NIGERIAN NOTCH

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Saturday recalled his instant reaction when he received the news of the sudden death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, over a forthnight ago, saying, I was jolted. Akpabio stated this on Saturday when he led some of his colleagues on a condolence visit to the widow of the late lawmaker, Uchenna, in his Lagos residence. A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted him as saying" I was jolted when I received the news of the death of a very dedicated and patriotic colleague, Senator Ifeayin Ubah. When I received a call from Senator Mpigi, that I should talk to you, I never knew it was the news of Senator Ubah's death. I was thinking of something else and even asked to speak with him not knowing that it was about his demise. " If you could remember, I didn't conclude the conversation with you. I threw away the phone because of the shock. We never thought Senator Ubah would die in the next 40 years, b...

Igbo Concerned Citizens in Rivers State, a group of Igbo Indigenes in the state has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to recognize Senator Magnus Ngei Abe at the federal level to balance the political equation in the APC structure in the state. The group, concerned Igbo citizens who gathered at the Rivers State capital today, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to recognize Senator Magnus Abe's dedication and contributions with a federal appointment. The group, comprising elders, professionals, and community leaders, highlighted Senator Abe's impressive track record in promoting unity, peace, and progress in Rivers State. They emphasized his unwavering commitment to the well-being of all people, regardless of ethnic background or political affiliation. By recognizing Senator Abe's efforts, the leader of the group, Chief O.Z Ubah said recognizing Senator Abe with a federal appointment, by President Tinubu would send a powerful message of inclusivity and app...

The youth wing of apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has described the non-participation of the entire South-East in the nationwide EndBadGovernance protest as historical.  It could be recalled that the entire South-East shunned the hunger protest which lasted from August 1-10 across the country.  Addressing journalists on Sunday, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike said it was not by chance that Ndigbo boycotted the protest.  Okwu said it was a demonstration of the love and support Ndigbo have the President Bola Tinubu administration.  He stated that the Igbo youth group held a series of meetings with affiliate youth organisations where all of them saw reasons not to be part of the protest.  “We took this stand to make Mr President understand clearly that we are solidly behind his government.  “There was a series of engagements with the various affilia...

The Nigerian Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Council Worldwide has urged the Federal Government to ensure that those behind the use of Russian flags during the EndBadGovernance are brought to book. They made their stand known in a statement issued on Sunday after their emergency meeting. The statement was signed by Comrade Terry Obeih, President General, Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Council/NENYLCW, Alhaji Balarabe Rufai, President, Northern Youth Council/ Vice President, NENYLCW, Aare Oladotun Hassan Esq, President, Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide/ Secretary General, NENYLCW, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, National President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide/ Publicity Secretary, NENYLCW, Comrade Emmanuel Zopmal, President, Middle-Belt Youth Council/ Organising Secretary,  NENYLCW and Alhaji Hamisu Dass, President, North-East Youth Assembly/Treasurer, NENYLCW. The youth leaders, who described the sponsors of the Russian flags as “coupists”, noted that...

The Nigerian Senate has issued a strong denial of allegations suggesting that it is involved in determining its own salaries or receiving special fiscal packages from the Presidency.  These claims, which reportedly surfaced during a visit by members of the House of Representatives to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, have sparked widespread public concern. In a statement released by Senate Spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu, who represents Ekiti South, the Senate described the allegations as an attempt to "crucify the legislature by the centurions of political hypocrisy."  Senator Adaramodu emphasized that no Senator has received any financial patronage from the Presidency.  He clarified that the constituency projects often linked to the legislature are merely suggested and nominated by Senators, following practices common in other democracies worldwide. To set the record straight, the Senate stressed that it only receives the salary allocated to it by the Revenue Mo...

By Chigozie Igbo  Rivers state, the treasure base of Nigeria has been in the news lately and had at a time dominated all political discussions in the country, because of the unsettling crisis that has emanated from the oil rich state. However, the state no doubt boasts of very strong political figures, who have helped shape the destiny of the state. Today, my focus would be on the person of Senator Magnus Ngei Abe. A one time Senator, from Rivers State, who represented Rivers South East Senatorial District. Senator Magnus Ngei Abe was born on the 24th of May 1965, a Nigerian politician and lawyer. He was first elected to the Nigerian Senate in 2011 at the April 2011 Federal elections and again in a rerun poll of December 2016. Senator Magnus Ngei Abe is a highly respected and influential political figure in Rivers State politics, known for his exceptional leadership qualities, vision, and contributions to the state's development. He has been a major player in shaping th...

By Abdulkareem Bello The declaration and eventual commencement of a nationwide protest, on August 1, 2024, has no doubt shown that there is anger in the land. From one state to another and then to the media space, it has been a season of anger with the attendant outcomes that often follow such ire. At the receiving end of that ire has been the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, albeit wrongfully. An administration which began a little over a year ago has no doubt, shown the determination and commitment to right the myriads of wrongs in the country. At a point, they widened their dragnet to include the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio by calling for his imaginary head on a platter. But what could warrant the call for Akpabio’s head? What could the former two-term governor of Akwa Ibom State have done so wrong to incite Nigerian youths against him in such a manner? What could be the basis in directing their inner anger against a gentleman, who has never miss...