The Great Ife Students’ Union of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State, on Wednesday, called on the Federal Government and the Osun State government, to immediately restore peace and security around the institution.

The union in a statement signed by the President and General Secretary, Omoboriowo Damilola and Babatimehin Kinfeosi respectively, decried the multiple cases of robbery incidents ravaging the institution’s off-campus residence.

The union stated in the statement, “In just the last two weeks, we have recorded no fewer than 30 separate robbery incidents, all involving only students. Behind every case is a student who has been traumatised, brutalised, extorted, and left helpless. Phones are being stolen. Monies are being wiped from students’ bank accounts. Hostels are being broken into in the dead of night. And, even worse, students are being severely injured. Just this midnight, there were four robbery incidents in three different locations in Ife. One student lost her phone Another had his car stolen, and all the money in his account transferred, leaving him with nothing. When we reached out to the police, they mentioned that they do not have functional operational vehicles to respond. This is highly unacceptable.’’

The union stated that an unnamed student was allegedly brutalized on the head during a robbery attack in mid-May and had since been hsopitalised. Other repeated instances include four robbery incidents in three different locations within Ife which reportedly occurred the same night.

Stating its demands, the union called on the Osun State police command and the Ife Central Local Government authority, to provide functional patrol vehicles and also requested the presence of the Amotekun Corps.

“The Nigeria Police Force must urgently increase patrol presence and deploy special tactical units to the student-populated areas of Ife,” the statement noted.

The union called on the federal and state ministries of education to address the inadequacy of hostel facilities within the university, which it said had long neglected.

“The federal and state ministries of education must accelerate efforts to fund and build more hostels on campus, as students are forced to live off-campus due to inadequate accommodation,” it added.

Meanwhile, the union leadership has promised to escalate its actions, by organizing protests, if the concerns persist.

“If these demands are not treated with the urgency and seriousness they deserve, we, the students of Great Ife, under the leadership of the Students’ Union, will have no choice but to escalate our actions, including but not limited to mass demonstrations and peaceful protests to express our growing frustrations and desperation.”

Contacted, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Biodun Olanrewaju, told Peoples Gazette that the security of the students who live outside the perimeters of the institution is the primary responsibility of the Nigerian state and not the university management.

According to Mr. Olanrewaju, “Principally, they are our students, but once they are outside the campus, their security becomes the full responsibility of the Nigerian state. Reason being that we have gates on our campus and we are responsible for the security of students within the campus. The university does not have the facility to take our security to students outside.”

Mr. Olanrewaju however appealed to the state police authority to intensify its patrol activity in areas witnessing the robbery incidents.

“But we sympathize with them. We want to appeal to the Nigerian police to intensify their patrol in areas where our students are residents,” the spokesperson said.

When contacted, the Osun state police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi Zechariah, told Peoples Gazette that he would respond to the enquiry after getting details of the incident from the area commander.

The European Union and NATO have expressed strong solidarity with the Czech Republic following an alleged cyberattack by Chinese-linked hackers targeting the Czech Foreign Ministry.

According to a statement from the EU, the Czech government identified the perpetrators as Advanced Persistent Threat 31 (APT31), a hacking group reportedly associated with China’s Ministry of State Security. The attack took place in 2022, the Czech Foreign Ministry confirmed.

The statement noted, “In recent years, malicious cyber activities linked to this country and targeting the EU and its member states have increased,” the EU’s 27 member states in a joint statement. The EU strongly condemned the cyberattack and urged China to cease such actions, reaffirming its commitment to preventing, deterring, and responding to malicious cyber behaviour. The European Union…stands ready to take further action when necessary.’’.

“NATO issued a separate statement echoing the EU’s concerns, calling the cyberattack “malicious activity intended to undermine our national security, democratic institutions, and critical infrastructure”.

“The cyber activity targeting the Czech Republic underscores that cyberspace is contested at all times,” NATO said, pointing to an increasing pattern of hostile actions traced to the People’s Republic of China.

NATO allies reaffirmed their determination to expose and counter growing cyber threats. “We are committed to improving our capabilities and resilience and will use all necessary tools to deter, defend against, and counter the full spectrum of cyber threats,” the statement said.

Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has established sanitary pad banks in 300 schools across the state as part of her pet project, Healthy Living Initiative.

Mrs Soludo disclosed this in a message in Awka on Wednesday to mark the 2025 World Menstrual Hygiene Day.

She said that the initiative was her own approach to helping schoolgirls whose academic focus could be affected during menstruation and related emergencies.

Mrs Soludo stressed the need to provide immediate solutions for menstrual emergencies in schools, so that girls caught off guard could confidently rely on the pad banks.

She said, “Official data say that an estimated 37 million women and girls in Nigeria are unable to afford sanitary pads and only rely on unhygienic alternatives. The data reinforce the World Health Organisation and United Nations Children’s Fund finding that poor water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure hinder safe and dignified menstruation for women and girls. Other data say that only two in five schools globally offer menstrual health education and just one in three have bins for menstrual waste. These figures challenge key stakeholders to find practical solutions to address the root of the problem while the situation remains reversible.”

She called for an intensified campaign to reach more women and girls currently facing menstrual hygiene challenges.

The governor’s wife noted that the growing number of women, especially girls, in urgent need of menstrual support makes it essential for stakeholders to re-strategise their campaign approach.

According to her, menstrual health remains the right of every girl-child.

She encouraged girls at the designated schools participating in the pad bank project to use the supplies with confidence.

Mrs Soludo assured them that her NGO was fully committed to restocking any of the pad banks that run out of sanitary products.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has reiterated pledge to defend the country’s independence and sovereignty from interference by the United States of America.

At a daily press conference, the Mexican president said that to prevent any type of foreign interference, “the most important thing is the strength of the government. We have enormous strength, and that is because we have never betrayed, nor will we ever betray, the people of Mexico.”

The activities of U.S. agents in Mexico have been regulated since her predecessor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (2018-2024) came to power, she said, adding that the regulation had been incorporated into the constitution.

U.S. agents today are “very clear” about how they can operate in Mexico, said the president, noting any foreign agent must request permission from Mexico’s Foreign Ministry and abide by Mexican laws.

President Bola Tinubu has rejoiced with Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation, on his 60th birthday on May 27.

The President highlighted Amaechi’s invaluable contributions to Rivers as a former speaker and two-term governor, saying he dedicatedly served the state, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman, said in a statement.

During his tenure, the former governor was also Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

He served as Minister of Transportation in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet for eight years.

Tinubu prayed for more years and God’s grace for the former minister and wished him well in his political career.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps’ mining marshals have warned illegal mining operators across the country to desist or face imprisonment by a court of law.

The mining marshal commander, Attah Onoja, said this during an interview on Wednesday in Abuja.

The commander stated that illegal mining offences attracted zero fine penalties but rather jail terms at the discretion of the Federal High Court.

“You will hardly hear anything like fines in illegal mining offences. Although judgments and punishment are at the discretion of the court based on the circumstances of the case, I can assure you that the punishment is not palatable.

“For now, we are appealing to those engaging in illegal mining operations because they are citizens that have not been arrested yet,” said the NSCDC official.

Mr Onoja added, “However since they are not under the weight of the law yet, they have the opportunity to change and learn from the experiences of those carrying out similar illegitimate activities and have been arrested by the mining marshals.

“The mining marshals is a non-compromising unit, so when you are finally arrested, you will face the full wrath of the law, and these offences are Federal High Court offences that will keep you in jail for your active period.”

Mr Onoja clarified that the marshals and the NSCDC are not responsible for licence allocation or renewal.

“Illegal mining is not necessarily the absence of a licence. You can have a licence and be involved in illegal operations because the earlier mentioned three types of licences have their respective scope.

“For exploration, you are only on a voyage to ascertain what mineral deposit you can get at that site, pick them, analyse in a lab to know the composition and context then check for viability before proceeding to obtain a licence for mining.

“SSML gives you the opportunity to mine but not in commercial quantities as you cannot go seven meters deep but a mining licence allows you to do commercial or industrial mining.

“You can have these three and be operating within their scope but in a different location not assigned to you, that’s illegal mining,” Mr Onoja explained.

Indonesia and Ethiopia are considering ways to expand bilateral cooperation, as well as interaction in the BRICS bloc, according to a report by Antara News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS.

The report indicated that Indonesian foreign affairs minister Sugiono Sugiono held a meeting with the Ethiopian ambassador to Indonesia, Fekadu Beyene Aleka, during which the two sides discussed the approach to expanding the partnership.

The Indonesian minister outlined national priorities, including poverty alleviation through better utilisation of resources.

He noted the high potential for developing trade and economic ties with Ethiopia and expressed readiness to increase exports of competitive goods – primarily in the agricultural and pharmaceutical sectors.

Mr Sugiono said the volume of bilateral trade between the countries reached 98 million dollars in 2024, up 55 per cent year-on-year.

He added that Indonesian companies are already present in Ethiopia in the sectors of household chemicals, food, and textiles. The meeting focused on the prospects of signing a bilateral investment treaty, as well as food and energy security.

It is noted that the development of coconut, sugar cane and seaweed production is a priority. The ambassador also expressed interest in mastering Indonesian technologies for sugar cane cultivation.

The two sides agreed to intensify cooperation in the fields of education, science and training, as well as resume the work of the joint commission on bilateral cooperation.

At the end of the meeting, the Indonesian minister invited Ethiopia to participate more actively in joint initiatives within the BRICS framework.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency has recovered three dead bodies in the building that collapsed in Ikorodu on Tuesday.

LASEMA’s permanent secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Mr Oke-Osanyintolu said the three people trapped under the collapsed building had been recovered dead. He added that nine adult males were successfully rescued and attended by the LASEMA pre-hospital care unit.

“Following distress alerts at 14:02 hours, LASEMA activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans from Agbowa and Alausa.

“Upon arrival of the agency’s response teams at 14:40hrs, it was discovered that a two-storey building undergoing construction had collapsed, with three victims trapped under the debris at the aforementioned location.

“Search and Rescue Operation is still ongoing. All the bodies have been handed over to Igbogbo Police Station. The cause of the collapsed building is yet to be ascertained,” he said.

He stated that safety measures were activated, with the operational area cordoned off at the incident scene.

Coronation Merchant Bank increased its gross earnings by 58 per cent year-on-year, reaching ₦97.1 billion in 2024.

This marks a rise from ₦61.58 billion recorded in 2023.

Coronation chairman Babatunde Folawiyo confirmed a 303 per cent growth in profit after tax at the 10th Annual General Meeting in Lagos on Tuesday.

Profit after tax rose from ₦3.2 billion in 2023 to ₦12.9 billion in 2024, showcasing strong performance.

Mr Folawiyo added that profit before tax climbed to ₦13.4 billion, a 285 per cent increase from ₦3.4 billion in 2023.

He noted that shareholders’ funds grew to ₦45.8 billion, with a return on average equity nearly doubling to 19 per cent. Total assets expanded to ₦558.6 billion in 2024, up from ₦524.5 billion the previous year.

Customer deposits rose to ₦187.4 billion, while total risk assets declined to ₦136.6 billion from ₦166.2 billion.

“At Coronation, we are building an enduring institution founded on sound governance and clear purpose. As we mark our tenth anniversary, we celebrate a decade of growth and look ahead with renewed focus.

“We are committed to sustainable finance, innovation, and partnerships that drive broad-scale development.

“Our performance affirms our direction. We are reshaping merchant banking and influencing markets across Africa,” Mr Folawiyo said.

He said 2024 was a landmark year, as the bank launched the public sector, financial institutions, and affluent banking verticals. These new verticals aim to deepen client engagement and expand sector-specific coverage.

The bank also secured a strong position in equity capital markets, advising four of Nigeria’s top seven banks.

The acting managing director, Paul Abiagam, said 2024 marked an inflection point for the bank.

“Amid economic reform and regulatory shifts, we delivered triple-digit earnings growth and exceeded internal performance benchmarks. Our ambition remains clear — we aim to be Nigeria’s most respected merchant bank on the continent.

“We are focused on unlocking value, earning trust, and delivering consistent, sustainable returns,” Mr Abiagam added.

According to him, looking ahead, Coronation will prioritise sustainable profitability, client engagement, and digital innovation.

He said these priorities would shape long-term growth, enhance brand value, and set new industry standards.

Former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu has defended the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu, which have been criticised for being harsh. According to the Senate chief whip, Nigerians are bearing the brunt of the unprecedented hardship caused by Mr Tinubu’s approach to resolving the nation’s intractable economic and security woes because they are lazy and accustomed to receiving “easy money”.

The former Abia governor made this statement on Tuesday, speaking with journalists at the National Assembly complex.

Mr Kalu said, “Since 1960, this is the first president — and I have the facts — who stopped the fuel subsidy. This is the first president who merged the dollar rates. That is why we are suffering — because Nigerians are not used to working hard. We’re used to getting easy money.”

“People used to sit in their houses, use their phones, get dollars, and sell at very high rates.”

The senator added, “Let me be honest with you. I’m a businessman, not a politician. There are only a few things that are not happening. The indices of Mr President’s policies might not be working down the line.

“People are still suffering — yes, I agree with that. But it has started trickling in at the macro level — that is, at the upper level, not the lower level.”

Mr Kalu begged for more time on behalf of the president, claiming that the country had turned the corner.

“So I’m hoping that in the next two to three years, the president’s policies will trickle down, and Nigerians will appreciate what he’s doing,” stated the politician.

A Canadian judge has ordered the deportation of a 29-year-old Nigerian man back to the West African nation over a fake marriage with 79-year-old Canadian woman Doreen Johnson to acquire permanent residency in the North American country, according to legal filings sighted by Peoples Gazette.

As per court documents, the legal battle began last year when Ms Johnson applied to sponsor her Nigerian husband for permanent residence under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class upon his arrival in the country in February 2023, three years after the couple married in January 2020.

However, in a decision on March 4, 2024, which was amended on March 28, 2024, the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) dismissed Ms Johnson’s application to sponsor her husband, who was not named in court documents, stating the panel had reasons to believe that the marriage was entered into primarily to acquire status or privilege.

In the decision, the IAD stated that following an interview with the husband in 2023, the visa officer notified Ms Johnson that her application for spousal sponsorship was refused based on a finding that the couple’s marriage was not genuine but a mere poverty alleviation scheme.

The IAD noted that during the interview, the husband was unable to demonstrate knowledge of basic aspects of his wife’s life despite having been married for over three years, adding that he could not provide any information about Ms Johnson’s medical history, the number of children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren she had.

Displeased with the IAD’s decision, Ms Johnson subsequently applied for a judicial review before the Federal Court in Ottawa, Ontario, which was eventually dismissed by Justice Mandy Aylen in a judgment on April 14, 2025.

In her ruling, Ms Aylen upheld the decisions made by the IAD, stating, “I am not satisfied that the applicant has established any basis for the court’s intervention. Accordingly, the application for judicial review shall be dismissed.”

Furthermore, she noted that a marriage entered with the hope of acquiring a status or privilege would be flawed even if it later becomes genuine, pointing to Ms Johnson’s account admitting that marriage was the easiest means of getting her husband to Canada from Nigeria.

“Importantly, a marriage entered into for the purpose of acquiring a status or privilege will be flawed even if it subsequently becomes genuine,” Ms Aylen wrote. “As well, a marriage that is validly entered into can become flawed for immigration purposes if it loses its genuineness.”

She added, “This court has recognised that the two considerations– the genuineness of the marriage and the primary motivation for it – are related.

“This means that the stronger the evidence regarding the genuineness of the marriage, the less likely it is that it was entered into primarily to obtain an immigration advantage. Conversely, the more compelling the proof that the couple was seeking immigration status, the more likely it will be that the marriage was not genuine.”

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has notified the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons of the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl by controversial artiste Darlington Okoye, aka Speed Darlington.

The singer sparked public outrage on Tuesday, after an Instagram Live session, during which he mocked hotel workers who were made to clean a blood-stained bedsheet.

LDSVA said it was “aware of the disturbing video currently circulating online, in which a popular entertainer allegedly admits to engaging in unlawful sexual activity with a minor”.

The agency, in a statement on Tuesday, noted that while Speed Darlington did not specify the location of the incident during the Instagram Live session, “we must clarify that the DSVA’s jurisdiction is limited to Lagos State”.

“In view of the above, and in line with our commitment to justice, we have escalated the situation to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP),” the agency added.

Section 31 of the Child Rights Act (2003) provides that “(1) No person shall have sexual intercourse with a child. (2)A person who contravenes the provision of subsection (1) of this section commits an offence of rape and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life. (2) Where a person is charged with an offence under this section, it is immaterial that: the offender believed the person to be of or above the age of eighteen years, or the sexual intercourse was with the consent of the child.”

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) foiled a major attack by ISWAP terrorists on their location in New Marte, Borno State, neutralising scores of insurgents and recovering arms, vehicles and explosives, the Nigerian Army said on Tuesday.

The foiled attack occurred in the early hours of May 27 when terrorists attempted to infiltrate the troops’ position.

A gun battle ensued, with reinforcements from the 24 Task Force Brigade Garrison and 134 Special Forces Battalion swiftly mobilised to repel the assault.

The acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command of OPHK, Capt. Reuben Kovangiya, said in a statement that the troops were supported by the Air Component of OPHK, which provided real-time intelligence, surveillance and offensive air strikes.

According to him, the air strikes destroyed several motorcycles used by the fleeing insurgents, while ground troops recovered a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) SUV abandoned during the terrorists’ retreat.

Mr Kovangiya said, “Exploitation of the area led to the recovery of the VBIED and discovery of lifeless bodies of terrorists. Blood trails were also observed along their withdrawal routes, indicating additional casualties.”

He added that two soldiers died during the encounter, noting that their sacrifice would not be in vain.

In a related development, troops also repelled another attack on a Forward Operating Base in Kumshe, where several terrorists were killed in a fierce confrontation.

The theatre command said that the operations reflect improved synergy between ground forces and the air component, reaffirming troops’ commitment to denying terrorists freedom of action and restoring peace to the North-East.

The acting deputy director reiterated the troops’ determination to sustain the momentum against terrorism, in line with the mandate of Operation HADIN KAI.

An Ikeja Special Offences Court has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to provide an investigative report and e-statement of Keystone Bank with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Justice Rahman Oshodi made the order on Tuesday in the ongoing N20 billion fraud trial involving a former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru.

The judge directed the EFCC to serve the court and the defence with the documents.

The court said the ruling would shape the next phase of the trial, ensuring that the defence had full access to the prosecution’s evidence ahead of further proceedings.

The judge adjourned the case until October 6 for further proceedings.

Recall that at the last proceeding, the defence counsel, Olasupo Shasore (SAN), applied that the prosecution avails the defence with additional proof of evidence.

Also recall that Mr Kuru was arraigned on February 11 alongside Sigma Golf Nigeria Limited.

They were both arraigned on an amended six-count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal, stealing, and transfer of property derived from stealing, with the aim of concealing the origin and evading the legal consequences.

While Mr Kuru pleaded not guilty, Sigma Golf, represented by its chairman, Hamidu-Modibbo, entered a guilty plea under a plea bargain deal.

Following the plea bargain, the court convicted the company and ordered the forfeiture of its rights and interests in a unit of Keystone Bank shares to the Federal Government.

EFCC had stated that the defendants and others still at large committed the offences sometime in 2016.

According to EFCC, the defendants conspired to steal by dishonestly converting N20 billion, the property of AMCON, through Heritage Bank Ltd., to the use of Sigma Golf for the acquisition of Keystone Bank Ltd.

The commission also stated that Sigma Golf and the others transferred N10 billion derived directly from the theft, with the aim of concealing the origin of the said sum and evading the legal consequences.

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has congratulated children in the state as they celebrate this year’s Children’s Day.

Mr Oyebanji stated that his administration valued children, adding that it would stop at nothing to invest in their human capital development, for them to be well positioned as leaders and frontliners in different spheres of life.

The governor spoke in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, describing children as special gifts from God that must be nurtured in the right way for society to benefit from their God-given potential.

The governor, who assured that a brighter and rewarding future awaits Ekiti children, said there was a need for synergy between government, private sector, families, corporate and religious organizations to invest in the future of children for the betterment of the society.

He noted that his administration had committed and still committing enormous resources to childcare and development in the areas of education, healthcare delivery, safe learning environment, rights protection and other forms of support to expose them to a better standard of living.

He stressed that the free education policy in the state, provision of instructional materials and top-notch infrastructural facilities at public schools were aimed at ensuring that children have access to qualitative education.

Mr Oyebanji stated that his administration rigorously implements constitutional and legal frameworks to protect the rights of children, which made the state a model in ensuring that the dignity of children is upheld.

He urged parents, guardians and teachers to collaborate with his administration to give the children platforms to realize their dreams of becoming great men and women in the future.

The governor rejoiced with children for witnessing their day this year, saying that it brought to the fore the need for stakeholders to provide the right environment for them to flourish and contribute their quota to the development of the state and the nation.

A24-year-old labourer, Fahad Bello, was on Tuesday arraigned before a Life Camp Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja for allegedly stealing tiles and electric wires worth N7.8 million belonging to his employer.

The police charged Bello of Kado Biko Gwarinpa, Abuja, with criminal trespass mischief and theft, to which he, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecuting Counsel, Charity Nwachukwu, told the court that the complainant, Charles Okwudirichukwu, of Jabi Park, Abuja, reported the matter at the Life Camp Police Station on May 1.

Ms Nwachukwu said that the complainant went to his site located at Gwarinpa when he heard some noise inside the ceiling.

She said that when Mr Okwudirichukwu checked to find out what was happening, he saw the defendant cutting the already fixed electric wires.

The prosecuting counsel said that in the process of stealing the electric wires, the defendant also destroyed the complainant’s chandelier light valued at N400,000.

She further stated that the defendant had already made away with tiles valued at N1.3 million, electric wires worth N6 million and 10 pieces of aluminium windows worth N500,000.

Ms Nwachukwu said that during police investigation, the defendant made a confessional statement that he sold the stolen items to some persons, namely: Nura Abubakar, Muhammad Muyi, Isha Abdullahi and Ismalla Nura.

She said that the defendant also mentioned one Meizamalu (surname unknown and now at large) and some of the complainant’s wires were recovered from Muyi.

The offences, according to her, contravene the provisions of sections 348 and 288 of the Panel Code.

Chief Magistrate, Musa Jobbo, admitted the defendant to bail in sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum.

Mr Jobbo said that the sureties must be property owners in Abuja and must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

He, thereafter, adjourned the matter till June 30 for hearing.

Patience Okon of Team Cross River on Monday won the women’s 400m gold at the 22nd National Sports Festival tagged -Gateway Games’ in Ogun.

Okon, who finished with a time of 51.64 seconds—setting a new festival record, has retained her crown she won in Delta in 2022.

Speaking after her victory, Okon said, “This win is a result of hard work, determination, and consistency. I’m excited winning the gold and also setting a Festival record and a season best. I’ve really work so hard at it, I still have a lot to offer.”

She added, ”I’ve stayed committed to giving my best, and I will continue to do so as long as I’m on the track.”

Okon also broke the 51.7O seconds set by Imaobong Nse Uko of Akwa Ibom in the 2020 Sports Festival in Edo.

Her closest rival was Happy Rasheed of Rivers who clocked 53.95secs to settle for silver.

Miracle Uwem Donald of Lagos finished 54.20ses to settle for bronze.

A New York court has picked July for the preliminary hearing in the lawsuit filed by Haitian music icon, Fabrice Rouzier, against Afrobeats star Damini Ogulu, professionally known as Burna Boy over allegations that the ‘Ye’ crooner stole sound and video compositions of his 2002 song ‘Je Vais’.

In an order on May 22, 2025, Judge Cheryl Pollak of United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York fixed July 24, 2025 as the date for the first preliminary hearing in the case, directing all parties to be present via the CISCO conference call system, according to legal filings sighted by Peoples Gazette.

The case stems from the recently released hit song ‘4 Kampe II’ by French-Haitian singer Joe Gilles, also known as Joe Dwet File, in collaboration with Burna Boy, which Rouzier is now claiming heavily features storyline, music composition, sound recording, and video material from ‘Je Vais’ without permission.

In earlier court filings, Rouzier claimed the first infringement occurred in fall 2024, when Gilles, a co-defendant in the case, intentionally released ‘4 Kampe’ based on materials from ‘Je Vais’, prompting the plaintiff to issue a cease and desist letter against the defendant, who the plaintiff claimed later admitted to the accusations of infringement.

However, Gilles, who could not overlook the success of ‘4 Kampe’, went ahead to release a remix of the song with Burna Boy titled ‘4 Kampe II’ on March 28, 2025, which the plaintiff claimed again mimicked ‘Je Vais’, with similar lyrics like “Cherie, ou sou sa kampe” in French (‘Darling, let’s do this in the standing position’) despite the cease and desist order.

Rouzier said Burna Boy was fully aware of Gilles’ own admission to stealing from the song from him but both the Grammy Awards winner and his co-defendant made no effort to resolve the matter amicably, prompting the plaintiff to file a lawsuit against them.

The music legend is asking the court to award compensatory and exemplary damages against Gilles and Burna Boy. He is also seeking reimbursement of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

The plaintiff is also praying the court to grant an order barring Mr Gilles, Burna Boy, and their representatives from further use of his persona, image, and likeness in connection with ‘4 Kampe’ and ‘4 Kampe II’, and to issue an order for the destruction of all copies of such videos.

Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday announced a major partnership between the State Government and ZoomLion Nigeria, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group, aimed at overhauling the state’s waste management system.

In a statement on Sanwo-Olu’s X handle on Tuesday, he highlighted the urgent need for improved waste handling, noting that Lagos generates approximately 13,000 tonnes of waste daily.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed that a Transfer Loading Station will be built at the Olusosun dumpsite, which will then be shut down.

From this station, 2,500 tonnes of waste will be transported daily to a new Material Recovery Facility in Ikorodu.

The statement reads: “Today, I witnessed the signing of an agreement between the Lagos State Government and ZoomLion Nigeria, part of the Jospong Group, that marks a significant step in managing waste across our state.

“Lagos produces around 13,000 tonnes of waste every single day. That’s a huge number, and it’s clear we need stronger systems in place to deal with it. This partnership aims to address that.

“Through this agreement, we’ll be building a Transfer Loading Station at the Olusosun dumpsite, allowing us to shut down Olusosun completely. From there, 2,500 tonnes of waste daily will be moved to a new Material Recovery Facility in Ikorodu.

“A similar facility will be constructed at the Solous III dumpsite in Igando, with 1,500 tonnes of waste redirected to another new recovery centre in Badagry.

“This project will improve how we handle waste and is expected to create over 5,000 jobs directly and indirectly.

“This partnership aligns with our broader environmental agenda, highlighting our dedication to transforming Lagos into a model mega-city with global standards in urban hygiene and environmental stewardship.

“We are taking steps in the right direction, towards cleaner streets, better health, and a more livable Lagos for all of us.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday marked the 2025 National Children’s Day with a passionate call for nationwide community involvement in child protection, unveiling a new public awareness initiative titled “See Something, Say Something, Do Something” aimed at deepening the culture of vigilance and responsibility for children’s safety across the country.

Addressing the nation in a commemorative statement, Tinubu declared, “Our children’s safety cannot be solely anchored on government policies but on community vigilance. This is why I am launching a nationwide ‘See Something, Say Something, Do Something’ campaign today, encouraging every Nigerian to become a child protection champion.”

The campaign was announced as part of the President’s broader address on the theme of this year’s Children’s Day, “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation.”

Tinubu described the theme as timely, noting that it “speaks directly to the culture we are building—a culture where every child feels safe, respected, and heard, both in physical spaces and digital communities.”

Emphasising the critical importance of child safety, the President pointed to alarming statistics.

“Globally, more than 1 in 3 children experience bullying regularly. In Nigeria, studies estimate that up to 65% of school-age children have experienced some form of physical, psychological, or social aggression. This is unacceptable. A child who learns in fear cannot learn well. A child who grows in fear cannot grow right,” he stated.

In his message, Tinubu reaffirmed the administration’s “constitutional, moral, and intergenerational duty and commitment to safeguard every Nigerian child, protect his rights, and nurture his dreams.”

He added that child protection remains a central pillar under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Reeling out government initiatives to this end, the President noted the implementation of the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030), which he personally launched.

He described the Plan as “a comprehensive roadmap to prevent abuse, prosecute perpetrators, and support victims, backed by robust financing and multi-sectoral coordination.”

Tinubu also highlighted ongoing legislative efforts, revealing that the government is reviewing the Child Rights Act (2003) and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015) to expand their scope, strengthen provisions, and ensure consistent implementation nationwide.

He affirmed that these efforts will be bolstered by full enforcement of the Cybercrime Act to combat online bullying and child exploitation.

“Just to be clear, violence, bullying, and neglect have no place in the Nigeria of today”, the President emphasized.

According to the President, all 36 states have now domesticated the Child Rights Act—a major milestone reflecting what he called Nigeria’s “collective resolve to protect and provide for the welfare of children.”

However, he cautioned, “Laws alone will not be sufficient to protect our children. We require a holistic approach where parents, teachers, caregivers, faith leaders, lawmakers, and citizens must take ownership.”

To support this approach, President Tinubu disclosed that the Federal Government is scaling up the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS), a real-time digital tool for tracking and responding to child protection cases.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs is strengthening community-based child protection mechanisms, training frontline responders, and leading nationwide advocacy against harmful traditional practices.

In line with his administration’s push for structural reform, the President announced the development of “a robust institutional framework focused exclusively on Child Protection and Development,” which, he said, would institutionalize accountability in safeguarding the rights and welfare of Nigerian children.

President Tinubu also spotlighted several key national policies and agencies contributing to child safety, including the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools, new Guidelines for School Administrators, and integrated efforts led by the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children to ensure inclusive education for vulnerable populations.

He linked child protection to broader development goals, pointing to investments in healthcare and nutrition.

These include the expansion of Mother and Child Hospitals across all six geopolitical zones, support for similar initiatives at the state level, and the newly created Department of Nutrition in the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.

The President reiterated the role of nutrition in education outcomes, citing the Nutrition 774 project and the national School Feeding Scheme as key instruments for improving child health and cognitive development.

“A well-nourished child is well-equipped and ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow,” he said.

Furthermore, the administration is advancing social protection tools such as the Universal Child Grant and finalizing a national Child Wellbeing Index to measure progress and ensure accountability in child welfare programs.

Tinubu also underscored the government’s commitment to supporting children who are unable to live in their biological homes.

He announced the launch of the National Guidelines for Alternative Care for Children, which he said will ensure such children “are given the care and protection they deserve.”

Addressing children directly, the President said, “to our beloved children: you matter. Your dreams matter. Your voices matter. No one has the right to hurt, silence, or diminish you. If you are bullied or harmed, speak up—you will be heard and protected.”

He ended with a rallying call to national stakeholders to elevate child rights as a budgetary and policy priority. “We must embed child rights in all our budgets, plans, and policies. Let today mark a renewed movement to build a Nigeria where no child suffers in silence, no child is left behind, and every child grows in dignity, peace, and love”, Tinubu urged.

Celebrating the resilience and potential of Nigerian children, the President concluded, “May your laughter echo across this land as a symbol of Renewed Hope and a prosperous future.”