AFOLABI

AFOLABI

Popular Nigerian rapper, Ikechukwu Onunaku, who is also an actor, has turned a year older.

The rapper/actor released hot new photos of himself as he celebrates 50 years today, October 13.

He posted the photos on his Instagram page with the caption; ‘’Yes people    

This is what 50 looks like.

I just wanted to be bare. Honest. Blatant.

Because what I have seen in this life , the experiences, the trials, the tribulations.

The learning moments, the wins. The noise , the chaos, the serenity, the tranquility.

Highs and lows and the in-between.

The Loves, the Loving, the living , the misunderstandings, the fights, the makeups, the epiphanies, the moments of clarity. The moments of new creations being birthed in sparks of ideas leading me down paths of the unknown and finally arriving at fruition .

All in All,

The one constant the one realness, the one never shaking ,

My God. My Good God.

Thank you . Thank you so much for forgiving me , loving me, protecting me, pushing me , lifting me, pressuring me, and reassuring me always that you got me no matter what .

Thank you for creating me how u did. No matter the hurdles obstacles potholes restrictions blockages etc etc you always make a way to overcome and succeed.

Thank you father . Praise you papa.    

Oya yall thought u seen the best of me ???

You will really start to know me now.

Welcome to the show.

Happy birthday E.''

On Friday, a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC) suspended the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, citing allegations of disloyalty to the party.

The faction, which aligns itself with the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, issued a statement on Friday announcing the suspension of both leaders from their positions.

 

However, the legal landscape shifted on the same day when Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Umar Damagum remains the legitimate National Chairman of the PDP.

The court emphasized that Damagum could only be removed through a national convention, reinforcing his position amid the factional dispute.

The ruling stemmed from a lawsuit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2024, filed by Senator Umar Maina against the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT), among others.

Compounding the situation, a national officer of the party revealed in an interview with ThisDay that one of the key allegations against Damagum involves claims of abuse of office.

Specifically, he is accused of exceeding his financial limits by donating significant funds to flood victims in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The source said, “The financial approval limits of the office of the acting national chairman was N10million, but when the acting national chairman went to Borno State to commiserate with the flood victims, he announced the donation of N35million without getting the necessary approval to do that by the NWC of the party.”

The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has stated that prices of eggs may increase to ₦10,000 per crate.

The Association warned that this would be the case if steps are not taken to address the hike in the cost of fuel in the country.

 

They attributed the rising cost of the protein to the high cost of transportation and the indiscriminate increase in feed prices by the millers.

The Secretary of PAN, FCT Chapter, Musa Hakeem, said this at a press briefing to commemorate World Egg Day on Saturday in Abuja.

Hakeem stated that the Federal Government, as a matter of urgency, must declare an emergency on Egg production in the country given the serious decline in protein intake, saying Nigerians can not afford to depend on the importation of eggs.

He pointed out, “If we should go by the proportional increase in the prices of these factors mentioned earlier, we will be buying eggs at N10,000 per create, but because we wanted to be compassionate, coupled with the important of eggs for health, we left the price at the current price of N5,500.”

Hakeem warned that the protein prices may soon change to ₦6000, going by the increasing poultry feed prices.

He said, “To the best of my knowledge, the last time we received any grains intervention from the government was three years ago saying other respite by the government to cushion the high prices of food are only read on the pages of the newspaper.”

He called on the government to ensure that they carry PAN along in their intervention activities as they have the data of all the poultry farmers in the FCT.

He lamented that the government is not paying the required attention to the poultry subsector as it has been neglected over time, saying business owners have been operating in their own volition and hoped the industry does not crash.

THE leadership of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), National Assembly Chapter, has denied allegations of misappropriating N3 billion union funds leveled against it.

 

The Chairman of PASAN, Comrade Sunday Sabiyyi, in a statement jointly signed by the secretary of the association Comrade David Ann Ebizimoh weekend in Abuja, described the allegation as baseless, frivolous, and defamatory.

 

Sabiyyi called on members of the union and the general public to disregard what he described as “unfounded blackmail intended to distract the union from pursuing its mandate coherently to the letter.”

Recall that a member of PASAN, Yusuf Abiola, had at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, accused the union executive of misappropriating the sum, just as he demanded audited financial statements and operational reports from 2019 till date from the executive.

Responding to the allegation, Comrade Sunday Sabiyyi in a statement said, “Our attention has been drawn to recent defamatory publication of financial mismanagement and others.

“The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, National Assembly Chapter wishes to put the records straight and debunk the libelous allegations that the Executive of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) NASS Chapter under the leadership of Comrade Sunday Sabiyyi regarding our Association’s financial management, leadership style, and the call for reform.

“Firstly, to set the records straight, let me address the alleged financial mismanagement and lack of accountability raised against the Executive Council.

“We want to assure the general public that the NASS Executive Council of PASAN has always been transparent and accountable in managing the Association’s finances.

“We have followed all the constitutional procedures and protocols to ensure that funds are used appropriately and for the benefit of all members.

 

“We have also maintained accurate records of all financial transactions and we are open to any inquiries or audits that may be required at any time.

“Clearly the check off dues and any other purported source of funds as alleged by the detractors to the tune of three (3) billion Naira cannot be generated by the 36 State Chapters and FCT Zone of PASAN which includes NASS and National Assembly Service Commission Chapters joined together.

 

“Thus, it is unreasonable, mischievous and ludicrous to imagine that NASS Chapter of the Union expended such magnitude of money; a figment of the imagination of our detractors.

“The Union calls on every well-meaning member of the PASAN and general public to disregard such unfounded blackmail intended to distract the union from pursuing its mandate coherently to the letter.”

The union described those peddling the allegation as sore losers who contested for executive positions but were defeated by their opponent during the elections that ushered in the present executive of the union.

 

The union said, “We understand the concerns of our members, we believe that the current leadership is committed to addressing pending issues and determined to implement the necessary reforms.

“We have always been opened to feedback and suggestions from our members and have always been willing to make changes for the betterment of the association.”

Activist and social critic, VeryDarkMan has announced receiving ₦21,620,780 just 24 hours after launching his NGO.

In a video circulating on social media, the Nigerian activist provided a detailed statement, expressing gratitude for the swift response to his call for support.

 

Upon launching the NGO, VeryDarkMan encouraged Nigerians to contribute towards his goal of overhauling the public education system with innovative solutions.

 

Just a day after his appeal, he confirmed the receipt of ₦21,620,780, which will help kickstart his projects.

He emphasised his commitment to transparency, pledging to expose NGOs that misuse public funds for personal gain.

VeryDarkMan also criticised the lack of accountability within many Nigerian NGOs, stating that donations are often diverted for personal enrichment.

He vowed to stand apart by making all expenditures public, setting a new benchmark for integrity and transparency in NGO operations.

Part of his statement reads: “It’s barely 24 hours since I announced my NGO, and if I tell you how much is in that account now, you won’t believe it. First of all, shout out to everyone who sent money. I saw love and support from amounts like ₦72, ₦100, ₦22, ₦500. Most of the money was from small donations—₦500, ₦300, ₦200. Even people who didn’t have much still wanted to support.”

“The biggest amounts were ₦2 million and ₦1 million. But honestly, it’s the smaller amounts that make up the majority. I got one donation with a note saying ‘I love you because you’re crazy,’ and it was just ₦100. That’s love.”

“These contributions have opened my eyes to how many NGOs are scamming people in this country. Many of them are not using the money they receive for the right purposes. But with my NGO, I’ll make sure to expose them by being fully transparent. If I spend ₦10, I’ll let the public know. This will pressure other NGOs to start doing the same.” 

VeryDarkMan emphasised that his project is focused on improving public education in Nigeria. 

He pointed out that public schools lack young and innovative teachers, and that his plan is to bring in new teaching methods and resources, including technology like projectors, to enhance learning.

“The educational sector, especially in public schools, is failing. There’s nothing exciting about it anymore. We need to bring in young teachers who students can look up to, and we need to introduce modern teaching methods. Education should advance with the times,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of equipping students with practical skills, saying, “Not everyone needs to follow the traditional academic route. We should introduce vocational training early so that students can start thinking about their future careers from primary school. We need to bring back cultural events and other activities that make education fun.”

Some Lagos residents have expressed concerns over the proposed move by the state government to ban single-use plastics (SUPs) and sachet water saying that it will lead to loss of jobs and disrupt economic activities.

The residents in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday appealed to the state government to have a rethink over the proposed ban. 

NAN reports that Mr Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, during a stakeholders’ workshop recently announced plans to ban SUPs and sachet water by January 2025.

 

Wahab said the policy is designed to establish sustainable guidelines for managing plastic waste while protecting public health and the environment.

He noted that styrofoam and single-use plastics take centuries to degrade, making the ban essential for environmental protection.

Wahab said the Lagos State Government was working closely with the private sector organisations to provide alternatives for styrofoam containers and other SUPs, while supporting research into new technological solutions.

NAN, however,  reports that the proposed ban  has sent shockwaves to the manufacturing and retail sectors, sparking fears of job losses, economic disruption, and uncertainty among stakeholders.

The ban has also raised concerns among water vendors who rely heavily on sachet water for their livelihood.

A Lagos resident and Sales Manager, Aremson Water Ltd., Ojo First Gate, Mr Akinyemi Bolaji, told NAN that the ban would make a lot of people unemployed.

“I am more particular about employment. The ban will not favour anyone, and it will make thousands of people lose their source of livelihood.

 

“On the other hand, what is the reason for the ban? People are consuming it on a daily basis, so is there any way the government is putting it out to give people clean water?

“There should be other alternatives to curb the whole recycling issue,” he said.

While commending the government for the initiative, he, however, appealed for a better alternative to ensure the ban won’t affect the jobs of people in the water business.

“The government should help in educating the people on proper disposal properly as it’s written on the body of the plastic.

“Eradicating all these factories that produce the SUPs is not the best way. It’s a solution in one aspect and hazardous in another,” he said.

 

He advised the government to put a bin on every bus stop and house so as to curb the problem of single-use plastic blocking the drainage.

A retail water seller, Mrs Vera Osiyemi, told NAN that sachet water had been the best way of curbing cholera.

“I don’t think it is going to be possible. This is what everyone consumes. If the government bans it, does it mean we are going back to our old way of selling iced water?”

“The solution is to create an awareness, educate the people on how to dispose it properly and provide bins. Just like we had in the old days, it was in every house,” Osiyemi said.

Another seller, Mrs Afusat Ajibola, told NAN that the ban might not be possible because the main idea was to get clean water.

 

“So, if the government eventually bans it, it will result in a serious cholera outbreak.

“It is not possible. The government can ban it, but it cannot work. There is no way we are going back to selling iced water,” she said.

She added that the government might have a way of controlling those that consume it.

“It is to provide for bins and continue to keep Lagos clean,” she said.

Another retailer, Miss Joy Okafor, said she was not aware of the proposed ban.

 

“Even if there would be a ban, we should understand that it’s not just the single use and sachet nylon water that block the drainage.

“There are other causes like disposables as well.

“Government knows what is best, but in this case, it is not possible. Will they provide clean pipe borne water for streets and houses?

“What will be the next step of the government? The only thing I’m seeing is more of unemployment, because people sell it to make ends meet,” she said.

She said the government should look for a means to curb the problem at disposing it and not banning it.

 

Mr Chinedu Eze, a water distributor, said he was uncertain about what would happen next after the ban.

“I have been in the business for years. Now, I’m uncertain about the future. This isn’t just about access to water, it’s about the survival for thousands of us,” he said.

Another Lagos resident simply identified as Mummy Boma , a street vendor, told NAN that the proposed ban would affect her livelihood.

“Selling pure water helps me feed my children and send them to school. Bottled water is too expensive to buy or sell in bulk.

“The government should rather enforce stricter regulations on sachet water producers to ensure better quality control and hygiene standards,” she said.

 

A resident and medical doctor, Dr Olufemi Adeyemi, told NAN that Lagosians could lose access to potable and affordable water due to the ban.

“Though some sachet water contain contaminated water due to lack of regulation, however, the government needs to provide alternative safe water sources before any ban is enforced.

“Without proper preparation, banning ‘pure water’ could leave millions of Nigerians without a reliable and affordable water option.

“Instead of an outright ban, the government could invest in public water systems to ensure a reliable supply of clean water in both urban and rural areas,” he said.

He added that this would reduce the population’s dependence on sachet water.

Prof. Sani Abubakar Lugga, the 5th Wazirin Katsina, has called on the northern region to unite and prepare for self-determination, much like their southern counterparts.

 

Speaking at a community engagement event organized by the Coalition of Northern Group (CNG) in Katsina, Lugga stressed the need for northerners to brace themselves for the possibility of separation from Nigeria, reflecting on the persistent calls for secession from the South.

 

Lugga lamented the lack of unity among northerners in defending their rights, contrasting it with the determination of groups like the Biafrans.

He urged the North to learn from the proactive measures taken by southern states, particularly in addressing security challenges. He noted that while the security situation in the South is less severe, they have formed regional security forces like Amotekun, while the North remains passive.

Referencing historical concerns, Lugga highlighted the apprehension of early Nigerian leaders about the amalgamation of the North and South, a union that, he argued, remains fragile. He warned that without preparation, the North could struggle to survive should the South succeed in breaking away.

CNG’s National Coordinator, Jamilu Charanchi, also emphasized the urgency of community-led actions to address Nigeria’s socioeconomic and security challenges. He criticized the country’s leadership for prioritizing elections over the nation’s future and urged communities to take charge of their destinies through collective action.

The Emir of Zazzau, Nuhu Bamali, has urged Nigerians to stop generalizing and blaming the entire Fulani ethnic group for acts of banditry, killings, and abductions.

He emphasized that such behavior is against the core values and culture of the Fulani people, cautioning that the misdeeds of a few “bad eggs” should not be used to label the whole tribe.

 

Speaking at a cultural event organized by the Fulani Development and Cultural Organisation (FUDECO) on October 12, Bamali addressed accusations linking Fulani herdsmen to violent activities.

 

He highlighted that Fulani tradition encourages peace, stating that a true Fulani man carries only a stick and a cutlass to care for his animals—not weapons like AK-47s.

“Carrying an AK-47 is not part of the core values of a Fulani man. A Fulani man is expected to carry his stick and cutlass to cut grass for his animals, but definitely not an AK-47, nor to kill or maim people,” the Emir said.

Bamali also spoke proudly of the Fulani’s contributions to education, asserting that they are among the best educated in the country. “Fulanis are very enlightened people, very well educated. The best educated people in this country, I believe, are the Fulanis; I am not being biased,” he stated.

He encouraged the Fulani to continue upholding their cultural values and remain proud of their heritage. “I am very, very proud to be a Fulani man. All my ancestors, left and right, were Fulanis. So there is no way I will not be proud of my heritage, my culture, and everything,” Bamali said.

The Emir stressed that events like the FUDECO forum, which gathered participants from across Nigeria and neighboring countries, were vital in correcting misconceptions about the Fulani people and promoting their true identity. He expressed hope that these discussions would help put an end to the negative stereotypes surrounding the community.

“Our prayer is that all the nonsense going on about banditry and other things would stop. The bad eggs we have in every tribe in this country need to stop that rascality,” Bamali added.

The Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho has reportedly submitted a petition to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer to consider the secessionist movement in Nigeria.

According to SaharaReporters, The Yoruba Nation movement described the content of the petition as confidential, but sources claimed it revolved around the “Yoruba Nation agitation.”

 

Sunday Igboho submitted the petition on Saturday on behalf of Prof Adebanji Akintoye, the leader of the Yoruba Nation movement.

 

SaharaReporters reported that other dignitaries who accompanied Igboho were; Diaspora Youth Leader, Prophet Ologunoluwa, Vice President of Ifeladun Apapo, Fatai Ogunribido, General Secretary of Yoruba World Media, Alhaja Adeyeye, and Member of Yoruba Nation Movement, Paul Odebiyi.

The movement is seeking the immediate intervention of the UK prime minister and his government on their agitation to set up a country that will be predominantly owned by the indigenous people of Yoruba.

Multiple reports claimed that Yoruba historian and arrowhead of the struggle for the independence of the Oodua nation, Banji Akintoye had earlier accused the Nigerian government of trying to cajole agitator, Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho) to withdraw from the agitations.

A former member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Charles Idahosa, has said that the inability of Governor Godwin Obaseki to manage people and his “high level” of ingratitude cost the PDP the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.

 

Speaking to Sunday Vanguard in Benin, Idahosa also dispelled the allegation that the election was rigged just as he alleged that a section of the media was for Obaseki and did not see anything wrong in his style of administration.

 
 
 

According to him, “It is rather unfortunate about the feelings of the PDP on the election not being free and fair. As far as I am concerned, the election was very free and very fair.

“I gave an interview days before the election and I did say that Godwin Obaseki was getting frustrated and threatening here and there and I made it quite clear that it has dawned on him that this is the first time he is going for an election on his own.

“In the first election, we were with him and when he fell out with the APC and crossed to the PDP, a chunk of members of the APC went with him and when he got to the PDP, he did exactly what he was good at doing; he abandoned every person and started messing up again in the new party which is the PDP to the extent that the party was broken into two which became the Legacy PDP and the New PDP.”

On the decision to challenge the outcome of the election in court, Idahosa said “What is happening now is that they are just looking for reasons but I want to remind them that going to court is part of the electoral process. Obaseki was taken to court twice; when he won the election in 2016, the case got to the Supreme Court. When he won again in 2020, the case got to the Supreme Court so there is nothing wrong with going to the court. I feel sorry for the person who got the collateral damage. “

 

He said the signs were there that the PDP was not going to win the election. “Here was a man that deprived 14 elected lawmakers of being sworn in, we are talking of 14 constituencies out of 24 and you think their constituents and their relations and their friends will clap for you.

“Here is a man, NJC (National Judicial Commission) cleared eight judges and you sat down in your office and cancelled three. All the leaders that worked for him, he drove them away.

“PDP leaders came to Benin for a rally, he knows the tradition but instead of taking them to visit the Oba of Benin, he took them to a private residence whereas when the Vice President came with the APC candidate, he visited the Oba of Benin and this was few days to the election. “

 

How did he expect to win the election with all these controversies surrounding him? There was nobody that he did not deal with.”