From Élysée to Incarceration: Sarkozy's Stunning Fall
In a
historic and dramatic turn of events, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy
has been sentenced to five years in prison by a Paris court for criminal
conspiracy linked to his 2007 presidential campaign.
The ruling, delivered on September 25, 2025, marks the first time in modern French history that a former head of state faces actual jail time rather than a suspended sentence.
-SPECIAL REPORT-
Tragedy
in Durango - The Death of Paloma Nicole Arellano Escobedo
In a
deeply unsettling case that has sparked outrage across Mexico and beyond,
14-year-old Paloma Nicole Arellano Escobedo died on September 20, 2025,
following a series of clandestine cosmetic surgeries that were allegedly
performed without her father's knowledge or legal consent.
The procedures included breast augmentation, liposuction, and a Brazilian Butt Lift, high-risk surgeries even for adults, let alone a minor.
-SPECIAL REPORT-
Unemployment as the Key Driver of ‘Japa’ Syndrome in Nigeria - Insights
from Ex-Lawmaker Nkoyo Toyo
In a
candid interview on Channels Television’s “The Morning Brief,” former House of
Representatives member Nkoyo Toyo offered a sobering diagnosis of Nigeria’s
escalating emigration trend, popularly known as the “Japa” syndrome.
Toyo, who once represented the Calabar-Odukpani Federal Constituency of Cross River State, attributed the phenomenon primarily to the country’s deepening unemployment crisis.
-SEB EDITORIAL-
Redemption in the Spotlight: A Former
Stripper’s Journey to Faith and Acceptance
Amy
Mevorach’s story is one of transformation, identity, and the quiet struggle for
acceptance within the walls of faith.
Once a
college student trying to make ends meet, Amy briefly worked as a stripper, a
decision born of necessity, not desire.
Years later, she married a Presbyterian man who was training to become a pastor. Their union marked the beginning of a complex journey that would intertwine shame, silence, and spiritual awakening.
-SEB EDITORIAL-
A Nation Underwater: Nigeria’s Flood
Crisis Deepens as States Scramble for Relief
In a
harrowing testament to the escalating climate crisis and infrastructural
vulnerability, Nigeria is reeling from one of its deadliest flood disasters in
recent memory.
As of September 20, 2025, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed that 232 lives have been lost and over 121,000 people displaced across the country.
Abdullahi Ganduje, Fmr. National Chairman, APC
-TOWARDS 2027-
Ganduje’s Political Resurgence and Kano APC’s 2027 Strategy
In a
dramatic return to the political stage, former National Chairman of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) and two-term governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi
Ganduje, has reemerged with strategic intent ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general
elections.
Just three months after resigning from his role as APC National Chairman, Ganduje convened a closed-door meeting with Kano APC stakeholders in Abuja, signaling a renewed push to reclaim political dominance in the state.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Reclaiming Her Voice Through Grief, Silence, and the Power of Fiction
In a
candid and deeply moving revelation, celebrated Nigerian author Chimamanda
Ngozi Adichie has opened up about a decade-long creative silence marked by
depression, personal loss, and the painful erosion of her writing voice.
Known for her literary masterpieces such as Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun, and Americanah, Adichie’s absence from the world of fiction was not a retreat but a battle, a quiet war waged within the confines of grief and self-doubt.
 |
| I AM AMA EBONY |
AMA EBONY | BY WARD9ICE
Episode 2: The
Proposal Trap
Synopsis:
Ama Ebony is approached by Kunle, a charming final-year law student who believes her provocative appearance signals an easy conquest. He publicly declares his interest, but Ama quickly realizes he’s more interested in ego than connection. Through a series of confrontations and reflections, Ama dismantles Kunle’s assumptions and teaches him that love is not about appearances or dominance, but about depth and mutual respect.
-SPECIAL REPORT-
Terror
at Dawn - Bandits Storm Zamfara Mosque, Kill Worshippers During Prayers
In the
early hours of Friday, September 26, 2025, a wave of terror swept through
Yandoto village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nigeria, as
armed bandits stormed a mosque during dawn prayers and opened fire on
worshippers.
The attack, which occurred around 5:00 a.m., left at least five people dead and several others wounded. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and horrifying, with gunmen firing indiscriminately at the congregation before abducting an unspecified number of worshippers and retreating into the surrounding forest.
-SEB EDITORIAL-
Tragedy Beneath the Earth: The Zamfara Mining Collapse
In the
early hours of Thursday, September 25, 2025, a grim tragedy unfolded in Jabaka,
a community within Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nigeria.
An illegal mining site, long operating outside the bounds of regulation and safety, collapsed suddenly around 8 a.m., claiming the lives of at least eight individuals and leaving many others injured and trapped beneath the rubble.
The newly crowned Olubadan, Oba Ladoja. Photo: Olaolu
A Crown of Legacy: Rashidi Ladoja Ascends as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland
In a
moment steeped in tradition and history, the ancient city of Ibadan witnessed
the coronation of Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The ceremony, held on Friday, September 26, 2025, marked the culmination of a long and distinguished journey through the intricate chieftaincy hierarchy unique to Ibadan, a system that has long been admired for its orderly and inclusive succession process.
Hilda Baci’s Fiery Triumph: Stirring Nigeria into the Guinness Book with the Largest Pot of Jollof Rice
In a
dazzling display of culinary ambition and national pride, Nigerian celebrity
chef Hilda Baci has once again etched her name into the Guinness World Records,
this time for cooking the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice.
The feat, achieved on September 12, 2025, during the Gino World Jollof Festival at Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, was nothing short of a spectacle. Thousands of attendees, including celebrities and dignitaries, gathered to witness what would become a historic moment for Nigeria’s food culture.
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed. Photo: FRSC
Arming the Road: A Case for Empowering FRSC Personnel
In a
country where traffic violations often escalate into deadly encounters, the
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) finds itself at a crossroads, literally and
figuratively.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, recently reignited a contentious debate during an interview on Arise News, advocating for the arming of FRSC operatives to enhance their capacity to enforce traffic laws and protect themselves on Nigeria’s increasingly perilous highways.
Reclaiming Childhood: Cross River State’s Bold Ban on School Lessons After 2PM
In a
sweeping move that has stirred both applause and debate, the Cross River State
Government has enacted a landmark education reform prohibiting school lessons
beyond 2:00 PM.
This directive, part of a broader overhaul announced on September 24, 2025, by the Commissioner for Education, Senator Professor Stephen Odey, marks a decisive shift in how the state approaches child welfare and academic structure.
-SEB Editorial-
Nigeria’s Bold Leap Toward Academic Integrity
In a
landmark move poised to redefine the credibility of Nigeria’s education and
employment systems, the Federal Government has announced the commencement of a
nationwide academic credential verification exercise, effective October 6,
2025.
This sweeping reform, mandated across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as public and private higher institutions, marks a decisive shift from fragmented institutional checks to a centralized, digital verification framework.
Naira Abuse and the Soaring Cost of Currency: A Wake-Up Call from the CBN
In a
sobering revelation that underscores the financial and symbolic toll of
currency mishandling, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a stern
warning: the abuse of the naira is driving up the cost of printing and
replacing banknotes at an alarming rate.
This caution came during the launch of a nationwide sensitisation campaign held in Abuja, themed “Naira Our Pride: Handle with Care,” aimed at instilling respect for the national currency and encouraging behavioural change.
A New Chapter for Computer Village: Lagos State's 18-Month Relocation Mandate
In a
decisive move that marks a turning point for one of Nigeria’s most iconic tech
marketplaces, the Lagos State Government has issued an 18-month ultimatum to
traders at Computer Village in Ikeja to relocate to a new, purpose-built site
in Katangowa, located within the Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area.
This directive, announced during a stakeholders’ engagement led by Gbolahan Oki, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, signals the culmination of a relocation plan that has been in gestation since 2006.
-Special Report-
Nigeria’s Bold Call for Global Reform at UNGA 80
At the
80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Nigeria emerged as
a vocal advocate for sweeping global reforms, demanding a permanent seat on the
UN Security Council and urgent action on sovereign debt relief.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who delivered President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national statement, Nigeria’s delegation laid out a compelling vision for a more inclusive and equitable international order.
-Special Report-
FOCI 69th Annual General Meeting - Construction
Experts Reaffirm Commitment to Quality Service Delivery
Abuja, Nigeria - The Federation of Construction
Industry (FOCI), Nigeria’s leading umbrella body for building and civil
engineering contractors, convened its 69th Annual General Meeting in Abuja with
a resounding message: unwavering commitment to quality service delivery and
fair recognition in the nation’s infrastructure development.
Presiding over the event, Chief Vincent Barrah, President and Chairman of FOCI’s Governing Council, emphasized the enduring legacy and technical excellence of member companies. He highlighted that many roads constructed by FOCI members have remained functional for decades, some lasting 20 to 40 years, underscoring the durability and reliability of their work.
-SPECIAL REPORT-
NIGERIA GOVERNANCE - Gov. Diri, Bishop
Kukah Fault Nigeria's Federalism
In a
compelling critique of Nigeria’s political structure, Bayelsa State Governor
Senator Douye Diri and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah,
have jointly decried the country’s flawed federalism, citing ethnicity, weak
institutions, and disregard for the rule of law as persistent obstacles to
democratic progress.
Their remarks were delivered at the third Annual Memorial Public Lecture held at Niger Delta University in Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State, in honor of Dr. Ayebakepreye Amba Ambaiowei, a revered advocate for minority rights and one of the state’s founding figures.
-SPECIAL EDITORIAL-
Restructuring Nigeria- Omehia, Others Advocate Regional Government
In a bold
and timely intervention, former Rivers State Governor Sir Celestine Ngozichim
Omehia has reignited the national discourse on restructuring Nigeria, calling
for a return to regional government as a pathway to unity, equity, and
sustainable development.
This renewed advocacy was powerfully articulated during the public presentation of his latest book, Restructuring Nigeria: The Way Forward, launched in Abuja on September 24, 2025.
-Special Editorial-
Examining Reasons Behind the Call for
the Resignation of Joe Ajaero
In recent
months, the Nigerian labour movement has found itself embroiled in a storm of
internal discord, culminating in fervent calls for the resignation of Joe
Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
These demands, voiced by veteran labour leaders and echoed by factions within the Labour Party, reflect a growing discontent with the leadership style and perceived priorities of Ajaero amid Nigeria’s deepening socio-economic challenges.
-Special Report-
FG
Revokes 1,263 Mineral Licenses Over Annual Service Fee Defaults
In a
sweeping move to sanitize Nigeria’s mining sector, the Federal Government has
revoked 1,263 mineral licenses due to non-compliance with annual service fee
obligations.
This decisive action, announced by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, marks a significant milestone in the Tinubu administration’s ongoing reforms aimed at curbing speculative practices and fostering genuine investment in the solid minerals industry.
-Special Report-
Tinubu Honours Ogoni Four, Signals Oil
Resumption in Historic Reconciliation Move
In a
landmark gesture of reconciliation and national healing, President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu has posthumously conferred the prestigious Commander of the Order of the
Niger (CON) honours on four late Ogoni leaders, Albert Badey, Edward Kobani,
Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orageco llectively known as the “Ogoni Four.”
This symbolic act, announced during the presentation of the Ogoni Consultations Committee’s report at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s efforts to mend decades-old wounds stemming from environmental activism and political unrest in Ogoniland.
-Special Report-
FG Unveils Official Theme for Nigeria's 2025 Independence Anniversary
In a
symbolic gesture of unity and forward momentum, the Federal Government of
Nigeria has officially unveiled the theme for the nation’s 65th Independence
Anniversary: “Nigeria
@ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation.”
The announcement was made on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, through a statement issued by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
