Andrew Mailafia

Followers popularly known as Obidients are currently tackling Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, on social media.

Soyinka, earlier had a faceoff with Obidients in the buildup to the general elections, fired fresh shots at Labour Party Presidential candidate on Wednesday.

Soyinka had said the Labour Party was aware that Obi did not win the February 25 election.

Speaking at the 2023 ‘Africa in the World’, which brought together the world’s most innovative thinkers and top leaders to platform invigorating ideas for fresh changes and sustainable solutions for African people which started on Tuesday, September 12 and scheduled to end on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Stellenbosch, South Africa

Soyinka lamented that the LP leadership had been trying to mobilise young people in the country to protest against the outcome of the election on the “banner of lies and deceit.”

Although the playwright accused the party of taking over the organised labour movement before the election, however, he commended Obi for breaking the dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said: “This recent election – two things happened first of all. One party took over the labour movement, which is not my favourite movement, and then it became a regional party.

“Whereas it was a marvellous breach into the established two camps, Peter Obi achieved something remarkable there, that he broke that mould. However, he did not win the election.

“I can say categorically that Peter Obi’s party came third not even second and the leadership knew it but they want to do what we call in Yoruba ‘gbajue’, that is a force of lies.

“They were going to send some of the hardliners, proud young people into the street to demonstrate. I’m also ready to be among such demonstrators but only on the banner of truth not on lies, and deceit.

“This party wanted a demonstration to happen on the basis of a lie and we find this vice-presidential candidate on television boasting, insisting, threatening and trying to intimidate both the judiciary and the rest.

“What kind of government will result from that kind of conduct? In addition, they did not know this but they were being used. Before the election, there were certain clandestine forces, including some ex-generals, who were already calling for an interim government before the elections began,” Soyinka stressed.

Tweeting with the handle @aai_austin, an Obi supporter wrote, “This insurrectionist This cultist Who invaded a radio station at gvn point, littered universities and the streets of Nigeria with cultism is out again making bogus claims.”

Malcolm Omirhobo, another Obi supporter, said, “While Soyinka tried hard to mislead and misinform the whole world by hammering that Peter Obi did not win the election but he mischievously deliberately refused to address the issues as to whether the election was free, fair , credible and transparent.”
Mikael Bernard, another social media user said, “Soyinka is a bigot He completely avoided the trending news about Tinubu and his Chicago University Certificate forgeries, DrugTrafficking, and others but decided to distract Nigerians with his false and fake news.”

Nigerians are experiencing a widespread of blackout across the country following the total collapse of electricity grid early Thursday morning.

It was gathered that the grid collapsed totally around 12:40 a.m. on September 14, 2023, leading to the massive loss of supply to power distributors nationwide.

Multiple sources in the power sector, as well as electricity distribution companies, confirmed the development to our correspondent on Thursday morning.

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc issued a notice titled, ‘Notice of Total System Collapse’ signed on Thursday, September 14 by the Head, of Corporate Communications, EEDC, Emeka Ezeh.

It said, “The EEDC wishes to inform her esteemed customers of a total system collapse which occurred at 12:40 am today, September 14, 2023.

“This has resulted in the loss of supply currently being experienced across the network. Due to this development, all our interface TCN (Transmission Company of Nigeria) stations are out of supply, and we are unable to provide service to our customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.

“We are on standby awaiting detailed information of the collapse and restoration of supply from the National Control Centre, Osogbo.”

The TCN, which manages Nigeria’s grid, has yet to make any statement about the development.

About a week ago, the transmission firm celebrated what it described as 400 days of power grid stability in Nigeria, as it claimed that the grid witnessed no collapse all through the 400 days

The House of Representatives has debunked the claims by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress that the Federal Government gave N100m to members of the National Assembly as palliatives.

A statement earlier issued by the National Assistant Secretary of the NLC, Christopher Onyeka, had alleged the the monies were distributed to lawmakers.

Reacting to the allegation, the House Committee Chairman on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi, described the allegation as baseless and “devoid of factual accuracy.”

A statement reads, “The House of Representatives notes with concern news reports across multiple newspaper, electronic, and online media, of a statement credited to the National Assistant General Secretary of NLC, Mr Christopher Onyeka.

“In the said statement, Mr Onyeka claimed that the executive arm had given N100m to National Assembly members as palliatives. This claim is baseless and devoid of any factual accuracy. Transparency and truth in public discourse are necessary for a functioning democracy. While we doubt that Mr Onyeka was actually conveying the official position of the NLC on this claim, it is nonetheless important to correct such misinformation.

“First, we state categorically that Mr Onyeka lied in his claim that National Assembly members were given N100m as palliatives. For the avoidance of doubt, at no time did members of the House of Representatives receive any money from the executive arm as palliatives. We, therefore, consider this statement as malicious, irresponsible and in bad faith.

“We consider it irresponsible and most unfortunate that Mr Onyeka would misrepresent facts in a bid to lend credence to otherwise valid demands of the NLC, while seeking to denigrate the National Assembly, and inciting the public against the institution.

According to the statement, the House of Representatives is demanding an immediate retraction and public apology from the NLC for spreading such information.

Accordingly, the House of Representatives demands an immediate retraction of this lie and a public apology from the Nigeria Labour Congress. The NLC as a critical stakeholder in the development of Nigeria has a voice and it risks delegitimising that voice if it is found to include fables in its legitimate agitations.

The statement also noted that the 10th Assembly showed its dedication to the welfare of Nigerian workers and all citizens in less than 100 days.

“We wish to remind the NLC and indeed all Nigerians that in less than 100 days in the tenure of the 10th Assembly, we have demonstrated our commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers and all Nigerians.

“In addition to other measures, the House of Representatives speedily carried out requisite legislative action on the executive arm of government’s request for approval of funds for palliatives for Nigerians.

“In addition to other measures, the House of Representatives speedily carried out requisite legislative action on the executive arm of government’s request for approval of funds for palliatives for Nigerians.

“We have also consistently advocated for the executive to expedite these palliative measures to reach vulnerable Nigerians effectively and efficiently, as well as added our voices to the call for an immediate review of the minimum wage,” the statement furthered.

“We wish to invite the NLC to see the National Assembly as partners rather than adversaries. The 10th Assembly of the House of Representatives wishes to reassure Nigerians that we remain committed to advancing the wellbeing of our constituents.

Some students of the University of Lagos, on Wednesday, has taken to the streets to express their dissatisfaction and grievance over the raised tuition fees announced by the school management.

This is the second protest in just one week, with the UNILAG students joined by their peers from other universities.

The protesters took to the streets, calling on the school authorities to lower the fees. They were accompanied by police and security personnel.

Some students expressed their determination to continue protesting until the school authorities reverted to their previous fees, stating that the fee increase lacked empathy, emphasising on the need for the Federal Government to allocate the funds from subsidy removal towards education instead of allowing an increase in school fees.

Speaking with newsmen, a female student of the institution who refused to be mentioned confirmed the protest but said it was marred by low turnout.

“There was a protest today… But the organisers complained that the turnout of students was low,” she said.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Abubakar Momoh has met with some leaders in the Niger Delta region, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, and a former Niger Delta agitator, Asari Dokubo.

In a statement personally signed by him on Wednesday, September 13; Momoh said the meeting was aimed at navigating his role as a minister “for the effective running of the ministry, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The statement noted that Momoh who met with Jonathan in his Abuja residence, shared valuable discussions as well as deliberated on strategies to combat “the issue of stolen crude, enhance infrastructure and generate employment opportunities for the teeming youths of Niger Delta.”

“The primary topics of discussion included regional peace and strategies to combat crude theft, which has been detrimental to Nigeria’s oil production. Asari Dokubo, who holds significant influence as a political figure, provided valuable advice and expressed his commitment to supporting the minister in his role as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.”

The statement also noted that Asari called on Tinubu to do everything possible to “bring the immediate past Attorney General of Nigeria Mallam Abubakar Malami SAN to return the N600bn belonging to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs which he wrongfully channelled to projects that were unrelated to the Niger Delta region.”

Nigerians have taken to social media to mourn the passing of a Nigerian artiste, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, aka MohBad.

The former Marlian record signee reportedly died on Tuesday at the age of 27.
Mohbad’s death was announced by music executive Ovie, on his X page #Ovieo, on Tuesday evening.

Ovie tweeted, “Confirmed. MohBad is dead. Sad, sad day.”
Reacting, a Nigerian rapper, Olamide Adedeji, popularly known as Olamide shared a cryptic message on his X handle, saying, “Damn! Mohbad (sic)”In another tweet, Olamide posted, “This life (sic).”

Also, a radio host, Oladotun Ojuolape, popularly known as Do2dtun Energy gAD, shared a picture of the deceased with a caption, “Mohbad. This was just two days ago.”

A former big brother naija housemate, Anita Akide, known as Tasha, wrote, “Mohbad was just on the Big Friday show with me last month!! This news is heavy. I still can’t believe it.”A Nigerian singer, Crown Uzama, popularly known as Shallipopi wrote, “we never record our song o”

Uncle DEEN™, tweeted, “RIP YOUNG HUSTLER”

Ayfresh wrote, “Omo this one hit so hard on me, wtf.”

BIG MO wrote, “How did it happen? May his soul rest in peace.”

Ross tweeted, “Rest in peace Mohbad. It’s a black Tuesday yo.”

The Leadingreporters earlier reported that MohBad died at the age of 27

The Chairman of Gwale Local Government Council, Khalid Ishaq Diso has been suspended by the state House of Assembly for a period of three months over allegations bordering the sale of government land.

Adopting the report of its Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs at a plenary session on Tuesday, September 12 after allegations of the chairman’s illegal act of selling government lands was brought before the House.

The Assembly said six members out of the council councillors, 10 members petitioned the House over the conduct of the chairman.

The state assembly noted that Jubril Ismail Falgore, the council chairman was also accused of making unilateral decisions without carrying the councillors along.

To this end, the House constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate the allegations and report back in two months and directed the Vice-Chairman to take over the helm of affairs for three months, pending the completion of the investigation.

SOME Nigerians in the diaspora have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to recount what led to their fleeing from the country.

This followed a question posed by an X user, Fisayo Osudo, enquiring about what made some Nigerians decide to leave the country.

“People who left Nigeria, what was the thing that made you finally decide to leave?” Osudo asked on X.

“Japa”, a Yoruba expression which means “to flee”, is now widely used among Nigerians to express a desire to leave the country for various reasons. However, while some leave the countries for a “greener pasture”, some, especially youths, were forced to leave owing to the country’s myriad of challenges.

Reacting to the post, some Nigerians who have fled the country cited police brutality, insecurity, bad leadership, unemployment and other challenges as their major reasons for leaving the country.

A Nigerian in Diaspora, @Miz_Estaa, recounted being attacked by thugs in Lagos.

He tweeted, “I moved to Lagos to be closer to my long-distance boo. I was on Alfred Rewane waiting for my colleague. Obalende boys entered my car, made me drive to their office, deflated my tires, took my keys and made me withdraw N25,000 to get my car back. Long distance marriage entered voice mail.

Another Nigerian based in the United States, Uchenna Osuchukwu, narrated how he lost some valuable possessions when he was kidnapped, but the policemen asked him to bring N200,000 when he went to report.

“I was kidnapped, they emptied my bank account and my people still paid ransom. They took my car and damaged it. One of them transferred money directly from my account to his; one bought airtime directly from my bank. I took all the evidence to the police and was asked to pay N200k, but I let it slide.

“A month after that, police at Enugu stopped me while driving back to Abuja, planted dirty panties in my luggage while searching it and threatened to shoot me right there if I argued and did not cooperate with them. They labelled me a Yahoo boy/man (meaning a fraudster in Nigeria.)

“In Abuja the next week, a police lady slapped me for nothing. I slapped back, and her colleagues, who were men, attacked me, one wanted to stab me with a dagger.

“The last thing that made me say, “fu-k it” was the day Vehicle Inspection Officer personnel in Abuja attacked me. One entered my car and nearly made me crash into a fence of Ya’dua Center. @whitenigerian witnessed this one. Right there, I realized Nigeria seriously wanted to kill me by all means. The next day, my wife and I started the process of leaving.

Similarly, another Nigerian based in the United Kingdom with X name Guyman recounted being assaulted by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a unit of the Nigerian Police Force notorious for human rights violations.

The Royal Navy warship, HMS Trent has arrived Nigeria’s shore in Lagos, Nigeria.

This is Trent’s second visit to Nigeria is part of its regional mission to aid allies and partners in driving down illegal activities including piracy and illicit trafficking.

According to a statement from the British High Commission on on Sunday, September 10, the visit would help deliver capacity training and support maritime security in the region.

The commission said the HMS Trent departed Gibraltar carrying an expert boarding team of UK Royal Marines and a Puma surveillance drone, adding that “HMS Trent’s mission is to support West African allies helping countries to develop the capability to fight crimes at sea and ensure they can play an effective role in bringing stability to wider West Africa.

“With around £6bn of UK trade passing through the region, part of Trent’s tasking is to support stability across the Gulf of Guinea through training to help partner navies take the fight to criminal actors, fostering ties and sharing knowledge, whilst conducting patrols to increase security.”

HMS Trent’s Commanding Officer, Commander Tim Langford, said, “The Royal Navy has a long history of engagement within the region and an enduring partnership with the Armed Forces of Nigeria. My team are really looking forward to the opportunity to work with their Nigerian counterparts and build on the relationships established when we visited Lagos in 2021.”

UK Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter noted that the deployment demonstrated how a truly Global Britain is stepping up on the world stage to tackle shared international security challeng”Nigeria is an important and valued defence partner for the UK in West Africa. Our two countries face many shared threats and we are keen to work with Nigeria to defeat these and to help improve maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.”

A boat accident has claimed the lives of 24 people and left others missing in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.

According to witnesses the incident which occurred on Sunday, September 10 afternoon has left the affected communities in mourning as the indigenes are searching for the whereabouts of their loved ones.

The number of persons that boarded the ill-fated boat at the time of filling this report is still sketchy.

Also, the cause of the boat mishap is still unknown although sources around the area said the passengers were not wearing any life jackets when the accident occurred.

Chairman of the Mokwa Local Government Area, Jibrim Muregi, who confirmed the boat mishap in a telephone interview said divers were making efforts to rescue more victims or recover more bodies.

Muregi confirmed that 21 dead bodies were recovered, and three community members of Gbajibo, Ekwa and Yankeiade were affected.