₦airaland Forum

OpenLife News reports that a trending video has revealed how the driver of governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State allegedly impregnated a lady and abandoned her, leading to a frustrating mode that prompted the lady to the option of selling to a baby factory syndicate in Abuja.

Disclosing her boyfriend’s name as Lucky Umuogwu who “is based in government house,” the lady further disclosed that she sold her newly born baby boy for N2 million.
Regretting her action, she sought the assistance of VeryDarkMan, a social media influencer, to recollect her baby as well as refund.
Video in:
https://openlife.ng/governor-oborevworis-drivers-girlfriend-allegedly-sells-a-day-old-baby-boy-videos/

OpenLife News reports that Judiciary Editors Forum, JEF, a body of experienced journalists in judiciary reportage, has congratulated Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, on her election as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.

In a congratulatory letter co signed by Mr. Sam Popoola and Mrs. Sandra Umeh, Chairman and Secretary respectively, JEF noted the admirable legal journey of Okusanya and urged her to reunite the body for effective service delivery to the country.
The letter of congratulations titled : Congratulatory Message To The President-Elect Of The Nigerian Bar Association, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya is reproduced below unedited


Dear President-Elect,

On behalf of the Executive Committee and the entire membership of the Judiciary Editors Forum (JEF), we extend our warmest congratulations on your well-deserved election as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Your emergence is a resounding affirmation of the confidence reposed in your leadership, competence, and vision by members of the Bar across the country. We are confident that your tenure will usher in a new era of purposeful leadership, strengthened advocacy, and renewed commitment to the ideals of justice, the rule of law, and professional excellence.

As you prepare to assume office, we acknowledge the enormous responsibility that lies ahead. At this critical period in the history of the legal profession, expectations are understandably high. We encourage you to deploy your wealth of experience to foster unity within the Bar, heal divisions where they exist, and build a more inclusive NBA that gives every member a sense of belonging, irrespective of region, ideology, or area of practice.

We also urge you to continue strengthening the cordial relationship between the Bar and the Bench. While preserving the cherished independence of both institutions, constructive engagement and mutual respect remain indispensable to enhancing public confidence in the administration of justice.

We equally encourage the Bench to continue upholding the highest standards of integrity, impartiality, diligence, and the timely delivery of justice, recognising that Nigerians' confidence in the judiciary is fundamental to the nation's democratic stability.

As Judiciary Editors and court reporters, we look forward to a robust partnership with your administration. The media remains an indispensable stakeholder in the justice sector, serving as the bridge between the judiciary, the legal profession, and the public.

We therefore appeal that Judiciary Editors and court reporters be carried along in the implementation of your administration's programmes, particularly initiatives aimed at judicial reform, legal education, public enlightenment, access to justice, and institutional transparency.

We are optimistic that your administration will deepen collaboration with the legal correspondents' community, ensuring that accurate, balanced, and timely information on developments within the justice sector reaches the public. Such engagement will further promote accountability, strengthen public trust, and enrich informed discourse on legal and judicial issues.

Please accept our heartfelt congratulations once again. We wish you divine wisdom, sound health, courage, and outstanding success as you embark on this historic assignment. Be assured of the goodwill and cooperation of the Judiciary Editors Forum (JEF) as a partner in promoting a transparent, efficient, and credible justice system in Nigeria.

Congratulations once again, and may your tenure be impactful, successful, and memorable.

Yours sincerely,

Sam Popoola
Chairman

Sandra Umeh
Secretary
Judiciary Editors Forum (JEF)

OpenLife News reports that the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has kicked against the issuing of licences to some companies for the purpose of importing petroleum products into the country.

In a voice note released to journalists in Abuja today (Sunday), IPMAN National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, said the move is worsening price volatility of petroleum products in the country, as well as putting unnecessary pressure on the naira.

Ukadike who spoke with regard to recent developments in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, said independent marketers had studied the developments closely, especially price volatility, the import licencing regime, and the sale of petroleum products in dollar, and came to the conclusion that the recent issuing of licences to some companies for the importation of petroleum products is not in the best interest of Nigerians.

He therefore called on the Federal Government to look into the matter transparently through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), with a view to reviewing the move.

He said that the issuing of licences for the importation of petroleum products which is meant to serve as a check on the prices of domestically refined petroleum products, is not achieving the results expected by independent marketers. He explained that landing price of petrol is N1,350 or about 20 per cent higher than the price being sold by Dangote Refinery, which he argued makes the importation of the product counterproductive. He argued that importing petroleum products at a higher cost than locally available products does not make economic sense.

Ukadike linked the granting of licences for the importation of petroleum products to recent pressure on the naira which has led to the depreciation in the exchange rate of the currency to N1,400 to the dollar, which he said, in turn, was affecting the pump price of petroleum products across the country.

He noted that the one major gain Nigeria has recorded from local refining is a continuous, uninterrupted supply of petroleum products, something the country struggled with in the past when it depended heavily on imports.

“If we have a continuous, uninterrupted supply, our problem is pricing. Is it not better to sit down and see how this issue can be controlled than to sign unnecessary import licences that will further inflate the price of petroleum products in our country?” he asked.

Ukadike called for stronger support for local refining capacity, including government-owned refineries alongside Dangote Refinery, describing this as necessary for the country’s energy security. He said Nigeria should prioritise its own refining capacity rather than depend on imports.

He said that since the Dangote Refinery came on stream, scarcity of petroleum products which was a perennial problem has become a thing of the past.

He therefore urged the Federal Government to look inward and support the domestic refining of petroleum products to guarantee energy security, ensure sufficient local supply, and generate additional foreign exchange for the country through exports.

OpenLife News reports that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has clarified the reasons Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila who serves as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu came to the office Monday afternoon.

CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDENT FEMI GBAJABIAMILA AT ICPC, TO GIVE STATEMENT IN ONGOING PFIPC INVESTIGATION

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) confirms that the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, was at the Commission's headquarters in Abuja on Monday, 20th June, 2026, to give a statement in connection with the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR had directed the Commission to investigate how the PFIPC, an entity the Presidency has disowned as fraudulent, came to operate from within the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, for a reported period of about two years, under one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who is alleged to have paraded himself as the Director-General of the said Council.

Mr Gbajabiamila arrived at the Commission in the afternoon and spent some time attending to enquiries from investigators, after which he departed the premises.

The Commission confirms that the Chief of Staff's visit was on the invitation of its investigators and consistent with its ongoing efforts to gather all relevant facts in the matter. He was not arrested; he simply willingly honoured an invitation.

Investigations continue, and further updates will be communicated as appropriate.

OpenLife News reports that the fate of George Akume, Secretary to the government of the federation, may be hanging in the balance as fresh revelation implies that part of his office was used by Prince Adeniyi Matthew to operate alleged illegal agency called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC at the federal secretariat in Abuja.

According to fresh information, Esther Walson-Jack, head of the civil service of the federation (HoS), says the office space used by the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) at the federal secretariat in Abuja was allocated to the office of the secretary to the government of the federation (OSGF).

Walson-Jack spoke on Monday when she appeared before the house of representatives ad hoc committee investigating the PFIPC controversy and the N1.3 billion allocated to the council in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
George Akume was the governor of Benue State between 1999 and 2007.
According to analysts, there may be punitive for Akume and others it is eventually established that his actions may have helped Adeniyi Matthew to operate the alleged fake agency which is causing president Bola Tinubu huge embarrassment at the local and international space

ICPC Grills Gbajabiamila Over PFIPC scandal

More so, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has interrogated Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, over his role in the emergence of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

According to Jiti Ogunye, Gbajabiamila’s counsel, the president’s chief of staff appeared at the ICPC headquarters on Monday, where he was questioned over the PFIPC controversy.

OpenLife News reports that Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Ojukwu and Deputy Secretary General to the United Nations, Mrs Amina Mohammed are eyeing United Nations General Secretary job on account of the coming to an end the tenure of the current occupier of the office, Antionio Gueteres.
It would be recalled that at the height of the intrigues, orchestrated by the West who felt Africa was not intelligently ripe enough to lead the world into 21st Century, Pérez de Cuéllar, the Peruvian diplomat and sitting Secretary General of the United Nations was slow at clearing his desk as of October 1991 even when he had few months to stay in office.

At the home front, the likes of Professor Wole Soyinka and others in the club of those who do not want good thing for Nigeria, till date, went haywire, denigrating Obasanjo's aspiration for the global number one job.
The home front conspiracy notwithstanding, IBB, the armoured general was co ordinating at the Africa continental level while Ibrahim Gambari, then permanent representative at the UN was wearing his boxing gloves for a deadly fight on the floor of the UN General Assembly in the event that the West furthered their attempts to stop Africa, specifically, Nigeria.
In like manner, Ike Nwachuku, then minister of external affairs obeyed Dodan Barracks' marching order to navigate the diplomatic corridors of Asia and Europe to ensure that the votes from that end could swing victory on Obasanjo's way.
Eventually, Boutrous Ghali of Egypt was elected as the first African to occupy the position.
Years, after, Kofi Anan from Ghana was elected.
This development has generated curiosity in the public space with analysts reviewing Nigeria's chances.

OpenLife News reports that Lagos State governor, Babajide Saneo-Olu has fulfilled his N3. 1 billion promise to property owners across different areas in the State.

Today, I presented ₦3.1 billion in compensation to 331 property owners whose land and buildings were acquired for key infrastructure projects across Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu, Igbogbo and Ogba.

As we build the roads and public infrastructure Lagos needs, we must also do right by the people whose lives are directly affected.

Every claim was carefully verified through due process to ensure the rightful owners received what they were entitled to.

Behind every property is a family, a home or a business. While these projects will benefit millions of Lagosians, I do not take the sacrifice of those who made them possible for granted.

We made a promise to govern with fairness and accountability. Today was another opportunity to keep that promise.

OpenLife News reports that all the Nigerian women who have served as Vice Presidents at the World Bank Group share a common heritage as Igbo women.

This is a historic milestone in international diplomacy and global finance. The World Bank is the premier global financial institution responsible for funding development projects across developing nations, meaning these four women managed billions of dollars in global assets, directed international policies, and led massive legal and economic teams worldwide.

To date, they remain the only four individuals from Nigeria to ever reach the vice presidency level in the history of the institution.

Here is the story of these extraordinary leaders and their journeys:

1. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Delta)

Born in Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State, her journey with the World Bank spans over 25 years. After earning her bachelor's degree from Harvard and a PhD in regional economics and development from MIT, she joined the World Bank as a development economist.

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala steadily rose through the ranks to become the Vice President and Corporate Secretary, and ultimately served as Managing Director from 2007 to 2011, where she had oversight over the bank's $81 billion operational portfolio in Africa, South Asia, Europe, and Central Asia.

In Nigeria, she served as a two-time Minister of Finance and a Minister of Foreign Affairs, famously negotiating the wipeout of $30 billion of Nigeria’s debt. She currently serves as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

2. Dr. Oby Ezekwesili (Anambra State)

Born in Anambra State, she was appointed the World Bank Vice President for the Africa Region in May 2007, serving until 2012. In this elite position, she was responsible for the bank's operations across 48 Sub-Saharan African countries, managing a portfolio of over $40 billion in projects.

Before her international deployment, she held a master's degree in Public Policy from Harvard University. She was a foundational architect of Nigeria's economic reforms in the early 2000s, leading the Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Unit, and serving consecutively as the Minister of Solid Minerals and Minister of Education.

Globally, she is also celebrated as a co-founder of Transparency International, the world's leading anti-corruption watchdog.

3. Arunma Oteh OON (Abia State)

Originally from Abia State, she graduated with a first-class honors degree in Computer Science from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, before earning her MBA from Harvard Business School.

In 2015, she was appointed the Vice President and Treasurer of the World Bank. In this high-stakes corporate role, she led the team responsible for managing the bank’s $200 billion debt portfolio, oversaw its multi-billion dollar financial market operations, and handled liquid assets for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

Prior to this, she served as the Director-General of Nigeria's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), where she successfully reformed the country's capital markets after the 2008 global financial crash.

4. Sandie Okoro OBE (Imo State)

Born in London to a Nigerian father from Imo State, she represents the global diaspora of Igbo excellence. She studied Law and Politics at the University of Birmingham before establishing herself as one of the top financial lawyers in the United Kingdom.

In 2017, she was appointed Senior Vice President and Group General Counsel for the World Bank Group, serving until 2022. As the principal legal advisor for the entire global institution, she managed a massive international department of lawyers based across global offices and headed the bank's legal policies.

For her contributions to international law and diversity, she was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) by the British Royal Family, she recently served as Group General Counsel for Standard Chartered, and currently functions as the Chancellor of the University of Birmingham.

Share this post to honor this incredible legacy of excellence and inspire future generations of leaders.

OpenLife News reports that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, a Nigeria's primary federal law enforcement agency responsible for eliminating the production, trafficking, and sale of illegal hard drugs, has arrested a truck from Togo used to conceal hard drugs.
Making the disclosure Sunday morning, the agency spokesman, Femi Babafemi wrote:

In yet another deadly blow to the backbone of tramadol cartels in Nigeria coming barely a week after @ndlea_nigeria officers in Lagos intercepted a truck loaded with 558,900 pills of tramadol 250mg buried in false bottom compartment constructed with thick iron sheets on the belly of the truck that came from Togo through Benin Republic into Lagos, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence have again intercepted two more of such trucks with the same mode of concealment coming through same route but this time with three times the number of pills seized from the first truck, that’s over 1.5 million pills meant for delivery to the North. That’s massive supplies to bandits and other criminal gangs blocked midway. Now that their channels through the ports have been blocked, they are again meeting their Waterloo at their escape land border routes. This is no doubt a massive win for our youths being targeted, public health, security and Nigeria as a whole

OpenLife Nigeria reports that Nollywood finds itself in the spotlight once again, this time over the shifting landscape of film marketing.

A growing divide has emerged between traditionalists who favor classic promotion methods and those embracing lively, digital-first approaches like dance challenges and humorous skits to capture audience attention.

The conversation intensified after filmmaker Kunle Afolayan openly criticized the mounting pressure on creators to perform online stunts and maintain relentless social media presence, calling it draining and unsustainable.

Actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde added her voice, explaining she supports fun promotions but draws the line at anything that feels obligatory or inauthentic.Veteran actress Iyabo Ojo stepped into the fray on Friday with a sharp, indirect response shared on Instagram. She posted a striking billboard image that boldly stated:

"JEALOUSY IS THE LAST CLASS TO ATTEND BEFORE BECOMING A WITCH"Her caption carried equal bite and clarity:"

'Who made the rules? Nobody you gotta answer to.
2026 ain’t for talkers it’s for doers.
Do what works for YOU.
Let others win their way.

You win yours. Period. 100".

Without calling out any names, Ojo's words appear to champion individuality, resilience, and practical results in an industry where audience reach increasingly depends on creativity and adaptability.

Her post has fueled fresh debate about whether bold marketing is essential evolution or unnecessary spectacle.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that the Kebbi State Police Command, in furtherance of its commitment to combating violent crimes across the State, has recorded an operational success.
On 4th February, 2026 at about 2100hrs, operatives of the Police Special Tactical Squad deployed in Bagudo Local Government Area intercepted an unregistered Boxer motorcycle conveying two suspected armed bandits during a routine patrol.

Upon interception and during a security check, the suspects opened fire on the operatives. The police team responded in self-defence, leading to the neutralization of one of the suspects, while the second suspect escaped the scene with gunshot injuries. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

Items recovered from the operation include five hundred and eighty-six (586) rounds of AK-47 live ammunition, three AK-47 magazines, one camouflage uniform, one military-style bag, two mobile phones, a cash sum of Four Hundred and Four Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (₦404,500), and the unregistered motorcycle used by the suspects.

The Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Umar Mohammed Hadeija, psc, MNIM, reassures members of the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property and urges citizens to continue to provide timely and credible information to aid ongoing security operations.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has attacked Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, describing the 54 years old governor as betrayal.
Governor Uba Sani who had formerly served Kaduna State as a Senator representing Kaduna Central succeeded Nasir El-Rufai as governor on May 29, 2023.
Since then, the two politician have torn themselves in the public space with accusations and counter accusations.
Only recently, Governor Uba Sani, in a television conversation, described El-Rufai’s involvement in opposing Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 aspiration as selfish and greed.
Specifically, governor Sani opined that the opposition in which Rufai is involved in has nothing meaning to offer Nigerians.
Reacting, in what he titled “Kaduna Update,” on his Facebook wall, Nasir El-Rufai began with a quote from Sherlock Holmes
“When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, is the truth.”
The former governor thereafter stated that :
Every day I see this governor embarrassingly and sycophantically rambling, I used to wonder why? However, confirming that Federal Government ‘reimbursements, interventions and grants’ in excess of N150bn have been given selectively to Kaduna by Tinubu, in the last 18 months, now explains everything.
By all means, defend Asiwaju for the conditional cash transfer. Asiwaju has earned it, coming from you. The people of Kaduna State will judge at the right time and place. Have a nice day,” he said.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that the fund raising exercise organised by some concerned citizens including media and corporate affairs practitioners to raise $35,000 (USD) about N57 million for Kolawole Kuforiji, a Nigerian journalist to undergo a Deep Brain Stimulation surgery in Turkey has reached the first milestone of over N1 million donation.
The total contribution so far coming from small donors with the smallest of N1,000 and the highest single donation of N200,000 is now N1,178,292.00, while the promoters are still waiting for the interventions of major foundations who have received letters requesting for assistance.
The fund raisers said that so far MTN Foundation and Shell Nigeria had declined that they would not be able to support, while a source close to BUA Group has requested for letter to seek for support which has been sent.
However, other such as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dangote Foundation, All Nigerian Banks through the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB), NNPC Foundation, Chevron Nigeria Foundation, Guinness Nigeria Foundation, Nigerian Breweries Foundation, Total E&P Nigeria Foundation and Babcock University are yet to respond.
Kola's media colleagues have issued a couple of press releases along with TV/Radio giggles since last year to sensitize the public on the urgent need to help the Nigerian journalist with the conviction that citizens from other sphere of life are quick to run to the media whenever they need help, and it’s imperative that the media should rise up to demand that the society should help one or any other their own that are in need of help.
One of Kola’s colleagues recently shared a video of a Nigerian who had similar challenge and went though a successful Deep Brain Stimulation surgery in the same Turkish hospital to convince those that are sceptical about supporting the fund raising exercise due to their wrong conviction that there is no medical cure.
According to him, Parkinson's disease is not a death sentence, as advancement in technology in recent years has given many people new lease of life.
While awaiting the institutional supports to save the life of Kola Kuforiji, the group of friends that opened an bank account with Polaris Bank (Name of Account: SOS FOR JOURNALIST KOLA KUFORIJI/ Account Number: 1790322317) have continued to make individual donations.
The life of Kola, a 54-year-old husband and father of two, who had worked for about two decades with Rhythm FM (Sliverbird Group) reporting business was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with a drug-resistant, Parkinson's disease with pronounced difficulty in walking and tremor has been very ill for more than two years and the severity and debilitating nature of his illness has depleted the finances of his family.
He was initially treated at Ikorodu General Hospital, Lagos, where a presumptive diagnosis of his medical condition was made.
He was over a year ago referred to LASUTH, but there has been little improvement in his health.
Medical treatment abroad now offers the best option for his recovery with a recommendation from Atasehir Medicana International Hospital – Atasehir / Istanbul, Turkey confirming that he will need a Deep Brain Stimulation surgery.
Over the years Kola has explored his media platform as a strong tool to drive financial inclusion and expanding frontier of knowledge of Nigerians on the activities and stride of the energy, banking and finance sectors at large to national development.
Despite his illness, Kola remains hopeful and determined to overcome.
BANK ACCOUNT FOR DONATION TO SAVE THE LIFE OF KOLA KUFORIJI
Name of Account: SOS FOR JOURNALIST KOLA KUFORIJI
Account Number: 1790322317
Bank: Polaris Bank

OpenLife Nigeria reports that a faction of the Oyomesi (kingmakers) has rejected the appointment of Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.
It would be recalled that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Friday, December 10, 2024, approved the appointment of Owoade as the next Alaafin.
However, five of the seven members of the Oyomesi have described Owoade’s appointment as illegal.
The kingmakers in this faction are Yusuf Akinade (Basorun), Wakeel Akindele (Lagunna), Hamzat Yusuf (Akinniku), Wahab Oyetunji, warrant chief standing in for the (Asipa), and Gbadebo Mufutau, warrant chief standing in for (Alapinni).
The kingmakers, in a letter by Adekunle Sobaloju, their legal counsel, told the governor that they recommended Luqman Gbadegesin, not Owoade, as Alaafin.
The letter
The rejection letter read: “You will recall that on 30th September 2022, at the meeting of the Kingmakers in accordance with the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration, 1961, the Kingmakers appointed Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin as the Alaafin of Oyo by a majority of the lawful votes of the Kingmakers,” the letter reads.
“Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin, having obtained the majority of votes of the Kingmakers present and voting, was deemed appointed, and his name was forwarded to your Excellency as the candidate appointed by the Kingmakers as Alaafin of Oyo for your approval, which you refused to approve for no disclosed reason at all.
“The Kingmakers thereafter filed an action to stop your excellency from truncating the process, culminating in the present appeal at the court of appeal.
“We must emphatically state that the Alaafin is not chosen by consultation or divination but in strict compliance with the Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1967, which codifies the native law and custom governing the selection process for the vacant stool of the Alaafin.
“Under the Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1967, it is only the Bashorun of Oyo, the head of the Oyomesi and Kingmakers, that can summon a meeting of the Kingmakers for the purpose of selecting a candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo.
“In this instance, the Bashorun did not summon any such meeting, nor was there any meeting convened in the Alaafin’s palace, as custom demands, where the said Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade was selected or appointed as the new Alaafin.
“Any meeting of few kingmakers and emergency warrant chiefs held at the Governor’s office on the 9th of January, 2025, or elsewhere at the instance of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, to select the preferred candidate of the Governor as the new Alaafin is not only contrary to the native law and custom and Chieftaincy Declaration of Alafin of Oyo Chieftaincy but unlawful, illegal, invalid, null, and void.
“It is not the duty of the governor to convene the meeting of a few kingmakers and emergency warrant chiefs to select or appoint a new Alaafin on the 9th of January, 2025, and hurriedly approve the appointment on the 10th of January, 2025.
“Your Excellency’s unilateral decision to appoint and/or approve the appointment of Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade, without due regard for the provisions of the Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1967 and pending application for injunction pending appeal, may go down in history as the worst executive recklessness and disregard for the integrity of the court ever exhibited by a sitting Governor,” the letter reads further.
“Sir, your excellency cannot sit in your office and handpick the Alaafin, disregarding the established customs and traditions of the Oyo Kingdom.
“We have our client’s instruction to inform your excellency that they have appealed to sons and daughters of the Oyo Kingdom to remain calm in the face of the unjustified attack and desecration of the custom of the community, which had from time immemorial saddled the Oyomesi/Kingmakers with the responsibility to select a candidate from the next ruling house entitled to produce a candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo.
“Our clients hereby assure your Excellency and all Oyo sons and daughters that this unlawful action shall be challenged in court, as we are confident that it will not withstand judicial scrutiny.
“We respectfully advise Your Excellency to retrace your steps and allow the Kingmakers to discharge their duties without interference. Any act contrary to the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration is void ab initio and an affront to the traditions of the Oyo Kingdom.”

As the quest to fill the vacant senatorial seat of Edo Central gains momentum, a power shift to the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Esan land is crucial to ensuring qualitative representation, preventing political monopolies, and fostering prosperity.

Idumonza Isidahomhen, with his experience and deep ties to the Senatorial District, offers a compelling alternative to check APC's unacceptable dominance and mis governance.

Clearly, it's important to draw from historical precedent, political responsibility, and the capabilities of the aspirant.

Political Shift

The following points outline why such a shift would be both strategic and beneficial to the Senatorial District:

Preventing Dangerous Monopoly

Esan land, like much of Edo state, has witnessed the tumultuous effects of the People's Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC’s governance in the past years.

Granting the APC the Senate seat, while they already occupy the governorship seat, would create an unhealthy concentration of power in a party that has been woeful in performance.

Such a monopoly could embolden the APC to further perpetuate lawlessness and abuse of power which have been their hallmarks.

Without doubt, APC has often failed to capitalize on the goodwill of voters by neglecting the real developmental needs of the people.

By electing Idumonza Isidahomhen of the SDP as the 5th Senator, voters would enthrone competitive and qualitative representation which would serve as a counterweight to the ruling party to the benefits of the people.

No doubt, the SDP’s involvement would introduce accountability, preventing the APC from overstepping boundaries in governance, a situation that would likely arise if they are left unchecked.

SDP's Historical Ties and Proven Vision

The SDP is not just another political party seeking power in Edo; it has deep-rooted connections to the state’s political evolution.

In the early 1990s, the SDP nurtured Edo during its formative years, providing the first democratically elected government in the state. The party’s legacy is interwoven with the foundation of modern Edo, and its understanding of the state’s socio-economic needs is unparalleled.

The SDP, having once been the architect of the state’s democratic growth, still holds a strong bond with the people, likened to a parent’s love for their child.
This relationship, forged decades ago, can once again manifest in prosperity for Esan land and the entire state if the Senate seat is entrusted to the SDP.
The party’s track record of responsible governance sets it apart from others who have consistently underdelivered on their promises and mandates.

Idumonza Isidahomhen's Capabilities



Idumonza Isidahomhen is not only a strong advocate for the people of Esan land but he also brings an impressive background to the table.

As a seasoned journalist, Idumonza Isidahomhen has honed the skills necessary for effective communication, sharp analytical thinking and ability to persuasively negotiate legacy federal projects to Esan land in the upper legislative chamber.


His journalistic career has equipped him with a deep understanding of public policy and governance issues, enabling him to push for federal allocations and opportunities that can benefit Esan land directly.
His presence in the Senate would ensure that the interests of Esan people are intelligently represented, making him the right person to pursue federal projects and defend the region’s interests on a national platform.

Esan’s Need for Diversified Representation

Esan land, with its rich history and culture, deserves a representative that truly understands the region’s unique needs.
Over-reliance on the APC and PDP, with their opaque and selfish style of governance, risks marginalizing local voices.
SDP, a party known for its grassroots connection, can foster development through a more inclusive approach. Esan land stands to benefit from the SDP’s progressive policies and focus on local empowerment, which aligns with the community-driven spirit of the region.
Idumonza Isidahomhen is well-positioned to advocate for Esan people not only as a skilled orator but also as a leader who understands the yearnings of his people.
With primary, secondly and university education all in Esan land, his understanding of the desires of the people is unequalled.
His media exposure is an added advantage on how to reshape Esan land to national and international embrace through legislative instruments.



Restoring Political Balance and Responsibility

In a time when national politics has seen growing cynicism, electing a candidate from the SDP would restore faith in Esan land's political leadership.
APC and PDP's track records of abuse of mandates have only led to disillusionment and stagnation.
Esan land needs a fresh perspective, essentially from SDP with legacy of commitment to democratic principles and ideology.
Therefore, allowing APC to control both the state executive and legislative arms would be a betrayal of Esan community’s need for accountability and responsible governance.

In conclusion, the Senate power shift to SDP, with Idumonza Isidahomhen as its representative in the Senate, will not only translate to a wise strategic choice but one that ensures a brighter, more prosperous future for Esan land reminiscent of Anthony Enaholo's era in the federal parliament who was also a journalist.

Idumonza's intelligence, deep local connections, and SDP’s historical role in the development of Edo make this the most compelling path forward for all stakeholders.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that a Brazilian professional footballer, Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior, known as Marcelo, has revealed the strangest thing about one of the most admired footballers on earth, Lionel Messi.

Marcelo, a left-back for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Fluminense, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest left-backs of all time as a result of his attacking capabilities, stated this in an interview in which he extolled the professional skills of Messi.
Said Marcelo : "Messi is a player you have to play against but don't provoke him. We used to find it difficult to stop him when he was in a normal state, but when he got angry it was as if he turned into Super Messi. He becomes another person who wants revenge, but his way of taking revenge is through goals, and this is not in our favor. The new defenders will not suffer as we did. Their mission is somewhat easy. The best striker now will not make you sleepless nights before facing him, but Messi did that. The strangest thing is that every time we faced him, we did not find a solution for him. He is a player who is difficult to understand and has an extraordinary talent. Is he the best? I think the Ballon d'Or are enough to say who is the best in football "
Born on June 24, 1987, Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Messi set numerous records for individual accolades won throughout his professional footballing career such as eight Ballon d'Or awards and eight times being named the world's best player by FIFA.
He is the most decorated player in the history of professional football having won 45 team trophies, including twelve Big Five league titles, four UEFA Champions Leagues, two Copa Américas, and one FIFA World Cup.
Messi holds the records for most European Golden Shoes (6), most goals for a single club (672, with Barcelona), most goals (474), hat-tricks (36) and assists (192) in La Liga, most matches played (39), assists (18) and goal contributions (34) in the Copa América, most matches played (26) and goal contributions (21) in the World Cup, most international appearances (191) and international goals (112) by a South American male, and the second-most in the latter category outright.
A prolific goalscorer and creative playmaker, Messi has scored over 850 senior career goals for club and country.

OpenLife Nigeria has gathered that the world's largest gold deposit has been discovered in China's central Hunan province.
Geologists believe it could hold 1,000 tonnes of the precious metal.
At current prices this 'supergiant gold deposit' could be worth more than $80 billion (£63bn), making it the richest source of gold on the planet.
Scientists from the Geological Bureau of Hunan Province (GBHP) say they have discovered more than 40 veins beneath the Wangu gold field in Pingjiang County.

Drilling shows there are already more than 300 tonnes of gold just in the veins less than 2,000m (6,500ft) deep.
However, further 3D modelling suggests there are veins holding an additional 700 tonnes extending down to a depth of 3,000m (9,800ft).
Rock samples taken at the site show that every tonne of ore could contain as much as 138 grams of pure gold.
This would be a truly astonishing level of richness considering that ore is considered high quality if it contains just eight grams per tonne.
Chen Rulin, an ore-prospecting expert at GBHP, told state media: 'Many drilled rock cores showed visible gold.'






The discovery surpasses even the 900 tonnes buried within the 3,000m-deep (6,500ft) South Deep mine in South Africa which was previously the world's largest reserve.
Chinese officials have not yet announced plans to develop the site but it is likely that the Wangu gold field will soon become one of the country's biggest mining projects.
Currently, the country's biggest gold mine is the Xiling gold mine in Shandong Province, a coastal region in the East of China.
But even that mine, with its massive deposit of 580 tonnes, would only be almost half the size of any mine built over the Wangu gold field.
Gold prices lept at the news of the discovery, rising to near-historic highs in the days following.
Amid rising geopolitical tensions and mounting uncertainties, the price of gold has already been climbing over the course of 2024.
But as the news of the Wangu gold field broke the price of gold briefly jumped to £2,171 ($2,759) last weekend.
China is already one of the world's largest producers of gold, accounting for 10 per cent of the global output.
Earlier this year, estimates already put the country's total gold reserves at over 2,000 tonnes.
However, China is also a huge market for gold and currently consumes more of the precious metal than it can produce.
Years of rapid economic development and a fast-growing middle class have fueled demand for gold as a form of investment for many Chinese citizens.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that one of the longest-detained journalists in the world, Dawit Isaak, has been announced as the winner of the Edelstam Prize, a Sweden-based international monetary award.
The award is for Dawit Isaak’s outstanding contributions and exceptional courage in standing up for one’s beliefs in the Defence of Human Rights.
Dawit Isaak has been detained for more than two decades.

The announcement was contained in a press release by the organisers of the award, disclosing that Mr. Isaak, who has been held incommunicado by the Eritrean authority since 2001 as a prisoner of conscience who stood up for freedom of expression, would be awarded on November 19, 2024, and the award would be received by his daughter, Bethlehem Isaak, on his behalf.
On September 23, 2001, Mr. Dawit Isaak, an Eritrean-Swedish journalist and advocate for human rights, co-founded Setit, Eritrea’s first independent newspaper, and some other journalists were arrested by Eritrean authorities as part of its clampdown on freedom of speech and human rights.
The journalists were subsequently detained without trial, charge, or access to legal counsel or trial for more than 23 years.
23 years after their arrests, various international campaigns such as Amnesty International and the United Nations have sprung up, putting pressure on the Eritrean governments to release Mr. Dawit Isaak, who turned 60 in October this year, and his colleagues, who have not spoken to their families since their unlawful arrest over 20 years ago.
Speaking to Mr Dawit Isaak’s role in defending human rights and democratic principles, Caroline Edelstam, Chair of the Edelstam Prize Jury and co-founder of the Edelstam Foundation said his courage to criticize the Eritrean authority is clear evidence of his commitment to freedom of expression which led to his unlawful punishment.
Ms Edelstam insisted that the Eritrean government be held accountable for releasing Mr Isaak and other prisoners of conscience, including journalists and reformist politicians. On behalf of the Harald Edelstam Foundation, she also urged the Eritrean government to respect Dawit Isaak’s legal rights, such as the right to legal counsel and consular assistance, and to promptly reveal his whereabouts.
“Mr. Dawit Isaak has through his outstanding courage continued to write and criticize the Eritrean government and showed great commitment to freedom of expression and information, despite the government harassing and threatening him with continued interrogations. Mr. Dawit Isaak continued his advocacy, beyond his interest for the principles of human rights and democracy. His punishment, his perpetual unlawful detention, never charged with a crime, defenseless and deprived of his basic rights without a trial, his de facto status of civil death, is untenable,” says
“Where the press is free and every man able to read, all is safe. Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.” Thomas Jefferson, 1816.
“Mr. Dawit Isaak is the longest-detained journalist in the world. We are very concerned about his health and his whereabouts are unknown, he is not charged with a crime, and he has been denied access to his family, consular assistance, and the right to legal counsel – effectively, it is an enforced disappearance. Eritrea systematically curtails a wide range of fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression, association, assembly, and information, which is handled with censorship, arbitrary arrests, detentions without trial, and systematic and pervasive torture. Mass roundups and arbitrary arrests as well as the detention of journalists and human rights defenders without trial are unexceptional,” says Caroline Edelstam, Chair of the Edelstam Prize Jury.
“It is important to find ways to enforce national and international law and to promote accountability for serious abuses of human rights. Where violations have occurred, states must be held accountable. The international community also has a responsibility for establishing justice, ensuring the protection of victims, and upholding the principle that nobody is above the law. Democratic countries should put pressure on the perpetrator, in this case, Eritrea, which is essential and could have a noticeable effect. Enforced disappearances and persecution of journalists are grave human rights violations. As James Joyce taught us, we must insist on praying: Give us this day our daily press. These abuses are criminal acts, without exception and regardless of circumstance, including state of war, emergency, or national security. According to international law, family members of the disappeared are recognised as victims of enforced disappearance as well,” said Caroline Edelstam.
About the Edelstam Prize
The Edelstam Prize is a Sweden-based international monetary award, administered by the Harald Edelstam Foundation. The Edelstam Prize is awarded for outstanding contributions and exceptional courage in standing up for one’s beliefs in the Defence of Human Rights.
The Edelstam Prize is named after, and awarded in memory of, the Swedish diplomat and Ambassador, Harald Edelstam (1913-1989). Harald Edelstam distinguished himself as a diplomat by his professional competence, his bravery, and his civic courage in the fight for Human Rights. His memorable acts contributed to saving more than a thousand lives.
The winner of the Edelstam Prize can be a private person or a person who serves in Government, international, or national organizations. The winner shall be an individual who has acted in Ambassador Harald Edelstam’s spirit in a country/countries where Human Rights, according to international law, have been violated. The laureate must have shown outstanding capabilities in analysing and handling complex situations and in finding ways, even unconventional and creative ones, to defend Human Rights. The candidate has, presumably in a complex situation, been able to take a decisive role in helping threatened people or directly saving human lives. Civic courage is a central parameter in the selection of a successful candidate.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that Music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has shared more details about his current predicament with baby mama Sophia Momodu as they continue to battle over the custody of their daughter, Imade.

The music star shared all the text and supporting images on his Instagram page Monday morning and deleted everything an hour later.

In the piece, he explained why he has acted in certain ways and also sheds more light on details about Sophia Momodu.

Read the lengthy (and detailed) piece below as obtained from Egwu Julius’s Facebook wall.

Birth of Imade Adeleke

When the second trimester of Sophia’s pregnancy was closing, she tortuously announced to me that she was in the family way.

My mind was bemused, and so was my soul confused. But I quickly realized that nothing more could be done to alter my status as a father-to-be. I knew that i was not ready to be a dad. Still, I adjusted myself to the realities of my new situation and the consequences of my past personal indiscretions.

I made the determination that I was going to be a good dad. I also reasoned that my blunder is not enough pretext to make me a husband. I was just 21. And so I decided to be a responsible dad without being husband to the mother of my baby. I never was in love with Sophia neither was marriage ever in the offing.

Without knowing for sure that I was the real dad of the baby, I entrusted Sophia to the services of a private hospital for both pre-natal and post-natal medical cares. An apartment at Lekki was leased for 2 years, and paid for by me. The burden of medical bills, feeding, transportation and sundry costs rested on my person. No family member of Sophia including Uncle Dele Momodu rose to help nor guide Sophia.

I own my property at Lekki and had allowed Sophia to stay in the house because she claimed that she knew nobody in Lagos and that her father was deceased whilst her mother was resident in Abuja. For real, Sophia was a drifter without a dime, education nor career. My compassion, ignorance, naivety and poor judgment had combined to make me a victim to a much older lady with super cunning sense that was mixed with a vicious and diabolical nature. I stand accused but calmly accepted my responsibility for the sad misadventure that caused me to be a seat-mate with Sophia on a plane that was flying nowhere.

All along, I have only been generous with Sophia without knowing for sure I was the father to the baby she was carrying. On May 14, 2015, Sophia delivered her baby named Imade. It was after Sophia had delivered the baby that DNA testing medically confirmed that I was indeed the biological father of our child named Imade.

Once this status was obtained, Sophia started to apply maximum financial demands on me. I bought all the baby things and fully furnished her apartment. Sophia knew well how to spend money and yet contributed zero to the vast expenses that I incurred. None in her family contributed even a fake coin to the cost of having Imade.

Uncle Dele Momodu, now the pompous moralist, never visited Sophia nor even delivered an ordinary greeting card to Imade nor to her mum. Throughout the many months that Sophia stayed at my house when she claimed she has no family in Lagos, Uncle Dele Momodu and his bossy wife never showed up at my house to say hello to either of us.

When the going was good, Sophia had told me plenty things about her uncle Dele Momodu that I need not repeat here. And she never invited me to go with her to visit him and I don’t have the knowledge that she ever visited him throughout the time she stayed in my house. She always explained that a visit to Uncle Dele was needless and unnecessary. Uncle Dele Momodu never liked, and still does not like Sophia. He is now just grandstanding because Sophia had a baby for a fairly prominent family and famous Davido.

The case of Mrs Momodu baffles me even more. Why did she not think it necessary to move to Sophia’s apartment to help her out and show her the tricks of motherhood when Imade was newly born. Not once did she visit Sophia and her baby until December 2015. She gave neither care, love nor financial support to Sophia. Now, at 7 months old, and a child with special medical needs, Mrs Momodu rushed to the Lagos Airport to make an awful botch of her standing as a mother: Mrs Momodu certainly not a good person. She put time and energy to prevent my daughter and I, the real father of Imade, from travelling aboard to keep an appointment with the American Hospital, Dubai. At the point of dying in November, 2015 Imade had been rushed to this medical facility in Dubai, where she received helpful and adequate treatment, and was duly returned to Nigeria, without any side excursions.

What then suddenly propels the fear or dangerous love of Mr & Mrs Momodu for Sophia? I deeply sense this couple never loved Sophia nor her late father. They also resent her mum, and probably are jealous that Sophia ever became a mum herself, and thus, wish that Sophia’s daughter who is also my daughter, must needlessly perish.

Where is the inherent value in a callous human ploy that directly intends to prevent a child from receiving necessary medical care aboard once the biological father, David Adeleke, the child’s grandfather and all my siblings who are uncles and aunties to Imade are booked to fly on this essential medical trip to which we have attached a restful family vacation? Sophia ain’t a member of our family, period.

Surely, Sophia was not with Imade when she first visited Dubai, and yet Imade was promptly returned to Nigeria. And no one said Sophia cannot come to Dubai except that I declared that I don’t want the trip to seem like a spousal get-away. Sophia ain’t my wife and I refuse to let any action conspire to make us look like a couple. She seemed unable or unwilling to pay her way to Dubai. Also, her boastful Uncle, alas, refused to volunteer to pay her way to Dubai. I never suggested to an elder what he should take up as his personal responsibility if indeed he cared at all for Sophia as his robust involvement in our odd relationship wishes to establish. Mr Momodu never bought the ticket but wanted to enforce his cosine to join my family on this Dubai trip.

Dangerous lights are furiously blinking red around my daughter, Sophia and my person. Uncle Dele Momodu and his wife are providers of the energy espousing the idea of a needless death to my daughter. I now say it loud and clear, should my daughter die, this strange couple are mainly responsible. Mr Dele Momodu should just leave me and my family alone! His daughter is not who had a baby for me, and he has been too much of an absentee uncle to Sophia to have any traction on the moral authority that commands the soul and heart of this matter. Sophia Never formally introduced him nor his wife to me, at any time. Why are they now crowding my space and that of my daughter?

Custody, Lifestyle and Imade’s Loss of Wellness

In May, the same month Imade was born, Sophia settled in her fancy apartment for which I paid a hefty bill for a 2 year lease. Her baby was healthy. And she seemed happy. I would take care of all the financial needs of Imade and still pay Sophia a living allowance of 300,000 Naira plus utility bills.

Within a matter of weeks, Sophia was missing and lusting for the streets of Lagos, especially the glitzy night life. She often left Imade home for clubbing, binge drinking and a life of debauchery and deviant living. She would sleep all day and party all night. When awake, she was addicted to the telephone and cannabis. She paid the baby no attention at all and seemed to despise motherhood and parenting.

Imade was in her custody for 2 straight months, unchallenged and uninterrupted, until the baby took badly and severely ill in July. Imade cried, ceaselessly, for 48 hours. She was rushed to the hospital where her condition confounded medical experts. Several tests were conducted on her and later on the mother. Medical reports, herein attached (exhibit 1), proved that Sophia’s blood was polluted to the maximum level with cannabis and she had by the process of breast feeding infected her child with complicated medical conditions associated with the use of alcohol and especially cannabis. The trouble spot for Imade was her lungs. She had difficulty breathing largely because of the contaminated breast milk and the severity of the “Second Smoke” of marijuana inhaled by the poor child.

OpenLife Nigeria has reliably gathered that the Supreme Court of Nigeria Friday, June 28, 2024, affirmed the conviction of the former Managing Director of Bank PHB Plc, Mr Francis Atuche, for N25.7 billion fraud.
The apex court, in a unanimous decision, held that Atuche, the Appellant, failed to dislodge the finding of the trial court which convicted him and the Court of Appeal which affirmed the conviction.
The judgment brings the criminal charge to finality after over 13 years.
In the lead judgment read by Justice M.A.A. Adumein, the Supreme Court relied on its previous decisions that where the judgment of a trial court on the demeanour of a party or witness is supported by the documentary evidence tendered, an Appellate Court has no business in tampering with the decision of the Court.
In conclusion, the Court held that the Appellant did not give it any reason to tamper with the concurrent finding of the two lower courts.
Atuche, his wife, Elizabeth, and the bank’s former chief financial officer Ugo Anyanwu were in 2011 arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of the High Court of Lagos State
They were prosecuted by an EFCC prosecutor, Dr Kemi Pinheiro SAN on a 27-count amended information for their involvement in a N25.7 billion fraud.
The Trial Court after taking evidence of parties in its judgment delivered for almost 12 hours convicted and sentenced Atuche and Anyanwu on the 16th of June 2021 while also discharging and acquitting his wife.
Justice Okunnu noted that both convicts defrauded the bank using well-recognised stockbrokers to transfer money under the guise of loans and shares.
“It was a well-planned, well-executed scheme but the bubble burst when the Central Bank of Nigeria intervened,” she had said.
Not satisfied with the high court judgment, Atuche filed an appeal.
On the 23rd of June 2022 after hearing the appeal, the Court of Appeal affirmed the conviction of both Atuche and Ugo Anyanwu while reducing his sentence to a jail term of 12 years.
The Supreme Court had earlier this year heard Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, leading Chief Anthony Idigbe SAN and Prof. Fidelis Oditah SAN in the appeal which was initiated by Atuche against his conviction, while a team of lawyers including Pinheiro and Sebastian Hon SAN held the fiat of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that emerging results from the South Africa's national elections show unprecedented dramatic shift since the end of apartheid.
According to reports obtained from Reuters, the African National Congress, ANC, appeared on course to lose the parliamentary majority it has held for 30 years.
Partial results from South Africa's national election showed, in what would be the most dramatic political shift since the end of apartheid.
If the final results confirm the loss of its majority, the ANC will be forced to make a deal with one or more other parties to govern - a situation that could lead to unprecedented political volatility in the coming weeks or months.
"There will be checks and balances on the ANC power, but the ultimate risk is that the infighting could make governance ineffective," said Simon Harvey, head of foreign exchange analysis at Monex Europe.
With results in from 16.7% of polling stations, the ANC's share of the vote in Wednesday's election stood at 42.5%, with the pro-business Democratic Alliance (DA) on 25.8%, data from the electoral commission showed on Thursday.
The Marxist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party was on 8.5%, while uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a new party led by former president Jacob Zuma, was snapping at its heels on 8%.
"I don't think it's likely for the ANC to reach a majority," said pollster Reza Omar of Citizen Surveys, noting that while the picture would evolve, it was unlikely to change to that extent.
South African broadcaster eNCA projected that the ANC's final score would land on the 45% mark while the DA would remain the largest opposition party on 21%.
"The ANC looks forward to a clear mandate from voters to continue the work of transforming South Africa and building a better life for all," the party said in a statement.
Tessa Dooms, director of the Rivonia Circle think-tank in Johannesburg, said the early results were skewed towards rural areas where she would have expected the ANC to be performing more strongly than it was.
"The rural vote comes in early and it's always much smaller. The urban vote comes in quite late. I think this election will be a lot more contested in the urban areas," she told Reuters at the results centre in Midrand, north of Johannesburg.
Under South Africa's constitution, the newly elected National Assembly will elect the next president. With the ANC still on course to be the largest party, that is likely to be its leader Cyril Ramaphosa, the incumbent.
However, a poor showing could make him vulnerable to a leadership challenge from within party ranks, whether in the immediate future or at some point during his term.
With South Africa entering uncharted political territory, Harvey said the speed at which a coalition could be formed would be an indication of what was to come.
"If it is protracted, you may start to worry about a political gridlock going forward," he said.
The uncertainty weighed on South African markets.
The rand slipped more than 1% against the U.S. dollar to hit its weakest level in four weeks while the wider equity index (.JTOPI), opens new tab dropped more than 2% in its worst day in six weeks. The country's international bonds lost as much as 1 cent in the dollar.
THE ZUMA FACTOR
The ANC has won national elections held every five years since the landmark 1994 election, which marked the end of apartheid and the ascent of Nelson Mandela as president.
But since those heady days the ANC's support has declined because of disillusionment over issues such as high unemployment and crime, frequent power blackouts and corruption.
In the previous election in 2019, the ANC won 57.5% of the vote, with 20.8% for the DA and 10.8% for the EFF, on a turnout of 66% of registered voters, which the commission has already said is likely to be higher this time.
At provincial level, the early results showed the ANC on 35.7%, the DA on 29.6%% and the EFF on 10.8% in the key province of Gauteng, which includes the country's business capital Johannesburg and the sprawling townships of Soweto and Alexandra.
In KwaZulu-Natal, a populous eastern province where the major city of Durban is located, Zuma's MK was performing strongly, with 43.2% of the vote versus 21.7% for the ANC. KwaZulu-Natal is his home province and he is popular there.
Zuma was forced to quit as president in 2018 after a string of scandals and has since fallen out with the ANC leadership, leading him to throw his weight behind MK. The party, named after the ANC's armed wing from the apartheid era, appeared to be costing both the ANC and the EFF votes.
"MK is going to be a real player. That it tracks close to the EFF is significant because they are going after the same voters," said Dooms.
By law, the electoral commission has seven days to declare full results, but in practice it is usually faster than that. In the last election, in 2019, voting took place on a Wednesday like this year and final results came on the Saturday.
The new parliament must convene within 14 days of final results being declared and its first act must be to elect the nation's president.
This means that if the ANC is confirmed to have lost its majority there could be two weeks of intense and complex negotiations to agree on how to form a new government.
The African National Congress , a leading political party in South Africa, originated as a liberation movement known for its opposition to apartheid and has governed the country since 1994, when the first post-apartheid election resulted in Nelson Mandela being elected as President of South Africa.

Founded by John Langalibalele Dube, Sol Plaatje, Pixley ka Isaka Seme, Josiah Tshangana Gumede on 8 January 1912, current President Cyril Ramaphosa emerged under ANC

OpenLife Nigeria reports that on the occasion of their 4th marriage anniversary, Arise TV Anchor, Dr.Reuben Abati, has made a promise to his 3rd wife, Titi, of paying another bride on her next year when their marriage would be five years old.
The ace journalist and former presidential spokesman made this disclosure on his X handle today, May 15 as part of the marriage anniversary.
In a flowering message, Abati reminded Titi that she has brought joy into his life.
He noted unequivocally that he has become a better person since their love life commenced.
“I jumped on the boat to sail with you because I see more than just a future with you,” Abati reminiscences.
The full text is reproduced below unedited




Officially 4 years today, 15th of May! 🎉@realtalkwithkike. Guess what Kiki! We’ve got forever to go in each other’s arms.

Kiki, you are a tough cookie, and your stubbornness is next to none. But, your positivity and kindness overshadow your naughtiness. We've had 3 misunderstanding in 4 years and well handled. Your enterprising nature, hard work, and adorable spirit make you truly special though too trusting.

I jumped on the boat to sail with you because I see more than just a future with you. You are my ride-or-die, and I’m 100% loyal to you. I gave your Dad my word, and I will keep it until the end of my time! Kiki you made your choice against many odds and I’m always ready to take a million steps against those odds.

This first slide is our first official intimate picture where we were both conscientious about our journey from working collaboratively to accepting my proposal to living in our purpose. Gracing your precious finger with that engagement ring that night reframed my world into another existence of possibilities. You’re my conscious choice and the longing of my world. You're my closest person on earth, the owner of my heart, and my safe haven. Trust me when I say marriage with you balances me out and brought a lot of healing for me.

On our 5th anniversary next year, I’m coming back to your family to pay another bride price as a renewed sense of devotion and dedication to your happiness. 💍❤️

I may have a million truths to prove you but I need a lifetime to do that. Keep being you Kiki. As I say to you everyday, I love you Kiki! Cheers to us Iyawo, @realtalkwithkike
Kiki,

OpenLife Nigeria reports that the secretary general of Nigeria witches and wizards, Doctor Okhue Iboi, has died.

OpenLife gathered that he died in the early hours of today, Sunday, May 12, 2024 at his home town in Otuo, Owan East Local Government Area, Edo State.
He was 65 years old.
The trado-medical practitioner who was originally born in Okpe, Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, lived in Lagos, using his herbal skills to administer treatment to patients who go for his service.
In a brief narrative with his wife on Sunday afternoon with Mr. Ayodele Oshikokhai, a Lagos based journalist, Okhue Iboi was said to have taken ill and he was moved down to the village for appropriate medical attention.
He was said to have taken injection yesterday {Saturday} after which his condition deteriorated earlier today.
He died thereafter.

“He died this morning. He is in mortuary


He died in the village. He took injection and nobody knew how the injection worked on him.
He was sick and they brought him to the village. Na so we see am o,” the wife disclosed to Oshikokhai
According to history, Doctor Okhue Iboi’s father, Jonah Iboi, was a farmer, hunter and a respected community leader.
He migrated in the 1950s with his wives from his home town, Otuo in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State to Okpe in Akoko Edo Local Government Area.
Even with five wives, he had no child.
So, he relocated in obedience to an Ifa divination that he should leave Otuo if he wished to have children.
He adapted quickly to life in his new settlement where he was loved by his hosts for his kindness and open-mindedness. He went on with farming and hunting expedition until an event occurred that changed his life and gave birth to Okhue on April 6, 1959.

In an interview with Vanguard newspaper, Okhue Iboi disclosed that “When I was born, I came from my mother’s womb with some mystic objects in my hands. I had fresh leaves in my hands, which was a prelude to what I am renowned for today as an herbalist.
Mysteriously at age two, I disappeared from my mother’s bed while we both slept at night and, for six months, there was no trace of me. My parents were scared, they sought spiritual intervention and the oracle confirmed that I was well and safe in the hands of my spiritual guardians, where I was understood to be undergoing spiritual purification and preparation for my earthly mission. The oracle directed my parents to always place my food daily at the place I was always eating in the house. They complied and the meals would disappear without them knowing who ate it. By the end of the sixth month, I was suddenly found lying beside my mother on the day I exactly clocked three years.”
Okhue Iboi was a wealthy man with three daughters and a son who are all university graduates.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that a former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has incurred the anger of internet enthusiasts over a remark on the 62nd birthday of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
Chidoka, 52, who hails from Obosi in Anambra State, on Sunday, May 12, 2024, penned a salutary piece on Ike Ekweremadu who is currently serving jail term in England over “organ harvesting” matters.
In the piece, Chidoka recalled his life journey with Ike Ekweremadu, describing him as “A loyal friend, a good husband and a great father.”
Chidoka added that “ I am proud of you.”
Further, Chidoka asserted that the jailed Enugu State born former deputy Senate President is worthy of emulation by the emerging generation on account of rendering selfless services in public office.
“I witnessed your intellectual curiosity never wane, even as you dedicated yourself to public service. Your pursuit of knowledge and your passion for debate, all while maintaining your duties, are traits to be emulated,” said Chidoka on his X handle
@osita_chidoka.
However, these eulogies provoked the anger of many of his followers on X, in which many disagreed with him saying he merely playing to the gallery on account of being birds of a feather.
In the same vein, others see it differently, saying Ekweremadu merits all the accolades.
Below are the different versions of responses.

@IamThatNaijaGuy
This man is in prison for organ harvesting and here you are writing big sounding words in public in this failed image laundering attempt. Shame on you Mr Osita x.com/osita_chidoka/…


@AsiyaRodrigo


The great irony of Nigerian political elite is that they can be so generous, kind and thoughtful to their chosen ones but still treat a common street vendor with cruelty and indifference. As a politician, one is expected not just to love one's family and friends but to also love…












@Aloefuna1

I don't understand this Sir. "Your legacies are etched in our hearts..." Which legacies please? What are the legacies Ike Ekweremmandu left and his contributions to improvement of the living condition of his constituents? I don't understand this long epistle because it looks…




@JosephOnuorah

He is an almost zero impact senator. many of the masses understand this.



@ObiYhwh

Dear Chier Osita Chidoka, Nothing wrong in being loyal to your friend, Ike Ekwerenmadu, and celebrating him on his birthday. But a lot of things are wrong in publicly lauding him as a “Global Leader” when he is currently in jail for human organ trafficking. Is this disputable?…



@OkoyeHTM

We can accept him as your friend and I am sure he’ll never have a better choice of friend than you. Nevertheless, as to being a global leader and all that high sounding words is doubtful.



@ChukwunyeluOrji

Global leader ke in a sane country, he is a convict abi exconvict but na nigeria and na ex criminals dey be leaders for Nigeria.



@Nairaexchanger

Let’s truly celebrate your friendship with the senator. Watch till the end.



@NgbedeD

Happy birthday DSP sir



@epbah57070

Happy birthday to him.


@Udomighty

Happy birthday to a great man who prioritize family over political position



@omaletomale

Happy birthday Senator Ike Ekeweramadu... May your days be long and your new age be blessed.


@revaustino

Great Indeed




@stevomdd

Happy birthday to him




@apostlevin

Happy birthday Ikeoha









@IGWECC07


Life is all about up’s and down,nothing stands forever except God,he’ll get through it anyway,happy birthday to him.






@barmannigeria

@osita_chidoka
kindly stop this s.illy image laundering There's nothing to celebrate about a man in prison for organ trafficking, One who was so greedy that he acquired 40 houses from our Commonwealth: Abuja-15 Enugu-10, Dubai-9 USA-3, UK- 2 Lagos-1



@OkoyeHTM

·
17h
We can accept him as your friend and I am sure he’ll never have a better choice of friend than you. Nevertheless, as to being a global leader and all that high sounding words is doubtful.



@IGWECC07


Life is all about up’s and down,nothing stands forever except God,he’ll get through it anyway,happy birthday to him.



Osita Chidoka’s piece

Ike Ekweremadu: My Friend and the Global Leader at 62 We met in 1997; you came to pick me up in your Peugeot 505 Salon car. At that time, you were a Local Government Chairman, and I was Personal Assistant to Chief Okete, Minister of State Works and Housing. Our friendship was on and off as you climbed the ladder of leadership. I saw you as Chief of Staff to the Governor, Secretary to the State Government and Senator. In 2008, our friendship was renewed, made possible by Olisa Metuh, your classmate. The friendship, this time, blossomed. You were there when my mother came back from her first cancer surgery. You were there when I turned 40. You were there in Obosi when my father turned 90. You were there by 7 am for the surprise praise and worship session when my wife turned 40. You came to Obosi to see the Thomas Chidoka ICT Centre before its launch in 2016. Your wife Nwanneka was always by your side and heartily entertained us with that Abacha that I insist she must get a patent for. I particularly respect Anukata etinye ego (as Olisa and I fondly call her) for focusing on her job as a civil servant while you held sway in the Senate—a remarkable woman. I was there at your birthday events. The picture of you, your wife and myself was your 2019 birthday. I witnessed your intellectual curiosity never wane, even as you dedicated yourself to public service. Your pursuit of knowledge and your passion for debate, all while maintaining your duties, are traits to be emulated. I escorted you to receive your PhD certificate from the University of Abuja. You are a loyal friend, a good husband and a great father. I am proud of you, grateful to know you and happy that you prioritised fatherhood. You live your love of family and pay the price for love. Today, you mark 62 years. We would have been at your house eating and laughing. We will eat today, but we will not laugh. We will drink, but we will not be raucous because...... To all friends and admirers: Ike and Nwanneka are in good spirits. They know that ....this, too, shall come to pass. Their back may be bent, but their spirits are not broken. Your legacies are etched in our hearts - those you've touched. Though the burdens may weigh heavy, your spirit remains unyielding. In the face of adversity, you stand tall, a living testament of hope and inspiration to all who know you. Your commitment to family, community, and service is a soulful reminder of and tribute to the power of love and sacrifice. Your resilience and calm confidence whenever I see you are an enduring testament to your character and doggedness. Next year in Enugu, with God keeping us, we shall sing the Lord's song not in a strange land but on the soil ordained by God. We will celebrate again a friend, a leader, a father and a man whose community and friends acknowledge with one voice as a global leader. Happy birthday, Ikeoha, okala madu, and husband of Nwanneka. Osita Chidoka 12 May 2024

OpenLife Nigeria reports that Professor Babagana Zulum, the executive governor of Borno State is currently in the eye of the storm as some internet users have accused him of promoting poverty in the state through poor teachers’s wages.
As the story goes, as contained in Sahara Reporters, Borno State Government under Professor Babagana Zulum, pays primary school teachers in the southern part of the state a paltry N7500 and headmasters N10,000 as monthly salary, SaharaReporters can report.


Southern Borno comprises eight Local Governments Areas which are; Askira-Uba, Biu, Chibok, Damboa, Gwoza, Hawul, Kwaya-Kusar and Shani.

Further findings revealed that minority tribes, other than Kanuri speaking also live in the south of the state.

Some primary school teachers in Chibok, Askira-Uba, Gwoza and Kwaya-Kusar told SaharaReporters how they were forced to survive on a paltry sum of N7500 to N15000 as monthly pay cheque.

"I'm earning N10,000 as a headmaster of over 10 years in one of the schools here in Askira-Uba," said a teacher who spoke on condition of anonymity.


For another teacher in Chibok, "I'm an NCE (National Certificate in Education) holder; I started on N15,000 eight years ago and till date I'm paid the same N15,000."


"Like me, majority of primary school teachers in southern Borno are paid N7500. And it doesn't matter your qualification," another teacher from Gwoza corroborated.


It is the same tale of frustration from teachers in Kwaya-Kusar, as one of them said, "Yes it's true, my salary and all of us here is N7500. When you complain, the Education Secretary will always refer you to the state SUBEB in Maiduguri."


"I had cause to go to the board in Maiduguri, all they told me was that our salary is this meagre because our local government is having zero allocation; whatever that means, nobody could explain to me," another teacher said.


To verify why the salary disparity, SaharaReporters contacted the Borno State Commissioner of Education, Lawan Abba Wakilbe who denied the allegation that southern Borno teachers were paid meagre salary.


Wakilbe, who admitted that there were teachers on monthly take home pay that is as low as N7000. however argued that the disparity happened before the coming of the current Babagana Umara Zulum's era.


He said, "The general minimum wage that was first adopted deferred per local government, not the current N30,000; that's the old N18,000 minimum wage.


"So local governments that had so much staff adopted like 40 to 50 percent minimum wage. Local governments that have minimal staff adopted 100 percent minimum wage.


"That disparity happened before our time. When we came, we had like 21,000 teachers on LEA (Local Education Authority) payroll. So the first thing we did was a verification, out of which 7000 or so had fake certificates and they're currently laid off.


"Then in 2019 the governor organised a needs assessment on education, health and water. In education we discovered a problem with the quality of teachers, because since the abolition of Teachers Colleges, there's no direct formal means of training teachers; the Education Secretaries replace teachers indiscriminately.


"One qualifed teacher retires, they bring in six, seven small boys and put them there. We conducted a competency test across board, when we conducted the test we inherited about 17,000 teachers or there about. After the verification based on primary three standard, only 6000 of them had 60 marks and above. So those qualified were paid minimum wage across board.


"You know we called them to centers for exams and University of Maiduguri consult was asked to conduct that exam, not even the state government. When that happened only 6000 got 60 marks and above. The professors were telling me that any body with marks bellow 90 has failed; but we brought it (cut off mark) down to 60.


"Then we identified 7000 that are trainable, that with training they could be teachers. We had a situation where NCE holders could not write NCE test, graduates could not fill bio-data form. It was that bad! What will they go and do in a classroom?


"So the 7000 that need further training, by next week we're taking 1200 to Waka-Biu, 800 to Bama, the rest would be trained here. Then we've identified the younger ones, 1000 of them to use six semesters, two years NCE course; so we're training the 7000."


"That leaves the category that are making trouble. The ideal thing we could have done is to discard them but because of the human sympathy the governor had, he said he's not going to terminate anybody; they should be allowed to earn a living before we train these our teachers," he said.
Reacting, a social media enthusiast, identified as Tawa incommunicado, said: “
The average Northern politician views mass illiteracy and the suppression of education in general as a necessary tool of the feudal political class to maintain its grip on political power. Most Nigerians thought that Zulum being educated and young would play a more compassionate and positive game in that regard but got it totally wrong. In fact Zulum is at the forefront of religious bigotry, weaponization of mass poverty and mass illiteracy in northern Nigeria, he does not even extend state palliatives to Christian areas of Bornu state.”
Another Netizen, identified as xavier, said “
zulum is wicked man.”

OpenLife Nigeria reports that Pope Francis has reportedly said that engaging in pornography “undermines sexual pleasure that is a gift from God”, describing it as “satisfaction without a relationship.”
Delivering a homily at the Vatican as part of a series on vices and virtues on Wednesday, the Pope described sexual pleasure as a gift from God.
In the sermon focused on what he called “the demon of lust,” the Pope said sexual pleasure needs to be disciplined with patience.
“Among all human pleasures, sexuality has a powerful voice. It involves all the senses; it dwells both in the body and in the psyche, and this is very beautiful; but if it is not disciplined with patience, if it is not inscribed in a relationship and in a story where two individuals transform it into a loving dance, it turns into a chain that deprives human beings of freedom,” the Pope said.
“Sexual pleasure that is a gift from God is undermined by pornography: satisfaction without relationship can generate forms of addiction.
“We have to defend love, the love of the heart, of the mind, of the body, pure love in the giving of oneself to the other. And this is the beauty of sexual intercourse.”
The Pope’s address comes amid heavy criticism of Victor Manuel Fernández, his new head of doctrine, who has been under fire for a book he wrote and published in 1998 titled “Mystical Passion: Spirituality and Sensuality”.
Although the book has been out of circulation, a blog disclosed its existence on January 8 and was later reported by other media outlets.
The book consists of nine chapters: “The fire of divine love,” “A well of sublime passion,” “A crazy love story,” “Mystical passion,” “Until the end,” “My beautiful one come,” “Male and female orgasm,” “The path to orgasm,” and “God in the couple’s orgasm”.
Fernández said the book was drawn from research on male and female orgasm that he had done with a group of married couples intending to discover if it had any influence on the way they related to God.
The fresh condemnations also come a month after the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith which Fernández heads introduced a declaration later approved by the Pope detailing guidelines allowing priests to bless same-sex couples relationships.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that Nigeria football legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha is expecting a tough clash when the Super Eagles take on AFCON hosts, Côte d'Ivoire on Thursday.
Recall that Super Eagles in their opening game were held to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea while Côte d'Ivoire eased past Guinea-Bissau 2-0.
However, in a chat with Cafonline, the former PSG star stated that to be the champion, the Super Eagles must be ready to beat the best.
“I think what the key will be experience, desire and state of mind. For me, they are professionals, and they know the importance of this match, I think their mindset will be the key,” Okocha told Cafwebsite.
“Absolutely! Every match is difficult but when you play the host country, it is even more difficult.
“But, of course, the beauty of football is that if you want to be champions, you have to win against the best and as we know, in football, every match is difficult.
“If you are well prepared, you have a chance of winning your match. But, we Nigerians, we know that it will be a difficult match but also, we believe that we have enough potential to be able to win this match,” he added.
“My favorite [to win Afcon], of course, is Nigeria, naturally. Come on, we’ll wait and see,” Okocha declared.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that payment of taxes has been identified as not only a civic obligation but also scriptural and must be paid by all taxable adults, irrespective of status, gender or faith.
The Bishop of Remo and Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, Archbishop Olusina Fape, said this in Abeokuta, during his sermon at the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) New Year Prayer session.
Archbishop Fape, while speaking on a topic, "Civic Obligations Are Biblical and Scriptural", according to Mrs. Abolanle Ogunlami, Head, Information Unit, OGIRS, cited the book of Romans Chapter 13 verses 1 to 2 and 6 to 7, pointing out that taxation was a divine arrangement, as anyone who fails to pay taxes and those that are not faithful in collection of taxes are sinners.
"There should be no arbitrariness either in the payment or collection of taxes; they must be based on right assessment. This is clear from the word of God. Whoever does not pay taxes, no matter the status, already sinned against God", he said.
The Archbishop admonished staff of the agency to do their job with the fear of God, as they would be rewarded according to their deeds
"Even tax collectors in the bible were called sinners because they were collecting more than what they ought to, in today's palance, bribery and corruption. As you go about to do your God ordained job to achieve 2024 target, embrace righteousness; you will surely exceed your target because with righteousness in place, there is no limit'', he said.
Also speaking, his counterpart in the Islamic religion, the Chief Imam of African Mission, Abeokuta Alhaji Hamid Olanrewaju, taking his message from chapter 33 of the Holy Quran, enjoined staffers to uphold the trust that government had in them.
The Executive Chairman of OGIRS, Olugbenga Olaleye, called for staff support, more commitment and focus to achieve 2024 revenue target, as he alone could not achieve it.
While appreciating the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for his support, Mr. Olaleye disclosed that a new Border Tax Office would be created at Oyo State border areas, to cater for those working in the neighbouring towns, just as all hands were on deck to achieve 2024 target.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that that Crisis of confidence erupting Christ Embassy church has deepened as Chris Oyakhilome tightens the noose against Sinach, a gospel artist.
Pastor Chris Oykhilome is the founder of Christ Embassy, also known as Believers Love World.
Osinachi Egbu, fondly called Sinach had been the anointed daughter of Chris Oyakhilome and a member of the church until recently when her appearance at the church numerous services dropped to zero level.
Information has it that Sinach was groomed in Christ Embassy and given a platform to showcase her talent. She has enjoyed the love and support of Oyakhilome over the years.
It became obvious that the relationship between the two is not as solid as it used to be when a few years ago Sinach attended the annual interdenominational programme, The Experience, which is usually organised by the founder of House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin.
Her attendance enhance insinuation that she had switched church and become a member of Adefarasin’s led church.
Beyond that, signs that the relationship has broken down irretrievably emerged when Sinach’s ministry grew in leap and bounds and virtually stopped attending Christ Embassy because of different singing engagements that took her round the world. Oyakhilome was not too pleased with the fact that she wasn’t active in church again.
Even when Sinach and some other gospel singers, who grew and became established through Christ Embassy, ministered in some of the branches of the church, it was alleged that they demanded large sums of money as royalty which Oyakhilome consistently frowned at. He instructed Sinach to return to her local assembly and be part of the singing ministry there. He also encouraged her to take Christian singing engagements almost for free as a sort of blessing to the body of Christ, but the gospel act would have none of that.
The pastor allegedly stopped most of her songs from being played or performed in his church and the decision also affected other music ministers who were discovered in the church.
Oyakhilome had called for a gospel ministers’ conference where he expected the gospel act to be in attendance and even play a major role, however, she didn’t turn up for the conference. The cleric felt disappointed that Sinach should be a role model for all other established acts from the ministry, but she has ignored most of the instructions he gave and has not been on very good terms with her since then.
The singer made a cryptic post last week on her Instagram page and many alleged that she was referring to the issue she had with her pastor. She wrote that what has happened to her as a gospel minister has in no way hindered her ministry but it has helped to further expand it.
This, perhaps, may have provoked what has been described as an attack on Sinach’s lyrics by Oyakhilome especially her "Way Maker," a contemporary worship song released as a single on 30 December 2015.
The song has been covered by a number of Christian music artists worldwide including charting hit versions by Michael W. Smith, Mandisa, Leeland and Passion.
Sensational parts of the song include "Way maker," "Miracle worker," "Promise keeper,"
"Light in the darkness,"
But during a recent service, Pastor Oyakhilome indirectly attacked the key messages in Sinach’s popular song saying that
"God is not a miracle worker. He is not a promise keeper. He is not a light in the darkness. As you hear the word and you are thought, we are the miracle worker. He is seated at the right hand of the Father. He is in the sabbath. He is not working now. The Bibles says He is waiting till his enemies is made his footstool.
But He must reign till then through us. So, we are the miracle worker.
All the promises has been fulfilled in Christ. He is not keeping any promises. You are the result of his promises," Oyakhilome told the large congregation which has gone viral on social media.
Reacting, Pastor Ekene Nicodemus of God Own People International Ministry said
"He {Oyakhilome} has a personal issue with his praise and worship leader SINACH so he's trying to DESTROY her label using the holy altar."

OpenLife Nigeria reports that the General Secretary of Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria, MOUN, Comrade Ade Ikuesan, has advised motorcycle riders across Nigeria to be cautious of their operations this yuletide season.

Comrade Ikuesan specifically cautioned against speeding, reckless driving to reduce crashes in this end of year season.
In a telephone conversation with OpenLife Friday afternoon, the MOUN General Secretary reiterated the importance of life and the essential need to be extra careful during business operations.
“We are appealing to our union members to embrace safety culture, exercise patience and refrain from over speeding to minimise accidents during the festivity. In addition, they should desist from drunk riding, wrongful overtaking and reckless riding to reduce mishaps,” he said.
Comrade Ade Ikuesan who recently assumed office as MOUN General Secretary explained that motorcycle transportation has become the fastest mode of movements in rural areas as well as the inner circles of cities.
He therefore, called on State and local governments to pay greater attention to feeder roads nationwide for ease of movement through motorcycle.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that a federal high court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos state, south west Nigeria, has adjourned the trial of a 40 years old Clinical Sexologist Marriage counselor,Cecilia May Agu to February 7,2024.
The Clinical Sexologist is alleged to have committed computer related forgery and computer related fraud.
Cecilia May Agu and others at large were alleged to have swindled a web designer, Babatunde Oyebode to the tune of N275Million and $1,358,305
According to Nine count amended charge filed before the court against the woman,by Police prosecuting counsel, Barrister Samuel E.Iredia from Police/ prosecution section Zone 2 Police command Onikan Lagos,it was allegedly stated that Cecilia May Agu female and others now at large, on the 20th day of February, 2023 at 28B, Babatunde Ajose, Admiralty Way Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State, within Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, did conspire to commit felony to wit: Computer Related Forgery and Computer Related Fraud and thereby committed and offence punishable under section 27 (a) and (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention) Acts, 2015
Cecilia May Agu female and others now at large, on same date, place and time, in the aforementioned Judicial Division, did inputs, alters, delete or suppresses any data resulting authentic data, with the intention that such authentic data will be considered as if it were authentic or genuine, regardless of whether or not such data is directly readable or intelligible and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 13 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention) Acts, 2015.
The defendant and others now at large, on same date, place and time, without authority and with intent to defraud was alleged to have sent electronic message and misrepresent herself to Mr. Babatunde Oyebode that she will help him to verify, validate and authenticate Instagram pages of his clients, which she did not and defrauded him the sum of N275,000,000.and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 14 (1),(2) and (3) of the cybercrime (prohibition Prevention)Acts,2015.

Apart from charging her for obtainning by false pretense, Cecilia May Agu was also charged for stealing N275 Million and $1,358,305 USD from Babatunde Oyebode on the pretence that she was going to help him verify, validate and authenticate Instagram pages of his clients, a representation she knew to be false, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(a) (b) (2) and section 11 (1) and (2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Acts 2006.
Cecilia May Agu female and others now at large, on same date, place were alleged to have stolen the sum $1,358,305 USD (One Million, Three Hundred and Fifty - Eight Thousand, Three Hundred and Five USD), property of Mr. Babatunde Oyebode, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 390 of the Criminal Code Laws of Nigeria 2006
Cecilia May Agu who was arraigned before the court sometime this year is currently on bail.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that driven by a committed desire to consistently ensure that the Nigeria Police Force are up to their billing as dependable and professional internal security agents, Dr. Solomon Arase, Chairman, Polce Service Commission, PSC, deployed its personnel to monitor the activities of Police officers on duty in the off season elections holding in Kogo, Bayelsa and Imo States respectively.


A statement signed by Ikechukwu Ani, PSC Head, Press and Public Relations and made available to OpenLife disclosed that the Service Commission deployed its officers to the nine Senatorial districts of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States.

The statement stated that Police men on election duty were courageous and fairly contained intermittent cases of attempts to hijack the elections, adding that officers in several of the Polling Units visited were courteous, approachable and professional.


The Commission monitored five of the eight local governments in Imo West. In Imo North and East, there were visible patrol of Policemen in collaboration with the Military on the major roads with Police helicopter said to have hovered over the voting space throughout the election period.
Police Officers were said to have arrived in most of the voting units in Bayelsa very early, properly dressed and exhibited high level of professionalism.

PSC Monitors sighted an average of two policemen in most of the voting units while in few others one Police personnel were seen.

The Police were said to have sent early signals in Kogi State where it reportedly arrested several miscreants who attacked Polling Units. The Officers on election duty were complimented by Officers from sister Agencies.

Chairman of the Commission Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, retired Inspector General of Police who monitored the exercise in Kogi commended the three Deputy Inspectors General of Police who supervised Police operations in the states for their quick responses to the Commission's intermittent requests for Police intervention in troubled areas. The DIGs were, Frank Mba; Sani Habu and Daniel Isokari-Pedro.

Dr. Arase advised that the Police should remain on guard and prepared to forstal any breakdown of law and order after the announcement of the election results.

He also directed that in the few places where there were pockets of Police misconduct, the Police Management should quickly investigate and forward its recommendations to the Commission for immediate disciplinary action since every act of misdemeanour must have commensurate consequences.

Dr. Arase said the Commission will continue to monitor police conduct during elections as it serves to put the Police on its toes for optimal performance.

The PSC Staff Monitors operated from the nine Senatorial districts while the National Coordinating team partnered the Civil Society groups and operated from the Situation Room in Abuja.