Former governors of Abia and Enugu states, Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Senator Shehu Sani and ex-aide of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, are among those nominated for ambassadorial appointment by the federal government.

Vanguard gathered that they were among those being screened by security agents, pending the release of the list.
Recall that the country’s ambassadors were recalled from their postings almost a year ago without replacement, fuelling concerns over what that would have on Nigeria’s diplomacy.

It was learned yesterday that the resume of those nominated had already been sent to relevant security agencies for background checks.

Although one of the appointees confirmed his appointment on grounds of anonymity, efforts to get others to do same proved abortive.

On why the names of the appointees had not been released, a Presidency official had said anonymously: ‘’They (those appointed) are already doing security checks with the Department of State Service, DSS,.

‘’When they have cleared security checks, we will release the list. Only those who have been cleared are announced. The process is ongoing. I know we should have a list before the end of this month.’’

Nigerian actress, content creator, and media personality, Kiekie, recently opened up about societal expectations and gender roles in marriage during her appearance on the “I Said What I Said” podcast. In a frank conversation, she shared some of the unsolicited remarks she received after getting married, particularly regarding her fashion choices.

“One of the funniest things that happened to me when I got married was that I started getting comments like, ‘You don’t dress like a married woman.’ So, I Googled, ‘What is the dress code of a married woman?’ and I didn’t see any guidelines on how married women should dress,” she said, highlighting how societal norms often dictate women’s appearances and behaviors.

Kiekie, known for her outspoken nature and comedic takes on social issues, also emphasized the importance of self-determination and fighting for one’s dreams. “I am the one who should fight for my dreams and set out to achieve what I want to achieve. Not that I’ll be using someone as a backup plan,” she asserted.

Speaking further on gender expectations, Kiekie addressed the need for a shift in mindset among women. “We have a long way to go because the main thing is that women themselves need to be reoriented and get it straight. Because what you don’t have, you can’t give. You can’t expect things to come from men. It is from us, the women, that the change will come,” she added.

President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, said the country is undergoing a “popular, progressive revolution” and not operating under a democratic system.

He added that it is difficult to pinpoint a country that has developed practising democratic rule.

Traore made the disclosure during a flag-raising ceremony at the Koulouba Palace last week.

He said, “If we have to say it loud and clear here, we are not in a democracy, we are in a popular, progressive revolution.

“We must necessarily go through a revolution, and we are indeed in a revolution. So this question of democracy or libertinism of action or expression has no place. As much as you think you are free to speak and act, the other is also free to speak and act, and there we end up with a society of disorder.”

He criticised the notion that democracy is a prerequisite for development, saying it is “false” to believe any country has developed under a democratic system.

“It is impossible to name a country that has developed in democracy. Democracy is only the result,” Burkina24 quoted him.

He maintained that his government would continue to communicate, explain, and make people understand what revolution is.

Traore has been notable for his decisions after his emergence as the President of the West African country.

The 37-year-old President who assumed office in September 2022 through a coup de’tat that ousted interim President Paul-Henri Damiba recently rejected Saudi Arabia’s offer to build 200 mosques in his country.

He urged the Islamic country to rather invest in essential infrastructure projects that would directly benefit his people.

British legendary professional boxer, Anthony Joshua has taken to social media to react after he recently jogged and greet some fans on the streets of Lagos, without any security.

According to the video shared on Instagram, the British Professional boxer, Anthony Joshua was spotted jogging and greeting some of his fans without any security in Lagos State, allowing some of his fans who saw him throw some friendly punches at him, welcoming him.

Reacting after he jogged and greeted some of his fans, recently on the streets of Lagos State, the professional British boxer, Anthony Joshua has described the feeling as that of a bird.

Reacting after he jogged and greeted some of his fans on the street of Lagos, Anthony Joshua posted on Instagram:

"I love the game. I love the hustle. I feel like one of them ball player you know? Like Bird, Magic, James, Jordan, Kobe or something. You know I got dough, I could leave the league... But if I leave ... Are the fans still gonna love me, man? I get love out here in streets man."

The Nigeria Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has faulted the intention of organizers of the April 7 protest.

Adejobi said Take It Back Movement, organizing the protest, may have a different intention from what it told Nigerians.

Speaking with Channels TV on Sunday, the Police spokesman stated that the protest was unwarranted.

He argued that the federal government had set out the day to honour men of the Nigeria Police.

He also faulted the protest organizer’s choice of venue, noting that the venue was a place police would be using for their activities on April 1.

His words: “We are trying to caution them not to come out and protest. What is the rationale behind that kind of a protest that is not warranted? We have made an announcement, the federal government has announced that every 7th of April is National Police Day. Suddenly, people, a group, I think it’s Take It Back Movement, said they want to have a protest, mass protest across the country.

“On the same day, the Nigerian government wants to celebrate its own police. Celebrating police institutions across the world is a global thing. Every nation has marked a particular day to celebrate its own police. And the Nigerian government has been kind enough to appreciate the resilience, commitment, and dedication of officers and men of the Nigerian police force. And I marked a date, April 7th, to celebrate the police.

“And suddenly, a group is saying, that is the same place, that is the same day we want to have a protest in Nigeria. The same arena, because we are having our own Eagle Square. And you can see that we are, the Fontaine, Unity, Park, also National Assembly, is all the same around the Three Arm Zone of the Federal Capital Territory. I want to perceive that whoever is organizing this has just done it deliberately to undermine the status.

“While we are not stopping anybody to enjoy or exercise his right. But we just need to be objective and reasonable about it, that if we actually have a good motive of having a protest, we think such a movement should be able to even incorporate policing or security into their protest.”

The new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Olatunji Owoade, has said his ascension to the throne is purely a realization of God’s plan and not due to any human manipulation.

The Alaafin categorically stated that he neither knew nor met Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, or former Senator Monsurat Sunmonu before his selection as the 46th Alaafin.

Naija News reports Alaafin Owoade made the declaration at a thanksgiving service on Sunday at the Anglican Cathedral Church, Esiele, Oyo town, according to a statement on Monday by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye.

He added that he didn’t know he was going to become the next Alaafin, and neither did he employ any negative tactics to influence his emergence.

“I never knew nor met both the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, before and during the process to the throne.

“I never knew I would be the next Alaafin of Oyo, as I was neither desperate nor cutting corners in order to become the Alaafin at all costs. It was the will of God,” he stated.

The monarch called for unity in building Oyo and the country as a whole.

“Let us remember that united we stand and divided we fall. In unity lies the strength and togetherness, devoid of bickering and acrimony, we will successfully accomplish the arduous task ahead,” the traditional ruler added.

It would be recalled that the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, officially presented the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, to the people of Oyo town and the entire world.

Owoade’s coronation was held at the Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo.

The Member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on National Inland Waterways, Ojotu Ojema, has condemned the alleged killing of a youth, Ernest Owoicho, by personnel of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) deployed to Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.

DAILY POST gathered that Owoicho was reportedly arrested by the military on Saturday, April 5, 2025, and died in custody in the early hours of Sunday, April 6.

Signs of torture were allegedly visible on his body, raising suspicions of abuse while in detention.

Ojema, who cut short his trip to Abuja upon hearing the news, visited the OPWS base in Ugbokpo, the LGA headquarters, to confirm the incident.

Speaking at the base, he described the death as “gruesome” and called for a thorough investigation to identify and prosecute the culprits.

Ojema urged security agencies to uphold the law and human rights while assuring the deceased’s family of his support.

He also instructed that welfare checks be conducted on the two children left behind by the late Owoicho to determine how assistance can be extended to them.

While urging Apa residents, especially the youth, to remain calm and allow the law to take its course, he reiterated his commitment to seeking justice for his constituents.

“I have the mandate to stand, speak and defend the people of Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.

“There are several civil ways of investigating a case other than torture, more so that we are in the Democratic era. The gruesome murder of this young man is highly condemnable and culprits won’t go unpunished. In as much as I stand against any form of criminality, I can not accept the intimidation and unjustifiable killing of my people” Ojema was quoted as saying by his media aide, Olikita Ekani.

In tears, a relative of the deceased, Peter Ibrama, lamented the loss, describing Owoicho as a gentle and jovial young man. He said the family was shocked to receive only his corpse after his arrest.

Responding, the OPWS commander who declined to be named expressed regret over the death, stating that the unfortunate outcome of the investigation process was not intentional. He assured the federal lawmaker that an internal inquiry would be launched immediately and anyone found culpable would be held accountable.

Owoicho Ernest, an orphan, is survived by two young sons.

Four popular Nigerian gospel singers whose names are Evangelist Ayodeji Kekerejesu, Evangelist Iyanu Joseph, Monjolajesu Oluwapamilerin and Opeyemi Adesina have tragically lost their lives following a fatal car accident that happened along the Ikorodu/Sagamu road in Ogun State.

Florence Okupe, the Ogun State Commander and Public Information Officer for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in a statement on Sunday, April 5 explained that the accident occurred after a vehicle crashed into two vehicles that collided.

She mentioned that the gospel singers who were from the same family, were in one of  the two vehicles that collided and they died instantly on the spot.

Offering her condolences to the families of the bereaved, Okupeurged drivers to avoid overspeeding.

Their deaths have created sadness in the Nigerian gospel music industry as their lives were cut short at their prime.

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command on Monday morning fired teargas at protesters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The protesters had converged at the Isaac Boro Park when the officers stormed the area.

The protest was organized by the Take It Back Movement over the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.

Members of the organization were greeted by heavy police presence when they gathered at the protest venue as early as 9:00 am.

“Nobody can tell us where not to gather, we are Rivers people,” Channels TV reported young demonstrators shouting at policemen.

The Nigeria Police Force had advised the organizers to shelve their plans.

More to follow…