Category: PM News

Nigerian music veteran, Shina Peters has made a shocking revelation about his life and journey into fatherhood.

While speaking with the Honest Bunch podcast, Peters spoke about his resilience and determination and how it has helped his career.

He also revealed that he started his music career at age 10 and had his first child at age 14.

‘I started my career at the age of 10. I bought my first car at 13. I had my first child at 14. I built my first house at 16. By 16 and 17, I was running to court here and there, three cases in a single day. And 65% of my fans are Igbo, not Yoruba,’ he stated.

Former Executive Director of ARM Pension Managers Ltd, Mr. Abisola Onigbogi, has pledged his support to the Simeon Adesoji Ajayi Foundation’s Innocence Project, an initiative providing free legal aid to indigent Nigerians wrongly accused or unjustly detained.

Onigbogi, who was cleared last year by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of a false rape allegation, said his personal experience had deepened his resolve to promote justice and fairness in Nigeria.

‘I went through a deeply humbling experience that opened my eyes to the struggles of many innocent Nigerians,’ he said.

‘Not everyone has the means or voice to defend themselves against false or malicious accusations. The Innocence Project gives such people hope, and I am honoured to support it,’ he added.

The Simeon Adesoji Ajayi Foundation runs two major programmes-The Innocence Project Ng and The Mercy Project, both designed to promote justice and compassion across society.

While The Innocence Project Ng provides free and quality legal services to citizens wrongly accused or imprisoned, The Mercy Project supports widows, children, and the elderly through welfare and empowerment initiatives.

Onigbogi said his support would focus on strengthening The Innocence Project by funding access to professional legal representation for people unable to afford it.

He expressed concern over the plight of many Nigerians languishing in detention due to lack of legal assistance.

‘The Innocence Project is not just about freeing the innocent; it’s about fixing a justice system that too often punishes poverty instead of crime,’ he said, adding that ‘Every Nigerian deserves a fair hearing and competent defence. My goal is to help ensure no one is abandoned to their fate because of financial limitations.’

Commending the Foundation’s holistic approach, Onigbogi described its twin initiatives as a balance of justice and humanity.

‘While the Innocence Project stands for justice, the Mercy Project represents compassion. Together, they reflect the kind of Nigeria we must build, one that defends the innocent and protects the vulnerable,’ he said.

Onigbogi reaffirmed his intention to contribute both financially and strategically to strengthen the Foundation’s impact.

‘This is not an act of charity; it is a duty to humanity. No one should suffer the trauma of wrongful accusation or detention simply because they are poor,’ he added.

In his response, the Foundation’s Executive Director, Mr. Ife Ajayi, described Onigbogi’s support as a profound act of empathy and civic responsibility.

‘Support from individuals like Mr. Onigbogi, who have personally experienced the pain of false accusation, brings authenticity and momentum to the quest for a fairer justice system,’ Ajayi said.

He added that Onigbogi’s involvement aligns with the Foundation’s growing network of advocates working to reform Nigeria’s justice system and extend compassion to society’s most vulnerable.

Renowned lawyer and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), has raised serious concerns over Nigeria’s increasing debt burden, warning that it is damaging the nation’s reputation and discouraging foreign investors.

Babalola made the remarks during the 2025 International Leadership Conference on Leadership, Governance, Sustainable Change, and Wealth Creation (2.0), jointly organized by ABUAD, Trinity Western University (TWU) in Vancouver, Canada, and the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy, and Development (CentreLSD).

The conference, themed ‘Shaping Transformational Leaders for a Changing World: Tackling Insecurity, Governance and Development,’ focused on addressing Nigeria’s growing challenges in leadership and governance.

Babalola described the theme as ‘timely and relevant,’ noting that Nigeria’s financial situation has reached a critical point.

He lamented that the country’s rising debt profile is driving away investors and putting pressure on local banks.

‘Our records show that Nigeria is now a big debtor nation, with total public debt of ?152.4 trillion, or about $99.7 billion,’ he said. ‘As a result, many foreign companies are unwilling to invest here.

Even banks are complaining that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) cannot honour government promissory notes because the Federal Government is struggling to pay its debts.’

The elder statesman urged the government to adopt urgent fiscal reforms and responsible economic management to restore investor confidence and ensure sustainable growth.

Babalola also reminded leaders of their constitutional duty, quoting Section 14 of the Nigerian Constitution:

‘The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria, from whom government derives its powers and authority.’

Delivering a lecture titled

‘Transformational Leadership in an Insecure and Disruptive Era: Building Ethical, Resilient and Impactful Leaders for Africa,’ Dr. Otive Igbuzor, founding Executive Director of CentreLSD, said Nigeria and Africa need a new generation of leaders who can challenge old systems and drive innovation.

According to Igbuzor, transformational leadership is key to fighting corruption, unemployment, poor governance, gender inequality, and environmental decline.

He called on the government to make leadership training a compulsory part of education in schools and universities.

In her remarks, ABUAD Vice-Chancellor, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, described the conference as timely, stressing the importance of collaboration between local and international institutions to tackle insecurity, hunger, poverty, infrastructure decay, and economic instability.

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone A, has commended Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State for approving new salary structure for the state’s tertiary institutions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sani, on Thursday announced the approval, which covers lecturers and staff of the Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences and Technology, as well as the College of Education, Gidan Waya.

A statement issued to newsmen on Sunday in Kaduna by Ibrahim Bashir, the Secretary General, NANS Zone A, said for over fifteen years, the issue had lingered, affecting morale, productivity, and stability within Kaduna’s tertiary institutions.

‘This marks the fulfillment of a long-awaited demand,’ he said.

Bashir stated that the action by the Governor had addressed a deep-rooted challenge that many administrations overlooked.

He added that the gesture had reignited hope and restored confidence in government’s responsiveness to the needs of its citizens, particularly in the education sector.

According to the secretary general, Sani’s leadership style reflected empathy, dialogue, and a genuine concern for educational advancement across the state.

By prioritising the welfare of lecturers and strengthening institutional harmony, he said, the governor had demonstrated his belief that the future of Kaduna and Nigeria depends on investing in education and human capital development.

Bashir saluted Sani’s visionary leadership and unwavering support for education at all levels, pledging continued partnership with his administration in building a state where learning, innovation, and youths empowerment thrive.

The National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Felix Morka, has said that the continuous defections of politicians from opposition parties into the APC are in lines with democratic principles.

Morka stated this in an interview on Arise News Saturday night.

According to him, the event is a legitimate expression of constitutional rights of the individuals cross-carpeting and not a sign of democratic decline or danger.

He emphasised that the decisions of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to join the APC are in line with democracy.

He said people should bury the thought that such an event would make the country slide into a one-party system, describing the notion as misleading and unfair.

‘People are simply exercising their democratic freedom to choose among competing party alternatives, and they are choosing our party.

‘It would be disingenuous to describe the development as a threat to democracy.

‘Would you have the APC become a gatekeeper and decide who can or cannot come in? Democracy is a system of freedom, and it is not fair or permissible for anyone to limit the right of people to choose for themselves.

‘The fact that people join the APC does not mean we have a one-party system,’ Morka added.

He responded to the allegation that the ruling party is using federal power to coarse governors and lawmakers into joining its fold by saying: ‘In a country as massive as Nigeria, how do you cajole governors who are chief executive officers of their states?

‘These are people elected by their constituents to govern. They control their own budgets and have the power to appropriate funds. What exactly would you tell a governor to cajole him?

‘If the PDP, Labour, or ADC look inward, they will find that it is their dysfunction and failure of leadership driving people away.

‘Nobody wants to remain on a sinking ship. No serious politician would stay in a party that offers no hope of redemption.’

Fulham star Alex Iwobi has made history in the English Premier League after setting a new record for the most appearances by a Nigerian player.

Iwobi reached the milestone during Fulham’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal, his former club, on Saturday evening.

Despite the defeat, the 29-year-old midfielder achieved something remarkable becoming Nigeria’s top appearance maker in Premier League history.

According to the Premier League’s official website, Iwobi has now played 299 matches, surpassing Shola Ameobi’s previous record of 298 appearances.

Iwobi, who began his career at Arsenal’s Hale End Academy, has played for three clubs in the Premier League:

Arsenal – 100 matches

Everton – 123 matches

Fulham – 76 matches

This achievement places him ahead of some of Nigeria’s most famous footballers:

Shola Ameobi – 298 appearances

Nwankwo Kanu – 273 appearances

Yakubu Aiyegbeni – 252 appearances

John Obi Mikel – 249 appearances

Iwobi is expected to reach another major milestone when he plays his 300th Premier League game next weekend fittingly against Newcastle United, the club where Ameobi built his reputation.

Recently, Iwobi also helped the Super Eagles qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs, continuing his strong run of form for both club and country.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has described the seven-day warning strike declared by the State Council of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) as unjustifiable.

In a statement released on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the Governor alerted the public to the warning strike, which commenced at midnight on Friday, 17 October 2025.

Governor Okpebholo condemned the strike, describing it as ill-timed, unpatriotic, and unjustified. He said the industrial action was taking place despite ongoing meaningful negotiations between the union and the state government.

He attributed the strike to the refusal of the government to succumb to what he termed unlawful financial demands by a few ‘greedy members’ within the union’s leadership.

According to the Governor, the union leadership has been in continuous engagement with the government regarding their demands, and a follow-up meeting had already been scheduled for Monday, 20 October 2025.

He noted that many of the issues raised by the union were inherited from the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

While asserting that the strike lacked merit, Okpebholo alleged that it appeared to be driven by ulterior motives and personal financial interests known only to a few individuals in the union’s leadership, to the detriment of the general membership.

The statement reads:

‘The attention of the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has been drawn to a statement issued by the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Edo State Council, announcing the commencement of a seven-day warning strike across the state, beginning Friday, 17 October 2025.

‘For the avoidance of doubt, the issues raised by the union were largely inherited from the past administration of Godwin Obaseki.

‘However, Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration has shown genuine commitment to addressing these inherited concerns in a phased, transparent, and responsible manner.

‘Among the union’s demands is the renovation of the Doctors’ Quarters, which is already receiving the attention of the state government, alongside other welfare-related matters.

‘It is, therefore, shocking and disappointing that the union’s leadership would hastily declare a strike, claiming government insensitivity, when the present administration has demonstrated open-mindedness, good faith, and a proactive resolve to improve the health sector.

‘This abrupt decision by the union leadership not only undermines ongoing dialogue but also exposes a lack of sincerity and respect for the negotiation process.

‘By dragging innocent and hardworking health workers into this industrial action, the union’s leadership is placing the lives of poor and helpless Edo citizens-especially those in need of urgent medical attention-at grave risk.

‘Such actions amount to a betrayal of the noble principles and ethics of the medical profession, particularly the Hippocratic Oath, which places the preservation of human life above all else.

‘No responsible government can fold its arms while a few individuals hold the lives of its citizens hostage for personal gratification.’

Governor Okpebholo, however, assured that the state government remains committed to dialogue and partnership with all stakeholders in the health sector to ensure industrial harmony and improved service delivery.

He urged all responsible and patriotic health workers in the state to disregard the strike directive and continue rendering essential services to the people.

Tottenham Hotspur’s home struggles deepened on Sunday as Aston Villa came from behind to snatch a 2-1 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Rodrigo Bentancur had given Thomas Frank’s men a dream start just five minutes in, finishing coolly from close range after Micky van de Ven’s cushioned header. The Uruguayan celebrated by tucking the ball under his shirt, a tribute to his pregnant wife.

But that early joy quickly turned sour. Morgan Rogers brought Villa level with a thunderous strike from 20 yards that flew past Guglielmo Vicario in the 37th minute, silencing the home fans.

Injuries continue to haunt Tottenham. Already without James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma, Destiny Udogie, and Dominic Solanke, the team lost captain Cristian Romero in the warm-up and later saw Mathys Tel limp off with a knee issue.

Villa made them pay for their frailties. In the 77th minute, substitute Emiliano Buendia struck the winner – a composed finish into the bottom corner after Lucas Digne’s clever setup.

Tottenham had chances to rescue a point late on, but debutant Randal Kolo Muani wasted a golden opportunity, skying his shot over the bar from close range in stoppage time.

The result means Spurs have now lost 11 of their last 18 home league games, a worrying record for Frank, who replaced the sacked Ange Postecoglou earlier this season. The defeat also ends their seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions, leaving them sixth on the table.

For Unai Emery’s Villa, the story is quite the opposite. After their worst league start since 1964, the Midlands side have now won five straight matches in all competitions and extended their unbeaten streak to eight. The victory also marked a breakthrough – Villa’s first away win over a top-four side after collecting just one point from six such trips last season.

Nigerian media personality, Natasha Akide also known as Tacha, has declared that she will not settle down for love alone.

Tacha, in an interview with Yanga FM, stated that her views on marriage has changed since she became a celebrity.

She added that her future husband must match her financial status.

‘I can’t marry just for love. I’m looking for a billionaire. I’m a millionaire, so my potential husband should be richer than me. I’m certain I can’t marry for love,’ she said.

The media personality has been in the limelight since 2019, after participating in Big Brother Naija reality TV show.

President Bola Tinubu has warmly congratulates Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, on the 9th anniversary of his ascension to the throne on Monday, October 20.

The President joins the government and people of Edo State, the traditional council, and family members in celebrating with His Royal Majesty on the occasion, which marks the Oba’s nearly a decade of unrelenting service to his domain and the nation.

President Tinubu commends the Oba’s commitment to promoting peace, unity, and social harmony within his domain, and his support in combating societal challenges, such as human trafficking and illegal migration, particularly among the youth.

President Tinubu also applauds the Oba’s strong advocacy for a cultural renaissance, the preservation of traditional values, and his efforts to repatriate African artefacts from Western countries.

As the Oba of Benin marks nine years on the throne of his ancestors, the President extols his leadership in preserving Benin’s cultural heritage and passing it on to the upcoming generations.

President Tinubu prays that the Almighty God will grant the Oba of Benin a longer life, good health, and more historic achievements on the throne of his ancestors.