Spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, says he has never collected bribe since he joined the police.

Adejobi said this on Monday while responding to an X user who asked him to swear by his “village deity” that he had never accepted a bribe since joining the force.

The verified user posed the question after Adejobi wrote: “Police administrative bail is free. If anyone demands bail money, you too demand an invoice or receipt to prove payment. If he can’t issue it, dont pay. That is a fraud. I have said this severally. Thanks”.

Adejobi responded saying that since joining the police force in 2005, he has never accepted bribe.

He further disclosed that as a crowned prince of Owu, it would be “ridiculous” for him to accept bribes.

“I have answered this. PR is in me. I joined NIPR in 2004 before I joined the police in 2005. I have been a PR man before I even applied to join the police. I even reject gifts. Many people on Twitter have been willing to recharge my phone, but i appeal to them not to do.

“Those who know me know I reject gifts, let alone bribe. I am a crowned prince of Owu, so it’s ridiculous to take a bribe. If you do well, Nigerians are very nice and ready to appreciate you, and bless you in all areas, if you are a nice officer,” the police PRO wrote.

Recall that there have been several documented cases of Nigerian police officers involved in extortion.

Last years, a report from a survey conducted by the NOI Polls revealed that 73 per cent of Nigerians do not trust the personnel of the Nigerian Police Police.

The survey conducted by NOIPolls, a research organisation and Afrobarometer’s national partner for Nigeria and presented in Abuja, was collated through face-to-face interviews within the past year and fieldwork in March 2022.

Also, 73 per cent of Nigerians said “most” or “all” police are corrupt, which is the worse among public institutions like the parliament.

In 2016, the World Internal Security and Police Index (WISPI) rated Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as the worst in the world.

The WISPI was produced by two bodies – the International Police Science Association and the Institute for Economics and Peace.

The report measured the ability of the police to address internal security issues. The police in 127 countries were assessed across four key areas and that of Nigeria scored the least in those areas.

A former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has stated that the All Progressives Congress-led government has set Nigeria 40 years backwards economically.

He lamented that the APC has wiped out all the gains the country made in 35 years.

The former Emir of Kano made the claim in a trailer for an interview with Rufai Oseni of Arise TV.

He argued that based on Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita on a Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) basis between 1980 and 2023, the economic gains the country made were wiped out between 2014 and 2019.

“Let me give you an idea, when we look at the numbers we see how bad things are. If you look at the World Bank development indicators, in 1980, on a PPP basis, our per capita GDP was, I believe, $2,180. In 2014, it had risen to $3,099, a 50 percent rise. In 2019, our GDP per capita, on a PPP basis was down to $2,229. At this rate, by 2023, on a per capita basis, we would be back to where we were in 1980. We have been set back 40 years. Look at the fall between 2014 and 2019, all the gains made in 35 years between 1980 and 2014 were wiped out,” he said.

This is not the first time the former Emir is criticising the APC-led Federal Government for being responsible for Nigeria’s economic woes.

During a recent virtual religious event, Sanusi said the administration of the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, ignored his advice on how to move Nigeria forward.

He said he had to deviate from the religious theme of the event to remind Nigerians about his stand on the badly managed economic policies of the immediate past administration of Buhari and that everything in Nigeria in the last eight years was done on the basis of debt and that no country will survive in that kind of economic policy.

The impeached chairman of Ijebu-East Local Government (LG), Wale Adedayo, has reportedly been arrested at his residence in Ijebu-Ife, Ogun State.

Naija News understands that Adebayo was arrested on Monday by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command.

Recall that the impeached LG Chairman had accused the Gov. Dapo Abiodun-led administration of diverting Local Government funds.

According to Adebayo, the state government had since 2021 been tampering with funds for the state’s local governments (LGs) sent through it by the federal government.

His claims had led to his impeachment by the LG’s councilors over allegations of financial misappropriation.

Confirming his arrest, Kafayat Adedayo, wife of the impeached LG Chairman, said her husband was arrested by officers numbering about ten from the Police Command headquarters at Eleweran in Abeokuta.

She said the police officers informed her that his arrest was based on a petition written against him by the state government.

Kafayat said: “They came on Monday afternoon in a Mitsubishi car to effect his arrest. About four of them were in uniform, while others were in mufti.

“The police operatives said they were acting on instructions based on a petition filed against him by the state government.

“He was taken to Abeokuta by the police.”

When contacted, the commissioner of police in the state, CP Abiodun Alamutu, confirmed Adedayo’s arrest.

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government has declared Wednesday, September 27th, as a public holiday.

Naija News reports that the federal government declared the holiday in commemoration of Eil-ul- Maulid celebration, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him.).

The holiday was made known by the Minister of Interior Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo in a statement on Monday night on behalf of the government.

The Minister, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, congratulated Muslim faithful at home and in the diaspora for witnessing this year’s occasion.

He admonished Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, patience, tolerance and perseverance which are deep spiritual virtues that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him ) exemplified.

Tunji-Ojo urged youths to embrace hard work and peaceful dispositions to fellow citizens irrespective of faith, ideology, social class and ethnicity.

He called on them to join hands with President Bola Tinubu to build a progressive country.

Famous Nigerian music artist, Seun Kuti, has slammed Nigerians criticising the father of the late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, better known as Mohbad, over the hasty burial of his son.

Naija News recalls that Mohbad died on September 12 at age 27 and was buried a day after the tragic incident in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

The immediate burial created a buzz on social media as fans and netizens bashed Mohbad’s father for burying him without proper investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death.

Responding to critics, Seun Kuti, in an interview with media personality, Nedu on ‘The Honest Bunch’ podcast, said Mohbad‘s father is faced with condemnation due to poverty playing a significant role in the situation.

He questioned why any sane father would want to keep his dead son’s corpse for days.

According to him, if someone like Nigerian billionaire, Femi Otedola, had taken the same decision, it wouldn’t have stirred such backlash from Nigerians, as people would pay him a condolence visit.

He added that Nigerians are criticising Mohbad’s father due to his financial status instead of consoling him during this difficult time.

He said in Pidgin, “In this whole Mohbad issue, poverty is playing a big role. People are saying na Mohbad papa kill am because he buried him early. Who wan dey look his son dead body for 2, 3 days.

“If na Otedola pikin die and he bury am overnight, wetin anybody go talk here? no be sey una go dey give am condolences visit for house?

“Instead of us to be consoling the man, we are making him evil that can kill his son. Somebody that just lost his child. You like the boy pass am na hin dem dey bully the boy all these days and you no talk anything.”

The Lagos State Police Command on Monday gave an update on the autopsy being conducted on the remains of the late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

The spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, noted that the autopsy was carried out by the best forensic pathologists in the country.

Hundeyin, in a post on his X account, revealed that family members of the late singer were present during the autopsy.

He urged Nigerians to remain calm while the result of the autopsy is being awaited.

Hundeyin wrote, “As assured by the CP, the autopsy was promptly carried out by some of the best forensic pathologists in the country, in the presence of family members.

“While we await the result, we urge everyone to remain calm and confident in the process.

“There is absolutely no underhand dealing, as feared by some concerned persons. In the meantime, other aspects of the investigation are progressing well.”

Recall that Mohbad died on the 12th of September, 2023 and was buried the next day in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

The death of the 27-year-old singer has stirred reactions across the board with Nigerians accusing his former boss, Naira Marley and music promoter, Sam Larry of being responsible for his death, an allegation which has since been denied by both men.

Popular Nollywood veteran actor Yemi Adeyemi, popularly known as Suara, is dead.

According to a statement released by his family on Monday, he died on Sunday.

The statement, signed by the deceased’s son Adedotun Adeyemi, read: “It is with a heavy heart but with total submission to God that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, Oluyemi Lawrence Adeyemi (Suara) who went to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 24, 2023. We are consoled because we know that he has gone to rest. We kindly request that the family be allowed some privacy in this time of grief. More details about the burial will be communicated soon.”

Art and culture administrator Mufu Onifade described Adeyemi’s death as shocking in a Facebook post.

“This is shocking and sad! Very painful; and I’m just distraught right now. The shocking news just hit me that Uncle Yemi Adeyemi (popularly called Baba Suara) passed on last night.

“A great actor, producer and Ifa priest of note, he had been involved in many television and stage productions – including ‘Yemoja’ written by Prof. Ahmed Yerima and performed in Nigeria and Mexico by the National Troupe of Nigeria.

“May the soul of this great Thespian find solace in the Supreme Being,” Onifade wrote in the Facebook post.

Perez Medcare Hospital, where late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, was allegedly taken to has broken the silence on his death.

According to the hospital, Mohbad was brought in dead to their facility.

The hospital disclosed this in a statement posted on their Instagram account on Monday night, adding that Mohbad did not die in their facility as against rumours being peddled around.

The hospital also debunked claims that the singer was admitted to the hospital.

The statement read, “The attention of the management of Perez Medcare Hospital has been drawn to the misleading and false information being circulated in some social media platforms that Mr Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (AKA Mohbad) died in our medical facility.

“We consider it pertinent to put on record that at about 04:30 pm on the 12th of September 2023, the lifeless body of Mr Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (AKA Mohbad) was brought to our medical facility and our medical team immediately sprang into action and after assessment, it was discovered that there was no sign of life, no central or peripheral pulse, no heartbeat, no recordable vital signs and his pupils were fixed and dilated.

“On attempting CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), rigour mortis (stiffening of some parts of the body in relation to death) was observed and the persons who brought him to our facility were informed that it was a case of BID (Brought in dead).

“Upon enquiry about the circumstances leading to the emergency, our team was informed that the deceased was being treated at home by a nurse and that she administered injections to him.

“Our team thereafter advised that the body be taken to the nearest Government Hospital where he can be deposited in the morgue.

“Let it be known that Mr Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (AKA Mohbad) was not a patient of Perez Medcare Hospital and was never admitted at our hospital at any material time whatsoever.

“Also, the nurse who was said to be administering treatment to him at home is not a staff of Perez Medcare Hospital and the video of the medical facility circulating In the media space in which the late Mr. Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (AKA Mohbad) is seen alive and receiving treatment is not Perez Medcare Hospital.”

The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has scaled back its contentious 300% tuition fee increase by 15% following the widespread backlash from students and stakeholders.

Recall that hike had sparked outrage, with student unions threatening to protest against the management.

The OAU’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, in a statement announced the adjustment saying the University remained committed to addressing the concerns raised by students.

The adjustment came after a lengthy meeting with student leaders on Monday.

According to him, “In a rare show of administrative magnanimity, the authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, have readjusted downward the sundry charges payable by the students of the University.

“This followed the meeting the University management had with the leadership of the Students Union on Monday, 25th September, 2023. The meeting, which lasted for several hours, was called by the University management, after several agitations by the students union for a reduction of the initial charges approved by the University.”

Olarewaju disclosed that the student union leaders were adamant that the charges be reduced by 50%, but the University management made it clear that the new charges were the minimum the University required to run efficiently.

He continued, “the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, graciously announced that the charges initially announced have been reduced as follows: For the students in Humanities, the initial sundry charges of #89, 200 for returning students have been reduced to #76,000 while the new students in the Humanities, the initial fees of #151,200 have been reduced to #131,000.

“For those in the Sciences and Technology, the initial charges of #101,200, for returning students is now #86,000 while the new students in the same Faculties will now pay #141,000 instead of the initial #163,200.

“In the same vein, the returning students in the Pharmacy and College of Health Sciences will now pay N109,000, instead of N128,200. The new students in the same Faculties will now pay #164,000 instead of the initial charges of #190,000. The statement added that the University management has agreed that the payment can be in two equal installments.”

Olarewaju added that the University’s portal is now open to students for payment.

The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, says it has spent N146 billion to sponsor over 10,227 scholars under Academic Staff Training and Development Intervention Programme.

He said 1,017 of the beneficiaries were sponsored for bench work at the sum of N5 billion.

“However, upon return of the scholars to their various institutions, many were unable to share the knowledge acquired and replicate their experiences due largely to the research infrastructure deficit in their institutions,” he said.

He added that the Fund in 2020 through the Special Research Grant to address COVID-19 funded eight research projects at a total cost of N260,280,393.00 to support the Federal Government’s response.

Arc Echono stated these on Monday in Abuja during the inauguration of an ad hoc committee on the establishment of central multipurpose laboratories in select universities in the country.

He said the move was part of efforts to provide relevant infrastructure to aid research in the country.

According to the TETFund boss, it is universally accepted that innovative research and its commercialization is the driver of economic growth and prosperity in the contemporary world.

“Thus, it is imperative to make conscious efforts to not only develop our human capital but to also provide research infrastructure to support innovative R&D on a sustainable basis. It is indeed a key pre-requisite for accelerated national development and global competitiveness,” Echono said.

He said the agency was deploying billions of naira to fund research programmes and projects with a view to deepening the institutionalization of Research and Development to tackle national challenges.

“You will recall that the Fund has so far awarded a total of 727 Research Grants to researchers from public tertiary institutions at the cost of over N18 billion under the National Research Fund (NRF) to undertake applied research in various academic disciplines,” he said.

He said some of the scholars who have benefited from the NRF grants often requested that to complete the execution of the research project might require them to cross international borders to access certain facilities/equipment due to lack of requisite research facilities in their institutions.

“In some cases, these tend to affect the financial burden associated with the research projects, coupled with time expended for travelling,” Echono said.

Echono said the committee, which has former Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Emeritus Professor Olufemi Bamiro, as chairperson, has one month to submit its report.

In his acceptance speech, Bamiro expressed the readiness of the team to deliver on the assigned task.

“This will surely go a long way in rejuvenating research and training in research in our nation state.

“The committee, like the assignment, is multidisciplinary in nature, with experts, and I mean really experienced experts, in the areas of food science and technology, energy, engineering, parasitology, medicine, biochemistry, nuclear physics, and architecture. I do not see any critical area of research endeavour that can escape the eagle eyes of the members,” he said.

Meanwhile other members of the committee are Professor Ekanem Braide, Professor Joseph Ahaneku, Professor Suleiman Mustapha, Professor Yusuf Saidu, Professor Nasir Isa Fagge, Professor Abubakar S. Sambo, Professor Ibrahim Katampe and Mallam Buhari Mikailu.