Viral Gists
TROUBLE LOOMS AS POPULAR SINGER, OBA ARA DRAGS ARIK AIRLINE OVER POOR SERVICE

The management of Arik Airline is currently facing a potentially significant legal battle with a popular Nigerian music artist, Doctor Rotimi Onimole, widely known as Oba Ara.
According to information shared by Oba Ara’s solicitor, Barrister Greg Aghedo of Greg Aghedo And Associates, it has been alleged that Arik Airline failed in its responsibility to transport Mr Taiwo Abayomi Joseph, a passenger sponsored by Oba Ara, from Abuja to Lagos on May 17, 2023.
Reports suggest that the young man was left stranded at the airport, and despite approaching Arik Airline staff for assistance, he received no sympathy. Instead, he was treated with disregard, which caused great embarrassment and distress.
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It has come to light that Abayomi needed to meet his doctor in Lagos due to a health condition, but as a result of the airline’s negligence, he had to seek medical attention from a local doctor in Abuja. Fortunately, he managed to survive a sudden relapse of his health issue.
This unfortunate incident has put the management of Arik Airline in a challenging position, as they may potentially face legal consequences for their alleged failure to fulfil their obligations and provide the necessary support to their passengers.
In order to resolve the difficult situation created by Arik Airline, Abayomi had to reach out to his sponsor, Oba Ara, who sent additional funds to book a hotel for him until the following day. This was an unexpected expense that Abayomi had to bear in order to ensure his well-being.
Furthermore, FMT BLOG gathered that Oba Ara’s lawyer has taken action by sending a letter of complaint and pre-action notice regarding the mistreatment by Arik Airline towards Abayomi. The renowned music artist is demanding ten million Naira as general damages for the ordeal.
Unfortunately, the response from Arik Airline, upon receiving the letter of complaint from Oba Ara’s solicitor, has been described as absurd and highly ridiculous.
Part of the complaint addressed to Arik Airline by Barrister Greg Aghedo reads as follows: “We write on behalf of Mr. Rotimi Onimole, hereinafter referred to as our client. Our client acts as a guardian, sponsor, and stands in as a parent to Mr. Taiwo Abayomi Joseph, hereinafter referred to as ‘the ward’.”
The individual referred to as “the ward” was scheduled to be a passenger on your airline’s flight from Abuja to Lagos on the 17th of May, with a departure time of 8:46 am. However, to the ward’s surprise and dismay, he was informed by your airline officials that there would be no flight to Lagos on that particular date and time. This information was provided without any prior notice from the airline.
The ward was left stranded and frustrated by this situation. Despite explaining to some airline officials that he had nowhere to stay for the night, they callously dismissed his concerns, offering no assistance or support. Consequently, our client had to send additional funds to the ward to secure a hotel room for the night, an unexpected and unplanned expense.
It is important to note that the ward was travelling to Lagos to see a family doctor due to his delicate health condition. He experienced a sudden health crisis that required urgent medical attention, and he had to be attended to by a local doctor in Abuja later that evening to stabilize his condition. It should be noted that the ward’s health deteriorated to the point where he nearly slipped into a coma, and we have records to substantiate this claim.
We hereby request that within seven days from the date of receiving this letter, you compensate our client and the ward with a sum of Ten Million Naira as both special and general damages caused by your airline’s actions. Failure to do so will leave us with no choice but to seek legal recourse in a court of competent jurisdiction to pursue justice for our client and the ward. Additionally, we reserve the right to seek reimbursement for any legal costs incurred by our client during this process.”
News
President Tinubu Confers National Honours on 50 Pro-Democracy Figures
President Tinubu honoured 50 Nigerians on Democracy Day 2026, including Dasuki, Joe Igbokwe and Dele Alake. See the full list and what it means.
On 12 June 2026, President Bola Tinubu conferred national honours on 50 Nigerians described as key figures in the country’s pro-democracy struggle.
The announcement was made during the 2026 Democracy Day address, which commemorates the annulled 12 June 1993 presidential election. Honourees include journalists, civil rights activists, and military officers.
President Bola Tinubu conferred national honours on 50 prominent Nigerians on Friday, 12 June 2026. The honourees were recognised as central participants in the nation’s pro-democracy movement, a campaign that opposed military dictatorship throughout the 1990s.
The announcement formed part of the president’s nationwide 2026 Democracy Day address. Democracy Day marks the anniversary of the 12 June 1993 presidential election, a poll widely regarded as the freest in Nigerian history before its annulment by the military government of the period.
READ ALSO: Why I Refused To Align Any Political Party In Nigeria—Yakubu Gowon
This article outlines the context of the awards, identifies the categories of honourees, names notable recipients such as Sambo Dasuki, Joe Igbokwe, and Oladele Alake, and explains the next steps in the conferment process.
Why did Tinubu confer the national honours on 12 June 2026?
The conferment is tied directly to Democracy Day, an annual observance commemorating the 12 June 1993 presidential election. President Tinubu used the occasion to recognise individuals identified as central figures in Nigeria’s transition from military rule to civilian democracy.
In his address, the president stated that the honourees suffered persecution in the course of the pro-democracy struggle. He noted that many endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement so that Nigeria could enjoy democratic governance today.
The recognition therefore functions as both a historical acknowledgement and a formal state honour, linking the sacrifices of the 1990s to the present democratic order.
Who are the notable recipients of the national honours?
The honours list comprises several categories of recipients, including journalists, civil rights leaders, legal practitioners, and senior military officers. Among the most widely recognised names are the following:
- Oladele Alake, a long-standing public figure in Nigerian governance and media.
- Joe Igbokwe, a prominent political activist and commentator.
- Colonel Sambo Dasuki, a senior military officer included in the soldier-democrats category.
- Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, a recognised civil rights campaigner.
- Dr Arthur Nwankwo (posthumous), honoured for his role in the democratic struggle.
- Ben Charles-Obi (posthumous), recognised among the journalists and activists.
The inclusion of posthumous awards reflects the state’s intention to acknowledge contributors who did not survive to witness the present democratic dispensation.
What categories of honourees were recognised?
The honours list is organised into two broad groupings. The first comprises journalists, lawyers, academics, and civil rights leaders. The second comprises military officers designated as “soldier-democrats”.
Journalists, lawyers, and civil rights leaders
This grouping recognises individuals who advanced the pro-democracy cause through media, advocacy, and legal channels. Named recipients include:
- Barrister Ayoka Lawani
- Tunde Fagbenle
- Oladele Alake
- Olatunji Bello
- Louis Odion
- Segun Babatope
- Sam Omatseye
- Sir Ademola Osinubi
- Bola Bolawole
- Lade Bonuola
- Femi Kusa
- Debo Adeniran
- Chief Ayo Opadokun
- Chief Ralph Obiora
- Ose Osayande
- Barrister Osa Director
- Professor Sylvester Odion-Akhaine
- Dr Arthur Nwankwo (posthumous)
- Dr Osagie Obayuwana
- Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin
- Barrister Titus Mann
- Joe Igbokwe
- Richard Akinnola
- Ben Charles-Obi (posthumous)
- George Mbah
- Dr Niran Malaolu
- Major-General Ishola Williams (retired)
- Femi Aborisade
- Jenkins Alumona
- Gbemiga Ogunleye
- Muyiwa Adekeye
- Babajide Kolade-Otitoju
- Ike Okonta
Soldier-democrats
This grouping recognises military officers associated with resistance to military dictatorship. Named recipients include:
- Major-General M. A. Garba
- Brigadier-General Lawal Jaafaru Isa
- Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed
- Colonel Sambo Dasuki
- Colonel Lawan Gwadabe
- Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong
- Colonel Musa Shehu
- Major-General Chris Eze
- Major-General Harris Dzarma
- Colonel Isa Jibrin
- Major-General Joseph Oshanupin
- Colonel Olusegun Oloruntoba, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom
- Lieutenant-Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus
- Colonel J. Okai
- Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze
- Lieutenant-Colonel Yakubu Muazu
- Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the current Etsu Nupe and existing holder of the CFR title
When will the awards be formally presented?
The president stated that the formal presentation and conferment of the awards will be carried out in the coming days. According to the address, the full honours list will be released within the next few days.
The announcement therefore represents the declaration stage of the process rather than the formal investiture, which is scheduled to follow.
What does this conferment signify for Nigeria?
The 2026 Democracy Day honours connect the historical pro-democracy struggle to contemporary national recognition. By including journalists, activists, lawyers, and military officers, the awards acknowledge a broad spectrum of contributors to Nigeria’s civilian transition.
The presence of posthumous awards further underlines the state’s intention to honour participants across generations, including those who did not live to see the present democratic order.
Frequently asked questions
How many Nigerians received national honours on Democracy Day 2026?
President Bola Tinubu conferred national honours on 50 Nigerians during the 2026 Democracy Day address on 12 June 2026.
Why is 12 June significant in Nigeria?
12 June marks the anniversary of the 1993 presidential election, which was annulled by the military government of the time. The date is now observed as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
Who are the most notable recipients of the 2026 national honours?
Notable recipients include Oladele Alake, Joe Igbokwe, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, and Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, alongside posthumous honourees such as Dr Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi.
Were any awards conferred posthumously?
Yes. Posthumous honours were conferred on Dr Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi in recognition of their contributions to the pro-democracy struggle.
When will the national honours be formally presented?
President Tinubu stated that the formal presentation and conferment will take place in the coming days, with the full honours list to be released shortly after the announcement.
Viral Gists
Dating A Short Man Feels Like I Am Dating My Son— Diminutive Ghanaian Woman (Video)
A short-statured Ghanaian woman has sparked online debate after making contentious remarks regarding her romantic relationship preferences.
During a recent interview with De God Son TV, the diminutive lady expressed her aversion to dating guys of shorter height despite her diminutive Ghanaian woman. She remarked that short men do not match her “specifications” for relationships.
When questioned about her explanation, she stated that she sees shorter men as resembling infants, even though they are adults.
“I have a 7-year-old son, so dating a short man feels like dating my son,” she explained, finding parallels between her personal and romantic lives.
Watch the video below.
Celebrity
Davido Trends As His New Rolls Royce And Tesla Cybertruck Land In Nigeria (PHOTOS)
Once again, Nigerian singer Davido has made headlines for proving his status as a rich man with two luxury cars entering Nigeria: a Rolls-Royce and a Tesla Cybertruck.
The musician posted a picture of the trip on social media, his pure white Rolls Royce parked on the runway, ready for shipment.
Another photo depicted the Tesla Cybertruck being loaded into an aircraft to verify the truck’s arrival in Nigeria.
Cubana Chief Priest, another close associate and entrepreneur, also saluted the new cars with an Instagram image. He congratulated Davido on his feats, dubbed him the “GOAT,” and hinted at a festive December with new vehicles added to the singer’s collection.
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