April 2025 | Page 7 of 45

Alex Otti Denies Defection Plans to APC

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago13 mins

Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, has firmly denied reports linking him to a planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Recent reports had alleged that Otti met with Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, to discuss a possible move to the ruling party, following Thursday’s National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. However, in a statement issued on Saturday, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser to Otti on Media and Publicity, described the claims as “false, baseless, and unfounded.” He clarified that the alleged meeting was misrepresented and had no political undertones. “After the National Economic Council meeting on Thursday, April 24, Governor Otti and a few of his colleagues attended the birthday celebration of Governor Uzodinma’s twin daughters — an event that had absolutely nothing to do with politics,” Ekeoma said. He noted that Governor Otti’s “rising profile and performance” as Abia governor may have triggered speculations and political projections from different quarters. Ekeoma stressed that any decision with long-term consequences would be made only in consultation with the people of Abia State and Otti’s close political allies. The statement reiterated that Governor Otti remains fully committed to his mandate and that it would be premature to allow 2027 political calculations to distract from the current focus on governance and service delivery. “We wish to emphatically state that Governor Otti remains a member of the Labour Party and is not planning or discussing with anyone about defecting to the APC or any other party,” Ekeoma said. In recent weeks, the ruling APC has attracted several members from major opposition parties, with reports suggesting that more governors and key political figures may also be considering a switch.

Russia Praises Nigerian Government for Support on UN Resolution

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

Russia has expressed gratitude to Nigeria for its support in the United Nations’ adoption of a resolution aimed at combating the glorification of Nazism. This acknowledgment was made by Andrey Podyolyshev, the Russian Federation’s Ambassador to Nigeria, during a photo exhibition in Abuja commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War. The exhibition, marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, served as a platform to remember the victims of World War II and to raise awareness about the dangers associated with the glorification of Nazism. Ambassador Podyolyshev highlighted Nigeria’s vote in favor of the resolution during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, which aims to combat practices contributing to contemporary forms of racism, discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance He emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between Russia and Nigeria on international matters, particularly within the United Nations framework. Additionally, Podyolyshev noted Nigeria’s recent partnership with BRICS, expressing optimism about the potential for further cooperation. The ambassador reiterated Russia’s commitment to a multipolar world, advocating for close cooperation among nations to address global challenges such as economic crises and insecurity. He also acknowledged Africa, especially Nigeria, as a significant player in Russia’s foreign policy, underscoring the importance of African nations’ cooperation as a priority. Peoples Gazette Nigeria The Great Patriotic War, spanning from 1941 to 1945, was instrumental in the establishment of the United Nations, with the USSR playing a pivotal role in shaping the global system to prevent future conflicts. The aim was to create a framework that would protect the dignity of nations and ensure global peace, laying the foundation for international cooperation in the years to come.

Back in a 1999 column, my former boss Bill Simmons introduced the "Ewing Theory." It came from a friend of his who believed that Patrick Ewing’s teams — at both Georgetown and with the New York Knicks — strangely played better whenever Ewing was injured or stuck on the bench with foul trouble, as Simmons later explained in an ESPN piece. Ewing, a star center drafted No. 1 overall by the Knicks in 1985, had a long, impressive career. Unfortunately, it unfolded alongside the dominance of Michael Jordan, meaning Ewing's Knicks won plenty of games but never captured an NBA title. In 1999, during the Eastern Conference finals, Ewing tore his Achilles. The eighth-seeded Knicks were tied 1-1 with the second-seeded Indiana Pacers, and most expected the Pacers to cruise to the NBA Finals. Instead, Simmons published his column introducing the Ewing Theory — and right on cue, the Knicks won three straight to clinch the series. Over the past 25 years, the Ewing Theory has been mocked and misunderstood. Critics quip: Oh, so it’s better not to have great players? They point out that the Knicks haven’t been back to the Eastern Conference finals since Ewing left. And they question why Simmons chose Ewing in the first place. But the name wasn’t really the point. As Simmons explained in a 2013 update, the Ewing Theory isn’t about tearing down a player — it’s about what happens when a team recalibrates after losing a star. Sometimes a player is overrated. Sometimes his absence gives other players a chance to thrive in a better-fitting system. And sometimes, losing a centerpiece forces everyone to step up, rediscover urgency, and rebuild momentum — transforming the team in the process. Sound familiar? Imagine if the world’s supposed best soccer player changed clubs over the summer, only for his new team to get worse while his old team thrived without him. Well, that’s exactly what's happened with Kylian Mbappé after his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid. So, ahead of the upcoming El Clásico — the Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona (streaming live on ESPN+) — let’s dive into how Mbappé’s departure hurt Madrid, why PSG improved without him, and what it all might say about Mbappé as a player.

How Kylian Mbappé made Real Madrid worse

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago24 mins

Back in a 1999 column, my former boss Bill Simmons introduced the “Ewing Theory.” It came from a friend of his who believed that Patrick Ewing’s teams — at both Georgetown and with the New York Knicks — strangely played better whenever Ewing was injured or stuck on the bench with foul trouble, as Simmons later explained in an ESPN piece. Ewing, a star center drafted No. 1 overall by the Knicks in 1985, had a long, impressive career. Unfortunately, it unfolded alongside the dominance of Michael Jordan, meaning Ewing’s Knicks won plenty of games but never captured an NBA title. In 1999, during the Eastern Conference finals, Ewing tore his Achilles. The eighth-seeded Knicks were tied 1-1 with the second-seeded Indiana Pacers, and most expected the Pacers to cruise to the NBA Finals. Instead, Simmons published his column introducing the Ewing Theory — and right on cue, the Knicks won three straight to clinch the series. Over the past 25 years, the Ewing Theory has been mocked and misunderstood. Critics quip: Oh, so it’s better not to have great players? They point out that the Knicks haven’t been back to the Eastern Conference finals since Ewing left. And they question why Simmons chose Ewing in the first place. But the name wasn’t really the point. As Simmons explained in a 2013 update, the Ewing Theory isn’t about tearing down a player — it’s about what happens when a team recalibrates after losing a star. Sometimes a player is overrated. Sometimes his absence gives other players a chance to thrive in a better-fitting system. And sometimes, losing a centerpiece forces everyone to step up, rediscover urgency, and rebuild momentum — transforming the team in the process. Sound familiar? Imagine if the world’s supposed best soccer player changed clubs over the summer, only for his new team to get worse while his old team thrived without him. Well, that’s exactly what’s happened with Kylian Mbappé after his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid. So, ahead of the upcoming El Clásico — the Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona (streaming live on ESPN+) — let’s dive into how Mbappé’s departure hurt Madrid, why PSG improved without him, and what it all might say about Mbappé as a player.

Nigerian Couple Jailed in UK for Smuggling Baby Amid Adoption Fraud

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

In June 2023, officers of the United Kingdom’s Border Force intercepted a Nigerian couple at Manchester Airport after they attempted to smuggle a baby who was not biologically theirs into the country. According to a BBC report, the officers became suspicious after noticing the couple’s “odd” behavior with the baby during routine checks. When questioned, Raphael Ossai, who claimed to be the child’s father, presented a birth certificate showing his companion, Oluwakemi Olasanoye, as the baby’s mother. However, a deeper search revealed a second birth certificate hidden in their luggage, naming a different woman — Ossai’s British wife — as the child’s mother. Following an investigation, authorities discovered that the baby, referred to as “Lucy” to protect her identity, was born in a rural Nigerian community in September 2022. She had been placed in an orphanage by her biological mother just three days after birth. Court Proceedings Ossai and Olasanoye were charged with immigration offences, having illegally transported Lucy from Lagos to the UK without legal adoption rights. DNA tests confirmed that neither Ossai nor Olasanoye was biologically related to Lucy. During court proceedings, Ossai admitted that he and his British wife had been seeking to adopt a child and that he had assumed custody of Lucy from an orphanage. However, while they had legal permission to foster Lucy in Nigeria, they had no authority to formally adopt her or remove her from the country. Both Ossai and Olasanoye pleaded guilty and were each sentenced to 18 months in prison for immigration violations. Following their conviction, Ossai and his wife appealed to the court for custody of Lucy, claiming she was like a daughter to them. Ossai argued that, since Nigerian authorities had approved him as Lucy’s foster parent, the English court had no jurisdiction to separate them. However, High Court Judge Jonathan Cohen ruled against them, stressing that their deceptive actions — particularly the illegal relocation of Lucy — had caused her “very significant emotional harm.” Lucy’s Future Since her arrival in the UK, Lucy has been moved between three different foster homes. In April, a judge ordered that she be placed for adoption and that her name be legally changed to give her a fresh start. The court stated that Lucy “needs the best opportunities going forward in the world,” and such prospects could “only be achieved through placement with an alternative family.” The case also drew attention to the lack of involvement from the Nigerian High Commission. Despite repeated outreach by the UK courts, the High Commission reportedly showed minimal engagement and declined to comment on the case.

Minister Performs Ground Breaking Ceremony For $400m Steel Plant In Ogun

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago08 mins

Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu has performed the official groundbreaking ceremony of the Inner Galaxy Group’s Stellar Steel Plant, a $400 million investment in Ogun State. This was disclosed in a statement released on Thursday by the Ministry’s Principal Information Officer, Ijomah E. Opia. The steel plant, which will sit on over 100 hectares of land once completed, is expected to produce hot-rolled coil, reducing Nigeria’s $4 billion annual steel import bill, strengthening the nation’s foreign-exchange position, growing and diversifying the economy away from oil & gas and also creating over 3,500 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians. The groundbreaking ceremony of the Stellar Steel Plant follows the commissioning of the African Industries Group’s Galvanised Steel Plant with an estimated annual turnover of about $100 million. Both activities form part of the minister’s one-week official visit to Lagos and Ogun states to engage with private sector steel players. Performing the groundbreaking ceremony, Audu lauded the Inner Galaxy Group for their commitment to the steel industry revival efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, reiterating that the Federal Government is keen on encouraging private sector players as a means of growing the Nigerian economy. “As you are aware, this is one of the most robust cabinet teams that has been put together by any President since the advent of the democratic dispensation in the Fourth Republic in 1999 because President Tinubu is renowned for selecting the best hands and leaders to actualise his vision,” Audu said. The minister also expressed confidence in the capacity of the Inner Galaxy Group to deliver on its plans for the completion of the Stellar Steel Plant, as he expects to commission the completed plant by next April, 2026. He lauded the company’s track record in Nigeria, which includes building the largest lithium factory in Nasarawa State and a $150 million battery-recycling facility in Aba, Abia State. “I have personally come to support the Inner Galaxy Group and the Stellar Steel Team for this 400-million-dollar investment in the steel sector. It is a very impressive project, and I have come to perform the groundbreaking ceremony, as I look forward to coming for the commissioning once it is ready in April 2026, by God’s grace. “Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we are determined to build a $1 trillion economy by 2030. Steel is the backbone of industrialisation; from roads and power stations to defence hardware — they all need steel, and this particular project exemplifies the public–private partnership required to compete in Africa and globally. “We want to grow the Nigerian economy to one of the biggest economies in the world by 2030. China has done that excellently well over the last 30 years and is also renowned for speed of execution. “We, as leaders in Nigeria want to follow in those footsteps so that we can make our economy not just the biggest in Africa but one of the biggest in the world,” Audu said. Vice President of the Inner Galaxy Group, Mr Jackie Shan, who interpreted on behalf of its Chairman, Mr Li Chuang, who was also present, thanked the Ministry of Steel Development, under Audu’s leadership, for striving for the revitalisation of the steel sector in the country. In the same vein, the minister paid working visits to Proforce Defence Solutions in Ode Remo and Epail Nigeria Plant in Mowe, both in Ogun State. The visits are aligned with the Federal Government’s push for local production of military hardware and the proposed development of a military industrial complex within the Ajaokuta Steel Complex. Speaking at Proforce Nigeria Limited, the minister said that the President has also repeatedly stated the importance of having a military industrial complex to help improve the security situation in the country. According to him, having a military industrial complex in Ajaokuta with local capacity to produce military hardware is extremely critical. Mr Ayo Ogundeyin, Managing Director of Proforce, commended the minister for his dedication to reviving the steel sector and affirmed that with support from the Ministry, Nigeria could become Africa’s top defence manufacturing hub. At Epail Nigeria, the minister applauded the company’s use of advanced technology in defence production and reaffirmed the government’s readiness to collaborate in support of its operations. Dr. Kola Balogun, Chairman of Epail Nigeria, also called for stronger collaboration with the Ministry, highlighting the essential role of steel in defence production. He advocated for a licensing framework to support and regulate private military equipment manufacturers in the country.

Oghenero Adaware: What Cape Verde Taught Me About Being Nigerian

What Cape Verde Taught Me About Being Nigerian – Oghenero Adaware

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago05 mins

Not Even Safe In West Africa: What Cape Verde Taught Me About Being Nigerian When I first stepped off the plane in Sal, Cape Verde, I was filled with excitement. I was tired, yes, but the anticipation of the trip kept me energized. As someone who works long hours in tech, rest is a luxury I always look forward to, something that feels earned. My friends and I had meticulously planned the trip — flights booked, hotels paid for, and an itinerary lined up for sightseeing. We were just five friends seeking rest and a bit of thrill. Nothing more, nothing less. However, what happened the moment we arrived at Amílcar Cabral Airport stripped away all our plans and joy. We were immediately stopped, with no questions or checks, as if we were already marked as outsiders. Within minutes, we found ourselves being forced back onto the same plane we had just exited. When we calmly resisted, we were met with force: shoved, threatened, and surrounded by officers with guns. We weren’t given the opportunity to explain ourselves or even questioned. It was as though our fate had been decided before our plane even touched the runway — and it was based solely on our nationality. For three long days, we were detained in a back room at the airport. There was no access to proper food, water, or even showers. We were isolated from the outside world, yet we had done absolutely nothing wrong. That experience left me with a deep sense of helplessness and disbelief. It’s a feeling I’m still struggling to describe, but it made me reflect on how quickly dignity can be stripped from you, especially if you’re Nigerian. There was something painfully familiar about the whole ordeal — the silence, the disbelief, and the feeling that no one would listen. It’s something Nigerians are all too familiar with. At home, we fight for visas; abroad, we fight to prove our innocence. We constantly battle to show that we’re not criminals or traffickers, despite our efforts to build good reputations. It’s exhausting to be constantly seen as a threat because of the passport you hold. As I sat in that room, watching my friends, I saw the same hollow expression on their faces — one of quiet resignation. It’s the look I’ve seen in my parents’ eyes when they talk about the injustices they’ve faced in our country. It’s the look you wear when you know you’re being mistreated, but also understand that justice is a distant hope. And I can’t help but wonder: Why is this the reality for us? Why is this what it means to be Nigerian in the world? I don’t know if I’ll ever return to Cape Verde, but I do know this story is important. It’s not just about what happened to us — it’s about how easily African governments violate each other’s citizens. It’s about how we can be treated like strangers in spaces that should feel familiar. We must continue to speak up, even when it’s painful, because our voices matter.

SEDC, REA Partner to End Power Outages in South East Communities with Renewable Energy

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

The South-East Development Commission (SEDC) has finalized plans with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand power supply to rural communities across the Southeast, utilizing the National Renewable Energy Project established under Section 127 of the 2023 Electricity Act. The announcement was made on Friday following a strategic meeting between the Managing Director/CEO of SEDC, Mark Okoye, and the Managing Director of REA, Abba Aliyu. Both agencies agreed to collaborate on extending electricity to underserved and unserved areas of the Southeast in a cost-effective manner, ensuring sustainable returns through appropriate tariffs designed to support the region’s social, industrial, and agricultural development. A key focus of the discussions was the deployment of renewable energy solutions, particularly Solar Mini-Grid projects, to power thousands of homes, especially in remote areas. Okoye emphasized the urgent need to attract private sector investment and engage key stakeholders to align with the Federal Government’s renewable energy drive. He also highlighted the significant power deficit in the Southeast, which continues to hinder the region’s economic growth and industrialization. Okoye urged the REA to support SEDC’s renewable energy initiatives, particularly those aimed at powering critical infrastructure projects set to launch soon. “Our discussions centered around deploying renewable energy solutions in unserved and underserved communities across the Southeast. We also explored how the REA can back alternative energy solutions for upcoming key infrastructure projects,” Okoye said. He reaffirmed the SEDC’s commitment to working with the REA to address the electricity shortages that are impeding the region’s development. In response, Abba Aliyu assured Okoye that the Southeast would fully benefit from the Federal Government’s energy initiatives. He reiterated the REA’s commitment to working closely with the SEDC to achieve its electrification goals. Aliyu also outlined several major projects under the REA, including the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES), and several other initiatives aimed at electrifying rural and underserved communities to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life for Nigerians.

El-Rufai, Kwankwaso meet in Abuja as NNPP Leader’s possible APC defection looms

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Friday met with the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in Abuja, as speculations grow over Kwankwaso’s possible return to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Both political figures were sighted together shortly after attending Jumaat prayers at a mosque in the nation’s capital. According to a report by The Nation, El-Rufai was accompanied by his eldest son, Hon. Bello El-Rufai, when he exchanged pleasantries with the former Kano State governor. This meeting is coming at a time when reports suggest that Kwankwaso may have reached a fresh political understanding with President Bola Tinubu, a move that could see him, along with his loyal political supporters, rejoin the ruling APC. Political analysts believe that if Kwankwaso eventually returns to the APC, it would significantly strengthen President Tinubu’s chances of securing victory in the 2027 presidential election, considering Kwankwaso’s considerable grassroots following, especially in the North.