Former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has contributed to the raging debate over Sharia panel in the South-West, describing opposition to it as a demonstration of ignorance.

Daily Trust reports that there has been controversy over the planned establishment of Sharia Panel in Oyo State and other states in the South-West.

In Ekiti where the panel was established, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, summoned the Chief Imam of Ado Ekiti, Shaykh Jamiu Kewulere, and ordered the disbandment of the panel.

Some Yoruba activists have also opposed the panel, citing the secularity of the Yoruba tribe.

They argued that Sharia states are currently “theatres of war, strife, killings and kidnapping driven by crisis of faith while the Sharia states also have the highest rate of instability in Nigeria.”

But Muslim leaders have also argued that the panels being proposed were mere arbitration panels which would deal with civil matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance, among Muslims.

Speaking on the debate, Shittu in an interview on a television station stated that it is ignorance that is breeding the opposition to the panel establishment.

He said the panels have been in existence in some states for over a decade, adjudicating on civil matters among Muslims.

He said, “In Yorubaland, whether governors or the so-called Yoruba activists, their problem is ignorance of the constitution of Nigeria.

“Sharia is about fundamental human rights in relation to religion. The constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

“What is the sense of two Muslims going to get married in the mosque under Sharia Law, when they want to divorce, you ask them to go to a Customary Court which may be completely made up of even Christians, animists or people who do not understand the law under which these people got married.

“Common sense dictates that the law under which you married should be the one to be used in deciding on your divorce In Oyo State, there has been a Sharia Panel and in Lagos State for more than 10 years. What crisis has it caused to anybody? Has any Christian or non-Muslims been drafted to a Sharia Court?

“These constitutional fundamental religious rights are inherent in you as a human being whether in Ekiti or anywhere, people have a right to determine under which law they manage their affairs. I expect the Muslim Community in those states would take the government or people trying to disturb their peace to court.

The lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in Osun State, Oluwole Oke, has advised former Governor Rauf Aregbesola to reconcile with President Bola Tinubu, urging him to “go and beg, prostrate, and make peace” with his former political leader.

Oke, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the remark in a social media post on Sunday, stating that if he were in Aregbesola’s position, that is exactly what he would do.

His statement comes amid growing political tension in Osun State, where Aregbesola’s faction, Omoluabi Progressives, recently announced its exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC) due to unresolved conflicts with the mainstream party.

The division was caused by a prolonged feud between Aregbesola and his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola, as well as reports of a fallout between Aregbesola and Tinubu.

“If I were in his shoes, I would go and beg, prostrate, and make peace with my principal, PBAT [President Bola Ahmed Tinubu].

“Assuming I were a member of the APC in Osun, I would ensure that Asiwaju Gboyega Oyetola and Ogbeni Aregbesola reconcile. As we know, ‘Ija o dola’ – fighting doesn’t bring wealth,” Oke wrote.

While calling Aregbesola a major political force in Osun, Oke also urged the PDP to capitalize on the APC’s internal divisions, describing the former minister as a “bride” in the state’s politics.

“The PDP must act fast, pay the necessary dowry, and bring this ‘bride’ into their fold.

“Ogbeni can still pull a minimum of 20,000 votes in Ife/Ijesa Senatorial District. His influence in Ijesa North and Ijesa South is undeniable,” he said.

Oke concluded by predicting that Aregbesola would remain a key player in Osun politics, saying, “Baba Kabiru is a factor. Keep this post and check back after 2026.”

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has congratulated Nigerian singer, Tems, on her victory at the 67th annual Grammy Awards.

DAILY POST reports that Tems’ ‘Love Me Jeje’ won the Best African Music Performance award over “Tomorrow” (Yemi Alade), “MMS” (Asake & Wizkid), “Sensational” (Chris Brown featuring Davido & Lojay), and “Higher” (Burna Boy), on Sunday.

Reacting in a statement shared via his X handle on Monday, Obi also celebrated the other Nigerian artists who were nominated in various categories despite missing out on the awards.

“I extend my hearty congratulations to our Nigerian Afrobeats star, Tems @temsbaby , who just secured her second Grammy Award with her win in the Best African Music Performance category.

“I also rejoice with Nigeria’s entertainment industry and other Nigerian artists who were nominated for different awards in their respective categories,” the statement partly read.

Obi reiterated that he’s committed to “building a nation that fosters growth among the youths and helps them discover and harness their individual talents for national productivity.”

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has warned Nigerians against fire outbreaks across the country.

Adeboye gave the warning while preaching at the church’s February thanksgiving service at the Throne of Grace Parish, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

The cleric called for vigilance and prayer in the face of potential disasters, including storms and floods.

“I must share something very urgent,” Adeboye said.

“At the beginning of this year, one of the prophecies was to pray against fire outbreaks, storms, and floods.

“We’ve only spent one month, and we’ve already seen the rate of fire incidents across the world. Nigeria is part of the world, and we must be prayerful.”

Adeboye specifically warned farmers preparing their lands for cultivation to avoid bush burning.

“Don’t joke with any form of naked fire around you,” he stressed.

“And farmers, please don’t burn bushes while preparing your farms.

“Don’t say I didn’t tell you. May the Almighty God answer our prayers and grant our requests,” he said.

Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele on Monday advised the People Democratic Party, PDP, to persuade former President Goodluck Jonathan and ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki to contest for the presidency if the party wants victory in 2027.

Primate Ayodele made it known that former PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar isn’t the party’s answer, adding that if he is allowed to contest again, PDP will be ‘buried’ finally.

In a statement he signed, he said the best Atiku can do is support a good candidate and the best person for PDP at the moment is Jonathan if at all the party wants to smell victory in 2027.

He advised that if Jonathan can join forces with Bukola Saraki, with the support of a coalition of opposition parties, there will be great chances for the party.

According to Primate Ayodele: “If PDP wants to near victory, they should persuade Goodluck Jonathan to contest under the party to wake them from their slumber.

“Atiku will not be an answer to PDP and if he comes out to contest again, it will be the final burial of PDP. He doesn’t have what it takes to remove Tinubu from office.

“I can only advise Atiku to support a good candidate and the best option for PDP now is Goodluck Jonathan. I said he shouldn’t contest before but as it stands, he is the only one who can assist PDP from its final burial.

“If he can join forces with Saraki, together with a coalition of opposition parties, PDP has chances at victory.”

Primate Ayodele made it known that Jonathan is scared.

He urged the party to give him the support he needed in order to agree to contest.

“If Jonathan is ready, he should be able to do all of these but he is scared.

“The fear of the unknown is troubling Jonathan. If the PDP can persuade him and give him all the backing he needs, he will be able to help the party survive,” he said.

Furthermore, Primate Ayodele explained that if Jonathan doesn’t contest, and without a coalition of opposition parties, President Tinubu will still retain his seat as Nigeria’s president.

Continuing, he described the person who can remove Tinubu as one who is desperate, financially stable, unrighteous, fearless, and rugged

He asserted that the 2027 election will not be for lazy people but for those who know what they want and are ready to pursue it till the very end.

“If this cannot happen, I don’t see anyhow any party wants to defeat Tinubu, it will be totally impossible. The person that will win Tinubu must be financially stable, spiritually inclined, must be desperate, must not be righteous.

“The election will be for somebody who is ready for anything, fearless, rugged, entirely serious, someone who has past good records, ready to waste money too because all of these are what Tinubu has.

“The 2027 election isn’t for righteous people, the person who wants to win must be ready to face anything and must be ready to listen to God’s divine instructions at all times.

“It’s not for lazy people but very determined people. You must also be ready to accept lies and truth together. Tinubu is too strong to be pushed aside,” he said.

The Senator representing Ondo South in the national assembly, Jimoh Ibrahim, has claimed that some governors from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and other opposition parties are planning to cross over to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Ibrahim said this while responding to questions on Channels Television.

He said many people had decamped to the party with some also expected in coming weeks.

Asked if it means well for the APC and the Tinubu government when people within the party openly criticize its policies, the lawmaker said: “That is one-sided argument. What about those from PDP that are joining us?

“You’re not looking at that. You abandoned it completely. You’re not talking about people who have come from the PDP to join us. How about Wike?

“Yeah, he said he’s a PDP. I mean, he’s serving in the APC government. How many people like that have been with us and how many governors cross to the APC.

“How many of them are planning to come? How many senators have now left and planning to come. Some Governors are planning to join APC of course, I don’t want to mention them so that I don’t embarrass people.

“But I can tell you that when I come next [to the programme], I’m telling you again…when I come back, next time you’ll see governor crossed to APC.”

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited may reduce premium motor spirit price in response to Dangote Refinery’s ex-depot price reduction.

The development comes as some petroleum marketers with imported fuel risk huge losses over Dangote Refinery’s price reduction.

National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, Billy Gillis-Harry, in a statement, hinted that NNPCL may reduce its ex-depot and retail prices of petrol in response to Dangote Refinery’s price reduction.

Dangote Refinery had on Saturday reduced its ex-depot price of petrol to N890 per litre from N950.

Reacting, Gillis-Harry believes that NNPCL may follow Dangote Refinery’s step to cut its fuel retail price to remain relevant in the petrol deregulated market.

“There is an evident possibility that the NNPC will reduce prices,” he stated.

The implication is that NNPCL, which currently sells petrol at N965 per litre, may reduce its price downward.

This is as DANGOTE Refinery and petrol distribution partners, such as MRS filling have slashed retail petrol to below N940 per litre nationwide.

Meanwhile, marketers have lamented that the Dangote Refinery petrol reduction comes with a negative impact on their businesses.

The Vice President and the spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association, Hammed Fashola and Chinedu Ukadike, respectively, said that marketers who bought fuel at the old price would be forced to sell at losses due to the latest Dangote Refinery price cut.

According to Fashola, the immediate negative impact on some petroleum marketers is that they would have to sell at losses.

“When this happens (Dangote Refinery petrol reduction), the only option a marketer has is to bring down the price. Because if you don’t do that, the competition will set in,” he stated.

On his part, Ukadike stressed that “that is why marketers fear lifting fuel because of the price scare. They will not want to suffer collateral losses.”

Meanwhile, some marketers are of the view that Dangote Refinery made the strategic move to cut its petrol price because of the lower landing cost of imported PMS.

Consequently, marketers who imported at N970 per litre, higher than the latest Dangote Refinery’s ex-depot price of N890, will be forced to sell at losses.

“So, if you have a N950 product with you, within two to three days, you will not have an option but to bring it down due to the Dangote Refinery’s petrol price of N890 per litre.

“That is the situation marketers are facing now, but we have to cope with it. It is the marketer who bears the losses,” Fashola stated.

DAILY POST recalls that petroleum products retailers, PETROAN, announced that they have started lifting fuel and other petroleum products at Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.

A 38 years old prophet of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, identified as Abimbola Oluwafemi, has been arrested for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl under the guise of performing spiritual cleansing ritual in Ijebu Igbo area of Ogun State.

DAILY POST learnt that Oluwafemi during the ritual at a riverbank around 2:00pm, allegedly took advantage of the minor.

Confirming his arrest to DAILY POST, on Sunday, the police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, said the child’s mother, a member of the church reported the incident at the Ijebu Igbo division of the command.

According to Odutola, the mother said the prophet had deceitfully convinced her that a spiritual bath was necessary to avert a prophesied calamity in her daughter’s future.

“She stated that the prophet had deceitfully convinced her that a spiritual bath was necessary to avert a prophesied calamity in her daughter’s future. Tragically, during this so-called ritual at a riverbank around 2:00 PM, the suspect allegedly took advantage of the minor.

Upon receiving the report, officers from the Gender Department of the Ogun State Police Command swiftly arrested the suspect.

The survivor was taken to Medicare Hospital, Ijebu Igbo, where medical evidence is being gathered to aid the ongoing investigation.

Odutola, however, disclosed that preliminary findings indicate a disturbing level of neglect and lack of parental caution, as the mother had entrusted her child to the suspect without due diligence.

“ Investigators are also examining the prophet’s background, including his claim of leading a congregation of about 100 members, for similar fact evidence” she added.

Meanwhile she urged parents to remain vigilant and protect their children from individuals of questionable character, especially those who exploit religious beliefs for financial advantage

The 67th Annual Grammy Awards, held on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, celebrated outstanding achievements in the music industry over the past year.

Hosted by Trevor Noah for the fifth consecutive year, the ceremony honoured a diverse array of artists and genres.

Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, clinched the Best African Music Performance award for her hit single “Love Me JeJe.”

This marks her second Grammy win, following her previous award in 2023. “Love Me JeJe,” released on April 26, 2024, is a reimagined version of Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 classic, blending Afrobeats with contemporary R&B elements.

Here is the complete list of winners at the 67th Grammy:

Best pop solo performance

Beyoncé – Bodyguard

Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso – WINNER

Charli xcx – Apple

Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather

Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!

Best dance/electronic music album

Charli xcx – Brat – WINNER

Four Tet – Three

Justice – Hyperdrama

Kaytranada – Timeless

Zedd – Telos

Best rock performance

The Beatles – Now and Then – WINNER

The Black Keys – Beautiful People (Stay High)

Green Day – The American Dream Is Killing Me

Idles – Gift Horse

Pearl Jam – Dark Matter

St Vincent – Broken Man

Best rap performance

Cardi B – Enough (Miami)

Common and Pete Rock featuring Posdnuos – When the Sun Shines Again

Doechii – Nissan Altima

Eminem – Houdini

Future and Metro Boomin featuring Kendrick Lamar – Like That

GloRilla – Yeah Glo!

Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us – WINNER

Best rap song

Rapsody featuring Hit-Boy – Asteroids

¥$ [Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign] featuring Rich the Kid and Playboi Carti – Carnival

Future and Metro Boomin featuring Kendrick Lamar – Like That

Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us – WINNER

GloRilla – Yeah Glo!

Best alternative music album

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Wild God

Clairo – Charm

Kim Gordon – The Collective

Brittany Howard – What Now

St Vincent – All Born Screaming – WINNER

Best country solo performance

Beyoncé – 16 Carriages

Jelly Roll – I Am Not Okay

Kacey Musgraves – The Architect

Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)

Chris Stapleton – It Takes a Woman – WINNER

Best country duo/group performance

Kelsea Ballerini with Noah Kahan – Cowboys Cry Too

Beyoncé featuring Miley Cyrus – II Most Wanted – WINNER

Brothers Osborne – Break Mine

Dan + Shay – Bigger Houses

Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help

Best melodic rap performance

Jordan Adetunji featuring Kehlani – Kehlani

Beyoncé featuring Linda Martell and Shaboozey – Spaghettii

Future and Metro Boomin featuring the Weeknd – We Still Don’t Trust You

Latto – Big Mama

Rapsody featuring Erykah Badu – 3:AM – WINNER

Best dance pop recording

Madison Beer – Make You Mine

Charli xcx – Von Dutch – WINNER

Billie Eilish – L’Amour de Ma Vie (Over Now Extended Edit)

Ariana Grande – Yes, And?

Troye Sivan – Got Me Started

Best dance/electronic recording

Disclosure – She’s Gone, Dance On

Four Tet – Loved

Fred Again.. and Baby Keem – Leavemealone

Justice and Tame Impala – Neverender – WINNER

Kaytranada featuring Childish Gambino – Witchy

Best R&B performance

Jhené Aiko – Guidance

Chris Brown – Residuals

Coco Jones – Here We Go (Uh Oh)

Muni Long – Made for Me (Live on BET) – WINNER

SZA – Saturn

Best traditional R&B performance

Marsha Ambrosius – Wet

Kenyon Dixon – Can I Have This Groove

Lalah Hathaway featuring Michael McDonald – No Lie

Muni Long – Make Me Forget

Lucky Daye – That’s You – WINNER

Best comedy album

Ricky Gervais – Armageddon

Dave Chappelle – The Dreamer – WINNER

Jim Gaffigan – The Prisoner

Nikki Glaser – Someday You’ll Die

Trevor Noah – Where Was I

Best R&B song

Kehlani – After Hours

Tems – Burning

Coco Jones – Here We Go (Uh Oh)

Muni Long – Ruined Me

SZA – Saturn – WINNER

Best progressive R&B album

Avery*Sunshine – So Glad to Know You – WINNER – tie

Durand Bernarr – En Route

Childish Gambino – Bando Stone and the New World

Kehlani – Crash

NxWorries (Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge) – Why Lawd? – WINNER – tie

Best R&B album

Chris Brown – 11:11 (Deluxe) – WINNER

Lalah Hathaway – Vantablack

Muni Long – Revenge

Lucky Daye – Algorithm

Usher – Coming Home

Best folk album

American Patchwork Quartet – American Patchwork Quartet

Madi Diaz – Weird Faith

Adrianne Lenker – Bright Future

Aoife O’Donovan – All My Friends

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings – Woodland – WINNER

Best música urbana album

Bad Bunny – Nadie Sabe lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana

J Balvin – Rayo

Feid – Ferxxocalipsis

Residente – Las Letras Ya No Importan – WINNER

Young Miko – Att.

Best metal performance

Gojira, Marina Viotti and Victor Le Masne – Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!) – WINNER

Judas Priest – Crown of Horns

Knocked Loose featuring Poppy – Suffocate

Metallica – Screaming Suicide

Spiritbox – Cellar Door

Best African music performance

Yemi Alade – Tomorrow

Asake and Wizkid – MMS

Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay – Sensational

Burna Boy – Higher

Tems – Love Me JeJe – WINNER

Best rock song

The Black Keys – Beautiful People (Stay High)

St Vincent – Broken Man – WINNER

Pearl Jam – Dark Matter

Green Day – Dilemma

Idles – Gift Horse

Best rock album

The Black Crowes – Happiness Bastards

Fontaines DC – Romance

Green Day – Saviors

Idles – Tangk

Pearl Jam – Dark Matter

The Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds – WINNER

Jack White – No Name

Best alternative music performance

Cage the Elephant – Neon Pill

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Song of the Lake

Fontaines DC – Starburster

Kim Gordon – Bye Bye

St Vincent – Flea – WINNER

Best global music album

Matt B Featuring Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Alkebulan II – WINNER

Ciro Hurtado – Paisajes

Rema – Heis

Antonio Rey – Historias de Un Flamenco

Tems – Born in the Wild

Best audio book, narration, and storytelling recording

Various Artists; Guy Oldfield, producer – All You Need Is Love: The Beatles in Their Own Words

George Clinton – …And Your Ass Will Follow

Dolly Parton – Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones

Jimmy Carter – Last Sundays in the Plains: A Centennial Celebration – WINNER

Barbra Streisand – My Name Is Barbra

Best country song

Kacey Musgraves – The Architect – WINNER

Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)

Jelly Roll – I Am Not Okay

Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help

Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em

Best song written for visual media

Luke Combs – Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma from Twisters: The Album

’N Sync and Justin Timberlake – Better Place from Trolls Band Together

Olivia Rodrigo – Can’t Catch Me Now from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

Jon Batiste – It Never Went Away from American Symphony – WINNER

Barbra Streisand – Love Will Survive from The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Best música Mexicana album (including Tejano)

Chiquis – Diamantes

Carín León – Boca Chueca, Vol 1 – WINNER

Peso Pluma – Éxodo

Jessi Uribe – De Lejitos

Songwriter of the year, non-classical

Jessi Alexander

Amy Allen – WINNER

Edgar Barrera

Jessie Jo Dillon

Raye

Producer of the year, non-classical

Alissia

Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II

Ian Fitchuk

Mustard

Daniel Nigro – WINNER

Best musical theater album

Hell’s Kitchen – WINNER

Merrily We Roll Along

The Notebook

The Outsiders

Suffs

The Wiz

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Gusau, Prof. Muazu Abubakar, has dismissed allegations that members of the House of Representatives Committee on University Education demanded N480m to approve federal universities’ 2025 budgets.

In a letter dated January 27 and addressed to the committee’s chairman, Abubakar Fulata, the VC refuted media reports suggesting that lawmakers pressured vice-chancellors to pay N8m each as a condition for approving their allocations.

He noted that the report specifically mentioned a “stubborn vice-chancellor” believed to be him and stated that while he initially intended to ignore the claims, he decided to respond to prevent any misleading narratives from being accepted as fact.

“The attention of the Federal University, Gusau, has been drawn to a trending online report titled Investigation: Nigerian Lawmakers Demand N480 million from Universities to Approve 2025 Budget. 

“We categorically state that no member of the university team present at the budget defence was part of the information circulated in the media. We urge you, Mr. Chairman, and your esteemed committee members to disregard this malicious and sensational report, which aims to mislead the public and undermine constructive journalism.”

Abubakar commended the committee for its support, describing the budget defence session as “robust, friendly, and engaging.”

Similarly, Fulata had earlier dismissed the allegations at a press briefing, insisting that they were an attempt to discredit the committee’s efforts to enhance Nigeria’s education sector.

“It is absurd for anyone to suggest that lawmakers demanded even a ‘kobo’ as a precondition for approving budget proposals,” Fulata said, stressing that the report sought to mislead the public about the activities of the committee and the 10th House of Representatives.

In a statement last Wednesday, the spokesman for the House, Akin Rotimi,  described the media report (not by The PUNCH) as a deliberate attempt to smear lawmakers’ reputation.

Rotimi said, “The 10th House of Representatives is firmly committed to transparency, accountability, and the highest ethical standards in all its legislative activities. These values form the bedrock of our operations. It is, therefore, imperative to address the baseless and sensational allegations in the report, which appear to be part of a deliberate attempt to undermine the integrity of the House and erode public trust in this hallowed institution.”

Denying the media report, the House spokesman said it “lacks any diligent investigative effort as they would want people to believe, and instead, amplifies fabricated narratives by individuals seeking to evade accountability.”