Nollywood actress, Toyin Abraham has promised to keep her political choices private after a series of exchanges on social media platform known as X on Tuesday.

The actress during the exchange addressed questions about her support for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 general election. 

The online interaction began when an X user, Otunba (@ManLikeIcey), asked Abraham to share the plans that Tinubu had discussed with her during the campaign.

He wrote, “Maybe one day Toyin Abraham will divulge the plans Bola Tinubu shared with her to the public. I strongly believe we deserve to hear. Thank you @toyin_abraham1.” 

In response, Abraham revealed that she had been assured by Tinubu’s camp of “good governance and happiness for everyone.

“You asked me in a polite way so I will definitely answer you. Of course, I was told and promised good governance and happiness for everyone, which I believe.”

Abraham further expressed concern over the potential backlash if the promises made by Tinubu did not materialize.

“If things didn’t go well, why do I have to be the one to suffer for it? I remember I voted for (ex-president) Jonathan and I was bullied, but I didn’t put blame on anyone after everyone chose (ex-president) Buhari. So please, why would they be cursing and trolling me every time,” she implored.

When further questioned by Otunba on whether she believed Tinubu had failed in governance, Abraham responded by emphasizing her decision to focus on her personal life and career.

“Thank you for your prompt response. Do you believe he has failed at the moment in governance or not?,” Otunba question.

Abraham replied, “I have faced my life and career because I am not a politician and I’m not in government, I have learnt my lesson never ever to be open with my choice again.”

In 2023, Abraham had publicly endorsed Tinubu, saying the former Lagos governor “has been a wonderful man to my people.”

“I love Asiwaju and I’m speaking about myself. I love him. And I’ll vote for him because I love him. Although I’ve not decided, I’m just telling you. And because of the things he has done for my industry,” she said.

Her choice of candidate, however, led to criticism and backlash from some Nigerians on social media.

Nigerian singer, Oladapo Oyebanjo, with the stage name “D’banj,” has revealed that his 20-year music journey would not have been complete without his business partner, Michael Ajereh, popularly known as “Don Jazzy.”

The 41-year-old took to his Instagram page on Tuesday with a display of a video to appreciate Don Jazzy and invite him to his 20th-year anniversary dinner.

He described the two decades as years characterised by brotherhood, entertainment, and of unwavering support.

D’banj wrote: “My 20 year journey cannot be complete without It’s @donjazzy again! Giving him the invite to my anniversary dinner was a moment filled with nostalgia.

“As we both celebrate 20 years in the industry, I’m reminded of the countless memories and milestones we’ve shared together.

“Here’s to two decades of brotherhood, entertainment, and unwavering support. Love you always, Brother!.”

Don Jazzy also took to the comment section, saying: “Still finding it hard to believe it’s been 20 years bro. Feels like yesterday. Thank you for everything. Love you brotherLee. More blessings.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Don Jazzy, a Nigerian record producer and Chief Executive Officer of Mavin Records, co-founded Mo’Hits Records with D’banj in 2004.

D’banj had earlier hinted at his plan to celebrate his 20 years on stage at the New Afrika Shrine in Lagos, with the theme “D’banj live @New Afrika Shrine.” (NAN)

Nigerian rapper, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, has disclosed how the recently suspended strike affected his business.

Recall that members of the organised labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, on Tuesday, suspended their strike for five days.

However, Falz disclosed that his business suffered a loss during the strike.

According to the singer, the strike made him stranded in Uyo as his return flight to Lagos was cancelled due to the closure of airports.

He explained that he also lost money he spent organizing a video shoot because he couldn’t make it to Lagos for the shoot.

Falz, however, stated that he understands the reasons for the strike, adding that he is in support of the labour unions’ demands.

Speaking via his Instagram account he said, “I woke up this morning, set out for the airport only to hear that the airport is closed, all the flights are cancelled because of the strike action. I can’t make it to Lagos, now stuck in Uyo.

“It affected me because there is a video shoot I’m supposed to do in Lagos today, I ended up losing money because we have already booked stuff, so we are going to have to pay another amount. Despite the fact that it really affected me, I understand the reason for the strike and I’m with them. I am with the labour. In fact, this strike is supposed to happen earlier than now.”

Oyo State Governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointment of Professor Razaq Olatunde Rom Kalilu as the substantive Vice Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso. 

This was confirmed by the state’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, in a statement.

The statement, which was released on Tuesday, stated further that Prof. Kalilu is to serve as substantive vice chancellor for a single term of five years, with effect from June 12, 2024.

Recall that the governing council of the institution forwarded the name of the VC to Governor Makinde last week.

He said that the government looks forward to his hard work, diligence, and professionalism in realizing its mission for the institution.

Prof Kalilu is a well-established figure in the world of art and art history. 

He joined the service of LAUTECH on September 1, 1992, and was pronounced a Professor of Arts and Arts History in the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, twenty-four years ago on October 1, 1999, and was appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor on June 12, 2023.

Kalilu, an alumnus of the prestigious University of Ife and the University of Ibadan, is a polymath and specialist in form and material technology. His administrative skills and leadership experiences are intense, integrous and ambidextrous.

He was the Head of Department of Fine and Applied Arts from 1998 to 2003; Dean of Faculty of Environmental Sciences from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2012 to 2016; Chairman, Committee of Deans in 2004; and from 2004 to 2006 the Chairman, Committee of Deans and Provosts; he was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of LAUTECH between 2006 and 2008.  

Professor Kalilu is a recipient of many national and international prizes and awards, which include: the Gold Medal in the 1978–1979 All Africa Painting Contest; Elected Membership of the New York Academy of Sciences in recognition of his contributions to Science and Technology; Merit Prize in International Postage Stamp Design Contest in 1997; the Outstanding People of the 20th Century Outstanding Achievement Medal in 2000; and the Twentieth Century Achievement Award in 2001. 

His other prizes and awards include his selection as one of the 1000 Leaders of World Influence for the 21st century in year 2000 and the distinguished and exceptional Universal Award of Accomplishment in 2000. Furthermore, he received the Development in Nigeria Merit Award in 2006.

Professor Rom Kalilu is a member of several academic and intellectual organisations, which include the Australian Ceramic Society, and the International Association of Astronomical Artists. and is a Fellow of the Society of Nigerian Artists.

Fifty miners have been reportedly feared trapped at a mining site in Niger state. The incident occurred after a torrential rainfall on Sunday in Galkogo community in Shiroro local government area of the state.

Our Correspondent reliably gathered that the site belongs to “African Minerals and Logistics Limited.”

An impeccable source told our Correspondent that one person has already been confirmed dead while six others are also confirmed to have heard various degrees of injuries.

Meanwhile, an excavator has already been sent to the area for rescue operations.

President Bola Tinubu has named the Arterial Road N20 from Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) as Professor Wole Soyinka Highway based on the recommendation of the FCT administration.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by the special adviser to the President on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

In naming the road after the distinguished playwright, poet and novelist who clocks 90 on 13 July, President Tinubu said Soyinka was the first African to win the Nobel Literature Prize.

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu said yesterday that the completion of critical infrastructure projects across Nigeria by his administration was a clear example of what the country was capable of achieving when its leaders decide to work together towards a common goal, irrespective of political divide and personal interest. 

Accordingly, he noted that the commissioning of the expanded outer southern expressway, OSEX, completed by the FCT administration, was  a testament to the power of collaboration and partnership that goes beyond political and other affiliations.

The President stated this  at the presidential commissioning ceremony of the full-scope development of OSEX from Villa roundabout to Ring road 1 (RR1) in Abuja. 

Tinubu, who was represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, noted that the expanded outer southern expressway held profound significance for the FCT, its residents and visitors.

“The completion of this project is not only a piece of engineering but a testament to the power of collaboration and partnership.

‘’It is a shining example of what we can accomplish when we work together towards a common goal, transcending political divide and personal interest for the greater good of our nation,” he declared.

“I thank the Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, and his team for quickening development and giving the residents of Abuja renewed hope,” he stated, reaffirming his administration’s dedication to enhancing the quality of life for all Nigerians,” he added.

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, has urged Nigerians experiencing hard times to call on God for help.

Adeboye stated this at RCCG headquarters in Ebute-Metta on Sunday during the June thanksgiving service with the theme, ‘Lifter Up of My Head’. 

He said, “If you need provision, if things are hard and I know things are hard for quite a few of us, call on the one whose name is Jehovah El-Shaddai, the God who is more than enough.

“Call on Him – the one who is more than enough and He will meet your needs…He has many ways, depending on what is your need. 

“When all ways are blocked, call on Him who is called the way when you don’t even know what’s going on.”

The organized labour had embarked on the strike to push for an improvement in the minimum wage of workers.

While the organized labour is proposing N494,000 as new minimum wage, the Nigerian government is insisting on paying N60,000.

In a last minute move to stop the strike, leaders of the National Assembly and organized labour met yesterday.

The meeting, however, ended in a deadlock as the organized labour insisted on the commencement of the strike.

Speaking after the meeting, TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo said the organized labour will never call off the strike without consulting its members. 

“It is difficult and infact impossible for us as labour leaders, to call off the strike here. We need to communicate with our various organs , meaning that, the industrial action starts on Monday as planned,” he said.

The police in Abuja have commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the transfer of about N1 billion by a bureau de change operator in Abuja, Shamsudeen Ahmed through three banks to suspected criminals, who reportedly offered to sell $1 million from Dubai to him and the mysterious disappearance of the huge sum of money.

It was learned that detectives are looking into the involvement of a third-generation bank (name withheld) in the illegal transfer of the money after the suspects provided account details of four banks where the complainant paid in the money only to later discover that the suspects conspired to defraud.

In a petition written on behalf of the complainant by Anthony Odule, and addressed to the Inspector General of Police, the complainant alleged that on December 8, 2023, he was contacted by the suspects, Gambo Dahiru, Ibrahim Mohammed, Shaibu Mohammed and Francis Azubuike aka Frank, who deceived him to believe that there was a genuine $1 million for sale from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which he innocently indicated interest.

The bank transfers

According to the petition, “Our client stated that the suspects provided the following account details: Account Name: Usman Global Investment Limited; Account number: 5400393231, domicile in (a new generation bank), Account name; Yadiz Oil and Gas Plc Nigeria Limited; Account Number 1014396770, domicile in (another new generation bank) and Account Name: M. Technology Red Set; Account number – 5404168804, where the complainant paid in N830 million, N330 million and N10 million, respectively.

“Our client stated that upon preliminary investigation, it was found that the suspects conspired among themselves to defraud our client of his hard-earned money as they do not have dollars anywhere to give to our client but have shared the money amongst themselves.

“What is worrisome to our client is that he borrowed part of the money he sent to the suspects and his conspirators, which non-payment will greatly affect his reputation negatively.”

It was gathered that immediately the complainant suspected foul play, he sent letters to all the banks where the money was sent, notifying them of the development and appealing that they stop the payment of the money and refund it to him.

However, according to the complainant, “One of the banks promptly refunded part of the money without delay but the third generation bank refused to send my money back to me. They claimed that the owner of the accounts said they gave me a value for the money which is not true.

“If they insist on telling that lie, why did the bank not ask for evidence? I asked the bank to return my money or freeze the account where the money was paid but they have not done anything. They have all the power to stop this fraud but they failed to do it.”

Police sources said detectives would soon invite some officials of the bank for questioning over the case while six of the suspected fraudsters have been arrested and they refunded some amount of the money.

However, the money paid through the third-generation bank is yet to be recovered.

Nigeria can meet local refining demands by unlocking idle brownfields - Company CEO
Efforts made to contact the third-generation bank failed as calls made to their Corporate Affairs Manager were not responded to.

A Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Abubakar Mohammed Guri, the DC in office of COMPOL MOPOL, Force Headquarters, Abuja on Monday 3rd June, reportedly slumped and gave up the ghost.

Sources said the late DCP who was in his uniform, slumped on his seat in his office and was quickly taken to the Clinic inside Police headquarters for medical assistance, where he was confirmed dead.

 No official reasons have been adduced for the death of the officer who was said to have looked hale and hearty and exchanged pleasantries with officers and staff of the Mopol department when he reported for duty

However, a source who spoke in confidence, opined that the senior officer’s sudden collapse and death may not be unconnected with heart failure noting that in recent times, many police officers out of fatigue have suffered the same fate, because they work round the clock, even at night, without rest

Nothing was heard from the office of the Force Public Relations Officer regarding the late officer.