Welcome

Author: Promise Odejide

  • Charly Boy Defends 2014 Clash With Okorocha, Says “I Had to Send Him Out”

    Veteran entertainer Charly Boy has defended his controversial 2014 confrontation with former Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha, insisting he acted to stop political activity during his father’s burial.

    He spoke during a recent interview where he revisited the incident that drew widespread attention at the time.

    Why Charly Boy confronted Okorocha

    The entertainer recalled taking the microphone from Okorocha while he was addressing guests at the funeral of his father, late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

    According to him, the move was deliberate after he noticed what he believed was an attempt to turn the event into a political platform.

    “He wanted to use my father’s burial as a campaign for politics. And you don’t do that. Not when I’m around,” he said.

    “I had to send him out”

    Charly Boy maintained that he asked the former governor to leave the venue, stressing that the setting was personal and not political.

    “I had to send him out. And he knew he was in my territory,” he added.

    He further suggested that he would have reacted more strongly if the situation escalated.

    Incident that stirred public reactions

    The confrontation, which occurred in 2014, sparked mixed reactions at the time, with many Nigerians debating the appropriateness of both the governor’s remarks and Charly Boy’s response.

    The entertainer’s latest comments have reignited conversations around the incident, especially on the boundaries between politics and private events.

  • Court Convicts Ex-Power Minister Mamman Over ₦33.8bn Fraud — EFCC Secures Guilty Verdict

    The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on 12 counts of fraud and money laundering involving about ₦33.8 billion.

    Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Thursday, ruling that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

    Court finds overwhelming evidence

    The court held that Mamman was guilty on all counts in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.

    Justice Omotosho said the prosecution presented strong and credible evidence, while the defence failed to counter the allegations.

    “The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant,” the judge stated.

    Funds diverted through BDCs

    The court found that the former minister illegally diverted public funds meant for critical power projects.

    According to the judgment, part of the funds was routed through Bureau de Change operators and converted into foreign currency.

    Mamman was also found to have made a cash payment of $655,700, equivalent to about ₦200 million, for a property in Abuja without using a financial institution.

    Projects affected by fraud

    The diverted funds were linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects.

    Justice Omotosho said the defendant breached public trust and failed to prioritise national development.

    He noted that instead of leaving a legacy in the power sector, the former minister “was living large at the expense of ordinary citizens.”

    Absence stalls sentencing

    Mamman was not present in court when the judgment was delivered.

    The court subsequently deferred sentencing and considered an application by the EFCC for a warrant of arrest.

    His counsel told the court that the defendant’s whereabouts were unknown, claiming he was ill.

    However, the judge referenced reports suggesting Mamman had recently been active in political activities.

    EFCC details case

    The anti-graft agency had presented 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits during the trial.

    Mamman was arrested in 2021, months after leaving office under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The EFCC accused him of conspiring with ministry officials to divert funds earmarked for major hydroelectric power projects.

  • Rabiu Overtakes Rupert to Become Africa’s Second-Richest Man — Bloomberg Ranking

    Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, has emerged as Africa’s second-richest man with a net worth of $19.1 billion, according to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index released May 7, 2026.

    The new ranking places him behind Aliko Dangote and ahead of South Africa’s Johann Rupert.

    Wealth surge reshapes Africa’s billionaire ranking

    Rabiu’s fortune rose sharply this year, increasing by about $8.88 billion year-to-date.

    The jump pushed him past Rupert, whose wealth declined to $17.7 billion, while also improving Rabiu’s global ranking to 138th.

    Just a week earlier, his net worth stood at $15.9 billion, highlighting the rapid pace of growth.

    BUA Foods drives financial momentum

    Analysts linked the surge largely to the performance of BUA Foods, a key subsidiary of the BUA Group.

    The company posted a 14 per cent increase in profit after tax in the first quarter of 2026.

    Unaudited figures show earnings rose to ₦142.32 billion, up from ₦125.28 billion recorded in the same period in 2025.

    Despite an 11 per cent drop in revenue to ₦394.6 billion, profitability remained strong.

    Efficiency, cost control boost profits

    Reports attributed the improved earnings to tighter cost management, operational efficiency, moderated pricing, and relative stability in foreign exchange.

    The company’s performance appears to have strengthened investor confidence, contributing to Rabiu’s rising valuation.

    BUA Group’s expanding footprint

    Rabiu is the founder of BUA Group, a major Nigerian conglomerate with operations spanning cement, food production and manufacturing.

    Its subsidiary, BUA Cement, remains Nigeria’s second-largest cement producer and generated about ₦1.2 trillion in revenue in 2025.

    BUA Foods is also ranked among the country’s leading pasta producers, reinforcing the group’s influence in Nigeria’s industrial and consumer goods sectors.

  • Alleged Dangote Worker’s ₦146k Salary Slip Sparks Debate Online

    An alleged employee of Dangote Group has triggered widespread reactions online after a payslip said to detail his monthly earnings surfaced on social media.

    The claim, which remains unverified, was shared on X (formerly Twitter) and has since fueled debate over salaries and working conditions in Nigeria.

    Payslip breakdown circulates online

    According to the post by @UnkleAyo, the worker reportedly earns about ₦146,351 monthly, including allowances and incentives.

    The breakdown listed a basic salary of ₦30,758, alongside housing, food, transport, and utility allowances.

    Other components reportedly included ₦45,000 as transport support and ₦20,270 as incentives, pushing the total figure higher.

    Worker alleges demanding conditions

    Beyond the salary details, the individual also raised concerns about working conditions.

    He claimed that contract staff are not entitled to leave benefits and are expected to meet strict performance targets.

    According to the message, workers are required to visit as many as 75 outlets weekly, with activities tracked through an app.

    Mixed reactions trail claims

    The post has sparked mixed reactions, with some users questioning whether the pay matches the workload described.

    Others pointed out that the information has not been independently verified and should be treated with caution.

    The development comes amid broader conversations around wages, labour standards, and employment conditions in Nigeria.

  • Rice Hits ₦112,000 — NBS Reports Sharp Food Price Surge as Market Prices Differ

    Nigeria’s food prices climbed further in March 2026, with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reporting that a 50kg bag of local rice rose to ₦112,000, up from ₦92,946 in February.

    The latest figures were contained in the bureau’s Selected Food Price Watch report.

    Rice prices jump, but markets tell a different story

    According to the NBS, local rice recorded a 20.5 per cent increase within one month, while imported rice rose by 3.06 per cent to ₦133,975.

    However, market checks in some areas suggest lower retail prices, with reports indicating that a 50kg bag of local rice sells for around ₦60,000 in certain locations.

    The gap highlights ongoing disparities in pricing across markets nationwide.

    Other staple foods record steady increases

    The report also showed consistent price increases across key food items.

    A crate of eggs rose by 2.0 per cent, while brown beans increased to ₦1,325.85 per kilogram.

    White garri climbed to ₦801.54, onions reached ₦1,153.14, and fresh ginger edged higher to ₦5,541.25.

    Wide state-by-state price differences

    NBS data revealed significant variations across states.

    Taraba recorded the highest egg price at ₦6,999, while Niger had the lowest at ₦5,610.04.

    For beans, Oyo posted the highest price at ₦1,937.20 per kilogram, while Taraba recorded the lowest at ₦745.

    Garri peaked in Abia at ₦1,075.45, with Plateau recording the lowest at ₦513.78.

    Onions were highest in Abia at ₦2,115.67 and lowest in Kwara at ₦829.9.

    Pressure on households deepens

    The sustained rise in food prices continues to reflect inflationary pressure on household incomes, even as inconsistent market prices create uncertainty for consumers.

  • Sultan Dismisses ‘Christian Wipeout’ Claims, Urges Nigerians to Stop Tagging Bandits as Muslims

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar III, has dismissed claims that Muslims are planning to wipe out Christians in Nigeria, urging Nigerians to stop linking criminal acts to religion.

    He made the remarks on Wednesday at a meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja.

    “No plan to wipe out Christians”

    Speaking at the gathering, the Sultan said fears of a religious agenda are unfounded and misleading.

    He stressed that Muslims are neither planning nor capable of eliminating Christians from the country.

    “We are not in any position whatsoever to remove Christians from Nigeria. No, it is not possible,” he said.

    Calls for accurate narrative on insecurity

    The Sultan warned against framing insecurity as a religious conflict, insisting that perpetrators of violence should simply be identified as criminals.

    “Let us get the narrative right. It is not about religion. Let us call them what they are, criminals, not Muslim criminals, not Muslim terrorists, not Muslim bandits,” he stated.

    Dialogue remains key — Sultan

    He urged Nigerians to embrace dialogue and mutual understanding as the only sustainable path to peace.

    According to him, mistrust between religious groups is often fueled by misinformation and ignorance.

    “In NIREC, we believe in dialogue. No matter how bad things are, we believe in dialogue,” he added.

    Warning against misuse of religion

    The Sultan also cautioned against individuals using religion to justify violence, noting that such actions contradict Islamic teachings.

    He emphasised that committing violence in the name of faith does not reflect true religious values.

    The comments come amid ongoing debates around insecurity and earlier international claims alleging religious persecution in Nigeria.

     

  • “I Can Take a Bullet for Him” — Davido’s Driver Sparks Reactions With Loyalty Claim

    Davido’s longtime driver, Mr Solo, has gone viral after openly expressing deep loyalty to the Afrobeats star during a recent interview.

    His remarks, especially an emotional statement about risking his life, have triggered widespread reactions online.

    Driver defends Davido amid criticism

    Speaking during the interview, Mr Solo dismissed criticism often directed at Davido, insisting the reality on ground is different.

    According to him, the singer continues to receive love everywhere, despite negative narratives online.

    “Even the hate, they can’t say it in our faces. Everywhere they claim they hate us, when we get there, it’s love,” he said.

    “I can take it for him” — loyalty declaration

    The moment that caught attention came when Mr Solo described how far he could go for Davido.

    “I could take a sh*t for him, I go collect am for Baddest. That’s the kind of love I have,” he said.

    He added that his confidence in Davido’s generosity gives him peace of mind about his family’s future.

    “I know say even if anything happens, my kids go enjoy. No worry,” he added.

    Mixed reactions trail viral clip

    The statement has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising Davido for how he treats people around him.

    Others, however, cautioned against extreme loyalty, urging the driver to prioritise his own life and family.

  • “Baby Coming Soon?” — Jarvis Shuts Down Peller in Viral Exchange

     

  • Sisialagbo Lands Deal After Viral Tape Sparks Backlash

    Popular herbal vendor Eniola Sisialagbo has reportedly secured an endorsement deal just days after a viral video involving her sparked widespread reactions online.

    The development follows intense backlash that trailed the circulation of the clip.

    Viral video triggers backlash

    A video had surfaced online showing an intimate setting involving Sisialagbo, her husband Eniola Fagbemi, and another woman.

    In the clip, she was seen recording the interaction, a moment that quickly drew criticism across social media.

    Public apology follows outrage

    Amid the reactions, Sisialagbo issued an emotional apology, addressing her mother, family members, colleagues in the herbal business, and Nigerians.

    She expressed regret over the incident as conversations around the video continued to trend.

    Endorsement deal emerges

    In a new twist, a fresh clip circulating online shows the herbal vendor reportedly signing an endorsement deal with a firm identified as NWC Education.

    The company is said to be involved in visa processing and study abroad services.

    Mixed reactions trail development

    The development has sparked fresh conversations online, with many reacting to the timing of the deal following the controversy.

  • Customs Opens Final Portal for 2025 Recruits, Sets May 10 Deadline

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has opened its recruitment portal for shortlisted 2025 candidates to complete a mandatory final screening update.

    The Service said the process must be completed before the May 10, 2026 deadline.

    Final stage begins for shortlisted candidates

    In a statement released on Wednesday, the NCS said only applicants who successfully passed earlier stages of the recruitment exercise are eligible for this phase.

    Candidates are required to log into the official recruitment portal and update their personal information ahead of the final interview and physical screening.

    Deadline warning issued

    The Service stressed that failure to complete the update within the specified period could affect candidates’ chances of progressing.

    The portal will remain accessible until 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 10, after which it will be closed.

    Recruitment remains free

    The NCS reiterated that the recruitment exercise is entirely free, warning applicants to avoid fraudsters demanding payment for job placement.

    It said all communication will be conducted through official and verified channels only.

    Support channels provided

    To assist candidates, the Service said help desk contacts and official social media platforms are available for enquiries and verification.

    Applicants were advised to complete the required update promptly to avoid missing out on the final stage of the recruitment process.