Author: gqSbgCfmna

In the ever-evolving landscape of global entertainment, few figures have demonstrated as much consistency, vision, and cultural impact as Dr Richie John Onaiwu, popularly known as RichieRich.

As the Creative Director and Chief Executive Officer of RichieRich Global Ltd, he has established himself as a leading force in organising large-scale concerts, festivals, and cultural events that bridge African talent with international audiences and amongst other ventures within the group.

A multiple award-winning creative director, Onaiwu is widely regarded as a pioneering and visionary leader whose influence spans over two decades. His work has been instrumental in showcasing African art, music, and comedy on global stages, particularly within the United Kingdom, where he has built a reputation for delivering sold-out high-impact events.

At the moment, he is building for the upcoming Afrokings of Comedy UK Tour 2026 scheduled for June. The tour is expected to feature an impressive lineup, including Okey Bakassi, Destalker, Busy Mouth, Warri Bros, and MC Yannis, alongside surprise guest appearances.

Set to headline multiple cities across the United Kingdom, the 2026 edition promises to be one of the biggest summer entertainment events in the country.

According to Onaiwu, the tour will deliver an experience ‘out of the norm,’ reflecting his commitment to innovation and excellence.

His journey into the entertainment industry in the United Kingdom began in 2005, when he collaborated with a team of promoters to bring Nigerian music icon 2Baba to the UK for the first time. This milestone marked the beginning of a career defined by bold initiatives and groundbreaking achievements.

He later played a key role in organising the popular comedy show Crack Ya Ribs alongside renowned comedian Julius Agwu.

Years later, in 2018, he independently hosted the event under the RichieRich Global brand, further cementing his status as a leading creative director in the diaspora entertainment scene.

In April 2023, he delivered the Mr CumCum Concert featuring Nollywood actor Nosa Rex, which toured four cities across the UK, including the six-city UK tour of comedian MC Edo Pikin in May 2025 and the AY Live UK Tour, headlined by AY Makun in November 2025, among others. The tours recorded sold-out shows, reinforcing his reputation for excellence and audience engagement.

The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has congratulated the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, on his re-election at the party’s 8th National Convention.

The convention, which took place at the Eagle Square in Abuja, was attended by over 8,000 delegates and was described as peaceful and credible.

Governor Abiodun also extended his congratulations to other newly elected members of the National Working Committee (NWC), including Ali Dalori, Benjamin Nwoye, Ajibola Basiru, and AbdulKarim Kana.

In a statement issued in Abeokuta, the governor praised the conduct of the convention, noting that it demonstrated the party’s unity and democratic strength. He described Professor Yilwatda’s emergence as a reflection of his effective leadership since assuming office in July 2025.

Abiodun expressed confidence that the newly constituted NWC would lead the party to greater achievements, particularly as preparations begin for the 2027 general elections.

He added that the transparent process that produced the party’s leadership reaffirmed the APC’s commitment to democracy and good governance.

A cleric, Oluwayemisi Ajiye, has predicted victory for Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Ajiye, founder of God’s Miracle Success Ministry Worldwide, Ado-Ekiti, advised the president to deepen his faith, remain prayerful, and strengthen his relationship with God.

She spoke with journalists at an event marking her birthday, where she also urged the president, if re-elected, to ensure that Nigerians benefit more from democratic governance by appointing credible individuals to key positions.

‘My advice for our President is that he should be closer to God, love God, and walk more with God because there is nothing anyone can do without God’s assistance. If he allows God to guide him and places his faith in Him, he will be victorious in the forthcoming elections,’ she said.

The cleric added that her prayers regarding the elections indicated a positive outcome for those who rely on divine guidance, expressing optimism about Nigeria’s future.

‘Nigeria is in God’s hands. I believe that between this year and next year, we shall witness goodness in this country. All God requires is that we remain devoted and committed to Him,’ she stated.

Ajiye emphasised that national progress depends on spiritual alignment, urging leaders and citizens alike to embrace faith as a pathway to peace, stability, and development.

Reflecting on her birthday, she expressed gratitude for what she described as divine grace and testimonies recorded over the past year, noting that the latest celebration was particularly significant.

Meanwhile, members of her church praised her leadership and devotion, describing her as a committed minister and prayerful leader dedicated to the spiritual growth and welfare of her congregation.

‘She loves prayer, and the Lord works miracles in her ministry. And this is why there have been many testimonies from members of the church, especially in the mountain called Miracle Success. The entire life of Mama is full of prayer and giving and showing into the lives of many people. She is a very good person and one who loves God.

Also, Chief Olajide Ayodele Borode J.P, a retired Permanent Secretary, said Prophetess Ajiye remained the most caring cleric who desires good things for her members.

He said, ‘I have known Prophetess Yemi Ajiye for the past 20 years as an upright woman and a true woman of God. We thank God for her ministry. There is one thing about her, and let me say this emphatically: if any church you are attending has a leader who doesn’t have compassion for the shepherds following him or her, please run away from such a church. For our Prophetess, she is very compassionate about every member of her ministry.

‘She is a woman of prayer. If you are lazy at praying, you can’t attend her church. All she loves is prayer. She is not a type of cleric who would ask you to bring a candle or any item, but all she does is pray. And I believe in God in her, and for all of us who are in her church, God is answering our prayers. My prayer for her is that God will continue to enlarge her coast so that she will be much bigger than this, and her ministry will reach everywhere.

The father of the Day at the occasion, Elder Victor Adebowale, also corroborated others, affirming that Prophetess Ajiye is a very prayerful woman of God.

He said, ‘Prophetess Woli Ajiyemi is a true woman of God. I cannot deceive you. To me, I have never seen a human being like her. This is why I cherish her. I have known her for 20 years, and since then I have never regretted meeting her. I see her as a Prophetess who is called by God Himself.

‘She loves everybody and wants a good life for everybody that comes her way. Although we say no one is perfect, for her, I can say she is perfect. She is a prayerful woman of God. She cannot be your friend if you cannot pray as a Christian. She loves prayer a lot.’

The Acting Country Director of Action Against Hunger (ACF) Nigeria, Andualem Fekadu, has commended the economic transformation drive of Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as a key enabler in addressing longstanding gaps in Nigeria’s social protection system.

Fekadu said the administration’s reform-oriented policies are reshaping the socio-economic landscape, creating pathways for inclusive growth and improved welfare delivery, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, youth, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.

He spoke at the close-out ceremony of an Action Against Hunger project in Jigawa State, noting that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader economic reforms aimed at strengthening social protection frameworks for greater impact.

According to him, the Renewed Hope Agenda has provided clear policy direction and institutional backing to promote inclusive governance and expand opportunities for marginalised populations historically excluded from policy processes.

Fekadu also commended Umar Namadi for promoting transparency, accountability, and prudent resource management, particularly through the implementation of his 12-point agenda focused on economic empowerment and social inclusion.

He added that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office-funded Inclusive Social Protection System and Promoting Rights-Based Interventions project has significantly enhanced participatory governance in the state.

The ACF boss noted that the intervention was deliberately designed to tackle structural gaps in the social protection system, especially the systemic exclusion of vulnerable groups due to socio-cultural barriers, weak civic engagement and limited institutional frameworks.

‘The project has strengthened the capacity of government institutions, civil society organisations and community-based groups to influence, implement and monitor social protection programmes using a rights-based approach,’ he said.

Fekadu listed key strategies deployed to include inclusive data capture for improved representation of marginalised groups in social registers, as well as targeted training on human rights, gender equality and inclusion for government officials and civil society actors.

He added that grassroots advocacy initiatives empowered women, PWDs and older persons to actively participate in decision-making processes affecting their welfare.

Other components of the intervention, he said, included organisational capacity assessments, advocacy campaigns and structured learning engagements coordinated through the Social Protection Technical Working Group (TWG).

Fekadu further disclosed that the project strengthened the technical and institutional capacity of key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including the Ministry of Budget and Planning, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU), while promoting inclusive policy reforms through sustained advocacy.

Highlighting outcomes, he said there were marked improvements across key thematic areas between baseline and endline assessments.

‘Government actors have transitioned from limited technical capacity and weak coordination to improved competencies in programme design, stakeholder engagement and policy dialogue,’ he stated.

He added that institutional frameworks have become more coherent, with enhanced coordination mechanisms and gradual adoption of inclusive tools, replacing previously fragmented systems.

Fekadu noted that capacity development planning has evolved into structured, evidence-based processes, while awareness and integration of rights-based approaches into social protection programming have significantly improved.

On broader impacts, he said the project strengthened multi-sectoral coordination through TWG platforms, enhanced social protection information systems and empowered civil society groups, including community-based organisations and disabled persons organisations, to engage in advocacy and monitoring.

Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd (PINL), the surveillance contractor for the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP), has cautioned that any team found involved in sabotage risks contract termination and legal action.

Dr Akpos Mezeh, PINL’s General Manager for Community and Stakeholder Relations, gave the warning during a meeting with host communities in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. He highlighted a rise in vandalism and crude oil theft along the pipeline.

Mezeh noted that preliminary investigations into two recent oil theft incidents indicate a ‘coordinated conspiracy,’ and emphasized that all responsible parties will be held accountable once the investigation concludes.

His words, ‘we’re currently faced with an unpleasant situation, and I must use this opportunity to sound a strong warning to all our contractors and surveillance teams. Recently, at Atali axis – zone 4, two tankers were intercepted while attempting to load crude. It was only through the effectiveness of our backup intelligence system that this operation was foiled, otherwise, those trucks would have successfully loaded.

‘Preliminary findings point to a possible coordinated conspiracy. Let me be clear, once investigations are concluded, everyone found culpable will be brought to justice, and no one will be spared.

‘Furthermore, in Bayelsa State, at Otukpoti axis zone 9, we recorded yet another case of sabotage arising from negligence on the part of our surveillance guards. This is unacceptable. Let this serve as a clear and firm warning to all contractors and operatives that, any act of negligence, compromise, or collusion will not be tolerated.

Continuing, ‘ Going forward, any contractor found wanting will not only lose their contract but will also face full prosecution under the law. At the same time, we must continue to strengthen collaboration. The community intelligence systems have significantly enhanced information flow and improved response times’.

He promised to sustain advocacy for the provision of floating petrol and gas stations in riverine communities in Bayelsa state.

He called for enhanced collaboration between host communities, security agencies, government institutions, and pipeline operators to ensure success of securing critical national assets.

He said, ‘At PINL, we hold firmly to one guiding principle-Community Partnership is National Security. When Communities Protect Infrastructure, they Protect Livelihoods, National Revenue, and the Future of our Country’.

Mezeh highlighted the role of the nation’s energy sector in national development and economic stability.

‘According to the latest operational report released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the national oil company recorded a profit after tax of N385 billion in January 2026, generating N2.571 trillion in revenue and remitting N726 billion to the Federation Account during the same period after 1.64 million barrels per day production.

‘These figures demonstrate renewed operational efficiency and improved performance across Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. This improvement was driven largely by the successful completion of maintenance operations at key onshore facilities.

‘Nigeria also recorded encouraging progress in natural gas production, which increased to 7,283 million standard cubic feet per day, compared to 6,914 million standard cubic feet per day recorded in December 2025. Gas sales strengthened as well, reaching approximately 4,978 million standard cubic feet per day, reflecting improved supply to power plants, industrial consumers, and export markets’.

Mezeh said the firm will remain committed to promoting initiatives that improve the welfare of host communities and foster inclusive participation, including capacity building training for community-based contractors, prioritizing collaboration just as he noted that security was a shared responsibility

‘We’ll have more youth participation in pipeline protection activities, women-focused economic empowerment programmes, educational support through scholarship schemes.

‘Several interventions have been implemented, including, Scholarship programmes for students, Women empowerment initiatives, Medical outreach programmes, Distribution of humanitarian support and palliatives, We recognize that young people remain critical stakeholders in the future of our communities and for this reason, PINL is proposing a comprehensive Youth Skills Acquisition Programme in 2026 across our states of operations.

‘We also acknowledge stakeholder feedback regarding the women empowerment programme, particularly the need for faster disbursement. And so we’ re currently working closely with Premium Trust Bank, and payments will commence as soon as possible’, Mezeh reiterated.

In a goodwill message, Chairman of the State’s Traditional Rulers Council, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo(Agada IV), praised the firm on its relentless efforts in developing oil and gas host communities for the better.

He praised the firm for its various initiatives aimed at bringing succour and awareness to host communities, calling on other oil and gas companies to emulate PINL to give relief to communities within their catchment areas.

The late group chief executive officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, has been linked to the ownership of 106 properties in London.

A report by The Londoner titled: ‘Revealed: The billionaires who really own London’, unveils the secret overseas owners of 32,000 real estate across the city.

The publication said it was able to uncover the owners of the assets because a ‘recent change in the law is forcing these foreign companies to register their real owners’.

The report said 2,224 of London’s most expensive and recognisable properties are all registered by companies located in St Helier, Jersey, a British Island that has morphed into a notorious tax haven.

The late Wigwe was ranked seventh on the log with 106 properties to his name.

Ahead of Wigwe are John Corless with 246 properties; Sarah Bard 130; Simon Reuben 129; Alexander Bard 122; Rit Thirakomen 120 and Wolfgang Peter Egger 112.

Wigwe, his wife, son and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), died in a helicopter crash on February 9, 2024 in California near the Nevada border.

All six passengers on board were pronounced dead in the aftermath of the crash.

In the final aviation investigation report of the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) seen by The Cable, the NTSB said the probable cause of the crash was the pilot’s decision to continue the flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).

Since Wigwe’s passing, his family has reportedly been embroiled in litigation over his estate.

It was reported in February 2025 that Wigwe, father of the late banker; and Christian Wigwe, his cousin; filed an appeal to challenge a ruling by the Lagos State High Court in the dispute over an estate belonging to Wigwe.

Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, on Saturday said the decision to grant Mallam Nasir El-Rufai temporary release from Independent Corrupt Practices Commission custody to attend his mother’s burial is both humane and commendable but must be backed by court decision or order.

Adeyanju, in a statement on made available to The Nation, said this was because he was remanded in custody on the order of the court.

The decision to allow Elrufai to attend his mother’s funeral reflects a necessary balance between the demands of justice and respect for fundamental human dignity.

‘Bail, whether administrative or judicial, should not be misconstrued as an escape from accountability, but rather as a lawful and compassionate accommodation in deserving circumstances,’ he said.

He said the action by the authorities is a welcome demonstration of empathy while upholding the rule of law.

What lesson has Nigerian politics taught you in the last couple of years as someone who aspired to be a local government chairman in Ogun State?

Nigeria’s politics is quite deceptive and very discouraging, but if you are someone who wants your communities and country to be better, then you must get involved. It is unpatriotic to just sit down and watch other people making decisions that will affect your life and well-being, while you are just looking, most particularly, if the people in leadership are not good at making quality decisions. Prior to my aspiration for the local government chairmanship contest, I had done a lot for my communities with my personal resources, which I believe, if I were the local government chairman, with the ideas and experience I had gathered overseas, I would make Yewa North Local Government a wealthy community and a reference point in Nigeria. Unfortunately for me, we don’t have many such critical thinkers among our leaders in Yewa North who can connect with those ideologies and visions.

You have also been to the court to challenge what you considered as unfairness and abuse of due process in your party’s primary, leading to the 2024 council poll. Are you satisfied with challenging the matter in court?

The court is an arm of our democratic process, and every responsible citizen should take that opportunity as a way of dialogue, not resorting to anarchy or other violence means. Honestly, I have no regrets about going to court because, as a democrat, I did that to help our democratic process.

In that local government election primary of our great party, the APC in 2024, I was ashamed as a progressive democrat because our party’s constitution was violated, the Electoral Act of 2022 and the constitution of our great country were violated by senior party officials and leaders of Ogun State APC. As a democrat and a die-hard APC person, I believe challenging such impunity and undemocratic tendencies was the right thing to do because similar impunity and hazardous behaviours led to the collapse of the almighty PDP politically.

The electoral act 2022, which was used for that election and our party constitution emphasized that candidates could emerge through consensus, direct or indirect primaries. In choosing a candidate for Yewa North Local Government, none of these three methods was adopted. This implies that the current chairman of Yewa North local government is a sole administrator. More so, the chairmanship position was already zoned to the Ayetoro Area. I have video evidence to support this assertion when the local government’s party chairman, Chief Adekunle Adeosun and other excos addressed all the aspirants on September 1st, 2024, in Ayetoro. Zoning is part of our party DNA.

Although due to pressure and persuasion from my family, my political associates and my Kabiyesi, the Olu of Idofoi, Oba Olatunji Abioro, I have decided to withdraw from going forward with the court process, but unfortunately, we still have a long way to go in this country.

The judiciary ought to be careful and to do its work diligently without fear or favour so as not to be seen as not protecting the hope of the common man but the privileged and to avoid helping in destroying democracy.

The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement has declared its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to mobilise millions of Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during activities leading up to the APC National Convention, the group’s National Coordinator, Adekanbi Sunday Asuku, said Nigeria’s progress depends on continuity, insisting that ‘the choice before Nigerians is Tinubu or Tinubu.’ He noted that the current administration inherited long-standing challenges that require more time to address.

He disclosed that the movement has commenced nationwide mobilisation across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with a focus on grassroots engagement through door-to-door campaigns. According to him, branded campaign vehicles and volunteers are already being deployed, with plans to scale up operations in the coming months.

Describing the initiative as a ‘movement of the masses,’ Asuku said the group is prioritising grassroots voters over elite endorsements, adding that ongoing government reforms should be sustained beyond the current administration.

The message was delivered on behalf of Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, who is identified as the grand patron and founder of the movement. He reiterated the group’s commitment to securing Tinubu’s re-election.

He also urged Nigerians to actively participate in the electoral process, describing the 2027 elections as a defining moment for the country’s future.

The group expressed confidence that its mobilisation drive would gain momentum nationwide as the elections draw closer.

An aspirant for the Osun West senatorial ticket on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Waliyulai Adebayo Oladosu, has explained that he was in the race to offer quality representation to his people at the National Assembly.

Also, Oladosu, who’s popularly referred to as Rovet, expressed the optimism that the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji(AMBO), would emerge victorious at the polls, assuring as well that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu would be reelected as President of the country in 2027.

In a statement released by his Media Office, the Iwo-born politician, while appealing to APC leaders, stakeholders and members to ensure his emergence as the senatorial candidate of the party, maintained that his candidature would attract more votes to the party in the upcoming elections.

‘To replicate the wonderful job of President Bola Tinubu, I am assuring that if I am given the APC Osun West senatorial ticket, we shall win. This will offer me the ample opportunity of further serving our people who have been yearning for good and quality representation all this while,’ he stressed.

According to him, as an individual familiar with the needs of the people and the areas in the senatorial district, he would readily apply his knowledge, exposure and connections to attract the needed attention from the Federal Government and corporate bodies to mitigate the challenges being faced by them.

While calling for massive support for APC at the coming elections later this year and in 2027, Alhaji Oladosu promised a direct link with the people at the grassroots who have always been left out in the scheme of things.

‘I can assure you that my presence at the National Assembly will largely factor in the interest of our people at the grassroots, who always give so much but get little in return. Above all, if given the opportunity as from next year, by the grace of God, my voice in the hallowed chamber will be for the betterment of the senatorial district and the state,’ he added.

Oladosu, who is currently holding consultations across the ten local governments in the senatorial district, urged party members not to rest on their oars in their mobilisation quest so as to ease the success of APC at the polls.

While calling for a unity of purpose among the party members across the state, he implored the people to always be peaceful and law-abiding in order to achieve the envisaged progress in society.