Author: Kessiana Godscovenant

Joanna Yakubu, partner of Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako, one of the Nigerian Air Force personnel killed in the aircraft crash in Ondo State, has mourned the officer in an emotional social media post. Bako was among the 25 people who died when NAF 931 crashed in the swamps of Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area. In a TikTok post on Tuesday, Yakubu recalled her last conversation with Bako, saying he told her he was travelling to Abuja without indicating that it would be their final conversation. “It was actually Abuja you told me you were going to, and you didn’t mention…

Political analyst Henry Shield has questioned the commitment of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to the presidential ambition of Peter Obi, describing Obi’s decision to join the party as a possible strategic mistake. Speaking on AIT’s Political Platform on Wednesday, Shield also expressed doubts about NDC National Leader Seriake Dickson’s support for Obi. Shield questioned why the NDC had not openly promoted Obi as its presidential candidate, arguing that other major political parties had already begun marketing their candidates ahead of the 2027 election. He also said he did not trust Dickson’s public support for Obi, pointing to previous comments…

A joint security operation involving the military, Department of State Services (DSS), police and other security agencies has rescued 20 prospective NYSC members and one civilian who were abducted in Imo State. The graduates were travelling from Ibadan to their respective NYSC orientation camps when gunmen attacked two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha. Security sources said the rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention at a DSS facility, while efforts are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the abduction and apprehend any remaining suspects. It was not immediately clear whether any ransom was paid for their release, although…

Spanish football star Pedro Rodríguez has announced his retirement from professional football after more than 15 years at the highest level. The former Barcelona forward made the announcement in an emotional message on X on Wednesday, saying he was ready to begin a new chapter in his life. Pedro said he was proud of his career and grateful for fulfilling the dream he had as a child. He also thanked football for the happiness and memories it gave him throughout his playing career. Pedro began his senior career at Barcelona, where he became an important part of the successful team…

Nigerian actress Tonto Dikeh has opened up about her past battle with addiction while using her experience to speak against drug abuse and the stigma surrounding it. She shared the revelation in a lengthy social media post reflecting on a difficult period in her life. Dikeh explained that substance abuse became an escape from emotional pain she struggled to express. Reflecting on how she was perceived at the time, she said she was once seen as chaotic and broken, but noted that there was deeper pain behind her actions. The actress urged people struggling with addiction to seek help and…

Pastor Emmanuel Iren has spoken about the role of secrecy and anonymity in encouraging immoral behaviour, particularly pornography, among churchgoers. In a viral video, he claimed that a significant number of regular churchgoers struggle with pornography and said the internet has made it easier for people to engage in such behaviour privately. Iren cited what he described as a statistic that 50% of churchgoers view pornography at least once every two weeks, suggesting that someone sitting nearby could potentially be struggling with the habit. He argued that the anonymity provided by the internet has contributed to increased immorality because people…

Founder of Omega Fire Ministry, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, has warned Nigerian youths against snatching ballot boxes during the 2027 general elections. In a video shared on X, the cleric said the era of ballot box snatching was over and urged young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used by politicians. Apostle Chibuzor claimed that Nigerians were tired of the old pattern of electoral violence and argued that politicians should not put young people at risk for their political interests. He specifically warned youths who may attempt to interfere with ballot boxes during the election, using strong language to emphasise…

President Bola Tinubu has said Nigeria must move away from exporting raw materials and importing finished products as the country works to become Africa’s industrial workshop. Speaking through Minister of State for Industry Senator John Enoh at the 6th Adeola Odutola Lecture and Presidential Luncheon in Lagos, Tinubu said the government would focus on expanding manufacturing and increasing local value addition. Tinubu said manufacturing’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP had fallen from more than 20 per cent in the early 1990s to below 10 per cent by 2024. He said the Nigerian Industrial Policy, launched in February, aims to raise manufacturing’s…

Nigerian rapper Zlatan Ibile has criticised people who behave excessively when they meet celebrities, urging fans not to lose their sense of self because of fame. He shared his views on social media while reacting to how some people conduct themselves around famous personalities. Zlatan said he sometimes wishes such fans had a celebrity in their family, believing it would help them understand that celebrities are ordinary people and that life extends beyond fame. However, the rapper acknowledged that he does not completely blame those who behave that way, noting that their actions may be influenced by how they perceive…

Lionel Messi ended his Argentina international career in style as he scored once and provided two assists in the 3-0 victory over Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on October 7. The match marked the 39-year-old’s 208th and final appearance for Argentina after 21 years with the national team. Messi set up Nicolás Otamendi for the opening goal before assisting Nico Paz for Argentina’s second in the 61st minute. He then converted a penalty in the 71st minute to complete the victory, finishing his international career as Argentina’s most-capped player and record goalscorer with 208 appearances and 126…