4th Estate of the REALM

12/03/2026

Nigerian Jailed 20 Years for Drug Trafficking in India...

An Indian court has sentenced a Nigerian national, Christian Arinze, to 20 years' imprisonment for drug trafficking.

According to the Narcotics Control Bureau, Arinze was convicted alongside a Zambian national, Hanchabila John, by a court in Ahmedabad.

John was arrested at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in September 2021 after arriving from Dubai with about 2.75 kilograms of he**in.

The court found both men guilty and sentenced them to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs200,000 each

12/03/2026

Dangote Petroleum Refinery Dominates Nigeria’s Petrol Supply...

Stakeholders, including energy experts and economists, have expressed concern over the Federal Government’s suspension of petrol imports, urging authorities to introduce price regulation as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery now dominates Nigeria’s fuel market.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) confirmed that it has not issued any petrol import licences in 2026, noting that local production now meets national demand.

According to the agency, local refineries supplied about 36.5 million litres of petrol daily in February, while imports accounted for only three million litres, bringing total supply to 39.5 million litres per day.

The data show that domestic refining now accounts for about 92 per cent of Nigeria’s petrol supply, with the Dangote refinery the only facility producing petrol in the country.

At an estimated ₦1,000 per litre, Nigeria’s petrol market is valued at about ₦14.4 trillion annually, marking a major shift from the nation’s long-standing dependence on imported fuel.

12/03/2026

ECWA Raises Alarm Over Kidnapping, Killing in Kwara...

The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Kwara State has raised concern over increasing kidnappings and killings in communities across the Kwara South Senatorial District, calling on authorities to urgently strengthen security.

The alarm followed a recent attack in Oyatedo Village, where suspected kidnappers reportedly killed an ECWA member, Omoniyi Ajise, and abducted his wife along with four other residents.

Church leaders disclosed that the attack occurred on Wednesday during a security meeting of ECWA district leaders in Omu-Aran. In a communiqué signed by Forum Chairman Samuel Adewumi and Secretary Joseph Agboluaje, the church described the security situation as alarming.

According to the leaders, several communities including Oro-Ago and Babanla have recorded repeated attacks. They also revealed that two elderly residents earlier abducted in Ahun Village were later released by kidnappers after their age was discovered.

The church noted that the insecurity has forced many farmers to abandon their farms during the cashew harvesting season, while some ECWA churches in affected communities have been shut as members and pastors fled for safety.

ECWA therefore urged the Federal Government, the Kwara State Government and security agencies to deploy more personnel and strengthen intelligence to tackle kidnapping and banditry in the area.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force in Kwara said it had not received any official report of the incident but assured residents that efforts were ongoing to maintain security across the state.

12/03/2026

NIDCOM Escorts Nigerians Out of Iran...

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) says Nigerians wishing to leave Iran are being safely escorted to the border of Armenia by officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran.

In a statement on Wednesday, the commission said the arrangement was to ensure a smooth and secure evacuation of citizens amid the ongoing regional tensions.

NiDCOM stated that no Nigerian in Iran has been directly affected by the conflict so far, adding that government officials remain stationed at the Armenia border to receive and assist evacuees.

The evacuation process is being coordinated with Armenian authorities while the Federal Government continues to monitor the safety of Nigerians abroad.

Meanwhile, one Nigerian was reportedly among 122 people injured when Iranian ballistic missiles were intercepted in the United Arab Emirates.

NiDCOM Chairperson, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, earlier said Nigeria would begin repatriating its citizens in the Middle East once airspace in the region reopens.

19/06/2025

19/06/2025

70th birthday celebration of Lekan Sote, Anchor, 4th Estate of the Realm...

19/06/2025

Celebrating the birthday of the Anchor of the 4th Estate of the Realm, Lekan Sote...

19/06/2025

19/06/2025

4th Estate...

19/06/2025

4th Estate of the Realm on UnilagFM

24/10/2024

SCHOLARS, ARCHITECTS, AND RESEARCHERS GATHERED AT THE ARTHUR MBANEFO RESEARCH CENTRE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS, ON OCTOBER 23, 2024, TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF NIGERIA’S CULTURAL HERITAGE.

THIS WAS COMING AMIDST THE GROWING THREATS OF CLIMATE CHANGE GLOBALLY AND IN NIGERIA.

THE EVENT RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT NIGERIA'S NEGLECTED HERITAGE, ESPECIALLY DUE TO EUROPEAN INTERVENTIONS IN THE PAST.

I HAVE TO SAY THAT EXPERTS AT THE CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTED THE NEED FOR URGENT ACTION ON FLOOD ADAPTATION, NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS, AND LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT TO SAFEGUARD C
THESE INCLUDE THE ICONIC OSUN OSOGBO GROVE AND MANY OTHERS.

A HERITAGE MAP WAS UNVEILED, STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING NIGERIA’S RICH HISTORICAL LANDMARKS.

THE CONFERENCE UNDERSCORED PROTECTING NIGERIA’S CULTURAL HERITAGE AND PROMOTING AWARENESS AS VITAL FOR THE NATION’S GROWTH.

12/10/2024

The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) says it is devastated to learn that Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna, a 2022 Courage in Journalism Award recipient, has died while imprisoned in Russia.

As details emerge surrounding the circumstances of her death, our thoughts are with Victoria’s family, colleagues, and loved ones during this immensely difficult time.

Victoria disappeared on August 3, 2023 while reporting in Russian-occupied territory, when it is believed she was captured by Russian military forces.

Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed her detention in April 2024, nearly eight months later. Prior to her imprisonment, Victoria spent more than a year reporting from the front lines of Russia’s war on Ukraine as an independent journalist for outlets including Ukrayinska Pravda, Hromadske and Radio Free Europe.

Victoria’s passing is not just the loss of a remarkable woman, but of an intrepid witness to history. Regardless of her cause of death, IWMF say with certainty that her life was taken because she dared tell the truth.

IWMF hopes her death will not be in vain: the international community must pressure Russia to cease targeting journalists and silencing press freedom