Category: Nigerian Tribune

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar and former governor of Kaduna Nasir El-Rufai and former Senate President, Iyorcha Ayu paid a courtesy visit to Oba Rashidi Ladoja at his Bodija residence on Tuesday.

They were received by Oba Ladoja and his Oloris.

Atiku in his speech apologised for his inability to attend the coronation ceremony.

‘Kindly forgive our inability to attend your coronation ceremony as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland on Friday,’ he pleaded.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Tuesday explained that his absence from the coronation of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, was due to protocol arrangements.

Atiku, accompanied by former Senate President Iyorcha Ayu, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, and other chieftains of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), gave the explanation while speaking with journalists after leading a delegation to pay homage to the new monarch at his private residence in Ibadan.

Ladoja ascended the throne as the 44th Olubadan following the death of his predecessor, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who passed away on July 7, 2025, at the age of 90.

Atiku said his absence at the coronation was not deliberate, noting that Oba Ladoja had played a vital role in Nigeria’s political history.

He said, ‘We are here to say congratulations to the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Ladoja. We regretted that we didn’t attend the coronation. It was not intentional. Protocol arrangements did not allow us to come during the coronation, not that we don’t want to come.

‘We know your roles and relationship with some of us. We are here to congratulate you. Kindly accept our apologies for not making it to the coronation. We regret not attending the programme.’

In his response, Oba Ladoja declared that he had left politics behind with his new position as the Olubadan, pledging to focus his reign on fairness and justice.

‘I’m not one of you again. I am the Olubadan of Ibadanland. So, I am for everybody now. I am no more one of you. I am not a politician anymore. Welcome to my house.

‘Now that I am the Olubadan, I am no more interested in any other than the Olubadan. You are welcome to my house.

‘We started from the Social Democratic Party, we were in exile together, we were in the Peoples Democratic Party together. When I wanted to create an identity, I went to the Accord Party, which became a household name here. I know you politicians have a way of coming back.

‘All the religious leaders said that the only thing the leaders can do is to promote justice and fairness. I will serve my people. Ibadan people, the state, Africa and the world at large. I will depend on your support and advice,’ the monarch stressed.

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has apologised to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, for his absence at his coronation ceremony in Ibadan on Friday.

Atiku apologised to Oba Ladoja during a visit to Olubadan at his Bodija, Ibadan, residence on Tuesday.

The former Vice-President, who was accompanied on the visit by the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorcha Ayu, former governors of Cross Rivers and Kaduna states, Senator Lyel Imoke and Malam El-Rufai, said he had planned to attend the event but was unable due to logistical reasons.

Atiku said, ‘The Chiefs of Ibadan, distinguished ladies and gentlemen. First of all, Kabiyesi, I want to start with an apology. And I hope you will accept my apology on behalf of the rest for our inability to personally witness your coronation as Olubadan, which we know is your lifetime ambition. And by the grace of God, you have attained it.

‘Virtually all members of my delegation today have one form of relationship or another with you personally. Our inability to attend the inauguration was due to the protocol logistics arrangement, which could not allow us from attending. Not that we did not want to attend.

‘I know your relationship with most of us; we have always looked forward to this day and to this position for you. That is why, therefore, I spoke with you a couple of days ago, to seek your permission to lead this very high-level and distinguished delegation to come and personally congratulate you and wish you a very long, happy reign as Olubadan.

‘Please, therefore, accept our apology for our inability to attend the actual event on that day, certainly not due to our own making, but I think God has willed it that way.

‘The protocol logistics were such that we could not meet up with those logistics and therefore had to abort that visit.

‘We very much regret our inability to personally participate in the ceremonies and we sincerely hope you will overlook and forgive our absence during that historic event.

‘It is historic to both you, your family, and us, your friends and associates all over the country and we want to thank God for sparing our lives to witness this moment of your ascension to the position of Olubadan.

‘We pray you will have a long reign. And under your reign, Ibadan will continue to grow more prosperous, more peaceful and may God grant you your heart’s desires here, in the world, and thereafter. We thank you very much indeed for allowing us to pay you this congratulatory visit.

‘I would, therefore, like to hand over to you our letter of congratulations. And hope that you will forgive us and overlook our personal absence during those celebrations. Kabiyesi, God bless you.’

In his response, Oba Ladoja recounted the good relationship he has enjoyed with Abubakar and other members of his entourage.

Oba Ladoja disclosed that as a traditional ruler, he is no longer in politics but would always remember the ideas and experiences shared with his friends.

He recounted that he has enjoyed many years of personal and working relationships with virtually all the members of the entourage.

He, therefore, assured the visitors that he would make all his friends proud, reiterating that his only task on the throne is to serve humanity.

‘Former Vice-President, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, whom I fondly call My President. My Dear friends, welcome to this place. My dear friend, for a long time, we kept close to one another. So God has brought us together again today.

‘Welcome. Even though I’m no longer one of you anymore, I’m not a politician again.

‘I was really shocked when I didn’t see some of my friends, and the same night I sent a message to Waziri that I hope nothing had happened, because the advance team was here, I was following the lists of guests and I was looking forward to seeing you, but unfortunately, you could not make it.

‘When they say logistic problems, I can understand. Protocol logistics. I can understand what it means. So that is something we can say is beyond your control. So there is nothing to forgive here because it was not deliberate. It was even difficult for all of us.

‘I said this because the first person who announced the passing away of the last Olubadan was Waziri. I woke up in the morning about 5 o’clock and I saw his message if it was a rumour that Olubadan is dead, is it true? I called him and said yes, it is true. He now said, is it now our turn? I said yes, it is our turn.

‘So that is why I said, somebody who said it is our turn and all the processes of his coming have been perfected, his advance team was here, the list of members of his entourage is here, so for him not to be able to be present, but I know that Waziri is used to such last-minute problems. So it is I who should apologise to you. Not you apologising to me because I can understand what you mean.

‘It is nice to have friends with you because I can remember that my friend, Senator Ayu said, we will carry the title of senator for life. He said there is nothing like a former senator. In fact, I was expecting your wife also. She didn’t come because she is one of my daughters.

‘Mallam has been my friend since the day of BPE. I remember there was a program of Standard Trust. Where he came and said, Maybe I will also join Standard Trust because I see potential governance here.

‘So it was his prediction that I became a governor, so thank you for that prediction. So now that I am in Olubadan, I am no more entitled to be any other thing than Olubadan.

‘We had a very nice relationship at the Senate with my friend Lyle Imoke, at that time he was the youngest senator and later on in Cross River State, when he was governor. Anytime I went visiting, he treated me with utmost respect. And it is always a joy to meet somebody you have known before.

‘Thank you very much for coming. So we meet again. And I hope that this is not going to be the last meeting because I will come to Abuja to thank each of you one by one. I am very, very grateful.’

‘I can assure you that I will make you proud as your Olubadan. I will make all my friends proud because all the religious leaders, both Christian, Muslim and the traditional ones, say that the only thing that is expected of a leader is fairness and justice. So I intend to do justice among my people and serve them with all the strength that is left in me.

‘I just passed 81 and in fact the Waziri asked me whether I was going to celebrate, and I said I was in confinement where they normally confine us before the day of coronation. So I was not opportuned to be there. They said, That’s why they are not coming to my birthday.

‘So the remainder of my life will be spent serving my people. Ibadan people, Oyo state people, Nigerian people, Africa and the world at large. I will depend on your support, on your advice and I hope that when we knock on your door, you will open it for us. So I am very grateful for this visit.’

Zamfara Police Command has succeeded in the arrest of notorious bandit Mohammed Dankani popularly known as ‘Akki’, and recovered arms and ammunition in the state.

Briefing newsmen while addressing men and officers on the achievements recorded on Tuesday at the police command headquarters in Gusau, the commissioner of police Ibrahim B. Maikaba commended all operatives involved in the operations for their exceptional bravery, professionalism, and commitment.

According to him, the notorious bandit was apprehended in Funtua, Katsina State, following credible intelligence linking him to numerous kidnapping cases across the state.

‘On 17th September 2025, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested Muhammadu Dan Kani 57 years old, popularly known as ‘Akki’ from Kuraje in Bungudu LGA.

‘During the investigation, the suspect confessed to having been part of the kidnapping gang terrorizing Tsafe, Yandato, and Yanwarin Daji.

‘He further admitted to being an active member of the Kachalla Dan Goggo Gang, a criminal syndicate known for orchestrating high-profile kidnappings within Damba, Mareri, and Saminaka areas all in Gusau Local Government Area in the state.’

CP Maikaba explained that Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the Gang and determine the full scope of their operations.

Meanwhile, on 15th September 2025, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command while on routine patrol along Gummi-Sokoto Road, intercepted a Toyota Corolla car. When a search was conducted the following recoveries were made; Four (4) AK-47 rifles,200 rounds of PKT ammunition, 28 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, and four (4) empty AK-47 magazines.

‘The items were concealed in a sack of oranges belonging to one Nasiru Dawan Jiya, who confessed to transporting the weapons to bandits in Gurusu Village investigation is ongoing and efforts are underway to arrest other accomplices and dismantle the entire supply chain.

‘Similarly, on 19th September 2025, at about 1630 hours, while on intensive patrol along the Gusau-Sokoto Highway near the Gada Biyu area, operatives successfully intercepted and apprehended two male suspects riding on motorcycles. Both suspects were found in possession of 18 fabricated firearms.

‘On 14th September 2025, based on credible intelligence, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested Alhaji Shehu Aliyu in Gurusu Village. He was found with nine (9) sacks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.’

He disclosed that Aliyu is a known and repeated drug dealer with a criminal record spanning over six years and is currently in custody as investigations continue.

CP Maikaba maintained that the achievements recorded reflect the ongoing transformation and renewed vigor within the Zamfara State Police Command.

He assured the good people of Zamfara State that the Police Command remains steadfast in its determination to eliminate criminal activities and ensure the safety of all residents.

He urged members of the public to support the Police by providing timely and actionable information saying public cooperation is invaluable in the fight against crime in the state.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on Tuesday, joined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the call to the security agencies, especially the Police, to thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to the tragic death of Arise TV anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu.

In a statement, Hon. Kalu extended his heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, Arise TV and the entire media community in Nigeria.

Maduagwu, 29, reportedly lost her life during a robbery incident at her residence in the Katampe district of Abuja metropolis, Federal Capital Territory.

Expressing shock and sadness over the incident, the Deputy Speaker said that the perpetrators of the dastardly act that cut short a promising lawyer and broadcaster in her prime should immediately be apprehended and brought to justice.

He described Maduagwu as a stellar news anchor, extolling her display of brilliance and professionalism in her covering and reporting of the reserved seats bill that is before the National Assembly.

Hon. Kalu who sympathized with the bereaved family also prayed for the repose of Maduagwu’s soul.

He said: ‘I am shocked and deeply saddened by the devastating news of the passing of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a young and promising lawyer and journalist, who tragically lost her life in Abuja.

‘Maduagwu, who at the time of her death was a news anchor with Arise TV, distinguished herself with brilliance and professionalism. Her covering and reporting of the reserved seats bill was extraordinary. Her death is not only a painful loss to her family and loved ones but also to the media community, where she had already begun to make an indelible mark.

‘I join His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the call to all security agencies to thoroughly investigate this tragic incident and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

‘I extend my heartfelt condolences to her immediate family, friends, Arise TV family and entire media community. May the Almighty God grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss, and may her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.’

Accommodation seekers and tenants are lamenting shocking rent hikes in Nigerian cities.

Some of the complaints are coming from accommodation seekers in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and other cities, where rental values have gone up by 100 per cent in less than one year.

As home seekers are struggling to raised the required rents, most landlords are blaming the situation on harsh economy couple with high building materials’ costs.

It was gathered that many tenants that couldn’t meet up their rental’s obligation have been relocating to the outskirts, while defaults in rental payments have assumed a new dimension.

As people are complaining about shortage of affordable accommodation in Nigerian urban centres, governments in some states are demolishing lot of houses on the basis that owners failed to obtain the necessary approvals or failed to observe the appropriate building setbacks.

Nigerian Tribune’s survey showed that rent for studio apartments in Lekki has jumped to an average N2.5 million per annum, depending on the location and features, from N1.2 million and N1.5 million in 2024.

In Surulere, an average rental value for one bedroom mini-flat costs between N2.5million and 3.5million per annum, from between N1.5 million and N2million last year.

In location such as Yaba, Maryland, Ikeja, Ilupeju, Palm Grove in Lagos, average rental prices for one – bedroom mini-flat range between N1.5 million to N4 million per annum, depending on location and house’s features.

In suburbs’ locations like Ogba, Egbeda, Abule Egba, Ipaja and Ojodu- Berger, rental prices for one bedroom mini-flat cost between N1million and N1.8 million.

As it is in Lagos, so it is in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin, Ibadan and Jos, among others as most residents have not stopped lamenting the rental burden

One of the accommodation seekers in Lagos, Mr. Abraham Aina, who relocated to Ipaja from Ketu, Lagos, said that rent in Ipaja was also outrageous.

Aina, who was paying N800,000 for a mini two-bedroom flat in Ketu as a sitting tenant, said that the rent for a new accommodation in Ipaja cost him the same amount, instead of the initial N400,000 budget for the new accommodation in January.

He alleged that the landlord in Ketu increased his rent to N1.5milliom from N800,000, hence his decision for new accommodation in Ipaja.

He said he noticed that there are more accommodation seekers scampering for the limited houses, hence the astronomical rent’s increase by the landlords.

Another accommodation seekers, Mrs Ella Mathew, said that rental values in suburbs locations like Abule Egba, Ayobo, Agbado, Ikotun, Ikorodu in Lagos State and areas such as Opic, Warewa, Arepo, Magboro and Sango-Ota have also doubled.

She claimed she paid N1.2 million for a two bedroom apartment in Arepo, Ogun State.

Narrating his brother experience in Port Harcourt, Mrs Mathew said the rent for one-bedroom apartment in Okporo area of the city has been jacked up to N600,000 per annum from N250,000.

According to her, the two-bedroom accommodation the brother secured recently in another location cost N800,000, stressing that he had to pay two years advanced rent to allow the landlord carry out the required renovation.

‘It wasn’t easy for my brother, who’s working with one of the shopping malls in Port Harcourt. He had to raised loans from friends and micro finance bank to be able to secure the accommodation,’ she said.

Responding, a landlord in Ketu, Lagos, who identified himself simply as Saidi Sonaike, defended his colleagues, attributing high rental values to harsh government’s policies, which have affected the costs of building materials sector negatively.

One of the affordable housing advocates, who identified herself simply as ‘Mimi’, wanted to know what is behind the ‘shocking rent hikes’ in many cities in Nigeria, particularly Lagos and Abuja.

Mimi noted that as food and fuel prices soared, landlords in Lagos and Abuja have been increasingly passing the heat onto tenants, demanding rent increase as high as 150 per cent.

She said that a two-bedroom apartment in Lekki that once cost N1.5 million now cost N2.2 million.

Lamenting the situation, she said:’The housing vulnerability in Nigeria has reached alarming proportions, and situation is not only a challenge for the economy but also a source of immense stress for ordinary Nigerians, many of whom struggle to keep up with rising rent prices and the declining quality of available housing.

‘What was once considered a modest expense back then is now a significant portion of one’s salary, and the dream of owning a home seems increasingly out of reach for the majority in recent time.’

Another advocate, Adu Olubunmi said the housing situation in Lagos is better than Abuja, pointing out that: ‘Lekki is for the high and mighty in the society compared to ordinary Jabi and Durimi in Abuja where two bedroom now goes as high as N4 million to N5million.’

She blamed the situation on overpopulation and huge demand for accommodation which has outweighed supply, resulting in skyrocketed rents.

According to her, many young professionals are finding themselves in a difficult position.

‘The reality for a graduate in a mid-level job in Lekki or Ikeja means finding a one-bedroom apartment for anywhere between N950,000 to N1.5 million annually.

‘The situation in Abuja, the nation’s capital, is equally dire. While the city is still relatively newer in terms of development, rapid urbanization has led to significant price hikes in the rental market. The upper-middle class and young families are particularly affected.

‘Those who were once able to afford relatively comfortable housing in areas like Wuse, Garki, and Maitama are now struggling to find suitable living spaces within their budgets.

‘The absence of affordable housing options forces many to seek accommodations in the more remote and developing districts, which lack necessary infrastructure, further exacerbating the gap between affordable and livable housing.

‘Even smaller cities across Nigeria are not exempt from the housing vulnerability. For instance, in cities like Benin, Enugu, and Ibadan, the rent situation is equally worrying. In these places, working-class families find themselves squeezed between the high cost of living and the insufficient housing infrastructure that doesn’t cater to the masses.

‘Those who cannot afford the skyrocketing rents often resort to living in overcrowded conditions, with extended families or in single-room apartments that barely meet basic living standards,’ she said.

Why the Lagos State government, through the House of Assembly, is expediting action on the passage of a new Tenancy Bill, a bill to regulate rent in the state, real estate developers have blamed high accommodation costs on high cost of building materials and general inflation.

Worried at the increasing cost of house rent, especially in Jos metropolis, the Plateau State House of Assembly has also declared war in real estate sector, by banning illegal house agents.

The lawmakers also moved to regulate unauthorized house agents while repealing the state’s outdated rent edict.

Former President of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Mr. Kunle Awobodu, said that high rental payments have become a burden to renters and tenants

He pointed out that the N70,000 minimum wage being received by the government’s workers is not enough to cater for rents.

Another affordable housing advocates , Arc. Adewunmi Okupe, said that the solution to the high rent’s menace should go beyond the cosmetic actions like banning estate agents.

According to him, the cost of building affordable homes must be addressed.

‘From my observation the cost of renting homes by workers is already more than the salary. Except this is addressed the nation will be in turmoil very soon,’ he said.

Olubunmi said: ‘As urban populations continue to swell, he urged the government and society to work together to create a housing system that ensures everyone, regardless of income, has access to decent living conditions.

‘The housing crisis in Nigeria is not an insurmountable problem. With the right policies, community involvement, and investment in sustainable development, Nigeria can create a future where affordable, decent housing is within reach for all its citizens.’

‘While the journey will be long and challenging, the collective effort of the government, the private sector, and citizens can pave the way for a more inclusive and affordable housing market in Nigeria’s cities,’ she said.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Information and Communication Technology and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salis, on Monday, disclosed that the federal government is set to lay 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic nationwide to enhance digital technology penetration and increase Gross Domestic Product

The lawmaker, representing Ogun Central in the National Assembly, said this while delivering a lecture on the theme, ‘The Future of Journalism : Navigating AI and Objective Reporting’, at the opening of the 2025 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, in Abeokuta.

Senator Salis said the laying of the fibre optic broadband nationwide would not be limited to the state and local governments alone, but would be spread to each ward of the federation.

He hinted that a number of studies have confirmed that any 10 per cent increase in fibre penetration in the country would lead to a minimum of two per cent increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.

‘The country is at the cusp of a revolution. In 1998/1999, when we liberalised the telecommunications sector, a number of organisations didn’t believe in the potential of Nigeria; they were asking questions: how many people would make phone calls in Nigeria? Particularly, we were transiting from an environment where we only had a government behemoth, NITEL. But what had happened? MTN, Airtel and a number of other organisations that took advantage of Nigeria, today, MTN, about a few weeks ago, we went to commission the biggest MTN Data Centre in Africa.

‘Twenty-five years down the line, we are about to have yet another revolution in our digital communication space.

‘This government under President Bola Tinubu is going to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic broadband across the country, not just in some states, not just in some local governments; there is no ward that will not have fibre optic presence.

‘A number of studies have confirmed that any 10 per cent increase in your fibre penetration in the country would lead to a minimum of two per cent increase in your GDP growth. So, just imagine if you deploy more technology. And it is very easy to fathom. Just imagine we have fibre optic in all our wards.’

The lawmaker revealed that one of the challenges of professional journalists in today’s world is that AI has the potential to increase the incidence of quackery.

While advocating that technology must be embedded in the curriculum for mass communication and journalism training.

‘The challenge for professional journalists is that AI also has the potential of increasing the incidence of quackery in the profession. So, what do we need to do? Our curriculum for the mass communication and journalism training institute must embed technology into the curriculum. It cannot be an afterthought or annexure; just like any discipline whatsoever, now, it must have technology embedded in it.

‘Secondly, for those already practising who have not had the opportunity of going back to school to learn, they must also have continuous capacity building and I’m going to partner with NUJ Ogun State Council on the deployment of technology and AI.

‘The third thing is that journalists must also self-regulate. I’m the Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, and we are in the process of repealing and enacting a new Cyber Crime Law in the country. There is always this tension between the freedom of expression and national security. But journalists, particularly professional journalists, whose training requires them to pass their news stories through many gatekeepers, now those gatekeepers may not be there physically again. But we must also ensure that we create the standards and code of conduct.

‘When people go online, they must know that this publication is being run by professional journalists rather than publications that are being run by those who are pretending to be journalists. Standardisation and self-regulation. There must also be professional differentiation. What do I mean by professional differentiation?

‘ If you use AI to generate a news item, and another user uses AI to generate the news item, we are likely to end up with the same content. But whereas if you are a true journalist, AI is an enabler, not a replacer. Therefore, you must also have professional differentiation.

‘People in the past, when they pick a news item, you can see that this is Olatunji Dare with a satire, you can see that this is Parallax Snaps by Dele Giwa. You can say this opinion poll was written by Stanley Macebuh. That professional differentiation is no longer there.

‘People can no longer say this is the writing style of somebody because we have deployed technology to the extent that it has replaced our professional differentiation,’ he added.

The Ogun State Head of Service, Mr Kehinde Onasanya, in his keynote address, emphasised the ethical dimension, while submitting that Nigeria lacks comprehensive regulatory norms that clarify how AI-generated content, such as images, audios and videos must be disclosed.

He, therefore, urged the leadership of the Union to publish a widely adopted code of practice to address AI.

In his speech, the Chairman of the council, Wale Olanrewaju, noted that the council had recorded milestones, progress and development in less than three years.

Olanrewaju stated that AI had changed the way news is gathered, processed and disseminated.

‘As a union, our responsibility is to prepare our members not just to adapt, but to lead in this new reality. We must ensure that technology enhances our credibility rather than diminishes it,’ he said.

The event’s panel discussion, moderated by Prof Dele Odunlami, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, featured Mr Kunle Durosimi, President, Ogun Tech Community and Registrar, West Midlands Open University and Mr Lekan Adeeko, AI Enthusiast and Co-founder Tedprime Hub.

The panel deliberated on the merits and demerits of using AI as journalists.

They urged journalists to be professional in the usage of AI in their write-ups, saying that AI should be used to promote national unity and cohesion and youths to innovate and harness technology to revolutionise Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Igbos have been called upon to commit to supporting ongoing efforts to end the insecurity ravaging parts of Igboland and forge a united front to be able to remain relevant in Nigeria’s polity.

The call was made during the 2025 Igbo Day Celebration, organised by the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in Awka, Anambra State Capital.

The celebration witnessed attendance by delegates from the seven Igbo-speaking states, including Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Delta, and Rivers state.

It had commenced with a Juma’at prayer at the Central Mosque in Awka last Friday, and a thanksgiving mass on Sunday, before proceeding to an Igbo Day lecture later same day.

The Igbo day celebration was also used to recognise and celebrate the sacrifices of past Igbo heroes, as well as those who were massacred on the 29th of September, 1966, in Kano, and those who died during the Nigerian civil war of 1967 to 1970.

Speaking at the celebration held at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka on Monday, Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, acknowledged that such a celebration was worth celebrating to serve as a reminder to Igbos, who are living in a society that recognises and honours sacrifices.

Soludo, who said the day should be a reminder to Ndigbo of the need to shun anything that will bring another war to the region, regretted that those craving for war never saw war and do not know the implications.

He also called for deep introspection by Igbos on who they are- an itinerant people, whose prosperity lies in their ability to move around and explore opportunities.

‘Igbos, as an itinerant tribe, cannot be an intolerant people. Our future lies in having a prosperous homeland, but also in being able to move around the world to explore opportunities.

‘Igbos are too large and cannot be confined to one geographical region. Igbos need Nigeria and Nigeria needs Igbos. We are major stakeholders in the Nigerian project,’ he noted.

Soludo regretted that in trying to agitate, Igbos have turned the guns on themselves, insisting that majority of those responsible for the insecurity in the Southeast as of today are mainly Igbos.

‘Igbos need to discuss their future importantly. Our bushes and forests were taken over by criminals pretending to be agitators for Ndigbo. The sit-at-home is not in our own best interest.

‘This event should usher in a new debate on what the future holds for Igboland. Ohaneze must stand and condemn the criminals in the bushes. They are not serving Igbos but are killing Igbos. More Igbos are dying in the hands of criminals in the bushes than those killed during the war.

‘We need social and moral rebirth. We must go back to the values of Ndigbo. I am eager that we can build a new Igboland, where life is valued and prosperity is guaranteed,’ he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, represented by the Deputy President-General of Ohanaeze, Okey Nwadinobi, said the theme of the event, ‘Ndigbo Onye Aghana Nwanne ya’ (Be your brother’s keeper), is central to the organization’s efforts to secure a united Igbo nation.

According to him, it compels the people to do what is right by themselves, in building an Igboland that will not be a desolate land but a destination choice.

Azutta-Mbatta, while noting that Igbos have done a lot for Nigeria, said the people deserve the best treatment in the country.

He also urged Ndigbo to support a united Nigeria that cares for everyone.

The Chairman, on the occasion, and Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, Senator Ned Nwoko, represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Ogbueshi Godfrey Odogwu, observed that Igbos have attained enviable heights in various spheres of human endeavors, attracting applause and recognition to the race.

He, however, noted that despite the plethora of achievements, the Igbos have not even scratched the surface of their potential, adding that the theme was well thought out to affirm the people’s resolve to continue to be one another’s keeper, in recognition of the strong bond of Igbo identity.

Nwoko urged Ndigbo to fight to protect their land, culture, and tradition, adding that Igbos must promote law and order to be able to achieve their manifest destiny.

He urged the Ohanaeze and the rest of the Igbo nation to support ongoing efforts to achieve the creation of Anioma State, as the 6th state of the southeast region and the 37th state of the federation, to end decades of marginalization and injustice against the Anioma people.

‘The actualization of the quest of Anioma State will amend the long overdue imbalance in the Nigerian regional structure.

‘Through our dogged efforts, the Bill for the creation of Anioma State has the support of over 90 out of the 109 Senators in the National Assembly, and we are now looking forward to the passage of the bill and a referendum to follow.

‘We plead with Ohanaeze to support this just cause,’ Nwoko pleaded.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the event and Anambra State President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, expressed appreciation to all who supported the event, noting that the unity of Ndigbo is non-negotiable.

Okpalaezeukwu commended the leadership of the Ohanaeze for the new direction it is taking in unifying all Igbos, describing it as the way to go if Ndigbo must gain relevance in the socio-political sphere of Nigeria.

The National Security and Development Group (NSDG), has backed the advocacy movements to end open grazing nationwide.

The Secretary of the group, Mr Chuks Oyema, made the declaration while briefing newsmen on the national security challenges, in Abuja.

Recall that Gen. Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff recently called for the ban of open grazing in the country.

Oyema said the defence chief had shown sincerity and courage by highlighting the dangers open grazing poses to lives, property, and national stability.

According to him, history will remember Gen. Musa for his sincerity on this issue.

‘He has spoken truth to power and offered a clear solution to one of Nigeria’s deadliest conflicts.

‘Open grazing has fuelled violent clashes between herders and farmers, leaving thousands dead and worsening food insecurity,’ he said.

Citing data from Nextier’s Violent Conflict Database, Oyema said that 2,349 people were killed in 359 incidents linked to open grazing between 2020 and 2024.

He added that the statistics showed that 61 incidents left 467 people dead in 2024 alone with no fewer than 2,800 lives lost in the last five years to related violence.

Oyema also pointed to the International Crisis Group’s findings, which described herder-farmer clashes as escalating into ‘premeditated scorched-earth campaigns’ against rural communities.

He added that the CDS’ call aligned with earlier positions by Sen. Mohammed Sani, Northern Governors, civil society groups like ASCAB, and security analysts who have all urged Nigeria to adopt ranching.

The group’s scribe noted that both the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger, have called for legislation and sensitisation to drive ranching as a viable alternative.

He urged the National Assembly to urgently enact laws banning open grazing nationwide and to strengthen enforcement of existing state-level legislation.

‘Food security is being undermined when herders destroy farmlands. Farmers are abandoning their livelihood in Nigeria.

‘The result is hunger, job losses, and insecurity.

‘We must do the right thing now. Ranching is the way forward – for peace, for security, and for food sustainability,’ he said.

As part of activities marking their 40th reunion anniversary, members of the Loyola College Old Students Association, Ibadan, have inaugurated series of developmental projects in the school.

The projects which were part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and giving back to their alma mater included construction of a borehole; renovated some sections of the school; installed a solar panel system and reconstruction of the food shed of the school as well as donation of notebooks to over 500 students.

The members dressed in their respective school uniforms, chanting their school anthem in unison, with their palms clung to their hearts.

In a week-long event in commemorating their Ruby Jubilee, the ‘G85’ Set held a public lecture with the theme: ‘The menace of drug abuse among students’, delivered by Professor Jubril Abdulmalik, a consultant psychiatrist and founder, Aside Foundation.

Speaking to over 500 Students, Prof. Abdulmalik highlighted the danger in taking drugs students, stressing that engaging in such practice damages the brain.

He stated that the commonest challenges with adolescents are anxiety, depression, drug abuse and suicidal behaviours.

This, he said, may be caused by loneliness and peer pressure influence, which are major factors.

He appealed to the students not to be involved in drugs as it destroys life and shortens one’s lifespan.

The chairman, planning committee of the event, Chief Adewale Oyewo, appreciated the members particularly those who came from the USA, UK, Canada and other parts of the continent to attend the event.

Oyewo said the G85 Set illuminated the school when it started two years ago and completed the final phase of the project to commemorate the Ruby Jubilee celebration.

In continuation of the anniversary, a dinner and award ceremony was held at Koltol Hotel and Suites, Ibadan, where it honoured the teachers who impacted knowledge in them, and sharpened their lives into what they have become.

President of the ‘G85’ Set in his speech, Prof. Babatunde Adedibu, said their Ruby Jubilee celebration was a landmark occasion, as it has been 40 years of testament to endurance, friendship, shared memories, and the transformative power of education.