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Nelson Ugwuagbo

Ballon d’Or Ceremony Set for September 22 with Expanded Women’s Categories

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 19, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The 2025 Ballon d’Or award ceremony will take place on September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, with organisers announcing equal awards for male and female footballers for the first time in the event’s history.

According to France Football and UEFA, six categories each will be awarded to men and women, including the newly introduced prizes for Best Women’s Goalkeeper, Best Young Women’s Player, and Top Women’s Scorer in a club or national team.

This brings the total number of player-specific awards to twelve, alongside the Socrates Award, which recognises outstanding social initiatives by players of any gender.

Nominees across all categories will be announced in early August.

Last year’s edition was marked by controversy after Real Madrid boycotted the event following the omission of Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior from the Best Men’s Player award, which was awarded to Manchester City’s Rodri.

May 19, 2025 0 comments

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Edo Deputy Speaker, Maria Oligbi-Edeko, resigns from office

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 19, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Maria Oligbi-Edeko, has resigned from her position.

Oligbi-Edeko, who represents Esan North-East II, announced her resignation during plenary on Monday in Benin City, the state capital.

Her decision follows the recent shift in the Assembly’s political balance, after several members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including the Speaker, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), rendering the PDP a minority in the House.

Oligbi-Edeko was elected Deputy Speaker on June 16, 2023. Following her resignation, lawmakers unanimously elected Hon. Osamwonyi Atu, who represents Orhionmwon East under the APC, as the new Deputy Speaker.

During the session, Majority Leader Hon. Jonathan Aigbokhan moved a motion requesting that all entitlements due to the office of the Deputy Speaker be accorded to Oligbi-Edeko. The motion was seconded by Minority Leader Hon. Charity Airobarueghian and was unanimously adopted.

In her resignation letter, Oligbi-Edeko cited the need to uphold justice, fairness, and equity across all constituencies. She also expressed appreciation to PDP leaders and members for the opportunity to serve her constituency in the House.

Fellow lawmakers commended her commitment and dedication to public service.

May 19, 2025 0 comments

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Tinubu Approves Regulatory Licences for Kolmani Oil Project

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 19, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

President Bola Tinubu has approved the issuance of critical regulatory licences for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project, a multibillion-dollar oil exploration initiative situated between Bauchi and Gombe states.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, made the disclosure during the commissioning of the permanent site of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

A statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, on Sunday, said the move aligns with the President’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s oil sector by activating all necessary national facilities.

“This informed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for us to ensure that all outstanding critical regulatory licences for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project were issued,” the Minister was quoted as saying.

Lokpobiri said the administration remained focused on harnessing the energy sector as a catalyst for national prosperity. He commended Bauchi State for establishing the oil and gas academy, noting that it positions the state as a key player in the human capital development needed to support the sector.

“Given our vast fossil fuel reserves, the Federal Government, through the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), has continued to champion advancements in human capacity and technology,” he said.

The Minister expressed hope that the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy would establish a strong partnership with the PTDF to ensure long-term success and sustainability in the sector.

The Kolmani Integrated Development Project, first inaugurated in November 2022, marked the beginning of oil exploration in Northern Nigeria. It is located in the Kolmani River II oil field, a border community between Bauchi and Gombe states.

May 19, 2025 0 comments

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Finland Charges Simon Ekpa with Inciting Terrorism

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 16, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Finnish prosecutors on Friday announced that Nigerian separatist leader Simon Ekpa has been charged with inciting terrorism through online platforms.

In a statement, Finland’s National Prosecution Authority confirmed it had charged “a Finnish individual in a case involving suspected public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent and participation in the activities of a terrorist group.”

The alleged offences were committed in the city of Lahti between 2021 and 2024, and are linked to efforts aimed at securing the independence of Nigeria’s Biafra region.

While the prosecution authority did not name the individual, Finnish public broadcaster YLE identified the suspect as Simon Ekpa, who claims to head the Biafra Republic Government in Exile.

Ekpa was detained in November and, according to authorities, remains in custody. He has denied all charges.

May 16, 2025 0 comments

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Tinubu Receives Alaafin of Oyo at Presidential Villa

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 16, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

President Bola Tinubu on Friday received the newly crowned Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The visit marked the monarch’s first official audience with the President since his coronation on April 12, 2025.

Oba Owoade arrived at the Villa shortly after Jumaat prayers and was received following Tinubu’s closed-door meeting with service chiefs and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

During the monarch’s coronation ceremony in Oyo town, Tinubu—represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima—had charged the new Alaafin to promote unity among the Yoruba people and contribute to national cohesion.

Details later

May 16, 2025 0 comments

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Troops Neutralize Bandits, Recover 1,000 Rustled Cattle in Taraba and Plateau States

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 16, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with personnel of Operation Safe Haven, have neutralized two suspected bandits and recovered approximately 1,000 stolen cattle during a joint operation in Taraba and Plateau States.

The successful operation followed actionable intelligence that armed bandits, riding in a convoy of about 30 motorcycles, had crossed from Plateau into Taraba State to carry out a cattle rustling attack on a Fulani settlement near Jebjeb Village in Karim Lamido Local Government Area.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade, Captain Olubodunde Oni, the operation was part of the ongoing security initiative code-named Operation Lafiya Jama’a, aimed at bolstering efforts to combat criminal activity across Taraba and its surrounding states.

Responding swiftly, troops of 6 Brigade in Taraba coordinated with their counterparts from Operation Safe Haven in the Kampani axis of Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State. The combined forces pursued the fleeing assailants into Komodoro village, where they were intercepted in Daji Madam Forest.

A fierce exchange of gunfire ensued during which two bandits were neutralized, and the troops succeeded in recovering roughly 1,000 rustled cattle.

The recovered animals were safely returned to the Jebjeb community in Karim Lamido LGA, where local authorities have taken custody.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the fight against banditry and ensuring peace and security in the region.

May 16, 2025 0 comments

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Igbo Group Charges Jamb To Display Results Immediately After Examinations

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 16, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

An Igbo socio-cultural group, Nzuko Umunna, has voiced strong concern over the recently acknowledged technical malfunction that affected the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in the South-East and Lagos State.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had confirmed a system glitch disrupted the examination process in the affected regions. As a result, impacted candidates began retaking the UTME on Friday.

In a statement issued by Nzuko Umunna and signed by its President, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, and Executive Secretary, Dr. Uju Agomoh, the group warned that such irregularities must not be allowed to recur.

Describing the development as deeply troubling, the group emphasized that stakeholders from academia and other sectors have been actively engaging to ensure the integrity of national examinations is preserved.

“The situation with JAMB in the South-East is alarming and cannot be overlooked,” the statement read. “Many of us within academic and professional circles are working behind the scenes to ensure that this so-called ‘glitch’—which eerily resembles familiar excuses used to compromise public processes—is not used as a tool to jeopardize the future of our young people.”

Nzuko Umunna further cautioned that failing to address this issue could set a dangerous precedent.

“If left unchecked, similar anomalies could surface in other critical national assessments such as WAEC and NECO,” the group added.

May 16, 2025 0 comments

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Nine Arrested Over Murder of Adamawa Politician Thomas Godwin

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 16, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of Adamawa politician, Thomas Godwin, popularly known as Zamfara.

Godwin, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was attacked and murdered last month near his residence in Ka’ala, Hong Local Government Area, under unclear circumstances. The incident sparked widespread outrage, with the state government and police pledging to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Providing an update on the case, the Adamawa State Police Command announced that nine individuals have been taken into custody over the incident.

In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, the suspects were identified as Sunday Terrang, Umar Ibrahim, Sadiq Ishaku, Solomon Gideon, Ahmed Aminu, Danlami Ali, Godwin Chakukuyada, Akacha Daniel Samari, and Ibrahim Bakari.

Nguroje disclosed that following a preliminary investigation, the case file and suspects had been transferred to the Force Intelligence Rapid Response Team (IRRT) in Abuja for further investigation.

He also addressed reports alleging police misconduct, including torture and coercion of suspects.

“At no time did the police violate the rights of any suspect,” he stated. “Their statements were recorded in the presence of the State Legal Aid Council. All procedures—including arrests and interviews—were video recorded and conducted in line with international best practices and standard investigation protocols.”

May 16, 2025 0 comments

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El-Rufai Struggle to Rally Opposition After Defection to SDP

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 16, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is facing political headwinds following the lack of traction surrounding his recent defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), particularly across Nigeria’s North-West region.

El-Rufai had on March 10, 2025, announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), attributing his exit to a growing “misalignment between his values and the direction of the party.”

Following his move to the SDP, the former FCT Minister pledged to unite opposition leaders and political parties into a strong coalition aimed at unseating the APC in the forthcoming general and bye-elections.

“Without prejudice to this decision, as a member of the SDP, I will focus on engaging with and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us and congregate under a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in all elections and bye-elections between now and 2027, by the Grace of God,” he said in a statement issued shortly after his defection.

However, two months later, El-Rufai’s efforts appear to have yielded little success. Despite a series of meetings and outreach efforts, the SDP has reportedly failed to gain political presence or influence in any of the seven North-Western states—Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

Sources familiar with the situation disclosed that El-Rufai had made repeated attempts to woo political heavyweights in the region, including state governors and federal lawmakers, but was rebuffed at every turn.

“He reached out to key players, especially governors and sitting senators and reps, but none gave him a positive response. Not even a state assembly member,” a source familiar with some of the discussions revealed.

The source further disclosed that El-Rufai had approached Senators Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki in Kebbi State, but all three declined his offer and instead opted to join the APC.

May 16, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

House of Representatives Advances Bill to Make Voting Mandatory in Nigeria

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 15, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerian citizens.

The bill, sponsored by Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas, was debated during Thursday’s plenary session and received overwhelming support to proceed to the next legislative stage.

Nigeria has long grappled with low voter turnout. Despite having over 93 million registered voters for the 2023 general elections, only about 27% participated, raising concerns over democratic legitimacy and representation.

The proposed legislation aims to address voter apathy by mandating electoral participation. Proponents argue that the measure would promote civic responsibility and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process.

Speaker Abbas, while presenting the bill, noted that it would encourage broader participation in governance. He said the legislation would include provisions for voter education, improved access to polling units, and clear enforcement guidelines.

Globally, countries such as Australia, Belgium, and Brazil have adopted compulsory voting laws, often resulting in turnout rates exceeding 90%.

However, concerns were raised during the debate over the practicality of enforcing mandatory voting, especially in rural and insecure areas. Some lawmakers also expressed reservations about penalizing non-compliant citizens, citing potential infringements on personal freedoms.

Despite the objections, the bill was unanimously adopted through a voice vote and has been referred to the relevant committee for further consideration.

May 15, 2025 0 comments

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