Category: Nigerian Tribune

Popular Nollywood Director, Muyideen Oladapo, (A.K.A Lala) has announced the stage opera of ‘The Gods Have Spoken’ at Terra Kulture in Lagos.

The opera, written by Dr. Taiye Adeola, will feature a collection of top Nollywood actors and actresses including Lateef Adedimeji, Femi Branch, Dr. Tunji Sotimirin, Omowunmi Dada and Lizzy Jay.

Addressing the media in Lagos on Tuesday, Lala, who also directed the stage performance of Ola Rotimi’s play ‘Kurunmi’, said the collection of stars for the opera was a deviation from the norm, as the audience will be seeing them in another element for the first time ever. He added that the play has a 40-page script and over 140 pages of music, while the performance will feature over 80 actors and crew members.

‘Opera is a play in the form of music and art where the singers and instrumentalists perform in a theatrical way. Every line will be acted out in the form of a song. I chose to perform ‘The Gods Have Spoken’ because the message mirrors society. It’s a story that gives hope to the common man in their pursuit of destiny,’ he said.

Commenting on the play, Dr. Sotimirin assured the audience of a spectacular experience, citing that ‘This is a tiny script with a unique, significant message and dialogue being rendered for a spectacle to behold. This is to celebrate the common man’s voice to equip themselves.’

The Choreography Director, Segun Adefila,explained that the story which is about destiny and character teaches how man can influence the voice of the gods to bring destiny to life.

Speaking at the performance rehearsal, the Music Director, Adeaga Mofopefoluwa, said ‘The Gods Have Spoken is a peculiar play with a unique message for the audience. We’ve been working on the music scoresheet written by the writer and the arranger of the play, orchestrating the performance of this play. I assure the audience of a captivating performance different from what they’ve experienced.’

The producer, Olamide Oladapo, hinting that the performance will also feature something special, urged the audience to be on the lookout, ‘This is a satire and total theatre: dancing, acting, singing, with actors saying their lines in the form of songs. This will captivate and engage the audience. And I would like to add that we have something special coming on stage. I want everyone to watch out and come see,’ Oladapo said.

The opera of ‘The Gods Have Spoken’ will be at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos on October 18 and 19.

A Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has ordered the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to maintain the status quo in a suit filed by lawyer John Aikpokpo-Martins, who is contesting the legality of the newly introduced tinted permit enforcement.

The court’s order comes a day after the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) vowed to provide free legal services to Nigerians harassed by the police over the controversial tinted glass permit, which it described as ‘illegal.’

The NBA, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law, said the police had no constitutional basis to impose fees or annual renewals on motorists, warning that enforcement of the policy was both unlawful and a revenue-driven scheme.

In a statement on Thursday, the Chairman of the NBA’s Public Interest Litigation Committee, Olukunle Edun (SAN), said: ‘We shall invoke the powers of the court to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force does not trample on the rights of Nigerians. Any citizen who is harassed by the police in the purported enforcement of the illegal tinted glass permit should feel free to contact any of the NBA branches.

‘The Human Rights Committees of the 130 branches of the NBA in Nigeria are ready to offer pro bono services to anyone who is harassed. It has been estimated that the police may generate at least N3bn within a month from monies that will be collected, thus turning the police into a revenue-generating agency of the Federal Government instead of focusing on the more serious issue of crime.’

Nollywood actress, Laide Bakare, has explained why she introduced her teenage daughter, Simisola, to clubbing and alcohol at the age of 17.

Bakare, in an interview with content creator Mr Lilgaga, said her choice was deliberate. She noted that she wanted her daughter to always remember her role in her first experience with nightlife.

‘I took my daughter to the club for the first time at 17. And I like the fact that in her memoir, she would reference me as the person who introduced her to alcohol and clubbing,’ she said.

The actress added that she preferred being the one to expose Simisola to such experiences, instead of leaving her to figure it out on her own or through peers.

‘At least, she would say, ‘it was my mother who showed me these things first,” she added.

Simisola had earlier celebrated her 17th birthday in grand style with her friends, family, and her mother’s colleagues. A video from the event showed her dancing in a gown while surrounded by friends who cheered her on.

Laide Bakare’s comments have since generated mixed reactions online, with many people debating her parenting approach and decision to introduce her daughter to nightlife at a young age.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that its sweeping monetary and foreign exchange reforms over the past two years have restored investor confidence, stabilised the naira, and laid the foundation for long-term growth.

Governor Olayemi Cardoso, delivering the keynote at the Lagos Business School’s P

leadership lecture on Friday, recalled the precarious economic situation he inherited in 2023 when inflation was spiralling, reserves were strained, and investor confidence had collapsed.

‘It was a moment that demanded not just technical skill, but leadership rooted in courage, credibility, and accountability. We had to act decisively,’ he said.

According to him, the CBN raised rates by over 800 basis points to tackle inflation, halted central bank overdrafts beyond statutory limits, unified the exchange rate, and cleared a backlog of foreign exchange obligations.

The apex bank also strengthened reserves, now above $42 billion, and launched new channels for diaspora remittances.

The results, Cardoso said, are beginning to show. Inflation, which had peaked near 35 percent, has moderated to about 20 percent. GDP grew 4.2 percent in the second quarter of 2025, capital inflows are rebounding, and Nigeria’s sovereign credit outlook has improved.

‘These shifts suggest more than a cyclical adjustment. They mark the outlines of a developmental inflection point where investor confidence is being rebuilt and Nigeria positions itself for structural renewal,’ he said.

The CBN governor, however, cautioned that the gains must be translated into durable prosperity. ‘This is only the beginning. The real task is ensuring these hard-won improvements translate into jobs, stability, and long-term growth for the next generation,’ Cardoso added.

Earlier in her welcome address, Professor Olayinka David-West, Dean, Lagos Business School, Pan Atlantic University, noted that the CBN Governor’s Lecture Series is a flagship platform and part of the Governor’s Knowledge Acceleration and Thought Leadership Initiative, which is central to the Central Bank’s strategy of deepening public understanding and strengthening monetary policy transmission.

She recalled that two years ago, at the Senate Confirmation Hearing, the Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, and his Deputy Governors promised compliance, accountability, and transparency, thus noting that the lecture was a fulfillment of the promise and a framework for such accountability.

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, has said it would be encouraging for Nigerians if they could track and feel the impact of recovered looted funds by the Federal Government.

Obi stressed that such funds should have visible effects in education, healthcare, and poverty reduction across the country.

The former governor of Anambra State made this remark on Friday in response to the disclosure by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that it recovered ?853 billion in crime proceeds in the past year alone.

While commending the anti-graft agency for the achievement, Obi noted that the major challenge lies in ensuring that the recovered funds are channelled into areas where Nigerians can truly feel the impact.

Writing on his X handle, he stated:

‘The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) announcement that ?853 billion has been recovered from crime proceeds within one year is a step in the right direction.

‘The Commission deserves our commendation for this effort, even though we are aware it’s just a tiny fraction of the funds looted from the public treasury by leaders.

‘Beyond this recovery, what truly matters is the utilisation of these funds in a verifiable and accountable manner, specifically in the critical areas of development, health, education, and poverty alleviation to benefit the people.

‘Nigerians want to see impact. We must be able to trace where and how these recovered funds are invested.

‘Currently, we have over 20 million out-of-school children in the country, the highest in the world. Similarly, we have the highest number of acutely poor people in the world, over 100 million.

‘In both cases, the situation is worse in the North, making all efforts at reducing it imperative. If these recovered funds and subsequent ones are strategically invested, they would greatly contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and insecurity.

‘For example, the Federal Government’s 2024 operational budget for Universal Basic Education is about ?251.47 billion. Tripling this sum would require an additional ?503 billion.

‘The remaining ?350 billion could be shared directly among the 19 Northern states as microcredit for the poor. Many of these states have long been applying for as little as ?2 billion in similar funding from our development banks.

‘Let this not just be another announcement of recovery. Let it mark the beginning of a new era of accountability, where every kobo retrieved is turned into classrooms, hospitals, skills, and opportunities for ordinary Nigerians.’

THE 2025 US fiscal Transparency Report alleging lack of transparency in public procurement and, by extension, categorising Nigeria among the 32 African countries without fiscal policy should be totally rejected. The US report did not reflect the current realities in the public procurement ecosystem in Nigeria, particularly the reforms initiated by the federal government to institutionalise transparency and accountability in public procurement contracting in Nigeria. To be sure, Nigeria is among the top five African countries with sound public procurement frameworks and/or regimes. For instance, recent reforms by the regulatory agency- the Bureau of Public Procurement [BPP], discouraging the use of selective tendering as against the default methods of procurement shows the determination to cut abuses and open the procurement space for all contractors to participate, thereby promoting competition and ensuring transparency in public contracting.

Public procurement records – from planning to procurement execution – have been made available on the Open Contracting Portal and it is mandatory for all government agencies to publish their procurement records in the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal [NOCOPO], giving access to civil society organisations and even contractors opportunity to assess records at all times from procurement planning stage to procurement execution. Significantly, Standard Bidding Documents [SBDs] and the monetary thresholds were recently reviewed to international standards and in alignment with the current economic realities respectively, thus paving the way for women participation in procurement opportunities and small and medium enterprises to fully take advantage of the affirmative procurement opportunities, including initiative for community-based procurement just to mention a few of the ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s public procurement processes. For the avoidance of doubt and to put the records straight, our procurement models are structured to ensure value for money. It ensures that taxpayers’ money is properly/ judiciously spent for the intended purposes, eliminating underhand dealings as against what was obtainable before the enactment of the Publuc Procurenent Act [PPA] 2007. The Bureau of public Procurement for the first time in history is encouraging members of the public to ‘say something, do something’ by reporting any procurement process they deem is not conducted transparently. The BPP has been engaging with the civil society organisations, professional bodies and various stakeholders to check abuses in public contracting in Nigeria.

Our system is robust enough, emphasising transparency, accountability, and promoting openness and access to information by taxpayers.

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has dissolved all statutory and non-statutory boards and commissions in the state.

The decision, which takes immediate effect, was announced in Uyo on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prince Enobong Uwah.

According to the SSG, the governor acted under the Statutory Boards (Special Provisions) Law, 2023, and directed the affected chairmen to hand over to the most senior officers in their establishments.

‘The governor wishes members of the dissolved boards and commissions well in their future endeavours and commends them for their roles in advancing the ARISE agenda,’ Uwah said.

He further instructed that all government property in the custody of the affected chairmen be returned to ensure a smooth transition.

Our correspondent reports that the development, which marks a major shake-up in the state’s governance structure, had earlier been hinted at by Governor Eno during a media chat to mark Akwa Ibom’s 37th anniversary in 2024.

At the time, the governor said that he was ‘waiting for the right time’ to reorganise his administration and promised a valedictory session to appreciate commissioners and board members for their contributions to the state’s growth.

It is, however, believed that the dissolution signals the beginning of a new phase in the administration’s governance strategy.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has dismissed the notion that Jihad in Islam is aimed at killing non-Muslims, stressing that it simply means striving to be the best in one’s endeavours.

Speaking in Abuja at the public presentation of Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Lucky Irabor (rtd), the monarch explained that Jihad had long been misrepresented.

‘Jihad is not to kill a non-Muslim by a Muslim. Jihad means to strive, and in whatever you do in life, you strive to be the best you can be.

‘You strive to be a good Muslim, you strive to be a good Christian, you strive to be a good farmer, or a good engineer.

‘So, Jihad is not to kill a non-Muslim; that’s a wrong notion people have been airing out for decades,’ he stated.

The Sultan, who is also the Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, cautioned against extremism, stressing that Islam is guided by clear codes rooted in the Quran, the Hadith, and the consensus of clerics.

‘And these are written. So, we have a code of conduct; we have ways and means of life; the Holy Quran and the Hadith of our most noble Prophet (SA), and the consensus of the Ulama, that is, the clerics.

‘These are the three things guiding us. Anybody coming outside these to say things that he really doesn’t know about is not for Islam because Islam abhors extremism.

‘You cannot be an extremist and then claim to be a good Muslim,’ he said.

He also rejected suggestions that Islamism is about capturing political power, noting that its true focus is on good governance.

‘Islamism is not aimed at seizing power at any particular forum. Islam is after good governance in society,’ he said.

Recalling past controversies, the Sultan explained that his comments on Islam and leadership values were sometimes wrongly interpreted as political.

‘In September 2019, I gave a talk on Islam and good governance in Nigeria. President Buhari was just going for his second term.

‘After giving my talk, the following day, the papers carried it [that] I was aiming at President Buhari’s second term because I said things that a good Muslim should do as a leader and what he should not do,’ he explained.

He urged Nigerians to be cautious in their remarks on religion and insecurity, emphasising unity as the path to building a stronger country.

‘So, let’s come closer as one big family with different backgrounds to forge ahead to make this country a better country, because there is nothing anybody can do,’ he added.

The monarch also commended Gen Irabor for sharing his experiences as a military officer who played a major role in the fight against insecurity in Nigeria.

Tension gripped Idogun community in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State on Friday as irate youths allegedly attacked the Onidogun of Idogun, Oba Moses Bakare, alongside his wife and son, Prince Victor Bakare.

The incident, which reportedly occurred in the early hours at Ishara Quarters, threw the quiet community into confusion as the youths stormed the monarch’s residence and attacked his family.

It was gathered that the monarch’s son, Prince Victor, who had visited the town to join and honour his father in the celebration of this year’s yam festival, was not spared in the assault.

According to an eyewitness, the attackers invaded the palace, vandalised property, and inflicted injuries on members of the royal family.

Describing the situation as ‘shocking and shameful,’ he said the violence forced many to flee the area for safety. He added that the exact cause of the attack remained unclear but hinted at a lingering dispute between the palace and some youths over traditional matters.

Speaking with journalists at the palace, Prince Victor, who showed visible injuries, alleged that the attackers humiliated his family by stripping his mother half-naked, pouring urine and other filthy substances on him, and physically assaulting the monarch.

The Onidogun, Oba Bakare, described the assault as a continuation of ‘unprovoked hostility’ from a faction of youths in the community.

He condemned the act as ‘barbaric and unfortunate,’ but commended the timely intervention of police operatives and men of the Amotekun Corps, who quelled the unrest before it escalated.

Confirming the development, the Amotekun Coordinator in the community, Mr Omatayo Johnson, said the swift response of security personnel prevented the tension from degenerating into a wider crisis.

Idogun community has in recent years been enmeshed in internal disputes over issues of traditional authority, youth leadership, and control of communal resources.

Sources within the town said the hostility against Oba Bakare stems from longstanding disagreements between the palace and some youth groups, who have often accused the monarch of marginalising their interests in community affairs.

The latest attack, according to residents, is believed to be linked to these unresolved tensions, which have repeatedly threatened the peace and unity of the community.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has rejected claims that Islam is aimed at capturing political power in Nigeria, insisting that its focus is on promoting good governance.

He made this known in Abuja at the unveiling of the book ‘Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum’, authored by former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Lucky Irabor (rtd).

‘I also want to correct the notion when Bishop (Matthew) Kukah talked about Islamism. You use some words maybe in the wrong manner, or somebody might feel Islamism is negative.

‘Islamism is not aimed at seizing power at any particular forum. Islam is after good governance in society,’ he stated.

The monarch recalled how former President Goodluck Jonathan received full support from Muslims during his administration, stressing that religion was never used as a tool against him.

‘When President Goodluck Jonathan was President, we gave him 100 per cent support. Throughout his presidency, nobody said anything negative against him; he knows that, and he is here.

‘So, Islamism is not what you think it is; it is a wrong notion that you are bringing up here that it is to seize power. It is not to seize power. We’re after good governance,’ he added.

He explained that Muslims are guided by a clear code of conduct rooted in the Quran, Hadith, and the consensus of clerics, stressing that Islam rejects extremism.

‘And these are written. So, we have a code of conduct; we have ways and means of life; the Holy Quran and the Hadith of our most noble Prophet (SA), and the consensus of the Ulama, that is, the clerics.

‘These are the three things guiding us. Anybody coming outside these to say things that he really doesn’t know about is not for Islam because Islam abhors extremism.

‘You cannot be an extremist and then claim to be a good Muslim. So, let’s learn some of these issues, and then when we are talking about insecurity in our great country, we have to be careful in how we say things, how we present them.

‘So, let’s come closer as one big family with different backgrounds to forge ahead to make this country a better country, because there is nothing anybody can do,’ he stated.

The Sultan, who is also Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, further dispelled the perception that Jihad promotes violence against non-Muslims.

‘Jihad is not to kill a non-Muslim by a Muslim. Jihad means to strive, and in whatever you do in life, you strive to be the best you can be.

‘You strive to be a good Muslim, you strive to be a good Christian, you strive to be a good farmer, or a good engineer.

‘So, Jihad is not to kill a non-Muslim; that’s a wrong notion people have been airing out for decades,’ he added.

He commended General Irabor for his service to the country and for documenting his experiences as a military officer who played a key role in the fight against insecurity.