MTN Nigeria has warned subscribers against fraudulent 25GB anniversary giveaway offers circulating online, urging customers to rely only on the company’s official platforms to access the promotion.

The telecommunications giant issued the warning through its support account on X on Saturday, cautioning subscribers against clicking suspicious links, sharing personal information or making payments on unauthorised platforms claiming to offer the anniversary data bundle.

MTN said the genuine 25GB anniversary giveaway is available exclusively through the MyMTN NG App and the MTN eShop.

The company stated: “Please beware of fake MTN 25th Anniversary 25GB giveaway offers circulating online.

“The official MTN 25GB Anniversary Giveaway is available ONLY via the MyMTN NG App and MTN eShop.

“Do not click on links, share your personal information or make payments on any other platform claiming to offer the giveaway.

“Only trust official MTN channels.”

In a separate message, MTN explained how eligible subscribers can redeem the offer, directing customers to log into the MyMTN App and select “Redeem Now” on the anniversary banner or access the promotion through the MTN eShop.

“To access the 25GB offer, kindly visit the MyMTN App or the MTN E-Shop and follow the prompts to activate the bundle, if you are eligible for the offer,” the company said.

It added: “You may also click on the link contained in the SMS notification you received regarding the offer.”

MTN urged subscribers to verify promotional messages and information through its official communication channels before taking any action.

The company also said the 25GB free data bundle would remain valid until 11:59pm on the stated expiry date, advising eligible customers to redeem the offer before the validity period ends.

The warning follows the circulation of various online posts and links purporting to offer free MTN data as part of the company’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

Subscribers have consequently been advised to avoid unauthorised websites and platforms that request personal information, payments or other sensitive details in exchange for the purported giveaway.

Prophet Itunu Onadeko, fiancé of late Nollywood actress Temitope Osoba, has claimed that the actress died at a police station in Ikorodu, Lagos State, contrary to reports and social media speculation linking her death to complications from breast cancer.

Onadeko made the claim in an interview with the Celestial Reality Check, the media investigative unit of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), on Saturday.

The prophet, who is the Shepherd-in-Charge of CCC Onibuore Cathedral in the Bogije area of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, also denied several allegations surrounding Osoba’s final days, including claims that she was poisoned, maltreated or subjected to harsh treatment before her death.

According to him, he learnt of the actress’ death from an unidentified caller around midnight.

“It was a random person that called me around 12 am that she died in a police station in Ikorodu,” he said.

Onadeko said he did not know the particular police station where Osoba allegedly died but reported himself at a nearby station after receiving the information.

He explained that Osoba had insisted on visiting one Mrs Kehinde Osoba, who he said also runs a church, shortly before her death.

“She had insisted to see Mrs Kehinde Osoba, she also has a church, although she said she wanted to see me too. When they left for there, I told them that I wasn’t chanced to go that day because of church programmes,” he said.

According to him, the hairdresser with whom Osoba was staying accompanied her on the trip.

“The hairdresser that Tope was sleeping in her place was the person that went with her. We maintained communication and she even posted ‘Ogo tun tun’ until I heard that she died in the police station,” he added.

Fiancé denies cancer caused death

Osoba had previously spoken publicly about her battle with breast cancer, including undergoing treatment and surgery. In 2024, she announced her return to the public after the experience, describing the period as one that brought healing, growth and empowerment.

However, Onadeko insisted that although Osoba had battled cancer and undergone surgery, the illness was not responsible for her death.

“When I first met her, after I did a redemption prayer for her, she told me she wants to do a surgery on cancer. I prayed for her. In fact, the day she planned for her surgery, she did a skit with Boda Wasiu and then we moved to Evacare Hospital,” he said.

He also denied allegations that he had access to money donated to Osoba for her surgery or that he used the funds to build his church.

“Who has an evidence that the money she got for her surgery is N30m? It wasn’t my account they sent the money to, it was hers. And I didn’t use the money to build church as rumoured,” he said.

Onadeko said several people, including businessman Mike Adenuga, supported Osoba financially during her treatment, but maintained that he never had access to the money.

“I met Tope like two years ago and the church has been there since 20 years ago. The church is complete before she even joined us. It has been roofed and painted,” he added.

He denies claims she was prevented from driving

The prophet also rejected claims that Osoba was prevented from driving her car, saying she drove herself when she travelled to Iperu shortly before her death.

“She drove the car out herself. She was going to Iperu one Sunday. I don’t know Iperu that she went to neither do I know who she’s going to meet there but I think it is her mother’s side,” he said.

He said Osoba had reservations about visiting her maternal family because she believed they had not treated her well, but that he encouraged her to maintain contact with them because they were planning to get married.

Onadeko denies maltreatment allegations

Onadeko also denied allegations that Osoba was maltreated before her death, including claims that faeces or urine were poured on her body as punishment for allegedly stealing biscuits.

He said there had never been a situation in which Osoba was subjected to such treatment or placed under duress.

“When we were living together, we borrowed each other money. She bought gold for herself and me. But she eventually sold them and we both spent the money, there has never been a time that we were under duress,” he said.

According to him, the house where Osoba lived belonged to her uncle and was not rented by the couple.

“After the surgery, she gave her uncle N1m when he insisted that he gave her something at least for staying in the house,” he added.

He also dismissed allegations that Osoba drank poison before her death.

Actress had left church weeks before death

Onadeko said Osoba left the church about three weeks before her death.

He said that after learning of her death, he contacted one of her uncles, identified as Taiwo, but that the relative refused to speak with him.

“She’s left the church about three weeks ago before her death. Since she died, I didn’t call any of her family. It was one of her uncles, Taiwo that I called but he was really mad at me and insisted that he doesn’t want to speak with me,” he said.

The prophet also disclosed that Osoba had struggled with smoking and that he had encouraged her to quit.

“She was dealing with smoking habit. And I wanted her to leave it. All the church members know about her smoking habit,” he said.

Osoba died on Wednesday at the age of 40. She is scheduled to be buried on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in Iperu Remo, Ogun State.

However, Onadeko’s claims about the circumstances of Osoba’s death could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report, and the exact cause and location of her death remain unconfirmed.

A Foundation Member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving a substantial salary increase for members of the Armed Forces.

Okechukwu, who is the former Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), gave the commendation in a statement issued on Sunday in Enugu while reacting to the recent Armed Forces salary review and expansion of Army divisions.

It would be recalled that recently President Tinubu approved salary increases of 80 per cent for Privates to Staff Sergeants.

The president also approved salary increases of 50 per cent for Warrant Officers to Colonels, and 30 per cent for Brigadiers to Generals, alongside creation of four additional army divisions.

Okechukwu, however, cautioned that improved remuneration alone cannot guarantee victory over insurgency, terrorism and banditry without corresponding investment in superior technologies that define modern warfare.

He said that Nigeria must avoid fighting 21st century wars with 20th century military orthodox doctrines.

According to him, like millions of Nigerians, I wholeheartedly applaud President Tinubu for improving the welfare of our gallant Armed Forces, who daily risk their lives in defence of our nation.

He said, “However, patriotism compels one to ask a fundamental question?

“How will our administration, in an era of lean fiscal resources and under budget implementation; sustain such a significant increase in recurrent expenditure while adequately funding critical sectors such as healthcare, education and infrastructure without triggering hyper-inflation?”

“Dear President, my candid concern in the midst of huge debt is the big elephant in the room.

“For a pay rise of almost 30 per cent across the board with little or no export product outside fluctuating oil price may trigger off hyper-inflation and monetary paralysis?”

He noted that it is clear to the President that police, other paramilitary agencies and the wider civil service would naturally demand aggressively for comparable salary adjustments, to face the same market.

Offering an alternative approach, Okechukwu called for 30 per cent budget addition to kitchen table welfare enablers to the greatest number of Nigerians among which are members of the Armed Forces and other public servants.

“More investment in comprehensive healthcare, quality educational opportunities and an affordable mortgage home schemes, will better spread joy, strengthen purchasing power, encourage productivity and employment.

“It is on record that 80 per cent of the Armed Forces have no mortgage homes,” he said.

On the expansion of the army, Okechukwu argued that military superiority in the 21st century is determined less by the size of an army than by the sophistication of its technology.

“Today’s battlefields are dominated by drones, satellite surveillance, electronic warfare, cyber operations, precision-guided weapons, artificial intelligence and real-time intelligence.

“Victory no longer belongs to the side with the largest number of boots on the ground, but to the side with superiority of AI-driven intelligence capabilities,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of Oceanwave Group, Peter Dunia, and globally acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie have emerged as the 2026 Man of the Year and Woman of the Year, respectively, at the 8th Leadership Excellence Awards (LEEX) following the conclusion of a nationwide public voting exercise monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The results released by the Local Organising Committee on Friday showed that Dunia secured a commanding victory in the Man of the Year category with 2,189,857 votes, defeating Chairman of Geregu Power Plc, Femi Otedola, who polled 1,083,683 votes, and Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Oil & Gas Services Ltd., Ekeoma Ekeoma, who garnered 485,308 votes.

In the Woman of the Year category, Chimamanda Adichie polled 826,097 votes to emerge winner, ahead of Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, who received 287,569 votes, while Dr. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, secured 152,853 votes.

The online voting exercise attracted millions of votes from across Nigeria and the diaspora, underscoring the growing credibility and popularity of the Leadership Excellence Awards as one of Africa’s foremost platforms for recognising transformational leadership.

Dunia’s emergence as LEEX Man of the Year reflects widespread public recognition of his remarkable contributions to Nigeria’s maritime and energy sectors, as well as his unwavering commitment to philanthropy and humanitarian service. Beyond building one of Africa’s leading indigenous offshore and marine logistics companies, he has consistently invested in initiatives that improve the lives of vulnerable communities through educational support, healthcare interventions, youth empowerment, community development projects, and assistance to victims of natural disasters and economic hardship. His commitment to creating opportunities, uplifting underserved communities, and promoting indigenous enterprise has earned him admiration far beyond the business community.

Adichie’s victory recognises her extraordinary contributions to literature, education and global advocacy. Through internationally acclaimed works such as Half of a Yellow Sun, Americanah and Purple Hibiscus, she has elevated African storytelling on the global stage while championing gender equality, social justice and human dignity. Her writings, lectures and advocacy have inspired millions across the world, making her one of Africa’s most influential contemporary intellectuals and cultural ambassadors.

Speaking on the outcome, the Local Organising Committee described both winners as exceptional leaders whose impact transcends their respective professions, noting that they exemplify the ideals of visionary leadership, excellence, integrity and service to humanity.

“Peter Dunia, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and over 20 other winners represent the very best of Africa—leaders who have not only excelled in their fields but have also used their platforms to uplift others and drive meaningful change,” the Committee stated.

The Leadership Excellence Awards (LEEX) is Africa’s premier online media awards, established to honour outstanding achievements in governance, business, innovation, entrepreneurship, public service, philanthropy, humanitarian service and sustainable development. The awards are proudly endorsed by the African Union–African Film Institute (AU-AFI), further affirming their growing reputation as one of the continent’s most respected platforms for celebrating transformational leadership.

Previous recipients of the prestigious LEEX Man of the Year Award include renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and industrialist Abdul Samad Rabiu, CFR. Previous Woman of the Year winners include Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization; Adaora Umeoji, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc; and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Peter Dunia and Chimamanda Adichie will be formally decorated at the 8th Leadership Excellence Awards Ceremony, scheduled for Thursday, 12 November 2026, at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Banquet Hall, Abuja alongside more than 20 distinguished recipients in other award categories.The event is expected to attract senior government officials, diplomats, business leaders, traditional rulers, development partners, academics, civil society leaders and other distinguished personalities from across Africa.

The Local Organising Committee congratulated all the finalists for their outstanding achievements and expressed appreciation to millions of Nigerians and members of the international community who participated in what it described as a transparent, credible and independently monitored voting process.

By Okey Maduforo, Awka

Despite a legal action instituted by 56 serving councillors in Anambra State challenging the conduct of the forthcoming local government election, the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) says it is proceeding with preparations for the exercise.

The Chairman of ANSIEC, Mrs. Genevieve Osakwe, who spoke to reporters in Awka, said the commission was currently working to conclude arrangements for a free, fair and transparent electoral process.

She maintained that the suit filed by the 56 councillors does not automatically stop the election, adding that all political parties should continue preparations for the exercise.

“As you can see, we are in our offices working ahead of the conduct of the election, and it is not automatic that when a suit is filed in court, the electoral process will stop,” she said.

The primary elections for the nomination of candidates by political parties were conducted between December 18 and February 16, while the local government election has been scheduled for August 29, 2026.

According to Osakwe, the election will be conducted in strict compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 and the relevant Anambra State law. She also assured all political parties and their candidates of a free and fair process.

However, 56 serving councillors last month instituted a suit challenging the planned election, arguing that their tenure of office has not expired.

Recall that the Anambra State House of Assembly had passed a bill into law prescribing a two-year tenure for elected local government chairmen and councillors.

The suit, which joined the Attorney-General of Anambra State, the Anambra State House of Assembly and the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) as the first, second and third defendants respectively, was filed as Suit No. A/261/2026.

The plaintiffs are seeking, among other reliefs, a declaration that the statutory system of local government guaranteed under Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) implies a secure, stable and reasonable tenure capable of achieving grassroots governance and does not permit the arbitrary truncation of its life cycle by state actors.

They are also seeking:

“A declaration that Section 110(A) of the Anambra State Electoral (Amendment No. 3) Law, 2024, which limits the tenure of democratically elected Local Government Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen and Ward Councillors in Anambra State to two (2) years, is inconsistent with Section 7(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and is therefore unconstitutional, null, void and of no legal consequence.”

The plaintiffs are further seeking an order of the court striking down, invalidating and expunging Section 110(4) of the Anambra State Electoral (Amendment No. 3) Law, 2024, from the statute books of Anambra State on the grounds that it is inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Among the other reliefs sought are an order of the court directing and affirming that the plaintiffs, and indeed all democratically elected local government councils, are entitled to a secure and standard tenure of four years, in alignment with the democratic mandates of the federal and state tiers of government.

The plaintiffs are also seeking:

“An Order of Perpetual Injunction restraining the defendants, their agents or privies or anyone acting on their behalf, from dissolving, terminating or interfering with the tenure of the elected local council at the two-year mark.”

They further seek:

“An Order of Perpetual Injunction restraining the 3rd defendant from taking any steps, publishing any timetables, or conducting any elections aimed at replacing the plaintiffs as the current elected local councils until their full four-year tenure is spent.”

Despite the pending suit, ANSIEC has maintained that preparations for the August 29 local government election will continue.