By Kome Odhomor By any standard of governance, the ongoing demolition of homes in Makoko, Lagos, is deeply troubling. What is unfolding in this historic waterfront community is not merely an urban planning exercise; it is a humanitarian crisis created by policy choices that appear to ignore human dignity, due process, and the lived realities of the urban poor. Makoko, a century-old fishing settlement overlooking the Third Mainland Bridge, is home to hundreds of thousands of residents whose lives are intricately tied to the Lagos Lagoon. For generations, fishing has sustained families, funded education, and anchored a resilient community. Yet,…
Author: Adetutu Audu
I, Spencilene Precious Benson, daughter of Mama Opral Benson, OON, issued this statement in response to a false, malicious, and deliberately misleading publication alleging that my mother is missing. I categorically state that this publication is entirely false, unfounded, and fabricated, and appears to have been orchestrated by individuals acting with malicious, callous, and nefarious intent. For the avoidance of doubt, Mama Opral Benson, OON is not missing. We are presently in Monrovia, Liberia, where she is visiting family members and attending to critical personal and domestic matters. She remains in good health and we will be returning to Nigeria…
Motunrayo Kuti, daughter of late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has publicly weighed in on the escalating feud between her brother, Seun Kuti, and Grammy-winning singer Wizkid, following their exchange over the nickname “Big Bird.” In a heated video response circulating on social media, Motunrayo Kuti defended her family’s legacy while taking aim at Wizkid’s remarks. “Wizkid is bigger than Fella Abi. Wizkid, you are also bigger than your father. That your us+less father. That one wey abandon you and your mama wey don die so. That man, Muniru. Muniru Olátúnjí Balogun. You see that Muniru Olátúnjí, You are also…
By Yarima Haruna, Birnin Kebbi Kebbi Investment Promotion Agency is gearing up for the 2026 Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival with the sensitisation of hotel owners to upgrade facilities to accommodate expected foreign investors. The Director General of the Agency, Dr. Muhammad Kabir Kamba, who unfolded the Agency Agency’s preparations, said meetings with stakeholders to ensure maximum economic benefits for the state have been scheduled . He disclosed that foreign investors from Europe and Asia have expressed interest in coming for the festival. He said their expression of interest was believed to have resulted from Governor Idris’s visits to…
By Adetutu Audu The Iya Oge of Lagos, Chief Opral Benson declared missing, has been found, reports thegazellenews.com Thegazellenews.com had earlier reported that the Iya Oge of Lagos was declared missing on Sunday, 18 January, 2026 by her family. A statement by the family earlier had indicated that the Lagos socialite has been missing since Sunday, 11 January, 2026 and her whereabouts are unknown. However, her daughter, Bimbo reacted to the viral news of her being declared missing. According to Bimbo, she spoke with Mrs Opral Benson on Sunday, 18 January, 2026, at 11.18 am. However, Mama spoke from Monrovia…
By Adetutu Audu Wizkid has finally reacted to the escalating online conflict between his fans and Seun Kuti, Afrobeat musician and son of the late music legend, Fela Kuti. Thegazellenews.com recalled that the Grammy Award winner has remained to be silent since the dispute commenced last week. The social media spat was ignited last week after Seun, 43, publicly accused Wizkid’s fanbase, known as Wizkid FC, of disrespecting his father’s legacy by drawing comparisons between Fela and the Grammy winner. WizKid did not immediately respond to the comment, leaving his fans to respond. It was gathered that Seun Kuti attacked…
The funeral rites for former Chairman of Alimoso Local Government and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sir Ayo Akinyemi begin on Wednesday, 21 January, 2026, reports thegazellenews.com The burial programmes are put together by the six council Chairmen in Alimoso Federal Constituency: Ibrahim Akinpelu Johnson, Alimoso Local Government; Jimoh Abiodun Ishola, Agbado-Okeodo Local Council Development Area; Agbaje Abiodun Lukman, Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA; Idris Oluomo Balogun, Egbe-Idimu LCDA; Lasisi Ayinde Akinsanya, Igando-Ikotun LCDA; and Adunni Opeyemi Akindele, Mosan-Okunola LCDA. The burial events are being organised by six Vice Chairmen of the aforementioned councils. Thegazellenews.com had earlier reported that the late…
The Iya Oge of Lagos, Chief (Mrs) Opral Benson has been declared missing, reports thegazellenews.com Thegazellenews.com reports further that Chief Mrs Benson is the widow of Chief TOS Benson. She was declared missing via a release by her family. The family stated that Mrs Benson’s whereabouts have been unknown for more than 48 hours. In the notice released on Sunday, 18 January, 2026, the family revealed that Benson was last seen on Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 and has not returned home since then. Describing the situation as time-sensitive, the family appealed to the public for any information that could help…
Former OPEC President and Minister for Petroleum Resources in Nigeria, Diezani Alison-Madueke appeared in a London court on Monday, 19 January, 2026, ahead of her full trial on bribery charges relating to her time as Nigeria’s Oil Minister. Preliminary proceedings, including technical matters and jury selection, began this week, with Alison-Madueke in attendance. Alison-Madueke, who was in office from 2010 to 2015, was the first woman Oil Minister in Nigeria and the first female President of the global oil cartel, OPEC. The 65-year-old has been on bail since she was first arrested in London in October 2015. She has denied…
The Ogun State Police Command has filed a six-count charge before the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, against social media blogger Adetoun Onajobi, popularly known as @justadetoun, over alleged cyberbullying, false accusations, and other offences bordering on the Cybercrimes Act. According to the Command, the suspect was invited on Friday, 2 January, 2026, to respond to allegations arising from her online publications targeted at the Ogun State Government and the Governor. She, however, failed to honour the invitation, claiming through her lawyer that she was medically indisposed. A medical report was submitted in support of this claim. Discreet investigations by the…