Category: News

 

Skit maker Sydney Egere, widely known as Sydney Talker, has shared details of his challenging childhood, shaped by rejection and instability.

In a recent interview with Rasheedat Ajibade, Sydney revealed that his early years were deeply affected by his parents’ troubled relationship and father’s battle with drug addiction.

As a result, he was frequently moved from one relative’s home to another, lacking a stable environment during his formative years.

He said: “I was a child that the family never wanted. I stayed with the rich, the poor, average, village, golden house; think about it, I did everything, finally stayed with my Aunty. And God started intervening in my life.

“My mum was taking me back to my father, my father was taking me back to my mum. Finally, my mum came to accept that she just had to accept me.

“My dad was last born in my family and he was into drugs. So, everybody doesn’t really care about him. He wasn’t focused that time.

“To be honest with you, my mum had me the first time and because of how she saw my dad going up and down, she took me out, I mean abort. Then somebody told her that I was going to come back. That’s how they found my mum and my dad again come back, had a child again, and that was me.

“This time around, she saw my dad going back to drugs, then she was like she was going to take me out again, but my grandma said, don’t worry, bring him, I will train him. That’s how I stayed with my grandma, started staying with family back and front. It was just going until my mum said, bring my child. I stayed with my mum, to a point, I stayed with my Aunty. When things tough, I stayed with my uncle, stayed with my cousin, I literally stayed everywhere. I have seen everything. I literally saw different stuff.”

 

By: Thomas Abidoye

 

Economic hardship and rising unemployment have triggered a heated conversation among graduates of the 2021 Mass Communication Department of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, as members of their WhatsApp group shared personal experiences and frustrations over Nigeria’s economic reality.

The conversation began with Adewale Mayowa, popularly known as Mayorblack, expressing his disappointment with the state of the country and its impact on graduates.

He questioned why someone who paid over ₦150,000 for school should end up earning just ₦70,000 monthly in a country filled with hardship.

Mayorblack stated, “Salary is the price paid fr people to forget their own dreams,” as he criticized the salary-based system that limits young people’s growth.

He argued that if employers could build wealth, then employees should also have the opportunity, saying, “Nah just tym and believe.”

Mayorblack lamented the rising cost of living, especially for those with families, and noted that even public education now comes with financial burdens.

He described the idea of relocating abroad as “sad but the bitter truth,” questioning why one must leave their homeland to live a decent life.

According to him, it would take years for a salary earner to gather over ₦30 million needed for travel, which doesn’t even guarantee a visa.

He expressed deep frustration, saying, “God punish Nigeria,” over a system that forces its citizens into poverty despite the country’s wealth.

Recalling the plight of his old teachers, he pointed out how many of them still cannot afford a basic apartment or a car after decades of work.

He emphasized that the people living well in society are mostly business owners and skilled workers, not salary earners.

Mayorblack accused politicians of enjoying the nation’s wealth while the masses suffer, despite being voted into office by the same people.

He lamented that many graduates now live the same struggling life their parents lived, despite their parents’ efforts to give them better opportunities.

Mayorblack said life becomes even more demanding after marriage and children, making it hard to chase personal dreams.

He concluded that many are forced to give up on their goals and settle for a life of struggle, calling it “how they robbed us.”

Joining the conversation, Owolabi Sunday, also known as Sunnydee, highlighted how inflation makes it difficult for salary earners to meet basic needs.

He stated, “Owo rice ti consume everything, no way for house rent,” painting a picture of daily survival challenges.

Sunnydee noted that petty traders often save over ₦100,000 monthly, unlike most office workers who can’t even save anything.

He argued that even those earning ₦150,000 monthly often spend more than they earn before the month ends.

Orunmuyi Babatunde, popularly called OBJ, shared a more balanced view, suggesting salary earners should live humbly and invest wisely.

He said, “Make salary earner keep in head low for some years and try safe & invest,” advising graduates to avoid luxury and focus on long-term growth.

OBJ admitted that survival is not easy for everyone, especially those without business skills, but maintained that “salary can’t cover 10% of our needs.”

He concluded by urging his colleagues to find side hustles and alternative sources of income, as salaries alone are not enough to live on in Nigeria.

 

 

Nigerian couple tie the knot virtually as the bride, who lives abroad, joins the ceremony online.

Distance couldn’t be a barrier for two lovebirds separated by thousands of miles.

Since the bride couldn’t make it back to the country, they had decided to hold their traditional wedding ceremony virtually.

In the video that was shared online the man who was beautifully dressed in his native attire sat on the groom’s chair, while the bride’s portrait sat on the next chair.

The bride joined online as guests streamed live to watch her dancing in a merry dance.

Check out reactions that trailed this …
@TemT0065 said: “He no new when I don see naming ceremony way them do for Lagos and pikin no they”

@kirahdollz wrote: “I can never do this type of wedding no matter what”

@Csokonkwo said: “Why someone would miss such an important event and cite distance as an excuse is beyond me. She didn’t even dress for the occasion.”

@Utdterrain opined: “Possible say she go Dey collect as the wedding Dey go on.”

@Onungeneeze commented: “The Chief Bridesmaid will perform the matrimonial function because a honeymoon is compulsory”

@temitoayoo wrote: “I attended one years back. This one.. the man wasn’t around and the wife had to dance with her husband’s frame. ‘Twas weird .”

Watch video below;

https://x.com/AsakyGRN/status/1922246329310257254?t=T5rGJ2seJx9iSO4k4nT0UQ&s=19

The Federal Government (FG) has announced the successful revalidation of 2.3 million households for its ongoing conditional cash transfer program, aimed at supporting vulnerable Nigerians amid current economic challenges.

The Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Abisoye Coker-Odusote, revealed this during a press briefing at the NIMC headquarters in Abuja.

She explained that the revalidation exercise was conducted under the National Social Safety Nets project, in collaboration with other relevant agencies, to ensure transparency and accountability in the disbursement process.

“As of Tuesday, we have been able to revalidate 2.3 million persons and will soon begin making the necessary payments. Our role is to verify the number of people validated, and we are working with other agencies to ensure the money goes to the right people,” Coker-Odusote stated.

She emphasized the importance of accurate identity verification in the distribution process.

“We don’t want to pay people who no longer exist in this world. So, the right thing must be done, and I want to emphasize that,” she added.

According to her, the exercise ensures each beneficiary has a verifiable identity and can confirm their identity in real time.

“It is the reason for identity: ensuring there is a verifiable source of truth and identity credentials that can be used to validate someone’s identity, and that person can also use it to authenticate who he or she says they are in real time,” she said.

Zahir took a risk when he left everything behind to start over in Canada but it paid off…

Someone you know has left or is planning to leave. 1,000 Ways To Japa will speak to real people and explore the infinite number of reasons and paths they use to get to Japa

Zahir* (29) left his seven-figure job in 2022 to start over as a student in Canada against his family’s wishes. Three years later, he became a permanent resident, homeowner, and six-figure earner in Canada. In this story, he shares how he achieved these goals with a plan he crafted in Nigeria.

When did you move from Nigeria, and where do you live now?

I live in Canada now. I left Nigeria in January of 2022.

What was the motivation behind your move?

To be honest, #EndSARS changed everything for me. After witnessing what happened, I knew I had to leave the country. I tried relocating through the Express Entry route at first, but it didn’t work out. I didn’t give up, though; a part of me felt like I needed to leave Nigeria, so that’s what I did.

So, how exactly did you move to Canada?

I ended up moving as a student. I applied for a postgraduate program in data analytics, but I devised a plan to convert my student visa to a work visa afterwards and get my permanent residence. I achieved all of that in less than two years.

I want to hear about that plan. But first, tell me how you could afford to study in Canada.

I wasn’t lucky enough to secure a scholarship, despite my strong academic track record. On the other hand, I actually didn’t try that hard to get a scholarship because I could afford to sponsor myself. I grew up poor in Nigeria but managed to build myself up. The school fees were around 17,000 Canadian dollars at the time, and I had saved up more than that already. I was a senior data scientist in Nigeria, and my monthly income was ₦1.6 million. The exchange rate was still fair then, so I paid in full even though the school gave me the option to pay in instalments.

You gave that up to start over as a student in Canada?

Yes. Now that I’m thinking about it, it sounds a bit silly, but I got to where I am today because I took risks. Before my Canadian degree, I had gotten into a fully funded master’s program in South Africa. Through that program, I got a paid opportunity to visit Canada as a research assistant for a week. That one week in Canada gave me all the right reasons to move to the country permanently.

Can you walk me through how you secured admission into a Canadian university?

The process is simple compared to some other countries. If you plan on sponsoring yourself, research and identify the schools within your budget. You’ll need to pay an application fee of as high as $100, so keep that in mind. When you decide on the university you want to attend, decide on the program you’ll love to enrol in and tailor your Statement of Purpose (SOP) to the programme’s requirements.

You’ll likely be asked to pay your tuition deposit when you get your admission offer. When you receive the semester tuition, you can apply for your visa. At this stage, you’ll need proof of funds, which was $10,000 when I moved. You’ll also need the school to issue you a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), a document that helps the Canadian government track the number of students allocated to each School. The school will only issue a PAL to you if you have met its payment obligations.

Do you have any tips for intending Canadian postgraduate students?

Your proof of funds can go a long way in getting your visa. My visa application was denied the first time because I made an avoidable mistake. If you are self-funding, it’s easier to present your bank statements because you already have a documented record of your income. If your parents or others are funding you, I’ll advise that you ask the sponsor to write a deed of gift, which is a letter to the Canadian embassy explaining why they intend to sponsor a student.

Thank you. Would you say leaving your seven-figure income to study in Canada was worth it?

The school itself wasn’t worth it, but it gave me opportunities for which I am grateful. It would have been impossible to get to where I am today without studying in Canada. I got my first analytics manager role here during my first four months. Although I could only work for 20 hours at the time, my offer letter stated the company would convert me to a full-time staff member when I graduated. They kept their word, and I started earning a six-figure salary when I was retained as a full staff member. I worked there for a year and got my permanent residency.

So that is the plan you had before you left Nigeria?

Yes, that was the plan, but I didn’t entirely know what I was doing; I was just taking a chance on myself. I came to Canada with two dreams: getting my permanent residency and buying my first home. You cannot buy a house here until you get a permanent residency, so I knew I had to get that out of the way quickly. About a year after I became a permanent resident, I bought my first home.

That’s insane. Where are you people seeing this money?

My job is one of the top 5% highest-paying jobs in Canada. I make over $100,000 yearly. The funniest part is that some of my family members were against me moving to Canada because I was earning well in Nigeria, but now, when they visit me in Canada, they go on and on about how I made the best decision. I left in 2022, and by 2023, the economy had started falling apart, so to them, I had foresight. But they give me too much credit because I barely knew what I was doing. I thank God because I owe my success to Him.

You’ve hacked financial freedom in Canada. How is your social life?

It’s a lonely country, but I’ve made some good friends and we’ve managed to build a community. We play tennis often and help each other out when we can.

You’re winning in life. Are you ever going to move back to Nigeria?

I visit Nigeria often, and I plan to move back at some point. It might not happen in the next ten years, but it’ll surely happen. I moved to Canada because I didn’t want to live and die in one country. Now that I’ve achieved that, I can picture a future where I retire early and live the rest of my life in Nigeria.

On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in Canada?

It’s way over ten. I’m a man of few needs and wants, so I can easily afford everything I desire. Things are working out for my good.

The Ministry of Interior has launched a new online platform aimed at streamlining the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services in Nigeria.Nigerian home decor ideas

In a statement issued on Saturday, May 17, Magdalene Ajani, the ministry’s permanent secretary, said the digital platform is part of ongoing reforms to promote transparency, enhance operational efficiency, and improve overall service delivery to the public.

Ajani stated that the platform is expected to deliver faster turnaround times and a more seamless user experience.

“Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are expected to access the platform through the following official channels: Ministry of Interior Website: interior.gov.ng; Direct Portal Access: candb.interior.gov.ng.

They could also contact candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support or inquiries,” the statement reads.

“The Ministry of Interior remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation,” she added.

The ministry has recently introduced other digital initiatives to modernize its operations. In February, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced that the federal government would introduce digital landing and exit cards for visitors, to be filled out prior to arrival in Nigeria.Nigerian home decor ideas

He emphasized the need to harmonise the immigration data system and integrate it with national and international databases for improved security and decision-making.

According to Tunji-Ojo, the harmonisation would ensure that no approvals are granted without real-time clearance from Interpol, criminal records systems, and other background-checking agencies.

A Nigerian youth corps member has slammed the federal government after sharing a video of the school he was posted to by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The video was shared on X (formerly Twitter), where the corps member gave a glimpse of the poor learning conditions at the school.

In the footage, students from different classes can be seen carrying out academic activities in a makeshift structure built with woods and sticks, used both as walls and class dividers.

Expressing his frustration, the corps member narrated the condition of the school, lamenting that this was where he was assigned to teach.

He said: “Make una see the school where I come to teach.”

Following the post, many concerned individuals took to the comment section to share their reactions and express disappointment over the state of the school.

See some reactions below:

@NwokeAkwaeze: “See land. But to build something is now the problem. But if something happens here now they will involve money supposed to be used to build something here and bring bags of rice with big big motor.”

@Dozzy_Dozzy22: “Check well, the state governor is building flyovers where they’re not needed, and sponsoring Hajj pilgrimage upandan in billions.”

@XJustina27: “This was how we were taught back then at Akute community high School that year.”

@01_spatherapist: “Our leaders and evil are wicked.”

In other news, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has officially announced the commencement date for the 2025 Batch ‘A’ Stream II Orientation Course.

According to the management, the orientation exercise will begin on Wednesday, 11th June 2025.

This information was made public in a statement signed by Caroline Embu, Acting Director of Information and Public Relations.

Prospective Corps Members, parents, and guardians are advised to take note of the date and prepare accordingly.

NYSC also urged all stakeholders to follow its official social media platforms for timely updates and important announcements.

The orientation course is a vital part of the national service and includes training, lectures, and other preparatory activities for corps members.

 

WATCH VIDEO

https://x.com/ChuksEricE/status/1923277757028388951?t=pUH8isakjXCXfWFZAHz04g&s=19

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially commenced the rescheduled 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for candidates who were affected by technical issues during the initial examination period.

The examination body yesterday sent notices for the retake of the hampered UTME to the affected candidates.

Candidates in Lagos, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Abia states received SMS notifications on the date, time and centres for the rescheduled examination.

A total of 379,997 candidates are expected to participate in the rescheduled examination, following the glitches that marred the original test sessions.

According to JAMB’s text messages, the rescheduled examination will hold today, tomorrow, and Monday.

The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, who addressed reporters on Wednesday in Abuja on the errors, acknowledged that a combination of human and technological hiccups led to the disruptions in the conduct of this year’s UTME.

The board, however, ruled out sabotage, assuring the public that it was taking corrective measures to ensure a smooth rescheduled UTME.

Candidates in the first batch of the rescheduled examination, which started at 8:00 across the nation, have been seen exiting the examination halls, showing that the first batch has concluded their exams.

 

A Nigerian man has raised alarm, accusing a police officer, CSP Gerald Chidozie Udechukwu, of selling him a stolen Hilux.

The allegation was shared on the popular social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by the user @Chukwutony89.

He revealed that he initially believed the transaction was legitimate but later discovered that the vehicle was stolen by policemen, with CSP Gerald Chidozie Udechukwu being the one who sold it to him.

In his post, he stated: “Nigerians, this policeman, CSP Gerald Chidozie Udechukwu, sold me a Hilux vehicle that was allegedly stolen by policemen. I reported this to the Force PPRO @Princemoye1 and @PoliceNG three months ago, but no action has been taken. @YarKafanchan.”

He emphasized that despite reporting the incident to the authorities, no progress has been made so far.

As the post gained attention online, many concerned individuals flooded the comment section to share their thoughts on the matter.

See some reactions below:

@Youngdr1903: “This one is another jaw dropping oo. You won’t hear anything again bro because they all have different games each of then runs in dark. So dey will surely keep each other tracks from light.”

@Okpanachi: “You should also post a picture of the Hilux. That’ll greatly help you win.”

@Loula120: “Lesson learned from this very unfortunate ordeal. Trust these people at your own peril!”

@enochusoro: “Not mocking you sir, I just thinking why I’ll buy anything from a Nigerian police officer.”

@the_onbeatable: “Two ways to do this. One, you make up your mind that anything can happen to you, so put your house in order. Then go all the way screaming out in every corner to get justice. If you perish,you perish! Two, you take your loss and run! They have marked you already. Your choice.”

@tolu_of: “As we all know … the @PoliceNG @PoliceNG_CRU always cover up for their own … so no matter what … this man .. he ain’t facing any law .. he is the law .. except he doesn’t have mouth in the force they will publicly dismiss him … but a ranking officer, is always free.”

 

 

President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, has filed a ₦38.3 billion lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing Nigeria’s secret police, the Directorate of State Security (DSS), the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and Seyi Tinubu—son of President Bola Tinubu—of violating his fundamental human rights.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/966/2025 and filed on May 14, 2025, by Isah’s lawyers from Ajunwa & Co., seeks the enforcement of rights under the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009.

Isah alleges that he was kidnapped, unlawfully detained for over two weeks, physically assaulted, and defamed in a coordinated attempt to silence his activism and oust him from NANS leadership.

According to court filings, the student leader claims he was brutally beaten and stabbed during an alleged attack orchestrated by a rival NANS faction allegedly backed by Seyi Tinubu.

He says this attack caused severe blood loss and trauma and that DSS operatives subsequently detained him without filing charges.

He is asking the court to declare that his detention and treatment violate multiple provisions of Nigerian and international human rights law.

“The Respondents’ blatant kidnapping, abduction and unlawful detention of the Applicant…amounts to total breach of the Applicant’s fundamental human rights,” the lawsuit reads.

In addition to the N32.87 billion requested as general damages, Isah seeks N5.5 billion in exemplary damages and a 20% compounded interest on the judgment sum.

He also seeks an injunction restraining the respondents from “further kidnapping, beating, detention and physical threats to [his] life” and a court order for his immediate and unconditional release.

The crisis appears rooted in a leadership tussle within NANS, with reports suggesting that a government-aligned faction had challenged Isah’s inauguration at The Wells Carlton Hotel in Abuja.

During the incident, Isah was reportedly attacked, leading to severe injuries. His family claims the DSS detained him while he was still recovering at the agency’s medical facility.

“Since they took him, we have not seen or heard from him. Nobody knows where he is now; no contact. We are praying nothing bad has happened to him,” a relative told SaharaReporters in an interview, requesting anonymity for safety reasons.

They further alleged that the DSS has refused to arrest the perpetrators of the attack while holding Isah incommunicado.

“Why are the DSS operating like bandits?” the family member asked. “They whisked someone who was macheted and nearly killed by a NANS faction backed by Seyi Tinubu, yet they did not arrest the perpetrators.”

The family said Isah’s wife and young daughter have been left emotionally devastated.

“His wife does not know where her husband is. The daughter cries every day, asking about her dad,” the relative added.

Media Defamation and NTA’s Role
The lawsuit also names the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) as a respondent, alleging that the state broadcaster aired defamatory content aimed at discrediting Isah’s reputation and legitimising his detention.

Isah argues that the media coverage further aggravated his psychological distress and contributed to public misrepresentation of his status.

Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
High Court [Getty Images]
The matter is expected to be scheduled for hearing soon. Legal experts suggest the case could raise significant questions about the use of state power, freedom of expression, and the independence of student movements in Nigeria.

If successful, the lawsuit could mark one of the most substantial damages ever awarded in a rights enforcement case involving a student activist in the country.

As of press time, neither the DSS, NTA, nor Seyi Tinubu had publicly responded to the allegations.

(NAN)