Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has provided a detailed account of how she successfully attended the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York, despite not being officially nominated by the Nigerian government.

In an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan explained that she registered for the meeting online as a senator and secured her accreditation because she was already on IPU’s mailing list as a past attendee.

The senator noted that she personally funded her trip to the global parliamentary gathering after receiving approval to attend.

“I registered online as a senator. The suspension does not remove my legitimacy as a senator. I registered online and got a pass. I attended the same programme last year and was already on the mailing list. After I got a pass, I bought my own ticket and funded my trip and participation at the event,” she told PREMIUM TIMES.

This is not her first attendance at an IPU event. She accompanied the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to the 148th IPU General Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland in March, 2024 as part of Nigeria’s official delegation.

Cross-River South Senator, Ekpenyong Asuquo, and the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, were also part of the delegation.

During the assembly, Mr Akpabio, called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and the unconditional release of all hostages. He also called for access to humanitarian aid for victims of the war conflict zone.

Clarifying her mode of access, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan explained that she attended the recent IPU event through her past participation in a meeting organised by the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Her presence at an IPU event in Geneva in 2024 as part of Nigeria’s delegation also helped, she said.

She added that the IPU event is not exclusive to government officials but also open to individuals and civil society organisations as well.

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan clarified that she travelled to New York with a visa on her ordinary Nigerian passport and not with an official passport.

Legitimacy of her attendance despite suspension

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan described her suspension from the Senate as illegal, saying that did not, however, take away her legitimacy as an elected senator.

However, her six-month suspension explicitly prohibits her from identifying herself as a senator, both locally and internationally, during the suspension period.

Despite this restriction, she insisted that she attended the IPU meeting in her official capacity and spoke as a legitimate representative of her people.

Alleged plans to arrest her

During the interview, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan also alleged that plans are underway to arrest her upon her return to Nigeria.

“… I’m aware there are plans underway to have me arrested as soon as I arrive Abuja,” she said.

“The Senate President Akpabio sent three staff headed by the Chargè D’Affairs of the Nigerian embassy in New York to evacuate me from the United Nations premises right after my speech. I was rescued by parliamentarians from other countries and the security.”

The senate president could not be reached for comment. His spokesperson, Eseme Eyiboh, has yet to respond to multiple telephone calls made to him by this reporter. His response to a text message sent to him is still being awaited.

Meanwhile, the telephone number of the Senate’s spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, was not reachable Sunday morning.

Nigeria launches probe into her participation at the IPU meeting

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attendance at the IPU meeting has triggered a government investigation.

PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported that Nigeria’s internal and external intelligence agencies have launched a probe into how she gained access to the meeting without official nomination.

A high-ranking administration official and two top security officials involved in the inquiry confided in PREMIUM TIMES that the State Security Service (SSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), are working to determine how Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan attended the international meeting without approval, who facilitated her trip and accreditation, and whether her participation was orchestrated by interest groups to embarrass Nigeria, its government and its people.

Nigeria believes Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan did not follow the required diplomatic protocols before gaining access to the IPU meeting on 11 March, where she addressed her suspension from the Nigerian Senate, alleging that it was politically motivated to silence her for speaking out against misconduct in the legislative chamber.

Additionally, she raised allegations of sexual harassment against the senate president.

[premiumtimesng]

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has decried bastardization of Nigeria’s traditional institution, saying there are criminals, drug addicts, vagabonds, bandits and kidnappers occupying several royal thrones as monarchs across the country.

Obasanjo said this in one his two books released recently to mark his 88th birthday.

The book is titled “Nigeria: Past and Future.”

In chapter 14 of his new book, the former President lamented that the dignity, honour and distinction associated with Nigeria’s traditional institution in the colonial days and early post-independence days, have been “diluted and polluted.”

Obasanjo said, “Today, there are criminals, drug addicts, vagabonds, bandits and kidnappers as so-called traditional rulers.

“This is a great pity, and it has greatly contributed to the problems of Nigeria by traditional rulers. How do we account for a traditional ruler snatching a ballot box at an election polling station and running away with it?

“The class of traditional rulers with their distinction, honour and dignity, as we knew them in the colonial days and early post-independence days, has been diluted and polluted.

“That dignity, aura and respect should be brought back and traditional rulers should be an asset to Nigeria’s development and greatness and not a liability.

“There is a need for moral re-armament among the traditional rulers – the ancient and historic ones. And they can and should make meaningful contributions to the Nigeria of our dreams that will serve the purpose and interest of all.”

Obasanjo also warned that Nigeria may experience violent change of power if the country continues in the current trajectory of maladministration.

He said the country is blessed with talented and hardworking youths, but the young population is disenchanted with the mismanagement of the nation’s commonwealth, large-scale corruption, and leadership ineptitude.

He said “Current trends on the continent portray a more assertive, younger population, intolerant of abuses of power and in search of the dividends of good governance, such that whether or not we accept it, an inevitable shake-up is in the offing.

“In what manner that happens is left for the current operatives of government to decide or fashion out. That is why my clarion call for a domesticated system of governance that reflects our temperament, context, content, culture, and exigencies is urgent.

“We are currently sitting on a ticking time bomb partly because of the system we practise, how corruptly we practise it, and how exclusively we practise it with impunity, callousness, brazen outrage and total disregard for any element of righteousness, integrity, accountability, sensitivity, compassion, inclusiveness and the fear of God.

“If the incumbent leaders do not shape up and satisfy the yearnings and demands of their people, especially the youths, who are disappointed, dissatisfied, bitter, hungry, angry, unemployed and unempowered, then the future is indeed very bleak, with no light at the end of the tunnel.

“These young people watch helplessly as their leaders tell them blatant lies unabashedly, while continuing their orgies of vulgar and ostentatious lifestyles rather than investing the money from the nation’s commonwealth in SMEs to create jobs and generate wealth.

“Should we have the misfortune of pushing these young people to the point of crossing the Rubicon, the country will pay a very high cost because a chain of events will be unleashed, the end of which no one can predict.

“We have no better time for change than now before change is forced upon us. It was JF Kennedy, former president of the United States of America, who, in 1962, said that those who make peaceful change impossible will make violent change inevitable. I am not calling for violent change, but it will become a reality if we continue on the present trajectory.

“Let us set aside lies, illusions, delusions, dishonesty and scapegoatism. Let us face reality and deal sincerely with ourselves, among ourselves, by ourselves and for ourselves.

“Sadly, for Africa, this grave and worrying concern is not just a Nigerian phenomenon but an entire African malady.

“It is now in its autumn of incubation, and if it does not receive serious attention, it will metamorphose into a destructive pandemic in its winter and spread across the continent.

“To ignore the warning and the writing on the wall is to continue to dance slow foxtrot while our trousers are burning. The day of reckoning may not be too far, but like the Biblical second coming of Jesus Christ, who can tell when that will happen?”

[DailyTrust]

A former appointee of President Bola Tinubu and political analyst, Mahmud Jega, has said that Rivers State Chief Judge, Simeon Amadi, is the obstacle before the state House of Assembly in the plot to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Jega said this on Arise Television while analysing the political crisis rocking Rivers State and the involvement of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesome Wike.

He noted that the lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister were setting traps for the Governor, looking for a tangible reason to commence impeachment processes.

Recall that Wike on Saturday said he has no plan to stop members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from performing their constitutional duties.

DAILY POST can report that part of the legislative functions of the Assembly is to impeach the governor if he is found wanting.

The lawmakers, about 27 of them, have been at loggerheads with Governor Fubara as they try to maintain their loyalty to the FCT minister.

The lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule recently obtained victory at the Supreme Court, which ordered that they should resume their legislative duties.

The governor was also ordered to re-present the 2025 budget to the full House of the Assembly and reconduct the local council elections.

When he arrived at the state assembly re-present the budget on Thursday, he was locked out by the lawmakers on the ground that they were not adequately informed of his visit.

There are speculations about the majority lawmakers plotting the governor’s impeachment.

“The Rivers State assembly members are loyal to Wike and bent on impeaching Fubara,” Jega said.

“The assembly members are setting traps for Governor Fubara to commit an impeachable offense.

“Their only obstacle is the chief judge of Rivers, who they are now going after,” he added.

DAILY POST also reported that the Rivers State House of Assembly had set plans in motion to investigate the state Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, for alleged falsification of age.

[DailyPost]

As the Premier League season reaches its climax, all eyes will be on the highly anticipated showdown between Arsenal and Chelsea — a match that would have major implications for the title race. 

Both teams have been in impressive form this season, and with only a handful of fixtures left, every point matters in the battle for Premier League supremacy. Here’s a detailed look at the key factors surrounding this high-stakes encounter:  

Title race implications 

Arsenal and Chelsea are both firmly in the mix for the Premier League title, with Manchester City also lurking close behind. Arsenal, seeking their first league title since the “Invincibles” season in 2003–04, have shown remarkable consistency under Mikel Arteta. 

Chelsea, rejuvenated under new management, have mounted an unexpected challenge after a rocky start to the campaign. A win for either side could tilt the balance of the title race, while a draw would open the door for Manchester City to close the gap.  

Head-to-head record 

Recent meetings between Arsenal and Chelsea have produced mixed results. Arsenal have enjoyed an edge in recent years, winning four of their last five Premier League meetings against Chelsea, including a convincing 3–1 victory earlier in the season at Stamford Bridge. 

However, Chelsea’s form has improved dramatically since then, with a more balanced squad and tactical stability under their new manager.  

Key players to watch

Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal) : Ethan Nwaneri has impressed for Arsenal this season, scoring five Premier League goals and shining in the Champions League with a key goal against PSV. Troy Deeney has backed him for an England senior call-up, while Martin Keown has advised managing his workload carefully due to his young age.

Declan Rice (Arsenal): The summer signing has added steel to Arsenal’s midfield, combining defensive solidity with forward thrust. His ability to control the tempo of the game could be pivotal.  

Cole Palmer (Chelsea): Palmer has been a revelation for Chelsea this season, delivering key goals and assists. His movement and ability to find space between the lines make him a difficult player to mark.  

Enzo Fernández (Chelsea): The Argentine playmaker has grown in influence, dictating Chelsea’s play with his vision and passing range. His duel with Rice in midfield could determine the flow of the game.  

Tactical battle

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have built their success on a well-organized defense and a fluid attacking system. Their high press and quick transitions have troubled many teams this season.

Chelsea, under their new manager, have adopted a more compact defensive shape while relying on quick counterattacks and creative play from the midfield. 

The tactical battle between Arteta and his Chelsea counterpart will be fascinating, with both managers expected to adjust their approach based on the flow of the game.  

Injury concerns and squad depth 

Both teams have managed injuries throughout the season, but Arsenal’s squad depth has been a key strength. Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko have recently returned to fitness, giving Arteta more options. Chelsea have also welcomed back key players, though concerns remain over the fitness of Reece James and Christopher Nkunku. Squad rotation and the ability to call upon game-changers from the bench could play a crucial role in deciding the outcome.  

Mental strength and pressure

Arsenal’s young squad showed signs of nerves in last season’s title race, ultimately falling short to Manchester City. This season, they appear more mature and composed, but the pressure of a title run-in is always intense.

Chelsea, despite being relative outsiders in the title race, have the experience of winning major trophies — a factor that could work in their favor in the closing stages of the season.  

What’s at stake

A win for Arsenal would keep them on course for their first league title in two decades, reinforcing Arteta’s project and marking a return to the top of English football. For Chelsea, a win would not only keep their title hopes alive but also serve as a statement of intent under their new leadership. A draw, meanwhile, would likely benefit Manchester City, who remain in striking distance of both teams.  

Conclusion

With so much on the line, the Arsenal vs. Chelsea clash promises to be a tense and thrilling encounter. Both teams have the quality to win, and the outcome could have far-reaching consequences for the Premier League title race. Fans can expect a high-intensity battle, with moments of brilliance and drama likely to define the contest.

Kick Off

2:00pm 

Predicted Arsenal XI to face Chelsea

Raya, Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Partey, Rice, Nwaneri, Merino, Martinelli

Predicted Chelsea XI to face Arsenal

Jorgensen, James, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Sancho, Palmer, Nkunku, Neto

Bet Predictions 

Over 1.5goals 

[TheNation]

Cardano (ADA) investors who invested in 2020 experienced lower than anticipated lucrative returns in the market. Some early supporters of Cardano now face frustration due to the project’s slow implementation of research-based development which represents major progress while delaying large market returns.

The newly formed token Remittix which sold close to 520 million tokens for $0.0734 has gained widespread attention for its speed to generate significant profits while experts predict an 18x growth within seven months of its launch.

Cardano’s Slow and Steady Path

Cardano attracted investors because of its methodical approach to major software updates which followed scientific discipline. The roadmap executes a slow yet efficient process which achieves excellent reliability alongside robust functionality yet frustrates those investors desiring rapid price increases.

The price appreciation of Cardano since its initial launch has not reached the peak expectations of 2020 investors. The expectations of institutional investors supporting ADA remain strong for the future yet proposed ETF listings encounter regulatory obstacles which decrease present-day market enthusiasm.

Research indicates that Cardano has built a secure network through its deliberate development process although its method slows down the price volatility that characterizes modern cryptocurrencies. ADA token investors from 2020 are probably unhappy because the token has grown only moderately while missing out on the dramatic price rallies characteristic of other crypto initiatives.

Remittix: An 18x Opportunity?

Remittix has emerged as a game-changer that breaks the long-term wait period for crucial catalysts which Cardano investors have been anticipating. The PayFi payment solutions platform helped Remittix establish a presale funding total of close to $13.9 million by selling nearly 520 million tokens at a price of $0.0734 each.

The crypto to standard money format currency exchange features of Remittix attract users because they eliminate complex obstacles that deter potential users from utilizing the platform. The seven-month period of successful partnerships and exchange listings will enable Remittix tokens to generate an 18x return on investment opportunity starting from their current price point according to advocates.

This bullish outlook hinges on Remittix’s practicality. The basic architecture of this altcoin creates opportunities through which merchants and freelancers together with cross-border deal users can connect with its features. Practical adoption of Remittix tokens extends to varied people in a brief time period because of this specific situation.

Market sentiment combined with limited use could decrease predicted growth projections even though the same token does not equate to success. Numerous investors expressed their commitment to Remittix through its successful pre-sale because it addresses fundamental financial requirements.

Comparing Both Options

Cardano maintains a stable development pace and grows a supportive community so it should gain enhanced long-term value through institutional deals. When investors must wait for returns from their investment funds this time delay creates frustration due to their need for immediate financial returns.

Quick adoption of Remittix depends on the successful implementation of regulatory frameworks and Point Of Sale integrations to take advantage of its direct payment system. Remittix demonstrates better pricing potential than ADA because it maintains different operating models where measured development contrasts with user-first speed.

Final Thoughts

Since 2020 Cardano’s price has shown moderate growth which has discouraged investors who joined early on. The execution of Remittix stands ready to realize fast price increases beyond its upcoming development targets. During these seven months a significant price rise has surfaced to show that practical cryptocurrency applications normally boost market enthusiasm.

Investors should consider the ongoing development with authentic community support to achieve success because these coins always carry significant investment risks. Investors must analyze how long they can wait for gains and how much risk they will take to decide whether instant growth from Remittix would be a better choice than waiting for Cardano’s future success.

[Punch]

Chinese internet search giant Baidu released a new artificial intelligence reasoning model Sunday and made its AI chatbot services free to consumers as ferocious competition grips the sector.

Technology companies in China have been scrambling to release improved AI platforms since start-up DeepSeek shocked its rivals with its open source and highly cost-efficient model in January.

In a post on WeChat, Baidu announced the launch of its latest X1 reasoning model — which the company claims performs similarly to DeepSeek’s but for lower cost — and a new foundation model, Ernie 4.5.

Baidu also made its AI chatbot Ernie Bot free for individual users more than two weeks ahead of schedule. Previously, users had to pay a subscription to access the company’s latest AI models via Ernie Bot.

Ernie 4.5 “outperforms” US-based OpenAI’s GPT-4.5 model in “multiple benchmarks”, while Ernie X1 features “enhanced capabilities in understanding, planning, reflection, and evolution”, Baidu said.

The Beijing-based company was one of China’s first to roll out a generative AI platform publicly, in 2023, but rival chatbots from companies such as TikTok owner ByteDance and Moonshot AI have since gained more users.

Baidu faces stiff competition in the consumer-facing AI sector where startup DeepSeek shook up the industry at home and abroad with a model that performed comparably to competitors such as US-made ChatGPT, but cost much less to develop.

Since then, Chinese companies and local government agencies have rushed to incorporate DeepSeek’s open-source model into their work, while other technology companies have been playing catch-up.

Baidu itself has integrated DeepSeek’s R1 reasoning model into its search engine.

In February, WeChat owner Tencent released a new AI model that it claimed answers queries faster than DeepSeek, even as it incorporated its rival’s technology into its messaging platform.

The same month, Alibaba, which has partnered with Apple to develop AI for the US company’s phones in China, said it would invest 380 billion yuan ($52 billion) in AI and cloud computing over the next three years.

Alibaba this month also released a new version of its AI assistant app powered by its open-source Qwen reasoning model.

Baidu has also announced plans to follow DeepSeek’s lead by making its Ernie AI models open-source from June 30.

[Vanguard News]

“Every generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it, or betray it.” — Frantz Fanon

On February 26, 2010, Chude Jideonwo sent an email titled “Where is the outrage?” about the state of the nation to a few people. 

If the present government realises that it can do anything and get away with it, then we are doomed.

But how can we be doomed when we actually have the power to make our voices heard? At The Future Awards 2010, many young people heard clearly when the Keynote Speaker, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said, “In Nigeria, generation Y, 70% of our population of 105 million is under 30 years old.” We are in the majority. We have the power to actually make change happen. So what is our excuse? What will we tell our children – that we lay down and took whatever they hit us with?

No.

…………….

Listen guys, whatever industry we work in, no matter how much money we have, if Nigeria becomes a failed state, we will all suffer! We all have a stake in this! We will be unable to drive our flashy cars and have the great events and do fine dinners if we have no country!

This rally will be the first phase. Other things will come up later. But this one we have to do first. This is the one we need you for. This is one we have to make a statement with.

This is our country; our duty; our future.

I wasn’t one of the recipients, but the actions that followed that email would change the course of my life. Chude was 24 years old at the time and he couldn’t understand why young people were spending time on social media while Wole Soyinka, Femi Falana, and Tunde Bakare, under the banner of the “Save Nigeria Group (SNG),” were on the streets protesting a future that was less about them. President Yar’adua was MIA, there were killings in Jos, there was no electricity, and fuel scarcity had returned.

In 18 days, with heavy lifting from Adebola Williams, Chioma Chuka and a few others, the #EnoughIsEnough protest was organised to the national assembly in Abuja on March 16, 2010. The day was incidentally Chude’s 25th birthday. Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Waje, Dele Momodu, Stella Damasus, Audu Maikori, Omawumi, Charly Boy and Efe Omoregbe (2Face/2Baba’s Manager) were some of the pop culture icons that participated in the protest. I was invited to join the protests by my friend, Bisola Edun, and it sounded like good fun! Another protest followed in Lagos on April 13th. The #EnoughIsEnough protests in Abuja and Lagos led to the birth of Enough is Enough Nigeria, aka EiE Nigeria, aka EiE! I have now led EiE for fourteen years.

In October 2020, young Nigerians were frustrated with the Nigeria Police Force, especially the SARS Unit that harassed youth with tech gadgets and unconventional hairstyles, tagging them as fraudsters. An incident in Benin triggered the #EndSARS protests that would see a reincarnation of young Nigerians across all strata —  entrepreneurs, professionals, pop culture icons  — lend their voices, resources and time to express their frustration via street protests. The protests in Lagos, the epicentre were led by young Nigerians like Rinu Oduala, who was 22 years old at the time.

A prominent organising hub was the Feminist Coalition — young women in their twenties who mobilised and deployed financial resources to ensure the nationwide protests had legal support, food & water, and protection. The #EndSARS protests ended when the federal government opened fire and murdered innocent protesters. Some of the #EndSARS energy was repackaged to support a 3rd force — Peter Obi — in the 2023 presidential elections. The elections were unfortunately rigged when technology was jettisoned as legal guidelines were ignored.

It’s now March 2025, and the outrage is still there — expressed through content and conversations — but there’s a reduced appetite for street protests and governance-related matters.

Nevertheless, silence is not an option. During the #EndSARS protests, most young people were unaware of the #EnoughIsEnough protests, which had happened ten years before. The #EndSARS protests are still raw, but in another five, ten years, what will people remember? Maybe the increased use of technology and social media platforms would ensure the stories are not lost.

Beyond the stories of what young people did and the lives lost, how will young people respond to leadership that has no vision and consistently shows in words and actions that it is not interested in building a Nigeria that allows its citizens to maximise their potential and fulfill their dreams? It’s even more interesting because the current president knows civil society well. He has funded and participated in protests and opposition politics. And in a nation where even the “middle class” are struggling, from where will the resistance come?

Young people are finding ways to make things work despite the government, and we see it exemplified in the arts  — music, fashion, movies, and painting. But there are some things only the government can do at scale, education, healthcare, and infrastructure topping that list. Four states in the region with the poorest education outcomes have chosen to close down all primary and secondary schools for 5 weeks during Ramadan. Schools in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) remain open. What exactly are we doing? Patients are dying at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, because there is no electricity to power the hospital. UCH used to be Nigeria’s best hospital. Our institutions are another area that has been badly hit — the judiciary being a prime example. You don’t have to look further than the fiasco in Rivers and Kano states.

The list is endless, and the direct impact on our lives tells the story well. However, a government that receives no pushback and has no consequences to its “anyhow” behaviour will continue to behave “anyhow”. As in 2010 and 2020, the people who have the most to lose are Nigeria’s youth. In 15 years, EiE has tried to help citizens connect the dots and engage governance from their “Office of the Citizen” because public servants are servants of the public, the people. We have made some progress, but there’s still much more to do. From wards to local governments to states, young people must mobilise their numbers to understand that they still have the power to change Nigeria’s trajectory. Citizens who understand their power to elect and hold those in public office accountable can truly move mountains! No messiah is coming from anywhere, as current global affairs remind us.

How will you respond?

Evil is amplified when good people choose to be silent. I will not be silent. — Opeyemi

Opeyemi Adamolekun is the executive director of Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria (www.eie.ng), which she has led for fourteen years.

‘Love In Every Word’, a romantic movie produced by Omoni Oboli, premiered on YouTube on March 8.  

Over the past week, the film has sparked a lot of conversations across social media, so I decided to check it out for myself.

After watching, I’d say it’s a lighthearted, feel-good movie with plenty of cheesy moments. There was definitely room for improvement.

SYNOPSIS 

‘Love In Every Word’ follows the story of Chioma who navigates a new chapter after ending a relationship, faces pressure at work, and unexpectedly encounters a man who sparks a new possibility for love, all while attending a cousin’s introduction ceremony in Anambra.

STRONG POINTS OF THE FILM 

One of the film’s strongest points is how it tackles stereotypes, particularly the notion that Igbo men are inherently misogynistic or unwilling to marry independent, career-driven women. ‘Love In Every Word’ challenges this perception in a clear and refreshing way, offering a new perspective that feels both intentional and thought-provoking. Beyond that, the film also weaves in themes of love, friendship, and childhood trauma, self-awareness, adding depth to the story and leaving a lasting impression.

The performances in the film were quite impressive. This was my first time seeing BamBam in a movie, and I’d say she did a solid job portraying a woman torn between love and uncertainty. Uzor Arukwe, on the other hand, fully embodied his role as Odogwu, from his confident demeanour to his attire and accent. While his accent felt inconsistent at times, he still delivered a commendable performance. The chemistry between him and BamBam added to the film’s authenticity, especially in the way they looked at each other. The supporting cast also held their own, with standout performances from Iffy and Chioma’s mother, making the story feel even more believable.

THE WEAK POINTS OF THE FILM 

The biggest flaw in the film is its plot. To be fair, the storyline is relatable and unfolds straightforwardly—until the plot twist is introduced. While the reason for the character’s confusion is valid and understandable, its execution felt abrupt, almost like an afterthought. It would have been more organic and impactful if hints had been dropped earlier—maybe through a conversation with her friends, her mom, or even a flashback. Instead, it was suddenly thrown in, making it feel like the twist was inserted just to create last-minute drama rather than being an integral part of the story.

The cinematography is another flaw of the film. I get that it’s a YouTube movie with a limited budget, but the overall quality could have been better. In some wide shots, the subjects appeared blurry until the camera zoomed in, which was distracting. The lighting and colour grading also had inconsistencies. There was a particular scene with BamBam and Davies where the colour looked off—it had a dull, almost greyish tone that made it feel like a flashback when it wasn’t. A more refined visual approach would have elevated the viewing experience.

Some inconsistencies in the narration could have been avoided with more attention to detail. In the first scene where Chioma and Odogwu meet, he mentions her third name as “Gloria” which she doesn’t correct but, in later scenes, it suddenly changes to “Gift”. Also, the event she attended in Anambra wasn’t clearly defined. Was it an introduction or a traditional wedding? Both terms were used interchangeably, even though they don’t mean the same thing. These may seem like minor details, but they contribute to the overall storytelling and could have been handled better.

The movie also lacked character development. Aside from Odogwu being a wealthy man looking for a wife, there was little else known about him, not even what he does for a living. He remained a flat, one-dimensional character throughout. Most of the characters and the storyline felt linear, without much depth or growth. It seemed like the film was solely focused on delivering a feel-good love story.

FINAL VERDICT 

‘Love In Every Word’ gets a 6/10.

A lady identified as Ushie Rita has called out the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for allegedly threatening her after complaining about Nigeria’s economic struggles.

In a TikTok post, Rita, who is also a corps member, expressed frustration over Nigeria’s rising cost of living.

She lamented that prices increase consistently, making it difficult for her to survive independently.

The corps member criticised President Bola Tinubu, calling him a “terrible president” and questioning what his administration is doing to address the economic crisis.

She also lamented the poor living conditions in Lagos and complained that the NYSC scheme is not “beneficial”.

“I genuinely feel overwhelmed. I feel like if a lot of Nigerians start speaking on what we’re going through, there might be changes,” she said.

“I just want to say to our president, I don’t know if there have been any president that is terrible but you are such a terrible president.

“I’m coming from the supermarket where I went to get foodstuffs and everything has gone up.

“Every single week, prices increase. I want to know if the government is doing something about the increment. Is the increment going to stop? I’m so overwhelmed because this is the first time I’m living independently.

“When I got home, my security officials gave me the NEPA bill, which has been doubled again. I can’t keep up with these bills, I’m overwhelmed and exhausted.

“Let’s not even add, Lagos stinks. You can’t even take a walk because the place smells. Being a corp member, there is nothing beneficial. The money I spend on transportation is more than the allowance the government pays.

“I wish we would start calling out the government heads on. Tinubu, you are a terrible president. What are you doing to help the economy.”

In another video, Rita shared a conversation with a woman she claimed to be an NYSC official, who demanded that she delete the post.

“Pull down that rubbish,” the woman said.

Rita claimed she was threatened by an NYSC official who accused her of insulting the government.

However, she argued that she only spoke about her struggles.

She urged the public to hold NYSC responsible if any harm befalls her.

Rita claimed the woman “threatened her for insulting the government” and she argued that she only spoke about what was “directly hurting her”.

She further urged people to hold NYSC responsible if any evil befalls her.

“Thirsty minutes ago, I received a call from the NYSC board and the woman was threatening me to take down the video,” she said.

“It is so bad that you can’t speak against the government because they feel like they have chains to hold you. NYSC board are already calling me to threaten me.

“The woman told me I was insulting the government which I never did. Why is the NYSC board calling to threaten me?

“Why is it okay that I can’t speak against something something that is directly hurting me? Why are they threatening me under 24 hours?

“…In case anything happens to me you know who to hold responsible.”

Rita shared screenshots from colleagues claiming the Lagos government is searching for her, adding that she is “terrified” for her life.

“Lagos State Government is looking for you. I know because my LGI just posted about it in our group chat. Careful dear. All the best,” one of the chat reads.

[TheCable]

My first encounter with the renowned poet and literary titan Professor Niyi Osundare was in 1996 through one of his masterful proses. I stumbled on an old copy of the famous Newswatch magazine — a 1987 edition — in my brother’s house in Lagos. Newswatch, as a magazine of both the elite and the hoi polloi, paraded the crème de la crème of Nigerian journalists led by the iconic late Dele Giwa in the days of yore.

As I was flipping through the magazine from the cover page to the last page where Prof. Osundare held a column, I felt like a I had found a goldmine! The prof wrote a moving, glowing tribute to the legendary Thomas Sankara, a pan-Africanist, revolutionary and iconoclastic military head of state of Burkina Faso who was assassinated by his friend, Blaise Compaoré in a military coup on October 15, 1987.

As an avowed lover of flowery words myself, I caught the bug of Osundare’s elegant use of words. And from that unforgettable encounter, I literally felt in love with his irresistible literary sophistication and his captivating writing prowess. From that day, the fire of my literary enthusiasm was further fueled. And I have not looked back. I eagerly look forward to consuming analytical and thought-provoking literary outputs which emanate from the literary icon.

Prof Osundare is not one to garnish the truth or call a spade any other name. He always tells the truth to power through his satirical, pungent poems which he fearlessly deploys effusively to hit the target like a dart. The Ekiti-born professor abhors mediocrity and like a revolutionary, he has used his pen to change our vast world to make it a better place. I once watched him on a TV show, saying in Ekiti dialect — ẹrun kàn i jẹ, kí ẹrun kàn a hò – meaning, it is an injustice for one person to be feeding and the other one to be starving. This underscores how concerned he is about the plight of the common man.

At 78, (two years shy of becoming an octogenerian), Prof. Osundare has never slowed down in his both literary and public engagement. I join your admirers to fete you as you celebrate your birthday. May your light continue to shine brilliantly and illuminate the dark recess of socio-political enclave. As a typical Ekiti intellectual, may your poetic pen always roar like a thunder!

Ọ̀rọ̀ọ́lẹ̀ Baba Òkè,
Oke rú yọ̀yọ̀,
Mi kí mi yà fọn’ná,
Oke ṣ’ọra d’uta,
Mọ yá ‘Lósunta,
Ọ̀run Ùkẹ́rẹ́,
Oke suan ṣ’orire,
Ọ̀ṣun Ukẹ́rẹ́, leèyí, r’aiye kete!

Happy birthday and many happy returns the literary icon!

Korede Abdullah is a lawyer, writer and public affairs analyst