Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has written to the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), raising concerns over delays in refunding excess Hajj fare funds to pilgrims who participated in the 2025 Hajj exercise. In the letter dated January 19, 2026, and signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, the faith-based civil society organisation said its independent monitoring revealed a significant financial surplus arising from exchange rate differentials during the 2025 Hajj operations. IHR noted that while pilgrims were charged at an exchange rate of ₦1,600 to the dollar, payments for services in Saudi Arabia were reportedly made…
Author: Ayo Oye
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Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to protect public health and eliminate counterfeit and substandard products across the state. Speaking at the Government House, Oke-fia, Osogbo, while receiving the State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Osun State Chapter, and members of the management team, the Governor congratulated the new coordinator on the appointment and described the visit as timely, stressing the importance of collaboration between federal agencies and state governments. The Governor noted that the activities of NAFDAC remain critical to public health, consumer…
The Oyo State Government has unveiled a programme of activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state.Chairman of the Oyo State @ 50 Anniversary Committee and former two-term Member of the House of Representatives, Hon Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, unveiled the activities at a press briefing held at the Governor’s Office Briefing Room, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. He noted that the anniversary is to celebrate the state’s five decades of solid growth, development, cultural heritage and resilience.According to the Chairman, the golden jubilee is a collective celebration for all the people and residents of Oyo State, noting that it…
The Department of State Services, DSS, has cancelled the ‘Meet-and-Greet’ meeting earlier scheduled with the Awujale nominees this morning (Wednesday), at the palace. Consequently, the Service has directed all the nominees for Awujale stool to report to its office in Ijebu-Ode, by 11.00 am. The invitation to the DSS office is contained in a letter dated 21 January 2026, and signed by the Secretary, Awujale Afobaje Council, Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja. Meanwhile, Awujale palace has been sealed by security agents. The letter sighted by Prompt News reads in part: “We write to formally inform you that the meet-and-greet earlier scheduled…
A former spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has predicted that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) may suffer internal crisis and defections after its convention ahead of the 2027 presidential election, citing a clash of interests within the party. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Baba-Ahmed said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is likely to emerge as the party’s presidential candidate, a development he believes could trigger a mass exodus of members. According to him, several interests within the party would feel sidelined if Atiku secures the ticket. “ADC will bleed after its convention because almost…
Lebanese-Nigerian businessman, Gilbert Chagoury, has been conferred with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu. The president who conferred the honour through an Instrument of Conferment of National Honour dated January 8, 2026, cited his services and contributions to Nigeria. Prompt News reports that the GCON, is Nigeria’s second-highest national honour after the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR). President Tinubu said, “In exercise of the powers vested in me under section 1(4) of the National Honours Act, I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of…
A man, Tajudeen has accused his wife, Halimat, of adultery among other vices, asking a Grade A Customary Court, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, to dissolve the marriage. However, Halimat denied all the allegations brought against her. She also refused that their union be dissolved. According to Halimat, she would be doomed if their marriage was dissolved because Tajudeen, early in their marriage, made her swear to an oath with a deity called Ogun, that she would never have sex with any other man except him. She explained that if Tajudeen divorced her, she would not be able to have sex…
Former Nigeria’s Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to his son, Abba Abubakar’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as “entirely personal”. Atiku, a presidential aspirant under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who recently dumped the PDP, expressed his views on the defection via his X (formerly Twitter) handle. He reiterated his respect and commitment to democratic principles, freedom of association of his family members just as he does for all Nigerians. Atiku tweeted, “The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal. “In a democracy, such choices are neither unusual…
Governor Seyi Makinde, on Thursday inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, thus bringing back to life the Council that had been comatose since 2011. The inauguration follows the passing of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025 by the state House of Assembly, and signing of same into law by the governor. Recall that the lawmakers had amended Clause 5 of Section 28 of the Chieftaincy Law to make the Council chairmanship rotational among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland. While inaugurating the Council, Governor…
The Ibadan International Film Festival (IIFF) has intensified preparations for its landmark fifth edition with a courtesy visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, reaffirming its commitment to cultural heritage, storytelling, and global creative exchange. A delegation of the festival’s organisers, led by Convener Usman Olarotimi “Blackky” Ogunlade, paid a formal visit to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Akanmu Ladoja, the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, to brief the revered monarch on plans for the forthcoming edition scheduled for September 2026. The visit was aimed at seeking royal blessings and strengthening ties with Ibadan’s traditional institutions as part of the festival’s…