Category: The Nation – Nigeria

I was the pioneer State Youth Leader of the PDP from 1998 to 2008, and later served as the party’s Vice Chairman from 2016 to 2024. What happened was a huge disappointment to us. The PDP gave Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah the ticket, campaigned for him, defended his mandate, and stood by him through thick and thin – even under the rain and sun, we stayed at INEC to ensure our victory was protected.

But the appreciation he showed to the PDP – the party that made him governor – was to defect to the APC. And mind you, that defection was not an impromptu decision. It had been in the works for a considerable amount of time.

From the beginning, Governor Mbah was never really a party man. He wasn’t part of the PDP’s formation. He joined in 2003 when Governor Chimaroke Nnamani appointed him Chief of Staff, and later Commissioner for Finance. After 2007, following his encounter with the EFCC, he relocated to Lagos and focused on his oil business.

From that time until 2022, he remained inactive in Enugu politics – neither in his ward, local government, nor at the state level. He used the PDP as a vehicle for power, not as a home. But we built this party from the ground up – since August 30, 1998 – and no one can destroy what they didn’t build.

The PDP in Enugu remains intact, strong, and formidable.

Do you agree with the reasons the governor gave for leaving the PDP?

Not at all. His plan didn’t start today. After winning the election, he never visited the wards, local governments, or even the party secretariat to thank members. He never held a single meeting with the party’s leadership at any level.

His appointments also exposed his mindset – he sidelined party loyalists who toiled for him and filled key positions with technocrats. Governance needs professionals, yes, but politics also rewards loyalty. Party work is serious business – if you invest, you should reap.

Instead, he treated the PDP as disposable. But we are not shaken. The so-called crowd at Okpara Square during the defection rally was largely hired. Many people told me they were brought in early in the morning and left hungry till evening. After the rally, there was no traffic jam – a clear sign it wasn’t a genuine grassroots event.

So, there are still prominent PDP members who didn’t defect and are ready to rebuild the party?

Absolutely. I chair the Enugu State PDP Stakeholders Forum, and from day one, we appealed to him not to leave. We told him that if his problem was with anyone – be it Nyesom Wike or Sam Anyanwu – we could mediate. Wike is not a spirit; he’s human. If it’s a misunderstanding, we could resolve it.

But the truth is, Governor Mbah’s decision wasn’t about party issues. It was personal.

The governor said his defection was to ‘connect Enugu to the centre’ for the state’s benefit. Do you buy that argument?

That’s just political rhetoric. Anyone looking for an excuse to make a controversial move will always find one.

What ‘connection to the centre’ are we talking about? Elections are barely a year away if the proposed electoral reforms take effect. What can he possibly achieve within that time? Ebonyi is already connected to the centre – do they have two ministers? The answer is no.

Connecting to the centre has become a deceptive slogan. Governor Mbah’s defection is personal. Don’t forget he once joined other governors to sue the EFCC. When that failed, he recalibrated. Initially, the APC wasn’t even his first choice – he considered the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and later the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) before settling for the APC, mainly to protect personal interests.

But Enugu people are not deceived. They are feeling the pinch of his policies – rising taxes, higher rents, incomplete infrastructure. Where is the water project he promised in 180 days? Now it’s two years later, and we’re still waiting. Even the Austrian contractor fled.

Most of his so-called technocrats are disconnected from reality. His government is isolated – even his few political appointees have been sidelined. Imagine the Secretary to the State Government saying he doesn’t know his ward!

So, you’re saying the PDP is already rebuilding?

Yes, we have started rebuilding. The grassroots remain solidly PDP. Those who left are mostly appointees – House of Assembly members, commissioners, aides – people dependent on government patronage. But the real party structure is intact.

Let him go with his followers; we are reorganising from the wards upward. The local government and general elections will prove a point. We’ll field credible, grassroots candidates who can look voters in the eye and say, ‘Here’s what I’ve done.’

You mentioned there will be a crisis. What kind of crisis?

Not in the PDP – our house is in order. The crisis will be in the APC. Why? Because the governor is entering a party where structures already exist. APC members who contested elections and lost are patiently waiting for 2027. Now, he’s bringing in an entire team of defectors – House of Assembly members, Reps, senators – all eyeing tickets. Who will the party favour?

He’s already fighting APC leaders like Ugochukwu Agballah. His allies even stormed their meeting venue and destroyed canopies. How do you enter a party by breaking its structure? That’s a recipe for chaos.

The APC’s crisis has already started in Enugu. Ben Nwoye doesn’t know where he stands; Agballah is in court, and those who attended the defection rally say they haven’t been called for any meeting since. The calm you see in Enugu today is deceptive – it’s the calm before the storm.

Governor Mbah claimed 80 per cent of PDP executives defected with him. How do you respond?

That’s insignificant. Even if 80 per cent of executives left, they don’t represent the grassroots. Most of them were handpicked during congresses that were conducted in Government House. Many went with him simply because he appointed them.

The real PDP – the members who built this party from 1998 – are still here. We are reorganising and holding our meetings as usual. We are waiting for guidance from the national leadership, but we are not folding our hands.

Let me tell you: it will not be Uhuru for the APC in Enugu. Governor Mbah may have called the whole Southeast to Okpara Square, but none of them mentioned Nnamdi Kanu or the plight of Igbo traders whose shops were demolished in Lagos. And he says he’s connecting to the centre?

That’s not a connection – that’s a journey to nowhere.

First City Monument Bank (FCMB), a subsidiary of FCMB Group Plc, has launched a new feature on its Mobile App that allows customers to open investment accounts and invest directly in mutual funds managed by FCMB Asset Management, the Group’s wealth creation arm.

This development marks another significant step in FCMB Group’s ongoing digital transformation, a strategy focused on integrating all its business verticals into a single, full-service financial ecosystem that empowers customers to bank, invest, and grow wealth seamlessly.

With the new in-app investment feature, customers can now access FCMB Asset Management’s range of mutual funds – including the low-risk Legacy Money Market Fund, the growth-oriented Legacy Equity Fund, the predominantly local-currency bond-holding Legacy Debt Fund, and the Legacy USD Bond Fund for dollar-denominated investments. These options cater to different risk appetites and financial goals, from short-term liquidity to long-term capital appreciation or steady income generation.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director, First City Monument Bank, said:

‘What we are building goes beyond digital convenience. It is about creating a connected ecosystem where banking, payments, and investments work together to serve customers’ broader financial needs. By integrating mutual funds into the FCMB Mobile App, we extend that ecosystem, enabling customers to move seamlessly from saving to investing within one trusted platform.’

Commenting, James Ilori, Chief Executive Officer, FCMB Asset Management Limited, said:

‘Our mission is to democratise access to investment opportunities and make wealth creation simple and inclusive. By bringing mutual funds to the FCMB Mobile App, we enable anyone, anywhere, to start investing confidently and build sustainable financial futures.’

The integration of mutual fund services into the FCMB Mobile App aligns with FCMB Group’s broader goal of creating a digitally inclusive financial ecosystem that connects banking, investment, and asset management under one trusted platform to drive long-term value for individuals and communities.

Customers can download or update the FCMB Mobile App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store today to begin investing.

Bukola Faleke, a prominent figure in the fashion industry and the wife of Honourable James Abiodun Faleke, the representative for Ikeja Federal Constituency, has taken her passion for fashion to new heights with the grand opening of her upscale fashion hub, Chic and Style Emporium Mall. This elegant store is strategically located on the bustling Osho Street, just off the Opebi link bridge in Onigbongbo LCDA, Ikeja, Lagos. The much-anticipated opening ceremony took place on Sunday, October 19, 2025, attracting a star-studded guest list of influential personalities and fashion enthusiasts from across Lagos, all eager to support this exciting new venture.

This latest addition to her fashion empire comes just over a year after Bukola launched her impressive six-floor fashion hub on Ogunusi Road, directly opposite Omole Phase 1 estate, on April 7, 2024. That initial store showcased a stunning array of women’s and children’s apparel, capturing the attention of both loyal customers and new clients alike. The grand opening of this establishment was a remarkable event, highlighted by the presence of the wife of the Ogun State Governor, Bamidele Abiodun, who performed the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, marking the official inauguration of the store and the beginning of a new chapter for the established fashion brand, which has been thriving for over 15 years.

Bukola, often referred to as Yeye Atunlushe-Akorede of Ikeja, has long been a recognized name in fashion and lifestyle circles. Her journey in the industry began with her involvement in beauty pageants and facial advertisements for leading brands, which helped her build a foundation of expertise and glamour. Her remarkable taste and innate sense of style have made her a beacon of sophistication in the fashion community, and her husband’s support has only amplified her influence in the scene.

As she opens her latest store, Bukola continues to solidify her position as a trendsetter and a formidable force in the ever-evolving world of fashion.

Some Niger Delta kinsmen of former President Goodluck Jonathan have urged him not to run for president in 2027.

They enjoined the former leader to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu instead.

Prominent Niger Delta ex-militant commander, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) is the arrowhead of the group persuading Dr. Jonathan to jettison his bid.

The ex-militant commander, who has visited the former President in his native Otuoke, Bayelsa State, last week, said the public mood does not support his aspiration.

The visit was Tompolo’s second public appearance in over a decade. He was accompanied by the Managing Director of his oil pipelines surveillance company, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), Chief Kestin Pondi, and the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general election in Bayelsa State, Joshua Maciver.

Sources said Tompolo told Dr. Jonathan that the psyche of his kinsmen in the Niger Delta was unfavourable to his rumoured ambition of returning to power.

Tompolo, who is the convener and founder of the ‘PBAT-Door-2-Door, also explained to him that his kinsmen were largely in favour of President Tinubu’s second term bid.

He said Dr. Jonathan may not secure the ‘home support’ if he insisted on running for president on the platform of any political party.

According to the sources, Tompolo impressed it upon Jonathan to support President Tinubu in the spirit of continuity. Tompolo urged former President Jonathan to borrow a leaf from his wife, Dr Patience, and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, who had joined the movement for the re-election of the President in 2027.

The sources also said the interests of the South, comprising the Southwest, the Southeast, and the Southsouth, should be considered.

‘Tompolo said the recent resignation of Diri from main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his anticipated defection into APC had made it imperative for Dr. Jonathan to team up with his team to ensure the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027.

A source said: ‘Tompolo came to see His Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan, in his village, Otuoke, on Friday, October 16 in what was a happy reunion since they have not met in over one decade. Contrary to the reports in the conventional and social media that they discussed issues bordering on peace and security in the Niger Delta, far from that, the meeting was political.

‘Tompolo came and unequivocally appealed to him to shelve his rumoured presidential bid in 2027. Although Tompolo acknowledged that the ambition is coming into the public space as mere rumours, but he told Mr. President that he should shelve the idea if it’s true.’

‘Tompolo advised our leader not to be persuaded and not to give in to those political calculations that he could unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections. He stated categorically that the psyche of the citizens of the Niger Delta and indeed of the majority of Nigerians favoured the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2927.’

‘He made President Jonathan to understand that he won’t get the much-needed home support for his aspiration. He specifically pointed out the recent public statement made by his wife, Patience, endorsing President Tinubu for re-election and the recent resignation of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, from PDP and his planned defection to APC, as having diminished him.’

‘Tompolo told his host that nobody can defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a free and fair electoral contest in view of his superlative performance in less than 3 years in office. He said most reasonable and right-thinking Nigerians want President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to continue in office beyond 2027 to enable him to continue in the saddle till 2031.’

‘Consequently, he enjoined President Jonathan to join the vanguard for the re-election of Tinubu in 2027, that a contrary action will surely not going to be in his interest and in the overall interest of his people of the Niger Delta.’

‘He further counselled that former President Goodluck Jonathan does not have to defect to APC, that he can remain a statesman to work and deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term of office,’ added the source, who craved anonymity.

Another source at the meeting said Dr. Jonathan, who listened to his guest with rapt attention, promised to consider his advice.

According to him, Jonathan acknowledged wisdom in his submissions.

He said: ‘President Goodluck Jonathan appreciated Tompolo for his visit and acknowledged his wise counsel on the political permutations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

‘President Jonathan promised to review his counsel and make public his decisions in the future.’

Tompolo did not address reporters after the visit.

But Dr. Jonathan, who addressed reporters afterwards, said Tompolo visited him to review the prevailing peace in the region.

He said: ‘Since I left office, we have not seen each other. Tompolo is one young man, who has played a key role in the unity of our people.

‘There are issues people have been complaining about, so I decided to ask him so that we can have conversations to ensure the Niger Delta remains peaceful. He (Tompolo) has contributed significantly to the peace and the protection of oil installations.’

Governors of the 36 States have expressed support for ongoing efforts by the Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to restore price stability and strengthen confidence in the nation’s economy.

The Governors made this known after a briefing on the issue by the Deputy Governor (Economic Policy) of the CBN, Dr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, who represented the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso at the fifth meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) held in Abuja on Thursday night.

The Governors, in a communique by the NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, commended the leadership of the Department of State Services (DSS) for its proactive engagement with the sub-national authorities.

They assured of their commitment to deepen intelligence sharing and collaboration with federal security agencies to enhance peace and stability across the states.

The communiqué reads: ‘We, members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), at our meeting held today, deliberated on issues affecting the country.

‘The forum received a presentation from the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, represented by the Deputy Governor (Economic Policy) Dr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, on the bank’s ongoing stabilization efforts to restore price stability and strengthen confidence in the economy.

‘The briefing highlighted recent policy measures, including the tightening of monetary policy, unification of exchange rate windows, and recapitalisation of banks, to curb inflation, enhance liquidity management, and consolidate macroeconomic stability.

‘Governors commended the CBN’s coordinated approach with fiscal authorities and underscored the importance of sustained collaboration to safeguard growth and state fiscal sustainability.

‘The rorum received a presentation from the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi on emerging security threats and intelligence-led strategies to strengthen subnational coordination.

‘The briefing focused on countering violent extremism, managing inter-communal tensions, and addressing security risks linked to economic hardship and political transition.

‘Governors expressed appreciation to the DSS for its proactive engagement and reiterated their commitment to deepen intelligence sharing and collaboration with federal security agencies to enhance peace and stability across the states.

‘The forum noted that the Reserved Seats for Women Bill (HB1349) will be voted on between November 4-6, 2025.

‘The Bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to create special constituencies exclusively contested by women in the National and State Assemblies as a temporary measure to enhance gender representation.

‘Governors were urged to engage their Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, and State Assemblies to support the Bill’s passage and affirm Nigeria’s commitment to equity and inclusive governance.’

United Kingdom-based Nigerian artist Dapo Aiyegbusi aka Daayuur, has broken his silence having been quiet for some time on his music and career.

Breaking the silence, the dark-skinned, lanky Daayuur, an Afropop artist, admitted his silence but assured his silence is not out of being careless about his craft and his fans but a move in the interest of his craft and his teeming fans. Daayuur dismissed all kinds of meaning that have been adduced to his temporary absence.

The Afropop singer, during a chat, revealed he’s been doing so in order to improve on his craft to serve his fans better. He added that he’s been working on new projects, which have seen him make trips to different destinations and work with various music experts to achieve perfection with the project at hand.

‘It’s true that I have been quiet for some time, but all is for good. I have actually been working on a new project. I have a few singles that are being cooked, and the making has made me travel to different places as well as work with a number of great hands,’ Daayuur said.

He added that he would still want to keep information about the project under wraps but hinted that the project might be announced before or by the end of Christmas and New Year period festivities.

A model, entrepreneur, and musician, Daayuur has been among the top artists in the United Kingdom who thrill music lovers with nice tunes at major events, particularly in the Black communities for a couple of years. Some of the songs to his credit include ‘She Carry,’ ‘You Bad,’ ‘Obi,’ and ‘African Woman,’ among others.

The 25,000 -capacity Stade de Kégué in the Togolese capital, Lome is venue for Friday’s 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying fixture, first leg match between 10-time champions Nigeria and their Beninese counterparts, known as Amazons, with the Cup holders seeking a comfortable win that will render the return leg in Nigeria on Tuesday a mere formality.

Head Coach Justine Madugu has a total of 19 players available for the encounter, and has promised his squad will go all out for the goals that will earn it the ticket to a defence of the title won in Morocco this summer. The Kingdom of Morocco will also host next year’s house party, where all semi-finalists will collect automatic qualification tickets to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil.

‘We have a team that will go out there and make us proud. Yes, we would have loved to have Jennifer (Echegini) but we do not and we can only pray for her to recover quickly.

‘On Friday, we will go out and play our game and seek the goals that will put us in a good stead ahead of the return leg.’

With Echegini out, Madugu is likely to opt for US-based impresario Deborah Abiodun to start, alongside captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Christy Ucheibe in the middle, with Chiamaka Nnadozie (one of the best goalkeepers in the world) marshalling a defence-line of Michelle Alozie, Tosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale and Ashley Plumptre.

In the fore, Madugu has Esther Okoronkwo (doubtless one of Nigeria’s impact players at this year’s Women AFCON), the push-full Chinwendu Ihezuo, six-time Africa Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, new-face Joy Omewa and China-based Folashade Ijamilusi, who was also a delight as Nigeria won a tenth AFCON title in Morocco this summer.

Gambian official Ngum Fatou will be the referee of the encounter that begins at 3pm Togo time (4pm Nigeria time).

SUPER FALCONS TO FACE AMAZONS:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove and Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Abia Angels)

Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint Germain, France); Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels); Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)

Forwards: Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjorrin FC, Denmark); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens).

The Police Service Commission (PSC) yesterday promised to investigate allegations of bribery and abuse of office levelled against an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Emmanuel Aina.

Protesters, under the aegis of the Centre for Human Rights and Advocacy in Africa Network, stormed the PSC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, demanding a thorough probe into the police officer’s conduct.

The demonstrators, who wielded placards with various inscriptions, accused AIG Aina of gross misconduct and urged the commission to take a decisive action.

In a petition, CHRAAN said: ‘Sometimes in 2024, one Asabe Waziri, a staff member of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limted (NNPCL), who was evicted by FCT High Court judgment from two blocks of flats in a property in Maitama, Abuja, was forcefully brought back to the flats by AIG Aina Emmanuel, using some officers like CSP Francis (FCID).

‘AIG Emmanuel Aina, in spite of his knowledge of a court order restraining Asabe Waziri from trespassing into the property and flats and a motion for stay of execution filed in respect of a Court of Appeal’s judgment against Asabe Waziri, in the Supreme Court.

‘It’s our complaint that AIG Aina vowed to return Asabe Waziri into the flats, using intimidation of the counsel to the property owner, Giwa Victor Esq, a human rights lawyer, whom he arrested and detained twice between June and July 2024 in order to unlawfully gain access to the property at No. 1, Mekong close, Maitama, Abuja.

‘Asabe Waziri and Abeh Signature Apartment, the owner of the property, had a dispute, which resulted in court action, that finally led to the property owner obtaining judgment in its favour against Asabe Waziri. The judgment was finally enforced against Asabe Waziri and she was vacated from the property.

‘Asabe appealed against the judgement to the court of appeal, her appeal succeeded in March 2024 and the property owner appealed against her judgment to the Supreme Court. A motion for stay of execution and Notice of Appeal to the Supreme Court was filed, all against Asabe’s Court of Appeal Judgement.

‘Shockingly, AIG Aina, knowing that this was a matter that was still subsisting in court, still went ahead to break into the flats forcefully and brought Asabe Waziri into the flats. According to the AIG, he wanted Asabe to be in the property while the case is going on in the Supreme Court.

‘It’s our complaint that AIG Aina vowed to return Asabe Waziri into the flats, using intimidation of the counsel to the property owner, Giwa Victor Esq, a human rights lawyer, whom he arrested and detained twice between June and July 2024 in order to unlawfully gain access to the property at No. 1, Mekong close, Maitama, Abuja.

‘Asabe Waziri and Abeh Signature Apartment, the owner of the property, had a dispute, which resulted in court action, that finally led to the property owner obtaining judgment in its favour against Asabe Waziri. The judgment was finally enforced against Asabe Waziri and she was vacated from the property.

‘Asabe appealed against the judgement to the court of appeal, her appeal succeeded in March 2024 and the property owner appealed against her judgment to the Supreme Court. A motion for stay of execution and Notice of Appeal to the Supreme Court was filed, all against Asabe’s Court of Appeal Judgement.

‘Shockingly, AIG Aina, knowing that this was a matter that was still subsisting in court, still went ahead to break into the flats forcefully and brought Asabe Waziri into the flats. According to the AIG, he wanted Asabe to be in the property while the case is going on in the Supreme Court.

Real Housewives of Lagos star, Mariam Timmer and Real Housewives of Abuja star, Princess will be joining other Real Housewives stars from Durban, Johannesburg and Nairobi for the Showmax Original reality series, ‘The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa.’

‘The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa,’ according to a recent statement from Showmax, brings together some of the most unforgettable women from across the continent for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Brazil.

The sizzling spin-off follows the success of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: South Africa, one of Showmax’s most-watched series in 2024.

Now the drama, glamour and sisterhood reach new heights as Housewives from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa jet off for a new chapter in Brazil.

Set to premiere on Showmax on Friday, November 28, 2025, the Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa is produced by GOAT Productions, the creative force behind Showmax Originals Unfollowed, Untied, and the South African Film and Television Award-winning Life With Kelly Khumalo Season 3.

Also coming on board for the show are the Real Housewives of Durban stars, Annie Mthembu, Angel Ndlela and Jojo Robinson. Annie starred in Seasons 1 to 3, Angel joined in Season 4 and continued to shine in Season 5, while Jojo, who came on board in Season 2, has featured in four consecutive seasons, making her the most seasoned Housewife in the line-up.

Flying the Johannesburg flag high are Madam Evodia Mogase and Christall Kay, two of the OGs who helped launch the African Housewives phenomenon and became its first breakout stars in Africa.

Madam Evodia brought her signature glamour and unfiltered energy to Season 1, while Christall made her mark in the debut season, returned for the long-awaited Season 2, and won hearts again in last year’s hit The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: South Africa, cementing her status as the ultimate comeback queen.

From Nairobi, Kenya’s Dr Catherine Masitsa, known as Dr C, and Zena Nyambu bring East African flair and sophistication. Dr C has featured in both Seasons 1 and 2, while Zena joined as a full-time Housewife in Season 2, quickly becoming a fan favourite.

‘Our audiences have embraced The Real Housewives franchise with incredible enthusiasm, and this edition builds on that connection in a fresh and exciting way,’ said Atinuke Babatunde, Executive Head, Channels and Content West Africa at MultiChoice. ‘With The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa, we are telling stories that reflect our shared experiences while celebrating African women and the rich diversity of the continent.’

The continual refusal of hospitals in Nigeria to accept and treat gunshot victims and accident victims without a police report should be stopped as a matter of national priority. Urgent treatment should be given to victims, while the Nigerian Police Force is immediately alerted and the police report is secured. This is to save lives and avoidable life-threatening injuries of victims, which should no longer be the case in Nigeria.

The refusal of such emergency treatments by hospitals is despite the approval given two years ago, by the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force (IGP), Mr. Kayode A. Egbetokun, in October 2023, that all accident and gunshot victims should be provided with prompt and compassionate treatments at hospitals without a Police report.

This is especially given the fact that the IGP’s approval is in line with the enforcement of the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017, which stipulates that all healthcare practitioners should prioritize the immediate care and stabilization of such patients based on the criticality of the timeliness of medical intervention in saving lives.

The Need for Enforcement of the Existing Law:

However, it is worth noting that the above-mentioned Act does not cover accident victims. In addition, despite the existence of the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshot Act, which was signed into law in 2017, hospitals and medical practitioners still turn their backs not just on gunshot victims, but also on accident victims that need urgent medical attention. Interestingly, so far, there have not been any consequences of refusal of hospitals or medical practitioners to comply with the provisions of that law, which would have sent the signals that compliance is key. Also important is the fact that the majority of Nigerians are not even aware that such a law exists, so that they can take legal action against hospitals or medical practitioners that refuse to comply with the law. Because the Act is very clear with regard to non-compliance, for example:

Section 9 of the Act stipulates that, ‘A person who commits an offense under this act, which leads to or causes substantial physical, mental and emotional damage to the victim, commits an offense and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not more than 15 years and not less than 5 years without the option of fine’.

Section 11 of the Act also stipulates that; ‘Any person or authority, including any police officer, other security agent or hospital who stands by and fails to perform his duty under this act which results in the unnecessary death of any person with gunshot wounds, commits an offense and is liable to a fine of N500,000.00 or imprisonment of a term of 5 years, or both’

The above sections are germane to the consequences of non-compliance with the law, when and if not applied. Therefore, the IGP’s approvals also require follow-up actions that will ensure the sensitization of the public about the existence of this law on one hand and the enforcement of the law on the other hand; otherwise, the IGP’s directive will remain rhetoric. In the case of the bad/ wicked medical practitioners, there should be consequences for refusing to give treatment in such accident emergencies.

Therefore, I urge the IGP, Minister of Information and National Orientation, the Ministers of Health, other relevant agencies of Government, Civil Society Organizations, other critical stakeholders to embark on massive sensitization of the public all over the Country to know about the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017, its provisions and action process of ensuring that the law works for the people.

Urgent Need for Legislation on Protection of Accident Victims

There is a gap in the Act, of the non-inclusion of Accident victims or the non-enactment of a law to cover accident victims, which should also be addressed as a matter of national priority.

As it is today in Nigeria, there are no prudential guidelines or laws that guide the actions of medical practitioners and hospitals with regard to the treatment of accident victims without a Police report. Even when the Police report is presented (mostly after long and difficult processes), during which a lot of lives are lost, the hospitals are either rightly or wrongly reluctant to treat such emergencies with the dispatch and respect they deserve. In some pathetic cases, the hospitals outrightly refuse to provide such interventions to Nigerians and indeed any other person who requires urgent medical attention, which is against their professional oath and code of conduct.

It is worthy of note that there are currently no laws that assist medical practitioners to treat such critical accident emergencies without fear of negative consequences from the Police or other law enforcement/ security agencies.

Therefore, I am of the opinion that the gap can be catered for in the interim by a Presidential intervention using an Executive Order. This will place a high premium on human lives.

To the Doctors, Nurses, and Other Medical Practitioners:

The attitude of some of you should change. The majority of our medical practitioners have a high sense of empathy, compassion, duty, and professionalism. I have come across great Doctors, Nurses, and medical practitioners in Nigeria who practice with a high sense of responsibility, professionalism, humanity, and fear of God. But, sadly, there are also some horrible Doctors, Nurses, and medical practitioners, and what is worrisome is that the number of these wicked practitioners is increasing daily. I hope that the Nigerian Medical Association and other professional organizations in the health sector will deal decisively with the bad ones amongst them in order to fully restore/ sustain, and upscale the respect of this noble profession.

Full immunity and protection should be given to first responders, hospitals, doctors, and all medical practitioners who provide any form of intervention to save the lives of accident and gunshot victims. In other Countries, such people and/ or establishments are heroes, but in Nigeria, in many cases, kind and honorable people mostly end up being treated as criminals, or aiders and abettors of criminals, fugitives/ suspects, and may even face prosecution simply because they followed their basic instincts and tenets of attempting to help and save lives. The situation is so bad that people simply drive by or walk by victims of accidents or gunshot wounds, because of the fear of dire consequences. Those people who want to help but are not able to do so, out of fear of negative repercussions, are also impacted because most of them become permanently psychologically scarred by the horror of the flashes of the bodies and faces of the victims they abandoned while in need of urgent help. Most of such well-intentioned/ well-meaning people live the rest of their lives struggling with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), which manifests in so many horrible mental and physical ways. We should not allow such sordid situations to continue by acting swiftly and properly. After all, nobody knows the situation he/ she or their loved ones may someday find themselves in.

Hence, Civil Society Organizations and all well-meaning Nigerians should play key roles of sponsoring relevant bills, supporting the bills, attending public hearings and making contributions, passing laws, and ultimately signing into law the laws that will give more legal backing and effect to this critical need to save the lives of accident victims to avoid avoidable loss of lives and livelihoods.

A humble request and advocacy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for an Executive Order:

Your Excellency, Mr. President, with profound respect, and on behalf of Nigerians, I seek that succor can come by way of an Executive Order, as a critical interim measure, pending a full process of legislation, for doctors, medical practitioners, and hospitals to accept and treat accident victims without a police report.

Provisions could be embedded in the Executive Order, such that criminals, fugitives, or suspects should be treated, while ensuring that relevant agencies of government move swiftly to ensure that justice is still done after the provision of the treatment. For example, in the case of accident victims who are not covered by the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshot Act of 2017; as soon as victims are received, a prudential guideline should be activated to inform all the relevant law enforcement agencies, for example, the Nigerian Police Force so that if the patient is a suspect or crime or criminality or a wanted criminal, he/ she will be arrested and secured in the hospital, while treatment/ medical intervention is being provided, and he/she faces prosecution after discharge from the hospital or facility and continue with case of persecution. Other risk management mechanisms could be provided in the guidelines to ensure that criminals or terrorists are not given cover to escape justice.

Thank you, Mr. President.