Atiku Laments Governance Failures, Urges Nigerians to Exercise Electoral Power

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed deep concern over the state of Nigeria as the country marks its 65th Independence Anniversary.

In a statement shared on social media, Atiku described the current situation as ‘tragic,’ highlighting widespread hunger, insecurity, and the plight of millions of Nigerians displaced within their own country.

‘Atiku noted that in a nation blessed with immense human and material resources, millions have been reduced to refugees and beggars in their fatherland,’ the statement read.

He criticised the current administration, saying it has ‘abandoned its people,’ leaving citizens vulnerable to starvation and violence from bandits and armed groups.

The former presidential candidate emphasised the power of democracy, reminding Nigerians that the ballot box remains a tool for change.

‘Oppressed and battered as our people may feel today, they will have the chance to sweep away this inept government at the next polls. That is the power no cabal can take away from the people,’ he said.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s 65-year journey, Atiku described the country as a ‘giant moving painfully slow on feet of clay,’ attributing the nation’s slow progress to decades of poor leadership and mismanagement.

He nevertheless expressed optimism that with responsible governance, Nigeria could recover and reclaim its position among the leading nations of the world.

Concluding his message, Atiku extended Independence Day greetings to all Nigerians, wishing them a day of reflection and celebration despite the challenges.

How a simple wig nearly cost my life in hospital – Actress Liz DaSilva

Nollywood actress Liz DaSilva has shared an emotional testimony after narrowly escaping a tragedy during a routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

The actress took to Instagram on Tuesday to reveal how she almost entered the MRI machine with hidden metal pins in her wig, a mistake that could have caused a serious accident.

‘I had an appointment this morning for 10:40 a.m.,’ she recounted in a tearful video. ‘I took off my earrings, bra, waist beads, and even asked for help to remove my chain. I was almost ready to go in when I remembered that my wig had pins inside.’

DaSilva explained that the attendant confirmed she was about to ask about the pins when she mentioned it. Overcome with emotion, she broke down in tears, thanking God for what she described as divine protection.

‘Truly, God saved me. I can say it boldly anywhere. I am not ashamed, I am not afraid. If God had not protected me, who knows what would have happened? Maybe I wouldn’t even be here,’ she said in Yoruba.

An MRI machine uses powerful magnets to create detailed images of the body, and any metallic object can be extremely dangerous inside the scanner.

Author JK Rowling to Watson: ‘You are ignorant of how ignorant you are’

Author JK Rowling has lambasted actor Emma Watson in an angry response to the latter’s comments about their relationship, saying she is ‘ignorant of how ignorant she is.’

Rowling, author of the ‘Harry Potter’ made the remarks in her 700-word response to Watson on X after the actor reflected on their relationship while appearing on On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast.

J.K. Rowling and Emma Watson have been at loggerheads for years due to their differing views on transgender rights.

Watson had said, ‘I really don’t believe that having had that experience and holding the love and support and views that I have, mean that I can’t and don’t treasure Jo (JK Rowling) and the person that I had personal experiences with.’

She maintained that people who don’t agree with her opinion will love her, adding ‘I hope I can keep loving people who I don’t necessarily share the same opinion with’.

Rowling, in her long X post stated that Emma Watson and her co-stars had every right to embrace gender identity ideology.

Such beliefs, she emphasised, are legally protected, adding that she would not want to see any of them threatened with loss of work, or violence, or death, because of their beliefs.

She also claimed that instead of reaching out to her, Watson ‘asked someone to pass on a handwritten note,’ which read, ‘I’m so sorry for what you’re going through.’

She declared: ‘Emma had just publicly poured more petrol on the flames yet thought a one-line expression of concern from her would reassure me of her fundamental sympathy and kindness.’

Rowling also said, ‘Emma was ‘never likely to need’ to use the types of single-sex spaces she has campaigned against trans people having access to, such as changing rooms and public toilets.’

APC’s government prevented Nigeria from collapse – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said the All Progressives Congress (APC) saved Nigeria country from collapse during the 10 years it has been in power so far in the country.

Tinubu said this in Owerri at the presentation of a book entitled: ‘One Decade of Progressive, Impactful Leadership in Nigeria.’

The forum held at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre.

Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo authored the book.

The president upon arrival in the state had inaugurated the 120 km Owerri – Umuahia Road, the Assumpta twin flyover as well as the 10,000 capacity Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Conference Centre.

In a speech, Tinubu said the book launch was significant as it reflected the collective efforts and sacrifices of progressive minds over the past 10 years, starting with late President Muhammadu Buhari.

He commended Uzodimma for his thoughtfulness, vision and achievements in infrastructure and for taking up the challenge of writing the book.

‘By recording the milestones and struggles of the 10 years we have gone through, he has given Nigeria a gift.

‘No nation can afford to forget its own journey and for which no leader should escape the beauty of confidence,’ he stated.

The president expressed confidence that Nigeria was no longer where it was 10 years ago under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said following the stabilisation of the nation’s economy, it grew by 4.23 per cent in the second quarter of the year.

Tinubu said: ‘That growth is with purpose, not just on paper. It is real growth.

‘Inflation has fallen to 20.12 per cent in August, the lowest in more than three years.

‘You may not feel it yet. Be patient. I thank you for your endurance, patience and perseverance.

‘Nigeria is changing for the better and you will feel the better days.’

He added that the nation’s external reserve currently stood at 42.03 billion US Dollars, the highest since 2019.

Tinubu noted that it was proof that the country was regaining its strength and credibility in the global economy.

‘Our trade surplus rose by more than 44 per cent in the last quarter while manufacture export surged by 173 per cent.

‘These numbers speak of a Nigeria that is producing, exporting, and competing more than ever before,’ he said.

He said the Naira had steadied under the exchange reform with new investment flows restoring confidence in the economy.

The president urged critics to have confidence in the progressive government, assuring them that the economy would eventually work for all Nigerians.

He debunked reports that religious persecution was thriving in the country, insisting rather of religious harmony among Nigerians.

‘The last decade was a time of change, the coming decade will be an era of renewal and stability that will ensure victory for the country,’ he said.

Tinubu lauded Uzodimma for his commitment and scholarship as well as the people of the state for the warm hospitality accorded him in the state.

In his remarks, Uzodimma said the book offered an ‘honest writing’ on APC’s journey in government from 2015 to 2025, detailing its milestones, challenges and lessons.

He further described the work as ‘a reference point for where the party has been and a guide for where we must go.’

The governor said he was inspired by curiosity and a duty to document APC’s performance after 10 years in office.

‘The party inherited a fragile economy, deep security challenges, and a weary citizenry,’ he noted.

He acknowledged that Tinubu’s ‘pragmatic ideas and decisive leadership inspired many of the chapters.’

Uzodimma recounted the president’s role as the ‘arrow head’ in the 2013 formation of the APC, which ‘ousted an incumbent government in 2015.’

He praised Tinubu’s ‘courage and clarity’ for shaping the progressive family and carrying the country through transitions.

‘His ideas and his persistence shaped the progressive family,’ the governor stated.

Uzodimma expressed surprise at the ‘depth and seriousness’ of the party’s efforts, which he said ‘doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves.’

The governor stressed the party was built on values ‘equity, inclusion, service and discipline.’

He said that events since the book’s May 2025 finalisation showed ‘tangible progress,’ including inflation dropping and the Naira regaining stability.

The governor cited a trade surplus for six consecutive quarters, which stood at over five trillion naira in the first quarter of the year.

For Imo, Uzodimma reported an ‘infrastructure renaissance’ and investments in people, proudly stating that Imo workers are ‘happier today than they were some years ago.’

Uzodimma called on all Nigerians to ‘rally behind this progressive extraordinaire, President Bola Tinubu, in 2027.’

Earlier, the National Chairman of APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the party had proved that Nigeria needed more than previous political party had offered.

Yilwatda praised Uzodimma’s leadership and intellectual commitment, stating that he had through the book shown himself as a ‘stabiliser, chronicler and conscience of the progressive journey.’

The chairman also praised Tinubu for ushering a leadership that opened a new era for bold decisions that had transformed the nation’s economy.

In separate remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Obi of Onitsha congratulated Uzodimma over the book, describing the effort as a great service to the nation.

The real secret to a happy marriage – Asa Asika reveals

Davido’s longtime manager, Asa Asika, has stirred conversations online after sharing lighthearted advice about marriage and football.

In a social media post, Asa revealed how his wife made his night easier by helping him find a link to watch his favourite Champions League match.

He described the gesture as a small but meaningful win, noting that marriage goes beyond romance and thrives on everyday acts of support.

According to him, choosing a partner who understands and complements one’s lifestyle makes a big difference.

‘Marry a woman who doesn’t drag with your love for football,’ he advised.

‘That’s why we all have to marry our best friends,’ one user wrote.

Another added, ‘Having a good wife is a big W.’

In contrast, a fan joked, ‘This is nice, but I’m not getting married anytime soon.’

Reckless motorists kill 5 FRSC operatives

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has explained how reckless motorists killed five of its operatives while on official duties at various parts of the country.

It also revealed that the Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed has directed the immediate prosecution of the motorists involved in the incidents.

FRSC revealed this in a statement issued by the Corps Public Education Officer, (CPEO), Olusegun Ogungbemide on behalf of the Corps Marshall on Tuesday.

Mohammed said that the directive was to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice and to serve as a deterrent to others who undermined road safety and endanger the lives of law enforcement officers.

He said that the incidents occurred across its formations.

This, he said include Ekiti Sector Command on Sept. 6, Ogun Sector Command on Sept. 8, Taraba Sector Command on Sept. 15, Jos By-Pass Unit Command on Sept. 19, and Obollo Afor Unit Command on Sept. 24.

‘Their deaths are not mere statistics. They represent human lives which are dedicated fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and breadwinners, cut short in the line of duty while safeguarding Nigerian roads, ‘he said.

Mohammed expressed deep concern over the increasing risks faced by FRSC operatives, noting that in addition to speeding vehicles, personnel were also being subjected to kidnapping, violent attacks, and targeted assaults.

He warned that the Corps would no longer tolerate acts of recklessness that endangered its staff, stressing that offenders would face the full weight of the law.

Mohammed also charged personnel nationwide to exercise a higher level of alertness and prioritise their safety while on duty, pointing out that they needed to be safe and alive to save others.

‘In line with this, the Corps is intensifying engagements with relevant authorities on the protection of its personnel and installations.

‘This measure is not intended for aggression but as a safeguard to deter assaults and ensure that officers can perform their duties without fear of attack, he said.

On behalf of the management and staff, the Corps Marshal commiserated with the families of the deceased officers and saluted their courage and sacrifice.

He further urged Nigerians to honour the memory of the fallen operatives by obeying traffic laws, respecting FRSC personnel on duty, and supporting the Corps’ mandate to end avoidable deaths on highways.

‘Disregard for traffic laws and the safety of FRSC personnel will attract serious sanctions and legal consequences going forward,’ he warned

Seyi Shay opens up on importance of father figures

Nigerian singer and songwriter Seyi Shay, has spoken on the importance of children having a father figure while growing.

While speaking with the Honest Bunch podcast, Seyi Shay explained that having a father figures is important for stability and guidance.

She added that the narrative being spread about men’s importance is an agenda created to divide families.

‘Most women that have a father figure are generally more stable growing up. They have a lot more access to a lot more things like good education, good moral values and there’s a bar when they want to get married or when they choose male friends and stuff like that. All this agenda pushing of men are not important. You can do this. I think it’s bullshit because that’s just an agenda placed for there to be more disparity and more division in a home so that we can churn out more broken souls or more lost females and males,’ she stated.

Seyi Shay who is a mother of one also spoke on motherhood and the importance of timing before having kids.

‘Look at me. I’m just so very lucky that I didn’t have a child when I was like 20 or 23. My daughter would probably grow up to be a mess. Like, having her at this age means that I’m her cheat code. It means that I’m able to, like, put her on to certain things and she can avoid certain routes that I took. Because I’ve done them. I’ve been through them. I can tell her all about guys, all about certain friends and how and why and be real and honest with her, and hopefully she will be 10 million times better than me without having to also go through the tribulations and trials that I’ve been through,’ she added.

Farm exports from Tanzania gain traction in China

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s agricultural exports to China are expanding, with sesame seeds, dried chillies, cotton seed cake, dried cassava, avocado, honey and marine products all finding growing demand in the Chinese market.

Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo made these remarks on Monday, September 29 during celebrations marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. He thanked China for granting duty-free access for African goods, saying the move has opened new opportunities for Tanzanian farmers and traders.

“We are seeing real results, with our products finding pathways into the Chinese market. Beyond avocado and honey, sesame, cassava, cotton seed cake and chillies are now in demand,” he said.

Mr Kombo highlighted that sesame seeds are widely used in Chinese foods, including bread, sweets, and Beijing duck. He also noted that cotton seed cake is increasingly popular for mushroom cultivation.

“We need to learn from China how they use cotton seed cake for mushroom farming. It is an area we could develop locally,” he said.

He added that chillies are especially popular in Sichuan Province, while sunflower seed cake and marine products are also entering the Chinese market. Mr Kombo described the growing exports as proof that Tanzania-China relations are delivering tangible results.

“This year, our relations have focused on deepening cooperation, coordinating on bilateral and multilateral issues, and accelerating joint initiatives,” he said. Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian said China has made remarkable progress in innovation, including artificial intelligence, supercomputers, deep-sea exploration and new energy technologies, contributing nearly 30 percent annually to global economic growth.

“China has always placed its development within the broader framework of human development and solidarity with the Global South,” she said. “We have lifted 850 million people out of poverty and advanced global cooperation.

” Ambassador Chen added that China has remained Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, with bilateral trade hitting almost $300 billion in 2024. Under the zero-tariff arrangement, 53 African countries now enjoy duty-free access to the Chinese market, boosting exports from the continent. “China has expanded imports of Tanzanian products, including honey, avocado and aquatic goods.

We have also invested in health projects such as the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute and medical training programmes,” she said. She further added that agricultural cooperation has advanced as well, with the use of satellite and digital technologies to boost production.

“China stands ready to work with Tanzania to deepen cooperation across all sectors, strengthen our all-weather friendship, and advance modernisation together,” she said. .

Could the United Nations be dying?

Mark Twain, the great American writer and humorist, is reported to have said that “the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” Twain was responding to media reports of his demise.

He died in 1910 at the ripe age of 74 — by the life expectancy of the time. This year, the United Nations, the first truly global organisation, turned a neat 80. In the life a human being, even in developed countries, living to be 80 is considered a long life.

So is the life of a global organisation in a turbulent century. This is especially true for an organisation with ambitions and aspirations of grandeur.

The UN tried to reach for the heavens. But now we must wonder whether it has sunk to the pits of hell.

Let’s understand that the UN was born in 1945 right in the thick of Empire and the colonial project when White people subjugated all other races Black African, Asian, Arab, Latin Americans of native descend, and Pacific Islanders. To capture the sense of White European hegemony, the English often said the sun never set on the British Empire.

The rest of the planet chafed under the French, the Spanish, the Portuguese, the Dutch, and other assorted White peoples. I often wonder what it must feel in your veins to be a member of this “master race.

” Adolf Hitler, he of the German Third Reich, tried to take these feelings to a cataclysmic climax. He failed, but not for want of trying.

It was out of Hitler’s ashes that the UN was born. Ironically, the United Nations, born out of the wreckage of the League of Nations, reproduced some of the same racial and demonic hierarchies that were central to Hitler’s Aryan hegemony.

Let’s reprise a few of these norms and structures of the subjugation of Black, Brown, and Asian peoples by a global White American and European power structure. The first was the physical location of the centre of the United Nations activities in New York and Geneva.

This in itself was deeply symbolic of locational superiority of White over “the other.” To go to the United Nations, “the rest of the world” had to travel to America and Europe.

Never mind the vast majority of persons of colour lived, and still do, outside America and Europe, and were then held in colonial vassalage. By Charter and law, the UN’s most powerful body is the Security Council.

Only it can make decisions binding on the members. This tiny club has five permanent members, who wield the veto power.

No resolution can be passed even if the other 10 non-permanent members outvote the veto five. In effect, the veto five the United States, Britain, Russia, France, and China control what the UN can say and do.

A veto of one of the five kills a resolution. Nothing can pass if the US, or Russia, say nyet.

Ditto for Britain, China, and France. I am sure you have noticed that four of the veto five are European or majority White nations.

Race is the calling card at the UN. The UN General Assembly, or UNGA, is the world’s biggest talking shop.

In there, even little Belize or Djibouti can say anything. They can insult the mighty US with the filthiest of languages.

But it’s all “hot air.” That’s because breathing fire doesn’t produce one.

Even if all 193 states of the UN badly want something within UNGA, their wishes or votes are nugatory so long as one of the veto powers doesn’t want it. One often negates 193 in the UN system.

To make matters worse, the UN Charter which cast this inequity in stone, cannot be amended if one of the veto five says no. It doesn’t matter that matrix is blatantly racist, obsolete, and indefensible.

Since 1945, the power dynamics of the globe have changed. But the victories of World War II allies have kept the UN’s obsolescence in place.

Africa, the fastest growing continent by population and economy, doesn’t have a voice at the UN. Asia, the new centre of the global economy is out, except China.

That’s why Kenyan President William Ruto, in his prime time address to the UN this year, argued that equity demands that Africa gets at least two permanent veto-power seats in a long delayed reform of the institution. His speech was cheered over and over by a majority of members.

It is this structure of the UN that’s at the centre of its irrelevance and possible death. It is these archaic, racist, and calamitous structures and normative inequities that stand in direct contradiction to the purposes for which the United Nations was founded in the first place to outlaw war, protect human rights, and foster equitable development.

The UN watches helplessly as Israel commits genocide in Gaza and Sudan descends into hell. Will the UN die with Sudan and Gaza? It just might in its 80s.

Makau Mutua is SUNY Distinguished Professor and Margaret W. Wong Professor at Buffalo Law School, The State University of New York.

@makaumutua .

Simba, Azam FC in action as Mainland League heats up

Dar es Salaam. The Mainland Premier League resumes with two high-profile fixtures today, October 1, 2025 as heavyweights Simba and Azam FC take to the field in pursuit of crucial points.

Azam FC will travel to face JKT Tanzania at the Major Isamuhyo ground in Dar es Salaam, with kickoff scheduled for 6pm. The game carries historic significance, as it will be the first league match ever played under floodlights at the venue.

Azam, fresh from advancing in the CAF Confederation Cup, are eager to translate their continental momentum into domestic success. Later in the evening, attention will shift to Dar es Salaam, where Simba host Namungo FC at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in an 8:15pm clash.

Simba, buoyed by their progression in the CAF Champions League after eliminating Gaborone United with a 2-1 aggregate, will be looking to impose their dominance at home. For both sides, three points tonight are vital for setting the tone early in the campaign.

Simba’s assistant coach, Seleman Matola, expressed confidence in his squad while stressing caution. “The players are in good spirits, and we are fully focused.

We expect a tough game because Namungo have quality players and can be very competitive. We need to stay sharp and disciplined,” said Matola.

Namungo, under the guidance of head coach Juma Mgunda, are determined to cause an upset. Mgunda, who once served as Simba’s caretaker coach, acknowledged the scale of the task but remained optimistic.

“Simba are a big club and deserve respect, but we have prepared well. The team is ready for the challenge, and our target is to come away with a positive result,” he noted.

Namungo’s hopes will largely rest on their attacking duo of Heritier Makambo and Fabrice Ngoy from DR Congo, both of whom carry the responsibility of breaking down Simba’s experienced defense. Their sharpness in front of goal could be decisive if Namungo are to claim points at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Meanwhile, Azam FC’s trip to JKT Tanzania is expected to test their resilience away from home. Fresh off a comfortable 3-0 aggregate win over El Merriekh Bentiu in continental competition, Azam will be seeking to extend their strong run.

JKT, however, will count on home support and the landmark atmosphere of the floodlit clash to inspire them. With both fixtures carrying weight for the title race and team confidence, today promises to be an electrifying day in the Mainland Premier League.

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