As Rivers State’s emergency rule enters the second month, KUNLE ODEREMI reports on the string of controversies and teasers trailing the activities of the interim tenure of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), a former Chief of Naval Staff.

THIRTY-THREE days after, the proclamation a state of emergency in Rivers State is still generating heated debate, controversy and suspicion. The fit and whiff of anger spewed after the suspension of the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and members of the State House of Assembly shows no sign of ebbing with the belligerent forces enmeshed in claims and counterclaims that culminated in the emergency rule.  Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), who was the Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021, was named as the sole administrator.

President Bola Tinubu, who had on October 31, 2024 intervened in the crisis by calling on the camps enmeshed in the crisis to sheathe their sword and embrace peace in the interest of the state.  The relationship between Minister of the Federal capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara, hitherto close allies, soon got soured over the appointment of key aides, including commissioners. The crisis led to moves by 24 members of the state House of Assembly loyal to Wike, to impeach Fubara. Prominent persons, including the late leader of the Ijaw Nation, Chief Edwin Clark had described the presidential intervention as not only unconstitutional but also not in the right direction. Clark, the convener of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), said: “Mr president is the president of Nigeria and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Nigeria and I am one of those giving him that support.”

However, Fubara claimed that the intervention of the president was political and not constitutional, affirming his commitment to the terms of the peace deal and mediation. His explanation followed warnings from various stakeholders that the governor should be more circumspect on the peace initiative. Shortly, the pro-Wike members of the House renewed the threat of impeachment against the governor. Fubara came up with a few things that had transpired that were not within the public space concerning the deal. He said: “Mr President invited all the parties to Abuja, and came out with a resolution that we should go and implement. That resolution, I am implementing it. It is not a constitutional implementation. It is a political solution to a problem.”

The second decisive intervention by President Tinubu was done on March 18, 2025 via a national broadcast in which he announced the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.  In the broadcast, the President said the Rivers crisis posed a stumbling block to “democratic governance, which we have all fought and worked for over the years.” He accused Fubara of having “for unjustifiable reasons, demolished the House of Assembly of the state as far back as 13th December 2023,” and had for 14 months after, not rebuilt same.” The President also said he made “personal interventions between the contending parties for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, but my efforts have been largely ignored by the parties to the crisis.” Tinubu recalled that on February 28, the Supreme Court delivered a judgment in respect of about eight consolidated appeals concerning the political crisis in Rivers and made some orders, among them, the immediate passing of an Appropriation Bill by the Rivers State House of Assembly which up till now has not been facilitated. He warned that, “The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.”

Justifying the action of the President following criticisms in certain quarters, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) had emphasized the place of symphony among the three arms of government at all times. He said: “The government stands on the tripod: the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary, and you (the governor) have made the functioning of government impossible. It is not enough for the Executive, to say, we are spending money, even the money you want to spend, the State Assembly must have appropriated it. These are some of the findings that the Supreme Court made. And at the end of the day, the Supreme Court said, or came to a decision, that the governor’s behaviour was like a despot, and that as the situation was, there was no government in Rivers. If there was no government in Rivers, what would we be looking for?”

Litigation

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are in the Supreme Court challenging the imposition of emergency rule in Rivers. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has filed a suit against the proclamation of the state of emergency in Rivers. There are sundry suits initiated by either individuals or groups seeking to restore the democratic structures that were suspended by the order of the President imposing the state of emergency in Rivers.

Stumbling block

In the wake of the proclamation of the emergency rule, Fubara had accused the FCT minister of frustrating all efforts at peacefully resolving the crisis. In a press statement signed on his behalf by the sacked Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, the suspended governor claimed that all steps taken to foster peace, unity and stability in the state were frustrated by Wike.  He said, “Since our dear Governor assumed office as your Governor, all his actions and decisions have been guided by his constitutional oath of office and a great sense of duty. Even in the face of the political impasse, he remained committed to constitutional order and the rule of law, putting the interest of our people above all else. This was why, immediately after Mr. President’s intervention to broker peace, we did not hesitate to implement the agreed terms in good faith, including welcoming back commissioners who had previously resigned on their own volition.  Furthermore, we moved swiftly to comply with the Supreme Court’s judgment immediately we received the certified true copy of the judgment to return the state to normalcy. These steps were taken not for personal gains but to foster peace, unity and stability in our dear State.” Fubara further alleged that members of the Rivers Assembly, led by the minister, made genuine peace and progress difficult.

Controversies, posers

Rivers has been enmeshed in protests in the last couple of weeks. Women, the youth and other categories of interest groups loyal to either division of the imbroglio have been organising street protests for or against the interim administration or perceived forces behind the emergency rule. One of the posers that surround the interim administration in Rivers concerned when it summoned the suspended governor to the Government House over state matters. Though the authorities later disowned the summons, the report provoked many stakeholders and observers with insinuations that the authority was going out of their brief. The development also created public curiousity and aroused teasers whether the House of Representatives had reneged on its resolution that the activities of the sole administrator, especially on projects should be subject to the approval of the House. It was of the conditions given by the House before it approved the proclamation of the emergency rule in Rivers, whereas the President had said such power would be exercised by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Ibas has taken other far-reaching decisions without recourse to the National Assembly. He made appointments into strategic positions, including singlehandedly picking sole administrators for the 23 local government areas of the state and approved the reconstitution of suspended boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals, whereas, a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt had earlier restrained ibas from appointing sole administrators into the local council areas in the state.  The order was issued by the Justice, Adamu Turaki Muhammed in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025 filed by Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative led by Courage Msirimovu against Ibas in his official capacity. Justice Muhammed said he found enough reason to grant the prayers and fixed April 14, 2025, for hearing.  The court added that the motion ex parte was filed on March 28, with the plaintiff seeking many reliefs, among which was an order of interim injunction restraining the respondent or his agents from appointing the sole administrator or whatever name called for the 23 LGAs. They also prayed for any other order deemed necessary in the circumstance.  Ibas equally appointed a new chairman and members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) raising posers over his earlier statement on his mission as an arbiter in the Rivers quagmire. 

Ibas summons Fubara

The sole administrator, a few days ago, reportedly summoned Fubara and his deputy, Dr Ngozi Ordu, to appear before him at the Government House in Port Harcourt. He was quoted in a special statement issued and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika that the summons was part of an official inquiry into appointments made during the Fubara administration over the past two years.  The full statement titled: Rivers Government Special Announcement, read: “The Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (retd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, CFR, has formally summoned the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, and his Deputy, Dr. Ngozi Ordu, to appear before him for an inquiry into the appointments made under their administration over the past two years. Sir Fubara is directed to present all relevant documents and records pertaining to appointments, including justifications and procedures followed during his tenure. The session will also serve as an opportunity for the suspended Governor to provide a clear and detailed explanation as to why he believes he should be reinstated to office. Both parties are expected to appear in person as follows: Date: Friday, 18th April, 2025; Time: 10:00am Prompt; Venue: Conference Room, Rivers State Government House, and Port Harcourt. Attendance is mandatory. This process forms part of the Sole Administrator’s ongoing efforts to restore transparency and accountability and lasting peace in the governance of Rivers State.”

Ibas’ article of faith

In his maiden address to the citizens of Rivers, the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, had warned that he would not condone lawlessness and any act of violence, declaring that further attacks on oil installations and other critical national assets by any group would not be tolerated. Ibas said his acceptance to his appointment was not hinged on personal ambition but a commitment to bring peace, stability and progress. More importantly, he promised to be neutral, stressing: “The political impasse nearly two years in Rivers State has paralysed governance, desecrated democratic institutions, threatened security and undermined the economic and social fabric of the state. It has deepened division among the people and cast a show of uncertainty over the future. These are realities we cannot afford to ignore.” Ibas said he was conscious of the task before him and would evoke confidence and trust in his assignment.  “As a son of the Niger Delta, I am one of you and I recognize the weight of this moment, the expectations of the people and the challenges that lie ahead. The uneasy calm that pervades the state is palpable and I feel the weight of families, young and old, businesses are uncertain what the future holds. My mandate is clear, to restore law and order, stabilise the polity and create the necessary conditions for the full restoration of democratic institutions and representation. This is not a task for one man alone,” he stated. He added, “I come as a servant of the state entrusted with the solemn duty of restoring peace and order so that Rivers State can move forward once again and reclaim its rightful place as the oil and gas capital of Nigeria and I dare say, Africa.”

NASS summons Ibas, set for inquiry

Amid the rising public concern, the House of Representatives summoned  Ibas, the Sole Administrator for a detailed interaction aimed at uncovering the true state of governance in the crisis-hit region. The invitation was confirmed in a statement issued by the House spokesman, Honourable  Akin Rotimi Jr and it followed the inauguration of an Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight by the House, which pledged to ensure that the emergency governance measures currently in place serve the best interests of the state’s residents.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, leading to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, the State House of Assembly, and other elected officials. Speaking in a national broadcast, Tinubu noted: “I have made personal interventions between the contending parties for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, but my efforts have been largely ignored by the parties involved.”

Following Tinubu’s proclamation, both the Senate and the House of Representatives ratified the emergency rule in March 2025, invoking constitutional authority granted under the amended 1999 Constitution. A joint committee of both legislative chambers was subsequently established to oversee the state’s affairs during the emergency period.  The chairman of the Committee and House Leader, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, stated that the interaction is to determine the state of affairs in Rivers under Ibas’ watch since he assumed office. The lawmaker promised that the oversight would ensure the House remained properly briefed in order to uphold transparency in the committee’s work.

Some observers have also raised concern over what they perceived as the individual and collective role of other top federal Government top functionaries over the seemingly intractable Rivers imbroglio. What they described as their comments and body language has elicited concerns about the stance of such officials. There have been claims and counterclaims about the role of the top hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force, the Judiciary, the presidency and the national Assembly on what played out that led to the emergency rule in Rivers. The trouble in the state was exacerbated after the Supreme Court judgment that recognised the 24 pro-Wike members of the Rivers Assembly, as authentic, ordered Fubara to represent the 2025 state budget to the House.

The controversy trailing the state of affairs in Rivers in the last 33 days has also led to the sudden exit of a Chief Magistrate in the state, Ejike George. He resigned from the Rivers State Judiciary on the ground that he was not trained to take directives from a military administration. “I am simply saying that I cannot take instructions from a military administrator. I cannot,” he said. George faulted the president’s decision, saying that there was no crisis in Rivers State to have warranted the suspension of Fubara and others as well as the introduction of military-style rule. “It is not fair to the people of Rivers State,” he insisted. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, argued that Ibas had gone outside his brief and should be removed by the Federal Government as Rivers sole administrator. He hinged his demand on the official Federal Government Gazette, which spelt out the duty of Ibas, which stated that, “The Sole Administrator shall operate on the basis of such Regulations that may, from time to time, be issued by me,” as proclaimed by President Tinubu. Falana said: “By treating the orders of President Bola Tinubu with contempt, the Sole Administrator has compounded the illegality of his appointment. The Sole Administrator ought to be removed without any further delay. However, a presidential aide, Tunde Rahman,  faulted critics over the proclamation of the emergency rule in Rivers. The  Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Media, Publicity & Special Duties stated: “Those criticising the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers on the grounds that President Tinubu, while in opposition, strongly condemned the emergency declaration by former President Jonathan in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states conveniently forgot to mention Tinubu’s opposition to former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki who muscled the state assembly and particularly refused to inaugurate the 14 lawmakers who were duly elected by their constituents till the end of his tenure. Tinubu called out Obaseki, labeling him a despot who emasculated the legislature, which is pivotal to the functioning of democracy, the same way he has condemned Governor Fubara.” He noted that the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives, has “added democratic components to the emergency proclamation by announcing regular oversight on the work of the administrator and the National Assembly performing the law-making functions of the Rivers State Assembly as provided for in the constitution.”

On a final note, a principal factor in the Rivers crisis and current FCT minister, Wike noted that his wish was that Fubara was allowed to be removed from office by the legislative arm of government, rather than his being suspended under the emergency rule. Some other stakeholders are raising such teasers as if the actions of the sole administrator do not really amount to stoking the fire or playing the Ostrich. Time will tell!

The family of renowned Nigerian gospel singer, Bolaji Olarewaju, popularly known as “Big Bolaji” or “Big B,” has confirmed the passing of their beloved son, father, brother, and singer.
Naija News reports that Big Bolaji passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025, after a brief illness.

The news of his death comes shortly after the singer celebrated his 50th birthday in November 2024, marking a milestone in his career and life. His death has sent shockwaves through the gospel music community, leaving fans and colleagues heartbroken.

A statement about his passing was released by his family and shared publicly by his colleague, fellow gospel artist, Beejaysaxb, on social media.

Big Bolaji, known for his powerful vocals and inspirational songs, was a household name in the Nigerian gospel music scene. His music touched the lives of many

See the statement below:

The governor of Abia State, Alex Otti has welcomed politicians from opposition parties into the Abia State chapter of the Labour Party.

The defectors including the lawmaker representing Isuikwuato state constituency at the Abia State House of Assembly, Lucky Johnson and his predecessor, Chukwudi Ogele said their decision to join the Labour Party stems from the numerous achievements of Governor Otti across the state.

The defectors were welcomed by Otti at the Isuikwuato High School, Otamkpa.

Speaking during the defection, Otti commended the decampees for their truthfulness and ability to align towards the light.

The governor assured that the state would be witnessing unprecedented developments in the coming months.

He also commended the people of Abia for their continuous support towards the success of his administration.

He said, “As part of the rehabilitation of Abia State University, I have approved that an independent power plant project be set up at Abia State University.

“The independent power plant project would generate not less than 10 megawatts of electricity.

“So, the idea is that not just Abia State University will be served, but Uturu town would also have power from the initiative,” Otti said.

Aspiring Nigerian teachers looking to relocate to the United Kingdom, UK now have a clearer path to securing Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), especially in high-demand STEM and modern foreign language subjects.

The UK’s Department for Education has outlined key requirements for international applicants, highlighting qualifications, documentation, and subject-specific expectations that must be met to teach in secondary schools across England.

Key Requirements

Valid International Passport

Applicants must possess a valid, non-expired international passport. No other forms of identification will be accepted. 

Educational Qualifications

Teachers must hold a teaching qualification equivalent to a UK Level 6 or higher. If this teaching qualification is not a bachelor’s degree, a separate bachelor’s degree is also required.

Certificates and Transcripts

For every qualification listed, applicants must submit both a certificate and a transcript (or diploma supplement), indicating the scope of practical teaching covered during training.

Nigeria-Specific Restrictions

Certain Nigerian teaching qualifications are not recognized in the UK. These include:

• Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE)
• Teachers Certificate Grade II
• Associate Certificate in Education (pre-1990)

Accepted Teaching Subjects

Eligibility is limited to applicants trained in teaching students in specific subjects:

• Maths, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Computer Science
• French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish
  Related fields like Agricultural Science or Economics are not accepted unless at least 50% of the bachelor’s degree or 25% of teacher training was focused on an approved subject.

English Language Proficiency

Candidates must demonstrate English proficiency through:

• A degree taught in English
• An approved English language test, such as IELTS for UKVI

Letter of Professional Standing

Upon acceptance of the QTS application, candidates must contact Nigeria’s Teachers Registration Council (TRCN) to submit the following directly to the UK Department for Education:

• Letter of Professional Standing
• TRCN certificate and license
• Valid ID

References from Teaching Experience

Applicants must submit references from schools where they have:

• Taught post-qualification
• Taught without supervision
• Delivered and assessed lessons for a minimum of four students
• Worked within institutions offering mandatory education

How to apply

STEP 1: Apply for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Visit the official UK government site: Apply for QTS in England
Steps:

• Create an account
• Fill in your qualifications and teaching experience
• Upload your documents
• Submit your application

Note: You don’t need to send your Letter of Professional Standing (LoPS) at this stage.

STEP 2: Await Initial Review

After submission, the UK Department for Education (DfE) will review your application. If it passes the initial assessment, you’ll receive instructions to request a Letter of Professional Standing from Nigeria’s Teachers Registration Council (TRCN).

STEP 3: Request Your LoPS from TRCN

When asked by the UK authorities:

• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Include:
  • Your QTS application reference number
  • TRCN certificate and license
  • Valid ID (passport or national ID)

TRCN will send your LoPS directly to the UK DfE.

STEP 6: Get Your QTS Decision

Once your documents are verified and accepted, the DfE will issue your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) — an official requirement to teach in most schools in England.

After Gaining QTS: Securing a Teaching Job and Relocating

STEP 7: Search for Sponsored Teaching Jobs

Visit:

• Teaching Vacancies UK

Tip: Filter for roles that explicitly mention “Visa sponsorship available.”

STEP 8: Obtain a Job Offer & Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you’re hired, your school will provide a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) — a requirement for your visa application.

STEP 9: Apply for the UK Skilled Worker Visa

With your job offer and CoS:

• Pay visa application fees
• Pay Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
• Submit your biometric data

STEP 10: Prepare for Your Relocation

Plan your move:

• Book your flight and arrange accommodation
• Budget for settling-in costs
• Learn about the UK school system and cultural expectations

Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has delivered a sharp rebuke to recent comments made by the Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, regarding the 2027 presidential election. 

During an interview on Arise Television on Friday, Baba-Ahmed had urged President Tinubu not to seek re-election, arguing that Nigerians would demand a shift toward what he described as “true democracy” by 2027. 

Reacting on Saturday via his official X handle, Dare dismissed the remarks as lacking substance and coherence. He labelled Baba-Ahmed’s political projections as “illogical” and his analysis as “misguided.”

“Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed’s ‘illogical logic’ was all over the place in his recent interview with a television channel,” Dare wrote. “He peddled arguments that were flawed, devoid of reason and empty. He must have as well dropped from space, going by what he spewed out during the interview.”

Dare likened Baba-Ahmed’s political analysis to baseless predictions and questioned his grasp of Nigeria’s political dynamics. He also aimed at both Baba-Ahmed and his former running mate, Peter Obi, calling them a “double whammy” in the political space.

“Listening to Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed spurn his postulations about the political future of Nigeria and that of the incumbent President is like listening to the new year predictions of charlatan ‘prophets’ which never come through. Yusuf Baba Ahmed and his co-traveller Peter Obi are indeed a ‘double whammy’ in the Nigerian political space,” Dare said.

He went further, ridiculing Baba-Ahmed’s logic as inferior even to that of a first-year political science student.

““If listening to a Peter Obi interview was a punishment, listening to Baba-Ahmed, his defunct running mate, is a torment,” Dare said. “His political logic is not fit for even a first-year political science class, and even then, they will query his postulations.”

Dare argued that Baba-Ahmed failed to engage with the substance of Tinubu’s administration, instead relying on ungrounded theories. 

“He conveniently avoided the substance of performance and capacity. Unfortunately, he chose to walk into a lane he was unfamiliar with and chose to confront a politician he is no match for. If theories could fly, Yusuf Baba Ahmed and all the other Presidential Wannabes (PW) could have become President since,” Dare wrote.

He further accused Baba-Ahmed of dishonesty in claiming that President Tinubu had not delivered on his campaign promises. Citing economic reforms and international validation, Dare said the administration’s efforts are beginning to yield results.

“The positive impacts of the tough choices the President Tinubu has made in the interest of the country are already being felt, and the economic indices are there to prove this,” Dare said, quoting the International Monetary Fund’s recent statement that Tinubu’s reforms have strengthened Nigeria’s economic position.

Looking ahead to the next general election, Dare was confident in Tinubu’s chances.

“In 2027, Baba Ahmed and the other PWs will need all the marines available to defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who in about two years has demonstrated his capacity to govern and to re-engineer Nigeria in a way hitherto unknown,” he said.

“Tinubu will win comfortably in 2027, no matter the volume of armchair theories and political conspiracies. His performance will clear the path.”

Dare ended his statement, saying: “…If Datti Baba-Ahmed is smart he will simply keep quiet and leave politics for those equipped for that complicated art.”

There is a cloud of controversy in Bauchi State following an altercation between the state’s Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, at the Emir’s Palace in Bauchi on Friday.

The incident reportedly occurred during the turbaning ceremony of former Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, who was honoured as Makama Babba 1 of Bauchi Emirate. The event, which also featured the wedding of Abubakar’s daughter, Khadija Mohammed, drew several high-profile attendees, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.

According to eyewitness accounts, a heated exchange erupted after Tuggar allegedly made disparaging remarks about the Bala Mohammed-led administration. The comments are said to have infuriated the Deputy Governor who allegedly slapped the minister.

“The Deputy Governor was visibly furious. It was a shocking moment. If not for Vice President Shettima’s swift intervention, it could have escalated badly,” a source at the scene said.

The altercation appears to stem from an ongoing political dispute between Minister Tuggar and Governor Bala Mohammed.

The Foreign Minister, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been a vocal critic of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led state government.

There are suggestions that Tuggar is positioning himself for a 2027 governorship bid in Bauchi State.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Bauchi State Government nor the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an official statement regarding the incident. The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi has also remained silent.

Step by mechanical step, dozens of humanoid robots took to the streets of Beijing early on Saturday, joining thousands of their flesh-and-blood counterparts in a world-first half marathon showcasing China’s drive to lead the global race in cutting-edge technology.

The 21-kilometre (13-mile) event held in the Chinese capital’s E-Town — a state-backed high-tech manufacturing hub — was billed as a groundbreaking effort to test the limits of bipedal robots in real-world conditions.

At the crack of the starter’s gun, the robots began taking their first tentative steps as the Chinese pop song “I Believe” blared out from loudspeakers.

Curious human runners lined the roadside, phones in hand ready to photograph each machine as it began the race.

One smaller-sized android fell over and lay on the ground for several minutes, before getting up by itself to loud cheers.

Another, powered by propellers, veered across the starting line before crashing into a barrier and knocking over an engineer.

Crossing the finish line first despite a mid-race fall was the tallest droid and one of the heaviest in the competition. At 180 centimetres (5.9 feet) tall and weighing 52 kilograms (114.6 pounds), the metallic black “Tiangong Ultra” finished in two hours, 40 minutes and 42 seconds.

The men’s and women’s winners, both from Ethiopia, finished in one hour, two minutes and 36 seconds, and in one hour, 11 minutes and seven seconds respectively, according to state media.

Tang Jian, chief technology officer of the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center which developed “Tiangong”, told reporters the company was “very happy with the results”.

“We had set three goals for ourselves: first, to win the championship; second, to complete the entire half marathon with a single robot — a very important goal for us; and third, to finish the race in under three hours,” he said.

“We collected real-world running data from professional athletes and trained the robot so that its gait, cadence, stride length, and various postures could match those of professional runners as closely as possible.”

The Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, first established by the government, is now owned by Chinese tech firms Xiaomi Robotics and UBTech Robotics as well as two state-owned companies, according to business data provider Tianyancha.

Enthusiastic onlookers cheered the robots on from the sidelines.

“My daughter… got up really early and asked to come watch the robot marathon,” spectator Huang Xiaoyu told AFP, holding her child.

“It was quite a breathtaking experience — we were able to see some of the most cutting-edge robots in our country.”

Tech race

Around 20 teams from across China participated in the competition, with robots ranging from 75 to 180 centimetres tall and weighing up to 88 kilograms.

Some jogged autonomously, while others were guided remotely by their engineers. Robots and human participants ran on separate tracks.

“Getting onto the race track might seem like a small step for humans, but it’s a giant leap for humanoid robots,” Liang Liang, Beijing E-Town’s management committee deputy director, told AFP.

Engineers said the goal was to test the performance and reliability of the androids — emphasising that finishing the race, not winning it, was the main objective.

“There are very few opportunities for the whole industry to run at full speed over such a long distance or duration,” Cui Wenhao, a 28-year-old engineer at Noetix Robotics, told AFP.

“It’s a serious test for the battery, the motors, the structure — even the algorithms.”

Kong Yichang, a 25-year-old engineer from DroidUp, said the race would help to “lay a foundation for a whole series of future activities involving humanoid robots”.

China, the world’s second-largest economy, has sought to assert its dominance in the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics, positioning itself as a direct challenger to the United States.

In January, Chinese start-up DeepSeek drew attention with a chatbot it claimed was developed more cost-effectively than its US counterparts.

Dancing humanoid robots also captivated audiences during a televised Chinese New Year gala.

AFP

The former Vice Presidential Candidate, Labour Party, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has called on President Bola Tinubu to give up contesting in the 2027 presidential election, advising that his time is up as Nigerians would demand for true democracy in 2027.

He stated this on Arise Television on Friday.

“I expect Tinubu to throw in the towel. If he is that smart a politician, I expect him to be. You know that I always tell the truth. For someone to have organised in 2007, culminating in his electoral heist in 2023, that person must be super smart, and I am not praising him at all.

“If he is that smart, everything is there to show that he is going to lose in 2027. There are two possible candidates that I cannot mention, and they are the nemesis of Tinubu. It is proven that APC is a lying party, because Buhari did not fight corruption or provide security, nor will Tinubu do this.

“So going forward, I see APC losing this election and I see Nigerians somehow uniting and seeing someone like me saying look, if you cannot practice this democracy, then Nigeria is not for you and they will decide for the first time to practice giving no room for bad leadership in Nigeria and gradually, we will begin to heal our land. We will begin to recover, unite, and take each other as brothers and sisters. Their time is up,” he added.

Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Badmus Okikiola, better known as Portable, has knocked out his rival, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, in the bout tagged ‘Chaos in the Rings’.

Naija News reports that Portable displayed incredible boxing skills and defeated Darlington by technical knockout in a fight to the finish, which was held on Saturday morning at the Balmoral Events Centre in Lagos State.

The two celebrities threw punches at each other in the ring, and the zazoo-zeh crooner emerged victorious after knocking out and leaving Speed Darlington with an injured right wrist.

Naija News reports that Portable regained his freedom after veteran fuji musician, Okunola Saheed, popularly called Osupa, withdrew his petition against him on Tuesday.

Osupa had petitioned the police, accusing Portable of criminal defamation, criminal intimidation, inciting public disturbance and cyberstalking.

Portable was unable to perfect his bail condition on Monday and was remanded at the federal correctional facility, Oke Kura, Ilorin.

Respite came the way of Portable on Tuesday when Osupa, through his solicitor, Opalekunde Ahmed, filed for withdrawal of the case.

However, a report by the Punch has revealed that Osupa also prevented Portable from being re-arrested by Managing Director of Starwood Hotels, Ilorin after allegedly collecting the sum of ₦6.3m for a show that he did not perform.

In the new development, Managing Director of the hotel, Yemi George, said on Tuesday that Osupa prevailed on him not to re-arrest Portable after collecting the sum of ₦6.3m for a show that he did not perform.

The Nigeria Police Force has explained why it arrested Quadri Alabi, the 19-year-old campaign poster boy for the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The spokesperson for the Lagos command, Benjamin Hundeyin in a post on X said Alabi’s arrest and subsequent incarceration were linked to a violent street fight in the Amukoko area of Lagos earlier this year.

He stated that the fight occurred on January 22, 2025, after some youth in the area caused panic during the chaos that left several people injured and property destroyed.

According to Hundeyin, some passersby were also robbed during the incident

“The Lagos State Police Command is aware of public concerns surrounding the case of Alabi Quadri, an 18-year-old who was remanded to correctional service following his involvement in violent attacks, public disturbance, causing extensive damage to public and private properties, and injuries to persons standing by in the Amukoko area of Lagos State earlier this year,” Hundeyin wrote.

He further said that an investigation into the matter led to residents and victims of the robbery providing the police with useful information

Hundeyin said that, with the information gathered, Alabi and four others were arrested, charged to court, and later remanded in custody following the court’s orders.

“The suspects were remanded by the court to a correctional facility pending the conclusion of legal proceedings in the matter.

“The Lagos State Police Command undoubtedly reiterates its commitment to upholding the rule of law to ensure justice in all matters and also ensuring the safety and security of all residents.

“All police actions taken in this case have been in the laid-down processes and accordance with due process, procedures, and based on credible evidence gathered during the investigation,” Hundeyin added.

He further urged members of the public to remain calm and allow the the law to take its course on the matter.

“The command remains open to engaging with the general public, opinion groups, and community stakeholders to transparently clarify every concern and ensure justice is served fairly and transparently.

“It’s the statutory procedure in the Criminal Justice System and codes that police actions terminate where matters are taken to court,” he noted.