As the countdown to the Sallah (Ileya) festivities begin, ram sellers in various parts of Kwara State such as Offa, Ajase Ipo, and Ilorin among others have attributed the current high costs of rams to the increased prices of petrol and diesel following subsidy removal.

The significant price hike has therefore sparked discussions about the impact of fuel subsidy removal on transportation costs and, consequently, on the prices of goods, including livestock.

The ram sellers confirmed this development in separate interviews with Vanguard correspondent.

Hassan Ojuolape, who sells Rams of different sizes at Kara market in Ajase Ipo, told Vanguard correspondent that the hike in the price of rams compare to that of last year is as a result of removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.

“Last year prices were expensive as far as we are concerned, but that of this year is just too much and we know the prices wouldn’t have been this high if not for the removal of fuel subsidy.

“Transportation costs of the rams from fat North have seriously added to the increase in prices of the rams this time around and this is where the federal government comes in. Rams that we sold at 70,000,80,000 last year are now being sold at 150,000.upward.”

Similarly, Usman Adio who sells rams at central market in Offa told Vanguard correspondent that sales this year have been poor and attributed it to hike in prices and transportation costs from far north to Offa.

“Returning the unsold rams would be a bigger loss, that’s why we are urging federal government to look into our transportation system and make it easier for the masses,” Adio said.

But speaking in an interview with Vanguard correspondent Musa Kennike, who is the Vice Chairman of the Kwara State Association of Ram, Goat, and Sheep Sellers at Mandate Market, Ilorin also explained that the importation of rams into the North from other countries is limited due to numerous challenges. 

He explained that despite the high costs, ram sellers at the Mandate Market have tried to lower prices to encourage customers.

“We have brought down the prices as low as fifty, sixty, and seventy thousand naira, with some rams even going for a hundred, two hundred, and up to four hundred thousand naira to make them more affordable for our customers,” said Kennike.

However, buyers are feeling the pinch. as Mr. Ismail Saka, a customer at the market, expressed his concerns about the increased costs.

“A medium-size ram that was sold for about seventy thousand naira last year is now between N110,000 and N120,000,” he lamented.

Nigeria’s chance of playing at the 2026 World Cup is in jeopardy, following a 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic.

The Super Eagles, looking to bounce back from their 1-1 draw with South Africa last Friday, started on a good note, thanks to Raphael Onyedika’s excellent finish in the first half.

However, Finidi George’s men went into the break behind, as the Beninese scored twice before the interval thanks to Jodel Dossou and Steve Mounie.

The result leaves Benin Republic at the top of Group C with seven points, while Nigeria remains fifth with three points.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Ltd, has expressed dismay over reports alleging that it inflated subsidy claims by N3.3 trillion.

NNPC assured that its businesses are conducted in a transparent and accountable manner in line with international best practices.

In a statement by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, NNPCL denied knowledge of any audit of its subsidy claims nor the probe ensuing. 

Soneye described such reports as ridiculous and products of the febrile imagination of the reporters.

The statement reads: “NNPC Ltd. conducts its businesses accountably and transparently in keeping with international best practices and has, at no time, inflated its subsidy claims with the Federal Government. All previous subsidy claims by the Company are verifiable, as relevant records and documents have been sent to relevant authorities and agencies.

“NNPC Ltd. is neither aware of any audit of its subsidy claims nor the probe ensuing therefrom and wishes to state categorically that both ridiculous claims are products of the febrile imagination of the reporters and their respective media houses.

“NNPC Ltd. will resist any attempt to drag the Company into the apparent politics of fuel subsidy as it currently operates on a commercial basis and the express provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

“It is on record that, in line with its Transparency, Accountability & Performance Excellence (TAPE) mantra, NNPC Ltd. has, on several occasions, independently invited external auditors to review its books.

“NNPC Ltd. calls on media practitioners and media houses to exercise restraint and verify information before publication in keeping with the ethics of the noble profession of journalism to avoid misleading the public.”

Controversial catholic priest, Father Ejike Mbaka, has called on the government to create mass employment through entrepreneurship.

Mbaka said creating a platform for entrepreneurship will help take millions of youths, women and families out of poverty, hunger and economic hardship in Nigeria.

He made the call in Enugu while expressing concern over the prevailing economic situation in Nigeria.

The fiery preacher decried the high rate of unemployment among youths, stressing the need for an urgent measure to tackle the menace.

The Catholic priest stated that insecurity would fester if key social problems in the country were not addressed, adding that the current situation has made it important to encourage and support women to embrace entrepreneurship.

According to Mbaka: “This is the time to create mass employment through entrepreneurship and take millions of youths, women and families out of poverty, hunger and economic hardship.

“FeeFund is coming at a time Nigerians need it the most. It is important to address the country’s ongoing problem of economic hardship. This is why I have endorsed FeeFund. This is the way to go if we must create jobs for our youths and women.”

A report by Human Right Organisation, Amnesty International has revealed the ordeal of girl survivors of Boko Haram captivity, among whom were underaged forced into marriage with their captors and others raped.

The investigative report, titled, ‘Help us build our lives’: Girl survivors of Boko Haram and military abuses in north-east Nigeria’ released on Monday by the group captured the travails of the girls having survived trafficking and crimes against humanity by Boko Haram.

The report, based on 126 interviews, including 82 with survivors, conducted in-person in North East Nigeria and remotely between 2019 and 2024 unravelled how the litany of war crimes stole the childhood of the girls, many of them now young women.

The organisation, quoting the survivors and identifying them by their initials revealed: “At least eight girls witnessed Boko Haram kill their relatives. CA*, who was abducted aged around 13 in 2014, said: “One day, Boko Haram… came into our house.

“They told our father we’re non-believers. They shot my father in the back of his head and the bullet came through his eyes. We started crying. They said if we don’t keep quiet, they will kill my mother too.”

“Once abducted, most girls were then forcibly married. Child and forced marriage are common practices by Boko Haram, who generally consider girls to be “of age” to marry from early adolescence, or even before.

“Girls were used in a multitude of ways as “wives”, including being made to serve their “husbands” in sexual slavery and domestic servitude. At least 33 survivors of forced marriage told Amnesty International that their “husbands” raped them.

“HA* was a teenager when she “agreed” to be married to save her father from being killed. She told Amnesty International she was beaten when she refused her “husband”, and that he frequently raped her.

The organisation noted that all those abducted were threatened into living under strict rules with severely limited freedom of movement as any real or perceived breaches of these rules were met with physical punishment and, at times, prolonged periods of imprisonment.

“Boko Haram meted out punishments publicly to instil fear and exert control. At least 31 girls interviewed were forced to watch forms of punishment that included lashings, amputations and beheadings.”

“GH, now in her early 20s, spent around a decade in captivity. She was often forced to watch violent punishments and said: “Sometimes I dream about the corpses that I saw or the stoning of the women that I saw. Once I open my eyes, I can’t go back to sleep again.”

Amnesty International revealed further that a total of 28 interviewees said they bore children of sexual violence, and at least 20 were children themselves when they gave birth.

“Girls were used in a multitude of ways as ‘wives’, including being made to serve their ‘husbands’ in sexual slavery and domestic servitude. At least 33 survivors of forced marriage told Amnesty International that their ‘husbands’ raped them.

“HA* was a teenager when she ‘agreed’ to be married to save her father from being killed. She told Amnesty International she was beaten when she refused her ‘husband’, and that he frequently raped her.

For the violations in unlawful detention, the report said some of the girls were “rescued” by the Nigerian military or members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), a state-sponsored militia, who later unlawfully detained many of them.

“Throughout the conflict, the Nigerian military has arbitrarily detained thousands of children for prolonged periods, and according to the report, “those not unlawfully detained were left to fend for themselves in displacement camps amid millions of other people needing humanitarian assistance.

“From there, some were ‘reunited’ with their surrendered Boko Haram ‘husband’ in a government-run transit camp, exposing them to the risk of continued abuse.”

According to Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, “An enormous number of girls suffered horrific abuse in Boko Haram captivity, with many survivors then detained or neglected by their government.

“Now, they are sending a clear message to the Nigerian government and its international partners. They urgently need increased specialist support to rebuild their lives.”

Read full reports here

Popular social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popular known as VeryDarkMan, has been released from police custody after a Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail on Monday.

VeryDarkMan was arrested in May on five counts of cyberstalking.

The charges stemmed from comments he made about celebrities and accusations against senior police officers.

The controversial influencer faced charges related to comments he made about actress Iyabo Ojo and cross-dresser Bobrisky. The charges included accusations of spreading false information and causing annoyance.

He also criticized the police for not arresting Bobrisky, alleging some officers had inappropriate relationships with the cross-dresser. The police denied these claims, stating there were no legal grounds for Bobrisky’s arrest.

The prosecuting counsel initially opposed VeryDarkMan’s bail request, seeking to remand him in prison. However, his lawyers successfully argued against his continued detention in police custody.

Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court granted the bail request and he was taken to the National Cybercrime Centre.

The charges against him read, “That you Martins Vincent Otse (A.K.A. VERYDARKBLACKMAN) ‘M’, 29 YRS of Supreme Court Estate Karu, Abuja on or about 29th October, 2023, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly and intentionally posted videos, by means of computer system on your Instagram handles ‘verydarkblackman’, which video contained information that is grossly offensive, pornographic or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character wherein you stated that one Iyabo Ojo is having indecent sexual relationship with her daughter knowing or having reasons to believe that the information in the video you posted on your Instagram handle is false and you thereby committed the offence of Cyberstalking contrary to and punishable under section 24 (1)(a) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) ACT, 2015.

“That you Martins Vincent Otse (A.K.A. VERYDARKBLACKMAN) ‘M’, 29 years of Supreme Court Estate Karu, Abuja on or about 19th March, 2024, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly and intentionally posted videos, by means of computer system on your Instagram handles ‘verydarkblackman’ containing information you know or had reasons to believe to be false, wherein you stated that Bobrisky is pimping young boys for Senators and Senior Police Officers to sleep with, which statement you made for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, insult, injury.”

His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju confirmed that he will be released on bail on Tuesday.

When asked if he felt embittered against Peter Obi's popularity on social media, Sowore said, "This is the same narrative that I told you earlier. All these 'dem say, dem say,' can't you guys just come out and say this is how you feel? I don't have anything in common with Peter Obi. I do not crave his supporters.

A former African Action Congress presidential candidate, Mr Omoyele Sowore, has said he doesn't crave the support of ‘Obidient’ Movement, the supporters of Peter Obi, a former Labour Party presidential candidate.

The #RevolutionNow convener in a recent interview with Pulse Nigeria said he does not want supporters who will suppress and oppress people the way ‘Obidients’ do.

Mr. Sowore noted that if he had to have supporters who would lead him to victory to govern the country, he would not want them to be people who cannot question him or who will package him to the world as what he is not.


"If I had to have supporters in this world who would lead me to victory to govern this country, I don't want them to be people who cannot question me or who will package me to the world as what I am not. I don't want those kinds of supporters.

"I don't want supporters who will suppress and oppress people the same way these people are fighting our present people. I don't wish for supporters who would go to the extent of even arresting people because they say something they don't like on Facebook. I don't want those kinds of supporters. I don't want to be an ‘Obidient.’”

Speaking further, Sowore noted that “the word ‘Obidient’ in itself riles me that anybody would form an organisation that's obedient during the period of oppression”.

"It's like surrendering your sovereignty, in this case, your senses, to nonsense,” he added.

Stressing that he was not embittered against Obi, Sowore said, “Let me tell you, Femi Falana was defending the Labour Party during the same period we won our party back. We got a judgement that said the court cannot intervene in party matters, but it was not published.

"I was the one who gave Femi Falana a copy of our own, which was published, that they used in arguing against the people who wanted to ensure that Obi did not run in the 2023 election.

"That was what won them the case, and he became a candidate. Otherwise, he would never have become a candidate. I'm just telling you this, and I've said it publicly; they can't deny it.

"Femi Falana will tell you. You can call him, and he will tell you that's what happened. We gave them our party's judgement, made it available in the middle of the night, and they ran to court the next day and said there was a judgment from the Supreme Court.

"The judge ended that case right there based on that Supreme Court ruling, but at that point, it was unpublished.

"So, this is not the first time I will provide support to Obi. When Obasanjo tried to run him out of term in Anambra with Andy Uba, we were the same people who used Sahara Reporters to decode all their plans, which led to Obi being in office for eight years. I participated in that, and at the time, I thought Obi was genuine, but in subsequent years, I found that he was a fraud."

The Federal Government has threatened to sue hospitals that decline to treat patients rushed in for emergency treatment.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, issued the warning on Sunday at the “Unlock Grants Award” event in Abuja.

Recall that earlier this year, the Federal Ministry of Health was given a mandate by the House of Representatives to take firm action against hospitals and healthcare facilities that refuse to treat accident or gunshot victims without first obtaining a police report.

Kennedy-Ohanenye, however, said that Federal Government hospitals would henceforth be required to place signs outside their doors that reads: ‘No more rejection of emergency patients’.

She said: “Our hospitals will also put a sign of ‘No more rejection of emergency patients.’ These are some of the major issues we have in this country. I am in touch with Maitama Hospital. But now, I have a mobile court for any hospital that does that.

“I use this opportunity to call on all Nigerians to be vigilant.

“Let me also say that I am proud of Nigerians. I love the way they are using social media to tackle issues. But focus and continue to tackle the main issues as you are doing. Keep it up. But this is the time for action.

“Let all of us buckle up to prevent emergency patients from being rejected. I am still going to keep calling on Nigerians. This fight is not for one person alone. It is for all of us.”