The Rivers State Government has said it has yet to receive any document on the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly resolution following last Friday’s Supreme Court judgment.

Recall that the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, in a letter addressed to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Monday, requested the latter to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House within 48 hours, in line with the 1999 Constitution.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, maintained that the governor has yet to receive the letter, saying the state government heard of the purported on social media.

The statement reads, “I hereby refer to a letter dated 3rd March 2025 on the above subject, which we came across on social media and notify you that, as at the close of work on Tuesday 4th March, 2025, we are yet to receive the said letter. Neither the office of the Governor, nor the Deputy Governor’s office, nor the office of the Accountant-General of the State has received the said letter”

Dr Danagogo also stated that the state government had yet to receive a copy of the Supreme Court judgement to enable it to respond appropriately.

He said, “We have since been in contact with our lawyers who are still awaiting the certified true copy of the judgments of the Supreme Court, and hereby reassure you and all the good people of Rivers State that as soon as His Excellency receives the judgments, he will strive to implement same timeously in the best interest of our
people.”

However, the SSG assured the people of the state of the governor’s commitment to abiding by the rule of law, as he had noted earlier in his statewide broadcast.

He added, “Please, recall that His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, had in a State Broadcast on Sunday 2nd March, 2025, stated clearly that notwithstanding his personal opinion on the Supreme Court Judgments, he will, as a law-abiding Nigerians, obey and implement their decisions in accordance with the rule of law and the best interest of the people of Rivers State.”

[Punch]

As we count down to the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) on Saturday, March 8, now is a good time to restart the conversation on skin bleaching among Nigerian women. Hopefully, this will lead to action against the production, sales and use of toxic bleaching creams.

Why does this matter?

According to reports, skin bleaching remains prevalent among many Nigerian women at 77%, compared to 28% in Nigerian men. More women still feel pressured to alter their skin tone, due to the perception that lighter skin equates to beauty, success, and social status.

Despite the severe health risks, skin bleaching remains widespread, particularly among Nigerian women, highlighting the country’s long journey in breaking this cycle and promoting natural beauty as a healthier alternative to skin modification.

To change this perception, we must first understand why Nigerians bleach their skin.

Why Nigerians bleach

For many, bleaching isn’t just about looking good, it’s about fitting into a society that often equates fair skin with desirability and privilege; a society where lighter-skinned individuals, reinforced daily in advertisements and movies, are often cast as the standard of beauty.

The roots of this issue trace back to European colonial influence when lighter skin was linked to power and higher social standing. Over time, these outdated beauty ideals seeped into modern media and advertising. Foreign brands, movies, and pageants still push Eurocentric beauty standards, leaving many Nigerians feeling that their natural dark skin isn’t good enough.

Additionally, skincare companies frequently endorse light-skinned celebrities and influencers, further normalising skin bleaching. Whether intentionally or not, this practice sends a message to Nigerians that true beauty requires transformation. And so, the cycle continues.

For some, the decision to bleach is fraught with uncertainty. One day, they resolve to stop bleaching; the next, they’re back at it. This struggle to decide whether they look better darker or lighter is a clear symptom of deeper issues – low self-esteem and the need for social validation.

The dark side of bleaching

Skin bleaching poses severe health risks. Many bleaching products contain toxic ingredients that strip the skin of its protective barrier. The outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, shields the body from harmful chemicals, pathogens, and UV radiation. Once this barrier is damaged, the body becomes vulnerable to infections and premature ageing.

When bleaching creams are applied, the toxic chemicals used in their production seep into the bloodstream, potentially damaging internal organs like the liver and kidneys.

Then there’s an endless cycle of dissatisfaction since achieving perfect even-toned skin is impossible since bleaching can cause rebound hyperpigmentation, making the skin appear darker and patchy over time. Also, even though sunscreen is designed to protect the outermost layer of the skin, those who bleach are at a higher risk of sun damage and severe burns.

How to repair damaged skin

Skin bleaching can cause long-term damage, including hyperpigmentation, thinning, sensitivity, and uneven tone. If you’re suffering from the side effects of skin bleaching, there are corrective spa treatments that can help to restore and repair your skin.

We have skin rejuvenation treatments that target dark spots and uneven skin tone, restore skin elasticity and firmness, replenish moisture and soothe irritation, enhance cell regeneration and skin healing. Also, exfoliation and skin renewal treatments that remove damaged outer layers to reveal fresh skin, exfoliate without harsh chemicals, and even out skin tone naturally.

Additionally, we have body restoration treatments that eliminate toxins and nourish the skin, restore lost moisture and strengthen the skin barrier, and advanced skincare solutions that stimulate collagen production in the body and reduce damage, deliver essential nutrients directly to the skin, and use natural growth factors to repair damaged skin cells.

The need for immediate action

There is an urgent need for a cultural shift in how Nigerians perceive different skin tones. People should be taught that dark skin is beautiful and does not require modification.

A collective effort is required to combat the bleaching epidemic. The media should highlight dark-skinned celebrities, while skincare professionals must educate consumers about the dangers of bleaching and the importance of self-care through self-acceptance.

Additionally, governments must enforce stricter bans on harmful bleaching products.

Black is beautiful

While we highlight the dangers of skin bleaching, and urge stakeholders to take immediate action, we must also emphasise that dark skin is beautiful. Celebrities, influencers, and anyone with a platform should use their voice to celebrate and normalise dark-skinned beauty.

Those who bleach must understand that true beauty is not about skin tone, it’s about self-love and confidence in one’s natural complexion. Our dark skin isn’t just something to accept; it’s something to take pride in. It’s time we embrace dark skin as the standard of beauty.

Adebagbo is the CEO and Director of Beth Beauty Medical Spa in Lagos.

Two Nigerian entrepreneurs, Manzo Nyifamu Ogechi, founder of Farmatrix, and Solape Akinpelu, founder of Hervest, have been named among the top 10 finalists for the 2025 Aurora Tech Award.

The award, organised by inDrive, a mobility and urban services platform, supports women-led innovations that drive social impact and technological advancement.

Speaking on the selection in a statement on Wednesday, Isabella Ghassemi-Smith, head of start-up at Aurora Tech Awards, said the finalists span industries like artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, and health tech, agrotech, eco-tech, ed-tech, and HR-tech.

She added that half of the start-ups are in the seed stage, three are at the pre-seed stage, and the remaining have secured early funding from personal networks or angel investors.

“This year’s shortlist features trailblazing founders from MENA, LATAM, Central Asia, and APAC, each leading start-ups offering solutions across industries ranging from artificial intelligence and fintech to health tech and beyond,” she said.

“This year’s finalists have demonstrated exceptional leadership and technological advancements in their respective fields. Half of the start-ups are at the seed stage, three projects are at the pre-seed level, and the rest are at the FFF and angel investment stages. Three start-ups focus on health tech, one on agrotech, one on eco-tech, two on ed-tech, one on fintech, and one on HR-tech,”

Other finalists include founders from India, Colombia, Kyrgyzstan, Brazil, Switzerland, Uzbekistan, Chile, and French Polynesia.

A panel of industry experts and investors is expected to evaluate the participants’ work before announcing the winner at the award ceremony, set to take place from April 11 to 13 in Cairo, Egypt.

The winner will receive a $30,000 prize.

[TheCable]

Each time any of my younger siblings was rude to me or sometimes attempted to smack or slap me and then run away, my mum would wiggle her finger and warn them, ‘ma fi abara kekere gba nla’. Meaning, Funke’s palm is bigger than yours and so her slap will hurt more than the one from your smaller palm. That was the scenario that came to my mind when the Supreme Court smacked Governor Sim Fubara and Rivers State with that judgment that sent all the Local Government Chairmen back home  to the wives. After reading through the story, I heaved a sigh, not of relief but of exhaustion. I said, wow, after all that drama and tension that preceded and followed the election, is this how it will all end? Remember that Governor Fubara was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but somehow the Action Peoples Party, APP, won leadership of 22 out of the 23 councils. Not PDP, his party. Think of the millions or billions that was expended on that election. And now this Supreme Court has trashed and thrashed both the money and the effort. A few strong men have decided that the votes counted and discounted mean nothing and Rivers people would have to go and look for more money, more billions to conduct the election that the courts, judges and law would approve. All that strain and stress and grandstanding just to lose to the court, not to the opposition party, PDP. What a shame. What a waste of time and deflation of ego.

So what are the lessons here? If your palm is small, do not slap the person with a bigger palm. His Excellency, Sim Fubara looks like he has taken on a bigger man or men. His palm is smarting but it looks like the man he slapped did not even wince. The slaps the governor has been dealt are enough to relocate anybody’s two ears to the same side of the head and I am not sure he has received the last slap yet. His fight with Minister Nyesom Wike has been, sad, bad and mad. It is not a fight that should have started in the first place but the ‘rightness’ or ‘wrongness’ of that fight is a subject that is ripe, not only for deep study but one for national debate. Those who want to quote the Bible or democratic tenets here are definitely not Nigerians. The godson and godfather politics, the I-will-choose-my-successor mentality of governors and the oppression and betrayal that follow are so totally incorrigibly Nigerian. That one godson is being slapped in 2025 does not mean prospective godsons are not lining up for endorsement. Indeed, Fubara will produce his own godson who he most likely will also slap into deafness. Nigerian politicians are unteachable like that.

Could Fubara have handled this better, more effectively? The answer would depend on where you are standing. If you are standing with the Rivers people whose funds, including the ones that will be withheld, you will see that they are the grass being trampled by all the elephants in this fight. They are the ones who voted a PDP governor and also voted APP local Government executives. Only God knows which party will win the next round.

The next lesson is do not accept and submit to godfatherism if you have no intention of following the tenets of the concept. A man does not become a godfather overnight. He knows things. He is capable of things. If he can suspend democratic tenets for you, he can suspend them again to un-father you. You cannot expect to enjoy the prize of being a godson without paying the price. If some peoples’ ambition and aspiration were discountenanced to favour you and you wore your godson robe proudly while pretending to be a democrat, weep not when the day of reckoning arrives.

Am I in support of Wike and making fun of Fubara? Far from it. The godfather-godson thing shortchanges me, you, the people, democracy, everybody. The only people who profit from it are the godson and his godfather. If they did not fall apart, would we have known some of the details of their alliance? And when politicians align, the people are hardly included in the equation. Or you think when they hold those closed door, nocturnal meetings, they discuss how to build new dams to generate more megawatts of electricity or make irrigation a national policy? No, they discuss a different kind of power, power sharing. They review who got what and will get what. It is when what brought them together separates them that they call in the lawyers, rush to the courts and generally entertain us for a while. The lawyers are cashing out from the bloated egos of the political actors while the judges are gradually establishing ‘judicracy’ – we vote, they decide who rules.

For now, let us wish Governor Fubara the fortitude to ride out this storm. I know he is not sleeping well. Who can, when people who are holding brooms are chasing you all night, only for you to wake up to find a fierce-looking umbrella-wielding one breathing fire by your bedside?   

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A sick North and its leaders

Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has a PhD in Agriculture and Rural Sociology. Nasir Idris, Kebbi State governor holds a PhD in Education. The governor of Sokoto State, Ahmad Aliyu also holds a doctorate in Business Administration. Dauda Lawal, Zamfara State governor has a 1992 Masters Degree in Political Science/ International Relations. Governor Gawuna Yusuf of Kano holds a Bachelors Degree in, wait for it, Biochemistry. So, how did a North with governors this educated end up with a strange, obnoxious, nasty and distasteful directive that shuts schools for Ramadan? How did the North get here and how will the region ever get out of this cesspit of affliction?

 Please are the children and grandchildren of these helmsmen attending the schools that are going to be shut down for Ramadan? Are the children and grandchildren of the Senators, Representatives, all political office holders and indeed the elites of the north all affected by this sit-at-home-during –Ramadan schools closure in the North? Are the schools in Saudi Arabia also closed for Ramadan or it is just Northern Nigerian Muslims that are holier than those whose womb birthed the holy Prophet? 

Why are we not seeing or hearing protests against this sad holiday? The Muslim community is quiet. The affected parents are going about their businesses as if this is okay. The Muslim clerics’ silence is the most shocking.

The schools that were shut, are there Christian students there? Will the teachers be paid for the month they are fasting and not working? That last question brings me to the biggest question of all; this closure of Northern schools for Ramadan, was it the initiative of the governors? What exactly were they thinking? Did they hold meetings with all stakeholders in this matter and how did they justify the move? How do Northern leaders sleep at night, really?

 I have always been suspicious that the many social diseases that are afflicting the North are the fault of their leaders. This confirms it. Northern leaders and elites like a sick north. It works for them. They like a North West with almost nine million out-of-school children and a North-East with more than five million. Or what else is the reason why every statistic with negative figures in education domiciled in the North and then some governors  still go ahead to give this kind of directive? Exactly in whose interest is this no-school-during Ramadan holiday, the teachers’, the students’, the parents’ or whose?  

These governors, these Northern leaders, where do they see the North in Nigeria, in world equations in 10 years? Do they think producing Nigerian Presidents regularly is what gives the North power? Me, I think if Nigeria has an Hausa or Fulfude- speaking President for 20 unbroken years where the North still does what it presently does, the region will still not catch up with the rest of Nigeria. Anyway, it looks like those who are beaten are not crying while people like me are swallowing ‘panadol’ for a Northern headache.

The federal government through the Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of six new Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs).

Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement on Tuesday by PSC Spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani.

The newly appointed DIGs include: Sadiq Abubakar, who currently serves as the Commandant of the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano; Benjamin Okolo, the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of the Department of Information Communication Technology at Force Headquarters, Abuja; and Williams Adebowale, the Commandant of the Police Staff College, Jos. Others are Bzigu Bali, AIG at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Enugu; Idegwu Basil Ukuoma, AIG of Zone 14, Katsina; and Adebola Ayinde Hamzat, AIG of Zone 16, Yenagoa.

Ani also announced the promotion of Kanayo Uzuegbu, Commissioner of Police for Enugu State Command, to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police.

“CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, Commissioner of Police Enugu State Command promoted to the next rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police was a former Assistant Commissioner Operations Zone 9, Umuahia; Area Commander, Owerri; Area Commander Karu, Nasarawa state; Commander Switch Operation Switch, Portharcourt; Deputy Commissioner Finance and Admin Edo State Command, DCP, state CID, Osun State and Commissioner of Police Operations, Communication, Force Headquarters, Abuja,” Ani added.

The commission also approved the appointment of new Commissioners of Police (CPs) for Oyo and Enugu State Commands.

He said: “CP Ademola Johnson, Principal Staff Officer to the Inspector General of Police, was appointed CP Oyo State.

“He was also a former Deputy Commissioner of Police Delta State Command. CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa was appointed CP, Enugu State, to take over from newly promoted AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu. CP Giwa was former DCP Operations Kaduna and Imo State Commands; ACP Police Mobile Force, Force Headquarters Abuja; and CSP A, Commissioner of Police Mobile Force, Force Headquarters, among other postings in the Police Mobile Force.”

Additionally, Ani revealed that the PSC had approved the promotion of eight Chief Superintendents of Police to the rank of Assistant Commissioners of Police.

“They are Abdullahi Kamba Usman, Sani Abdu, Ifeanyi Owo, Vincent Orole, Elisha Atikinkpan, and Margaret Okonkwo. Others are Alhasan Aliyu Guga and Imo Owinizi Ezekiel.

“The newly promoted senior Police Officers were subjected to written examinations and interactive oral interviews,” he said.

PSC Chairman, retired DIG Hashimu Argungu, encouraged the newly appointed DIGs to work closely with the Inspector General of Police to strengthen the Nigeria Police Force’s ability to maintain law and order.

“The Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu retd, charged the new DIGs to give the Inspector-General of Police the required support and cooperation to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force would be in a good position to secure the Nigerian space and ensure that law and order are maintained,” he said.

[NaijaNews]

Former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, David Shikfu Parradang, has been reportedly killed by kidnappers.

Reports indicate that the deceased was killed after being abducted in Abuja on Monday night.

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command is yet to react to the unfortunate incident.

Efforts by DAILY POST to reach the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, were not successful at the time of reporting.

CG David Parradang spent over 30 years in public service at the Nigerian Immigration Service, having worked across the country in Kano, Lagos, Kwara, Enugu, and the Federal Capital Territory.

[DailyPost]

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as the new Accountant General of the Federation, following a rigorous and merit-based selection process. 

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, his appointment takes effect on March 7, 2025, the same day the incumbent, Oluwatoyin Madehin, is set to retire.

Ogunjimi, 57, was first named as Madehin’s successor in December 2024. 

His selection was later confirmed through a competitive process, overseen by a dedicated committee. 

The evaluation process included a written assessment, an ICT proficiency test, and oral interviews, with only the most qualified candidate emerging at the end.

The president’s decision underscores his administration’s commitment to transparency, excellence, and competence in key public service appointments.

Ogunjimi brings a wealth of experience to the role, holding a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a Master’s in Accounting and Finance from the University of Lagos. 

He is also a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

Congratulating the new Accountant General, President Tinubu urged him to carry out his duties with integrity, professionalism, and dedication to national service.

Ogunjimi’s appointment is expected to further strengthen fiscal accountability and efficiency in government financial management, in line with the administration’s commitment to good governance and economic reforms.

[TheNation]

The House of Representatives has directed Multichoice, the operator of DStv and GOtv, to halt its planned subscription rate increase, citing the prevailing economic hardship in the country.

The Pay-TV provider had recently announced a price adjustment effective from March 1, with the DStv Premium package rising from N37,000 to N44,500, while Compact+ subscribers would pay N30,000 instead of N25,000. The Compact bouquet would also increase from N17,000 to N19,000.

The directive followed a motion moved by Esosa Iyawe, an All Progressives Congress lawmaker from Edo State, during plenary on Tuesday.

Iyawe said, “Multichoice recently announced a hike in subscription rates across all its packages, citing rising operational costs. However, this marks the second increase in less than a year, with the last adjustment made in May 2024.”

He noted that the previous hike triggered widespread public outrage, with many Nigerians, already grappling with economic challenges, abandoning their decoders due to a lack of competition in the pay-TV sector.

“Multichoice’s dominance in the market means any price increase has a widespread impact, putting consumers under undue financial pressure,” he added.

Following the adoption of the motion, the House resolved that Multichoice should suspend the proposed hike pending a thorough investigation.

The lawmakers also mandated the Committee on Commerce to probe the recurring increases in subscription fees, to ensure cost-effective policies for Nigerian consumers.

The committee was given four weeks to submit its findings.

[Punch]

Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu on Monday, March 3, 2025, joined the Kano State chairman of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) Hashimu Dugurawa and residents of the state to break the third-day Ramadan fast.

During the fast-breaking occasion, which took place at Al-Furqan Mosque in the Kano metropolis, Tinubu unveiled a feeding programme for the less privileged in the state. 

The programme is said to be part of Seyi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Youth Engagement initiative for vulnerable groups.

While unveiling the initiative Tinubu emphasised the importance of social welfare particularly during the Ramadan period, and also stressed his commitment to initiatives that uplift the less privileged and foster national unity.

Earlier, the President’s son had paid a courtesy visit to the Kano-based business mogul, Alhaji Aminu Dantata at his residence.

He also paid a visit to the State Governor, Abba Yusuf, after which he broke fast with residents of the state at the Amani Event Centre.

Vanguard News