On Friday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu turned his gaze south-westward to the sprawling city of Ibadan. More than two years since his assumption of office, this was the President’s first visit to Ibadan, regarded as the political and spiritual capital of the Yoruba nation. Ibadan is not just any city; it is the heartbeat of Yoruba politics and identity, steeped in tradition, intellect, and culture. From Mapo Hall, where nationalist leaders once roused the masses, to Cocoa House, the towering emblem of the Western Region’s prosperity, Ibadan stands as a crucible of Yoruba history. Historically, Ibadan served as the capital…
Author: Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has once again found himself entangled in controversy after a poorly worded congratulatory message to a Yoruba monarch went viral. In a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi congratulated His Royal Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, but controversially referred to the highly revered monarch as “my dear brother.” The phrase, highlighted in the viral screenshot above, sparked outrage among Yoruba traditionalists and cultural stakeholders who considered the address highly disrespectful and a direct breach of royal protocols. Following the backlash, Obi attempted damage control by releasing…
Controversial socio-political commentator, Reno Omokri, has launched a fresh attack on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, accusing him of deliberate disrespect towards the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja. Omokri, in a strongly worded statement, faulted Obi’s choice of words in addressing the respected monarch during a recent engagement. According to him, Obi’s description of the Olubadan as “my dear brother” was not only condescending but a deliberate show of disregard for the throne and the cultural heritage of Ibadan people. Drawing a sharp comparison, Omokri recalled that Obi, during his controversial “Church Take Back Your Country”…
Omoyele Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and publisher of Sahara Reporters, is once again at the center of public outrage following revelations about his son’s expensive education in the United States. Lere Olayinka, a political commentator, disclosed on X (formerly Twitter) that Sowore’s 14-year-old son, Komi, is enrolled at the Dwight-Englewood School in New Jersey, one of the most expensive private institutions in America. The school charges $54,605 (about ₦85 million) per term, amounting to a staggering $163,815 (around ₦250 million) annually in tuition. The revelation has fueled criticisms that Sowore, who brands himself as a voice for the…
The city of Ibadan, the largest in West Africa, is celebrating a historic moment as Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja officially becomes the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. The coronation ceremony took place at the Ose Meji Temple, following the traditional presentation of the Akoko leaf at the Labosinde Compound, Oja’ba. Both rituals are deeply symbolic within Yoruba culture and mark the final steps of ascension to the Olubadan stool. Governor Seyi Makinde, who had been on leave, returned to Oyo State to personally present the staff and instrument of office at Mapo Hall, a landmark known for state and royal events. The…
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly countered the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for predicting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would only serve a single term. Seye Oladejo, the APC spokesperson in Lagos, dismissed the ADC as “tottering without roots or direction,” arguing that the opposition party is only trying to remain relevant in the political space. According to Oladejo, “It is rather convenient for a party that has no record of winning elections at the national level to begin to write imaginary scripts about the tenure of a leader whose political sagacity, track record…
In recent days, speculation has swirled across social media platforms suggesting a possible rift—or even divorce—between Peter Obi, the former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, and his wife. The conjecture stems from netizens’ observations that Obi did not publicly acknowledge or celebrate his wife’s birthday. Social Media Buzz and Speculation Several posts on X (formerly Twitter) have gone viral, with users pointing out the conspicuous absence of any celebratory message from Obi to his spouse on her birthday. One such post by @naijatruths (via X) reignited conversations about their marital status, suggesting failure on Obi’s part to mark the occasion.…
The Nigerian Army has sentenced four of its personnel after a Special Court Martial in Maiduguri, Borno State, convicted them of running an arms trafficking operation that aided criminals and militias across the country. Sentences Handed Down The court, led by Brigadier General Mohammed Abdullahi, declared that three soldiers would serve life imprisonment while another was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Convicted soldiers include Sgt. Raphael Ameh, Sgt. Ejiga Musa, and LCpl. Patrick Ocheje (all sentenced to life terms) and Cpl. Omitoye Rufus (15 years). Arms Trafficking Operations Investigations uncovered how Ameh, while working as an armourer with the…
The constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District may soon enjoy full representation in the 10th Senate following fresh developments concerning Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. On Tuesday, the Sergeant-at-Arms of the National Assembly (NASS) in conjunction with security agencies reopened her sealed Office 205 within the Senate Wing, a move that effectively grants her access to the premises again. This comes after months of uncertainty triggered by her suspension in March 2025. At the time, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator, was penalized with a six-month ban for protesting against Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s reassignment of her seat on February…
The start of the new school year in Enugu State has been overshadowed by widespread anger as parents confront steep tuition fee hikes in private and faith-based institutions. Findings from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that many schools have raised tuition by between 20 and 50 percent compared to last academic session. This has forced families to reconsider educational options amid already harsh economic conditions. Parents share their struggles Mr. John Ude, whose daughter attends a private junior secondary school, expressed shock: “The school fees of my daughter in junior secondary 2 is now N150,000 as against N100,000…