In the rich proverbial wisdom of the African people, there is a saying: “If you keep hitting a palm kernel that is jumping and flying, you’ll eventually be blinded.” This proverb is not just a quaint cultural expression; it is a warning, a mirror to reflect on the dangers of relentless pursuit, especially when that pursuit becomes counterproductive and even self-destructive.

It is in the context of this ancestral wisdom that we must examine the growing and unrelenting attacks on Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. These attacks have become a political ritual of bitterness, hate, and desperation. It is time to call it for what it is: a vendetta wrapped in hypocrisy and seasoned with envy. It is time her traducers took a break, because this palm kernel is flying, and the more they keep swinging, the more likely they are to end up punching themselves in the face.

Let’s begin with a blunt question: “Who exactly is afraid of Natasha, and why does she remain a lightning rod of controversy and attack?”

Natasha is not a typical politician. She is a disruptor in a male-dominated system designed to suppress women of ambition. A lawyer, social entrepreneur, humanitarian, and now a senator, Natasha has consistently shown that she is not afraid to step on the toes of established interests. But her greatest crime, in the eyes of her haters, is that she has refused to play by their rules. She has refused to keep quiet. She has refused to kneel to godfathers. She has refused to back down. And that, in a warped society where obedience to oppressive power structures is mistaken for humility, is enough to make you a target.

Her traducers, mostly partisan politicians who are opposed to her political triumphs, have turned her political journey into a battlefield. Every move she makes is met with cynicism. Every achievement is questioned. Every initiative is discredited. But the question remains: “Why are they so obsessed with her?”

Let’s not sugarcoat it: Nigeria’s political climate is openly hostile to women who dare to challenge the norm. The political structure is wired to intimidate, frustrate, and ultimately silence women who exhibit independence and strength. And when these tactics fail, the system resorts to a more dangerous method: character assassination.

We have seen this play out again and again. The late Dora Akunyili was constantly maligned. Oby Ezekwesili was labeled a loudmouth. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was accused of everything under the sun. Even Aisha Yesufu, a private citizen and activist, is not spared. And now, Natasha is the newest name on the hit list.

It seems the Nigerian establishment cannot stand a woman who thinks for herself, speaks without fear, and moves without permission. She must be torn down. She must be dragged through the mud. She must be made to suffer for daring to shine.

Let us talk about hypocrisy. Many of the people attacking Natasha have never contributed anything meaningful to their communities. They are the same politicians who hide during crises, loot during opportunities, and speak only when there is a brown envelope involved.

They say she is too outspoken, yet celebrate men who spew nonsense every other week. They say she is controversial, yet worship male politicians who have mastered the art of chaos and confusion. They say she is not a saint, yet defend known criminals because they share party affiliations.

This double standard is sickening. It reeks of desperation. And more than anything else, it exposes the true motives of her attackers: fear, envy, and panic.

Make no mistake, what Natasha is facing is not politics as usual. It is a targeted campaign of vendetta orchestrated by those who cannot bear the thought of her influence expanding. This is not opposition based on principle or ideology. It is a witch-hunt dressed in political clothing.

Some of her enemies are politicians who feel humiliated by her victories. Others are power brokers who fear she is too independent to control. Some are just bitter individuals who cannot stand to see a woman rise. But all of them are unified by one thing: they underestimated her. And now that she has proven her strength, they are scrambling to destroy her before she becomes unstoppable.

But as the African proverb warns, their desperation is blinding them. The more they strike, the more their own image suffers. The people are watching. The public is listening. The voters are taking notes.

Let us be clear: Natasha is not perfect. No one is. She is not above critique. But criticism must be constructive, fair, and based on facts, not lies, gossip, and coordinated attacks.

She is a human being. She has made mistakes. She has taken risks. But unlike most of her critics, she has done something meaningful with her life. She has fought for her community. She has built businesses. She has empowered women. She has spoken truth to power. She has refused to be anyone’s puppet.

What have her critics done? Apart from hiding behind keyboards, issuing anonymous threats, and amplifying fake news, what exactly have they achieved?

We must get to a point in this country where we learn to differentiate between genuine accountability and bitter envy. We cannot build a better Nigeria by tearing down our best and brightest.

Here’s the good news: the masses are not as gullible as the haters believe. People see what is going on. They may not all shout on social media, but they are quietly observing. They know who is real and who is fake. They know who is fighting for them and who is fighting for their own pockets.

Natasha’s connection with ordinary people is not manufactured. It is real. It is earned. And it is growing. Her victory at the polls was not a fluke, it was a message. The people are tired of recycled leaders. They are tired of empty promises. They are tired of being insulted.

What they want now are leaders who are bold, sincere, and visionary. Natasha fits that bill. And no amount of character assassination will change that.

To her traducers, let this be a final word of caution: “If you keep hitting a palm kernel that is jumping and flying, you will eventually be blinded.” That is not just folklore, it is prophecy. It is the voice of ancestral wisdom reminding you that your actions have consequences.

There is still time to retreat, to refocus your energies on meaningful issues, to stop the bitterness and do better. Because if you continue down this path of hate and sabotage, you may find that you have destroyed your own credibility while Natasha continues to rise.

Nigeria needs all hands on deck. We cannot afford to keep fighting shadows while the nation burns. Let Natasha be. Leave her alone. Let her work. Let her serve. And if you must criticize her, do so with facts, not venom.

Nigeria is at a critical juncture. We need leaders who are bold, innovative, and resilient. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan embodies these qualities. She is not perfect, but she is trying. She is serving. And she is leading.

Instead of wasting energy trying to tear her down, let us channel that energy into fixing our broken systems. Let us amplify the voices doing the work. Let us support women in leadership instead of vilifying them.

Enough is enough. Let the palm kernel fly. And if you cannot catch it, at least do not blind yourself trying.

Leave Natasha alone. The future is watching.

A Subtle Shift That Sparked Broader Concern

In a society where quiet strength is often prized and physical vulnerability is shrouded in silence, a recent video of Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, drew unexpected attention. The footage captured what many interpreted as an altered way of walking, marked by a visible shift in his left arm and leg. While the Minister has publicly dismissed claims of collapsing or experiencing a medical episode, and has not acknowledged any health challenge, the visual imagery has lingered in the national psyche. For a population highly attuned to body language and often reliant on physical signs over official statements, this observation became a quiet invitation to reflect, learn, and perhaps prepare.

This commentary makes no attempt to diagnose Minister Wike or any individual. Rather, it uses the public reaction as a catalyst for wider awareness, grounded in psychological and neurological education.

Interpreting the Body’s Language: Clinical and Cultural Observations

What may appear to some as a mere limp or tired step can, through a clinical lens, take on a different meaning. When one observes a hanging left hand and a stiff left leg moving in tandem, clinicians are trained to consider the possibility of left-sided hemiparesis or hemiplegia. These conditions, marked by weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, are often associated with disruptions in the right hemisphere of the brain. In the realm of neuroscience, the brain’s right side governs motor control, balance, and awareness on the left side of the body. Damage to this hemisphere may affect the fluidity of movement and the expressive quality of behavior, even when speech and verbal interaction remain unaffected. Such signs may be subtle at first, but to those familiar with neurological decline, they can be the earliest clues.

The Right Hemisphere: The Silent Disruptor

While left hemisphere strokes often announce themselves through sudden loss of speech or logic, the right hemisphere is more deceptive. When a stroke occurs in the right hemisphere of the brain, it affects the left side of the body. It also impairs spatial judgment, emotional tone, facial recognition, attention, and depth perception. Right-sided strokes can result in a person unknowingly neglecting the left side of their body, a condition known as left neglect. For instance, an individual may bump into objects on their left, ignore food on the left side of a plate, or fail to acknowledge movement on that side. These behaviors may not be seen as medical symptoms at first, which is why such strokes are often under-recognized and under-treated. In many instances, people observing a right hemisphere stroke survivor may note emotional flatness, impulsivity, or socially unusual behavior. Yet, without speech difficulty, the stroke goes unspoken—despite its dramatic effects on mobility and perception.

Unpacking What a Stroke Truly Entails

Strokes are not abstract or distant afflictions—they are immediate, visceral, and unforgiving in their onset. A stroke arises when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, either by a blockage (ischemic) or a rupture (hemorrhagic). When this happens, brain cells begin to die due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients. The damage depends on where in the brain the incident occurs. Importantly, every stroke is unique, and so are its consequences. In contexts where access to swift medical intervention is uneven, recognizing symptoms early can make the difference between survival, disability, or death.

The Left Hemisphere: Speech, Logic, and Rapid Decline

In the Nigerian context, where many associate medical emergencies with outward drama, left hemisphere strokes are sometimes more readily recognized. This is because the left side of the brain governs speech, language, and analytical thought. A person affected by a left hemisphere stroke might suddenly struggle to form words, read, write, or solve simple problems. They may appear confused, but they are often painfully aware of the deterioration happening inside them. For families, this is both distressing and clear. Unlike right-sided strokes, which can sometimes mask themselves in physical signs alone, left-sided strokes speak loudly through voice, reason, and comprehension.

Challenging Harmful Myths: Stroke Is Not Caused by Insects

One of the more persistent misconceptions in parts of Nigeria is the belief that mosquito bites or mysterious forces cause stroke. While malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases can be dangerous in their own right, they do not trigger strokes. Stroke is not a disease passed through bites or curses. It is a complex vascular event, shaped by internal medical and behavioral factors. Replacing these myths with accurate knowledge could save lives and restore confidence in modern medicine and psychological science.

A Look at the Real Culprits Behind Stroke Risk

There are clear, measurable contributors to stroke that science has long identified. Excessive alcohol intake not only raises blood pressure but also destabilizes heart rhythm, creating fertile ground for clot formation. Psychological stress, often chronic and unspoken in Nigerian society, silently elevates risk. Daily lifestyle choices—smoking, poor diet, lack of physical movement—compound the danger, especially when compounded by untreated hypertension or diabetes. These are not character flaws but modifiable risk factors, and awareness is the first step toward prevention.

The Terms That Should Not Be Foreign

Words like hemiparesis, hemiplegia, spasticity, and foot drop may sound technical, but they represent everyday realities for stroke survivors. Hemiparesis refers to reduced strength on one side of the body; hemiplegia, its more severe form, means total paralysis. Spasticity describes the stiffness and involuntary tightness in muscles, often observed after a stroke, particularly in limbs. Foot drop, meanwhile, makes lifting the front part of the foot difficult, leading to tripping or dragging while walking. These are not abstract labels—they describe the conditions that many Nigerians may be living with or may one day face.

Managing the Unmanageable: Treatment in a Fragile System

One truth that often remains buried beneath the promise of medicine is that stroke has no definitive cure. There is no pill or surgery that can undo what a severe stroke takes away. What medicine can offer is stabilization and rehabilitation. If caught early, clot-busting drugs or surgical intervention can limit brain damage. Once stable, patients enter a long road of recovery, involving physical, occupational, and speech therapy. But these services are not equally available. In many parts of Nigeria, the costs are high, the access is limited, and the emotional burden on families is overwhelming. In such a reality, prevention must become the national priority.

Early Recognition: Quiet Signs Before the Fall

The F.A.S.T. method (Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to seek help) is an invaluable tool, but it does not capture every stroke. Many begin with signs that whisper rather than scream—a slow foot, a hand that no longer swings, a sudden shift in posture, a muted response, or a look that appears slightly distant. These signs can be brushed off as fatigue, aging, or stress. But in many cases, they are the first cries of the brain in distress. Recognizing them early, without shame or delay, can change outcomes dramatically.

The Role of Leadership and the Culture of Silence

In many cases, individuals experiencing post-stroke symptoms begin to show less of themselves in public spaces. They might choose to wear special clothing designed to conceal weakened limbs or postural imbalances, and in video appearances, effort is often made to frame the shots in ways that hide or cut off visibly odd gaits or hanging arms.

Among those in positions of leadership, acknowledging illness is often interpreted as a threat to power or image. In high-pressure environments, especially among men in governance, strength is equated with silence. From a psychological viewpoint, this results in denial and minimization—strategies that protect ego but endanger health. But when a leader remains silent about their health while showing physical signs, it sets a national precedent. Citizens, taking cues from those in power, begin to suppress their own pain, delaying treatment until it is too late.

Prevention: A Shared National Duty

To shift the national health narrative, stroke prevention must move from individual concern to collective responsibility. Nigerians must understand that health is not a luxury for the wealthy—it is a shared value. Managing blood pressure, staying active, avoiding tobacco, moderating alcohol, and eating wisely must become part of our national identity. Communities must be empowered to speak up when they notice changes in loved ones, and primary care must become more accessible. In a country facing economic challenges, prevention is not just the best strategy—it is the most affordable one.

A Closing Reflection: When Movement Changes, Listen Closely

This piece is not meant to draw conclusions about one man, nor to intrude on personal privacy. I make no attempt to diagnose anyone. But it is meant to honor the public’s intuition that when a person walks differently, the body may be revealing more than the mouth is willing to say. Whether in the Minister’s stride or the gait of a neighbor, changes in movement should prompt awareness, not whispers. Stroke does not wait. It does not favor rank. It arrives when uninvited and takes what it pleases.

In these moments, our role is not to speculate, but to learn. And in learning, we give ourselves a chance to act—to save lives, preserve dignity, and protect the future.

On Sunday, March 25, the Church celebrated this year’s mothering Sunday. The event which traditionally follows the Feast of Annunciation, honours the grace – filled life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Standing on the dignity the BVM brought to womanhood, the Feast by extension honours the vocation of motherhood. The BVM unites the two and stands out as the epitome of this face of creation. But because the mother of Christ was invested with supernatural graces, some have a feeling that she is so set apart from the rest of us that she cannot seriously be emulated. Notwithstanding that Mary led a normal human life on earth, except for the inclination to sin, her projection as model of womanhood and motherhood, is sometimes accepted as only the ideal but a mission impossible for the mass of humanity. This suspension or anaesthetic perception of Mary’s humanity takes place, somehow forgetting her seven sorrows. The flight to Egypt with Joseph, shortly after childbirth, in harrowing conditions of winter and desert dust, is a sobering reminder of the hardship she contended with. The three day search for the boy Jesus who had stayed back at the temple in Jerusalem is a trial no mother, let alone mother of an only child, would wish another parent. But, then, if Mary’s qualities are deemed too daunting, are there no other women of heroic virtues we can find to spice the subject?

Although motherhood is often seen from the prism of family, there is no reason why it should not include a role in the larger society. The fixation with running of the home may well be an unconscious acceptance of the limitations placed on women by society for centuries. While the importance of the family as basic unit of society, with implications for proper socialising cannot be overemphasized, the demands of citizenship are no less imperative. A woman, mother or not, is a citizen and has a role to play in the life of her society. Early, primitive communities and much of successive societies got it wrong with their patriarchal bent. The creator made woman as a helper, companion, not slave, not servant to the man. The human potential for greatness is not a function of gender. Womanhood is beyond motherhood just as motherhood is beyond the home. As the celebration of mothering Sunday echoes on, two Biblical women call our attention with their strength of character. With the Lenten season drawing to climax, their testaments of life, hewn from the redemptive work of Christ, cannot be ignored.

Mary Magdalene is an interesting character. This woman, who was sprung from the jaws of death at the very last minute, teaches us the pricelessness of a second chance. She was not just mindful of her escape from the torture of stoning; she valued the opportunity to live; to live again. The intervention that staved off the mob was touching. It was so quietly, yet, so powerfully done. A man, just one man, with his gentle but earnest ways, holding off and then dispersing that mob baying for her blood, with great calm and confidence. She sensed the personal attention to her life by this miracle worker. Was this not a life – restoring mission? In the days that followed, Mary spotted the consistency about the preacher. The waves of merciful love that radiated from the man the day he saved her also flowed in his ministering at neighbourhoods, villages and towns. Mary perceived the light because she was attentive and disposed. Valuing life, she cherished even more, the source of her new enlightenment, both in adoration and gratitude. And the once notorious prostitute swore to a revolution of the new life. In this response, there could be no demarcating between the morning rays of the good news and the loving charm of the man the Jews called rabbi. Her faithfulness to the Redeemer, all through the frightening drama of crucifixion, up to the lonely graveside, is an epic of moral reinvention, faith and love. Mary Magdalene’s odyssey speaks to the permissive lifestyle of our age that celebrates adultery and idolatry. One of the principal causes of divorce is infidelity, with psychology attributing a significant measure of deviant behaviour and crime to broken homes. Mary Magdalene shows us that both individual and society can make amends and renew themselves.

Veronica, the woman mentioned at the sixth Stations of the Cross is another wonderful being. I have often pondered at the depth of her soul, wondering what beautiful thoughts animated her spirit. One apocryphal commentary was of the view that Veronica had been practicing kindness and compassion in her everyday life before that fateful day. The import of this suggestion is that the gesture she extended to Christ was possible because it came naturally from her. Perhaps so. Yet, another commentary suggested that she had dipped the cloth in water before stepping forward to soothe the sting of blood and hot sweat on Christ’s face. However, the central message for us cannot be lost. It was not just her courage. She practically put her life on the line by her action. In the patriarchal Jewish society of the time, in an assembly of soldiers and a mob blind with rage, what she did was out of this world. Her unconcern about her personal safety might appear reckless but she listened to her conscience. Veronica voted for humanity. Her intervention was a rebuke to the maddening crowd. You don’t treat anyone this way. No one, regardless of the offence, deserves to be brutalised so cruelly. This is sickening, her powerful gesture proclaimed. She was said to be a bystander, but it’s possible she had heard about the man of Galilee who went about doing good. Perhaps, she was thinking, could he really be the messiah? It would seem that the imprint of Christ’s image on her veil was not just a thank you response but also a message of revelation. If there’s nothing else our society will take away from Veronica’s compassion, it’s to put a stop to jungle justice, to the inhuman lynching of suspects.

In recent times, the example of Rosa Parks has shown us that resignation is not the answer to injustice. Returning from work on December 1, 1995, in Montgomery, Parks alongside three other blacks were directed to move to the back of a bus to make room for white passengers at the front. The driver’s demand, to which the other three blacks complied, was backed by law. Nonetheless, Rosa Parks refused to budge. Upon James Blake, the driver’s report, she was arrested and fined in court. The sanction triggered a chain of boycotts, protests, marches and lawsuits against racial inequality in the United States. Parks herself was in the forefront of this civil rights campaign. A year later, in November 1956, Alabama’s segregation law was voided by the Supreme Court. The movement had ripple effects, sweeping away racial segregation practices in other affected states. Tributes to Mrs Rosa Parks capture the salient points of her activism. Wikipedia writes of the wide impression of her as a “quiet, dignified heroine whose singular act inspired change.” At www.ushistory.org, she “quietly incited a revolution – by just sitting down.”

Finally, there’s our own emerging voice for responsibility in government. Recently, Senator Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan served notice of a campaign against the arrogance of power in Nigerian government and politics. Many of us are not in a position to comment on the merits or otherwise of her sexual harassment allegations against the Senate’s presiding officer. But the leadership’s response to the complaint was unsettling. It was one of how dare you! The punitive sanctions visited on the complainant were scandalous for their overreach, pettiness as well as abuse of officialdom. Many are alarmed at the vicious attempt to crush dissent, to impose a climate of intimidation and fear in the legislature. By Jove, what remains of democracy when elected legislators have to cringe at the weapon of suspension dangling over them? How do elected representatives of the people push the interests of their constituents where the system coerces them into “yes men” and women? Senator Natasha’s challenge of power corruption, her refusal to be bullied into silence and submission is remarkable. The battles she is fighting are well beyond private spheres. They are in the interest of good governance. And that’s why she has strong public support. Her constituency empowerment programmes are reportedly first class, further enhancing her profile. Her focused activism, which has so far brushed aside distractions, is a ventilation of motherhood.

While millions of Nigerians celebrated the successful primary election for the Anambra November 2025 gubernatorial election that produced Governor Chukwuma Soludo as the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, many well-meaning citizens have expressed serious concern about the undemocratic tendencies portrayed by the opposition parties in Anambra.

The disarray in the opposition parties in Anambra shows two things: (a) the opposition parties are not deeply rooted in the State as the people of Anambra have taken the current party in power – APGA – as a religion and a movement; (b) the elements in the opposition have no leadership, genuine membership and structure. And this is why many commentators who have analyzed Governor Soludo’s impressive performance in the last 3 years and happenings in the opposition parties in Anambra have argued that there is no real opposition in Anambra.

Last Thursday, the internal crisis in the Labor Party in Anambra escalated as two competing factions nominated candidates for the upcoming November gubernatorial election in Anambra. One faction, chaired by Sunday Okereke, announced Jude Umennajiego – a sitting member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Onitsha South II – as the elected gubernatorial candidate, another declared George Moghalu as its elected candidate a few days earlier. While thanking the delegates that elected him, Jude Umennajiego nominated another assembly member representing Awka South I, Henry Mbachu, as his running mate.

Earlier, George Moghalu, who recently decamped to the Labour Party from the APC, had received a certificated of return from INEC after he was announced winner in the primary election of April 5.  The only contestant of this April 5 primary election, Mr. John Nwosu, had withdrawn from the election that produced George Moghalu a few hours before the elections. John Nwosu had alleged irregularities in the delegates’ list, ‘’which included alterations and falsification of names, and the list was only submitted hours to the primary election’’, as the reason for his withdrawal. Mr. Nwosu went on to argue that since Nigeria’s apex court sacked Julius Abure as the national chairman of the Labour Party on April 4, the primary that was conducted by Abure’s leadership team on April 5 cannot stand ‘’judicial scrutiny.’’ John Nwosu even participated in the parallel primary election that produced Jude Umennajiego.

The disarray at the national level in the Labour Party is even worse than that in its affiliate in Anambra. Political parties with this kind of disarray do not offer any meaningful opposition in elections. (Currently, at the national level, Lamidi Apapa has said he is supposed to be the party’s chairman after Julius Abure was sacked by the country’s apex court. Mr. Lamidi Apapa is all out to fight the Nenadi Usman Caretaker Committee, backed by Governor Alex Otti and Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi).

The case of the APC in Anambra is even worse and happenings in the party in Anambra is against what Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu – a great leader who has sacrificed for democracy – stands for.

Valentine Ozigbo, who recently decamped from the Labour Party to the APC and was a candidate in the APC Anambra gubernatorial primaries, has rejected the outcome of the APC’s April 5 gubernatorial primary that produced Nicholas Ukachukwu. Valentine Ozigbo described the primaries as a “charade” and “a theft against Ndi Anambra.” He has since filed a formal petition. Before the APC’s primary election, a number of contestants withdrew few hours before the elections, citing undemocratic tendencies. One of the candidates that withdrew from the Anambra APC primary a few hours to the event, Paul Chukwuma, has now been reported to be YPP’s gubernatorial candidate. (Paul Chukwuma, Chukwuma Umeoji and Obiora Okonkwo withdrew from the primaries leaving only Ukachukwu, Ozigbo, Johnbosco Onunkwo, and Edozie Madu).

But Valentine Ozigbo’s report of the just concluded APC primary election in Anambra calls for concern. Here is Mr. Ozigbo’s report of the election: “The facts are now public: non-party members populated the delegate list; genuine party faithful were locked out or violently barred from voting; accreditation was either skipped or manipulated; and votes were counted without transparency.”

Mr. Ozigbo’s comments show that what happened in Anambra APC primary seemed highly undemocratic and might not be able to stand scrutiny.

The PDP, which is virtually non-existent in Anambra State, produced Jude Ezenwafor as its candidate. Mr. Jude Ezenwafor bought the party’s N40m nomination form at the eleventh hour and was the only candidate for the party’s primary election.

Up till this moment, most of the aspirants – in the opposition of course – in the last primaries have not congratulated the purported winners. But the most worrisome issue is that the opposition parties in Anambra have all been accused by their purported members of undemocratic tendencies. They are extremely weak at the moment.

The good news is that Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s eyes are on the ball. He is focused on providing the people of Anambra State the dividends of democracy. Millions of Ndi Anambra – in and outside the State – are queuing behind him and the Governor has promised to continue to work very hard.

A simple birthday celebration of one of the organic “Daily Times” icons who arrived on the 7th floor this week, Mr. Ndubuisi James Ugbede and the Minister of Information Alhaji Idris Mohammed Malagi’s remark in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, where he is attending the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show 2025, provoked a revisit of two old commentaries on this column in 2018 and 2023.

On Thursday this week, (April 10, 2025) at the Lagos Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Iyalla Street, Alausa Ikeja, a remarkable colleague Mr Lekan Otufodunrin and I were guest speakers at a symposium organised in honour of a former Director of Times Journalism Institute (TJI) under the aegis of their Times Journalism Institute’s Alumni Association (TJAA) now headed by Mr Clifford Agugoesi. In a preface to my discussion I had recalled some touchy but significant issues about the iconic “Daily Times” as a strategic national asset and indeed a paradise we lost to curious privatisation of public institutions and agencies that the IBB regime initiated and the Obasanjo civilian administration controversially concluded. Some excerpts from my opening remarks:
‘…I decided to honour the invitation because ‘Journalism’, the World Bank Institute describes as “the best profession in the world” is involved. I am always anxious any time the organic “Daily Times” Group is mentioned. I always remember that monument as one of Nigeria’s national security assets that the ‘militricians’ and politicians destroyed, which has actually diminished the stature of journalism in the most populous black nation on earth. I didn’t mean to haul any missile in the direction of those who curiously sold “Daily Times” anyhow during the Obasanjo administration (1999-2007).
I mean that if the legacy of the iconic Adeyemo Alakija who bought it over from Cecil Kings had not been destroyed by that ill-fated decision to sell the company to those who have reduced it to an online newspaper, even the digital library as a resource alone would have been a money spinner, a veritable stream of income at this time when all the institutions of higher learning and indeed the nation still don’t have any reliable library for institutional memories.

I hope most of us here are aware that even the National Library in Abuja hasn’t been completed about 50 years after Murtala Muhammed proclaimed Abuja as Nigeria’s capital. The capital of the federation will be fifty years old in February 2006 (1976-2006). The library project is still conspicuously neglected near the beautiful National Mosque, overlooking the equally exquisite National Christian Centre. Doubtless, the country would have had recourse to the “Daily Times” Library as our own Congressional Library still generally regarded as the most reliable library in global context. It is one of the critical national assets that have enhanced the powers and the glory of the United States Congress. There is virtually nothing on earth you can’t research at the remarkable Library of Congress. They make a lot of money daily from researchers. That is where you can still get all the copies of the authentic “Daily Times” publications when there was a country…’

It isn’t my pleasure to invoke sad memories of “Daily Times” one of the most influential and indeed most profitable newspapers in the world then. I am quite wary of calling the DTN, a defunct newspaper. I know the consequences in today’s Nigeria where the court (of law) is no longer regarded as ‘the last hope of the common man’. ‘Do not say I told you’ as a corner gossip piece indicated in those days of the best-selling “Lagos Weekend”. Most of the ‘old soldiers’ in the print media, indeed members of the TJAA are aware of the time even the “The New York Times” visited the “Daily Times of Nigeria” for research and orientation. The historic visit is still in NYT’s library. My dear “Daily Times” veterans, this isn’t intended to be a day to read from a piece on the day “Common Sense” died in Africa’s most populous country. I mean this is not a day to read from the book of lamentation on “Daily Times” but a day to celebrate with one of the blessed ‘survivors’ of the organic “Daily Times”, Mr. Ndubuisi Ugbede who just clocked 70. Comrade Ugbede, congratulations on your birthday. It isn’t easy to reach that milestone in this “country of anything is possible” as a former army chief once described our blessed country…It is the Lord’s doing as it is written and so it is marvelous in our eyes. May the good Lord who has blessed you to reach the 7th Floor continue to keep you strong and healthy in His pavilion…!

In a related and relevant development, a report from Las Vegas early in the week indicated that the Federal Government ”Begins Technical Upgrade for Media Organisations, Says Information Minister”. According to the report filed by the ministry from Nevada, “The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has stated that the Federal Government has begun investing in cutting-edge technologies and acquiring state-of-the-art equipment for federal media organisations to ensure effective service delivery. Idris made this statement in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States during discussions with leading broadcast and information companies at the ongoing National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show 2025”.

The Minister was quoted as saying that such investments would lead to the upgrade and replacement of obsolete infrastructure across radio and television stations owned by the Federal Government. To actualise this, he said, his ministry “is forging partnerships with broadcast equipment manufacturers to avail local broadcasters the opportunity to benefit from emerging technologies and industry-specific training”. The Nigeria’s delegation led by Idris malagi consisted senior officials, including Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos (Director-General/CEO Nigeria Television Authority), Ali Muhammed Ali (Managing Director/CEO of News Agency of Nigeria), Charles Ebuebu (Director-General/CEO of National Broadcasting Commission), Dr. Lekan Fadolapo (Director-General, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria), and Jibrin Baba Ndace (Director-General/CEO, Voice of Nigeria). The NAB Show, running from April 5 to 9, 2025, with the theme “The Technology, The Trend, The Future,” provides valuable insights into industry trends, covering topics such as Artificial Intelligence, cloud visualisation, the creator economy, and sports production and streaming.

This is therefore a time to remind the powerful delegation in Las Vegas that the mission the minister has pledged in Nevada is a strategic one but he should not fall into the danger of assumption that investment in digital equipment alone can transform the Nigeria’s public information management system.

It is a fact that the public information management infrastructure has been quite weak and so the superstructure hasn’t been reliable enough to serve the public good expected from them in 21st century where the information ecosystem doesn’t support a ministry of information to drive efficiency of public information in the age of the giants of digital journalism and communications. Although I once suggested here in 2023 that even the federal information ministry should be scrapped to give room for restoration of Nigerian Broadcasting Service (NBS), this piece isn’t about the quality of the Information Minister and his team. Doubtless, Mallam Idris, a media entrepreneur before joining the federal cabinet, has been generally regarded as one of the most resourceful information ministers since 1999. He doesn’t scream to respond to publications and telecasts that the government doesn’t like. He likes to engage media organisations quietly in resolving even conflicts and controversies.
That is also why we can also suggest a few things to him at this time to look beyond equipment of the public broadcasters he calls “federal government-owned organisations”. They are not federal government-owned, after all. They are public broadcasters that should serve public interest just as the BBC and SABC, Africa, which only the parliaments can ‘regulate’.

As I had noted in 2018 and 2023, again, I would like to suggest restructuring of one of Nigeria’s most significant institutions that successive governments have been competing to ruin: the public broadcasters known as the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and Voice of Nigeria (VON).

My interest in these public broadcasters as they should be called, was renewed then (2018) through two related issues involving two Nigerian significant female journalists, Ms Kadaria Ahmed formerly of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Ms Toyosi Ogunseye former Sunday Punch Editor who then joined the same BBC, a very successful public broadcaster. The first was Kadaria’s when she marked her 50th birthday in December 2017 with a colloquium on the state of the media and a book presentation in Lagos. Read the details of the Kadaria story through the links below: https://guardian.ng/sunday-magazine/a-time-to-restructure-nta-frcn-and-von/

The two striking stories of Kadaria, Toyosi and the BBC had then set me thinking about the expediency of discussing the rise and fall of institutions in Nigeria. Which was why I am was persuaded then that instead of reading regularly from the book of lamentation on how the military juntas in Nigeria tactlessly seized the then Western Nigeria Broadcasting Service (WNBS) and changed it to NTA now in focus, we should think of how to rebrand the public broadcasters (NTA, FRCN and VON) now from the ruinous clutch of the federal government. There has been no credit to give to any government since the takeover: no government has added value to the NTA, FRCN and VON. We only pretend that all is well.
And here is the thing, why is it that Toyosi could join the BBC, a public broadcaster instead of a Nigerian Broadcasting Service (NBS)? How is it that the only reference point is that the FRCN and NTA too made John and Sola Momoh, for instance? And sadly, why can’t Channels television get some values from the FRCN and the NTA that trained its owners some years ago?

The same sad commentary can be extended to the Daily Times and the New Nigerian, among other once prosperous state-owned newspapers such as Daily Sketch, Herald, The Observer, Chronicles, The Tide, The Triumph, The Standard, The Voice, etc, the Nigerian system has destroyed too.

The point really is that all these once fruitful newspapers that have been killed by the Nigerian leaders once made the Dele Giwas, the Doyin Abiolas, the Segun Osobas, the Nduka Obaigbenas, the Doyin Mahmuds, the Ray Ekpus, the Yakubu Mohammeds, the Dan Agbeses, the Garba Shehus of this world. Most Nigerian elders would remember this recent aspect of our history.

In other words, I used to think that the idea of prosperous state-owned newspapers was an idea whose time was long gone until I travelled to Liberia the other day and stopped over in Ghana where I got a copy of the state-owned newspaper the Daily Graphic. As a newspaperman, I didn’t need to ask any question about the quality of the content and production. The newspaper is generally regarded as the most influential and the most commercially successful newspaper in Ghana today.

But note this paradox of history: the well produced daily newspaper in Ghana has some striking similarity in history with our own Daily Times that the military regime seized, ruined before a civilian government sold it in January 2004 to what now looks like an ‘undertaker’ of a national monument.

To be continued…

• Only Two Of 445 Mass Housing Allottees Meet Terms, Conditions
• Right Of Occupancy To Be Lost In 21 Days Without Payment
• Plots Not Developed In Two Years To Be Revoked

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Friday, rolled out fresh orders on management of land including land allocation and development within the territory.

The reforms, which would become operational from April 21, 2025, cover specific areas like conditions of grant of Statutory Right of Occupancy (R-of-O), contents of the Statutory Right of Occupancy Bill, contents of Letter of Acceptance/Refusal of Offer of grant of Right of Occupancy, titling of Mass Housing and Sectional Interests, as well as regularisation of Area Council land documents.

A significant aspect of the reform is that land allottees now have 21 days from the date of offer to make full payment of all bills, fees, rents and charges prescribed on offer of Statutory Rights of Occupancy and submit a duly completed Letter of Acceptance alongside evidence of payments or lose the offer.

Also, as against the lengthy period within which to develop allocated lands, the period within which to erect and complete developments on any land granted in the FCT is now two years from the date of the commencement of the R-of-O.

The minister, who disclosed the reforms at a press briefing through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, disclosed that “any R-of-O bills and any other payments made outside the stipulated 21 days shall be considered invalid while any land granted should be developed within two years.”

He added: “On lands previously allocated by Area Councils, the law stipulates that all lands in the FCT are urban lands. It therefore becomes necessary that all land documents issued by the Area Councils are considered for regularisation to statutory titles in line with relevant statutes.”

He lamented that in 2006, the Zonal Land, Planning and Survey offices of the six Area Councils were directed to submit all Area Council allocation lists, layouts, files and registers to Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS)/Lands Department, which they did.

He, however, stated that to date, out of the 261,914 Area Council land documents submitted for regularisation, only 8,287 have been vetted, out of which only 2,358 were cleared, validated and regularised to statutory titles.

“The 8,287 were vetted from 2006 to 2023 (17 years), and this represents just 3.2 per cent of the total land documents submitted for vetting and regularisation. As of today, the FCT Administration is still left with 253,627 submissions in its database,” he said.

The minister further disclosed that “Area Council land documents successfully vetted and confirmed would have statutory titles on such lands issued and the allottees will have 60 days to make full payments of all bills, fees, rents and charges prescribed failure of which the offers shall become invalid.”

Wike expressed shock that “from the inception of the Mass Housing programme in 2000 till date, out of the 445 Mass Housing allocations granted, only two developers have successfully met the terms and conditions.”

The Mass Housing Programme was initiated in 2000 to utilise the Public Private Partnership (PPP) strategy with the objective of providing affordable housing for residents of the FCT.

According to him, a new operational framework for titling of Mass Housing and Sectional Interests has been developed to fast-track the exercise efficiently, effectively and diligently, in line with the vision to restore confidence in the administration of lands in the FCT.

“Currently, the holders/occupiers of properties within the various Mass Housing Estates in the FCT do not pay bills, rents, fees and charges to the government despite having held and occupied the properties for decades,” he explained.

The minister said that in recognition of the urgent need to issue titles to the beneficiaries of Mass Housing and Sectional Interests, all applications for titling are to be made by the Subscribers/Developers to the Department of Land Administration for processing.

“Processing of titles for Mass Housing and Sectional Interests shall commence on April 21, 2025, in line with the new operational framework,” he said.

[Guardian]

The Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, otherwise called Ekklesiyar ‘Yan’Uwa A Nigeria (EYN), has charged President Bola Tinubu and members of the National Assembly to protect Nigeria’s democracy.

President of the EYN, Rev Dr Daniel Mbaya, who made the call at the General Church Council (Majalisa 2025) held at the church headquarters in Kwarhi, said much depends on the leaders to make the country’s democracy work.

“We call on His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to ensure that policies formulated for the good of the masses,” he said, advising the president against executive recklessness.

He asked senators and members of the House of Representatives to ensure that they protect democracy, stressing that such a task is a collective one.

The EYN president added that all authorities should ensure that the press enjoys their freedom.

Speaking on the theme, “A Living Church in a Decaying World,” the guest speaker and a former president of the church, Dr Daniel Dali, advised Christians to be shining light in whatever they do.

He said the task of redeeming Nigeria and the world should involve all well-meaning people.

General secretary of the EYN, Rev James Musa, told newsmen that the event takes place every year which affords the church family to interact, highlight its doctrinal values, celebrate the triumphs of the church, deliberate on its challenges and provide the way forward.

In a message to the EYN Majalisa 2025, the national security adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, enjoined the church to work with the government to ensure enduring peace and security.

“Nigeria has endured deep wounds from various conflicts. The church must lead efforts toward healing, encouraging forgiveness and reconciling broken communities. We must remind all that vengeance belongs to God and peace blossoms where forgiveness is planted,” Nuhu Ribadu said through his representative, Ambassador Kevin Peters.

[Leadership]

With the passing, last week, of one of the two 2nd Republic governors, a former governor of Oyo State, Victor Omololu Olunloyo, Nigerians recall with nostalgia, how eventful the politics of that era was and the characters that shaped the activities of that period.

Olunloyo was one of the politicians of that era that enlivened politics in the Southwestern part of the country and that of the old Oyo state in particular.

Laolu Akande, a spokesperson of former vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has said that there is a possibility of external influences in the crisis rocking the Labour Party.

The position of Julius Abure as the national Chairman of the Labour Party is now in contention as quite a number of people do not agree that he is their chairman.

They have shifted their support to the caretaker committee that the party leaders have put in place.

But addressing the press in the aftermath of the Supreme Court judgment, Abure insisted that the court affirmed his position as the chairman of the Labor Party.

DAILY POST reported that the LP held its National Executive Council meeting on Wednesday and Abure was not there despite the call by the Caretaker committee of the party that he should shelve his sword and join them.

Abure had warned Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labor Party in the 2023 elections and the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti not to convene any National Executive Council meeting.

But they ignored his warning and convened the NEC.

They also proceeded to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to present a certified true copy of the judgment of the Supreme Court, which they said affirmed their stance rejecting Abure as the National Chairman.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television, Akande said said it was important to speak to Abure that it is required at this moment that he shows a bit of charity to himself for the good of this country.

He said, “The Labour Party, at a point, represented a significant hope. You know, don’t worry whether the presidential candidate went as much as he wanted to, but the Labour Party showed that something new can brew out of this country.

“In terms of politics, you saw a new and vibrant mobilization of the people. It’s good for our country now. Since then and now, we’ve seen how all of that is beginning to unravel.

“What has happened this last week is a renewal of hope in the Labour Party, but Mr. Julius Abure is the only obstacle. And of course, you know people around him who don’t really, just like you said, they don’t form the significant essence of the party.

“Everybody that mattered in that party seemed to have gotten the right memory. Look, the time for Julius Abure is over.

“Now, if you come to the legal part of it, it was Julius Abure that went to court to stop INEC and the party from not recognizing him anymore, because his tenure had elapsed.

“And so the matter proceeded from the High Court to the Appeal, and now the Supreme Court has said it’s not our business. So, that means the matter has reverted to where it was when Abure went to court, which is no longer the chair of the party.

“So it’s just a question of time that Julius Abure is going to fizzle out. What I’m asking him for is a bit of charity. To just do the right thing, keep the remainder of his honour. He can keep it so that he can, he can exit in some dignified sense, because it’s very clear already.”

On why Abure is holding on despite being rejected already, Akande said, “We must also understand that Julius Abure also represents the typical Nigerian politician. So it’s not that Julius Abure is behaving out of context.

“This is how the average Nigerian politician behaves in personal advertisements. That’s the only reason why Abure is still paying for all these tactics.

“Why must you be a chairman of the party after your tenure has elapsed for God’s sake, somebody needs to do Julius a bit of good and call him to his side and say, ‘look, come on. The Labour Party is greater than you.’

“The Supreme Court ruling is very clear. It’s very clear that the Supreme court has rejected the chairmanship of Julius.

“The Supreme Court has said that you cannot be an obstacle. And yet he has the audacity to go out and be talking the way I just don’t understand.”

On if he sees external influences in what Julius Abure is acting out, he added, “It’s not impossible.

“We don’t have any evidence, but, you know, we will not rule it out, you know. But let’s just talk to Abure and say, ‘Look, help Nigeria, because a properly organized Labour Party brings a bit of fresh air. We saw it for the last time. Why is Aburi constituting himself into an obstacle?”

[DailyPost]

If you’re seeking countries that offer accessible work visas in 2025, it’s advisable to research each country’s specific requirements and processing times to determine the best fit for your career goals.

Here are some top destinations known for their streamlined processes and demand for skilled professionals. 

Canada

Because of its reputation for having a diverse and welcoming society, Canada is a popular destination for foreign workers. The nation provides a number of immigration initiatives, including the Express Entry system, which expedites the process of granting skilled workers permanent residency. Canada has a strong economy and a great standard of living, making it a popular choice for international labor.

Germany

Germany is well known for its robust economy and friendly disposition toward foreign workers with advanced degrees. For highly qualified individuals, the nation offers a variety of work visa options, including the EU Blue Card. For those looking for professional opportunities, Germany is a desirable destination due to its strong job market and high standard of living.

Australia

Australia is a desirable option for people looking for work abroad due to its robust economy and high demand for skilled labor. To entice gifted people from all over the world, the nation provides a number of visa options, such as the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa and the Skilled Independent Visa. Australia is a popular destination for foreigners due to its stunning scenery and relaxed way of life.

The UAE, or United Arab Emirates

For foreign workers looking for work in industries like finance, tourism, and healthcare, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a desirable destination due to its tax-free income opportunities and opulent lifestyle. Through programs like the Employment Visa and the Investor Visa, the nation grants work visas, giving foreign employees access to a wide range of employment options in a booming economy.

New Zealand

New Zealand is renowned for its breathtaking scenery and hospitable immigration policies. Through initiatives like the Essential Skills Work Visa and the Skilled Migrant Category Visa, the nation provides work visas, which facilitate foreign workers’ ability to find employment across a range of industries. New Zealand has a great standard of living and welcomes residents, making it a popular choice for foreigners.

[TheNation]