Famous Nigerian comedian, Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, has revealed that he may not be worthy of emulation in keeping home.

The comedian made this known on Tuesday, while praising his brother, Yomi Casual, for the love and respect he has for his family.

This is coming a few months after the comedian admitted to having found himself doing things that he is not proud of during his marriage.

Celebrating Yomi’s 40th birthday, AY in a now controversial post on Instagram, said: “I may not have scored 100% in other responsibilities as a perfect example that is worthy of emulation when it comes to keeping the home front intact.

“But I’m proud to say the love and respect you (Yomi) have for the family is second to none. Love you lots!”

DAILY POST recalls that AY confirmed separation from his wife, Mabel Makun, in April, 2024, after nearly 20 years of their union.

On Monday, an unnamed group of Northern Nigerians led by Jamilu Majia and Adams Funtua organised a luncheon to celebrate Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States.

Majia, a musician, composed and released a music video in November 2024 to drum up support for Trump during the build-up to the presidential election.

In the music video posted on his TikTok page, he extolled Trump and urged Americans to vote for his return to the White House.

In the music video, children hold American flags and wear customised vests while singing about Trump.

However, the luncheon video he posted on his TikTok to celebrate Trump’s inauguration sparked mixed reactions and raised questions among netizens.

He posted the viral video with the caption, “Congratulations, President #Trump Inaugural Luncheon in Nigeria.”

A video from the gathering continues to trend online.

The one-minute, thirty-one-second video showcases jubilant Hausa participants singing in their native language, clapping, and expressing joy in honour of the occasion.

Analysis

The video featured attendees dressed in traditional Hausa attire, a dignitaries’ table adorned with juice, Coke, and water, and a banner in the background that read, “Congratulations, Mr. President. Trump’s inauguration.”

Set amidst vibrant decorations, the celebration included traditional Nigerian cuisine, such as jollof rice and suya, creating a lively atmosphere filled with cultural pride and festivity.

A special song was composed for Mr Trump in Hausa, accompanied by English subtitles. In the video, which had sparked discussions about the global interest in American politics, attendees stood, clapped, and danced enthusiastically to the song.

A woman and children were also seen at the front of the dignitaries’ table, singing, clapping, and dancing in unison with the celebratory crowd.

The song’s lyrics praised Trump’s boldness and commitment, describing him as a great leader chosen by God.

They sang, “In God, we trust Africa; in God, we trust America. Oh! Hail Donald Trump, the American President. Oh! Hail Donald Trump, America. We’re all in support. Donald Trump is the President. The great leader, Trump, may God uplift your dignity.

“God chose you, made you, and protected you. Always take care of your supporters. America loves you. Oh, hail Donald Trump. Africa is also praising you, Asia is praising you, the Middle East is praising you, and Latin America is praising you. Everyone supports you, and everyone believes in you, Donald Trump.”

Not the first time

This newspaper gathered that it was not the first time Nigerians celebrated Trump in election-related matters. They celebrated him after he won the presidential election in November 2024.

More so, in November 2020, a rally was held in Onitsha, Anambra State, to drum support for the 78-year-old when he sought a reelection. During the event, a group organised a pro-Trump rally to mobilise support for him.

The group, consisting primarily of women and youths, marched through the streets while singing victory songs for Trump, whom they believed deserved another term in office.

Dressed in white and blue uniforms, they waved the United States flag alongside banners and placards bearing inscriptions such as “Make America Great Again” and “President Trump: America needs a man like you.”

Trump tweeted about the rally, captioning it: “A parade for me in Nigeria, a great honour!”

However, Trump of the Republican Party lost his re-election bid to the immediate past President Joe Biden of the Democratic Party.

This newspaper earlier reported that two prominent Nigerians, William Kumuyi, founder of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, and renowned gospel artiste Nathaniel Bassey, ministered during Trump’s inauguration.

Kumuyi led a prayer session at President Trump’s Inaugural Prayer and Praise Convocation on Sunday in Washington, D.C., while Bassey performed at the inaugural prayer breakfast. The prayer breakfast is a non-political, faith-based event held every four years before the swearing-in of a new administration.

A coalition of 18 Democratic states in the US has filed a federal lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to overturn birthright citizenship.

The states’ attorneys general filed the lawsuits on Tuesday.

The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 after the Civil War, stipulates that all persons “born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” are automatically citizens.

The language was crafted and added to the Constitution to establish full citizenship rights for Black Americans, who at the time suffered exclusion.

But for over a century, it has been interpreted as also granting rights to all children born on US soil, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

After his inauguration on Monday, Trump invoked his presidential orders to begin his long-touted immigration crackdown.

A statement issued by the White House said the century-old interpretation was misplaced, “clarifying” that the privilege does not extend to children whose parents are not US citizens.

DEMOCRATIC STATES KICK

The lawsuit filed by the 18 states said Trump’s initiative violates the law.

The states that joined the suit are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

Letitia James, New York attorney-general, said the law is a cornerstone of America’s commitment to justice and is not open to reinterpretation by executive order or presidential decree.

“President Trump’s attempt to undermine the fundamental right to birthright citizenship is not just unconstitutional; it is profoundly dangerous,” James said.

“Today, we are suing to uphold the integrity of the U.S. Constitution and ensure the promise of birthright citizenship remains intact for all who are born here.”

Trump’s aides hinted that the executive order would take effect 30 days after he signed it.

The Democratic officials also filed a request asking the court to put the case on a fast track and rule on whether to block enforcement before it takes effect.

In a separate legal action, the American Civil Liberties Union also filed a lawsuit aimed at blocking Trump’s order.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Embassy in Abuja has hosted a grand farewell ceremony for 20 Nigerian pilgrims selected for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Programme for Umrah 2025.

This is part of its dedication to promoting Islamic unity and facilitating access to Islam’s most sacred sites for Muslims around the world.

The ceremony, led by His Excellency Faisal bin Ibrahim Al-Ghamdi, Saudi ambassador to Nigeria, highlighted the kingdom’s unwavering commitment to supporting Muslims and fostering spiritual connections through pilgrimage.

The programme, initiated by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, provides Muslims from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to perform Umrah with full sponsorship, symbolising Saudi Arabia’s role as the spiritual heart of the Islamic world.

In his keynote address, Ambassador Al-Ghamdi expressed profound gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their steadfast dedication to Islam’s holy sites. He praised their exceptional leadership in enhancing the services provided to pilgrims and ensuring their journey to the sacred sites is spiritually fulfilling and logistically seamless.

“The custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the crown prince have prioritised the well-being of pilgrims, viewing it as a sacred duty and an immense honour. Through this programme and other initiatives, Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen bonds of brotherhood among Muslims while ensuring their comfort and safety during their spiritual journey,” he said.

Ambassador Al-Ghamdi revealed that the kingdom had invested over $100 billion in the recent expansion and modernisation of the Two Holy Mosques. According to him, these ambitious projects, encompassing state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced crowd management systems, and cutting-edge technology, reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to accommodating the increasing number of pilgrims visiting Mecca and Medina each year.

He added that the kingdom spares no effort in mobilising resources to improve the pilgrimage experience for all Muslims.

He also emphasised the importance of adhering to the Kingdom’s laws and regulations, designed to maintain order and ensure the safety and comfort of all pilgrims.

“The leadership of Saudi Arabia remains fully committed to serving the guests of God. This is a responsibility we hold dear, and we continuously strive to enhance the spiritual and logistical aspects of the pilgrimage experience,” he said.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Programme has become a symbol of the kingdom’s efforts to unite Muslims worldwide and facilitate access to the holiest sites in Islam. Each year, the initiative provides thousands of pilgrims the opportunity to perform Umrah, covering all costs, including travel, accommodation, and other logistics.

The guests sincerely thanked and appreciated King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. May God protect him for the generous hospitality of the kingdom‘s leadership in serving Islam, Muslims, the House of God, and the Holy Land.

The University of Abuja Teaching Hospital has revealed that N112 million will be spent on the treatment of 16 victims of the recent fuel tanker explosion in Niger State within one week.

The Chief Medical Director, Prof. Bissallah Ahmed Ekele, confirmed the hospital’s involvement following directives from the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate.

The CMD, who spoke when our correspondent visited the hospital on Tuesday, said that the hospital, alongside other tertiary institutions, dispatched ambulances to assist in managing the emergency.

He said, “It is true that we have some of the victims. On Sunday, at about 3 p.m., the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, gave directives to the public tertiary hospitals in Abuja. Ours is one of them, to take ambulances to the general hospital in Niger State, where the victims were, to assist in their management. And some of our ambulances were taken there, and as we speak, 16 of them are currently with us. Three of them are critically sick.”

The explosion, which occurred at Dikko Junction, Nigeria State, resulted in severe burns for many victims. “We have 16 victims, three of whom are critically ill with burns exceeding 80 per cent,” Ekele stated.

The hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee Chairman, Dr. Bob Okonu, highlighted the intensive care provided. “We have not slept since Sunday, working around the clock to save these lives,” he said.

He said that the initial resuscitative efforts involved extensive use of medical supplies, including over 20 cartons of normal saline and various antibiotics to combat potential infections.

According to Dr. Okonu, the financial burden is substantial, with each patient’s care costing between six to seven million naira in the first week alone. Okon added that managing burns of this magnitude is capital-intensive, requiring specialised nutrition, fluid replacement, and infection control measures.

“From Sunday night to Monday morning, if you quantify the amount of money spent to ensure that the resuscitative phase took place, it was over two million already.

“So because the body system, the skin is quite critical, if not properly taken care of, it also will affect other internal organs. Of them, I don’t think anyone will spend anything less than six to seven million keeping them within the first seven days. Yes, because of the active engagement, the active phase of resuscitation that will happen,” he explained.

Speaking further, Dr Okonu said that the hospital’s mental health unit was preparing to offer psychological support as part of a multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation. “We have seasoned clinical psychologists ready to intervene when needed,” Dr. Okon emphasised.

Narrating his harrowing experience, one of the victims, Yunusu Yusuf, shed light on the events leading up to the disaster that claimed numerous lives and left many injured.

He recounted his ordeal at the market on the fateful Saturday. “I was at the market when a tanker fell, and fuel started spilling out. People began scooping the fuel, and another tanker was brought in to offload. Someone nearby was smoking a cigarette, and that’s when the fire started,” he said.

Yusuf described the chaos, saying, “I quickly removed my trousers and jumped over the fence as the fire followed me.” Despite his injuries, he expressed gratitude for the medical care he is receiving. “The doctors and nurses are looking after me very well,” he added.

Another affected family is Mr Hamza, whose two children, Alhassan and Isah, were caught in the blaze. “The fire started near my shop. My children were repairing a machine while the fuel was offloaded into another tanker. When the fire broke out, they tried to run but fell into the fuel,” Hamza explained.

He said he rushed to the scene upon hearing the news. “They are now being well cared for at the hospital, with proper feeding and medical attention,” he said. Hamza also mentioned that the Nigerian state governor provided N50,000 to support the victims’ families in feeding at the hospital.

The explosion, triggered by locals siphoning fuel from a crashed 60,000-liter tanker, resulted in 98 fatalities and 69 injuries, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). A mass burial has been conducted for those who perished at the scene.

Over 200 repentant Niger Delta militants have staged a peaceful protest, accusing the federal government of flouting the amnesty deal it signed with the ex-agitators, which compelled them to drop their arms to embrace peace in 2009.

Under the aegis of Ukanafun Freedom Fighters (UFF), led by the coordinator, Udom Ebetor, the protesters, who were armed with placards of varying inscriptions, laid siege to the Ukanafun local government area headquarters at Ikot Akpankuk, Akwa Ibom State, demanding urgent federal government intervention to address the core issues of welfare, jobs, and empowerment, as enshrined in the amnesty document.

“The federal government has failed to keep its word in training and empowering the ex-militants to become economically self-reliant”, one of the placards read.

They also alleged that “The ex-militants from Akwa Ibom axis were seen as strangers by other militants from a certain tribe and discriminated against by some officials in the amnesty office.”

Ebetor, who, in 2009, led other militants under the umbrella of the Supreme Council of Niger Delta (SUCOND) to surrender arms, recalled that he had mentioned in July 2009 that “no fewer than 500 members of the group were still in bushes owing to their scepticism of the federal government’s sincerity towards the amnesty programme.”

It was gathered that many of those protesting at the Ukanafun council headquarters initially refused to lay down their arms because they feared the federal government would not keep to its terms of negotiating the ceasefire deal.

Lamenting the plight faced by the ex-militants from Akwa Ibom, Ebetor lamented that “while others are benefitting, some of our leaders at the local and state levels are busy talking while their people are suffering.”

Denying that he was neither a cultist nor ever involved in criminal activities, Ebetor, who said he had gone for training in Vietnam under the Amnesty Programme, advised the protesters on the gains of peaceful protest and non-involvement in criminal activities, including indulgence in drug abuse.

He explained that “the protest is a result of the people being pushed to the wall and that it serves as a call to the federal government to do the needful before the issue escalates.”

Addressing the protesters on behalf of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Paul Mel Udoh, the Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officer (COMO) for Ukanafun LGA, promised to transmit their demands to Abuja,  assuring that “The federal government will respond in a way to assuage your grievances.”

Popular Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky, has reacted to United States President Donald Trump’s recent order recognizing only two genders—male and female.

The policy, part of a series of executive orders signed by Trump on his first day back in office, seeks to establish the recognition of only two genders across all U.S. government policies.

The president confirmed this decision during his inaugural address, stating: “As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”

In response to the announcement, Bobrisky dismissed concerns about the policy, expressing confidence in her identity as a woman.

Bobrisky wrote on Instagram: “I don’t have business with Trump. Trump said we have only two genders, right? And I said I am now a woman that has undergo everything. If they ask for evidence, I will show them, simple.”

Controversial Nigerian rapper Darlington Achakpo, famously known as Speed Darlington, has finally walked free after enduring two grueling months in police custody—a detention marked by allegations of abuse of power and disregard for judicial orders.

His lawyer, Stan Alieke, announced the long-awaited release on Instagram, expressing gratitude to all who stood by the embattled artist.

However, Alieke did not mince words as he vowed to hold the police and other complicit individuals accountable for what he described as a brazen violation of his client’s rights. He called Speed Darlington’s prolonged incarceration not only unlawful but a chilling example of systemic injustice.

He wrote;

“Delighted to announce that our client, Mr Darlington Achakpo Aka Speed Darlington (Akpi) has regained his freedom after two months of illegal incarceration.

“For the record, as his team of lawyers, we will be exploring every angle of the law to ensure that he gets justice for his fundamental human right which was deprived of him by the Nigerian Police Force and for the unfair/ unjust treatment he was subjected to.

“Mr Achakpo extends his gratitude to everyone who threw in their support and Special thanks to my colleagues, Mr Marshal Abubakar Esq, Barr Deji Adeyanju, Barr Hamza Nuh, Barr David. ~ Freedom cometh by struggle”

The rapper’s troubles began when he accused Grammy Award-winning singer Burna Boy of engaging in an immoral relationship with embattled U.S. rapper and music mogul Sean Combs, also known as P. Diddy.

These explosive claims led to his arrest and subsequent release on bail. But in late 2024, Speed Darlington was rearrested for allegedly violating his bail conditions, a move his legal team contends was part of a larger plot to silence him.

Despite a December 23, 2024, order from Justice M.S. Liman directing the police to either charge him within 48 hours or release him unconditionally, law enforcement defied the directive, holding him without perceived justification

Nigerian billionaire businessman and socialite Obi Cubana has made headlines after hosting a lavish house party that had social media buzzing.

The event, which took place at his luxurious Abuja mansion, was shared with the public through a viral video posted by content creator, Outside With Charlie, who attended the event.

The mansion, which boasts a massive swimming pool, became a focal point for the event’s glamour

Guests were treated to an array of delicious dishes, with professional butchers and grillers on hand to prepare fresh roasted beef, ensuring no shortage of food at the extravagant gathering.

But the indulgence didn’t stop there. A competition at the party saw some lucky guests walking away with mouth watering prizes, including bone straight hair, high-heeled shoes, and a cash prize of $1000 (approximately N1.5 million).

As videos and photos from the party circulated on social media, many fans gushed over the lavish display, commenting on the luxurious nature of the gathering and the generous gifts awarded to the guests.

Niger State residents have not learnt from the recent tragic tanker explosion as hundreds gathered to scoop oil from another fallen truck.

Reports obtained by Naija News on Tuesday revealed that another tanker fell on Monday in Bida.

The latest incident comes just two days following a tragic tanker explosion in the state that resulted in the deaths of over 90 individuals and left many others injured.

A widely shared video on social media depicted young individuals congregating around the disabled truck.

While some attempted to collect the contents, others hurriedly dispersed in various directions, seemingly to avoid becoming involved in another hazardous situation.

According to Premium Times, a local resident named Yinusa Jiya remarked, “The people were not even afraid despite earlier assumption that it was petrol.”

Another eyewitness, Fatimah Mohammed, who spoke to journalists on the latest event noted that the tanker was transporting groundnut oil.

“It fell around AYM Shafa filling station yesterday (Monday) and residents stole huge amounts of the groundnut oil dripping from the tanker,” she added.

The development came two days after the deadly tanker explosion that killed about 98 people around Dikko Junction, Gurara LGA, Niger State.

It is worth noting that there has been an increasing death toll from the recent explosion, as some individuals who were injured have succumbed to their wounds in medical facilities.

In response to this tragic event, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to enhance its campaign against the dangerous practice of scooping fuel during such incidents.

The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has expressed concern regarding the rising casualty figures and the severity of burn injuries.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) reported that 86 bodies were interred in a mass burial on Sunday.

Numerous other victims are currently receiving treatment for first-degree burns in various hospitals.

Authorities have attributed the significant loss of life and injuries to the actions of individuals attempting to scoop fuel, which ignited the fire.

Niger State has experienced multiple incidents in the past that have resulted in considerable fatalities.

On September 8, 2024, more than 50 travellers lost their lives in a midnight tanker explosion along the Agaie-Badeggi road.