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A wanted Nigerian man identified as Ikechukwu N. has been arrested in Argentina over alleged multiple romance scams involving thousands of women and leading an international cybercrime network.

The arrest, disclosed on Tuesday by INTERPOL via X account, was carried out as part of Operation Jackal, an INTERPOL-coordinated initiative targeting West African organised criminal groups.

According to INTERPOL, Ikechukwu’s arrest marked Argentina’s first arrest of a most wanted #RedNotice fugitive who is also on the list of the international police via its Silver Notice project.

The statement explained that the Silver Notice project, which had its pilot launched in January 2025, aims at helping countries trace and recover criminal assets.

The post read, ‘Argentine ???? authorities have captured Nigerian national Ikechukwu N. ????, marking the country’s first arrest of a #RedNotice fugitive who was also the subject of an INTERPOL Silver Notice.

‘The suspect is accused of orchestrating multiple romance scams involving thousands of women, and leading an international cybercrime network.

‘The arrest was part of Operation Jackal, an INTERPOL-coordinated initiative targeting West African organized criminal groups. It was carried out by @PFAOficial and @seguridadpsa, with support from IFCACC, FIS, and INTERPOL Brazil.

‘The Silver Notice pilot project, launched in January 2025, aims to help countries trace and recover criminal assets.’

ýThe Rotary Club of Ibadan Pathfinder, on Monday, donated a brand-new sewing machine to a local tailor in need, as part of its economic empowerment initiative.

ýThe beneficiary, Mr. AbdulRaman Alao, popularly known as Tasere, had been working with a rented sewing machine for several years.

ýThe donation took place at Dugbe Market, Ibadan, where members of the club gathered to present the gift.

ýSpeaking at the event, the President of the club, Rotarian Mojibola Babalola, said the gesture was part of Rotary’s commitment to community service and economic development.

ý’Rotary is a humanitarian service organization with a presence in over 119 countries around the world. Before we give out any item, we usually carry out an assessment,’ Babalola explained. ‘Our immediate past president, Rotarian Femi Joseph, discovered that Mr. Alao had been using a borrowed sewing machine that was worn out and later retrieved by its owner. When we learned he could no longer work because of that, we decided to step in and empower him with a new machine.’

ýShe added that the donation coincided with Rotary’s Economic and Community Development Month, which focuses on initiatives that enhance livelihoods and promote self-reliance.

ý’Rotary digs wells we don’t drink from and plants trees we may never sit under,’ Babalola said. ‘This is the spirit of service that defines who we are. We encourage more people to join us in making a difference.’

ýShe also advised the beneficiary to make good use of the equipment and, in turn, give back to the community when he can.

ýIn his remarks, Mr. Alao expressed profound gratitude to the club, saying he would ‘forever be thankful’ to the Rotary Club of Ibadan Pathfinder for ‘putting bread on his table.’

ýThe immediate past president, Rotarian Femi Joseph, also urged Alao to maintain the machine properly and use it to build a sustainable means of livelihood.

As cyber threats grow in scale and sophistication, early-stage startups are increasingly finding themselves in the crosshairs of global attackers.

In response, OpenSource in Cybersecurity, a non-profit cybersecurity initiative created to help early-stage startup without enough resources to buy cybersecurity services, is emerging as a crucial ally to early startup founders, offering vital cybersecurity support and guidance to early-stage founders at no cost.

Speaking with the founder, Mr Jamiu Olamilekan Akande, he described this support as social innovation support for early-stage founders to protect them against global cyber threat because he strongly believes early-stage startup founders are the builder of our world and deserve all the support, they can get to build a better world for all.

With limited budgets and lean teams, startups across Africa, Europe, and beyond often struggle to keep pace with the rapidly evolving threat landscape.

OpenSource in Cybersecurity steps in to bridge this gap, providing founders with access to enterprise-grade security resources and mentorship, all powered by a global network of volunteers.

The impact of the work being done by OpenSource In Cybersecurity is globally felt as we support early-stage startups from Lagos or London, our priority is to support those early-stage startups that require such support, said the founder.

He also mentioned they are unable to help founder that has become profitable or has raised large investment fund based on our terms of service as explain on their website, our focus is to help those without resources to get the paid services in the market.

By leveraging the power of open-source solutions, OpenSource in Cybersecurity is able to deliver robust, enterprise-level protection without the burden of licensing fees or complex contracts.

Founders benefit from step-by-step setup help, ongoing mentorship, and a supportive global community-all designed to make advanced cybersecurity accessible to even the smallest teams.

As remote work and AI-driven threats introduce new vulnerabilities, the need for accessible, high-quality cybersecurity has never been greater. OpenSource in Cybersecurity is expanding its mission, inviting founders and volunteers worldwide to join the movement and help build a safer, more resilient startup ecosystem as a way to improve our world and protect the early builders from global cyber threats.

Early-stage founders building innovative solutions and facing resource constraints are encouraged to seek free cybersecurity support from OpenSource in Cybersecurity, volunteers who believe in supporting early-stage startups can apply as well to help us support the founders.

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday moved to impose a 10-year ban on international passports of Nigerians convicted of crimes overseas.

The proposal, sponsored by Senator Abubakar Bello (Niger North), seeks to amend the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act as part of ongoing legislative efforts to restore Nigeria’s global image.

Leading the debate on behalf of the sponsor, Senator Onawo Ogwoshi (Nasarawa South) described the bill as both ‘punitive and deterrent,’ noting that it was necessary to protect the integrity of the Nigerian passport and discourage criminal activities abroad.

‘Innocent and patriotic Nigerians suffer harassment at airports, face visa denials, and endure constant suspicion because of the actions of a few,’ he said. ‘The green passport, once a symbol of pride, is now widely disrespected. That is nothing less than a state of emergency.’

If passed, the amendment would mandate the withdrawal of a convicted individual’s passport for 10 years after completing their sentence in a foreign country.

Supporters of the bill say the measure would demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to accountability and help rebuild international confidence in the nation’s citizens and institutions.

IN principle, there is nothing to dislike about the new tax law being mooted by the administration of President Bola Tinubu. For too long, tax collection has been the bane of successive governments in Nigeria, and social scientists see the government’s failure to collect and the average citizen’s reluctance to pay as the hallmark of the poverty of citizenship in the country. To that extent, we couldn’t agree more on the need to institute a new tax regime that will bring more revenue into the coffers of the state and presumably stimulate Nigerians to demand more from authorities at various levels.

That being said, we find unsettling some of the ideas being bandied around by some government officials in this regard. The latest example concerns the Chair of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policies and Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele. Speaking last week at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), City of David parish, Lagos, the tax czar, understandably eager to drive home the point that the administration will leave no stone unturned in its revenue gathering drive, disclosed that it (i.e the administration) will honour no distinction between legitimate and illegitimate economic activities. In the words of Mr. Oyedele,’One thing about the tax law is it doesn’t separate whether what you’re doing is legitimate or not; it doesn’t even ask you. It just asks you whether you have an income. Did you get itfrom rendering a service or providing a good? You pay tax.’More controversially, My. Oyedele added: ‘If somebody is doing runs girls (sic), they go and look for men to sleep with; you know that’s a service. They will pay tax on it.’

As already mentioned, we are on board with the administration in its drive to ensure that every Nigerian pays their fair share, and that every necessary legal measure be taken to that effect. Where we beg to disagree is the idea that because the government lacks ‘the capacity to distinguish between income obtained from legitimate means and illegitimate ones,’then ‘all income is deemed taxable.’ It would appear that Mr. Oyedele has forgotten that the whole idea of taxing an economic activity is because it is legal, and that what you do to an illegal activity is not to tax it, but to use the entire apparatus of the state, including coercion, to stop it. When any economic activity is beyond the legal pale, it exists in contravention of the law of the land. Accordingly, the government pursuing those involved in that specific activity is tantamount to having one’s cake and eating it at the same time.

The issue of prostitution is a case in point. So far as we know, prostitution is illegal in Nigeria, which is why the police regularly raid brothels. Those raids are not made to ensure tax compliance, but to enforce the law. Is Mr. Oyedele saying that those raids are now illegal? Surely, the government can’t seek to arrest brothel workers and tax them at the same time?

The tax czar’s comments are a reminder that a good policy in principle can be undermined by shoddy execution. Fortunately, there is still time for the government and its spokespersons to clarify the official position. The new tax law is too important to mess up.

As politics and politicking continue in top gear ahead of the 2027 general elections, legal conundrums are one of the issues dominating the trends. Just like the build-up to the 2023 general elections, the possibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan returning on the ballot is back alive and active.

As a former president, Jonathan only sought to be elected to the number one political office in the country in 2011. He was on the ballot for the first time and won. But before then, Goodluck Jonathan was elected as running-mate to former late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007.

After Yar’Adua’s sudden death in May 2010, then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as a President and spent the remainder of the four-year term before seeking to be elected for a full four years.

Remember, Jonathan did not voluntarily leave the Aso Rock in 2015; he was defeated at the polls. That is, Jonathan sought re-election but was ousted by Nigerians in favour of the popular ‘change mantra’ championed by the late Muhammadu Buhari.

Like Alamieyesiegha, like Yar’Adua: Jonathan’s rise to power

Jonathan’s rapid and highly improbable rise to power did not begin in 2007.

Before rising to become the first Nigerian President to concede defeat in 2015, his rise to power both at the state and federal government owed a lot to luck.

Jonathan served as deputy to Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who was elected in 1999 as the first democratically elected governor of Bayelsa State. However, Alamieyeseigha paved the way for Jonathan to be promoted to governor in 2005. Yes, he was impeached on corruption charges.

From being a low-key governor for two years, Jonathan became Vice President to another low-key boss and President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007.

Like Alamieyeseigha, the ‘Goodluck’ Vice President who never contested for political office rose to power when his principal died in 2010.

Jonathan as the ‘2027 bride’

Ahead of the 2027 presidential elections, Jonathan’s name is one of the top candidates considered by political stakeholders as strong enough to go head-to-head with the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Though still considered a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Goodluck Jonathan has kept a low profile and miles away from the party activities, shortly after his defeat to Buhari in 2015.

With former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who ran on the platform of the PDP in 2019 and 2023, out of the party, Tribune Online reports that the Bauchi State governor and Chairman of the PDP governors’ forum, Muhammed Abdulkadir Bala, recently revealed that the party is considering bringing Jonathan back, actively, into the party as a possible candidate to fly its flag in 2027.

While the idea of PDP dragging Jonathan from ‘political retirement’ into the race sounds realistic, the party is not alone.

Tribune Online also reported that a powerful group within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) – a coalition political party – is wooing ex-President Jonathan for the 2027 presidential race.

The source confirmed that key figures in the ADC were comfortable with having Jonathan as their presidential candidate and had, in fact, reached out to him.

Five years in power: Much ado about Jonathan’s possible return

With the possibility of Jonathan’s return dominating national headlines for weeks, critics, including serving political officials, have advised the PDP against the idea of Jonathan, citing a constitutional stance that may deny the party a presidential candidate in 2027.

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, in a report by Tribune Online, cautioned the PDP against the idea of fielding Jonathan against his principal in 2027.

According to Keyamo, the party risks not having a candidate at all because Jonathan’s candidacy could pose a constitutional threat under section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which could disqualify anyone who has been sworn in twice as president from contesting again.

‘If he is fielded, the Party runs the RISK of NOT HAVING A CANDIDATE AT ALL,’ Keyamo wrote, warning that any challenge would end up before the Supreme Court.

‘The constitutional amendment was made AFTER the court judgment which cleared him (Jonathan) to run in 2015, so nothing is decided yet on that new amendment, hence I use the word ‘RISK’ advisedly. All the arguments as to whether the section can be interpreted to affect him will not be decided on Social Media, but at the Supreme Court.’

Before Keyamo, a legal luminary and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, (SAN), had in a 2022 report published by Tribune Online, posited that Jonathan is constitutionally-barred from seeking re-election.

Falana, in his conviction rooted in jurisprudence and the constitution, argued that the Supreme Court had ruled that the amendment barring a situation like that of Jonathan can apply in retrospect.

He alluded to the apex court’s pronouncement on a similar amendment to draw his conclusion.

The provision reads, ‘A person who was sworn in to complete the term for which another person was elected as president shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.’

The amendment, among others, was signed into law by then President Muhammadu Buhari following his emergence in 2015. Jonathan, being the only living ex-president to have enjoyed the succession-by-default arrangement, is widely perceived as the target of the amendment,

However, another Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, had also joined Jonathan’s eligibility debate, disagreeing with Falana.

According to Ozekhome, Jonathan ‘is pre-eminently constitutionally, morally and legally qualified to contest the 2023 presidential election.’

In his argument, Ozekhome said the Court of Appeal ruling of 2015 had settled the issue raised by Falana.

He said: ‘In a lead judgement delivered by Justice Abubakar Yahaya, the full panel of the Court of Appeal unanimously held that President Jonathan had only spent one term in office as president, going by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

‘Mr. Njoku had contended that Jonathan had already sworn to the oath of office and allegiance twice and therefore, should be disqualified from contesting the 2015 election, as any victory he secured would amount to being sworn in thrice.

‘However, the court ruled that the oath that Jonathan took in 2010 was merely to complete the unexpired tenure of late Yar’Adua; adding that by virtue of Section 135 (2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan only took his first oath in May, 2011. The Court of Appeal further held that disqualification is through election, not oath taking.’

Concluding his argument, Ozekhome noted that former president Jonathan being sworn to complete Yar’Adua’s tenure is by provision of the constitution as a Vice President and not by election, adding that ‘election involves conducting primaries by party, nomination, election and announcement of results. All these processes were not done.’

Jonathan puzzle: What does the constitution say?

Both Keyamo and Falana, in their arguments, had cited section 137 (3) of the 1999 constitution as amended by the Fourth Alteration Act No. 16, 2017, which states: ‘A person who was sworn in as President to complete the term for which another person was elected shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.’

While this law prohibits a person who completes another person’s tenure from seeking election more than a single term, including in acting capacity, the fact that it’s not been tested in court contributes to the legal conundrum on whether the provision can take a retroactive effect, especially for Jonathan.

Another constitutional provision that may be contested in this debate is Section 135 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) which stipulates a four-year term in office for the President and when they must leave.

But in Ozekhome’s argument, section 135 (2) b provided guidance on the eligibility of Jonathan to contest despite completing Yar’Adua’s remaining one year in office.

‘Subject to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the President shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of four years commencing from the date – (a) in the case of a person first elected as President under this Constitution, he took the oath of allegiance and the oath of office; and (b) in any other case, the person last elected to that office under this Constitution took the Oath of Allegiance and the oath of office or would, but for his death, have taken such Oaths’ – Section 135 (2) b of the Nigerian Constitution (1999 as amended)

Relying on this provision, Ozekhome said Jonathan was first elected on merit in 2011 and that was the only complete four-year term in office that he used.

Another expert weigh in

Another legal practitioner, Kola Oloyede, while sharing his perspectives, backed Keyamo’s assertion that Jonathan’s return to the race could cause a constitutional crisis, stating that there ‘are very many shades of plausible arguments!’

According to him, Section 136 (1) and (2) of the 1999 CRFN states that a President and Vice President are elected on a joint ticket and bound on the same tenure of office.

‘Now the interesting question is if President Yar’Adua has spent any out of the whole four years . would there have been any more years for president Jonathan, No?,’ he said.

Continuing, he added if a Vice President is qualified to vie for this position after expiration of four years or eight years as the case may be, then it negates the idea of a joint ticket.

‘The alternative view is that if a vice president is qualified to vie for the post of presidency thereafter, that negates the idea of a joint ticket and being bound on the same term of tenure of office and Mr. Atiku Abubakar will not have a basis of contesting again!

‘Further alternative argument is: was President Jonathan elected when he took the last one year to replace Late Yar’Adua? No! Rather, he was only fulfilling constitutional provisions in the same way that a Senate President would have occupied the presidency if occasion arises!’

He, however, concluded that should former President Jonathan choose to vie for the office again in 2027, it would no doubt ‘create a constitutional crisis, and only full sitting of the Supreme Court of Nigeria can decide.’

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has rebuked those describing his supporters as ‘street urchins’ and ‘low-class Nigerians,’ saying such language reflects disdain for ordinary citizens and the values that bind the nation.

In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, Obi said he found it ‘deeply unfortunate’ that some Nigerians, especially those in positions of privilege, have resorted to class-based insults against citizens who share in his vision for a better country.

‘Lately, I have heard a few people say that those who follow Peter Obi are low-class Nigerians, and some have even gone as far as calling them ‘street urchins’ and people of no value. It is deeply unfortunate that in today’s Nigeria, citizens now look down on fellow citizens in such a degrading manner,’ Obi wrote.

The former Anambra governor said his brand of politics has always been rooted in humanity, empathy, and inclusion, not elitism or class segregation.

‘I have never and will never look down on anyone, except to lift them up. After all, we can only rise by lifting others.

‘My involvement in politics has never been about associating with the so-called high and mighty, but about standing with ordinary Nigerians whose voices have been silenced and whose resources have been stolen by the same ‘big names’ who now parade themselves with all sorts of titles,’ he added.

Obi, who has continued to command significant grassroots support across the country, described as ‘morally wrong’ any attempt to demean struggling Nigerians already burdened by poverty and economic hardship.

‘No Nigerian is of no value. No Nigerian is a street urchin. It speaks volumes about the state of our nation that everyday Nigerians are now battered by hardship to the point where their leaders refer to them as people of no value and as urchins,’ he said.

Reaffirming his commitment to inclusive governance and social justice, Obi said leadership must be measured by compassion, not mockery.

‘Every Nigerian deserves dignity, opportunity, and care. That is why I will continue to do my part to ensure that ordinary Nigerians enjoy a better life – one built on access to education, quality healthcare, and genuine efforts to lift them out of poverty. True leadership is not about mocking the weak; it is about lifting them up,’ he stated.

Obi’s statement comes a day after he appealed to the Lagos State Government to temper enforcement with compassion in its ongoing demolition exercise, noting that being legally correct should never override the need to be morally right.

As long as there is breathe, every individual will sometimes experience some minor discomfort that affects their health and such minor discomforts may disappear without medication. However, some little health issues that appear inconsequential and harmless are actually a sign of a bigger health problem. And they appear in symptoms that usually don’t raise red flags at inception; do you leak a little when you laugh? Have you stopped enjoying intimacy with your partner? Have you become unusually forgetful or continuously less motivated? Do your moods swing like a pendulum without reason?

These may be signs of a bigger health challenge but they are considered minor issues, and people don’t feel bothered about them as they think it is caused by stress or aging. But these seemingly harmless issues may require that you talk to your health care provider mainly because the body is smart, and such minor signs may be warnings about big health problems building up for later years if it is not caught early.

Some of these red flags are as common as constipation, urinary incontinence, depression, memory problems and sexual issues. Some signs to look out for include:

Urinary incontinence: Do you leak when you sneeze, laugh, lift something heavy or exercise? Or do you release an uncomfortable amount of pee because the urge to urinate becomes so overwhelming so quickly that you can’t get to a bathroom in time? This is urinary incontinence and it is a big deal as it can be a sign of health challenges like urinary tract infection, arthritis or a problem with pelvic floor muscles. It can also be a side effect of certain medications.

Sexual problems: Are you experiencing painful intercourse, problem achieving or maintaining an erection, or low sexual desire? These can impact on your relationship negatively and affect the quality of your own life. Sexual problems may also be a signal that you need to be treated for depression, diabetes, circulation problems or low hormone levels, or that you are taking a medication that’s causing side effects.

Constipation: Passing hard, dry stool less than three times a week or blood in your stool can cause hemorrhoids and other complications that can be very serious; it can be a sign that you have irritable bowel syndrome or a problem with intestinal functioning or that you rely too much on laxatives.

Depression: When you have low energy, irritability and a lack of interest in activities you normally enjoy, as well as appetite and sleep problems, there is a problem. Depression makes daily living difficult. It also makes taking care of your health; eating a healthy diet, exercising, getting adequate sleep and taking medications challenging. It may also be a warning sign that your stress level is too high, that a medication you take is causing side effects or that you’re grieving the loss of a relative or friend.

Memory problems: Do you have difficulty trouble remembering important information or have difficulty finding the words you need when speaking or writing or concentrating? It is a challenge. While many people experience more memory slipups as they age, most of which are normal, lapses that affect your ability to take care of yourself could impact your ability to live independently or to drive a car. Memory changes can also be a warning sign for depression and sleep problems.

Former Interior Minister and current National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, recently stirred controversy by suggesting that Nigeria’s political parties should be allowed to nominate officials to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking at a panel session on electoral innovation hosted by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership in Abuja, Aregbesola argued that the current method of appointing the INEC Chairperson, National Commissioners, and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) is ‘deeply flawed.’

According to him, parties with at least five members in the National Assembly should be empowered to nominate individuals to lead INEC, claiming that such a model would ‘solve all the issues’ of bias and manipulation in Nigeria’s electoral system. In his words: ‘If the parties now betray themselves to allow one of them to run away with it, fine.’

While Aregbesola’s critique of the current system has merit – particularly his point about the risk of executive overreach when the President appoints the electoral umpire – his proposed remedy is not only misguided but fundamentally threatens the very independence of Nigeria’s electoral process.

There is no credible democracy in the world where political parties directly nominate election officials. The logic is simple: an election management body must be insulated from partisan influence to maintain neutrality, fairness, and credibility.

Allowing political parties – the very contestants in elections – to nominate INEC officials would be akin to letting football teams select the referees who officiate their matches. It violates the principle of impartiality that underpins democratic elections.

Moreover, Aregbesola’s suggestion directly contradicts the spirit and letter of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which explicitly prohibits electoral officials from being members of political parties. The framers of the Constitution, in their wisdom, understood that even the perception of political bias in INEC could fatally undermine public confidence in elections.

It is puzzling that a man of Aregbesola’s political experience – one who fought a long and hard legal battle to reclaim his mandate as governor of Osun State in 2010 – would now advocate a system that could easily have denied him that victory. Would Aregbesola have trusted an INEC dominated by officials nominated by the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)? Certainly not!

If anything, Aregbesola’s statement reflects the frustration many Nigerians feel about INEC’s recent credibility challenges, particularly after the 2023 general elections. However, the answer lies not in politicising the Commission further but in strengthening its institutional independence.

What Nigeria needs is not partisan control of INEC, but transparent and accountable appointment processes. Civil society organisations, professional bodies, and judicial councils should play greater roles in screening and recommending nominees, while the National Assembly’s confirmation hearings must be made more open and rigorous. The President should no longer have unilateral power to appoint the INEC Chair and Commissioners without meaningful checks.

Furthermore, INEC’s funding and administrative autonomy must be constitutionally guaranteed and practically enforced. An electoral body that depends on political goodwill to function can never be fully independent.

Aregbesola’s call, though perhaps well-intentioned, would reverse decades of progress in depoliticising Nigeria’s electoral system. Nigeria must not trade independence for convenience. The credibility of elections rests on the impartiality of those who conduct them, and that impartiality must never be up for negotiation.

The path forward is clear: reform INEC, yes, but do so through constitutional safeguards, institutional transparency, and public accountability – not through political capture disguised as innovation.

Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive if the lines between player and referee are blurred. Aregbesola’s proposal may ignite debate, but it should be firmly rejected as both impractical and dangerous to the survival of electoral integrity.

Adigun, a researcher and journalist, writes from Abuja.

Chief Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja-General and daughter of President Bola Tinubu, along with Niger State Governor, Umar Bago; Minister of Youth and Sports, Ayodele Olawande; and Chairman of the Nigerian Community in Greater Manchester, Alhaji Abiola Kumoye, are expected to attend the Nigeria @65 National Day celebration in Manchester this Saturday.

Several entertainment figures, including Zack Orji, Saidi Balogun, Nino B, Seyi Law, Konga, and Danfo Driver, are also billed to perform at the event.

Speaking with Tribune Online on Tuesday evening, Kumoye said the celebration aims to honour Nigeria’s heritage, culture, and national identity beyond its borders.

He explained that the annual event serves as a reminder of the country’s journey and promotes unity among Nigerians living abroad.

‘The Nigerian community in Greater Manchester, like many Nigerian diaspora communities worldwide, celebrates Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary as a way to honor our heritage, culture, and national identity, even while living abroad.

‘Celebrating Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary in Manchester, United Kingdom, allows us to reflect on our nation’s journey, share our cultural values, and foster a sense of unity among Nigerians in the diaspora.

‘Such events also provide an opportunity to educate others about Nigerian history, showcase the richness of Nigerian culture through food, music, and dance, and promote positive contributions that Nigerians make in the UK.

‘It helps to strengthen ties within the Nigerian community and maintain a connection to home, while also acknowledging the shared history and experiences that bind them to Nigeria, regardless of location,’ Kumoye said.