Alaafin of Oyo Appoints New Chief Imam

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has named lawyer Bilaal Akinola as the new Chief Imam of Oyo land, following the passing of the late Chief Imam, Mashood Ajokidero III, in early 2023. According to his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaye, Akinola was selected after successfully passing the required screening process. Addressing the new Chief Imam, Oba Owoade said, “This appointment is significant not only for our people but also sacred in the eyes of Allah. Leadership in Islam demands humility, sincerity, and justice.” Born on April 15, 1965, to Shaykh Bilaal Ogunbado of Imam Ogunbado compound in Akeugberu Oyo, Oyo West Local Government Area, Akinola studied Law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. During the ceremony, the Alaafin also highlighted the importance of child protection for national development. Speaking to pupils of the Federal College of Education (Special) Basic School in Durbar, Oyo, he said, “Children are the future. Their healthy growth and development should be a top priority. Prosperous nations are those where family stability is maintained.” Oba Owoade stressed that national development requires enforceable laws, policies, and social services. He cited Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Nigeria’s Child Rights Act 2003, noting that abuses persist due to insufficient social consensus and political will. He drew attention to corporal punishment in schools, neglect, deprivation of basic needs, sexual abuse, and child marriage, often perpetrated by parents, guardians, teachers, or clerics, warning that such abuses leave lasting psychological scars. On broader societal growth, the Alaafin stated, “Citizens can only overcome the constraints of their historical and cultural environments by transforming their understanding of history.” He urged Nigerians to support government initiatives aimed at national transformation, emphasizing that strong families are the foundation of a stable society. “The increasing rate of family breakdowns has become a ticking time bomb, contributing to criminal behaviour among children from broken homes. Marriage plays a crucial role in shaping a strong society, and early childhood experiences profoundly influence the life a person will lead,” he concluded.

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Defence Minister Commends Lieutenant Yerima Following Confrontation With FCT Minister Wike

Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru has praised Lieutenant Yerima, the naval officer who confronted FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over a disputed land in Abuja, reportedly owned by former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo. Speaking at a press briefing on the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Celebration at the National Defence College in Abuja on Wednesday, Badaru reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting military personnel carrying out their lawful duties. “At the Ministry and across the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers performing their duties lawfully. Lieutenant Yerima has acted commendably, and we will ensure his safety. We are thoroughly reviewing this matter, and I assure you that any officer performing legitimate duties will receive full protection,” he said. The comments come after a viral video showed Wike and the officer in a heated exchange at a construction site in Gaduwa District, Abuja. Wike accused Yerima of illegally blocking his access to the property, insisting no one is above the law, while the officer said he was following orders from his superiors, sparking widespread public discussion.

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Regina Daniels And Brother Sammy Enjoy Boat Cruise Reunion After His Bail Release

Regina Daniels and her brother Sammy shared a lively reunion after his release from detention. Sammy was granted bail following his arrest, which occurred amid ongoing tensions with Regina Daniels’ estranged husband, Ned Nwoko. The siblings were seen enjoying a boat cruise in Lagos, with Regina Daniels letting loose and appearing carefree. The outing sparked reactions on social media, with some users expressing concern over her conduct in the video, suggesting she may have been under the influence. Regina Daniels finally reunited with her brother, Sammy. pic.twitter.com/qR0nhQqRE2 — Cleverly 💐 (@Cleverlydey4u) November 12, 2025

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Wike’s Aide Says Ex-Naval Chief Was Scammed In Disputed Abuja Land Deal

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Publicity and Communications to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has shed more light on the ownership controversy surrounding a disputed plot of land in Abuja, which recently sparked a confrontation between the minister and a naval officer. According to Olayinka, former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd.), who claimed the land belonged to him, was a victim of fraud. He explained that the property was first allocated in 2007 to a company, Santos Estate Limited, for the development of a park and recreation centre. However, the company could not proceed with the project because the plot was located on a designated walkway. In 2022, Santos Estate Limited applied to the FCT Administration for a change of use—from “park and recreation” to “public park”—but the request was denied. Olayinka alleged that despite the refusal, the firm went ahead to divide and sell parts of the land to private buyers, including Gambo. “The former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Gambo, was scammed. And he has realised that he was scammed. Instead of him to come out and seek help, he resorted to using military might,” Olayinka said. He stressed that since the change-of-use request had been rejected, any ongoing residential construction on the property was illegal and not recognised by the FCT Administration.

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Actor Taye Arimoro Alleges Brutal Attack And Car Damage By Peggy Ovire’s Team On Movie Set

Actor Taye Arimoro has accused Nollywood actress Peggy Ovire and her team of attacking him and damaging his car during a movie shoot in Lagos. Arimoro alleged that the confrontation began after his night contract ended and he was preparing to leave the set. According to him, Peggy’s team confronted him, and the situation quickly turned violent. The actor shared a video online showing his swollen lip and gum, claiming his car was blocked and its tyres deflated. “My car tyres got flattened in the heat of the moment and I was stressed – and look at these injuries,” he said. “Yeah, I’m okay. I’m alright. I have injuries. Serious injuries, but I’m more concerned about the things in my car. I have injuries in my lower gum. It’s just crazy how things are happening.” Arimoro said he is demanding justice and wants his side of the story heard after what he described as an unprovoked assault.   View this post on Instagram  

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Peter Obi Condemns ‘Street Urchins’ Tag On Supporters, Says No Nigerian Is Without Value

Peter Obi Criticises Government Over Unpaid Super Eagles Allowances, Calls Nigeria “Now Disgraced Country”

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised the Federal Government over reports that the Super Eagles have not received their allowances, describing the situation as a mark of a “now disgraced country.” Obi’s reaction comes after Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi shared a video highlighting the poor condition of the team’s accommodation in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff against Gabon. In a statement on Tuesday via X, Obi said it was “truly unfortunate” that players who consistently give their best in representing the nation are still owed their entitlements, even as the government continues to spend on “needless lavish spending and political patronage.” He stressed that failing to properly care for national athletes sends the wrong message to Nigerian youth and urged authorities to prioritise the welfare of those who represent the country. Obi wrote: “It is truly unfortunate that our Super Eagles, who consistently give their best in representing our dear nation, are being owed their allowances. We always seem to find money to waste on needless lavish spending and political patronage, yet we cannot pay those who patriotically raise our flag, bring us pride, and serve with dedication. That is what is found in a ‘now disgraced country.’ When those who serve their country are not treated with dignity, it sends the wrong message to our youth, that hard work and service are not rewarded. Those who represent Nigeria deserve to be paid promptly and treated with respect. We must do better.”

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Andrés Iniesta Faces Investigation in Peru Over Alleged €500,000 Fraud

Former Barcelona star Andrés Iniesta is under investigation by Peruvian authorities over allegations of aggravated fraud involving approximately €500,000 (around US $600,000). Reports indicate that Iniesta’s company, Never Say Never (NSN), along with its Peruvian subsidiary NSN Sudamerica S.A.C, allegedly collected funds from local investors to organize sports and music events that never materialized. The company was reportedly liquidated in 2024 after investors sought accountability for the missing funds. Iniesta’s representatives have denied the allegations, describing them as “malicious” and expressing confidence that the Peruvian justice system will handle the case fairly. The investigation remains in its early stages, and the Spanish football legend has not been formally charged.

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Buratai Flags Wike-Navy Officer Clash as National Security Threat, Demands Urgent Action

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), has warned that the confrontation between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and a Nigerian Navy officer in Abuja poses a serious threat to national security, calling for urgent corrective measures. In a statement on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday, Buratai said Wike’s actions “transcend mere misconduct” and undermine the authority of the Commander-in-Chief as well as the integrity of the Armed Forces. The clash reportedly took place at Plot 1946, Gaduwa District, Abuja, over a land dispute linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff. Wike, accompanied by senior officials from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), visited the site to stop what he described as an “illegal construction” and confronted the naval officer supervising the property. In a viral video, Wike was seen questioning the officer’s authority, saying, “You are in uniform, and you’re telling me that the Navy owns this land? Who gave you the right to build without approval? Even if you are the Chief of Naval Staff, the law must be respected.” The officer replied that the property belonged to a former service chief and that the military had authorization to guard it. Buratai described Wike’s public rebuke as “a reckless act that strikes at the core of Nigeria’s command and control structure,” adding, “A minister’s verbal assault on a military officer in uniform is an act of profound indiscipline that threatens the foundation of our national security. It is not political theatre—it endangers public order.” He urged President Bola Tinubu to treat the matter as a national security issue and demanded that Wike issue an immediate public apology to the President, the Armed Forces, and the officer involved, emphasizing that the integrity of the military must be protected. The incident has drawn mixed reactions. Activist Omoyele Sowore criticized the military for allegedly prioritizing the protection of private property over national security, describing the situation as “misplaced priorities and entrenched self-interest among public officials.” Meanwhile, APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe defended Wike, calling the officer’s actions symbolic of systemic corruption and calling for his removal from the military. Legal expert Prof. Sebastine Hon also weighed in, stating that the officer’s conduct violated military regulations, which do not allow personnel to guard private property, and reaffirmed Wike’s authority over land administration in the Federal Capital Territory.

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