In a significant move to strengthen his executive council, Ondo State Governor Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has nominated 12 new commissioners, including Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, the former Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, and ex-Rector of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic. The governor’s spokesperson, Ebenezer Adeniyan, released a statement on Thursday confirming that the list had been forwarded to the Ondo State House of Assembly for prompt approval. The governor appealed to the lawmakers for swift action, noting the importance of the appointments to the state’s development. “I shall be most obliged to the Honourable House for your expeditious action on…
Author: Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has declared the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup a transformative moment for club football worldwide. Launching this Saturday in the United States, the 32-team tournament is set to revolutionize the sport’s global reach. In an interview with AFP, Infantino compared the event to football’s first World Cup in 1930, stating, “Everyone today speaks about the very first World Cup. That’s why it’s also, this World Cup here is historic.” He emphasized the tournament’s role in expanding football’s footprint beyond its traditional European and South American powerhouses. Infantino said, “We want to be inclusive. We want to…
On Democracy Day, June 12, 2025, President Bola Tinubu honoured a select group of Nigerians who played pivotal roles in the country’s democratic journey, eliciting both applause and criticism. The President’s list celebrated the late Moshood Abiola, declared winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election, and included a historic pardon for the Ogoni Nine, executed for environmental activism. During his address to the National Assembly, Tinubu elevated Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka and Gen Alani Akinrinade (retd.) to Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger. Other honourees such as Femi Falana (SAN), Bishop Matthew Kukah, and Senator Shehu Sani…
The Nigerian Presidency has issued a formal apology after an error was discovered in the recently announced Democracy Day National Honours list. The mistake involved the inclusion of two living pro-democracy activists, Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Dr. Edwin Madunagu, in the posthumous award category. In an official statement released by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency clarified that both Fasoranti, a well-known Afenifere leader, and Dr. Madunagu are alive and should not have been listed among honourees recognized posthumously. The statement read: “During his Democracy Day address at the joint session of the National Assembly earlier today, President Bola…
On the occasion of Democracy Day, celebrated annually on June 12, renowned political economist Professor Pat Utomi has issued a strong appeal to President Bola Tinubu to undertake a complete restructuring of Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking at the June 12: Annual Democracy Day National Dialogue held in Ikeja on Thursday, Utomi emphasized that the future stability and growth of Nigeria’s democracy depend heavily on this fundamental change. The event, organized by the June 12 Pro-Democracy Movement of Nigeria, carried the theme: “Democracy Without A Democratic Constitution: Which Way for Nigeria?” Utomi highlighted that the current democratic…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday delivered a national address to a joint session of the National Assembly to mark Democracy Day 2025. In the speech, the President reflected on Nigeria’s democratic journey and paid tribute to heroes of June 12. Read the full speech below: ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR AT THE JOINT SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN COMMEMORATION OF DEMOCRACY DAY, 2025 THURSDAY, 12TH JUNE 2025 Protocol: With profound honour, I stand before this joint session of our National Assembly; a parliament that embodies the will of the Nigerian people. Today, as I entered this…
President Bola Tinubu took a striking stance during his Democracy Day address on Thursday, openly expressing his pleasure at the disarray within Nigeria’s opposition parties. Addressing lawmakers in a joint session at the National Assembly in Abuja, Tinubu stated firmly, “I will not advise the opposition to put its house in order and I will not help them put their house in order. It is indeed a pleasure to see you in disarray.” This statement reflects the current political climate, where multiple opposition factions are struggling to maintain cohesion. Furthermore, Tinubu refuted accusations that his administration is pushing Nigeria toward…
President Bola Tinubu made a timely arrival at the National Assembly Complex at 11:50 a.m. today to commemorate the 2025 Democracy Day with a formal address to the parliament. This day, which was officially declared a national public holiday during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, marks an important milestone in Nigeria’s democratic history. Accompanying the President were key government figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, among others. Their presence at the National Assembly underscores the administration’s dedication to democratic governance. The event was held in…
Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the iconic business leader and President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, is set to retire as Chairman of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, ending a two-decade-long leadership that began in 2005. The retirement will become effective on June 16, 2025, according to an official communication from Temitope Hassan, the company secretary. Throughout his 20 years at the forefront, Dangote has been credited with elevating Dangote Sugar to the pinnacle of Nigeria’s sugar industry. His leadership saw the company undertake major expansion projects and reinforce its corporate governance framework, ensuring sustainable growth and market dominance. The company’s statement read, “In…
In a significant display of civic activism, protesters gathered in Ikeja, Lagos State, on Democracy Day, June 12, 2025, to demand an end to poor governance in Nigeria. The protest, which attracted numerous citizens, was marked by a strong police presence to ensure the safety of all participants. Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, was on the ground, engaging directly with the crowd. According to eyewitnesses, Jimoh spoke to the protesters, emphasizing the police’s role in safeguarding their constitutional rights while maintaining public order. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer had earlier posted a video on X,…