Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Following an interim injunction filed against the 2025/2026 admission process of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the Global President of the Great Ife Alumni Association, Mr Leye Bunmi Falode, has called on all stakeholders to remain calm as the matter is being handled.

The injunction was filed at the Federal High Court, Enugu Division, on September 30, 2025, by a group of candidates.

In a statement released by the Global Publicity Secretary of the association, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Falode disclosed that he is in communication with the Vice Chancellor of OAU and has received assurances that the university is actively addressing the legal issue.

‘I have spoken with the Vice Chancellor, and I have been assured that there is no cause for alarm. Necessary actions are being taken to resolve the situation,’ Falode said.

He explained that the statement was prompted by widespread concerns from parents and applicants across the country who are anxious about the implications of the court case.

The legal action was initiated by five applicants, Chibuzor Success, Oyeleye Zainab Ayomide, Adedeji John Samuel, Monsura Aliat Aduragbemi and Bassey Daniel Nsikak.

The suit, filed as FHC/EN/CN/274/2025, names OAU, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as respondents.

The plaintiffs, acting on behalf of other candidates, are seeking a court order restraining the respondents from approving, uploading or finalising any admission list for the 2025/2026 academic session pending the hearing and determination of their motion on notice.

Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has debunked viral reports claiming he was arrested in London over an alleged altercation with his wife, Natasha Osawaru.

The speculation was fueled by a controversial blogger who alleged that the singer missed his UK tour performance on Thursday because he had been detained on domestic violence charges.

Reacting in a video message, 2Baba clarified that his absence was due to a medical emergency, not an arrest.

He expressed gratitude to fans who showed up for the concert and assured them that plans were underway to make it up to them.

‘First of all, I want to say everyone that came out, I appreciate you. We had a medical emergency, it was tough. To the organizers and everyone that came out, we go regroup and make something beautiful happen. And please, if una no sabi something, make una no talk abeg. This allegedly, I don tire,’ he stated.

The singer, who traditionally married Natasha, an Edo State lawmaker, in July 2025 after ending his marriage with actress Annie Macaulay, has urged fans to disregard the false reports.

The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has extended its Order of Interim Injunction against the United Bank for Africa (UBA), maintaining a no-debit restriction on 30 bank accounts into which withheld Osun State local government allocations were paid by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Justice Ladiran Akintola, in a ruling on Friday, extended the Order after hearing submissions from counsels present in court.

He explained that the extension was necessary to allow all parties in the suit No. 1/1149/2025: the Attorney-General of Osun State, the Osun State Local Government Service Commission, and United Bank for Africa Plc to enjoy fair hearing.

Counsel to UBA Plc was absent, but counsel to the court-sacked APC council chairmen, led by Kazeem Gbadamosi, SAN, holding the brief of Kunle Adegoke, SAN, who had just filed an application for joinder, was present.

However, counsel to the plaintiffs, Musibau Adetunmbi, SAN, argued that he needed time to study the two applications filed by the ex-chairmen’s counsel.

He explained that the application for joinder and another one challenging the court’s territorial jurisdiction were filed on Thursday and Friday respectively.

Adetunmbi, while citing points of law, insisted that the ex-APC council chairmen lacked the locus standi to challenge the court’s jurisdiction.

According to him, the ex-LG chairmen remained strangers to the case since their application for joinder had not yet been decided upon by the court.

On the need for extension of the interim order, Adetunmbi said: ‘I received the two applications yesterday (Thursday) and today (Friday). I will need time to study them as well as reply on points of law.’

But counsel to the former APC local government chairmen and councillors faulted the description of his clients as strangers, arguing that they were directly affected by the court’s Interim Injunction of 26 September 2025.

He contended that, under the law, his clients had the right to be joined in the suit.

Gbadamosi, in the application filed on 2 October 2025, also challenged the territorial jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.

Citing relevant authorities, he argued: ‘The court has no power in respect of a case in which its jurisdiction is being challenged to extend the order of life span that had expired.’

At the court sitting in Ibadan on Friday, further arguments were presented in the form of a further affidavit deposed to by a senior personnel member of one of the 30 local government councils.

In her deposition, Mrs. Aluko Rachael Abidemi, Head of Local Government Administration in Boluwaduro Local Government, revealed that certain individuals were making attempts to siphon council funds in defiance of a subsisting court order.

She cited an undated letter addressed to UBA by two individuals-Mr. Adebayo Oyekanmi and Mr. Lasisi Gbadebo Oyebode-who claimed to be Chairman and Treasurer of Boluwaduro Local Government. In the letter, they instructed the bank to deduct 15% of the statutory allocation and pay it into the account of a private law firm with UBA.

Mrs. Abidemi, however, informed the court that the said individuals had no legal authority to make such instructions. She stressed that Mr. Oyebode was neither a staff of Boluwaduro Local Government nor its Treasurer, as the position of ‘Treasurer’ does not exist in Osun’s local government structure.

According to her, by the 2025 Guidelines for Local Government Administration in the state, only the Director of Finance and the Director of Administration and General Services are recognised as signatories to local government accounts. She also identified the current officers holding those positions and tendered exhibits to confirm their status.

The claimants maintained that the matter of who the legitimate chairmen of the councils are remains sub judice before the Supreme Court in Suit No. SC/CV/773/2025, and warned that disbursing the funds under the present circumstances would undermine justice.

Speaking with reporters after the sitting, counsel to the Attorney-General of Osun State, Adetunmbi (SAN), disclosed that a related case on the funds is already before the Supreme Court and has been fixed for hearing on 7 October.

On Friday’s ruling, he explained: ‘The crux of the matter is to safeguard the money in issue pending the Supreme Court’s determination on Tuesday, 7 October 2025.

‘Our contention is that even those who paid the money knew the matter was already before the court. They should have respected the Supreme Court by holding on to the money.

‘Let the Supreme Court speak, everybody will be happy, but for you to pay just like that is not acceptable.

‘As I earlier informed the court, there is a letter directing that 15% of the withheld funds from March to September – running into billions of naira – should be paid as legal fees to one individual.

‘In what manner? By what procedure? Without this preservation order, the rest of the money would have been gone by now.’

Commenting on the newly filed applications, he added: ‘They just served us with two applications. One was filed today, the other yesterday. I need time to react. The court has extended the Interim Injunction for the preservation of the disputed funds.’

On the joinder application, the Attorney-General maintained: ‘We are going to oppose the joinder because nothing concerns them with this case.’

Kwara State Government has said that plans have been concluded to mobilise military personnel and other security logistics in identified locations where cases of security challenges have recently been recorded in its planned Measles-Rubella immunisation campaign.

It be recalled that activities of suspected bandits and kidnappers were being recorded in some parts of the state, like Kwara South and Kwara North, in recent times, while the state government had engaged local and federal government assistance to tackle the situation.

Speaking at a one-day sensitisation programme for media practitioners in Kwara on the integrated Polio-Measles Rubella immunisation campaign, the executive secretary of the state Primary Health Care Development Agency (KPHCDA), Professor Nusirat Elelu, said that the campaign, planned to hold between October 11 and 20, 2025, would take place across 16 local government areas of the state.

Represented by the director, Primary Health Care System, Dr. Michael Oguntoye, said that the immunisation campaign is in line with global targets of Measles-Rubella elimination by 2030.

‘We are committed to mobilising military personnel, health officers, and necessary logistics to areas witnessing insecurity. Because we need to protect the health of the people, too. We won’t want to make it a double tragedy for them in not getting immunised and being faced with a security challenge.

‘We’ve opened discussion with the National Emergency Operation Centre of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the military on the best strategy to use to ensure that the areas experiencing security challenge have access to the vaccine. So, no community will be abandoned,’ he said.

In their goodwill messages, the representatives of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organisation (WHO), among other development partners, allayed the fears of the people on the Measles-Rubella vaccine, saying that the immunisation exercise is not a plan to reduce the nation’s population.

The development partners said that the Measles-Rubella injection does not cause infertility, adding that children not immunised are prone to paralysis and deafness, among other diseases.

In his address, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative, Ibrahim Mohammed, said that Nigeria accounts for about 50 per cent of Measles and Rubella cases in Africa, adding that the introduction of the vaccine will protect communities, especially children, against Measles-Rubella diseases and reduce outbreaks by providing immunity.

The UNICEF official, who said that the current campaign targets children between nine months and 14 years, added that immunisation targets the children because they are the most vulnerable.

‘We have made remarkable progress in the fight against preventable diseases. We all stood tall as Nigeria was declared free of wild poliovirus, united by a single mission: to protect our children and communities from preventable diseases through vaccination.

‘For decades, measles has been one of the leading killers of children under five years. Rubella, though less well known, causes lifelong harm when it infects pregnant women and children. With the introduction of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, we now have an additional, powerful tool to stop both of these diseases and protect generations yet unborn.

‘The Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine is safe, paid for by the government, and available for all eligible children (9 months-14 years) at no additional charge.

‘It is concerning that Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of zero dose children in the world. This means that measles outbreaks still claim young lives. Rubella continues to threaten unborn children, and there is continuing spread of the variant poliovirus in the country. Remember, vaccine is only effective when it reaches every child,’ he said.

The UNICEF official called in the media to assist in the campaign, saying that the media has a critical role to play.

‘Your voice can break down myths and misinformation. Your platforms can build trust in science and public health. The stories we choose to share can make vaccination not just a medical necessity but an honorable parental duty and a community value proudly upheld’.

The remains of the former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, on Friday interred in Benin, the Edo State capital amid tears from family members, friends and former colleagues.

Solomon Arase was buried at a private ceremony witnessed by few family members and closed associates.

The former IGP was interred after a funeral mass was held at the St. Paul Catholic Church, Airport in Benin.

In his homily, Reverend Father Andrew Obiyan, urged the congregation to work towards making heaven after leaving the physical world.

Obiyan said people would want to go everywhere on earth but refused to go to the House of God.

He expressed disappointed at attitude of some humans towards donating for the work of God.

According to him, ‘Our own life is in heaven. We must never be distracted. We now see old age creeping into our lives daily powerfully.

‘It crept in to remind us of immortality. We study so hard to receive so many titles. At death, those titles mean nothing to God. The only title that means so much is a grace of battle.

‘We have the assurance that Arase will reap the fruit of baptism in the presence of the eternal King.

‘Sometimes we go everywhere but we dont want to go to the House of God except when we want to please people. We do not want not to come to the House of God.

‘Late Arase feared and loved God. Policing is a profession with risk. We see soaring crime rate yet many police officers are exemplary hard.

‘We give glory to God for Arase’s getting to the peak of his career. The lord do not take from you what he cannot give.’

Governor of Bayelsa State, Duoye Diri, said late Arase was of great service to the Nation.

‘Moments like this are for us to know that one day we will lie down like this. We should be humble to serve our state and country to the best of our ability.

‘All about him are great and good testament. From his professionalism and service to the country, his relationship with the rest of society marked his humility and spreading love everywhere he goes.’

Dignitaries at the event were Governor Monday Okpebholo represented by his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa, Oba Ewuare II represented by Chief Oseni Elamah and Chief Uso Osaretin, the Usoh of Benin Kingdom.

Others were former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, FRSC Zone 5 Commander, Stella Orakwe, Secretary to the Police Service Commission, Onyeabuchi Nnamani, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Senator Neda Imasuen, amongst others.

Social media has become an inseparable part of our daily life, especially for Generation Z – young people born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s. While platforms like TikTok, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Snapchat provide entertainment, connection, and opportunities, they also come with significant downsides.

In this article, Tribune Online examines seven negative effects of social media on Gen Z:

1. Mental Health Struggles

Constant exposure to curated ‘perfect lives’ on social media has been linked to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem among Gen Z. Many young people struggle with comparing themselves to unrealistic standards.

2. Addiction and Reduced Productivity

less scrolling, binge-watching short videos, and constant notifications can lead to digital addiction. This often disrupts study schedules, reduces productivity, and affects real-life responsibilities.

3. Cyberbullying and Online Harassment

Gen Z is highly vulnerable to online trolling, body shaming, and cyberbullying. Hurtful comments or viral hate posts can have long-lasting emotional and psychological effects.

4. Sleep Deprivation

Late-night scrolling has become common among Gen Z. Studies show that excessive screen time before bed disrupts sleep patterns, leading to fatigue, poor concentration, and reduced academic or work performance.

5. Shortened Attention Span

The rise of short-form content like TikTok videos and Instagram reels has contributed to shrinking attention spans. Many Gen Zers now struggle with focusing on tasks or consuming long-form content like books and articles.

6. Unrealistic Expectations and Pressure

From viral ‘glow-up’ challenges to luxury lifestyle posts, social media often sets unrealistic expectations. This can pressure young people into overspending, unhealthy dieting, or chasing clout for validation.

7. Privacy and Safety Risks

Oversharing personal details makes Gen Z vulnerable to scams, identity theft, and exploitation. Many underestimate how much private information can be misused by strangers or even corporations.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Friday declared that Nigeria’s marine and blue economy sector is being strategically repositioned to serve as the country’s major revenue earner, replacing crude oil as the dominant source of national income.

Speaking at the Institute of Maritime Studies, University of Lagos (UNILAG), during the official visit of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Secretary-General, Arsenio Domínguez, Oyetola highlighted the vast opportunities inherent in the maritime sector. He said the Federal Government is committed to unlocking these opportunities through investments in infrastructure, manpower development, and international partnerships.

‘Nigeria’s future lies beyond oil. The marine and blue economy is a goldmine that can drive sustainable economic growth, create millions of jobs, and position our nation as a global maritime hub. We are determined to harness its full potential to become the primary driver of our economy,’ the minister said.

Oyetola, an alumnus of UNILAG, urged Nigerian youths to take advantage of the numerous career and investment prospects within the sector. According to him, the government’s vision for the blue economy requires a new generation of skilled professionals who will drive innovation and competitiveness.

‘There are abundant opportunities for our young people in shipping, logistics, fisheries, shipbuilding, marine research, and offshore energy. I encourage you to be bold, innovative, and diligent. The future of this sector, and indeed the future of Nigeria’s economy, rests on your shoulders,’ he added.

He commended UNILAG and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for their collaboration in maritime manpower development, particularly the establishment of a modern facility for the Institute of Maritime Studies.

The minister reaffirmed that the Federal Government’s marine and blue economy agenda is anchored on sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity, stressing that youth engagement and capacity building are central to achieving the long-term vision.

Concerned tanker drivers from different parts of the country have raised the alarm over public statements attributed to a faceless group operating under the platform of the PTD Elders Forum.

They accused the group, which they noted is not recognised by the PTD bylaws or the NUPENG Constitution of spreading falsehood to the public.

Recall that Comrades Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, President and General Secretary of NUPENG respectively, had in a statement on Sunday alerted the public and security agencies that the so-called PTD Elders Forum are infiltrators with a sinister motive to cause disaffection within the ranks of the genuine leadership of the Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG.

The NUPENG leaders also disclosed that Comrade Augustine Egbon is the duly elected National Chairman of the PTD-NUPENG, chosen by members at its Branch Delegates Conference held in Lagos on July 3, 2024.

Addressing journalists at a press briefing on Friday, tanker drivers from Kaduna, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Warri Zones disowned the PTD Elders, insisting that they are impostors masquerading as tanker drivers.

One of the drivers from the Kaduna Zone, Comrade Bashir Izalan, said he was surprised that a faceless group was laying claim to PTD-NUPENG membership.

He said:

‘We don’t have anything like PTD Elders in the hierarchy of PTD-NUPENG. We don’t know them.

The only recognised national chairman we know is led by Comrade Egbon.

His leadership is transparent, he gives us a sense of belonging because we can go anywhere in the country and feel at home. If we fall sick, we have insurance and hospitals where we would be treated.

If we have any problem either with our company or vehicles, the union is always ready and willing to solve the problem because drivers can approach any unit close to them at any point in time, explain themselves, and the union will stand up and rescue them. Even if you load in Lagos and go to Kano or Kaura Namoda, there is somebody to take care of your problems there.

So, the union is always handy and ready to come to our aid and solve our problems even before owners of the trucks know about them.’

Speaking on behalf of tanker drivers in the Lagos Zone, Comrade Itanola Abiodun told reporters that the impostors do not belong to the union and appealed to security agencies to fish them out for prosecution.

According to him:

‘Everybody who belongs to a union has a unit and zone where that unit is located. Then, they have a PTD branch. Those units where they claimed they come from do not exist. We in those zones do not know them.

Their names are not known to us at all. They should mention the units they belong to for discerning minds to vouch for their authenticity.

They cannot even say the units or zones they belong to. They are not speaking for us. They are impostors, hired to wreak havoc in our union.

We all have a sense of belonging in PTD. We want to be part of PTD-NUPENG because the leadership of our umbrella body, NUPENG, gives us a sense of belonging and is always there for us when we have challenges with our employers.’

Also contributing, Comrade Chukwudi Okafor from the Port Harcourt Zone dismissed the claim that the leadership of PTD-NUPENG feeds fat on check-off dues and loading fees paid by tanker drivers.

Dismissing the allegation as unfounded and unfair, he told journalists that the money generated from check-off dues and payments for loading at depots is used to address the welfare of tanker drivers, particularly for health insurance and other pressing needs. He noted that such payments are made by truck owners (NARTO), not the drivers.

He said:

‘Why are they complaining about money? Are they the ones paying? They know the benefits of our paying the money and we are very comfortable with them.

It is from that money that they take care of everything we need outside our comfort zones, including hospital bills and other unforeseen issues.

We have implicit confidence and trust in what they are doing with our money, and as beneficiaries, we have no reason whatsoever to suspect or accuse them of wrongdoing. Even if we have a problem or run short of allowances, we approach PTD and they come to our rescue without delay.

We, drivers from different zones in the country, know the benefits of NUPENG and we are enjoying them.

We are appealing to the government to continue giving PTD-NUPENG all the necessary support to thrive because they are helping us to have that sense of belonging, and we are proud of them.’

Comrade Dennis Akore from the Warri Zone, however, gave a different perspective on the recent developments in the union.

He accused certain former members of the PTD Branch who lost out in the last delegate conference election held in Lagos of plotting to take over the leadership through the back door.

He said:

‘The impostors lost out in the election conducted in 2024. When they were in the union, they abandoned us to our fate. Majority of us tanker drivers benefitted nothing.

All they were after was what they would reap from the union, disregarding the best interests of truck drivers who do the main job. That was why we voted them out. They are now lamenting and sponsoring impostors to discredit PTD-NUPENG.

At a time, they connived and went to ambush our national officers in Abuja. They nearly lynched our leaders, and they are still facing criminal charges over that act till today. Security agencies should urgently round them up so that all their atrocities will be exposed.’

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed two Chinese supermarkets and eight cosmetics shops in Abuja for selling unregistered and harmful products.

In a statement posted on X on Friday, the agency said the enforcement in Jabi District and Wuse Market followed consumer complaints and surveillance operations.

Officials discovered food items labelled only in Chinese and cosmetics without proper registration, in violation of NAFDAC’s regulations on sale, distribution and labelling.

The supermarkets, located on Mike Akhigbe Way and Ebitu Ukiwe Street, were closed for breaching the agency’s labelling policy, which requires English translations for all products sold in the Nigerian market.

NAFDAC noted that the action was part of efforts to protect public health and curb the circulation of products that endanger consumers.

The statement reads, ‘NAFDAC Seals Chinese Supermarkets and Cosmetics Shops in Abuja for Selling Unregistered and Harmful Products

‘NAFDAC has sealed two Chinese supermarkets in Jabi District and eight cosmetics shops in Wuse Market, Abuja, for violating regulations on the sale, distribution, and labelling of regulated products.

‘The supermarkets, located on Mike Akhigbe Way and Ebitu Ukiwe Street, were shut down following consumer complaints and surveillance, which confirmed the sale of unregistered food items labelled only in Chinese, in breach of NAFDAC’s labelling policy, which requires English translations for the Nigerian market.’

Former Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adigun Hammed-Abiodun, has urged the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to provide all members of the party with a level playing field in the forthcoming congresses to improve governance in Oyo.

He maintained that internal democracy and unity remain the keys to the party’s success in future elections and effective governance in Oyo.

Speaking during a media interaction in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Hon. Adigun expressed confidence that the APC has the structure, grassroots support, and credibility to reclaim power in Oyo come 2027, but only if the party leadership prioritises fairness, inclusiveness, and reconciliation among aggrieved members.

Adigun noted: ‘We have what it takes to win Oyo in 2027, but that can only happen if we put our house in order for better governance in Oyo.

‘If the national and state leaderships ensure transparency in the congresses and allow the people to freely choose their leaders without imposition, then victory is certain.’

He added that many loyal APC members in Oyo State had been sidelined in recent years, leading to disenchantment and defections, but stressed that the time had come for genuine reconciliation and re-strategising ahead of the next general elections.

Hon. Adigun also called on party elders, stakeholders, and aspirants to put personal ambition aside and work collectively in the interest of the party and the people of Oyo State to ensure good governance in Oyo.

‘We must learn from our past mistakes. The people of Oyo are watching, and they want a focused, united alternative to the current administration. APC can be that alternative if we play our cards right,’ he concluded.