, and the other victim had their head crushed in the accident, which led to their death.

 

The deceased were said to be riding a motorcycle when they were run over by the trailer, which sped off after the accident.

 

One of the hawkers, who gathered at the scene of the incident, said that the accident happened in a flash, as it was not clear whether the vigilante men were trying to stop the trailer when the accident happened.

 

The hawker said, “The accident happened all of a sudden. The trailer was on its way to Lagos, and before we realised what was happening, the men were lying on the road, lifeless, with their heads crushed.

“No one could say if the vigilantes were trying to stop the trailer when the accident happened. It is so sad that these men had to lose their lives in this manner.”

 

When contacted, the spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu confirmed the incident and said efforts were on to get more information from the Divisional Police Officers of the area, who are on official duty.

 

He said, “It is true that the accident happened and that the men died in the process. However, I am waiting for more information from the DPO of the area who is on official duty.”

 

Their corpses have since been deposited at the morgue of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

Celebrity bartender, Pascal Okechukwu popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest has expressed support for his friend and fellow socialite, Emeka Okonkwo popularly known as E-Money following his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

 

E-Money was taken into custody by EFCC operatives on Monday night at his residence in the Omole area of Lagos for allegedly abusing the Naira and violating the Foreign Exchange Act by reportedly spraying U.S. dollars at a public event.

 

Reacting via his Instagram page on Tuesday, Cubana Chief Priest rallied behind E-Money, praising his recent contributions to the South-East, particularly his Easter “Homecoming” concert. He hinted that E-Money’s rising influence may have drawn the attention of those seeking to suppress prominent voices from the region.

 

He wrote, “This is a guy who just did everything to push up Southeast with his just concluded Home Coming Concert this Easter. I knew they will come for him because they just saw his strength, they are doing this so they could break him so as to make him succumb in supporting them under duress.

 

“The oppression on us Igbos will never stop but let me tell all of you we will never stop. We don’t die we multiply more billionaires are coming up, come 2027 we will support & vote for who we want to, we wont be broken, we will even be stronger, we will reciprocate how we were treated with our energy, brotherhood, support, votes & affluence. #iam_emoney1 it’s nothing brother I have been there it will make you stronger it’s just like our Rolls Royce, 🦅 na location for the rich & famous na status symbol.”

Cubana Chief Priest himself was previously arraigned on April 17, 2024, on similar charges of Naira abuse after spraying money at a social event at Eko Hotel in Lagos. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of ₦10 million. However, Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos later struck out the charges following a settlement agreement between the parties involved.

 

PUNCH Online reports that the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested a popular Lagos socialite, Emeka Okonkwo Daniel (a.k.a. E-Money), for allegedly abusing the Naira note.

 

Our correspondent gathered that he was arrested on Monday night at his residence in the Omole area of Lagos.

 

Sources within the commission on Tuesday said E-Money was arrested for allegedly spraying United States dollars, an act said to be in violation of the Foreign Exchange Act.

 

One of the sources said, “On Monday night, we arrested E-Money for Naira abuse and defacing foreign currencies. Specifically, he was alleged to have sprayed U.S. dollars, which is against the Foreign Exchange Act.

An Ekiti State High Court on Tuesday sentenced five persons to death by hanging for the offences of armed robbery and murder.

 

The five defendants were also sentenced to 21 years’ imprisonment each for the offences of conspiracy.

 

The defendants, Ojo Tope, Damilola Christopher, Joshua Adegoke, Aderopo Temitope and Oyedele Oluwatobi were tried and convicted for committing the offences of armed robbery, murder and conspiracy.

 

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Julius Ajibare, who prosecuted the case on behalf of Ekiti State, had told the court, “The offences were committed by the defendants on the 18th August, 2021 at Agogo Street, Ilupeju Avenue, Odo Ado, Ado Ekiti.

 

“The defendants robbed Ajiboye Olajide, Lateef Temidayo Busari, and Akeem lsiaka of their money, laptop computers, mobile phones, and other valuables.

 

“In the process of the robbery, the five defendants also killed the street night guard, named Joseph Blessing.

“They were arrested and charged to court with the offences of conspiracy, murder and armed robbery contrary to Section 516A of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012, Section 319 of the same law and Section 1 (2)( a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

 

The DPP called four witnesses and tendered 13 exhibits to prove his case before the court.

 

The defendants were represented by Adeyinka Opaleke, and each of them gave evidence without calling additional witnesses.

 

Justice Olalekan Olatawura, in the judgment, held that the prosecution proved the counts of armed robbery, murder, and conspiracy against all five defendants beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

The judge consequently convicted all the defendants and sentenced them to death by hanging for armed robbery and murder, and 21 years imprisonment for conspiracy.

Legendary Juju musician, King Sunny Ade, has dismissed widespread speculations about his safety and whereabouts, declaring on Tuesday that he was neither missing nor kidnapped.

 

The music icon made this known in a live video shared by one of his wives, Mrs. Bose Olubo-Adegeye, following a social media storm ignited by his daughter, Damilola Adeniyi-Adegeye.

 

Damilola had on Monday, raised the alarm over her father’s whereabouts, accusing her stepbrother, Dayo, whom she described as KSA’s manager, of allegedly holding the veteran singer hostage and mismanaging his affairs.

 

In a flurry of social media posts, Damilola called for Dayo’s arrest, claiming he had been “stealing” from the musician and preventing access to him.

 

One of her posts read: “Dad told my brother that he wants to go home. Where is he? Where are his phones? He has not been online or picking up his calls. Where is he?”

 

Another stated: “I want Dayo (manager) apprehended. I want him to provide all the money they have been stealing from him. He has a UK visa, thinking he can run.”

However, speaking in the video on Tuesday, King Sunny Ade reassured fans that he was hale, hearty, and actively performing live music at events. He specifically mentioned performing at a show in Lekki, Lagos, over the weekend and noted that he was on his way to another performance.

 

“Nobody kidnapped me. I pray, as I don’t want anybody to kidnap me. I believe that the whole world is in love with me. This is me, King Sunny Ade. I have to thank God and you, my fans, for the concern. I have been doing my shows. I was at a show last Saturday at Lekki, Lagos. I am on my way to have a show, and I am coming back again to play in Lagos, as well. So, I have nothing to say other than to thank God and to thank you,” KSA said.

 

The singer also appreciated Nigerians and fans worldwide for their concern, noting that the confusion might have stemmed from some of his children not seeing him recently.

 

“I know my children are in love with me, and they want to see me. I didn’t go anywhere. This is me. I thank the children, too, for their concern as well.

 

“By God’s grace, enjoyment continues. I am still in music. Music is my life; it is my business, and I will continue to do it. I thank the whole world for loving me as usual,” he added.

The Labour Party in Delta State has tackled Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on the wasteful defection ceremony.

 

The National Vice Chairman South-South of the Labour Party, Chief Tony Ezeagwu, stated this on Tuesday while reacting to the defection of the entire Delta PDP members in Asaba, Delta State.

 

Ezeagwu stressed that LP will maintain a strong opposition in the state after the collapse of PDP into APC, describing the defection ceremony as a waste of Delta resources.

 

He said, “We are the only opposition in Delta State now, we just thanked God that the governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and his PDP members made the blunder by defecting to APC.

 

“As long as LP is concerned, we don’t have anything on the defection, but it is an advantage to us because, as it is today, before they finish their fighting in APC, we have gone very far.

 

He said there will definitely be a lot of infighting in their new party, as people from diverse backgrounds, including those who previously left the party due to internal disputes, are now returning to join the same group they once clashed with.

“And trust Nigerian politicians, no politicians have the interest of the people; it is personal interest, so as long as they are concerned, they are not going to put anybody into consideration, rather everybody will be fighting for what he or she will benefit.

 

“That’s exactly what you will see going on there. It is because of that particular interest, you will see that in the end, they will scatter more in the APC.

 

“Watch out, you will see that almost 80 per cent of them who moved now, will move back to other political parties. Let me not say precisely they are coming to join LP, because as it is, they have grounded PDP and it will be difficult for PDP to find it seat in Delta any longer.

 

“It is a complete waste of resources for Oborewori to spend such a huge amount of money to officially defect to APC,” said Ezeagwu

 

The LP leader further said there have been conversations about looting public funds in the past, yet they continue to loot and waste our money. He added that their move to the APC is simply to validate Adams Oshiomhole’s infamous remark: “As soon as you join APC, your sins are forgiven.” According to him, APC is just a shelter for them; that is why they have gone there.