₦airaland Forum

Reports from the field in Ondo North Senatorial District indicate that voters, officers, and agents at the voting centers across the wards have put Abdul Tunji Mohammed (ATM) in the lead.

According to the current figures collated from the centers, ATM is polling with wider margins of votes

Going by these figures, ATM is poised to win all the six Local Government in the Senatorial Districtt.

We urge all party members and supporters to remain peaceful as collation continues.

APC Senatorial aspirant for Ondo North, Abdul Tunji Mohammed, popularly known as ATM, received a resounding endorsement on Thursday during a high-profile visit to Ikare-Akoko.

The endorsement came from the Olukare of Ikare, His Royal Majesty Oba Akadiri Momoh IV, the Owa Ale of Ikare, His Royal Majesty Oba Adeleke Adedoyin, and the Ikare Council of Chiefs, who described ATM as a credible son of the soil with the capacity to represent Ondo North effectively at the Senate.


Speaking at the palace, the Olukare commended ATM for his consistent engagement with the people and his track record in business and community development. “We have watched your contributions to Ondo North over the years. You are one of us, and we believe you have the experience and character to speak for our people in Abuja,” the monarch said.

The Owa Ale, in his remarks, stressed the need for unity and quality representation. He urge him to continue the help to the people at home that he’s doing. He urged other stakeholders to support aspirants with proven commitment to the district’s progress, noting that Ikare and Akoko land require strong voices at the National Assembly.


In his response, Abdul Tunji Mohammed thanked the monarchs and chiefs for their blessings and trust. He reaffirmed his commitment to prioritize infrastructure, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and agricultural development if elected.

“Ikare is central to Ondo North, and your support strengthens my resolve to serve with integrity and results. I will not betray this trust. My campaign will remain issue-based, and my representation will reflect the hopes of our people,” ATM stated.

The visit was marked by prayers, cultural displays, and solidarity from party leaders, youth, and women groups across Ikare-Akoko.

TRIXX NG reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has fined financial giant, Access Bank the sum of N35 Million for “antimoney laundering, combating the financing of terrorism and countering proliferation financing (aml/cft/cpf) risk-based examination for the period May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025”

This was revealed in the company’s 2025 result released some days ago.

This particular fine is part of the bank’s various infractions for the period under review.

It would be recalled that this publication reported that Access Bank lost N1.236 billion to fraud in 2025.

In the report, the financial giant, under the chairmanship of Aig-Imoukhuede, recorded 5,981 successful fraud incidents in 2025 alone, with N3.17 billion involved. However, the actual loss was N1.236 billion.

The single largest category was fraudulent account transfers, which alone accounted for N587.8 million in confirmed losses.

The most frequent fraud category was electronic and USSD fraud, with 5,931 successful cases recorded in 2025 alone. Actual losses from this category reached N465 million.

https://trixxng.com/cbn-fines-access-bank-n35-million-for-anti-money-laundering-terrorism-financing-violations/

TRIXX NG reports that Access Bank, a subsidiary of Access Holdings, lost N1.236 billion to fraud in 2025.

This was contained in the bank’s full-year 2025 results released a few days ago.

In the report, the financial giant, under the chairmanship of Aig-Imoukhuede, recorded 5,981 successful fraud incidents in 2025 alone, with N3.17 billion involved. However, the actual loss was N1.236 billion.

The single largest category was fraudulent account transfers, which alone accounted for N587.8 million in confirmed losses.

The most frequent fraud category was electronic and USSD fraud, with 5,931 successful cases recorded in 2025 alone. Actual losses from this category reached N465 million.

Compared to 2024, the bank recorded a reduction in fraud incidents and losses. In 2024, the bank recorded 11,410 incidents and lost N1.69 billion.

However, the frequency and actual customers’ money lost to fraud in 2025 is still on the high side, causing significant panic among customers of the bank.

The Group delivered a resilient performance during the year, navigating a transitional operating environment while demonstrating the strength of its franchise and the robustness of the governance structures it has built over time. Profit before tax crossed the ₦1 trillion mark for the first time, rising to ₦1.01 trillion, a 16.2 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

This milestone underscores the Group’s steady progression toward becoming a high-performing and resilient financial institution. Net interest income rose to ₦1.36 trillion, while net fees and commission income recorded a particularly strong growth of 40.9 per cent to ₦585.1 billion, reflecting increasing diversification in revenue streams. Overall operating income after impairment grew by 23.9 per cent to ₦3.17 trillion.

At the same time, the Group improved its cost discipline, with its cost-to-income ratio declining to 51.7 per cent from 56.7 per cent in 2024. Returns also remained solid, with return on average equity at 18.4 per cent and return on average assets at 1.6 per cent, reinforcing the quality of earnings delivered during the year.

This publication reached out to the bank through its spokesperson, Mr Kunle Aderinokun, regarding plans to further reduce fraud operations via mail and phone, but hasn't responded at the time of filing this report.

https://trixxng.com/aig-imoukhuedes-access-bank-loses-n1-23-billion-to-fraud-records-nearly-6000-incidents/

Former Senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District and Asiwaju of Akoko Land, Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice, has formally endorsed the senatorial ambition of Chief Abdul Tunji Mohammed (ATM).

The endorsement was made during a recent visit, where Senator Boroffice commended Chief ATM’s leadership capacity, community engagement, and commitment to the development of Ondo North. He also acknowledged the respected legacy of Chief ATM’s father in Akoko land, noting that it reflects a foundation of service and leadership.

According to Senator Boroffice, Chief ATM’s contributions to community development, business, and grassroots mobilization have positioned him as a strong candidate for the Senate.

“With the good work and name his father left behind in Akoko land, he is good to go,” Senator Boroface stated. “Your father was once the Balogun of Ikare land, we knew him as an industrialist cum philanthropist par excellence. The same title of Balogun of Ikare land you're holding now and your already known philanthropic works, definitely you will surpass what your father did.”

He urged stakeholders across Ondo North Senatorial District to support Chief ATM’s bid, expressing confidence in his ability to deliver effective representation and drive meaningful progress in the district.
In his response, Chief Abdul Tunji Mohammed expressed appreciation for the endorsement and reaffirmed his commitment to sustained service and inclusive development.

“I am humbled by Senator Boroffice’s endorsement and promise to continue working tirelessly for the people of Ondo North,” he said.

By Prince Adeyemi Shonibare

THE CITY, THE CROWN, AND THE CODE OF POWER
Lagos is not merely governed—it is engineered and meticulously organised. A megacity of over 25 million people, the economic heartbeat of Nigeria, and arguably the most strategic sub- national political ecosystem in Africa.
As 2027 approaches, a familiar but profound question echoes across corridors of influence—from Alausa to Marina, from the five Ibile divisions to the 57 LGs and LCDAs, down to wards and grassroots structures:

Who wears the crown?

Yet Lagos does not answer loudly. It whispers.
“Elections may be public, but power in Lagos is negotiated in private and through caucuses—long before ballots are cast.”
HISTORY: FROM PRIMROSE TO JUSTICE FORUM AND MANDATE — THE MAKING OF A POLITICAL MACHINE
Before the consolidation of today’s political order, Lagos politics was shaped by structured caucuses that defined leadership selection.
At the elite level stood the Primrose Group, a discreet but powerful screening body that assessed aspirants in the early 90s and late 1990s. It played a critical role in screening Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Senate against political heavyweight Odu Onikosi, in what many described as a David-versus-Goliath contest. Tinubu emerged victorious.

Primrose also screened the 1998 governorship aspirants:

Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Wahab Dosunmu
Funsho Williams

The Primrose circle included:
Prince Tajudeen Olusi
Bushura Alebiosu
Mofutau Olatunji Hamzat
Alhaji Kola Oseni
Dapo Sarumi
Oyinlomo Danmole (the youngest member)

Notably, Mofutau Olatunji Hamzat, father of Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, chaired the screening process that produced Tinubu as the 1998 AD governorship candidate.

Alongside Primrose emerged two other critical blocs:
Mandate Group — the grassroots mobilisation engine
Justice Forum — the stabilising and conflict-resolution bloc

Together, they formed a strategic architecture:
Primrose — elite validation
Mandate Group — mass mobilisation
Justice Forum — internal balance and cohesion
From this convergence, Tinubu emerged—not by accident, but by design.
“He was not elected into power—he was processed into leadership.”

FROM BLOCS TO INSTITUTION: THE GAC EVOLUTION
Over time, these blocs evolved into a more formal structure—the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not create the GAC; he strengthened, harmonised, and institutionalised these legacy blocs into a central decision-making body.
“GAC is the institutional memory of Lagos politics.”

THE DOCTRINE OF SUCCESSION IN LAGOS
Lagos has developed a predictable pattern of leadership transition:
Babatunde Fashola — technocratic consolidation
Akinwunmi Ambode — performance with political rupture
Babajide Sanwo-Olu — consensus restoration
Each transition reinforces a central doctrine:
“The primary is the battlefield. The structure is the judge. Consensus is the verdict.”
And more fundamentally:
“The candidate will always come from within.”

THE INVISIBLE CABINET: GAC AS POWER SOVEREIGN
At the centre of Lagos political architecture sits the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC)—a body that does far more than advice.
Chairman:
Prince Tajudeen Olusi
Key Members Include:
Babatunde Fashola
Femi Gbajabiamila
Mudashiru Obasa
Adeyemi Ikuforiji
Senator Anthony Adefuye
Tokunbo Abiru,
Musiliu Obanikoro
Oluremi Tinubu
Sarah Sosan
Idiat Adebule
Femi Pedro
James Faleke
Adeseye Ogunlewe
Demola Seriki
Adejoke Adefulire
Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.

Other Influential Figures Within the Structure:
Henry Ajomale
Ganiyu Solomon
Rabiu Oluwa
Muraina Taiwo
Abdul-Wahab Ogundele
Sunmi Odesanya
Kaoli Olusanya.

In addition, almost all former governors, deputy governors, senators, and selected members of the House of Representatives and Primrose, mandate Group and justice forum are embedded within or aligned to the GAC structure.

“At critical moments, the GAC does not merely advise—it decides.”

CRACKS, CONFLICTS AND SYSTEM DISCIPLINE
The political history of Lagos has consistently demonstrated one principle: discipline within the system is non-negotiable.
The experience of Akinwunmi Ambode remains instructive.
“Performance alone is not enough—alignment with the structure is critical.”
In Lagos:
“No individual is bigger than the system.”

THE ASPIRANTS: POWER, PEDIGREE AND POSITIONING
The 2027 governorship race is no longer speculative—it is crystallising into a layered contest of insiders, technocrats, institutional loyalists, and strategic actors. Beneath the surface, resumes are being weighed as much as relationships; pedigree is being measured alongside perception.
Key Aspirants Include:
Kadri Obafemi Hamzat — Deputy Governor; perhaps the most deeply embedded institutional actor in the race. A technocrat with academic depth and governance continuity credentials. Notably headhunted from the United States banking sector by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his return to public service reflects longstanding trust. His father, Mofutau Olatunji Hamzat, chaired the screening process that produced Tinubu in 1998—placing him at the intersection of legacy and continuity.
Femi Gbajabiamila — Chief of Staff to the President; former Speaker of the House of Representatives. A consummate legislator with vast national reach, elite networks, and deep understanding of federal power dynamics. Bridges Lagos structure with Abuja influence seamlessly.
Tokunbo Abiru — Senator; former Managing Director in the banking sector. Represents fiscal discipline, financial system credibility, and investor reassurance. A technocrat-politician hybrid with strong appeal to the private sector and global investors.
Tokunbo Wahab — Commissioner for Environment. A bold regulator and reformist voice, known for enforcing urban order and environmental compliance. Projects decisiveness, discipline, and administrative courage.
Mudashiru Obasa — Long-serving Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. A master of grassroots politics with deep control of legislative structures and ward-level mobilisation. Represents structure from the ground up.
Olajide Adediran (Jandor) — Media entrepreneur and political mobiliser. Built his base through grassroots engagement and alternative political messaging. Represents outsider energy attempting to penetrate a deeply structured system.
Akinwunmi Ambode — Former governor; technocrat with a proven governance record. His tenure still resonates in infrastructure and public sector efficiency. Carries a redemption narrative, but must reconcile history with structure.
Mojisola Lasbat Meranda — Legislative figure and symbol of gender inclusion. Represents institutional evolution and the expanding role of women in Lagos power architecture.
Kayode Egbetokun (speculative) — Security chief; represents discipline, order, and enforcement capability. A potential “stability candidate” in uncertain times.
Samuel Ajose (speculative) — Former Head of Service; experienced bureaucratic strategist with deep knowledge of Lagos governance machinery. Represents administrative continuity and institutional memory.
Tayo Ayinde (speculative) — Long-serving Chief of Staff in Lagos; a quiet but powerful insider with proximity to executive decision-making and operational governance.
“Some are building alliances. Others are building acceptance. A few are building inevitability.”

THE REAL TEST: CRITERIA FOR THE APC TICKET
Beyond ambition, the Lagos APC operates a strict, unwritten checklist for candidate selection:
Proven Loyalty to the Party
A party defector stands little chance.
Product of the System
The candidate must come from within.
Alignment with the Lagos Master Plan
Continuity over disruption.
Investor Confidence
Lagos cannot risk economic instability.
Political Discipline and Temperament
Arrogance and lawlessness are disqualifiers.
Ibile Balance and Broad Acceptability
Zonal sensitivity remains critical.
Ability to Work with the Structure
Collaboration over confrontation.

Presidential Trust Factor
National confidence is key—but not absolute.
Electoral Value and Grassroots Reach
Structure must meet the street.
Importantly, this will not be a solo decision.
A former, widely respected governor and former minister is expected to play a critical role as the eyes and ears of the President in determining the most suitable candidate.
A reliable source revealed that the President held a private meeting with this former governor and minister in Lagos during the Easter break—signaling early alignment consultations ahead of 2027.

UNDERCURRENTS: SILENT MOVES AND STRATEGIC HEDGING

Quiet political movements are already unfolding beneath the surface.
There are strong rumours that:
One top aspirant is in talks with the ADC to fly their fly.
Another is exploring alignment with the Accord Party.
“Those who sense resistance within the structure begin to shop for alternatives.”
Beyond party alignments, another layer of activity is emerging.
It is widely whispered in political circles that:
Some bank accounts of PR operatives, journalists, and lobbyists have begun to quietly interface with key GAC members.
Certain aspirants are already patronising columnists to shape favourable narratives.
Billions of naira have allegedly been earmarked for lobbying, influence, and perception management.
A reliable source suggests that the real contest has already begun—not on the ballot, but in boardrooms, private residences, and media corridors and newsrooms.
Yet history cautions:
“Breaking away from the Lagos APC structure rarely guarantees victory.”

THE CALCULUS OF POWER
Five decisive variables will ultimately determine the outcome:
GAC consensus
Presidential trust (shared, not unilateral)
Party loyalty
Economic confidence
Public acceptability
Notably, the private sector remains a critical stakeholder. Lagos, as Africa’s commercial nerve centre, cannot afford political uncertainty that threatens capital flow. Investors—local and international—are watching closely.
The international community is equally attentive. Lagos is no ordinary state—it is a golden economic enclave, a city of compounding value and strategic global interest.
The Presidency too cannot be indifferent—notwithstanding that Lagos is its political base. Stability in Lagos is stability in the broader national equation.

THE CROWN AND THE SYSTEM
Lagos does not gamble with leadership,it engineers and groomed it.
No emergency leader in Lagos.
From Primrose…
To Mandate…
To Justice Forum…
To GAC…
The philosophy remains unchanged:
“Power in Lagos is not taken. It is processed.”
As 2027 approaches, one truth stands firm:
The crown will not go to the loudest.
It will not go to the most desperate.
It will not go to ambition alone.
It will go to the most acceptable aspirant.
And in Lagos:
“Acceptability is not declared,it is decided by all the variables and joint gatekeepers before the general public cast their votes.”
Politics, in the end, remains a temple of many tendencies—
the good, the bad, the pretenders, and the presumed righteous.
All contending for one crown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_w-ZHnC79U

A Lagos state governorship aspirant, Samuel Mawuyon Ajose, popularly known as SMA Gold, has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would announce him as the flagbearer of the party when it’s time.

The aspirant made it known during an endorsement programme organized by The Celestial church of christ.

When asked about his assurance of becoming the APC governorship candidate of Lagos state, he mentioned that he has prayed and has been assured that God has placed his name in Tinubu’s mind as the preferred candidate.

While also speaking on his plans for Lagosians, he made it known that other governors have been following the blue-print of the state but he would make it better by improving on the already set blue print. He also stated that he would be providing living wages for all workers in the state.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWQt9MxMHNY&t=18s

The minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu has hinted at his ambition to govern Oyo state in 2027. Although many had expected him to resign his position following Tinubu’s order that anyone vying for a position had to resign from his government by March 31, he didn’t.

Many are already speculating that he had probably dropped his ambition, but he is yet to say anything about it.

However, whether or not he continues his ambition, there are five blunders that a politician has made that would affect his political ambition to become a governor in Oyo state.

1 Ministerial Performance: Adebayo Adelabu’s appointment as a minister was a litmus test for his ability to rule but obviously, he hasn’t done so well in the past couple of years. The power ministry has gone down the drain, with national grid failing several times and blackout rocking most parts of the country. His performance should automatically make him worthy of the position of a governor but he hasn’t done well so far, and it would be a mistake handing him the ticket.

2 Public utterances: Bayo Adelabu is mostly popular for some of his utterances which are very wrong. He first went viral after this appointment when he mentioned that nigerians ought to be putting off their refrigerators in order to manage power in the country. This statement proved that the minister doesn’t know so much about his ministry and till today, this statement still comes up against him.

3 First action after appointment: Just weeks after Bayo Adelabu was appointed minister, his first point of call was to host a home coming party when he visited Oyo and this led to so many critics against him. People described him as someone who doesn’t know or have what it takes to be incharge of the power ministry. He was also seen talking about fixing a dam that had been long done by the Buhari government.

4 Emilokan slogan: When Bayo Adelabu wanted to declare his intention to run in 2027, he used the ‘Emilokan’ slogan, meaning he is next in line to rule Oyo state. It would be recalled that Emilokan was created by President Tinubu when he was fighting for the presidential ticket in 2023 and this was because he was almost cheated out and has supported the APC government enough. However, For Bayo Adelabu, he never fought for any ticket and as a matter of fact, he was in APC and moved to Accord before returning to APC. He had contested twice and lost; his losses were his own doing and not a form of sabotage. Using the Emilokan slogan felt wrong and unnecessary. This could annoy the APC leaders.

5 Primate Ayodele saga: Bayo Adelabu, some months back, alleged that Nigerian prophet, Primate Ayodele, asked him to bring N150 million to become the governor of Oyo state. This was well explained by the prophet, who said he never asked him to bring money, but asked him to purchase spiritual items, which the minister calculated to be N150 Million. The minister said it was too much for him to bear, and that was all. The saga, though, came to public attention through Adelabu, hurt the minister more, and elevated the prophet. It proved that Adelabu is too desperate about becoming governor and would go anywhere to see that he becomes the next governor of Oyo state.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06OcsnOxbLE

Tension is rising across Nigeria following the recent bombing in Borno State, as fresh warnings have begun to surface. Popular cleric, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has issued a disturbing prophecy, cautioning that more attacks could be on the horizon.

Speaking during a service at his church earlier today, the prophet specifically mentioned Lagos State and Ondo State as potential targets for bomb attacks, raising fresh concerns among residents and authorities.

He didn’t stop there. Primate Ayodele also warned of a possible surge in kidnapping activities across several states, urging vigilance as fears of insecurity continue to grow.

As Nigerians grapple with these alarming predictions, the big question remains — how prepared are we for what may come next?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rp8N1nJkZ8

A wave of compassion is sweeping across social media—and at the center of it is a touching moment involving veteran actor, Papa Ajasco.

In a heartwarming turn of events, popular philanthropist, King Mitchy, has gifted the actor a significant sum of money—an act that has left many emotional.

This comes just days after Papa Ajasco went viral, opening up about his struggles. In a candid revelation, he disclosed that despite decades in the industry, he does not own a house or a car.

He also reflected on his early acting days with Wale Adenuga Productions, where he earned just ₦22,500, highlighting the harsh realities many veterans face behind the spotlight.

Even more heartbreaking, he revealed that he can no longer use the “Papa Ajasco” identity freely, as it remains a trademark under the production company.

As his story gained attention, he shared his account details online—sparking mixed reactions. While some sympathized, others criticized him for not planning ahead.

But beyond the noise and judgment, help found its way to him.

King Mitchy tracked him down—and in an emotional moment, presented him with financial support, bringing the actor to tears.
A reminder that in a world quick to judge, kindness still speaks the loudest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwAw7hfNmVU

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has issued a fresh warning ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections—and his message is one that raises serious concern.

According to him, the 2027 presidential election may not produce a clear winner. He warned that the process could be inconclusive, creating tension and uncertainty across the country.
But that’s not all.

Primate Ayodele also revealed that there could be violence in some northern states, a situation he says may significantly disrupt the governorship elections in those regions. He cautioned that these developments, if not properly managed, could affect the credibility and smooth conduct of the entire electoral process.

The cleric, known for his prophetic warnings on national issues, urged stakeholders, security agencies, and the government to take proactive steps to prevent crisis and ensure a peaceful election.

As Nigeria prepares for another critical election cycle, the question now remains—will these warnings be taken seriously, or ignored?
Only time will tell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4PJCBJqBrI&t=33s

At first glance, the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran may look like a conflict happening thousands of kilometres away from Nigeria. But in reality, its effects are already being felt in our daily lives—especially when it comes to the price of fuel.

Over the past few days, petrol prices in Nigeria have jumped sharply, with some filling stations selling as high as ₦1,200 to ₦1,250 per litre as global oil prices surge due to the Middle East tensions.

But why should a war in the Middle East determine how much Nigerians pay at the pump?

In this video, I’ll explain how the US-Iran-Israel conflict is affecting global oil supply, why that automatically pushes fuel prices up in Nigeria, and what it could mean for transportation, food prices, and the overall cost of living if the conflict continues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0akxiSAT5g&t=527s

Speculations about the 2027 presidential election are already gathering momentum, particularly around the political future of Vice President Kashim Shettima and whether he will remain the running mate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Although the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has repeatedly dismissed claims that there are plans to replace the vice president ahead of the next election cycle, political observers believe several factors could influence the president’s final decision.

From the international backlash over the Muslim-Muslim ticket to growing political calculations ahead of 2027, conversations within political circles suggest that the issue may not be as settled as it appears.

In this video, we examine some of the key reasons analysts believe could push President Tinubu to reconsider his ticket as the race toward 2027 gradually begins.

Some of the reasons include the fact that the US some months back alleged that there is Christian genocide in Nigeria because the nation is being ruled by Muslims. The US stated this because the president and his VP are Muslims. It also made the US designate Nigeria as a country of particular concern. The only way Tinubu can wash this off himself is by ensuring a Muslim-Muslim ticket doesn’t return in order to get US support.

Also, VP Kashim Shettima isn’t seen as one with a strong political strength enough to pull numbers for the president without the interference of opposition parties. In 2023, Tinubu won Borno with merely 60,000 views with Atiku pulling a large number despite the fact that it is an APC state.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vi4QFS15rU

Omihanifa:
https://tribuneonlineng.com/i-never-said-i-was-going-to-commit-suicide-busola-oke-clears-air/

On Saturday, 14th of February, 2026, there were some never seen before situations at Primate Ayodele’s church in Lagos and prominent among them was a Muslim Cleric leading the crowd in Christian Hymns.

The cleric was invited as a guest of Primate Elijah Ayodele, a nigerian prophet and the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Oke-Afa, Lagos state.

The muslim cleric on arrival at the stage busted into Christian songs while the choristers backed him up. He then ended it with Halleluyah and Shallom.

While he spoke after the songs, he mentioned that Christians and Muslims are the same thing and that there is no division in both religion at all.

He further quoted some bible passages, while simultaneously referring to the holy Quran too.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtHEysln090

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, primate Elijah ayodele, has explained why he built a mosque and named it after the mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mrs. Abibatu Mogaji, describing the move as a divine instruction and a message of unity.

Speaking during his annual thanksgiving ceremony held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Oke-Afa, Lagos State, the cleric said the decision was neither political nor motivated by personal gain, but purely an act of obedience to God.
According to him, the mosque project was birthed from a clear spiritual directive he could not ignore.

“Building this mosque is not about seeking attention or trying to please anyone. It was a divine instruction from God. When God speaks, I obey. It is simply a house of worship, just like we have churches. I am not afraid of what anyone will say because I am only answerable to God,” he said.

primate ayodele stressed that the mosque would be handed over completely to a Muslim cleric, adding that he has no interest in running or controlling its activities.

“I have no intention of operating the mosque. It will be handed over to Islamic leaders. My assignment was to build it as instructed,” he added.
On why he chose to name the mosque after Mrs. Abibatu Mogaji, mother of President Tinubu, the prophet revealed that the decision was also divinely inspired.

“I initially had another name in mind for the mosque. I wanted to name it Folawuyo Mosque, but God said no. God specifically instructed me to name it after Tinubu’s mother. People may think it is political, but it is not. I didn’t name it because I want an appointment or any favour from the President. I did it because God directed me to do so,” he explained.

primate ayodele also addressed criticisms that portray him as an opponent of President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that his action proves otherwise.

“Some people see me as someone who hates Tinubu or as an APC critic. That is not true. I speak the truth as God reveals it to me. This act shows that what I do is not personal. It is about obedience to God and promoting unity,” he said.

The cleric noted that the mosque symbolises religious harmony and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria, urging Nigerians not to allow religion to divide them.

“We must understand that religion should not separate us. There is a difference between religion and character. What Nigeria needs now is unity, and if building a mosque as a Christian leader will strengthen unity, then so be it,” he stated.

Beyond the mosque project, primate ayodele also carried out several empowerment initiatives during the event, including the donation of vehicles, tricycles, minibuses, free WAEC forms, accommodation support, sewing machines for tailors, and household appliances.

He maintained that his mission is to serve humanity and obey divine instructions, regardless of public opinion.

“As long as God is pleased with me, I am satisfied. People can say whatever they like, but when God gives an instruction, I will always carry it out,” he concluded.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiTM_puEzCQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onMA_RNXO0Q

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, on Saturday criticised Nigerian pastors who travel abroad to host revival programmes, describing such trips as a “pleasure” rather than genuine evangelism.

Speaking during a special empowerment programme he hosted over the weekend, the outspoken cleric questioned the motive behind frequent revival meetings in the United States and other foreign countries.

“Going to America to do revival is a lie,” he said. “Why can’t you go to the camp of witches and wizards to convert them? Going to America is a pleasure.”

Primate Ayodele argued that true evangelism should focus on reaching people in difficult and spiritually challenging environments, rather than organising high-profile programmes overseas.

The event, however, was not just about strong words. It also served as a major empowerment outreach, during which the cleric distributed about five cars to journalists and members of his church.

Several beneficiaries also received financial support for house rent and scholarships to cover their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) fees. Others went home with household items including deep freezers, beds, television sets, washing machines and sewing machines, among other gifts.

Explaining the motivation behind his philanthropy, Primate Ayodele said giving is a personal mission he cannot ignore.

“What informed my philanthropy is because it’s my mission. If I don’t do it, I won’t feel good. If I put clothes in the wardrobe, someone else will wear them when I die. So I don’t keep money; I don’t have to keep money when people are suffering,” he said.

He added that as a pastor, he believes in practising what he preaches.
“As a pastor, you follow what you preach. It is what I preach that I am demonstrating. It’s just common sense,” he stated.

The cleric has consistently positioned himself as an advocate of practical Christianity, often backing his sermons with large-scale humanitarian gestures aimed at supporting both church members and members of the wider community.

In recent weeks, digital-banking customers and social media, especially on Twitter have raised concerns about deductions labelled as “VAT” on transfers and other charges.

Some dangerously false narratives, which when you take a critical look, you’ll clearly see that they have been orchestrated and sponsored by malicious elements, have given the impression that the 7.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) is a new or arbitrary charge introduced by fintechs, or that it applies to the amounts customers send. These claims are misleading and deserve careful clarification which is the purpose of this piece.

First, it’s important to understand how VAT works in Nigeria’s financial sector today. VAT on fees and charges for financial services has long been part of Nigeria’s tax system. The then Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had issued information circulars on March 31, 2021 where it stated that VAT on Financial Services (Circular No. 2021/04) that most fees, commissions, and charges by financial institutions (banks, insurance companies, brokers) are subject to 7.5% VAT. This justifies a recent advertorial the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) which stated unequivocally that VAT was not newly introduced on banking service charges by recent tax reforms, and that it did not impose a new tax obligation on customers in that regard.

However what was left unsaid in that publication was that on the 12th of December, the tax agency had written to all financial institutions and payment gateways based on past meetings with operators that following from the new Tax Act, they were reminded of their mandatory obligations to collect, deduct and remit VAT at the prescribed rate. The Agency then gave an 18- day grace period to all players to configure and align their systems while directing full compliance with the directive with effect from January 19, 2026. And so, some fintechs sent messages to their customers in the spirit of clarity and transparency.

It must be said that what has changed is that in a bid to widen the tax net, microfinance banks and fintechs who were not obligated to deduct and remit said VAT before now, have now become compelled to do so. The enforcement and standardised collection of VAT across banks and fintech platforms including mobile transfers, USSD transaction fees, and card issuance fees with compliance deadlines issued by tax authorities. So why anyone would vilify any financial institution obeying the laws of the land beats my imagination.

For those who have raised questions around transparency and wrongly suggesting that fintechs are suddenly imposing new, unexplained costs on users - as it has been explained above, this is a matter of regulatory compliance, not a lack of transparency or customer exploitation. These VAT deductions are not new fees created by the companies themselves, and providers are not arbitrarily raising their prices.

In closing, two things that everyone must bear in mind as we move forward in this new tax climate - all stakeholders including fintech platforms and regulators must communicate better and clearly. Nigerians must refrain from peddling unsubstantiated claims and malicious narratives, it has no benefits for anyone and erodes trust in systems.

By Prince Adeyemi Shonibare

Preface: The Necessity of Historical Context

Every generation seeks its heroes. In music, this instinct often manifests through comparison—an exercise that frequently reveals more about contemporary taste than historical contribution. In recent years, public discourse, amplified by social media, has juxtaposed Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti with global Afrobeats icons, most notably Wizkid, provoking the recurring question of “greatness” in Nigerian music.

This essay does not diminish the accomplishments of Nigeria’s contemporary stars, whose global visibility is unprecedented. Rather, it offers a
scholarly contextualization—one that distinguishes between musical origination and musical succession, and between cultural architecture and commercial dominance—while situating Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti firmly within the category of historical inevitability.

The Problem with Simplistic Comparison

Comparing Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti with contemporary Afrobeats performers is, by scholarly standards, inherently flawed.
Fela’s work transcended performance. He engineered an entire musical and ideological system, fused political philosophy with sound, and permanently altered the trajectory of African popular music. His output represents cultural authorship, not entertainment calibrated to market demand. Fela’s music is timeless precisely because it was never designed to be fashionable.
A Yoruba proverb captures this distinction with enduring clarity:
“Ọmọ kì í ní aṣọ púpọ̀ bí àgbà, kó ní akísà bí àgbà.”
A child may own many clothes, but he cannot possess the rags of an elder.
The proverb is not dismissive. It is instructive. It speaks to accumulated depth—experience earned, systems built, and legacies forged through time rather than trend.

Musicians and Artistes: A Necessary Distinction

A rigorous analysis requires conceptual precision. Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti was a musician in the classical and intellectual sense: a composer, arranger, bandleader, employer of musicians, multi-instrumentalist, theorist, and cultural philosopher. His work demanded mastery of form, orchestration, ideology, and discipline.
Fela composed extended works, trained orchestras, performed entirely live, and embedded African political consciousness into rhythm, harmony, and structure.
By contrast, many contemporary stars—though exceptionally gifted and globally successful—operate primarily as artistes: interpreters of sound whose work prioritizes studio production, performance aesthetics, and commercial reach. This is not a hierarchy of worth, but a distinction of function. Fela’s music demanded study and confrontation; contemporary Afrobeats prioritised accessibility, pleasure, and global circulation—often without courting antagonism.

Afrobeat: An Ideological Invention

Afrobeat, as conceived by Fela, was not merely a genre. It was an ideological framework. Jazz, highlife, Yoruba rhythmic systems, call-and-response traditions, and political chant were fused into a resistant, uncompromising form.
Modern Afrobeats—by Wizkid, Burna Boy, and others—are adaptations and descendants, not replicas. They have expanded Africa’s global cultural footprint, but expansion does not erase origination. Fela’s Afrobeat remains the undiluted prototype upon which contemporary success rests.

Enduring Legacy Beyond Mortality

Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti passed in 1997, yet his influence has intensified rather than diminished. His legacy is evidenced by:
– Continuous academic study across global universities.
– International bands, many formed by people not alive at the time of his death, performing his works.
– FELABRATION, now a global annual cultural event.
– Broadway and international stage adaptations inspired by his life and music.
– Lifetime achievement and posthumous recognition by the Grammy Awards.
– Cultural centres, festivals, and scholarly conferences generating lasting intellectual and economic value.
This constitutes cultural permanence, not nostalgia.

Reconsidering Wealth and Sacrifice

Measured monetarily, Fela was not among the wealthiest musicians of his era. His radicalism came at an immense personal cost. He was beaten repeatedly. His mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, was killed. His home was burned. Original artistic archives were destroyed during state-sanctioned violence by unknown soldiers, even though history records who authorised the actions.
Yet Fela gave voice to generations—from Ojuelegba to Mushin, Ajegunle to Jos, Abuja, and even the privileged enclaves of today’s ọmọ baba olówó. He toured globally with an unusually large band long before satellite television or social media could amplify his reach.
Like Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe, Fela’s wealth exists beyond currency. It resides in influence, citation, adaptation, and endurance.

National and Global Recognition

Fela received a state burial in Lagos—an extraordinary acknowledgment from a military government he relentlessly criticised. Nations rarely honour dissenters so formally.

Globally, his stature aligns with figures such as James Brown, Elvis Presley, and the Rolling Stones—artists whose music reshaped identity,
politics, and social consciousness.

The Crowned Princes: Wizkid and the Ethics of Reverence

Nigeria’s modern stars—Wizkid, Burna Boy, 2Face Idibia, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Tems, Olamide, among others—have achieved extraordinary global success. They are wealthier, more mobile, and more visible internationally than previous generations, and they deserve their accolades.
Wizkid, in particular, has consistently demonstrated reverence rather than rivalry toward Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti.
Femi Aníkúlápó Kuti has publicly stated:

“Wizkid loves Fela like a father.”

Wizkid has repeatedly supported FELABRATION, never demanding performance fees. The only times he has not appeared were occasions when he was not in the country. He has remixed Fela’s music, bears a Fela tattoo on his arm, and openly acknowledges Fela’s primacy.
A senior associate and long-time friend of Wizkid has affirmed that Wizkid adores Fela, would never equate himself with him—“in this world or the next”—and that recent tensions were reactions to provocation rather than assertions of equivalence.
This distinction matters. Wizkid’s posture is one of inheritance, not competition.

Seun Kuti and the Burden of Legacy

Seun Kuti is a musician of conviction and lineage. Yet relevance is best secured through original contribution rather than reactive comparison. Fela’s legacy does not require defence through controversy; it is already settled by history.
As William Shakespeare observed:
“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.”
—Julius Caesar
The weight of inheritance can inspire greatness or provoke restlessness. History rewards those who build upon legacy, not those who contest it.

The Songs That Made Fela Legendary

Among the works that cemented Fela’s immortality are:
– Zombie
– Water No Get Enemy
– Sorrow, Tears and Blood
– Coffin for Head of State
– Expensive Shit
– Shakara
– Gentleman
– Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense
– Roforofo Fight
– Beasts of No Nation
These compositions remain sonic textbooks of resistance.

Fela in the Digital Age

Had Fela lived in the era of social media, his voice would have resonated far beyond Africa. His music would have found kinship among global movements confronting inequality, oppression, and social injustice.
“Music is the weapon.”
—Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti
Weapons, unlike trends, endure.
Placing Greatness Correctly
Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti’s greatness does not require comparison. He is the great-grandfather of Afrobeat—the musical and cultural architect who cleared the roads upon which today’s Afrobeat princes now travel.
Honouring contemporary success does not diminish historical achievement. To understand Nigerian music’s global relevance is to understand Fela. History, when read correctly, is both generous and precise.

Prince Adeyemi Shonibare writes on culture, music history, and African creative industries. He is a media and events consultant based in Nigeria.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU7o84h773c?si=ZhlANrV3fkgn41oZ

The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) has issued an ultimatum to the management of Unity Bank Plc, requesting the recall of over 100 staff whose appointments were allegedly terminated few days ago.

The union has given the bank until January 8, 2026 to address the matter.
Sources within the bank confirmed that the terminations were carried out on January 1, 2026, following a directive from the management, instructing the Human Resources Department to issue termination letters to the affected staff and deactivate their access to official work systems.

ASSBIFI described the action as a violation of due process, stating that it caused distress among the affected employees.

The union also recalled that the bank had previously reached an agreement with staff unions that no employee would be disengaged as a result of the merger between Unity Bank Plc and Providus Bank Plc without consultation and adherence to established procedures.

The affected employees have alleged wrongful termination, lack of consultation, and non-compliance with the Nigerian Labour Act and provisions of the merger agreement.

On January 2, 2026, ASSBIFI wrote to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of bank in a letter signed by its Acting President, Nike Joseph, requesting the immediate reversal of the termination of 42 staff members already identified by the union.
The letter warned that failure to comply could result in industrial action.

According to ASSBIFI, an ultimatum has been issued for the matter to be resolved by January 8, 2026 to avoid further action.
Commenting on the development, Comrade Basah Mohammed, a civil society practitioner and public affairs analyst, said the situation reflected challenges that often accompany corporate restructuring and mergers, where workers are sometimes adversely affected.

Mohammed asserted: “No one is pretending that mergers do not come with hard decisions. They do. But people matter, and how those decisions are taken matter even more. If there was an understanding that staff would not be disengaged without consultation, then breaking that understanding is not just a procedural issue. It is a trust issue.

“For many of these workers, this is not just a job loss on paper. It is rent, school fees, family responsibilities, and years of service suddenly reduced to a termination letter. That human cost should never be an afterthought, especially in a rescue merger that was meant to stabilise confidence, not deepen anxiety.

“This is also where regulators must be firm. Saving a bank should not mean weakening labour protections or ignoring agreed processes. Transparency, dialogue, and fairness are not luxuries. They are what keep institutions credible.

“At this point, escalation helps no one. The bank, the union, and regulators need to sit down, revisit what was agreed, and resolve this with empathy and honesty. Strong institutions are built when people feel respected, not discarded.”

https://trixxng.com/unity-bank-sacks-over-100-staff-as-union-issues-ultimatum-to-recall-victims/

On Saturday, 20th of December 2025, Primate Elijah Ayodele, the Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, released his prophecies for 2026.

He is known for always releasing new year prophecies before the end of the preceding year to allow people prepare ahead for the coming year.

His 2026 prophecies were packaged in a 146-page document, which included prophetic warnings and revelations about nations, personalities, companies, government organisations, to mention but a few.

As proof of the authenticity and credibility of these prophecies, some of these prophecies are already coming to pass even before we get to 2026.

1 Libya Plane Crash: Primate Ayodele publicly mentioned that there will be three plane crashes in the coming year that would involve important personalities.

This can be found on page 37 of the prophecy booklet.

“I foresee some Presidents will be jailed for wrongdoings, while some will be charged for genocide. I foresee there will be three major plane crashes that will humble the world,d which will involve important personalities. Let us pray fervently to avert these”.

In fulfilment of this, a few days ago, there was a plane crash in Turkey, and people involved included the chief of army staff of Libya and some other top officials.

2. Borno Bomb Blast: Primate Ayodele in the prophecy book had said that the security situation in Borno state will take another dimension. He stated that some local governments will feel insecurity in a different manner.

This can be found on page 21 of the prophecy book.

“BORNO STATE: I foresee that security will take another dimension and the security intelligence will work seriously on this state. They need to be guided and watched properly. Watch on Ngala, Shani, Mobbar, Mafa, Kwaya Kusar, Kaga, Gwoza, Gubio, Damboa, Biu, Bama and Abadam Local Governments.”

In fulfilment of this prophecy, there was a bomb blast in a mosque on Christmas Eve. The sad incident which led to the death of about five people happened in Ngala local government, as Primate Ayodele warned.

3. Lagos Island Fire Outbreak: Primate Ayodele, in his prophetic warning to Lagos state, asked the state to be careful against fire outbreaks. He mentioned some disastrous incident too, like a building collapse.

This can be found on page 25.

“LAGOS STATE: The spirit of God says the state must be careful against building collapse, one chance, cholera, and high fever. They must be careful so that container will not fall. There will be fire outbreak, a bridge collapse, shooting.”

In fulfilment of this, a serious fire outbreak took place two days ago on Lagos Island, destroying properties worth billions of naira. The fire was on for several hours as other buildings were affected, too.

4. Syria: Primate Ayodele on page 74 mentioned that the nation will experience an explosion and some unpleasant incident.

“They will want to start a new thing that will boost the economy. Other countries will help them. The government of the day will take so many things for granted. The country must be careful not to experience floodings. The government will come up with a new policy to guide the country. The president will make a lot of mistakes that will cause thecountry unexpected crisis. The country will be in bad shape, and things will not go well. The country will face challenges and counter-challenges. They will experience explosions and natural disasters.”

In fulfilment of this, earlier this morning, there was an explosion in a mosque that killed several people.

5. US Strike in Nigeria: Primate Ayodele, while speaking with journalists at the presentation of the 146-page 2026 prophecies in Lagos, stated that President Donald Trump will soon strike in Nigeria to fight against terrorists in the country.

On page 79 of the book, the prophet stated that the US will be going after Islamic terrorists in the country and that Nigeria will not be the one to decide how the fight will go.

“Trump will fight terrorists and will not go by Nigeria's decision on how to fight terrorists. He has his own plans on how to fight terrorist. Trump will fight terrorist silly in Nigeria and Africa, especially in Nigeria. Trump will fight Islamic terrorist with every of his security.”

However, just six days after he released the prophecy, the United States of America, as announced by President Donald Trump carried out a strike against a terrorist cell in Sokoto in the middle of the night.

6. Honduras election: Primate Ayodele mentioned in his book that there will be a new government in the country and that the next leadership will be one influenced by a powerful country.

“HONDURAS: I foresee the country will have a new government. The leadership of the country will be influenced by a powerful country. The spirit of God says certain Forces will be drawing the country backwards when trying to do what will make the country succeed.”

In fulfilment of this prophecy, the candidate backed by President Donald Trump was announcedthe winner, with the ruling party's candidate coming third.

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, on Friday denied allegations levelled against him by the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, regarding an alleged attempt to extort him of N150 million.

In an exclusive report by a media organisation, Adelabu petitioned the Department of State Services, DSS, accusing Primate Ayodele of asking him to purchase about 1,000 trumpets, which would cost up to N150 million.

The minister claimed that his refusal to heed the request prompted the prophet to prophesy that he would not become governor of Oyo State.


However, in a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele denied ever attempting to extort the minister of the said amount, explaining that he never asked him to send money apart from procuring the trumpets, which he said were for the minister’s good.

The cleric explained that the minister himself asked for the cost, and he provided a figure while asking Adelabu to send someone from his end to the market to confirm the prices of the instruments.

Ayodele stated that aside from Adelabu, two other persons, including his personal assistant, were pressurising him because the minister was showing serious desperation for the governorship seat in Oyo State.

According to Ayodele: “I didn’t ask Bayo Adelabu to bring money for prayers, I told him to ask someone from his end to go to the market and find out how much the said trumpet cost, while someone follows them from my end too. His personal assistant, himself, and the person he sent to me put me under so much pressure because he was desperate for governorship.”

“He was the one who sent someone to me to talk to me on his behalf. He went as far as saying he was willing to give anything to become the next governor of Oyo State, and the only thing I told him is to get the trumpets for his own good.”

Speaking further on their discussion, Primate Ayodele explained that he told Adelabu that they would not be willing to give him the governorship ticket, but that he could seek the mercy of God by buying the musical instruments—not necessarily for his church—which he refused. Beyond that, there was no other discussion.

“I told him that they won’t want to give him the governorship ticket, but if he wants it so bad, he should seek the mercy of God by buying the musical instruments for God, not even for my church, but he said he can’t do it, that’s all,” he said.

Primate Ayodele stated that for years he had spoken about Bayo Adelabu’s ambition and consistently maintained that it would take the grace of God for him to become governor of Oyo State. Therefore, he argued, it could not have been because the minister refused to yield, as he had never spoken to him until Adelabu sent people to him.

He said: “I have been talking about how he won’t be made governor of Oyo State for years; this is why he called me to seek solutions. I have never spoken to him before till he sent people to me and personally requested my spiritual help. I don’t make prophecies to make money, I am blessed already, and my subsequent prophecies after our discussion about his ambition aren’t because he failed to buy the musical instrument, it can never be.”

https://dailypost.ng/2025/12/12/i-didnt-try-to-extort-n150m-from-minister-adelabu-primate-ayodele/

By Prince Adeyemi Shonibare
America, the world’s largest economy and symbol of democratic leadership, has now entered Day 36 of its historic federal government shutdown — the longest in U.S. history. Once again, it is under the watch of Donald J. Trump, who is repeating his own record from his first term. What was once dismissed as a political bargaining tactic has now become a national tragedy and a global warning.

The paralysis of the American government has brought hardship to millions. Across federal offices, the lights are off, salaries frozen, projects halted, and workers left uncertain about their future. Families are facing eviction notices, children are being withdrawn from schools due to unpaid fees, and hospitals are overwhelmed as medical coverage lapses for many government employees. The shutdown is eroding public confidence in institutions that once stood as pillars of strength.

THE HUMAN AND ECONOMIC TOLL
More than 4,100 federal employees have been laid off, while over 10,000 more are awaiting the same fate if the impasse continues. Hundreds of thousands remain furloughed, trapped in a cycle of unpaid work and financial distress. Small businesses that depend on government contracts are folding. Air travel is experiencing chaos as unpaid air traffic controllers call in sick, security personnel are stretched thin, and flight schedules are disrupted nationwide. Tourism has taken a deep hit as national parks remain closed, costing the hospitality and travel industry millions of dollars daily.

Consumer confidence is crashing. The stock market is jittery, responding nervously to Washington’s dysfunction. Banks have begun tightening credit lines as loan defaults rise among affected households. Grocery sales are falling as families ration food; retail chains are reporting declining foot traffic. Real estate markets are freezing up as mortgage approvals stall, and construction projects funded through federal programs are abandoned midstream. Public universities relying on federal grants have suspended research. Scientists, engineers, and innovators are being forced to pause vital national projects, weakening America’s technological edge.

The ripple extends to the private sector, where suppliers to government agencies have lost billions. From defense contractors to IT service providers, uncertainty has stalled productivity. Manufacturing output is shrinking as import bottlenecks persist under frozen customs operations. The shutdown has delayed the release of critical economic data, leaving both the Federal Reserve and global investors blind to key metrics. Even the agricultural sector is suffering, with farmers unable to access subsidies or export permits, deepening the crisis in rural America.

“The longer the shutdown continues, the more we worry about those permanent effects on the economy,” said Andrew Hollenhorst, Chief Economist at Citi.

GLOBAL FALLOUT
The global economy is trembling from America’s self-inflicted wound. International markets depend heavily on the stability of the U.S. government and its currency. With Washington at a standstill, foreign investors are pulling back, global credit is tightening, and the U.S. dollar is losing its commanding certainty. The shutdown has halted trade negotiations and delayed aid disbursements to partner nations, creating economic gaps in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Global oil prices are fluctuating erratically, and shipping routes are slowing due to reduced American import demand.

“The trust deficit has been there for a long time because of how Trump’s acted,” noted Senator Andy Kim, lamenting the erosion of America’s bipartisan cooperation.

While the U.S. reels under confusion, China is gaining quiet strength. Beijing’s steady governance and sustained industrial output have made it a magnet for investors fleeing American volatility. With U.S. trade policies in disarray, China is expanding its influence across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, consolidating its reputation as the world’s most stable major economy. The U.S. tariffs and trade restrictions of Trump’s earlier years have now come full circle — hurting American farmers, consumers, and manufacturers while empowering Chinese competitors.

Analysts at JPMorgan Chase estimate that each week of the shutdown reduces U.S. GDP by 0.1 percentage points, a loss that compounds with every passing day. The Federal Reserve warns of long-term scarring to employment, business confidence, and investment flows. Every day the government remains shut adds billions in losses — unrecoverable and irreversible. The once-booming U.S. economy is now bleeding internally, not from external wars but from internal political warfare.

PAINFUL RECOVERY AHEAD
Even if the government reopens tomorrow, the damage will not simply vanish. Workers will need months to recover from unpaid bills. Businesses will face severe liquidity gaps. Federal projects, scientific research, and military readiness will take time to restart. The psychological cost — fear, mistrust, fatigue — will linger longer than the shutdown itself. Foreign partners, once reliant on American leadership, are quietly reorienting toward other alliances.

“This is no longer a shutdown,” remarked a Brookings Institution economist. “It’s a slow-motion implosion of credibility.”

The shutdown has triggered unemployment, hunger, insecurity, educational disruption, health crises, and the slow decay of national morale. It has shaken the financial markets, reduced America’s international standing, delayed innovation, increased global inflation, strained international relations, halted diplomatic travel, weakened the dollar, and fuelled global economic anxiety. These are not isolated problems; they are interlinked consequences of one man’s egocentric governance.

Trump, who once promised to make America great again, has instead rendered it uncertain, divided, and economically fragile. His second shutdown, longer and costlier than the first, underscores the peril of leadership built on pride rather than principle. As America remains shut down, the rest of the world moves on — recalibrating, rebuilding, and realigning.

The United States once represented reliability. Today, it symbolizes dysfunction. Its economic heart is faint, its moral compass spinning. And as nations adjust to life without America at the helm, one painful truth emerges: the world’s greatest democracy is now teaching others how not to govern.

Amb Jonathan Ojadah Becomes Grand Patron For Nigeria MiniFootball Association {Spartan Eagles}



The the Global President of United Nation International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC), Amb. (Dr) Jonathan Ojadah has been confirmed as the grand patron of the Nigeria MiniFootball (Spartan Eagles) Association.

The conferment which took place on Friday, 9th of August 2024 at his residence, Road 8, Lekki Atlantic Gardens Estate, Alabeko, Lekki -Ajah attracted dignitaries from all walks of life.

Before the installation and unveiling of Amb. Jonathan Ojadah, the Secretary, Nigeria MiniFootball National Team (Spartan Eagles) Association, Mr Davids Adewoye disclosed that the conferment of the award is a testament and ingenuity of the recipient’s prowess and his a statue innovativeness.

He explained that the award would serve as a motivational impetus that would spur him, using his connections, interests to uplift the development of sports and win more laurels in various competitions that they are engaged in.

Noting that having him as part of the association was like catching “a big fish,” reiterated it would assist the association through International and Continental competitions at different capacities.

In his acceptance speech, Amb. (Dr) Jonathan Emmamuzo Daniel Ojadah, described the occasion as “memorable milestone,” adding that his passion for humanity are essential ingredients that gives him the unquenchable thirst and determination to do more.

“I am honoured to be singled out as “Grand Patron” and warmly accept the honour because its an indigenous award, and considering that sports is a veritable tool in advancing promotion and cooperations.

While challenging the association to win laurel, the Ambassador asserted that he would use his influence and portfolio in the global community to propagate the advancement of the association .

In their Goodwill messages rendered by Mr Ohi Akpengbe, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, CrimeWatch Newspaper; ACP Victor Olayiwola Owadogbon (retd); Hon Oladehinde David and Mr Ilechukwu Chibuike, described Amb Jonathan Ojadah as an indefatigable young diplomat who exude confidence; a hard work and doggard achiever with remarkable excellence.

Highpoint of the ceremony was the announcement by Amb Jonathan Ojadah of the appointment three Special Advisers. They are ACP Victor Olayiwola Owadogbon (retd) former. Assistant Commissioner Of Police, as Special Adviser on Security Affairs; Mr Ohi Akpengbe Publisher and Editor in Chief, CrimeWatch Newspaper as

Senior Adviser on Media and Publicity and Mr Noble Eze Oluchukwu as the Special Adviser on Investment and Promotion.

Certificate of Credence, tracksuit and other existing literatures of the Nigeria MiniFootball Association were presented to the recipient by the Secretary of the association, Mr Davids Adewoye and other top executives.

In attendance were Dr and Mrs Ezekiel Isidahomen, Managing Director, THEMS Security Systems Limited; Kingsley Ojiaku, CEO PKJ Limited; Tammy Ogolo, Rightz Media limited; Prince Femi Adefaluyo, Legal Advisor, Osun State MiniFootball Association; Rotimi Ojo, Businessman; Fabian Edaba, Coach and Paul Ukpabio, Media/Tourism consultant among other personalities.

GOVERNOR AGBU KEFAS: FATHER OF OUR NEW TARABA


Fellow Jukun people, scattered across the globe, we stand at the threshold of a new era, one that promises unparalleled hope and a brighter future.

The past four decades have been marred by failed leadership, strife, division, destruction, and the scourge of banditry, leaving our land ravaged and our people dispersed in search of greener pastures.

Yet, in the midst of despair, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of Governor Agbu Kefas, sent by Providence to rescue and restore our beloved Jukun nation.

Despite the entrenched bitterness of political and tribal animosity, even the most skeptical among us cannot deny the tangible signs of progress that now dot our landscape today. Have we forgotten so quickly?

For example, for the first time in over 40 years, a local government area, once the epitome of rural neglect and backwardness, now shines as a testament to transformation.

Ussa Local Government Area boasts a state-of-the-art general hospital, over 200,000 economic trees to stimulate economic growth and alleviate poverty, and a comprehensive road network mapped for construction. This revolutionary development is being replicated across all local government areas in southern, central, and northern Taraba.

However, the fact that a Jukun son is at the helm of this historic transformation has ignited resentment and jealousy in certain quarters.

Those who seek to dominate, enslave, and impoverish our people have vowed to destroy everything we hold dear, rather than share our collective heritage. They kidnap our people, extort ransom, and unleash terror to thwart our progress.

In the face of such adversity, I urge you to remain steadfast and unwavering in your support for Governor Agbu Kefas, who possesses the vision and leadership to guide us toward a brighter future.

Our enemies seek to sabotage his efforts and discredit his achievements, but we must not lend them a listening ear, for they offer nothing but darkness and despair. Let us unite behind our leader and march forward together, toward a future that is rightfully ours.

Governor Agbu Kefas has unequivocally demonstrated his exceptional wisdom and leadership prowess, earning him the revered stature of the father of our newly revitalized Taraba. His visionary guidance has ushered in an era of unprecedented progress, uniting our people and propelling our state toward a brighter future.

In light of his remarkable achievements, it is imperative that we stand in unwavering support of our leader, recognizing that opposition to his noble endeavors would be tantamount to opposing the collective well-being of our people. Let us present a united front, solidifying our stance behind Governor Agbu Kefas, and resolutely declaring that any attempt to hinder his progress would be met with our collective disapproval.

Through our shared commitment to his leadership, we reaffirm our trust in his ability to navigate the complexities of our state's development, and we pledge to stand by him as he continues to shape the destiny of our beloved Taraba.

Bako Benjamin
His Excellency Dr Agbu Kefas's supporter .
He writes from Wukari

By Animashaun Ogundele

It did not start right now, but what has the tendency to finally destroy the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos has become a foetus that could be birthed before the 2027 general election. The party in the state is still trying to strengthen-up from its loss at the presidential election of 2023. That was, indeed, a shocking output from which many fingers point at the leadership of the party in the State led by Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.

A review of the 2023 election by some members of the party showed that the usual steps to victory for the party was jettisoned under Ojelabi, whose exco decided to hire consultants. The party had always incorporated all the ward chairmen for mobilisation during electioneering. It was not done. And the result? A strike below the spine that got all and sundry bracing up urgently ahead of the governorship election that followed.

It is known the world over that one beautiful goal of a political party is winning elections but this is supposed to be through an effective membership drive. Thus, the more the members of a political party, the more strength the party garners. But in the case of the Lagos APC, the party has embarked on what is now termed 'a weeding spree', an action that has caused anger and opposition by some members. Currently, the exco is now said to be thriving in confusion following an escalation of an action it thought was close-knit.

THE BEGINNING

What is now becoming a danger to the party started on Monday, June 24, 2024, when Ojelabi reportedly met with stakeholders in the APC in the Alimosho area of the state. Alimosho had been challenged by a leadership crisis which is believed to result from loyalty to two groups - Justice Forum of Nigeria and The Mandate Movement of Nigeria - within the party. Ojelabi, a member of the Justice Forum, had reportedly caused suspicion when he was said to have invited members of his group in Alimosho led by former Deputy Governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire. Also invited was Abdullahi Ayinde Enilolobo, an ought-to-be member of the Mandate Movement, but whose tendencies favour the Justice Forum. With the news filtering out that Enilolobo was invited, suspicion took centre-stage. The members of the Mandate Movement marched on the party secretariat and met a defiant chairman who initially declined honouring them until he realised how resolute the protesters were. The protesters wanted to be part of the meeting because they did not trust Enilolobo, whose antics, they claimed, led to the defeat of the party in the presidential election of 2023.

However, while the meeting lasted, a separate template was being hatched by the exco. In just 24 hours after the meeting, some leaders of The Mandate Movement in Alimosho were summoned by the police in Alagbon based on a petition on behalf of Ojelabi. Among other allegations, they were accused of cyber stalking, threat to life and illegal possession of firearms. The police found nothing against the leaders.

On July 1, 2024, the party, through its secretary, Dr. Adeola Jokomba, sent a letter to the ward chairmen in Alimosho to activate Article 21 of the party constitution "to investigate the said occurrence of 24th June, 2024." This letter came with a pre-assumed list of those to be investigated, many of whom were said not to be at the party secretariat on the day of the protest. The letter had claimed that the protesters were armed and unleashed violence on the chairman. This, meanwhile, is against the explanation that the same chairman held a fruitful meeting with them after his initial stance.

One of the suspended members, who said he received the letter through Whatsapp explained that Article 21 of the party constitution emphasises fair hearing, but "without even inviting us for a defence, we suddenly started seeing our suspension letters on social media. Some letters were sent on July 3rd while some people got theirs on July 5th. In fact, what they did was to profile all members of The Mandate Movement for suspension. In Ward A of Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA alone, 54 members of the party were issued suspension letters. Using some local government council chairmen, this same suspension has been extended to some political appointees at the local government levels suspected to be loyal to The Mandate Movement of Nigeria.

A PARTY WITHOUT MEETINGS

First, a part of the grievance within the party stems from a complaint that since the 2023 elections, the party has hardly held general ward or local government meetings as it used to happen. General Ward meetings have only been held four times while LGA meetings have been held just three times. Meetings with LGA party chairmen were held only three times while no meeting has been held between him and all the 376 ward chairmen since he became the state chairman. The members are now left in limbo.

One issue pointing against Ojelabi is that under his leadership, the party still grapples with two parallel excos in the Mainland area of the state. According to insiders, the issue had been resolved by the last state chairman of the party. However, to shore up the strength of the Justice Forum, he was said to have declared that he was reviewing the resolutions following fresh petitions. "Now, there are two factions of the Mainland exco of the party. During the election and up till now, he uses his friends and cohorts as consultants thus jettisoning the party structures," an aggrieved member said noting that APC canvassers and some agents of the party during the election have not been paid till now.

Aside from this fact, insider sources say polling unit committees set up to administer voting during the elections have mostly remained unpaid till now. Reliably gathered, some ward chairmen had at a time complained to the Governor who, in turn, told them to ask from Ojelabi how the latter expended the N2 billion out of donated campaign funds set aside for that purpose. Confronted, Ojelabi reportedly said he was not aware that his consultants had not paid most Polling Unit committee members. He promised to look into the matter. Since then, those affected say they have remained unpaid.

Checks show that the supposed consultants are not just party members who should ordinarily contribute like others to the party's progress, they are also drawn from his Justice Forum. They include two former commissioners, one from Agege and the other from Alimosho, and the third a former head of one of the parastatals in Lagos. A general belief among party members is that the supposed consultants are channels through which party funds are piped out of the secretariat by the chairman.

Members continue to grudge over his strategy which they claim is a major reason APC lost the presidential election in Lagos. Ojelabi lost the presidential and National Assembly elections in his federal constituency. He lost all the polling units around his Iba/New Site residence too to the Labour Party. A strongly held view among party members is that the APC under his watch would hardly match the fortunes recorded under Chief Henry Ajomale and Tunde Balogun, who once held sway as chairmen. As it is, party members are left confused. They say it does not look like there are structures in place to begin to smarten up from the last election as activities at the APC secretariat are at their lowest ebb.

ONE-MAN SHOW

For some members of the State Executive Committee, the APC secretariat on Acme Road is run more like it is handled by a sole administrator and a member of the party lamented: "you either shape in or fall out. You don't only fall out if you oppose, you also fall out of every favour. Whatever opportunity you have to make a contribution, the chairman thinks he is doing you a favour." According to them members, no other member of the exco has a say in the running of the party. And for his decisions? They are final once he takes them. No recourse to anybody. An evidence of this, they pointed out, is how he had allegedly constantly cowed and intimidated the party secretary and treasurer frustrating them at will. It is a gossip within the secretariat that anybody who tries to oppose him should be ready to face frustration beyond limit.

"His word is law oh! That was how he orchestrated the suspension of an exco member leading to other exco members being mindful, conscious, and scared of making inputs no matter how important and beneficial such would be," an aggrieved party member within the secretariat complained.
In fact, it is claimed that one reason attributed to the loss of the party at the 2023 election was that Ojelabi "moved the secretariat from Acme to an unknown location making it a Herculean task for party chiefs, LGA and ward party chairmen who had complaints about developments during the election from reaching or accessing him.

PARTY LARGESSE/SHARING FORMULA

One baggage that Pastor Ojelabi carries on his shoulders is the allegation that his leadership makes sure that largesse and palliatives to party members are skewed in favour of the Justice Forum within his constituency and the state. This is believed to have happened consistently. Examples are said to have been noted in the federal and state governments' palliatives and cash transfers. One such occasion occurred when he was said to have under-declared the number of palliative slots given to the party at a meeting he held with his exco members. Some of the exco members at the meeting could not stomach this. They openly criticised him at the meeting.

AMBITION 2027

Those kicking against Ojelabi's current style of leadership say he is tilted to achieving an acclaimed goal of becoming the running mate to Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat in 2027. Engineer Hamzat is believed to be eyeing the governorship seat and according to insiders, Ojelabi has mapped out his own plan ahead of the election and has begun "hatching the eggs" by cajoling council chairmen to either belong to the Justice Forum overseen by Hamzat or get their fingers burnt.

CHALLENGE BEFORE OJELABI

A major headache before the party chairman and the exco currently is how to effectively mop up the suspension letters issued out already. It was learnt that leaders within the Governance Advisory Council had blamed him for his shoddy handling of the protest. He was also said to have been reminded that as chairman, he should allow democracy thrive in every of his actions. Coincidentally, while the intervention by the GAC was ongoing, the suspension letters had been released creating for difficulties in retrieving them. The only option left to the chairman was for an outright public denial of the order suspending the members. A press release was issued by the party in this regard, but those already suspended, said the letters sent to the ward chairmen ordering investigation as well as the suspension letters to the members were proofs that the Ojelabi meant to ostracise them. There is no doubting the fact that despite these challenges reeled out, APC in Lagos remains strong in comparison with other political organisations. However, this health, though fragile, is laced with injuries. What is left to be done is for well-meaning party leaders to salvage the party, heal these injuries and make it hale and hearty again.


Ogundele, a political analyst and APC supporter, writes from Lagos.

Just as the court case involving Mr Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, a blogger, regarding threat to life he made against the founder of Zion Prayer Movement, Evangelist Ebuka Anozie Obi, was ending, the content creator
who is also known as Ijele Speaks has found himself in more trouble.

Ofoegbu was granted bail on June 14 and the matter is as good as over, but he is now embroiled in another battle as he is billed to appear in an Awka High Court in Anambra State for defamation and cybercrime against the founder of Living Christ Mission, Rev. Prof. Victor Onukaogu, popularly called Daddy Hezekiah.

The blogger is alleged to have defamed the character and integrity of Hezekiah by releasing a video in which he accused the church leader of sexually molesting and abusing young girls in his church. “This man is evil. He is one of the bunch of criminals that destroyed Igbo land”, he stated in the video. He also described the recent celebration of 40 years anniversary of Living Christ Mission as “40 years of this criminal molesting people’s children”.

Also, Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis International Church has a petition against Ijele pending with the National Cybercrime Centre for the blogger’s threat to kill the pastor and his family.

Ijele had also released videos in which he threatened to eliminate prominent church leaders including Enoch Adeboye, David Oyedepo, Johnson Suleman and Jeremiah Fufeyin.

He is also known to have courted the ire of members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in another video in which he said he castigated the group’s leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and said he should be left to die in detention.

It is yet to be seen how Ijele will navigate through the many court cases and the numerous battles he is stirring up.

The Social Media enclave has been agog with the alleged harassment, dehumanization and abuse meted on Lawori, a Nollywood Actor by National Union of Road Transport Worker, NURTW, Member and Leader, Koko Zaria.

Lawori had Alleged that Koko Zaria ordered his Boys to manhandle him, smash a bottle on his head and dehumanize him, but, the reason behind the alleged attack on Lawori is surprising and a mystery which only both parties have answers to.

This has however raised different posers from certain quarters. What could have Transpired between Lawori and Koko Zaria that would have warranted the attack? Why did Koko Zaria's Boys Smashed a bottle on his head when they knew he was the Master of Ceremony at the event? Was it a planned attack?

These and many more questions are begging for answers.

It is no more news that the Yoruba Genre of Nollywood have a good relationship with the NURTW when Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, former NURTW Boss in Lagos State was in the saddle, in which Koko Zaria too wasn't left out and he has appeared In some Yoruba movies.

Lawori, an entertainer and also a Nollywood Actor been at the center speaks volumes.

Though, MC Oluomo and Koko Zaria have not been on the same page since the emergence of Adekunle Mustapha, popularly known as Sego, as MC Oluomo felt Betrayed By Koko Zaria who cross carpeted to the Sego clique when MC Oluomo left the saddle.

It would be recalled that a Group in the Yoruba Movie Industry has warned the warring parties (Lawori and Koko Zaria) not to soil the relationship that has existed over the years between the Yoruba Nollywood Industry and the NURTW, urging them to settle their rift and let peace reign.

Some analysts in the Entertainment Industry are of the opinion that it was necessary for the Police and Security Agencies to Wade into the Lawori and Koko Zaria Debacle as their could be a reprisal attack from the Lawori faction, which may escalate.

They are also of the opinion that the NURTW Boss in Lagos, Sego, should have addressed the situation when it went viral by calling Koko Zaria to unravel what really transpired.

Close observers are also of the opinion that the fracas is brewing up due to the fact that MC Oluomo and Koko Zaria are losing relevance before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who have also shielded them and given them succour.

There insinuations from the grapevine, that the perceieved rift between the duo of MC Oluomo and Koko Zaria may be stage managed, just for them to gain the attention of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Some are also of the opinion that the Lagos State Government under governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the commissioner for Culture , Arts and Tourism , Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka and Commissioner for Transportation, Seun Seun Osiyemi should also address the situation as it is getting worrisome the activities of the NURTW members, who are known for violence, the actors are now afraid of moving around because of this humiliation and unforseen attack from this miscreants.

How Prophet Samuel Akinbodunse Foretold ANC’s Loss of Majority In South Africa Election



The general overseer of Freedom For All Nations Outreach (FANO) is currently being celebrated after accurately foretelling the outcome of South Africa parliamentary election which took place last week.

The election, described as historic, saw the ruling party, ANC, which has been in power for thirty years losing a majority for the first time. The party which has always had more than 50% threshold struggled to have 40% and now has to meet other parties for coalition talk.

This is in fulfillment of the prophecy of Prophet Samuel Akinbodunse which he shared many months before the election. The prophet revealed that the election would be dramatic and was going to be different from every other election that has been held in South Africa.

He warned ANC to seek the face of God to avoid being pushed out of the seat of power. He warned the leadership of the party to genuinely seek God.

These were his words:

These were his words:

‘’South Africa, your upcoming election will be very dramatic and it’s going to be a different election from all other elections that I have ever seen in the history of South Africa. ANC should go and seek the face of God and genuinely go to God. This is not the time to consult ancestors, ANC must return back to the origin of their party. ANC is God’s own party but God has left the party. My eyes opened in my prayers and I saw three quarter of ANC flag in the realm of the spirit out of the house of power and they were trying to push the flag in but I don’t know what was resisting the flag from going inside.’’


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elrBxTpZBDU?si=RE53drklWii1oimq

As he foretold, the current state of South Africa’s politics has confirmed the prophecy of the prophet.

By Collins Nkwocha

THE PROPHETIC HALL OF FAME: how I ended "sit at home" in the East, prophet Godwin Ikuru speaks



One of the major problems of the Eastern region was the "sit at home" menace which crippled business activities in the entire Eastern region; several lives have been lost in the process of enforcing this as the enforcers have always been very cruel and wicked, killing anyone who refuses to obey the order.

Disturbed by the cruelty of the enforcers and how many lives that have been lost through this act, the prophetic Hall of Fame, prophet Godwin Ikuru of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry, Lagos,made a public declaration that "sit at home" was going to be over in the East.

People didn't believe it when he said it, everyone believed that only the release of Nnamdi Kanu was going to end "sit at home" in the East.prophet Ikuru said that it would stop even while Kanu is still in detention.

Today,"sit at home" has ended in the East, people now go about their normal businesses on Monday.Today, the dreaded "sit at home" enforcers are nowhere to be found, you can do anything or carry out any business activity of your choice on monday because God has honoured the word of his prophet.

Prophet Godwin Ikuru is one of the best prophets in Nigeria,he remains a major part of the ruling party in Nigeria.He is the major prophet that brought the president to power .