THE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has deployed prospective corps members (PCMs), for the Batch C Stream II orientation exercise across the country.
A statement by the NYSC, on X on Monday, January 20, noted that some PCMs deployed to Lagos State would undertake their orientation course in Ekiti, Ondo, and Osun States.
It added that PCMs deployed to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would have their orientation in Nasarawa and Kaduna States.
The orientation camps, which opens nationwide on Wednesday, January 22, are set to provide participants with the essential training and guidance required for their mandatory one-year national service.
The agency advised PCMs against travelling at night while heading to their designated orientation camps.
The corps members are expected to receive their posting to places of primary assignment at the end of the orientation exercise.
The Batch C Stream II deployment is part of the NYSC’s effort to ensure that all eligible graduates participate in the service, aimed at fostering national unity and integration.
Established in 1973, the NYSC is a programme designed by the Nigerian government to foster national unity, promote patriotism, and equip young people with self-employment skills, among other objectives.
Every Nigerian graduate under 30 must participate in the service, during which they are deployed to various states to work in different sectors.
Since its establishment by the former military head of state, Yakubu Gowon, shortly after the country’s civil war, the NYSC has undergone various reforms and has significantly lived up to its mission of unifying Nigeria, despite palpable challenges, including corruption, militating against it.
ISESE, is the Yoruba word for tradition but it refers to the religious, and spiritual concepts and practices of the Yoruba people which is their traditional religion. The practitioners honour a range of gods and goddesses, including Osun, Esu, Sango, Obatala, Oya, Obaluaye, and Yemoja. Central to this belief system is Eledumare, revered as the supreme entity and source of all existence. This report is the third instalment of The ICIR series ‘The Others‘
Isese, which the traditionalists claimed is one the first religions in Africa, has a firm root in the Southwest part of Nigeria and has also spread to other places around the world like Cuba, Brazil, the Benin Republic, and the United States of America (USA).
Despite its age-long existence, adherents of Isese are struggling to gain ground in Nigeria, a country dominated by Christianity and Islam which traditionalists refer to as “foreign religions”. According to them, the coming of the Abrahamic religion posed a threat to the “real religion” and its practitioners. They also blamed the movie industry’s negative portrayals and actions of security agencies for the way people perceive the religion. This has contributed to adherents of the religion being constantly attacked, disparaged, shunned, and discriminated against.
Discriminated against for being an Isese adherent
The Mogaji Onibudo of Ibadan land and president, oftheInternational Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR), Fayemi Fakayode, faulted the manner traditional worshippers are being disparaged. He said the hatred emanates from those practising foreign religions but want to put their religion above those of their land.
The mogaji onibudo of Ibadan land and president, of the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) Fayemi Fakayode
Fakayode, an Ifa priest, saidwhen he was a student at the Adeyemi College of Education where he obtained his National Certificate of Education (NCE) and first degree respectively, he had lecturers who discriminated against him because he wasn’t a christian.
“I have a lecturer who gave me an E in a 3-unit course even though I was the president of the department, I was also the president of Ibadan students at Adeyemi College of Education at that time. So a person who heads all these associations, including the financial secretary of the student union, is not brilliant?” Fakayode asked.
“I had a CGPA of 3.9; I needed just 11 points to achieve a first-class before I was given an E because he asked me to come to his church and I refused. I did not because of that “stop practicing Isese,” Fakayode stated.
The ICIR did not independently verify the claim by Fakayode.
He stated that the discrimination had continued to the next generation as his child is also at the receiving end.
“My child faced similar discrimination in school when a hostel mate blamed a stomach ache on milk my child provided. This lead to mockery and he became reluctant to share anything again,” he stated.
Fakayode said issues like intimidation and discrimination have made many children of traditional worshippers convert to Islam and Christianity.
He added that he faced job discrimination due to his traditional beliefs, with subtle hints in interviews and hostility from colleagues.
A prominent traditionalist, the Baba Ijo Ose meji, of Ibadan, an Ifa Priest, Awoniyi Omorodoye Amosun, lamented that traditional religion is being disrespected and belittled, while its practitioners consistently choose to respond with love and consideration, mindful of the harmonious relationships their ancestors maintained.
He warned that if their ancestors were to retaliate against the disrespect in kind, it would lead to conflict.
Amosun, who is the Otun Awise of Ibadan land, expressed concerns over the intense criticism and attacks on traditional religion from various directions.
He highlighted past violent clashes between Muslims and masquerade groups, resulting in loss of lives, and called for greater self-regulation within the Muslim community.
Amosun also noted that some individuals from his community, upon gaining influence, often disregard traditional customs.
The Baba Ijo Ose meji, of Ibadan, Awoniyi Omorodoye Amosun
He further alleged that traditional religions face ridicule and discrediting efforts from other religions through media channels. He called for traditional practitioners to speak out against these attacks, believing that the world is increasingly recognising the flaws in other religions.
“They are looking for all avenues to wipe out traditional religion and they are overdoing it in Ibadan,” he said.
The Otun Awise, Amosun complained that when crimes like murder or money rituals occur, security agents unfairly link them to traditional worshippers, even when the perpetrators have prefixes like ‘Alhaji’ or ‘Pastor’ before their names.
He argued that it’s not traditionalists who engage in such acts, but rather individuals from other religions who bring in foreign charms and practices.
He alleged that foreign religions, specifically Christianity and Islam, are actively working against the traditional Isese religion. He claimed that in cases of conflict, the police and courts tend to favour Christians and Muslims, against traditional worshippers.
An Ifa Priest, Adepoju Taiwo Ifadairo, a student of Ekiti State University, and an herbalist based in Ibadan, Oyo State said the challenges and opposition he has faced due to his beliefs are countless but do not bother him again.
“Sometimes some of my lecturers would tell me that Jesus said we should do this and that. I don’t usually interrupt them but when they are done, I politely explain to them what Ifa is and what other deities represent,” he said.
Ifadayo Osunsanmi, an Osun and Ifa Priest, said, “in Yoruba culture,Ifarefers to the revered deity, Orunmila, also known as Ifa, who embodies wisdom, knowledge, and intellectual growth, and is considered a powerful symbol of insight and understanding, has been bastardised as many people do not even want it attached to their names.”
According to Ifadairo, no religion preaches the truth like the traditional religion.
“These people will come to Africa and tell us the Orisas our forefathers have been worshipping are not good. Sometimes they will pay cash to buy some of them,” he inferred.
Movie industry impact negatively on Isese religion – Adherents
Thestrength of the Nigerian movie industry has gone beyond the spheres of Africa and has attained a global status. The industry plays a significant part in reflecting Nigerian culture, traditions, and societal issues, resonating with local audiences.
The Yoruba movie industry, also known as Nollywood Yoruba, is a significant component of the Nigerian film industry. The movies churned out by this industry have been blamed as being one the militating factor against Isese religion. According to Ifadairo, the film industry has caused a lot of damage to the Yoruba land through their movies.
Ifa Priest Adepoju Taiwo Ifadairo believes the film industry has caused a lot of damage to Yoruba land through their movies. ICIR/2024
He stated that many people have never visited the house of a herbalist but the movies they watch have polluted their minds with all manner of negativity regarding traditional religion.
“You can see where they will tell a herbalist to make use of three human heads or use someone for money rituals. It is not like this during our forefathers, where unimaginable things are done to get rich.
“What our forefathers usually used in those days were different species of rats and fish among other animals,” he stated, stressing that spiritual fortifications are “normal things” in Yoruba land and do not require using humans as a ritual.
“Sometimes when they ask someone to go and consult Ifa in a movie, they might ask for the person’s heart or any part of the body after death, this is not correct,” he added.
On the negative impact of Yoruba movies on Isese, Amosun – earlier mentioned – said there is a deliberate attempt to use the movie industry and communication channels to destroy Isese.
“They will cook something up and send it to the theatre practitioners to use and write stories that are untrue like saying, traditionalists are killing people for atonement, bringing seven pregnant women for sacrifice. These are all the things they are using against us but that doesn’t stop one from progressing.
“The movie industry is filled with people who don’t have any knowledge of Ifa acting as Babalawos in the movie. Then the scriptwriters are mostly Muslims and Christians, they are writing it to promote their religion,” he claimed.
The movie industry is filled with people who don’t have any knowledge of Ifa acting as Babalawos in the movie. Then the scriptwriters are mostly Muslims and Christians, they are writing it to promote their religion
Amosun accused foreign religions of sponsoring efforts to undermine traditional religion, using their wealth to promote their own beliefs while disparaging indigenous practices.
He warned that denigrating the traditional religion and its adherents will have consequences, as they are the original owners of the land.
He urged them to stop speaking ill of traditionalists and to cease portraying them negatively in movies, which often depict herbalists as engaging in human sacrifices and murder, a misrepresentation of reality.
Indian, Chinese movies promoting their religions but we are killing ours – Actor
The director, of Crown Troupe of Africa, a dance-theatre group, Segun Adefila alluded to the point made by traditional worshippers that the Nigerian movie industry is working against our culture and tradition.
According to Adefila, art is the means of expression through which one introduces his or her culture to the world but the reverse is the case in Nigeria.
Director Crown Troupe of Africa and Actor Segun Adefila
“What we see in Indian films, is how we accepted everybody is rushing to America because of the soft power America was able to push. You cannot watch American movies without seeing an American flag. and they tell you of all their beautiful cities.
“The Chinese too, if you observe, we never see any of those things. For instance, in Indian films, you never see where a white or a foreigner in suit will come and win them in their shrine. It is their shrine that always overcomes. It is well portrayed when they talk about Buddhism, Hindu. The Hindu shrine is well taken care of, and well protected, so it’s highly restricted.
“We are the ones that have problems. We demarket ourselves,” Adefila stated.
While stating that the movie industry should have corrected cultural misconceptions, he explained that films often depict a pastor using their Bible to collapse a shrine, perpetuating harmful stereotypes about traditional practices.
“I went to a country one day, somebody came to pick me up at the airport, the first thing the person said to me was that he was scared of me as a Nigerian, that he had seen our movies, we have black power. So something we should be proud of has now turned against us,” Adefila stated.
According to the actor, he shares the opinion that the film industry reinforces harmful narratives about Isese religion, instead of promoting understanding and dispelling misconceptions.
First, we have, to know that before Western interference, before colonialism, our ancestors thrived and survived on their intellectual heritage and knowledge systems.
Stigmatisation is an issue
Ifadairo believes that traditionalists are being stigmatised due to their beliefs and claims it is affecting their morals.
“There is also shame, for when they (traditionalists) are in a place filled with Muslims or Christians that are talking or playing, they don’t want anyone to know that they are traditionalists so they pretend to be like others.“
An Ibadan-based Ifa Priestess, Ifayemisi Atinumosaid, “I was at a naming ceremony a few months back and the pastor saw me sitting down there with my beads on. He said to me “You that want to do this and that, Orisa worshippers you are going to hell fire.For peace to reign, such words should not be coming from religious leaders.”
Ifayemisi queried the intimidation and harassment of Isese adherents and recalled experiencing a situation where she was asked to remove her Ifa bead while in school, but she refused, comparing it to asking an ‘Alhaja’ to remove her veil.
She also mentioned that some men have made comments suggesting that dating her would invite supernatural retribution if they broke her heart, to which she responded that she is human and wouldn’t harm anyone even if they treated her poorly.
Ibadan-based Ifa Priestess, Ifayemisi Atinumo
“People believe that being a traditional worshipper, you tend to do bad things to them. They believe that you have charms that you can harm them with,” Ifayemisi said.
Egungun (Masquerade) in danger
Ifakayode who is also the Jagunmolu Awo Agbaye, said fights always break out between adherents of foreign religions and the Egungun masquerades in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during the Egungun festival because some Muslim clerics always try to stop the Egungun from accessing major roads during processions.
But according to him, in Ibadan, there is a way to resolve such issues by involving the king and the government.
“Such incidents have happened in the past when a Muslim cleric called Ajagbe Mo Keferi started stopping masquerades from using the roads.
“Some of the troubles he started are still on the ground today because that was when a lot of masquerades started arming themselves with cutlasses for protection ,” Fakayode stated.
On his part, Amosun claimed that it’s unimaginable for an herbalist to launch an attack on Muslims while they’re praying, stating that such an incident is unlikely to occur. Instead, he alleged that Muslims are the ones who often initiate attacks on others, implying that they are the aggressors.
“Anytime we are having our festival, they will go and give thugs money to come and attack us. Recently, a harmless masquerade came out, it belongs to the government. The masquerade had already returned home when they went to give some thugs money to fight it,” the Otun Awise stated.
Amid the opposition, Ifadairo advised his fellow traditionalists to always be proud of their religion because according to him, there is no way they can prove that traditional religion is not a bad one if those who are practising it cannot be proud of it.
“Don’t let us hide our names, it’s a good name. If someone that has Oluwa before their name or Taofeek or Taoreed are not ashamed of their names as Christians or Muslims, why should we traditionalists be ashamed of ours?he asked.
Ifayemisi on her part encouraged other traditionalists to be proud of Isese and not hide behind the curtains due to fear of harassment.
As for Fakayode, what traditionalists who are scared of associating with Isese require is knowledge which,according to him, is the responsibility of parents
The secular nature of Nigeria stressed
Ifayemisi referenced an incident where an Ifa priest was victimised for choosing not to convert to Islam, highlighting the irony that Nigerian law guarantees freedom of religion, yet some individuals refuse to acknowledge and respect the existence of other faiths.
She emphasised that traditional religion, like hers, predate the arrival of other religions in the region and that they have never prohibited others from practising their beliefs.
Ifayemisi advocated for mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, urging that individuals be allowed to live their lives as they see fit, without imposition or persecution.
We perform our duties regardless of religion, ethnicity, or philosophy – Police
On the allegation that security agents, especially the police, are tarnishing the image of traditional worshippers, the spokesperson of the Oyo State Police command, AdewaleAdefeso, said all allegations against the force are false.
He said the force has always tried to be fair to all in their dealings.
“Idon’t think there has been there has been any revolt in that light about favouring a side. In Oyo, if there is any such situation, they should cite it.
“We have respect for the rights of citizens, residents and non-residents alike. If there is a case they are referring to, they should bring it forward and it will be reviewed accordingly,” Adefeso stated.
Ifayemisi advised the government to add Isese studies to the school curriculum,
“If the government should add Isese studies to the curriculum, the children, the upcoming generations will get to learn about Isese in schools instead of Christian Religious Studies and Islamic Religious studies. People can get to learn. The upcoming generation can get to learn more about Isese from scratch.
She also asked for more government support in all Isese festivals and praised the Oyo State governor for providing security for all the Egungun (masquerades) and all that.
A professor of Philosophy at the University of Lagos, Douglas Anele, expressed his scepticism regarding the existence of a supernatural being and advised that all expenses for pilgrimages should be borne by the pilgrim.
“A sensible government should not be involved in religion except for regulatory purposes,” he stated.
Oyo government reacts
The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Oyo state Governor, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, declared that the state government respects all regions and does not discriminate. He added that the government is very tolerant of all religions.
“Just last week [2024], the government of Oyo State was represented by the deputy governor at the Sango Festival in Oyo. It was a very big event and the government was fully represented and supported the occasion. The ambassador of Portugal was there.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde
“On the issue of pilgrimage, where is the place they want to travel to?” he asked.
He noted that in Oyo State, it’s a common practice to have representatives from three religions offer prayers at official events. Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers each take turns to offer prayers, promoting religious inclusivity and diversity.
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has expressed grief over the loss of one of its officers, Aminu Sahabi Salisu, who was allegedly killed on duty on January 17, 2025, by a suspected internet fraudster, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu.
The commissionin a statement released on Sunday, January 19, described reports circulating on social media about the incident as “false narratives.”
The EFCC, in the statement signed by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said it views with great concern the “irresponsible, callous, inhuman and outrageous” narratives being circulated on social media on the fatal accident.
“It is heinous to reduce the death of a gallant officer who was carrying out patriotic and official duties to social media razzmatazz.
“More worrisome is the fact that some faceless commentators are pitching their tents with an alleged criminal who unleashed terror on officers of the EFCC in their line of duty,” the EFCC stated.
According to the EFCC, the operation that led to Salisu’s death was a raid on a two-storey building in Ifite, Awka, where 37 suspected internet fraudsters were arrested.
The agency said, however, Ikechukwu, who was also in the building, refused to open his door to the investigators and instead fired shots at them, killing Salisu and wounding another officer.
The EFCC said preliminary investigations have revealed that Ikechukwu was involved in coding and online medical supplies of doubtful legitimacy, and he is currently in police custody.
“Two laptops, iPads, andseveral recording devices were recovered from his apartment, and his involvement in internet fraud is already established,” the commission stated.
The EFCC warned the public that internet fraudsters are becoming increasingly hazardous to public safety and security and that they should not be deceived into thinking that these criminals are just “Yahoo boys and girls.”
The Commission vowed to bring Ikechukwu to trial and take a strong stance against any future attacks on its officers.
The anti-graft agency said it appreciates the support and condolences from sister agencies and well-meaning individuals and remains resolute in its mission to rid the nation of internet fraud and other acts of corruption.
Salisu, attached to the EFCC zonal command, was killed on Friday, January 17, during a raid on suspected internet fraudsters in Awka.
He had led his team to the house of a cybercrime suspect identified as Ikechuckwu before he was shot dead.
Reports stated that the culprit, a medical doctor from the Ifite area of Awka, fired, killing Salisu and injuring another officer.
The spokesperson of the Anambra Police command, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident.
He said the police responded to a distress call, arrested one suspect, and recovered a pump-action gun, where operatives of the anti graft agency had gone on an investigation.
The social media has been agog about the killing of Salisu, with many blaming his death on the EFCC.
The chairman of the commission, Olukoyede, in November 2023, ordered that sting operations at night be stopped following the arrest of 70 students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, in a midnight raid on off-campus hostels.
The arrest led to outrage from Nigerians and subsequently resulted in the ban of midnight raids by the operatives.
However, many were surprised that despite the ban, the commission went for a night operation resulting in the death of Salisu.
Meanwhile, the EFCC has announced the postponement of a media chat earlier scheduled to be held by its chairman, Olukoyede, on January 19, 2025, at 7:30 pm.
The media engagement was expected to be broadcast across major television networks.
While no reason was provided , the commission assured the public that a new date for the chat would be communicated in due course.
Many believe that the postponement might not be unconnected to the killing of its officer in Anambra.
THE Pulitzer Centre has announced a special grant opportunity for projects centered on COP 30, scheduled to take place in Brazil in November 2025.
Journalists, editors, and independent media outlets are encouraged to submit proposals addressing key environmental issues relevant to the upcoming conference.
The centre seeks to fund projects that explore the connection between the management of rainforest, ocean ecosystems, domestic and global climate policies and actions. The goal is for these reports to inform and inspire the climate community and the public ahead of the next COP discussions and negotiations.
The project proposals are expected to address the management of rainforests and ocean ecosystems in high-impact regions like the Amazon, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia. Proposals should explore the intersection of climate policies and systemic challenges affecting these ecosystems, focusing on issues like inadequate regulations, destructive supply chains, carbon trading schemes, and the role of scientific innovation in mitigating climate risks.
It should also emphasise the perspectives of local and marginalised communities, and may include cross-border investigations.
The Center values collaboration, innovation, and data-driven approaches, and encourages proposals with strong commitments from credible news outlets for wide-reaching distribution.
Click here to apply. Submission deadline is February 15, 2025.
ISRAEL has agreed to release 1,890 Palestinian prisoners in the Gaza truce deal reached recently.
The truce is to take effect on the eve of Donald Trump‘s inauguration for another term as President.
Mediator Egypt, said Saturday, January 18, that the prisoner’s release is in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages in the first phase of a Gaza truce.
The 42-day ceasefire is set to begin today, Sunday, at 0630 GMT, and as part of the deal, Israel will be freeing a significant number of Palestinian prisoners.
According to the plan, 737 prisoners will be released later today (Sunday).
Countries like Qatar, Egypt, and the USA all played a role in mediating the agreement. It’s also worth noting that militants in Gaza will be releasing 33 hostages as part of the deal.
The ICIR reported that after over a year of conflict, a ceasefire agreement that includes the release of hostages was reached between Israel and Gaza.
Sky News reported that the truce, announced by Qatari Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, is set to begin on Sunday, January 19.
This latest development followed prolonged negotiations in Doha, with the conflict leaving thousands dead, injured, or displaced in Gaza.
The Israel-Hamas war has taken a devastating toll, with over 50,000 lives lost and many more affected.
The ceasefire is a much-needed step towards peace, and it’s happening at a significant time – just before Trump’s inauguration for a second term.
The conflict has seen several airstrikes in Gaza, destroying infrastructure, homes, hospitals, and public facilities. Hospitals and humanitarian centres have reported severe shortages of essential supplies like water, electricity, and medical aid.
The
ICIR reported how Israel’s ground offensive, launched in response to Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of around 250 hostages.
Meanwhile, the ceasefire deal reportedly includes a six-week initial phase during which Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from central Gaza, enabling displaced Palestinians to return to northern parts of the territory.
Humanitarian aid is also set to increase significantly as part of the agreement, offering some relief to Gaza’s beleaguered population.
Also, the deal includes plans for a second phase, to begin on the 16th day of the truce, focusing on the release of remaining hostages, including male Israeli soldiers, a permanent ceasefire, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.
THE death toll in the fatal petrol tanker explosion at Dikko junction in Niger State has risen to 86.
The number of injured has also increased to 55, all of whom are receiving treatment in the hospital.
The recovered corpses have been given a mass burial in Dikko, Niger State, as the community comes to terms with the tragic incidence.
This Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, in a statement released on Sunday, January 19 said the agency, alongside Gurara Local Government Area and brave, kind-hearted volunteers, conducted the mass burial between 5 pm and midnight.
“Eighty of them were buried in a mass grave at Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre premises, while five were taken by their relatives for burial in the town, and one died at Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre.”
As of Saturday, the total death toll from the incident was over 50.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Commander in Niger State, Kumar Tsukwam, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Minna on Saturday.
According to Tsukwam, a loaded petrol tanker fell at the scene of the incident and people gathered, scooping spilling fuel.
The FRSC boss said they were engulfed by the fire just as those who went to rescue them were also affected.
He added that despite the devastating situation, personnel from the FRSC and other agencies worked tirelessly to rescue those trapped in the wreckage.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Baba-Arah, said the explosion happened around 9:00 am on Saturday.
According to him, the incident happened when a tanker loaded with premium motor spirit, PMS, crashed, and an attempt was made to transfer its contents to another tanker.
Meanwhile, the Niger State government has expressed sadness over the incident.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said Bago described the explosion as heartbreaking,painful,and disturbing.
He sympathised with the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed.
The governor, however, warned the people to always be conscious of their safety.
He directed all the relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to do what was necessary while advising the security agents to ensure security in the area.
THE Presidency has refuted reports claiming it had compelled former President Muhammadu Buhari or any Nigerian to testify in an arbitration in Paris.
On Saturday, January 18 a news platform (not The ICIR) reported that former President Buhari had been called to testify in a Paris court regarding an arbitration proceeding over the $6bn Mambilla power contract dispute.
According to the report, Buhari was “hauled before the court on Saturday for breaching the terms of a power generation and distribution contract awarded to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company of Nigeria by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003.”
In response, Bayo Onanuga, the presidential media aide issued a statement denying the claim, though he did not refute the existence of the case.
Onanuga described the proceeding as entirely confidential and emphasised that it should not have been reported in the media, as it remains private until the international arbitrators make a decision.
“The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to some fake news on social media about an arbitration proceeding in Paris to which the Nigerian government is a party.
The private proceeding, which should not have been reported in the media, is entirely confidential until the international arbitrators decide,” the statement reads in part.
The statement further noted that while respecting the confidentiality of the proceedings, President Tinubu had not forced anyone to testify for or against Nigeria.
Onabuga added that all Nigerians involved in the country’s defense were doing so voluntarily, out of patriotism and conviction, and that President Tinubu and the nation were grateful to them.
TIKTOK cut off access for US users late Saturday January 18, just before a national ban took effect. This comes as President-elect Donald Trump remains unable to act until his inauguration.
After prolonged legal battles, the US Supreme Court on Friday January 17 upheld a law requiring the popular video-sharing app to be banned for national security reasons unless its Chinese owners finalize a sale to non-Chinese buyers by Sunday.
TikTok, known for turning everyday users like teenage dancers and grandmothers sharing recipes into viral sensations, has gained widespread popularity.
Trump, who credited the app for helping him connect with younger voters and secure his November 2024 election win, revealed to NBC News on Saturday that he might grant a 90-day reprieve after returning to the Oval Office, following discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at. The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done because it’s appropriate. If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday,” Trump said.
The law permits a 90-day delay if the White House demonstrates progress toward a feasible agreement, but TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has firmly rejected any sale.
Outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration has deferred the issue to Trump, with White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre dismissing TikTok’s recent remarks as a “stunt” in a statement.
Following the court ruling, TikTok CEO Shou Chew expressed gratitude to Donald Trump, acknowledging his willingness to collaborate on a resolution and commending him for his deep understanding of the platform.
Under the law, Apple and Google must remove TikTok from their app stores, preventing new downloads, with potential fines of up to $5,000 per user who can still access the app. Additionally, Oracle, which manages TikTok’s servers, would be required to implement the ban.
With TikTok’s shutdown, US-based competitors like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts stand to gain. Meanwhile, thousands of concerned TikTok users have flocked to Xiaohongshu, a Chinese social media platform akin to Instagram. Dubbed “Red Note” by American users, it became the most downloaded app on the US Apple Store this week.
Brazil has officially named Nigeria as one of its partner countries in the BRICS alliance, according to a statement released by the Brazilian Foreign Ministry on Friday.
This positions Nigeria as the ninth partner country within the BRICS framework, alongside Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Belarus. The partner-country category was introduced during the 16th BRICS summit held in Kazan in October 2024.
At the G-20 summit in New Delhi in September 2023, the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, emphasised that the BRICS group was incomplete without Nigeria’s inclusion. In December 2024, Nigeria sought South Africa’s support to secure full membership in both the G-20 and BRICS.
The Brazilian Foreign Ministry welcomed Nigeria’s decision, stating, “With the world’s sixth-largest population—and the largest in Africa—Nigeria is one of the continent’s major economies. It shares convergent interests with other BRICS members and plays an active role in advancing South-South cooperation and reforming global governance—priorities under Brazil’s current presidency.”
Initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS has gradually expanded as more countries express interest in joining the alliance of prominent emerging economies.
During the October summit, reports confirmed Nigeria’s inclusion as a partner country.
Former spokesperson for the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eche Abu-Obe, commended Nigeria’s acceptance into the BRICS alliance, highlighting the significance of the move.
A LAGOS magistrate, Olasanmi Ogunkanmi, 58, has collapsed and died hours after returning from a holy pilgrimage in Jerusalem, Israel.
According to reports, the magistrate, who was also a pastor, slumped and died the night after returning from the three-week trip to the Holy Land.
Ogunkanmi had just returned with the first batch of Lagos pilgrims before his sudden death on January 1, 2025. The news of his death became public on Friday, January 17.
According to reports, the late magistrate who worked at Ikeja Magistrate Court returned home full of joy and satisfaction, only to pass away suddenly.
A staff member at Ikeja Magistrate was quoted as saying that he will be remembered as a kind and humble person who excelled in his role.
However, there are conflicting reports on the circumstances of his death; while some say he slumped and died, others claim he died peacefully in his sleep.
Meanwhile, the executive secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, NCPC, Stephen Adegbite, has visited the widow of the late magistrate at their Lagos home to offer condolences.
Adegbite expressed heartfelt sympathy with the young widow over the sudden, shocking demise of Ogunkanmi.
He said that it was not an accident that the late magistrate died the night he returned from performing the holy pilgrimage in Jerusalem and that the occurrence made his death providential
The late magistrate’s funeral is scheduled to take place in Lagos on February 7, 2025, with a service of songs slated to be held a day earlier.
Recall that in October 2024, the death of a retired judge of the High Court of Lagos State, Beatrice Adesuwa Oke-Lawal, was announced.
The news of her passing was contained in a press statement that said the court would not sit as a mark of honour for late deceased judge.
