The National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Olu Agunloye, says the party is not open to merging with any political party.

Agunloye made this known in a statement, stressing that the party would resist any hostile takeover attempts by new members.

According to report in recent weeks, the SDP has welcomed new members from both the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Agunloye said while new members may have different motives, they must adhere to the party’s rules and constitution.

“APC and PDP, which have ruled Nigeria since 1999, have not done well.

“It is common knowledge that Nigeria is not where Nigerians expect it to be. Injustice, corruption, ‘money for vote’ elections, and high insecurity have led to economic crisis, massive youth unemployment, and pervasive poverty.

“People are suffering, and many more are getting trapped in poverty by the day. In the face of these challenges, the emergence of SDP as an alternative platform for progress has become compelling.

“This is why all SDP leaders and state chairmen are required to reach out to all people desirous of good governance to join the crusade for sustainable development and not leave this task only to our dynamic and charismatic National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam,” he said.

According to him, SDP is inspired by vision, stimulated by a genuine desire to serve, and is proud to say it relies on ideology, adding that the party is a strong and reliable brand.

Agunloye further said that in managing the influx of contending interests, the party would cautiously avoid the pitfalls that led to the failure of past alliances.

The party’s National Secretary added that the SDP would continue to strengthen its institutions through enhancing membership registration processes, constitutional structures, and party organs and reinforcing all departments and directorates.

Prominent APC chieftain, Hon. Gudaji Kazaure, has expressed his readiness to collaborate with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, suggesting that Nigeria requires urgent political realignment to address its challenges.

Speaking in a video posted by one Imran U. Wakili (@IU_Wakilii) on X, Kazaure hinted at cross-party cooperation, stating:
“We cannot sit back while Nigeria continues to struggle. If Atiku’s plan is truly about rescuing the nation, we are prepared to align and support the vision.”

His remarks come amid speculation over Atiku’s political moves ahead of the 2027 elections, fueling discussions on potential opposition strategies against the ruling APC.

With shifting alliances shaping Nigeria’s political landscape, Kazaure’s stance signals a possible reconfiguration of forces ahead of the next general elections.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Prof. Joseph Utsev has sought the Catholic Church’s support in the national campaign against open defecation in the country.

The minister, who stated this during a courtesy visit to the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, emphasised the role of faith-based organisations in achieving a cleaner and healthier society.

He highlighted the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet campaign, which was launched in 2019 and aims to eradicate open defecation in Nigeria by 2030. The campaign gained legal backing through Executive Order 9, signed on November 20, 2019, and has seen progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

“Before this administration, 102 local governments were open defecation-free. Today, the number has risen to 142, with Jigawa State being the only state completely free of open defecation,” the minister stated.

He stressed that open defecation contaminates water bodies and contributes to the spread of waterborne diseases. “Water is life, but when polluted due to poor sanitation, it leads to disease outbreaks. Eliminating open defecation will make our society cleaner and healthier,” Prof. Utsev added.

Recognising the church’s influence in shaping public behaviour, the minister appealed to Archbishop Kaigama to integrate the campaign into church teachings and outreach programmes. “The church is the house of the Lord, where the good news is preached. We believe the church can help propagate this message by emphasising the dignity of human life and the importance of caring for one’s neighbour. If we truly care for others, we cannot defecate in the open, knowing it harms them,” he stated.

The minister urged churches to serve as role models by maintaining proper sanitation facilities and encouraging behavioural change among parishioners. To ensure wider coverage, he also requested opportunities to share this message at bishops’ conferences, priestly gatherings, and other religious events.

In response, Archbishop Kaigama reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s commitment to promoting societal well-being and pledged support for the initiative. He emphasised that protecting the environment aligns with Pope Francis’s teachings, which call for responsible stewardship of creation.

The archbishop lauded the minister’s visit, describing it as a critical step toward addressing environmental concerns. He stressed the importance of collective action in tackling these issues.

“We must work together, government, church, and faith-based organisations. The government cannot do it alone. The message from the minister of water resources and sanitation is crucial. It is a life-saving message. We need to take care of our environment,” Kaigama stated.

He warned against reckless environmental practices, noting that pollution and poor waste management contribute to disease outbreaks.

“This is a mission to save lives. Lives are sacred. I join you in this crusade. It is a war, but by the grace of God, you will win,” the archbishop stated.

The minister also joined Catholics worldwide in praying for Pope Francis’s quick recovery as he undergoes medical treatment. “We pray that the good Lord, who created heaven and earth, will grant him healing,” the minister said.

 

A Lagos State High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square on Thursday rejected the no-case submissions filed by Chioma Egbuchu, the sister of Chidinma Ojukwu, and Adedapo Quadri, the second defendant in the ongoing murder trial of Michael Usifo Ataga, CEO of Super TV.

Quadri and Egbuchu had filed the no-case submissions in a bid to have the charges against them dropped, arguing that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the trial.

However, Justice Yetunde Adesanya ruled that there was a prima facie case against both defendants, as the prosecution had established enough material evidence for them to enter defence in the matter and thus, ordered them to open their defence.

Ojukwu, a 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, is standing trial before the Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square.

She is being prosecuted alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu and one Adedapo Quadri for the murder of Ataga.

The defendants were arraigned on October 12, 2021, by the Lagos State Government.

Ojukwu and Quadri are facing the first to eight counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, and stabbing while her sister, Egbuchu, is facing the ninth count of stealing an iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga.

Both were alleged to have conspired and murdered Ataga on June 15, 2021, by stabbing him several times with a knife in the neck and chest.

The incident occurred at No. 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

When the case came up on Thursday, the prosecution announced an appearance, while the defendants were also represented.

The judge in her ruling held that in the written address by the second defendant, it was nothing that was mentioned or linked to Adedapo Quadri to the offences mentioned by the ninth prosecuting witness, DSP Olusegun Bamidele, in his testimony.

She said, “The duty of the court is not to analyse the charge but, to examine the charge and if the evidence is established, then there is a case to answer and the no-case submission is overruled.

“The first defendant during interrogation and statement recording told PW9 that it was the second defendant that helped her with the preparation of a UBA Bank account with the name Mary Johnson, Access Bank Statement, driving licence and passport.

‘The second defendant, (Quadri) also, confessed that he helped the first defendant prepare the said documents.”

The evidence laid to the third defendant is the one made by the ninth prosecution witness in his examination-in-chief and the statement of the third defendant, Egbuchu.

Egbuchu in her statement said she was contacted that the phone with her was a stolen phone and that the owner of the phone was dead.

She said she told the police that it was a gift from her sister (Chidinma), and that when she gave her the phone, she asked her where she got it from and that Chidinma said it was her boyfriend who gave her.

“I have carefully considered the exhibits, both the second and third defendants have a case to answer. From the totality of the evidence before me, I reject the no-case submissions of the second and third defendants.

“I call on the second and third defendants to enter their defence,” the judge said.

However, the case was adjourned till April 9, 2025, for the defence to open their case.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, will on Friday evening, February 7, officially tee off the Chief Mrs Grace Ihonvbere 60th Birthday Invitational Open at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja.

This 18-hole tournament is the grand finale of a week-long celebration honouring the esteemed past Lady Captain of the club.

The festivities included a series of engaging events, such as a Caddies tournament and competitions for Veterans and Super Veterans. Earlier on Thursday, the Pros championship took place, showcasing the talents of skilled golfers.

Looking ahead, Saturday promises to be a highlight as Men’s Divisions 1 & 2 and Ladies Divisions 1 & 2, both with handicaps ranging from zero to 28, compete for the coveted winner’s trophy.

So far, an impressive 200 amateur golfers from across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and beyond have registered for the one-day championship.

In a heartfelt statement, Chief Mrs Ihonvbere revealed her motivation for celebrating her milestone Diamond Jubilee birthday on the golf course, stating, “Golf is my game, my passion, my life, having started playing at the age of 15. Because of the numerous benefits of the game, I dedicate a lot of time, energy, and resources to it. This is just my own way of promoting the game, building sporting relationships, and showing appreciation for their goodwill and support over the years.”

As the wife of Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, the Majority Leader of the 10th House of Representatives, representing Owan Federal Constituency of Edo State in the National Assembly, she expressed her gratitude towards the Board of Trustees, the current Executives, Management, and Staff of the IBB International Golf and Country Club for their unwavering support throughout the anniversary celebrations.

Preparations for the Saturday event are in full swing, with Chief Mrs Ihonvbere assuring participants that the course was in excellent condition. The evening will culminate in an awards ceremony where trophies and various prizes will be presented to outstanding players across different categories, making it a fitting tribute to a remarkable 60 years.

This unique blend of sport and celebration highlights the strong community spirit within the golfing fraternity and the personal connections that make events like these truly special.

As open defecation continues along the median of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Ogun State Government says it will intensify efforts to clamp down on perpetrators of the act.

TheNigerian Metro correspondent who monitored activities along the Mowe-Ibafo-Kara-Berger areas of the expressway on Thursday observed that despite repeated warnings and enforcement actions by the Lagos and Ogun state governments, the median remained littered with faeces, raising public health concerns among residents.

TheNigerian Metro recalls that the Ogun State Government had promised to relocate traders at the Kara cattle market to curb the incessant open defecation along the expressway.

The state Ministry of Environment had, in August 2024, given traders a December 31, 2024, deadline to relocate to a new site in the Ogere area of the state.

However, checks by our correspondent on Thursday revealed that despite the government’s deadline, some traders were still operating in the Kara market.

Additionally, our correspondent observed that open defecation persists despite the presence of public toilets in the area.

A resident in the Magboro area of the expressway, Taofeeq Dada, told our correspondent that the daytime enforcement carried out by the government seemed ineffective, as most perpetrators defecate at night.

He stressed that crossing the median at night exposes residents to health risks due to the stench from the faeces.

He said, “I don’t think daytime monitoring is yielding results because, most times, the defecation happens at night.

“If you are not careful while crossing the median, you could step on the faeces or contract a disease because of the odour.”

Another commuter in the Kara area of the expressway, Jane Imoh, noted that open defecation had become a routine sight for both visitors and residents.

She urged the government to urgently relocate the market if it is serious about addressing the issue.

“The government knows what to do. We can’t deny that this market contributes to the problem of open defecation in this area. So, if they want to end it, let them relocate the market.”

A road user at the Berger end of the expressway, who identified herself simply as Omotara, attributed the issue to homelessness in the area.

She said, “The problem is caused by these homeless people who roam around here. You sometimes see them in broad daylight defecating in the median.”

When contacted on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Ministry of Environment, Rotimi Oduniyi, stressed that the government would intensify efforts to monitor and clamp down on perpetrators.

He added that the government had not rescinded its decision to relocate traders from the Kara cattle market.

“We are still on course to move the traders away from there. All those whom you saw there are illegal occupants. We will relocate the Kara market.

“We are also going to reinforce our enforcement. We were there on Tuesday to monitor, and we spoke with the leaders of the Hausa and Yoruba groups. We will intensify our monitoring,” Oduniyi said.

Oduniyi urged residents to patronise public toilets to curb open defecation.

Meanwhile, efforts to get a reaction from the spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Adekunle Adesina, proved abortive, as he had yet to respond to calls and messages sent to his phone on Thursday.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka put her close friendship with Paula Badosa aside Thursday to sweep past the Spaniard into a third successive Australian Open final.

The Belarusian world No 1 came home 6-4, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena and will meet either Polish second seed Iga Swiatek or American 19th seed Madison Keys in Saturday’s decider.
The hard, fast courts of Melbourne Park have been the 26-year-old’s happy place.

She has now won 20 straight matches at the Australian Open to close in on a third consecutive crown – something that hasn’t happened this century.

The last person to achieve the feat was Martina Hingis in 1999 and only four other women have completed the three-peat – Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles.

“Super tough match against a friend,” she said. “Super happy to be through.”
Sabalenka last year described Badosa as her “best friend” and “soulmate”, but it was all business on a cool Melbourne evening.

The 11th seed Badosa stunned world No 3 Coco Gauff in straight sets to reach her maiden Slam semifinal at the age of 27 and came out swinging.

She gave Sabalenka a break point in the opening game on a double fault, but then nailed some big winners to save and hang on.

It was then the Belarusian turn to offer two break points to the Spaniard with some sloppy power shots and Badosa capitalised to open a 2-0 lead when a forehand sprayed wide.