THE VIRGIN TIMES AFRICA

  The Sokoto State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria has distanced itself from a recent call made by one of its members advocating for Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko’s nomination as the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections. In a statement issued in Sokoto on Sunday, the State Chairman of ALGON and Executive Chairman of Tambuwal Local Government Area, Alhaji Abba Shehu Tambuwal, clarified that the call was the personal opinion of Alhaji Abdullahi Yarima, the Secretary of the Association and Chairman of Kebbe Local Government Area. “Our dear colleague, who also serves as our scribe, merely expressed his individual opinion,” the statement clarified. “While he is entitled to his views like every other citizen, it must be clearly stated that he was acting on his own.” ALGON emphasised that Senator Wamakko, who currently represents Sokoto North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, has not declared ...

 🎙️✨ MEET AARE IBIKUNLE ELEREOBA The Creative Powerhouse Behind the Mic! When it comes to originality, cultural depth, and powerful delivery on radio, Aare Ibikunle Elereoba stands tall! He is the Director of Production at Success 105.3 FM, Mokola, Ibadan , and the revered host of highly engaging and culturally rich programs like: 🎧 Ore Aralu 🎧 Ogulutu …and many more captivating shows that have become household favorites across Oyo State and beyond . Aare Elereoba is not just a radio personality — he’s a voice of heritage, a master storyteller, and a content creator who knows how to blend tradition, entertainment, and wisdom with style. 🔥 With every word, he educates. 🔥 With every show, he inspires. 🔥 With every production, he sets the standard. 📻 Tune in to Success 105.3 FM – The Sound of Progress! 📲 Follow and watch exclusive behind-the-scenes content on @mr.virgintv #AareElereoba #OreAralu #Ogulutu #Success1053FM #RadioLegend #VoiceOfIbadan #YorubaCulture...

 OWA OBOKUN ENDORSES IJESALAND DEVELOPMENT FUND AS ICDA SUPPORTS YOUNG FAMERS WITH ABOUT 9 MILLION NAIRA IN GRANT  Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, has endorsed the proposed Ijesaland Development Fund as initiator. The Ijesaland Community Development Assembly supported trainees of the Leventis Foundation Agricultural School with about 9 million naira in grants. Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup gave the endorsement when the chairman of the ICDA, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, led members on a courtesy visit to him. The Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland expressed delight with the interventions of the ICDA in all the sectors, which, according to him, were in tandem with the dreams of the Ijesa progenitors. He urged all the people who had been making generous donations towards the development of Ijesaland not to relent in their efforts.   Earlier, the Asiwaju of Ijesaland had told the Owa Obokun how a small number of Ijesa patriots had...

 No fewer than 22 oil and gas workers died in the line of duty between January and December 2024, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, an agency of the Federal Government, has said. The NUPRC reported a total of 22 fatalities and 31 operational incidents in the country’s upstream oil and gas sector last year, according to a report sighted by our correspondent. This sobering statistic underscores the persistent safety challenges confronting Nigeria’s oil operations, despite regulatory reforms and enhanced safety oversight introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act. The report indicated the NUPRC accredited 150 waste management companies to mitigate environmental impact. It also issued 183 waste discharge permits and granted 67 approvals for Environmental Impact Assessments and Management Plans. NUPRC also confirmed the successful resolution of six environmental and safety violation cases in 2024 and said it was progressing with digital platforms like HostComply to...

Barely a week after a Nigerian hairstylist, Ifeoluwa Akinwunmi, was caught in India with drugs worth over N1.8bn, another Nigerian national, identified as Chikuwuma, has been arrested for a similar offence. According to a report by India Today on Tuesday, the suspect was apprehended by operatives of Bengaluru’s Central Crime Branch during a raid, with narcotics valued at approximately Rs 1.2 crore (N214m). “The accused, identified as Chikuwuma, was caught by the police during an attempt to distribute narcotics within the Avalahalli area of northern Bengaluru,” the report stated. The report disclosed that the arrest was part of a broader operation by the CCB’s Narcotics Wing, which resulted in the seizure of MDMA and crystal substances.

Gun-like object’ in Adefarasin’s video is a prohibited stun gun – Police The Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday clarified that the object resembling a firearm, seen in a viral video with Pastor Paul Adefarasin, is not a lethal weapon but a stun gun, classified as prohibited anti-riot equipment. The clarification was made via a statement posted on the command’s official X handle (formerly Twitter). The statement followed growing public concern over footage showing the House on the Rock founder wielding a gun-like object while driving an unregistered vehicle. According to the police, Adefarasin voluntarily turned himself in and has been cooperative with the ongoing investigation. He was interrogated and gave a cautionary statement to investigators. Adefarasin has since been granted administrative bail, and the authorities assured the public that the outcome of the investigation will be made public upon conclusion. The statement said, “Pastor Paul Adefarasin, who turned himself in toda...

Looja Clement Adesuyi Haastrup of Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House has been elected as the  Owa Obokun Ajimoko III and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland.  He defeated nine other candidates in a free and fair selection process held at the Ilesa West Local Government Secretariat along the Ilesa-Oshogbo motorway.  The kingmakers  included six Iwora mefa mamely Obaala, High chief Ibitoye,  Ogboni Ipole, Oba Omokehinde Oyeleye, Ogboni Ijebu-jesa, Oba Olufemi Agunsoye ( Elegboro), Ogboni Ibokun, Oba Festus Awogboro, Ogboni Ilesa High Chief Saka Fapohunda, Oba Odo of Ilesa High Chief  James Busuyi,  and seven agba Ijesa , Risawe of Ilesa. High Chief Adefioye  Adedeji, Lejoka of Ilesa, High Chief Omoniyi Ojo, Lejofi, High Chief Adebusoye Onigbogi, Arapate of Ilesa, High Chief Oluwagbemiga Fadunsin Igbarool , Loro of Ilesa, High Chief Lekan Folorunso , Odole of Ulesa ,High Chief Bola Orolugbagbe and Mr Abimbola Aluko ( warrant officer representing the Saloro of ilesa...