Author: Kwara Reporters

The founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, said yesterday that Dele Farotimi, the human rights activist remanded by a Magistrate Court in Ekiti on Wednesday, will become a free man once he is able to prove the allegations he (Farotimi) levelled against him.Farotimi was picked up by the police in Lagos on Monday and driven to Ekiti State where he appeared before a Magistrate’s Court in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital on Wednesday and was ordered by the court to be remanded in the state’s correctional centre.The human rights activist’s arraignment followed alleged defamation of character in…

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of a simplified visa process for Nigerian nationals has sparked a growing backlash in South Africa, with some citizens taking to the social media to demand his resignation.The move, aimed at boosting economic and tourism activities, was announced during the 11th Session of the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission in Cape Town on December 3.Critics have called for the reversal of the decision, accusing the government of prioritising foreign relations over domestic concerns. The outcry has included an open letter to the president and widespread criticism online.Responding to the backlash, the presidency clarified that the initiative was…

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has charged warrant officers to bridge the gap between commissioned officers and the enlisted cadre.Mr Oluyede gave the charge at the graduation ceremony of the Warrant Officer’s Academy Course 44 on Friday at the Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna State.The COAS, represented by the Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye, congratulated the graduands for successfully completing their 22-week training.He emphasized the importance of the academy in developing the capacity of warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers.The COAS also acknowledged the participation of students from the Republic of Liberia and the Gambia, which would…

Months after the September 21 local government elections in Kwara State, many ad-hoc staff who participated in the process are yet to receive their promised stipends. Several affected workers revealed to Kwara Reporters that the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) initially paid a small group of ad-hoc staff, leaving the majority unpaid.In a confusing turn of events, the commission reportedly asked unpaid workers to visit its office in Ilorin weeks ago to submit their account details. However, after an extended silence, they were again summoned to provide their bank statements, allegedly to identify those who had not yet been…

A popular Ibadan-born Islamic preacher, Sheikh Muhyideen Bello, 84, died in the early hours of Friday. A fellow preacher, Sheikh Taofeeq Akewugbagold, confirmed his death in a Facebook post.“Today is one of my saddest days! My father and mentor has returned to his creator,” Mr Akewugbagold partly wrote without giving details about the circumstances surrounding Mr Bello’s death.The deceased was renowned for his fearless sermons about righteousness and death.Below are seven facts about the renowned clericSheikh Muyideen was born in 1940 into the respected family of Bello Ajani and Ubaidat Bello of Arolu Compound, Ita Olukoyi, Ibadan, Oyo State.He had…

The police on Friday slammed fresh counts of criminal defamation against activist Dele Farotimi, accusing him of holding a press conference online in which he detailed a budding plot to arrest him, filings seen by Peoples Gazette said.The police said the December 2, 2024, press briefing on YouTube constituted an attempt to bully and defame Afe Babalola, a nonagenarian lawyer on whose behest Mr Farotimi was arrested on Tuesday and remanded in prison following an initial arrangement Wednesday.The charges marked the latest escalation in an already fraught case that has fuelled division within legal circles across the country and appeared…

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ekiti State Command, has arrested a wanted Boko Haram member, Isiah Jafaru, aka Nabida, suspected to have fled from the Northeast after a persistent onslaught from the Nigeria Army.The suspect was arrested at Iloro Ekiti after the NSCDC operative launched a manhunt for him following his questionable character in the community.The NSCDC spokesman, Ekiti command, SC Afolabi Tolulope, said a preliminary investigation by the command revealed that the suspect is a top rank member of the terrorist group who relocated to Iloro Ekiti while other members of the group were scattered within…

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has pledged more refunds for the poor services rendered to the 2023 Hajj pilgrims.NAHCON chair Abdullahi Usman said this in a statement on Thursday.”It would be recalled that in the month of October, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) acknowledged receipt of refunds from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for various services not rendered to pilgrims of previous unspecified Hajj seasons.”NAHCON explained that the problem hindering payment of the refunds was the unavailability of details accompanying the received funds. Details were not attached on the reasons for the refunds, or whom they were…

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the dismissal of 18 senior officers and the demotion of 19 others over misconduct and other disciplinary issues.The head of press and public relations of PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.Mr Ani said the commission, at its first plenary meeting in Abuja, took the decision on 109 pending disciplinary matters and 23 appeals and petition cases, with 13 court judgments seeking compliance.He said the commission had earlier considered and approved recommendations on several promotion matters conveyed to it by the Inspector-General of Police for implementation.Mr Ani…

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, says there is a need to strengthen the collaboration between the ministry and the Nigerian Navy in safeguarding Nigerian maritime space as done in other climes.Mr Oyetola made this submission on Thursday in Abuja at the Senate public hearing on the Nigerian Coast Guard Establishment Bill 2024.The bill to establish the Nigerian Coast Guard recently passed second reading in the Senate.The minister said it was important to give credit to the Nigerian Navy for its achievements in safeguarding the Nigerian maritime space and giving Nigeria a good image worldwide.Mr Oyetola said the…