(Desmond Elliott. Photo Credit; Instagram)

Lagos State lawmaker Desmond Elliot has issued a public apology to Femi Gbajabiamila, the President's Chief of Staff and his long-time political mentor, acknowledging that his actions during recent political activities may have caused offence.

Elliot made the apology during a Friday appearance on TVC's "Your View" programme, stating that any friction between them was never deliberate and reaffirming his dedication to party unity and service to his constituency.

The apology comes against the backdrop of tensions surrounding the Lagos State House of Assembly leadership crisis, during which Gbajabiamila revealed that he nearly lost his position at the Presidency due to allegations connecting Elliot to efforts aimed at removing Lagos Speaker Mudashiru Obasa allegations Gbajabiamila had denied being part of at the time.

Speaking on the programme, Elliot described Gbajabiamila as his "egbon" an elder brother figure and credited him as the person through whom he learned the ropes of politics. He acknowledged that emotions and misunderstandings had played a role in their falling out, and accepted that making mistakes in political relationships was only human.

He also extended an apology to a figure he referred to as the "matriarch of Surulere," expressing regret for any hurt caused.

Despite the public reconciliation gesture, Elliot made clear that he remains committed to his work, pointing to his track record in Surulere and pledging to continue strengthening the party and delivering for his constituents.

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(Man United's new coach, Michael Carrick Photo Credit: Punch News)

Michael Carrick has been officially confirmed as Manchester United's permanent manager after reaching an agreement on a long-term contract with the club.

The decision, which had reportedly been in the works for several weeks, has now been finalized and given the green light by key figures at the club, including minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and senior executives.

Carrick is set to sign a deal understood to run for an initial two years, with the option to extend, or potentially a straight three-year arrangement depending on how things progress.

The former United midfielder had been serving in an interim capacity before being handed the role on a full-time basis, following a strong run of results and growing backing from within the club.

As reported by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano on social media on Friday, the direction had been clear for weeks, with the plan fully approved by Ratcliffe and a new deal set to be signed shortly.

Carrick also confirmed that 34-year-old Brazilian midfielder Casemiro would be available for his farewell appearance at Old Trafford.

He indicated his intention to follow the tradition established by his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson by addressing supporters after the Forest game, expressing gratitude for the connection fans have built with the team.

"The supporters are a massive part of this club. We thank them for the season the last four months for me personally.

For what we've gone through and that connection, which the players have felt, it's important for me to thank the fans for that," Carrick said.

(Sandra Okunzuwa. Photo Credit: Sun Nigeria)

Nollywood actress and producer Sandra Okunzuwa has made a bold claim that YouTube filmmakers are currently offering actors better pay than producers of cinema movies.

Speaking on a recent episode of the BTS Reality podcast, Okunzuwa argued that the days of poor compensation in Nollywood, particularly on the YouTube platform, are behind them.

She revealed that some actors are now commanding fees of up to N5 million for just four days of shooting on YouTube productions.

She noted that while low pay may have been a genuine concern in the past when cinema, Netflix, and similar platforms dominated the space, the landscape has since shifted significantly in favor of YouTube content, where actor fees have risen considerably.

(Woman During Childbirth. Photo by TIME)

UNICEF has raised alarm over Nigeria's deteriorating maternal mortality situation, revealing that a woman loses her life every seven minutes during childbirth in the country.

The disclosure was made by the UNICEF Chief of the Maiduguri Field Office, Francis Busiku Butichi, on Friday in Maiduguri, during the symbolic handover of WASHFIT supplies to health facilities in Borno State.

He attributed the alarming rate of maternal deaths to poor hygiene conditions, inadequate infection prevention systems, and unsafe environments prevalent in many healthcare facilities across the country.

Butichi emphasized that health facilities, especially those in fragile and conflict-affected areas, serve as a critical first line of defence against disease outbreaks and public health crises.

He explained that the WASHFIT initiative is specifically designed to address these shortcomings by strengthening infection prevention and control measures, improving access to clean water, promoting proper hygiene practices, and enhancing the management of healthcare waste.

He further stressed that upgrading healthcare environments would translate directly into safer childbirth outcomes, improved service delivery for patients, and better working conditions for healthcare workers.

Butichi reaffirmed UNICEF's dedication to partnering with the Borno State Government in its efforts to build a stronger health system and better protect the lives of women and children across the state.

(Ice Prince. Photo by Native Mag)

Nigerian singer and rapper Ice Prince Zamani has opened up about his noticeable weight loss and shared his thoughts on life as he approaches his 40s.

Speaking in a recent interview shared online the Oleku hitmaker clarified that his weight loss happened naturally, firmly stating that he did not use Ozempic or any other substance to achieve it.

The music star also dropped a surprising hint about his future in the music industry, revealing that the album he is currently working on may be his last.

He added that he intends to settle down and get married around the time he turns 40, which is roughly three years away.

Despite his plans for marriage, Ice Prince made it clear that finding a partner is not currently a priority, saying he is focused on achieving his goals for now.

(Halima Haliru Umar. Photo by TheFact Daily)

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has handed down a 20-year prison sentence to a housewife, Halima Haliru Umar, after she admitted guilt to charges of illegally possessing 302 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and providing support to terrorists by ferrying the ammunition to bandits in Plateau State.

Umar was apprehended by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Jos North, Plateau State, with the ammunition in her possession along with N57,100 in cash.

She had procured the ammunition from Zaria in Kaduna State on the orders of an individual identified as Alhaji Sani.

Presiding Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa convicted her on two counts under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.

(Obi Austin Ndigwe. Phot by Jungle Journalist)

Here's the news paraphrased:

The traditional ruler of Awka Kingdom, Obi Austin Ndigwe, has declared his willingness to face imprisonment rather than relinquish the throne his people crowned him to occupy.

In a video that has gone viral on social media, filmed in what appears to be a village square, Ndigwe made clear that his authority as Obi was bestowed upon him by the people of Awka not the Anambra State Government and that he had no intention of stepping down from a position his community had formally given him.

The defiant statement comes in the wake of a report by a panel of enquiry set up by Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo to resolve the ongoing dispute over the royal stool.

The panel concluded that another claimant, Obi Gibson Nwosu, is the only legitimately crowned monarch of the kingdom.

Governor Soludo has also publicly backed this position, stating that Nwosu remains the sole government-recognized ruler of Awka Kingdom, and warning that Ndigwe risks arrest and imprisonment if he continues to present himself as the monarch.

However, Ndigwe appeared unfazed by the governor's warning, essentially daring Soludo in his address to the locals. He stressed that he was crowned Obi of Awka Kingdom specifically not of Anambra State in what many interpreted as a pointed message to the governor to stay out of the matter.

His remarks were met with loud cheers and applause from supporters present.

The video has sparked significant debate online, with some questioning why the government has not acted on its threat to arrest him, while others have urged Governor Soludo to allow Ndigwe to serve the community that chose him in peace.

(Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri. Photo Credit: THISDAYLIVE)

Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri on Friday paid warm tribute to his late mother, Mrs Rose Diri, honoring her memory at her 13th memorial service held in Ayamasa, Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking at the event, Governor Diri described mothers as uniquely special figures in the lives of their children, acknowledging the love, care, and warmth they provide.

He reflected on how his late mother positively touched not just her immediate family but everyone who encountered her, saying her good deeds continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew her.

He noted that every year since her passing in 2013, he and his siblings had quietly gathered on May 15 to remember her, but that this year's commemoration was notably different, drawing dignitaries from various walks of life.

Among those who attended were his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, and his wife Dr Favour Akpe; Senator Konbowei Benson; House of Representatives member Oforji Oboku; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; Bayelsa House of Assembly Speaker Abraham Ingobere; former Deputy Governor Peremobowei Ebebi; former APC governorship candidate Chief David Lyon; and former DSS Director-General Matthew Seiyefa, among other notable guests.

The governor personally read a Bible passage at the service, after which the Governor's Special Adviser on Religious Matters, Rev. Godspower Asingba, delivered a brief exhortation, encouraging attendees to live lives worthy of being remembered.

He praised Mrs Rose Diri for the lasting impression she left on her children and those around her, noting that one of her greatest legacies was raising a son now serving as state governor.

The ceremony concluded with wreaths being laid at Mrs Diri's tomb by the governor, his brothers Friday and Ebiegberi, and Ebiegberi's daughter, Mrs Damiebi Trust.

(Domestic Abuse. Photo by BBC)

A short video clip of a Nigerian woman recounting deeply troubling experiences within her marriage has gone viral online, sparking widespread conversation about domestic abuse and the realities many women face in silence.

In the clip, the woman describes a pattern of control and neglect by her husband including being woken at 3 a.m. to prepare meals, contracting infections she attributes to his infidelity, being ignored while bleeding following a miscarriage, and being unable to eat even basic food like noodles without first seeking his approval.

The five-minute video, which made rounds across various social media platforms, quickly gathered thousands of views and triggered a wave of reactions from Nigerians online.

Many viewers expressed shock and outrage, with a large number urging the woman to leave the relationship. Others used the moment to stress the importance of financial independence for women as a means of escaping abusive situations.

A smaller group called for the husband's perspective before drawing conclusions.

The video has reignited important discussions around domestic violence in Nigeria, touching on themes of self-worth, emotional and physical abuse, and the often blurred line between enduring a difficult marriage and simply trying to survive one.

For many commenters, the woman's story served as a stark reminder that a healthy relationship should never feel like a battle for survival.