Author: Olukayode Oke

The Threads app launched by Instagram as a rival to Twitter has signed up more than 100 million users in less than five days, data tracking websites said on Monday, smashing the record of AI tool ChatGPT for the fastest-growing consumer app. While ChatGPT took two months to hit the 100 million user mark and video-sharing app TikTok took nine months, Instagram itself took two and a half years to reach that mark after its 2010 launch. Threads went live on Apple and Android app stores in 100 countries late on Wednesday, though it is not available in Europe because…

A former member of the House of Representatives, Shina Abiola Peller has declared that the emergence of President Tinubu as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a confirmation of the vision of the founding fathers of Nigeria. Peller who represented Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/ Kajola federal constituency between 2019 and 2023 made this declaration on Monday. Recall that President Tinubu was on Sunday announced as Chairman of the sub-regional organisation. Peller explained that the founding fathers of Nigeria always wanted a Nigeria for Africa, not a Nigeria for Nigerians only. In a statement publicized on Monday, he said Tinubu…

A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from prosecuting the suspended Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa-Ari, over his declaration of Aisha Dahiru, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, as governor in the March 18 poll. Justice Donatus Okorowo made the order after Mr Michael Aondoaka, SAN, counsel to Dahiru, moved the ex-parte motion to the effect. In the ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/935/2023, the APC candidate in the poll, sued INEC, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and another as respondents. Aondoaka, while moving the motion on Monday, argued that until…

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has denied being in exile. Buhari described the report of him fleeing the country and in exile as false. Speaking through his former media aide, Garba Shehu, Buhari said there was no veracity in the report because he has returned home in Daura, Katsina State. Shehu said it was misleading to report that former President Muhammadu Buhari has ‘fled’ and was on ‘exile’ when he is currently at home with family in Daura, Katsina State. “Every platform has tools to verify any information and we don’t expect anything less,” he said. Recently, Buhari travelled to London…

Former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU and Chairman of the Joint Action Front, JAF, an umbrella body for pro-labour civil society organisations, CSOs, Dr Dipo Fashina, was never missing, a former scribe of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Owei Lakemfa, has disclosed. Lakemfa, who is also a columnist and rights activist, dismissed social media report that the retired Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ife, Osun State, lecturer was missing, saying:  “A person whose whereabout we knew, could not have been missing.” In a statement entitled “A bit of clarification is necessary on former ASUU President, Dr Dipo Fashina,” Lakemfa…

Barring any last-minute changes, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to approve the appointments of 20 new Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, and Personal Assistants. According to a document seen at the weekend by The Guardian, President Tinubu’s formal approval is being awaited before they are officially announced. Some of the nominees have actually started working in the assigned roles. Those who made the proposed list of 20 expected to serve as Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), Special Assistants (SAs) and Personal Assistants (PAs) are: Dr. Adekunle Tinubu – Personal Physician Tunde Rahman – SSAP (Media) Damilotun Aderemi – SSAP (Private Secretary) Ibrahim…

The ruling All Progressives Congress on Sunday night shifted the long-awaited meetings of its National Caucus and National Executive Committee, NEC earlier slated for Monday and Tuesday by one week. A statement issued in Abuja by the National Secretary of the party, Iyiola Omisore, said both meetings will now hold on July 18 and 19 respectively. “Members of the National Caucus and National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress are hereby informed that our meetings of 10th and 11th of July, 2023, have been postponed to the 18th and 19th of July, 2023, respectively,” the notice said. Continuing, Omisore…

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and other indigenes of Ikenne Local Government on Sunday welcomed former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo after completing eight years as the second-in-command to his principal, Muhammadu Buhari. At a reception, Abiodun commended Osinbajo for “his outstanding role towards achieving a successful poll in the state during the 2019 General elections.” Abiodun promised that the state government under his administration would continue to be proud of Osinbajo’s “sterling leadership” while in office During the public thanksgiving and appreciation reception organised in honour of Osinbajo by the Ikenne Development Association, Abiodun described the former vice-president as…

The Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences Unit, has reiterated its commitment to eliminate the menace of Okada operators who have deviced new means of operating on the highways and restricted routes across the metropolis. The Chairman of the agency, Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, Shola Jejeloye, who had led series of week long operations across strategic locations where recalcitrant operators have been plying commercially but with the use of a different type of inconspicuous motorcylces, popularly called “Lady Machine.” Jejeloye added, “Some of these recalcitrant okada operators who had their bikes seized in the past have acquired…

Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea said “it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge” as he confirmed he is leaving Manchester United this summer. The 32-year-old was a free agent as his contract at the Old Trafford club had run out at the end of June. De Gea has been at United for 12 years and his 545 appearances and 190 clean sheets are club records for a keeper. “I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters,” he wrote on social media. De Gea started his career at Atletico Madrid but joined United for £18.9m…

Innoson Vehicles has withdrawn the scholarship the company awarded Joy Mmesoma Ejikeme following her acknowledgment of forging JAMB UTME score. The company said it made the difficult decision to withdraw the scholarship awarded to Mmesoma, noting it was based on testament to its unyielding commitment to honesty, integrity, and merit-based recognition. This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Head of Corporate Communications and Affairs of the Innoson Group, Cornel Osigwe. The company disclosed it was involved in the process of investigating allegations surrounding Mmesoma’s 2023 UTME examination results. Osigwe said findings from the investigation have confirmed…

A former minister of education, Obiageli Ezekwesili has reacted to the findings of the committee set up by the Anambra State governor, Charles Soludo to investigate the saga between the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, and Ejikeme Mmesoma over her UTME result. Ezekwesili said she supports the sanctions imposed by JAMB on her, saying it would serve as a deterrent to all who participate in the systemic exam malpractices within the nation’s educational system. The committee discovered that Mmesoma forged the 362 score she was parading against the authentic score, 249. Ezekwesili said she is satisfied with the process…