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Nigerians have been urged to reject the stigmatization of persons on the autism spectrum while accepting them as normal members of the society.

Autism is a developmental condition characterised by challenges in communication, social interaction and behaviour. It affects an estimated one percent of the global population.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Zamarr Institute Centre for Children and Adolescents with Special Needs, Oluronke Katagum, called on Nigerians to embrace autistic persons on Saturday, after a commemorative walk held in Abuja to mark Autism Acceptance Month.

The walk, themed ‘Light It Up Blue: Walk, Run, Ride for Autism’, moved from Jabi to Berger in the Wuse area of Abuja. Participants included children with special needs, caregivers, and advocates.

Katagun, at the event, led calls for greater acceptance of persons on the autism spectrum, urging society to embrace neurodiversity and support inclusive development.

She stressed that the focus must shift from awareness to full societal acceptance of autism persons.

“This is Autism Awareness Month. It is no longer just about awareness; it is about acceptance. What we want in our society is for all of us to be able to walk together and celebrate our differences. Let’s celebrate neurodiversity.

“This walk is being organised by Zamarr Institute, which is celebrating 20 years of providing special needs assistance,” Katagun explained.

She highlighted the uniqueness and potential of children on the autism spectrum, citing the example of one of the participants.

“Erioluwa was non-verbal until the age of seven, but now he is very smart and intelligent. He knows all the states of the country and all the presidents. He knows so much and is still eager to learn more, and he would love to share that with you,” she said.

Emphasising the need for improved support systems, Katagun noted that children with special needs have valuable contributions to make to society.

“We must do more. We have to provide a lot more for persons with special needs, especially for children who are neurodiverse, because they have a lot to offer.

“Around the world, you see people with special needs integrating into society. Let us do the same here and stop criticising and condemning our differences,” she stated.

Speaking further, Katagun identified stigma and financial limitations as major challenges confronting families and institutions supporting children with special needs.

“My children face stigmatisation because we often frown at differences, and that is what we want to change. Finance is also a challenge.

“Even now, we are planning a fundraising event at the end of May because we want to raise funds to build a respite centre where our children can stay while their parents take a short break,” Katagun added.

She disclosed that the institute currently cares for 25 children on a daily basis, and is seeking to raise N250 million to establish a special needs facility.

“We will also need funds for sustainability, even though we have other plans that will help subsidise and support the project,” Katagum noted, while calling for increased government involvement in providing care for autistic children.

Katagun revealed that there is an ongoing collaboration with the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, to harmonise efforts and strengthen advocacy.

“The government needs to participate more and provide greater support. I think the private sector believes the government is not interested, but I believe that once we engage them properly, they will respond.

“Even now, the Minister for Women Affairs wants to bring all the organisations together so we can have a unified voice. Instead of working separately, the Ministry of Women Affairs can serve as the coordinating body, especially for autism, because there is a bill that is expected, and I am confident it will be refined to work for everyone,” Katagun explained.

Speaking during the event, one of the special needs children, Enoch, highlighted his learning experience, “I have learnt a lot. I really love animals so much. I know the different species across the world and other things like space and the universe.”

Special needs advocates seek full societal acceptance of autistic persons

World leaders across the political spectrum have condemned the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington on Saturday night, expressing relief that President Donald Trump and other senior officials escaped unharmed.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said political violence had no place in a democracy, adding that an event meant to honour a free press should never become a scene of fear. She also wished the injured Secret Service officer a quick recovery.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed relief for the safety of all attendees and praised the swift response of law enforcement, saying violence has no place in politics under any circumstances.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was relieved that the President, the First Lady and all guests were safe, adding that political violence has no place in
any democracy.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and his wife were shocked by what he described as an attempted assassination of President Trump, expressing relief over his safety.

Britain’s Ambassador to the United States, Christian Turner, confirmed that some British embassy officials had attended the event and thanked U.S. law enforcement for their professional response, wishing the injured officer a full recovery.

Inside the ballroom, White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang told the gathered crowd that journalists did what they are trained to do. “When there is an emergency, we run to the crisis, not away from it,” she said. “Thank God everybody is safe.”

The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was taken into custody after charging a security checkpoint armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives.

One Secret Service agent was shot but was saved by his bulletproof vest. Allen is to be arraigned in federal court on Monday.

World Leaders Condemn White House Dinner Shooting is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Veteran Nollywood actor Jim Iyke has identified internal sabotage as the major challenge confronting the Nigerian movie industry.

According to the thespian, the industry is full of saboteurs.

In an interview with BBC, Jim Iyke said if he could change one thing about Nollywood, it would be to purge saboteurs from the industry.

“Is there is one thing I would love to change about Nollywood, it would be to purge saboteurs from the industry. The industry is full of saboteurs. They can’t help themselves. They need therapy,” he said.

The actor said his proudest moment as an actor was when his son commended his performance and called him a “genius”.

He said his son’s commendation made him emotional to the extent he went into the bathroom to cry.

Jim Iyke named Kate Henshaw as the actress he enjoys working with the most.

Nollywood full of saboteurs – Jim Iyke

Nollywood actor Jim Iyke has revealed his current relationship status, hinting that it is complicated.

In a recent interview with BBC, the thespian said he is currently between married and single.

“I am between married and single,” he said. “Figure it out,” he added when asked to expatiate.

Iyke described the birth of his son, Harvis Ike, as the best experience of his life, and the death of his mum as his saddest experience.

The actor was married to Dana Kinduryte, a Lithuanian lawyer, with whom he has a son, Harvis Chidubem Ike, born in 2015.

Their marriage ended after the death of his mother, as Iyke revealed that his deep grief caused him to abandon his role as a husband.

Despite the separation, they reportedly parted ways amicably.

‘I’m between married and single’ – Jim Iyke reveals relationship status

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed confidence in the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying Nigeria is on a stable trajectory under his leadership and calling for sustained support to ensure continuity of ongoing reforms.

He made the remarks while declaring open the meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council in Port Harcourt, which brought together traditional rulers from all 17 southern states to deliberate on unity, security, and economic development.

According to him, despite prevailing economic and governance challenges, the present administration has recorded notable achievements in areas such as economic recovery and infrastructure expansion, including key coastal road projects.

He stressed that consistency in governance is essential for progress, cautioning that abrupt policy changes could undermine ongoing gains, noting that “it is not ideal to change the goalpost in the middle of the game.”

Fubara also urged political, traditional, and community leaders across the South to strengthen collaboration in pursuit of shared developmental objectives, insisting that unity remains a critical factor for sustainable peace and growth.

He further described the hosting of the monarchs in Rivers State as evidence of the state’s stability and readiness for major national engagements.

Speaking at the event, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who presides over the council, said the gathering was designed to foster stronger bonds among southern communities and promote peaceful coexistence.

The monarch observed that the region’s rich cultural diversity, with hundreds of dialects spoken across its states, reflects unity in diversity.

He explained that the forum serves as a platform for traditional rulers to engage on common values and issues affecting their communities, while also exploring ways to support government efforts in addressing security and economic challenges.

According to him, although participation is voluntary, the engagement is crucial for strengthening both regional and national development.

The meeting drew prominent royal fathers from the South-South, South-East, and South-West geopolitical zones.

2027: Fubara backs Tinubu for second term

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its 2023 Benue South senatorial candidate, Daniel Onjeh, has dismissed growing criticisms against Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, insisting that voters in Benue State have already resolved to return him to office.

In a press statement issued on Sunday, Onjeh described the wave of attacks on the governor as “last-minute desperation” by political opponents who, he said, have realised that “the political tide is no longer in their favour.”

According to him, critics are orchestrating “coordinated propaganda” aimed at discrediting the administration through “falsehoods and sustained campaigns of calumny.

“Such efforts are designed to weaken public confidence, but they will fail because the people can see the difference for themselves,” he said.

On internal party matters, Onjeh rejected claims that some groups had taken control of the APC structure in the state, describing such assertions as baseless.

“The APC is built on democratic principles and the rule of law, not a place where decisions are taken at the whims of a few individuals,” he stated, adding that party congresses were conducted in line with constitutional guidelines and their outcomes “cannot be altered by rumours or wishful thinking.”

He reaffirmed that Chief Benjamin Omale remains the recognised state chairman of the party, while Governor Alia is its leader in Benue, urging members to disregard contrary claims.

Onjeh also said reconciliation efforts within the party had largely succeeded at the grassroots level, noting that members who had earlier defected or disagreed with the leadership had returned.

“The party is now united at the grassroots; stronger and more cohesive than ever,” he said, dismissing suggestions of division ahead of the 2027 elections.

He emphasised that the focus should remain on strengthening the party for victory in upcoming elections, including the presidency, governorship, and legislative contests.

Reflecting on the governor’s performance, the former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) said Benue residents were already experiencing a different style of leadership.

“Governor Alia never claimed to be perfect, but he came with a clear understanding of the challenges and has remained focused on addressing them step by step,” Onjeh noted.

He argued that the administration’s achievements should be judged by visible results rather than political rhetoric, adding that past governments that projected “perfection” failed to deliver meaningful progress.

Onjeh also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the public to ignore claims that Governor Alia’s emergence was a political favour, insisting instead that his entry strengthened the APC in the state.

“It was the entry of Governor Alia that gave the party victory across the board in the 2023 general election,” he said.

Recounting the 2023 campaigns, Onjeh said he accompanied the governor across nine local government areas in Benue South and witnessed his strong support for the party’s presidential candidate, even amid controversy surrounding the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“He consistently promoted the presidential campaign alongside his own ambition, demonstrating loyalty and commitment to the party,” he added.

The APC chieftain maintained that attempts to mislead voters would not succeed, describing Benue electorates as “more aware and discerning.”

He further claimed that Governor Alia’s midterm performance had already surpassed that of previous administrations, urging residents to remain patient as development unfolds.

“No government can meet every demand at once… development comes in phases and will gradually reach every part of the state,” he said.

Onjeh concluded by calling on residents to pray for peace and progress in Benue, while urging them to support the governor’s re-election bid.

He expressed optimism about a “peaceful and crisis-free tenure ahead,” adding that the administration remains committed to stability and growth.

Attacks on Gov. Alia won’t stop Benue voters from re-electing him – Onjeh

A political economist, Prof Pat Utomi, has charged opposition parties to rescue Nigeria from what he described as “ponzi economics” of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration.

Utomi, who spoke during the opposition parties’ summit in Ibadan, Oyo State on Saturday, described Nigeria’s current economic condition as a “moral outrage.”

He urged opposition political actors to chart a new course anchored on production, discipline, and inclusive growth.

Speaking on the theme “Rebuilding a Productive, Dynamic and Efficient Economy for Nigeria,” Utomi painted a stark picture of widening inequality and hardship.

He cites a recent PiggyVest report indicating that 58 percent of Nigerians earn less than ₦100,000 monthly. He contrasted this with what he called the excesses of the political elite.

Recounting a personal experience at a petrol station in Lagos, he said the cost of filling his tank equated to “two and a half times the monthly income of many Nigerians,” adding that a passing seven-car convoy symbolised “the earnings of about 20 citizens.”

“Our current economic reality is a moral outrage,” he said. “While many survive on remittances, some celebrate ‘Tinubunomics’ and ask suffering Nigerians to wait in hope.”

He accused the federal government of “profligate spending, reckless borrowing and treasury looting,” warning that such practices had deepened poverty and inequality.

Citing World Bank data, he noted that nearly 130 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, questioning the absence of widespread civic resistance.

Prof Utomi lamented that the country had drifted into unsustainable economic management.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s past, he said the country once pursued industrialisation with clear vision and discipline.

He recalled that, by independence in 1960, manufacturing had risen to about 20 per cent of GDP, driven by regional competition and investments in industrial estates.

“Today, we are heavily indebted and struggling with insecurity, yet those in charge ask for patience while citizens endure deepening hardship,” he said.

He also linked economic decline to a collapse in values and leadership standards, stressing that “character matters” in governance.

According to him, the absence of integrity and accountability has enabled state capture and weakened institutions.

“Our economy is where it is because character has been lost,” he said. “To recover, we must entrust leadership to people who understand sacrifice and can feel the pain of the people.”

He criticised what he described as misplaced priorities, including luxury spending by government officials amid widespread deprivation, and warned that such actions erode public trust.

On policy direction, he called for a shift from consumption-driven growth to production-led development, with emphasis on job creation, export-oriented manufacturing, and broad-based inclusion.

“We must move from stabilisation to high growth; from elite consumption to mass production; from job losses to job creation; and from exclusion to inclusion,” he said.

He advocated decentralised development driven by states and local governments, focusing on industrial clusters linked to local resources, as well as sustained investment in education, infrastructure, and innovation.

Utomi further urged reforms to strengthen institutions, promote accountability, and eliminate what he described as “state capture by parasitic interests.”

Drawing lessons from countries such as China and Indonesia, he stressed the importance of disciplined leadership, strategic investment, and long-term planning, particularly in education and industrial policy.

The professor of political economy also outlined key “development pitfalls” to avoid, including policies that prioritise elite consumption, weak investment in human capital, and failure to build strong institutions.

He expressed confidence that a people-centred economic framework, anchored on entrepreneurship and value creation, could restore growth and national prosperity.

“With the right ideas and faithful implementation, the people will come with us,” he said. “And Nigeria will rise again.”

Utomi Urges Opposition To Rescue Nigeria From ‘Ponzi Economics’ is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Suspect in connection with the shooting at the White House correspondents dinner has been arrested.

According to federal prosecutors, the suspect will be arraigned in court on Monday.

The suspect is said to be a 31-year-old California teacher, Cole Allen.

The United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, while addressing journalists said “Right now the defendant is being charged with two counts, 924C sing a firearm during a crime of violence and second crime under 111 which is assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.”

“This individual was intent of doing much harm, much damage as he could an thankfully because of the check point right outside the ballroom where thousands of people we waited to hear the president of the United States because that check point worked there was no one who was injured but it was clear where this defendant is going,” she stated.

DAILY POST recalls that the tragic incident occurred on late Saturday during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton, where gunfire near a security checkpoint triggered panic and forced the evacuation of top officials, journalists and guests.

The gala was attended by the President of the United States, Donald Trump and the vice president, JD Vance.

Suspect in Trump Gala shooting to be arraigned – United States attorney

The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has claimed that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is desperately looking for vice presidential slot.

Olayinka said Makinde is threatening violence because he has lost out in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Describing Makinde as “partyless,” Olayinka said the governor wants a repeat of the South West “operation wetie” political violence of the 60s just because he is no longer favored by the system.

Posting on X, Olayinka wrote: “I just hope he knows the gravity of inciting violence, even as a sitting governor.

“He failed to secure the total control of the PDP so as to use the party for its juvenile vice presidential ambition.

“He failed in his bid to remove the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rahidi Adewolu Ladoja.

“He failed to use a Tipatikuuku (by fire by force) coronation to stop Sharafadeen Alli from contesting for the APC governorship ticket in Oyo State.

“He has refused to account for the N30bn he collected from the Federal Government to settle victims of the Bodija, Ibadan explosion of January 2024. He even said he was going to return the money to the FG, but up till now, he hasn’t.

“Now, he is threatening violence just because he has lost out in the PDP and he is desperately looking for the ADC vice presidential ticket.

“Issorite, let him Kontinu. But will he put his own children forward to lead the violence?”

Makinde desperately looking for VP slot – Wike’s aide, Lere Olayinka

Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, has alerted passengers to possible flight delays across its network due to ongoing aviation fuel supply challenges, noting that the situation is already affecting scheduled departures.

In a statement posted on X on Saturday and signed by its management, the airline said the limited availability of Jet A1 fuel was disrupting operations at some terminals and urged customers to brace for possible inconveniences.

“Flights departing from some of our terminals may experience delays due to the current aviation fuel supply constraints affecting flight operations nationwide,” the airline said, noting that “fuel availability remains limited, which has impacted scheduled departures.”

Air Peace added that it is actively engaging relevant partners to resolve the issue and minimise disruptions to passengers’ travel plans, while assuring customers that safety remains its top priority.

The development comes after the airline earlier adjusted its international schedule, announcing a temporary reduction of its Abuja–London route to three weekly flights due to the same fuel constraints. The revised schedule is expected to remain in place until July 1, 2026, when normal operations are projected to resume.

According to the airline, the adjustment is aimed at maintaining safety and operational reliability, adding that efforts are ongoing to restore full services as fuel supply improves.

Passengers affected by the changes have been advised to contact the airline’s call centre for rescheduling at no additional cost.

Meanwhile, the disruptions have sparked reactions among travellers, with some taking to social media to express frustration over delays and altered plans.

Reality TV personality Anita Natacha Akide, popularly known as Tacha, also criticised the airline after experiencing delays that disrupted her plans to attend the wedding of fellow former Big Brother Naija star Cross Okonkwo in Abuja.

In a video shared online, she lamented the prolonged waiting time and lack of clarity, saying passengers were left stranded for hours.

“For someone to book a first flight in the morning, it shows how important it is. They’re telling me the next flight is by 3:30pm. This is my best friend’s wedding,” she said.

Air Peace, however, maintained that it is closely monitoring the situation and remains committed to operating flights safely and as promptly as conditions allow.

Fuel Constraints Trigger Flight Delays Across Air Peace Network is first published on The Whistler Newspaper