The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has expressed hearty congratulations to Mr. Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, on the occasion of his birthday today, April 12, 2025.

In his goodwill message, Governor Soludo proudly lauded Mr. Iyiegbu, a distinguished son of Anambra State, as a dynamic personality who has consistently embodied the ingenuity, resilience, and entrepreneurial excellence for which Ndi Anambra are renowned.

As an ebullient entrepreneur, his ventures have not only created opportunities for countless Nigerians but have also placed Anambra on the national map of commerce and innovation. His philanthropic endeavours, particularly in youth empowerment and community development, also reflect a deep commitment to uplifting lives and fostering societal progress.

The Governor further stated that beyond his business acumen, Obi Cubana’s role as a cultural ambassador and socialite has celebrated the richness of Igbo heritage, strengthening our collective pride and unity.

On this occasion of his birthday, Governor Soludo wishes Mr. Iyiegbu enduring success and prayed that his new age be filled with greater achievements and the fulfilment of his noble aspirations.

Signed:

Christian Aburime
Press Secretary to the Governor

Toke Makinwa says she doesn’t mind being a second, third, fourth, or even fifth wife.

The media personality tied the knot with Maje Ayida, her longtime partner, in 2014.

However, their union was short-lived due to infidelity allegations in 2015, leading to their divorce in 2017.

In an interview on her podcast Toke Moments, Makinwa said she would consider becoming a co-wife if the opportunity arises.

She revealed that constantly being in charge can be exhausting, and she now desires a partner who can ease some of that pressure and allow her to unwind.

She added that while she used to judge others for certain choices, her perspective has changed and she now understands.

“I won’t lie, at this point in my life if I have the opportunity to marry as a 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th wife, I will think about it,” she said.

“I’m the boss everywhere, and that can be tiring.

“There are certain things you would be like this could never be me, could never be this, and you see people do some certain things, and you would be the biggest judge.

“Right now, I understand.”

Recently, Makinwa reflected on being 40, single, and childless while admitting that it once made her feel bad but no longer does.

She also said that if she had remarried, she would likely have gotten divorced again because the “lessons never stop”.

[TheCable]

Disorder, confusion and despondency! These three words capture the basic prevailing air across the land. Not just here in Nigeria, but all over the world. Nations, big and small organizations, advocacy groups, communities and individuals are all busy trying to solve one problem or the other. Many are looking forward to solutions of various types. But they do not really know what the problems are, or might be; for which they are seeking solutions. They may just finish celebrating one solution before they realize that the solution they just celebrated has not addressed the original problem, or that it has created new ones.

Sad, is it not?

No one can recognize the solution to a problem when he does not know, or understand, the nature of the problem itself. That is part of the issue on the table all over the world today. The climate, the cosmic environment, the political space, the regulatory environment for businesses, the moral landscape, our spirituality, the religiosity of a morally bankrupt world, the gender crisis, the decay of values are all in the line of fire. Why? Yes, why? Just why is it that everyone, and everything, seems to be going bonkers on the double?

Bedlam on steroids, and going strong!

Consider the apparently mundane matter of some of the most important decisions of President Donald Trump of the US. His most far-reaching decisions seem to have been taken without recourse to the very institutions set up to uphold what the American Dream is presumed to represent. Trump signed some 220 Executive Orders during his first term, between January 2017 and January 2021. In 2025 alone, in this his Second Coming, he is recorded to have signed 112 Executive Orders, from EO 14147 through EO 14528.

And he did all that without consulting with, or obtaining clearance and approval from, those elected by the people to speak for them in the matter of what they want the president to do, or not do.

And, lest we forget, Trump is the head of a democratic nation. His country is also the much-vaunted global defender of democracy, inclusivity, human rights and world peace through an attitude of mutual accommodation. He is clearly serious with the Providential business of dismantling the pretensions that have held up a world that can best be described as a living fraud. It has served true humanity in the breach.

Recall that an unusual interplanetary alignment occurred shortly before and around the time Trump was sworn in. It was at about that time that a Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, and Mercury “lined up” in the Elliptic, in a way that they had not done for a long time now. First there was the alignment of Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus, and Saturn one of January 21, before the Main Event of January 25. Then came the one of February 28, before the morning alignment of Neptune, Mercury, Saturn and Venus this month. And the August 11 morning alignment of Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn is yet to come.

If both scientific and quasi scientific circles are saying that “The alignment of several planets is believed to amplify the energies of these planets, prompting changes, introspection, opportunity, and transformation across the globe and across all zodiac signs”, it may well follow that this year has quite a few things up its sleeves. A look at history shows that interplanetary alignments have been associated with major energy shifts that impact political, social and environmental changes upheavals that impact nature and create global changes.

Because our world is part of a universe and comic environment that has long since been scientifically confirmed to be a network of interconnected radiations, no one can say for sure what the effects of the alignments of heavenly bodies and their magnetic fields might be. When we consider that astrologers have always considered interplanetary alignments to be moments of amplified energy in our cosmic environment, when we also consider that significant interplanetary alignments had coincided in the past with some major global or cultural shifts, scientific breakthroughs and artistic renaissances, then we must also consider the thought that we may be standing amidst heralds of change we do not know enough about.

The disorder, confusion and despondency in our world today is accentuated by the fact that we now have more wars, with others threatening to break out. Natural disasters are tumbling in on all sides. One hundred and ninety-one areas of tornado damage were recorded between March 14 and 16 in the US. That was less than a month ago. Within the same period 115 twisters were confirmed in Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. Other forms of natural and manmade disaster are being distributed all round the world. Economic pressures, environmental and climatic changes, distress of nations, strange and incurable diseases are all on rampage today. 

The 2025 US wildfires had more than passing impact on Los Angeles, where it led to significant loss of life and property. The fires came, swept its initial areas of impact and then keep spreading rapidly and unpredictably. California, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura all had sad stories to tell from the fires. So did Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.

So, attempt to put some thoughts on the table regarding where it all this may be leading up to. The first is the fact that our world of Volatile possibilities, Uncertain realities, Confusing demands and expectations and Ambiguous values (VUCA) has come with new developments that portend dangers for all. It is a world that is rapidly altering expectations, rules and the way so many things are done; and in which many will find themselves at a disadvantage in one way or the other

Another possible fact is that national economies will suffer and so will larger sections of the global population. We have all been living with many unquestioned assumptions about our lives and about international affairs for far too long. As the US is becoming more protectionist and almost trying to shut off the world, the counter measures other nations are being forced to take will become major triggers for new economic events that would affect us all.

The third fact is that the world, and all of us, are being forced to do a re-valuation of values, a reassessment of hitherto accepted paradigms and a recalibration of expectations. Moving in leaps and bounds from the rule-governed global village of only a few months ago to a world where all hitherto accepted norms are being revised without the usual consultations is something no one bargained for.

The other fact is that ours is now a New World order that is forcing a fundamentally pretentious world with well-dressed predatory nations to remove its gloves and boldly bare hitherto concealed teeth. Arbitrariness will very likely be on the upswing. Free trade will suffer, if the trend being orchestrated by Trump continues – and it is likely to. So, welcome to a more deadly period of blind protectionist tendencies and say goodbye to free markets, open skies for aviation watchers, and dangerous national insularity…

Another fact to consider is the possibility that questions must be raised about the world’s multilateral trading system, which had been hitherto projected as resting on clear rules, mandatory concessions and criteria that all countries welcomed because it had something for everyone. The stabilizing and custodian roles we all once attributed to the World Trade Organization (WTO), complete with its unquestioned template and platform, can no longer be vouched for.

That system certainly did not favour developing countries in more ways than one. It only helped maintain an illusion that Trump is now resolutely unmasking, dismantling and inviting us to dismiss.

Had there been any really honest attempt to reform the system over time, we probably won’t be where we are today. But with Donal Trump as the official demolition man, we are living with the irony today of having the US doing its best to destroy a system it did its everything to bring about and sustain. It would seem that rather than reform the system it is now being destroyed, and for good. Which is hardly surprising.

Let us calmly admit that everything false is collapsing on all fronts. We cannot say that the US approach to international relations, international trade and global politics under Trump will lead to a more peaceful, more prosperous and more stable world. The ongoing retaliatory tariff impositions and counter impositions from various countries, in reaction to Trump’s rampaging moves, will only fuel the comprehensive jettisoning of the presumably hallowed WTO template, paradigms and framework.

Thus, matters are not only likely to get worse, but also get out of hand. And the reason is simple:  The limited actions of the most dominant actors in the global economic space will ignite reactions that would lead to the total abandonment of all the false trappings we have all lived with for so long in international relations. As more countries adopt and deploy the same approach as the US, trading and transacting on their own terms, it would be absolute bedlam across board. But can they all see it coming?

Can Africa impose retaliatory tariffs on anyone? I think not. Can Africa escape the effects of the looming trade war? Again, I think not. As faith in international investments wavers, totters and probably falls dramatically, there will be greater uncertainly in international economics and economic relations. Unpredictability will blossom. The result would be a new world order wherein global economic growth will be slow and international trade will boil down to tariff wars and piracy.

Probably no other continent would be worse hit than Africa, largely because of the continents import dependence. To speculate on a possible magical transformation of African economies, in response to the ongoing global drama, is to prance off on a reprehensible exercise in self delusion. As we enter an era where all global institutions that once guaranteed the Rules of Engagement are on all fours, no one can say how the current situation will unfold in the coming months or years. But we must be clear-eyed about the dangers that are building up in the world.

In sum, all international Standard Operating Procedures are on retreat. There is a greater leaning towards selfish considerations by nations. What can we hold unto, or strengthen? Can Africa present a common, or fighting front, of any sort? Just asking. Prepare for the worst, I’d say! But what is the worst, really? Hunger, poverty, balance of trade issues? None of the above, I dare say.  It can only get worse if you take time to think about is.

It is about a world on a tail spin, for a new era to be born. The problems are more spiritual than material, as we wonder what world events are saying today.

Bitcoin has staged an impressive recovery, surging towards $84,000 on Saturday as it rebounds from losses sustained earlier in the week.

This recovery follows a 90-day pause on most tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, a move that has momentarily eased investor concerns amidst ongoing trade tensions with China.

As of the time of writing this article, Bitcoin was trading around $83,800, reflecting a 5.1% increase in the past 24 hours, according to data from CoinGecko.

This performance highlights Bitcoin’s appeal as an asset capable of weathering economic uncertainties.

In addition to Bitcoin’s gains, other cryptocurrencies have also experienced upward momentum: Solana has risen by 8.3% to $120, while Ethereum has climbed 3% to $1,550.

Trump’s trade war 

The price of Bitcoin dipped as low as $74,700 on Monday, fueled by concerns over the economic impact of Trump’s month-long trade war.

• However, the announcement of a temporary tariff pause two days later catalyzed a sharp turnaround.
• Over the past few weeks, Bitcoin has demonstrated remarkable resilience, maintaining a trading range between $75,000 and $85,000 despite significant price fluctuations triggered by shifting trade policies.
• This stability reflects strong buying interest, particularly from institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals, commonly referred to as crypto “whales.”

These groups have returned to the market after months of cautious withdrawals, recognizing Bitcoin’s potential to serve as a hedge against economic uncertainty.

Chief Investment Officer at crypto asset manager Hashdex, Samir Kerbage, highlighted Bitcoin’s outperformance compared to traditional risk assets during the week’s turbulence.

“This week will be remembered for its volatility and uncertainty,” Kerbage told Decrypt. “Bitcoin has been behaving better than most risk assets in recent days, showcasing its resilience amidst market turmoil.” 

An overall eventful week 

The week has also been eventful on Wall Street, where stocks experienced some of the strongest swings in recent history.

• Despite the temporary tariff pause, Trump escalated the trade war with China, raising the total tariff rate on Chinese goods exported to the U.S. to a record 145%. U.S. equity markets responded positively to the tariff pause: the S&P 500 climbed 5.6% for the week, the Nasdaq jumped 7.3%, and the Dow rose 5%, according to Yahoo Finance.
• Despite these gains, analysts caution that the unpredictability of Trump’s trade policies continues to weigh on investor sentiment.

While the tariff pause provided temporary relief, market participants remain wary of the broader implications of escalating trade tensions, particularly as they pertain to global economic stability.

What you should know 

Bitcoin’s ability to recover and maintain stability indicates its growing reputation as a reliable store of value and a hedge against macroeconomic uncertainty.

• The cryptocurrency market’s resilience, driven by institutional interest, highlights the increasing role of digital assets in a diversified investment portfolio.

• As the global economic landscape continues to evolve, investors are closely monitoring the implications of trade policies, especially in relation to traditional and alternative assets like Bitcoin.

The unfolding dynamics of the U.S.-China trade war remain a key driver for market sentiment and could significantly impact the trajectory of both global markets and cryptocurrency valuations in the months to come.

[Nairametrics]

The blood of 16 Nigerians, reportedly hunters, spilled on the soil of Uromi in Edo State is yet another grim reminder of the violent times we live in. Their deaths, gruesome and senseless, have sparked waves of emotions across the country. Condolences have poured in, anger has surged, and outrage has been expressed from various quarters. Yet, beneath the emotive outbursts lies a dangerously ignored truth, the unchecked proliferation and parading of guns in our communities by both herdsmen and hunters alike is a ticking time bomb. And that bomb has just exploded in Uromi.

It is one thing to mourn the dead, which is appropriate. It is another to prevent future deaths, which is urgent. While the Uromi massacre has received the headlines it deserves, what may not have received equal attention is the frightening normalization of civilians wielding firearms across Southern Nigeria under the pretense of hunting, self-defense, or in the case of herders, “protecting their livestock.” This trend, if left unchecked, will only breed more mass graves, more sorrow, and an erosion of the very meaning of community safety.

Let us not mince words, no one outside the security forces should be allowed to openly carry weapons in a supposedly civil society. Whether you call yourself a hunter, vigilante, or herdsman, the law must not turn a blind eye. The forested parts of the South have become unofficial battlegrounds, not only for farmers and herders but between different groups armed to the teeth with locally fabricated and imported weapons, and even to a large extent posing as threats to travelers who usually stop by to ease themselves. The result? Deaths like those in Uromi.

The Uromi killings should compel us to ask harder questions. “Why is it so easy for individuals in rural communities to possess high-grade firearms?” “Why is the state either unwilling or unable to enforce existing firearms laws?” And why has the government; both at the state and federal levels, continued to respond to these incidents with mere condolence messages which are mostly political rhetoric meant to boost their electoral values rather than action?

In many communities, hunting has gone from a traditional and cultural activity to a pretext for militarization. While hunters used to carry dane guns and bows, today, many are armed with automatic rifles. Similarly, many herdsmen, once known only for their walking sticks and herding tools, now brandish AK-47s as they move across communities. This escalation is no longer anecdotal; it is visual, real, and present.

The consequences are dire. Whenever conflict breaks out, be it over grazing routes, farmland, or community disagreements, these weapons come out, and blood is spilled. The killings in Uromi are only the latest example of what has become a disturbing pattern across Nigeria.

Government silence in the face of repeated arms display by non-state actors is not just cowardice; it is complicity. You cannot claim to be upholding law and order when those outside the law are more armed than those tasked with enforcing it. Criminalizing gun possession without a license is already in the Nigerian Firearms Act, but enforcement is selective, inconsistent, and at best, ineffective.

If the Nigerian government can spend billions chasing “illegal refineries” in the Niger Delta or demolishing “illegal structures” in Lagos, why can it not commit itself to flushing out illegal weapons from civilian hands, especially in rural communities? Why is there no coordinated national disarmament campaign targeted at these groups masquerading as protectors but functioning as threats?

The Uromi tragedy should now serve as a turning point. We cannot afford to move on from it without drawing a line in the sand. The government must immediately commence a review of the presence and use of firearms by hunters and herders, with a clear intention to disarm and punish. It is no longer enough to say, “We are investigating.” We need laws that bite and enforcement that works.

One of the arguments often advanced by those defending hunters’ right to bear arms is cultural. “It is our tradition,” they say. That may be true. But in this modern context, cultural sentiment must never undermine public security. Traditions must evolve with time, especially when they threaten lives and properties. The role of hunters can be preserved without arming them with lethal weapons. Communities can deploy hunters for surveillance, bush tracking, or community watch functions, but arming them like militias turns them into another problem instead of a solution.

In the same vein, herdsmen cannot continue to use the excuse of self-defense to justify carrying firearms. Their livestock cannot be more valuable than human lives. If herding requires weapons for protection, then it is high time the government regulated the herding business just like any other security-sensitive occupation. This might include requiring registration, approval for arms use, and GPS-tracked movement. Anything less is dangerous leniency.

Let’s be honest. The reason the issue has persisted this long is because of a lack of political will. Many politicians fear that clamping down on armed herders or hunters will lose them rural votes or inflame ethnic tensions. That is an irresponsible excuse. Security cannot be sacrificed on the altar of political correctness. Whether the gun is carried by a Fulani herdsman or an Esan hunter, the law must be applied with equal firmness.

The state government, especially in Edo, must show leadership by launching a full-scale investigation not just into the killings but into how many weapons are currently circulating in rural areas under the guise of hunting. Governor Obaseki and security agencies must move beyond press releases. Community leaders must be summoned, hunter associations regulated, and herders monitored.

To move forward, Nigeria needs a national disarmament framework, not just for the Niger Delta or Boko Haram insurgents, but for all unauthorized individuals in possession of firearms. This should include, Community Amnesty Windows, which allows voluntary submission of illegal weapons with a short grace period.

Also, from the perspective of registration and licensing review, government overhaul the current system to ensure only vetted persons can access hunting or farming defense licenses.

Another is mobile weapon search task forces which entails deploying mobile security units to periodically search forests and rural areas.

In a similar vein is technology deployment, which requires use of drones and surveillance to monitor known hotspots.

Also of importance is community sensitization, which allows the engagement of traditional rulers and community heads to discourage arms possession.

The time to act is now. We cannot afford another Uromi. The longer we delay, the more we normalize this madness, and the more deaths we will have to mourn. Guns in the hands of civilians, whatever their profession or excuse, are a menace. Until the government rises to the challenge, these senseless killings will continue to punctuate our national life like a recurring nightmare.

Let Uromi be the last straw. Not just for sympathy. But for systemic, sweeping, and urgent action. The souls of those 16 men demand justice, not just in courtrooms, but in policies that prevent such bloodshed from ever happening again.

Zeb Ejiro, the legendary filmmaker and “Sheik of Nollywood,” is a man on a mission. Despite his monumental contributions to the Nigerian movie industry, he’s frustrated by the lack of support from his home state, Delta. He’s passionate about grooming his successors and developing the entertainment industry in the state. Ejiro’s vision is to transform Delta into the entertainment hub of Nigeria, but successive governments in the state have failed to recognize his efforts.

Sharing his sad experience with our reporter in a recent chat, Ejiro stated that despite the treatment meted to him, he’s still willing to mentor the Delta youths in the art of film making and acting before he passes on.

His words: “I am tired of these disappointments. They are denying the youths the opportunity to tap from my wealth of knowledge. I want to mentor them now that I’m still strong, fit and getting better in terms of my creativity,”

Ejiro said past administrations, including those led by Emmanuel Uduaghan and Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, failed to support his initiatives. Despite his expertise, Ejiro was denied a professional appointment in the entertainment sector. The current governor, Sheriff OborevworiI, has been inaccessible, leaving Ejiro’s proposals unaddressed.

Narrating his ordeal, Ejiro said “I am one of the people that built the movie industry in this country. That’s why in 2005, former President Olusegun Obasanjo bestowed the national honour of OON (Officer of the Order of Niger) on me. There are not more than five people in the movie industry that hold that award.

“I returned home to establish a film school, Film and Broadcast Academy, where aspiring filmmakers and actors are training in the art of film making and acting. I did that to take our unemployed youths off the streets. I established the school under the administration of Emmanuel Uduaghan even though I faced a lot of challenges. I was also involved in the campaign of Dr Ifeanyi Okawa. I headed the electronic sub-committee of Okwa’s campaign, traversing the entire Delta State campaigning with him. At the end of the day, my effort was not recognized.

“I told him that I didn’t want a political appointment but a professional appointment where I can contribute my own quota to the development of the entertainment sector in the state. I submitted a proposal to the government to that effect. But I was ignored and till date, I feel highly disappointed.

“Now, we have a new governor, Sheriff OborevworiI, I sent a new proposal with my colleagues to organize a unique film festival to attract billions of naira in investments. Unfortunately, I have been trying to see my governor for the past one year without success,” he added.

[Opinion Nigeria]

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.