Author: Tunde Akingbondere
An Ogun State Chief Magistrate Court, sitting in Ifo Local Government Area, has sentenced controversial street-hop artist Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, to three months in prison, with an option of a N30,000 fine. Portable was found guilty of assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. The musician was arrested in March 2023 after physically attacking a police inspector and obstructing officers who were attempting to serve him an arrest warrant. The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Olumide Awoleke, had earlier informed the court that Habeeb Okikiola committed the offense on 18 November 2022 at approximately 11:00 am in Okeosa, Ilogbo,…
On the afternoon of April 30, 2025, tourist guides at the Idanre Hills attraction, assigned by the Ondo State government, gathered at the entrance, seated on four wooden stools. They engaged in conversations about politics and family while grappling with the reality of dwindling visitors, primarily students on excursions. Many guides felt displaced, akin to orphans in a neglected facility. Observers noted their vital role in this decaying space, reminiscent of an elderly woman drained by her adult children and left to face her decline. One guide, speaking anonymously, lamented the deterioration of this once-renowned tourist center due to failed…
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has given hint of his possible defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was like a spoilt plane and may no longer has the capacity to take him to the next destination from 2027. Speaking against the backdrop of recent gale of defections from the PDP with the latest being the Delta State governor Sheriff Oborewori, who moved with several supporters to the APC, Pastor Eno hinted that the heavily fragmented PDP may soon grind to a halt. Addressing a mammoth crowd that…
The management of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, has slammed a final-year student, Kabiru Toheeb Omotoyosi, with two semesters rustication over an alleged defamatory publication targeted at the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Mr. Oluwaseun Adeyemi Ogunmakinju, popularly known as Enzaim, and another student, Filomenal Patience Michael. Kabiru, a 500-level student of Animal Production in the Faculty of Agricultural Production and Renewable Resources, was said to have been rusticated for two semesters, according to a university memo dated April 10, 2025, and signed by the Vice Chancellor’s office. The decision which sparked controversy within the university community,…
The Chartered Institute for IT, has conferred Fellowship status on Professor Francisca Onaolapo Oladipo, in a way recognizing her landmark achievements and exceptional contributions to the computing profession and digital innovation across Africa. Professor Oladipo, currently serving as Vice-Chancellor of Thomas Adewumi University in Nigeria, was conferred with the honour for her pioneering work in implementing FAIR data systems across multiple African countries and her leadership in addressing global challenges through technology. “The BCS Fellowship recognizes individuals who have demonstrated an exceptional contribution to the advancement of computing,” said a BCS spokesperson. “Professor Oladipo’s work exemplifies how technology can address…
The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday declared it resolve to sanction governors and elected public officers on its platform who are supporting the 2027 re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu soon. Available reports also revealed how the party also instructed its Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, to prepare legal processes to take the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori; Ifeanyi Okowa, the party’s former vice-presidential candidate, and the entire PDP structure in Delta to court for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC). At its first National Working Committee (NWC) meeting yesterday, the PDP disclosed that…
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Ondo State-Owned Tertiary Institutions is warming up for an industrial unrest, as it has issued a fresh 7-day ultimatum to the State Government over its failure to implement new minimum wage plan for its members, including its poor funding through inability of the state govetnment to implement the 2025 approved budgetary allocations to tertiary institutions in the state. According to a letter, jointly signed by JAC Chairman, Comrade A. Olutayo Ogungbeni and Secretary, Comrade Kunle Akinwonmi, the unions highlighted several unresolved issues, including non-payment of the 2024 National Minimum Wage, non-release of withheld subventions…
On February 25th, 2023, no fewer than 24,263 citizens in the Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency turned out to vote in full solidarity with Honourable Festus Akingbaso, a former member of the Ondo State House of Assembly and the most criticized candidate in the election by the opposition. He won with over 24,000 votes, a significant increase from the 16,186 votes polled by the previous winner in 2019. Akingbaso endured numerous attacks without confrontation until he emerged victorious in an atmosphere of fear that overshadowed the federal constituency that fateful day when power changed hands. Maximum respect goes to those who became…
In a shocking turn of events, the sponsors and procuring entity behind the controversial N85 million Yaba Youth Empowerment Project have failed to appear in court or file any defense, a move interpreted by Yaba Youth as an attempt to avoid public ridicule. The lawsuit brought by the Ekimogun Roundtable, a socioeconomic group, alleges grave violations of fundamental principles, including the absence of a proper needs assessment, lack of community engagement, and breaches of established procurement protocols—factors critical to ensuring transparency, accountability, and authentic community-driven development. “The defendants’ refusal or inability to respond to these serious allegations not only vindicates…
The treatment meted on celebrity entrepreneur and socialite Cubana Chief Priest could be dehumanising as he was denied entry to the 17th Headies Awards at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos on Sunday, April 27, 2025. This is despite his status. He was said not to have been invited to the event as he couldn’t present the invitation card, sparking mixed reactions online. In a viral video posted by rommiroyal TV on tiktok, Cubana Chief Priest was seen exchanging words with security personnel at the entrance, attempting to gain access to the event. Despite his large life and connections to…