Author: user user

Activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore on Friday met for President Goodluck Jonathan over his planned 20th October protest for release of the leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

Sowore, who has been mobilizing leaders and prominent personalities for the protest revealed his meeting with Jonathan in a statement he posted on his social media platforms.

However, he did not indicate that the former President gave his word on joining the protest for the release of Kanu.

Rather, Sowore said Jonathan agreed that he will discuss the issue of detention of the IPOB leader with President Bola Tinubu.

Writing on his social media platforms, the activist said, ‘Earlier today in Abuja, I met with former President @GEJonathan to discuss the continued incarceration of Mazi @NnamdiKanu.

‘President Jonathan agreed that there is an urgent and compelling need to address this matter decisively and justly. I thank him sincerely for recognizing the importance of resolving Kanu’s case in the interest of peace, fairness, and national healing.

‘Particularly assuring was that he promised to meet @officialabat to discuss this issue as soon as possible.’

He added that with his meeting with him, former President Jonathan has joined others Nigerians who have ‘called for justice in Nnamdi Kanu’s case.’

He listed other prominent Nigerians who have agreed on the need to secure freedom for Kanu to include for Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Lagos lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana SAN and activities and former senator, Shehu Sani.

‘Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains in detention today because he took up the just cause of confronting the long-standing issue of marginalization in Nigeria.

‘Like other ethnic and regional activists whose politically motivated cases have been withdrawn or dismissed, Nnamdi Kanu should also be released without further delay.

Sowere also appelaed to other political, cultural, ethnic, and religious leaders across Nigeria to join his campaign for release of Kanu.

In particular, he called on leaders from the South East, particularly, former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, the governors of the five states of the South East, and John Mbata, the president of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide to join the move to free Kanu.

He also called on ‘Nigerians of conscience everywhere, to lend their voices to the call for justice and freedom’

‘Nnamdi Kanu should be set free. And I remain firmly committed to peacefully mobilizing for justice and freedom in this matter,’ Sowore said.

The Federal Government is currently prosecuting Kanu, on allegations bordering on terrorism and treason.

However there have been calls for his release by various groups and individuals across the country, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

Dr Ezechi Chukwu, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, in a recent statement in Enugu appealed to President Tinubu to deploy his constitutional powers and diplomatic instruments to release him in the spirit of equity, fairness and inclusive justice.

The Lagos State Government has issued a firm assurance to its public servants nearing retirement, pledging ‘prompt processing and remittance’ of their retirement benefits provided their documentation is in order.

The government spoke during the 29th Retirement Benefit Documentation Seminar held on Friday, 10 October 2025, at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.

Delivering his goodwill message, the Head of Service, Bode Agoro, commended the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) for its dedication to ensuring a seamless retirement process for officers exiting the public service.

He applauded the agency’s consistency in organising the seminars, describing it as a demonstration of the State’s ‘commitment to supporting its workforce through every stage of their service journey.’

Agoro noted that the seminar, third of its kind in 2025, was designed to equip retiring officers with essential knowledge on documentation, pension administration, and financial readiness.

‘It is of utmost importance that retiring officers take advantage of this seminar by listening attentively and asking relevant questions that will simplify the process of remitting their retirement benefits without delay,’ he said.

He reassured participants that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration remains steadfast in guaranteeing prompt processing and remittance of benefits once documentation is complete.

‘Be assured that the Administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is steadfast in its unwavering commitment to guaranteeing your welfare and well-being, even after retirement,’ Agoro stated.

In his address, LASPEC’s Director-General, Babalola Obilana, described the seminar as part of ongoing efforts to prepare officers retiring between January and June 2026 for a smooth transition into post-service life.

‘This forum has been specially convened to prepare officers for the journey ahead, ensuring their transition from active service into retirement is carried out with clarity, dignity, and peace of mind,’ he said.

Obilana underscored the importance of proactive planning, financial discipline, and emotional preparedness, urging participants to approach retirement with optimism.

‘Retirement is not a period to fear or dread. Rather, it is a season to celebrate, a time to redirect your energy towards pursuits that bring joy, fulfilment and impact,’ he said.

He added that the Sanwo-Olu administration has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the welfare of its workforce through reforms that ensure transparency and efficiency in pension administration.

The seminar featured sessions led by pension experts, annuity service providers, and financial advisers, covering topics such as pension documentation, healthcare management, and legal considerations.

Obilana commended the LASPEC team and partners for their dedication in organising the forum, reaffirming that every retiring officer would be supported to ‘retire with dignity, pride, and the assurance that their welfare is safeguarded.’

The event brought together top government officials, including Permanent Secretaries, directors, Pension Fund Administrators, and hundreds of prospective retirees who expressed appreciation for the State Government’s continued prioritisation of their post-service welfare.

Nigerian artists Stanley Omah Didia, also known as Omah Lay, and Oluwafemi Oladapo also known as Slimcase, has cried out over the state of Nigerian music.

The artists claimed that Nigerian music and the afrobeats genre is becoming boring.

Slimcase who is popular for his hit song ‘Issa Banger’ with D’banj, first took to his Instagram page to air his opinion.

He claimed that artists focus too much on the quantity of songs being released rather than the quality.

‘Too many songs and albums. Una too Dey put una self for pressure for this Niger sha. Take a chill pill and be like Rihanna. Do other things, come back to give us a fresh vibe. Your sounds are getting boring because dem be coming too much in a year. I owe dem a song this year and that is it. It is only God that is New every morning. Everyday, and every second singles and albums dey kiiii afrobeats gradually it is not fun anymore,’ he stated in pidgin English.

Omah Lay on his Snapchat, also echoed his sentiments, adding that the music industry has become boring. He also promised to shake up the music scene soon.

‘Una music industry is boring AF! Spirit is coming to f**k up the continent in a bit,’ he wrote.

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Lagos State has congratulated Prof. Joash Amupitan on his nomination as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Mrs Abiola Adeyemi, IPAC Secretary and Lagos State Chairperson of the Action People’s Party (APP), congratulated Amupitan while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

She urged the new INEC chairman to use the opportunity of his appointment and time to enhance integrity of elections and build confidence in the electoral system.

According to her, Nigerians are disenchanted with the electoral process, hence the recurrent voter apathy during elections.

Adeyemi said: ‘We expect the newly appointed INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan champion and strengthen electoral reforms .Let the process be transparent and let election results reflect the will of the people.

‘The biggest task before him is the restoration of public confidence in the electoral process, because this is long gone.

‘We expect Amupitan to implement radical transparency and ensure legal backing for electronic transmission of election results from the polling units without glitches, to enhance election credibility.’

The IPAC scribe also advised the new INEC boss to leverage innovations, like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and others ,to eliminate all manipulative tendencies in elections.

‘He (Amupitan) should ensure that INEC’s is shielded from partisan pressure and political interferences. This is very vital to restore confidence.

‘Nigerians expect Prof. Amupitan to deliver credible, transparent, and fair elections, birthing an era of accountability and fairness in Nigeria’s democratic evolution,’ Adeyemi said.

She said that the electoral reforms that would made make Nigerians aspire, contest and votes without intimidation were needed to bring back public confidence.

Adeyemi urged him to find a way of addressing the nagging problem of vote buying and selling during elections.

NAN recalls that President Bola Tinubu on Thursday appointed Amupitan, a professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as the new chairman of INEC.

Amupitan’s appointment has also been ratified by the National Council of State.

His appointment followed the tenure expiration of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who had led the nation’s electoral body for statutory two-term tenure of five years each since November 2015.

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie has revealed why she vowed never to return to her and ex-husband Brad Pitt’s French estate, Chateau Miraval, after their bitter split.

In new court papers, the 50-year-old actress said the property holds ‘painful memories’ linked to the events that led to her 2016 divorce from Brad.

‘The events leading to my need to separate from my ex-husband were emotionally difficult for me and our children,’ she stated in the filing obtained by People.

Jolie said she left Brad full control of their Los Angeles and French homes after filing for divorce, hoping it would calm tensions.

‘To this day, the children and I have never again set foot on the property,’ she added.

The former couple – parents to six children, Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne – have been locked in a years-long legal battle over the $64 million Miraval estate and winery.

Brad has accused Angelina of selling her stake in the property without his consent, while she insists she moved on to protect her family.

Their messy dispute continues in court, as both sides trade accusations over contracts and private communications.

American country music star, Dolly Parton, has reacted to reports about her health, revealing that she is not sick.

Parton on her social media page on Wednesday, made a video to clear the rumors. She stated that people have exaggerated her current health situation

‘I wanted to say, I know lately everybody thinks that I’m sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I’m workin’ hard here,’ she said.

Parton also expressed her gratitude for the concerns she received from her fans. She urged them to put their mind at ease concerning her, emphasising that she is fine.

‘And I appreciate your prayers because I’m a person of faith. I can always use the prayers for anything and everything, but I want you to know that I’m ok. I ain’t dead yet!,’ she added.