March has been a celebratory month as President Bola Tinubu turned 73. As the celebrations began, Nigerian Shiites were simultaneously being shot for marching on the streets. March 2025 has also seen an escalation in the unending Fubara-Wike drama. It has now soaked in the executive, legislative and judicial arms, including the Supreme Court.

Equally, the Nathasha-Akpabio tango, which began in the ballroom of the Nigerian Senate, has taken international stage.

It has also been the month when some perceptive Nigerians in organising a posthumous birthday for radical intellectual, Professor Nuhu Omeiza Yaqub, analysed the country’s past and suggested ways forward.

President Tinubu was on Friday, March 28, the eve of his birthday, at the National Mosque, Abuja for Jumat prayers. The faithful were also with him. The country was in a joyous mood as ministers and governors, legislators, political appointees and the hopeful were in a near-stampede to congratulate the President and, perhaps, assure him that there is ‘no shaking’.

Simultaneously, less than a 10-minute drive away, the Shiites were marking their international Qudus or Wufus. This Day of Ashura is designated a day of mourning the martyred. For over four decades now, they have dedicated this day as an annual international march for a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue.

So, if, in a democracy, the Shiites march, exercising their fundamental right to freedom of religion, movement and assembly, how does it constitute a security threat for which the army and police annually open fire on the children, women and men in the procession?

All that is required by the Police Act is for the police to provide protection for those marching or demonstrating, and for the general populace.

It appears that the annual murder of Shiites in Nigeria is beyond a so-called security reason. If the Shiites march, let them march! Are they marching with your legs? It is their religious belief; so the annual slaughter will not stop them from marching, and they have a fundamental human right to do so.

President Tinubu does not need to inherit the enemies of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Shiites in Nigeria are not our enemies. If anything, they are our fellow citizens and government has the constitutional duty to protect all Nigerians irrespective of belief. Also, as Nigerians we have the right to be briefed by government on how many Shiites were killed this Friday, how many injured and if there are still some being detained. We need an enquiry into this crime and how it can be prevented in future.

My final take on this is that we must make far less use of the army. Its intrusion in normal civil life is becoming pervasive and must be checked.

On Thursday, March 27, 2025, Nigerians were also on the march in the endless ritual of constitutional amendments. On that day, the House of Representatives passed 31 Bills after second reading. For me, the most attractive was one that seeks to review the requirements of those contesting the presidential and gubernatorial elections. It seeks to stop anyone above 60 years from contesting those positions. I laughed. 

If by any miracle such an amendment is passed, we are in for another melodrama. Eighty-year-old politicians would start producing birth certificates or sworn age declarations that purport them to be 55! This is more so in a country where birth and death records are not readily available.

So, why not concentrate on enforcing existing requirements that can be better verified? For instance, the constitutional provision that such aspirants should possess a minimum high school leaving certificate?

It reminds me of the case of former President Buhari who in contesting the 2015 election could not produce a school leaving certificate or any such documentary evidence. He claimed that the Nigerian Army had custody of his certificate. The Army denied it. What is instructive is that for the eight years he was President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he could not produce the certificate he claimed he had deposited with the army.

The Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan saga is one of the wonders of the Nigerian polity. She was said to have refused to change her seat. She, in turn, accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. How these two matters constituted “gross misconduct” for which over 250,000 otherwise busy constituents would go queue to sign a recall petition is baffling except that it might be one those scams in our politics.

 There was the joke that the Senator had externalised the issue by taking it to the floor of the United Nations Inter-Parliamentary Union. Really? Do the people making this claim not realise that in a highly digitalised world, the altercation right from the Senate was already internationalised?

At the Prof Yaqub colloquium held on March 4, 2025 to repair the broken joints of the country, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, said the universities can make meaningful interventions in all aspects provided they are made eternally healthy. He submitted that: “It is only by priotising knowledge solution through effective and development-focused university education that Nigeria can get back to its path of sustainable development.”

A father of Political Science in Nigeria, Professor Adele Jinadu, said Africa needs an Afro-centric approach to governance and development based on five types of freedom: political freedoms, economic facilities, social opportunities, transparency guarantees and protective security. The road to Europe, he argued, would not lead to salvation for the continent.

Senator Ita Solomon Enang, Presidential Adviser, National Assembly Matters, Emeritus, pointed out to developing countries that Trumpism is the best thing that has activated their economies and potentials: an opportunity to progress from self-governing countries to truly independent ones.

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, submitted that the judiciary should have conscience and uphold social justice not technicalities.

Ambassador Joe Keshi, President of the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria, ARCAN, spoke on the need to employ diplomacy as a tool in solving Africa’s crises of democracy and development. He pointed out that the crises are international in nature, so the solution has to be national and international.

Dr Usman Oladipo Akanbi, President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, in assessing Professor Yaqub who, apart from being a leading political scientist and former Vice Chancellor in the Universities of Abuja and Sokoto State, was also engaged in the Arts, spoke about the public intellectual. He pointed out that in this new generation, the public intellectual rather than recede into academic obscurity, can evolve with the times and still contribute to upholding social justice by remaining true to the ideals of his status.

Obviously, Nigerians have a long way to tread.

Arsenal will play Tottenham in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong, the first North London derby to be held outside the United Kingdom, the clubs said Monday, while Liverpool will meet AC Milan.

The London rivals will play at the southern Chinese city’s new 50,000-capacity Kai Tak Stadium on July 31.

“Playing against Tottenham Hotspur in the magnificent new Kai Tak Stadium will be a great experience for both teams and supporters, and will be a very important part of our pre-season preparations ahead of the new season,” said Arsenal’s managing director Richard Garlick.

Liverpool will play Serie A giants Milan on July 26 at the same stadium.

It will be a replay of the classic 2005 Champions League final, which the Reds won on penalties after being 3-0 down at half-time.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool are likely to head to Hong Kong as Premier League champions — they are currently 12 points clear with nine games left.

Liverpool will also travel to Japan for the first time during pre-season, the club said, without giving dates.

Hong Kong this month officially opened a major $3.85 billion sports park with futuristic Kai Tak Stadium the centrepiece of it.

The stadium saw its first major event at the weekend when it hosted the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens with more than 110,000 spectators attending over three days.

It is all part of efforts to restore the city’s image, which took a battering after political protests and a Beijing-imposed national security law.

Visitor numbers to Hong Kong also plummeted during almost three years of strict Covid curbs and have only recently begun to recover.

AFP

On March 31, 2015, precisely a decade ago, a brief telephone conversation altered Nigeria’s political landscape and reinforced its democratic values. The days leading to the 2015 general election were intense, with political permutations, strong rhetoric, predictions, doomsday prophesies, and pockets of unrest. Most political observers believed the election would either balkanise or strengthen the country, depending on the outcome. The international community had its eyes fixed on Nigeria. Everyone waited with bated breath. 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had ruled the country since the return of democracy in 1999, and the opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC), which had come out stronger through a merger, had gathered momentum through its “change” mantra. The APC went into the election with Muhammadu Buhari as its running mate to challenge the incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan, of the PDP.

The atmosphere was charged. However, Nigerians went to the polls on March 28 and voted. Sooner, the results started trickling in.

The majority of the results from the presidential election had been announced, with Buhari leading by nearly three million votes. In a gesture that surprised many, while the final results had not been declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Jonathan called Buhari, his rival, to congratulate him.

JONATHAN: NOBODY’S AMBITION IS WORTH THE BLOOD OF ANY NIGERIAN

Jonathan’s simple words, “Congratulations, your excellency”, ushered in a historic moment.

This historic moment was not just about the transfer of political authority; the call marked the first time in Nigeria’s history that a sitting president had willingly and publicly acknowledged electoral defeat by reaching out directly to his opponent, ending 16 years of one-party dominance by the PDP.

Guided by his stance that his ambition is not worth the life of any Nigerian, Jonathan made the call against advice from his circle, many of whom wanted him to contest the results.

“By the time they were announcing Borno state, it was already clear that President Buhari as he later became, was leading with about 3 million votes. It was at that point that the drama began in the villa,” Reuben Abati, Jonathan’s spokesperson, told the BBC.

Abati said the security agencies had warned about the potential of a breakdown of order in the country.

“The people from the Nigerian Delta were saying the president should stand firm. Some other people, mainly the minister and the attorney general of the federation, Mohammed Adoke, were saying, ‘look, the president should apply wisdom,’ and at the end of the day, the president reiterated the position he has always held that nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian because there was palpable threat of violence,” he said.

“…then he placed a call to the control room, and he said, ‘Please get me President Buhari on the line.'”

Abati said the call almost did not happen over connection issues.

Buhari polled a total of 15,424,921 votes while Jonathan secured 12,853,162 votes.

A month later, when he met with some new ambassadors, Jonathan said he took the decision because “as for me, as a matter of principle, it is always the nation first”.

“You need to have a nation before you can have an ambition. It should always be the nation first. You don’t have to scuttle national progress for personal ambition,” Jonathan said.

“Since I assumed duty, I have been involved in quelling political crisis in some African countries, and I know what they passed through and what some are still going through. If you scuttle a system for personal ambition, it becomes a collective tragedy.”

BUHARI: JONATHAN’S PHONE CALL LEFT ME DUMBFOUNDED

In May 2016, Buhari told journalists that he was shocked that Jonathan would give up the presidential seat so easily, given his political trajectory.

“Of course, there was dead silence on my end because I did not expect it. I was shocked,” Buhari said.

“I did not expect it because after 16 years, the man was a deputy governor, governor, vice-president and was president for six years.

“For him to have conceded defeat even before the result was announced by INEC, I think it was quite generous and gracious of him.”

The phone call is reproduced below.

Buhari: Hello, Your Excellency

Jonathan: Your Excellency, how are you?

Buhari: I’m all right.

Jonathan: Congratulations.

Buhari: Thank you very much, your Excellency.

Jonathan: Yeah. So, how are things?

Buhari: Well, I’d congratulate you more because you….

Jonathan: …some of these days to come so that we can sort out how to plan the transitional period.

Buhari: Alright, Your Excellency. Thank you very much

Jonathan: Okay, congratulations.

Buhari: My respects, Your Excellency. Thank you.

[TheCable]

Singer and songwriter Waje has shared valuable insights from her music career, cautioning that talent alone is insufficient for success.

Speaking at Funke Akindele’s Creative Blueprint Masterclass, Waje emphasised the importance of business knowledge in the music industry.

Waje admitted that she initially believed her vocal talent would guarantee success, but she soon learned that understanding the business side was crucial.

She explained that artists must view their music as a product and their audience as a market.

Waje urged artists to adapt to the evolving music landscape, where creativity must be balanced with business acumen.

She advised focusing on branding, audience engagement, and long-term financial sustainability to build a lasting career.

Waje said: “When I started as a musician, I absolutely thought my voice was enough, but experience taught me that there were many other things I had to equip myself with. In the music business, your music is your product, and your audience is your market. Without a clear business approach, you could be leaving money and opportunities on the table.

“The world has changed, and so has the way people consume music. As an artist, it’s not enough to rely solely on raw talent—you must also understand and engage with the business side of things. You are your brand, so how are you cultivating that to ensure you’re earning money?

“You have to start making sure that you’re crossing your T’s and dotting your I’s with your brand and the people who form your audience.

“As great as music is, how sustainable is it? Be smart enough to know that as you’re being creative, you’re also a smart creative—investing in other fields”.

[TheNation]

A former vice president, Atiku Abubakar has admonished leaders at all levels to prioritise the wellbeing of Nigerians.

Abubakar made the plea in a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe on Sunday in Abuja.

He also urged leaders to lead in the fear of God.

“While the Ramadan season encouraged charity to the less privileged, it becomes imperative on leaders to make sure that after Ramadan, governments initiate interventions that will ensure that wellbeing and welfare of the people are sustained.

“It is important to call the attention of those in positions of authority to the practices of the Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that teaches about obligations of leadership to the people.

“It is not enough that the government will ask that the people should brace themselves for harsh economic conditions.

“It is more sufficient for the leadership to show compassion on the masses and by acting with fear of God,” Abubakar said.

Abubakar congratulated the Muslim faithful in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of the Ramadan fasting.

He described the completion of Ramadan fasting as a blessing from the Almighty.

He reminded Muslim faithful that the celebration of Eid-el-fitri, “should be an opportunity to remind ourselves to continue to intensify the good deeds that was embraced during Ramadan.

He also advised people to continue to pray for progress in their private lives and that of Nigeria.

(NAN)

Haaland had seen a first-half penalty saved before Evanilson put the Cherries in front.

The Norwegian made amends by equalising four minutes into the second period before being forced off with an ankle injury.

His replacement, Omar Marmoush, took just two minutes to score the winner from a second assist by the impressive Nico O'Reilly as City booked a semi-final clash against Nottingham Forest.

"Seven times in a row reaching semi-finals in the FA Cup...this is outstanding. This generation of players, they have done this," said City boss Pep Guardiola.

City have been a shadow of the side that won four consecutive Premier League titles this season and Guardiola said prior to the game that even FA Cup glory would not save a miserable season.

The English champions' collapse in the Premier League began at Bournemouth back in November with a 2-1 defeat that kicked off a run of six defeats in eight games.

But Guardiola hailed the difference in attitude in his side between then and now.

"We came here (in November) with the flip flops on against a team that if you don't compete, it is impossible," added Guardiola.

"In football you have to run. People say about my teams 'how good they play' but no, it is how much we run, how much we fight and for many games this season it didn't happen."

Haaland's hat-trick of misses

Haaland should have punished a makeshift Cherries defence missing the suspended Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez with a hat-trick before half-time.

He headed wide his first chance from Matheus Nunes' driven cross.

A Tyler Adams handball then gifted City the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot.

But for the third time in his last six spot-kicks, Haaland failed to find the net as Kepa Arrizabalaga made a fine save.

That miss seemed to be still in Haaland's mind when he dinked over Kepa and over the bar with just the Spanish goalkeeper to beat moments later.

City were then hit with a sucker punch by Bournemouth on 21 minutes.

Nunes, deputising in an unfamiliar right-back role, gave the ball away to David Brooks, whose cross was turned across goal by Justin Kluivert and bundled in from point-blank range by Evanilson.

Guardiola responded by introducing 20-year-old midfielder O'Reilly as a makeshift left-back.

O'Reilly made an instant impact with a rampaging run down the left and inch-perfect cross as this time Haaland did not miss for his 30th goal of the season.

Moments later he was forced off in concerning scenes for Guardiola with City still involved in a battle just to qualify for next season's Champions League in their last nine Premier League games.

But City's January transfer window move for Marmoush is already looking a shrewd deal.

The Egyptian has now scored six times in 11 appearances since a £59 million ($76 million) transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt.

If Kepa was a Bournemouth hero in the first-half, he was at fault for the winner as Marmoush's effort slipped through his grasp from O'Reilly's pass.

"First half we played very well but second half the game was definitely for them," said Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.

"We couldn't keep the same intensity second half, we were a lot more passive and lacking in energy, especially up front."

AFP

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe as Chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

This was revealed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday.

The appointment of the former Kwara Central Senator will be for an initial term of four years.

The communique also stated that Oloriegbe’s appointment took effect on March 11, 2025.

Oloriegbe represented the Kwara Central Senatorial District at the 9th Senate of the National Assembly.

”He holds a Master’s in Coaching and Consultation from the University of Oxford, UK, and HEC, Paris, and a Bachelor’s of Medicine and Surgery from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.”

”He is a member of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), Nigeria Veneral Disease Association, Guild of Medical Directors of Nigeria, International Aids Society (IAS), and the Africa Health Leadership and Management Network,” it also read.

Oloriegbe served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health from 2019 to 2023 and the Chairman of the Joint National Assembly Committee on Health.

[Channels TV]

Edo State lawmaker, Natasha Osawaru, has updated her Instagram bio to reflect her 2Baba’s surname, now identifying as “Honourable Natasha Idibia.”

The change was spotted today by Guardian, just days after 2Baba’s estranged wife, Annie, signed off an Instagram post using her maiden name, “Annie Uwana Macaulay” — excluding “Idibia” for the first time in years.

Natasha’s move comes weeks after 2Baba proposed to her in a viral video, shortly after confirming his separation from Annie.

“I and Annie Macaulay have been separated for a while now and currently filed for divorce,” the African Queen singer announced on Instagram.
“No one hacked my account. I said what I said. I come in peace.”
Since the announcement, 2Baba and Natasha have been seen together publicl, from luxury boutiques to political outings.

Meanwhile, Annie has wiped her Instagram page and unfollowed her husband, fuelling further speculation about the state of their marriage.

Annie and 2Baba got married in 2012 and have two daughters.

Natasha, a lawyer and former beauty queen, now steps fully into the spotlight, bearing a name that no longer appears on Annie’s profile.

[Guardian]

Aisha Achimugu, managing director/CEO of Felak Concept Group, has reacted to the decision of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to declare her wanted over money laundering allegations.

On Friday, EFCC asked persons who know the whereabouts of Achimugu to notify the agency.

The anti-graft agency had said Achimugu was declared wanted in a “case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering”.

In a statement published on her official Instagram handle on Sunday, Achimugu said she had been inundated with calls and messages from friends and families over the past few days.

The socialite said she remains a “firm believer in the rule of law and due process and will never do otherwise”.

The statement was signed by Bodex Hungbo, head of media to Achimugu.

“We express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has reached out in concern and solidarity,” the statement reads.

“Your kindness has been a source of strength during this trying period, and it reinforces our faith in our shared humanity and the values that bind us together.

“As a responsible citizen and entrepreneur, Dr. Aisha remains a firm believer in the rule of law and due process and will never do otherwise.

“We trust that these principles and justice will prevail as this matter unfolds. Our business practices have always been grounded in transparency, integrity, and respect for our nation’s laws.

“To our valued business partners, families, professional associates, and well-wishers worldwide, please be assured that she is fully committed to all processes involved as a responsible and law abiding citizen who has contributed so much to the growth of our Nation as well as being a National Asset.”

In January 2024, Achimugu made the headlines when she set the Caribbean Island of Grenada alight with a seven-day 50th birthday party attended by some of the crème de la crème of the Nigerian entertainment industry and prominent figures — including a governor.

[TheCable]