Eniola Ojajuni, the abducted national president of the Afenifere Youth Council, has pleaded for financial help to pay the ransom demanded by his kidnappers.

In videos circulating on social media, Ojajuni is seen sitting on the ground while a gunman points an AK-47 rifle at him.

Appearing distressed, Ojajuni appealed to Nigerians, particularly those from the Ilaje area of Ondo state, to contribute towards his release.

Ojajuni said he has been given a 24-hour deadline, warning that his captors have threatened to kill him if the ransom is not paid.

 

“Nigerians, please help me! Your donation, N100,000, N50,000, or N1,000,000, will go a long way to save my life. My name is Prince Eniola Ojajuni. God bless you. Aderohunmu, please help me spread this video,” he said.

His abduction was first announced by Abiodun Aderohunmu, national secretary of the Afenifere Youth Council.

Aderohunmu said Ojajuni was kidnapped on February 17, 2025, in Abuja and sustained a gunshot wound to his buttock.

“The Afenifere National Youths Council is deeply saddened to announce the kidnapping of its National President, Prince Eniola Joseph Ojajuni, in Abuja, Nigeria,” Aderohunmu said.

He added that the kidnappers have demanded N100 million for Ojajuni’s release.

MultiChoice, the pay TV company, is set to increase the monthly subscription rate of its DStv Compact bouquet from N15,700 to N19,000, industry sources have told TheCable.

This is coming almost one year after its last price review.

The fall in the value of the naira along with increased energy costs have been blamed for upward price reviews across across telecommunications, transportation and consumer goods in general.

Subscribers to Compact, Access and Family bouquets form the bulk of MultiChoice subscribers.

Family and Access bouquets may have their tariffs reviewed from N9,300 to N11,000 and N5,100 to N6,000 respectively.

Meanwhile, the two highest-priced bouquets, Premium and Compact+, will also be affected by the rate review.

GOtv Value customers, who currently pay N3,600, will start paying N3,900, while the tariff on GOtv Plus will rise from N4,850 to N5,800, sources further told TheCable.

“Since 2023, when the federal government began its economic reforms of fuel subsidy removal, naira floatation and electricity tariff increase among others, prices of goods and services have almost quadrupled, with the inflation rate at 34.80 per cent as at December, 2024,” an industry source said, adding that businesses have been forced to increase prices, with some doing so as many as three times last year.

Many companies have posted huge losses arising from foreign exchange instability.

Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of Living Faith Church, widely known as Winners’ Chapel, recently revealed a remarkable testimony that left his congregation in awe.

He disclosed how a woman in the United States conceived simply by tripping him during a church program.

Addressing his congregation, Oyedepo recounted the incident, highlighted the woman’s unwavering faith in her quest for a miracle.

According to him, the woman had struggled with infertility for years and saw the church program as a rare opportunity to change her story. He revealed that she strategically positioned herself, maneuvered through the tight security surrounding him, and at the perfect moment, intentionally tripped into him.

The act, he said, was not accidental but a deliberate move rooted in her belief that a touch could ignite her miracle.

Following the encounter, Oyedepo disclosed that the woman went home and boldly declared to her husband that she had conceived. Her husband, taken aback by her sudden assertion, questioned how she could be so certain.

However, according to the cleric, the woman’s conviction was unshaken. She believed that the divine touch had already set things in motion, and her faith became her reality.

Nine months later, Oyedepo revealed, the woman gave birth, solidified her belief that faith had played a crucial role in her conception.

The revelation sent waves through the congregation, online world, drew gasps, intrigue, and a renewed sense of awe.

THE Executive Director of the Centre for Free Speech Organisation, Mr Richard Akinnola, yestyerday, faulted the claims by former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd) over the murder of founding Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch, Dele Giwa.

Akinnola, in a statement, titled ‘Dele Giwa: IBB lied’, said: “I can understand the denial of General Ibrahim Babangida of his innocence over the murder of Dele Giwa. It is expected. Have you seen an armed robbery suspect charged to court pleading guilty in court? It’s a matter of self-preservation.

“Even Major Gideon Orkar, who announced on radio the ouster of Babangida in the abortive coup of April 22, 1990, pleaded not guilty before the military tribunal. So, Babangida’s denial of his government’s involvement in the murder is understandable.

“However, in doing that, he doesn’t have that latitude of revisionism by deliberately misrepresenting facts. I make reference to two of such.

“In his book, General Ibrahim Babangida made two major false assertions regarding the letter bomb murder of Dele Giwa, founding Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch.

It’s either those, who wrote the book for him didn’t have the facts, or that IBB was just being mischievous.”
Still on Dele Giwa, General Babangida said in his book: “When the Obasanjo civilian administration reopened the Giwa case at the Oputa Panel on Human and Civil Rights, I expected that the police and lawyers would come forward with new evidence as to their findings on the Giwa murder over the years. Nothing of such happened.

“My response: Invitation was extended to Babangida by the Oputa panel, he shunned it. He was wrong to state that the police and lawyers didn’t come up with a new thing at the Oputa panel.

At the Oputa panel, Abubakar Tsav, Commissioner of Police (retd) gave evidence on oath that he was assigned to investigate the case and at the end of his investigation, his findings pointed to the Babangida government.and that he submitted his findings to DIG Chris Omeben.

“Also, contrary to what IBB said in his book that no fresh evidence came up, the issue of Gloria Okon came up during the hearing.

“Having said these, it’s either those who wrote the book for him didn’t get their facts right or that General Babangida was being mischievous in what he wrote in the book regarding the murder of Dele Giwa.

“It is even deceitful to be referring to Dele as your good friend. From where to where? If you could execute your childhood friend, Mamman Vatsa, who then is Dele Giwa, who you only met in the course of his official duties as a journalist? Dele Giwa was not your friend, General.”

The H-1B visa program plays a key role in the U.S. job market, enabling companies to address labour shortages in specialized fields requiring foreign workers.

Established under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, this nonimmigrant work visa allows businesses to employ foreign talent for up to three years, with an annual cap of 65,000 visas.

Leading Employers Sponsoring H-1B Visas

Many of the world’s largest and most influential companies rely on the H-1B visa program to recruit skilled professionals from across the globe.

Below is a list of top U.S. companies that sponsored H-1B visas:

1. Amazon

As a leader in e-commerce and cloud computing, Amazon continues to expand its workforce globally. The company emphasizes diversity and inclusion, operating 11 employee resource groups and making significant contributions to social justice organizations. In 2024, Amazon had 9,265 H-1B visas approved.

2. Infosys

With a workforce of over 323,000, Infosys remains a dominant player in digital services and IT consulting. The company promotes cross-cultural collaboration through initiatives like Culture Chat. Infosys secured 8,140 H-1B visa approvals in 2024.

3. Cognizant

A major force in digital solutions, Cognizant employs over 340,000 professionals worldwide. Due to its global presence, the company has a strong history of H-1B sponsorship, receiving 6,321 approvals in 2024.

4. Google

As a tech giant with employees across six continents, Google continuously strengthens its diversity and inclusion efforts. In 2024, the company had 5,364 H-1B visa applications approved.

5. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

With over 601,000 employees worldwide, TCS is a global IT powerhouse. The company actively promotes inclusive hiring practices, particularly in Latin America, and had 5,274 H-1B visa approvals in 2024.

6. Meta

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, continues to attract global talent. In 2024, Meta had 4,844 H-1B visas approved.

7. Microsoft

A leader in software and cloud computing, Microsoft has been enhancing its diversity initiatives over the past decade. The company secured 4,725 H-1B visa approvals in 2024.

8. Apple

Apple has ramped up its diversity efforts, launching the $100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative. The company had 3,873 H-1B visa approvals in 2024.

9. HCL Technologies

With offices in 60 countries and over 220,000 employees, HCL Technologies is a strong advocate for workplace inclusion. In 2024, HCL America had 2,953 H-1B visa approvals.

10. IBM

As one of the oldest names in tech, IBM continues to foster international talent. The company employs professionals from various global regions and had 2,906 H-1B visa approvals in 2024.

11. Cisco

A Silicon Valley staple, Cisco operates on a global scale, with over 90,000 employees worldwide. The company had 1,330 H-1B visa approvals in 2024.

12. Capgemini

A Paris-based IT leader with a strong global footprint, Capgemini employs more than 300,000 people across 50+ countries. In 2024, the company secured 2,795 H-1B visa approvals.

13. Accenture

Serving clients in over 120 countries, Accenture is a key player in IT consulting. The company had 2,157 H-1B visa approvals in 2024, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

14. Ernst & Young (EY)

A global consulting and auditing firm, EY is a champion of diversity and inclusion, earning international recognition for its efforts. The firm continues to support global hiring initiatives through H-1B visa sponsorship.

15. MobilityWare

A mobile gaming company known for its card and puzzle games, MobilityWare employs professionals across various fields and regularly sponsors H-1B visas for its workforce.

Business magnate and Coscharis Group founder, Cosmas Maduka, has asserted that Peter Obi would not have implemented policies different from those of President Bola Tinubu’s administration had he won the presidential election.

Speaking on Mic On podcast with Seun Okinbaloye on Saturday, Maduka argued that Nigeria is on the right path despite economic difficulties, stressing that key policies, such as subsidy removal, were inevitable regardless of who was in power.

“People have asked me, will Peter Obi have done anything different if he won the election? I said no. He would have removed subsidy from day one also,” he said. 

On concerns over the naira’s depreciation and economic hardship, Maduka acknowledged the challenges but insisted that government must reinvest subsidy savings into infrastructure to benefit the wider public.

“If the funds are used productively, there will be progress,” he stated, warning that failure to do so would leave the country stagnant.

He also addressed Nigeria’s debt profile, arguing that borrowing was not inherently bad if used for capital and infrastructural development, rather than frivolous expenditure.

“There is some level of discipline required to curtail excesses from the government. Are we in the right direction? Yes,” he concluded.

The family of late Afenifere co-founder and foremost nationalist, Pa Ayodele Adebanjo, has announced that he would be buried in his hometown, in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on May 3, 2025.

The elder statesman who died at the age of 96 on February 14, 2025, will be honoured with a series of events leading up to his final interment.

The funeral proceedings will commence with a Day of Tributes and Service of Songs at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos, where dignitaries, political associates, and family members will pay their final respects.

On Friday, May 3, the burial ceremony will begin with a wake at his country home in Isanya Ogbo, Ijebu Ode, followed by the interment and a reception for guests at the same venue.

The statement, signed by Ayotunde Ayo-Adebanjo, Adeola Azeez, and Obafemi Ayo-Adebanjo on behalf of the family, urged friends, political and business associates, and the general public to support the family in prayers as they prepare for the burial.

“We covet your prayers for the family and your professional support as we continue with preparations to give him a most befitting burial. We also look forward to your esteemed presence at all the events. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards,” the statement read.

Pa Ayo Adebanjo was a respected statesman, pro-democracy activist, and a pillar of progressive politics in Nigeria. His contributions to nation-building, democratic advocacy, and Yoruba socio-political movements remain enduring legacies.

A fake police officer, Vincent Ojo has been arrested for alleged impersonation and being in possession of dry leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp.

Spokesperson of the Gombe State Police Command, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, February 23, 2025, said the 52-year-old suspect, is a resident of Old Rukuba Qtrs Area of Jos North LGA of Plateau State.

During a search, 495 kilograms of suspected Indian hemp with an estimated value of ₦12,652, 000, were recovered from the suspect.

“On 22/2/2025 at about 0900hrs, Police Officers attached to Operation Hattara, led by CSP Ali Madaki while on patrol at Jekadafari area of Gombe metropolis, during the State End of the month, General sanitation intercepted a Black Lexus vehicle with Registration number, GWA79CN Abuja, driven by the above-mentioned suspect who presented himself as a Police Officer serving at Force Headquarters Abuja,” the statement read.

"During the course of interrogation, the suspect could not present any Staff tag, his rank nor to mention the department he is attached too.

"And while searching the said vehicle, 495 kilograms of suspected Indian hemp was discovered loaded, with an estimated value at ₦12,652, 000 and additional Number plate BWR290AX was recovered as exhibit.”

"However, the suspect further confessed that he bought and transported the exhibit all the way from Ajegunle village of Ilesha LGA, Osun State to old Rukuba, Platuae State, thereafter he reloaded it with the intention to deliver it to Biu LGA Borno State,” he added.

"Investigation is ongoing, and the suspect will be charged in court for potential prosecution once the investigation is concluded.

“The command urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly to ensure a quick response."