The Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, has emphasized that the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu, though challenging, are necessary to address Nigeria’s pressing issues.

Speaking on Sunday at the flag-off of relief material distribution for flood victims in Akure, Momoh assured that these “painful but necessary” measures are in the country’s best interest and would yield benefits in the near future.

Momoh was in Akure to oversee the distribution of palliatives and relief items, worth millions of naira, intended to aid residents in the nine Niger Delta states affected by recent floods.

He emphasized that Tinubu’s reforms reflect his commitment to Nigeria’s development and a genuine desire to improve citizens’ lives.

Momoh said, “The decisions being taken are painful, but that is the only way by which we can address the problems that have been facing this country. If you want Nigeria to thrive, you must take far-reaching decisions that will initially inflict pains on the people of our country.

“In a very short time, you will begin to see the effects of the decision or the policies of the federal government that have been taken so far.

“I want us to continue to pray for our president because the president means very well for Nigeria. If Nigeria is not better during this administration, it means we are cursed.”

Flagging off the distribution, Momoh said the relief items by the federal government were designed to cushion the effects of the flood on the beneficiaries.

The minister revealed that President Tinubu, in his concern and love for the people of the Niger Delta region, recently approved the relief materials and palliatives to the flood victims in the region to alleviate their challenges.

He listed some of the distributed items to include rice, grains, spaghettis, beans, motorcycles, sewing machines, grinding machines, cooking stoves, and smokeless stoves, among others.

He added, “There was a time there was flood in this part of the country, that is the entire Niger Delta region, and recently too there was another flood. He (Tinubu) said, ‘Minister, you have to go there and take care of your people by making sure that you send enough palliatives because when there is flood, there is always a problem.’

“People are displaced. They don’t have means of livelihood. So he gave approval, and we are doing the symbolic presentation here today. This will take place in the entire state of the Niger Delta region.

“We are handing over to the stakeholders of these very states, which of course include primarily the governor, the traditional rulers, and the members from the ministry.”

The demise of the filmmaker behind the ‘Shanty Town’ series, was made known in an Instagram post by actor, Bolanle Ninalowo.

He wrote, “I love you brother and I will miss you @dimejiajibola May God heal your family and loved ones. Till we meet again dido vox. Rest on Champ.”

Nollywood actor, Samuel Olatunji, also confirmed Ajibola’s demise to Tribune.

Olatunji said the producer died today after battling an undisclosed illness.

Ajibola was celebrated as a creative force and a visionary in the Nollywood industry, blending traditional and digital art forms in groundbreaking ways.

His work spanned film, animation, VFX, virtual worlds, and interactive media.

He held a diverse educational background, having studied filmmaking and cinematography at the New York Film Academy in Universal Studios, advanced character animation at Animation Mentor in San Francisco, and visual effects at VFXLearning.

As the CEO and Technical Director of Flipsyde Studios Ltd., Ajibola built a reputation for excellence and innovation. His work on Hoodrush in 2012 marked Nigeria’s first urban musical film, showcasing his ability to bridge narrative storytelling with rich musical elements.

The film won multiple awards, including Best Movie at the 2012 Green Me Film Festival in Germany, Best Actor and Soundtrack at the Nollywood Movies Awards, and Best Supporting Actor at the AMAA Awards.

Anita Natacha Akide, the Big Brother Naija reality show star, who is known as Tacha has joined the league of celebrities owning football clubs in Nigeria.

This was made known in the announcement by the Lagos Liga on Saturday.

Sharing the news in a now trending post on its X handle, Lagos Liga wrote “New Lagos Liga club owner alert: Anita Natacha Akide.

“In short, the inimitable TACHA! @Symply_Tacha . Formal announcement to follow. Tacha FC is here.”

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, has revealed why believers should stop praying against their enemies.

Naija News reports that Adeboye while speaking at the church’s monthly Thanksgiving Service held at the church’s national headquarters, Throne of Grace, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, said only those with great destiny are being envied.

While questioning believers on who will be around to celebrate their wins, the clergy said praying against one’s enemies does not make sense, citing Psalms 23 verse 5.

Speaking on the theme:” ‘Divine Wings,’ Adeboye said: “It does not make sense praying against one’s enemy. If you pray against your enemy, who will be around to celebrate you? The Bible says he will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemy.

“We should not pray against them. Rather, we should pray that God will make them repent. When people are envious of you and speak evil against you don’t be bothered. You have to be great to be envied. If you pray for your enemy’s death who will be around to celebrate you?”

Sharing his experience, Adeboye said he had often wondered how God lifted and showed him mercy despite his extremely poor background, stressing that God is the only burden bearer who can make a man fly in life.

Pastor Adeboye also recounted how the president of an African country cherished his meeting with him, adding that at the end of the meeting, he was amazed at how God had given him so much privilege.

In his words: “I went to an African country for a crusade and wanted to see the president of the country. I was told I could not see him. But when the president knew I was around he offered to see me. I was with him and we kept talking. When it was two hours of meeting, I told him people were already waiting at the crusade ground for me. He said let them wait. They have people they can talk with. Me I don’t have. We ended up spending five hours.”

Numerous residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) report struggling to afford food due to soaring prices of essential items.

The residents also lamented further increase in transportation fares following the hike in the petrol pump price. 

They spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Sunday in Abuja. 

According to them, the increased fuel price had left residents grappling with the harsh realities of rising living costs.

The residents said their once manageable budget had spiralled into a daily struggle, primarily due to soaring food prices and transportation fares.

They appealed to the Federal Government and relevant authorities to take immediate action in addressing these issues.

Mrs Maryam Abu, a mother of three, said she often sat at her kitchen table these days with frustration, staring at an empty pot.

“Last year, I could buy a bag of rice for N50,000 and now, it is more than N100,000. How can I feed my children?

“With my husband’s salary barely keeping pace with inflation, I often have to choose between meals and essential household items,’’ she said.

For Mrs Ekaite Obot, a civil servant and a mother of four, the situation is no any better as she said she had not been able to drive to work or church for the past five months.

“For over five months now, I have not moved my car from the garage because I can no longer afford to fuel or maintain the vehicle.

“The times are really tough for my family. All the family expenses have been on me since my husband was relieved of his job as a sales representative.

“I struggle to pay school fees, get household items and feed the family and with this increasing cost of items , I do not think we can continue to survive on my mini income,’’ Obot said.

Another civil servant, Mrs Mary Umeh, while decrying the increased cost of living, said her saving grace was the contribution (adashi) she was doing at work with some colleagues.

“We have several platforms where we contribute money monthly and at the end of the year, we use the money to buy various household items.

“It is almost Christmas now and I do not have any savings, but I am not worried because I know that we will soon use our adashi money to buy some household items.

“I am sure my family will be able to manage the items and I will just need little money to buy other things for the Christmas celebration,’’ she said.

Similarly, Mr Albert Nwakama, a trader, decried his inability to fend for his family due to low sales of his fairly-used clothing business, popularly known as “okrika” or second hand wears.

Nwakama said he used to open new bail of wears every two to three weeks, but in the past six months, he could barely sell a bail of womens’ wears.

“I have not witnessed anything like this since I began this okrika business nine years ago. Many customers who used to buy my goods have stopped coming to my shop.

“Even some of those who used to give me money in advance to enable me open new bails now come to me to borrow money so they can feed their families.

“People are struggling to eat and care for their families and buying of new clothing is no longer a priority for families, thus, leaving people like me at a dilemma ,’’he said.

Mrs Nneka Azubuike, a teacher, said the increased cost of living in the country had turned her into a corporate beggar.

According to Azubuike, every kid from a well to do family in the class that I teach has become my friend because of my selfish reasons.

She said she paid more attention to pupils from wealthy homes because at the end of the day, their parents tend to appreciate her for her good deeds every now and then.

“I am aware this is unprofessional, but I have to take care of my child because I am a single mom. My salary is not enough to care for our needs.

“Also, I taught that with the Dangote refinery, fuel price will reduce and transportation will become affordable in the country, but the reverse is obviously the case.

“The government really needs to find a way to address this transportation issue because it is affecting every sector of the economy, especially food prices,’’ she said.

For a commuter like Ibrahim Idris, the surge in transportation fares was eating eating deep into his budget for other household necessities.

“I used to spend about N400 for commuting to the office every day, but now I pay between N900 and N1,000.

“I am finding it extremely difficult to keep up. I have cut down on most things, yet it is always difficult for me to get to work five times in a week,’’ he said.

Mr Sule Adams, a vendor, said his formerly booming business had now slowed as many families were now tightening their belts.

“We are having a noticeable decline in customers, and some who come to patronise us always want discounts, which we normally oblige them because we want to make sales.

“Most customers, who used to buy goods in large quantities and store in their homes, now buy less quantity. because of the increased cost.

“It is hard for us too; we have to pay for our supplies, and if people are not buying from us, we suffer because we have families also to take care of,’’ Adams said.

Also, Ms Christabel Nicholas, a small business owner, said she was facing an uphill battle as she had to choose between raising prices, displeasing customers, or absorbing the high costs.

“I have had to increase my prices due to the high cost of the items in the market, but my regulars are complaining. It is really a tough decision.

“We need government intervention to overcome this situation because Nigerians are sick, hungry, suffering and dying,’’ she said.

A police officer attached to the Otuocha Area Command in Anambra East Local Government Area, Anambra State, has reportedly shot and killed a youth in the area.

It was gathered that the youth had a disagreement with the policemen at a checkpoint over N100, during which one of them quickly pulled the trigger and shot him dead.

A source from Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area, who brought this to the attention of our reporter with a gory video of the youth’s dead body, said the police squad involved was led by one Onyebuchi.

The incident happened on Saturday and has greatly unsettled the area as youths protested the action of the police.

It was however not clear if the argument that led to the killing of the youth was payment of N100 bribe or collection of balance for bribe already paid, but police authorities confirmed the incident.

Reacting to inquiries from Daily Post, the state police command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the command was aware of it and had taken control.

He said: “The Police Officer involved has been identified as Inspector Sani Suleiman.

“He has been disarmed and detained for further investigations and internal disciplinarian procedures.”

Afeez Adegbola, a Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, truck driver, has been arrested by the Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.

He was arrested for allegedly diverting 10,000 litres of petrol belonging to the company.

The state commandant of the corps, Mr Igbalawole Sotiyo, disclosed this while parading the suspect and his two motor boys on Saturday in Osogbo.

Sotiyo explained that the suspects were arrested on Friday at about 8:21 pm with the NNPCL truck.

The commandant said that the suspect loaded 40,000 litres of petrol at Pinnacle Distribution Depot in Eleko, Lagos State.

He said that the waybill indicated that the product was meant to be delivered at NNPCL Mega Station in Osogbo.

Sotiyo said that following a tip-off, officers of the command trailed the truck with registration number AGG 959 XA and discovered that only 30, 000 litres of fuel were delivered at the NNPCL filling station.

He said that the driver was arrested while discharging the remaining 10, 000 litres at the TEMPOLA filling station in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government area of the state.

The corps commandant said that the suspects had made a confessional statement that the content of 40,000 litres was meant for NNPCL mega station in Osogbo but was directed by his company to deliver only 30,000, while the remaining 10,000 should be taken to a private filling station in Ikirun.

Sotiyo described the act as economic sabotage and stealing.

“It is an act of sabotage and stealing against the state. They are saboteurs and anti-state. NSCDC is using this medium to warn all the stakeholders involved in the distribution of petroleum products nationwide that anyone caught sabotaging the government would be apprehended and prosecuted.

“NSCDC uses this medium to request NNPCL managers/supervisors nationwide to work with the NSCDC to ensure saboteurs are brought to justice,” he said.

Urges PDP leaders to unite against external control

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, yesterday declared that the 2027 general election will be between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the people of Nigeria, and not between the ruling party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Makinde has also urged the leaders of the PDP to unite against any form of external control that may prevent them from uniting and forming a strong opposition ahead of 2027.
Speaking during the inauguration of the South-west PDP Zonal Office, which he built in honour of the late former PDP National Vice Chairman (South-west), Hon. Olasoji Adagunodo-Oluwatukesi, and donated to the party, Makinde stated that Nigerians would be the ones to determine the next leadership of the country.

He urged the PDP leaders to look inward, work together, and salvage the country.
He said: “People have been complaining; they have been talking; they have been making a lot of speculation. Let me say this again, and I will say it myself: Nobody will set an agenda for me apart from myself.
“They have also been talking; the ruling party and other parties. Let me say this: If you are accusing the ruling party of interfering with other parties to prevent them from uniting and forming a strong opposition for 2027, my position is that there are certain things within our control.

“Whether Governor Adeleke (Osun State governor) and I will cooperate for the growth and benefit of our party in the South-west is beyond the ruling party. It is between me and Governor Adeleke. So, please, let us work together and unite our base; that is all we need to do.
“The next election will be APC versus Nigerians. It is not even about APC versus PDP. So, let us do our bit to unite our party and our base, and let the people of Nigeria speak.

“The people spoke in Oyo and Osun states. They will do it in Nigeria. So, don’t fret. Don’t think external people have control over what will happen in our party. Yes, they may try; they can only succeed when we allow it.
“I want to admonish PDP members all over the country; let us unite and the way to demonstrate it is if you know one or two people in Ondo State, call them and tell them that the PDP is united. Tell them that the Ondo election coming up two weeks from now would be an indication of where Nigeria would be in 2027,” Makinde added.
Makinde said despite the clamour for him to join the 2027 presidential race, he had not assigned anyone to campaign for him.

“Please, let us all work together and unite our bases. That is all we need. The next general election would be APC versus Nigerians, not even APC versus PDP. But, let us just do our own bit to unite our party and bases and then allow the people of Nigeria to speak when the time comes.
 “I am glad we are opening this House. It is a demonstration of our unity. I am also glad that our Acting National Chairman is here. The kind of story they would have loved to hear is that the suspension and counter-suspension saga is still on, but that is behind us.

“We are even more united to move forward. So, I thank you all for being here,” Makinde added.
He tasked all PDP members to work together and unite for total victory in the Ondo State governorship election coming up on November 16, 2024.
He spoke on the cooperation and cordial relationship between himself and his Osun State counterpart, Senator Ademola Adeleke, assuring that they would work hand-in-hand to unite the South-west
“My brother, Governor Adeleke, I want to thank you today for being here.

  “We had our issues; we were fighting ourselves, especially for the control of Zonal Executives. My dear brother, Governor Adeleke, thank you for being part of this; it shows your magnanimity. That means whatever has happened in the past is behind us.
 “Dr. Eddy Olafeso is here. We fought. That is the spirit of PDP. Let me also specially recognise my brother, the next Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency Agboola Ajayi.

 “This time, two weeks from today, Ondo State people will be in the process of electing him as their next governor.”
Makinde added: “Those of you thinking that the only way to achieve your dream is for a division to be in the PDP – well, the South-west of Nigeria is leading the way. My brother, Adebutu, your own time will also come. I said before that when we look at Nigeria, if the South-west is united, Nigeria will unite.

 “The two PDP governors who are in the South-west are here together,” he added.
He acknowledged the presence of former governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Samuel Ortom of Benue State.
On his part, Governor Adeleke also stressed the need for the PDP leaders to be united.
“We must forget the past divisions and unite for the good of our dear party. We should resolve conflicts inside the Government House rather than outside. We must refocus on building strong administrative and operational structures,” Adeleke added.

Also speaking, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Iliya Damagum, said with unity, the PDP can reclaim all South-West states and the entire country.
He described the late Adagunodo as a kind and down-to-earth man whose contributions added value to the party’s successes in the country.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God has given the reason for investigating the allegations of sodomy against two of its youth pastors.

The National Overseer of the church, Pastor Sunday Akande, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH, said the case was unprecedented, hence the church was ready to give it the necessary attention.

Akande said a panel had been set up to investigate the allegations against the pastors, adding that appropriate action would be taken.

He said, “The reason for the suspension is to also allow persons who were said to have been molested or harassed to come forward and testify against the pastors. To the best of my knowledge, nobody has come forward yet as a victim of harassment.

“This is the first time an allegation like this has been raised against the church. If we see anything like this, the church will investigate it and see how we can address it. As far as the church is concerned, we don’t condone this kind of thing.”

A controversial news blog, Gistlovers, had last week called out two youth pastors of the church for allegedly luring teenage boys into homosexuality.

The blog also accused them of negatively influencing teenagers under their mentorship.

According to the blog, a 20-year-old boy, who requested anonymity, claimed the youth pastors “influenced many into being gay.”

“This gist is not complete without naming, a very close friend of (the youth pastor) and also a former coordinator in the teens’ church at RCCG Region 2 (they were both coordinators). He was raising young boys in his former house at U-turn and he slept with all these boys, and they were even holding fake Bible study just to create a meeting point for this brostitution,” a post by the blog read.

One of the accused, in a statement, said he had never sodomised or had sex with any male teenager.

“I have never demanded sex from any male as payment or gratification in order to give them assistance, platforms, or positions. God is the only kingmaker, the only one who can raise and erase kings, give positions, and platforms,” he stated.

On alleged screenshots of a conversation with an alleged victim, he said he asked questions “during a conversation in a male teenagers’ WhatsApp group where discussions regarding male reproductive health and self-esteem took place.”

According to him, the teenagers were taught about proper hygiene for reproductive health, the right kind of underwear to buy, and that the girth and length determine the underwear size.

“I also explained that their sizes should not affect their self-esteem and that they are perfectly and uniquely created by God.”

However, the church suspended the two men at the centre of the drama.

In a letter dated Monday, October 28, the church said the suspension was by its commitment to uphold the teachings of the Bible.

Meanwhile, the family of one of the pastors has filed a petition to the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon, against Gistlover for defamation of character.

The family in the petition signed by their counsel, Adekunle Adeyinka; called for the investigation of the blog, insisting that the allegations were unfounded and had caused their son “emotional trauma and has put their security at risk from attacks by these faceless individuals.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has released controversial cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, on bail.

The embattled cross-dresser was stopped and removed from an Amsterdam-bound KLM flight at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos late Thursday night while attempting to leave the country for London, the United Kingdom.

He quickly alerted his followers on social media about the arrest, stating that he sustained injuries during the process.

Bobrisky wrote, “Nigerians, help me, EFCC just arrested me. I’m badly injured.”

He was subsequently flown to the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja, where he was interrogated on his bribery allegations against the commission.

In a voice note shared by a controversial social critic, Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky allegedly said he bribed EFCC officers with N15m to drop money laundering charges against him.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that Bobrisky perfected his bail late Friday night and was subsequently released.

The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale confirmed Bobrisky’s release on Saturday but declined further comments.

However, a source familiar with the matter said the cross-dresser denied bribing the EFCC in his confessional statement made at the commission’s headquarters.

The source added that the cross-dresser challenged the person who posted the voice note to defend it.

“He denied everything about releasing money to any official as a bribe to drop the money laundering charges against him. He denied it in his statement. He said the fellow who posted the voice note should come over to justify it. He said nobody requested money from him in the EFCC and he didn’t give anyone anything”, said the source.