Veteran Nollywood actor Kola Olaiya has accused his colleague, Pete Edochie, of being overly proud and failing to acknowledge the contributions of senior theatre practitioners who helped lay the foundation for the Nigerian entertainment industry.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Olaiya made the allegation during an interview with Oyinmomo TV, where he argued that Edochie should recognise the achievements of veteran entertainers who had established themselves in the profession long before the celebrated actor began his career.

He specifically mentioned the late theatre icon Hubert Ogunde, whose contributions to Nigerian theatre and filmmaking predated Edochie’s entry into the industry.

According to Olaiya, Ogunde ventured into theatre in 1944 after leaving the police force and had already produced films and recorded popular songs before Edochie was born.

The veteran actor argued that although Edochie might consider himself without a senior within his own ethnic group in the South-East, such a claim could not reasonably apply to the entire Nigerian entertainment industry.

Speaking during the interview, Olaiya said he had known Edochie for a long time and believed pride was responsible for his alleged reluctance to acknowledge the elders who contributed to his rise.

“I have known him for long that pride is in his blood. That is why he cannot pay homage to the elders that made him.

“Ogunde had been acting before Pete was born. After that, some people like Oyin Adejobi, Duro Ladipo, Kola Ogunmola, were joining. Where was Pete Edochie then?

“If Pete says in his own tribe, he doesn’t have a boss, I wouldn’t know, but here in the whole Nigeria, no,” Olaiya stated.

The actor also reflected on his professional relationship with Ogunde, describing the late theatre pioneer as a father figure and mentor who played a significant role in shaping his personal life and acting career.

Olaiya’s comments have drawn attention to the contributions of early Nigerian theatre practitioners and the importance of recognising the pioneers whose work helped shape the country’s modern entertainment industry.

Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains the only political party to have endured the collapse of other parties since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Lamido, a founding member of the PDP, expressed confidence in the party’s resilience, saying it had weathered years of political changes and would continue to play a significant role in Nigeria’s political future.

He made the remarks during the inauguration of the PDP Campaign Council at the party’s state headquarters in Dutse, Jigawa State.

According to the former governor, several political parties have disappeared or collapsed since 1999, while the PDP has continued to survive.

“Since 1999, almost all political parties have collapsed, leaving the PDP as the only surviving party to date.

“It has seen yesterday, today and, by the grace of God, it will see tomorrow,” Lamido said.

He also urged Nigerians not to repeat what he described as the mistake of voting for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in previous elections.

Lamido called on voters to assess the performance of previous PDP administrations alongside that of the current APC-led government before deciding which party to support in the 2027 general elections.

“I believe Nigerians have learnt from their mistakes. Therefore, they must critically examine the achievements of previous administrations under the PDP and compare them with those of the current administration before deciding who should lead them,” he stated.

The former governor criticised the APC-led administration, accusing it of failing to meet the expectations of Nigerians. He argued that both the country and Jigawa State required experienced and capable leadership to address their pressing challenges.

Lamido also expressed concern over the state of healthcare and education in Jigawa, alleging that the two sectors had deteriorated under the current administration.

“Today, Jigawa is facing serious challenges in accessing quality healthcare. Hospitals lack adequate medical services and essential drugs, while the education sector continues to deteriorate,” he said.

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Lamido assured party supporters that the PDP was prepared to campaign for its candidates across all levels of government, including the presidency, National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly.

He further pledged that the party would conduct its campaigns peacefully, without resorting to insults, intimidation or personal attacks against political opponents.

According to Lamido, the PDP’s central objective is to restore good governance and rebuild public confidence in Nigeria’s political leadership.

The Nigerian Army has explained that Plateau-based journalist Lawrence Zongo was arrested for allegedly entering a restricted military facility without authorisation while wearing Meta smart glasses, which raised security concerns.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Army provided the explanation on Friday amid growing concerns over Zongo’s arrest and detention in Jos, Plateau State.

Reports indicate that Zongo was arrested on Monday, October 5, after visiting a military hospital at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, popularly known as Rukuba Barracks, in Jos.

The journalist reportedly said he had gone to visit relatives receiving treatment for injuries sustained during an attack in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Following his arrest, Amnesty International demanded his immediate and unconditional release, alleging that he had been detained without access to the outside world.

The human rights organisation, which also engages Zongo as a volunteer reporter, said military authorities had repeatedly denied its attempts to gain access to him.

“Mr Zongo must either be handed over to civil authorities or immediately released,” Amnesty International stated on Wednesday.

However, the Army rejected suggestions that Zongo’s eventual release was simply a response to pressure from Amnesty International or other groups, maintaining that the circumstances surrounding his arrest presented potential security concerns.

Details of the Army’s position were shared on social media by conflict journalist Masara Kim Usman, who also provided an account of the events leading to Zongo’s release.

According to Kim, Zongo allegedly entered the restricted military facility without the necessary clearance while wearing Meta smart glasses, which personnel reportedly suspected could function as a covert recording device.

Kim further claimed that Zongo identified himself as a volunteer with Amnesty International when questioned by military personnel. He added that military police subsequently made inquiries among patients at the hospital, but reportedly found no one who could confirm knowing the journalist.

In his account, Kim said some military personnel had favoured charging and prosecuting Zongo over suspected espionage.

“The pressure from within was for Lawrence to be charged and prosecuted for espionage,” Kim wrote.

He explained that Zongo’s release followed interventions by several individuals and groups, including youth leaders Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri Mandiks and Ezekiel Bini.

According to Kim, the two leaders reportedly appealed on the journalist’s behalf and offered to produce him before the authorities if he was needed for further questioning.

Kim added that Zongo had initially been scheduled for transfer to Abuja on October 9 but was released following the interventions.

He maintained that the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the journalist’s presence at the military facility would continue, adding that Zongo could be summoned to return whenever necessary.

The conflict journalist also cautioned against portraying the development as a case in which public pressure alone forced the military to release Zongo.

He argued that the Army’s concerns stemmed from the journalist’s alleged unauthorised entry into a restricted facility while wearing smart glasses, particularly at a time when the area was reportedly facing security threats.

Kim also alleged that Amnesty International’s public statements and threats had complicated efforts to negotiate with the military. However, these assertions formed part of his account and were not independently verified in the information available.

The Army’s explanation contrasts with Amnesty International’s position that Zongo’s detention was arbitrary and unlawful, highlighting the differing accounts surrounding the journalist’s arrest and subsequent release.