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TheGazelleNews, popular Lagos based online newspaper is set to honour the trio of Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, Asiwaju Olorunfumi Bashorun and Chief Waliu Ojuko for their contribution to democracy and governance in Nigeria.

‎Solomon, Bashorun and Ojuko will be honoured with the flagship award of the online newspaper, the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Annual Public Lecture and Award of the newspaper scheduled to hold on Wednesday, 15 July, 2026.

‎The lecture with the theme: Driving Grassroots Governance with Public-Private Partnership: The Gains, the Pains, the Prospects will be delivered by Chief Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication

‎According to a statement by the Chairperson of the Organising Committee for the event, Mrs Adetutu Audu-Adebisi, the Lifetime Achievement Award is the flagship award for politicians who have distinguished themselves and contribute immensely to the democracy and governance in the country.

‎”Our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu won the maiden award in 2022 while the Chairman of the influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi won it in 2024.

‎”This year we are honouring three distinguished Nigerians who have played major roles in governance and sustenance of democracy in the country,” Mrs Audu-Adebisi said.

‎Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon popularly called GOS by many is a deeply rooted grassroots politician.

‎Senator Solomon has developed a political career that has made him a man of the people.

‎He was former Executive Chairman of Mushin Local Government, was a member of the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007 where he represented Mushin Federal Constituency I.

‎Between 2007 and 2015, Senator Solomon represented Nigeria’s biggest Senatorial District, Lagos West where he rose to become the Minority Whip of the Upper Chamber.

‎A Rotarian, Solomon is very popular among the people particularly those at the grassroots.

‎Presently, he is a member of the very influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and is the APC Apex Leader for Mushin combining the two Federal and State Constituencies.

‎Elder Statesman, Asiwaju Reuben Olorunfumi Bashorun is the first Secretary to the State Government (SSG) when he served the administration of the late Lateef Kayode Jakande between 1979 and 1983.

‎A former banker and highly referred politician, Asiwaju Olorunfumi Bashorun was an active player in the aborted Third Republic.

‎A member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Bashorun was one of the leaders who contributed to the success of late MKO Abiola in the SDP presidential primary in Jos.

‎The Igbogbo-born politician was in the forefront of the struggle for the actualisation of the June 12 election.

‎Presently, he is a member of the GAC.

‎Chief Waliu Olajide Ojuko is a highly respected Awori politician.

‎Born in Ota, Ogun State, Chief Ojuko had a highly distinguished civil service life in both state and federal civil service in Lagos and Ogun states before venturing into politics.

‎He was a director at Gateway Hotels during the administration of late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo

‎He was Ogun state Secretary of the Social Democratic Party where he played key role in delivering Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola at the Jos Convention and his electoral victory alongside former Governor Olusegun Osoba.

‎He was Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative & Tourism under Olusegun Osoba;

‎Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and

‎Senior Special Adviser Political Affairs under Gov. Dapo Abiodun

‎Chief Ojuko is the

‎Olotu of Ota Aworiland;

‎Balogun Ojokoro, Lagos;

‎President, Iganmode Club, Ota;

‎Member, Abeokuta Sports Club;

‎Member, Lagos Island Club; and

‎National President, Iganmode Grammar School Old Students Association

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Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck has come under heavy fire after making a controversial claim about hip-hop.

The ‘Declan Rice’ crooner sparked fresh controversy after re-echoing Wizkid’s infamous claim that hip-hop music is no longer relevant.

While reacting to a list of Nigerian artists with the most monthly listeners on Spotify currently via X, Odumodublvck boldly declared, “Hip Hop is dead,” alluding to the conspicuous absence of Nigerian rappers from the list.

His post elicited mixed reactions, with many berating him for disrespecting the genre while arguing that hip-hop is still much relevant outside Nigeria.

Despite Nigeria having both veteran and thriving rappers, hip-hop artists are absent from the list of Nigerian artists with the most monthly listeners on Spotify currently, with singers occupying the entire top 10.

Burna Boy leads with 40.68 million listeners, closely followed by Tems with 40.64 million listeners.

Rema ranks number 3 with 29.43 million listeners, while Ayra Starr and Wizkid take the numbers 4 and 5 spots with 16.84 and 16.81 million listeners, respectively.

Omah Lay (11.24m), Davido (10.83m), CKay (10.71m), Fireboy DML (9.23m), and Asake (8.69m) complete the top 10.

Retired military officers and associates of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd) have called for a more proactive and realistic approach to tackling insecurity in Nigeria, saying many previous measures have either failed or delivered limited results.

The retired officers made the call on Thursday during a press conference in Kaduna held in honour of the retired general, who died after being abducted by bandits in Katsina State.

The retired army general was abducted alongside his wife, Hajiya Amina Rabe, by bandits on May 30 in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

He later died in captivity, and his body was released by the bandits to state officials. He was buried in Katsina last Saturday in accordance with Islamic rites.

A few days after his death, his wife regained her freedom following a military operation in Katsina State.

Speaking on behalf of the retired military officers, Brigadier General Isma’ila Abdullahi (rtd) said the death of General Rabe should serve as a wake-up call for government and security agencies to rethink current strategies against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

Among those present at the briefing were Brigadier General Abubakar Abdulqadir (rtd), Brigadier General M.I. Tsiga (rtd), Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd), Ambassador Ibrahim Usman Gafai and Ambassador Ahmed Muhammad Musawa.

Abdullahi described the late general’s death as a painful reminder of the worsening security situation in the country.

“Our colleague, friend and brother, Major General Rabe Abubakar, died after being abducted by bandits. His death has left us shocked and deeply saddened,” he said.

While commending the Federal Government and the Katsina State Government for efforts that led to the rescue of the deceased’s wife, Hajiya Amina Rabe Abubakar, the retired officers said the incident exposed serious weaknesses in the country’s security system.

They said restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions would require stronger leadership, better coordination and a comprehensive strategy focused on preventing attacks before they occur.

“The time has come for a more realistic and proactive response to insecurity. Nigerians deserve to live without fear, and the government must act with greater urgency to make that possible,” Abdullahi said.

He also said insecurity has spread beyond any particular region and should no longer be viewed through ethnic, religious or political lenses.

He cautioned Nigerians against blaming the North alone for the country’s security challenges, noting that kidnappings, terrorism and banditry now affect virtually all parts of the country.

“Security is a national problem that requires a national solution. We must stop giving it ethnic or regional colouration,” Abdullahi said.

The retired officers argued that the current security situation demands fresh thinking and stronger political commitment.

They identified weak cooperation among stakeholders, ethnic divisions, religious intolerance and inadequate political will as some of the factors hindering efforts to defeat criminal groups.

According to them, governments at all levels must move from reacting to attacks to preventing them through intelligence gathering, early warning systems and stronger security institutions.

The group called for greater investment in intelligence operations, improved coordination among security agencies and stronger border controls to curb the inflow of illegal weapons.

They also urged the 19 northern governors to work together on a regional security framework to address banditry, kidnapping and the proliferation of small arms.

While welcoming security cooperation between Nigeria and foreign partners, including the United States, the retired officers stressed that the responsibility for protecting Nigerians rests primarily with Nigerian authorities.

“No nation can secure Nigeria for us. International cooperation is important, but Nigeria must take the lead in securing its citizens,” Abdullahi said.

The former military officers also advocated greater support for community-based security structures, particularly in rural areas where many attacks occur.

According to them, vigilante groups and local security volunteers should be properly trained, supervised and equipped to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies.

“When heavily armed criminals attack communities, local defenders cannot be expected to confront them with inadequate equipment. Communities can organise and train selected youths under proper supervision to support security efforts,” he said.

However, they warned against uncontrolled distribution of weapons, insisting that any community security arrangement must operate under strict regulations.

The group also called on state governments to strengthen the proposed forest guard initiative through adequate recruitment, training, logistics and operational support.

On the debate over state police, the retired officers expressed support for the idea but said only states with the financial and institutional capacity to sustain such outfits should establish them