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Nigeria’s solid minerals sector has attracted more than $2.6 billion in mining-related investments within the last two years, a development the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, says reflects the country’s gradual shift from oil dependence to industrial production under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Speaking at a joint stakeholders sensitisation meeting […]

The post $2.6bn mining investments signal Nigeria’s economic shift from oil dependence — Alake appeared first on Tribune Online.

American singer Akon has described his collaboration with late pop icon Michael Jackson as one of the proudest moments of his career.

Speaking during a recent episode of the We Need To Talk podcast, the singer said meeting and working with Michael Jackson remained a memorable experience because of the admiration he had for the legendary entertainer while growing up.

According to Akon, despite already being an established global star when they worked together, he still felt like “a child” in Jackson’s presence.

“My photo with Michael Jackson is my proudest photo. I was already a full-blown celebrity at the point the photo was taken, but I am a child compared to this man,” he said.

The ‘Oh Africa’ crooner added that he was excited to collaborate with the late singer because Jackson had long been an inspiration to him and millions of music lovers around the world.

“He is like everybody’s idol,” Akon stated.

The 53-year-old singer also reflected on his involvement in the growth of African music, particularly Afrobeats, noting that he previously worked with Nigerian artistes including P-Square and Wizkid.

He further praised Nigerians for their contribution to the global success of Afrobeats, describing them as highly intelligent people who have played a major role in expanding the genre’s international appeal.

“Nigerians are the most intelligent people on the planet. They have done amazingly well with Afrobeats,” he added.

Akon Hails Michael Jackson, Praises Nigerians Over Afrobeats Success is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie has sparked widespread reactions online after being unveiled as brand ambassador for Girls Tag, a menstrual care product said to retail for N25,000.

Girls Tag, described as an all-in-one period care pack designed for girls aged nine and above, recently launched with Mercy Johnson and her daughter, Purity Okojie, as ambassadors. Actress Regina Daniels was also later unveiled as a face of the brand.

However, the product’s reported price has triggered outrage on social media, with many Nigerians describing it as unrealistic and insensitive amid the country’s economic hardship.

Millions of women and girls already struggle to afford basic sanitary products, with some reportedly missing school or resorting to unsafe alternatives during menstruation.

Reacting online, an X user, @Lai, defended the brand, saying: “Not everyone is a philanthropist. Nigeria’s problems are not everybody’s problem. She knows who her customers are. This is business.”

Another user, @MsJorji, wrote: “Mercy Johnson, you are an embarrassment to women. In a country where women are struggling to afford sanitary pads, you want to charge 25k for a sanitary pad.”

Others questioned why menstrual products, considered essential items, were being positioned as luxury products.

“The target audience had to be baddies,” @ATallEdoGirl posted.

@kenny added: “Nigeria is a poor country. Elitism should never extend to the basic rights and dignity of girls and women. Sanitary pads are not luxury items.”

Another user, @bidemi criticised supporters of the brand, saying: “In a country where sanitary pads are meant to be free, someone is selling them for 25k and people are defending it because of packaging.”

Several users also stressed that menstrual hygiene products should be affordable and accessible, especially for young girls.

Mercy Johnson Under Fire Over Costly Menstrual Care Product is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Operatives of the Lagos State Command have recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against car theft and robbery incidences with the arrest of two notorious members of a car-snatching syndicate and the recovery of five (5) suspected stolen vehicles.

Following a report of car theft, operatives of the Command embarked on a painstaking intelligence-led investigation. Through the deployment of technical and tactical intelligence, the stolen Toyota Camry 2008 model was recovered at the point of re-registration, leading to the unravelling and subsequent arrest of a criminal syndicate involved in vehicle theft. Preliminary investigation revealed that the syndicate operates within Lagos State while concealing and disposing of stolen vehicles in Ibadan, Oyo State, and Ilorin, Kwara State.

In the course of the investigation, operatives traced and arrested one Segun Olawuwo ‘m’, 58 years, in Ibadan, Oyo State, where another suspected stolen Toyota Corolla 2008 model was recovered from him. Further investigation and interrogation led to the arrest of two other members of the syndicate identified as Femi Afolabi ‘m’, 53 years, and Sunday Ugbomudia ‘m’, 53 years, in Ilorin, Kwara State. One Toyota Camry 2008 model and one Toyota Corolla 2006 model, both identified as stolen vehicles, were recovered from the suspects. Their arrest further led to the recovery of another stolen Toyota Camry 2012 model earlier sold to an unsuspecting buyer in Ibadan.

The suspects confessed to their involvement in a series of car-snatching and robbery operations within and outside Lagos State. Efforts have been intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover more stolen vehicles linked to the gang.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, psc, mnips, commends the operatives for their professionalism, resilience, and commitment to tackling criminal activities across the State. Members of the public are encouraged to remain vigilant and promptly provide useful information through the Command emergency lines: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, and 09168630929.

In anticipation of the governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026, in Ekiti State, 13 political parties involved in the election signed a peace accord on Thursday, committing to uphold peace before, during, and after the electoral process.

Among those who signed was Biodun Oyebanji, the Governor of Ekiti State and the candidate representing the All Progressives Congress, APC, who reiterated the dedication of both residents and political stakeholders in the state to maintaining peace throughout the electoral journey.

During the event, Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, called on political parties and their supporters to embody the spirit of the agreement, rather than merely signing the document.

He stated that Ekiti has built a reputation for political consciousness and peaceful behaviour, emphasising that stakeholders must work to preserve this image during the election.

Amupitan praised the National Peace Committee for its ongoing efforts to foster democratic stability and mitigate electoral tensions nationwide.

He pointed out that following the successful application of the peace accord mechanism during the Anambra governorship election in November 2025, INEC is committed to implementing a similar model in Ekiti.

The INEC chairman elaborated that the commission has expanded the peace accord initiative to off-cycle governorship elections since its inception in Edo State in September 2020, highlighting that this framework has become institutionalised in various states.

He announced that 1,059,360 registered voters are expected to participate in the Ekiti governorship election, with plans for deployment across the state’s 16 local government areas, 177 registration areas, and 2,445 polling units.

Amupitan also disclosed that INEC is mobilising 52,446 National Youth Service Corps members for the forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections and bye-elections in states such as Ekiti, Osun, Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi, and Kano.

He indicated that the commission had enhanced logistics, technology, and result management systems to guarantee a credible election, while cautioning against vote-buying, voter intimidation, and political violence.

The INEC chairman also mentioned that 54 media organisations and 470 journalists had sought accreditation to cover the election, while 96 domestic and two international observer groups had also received accreditation.

He emphasised that leadership achieved through violence and incitement would constitute a hollow victory, urging political figures to educate their supporters on maintaining peaceful conduct during the election period.

The Chairman of the National Peace Committee and former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, represented by Martin Agwai, characterised the peace accord as a collective commitment to ensuring credible, free, fair, and peaceful elections.

He called upon political parties and their supporters to denounce violence, hate speech, and electoral misconduct, stressing that no political ambition should jeopardize human lives or public peace.

Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, stated that the peace accord highlighted the necessity for elections to be a contest of ideas rather than a source of conflict.

The police chief reassured residents that security agencies, collaborating through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, had made sufficient arrangements to ensure safety across all polling units and to facilitate a peaceful, free, and credible election.

He further noted that security personnel would uphold professionalism, impartiality, and a commitment to protecting democratic values throughout the electoral process.

Ekiti 2026: INEC boss, Amupitan, IGP Disu, others present as 13 political parties sign peace accord

Ogun State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed the nomination of Mrs Adenike Ademokun for appointment as Commissioner in the State Executive Council.

In the course of her confirmation at the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide, on Thursday, the lawmakers enjoined the nominee to justify the confidence reposed in her by bringing her wealth of experience to bear in strengthening governance and public administration in the state.

The confirmation was based on the request forwarded to the Assembly by the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, seeking legislative approval for the appointment of Ademokun as Commissioner.

The approval followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Committee of the Whole, chaired by the Speaker, as presented by Babatunde Tella, who noted that the lawmakers were satisfied with the nominee’s qualifications, experience and performance during the screening.

Earlier, while responding to questions during the screening, Mrs Ademokun said she would draw from her previous experience serving in different capacities within the  state public service, including her most recent role as Commissioner in the State Civil Service Commission, to support effective governance and improved service delivery in the State.

The motion for the adoption of the Committee report was moved by Tella, seconded by Yusuf Amosun and supported by all the lawmakers through a voice vote; while the House Leader, Yusuf Sheriff, moved the motion converting the report into the House resolution, seconded by Damilare Bello, leading to the confirmation of the nominee’s appointment.

Following the confirmation, the Speaker directed the Clerk/Head of Legislative Service, Mr Sakiru Adebakin, to transmit the House resolution to the Governor for further necessary action.

Ogun Assembly screens, confirms commissioner nominee, Ademokun

Dr Charles Omole, the author of ‘From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, has alleged that government and security officials made a huge amounts of money from kidnapping under Buhari’s administration.

Omole alleged this on Thursday during an interview on State Affairs, a podcast hosted by Edmund Obilo.

He claimed that government and security officials turned the insecurity into a kidnapping industry complex.

According to him, “Monetisation of insecurity was rampant under Buhari’s administration. There’s no doubt about that.

“Insecurity became more profitable. To make the government to pay, the kidnappers had to cause maximum embarrassment to the government.

“The kidnappers go to a village and kidnap 100 children, whose parents are peasants. They don’t expect the poor parents to pay, but the government.

“This started happening under Buhari’s administration. For example, it was a situation where government and security officials would ask Buhari to pay 500 million naira to get the kidnapped children released, and he would approve it.

“Maybe the children were actually released based on 50 or 100 million naira. The remaining 400 million is pocketed by people.

“The point is, there were people within the system benefiting from it. So if you were benefiting from it, then the more kidnapping that happens, the better for you. That’s the problem.”

Kidnapping: Govt, security officials made money under Buhari – Charles Omole alleges

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed with Chinese President Xi Jinping the possibility of transporting and storing Iran’s enriched uranium in Russia, the Kremlin said on Thursday, as both leaders wrapped up their summit in Beijing.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin raised the proposal during talks with Xi on Wednesday, adding that Moscow remains open to helping de-escalate tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme.

Russia first proposed storing Iran’s enriched uranium in June 2025 and has repeated the offer several times since, presenting it as a possible step to ease concerns among key global powers over Tehran’s nuclear activities.

Moscow previously handled Iran’s low-enriched uranium under the 2015 nuclear deal, which Putin has cited as evidence that Russia has the infrastructure and experience to manage such an arrangement.

Peskov said Russia remains in contact with all interested parties and is prepared to continue diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions over Iran.

The United States, however, has said transferring Iran’s enriched uranium to Russia is not part of its plans, with Washington instead pushing for the full dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear programme under any future agreement.

Iran currently holds an estimated 450 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, according to international estimates, a level that with further processing could potentially be used to produce weapons-grade material.

There was no immediate response from Chinese officials or Tehran following Thursday’s announcement.

Putin Proposes Storing Iran Uranium In Russia To Xi is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, has emerged victorious in the All Progressives Congress, APC, House of Assembly primary election for Apapa Constituency I.

Meranda secured 2,926 votes to defeat three other aspirants in the primary election conducted on Wednesday.

The exercise took place at Ijora Oloye Nursery and Primary School in Ijora and was reportedly peaceful despite the large turnout of delegates, party members, and supporters.

Delegates and party agents arrived at the venue from about 9:00 a.m., while operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, provided security throughout the exercise.

The APC ticket was contested by four aspirants, including Meranda, Esan Adedotun, Mike Egbayelo, and Elizabeth Toluwalope.

Meranda arrived at the venue shortly before the commencement of voting and was received by cheering supporters.

“I thank you all for the support; it is massive,” she said while addressing party members.

Speaking after the exercise, the APC youth leader in Ijora, Adams Aremu, described the outcome as a reflection of Meranda’s popularity and grassroots acceptance within the constituency.

He stated that several projects and empowerment initiatives executed by the lawmaker across different wards contributed to the support she received during the primary.

Another APC official, Joseph Layode, said party members and residents had expressed satisfaction with her performance through their votes.

According to him, Meranda’s political profile within the state continues to rise, adding that she could eventually become Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

A delegate, Folasade Ojomo, also backed Meranda’s return, saying continuity would benefit the constituency.

In a separate result announced from an earlier exercise conducted across the five wards in Apapa Constituency I, Meranda reportedly polled 6,062 votes, while her closest challenger, Ayo Vaughan, secured 1,385 votes.

Reacting to her victory in a statement issued on Thursday, the deputy speaker dedicated the win to APC members and supporters across the constituency.

“To the leaders of our great party, the dedicated delegates, my political family, and the good people of Apapa Constituency I, I express my deepest gratitude for the overwhelming show of love, trust, and confidence reposed in me at the just concluded APC primaries,” she said.

“This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to every person who believes in our shared vision of progress, unity, and purposeful representation. Your support humbles me and strengthens my resolve to continue serving with diligence, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to the growth and development of our constituency.”

Meranda also assured constituents of her continued commitment to their welfare and development.

“I do not take this renewed mandate for granted, and by the grace of God, I will continue to work tirelessly for the peace, progress, and prosperity of our people,” she added.

Lagos Deputy Speaker Meranda wins APC primary in Apapa Constituency I

The Senator representing Abia South senatorial district, Enyinaya Abaribe, has said that the Labour Party, LP, is prepared to sweep all the contestable positions in Abia in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

Abaribe stated this during the Labour Party screening of aspirants at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja on Thursday, adding that Abia, which is being controlled by the labour party, has shown capacity through the provision of mass-oriented developmental projects.

Abaribe led the delegation of Abia aspirants who came for the screening exercise and highlighted that the State Governor has given the people a desired representation and dividend of democracy. 

He said, “We are here to be screened as the constitution requires, and we trust the judgment of the screening committee whose job is to select ably qualified candidates. 

“Abia State is for the Labour Party and the ,Labour Party is Abia State. And having said this I would state here that the party will win all elections beginning from Governorship to Senatorial, House of Representatives and the State Assembly.”

Also speaking, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, the member representing the Abia North and South federal constituency, expressed confidence that the party will come out on top in the election.

Ikwechegh said no one procured form to run against him in Aba South and North Federal constituency because “we have performed well and also because of the way that our party tends to conduct their political activities.”

He added, “You can see that the Labour Party is on the rise. You can see that Abia is on the rise. So I’m confident that on the 30th, when the primaries will eventually be conducted, that we are going to emerge victorious since it’s very apparent that no one else has procured the nomination form to run against us.”

On what he thinks about some heavyweights that seem to be dropping out of the race, especially through the use of consensus by political parties, he said, “The truth is that I am not a member of the APC. I’ve never been a member of the APC. There was a time before I joined the Labour Party that it was speculated that I was going to join the APC, and that the president had induced me to join the APC. That is not true. 

“There are so many people in the National Assembly that I never thought in my lifetime would lose in the APC primaries but they have. 

“So I want to just say we are the Labour Party and we are continuing with our Labour Party activities. Now, for consensus, most governors don’t actually have anything to do with the consensus arrangement. It is the stakeholders within the local government, the constituencies, and the senatorial districts. Of course, the governor would definitely have a say, but not the final say.

“Stakeholders will recommend somebody and say this is who we want, and then the governor will oblige.”

On his own, the Deputy Chairman, House of Reps committee on Federal Capital Territory, FCT Judiciary, Ibe Okwara Osonwa, said the party has decided to use consensus because it does not want rancour and crisis within its folds.

He said, “As a state, we do not want rancour. Nobody is blind to see what is happening across the country with our ruling party and seeing the confusion that exists. 

“But the magnanimity and the statesmanship of our governor and his thoughts that peace must prevail, unity must prevail, interaction of the people must prevail. 

“So, all stakeholders were brought together. We discussed each area and we agreed that, oh yeah, this person, that person, that person, will serve the best interest of the people. And that’s how we worked it.”

2027: Labour Party will sweep Abia State – Senator Abaribe vows