AFOLABI

AFOLABI

Veteran fuji musician, Ayinla Kollington, has said that he is the king of fuji without any rival.

He stated this while appearing for an interview on Agbaletu TV. Speaking on why he didn’t attend or contribute to the burial of the mother of another iconic fuji singer, Wasiu Ayinde, aka K1 de Ultimate, Kollington said, “I called him several times, he didn’t pick up and didn’t return the call. I also remembered that when it on New Year’s Day, I also l called him but he didn’t respond. So, I left him alone.

“If it is because he is the head of the princes, it is in his hometown in Ijebuland, not in the Fuji industry. Even if he says he wants to be the head of the fuji industry, there is a song (he sang it), does he want to be God? You became the head of the princes and still want to be the head of the Fuji industry. Why not kill me then, when it isn’t pap that we eat? It isn’t possible, even if he attempts. I, as a person, Alhaji General Kollinton Ayinla, expect death from God come. If the one that I survived from didn’t claim my life, no one can kill me again except death from God comes, like the one that almost did.”

In the video, Ayinla was seen responding to the questions of his relationship with fuji music and stakeholders in the industry. 

“When they ask, who is the head of Fuji Music, both here and abroad, it is my name that will be mentioned.” He mentioned that if that were the case, he would have done so publicly for all fuji musicians.

He also mentioned that he is the number one authority of fuji music in Nigeria and abroad, using one of K1 De Ultimate’s songs to reiterate his claims.

I don’t know why some people like to beat about the bush when they know the truth. Some people are looking for network. By the grace of God, K1 has got the network, and he has risen. He is blessed. That doesn’t mean that tomorrow, he would begin to talk about ‘number one, or number two’. I am the authority of fuji music in Nigeria and abroad

 

We recall that a similar video of his colleague, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 D Ultimate, sharing his experience and journey into fuji music was posted last week on Dele Adeyanju’s YouTube page

Narrating the beginning of his journey into music, he mentioned that it was Sikiru who called him while they were still in the army and told him to begin their music career. He mentioned that it was after he wrote a letter to the Orderly room that he was a bit confident and started singing. He added that although fuji exited before he began singing and he suffered a lot because of fuji music. “It was me and Sikiru that began fuji music”

Suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has distanced herself from the claims made by one Sandra Duru in a viral Facebook video on May 1, 2025, describing them as “entirely untrue” and “most manipulated.”

 

In a statement issued to journalists on Friday in Abuja, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said the Facebook livestream, which included audio elements purporting to feature her voice, was doctored to serve what she termed the “ulterior motive” of Duru, allegedly acting in concert with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

 

“The content of the livestream including the voice effect credited to me are entirely untrue, and most manipulated to serve Sandra Duru’s ulterior motive of playing the script of Senator Godswill Akpabio,” she said.

Reacting to specific utterances in the video, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan firmly denied making derogatory remarks against prominent figures such as Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Dr. Abiola Akiyode, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and other Nigerians, who were described in the video as “gullible and hungry.”

“To the best of my knowledge, those words… are crazy falsehood and did not emanate from the natural cause of any contact involving me,” the female Senator said.

 

She further revealed that her recent findings linked Sandra Duru to a previously known Facebook persona known “Prof. Mgbeke,” raising questions about identity manipulation and intent behind the controversial broadcast.

 

While noting that she would issue a detailed response “in the nearest of time,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the public to disregard the contents of the livestream and warned against the spread of misinformation.

Rivers women walked out of an empowerment programme facilitated by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu on Friday, rejecting the presence of Mrs. Ibas, wife of the state’s sole administrator.

 

The event was held at the EUI Event Centre in GRA, Port Harcourt.

 

The women insisted that only the wife of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara should address them. When this did not happen, they stood up in unison and left the venue.

 

Several chants of “We want SIM!” and “We want Valerie Fubara!” were heard.

 

They added, “We don’t know Ibas. Tinubu is our President, and our governor is Sim Fubara.”

 

This act of protest is the latest in a series of reactions against the suspension of Governor Fubara by President Bola Tinubu in March.

 

On May Day, workers refused to take part in the usual celebration. Instead, they protested what they described as an emergency rule in the state

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned President Bola Tinubu, calling on him to rein in his son, Seyi Tinubu, over serious allegations of assault, abduction, and bribery levelled by the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah.Nigerian political art prints

 

In a statement released by Paul Ibe of the Atiku Media Office, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the claims made by Comrade Isah as “deeply alarming,” warning that they threaten democratic norms and civil liberties in Nigeria.

 

“That such grave accusations are being levelled against a member of the First Family is both disturbing and dangerous. Had this incident ended fatally, it would have been another addition to the growing list of atrocities committed by criminal elements in the country,” Atiku said.

 

The former Vice President noted that if true, the implication of Seyi Tinubu in such conduct is “horrifying,” and further alleged that the President’s son may be wielding undue influence over top security officials.

 

“It is intolerable that the First Family would attempt to subjugate NANS or any civil society organization through threats, bribery, or brute force. Nigeria is a democratic republic — not a monarchy handed down to one family,” Atiku declared.

 

He called on Nigerians to reject what he termed the Tinubu family’s “rabid drive to consolidate political power through manipulation and fear.”

 

While dismissing any insinuation that he orchestrated the controversy in collaboration with Comrade Isah, Atiku clarified that his meeting with the student leader was focused strictly on education reforms and student welfare, citing his own educational initiatives like the American University of Nigeria (AUN) and AUN Academy.Nigerian political art prints

 

He stressed that Comrade Isah’s allegations must be investigated independently, especially given suggestions that security agencies failed to protect him and may even be complicit.

 

“We issue a clear warning: nothing must happen to this young man. Any harm to him will not go unnoticed or unchallenged,” the statement read.

 

Atiku reaffirmed his commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and education as a pillar for national development, insisting that he would not be distracted by “false narratives or cowardly intimidation.”

Pan-Yoruba socio-political organization Afenifere has strongly condemned allegations levelled against Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, by Atiku Abubakar Isah, the factional President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

 

In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by Abagun Kole Omololu, the group’s National Organising Secretary, Afenifere described the claims as “salacious, fallacious, and politically motivated,” accusing Isah of being a puppet for anti-Tinubu forces.

 

According to the group, a banner displayed at Isah’s controversial inauguration featured images of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former minister Rotimi Amaechi, and other opposition figures.

 

Afenifere said that Isah is being sponsored to attack the Tinubu administration through unfounded accusations.

 

“It is clear that Mr. Isah is a political actor masquerading as a student leader. His attacks on Seyi Tinubu are simply an attempt to smear the President through his family,” the statement read.

 

Afenifere further argued that Isah provided no concrete evidence linking Seyi Tinubu to any of the alleged misconduct he claimed to have suffered, describing the allegations as “a proxy war waged by a coalition of strange bedfellows seeking power at all costs.”

 

“They are too cowardly to throw these arrows using their real names, so they sponsor a local actor like Isah to do their bidding.

 

“This is not politics; it is a dangerous descent into toxic propaganda,” the group stated.

 

Afenifere called on the public and political actors to be vigilant and resist what it described as “uncivilised politicking,” warning that such tactics threaten the country’s unity and democratic stability

Gbemisola Taiwo, a Nigerian woman, has recounted how her efforts and sacrifices to pursue a master’s degree in the United States ultimately ended in a heartbreaking visa denial.

 

In her post on X (formerly Twittter), Taiwo revealed that she diligently saved her entire National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) allowance, alongside a portion of her salary, to fund her U.S. master’s application.

 

Throughout her service year, she refrained from spending any of her NYSC monthly stipend.

 

Instead, she added ₦200 from her job each month to her savings, eventually accumulating ₦20,000.

 

Taiwo explained how she used this money to cover various application expenses, including fees, transcript submissions, and other related costs associated with applying to study in the U.S.

 

“I didn’t touch my NYSC allowance at all,” she wrote. “At the time, I was working with a company, and I would take out ₦200 from my salary, then add it to the allowance to make it ₦20,000.”

 

Despite her efforts and sacrifices, Taiwo’s visa application was ultimately denied. “Every single dime was wasted,” she lamented, expressing her deep disappointment and emotional distress. “I cried ehn.”

 

She continued, narrating how she bounced back from the setback.

 

“Truth is, I honestly can’t remember the exact “how.” What I do remember is how deeply crushed I was. I felt like I had lost everything. That NYSC allowance meant the world to me. That was the most money I’d ever saved at the time and it was all gone in one moment.

 

“But life didn’t stop there. I got a job immediately after NYSC, and my starting salary was ₦100k. Slowly, I began to save again. That experience taught me the discipline of saving; even when it hurts. It didn’t work out back then, but those same habits helped me save towards my UK master’s, which I eventually did in 2022.

 

“And that decision has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done with my life. Some setbacks come to sharpen you for the next level. And maybe this story didn’t end the way people expected. But that’s life. Sometimes the redirection is the real blessing. Trust me, at the time I thought that was the worst thing to ever go through in life, but the truth? I’ve been through worse and came out of it. God is good!”

The Nigerian government has given an ultimatum to foreigners with expired visa.

 

FG gave them three months to vacate the country.

 

The Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, announced this in a statement released on Friday, May 2, 2025.

 

In the statement signed by Akinsola Akinlabi, Public Relations Officer, the Nigeria Immigration Service warned that overstaying now attracts daily fines of “$15, plus bans of up to five years or permanent blacklisting” starting from September 2025.

 

“A 3-month grace period allows foreigners with expired visas to exit Nigeria without penalty, ending August 1st, 2025,” the statement added.

 

Also, the statement announced the introduction of a mandatory online landing card for inbound foreigners and exit card for outbound travelers — both accessible at lecard.immigration.gov.ng.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has threatened to restrict access to the two social platforms in Nigeria following fines by local regulatory authorities.

 

Last year, three regulatory bodies in Nigeria fined the US-based social media firm over $290 million for breaching various laws and regulations.

 

Meta’s recent effort to contest the rulings in an Abuja High Court was unsuccessful. The court has mandated that the company settle the fines by the end of June.

 

While Meta also owns WhatsApp, the company did not include the messaging platform in its planned shutdown.

 

Facebook remains Nigeria’s leading social media platform, and millions of people use it nationwide for everyday communication and news sharing. It is also an essential resource for numerous small online enterprises in Nigeria. 

 

 

In July of the previous year, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) imposed a $220 million fine on Meta for purported anti-competitive behaviours, while the country’s advertising regulatory body, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), fined the US company $37.5 million for unauthorised advertising activities. Additionally, the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) claimed that Meta violated data privacy laws and issued a fine of $32.8 million.

 

 

The CEO of FCCPC, Adamu Abdullahi, said that investigations conducted alongside the data commission from May 2021 to December 2023 uncovered “invasive practices against data subjects/consumers in Nigeria.” However, he did not specify what the practices entailed.

 

In its court documentation, Meta stated that its “primary concern” was with the data commission, which it accused of “misinterpreting” data privacy regulations.

 

The commission specifically requested that Meta obtain prior consent before transferring any personal data outside of Nigeria, a requirement Meta described as “unrealistic.”

 

Meta was also instructed to offer a link to educational videos regarding data privacy risks. This content would be developed with government-approved educational institutions and non-profit organisations.

 

The NDPC insisted that the videos should emphasise the risks of “manipulative and unfair data processing,” which could potentially expose Nigerian users to health and financial dangers

A former Special Adviser on Political Affairs to Vice President Kashim Shettima, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has expressed strong criticism of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership, describing his tenure as the “worst in Nigeria’s history.”

In an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Thursday, Baba-Ahmed accused Buhari of prioritising the office over governance and lamented the administration’s failures.

Naija News reports that Baba-Ahmed, who had initially supported Buhari’s rise to power, shared his disillusionment with the administration.

He noted that while many Nigerians supported Buhari over former President Goodluck Jonathan, expecting him to be tough on corruption and capable of unifying the country, he was disappointed by the reality of his leadership.

“Buhari didn’t represent the north. We saw in Buhari a better option, not because he was a northerner, but because at the time, he seemed a better choice than Goodluck Jonathan,” Baba-Ahmed said.

He continued, “We thought he’d be tough on corruption and could unify the country, because Jonathan was soft on Boko Haram, etc. But he turned out to be the opposite.”

Baba-Ahmed did not hesitate to label Buhari’s presidency as the worst in Nigerian history. Drawing on his 70 years of experience, he explained that Buhari’s government lacked attention to governance and failed to prioritise the welfare of the poor.

“I don’t think we have had a government that is worse than that of Buhari, from my experience — I’m 70 years old — yes. I haven’t seen a government that governed less, cared less for the poor, or failed more at setting priorities,” Baba-Ahmed stated.

Reflecting on his initial support for Buhari, Baba-Ahmed admitted that he had high hopes for the administration, but soon realised the President’s focus was more on the prestige of the office than on delivering meaningful governance.

“I was active in his campaign. I chaired his party in my state for four years. But months into his presidency, we saw he was more interested in being president than actually governing.

“We started with private advice, then moved to public criticism when it became clear he wouldn’t listen,” he revealed.

When asked about his time in the Tinubu administration, Baba-Ahmed stated that although he had no regrets joining the government, he would not make the same decision again given the current trajectory of the leadership.

“No, I don’t regret going in. But given the current trajectory, I wouldn’t do it again. I didn’t see the fire, the commitment, the zeal to fix a broken country. I saw more of a façade,” he remarked.

Baba-Ahmed pointed out that while President Bola Tinubu made bold promises during the 2023 elections, such as removing subsidies and implementing tough reforms, he found that these actions were not supported by adequate preparation.

“Nigerians voted for Tinubu in 2023 hoping he’d fix the country. He removed subsidies and promised tough reforms, but he wasn’t truly prepared. His advisers are scrambling to fix problems after they emerge. There’s a major disconnect between rhetoric and reality,” Baba-Ahmed explained.

Baba-Ahmed also raised concerns about the growing insecurity in the country, particularly in states such as Niger, Plateau, and Benue.

He criticised the government’s failure to address the escalating violence, even as it released conflicting statistics claiming a reduction in violence.

“Go to Niger, Plateau, Benue — more blood is being shed now than two years ago. Yet, they release statistics claiming there’s less violence. Who gives them these numbers? Do they even know how Nigerians are living?” he asked.