Category: Uncategorized

As part of its activities celebrating 2026 Ibadan Cultural Festival, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, has honoured the founder of Royal Entertainment Cruise, Ibadan, Dr Sanmi Bamidele, for his contributions to the growth of Ibadan land. The event which was held on Friday at the Royal Entertainment Cruise, Eleyele, Ibadan, also witnessed competition […]

“There are some situations one simply cannot be neutral about; because when you are neutral, you become an accomplice” – Christiana Anampour, CNN.

For reasons too numerous to discuss, I had since my days in university vowed never to participate in politics by becoming a member of any political party. That should not be interpreted to mean that I was always neutral on issues concerning society over which politicians rule. In fact, there has never been a time when absolute neutrality was my stand. In the past, I had worked for Chief Awolowo and Buhari, Christian and Muslim, Yoruba and Fulani – on different occasions, based on my judgment, at the time, that they were the best presidential candidates.

Awolowo never made it; Buhari did and I will regret my support for the hypocrite forever. Consequently, I have never had a political party card; and it is not my intention to start now; particularly, when the options are, to say the least, so unappealing – given the horrible experience of Nigerians since 2015. Neutrality is out of the question; when Nigerian politicians are embarking on digging their own graves, as well as our own. Only God knows what we did to deserve this.

I watched the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abuja, two weeks ago, with the misgivings of someone attending a funeral after a monumental genocide. Nigeria’s democracy has been condemned to death at that convention, from the hands of politicians claiming to be political descendants of the founding fathers – Ahmadu Bello, Awolowo and Azikiwe (in alphabetical order, please); who must be rolling uneasily in their graves. Politicians, from all the 36 states of Nigeria, gathered ostensibly to attend a convention. Instead, they laid the foundation for three things which might not have been intended; but, which will occur eventually – one-man dictatorship, third term and life time presidency.

Already, one Yoruba traditional ruler is urging lawmakers in a National Assembly, NASS, still to be elected, to amend the constitution and allow a Third Term Presidency. Obviously, he has assumed that the 2027 election is a foregone conclusion. A fanatic, Sunday Igboho, seeking to secure a good appointment in the government, had become part of the advance team of demagogues who would not tolerate any criticism of their new god. Hitlerism started this way; most Germans were not aware of the ultimate consequences – until it happened and six million Jews, several million other ethnic minorities were slaughtered. If the horrors of the worst sort of dictatorship can happen in an advanced civilization, like Germany, worse can happen here – where jungle justice is more acceptable.

COMPROMISES OF POLITICAL COWARDS

“There is nothing more agreeable in this life than to make peace with the Establishment; nothing more corrupt.” A J P Taylor, New Statesman.

Foreigners resident in Nigeria, as well as those keenly following events in this country, must be shaking their heads in disbelief. A long term American friend (we bbecame friends in my second year in the university, 1965-66, called me a week ago. His question summarises the bewilderment experienced by objective observers. “My friend, have you Nigerians gone totally nuts? Why are the politicians flocking to a leader under whose tenure your lives are infinitely worse than before?”

Good question; thee simple answer to which can only be: “because they are Africans and black men and women.” Look around the world and the Dark continent, and it id easy to discover that Africa comprises of the worst governed and most backward nations headed by dictators – civilians and military. It is still the largest Slaves continent in the world. Furthermore, the vast majority of us are quite contented to be enslaved by dictators; rather than risk being free. There are less than six democracies in the entire continent and Nigeria is about to reduce the number by one.

SILENCE OF PATRIOTIC MEN AND WOMEN MAKES THEM ACCOMPLICES

“In a sick country, every step to health is an insult to those who live on its sickness.”

Bernard Malamud 1914-1986, in THE FIXER.

Even the most charitable supporter of governments in Nigeria must admit, honestly, that this is a sick country. Even the village idiot knows that it is impossible to cure a serious pandemic by allowing those who infected everybody to run the health sector. I am keenly aware that courage, which is the finest of all human attributes, is very rare among people. But, wholesale surrender to fear, either for material gain or personal safety, is what has kept Africa down and backward since the dawn of history. Through the 200 years of the slave trade, white men never went inland to capture slaves. Our conscienceless fore-fathers, including empire builders, did the dirty jobs. Paul Barre is in France, Kagame and Museveni are on ground in Cameroun, Uganda and Rwanda, respectively, terrorizing their people because they have installed slave-holders, called security men, to hold down the millions of cowards in their countries for years. Nigeria is heading that way; unless enough patriotic and non-partisan Nigerians rise up and save the nation from a civilian government worse than Abacha’s.

 Don’t say “it can’t happen here”. America, today, symbolizes what can happen when good people sit back and confidently assume that their freedoms are secure – until a Trump steps up. Few people believed him when he casually remarked that “I will be a dictator”. They clapped at the campaign rallies where he said this. Now, they have a President who insults the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice and other justices. Anything can happen when a dictator assumes power – including getting you killed. More on this later.

WHY WRITE THIS NOW?

“Our lives begin to end; the day we become silent about things that matter.”

Rev (Dr) Martin Luther King, Jr, 1929-1968.

To me, democracy matters, freedom matters. That was why, unlike the cowards, who ran to exile during Abacha’s murderous dictatorship, I did not cut and run – even when I had the easiest opportunity to flee. Instead, from August 1994, on this page, Abacha was battered verbally until his death on June 8, 1998. At almost 82, I don’t intend to spend the rest of my life worshipping a human god created by yellow-belly politicians.

Almost every Third Term Presidency had ended in Life Presidency – if it is not terminated by violent, usually military, uprising – Nkrumah, Sekou Toure, William Tubman, Robert Mugabe, Kabila, Mobutu, Uganda, Rwanda, Cameroun,

MOST OF THE ACCOMPLICES END AS VICTIMS

“….people and governments never have learnt anything from history…”

George Hegel, 1770-1831.

For those who are now eagerly sowing the seeds of our destruction, as well as theirs, the true story of Professor George Saitoti, 1945-2012, former Kenya’s Vice President, under Arap MOI, 1924-2020, should serve as a warning to those eager to promote dictatorship in Nigeria. George was my senior by one year, and my friend, as an undergraduate, reading Economics in the 1960s. He was brilliant; too brilliant, as a matter of fact. He returned to Kenya after bagging a Ph.D, taught in the university for a while, before being appointed a Minister. After serving in two other Ministries, he became the Minister of Finance and quickly got promoted as Vice President. Neither George nor anybody else could have known that his good luck was coming to an end. As Interior Minister, he had helped to delete virtually all of Arap Moi’s political opponents. Moi ruled for twenty four years, after amending the constitution to allow multiple tenures – thanks to George.

 Then, the roof caved in. Moi was getting too old; and Kenyans were sick and tired of the old man. Rumours started flying, amplified by TIME Magazine, touting George as the successor to Moi. The old man was not ready to go. First, Saitoti was poisoned; next he disappeared for a long time and only re-emerged after Moi left office. Still, his enemies were not finished with him. He died in a mysterious helicopter crash on June 10, 2012. Speculators attribute the death to planned assassination.

 Moral of the story? Be careful when promoting dictators; you might become a victim of the monster you create. Ever heard of Beria? He was Stalin’s Chief Security Officer; who helped the Russian maximum dictator to send over 20 million people to early graves until he faced a firing squad himself – when newspapers described Beria as the “second most powerful man in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, USSR. Dictators hate 2ICs. Those seeking to be closest to the throne better acquire a coffin and grave first. Dictators are also predators. Today you sit at their table (remember General Diya?); tomorrow you are on the menu.

WILL NIGERIAN POLITICIANS LISTEN?

“Washing a donkey’s head is a waste of water.” Italian Proverb.

Attempting to wash the heads of 100,000 donkeys would require emptying all the water in the Abuja waterworks; and it would still be to no avail. Africans have written very little of their own history; and they seldom read it. It will be amazing if Nigerian politicians pull back from the brink of self-destruction. I wait to see the miracle occur. Myopic leaders constitute the black man’s burden. No hope for salvation.

Fortunately, the dictator eventually passes on, either by coup or to eternity. All the monuments erected for his vainglory are demolished. Then, it is dust to dust e.g Stalin.

•Follow me on Facebook @ J Israel Biola

The post The lights of democracy are going out in Nigeria, by Dele Sobowale appeared first on Vanguard News.

ARTS advocacy group Unchained Vibes Africa has addressed the ongoing dispute between Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy and DJ Tunez, as well as the Nigerian DJ Association’s response. In a statement signed by Executive Producer Ayodele Ganiu, the group said it is closely watching the situation after reports of a physical altercation between the two artists. […]

In a defining moment for Africa’s luxury landscape, Nigeria is set to become the global focal point for niche perfumery this month. Seinde Signature, the nation’s premier destination for high-end scents, has announced an unprecedented three-city experiential launch in partnership with the globally celebrated perfumer Sarah Baker. The tour will begin on April 16 in […]

 INEC CHAIRMAN HAS NO ACCOUNT ON X, DISREGARD PARTISAN FABRICATIONS

The attention of the Office of the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has been drawn to a malicious and coordinated campaign of calumny circulating on social media. The false claim alleges that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has, in the past, endorsed a partisan post on the platform X (formerly Twitter).

The Commission wishes to state categorically that this allegation is entirely baseless, a total fabrication, and a figment of the imagination of its purveyors. For the avoidance of doubt, the INEC Chairman does not own or operate any personal account on X. He has at no time engaged in partisan commentary, nor has he ever associated himself with any political leaning or activity in his private or public capacity.

This contrived X post is a desperate attempt to impugn the integrity and neutrality of the Chairman at a critical period when the Commission is focused on significant electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming polls. It is a needless distraction designed to stir public distrust in the electoral umpire.

Beyond this partisan mischief, the Commission is aware that cybercriminals have been on the prowl, utilising fake social media accounts in the Chairman’s name to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians. We wish to place it on record that several of such fraudulent accounts had been identified and reported to security agencies in the past. This latest fabrication is merely a continuation of a criminal pattern aimed at exploiting the Commission’s profile for illicit gains.

The Commission will not fold its arms while the character of its leadership is being assassinated by digital imposters and mischief-makers. We wish to notify the public that we are working in close collaboration with relevant security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to track and identify the individuals or groups behind this identity theft and misinformation.

Let it be clearly understood that the Commission will ensure that these imposters face the full wrath of the law. Identity theft and the dissemination of deepfake or forged social media interactions are criminal offenses under the Cybercrimes Act. Those responsible for this mischief will be tracked and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others who believe the digital space is a safe haven for criminality.

The general public is hereby urged to disregard this falsehood in its entirety. We will continue to disseminate official information regarding the Commission and the Chairman’s activities only through our verified institutional channels and formal press statements.

The Commission remains undeterred and fully committed to its mandate of delivering free, fair, and credible elections for all Nigerians.

E-Signed:

Adedayo Oketola

Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman

Abuja, Nigeria.

10th April, 2026

Arsenal striker, Viktor Gyokeres, has given an excuse for his side’s Premier League 2-1 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Despite finding the net himself, Gyokeres couldn’t prevent the Gunners from falling to the Cherries at the Emirates Stadium.

Junior Kroupi and Alex Scott scored the goals for Bournemouth against Mikel Arteta’s side.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the final whistle, Gyokeres said. “We had some chances toward the end.

“The pitch was a bit dry, to be honest, so that didn’t help. But as I said, we all need to do better and take our chances.”

Arsenal have now turned their attention to European action as they welcome Sporting CP in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday at Emirates Stadium.

EPL: Gyokeres makes excuses for Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Bournemouth

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, Joao Neves, has snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo while naming the best player in the Saudi Pro League.

Despite sharing the Portugal national team pitch with Ronaldo on 14 occasions, Neves has opted not to name the Al-Nassr forward when asked to pick the Saudi Pro League’s best player.

In an interview with MVPs, the 21-year-old was prompted to identify the best players across various leagues.

But when the conversation turned to Saudi Arabia, Neves surprised many by bypassing Ronaldo entirely, instead singling out Félix, a former Chelsea and Barcelona star.

“Saudi League? For me right now, the magical player is João Félix,” Neves stated.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, has continued to deliver strong performances in the Saudi top-flight league since joining Al-Nassr a few years ago.

PSG’s Joao Neves snubs Ronaldo, names best player in Saudi Pro League

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called on political associates to demonstrate concrete solidarity with the family of the late Senator Barinada Barry Mpigi.

He made the call on Thursday at a Night of Tribute organized in honor of the late senator in Port Harcourt, where he emphasized that ceremonial condolences were insufficient without tangible commitment to those the deceased left behind.

He noted that Mpigi remained loyal when many others faltered, contributing significantly to political stability and legislative effectiveness in Rivers State.

Wike also highlighted the late senator’s dedication to the Ogoni people, particularly his instrumental role in establishing the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Ogoni.

Also speaking on behalf of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the chairman of the party in the state, Tony Okocha lauded Mpigi as a refined and deeply committed politician, describing his death as a painful loss to the entire political family.

Also, Ambassador-Designate to the Republic of Ireland, Chief OCJ Okocha, SAN, also paid tribute to Mpigi, acknowledging the late senator’s role in facilitating the Senate’s confirmation of his ambassadorial appointment.

Chairman of the Rivers State Elders Council, Ferdinand Alabraba, described Mpigi as a voice of reason and a seasoned legislative figure who combined firmness of conviction with generosity of spirit.

“Barry’s demise leaves a vacuum that will not be easily filled. He was humble, firm in conviction, and generous in spirit. His life was a testament to service to his constituents, Rivers State, and Nigeria,” he said.

The occasion had several other dignitaries who also paid tributes to the late senator.

Senator Mpigi died on February 19, 2026, in London at the age of 64.

Wike urges support for late Senator Mpigi’s family

The Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board has acquired 500 doses of snake anti-venom for deployment at primary health facilities.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr Chituru Adele, made the disclosure during the First Quarter Review Meeting of the Primary Health Care Task Force, held at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Dr Adele confirmed that the anti-venom had been distributed and was available at primary health centres to handle snakebite emergencies.

He added that the board was collaborating with the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme to expand enrolment for pregnant women, ensuring they have access to antenatal care and free delivery services.

On future plans, Dr. Adele noted that “plans are underway to extend free enrollment to school children.”

Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, stressed the need for openness and cooperation among health sector stakeholders.

She cautioned that “lack of trust could discourage residents from enrolling in the health insurance scheme,” and called on all parties to be forthright in identifying and addressing systemic challenges.

The procurement comes months after a 26-year-old Nigerian singer, Ifunanya Nwangene, lost her life in Abuja following a snakebite sustained in her apartment.

Her death was attributed to delayed medical attention and the unavailability of anti-venom at the hospital.

Rivers state moves to tackle snakebite emergencies with anti-venom doses

By Henry Obetta

Former Lagos governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Funso Doherty, has declared his intention to run for the Lagos State governorship seat on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, at the 2027 general elections.

He made the declaration on Friday at the Freedom Park Old Prison Ground with party members and supporters present.

Doherty said that he decided to vie for the Lagos governorship election because he observed that the state’s system that nurtured him was decaying and needed urgent fixing.

The governorship hopeful stressed the need for leadership with integrity, capacity, vision and people-centeredness.

According to him, Lagos State has energetic residents who are diligent but yet denied the right to modest living.

He said: “Even though Lagos, blessed as we are by the Almighty God, can have enough for all, today, it is being governed to offer a great deal for a very few and very little for most. This is what I have determined must change.”

Speaking on the current administration, he stated that the achievements of the ruling government were pale compared to what is possible with the vast resources of the state.
He stated: “The gleaming towers of banana island draw attention away from a harsh and depressing
reality of deprivation and lack in education, health, jobs, housing, water, power and so on for most citizens. This is despite trillions spent every year. Lagos State’s budget for 2026 is more than N4 trillion.
“For the past 26 years, we have been told that our mounting housing deficit doesn’t matter. We’ve been told that the anxiety parents feel about failing schools is an illusion.
“We have watched as our young men, instead of being given real opportunities, are systematically turned into tools for political violence. They are sold a false dream—that if they serve loyally, they too can one day rise to become powerful, but corrupt bosses.
“And when all else fails—when the schools crumble, when the floods wash away our life’s work, when our young people spend half their lives in gruelling traffic, even worse off when they’re robbed as the traffic grinds to a halt – we’ve been told that our problems are somebody else’s fault.”
Doherty urged members, supporters and party stakeholders to unite and tackle the inconsistencies in the education, healthcare and infrastructure sectors of the state in order to ensure convenient living for all residents.
He said: “So let us come together to set high standards for our schools and give them the resources they need to succeed. Because we understand that real opportunities begin with investment in education.
“Real opportunity means investing — in strong, free, and quality early and basic education. Real opportunity means investing in technical and vocational education so that young people who choose not to go to university can gain meaningful employment and build dignified livelihoods.
“Let us finally, after all these years, tackle our healthcare crisis. Let us provide free healthcare for our children including drugs and ensure it is compassionate and properly funded – not as a campaign talking point, but as a governing priority. We can do that.
“Let us deliver convenient and affordable mass transit that connects our urban centres by road, rail and water. Because we know white elephant roads can never replace the solutions of mass transit.
“And above all else, let us be the ones that finally demand an honest government. Because every naira stolen from this state is a naira stolen from a child’s classroom, from a patient’s hospital bed, from a family’s future. Let us take the work we started, demanding accountability by combing through the budget, exposing wasteful spending and corruption.”
He also noted that the campaign was not for him but for the interest of Lagos residents and that the candidacy represented the people’s hopes and dreams.

The post 2027: Funso Doherty to contest Lagos gov poll under ADC appeared first on Vanguard News.