Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Popular skitmaker, Adeoye Isiah Ojewumi, better known as Kasala, has been unveiled as the new brand ambassador for Margaret Mosunmola College of Health Science and Technology, Owo, Ondo State.

The appointment, announced at the institution’s campus in Owo, is part of efforts by the management to deepen engagement with young Nigerians and promote health education through creative platforms.

Kasala, who has built a massive following online with his comic skits, expressed excitement at the recognition.

‘This is more than just an endorsement for me; it’s an opportunity to use my influence to inspire young people,’ he said. ‘Health is wealth, and I believe combining entertainment with education is one of the most powerful ways to reach the next generation. I’m proud to be associated with an institution that is shaping future health professionals.’

Speaking on the choice of Kasala, the Provost of the college, Dr. Oyegoke Temidayo Isaac, described the entertainer as a perfect fit for the school’s vision.

For Chief Jite Tesigimoje, polygamy is not a lifestyle of excess; it is, in his words, a practical truth of human nature. His household is a microcosm of Nigeria’s diversity. He is married to women from nearly all the major ethnic groups-Igbo, Yoruba, Bini, Ijaw, Fulani, Urhobo, Isoko, and his own Itsekiri. To him, it is a reflection of unity and inclusiveness.

‘Every man wants to marry two or three wives if he has the capacity,’ he said without hesitation.

‘The reality is this: after a few years of marriage, a man begins to see his wife differently. He sees her naked from time to time-when she is going into the bathroom and when she comes out and perfects her beauty routines.

‘Familiarity sets in, passion fades, and intimacy becomes more like a duty. That is why you hear women complain their husbands no longer love them like before when they just got married.

‘It is not that the love is gone; it is that desire has been dulled by routine.’

He advised couples in monogamous relationships to live apart. ‘If they cannot afford different apartments, they should live in separate rooms.’

He gestured towards one of his wives who sat beside him throughout the conversation, saying: ‘She is listening and smiling. She knows what I am saying is true.

‘She is stunningly beautiful, just like the others. But if she were the only woman in my house, things would be different.

‘Men don’t talk about this openly, but I will. No matter how beautiful a woman is, one woman alone cannot sustain a man’s passion forever.’

His argument is not a dismissal of women but a critique of Western ideals. ‘Our colonial masters told us monogamy is the best way of life. Yet those same people are caught daily in scandals, with mistresses, colleagues, even staff members.

‘Why sneak around? Why live in lies? If you admire another woman, marry her. That is better than deceit.’

Tradition and the role of privacy

Chief Tesigimoje links his views not only to personal experience but also to cultural tradition. ‘In our culture, there is mystery between husband and wife,’ he explained.

‘When you share the same room, wake up and see everything about your wife every single day, where is the excitement?

‘When you start to see her as a sibling, that spark is gone. And incest, as our tradition teaches, is a taboo.

‘So why push a man into a life where his wife feels like a sister? Distance and privacy keep the love alive.’

This is where polygamy, in his view, plays a balancing role. ‘When a man has two or three wives, he creates space. He comes to each one renewed, excited, and appreciative. That freshness keeps love burning.

‘I can tell you confidently that many women in polygamous homes are more sexually satisfied than their monogamous counterparts.

‘But let us continue to deceive ourselves and build up angry and frustrated women, which will eventually lead to more divorces.’

The demands of a polygamous household

Though he champions polygamy, Tesigimoje admits that marrying more than one wife is not meant for everyone. ‘Polygamy is cheap only in theory. In reality, it requires enormous financial strength and emotional intelligence.

‘It would be suicidal for someone to dabble into polygamy simply because he sees someone else, or because I am doing well in it. You must ask yourself some questions, and one of those is: are you capable?’

Providing insight into the enormous cost he bears in keeping everyone happy and comfortable, Tesigimoje said: ‘In Lagos, I live in Eko Atlantic City and have 15 houses. Each of my wives lives in a five-bedroom duplex, and they all receive hefty allowances and other perks regularly.

‘That is why, when I am in Warri, we can all stay together under one roof peacefully, with some of the wives sharing rooms without any grudges.’

He reiterated that fairness and equity are the backbone of his successful management of his home. ‘Once I do something for one wife, everyone must get the same treatment. Whether you are the youngest, the oldest, or yet to have any child, you get your due.

‘Let me give you an example: yesterday (a day before the interview), I sent some of my wives ?250,000 each for outings with their children.

‘Within minutes, every one of them had heard about it. Those who didn’t get theirs called me to demand answers.

‘I got calls from Abuja and Lagos, while those who were in Warri and yet to get their alerts stormed into my room. They had already heard!

‘Before the day ended, I spent about ?3 million on ice cream. That is polygamy. You cannot afford to neglect anyone.’

Honesty, keyUnitunity in the home

Contrary to outsiders’ assumptions, the billionaire business mogul revealed that his household thrives on cooperation, not rivalry.

‘At my last wedding, all my wives came dressed in the same attire. They danced, they laughed, and they welcomed the new bride. Can you imagine that?

‘If there wasn’t unity, they would not have been there, smiling.

‘People often think polygamy breeds jealousy, but if you are honest from the start, your home can be harmonious.

‘So, even in sharing my bed, my wives are cooperative.

‘There is an order as to who comes into the master’s bedroom, but the cooperation of the women makes it even more seamless.’

While hinting at wife No. 20 soon, he warned men against deception. ‘Do not promise a woman or give her the impression that she will be the only one if you plan otherwise.

‘If your heart is set on five or six wives, say it from the start. Once she accepts, she will be at peace with it.

‘Problems only come when men pretend. My wives know that I love women, and this (19th wife) might not be the last.’

Strength, fitness and tradition in coping with the demands of 19 wives

Asked how he manages the physical and emotional energy required for such a large family, the billionaire laughed heartily. ‘Sex is the best exercise-better than any gym. It keeps blood flowing, strengthens the body, and prolongs life.

‘Western diets and drugs weaken men. In our tradition, we have herbs that keep a man virile all his life, no matter how long he lives.

‘My father is almost 90, and he recently impregnated two women. Virility runs in the family, and I rely on our roots to keep me strong.

‘Having many wives and failing to satisfy them would be an abomination.

‘Those who have tried my roots and herbs, including traditional leaders and friends, can confirm that I have some of the best herbal roots in the land (laughs).’

Beyond family: A heart for humanity

Despite his colorful personal life, Tesigimoje insists his legacy must be measured not only by his marriages but also by his enormous philanthropy. He recently launched the GIM Brown Foundation to streamline his charitable activities, which escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the lockdown, he supported widows, orphans, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. Today, more than 800 widows are on his payroll, as well as hundreds of other PWDs.

‘Everything I have is by God’s grace, not my strength. How do I repay Him? I can only do that by helping those who are less fortunate.

‘My advice to wealthy Nigerians is: if you have the capacity to uplift others, do not hold back, because the government alone cannot solve the myriad of problems in our society.’

As for his community of Ajudaibo, Escravos, he revealed his plan to kick off an 83-suite hotel, as part of his drive to bring development and opportunity home.

‘I love my wives, my children, and my people.

‘This is the life I have chosen. It is not for every man. It requires honesty, responsibility, and strength.

‘But with God’s grace, I have managed it. And I will continue to use what I have, not just for my family, but for my community and for humanity.’

Afenifere, a pan- Yoruba socio-political, has described the recent attacks on communities in Kwara and Kogi states as an attempt to destabilise the country, by people it described as territorial expansionists, terrorists, and disgruntled elements.

The group, in a statement, Friday, raised concern in a statement, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, in Ibadan, Oyo State, condoled with Kogi and Kwara, over the calamities, including a recent boat mishap and flooding incidents.

The group maintained that the sacking of communities in Kwara and Kogi, as well as other parts of the Middle Belt, were grim reminders that terrorism in those areas posed serious threats to the South-West and the entire country, it therefore, expressed ‘deep sympathy’ over the boat mishaps and flood disasters that occurred in the two states recently.

‘The method of operation of the terrorists in Kwara went beyond those who are kidnapping for ransom or are just interested in finding fodder for their livestock.

‘The types of weapons they use, the derring-do manner with which they attack and the intensity of the damage they cause clearly indicate that they have very powerful people sponsoring them both locally and internationally.

‘The usage of the adjective ‘very’ here was deliberate with a view to underlining the deep involvement of powerful interests locally and internationally in the life-taking experiences we are having presently. So-called ‘illegal miners’ etc. could be suspected here,’ said Afenifere.

Afenifere further decried the invasion of Kwara communities, where lives were lost, properties destroyed, and socio-economic activities disrupted. ‘However, those supporting, collaborating and sponsoring the evil doers need to remember that when the country is destabilised, they are not going to be immune. What is happening in Afghanistan presently and what has been happening since the unwarranted ouster and murder of Muammar Ghadaffi of Libya should serve as lessons.

‘It is on record that since Ghadaffi was ousted, Libya has not known peace. As for Afghanistan, it is as though the government of that country wants to strip Afghan women and girls of their rights to those things that are basic to human existence – education, work, freedom of movement and participation in public life.

‘From August 2021, when Taliban took over government in that country, it has come up with over 70 decrees violating the rights of girls and women, especially their right to education, according to Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.’

South African TV personality and rapper Nadia Nakai, who was in a relationship with the late hip-hop star AKA, has claimed that she has no intention of dating another rapper or anyone in the entertainment industry.

In an exclusive interview with Fresh Men Magazine, Nakai reflected on the devastating loss of her late boyfriend, Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes, and its lasting impact on her life.

She revealed that the experience has reshaped her outlook on love and privacy, leading her to keep future relationships away from the public eye to protect her peace and healing journey.

She said : ‘I will not date another rapper or anybody in the [entertainment] industry ever again. I never want to do that again,’

she further said: ‘I want to have a very private relationship. I don’t want it to be public because if he had to die, that experience was terrible for me.

South African TV personality and rapper Nadia Nakai, who was in a relationship with the late hip-hop star AKA, has claimed that she has no intention of dating another rapper or anyone in the entertainment industry.

In an exclusive interview with Fresh Men Magazine, Nakai reflected on the devastating loss of her late boyfriend, Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes, and its lasting impact on her life.

She revealed that the experience has reshaped her outlook on love and privacy, leading her to keep future relationships away from the public eye to protect her peace and healing journey.

She said : ‘I will not date another rapper or anybody in the [entertainment] industry ever again. I never want to do that again,’

she further said: ‘I want to have a very private relationship. I don’t want it to be public because if he had to die, that experience was terrible for me.

The spate of kidnappings and cowardly attacks on lives and property in Kwara State lately is eroding its reputation as state of harmony. Kidnapping incidents, which began as isolated cases in parts of Kwara South some years ago, have now assumed an astonishing dimension.

Initially, the bandits and kidnappers had restricted their activities to the part of the state around Ekiti, Oke-Ero, Ifelodun, Isin and Irepodun local government areas in Kwara South. However, the criminals have extended their tentacles to Patigi and Edu local government areas in Kwara North.

Patigi and Edu are communities on the border between Kwara and Niger states, giving rise to widespread belief that the criminal elements flushed out from Niger State by security agents might have find a new abode in Kwara North forests from where they are now unleashing fear and terror.

Since last year or so, the bandits have become more daring, abducting, killing and maiming scores of innocent people in the state.

About one year ago, some gunmen had invaded the palace of Onikoro of Koro, Ekiti Local Government Area, shooting the monarch, a retired army general, dead. Since then, the area has witnessed series of attacks by bandits and kidnappings accompanied with demands for ransom payment.

The latest in the series was last Sunday’s early morning attacks on Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area where a monarch and 11 vigilance members were gruesomely dispatched into early graves.

The incident occurred less than 24 hours after former Senate President Bukola Saraki lamented the precarious security situation in the state.

Confirming the attack, the spokesperson of Kwara State Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said: ‘At about 7 am on Sunday, armed men invaded the Ogbayo area of Oke-Ode, shooting sporadically.

‘A combined team of police operatives and members of the National Forest Security Service responded swiftly to the scene, where they discovered 12 lifeless bodies of vigilante members, including the Baale of Ogbayo.

‘The victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Additionally, four persons who sustained injuries were immediately taken to hospital for treatment, while the deceased were evacuated.

‘Prior to this, some bandits had invaded Motokun, a village in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State. The invaders came on 50 motorcycles and attacked the village around 6 am. The operation, it was gathered, lasted for four hours.

Read Also: NAFDAC shuts Chinese supermarkets, cosmetics shops in Abuja

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, said ‘Matokun village was attacked by bandits on about 50 motorcycles, six people missing, suspected to have been kidnapped.

‘A woman suspected to have been hit by a gunshot eventually died from the injuries.’

In a related development, the police chief said bandits killed a police officer in Agboro, Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.

‘The assailants targeted a private company. In the course of the attack, one police officer gallantly lost his life in active service, while properties within the facility were also vandalized.’

Earlier in August, bandits had also allegedly attacked Babanla, also in Ifelodun LGA, killing four persons and carting away goods and wares from the market.

Scores of residents of the agrarian community fled their homes and sought refuge in Amoyo, a community on Ilorin outskirts.

Empathising with his subjects, Babanla’s monarch, Oba Adegboyega Yusuf Alabi, said: ‘Today, I speak with a heavy heart. On Friday, the 8th of August, our dear Babanla was struck by a cruel attack. Bandits invaded our land, leaving sorrow and destruction behind.

‘We lost four precious souls, many hardworking traders lost their goods, shops were looted, hotels were destroyed, and countless youths who depend on their motorcycles for daily bread were stripped of their means of survival.

‘These wounds cut deep into the very fabric of our community.

‘As the Chief Security Officer of Babanla, I feel the pain of every family that has lost a loved one, every mother who now weeps, every father whose hope has been shaken, every youth whose hope has been dashed, and every household now living in fears.

‘Though our efforts have been tireless, I admit with regret that we have not yet been able to fully shield you from these evils. But I assure you, peace will be restored.

‘With the approval and support of government, and with the bravery of our hunters, vigilantes and the unyielding resilience of our people, we shall prevail.

‘For those kidnapped, let it be known that since day one, necessary steps have been taken. Security operatives and community leaders have worked tirelessly, though for security reasons, details cannot be disclosed here.

‘Therefore, I plead with all those invited by security operatives, those interrogated, and those living in fear to come forward with useful information that can aid our fight against insecurity.

‘Do not see it as a burden, but as your role in saving our community, and be assured that anyone found guilty of collaborating with criminals will face the full weight of the law.’

The Chairman, Ifelodun Local Government Council, Hadji Femi Yusuf, said as part of activities to surmount the growing challenge of banditry and kidnapping in the area, his administration had employed and trained no fewer than 100 forest guards.

He said: ‘I call on stakeholders to start praying for our land in these trying times of security instability. I urge them to set aside politics and come together to pray for lasting peace, security and prosperity of Ifelodun Local Government Area and Kwara State as a whole.

‘On security, we procured 20 motorcycles to support local security outfits, employed and trained 100 forest guards, enrolled them in the state Health Insurance Scheme.

‘We also supplied 50 units of bulletproof vests and provided them with modern security gadgets.

‘We institutionalised a non-indigenous registration drive to have accurate data of all residents of the local government.

‘While commending the traditional council for their timely collaboration with the state government to chase out non-state actors from our land, we have continued to carry them along in our administration.’

Commenting on the wave of banditry, a security expert, who spoke on condition of anonymity, put the blame at the doorstep of the state government.

He said: ‘The governor should demonstrate a measure of seriousness and political will to root out the criminals.

‘This can be done through establishment of military outposts in those hotspots of the bandits and then deploy a joint team of army and air force personnel.

That will instill fear in those cowardly elements and they will flee. They are no match with the military.

‘That is my candidate submission.

‘As the chief security officer of the state, the buck stops at his table to defend the citizens by liaising with the presidency.

‘He should act fast before things get out of hand.’

Disturbed by the sordid development, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has declared that his administration will fight insecurity in the state with all the resources at its disposal.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, saying that nowhere in the state would be safe for criminal elements, including kidnappers.

The governor, who spoke after a security council meeting, said:

‘The Army Headquarters has since relocated the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2nd Division to Ilorin as part of the renewed efforts to strengthen security operations in the state.

‘On Monday night, combined forces of the Army, DSS and Police launched an offensive around Baba Sango, along the Kwara/Kogi border, neutralising about 15 armed bandits.

‘The same operation continued on Tuesday. And yesterday night, I presided over the State Security Council meeting at Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin, to integrate state and federal assets into a single strategy for both Kwara North and South.’

Governor AbdulRazaq assured Kwara residents that his administration would not relent in supporting security agencies to keep every community safe.

‘I have assurances of the security forces to smoke out and eliminate the criminals from their hideouts.

‘We will fight insecurity with every resource at our disposal. Kwara will not be a hiding place for criminals.

‘To any criminal who seeks to destabilise the peace in Kwara, you may run, but you cannot escape justice.

‘Kwara belongs to its people, and their peace will be defended,’ the governor added.

Already, joint security agents have heightened operations in some of the affected Lgs.

Therefore, the state government has urged residents of the state, especially people around Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Oke Ero, and Irepodun LGAs, to be vigilant and restrict outdoor activities as much as possible in the interim.

The advisory followed heightened operations by combined security forces in border towns in Kogi and Kwara, where kidnappers are believed to have hibernated.

‘We urge people to be very vigilant and limit their movements to only very necessary routines. That is to avoid being caught unawares as the kidnappers are fleeing their hideouts.

‘We do not want law-abiding citizens to be affected,’ according to a statement by the Commissioner for Communications Bolanle Olukoju.

She said the government regrets the temporary inconveniences the limited movement may cause in the nearby areas.

‘We commend the security forces for the renewed efforts to route the criminals, and charge them to continue until they are totally neutralised and flushed out of our forests,’ she added.

As a result, it was gathered that a notorious kidnapper Maidawa, others have been eliminated during an Isanlu Isin engagement with security forces.

A security source said ‘communications intercepted from the marauding kidnappers revealed that a notorious kidnapper known as Maidawa and many of his foot soldiers have been eliminated in an encounter with joint security forces around Isanlu-Isin in Kwara State.

‘The engagement occurred on September 30 as security forces pressed forward the operation to rout the criminals, according to information intercepted by the state security service.

‘The news of Maidawa’s death was broken to other gang members by another wanted kidnapper Baccujo around Igboro-Idofin Road during a conversation with his associates in faraway Marabar Maigora, Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State.

‘Security forces, spurred by new calls of the state government for urgent interventions, have ratcheted up the efforts to dislodge the kidnappers who often launch cowardly attacks on civilian populations and abduct people for ransom.

‘The operations are phased to cover every area where incidents have been recorded in recent weeks, including Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Edu, and Patigi.’

The parlous security situation has pitted former Senate President Bukola Saraki against Governor AbdulRazaq. Senator Saraki had lashed out at Governor AbdulRazaq for his alleged nonchalant attitude towards the rising insecurity in the state.

But the governor countered, saying the former Kwara State governor did not have any moral grounds to sermonise about insecurity in the state.

Saraki, shortly after the conclusion of the state congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ilorin, said ‘the theme of the congress showcased Kwara PDP as a platform of responsible, responsive, and compassionate political leaders who will always show empathy for the plight of the people.

‘Today, Kwara State is in a precarious state. Our State is being overrun by bandits, kidnappers, and killers who have waged a ceaseless, needless, and careless onslaught on our people.

‘Yet, the government in Kwara State and all the people in governance in the state have maintained a posture of apathy, nonchalance, and a carefree attitude.

‘The people in government have watched without a clue on how to stop the violence waged against our people by insurgents.

‘Every day, the story from Kwara State in the national media is about killings, kidnappings, and the displacement of people from their communities.

‘In the last 12 months, about 70 people have been reportedly killed in Kwara North and South while about 50 people have sustained various forms of injury from the assailants.

‘Within the same period, about 42 people have been kidnapped. Also, over 25 communities have been sacked as the residents abandoned their homes in the same period.

‘Under the present government, Kwara State is becoming a one-town-state as everybody in the northern and southern senatorial zones is converging on Ilorin to escape becoming the next victims of the spate of insecurity.

‘It has never been this bad in our state known as the State of Harmony. The state government is living in denial and trying to suppress the facts, figures, and scenarios from coming out.

‘They focus on accusing the opposition, which has been alerting the Federal Government and security agencies of the danger that now lurks in our communities, of playing politics with security.

‘No responsible citizen or party will play politics with the danger to the lives and livelihood of people.

‘But as responsible politicians and political platforms who want to genuinely serve our people, we will not keep quiet. We will continue to alert the national and international communities about the danger that daily confronts our people.

‘We will continue to urge the people who can help to come to the rescue of the Kwara people.’

He added: ‘The spate of killings, kidnappings, and the collapse of the security system in Kwara State is unprecedented.

‘We never witnessed anything of this sort since the creation of the state.

‘Either during the military era, during the tenure of my predecessors, in my time as governor, or during the period of my immediate successor as elected governors, has this type of terrible occurrence ever happened in Kwara State?

‘Why does this government continue to fail the people by folding its arms and being complacent about the security of lives and property?

‘It should be noted that this spate of security crises is just festering in Kwara State to the exclusion of its neighbours. Insurgency is no longer a menace in Niger State.

‘The state government working with security agencies there has chased the criminals out.

‘This is just a reflection of the clueless and lackadaisical government we have in Kwara State.

But Governor AbdulRazaq, through his Special Adviser on Media, Bashir Adigun, described Saraki’s accusation of nonchalance as shameless and false.

Adigun said: ‘For the avoidance of doubt, Saraki is the least qualified person to speak on security matters in Kwara State.

‘Under his political empire, Kwarans lived in fear of cult killings, kidnappings and the notorious reign of terror unleashed by ‘Good Boys’ and political thugs loyal to his dynasty.

‘It is laughable that a man whose era institutionalised violence and thuggery now pretends to be a security advocate.

‘Instead of offering condolences to victims of criminal attacks, Saraki has chosen to play cheap politics with human lives – a shameful display of insensitivity.

‘Must we remind him that insecurity today is a national scourge? Bandits fleeing military bombardments in the North West often spill into North Central states like Kwara.

‘This is not peculiar to Kwara and certainly not a result of government indifference. If anything, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has shown more commitment to securing our state than Saraki ever did in his years of political dominance.

‘Unlike Saraki, Governor AbdulRazaq is not breeding thugs; he is equipping security agencies with patrol vehicles, gadgets, and logistics.

‘He is empowering forest guards, vigilantes, and local hunters to defend our communities.

‘He is working hand in hand with the Army, Police, Air Force, and Civil Defence to flush out criminals.

‘Only recently, following the Governor’s advocacy, the Army Headquarters has directed the GOC Ibadan to relocate to Kwara to lead operations against the bandits.

‘Equally important, the AbdulRazaq administration understands that development is the best antidote to insecurity.

‘That is why schools, hospitals, roads, and water projects are springing up across the state. That is why thousands of youths have been employed and empowered.

‘These are tangible results Kwarans can see and feel. Saraki should be the last to cry wolf.

‘His close ally, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, openly confessed in 2022 that the insecurity Nigeria battles today was worsened by foreign militias imported into the country for elections in 2015 by Saraki’s political camp.

‘Today, those same foreigners are terrorizing Nigerians.

‘This is the dirty foundation of the problem, and Saraki knows it.

‘Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq will never play politics with the lives of Kwarans. He will continue to stand with our people, work with security agencies, and invest in the future of our state.

‘Saraki’s attempt to rewrite history and feign concern is nothing but a failed propaganda stunt.

Kwarans know better.’

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council at the Pamo University of Medical Sciences(PUMS), Dr. Peter Odili has charged newly inducted graduates of the institution to be good ambassadors as well as uphold the virtue of excellence, hard work, honesty anywhere they go.

Odili spoke yesterday at a joint induction/oath-taking ceremony for graduating students of the Departments of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS), Nursing Science and Radiography and Radiation Science of the university in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital.

A total of 28 of the students graduated, with 18 Nurses, seven MLS and three Radiographers, respectively.

The former governor had expressed gratitude to the state government for instituting the scholarship scheme that has given youths of the state the opportunity to train in PUMS, and promised to convey the gratitude of parents of the graduating students to the government.

Earlier, parents of the graduating students had expressed gratitude to Odili and the state government for giving their children and ward the opportunity to study in the best medical science university in the country presently and prayed for the sustenance of the school.

‘On behalf of Council what I want to say to our inductees who are now associates of their various professional bodies, is that you are a very lucky set, because you have parents that have done what no other group of parents have done. I will transmit the very hearty appreciation expressed on behalf of the parents to our governor. So for our 2025 graduates, the Board of Council has approved that each of you will receive N100,000,’ he announced.

While delivering the induction lecture, with the theme, ‘Balancing Innovation and Compassion: the place of Technology in Allied Medicine,’ the resource person from the Niger Delta University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Prof. Y. M. Tatfeng charged the nurses for compassion and not just sympathy for the sick.

Also speaking the Dean Faculty of Allied Health Sciences Prof. Bashir Bello charged them for hard work, accuracy, excellency, integrity and teamwork.

In the same vein, other speakers who spoke at the ceremony appealed to the medical professionals to pursue and seek help when in doubt, rather than use human beings for experiment.

Earlier in his welcome speech, the Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Smith I. Jaja disclosed that 18 nurses, seven MLS and three Radiographers were to be graduated and inducted into their various field bodies, assuring that the new inductees had passed through the best training they could have.

Jubilation yesterday greeted the news that a Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State has ordered the Police to maintain the status quo on the enforcement of vehicle tinted glass permit.

The court issued the order in suit No.FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, filed by a lawyer, John Aikpokpo-Martins, against the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Nigeria Police Force.

The order came barely hours after police operatives in the state impounded the vehicle of a judicial officer despite the pendency of a suit by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) last month challenging the legality of the exercise.

Scores of Nigerians who reacted to the news noted that enforcement of the tinted permit at this time showed insensitivity to the people’s economic plights.

Others raised concerns about the difficulty in completing the process through the digital portal, possap.gov.ng, accusing the police of reintroducing the exercise as a means to extort and harass motorists.

But there were still a handful of Nigerians who stood with the police, citing the spate of kidnapping and insecurity across the country, and the need for law enforcement officers to regulate the use of tinted permits.

In its suit filed last month, the NBA had argued that the policy was unlawful and violated citizens’ fundamental rights to dignity, privacy, and freedom of movement. It also claimed that the police’s ground for the enforcement was hinged on a 1991 Act, enacted under the military rule and contradicted the 1999 Constitution.

But their lawsuit did not stop the police as enforcement commenced in most states as scheduled.

The enforcement, the police said, is in strict compliance with the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 2004, which remains a vital security regulation used to curb criminal activities and enhance public safety.

In Jigawa and Delta states for instance, the police intensified enforcements, impounding 20 and 25 vehicles respectively.

Spokesman for the Zamfara State Police Command told The Nation that offenders were charged to court immediately, adding that there was active enforcement across the 27 LGAs with emphasis on the state capital.

Adam added that he was not aware of any court order halting the exercise.

In Delta State, the police command through its X handle announced the clampdown on 25 vehicles for flouting the tinted permit law, vowing to sustain the tempo.

Motorists complain of registration challenges

Lagos motorists continued to express frustration over difficulties with the TGP registration process. Many cited persistent glitches on the POSSAP portal, exorbitant charges and the reliance on agents.

Mr. Niyi Ajet, who registered four vehicles, said he paid ?40,000 through an agent after repeated failed attempts online. Mrs. Blessing Nwosu described the process as ‘nearly impossible,’ adding that she hoped the reported court suspension of enforcement would shield motorists from harassment.

Mr. Kehinde Osakede said the portal stalled at the payment stage, while Mr. Emmanuel Azubike described the scheme as ‘extortion,’ recalling that a former IGP had earlier suspended it.

Others, like Mr. Magnus Eze, admitted resorting to agents at extra cost.

Mrs. Hope Bolaji said she decided to wait, citing frequent ‘error’ messages on the site. ‘Suspending it is the best option so we can take our time to register,’ she said, noting that no officers had impounded cars in Ajah and Victoria Island.

Meanwhile, some motorists reported differing experiences with law enforcement in Lagos.

One driver said police only requested his licence and ignored the tinted glass.

Another, however, complained that agents were demanding ?45,000 for permits officially priced at ?12,000.

An Uber driver, Cletus Emmanuel, narrated his ordeal in separate encounters with officers enforcing the directive.

Mr. Emmanuel, who was arrested around the Mile 2 axis, said his car was seized after he resisted demands for money.

Emmanuel, who resides in the same neighborhood as this reporter, explained that the officers ignored his explanations that the exercise was on hold and if the courts had given the police the go ahead, he would obtain a permit.

‘They told me I could not move unless I paid one million naira. When I refused, they assaulted me and forced me out of the car before impounding it. I was left stranded while they drove it away,’ Emmanuel has said.

Similarly, two motorists expressed dissatisfaction with the enforcement, describing the policy as exploitative, unnecessary, and burdensome on law-abiding citizens.

One of the motorists, who said he owned multiple factory-fitted tinted vehicles, faulted the regulation, arguing that it places an unfair responsibility on drivers who have already paid full import duties on their cars.

‘All my cars have factory-fitted tinted glass, and I paid all duties before buying them. Now asking me to obtain a separate permit feels oppressive and ridiculous,’ he said.

He noted that linking tinted glass to criminal activity was an indictment on law enforcement rather than justification for fresh regulations.

‘If criminals can still get a permit, will that stop crime? The police should focus on tackling crime directly instead of punishing innocent car owners. This is simply a revenue drive, not a crime-fighting measure,’ he added.

Another motorist, however, said that while he understood the government’s concerns about security, the current approach was flawed and unnecessarily stressful for drivers.

‘I don’t support crime, but the process of getting a tinted permit is discouraging.

‘Some of us use tinted glass for health reasons, like protection from the sun, but the police don’t consider that.

‘Instead, they stop us at checkpoints, delay us, and sometimes extort money,’ he said.

He urged authorities to simplify the process or scrap it entirely, noting that genuine safety measures, rather than permits, would better address the concerns.

In Katsina, transport operators lauded the court order suspending the enforcement, describing it as a huge relief.

Tasi Kofar Durbi, one of the drivers operating in Katsina-Lagos axis expressed relief, citing the challenges the policy posed to their operations.

The policy, according to him, has caused significant disruptions in the transportation sector, with many drivers facing harassment and extortion by police officers.

He said: ‘I welcome the court order. It will reduce the stress and challenges we face on the road.

”The ruling will ease the burden on us transport operators and ensure smoother travel experiences for passengers.’

Commercial motorists in Imo State also expressed concerns about the directive, demanding fair implementation.

According to them, the police have warned that they will be forced to stop operating if they failed to replace their factory-fitted tinted windscreens.

‘We are going to protest if the police give preferential treatment to vehicle owners.

‘Some of our colleagues have packed their vehicles because they couldn’t afford to change the windscreens due to the high cost of materials in the market,’ one operator said.

The police command had previously explained that the ban on tinted windscreens for commercial buses, particularly ‘Bus Imo,’ aims to enhance public safety. This measure was necessitated by the frequent involvement of such vehicles in violent crimes like kidnapping, armed robbery, and ‘one chance’ incidents in the state.

The command has directed vehicle owners with factory-fitted tinted or lightly shaded windscreens to apply for mandatory permits on the approved police portal before the October 3 deadline. The bus operators are requesting that the police apply the same strict warnings to private vehicle owners

For Anambra, Benue, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), enforcement was yet to kick off, but sensitization exercises were ongoing.

Spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed that motorists were only being mobilised and encouraged to register their vehicles through circulated links.

Our correspondent who monitored the enforcement in Abuja observed that the police officers were not enforcing it.

Motorists, who spoke with The Nation yesterday, were surprised that they were not asked for the tinted permit.

Mr. Lucky Oyi, a civil servant, said his tinted permit papers were with him, but since Thursday, no police officer has asked for it.

Oyi said: ‘I am surprised that the enforcement has not started in the FCT. I have not witnessed it, and likewise my friends.

‘I am okay by it, but any time they start, I am ready. With what other states are experiencing, the police should just stop this enforcement.’

A motorist, Ada Omale, supported the enforcement, adding that the step will further help curb insecurity, ‘one chance’ menace in the nation’s capital.

‘People are using tinted glasses indiscriminately without approval, so if the police are giving approval, it is a welcome development,’ he said.

There was noticeable enforcement in other parts of Plateau State save for the capital, Jos, where the exercise was relaxed to enable free flow of traffic as a result of the President’s visit to the state.

In Abia State, Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa confirmed that enforcement had started following directives from the Inspector-General of Police.

Addressing senior officers in Umuahia, Isa warned personnel against extortion and urged professionalism during the exercise. No arrests had been confirmed at press time.

In Borno State, the enforcement of the tinted permit started on Thursday and continued yesterday without confrontation, said the police command’s spokesman, ASP Nahum Daso Kenneth.

The PPRO in a telephone interview disclosed that vehicle owners who could not provided their tinted permits were asked to remove their tint from their cars on the spot.

He added that there were no reported cases of violence between the police and vehicle owners in the state.

Yobe Police Command extended the grace period to October 6, warning that any tinted vehicle found without a valid permit would be impounded, and the driver charged to court for violating road traffic regulations.’

Contacted for reaction, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the police do not receive nor act on social media status quo order.

He said: ‘We have not been officially served by any court. Until then, we will know the next action to take. For now the enforcement continues.’

The political developments in Osun State provide a case in point that lays bare the clear trend in Nigeria’s democracy. Whichever side of the ideological fence one may be tempted to stand on, these events have established, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we are contending with the maggot of a deformed democracy.

Tragically, a century after its first elections in the Lagos and Calabar Colonies, Nigeria is still wallowing in the cesspool of flawed democratic norms. This is especially true concerning local government polls.

In the imbroglios and endless claims and counter-claims about the Osun State crisis, the essential political debate is missing two key elements: the conditions of the people and the impact of the impasse on economic development. Local governments should be effective, as they have a direct bearing on daily lives and the economy as a whole. Citizens rely on them for vital permits and essential services.

It is characteristic of the lack of interest in governance that no one has performed a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) – including the opportunity cost – of shutting down the local governments in a state. Obviously, the concept of development no longer has any meaning. This is a shame because local governments have an integral input in primary education, primary healthcare, and social welfare. Consequently, what’s happening in Osun is in contradistinction to any known conventional definition of development.

Although the matter is, to an extent, subjudice, it is imperative that the warring parties extend the limit of their imagination and find a democratic compromise or sign a ceasefire agreement to immediately revitalize the local governments. Allowing this political combat to continue has a direct, negative impact on the daily lives of citizens and, if not contained swiftly, risks becoming an existential crisis for local governance. The immediate focus must be on political resolution to restore the essential services that local government provides.

We have gone beyond game-playing and must now focus intently on the human consequences of this crisis. Any investor contemplating a commitment in Osun State will seriously consider the detrimental impact of shutting down the local governments on his or her venture. An investor cannot deal with the state government in isolation; he or she faces unacceptable risks, especially since he or she must also engage with the local governments for vital approvals and operations.

This present back and forth cannot be the way to attract investments, let alone heighten economic activities in the state. Something has to be done immediately!

May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!

A civic organisation – Ondo Redemption Front has charged the state Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa on total autonomy for local government administration to allow for grassroots development.

The civic organisation which is committed to truth and accountability noted that this was to compliment the Federal Government’s desire in ensuring that effective governance was enhanced through effective local government administration.

Chairman of the organisation, Ayodeji Ologun, made the call at the group’s September Edition of its State of state address in Abuja.

Ologun said that as a group of concerned lawyers, the group had earlier raised serious concerns regarding the state of healthcare, governance, infrastructure, and financial accountability in Ondo state.

He said: ‘Ordinarily, we ought to have had this press conference in Akure but our deep concern to draw the attention of the Federal Government on the Local Government funds in Ondo State have brought us here.

‘You will recall that the Attorney General of the Federation sometimes approached, the Supreme Court in order to give life to our Local Governments. The reliefs sought by the Federal Government for our Local Government were granted.

‘The Attorney General assured Nigerians and by extension Ondo State people that our local governments will have an independent way of accessing their funds directly from the federation account for effective local government administration.’

Ologun added: ‘We hereby call on the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation to revisit the implementation of the Supreme Judgment on Local Government autonomy.

Ologun said that true governance demanded listening, planning, and acting decisively.

He said that the group was worried about the implementation of some programmes which have little benefit to the people instead of strengthening community participation and resolving long-standing conflicts through dialogue.

The Ondo Redemption Front, therefore, called for the immediate and unconditional release of Local Government funds to all the Local Government in Ondo state as released by the federal government through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

Also speaking, Co-Chairman of the Ondo Redemption Front, Mogbojuri Kayode said: ‘Citizens should not be at the mercy of governance. It is only right for the government to tell us how the Ondo state funds have been used so far. ‘It is the right of the people for the government to disclose this information.’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed his happiness with the first of its kind E1 Lagos GP- electric powerboat racing championship, kicking off in the metropolitan today.

He said: ‘I am proud and happy that this city keeps making history. It was the host of the first Festival of Black Arts and Culture (FESTAC 77), which brought the world to Nigeria. A few weeks ago, Lagos hosted the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX), the annual global technology event and the world’s largest startup show. It was a huge success. The Lagos International Marathon, which draws elite athletes worldwide, has been running since 2016. Now, Lagos is making history as the host of the E1 Lagos GP. It is the first city in Africa to host the powerboat racing championship, joining the ranks of Monaco, London, Jeddah, and Venice.’

Tinubu further said: ‘I am excited because, despite being Nigeria’s President – a job that I am truly honoured and privileged to have – I remain a proud Lagosian. The state is, once again, affirming its place as a bold, forward-looking city and a gateway to innovation, technology, and global sporting excellence. Lagos, the cultural capital of Nigeria, the heartbeat of our economy, and a symbol of our resilience, is the perfect host. Its vibrant waterways and dynamic people embody the spirit of competition, creativity, and hospitality. I commend Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, his team, and all partners, particularly the E1 and sponsors of this event, for the vision and hard work that made this possible. Let the E1 Lagos GP be more than a race. Let it signal to Nigeria, Africa, and the world that we are ready to lead in the great transition to clean energy and sustainable prosperity.’