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Fola Badmus

FG launches N250bn Real Investment Fund

Fola Badmus01 mins

As part of efforts to increase housing opportunities for all Nigerians, the Federal Government has launched a N250 billion Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF). According to a statement released by the Ministry of Finance on its X page, the government said the initiative was designed to provide low-cost, long-term mortgage financing and stimulate economic growth through the housing and construction sectors. Presiding over the signing ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, emphasised that the initiative addresses Nigeria’s housing finance gap by offering mortgages with repayment terms of up to 25 years. This contrasts sharply with the high-interest, short-tenor loans currently offered by commercial banks. The initiative would enable Nigerians to build generational wealth through sustainable homeownership.

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Sola Sobowale celebrates 59th birthday

Fola Badmus01 mins

Frontline Nollywood actor Sola Sobowale on Wednesday marked her 59th birthday. Trendbrio.com can report. The thespian took to her X handle formerly Twitter to celebrate her day. An elated Sobowale gorgoeus dressed in a pictured flowing gown wrote; “Lord you are faithful and true… “I am grateful for another year added on to my life.” Meanwhile, congratulatory messages from her top musical art and other Nollywoods actors which includes; Queen Salawa Abeni, film marketer Alhaji Kasim Adeoti, Ronke Oshodi Oke, Akin Olaiya, Allwell Ademola, Regina Askia, Broda Shagi, Sunkanmi Omobolanle, Eniola Ajao, Kehinde Bankole, Kie Kie, Gabriel Afolayan, Wumi Toriola and Yemi Solade. Sobowale had her big break in 2001, in the premiere of Nigeria’s popular television drama series Super Story: Oh Father, Oh Daughter. She has also won several movie awards to her credit.

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Nigeria rejects Niger Republic’s Military Leader’s allegations

Fola Badmus06 mins

The Federal Government has strongly rejected the allegations in a viral video by the military leader of Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, claiming non-existent collusion between Nigeria and France to destabilise his country. These claims, according to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, exist solely in the realm of imagination, as Nigeria has never engaged in any overt or covert alliance with France – or any other country – to sponsor terrorist attacks or destabilise the Niger Republic in the wake of the undemocratic change in the leadership of that country. Idris said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Chairman of ECOWAS, has demonstrated exemplary leadership, keeping the doors of the sub-regional body open to re-engaging Niger Republic despite the political situation in the country. Nigeria remains committed to fostering peace, harmony, and historic diplomatic ties with Niger. “Nigeria’s Armed Forces, in collaboration with partners in the Multinational Joint Task Force, are succeeding in curbing terrorism within the region. It is, therefore, absurd to suggest that Nigeria would conspire with any foreign power to undermine the peace and security of a neighbouring country. “Neither the Nigerian government nor any of its officials has ever been involved in arming or supporting any terror group to attack Niger Republic. Furthermore, no part of Nigeria has been ceded to any foreign power for subversive operations in Niger Republic. “We reiterate our full support to senior Nigerian government officials for their untiring commitment to fostering peace and security between the government and people of Nigeria and Niger, and for their efforts towards stronger cooperation in the ECOWAS region. “Indeed, Nigeria has a long-standing tradition of safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Unlike some nations, Nigeria has never permitted foreign powers to establish military bases on its soil. This demonstrates our commitment to national independence and regional leadership. “The accusation that Nigeria seeks to sabotage Niger’s pipelines and agriculture is both unfounded and counterproductive. Nigeria has consistently supported Niger’s economic development through joint energy and infrastructure projects, such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway Project. It is illogical to suggest that Nigeria would undermine initiatives it has actively promoted. “The claims about the alleged establishment of a so-called Lakurawa terrorist headquarters in Sokoto State, purportedly orchestrated by Nigeria in collaboration with France, are baseless. Nigeria has been a regional leader in combating terrorism, dedicating significant resources and lives to ensure stability in the Lake Chad Basin and beyond. “Recently, the Nigerian military launched Operation Forest Sanity III, specifically addressing the Lakurawa threat, Code Named Operation Chase Lakurawa Out. How can a government actively fighting the Lakurawa menace now be accused of harbouring the same group within its borders? These accusations lack credible evidence and seem to be part of a broader attempt to deflect attention from Niger’s internal challenges. “The public is urged to disregard these false allegations. Those making such claims, particularly the Military Leader in Niger Republic, must provide credible evidence to substantiate them. Any attempt to blackmail Nigeria over ECOWAS’s principled stance against the unconstitutional seizure of power in the Niger Republic is both disingenuous and doomed to fail. “President Tchiani’s allegations are not only unfounded but also a dangerous attempt to divert attention from his administration’s shortcomings. Nigeria remains committed to fostering regional stability and will continue to lead efforts to address terrorism and other transnational challenges. “We urge Niger to focus on constructive dialogue and collaboration rather than peddling baseless accusations.”

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Breaking: Music icons, Asake, Olamide part ways

Fola Badmus03 mins

Popular Nigerian singer and rapper Ahmed Ololade also known as Asake has reportedly parted ways with Olamide and his record label, YBNL Nation. Media claims have it that the Afrobeat musician unfollowed his erstwhile boss on all social media and have not showed up at any of Olamide’s organised gigs in the recent time. The rumours however became rifle social media personality, Emmanuel Philip, aka Naijashimadun addressed the issues between singers. Just recently, the relationship between Asake and Olamide started raising questions after it was seen that the Lonely At The Top crooner had unfollowed his record label boss on Instagram and also removed YBNL from his bio. According to him, Olamide recently had his December concert in Lagos but Asake was nowhere to be found even though he was supposed to be one of the first people at the venue. Asake unfollows everyone on Instagram including Olamide, removes YBNL from his bio: “Contract ended.” Naijashimadun advised Asake and Olamide to settle their differences because they are a family. He said: “Asake, your senior brother, Olamide, had an event some days ago. You were supposed to be the first person there arranging chairs even before guests arrive but we didn’t even see you at all, we can’t even see you anywhere in Nigeria right now. I also went to your Instagram page, it has become a desert, I even checked to be sure it was the right page. You have removed your YBNL record label from the page and replaced it with ‘creative director’. “Anything that is happening between you and your senior brother, you will both need to settle it. It’s a family case. Go and meet your brother and find ways to settle it.”

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Bundesliga star, Karim Adeyemi visits Ooni of Ife

Fola Badmus01 mins

Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi on Wednesday paid courtesy visit to the Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi at his palace in Ile Ife, Osun State. Reasons for his visit to the monarch is still sketchy as at press time but Adeyemi was born in Munich, Germany, to a Nigerian father and Romanian mother enjoying his holidays in Nigeria. The former Red Bull Salzburg player however eligible to star for Nigeria, having represented the Germany under-16s, under-17s and under-21s and made his debut for the Germany senior team in a 6–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification win over Armenia in 2021.

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Mayweather splashes $20m Christmas gift on grandson

Fola Badmus03 mins

Floyd Mayweather has assured that generational wealth stays in his family for years to come. ‘TBE’ hung up his gloves in 2017 after pocketing a mammoth $1.2billion (£800m) in career earnings, making him the highest-paid boxer of all time. Over the years, Mayweather has splashed his cash on various lavish items such as a £40,000 diamond-encrusted iPod, a £10,000 one-of-a-kind golf buggy and a fleet of supercars worth over £20m. But more recently he has focused his outgoings on building up a large property portfolio for long-term investment. His vast property empire includes a Las Vegas mansion he bought for $10m (£7.6m), a $18m (£13.8m) Miami Beach compound in the Palm Island conclave and a $402m (£309m) block of New York apartments. However, his most recent $20m (£15.9m) purchase has been gifted to his three-year-old grandson, Kentrall Gaulden Jr. Mayweather has entered into an agreement to purchase a prominent building in New York City for ten figures. The property is located on 6th Avenue and 47th Street in Manhattan and comes complete with offices, a diamond exchange, and a large, income-generating billboard. Mayweather regularly frequented the diamond district, which is now owned by his grandson. “I used to shop in the diamond exchange as a young adult,” he said in a statement. “I never thought I would end up owning this important property at the entrance of 47th street… “Through hard work and dedication anything is possible.” “I got you a gift,” he said. “Guess what I bought you? “You are the first kid that owns a building in the diamond district in New York City.” Kentrall smiled and wrapped his arms around his grandad. ‘Money Mayweather’ may be flashing his cash now but it wasn’t always this way. The five-weight world champion grew up in a one-bedroom apartment with six relatives in New Brunswick, New Jersey. “When people see what I have now, they have no idea of where I came from and how I didn’t have anything growing up,” he told Mercury News in 2007.

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Nigeria runners prioritise ECOWAS Marathon over other races

Fola Badmus04 mins

Nigeria elite marathon runners most of them members of the Jos-based High Altitude Athletics Club have revealed their priority for the year 2025- competing and winning the top ten positions at the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon. Their decision is based on the lucrativeness of the race, especially the 21 km and the organizers’ prompt payment of prize money. Speaking to the media shortly before the Christmas break, Steve Nuhu the director of High Altitude Athletics Club and manager of most of the elite marathoners in Nigeria told correspondents that they have all agreed to prioritize the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon. Said Nuhu, “We all left Pankshin where we normally train a few days ago to spend Christmas and New Year with our families, by the special grace we will regroup the first week of the new year, and our focus for the new year is the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon. “We arrive at this conclusion because we have a very good chance of winning about eight of the top ten positions in the ECOWAS race because it is a half marathon. For example, if our club produce the winners of the men’s and women’s races that is $10,000.00 each which comes to about N40 million in today’s exchange rate we can’t get that kind of money elsewhere. “Even if we place fourth or fifth in the ECOWAS Marathon, it is more rewarding financially than what we will get when we win a full marathon elsewhere, we are grateful to ECOWAS because their race is empowering us and lifting us out of poverty.’’ Nuhu also praised the organisers for the prompt payment of prize money and the general organisation of the race, “We also thank the management of ECOWAS Marathon for paying our prize money immediately after the race, we have never experienced a delay in the payment of prize money, it is always a great experience and exciting moment for our runners and we look forward to the 2025 edition with innate joy.” The 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon is slated for March 1, 2025. There are two races, the 21 km and the 5 km. The 21 km will start and finish at the ECOWAS Commission, Asokoro and the 5 km race will start at the Eagles Square and also finish at the ECOWAS Commission.

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Four drug lords bag 28-yr jail term, forfeit houses, N67m, $50,000

Fola Badmus07 mins

Four drug kingpins arrested in connection with the historic seizure of 2,139.55 kilograms of cocaine at an Ikorodu residential estate in 2022 have been convicted by a Federal High Court, Lagos, presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro who sentenced them to various jail terms totaling twenty-eight (28) years with hard labour. The convicts: Soji Jubril Oke, 71; Wasiu Akinade, 55; Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu, 67; and Kelvin Christopher Smith, 44, a Jamaican, were charged with six counts in charge number: FHC/L/607C/2022 in October and December 2022, while the trial of the fifth suspect, Oguntolure Sunday arraigned along with them is still ongoing in court. The charges border on conspiracy to form and operate a drug trafficking organization (DTO); management and financing of a DTO; importation and possession of 2,139.55 kilograms of cocaine, among others. Operatives of a special operations unit of NDLEA had in a well-coordinated and intelligence-led operation on Sunday 18th September, 2022 raided a house located at 6 Olukuola crescent, Solebo estate, Ikorodu, Lagos where the over 2.1 tons of cocaine were seized, the largest singular cocaine seizure in the history of Nigeria’s anti-narcotic operations. The drug kingpins were picked from hotels and their hideouts in different parts of Lagos between the night of Sunday 18th and Monday 19th September, 2022. After over two years of diligent prosecution, the trial judge handed the Jamaican, Kelvin Christopher Smith four years imprisonment with hard labour; Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu got a total of 16 years; Soji Jubril Oke got five years with hard labour and Wasiu Akinade three years with hard labour. The trial judge however gave the convicts varying options of fine with the exception of one of them who will serve his full jail term without an option of fine. They were also to forfeit a grey colour Toyota Tacoma SUV marked AAA-734HT registered in the name of Emmanuel Chukwu; $50,000:00 USD (Fifty Thousand US Dollars) belonging to Chukwu; N55,099,509.50 (Fifty-Five Million, Ninety-Nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Nine Naira, Fifty Kobo only) also belonging to Chukwu; the sum of N9,003,168.06 (Nine Million Three Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty Eight Naira Six Kobo only) belonging to Wasiu Akinade and N3,052,295.20 (Three Million, Fifty Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety Five Naira Twenty Kobo only), also belonging to Akinade. The Agency also in another suit marked FHC/L/MISC/672/2024 and filed before Justice Bogoro on 9th December 2024 after an initial interim forfeiture order, secured the final forfeiture of two houses linked to members of the drug cartel. According to the trial court: “That an Order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House Number 6 Olokunola Street, Sholebo Estate, Ikorodu Lagos, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 2A, 2B, and 2C attached to this application used for the storage and concealment of 2,139.55kg (More Than Two Tons) Cocaine, an illicit substance similar to Heroin and LSD. “That an Order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House Number J9, Road 3, Close 1, Victoria Garden City (VGC) Estate, Lagos, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 3 attached to this application reasonably believed to be bought with proceeds derived from trafficking in illicit drug substances (proceeds of crime) as in relief 1 of this Motion. “That an Order is granted directing the sale or disposal by any other means provided by law of the forfeited House/Landed Property by the Applicant and the payment of the proceeds therefrom to the Federal Government of Nigeria.” While commending all the officers and men of the Agency involved in the extensive investigation and prosecution of members of the drug cartel, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) said the case is a historical blow to the drug cartels and a strong warning that they’ll not only go to jail but will equally lose all their investments in illicit drug consignments including all the properties and wealth acquired through the criminal trade.

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