RWGBLOG NEWS - Keeping You Informed

The people of Bodo City in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the exclusion of their traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty, King John Bari-Iyiedum Bebor Gberedeela VIII, from the Dialogue Committee established to discuss the proposed resumption of oil production in Ogoniland. In a statement issued on August 2, 2026, under the banner of the Concerned People of Bodo City, the group described the omission of the paramount ruler as unfair and disrespectful to the traditional institution and the people of Bodo. According to the statement, the exclusion undermines the significant role Bodo City has played in the history of the Ogoni environmental struggle and ignores the sacrifices the community has made over the years as one of the major oil-producing areas in Ogoniland. The group recalled that Bodo suffered severe environmental degradation caused by oil spills, which devastated rivers, mangrove forests, farmlands and fishing a...

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit arrested 42-year-old Timothy Chaneyfield, the pastor of St. James United American Free Will Baptist Church, on multiple charges. According to Sheriff Grady Judd, the investigation began after Instagram submitted a cyber tip reporting suspected inappropriate communication between an adult and a child. During an interview with investigators, the alleged victim said he met Chaneyfield on a dating app before the two continued communicating through Instagram. Investigators allege that Chaneyfield picked the child up from his neighborhood on three separate occasions, took him to his home, and s+xually ab¥sed him. Authorities also said that during a phone conversation, Chaneyfield allegedly told the child he wanted to continue having s+xual relations with him. He also reportedly mentioned that he was traveling to Baltimore for work. Investigators also discovered that Chaneyfield served as a chaplain with Compassionate Care Hosp...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen an Osun State Government account domiciled with First Bank, just 10 days before the state’s governorship election. The account, which is reportedly used to pay workers’ salaries, was placed on “Post No Debit” status, preventing withdrawals and other debit transactions. The development came hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke claimed the EFCC was planning to freeze the state’s accounts and those of top government officials. In a statement issued through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the move as an attempt to disrupt government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election. Adeleke also argued that the EFCC has no legal authority to freeze the accounts of a state government. A source close to the governor confirmed that the account had been frozen and said Adeleke would address the public on the matter. As of the time of filing the report...

A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced 55-year-old John Nwawuto Anoruo for impersonating a legal practitioner and using a forged Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal. Justice A.M. Lawal convicted Anoruo after he pleaded guilty to two counts of impersonation and using a counterfeit NBA seal. According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Anoruo, who operated a legal and educational consultancy in Ikorodu, was arrested after investigations revealed that a petition and a subsequent withdrawal letter he submitted on behalf of clients bore a forged NBA seal. Investigators said Anoruo claimed he obtained a law degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 2018 through evening classes but admitted he never attended the Nigerian Law School and was therefore not qualified to practise law in Nigeria. The EFCC further discovered that the Supreme Court enrolment number on the NBA seal he used belonged to another lawyer. Anoruo also admitted ...

The spokesperson of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, has seemingly thrown her support behind singer Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P, amid the ongoing family dispute involving his twin brother, Paul Okoye, and elder brother, Jude Okoye. Josephine shared a throwback photo of herself with Peter on Facebook on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, recalling that they met ten years ago at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja. Captioning the photo, she wrote: “How time flies. Ten years ago (2016), I met my all-time fav Mr Psquare at the NPF Force Headquarters Abuja #IbelievePeter.” Her post comes as Peter remains embroiled in a public fallout with his brothers over the management and ownership of assets linked to the former music duo, Psquare.

The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has urged Nigerian youths to reject political thuggery ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that politicians often send other people’s children into d@nger while protecting their own.  Speaking on Tuesday at the opening of the 15th Anglican Chancellors, Registrars and Legal Officers Conference (ACRLOC) in Abuja, Ndukuba said, “Never serve as a thug for any politician because what they will not send their own children to do, they are sending our young people to do. They give them money for drugs. We want our young people to shun every thuggery and every act of vi%lence.”  He also encouraged Christians to actively participate in politics by registering with political parties, obtaining their membership cards and taking part in choosing party candidates, stressing that politics influences every aspect of national life.  According to him, Nigeria cannot achieve credible ele...

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying the administration deserves commendation rather than condemnation for its efforts to reposition Nigeria’s economy. Shettima made the remarks on Monday at the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba, where he said the reforms were beginning to produce positive results, particularly in attracting investment and strengthening the country’s foreign reserves. The vice-president noted that the administration inherited significant economic challenges but said Nigeria had recorded notable improvements under Tinubu. Addressing Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo at the event, Shettima said, “Professor Soludo, you have done a lot of things for the federal government, especially in informing Nigerians where we were coming from, from reserves of $3 billion. “When we were experiencing capital plight and scarcity, now we are experiencing capital inflows. “Our foreign reserves have ...

Cardinal John Onaiyekan has expressed concern over Nigeria’s worsening unemployment crisis, saying many young graduates can no longer think about marriage or building a future because they cannot find jobs.  Speaking during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, the Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja reflected on Nigeria’s economic situation following the recent meeting between the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu.  Onaiyekan said the true measure of any government’s success should be the well-being of its citizens rather than economic indicators such as GDP or reports from international institutions.  He said: “If we admit that the role of government is the welfare of citizens, then it means we are not going to judge the success of our government on the basis of the statistics from GDP, from the World Bank, or whatever. The important thing is, what, how is the life of the N...

The Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Rivers State Chapter, Comr. Nwisabari Bani Samuel, has called on Mr. Chijioke Ihunwo to immediately dissolve all allegedly sponsored parallel NYCN factions in the state if his recent alignment with the political leadership of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, , is a genuine commitment to peace. In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Bani said the Council welcomed every Rivers indigene who chooses to embrace the rule of law and peaceful coexistence, noting that the NYCN had long aligned with Wike's leadership because of its belief in constitutional governance and the sustainable development of Rivers State. He recalled that when the Council adopted that position, its members were heavily criticized, mocked, and politically attacked by opponents, including Chijioke Ihunwo and his supporters. According to the NYCN Chairman, those who once ridiculed supporters of the Rainbow Coalition through politi...

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of HYPREP and Political Leader of Khana and Ogoni, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah, has commended the Executive Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Chief Dr. Thomas Bariere, DSSRS, CNA, for his steadfast leadership and commitment to promoting peace and security in Khana. During a condolence visit to the Council over the tragic killing of Mr. Letam Kine (Langa), Rt. Hon. Deeyah declared his full support for the resolutions of the Khana Stakeholders' Meeting held on 19th July, 2026. He assured the Executive Chairman of his unwavering support and urged him not to be intimidated by blackmail or distracted by unfounded criticism, but to remain focused and continue the good work of restoring lasting peace, security, and development in Khana. In his response, Chief Dr. Thomas Bariere appreciated the HYPREP BOT Chairman for the visit, encouragement, and endorsement, reaffirming his administration's commitment to working with s...

Health experts have warned mothers against denying their babies breast milk because of the misconception that br£astfeeding causes br£asts to sag, stressing that br£ast sagging occurs naturally with age.  The warning was given on Monday during the flag-off of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week in Bauchi.  Speaking at a press briefing, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, said some women avoid br£astfeeding because they believe it makes them look older.  “Br£astfeeding is not what makes your breasts fall. Your br£asts naturally fall with age whether you give it to your children or not,” Mohammed said.  He warned that denying babies exclusive br£astfeeding increases their risk of malnutrition and other preventable childhood illnesses.  Also speaking, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office Chief, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, described br£astfeeding as a proven, life-saving practice and said this year’s theme,...

A new report by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed that the apex bank spent ₦464 billion on printing, distributing, processing and destroying worn-out naira notes in 2025.  The amount represents a 94% increase from the ₦238.6 billion spent in 2024, making currency issuance one of the CBN’s biggest operational expenses during the year.  The report also showed that the CBN and its subsidiaries spent ₦416 billion on personnel costs, including ₦56.2 billion on salaries, ₦28.2 billion on defined benefit plans, ₦226 billion on staff allowances and ₦87.1 billion on other staff expenses.  In addition, the report revealed that losses from digital payment fraud dropped significantly to ₦25.85 billion in 2025 from ₦52.26 billion in 2024.  Despite the improvement, the CBN warned that cyber threats, systemic risks, the dominance of a few major payment service providers and the activities of unlicensed operators continue to pose risks to Nigeria’s financial...

In a landmark achievement for the Ogoni people, Rivers State, and Nigeria at large, Dr. (Amb.) Nnordee Bariagara King David, an illustrious son of Kaani Community and one of the youngest holders of three doctoral degrees, has been appointed as the Vice-Rector for Sustainability and Social Impact of Appleton Private University, Spain. The prestigious appointment is a testament to Dr. King David's unwavering commitment to academic excellence, visionary leadership, sustainable development, humanitarian service, and global educational advancement. Over the years, he has distinguished himself through exceptional contributions to leadership development, institutional growth, corporate governance, and community transformation, earning widespread recognition across Africa and beyond. As Vice-Rector for Sustainability and Social Impact, Dr. King David will provide strategic leadership in advancing the University's commitment to sustainability, social innovation, global partn...

Chijioke Ihunwo has announced his decision to join the Rainbows Coalition, pledging full support for OK Chinda and the President. Ihunwo made the statement today during an appearance on a programme on Nigerian Info 92.3FM in Port Harcourt. According to Ihunwo, the move is in line with directives from Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. He said members of the group are obeying the governor’s instructions as they align with the coalition. Ihunwo emphasized that the decision reflects loyalty to the governor’s leadership and a commitment to work under the Rainbows Coalition in support of OK Chinda and the President.

Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche, has criticised Afrobeats, arguing that many songs in the genre lack meaningful content and are negatively influencing young people.  Speaking during the church’s Mid-year Worship Concert, Enenche announced a Youth Fire Night scheduled for September 25 and encouraged gospel artistes, including Prinx Emmanuel, to make themselves available as part of efforts to inspire youths through faith-based music.  “It is better to have music that is saying something that youth is hearing than the garbage that worldly musicians sing,” he said.  Enenche went on to criticise the content and lifestyle he believes many Afrobeats artistes promote, saying, “Most of those Afrobeats are just saying rubbish. Smoking Indian h+mp while they are singing and influencing the youths in negative ways.”  According to him, providing young people with better alternatives through gospel music can help steer them away fr...

Brian Barile, a social commentator and professional painter from Sogho Community in Ogoniland, has raised concerns over the alleged abandonment of a water project initiated by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in his community. In a video shared on his Facebook page, Barile expressed disappointment over the project's current state, stating that its announcement initially brought hope and excitement to residents, many of whom had experienced unfulfilled promises of similar projects from government officials and politicians in the past. According to him, the project has remained abandoned, and he further alleged that individuals have been stationed at the site to prevent residents and visitors from taking photographs or recording videos that could attract media attention. «"What is even more surprising is that instead of HYPREP or the contractors returning to complete this important water project, someone has been stationed there to monitor the s...

Archbishop John Cardinal Onaiyekan has revealed that President Bola Tinubu appeared visibly unhappy during his meeting with members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria after they delivered what he described as the harsh realities facing the country.  Speaking on Arise News, Cardinal Onaiyekan said, “I was not surprised that he was not looking very happy,” adding that the bishops knew their message would differ from the praise the President often receives.  According to him, “There are so many people hanging around Mr. President giving him a rosy picture of what the country is, which it is not,” stressing that the bishops had a duty to present the true situation rather than flatter the President.  He said the meeting was never expected to be cordial given the state of the nation, declaring, “When the nation is bl£eding, you can’t expect a polite meeting with the head of state. We need to let him know.”  Cardinal Onaiyekan disclosed that the bish...

The Federal High Court has dismissed a copyright suit filed by Michael Oluwole against renowned Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter, , affirming her as the sole author and owner of the globally acclaimed worship song, "Way Maker." In Suit No. FHC/L/CS/402/2024 , the plaintiff sought a declaration recognizing him as a co-author and co-owner of the musical work. He also requested a share of the income generated from licences and assignments of the song, alleged infringement of his performer's rights, and demanded ₦5 billion in general damages. Delivering judgment, Hon. Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa held that the plaintiff failed to establish any legal basis for his claims of authorship or co-ownership. The Court found that the evidence showed Sinach had already written and performed "Way Maker" before the plaintiff became involved. According to the judgment, Michael Oluwole was later engaged to mix and master the already existing song for its commerc...

An emotional scene unfolded during a church service as a Nigerian woman tearfully shared her ordeal after donating one of her kidneys to her husband. According to her, both her remaining kidney and the transplanted kidney given to her husband are now experiencing complications, leaving them in a difficult health situation. In her words, she said “I donated one of my kidneys to my husband, and now my own kidney is having issues. My husband’s new kidney which I donated is also having issues too, but I want you, pastor, to heal my husband’s own and leave mine

A 15-year-old boy from Indiana, Jo’Majze Larry, has been sentenced to 100 years in prison for his role in a 2025 gang-related sh%%ting that k+lled a woman and left two others injured.  Larry was sentenced on Wednesday by Judge David Happe in Madison County after a jury found him guilty of m¥rdering 26-year-old Dayla Swain, along with attempted m¥rder and conspiracy to commit m¥rder.  Prosecutors said Larry, a member of the Mickey Cobra Nation (MCN) gang, was among four suspects involved in what was meant to be a hit on a witness to a 2023 h%micide. Instead, Swain, who was not the intended target, was f@tally sh%t outside Sonny Ray’s nightclub in Anderson, Indiana, on February 2, 2025. Another woman was wounded by g¥nfire, while a third was injured after being struck by a vehicle fleeing the scene.  Larry received 50 years for Swain’s m¥rder and another 50 years after admitting to an enhancement charge for participating in a criminal organization.  His co-...

Two Weeks Marriage Ends After Bride Gets ₦70m SUV Gift From Lebanese Boss A marriage between newly wedded Mr. Olukayode and Mrs. Modupeola has reportedly ended just two weeks after their wedding following a disagreement over a luxury vehicle allegedly presented to the bride by her former employer. According to accounts circulating online, Mrs. Modupeola had worked for a Lebanese-owned company in Ilorin, Kwara State, where she reportedly earned a monthly salary of ₦400,000 before resigning and relocating to Abuja after marrying her husband. Less than a week after the wedding, a brand-new Toyota SUV, said to be worth more than ₦70 million, was reportedly delivered to the couple’s residence as a farewell gift from the Managing Director of her former company. The gift allegedly became a source of conflict after Mr. Olukayode, a banker, objected to accepting such an expensive vehicle from another man. He reportedly insisted that the SUV be returned, expressing discomfort with ke...

Businessman Tonye Cole, best known as the co-founder of Sahara Group has shared the sacrifices he and his wife made in the early years of building his business, revealing that they survived on her salary for nearly three years while he invested everything he owned into the venture.  Speaking on the Afropolitan Podcast, Cole said he and his business partners poured all their savings into the business and agreed not to pay themselves salaries during the startup phase.  “For about two and a half to three years, we took everything, all my savings, everything, and put it into the business. None of my partners or I earned anything from the business. We all had to survive and support ourselves from other sources,” he said.  According to him, two of his business partners relied on proceeds from their clothing store to survive, while his wife, who was a medical doctor undergoing her housemanship at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), became the family’s brea...

Singer Davido has declared that he is the only billionaire’s child in the world who has successfully built a personal name and fortune independent of his family’s wealth.  Speaking during an appearance on the Vibes Podcast, the award-winning artiste said people often celebrate “grass-to-grace” success stories but rarely acknowledge those born into wealthy families who go on to carve out their own path and achieve remarkable success.  Davido argued that while many admire individuals who rise from poverty to riches, it is equally challenging for the child of a billionaire to establish an independent identity and earn widespread recognition.  According to him, “They love the grass-to-grace story, the young boy that was poor and became rich. But which other billionaire’s child do you know in the world, not talking about Africa, that has made a name for himself and also made a lot of money? You can’t count, you can’t name one apart from me.”

Ghana’s government approves recommendation to extend presidential term from four to five years, lowers minimum age requirement to 35  Ghana’s government has approved in principle a proposal to extend the tenure of both the president and Parliament from four years to five years as part of a broader constitutional reform process.  The recommendation came from a committee established by President John Dramani Mahama in 2025 to review the country’s 1992 Constitution. Announcing the decision on Thursday, Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, said the extension is aimed at giving elected governments more time to implement their policies, noting that new administrations spend their early months settling into office while the final year is often dominated by election activities.  The government also accepted, with modifications, the committee’s proposal to lower the minimum age for presidential candidates. Instead of reducing it from 40 to 30 years...

South African singer and dancer, Tyla, who was recently facing growing calls for a boycott of her scheduled Lagos concert following renewed outrage over alleged xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa. The Grammy-winning artiste is set to perform in Lagos on December 22, 2026, as part of her APOP World Tour. However, some Nigerians have taken to social media to demand a boycott of the concert, criticising Tyla for what they described as her silence over the reported attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. Report circulating across social media indicates she has cancelled her LAGOS concert.

Afrobeats superstar Davido has opened up about his laid-back lifestyle, revealing that despite his fame and wealth, he sometimes prefers to step out looking like an ordinary person. Speaking about the misconception that he is “too free” and does not always carry himself like a star, Davido explained that growing up around wealth has made many luxury experiences feel normal to him. “I’ve been on jets, I’ve been flying, I’ve been in all these places since I was a baby. I’ve been seeing money since I was a baby. So all these things don’t really excite me,” he said. The singer recalled an experience in the South of France where he simply wore slippers and shorts and went out to eat without his wristwatch. “I just put on some slippers, some shorts, like, I didn’t even wear my watch. I’m like, ‘You know what I’m saying? I’m still cute. You know what I’m saying?’” According to Davido, a representative from his record label later suggested that he needed to “package more” and make ...

Families of at least 176 residents abd¥cted by t+rrorists in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have appealed to the Federal Government and the Kwara State Government to urgently rescue their loved ones after nearly six months in captivity.  The appeal comes amid claims that the abductors threatened to marry the “beautiful” female captives and k+ll the remaining hostages if their demands were not met.  Speaking on the BBC Hausa Service, Kaiama indigene Abdul Ibrahim said affected communities had raised over ₦155 million through crowdfunding to secure the victims’ release, but the t+rrorists allegedly rejected the ransom, leaving the captives in their camps.  According to Ibrahim, families have exhausted every available option, including peaceful protests, without success. He urged both governments and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts, saying the continued captivity has left families in deep anguish.  “We have done everything within o...

A Kano High Court has sentenced 19-year-old Sa’adat Jibrin to d+ath by h@nging for the culpable h@micide of her 30-year-old husband, Salisu Idris, just nine days after their wedding. Jibrin, who resides in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, was convicted after the court found that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Delivering judgment on Thursday, July 30, 2026, Justice Maryam Sabo ruled, “I hereby sentence Saadat Jibrin to d+ath by hanging for culpable h@micide. You have 90 days to appeal.” Earlier, prosecution counsel, Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, told the court that Jibrin committed the offence on May 5, 2025, at Farawa Quarters in Kano. According to him, at about 9 p.m., Jibrin allegedly laced her husband’s “Zoho” drink before att@cking him with a kn#fe. The prosecution presented two witnesses in support of its case, while Jibrin denied committing the offence. The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 221(a) of the Penal Code. H...