Former Deputy Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Christopher Tunji Ayeni, popularly known as CT Ayeni, tragically lost his life in a fatal road accident early Thursday near Ajase-Ipo in Irepodun Local Government Area, Kwara State.

Ayeni, a notable figure in Kwara politics and recently the 2023 House of Representatives candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was reportedly driving a Hilux vehicle with an unidentified passenger en route to Ilorin when the accident occurred.

Known for his active role in the state’s political landscape, Ayeni had recently decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He also held the esteemed title of Akogun of Isapa Land in Ekiti Local Government Area.

News of Ayeni’s passing has sent shockwaves through Kwara State, with many residents and political figures expressing condolences for the loss of a respected leader.

In other news, veteran Nollywood actor, Abdulsalam Sanyaolu, popularly known as Charles Olumo and Agbako, is dead.

Naija News reports that his colleague, Jide Kosoko, announced Agbako’s demise in a post on his Instagram page on Thursday.

However, Kosoko failed to reveal the circumstances surrounding Agbako’s death.

The movie star wrote, “Good night ooo, Baba Charles. a.k.a Agbako, 102 years, ba wasa ba. R I P”

Agbako was born on February 19, 1923, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, has called on Nigerians to return to the streets in protest amid rising hunger, poverty, and power outages affecting parts of the country.

In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, Dalung urged citizens to “speak the language the government understands,” stressing that they should not passively endure the hardships imposed by poor governance. 

The former minister highlighted the worsening situation in northern states, where widespread blackouts have compounded issues of food insecurity and financial hardship.

“Northern states have blackouts added to their predicaments; hunger, poverty & misery has taken citizens hostage. While @officialABAT lavishly lives big with his officials imposing taxes for their comfort while calling Nigerians to sacrifice for renewed hopelessness. Have Nigerians been abandoned by voices of conscience? Where are @Tunde_52882, @WoleSoyink58747, @femifalana_SAN, @ShehuSani, @_dinomelaye’ @YeleSowore, @AishaYesufu, @SolomonDalung, @elrufai, @Akin_Malaolu, @adeyanjudeji, @kfayemi, @ruffydfire, @abati1990, etc?.

“The country is navigating seriously into the abyss. We cannot surrender to the ignorance of a few, while watching Nigeria fall. We must return to the street and speak the languages they understand. What are we scared of death or jail?”, Dalung said

Meanwhile, Electricity has been restored in Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, and Benue states under the Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) franchise, bringing relief to residents after a 10-day blackout.

Power was restored around 7:20 p.m. on Wednesday, sparking celebrations in Jos, the capital of Plateau State.

The House of Representatives recently declined to advance a motion urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reverse the decision to rename the Ministry of Niger Delta Development as the Ministry for Regional Development.

The motion, introduced by Oboku Oforji (PDP, Bayelsa), was set aside after the House concluded it had been “overtaken by events.”

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen informed members that, following his recent meeting with President Tinubu, there were indications that the President was open to receiving a South-South Development Commission Bill, specifically designed to address the needs of the Niger Delta region.

In light of this discussion, Speaker Tajudeen suggested stepping down the motion, explaining that recent developments had addressed many of the concerns raised.

House Leader Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo) acknowledged the relevance of the issues presented but clarified that the rebranding of the Niger Delta Ministry as a broader Ministry of Regional Development would not reduce the attention to the Niger Delta region’s needs. Instead, the change aims to extend developmental efforts to other regions as well.

When initially moving the motion, Oforji reminded the House of the Ministry’s creation by former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on September 10, 2008.

According to Oforji, Yar’Adua envisioned the Ministry as a vehicle for promoting peace, unity, and development in the Niger Delta, coordinating initiatives among agencies, communities, donors, and stakeholders.

He emphasized that Yar’Adua’s intentions for the Ministry stemmed from a desire to address long-standing neglect in a region that generates a significant portion of the nation’s economic wealth but suffers from poverty and environmental degradation.

Oforji pointed to years of oil spillage, poor agricultural conditions, and inadequate infrastructure as factors that fueled unrest in the area.

He highlighted that Yar’Adua’s administration, though brief, fostered dialogue with Niger Delta stakeholders and militants, culminating in the Amnesty Program, which helped to secure relative peace in the region.

“It was in the short term of late President Yar’Adua ‘s leadership from Katsina State that dialogue was initiated with major stakeholders in the region and militants culminating in the Amnesty Progam that has brought relative peace to the oil rich Niger Delta Region.

“These were prelude to the creation of the ministry which was aimed at infrastructural development, environmental protection and empowerment of the youths in the oil rich Niger Delta Region.

“Are we there yet? The answer is no,but the people of the Niger Delta believe that the lofty dreams and aspirations of the founding fathers of the region will be actualized someday, hence their embrace of the creation of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development,” Oforji stated.

Expressing further concern, he added, “On the 24th of October 2024, the oil rich region witnessed palpable tension following the announcement of the scrapping of the ministry of Niger Delta Development, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“This is not a good omen for a region that has contributed immensely to the economy development of our their country and has enjoyed some relative peace.”

Oforji’s motion underscored the importance of honoring the Ministry’s founding purpose and urged reconsideration of the change, which many in the Niger Delta see as dismissive of their contributions and aspirations.

Veteran actor, Pa Charles Olumo Sanyaolu, popularly known as Agbako is dead.

He reportedly died in the early hours of Thursday after taking a nap and complaining of slight tiredness.

President of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Bolaji Amusan, also known as Mr Latin announced Agbako’s passing on Instagram.

“TAMPAN Global announces the passing of Pa Charles Olumo Sanyaolu, fondly known as AGBAKO,” Amusan wrote.

He also stated that details of the burial arrangements will be shared later.

Here are things to know about veteran actor Agbako:

1. He was Born in 1923.

2. He celebrated 100 on July 20, 2023 in Abeokuta, Ogun State  

3. He is affectionately called Agbako by movie lovers

4. He was one of the pioneers of the Yoruba film industry, which later evolved into Nollywood.

5. He was the oldest actor in the Nigerian film sector

6. His action roles in Yoruba films, include: Taxi Driver, Jagun, Amin Orun, Aiye, Jayesinmi, Saworo Ide, and Igbo Dudu

7. His roles in classic films such as ‘Ogbori Elemosho’ and ‘Atorunmo’ cemented his status as a legend in the industry.

Nasiru Sanusi, a 25-year-old man, has been arrested by the Katsina State Police Command for the kidnap and m8rder of his uncle, a ward head in Kankara Local Government Area of the state. 

The spokesman of the command, Abubakar Sadiq, paraded the suspect alongside other criminals at the police headquarters on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

According to the PPRO, the suspect conspired with three others, kidnapped his uncle and subsequently k!lled him after receiving N8m and six bags of fertilizer as ransoms. 

“On the 23rd of October 2024, the command, in collaboration with the Gombe state police command, successfully arrested Nasiru Sanusi, m., age 25, of Gidan Daudu village, Kankara LGA, in connection with a suspected case of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, and culpable homicide," the PPRO stated. 

“The suspect criminally conspired with three (3) others now at large and kidnapped his uncle, a ward head, and subsequently k!lled him after receiving eight million naira and six (6) bags of fertilizer as ransoms.

“The suspect confessed to having fled to Lagos, Taraba, and Gombe states, where he engaged in several criminal activities until his arrest in Gombe state

“In the course of the investigation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the offence. 

“Efforts are being intensified to ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspects as the investigation proceeds.” 

Veteran actor, Abdulsalam Sanyaolu, popularly known as Charles Olumo and Agbako, is dead.

This was made known in a statement by the president of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) , Bolaji Amusan, popularly known as Mr Latin on Instagram on Thursday.

He wrote, “#tampanglobal announces the passing of Pa Charles Olumo Sanyaolu, fondly known as AGBAKO. Details of the burial arrangements will be shared at a later time. Good night father, 25/02/1923 to 31/10/2024.”

Nollywood actor, Jide Kosoko, also confirmed Agbako’s demise as he wrote: “Good night ooo, Baba Charles. a.k.a Agbako, 101 years, ba wasa ba. R I P.”

Agbako clocked 101th this year.

Delta North Senator, Ned Nwoko, has reiterated his call for the federal government to allow Nigerians to bear arms and defend themselves.

The lawmaker made the fresh call while speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

Senator Nwoko explained that if Nigerians are allowed to bear arms, it will curb the challenges of insecurity in the country as the citizens would be able to defend themselves.

He argued that with the plethora of security challenges in the country, the masses resorting to self-defence wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Asked during the programme if carrying guns would solve the nation’s security problems, the lawmaker said: “Yes, it will.”

He also recalled how his Senior Legislative Aide was killed by gunmen who attacked his home in Abuja last year, with the man unable to defend himself.

Nwoko submitted that if the late SLA had a gun, such wouldn’t have happened.

“My SLA was killed in November last year and the wife said the estate was attacked by kidnappers. When they got to their door, they wanted to knock down the door, the wife and kids went to hide under the bed in one of the rooms.

“When he want to open the door, he was taken and nobody saw him again. As a matter of fact, those people who took him away have been arrested. If he had a gun or members of that estate had guns, you think the kidnappers would have the audacity to knock from house to house knowing that people are armed? That wouldn’t happen,” Nwoko said.

Ruben Amorim is expected to be confirmed as Manchester United’s new manager on Thursday after the club reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon, reports said.

The Athletic said the 39-year-old would stay with the Portuguese league leaders for their next three games, including next week’s Champions League match against Manchester City.

He is expected to take charge at Old Trafford during the November international break, with his first game set to be United’s away trip to Ipswich on November 24.

Sky Sports said it was understood the Premier League club had paid Sporting an extra one million euros over and above his 10 million euro ($11 million) exit clause for an early release.

Sporting issued a statement to the Lisbon stock exchange on Tuesday confirming United were willing to meet the release clause.

United pulled the plug on Erik ten Hag’s two-year reign as manager on Monday after a 2-1 defeat by West Ham left them 14th in the Premier League.

Amorim quickly emerged as United’s number one option.

United caretaker boss Ruud van Nistelrooy oversaw a 5-2 victory against Leicester in the fourth round of the League Cup on Wednesday.

“I came here as an assistant to help the club,” said Van Nistelrooy. “I’m helping as long as I’m needed and in the future, in any capacity, I’m here to help the club build towards the future.”

Despite spending heavily in the transfer market in the summer, Ten Hag paid the price for United’s poor start to the season.

Prior to the win against Leicester, they had won just one of their past eight games in all competitions.

Ned Nwoko, the lawmaker representing Delta North in the Senate has stated that the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu will not succeed as Nigeria allows multiple currencies in circulation, which undermines the Naira’s strength.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Nwoko highlighted that the economy is in disarray, and the widespread use of foreign currencies undermines the naira’s value.

According to Nwoko, Nigeria stands alone in permitting foreign currencies, such as the dollar, pounds, and euros, to circulate alongside its local currency, rendering the naira effectively worthless in global demand.

“Our economy as it is, is in tatters. It is in some kind of quagmire. It doesn’t matter how you look at it or policies you’re trying to introduce here and there, nothing will work,” the lawmaker said.

Drawing comparisons, Nwoko pointed out that other countries strictly maintain single-currency use, citing examples from the UK and the US, where foreign currencies must be exchanged at bureaux de change, and salaries are paid solely in local currency.

In contrast, Nigeria’s tolerance for foreign currency use hinders any substantial demand for the naira.

For Nigeria’s economy to stabilize, Nwoko proposed that foreign transactions within the country should require naira, forcing foreign buyers to seek out the local currency.

“Nothing will work as long as we keep tying the exchange rate to our consumption. When we became an independent nation we had naira and our currency was quite strong.

“Then suddenly, we began to have other currencies, dollar, particularly, and pounds and now Euro. There’s no country that I know in the world that has the use of multiple currencies.

“If you go to Britain with the dollar, you must change it at the BDC. You cannot pay for anything with the dollars in the UK. Everybody is paid their salaries in pounds in the UK. The same thing when you go to America. Everybody uses dollars.

“So, for things to work, assuming that we agree to phase out the use of foreign currency in Nigeria, what it means is that if you want to buy oil, gas or gold in Nigeria, it would require you to use only the naira.

“So, if they’re coming from the UK for example, they’d look for Naira so that they can transact because they know they can’t use any other currency.

“Currently, nobody looks for Naira because we’ve made it so easy for them to transact with other currencies. They can come here with any currency and that means effectively, there is no global demand for our Naira. Our money has no value beyond Naira.

“For things to work, we must prevent the use of foreign currencies and then people will start to look for the Naira. When they begin to look for Naira, our currency will appreciate,” he stated.

Nwoko has introduced a bill in the Senate advocating for a ban on foreign currency use within Nigeria to help restore the naira’s value and bolster the economy.