Orion Reports

Dr. Mahmoud Bala Alfa has joined the people of Gegu Beki in Kogi State for the opening of the community's new Central Mosque, where he donated ₦5 million towards the project. The event brought together community leaders, religious leaders, political stakeholders and residents for prayers, thanksgiving and fundraising. Speaking at the occasion, Mahmoud commended Hon. Mohammed Bashiru Gegu, who facilitated the mosque project, for his commitment to providing the community with a central place of worship. He described the mosque as the spiritual home of a community, saying it provides a place for people to worship, seek guidance and strengthen their relationship with Allah. Mahmoud expressed hope that the new mosque would serve beyond worship, becoming a centre for peace, unity and positive community life in Gegu Beki. He congratulated the community and commended everyone who contributed to the completion of the project. The occasion also provided an opportunity for Governo...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to immediately vacate a court order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government, citing concerns over the timing of the action ahead of the state's governorship election. In a statement issued on Thursday, the President said he was embarrassed by the timing of the EFCC's move, stressing that although he supports the agency's independence, actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to him. Tinubu reiterated his commitment to allowing anti corruption and law enforcement agencies to operate independently without political interference, but noted that the freezing of the state's accounts just days before the election could create the impression that the Federal Government was attempting to influence the electoral process. He said he had not been fully briefed on the circumstances that led the EFCC to obtain the court order but ...

By Mahmoud Bala Alfa, Ph.D  Governments make decisions every day. Some dominate newspaper headlines and political conversations, while many others receive little public attention. But every important policy decision carries economic consequences. It affects the price of food, the confidence of investors, the cost of doing business, the ability of farmers to reach markets and the opportunities available to young people seeking meaningful employment. This is one of the central lessons of political economy that public policy is never just about government, why political economists ask different questions from politicians.   Political debates often focus on whether a policy is popular, whether it wins public approval or whether it gives one political party an advantage over another. A political economist asks what incentives does this policy create, and what economic outcomes is it likely to produce over time?  That question shifts our attention from today's ...

Lokoja, Kogi State | August 3, 2026 Political economist and former APC Kogi East senatorial aspirant, Dr. Mahmoud Alfa, PhD, on Monday held a series of strategic engagements with key government officials and political stakeholders in Lokoja, reaffirming his commitment to the unity of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the re election of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the continued development of Kogi State. Dr. Alfa first paid a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State, Dr. (Mrs.) Folashade Arike Ayoade, where they discussed issues bordering on the progress and development of the state. The SSG commended Dr. Alfa for the visit, described him as "her own son" and wished him well in his future engagements. He later visited the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Elder Joel Salifu, where both leaders stressed the need for greater unity within the APC and collaboration towards the continued success of the Odo...

South african music sensation, Tyla South African Grammy winner Tyla has removed her December 22 Lagos concert from her official A*POP World Tour schedule following days of backlash from Nigerians over xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The Lagos date no longer appears on the tour itinerary, although neither Tyla nor her management has explained the move. The planned concert had sparked widespread criticism, with activist VeryDarkMan declaring there would be no Tyla concert in Nigeria. Author Solomon Buchi and other prominent voices also called for a boycott in solidarity with Nigerians affected by xenophobic violence. Despite removing the Lagos show, Tyla is still expected to conclude her tour with performances in Cape Town and Johannesburg in January. Credits: African Folder | Additional reporting by Orion Reports.

I don't agree with everything he does, but I have always believed his activism has its place. There are times when his voice is necessary to hold those in power accountable. On this issue, however, I believe he made a serious error in judgment. I have no issue with Tyler as an individual. In fact, she is a great artist. My concern is about empathy and context. The xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa left real scars. Nigerians were killed, businesses were destroyed, and many lost everything they had worked for. I still remember the heartbreaking scenes of Nigerians returning home on Air Peace evacuation flights with little or nothing to come back to. Some had nowhere to stay until Apostle Chibuzor of OPM opened the church's guest quarters to accommodate and support them. We also cannot forget the disturbing videos showing Nigerians being attacked. One man was even murdered inside a South African police station. Incidents like these deepened the anger...

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Esther Didi Walson Jack, has admitted that her office failed to carry out adequate due diligence before approving an establishment and recruitment waiver for a purported Presidential agency now at the centre of a forgery investigation. Mrs Walson Jack made the admission while appearing before the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee probing the alleged creation of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), also referred to as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), without any legal backing. She told lawmakers that officials of the organisation presented what appeared to be an Establishment Act and a letter appointing a Director General during the 2025 Annual Manpower Budget Defence. Based on the documents submitted, her office granted an authorised establishment and recruitment waiver. However, fresh findings before the committee revealed that the documents were forged. "We now, h...