Beyondafricanews

Former Ogun State House of Assembly aspirant in Abeokuta North Local Government, Hon. Akeem Oluseye has charged Youths across Nigeria to be  patriotic and be a good ambassador of the country. Oluseye made the call in his new year message, saying that only a patriotic Nigerian will work towards the development of the country and as well make it proud anywhere they are around the globe. Oluseye, a member of the Tinubu/Shettima Support Group in the South-West during the 2023 general elections urged all tribes in the country to work towards peace in their respective regions as it remains panacea for nation building. "I call on Nigerian Youths across Nigeria and the World to be a good ambassador of the country. I urged is all to be patriotic and love Nigeria. This is our home and we have to build it together. Let's be proud of our country. "I also charge all regions of the federation to remain as one. Our diversity is a factor that makes us stronger together. Let...

It’s about time to turn the page on 2023. What should we expect for 2024? It’s tough to know for sure. But in some regards, that is more up to us than we think. I am not in control of the world, however I am in control of myself… and you are in control of yourself. So even though we can’t control everything around us, we can control some things. At the very least, we can control how we interact with the world around us. And many times, that makes all the difference. To that end, in an effort to make 2024 a better year for everyone, here are 12 decisions we can all make as the new year begins: 1. Smile more. We have learned over the last couple years the value of seeing smiles in public spaces. Offer them as often as you can and decide to show more of those pearly whites every chance you get. 2. Complain less. Recent years have had all of us dealing with life-and-death issues on an almost daily basis. In some ways, all the things we used to complain about seem so small now. ...

These are the only countries in the world, which have not adopted the Gregorian Calendar. The countries are Ethiopia, Nepal, Iran and Afghanistan  Ethiopia is using the Ethiopian calendar, Nepal is using Vikram Samvat and Nepal Sambat while Iran and Afghanistan are using Solar Hijri calendar.

The former governor of Osun state and erstwhile minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has blamed lost of power of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun state on the refusal of his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola to follow the programme and ideology of the progressive party in the state. Aregbesola berated associates of Oyetola for nursing animosity against him without any reason and refusal to respect all the reconciliatory agreements sanction by President Bola Tinubu. The ex-minister speaking in Yoruba language at end of the year party of his faction named Omoluabi caucus held in Osogbo capital of Osun state, stated that he begged Oyetola for three years but he refused which led to his lost at the 2022 gubernatorial election. He said: “God spoke in Osun but people did not see what God did in Osun state. Three politicians including myself in Yoruba land, God made us to be successful. Awolowo started it, he finished his tenure and handed over to the person that he wished, t...

Factional House of Assembly Speaker loyal to Gov Fubara, Edison Ehie has resigned and quits the House of Assembly, BEYOND AFRICA gathered. Ehie in a letter written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), dated December 29, 2023, notify that he's voluntarily resigning as speaker and member of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly. Reason surrounding the resignation was still sketchy as at the time of filing this report. He however appreciated his colleagues and people of his Constituency in Ahoada-East Constituency II.

A Nigerian, Umar Audu has bagged a Cotonou varsity degree in 6 weeks, and subsequently participated in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. Audu, who reached out to a racketeering syndicate that specialises in selling the infamous degree certificates from the neighboring countries to willing buyers at an ‘affordable rate,’ in December 2022, graduated in February 2023 and was issued a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication certificate from the Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies, ESGT, Cotonou, Benin Republic. Narrating how the deal went, Audu, an undercover reporter for Daily Nigerian Newspaper said the agent gave him the option of “studying” for a year or month, but he opted for the month option. “That’s not a problem; we can help. If the money is ready, we can help you out. We have done it for a lot of people. If you make the payment now, the results will be ready next month,” the agent was quoted to have assured. According to Audu, th...

  Immediate past National Vice Chairman of All Progressives Congress, North-West, Salihu Lukman, tells ADEBAYO FOLORUNSHO-FRANCIS about his problems with the leadership of the party and why he remains the most misunderstood politician, among other issues Many concerned Nigerians have been wondering why you threw away your APC NWC seat despite not being pressured to leave. What is your response to this? To answer your question, there are a lot of dynamics going on. What appears in the public is not as safe as what people will imagine. It was very clear to me there were forces within the party that were not happy with my role of getting rid of Adamu and the advocacy I had done. I could see the personal danger, which was not just a threat to my life but a threat to my political career, and I am not someone who enjoys good relationships with many party leaders. And sincerely speaking, they gave me a lot of protection, no doubt about it. But concerning the Progressive Govern...

Doyin Odebowale, the former Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy to late Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has explained why he resigned following the governor’s death. Odebowale along with the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Aminu Raimi; and the Special Assistant on Photography to the former governor, Olawale Abolade, resigned following the passing of Akeredolu on Wednesday in Germany. Also, the Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Dare Aragbaye, and the Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor, Richard Olatunde, resigned. In their letters of resignation addressed to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the two aides cited Akeredolu’s death as the reason for their actions. However, Odebowale disclosed on Saturday that he resigned as he could not guarantee the same commitment he had with Akeredolu. He noted that he had performed his duties with the full support of the late governor whom he said ...

BY HON. FEMI KEHINDE Every town or community has its shining stars, who would etch the name of the community or town in the heart of the people – Awolowo’s Ikenne, Samuel Ladoke Akintola’s Ogbomosho, Tafawa Balewa’s Bauchi, Buhari’s Daura, William shakespare’s stratford-upon Avon, United Kingdom and Fagunwa’s Oke Igbo. His beginning! Daniel Orowole, later (Olorunfemi) Fagunwa, was born to a family of Christian pioneers in Oke Igbo, in present day Ondo State, in 1903. Aderinsoye Ologbenla, an Ooni elect who had reigned in Ile-Ife for eight years and continued in this capacity until his death in 1893, was a scion of the Giesi ruling house, lle-Ife. His name was Aderinsoye, but popularly called Derin. The short form of his name, “Ologbenla” is one of his praise names, meaning- “a person who inflicts heavy wounds”.After Derin Ologbenla’s army, in his war expedition, had conquered the Ondos, he left Ondo to pitch his army in Olori-Igbo, seven miles to Ondo. Later, his army decid...

The crisis rocking the national leadership of the Labour Party  (LP) has resurfaced in Benin City, Edo State on Friday as two officials of the party with one identified as Anslem Eragbe and another whose identity could not be confirmed at the time of filing this report were seen in a viral video being beaten by some group of people in an unknown location but houses and vehicles could be sighted. While Eragbe who was dressed in white apparel was seen being beaten by about five people on the ground with some seen hitting him with their legs and other items with his clothes torn and leaving him with a stained top and underwear, another on a blue address was seen sitting on the ground gesticulating with some people standing around him. It was gathered that they were in Benin to implement the timetable allegedly released by the Lamidi Apapa faction of the LP which was planning to organise a meeting to elect delegates that would participate in their primary election. A voice ...

The immediate-past Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has described the life of the ex-Ondo State governor, the late Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), as a mirror of an admirable legacy. This is as he praised the late Akeredolu for his invaluable role as a member of the legal team that helped him retrieve his Osun governorship mandate through the courts in 2007. He noted that Akeredolu’s demise was a personal loss to him. Akeredolu died at the age of 67 on Wednesday in Germany after battling a protracted prostate cancer. In a tribute he signed and released on Friday, in Osogbo, Aregbesola recalled Akeredolu’s integral role in the legal team that fought to reclaim the mandate given to him by the electorate in the 2007 Osun State Governorship poll. According to Aregbesola, the deceased, alongside others, navigated the challenging litigation, demonstrating tenacity and dedication in championing both the Action Congress of Nigeria’s cause and the people’s will. Noting that Akeredo...

Nollywood veteran, Doyin Hassan has addressed the misconception trailing the birth of his first child, with his wife, Oladunni. Recall on Monday, the actor announced the arrival of his child which he captioned, “God is Faithful!!!! After 24 years of toils and struggles. He came forth at last!!!! Our beautiful baby girl is a great testimony of God’s faithfulness.” Addressing the misconception in a post on his Instagram account on Wednesday, the actor stated his wife was not barren for 24 years, while revealing his reason behind the “24 years of toils and struggles.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by 'Doyin Hassan (@doyinhassanofficial) He said, “I waited for 24 years and not my wife Oladunni: my testimony about 24 years of waiting has been misunderstood in certain quarters.. “The testimony was about me and not the woman I married. I first got married on the 5th of June 1999 and lost 2 precious women to the cold hands of death over time. “I married Adeola Doyin...

Popular media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu has advised Nigerians aged 30 and above to ensure they enjoy their lives According to Ebuka, with an average life expectancy of nearly 70 years, turning thirty signals the start of the second stage of life. He urged persons in this age bracket in Nigeria to concentrate on living life to the fullest. Ebuka also emphasized the importance of cherishing one’s life experiences after the age of 30. He wrote: “If you’re 30+ in Nigeria, you’re probably already in the 2nd half of your life based on our life expectancy. Try dey enjoy”. If you're 30+ in Nigeria, you're probably already in the 2nd half of your life based on our life expectancy. Try dey enjoy — Ebuka Obi-Uchendu (@Ebuka) December 27, 2023

Two policemen were among four people killed last night when gunmen attacked the convoy of the erstwhile Anambra State political godfather, Chief Chris Uba. BEYOND AFRICA learnt that the incident happened at Uga junction, which is Uba’s hometown. The Anambra State Police command has confirmed that two policemen were killed, although he said the operatives were from the Enugu State command. It was gathered that Uba’s convoy ran into the gunmen at Uga junction in Aguata Local Government Area, leading to a gun battle between them and the police. According to a source, Uba was able to escape because his car was bulletproof. And it was during the shooting that four persons, including two policemen, were killed. It was also learnt that the gunmen aimed to kidnap the politician, but did not succeed and it was not clear if the gunmen succeeded in kidnapping anybody in the convoy. Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement, said: “The command h...

A yet-to-be-identified woman has been crushed to death by a truck allegedly belonging to the Dangote group, in Ogun State. The incident occurred at Dalemo-Ota, along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. The Federal Road Safety Corps in a statement on Friday, said the woman was standing by the roadside when she was crushed by the truck. The FRSC spokesperson in Ogun, Florence Okpe, stated that “the crash occurred at about 2300hrs late hours of Thursday night, involving a Dangote Truck.” The truck is marked XA354WDP.” Okpe disclosed that a total of two persons were involved in the accident, one adult male and one adult female. She attributed the accident to excessive speed and mechanical fault. The female adult was recorded dead from the crash. “The suspected cause of the fatal crash was excessive speed and mechanical fault (break failure) of the Dangote truck, which later hit a female adult standing by the roadside and she died on the spot.” She added that the body of the woman ha...

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has started shopping for his deputy. Aiyedatiwa may announce his deputy next week after consulting with President Bola Tinubu on his final choice. BEYOND AFRICA reliably gathered that the governor is looking towards the central senatorial district to pick his deputy. Aiyedatiwa’s choice, according to sources, is the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Razaq Obe. However, many of the party leaders are against him, alleging that he’s desperate and may rock the boat with time. Obe was made a commissioner following the recommendation of Betty Akeredolu, wife of the late governor, Betty Akeredolu. BEYOND AFRICA learnt that the former Secretary to the State Government and a former member of the National Assembly, Sunday Abegunde, is preferred by party leaders in the state. Abegunde, who is an ally of President Tinubu, was recently appointed as the Executive Director, Corporate Services of the Niger Delta Development Commission Co...

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Solomon Arase, says the Special Police Constabulary needs to either be outright overhauled, disbanded or given a separate uniform different from that of the regular policemen. According to him, men of the Special Police Constabulary engage in unethical practices, including extorting, and hurting the image of the Nigeria Police Force. Arase took the position in a statement on Thursday by the PSC  spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani. The statement read: “The commission is already in contact with the Inspector General of Police on the need to overhaul the organisation and operations of the outfit. There have been several reports of unprofessional conduct by officers of the outfit, a quasi-police formation created to assist in community policing. “Reports of their unprofessional conduct range from highhandedness in dealing with citizens and barefaced extortion on our roads and communities. The commission calls for an entirely different...

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi Telu 1 has hailed the Lawmaker representing Ayedire/Iwo/Olaoluwa Federal Constituency over his intervention to Iwoland and its environ. Oba Akanbi described the lawmaker as the best the federal Constituency has ever produced whose reign has brought a lot of unprecedented development to the Iwoland. He made the assertion during the distribution of 1500 Bags of rice to the people of his Constituents by Hon. Mudashiru Lukman (L&K) on Thursday. Oluwo said: "In your six months as my representative, you've invited me here for various empowerments, this is unprecedented in the history of Iwoland, I implore you to maintain the tempo, I am proud of you". Speaking after the distribution which took place at Iwo City Hall on Thursday, the lawmaker said the commodities are for the 35 electoral wards in the 3 local government areas of his constituency in addition to about 100 non-political groups in the constituency...

The Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Blessing Agbebaku has explained why the allocation to the office of the Deputy Governor for the 2024 appropriation was slashed to about 345 million naira while that of the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Head of Service (HoS) and others were far higher. Agbebaku said this is because not much responsibilities would be given to the deputy governor in the new year because of his governorship ambition. Speaking to journalists on the development in his office, Agbebaku also dispelled rumours that there was disenchantment among some members of the house and were plotting to make the house not peaceful for him. According to him, “Unlike the other offices like the SSG, HoS and others, the office of the governor and the deputy governor are the same, it is not only in this year’s budget, even in previous years that is how it has been. On this occasion, the governor stated clearly that since the deputy governor has not performed...

Some hours after the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and the swearing in of  Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the substantive governor of Ondo State, a commissioner and two aides of the former governor have resigned their appointments. Those who resigned on Thursday are the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Aminu Raimi; the Special Assistant on Photography to the former governor, Olawale Abolade: and the Senior Special Assistant to Akeredolu on Special Duties and Strategy, Doyin Odebowale. In his letter of resignation addressed to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, made available to newsmen on Thursday, the former commissioner said he followed his conscience as the reason for his action. The letter read, ” I write to tender my resignation of appointment as Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing with affect from today, 28 December 28, 2023. “This decision is anchored on my conscience, as my leader and dear boss, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi...

Two yet-to-be-identified persons were reportedly lynched by a mob for allegedly killing a 12-year-old boy, Ayomide Agunbiade, for ritual purposes in the Odo Alaro area of Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State on Tuesday. BEYOND AFRICA learnt that Agunbiade had gone missing on Christmas Day (Monday) which was his birthday after someone identified to be his uncle had come to pick him up in the absence of his mother that he wanted to celebrate his birthday with him. A village elder who pleaded anonymity because he was not permitted to speak on the matter told Journalists that it was when the case of the missing child was escalated within the community on Tuesday that a boy, said to have witnessed the moment the missing boy went with his uncle, told the search party that an uncle took him out on Monday. According to the source, when the uncle was confronted about the allegation of knowing the whereabouts of the missing boy, he denied anything about his whereabouts but th...

The Chief Executive Director of Hamsal Global Venture, Mr. Habeeb Ogunrombi has disclosed the target of the company in the next coming years. Ogunrombi in an interview with BEYOND AFRICA explained that, the company envision to be the best Information and Communication Technology Centre within Abeokuta and Ogun State in the next five years. He restated his organisation's commitment to become a computer literate expert through grooming and bringing the talent of young ones with modern technology. He said: "Our vision in the next five years is to become the best ICT Expert within Abeokuta Metropolitan and computer literate expert through grooming and bringing out the talent of our youth for with modern technology. "We are also planning to have a Jamb CBT Centre. Plans are ongoing to begin selling of computer and phone accessories etc. By the grace of God, our target is to expand our tentacle to Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuj...

With his demise, On Wednesday, at 67, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, of Ondo State became the fourth state helmsman to die in office. Shehu Kangiwa The first governor to die in office was Shehu Kangiwa of old Sokoto State. The youthful Kangiwa was a sportsman. He died while playing his favourite sport-Polo, in January 1982. Patrick Yakowa It took 30 years for Nigeria to witness another death of a serving governor. In 2012, Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State, the first and only Christian to rule Kaduna was killed alongside five others in a helicopter crash in Ogbia Creek, Bayelsa State. Yakowa was deputy to Architect Namadi Sambo. He was sworn-in as governor when Sambo was made vice president to Dr Goodluck Jonathan. Mamman Ali Seven years after Yakowa, Governor Mamman Ali of Yobe State died in a Florida hospital, United States in 2019 two weeks after he travelled to the country to treat Leukemia. Akeredolu’s death came four years after Ali’s death.