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Sunday Igboho praises Obasanjo, Soyinka Yoruba Obas, others after regaining freedom in Benin Republic

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Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, has been released after two years of legal proceedings in Benin.

Igboho who confirmed his release in a statement he read on his Instagram handle titled, “My Release in Benin Republic”, praised former president Olusegun Obasanjo; nobel laureate Wole Soyinka; Professor Banji Akintoye; Ayo Adebanjo and several traditional rulers for the roles they played in securing his release.

He said, “First of all, my sincere appreciation goes to God almighty, the master of the universe for making this day. I want to say a big thank you to all Yoruba sons and daughters all over the world for their love and support before and after the loss of my dear mother, though she’s still kept at the morgue, waiting for me to come and give her the befitting burial that she deserves.

“I give special thanks to President Talon of Benin Republic and to all members of his cabinet. My gratitude goes to my heroic father, Professor Banji Akintoye, and Professor Wole Soyinka for their support in the course of the struggle. May God reward you Baba for your standing courageously for our Yoruba nation and me. You promised to stand by me through my ordeal in Benin Republic and you have fulfilled your promise.

“I will not forget to appreciate former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Baba Ayo Adebanjo for their roles, even though only God gives freedom. Let me use this opportunity to say thank you to all religious leaders, pastors, Muslim clerics, and traditional worshippers for their prayers day and night.

“Our royal fathers, Obas, and Chiefs in Yoruba land, your love and support are so appreciated. But we need more of your support to deliver our lands from slavery because Yoruba land is ours.
“Although I have many Obas on my list, Olugbon of Orile Igbon and deputy chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, Kabiesi Oba Topspin o ni Bariga of Bariga, Oba Tejuoso, Oni Kenta of Orile Kenta, Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan Obateru, thanks immensely for your love.

“I must not forget to appreciate the Megarally USA under Prophet Ologunloluwa and the Directorate under the leadership of Barrister Ogedengbe. Special thanks to Ilana Omo Oodua, Canada and Igbega Omo Oodua USA and Canada.”

Igboho was initially apprehended on Monday, July 19, 2021, at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) while he was on his way to Germany.

His departure from Nigeria followed a raid on his Soka residence in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, by the Department of State Services, which had accused him of stockpiling weapons.

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Nigerian Worker Found Dead at Workplace in UK

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For the third time in April, a Nigerian, Ademola Oke, has died after being found unresponsive at his workplace in the United Kingdom.

 

This is just as the family appealed for public support following his sudden death.

Report gathered from a support appeal published by a close family friend, Adejonwo Odutola, on the popular fundraising platform, GoFundMe, that the incident occurred on April 18.

Odutola explained that Ademola had left home that morning in good health and remained in contact with his wife throughout the day, with no indication of any illness.

He said the deceased was later found unresponsive at his workplace by a colleague who arrived for a night shift.

Odutola wrote, “On 18th April, 2026, Ademola, 37 years old, left home in the morning hale and hearty, with no signs of illness. He was in contact with his wife during the day, and they even shared a WhatsApp message at 2:08 pm—everything seemed normal.

“Tragically and without warning, Ademola passed away suddenly while at work. Later in the day, a colleague arriving for their shift at night in the service user’s house found him seated on a sofa, unresponsive.”

He added that emergency services were immediately contacted, but he was confirmed dead at the scene.

According to him, the sudden loss has left Ademola’s 31-year-old wife in shock and grief, now solely responsible for caring for their two young children, aged six and two.

Odutola described the deceased as a loving husband and devoted father, whose death has had a profound impact on his family and loved ones.

He noted that the fundraising effort was initiated to support funeral arrangements and provide financial assistance for the children as the family adjusts to life without him.

The appeal called on Nigerians in the UK and the wider public to support the bereaved family, stressing that every contribution, no matter how small, would be appreciated.

“This cause is deeply important to me because I have seen firsthand the love within this family and the profound impact this loss has had on them. No family should have to endure such heartbreak while also facing financial uncertainty.

“The funds raised will go towards funeral expenses and ongoing support for the children as the family begins to navigate life without their husband and father,” he added.

It also urged those unable to donate to share the appeal and keep the family in their thoughts during the difficult period.

At the time of filing this report, a sum of £4,509 had been raised out of the £8,000 target.

This is the third incident of a Nigerian based in the United Kingdom dying in April.

PUNCH Metro reported on April 20 that barely one week after a Nigerian mother of three died of cancer in the United Kingdom, another Nigerian father of three, identified simply as Herbert, was found dead in his apartment.

An X user identified as ‘The Stress Manager’ had disclosed that Herbert, who lived in Thornaby, died suddenly in his sleep, in what relatives described as a shocking and heartbreaking incident.

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VIDEO: Uber Driver Nabbed After Fleeing with iPhone 16 in Lagos

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An Uber driver has been traced to his home after allegedly absconding with an iPhone 16 entrusted to him for delivery, following the cancellation of a trip midway in Lagos.

An X user, Ashake, who tweets as #Molayoo_, raised the alarm on Saturday, tagging Uber in her post with screenshots of the booking.

“Uber, one of your riders in Lagos, Nigeria, picked up a package(an iPhone 16) from Egbeda to be delivered to Ikeja, and he cancelled the ride midway, and he’s been unreachable ever since!

“His name is Augustine Adimabua. This is someone’s business, fgs! We need the package,” she wrote.

The situation escalated after the driver was reportedly tracked to his location.

Providing an update on Thursday, Ashake noted that the driver has been caught. She claimed that the driver sold the phone for N400,000.

“He has been caught and handed over to the right authorities. Thank you to every single one of you who made this possible.

“He sold iPhone 16 of over 1m, he sold it for 400k,” she wrote.

In the accompanying videos, the driver agreed that he collected the phone.

“I agree he gave me an iPhone 16, 256 GB, worth 1.2million naira”, he said

He, however, claimed that the phone had been stolen after being questioned about it.

“Where is the phone? Where is the iPhone 16?” one of the men queried.

“The phone was stolen”, he responded.

The confrontation quickly turned heated, with the driver being accused of dishonesty while appearing visibly uneasy, and a woman said to be his wife shocked by the situation.

The video has since gone viral, with individuals recalling personal experiences of stolen package deliveries and others condemning the act.

PUNCH reported in 2025 that delivery delays and thefts cost Nigeria’s logistics sector billions annually due to poor visibility and a lack of journey control systems.

Earlier in 2026, an investigation into Nigeria’s food delivery industry revealed a rise in food delivery theft, missing items and tampered packaging by dispatch riders, eroding customer trust in the fast-growing sector.

Watch the video below:

 

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Dangote Group Plans 650,000bpd Refinery Project in East Africa

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Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has announced plans to build a 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery in East Africa, mirroring the scale of his flagship facility in Nigeria, as part of a broader push to deepen industrial capacity across the continent.

Dangote made the disclosure at a high-level summit in Nairobi on Thursday, where African leaders, financiers, and industry stakeholders gathered to discuss the continent’s growing energy and infrastructure needs.

Addressing Presidents William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni, Dangote said the refinery project would depend on strong government backing and policy consistency.

 

“That’s why, as a group, we have now launched an initiative where, between now and 2030, we’re investing $40 billion in various fields,” he said

“Even now, I can give a commitment to the two presidents who are here that if they support the refinery, we will build an identical one to what we have in Nigeria—650,000 barrels.”

He emphasised that the proposal is still at an early stage but expressed confidence in its feasibility.

When asked about the feasibility of the project, the industrialist said it will “definitely” work, adding that “There’s nothing that can stop it.”

Push for Self-Sufficiency

Dangote is Africa’s richest man.

 

Dangote used the platform to argue that Africa must move away from its long-standing dependence on imports and instead build domestic industrial capacity.

“We export raw materials, which means when you export raw materials, you are exporting jobs, and when you import, you are importing poverty because you are creating jobs out there, not here on the continent,” he said.

He stressed that industrialisation—particularly in refining, fertiliser production and petrochemicals—is critical to reversing that trend and creating jobs on the continent.

The proposed East African refinery forms part of a wider $40 billion investment plan by his group between now and 2030, targeting key sectors that underpin economic transformation.

Backdrop of Growing Fuel Deficit

Dangote’s announcement comes as the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) warned that the continent could face an 86 million tonne fuel shortfall by 2040.

According to the AFC report presented at the summit, Africa currently imports over 70 percent of its refined fuel and spends about $230 billion annually on essential imports, including fuel, food, and industrial goods.

The report projects that fuel import demand will rise from 74 million tonnes in 2023 to 86 million tonnes by 2040—equivalent to nearly three refineries the size of Dangote’s Lagos facility.

Leaders Call for Shift in Strategy

 

President William Ruto echoed Dangote’s position, warning that Africa must rethink its economic model.

“Our ambitions will remain unrealised if we continue to depend on external capital whose primary interest is securing raw materials,” Ruto said, adding: “We cannot continue to export raw materials and import finished products made from them.”

The summit also highlighted vulnerabilities in Africa’s energy systems, particularly exposure to global supply shocks and infrastructure gaps across the continent.

A Broader Industrial Vision

Beyond refining, Dangote pointed to ongoing efforts to scale fertiliser production and petrochemical capacity across Africa, including plans to expand urea output and establish blending plants in underserved regions.

“With the support of the government, there’s nothing that is impossible,” he said, expressing confidence that Africa can achieve self-sufficiency in key industrial inputs.

For Dangote, the refinery proposal represents a continuation of a larger vision—to reposition Africa from a net importer to a global industrial player.

“Let us not be scared… It is possible. Africans can do it,” he said.

As discussions continue, the proposed East Africa refinery could mark a significant step toward addressing the continent’s looming fuel deficit while advancing its long-term goal of economic independence.

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