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Ebola: Congolese Doctor Dies as Outbreak Spreads Across DRC

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Ebola: Congolese Doctor Dies as Outbreak Spreads Across DRC

A young doctor has died of Ebola in Kisangani, as cases surge beyond the epicentre of the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Dr. Victor Kingombe, an internal medicine doctor, succumbed to the virus at the Ebola treatment centre in Kisangani, capital of Tshopo province.

Colleagues and family gathered for his funeral, watching from a distance as health workers in full protective gear carried his body to a coffin.

“Our internal medicine doctor is gone. Doctor Victor, why? Why, Doctor? Our internal medicine doctor,” fellow doctor Agnes Kalokola cried.

Read Also: Tinubu, Guterres and Ruto Push Again for Africa’s Representation on UN Security Council

Kisangani first reported Ebola cases in late June, and the treatment centre where Kingombe died was inaugurated less than two weeks ago.

While cases have decreased this month in Ituri province, the epicentre of the outbreak, neighbouring provinces have recorded sharp increases, with North Kivu seeing a 73 percent surge in the past three weeks.

The World Health Organization has warned that the epidemic is on track to surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak, the deadliest on record.

The virus is spreading under difficult conditions, fuelled by insecurity, displacement, a health workers’ strike and intense population movements.

Health workers are also facing community mistrust, with treatment centres and burial teams attacked on several occasions as rumours spread that Ebola is not real.

Tshopo vice-governor Didier Lomoyo Iteku, who attended Kingombe’s funeral, said after viewing the body through a plastic window: “This disease is real. Here is a doctor who was here trying to save lives, and he himself was a victim.”

Congo began vaccinating health workers in Kisangani in August with the Ervebo vaccine, originally developed for the Zaire strain, which has been found to offer some protection against the current Bundibugyo strain. Trials for potential treatments are underway nationwide.

Tinubu, Guterres and Ruto Push Again for Africa’s Representation on UN Security Council

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Tinubu, Guterres and Ruto Push Again for Africa’s Representation on UN Security Council

In a remarkable departure from last year’s address at the United Nations General Assembly, Nigeria yesterday joined the United Nations’ Secretary-General and other African leaders to protest the continent’s continued absence from the world body’s permanent membership of its Security Council.

Delivering Nigeria’s address to delegates and attendees at the 81st United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York last night, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who spoke on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, called for the reconstitution of the UN Security Council with the inclusion of an African representative.

The Security Council presently consists of 15 members: five permanent members – Russia, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France – and 10 non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms. The five permanent members each hold veto power over substantive resolutions, enabling any one of them to block adoption of a draft resolution regardless of the level of support among other members. African Union (AU), as a body, is a representative non-permanent member.

The influence of the veto was visible in June 2025 when the U.S. blocked a Security Council resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution received 14 votes in favour, including support from all 10 elected members of the council, but failed after the U.S. cast the only vote against it.

Speaking yesterday, President Tinubu, through Shettima, renewed calls for a radical shake-up of the UN, insisting that reforms must start with reconstituting the Security Council to grant Africa permanent seats. He warned that the continent can no longer afford to fill the Council’s agenda from the margins, pointing out that the world of 2026 cannot remain captive to the distribution of power in 1945.

Specifically, he demanded at least two permanent seats for the continent—including full rights, responsibilities, and veto power—along with a total of five non-permanent seats. “The reform of this institution must begin with the reconstitution of the Security Council, for the world of 2026 cannot remain captive to the distribution of power in 1945. Africa cannot continue to fill the Council’s agenda while remaining absent from its permanent membership.

“Nigeria demands, in accordance with the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, at least two permanent seats for Africa, with all the rights and responsibilities of permanent membership, including the veto for as long as it exists, and five non-permanent seats in total. The authority to speak for humanity carries an obligation to represent it,” he stated.

Guterres, United Nations secretary-general, said Africa’s absence from its permanent membership is “unjust and indefensible”. Speaking earlier yesterday, he said: “We must reform the Council so that it reflects today’s world with the legitimacy and effectiveness that today’s challenges demand.”

The African Union has for years pushed for reform of the Security Council, saying the continent is under-represented in a body whose decisions have significant implications for global peace and security, including conflicts in Africa. The AU is also demanding at least two permanent seats on the Security Council, with full privileges including veto power if the veto is retained, as well as five non-permanent seats.

ALSO, Kenyan President William Ruto called for reform of the United Nations Security Council, urging permanent African representation on the body. In his address to the UN General Assembly, Ruto lamented Africa’s continued exclusion from permanent representation, despite accounting for more than a quarter of the assembly’s membership.

“Africa has 54 member states, more than a quarter of this assembly, yet no permanent voice in the body entrusted with the primary responsibility of international peace and security”, Ruto said. “We are frequently the subject of its decisions, permanently discussed, yet permanently excluded.”

President Tinubu further issued a wake-up call to world leaders, demanding an immediate end to global warfare and a total rejection of the rising tide of nationalism. With urgent moral clarity, he warned that the global order hangs in the balance, while fiercely rallying the international community to dismantle unilateral aggression, resurrect the foundational principles of the United Nations Charter, and forge an unyielding, unified front through a recommitted era of global multilateralism.

The Nigerian leader categorically told the global leaders not to pretend that distant or domestic conflicts do not exact a price from other nations, underscoring the UN’s urgent duty to restore trust in institutions built to reconcile differences and advance global common interests.

“The persistence of conflict across the world recalls the purpose for which the United Nations was founded: to spare succeeding generations the devastation of war. We must therefore return to the founding principles of dialogue, mutual respect and collective responsibility.

“Nigeria stands by the Charter and its promise of a world in which diplomacy prevails over coercion, cooperation over isolation and international law over the arbitrary exercise of power,” he declared.

The President framed Nigeria’s peacekeeping efforts in Africa as a model, noting that the nation stands ready to take on greater responsibility and sacrifice to restore peace across the continent—just as it did in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Mali, and The Gambia, where it committed personnel and resources when global solidarity demanded action.

Last year’s remarks drew some flak across diplomatic and political circuits when the Vice President, who also represented President Tinubu at UNGA, chose to focus on the conflicts in Palestine/Israel, calling for a two-state permanent solution.

Shettima was heavily criticised for focusing on the plight of Palestinians during his address to the United Nations, while failing to draw the world’s attention to and seek global support for the worsening insecurity and economic hardship in Nigeria.

Yesterday, the Nigerian leader categorically told the global leaders not to pretend that distant or domestic conflicts do not exact a price from other nations, underscoring the UN’s urgent duty to restore trust in institutions built to reconcile differences and advance global common interests.

“The persistence of conflict across the world recalls the purpose for which the United Nations was founded: to spare succeeding generations the devastation of war. We must therefore return to the founding principles of dialogue, mutual respect and collective responsibility.

The President framed Nigeria’s peacekeeping efforts in Africa as a model, noting that the nation stands ready to take on greater responsibility and sacrifice to restore peace across the continent—just as it did in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Mali, and The Gambia, where it committed personnel and resources when global solidarity demanded action.

Drawing lessons from Nigeria’s prolonged struggle against Boko Haram, ISWAP and other armed groups, the President said: “no nation, however formidable its defences, can secure itself completely against dangers sustained beyond its borders.”

He noted that while modern threats like terrorism and cyber-attacks exploit gaps in global action, lasting military victory requires a foundation of education, economic opportunity, accountable governance, and human rights.

As a founding member of ECOWAS, President Tinubu said Nigeria remains ready to uphold regional solidarity and African leadership in resolving security challenges, “reinforced by principled international partnerships.”

The Nigerian leader maintained that Nigeria is committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes under the United Nations Charter, as “the conflicts in Sudan and other war-torn countries demand urgent diplomacy to address their humanitarian, economic and geopolitical consequences.”

MEANWHILE, Vice President Shettima will later today lead a joint effort by the Federal Government and the private sector to market the country’s workforce to global employers on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

This is according to a statement signed on Thursday by the Head of Communications, Hire From Nigeria, Oluwatoyin Ashipa, titled ‘Nigeria to Advance Services Exports and Job Creation through Hire from Nigeria Engagement at UNGA 81.’

The event, themed ‘Impact sourcing as a driver of global trade and inclusive job creation,’ will bring together senior government officials, state governors, and technology and private-sector leaders before an audience of international employers, investors and partners in New York for UNGA week.

Shettima is expected to speak on the theme ‘Setting the global trade and impact sourcing context; Nigeria’s positioning as the next outsourcing frontier.’ Ashipa described the forum as building directly on the national launch of Hire from Nigeria in Abuja on August 31, 2026, where government and private-sector leaders committed to connecting Nigerian talent across white- and blue-collar roles with global demand.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said, “Our priority is to translate Nigeria’s talent into greater participation in global trade. “Through Hire from Nigeria, we are working with the private sector to connect Nigerian professionals and service providers with international demand.”

Other officials expected at the meeting include Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago; the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa; the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, Bisoye Coker-Odusote; the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Itana, Luqman Edu; the Country Director of Mastercard Foundation Nigeria, Rosy Fynn; the Co-Founder and President of Tech4Dev, Joel Ogunsola; and the Chief Executive Officer of Semicolon Africa, Sam Immanuel.

Tech4Dev Chief, Ogunsola, said, “Nigeria has an opportunity to move from being recognised for the size of its talent pool to being recognised for the value that talent creates globally. “Hire From Nigeria is about making that value visible and connecting Nigerian capabilities to the businesses and markets that need them.”

INEC Charges Editors to Avoid Declaring Election Results Before Official Announcement

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INEC Charges Editors to Avoid Declaring Election Results Before Official Announcement

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has charged editors across the country to resist premature declaration of election results and strengthen fact-checking and digital verification mechanisms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The commission warned that publishing or amplifying privately collated results before their official declaration could create conflicting narratives, confuse voters and undermine confidence in the outcome of the elections.

In a statement signed by the chief press secretary/special adviser on Media to the INEC chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the commission said its chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), represented by the resident electoral commissioner for Enugu State, Dr Chukwuemeka Chukwu, gave the charge yesterday at the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) 2026 in Enugu.

Amupitan, who spoke on the theme, “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” said the emergence of generative artificial intelligence, voice cloning, deepfake videos and automated bot networks had created new challenges for election reporting and information management.

He warned that malicious actors could use the technologies to manufacture convincing videos of electoral officials, clone the voices of INEC officials and produce manipulated result sheets designed to appear authentic.

“We have moved far beyond simple political bias, hyperbole, or unverified rumours into an era of synthetically manufactured reality. Generative artificial intelligence, voice cloning, deepfake video synthesis, and automated bot networks have democratised mass deception,” Amupitan said.

According to him, the danger posed by synthetic disinformation goes beyond the spread of individual falsehoods, as repeated exposure to convincing fake content could make citizens doubt even genuine information released by legitimate authorities.

“When deepfakes render lies believable, real truth is greeted with skepticism. Cynicism replaces civic engagement, leading voters to ask: Why stand in line for hours if the outcome is already manipulated on a screen? That mental retreat is where democracy begins to decay,” he said.

The INEC chairman therefore urged editors to institutionalise specialised fact-checking desks in their newsrooms and integrate digital verification tools into their daily editorial processes.

He also called for the use of deepfake detection software and forensic image-analysis tools to authenticate election-related photographs, videos, audio recordings and documents before publication.

Amupitan said editors must pay particular attention to information circulating on social media, where manipulated content could be widely distributed before journalists had an opportunity to establish its authenticity.

He further cautioned media organisations against publishing or amplifying privately collated election results ahead of official declarations by INEC.

“Let’s resist premature result declarations. Under the Electoral Act, statutory authority to declare election results rests exclusively with INEC,” he said.

The chairman warned that unverified figures released by political actors and circulated on social media could create competing versions of election outcomes and undermine confidence in the official results.

He urged editors to ensure that their platforms did not become channels for giving institutional credibility to unverified figures, fake result sheets or manipulated videos.

“The pressure on modern newsrooms to be first is immense. But in national elections, it is vastly more important to be right than to be first,” Amupitan said.

He added that rushing to publish unverified election claims could cause damage to public confidence and peace that would be difficult to reverse.

The INEC chairman called on the Nigerian Guild of Editors and media organisations to build a collaborative mechanism for identifying and responding to election-related disinformation before, during and after the 2027 elections.

He said the media had become an important component of election security because political contests were no longer fought only at polling units, but also in the information space.

“We should use our platforms to educate citizens on spotting synthetic content, fake letterheads, and algorithmically generated rage-bait,” he said.

On its own preparations to deal with the emerging technology-driven threats, Amupitan disclosed that INEC had established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division within its ICT Department.

He said the commission had also commenced the deployment of automated AI auditing tools within the Results Management process to detect discrepancies before final verification.

Read Also: Isbae U Reflects on 2022 Sex Scandal and Its Impact on His Career

According to him, the automated checks would remain subject to a five-pillar AI Governance Framework and mandatory human auditing.

Amupitan also disclosed that INEC had commenced a six-zone Interactive Meetings and Readiness Assessment tour, beginning in Lagos on September 7, as part of efforts to assess preparations for the 2027 elections.

On the welfare of journalists, the INEC chairman said the working conditions of media practitioners could affect the quality and independence of election reporting.

He urged media owners and managers to provide decent remuneration and structured welfare for journalists, warning that financial insecurity could expose practitioners to inducement and other pressures.

“A poorly compensated journalist is vulnerable; a financially neglected newsroom is fertile ground for compromise,” he said.

Amupitan disclosed that INEC had established the Consolidated Election Management Body Salary Structure (CEMBSS), separate from the regular Civil Service salary structure, with effect from January 1, 2026.

President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, said the media had a responsibility to protect democracy by holding those in power accountable and providing space for diverse voices.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that our democracy survives. The media must hold power accountable and provide the space for diverse voices to be heard,” Anaba said.

He added, “The political actors alone are not in charge of our democracy, the judiciary and the media have a role to play to strengthen our democracy.”

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, urged INEC to establish a joint Rapid Response Desk involving newsrooms to quickly identify and dispel election misinformation.

Achebe also challenged editors to intensify voter education and address voter apathy by providing citizens with accurate and timely information on the electoral process.

Also speaking, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, said a free press remained essential to genuine democracy.

Onaiyekan noted the growing diversity of Nigeria’s media landscape, including newspapers, radio, television and social media, but said the emergence of artificial intelligence had introduced both opportunities and dangers.

“Artificial intelligence, AI, is already working wonders in the communication space, though not without its dangers if it is allowed to spin out of human control,” he said.

Isbae U Reflects on 2022 Sex Scandal and Its Impact on His Career

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Isbae U Reflects on 2022 Sex Scandal and Its Impact on His Career

Nigerian content creator Adebayo Ridwan, popularly known as Isbae U, has opened up about the impact of the controversy he faced in 2022, revealing that the experience forced him to rethink how he handled fame and public attention.

The skit maker spoke about the difficult period during an interview with Morayo Afolabi Brown, saying the backlash was severe enough to make him question whether his career would survive.

Isbae U explained that the situation was particularly painful because people who had previously supported his work began criticising him.

He said the experience exposed how quickly public opinion can change when a popular personality becomes involved in controversy.

During the period, Isbae U said he sought guidance from fellow content creator Mr Macaroni.

He recalled asking him whether the situation represented the end of his career because he was unsure about what would happen after the intense criticism.

“2022 was a tough time for me. It was the first time I was going through something like that, and then I asked Mr Macaroni, ‘Is this the end?’” he recalled.

Read Also: WHO Raises Alarm Over Health Worker Shortage in DRC Ebola Outbreak

According to the content creator, some people who had regularly praised his work suddenly began posting negative comments.

He said this taught him that members of the public have their own opinions and may change their perception of celebrities based on circumstances.

Rather than responding constantly to the criticism, Isbae U said he decided to focus on improving his craft.

He also worked on becoming a better person and concentrated on providing entertainment for his audience.

Another major change was his decision to share less about his personal life online.

“I stepped back from posting anything about my life and I kept giving them entertainment,” he said.

Isbae U said he preferred to focus on his work rather than spend his energy worrying about public reactions.

The entertainer also discussed Curiosity Made Me Ask, explaining that the programme is intended to reveal another side of celebrities that audiences may not have seen.

He said he would like to interview Donald Trump on the programme.

Isbae U’s reflections show how the 2022 controversy influenced his approach to social media, fame and his professional career.

WHO Raises Alarm Over Health Worker Shortage in DRC Ebola Outbreak

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WHO Raises Alarm Over Health Worker Shortage in DRC Ebola Outbreak

The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a shortage of health workers to staff treatment centres as the country battles its fastest-growing Ebola outbreak, with cases in North Kivu province rising by 73 per cent in three weeks.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) raised the alarm, saying the outbreak remains uncontrolled despite a decline in cases in some provinces.

According to the latest government figures, the outbreak has spread to seven provinces, recording 7,773 confirmed cases and 3,759 deaths.

WHO Regional Emergency Director for Africa, Marie Roseline Belizaire, said cases declined by 26 per cent in Ituri Province and 15 per cent in Haut-Uele between Aug. 31 and Sept. 20.

Belizaire, however, said transmission patterns continued to vary significantly across the affected areas.

“While cases and deaths are declining in some provinces, they continue to rise in others. The outbreak is still not under control and remains spread across a wide geographic area,” she said.

Read Also: Nigeria Sets 2030 Goal for Investment-Grade Credit Rating

The WHO said the outbreak is being aggravated by insecurity, population displacement, a strike by health workers and increased population movements.

It said the outbreak was on course to surpass the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, which remains the deadliest on record, killing more than 11,000 people, mainly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Catherine Smallwood, WHO’s Ebola Incident Manager, said cases and deaths had started declining in North Kivu after several weeks of increases.

She said although treatment beds were being added daily, health facilities continued to face shortages of personnel and operational partners needed to run them.

Nigeria Sets 2030 Goal for Investment-Grade Credit Rating

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Nigeria Sets 2030 Goal for Investment-Grade Credit Rating

Nigeria is setting its sights on achieving an investment-grade sovereign credit rating by 2030, as the Nigerian Government intensifies efforts to strengthen fiscal management, macroeconomic stability and institutional credibility.

The Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, is expected to outline the government’s roadmap towards the target at the sixth International Rating Webinar organised by DataPro.

Uzoka-Anite is scheduled to deliver a keynote address titled, “Achieving Investment-Grade Rating by 2030: The Roadmap for Nigeria.”

The webinar, scheduled for October 8, will focus on the reforms and economic conditions required to strengthen Nigeria’s sovereign credit profile and improve its position in international capital markets.

The discussion comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s recent sovereign rating improvements.

Read Also: Dolly Parton’s Sister Shows Support for Nephew Amid Estate Tensions

S&P Global Ratings raised Nigeria’s long-term sovereign rating from B-minus to B, with a positive outlook, in its 2025 review.

An investment-grade rating is generally associated with stronger perceived creditworthiness and could improve a sovereign’s access to international capital markets, although the eventual rating assessment will depend on the criteria and judgements of individual rating agencies.

The government’s 2030 objective is also being pursued alongside its broader ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.

The webinar is expected to examine issues including fiscal discipline, debt sustainability, foreign exchange stability, institutional governance, financial-sector stability, infrastructure and human capital development.

Other speakers expected at the event include the Executive Director, Risk Management at the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, Oluwakemi Babalogbon; Lead Expert on Credit Rating Agencies at the African Peer Review Mechanism, Dr. Misheck Mutize; Founder of the Credit Rating Research Initiative, Dr. Daniel Cash; Professor of Political Economy at the University of Bern, Professor Kai Gehring; and Head of Macroeconomics and Public Finance Research at RWI-Essen, Professor Torsten Schmidt.

The organisers said; “the discussions will also consider how African economies can strengthen sovereign credibility, attract long-term investment and improve their access to global capital markets.”

For Nigeria, attention is expected to centre on how ongoing fiscal, monetary and structural reforms can be sustained to support stronger credit fundamentals and move the country towards investment-grade territory by 2030.

Dolly Parton’s Sister Shows Support for Nephew Amid Estate Tensions

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Dolly Parton’s Sister Shows Support for Nephew Amid Estate Tensions

Freida Parton, younger sister of late country music superstar Dolly Parton, has denied reports of disagreements within the family over the singer’s estate.

Freida addressed the speculation in an Instagram post on Wednesday, September 23, insisting that the Parton/Owens family remains united despite a legal dispute involving Dolly’s nephew, Bryan Seaver.

“I’ll say this and this only: there is no feud within our family,” Freida wrote, adding that no member of the family was fighting over Dolly’s estate.

The clarification followed developments involving Seaver, who previously served as head of security for several of Dolly’s properties.

Seaver was reportedly chosen to announce Dolly’s death but was later removed from the security arrangement following the singer’s passing.

The situation subsequently led to legal action by Dolly’s longtime manager, Danny Nozell, who sought protection against Seaver.

According to court filings, the estate accused Seaver of making threatening statements. Seaver has disputed the characterization of his communications as threats.

A Tennessee judge has since granted a temporary restraining order against Seaver and his private security company.

Read Also: Cardiff Emerges as Leading Venue for Fury-Joshua Showdown

The legal dispute fueled speculation that tensions had emerged among members of Dolly’s wider family, particularly because of Seaver’s connection to the singer.

Freida has now rejected that suggestion and said the family continues to have affection for her nephew.

“We all love Bryan, just as we all love each other,” she wrote.

Her statement comes weeks after Dolly died at the age of 80 on August 25, prompting widespread tributes from fans, musicians and other public figures.

Since her death, public attention has also focused on the management of her estate and the people involved in handling her properties and affairs.

Freida’s comments appear intended to distinguish the legal dispute involving Seaver from the personal relationships among the Parton/Owens family.

She maintained that the family is not engaged in a fight over Dolly’s estate and expressed love for her relatives.

While the legal proceedings involving Seaver remain ongoing, Freida’s statement directly challenges reports portraying the matter as evidence of a broader family conflict.

For now, the Parton family has publicly maintained that the legal disagreement does not represent a feud among relatives over Dolly’s estate.

Cardiff Emerges as Leading Venue for Fury-Joshua Showdown

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Cardiff Emerges as Leading Venue for Fury-Joshua Showdown

Cardiff has emerged as a leading option to host the much-anticipated heavyweight bout between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, with Fury publicly supporting the Welsh capital as the location for the fight.

The proposed contest could be held at the Principality Stadium on Friday, December 11, although negotiations involving the fighters and Netflix have yet to be completed.

Fury recently posted a picture of himself at the Cardiff stadium on Instagram, alongside a Welsh dragon, and expressed enthusiasm about fighting in Wales.

He said the event would feel like a homecoming because his mother’s family is from Wales.

Joshua’s contractual requirements are reportedly another factor working in Cardiff’s favour. The agreement requires the fight to be staged in the United Kingdom, making New York and Middle Eastern venues unsuitable.

Wembley Stadium has also reportedly become a less attractive option because the venue does not have a roof.

The Principality Stadium already has a connection with Joshua. He fought there in 2017, defeating Carlos Takam in front of around 78,000 fans.

A confirmed Fury-Joshua fight could bring another large sporting crowd to Cardiff and generate significant demand for accommodation and other services.

However, organisers may need to address several logistical issues before the venue can be confirmed.

Reports indicate that some of Cardiff’s major hotels are already fully booked for the proposed fight date, including the Hilton, Parkgate and Marriott.

The stadium’s 1am curfew is another potential obstacle. Netflix reportedly wants a schedule that will attract viewers in the United States, which could require the event to run later than the existing restriction permits.

Cardiff Council has said no application has been received to extend the curfew. It has also indicated that any request would require 28 days to process.

With negotiations continuing, Cardiff remains a strong possibility for the fight, while Fury’s comments show that he would welcome the opportunity to stage the bout in Wales.

Fubara: Wike’s Interest in Rivers Is About Resources, ADC Claims

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Fubara: Wike’s Interest in Rivers Is About Resources, ADC Claims

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State has alleged that former state governor and current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike remains focused on the resources of Rivers State.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Chizzy Enyi, made the allegation in a video shared on social media.

His comments followed an interview in which Wike discussed the ongoing reconciliation between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the political group involved in the state’s political crisis.

Speaking on TVC News, Wike said Fubara had fulfilled the requests made to him and had demonstrated sincerity in the reconciliation process.

Wike cited the submission of the list of members of the APC campaign council as one of the steps taken by the governor before travelling to the United States.

Enyi, however, criticised Wike’s comments and accused him of acting as though he remained the chief executive of Rivers State.

The ADC spokesman questioned the level of influence Wike continues to exercise over the state government.

He also alleged that the former governor’s interest in Rivers was centred on its resources.

Read Also: Eniola Ajao Rejects Criticism, Says Audience Will Decide Her Acting Fate

Enyi said Wike’s comments had made it clear that he considered himself responsible for directing important decisions involving the state.

The ADC official further warned that what he described as Wike’s continued influence would eventually come to an end.

The comments reflect the continuing political tensions surrounding Rivers State, where disagreements involving Governor Fubara and Wike have remained a subject of public debate.

Wike served as Rivers State governor before becoming FCT minister, while Fubara succeeded him as governor.

Political reconciliation efforts have continued amid disagreements between different camps.

The ADC has criticised Wike’s role in the state, while Wike has publicly discussed the actions being taken by Governor Fubara as part of the reconciliation process.

The latest allegation from the ADC adds another layer to the political dispute, with the party questioning Wike’s motives and influence in Rivers State.

Eniola Ajao Rejects Criticism, Says Audience Will Decide Her Acting Fate

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Eniola Ajao Rejects Criticism, Says Audience Will Decide Her Acting Fate

Nollywood actress Eniola Ajao has refused to be discouraged by criticism from movie critic Tolu Fagbure, saying she will continue working and allow audiences to judge her performances.

Fagbure recently criticised Ajao during an interview on Agbaletu, where he questioned her acting ability and argued that she should not be taking movies to the cinema.

Discussing Ajao, the critic referenced her film Ajakaju and said he did not believe she had any business taking the production to cinemas.

He also compared her with actor Odunlade Adekola and questioned whether her performances could be regarded as genuine acting.

According to Fagbure, Ajao’s appearance was her strongest advantage. He described her as having a “fine face” but criticised her delivery and said he did not believe she had demonstrated the talent required for acting.

The interviewer challenged the severity of the comments by asking whether the assessment was too brutal.

Fagbure responded by stressing that he was giving his personal opinion.

“That’s my opinion. My opinion is not sacrosanct; my opinion is not the end,” he said.

Ajao subsequently addressed the criticism in a post on X, appearing determined not to allow the remarks to affect her career.

Read Also: Tinubu Hiding From UNGA Over ‘Venezuela Option’, Okonkwo Claims

She sarcastically questioned the suggestion that her appearance was the only reason for her continued success in Nollywood.

“Ahhh, so my fine face is the only thing carrying me? After all these years?” she wrote.

The actress then said she would continue working on her craft and growing professionally while allowing viewers to determine their own assessment of her performances.

“I will just keep doing what I know how to do: work, grow and let the audience decide,” she stated.

Ajao added that although opinions could be freely expressed, building a career required consistency and commitment.

“After all, opinions are free, but careers are built,” she said.

She also made it clear that the performance of her movies at the cinema would not determine whether she continued acting.

“Cinema or no cinema, I’m not stopping anytime soon. Ire oo,” Ajao added.

The exchange between the actress and the critic has sparked discussion among Nollywood followers about acting standards, film criticism and the role of audiences in determining the success of actors and movies.

While Fagbure has described his comments as his personal opinion, Ajao has chosen to respond by reaffirming her commitment to acting and promising to continue improving her work.

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