American Airlines Halts all U.S. Flights With A Groundstop Order.

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  American Airlines resumed flights Tuesday after a technical issue forced the world’s largest carrier to ground all its US flights for an hour during the busy year-end travel period, officials said. “American Airlines reported a technical issue this morning and requested a nationwide ground stop. The ground stop has now been lifted,” Bridgett Frey, assistant administrator for communications at the Federal Aviation Administration, said in a statement. The flight halt between 1150 GMT and 1250 GMT came on Christmas Eve, a day of exceedingly heavy air travel in the United States and elsewhere. The flight halt between 1150 GMT and 1250 GMT came on Christmas Eve, a day of exceedingly heavy air travel in the United States and elsewhere. The FAA and American Airlines had yet to describe the nature of the technical issue and why it led to a nationwide ground halt. Social media lit up with travelers complaining about how the delay might impact their holidays or ruin their rendezvous with family. “Heck of (a) way to start Christmas,” tweeted one traveler who said the aircraft he was on returned to the gate and deplaned. American posted replies to several travelers, urging patience and saying “Our team is working to get everyone safely in the air soon.” Vanguard

Islamic Group To Inaugurate Sharia Court In Oyo This January

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  The Oyo State chapter of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, an Islamic organization, has announced plans to establish a Sharia court within the state and its surrounding areas. The group, in a flier that went viral on Tuesday, invited guests from across the country to the court’s inauguration ceremony, which will be held on January 11, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre, Oba Adeyemi High School Road, Mobolaje Area, Oyo. The flier also listed Bashorun of Oyo land, High Chief Yusuf Akinade Olayinka 1 as Royal father of the day; Mufairu of Oyo land, Alhaji Abdullateef Eleyele as the Spiritual father of the day, and Aare Musulumi of Oyo land, Alhaji Tajudeen Kamorise as the chief host. However, the upcoming ceremony has been greeted by disapproval from netizens, with many arguing that the South West, populated by Yoruba people, is not in any way north where Muslims are more dominant. One X user who identified with the name #OurFavOnlineDoc said, “To whom it may concern, Please read this post and listen well. If sharia law gets implemented in your state, Let me tell you ahead what will happen. “You can be randomly arrested and imprisoned for ‘indecent dressing’. EVEN IF you are not a Muslim, EVEN if you are a Christian, EVEN IF you are a traditionalist, EVEN IF you don’t subscribe to Sharia, and EVEN if you are an atheist. “During Ramadan, you can be arrested for selling food. Even if you are not a Muslim. As long as they can claim you were selling it to Muslims. I am NOT telling you what they may do. I am telling you what they have ALREADY done.” He continued, “Once you hear ‘sharia law’, just run for your life. They will use it to kill, imprison, cut off people’s limbs, torture, and institutionalise oppression. And guess who the biggest victims will be? The poor and the less privileged. You better lend your voice to say no. Another netizen who tweeted with the handle #Baba Ajisefa wrote, “If you’re silent on this sharia law saga in southwest, then you’re enabling it. Even if we can’t see the implications of the laws in other nations, we can see it in the north. “The question is ‘what progress does it bring?’ And those that claim it will be for Muslims only don’t forget that was how they started in the north, and Hisbah can arrest anyone now. We reject Sharia law in its entirety. No to sharia law in Yorubaland.” “Reject any Sharia, anything. Don’t even concede an inch. Because na so e dey start,” one Ugo on X.com opined. An X user who tweeted with the handle #Alabi said, “Genuine question: If you’re so passionate about Sharia, why not move to where it is practiced?” “This Sharia Law conversation proves that amalgamating Nigeria was a terrible decision, and true federalism/regional sectionalism or ‘un-amalgamation’ would be the solution. Because why should the entire country be subject to the religious limitations of a select people?? “Especially because this is what led to the Taliban and the downfall of Afghanistan. No country should ever be subjected to such extreme religious practices. I don’t need your extremes to police my flaws. Enforce it in your household. Thank you,” one user, Motolani Alake, wrote on X.com. In his opinion, a user who identified as Tosin.X wrote, “Some of you think to say Sharia na play. Na from Quilox Lagos Isbah go carry you go kirikiri.” Meanwhile, every attempt by our correspondent to reach the Chairman and Secretary of Sharia Committee in Oyo land, Dr Rafiu Bello and Sulaimon Abuqoodi, proved abortive, as calls and messages sent to their mobile numbers were neither taken nor responded to.

JUST IN: Agidigbo FM’s Chairman, Oriyomi Hamzat, Ooni’s Ex-Wife, Others Remanded In Correctional Centre

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  The enstranged wife of Ooni of Ife, Naomi Ogunwusi, alongside principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Mr. Abdullah Fasasi and ace broadcaster, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat have been remanded at the Nigeria correctional centre, Agodi, Oyo. Citybuzznews learnt that the Chief magistrate sitting in Iyaganku, Bisi Ogunkanmi remanded the three defendants on four count bordering on conspiracy and murder in connection with the children funfair stampede in Ibadan on Wednesday. The three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Makinde Assents To N684 Billion 2025 Appropriation Act

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  Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Monday, said his administration had been able to improve the performance of the state’s annual budgets from 30 to 35 per cent to over 70 per cent because it “engages the whole spectrum of stakeholders in the budget process and has the interests of the state at heart.” The governor stated this when he assented to the N684 billion 2025 Appropriation Act tagged “Budget of Economic Stabilisation,” at a budget signing ceremony held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. He said that the government would target 80 per cent budget implementation in 2025, adding that his administration would push for reforms, people-centred policies and economic stability and work for the wellbeing of residents of the state. The governor noted that the 2025 budget would also play a key role in stabilising the economy of the state. He hailed the collaborative relationship between the executive and the legislative arms in the state, saying the whole process, including the stakeholders’ engagement meetings, budget preparation, the Treasury meetings and the scrutiny by the lawmakers, took about three months because all stakeholders prioritised the growth of the state. Governor Makinde also explained that the 2025 Budget has provision for the new minimum wage, stating that the new wage and consequential adjustments will take effect from January 1, 2025. The governor appreciated labour union leaders and the entire workforce in the state for their understanding and support regarding the implementation of the new minimum wage, reassuring that the government would pay the 13th month salary to all workers and retirees on 31st of December, 2024. He said: “This journey began in September 2024 when we kicked off the budget stakeholders’ meeting in all zones. After meeting with our people and hearing from them, we prepared the budget and we also had Treasury Board meetings. It is not just like a yearly ritual. “I will use this opportunity to thank everybody, because we explained to them. Before we started this minimum wage discussion, we discussed. The budget is almost like the operational manual to run this administration; it is like our Bible or Quran that we put by the side. And whatever you put in there, that is what you will want to follow through. “So, if we are saying from nowhere that we should start implementing the minimum wage and consequential adjustment in 2024, it is either we are not faithful to ourselves or we are not following our own laws. “We will start the implementation on the first of January 2025. But the 2024 budget had the provision for the main salary, wage award and the 13th month and we have implemented them. The salary has been paid. We should be having the wage award this week. And, by the 31st of this month, the 13th month salary would be paid. We have made provision for all of that. The governor added that the budget was presented to the House of Assembly in November, noting that the legislators spent six weeks to go through it. He continued, “The Assembly made it a priority that this budget was approved in the shortest possible time and, today, we are ready to sign it off. The entire process is just about three months. So, this is a testament that things work better and smoother where there is collaboration. “Since we assumed office in 2019, we have had continuous collaboration between the Executive and Legislature, which has become the envy of some. Where there is unity of purpose, things work harmoniously and that is the kind of relationship that exists among the three arms of government in Oyo State. We didn’t have to coerce anybody. We carry ourselves along and arrive at the same destination. “So, here in Oyo State, the Executive and Legislature are working harmoniously, because the leadership chose to put the people of Oyo State first. If they are looking for the secret to our continuous collaboration, it is just that simple. “That is why when people ask us how we have been able to go from about 30 to 35 per cent budget implementation by the previous administration to over 70 per cent, it is because we are talking across the entire spectrum of stakeholders. “So, I am hoping that, this year, we will move to 80 per cent implementation. “What this means is that once you have the road to your house in the budget, there is an 80 per cent chance that it will be implemented, and I think that is better than having 35 per cent. “Let me also use this opportunity to reassure our people. 2024 has been a tough year for all of us, but we cannot give up. As long as we have life, we will continue to push for reforms, policies and economic stability. This budget will play a key role in making these possible and I will solicit once again for continued support for this administration.” Governor Makinde also called on residents of the state to continue to support his administration, declaring that his government would continue to be transparent and open to engagements from the people of the state. “As a government, on our part, we will continue to be transparent and continue to emphasise that we can make mistakes, as we are not perfect. The issues people are not happy with, they should bring them to the table. Some people can be genuinely aggrieved but be bold enough to engage us. “We have not victimised anybody; even people that were laid off, we brought them in after reviewing their cases and felt they were unjustly treated. That is what your government should do for you.” Earlier in his remarks, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adebo Ogundoyin, said the upward review of the budget from N678 billion to N684 billion was a deliberate effort to accommodate emerging priorities and critical projects that will drive economic growth, improve infrastructure, … Read more

Oyo To Collaborate With Ogun On Agriculture

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  Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said that his administration and that of the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, would engage in a peer-review meeting in the New Year with a view to collaborating on areas critical to residents of both states. Governor Makinde said this while receiving Abiodun in Ibadan, on Monday, noting that the collaboration would see the two states exploring opportunities in the agriculture sector, especially the tractorisation policy and other areas. Makinde also appreciated Governor Abiodun, chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, who said his visit was to condole with the Oyo State Government over the deaths of 35 children in a stampede at a private funfair in Ibadan. He said: “Your Excellency, thank you so much for the visit. We appreciate you being with us at this difficult period. “My brother’s visit presented an opportunity to also rub minds. We were talking about tractorisation and the strategy they have adopted in Ogun State as well as what we are doing here. “We agreed that we will have a peer-review visit in the New Year so that we can leverage the good things happening there and they can also leverage the good things happening here.” Speaking earlier, the Ogun State governor expressed the condolences of the people of the state and the Southern Governors’ Forum to Governor Makinde over the unfortunate incident. He described the event that led to the deaths of innocent children as a good initiative that turned bad, advising non-governmental organisations that have such initiatives to always work with the government for proper planning when organising such charity programmes. Abiodun prayed for the repose of the souls of the children, who lost their lives, their bereaved parents and the people of Oyo State. He said: “I am here on behalf of myself, family, the entire people of Ogun State and the entire Southern Governors’ Forum of Nigeria. “We have come to commiserate with the governor and the entire people of Oyo State on the very unfortunate incident that happened on Wednesday 18th of December, 2024, where a good initiative turned sour. “We all woke up to the news the following day and I decided to come on behalf of all of us and condole with the governor and the people as well as the government of Oyo State. “The entire Southern governors are pained by this occurrence. In Ogun State, we believe anything that affects Oyo State affects us as well. Our prayer is that we won’t witness such an occurrence again. “We will continue to remember all those affected in our prayers.”

Funke Akindele’s Everybody Loves Jenifa Sets New Record With ₦511m In 12 Days

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  Nollywood actress and box office star Funke Akindele has thanked her fans and supporters after her new movie, Everybody Loves Jenifa (ELJ), reached an incredible milestone. The comedy has become the highest-grossing Nollywood movie of 2024, making ₦511 million in just 12 days. This achievement is the fastest Nollywood film that has ever reached the ₦500 million mark. The movie premiered on December 13, 2024, and has broken records across Nigeria. FilmOne Entertainment, the movie’s distributor, announced the news on Instagram today, saying, “Everybody Loves Jenifa smashes records with ₦511M at the box office, becoming 2024’s highest-grossing Nollywood title and the fastest to hit ₦500M in just 12 days.” Celebrating the success, Funke Akindele wrote, “Thank you, Lord!! Thank you everyone!!! I couldn’t have done this without your love and support!!!! God bless you all!!” In its first week, the movie sold over 71,700 tickets, earning ₦72 million in its opening weekend alone. Funke Akindele is known for her success at the box office. Her previous movie, Omo Ghetto: The Saga, is still the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time, making over ₦1.5 billion. In Everybody Loves Jenifa, she returns as the popular character Jenifa, delivering humour, drama, and suspense that audiences love.

Police Reject Claims Of Killing Hunger protesters, Calls For Apology From Amnesty.

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  The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed allegations made by Amnesty International in its report titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests,” describing the claims as false, misleading, and damaging to the image of the Force. The report, released on November 28, 2024, accused the police of extrajudicial killings during the August 1-10 #hunger protests, claiming that at least 24 people were killed in six northern states. However, the police have refuted these claims, asserting that their findings contradict Amnesty International’s allegations. Addressing a press briefing on the matter on Sunday, the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said a special investigative panel was constituted to verify the claims. He added that the panel, in collaboration with Commissioners of Police from the affected states, conducted extensive investigations and compiled a comprehensive report detailing the inaccuracies in Amnesty International’s allegations. “Amnesty International is advised to have retrospection on its frequently false reporting on Nigerian’s Law Enforcement activities and reflect on its reporting methodology by ensuring that its reports are accurate and contain a true and fair expression of events that touch on national security and safety of all Nigerians. Accurate reporting of facts is key to the integrity and character of every international organisation and Amnesty International should not be an exception,” Adejobi added. He also said the police would write to demand a retraction of the report as well as a public apology for the alleged inaccuracies. Adejobi said, “The Nigeria Police Force will in due time be writing the Amnesty International to demand a retraction of this report from the public space and with a public apology. The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in protecting the rights of all citizens while ensuring the security and stability of the nation. We, therefore, urge the public to be wary of sensational reports designed to incite mistrust and weaken confidence in law enforcement institutions.” Reeling out the police findings in Borno, Adejobi said the police didn’t use grenades as claimed by the organisation. He said, “In Borno State, it was established that the protesters were violent, engaging in widespread looting, pillaging, and wanton destruction of public and private property. For example, the Skill Acquisition Centre of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees was looted and vandalised. The warehouse of the World Food Programme, located on Baga/Maimalari Barracks Road, Maiduguri, was also looted, with several items belonging to the international organisation destroyed and stolen by some of the protesters. “Therefore, the claims by Amnesty International that the police threw a hand grenade from a convoy of vehicles into a filling station, killing three persons is a blatant falsehood and leaves right-thinking members of the society dismayed at this reported falsehood by an international agency which ought to act in accordance with international norms and standard of fair and honest reporting of human rights violations in the country.” In Niger State, Adejobi said the claim that three individuals were shot dead in Suleja was debunked in the police findings. Adejobi said the alleged killing of a 21-year-old in Katsina was also found to be unsubstantiated, adding that local sources confirmed that no such incident occurred. Also in Kaduna State, Adejobi said contrary to Amnesty International’s report, no protests occurred in Kaduna on October 1, 2024, and no police killings were recorded. He said instead, an incident involving the Nigerian Army was identified and openly investigated. Adejobi said Amnesty International reported the deaths of two women and a man during protests in Jigawa but the police investigations revealed no such killings, and evidence suggested that the lone fatality was caused by protester violence, not police action. In Kano State, Adejobi said the report alleged 12 deaths in Kano due to police actions, stating that investigations indicated that these deaths resulted from violent confrontations involving looters and criminals, not police activity.

Hoodlums Burgle Shops After Fire Guts Ibadan Spare Parts Market

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  The General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Service, Akinyemi Akinyinka, on Saturday , raised the alarm that hoodlums have broken into some shops at the popular Araromi Spare Parts Market, Agodi-Gate in Ibadan, the state capital. Earlier, massive fire engulfed the market, destroying goods and property worth millions of naira. Akinyinka explained that despite the ongoing efforts of men and officers of the service to extinguish the fire, the hoodlums have subjected them to embarrassment and harassment. He said, “Hoodlums have broken into shops at Araromi Agodi-Gate, and they are embarrassing and harassing men and officer of Fire Service.” The blaze reportedly started around 2am on Saturday and continues to rage, with firefighters still battling to contain it. The General Manager of Oyo State Fire Services, Akinyemi Akinyinka, said: “We are battling with a serious inferno at Agodi-Gate. Help us to call water tanker owners to assist us. We are still here battling with the situation.” The cause of the fire remains unclear as investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, a tragic fire incident, on Friday, claimed the lives of a husband, his wife, and their grandson in the Ori-Eru, Idikan area of Ibadan, Oyo State, affecting a storey building, at 3.46am. Earlier this week, a disastrous fire again wreaked havoc in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Sunday morning, destroying three shops while the prompt arrival of the state fire services saved 13 others. Last Friday, fire engulfed a parish of the Christ Apostolic Church in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday night, reportedly trapping several worshippers inside during a vigil. The incident occurred at about 9.30pm at Wisdom Estate, Road 1G, Olohunda Road, in the Lagelu Local Government Area.  

Families Cry Out As Abuja DSS Arrests Lovers In Osun

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  The families of Nurudeen Adesiyan and Kehinde Akintunde have cried for help after the lovers were taken away by men of the Department of State Services suspected to be from the Abuja headquarters. Nurudeen and Kehinde were reportedly apprehended on November 29 at Arowosola Quarters, Ajape, Modakeke, Osun State. According to family members, the lovers have been held incommunicado since their arrest, and their whereabouts are unknown. Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, Boyenle Adesiyan, the elder brother to Nurudeen, said efforts to locate the duo had been abortive. He said the DSS officers, who invaded their house around 5 am with four vehicles, did not disclose the station they came from and where they were taking the lovers to. Boyenle said, “My brother (Nurudeen) texted me around 5 am on the 29th of November, telling me that security men were at our house but they were yet to arrest anybody. I replied to the message immediately but Nurudeen didn’t respond. “Around 6 am, my mother called to inform me that the personnel hijacked the door from her when she wanted to bathe. She said the officers took her phone and asked who ‘Kehinde 2’ on her call log was. “She said the officers asked her to lead them to Kehinde’s house, unknown to them that the said Kehinde was with her and standing beside them. Kehinde is my brother’s fiancée and she stays in our house frequently. They arrested my brother and Kehinde, and my mother, and led them to Kehinde’s house.” According to Boyenle, when the men got to Kehinde’s house, they allegedly ransacked the place and destroyed some things. She added that the operatives also seized phones and beat up the victims. “They arrested every member of Kehinde’s family and drove them away. But when they got to Community Grammar School, they freed Kehinde’s family members. But she and my brother, Nurudeen, were taken away. “Since then, we have not heard anything from the DSS, Nurudeen and Kehinde. The DSS didn’t tell us where they came from or where they were taking our people to. We visited the DSS office in Ile-Ife, and we were told the officers who arrested Nurudeen and Kehinde were personnel of the service. “However, they didn’t disclose where they came from. When we visited their office a second time, they didn’t give us any reasonable response again. “We want the general public to help us; we want to know the whereabouts of our people and the offence they were arrested for. They are not criminals. They have rights,” she stated. Giving an account of the arrest, Gbenga Akintunde, an elder brother to Kehinde, said the DSS officers threatened to shoot him when he demanded what his sister’s offence was and where they were taking him to. He said, “My mum called me very early to inform me that some security operatives had invaded our house. When I got to our house, I met the DSS officers. I asked them what the issue was but instead of answering, they threatened to shoot me. “They broke into our house, beat and arrested everybody, including my mother. They also seized their phones and drove them away without leaving any information. When they got to the community school, they freed the people and returned their phones, while they drove away Kehinde and her boyfriend. “We went to the DSS office in Ile-Ife to report the case and we were told that the personnel were DSS officers, but we were not told where they came from. “We have not been able to reach both Kehinde and Nurudeen since then. Sometimes, their phone would ring but nobody would answer the call.” Gbenga said he was not allowed to enter the DSS office when he visited to ask if the lovers were being held there. Efforts to get a reaction from the Osun command of the DSS proved abortive. But a credible source at the headquarters told Sunday PUNCH that the operation was carried out by personnel from the national headquarters. “We are aware of the case but we didn’t carry out the operation. The operatives were from Abuja,” the source said. The DSS head office in Abuja does not have a spokesman. Punch

(Photos) UI Student,Emerges Winner At 8th Edition Of Super Bowl Debate Competition

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Adeleke Maria    Chineke Ugochukwu, a student of the University of Ibadan, emerged victorious at the Eighth Edition of the Super Bowl Debate Competition, held at the Alumni Hall, University of Ibadan. The event, themed “This is Nigeria,” featured representatives from 13 institutions across Oyo State, showcasing their oratory and critical thinking skills. Participating institutions included Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Federal School of Survey Oyo, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology Igboora, and Dominican University, among others. The competition unfolded in three stages: a thematic speech on “This is Nigeria,” an impromptu pix-prompt session, and a final round addressing the topic “Heroes of Today.” Chineke Ugochukwu clinched first place with a score of 68.1%, followed by Jacintha Nwachukwu from Dominican University with 66.9% and Kolade Daniella from Abiola Ajimobi Technical University with 63.2%. In his welcome address, Hon. Victor Olojede, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Oyo State on Students’ Affairs, emphasized the importance of empowering young leaders. “Super Bowl is about creating an environment where ideas are exchanged, confidence is built, and future leaders are nurtured,” he said. Dr. Bisi Olawuyi, the competition’s convener and Head of the Department of Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan, shared the event’s mission: “This platform isn’t just about highlighting Nigeria’s problems but finding solutions through the perspectives of young people.” He added “My motivation, is trying to build leadership skills,oratorical skills, amongst others. I also believe that it is high time we began to engage young people en sundry national issues. Many of these young people has so many ideas that can transform nigeria and all we need to do is to give them the opportunity by giving them the platform to speak.” Keynote speaker and investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, a former Super Bowl contestant, addressed systemic corruption in Nigeria, urging a return to values like hard work and dignity of labor. “The solution to every Nigerian problem lies in the agency created to solve it,” Soyombo asserted. The winners were rewarded with cash prizes and trophies, with Ugochukwu receiving ₦200,000, Nwachukwu ₦150,000, and Daniella ₦100,000. The competition, which resumed after a four-year hiatus, received renewed support from the Oyo State government, with plans for further collaboration in the future. The Super Bowl Debate Competition continues to serve as a platform for fostering leadership, public speaking, and problem-solving skills among Nigerian youths.

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