August 2025 | Page 24 of 31

Prince Harry Cleared of Bullying Allegations in Sentebale Charity Dispute

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago05 mins

The UK Charity Commission has found no evidence of bullying or harassment at Sentebale, the charity co-founded by Prince Harry, following an investigation into a damaging internal dispute. The row erupted earlier this year after Sentebale’s chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka, accused the Duke of Sussex of “harassment and bullying at scale” during a Sky News interview in March. Her remarks came after Harry and several trustees resigned, calling for her to step down “in the best interest of the charity”. The Commission’s report criticised both sides for allowing the conflict to spill into the public, saying it “severely impacted the charity’s reputation” and risked undermining public trust in charities. While investigators found no evidence of systemic bullying, harassment, misogyny, or misconduct by either the chair or the Duke, they acknowledged the “strong perception of ill-treatment” felt by some involved. The report blamed poor clarity in role descriptions and internal policies for misunderstandings that fueled the dispute, which led to multiple trustee resignations and the departure of both founding patrons. Responses A spokesperson for Prince Harry welcomed the finding of no wrongdoing but said the report “falls troublingly short” for failing to hold the current chair accountable. They stressed that the fallout could harm “the children who rely on Sentebale’s support”, and said Harry will focus on finding new ways to help children in Lesotho and Botswana. Dr Chandauka thanked the Commission for confirming “governance concerns” she had raised privately but blamed an “unexpected adverse media campaign” by those who resigned for causing “incalculable damage” to the charity.Prince Harry Cleared of Bullying Allegations in Sentebale Charity Dispute UK | August 6, 2025 —The UK Charity Commission has found no evidence of bullying or harassment at Sentebale, the charity co-founded by Prince Harry, following an investigation into a damaging internal dispute. The row erupted earlier this year after Sentebale’s chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka, accused the Duke of Sussex of “harassment and bullying at scale” during a Sky News interview in March. Her remarks came after Harry and several trustees resigned, calling for her to step down “in the best interest of the charity”. The Commission’s report criticised both sides for allowing the conflict to spill into the public, saying it “severely impacted the charity’s reputation” and risked undermining public trust in charities. While investigators found no evidence of systemic bullying, harassment, misogyny, or misconduct by either the chair or the Duke, they acknowledged the “strong perception of ill-treatment” felt by some involved. The report blamed poor clarity in role descriptions and internal policies for misunderstandings that fueled the dispute, which led to multiple trustee resignations and the departure of both founding patrons. Responses A spokesperson for Prince Harry welcomed the finding of no wrongdoing but said the report “falls troublingly short” for failing to hold the current chair accountable. They stressed that the fallout could harm “the children who rely on Sentebale’s support”, and said Harry will focus on finding new ways to help children in Lesotho and Botswana. Dr Chandauka thanked the Commission for confirming “governance concerns” she had raised privately but blamed an “unexpected adverse media campaign” by those who resigned for causing “incalculable damage” to the charity.

Lagos Warns Lekki, Ikorodu, Ajegunle, Isheri Residents to Relocate Over Flood Risk

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Lagos | August 6, 2025 —The Lagos State Government has urged residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas to relocate to safer ground as the state braces for heavier rainfall this year. The warning, issued by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, follows NiMet’s forecast that Lagos will experience significantly more rain in 2025 than in the previous year. Wahab identified Lekki, Ikorodu, Ajegunle, and Isheri (OPIC axis) as high-risk zones, warning that flash floods were likely. His comments came after continuous rainfall from Sunday night into Monday caused widespread flooding, submerging homes and vehicles in several communities. “We won’t tell Lagosians lies. Lagos will be exposed to the vagaries of climate change, and that means flash flooding will occur,” Wahab said. He assured residents that the state was investing heavily in mitigation, with ₦15bn spent on drainage infrastructure in 2024 and ongoing efforts to clear and expand water channels. Projects include System 44 in Lekki, drainage upgrades in Maryland and Ikeja, and the installation of high-capacity pump stations—such as the Ilubirin facility, which pumps three million gallons of water per hour. Wahab cautioned against building on wetlands and floodplains, warning that illegal structures would be demolished. He also defended the government’s environmental enforcement drive, which has led to the shutdown of non-compliant nightclubs and commercial premises. Meanwhile, NEMA reports that floods have killed 191 people across 20 states in 2025, with 94 missing, 239 injured, and 48,056 displaced. Over 134,000 people have been affected nationwide, including 60,071 children. Worst-hit states include Imo (28,030 affected), Rivers (22,345), Adamawa (12,613), Abia (11,907), Borno (8,164), and Kaduna (7,334). In 2024, Nigeria recorded about five million flood victims, with over 1.2 million displaced and more than 1,000 deaths.

Tinubu Treating South-East Fairly on Infrastructure – Umahi

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has dismissed claims that the South-East has been excluded from major road and infrastructure projects under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, describing such reports as “misleading and deceptive.” Reacting to a viral social media post titled “The Politics of Asphalt: Why is the South-East missing from the map?” by Mr. Linus Anagboso, Umahi accused some individuals of deliberately twisting facts to incite the public. He said the Tinubu administration has fairly distributed projects across the six geopolitical zones, with the South-East prominently captured in the third Legacy Project — the Cross River–Ebonyi–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa–Abuja highway, covering 465km x 2, of which 231.64km x 2 and 231.64km x 1 fall within the South-East at a cost of ₦445.8 billion. According to Umahi, ₦108 billion has already been paid for the project, which was reviewed at the July 31, 2025 Federal Executive Council meeting to extend coverage from 118km to 231.64km. “Under President Tinubu, 90% of abandoned projects, some dating back to 2013, have been revived and are now ongoing. The South-East is receiving the same fair treatment as other regions,” Umahi stated. He listed other ongoing projects in the region, including: Umahi urged South-East residents to support President Tinubu and the zone’s governors, stressing that unity, rather than “politics of hate and misinformation,” will help the region achieve the presidency in the future.

MKO Abiola’s Wife, Doyin Dies at 82

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Dr. Doyin Abiola, the first woman to become Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of a national daily in Nigeria, has died. She passed away at 9:15pm on Tuesday, August 5, family sources confirmed. She was 82. Doyin, the widow of the late business mogul and politician Chief MKO Abiola, was a media powerhouse in her own right long before her name became linked to Nigeria’s most iconic democratic martyr. She began her journalism journey in 1969 at the Daily Sketch, where her popular column “Tiro” tackled major societal issues including gender advocacy at a time when few dared. In 1970, she left for the United States, bagged a master’s degree in journalism, and returned home to join Daily Times as a Features Writer. There, she rose to become Group Features Editor, and later secured a PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York in 1979. On her return, she served on the Daily Times editorial board, where she worked alongside greats like Dele Giwa, Stanley Macebuh, and Amma Ogan. But history would come calling when the National Concord, owned by MKO Abiola, appointed her as its pioneer daily editor. She eventually became Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief in 1986, becoming the first Nigerian woman to hold such a top role at a national daily. Her career at the National Concord spanned three decades, and she remained a towering figure in Nigeria’s media landscape. Dr. Doyin Abiola and MKO Abiola got married in 1981, and she stood firm through the highs of journalism and the political storms that trailed her husband’s June 12 presidential mandate.

MSMEs Key to Nigeria’s Economic Growth – VP Shettima

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed that Nigeria’s economic growth and poverty reduction goals cannot be achieved without the rapid development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which he described as the backbone of the nation’s economy. Speaking at the 7th Expanded National MSME Clinic (Ondo 2025) held at the International Culture and Event Centre, Akure, Shettima noted that MSMEs account for 90% of jobs in Nigeria and are central to achieving inclusive growth. He revealed that 65 Ondo-based MSMEs have already benefited from the Federal Government’s ₦75 billion intervention fund, designed to provide affordable financing to entrepreneurs. Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa hailed the clinic as a “revolutionary step” toward unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential, highlighting his administration’s OUR EASE Agenda in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He called for federal support to establish a Fashion Hub Shared Facility and an Oil Palm Processing Plant in the state. Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji stressed the importance of patronising locally made goods, while the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, urged stronger public-private partnerships to empower young entrepreneurs. The MSME Clinic recognised several Ondo-based businesses, including Denki Wire and Cables Ltd and Kay Classic Fashion, winners of the National MSME Awards for Excellence in Manufacturing and Fashion, respectively.

Tinubu Signs Landmark Insurance Industry Reform Bill into Law

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Bill, 2025 into law — a sweeping legislation aimed at modernising Nigeria’s insurance sector, boosting financial stability, and supporting the country’s goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy. The Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 repeals and consolidates multiple outdated insurance laws into a single, modern framework for regulating all insurance and reinsurance operations in the country. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda for the Insurance Sector, the new Act introduces: The law mandates the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to enforce its provisions and drive reforms that will improve insurance penetration nationwide. According to the Presidency, the NIIRA 2025 will attract new investments, enhance transparency, spur innovation, and position Nigeria as a leading insurance hub in Africa.

Netanyahu Pushes for Full Occupation of Gaza Security Cabinet to Decide

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly decided to pursue the full occupation of the Gaza Strip, with his security cabinet expected to meet this week to approve the plan. According to Israeli outlet Ynet, a senior official close to Netanyahu said, “This is die cast — we are going for the full occupation of the Gaza Strip. There will be operations even in areas where hostages are being held. If the chief of staff doesn’t agree, he should resign.” The Times of Israel reports that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) currently control about 75% of Gaza, and the new strategy would involve seizing the remaining territory. In response, Hamas dismissed the threats as “repetitive, worthless and without influence” on its decisions. During a visit to IDF recruits at a base near Tel Aviv, Netanyahu stressed the need to finish the campaign. “It is still necessary to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, release our hostages and ensure that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel. We are not giving up on any of these missions,” he told the troops. The push for total occupation comes amid ongoing fighting and mounting international pressure for a ceasefire.

Magistrate Remands Alleged Serial Killer Olori Esho in Kirikiri Custody

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Lagos | August 5, 2025 —A Lagos Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba has ordered the remand of alleged notorious serial killer, Wasiu Akinwande, popularly known as Olori Esho, at the Nigerian Correctional Service, Kirikiri. The 44-year-old was arraigned on Tuesday before Chief Magistrate Mobolaji Tanimola on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, membership of an unlawful society, possession of dangerous weapons, grievous bodily harm, threat to life, and unlawful possession of multiple international passports. According to the police, Akinwande and others still at large allegedly committed the offences between December 9, 2010 and April 5, 2025 in different parts of Lagos, including Mushin, Idi-Araba, Surulere, and Fadeyi. Among the alleged victims was 10-year-old Aminat Lateef, killed in 2010 while running an errand. The defendant is also accused of shooting dead 30-year-old Yusuf Bolakale and 23-year-old Yusuf Ramadan in Mushin in July 2024 while in possession of an AK-47 rifle. Police further alleged that on July 31, 2024, he killed six more people during a violent clash between rival cult groups in Idi-Araba, before fleeing to Alagbado, where he was arrested in June this year. During the proceedings, police prosecutor Nosa Uhumwangho sought the suspect’s remand pending advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions, in line with Section 264 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2015. He told the court that 13 international passports bearing different names, along with nine AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, and two pistols, were recovered from the suspect’s hideout. Defence counsel Adejare Kembi opposed the request for police remand, insisting that his client be kept in a correctional facility for proper constitutional access. Ruling on the matter, Magistrate Tanimola ordered the defendant’s remand at Kirikiri Correctional Centre for 30 days and adjourned the case to September 4, 2025.