American Cardinal Robert Prevost Becomes The 267th Pope. In what was described as a surprise choice, Yesterday The first U.S pontiff, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the 267th pope making him the new leader of the Catholic Church. Pope Leo, appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica around 70 minutes after white smoke billowed from a chimney …

Represent Ondo with honour, pray for Nigeria, Aiyedatiwa charges intending pilgrims Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Thursday, 8th May 2025, formally bid farewell to 735 intending pilgrims from the state, as they prepared to embark on the holy pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Speaking through his Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Engr. Bola …

BAYELSA MEDIA SUMMIT: Governor Diri Tasks Media Practitioners on Investigative Journalism Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Thursday, urged media practitioners in Nigeria not to shirk their responsibility as watchdogs, agenda setters and drivers of development in society. Governor Diri made the call while declaring open the first ever media summit organized by the Bayelsa State Council of the …

EFCC arrests Ex-Jigawa lawmaker in Kano The Kano office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a former member of the House of Representatives, Muhammad Kazaure It could be recalled that Kazaure once represented Kazaure, Roni, Gwiwa and Yankwashi federal constituency in the House of Representatives between 2015 to 2023. Kazaure is a member of the All Progressives …

First Class ‘Monarch’, Four others arrested in Ondo The Ondo State Police Command has apprehended a self-acclaimed monarch for allegedly involving in illegal installation process that can lead to breakdown of law and order in his town. The self-imposed monarch, Adekolajo Aladeseyi who allegedly installed himself as the Olujare of Ijare, a Community in Ifedore government area of Ondo state …

Nigeria clears $1.61bn IMF debt, ends decades-long financial burden Nigeria has cleared its $1.61 billion (N2.59 trillion as of May 7, 2025) debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), officially exiting the list of countries owing the global financial institution. A review of the IMF’s website by IntelRegion on May 7, 2025, confirmed Nigeria’s removal from the debtors’ list, signalling …

Tragedy, as landlord’s son hacks teacher to death in Ondo Community A tragic incident occurred on Monday in Irele town, headquarters of Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State, where a 27-year-old woman, Bamitale Joy, was reportedly hacked to death by a middle-aged man. The deceased, a teacher at a private nursery and primary school in the community, was well …

Lokpobiri Calls For Collaboration Among African Nations To Forstals Energy Challenges. Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has called for stronger collaboration among African nations to effectively address the continent’s energy challenges. He made the call while officially opening the Nigerian Exhibition Pavilion at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, United States. …

Nigeria’s Violent Crimes: Urgent Need to Nip it in the Bud   I was once a victim of 30-minute banditry. My household and I, and a few others, were held captive for 30 minutes in my house by a bunch of 8-armed men in a hellfire traumatic experience from about 8:30-9:00 pm on June 12, 2018. It was an experience …

Drama As Nnamdi Kanu Disowns Counsel In Court There was a mild drama in court on Tuesday when detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, disowned a lawyer, one Charles Ude, who claimed to be representing him. Kanu is facing terrorism-related charge before the court. During the trial, the presiding judge drew attention of …

“ Habemus Papam” & “Salamat Po” in Philippino Language. If Pope Francis, the acclaimed “Sheppard in White” in the Country Music Song newly released to celebrate his Passing into glory, is universally judged and acclaimed as a great and benevolent and kindhearted Pope by acclamation and consensus, why for goodness sake would any group of conservative Cardinals within the Catholic …

20 years on, children to celebrate “Deaconess Ayinke Olufemi Eyebiokin” legacy May 24.   Two decades may have passed, but the memory of Deaconess Florence Ayinke Olufemi Eyebiokin of Gbagi Market still burns brightly in the hearts of her children and all who knew her. Come 24th May 2025, the family of the late Deaconess Florence Ayinke Olufemi Eyebiokin will gather …

The Arbiter: Re-readers’ comments From time to time, we give our readers a chance to make their voices heard through their input. Well, it has been quite a while since we did that. We will start a serialisation of such inputs beginning with this. Why should Nigeria not break up? (March 31, 2024)   You expressed the minds of all …

S/West youth parliament hails Tinubu, urges Govs to tackle insecurity, wants more youth in governance The Southwest Youth Parliament (SWYP) has issued a strong call for greater government action on key regional concerns including insecurity, climate change, and youth involvement in governance. This was the thrust of a press conference held at the end of SWYP’s 2nd plenary sitting at …

NAHCON commissioner denies favouring South-South staff for 2025 Hajj operation   Commissioner for Policy, Personnel, and Finance (PPMF), at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Aliyu Abdulrazaq, has denied claims that he is favouring staff from the South-South region in the selection process for the 2025 Hajj operation. A report had claimed that NAHCON is currently facing allegations of …