SOUTH-WEST NGR NEWS

By Mogaji Wole Arisekola The Yoruba are the dominant people of South West Nigeria. They are widely known for their sharp intellect, rich culture, sense of humour and long tradition of education and political organisation. In the First and Second Republics, the Yoruba practised a largely regional form of politics. Their focus was the development and protection of their region.  The dominant political party was the Action Group, led by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. By the Second Republic, the Unity Party of Nigeria had emerged, and it swept all gubernatorial elections across the Yoruba states. What made the Yoruba political system strong then was structure. Leadership was not accidental. Succession was deliberate.  The five South West governors met regularly, spoke with one voice and operated with a clear regional blueprint. When Chief Awolowo passed on, leadership naturally shifted to Chief Lateef Jakande and the late Chief Bola Ige. After the assassination of Chi...

The federal government has paused issuing guidelines for the implementation of Nigeria’s new tax laws amid uncertainty over the final approved version, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Tax Reform Committee, disclosed. Speaking in Lagos during the 2026 Economic Outlook event hosted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Oyedele revealed he instructed the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and the Joint Revenue Board (JRB) to hold off on implementing the laws until clarity is achieved. Concerns arose because the documents circulating may not reflect the definitive version of the laws.  Oyedele’s team attempted to purchase official printed copies from the government printer but was told by staff that all copies had been taken by the National Assembly, which restricted public access until their review is complete. While legislative review is a normal part of the process, Oyedele explained that withholding the official text contradicts the Ac...

Nigerian singer, Davido, has lost a $50,000 (₦72 million) bet after the Super Eagles failed to defeat Morocco in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Before the match, the singer had posted a betting slip on his X page showing he wagered $50,000 on Nigeria to beat the host nation and for both sides to score.  In his post, the singer wrote: “Nigeria to make the finals and I’ll double my stake on my slip.” The match played on Wednesday night, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, ended in a goalless draw in regular time, before Morocco sealed a 4 -2 victory in a penalty shootout.  Had the prediction been correct, Davido would have won over $348,274, equivalent to more than ₦500 million at current rates.

The Delta State Police Command has foiled a planned kidnap operation and recovered firearms and ammunition from the fleeing hoodlums, who also abandoned their soaked garri and groundnut. In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, the command said operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team, acting on credible intelligence, stormed a suspected criminal hideout along a bush path in the Upper Agbarho area of the state. According to the statement, intelligence reports indicated that about six suspected kidnappers were sighted in the area, prompting a coordinated operation at about 9:35 p.m. on January 11, 2026. The operation was led by Julius Robinson in collaboration with community vigilantes. “Upon sighting the police operatives, the suspects opened fire,” the command said, adding that officers responded “with superior firepower,” forcing the suspects to flee with varying degrees of injury. The police disclos...

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to step in and “call to order” the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Gothan, over what he described as unlawful arrests and prolonged detentions in the state. The governor also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of one of his aides, Abiodun Adegoke Apesin, who has been in police custody for several days over a defamation petition linked to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Bola Oyebamiji. In a statement issued in Osogbo on Monday, Governor Adeleke faulted the continued detention of Mr Adegoke, arguing that it amounts to a violation of his fundamental human rights. He stressed that the allegation in question is a non-capital offence and is bailable under Nigerian law. According to the governor, the aide has been denied bail on two separate occasions despite meeting all the conditions set...

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and governorship hopeful for the 2027 election in Oyo State, Aare Olayinka Segelu, has mourned the victims of the recent deadly attack on the Old Oyo National Park, calling for a coordinated and robust security framework to safeguard the South-West against rising insecurity. In a statement issued on Sunday, Aare Segelu described the attack as “deeply distressing and unacceptable,” noting that the killing of security personnel at a federal conservation facility highlights the urgent need for proactive, intelligence-driven, and collaborative security responses across the region. Recall that suspected bandits last week attacked a National Park Service outpost at Oloka village in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, killing several park rangers and triggering fear among residents of neighbouring communities. Promoted Contents  The PDP chieftain said the incident was not only a tragedy for the vic...

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered a full investigation into allegations of medical negligence following the d3ath of Nkanu Nnamdi, the 21-month-old son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.   LIB reported that Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twin sons, d!ed at a Euracare hospital in Lagos on January 6, 2026 after a brief illness. Read here     Adichie, in a statement on January 10, accused the hospital of criminal negligence leading to the d3ath of her son.      The Lagos State Government in a statement released on Saturday, confirming that it had received an account from Adichie detailing the circumstances surrounding the d3ath of her son.    The statement, signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, described the incident as deeply distressing and extended condolences to the author and her family, noting that the loss of a child i...

I will never survive the loss of my child- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie says as she accuses Lagos hospital of negligence leading to son’s demise Renowed author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has accused a Lagos-based hospital of negligence leading to the demise of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu. In a personal statement released to family member, Chimamanda gave a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding his de@th. The statement reads  “My son would be alive today if not for an incident at Euracare Hospital on January 6th. We were in Lagos for Christmas. Nkanu had what we first thought was just a cold, but soon turned into a very serious infection and he was admitted to Atlantis hospital.  He was to travel to the US the next day, January 7th, accompanied by Travelling Doctors. A team at Johns Hopkins was waiting to receive him in Baltimore. The Hopkins team had asked for a lumbar puncture test and an MRI. The Nigerian team had also decided to put in a ‘central line’ (...

By Mogaji Wole Arisekola.  It is not good enough for us to be spreading false stories and unconfirmed reports on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms. Whether it is because some people are bored or simply looking for attention, this habit only creates fear and unnecessary panic in the country. Let us learn to spread the truth, not cheap blackmail and rumours meant to heat up the polity in our dear fatherland. As our elders say, if there is no crack in the wall, a lizard will not enter. We shall overcome very soon, but we must stay extra vigilant, my people. As Winston Churchill once said, “During wartime, truth needs a bodyguard of lies.” But when lies are allowed to roam freely, they do more harm than good. Each time a new mansion springs up, somewhere a grave is being dug. Each time you throw away food, someone else is searching for just a morsel to stay alive. Each time food enters the dustbin, another person is looking for remnants to eat. Each time y...

Residents of Oloka village in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have continued to flee the community following a deadly bandit attack on the National Park Service office earlier in the week, despite the deployment of heavy security personnel to the area. Locals say they are still grappling with shock, fear and psychological trauma after suspected bandits stormed the village on Tuesday, January 6, k!lling at least five forest guards and sending residents scrambling for safety. Many homes remain locked, streets deserted, and commercial and social activities have ground to a halt. A resident, who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, described Oloka as “empty,” saying some villagers had already taken refuge in neighbouring communities while others were staying behind only because of the presence of security operatives. Residents expressed uncertainty about returning to normal life, saying the attack had crippled livelihoods and fractured the communi...

By Mogaji Wole Arisekola Nigeria is the largest African country Britain ever colonized; India was the largest in Asia. The British came to both with the empire’s full package — religion, education, culture, language, and technology. Here, however, the paths diverged. India rejected British religion, names, dressing, and identity, but wisely embraced British technology, systems, and discipline. Nigeria did the opposite. Today, over 80% of Indians remain Hindus. Other religions coexist without erasing India’s soul. Hindi is the official language; English is merely a tool. Indians keep their names and identity. Nigeria embraced British religion and culture almost wholesale — names, food, dressing, and language — while rejecting the technology and industrial mindset that built Britain. That choice explains much of our tragedy. India fiercely protects its heritage. Nigeria treats hers with embarrassment. This loss of identity weakened our nationalism and stalled our development....

Troops of the Nigerian Army have foiled bandits’ movement and arrested a logistics supplier in coordinated operations in Kabba Bunu and Yagba West Local Government Areas of Kogi State. Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, who disclosed this in a statement on January 3, 2026 said troops neutralized two bandits and recovered one AK 47 rifle, one magazine, and ammunition.   According to the statement, the suspected bandit logistics supplier identified as Sunday Adedotun, was arrested with cartons of energy and soft drinks, bottled water and harvested farm produce. Sponsored Ads “Troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army Lokoja on 3 January 2026 have recorded significant operational successes following coordinated fighting patrols and ambush operations conducted across parts of Kabba Bunu and Yagba West Local Government Areas of Kogi State,” the statement read.   “Acting on credible intelligence on...

Police in Toronto are searching for a man accused of assaulting vulnerable adults at a group home over a month long period. Sponsored Ads According to Toronto Police Service, officers were called to the area of Sibley Avenue and Detonia Park Avenue around 9 a.m. on December 10 following a report of an assault.  Investigators allege that the suspect, who was employed as a caregiver at the facility, carried out a series of assaults against residents throughout November. Promoted Contents Police have not disclosed how many victims were involved or the extent of any injuries they may have suffered. In a statement, the police identified the suspect as Oghenemaro Dave Ejerua, 38, a Toronto resident who is now wanted on seven counts of assault. He is described as about 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a medium build, black curly hair and black facial hair. Authorities are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact police or pr...