Opinion
Let These Campaigns Of Calumny Against AMBO Stop Forthwith
By Kola Odepeju
“Calumny Is Only The Noise Of Madmen” –Diogenes
As Osun state gubernatorial election draws nearer, we’re now at the dawn of the campaigns for the coming election and so as characteristic of Nigeria’s democracy, wrong accusations, blackmails, character assassinations and all manner of negative campaigns aimed at demarketing the most popular candidate with the highest chances of coasting home to victory in a major election of this nature, must surface. And so in our own dear Osun state here this ugly trend has started surfacing. The mudslinging that has started from Governor Ademola Adeleke’s Accord Party’s camp against the APC gubernatorial candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji AMBO is ‘normal’ and expected because with the massive support for AMBO across the nook and cranny of the state, it’s crystal clear that he’s the candidate to beat.
As mentioned above, a candidate to beat in any major election is bound to face vilifications by his opponents who see him as a threat and a stumbling block against the success of their own ambitions. Therefore given the nature of our politics in this part of the world, the negative campaigns that have started against AMBO are no surprise. We witnessed the same thing against the incumbent president, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu during the 2023 electioneering campaigns for the office of the country’s president. But against all odds, Asiwaju Tinubu emerged victorious. So as Asiwaju Tinubu emerged victorious in 2023, l have that strong conviction that our own Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji will also become victorious in the coming August gubernatorial election in the state irrespective of whatever negative campaigns that may come up against him. This is because the AMBO governorship project is divinely ordained.
Amongst other attacks that are still likely to come up against him as we face the election and as the election faces us, we have heard from those who are afraid of losing power that AMBO is the architect of half salaries in Osun (as if he was the governor in that era). We have also heard from them that he’s not youth-friendly. The spokesperson to governor Adeleke, Malam Olawale Rasheed also amplified these two negative points in his latest article aimed at demarketing AMBO. Like I mentioned, the negative campaigns have just started. We are still going to hear more. I wonder why people cannot engage in issues-based campaigns instead of vilifying candidates.
Ambo has told Osun youths the program he has for them. He has promised to take care of them. And as a God-fearing and honest leader who keeps to his words, l believe he will not renege on his promise for the youths and also his promises for Osun people generally. So let those who revel in vilifying a credible candidate like AMBO tell Osun youths the programs they have for them rather than calumniating a visionary and capable leader who has what it takes to deliver the goods. Of course AMBO – being a focused leader – needs not to bother himself about the negative campaigns being circulated against him by his political detractors because William Shakespeare had for long told us that “*Be thou as chaste as ice, and as pure as snow, thou shall not escape calumny*”. And George Washington also mentioned it that “*Silence is the best answer to false accusations*”.
Finally, the Yorubas in their words do say that “maligning the honey doesn’t reduce its sweetness”. No matter the level of negative campaigns against the APC gubernatorial candidate towards the election, it won’t reduce the love the Osun people have for him while it won’t deter them from casting their votes for him in the upcoming gubernatorial election in the state. He will surely come out victorious by the special Grace of God Almighty 🙏. For, Vox populi vox dei. AMBO should continue on the path of issues-based campaigns and close his eyes against malignant talks by those who are already on their way out of power.
● Odepeju, newspaper columnist and political activist, writes from Iragbiji, Osun state.
Opinion
Colonel Ude: Another Gallant Army Officer Taken Down
It was another sad day last Monday when the news broke that a serving colonel of the Nigerian Army had been killed while his wife was shot in an attack on their residence near Abuja.
The slain officer, Colonel Abdussalam Ude, was attacked shortly after returning to his home in Kurudu District of the nation’s capital, on Monday evening. His driver and security guard also sustained gunshot wounds during the assault.
Citing security sources, PRNigeria said the attackers attempted to abduct the officer but met stiff resistance. After failing to take him away, the assailants allegedly shot the officer multiple times before fleeing the scene.
His wife, driver and security guard, who were caught in the attack, were rushed to hospital and were receiving treatment for varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
The killing has sent shockwaves through military circles, coming at a time Colonel Ude was preparing for his promotion to the rank of Brigadier General.
An indigene of Enugu State, the late officer served in several strategic intelligence and counter-terrorism roles within the Armed Forces. LawEnforcement
Colleagues described him as a courageous and highly respected intelligence officer whose dedication to duty earned him widespread admiration within the military.
Besides the fact that the killing has renewed concerns over attacks on serving and retired military officers in Abuja and other parts of the country, the killing of a senior military officer by gunmen right inside his residence, also shows how unsafe the country has become for both ordinary and privileged Nigerians.
It is particularly worse for military personnel. They are not safe on the battlefront; they are not safe at home and they are safe in retirement.
The incident comes about two years after retired Brigadier General Uwem Harold Udokwere was killed by armed men who invaded his residence in the Lokogoma area of Abuja while he was defending his family. The attackers reportedly escaped with his firearm and other valuables.
The federal government has to seriously come up with a strategy on how to end the incessant killings in the country. In the last one week, over 70 people have been killed across the country. Nigerians cannot continued to leave in fear.
-THISDAY
Lifestyle
FULL LIST: Breakdown of Nigerian Ambassadors’ Salaries, Allowances Revealed
BREAKDOWN EMERGES

Nigerian ambassadors’ pay packages have come under renewed attention. Fresh figures revealed that while basic salaries remained modest, allowances significantly boosted overall compensation for diplomats posted abroad
Reports showed that total monthly take-home pay often reached several million naira, reflecting the high costs of overseas postings
According to Salary.com, as of December 2025, the average annual salary for employees at the Nigerian Embassy in the United States stood at $93,909. This translated to an approximate hourly wage of $45.
Salaries at the embassy typically ranged from $82,124 to $107,453 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and levels of experience within the organisation. Reports indicated that pay was influenced by factors such as job role, department, years of service, and location.
Nigerian Ambassador Salary Structure
Rufai Oseni of Arise TV reported that the salary of Nigerian ambassadors was governed by the Consolidated Diplomatic, Consular and Foreign Service Cadre Salary Structure (CONPSS) in the Nigerian public service. Ambassadors usually fell into the highest grade levels, GL 17 or equivalent, with additional allowances for overseas postings.
Based on government budget allocations, salary surveys, and reports on foreign service personnel costs, the basic salary was described as modest by international standards but supplemented by substantial allowances.
Basic Salary of Nigerian Ambassadors Monthly Basic Pay:
Approximately ₦800,000 to ₦1,200,000 (about $485–$727 USD).
Annual Basic Salary: ₦9.6 million to ₦14.4 million (about $5,818–$8,727 USD).
These figures were drawn from the CONPSS scale for top-tier diplomatic officers. Entry-level foreign service officers reportedly earned around ₦300,000–₦500,000 monthly, but ambassadors, being at the top of the career ladder, commanded the upper end.
The figures also aligned with general public sector pay for Grade Level 17 officers, adjusted for inflation and the 2025 minimum wage increase to ₦70,000.
Allowances and Total Compensation
Reports highlighted that basic pay alone did not reflect the full compensation package.
Nigerian ambassadors posted overseas received allowances designed to offset high living expenses, hardship, and representational duties.
Total monthly take-home pay often exceeded ₦2–5 million ($1,212–$3,030 USD), depending on the host country.
The release of estimated salaries shed light on the financial structure of Nigeria’s foreign service. While the basic salary remained modest compared to international standards, allowances ensured that ambassadors were adequately supported in their overseas postings.
Opinion
How to Apply for Police Character Certificate, Tinted Glass Permit
The Nigeria Police Force has outlined the application process for obtaining a Police Character Certificate and Tinted Glass Permit through its Police Specialised Services Automation Project portal.
According to the guidelines on the POSSAP platform, applicants can complete most of the process online before visiting a designated police command or formation for biometric capture.
Here are the steps and requirements:
Police Character Certificate
So This Happened (EP 413): Zamfara Gunmen Abduct Council Chairman, Kill Four Security Personnel0:09 / 1:01
Applicants are required to fill out an online request form with the following details:
• Identification type (National Identification Number, Bank Verification Number or International Passport)
• Identification number
• Full name
• Phone number
• Email address
• Gender
• State of residence
• Local Government Area
• Residential address
• Alternative contact information (optional)
STEP-BY-STEP

Tinted Glass Permit
The application process follows four stages:
• Select the tinted glass permit service
• Complete the online request form
• Confirm submitted details and submit the application
• Make the required payment
Applicants must provide the same personal information required for the Police Character Certificate, including:
• Identification type and number
• Full name
• Phone number
• Email address
• Gender
• State
• Local Government Area
• Residential address
• Optional alternative contact details
Important guidelines for applicants
The Nigeria Police Force reserves the right to approve or reject any application based on its operational guidelines and security considerations.
Submission of false information, forged documents or fake biometric data will lead to automatic rejection of the application and may attract penalties.
Applicants residing in Nigeria must appear in person at their selected police command or formation for biometric capture on their scheduled appointment date.
A one-time, non-refundable application and processing fee is required for each request.
Payments must be made only through the POSSAP platform using the payment invoice generated during the application process .
Applicants are not required to pay any additional fees at police formations for biometric capture or collection of certificates or permits.
Processing and issuance of applications require a minimum of 72 hours.
Apply here: http://possap.gov.ng/p/login
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