

News
Igbo traders in Kogi shut shops in protest, says kidnappers are after their wives
Published
1 year agoon
Traders in Kogi of Igbo extraction on Monday shut their shops across the State in protest of Kidnappers’ target of their wives.
They also staged a protest walk in Lokoja, Kogi State capital stating that, their women and tribesmen have been the target of kidnappers not only in Kogi State, but North Central as a whole.
The traders revealed that they shall meet later on Monday in Lokoja to discuss a way out.
They claimed that 18 Igbo women were kidnapped in the last 2 years with the latest victim released on Sunday after the payment of an undisclosed ransom.
Speaking during a protest in Lokoja, leader of the Igbo community in Kogi, Ken Anyanwu in an interview with Capital TV explained that Igbo community discovered that their women have become target of kidnappers to extort money from them, disclosing that a whopping sum of N200 million has been paid to kidnappers as ransom in past few years.
He said: “What we are doing is just a protest to show our grievances about what has been happening to us for over the past two years now.
“Over two years now, our wives have been kidnapped incessantly. Within every other two weeks, they keep kidnapping our wives. When they are kidnapped, we pay a ransom, and they are released the next day. Then they will go and kidnap another person. Between then and now, about 20 have been kidnapped.
“This very kidnapping is profiled kidnapping. They profile Igbo businessmen and go after our wives. The focus is on our women and over 18 have been kidnapped and two men.
“We have paid over N200 million since then. The last one (kidnapping) happened on Tuesday and she was released on Sunday after ransom was paid. We want the government in Kogi state to protect us, our wives, and our businesses.
“The average Igboman has no time for all this nonsense; we come here to do our business, face our business, and take care of ourselves. Our shops have been locked and by 5 pm we will look at what we have done and make fresh decisions.”
He, however, maintained that their shops would remain shut till Monday evening when a new decision would be taken on the next line of action
News
Ribadu will emerge as successor to Tinubu in 2031 – Primate Ayodele predicts
Published
7 hours agoon
April 27, 2025
Renowned Clergy and leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, has predicted that President Bola Tinubu will succeed himself in 2027 after which the National Security Adviser, NSA Nuhu Ribadu would succeed him in 2031.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Sun newspaper, Ayodele forecasted that Ribadu would take over after Tinubu completes his second term in office.
“After Tinubu, Nuhu Ribadu will take over,” the cleric declared. He further asserted that the majority of governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would abandon their party’s presidential candidate and work for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
“The majority of these PDP governors are not going to be with their presidential candidate,” he said.
Turning to political developments in various states, Ayodele predicted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not win in Anambra State in the this year’s governorship election, emphasising the continued popularity of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
“APC will lose Anambra State because the people will still vote for (Prof Chukwuma) Soludo,” he stated.
He also issued a warning to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, advising him to pray against another scandal that could rock his office. On former Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, Ayodele said, “Ambode will re-launch his political career if he prays very well.”
In matters of national security, Primate Ayodele advised President Tinubu to overhaul his security apparatus, alleging that it has been compromised. He raised an alarm about foreign military activity on Nigeria’s waters.
“American submarines are on Nigeria’s water. What they are doing there I cannot say. Nigeria must be on the alert because their presence is not in Nigeria’s interest, ”he warned. “The President should be very careful about Donald Trump’s government. Nigeria’s security agencies should carry out discreet investigations on this and be watchful.”
Ayodele further cautioned Vice President Kashim Shettima to tread carefully to avoid being removed during Tinubu’s second term. He also advised the wife of the Imo State governor to remain vigilant to avoid falling victim to a possible kidnapping.
He predicted turbulence in the Nigeria Police Force, foreseeing the removal of the current Inspector General of Police.
Addressing the ongoing alignments among opposition politicians, Ayodele urged Nigerians not to be misled, warning that supporting figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Bala Mohammed, and Seyi Makinde would worsen the country’s situation.
“Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Bala Mohammed, Seyi Makinde will make things more difficult for Nigerians, even worse than what Nigerians are going through under Tinubu now,” he warned. “Voting for any of these politicians in the next election will be more disastrous. Nigerians must never contemplate the choice of any of these politicians. Rather, they should stick with Tinubu.”
Primate Ayodele concluded by urging patience among citizens, expressing optimism that Tinubu’s second term would bring improvements.
“Tinubu’s second term will be better than his first term. The same Tinubu that has taken Nigeria to where it is now will also bring the nation out of its current situation in its second term. Nigerians should exercise patience,” he said.
News
Gov Ododo’s inclusive style of governance lauded as exemplary — Spokesman
Published
7 hours agoon
April 27, 2025
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s ability to bring governance closer to the people of Kogi State has been described as exemplary.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Ismaila Isah, stated this while appearing as a guest on Nigeria Info FM in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said Governor Ododo’s humane approach to governance has endeared him to many in the state.
According to Isah, Governor Ododo has earned widespread commendation for consistently running an inclusive administration, where women play key roles and young people occupy more than 80 percent of appointive positions within the government.
He credited the rancour-free political climate in Kogi State to Governor Ododo’s respect for everyone, regardless of political affiliation.
“He consulted widely even before he was sworn in as Governor. He met and engaged with all our former governors and political leaders regardless of their political leanings. He also reached out to community leaders and captains of industry, traveling far and wide across the country to inform them that his administration would be for everyone. Through this, he earned the support of most stakeholders, including those outside his political party.
“Upon assuming office, he has sustained that tradition of inclusivity, reaching out even to members of the opposition. Opposition members are carried along in policy formulation, which is why we have not witnessed the usual tension and rancour,” he said.
Speaking on Governor Ododo’s achievements over the past 14 months, Isah emphasized that the administration has kept faith with its campaign promises.
He explained that Governor Ododo campaigned on four cardinal agenda items: human capital development (focusing on health and education), investment in agriculture and food security, security of lives and property, and infrastructure development.
“Kogi has faced insecurity challenges due to its proximity to nine neighbouring states and the FCT, leading to an influx of criminals. However, the state government has been proactive, working actively to clear them from our environment through collaboration with neighbouring states and the FCT,” he said.
Isah noted that the administration has made infrastructures a priority to avoid the trend of abandoned projects seen in past administrations.
“We have ensured the completion of key road and infrastructural projects initiated by the immediate past government. In Lokoja, for instance, two critical road projects have been completed: the Zone 8 through Barracks, Zango to GYB Junction road (about 9 kilometers), and the Zone 8 to Crusher road (about 5.5 kilometers). Both were commissioned by Vice President Kashim Shettima during Governor Ododo’s first anniversary in office.
“Apart from these, the government is pursuing an ambitious plan to link rural and farming communities with markets by constructing over 200 kilometers of roads, some in partnership with donor agencies like the World Bank. New projects are also being initiated alongside the completion of inherited ones,” he said.
Isah added that township road projects are ongoing across all 21 local government areas in the state, with some already completed and awaiting commissioning.
“Just a few weeks ago, the Governor was in Yagba East and Yagba West, particularly Egbe, where the township road project has been completed and will soon be commissioned. Similar projects are ongoing across all three senatorial districts,” he added.
Isah further stressed the administration’s commitment to education infrastructure.
“At the twilight of the last administration, two universities — the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, and Kogi State University, Kabba were delivered within three years. Upon taking office, Governor Ododo ensured the continued development of these institutions. Over N10 billion has been expended at KSU Kabba alone, with significant progress made in securing accreditation for most courses,” he said.
On security, Isah highlighted the government’s zero tolerance for crime and consistent efforts to strengthen security architecture.
“We have re-jigged our security system, recruited over 2,000 local hunters and expanded the vigilante ranks across the 21 LGAs. We have also provided vehicles, motorcycles, night vision goggles, and other logistics. The community-based approach to security is being sustained,” he said.
Furthermore, the Special Adviser said Governor Ododo is passionate about improving healthcare infrastructure to ensure affordable and accessible services.
“We are revitalizing over 200 primary healthcare centres across the state, with nearly half ready for commissioning,” he stated
- THAI Airways Bolsters the Role of Nordic–Asia Pacific Connectivity Hub to Celebrate 120 Years of Thai–Norwegian Diplomatic RelationsBANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 April 2025 - Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) moves forward to elevate its strategic role as a Nordic–Asia Pacific aviation hub with daily non-stop flights between Bangkok and Oslo. Thai Airways proudly provides world-class full-service travel experiences for business travelers, tourists, and Nordic residents alike—ensuring […]
- Canada Brand Harlow Blend Launches Unique Cat Food SeriesFeaturing Expert-Formulated Cat Food Recipes with Over 28 Years of Nutritional ExperienceHONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 April 2025 - Harlow Blend Cat Food Series is specifically designed to meet the unique nutritional needs of cats. The Harlow Blend cat food series includes a variety of flavours, all sourced from Canada, featuring […]
- Information that empowers: Octa broker on the importance of transparencyKUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 April 2025 - When managing personal finances, any lack of communication or transparency on the part of the service provider is annoying and nerve-wracking for the client, inevitably leading to mistrust and confusion. Efficient communication and transparency are especially vital in e-brokerage services, where traders put […]
- Porsche Design Tower Bangkok and Curvistan Bangkok Host an Exclusive Preview of the "Electrifying Past. Present. Future." ExhibitionBANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 April 2025 - Porsche Design Tower Bangkok showcased its commitment to innovation by hosting an exclusive evening reception with Curvistan Bangkok, a premier destination for the Porsche community, for the new "Electrifying Past. Present. Future." exhibition. Esteemed guests enjoyed a first look at the exhibition that highlights […]
- Victory Securities Secures Approval to Offer Two Key Virtual Asset ServicesAdvancing Asset Management and Structured Products OfferingHONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 April 2025 - Victory Securities today announced that it has officially obtained two significant regulatory consent from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong to provide virtual asset (VA)-related products and services: 1) provision of discretionary account management […]
Entertainment


Shave your beard before you ban dreadlocks — Daddy Showkey replies Niger Governor Bago
Irked by Niger State Governor’s directive to arrest anyone with dreadlocks in the State, Ace Nigerian musician Daddy Showkey has...


Actress Buhle Samuels facing fraud charges over Porsche SUV she once showcased as gift
Actress and former Muvhango star Buhle Samuels is reportedly facing fraud and forgery charges related to a luxury Porsche SUV...


American Music Awards: Wizkid, Rema others nominated
The 51st edition of the American Music Awards is set to return and Nigerian stars are once again in the...
Ekiti: A path to economic emancipation
Ribadu will emerge as successor to Tinubu in 2031 – Primate Ayodele predicts
Gov Ododo’s inclusive style of governance lauded as exemplary — Spokesman
Suspected housewife kidnapper, 5 others, remanded in Correctional Centre, Minna
Sunday Worship Service: Topic: The Laws of Proper Speech

Ekiti: A path to economic emancipation

Ribadu will emerge as successor to Tinubu in 2031 – Primate Ayodele predicts

Gov Ododo’s inclusive style of governance lauded as exemplary — Spokesman

Suspected housewife kidnapper, 5 others, remanded in Correctional Centre, Minna

Sunday Worship Service: Topic: The Laws of Proper Speech

2027: Echocho, Service to ‘kingdom on bended knees’ and the way to go

Echocho donates cash, rice to rainstorm victims in Dekina town

Rivers Crisis: Fubara to defect to APC, shouldn’t seek re-election in 2027 [Agreement with Tinubu in London]

Governor Okpebholo predicts fall of PDP in Edo

Lunar eclipse over Jerusalem may mark date of Jesus’s crucifixion, NASA reports

BREAKING: Suspected ‘Abu Odoma boys’ set Maikano Diesel Generator donated by Muri ablaze overnight at Idah LG

Research funding: Union demands 5% tax from 14 MDAs

2023: Senator Marafa, Ex-governor Yari defect to PDP
