Category: The Nation – Nigeria

News Central has been honoured with the AEMA Black Prize in New York, USA, in recognition of its unwavering commitment to truthful journalism and its efforts in empowering young audiences with accurate and unbiased news.

The award was received by News Central’s Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, Kayode Akintemi, alongside Director of Commercial and Communications, Rosemary Egabor-Afolahan.

This accolade underscores the station’s dedication to high-quality reporting and its significant impact on shaping informed and engaged communities globally.

Receiving this award marks a significant milestone in News Central’s journey to uphold journalistic integrity and provide a reliable source of news that educates, inspires, and empowers, particularly among youth audiences worldwide.

Speaking on the achievement, Mr Akintemi expressed pride in the recognition, noting that the award affirms News Central’s mission of fearlessly reporting what matters most. Mrs Egabor-Afolahan added that the honour is a testament to the hard work of the entire News Central team and their passion for engaging and empowering audiences, especially the younger generation.

News Central continues to set the standard for excellence in media, driving positive change through credible storytelling and impactful public discourse. With this milestone, News Central continues to strengthen its role as a leading pan-African news platform, committed to providing incisive, comprehensive, and impactful journalism.

Marketing experts have urged brands to build trust and deliver holistic value beyond price in today’s changing marketing landscape, saturated with choices and increasingly discerning consumers.

They made this assertion at the third edition of the MediaConsortium Conference and Awards, held on Thursday at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

Industry stakeholders and captains of industry gathered to dissect the theme, ‘Defining ‘Value’ in the Modern Marketplace: Beyond Price, Quality, Experience and Ethics.’

Speaking on the choice of the theme, Adetunji Faleye, Co-Convener of the MediaConsortium Conference and Awards, said, ‘Our chosen theme reflects a pressing question for today’s brands, businesses, and leaders.

‘We believe the answer lies in a holistic approach-one that integrates all these elements and goes further to capture the intangible: trust, relevance, purpose, and sustainability. These are the benchmarks of success in the modern marketplace.’

Delivering the keynote address, Femi Opadere, Head of Digital Media at Globacom, challenged brands to shift their focus from cost to benefit.

He emphasised that today’s consumers are digitally active, have numerous options, and make decisions based on more than just price.

Using Globacom’s introduction of per-second billing as a prime example, he illustrated how delivering genuine value can revolutionise an industry. ‘Somebody somewhere was not thinking about making money immediately. He was thinking about what kind of value I can give to Nigerians that this value-driven strategy led to over one million subscribers in a few months.’

He concluded with the adage, ‘Price is what you pay, value is what you get.’

The conversation deepened during a panel session moderated by Zion Rufus, Senior Brand and Content Strategist at Livespot360. The panellists, drawing from diverse industry experiences, offered practical insights.

Samuel Akinrimisi, New Product Development Lead at Eko Supreme Resources, warned that brands often fail when they operate on flawed assumptions about their customers. ‘The gap I identified is that we do not bring the point of the consumer into the product perspective,’ Akinrimisi explained.

He argued that true value is ‘needed satisfaction’ and requires brands to understand the cultural relevance of their products and messaging.

Ayodeji Ajayi, Strategy/Creative Director at Hephzibah Experiential Ltd, spoke about the power of building an emotional connection and trust to foster unwavering loyalty. ‘You cannot take away emotions,’ Ajayi noted, explaining that a deep connection is what makes a consumer choose a brand repeatedly. He stressed that ‘the culture that defines the experience is one thing that brands must prioritise to succeed.’

Representing the fast-evolving fintech space, Obinna Ojekwe, Marketing Lead, Hydrogen Pay, described value as a powerful differentiator, which can even be found in simple accessibility. He called value a ‘cheat code’ for brands, especially niche players, to excel by deeply understanding their specific market segment.

The experts underscored the message that, in today’s marketplace, sustainable success is built not just on what a brand sells, but on the comprehensive value it delivers to its customers.

The enlightening summit culminated in a prestigious awards ceremony, celebrating the brands, agencies, and individuals who have exemplified excellence and successfully delivered outstanding value. The consumer goods sector was well-represented, with Checkers Custard named Outstanding Custard Brand of 2025 and Golden Penny Semovita taking home the Consumer Brand of the Year 2025 award.

Culinary excellence was further celebrated as Ajinomoto was crowned Outstanding Culinary Brand of the Year 2025. In the beverage category, Amstel Malta was recognised as the Malt Drink of the Year 2025. Demonstrating innovation in the home care segment, SoKlin received double honours as the Innovative Detergent Brand of the Year 2025 and for its Smart Liquid, which won Innovation of the Year in the Detergent Category. A special commendation for delivering tangible consumer benefits went to WideScope International Logistics Limited for Creating Real Value for Consumers.

Read Also: Don’t give up on Nigeria, Akpabio urges youths

Commitment to social responsibility was also celebrated, with BATN Foundation receiving the Social Impact Award of 2025 and Bet9ja Foundation earning the CSR Award of 2025.

Broader corporate excellence was also spotlighted, with Iron Resources named Outstanding Company of the Year 2025. In the financial sector, ALAT was recognised as the Outstanding Digital Bank of the Year 2025.

The agency and professional categories saw a wide array of talent recognised. SBI Media Ltd was awarded Innovative Media Agency of the Year, while SOULCOMMS PR was named Outstanding Public Relations Agency of the Year 2025.

Specialist firms also received accolades, with P+ Measurement Services celebrated as the Innovative Public Relations Measurement Agency of the Year 2025 and CI Public Relations Consulting Limited honoured as the Outstanding firm in Crisis/Strategic Communication. The future of the industry was also in the spotlight, as Seedar Group won Innovative Young Public Relations Agency of the Year 2025 and WhirlSpot Media was recognised for its Outstanding Contribution To Startups.

The MediaConsortium Conference and Awards is an annual event dedicated to fostering knowledge exchange, celebrating industry excellence, and inspiring the future of marketing, media, and communications in Nigeria. It brings together industry leaders, brand custodians, and innovators to discuss pressing issues and recognise outstanding contributions to the marketplace.

Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer Eric Bellinger is set to thrill fans in Nigeria.

He will headline the 2025 Megastar Man of the Decade Awards. The show is scheduled for October 17, 2025, at the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Abuja.

The event will be hosted by Nigerian media entrepreneur Ifetayo Adeniyi, the Chief Executive Officer of Megastar Media Communications.

Bellinger’s performance will be a major highlight of the prestigious awards. The event celebrates notable Nigerians for their impact across different economic sectors.

The acclaimed R and B artist will also use the occasion to perform his latest single, ‘Understood (Remix),’ featuring Nigerian music powerhouse Tiwa Savage.

It was legacy sustained, commitment affirmed. That’s First Bank, a bank winning with sports. That commitment was further affirmed over the weekend when it bankrolled the maiden E1 Lagos GP, the first of its kind in Africa, culminating in an evening of vibes, entertainment and more.

It was sports, culture and entertainment in one spot. How best can you describe such a show? Simply ‘Classy’, holding boat race fans spellbound, amidst cultural displays in a town that never sleeps.

The ambience, the aesthetics, the vibes tell the story. It is E1 Lagos GP powered by the leading bank in Nigeria; First Bank of Nigeria Limited.

Right from the countdown to the D-day, it was sure to be a grand event. At the closing, no one was disappointed. The atmosphere at the inaugural E1 Lagos Grand Prix was electrifying, vibrant, as the event which made its historic African debut raced to a great start. The all-electric powerboat race blended high-speed, zero-emission competition with Nigeria’s energetic cultural atmosphere, attracting thousands of fans and international attention able by FirstBank

In the final race, Team Brazil emerged victorious, securing their first win of the season and keeping their championship hopes alive. Despite the challenging weather conditions on the Lagos Lagoon, Team Brazil’s pilots, Timmy Hansen and Ieva Millere-Hagin, put on a stellar performance, running through the still water with energy.

Though Team Brazil won, the event wasn’t about the visitors only, Chelsea legend and Cote D’ivoire football icon, Didier Drogba was on ground with Team Drogba. Team Drogba Global Africa’s pilots are Oban Duncan and Micah Wilkinson. Duncan is a young British powerboat champion, while Wilkinson won a sailing bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Their partnership in the E1 Series reflects a focus on promoting green technologies, sustainable development, and African talent on the global stage.

In the Grand Prix, Team Drogba finished in third place, earning 24 points. Team Brady leads the overall championship standings.

The E1 Series involves other celebrity team owners, including Aoki Racing Team, Team Alula, championed by LeBron James, Team Blue Rising, Team Miami, powered by Magnus, and Team Rafa, owned by Rafael Nadal all took part in the racing championship. The championship aims to promote both sport and sustainability, with a focus on inspiring future generations and fostering cleaner marine mobility.

Beyond the racing, the event highlighted Lagos’s commitment to clean energy and the potential of its ‘blue economy’. E1 Founder and CEO Rodi Basso explained as much that the event was a crucial step in promoting cleaner marine mobility in Africa.

For FirstBank, it was much more, the show was part of a lined up of entertaining events which are due to kick in as Nigerians get in the groove of the ember months as part of the bank’s annual entertainment and lifestyle slate known as #DecemberIsAVibe.

According to Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, the bank is poised to dazzle Nigerians from this month until the end of 2025 with awesome entertainment and lifestyle events for the remaining part of the year.

Also on the card this year is the 64th edition of the famed Lagos Open Golf Championship and the over a century Georgian Cup in Kaduna, a polo tournament.

While FirstBank’s football team, the Elephant Boys continue to entertain on the football pitch, the Elephant Girls holds sway on the Basketball court, Dala Hard Court, tennis is historical and Ijabiyi says, it’s just the beginning.

Truly, E1 Lagos GP, presented by first Bank was a product of great thinking, First Bank powered and fantastic outcome. It’s E1 Lagos GP.

Bridge builder

Silence lessener

Tamer of the eternal turmoil

Between contending tongues

The horizontal strife in their syntax

The paradigmatic leanings of their words

The seeming idiocy behind their idioms

The loaded profundity of their proverbs

Pause

And so it was

When The Road* led you to your quickening quest

And whispering Embers burst into blaze

Across your Mediterranean bridge

How did King Baabu’s barbarous barking

Sound 0n the lips of a different bully:

Red like the fiery fury of Thunder King

Or soft like the mellow expressivity of the Gallic tongue

How did you manage the magic rendering

Of Silences’ ‘painted harmonies’

Or the redolent tonalities

In the anxious patience of Waiting Laughters?

Tell us about the passionate territoriality of tongues

And the semantic serendipity of lucky correspondences

Diligent undoer of Babel’s babble

Patience being your province; wisdom your wand

* References to some of the works translated by Professor Fioupou: The Road and King Baabu (Wole Soyinka); Embers (Soji Cole); Thunder King (Femi Osofisan); Labyrinths (Christopher Okigbo); Waiting Laughters (Niyi Osundare).

The Presidency yesterday made public a comprehensive list of the beneficiaries of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential pardon, clemency and commutation of sentences involving 175 convicts and former convicts, which was released after the National Council of State meeting on Thursday.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, gave an exhaustive breakdown of the categories of the President’s prerogatives, comprising full pardons, posthumous pardons, clemency, sentence reductions and commutations from death to life imprisonment.

The exercise of mercy for the 175 convicts and former convicts, including military officers, public officials, remorseful drug offenders, illegal miners and foreigners, followed the recommendation of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi.

The committee’s report, as presented by Fagbemi, recommended various forms of reprieve: pardon for 17 persons (including 11 posthumously), clemency for 82 inmates, commutation of sentences for 65, and conversion of death sentences to life imprisonment for seven others.

According to the statement by Mr Onanuga, President Tinubu granted mercy to many of the convicts for reasons including remorse, good conduct, old age, and enrolment in reform programmes such as the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

Those granted full presidential pardon are Nweke Francis Chibueze, Dr. Nwogu Peters, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaoba, Barrister Hussaini Alhaji Umar, Ayinla Saadu Alanamu and Hon. Farouk M. Lawan.

President Tinubu also issued posthumous pardons to nationalist Sir Herbert Macaulay, whose 1913 colonial conviction has now been set aside; Major-General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, executed in 1986 over an alleged coup plot; and the Ogoni Nine-Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawa, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel and John Kpuine-who were executed in 1995.

The Presidency separately honoured the victims in the Ogoni case-Chief Albert Badey, Chief Edward Kobaru, Chief Samuel Orage and Chief Theophilus Orage-while making clear they are not beneficiaries of the clemency or pardon.

Eighty-two inmates received presidential clemency after demonstrating remorse, reform or other qualifying circumstances, among whom was Maryam Sanda, who was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging by Justice Yusuf Halilu at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in November 2017.

Sanda’s sentence was later upheld by the Court of Appeal on December 4, 2020.

Others who received presidential clemency included Aluagwu Lawrence; Ben Friday; Oroke Michael Chibueze; Kelvin Christopher Smith; Azubuike Jeremiah Emeka; Akinrinnade Akinwande Adebiyi; Ahmed Adeyemo; Adeniyi Jimoh; Seun Omirinde; Adesanya Olufemi Paul; Ife Yusuf; Daniel Bodunwa; Fidelis Michael; Suru Akande; Safiyanu Umar; Dahiru Abdullahi; Hamza Abubakar; Rabiu Alhassan Dawaki; Mujibu Muhammad; Emmanuel Eze; Bala Azika Yahaya; Lina Kusum Wilson and Buhari Sani.

Others are Mohammed Musa; Muharazu Abubakar; Ibrahim Yusuf; Saad Ahmed Madaki; Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa; Richard Ayuba; Adam Abubakar; Emmanuel Yusuf; Edwin Nnazor; Chinedu Stanley; Joseph Nwanoka; Johnny Ntheru; John Omotiye; Nsikat Edet Harry; Jonathan Asuquo; Prince Samuel Peters; Babangida Saliu; Adamu Sanni; Abdulkarem Salisu; Abdulaziz Lawal; Abdulrahman Babangida; Maharazu Alidu; Zaharadeen Baliue; Babangida Usman; Zayyanu Abdullahi; Bashir Garuba; Imam Suleman; Abbeh Amisu; Lawani Lurwanu; Yusuf Alhassan; Abdulahi Isah; and Zayanu Bello.

There were also Habeeb Suleman; Jubrin Sahabi; Shefiu Umar; Seidu Abubakar; Haruna Abubakar; Rabiu Seidu; Macha Kuru; Zahradeen Aminu; Nazipi Musa; Abdullahi Musa; Habibu Safiu; Husseni Sani; Musa Lawali; Suleiman Lawal; Yusuf Iliyasu; Sebiyu Aliyu; Halliru Sani; Shittu Aliyu; Sanusi Aminu; Isiaka Adamu; Mamman Ibrahim; Shuaibu Abdullahi; Sanusi Adamu; Sadi Musa; Haruna Isah; and Abiodun Elemero who received presidential clemency.

The Presidency disclosed that Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis signed an undertaking to be responsible for the rehabilitation and empowerment of all the convicted illegal miners who were granted clemency.

In addition, 65 inmates had their terms of imprisonment reduced for reasons such as remorse, good conduct, educational attainment, age or ill-health.

Those whose sentences were reduced are Yusuf Owolabi; Ifeanyi Eze; Malam Ibrahim Sulaiman; Shettima Maaji Arfo; Ajasper Benzeger; Ifenna Kennechukwu; Mgbeike Matthew; Patrick Mensah; Obi Edwin Chukwu; Tunde Balogun; Lima Pereira Erick Diego; Uchegbu Emeka Michael; Salawu Adebayo Samsudeen; Napolo Osariemen; Patricia Echoe Igninovia; Odeyemi Omolaram; Vera Daniel Ifork; and Gabriel Juliet Chidimma.

Others are Dias Santos Marcia Christiana; Alhaji Ibrahim Hameed; Alhaji Nasiru Ogara Adinoyi; Chief Emeka Agbodike; Isaac Justina; Aishat Kehinde; Helen Solomon; Okoye Tochukwu; Ugwueze Paul; Mutsapha Ahmed; Abubakar Mamman; Muhammed Bello Musa; Nnamdi Anene; Alhaji Abubakar Tanko; Chisom Francis Wisdom; Innocent Brown Idiong; Iniobong Imaeyen Ntukidem; Ada Audu; Bukar Adamu; Kelvin Oniarah Ezigbe; Frank Azuekor; and Chukwukelu Sunday Calisthus.

Also affected are Professor Magaji Garba; Markus Yusuf; Samson Ajayi; Iyabo Binyoyo; Oladele Felix; Rakiya Beida; Nriagu Augustine Ifeanyi; Chukwudi Destiny; Felix Rotimi Esemokhai; Major S. A. Akubo; John Ibiam; Omoka Aja; Chief Jonathan Alatoru; Umanah Ekaette Umanah; Utom Obong Thomson Udoaka; Jude Saka Ebaragha; Frank Insort Abaka; Shina Alolo; Joshua Iwiki; David Akinseye; Ahmed Toyin; Shobajo Saheed; Adamole Philip; Mathew Masi; and Bright Agbedeyi.

Seven inmates on death row had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment on account of good conduct and remorse. They are Emmanuel Baba; Emmanuel Gladstone; Moses Ayodele Olorunfemi; Abubakar Usman; Khalifa Umar; Benjamin Ekeze; and Mohammed Umar.

The Presidency explained that the exercise covers a wide range of offences and circumstances-from narcotics and economic crimes to unlawful mining and homicide-and is intended to balance justice with compassion while acknowledging genuine efforts at reform.

It added that, beyond correcting individual cases, the exercise also addresses historic grievances such as the colonial conviction of Sir Herbert Macaulay and the 1995 executions in Ogoniland, even as the victims in that episode were formally honoured without being listed among the pardon or clemency beneficiaries.

How Maryam Sanda was convicted, sentenced to death for killing husband

After a judicial expedition that lasted almost three years, Ms Maryam Sanda was convicted in January 2020 for allegedly stabbing her husband to death after an argument between them degenerated into fisticuffs in November, 2017.

The deceased husband, Bilyaminu Bello, was the son of a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Haliru Bello.

Although she claimed that her husband died from a wound he sustained on the chest from falling on a broken Shisha pot, a single or multi-stemmed device used to either smoke or vapourise flavoured tobacco, Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court found her guilty of killing Bilyaminu and sentenced her to death by hanging.

The judge had said although the prosecution did not prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt as there was no other witness of the incident aside the accused and no autopsy or murder weapon tendered, the surrounding circumstances were compelling.

He said he also relied on the ‘Doctrine of the Last Scene’ which stipulates that the last person at a crime scene bears full responsibility.

‘Ms Sanda stabbed her husband with a kitchen knife with clear intent to kill,’ said the judge in a two-count homicide charge brought by the Nigeria Police against her.

‘It serves to buttress the finding that the defendant was the last to be seen with the deceased and therefore has full responsibility of what caused his death,’ Halilu added.

Ms Sanda had burst into tears after the judgment, forcing her way out of the dock and screaming ‘Who will take care of my daughter?’

A 52-year-old businessman, Ejiofor Godwin Emeka, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, following which a total of 127 wraps of cocaine concealed in his stomach have been recovered after days under excretion observation.

Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

Babafemi said Ejiofor, who operates boutiques in Lagos and Onitsha, Anambra state, was taken into NDLEA custody upon his arrival from Bangkok, Thailand via Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 941 on Wednesday, 8th October 2025, following credible intelligence.

According to the statement, he was taken for a body scan, which confirmed he had ingested illicit drugs and had some concealed in his private parts.

Babafemi said, ‘A total of 58 wraps of cocaine were immediately recovered from his pants after which he was taken for excretion observation during which he egested 69 pellets of cocaine in seven excretions, bringing the total number of wraps of the class A drug recovered from him to 127, weighing 1.388 kilograms.’

Babafemi said three consignments of illicit drugs heading to the United Kingdom were on Thursday, 9th, and Friday, 10th October intercepted at a courier company in Lagos by NDLEA operatives.

‘One of the shipments, 1.74 kg of methamphetamine, was recovered from blocks of glass ceramics, while another shipment contains 114 grams and 168 grams of pentazocine and tramadol injections, respectively, just as the third consignment contains 48 grams of tramadol capsules concealed in a Vitamin C container, all going to the UK. Bids by another set of criminal syndicates to ship 2.6kg skunk and 422grams tapentadol 250mg concealed in tablets of black soap heading to Turkey; 169 grams of cocaine hidden in lady’s handbags going to Australia and 568 grams of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis concealed in containers of herbs going to United Arab Emirates were thwarted by NDLEA operatives at some courier companies in Lagos,’ Babafemi said.

He added that, meanwhile, a total of 27,510 pills of Rohypnol concealed in sachets of alcoholic drinks going to South Africa have been intercepted by NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

Babafemi said after the initial arrest of a freight agent and a cab driver linked to the shipment, a follow-up operation at Oyingbo market in Lagos led to the arrest of the mastermind, 46-year-old Samuel Omoruyi (alias Yellow), on 2nd October.

The Spokesman said the same day, an Italy-based businessman, Enehizena Augustine Uyimwen, was arrested by operatives while attempting to export 3,700 pills of tramadol 225mg and 2,600 tabs of tapentadol 200mg hidden in food items to the European country.

Uyinwen claimed he was trafficking the opioids for someone else for a fee of Nine Hundred and Forty-Five Euros (pound 945).

The statement reads, ‘In Edo state, a raid of the home of a suspect, Emmanuel Sunday, 33, at Ugbekpe Ekperi in Etsako Central LGA led to the recovery of 47kg skunk, a strain of cannabis. Two suspects: Nureni Ayobami Eleweodo, 48, and Oladejo Taiwo, 52, were on Wednesday, 8th October arrested at Omifufun village, Ife South LGA, Osun state, following the seizure of 635 kilograms of skunk from their Toyota Hiace bus marked DDA65ZY.

‘Two other suspects: Timothy Omiwole, 41, and Isaac Achiatan, 36, were nabbed at the same location with 100kg skunk recovered from them along with their motorcycle. While Okoro Julius, 20, and Onyebuchi Nwibo, 25, were arrested in different parts of Port Harcourt, Rivers state in connection with the seizure of 8.5kg skunk on Friday, 10th October, Sulaiman Kalalu, 46, was nabbed after 29.5kg of the same substance was found in his house at Bayan Asiti, Jibia town, Katsina state on Saturday, 11th October.

‘In Niger state, NDLEA officers on Wednesday, 8th October arrested Yisa Daniel, 29, at New Bussa, where 22,000 capsules of tramadol, 800 ampoules of pentazocine injection, and 150,000 pills of Exol-5 were seized from him. A total of 312kg skunk was recovered from a bush at Ologede camp, Ogbese, Ondo state, while operatives on patrol along the Benin-Lagos expressway on Thursday, 9th October, intercepted two suspects: Francis John, 39, and Adeyemi Taiwo, 46, in a car conveying 141.8kg of skunk. In Kaduna, a suspect, Rufai Ahmed, 27 (alias Farin Malam), was nabbed at Abuja/Kaduna toll gate while conveying 150,000 pills of exol-5 from Lagos to Katsina.

‘In like manner, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities, among others, in the past week.

‘These include: WADA sensitization lecture to students and staff of General Murtala Mohammed College, Yola, Adamawa; Assembly of God Secondary School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi; Community Girls Secondary School, Bakori, Katsina; Girls Secondary School, Nenwe, Awgu LGA, Enugu; Day Secondary School, Tungan Mallam, Paikoro LGA, Niger; Sacred Heart Secondary School, Kabba, Kogi; Ebenezer Model Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra; Government Secondary School, Borikiri, Rivers; Government Junior Secondary School, Wakili Bawa, Ungoggo LGA, Kano; and Baptist High School, Ede, Osun state, among others.

‘While commending the officers and men of MMIA, MAKIA, DOGI, Kano, Edo, Rivers, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Ondo, and Osun Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) urged them and their compatriots across the country to maintain their tenacity, professionalism and balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.’

The Coalition of All Civil Society Organisations in Ondo State (CACSOD) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have traded words following the mass defection of opposition lawmakers in the State House of Assembly to the ruling party.

The development followed the official defection of two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers – Oladiji Oguntudo, representing Akure South Constituency I, and Raymond Daodu, Deputy Minority Leader and member representing Akoko South West Constituency I – to the APC during plenary.

Before their defection, Oguntudo and Daodu were the only remaining PDP members in the Assembly, which is presided over by Speaker Olamide Oladiji and already dominated by the APC. Their move now gives the ruling party total control of all 26 seats, leaving the parliament without an opposition.

Reacting to the development, the Coalition of All Civil Society Organisations in Ondo State (CACSOD) described the situation as a major threat to democracy and accountability.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Alo Martins, the coalition warned that a legislature without opposition undermines checks and balances and weakens governance.

‘A democratic system without an effective opposition is a democracy in name only,’ the statement read.

However, the APC defended the defections, describing them as an endorsement of the ruling party’s performance and leadership. The party said the lawmakers’ decision to join its ranks reflects growing public confidence in its efforts to deliver good governance and improve the lives of Ondo residents.

‘Opposition lawmakers are essential for checks and balances, rigorous policy debates, and oversight of the executive arm. When the legislature becomes a one-party chamber, it risks degenerating into a rubber stamp, unable to question policies, demand transparency, or defend citizens’ interests.’

The group described the mass defection as a ‘betrayal of the electorate’s trust,’ noting that the lawmakers were elected based on specific party manifestos and platforms.

CACSOD said, ‘Voters who supported opposition candidates now find themselves represented by members of the ruling party without their consent. Such political opportunism undermines the integrity of elections and erodes citizens’ faith in the democratic process.’

The coalition called on the National Assembly and the ongoing Constitution Review Committee to strengthen the anti-defection law, particularly Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which allows defections on the grounds of internal party division.

It said the clause had been ‘grossly abused by politicians who manufacture or exaggerate internal crises to justify crossing over to the ruling side.’

CACSOD added, ‘We further call for a constitutional amendment that makes it mandatory for any elected official who wishes to defect from the party under which they were elected to first resign from office and seek a fresh mandate under their new platform.’

The group warned that the absence of opposition in the Assembly could erode accountability, stifle dissenting voices, and embolden impunity in governance.

It urged citizens to be vigilant and reject politicians who engage in ‘political carpet-crossing’ for personal gain.

‘Citizens must shine their eyes. We must no longer reward political carpet-crossers who prioritize personal gain over public service,’ the group said.

Reaffirming its commitment to defending democracy, the coalition stated, ‘Democracy loses its meaning when every voice in the legislature sings the same tune. For governance to serve the people, there must always be room for dissent, dialogue, and accountability.’

But in a swift reaction, the APC dismissed the criticism, describing the defections as a validation of the party’s progressive governance under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement signed by its Director, Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, the party explained that both leaders have demonstrated a clear commitment to the development of Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole.

The APC added that it rejected the notion that a political movement is a betrayal of democratic values, maintaining that in a competitive polity, elected representatives retain the right to choose the platform that best enables them to serve their constituents.

According to the party, to suggest otherwise is to stifle democracy and undermine the will of the people.

‘Also, we take umbrage with CACSOD’s assertion that the absence of opposition equates to the death of democracy. This is a myopic view that fails to recognize that democracy thrives on performance, accountability, and the consent of the governed. If political actors and parties fail to offer credible leadership, coherent programmes, or measurable results, they forfeit the confidence of their members and supporters.

‘We welcome our new members, the House Minority Leader, Hon. Olajide Oguntodu, Akure South 1, and Hon. Oluwatoyin Daodu, from Akoko South West 1, and pledged to treat them with dignity and equity. They will be mentored, supported, and given the platform to aspire to any position for which they are suitably qualified. Our doors are open to talent, integrity, and dedication,’ the statement read.

The party urged civil society and all well-meaning citizens to judge political developments by their substance and outcomes rather than alarmist rhetoric.

It, however, added that the people of the state deserve governance that works – practical, accountable, and results-oriented, stressing that APC remains committed to providing exactly that.

A former Osun State lawmaker, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has called on the Service Chiefs to adopt a more ruthless approach in dealing with individuals and groups involved in violent crimes across the country.

Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the call in a statement on Sunday, stressing that while security agencies have made commendable efforts to curb insecurity, more decisive action is needed to end persistent killings, especially in parts of the North.

The former member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council expressed deep concern over the rising cases of attacks by suspected bandits in Kwara, Borno, Zamfara, and Niger states. He urged security leaders to take bold and uncompromising steps against both perpetrators and their sponsors.

He lamented that many Nigerians continue to live in fear despite ongoing counterterrorism efforts, and urged the Service Chiefs not to relent until terrorism and banditry are completely eradicated.

‘There is no doubt that the Service Chiefs are doing their best to stop the killings by bandits,’ he said, ‘but they need to be more ruthless with them until they quench the insurgency in our land.’

Oyintiloye also cautioned against internal sabotage within security formations and advised the military and other agencies to fully deploy their available human and material resources to restore public confidence and ensure lasting peace across the country.

‘I will also urge them to look inward and fish out those who might be working against their relentless efforts to crush the activities of the terrorists in the country completely. This is very important to restore public confidence in the security agencies.

‘People are tired, and many of them are living in fear of the unknown due to the activities of those perpetrating violent crimes in the country,’ he said.

Oyintiloye also highlighted the need for the service chiefs to involve local security networks in intelligence gathering to tackle the menace.

Oyintiloye further said that the security agencies should also target the financial backbone of terrorist groups in the country to complement their efforts.

He, however, commended President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly for providing the needed support and budgetary allocation for the security agencies to reduce violent crimes in the country.

He predicted that with the cooperation of all stakeholders, acts of faith, patriotism, honesty, and a positive mindset on the part of Nigerians, the country would defeat the menace of insecurity in due course.

The Ghana national team secured their long-expected qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday, defeating Comoros 1-0 in their final Group I match at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Mohammed Kudus netted the decisive goal in the 47th minute, finishing off a precise cross from Thomas Partey to send the home crowd into celebration.

The Black Stars dominated proceedings for most of the game, and only a heavy home loss could have jeopardized their qualification hopes. The win confirms Ghana’s place at the 2026 finals in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, marking the nation’s sixth appearance at football’s most prestigious tournament.

In the other Group I match, Madagascar’s hopes of advancing to the regional playoff as one of the top four group runners-up was crushed by already eliminated Mali.

Les Aigles dominated the islanders in a 3-1 victory at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako, eliminating the possibility of more than one team qualifying from Group I. Lassine Sinayoko and Dorgeles Nene scored in the first half and Sinayoko added another in the second half before a late consolation from Madagascar in second half stoppage time.

Earlier on Sunday, Central African Republic defeated hosts Chad 3-2 in an entertaining match between already eliminated teams.

Ghana- 25 points

Madagascar- 19 points

Mali- 18 points

Comoros- 15 points

Central African Republic- 8 points

Chad- 1 point