Author: Ganiyu Amodu

Hajj 2025: ‘In 7 Days,’ Flynas Airlifts 8,051 Pilgrims Back to Nigeria

Ganiyu Amodu

A Saudi- designated Nigerian Hajj air carrier Flynas has transported over 61.1 percent of its allocated pilgrims back to Nigeria in one week. This was revealed by the Managing Director, First Planet Travels and General Sales Agent (GSA) of Flynas in Nigeria, Alhaji Umar Kaila, during an interview with journalists in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A statement signed by the airline’s information officer, Umma Salama Kyaure, on Sunday quoted Mr Kaila as saying that “Flynas has airlifted 8,051 pilgrims back to Nigeria within one week out of the 13,188 allocated to…

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Let’s Have Adults In The Rooms, By Ganiu Okunnu, Ph.D

Ganiyu Amodu

As I write this piece, my eyes stare at the gory news of deaths and destruction caused by airstrikes, missiles and drone strikes on innocent people in Iranian, Israeli, Russian and Ukrainian cities. What have we done wrong? Where are international organisations and laws and when will these end? These are questions probably on the minds and lips of innocent victims of these unprovoked and endless destruction taking place in these affected cities and other places experiencing aggravated conflicts. How did the world get to this stage of ceaseless invasions,…

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‘Fordo, Natanz, Esfahan,’ US Launches Strikes On 3 Iranian Nuclear Facilities

Ganiyu Amodu

‘There will be either peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran,’ what President Trump said in a national address from the White House Saturday night   The United States launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, President Trump announced Saturday evening, calling them a “spectacular military success.” “The U.S. military carried out massive precision strikes on the three key nuclear assemblies in the Iranian regime: Fordo, Natanz and Esfahan,” President Trump said in a national address from the White House Saturday night. “Our objective was the destruction of Iran’s…

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‘Amid Israel’s Assassination Threats,’ Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei Picks Possible Successors, Skips Son

Ganiyu Amodu

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly named three clerics as possible successors while taking shelter in a bunker amid assassination threats from Israel during the ongoing conflict. The New York Times, citing three Iranian officials familiar with the development, reported that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has begun appointing replacements for top military commanders who were killed in Israeli strikes. Interestingly, contrary to earlier reports, the officials said Ali Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, is not among the clerics shortlisted to succeed him – despite previous claims that he was being groomed…

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‘£116m Deal,’ Liverpool Confirms Signing Of Florian Wirtz

Ganiyu Amodu

. the move could eclipse the previous British-record fee of £115m Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo   Liverpool have completed the signing of Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz for a fee of £116m on a five-year deal. The total package is made up of a £100m initial fee plus £16m in potential add-ons. The move for the Germany international, 22, could eclipse the previous British-record transfer fee of £115m that Chelsea paid to Brighton to sign Moises Caicedo in 2023 should the additional bonuses be met. Wirtz, who has spent…

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Register Our ADA – Atiku, El-Rufai Want New Party On INEC’s List

Ganiyu Amodu

National Opposition Coalition Group, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has formally applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission to be registered as a new political party, to be known as the All Democratic Alliance. INEC on Friday acknowledged the application dated June 19, signalling the coalition’s determination to float a new platform instead of aligning with any existing political party. The formation of ADA, backed by some other key political heavyweights, including former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi and Umar Ardo, convener…

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Actor Yemi My Lover Slams Olamide Badoo

Ganiyu Amodu

“He refused to pick up my calls after using my name in his song”   Actor Yemi Ayebo professionally known as ‘Yemi My Lover’ has accused singer Olamide of not picking his calls after using his name on his music. The Nollywood actor stated this in a video interview on social media. When asked if he is being compensated by singers and content creators for using his name ‘Yemi My Lover’ in their contents and music, he noted that he has never received payment from any of them. He stated…

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Benue Crisis Donation Appeal Puts Billionaire Heir, Kiddwaya, Under Fire

Ganiyu Amodu

Social commentator and activist, VeryDarkMan has criticized billionaire heir, Kiddwaya, for requesting public donations to support victims of the recent attack in Yelwata, Benue State. Recall that Kiddwaya who shared a post on X, urged Nigerians to contribute funds for the affected community, sparked widespread backlash, which prompted him to take down the post. In response, VeryDarkMan in a video posted on X, was quick to point out the irony of Kiddwaya’s actions, questioning the motives of someone known for flaunting his wealth, suddenly seeking financial assistance from ordinary citizens.…

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Exponent of Quiet Authority, By Bamidele Johnson

Ganiyu Amodu

One of the best tributes you may read anywhere on TheNews Magazine’s Founder and Senior Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media, Bayo Onanuga   Even the boldest have their limits, but not Mr. Bayo Onanuga. Intrepid? Definitely. Frigid? Occasionally. Reckless? Well, you decide. Take this: in the early 2000s, armed robbers trailed him home to Mojisola Estate in Ogba. He’d just driven in with his brand-new Skoda Octavia and was about to shut the gate when they pounced, guns drawn. They wanted the car. They demanded the key. What…

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‘Six Months After $1.5bn Rehabilitation,’ NNPCL Shuts Down Port Harcourt Refinery

Ganiyu Amodu

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) on Saturday announced a scheduled maintenance shutdown of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), beginning on May 24, 2025. Platforms Africa reports that the refinery began truck loading of petroleum products on Tuesday 26 November after a rehabilitation that gulped $1.5 billion. Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Femi Soneye, who confirmed the shutdown in a statement to Platforms Africa, added that the shutdown is part of a planned maintenance and sustainability assessment aimed at ensuring optimal performance of the facility. He said that further…

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