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PDP expels Reps member Ugochinyere over anti-party activities, indiscipline

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled the lawmaker representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere, with immediate effect due to gross indiscipline, insubordination and anti-party activities.

Ugochinyere’s expulsion was announced in a letter by the Ideato LGA chapter of the party dated December 5, 2024, and signed by the LGA Chairman, Hon. ThankGod Okeke, and the Secretary, Onyebuchi Umeh which they addressed to the State Chairman.

This is according to a statement on Friday, December 6, 2024, wherein Lancelot Obiak, the Imo PDP Publicity Secretary, said the executives expelled Ugochinyere.

The decision followed the report of the party’s disciplinary committee dated November 27, 2024, which investigated alleged misconduct against the lawmaker in line with Section 57 (1-4) of the PDP Constitution 2017 as amended.

Ugochinyere was first suspended at his Umuopia/Umukegwu ward on October 14, 2024, following failure to honour the invitation to appear before the ward Executive Committee to defend the allegations of disciplinary offences against him.

The statement read, “The expulsion was conveyed in a letter by the Ideato LGA chapter of the party dated December 5, 2024, and signed by the LGA Chairman, Hon. ThankGod Okeke and the Secretary, Onyebuchi Umeh which they addressed to the State Chairman.

“The expulsion followed the report of the party’s disciplinary committee, dated November 27, 2024, which investigated misconduct charges against Ugochinyere in line with Section 57 (1-4) of the PDP constitution 2017 as amended.

“The lawmaker had been suspended at his Umuopia/Umukegwu ward on October 14, 2024, after failing to honour the invitation to appear before the ward Executive Committee on October 5, 2024, to answer to allegations of disciplinary offences, and ignoring reminders and further invitation sent to him on October 7, 2024.

“The letter partly read: “Upon receipt of the report, the LGA Executive Committee of Ideato North met on the 5th of December, 2024, and unanimously adopted the report of the disciplinary committee”.

“In light of this, Hon. Imo Ugochinyere Ikegwuonu is hereby expelled from the party (PDP) with immediate effect and he ceases to be a member of the Peoples Democratic Party in Umuofia/Umukegwu ward of Ideato North LGA”.

“The party found Ugochinyere guilty of deliberate failure to attend meetings and participate in activities of the party for a long time in breach of Section 58 (1)e) of the PDP constitution 2017 as amended. He was said to have engaged in unauthorised publicity of disputes within the party which contravenes section 58(1)i of the party’s constitution. Also, he formed parallel executive and organs of the party in his ward, and at the LGA and National levels which also breaches the party’s constitution”.

“Furthermore, he was found guilty of consistently making derogatory and provocative public statements against the party and some of its national leaders, an action that brought the party to public ridicule”.

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Entertainment

Charly Boy celebrates daughter’s engagement to a Woman

Veteran Nigerian entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has publicly celebrated the engagement of his daughter, Adaeze, to a woman, drawing a wide range of reactions from Nigerians online. Charly Boy shared a video from the engagement ceremony on his Instagram page on Thursday, referring to the couple as his “beautiful Princess and her Husband” and asking his followers to extend their well wishes. “Folks, wish dem well for me,” he wrote.

Adaeze also announced the engagement herself, sharing a photo with her partner alongside the caption “WE’RE ENGAGED!” and the hashtag #mrsandmrsgray2027. She expressed excitement about the relationship in her post, writing, “Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, growth, and making beautiful memories together. I can’t wait for everything God has in store for us. Forever sounds even sweeter with you.”

The announcement quickly drew attention online, with reactions split between congratulatory comments and criticism, reflecting Nigeria’s broader social and legal climate around same-sex relationships, where such unions remain both criminalised and widely stigmatised. Adaeze was previously married to a man, Metu Anu, in a traditional wedding held in Abuja in February 2018, a union that later ended in divorce.

This isn’t the first time a member of the Oputa family has publicly navigated a same-sex relationship. Charly Boy’s other daughter, Dominique “Dewy” Oputa, is also known to be in a relationship with a woman, both daughters currently reside outside Nigeria.

Charly Boy, also known as Area Fada, has built a decades-long career and public persona around unconventional, often boundary-pushing views on social and cultural issues in Nigeria. He has spoken previously about surviving prostate cancer, being sexually abused by a nanny during his childhood, and long-standing tension within his own nearly 50-year marriage to his wife, Diane.

He has also addressed public speculation about his own gender expression and sexuality directly, arguing that embracing traits often associated with femininity does not diminish a man’s identity.

The entertainer has 10 children and 14 grandchildren in total, and has continued to speak openly about his family throughout his public career, even as his views have periodically placed him at odds with more conservative segments of Nigerian society.

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Entertainment

Tyler Perry reveals why he has chosen to stay away from marriage

American filmmaker, actor, and playwright Tyler Perry has revealed why he has no interest in marriage, saying his biggest concern is not the institution itself but the financial and emotional toll of divorce. Perry disclosed in a recent interview on The Jennifer Hudson Show that his view of marriage is largely shaped by what he has witnessed happen to people after their relationships end.

“Nope, it’s not the marriage that bothers me; it’s the divorce. Everybody that I know who did well and went broke, it was because of a divorce, so I’m good being free.”

The filmmaker also described some of the thoughts that come to mind when he considers marriage, including the possibility of being hurt or betrayed by a partner.

“What makes me think about marriage is that you are no good, heartbreaker, you’re a cheat, and I don’t know why I let you do this to me. That’s what I think about.”

Beyond his views on marriage, Perry also opened up about grief and the difficulty of losing someone close to him, particularly his late mother, Maxine Perry.

“The thing that people don’t get is the stuff we deal with and the loss of a mother and how hard that is. I believe that people have angels that have gone on, but they are still looking out over, and that’s how I feel towards my mother. She used to say so many amazing things to me.”

Perry has often spoken about his mother’s influence on his life and career. His upbringing and experiences with family have also featured prominently in his storytelling, particularly through characters and themes centred on faith, resilience, family and overcoming hardship.

The filmmaker has built one of Hollywood’s most successful independent entertainment empires through films, television shows and stage productions.

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Business

Dangote Refinery opens landmark IPO today to the investing public

Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE today announced the commencement of its Initial Public Offering (IPO), marking a historic milestone in Nigeria’s economic development and the evolution of Africa’s capital markets. The offer will be formally launched at a ceremony on the trading floor of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in Lagos, bringing to the public, for the first time, an opportunity to own a stake in Africa’s largest refinery and one of the world’s most significant industrial projects.

The IPO, which opens today, September 14, 2026, consists of 4.1 billion new ordinary shares offered at N525 per share, with a minimum subscription of 10 shares valued at N5,250. The offer is expected to remain open until October 13, 2026, subject to the terms outlined in the Prospectus. The transaction is targeted at retail, institutional, and eligible African investors, reinforcing Dangote Refinery’s commitment to broadening ownership and deepening participation in Nigeria’s capital market.

The public offer is expected to raise approximately N2.15 trillion, making it one of the largest equity offerings ever undertaken in Africa. The proceeds will support the Refinery’s long-term growth plans, operational expansion, strategic investments, and the creation of additional value for shareholders and stakeholders alike.

Speaking on the significance of the IPO, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, said: “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Dangote Refinery and, indeed, in the economic future of our nation. This offering is about more than raising capital; it is about creating an opportunity for ordinary Nigerians, Africans, and investors across the globe to participate directly in one of the most transformative industrial projects ever built on the continent. We established this refinery to transform Africa’s energy landscape, create jobs, conserve foreign exchange, and unlock shared prosperity. With this IPO, we are extending that vision by democratising ownership and ensuring that millions of people can benefit from the value being created.

“We believe that broad-based ownership is one of the most effective ways to build wealth, strengthen the capital market, and accelerate economic inclusion. We invite investors to join us as partners in building a globally competitive enterprise that will continue to shape the future of energy, manufacturing, and economic development in Africa.”

According to Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Group: “The launch of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery IPO is an important moment for Nigeria’s capital market, not simply because of the scale of the transaction, but because of what it represents.

“Our capital market must increasingly become a place where Nigerians can participate in the value created by our country’s most important businesses. That means broadening ownership, expanding access and creating stronger connections between Nigerian enterprise and Nigerian capital.

“At NGX Group, we have been deliberately building the infrastructure to make that possible. Through NGX Invest and connectivity across more than 50 distribution channels, including stockbrokers, banks and fintechs, we are making participation in the public market more accessible.

“This is how we build an ownership economy: strong Nigerian businesses accessing long-term capital, and more Nigerians having the opportunity to participate in their growth.”

Dangote Refinery has emerged as a strategic national asset, helping to strengthen energy security, reduce dependence on imported refined products, conserve foreign exchange, and position Nigeria as a major exporter of petroleum products. Since commencing commercial operations, the Refinery has supplied premium-quality petroleum products to domestic and international markets while supporting industrial growth and economic transformation across the region.

The company emphasised that participation in the offer has been designed to be accessible, transparent, and technology-enabled. Eligible investors can subscribe through approved distribution channels, including NGX Invest, designated commercial banks, and authorised investment platforms, subject to the provisions contained in the Prospectus.

As the commencement ceremony takes place on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange today, Dangote Refinery reaffirmed its commitment to operational excellence, corporate governance, sustainable growth, and long-term value creation for shareholders.

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