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Showing posts from July, 2025

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Former Arsenal Goalkeeper Dies at 48 in Train Collision

The football world has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger, who reportedly died at the age of 48 after his car was struck by a train. According to multiple international media reports, the incident occurred at a railway crossing in Austria, where Manninger’s vehicle was hit in a devastating collision. Emergency responders arrived swiftly at the scene, but efforts to revive him proved unsuccessful. Manninger, a former Austrian international, enjoyed a distinguished career across Europe, featuring for top clubs including Arsenal and Juventus. He was part of the Arsenal squad under Arsène Wenger during the late 1990s, contributing to the club’s domestic successes and earning admiration for his composure and professionalism. Tributes have begun pouring in from across the football community, with former teammates, clubs, and fans expressing shock and grief over the sudden loss. Wenger, who managed Manninger during his time in Nort...
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Elegboro, Oba Moses Agunsoye, Emerges as President of Ijesa North Council of Obas, Seeks Osun Govt’s Intervention

  The Ijesa North Traditional Council of Obas has inaugurated a new president to steer the affairs of the council, which comprises traditional rulers from Obokun and Oriade local government areas of Osun State. His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Moses Oluwafemi Abikehin-Ekun Agunsoye II, the Elegboro of Ijebu-Ijesa, was formally installed as President of the Council during a colourful and well-attended ceremony. As part of his leadership duties, Oba Agunsoye will serve a one-year tenure as President of the Ijesa North Council of Obas and concurrently hold the position of Chairman of the Oriade Local Government Chieftaincy for a two-year term. He takes over from the Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adediran Adeyemi, who successfully completed his tenu re. The peaceful and orderly transition underscored the unity and cooperation among the monarchs in the region. In his acceptance speech, Oba Agunsoye expressed heartfelt gratitude to his predecessor for his exemplary leadership and dedication. He...
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Hendecagon Generation: Why Nigerian Youth Must Rethink Power, Purpose, and Nation-Building

  By Abioye Tosin Lawrence Publisher, Oriontimes Online Newspaper & Author of the upcoming memoir, “Voices from the Fire: My Journey Through a Hollow Empire” For years, we've clamoured for youth inclusion in governance, echoing the mantra “Not Too Young To Run.” But what happens when the young finally get there? In too many cases, they mirror the same rotten system they set out to challenge. Recently, I found myself reflecting deeply on the state of Nigeria's youth, which led me to categorise us into what I now call the Hendecagon Generation -- eleven faces of a fractured identity. Among us are the idealists, the hustlers, the prayer warriors, the cyber opportunists, the streetwise survivors, the exiled dreamers, the apolitical, the accidental activists, the entitled elites, the unrepentant looters, and the sincere patriots. Each group represents a part of a generation caught in conflict, not just with the old guard, but with itself. The old power brokers are still agile, s...
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DOUBLE EDGE: BEFORE Political Fake Prophets Set Nigeria On Fire, By Adesoji OMOSEBI

  WE are witnesses to the runup to the last general elections in 2023 when soothsayers, prophets saturated political space with different prophecies for and against governorship and presidential candidates claiming they received a prophesy that God Almighty sent them. But for God's intervention, these prophets of doom would have set Nigeria on fire, we would not have been able to contain. They would have caused religious and ethnic wars that would have dismembered Nigeria, that would have led to shedding of innocent blood. Even after the winners have emerged, they still assured their preferred candidates that God revealed to them that there would be a commotion and the military will take over power and in the ensuing confusion, their preferred candidate would be sworn-in. This was a false belief that gave Macbeth false ambition that he would be king someday very soon. His ambition made him killed King Duncan in Shakespeare's book, MACBETH.  In the plot of Macbeth, after hearin...
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Urgent Call to DSS: Arrest, Investigate, and Prosecute Osun Speaker Egbedun Now - Akande Adeyemi

  ... warns the state government to stay away  ... governor must allow the law to take its full course. A civil society organization, the Osun Youth Initiative for Good Governance (OYIGG), has called for the immediate impeachment and arrest of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Honourable Olumide Wale Egbedun, following allegations that he issued a death threat against a traditional ruler, the Alasi of Asi, Oba Oyewale Olasunkanmi Isaac (Akorede I). In a statement signed by its National Convener, Dr. Akande Adeyemi, the group urged the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate and prosecute the Speaker, describing his alleged conduct as "rascality of the highest order." Publisher IdealPlusGist briefed this medium that, The demand follows the circulation of a leaked audio recording, which surfaced on social media Wednesday evening. In the audio, believed to be the Speaker’s vo...
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Silence Is Not an Option: Why Speaker Egbedun Must Resign

  A disturbing audio leak has shaken Osun State to its core. In the now-viral recording, a voice believed to be that of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Egbedun, is heard issuing crude threats to the Alasi of Asi, Oba Oyewale Olasunkanmi Isaac, a traditional ruler in his own constituency. The threats weren’t political jabs or ideological arguments. They were raw, tyrannical declarations of intent: “I will jail you. You won’t leave alive.” This is not politics. This is despotism in disguise. The implications go far beyond one Speaker and one monarch. This moment reflects a deeper rot, a dangerous political culture in which elected officials, drunk on influence, begin to see themselves as kings, while actual monarchs are treated as dispensable pawns. When a Speaker talks like a mob boss, democracy is in peril. A Speaker's Words Should Build, Not Threaten The House of Assembly is not a fiefdom. It is the voice of the people, designed to make laws, protect ...
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Political Tension Rises in Osun as Leaked Audio Features Speaker Threatening Monarch with Jail, Death

  A leaked audio recording making the rounds on social media has ignited political tensions in Osun State, allegedly capturing the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Egbedun, threatening a traditional ruler with imprisonment and death. The recording, which surfaced on Wednesday evening, reportedly features the Speaker addressing Oba Oyewale Olasunkanmi Isaac (Akorede I), the Alasi of Asi in Odo-Otin Local Government Area, in a heated exchange over political disagreements. In the clip, the speaker speaking in Yoruba is allegedly heard saying: “I will jail you, I swear. I’ll ensure you rot there. You think being a king gives you power over me? I’ll deal with you, and if you’re not careful, you won’t leave that place alive.” This medium consulted a voice recognition expert, who compared the leaked audio with archived interviews and public speeches of Hon. Egbedun. The expert concluded there is a 95% likelihood that the voice in the recording belongs to the Speak...
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Wole Oke's Towering Legacy: A Response to Political Pawns and Fair-weather Loyals in Obokun/Oriade

  In the wake of an orchestrated press release issued by self-styled PDP “leaders” in Obokun and Oriade, it has become necessary to set the record straight. These are individuals clinging to political relevance by attacking the same man whose footprints remain indelible in Ijesa North, Rt. Hon. Busayo Oluwole Oke. Let the facts speak louder than coordinated sycophancy: Wole Oke is not a political tenant. He is a foundational force in the democratic growth of Osun East, a leader who has served the people faithfully since 2003, with a legislative track record that dwarfs that of his accusers. The so-called “PDP stakeholders” now speaking in loud whispers were nowhere near the corridors of influence until Wole Oke opened the gates. The same Bayo who now postures as a voice was once a struggling roadside vendor near Wole Oke’s property. The same Mayowa, once a classroom teacher on PTA salary, rode on the goodwill of a structure they now seek to dismantle with falsehoods. Their loyalty ...
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Labour Party Petition Raises Security Alarm: Calls for Probe of Peter Obi, Ajaero, Ireti, Others Over “One Million March” Plot

 Plans to violently overthrow Tinubu: LP demand arrest of Peter Obi, Com Joe Ajaero, Sen Ireti Kinjigbe and Sen Darlington Nwokocha,  NationNewsLead Verified Report – Source: The Nation LETTER TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AND THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, HIS EXCELLENCY CHIEF NYESOM WIKE RE: PURPORTED “ONE MILLION MARCH RALLY” – ALLEGED PLOT TO UNDERMINE NATIONAL SECURITY AND SUBVERT DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE URGENT CALL FOR INVESTIGATION AND PROACTIVE SECURITY MEASURES Your Excellencies, We write with a deep sense of concern and responsibility to alert your esteemed offices to a developing situation that poses a potential threat to national peace, democratic stability, and public safety in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Credible intelligence gathered from multiple sources indicates that a group of individuals including Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, Comrade Joe Ajaero (President of the Nigeria Labour Congress), Senator Ireti...
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Gov Adeleke Honors Osogbo Pact: All Promises Fulfilled, Says Political Adviser

  Honourable Muniru Adebayo Raji, Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Political Affairs, has affirmed that Governor Ademola Adeleke has fulfilled every aspect of the political agreement reached with the people of Osogbo before his election. Speaking on a popular current affairs dialogue podcast 'Lero Temi' hosted by Mukhtar Ajelogbon of OsunReporters online TV, Muniru confirmed that an agreement was made at the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo in the lead-up to the 2022 election.  “Truly, there was an agreement,” he said. “If His Excellency Ademola Adeleke became governor, Osogbo would produce the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). It was also agreed that Osogbo would be prioritized in developmental projects and would not be sidelined during appointments just because an indigene had been given the SSG position.” According to him, the Adeleke administration has honored that pact in full. “Everything the governor promised, he has fulfilled. And let me add, the overhead...
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Esther Okoronkwo & Tinubu: A Lion at the Podium, a Lamb in the Lounge (Depending on the Camera Angle)

  ...What if we are wrong about who people are, just as they are often wrong about us? In a country where leadership is often defined more by reputation than reality, Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo's recent encounter with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu offers more than just a feel-good moment, it offers a rare lens into the paradox of power and perception in Nigeria. After the Super Falcons were hosted at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, Okoronkwo shared her thoughts with unfiltered sincerity:  “I was honestly surprised by the way the President welcomed, honoured, and celebrated us. As an Igbo woman, and considering the narratives that followed the 2023 elections, I had a certain perception of him… But after meeting him… he’s nothing like what people say.” The Lion and the Lamb: A Familiar Duality In Nigeria, our leaders are often seen as lions in public: roaring on podiums, unyielding during interviews, indifferent to cries from the streets. But behind closed do...
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Ezendigbo: Europe Drains Us—Fixing Nigeria Can Reverse the Outflow

  Former presidential aspirant, Chief CBN Onwuasoanya Ezendigbo, has raised concerns about the staggering cost of living for Nigerians residing in Europe, warning that the multiple bills paid by foreigners abroad are 'choking' and could be redirected toward national development, if Nigeria were fixed. In an exclusive conversation, Ezendigbo lamented the financial burden borne by many Nigerians in the diaspora, describing it as a direct consequence of Nigeria’s enduring socio-economic dysfunction. He argued that the money spent by Nigerian migrants abroad, on what would otherwise be basic necessities, could instead be used to stimulate development at home, if the right policies and governance structures were in place. “Every month, we are paying for rent, electricity, gas, water, internet, phone lines, waste collection, even TV licenses in some countries. Add to that compulsory health insurance, transportation passes, and, for those with cars, road tax, fuel, and insurance,” Eze...
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Wole Oke Supporters Decry Plot to Malign Lawmaker, Call Out Ogungbangbe and Adejorin's Osogbo Meeting

Osogbo, Osun State  Supporters of Hon. Oluwole Oke, the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, have condemned what they describe as a coordinated effort to malign the lawmaker’s reputation. This follows reports of an alleged meeting convened in Osogbo by Bayo Ogungbangbe and Mayowa Adejorin, said to be aimed at issuing a press release targeting Hon. Wole Oke. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the group expressed dismay at what they called a "baseless and desperate" attempt to divert attention from Hon. Oke's recent remarks during an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting. “We, the supporters of Hon. Wole Oke, are compelled to respond to the alleged meeting called by Bayo Ogungbangbe and Mayowa Adejorin in Osogbo, which purportedly aimed to orchestrate a media attack against our principal,” the statement read. They maintained that Hon. Oke’s comments at the APC meeting were made in the spirit of democratic engagement and responsible party leader...
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PRESIDENCY’S GIFT TO SUPER FALCONS: When Citizens Feel Seen, Valued, They’re More Likely To Be Productive, Peaceful, And Patriotic

  Abioye Tosin Lawrence  In a nation often weighed down by hardship, political tension, and economic anxiety, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s gesture of appreciation to the Super Falcons stands out, not just as a gift, but as a moment of national uplift. At its core, this is about more than sports. It’s about recognition, dignity, and the power of encouragement. When the nation takes a moment to celebrate its heroes, especially those who wear the green-white-green with pride, it affirms a deeper truth: When citizens feel seen, valued, and capable, they’re more likely to be productive, peaceful, and patriotic. Every Nigerian has a duty to respect the badge. Nigeria is not just a name on a map; it is a giant of resilience, a country with sons and daughters rewriting stories around the globe. A new generation is rising, one that refuses to accept failure as identity, one that is breaking records in sports, innovation, arts, and tech. The world must begin to see this good side of Ni...
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When the Falcons Soared and the Eagles Stumbled

 By Abioye Tosin Lawrence President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday hosted the Super Falcons at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in an atmosphere charged with pride and celebration, following the team’s admirable performance on the international stage. The reception, filled with applause and fanfare, was attended by high-ranking dignitaries, including First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima; and several governors such as Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State. Key officials from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), sports administrators, and the players’ families were also present. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Assistant Captain Osinachi Ohale led the squad with poise as they were honoured for their resilience, discipline, and unwavering patriotism. Their conduct on and off the pitch, President Tinubu noted, lifted the nation’s spirit at a time when Nigerians craved inspiration. “You didn’t just play football, yo...
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Wole Oke Urges National Action on Interfaith Unity at Rome Communiqué Roundtable

  Hon. Oluwole Oke, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, delivered a keynote address focused on the significance of the Rome Communiqué at a high-level roundtable on interfaith dialogue in Abuja. This event was organised in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) and the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (NALTF), bringing together lawmakers, religious leaders, and civil society representatives to address urgent issues of social cohesion and hate speech in Nigeria. Hon. Wole Oke began his remarks by acknowledging the contributions and leadership of the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, and commended event organisers for their dedication to fostering interfaith dialogue in a time marked by growing divisions. He emphasised the necessity and timeliness of such interventions to confront religious tensions and sectarian differences currently challenging both Nigeria and the wider global community. Tracing the roots of the international interfa...
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Tinubu, Oyetola Have Proven Their Love for Osogbo Through Appointments – Rep. Oluwole Oke

  OSOGBO, Nigeria, The lawmaker representing Ijesa North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Busayo Oluwole Oke, has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the immediate past Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, for what he described as their “undeniable commitment” to the growth and political recognition of Osogbo, the Osun State capital. In a statement released via his verified Facebook page on Monday morning, the federal lawmaker and ranking member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) urged residents to take a reflective look at the visible appointments and developmental strides that have recently been recorded in favour of Osogbo sons and daughters under the current federal administration. According to Hon. Oke, key strategic positions held by Osogbo indigenes, including Senator Ajibola Basiru as the National Secretary of the APC and Mr. Lekan Badmus (a.k.a. “Omo Oloore”) as the Executive Director of Operations at the Nigerian Ports Authority...
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Ido-Oko Ijesa Inaugurates Planning Committee for 5th Community Day, Launches ₦500 Million Development Fund

The ancient town of Ido-Oko Ijesa in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State has officially inaugurated the planning committee for the 5th Ido-Oko Ijesa Day celebration, alongside the launch of a ₦500 million development fund aimed at accelerating growth and infrastructure in the community. The inauguration ceremony, held yesterday, was led by the Ado-Oko of Ido-Oko Ijesa, His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Babatunde Adedeji, and witnessed the presence of traditional chiefs, sons and daughters of the town, media personnel, and dignitaries from across Osun State. In his address, Oba Adedeji described Ido-Oko Ijesa as a proud and culturally rich community in Obokun Local Government, blessed with a deeply rooted heritage and a resilient spirit of communal advancement. “Since th e first celebration in 1993, Ido-Oko Ijesa Day has become more than just an annual event. It is a sacred tradition a celebration of who we are, where we’ve been, and where we are going. It is a time to reconnect, re...
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  ... _my lawyer has joined the race, Oyetola declares_ ... _I will declare a state of emergency on Osun Agric Sector, enhance food production and ensure urban renewal_ As part of his efforts to gather support for his aspirations, a frontline aspirant for the Osun governorship elections under the umbrella of the All Progressive Congress, APC and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Rasheed Adegoke (K-RAD) over the weekend had a robust engagement with leaders of the party across Osogbo and Olorunda Local Governments just as he inaugurated campaign managers across the 332 wards of the state. Commencing his consultation tour from his home front of Osogbo and Olorunda Local Governments, K-RAD appreciated leaders and stakeholders of the party in both LGAs for the trust reposed in him as an erudite son of the soil and a faithful party chieftain who has contributed his quota to the development and success of the party in Osun and the nation at large. He revealed that his aspiration of gove...
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Hypocrisy at Its Peak — Rep. Oluwole Oke Slams Detractors Amid Backlash Over Political Remarks

Member representing Ijesa North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Busayo Oluwole Oke, has taken to social media to defend his recent political remarks, calling out those he described as hypocrites. In a strongly worded Facebook post, the lawmaker expressed disbelief that those who once maligned his political associates are now attacking him for expressing his views. “I laughed at those who dragged my Governor to court over his educational qualifications and chased him out of town, yet they now question me for throwing political jabs,” Oluwole Oke wrote. His remarks appeared to target former critics of Governor Ademola Adeleke, who faced legal battles and intense scrutiny during his first gubernatorial bid. Rep. Oluwole Oke, a notable member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, criticized what he perceived as selective outrage from members of the opposition. “As a member of APC in Osun State, they expect me to praise PDP. Awon Dindinrin (foolish...
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Where Mediocrity Wears the Crown and Genius Waits Outside the Gate

  The Falcons Didn’t Knock, They Kicked It Down and Took the Trophy By Abioye Tosin Lawrence   In a country where many wear crowns they never earned, and doors open only to the noise of connections, Nigeria’s Super Falcons did something rare: they let their boots do the talking, and history listened. They weren’t the ones parading on interviews or calling for applause before the match. No, they were too busy training. Too busy plotting their checkmate on a chessboard built by elders who often sideline genius. But in this game, the Falcons played wise, and played for keeps. They came from the soil, not from headlines. From sweat, not from selfies. And still, they soared. In a world where raw talent is often mocked, disguised as “inexperience,” the Falcons reminded Africa,  and the world, that true greatness doesn’t need a microphone to echo. It only needs one moment. One goal. One comeback. And when that moment came, the Falcons didn’t ask to be let in. They kicked the doo...
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BREAKING: 15 Osun Lawmakers Listed in Controversial U.S. Trip: Oluwole Oke’s Sponsorship Under Scrutiny

    The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to face political turmoil following the recent defection of two senators and three House of Representatives members to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In the midst of this internal crisis, new reports suggest that a federal lawmaker is sponsoring a group of state legislators for an overseas training. Hon. Busayo Oluwole Oke, who represents Ijesa North Federal Constituency and currently serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, is reportedly sponsoring 15 members of the Osun State House of Assembly for a legislative training program in the United States of America. Sources close to the Assembly revealed that some of the lawmakers selected for the program have already begun receiving approval notifications via email, confirming their invitation to the U.S. training. Others, however, are said to still be awaiting official confirmation in their inboxes. The training initiative, repo...
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