Beyondafricanews

The Ondo State House of Assembly, led by its Speaker, Mr. Olamide Oladiji, yesterday, withdrew an appeal they lodged against the Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who faced impeachment threat over his alleged acts of gross misconduct. The lawmakers, through their team of lawyers, led by Dr. Remi Peter, told the appellate court that their decision to terminate further proceedings in the matter was “in the interest of peace. “My lords, the parties in this matter have found a political solution to their problems. “Therefore, on behalf of the Appellants, we are here to withdraw this appeal. “The instruction to this effect was given to us yesterday and we have filed this morning the notice of withdrawal. “In the interest of peace, we seek to withdraw this appeal,” counsel for the Appellants added. His application to withdraw the appeal was not opposed by the lawyer that represented the Deputy Governor, Mr A.A. Adewusi, who confirmed that he was served with all ...

The negotiation between the leadership of the Osun State judiciary and the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria will continue on Friday as the JUSUN leadership insisted that all its demands be met before members return to their duty posts. Recall that courts in the state had been shut since last week Wednesday following an indefinite strike called by the JUSUN executives after they were dispersed with teargas by the police. The protesting JUSUN leaders after observing that the state Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo, had entered the court premises, had made an attempt to move towards where the judge’s vehicle was parked, making the police to force them back with teargas. The workers had picketed the state high court in protest against the CJ’s alleged high-handedness, indiscriminate suspension of workers and non-payment of wardrobe allowances. Earlier, the national leadership of JUSUN on Wednesday met with the Chief Registrar of the high court, Mr. Isola Omisade, and a represent...

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has hosted the cast of the popular reality show, Real Housewives of Lagos. In a video clip that was shared on Instagram on Thursday, some cast members of the reality series visited the monarch in his palace, where he spoke to them about witchcraft. Iyabo Ojo, Chioma Ikokwu and Tania Omotayo were among those seen in the video at the king’s palace. Ooni’s queen, Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, welcomed the guests and guided them on how to address the king as he entered the palace. During the interaction with the Real Housewives of Lagos cast, the Ooni of Ife claimed that all women possess witchcraft spirits and are manipulative nature. He said, “Every woman has that witchcraft spirit in them but you know people just probably think it is a negative thing, but witchcraft is all about manipulation. “If you know how to manipulate very well. And that’s the power of a woman. You have natural manipulative spirit and you should manipulate in a very...

The senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Jide Ipinsagba, has kicked against the names of the nominees sent to the state House of Assembly for the Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State as caretaker committee chairman and deputy. For the local government, the House of Assembly confirmed Muhammed Olawale as chairman and Ogungbemi  Kehinde as vice chairman. They were part of the names sent to the assembly by the state governor Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, for all the local government and local council development areas of the state. After the screening, the House cleared and approved their nominations, during its  plenary session on Tuesday However, the senator in a statement issued on Thursday said the list of nominees from Akoko North-East Local Government, is wrong, saying the list was contrary to the agreed nominations by the stakeholders from the local government area. According to him, a list jointly prepared by leaders of the local govern...

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, said those behind Wednesday’s murder of the Director of Finance in Governor Dapo Abiodun’s office, Mr. Taiwo Oyekanmi, are in-house. BEYOND AFRICA reported on Wednesday that Oyekanmi was gunned down while returning from the bank where he had taken a bullion van to withdraw some funds for the state. Alamutu in a telephone interview with newsmen late Wednesday, said the robbery and murder were premeditated, wondering how the armed robbers were fully armed with a sledgehammer to break into the bullion van. According to him, the gunmen must have been well-informed by an insider that the deceased was heading for the bank to make withdrawals. “From the information we have, it is obvious that it was premeditated. It was an in-house (thing). We have this feeling because, how did they know that they would need a hammer to break the receptacle? “And they must have been lurking around the bank area, waiting for the man or he must...

A 70-year-old Ugandan woman, Safina Namukwaya, has delivered a set of twins, a boy and a girl, after becoming pregnant through an In vitro fertilisation treatment, BEYOND AFRICA gathered. BEYOND AFRICA learnt that Namukwaya went through a successful caesarean delivery on Wednesday at the Women’s Hospital International and Fertility Centre in the Ugandan capital, Kampala. The hospital shared the news of the delivery via its Facebook page on Wednesday, stating, “70-year-old, Safina Namukwaya, speaking just before the delivery of her beautiful babies. Yes, she delivered twins, a boy and a girl. A historic achievement indeed. “As we honour this courageous mother and anticipate the healthy growth of her twins, we invite you to celebrate with us. This story isn’t just about medical success; it’s about the strength and resilience of the human spirit.” BEYOND AFRICA reports that IVF is a technique used to assist people with fertility issues in having babies During IVF, an egg is re...

There was panic at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital on Thursday morning, as fire reportedly broke out at the new Accident and Emergency unit of the hospital. The cause of the fire could not be ascertained at the time of filling this report but the medium gathered that efforts were on to put off the fire. According to a source who spoke with newmen, patients were running out of the unit to avoid being caught in the fire. The source said, “I can confirm to you that there is a fire outbreak at the new Accident and Emergency unit of UNIOSUNTH this morning. “We don’t know how the fire started but suddenly, we saw patients running for safety with blood and bandages on their body.”

A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has sentenced the Osolo of Ado-Odo, Muftau Dosunmu, to six months in prison for presenting himself as an Oba. The Osolo title, which is one of the high chiefs in Ado-Odo, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, was upgraded to a coronet Oba by the past administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, among 74 others across the state. But, the Governor Dapo Abiodun administration has since its assumption of office reversed the upgrade of all 75 Obas. Though the monarchs claimed they had secured a high court judgement against the state, the government had insisted that they should stop parading themselves as traditional rulers. In his case, the Osolo was dragged to court for alleged impersonation and disturbance of peace within the Ado-Odo magisterial district. He was accused of parading himself as an Oba, donning regalia and a beaded crown, despite lacking the rightful title, thereby violating Section 23(2)(...

The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has returned to the state on Wednesday following last Friday’s meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, BEYOND AFRICA gathered. This is as BEYOND AFRICA on gathered that the deputy returned to the state and went to his office to conduct some official activities. A source in the deputy governor’s office informed newsmen that Aiyedatiwa would preside over the state Executive Council meeting that would be holding on today ( Thursday). The source said, “The deputy governor is around and he has resumed office today (Wednesday). He would preside over the exco meeting tomorrow (Thursday).” Earlier, the President met with stakeholders in the Ondo All Progressives Congress over the political crisis rocking the state. In the raging crisis, the Ondo State House of Assembly pushed for Aiyedatiwa’s impeachment in the face of the apparent breakdown of the relationship between ailing Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa, who ...

Manchester United are on the brink of elimination from the Champions League after twice blowing a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Galatasaray on Wednesday. A point leaves the Red Devils still bottom of Group A and needing to beat Bayern Munich in their final match at Old Trafford to have any chance of qualifying. Even victory over the German champions will not be enough if Galatasaray beat FC Copenhagen in two weeks’ time or the Danish champions take at least four points from their final two matches. United have won just one of their five Champions League games this season and will reflect on another tale of missed opportunities and costly errors from goalkeeper Andre Onana. Alejandro Garnacho scored one of the all-time great Premier League goals with a stunning overhead kick to put United on course to victory at Everton on Sunday. The Argentine’s opener was less spectacular but still impressive as he rifled into the roof of the net from Bruno Fernandes’ pass after just 11 min...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has called the attention of the  public to an impersonator on Facebook parading himself as the commission’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede. This was revealed in a statement signed by the agency’s Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Wednesday. The statement titled ‘Fake Olukoyede on Facebook’ read, “An impersonator parading himself as the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, is on Facebook. “The fake Olukoyede has also been advertising a phony telephone line, 08028189925 as the ‘private line’ of the EFCC’s boss. “The public is enjoined to be wary of the antics of the impersonator, while efforts are being made to bring him to book.”

Gunmen suspected to be armed robbers on Wednesday afternoon reportedly shot dead one Mr Taiwo Oyekanmi, a Director of Finance and Accounts attached to the Governor’s  Office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. Oyekanmi was said to have been gunned down on top of NNPC Bridge, while coming from a bank where he had gone to make withdrawals in preparation for Thursday’s budget presentation by the governor. He was said to have been rushed to the State Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta where he was pronounced dead. Contacted, the spokesperson for the  Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, said she was yet to be briefed about the development. Two top civil servants at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta who spoke to our correspondent, confirmed the incident saying that the secretariat is currently in a mourning mood. Details later… Source: Punch Online 

The Nigeria Police, on Wednesday, arrested and detained three personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for shooting two students of Senior Secondary School, Life Camp, within the Jabi and Gwarinpa areas of the Federal Capital Territory. BEYOND AFRICA that the two students shot by the NSCDC operatives are currently receiving treatment at the Gwarinpa Hospital. Following the shooting, some irate high school students vandalised three patrol vehicles belonging to the NSCDC in protest against the attack on their injured colleagues. The event according to eyewitness occurred around 11.20am on Wednesday. The NSCDC personnel attached to the FCT Command of the NSCDC were at the school to provide security during an ongoing examination on the premises. When contacted, the FCT Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident, while noting that the police had restored peace in the affected area. Adeh said, “The incident happened, but our operatives interve...

One of the newly refurbished  Imole De Bus was reportedly involved in an accident around Capital area of the state on Wednesday afternoon, BEYOND AFRICA gathered. The driver of the bus according to eyewitnesses blamed brake failure for the accident. Recalled that the state government had last week Tuesday announced that it spent a total sum of Twenty-Five Million, Two Hundred and Seventy Four Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighty Eight Naira to refurbish 19 Omoluabi buses which will serve as palliative to cushion the effect of petroleum subsidy for the people of the state. The refurbished vehicles were procured during the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. The state commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo. According to Alimi, the money was spent to ensure the vehicle’s roadworthiness to be able to carry out the new services of conveyance of people. According to the st...

A Lagos State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ogba, on Wednesday ordered the remand of three suspects who allegedly murdered Adeniyi Sanni, an aide to Senator Solomon Adeola, also known as Yayi, at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre for the next 30 days. The defendants are Fred Azeez Okuno, a 43-year-old resident of Lagos; Lucky Idudu Michael, a 33-year-old from Delta State; and Adedigba Segun, a 26-year-old from Ibadan, Oyo State. They were alleged to have committed the offence on August 5, 2023, at a checking point in Ojodu Beger around midnight. The Lagos State Police Command paraded the suspects on September 18, 2023, after they were arrested in connection with a robbery and the murder of Sanni.

Former RB Leipzig star Agyemang Diawusie has died at the age of 25, BEYOND AFRICA gathered. The former Germany U19s ace passed away suddenly, with German outlet BR24 reporting that Diawusie’s death was due to “natural causes.” Diawusie came up through the ranks at Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig. This season saw him star for German third-tier club Jahn Regensburg who released an emotional statement announcing the death of the striker on Tuesday. The statement reads, “This Tuesday, SSV Jahn received the terrible news that Jahn professional Agyemang Diawusie died at the age of 25. “The club is shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic event. “The Jahn family mourns with the bereaved and their thoughts are with Agyemang’s family, relatives, close friends and companions. “Because of the terrible situation and out of respect for his family, we ask that their privacy be respected.” Diawusie was born in Berlin to Ghanaian parents and represented the European nation at yo...

The Kogi State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Dino Melaye, said he will not challenge the electoral victory of the All Progressives Congress before the state election petition tribunal. BEYOND AFRICA reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the APC candidate, Usman Ododo, winner of the November 11 governorship election in the state. The PDP governorship candidate, who came in third in the election, on Wednesday alleged that the judiciary is no longer independent but a department of the APC. Dino stated, “Judiciary is no longer the last hope of the ordinary people, it is now a department under the All Progressives Congress. Why should any responsible person go to the tribunal when the APC have captured the judiciary? “I have lost complete confidence in the judiciary.” Details shortly…

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has approved the payment of wage award to civil servants and pensioners in the state as a measure to mitigate the impact of subsidy removal. The Governor in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, stated that the action was in a continuation of his avowed commitment to workers’ welfare and a fulfilment of his pledge for the gradual rollout of palliative measures to cushion the effect of subsidy removal. The approval was conveyed in a circular issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Capacity Building, disclosing that workers in the service of the state will get a N15,000 wage award while pensioners will receive N10,000. The circular which was signed by Sunday Olugbenga Fadele, a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, noted that the wage award will run for six months, beginning in December. “Sequel to the negotiation meetings and interactions with labour movement in Osun state, including the representatives of Nigeria...

The Ogun State Government said it had stopped an attempt by Dangote Cement factory to demolish Elefon Primary School, Elefon in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the State. The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abayomi Arigbabu, confirmed this to newsmen on Tuesday. The lawmaker representing Ewekoro State Constituency, Yusuf Amosun, had during plenary complained that the cement factory allegedly demolished the primary school on the claim that it discovered mineral resources within its premises. Amosun had informed the assembly under personal explanation that the school was allegedly demolished by Dangote Cement “without notice to the appropriate government agencies.” Consequently, the Speaker of the House, Olakunle Oluomo, condemned the alleged demolition of the primary school “under the guise of discovering mineral resources within the compound of the school.” The commissioner for education said the factory indeed obstructed the school premises some weeks ...

From Hamas’s brutal attacks in Israel, and the fierce retribution it provoked, to the kiss that caused a revolt in Spanish football, here are 10 events that marked a tumultuous 2023:   Israel-Gaza War On October 7, hundreds of Hamas gunmen pour across the border from Gaza, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 240 people hostage in the worst attack in Israel’s history, traumatising the country and stunning the world. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to “destroy” Hamas and Israel launches air bombardments followed by a ground offensive that reduces entire neighbourhoods in the densely packed Palestinian territory to rubble. As Gaza’s destruction and death toll mount, international pressure grows on Israel to pause its offensive. Seven weeks into the war, the two sides agree to a four-day truce. Gaza’s Hamas-run government estimates around 13,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly civilians and including thousands of children. Hamas rele...

The plan by a Celestial Church of Christ to invite the duo of Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma and Habeeb Olalomi, aka Portable to perform at a night praise has  throwned many into confusion. Both Pasuma and Portable were invited to perform on December 15, 2023 at CCC land of Goshen Cathedral, Ogudu-Ojota, Lagos State. The invitation was made known in a Facebook page of the church on Tuesday. However, the invitation has met criticism from Facebook users. According to Marvel Ajifowobaje, "Nibo La tun jasi bayii Olusho? I blve this wasn't done by the leading of the Holy Spirit. E kuku name church yin ni club and stop confusing people under the disguise of church" Ayo Ife: "The artists are not complete yet🤔 Una for kuku add Naira Marley🌚So that the soul winning can complete! Eku ishe oluwa sir" Tunde Olu: "I still don't understand why people are shocked. This is just a fulfilment of the scripture That he hid his Sodom and Gomorrah in the name of a c...

Dr Naeem Dalal, Advisor, Non-communicable Diseases, Injuries and Mental Health for AfricaCDC, has stressed the need to stop cultural stereotypes that prevent African men from seeking emotional and mental wellness help. Dalal spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lusaka, Zambia, on the sideline of a parallel session on Youth Mental Health in Africa, at the International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) on Tuesday. According to him, this is necessary as statistics specifically show that more men die by suicide on the continent in Africa. The CPHIA, an annual event, is organised by the Africa Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), with the 2023 edition being hosted by the Government of Zambia. The CPHIA2023 has the theme: “Breaking Barriers: Repositioning Africa in the Global Health Architecture.’’ The annual event runs from Nov. 27 to Nov. 30. Dalal is a Psychiatrist from Lusaka, Zambia, a youth mental health specialist and currently t...

The Ondo State House of Assembly has warned against violating the resolutions of President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with the members of the House and other stakeholders over the lingering political crisis in the state. The House held its first plenary session on Tuesday after last Friday’s meeting with Tinubu in Abuja. At the end of Tuesday’s plenary, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Olamide Oladiji, disclosed that, as part of the resolutions reached at the meeting with Tinubu, the deputy governor,  Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, was asked to write an undated resignation letter and submit it to the President. The Speaker said the President appointed him (Speaker),  the Secretary of the Ondo State Government, Mrs Oladunni Odu, and the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Ade Adetimehin, to monitor compliance with the resolutions. Oladiji, who read the resolutions on the floor of the House, warned all the gladiators and stakeholders against violating the resolutions of...

Could Donald Trump make a comeback? Will anyone in Russia challenge another six years for Vladimir Putin? With half the world heading to the polls in 2024, and some 30 countries electing a president, here are five key elections to watch: US: Trump-Biden rematch?  On November 5, tens of millions of Americans will choose the 60th president of the United States in a contest that could keep incumbent Joe Biden in power until the age of 86. Poll after poll shows that a majority of voters think the gaffe-prone Democrat is too old to be commander-in-chief, despite his likely rival, ex-president Donald Trump making similar slip-ups at 77. Disinformation looks set to be a feature of the campaign, a hangover from the last foul-tempered contest which ended with Trump supporters storming the US Capitol to try to halt the certification of Biden’s victory. Trump goes into the Republican party nomination contest the standout favourite, despite multiple criminal trials hanging over him...

The mother of an alleged wanted thug in Kano State, on Tuesday, handed her son over to the state police command, BEYOND AFRICA learnt. The medium gathered that the police had earlier promised a N500,000 reward for whoever found the wanted thug identified as Hantar Daba. The state Commissioner of Police Mohammed Gumel, made this known in a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Haruna Abdullahi, and issued to newsmen on Tuesday. The statement read, “During the last hangout event held at Sani Abacha In-door Stadium, Kofar Mata on October 17, 2023, that ultimately changed their mindsets, all of them with the last one; Hantar Daba now bringing himself in the company of his mother and his topmost former rival now bosom friend, Abba Burakita of Dorayi leading him to the police command. “You will recall that the top-three viz: Hantar Daba of Kwanar Disu, Nasiru Abdullahi aka Chile Maidoki of Layin Polewire Kurna and Abba Burakita of Dorayi Karama Quarters, ...

The Directorate of Citizens Rights in the Ekiti State Ministry of Justice has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Damilola Adeparusi, popularly known as Chef Dammy against her pastor, Jeremiah Adegoke, and the state police command for alleged infringement of the chef’s rights. The DCR also demanded N10 million for damages on behalf of the chef who is a 300-level Mass Communication student of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti. The DCR further sought a restraining order to prevent Adegoke and the police from re-arresting Chef Dammy. This came barely a week after Chef Dammy was reportedly arrested on the order of Adegoke. The controversy between Chef Dammy and her pastor came to light in October after the 24-year-old chef raised an alarm over alleged relentless threats and intimidation from individuals whom she tagged “people of God” and her pastor. She had alleged being threatened and bullied by Adegoke. Meanwhile, Adegoke, in a letter signed by his lawyers, Bisayo Sule & Co Leg...

A Non-governmental organisation, Accountability of Civil Society on Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition, ACOMIN Osun State state zone has called on Nigerian government to set up and implement a functional malaria surveillance system to collect data on malaria cases and monitor eradication progress. This is as it maintained that Malaria can only be eradicated in Nigeria when the government feels committed to it as a national responsibility, adding that Malaria elimination should be seen as project that demands immediate attention.  This was the summation of Osun ACOMIN under its Chairman, Ambassador Aremu Stephen Akinyele, who made this known at the state media briefing on the Global Fund Malaria Community-Led Monitoring project being Implemented in selected local governments in the state. According to Ambassador Aremu, Malaria hyper-endemicity is a major public health crisis that requires Nigerian government’s deliberate and consistent efforts to follow recommen...

Economic activities was put on hold for hours at Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Ogbonna Tobias yesterday due to  false news on alleged manhood disappearance in the Local Government Area of the State. However, the Special Assistant to the Ebonyi State Governor on Internal Security, has warned residents to desist from spreading fake news. Addressing journalists in the local government, Ogbonna noted that fake news has continued to create tension and panic within the Local Government and warned that the State Government will not hesitate to deal with anyone found spreading the false news. It would be recalled that last week, the news of four men who allegedly lost their manhood in the Local Government mysteriously spread round the area, thereby causing tension in the area. The alleged fake news according to Ogbonna also paralysed economic activities in the area as hundreds of youths in the area have continued to shun visiting the Nkwo markets to avert losing their manhood ...

The deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu has said he would still apologise to the former governor of the state, Comrade Adam Oshiomole despite their differences during the 2020 governorship election. This is as Shaibu described  Oshiomhole as a father to him. He further said he would find time to apologise to Oshiomole for the improper words he used against him in the last governorship election in the state, adding that his rift with the governor astarted after he congratulated the ex-governor for his senatorial victory in the 2023 elections. Shaibu on Monday declared his intention to run for governor in the 2024 election in the state, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He made this known while appearing on Channels TV Sunrise Daily on Tuesday. His words: “My relationship with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is cordial. When I mean cordial, he is still my father. Political, we are in different political parties. “I am happy that the governor (Obas...