Author: Safiu Kehinde

Safiu Kehinde The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has mourned the passing of veteran Nollywood actor and cultural icon, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo. NPO Reported that Hassan passed away on Sunday after prolonged battle with Stage Four Cancer. The 66-year-old actor died around 3pm with his daughter, Kira Taiwo, breaking the news of his demise during a livestream. Reacting in a statement issued on Sunday evening, the Lagos Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, extended the management and staff’s heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Nollywood and creative…

Safiu Kehinde Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has mourned the de mise of veteran Nollywood actor, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo. NPO Reported that Hassan, 66, died on Sunday after prolonged battle with stage-four cancer. His tragic death was confirmed by his daughter, Kira Taiwo, while fellow veteran actor Jide Kosoko announced that his remains would be taken to Ilaro for burial according to Islamic rites. Reacting in a condolence message, Abiodun described Ogogo’s passing as a painful loss to his family, Ilaro, Yewaland, Ogun State and Nigeria’s entertainment industry. The governor said Ogogo was “a cultural…

Safiu Kehinde Nigerian Afrobeats superstar, Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has hinted plan to release a new album as he expressed excitement in making the project. The Grammy Award-winning artiste made this known in a post on his X handle. “Having so much fun making this next one! Can’t wait to share #album”. He wrote. Responding to the anticipation and exchanges among fans, Wizkid wrote: “E go drop, make una stop dey fight”. The post has generated excitement among fans, who have been expecting the singer’s next full-length project. Wizkid, however, did not disclose the title or release date…

Agency Report The Nigerian troops have rescued seven kidnapped victims, foiled terrorist attacks and recovered AK-47 rifles in separate operations across the country in the last 24 hours. The operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday said the successes were recorded between August 21 and August 22. The report said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA foiled a kidnap incident along the Dandume-Sheme Road in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State. It said the troops engaged the terrorists at about 11:02 a.m. on Saturday, forcing them to abandon six kidnapped victims who were travelling…

The Democratic Republic of Congo government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have agreed a roadmap for peace talks. In a joint statement after five days of talks in Switzerland, they said they had pledged to “pursue negotiations towards comprehensive peace and conflict resolution” and set up a mechanism to monitor the ceasefire. The roadmap sets out a timeline for talks under a US-brokered peace framework which they signed in 2025 – only for fighting to then continue in eastern DR Congo, which has been engulfed in conflict for decades. But disagreements remain over issues including sanctions against M23, the…

At least 30 people have been killed after a mound of rubbish at a major waste site collapsed onto nearby homes in Guinea’s capital Conakry, the government has said. Another 22 people were injured, including six seriously, in the city’s Dar-es-Salam area. “Significant” resources and personnel – including the military – were deployed to search for survivors after the collapse at about 02:00 local time following heavy rain overnight, the government added in a statement. One woman told local media her five children had died in the disaster. There are fears that the death toll will rise further. Rescuers were…

Safiu Kehinde Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have in collaboration with other agencies and local vigilantes neutralised two suspected kidnappers while rescuing a kidnap victim in Imo state. The DSS in a joint operation with other security outfits secured the release of 29-year-old Ibeabuchi Adibenma, who was abducted in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo. This was made known in a statement issued on Sunday by the DSS in Owerri. According to the statement, Adibenma was kidnapped at about 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August18, around Afor-Ogidi Market in Isiala Amaifeke community. The victim was reportedly returning from…

Safiu Kehinde No fewer than seven travellers have been confirmed dead in a fatal road crash on the Bida-Kutigi road in Niger, says the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The FRSC Niger Sector Commander, Corps Commander Aishatu Sa’adu, disclosed this to newsmen on Sunday. According to Sa’adu, the crash occurred on Sunday afternoon at Shebe village, a few kilometres from Kutigi town. She said the accident involved a Mazda vehicle and a Siena bus travelling along the Bida-Kutigi road. “Seven people lost their lives, seven others were injured while four were rescued without injuries, bringing the total involved to 18,”…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has renewed the tenure of the Director-General of the National Television Authority (NTA), Salihu Dembos, and the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ali Mohammed, for another three-year term. This was made known in a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, their second term will begin on October 20, 2026. Tinubu first appointed Dembos and Mohammed on October 20, 2023. As profiled by Onanuga, Salihu Dembos, who hailed from Yola, Adamawa State, is a former National President of…

Safiu Kehinde Nollywood veteran actor, Jide Kosoko, has announced the funeral for late fellow actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo. This is coming barely six hours after the demise of the legendary actor who died on Sunday after prolonged battle with cancer. NPO Reported that the daughter of the late actor, Halimah Taiwo, had broken the news of her father’s death during a livestream earlier today. Confirming the sad development in a statement issued on his Instagram handle, Kosoko disclosed that Ogogo passed away around 3pm. He thereafter announced that the late actor will be laid to rest on…