FEATURES
A suspected vote-buyer has been apprehended by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) during the ongoing Ondo governorship election.
The individual was apprehended with two bags of money believed to be intended for voter inducement, according to SaharaReporters.
The arrest occurred at Ward 4, Polling Unit 007, outside St. Stephen’s Primary School in Akure, Ondo State, around 9am on Saturday day.
It had earlier been reported that some of the political parties participating in the ongoing governorship election in Ondo State including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were caught engaging in vote buying.
SaharaReporters observed that the parties predominantly engage in the vote buying in Irele Local Government Area of the state.
It was observed at polling unit 007 (PU007), Ajagba Ward 2, Irele Local Government Area, some political party agents are handing out signed papers to voters as tickets to get paid after casting their votes.
Some voters said that the papers would be used to collect cash from the agents after the election, but they said that they didn't know the exact amount they would be paid.
Earlier, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, participated in the ongoing election by casting his vote early in his polling unit.
The governor arrived at Igbo Ward 4, Obenla community, in Ilaje Local Government Area at 8:46 am, accompanied by his security aides.
He completed the voting process at 8:48 am.
This marks an important moment in the election as Aiyedatiwa seeks re-election under the APC platform.
Some voters had complained about malfunctioning of some Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.
Speaking to SaharaReporters at Polling Unit 004, Apoi Ward 2, Kiribo, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state, a voter, Omotayo Akinlami, had said the malfunctioning BVAS was affecting the election in their polling unit.
He had said it would be better if INEC allowed them to adopt manual accreditation.
[BOOK REVIEW] The Noble Academic and Patriot by Ayorinde Olowoyeye and Matthew Omosebi - Kayode Fayemi
Admin![[BOOK REVIEW] The Noble Academic and Patriot by Ayorinde Olowoyeye and Matthew Omosebi - Kayode Fayemi](/media/k2/items/cache/1c48bcb7d732e0c23378ac954b987bbe_L.jpg)
It is an immense honour to have been asked to review The Noble Academic and Patriot, a biography of Professor Akinjide Osuntokun by Ayorinde Olowoyeye and Matthew Omosebi published by the Peacebuilding and Human Development Centre, Ado Ekiti.
When I was asked to do this review, I wondered why the authors decided to do so. Yes, I was Governor of Professor Osuntokun’s home state. Yes, I appointed him as Pro- Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Ekiti State University, where he did an excellent job. Even so, I could not lay claim to being the most suitable reviewer of this biography the authors could have found since I know many distinguished Nigerians whose knowledge of Prof Osuntokun is far more authoritative than mine. I think the authors must have been serendipitously led to believe Prof and I are kindred spirits beyond what may be obvious to the ordinary eye. They must have gained some insight into my immense admiration for Professor Osuntokun beyond what was public knowledge.
And on that, they guessed right. I have known and admired Professor Osuntokun for more than forty five years. He didn't know this but he was the main reason why I enrolled as a student in the Department of History at the University of Lagos. My uncle, the late Mr EB Bankole, the University of Lagos Librarian was the first to mention Prof’s name in a conversation with my Dad when I said I wanted to study History. Sadly for me, by the time I arrived in the Department in 1982, Prof had gone on leave of absence and only returned after I already graduated. While I found myself in the capable hands of his other colleagues like Professors TGO Gbadamosi, Antony Asiwaju, Ade Adefuye, BA Agiri, Nina Mba, Jeremy White and others, Professor Osuntokun became a role model and mentor in absentia. Like him, I attended the one and only secondary school in Nigeria, was in the same Dallimore House, headed the Press Club in the School like him, studied History with Political Science and Philosophy in my first degree and was active in campus journalism. Later, I veered into Diplomatic History and International Relations for my graduate studies before earning a doctorate from King’s College London, the same university where he had gained admission for his PhD before he decided to follow his PhD supervisor as a Killam Scholar to Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada. By now, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I'm sure you can understand why some cosmic forces must have propelled the authors in my direction and why I also see Prof Osuntokun as my life long teacher and mentor, even if I was never formally a student in his class. But I digress.
The authors informed us that the book project was conceived in 2018 after Professor Osuntokun served as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti. “Such was the quality of leadership that he provided and the numerous achievements recorded by the university during his time” that they decided to honour a man who obviously deserved honour. Professor Osuntokun graciously authorised the biography in 2021 by granting the authors two extensive physical interviews and two virtual interviews in addition to providing access to his library and archives.
The 140 page book manuscript in nine, crisp and concise chapters with three appendices started in the first chapter by tracing the genealogy of Professor Osuntokun’s Aro Ogeregere clan that migrated from Ajase-Ipo in present day Kwara State to Okemesi Ekiti. The authors provide extensive evidence of the family history of valour, entrepreneurial acumen and pace setting influence in the community to explain the values and attributes we later see ingrained in Professor Osuntokun. The chapter covers in great detail the struggles his bold forebears waged in the course of establishing the clan in Okemesi and their involvement in the Federating military of the Ekiti and Ijesha against the rampaging Ibadan army in the Kiriji war. Another of his forebears had fought in the first world war on the side of the British. His own father had gone in pursuit of the golden fleece as further afield as the mines of Ghana and became a wealthy, itinerant trader all over Ekiti upon his return from Ghana, in the course of which he married his mother and settled the family in Ilawe Ekiti. It was in Ilawe that Prof was born on April 26,1942 during the second world war as the last child of his mother with elder siblings including Joseph Oduola, Benjamin Oluwakayode, Edward and Taye. All his siblings went on to successful careers and the family became one of the most prominent in Ekiti land, producing pioneer educationist and regional Minister, a renowned Professor of Medicine and National Merit Award Winner, an Army Engineer and a former Auditor General of Ekiti State alongside Prof.
Chapter Two focused on his early years in school. While university education may have arrived a little earlier in other parts of Nigeria, Prof Osuntokun’s eldest brother, Chief Oduola Osuntokun was the second university graduate produced in the whole of Ekiti after earning a first degree from Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone in 1951, barely 75 years ago. Nigeria’s pioneer indigenous graduates were produced that same year from the premier University College in Ibadan. Despite Ekiti’s late start though, the ground covered in educational attainment in a relatively short time between 1950s and 1980s was so phenomenal that it earned Ekiti the sobriquet - Fountain of Knowledge all over Nigeria.
Fortuitously for young Jide, the return of his eldest brother(who was literally his father figure after the demise of their father) from Sierra Leone to Christ's School as a senior tutor also saw his relocation from Holy Trinity Elementary School, Ilawe Ekiti where he started primary school to Emmanuel School, Ado Ekiti. This relocation helped instil discipline and a sense of purpose in him under the watchful eye of his brother who trained him to become an independent young man. His time at Emmanuel School also coincided with a change of the school curriculum from standard to primary school education in the Western region then led in self government by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. From Emmanuel School, he gained admission to Christ's School, the first secondary school in Ekiti Division that produced the first generation of accomplished Ekiti and Nigerians from all walks of life. Apart from the school’s high educational standard since its founding by Archdeacon Henry Dallimore in 1933(not 1934) as Ekiti Central School, the authors accurately captured the driving tenets of the school’s uncompromising standards as religious worship, manual labour and sports since it was essentially modelled after the British public school system. (and I should know, even though I was in the school twenty years after Prof Osuntokun graduated, we still prayed on the average ten times a day, engaged in manual labour and routinely participated in sporting activities). Leaving Christ's School as one of the best students in a set that produced the likes of Ade Adegite, Sanmi Eso, Jubril Oyeleyin, Sanmi Ajaja, Femi Elegbeleye, Niran Agbelemoge - all distinguished Professors among other successful professionals, Professor Jide Osuntokun gained admission to the University of Ibadan to study History, after jettisoning his admission to study law on account of his close friend’s (Goke Adeniji) mother's deprecation of law as a profession for crooks and liars - (so much for the absence of professional career advisers at the time). Equally, just as I was inspired by him to study History, he too was inspired by an earlier Ekiti exemplar, Professor JF Ade-Ajayi, already a History professor at the Ibadan University and a PhD from King's College London too, to opt for History instead of a Geography Honours degree he originally wanted to study.
Chapter Two further captures his postgraduate studies abroad and his exertions as a young husband and father. With an Upper Second Class degree in History, his love for teaching and imparting knowledge to the younger generation had surpassed any other career opportunities that might have been open to him. Having taught briefly both after his secondary education and his higher school certificate, he was keen to remain focused on an academic career. For example, he had the opportunity to take a civil service position after leaving Ibadan University at a time when only few graduates were in the civil service, but he decided against it and pursued his PhD admission into King's College London. Simultaneously, the Nigerian Civil War had depleted the academic faculty in the University, leaving the History department with many vacancies and this opened doors for promising young scholars like Prof Osuntokun to be recruited into the Department. By another stroke of inexplicable happenstance, his assigned PhD supervisor, Professor John Flint took a distinguished professorship at Dalhousie University in Canada and offered his student the opportunity to join him in Canada as a Killam Scholar, one of the most prestigious scholarships in Canada. He completed his doctorate in record time and immediately headed to the University of West Indies in the Carribeans, pioneering the teaching of African Studies and strengthening the connections between Africa and its diaspora. It was no surprise when Professor Osuntokun played a leading role in the struggle for reparation later as Adviser to the Foreign Affairs Minister in the 1980s.
Chapter three deals extensively with Prof’s exertions as a consummate academic, moving back from the West Indies to the Jos Campus of the University of Ibadan, and from there to an exciting career at the University of Lagos where he rose through the ranks from Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, full Professor, Head of Department and in between as Professor and Dean of Faculty in the University of Maiduguri. The chapter also captures his time as an administrator in the Nigeria Universities Commission as Director in the Washington and Ottawa offices of the Commission between 1976 - 82, a period during which he helped to broaden the scope of tertiary education as well as providing international academic linkages for Nigerian universities.
Chapter Four covers his exploration in diplomacy. Here the authors provide a panoramic survey of Professor Osuntokun’s contributions as an academic in the field of international relations and diplomacy, his role as an expert adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, General Ike Nwachukwu from 1988 to 1991 and his key contributions in the areas of reparations and economic diplomacy and in the successful campaign to get Chief Emeka Anyaoku elected as the Secretary General of the Commonwealth in the keen contest against former Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser. The chapter also explores developments during his time as an Ambassador representing Nigeria in the newly unified Germany from 1991 to 1995, a momentous time in Post Cold War Germany. In this position, Professor Osuntokun tried to put his abiding passion about the primacy of economic diplomacy into practice but the gains were limited due to the climate of Nigeria’s isolationist and reactionary relations with the external world - particularly after the annulment of the June 12 election, the ascension of General Abacha and the judicial murder of Ken Saro Wiwa and the Ogoni eight. Here again, his values of integrity and speaking truth to power found resonance. After all, he's an Omo Akin ti o gbodo sojo. In no time, he became known in government circles as the “NADECO Ambassador” who was not ready to defend the indefensible. It was a difficult time to be the face of a pariah nation and inevitably, the government got fed up with his refusal to offer a sycophantic defence of its indefensible actions and he was eventually recalled by the end of 1995.
In Chapter Five entitled A Shuttle in the Crypt, the authors cover extensively the inhumane treatment meted out to Professor Osuntokun in General Abacha’s gulag. Prior to his eventual arrest on February 10,1998 on his arrival from a trip to Canada, Prof had been subjected to a range of subtle and not so subtle harassment and intimidation by elements associated with the ruling junta, including an assassination attempt on the Lagos - Ibadan expressway. While the junta apparently thought recalling him from his ambassadorial assignment ought to have kept him quiet, they were actually surprised that he continued to observe developments as an academic in the field of diplomacy and international relations, including making undiplomatic, even if objective comments about the state of the nation. The arrest eventually earned him almost two years detention without trial, let alone conviction at the Apapa Military detention centre and for reasons that were not explicitly stated, except for an oblique reference to an alleged, but rather outlandish bomb throwing episode by one Captain Daramola, even if Colonel Omenka kept insisting there was nothing incriminating in his file. In spite of interventions by General Ishaya Bamaiyi, then Chief of Army Staff and the then DMI Chief, Brigadier Sabo Ibrahim both on routine visits to the centre, the same Colonel Omenka refused to release Prof even when he almost died from a bad bout of cerebral malaria. I have listened to accounts of many victims of the junta’s high handedness during Nigeria’s dark days and even I myself could have easily found myself in the gulag, having been charged with treasonable felony for running an underground radio against the junta and many, indeed, lost their lives during this period. This was a most traumatic period for Professor Osuntokun and his family and his faith was severely tested by this unjust treatment but as the authors explain in Chapter Six, it was the same unflinching faith in God, love of his family and the courage of his conviction that kept him going. His late wife experienced betrayals from friends who abandoned the family out of fear of the junta, and indeed one of his nieces who ventured to look for him at the detention centre also detained. But faith kept the family going. As a pastor in the Redeemed church, his wife played a very critical role in Prof’s journey of faith. As a young man, Prof indulged in the usual youthful exuberance in the university according to details contained in this chapter. As he told the authors, he used to joke that all the prayers he's been part of in Christ's School (where we prayed on average ten times daily) should last him a lifetime. In the university, he stopped attending church and was a co-founder of a social group composed of members that didn't want to be part of mainstream clubs like the elitist Sigma Club. The group adopted bird names as their appelletion and they were variously known as Ogongo, Ibaka, Odidere etc. Long after they left the university, the club he founded with his friends had inadvertently become known as the source of the notorious Eiye confraternity the same way the Sea Dogs founded by Professor Wole Soyinka and his friends became the source of the Pyrates confraternity they later dissociated themselves from.
Meeting his wife from the Ajanlejoko family from Ijebu provided him with the pathway to his reconnection to God. Losing his wife therefore at a relatively young age of 55 in 2003, barely four years after his traumatic experience in Abacha’s gulag was one of his lowest moments since the physical, mental and psychological torture endured in Abacha’s gulag. But thankfully, his four children tried their best to stand in the gap, even as he refused to relocate abroad as they wished he did.
Although he retired from the University of Lagos in 2005, his base since 1972, he has remained active in various areas related to academia and journalism. He took up an appointment at the Redeemers University on the invitation of the erstwhile Vice Chancellor, Professor Oyewale Tomori. Not wanting to lose him, University of Lagos also retained him as an Emeritus Professor in 2012 which allowed him to maintain his association with the University. And of course when I came in as Ekiti Governor in 2010, I appointed him as the Pro Chancellor of our state university. His time as Chairman of the Governing Council witnessed remarkable progress in several spheres. And the authors cover this in chapter seven of the book. Appointed in the immediate aftermath of an education summit which recommended the merger of three struggling state universities in a politically volatile environment, it is a testament to Professor Osuntokun’s sagacity that he presided over the merit based selection of probably the best Vice Chancellor in the University, Professor Oladipo Aina. Both of them worked with their team on the integration of the three universities - a feat that has been described by NUC as the best example of seamless integration in the history of higher education in Nigeria. Even though initially supportive of Governor Fayose’s cancellation of the University medical school, he became the strongest advocate of the resuscitation and renewal of the medical school when I embarked on it. It is to his credit that he used his network to raise additional financial support for the University and also worked assiduously to improve the quality of teaching and research in the University.
All of these academic exertions have not stopped him from diplomatic engagement and public interventions. For example, he remained active as a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on International Relations between 1999 and 2015 whilst also maintaining a regular column in one of Nigeria’s leading newspapers, The Nation and has contributed over 800 articles, some of which are highlighted in the Appendix 2 to the book. A good aspect of the book is the appendices which provide an annotated bibliography and comprehensive resume of Professor Osuntokun. A third appendix also provides a helpful summary of his thoughts and ideas as contained in his informed commentary in newspapers and academic articles and interviews.
This is a fascinating book which is unputdownable once you start reading it. It offers a comprehensive insight into the life and accomplishments of one of Nigeria’s most respected scholar-diplomats. A recipient of the national honour of the Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) and the Presidential Honour of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Professor Osuntokun also holds fellowships of the Historical Society of Nigeria and the Nigeria Academy of Letters
Perhaps an area that might have been given additional attention relates to his critical contribution to biographical knowledge as a historian who has offered some of the most insightful commentaries on leading political figures like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Ladoke Akintola and Sir Kashim Ibrahim, just to name a few.
Teacher, author, diplomat, polyglot, university administrator, newspaper columnist, Omoluabi par excellence, this is your life, a pride to your generation and to all of us that you've directly and indirectly mentored by your courage, self effacing humility, service to God and humanity, dedication to excellence and sheer decency. As the great book says in Matthew 5:14-16, “a city that is set on the hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candle stick and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven.“
Congratulations to the authors for bearing witness to history.
Congratulations Prof for living a life worthy of emulation.
Thank you all for listening.
*Dr Kayode Fayemi is Visiting Professor, School of Global Affairs, King's College, London.
Thirteen Nigerian girls who were trafficked to Ghana have been rescued, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) said.
The agency said their rescue brings “the total repatriated back to the country within five months to 163”.
In a statement by its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM gave a breakdown of the rescued ladies.
“Among the 163 included the 13 girls that were rescued and brought back to Nigeria over the weekend,” the Friday statement said.
It said the rescue “operation was a result of the combined and coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, The Rescue Live Foundation International, and NIDO Ghana working in collaboration with NiDCOM.”
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW
PRESS RELEASE
HUMAN TRAFFICKING: 13 MORE GIRLS TRAFFICKED TO GHANA RETURN, AS NIDCOM SAYS 163 TRAFFICKED VICTIMS RESCUED SINCE JULY
ABUJA, NOV. 14, 2024
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) alongside other stakeholders have rescued another set of 13 trafficked girls from Ghana thus bringing the total repatriated back to the country within five months to 163.
Among the 163 included the 13 girls that were rescued and brought back to Nigeria over the weekend.
The rescued operation was as a result of the combined and coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police , The Rescue live foundation International, and NIDO Ghana working in collaboration with NIDCOM.
Speaking on the latest efforts, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), expressed her gratitude to the First Lady , Senator Oluremi Tinubu , the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Governor Francis Nwifuru for their support in facilitating the safe return of the girls back to the country.
She also commended the vital roles played by Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, BOT Chairman (Rescue live foundation International/NIDO Ghana), and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit in bringing the traffickers to justice.
She reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians in the diaspora under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which gave priority to combating human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of Nigerian citizens at home and in the Diaspora.
A statement by the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, stated that the rescued young girls, ages 19 to 30 years, are from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna and Rivers states.
They were lured to Ghana under the false promises of employment but were instead forced into exploitative situations and bound by an oath of secrecy, while the traffickers are making money off the dastardly act.
NiDCOM representative, Mr Akinboye Akinsola, who accompanied the ladies back to Nigeria, where they were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and reintegration said these set of ladies surrendered themselves willingly , having heard of the ealier operation conducted in Kpone Katamanso and Tema.
Chief Callistus Elozieuwa said with Rescue live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana’s assistance, the ladies were provided shelter for some days after they all willingly indicated their interest to come back home.
The Senior Special Assistant to Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr Valentine Okike Uzo, thanked the Governor for his willingness to bring the ladies back home which in line with his efforts to care for all Ebonyi indigenes both home and in the Diaspora.
He assured that all efforts are in place to ensure a proper rehabilitation for the victims from Ebonyi state.
e-Signed.
Abdur-Rahman Balogun (mnipr)
Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, NIDCOM, Abuja.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has replaced the Labour Party candidate, Olusola Ebiseni with Dr. Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus.
INEC disclosed this in a statement released on its official X account on Friday in compliance with the ruling by the Court of Appeal.
“In obedience to the court order, the Commission has restored Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus, whose name was first published as the Labour Party candidate for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election and uploaded same to our website for public information,” INEC said.
Earlier, a Court of Appeal in Abuja struck out a judgment by the Federal High Court, which had ordered INEC to accept Olusola Ebiseni as the Labour Party’s candidate.
The Federal High Court, in a ruling delivered on September 27, 2024, had directed INEC to recognise Ebiseni for the upcoming election.
However, the Labour Party appealed the decision, and the Court of Appeal, in its ruling under reference number CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024, determined that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to make such a ruling.
The appellate court’s decision led to the immediate reinstatement of Festus as the party’s candidate.
“The commission was yesterday, 14th November 2024, served with the Certified True Copy of the judgment of the Court of Appeal which set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
“The Federal High Court, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024, had on September 27, 2024, ordered INEC to accept Olusola Ebiseni as the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election.
“However, in the appeal with reference number CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024 filed by the Labour Party, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division struck out the judgement of the FHC for lack of jurisdiction,” it said.
Geoffrey Ogunlesi, 33, the son of the United States-based Nigerian billionaire, Adebayo Ogunlesi, has bought a diamond engagement ring worth $500,000 for an American jewelry designer, Jennifer Meyer.
According to Daily Mail, Meyer, who divorced American actor and film producer Tobey Maguire in 2020, proudly showed off the ring on Saturday.
The duo were at the Baby2Baby gala in Los Angeles at the event, which also had American female celebrities like Jessica Alba, Nicole Richie, and Paris Hilton in attendance.
The two were seen cuddling up at the event to the admiration of famous personalities present.
“The ring looks to be in the $500,000 range,” Daily Mail quoted The Diamond Bank.
Ben Affleck’s ex-wife Jennifer Garner wrote, “Congratulations!!!!” to join numerous stars who showered Meyer with congratulatory messages.
“This makes us all so happy. I love you!!!” Actress Goldie Hawn wrote.
Also, news anchor, Allison Wise, said, “So happy for this angel queen – my everything BEST friend who is marrying the greatest man and her should mate! I love you and can’t wait to keep celebrating you both!”
Geoffrey is an entrepreneur and investor, recognised for his contributions to infrastructure and investment.
His father, Adebayo, 70, is a renowned investment banker and the founder of Global Infrastructure Partners.
Geoffrey and Meyer became engaged in September.
[Punch]
Jake Paul, a former child star and social media influencer who began his professional boxing career in 2020, on Saturday secured a victory against former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in a boxing bout.
The fight was livestreamed worldwide on Netflix, and Paul won by unanimous decision.
While the outcome surprised some, the financial stakes were just as intense as the match itself, with both fighters set to earn huge sums for their efforts.
How much is Mike Tyson being paid for the fight?
Mike Tyson, widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers in history, is 58 years old and has an estimated net worth of $10 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
While this figure is modest compared to the hundreds of millions Tyson earned during his career, including $400 million in fight purses according to Forbes, he’s also made a remarkable comeback after declaring bankruptcy in 2013 at age 37.
Although promoters did not disclose Tyson’s exact earnings from the fight, reports from sources like DraftKings Network estimate he will earn around $20 million.
This figure is comparable to the amount Tyson earned for his 1988 match against Michael Spinks, which had a record purse at the time (worth approximately $53 million today when adjusted for inflation). That fight ended in just 91 seconds, with Tyson knocking out the previously undefeated Spinks.
How much is Jake Paul being paid for the fight?
Jake Paul, 27, is expected to earn approximately $40 million, according to estimates from DraftKings Network and other sources. This is double the amount Tyson is projected to make. One reason for this disparity may be Paul’s status as a top social media influencer, with 27 million followers on Instagram alone. Additionally, Paul is the co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), the company promoting the fight in partnership with Netflix.
Paul’s net worth is estimated at $80 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
YouTube streamer, Jake Paul emerged victorious against boxing icon Mike Tyson in a highly anticipated bout at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas.
The judges delivered a unanimous decision in favor of Paul with scores of 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73.
The fight made history by featuring the largest age gap between opponents in professional boxing—31 years. Tyson, 57, stepped into the ring for his first professional fight since his 2005 loss to Kevin McBride.
Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Paul continued his unconventional rise in the sport.
The eight-round match deviated from the traditional format, with two-minute rounds and fighters wearing 14-ounce gloves, adding a unique twist to the contest.
Final Round Drama
As the final round began, the crowd chanted Tyson’s name in a show of support. However, Paul silenced the cheers with a series of sharp jabs. Tyson managed to connect with a left hook, but Paul dominated the last minute, landing a powerful right hand that pushed Tyson to the ropes. In a show of respect, Paul bowed as the match concluded.
Round-by-Round Breakdown
Round 7:
Tyson started aggressively, energizing the audience, but Paul quickly regained control with a combination of a right hand and a body shot, slowing Tyson’s pace. Paul’s precision punches dominated the round.
Round 6:
Boos echoed from the crowd as the fight slowed. While Paul maintained an upper hand, neither fighter showed much activity.
Round 5:
Paul remained the aggressor, dictating the pace with higher activity levels and sharper accuracy, though significant punches were scarce.
Rounds 3 & 4:
Paul capitalized on Tyson’s exhaustion, assuming complete control of the match. Tyson struggled to throw punches, leaving Paul to dictate the fight’s tempo.
Round 2:
After a strong start in the opening round, Tyson appeared fatigued in the second, his punch output noticeably declining. Despite this, Paul stayed largely on the defensive.
Round 1:
Tyson delivered powerful blows early on, keeping Paul on the defensive. The round showcased flashes of Tyson’s legendary power nearly 40 years after his professional debut and 19 years after his retirement.
The event, held at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, drew immense attention, marking Tyson’s return to the ring against Paul, a 26-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied claims of an agreement to hand over its presidential ticket to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or any of its prominent members ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, clarified this in an interview with Punch on Friday.
He emphasized that the party remains committed to a transparent and democratic process in determining its presidential candidate, adding that decisions on candidacy will be made through established procedures.
“Nobody has told the party that he or she is running on the platform of the PDP for the party to take a position, and there is no agreement that a particular person will be given the ticket. As of today, we have not issued notice for the sale of form, we have not called for primaries. So, we don’t know who is running and who is not going to run,” said Osadolor.
Osadolor’s rebuttal came barely two days after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ruled out Atiku’s chances of securing the PDP’s presidential ticket again in 2027.
He said Wike’s position might be valid if what transpired in the past was put into consideration.
Osadolor, however, stated that Atiku couldn’t also be ruled out of contention for the ticket, citing Donald Trump’s victory as a reference point.
He said, “If Trump could win a Kamala Harris, anything is possible. Again, Wike’s points are valid. It is only a man who is immune to changes that would discard most of the observations he made because at the end of the day, it is about the people.
“So, maybe there was something about branding or the way he (Atiku) branded himself in the past that didn’t resonate well with the people. But people still have the opinion that the elections were a fraud and that he actually won. At any rate, I don’t also see him running and winning without trying to curry the support of everybody, including that of Nyesom Wike himself too.”
The people of Ondo State will head to the polls on Saturday, November 16, 2024, to elect their next governor in an off-cycle election that promises to be a keenly contested race.
Voters across the state’s 18 local government areas will decide the fate of incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and 16 other candidates, including a former deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the election will feature candidates from 17 political parties, with Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking re-election amidst a competitive field.
Since its creation on February 3, 1976, Ondo State has been led by 19 governors and administrators. The last governorship election saw Rotimi Akeredolu of the APC securing a decisive victory with 292,830 votes, defeating Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 195,791 votes.
INEC data reveals a sharp increase in registered voters for this election. With over 2.053 million registered voters, Ondo State now boasts 726,944 youths (35.41 percent) and 721,982 middle-aged citizens (35.17 percent) among its electorate. This marks a significant rise from the 1,647,973 registered voters in 2020.
The gender breakdown shows 1.034 million male voters (50.36 percent) and 1.019 million females (49.64 percent), reflecting a near-equal gender participation rate.
As the people of Ondo State prepare to choose their next governor, according to Nigerian Tribune several factors will shape the outcome of this highly anticipated election. See the factors below:
1. Division Among Akeredolu’s Supporters
Though the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has passed, his influence remains strong in Ondo State. Akeredolu, who served as governor from 2017 until his death on 27 December 2023 at age 67, was widely respected by the people.
Typically, Akeredolu’s supporters might be expected to back Governor Aiyedatiwa, the APC candidate, as Akeredolu won two terms under the party. However, Aiyedatiwa’s ability to secure their full support is uncertain.
Recently, the Akeredolu family, alongside ASEI Human Rights of Nigeria, publicly endorsed Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate. This endorsement could sway many of Akeredolu’s loyal supporters, potentially impacting Aiyedatiwa’s prospects in the election.
2. Aiyedatiwa and Mimiko’s Alliance
The alliance between Governor Aiyedatiwa and former governor Olusegun Mimiko may play a significant role in the election.
Mimiko, the first governor to serve two terms in the state, holds considerable influence in Ondo’s political landscape.
The recent political collaboration between Aiyedatiwa (APC) and Mimiko (historically PDP-aligned) has sparked interest and discussions about its possible impact.
With support from Mimiko and his loyalists, Aiyedatiwa may gain an edge in the race to remain in Alagbaka Government House in Akure.
3. Influence of Candidates’ Strongholds
A candidate’s stronghold can influence election outcomes, especially in historically high voter turnout regions.
In the previous Ondo State governorship election, voter participation varied across the candidates’ local governments, offering clues for the upcoming race. Last election data showed that Ilaje Local Government, where APC’s Governor Aiyedatiwa hails from, recorded 37,785 votes, while Ese Odo Local Government, where PDP’s Ajayi comes from, had 18,063 votes.
Since Aiyedatiwa’s local government recorded the highest turnout among the two leading candidates, similar support could benefit him if those votes are cast in his favour. In addition, going by the last election results, the APC recorded a landslide victory in Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Odigbo, Okitipupa, and Owo local government areas. For the PDP, Akure South was a complete sweep, while the remaining LGAs had the margins within close cut for both parties.
4. Leading Candidates’ Profile
While 17 candidates are competing in the Ondo gubernatorial election, it is largely seen as a two-horse race between APC’s Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and PDP’s Agboola Ajayi.
Aiyedatiwa, currently serving as governor, is a businessman and politician from Obe-Nla, an oil-producing community in Ilaje Local Government Area. Running for a full term, his platform focuses on continuity, which could appeal to voters seeking stability in governance.
Meanwhile, Ajayi, a former deputy governor from Kiribo Town in Ese Odo Local Government, ran for governor in 2020 under the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and now represents the PDP. He positions himself as a candidate for economic transformation, appealing to voters seeking change.
5. Zoning Settlements
While Nigeria’s Constitution does not mandate rotation of governorship or other political roles, informal power-sharing arrangements are common across parties and states, including Ondo, to ensure equitable power distribution.
Ondo State is divided into three senatorial districts: Ondo North, Ondo South, and Ondo Central.
With the late Governor Akeredolu, who won two terms from Ondo North, voters may favour candidates from other districts. However, a Tribune Online check revealed that both leading candidates, Aiyedatiwa and Ajayi, are from Ondo South.
This geographic distribution could influence voting dynamics, with Aiyedatiwa and Ajayi potentially attracting voters who prefer rotational governance over candidates from the same senatorial district as the late Akeredolu.
6. Akeredolu’s Former Deputies Face-off
The fact that both Aiyedatiwa (APC) and Ajayi (PDP) previously served as deputies to the late Governor Akeredolu adds a unique dimension to the Ondo 2024 election.
Ajayi served as Akeredolu’s deputy from 2017 to 2021, while Aiyedatiwa held the position from 2021 until Akeredolu died in 2023.
While Aiyedatiwa maintained a positive relationship with Akeredolu, Ajayi’s relationship with the governor soured in 2020. On 21 June 2020, Ajayi left the APC for the PDP, citing irreconcilable differences with Akeredolu. After losing the PDP primary to Jegede, he joined the ZLP to challenge Akeredolu in the 2020 gubernatorial election.
The two candidates’ history with Akeredolu may affect the voting behaviour of Akeredolu’s loyalists, potentially shaping the election outcome.
7. Support from Jegede’s Followers
Eyitayo Jegede, the PDP candidate in the last governorship election, commands a loyal following, and his endorsement could help unify the party’s base, which has been fragmented since the previous election.
As a PDP leader in Ondo State, Jegede urged party members in May 2024 to rally behind Agboola Ajayi in the upcoming election.
This endorsement could consolidate the PDP’s voter base, appealing to Jegede’s loyal supporters who may have felt alienated by past party dynamics. Ultimately, Jegede’s support could increase Ajayi’s visibility and credibility, boosting his chances of securing a significant vote share.
8. Tinubu’s Re-election Ambitions
In the 2023 general election, President Bola Tinubu lost Lagos State to the Labour Party and Osun State to the PDP.
Although Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election, these losses in Southwestern states were seen as a blow to his political influence.
With the 2027 election approaching, Tinubu is keen on securing the majority of southwestern states to bolster his re-election bid.
Federal support from Tinubu and influence as the centre’s ruling party could give Aiyedatiwa a crucial advantage over other candidates in the upcoming election. However, the country’s current economic challenges, especially the rising cost of living occasioned by some policies of the current President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, could also be a factor in how the people of Ondo state decide at the poll.
A 28-year-old suspected internet fraudster, Patrick Akpoguma, allegedly involved in various types of internet-related frauds, including romance scams, identity theft, cyber hacking, cryptocurrency fraud, ritualism, and cultism, offered operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, $100,000 (over N160 million) bribe but it was rejected.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, Adegoke Fayoade, made this known while addressing the press on Friday.
Fayoade revealed that the investigation into Akpoguma began on November 7, 2024, after receiving reports from residents of Chevron Drive, Lekki, where the suspect resides.
He said the suspect admitted to the crime while speaking with journalists, stating that the monetary bribe was an attempt to clear his name.
Fayoade said, “Patrick Akpoguma admitted to being involved in what is known as romance scams and other cryptocurrency-related scams.
“He meets various people online and presents himself as a notable and famous Caucasian American, such as Colonel Matt Herbert, a serving U.S.
Army officer currently on a peacekeeping mission in Iran. He also impersonated Adam Taggart, a renowned cryptocurrency and stock brokerage expert in the United States.
“He convinces his unsuspecting victims that he is a top executive working on several projects that require funding, which leads him to request loans. Typically, he receives these loans via his Bitcoin Trust Wallet or through blockchain transactions. So far, he has defrauded more than seven victims using this method.
“To perfect these fraudulent activities, he created a fake Instagram account under the name ‘Adam Taggart.’ This account allowed him to purchase a silicone face and hand mask from maskmarkers.com, which was delivered to his residence on Chevron Drive, Lekki. He paid $11,200 USD for the manufacturing of this mask, which he used to impersonate Adam Taggart on Facebook and Instagram.
“Surprisingly, during the investigation, the suspect began pleading and offering money to be let off the hook. Once I was informed about this, I instructed my detectives from Raider team to play along. On November 12, 2024, he offered the sum of $100,000 USD (One Hundred Thousand Dollars), equivalent to about One Hundred and Seventy-Four Million Naira. The money was accepted, registered as evidence, and the investigation continued. So far, the investigation has been concluded, and the suspect will be arraigned accordingly.”
Speaking about his actions, the suspect, Patrick Akpoguma, said he felt too intelligent to work for a salary, which is why he turned to fraud three years ago.
He said, “I am a graduate of Mechanical Engineering, and I am 28 years old. After leaving school, it became clear that I needed to find my path and try to get on my feet. I decided to try fraud while I looked for something legitimate. I started doing fraud three years ago, and since then, I’ve made over USD 500,000.
“I’ve achieved a lot—owning a house in Lagos, a house in Edo State, and a GLE Benz worth N100m. Once I defraud people and feel I’ve taken enough from them, I simply walk away. I don’t leave them penniless.”
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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it has deployed 34,000 officers in Ondo ahead of Saturday’s off-cycle governorship election.
Abiodun Alabi, the deputy inspector-general of police (DIG) coordinating election security, spoke on Friday during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme.
Alabi said adequate measures are in place to stop the infiltration of thugs during the poll, noting that operatives will be stationed at the 3,933 polling units in all LGAs of the state.
“We just want to dominate the security space, to let people know that we cannot allow anybody to truncate the electoral process,” he said.
“We have intelligence that some people are trying to organise some militias to truncate the electoral process.”
The police chief said tactical units, an aerial surveillance team, and marine police, among others, would be deployed in the state.
Alabi noted that there would be restrictions on movement on the election day from 6am to 6pm, adding that the police have received intelligence about plans to sabotage the poll.
He assured voters of their safety, noting that the police have done adequate threat analysis to ensure a peaceful election.
“No movement; we are going to restrict everybody’s movement. We don’t want anybody to infiltrate the state,” he added.
“It is part of the intelligence we have had that some people are trying to bring in thugs, hoodlums from the neighbouring states of Edo and Osun to come and cause problems here. We are not going to allow that to happen.
“We are working hand in hand with the military, who will take care of our borders. We are not going to allow anybody to infiltrate the state.”
A full list of President Bola Tinubu’s media aides has sparked reactions on social media.
On Thursday, Tinubu added a new member to his list of advisers on media-related matters.
Daniel Bwala, an ex-aide to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, was named the special adviser on public communications and media.
Bwala’s appointment increased the number of Tinubu’s media aides to 13.
In a post shared on Thursday, 36 Kiniun, an X user, compiled a list of all the president’s media aides and their portfolios in the administration.
Many X users criticised the list and berated the administration for paying lip service to cut the cost of governance.
Obum, an X user, said all the appointees’ assignments are identical and described their role as “a waste”.
“These people do the same thing. Check their timelines all the same tweets. What a waste,” the tweet reads.
Streams, another X user, said the appointments are “unnecessary.”
“There are a lot of very unnecessary appointments here. One person can do like 3 of these roles and still have a lot of time on their hands. But appointment for here na reward, and that’s why you can see a lot of people on this street fighting to be seen,” the tweet reads.
Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okunneye, better known as Bobrisky, has revealed that his ordeal with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission began after accepting the best dressed female award at the movie premiere of Nollywood actress, Eniola Ajao.
Naija News recalls that Bobrisky recently faced scrutiny over allegations that he paid for special treatment while serving a jail sentence for naira abuse. Viral audio suggested that he bribed officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to secure preferential conditions in prison.
The EFCC arrested Bobrisky at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos State as he attempted to board a KLM flight bound for Amsterdam.
Bobrisky’s arrest quickly made waves online when he alerted followers, sharing that he had sustained injuries in the process, saying, “Nigerians, help me, EFCC just arrested me. I’m badly injured.”
He was subsequently transported to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, where he faced questioning over allegations of bribing EFCC officers to drop previous money laundering charges.
In a post via his Instagram page, Bobrisky stated that he would never get involved in any price or award belonging to a female.
He wrote, “My problem started from when I collected best dressed female with N1 million price. For my life if I see award for best dressed female I go disappear from that location. Everyone know the truth that I am a baddie with class, you wanna compete with me? your mummy never, but when problem wan too much, I run”
Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, on Friday, launched a scathing criticism against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, describing him as a “serial betrayer.”
He also controversially remarked that Nigerian singer Portable is “better” than Wike in terms of loyalty.
Addressing journalists during a press conference in Abuja, Adeyanju accused Wike of betraying key political allies, including former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Rivers State governors Peter Odili and Rotimi Amaechi.
Wike, who was recently appointed as FCT Minister by President Tinubu, has faced scrutiny over his political maneuvers and alliances, particularly after switching allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to support Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
According to Adeyanju, “Wike has never worked anywhere; from a motor garage tout he became a local government Chairman and he has been betraying people.
“The only difference between Wike and Portable is that Portable does not betray people who have helped him but Wike betrays everyone who has helped him. Wike betrayed Goodluck Jonathan, he betrayed the wife, betrayed Rotimi Amaechi, he betrayed Peter Odili and those who helped him.
“Is it Tinubu that he would not betray? Even Tinubu is not that dull, he’s politically savvy and knows. He’s just using the long spoon to deal with him, there is nothing you will do with Wike that you will be safe.”
The activist lawyer also accused the minister of deceiving and sabotaging the former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
“Typical Wike, just like he deceived Peter Obi, Obi kept going to him but he went behind his back to sabotage him,” he added.
This comes after Wike called out Adeyanju for criticising his demolitions in the nation’s capital.
Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday, Wike stated that Adeyanju was jobless, hence his reason for becoming an activist.
The former Rivers Governor claimed that Adeyanju came to him begging for the role of Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but he turned him down.