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In celebration of the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, Nigerian techpreneur, humanitarian, and founder of Kardashev Technologies Ltd, Princess Dr. Spindrella Anaekpeluchi Kelly, has reaffirmed her unwavering commitment to the advancement, empowerment, and protection of the girl child across Africa.

This year’s theme, ‘Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being,’ echoes Princess Kelly’s long-standing advocacy for youth development, access to education, health equity, and economic inclusion – especially for underprivileged girls and displaced young women in underserved communities.

‘The girl child is not a future leader – she is already a leader. What she needs is recognition, support, and the removal of systemic barriers that have kept too many girls in the shadows for too long,’ said Princess Kelly in a statement marking the day.

Through her expansive humanitarian projects, Princess Kelly has led community outreach efforts focused on:

Free medical services and health education in rural areas, with attention to maternal care and disease prevention.

Skills development programs for young women and girls, offering vocational training to foster self-reliance and reduce dependency.

Support for internally displaced persons (IDPs) – including emergency food, clothing, and psychosocial care – prioritizing girls and vulnerable youth affected by conflict.

Youth mentorship and girl-focused empowerment campaigns, integrating arts, culture, technology, and enterprise as tools of transformation.

Her approach is deeply intersectional recognizing that access to healthcare, dignity in crisis, and economic empowerment are all essential to ensuring the well-being and future of the African girl child.

As CEO of Kardashev Technologies Ltd and the visionary behind luxury-tech brand Shaded Goddess, Princess Kelly has built a platform that challenges traditional boundaries in fashion, identity, and enterprise – using her businesses to showcase African excellence while creating opportunities for women and youth.

Her recognition with the Africa Illustrious Award in 2025 is testament to her visionary leadership across multiple sectors, including humanitarian innovation, renewable energy solutions, and modular housing for emergency use – all of which have implications for the security and resilience of girls in displaced and impoverished settings.

In her address, Princess Kelly called on governments, NGOs, private sector leaders, and everyday citizens to ‘move beyond symbolic support’ and instead invest practically and sustainably in the development of girl-centered programs, particularly those involving health, education, digital access, and leadership mentorship.

‘This day should not end in hashtags,’ she stated. ‘Let it end in funding a classroom. Let it end in giving a girl a voice, a tool, a skill – and a future.’

As part of this year’s commemoration, her team will conduct a multi-city outreach campaign across Lagos, Abuja, and parts of Northern Nigeria, delivering hygiene kits, educational supplies, tech learning devices, and mobile clinic services – with a special focus on displaced and out-of-school girls.

Princess Dr. Spindrella Anaekpeluchi Kelly is a Nigerian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and youth advocate. She is the founder of Kardashev Technologies Ltd and the creator of Shaded Goddess, a luxury fashion-tech brand. She is recognized for her humanitarian work in rural healthcare delivery, youth empowerment, renewable energy innovation, and advocacy for displaced and vulnerable communities.

Last month, I embarked on a thrilling journey to China as part of a delegation of 40 professionals, top government functionaries and diplomats.

We were invited by the Chinese government to participate in a seminar titled, ‘Experience of China’s Development in Principles of Extensive Consultation, Joint Contribution and Shared Benefits.’

The programme ran from July 11 to 24, spanning four provinces and offering a deep dive into China’s development strategies – with the hope of replicating some of their successes back home.

The seminar was more than a formal exchange of ideas – it was a cultural immersion, a technological revelation and a personal adventure. From ancient walls to bullet trains, language barriers to shopping sprees, every moment was a lesson in contrast, resilience and innovation.

Departure delays and unexpected encounters

Our departure from Abuja was delayed by two days due to ticketing issues, but we finally took off on July 11 via Ethiopian Airlines. Living along the airport road made my trip to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport smooth. Despite battling malaria, I was determined to make the most of the journey.

I arrived at the airport at 9:30am, well ahead of my 1:25pm flight. The terminal was chaotic as usual but familiar to a regular traveller like me. After checking in my modest luggage and completing all formalities, I settled in to wait for boarding.

A quick trip to the restroom led to a heartwarming reunion with my former editor at Daily Trust, Mallam Habib Pindiga. We hadn’t seen each other in nearly a decade, and his familiar smile and candid charm were unchanged. He asked, ‘Joshua, where are you going this time? I’ve been seeing your posts from all over the world.’

I smiled and promised to tell him after using the restroom, but unfortunately, I couldn’t find him again in the now-crowded terminal.

Before boarding, I remembered to install two VPN apps – essential for accessing platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, which are restricted in China. It was a small but necessary step to stay connected.

In the air: Conversations and connections

Onboard, I found myself seated between two fascinating individuals. To my left, a journalist with a newspaper-branded cap sparked a lively discussion on the media, politics and China. To my right, a master’s student returning to the United Kingdom (UK) after Nigeria’s call to the bar ceremony shared her academic journey. These conversations made the six-hour flight to Addis Ababa feel like a breeze.

After a five-hour layover, we boarded the 10.5-hour flight to Beijing – the longest I have ever taken. I passed the time watching movies before drifting off to sleep. The anticipation of arriving in China kept my spirits high despite the fatigue.

Beijing: A city of contrasts

We landed in Beijing at 5:20pm, local time. From the sky, the city looked like a futuristic dream – mesmerising skyscrapers, impeccable landscaping and architectural brilliance.

Beijing is a city where ancient traditions and modern advancements coexist. At its heart lies the Forbidden City, once home to emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Surrounding it are temples, gardens and historic hutongs – narrow alleyways that preserve the city’s traditional charm.

Beyond its historical core, Beijing pulses with contemporary energy. It is a hub for politics, finance and culture, with a vast subway system and world-class infrastructure. From the serene Temple of Heaven to bustling shopping districts, Beijing is a city of striking contrasts.

The seminar began in earnest with presentations, site visits and discussions on China’s development model. We explored urban planning, infrastructure, agriculture and digital innovation. Each province we visited offered a unique perspective on how China has transformed itself into a global powerhouse.

The Great Wall

No trip to Beijing is complete without visiting the Great Wall of China. The day after our arrival, we set out from the Fenghui Hotel at 14:00 hours for the historic site – over an hour drive away.

The Great Wall is not a single structure but a vast network of fortifications built over two millennia. Initiated as early as the 7th century BC, it was unified under Qin Shi Huang in the 3rd century BC, with the most iconic sections built during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).

Built by soldiers, peasants and convicts, the materials varied by region – stone in mountains, rammed earth in plains and even sticky rice as mortar during the Ming era. The wall often follows natural contours, using rivers and ridges as part of its defence.

I climbed as high as I could, but my body couldn’t match my spirit. Still, the view from the top was magnificent. At the base, charming shops offered souvenirs and cold drinks – a perfect end to the climb.

The Great Wall is more than a military relic – it is a symbol of China’s enduring strength and ingenuity.

Speed trains: China’s high-speed marvel

On July 19, I travelled from Zhengzhou to Beijing aboard one of China’s famed high-speed trains. Known as Gaotie, China’s high-speed rail (HSR) network is the largest and most-used in the world, spanning over 40,000 kilometres as at late 2022, according to available data.

Operating at speeds between 250 and 350 km/h, these ‘bullet trains’ have revolutionised travel. The Fuxing series, developed with fully independent intellectual property, sets global benchmarks in speed, safety and energy efficiency.

China also boasts of the Shanghai Maglev, the fastest commercial train in the world, reaching 431 km/h using magnetic levitation technology.

According to our liaison, Marco Wang, the HSR network has enhanced regional integration, reduced travel times and opened up new economic opportunities, especially in previously underdeveloped areas.

The train ride was smooth, quiet and incredibly efficient. It felt like stepping into the future – one where distance is no longer a barrier to connection.

‘Ni Hao’: Language and connection

One of the first things that struck me upon arriving in China was the language barrier. Unlike many global destinations where English serves as a common bridge, Mandarin Chinese dominates daily life in China, and most locals don’t speak English. This made even simple interactions like ordering food or asking for direction surprisingly challenging.

But where language falters, technology steps in. I was impressed by how seamlessly many Chinese people have adapted to this communication gap. Those who regularly interact with foreigners – hotel staff, tour guides, shopkeepers – often rely on real-time translation apps installed on their smart-phones. These apps are intuitive and surprisingly effective.

Here’s how it works: You speak into the app in your native language. The app instantly translates your words into Mandarin, both in text and audio. The Chinese speaker responds in Mandarin, and the app translates their reply back into your language.

It is like having a pocket interpreter – one that never sleeps and doesn’t charge a fee. This technological workaround made navigating China far easier than I had anticipated, and it is a testament to the country’s embrace of digital solutions in everyday life.

Still, I didn’t want to rely solely on technology. I saw the language barrier not just as an obstacle but as an invitation to grow. So, I challenged myself: learn as much Mandarin as I could before leaving China.

Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language with a complex writing system, but I was determined to grasp at least the basics. By the end of my trip, I had proudly mastered three essential expressions – small victories that felt like major milestones.

The first phrase I learned was ‘Ni hao,’ the standard greeting in Mandarin. Literally translated, it means ‘you good,’ but it functions just like ‘hello’ in English. It is polite, versatile and appropriate in almost any social setting – from meeting someone for the first time to greeting a shopkeeper.

While ‘Ni hao’ is widely used, it leans slightly formal. In casual conversations, Chinese speakers might opt for time-specific greetings like Zao an’ – Good morning, Wu an – Good afternoon and ‘Wan an’ – Good evening.

Still, ‘Ni hao,’ served me well throughout my trip. Saying it – even with my Nigerian accent – often earned me a smile and nod of appreciation.

The second phrase I picked up was ‘Xièxiè’, which means ‘thank you.’ It is one of the most important expressions in any language, and in Mandarin, it is pronounced with a falling-rising tone that gives it a gentle rhythm: ‘shyeah-shyeah.’

Whether I was receiving change from a cashier, accepting a gift or simply acknowledging someone’s help, ‘Xièxiè’ became my go-to phrase.

Using ‘Xièxiè’ not only showed gratitude but also signaled respect for the culture. Locals appreciated the effort, and it often sparked friendly interactions.

The final phrase I learned was ‘Bù kè qì’, which translates to ‘you are welcome.’ But its literal meaning is even more revealing:’Bù’ means ‘no’ or ‘not’, and’Kè qì’ means ‘polite’ or ‘formality’.

So, together, ‘Bù kè qì’ means ‘no need to be polite’ – a humble and gracious way to accept thanks. It reflects a cultural emphasis on modesty and mutual respect.

I found this phrase particularly useful in conversations with hotel staff and seminar hosts. Saying ‘Bù kè qì’ after someone said ‘Xièxiè’ felt like completing a cultural handshake.

Learning these three expressions:’Ni hao,’ ‘Xièxiè,’ and ‘Bù kè qì’ may seem like a small achievement, but for me, it was deeply meaningful. It allowed me to connect more authentically with the people around me and showed that I was not just a visitor, but a willing participant in their world.

German engineering, Chinese roads

China may be the undisputed leader in the global electric vehicle (EV) revolution – with homegrown giants like BYD, NIO and XPeng pushing boundaries – but there’s another automotive story unfolding on its highways and city streets: the enduring Chinese love for German vehicles.

Despite BYD recently surpassing Tesla in global EV sales; and despite the government’s aggressive push toward electrification, the dominance of German brands on Chinese roads is unmistakable. Whether in bustling metropolises or quieter provincial towns, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen are everywhere. One in five cars sold in China is German, and one in three vehicles produced by VW, BMW and Daimler ends up in the Chinese market – a staggering testament to their popularity.

This affinity is not just about aesthetics or performance, it is deeply rooted in history and strategic foresight. Volkswagen was one of the first foreign automakers to enter the Chinese market, launching operations in 1984 with the Santana model. The car quickly became a household name, widely adopted by taxi fleets and government agencies. Its reliability and affordability helped establish a foundation of trust that German brands have built upon ever since.

Over the decades, German automakers have forged strong local partnerships, invested in joint ventures and set up manufacturing bases across China. These moves gave them a head start over other foreign competitors, allowing them to adapt to local tastes while maintaining their signature engineering standards.

In China, cars are more than just a mode of transport, they are a statement. German brands, especially BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi are seen as symbols of success, sophistication and social status. Among these, Audi holds a special place: it is the preferred brand of senior government officials, often used for official transport and diplomatic events. This association with power and prestige has cemented Audi’s image as a premium, respectable choice.

For many Chinese consumers, owning a German car is aspirational. It reflects upward mobility, professional achievement and refined taste. The sleek designs, luxurious interiors and brand cachet make them highly desirable, even when local EVs offer comparable tech at lower prices.

Beyond prestige, perceived quality and safety play a crucial role in consumer preference. German cars are renowned for their robust build, strong body structures and reliable engineering. In a country where road safety and long distance travel are major concerns, these attributes matter.

During my conversations with locals, several pointed out that German models tend to offer more interior space – a feature that resonates with Chinese families, who often travel together, and business users who value comfort and functionality. Whether it is the roomy backseat of a Passat or the executive feel of an Audi A6, space is a selling point.

Interestingly, German automakers are not ignoring the EV wave – they are actively investing in electric models tailored for the Chinese market. Brands like BMW iX, Audi e-tron, and Mercedes EQ series are gaining traction, blending German engineering with sustainable innovation.

Still, the emotional and cultural connection to traditional German vehicles remains strong. It is a relationship built on decades of trust, reinforced by quality, and elevated by status. In a country racing toward the future, the past still holds the wheel.

Bargains over brands

Shopping in China was a delight. The variety is endless, and if you are on a budget, it is a dream destination.

My advice? Forget brand names. You can find high-quality clothing, shoes and accessories from lesser-known brands at a fraction of the cost. The craftsmanship is often excellent and the value is unbeatable.

Another perk? Negotiation is part of the culture. Unlike in the West, where prices are fixed in China, you can haggle. A product tagged at 500 yuan might be yours at 150 yuan if you bargain well.

Shopping in China is not just a transaction, it is an experience. It is about knowing the market, reading the seller and striking a deal that leaves both parties smiling.

My journey through China was more than a seminar – it was a window into a civilisation that balances tradition and innovation with remarkable grace. From the ancient stones of the Great Wall to the sleek speed of bullet trains, from language barriers to cultural bridges, every moment was a revelation.

China is a country that honours its past while racing towards the future. Its cities are alive with ambition, its people resilient and resourceful, and its systems – though complex – are built on a foundation of shared purpose.

For me, it was a privilege to witness that journey firsthand. And as I boarded my flight back to Abuja, I carried with me not just souvenirs but stories, memories and lessons.

Dennis Amachree is a national security analyst and former Assistant Director, Department of State Security, DSS. He speaks on the efficacy of declaring state of emergency as a way of tackling security challenges in the country.

Recently, there have beenrenewed calls for a state of emergency to be imposed on parts of the country ravaged by insecurity. What is your view on that?

A State of Emergency is a temporary measure enacted in response to a critical national crisis, such as terrorism, civil unrest, or a major natural disaster, that suspends democratic structures and the Rule of Law. I have always advocated for a state of emergency in the North-East and North-West, as the protracted terrorist and bandit crises in these regions have resisted conventional military solutions for over a decade.

State of emergencies have been imposed on certain parts of the country in the past but with varying results. How do you think it will pan out if used this time?

Nigeria has imposed States of Emergency before, and while some declarations proved effective in restoring temporary order, others sparked controversy over abuse of power and democratic principles. The critical point many citizens overlook is that an SoE essentially establishes martial law. Since we claim to be a practicing democracy, we should be relying on our existing democratic institutions and legal frameworks to manage and resolve internal security challenges, rather than resorting to the suspension of those very structures.

The security situation differs from place to place. For example,the situation in the North East is different from the ones in the North West, North Central and South East. Should the same measure be applied to all?

The security challenges across Nigeria are inherently distinct and cannot be solved by a single measure like a blanket State of Emergency (SoE). A more nuanced, regional strategy is required. North-East; this region calls for a robust, full-scale military approach to suppress the established insurgency. North-West: The government must thoroughly investigate the origin of the banditry, specifically determining how and who facilitated the entry of these groups into Nigeria. The priority here should be a strategy to deport these foreign elements. North-Central, the crisis in this region is primarily a struggle over land and water resources. The solution lies in an impartial and conscious dialogue among all affected parties to address the root causes of these conflicts. South-East: To achieve lasting peace, the government needs to take the crucial step of formally ending the Biafran Civil War. Despite General Gowon’s post-war declaration of ‘No victor, no vanquished,’ the persistent marginalisation of the South-East suggests the conflict’s underlying issues remain unresolved. This requires honest, high-level dialogue to fully integrate the region.

The last time it was used as a measure in Rivers State, people faulted the context saying it is political. What should be the ideal situation for a state of emergency to be imposed?

The Rivers State State of Emergency (SoE) serves as a troubling example of emergency rule within a democratic system. The declaration itself is arguably unconstitutional, and the actions of the subsequent military administrator remain largely unclear to the public.

This lack of transparency has fuelled concerns about the potential misuse of state resources. More broadly, this SoE highlights a critical danger: emergency rule can enhance corruption and lead to significant economic losses for the state

What process should be followed?

I would never vote for a State of Emergency. The lasting solution requires a fundamental shift, the Federal Government should limit its focus to national sovereignty and external defence. Simultaneously, power must be devolved to state governments through the creation of specialised, well-trained security outfits, namely State Police and Local Government Sheriffs, who are equipped to directly address the specific security issues within their jurisdictions.

Many argue that a state of emergency does not imply the sack of elected officials like the governor, how would you react?

While it is often argued that a State of Emergency (SoE) does not necessarily require the removal of elected officials (such as governors or legislators), historical precedent in Nigeria, specifically in Borno and Rivers States under different administrations-shows that this practice is common. My firm conclusion is that no elected official should be removed under an SoE, as such an action fundamentally overrides the democratic will of the electorate

As an experienced security expert what would be your recommendation for solving the various threats in the country?

As a security professional conversant with these issues, I urge state governments to take greater ownership in finding solutions. They are geographically closer to the problems and must adopt both an all-of-government and all-of-society approach. I agree with the Chief of Defense Staff, General Musa, that the ‘all-of-society-approach’ is the correct strategy, not a State of Emergency (SoE). Since the military is already deeply involved in the fight against insecurity, declaring an SoE won’t make a significant operational difference, but it will certainly increase the risk of power abuse.

By its admission, its report did not cover the epicenters of the Boko Haram insurgency, namely the BAY States of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. Neither did it succinctly capture the banditry in Plateau State in which, by April 2025, sixty four communities had been displaced. Nor did it give us a clue on the havoc being wreaked by insurgents in Taraba State.

Nonetheless, the DAILY TRUST’s front page story of Thursday, October 2, 2025, brought to the fore, the poignant state of the education sector in the Northern part of Nigeria as it is being daily assaulted by insecurity.Entitled: ‘Insecurity: Over 180 schools shut in North’, the DAILY TRUST story details how, on account of insecurity, at least 188 (primary and secondary) public schools have been shut in Northern Nigeria. A breakdown of the schools is as follows: 6 in Kaduna State; 6 in Sokoto State; 30 in Niger State; 52 in Katsina State; and 55 in Benue State.

Though the story does not give us a full or comprehensive picture, it does offer us useful glimpses. And these insights are deeply troubling. Even at the best of times when insurgency had not engulfed the North, it trailed far behind its Southern counterpart. It boasted of a huge number of out-of-school children. It also ranked as the poverty capital of the world until the recent war in Sudan. By the United Nations’ (UN) reckoning, were the South of Nigeria to mark time or to stand still, it would take the North another fifty years to catch up with it. Insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of killings have further increased this gap. It is now a yawning chasm.Also, even before the North became the vortex of insurgency and banditry, Nigeria was said to have one of the highest out-of-school children rates in the world with estimates put by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) at between 10-20 million. Most of these children were in the North.

The DAILY TRUST story, graphically illustrated with telling pictures, shows that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North are often quartered or hunkered down in primary and secondary schools. The IDPs, by taking over these schools, in turn displace the learners/students of these schools. In only a few instances are those displaced learners/students catered for in terms of instruction.

The displacement of these learners/students can only increase the number of out-of-school children in the beleaguered Northern States. And since there is a correlation between lack of access to education and pervasive poverty, it means that continued insurgency and banditry in these Northern states can only compound and prolong the massive poverty in the North.

In the interim, and in view of the severity of the situation, the governments in the North should not surrender or suffer paralysis of will. They should rather be challenged to think creatively and out of the box. Inventories should quickly be taken of learners/students who have been displaced by the advent of these IDP camps plus those who came with the IDPs. Tents, complete with plastic chairs and whiteboards, should be erected at each of the IDP camps and teachers should then be deployed to instruct these pupils. That way they will not be left behind and they can catch up with their peers in safer havens.This approach should, however, be an interim or temporary measure. In the long haul, communities and schools destroyed by insurgents should be re-built, after heinous acts of insurgency, banditry and other killings, have been addressed headlong with governors and the President working assiduously and in concert.

We have seen, in the past two decades, that heightened insecurity has implications for, not only education and prosperity, but for food security as well. Proper learning cannot take place in an insecure environment. Neither can farming, which would have gainfully engaged millions of Nigerians and engendered bumper harvests, thus bringing down the cost of foodstuffs. Nor can any serious investment take place in a violence-prone environment. This is for the simple reason that no serious investor will put his hard-earned money in an uncertain and insecure haven.

As this writer has often said – and this has since assumed a refrain with him – the federal government must prioritise security. It should appreciate that the prevalence of insecurity in any part will adversely affect its other constituent parts. And in a situation where the security architecture, by law, is configured in such a manner that it reduces governors to the statuses of glorified Chief Security Officers, the buck actually stops on the President’s table.

The President, who is the Commander-in-Chief, must view the entire country as his constituency and be prepared to succour and protect all the country’s constituent parts without fear or favour.

A situation where governors, embattled by bandits and insurgents, have to scamper to, and genuflect at the Aso Rock Villa, with their elders in tow, before they are succoured, is to say the least, unbecoming and demeaning. It smacks of feudalism of the vilest type.

As Commander-in-Chief, the President should order our security agencies to do periodic evaluations and appraisals of their strategies. Where a particular strategy appears to be failing or ineffective, they should quickly do a re-think and fashion out others. The insurgents have left footprints of agility and networking in visiting death and mayhem on Nigerians. Our security agencies, who have a pedigree of successes in different local and international war theaters, should be even more adept and savvy. If, for instance, piece-meal engagements with the terrorists are not paying off, is it not time to consider a surge in troops and a head-on confrontation that would overwhelm and decimate these insurgents in one fell swoop, and once and for all?

Above all, should the war on terror be an interminable one, without end? Why can’t we give our security agencies all the resources they really need and appoint for them a realistic and practicable deadline upon which it should end? For so long as the war goes on, without an end in sight, so long shall be the trauma and the grief the country will come to in terms of deaths, out-school-children, massive poverty, a sullied image and outright desolation.

Nick Dazang is a former director at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is set to jump ship to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, next week.

The newly sworn in state caretaker committee chairman of the APC in the state, Dr Ben Nwoye, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja.

The APC had dissolved the existing execute in the state on Thursday and set up a caretaker committee following the planned defection of Governor Mbah to its fold.

Mbah is expected to join the ruling party alongside elected national and state legislators, members of the state executive and party leaders from ward and local government levels across the state.

Nwoye said, ‘I am happy to announce to you that as at yesterday (Thursday), in the course of our discussion, political evangelism has started.

‘We took it to the governor and he has promised and agreed to be part of us, to move this party and ensure that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu comes to Enugu State.

‘For the past 10 years, Enugu State has remained in opposition. But all that will change on Tuesday, the 14th of October, 2024 when the governor will be declaring for the APC.

‘And the governor is not coming alone. The governor is coming in with 260 ward councillors. They will be declaring with the governor. He will be coming in with the 24 members of House of Assembly.

‘He will be coming in with members of the National Assembly. He will also be coming with the entire party executive members in the state. For the Nigerian project to work, the Igbo, the South must move forward.’

A source close to the Enugu State governor confirmed the likelihood of Mbah leaving the PDP to Weekend Trust but did not state when.

Inside sources told Weekend Trust yesterday that among the reasons for Mbah’s planned defection was due to the alleged failure of the PDP to ratify Sunday Udeh-Okoye as South-East’s choice to complete the remaining tenure of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who had won the party’s ticket and flew the party’s flag in the November 2023 Imo governorship election, which had pitted the party and its South-East causes.

It would be recalled that in their communique after the South-East Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) meeting at Government House, Enugu on May 14, the South- East PDP warned that it was fed up and might leave the party if it failed to ratify Udeh-Okoye as the national secretary for the umpteenth time.

Besides, the endless crisis in the PDP is also learnt to be another major factor fueling defections from the party, including the rumoured possible defection of Mbah.

Defections to APC

Recall that governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives and other party bigwigs who are members of the leading opposition PDP have been pitching tent with the APC in recent times.

Analysts have described the developments as strategic realignments with far-reaching implications on the 2027 general elections, pointing to moves to make President Bola Ahmed Tinubu winner of the 2027 presidential poll with landslide.

Recall that in April this year, Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, dumped the PDP for the APC.

He defected alongside a former governor of the state and ex-vice presidential candidate of the PDP, Ifeanyi Okowa, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, state party chairman, all the local government chairmen and many others.

Also in June, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State dumped the PDP for the APC, alongside his cabinet members and lawmakers.

We’re preparing to win 2027 at all levels – Yilwatda

Speaking while inaugurating the caretaker committee, the APC national chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, said the party was working towards winning the 2027 general elections at all levels.

‘We want to ensure that we have overwhelming success and outing in 2027. The Renewed Hope Agenda has achieved much. We are the foot soldiers of the Renew Hope Agenda. Promote it, sell it.

‘Do well as a government. Encourage your party and your governor to ensure that the Renewed Hope Agenda unveils projects, social welfare of the people, social protection to ensure that we have a reason to go back to the grassroots and win the elections in 2027.

‘You must coordinate the party to ensure that there is no division. You are brought in as unifiers. You are the unifiers we brought you to be,’ he said.

APC using intimidation, inducement to lure governors, others – PDP

Meanwhile, the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party has reacted to the planned defection of Mbah to the All Progressives Congress, accusing the ruling party of deploying intimidation, harassment and coercion in wooing its governors and legislators.

Reacting to the defection planned for Tuesday next week and the rumoured defection of the Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri, the national publicity secretary of the party said the APC was not only using intimidation and harassment but inducing members with money.

He, however, warned that no amount of defections would determine the outcome of the 2027 general elections, adding that Nigerians who are feeling the heat of the policies are not defecting to any party.

The PDP spokesman, who also spoke on the coming national convention of the party, said the party was not worried because the defections going on were not based on principle, adding, ‘There are induced by coercion, intimidation and harassment; and that has been the policy of the APC.

The identities of the suspects nabbed with $6.1 million cash at the domestic wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 in Lagos have been disclosed.

Officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Aviation security (AVSEC) h intercepted and arrested two travelers attempting to board a flight.

A reliable source at the airport h identified the suspects as Mahmud Nasidi and Yahaya Nasidi.

They were caught during routine checks of an Aero Contractors flight to Abuja.

It was learnt that the passengers were found with multiple boxes loed with undeclared U.S dollars.

Daily Trust reports that according to the country’s law against money laundering, passengers traveling with cash in excess of $10,000 are expected to declare the sum with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

It was also learnt that the personnel h initially passed through airport security units before they were arrested on the tarmac.

Sources who confirmed the arrested said the FAAN AVSEC handed over the suspects to the Department of State Services (DSS) who in turn handed them over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It was also learnt that the suspects were coming from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and they were scheduled to travel to Abuja and then dis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Spokesperson of EFCC, Dele Oyewale confirmed that the two suspects are in their custody.

He said, ‘I can confirm to you that the suspects- two of them – were intercepted today and upon their arrest by the operatives of FAAN, they were handed over to us.

‘The officials of FAAN handed them over to the DSS and the DSS handed them over to us.’

Also speaking CEO of Aero Contractors o Sanusi said, ‘What happened was that our security noticed some passengers trying to board our aircraft with bags that were quite heavy. Our security team vised them to check the bags in, as they could not be carried into the cabin.

‘They refused to check the bags, and later they said it was money. When asked if the money h been declared, they said no. At that point, our security personnel discovered that the individuals were either police officers or some form of security agents, who claimed they were escorting a suspect along with exhibits. That was why they resisted checking in the bags.

‘We then informed them that if they were transporting a suspect, they were required to notify us in vance. There are standard procedures for moving suspects; we don’t mix them with regular passengers. There are boarding, deboarding, and in-flight protocols that must be followed in such cases. Since they failed to follow these procedures, they were not allowed to board, and they eventually left.’

The suspects and the exhibits were received by CSE Margaret Lamai on behalf of the acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Ahmed Ghali.

Of course, it’s unnatural for any person, group, or authority to invite disease. However, our separate and collective inactions covertly ‘lure’ diseases to creep into our communities; most times in an epidemic manner. We shall later return to explain this view in the succeeding paragraphs of this discourse.

An elaborate report recently published by the Daily Trust newspaper showed that a total of 4,778 people died of cholera in Nigeria between 2020 and 2024. This is according to data obtained from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). This is even as the same period recorded a total of 155,000 suspected cases. The year 2021 had the highest statistics of 3,604 deaths and 111,062 suspected cases.

The report also indicates that within 2025 alone, over 300 deaths have been recorded including the 179 fatalities recorded from the 12,052 suspected cases in Zamfara state as at September 2025. Two weeks ago, the Bauchi State Deputy Governor Auwal Mohammed Jatau confirmed 58 fresh deaths from 258 new cases across 14 local government areas of the state. Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano and Zamfara states accounted for 53 percent of all cases.

The surge in cholera deaths is happening despite billions of naira reportedly spent by the government and international partners to curb the disease. These funds include annual budgetary allocations running into millions of naira; a $700 million World Bank loan secured to provide water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities across the country; a $2 million United Nations’ aid; hundreds of thousands of Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) doses donated by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Caused by vibrio cholerae bacterium and stimulated by poor sanitation, cholera is an acute diarrhoea infection transmitted mainly through contaminated food and water. The outbreak peaks during the rainy season, from May to October, as flooding and contaminated water sources worsen the spread. Cholera symptoms include excessive watery stooling, muscle cramps, severe dehydration and vomiting.

Late President Buhari once mentioned that access to piped water services and improved sanitation, which in 1990 respectively stood at 32 percent and 38 percent had declined to 7 percent and 29 percent in 2015; noting that Nigeria ranked second in the global rating on open defecation because about 25 percent of its population practise open defecation.

The UN, through the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund, released $2 million to sustain the response to a cholera outbreak in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa in 2018. The WHO donated 1.3 million doses of oral cholera vaccine to Bauchi in three yearsto fight outbreaks in high-risk areas of the state. In 2024, the UNICEF also donated 600,000 doses of oral vaccine to Borno State to stem a cholera outbreak following devastating floods caused by Alau Dam collapse.

It would be recalled that in spite of the interventions received from international partners to support Nigeria in managing cholera in recent years, the Nigerian government in December 2021 secured a $700 million loan from the World Bank to implement water projects across the country. The money according to the then Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, was going to the state governments to improve their water supply situation.

It’s really mind-blowing that the federal government took loan and gave to states which is the statutory tier of government that is responsible for making sure that water runs in the taps of their residents. Provision of clean water is not the responsibility of the federal government, which is why it does not have a federal water board. Maybe we should re-name the Ministry of Water Resources to Federal Water Board.

While states in the federation could be held responsible for their failure to provide their residents with access to clean water, the failures on the part of the 774 LGAs in the country is worse. As the tier of government that is closest to the people and responsible for public sanitation, their inactions on environmental sanitation implicitly invited cholera since cholera is a disease that thrives in areas with poor sanitation. Huge dumpsites of un-cleared solid wastes are ‘convenient’ sources of cholera, a disease that has been eradicated in some African countries.

Given the situation on ground, one is prompted to conservatively believe that very few of the entire number of LGAs in the country have solid waste disposal trucks (which we call ‘motar kwasan bola’ in Hausa). In the past, the local government sanitary inspectors (whom we call ‘duba-garis in Hausa) were in charge of sanitation and the clearing of garbage from refuse dumpsites around the town. Nowadays, the mandate of public health departments in most LGAs in the country has been reduced to mere vaccination centres; completely abandoning sanitation matters and the activities of sanitary inspectors.

Where elected LG chairmen have the love of their communities at heart, one of the first procurement orders that should interest them on assumption of duty is the purchase of one or two solid waste disposal trucks. Unfortunately, the first procurement order that comes to their mind is the purchase of a SUV jeep and a Hilux van for themselves; and sometimes too, a big car for the LG First Lady. This is how governance failures invariably invite cholera.

Besides, many of today’s LG chairmen are not even aware of the legislative powers vested in them in the governance structure of the country. Mortality rates from cholera as statistics in the previous paragraphs show wouldn’t have been as high as recorded in the past five years if, for example, at least one day is set aside every month when movement of persons would be restricted for the purpose of environmental sanitation. Some people would argue and ask why people would have to be compelled to clean their surroundings on a monthly basis; a routine they should carry out on their own.

Yes, this shouldn’t be the case where citizens grow up with ethical values and a national orientation that is culturally inherent in them. But because indiscipline came to uproot the culture of decency that once defined the life of Nigerians, LG authorities need to enact laws that would encourage personal hygiene of individuals, and by extension, ensure community sanitation. LGAS could also make laws that would ban open defecation and enforce penalties where it persists. May Allah inspire all the 774 LG chairmen in the country to reinvigorate, empower, and support environmental health workers to do the job they were trained for so that Nigeria could become a free cholera society, Amin.