Author: Naija Daily News

Photo: The Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, Lagos By Oghenekevwe Kofi Every November, Lagos becomes more than a bustling megacity. It transforms into the beating heart of Africa’s creative spirit, where cinema, theatre, art, and technology converge to celebrate storytelling in all its forms. This year, three landmark festivals—the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), the Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF), and the Lagos Fringe Festival—return with fresh themes, global collaborations, and expanded programs that reinforce the city’s reputation as a cultural capital. AFRIFF 2025: Stories that travel beyond borders The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has grown…

By Deborah Nnamdi A Ghanaian court has sentenced a 29-year-old Nigerian, Chukwudi Nwachukwu, to 10 years’ imprisonment for trafficking his younger sister and nine other Nigerian girls to Ghana for prostitution. The Achimota Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Akosua Anokyewaa Adjepong, found Nwachukwu guilty on two counts of human trafficking. The judge ruled that although he was a first-time offender, the increasing rate of human trafficking demanded a strong deterrent sentence. According to the prosecution, the victims—aged between 15 and 18 years—were deceived with promises of employment in a restaurant in Ghana but were instead forced into sex work…

By Deborah Nnamdi President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday decorated the newly appointed Service Chiefs with new ranks, urging them to deliver results and restore peace across the country. The short but colourful ceremony took place at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and was attended by top government officials, including Vice President Kashim Shettima; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. During the event, the Chief of Defence Staff, formerly Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, was decorated with the new rank of General. The Chief of Army Staff, formerly Major General Wahidi…

By Deborah Nnamdi Five members of the House of Representatives from Enugu State on Thursday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing persistent internal crises and leadership disputes within the PDP. Their defection took place during plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and was witnessed by the APC National Chairman, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, and Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, who himself joined the APC two weeks earlier. Those who crossed over to the ruling party are Hon. Chidi Mark Obetta (Nsukka/Igboeze South), Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu (Aninri/Awgu/Oji River), Hon. Dennis Nnamdi Agbo…

Tensions between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) and Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, appear to have eased as the Kogi lawmaker has extended an official invitation to Akpabio to attend a project commissioning ceremony in her senatorial district. The invitation, which also includes all members of the Senate, was conveyed in a personally signed letter from Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and read by Akpabio during Thursday’s plenary session. The event is slated for Sunday in Ihima, Kogi State, as part of activities marking her second anniversary in the Senate. “In marking my second anniversary as serving Senator of the Federal Republic…

File photo: MD, NDDC Dr. Samuel Ogbuku The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, on Thursday addressed agricultural stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, amid widespread social media reports alleging his arrest. The rumours surfaced following reports of a raid on the Abuja residence of a former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, by operatives of the Defence Headquarters. However, Ogbuku’s public appearance at the event dispelled the speculation. One of Ogbuku’s close associates and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Yekini Nabena, described the reports as false and politically motivated. Nabena…

By Deborah Nnamdi At least six people, including a police inspector, lost their lives in a multiple-vehicle accident on Wednesday night at Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The crash, which involved several trucks, including a fuel tanker, reportedly occurred when one of the trucks veered off the road and rammed into the bridge’s barricade, causing a chain collision. One of the victims was burnt beyond recognition after fire engulfed part of the wreckage. According to eyewitnesses, the impact of the collision severed the head of one of the trucks, which plunged into the river below. Some occupants of the…

By Deborah Nnamdi Troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, operating under Operation Lafiya Nakowa, have successfully rescued a kidnapped victim, Alhaji Ali Adamu, during a swift operation in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State. In a statement issued by the Army Public Relations Officer, Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, the rescue took place on October 29, 2025, following a distress call reporting the abduction of Alhaji Adamu, who was kidnapped while sleeping outside his residence. “Acting promptly on the information, troops deployed in Lau launched a hot pursuit of the kidnappers. Sensing the troops’ advance, the abductors abandoned their victim…

File photo: Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko The Rivers State Ministry of Sports has stepped in to address a disturbing case of alleged sexual assault involving a 13-year-old female student of the Real Madrid Football Academy, located in Elekahia, Port Harcourt. The Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Green, on Wednesday handed over the 17-year-old male suspect, who is said to be a classmate of the victim, to the Elekahia Police Division for investigation and possible prosecution. According to reports, the handover followed a meeting convened by the commissioner, which included the alleged victim, the suspect, their parents, and the management…

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), has announced that the agency has filed a forfeiture suit against Proxy Night Club, a Lagos-based nightlife spot owned by socialite Mike Nwogu, popularly known as Pretty Mike. This development follows a weekend raid on the club, located at 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, where NDLEA operatives arrested over 100 people, including the club owner and manager, Joachin Milary, during what was described as a “drug party.” According to NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, undercover operatives…