The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Security chief, two others held over kidnap, murder of tricyclist

    Security chief, two others held over kidnap, murder of tricyclist

    The vigilante commander of Ojoto community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State and two others have been arrested over alleged abduction and murder of a tricycle operator, Christian Onah.

    The deceased, 25, from Ovoko community in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State but resident in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area was declared missing on May 28, 2023 when he did not return from work.

    The Nation gathered the deceased’s neighbours had raised the alarm over his whereabouts and subsequently reported to the police, while owner of his tricycle engaged services of security tracker.

    A resident of the area,who spoke in confidence, disclosed that the man in possession of the missing tricycle was later arrested, but claimed he purchased the tricycle from Ojoto community vigilante operatives during interrogation.

    Read Also: Ribadu and Nigeria’s security challenges

    “When the Police operatives from Ogidi Division arrested the vigilante that sold the tricycle to him, he confessed that their commander was behind the abduction and subsequent killing of Christian.

    “He also said the Commander threw the corpse at Mmili John Ojoto, a popular river in that side of the community,” he said.

    Father of the deceased, Emmanuel Onah, lamented the brutal murder of his son, calling for justice over the dastardly act.

    “Another painful aspect of the ugly story is that the perpetrators have refused to disclose where they actually buried my son,” he sobbed.

    While demanding thorough investigation of the matter in order to unmask the perpetuators, the visibly devastated man appealed for diligent prosecution to recover his son’s body.

    When contacted, Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga said he was yet to be briefed over the incident, promising to reach out to the concerned division.

    But a senior police officer from Ogidi Division who pleaded anonymity disclosed that efforts were on to arrest certain persons identified as collaborators by those arrested.

    “Ojoto community stakeholders are interested in the matter while police has intensified efforts to arrest some other indigenes in the community mentioned as collaborators by the suspects already in custody,” he said.

  • Fame without ability to handle pressure dangerous- Rudeboy

    Fame without ability to handle pressure dangerous- Rudeboy

    One of the PSquare brothers Rudeboy has shared famous personalities lacking the ability to handle all-round pressures are in serious danger.

    He was reacting to allegation by a US-based model that afrobeats Singer Davido got her impregnated. 

    The reports by the one-time ‘OnlyFans’ New Yorker has sparked heated debates on several social media platforms as she continues to share ‘receipts’ of her affair with Davido.

    Brown keeps updating her page with new information to prove her claim and tackle critics charging her with clout chasing. 

    In a recent Instagram Live session, Brown made her viewers watch her take a pee to carry out a pregnancy test.

    Read Also: I’m your luxury bag take me wherever, Rudeboy’s lover tells singer

    Her actions have caused many to wonder how in the world O.B.O ever had unprotected s3xual relations with someone like her. 

    With all these happenings, P Square twin concluded a famous person who lacked the wherewithal to handle all the pressures that come with the status would certainly go bunkers when they hit the individual.

    “You see all these…. entertainment, celebrity, social media, exposing, no secret, divorce mongers, comment in-laws, attacking left, right and center. If you’re not strong and bold,  I swear you go run mad,” he wrote.

  • Arsenal make third bid worth £105m for West Ham midfielder

    Arsenal make third bid worth £105m for West Ham midfielder

    Arsenal have submitted a third bid worth £105m for West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice.

    Treble winners Manchester City, who had a £90m offer for the 24-year-old rejected on Tuesday, will not match the Gunners’ bid.

    Read Also: Man City or Arsenal? Two-horse race for Rice

    Arsenal have also had two bids previously rejected after their offers fell short of the £100m West Ham want.

    However, it is understood the Hammers do not believe the structure of the latest bid is right.

  • Pregnant Maria steps out with lover, Kelvin, causes stir

    Pregnant Maria steps out with lover, Kelvin, causes stir

    Heavily pregnant reality TV star Maria Chike has shared  a video that captured her with lover and soon-to-be baby daddy, Kelvin Anene walking together.

    A couple of days ago, the former BBNaija Season 6 housemate announced she was expecting a baby with her lover.

    In the captivating video, Maria prayed her unborn child possesses a heart like the father’s, informing the baby of being the resulting outcome of the boundless love shared with the father.

    Read Also: Satori-Me CEO Maria Ivina organises first Metaverse eco-forum

    The video elicited reactions with many asking to know see her unborn child’s dad though some others guessed it was Kelvin.

    To put paid to their guesses, Maria shared a video with her lover, walking hand-in-hand out of an event venue in the cool of the night.

    Many gushed over the pair, urging her to ‘press necks’ while others expressed surprise at her getting pregnant for the same Kelvin that earned her a call out from Cubana Chief Priest in 2022, who accused her of attempts to snatch his sister’s hubby and threatening her (his sister) while at it.

    Although, Kelvin has since separated from his wife and seems to have found ‘love’ as well as ‘quiet’ in the arms of Maria.

  • Ladoja breaks silence on Ibadan Chieftaincy law review

    Ladoja breaks silence on Ibadan Chieftaincy law review

    Former Oyo Governor Senator Rashidi Ladoja has broken his silence over the recent review of Ibadan Chieftaincy law. 

    He said his ambition, when he joined the Olubadan line, was not to become a lesser king but the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

    The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland said he is only interested in becoming the Olubadan and not an ‘elevated Oba

    Governor Seyi Makinde recently signed the Chieftaincy Amendment Bill that granted him autonomy to present beaded crowns and coronets to chiefs in the State into law.

    Read Also: Ladoja, 10 other Ibadan chiefs to become kings

    The Governor was said to have given his consent to the promotion of the high chiefs who will officially be installed traditional rulers on Friday, July 7, 2023.

    But Ladoja, while speaking at his Bodija residence after observing Eid prayers at the University of Ibadan (UI) Muslim praying ground, said there no need to fix what is not broken.

    He said: “Nothing has changed, you don’t mend what is not broken, it is not fair to elevate high chiefs to Obas, my focus is to become Olubadan, not lesser Oba.”

    Ibadan High chiefs are Balogun of Ibadan land, Owolabi Olakulehin; Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land, Rashidi Ladoja; Otun Balogun, Tajudeen Ajibola; Osi Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole, and Osi Balogun, Lateef Adebimpe

    Other are Ashipa Olubadan, Biodun Kola-Daisi; Ashipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade; Ekerin Balogun, Olubunmi Isioye; Ekarun Olubadan; Bayo Akande and Ekarun Balogun, Abiodun Azeez.

  • Yvonne Nelson to Sarkodie: accolades for rap diss track won’t change truth

    Yvonne Nelson to Sarkodie: accolades for rap diss track won’t change truth

    Actress Yvonne Nelson has insisted on her claim about rapper Sarkodie forcing her to terminate their baby, stating he drove her to the hospital for the procedure.

    She berated the music star over his latest diss track, noting it may earn him accolades but would certainly not wish away the truth.

    She questioned Sarkodie for ‘rubbishing a pain a young woman felt’ with his diss track where he accused her of desperation to terminate the pregnancy due to her tertiary studies which she now claims to have wrapped up with, daring the online community to investigate.

    Nelson, in a series of tweets,accused the rapper of spitting lies in his released diss track, but appealed to him employ creativity and logicality while at it.

    She wrote: “Insults won’t work michael. Respect womanhood. I’m happy the world gets to see how you are playing this and the real you. Young women get to learn from this. You would get the applause for a rap still doesn’t change the TRUTH.

    “In my book, I narrated how you got me pregnant, How you couldn’t wait for me to get rid of it. How you DROVE me to have an abortion. As usual, you want to use rap to rubbish a pain a young woman felt. We both have daughters, let’s see what life throws at them. #triedyou.

    Read Also: I wasn’t ready but then I told you to keep it – Rapper Sarkodie

    “Michael , you claim I was desperate to abort because I needed to complete school. In 2010 when I became pregnant, I had completed the university. Anybody can verify this. I wasn’t in school and you know it. If you want to lie, find an logical lie. #youspittinglies.

    “And would you have readily agreed for me to keep a pregnancy when you were in a serious relationship with another lady who would become your wife? Your street line is played out.. #thetruthsetsyoufree #theyouthislearning.

    “I was pregnant at the time I launched my glaucoma foundation, around October 2010. I graduated from Central University in Oct. 2010. It was my final year, but I’d completed my course work months before the October graduation and my pregnancy. I was only waiting for my certificate.”

    On Wednesday morning, cybernauts woke up to a newly released diss track titled, ‘Try Me’ by Sarkodie where he countered Nelson’s pregnancy termination claims.

    He claimed Nelson was desperate to get rid of the baby referencing her studies even though he advised her to keep it.

    The Tema-born artiste proceeded to lambaste Nelson accusing her of being chosey with the details shared in her memoir.

    He also dubbed the movie star as a woman of easy virtue, challenging her to name all the males she’d slept with.

  • Nigeria’ll experience peace, prosperity, Tinubu assures

    Nigeria’ll experience peace, prosperity, Tinubu assures

    President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday in Lagos urged Nigerians to have faith in God that the country will experience peace, stability and prosperity. 

    Speaking to reporters after observing the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at Dodan Barracks prayer ground, the President stressed the need for unity and cooperation, appealing to Nigerians to eschew ethnic and religious rivalries. 

    While noting that Allah would not burden the country with what it cannot bear, the President said no religious or ethnic identity should be allowed to deter Nigeria’s prosperity.

    Read Also: We must all make sacrifices for Nigeria’s progress – Tinubu

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, the President said: “I thank Almighty Allah for keeping us in good health till today and pray to Him to grant us robust health and prosperity. May our sacrifices turn to prosperity. We have to make the sacrifices and that is clear, we have to. 

    ”But Allah will not give you a burden that you cannot carry. He is there for us. We must have faith in the country. Have faith in ourselves, believing that as citizens of this country, we must join hands to build the nation. 

    ”No religious identity, no tribal identity, let us live with one another in joy and prosperity. Nigeria will see peace, stability and God will grant peace to those of us at the warfront.”

    The President also used the occasion to pray for Nigerian troops in the frontline in the fight against insurgency, saying it is his earnest desire and that of the nation that they emerge victorious. 

    The Eid prayer, which started at 9 am, was led by the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abu-Nolah.   

    The Chief Imam later performed the obligatory slaughtering of ram at the Eid prayer ground in celebration of the significance of the noble act of Prophet Ibrahim in total obedience to Allah’s command.  

    Speaking on behalf of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat felicitated Muslims across Nigeria and in the state for the joy of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, urging them to unite behind President Tinubu in his determination to make the country better. 

    “It is our duty to pray for our leaders. We must pray for our President that God should help him to succeed in the task before him.” 

    The prayer was attended by the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, former Governor of Lagos State and immediate past Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, among other notable government officials and top politicians. 

  • Sarkodie counters Yvonne Nelson’s pregnancy termination claims in diss track

    Sarkodie counters Yvonne Nelson’s pregnancy termination claims in diss track

    Popular Ghanaian rap star Michael Owusu Addo aka Sarkodie has broken silence over claim by actress Yvonne Nelson about rejecting and making her to terminate a pregnancy.

    Nelson, in her recently published memoir, ‘I Am Not Yvonne Nelson’, alleged the rapper impregnated her in 2010 but refused taking responsibility.

    She claimed the musical artiste cajoled her to terminate the pregnancy because he was still being catered for by his mom with his future seemingly hazy at the time.

    Chapter 10 of the film star’s memoir titled ‘He Said No’ partly reads: “I wasn’t the only one responsible for the situation, so I called the man whose potent seed had germinated in me. His name is Michael Owusu Addo, a renowned Ghanaian musician who is better known as Sarkodie.

    “Sarkodie was a budding musician with the potential to become one of the biggest artists in Ghana and beyond. 

    Read Also: Attending parties in Nigeria paid me more than acting in Ghana – Yvonne Nelson

    “At the time, however, the future looked uncertain, and his way through the maze of life still appeared too foggy to predict. Success was not guaranteed. He was still living with his mother and was not ready to carry a burden while he was being carried by his mother,” she added.

    In a new development, Sarkodie released a diss track titled ‘Try me’ in response to Yvonne Nelson’s allegation.

    In the song, the musician revealed not only did he accept responsibility of the pregnancy though he wasn’t financially fit at the time but also advised that she kept it.

    Sarkodie explained Nelson refused to heed his advice citing her education as an impediment to keeping the pregnancy.

    He dismissed her as a loose woman who slept with numerous men and dared to share ‘her full story’ infuriating him with the allegation of forcing an abortion on her.

    In his diss track, Sarkodie said: “I never thought I was going on this wave, cause I was ready to take a couple of things to my grave. First of all, let me clap for you baby you are brave but you can’t pick and choose what to say pls behave, nobody sent you so Ohemaa if you want to talk, you have to tell the world every n*gga that you f*cked.”

    He continued: “I am not going to sit here and lie we had a thing, first I thought we were cool till I had a hint … You told me you were pregnant and I was the one to be blamed … yes I wasn’t ready but I told you to keep it and you explained that you have to complete your school”.

    “To be honest, till date, I don’t believe it because I said my doctor should take care of you and you said you don’t need it. After the conversation, you sent me a text that a friend of yours said she had a doctor and he is the best. So don’t make it seem like I was the one pushing you for abortion because that’s the only part that made me angry,” he added.

    The diss track was released by the multiple award-winning rapper in the early hours of Wednesday with the link on his official Twitter handle.

  • Lagbaja to troops: your sacrifice against terrorists appreciated

    Lagbaja to troops: your sacrifice against terrorists appreciated

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja has appreciated troops in various theatres of operation across the country for their commitment and sacrifice towards combating emerging security challenges.

    General Lagabja gave the appreciation in his goodwill message to troops on the occasion of Eid-el Kabir celebration. He said the festival represents the virtues of sacrifice and submission to the will of the Almighty God, as exemplified by Prophet Abraham and emulated by Prophet Muhammed.

    The COAS said the season brings to remembrance the supreme sacrifice officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army make on a daily basis to ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation is preserved at all times, adding that the celebration also embodies courage, selfless service, discipline, integrity, respect for others, and loyalty, which he described as the core values of the Nigerian Army. 

    He urged the troops to leverage the spirituality of the occasion to pray for the Nigerian Army, as it strives to combat security challenges in all theatres operations across the country. He lauded the troops deployed in ongoing operations within and outside the shores of the country for their sacrifice.

    Read Also: Oil theft: Troops capture armoury in raid of militants’ camp

    General Lagbaja, who recently assumed office as the 23rd COAS, noted that his appointment was a call to engender change and make a difference towards the fulfillment of the constitutional mandate of the Nigerian Army, in line with his command philosophy, ” to transform the NA into a well-trained, equipped, and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.”

     “In the course of my career, I witnessed in different capacities, your efforts and sacrifices, therefore, I have no doubt about the zeal and commitment of our troops in ensuring the success of the Nigerian Army in combating the complex, multifaceted, and unpredictable security threats bedeviling our country, alongside our sister services, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies,” he said:

    The COAS assured that he would provide the needed leadership and consolidate on prior achievements of his predecessors in ensuring that the current security distractions confronting the nation are decimated.  He urged the troops to remain resolute, undaunted, disciplined and patriotic in combating the adversaries of the country. 

    General thanked President Bola Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him, and reaffirmed the unalloyed loyalty of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to the constitution and the President.

  • I love my wife but may marry another – Harrysong

    I love my wife but may marry another – Harrysong

    Singer Harrison Tare Okiri aka Harrysong has clarified his remark about marrying another despite loving his wife.

    Last week, while celebrating his wife, Alexer Perez Gopa’s birthday, the dancehall artiste joked about marrying a second wife.

    Though he acknowledged his wife, who he called his love as a good and sweet woman, he suggested those traits mayn’t dissuade him from taking another partner.

    “Today is my wife’s birthday. God woman. Sweet woman, my love. But I will still marry a second wife, sha,” he wrote.

    Detailing on his remark during a recent interview with Hip TV, Mr Songz explained despite his desire to marry another wife, he won’t do so with the consent of his first’s because he loves and has great respect for her.

    Read Also: Whitemoney, Harrysong, Ushbebe to grace EmmCee RNB’s High Voltage Doings

    He noted taking a second wife would give him the opportunity of having a large family adding, they’ll all live together happily.

    “I love my wife so much. I take very good care of her. And I have great respect for her. I will not do anything that she is not a part of or that she would not permit,” the “Reggae Blues” singer said. 

    “So, if I talk about marrying a second wife, yeah, maybe. But it would not be a disrespect to my wife. It will be what she permits, what she agrees to. Basically, I will not disrespect her. 

    “So, if I’m talking about marrying a second wife, just know that we are all going to be one big family, all together,” he said.