The gruesome killing of Adedamola Quadri Ogunbode, a recent graduate of Lagos State University (LASU), is yet another chilling reminder of the pervasive horror of ritual killings in Nigeria. His murder, allegedly at the hands of a so-called prophet within the supposed sacred confines of a church, is a tragic irony that further exposes the moral rot in our society. It is heartbreaking that a place meant to offer spiritual solace instead became a slaughterhouse where a young man’s life was cut short in the most barbaric manner.

As painful as Adedamola’s death is, the even more terrifying reality is that his case is not an isolated one. Across Nigeria, ritual killings have become a widespread epidemic, claiming the lives of countless innocent victims. From Lagos to Ibadan, from Benin to Port Harcourt, reports of human sacrifices, body mutilations, and disappearances fill the pages of our newspapers almost daily. The killers, driven by greed, desperation, and a twisted belief in supernatural wealth acquisition, have turned human life into a mere commodity to be traded for money and power.

The sad truth is that Nigeria has become a breeding ground for ritualistic killings, with victims spanning across all demographics, children, young women, students, and even elderly people. Many of these murders are fueled by the insatiable quest for instant wealth, often encouraged by fraudulent clerics, self-styled prophets, and traditionalists who prey on the gullibility and desperation of their followers.

The shocking aspect of Adedamola’s case is the involvement of a church. This gruesome act reaffirms the painful reality that not all religious institutions are truly places of worship. Some have become mere fronts for criminal activities, engaging in fake miracles, extortions, and now, even murder. It is beyond tragic that those who should be offering hope and salvation are instead engineering destruction and death.

The belief that human sacrifice brings prosperity is not only archaic but also deeply dangerous. This age-old superstition, perpetuated by con artists masquerading as spiritual leaders, has no place in a modern society. The fact that many so-called men of God have been arrested in connection with ritual killings speaks volumes about the extent to which greed and deception have infiltrated religious institutions.

In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed an alarming surge in ritual-related killings. In 2022, the shocking case of the four teenagers in Abeokuta who murdered their female friend for ritual purposes shook the nation. Their reason? They had been told that using human parts for money rituals would make them wealthy. In the same year, a security guard in Ondo State was caught with a fresh human skull, allegedly obtained for ritual purposes.

The cycle of these crimes continues unchecked due to weak law enforcement, lack of swift judicial action, and, in some cases, complicity by authorities. Many ritualists operate with impunity, knowing that even if they are caught, they can bribe their way out of prosecution. Worse still, some high-profile individuals suspected of being involved in such heinous acts walk free due to their connections to influential people.

The persistence of ritual killings in Nigeria is not just a failure of law enforcement but also a reflection of a deeper societal problem. The desperation for wealth and the idolization of money at all costs have led many down dark and dangerous paths. Social media, with its glorification of sudden riches, has further fueled this craze, making the younger generation believe that anything, including human sacrifice, is a legitimate means to success.

Moreover, Nigeria’s harsh economic realities have pushed many into desperation. With unemployment at an all-time high and the cost of living soaring, people are increasingly willing to try anything to escape poverty, even if it means taking another person’s life. The failure of leadership to provide a conducive environment for economic growth has, in part, contributed to the normalization of such wickedness.

Given the foregoing, it is not abysmal to ask, “Where Do We Go from Here?” The foregoing question becomes more salient as it is not enough to mourn Adedamola’s tragic death; we must take deliberate action to prevent further occurrences. The Nigerian government and law enforcement agencies must treat ritual killings with the seriousness they deserve. This means ensuring that perpetrators are swiftly arrested, prosecuted, and given maximum punishment to serve as a deterrent.

Religious institutions must also be scrutinized. Not every so-called prophet or pastor is truly called by God. Many of them are simply charlatans who have weaponized spirituality for personal gain. Regulatory bodies overseeing religious establishments must be more proactive in investigating and shutting down churches and shrines involved in suspicious activities.

Education and public awareness are also crucial. Nigerians need to understand that there is no shortcut to wealth, and that ritual killings are not only criminal but also morally reprehensible. Schools, religious bodies, and media outlets should intensify campaigns against superstitious beliefs that encourage human sacrifice.

Furthermore, community vigilance must be heightened. People must be encouraged to report suspicious activities in their neighborhoods to authorities. The role of security agencies cannot be overstated—they must be empowered to carry out thorough investigations and bring perpetrators to justice without delay.

The death of Adedamola Quadri Ogunbode is a painful reminder of the darkness that has taken root in Nigeria. But we cannot afford to let his death be in vain. The perpetrators of this heinous act must be made to face the full wrath of the law. His family, friends, and the LASU community deserve justice, and the country must not let yet another case of ritual murder slip into oblivion.

In fact, the government, religious leaders, law enforcement agencies, and every well-meaning Nigerian must come together to fight this menace. If we continue to allow ritual killings to fester, we are not just losing individual lives, we are losing our collective humanity.

Adedamola had dreams. He had a future ahead of him. But his life was brutally stolen by a society that has failed to protect its own. Now is the time to take a stand. Now is the time to say, ‘Enough is enough!’

May his soul rest in peace, and may Nigeria finally wake up to the horror of ritual killings before it consumes us all.

Super Eagles head coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, has included Kano Pillars forward Ahmed Musa in his provisional squad for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. This marks Musa’s return to the national team for the first time since the AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire.

Musa headlines the 39-man provisional list released by the new head coach yesterday. Genk striker Tolu Arokodare also makes the cut, following his impressive tally of 15 goals in the Belgian Jupiler League this season.

Among the fresh faces in Chelle’s provisional squad are Anthony Dennis (FC Göztepe), Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes), and Slavia Prague’s Igoh Ogbu.

The squad sees the return of Kayode Bankole, the Remo Stars goalkeeper, and Southampton forward Paul Onuachu, as Nigeria aims to rekindle their hopes of qualification.

The provisional list includes prominent players such as captain William Ekong, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Stanley Nwabali, Adeleye Adebayo, Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Simon Moses.

Further inclusions comprise goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, as well as forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar.

Defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha, along with forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Akor Adams, have received their first call-ups. Additionally, home-based goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defender Jordan Torunarigha, midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and forwards Cyriel Dessers and Nathan Tella could make a return if they are included in the final squad of 23 players.

Nigeria currently sits fifth in Group C, trailing behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic, and Lesotho. The Super Eagles will first face group leaders Amavubi of Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, 21st March, before squaring off against Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo four days later.

[Leadership]

President of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has said he is currently resting after delivering his refinery project.

The 650,000-barrel refinery and petrochemicals project worth over $20bn has come to disrupt the oil and gas market in Africa and the world even as the refinery now exports refined products to other countries in Africa and Middle East.

Dangote recently spoke about the challenges he faced constructing the refinery which he described as the biggest risk of his life, saying he went through hell.

But speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony of the 43-storey building new First Bank Head Office at Eko Atlantic City in Lagos, Dangote said he’s now resting after delivering the project.

He commended his friend and ally, Mr. Femi Otedola, who is the Chairman of FirstHoldCo for daring to put up a 43-storey edifice in Eko Atlantic as the new Head Office of FirstBank, Nigeria’s oldest financial institution.

He said Eko Atlantic has become the new City of Lagos and with FirstBank joining the list of corporate entities in the emerging industrial city, more banks would come in.

Dangote however stated that Otedola had also invited him to come to Eko Atlantic, adding, “Maybe soon, not now I’m resting right now. Having delivered the refinery I need some rest but I’ll come, I’ll be here very soon. So I want to congratulate you (Otedola) and the entire board and management of First Bank for taking this bold move of building a massive edifice in the new City of Lagos.”

The groundbreaking is being attended by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Governors of Lagos, Ogun and Ondo – Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Dapo Abiodun and Lucky Aiyedatiwa respectively.

Others are Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Femi Hamza; former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, among others.

[DailyPost]

Popular gospel singer, Ebuka Songs has broken his silence on why he left Moses Bliss’ record label, Spotlite Nation.

DAILY POST recalls that Ebuka who signed a three-year contract with the record label, left after 11 months.

Moses Bliss during an interview in December 2024, stated that his signee, Ebuka Song left the label to pursue his music independently.

However, speaking for the first time after his departure, Ebuka stated that he left to focus on his ministry.

Speaking In an interview with the Open Up podcast, Ebuka said “I will always be grateful for Moses Bliss’ role in my life because as at that time, I had the anointing and gift but i don’t know how to go about it professionally.

“I am grateful for the journey that I have been through but at this point now, the next level is to focus on my ministry. And we are in our good space.

“The reason why I kept quiet about my exit or say anything since that time is because I don’t want it to generate more conversations. We all get to the point where we just want to be focused on the next phase of our lives, and because of the assignment of God upon my life.”

[DailyPost]

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, arrived in Milan, Italy, on Wednesday for a series of official engagements, including a meeting with the President of the Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana.

Wike is also expected to engage with agribusiness investors during his visit.

According to a statement issued in Milan by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister departed Abuja on Tuesday night and arrived in Milan at about 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday. 

He was received by the Charge d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Italy, Ambassador Mustapha Mohammed.

He said: “While in Milan, the FCT Minister will hold a meeting with the President of Lombardy Region on Thursday, and also meet agribusiness investors.

“Lombardy is adjudged as the first region of Italy in terms of economic importance, with population of about 10 million people. It is the second most populous region of the European Union (EU) and the second region of the European Union by nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“The FCT Minister’s meeting with the Attilio Fontana will center on seeking collaboration and evaluating possible prospects in the areas of Agriculture and Vocational Education, as well as strategic development partners with the Lombardy Region. 

“Subsequently, Wike will meet investors in agribusiness and experts in vocational training, with a view to unlock new opportunities.

“The FCT Mandate Secretaries for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo and Mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, Lawan Geidam, as well as Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Dr. Udo Samuel Atang and Senior Special Assistant on Legal and Multi-Lateral Cooperation, Barrister Benedict Daudu, accompanied the Minister on the trip”.

The senior citizen that reads this column every week, almost without fail, called in the other day, neither to endorse nor condemn the view expressed here on the posturing of Northern Nigeria’s political establishment that is wont to threaten to use its phantom voting strength to upset Nigeria’s political applecart.

He came with the suggestion that there must be a way to ensure that Nigeria’s political elite, in all the realms of the nation, have a consensus on principles, concepts and values that they all will share, regardless of their ethnic, regional, religious, ideological or partisan leanings.

The tendency of Nigerian politics has continued to be centrifugal such that policymakers and their policies seem to serve only sectional, ethnic, regional, and even religious interests, and not the common interest of all Nigerians.

In his book, “Pathway to Nigerian Freedom”, Obafemi Awolowo, the first Premier of Western Nigeria, observed, “Nigeria is not a nation. It is a mere geographical expression. There are no ‘Nigerians’, in the sense as there are ‘English’, ‘Welsh’, or ‘French’”.

The word, ‘Nigerian’, is merely an appellation to distinguish those who live within the boundaries of Nigeria from those who do not. Could Awolowo’s conclusion be partly responsible for the failure of Nigerians to think or act Nigerian?

In a verbal spat with the late National Leader of Pan Niger Delta Development Forum, Edwin Clark, former President Olusegun Obasanjo said, “Tribe has to be suppressed for the (Nigerian) state to emerge. And until the state emerges, Nigeria will not make the desired progress as tribesmen will always sacrifice state for tribe.”

A politician of Nigeria’s First Republic was reputed to have been extremely intentional in employing Nigerians mainly from his ethnic stock into the Nigeria Railway Corporation, so much that other Nigerians thought they should not seek employment there.

As a result, NRC suffered gravely from the herd mentality of its management and staff, most of whom shared the same language and culture. In recent years, the same ethnic orientation wrought incurable lethargy on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and its successor, NNPCL.

This esteemed caller, a retired corporate guru, thought that the Nigerian Institute of Political and Strategic Studies, on whose founding committee he served, was a good place to fashion the consensus of values for Nigerian leaders. NIPSS was founded in 1979 as a think tank for policy formulation, research and training for bureaucrats, military officers and private sector leaders.

But regrettably, many who attended NIPSS courses hardly demonstrated the value they supposedly acquired in their choices of policies, programmes and projects as they worked in the legislatures, courts, government ministries, departments and agencies.

Thus, the NIPPS’ Director-General, Prof Ayo Omotayo, who boasted at the institute’s recent graduation ceremony, “We have made significant strides in making our research outputs relevant to today’s critical issues… (as) the (graduating) class represents a new wave of leaders equipped to drive change in  Nigeria,” may just be talking to himself.

Governance in Nigeria, civilian or military, has not been very inspiring, despite the quantum of alumni of NIPSS and the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria that have had the privilege to run the affairs of this great country.

Maybe the British template of catching the future political elite young by putting them through an interdisciplinary course of study in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at institutions like Oxford and Cambridge universities will do the trick.

PPE explains the complex interactions of Britain’s capitalist or market-driven economy, the welfare aspects of public policy, the political institutions, culture and conventions, international relations and diplomacy, the universities, the media and social institutions.

By going through the same intellectual drills, those who studied PPE and ended up as prime ministers, ministers, senior civil servants, and military officers of Britain have a shared knowledge of the core values, institutions, goals and visions of the British realm. And so, they do not work at cross-purposes, as it obtains in Nigeria.

They understand the role and nuances of Britain’s Unwritten Constitution and its conventions, the monarchy, the political parties, the parliament, the cabinet, the civil service, the military, the secret service, the private sector, the media and other agencies of governance.

When you tell a Briton about The Firm, Westminster, 10 Downing Street, Whitehall, the City, Fleet Street, he instantly knows that you are talking about the monarchy, the parliament, the prime minister, the civil service, the British equivalent of America’s Wall Street or the private sector investors and the media, respectively.

As of 2024, 31 of the 58 British prime ministers attended Oxford, and another 14 attended Cambridge, making 45 or roughly 78 per cent of the whole. Incidentally also, 20 and 7, or roughly 47 per cent, of the prime ministers, attended either Eton College or Harrow College, two of Britain’s most prestigious elite secondary schools.

Just as you might accuse these individuals of inbreeding of ideas or even parochial herd mentality, you must also agree that shared values can lead to easy agreement and swift decision-making in the interest of the people of Nigeria.

Perhaps the underlying cause of the inability of the political elite to agree on what is best for Nigeria is the 180-degree divergence of objectives and political philosophy between Northern and Southern Nigeria.

British parliamentarian, Thomas Fowell Buxton, saw a difference in the characters of Northern and Southern monarchs, and suggested, “Whatever difficulties (Britain) may… encounter with the chiefs of the coast (of Nigeria)… there is good reason to believe that we shall find a better disposition on the part of the Sultans and sovereigns of the interior…”

Britain used missionaries and traders in relating with the Southern Protectorate of Nigeria, with a “deliberate effort to teach, to elevate and to influence by direct contact”. On the other hand, the Northern Protectorate was run by Lord Frederick Lugard, with “the soldier’s love of discipline, ranks… for (whom) law and authority proceeded downwards… and not… through discussion and democratic process”.

In his book, “A Fatherless People”, Dele Ogun notes that the British “recognised the reality of differences between the two Nigeria, to the point that it produced two types of British colonial administrations, those recruited for Northern Nigeria, schooled in (Islam and) in Arabic, and those for Southern Nigeria”, largely Christian, fluent in English and familiar with Judeo-Christian traditions.

Thus, democratic values and Christianity were encouraged in the Southern Protectorate by British officers and their Nigerian successors that were derogatively called “natives”, and the Northern Protectorate was ruled by force of arms and indirect rule that grafted the Moslem traditional institutions, designated as native authorities, to British colonial administration.

This dual ruling template was adopted when the British colonialists began to observe that Western education and the emergence of the newspaper were fast corroding their hold on the people of the Southern Protectorate. They reasoned, “Let us, rendered wise by the experience elsewhere, set our faces like flint against the ‘Europeanising’ of Northern Nigeria.”

Though the British colonial masters have set the values of Northern Nigeria against those of the South, those who identify as Nigerians must find a way to overcome this dilemma. As long as the people of the Nigeria area continue to relate with each other through ethnic prisms, so will the Nigerian state of their dream be elusive.

X:@lekansote1, lekansote.com,

The last few days have been politically charged in Rivers and Lagos States. While the camp of Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State was thrown into mourning last Friday, February 28, 2025, after the Supreme Court judgement, the camp of his estranged godfather, who is also the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, was thrown into jubilation. Last Monday, March 3, the camp of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa was similarly in a jubilant mood, while that of Hon. Mojisola Meranda was in a pensive mood. Whoever does not know should by now realise that politics is a game of intrigues where there are no permanent friends or enemies but interests.

The Rivers State political crisis began in October 2023 when an arsonist burnt down a section of the Rivers State House of Assembly chamber to purportedly forestall the impeachment move against the governor by the state lawmakers. Prior to this crisis, the Peoples Democratic Party was united under the leadership of former Governor Nyesom Wike, who allegedly sponsored all the elected political officeholders in Rivers State under the PDP in the 2023 general elections. However, his godson, who is now the governor of Rivers State, was accused of wanting to hijack the political structure of his godfather. The impeachment move was to call him to order and make him backtrack on his planned usurpation of the political platform that brought him to power.

Governor Fubara, rather than succumbing to the threat and blackmail from the camp of his godfather, decided to fight back. The Rivers State Assembly became fictionalised, with 27 members under Hon. Martins Amaewhule pitching their tent with the godfather while four remained with the governor, initially under Hon. Edison Ehie and later Victor Oko-Jumbo. Several cases were filed in court to determine which of the factions was legitimate. Funding to the Amaewhule faction was suspended; nine commissioners who are loyal to Nyesome Wike resigned from Fubara’s cabinet even though they were reabsorbed after the December 2023 mediation effort by President Bola Tinubu.

Sometime in June 2024, the tenure of the 23 local government chairmen in Rivers State ended, and Martin Amaewhule’s faction of the assembly decided to extend their tenure by six months pending when a fresh election will be conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. This move was rejected by Sim Fubara’s camp, who rather went ahead to appoint caretaker committees to administer the councils. The Supreme Court judgement of July 11, 2024, threw a spanner in the wheel of the appointment of the caretaker committees as the apex court ruled that no LGA should be undemocratically governed as per section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. The Supreme Court also ordered direct funding of the 768 LGAs and the six area councils of FCT. This development made Governor Fubara rush to conduct a fresh election in the 23 LGAs of Rivers State on October 5, 2024. This election was challenged in court by the camp of godfather Nyesome Wike, and there were several court judgements in support of and against the conduct of the local government elections.

In the course of the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly, the 27 lawmakers belonging to the Wike faction defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress on December 11, 2023. This raised another series of litigations as the Fubara faction pressed for the declaration of their seats vacant and the conduct of a fresh election to replace them. The governor camp believed that the defection did not follow due process as there was purportedly no crisis at the national level of the PDP even though there was one at the Rivers State level. In the opinion of Fubara’s camp, since the lawmakers have purportedly lost their seats, he is now forced to work with only four members of the Rivers State Assembly under Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo. Therefore, both the 2024 and 2025 appropriation bills of Rivers State were purportedly passed by the four-member lawmakers loyal to Governor Fubara.

The above is the political scenario that preceded the February 28, 2025 Supreme Court judgement, wherein the apex court halted federal allocations to the state as well as insisted that the subsisting decision of the trial court and the Court of Appeal was that the 27 lawmakers of the State Assembly deemed to have defected from the PDP to the APC were still members of the Assembly. The apex court went further to declare null and void as well as illegal the local government election conducted by the state, ruling that it was not in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

The state government in its reaction called for calm, reminding the people that the case of the membership of the defected lawmakers was still pending at a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, which had adjourned hearing on the matter to April 30, 2025, adding that they were studying the decision of the apex court to understand the implication of the judgement.

Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has promised to abide by the Supreme Court judgement and has, in a statewide broadcast last Sunday, March 2, 2025, asked all the newly elected local government chairmen and councillors to hand over to the head of administration in the local governments. On the other hand, Martin Amaewhule’s led State House of Assembly had asked the governor to re-present the 2025 budget within 48 hours while going on 12 weeks’ recess. This order has been rebuffed by the governor, who said the certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgement had not been received by him for study in order to be guided on implementation.

Quite unfortunately, governance is being impeded in the state, as activities of the Rivers State House of Assembly have been paralysed since October 2023. Not only that, governance at the local government level is also being hampered given the different court judgements and the arson unleashed by some political thugs on four local government offices on October 7, 2024. Enormous resources will be spent to rebuild and rehabilitate the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex and the LGA offices torched by arsonists. Luckily, there has not been a breakdown of law and order or assassination in Rivers State, but unless well-meaning leaders of thought quickly step in to mediate the post-Supreme Court judgement of February 28, there could be serious trouble ahead given the rhetoric from both the Wike’s and Fubara’s camps.

The political development in Lagos on Monday, March 3, 2025, did not come as a surprise to many political watchers of the Lagos State House of Assembly leadership crisis. Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa was re-elected speaker after he was removed by his colleagues on January 13, 2025. His deputy speaker, who took over for him and held sway as a speaker for 49 days, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, resigned as the speaker and was re-elected as deputy speaker. All the other principal officers elected after the January 13 ‘palace coup’ in the Assembly also resigned their positions. This development coming on the heels of the fierce battle of wit and grit of last week by the Obasa and Meranda camps was a result of the mediation efforts of APC leaders like the former governor of Osun State, Pa Bisi Akande and ex-Governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba as well as APC leadership in Lagos State.

While the Lagos Assembly crisis was purportedly stage-managed by the powerful Governance Advisory Council, President Bola Tinubu was reportedly angry at the removal of Obasa, who has been his staunch loyalist since 1992.

 The belief is that the removal of Obasa leaves Lagos West Senatorial District, which is the largest voting bloc in Lagos, out of the power-sharing agreement in Lagos State. This is a risk President Tinubu did not want to take, as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Hon. Mojisola Mernda are said to be from the Lagos Central Senatorial District.

Not only that, the reinstatement of Obasa as speaker is to save his political career. He has been in the Assembly since 2003 and sacking him will truncate his future political ambition. He might yet be asked to resign while another honourable member from Lagos West Senatorial District is elected to replace him. The scenario playing out in Rivers and Lagos States is more about the political survival of godfathers than any altruistic concerns for the downtrodden masses. As James Freeman Clarke has rightly put it, “A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman thinks of the next generation.”

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.