Taiwo Oyedele
-Special Report-
Nigeria’s Fiscal Overhaul to Include Taxation of Commercial Sex Workers
In a
landmark shift within Nigeria’s fiscal policy landscape, the Federal Government
has announced that income earned by commercial sex workers will be subject to
taxation beginning January 1, 2026.
This directive is part of a sweeping set of reforms signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on June 26, 2025, aimed at broadening the country’s tax base and reducing dependence on oil revenues.
-Special Report-
PAN-AFRICAN EXHIBITION - Artistes
and Collectors Celebrate Africa’s Diverse Heritage
Abuja, Nigeria - September
2025
In a
vibrant celebration of identity, resilience, and cultural unity, the city of
Abuja is hosting one of the continent’s most anticipated artistic gatherings:
the PAN-AFRICAN EXHIBITION, known as BLVCK.
Held at the Orisun Art Gallery within Tropic Galleria, this landmark event is not merely an exhibition, it is a movement. Conceived as a bold declaration of African self-definition, BLVCK invites artists, collectors, and cultural enthusiasts to engage with Africa’s multifaceted heritage through a dynamic blend of visual and performance art.
-Special Report-
WORLD IGBO DAY – Gov. Soludo Harps On United N’digbo
In a
stirring address during the 2025 World Igbo Day celebration held at the Alex
Ekwueme Square in Awka, Anambra State, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo called
on the Igbo people to embrace unity, introspection, and a renewed commitment to
peace and progress.
The event, organized by the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization Ohanaeze Ndigbo, drew delegates from the seven Igbo-speaking states, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Delta, and Rivers, and marked a solemn remembrance of Igbo heroes, including those massacred in Kano on September 29, 1966, and victims of the Nigerian Civil War.
-Special Report-
NORTH-EAST INFRASTRUCTURE - Youth
Council Demands Rehabilitation of Conflict-Affected Communities
In the
wake of prolonged insurgency and socio-political instability across Nigeria’s
North-East region, youth-led organizations have intensified their calls for
comprehensive rehabilitation of communities devastated by conflict.
The North East Youth Initiative for Development (NEYIF), a prominent youth council operating in the region, has emerged as a vocal advocate for rebuilding infrastructure and restoring livelihoods in areas ravaged by violence, particularly those affected by Boko Haram’s insurgency.
-SPECIAL REPORT-
JUSTICE DISPENSATION: IGP Meets Young Police Officers Called To Bar
In a
landmark moment for the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police
(IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, convened a special meeting at the Force Headquarters
in Abuja to honor and engage with a group of young police officers recently
called to the Nigerian Bar.
This gathering marked a significant stride in the Force’s ongoing efforts to integrate legal expertise into its operational framework, reinforcing the ideals of justice, professionalism, and institutional reform.
-SPECIAL REPORT-
PARTY POLITICS: PDP Declares Cross River Congress As “Hallucination”,
Warns of Sanctions
In a
dramatic twist within Nigeria’s political landscape, the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) has categorically dismissed the purported state congress held in
Cross River as a fabrication, labeling it a “hallucination” and warning of
impending disciplinary measures against those involved.
The declaration came during a press briefing in Abuja, where PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, addressed journalists on behalf of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
-SPECIAL REPORT-
LABOUR PARTY CRISES: LP Edo Chapter Accuses
Former Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi
In a
dramatic escalation of internal tensions within Nigeria’s Labour Party (LP),
the Edo State chapter has publicly accused its 2023 presidential candidate, Mr.
Peter Obi, of being the architect of the party’s ongoing national crisis.
The allegations were made by Hon. Elizabeth Ativie, factional chairman of the Edo LP and a staunch loyalist of the party’s National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, during a press briefing in Benin City on September 30, 20252.
-Special Report-
NIGERIA @65 - Federal Government Cancels Independence Day Parade
In a move
that has stirred both reflection and resolve, the Federal Government of Nigeria
has officially cancelled the parade scheduled to commemorate the nation’s 65th
Independence Anniversary on October 1, 2025.
The announcement, made through a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, emphasized that the cancellation does not diminish the significance of the milestone. Instead, it marks a shift in tone, one that favors sober reflection over ceremonial display.
-SEB Editorial-
Tragedy in Michigan - Unraveling
the Attack on a House of Worship
In a harrowing act of violence that has
shaken the community of Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, authorities have
identified the man responsible for a deadly assault on a church congregation.
Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old resident of Burton, Michigan, was named as the perpetrator behind the attack on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during Sunday morning services on September 28, 2025.
-Special Report-
NIGERIA AT 65 - WORLD
PRESS CONFERENCE
On Monday, September 29, 2025, the Federal
Government of Nigeria convened a landmark World Press Conference in Abuja to
commemorate the nation’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The event, held at the National Press Centre,
Radio House, was attended by key government officials, including the Secretary
to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the Honourable
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
The theme of the anniversary, “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” served as both a rallying cry and a reflection of the administration’s commitment to inclusive national development. Minister Idris emphasized that the theme was a heartfelt call to citizens, institutions, and international partners to unite in support of the sweeping reforms underway under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
-Special Report-
OLOJO
FESTIVAL 2025
Tourism for Inclusive Growth and
Cultural Rebirth
In the
heart of Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba civilization, the 2025 edition of the
Olojo Festival unfolded with grandeur, spirituality, and a renewed commitment
to cultural renaissance.
Held from September 25 to 29, the festival embraced the theme “Tourism for Inclusive Growth and Cultural Rebirth,” signaling a strategic shift toward leveraging heritage for economic empowerment and global cultural diplomacy.
-Special Report-
EBONYI STATE
– THE OHANIVO IRI JI FESTIVAL 2025
In the
heart of southeastern Nigeria, the vibrant cultural tapestry of Ebonyi State
came alive once again with the 2025 edition of the Ohanivo Iri Ji Festival.
Held in September, this annual celebration of the new yam harvest, known locally as “Iri Ji”, is more than a mere agricultural milestone. It is a deeply spiritual and communal event that binds the people of the Ohanivo region, comprising three local government areas, in a shared expression of gratitude, identity, and progress.
Tragedy Under the Big Top: The Death of Marina B
In a devastating turn of events that has
shaken the circus world and left families traumatized, 27-year-old Spanish
trapeze artist Marina B. fell to her death during a live performance at the Paul
Busch Circus in Bautzen, eastern Germany.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening in front of a crowd of approximately 100 spectators, including many children, who had gathered to witness the spectacle of aerial artistry. What was meant to be a night of wonder quickly descended into horror as Marina plummeted from a height of five meters, roughly 16 feet, striking the ground with fatal force.
-Special Report-
Nigeria @ 65
Inter-Denominational Church Service
On
Sunday, September 28, 2025, Nigeria marked its 65th Independence Anniversary
with a solemn and spiritually resonant Inter-Denominational Church Service held
at the National Ecumenical Christian Centre in Abuja.
The event formed a cornerstone of the official celebrations themed “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” and was attended by a cross-section of dignitaries, religious leaders, government officials, and members of the diplomatic corps.
-Special Report-
Nigerian Defence Academy Combined Passing Out Parade 2025
On
Saturday, September 27, 2025, the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in
Kaduna hosted its grand Passing Out Parade and Commissioning Ceremony for
cadets of the 72 Regular Course, Short Service Course 48 (Army), Direct Short
Service Course 33, and Branch Commission (Air Force).
This landmark event marked the culmination of years of rigorous military and academic training for 894 cadets, now commissioned into the Nigerian Armed Forces. The breakdown included 482 cadets from the Regular Course, 255 from the Army’s Short Service Course, and 157 from the Air Force’s Direct Short Service and Branch Commission Courses.
-Special Report-
FREE BUSINESS REGISTRATION-SMEDAN and CAC Unite to Empower 250,000 MSMEs
Across Nigeria
In a
landmark move aimed at transforming Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape, the
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) have launched a nationwide initiative to
provide free business registration for 250,000 Micro, Small, and Medium
Enterprises (MSMEs).
This ambitious program, unveiled through a Memorandum of Understanding signed at the CAC headquarters in Abuja, marks a pivotal step toward formalizing Nigeria’s vast informal business sector.
-SPECIAL REPORT-
A
Celebration of Legacy and Love: The White Wedding of Dr. Chikamkpa Amaechi
In the
heart of Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, a momentous union unfolded on Saturday,
September 27, 2025, as Dr. Chikamkpa Amaechi, son of the former Minister of
Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi
Amaechi, exchanged vows with his beloved Anita Nwabueze in a white wedding
ceremony that radiated elegance, tradition, and national significance.
The ceremony, held at the serene St. Gabriel Chaplaincy within the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, was a convergence of power, prestige, and heartfelt celebration. The guest list read like a who’s who of Nigeria’s political and social elite.
-SEB EDITORIAL-
International
Day of Safe Abortion and the Realities of Unsafe Abortions in Nigeria
Every year on September 28, the world observes the International Day of Safe Abortion, a day dedicated to affirming the right to safe, legal, and accessible abortion care. It is not merely a symbolic gesture but a global call to action, especially in countries like Nigeria where the realities of unsafe abortion are grim and deeply entrenched in systemic failures.
-SEB EDITORIAL-
The
Great Exodus: Nigeria’s Medical Brain Drain and the Price of Neglect
In the
heart of Nigeria’s healthcare crisis lies a staggering disparity that has
become both a symbol and a catalyst for the mass migration of medical
professionals: while doctors in Nigeria earn an average of ₦2 million annually,
their counterparts who have “JAPA’d” to the UK can earn upwards of ₦50 million.
This yawning gap is not merely a matter of numbers, it is a reflection of systemic neglect, broken promises, and a hemorrhaging workforce that threatens the very foundation of public health in the country.
-Special Report-
Nigeria’s Economic Turnaround - President
Tinubu’s Declaration in Ibadan
In a
momentous address delivered during the coronation of Oba Abdul-Rashidi Adewolu
Akanmu Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
proclaimed that Nigeria’s economy has “turned the corner for good.”
The declaration, made on Friday, September 26, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, marked a significant milestone in the administration’s economic narrative, coming two years after the introduction of sweeping reforms aimed at stabilizing and revitalizing the nation’s financial landscape.
-SPECIAL REPORT-
Newland Radio Series - Igniting
Youth Voices and National Dialogue Across Nigeria
In a bold
and timely initiative, the Newland Radio Series has emerged as a transformative
force in Nigeria’s media landscape, blending entertainment with civic
engagement to inspire youth and promote national dialogue.
Since its premiere on July 1, 2025, the programme has captivated audiences nationwide with its innovative format and socially conscious messaging.
-SPECIAL REPORT-
ECOWAS
Parliament Urged to Tackle AI-Generated Fake News
In a
decisive move to confront the growing menace of digital disinformation, media
and ICT experts have called on the ECOWAS Parliament to establish a strategic
framework to combat the surge of fake news generated by Artificial Intelligence
across West Africa.
This appeal was made during the ECOWAS Parliament’s 2025 Second Extraordinary Session held in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where the sub-theme “Disinformation and Misinformation in the Era of AI: Challenges for Governance in the ECOWAS Sub-region” took center stage.
-SPECIAL REPORT-
Special Report: Tinubu’s Global Call for
the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
In a
powerful diplomatic statement delivered at the United Nations headquarters in
New York, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has called for the complete
eradication of nuclear weapons worldwide.
Represented by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Tinubu’s message was presented during the high-level meeting commemorating the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. His speech underscored Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to global peace and security, emphasizing the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that could result from the intentional or accidental use of nuclear weapons.
-SPECIAL REPORT-
Inside Nigeria’s Medical Exodus: The N2m vs N50m Divide
In Nigeria’s healthcare sector, a crisis is unfolding that threatens the very soul of the system. The headline “Inside Crisis Facing Medics: Doctors in Nigeria earn N2m, JAPA counterparts in UK N50m” captures more than just a wage disparity, it encapsulates a national emergency rooted in neglect, frustration, and the relentless pursuit of dignity by medical professionals.
-SEB Editorial-
Royal Protocol and Political Missteps - The
Firestorm Over Peter Obi’s Salutation to the Olubadan
In the
ever-sensitive terrain of Nigerian politics and traditional reverence, a single
phrase can ignite a storm. Such is the case with Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour
Party presidential candidate, whose congratulatory message to the newly
installed Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has drawn sharp
criticism for what many perceive as a breach of royal etiquette.
The phrase in question, “my dear brother”, used by Obi in his public tribute, has sparked a heated debate about cultural respect, political polish, and the boundaries of familiarity in addressing traditional rulers.
