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Historical Analysis (Steve Bankole Rhodes

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When Steven Bankole Rhodes (1890-1951) was appointed a member of the Executive Council of the then Colonial Nigeria on September 23, 1942. He was the only African to have had the opportunity to participate directly in policy formulation at the central executive level, before that time colonial administrators exempted Africans from participating in policy formulation.

Earlier In January of the same year, he was nominated as an Unofficial Member of the Legislative council of Nigeria. In this capacity he pushed for the nationalisation of all Nigerian industries, he also advocated for the autonomy of native courts.

In 1943, King George VI of England conferred on him the honour of the commander of the said Most Excellent Order – CBE for his dedication to public services in Nigeria.  Justice S.B Rhodes became a Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court, King George VI also gave the directives for his appointment on October 9, 1945, thereby becoming the first Nigerian lawyer to be elevated to the Supreme court bench straight from the Bar.

He subsequently became the second indigenous judge appointed to the Nigerian Judiciary, After and before Justice Jibowu and Justice Ademola Adetokunbo respectively.

He also held the position of Chancellor of the Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion. At that time the diocese covered Eastern Nigeria, the Mid-West, Kwara and the Middle Belt. He was succeeded by Louis Mbanefo.

His son, Steve Rhodes, a successful musician and broadcaster was Fela Kuti’s manager in the 1960s.

He was Uncle to Justice R.W.A Rhodes-Vivour, Grand Uncle to Supreme Court Justice Bode Rhodes-Viviour and Great Grand Uncle to Labour Party Gubernatorial Candidate for Lagos State. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

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Goodluck Jonathan Reportedly Stranded in Guinea-Bissau After Sudden Military Takeover

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Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is reportedly stranded in Guinea-Bissau following the military’s announcement of a takeover on Tuesday.

Jonathan, who travelled to the country as part of an international election observation mission, was expected to oversee the release of official results before the unexpected shift in power disrupted all movement. Sources say he and other foreign observers are currently unable to leave as security restrictions tighten across the capital.

The situation has sparked concern among regional stakeholders, with diplomatic channels said to be monitoring developments closely. So far, neither Jonathan nor Nigerian authorities have issued an official statement on his safety or plans to return.

The unfolding political tension in Guinea-Bissau continues to draw global attention, especially as the fate of the election results remains unclear.

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Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase Raises Alarm Over Alleged Boko Haram Names on Army Recruitment List

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A fresh wave of national concern has been triggered after former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, alleged that names of individuals suspected to be linked to Boko Haram were once discovered on a Nigerian Army recruitment list.

Wase made the revelation on Wednesday while addressing colleagues and security stakeholders. According to him, the discovery points to a deeper and more dangerous level of infiltration that could compromise Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorism. He warned that if such cases go unchecked, they could weaken the country’s security architecture from within.

The lawmaker stressed the need for urgent and comprehensive reforms in recruitment procedures across all security agencies. He called for:

Enhanced vetting and background checks

Stricter biometric verification

A complete review of recruitment protocols

Cross-agency intelligence sharing

Wase argued that preventing infiltration at the point of entry is just as critical as frontline military operations, emphasizing that national security begins with ensuring the right people are admitted into the armed forces.

His claims have since generated widespread reaction from citizens, security experts, and civil society organisations. Many Nigerians are calling on the federal government to conduct a detailed investigation into the alleged incident, insisting that transparency is essential to restoring public trust in the nation’s defence system.

As of press time, the Nigerian Army has not issued a formal statement responding to Wase’s claims, leaving the public eager for clarification on a matter that touches directly on national safety.

Lagos Lately will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the story unfolds.

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FG Vows to End Frequent Power Grid Collapses

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to put a stop to the recurring national grid collapses and improve overall stability in the country’s power sector.

Speaking in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday during the maiden retreat of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) themed “NISO on the Move,” Adelabu—represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Muhammadu Mamman—said President Bola Tinubu’s administration has been implementing fresh strategies from day one to stabilise the grid and curb nationwide power outages.

According to him, the establishment of NISO is one of the key reforms introduced by the Federal Government to transform operations within the power sector and drive reliable electricity supply.

Nigeria has long grappled with repeated grid collapses, largely attributed to ageing infrastructure, inadequate funding, poor maintenance, and vandalism. These disruptions have resulted in widespread blackouts, affecting businesses, slowing economic activity, and forcing households to depend heavily on generators and other costly alternatives.

Adelabu noted that the current administration is committed to reversing these trends. “Since the commencement of this administration, things have been done differently. The creation of the Nigerian Independent System Operator is a clear indication of government’s renewed approach to achieving grid stability, reducing power outages, and ensuring every Nigerian has access to electricity,” he said.

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