Kizz Daniel reveals emotional story behind his new song
Afrobeat singer and songwriter, Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, popularly known as Kizz Daniel has opened up on a personal tragedy. The singer shared an emotional story, adding that it was the reason for his new song.
Nigerian lady arrested for trafficking 15 students in Australia
The Australian Federal Police have detained Binta Abubakar, a 56 year old Nigerian-Australian lady, on suspicion of trafficking students from Papua New Guinea and enlisting them in agricultural labour for no pay on farms across Queensland under the pretence of school scholarships.
On Wednesday, Abubakar, 56, was taken into custody at the Brisbane Airport after arriving from her primary base in Papua New Guinea.
The AFP’s Northern Command Human Trafficking Team began looking into her operations in July 2022 after receiving a tip from Queensland Police, and it took two years to conclude with her arrest.
According to the AFP, “A group of PNG nationals who had moved to Australia to study were instead allegedly forced to work against their will on farms.”
By presenting fictitious complete educational scholarships, the dual citizen allegedly used her company, BIN Educational Services and Consulting, to entice at least 15 PNG people, ages 19 to 35, to Australia between March 2021 and July 2023.
The report disclosed that her company’s website claimed to offer a “holistic and modern approach to education, training, and employment.”
Police, however, said that the truth was very different.
The students were allegedly forced to sign a number of legal documents once they arrived in Australia, which required them to pay back “costs associated with tuition, airfares, visa applications, insurance, and legal fees.”
They were allegedly made to labour on fruit farms in Queensland, such as those in Stanthorpe and Lockyer Valley, in order to pay off these debts, frequently against the terms of their visas.
Binta Abubakar
The report further revealed that the students were made to work “10 hours a day, seven days a week,” while their wages were allegedly collected and withheld by Abubakar to pay off the so-called debt.
“The farmers did not know of Abubakar’s alleged scheme,” the AFP stated.
Following this, Binta Abubakar has been charged with of 31 crimes, including 13 counts of participating in behaviour that led to someone entering into debt bondage, 14 counts of conducting misleading recruitment for employment or services, and four counts of trafficking in persons.
Hyacinth Alia, the governor of Benue State, has charged that certain religious leaders in the state have incited violence by making unsupported claims.
The governor called the leaders “religious bandits” during his remarks yesterday at Makurdi’s June 12 Democracy Day celebration.
However, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), stated that maintaining democratic integrity depends on free, fair, and legitimate elections.
Additionally, he asked the federal government to find inclusive answers to issues like insecurity and other national problems and to constructively engage citizens.
Governor Alia claimed that the language of these religious leaders, who frequently make unsubstantiated claims and misrepresent the facts, exacerbates the issue. He called on religious leaders to talk only about what they know and can confirm, stressing the value of responsible discourse.
Read Also: Many feared dead as suspected herdsmen attack Benue Capital.
He said, “There are some religious leaders I call ‘religious bandits’, who are fuelling the bad situation we are experiencing here. How do they support that? By their rhetorics. If you do not have the facts about Benue and Nigeria, shut up; don’t just say something because you have the holy altar and oil to speak. Speak what you know and what can be verified.”
The Benue state governor urged people to have an optimistic outlook and cooperate for the betterment of Benue and Nigeria as a whole. He emphasised the importance of cooperation, sacrifice, and unity in conquering challenges and establishing enduring peace.
Okoh while speaking urged the Independent National election Commission (INEC) to improve public trust and election transparency by fortifying electoral procedures and mechanisms.
In his address yesterday in Abuja, the cleric stated that “the rights to free speech, peaceful assembly, and press freedom must be upheld” in a true democracy, citing excellent governance as the foundation of all democracies.
The British High Commission in India said it is working with local authorities to urgently establish facts about the London-bound plane that crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday.
Earlier, it was reported that the crashed Air India flight lost signal shortly after it left the Ahmedabad airport.
According to the Indian Express, only one person, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survived of the 242 passengers on board to the UK, while 241 persons are feared dead from the India plane crash.
Reacting, the British High Commission said in a short statement on its X account, wrote: “We are aware that a flight from Ahmedabad to London has crashed near Ahmedabad airport.
“We are working with local authorities to urgently establish the facts and provide support.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected.”
Meanwhile, Narendra Modi, Indian Prime Minister, had expressed sadness over the devastating incident of the India plane crash.
IBB admitted mistake, apologised for shunning June 12 – Abiola’s son
One of the sons of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, who won the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Alhaji Lekan Abiola, announced Thursday that General Ibrahim Babangida (retd), the former military president, had apologised to the family for calling the election illegitimate.
Lekan stated this at the MKO Abiola Memorial Symposium, which was organised by the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND) and took place in Lagos. The symposium also featured the unveiling of the upcoming book, MKO Abiola: Symbol of Democracy.
Noting that past administrations had not fulfilled their obligations, he urged President Bola Tinubu to make sure the Federal Government paid his late father’s outstanding debts.
Addressing journalists, Lekan described Babangida’s public apology as a significant relief to the family, as it helped put to rest longstanding controversies surrounding the annulled election.
He said: “Ever since we returned from the United States, we have met with IBB, and he apologised to us privately. When he later came out publicly to say he was sorry for annulling the election and acknowledged that MKO won, he simply repeated in public what he had said privately. Every year, he sends someone to represent him at the June 12 events.
June 12: IBB admitted mistake, apologised for shunning election – Abiola’s son
“Before now, the private apology didn’t go far. It felt like being punched in public and receiving a quiet ‘sorry’ behind closed doors. His public admission that MKO won the election brings us peace and puts to rest any lingering doubts. Some people used to question whether he really won, but now that IBB has released the full results, it is officially acknowledged—there’s no more controversy.”
Nigerian actress and activist, Kate Henshaw has expressed sadness over the nation’s state.
Kate Henshaw said there was nothing to show for Nigeria’s 26 years of uninterrupted democracy, stating that the country’s democratic experience means nothing to the majority of its people.
She made her feelings known on Channels Television’s special Democracy Day programme.
The actress was of the view that there was nothing to celebrate in terms of the longevity of democratic rule if it continues to fall short of addressing citizens’ needs.
The actress wondered of what use is Nigeria’s democracy if it is so detached from the people and makes no impact on their lives.
Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw
“There is no middle class and we cannot tell any more lies to ourselves,” she said,” adding that every sector of the economy has been in shambles.
“Everything around us is crumbling and Nigerians are barely holding on by the skin of their teeth,” she stated.
She, however, called on Nigerians not to give up, insisting that governments at all levels must be held accountable.
“We cannot keep quiet,” she said.
“There must be justice, equity, and security for the people — for their lives and property.
“But I still hold on to hope that we will have a country to live in, for our children — something they can build on.”
As Nigeria marks her 26th Democracy Day celebration, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Imo State chapter, has told the Governor of the State, Hope Uzodinma, to restore the confidence of the people in democratic governance, insisting that the State Government under his watch lacks integrity and transparency.
In a press statement to mark this year’s Democracy Day, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Lancelot Obiaku, stated that even though the Uzodinma regime is lacking in democratic tenets, it can still make amends with less than three years to go.
Imo PDP emphasized that there is little or nothing in the State to trigger elation of the average Imo citizen amid the celebration of democracy, citing the absence of transparency, accountability, respect for the rule of law, and monumental corruption as realities that make Uzodinma’s administration uncivil.
The party accused Uzodinma of undermining the roles of the legislature and the judiciary, and effectively leading a government where the executive runs without recourse to other arms of government, noting that citizens are now weary of what it described as prevailing human rights abuses, extrajudicial killings, administrative recklessness, abuse of power, and lack of power separation that signposts his regime.
The PDP said that the governance style of Uzodinma negates democratic tenets and has stifled development of the state, becoming the catalyst for the regression being witnessed in key sectors of the state’s economy.
“For instance, how can people really celebrate democracy in a state that is without a Chief Judge for close to a year because of the Governor’s greed and undemocratic nature? This is the first of its kind in the history of Imo State. When the post became vacant on November 16, 2024, it was incumbent on the Governor to request from the National Judicial Council recommendation for the appointment of the most senior judicial officer as Chief Judge in accordance with Section 271 (4) of the Nigerian Constitution.
“Instead, the Governor went ahead to appoint and even swear in Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, who is not qualified, as the Acting Chief Judge without recourse to the judicial process, which prompted the NJC to declare the appointment of Nzeukwu as Acting Chief Judge of the State void. This development has brought the state to public opprobrium. The absence of a Chief Judge for 8 months means cases are not being assigned because only the Chief Judge can do so, as well as many other functions only a Chief Judge can perform in a democracy,” the release stated.
According to Obiaku, today in the state, contracts awarded by the government are not advertised and the Governor has shut down the Public Procurement Bureau.
The process of award of contracts, according to him, is kept secret and not even the State Assembly has a say on them.
He asserted that the costs and other contract details are not made known to the people who ordinarily are central to governance in a democratic setting.
“We have seen the government recently re-award the World Bank–Umuguma and the Nekede–Iheanwa roads in Owerri for construction. These are roads awarded in 2020 by the same administration for tens of billions without anything tangible happening on the roads. This is the height of theft and sleaze perpetrated by an administration with a morbid inclination to fraud.
“Uzodinma has refused to conduct a democratic LGA election, and having appointed sole administrators in the name of LGA Chairmen, has continued to starve the people of dividends of democracy by depriving them the government that should ordinarily be the closest to them,” the press statement further stated.
The PDP spokesperson hinted that Imo citizens have seen over N500 billion of LGA allocation since the inception of the present regime go down the drain with nothing to show for it—not in the development of rural infrastructure, commerce and industry, education, payment of minimum wage, pensions, and gratuities.
He narrated that under Uzodinma’s administration in 2022, at least fourteen young men who had gone to a traditional marriage ceremony from Otulu Community in Oru West LGA to Awo-Omamma in Oru East LGA, both in Imo State, were allegedly murdered in broad daylight by a band of militiamen whom eyewitnesses reported to be the government’s dreaded strike force, often described as Ebubeagu.
The State Government, according to him, claimed that the slain youths were terrorists and bandits and lied that they were killed by the DSS during a gun battle in the criminals’ camp somewhere in the forest.
“This is despite the plethora of testimonies, cries and hues by members of the community and families of the victims, pleading their innocence and calling for justice. This and many other cases of human rights abuses and abuse of power are what the Uzodinma administration has been known for over five years.
“Recently, the Agwa Community in Oguta LGA of the state decried the reckless killing of over 100 of its members by suspected Fulani herdsmen. In the face of this, and so many cases of killings, kidnapping and organ harvesting witnessed in the state, the Uzodinma administration remains silent, never showing empathy to those affected nor providing a lasting solution. This is not democracy,” he maintained.
Imo PDP, however, used the medium to urge citizens not to completely lose faith in democratic governance or stop participating in the democratic process, assuring them that the administration of the present APC regime in the state will only last for a while.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has said the 10th National Assembly is becoming a shadow of what parliament should be.
Saraki said the current National Assembly is drifting backwards due to faulty leadership.
He accused other arms of the government of playing a key role in weakening the current National Assembly.
Saraki stated this in his remarks to mark Nigeria’s 26 years unbroken democracy at the National Assembly yesterday, June 12.
He said the current crop of legislators owed it a duty to make the parliament stronger for future generations.
According to Saraki: “Let me now say that except we are here to lie to ourselves, we must acknowledge the fact that the National Assembly is gradually becoming a shadow of what a virile and effective parliament should be.
“Today, we seem to be drifting backwards. And we don’t have to go far to find the reason for this sad development.
“I am convinced that this is not only the fault of the legislature and its leadership. The executive and judiciary have consistently played key roles in undermining and weakening the National Assembly.”
Saraki urged leaders to work together towards making the National Assembly a strong institution.
The Peoples Democratic Party chieftain said the National Assembly was established to scrutinize the executive.
He cautioned Nigerians against making the National Assembly helpless and hopeless.
“If the National Assembly is made helpless and hopeless to the extent that the people cannot find succour there, then they will be left with no option but to run to the streets. And this is dangerous for our democracy,” he added.
His remark is coming amid accusations that the 10th assembly is a rubber stamp that has leaned completely towards the Federal government.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, had dismissed this, saying NASS enjoys a cordial relationship with the executive.
Adaramodu said the current NASS will rubber stamp things that are in the interest of Nigerians.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has threatened to take legal action against the Anambra State Government over a new policy requiring governorship candidates in the upcoming November 8 election to pay a ₦50 million campaign permit fee.
This directive was issued by the Anambra State Signage and Advertising Agency (ANSAA) on Wednesday. According to the agency, the fee is mandatory for candidates and their political parties to display campaign materials such as posters, billboards, branded vehicles, and other advertisements.
The ADC has strongly condemned the policy, describing it as oppressive, unconstitutional, and undemocratic. The party argues that the ₦50 million fee places an unfair financial burden on candidates, effectively limiting the democratic process to only those with significant resources. They insist the policy violates the right to political participation and freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
The party is currently exploring legal options to challenge the enforcement of the fee, stating that such a move undermines fair competition and could set a dangerous precedent for future elections.
This development has sparked broader concerns about the monetization of electoral processes, and it is likely that other opposition parties may join in opposing the policy.
It was reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved 16 candidates, including the incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo, to contest in the upcoming governorship election in Anambra State.
In response, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised strong objections to a new policy that requires political parties to pay a N50 million levy for campaign materials such as T-shirts, caps, and pamphlets.
Some party chairmen
The party’s state chairman, Patrick Obianyo, voiced the ADC’s concerns during a press briefing on Thursday in Awka. He described the policy as a deliberate attempt to weaken opposition parties and suppress democratic participation.
”If the state government refused to withdraw the plan, ADC would institute a legal action against it. ADC governorship candidate will not make the payment as it amounts to intimidation and act of stifling democracy and the oppositions.
“This is unheard of and unfortunately, a policy coming from the same Soludo who contested for governor in the year 2021 and never paid such money. How can a political party pay N50 million for ordinary T-shirt, cap and pamphlet?
“We are witnessing this for the first time in Anambra and one wouldn’t know why the governor decided to have himself associated with such policy.
“This is an indication that Gov. Soludo is afraid of the oppositions. We never heard of it. We are saying no to such. We are capable of paying, but it is wrong, unconstitutional and undemocratic, and we are rejecting it,” he said.
Tinubu berates PDP, LP, says ‘It’s a pleasure to see you in disarray,
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a swipe at opposition parties, declaring that it was a “pleasure” to see the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) in disarray.
The president said this Thursday during a joint session of the National Assembly to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day. He also greeted opposition defectors who joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“You are all welcome to the progressive fold. Nobody should close the door,” Tinubu said in a jab at the internal divisions plaguing opposition parties. “It is indeed a pleasure to witness you in such a disarray.”
The president berated political parties that seem disturbed by recent defections and realignments, advising them to reflect instead of panic.
“Political parties fearful of members leaving may be better served by examining their internal processes and affairs, rather than fearfully conjuring up demons that do not exist,” he said.
In a more sardonic tone, Tinubu added, “For me, I will not say, try your best to put your house in order. I will not help you to do so, either.”
According to sources, there are increasing rifts inside the PDP and LP, with a number of influential members voicing their displeasure and considering alternatives with the ruling APC.
Democracy is working under Tinubu- Minister of works, David Umahi
Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has commended President Bola Tinubu for creating the enabling environment for democracy to thrive for all Nigerians despite ethnicity, religion or social class or status.
He stated this in his Democracy Day message in Abuja on Thursday.
The minister of works described Tinubu as a champion of democracy and a visionary carrier of the Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that under the president’s leadership, institutions of government were working collectively to promote equal opportunities for Nigerians.
Democracy is working under Tinubu- Minister of works
The minister of works said, “Under Your Excellency, we savour a brand new era of regenerative democracy where the institutions and authorities work deliberately and collectively to achieve a nation of equal opportunities irrespective of tribe, religion, or social class.
“For this, we salute the leadership of the National Assembly and the Judiciary, which are the pillars of our democracy.”
In a personal message to the President, Umahi said, “Your Excellency, we are enthused to celebrate this remarkable event courtesy of your rewarding leadership stewardship.
“Your struggle for the redemocratization of Nigeria and your emergence as the 5th democratically elected President of the 4th Republic are a clear indication of God’s unction in your enduring vision to achieve the purpose of our democratic journey which is economic prosperity and social justice.
“History will be kind to you for raising dispassionate standards and taking bold decisions that will return our country to the path of greatness in the continent of Africa.
“In the works sector, you have made gratifying progress in deepening and fast-tracking the gains of democracy through your record-breaking accomplishments in road infrastructure, which are distributed equitably across the 6 Geo-Political Zones.
The Katsina State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has suspended its Dutsin-Ma Local Government Chairman, Aminu Usman, over an unauthorized announcement regarding a purported road closure.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Zango, and the Chairman of the Katsina State chapter of the NURTW, Musa Yandoma.
Recall that Aminu Usman had on Wednesday announced the closure of the Dutsin-Ma–Turare–Yantumaki–Marabar Kankara road, citing security concerns.
However, the Katsina State Government debunked the claim, stating there was no official directive for any road closure.
“The attention of Katsina State Government has been drawn to a release purportedly written and signed by Aminu Usman, chairman of NURTW Dutsinma branch, that motorists should stop following Dutsinma, Turare, Yantumaki, Mararrabar Kankara road, saying the road has been closed.
“In response to the situation, the state branch of the NURTW has disowned the announcement. It also suspended the chairman of its Dutsin-Ma local branch, Aminu Usman, for making and signing the release without consulting the state office or other important authorities.
The Katsina State Government and security agencies further made it clear that the road is still open and has not been closed.
They assured the public that the road is safe for travel and that normal movement along the route should continue.
Indrive driver identified as Prince Adeniyi accepted a ride request from a man in Mayfair Gardens, Ile-Ife, little did he know that he was about to help deliver a baby.
The trip which was expected to be a quick since the rider was a man was rushing to pick up his pregnant wife and take her to the hospital. The Indrive driver had picked him up, driven into the estate to find the woman, intending to head straight for the hospital, and was already making his way out of the estate when the man turned to him and said, “Her water just broke.”
The source stated that Prince immediately pulled over, spreading the plastic sheets he, like many drivers, used to protect their seats, over the back seat, and they began their first lessons in midwifery. She delivered her baby right there in the car, with Prince doing what he could to stay calm and get her the help she needed. Once the baby arrived, he drove them straight to the hospital, where the medical team took over.
The Indrive driver didn’t wait for applause or compensation. He made sure the mother and baby were safe and then went on to the next ride.
Timi Dakolo has shared a note from one of his daughters, in which she accused her mother, Busola Dakolo, of being “biased” against her.
In the note, Halle Dakolo narrated an incident where her mother punished her after a misunderstanding between her and her brother Alex Dakolo.
Halle claimed her mother treated her unfairly following the incident, and she went on to explain how her mother makes certain allowances for her only brother but won’t do the same for her.
“What I did was wrong but one thing that doesn’t sit right with me is my mother’s unfair behaviour towards me,” Halle wrote to her father.
She added: “I know I shouldn’t, but she can be very biased towards me.”
Halle urged her father to judge the case and show the note to her mother to confirm she was telling the truth.
MultiChioce, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, has announced that it has lost around 2.8 million subscribers as economic challenges continue to take hit hard on households across its African markets.
Its financial reports for the fiscal year that ended on March 31 (FY25), which were made public on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in South Africa, made this clear.
According to the firm, difficult macroeconomic variables have caused major financial upheaval for economies, corporations, and consumers throughout sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) over the last two fiscal years.
It stated that this has had a significant influence on the MultiChoice Group’s overall performance, especially when paired with the effects of structural industry changes in the video entertainment sector, such as the growth of social media, streaming services, and piracy.
Multichoice Nigeria CEO, John Ugbe
MultiChoice further reported that it lost 2.8 million active linear subscribers during this time and had to absorb a negative impact of R10.2 billion on its topline due to the local currency’s depreciation versus the dollar.
Amid the challenges, MultiChoice stated that its management acted decisively to ensure that the group could withstand these turbulent times, focusing on key areas within its control.
MultiChoice Group CEO, Calvo Mawela, said: “Our performance reflects both the challenges we’ve faced and the resilience of our teams. While macroeconomic pressures and currency volatility have weighed on our results, our disciplined execution, cost management and investment in new long-term growth opportunities position us well for the future.
“We remain focused on being Africa’s entertainment platform of choice. Our strategy is shaped by developments in our industry such as changes in technology which are driving shifts in consumer behaviour, as well as the impact of rise in piracy, streaming services and social media.”
