Category: Features/Articles/Opinion

‘2.3m Pilgrims, 180 Nations,’ Tears, Tasbiy As 70,000 Nigerians Stand On Mount Arafat

ADEOLA YUSUF

“Spiritual point where Adam and Eve reportedly met after eviction from Paradise” What to know about the Arafat Mountain harbouring men (Muslims) in millions every twelve months   Over 70,000 Nigerians on Thursday joined 2.3 million Muslim pilgrims from 180 nations to stand on the Mount Arafat, a unique part of the Hajj rights, which remains the biggest congregation of humans for worship in the world’s history. Platforms Africa reports the tears were flowing freely during an intense, daylong worship and reflection by pilgrims who listened to Arafat sermon translated…

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‘Hours To Sallah,’ Nigeria’s Ex-Petroleum Minister, Prof. Jubril Aminu, Is Dead

ADEOLA YUSUF

  “Eid-ul-Adha rams already tied down at his residence before the unfortunate incident,” family gives details of the last hours of the Ex-Petroleum and education minister who was earlier rumoured to have died in December 2021.   A former Minister of Petroleum Resources and education, Professor Jibril Aminu, is dead. Platforms Africa reports that Aminu died in Abuja on Thursday, while preparing for Eid Ul-Adha, Muslim festival. He was aged 85. Aminu’s death, Platforms reports, came about four years after he was earlier rumoured to have died in December 2021.…

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‘While Pursuing Davido Collaboration,’ Singer Nasboi Survives Ghastly Accident

Ganiyu Amodu

‘At this point, I think I need to give up,’ what the entertainer said in a live video on social media   Popular Nigerian skit maker and musician, Lawal Nasiru, widely known as Nasboi, has survived a serious car accident while attempting to secure a feature for his upcoming song with Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, aka Davido. Nasboi revealed on Tuesday that his vehicle collided with a parked trailer. The entertainer had embarked on an ambitious road trip about seven days ago, travelling across Nigeria’s 36 states in a bid…

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How Boxing Legend, Obisia Nwakpa, Died

Ganiyu Amodu

Golden Gloves: What you need to know about the former Nigerian and African lightweight champion   Legendary Nigerian pugilist and coach Obisia Nwakpa has passed away at the age of 75, after battling health issues and dementia. The former Nigerian and African lightweight champion died on Tuesday , June 3, with his body said to have been moved to the mortuary ahead of funeral arrangements. A member of his family had confirmed in an interview with Fight Gist Media on September 26, 2024, that Nwakpa had been facing several health…

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Mainstream Foundation Ups CSR Investment, Gives Relief To Mokwa Flood Victims

Ganiyu Amodu

In a heartwarming display of corporate social responsibility, Mainstream Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, has donated relief materials to the victims of the devastating Mokwa floods. Platforms Africa reports that the Mainstream Foundation team was led by its Programme Manager Zayyan Illo to Mokwa, where the distribution of much-needed relief materials took place. During the visit, Zayyan Illo expressed the foundation’s heartfelt condolences to the Government and People of Niger State, particularly those affected by the disaster in Mokwa. He said, “As an organisation directly involved…

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‘False, Misleading,’ Natasha Disowns Viral Tape Blackmailing Tinubu

Ganiyu Amodu

The suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Wednesday, denied any connection with a viral audio and video purportedly featuring her in a conversation with a journalist where she claimed that Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, blackmailed President Bola Tinubu to have her imprisoned. In a statement personally signed and released in Abuja, Akpoti-Uduaghan categorically dissociated herself from the contents of the recordings, urging the public to disregard them entirely. She described the viral materials as “a deliberate act of misinformation” crafted with malicious intent to tarnish her reputation and…

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Lagos: Mr Governor, This Sacrifice Must Get To Olodumare, By Funke Egbemode

Ganiyu Amodu

I bet, at this point, many will tell Mr. Governor to ignore Mr. President. After all what can the President do to Sanwo-Olu as a second term Governor. He won’t be needing a fresh ticket. That may be true but a river that forgets its source will dry up.   As a young reporter in the early 90s, I grew up in the newsroom hearing the phrase ‘IBB Boys’. These were young soldiers loyal to the former Military President, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida who ruled Nigeria between August 27, 1985 and…

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Switching From England To Nigeria Changed My Career – Lookman

Ganiyu Amodu

Ademola Lookman has confessed the decision to switch allegiance from England to Nigeria has helped shape his career. Lookman,27, was born in England to Nigerian parent. The Atalanta winger represented England at U-19, U-20 and U-21 level. The former Leicester City player made his senior debut for Nigeria against eternal rivals Black Stars of Ghana in 2022. Lookman scored three goals and registered one assist as the Super Eagles finished in second position at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire. ‘After NCC Directive,’ Customers To Pay Banks…

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‘After NCC Directive,’ Customers To Pay Banks USSD Fees Through Airtime

Ganiyu Amodu

The Nigerian Communications Commission has directed Deposit Money Banks to start deducting charges for unstructured supplementary service data transactions directly from users’ mobile airtime. According to an email from the United Bank for Africa to customers on Tuesday, the charges will no longer be deducted from customers’ accounts. UBA said the directive takes effect from Tuesday, June 3, 2025. The statement read, “In line with the directive of the Nigerian Communications Commission, please be informed that effective June 3, 2025, charges for USSD banking services will no longer be deducted…

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Nigeria’s Military To Shift From Foreign To Local Equipment — Minister

Ganiyu Amodu

The Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, has revealed that Nigeria is steadily moving from dependence on foreign military procurement to local production. In a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday by Mati Ali, the Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the minister, Badaru stated that “this aims to facilitate local production, repairs, refurbishment, and supply of military hardware and ordnance.” According to the minister, the shift to local production marks a significant stride towards self-reliance for enhanced national security. “The shift to local production is expected to boost…

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