Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has commended President Bola Tinubu, South-West governors and traditional rulers in Yorubaland for his freedom and return to Nigeria after nearly five years in exile. Igboho, who was declared wanted during the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari over allegations of stockpiling arms and ammunition, returned to the country on Monday. He had gone into exile following a raid on his residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on July 1, 2021, when a combined team of Department of State Services (DSS) operatives and military personnel attempted to arrest him. During the operation, two of his aides were killed, while 13 others were arrested. In a statement made available to journalists on Friday, Igboho expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for granting him pardon, describing the gesture as an act of mercy and statesmanship. “I deeply appreciate the mercy and magnanimity of our revered President Bola Tinubu, who graciously granted me freedom to return to Nigeria after intervention by stakeholders in the traditional institution,” he said. The statement continued: “While I would not take this opportunity and freedom for granted, I am ready to collaborate with the Federal Government in tackling the ravaging insecurity and support measures aimed at enhancing peace and socioeconomic growth in the country, mostly especially in the South West. “It is also very germane to appreciate all the South West State governors, namely Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti) and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), for their critical support and enviable roles. “While commending the South West governors, I want to single out Governor Seyi Makinde for his giant strides in the steady development of Oyo State. “The visible impacts of his administration in virtually all the sectors and enviable infrastructural growth of this state have greatly turned around the aesthetics of Oyo to the envy of all. “Similarly, I want to congratulate him on the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Oyo State, which showcased noble roles played by statesmen and past leaders, whose significant contributions laid stronger pedestal for the healthy developments being witnessed today. “But my gratitude over the current freedom which I savour would be ineffectual without recognising the timely intervention of all Yoruba monarchs. “Special recognition goes to the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, and other monarchs too numerous to mention.” “Besides, the love and support from all Yoruba indigenes are too massive and I will continue to cherish everyone while also recommitting myself to the peace, unity, growth and protection of the collective interest of our ethnic nationality,” the statement concluded.

The Bauchi State Economic Council has approved monthly stipends for imams and pastors across the state. Governor Bala Mohammed chaired the council meeting on Friday, with senior officials from the state’s finance and revenue sectors in attendance. Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Head of the Bauchi State Civil Service, Barrister Mohammed Sani Umar, said the council agreed that imams in Juma’at mosques and Christian clerics of different denominations should receive monthly allowances. He explained that the payments will cover religious leaders regardless of their sect or church affiliation. “The final step is to work out the economic and financial implications for the effective implementation of this policy,” Umar said. He also revealed that the council discussed plans to begin salary payments for newly appointed emirs and district heads in the state. According to him, the government has already made sufficient financial arrangements to support the payments. In a related development, the governor’s Chief Economic Adviser, Alhaji Yahuza Adamu Haruna, said the council reviewed how salaries are managed in the state. He explained that the government partnered with Onyx Investment Advisory Limited to clean up the payroll and remove ghost workers. The exercise, he said, uncovered more than 3,000 fictitious names on the payroll, helping the state save over N4.16 billion. “By August 2024, the state government took over salary payments from the consulting firm. Previously, the process was riddled with complaints, but since the exercise was concluded, there have been no further complaints,” Haruna said.

Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti has received a major global honour nearly three decades after his death. The BBC reported on Friday that the Recording Academy will posthumously confer a Lifetime Achievement Award on the Nigerian music icon at the Grammy Awards, making him the first African to receive the honour. The award recognises Fela’s lasting impact on global music and culture, according to the BBC Reacting to the recognition, his son and Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, said, “Fela has been in the hearts of the people for such a long time. Now the Grammys have acknowledged it, and it’s a double victory. It’s bringing balance to a Fela story.” A former manager and long-time associate of the late singer, Rikki Stein, said the honour was long overdue. “Africa hasn’t in the past rated very highly in their interests. I think that’s changing quite a bit of late,” Stein said. The BBC noted that the recognition comes amid rising global interest in African music, driven largely by the international success of Afrobeats, a genre rooted in Fela’s work. In 2024, the Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category, while Nigerian singer Burna Boy earned a nomination this year in the Best Global Music Album category. Fela’s Lifetime Achievement Award places him among global music legends. Past recipients include Bing Crosby, while this year’s honourees also feature Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan and Paul Simon. Members of Fela’s family, friends and associates are expected to attend the ceremony to receive the award on his behalf. “The global human tapestry needs this, not just because it’s my father,” Seun Kuti said. The BBC described Fela as more than a musician, portraying him as a cultural thinker, political agitator and the creator of Afrobeat. With drummer Tony Allen, he developed the genre by blending West African rhythms with jazz, funk and highlife, marked by extended improvisation and politically charged lyrics. During a career that lasted until his death in 1997, Fela released over 50 albums and became a fierce critic of authority, repeatedly clashing with the Nigerian military governments through his music and activism.

Nigerian singer, Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk, simply known as Iyanya, has spoken candidly about the effects of his profession on his love life. The Kukere hitmaker explained that he is still single at 39 because the ladies he dated in the past manipulated him and often threatened to tarnish his image whenever there is a misunderstanding. Speaking in a recent episode of the Afropolitan podcast, Iyanya said those experiences traumatised and left him with a commitment issue “I’m not thinking of a serious relationship or marriage because I’m not mentally ready yet. If you are patient and stick around until I get to a convenient space, then we can do it. “But for now, to be committed is one of the hardest things for me to do. Because I have been committed several times as a celebrity and each time, I got hurt. “You know, when you are famous, you always have girlfriends who can’t wait to go to the blogs when you have misunderstandings. “I’m human, too. It’s not possible for me to be in the music industry for 17 years and all I have been doing is playing games with women. “Of course, I have emotions, so I’ve met people and fell in love them genuinely. But they always threatened me with going to the blogs whenever we have issues. That kind of made me develop commitment issue because it has happened several times,” he explained. The single said he has now embraced celibacy due to his struggles with committing to a relationship. He, however, admitted that he still struggles with staying celibate consistently.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has denied reports claiming that he held a closed-door meeting with former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, at his Abuja residence. Fayemi, immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, dismissed the report in a statement issued by the Head of his Media Office, Ahmad Sajoh, on Thursday, describing the claim as false and urging the public to disregard it. The report, which circulated on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, was shared by several social media handles alongside an old video clip showing Fayemi greeting Kwankwaso at his residence. According to the statement, the former Ekiti governor had met Kwankwaso only once in the past year and not in any private political setting. “Dr Fayemi has only met Senator Kwankwaso once in the last year, and that occasion was at the public book launch of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN,” the statement said. It added that, “At no time has Dr Fayemi held, or is he holding, any closed-door political meeting with Senator Kwankwaso as suggested by the post.” The former governor acknowledged that he and Kwankwaso have been friends since their time as governors, but stressed that their relationship is personal and non-partisan. He noted that the friendship is “based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to the progress of Nigeria, rather than on any political alignment.” Fayemi also cautioned against attempts by political actors to attach partisan interpretations to private relationships, noting that many of his friends and associates are either not involved in partisan politics or belong to different political persuasions. The statement added that Fayemi’s associates “span the entire spectrum of Nigeria’s political terrain.” It, therefore, reaffirmed the former governor’s commitment to national unity, principled engagement, and responsible public discourse.

The King Kosoko Royal Family has announced veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Jide Kosoko, as the Oloja of Lagos-elect. The position became vacant following the death of Chief Adebola Ige on December 23, 2017. Kosoko, 72, was formally presented as Oloja-elect at the King Kosoko Palace in Ereko, Lagos Island, in the presence of a large gathering of royal family members and well-wishers. The declaration was made by the Olori Ebi General of the King Kosoko Royal Family, Mrs Mutiat Ali-Balogun. In line with long-established palace customs, Ali-Balogun raised Kosoko’s hand in affirmation before the assembly, accompanied by traditional rites and prayers. She was supported by the Deputy Olori Ebi General, Oyindamola Ayepola, who also heads the Meshimo Ruling House. The announcement comes amid an ongoing succession dispute within the wider King Kosoko Royal Dynasty. The Akinsanya Olojo Family, another branch of the royal house, has appealed to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to approve the installation of Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as Oloja of Lagos. In December 2025, the Akinsanya Olojo Family insisted Abiola Olojo-Kosoko was selected as Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, but has yet to be installed more than four years later. The appeal was conveyed in a formal letter to the governor and copied to key state officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government, and the Council of Heads of the Kosoko Royal Family. The General Secretary of the Akinsanya Olojo-Kosoko Ruling House, Theophilus Olojo-Kosoko, reaffirmed the family’s position, noting that a follow-up letter dated November 28, 2025, was submitted to press for urgent government intervention. He explained that after the death of Chief Ige, a 16-member committee was constituted to review the succession process. Following its work, the King Kosoko Royal Family reportedly directed the Akinsanya Olojo Ruling House to present a nominee in line with customary and chieftaincy laws. According to Olojo-Kosoko, screening and traditional interviews held at the Kosoko Palace on October 7, 2020, featured four aspirants: Abiola Olojo-Kosoko, the late Shola Olojo-Kosoko, Issa Aregbesola and Abiola Aromashodu of the Odunsi Ruling House. He said the kingmakers subsequently adjudged Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as the most qualified and declared him Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, in accordance with the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law and the 1983 Registered Declaration. Meanwhile, Jide Kosoko is expected to undergo traditional installation and capping by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, in line with established palace protocols and state traditions. Kosoko, a graduate of Business Administration from Yaba College of Technology, began his acting career in 1964 as a child actor in the television production Makanjuola. He has since featured in numerous Nollywood films in both English and Yoruba languages, earning recognition as one of Nigeria’s most respected screen veterans.

Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South in the National Assembly, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s inner circle, alleging that the President is being poorly served by advisers who lack political understanding and grassroots connection. Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on ARISE Television’s Prime Time, Ndume said growing dissatisfaction in the North could have electoral consequences if urgent steps are not taken to address prevailing concerns. “Anybody that tells you that the North is not grumbling now is not telling the truth,” Ndume said. “It will be loud in their votes if nothing is done about it. The good thing about it is that the President can turn things around.” The lawmaker said northern leaders had made efforts to engage the President constructively, noting that he personally participated in meetings between Tinubu and northern elders. “In the North, northern elders have been reaching out. I was part of the first and the last meeting with Mr President when northern elders went to him,” he said. “He was prepared, he brought all the critical appointees from the North and we had a wonderful session.” According to Ndume, despite assurances from the President, the engagement process stalled shortly afterwards. “He promised that it would continue, but it never happened,” he said. While absolving Tinubu of direct blame, Ndume argued that the President’s problems stem largely from the calibre of people around him. “You know what I’m suspecting? The President is not the problem; it is the people around the President that are the problem,” he said. He contrasted Tinubu’s current leadership environment with his time as governor of Lagos State, which he said was marked by the presence of strong and capable advisers. “The President had good people around him when he was governor of Lagos; that was why he succeeded,” Ndume said. “Most of the good people are not there now. They have been sidelined.” Ndume further criticised some presidential aides for what he described as elitist isolation and lack of national outlook. “He just picked people that don’t know anybody,” he said. “They only know Ikoyi, Victoria Island and from there they fly to London or America where their families are living. They are not even full Nigerians.” He added, “Instead of bringing in his team that would look at him in the face and tell him the truth, he decided to surround himself with people that don’t know politics.” He warned that unless the concerns being raised, particularly in the North, are addressed, the dissatisfaction could deepen and manifest strongly at the polls.

The governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has said there is no going back on the order to shut down the Main Market in Onitsha, a decision that has generated tension in the state since it was made on Monday, following traders’ refusal to resume business on a sit-at home day. Soludo in a press briefing on Wednesday described the continual stay at home by traders in the market as economic sabotage and would not be allowed to continue. He insisted that even if it meant revoking the ownership of shops of those who failed to comply or even taking total possession of the market and demolishing it, he would do it to ensure that things are gotten aright. He said: “I want to say that the Monday sit at home is deliberate economic sabotage and would not be allowed to continue. Throughout the yuletide the market was open from Monday down to Saturday and in most cases opened on Sundays too. “For people who say the Monday decision is because of insecurity, why were there no incidences when traders opened all through the week? Now that normal businesses have commenced, they have started their Monday sabotage. They go for meetings on Monday, go to the stadium to exercise and they do not fear insecurity. “Why is their target Nnewi and Onitsha? The majority of those doing it are not from Anambra. As I drove to Onitsha on Monday, all markets were open. In most cases there was street trading and it was even difficult for us to meander our way. Other markets were open and I drove through Ochanja, but the major target is Onitsha Main Market. When we got there, it was not open. We think this is deliberate and it has to end.” The governor traced the history of the sit at home order on Mondays to the 2021 protest over the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), but said that he visited Kanu in prison and he was unhappy about the decision and called for an end to the order. “I visited Kanu and he was unhappy about it. I confronted him with the question (sit at home order) and he told me it was wrong. We later met with the stakeholders, constituted the Justice Peace Committee which was headed by Prof. Chidi Odinkalu and they have submitted their report and we have been implementing it. “We also discovered that the people outside are the ones fueling it and we have held town hall meetings to tell them they are killing the homeland. You cannot distort the growth of people and education, the same people you said you are fighting for. “We announced amnesty programme and 15,400 youths came out and we have rehabilitated them. We are working to give young people a life and other people are there working to give them pain. “The rest of the world cannot adjust to our own calendar, we cannot operate a four-day economy and hope to compete with people operating six days of the week. So we must stop. This is not because of fear of insecurity because we have over 150 security personnel working in the main market only.” Speaking on what the government is losing in terms of revenue, Soludo said the cost is much, but not about government revenue, but about the economy of the poor people and the overall stability of the state. “The cost is much and not as a result of loss in taxes because Onitsha generates pittance. I’m talking about the larger economy, which is more on the traders themselves. Monday is the most important day of the week and if we continue, our economy will continue to come down. We can’t train our children in a school system that runs four days a week. “I’m concerned because you gave me the mandate to be your Chief Servant. If not, what do I lose? I can as well shutdown and use my Mondays to sleep too.” Soludo insisted that some politicians were behind the the efforts to sabotage the state in the hope that they will score some political points with it. “Some politicians are involved and they think it’s politics. It is not about politics, it is about security, the interest and future of our state. It is about our prosperity, it is about our security, it is about the poor people who must go out before they can feed. “For now, we will not name the politicians who are sponsoring them. At least for now, but very soon we will name them. They are doing this because they think they can score political points by sponsoring this. “This economic sabotage must not continue. In 2022 and 2023 we were busy strategizing on how we would deal with the insecurity in our land. In 2024 and 2025, we used it to launch onslaught on criminals, and today I can say that Anambra is the safest state. Even if our enemies do not agree, they will count us among the safest states in Nigeria. This 2026 is for fighting sit at home. It is either they open their shops or we revoke their ownership. “If it gets to this point, we will ask them to come and show us their documents of ownership of the shops, and I will personally scrutinize it myself. Most of those documents, we know how they came about. “For those shouting “show me the law where you can close our shops”, I want to say that they should be ready when I show it to them. I will also show them the law that empowers me to revoke that market and use it for whatever is better for the state. I can revoke that market, pay compensation to people who have private structures there and use it for even an annex of Agunechemba Security if I like. “I hope that push will not come to shove, but in the next two weeks, we will start recertification. A lot of people want shops in that market, so if you are not ready to open shops, go elsewhere. We will revoke your shops and give it to people who are willing to open,” a defiant Soludo stated.

The Senate on Wednesday, shifted the consideration of the report on Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill to Thursday, January 29 but one of the major recommendations is electronic transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Result Viewing Portal, IREV after counting of votes. Recommendation was also made for more stringent measures against buying and selling voters’ cards by any agent of political parties by increasing the penalty from N500, 000 to N5, 000,000 million. The report of its Committee on Electoral Matters, chaired by Senator Simon Lalong (APC Plateau South), earlier scheduled to be presented and debated clause by clause on Wednesday, was stepped down. The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central), who suggested the postponement, however, said copies of the report should be circulated to all the Senators for scrutiny ahead of clause by clause consideration on Thursday. Approving the suggestion, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio also informed the Senators that a brief closed door session would be held on the report before general consideration at the Committee of the Whole. A copy of the report obtained by our correspondent, shows that on page 45, a new subsection (3) was introduced into the 2022 Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 to check manipulation of results and ballot box snatching. The section pointedly states that “INEC shall electronically transmit election results from each polling unit to IREV portal in real time and such transmission shall be done simultaneously with physical collation of results.” In the report, a new subsection 2 was also introduced to section 77 to make the offense of failure of Presiding Officers to sign and stamp ballot papers and results announced by them, punishable. Section 47(2) and (3) were also amended by substituting the words “smart card reader” with the words “Bimodal Voter Accreditation System” The Committee on Electoral Matters in the report, also amended section 54(1) to check abuse of electoral process by those who take advantage of visually impaired and incapacitated voters by barring any political party agent , candidate or official from accompanying such voters into voting compartment. In his remarks, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio appealed to all Senators to study copies of the report given to them ahead of final consideration on Thursday during plenary. “Distinguished colleagues, as suggested by the Leader, please let’s look into the report very well ahead of final consideration tomorrow first from closed door session and at Committee of the Whole,” he said.

The Lead Pastor of Champions Faith Assembly, Prophet Joshua Iginla, has shared his views on the controversy surrounding a recent statement attributed to Korede Komaiya, in which he said he would never follow a poor pastor. His comment has sparked widespread debate across religious and social circles. Iginla, while addressing the controversy in a video message titled “The Poor Versus the Rich,” said Komaiya’s remark was widely misunderstood and taken out of context, stressing that it reflected a personal conviction shaped by exposure, experience, and individual values rather than an attack on poor people or pastors. “What is wrong with the statement? It is his personal opinion,” Iginla said. “If you want to follow a poor pastor, follow one. If you want to follow a rich pastor, follow one.” He argued that perspectives on leadership often evolve with time and exposure, noting that what may have been unacceptable years ago could become understandable in light of changing realities. The pastor questioned why poverty is frequently spiritualized in the church while prosperity is treated with suspicion. “If I say today the topic of our message is poverty, will you sit down?” he asked. “Do we teach people how to be poor?” He clarified that material wealth should not be confused with spirituality, stressing that a person’s spiritual depth is not determined by financial status. According to him, prosperity operates on principles that anyone who applies them, regardless of religious affiliation, can benefit from. “You can be poor and make heaven like Lazarus. You can be rich and make heaven like Abraham, David, or Solomon,” he said. Iginla also warned against what he described as the intimidation of people who openly embrace prosperity, insisting that both poverty and wealth are choices influenced by decisions, systems, and knowledge.