The Trade Union Congress has backed a Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps member, Ushie Uguamaye, also known as Raye, who claimed to have received threats for criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

TUC President, Festus Osifo, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, said that the corps member spoke out of frustration, advising the government not to go after her but to be tolerant of critics.

The TUC boss, however, advised critics to always criticise the government within the expected norm and with some level of decorum.

He said, “They (government) have to develop this resilience to understand that people are frustrated, people are hungry, people are tired. So, if they decide to vent, I strongly believe that the government should not personalise it and come after such individuals.

“Imagine a young lady carrying out her NYSC function, what does she really have to do to bring down government? So, it is about personal frustration that she has aired.

“So, I think that the government has to persevere much more, they have to be more tolerant, and they have to have this deep level of patience with Nigerians because people are passing through a lot as it stands today.”

Raye, a corps member serving in Lagos, recently made headlines after a video she posted criticising government policies went viral.

She later claimed to have faced threats, reportedly from NYSC officials, pressuring her to take down the video.

In the video posted on her TikTok account #talktoraye on Saturday, Raye voiced frustration over Nigeria’s deteriorating economic situation, lamenting that hard work no longer guarantees financial stability.

She criticised Tinubu’s leadership, calling him a “terrible leader,” and questioned the government’s commitment to easing citizens’ hardships.

However, the NYSC has yet to release an official statement regarding the issue.

Fubara frustrating implementation of S-Court judgement —Rivers Assembly

Reconvene to receive 2025 budget — Govt replies Assembly

 
 
Rivers State government and the state House of Assembly were yesterday locked in a war of words over implementation of the Supreme Court judgement, especially as it concerns the presentation of 2025 budget.

While the Assembly accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of frustrating all aspects of the implementation of the judgement, the state government challenged the lawmakers to reconvene, so the budget could be presented before them

Speaking in Port Harcourt yesterday, the Chairman, House Committee on Information and spokesperson of the House, Dr. Enemi Alabo George, challenged the governor to produce the acknowledged copy of the letter he sent to the House.

George said: “ Last week, we were told that on his way to Ogoni for a programme, the governor made a stopover at the gate of the House of Assembly Quarters to grant an interview to the press.

“In that interview, he claimed that he had sent a letter to the House of Assembly indicating his intention to visit and present the appropriation bill, a claim we found rather astonishing as no such letter was received by the House of Assembly.

“His aides later alleged that they forwarded a letter through whatsapp to some members of the House, which was also awkward, unprofessional and embarrassing.

“As I speak, the social media space is awash with stories about a purported letter from the governor to the House of Assembly expressing his intention to visit the House to present the appropriation bill for the year 2025.

“Nothing can be farther from the truth. We want to state categorically that there is no such letter before the House of Assembly nor any of its staff. We challenge the governor and his aides to produce an acknowledgement copy of such a letter or any evidence that such a letter was sent or received by the House of Assembly.

‘’It is absolutely untrue and unfortunate. The general public must, as a matter of importance, ignore such claim.

“It is now very obvious that if at all there was such a letter, the intended recipient was not the legislature, but the public, and the clear intention was to play to the gallery, whip up public sentiment, demonise the House of Assembly and set the public against us. This is demeaning, denigrating and perilously unfortunate.”

He claimed that the governor frustrated all the efforts of the House to work with him to resolve the lingering crisis immediately after the Supreme Court judegment, especially as regards budget presentation.

“Recall after the recent Supreme court judgement on the budget of our state, it became absolutely necessary for the governor to present the appropriation bill to the legislature for consideration and passage.

“Also recall that immediately after the judgement, this House wrote to the governor, calling on him to immediately present the budget for speedy consideration.

“It was our hope that by March 15, 2025, we would have concluded the process of passing the appropriation bill into law, so as to give us enough time to approach the federal government to release funds meant for our state which have been seized by the judgement of the Supreme Court.

“This we did in the interest of our dear state and in pursuit of peace, recognizing that no government can function optimally without a harmonious co-existence between the executive and the legislature
“This letter was rejected and the staff of the House of Assembly who attempted to deliver the mails were brutalised at the gate of Government House and sent back. undeterred by this, the House resorted to use a courier service to deliver the mail. The governor did not heed to our call, nor did he demonstrate any intention to.’’

Reconvene to receive 2025 budget — Rivers govt replies Assembly

But replying the Assembly last night, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, said: “Far from it. On March 7 when we got the CTC, we wrote the Assembly. The Assembly feigned ignorance of the letter we wrote, that they never saw it.

“We wrote another one and mentioned that we’re coming on the 12th, which was on a Wednesday, they hurriedly ended their sitting, locked us out and ran away.

 
“We wrote again and that was on March 13, only to hear that as soon as they received the letter, they are going to adjourn sine dine.

“We are hoping now that in a normal situation and when things are like this, what you discover is that, when a House, whether national or state adjourns sine dine and there is an emergency, the House reconvenes.

“We would expect that our assembly members who are truly representatives of their constituencies should reconvene and address this issues.

“This is because, if they don’t sit and address the budget the Supreme Court directed we present to them, it will be that they are against the decision of Supreme Court which is like a constitutional stalemate and that will not be in the interest of anybody.”

Abductors of a businessman, Tope Fuji, his wife, and their daughter, in Owo, Ondo State, have demanded a ransom of N30 million for their release.

Recall that the victims were abducted in front of their residence along Ipele Road, Owo, in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Family sources said the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N30 million but later reduced it to N20 million. Since then, there have been no further communications from the kidnappers.

A source said, “We were together on Friday because we were fasting. That day, we were all at his wife’s shop, playing, before we eventually parted ways. Later, I received a call from one of his sons, informing me that his father, mother, and sister had been kidnapped. We quickly got into a vehicle and rushed to Tope’s house.

“The boy who called me was the one who had stepped out of the car to open the gate. He said that while he was opening it, the kidnappers attacked, and he managed to escape. When the kidnappers called, they initially demanded N30 million, but later reduced it to N20 million.”

The source added that the victims are still in the kidnappers’ den, and their abductors have not communicated with the family since the ransom demand.

Contacted, the state police command spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, claimed ignorance of the abduction.

The economic hardship bedeviling Nigerians has forced many to indulge in several abnormal means to generate income for survival.

As parents are struggling, so children are turning to various means of survival.
Economy&Lifestyle discovered that in some cities, in several parts of the country, many commercial drivers, especially those with mini buses operating in academic environments, have now turned their vehicles into provisions’ stores.

Items ranging from sweets, chewing gums, snacks, bread, beverages are displayed in these buses to easily attract passengers and clients.

Apart from these, Point of Sale, PoS, services are also rendered by these drivers, who display their bank account numbers at various angles in the vehicles.

Mr. Emmanuel Uromu, a driver, said: “I drive a mini-bus in an environment where mainly students reside.
“I noticed that such primary needs as milk, pen, bread, snacks among others are things these students buy and sometimes they hardly find time to get them.

“So I decided to create a mini store in my bus as another means of survival since the money I get from this driving business hardly sustains myself and my family.

“When I started it was awkward because passengers were complaining of heat and you know how students are. So I fixed a small fan in the bus.

“So far I have had lots of patronage and some people even request things I don’t have.
“This has also helped me to grow the business.

“It is one of the best decisions I have taken so far.”
Testifying to the development, Mrs. Elohor Edebor said she saw such in Delta State and was amazed by such creativity and smartness.

“I saw a commercial bus with a mini provision store a few months ago when I visited Delta State.
“I was amazed and asked the driver how he copes with people not stealing from him.

“He showed me the cage wire he constructed which was locked and fixed directly to the roof of the bus.
“I was just looking at him with surprise and various feelings.

“Never in my life have I boarded a passenger bus which is also a provision store.

“That is the creativity the difficult state we are in the country has brought out of that man.
“Himself and his family must survive and stealing is out of the box for him.”

Mr. Omoniyi Abbey, a commercial bus driver said: “I don’t blame any driver for selling provisions to our profession.

“Do you know how much a tire is? Both fairly used and brand new tires.
“Even the prices of other spare parts are high.
“Then you will settle the owner of the bus daily.
“What about the garage levies paid at different bus stops.
“Also in situations where we fall into the traps of law enforcement agencies, we pay through our noses.
“All these are making commercial transport business tiring and less lucrative.

“So, few drivers are sourcing incomes through other means like selling provisions in the bus at the same time with picking and dropping passengers.”

Following recent defection of some aggrieved members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to some opposition political parties, an APC chieftain, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has disclosed that no political gang up can affect President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

It would be recalled that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai defected to the SDP and also reaching out to the likes of Rauf Aregbesola and others to join him.

However, Oyintiloye in a statement on Sunday in Osogbo, described the effort as futile, saying the President has a winning strategy to unleash against his enemies at the right time.

Oyintiloye, who noted that defection was a normal phenomenon in politics, said that it would be a grave mistake for anyone to think that the defection of the “so called APC members” would affect the president in 2027.

“Leave it or take, no amount of political gang up can stop the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027. Those who are gathering against him ahead of 2027 should try and study the kind of person the President is.

“He has the winning strategy, and he is raising men and women of goodwill across Nigeria. His achievements, political sagacity, and love for the country will speak for him now and in the future,” he said.

Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, disclosed further that the President is doing everything humanly possible to put the country on the path of greatness, adding that Tinubu’s efforts has started yielding positive results.

“The president will succeed, and his political enemies will realise the mistakes they are making by not supporting him.Those who are whipping up sentiments against the President should check his track records, achievements, and popularity across Nigeria.

“Tinubu’s political strength, strong connection, influence, resilience which made him triumph over all obstacles to win in 2023, will see him through in 2027”, added the APC chieftain.

He, however, advised the President to start public engagement and sensitisation on the achievements recorded so far and projection ahead by his administration

The father of Nigerian singer Asake, Fatai Odunsi has confirmed that he and his son have reconciled following their recent dispute.

Naija News reports that Odunsi made this known in a viral video on Sunday, recorded at what appears to be his residence in Isale Eko, Lagos.

Earlier, he had publicly appealed for financial assistance to manage his deteriorating health, alleging that Asake had abandoned him for years—an accusation the singer swiftly denied.

Asake insisted that he had sent money to his father multiple times and was being pressured.

In the midst of the controversy, his family also accused him of neglecting his alleged 11-year-old daughter, Zeenat, and her mother, Adijat.

Following public backlash, Odunsi released another video revealing that the issue had been resolved.

He stated that Asake reached out to the family and agreed to cover financial obligations related to his health.

“I am proud of him. He will never fall. It’s just that it had been a while since I last saw him. Even his mother should have asked him when last he saw me. She didn’t. That was what enraged me,” Odunsi said.

“Asake has listened to me. He says he would gift me whatever I want. He has asked that a house be bought for me.

“They’re still looking for a good one to buy. He’s already looking for it here in Lagos. He and I have settled.

“He has spoken to me. He has agreed to take care of his daughter. There was never a time when he denied his daughter.”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, citing political loyalty and gratitude for his ministerial appointment.

Speaking during an interactive session on TVC on Sunday, Wike stated that his political allegiance remains with Tinubu, who played a crucial role in his political stability.

Wike emphasized that loyalty should be reciprocal, arguing that Tinubu’s support for him cannot be ignored.

“When someone helps you, it is only right to stand by them in return,” he said.

He further explained that his political camp had initially expected Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to prioritize their interests but claimed that the governor had not lived up to those expectations.

“If someone remembers you when you need help, you should also remember them when the time comes. If the President had not given us this position, what would have happened to us?” Wike asked.

For this reason, he said he sees no justification for withdrawing his loyalty from Tinubu in the next election.

Wike also criticized ethnic politics in Rivers State, particularly the narrative that favors Governor Fubara as an Ijaw man.

He argued that the Ijaw people have not benefited significantly from Fubara’s leadership, stressing that performance—not ethnicity—should determine political choices.

“Many politicians manipulate ethnic narratives for personal gain but fail to share the benefits with the people they claim to represent,” he noted.

Wike urged political stakeholders to shift focus from ethnic and sentimental politics and instead prioritize long-term benefits and development.

Naija News recalls that Wike, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, had in the past admitted that he did not support his party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar.

The recently freed Afenifere National Youth President, Eniola Ojajuni, has disclosed that kidnappers have established at least 55 operational camps across the South-West region.
In a statement on Sunday, Ojajuni, who spent 12 days in captivity, revealed that Ondo State has the highest number of these camps, followed by Ekiti, Osun, and Ogun states.

He called on authorities to conduct comprehensive security operations in forests spanning Edo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ibilo, and Lagos states to dismantle these criminal hideouts.

Recounting his ordeal, Ojajuni noted that the kidnappers openly discussed their intentions to intensify abductions, particularly in Ondo and Lagos states.

He stressed the need for enhanced intelligence gathering by security agencies and state governments to tackle the rising threat.

“The criminals have established well-organised kidnapping camps across South-West Nigeria, strategically positioned for their operations: Ondo State – 27 camps; Ekiti State – 16 camps; Osun State – seven camps; Ogun State – five camps,” he stated.

“During my captivity, the kidnappers boasted of their plans to intensify abductions in Ondo and Lagos states, citing their hidden camps in these regions. They also revealed details of their operations along the Sagamu–Ijebu Ode Road, near Oso-Sa Ijebu, weeks before my abduction.”

Ojajuni was kidnapped on February 17, 2025, while traveling from Ondo State to Abuja, sparking widespread outrage and demands for his release.

As negotiations dragged on, the kidnappers released distressing images and videos of him, appealing to Nigerians to raise a 100 million naira ransom.

In response, Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, deployed officers from the Intelligence Response Team, leading to Ojajuni’s eventual freedom.

Following his release, Ojajuni addressed the media, urging South-West leaders to take urgent and decisive measures against the worsening security situation.

He proposed the formation of a strong regional security network in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Forest Guards.

He also called on the Ondo State government to act swiftly in dismantling criminal networks operating in the region.

“The Ondo State government, in particular, has been criticised for its lack of urgency in addressing this crisis,” he said. “The growing audacity of these criminals must not go unchecked. Immediate action is needed to restore security and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Ojajuni pledged to share critical intelligence gathered during his captivity to aid security forces in dismantling the kidnappers’ operations.

He also emphasized the need for more security checkpoints along highways and forest borders to curb escalating criminal activities.

“The Nigerian government must act swiftly and decisively to combat this crisis by deploying additional security personnel to high-risk areas, establishing more security checkpoints along highways and forest borders, enhancing intelligence-gathering and surveillance operations, and identifying and prosecuting collaborators aiding these criminals,” he urged.

Commending the Inspector General of Police for the intelligence-led rescue operation, he also appreciated the Nigeria Forest Team’s prompt intervention but insisted that more needs to be done.

“This intelligence should serve as a wake-up call to all security agencies and state governments in the South-West. If urgent measures are not taken, more innocent lives will be at risk,” Ojajuni warned.

The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, is set to reveal his next political platform on Monday (today) after resigning from the PDP.

A close associate of Jandor disclosed that he held a strategic meeting with his political movement, Lagos4Lagos, on Sunday at his office in Liberty House, Ikeja.

During the meeting, Jandor reportedly updated his supporters on the progress of his ongoing consultations with political stakeholders regarding his next move.

Speaking to Western Post, the source said: “Jandor had a meeting with us, the inner caucus of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, today in Liberty House. He informed us of what he had done so far after resigning from the PDP.

“And we assured him of our utmost support in the ongoing consultations. We are with him 100 percent.”

Jandor has been engaging with key political figures since leaving the PDP.

Last Monday, he met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa for nearly two hours. He also met with former Heads of State, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar. Additionally, he consulted with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, and other national political leaders.

The PDP National Secretary and other party leaders have also visited him, urging him to reconsider his resignation from the party.

The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has reported that soldiers entered their substation and took two staff members into custody early Friday morning, allegedly due to power supply concerns.

Speaking to TheCable on Sunday, Babatunde Lasaki, EKEDC's general manager of corporate communications and strategy, confirmed that military personnel from the 15th Field Engineer Regiment, Topo Barracks, Badagry forcibly accessed the substation premises around 1:00 AM on March 14th.

According to Lasaki, the soldiers detained both a distribution substation operator and a security guard who were on duty. The staff reportedly sustained injuries after being physically assaulted, though they were released later that same morning.

Lasaki explained that the power outage prompting the incident was caused by an ongoing upgrade project at the Transmission Company of Nigeria's Agbara facility. He noted that this information had previously been communicated to "Lt. Col. S.L. Lawn," the commanding officer of the barracks.

While no infrastructure was damaged during the incident, EKEDC has filed a police report and submitted a formal complaint to military leadership in Abuja.

This follows a similar occurrence on March 6th, when Nigerian Air Force personnel reportedly entered Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company premises following an electricity disconnection at Sam Ethnan Air Force Base. In that incident, IKEDC reported office vandalism, staff assault, and theft of company property.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​