The Association of Igbo Town Unions, ASITU, on Saturday, said it has written a petition to the United Nation, UN, and the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, against the Lagos state government over the alleged demolition of properties belonging to Igbo people in Ebute Ero Market in Lagos. 

The ASITU’s National President, Chief Emeka Diwe, spoke to newsmen in Owerri, while reacting to reports of the destruction of the properties. 

According to the ASITU’s statement, “The Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASITU) condemns in the strongest possible terms the ongoing, systematic demolition of lawfully acquired properties belonging to Igbo people in Lagos State. The demolition of trading plazas belonging to Igbo businessmen at Ebute Ero Market in Lagos on Friday, February 14, 2025 by agents of the Lagos State Government amounts to a calculated expropriation of our people from their legitimate businesses. It represents an assault on justice, equality, and the fundamental principles of property rights.”

ASITU said they were angry because “Despite repeated appeals for fairness and adherence to the rule of law, the Lagos State Government has continued its brazen campaign of selective demolition, disproportionately targeting Igbo-owned properties under various pretexts. It must be noted that the these buildings and businesses complexes being demolished were never illegally built. They all came into being through the authorization of this same government masterminding their destruction today.

“This anti-Igbo brigandage in Lagos is totally unacceptable and cannot be tolerated anymore, because it is reminiscent of the litany of injustices which our people have had to historically endure in Nigeria.”

It was part of their resolve that; “Given the failure of domestic institutions in Nigeria to address these grievances and rein in on the ravages levied against our hardworking patriots in Lagos, ASITU has formally petitioned the following international bodies to intervene and hold the Lagos State Government accountable for these atrocious acts:

“The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) – To investigate Lagos State’s actions as a violation of fundamental human rights, including the right to property, non-discrimination, and freedom from targeted dispossession.

“The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) – To bring Nigeria to account under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees the protection of property rights for all citizens without bias.

“⁠The ECOWAS Court of Justice – To seek legal redress for affected individuals whose rights have been violated in contravention of regional human rights standards. Also, the Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch – To document these abuses and amplify the plight of the Igbo people facing targeted property destruction.”

He continued by saying: “This is not just a legal battle—it is a fight for justice, dignity, and equal citizenship in a country that belongs to all Nigerians. We demand an immediate end to these discriminatory actions and full accountability from those responsible.

“ASITU, in view of the foregoing, reiterates its call on Ndigbo in the diaspora to embrace the Aku Ruo Ulo investment initiative, which aims at the gradual, seamless and steady repatriation of a portion of their investments to Igboland, so as to unleash the potential of our land and make it the oasis of prosperity in Nigeria.”

Mike Elvis Tusubira, a Ugandan taxi driver, has been living with HIV since 2022, when he tested positive.

For him, the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, has been a boon to the 1.4 million people living with HIV in Uganda. He said that over the next three months, “it will be a matter of life and death”.

“The suspension of all USAID activities has affected me deeply. I don’t know what to do next. What will happen to me?” he said.

“My doctor told me he left the hospital I was going to. What will happen to my child and my partner?”

I’m worried about my future. And there’s no future in reality. Because there are no shelters, no medicine, no condoms, nothing.”

A test showed Mike’s wife was HIV-negative – and she was taking a medication that reduced the risk of contracting the virus.

Since the USAID project was suspended, he and his partner have not been able to access the same medical care they used to. The uncertainty has caused their relationship to start to suffer.

Uganda is among the top ten countries in Africa to receive USAID funding. According to U.S. government data, the country received $295 million in health assistance from the agency in fiscal year 2023—third behind Tanzania, which received $337 million, and Nigeria, which received $368 million.

The health sector in Uganda is highly dependent on aid provided to the country.

USAID supports the country’s health programs, including HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and leprosy. It also supports women’s and children’s health programs and emergency health assistance.

Uganda receives 70 percent of its HIV treatment from foreign aid. BBC

A woman who accused hip-hop stars Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jay-Z of sexually assaulting her when she was 13 dropped her civil lawsuit on Friday, court records showed.

Jay-Z — real name Shawn Carter — was accused in December of raping the girl with Combs at a party following the MTV Video Music Awards in September of 2000.

The document filed with the US District Court for the Southern District of New York claims the accuser “hereby gives notice that the above-captioned action is voluntarily dismissed, with prejudice” — meaning the suit cannot be refiled.

It was not immediately clear if the stars had reached a settlement with the woman, who has not been identified.

But 55-year-old billionaire Jay-Z welcomed the closure of the case, which he slammed as “frivolous, fictitious and appalling.”

“This civil suit was without merit and never going anywhere. The fictional tale they created was laughable, if not for the seriousness of the claims,” he said in a statement.

“I would not wish this experience on anyone. The trauma that my wife, my children, loved ones and I have endured can never be dismissed.”

The complaint said Combs and Carter — who is married to pop superstar Beyonce — took turns assaulting the plaintiff as another celebrity stood by and watched.

“Many others were present at the after party, but did nothing to stop the assault,” it went on.

“Carter has been with Combs during many such instances described herein. Both perpetrators must face justice.”

Combs, also 55, has separately been charged with sex trafficking and racketeering.

“Federal prosecutors allege that he sexually abused women and coerced them into drug-fueled sex parties using threats and violence.

He has denied all charges, and his criminal trial is currently slated to begin on May 5.

Nigerian actress, Biodun Okeowo has opened up about why she stepped away from acting.

She revealed that her decision was due to the unfair treatment she received from some film marketers.

According to Biodun Okeowo, these marketers made unreasonable demands and tried to damage her career.

She shared specific instances of how they affected her work, including being excluded from projects and removed from movie posters.

Biodun Okeowo stated that as a result of these experiences, she lost her passion for acting and began to turn down roles. Eventually, she made the difficult decision to leave the industry.

“Marketers were the reason I left the movie industry after blacklisting me for refusing to remove my panties. They even told producers to stop featuring me in movies and went as far as removing my head from the poster of a film where I played the lead role.

“How many of their wicked actions should I even talk about? They did so much damage to my career that I eventually got tired of acting and walked away by myself. I developed so much hatred for a job I once had so much passion for that I began to turn jobs down,” she revealed.

One Yetunde Lawal, a female final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, has been grisly murdered.

The father of the deceased, Ibrahim Lawal, was said to have reported her missing on Tuesday at the Oja-Oba Police Division in Ilorin.

She was last seen at a naming ceremony on Monday, 10 February 2025, where she allegedly received a phone call from a friend and left the event.

The son of a prominent Muslim cleric in the Isalekoto community has been fingered as the prime suspect in her murder.

He has since been arrested by the police command headquarters in Ilorin in connection with the alleged murder of the late student.

The police was said to have traced the deceased last call to the residence of the suspect in the Offa Garage area of Ilorin metropolis.

According to the DAILY POST: “The police requested her phone number and used it to track her last call. The call was traced to an individual living in the Offa Garage area of Ilorin metropolis, although his family home is in Isalekoto.

“The suspect was arrested but initially denied any knowledge of the lady’s whereabouts. However, when the police searched his house, he confessed that the lady had visited him and had died from an asthma attack after he invited her over.

“Upon further investigation, the police discovered the lady’s body, dismembered and hidden in a bowl, along with the tools used to dismember her.

“According to the suspect, they met on Facebook, where he obtained her phone number. He then called her and invited her to his house.

“Disturbingly, evidence found in the suspect’s residence suggests this may not be his first offence. A table in his room appeared to be equipped with tools used for dismembering bodies.”

The case is currently under investigation at the Kwara State Police Command headquarters.

Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed: “The command is aware of the gruesome killing of one Miss Yetunde H. Lawal.

“On 11/02/2025, at about 18:00 hours, a case of a missing person was reported at C Division, Oja-Oba, by her father, Mr Ibrahim A. Lawal.

“Immediately, police detectives swung into action, tracked her number, and arrested a suspect. The case was transferred yesterday to the SCID for a thorough investigation. Further updates will be communicated as the investigation progresses.”

Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has showed her vulnerable side in a recent post she sgared on her photo and video sharing platform, Instagram.

Dwelling on the emergency surgery she underwent in 2024, the movie star affectionately known as Omosexy opened up on how her stomach used to be one of the best parts of her body and how much she loved it.

In a Valentine’s Day photo session, Omotola Jalade shared a beautiful video of herself with her top raised, exposing a bit of her tummy.

Moments later, she pulled her outfit down and shared how a moment of insecurity almost got to her but she shrugged it off and expressed gratitude for being alive.

The mother of four recalled having lan emergency surgery late last year, that left a scar on her tummy.

Omotola wrote about physical and emotional scars, stating that she remains unshaken by her scars because she has many things to be thankful for. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde wrote:

“Loving Yourself first is the greatest Val gift. Late Last year I had an Emergency Surgery… One of my Best parts of my body is my Tummy … Oh well … Not so perfect now…

During this shoot I forgot and grabbed my top during my pose and I heard a little voice say … there’s nothing to show anymore…

Not me ! That thing that’ll shake my Confidence has Not been created . I smiled and danced. I’m Alive … it’s just scars.

Some people’s Scars are Physical and Some are Emotional … but today , smile, dance and be proud Beautiful, You’re still here and you look darn good too !

What if I’m not perfect . Would you still Love me?”

Famous Nigerian singer, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has been spotted shopping for hair with his new lover, Natasha, despite concerns raised by his family over his whereabouts.

A viral video making rounds on social media captured the singer and Natasha at a hair store, casually picking out items together.

This sighting comes amid allegations from 2Baba’s family, who recently petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS), claiming that he had gone missing.

It would be recalled that the singer’s mother had earlier expressed her disapproval of his current relationship, especially as his divorce from his estranged wife, Annie Idibia, is yet to be finalized.

The video of 2Baba and Natasha has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with fans and critics weighing in on the unfolding situation.

While some expressed relief that the singer was safe, others questioned the ongoing family drama.

Former Big Brother Naija contestant Neo Mobor Akpofure has confirmed rumors of his split from costar and 43rd Miss Nigeria, Beauty Etsanyi Tukura with a Valentine’s Day post that has raised eyebrows.

The reality TV star shared photos of himself with a mystery woman, who is not Beauty, on February 14th.

The pictures show Neo dressed in a sleek black tuxedo, posing alongside the unidentified lady, who stunned in a bold red sheer lace dress.

The woman’s outfit featured a high slit, flowing train, and red high-heeled sandals, making for a striking Valentine’s Day look.

Neo’s decision to share photos with someone other than Beauty on Valentine’s Day has sparked intense speculation about the status of their relationship.

Fans and followers are now fully convinced that the couple have indeed gone their separate ways, since Beauty has also publicly confirmed the split.

In December 2024, Beauty Tukura officially confirmed her breakup from fellow reality star Neo Akpofure.

The disclosure was amid swirling rumours of their breakup after both stars unfollowed each other on Instagram.

Speaking during a red carpet interview, Beauty addressed her relationship status, offering clarity on the speculations. When asked directly if she was in a relationship, she described her current status as “complicated” and revealed that she is not seeing anyone at the moment.

“I’m not seeing anybody. I love a God-fearing man who can make me feel secure, encourage me, and support me to fly,” she stated, stressing her values of faith, security, and mutual support in a relationship.

Popular Nigerian singer, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face, has allegedly been forced to announce his divorce from his wife, Annie Idibia, in a video posted on social media.

According to a popular Instagram blogger, Natasha, who is reportedly 2Face’s new lover, played a key role in the public revelation.

The blogger, Cutie Julls, claimed that Natasha initially posted an announcement about the singer’s split from Annie without his knowledge while he was asleep.

However, Natasha was allegedly displeased by this move and insisted that 2Face make a video confirming the separation.

According to the claims, she threatened to end their relationship and terminate her supposed pregnancy if he refused.

Left with no choice, the music star reportedly recorded the video under Natasha’s supervision, despite his family and management’s preference to keep the matter private.

The blogger wrote on her page;

“So on Sunday, 26th January 2025, Natasha was with 2ace and some friends. Whilst 2face was sleeping, Natasha took his phone and made this write up post announcing 2Face and Annie’s separation which the couple, 2face and Annie have kept away from the general public since their separation which is almost a year now.

Now, after the post, some of 2Face’s celebrity friends started calling his phones and that when he woke up from his nap. His management also called. So it was his management that drew his attention to the Instagram post. 2Face then asked his management to take down the post and handle the situation as he didn’t want it out yet. And also that he doesn’t want his family issues out at the point when a lot of the public have been blaming him for Annie’s condition which is already affecting the promotion of his latest song.

The management pulled down the post and put out the hacking statement to try and cover the damage caused by Natasha’s post.

Natasha got upset and insisted 2face do a video to confirm the separation or she will abort her supposed pregnancy, quit the relationship etc. Yes it’s true Annie and 2face are already heading for divorce. So 2face did the video which Natasha supervised and posted on 2Face’s Instagram.”

The presidency on Friday, boasted that the policies put in place by President Bola Tinubu are responsible for the dwindling prices of foodstuffs and other commodities in the market.

The Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said the prices of major foodstuffs such as rice, millet, maize and tomatoes are dropping, and food inflation is getting curbed.

The presidential media aide noted that the prices of petrol are also stabilizing as the policies put in place by the Tinubu administration continue to impact positively on Nigerians.

“Tinubunomics continues to impact positively on both the economy and Nigerian citizens. Price inflation of most food stuff is being reversed. Prices of major foodstuffs are dropping. PMS prices are stabilizing,” Dare wrote via his ? account.

Not done, the media aide said the Kasuwan dawanau in Kano, is the biggest international grains market in West Africa and is back and thriving again under the Tinubu government.

“Kasuwan dawanau in Kano, North West is the biggest international grains market in West Africa. Millet, maize, rice, sorghum, and Ginger. Situated along 5 major Nigerian borders is back and thriving again,” he wrote.

The submission by Dare comes barely a week after the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, submitted that the policies and programmes of the current administration are yielding positive results.

Bwala urged Nigerians to ignore the naysayers and believe in the process introduced by President Tinubu, which focuses on the agenda of rebuilding Nigeria.

Naija News reports the presidential media aide gave the submission last Thursday via his account on the ? platform, where he gave a recap of what he said in a TV interview earlier in the day.

He listed some of the policies that have started yielding positive results to include the student loan initiative, which ensures access to tertiary education; conversion of vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), which is a cheaper fuel alternative; food security strategies; and investment in major infrastructural projects such as roads and railway.