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Last week, August 27, 2024, was the 39th anniversary of the coup that toppled Gen Muhammadu Buhari, erstwhile GOC 3rd Armored Division of the Nigerian Army. On that day, Fatima Gumsu, daughter of military despot, Gen Sani Abacha, who is also wife of Yobe State governor, Mai Mala-Buni, sparked a debate. It led to a comparative assessment of military autocracy and civilian dictatorship. Gumsu had posted a photograph of her father in full military regalia on Facebook. On the photo, Gumsu merely wrote, “Baba na” – my father – with an emoji of “Love”. In the photo, Abacha was flanked by then Chief of Army Staff, Major Gen Ibrahim Babangida, who later became military president; and Gen Joshua Dogonyaro, who announced the palace coup on radio. The trio, who had just seized power, accused Buhari of high-handedness, incompetence and failure "to rejuvenate the economy”. Earlier, on December 31, 1983, all of them had violently brought to a rude halt Nigeria’s Second Republic. No matter the g

Frantically, I have never been desperate for anything in my life. Never! And how I wish everyone could honestly say so about themselves. Most Nigerians are very desperate to acquire money, fame, and political power. I think the idea of getting something at all costs can drive one crazy, leading someone to make decisions that can prevent them from reaching heaven and drive all rational thoughts from a person’s mind. I appreciate the word ‘consistency,’ and I am conscious of the word ‘loyalty.’ But to be frank, the politics of alliance with our brothers in the Northern part of Nigeria always comes with a price. Let me take you down memory lane: when Chief S.L. Akintola formed an alliance with the Northern Party, the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), against Chief Awolowo’s Action Group, the majority of the people in Awolowo’s camp incited the Yorubas against him. They turned his people against him. All the good things he was known for were forgotten. He was assassinat

A driver with the Shooting Stars Sports (3SC) Club of Ibadan, Mr. Oluseye Oyeboade, aka Baba Pupa, is dead. He was said to have died Thursday morning. The spokesperson of the Club, Tosin Omojola, confirmed in a statement that the deceased passed away at a hospital where he was rushed to as result of injuries he sustained after he slipped in the toilet. "With sorrow but total submission to the will of God, we  regret to announce the sudden passing away of one of our staff, Mr Oluseye Oyeboade," the statement partly read. Omojola further confirmed that remains of the deceased have since been buried. "He's survived by wife, children and siblings," he added. Noting that all activities of the club for Thursday and Friday have been suspended as a mark of respect to the hard working Oyeboade.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  Thursday announced the arrest of a four-man syndicate of alleged fraudsters impersonating and blackmailing the Executive Chairman of the Commission,  Mr. Ola Olukoyede in a $1million deal. The fraudsters: Ojobo Joshua,  Aliyu Hashim,  Thomas Oduh and Paul Ogiji were arrested on Wednesday,  August 28, 2024 at Gimbiya Street, Garki and Apo Legislative Quarters,  Abuja. The alleged fraudsters contacted a former Managing Director of the Nigeria Port Authority, NPA, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko claiming his indictment in some phony investigative activities of the EFCC during his tenure as the MD of NPA.  They alleged that Olukoyede was ready to give him a soft landing for $1million or risk being arrested and prosecuted. On receipt of intelligence regarding the moves of the impersonators,  operatives of the Commission were deployed  to play along with the alleged fraudsters. They were successfully arrested and in custody of the Co

Recently, the Nigerian Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced that degrees earned from universities in the Republics of Benin and Togo would be void. This announcement has raised serious concerns among students, parents, and educational institutions. In a statement released and signed by Gabriel Kona, an education consultant and president of Nigerian Lecturers in Benin, on behalf of stakeholders criticize the minister's action, calling it false and misleading information that does not accurately portray these universities or the certificates they award. The minister's announcement followed a report from a Nigerian investigative journalist that revealed the existence of a racketeering network that facilitated the acquisition of a certificate from ESGT University in Benin Republic. This report raised concerns about the validity of these certificates and led to a broader inquiry by the Nigerian government. Premised on this, the Nigerian education minister stated that

In a world where education remains a powerful catalyst for personal and societal growth, Mogaji Wole Arisekola, an Ibadan-born international media practitioner, has once again demonstrated his unwavering commitment to nurturing the educational aspirations of young people in his community. As the publisher of the renowned Street Journal Magazine and the Mogaji (Family Head ) of Ajenigieye, Mogaji Arisekola recently spearheaded the distribution of 3,000 bundles of exercise books and 1,500 school bags to primary and secondary school students within his family compound in Yemetu-Oje, Ibadan. This remarkable gesture, which aligns with Mogaji Arisekola’s philanthropic vision, underscores his deep understanding of the crucial role that education plays in the overall development of Nigeria. In his own words, “Investing in education in Nigeria is essential not just for individual growth but for the overall social, economic, and political development of the nation.” Mogaji Arisekola’s commitmen

By his advanced age and eminent status as a former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is by no means qualified to be an elder statesman. Statesmen are highly venerated and revered people to whom we go for advice, guidance and direction.  But sometimes, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar behaves as if he should be removed from that exclusive club. Or how else can one interpret some of his utterances and statements? Or is the former vice president merely playing politics? But politics should have its season and time and should sometimes give way for nation-building and patriotism. Statesmen are not given to flippancy. Neither are they whimsical. They are measured in words and deeds, a quality that Alhaji Atiku has not demonstrated in public discourse since losing the last presidential election as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).   Alhaji Atiku, obviously still stung by his electoral loss, can not see that a person of his profile must make interventions decorously and

The Western Zone of the Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, NANTA will on Thursday, 26 September, 2024 at 11.00am hold the second edition of its annual symposium. Otunba Babatunde Adesokan, the Association's Vice President for the zone, in an information shared with Trendscopenews, said the symposium will attract major stakeholders and experts in the sector. According to him, the symposium themed "Marketing Travels, Tourism And Hospitality In The Digital Age: Effective Strategies And Tactics" will hold at Alado Awaye Hall, National Museum of Unity, Aleshinloye, Ibadan. "It's part of our efforts in other to reposition the Association in this zone," Adesokan stated. Discussants for the epoch-making event include NANTA 2nd National Deputy President, Dr. Tokunbo Dagunduro; Evangelist Jibola Ogunkeyede, CEO Ufit Fly; Mrs. Oriyomi Pamela Otuko, Curator National Museum of Unity Ibadan, and Pastor Muyiwa Matilekuro, CEO Victory Travels (Seamless). While Otunba B

The Aboke family of Ibadan, like every other families in Yorubaland, has its peculiarities as regards culture and tradition. One of such peculiarities is the Aboke Soap (Ose Aboke or Ero Aboke). The soap is made of black soap and other local ingredients known strictly to the Aboke family. And it's highly potent for the treatment of Measles known in Yoruba as 'igbona', 'tita' or 'olode' (which explains why it's called 'ero Igbona') according to testimonies of those who have experienced its efficacy. This is a soap that has, for decades, attracted huge patronage not only within Ibadan but from other places across the Yorubaland and even beyond. It's a magical tradition that has been passed from generation to generation of the Aboke family. There is no true son and daughter of Abo̩ke who doesn't know how to prepare this soap. Outsiders are not allowed to be trained on how to make the soap. "We don't train outsider", representat

Have you ever read Heidi Holland’s Dinner With Mugabe? It was published in 2012 by a Zimbabwean journalist and columnist who worked with Illustrated Life Rhodesia magazine. The book is a very penetrating portraiture of Robert Mugabe. It is a psychobiography of a freedom fighter, liberal lawyer and revolutionary who later became, first Prime Minister and later, President of Zimbabwe. The book’s title was a product of a 1975 sudden call from a Holland friend. He wanted her to arrange dinner and meeting with a friend she had no idea who he was, in her home in Salisbury, now Harare, then capital of white Rhodesia. “It wasn’t until we stood under the veranda light and looked up as we greeted each other that I recognised him. It was Robert Mugabe,” she wrote in the Preface to the book. “He swaggered awkwardly as he does still. His shoulders were stooped a bit and he looked lean and agile, as if ready to sprint.” Mugabe had a train to catch that night and intermittently looked at his wrist-wa

Bamidele Dayo, a Nigerian student in the United Kingdom, has narrated how the sum of N2.27 million mysteriously disappeared in his account with the United Bank of Africa (UBA). A report monitored on National Waves Magazine stated that Dayo's predicament began when he transfered N10,000 from his UBA account on June 25, 2024 only for him to receive debit alerts of N500,000 in four places and an extra N272,000. "That was how I lost N2.272 million," he said, stating that when he contacted UBA he was told that their forensic investigation did not show how his money was stolen. Dayo, who is studying to get a master’s degree said that he got an email notification that another phone had been attached to his UBA app. He found this rather shocking as he had not handed his phone or account details to a third party. “I could log in, yet someone somewhere in Nigeria could still log in on the same mobile app. I wondered how two mobile devices could be attached to one account without me

Having read books on how great cities were built by the people and empires of the past, the penchant to see such in our days became very heightened. Transversing through our country Nigeria, gives the impression that cities were built and developed by governments. What comes close is a consortium of developers coming together to build an estate. Little did I know that something remarkable would be happening in the largest city in West Africa called Ibadan.  Oyo State as we know it is the pacesetter state, and we have it in the books of history, how many events and projects happened for the first time in Ibadan, Oyo State. The first television station in Africa, the first stadium in Africa and so many monumental projects we have in the beautiful city.  I once heard about a certain city within Ibadan city, called the Ilaji Resort, but thought it was one of those resorts with 2 or 3 buildings to show, but my visit to the resort made me ask questions. Was this the vision of one man? How di

The Chairman, Governing Council, Dave Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Barr. Adebayo Abdur. Raheem Shittu has condoles the immediate family of the late Oyo State Chapter, All Progressives Congress (APC), Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu. Shittu in a release on Tuesday through his media office described the sudden demise as shocking and unexpected.  The one time minister said the passage was a huge loss not just to Otu community and Oyo state but to the nation at large. “No doubt, his sudden passage has created a vacuum in the political landscape of Oyo State and Nigeria at large. “I condole with his wife and children as well as our great party, the All Progressives Congress, APC family and the people of Otu in Itesiwaju local government area of Oyo State.  “As a family, we understand his sudden enigmatic demise has left a void in our hearts, that of his friends, associates, supporters, and political loyalists. It is in light of this, we seek calm and, most importantly, your prayers, a

T he Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barr. Isaac Omodewu has passed away. Omodewu reportedly died in the United States of America where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment. Prior to his present position, Omodewu had served as Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Survey in the administration of late former governor Abiola Ajimobi. 

Skits literally crack ribs with laughter. The line separating fact from fiction or faction (fact and fiction) in skits is paper-thin. An instance was a skit cobbled together in Addis Ababa on January 11, 1976 at an OAU Extraordinary Session on Angola. This high-octane skit was documented by General Joe Nanven Garba in his Diplomatic Soldiering (1987). Garba was a Langtang-born Federal Commissioner for External Affairs under Murtala Muhammed and Olusegun Obasanjo. Self-titled ‘Field Marshal’ Idi Amin Dada, the notorious Ugandan despot, was then the OAU chairman. It was at that conference that General Muhammed delivered his famous and powerful speech he entitled “Africa has come of age.” In it, he called for an African self-determination, as opposed to a provocative letter written by American president Gerald Ford opposing Soviet-backed MPLA. It was also a time when African Heads of State were locked in acrimonious relationships. That conference was where Dada, a title-besotting despot,