News & Announcements

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, on Friday said that every tweet on his official social media handles must get his approval before publication
Atiku, one of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential aspirants, said this when he paid a consultative visit to Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo at the Government House, Benin. 
Atiku had earlier reacted to the killing of Miss Deborah Samuel, who was accused of blasphemy.
Deborah, a Christian 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto was killed for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Muhammad.

Atiku, who is running for President on the platform of the PDP, had taken to Twitter to condemn the mob action, saying, “There cannot be a justification for such gruesome murder. Deborah Samuel was murdered and all those behind her death must be brought to justice. My condolences to her family and friends.”
The former Vice-President, however, came under threats from some Muslim northerners who threatened not to vote for him if he emerged as the Presidential candidate of the PDP.
However, Atiku later deleted the tweet amid the threats.

He took to his verified Hausa Facebook page to distance himself from the message. Atiku stated that he deleted the message because it did not agree with his orders.
“This evening I received information that a post was made that doesn’t agree with my orders. I use this to announce that any post without A. A. is not from me. May God protect us,” he wrote in the Hausa language.

The former vice-president’s decision to delete the tweet has caused an uproar on social media as he is now trending at number one on Twitter.

51,000 repentant terrorists and their families have surrendered to troops serving in various North East theatres of operation, according to the military.
Major General Chris Musa, commander of Operation Hadin Kai, disclosed this on Monday evening.
Despite communication barriers in some areas, he explained that residents in the region have been helpful to the military, particularly in the area of intelligence gathering.

“We get information as quickly as things are happening,” the commander said. 
“Sometimes, the challenge might probably be the way to communicate because we do not have a network everywhere; but as soon as they get to where they can send messages across to us, they let us know.

“That has assisted us greatly in subduing the insurgents to such an extent that we have so much peace. We have over 51,000 insurgents and their family members that have surrendered to us.
“While many individuals and groups perceive the laying down of weapons by insurgents as a sign that the security forces are winning the war, others remain skeptical about the intention of such persons,” he said.
General Musa, on his part, believes Nigerians, especially residents in the North East have nothing to fear as the military will continue to ensure they are well protected from criminally-minded persons.
According to him, the Nigerian Armed Forces has managed situations as such in the past in other countries, and replicating the same approach will be no different this time.

The Operation Hadin Kai chief in his words, “Normally there will be some concerns and I don’t blame the public for that, but I just want to assure them that we are professionals and we have done this before … in other countries where we had issues of disarmament.
“What goes on here now is that as soon as any of them is willing to surrender, he reports straight to the closest military location. The commander on the ground has his troops ready to disarm them, take over their arms, search them and profile them.

“Then the state government provides buses to move them to the camps already provided. The state government takes care of the management and administration, what we do is ensure that the perimeter is secure. So, we want to assure members of the communities that they are well secured and that they (repentant terrorists) will not pose any threat to anybody.

Musa, who revealed that the population of repentant terrorists and their families in the military’s custody was recorded in less than a year, gave an insight into what could have prompted the decision to surrender at this time.

A lot of them, according to him, was tired of the fight and wanted to come out to lay their arms but could not do so because of the fear of being killed for disloyalty.
He added that the leadership tussle within the terrorists’ camp following the death of their leader – Shekau, also created an avenue for willing insurgents to surrender to troops.
“I know everybody is asking why are they even surrendering now? For us, the surrendering started since July 2021 and for them to have been there (in the camps) to date shows you some level of commitment and why are they surrendering,” the senior military officer explained.
“The death of Shekau has opened a lot of opportunities because while he (Shekau) was there, he was very brutal; anybody who attempts to escape will be killed. They were scared of him (Shekau).
“But they knew we would treat them professionally; by the laws of war, once your enemies surrender, you are duty-bound to receive him and treat him humanely until the process of the legal system takes its course, and that is what we are doing.”
General Musa also faulted the claims that the military was pampering the repentant persons who played various roles in the over-decade-long insurgency that claimed thousands of lives.
Rather, he said, “We are not pampering them; we are just being in line with the statutory laws on the ground and that is why we ensure that all those ones that have been profiled are brought in and kept secure. Out of the over 51,000, 11,000 are males but not all of them are combatants.
“Among the males, we have some that were enslaved, those that were born there, and those that were conscripted. Gradually, those are going to be sorted out, and then the legal system will take its course.”

A man identified as Prince Chinedu Njirinzu has passed on three months after his wife gave birth to twins.
According to his brother-in-law, Igwe Ihedioha who took to Facebook on Friday, May 6, to mourn him, the late Mr. Chinedu patiently waited on God for 16 years for a child but unfortunately died just three months after their prayer got answered.

Mr. Ihedioha further stated that the deceased loved and supported his sister through their trying times. In his words:

“Words have failed me. I am heartbroken by the sudden death of my brother-in-law, Prince Chinedu Njirinzu(Skippo). He loved my sister so much and supported her for the 16 years of waiting on the Lord for a child. Just 3 months after God answered their prayers with Twins (boy and girl), now he is no more.”

Michelle Jackson, the ex-wife of ace Nigerian music producer, Michael Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, has revealed why their marriage crashed.
Michelle, who is a United Kingdom-based model, returned to Nigeria in late April 2022.
In an interview with Naija FM published on Friday, Michelle noted that music “got in the way” of her union with Don Jazzy, leading to the end of their two-year marriage.
“He just needed to go and be himself and go and do his music. Music got in the way of the relationship. We were very young as well,” Michelle said.

She added, “If I were in the same situation now, it might have been very different.”

The model noted that she was almost 22 years old at the time of the union.
When Don Jazzy first broke the news of his marriage in April last year, he revealed that he got married at 20 and ended the marriage when he was 22.
Michelle, who was also a singer, noted that she and Don Jazzy were both pursuing their music careers at the same time, adding that things became different when popular Nigerian singer, Abdulrasheed Bello, popularly known as JJC Skills, discovered her ex-husband.

She said, “We were both pursuing their music careers at the same time and then he got discovered by JJC Skillz. So it took him out of the home a lot more. I tried to put my music on the back burner to try and balance my home life. But he was ‘very’ into the music and it kind of got into the way.”

Her claims are not different from that of the producer who had earlier revealed that he gave up his marriage to pursue music.

“Music became a priority instead of my family,” Don Jazzy had said. Following her recent visit to Lagos, Michelle had linked up with Don Jazzy.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, on Thursday laughed off the anxiety associated with his presidential ambition ahead of the 2023 general elections, saying he is having fun.
Emefiele, who briefed journalists at the presidential villa after visiting President Muhammadu Buhari, said, “There is no news but there will be news.”
When journalists inquired to know his views about the anxiety created by his ambition, the apex bank governor said: “Let them have a heart attack. It is good to have a heart attack. I am having a lot of fun.”
Emefiele’s visit was not officially on the State House’s schedule.
Condemnations had trailed his move to contest in the 2023 presidential election on the All Progressives Congress (APC) while presiding over the apex bank.
The CBN governor had on May 6 picked the APC N100m presidential nomination and expression of interest form.
Prior to him picking the form, he had in February reacted to the controversy around his interest in the much-coveted seat, saying he would leave his fate firmly in the hands of God.
Adamant about his presidential ambition, he approached the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.
His lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, filed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/610/2022 challenging the legality of Section 84(12) of the amended Electoral Act and preventing its application to him (a government appointee) in h Buhari has directed that all members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) running for elective offices to submit their letters of resignation on or before Monday the 16th of May, 2022.
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has directed the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, ambassadors, heads of agencies, and other government appointees with political ambition to step down.
In a circular issued on Wednesday, the directive affected the CBN Governor who is among the heads of extra-ministerial departments.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this directive affects all Ministers, Heads, and Members of Extra-Ministerial Departments, Agencies and Parastatals of Government, Ambassadors as well as other political appointees who desire to contest for elective offices,” read the circular issued hours after President Muhammadu Buhari’s ordered members of the cabinet seeking offices in next year’s poll to resign.

British high commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing has condemned the killing of Deborah Samuel, a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto state.
The student was said to have been attacked by a mob over comments purportedly considered to be an insult to Prophet Mohammed.

A video of the student being stoned and beaten with sticks was shared on social media, and the incident was said to have occurred in the early hours of Thursday.
In a tweet on Friday, Laing said the authorities must ensure that the perpetrators of the act are brought to justice.

“I condemn the murder of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto, and urge the police and relevant authorities to ensure the perpetrators of this horrific act are made to face justice in line with the law,” she wrote.Sokoto police command said two suspects have been arrested over their alleged involvement in the killing of the female student.

Lagos NURTW Crisis: Police Invite MC Oluomo, Istijabah; Read Riot Act The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Abiodun Alabi, has met with two factional transport leaders in the state –Musiliu Akinsanya popularly called MC Oluomo; and Azeez Abiola, aka Istijabah.
The meeting was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Benjamin Hundeyin.

He said the CP warned that anyone person found causing trouble anywhere within the state would be arrested and made to face the law.
“The warning has become imperative following incessant clashes, fracas and malicious damage to the property recently experienced in some parts of Lagos State mostly linked to the issues surrounding the management of motor parks within the state,” the statement partly read.
According to the police spokesman, Alabi separately met MC Oluomo and Istijabah in his office where “he admonished them to prevail on their teeming followers to act within the confines of the law, is poised to ensure the security currently being enjoyed in Lagos State remains intact”.

“In line with this stance, all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and tactical commanders have been directed to deal decisively with anyone found instigating or causing a breach of peace within their respective areas of responsibility,” the statement added.
This is even as the police boss assured Lagosians to go about their lawful duties without fear of harassment or intimidation.

MC Oluomo, formerly Lagos NURTW Chairman, has been in a  conflict with Istijabah, the state chairman of the Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria, an affiliate union of NURTW.

 All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola yesterday explained why he has returned to his native Ogun West District to vie for the Senate.
He said he could not ignore the clamour of the people of Yewaland for quality representation, equity in Ogun politics and administration, and demand for greater federal presence.
Adeola, who is also warming up for his installation as Aremo-Oba of Yewaland by over 50 traditional rulers in the old Egbado Division, said the district should be full of hope for a brighter future.
He said Ogun West needed a competent, determined, focused, influential and irrepressible ranking senator to articulate its problems on the floor of the Senate and attract developmental projects.
He thanked the people of Lagos West for giving him the opportunity to represent them in the House of Assembly for eight years, House of Representatives for four years and Senate for eight years.
Noting that it is more convenient to play politics in cosmopolitan Lagos setting, he maintained that patriotism and the reality of Ogun West situation have compelled him to bid for leadership for the purpose of liberating the zone from backwardness.

The wife of Nollywood actor, producer, director, and presidential hopeful, Yul Edochie has reacted to a post the husband made on his verified Instagram page on Wednesday announcing the birth of his son by Nollywood actress, Judy Austin, who he also confirmed as his second wife.
Yul Edochie, who is married to May Edochie with 4 lovely kids welcomed a bouncing baby with his colleague turned baby mama, Judith Austin in 2021.

Announcing the birth of his son, Yul wrote: “It’s time for the world to meet my son.
“His name is STAR DIKE MUNACHIMSO YUL-EDOCHIE. Born by my second wife @JudyAustin and I love him so much, just as much as I love my other children.”

May Edochie who commented on the post minutes after wrote “May God judge you both.”
This has attracted comments from concerned followers who feel it could be a stunt of reality.
Meanwhile, going through May Edochie’s Instagram page, she had shared a cryptic post hours before Yul made public the birth of his son.

The post reads: “People reveal themselves through their actions. Life is a beautiful thing and there is so much to smile about…..joy will definitely come in the morning.”

Popular online skit maker, Debo Adebayo aka Mr Macaroni has announced engagement to his longtime colleague, Kemi Ikuseedun who plays the role of “Mummy Wa” in his skits.
The couple took to their social media pages to share the news with fans.
Mr. Macaroni, via his verified Instagram page, posted a series of pictures with the caption “Engagement Today, Wedding Tomorrow.”

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by MrMacaroni (@mrmacaroni1)
Kemi took to her verified Instagram page @Kemz_mama, and posted a short wedding clip with the watermark “Kemi Ikuseedun + Debo Adebayo”
She wrote: “DaddyWa finally paid mummy wa’s bride price @mrmacaroni + @kemz_mama.”

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Kemz_mama (@kemz_mama)
Fans and friends have taken to the comment section of their posts to celebrate with them.
Some of the comments:
Wow congratulations my darling brother said folukedaramolasalako
Na from photo shoot e Dey turn reality ooo,and na this same Soji oni  said nkechiblessingsunday
Wow, And they warned me ooo  Tor Alhamdullilahi  said isbae_u
Mr Benefactor izzz this real said tokemakinwa
I don’t trust you two … who knows if this is a skit or real life . Daddy wa nice combination  said starret__hillz
Skit of course, if debo wan marry abeg social go shake, eni ara ye Fe ni debo oooo said adekem80 
Congratulations  but what manner of confusion this? am I the only confused one ? said sauf_xv
Omo he be like say this thing nah true it seems Kemz mama no follow bae u again oo said _abisola24