The Chinese leader hailed ties with Russia as a force of “calm amid chaos” during a meeting with Putin in Beijing on Wednesday, days after Xi hosted President Donald Trump for a landmark US-China summit.
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The Niger State Christian Voice in Politics and Governance has called on Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to intervene over what it described as the exclusion of Christian aspirants from the ongoing National Assembly primaries of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Niger State.
The group warned that the alleged development, arising from the party’s consensus and zoning arrangements, could worsen religious imbalance in politics and threaten peaceful coexistence in the state if not urgently addressed.
Speaking at a press briefing in Minna, the Convener, Habila Daniel Diko, alleged that Christian aspirants seeking Senate and House of Representatives tickets had been systematically sidelined.
“We have noted with great concern the deliberate and systemic exclusion of Christian aspirants under the guise of consensus and zoning,” Diko said.
He further claimed that the process had left Christians without meaningful representation among those emerging as National Assembly candidates in the state.
“We have aspirants contesting. Bosso Federal Constituency primaries are still ongoing, and we have an aspirant who is contesting.
“We also have issues of insecurity in some of those areas where primaries have not yet held and there are plans on ground to conduct the elections.
“We are also hearing that the Deputy Speaker, who is supposed to be at the top hierarchy of the state is being influenced to step down for another aspirant.
“At the moment, we do not have the Governor, Deputy Governor, or Speaker from the Christian community, and now even the Deputy Speaker we have is being asked to step down for another aspirant,” he added.
Diko noted that the governor’s plan to gazette the zoning arrangement with a maximum of eight years for benefiting areas was designed to prevent dominance by some sections of the state.
Despite this, the group insisted the ongoing APC primaries had allegedly been manipulated through consensus arrangements to edge out Christian aspirants.
“Consensus and zoning should not be weaponised to deny qualified Christian aspirants the opportunity to participate in the democratic process,” Diko warned.
He added that if the situation was not addressed, it could discourage Christian youths from active participation in politics and weaken confidence in the democratic system.
Efforts to get the reaction of the Niger State APC through its Publicity Secretary, Musa Sarkinkaji, were not successful as at the time of filing this report.
Niger APC primaries: Group cries out over ‘exclusion of Christian aspirants’
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, says Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is witnessing stronger investor confidence…
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The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has paid the school fees of five primary school pupils in
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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has activated preventive measures across Nigeria’s international airports following renewed concerns over the spread of the Ebola Virus…
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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ebonyi State, Kenneth Akobundu Nweke, has urged a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant in the state, Chief Chukwuma Odii, to drop his ambition in the interest of equity and justice.
Akobundu urged Odii to allow the long-established principle of gubernatorial equity in the state to remain intact.
He said the state was built on the foundation of fairness among the three senatorial zones — Ebonyi North, Central, and South and that the Charter of equity is not just a political arrangement but a covenant of peace, justice and stability.
“As a concerned citizen of Ebonyi State, I write with deep respect and sincerity.
Politics is not merely about power; it is about timing, strategy, legacy, and respect for established principles. A true statesman knows when to wait, when to build, and when to rise.
“As a good man, a respected businessman, and someone many people look up to, I humbly advise you to continue to stand on the path of justice, patience, and fairness concerning Ebonyi State’s gubernatorial equity.
“I sincerely encourage you to channel your strength toward the Senate at this critical time and allow the long-established principle of gubernatorial equity in Ebonyi State to remain intact
“Ebonyi State was built on the foundation of fairness among the three Senatorial Zones—Ebonyi North, Central, and South. The Charter of Equity is not just a political arrangement; it is a covenant of peace, justice, and stability.
“Since 1999, this understanding has guided our democracy:
Ebonyi North (1999–2007): Senator Dr. Sam Egwu
Ebonyi Central (2007–2015): Chief Martin Elechi
Ebonyi South (2015–2023): Senator Engr. David Nweze Umahi
Ebonyi North (2023–Present): Rt. Hon. Prince Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
“This full circle proves that zoning works. Disturbing this balance now may create unnecessary political tension and weaken the trust our people have in the system.
“As former President Olusegun Obasanjo once said: “Leadership is about sacrifice; it is about serving the people, not yourself.”
Urging Odii to shelve his gubernatorial ambition, Akobundu added, “The Senate offers you a strong platform to serve, strengthen your political relevance, and preserve your legacy while waiting for the rightful turn of Ebonyi South in the governorship rotation.”
Ebonyi: Shelve your 2027 guber ambition for equity – Akobundu urges Odii
On a breezy stretch along the Lagos Coastal Road corridor, just beyond the familiar bustle of the city, a different kind of gathering unfolded, one that blended movement, leisure, aspiration, and a subtle but deliberate pitch for the future of urban living. It was not merely another corporate activation or a routine promotional event. Instead, the maiden edition of the “2004 M00VE Experience,” hosted by QShelter Limited in partnership with The Fitness Religion Company, offered a window into how thoughtful planning and research can reshape community engagement in Nigeria’s evolving real estate landscape.
At first glance, the event had all the trappings of a lively fitness festival. There were runners pacing through marked routes, groups swaying to aerobics rhythms, football enthusiasts competing in tightly contested five-a-side matches, and clusters of spectators cheering from the sidelines. From mini-marathons to dance sessions and strength contests, the atmosphere was energetic yet inclusive, drawing participants from different age groups and fitness levels.
But beneath the choreography of movement lay a deeper intention. This was not simply about exercise or entertainment; it was about creating a shared experience, one that connected people not just to each other, but to a physical space and a vision.
The marathon, which featured both 5km and 22km categories across male and female divisions, emerged as the centerpiece. Winners such as Fadekemi Erinle, Gang James, Gyang Sunday, and Aminat Alabi did not just receive cash prizes; they became part of a narrative that celebrated discipline, endurance, and community spirit. For many participants, the well-coordinated structure of the race reflected an organization still uncommon in local sporting events.
For the organizers, however, the event’s success was measured in more than turnout or applause. According to Kola Sowande, chairman of QShelter Limited, the initiative was conceived as a deliberate strategy, one that integrates lifestyle engagement with long-term development goals.
Rather than relying solely on conventional marketing tactics, the company sought to immerse potential homeowners and investors in the lived experience of the environment. The idea was simple but effective – people are more likely to connect with a place when they can feel it, move through it, and imagine themselves within it.
This approach reflects a broader shift in how real estate developers are thinking about engagement. In a market often characterized by glossy brochures and abstract promises, experiential marketing, grounded in research and community insight, offers a more tangible and credible alternative.
It also addresses a more pressing concern, Nigeria’s housing deficit. By situating the conversation in a dynamic, people-focused environment, the organizers subtly reframed housing not just as a structural need but as part of a holistic lifestyle encompassing wellness, accessibility, and social interaction.
Gbenga Alamu, chief operating officer of QShelter Limited, underscored what may be the most critical takeaway from the event: it did not happen by chance. It was the product of deliberate planning, research, and sustained engagement with the surrounding community.
Bisi Akinlabi, one of the participants at the M00VE experience and who also lives within the Lekki axis, says that Qshelter has shown a strong interest in its residents’ lifestyle by organizing the fitness exercise. Akinlabi said that by championing the cause of wellness, the company was not only concerned with providing a befitting housing system for the people but also with ensuring that they live long enough to enjoy the fruit of their labor.
“As a married man with kids, it is often a big challenge to find time to rest or relax. This initiative offers a unique opportunity to ensure physical fitness and wellness. Now, you don’t have to worry about securing an apartment that will last a lifetime alone because there is a real estate firm that has added aerobics as part of our daily routine. With infrastructure already in place by QShelter, we are already looking forward to a home made in heaven and a healthy lifestyle,” he added.
In the past, initiatives such as these usually went unnoticed without the support of key stakeholders. But this was not the case with the M00VE experience, as it witnessed endorsement from traditional rulers within the Lekki Community. To lend credence to the support extended to the initiative, His Royal Majesty Oba Abdulateef Kolawole Lawal-Olumegbon (Akinwon IV) of Ajah Ile and Okun-Ajah in Lagos was in attendance and joined the crowd to be part of the fitness exercise.
As if that were not enough, the Lagos State Government extended its solidarity to the initiative, with the Honorable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, in attendance.
Before the M00VE experience was conceptualized, the organizers identified an existing fitness culture in the area. Rather than imposing an external idea, they chose to build on this organic trend, scaling it into a platform that could bring more people together.
This decision speaks to a fundamental principle often overlooked in development projects: successful engagement begins with listening. By understanding the community’s habits, preferences, and aspirations, developers can create initiatives that resonate authentically rather than appear imposed or transactional.
The same philosophy extends to the design of the 2004 Estate itself. Developed in partnership with Continental Civil General Construction Limited, the project incorporates features aimed at sustainability and resilience. Buildings are elevated above coastal levels to mitigate flooding risks, a critical consideration in a city like Lagos, where climate vulnerability is an ever-present concern.
Infrastructure within the estate includes internal road networks, hybrid and solar-powered energy systems, CCTV-enabled security, recreational facilities, and a consistent water and electricity supply. These are not just amenities; they are responses to the everyday challenges faced by urban residents.
One of the more subtle but significant aspects of the M00VE Experience is its emphasis on wellness as a core component of modern living. In many ways, this represents a shift in narrative, from housing as mere shelter to housing as an ecosystem that supports physical and mental well-being.
The inclusion of diverse activities ensured that participation was not limited to elite athletes. From casual walkers to seasoned runners, from dance enthusiasts to football players, the event created multiple entry points for engagement. Nollywood actor and influencer Tobi Bakre, who took part in the event, noted the program’s inclusivity, highlighting how it brought together individuals from diverse demographics.
This inclusivity is not incidental but strategic. In a nation as diverse as Nigeria, developments that fail to account for varying needs and lifestyles risk alienating potential residents. By contrast, initiatives that prioritize accessibility and participation can foster a stronger sense of belonging.
Nigeria’s housing sector has long struggled with a disconnect between ambitious plans and on-the-ground realities. Projects are often announced with fanfare but fall short in execution, leaving prospective homeowners skeptical.
Events like the M00VE Experience aim to bridge this gap by offering a preview not just of the physical infrastructure, but also of how life within the estate might unfold. By situating the development within a context of activity and engagement, the organizers provided a narrative that goes beyond architectural drawings.
Accessibility also plays a crucial role. Located approximately 23 minutes from Victoria Island via the Lagos Coastal Road, the estate positions itself within reach of key economic hubs while offering a relatively serene alternative to the city’s congestion. Flexible payment options and access to mortgage schemes further aim to lower the barriers to homeownership, addressing one of the most persistent challenges in the market.
The broader implication of the M00VE Experience lies in its potential as a model for future developments, not just in Lagos, but across Nigeria and beyond. At its core, the event demonstrates that effective community engagement is neither accidental nor superficial. It requires intentionality, research, and a willingness to align business objectives with societal needs.
Too often, engagement efforts are treated as afterthoughts, box-ticking exercises designed to satisfy regulatory requirements or generate short-term visibility. What sets this initiative apart is its integration into the project’s broader vision. The event was not an add-on but an extension of the development’s philosophy.
The 2004 M00VE Experience: A Signal of a New Era in the Nigerian Housing System
When a health worker in Bunia fell ill on April 24 with fever, vomiting and unexplained bleeding, nobody immediately suspected Ebola. By the time laboratory tests confirmed the deadly virus three weeks later, hundreds of people across eastern Democratic Republic of Congo had already been exposed, and at least 139 were dead.
The outbreak had been hiding in plain sight, in one of the most dangerous and inaccessible corners of the world.
The region where the virus took hold, Ituri Province in northeastern DRC, is not simply remote. It is a war zone where armed militias and terrorist groups have fought over gold mines, forests and communities for decades, killing civilians, displacing populations and systematically destroying the fragile health infrastructure that might otherwise have caught an outbreak like this early.
It is a place where health workers travel at their own risk, where roads are controlled by gunmen, and where trust in government and foreign aid workers has been shattered by years of violence and broken promises.
The two most active armed groups in the region, the Allied Democratic Forces and the Rwanda-backed M23 militia, have made large parts of Ituri and neighbouring provinces effectively ungovernable, with health teams trying to trace Ebola contacts turned back at gunpoint and community surveillance, the first line of defence against any outbreak, made impossible to maintain in towns and villages where armed groups set the rules.
The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola compounded the problem further, appearing in a known outbreak for only the third time in history with a genetic makeup around 30 percent different from the more common Zaire strain, meaning early samples tested negative because the tests were simply designed for a different virus.
Samples then had to be transported more than 1,000 kilometres to the national laboratory in Kinshasa, a journey that in a conflict zone can take days.
“Our surveillance system didn’t work,” Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe, Congo’s foremost Ebola scientist, said.
The human cost of that failure is still being counted, with the WHO reporting more than 500 suspected cases across at least nine health zones in Ituri Province as of Wednesday and authorities warning the numbers are expected to rise, given that confirmed figures represent only a fraction of the likely true toll.
The virus has already crossed the border into Uganda, where two confirmed cases including one death have been recorded in Kampala among individuals who travelled from DRC, and a confirmed case has been detected in Goma, a major eastern city under M23 control, after an infected woman travelled there from Bunia following her husband’s death from Ebola.
On Sunday the WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, its highest level of global health alert, with Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus saying on Tuesday he was “deeply concerned about the scale and speed” of the epidemic, which is unfolding with no approved vaccines or treatments available for the Bundibugyo strain.
The United States has committed to funding up to 50 treatment clinics in affected regions and mobilised an initial $23m in emergency assistance, while an American aid worker who contracted the virus in DRC has been transferred to Germany for treatment along with six others considered high-risk contacts.
Congo has recorded 17 Ebola outbreaks since 1976, making it the country with the highest number globally, reflecting a long history of recurring epidemics in increasingly complex conditions.
Armed Conflict Let Ebola Kill Hundreds Undetected In Congo is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has cautioned former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan against returning to partisan politics ahead of the 2027 general elections. Lamido, in a statement posted on his Facebook page, said Jonathan should remain above the nation’s “murky political arena” and preserve the dignity attached to his status as a former […]
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Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has revealed details of his trip to Peru to investigate allegations linking Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, to drug trafficking. Omokri made the disclosure in a statement shared on X on Wednesday while responding to allegations made by former Niger Delta militant leader Asari […]
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