The Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders, an umbrella body of all the youth groups across the six geopolitical zones, have concluded arrangements to stage a solidarity march from August 1-10.

The solidarity march, according to them, is in  support of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, who, they said, has  been working round the clock to put the nation back to lost glory. 

A statement signed by Comrade Goodluck Ibem, National President of CONYL and Junaid Abubakar, National Publicity Secretary said: “The act of governance is not a magic show where what we expect just happen immediately at the same time for viewers on the show.  

“Governance demands we show some patience and tolerance by all waiting for our expected good results.

“President Tinubu is currently doing his best via different policies and programmes which in  due course, will bring about good tidings for our dear country. What we need now is a little patience to enjoy what the future holds for us. 

“Nigerian youths should be aware that some criminals are out there who will want to seize any little opportunity to perpetuate crime by looting and destroying private and public businesses and establishments currently putting food on the table of our follow Nigerians. 

“Though protest is the right of citizens in a democratic setting,,but now, is a wrong timing to engage in such given the current situation at hand. 

“We appeal to all aggrieved youths to shun any form of protest and join us who have seen the good things the future holds in a solidarity march in the 36 states of the federation including Federal Capital Territory, FCT, on 1st August to 10th August, 2024 in support of our nation headed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

Nigerian comedian Anita Alaire Afoke Asuoha, popularly known as Real Warri Pikin, has shed light on the challenges female comedians face in Nigeria’s male-dominated stand-up comedy scene.

Speaking during an interview with Channels Television, Real Warri Pikin, 34, highlighted the systemic barriers that contribute to the scarcity of female comedians in the country.

According to Real Warri Pikin, female comedians must overcome significant hurdles to achieve recognition and success.

She described the comedy industry as heavily skewed towards men, requiring women to exert double the effort to stand out.

Despite her own notable success, she admitted facing criticism and derogatory comments from fans, critics, and peers.

Real Warri Pikin recalled her experience during a show in Abuja last year, where she was surprised to find a lack of female comedians among her guests.

She took to social media, asking her followers to recommend female comedians, which led to numerous tags and messages from aspiring performers.

However, she noted that many of these women were struggling due to the male dominance in the industry.

In her words:

“There are not many women that are doing standup comedy right now. I can actually count them. When I did my show in Abuja last year, I was like “no female comedian?” So I did a post on my page and said, “if you know any female comedian wey good, tag am” and I was shocked. I saw a lot of people tagged and I reached out to them via their DMs.

It was only a few of them that had videos of themselves doing standup here and there. I had conversations with them and they will tell you, it’s a male dominated industry. It is hard.

For woman to dey male dominated industry, you need to work twice as hard before they go come talk say na because you fine na why you funny. So I started having conversations with them, talking to them. It’s not easy for this male dominated industry, but you need to know the craft, and you need to be very strategic. I feel like for more female comedians to fill up the space, we need more encouragement.

I remember when I won standup comedian of the year, no be small curse them curse me for comment section, and if other female comedians see those comments, they will go back to their shell. There are a lot of very funny female comedians but there are a lot of factors.

First, you’re a woman. For you to be woman for this part of the world, the world don give you 1-0. And then the society, and then there’s how people see women.

Even till now, I still get it, as big as I am. You just need to ojiri as a woman. When you don understand the dynamics around the industry, you need to chop ojiri tell yourself all die na die. I must do it regardless.“

Several reactions have followed a video interview of a popular Yoruba movie actor, Femi Adebayo, in which he narrated his experience slapping his father, Adebayo Salami, better known as Oga Bello, on a movie set.

The Jagun Jagun hero shared his experience while he was a guest on a show and spoke about acting with his father.

According to Femi Adebayo, the event happened when he acted the role of a notorious armed robber in the 2008 hit movie Taiwo Taiwo, a movie by Box Office queen, filmmaker and actress, Funke Akindele.

According to the movie star, he had gone into a man’s house to rob, which was his father. On getting there, he demanded the money they had come for, but the man [Oga Bello] was stubborn.

Femi Adebayo remarked that he subconsciously raised his hand and landed it on his father’s cheeks. The actor affirmed that his action was not in the script and felt quite sorry afterwards. In his defence, he perpetrated the act to give more life to his role as a notorious armed robber in the movie.

Nonetheless, Femi Adebayo, who recently won a piracy case, confessed to tendering an apology to his father after the scene. However, his father commended him and told him that he would have been in trouble if he had not slapped him.

Actor Damola Olatunji has revealed personal information on his past relationship life.

He disclosed this to Biola Bayo on her show Talk To B, that his ex-fiancée became pregnant with someone else’s child just weeks before their introduction, leaving him heartbroken.

Olatunji also addressed the rumors surrounding his marriage to colleague Bukola Arugba, stating that he never abandoned his family and continues to pay their children’s school fees.

He emphasised the importance of co-parenting and warned against bashing each other on social media, as it can harm their kids in the long run.

The actor surprisingly revealed that he receives advances from both men and women, acknowledging that he’s not perfect.

He said: “My fiance got pregnant for someone else, weeks to my introduction.

“As a matter of fact, this will be the first time anybody will say I’m talking about my divorce. Some said Damola left his marriage, Damola left the house, and I will be like, these are my kids.

“Feelings die, and love fades. If things are not working in a relationship, it’s better to go separate ways than to become physical. Couples that have kids together should not come online and fight dirty.

“Your kids will grow up one day to read about the things you have said. I am not a deadbeat father. Despite our separation, I still pay my kids’ school fees and attend to their needs. My kids will tell you, ‘My dad is the best in the world. They can never lack as long as I am alive. When you have kids with someone, something will always bring you together for life.

“I get toasted the way ladies get toasted. Both from male and female. Hey, listen, I am not a saint, but I will not do what I will not do”.

Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has mourned the passing of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Recall that Ifeanyi Ubah died in London on Saturday

Reacting to the development, Obi, in a statement on his X handle, said Ubah’s death was a rude shock.

“I received a rude shock this morning, the news of the death of my dear younger brother, and Senator Representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.” 

Obi recalled that he was welcomed by Ubah after attending the burial of Chief Pius Onwuzo in Nnewi, Anambra State, on July 12th.

Obi also prayed that God should grant Ubah eternal rest.

“Senator Ubah personally welcomed me at the burial and requested that I visit his house for lunch, to which I pleaded with him to reschedule to another date as I already had several engagements for the day.

“During our discussions on the state of the nation, he told me that he now understands my commitment to the progress of humanity and that he aligns with it.

“He assured me that, despite our party differences, we would work together as a family, in serving our people.

“Similarly, despite party differences, I commended him for his contributions to a better humanity through his Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation, via which he cared for the less privileged in society, by investing in their education and health and pulling people out of poverty. I urged him to continue in that direction.

“May God Almighty who called him home, at this time, forgive his sins and grant him eternal rest, and grant his family, the entire Anambra South Senatorial District; Anambra State; Nigeria; and all of us, the fortitude to bear this sad irreplaceable loss.

“God Almighty protect and bless his family always.”

Former President, Donald Trump has issued a stark warning of a potential major war in the Middle East and a possible “third world war” if he does not win the upcoming November election.

This assertion was made during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

“If we win, it’ll be very simple. It’s all going to work out and very quickly,” Trump stated. “If we don’t, you’re going to end up with major wars in the Middle East and maybe a third world war. You are closer to a third world war right now than at any time since the Second World War.”

Trump’s remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

He has frequently suggested that the current administration’s handling of international affairs is pushing the world closer to a global conflict.

The meeting with Netanyahu follows a series of discussions the Israeli Prime Minister had with current U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Harris, who Biden has endorsed for the Democratic presidential nomination, had a separate “frank and constructive” meeting with Netanyahu, expressing support for Israel’s right to defend itself while also voicing concern for Palestinian suffering in Gaza.

Trump emphasized his administration’s strong support for Israel, highlighting key decisions such as moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal.

He reiterated his commitment to Israel, stating, “We’ve had a good relationship. I was very good to Israel, better than any president’s ever been.”

Meanwhile, the Biden administration remains hopeful for a cease-fire deal and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Trump criticized the current situation, describing it as “not an acceptable situation” and questioning the condition of those still held hostage

Ifeanyi Ubah, Senator representing Anambra South district in the National Assembly, is dead.

The politician and businessman died in the United Kingdom, UK. Senator Ubah was said to have departed Nigeria for the UK, two days ago.

A source said he died in a UK hospital where he went for an operation.

Recall that Ubah defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, from the Young Progressives Party, YPP, last year.

Also, Ubah, the CEO of Capital Oil, survived an assassination attempt in September 2022.

Three police escorts in the convoy of the Senator were among the persons who died in that incident, which occurred at Enugwu Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

How Ifeanyi Ubah died

Senator Ubah died during an operation in London, a source close to the lawmaker, has said.

“Yes, he is dead,” the source, who is a friend of the legislator, confirmed.

“We are waiting for the family to issue a statement. We spoke to him three times yesterday, before he went into the theatre for the operation.”

The Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property under the administration of former President, Muhammadu Buhari, Barrister Okoi Obono-Obla, has revealed how he investigated multibillion-dollar fraud cases while in office.

Obono-Obla, in an interview with Vanguard, noted that part of the cases he investigated that landed him in trouble was when they found 80 armoured-plated Mercedes Benz S Class in the premises of an Abuja-based federal director.

He further stated that he made an effort to recover $7 billion CBN bailout, before he was eventually removed from office.

Speaking on the cases he investigated, he said, “I can not pinpoint all the cases that landed me in trouble. But I can speculate on some of them, including the effort to recover $7 billion CBN bailout, the investigation of the failure of an oil company to pay the balance of $1.9 billion from an oil block it purchased in 2014 for $2.5 billion; investigation of the 80 armoured plated Mercedes Benz S Class found in the premises of an Abuja based federal director.

“Investigation of some Directors in the defunct Petroleum Equalization Fund whom we found had over five billion and hundreds of thousands USD in their accounts, including properties abroad, investigation of $12.5 million contract awarded by the Nigerian Ports Authority to a company owned by a former Senator and present Governor to dredge the channel leading from the Atlantic Ocean into Calabar port which was not executed.

“Investigation of oil companies that refused to remit over $3 billion as royalties to the federal government, investigation of the purchase of a House in Asokoro Abuja by a then serving federal permanent secretary in the name of her 8-year-old son, investigation of offshores assets of some members of the National Assembly, investigation of the failure of commercial banks to remit over N38 trillion collected by them as stamp duties as at 2019 to the federal government, and investigation of the take over illegally of the building belonging to National Board for Technical Education in Maitama, Abuja by a Nigerian billionaire from Katsina State to mention just but a few.”

On why they dropped a large number of applicants, the clergyman noted that after sorting out the applications, it noted that some were non indigenes and some were over aged as they pegged the aged requirement at 45 years.

“While some did not have the requisite qualifications for the subject they intend to teach, those that studied Social Studies may apply to teach English which is not incompatible,” he said.

The chairman also said that those people who were awaiting their statements of result and others who could not provide their certificates  were excluded from the examination.

Explaining the idea behind the recruitment, the chairman said the board observed upon assumption of office in 2023, that Secondary Schools in Enugu were lacking teachers especially in the rural areas.

He said that at the instance of Gov. Peter Mbah’s directive, the board posted some teachers from the urban to the rural areas.

“As we are doing that, we discovered that we lacked teachers in some key subjects like sciences and other core subjects

“We made a recommendation to Gov Mbah on the need to recruit teachers to fill the shortfalls of science teachers which he approved.

“That is why we want to recruit competent professionals who studied Engineering, to teach Chemistry.

“I want to restore the legacy of teaching and learning and make it easier for parents to stop borrowing while taking their children to private and mission schools.

“I want to restore confidence in the public schools and Mbah is a pathfinder in this regard and we want to follow his mantra,” he said.

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam(JNI) led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar lll, has acknowledged that Nigerians were faced by difficulties but embarking on nationwide protest is not the solution.

The Muslim organisation appealed to the protest conveners, stakeholders and the Federal Government to engage in dialogue before the situation escalates.

JNI in a statement issued by its Secretary-General, Prof. Khalid Abubakar-Aliyu in Kaduna, explained that the global landscape showed that protests had led to uncontrollable scenarios in countries like Libya, Syria and Iraq.

The Sultan of Sokoto implored Nigerians to be introspective and honest, acknowledging that discontentment and disillusionment needed to be addressed by the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government.

JNI called on the government to secure the country to ensure access to land and cultivation, provide subsidised farming materials and promote industrialization

as well as enhance quality education, especially primary, technical, and vocational education

“The JNI advocates for sober reflection, sincere humility, and continued prayer to Allah, while citing Qur’anic guidance and the Prophet’s teachings on supplication.”

“Arising from the recent calls and counter-calls for protest in Nigeria, occasioned by food insecurity, inflation, abject poverty and escalating national security challenges, it becomes very worrying and requires immediate attention.”

“Therefore, JNI under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar with all sense of responsibility appeals to the protest conveners, their covert and overt benefactors, as well as other critical stakeholders and the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to urgently engage in critical and realistic dialogue before the situation degenerate or snowballs into an uncontrollable scenario.”

“Nigerians no doubt are passing through difficult challenges, but protest might not be the panacea. The global landscape is replete with sordid tales of repercussions of protests in Libya, Syria, Iraq, US (Capitol Hill), Ukraine, Tunisia, Sudan, Russia, among others did not yield desired results, rather they rendered most of these countries either ungovernable or partly destroyed.”

“A glance through the events in Kenya gives some glimpses of what might envelop our dear nation Nigeria, which is struggling to survive the multiple challenges that dot the landscape of the country! Undoubtedly, protests in Nigeria could mar our efforts at addressing these challenges.”

“Be that as it may, we should learn from the bad experiences of protests in other climes and we should avoid the bobby traps they had fallen into, in their bids to achieve good governance against the notion that protest is the only way out, because that is the language the government is said to understand.”

“The FGN should make more frantic efforts to secure the country, such that the citizens would have access to their lands and cultivate them; provide subsidised farming materials, promote industrialization, create self-sustaining agro-business in the six geopolitical zones. The government should also enhance quality education, especially primary, technical and vocational education,” t

he apex Muslim body added.