Author: Ayo

Adejuwon Soyinka, a prominent investigative journalist and Regional Editor of The Conversation Africa, was taken into custody by the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday. A distress message sent to The PUNCH by a friend of Soyinka’s revealed that he was arrested shortly after arriving from the United Kingdom. The friend expressed concern that no reason was given for his arrest and that Soyinka had been held incommunicado. The message read, “Adejuwon Soyinka has been detained by officers of the Department of State Security at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport in…

Controversial cross-dresser Bobrisky has made a shocking revelation, stating that he would love to go back to Kirikiri Correctional Centre, where he served a six-month sentence for abusing the naira. In an interview on the ‘Curiosity Made Me Ask’ show, Bobrisky described his jail term as a “vacation,” saying, “I see my jail term as a vacation. You know, on vacation, you go and rest. I’ve been working so hard, and I think their decision was okay for me.” When asked if he would like to go back to prison, Bobrisky replied, “I would love to go, maybe for a…

Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has decried the relentless persecution of Christians in Northern Nigeria, lamenting that perpetrators roam free without facing justice. Kukah stated that despite the numerous attacks on Christians in the region, not a single individual has been charged to court. “If you look at our country – Nigeria, the issue is that, in Northern Nigeria, Christians constitute some of the groups that you can kill without consequences.” The bishop also criticized the ethnic coloration given to Christianity in Nigeria, emphasizing the need to jettison such attitudes. “Tragically, you know, Christianity has…

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has held discussions with former Sweden national team coach, Janne Andersson, over the vacant Super Eagles coaching position. The Super Eagles have been without a head coach since Finidi George’s departure over two months ago, prompting the NFF to search for a suitable replacement. Andersson, who expressed his desire to manage the Super Eagles, confirmed the talks with the NFF. “It’s a huge footballing nation. I can confirm that I have had a dialogue with the Nigeria Football Federation,” he told Expressen. Andersson, who is experienced in international football, is optimistic about the opportunity. “Dialogue…

A Lagos State Magistrate Court in Ogba has discharged six men arrested during the 2020 #EndSARS protests, after almost four years in prison. The defendants pleaded guilty to a single amended charge and were cautioned by Magistrate Bolanle Osunsanmi. The defendants – Daniel Joyinbo, Adigun Sodiq, Kehinde Shola, Salaudeen Kamilu, Sodiq Usseni, and Azeez Isiaka – were accused of conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace, a violation under Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. After entering their guilty pleas, the court asked if they understood the consequences. Defence counsel T.D.…

The Federal Government has announced an upward review of Nigerian passport fees, effective September 1, 2024. According to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the increment aims to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport. The NIS spokesman, Kenneth Udo, disclosed that the 32-page passport booklet with five-year validity will now cost N50,000, up from N35,000. The 64-page passport booklet with 10-year validity will now cost N100,000, previously N70,000. While apologizing for any inconvenience caused by the fee hike, the NIS assured Nigerians of its commitment to transparency and quality service delivery. The service pledged to maintain the…

Hollywood power couple, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, are calling it quits. Lopez has filed for divorce from her husband of two years, Affleck, at the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. The couple’s whirlwind romance began in the early 2000s, with their friendship blossoming into a romance on the set of Gigli in 2001. Their relationship has been subject to intense media scrutiny over the years. Reports indicate that the couple had been living separately since April 26, 2024, before Lopez’s decision to file for divorce. This was Lopez’s fourth marriage and Affleck’s second. Lopez…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has endorsed former President Goodluck Jonathan to run for the presidency in 2027. This comes as northern elites and politicians express dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi stated, “We support the position of the Bauchi State governor. Jonathan has the experience to revamp the economy and would do a good job if given a second mandate.” Abdullahi dismissed concerns about former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s potential opposition, saying, “It’s not Atiku’s place to decide for the PDP. We respect him, but we need a nationalist like Jonathan to salvage…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a significant increase in remittance inflows, reaching a record high of $553 million in July 2024. This represents a 130% increase from the corresponding period in 2023. The CBN attributed the growth to policy measures aimed at enhancing liquidity in the foreign exchange market. Diaspora remittances have remained a crucial source of foreign exchange for Nigeria, supplementing foreign direct investment and portfolio investments. The apex bank’s initiatives, including granting licenses to new International Money Transfer Operators and implementing a willing buyer-willing seller model, have supported continued growth in remittance inflows. The CBN…

As the deadline for the implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage draws near, only nine states have taken concrete steps towards compliance. Lagos, Edo, and Adamawa have either started paying or indicated willingness to pay the new wage, while seven others – Kano, Kwara, Ogun, Borno, Jigawa, Ondo, and Abia – have set up implementation committees. However, 21 states are still dragging their feet, with no implementation panels in place. These states include Plateau, Kebbi, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Bayelsa, Delta, Osun, Ekiti, Zamfara, Benue, Enugu, Taraba, Gombe, Kogi, Enugu, Adamawa, Niger, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Katsina, Kaduna,…