N-Vegas Television

10/12/2025

Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has cautioned President Bola Tinubu to exercise restraint in his handling of regional security, domestic governance, and the allocation of state protection to privileged individuals. Soyinka delivered the warning at the 20th Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism Awards held in Lagos on Tuesday.

His remarks stemmed from what he described as a startling recent encounter in his hotel room in Ikoyi, Lagos. In a now-viral four-minute, 25-second video shared by on X, Soyinka recounted witnessing what appeared to him to be an extravagant and unnecessary display of state security.

According to him, he observed an unusually large detachment of armed security personnel es**rting a young individual linked to the Presidency. The entourage, he said, was “large enough to take over a small country.”

Soyinka later discovered that the individual receiving such extensive protection was Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son. The revelation disturbed him to the point that he attempted to reach the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, whom he eventually managed to contact while Ribadu was reportedly in Paris attending a meeting with the President.

Expressing disbelief, Soyinka recalled telling the NSA:

“I’ve just seen something I can’t believe, something I don’t understand. Do you mean that a child of the head of state goes around with an army for his protection?”

He explained that his own follow-up inquiries confirmed that Seyi Tinubu regularly moves around with a heavily armed battalion-like convoy.

“I was astonished,” he emphasized, insisting that “children must understand their place. They are not elected leaders, and they must not inherit the architecture of state power simply by proximity.”

In a separate commentary at the same event—which honoured veteran poet Odia Ofeimum among others—Soyinka urged President Tinubu to urgently review the scale of security personnel attached to his son. He argued that such heavy deployments are badly needed in parts of the country facing kidnappings, banditry, rural attacks, insurgency and worsening criminal violence.

He jokingly suggested that if a major insurgency were to erupt, perhaps the President should “ask Seyi to go and handle it,” considering the size of his security es**rt. But beneath the humour, Soyinka stressed, lies a grave issue of fairness, priority and national responsibility.

According to him, the concentration of a “battalion” around one individual—particularly one who holds no public office—is inconsistent with the realities of a nation struggling with widespread insecurity. Security assets, he insisted, must reflect national needs rather than personal privilege.

Turning his attention to the media, Soyinka praised journalists for their resilience but urged stronger editorial discipline in an era rife with misinformation. He warned that:

“The next great conflict may well be triggered by the misuse of social platforms,”

and called for renewed dedication to truth, verification and accuracy. Credible journalism, he said, remains one of Nigeria’s strongest pillars against social disorder and national chaos.

10/12/2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Idris Adamu (retd.) as the Chairman of the Military Pensions Board, with the appointment taking effect from December 1, 2025.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Imohiosen noted that the appointment aligns with the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to enhance transparency, accountability, and overall efficiency in the management of military pensions.

According to the statement:

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the appointment of Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Idris Adamu (retd.) from Borno State as Chairman of the Military Pensions Board, effective 1 December 2025.

The appointment is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability, and efficiency in military pension administration. President Tinubu charges the new Chairman to uphold integrity, demonstrate patriotism, and deploy his financial expertise to improve the welfare of military veterans.”

Adamu, a retired senior officer of the Nigerian Air Force and an experienced financial expert, brings decades of service across various strategic and administrative functions within the military. His distinguished career includes serving as Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Deputy Director of Budget at the Defence Intelligence Agency, and Principal Staff Officer, Finance, at the Air Warfare Centre.

He also previously commanded the 081 Pay and Accounting Group and later served as Director of Finance at the NAF Headquarters. Beyond his military finance leadership roles, Adamu was Managing Director of the Nigerian Air Force Investment Limited and its associated companies. He further contributed to national policy development as a Directing Staff at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.

10/12/2025

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), after he failed to meet the bail conditions earlier granted to him. His detention was confirmed on Tuesday by senior officials of the anti-graft agency.

According to one EFCC official, Malami will remain in custody until he satisfies the requirements tied to his bail.

“We arrested him for not meeting his bail conditions and he will remain in our custody until he meets those conditions,”
the source stated.

A separate EFCC insider also confirmed that Malami’s detention is connected to an extensive investigation involving multiple allegations. The source revealed that the former attorney-general is currently being probed for at least 18 different offences.

“He is presently in our custody. He was initially granted bail but did not meet the conditions. The offences against him are many. Presently, we are investigating him for 18 different offences. Some of them are money laundering, abuse of office and terrorism financing. We cannot put a figure to the amount involved now because we keep uncovering some of the deals as we investigate,”
the official explained.

Attempts to reach the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, for comments were unsuccessful at the time this report was filed.

Before his detention, Malami had publicly disclosed that he was interrogated by the EFCC on November 29. In a post shared on X, he described the session as productive and claimed the allegations against him were unfounded.

“In line with my undertaking to keep Nigerians updated on my invitation by EFCC, I give glory to Allah for his divine intervention.

“The engagement was successful and I am eventually released while on an appointment for further engagement as the truth relating to the fabricated allegations against me continue to unfold,”
he wrote.

The former minister is expected to remain in EFCC custody until he fully complies with the terms of his bail.

10/12/2025

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has formally announced his decision to join the Accord Party as the new political platform on which he will seek re-election in August next year. The governor made this known on Tuesday through a post shared on his verified X handle, just days after officially resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Adeleke revealed that his move to the Accord Party was not sudden, explaining that he had actually joined the party over a month earlier—on November 6, 2025—after extensive consultations and deliberations with political stakeholders, advisers, and community leaders. He explained that the choice of Accord was driven by its ideological commitment to welfarism, which he said strongly aligns with his administration’s dedication to the wellbeing of citizens and workers across Osun State.

According to the governor, residents and key stakeholders in the state understand the reasons behind his decision to switch parties. He stressed that his intention is to pursue a second term on a platform that fully reflects his governance values and supports the completion of ongoing programmes and developmental initiatives. Adeleke emphasized that his government’s achievements and reforms have been widely acknowledged both within and outside the state, further strengthening his resolve to continue his administration’s work under the Accord Party.

In his statement, he expressed deep admiration for the party’s philosophy, noting that its principles resonated with his belief that the core responsibility of government is to promote the welfare and wellbeing of its people. He also extended warm greetings to the national leadership of the Accord Party, stating that their presence in Osun signifies the beginning of a unified and progressive relationship aimed at advancing the state’s interests.

25/11/2025

https://open.spotify.com/episode/06spjm2J55kAqdIxt4B0eR?si=3gt8uEqRTCWonp04G_YSMw

Insecurity In Nigeria: How Safe Are Citizens Under Tinubu's Watch?

Do well to listen and enjoy the intensive analysis.

N-Vegas Roundtable · Episode

20/11/2025

Emeka Rollas, President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has publicly urged Rita Daniels, mother of actress Regina Daniels, to reconsider her focus on the upcoming AGN elections, warning that her daughter may need help more than a guild leadership role.

In a detailed Instagram post, Rollas expressed concern over Regina’s well-being, calling her situation a “family matter” that has been largely ignored. He claimed that several senior actors — including Okey Bakassi, Charles Inojie, Chinyere Wilfred, Jide Kosoko, and Sanni Danji — witnessed troubling behaviour during a recent film production. According to him, their continued silence is unfair and leaves him exposed to criticism.

Rollas also recounted an incident during Regina’s son’s birthday, where her husband, Senator Ned Nwoko, reportedly made public remarks about her smoking habit, linking it to the possibility of having a daughter if she stopped. He clarified that his motive is not to shame her but to urge her to seek support, stressing that many AGN members have benefited from the Guild’s assistance in the past.

To Rita Daniels, he spoke directly: “If your daughter’s home and health are in distress, AGN elections should not be your priority.” He warned that normalizing harmful habits as part of a “celebrity lifestyle” sends a dangerous message to younger Guild members, and criticized those encouraging her to run for AGN President as, in his words, “your enemies.”

Rollas also addressed allegations that Senator Nwoko donated ₦200 million to the Guild. He denied the money was for AGN, stating instead that it was intended for Regina’s film production.

He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability within AGN as his tenure comes to an end, defending his administration’s legacy and warning against attempts to derail the upcoming election process.

20/11/2025

The Kwara State Government has ordered the closure of schools in five local government areas — Ifelodun, Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin, and Oke Ero — due to a surge in insecurity, the state’s Education Commissioner, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, announced on Wednesday.

According to the government statement, the move is a proactive security measure aimed at protecting students from possible kidnappings, especially amid intensified crackdowns by security agencies.

The directive also singles out boarding schools in Irepodun LGA as particularly vulnerable, noting they could become targets for criminals seeking to exploit children as “human shields.”

While schools in the affected LGAs are shut, the government said they will remain closed “until further security clearance” is granted.

This decision comes amid a broader context of insecurity in Kwara. In recent weeks, reports have indicated that 45 public schools across parts of the state have already been shut down due to bandit attacks.

In addition, the Kwara State College of Nursing (Oke-Ode) has been relocated to Ilorin, the state capital, after insecurity made its original site unsafe.

Education stakeholders have expressed concern over the disruption, warning that prolonged closures could negatively affect students’ learning and wellbeing. Meanwhile, the state government insists the measure is temporary and necessary to safeguard lives while security operations are ongoing.

20/11/2025

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Hussaini Isma’il, widely known by the alias Maitangaran, to 20 years in prison for his role in a series of deadly Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks carried out in Kano State.

Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the verdict after Isma’il pleaded guilty to four terrorism-related charges brought under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act. Although the combined sentence across the charges amounts to 75 years, the court ordered the terms to run concurrently, making the effective jail term 20 years.

According to the court proceedings, security agencies presented video evidence showing Isma’il addressing sect members and issuing directives that led to multiple attacks. He was linked to the 2016 Kano Central Mosque attack, the 2014 assault on the Mobile Police Base on Kabuga Road, and the attack on the Ungwa Uku Police Station, all of which resulted in casualties.

Before sentencing, Isma’il asked the court for leniency, with his counsel arguing that he had shown remorse and chose not to delay proceedings by changing his plea to guilty.

Justice Nwite ordered that he be remanded in a correctional facility specified by the Nigeria Correctional Service. After completing his prison term, Isma’il will also undergo deradicalisation and rehabilitation as part of security measures to reintegrate offenders.

The conviction is considered a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to dismantle extremist networks and secure communities affected by insurgency.

20/11/2025

The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly rejected attempts to characterise the country’s growing insecurity as a religiously motivated conflict, warning that such narratives are dangerously divisive.

At a press briefing in Abuja, Information Minister Mohammed Idris said that recent portrayals of the violence including claims of genocide against Christians are false and misrepresent the complex nature of Nigeria’s security challenges.

He emphasised that terror attacks, banditry, and other violent crimes affect Nigerians of all religions, arguing that extremists do not discriminate by faith.

Idris also stated that framing the crisis in religious terms undermines national unity at a time when Nigerians must come together against common threats. He cautioned against misinformation and divisive rhetoric, saying the government is focused on neutralising terrorists and criminal networks rather than catering to sectarian narratives.

The government has reiterated its commitment to protecting every citizen, regardless of religious or ethnic identity, and reaffirmed that Nigeria is a multi-faith nation by constitutional design.

The rejection of a religious framing comes at a critical moment, as the country faces a surge in terror attacks and pressure from international voices calling for foreign intervention over perceived persecution of Christians.

19/11/2025

The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed that two people were killed and one injured in a deadly attack by suspected bandits in Eruku, a boundary town in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

According to the police, the attack unfolded on the evening of 18 November 2025, at around 6:00 p.m., when gunshots were heard from the outskirts of the town.

In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, authorities said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Eruku, working together with local vigilantes, responded quickly to the sound of gunfire — forcing the assailants to flee into nearby bushes.

During a subsequent search of the area, police found Mr. Aderemi, fatally shot inside the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun in Eruku. Meanwhile, the body of Mr. Tunde Asaba Ajayi was recovered in the bush.

Also wounded in the attack was Segun Alaja, a local vigilante member, who sustained gunshot injuries and has been taken to ECWA Hospital, Eruku, for treatment.

The Kwara Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, commended the rapid response of both the police team and local vigilantes, promising that security agencies will not relent until those responsible are apprehended.

The incident has triggered fear among residents, especially as Eruku sits on a border corridor, making it vulnerable to cross-border criminal activities.

In addition, eyewitnesses and community leaders claim that the attackers may have abducted several worshippers, including the pastor, though the police have not publicly confirmed any abductions.

The attack comes amid a broader spike in insecurity in rural and border communities across Kwara, raising serious concerns about the safety of places of worship and local residents.

25/10/2025

The Federal Government has expressed deep concern over the alarming rate of school dropouts in Nigeria, with approximately 24 million pupils failing to advance to senior secondary level. This staggering statistic highlights the country's struggle to provide quality education, particularly in rural areas.

The government has established frameworks like the Child Rights Act and Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act, but implementation remains a challenge. Poverty, death of parents, and poor infrastructure are among the key factors driving this trend.

To address this crisis, the government has launched initiatives such as the Home Grown School Feeding Programme, aiming to retain students in schools and recover 70% of dropouts. The Universal Basic Education Commission has also deployed the World Bank-sponsored Better Education Service Delivery for All strategy to reduce dropout numbers.

Poverty, financial constraints, and lack of basic amenities like chairs, tables, and proper roofing are forcing children to work instead of attending school. Socio-cultural norms, such as child marriage and preference for trade apprenticeships over formal education, also contribute to the high dropout rate. Insecurity, terrorism, and banditry in northern Nigeria further exacerbate the problem.

The situation demands urgent attention and collective action to ensure Nigeria's children receive the education they deserve.

24/10/2025

The National Board for Technical Education has issued a stern warning to all professional and examination bodies in Nigeria, cautioning them against the illegal conduct and award of National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) certificates. In a statement signed by the Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje, the board expressed concern over the activities of certain bodies that have been purporting to design, conduct, and award ND and HND certificates in various disciplines.

The NBTE described such actions as illegal and a clear violation of its establishing Act. According to the board, it remains the only body legally empowered to approve, accredit, and regulate all programs leading to the award of ND and HND certificates in Nigeria, as stipulated by the Federal Government Decree No. 9 of 1977, as amended by Act 16 of 1985.

The board further clarified that only accredited Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions, including polytechnics, colleges of nursing sciences, colleges of health, colleges of agriculture, and other specialized institutions that meet prescribed standards, are authorized to run ND and HND programs. The NBTE warned that it would not hesitate to take regulatory and legal action against any professional or examination body found engaging in such illegal practices.

The board urged all stakeholders and the public to take note and ensure strict compliance with established regulations governing technical education in the country.