The Federal Government has officially handed over four Technical Aid Corps volunteers to the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
The formal ceremony took place in Freetown on Thursday, October 16, 2025. Representing Nigeria at the event, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Nigeria, Ambassador Anthony Ebipador, officially presented the volunteers to Sierra Leonean authorities, who were represented by the Director of Education, J. Momoh.
According to a statement signed and released by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Sunday, the four volunteers include two professors, one PhD holder, and one Master’s degree holder, with expertise in law, medicine, and science.
They will be deployed across various institutions in Sierra Leone, where they are expected to contribute to human capital development through knowledge transfer, capacity building, and support for socio-economic progress.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to announce the successful deployment and formal handing over of four Nigerian Technical Aid Corps volunteers to the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone. The volunteers comprise two Professors, one PhD holder, and one Master’s degree holder.
“This deployment reflects the commitment of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, to strengthening the bonds of fraternity and solidarity between Nigeria and her sister nations across Africa and the Caribbean.
“The four volunteers, carefully selected and equipped with expertise in law, medicine, and science, will be integrated into various institutions across Sierra Leone.
“Their mission is to support the human capital development goals of the Government and people of Sierra Leone through knowledge transfer, capacity building, and contributions to socio-economic development,” the statement read in part.
According to the statement, Ebipador stressed the historical ties and enduring cooperation between the two nations, adding that Nigeria has consistently provided development assistance and volunteers to Sierra Leone and remains committed to strengthening the institutional framework of the country in all ramifications.
Founded in 1987, the TAC Scheme continues to serve as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s foreign policy, reflecting the country’s sustained commitment to South-South cooperation and Pan-African ideals, the statement added.
Last month, the Director General of NTAC, Yusuf Yakub, revealed that the agency was developing a legal framework to facilitate the structured export of skilled Nigerian professionals, in a move aimed at curbing brain drain and boosting diaspora earnings.
Yakub also revealed that the agency has deployed 396 volunteers to various countries over the past two years.
Senator Ned Nwoko has broken his silence following a viral video showing his wife, actress Regina Daniels, in distress, describing her recent actions as “drug-influenced” and “unprovoked carnage.”
In a lengthy post and a short video shared on his Instagram handle #princenednwoko on Sunday, Nwoko claimed the actress was battling drug and alcohol abuse, which he said was at the root of the crisis rocking their marriage.
“Regina was not always like this. Her current battle with drugs and alcohol abuse is the root of our problem.
“She must continue her rehabilitation programme, or I fear for her life and safety,” he wrote.
The senator alleged that Regina went on a violent rampage at their home in his absence, attacking staff and destroying property.
“She slapped and hit three staff in the past 48 hours and destroyed property, including cars and windows, for no just cause.
“Now she has moved to a place where she will have unrestricted access to drugs,” the senator alleged
Nwoko said he had offered his wife two rehabilitation options in Asokoro or Jordan, “where she will not have access to drugs.”
He further alleged that the scene at home was worsened by the interference of Regina’s associates, whom he described as “drug suppliers.”
“While I took Moon to the hospital, a scene of chaos unfolded at home, orchestrated by Sammy, Regina’s main drug supplier.
“Another known supplier of drugs to Regina is the tiny evil devil called Ann,”he alleged.
His post came hours after PUNCH Online reported that a video of the actress, visibly agitated and shouting during a confrontation, had gone viral on Saturday, sparking widespread concern.
In the footage, Regina could be heard saying, “In Ned Nwoko’s house, I am nothing, but in my own house, I am a Queen. Not again. I can’t stand the violence, it’s too much.”
Her brother, Ojeogwu Samuel Danhillman, popularly known as Sammy West, also reacted angrily on Instagram, accusing Nwoko of assaulting his sister and vowing to defend her.
“Anywhere wey man dey beat woman, whether na my sister or not, I go fight with my blood,” he wrote.
The cause of the altercation remains unclear, as neither Regina nor her representatives have publicly responded to Nwoko’s allegations.
Regina Daniels, who married Nwoko in 2019, has often been in the public eye alongside the politician and businessman.
The couple’s marriage, marked by a 40-year age gap, has long drawn public attention and debate.
Fans of Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, have expressed concern over her well-being following a disturbing video that surfaced online on Friday, showing her in tears and alleging domestic violence in her marriage to billionaire politician, Ned Nwoko.
In the viral clips, the visibly distraught actress was seen sitting outside in the dark, sobbing as she lamented her alleged ordeal. Amid tears, she said, “In Ned Nwoko’s house, I am nothing. But in my house, I am a queen.”
Her young son could be heard trying to console her, but she replied emotionally, “Baby, what again? I cannot stand this violence. It’s too much.”
The tense scene appeared to escalate when some men, believed to be security aides, tried to pacify the actress and her siblings, but her brother, Sammy, confronted them.
Shortly after, Sammy took to Instagram to defend his actions, writing, “Makachi! E pain me say una wan finally laugh my sister. Let me repeat — anywhere wey man dey beat woman, whether na my sister or not, I go fight with my blood!”
The controversy deepened when fans resurfaced an old video of Nwoko jokingly saying, “She will tell me I’m not her father, and I’ll say, no, I’m your husband.” In the clip, Regina quickly knelt and replied, “You’re my everything,” in an attempt to diffuse the tension.
As the story gained traction, social media users began tagging actress, Angela Okorie, recalling her recent online spat with Daniels. Their feud began after Okorie made a controversial post about Mercy Johnson, which Daniels publicly condemned.
The disagreement quickly turned personal, with Okorie mocking Regina’s marriage to Nwoko, while Regina alleged that Okorie once showed interest in the billionaire.
Reacting to being dragged into the latest drama, Okorie wrote on Instagram, “Nigerians, na me dem beat for Ferrari and private jet house with 8 wives? Why una dey tag me kwanu? Oh chim, Angelaaaa.”
Meanwhile, several entertainers and fans have voiced support for Daniels.
Actor Stanley Ontop wrote, “Nothing should happen to my Gina ooo… make hand no touch her abeg.”
Fans also flooded social media with mixed reactions.
One user, @sawiitee, asked, “Hope say no be movie?”
Another fan, @yourmosttrustworthyattorney, lamented, “This is too sad. I was hoping it was a skit.”
User @vivibleez added, “Noooo, it’s for better or for worse. Who she wan leave am for?”
Another fan, @bigbillzbaby, criticised, “She chose this life forced on her by her mother, who doesn’t know any better.”
@victoriakelly wrote, “But why Ned go lay hand on her? Old man wey dem dey manage.”
Echoing similar sentiments, @callmeoche commented, “She really needs to stop talking. Why marry someone old enough to be your grandfather? He’ll always see you as a child. Honestly, this situation is partly her fault.”
As of press time, neither Regina Daniels nor Ned Nwoko has issued an official statement regarding the incident.
The Forum of All Progressives Congress Local Government Party Chairmen of Nigeria, Southwest Zone, has declared its support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
During its Southwest quarterly meeting held on Saturday at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, the forum also vowed to embark on massive grassroots mobilisation, not only to ensure a landslide victory for Tinubu in 2027 but also to reclaim Oyo and Osun States, currently under the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
The Southwest APC LG chairmen said there was no disputing the fact that Tinubu had taken several decisive and courageous steps to return the country to the path of economic prosperity and stability, stressing that he should be allowed to continue his strategic leadership and deliberate reforms until 2031.
Speaking at the event, the National Chairman of the Forum, who also doubles as the Chairman of APC LG Chairmen in Ogun State and the party chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government, Mr Henry Fagbenro, commended Tinubu and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for prioritising projects that accelerate economic growth and prosperity.
Fagbenro said, “The Southwest is the home base of our hardworking President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has done fantastically well in redefining good governance since his election over two years ago.
“The Southwest is saying that President Tinubu deserves another term till 2031, and we are going to do everything within our ability, as permitted by law, to work with other Nigerians to make this a reality.
“Already, we have four Southwest states — Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos and Ogun — under the APC. For the two remaining states, Oyo and Osun, we shall embark on massive grassroots mobilisation. We will go from door to door, house to house, community to community, and market to market to further strengthen the party in the Southwest and mobilise for its victory in both the presidential and governorship elections.”
Fagbenro also highlighted the remarkable progress recorded in Ogun State under Governor Abiodun and urged him to remain committed to improving the lives of residents.
In his address, the Southwest Coordinator of the group, Elder Rufus Awotidoye, said that returning President Tinubu for another four-year term in 2027 was “non-negotiable.”
He, however, called for unity within the party, stressing that all members must work together to achieve the shared vision.
“The 2027 Presidential Election is a defining moment for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and for our dear President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As the political home of Mr President, the Southwest carries a special responsibility to stand united, committed, and focused in ensuring that the APC continues to lead Nigeria on the path of renewed hope, progress, and prosperity,” Awotidoye said.
He further urged APC members in the Southwest to put aside their differences and work as a formidable team to deliver a landslide victory for the party in the 2026 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.
The National Secretary of the Forum and Chairman of APC LG Chairmen in Delta State, Mr Norbert Sochukudinma, charged Southwest APC members to remain steadfast and work hard for President Tinubu’s re-election, noting that all eyes were on the zone as the President’s home region.
He said the Southwest’s performance would significantly influence the direction of other geopolitical zones in 2027.
The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Daisi Elemide, who chaired the occasion, called for the restoration of party supremacy to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and promote good governance. He also threw his weight behind President Tinubu’s second-term bid, adding that the President had demonstrated a genuine commitment to national progress.
The immediate past Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Ishola, also emphasised the need for unity and inclusivity within the party ahead of the 2027 elections, saying that only a united front could guarantee victory.
The guest speaker at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr Pius Akutah, who was represented by Atiso Mofiren, charged the APC LG chairmen to intensify efforts at the grassroots to promote the ideals of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Akutah explained that the Renewed Hope Agenda focuses on returning the country to the path of economic prosperity, food sufficiency, improved infrastructure, enhanced security, protection of the vulnerable, and expanded access to quality education through student loans, among others.
He added that “all these laudable initiatives of President Tinubu must be allowed to continue until 2031.”
PUNCH Online reports that in May 2025, the APC formally endorsed Tinubu as its sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election, signalling the party’s official support for his second term.
The Southwest zone of the APC, Tinubu’s home region, has repeatedly pledged to provide him support for the 2027 polls, emphasising massive grassroots mobilisation across the six states in the zone
Tears flowed freely on Saturday as the remains of the late Arise Television news anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, popularly known as “Sommie,” were laid to rest in her hometown of Agulu, in the Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who attended the solemn ceremony alongside the deceased’s family members, friends, colleagues, and dignitaries, decried the insecurity plaguing the country.
Obi described Maduagwu’s death as heartbreaking and a painful reflection of the country’s worsening security situation.
Speaking after the Mass, Obi, who also hails from Agulu, said, “We cannot question God. When I heard of her death, I didn’t know that she was from Agulu even before I tweeted about it. Our coming here will help to console you, but we know that this loss is a huge one. It is the wish of God, and none of us can question Him. Please do remember her and her immediate family in your prayers.
“Before I left Birmingham yesterday, I told some people that I was rushing back to Nigeria for the burial of one of my daughters. I told them to remember to pray for her all the time as she will be buried today.”
Maduagwu, who was killed during an armed robbery attack at her residence in Abuja in September 2025, was buried around 1:30 p.m. after a funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Agulu.
Delivering a homily during the Mass, Rev. Fr. Peter Ezewuzie of St. Theresa’s Parish consoled the bereaved family and urged them to take solace in the belief that Maduagwu lived a meaningful and impactful life.
He said, “The Lord who created us knows the beginning from the end.
He is all-knowing, and some of you may be unhappy that a life has been cut short, but you won’t know if that is how God planned it.
“He (God) is an all-knowing Father, so I urge you to grieve less. God, who gave Christelle Somtoo Maduagwu to your family, loves her more than you do. The only thing you owe her is to continue to remember her in your prayers. She is in a better place today and will always remember us too.
“The maturity of life is the quality of life lived and not how long, and we can be sure that our sister lived a quality life. Let us strive to live our lives well. We are not here by chance; there is someone who brought us here and expects that we live good lives because no one knows when it will be their time.”
The deceased’s uncle, Obi Maduagwu, commended Arise News Channel for standing by the family since her passing.
He said, “We thank the management of Arise News. They have been with us right from the beginning. We thank all who journeyed all the way to be with us.”
The late journalist’s death in September sent shockwaves across Nigeria’s media community. Reports said the assailants invaded her Abuja home at night, and she was later confirmed dead at a nearby hospital.
Tributes have continued to pour in from colleagues, friends, and prominent Nigerians, who described her as intelligent, hardworking, and full of promise.
Saturday’s burial drew journalists, government officials, and members of the Agulu community, all of whom paid their last respects to a rising media star whose life was tragically cut short, leaving behind memories of brilliance, humility, and hope.
President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja after participating in the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government-level Meeting held in Rome, Italy.
There, world leaders gathered to strengthen cooperation against terrorism and violent extremism.
Tinubu had departed Nigeria on October 12 for the meeting scheduled to start on the 14th.
According to a State House Press Release issued on Saturday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s trip to Rome reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional and global security partnerships.
“President Bola Tinubu returns to Abuja today after participating in the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government-level Meeting in Rome, Italy,” the statement read.
The Aqaba Process, the release explained, is “a counter-terrorism initiative launched by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan in 2015” and “co-chaired by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Government of Italy.”
The Rome edition of the meeting focused on “strengthening regional and international collaboration in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, with particular attention to West Africa.”
The high-level session took place on Wednesday, October 15, at the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome, and drew participation from several global leaders including King Abdullah II of Jordan, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and the Presidents of Nigeria, Chad, Paraguay, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Other dignitaries in attendance included Azouz Nasri, President of Algeria’s Upper House, as well as delegations from Côte d’Ivoire, Kazakhstan, Mauritania, Senegal, and Uzbekistan, alongside special envoys and security experts.
“The meeting was held behind closed doors,” the statement noted, underscoring the sensitivity of the discussions focused on global counterterrorism coordination.
Bilateral Engagements
On the sidelines of the summit, Tinubu held bilateral meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.S. President Donald Trump’s Senior Adviser on Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulos, where security and economic cooperation reportedly topped discussions.
He also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, in a session that highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to religious tolerance and unity.
“President Tinubu also met with the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to discuss religious harmony in Nigeria.
“The meeting addressed the widespread disinformation campaigns that falsely portray the country as intolerant of religious diversity,” the release stated.
Since its inception in 2015, the Aqaba Process has convened 33 meetings across multiple levels — from Heads of State summits to technical expert sessions — built on “three core pillars: prevention, coordination, and closing operational gaps in counterterrorism efforts.”
The President’s participation in the Rome meeting, according to the release, aligns with his administration’s broader security diplomacy agenda and Nigeria’s active role in international peace and counterterrorism collaborations.
The Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has decried the many lives lost on Lagos roads due to delays caused by onlookers taking videos instead of assisting first responders.
Represented by the Director of Medical Services, Lagos Health Service Commission, Dr Olawale Adegbite, Abayomi spoke in Lagos at a Symposium for stakeholders to mark the 2025 World Trauma Day with the theme: “Reducing Needless Deaths on Our Roads: Everybody’s Responsibility.”
He urged Lagosians to respect ambulances and prioritise saving lives first before taking videos at the scene of accidents, saying that saving lives on the road was not just the government’s responsibility, but a collective moral and civic duty of every Lagosian.
“Every time we block an ambulance or ignore an emergency call, someone’s parent, spouse, or child could be dying. Trauma care begins with public responsibility,” he said.
He reiterated resolution of the state government to strengthen emergency preparedness and trauma response mechanisms to reduce preventable deaths on Lagos roads.
He said that most trauma cases on Lagos roads were not accidents but preventable incidents caused by human errors.
He stressed that the state’s emergency systems, especially pre-hospital care and ambulance services, have been instrumental in saving lives but require continuous improvement and public cooperation.
Highlighting Lagos’ ongoing investments in emergency medicine, Abayomi noted that most trauma cases brought in by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) recorded higher survival rates compared to those transported by bystanders.
“Proper pre-hospital intervention makes the difference between life and death.
“Continuous staff training and retention were critical to sustaining success in trauma management,” he said.
Earlier, in her opening remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, described trauma as one of the leading causes of preventable deaths and disabilities globally, particularly from road traffic crashes.
Represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Dr Oluwatoni Adeyemi, Ogunyemi noted that Lagos State has made significant progress under the leadership of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, citing improvements in ambulance coverage, response time, and coordination among first responders.
She said: “We recently launched ten emergency ambulance bikes to ensure faster access to victims in congested areas and also commissioned modular high-dependency units in Ifako and Mushin General Hospitals.
“These interventions are part of our drive to bring critical care closer to communities and reduce delays in life-saving interventions.”
She further emphasised that the theme of this year’s commemoration underscored the fact that reducing trauma-related deaths goes beyond government efforts.
“It requires everyone—drivers, pedestrians, health professionals, civil society, and the media—to play their roles in building a culture of prevention and prompt response,” she said.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, said the story of “Mr Andrew,” a trauma survivor treated at the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre (LASAEC), represented the essence of the symposium.
Ogboye recounted how coordinated emergency response and government-backed trauma care saved a man who was left comatose after a crash on the morning of his daughter’s wedding.
He stressed that pre-hospital care was a crucial but often neglected component of healthcare.
He revealed that the Lagos State Government was expanding trauma centers across the state, with new facilities being established in Epe, Eti-Osa, and Badagry corridors in partnership with private sector allies such as Custodian Allied Insurance and Access Bank.
He added that the state’s ambulance service had evolved into a world-class system with well-equipped vehicles serving as mobile intensive care units.
“There’s hardly any equipment you’ll find in advanced ambulance systems that our units don’t have – ventilators, defibrillators, and fully trained emergency technicians. Lagos has come a long way,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary also called for attitudinal change among motorists and the general public, especially in giving ambulances the right of way.
“You move aside for convoys and security vehicles, yet block ambulances carrying lives. That behavior must change. It could be your loved one in that ambulance,” he warned.
In his presentation titled “The Traumatic Story Being Rewritten,” the Medical Director, LASAEC, Dr Adeolu Arogundade, told the true story of Mr Andrew, who was hit by a car and left unconscious for months but survived through state-funded care.
Arogundade said the case epitomised the 41,000 trauma cases successfully treated at LASAEC in the last 15 years, with a commendable mortality rate of just 1.4 per cent .
He lauded the Lagos State Government for sustaining a policy that guarantees free emergency care for all trauma victims within the first 24 hours, emphasising that the policy’s funding—though sometimes delayed—remains vital to saving lives.
“Behind every statistic is a human story. Each percentage represents someone’s father, mother, or friend who lived because a system worked.
“Our success is proof that trauma care is everyone’s business; from road users to rescuers and administrators,” he said.
The Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Kehinde Hamzat, underscored the grim reality that most crash-related deaths were avoidable.
Citing WHO data, Hamzat, also a Guest Speaker, said that Africa bore a disproportionate share of the 1.3 million global deaths from road traffic crashes yearly, with Lagos inclusive due to high vehicle density and weak road discipline.
Hamzat warned that unsafe behaviours such as speeding, drunk driving, and disregard for traffic laws remain major culprits, stressing that effective trauma management begins with prevention.
“No matter how advanced our hospitals become, if we don’t change road behaviour, we’ll keep losing lives needlessly.
“Our collective vigilance, compliance, and compassion are what will make our roads safer and our emergency systems more responsive,” he said.
As the symposium ended, participants resolved to deepen inter-agency collaboration, intensify public sensitization, and push for behavioural change campaigns across the state.
The ongoing controversy over the authenticity of the iPhone 17 Pro Max in Nigeria has taken a dramatic twist, after popular TikTok content creator GehGeh voiced deep regret over spending millions of naira on the device amid mounting confusion about which versions are genuine.
In a heartfelt video posted on TikTok on Saturday, the influencer opened up about his disappointment, saying he felt deceived by the conflicting narratives surrounding the phone’s originality.
“At this point in time, I don’t want to pretend again, I regret why I carry my millions go buy this phone. Every day I wake up, I cry, I weep deep inside me.”
GehGeh lamented that owners were now being forced to justify their purchases, as even experts could not clearly tell which iPhone 17s were authentic and which were rebranded older models.
“Now, you know the pain of buying something, you go come dey explain bro na the original be this one, because nobody knows the difference between the original one and the fake one.”
He explained that his decision to buy the phone had been driven by its perceived prestige.
“The reason why I buy this phone is because as you see am for my hand, you go know say bro — na millions dey him hand,” he said, adding that the name alone carried weight.
The influencer then compared his new purchase with his older device, admitting he preferred the comfort of his previous iPhone 16.
“But at this point, my brother, I regret buying the 17 Pro Max. The phone, it’s not even comfortable for hand,” he said, lifting his older iPhone 16. “See how it’s flexible for my hand, even with pouch. But see the television that I carry for hand.”
The iPhone 17 debate began trending on October 13, 2025, after businessman and tech investor Blord (Linus Williams Ifejika) shared a video unboxing what he described as a “modified iPhone 17 Pro” priced between ₦400,000 and ₦450,000.
The device, however, was later revealed to be a refurbished iPhone XR encased to look like Apple’s latest flagship, sparking confusion and outrage across social media.
Geh Geh went on to express his frustration that even after spending millions, there was still no concrete proof that his version was authentic.
“Because even this one, it’s not even enough evidence say okay, now the original one be this one,” he said. “I will carry millions of Naira go buy something. Now, I go dey explain to people, I go carry my money go buy material things.”
On X, users had a field day reacting to the saga, #edkel250 wrote, “You go buy iPhone 17 Pro Max for Nigeria and you go begin explain say nor be fake. Dem use that 17 Pro Max tire person.”
Another, #TheManAfricano, added, “Nigeria has to be the only country in the world selling these repackaged fake iPhone 17s. It really says a lot about us.”
The banter extended to Instagram, where users took turns to poke fun at the situation, #bestdeal_appliances joked, “This iPhone 17xr come be like Labubu everyday price dey reduce,” while #chef_ivyjones1 teased, “Before next week, the phone go be 2,500″
Another, #diamondjearny, quipped, “If I don’t walk into Apple Store, I don’t want.”
Others weighed in more seriously, calling it a lesson for Nigerian buyers chasing luxury trends. “People reject real prices because they want shortcuts,” one user wrote. “Then they complain online when the cheap version doesn’t match up.”
The official launch of the iPhone 17 series took place on September 9, 2025, when Apple unveiled the new lineup—iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
However, prices differ depending on the vendor. According to Apple, the official prices for the iPhone 17 series are as follows: iPhone 17 (base model) — $799 (approximately ₦1,210,485), iPhone 17 Air — $999, iPhone 17 Pro — $1,099 (around ₦1,664,385), iPhone 17 Pro Max — $1,199 (around ₦1,815,285)
Despite the online uproar, Apple Inc. has not issued any statement on the alleged presence of fake or “modified” iPhone 17 models in Nigeria. For now, the debate rages on — and many, like Geh Geh, are left wondering whether their million-naira gadgets are truly what they seem.
Vast crowds gathered in western Kenya on Saturday to see the body of a beloved politician, Raila Odinga, for the biggest day of mourning ceremonies that had already claimed at least five lives this week.
There were cries of “Baba” (father) and “We are orphans” from the tens of thousands of people packing the streets of Kisumu, the heartland of Odinga’s support, as his coffin arrived at the city stadium by helicopter.
Odinga, 80, died from a suspected heart attack in India on Wednesday, triggering a huge outpouring of grief across the country, but particularly in western Kenya where his Luo tribe are dominant.
Mourners barged through security barriers and clambered up the sides of the stadium and nearby structures to catch a glimpse of the coffin, AFP journalists saw.
“Without Baba, we are dead. We don’t have anywhere to go,” said Don Pelido, 20, a supporter pressed up against one barrier.
Emergency responders said they had taken more than 100 people out of the stadium, mostly due to fainting and dehydration.
But there was not the same chaos seen at earlier ceremonies in Nairobi, with authorities cancelling a planned procession in Kisumu to avoid the risk of stampedes.
On Thursday, security forces opened fire to disperse a surging crowd in a Nairobi stadium where Odinga was brought to lie in state, killing at least three people.
And on Friday, at the state funeral in another stadium, led by President William Ruto, a stampede of mourners killed at least two people and left dozens injured.
“It was much better than Nairobi. We were ready for it,” said Philip Nyaswa, a member of the emergency team in Kisumu.
– ‘Bad dream’ –
Arguably the most important political figure of his generation in Kenya, Odinga served as prime minister from 2008 to 2013 yet never succeeded in winning the presidency despite five attempts.
But he outlasted many rivals and is credited as a major player in returning Kenya to multi-party democracy in the 1990s and overseeing the widely praised constitution of 2010.
Odinga’s body was repatriated from India on Thursday.
After lying in state in Kisumu, the body was transferred to Bondo in nearby Siaya county, the family’s ancestral seat, for a private burial on Sunday.
Odinga’s death leaves a leadership vacuum in the opposition, with critics accusing him of failing to prepare a successor.
“We have not accepted that he is really gone. It is still a bad dream,” said shop owner Maureen Owesi, 39, in Kisumu.
Odinga’s pragmatic deals with rivals — including current president Ruto last year — cost him support among young voters who have staged mass protests in the last two years over poor governance and the economy.
It is unclear whether Odinga’s movement and the alliance with Ruto will survive his death, leaving Kenya on an uncertain path ahead of potentially volatile elections in 2027.
Nottingham Forest have parted ways with manager Ange Postecoglou after a winless run of eight matches in charge.
The Greek coach’s time ended on Saturday afternoon after a 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea.
Postecoglou’s side failed to record a single victory — suffering six defeats and crashing out of the Carabao Cup after a dramatic 3-2 loss to Swansea City, despite leading 2-1 in stoppage time.
The team’s only points came from draws against Burnley in the Premier League and Real Betis in the Europa League.
