Archives September 2025

RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
4 September 2025

In a gesture of unity and reverence, the Federal Government has officially declared Friday, September 5, 2025, as a public holiday in honor of Eid-el-Maulid, the celebration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

This announcement was made on Tuesday through an official statement issued by Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, on behalf of Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior.

The public holiday aims to provide Muslim faithful and all Nigerians an opportunity to reflect on the values of peace, compassion, and humility, virtues deeply associated with the life and teachings of the Prophet.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo, via the ministry’s communiqué, extended warm greetings to the Muslim community and urged citizens across the country to use the occasion not only for celebration but also for introspection and spiritual growth. He emphasized the need for all Nigerians, regardless of religious affiliation, to embody the Prophet’s teachings by promoting tolerance, harmony, and love for one another.

“As we mark this sacred occasion,” the Minister noted, “let us remember that Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity. This celebration is a moment to reinforce our collective commitment to peace, unity, and nation-building.”

Eid-el-Maulid is a significant event on the Islamic calendar, observed by millions around the world. It offers a time to remember the Prophet’s legacy of justice, kindness, and devotion to God, while also serving as a reminder of the moral and spiritual path Muslims are encouraged to follow.

The Federal Government encourages all Nigerians to celebrate responsibly, obey public safety guidelines, and continue to support efforts that foster mutual respect and coexistence in the country.

With Friday now declared a national holiday, citizens can prepare to mark the day with prayers, communal gatherings, charitable acts, and educational events, all centered on honoring the Prophet’s memory.

Let this year’s Eid-el-Maulid be a beacon of hope and a renewed call for peace across our beloved nation.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
2 September 2025

Nigeria’s civil service community was thrown into mourning on Monday following the sudden death of Mrs. Grace Adayilo, the pioneering Head of the Civil Service of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the first woman to ever hold the position.

Adayilo, who only a year ago was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lead the FCT civil service, reportedly collapsed in the early hours of September 1 and was pronounced dead at a hospital. Sources confirmed she had suffered complications linked to high blood pressure.

Until her death, Adayilo was a symbol of resilience and dedication in public service. Her appointment on October 6, 2024, marked a historic milestone, as she became both the first Head of Service for the FCT and the first female to occupy the office. Before her elevation, she served with distinction as Permanent Secretary in the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, where colleagues described her as “diligent, disciplined, and deeply committed to her duties.”

Reacting to the shocking development during a scheduled media chat in Abuja, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, could barely contain his grief. “This is really pathetic. The late FCT Head of Service was very hardworking,” he said. “I had even written to President Tinubu to extend her tenure beyond retirement because of her diligence. If I had gotten the news earlier, I would have called off this media briefing.”

The minister, visibly shaken, recounted how he was informed of her death just minutes before facing the press. “I never heard she was sick. My Chief of Staff told me she was supposed to preach in church yesterday but couldn’t because of high blood pressure. Before they got her to the hospital, it was too late. It is very unfortunate,” Wike lamented.

Her sudden passing comes only days after her last official assignment—representing Wike at a high-level G7 security meeting in Abuja. Colleagues who interacted with her at the event described her as energetic and focused, making her untimely death all the more devastating.

Beyond her official duties, Adayilo was admired as a mentor and role model, particularly for women in public administration. Her rise to the pinnacle of the FCT civil service was celebrated as a breakthrough for gender representation in leadership.

Wike announced plans to visit her family immediately after the briefing, promising that the FCT Administration would stand with them during this period of grief.

For many in Abuja and beyond, Adayilo’s death represents not just the loss of an accomplished civil servant, but the dimming of a trailblazing light whose legacy of hard work and integrity will not be forgotten.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
2 September 2025

A Finnish district court has delivered a seismic judgment against Nigerian-born political activist Simon Ekpa, sentencing him to six years in prison for terrorism-related crimes and other serious offences.

The verdict, handed down on Monday at the Päijät-Häme District Court, marks the climax of a high-profile trial that has gripped Finland, Nigeria, and the wider international community.

Ekpa, 40, a former municipal councillor in Lahti, was convicted on multiple counts: participating in the activities of a terrorist organisation, incitement to commit terrorist crimes, aggravated tax fraud, and breaches of the Lawyers Act. The panel of three judges ruled unanimously, ordering that he remain in custody.

According to official court documents, Ekpa’s actions spanned from August 2021 to November 2024. During this period, he actively promoted the independence of southeastern Nigeria’s so-called Biafra region through methods the court deemed illegal and violent.

The judgment revealed that Ekpa wielded social media as his primary weapon, carving out an influential political niche for himself by exploiting divisions within Nigeria’s separatist circles. “He played a significant role in transforming the movement into a more structured organisation,” the court stated.

Investigations disclosed that under his influence, armed groups classified as terrorist organisations were formed. Prosecutors argued—and the court agreed—that Ekpa supplied these groups with weapons, explosives, and ammunition via an international contact network. He also used his platform on X (formerly Twitter) to incite followers to commit crimes in Nigeria.

The case drew considerable attention, not only for the charges but also for the defendant’s background. Ekpa, once regarded as a rising politician in Finland’s local government, rose to notoriety for his uncompromising rhetoric and inflammatory broadcasts from abroad. While his supporters hailed him as a freedom fighter, critics accused him of orchestrating violence in a homeland he had long left behind.

The trial, conducted over 12 sessions between May 30 and June 25, 2025, laid bare the complexity of transnational activism in the digital era. Finnish authorities first arrested Ekpa in December 2024, holding him on suspicion of incitement to terrorism. Although four other suspects were initially detained, they were later released without charges due to insufficient evidence.

Ekpa denied all allegations throughout the proceedings, insisting he was targeted for his political views. However, the unanimous verdict underscored the weight of the evidence presented against him.

For Finland, the case signals a firm stance on terrorism offences committed within its borders, regardless of international context. For Nigeria, it reopens old wounds of separatist agitation and raises fresh questions about the role of diaspora actors in fueling unrest back home.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
2 September 2025

What should have been the dawn of a promising future has ended in unthinkable heartbreak. Ruth Otabor, the younger sister of Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner Josephina “Phyna” Otabor, has died—just weeks after surviving a horrific crash involving a Dangote truck.

Her death, announced in a family statement released by Eko Solicitors & Advocates and shared on Phyna’s Instagram page, occurred at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 31, 2025. The Otabor family, still in shock, appealed for privacy as they process the devastating loss.

The tragedy began on August 13, only six days after Ruth had joyfully graduated from Auchi Polytechnic. On her way home, she was struck by a heavy-duty Dangote truck near the institution. Eyewitnesses recounted the horror: the towering vehicle rammed into her, crushing her leg before a quick-thinking bystander managed to bring it to a halt.

Doctors were forced to amputate her leg to save her life. For a time, hope shimmered. Ruth, though fragile, was said to be conscious and responsive. Her family rallied around her bedside, and her sister Phyna—clinging to faith—called for prayers from fans across the nation.

But fate proved merciless. Complications from her injuries set in, and despite intensive care, Ruth’s body could not withstand the trauma. On the last day of August, her fight ended, leaving her family and fans stunned by the cruel twist of destiny.

Phyna, adored by millions for her grit and charisma, expressed her grief in a short but searing post: “This pain is too much to bear.” It was a cry that resonated across social media, drawing torrents of condolences from celebrities, fans, and ordinary Nigerians alike.

Beyond the grief of one family, Ruth’s death has once again put the Dangote Group under public scrutiny. Over the years, their fleet of trucks has been linked to multiple road tragedies across Nigeria. Many are now demanding accountability, stricter oversight, and safety reforms to prevent further needless deaths.

Yet for the Otabor family, public debates offer no balm. They are left to mourn a daughter, sister, and mother whose dreams were cut short at the threshold of adulthood.

Funeral arrangements, the family announced, will be communicated in due course. Until then, Nigerians mourn alongside Phyna—a star who now faces a pain no spotlight can brighten.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
1 September 2025

Abuja, Nigeria — The nation woke up to somber news on Saturday as reports emerged of the passing of Solomon Ehigiator Arase, Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police and former Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC). He died in Abuja at the Cedarcrest Hospital.

Arase’s death closes the chapter on a life of remarkable service to Nigeria — a man whose name became synonymous with reform, discipline, and a human-centered approach to policing. Born on June 21, 1956, in Edo State’s Owan West Local Government Area, Arase embodied the Nigerian story of grit, perseverance, and public service.

After studying Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University in 1980, he joined the Nigeria Police Force the following year, launching a career that would span more than three decades. He later fortified his intellectual arsenal with a Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master’s degree from the University of Lagos.

Within the Force, Arase was known not only for his sharp intelligence but also for his ability to balance firmness with fairness. He rose steadily through the ranks, serving as Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Principal Staff Officer to successive Inspectors-General, and eventually Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of intelligence. His international footprint was also significant, having represented Nigeria on a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Namibia.

Appointed Inspector-General of Police in April 2015, Arase wasted no time in rolling out initiatives that modernized policing. He strengthened the Intelligence Response Team, launched the Complaint Response Unit to give citizens a voice against misconduct, and restructured highway patrols to restore safety for travelers nationwide. Analysts hailed him as a “thinking policeman,” a reputation reinforced by his focus on community trust and welfare of rank-and-file officers.

Even after his statutory retirement in June 2016, Arase remained active in public life. His appointment in January 2023 as Chairman of the Police Service Commission underscored the trust successive governments placed in his integrity and expertise.

Away from uniforms and medals, Arase invested deeply in the next generation through the Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation (SEAF). Only last year, the foundation awarded scholarships to 29 students, many of them children of late police officers, in fields ranging from Medicine and Engineering to Criminology and Political Science. For him, it was more than charity — it was a deliberate effort to craft a fairer, more empowered Nigeria.

Today, tributes pour in for a man remembered as a patriot, reformer, and mentor whose legacy extends beyond the barracks. In the words of one admirer: “Arase did not just serve the Force — he served the nation, and he served the future.”

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp