Oriontimes

The Osun State Security Network and Amotekun Corps have officially released the names of the successful applicants who have been selected to join the Osun Amotekun Corps. The successful candidates were chosen after undergoing a rigorous selection process, which included various stages of screening to assess their physical fitness, mental readiness, and overall suitability for the demanding responsibilities of the Amotekun Corps. Applicants should check the list of shortlisted names at the Osun Amotekun Headquarters, Powerline Area, Osogbo. In an effort to further evaluate the applicants' physical endurance, the selected candidates are scheduled to participate in a 1km fitness exercise on Friday, March 7, 2025. The race will begin at the Government Secretariat Second Gate, Abeere, and end at the Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board, located along the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding. For the exercise, all successful applicants are expected to appear in the followi...

As cease-fire discussions continue between Israel and Hamas, the two sides are preparing for those efforts to fail and for the conflict to resume. Hamas is collecting unexploded bombs to make improvised explosive devices, recruiting new members and replacing commanders, according to a member of Hamas’s military wing.  Israel has prepared extensively for a new, more intense campaign in Gaza, Israeli officials said. In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians are feeling the effects of Israel’s halt on the entry of all goods and humanitarian assistance, as the prices of food and other essential goods climb.  A man gave himself up as a hostage on Oct. 7, hoping to save his wife and daughters. After 500 days underground, he came home to learn that they had been killed.

  Women’s and girls’ rights are facing unprecedented growing threats worldwide, from higher levels of discrimination to weaker legal protections, and less funding for programs and institutions that support and protect women.   UN Women’s latest report, “Women's Rights in Review 30 Years After Beijing”, published ahead of the UN 50th International Women’s Day on March 8, shows that in 2024 nearly a quarter of governments worldwide reported a backlash on women’s rights.   Despite important progress, only 87 countries have ever been led by a woman, and a woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by a partner or member of her own family. Digital technology and artificial intelligence spread harmful stereotypes, while the digital gender gap limits women’s opportunities.   In the past decade, the world registered a disturbing 50 percent increase in the number of women and girls living in conflict, and women’s rights defenders confront daily harassment, perso...

President Trump suspended the delivery of military aid to Ukraine yesterday, according to senior U.S. officials, who said the pause would stay in effect until Trump determined that Ukraine had demonstrated a good-faith commitment to peace talks with Russia. The order was to take effect immediately, affecting more than $1 billion in arms and ammunition in the pipeline and on order. Earlier in the day, President Volodymyr Zelensky returned to Ukraine after a whirlwind diplomatic mission that included both humiliation, by Trump in a confrontational Oval Office meeting, and a warm embrace, from European leaders. Zelensky vowed to use all diplomatic avenues to pursue an end to the war, but he said there was “a long way to go.” Russia has given no indication that it will accept any terms but Ukrainian capitulation and permanent conquest of a large swath of Ukraine — and Trump appears set on standing with Moscow. Ukrainians say they will not lay down their arms unless they receive security gu...

A six-year-old girl, Ella, fatally shot a 28-year-old American police officer last month after witnessing her mother being restrained by law enforcement. The incident occurred when Ella’s mother left her inside the car and went into a supermarket to purchase a 75-inch television. After completing her purchase, she was stopped at the store’s exit and asked to present her receipt, as per store policy. However, she couldn’t find it despite searching everywhere. She then returned to the cashier who had issued the receipt and asked him to explain to security that she had genuinely bought the television. The cashier confirmed her claim, but a security guard insisted that she must present the receipt before leaving. Frustrated, the woman attempted to leave but was confronted by the security officer and two police officers, who ordered her not to load the television into her car. She tried to explain the situation, but the officers refused to listen. They forcefully pushed her to the ground, r...

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has congratulated the newly appointed Director–General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Nafiu Olakunle, by President Bola Tinubu.  Governor Adeleke who describes Brigadier-General Olakunle as a fine and disciplined professional, said his appointment to manage the affairs of one of the nation's strategic organisation is a recognition of his distinguished military career. The Governor emphasises Brigadier-General Olakunle's capacity to achieve the mandate of NYSC by deepening national values in young people and preparing them for future endeavours, noting that the exploits of the Ile-Ogbo born officer in the military is assuring that he will excel in the new role. "I'm extremely delighted to learn of the appointment of Brigadier-General Nafiu Olakunle as the Director–General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The appointment is an affirmation of the confidence in the capac...

It is evident that any leader assuming authority in Nigeria must confront individuals who receive direct directives from malevolent forces, perceiving them both physically and spiritually to execute nefarious agendas while attributing blame to the system.  It is imperative to extend apologies to the numerous patriotic leaders who diligently strive in their respective roles to foster a better Nigeria, while those intent on tarnishing the nation's reputation persist in their endeavors.  Through extensive investigation, I have discerned that being a Nigerian abroad entails significant burdens, as many unpatriotic individuals continue to undermine the country through deceitful actions, while others are preoccupied with damaging the nation's image. However, some persons who have gone out of the country are involved in many types of activities, and if caution is not used, innocent people will face the consequences of doing business with them.  It got to the point where I starte...

Israel announced yesterday that it was immediately halting the entry of all goods and humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, trying to force Hamas to accept an extension of the cease-fire. The move is likely to cause further hardship for roughly two million Gazans. It also puts the fate of the remaining Israeli hostages in uncharted territory. Hours before the announcement, Israel proposed extending the cease-fire by seven weeks, during which Hamas would release half of the living hostages, as well as the remains of half of the deceased ones. Hamas said no, referring to Israel’s halting of aid as “cheap blackmail,” but said it was still willing to negotiate the second stage of the deal. Hamas is unlikely to accept a new offer without further negotiations, said Aaron David Miller, an analyst. Israel’s proposal, he said, would allow “Israelis to get hostages back without making reciprocal commitments.”

Eighteen European leaders yesterday, met in London to mend Ukraine’s fractured relationship with the U.S., with Britain and France assembling a “coalition of the willing” to develop a plan for ending the war with Russia. The leaders also pledged to bolster support for Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky. Britain's prime minister, Keir Starmer, said “a number” of other nations had indicated that they would join with Britain and France in deploying troops to Ukraine in the event of a cease-fire between Kyiv and Moscow. He also announced plans to let Ukraine to use 1.6 billion pounds in British export financing to buy more than 5,000 air defense missiles. The gathering took on more urgency after Zelensky’s heated meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office on Friday, which raised fears that the U.S. would try to force Ukraine to make a peace deal on terms favorable to Russia. Neither Europe nor Ukraine currently has seats at the table in a potential Trump-brokered deal, and Tr...

During interview, author Monica Buchanan shared her powerful journey of healing from childhood emotional abuse and neglect. With a PhD in psychology, along with a master’s degree in Women’s Studies, Monica spent her career counselling, coaching, and providing psychotherapy. Now semi-retired, she continues her passion for helping others by developing strength-based community resources for marginalized and underserved communities. Writing has always been an outlet for her, but turning personal experiences into a memoir was a deeply emotional and transformative process. She opens up about revisiting painful memories, the challenges of sharing such intimate parts of her life, and the healing that followed. We also discuss the importance of self-belief, mindfulness, and her advice for others looking to tell their own stories. My healing process started in my adolescence years after moving away to another city to attend college. I met a psychologist at the nearby university who helped me. M...

The Osun Amotekun Corps has successfully apprehended two suspects involved in separate criminal activities, including vehicle theft and burglary, leading to their conviction and sentencing. The first suspect, Sikiru Raheem, a 30-year-old male, was arrested for the theft of a Ford Jeep worth N7,000,000 (Seven Million Naira). The vehicle, belonging to one Olukokun Morayo, was stolen from the Oke-Onitea area of Osogbo. Following a thorough investigation, Sikiru Raheem confessed to stealing the vehicle with the intent to sell it for N1.5 million. He also admitted that this was not his first offense of such nature. The second suspect, Azeez Afeez, aged 20, was arrested on February 23, 2025, for committing burglary. Azeez stole several items from a residence, including a standing fan, a torchlight, TV cables, solar radio, a bag of bulbs, wires, MP3 player, and two mobile phones—an MPs and an Itel A33. The total value of the stolen items was estimated at N420,000, with the properties belongin...