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Eko NAFEST: How Sanwo-Olu’s Wife Made Little Precious’ Dream Come to Pass

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Hers is a story of how weeping may endure for the night as tremendous joy follows in the morning.

Her name is Precious Inioluwa Olabanjo. She is an SS2 student of Model Secondary School, Alabaka, Akura, Ondo State. She came to Eko NAFEST to represent her school and state in the essay competition, themed “Culture and Peaceful Coexistence” but ended up crying! But her cries did not go unnoticed.

Discovered by the eagle eye of Vanguard’s Arts and Culture editor, Osa Amadi, little Precious finally sobbed her way to national recognition and reception.

Amadi had pulled out a stunning human interest story out of her case, which caught the attention of the indefatigable and humane Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) Otunba Segun Runsewe.

This is the story!

Precious is one if the delegates of the ongoing Eko NAFEST 2022 where she was supposed to participate in essay writing competition. She was determined to contribute to how Nigerian culture will drive unity and love for one another, but that was not to be; the rule of participation says one participant for each state. She was caught off guard because someone else was already selected to represent her state. She consequently gave in to emotions and broke down in tears. She was inconsolable.

The pain of being left out the competition tore her young heart apart, and caught the  which also caught the attention of the ebullient DG, who must have also cried from the inside like a father. But rules are rules, and cannot be broken r changed to favour anyone, especially not by the one who was part of making the rules as chief driver of NAFEST and as a journalist. But there was another way to make amends.

As a caring father, Runsewe took Precious case to Mama NAFEST, Mrs ibijoke Sanwo-0lu, who played host to children from the 36 states of the Federation and FCT.

Narrating Precious’ story, which touched the heart of everyone present, including the first lady of lagos state, Otunba Segun Runsewe revealed his deep love for Nigerian children whom he believe must be encouraged and supported to be ambassadors of Nigerian Cultural tomorrow.

Mrs Sanwo-0lu was gracious to little precious and indeed to all the children present whom she gifted not only ice cream and the best of Nigerian cuisine, she gave each of them computer lap tops and other academic materials to help them to surf the world of information.

Precious Inioluwa Olabanjo had the singular honour of giving the vote of thanks, drawing tears of joy from many eyes.

“Mummy, I must thank you for the honour done to me and other children here today. Mummy, you restored my hope and I also wish to thank our daddy, Otunba Segun Runsewe and all those who made it possible for me and others to be here. Thank you mummy, I love you!” She said.

No doubt, little precious’ case may remind us that Weeping over our individual and national issues may ” Endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning” Psalm 30 v5. This is one of best narratives of how Nigerian children love our culture, history and tradition.

What could have been a nightmare for little Precious turned around to become a dream come true.

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Police Probe Four Officers Accused of ‘Misconduct’ in Lagos

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The Nigeria Police Force has launched an investigation into alleged misconduct by officers from the Satellite Town Division, Lagos State, after a viral social media video.

The Force Media Officer, CSP Aliyu Giwa, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

The complainant, Rhapstar, posted the video on X on April 4, alleging incivility by officers on surveillance duty.

In the clip, police officers stopped a vehicle, ordered occupants out, and searched one individual away from the roadside-parked vehicle.

The incident triggered widespread reaction, amid concerns over alleged harassment during a roadside stop-and-search operation.

Speaking on the incident on Saturday, Giwa said the Divisional Police Officer and implicated officers were summoned, adding that an investigation into the incident was ongoing.

Giwa wrote on X: “When (Rhapstar) posted the viral video on 4 April 2026, alleging misconduct by officers from the Satellite Town Division, Lagos, we took the matter seriously and acted immediately.

“The DPO and the officers involved were summoned, statements were obtained, and detailed interviews were conducted.

“Preliminary findings indicate the incident occurred in May 2025. We are working to obtain additional details directly from the victims, as their accounts are central to the investigation.

“This process is not a cover-up; it is a demonstration of accountability.

“The leadership of the Force management team has emphasised that the rule of law is non-negotiable in the discharge of police duties nationwide. No officer is above accountability, and no incident is too old to investigate. The investigation is ongoing. We will provide regular updates.

“To every Nigerian who spoke up, your voice prompted accountability, as it should be.”

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Turaki Faction Kicks As Police Unseal PDP Secretariat

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The Tanimu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Nigeria Police Force of acting in contempt of court following the unsealing of its National Secretariat in Abuja, describing the development as a partisan move that undermines the rule of law.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said the police facilitated the takeover of the Wadata Plaza headquarters by individuals he described as “agents of the federal government and APC apologists masquerading as PDP members,” despite a pending appeal on the matter.

The PDP maintained that the judgment by Justice Abdulmalik, which the police purportedly relied upon in unsealing the premises, is already under appeal.

According to the party, the police, being a party to the suit, had been duly served and were fully aware of the appellate process.

It argued that by proceeding to unseal the secretariat, the police had “tampered with the res”, (a legal terminology referring to the subject matter of litigation) thereby risking rendering the eventual judgment of the Court of Appeal nugatory.

“It is most shameful that those entrusted with protecting the law are those disobeying the law,” the statement read.

The party expressed disappointment that the police, under the leadership of the new Inspector General of Police, has continued what it described as a pattern of partisan conduct since the crisis began.

It alleged that officers of the force had consistently acted in support of a faction it labelled as “Wike-backed APC apologists,” thereby deepening internal tensions within the opposition party.

Despite its grievances, the PDP called on its members nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding, urging them to avoid actions that could lead to a breakdown of public order.

“As law-abiding citizens, we admonish our members to continue to maintain peace and not undertake any activity capable of breaching public peace,” the statement added, while pledging to pursue all legal avenues to defend the rights of what it termed “genuine members” of the party.

The party also assured the public that it remained optimistic that the situation would be resolved in favour of democratic principles, warning against what it described as a “state-sponsored persecution and one-party drive.”

Invoking a note of hope, the PDP said the current challenges would ultimately give way to “joy and liberation,” expressing confidence in the restoration of what it called true democratic experience in the country.

The unsealing of the PDP secretariat marks the latest twist in the protracted leadership and legal tussle within the party, which has continued to generate political tension and raise concerns about institutional neutrality in Nigeria’s democratic process.

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Why Tinubu Was Absent at Commissioning of Sanwo-Olu’s Projects in Lagos – Presidency

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The Presidency has come up with reasons behind President Bola Tinubu’s absent at the commissioning of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s projects in Lagos, on Wednesday.

Tinubu was noticeably absent at the scheduled project commissioning in Lagos, sparking public curiosity.

However, Sunday Dare, his Special Adviser on Public Communications and Orientation, has clarified the reason behind the last-minute development.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Dare revealed that the President had to prioritise urgent national security matters over the event.
According to him, although Tinubu is currently in Lagos, he has been deeply engaged in high-level State duties, particularly ongoing security briefings tied to recent developments across the country.

“The president has been busy taking constant briefs and has to prioritise when it comes to state matters, especially security,” Dare stated.

He referenced rising security concerns, including recent unrest linked to incidents in Jos, noting that the President has been closely monitoring the situation and working directly with intelligence agencies.

Dare emphasised that Tinubu remains fully engaged behind the scenes, actively coordinating with security operatives and receiving continuous updates to address emerging threats.

The absence, he stressed, should not be seen as neglect of official duties but rather a reflection of the President’s focus on safeguarding national stability at a critical time.

Tinubu skipped the Lagos commissioning not out of disregard, but to handle pressing security issues demanding immediate presidential attention.

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