General News
Social Media: Spreading Culture & Hate
Social media is the new way to communicate. It seems as if everyone is tweeting and has an account on Facebook.
Twitter, Facebook and other social network sites are currently transforming and sustaining the quest for social change in the country.
Like other broadcast media, social media networks are tools for socialization. They create new opportunities for political conversation and civic action.
Social media work because messages pass over networks of trust and reciprocity, resonating with friends and family.
But they are also aiding and abetting religious violence and insurgency particularly in the northern part of Nigeria by spreading furies and propagandas.
Social media are the new weapons of war as belligerent politicians and religionists massively roll out the tools to undermine all efforts at promoting peace.
For instance, in Kaduna, gory and horrific photos of victims of suicide bombings and reprisal attacks being shared through Twitter, Facebook and others has continued to make the state ungovernable.
Recall also that as Nigeria boiled in January during the nationwide strike and public demonstrations in response to removal of subsidy on Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS), many protesters took their rage to the internet and the social media.
Social media played a profound role in recruiting and spreading calls for action that contributed to the success of the strike.
During the fuel hike protests, some initial online activities by some civil rights activists’ triggered chains of messages reaching huge numbers of people who immediately mobilized to protest the removal even before labour formally flagged off the strike and protests.
Either deliberately or by sheer ignorance, the government of the day has failed to recognize the power of the social media.
It is so powerful that as the country’s clumsy leaders are sleeping, the virtual world is aggressively organizing and inspiring a revolution.
Today, from North to South and East to West, arguments on social media are swinging far left.
And in the absence of good leadership, a crop of bloggers are charting the course for Nigerians dissatisfied with years of mismanagement and neglect by successive governments.
The rise and rise of social media is buoyed by the country’s growing online audience, said to be the largest in Africa.
Substantial numbers of the mobile phone users have access to internet through their mobile devices which helped in the sharing of information on social media.
Nigeria government is helpless at the moment and is not even using the good side of this double edged sword.
To use this tool, the government must first of all provide good governance. There are no two meanings of good governance. It is putting square peg in a square hole.
Achieving good governance requires the understanding and participation of every member of the society.
The media, their roles, channels and content, are considered powerful enough to make this achievement a reality.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has detained Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc, for alleged fraud involving N36.5 billion and $30 million.
Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc,
This follows the probe of alleged diversion of N36.5 billion and $30 million secured as loans from Polaris Bank Plc through companies linked to Ayeni.
He was arrested by EFCC operatives in Abuja on April 23, 2026, and is still been held in custody as at the time of filling the report.
Dele Oyewale, spokesperson, EFCC, confirmed the arrest on Friday but declined to provide further details.
Ayeni is under investigation for diverting funds obtained for marine security, electricity distribution, and real estate projects into other unknown projects.
Investigators allege the loans were instead channelled into telecom investments tied to NITEL/MTEL assets via a NATCOM account.
About 12 firms believed to be connected to Ayeni are also under investigation for their role in securing the loans.
The EFCC is expected to file charges once the investigation is concluded.
Summit Household Solutions Limited has opened its ultra-modern manufacturing facility in Ota, Ogun State, as part of its efforts to scale production of home and personal care products in Nigeria.
The plant, which started operations in April 2025, produces items such as dishwashing liquids, handwash, sanitisers and multipurpose liquid soaps, with an annual capacity estimated at 7,000 tonnes.
Commissioning the facility on behalf of Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment, Mr Kehinde Akintomide, said the investment reflects growing confidence in Ogun State’s business environment.
He noted that the state hosts over 6,000 manufacturing firms and described the development as consistent with ongoing efforts to promote industrialisation, attract investment and reduce reliance on imports under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope initiative.
Akintomide disclosed that the factory has already employed more than 50 Nigerians, with projections to exceed 250 jobs as operations expand.
In his remarks, the General Manager of the company, Mr Sadiq Ali, said the facility represents a major step in Summit’s growth plans, adding that its flagship brand, 2Sure, currently leads production at the plant.
He also revealed that the company is preparing to introduce new home and personal care products later this year.
Summit Household Solutions manufactures the 2Sure brand and has expanded into the personal care segment with Lewar, a premium beauty soap line positioned for quality and affordability.
Among dignitaries present were the Onikotun of Otun, Ota, Oba Abdulakeem Odunaro, representing the Olota of Ota, Prof. Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege; the Agba Akin of Ota, Chief Dada Olusola; Director of Investment, Ms Yemisi Folarin; Director of Industrial Promotion, Mr Femi Adeboye; former Managing Director of 7Up Bottling Company, Mr Ziad Maalouf; and the Chief Executive Officer of OmniRetail, Mr Deepanker Rustagi.
Speaking at the event, Maalouf, who conceived the 2Sure brand during his time at 7Up Bottling Company, expressed satisfaction with its growth and commended Summit Solutions Limited for advancing the brand.
The special guests were conducted around the facility, and the programme was concluded with a luncheon.
The administration of Donald Trump has frozen $344 million in cryptocurrency allegedly linked to Iran, marking a sharp escalation in financial pressure on Tehran.
The move comes amid stalled diplomatic efforts and a fragile ceasefire in the region.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that authorities are sanctioning multiple crypto wallets tied to Iran. “We will follow the money that Tehran is desperately attempting to move outside of the country and target all financial lifelines tied to the regime,” he said.
Tether, which facilitated the transactions, said it worked with U.S. authorities to freeze the funds across two wallet addresses after receiving intelligence linked to unlawful activity.
A U.S. official said blockchain analysis revealed “material links” to the Iranian regime, including transactions routed through intermediary addresses connected to wallets associated with the Central Bank of Iran.
Responding to the development, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the company does not tolerate illicit use of its stablecoin. “USD₮ is not a safe haven for illegal activity. When there is credible linkage to sanctioned entities or criminal networks, we act immediately,” he stated.
The crackdown underscores the growing reliance of sanctioned states on digital assets to bypass traditional banking restrictions. Data from Chainalysis shows Iran’s cryptocurrency holdings reached $7.8 billion in 2025, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly controlling about half.
Analysts say while the freeze is significant, Iran has historically adapted to sanctions. Daniel Tannebaum of the Atlantic Council noted that targeting third-party actors enabling such transactions may be key to increasing pressure.
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