🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Obafemi Awolowo University explains declining venue for Peter Obi's lecture due to short notice
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, clarified its decision to decline the proposed venue for a lecture by Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi. The university's Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that organizers provided insufficient notice and details about the event and guest until the day before the scheduled program. This short notice prevented the institution from making necessary security and logistical arrangements for a high-profile personality. The university emphasized that events involving such figures require adequate prior notification to coordinate with security agencies like the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services to ensure safety. The decision was based on safety protocols and was not a reflection of disregard for Obi's person or status. Obi had previously expressed concern over what he described as a pattern of cancelled engagements at Nigerian universities, which he warned could undermine intellectual freedom, noting similar incidents had occurred more than 10 times.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadAt least 42 individuals died in ethnic clashes that erupted on Saturday in the sub-prefecture of Guereda, located in Chad's Wadi Fira province. A government official reported that the fighting originated from a dispute over a water well. In response to the incident, several ministers, senior local officials, and the military’s chief of staff were dispatched to the area on Sunday. Limane Mahamat, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, stated on state broadcaster that the situation is under control. Eastern Chad has experienced conflicts between farmers and nomadic Arab herders for several years, with tensions worsened by refugees from neighboring Sudan. The NGO International Crisis Group estimates that conflicts over farm and grazing land have resulted in over a thousand deaths and 2,000 injuries between 2021 and 2024.
Must ReadThe Nigerians in Diaspora Commission NiDCOM has received Mrs. Busola Alale, a Nigerian returnee from Cairo, Egypt, following her rescue from human trafficking and labor exploitation. Mrs. Alale arrived in Lagos on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, and was received by Mr. Dipo Odebowale, Head of NiDCOM Lagos Office. Her return was facilitated by Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun, wife of a former Ogun State Governor, who covered all expenses. Mrs. Alale recounted her experience as a domestic worker in Cairo, detailing excessive working hours, often from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 a.m. the next day, and being moved between multiple employers. She also alleged that the agent who facilitated her travel collected all her earnings. Before traveling, she ran a frozen foods business that collapsed, prompting her to seek opportunities abroad, which she now deeply regrets due to deceptive promises. She advised Nigerian youths, especially young women, to be cautious of lucrative job offers abroad, particularly domestic work, which may lead to exploitation. Mrs. Alale thanked Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun, NiDCOM Chairman/CEO Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and the Acting Nigerian High Commissioner in Cairo, Ambassador Adesoye, for their help. NiDCOM reiterated its warning against irregular migration and unverified foreign job offers, urging Nigerians to seek proper guidance and verify employment opportunities through official channels. The commission also emphasized the need to expose and arrest traffickers.
The All Progressives Congress APC has called on key opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, to accept responsibility for the internal crisis within the African Democratic Congress ADC. APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, stated on Channels Television's "Politics Today" that opposition actors destabilized the ADC and mismanaged the aftermath. Morka accused "Atiku Abubakar people" of hijacking the ADC, treating existing members with disdain, and bungling their legal case. He questioned why these prominent figures, who have held high offices, are unwilling to take responsibility for their internal crisis and instead blame the APC. Morka's remarks follow a political summit in Ibadan where opposition leaders discussed presenting a single presidential candidate in the next general election to counter the APC. However, the ruling party maintains that the opposition must resolve its internal divisions, particularly within the ADC, before it can mount a credible challenge.
BreakingMali's military rulers are confronting a security crisis following coordinated nationwide attacks by jihadist fighters and separatist rebels. These attacks resulted in the death of the defense minister and the reported capture of a key northern town by rebels. There has been no public statement or sighting of junta leader General Assimi Goita since the offensive began. The synchronized attacks by the Azawad Liberation Front coalition and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims targeted multiple areas across the country. Analysts consider these attacks the most significant challenge to Mali's rulers since the March 2012 offensive. Defense Minister Sadio Camara, along with his second wife and two grandchildren, died in a car bomb attack on his home in Kati. A government statement confirmed Camara's death while fighting attackers and announced a national funeral. Fighting continued in several areas, including Kati, Kidal, Gao, and Sevare. Tuareg rebels claimed Kidal was "totally" under their control after an agreement allowing Russian Africa Corps forces to withdraw. The FLA also stated it had taken positions in the Gao region. These attacks are the worst since the junta seized power in 2020. The international airport near Bamako resumed operations after heavy fighting. The opposition Coalition of Forces for the Republic stated that Mali is "in danger." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the violence and called for international support. The European Union al