An Oyo state High Court sitting in Ibadan has restrained the wife of the former governor, Kemi Alao Akala, from selling, disposing of or entering into any form of transaction on the contested properties of the deceased, Chief Adebayo Alao Akala, pending the determination of the substantive suit. The claimant, Oluwatoyin Alao Aderinto, had in a suit No 1/443/2024 sought judicial intervention over the administration of the estate of the deceased. Joined as defendants/respondents in the suit are Oluwakemi Alao-Akala and Olamide Alabi, listed in the court processes as executors and administrators of the estate of the late former governor. Ruling on the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction, the court granted the relief sought by the claimant, thereby restraining the defendants, their agents, servants, assigns, privies or any person acting through them from selling or continuing to sell, disposing of, or entering into joint venture agreements in respect of properties belonging to the late Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala pending the determination of the substantive suit before the court. The application was brought pursuant to Order 48 Rules 4 and 6 and Order 49 of the High Court of Oyo State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2022, as well as under the inherent jurisdiction of the court. In granting the application, the court also ordered an accelerated hearing of the case in order to ensure speedy dispensation of the matter. The claimant had told the court that she has a legal and equitable interest in the estate and properties of the late politician, being his first daughter. She further alleged that some assets belonging to the estate had been sold without her consent, agreement or knowledge, while steps were allegedly being taken to dispose of other properties or enter into joint venture arrangements involving assets of the deceased. According to the application, the claimant argued that there was an urgent need for the court to halt further transactions relating to the properties in order to protect her rights, interests and entitlements in the estate. The claimant also contended that failure to grant the injunction could result in continued sale or disposal of the assets, which she said might cause irreversible damage to her interest in the estate of the late former governor. With the interlocutory injunction now in force and accelerated hearing ordered by the court, further proceedings in the case are expected to focus on the substantive issues surrounding the administration and ownership of properties forming part of the late politician’s estate. Meanwhile, during proceedings in the matter, an additional application seeking that DNA tests be conducted among the siblings connected to the dispute was also moved before the court. Following arguments on the application, the court adjourned the matter to April 16, 2026, for ruling on the request for DNA testing. The dispute has drawn public attention given the stature of the late Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, who served as governor of Oyo state between 2007 and 2011 and remained a prominent political figure in the state until his death.

The wife of renowned Nigerian cleric, Enoch Adeboye, Pastor Foluke Adeboye, has opened up about the drastic personal sacrifice she made after giving her life to Christ. In a resurfaced throwback video currently circulating online, Folu Adeboye shared how her lifestyle changed dramatically in the early days of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG. She revealed that before becoming born again, she had a strong passion for fashion and owned several gold items, including jewellery that she had already set aside for her young child, who was under two years old at the time. However, after joining the church where wearing such items was discouraged, she made a bold decision to part with them entirely. “Every woman loves fashion,” she said. “By the time we became born again, it was a taboo for you to have them.” Rather than keep or sell the valuables, Folu said she threw all her gold possessions into the lagoon. She recalled that a family friend had questioned her choice, suggesting she could have given the items to her mother to sell. But she declined. “Whatever is not good for me is not good for my mother,” she explained. Folu also revealed that she briefly turned to copper accessories as an alternative, admitting she spent significantly on them at the time. Despite the scale of her sacrifice, she maintains she has no regrets. “What would I say I miss? Not much, I have already sold myself,” she added.

Rev. Niyi Adebayo has issued a passionate "open letter" to the elites and influential indigenes of Ogbomoso, calling for a shift from symbolic presence to active economic investment in their home city. Drawing a biblical parallel to the "Nobles of Tekoa" from the Book of Nehemiah—who famously refused to assist in rebuilding their city walls—Rev. Adebayo lamented that many of the city’s wealthiest sons and daughters build magnificent residential villas in Ogbomoso while establishing their commercial empires elsewhere. In the report, Adebayo noted that while Ogbomoso is Nigeria’s second-largest city by landmass and the second most populous in Oyo State, it remains underserved by state and federal infrastructure. He attributed this stagnation to a lack of local investment, noting that less than 35% of the city’s elites currently identify with its commercial needs. "The commerce of a city is supposed to be built by her sons and daughters," Adebayo stated. "Some cities are called commercial towns today because their people built facilities of economic value." The cleric expressed concern over the disparity in educational and economic opportunities compared to neighboring cities. He pointed out that Oyo town hosts approximately five higher institutions, providing massive employment and stimulating local trade—a level of patronage Ogbomoso is yet to match despite its potential. The letter outlined a three-pronged approach for the city`s "emancipation": * Encouraging elites to float businesses locally rather than just building non-commercial residential houses. * Urging the political class to attract government agencies, NGOs, and structured grants to support struggling local entrepreneurs who currently rely on high-interest loans. * Calling on those without direct capital to use their influence to "woo" foreign and local investors to the city. Adebayo did not spare those living at home, warning against a "parasitic attitude" and a "sense of entitlement" that often ruins businesses owned by family members. He emphasized that for Ogbomoso to prosper, the local community must create a conducive and supportive atmosphere for these investments to thrive. "You will print your names in gold and keep your love in our hearts," the letter concluded, praying for a new era of all-round development for the ancient city.

Dangote Refinery has notified customers of a price adjustment for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), raising the gantry price from ₦1,175 to ₦1,245 per litre an increase of ₦70 per litre. The revised rate will take effect from 12:00 a.m. on March 21, 2026, and will apply to all outstanding and unloaded volumes. Additionally, the refinery increased its coastal supply price from ₦1,512,648 to ₦1,606,518 per metric tonne. The adjustment was attributed to the persisting global geopolitical tensions. The refinery clarified that customers holding valid Bank Guarantees may continue loading under their current arrangements, provided they settle the price difference. All such differential payments must be completed by March 23, 2026.

Dreaded bandit leaders were captured celebrating Eid Mubarak in Faskari, Katsina State on Friday. A counter-terrorism expert, mobilisingniger idisclosed this n a post on X, saying the leaders including one Musa Goje organized the celebration. According to the security expert, the video was uploaded a few hours ago after the bandit leaders converged to celebrate the end of Ramadan. The video captured children admiring the assailants and showing keen interest in the celebration. Bandits have been wrecking havoc in parts of Katsina State, with several people have been kidnapped and others killed in the rampage.

The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has noted with concern that Nigeria, and especially the Northern region retains the unenviable status of “poverty capital of the world”, where living challenges have become entrenched. While congratulating the Nigerian and worldwide Muslim Ummah as they celebrate the 1447AH Eid-il-Fitr, the forum noted that generalised dire economic hardships have belied official claims about conditions getting better, adding that multidimensional poverty and associated forms of socioeconomic and political deprivations have remained the lot of an overwhelming proportion of citizens. The forum said the year’s Holy Month, an otherwise a period of fervent worship, spiritual reflections, sacrifice and benevolent gestures to fellow humans, has been observed amid existential challenges and downward spiral in living conditions. A statement issued by the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Muhammad-Baba said, “All three geo-political regions in the North face daunting, as if to signal an inexorable slide into dystopia. The Northcentral zone has been under siege as armed non-state actors continue to disturb the peace of the people in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Kogi and Kwara states. States in the Northwest, the epicentre of banditry, have remained under the vice grip of bloodthirsty criminals euphemistically labelled “bandits” as if to perversely rationalise their dark criminal enterprise.” In the Northeast, the forum noted that religious extremists appear poised to resurface with their quixotic search for a putative utopia and further illustrating Nigeria’s downward spiral, are the unprovoked heinous attacks by ragtag non-state actors on military outposts as recently recorded in Borno and Plateau states. It explained that the existential cauldron of challenges is deep, wide, cascading and spiralling out of control and adding to the challenges are outcries, from the so-called opposition parties and individuals, against extra-judicial arrests and prolonged, unconstitutional detention and other strongarm tactics, by the political authorities and their agencies, against widely accepted universal principles and practices of democracy. According to Muhammad-Baba, “In short, the general situation of the people is of despair, hopelessness and despondency, such that the Ramadan fast as well as, coincidently, Lent, was observed attests to the peoples’ resilience and never-say-die spirits. “Still, the political authorities must not take this situation for granted. Should conditions continue to deteriorate, the political authorities risk the peoples’ wrath and protests.” He stated that ACF believed that the Nigerian condition is not insurmountable as much could be achieved through the entrenchment of the principles of good governance in public policy formulation and implementation, in place of the current surreal obsession with political campaigns for re-election against in 2027. ACF urged the people to remain patient and steadfast in prayers for a better Nigeria, saying that nothing in existential conditions lasts forever and called on politicians aspiring to run for political offices in the 2027 elections to imbibe edifying values and principles of prudence, restrain and introspection as these values relate to their responsibilities to the electorate. It then called for continuing unalloyed support for the security agents to decimate criminals and criminality in Nigeria.

Nollywood actor, Aremu Afolayan, has apologised to Nigerians, saying he is stepping away from politics after backlash over his recent comments in a viral video supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.. In a video shared on Instagram page, the actor asked for forgiveness following reactions to his earlier statements. He said the criticism had become overwhelming and denied claims that he received money from any individual or group. Afolayan also addressed his remarks on insecurity in the country, explaining that he did not deny the security situation but was misunderstood. According to him, insecurity is real, citing a personal experience involving the kidnapping of his friend’s mother which involved ransom payment . Following backlash trailing his comments, Afolayan said he no longer wants to be involved in political matters and is withdrawing from anything related to politics. “To all Nigerians, please forgive me. I’m very sorry. The curse you guys are raining on me is too much. I didn’t take money from anyone. It’s obvious that there’s insecurity and the government isn’t doing anything; what I was trying to say is don’t answer anyone who is saying there’s no insecurity. “My best friend’s mother was kidnapped and we paid ransom; how would I say there’s no insecurity? I know Tinubu is not your choice. I’m withdrawing myself from anything that has to do with politics,” he declared. The development came shortly after the actor, among other notable Nollywood actors and actresses, publicly showed support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election. In the now-viral video, the actor spoke in favour of the president’s efforts and was accused of downplaying the economic hardship and insecurity challenges in Nigeria.

A Sokoto-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Musa Lukuwa, on Thursday led his followers in observing Eid al-Fitr prayers in defiance of a directive issued by Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, who had declared Friday as the official Sallah day. Lukuwa conducted the two-unit Eid prayer at his Mabera mosque at about 9:10am, hours after the Sultan announced that the Shawwal crescent moon had not been sighted anywhere in Nigeria, thereby extending the Ramadan fast by a day. In a message circulated on social media, the cleric justified his decision, citing confirmed reports of moon sightings in neighbouring Niger Republic. “Niger Republic is very close to us — about 100 kilometres away. “If we accept reports from cities like Kano or even Lagos, which are farther away, there is no reason to reject confirmed sightings from a neighbouring country,” ” he said. He stressed that the action was not intended to undermine the Sultan’s authority but was based on religious conviction. “We usually follow the Sultan’s directive in starting and ending Ramadan. However, when it is clear that the moon has been sighted, we must act in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet, even if it differs from the Sultan’s declaration,” he stated. Providing historical context, Lukuwa referenced the era of Abubakar Mahmoud Gummi, when prominent scholars independently announced moon sightings before the responsibility was centralised under the Sultan to ensure unity among Muslims. He maintained that the Sultan’s decision on this occasion was incorrect. He reportedly informed congregants around midnight of the development and directed them to assemble for Eid prayers Thursday morning. In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, who also serves as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, is the recognised authority for declaring the commencement and end of Ramadan based on verified moon sightings across the country. His announcements are widely followed to promote unity among Muslims. However, differences over moon sightings — especially when reports emerge from neighbouring countries — have occasionally led to divergent observances by some clerics and communities, particularly in northern Nigeria. This is not the first time Lukuwa and his followers have taken a position at variance with the Sultan’s official declaration, reflecting a broader debate within Islamic jurisprudence on the acceptance of moon sightings beyond national boundaries.

It was a meeting of excellence as the Soun of Ogbomosoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, hosted and celebrated Miss Nastrat Adetunji, an indigene who recently achieved a First-Class degree in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. The red-carpet event, held at the palace, served as a royal recognition of Adetunji’s academic feat. During the visit, the monarch engaged the graduate in an intellectual discussion, notably querying the distinctions between Medical Laboratory Science and Medicine. Adetunji reportedly impressed the King with her "intellectual depth," articulating the differences in course duration and the specific clinical scopes of both disciplines. Overwhelmed by her brilliance, Oba Olaoye showered her with royal blessings, holding her up as a beacon of inspiration for the youth of Ogbomosoland. The graduate was accompanied by her father and a delegation from the Board of Six Stars Remedial Classes, including Matthew Olojede and Solomon Ogundola. This royal honor comes on the heels of another significant milestone for Adetunji; just ten days ago, in commemoration of International Women’s Day, she was conferred with an award by the "Obinrin Rere" organization in conjunction with the Female Lawyers of Nigeria. The ceremony concluded with a celebratory atmosphere, reinforcing the local adage that "a golden star has no hiding place."

OGBOMOSO – Following a strategic intervention by security agencies to quell rising tensions in Ogbomoso, Rev. Niyi Adebayo of the True Worshipper Church has issued an open letter calling for a total ceasefire on social media "warfare" among local journalists, bloggers, and content creators. The cleric’s message comes on the heels of a landmark meeting brokered by the Area Commander and the DPO of the Owode Division, aimed at restoring order following months of digital friction surrounding sensitive local issues. Rev. Adebayo hailed the move by the police as a "landmark laurel" and a "patriotic move." He noted that while some may view the intervention as belated, it remains a courageous step toward ensuring that Ogbomoso does not descend into chaos. He also revealed that several senior citizens and concerned individuals, both at home and in the diaspora, have been working silently to mediate between warring factions online. Addressing those who attended the peace meeting—including popular figures such as Amotekun Oodua, Karohunwi, Olorire, Femi, Coded, Bukola Omo Ogbomoso, and Mary D—the cleric urged them to stay committed to the "accord." "The city loves you and wishes you well," Adebayo stated, but he was quick to add a stern directive: "If anyone breaks the accord, don’t reply him; report him straight to the police." He further warned those who were absent from the meeting—mentioning Gudugudu, Facobless, Oro ku topo, Arosophy, Kabisanra, Seyi, and Baba Lobanika—that "ignorance of the law excuses nobody." He emphasized that the government and police have spoken, and the city is watching their next moves. The letter addressed the root cause of the recent online friction, specifically citing sensitive topics like the "Imamship matter," "Oba matters," and "Ayilara’s Family matters." Rev. Adebayo warned that these complex issues cannot be resolved on social media and that "avoidable media jabs" have previously frustrated peace efforts. Dismissing the common defense used by content creators regarding personal data and page ownership, the cleric noted: "Telling us that you are the owner of your page... will not be enough justification to continue those provocative posts. Our dream should be to leave Ogbomoso better than we met her. If you can’t make our city better, don’t make it bitter." In a significant development, the cleric revealed that a team of Ogbomoso descendants in the diaspora is now ready to provide the necessary support to the police to prosecute offenders and confront their sponsors. The message concluded with a reminder of Ogbomoso`s status as a highly civilized and well-traveled community that deserves "first-class media projection" rather than being treated like a "jungle."