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Nigerian Olayinka Babalola Elected President of Rotary International
Nigerian Rotarian Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, a veteran member of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi in Port Harcourt, has been elected President of Rotary International for the 2026–2027 term. He will formally assume the role on July 1, 2026.Vanguard News+1Rotary International
Babalola becomes only the second African—and notably, the second Nigerian—to lead this global humanitarian organisation. The first was Jonathan B. Majiyagbe, who served in 2003–2004.Vanguard News+1rotary9212.org
A chair in engineering by training, Babalola spent over 25 years in the oil and gas sector, holding senior roles at Shell PLC, before founding Riviera Technical Services Ltd. and Lead and Change Consulting.Vanguard NewsRotary International
With over 30 years of Rotary service beginning as a Rotaractor in 1988 and joining the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi in 1994 Babalola has held key leadership roles including District Governor, Vice President of Rotary International (2019–2020), and Board member (2018–2020).Vanguard NewsRotary Internationalrotary9212.org
He has played central roles in peace-building initiatives across Africa, notably at the Rotary Peace Center at Makerere University, Uganda. In addition, he has contributed significantly to global efforts to eradicate polio—serving on the End Polio Now: Countdown to History Campaign Committee and advising Nigeria’s PolioPlus Committee.Vanguard Newsrotary9212.org
As President, Babalola will oversee 45,000 clubs worldwide and reinforce Rotary’s mission, especially its top priority of ending polio. Rotary and its partners have already reduced polio cases globally by 99.9%, dedicating US$2.9 billion and countless volunteer hours to immunize more than 3 billion children.Vanguard News
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu praised Babalola’s election as a powerful inspiration for Nigerians and the youth. In a presidential message, Tinubu commended Babalola’s impactful philanthropic initiatives and expressed “support and encouragement” for his future leadership of humanitarian projects and global partnerships.encomium.ngLeadership News
Court Orders DNA Test to Confirm Paternity of Late Mohbad’s Son
The Magistrate Court in Ikorodu, Lagos State, has ordered two Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) tests to determine the paternity of Liam Aloba, the son of the late Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad. (channelstv.com)
The ruling followed an application by Joseph Aloba, Mohbad’s father, seeking to confirm whether Liam is his late son’s biological child. The application was filed under the Family Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) 2012 and the Magistrate Courts (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009. Omowunmi Cynthia Aloba, Mohbad’s widow, is listed as the respondent. (saharareporters.com)
The court directed that the DNA tests be conducted in accredited medical facilities, both in Nigeria and abroad. The Chief Medical Officer or Pathologist at the Military Hospital in Yaba, Lagos, where Mohbad’s remains are kept, is authorized to extract tissue or hair samples for testing. Both parties or their representatives are required to be present during sample collection. (legit.ng)
The court’s decision comes amid public interest in Mohbad’s death and the paternity of his son. Legal experts note that the DNA results could have implications for inheritance and family claims. (punchng.com) (vanguardngr.com)
House Oversight Committee Releases Over 33,000 Pages of Epstein-Related Documents
On September 2, 2025, the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released a substantial batch of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, the financier whose 2019 death in federal custody has been the subject of extensive public scrutiny. The release comprises 33,295 pages of records obtained from the Department of Justice, following a subpoena issued by Chairman James Comer on August 5. The Washington PostThe Guardian+5ABC News+5Oversight Committee+5
The documents include court filings, police bodycam footage, victim interviews, and flight records, many of which have been previously available to the public. Notably, under 1,000 pages of newly disclosed material include flight logs from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, detailing Epstein’s travel activities between 2000 and 2014. CBS News+4The Sun+4Anchorage Daily News+4The Washington Post+1
While some lawmakers have expressed frustration over the limited new content, others view the release as a step toward greater transparency. The committee continues to investigate the matter, with plans to release additional documents in the future. The Washington Post
President Bio and First Lady Not Long Ago Begin UK Visit
Freetown, Sierra Leone President Bio UK visit began recently as President Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Fatima Bio departed from Freetown International Airport for the United Kingdom. The official visit includes a series of diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, promoting investment, and showcasing Sierra Leone’s development initiatives. (SierraLoaded)
During the visit, President Bio is scheduled to meet with senior UK officials, international business leaders, and policymakers to discuss trade, investment, regional security, and educational collaboration, boosting Sierra Leone’s international profile. (Sierra Leone Telegraph)
First Lady Fatima Bio will participate in programs emphasizing women’s empowerment, education, and social development, reinforcing her ongoing advocacy for gender equality and inclusive development. (OAFLAD)
The visit coincides with President Bio’s recent election as President of ECOWAS, strengthening Sierra Leone’s regional influence. (AP News)
The delegation is expected to engage in conferences, roundtable discussions, and cultural events designed to highlight Sierra Leone’s investment potential and promote sustainable development. By the end of the trip, strengthened alliances and potential agreements are anticipated, enhancing trade, education, and social initiatives in Sierra Leone.
Enugu Air Drags Unruly Passenger Off Plane
Less than four weeks after the widely publicized incident involving Comfort Emmanson on an Ibom Air flight, Nigerian aviation is once again in the spotlight following another disruptive passenger drama.
This time, the controversy surrounds Enugu Air, the airline owned by the Enugu State government. A video circulating on social media shows an unruly passenger causing commotion mid-flight, sparking outrage among Nigerians and raising renewed concerns about discipline and safety within the aviation sector.
The footage, which has gone viral, captures heated exchanges between the disruptive passenger and crew members, while fellow travelers watched anxiously. The incident reportedly delayed the flight schedule, and several passengers expressed fear over how such behavior could compromise onboard safety.
Aviation stakeholders have condemned the recurring trend of disorderly conduct on Nigerian flights, warning that such actions endanger not only passengers but also flight operations. Industry experts have also urged airlines and regulators to strengthen enforcement measures to deter future occurrences.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has been monitoring these developments closely, with expectations that stricter rules may soon be applied against unruly passengers. Analysts say the rise of such incidents threatens to damage the image of domestic carriers at a time when the aviation industry is struggling to rebuild confidence and improve services.
The Enugu State government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the viral video. However, aviation observers stress that the airline must act swiftly to address the matter, as public trust is key to the growth of Enugu Air.
With two high-profile passenger disruptions within a month, stakeholders believe Nigeria’s aviation sector is facing a wake up call: enforce discipline now or risk deeper crises that could undermine safety, reputation, and public confidence.
Osaka Powers Into U.S. Open Quarterfinals
New York, U.S. Open 2025 Naomi Osaka has surged back into Grand Slam contention with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over Coco Gauff in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows, marking her first Grand Slam quarterfinal since 2021. Reuters+1
The match, played under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, showcased Osaka’s renewed confidence. Her precise serving and aggressive baseline play allowed her to dominate from the outset. She broke Gauff early and kept the momentum facing zero break points throughout the 64-minute encounter.The GuardianESPN.comReuters
Beyond the scoreboard, this match represents a significant milestone. Osaka, who returned to the tour after maternity leave and battled postpartum depression, credited her new coach Tomasz Wiktorowski and supportive team for her resurgence.New York PostReuters
Reflecting courtside, she couldn’t hold back tears of joy, expressing: “This is my favorite court in the world… I had so much fun out here.”ReutersESPN.com+1
For Coco Gauff, the defeat was tough to swallow. Despite a strong tournament start, unforced errors and a faltering serve widely seen as vulnerable during this hard-court season contributed to her exit.New York PostReutersESPN.com
Looking ahead, Osaka is set to face the 11th seed Karolína Muchová in the quarterfinals. Historically, every time Osaka has reached this stage in a major, she has gone on to win the title a trend fans are eager to see continue.Reuters
Tacha Rebuilds Career After BBNaija Disqualification
Lagos, Nigeria Reality star and entrepreneur Natacha “Tacha” Akide revealed that following her controversial disqualification from Big Brother Naija, several celebrities distanced themselves, implying her career was over. (guardian.ng)
However, Tacha refused to let this setback define her. She shifted focus to online sales and content creation, using her entrepreneurial skills to rebuild her personal brand. Her resilience and creativity allowed her to regain prominence in the entertainment and social media space.
Reflecting on her BBNaija experience, Tacha said she has no regrets, emphasizing the lessons she learned from the journey:
“There’s always a lesson to be learnt.”
Her story has inspired many aspiring influencers and entrepreneurs, showing that setbacks can be transformed into opportunities for growth and success.
Trump Slams Chicago Crime, Pritzker “Incompetent”
Chicago, Illinois A violent weekend in Chicago left six dead and more than two dozen injured, prompting a sharp reaction from former President Donald Trump. He labeled Governor J.B. Pritzker “incompetent” on Truth Social, warning, “Straighten it out, fast or we’re coming.” New York Post
Trump’s post framed the violence as a failure of leadership, saying the crisis demands immediate action even federal intervention. New York Post
In response, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order directing city police not to cooperate with any federal or military law enforcement efforts, including immigration enforcement or National Guard deployments. He emphasized safeguarding residents and denounced the intervention as unconstitutional. AP NewsReuters
Governor Pritzker also pushed back against Trump’s threats, calling the possible deployment of federal troops a dangerous power grab, and insisting the city did not need outside help to maintain public safety.
Obi Didn’t Offer Deji Money, Journalist Says
Abuja, Nigeria Renowned journalist and columnist Ike Abonyi, who brokered and attended a July 2022 meeting between Peter Obi and activist Deji Adeyanju, has denied claims that Obi offered Adeyanju money for political support.
Abonyi clarified that during the private three-hour meeting, Obi did not offer any monetary or material inducements a claim made recently by Adeyanju on social media. Abonyi called the allegation false and damaging.Vanguard News+1
He emphasized the meeting’s actual purpose was to discuss Adeyanju’s potential candidacy for the AMAC House of Representatives seat under the Labour Party—not any form of quid pro quo.Vanguard NewsLegit.ng – Nigeria news.
Abonyi expressed disappointment that Adeyanju, now a lawyer, would promote what he called a “voyage of blackmail,” urging him to uphold truth and professionalism.
Jonathan Denies Stepping Aside from 2027 Presidential Race
Abuja, Nigeria Reports that former President Goodluck Jonathan has stepped aside from the 2027 presidential race have been firmly denied by his family. On August 29, 2025, his cousin, Azibaola Robert, posted on his verified Facebook page that Jonathan never made such a statement, warning Nigerians to discard the claim as fake news (vanguardngr.com, legit.ng).
The claim originated from a Newsweek Nigeria article titled “Jonathan Rejects Pressure to Contest in 2027, Says He Won’t Be Used Against Southern Unity,” which Robert dismissed as entirely untrue. He further debunked that the “aide” quoted in the report does not exist
Although Jonathan has not officially declared a run for 2027, Azibaola clarified that he has also not ruled out the possibility. He emphasized that Jonathan resists being swayed by voices seeking to discourage his potential candidacy for their own motives.
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