The Federal Capital Territory  Police Command has intercepted a large cache of live ammunition cleverly concealed in jerrycans filled with palm oil and arrested a suspect linked to the smuggling operation.

The breakthrough came after operatives from the Nyanya Division, in collaboration with officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, apprehended Nuhu Aminu, a 32-year-old man from Katsina State, at the Nyanya bus terminal.

A statement on Monday by the command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said upon searching his consignment, officers discovered 488 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition hidden in two 25-litre jerrycans.

She said, “The FCT Police Command, in its unwavering commitment to public safety and proactive crime prevention, has intercepted a major illegal ammunition shipment and apprehended a suspect in connection with the crime.

“Acting in synergy with officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, police operatives from the Nyanya Division, FCT Command, tracked and arrested Nuhu Aminu, a 32-year-old man from Katsina State, at the Nyanya bus terminal on March 24, 2025.

“The suspect was caught in possession of 488 AK-47 live rounds of ammunition, ingeniously concealed in two 25-litre jerrycans filled with palm oil to evade detection.”

She said during interrogation, Aminu confessed that he had been recruited by Yakubu Kachalla, a resident of Funtua, Katsina State.

Adeh said he revealed that he was paid N100,000 to collect the illegal cargo from an unidentified contact in Nasarawa State and deliver it to Katsina.

She said, “Upon interrogation, Aminu confessed that he was recruited by one Yakubu Kachalla of Funtua, Katsina State, who allegedly paid him N100,000 to collect the illegal cargo from an unidentified contact in Nasarawa State and deliver it to Katsina.

“This arrest highlights the relentless efforts of the FCT Police Command in dismantling criminal networks and preventing the proliferation of illegal arms that fuel violent crimes. The suspect is in custody, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices and uncover the full extent of this arms-smuggling operation.”

She assured residents that investigations are ongoing to track down Aminu’s accomplices and dismantle the arms smuggling network.

“The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), FCT Command, DCP Isyaku Sharu, urges residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities. The Command remains steadfast in ensuring the safety of all citizens and will not relent in its fight against crime,” Adeh added.

Meanwhile, the police have said over 2,300 arrests were recorded in various operations conducted across the country from February 2025 to date.

A breakdown of the figure showed that 602 were armed robbery suspects, 385 kidnapping suspects, 557 murder/homicide suspects, 215 individuals involved in unlawful possession of firearms, 286 rape suspects, and 276 suspected cultists.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi said operatives also recovered 333 firearms, 6,422 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, and 200 stolen vehicles.

He added that a total of 324 kidnapped victims were successfully rescued during these operations.

Adejobi said, “Focusing on operations conducted from February 2025 to date, the Nigeria Police Force has made substantial progress in combating crime across the nation. Numerous arrests were made in connection with various heinous crimes.

“The Force recorded the arrest of 602 armed robbery suspects, 385 kidnapping suspects, 557 Murder/homicide suspects, 215 suspects connected with the unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, 286 rape suspects, 276 suspected cultists and recovery of 333 various firearms, 6422 ammunition of various calibres. The Force was also able to recover 200 stolen vehicles and rescue 324 victims of kidnapping.

“On display in today’s briefing are several exhibits connected to these crimes, including, 89 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, 6 AK-47 rifles, 1 AK-49 Rifle, 1 Israeli Pump action rifle, 2 pump action rifles, 1 single barrel rifle.”

The United States government has issued a stern warning to Nigerian travellers about the severe consequences of overstaying their visa, emphasising that violators could face permanent bans from re-entering the country.

The US Mission in Nigeria posted the warning via its X on Monday.

The immigration authorities clarified that consular officers can access an individual’s full immigration history, making it nearly impossible to avoid penalties for past violations.

They further emphasised that travellers are responsible for adhering to the terms of their visa and that ignorance of visa regulations will not be accepted as an excuse.

“If you overstay your US visa, you could face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States. Consular officers have full access to your immigration history and will know about past violations. There is no such thing as an ‘honest mistake’ – it is your responsibility to use your visa correctly,” the US Mission stated.

It is learnt that those who overstay their visa for more than 180 days but less than a year may face a three-year re-entry ban.

If the overstay exceeds one year, the penalty could be a 10-year ban.

Repeat offenders or those with serious violations risk a permanent lifetime ban.

Since the return of Trump as US President, America has become stricter with its immigration policies.

On February 16, 2025, the Federal Government raised serious concerns about the deportation of its nationals from the United States, urging Washington to adhere to international conventions and ensure a dignified repatriation process.

During a meeting with the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, emphasised the emotional and financial strain these deportations are placing on Nigerians in the US and their families back home.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted that “about 201 Nigerians are currently detained in US immigration centers, with around 85 cleared for deportation,” adding that the government was advocating for a more humane approach to the process.

“With the new US administration in place, we expect commitments to ensure that, if repatriation occurs, it will be done with dignity,” she said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu further pointed out that many Nigerians in the US play a crucial role in supporting their families back home through vital remittances, which help sustain their livelihoods and fund their education.

She noted that these deportations, especially for those with no violent criminal history, should not be sudden or traumatic.

“We are asking as a country whether they will be given ample time to handle their assets or will they just be bundled into planes and repatriated?” she questioned.

The Federal Government said it is taking necessary steps to offset the N4.7tn debt owed to power generation companies to avert a possible nationwide blackout.

This came as stakeholders expressed fears that some power generation companies might be forced to shut down due to a lack of liquidity in the sector unless there is an urgent intervention by the Federal Government to clear the debts to Gencos.

However, the Federal Government said it would do everything possible to prevent Gencos from shutting down their plants as the issue is getting attention.

In an interview with our correspondent, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, assured Nigerians that the government would take action to prevent power plants from shutting down as a result of financial crises.

Speaking through his media aide, Bolaji Tunji, the minister disclosed that efforts are ongoing to pay the power generation companies and the gas suppliers.

Faced with N4.7tn debt, our correspondent gathered that generation companies are facing challenges in running their power plants.

Our correspondent gathered that gas-fired thermal plants are mostly affected as they are unable to pay gas companies supplying them with feedstock.

Recently, Transcorp Power lamented that it was being owed about N650bn for the power it generated, saying the lack of liquidity affected its ramp-up plans.

In December 2024, it was reported that gas companies formally notified all Gencos of their planned suspension of gas supply due to mounting debts. However, the intervention of the Federal Government appeared to have saved the country from another darkness like the one witnessed in the first quarter of 2024.

Sources in the power sector told our correspondent that generation companies are struggling to make ends meet, following the Federal Government’s failure to clear the N4.7tn debt.

The sources, who preferred not to be mentioned due to the matter’s sensitivity, disclosed that some Gencos declare profits in anticipation that the Federal Government would pay the money but the debt had continued to increase by the day.

Our correspondent gathered that at the end of every month, over N200bn is added to the debt burden owed to the Gencos.

According to a document sighted by our correspondent, the total invoice from January to December 2024 was N2.7tn, out of which N762.1bn was paid, leaving an outstanding of N1.94tn.

This indicates that the Gencos were only able to recover 28.18 per cent of their total debt for the first 11 months of 2024.

For instance, in January 2024, Gencos’ invoice was N281.33 but only 33.80 per cent was paid. In February when the invoice read N208bn, the Gencos received 9.3 per cent. From January to December 2024, the trend continued and the debts piled up daily.

Operators who pleaded anonymity stated that though some Gencos like Transcorp and Geregu declared profits at the end of the year, the money was being held on to by the Federal Government.

“People say we make money and they are always quick to mention two generation companies. But if you have sold your goods and the money is not coming to you, how will you break even? You make sales but the debtor refuses to pay. That’s the challenge Gencos face,” an operator said.

Another source added that generation companies are at the mercy of the Federal Government.

“We are making profits in the expectation that the government will pay us, even without any clear line of sight on payment options. As of December 2024, N4tn is owed to Gencos. The government has refused to pay electricity subsidies,” he stated.

The operators feared that if nothing is done urgently, many power plants might stop running or be denied access to gas supply to avoid incurring more debts.

Some wonder how the Federal Government plans to offset the debt with a budget of N900bn for the sector.

“Gencos are only struggling, we don’t know how the government will clear the N4.7tn debt with a budget of N900bn. I just pray Nigeria will get it right. But sustainability is not possible without money,” another source stated.

However, the minister of power, Adelabu, through his media aide, said the issue is currently getting the required attention, promising that all the players in the value chain will be paid.

“We are always intervening. I can assure you that no power plant will shut down; nothing like that will happen because of the effect of that on the economy.

“The minister has already made a case for them for the government to pay the outstanding and the legacy debt. The government will not allow things to get to where the Gencos will now say they can no longer generate electricity.

“Both Gencos and gas suppliers; all the value chain (will be paid). The government will not allow anything to happen that will cause a problem for the economy,” he said.

Speaking with our correspondent recently, the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Power Generation Companies, Dr Joy Ogaji, disclosed that the Gencos are suffering, and they need urgent and pragmatic solutions to ease their liquidity crisis, stressing that the liquidity crisis is N4.7tn.

“As for liquidity, Gencos are seriously suffering and urgently need pragmatic solutions to ease the liquidity crisis, totalling N4.7tn,” Ogaji stated.

The President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Plc, Owen Omogiafo, lamented that Transcorp Plc as a group has an installed capacity of 2,000 megawatts, but it is currently generating about half of that due to illiquidity.

“For Transcorp Plc as a group, our installed capacity is 2,000 megawatts but available capacity today is about a thousand of that. Why? Is it because we don’t want to put in more? Is it that we don’t have the wherewithal to increase that? No!

“But when you look at the liquidity challenges that we’re facing, it’s interesting to know that Transcorp Group alone is owed about N650bn by the government.

“We’re owed about N650bn from the power that we’ve generated. So, if you look at it as an investor, I want to be able to do more. I want to run a sustainable business. But at the same time, we need to be able to ensure that there’s liquidity, and the money is coming back so I can continue to reinvest,“ Omogiafo said during a TV interview recently.

The minister of power had earlier confirmed that the Federal Government owed electricity generation companies and electricity distribution companies over N4tn.

Giving a breakdown, the minister said N2tn was owed to Gencos as legacy debt and another N1.9tn was owed to them as part of electricity subsidy for 2024. He disclosed that the Discos were owed N450bn for the 2024 electricity subsidy.

Adelabu had said in February, “One of the major issues that concerns me is the huge debt in the sector. We are talking about legacy debt, which is across the board, over N2tn, and we still have an unpaid subsidy for 2024; we have another N1.9tn owed to them as part of electricity subsidy for 2024, while Discos are owed N450bn for 2024 electricity subsidy.

“How do you expect the Gencos to perform optimally? How do you expect them to pay for gas, services, and maintain their turbines and other infrastructure as well as pay their staff if a total of N4tn is being owed to them? I do not deceive myself. The government cannot afford to continue to fund the level of subsidy that our consumption pattern is throwing up because we have seen increasing consumption of electricity.”

Speaking, the Executive Director of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, Sunday Oduntan, disclosed that the failure of customers like the military and other government agencies to pay their bills is affecting the electricity value chain.

According to him, military organisations like the Air Force which attacked Ikeja Electric despite a N4bn debt pose a serious threat to the sector.

“These military and the MDAs are among the major customers responsible for the epileptic power supply we face in Nigeria. Imagine an Air Force Base alone, owing over N4bn. How do we pay the market? Our own is only 20 per cent of all the tariffs we collect. How can a generation company generate more power when the Discos are not able to remit money because they are not being paid? These are the problems. It’s a vicious cycle,” he stated

Oduntan further noted that the “Discos owe the generation companies money due to a lack of payments.”

He stressed, “Every money that accrues to the market every month goes to the Central Bank of Nigeria; then the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, everything they do is from the market, even their salary is paid from this tariff; the Transmission Company of Nigeria; the generation companies; and the gas suppliers.

“Gas suppliers are paid by the generation companies. Generation companies cannot pay the gas suppliers unless we remit upstream in the market. The debt to the Gencos rises every day. Every time you see power on, it is naira and kobo. The generation companies run their machines daily by burning gas or any other feedstock.”

Our correspondent recalls that in the first quarter of 2024, the country was plunged into darkness as gas companies refused to supply gas to the thermal plants due to debts. This was resolved after the Federal Government showed some commitment to pay in on the debts.

Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba has backed Victor Osimhen to break Rashidi Yekini’s all-time Super Eagles goal-scoring record, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Osimhen took his Eagles goal tally to 25 after his brace in Rwanda to become the most prolific Nigeria international after Yekini, who scored 37 goals.

“By the way he is going, Osimhen will soon eclipse the record of Yekini,” Ikpeba said.

“He’s a fantastic lad and a committed player, who gives everything for the country. We will soon see when he breaks this record.”

The 26-year-old striker moved to second place on Nigeria’s all-time scorers list after scoring twice in Friday’s 2-0 victory over Rwanda in the 2026 World Cup qualifier in Kigali.

This achievement surpassed Segun Odegbami’s long-standing record of 23 goals, which had stood for 44 years since the legendary winger retired from international football in 1981.

“Osimhen has finally overtaken me and I think that is good because the record has been hanging on for a very long time. I am very happy for him and I want to say good luck to him,” Odegbami told PUNCH Sports Extra.

“He is still young and he has a long way to go.”

Osimhen, who is currently enjoying remarkable form with Galatasaray where he has scored 20 goals and provided four assists in 20 Super Lig games, now needs 12 more goals to equal Yekini’s record of 37 goals, which has stood since the striker’s last game for Nigeria in 1998.

The Nigerian talisman made his Super Eagles debut in June 2017 in a 2-0 defeat against South Africa and has since established himself as the team’s main attacking threat, including notable performances in AFCON qualifiers where he scored two hat-tricks in 2023.

Following the victory against Rwanda, Osimhen has issued a warning to Zimbabwe ahead of their crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier scheduled for Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

“We are ready. The remaining matches are wars and we must fight them with all that we have to win,” he told reporters at the Victor Attah Airport as the team arrived on Saturday.

A victory against Zimbabwe on Tuesday (today) will take Nigeria to nine points in their World Cup qualification campaign, putting them in firm contention for the ticket, especially if Benin Republic and South Africa cancel each other out in their fixture inside Abidjan’s Stade Félix Houphouet-Boigny.

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested three officers accused of extorting N150,000 from travellers along the Ikeja-Berger Road.

The arrest follows a viral post by one of the victims, Ramadan Adenola, who detailed the incident on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.

Adenola recounted how he and his coworker, identified as @GbReigns, were stopped by armed policemen while travelling in a Bolt ride from their hotel in Ikeja to Berger.

According to Adenola, the officers searched but found nothing incriminating.

However, instead of letting them go, the officers forced them into the vehicle and took them to Isheri Police Station.

“At the station, one officer seemed particularly interested in my phone,” Adenola wrote.

“Still, he wasn’t satisfied after I explained my work and @GbReigns’ business in Lagos. Then his eyes fell on what he called ‘incriminating evidence’—my Binance app,” he added.

The officers allegedly led them to an unfinished building behind the station, where they demanded N2m for their release, he claimed.

“Excuse me, sir, how much is my salary? How much is your own salary?” Adenola recalled questioning the demand.

After negotiations, the officers settled for N150,000, which they allegedly forced Adenola to withdraw and hand over before they were released.

Following the viral post on Sunday, the Lagos State Police Command initially announced an investigation into the matter.

Later, the command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest of the officers in a post on Monday morning.

“The three police officers, attached to the Isheri Division, have been identified and taken into custody by their DPO,” Hundeyin stated.

“The money too has been recovered, while the DPO is still making efforts to reach the complainant.”

He further disclosed that Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, had ordered that the officers be transferred to the Provost office at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja, for disciplinary action.

In February, PUNCH Metro reported a similar incident in which three police officers from the Area F Command of the Lagos State Police were arrested for extorting a Chinese expatriate along the Sheraton-Opebi Link Road.

I had breakfast Tuesday, March 18, last week, with Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR of Anambra state and his wife. I had travelled to the state, on the invitation of the Governor and his team to moderate a media chat on the occasion of his third year in office. He assumed office in March 2022. Three years later, the Governor thought it fit to give an account to the people who elected him. It was not difficult for me to accept the invitation. Three years earlier I had co-anchored the Anambra Gubernatorial Debate, in which Professor Soludo was a participant, organized by Arise News. In previous Anambra elections before that, I was also co-anchor of the Gubernatorial debates and I had been in and out of Anambra for various other programmes, including Kwechiri, over the years. In a word, I could claim some familiarity with Anambra politics and the key actors. The media chat proper took place on Tuesday evening, 7 – 9 pm and was broadcast live on Arise News, Channels TV, Television Continental (TVC) and Anambra State Television Service. I will come to that later, but after the Tuesday event, the Governor had other engagements, the National Working Committee (NWC) of his party, the All Progressives Congress Alliance (APGA) was visiting, and in-between attending to the cast and crew of the media broadcast, the Governor needed to attend to his party members who arrived while we were still with the Governor. He asked us: the four journalists who interviewed him – Babajide Otitoju of TVC, Maupe Ogun-Yusuf of Channels TV, Chris Molokwu of Anambra State TV (ABS TV), and my good self to join him for breakfast the following morning before leaving Awka, the state capital. My wife, Kikelomo Atanda-Owo, herself a journalist – RealTalkwithKike on Silverbird TV and Inspiration FM was with me.      

By 9 am the following morning, we were at the Government House, a seemingly make-shift, modest, old building put up 34 years ago, meant originally for the Chief Judge of Anambra State but which ended up as the residence of the Chief Executive over the years. We were ushered to the dining room where the Governor and his wife, Mrs Nonye Soludo were waiting to receive us. The man from Anambra TV could not make it, but there we were- this writer, my wife, Otitoju and Maupe. The Governor ushered us to start eating immediately, giving us plates and his wife directing the kitchen staff who had shown up to make us as comfortable as possible. When it was the turn of the Governor to fill his own plate, the conversation in the room took a different turn. He turned to his wife: 

“Madam, please you have to allow me this morning to eat as I like. I have a long day today in Okpoko. I need a lot of energy. I need permission to eat both what is right and what you do not approve of. Please, this oat is made of what? I want to eat well.” I was surprised that a whole Governor, a Professor of Economics, former Central Bank Governor, CFR would have to take permission from his wife to choose what to eat. The Governor was apparently reading my mind.

“Ah, Reuben that is what I go through oh. My wife is an expert in healthy living. She is always preaching that I must watch what I eat. But today I have work to do. When we buy food in this house, the first thing my wife will do is to start reading the label to find out what is in the food or not. Me, I don’t have time to read labels. But my wife is busy with this healthy living thing. She insists that you are what you eat.”

Every other person had filled their plates and taken their seats. The Governor invited us to take tea or coffee. 

“You see”, he continued, “what I do in this house is that when Madam and the children are not watching, I go to the kitchen and I eat what I like. One of my daughters knows my habit. Once she goes into the kitchen, she would say I can see that Daddy is back. Where is he? Somehow, I always leave clues behind and my wife has trained her children so well, that they too have bought into this healthy living thing.”

This led to a discussion around the table between Mrs Soludo and the two women.

“You have to let the children know what is healthy and what is not healthy very early and they will just grow with it. Most diseases are caused by lifestyle. Problems such as hypertension, diabetes and many of those other ailments – kidney, liver diseases- they are caused by lifestyle. They are caused by what we eat and our ignorance. That is why I have a programme to encourage Anambra women to farm, have a garden, you can plant certain things that you eat in your household and you will know that it is not something that has been processed. I give out seedlings to encourage our women to farm.” Mrs Soludo and the women spent considerable time discussing what is healthy and what is not, while the Governor, Otitoju and I ate. At a point, Mrs Soludo excused herself and came back with sachets containing seedlings which she handed over to us.

“These are the seedlings I give out. They are very easy to plant. You can even plant them in a bucket and you will be surprised how they will flower and flourish. Basic things like this, when you have them, you can reduce the number of items you go to the market to buy” Each one of us got at least two packs containing okro, carrot, lettuce, tomato, sweet tomatoes, bitter leaf and onions.

“You’d be surprised how quickly these seedlings grow. You can plant them in a container. Or create a small garden in your home. You need sand. Humus soil. And all you need to do is to water them in the morning and in the evening. You will also need manure. I don’t recommend cow dung. It is smelly and it can attract pests that can damage the crops. I prefer poultry manure. Before you know it, if you want to prepare soup for your family, you will just go to your garden and harvest what you need.”

“Do you know why we did not have hunger riots in Anambra?”, the Governor interjected. “It was through this my wife’s programme about the need for everyone to plant something. The logic of it is simple: you won’t have to buy what you have in your garden. That automatically reduces the amount of household spend on feeding. The people selling the same item in the market will be forced to cut prices. I have always talked about Human Capital Development but I didn’t realize the impact of what we were doing until I went to attend an end of the year event by the Civil Service Union. I gave my speech and then I just jokingly said since it was Christmas, I was expecting gifts oh. It was a joke. But then I saw one woman coming towards me. When she spoke to me, I had to give her the microphone so that everybody could hear what she was saying. She was a widower. She said she had been looking for an opportunity to meet me to give me a gift, and that when she heard that I was coming to the Civil service event, she decided to come there. She introduced herself as a cleaner and said she runs a small poultry. She had decided to come and give me a fowl from her poultry to appreciate what I have been doing. I was close to tears. I looked at the woman. How much could she possibly be earning and yet she thought she should give her Governor a fowl for Christmas? I was close to tears. Yet another woman came and brought fruits for her Governor. This is what I find exciting about this job. When I leave here, I am going straight to Okpoko. The people are excited because they say I have transformed their community. There is a place in Onitsha that used to be a refuse dump, very smelly. We have changed all that too. You can make the people’s life better by supporting them.” 

I was listening and also doing justice to my plate of boiled plantain and cup of black coffee. The women were still on their thing about healthy living and gardening. I overheard Maupe saying she already has a small garden in her home and she felt inspired by Mrs. Soludo’s encouragement. Kike told her she would start gardening as soon as she returned to Lagos. She has since planted all the seedlings and now goes about saying she is a gardener. What I hear now are lectures about healthy lifestyle and gardening and what Mrs. Soludo advised.  I pray I do not end up in Governor Soludo’s trap of having to study food packs and ask Madam for clarifications about what should be eaten and what should be avoided in the name of healthy living! Many of us in Africa actually believe that something must kill a man, whether you eat healthy or not. Mrs. Soludo believes that you don’t have to kill yourself with what goes into your stomach. Hmm.   

I was not in Anambra, however, to eat. I was there in my line of duty as a journalist. Before the interview on Tuesday, we had visited a place called The Solution Fun City – a sprawling, multi-purpose entertainment centre sitting on 27 acres of land in the heart of Awka. The builders said the Governor has given them a deadline of month-end, and that they will deliver. The place looks like another version of Disneyland. It has a Country Club for the elite. Behind this is a Games village for parents and their children: three cinemas, games rooms where I saw some of the best that is available elsewhere, and then swimming pools, a roller coaster, and playgrounds. The equipment were already in place to be fixed before the end of March. By the side is a CAF-compliant stadium for football. I had to ask our tour guide: “If Anambra children start coming to this place, when will they have time to study and do their home-work? With what I am seeing here, some students will stay here from morning till night, having fun.” I brought up the question again with the Governor later in the day. His explanation was that he needed to provide a special meeting point for Anambra people at home and in diaspora such that when they come home, they will have a place, that is safe and comfortable where they can relax with friends and family. He wants Anambra to be a destination of choice. “And candidly it is by mixing everything properly that we can attract investments. This state has many billionaires. I want them to see that they can invest in their own state.”  He also plans to build a new Awka City. 

We also visited the new Government House that the Soludo administration is building. Wow. What a project! The sprawling complex houses the new government house, the state secretariat, governor’s lodge, Deputy Governor’s complex, a Presidential Lodge, State House Hospital, a 1,000-seater Banquet Hall, and a 1,000-seater Amphitheatre, and 28 other buildings. I had asked the Governor if he would risk putting up such a masterpiece for another Governor to come and occupy. The next Gubernatorial election in Anambra is in November 2025. He said he wasn’t thinking of who will occupy the Governor’s Lodge. He simply wanted to leave a legacy of a proper Government zone, similar to the Three Arms Zone in Abuja, something that Ndi Anambra can be proud of. For 34 years, Anambra has not had a proper Governor’s Lodge or an administrative zone. He would change that and what he has done is bold and impressive. Everywhere around Awka, I could not but notice major markers titled “The Solution is here”. Many years ago when Soludo was still Governor of the Central Bank, I recall writing a piece titled “The Soludo Solution”. In his career either as an economist, technocrat or politician, Governor Soludo has always talked about finding solutions to the people’s problems. His fiercest critics accuse him of arrogance, they claim that he thinks he alone knows the solution to every problem. In three years, despite the naysayers, there is clear evidence of what Soludo has been able to do in terms of infrastructure, education (Anambra leads in education, with the lowest out-of-school children rate in Nigeria – 2.9% according to UNESCO), there is free education for all public primary and secondary schools, pensions are being paid, salaries of civil servants too, potable water is now available in Anambra, three brand new cities are springing up, hospitals are being built. Soludo has emplaced a new security architecture, a technology-driven surveillance system. 

I was hesitant about going to Anambra. I had asked the Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, if they had an airport in Awka. The last time I was there, I had to get a flight to Asaba airport, from where, under heavy military security, we were piloted to Awka. This time around, I made it clear that we would need security. But trouble began at the Murtala Muhammed Airport. Air Peace on which we had been booked suddenly changed their mind. They would no longer fly to Awka on Monday, and we should postpone our travel till Tuesday. These Nigerian airlines decide when you must travel, they cancel flights at will, and they don’t even think they owe you an explanation! We had to go through United Nigeria Airline which was going to Asaba, not Awka that Monday morning. I was scared. I was even more scared when we got to Asaba and the CPS said he had come to receive us in his own car and one protocol vehicle. I looked around. No security escort!  Christian Aburime told me not to worry and that Anambra is safe, and that whereas people in the hinterland may stay at home in the early hours, people still go about, even if they do not open their shops for business. Throughout the journey from Asaba to Awka, I kept looking right and left. We got to Awka in one piece, without any cause for alarm. We even went round the city, a different Awka from what it was when I first visited in the 1990s. On Tuesday, we returned through the Chinua Achebe Airport in Awka. They have an airport in Awka quite alright. But why name it after Achebe? A university would have been the right institution for Achebe’s memorial. 

Hundreds of unclaimed estates reveal untold stories of African migration, wealth, and family ties left behind.

Thousands of people die every year in the United Kingdom without leaving a will or identifying next of kin, and among them are many Nigerians and other Africans whose estates—ranging from property to savings—remain unclaimed.

The UK government’s latest list of unclaimed estates, updated daily, includes over 170 entries connected to African-born individuals, with Nigerians making up a significant portion of the cases.

A Legacy Lost

For many migrants, the UK became a home away from home—a land of opportunity where they built wealth, purchased property, and created a life.

However, the absence of a will often results in their assets being classified as “bona vacantia” (ownerless goods), leaving them to the custody of the Crown.

Families back in Africa are frequently unaware of these estates, leading to a permanent loss of assets.

Cases like that of Adenike Adebiyi, who passed away in Hackney, London, in 2004, or Solomon Adekanmibi, who died in Colchester, Essex, in 2021, highlight the consequences of dying intestate.

With no identified next of kin or missing documentation, their estates remain unclaimed, and their legacies risk being forgotten.

Why It Matters

This phenomenon underscores a critical issue: many African families are unaware of their relatives’ financial situations abroad.

Migration often disrupts communication, and without clear documentation, the wealth built overseas remains beyond reach.

The loss isn’t just financial—it’s deeply cultural and emotional. Unclaimed estates represent untold family histories, connections, and the struggles of migrants who built their lives in the diaspora.

The Challenges

Lack of Awareness:
Most families in Nigeria and other African countries are unaware of their relatives’ estates abroad or how to access them.

Genealogical Gaps:
The information provided in official records is often incomplete. For example, many entries in the UK unclaimed estates list lack detailed family history or next-of-kin information.

Cultural Hesitations:
In many African cultures, discussing death and wills is considered taboo, leading to reluctance in planning for asset distribution.

A Call to Action

African governments, community organizations, and legal professionals need to raise awareness about this issue.

Here’s what can be done:

Encouraging Will Writing: Migrants in the diaspora should be educated about the importance of drafting wills to protect their assets.

Genealogical Support: Families in Africa can be assisted in tracing unclaimed estates through local or international partnerships.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Social and traditional media can highlight the importance of estate planning and share resources for families.

How to Check the List

The UK government maintains a public Unclaimed Estates List that is updated daily.

Families can search the list by name, place of birth, or other identifiers to check for potential claims.

Final Thoughts

For many Nigerians and Africans in the UK, their unclaimed estates represent more than just wealth—it’s a story of migration, resilience, and identity.

By addressing this growing issue, families can reclaim their heritage, and the legacy of those who journeyed to the diaspora need not be forgotten.

Here is the latest daily update as of March 24, 2025. Check the list HERE.

The Alaafin Abimbola Owoade Local Organising Committee has released the full schedule of events for the pre-coronation, coronation, and post-coronation ceremonies of Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade II, the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.

The celebrations, which reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Oyo Kingdom, are set to begin on Monday, March 31, 2025, and run through Saturday, April 12, 2025.

PUNCH Online reports from a flyer that detailed timeline of events over the two weeks on Monday.

The main coronation, slated for Saturday, April 5, 2025, will formally usher in a new chapter in the Oyo Kingdom’s history, marking the culmination of traditional rites that the Alaafin recently completed to solidify his royal ascendancy.

Pre-Coronation Events

The festivities will kick off with a Cultural Carnival Parade on March 31, a vibrant display of Yoruba art, music, and dance aimed at uniting the people of Oyo and setting the stage for the ceremonies ahead.

The parade will be followed by an opening ceremony, presided over by cultural and state dignitaries, and exhibitions that will run until April 4.

Throughout the week, the committee has lined up activities emphasizing culture, education, and environmental consciousness.

These include a three-phase tree-planting campaign starting April 1, a public lecture and colloquium featuring renowned scholars, and a coronation quiz competition designed to engage the youth in learning about Oyo’s rich history.

On April 3, the coronation football competition will conclude, followed by the inauguration of development projects initiated by Prince Akeem in honour of Oba Abimbola Owoade II.

Coronation Day

The highlight of the schedule, the Grand Coronation, will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

The event will be held across multiple venues in Oyo to accommodate the expected influx of guests, including high-ranking government officials, traditional rulers, and dignitaries from across Nigeria and the diaspora.

Traditional rites, which Oba Owoade recently completed, will be publicly celebrated on this day, blending royal customs with modern festivities.

Exclusive receptions for VIPs and cultural performances will add grandeur to the occasion.

Post-Coronation Activities

The celebrations will continue with a series of thanksgiving services tailored to the diverse religious identities of the Oyo people.

A Christian thanksgiving service is scheduled for April 6 at the Michael Anglican Cathedral, followed by a Jumat prayer at the Central Mosque, Oja, on April 11.

Traditional worshippers will hold their thanksgiving on April 12 at the Isese Compound in Oyo.

To mark the coronation’s impact on the community, a free eye test campaign and distribution of eyeglasses will take place on April 7, symbolising the Alaafin’s commitment to social welfare and inclusive leadership.

Alaafin Owoade’s Journey to the Throne

The Alaafin stool had remained vacant since the passing of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III in April 2022, leaving the Oyo Kingdom in anticipation of a new leader.

Oba Abimbola Owoade was selected after extensive consultations among the Oyomesi and other kingmakers, and he received his staff of office from Governor Seyi Makinde on January 13, 2025.

Oba Owoade’s installation followed all requisite traditional rites, which underscored the spiritual and cultural sanctity of the Alaafin’s position.

The Alaafin recently announced his official title, signaling his readiness to uphold the customs of the throne while steering the Oyo Kingdom toward progress and unity.

The Local Organising Committee has called on Oyo residents, Yoruba descendants worldwide, and well-wishers to participate actively in the historic celebrations.

“This coronation is not just for the Alaafin; it is for the entire Oyo Kingdom and the Yoruba race,” a committee spokesperson stated in an earlier report.

Here’s a timeline of the coronation activities for Alaafin Abimbola Owoade as presented in the schedule:

Pre-Coronation Events

Monday, 31st March 2025

Cultural Carnival Parade: 7:30 am – 10:00 am

Opening Ceremony: 10:00 am (featuring dignitaries and exhibitions lasting until Friday, 4th April).

Tuesday, 1st April 2025

Historic Tree Planting (Phase 1): 7:30 am – 9:30 am

Public Lecture/Colloquium: 10:30 am – 1:30 pm

Wednesday, 2nd April 2025

Historic Tree Planting (Phase 2): 8:00 am – 11:00 am

Coronation Quiz Competition: 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Thursday, 3rd April 2025

Historic Tree Planting (Phase 3): 8:00 am – 11:00 am

Coronation Football Competition (Final): 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Commissioning of Projects: Honoring Prince Akeem’s initiatives.

Friday, 4th April 2025

Oyo Cultural Heritage Day: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Command Performance: 5:00 pm

Coronation Event

Saturday, 5th April 2025

Main Coronation Ceremony: Held at multiple venues in Oyo. Exclusive reception events for VIPs.

Post-Coronation Events

Sunday, 6th April 2025

Thanksgiving Service (Christian): 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Monday, 7th April 2025

Free Eye Test and Gift of Glasses: Marking the coronation.

Wednesday, 9th April 2025

Isure Ati Idupe Fun Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade II: Rituals at Esu Akesan Shrine.

Friday, 11th April 2025

Thanksgiving Jumat Prayer: 1:30 pm at the Central Mosque, Oja.

Saturday, 12th April 2025

Thanksgiving Service for Isese/Orisa Worshippers: 10:00 am at Isese Compound, Oyo.

See the flyer BELOW:

Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor of Rivers, says he has no connection to any militant group.

There have been allegations that Fubara has ties to a militant group responsible for recent pipeline explosions and attacks on oil facilities in Rivers.

In the past few days, oil installations have been targeted in Rivers as a political crisis festers in the south-south state.

In a statement on Monday, Nelson Chukwudi, the governor’s chief press secretary (CPS), said Fubara will not support any criminal activity in Rivers or the Niger Delta.

He added that the creators of some fake videos have falsely linked them to alleged militant groups and are desperately trying to associate them with Fubara’s supporters.

The governor asked security agencies to investigate the sources of the videos and take action against those responsible.

“Our attention has, once again, been drawn to a flurry of malicious, fake and imaginary videos of purported explosions on oil and gas facilities in Rivers State,” the statement reads.

“Virtually all the fake videos have been linked to alleged militant groups in the State, with the creators of such content trying very hard to connect them to supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

“Already, the communities where these incidents are alleged to have occurred have reacted, dismissing any claims of explosions on oil and gas facilities in their domains, and reassuring that all critical government assets within their areas are safe, secure and efficiently functioning.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no link to any militant group, does not contemplate any such association, and has no reason to encourage any criminal group or elements, anywhere in the state or Niger Delta, to undertake any action inimical to the peace of the people or safety and security of oil and gas facilities, and by extension, the economy of the country.

“The governor had repeatedly made it clear at every public event that the peace of the state is paramount to him, and that he would pay any price to secure and sustain peace in the state, as it is only in an atmosphere of peace and security that governance and development can thrive.

“Governor Fubara vehemently warns purveyors of violence and economic sabotage to steer clear of the state and avoid any attempt to use his name or capitalise on the present political crisis to foment trouble in the state.”

Last week, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers state, citing the protracted political crisis.

The president suspended Fubara, Ngozi Odu, his deputy, and all house of assembly members, for six months.

Tinubu also appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, as the sole administrator for Rivers.

Subsequently, the senate and the house of representatives controversially approved Tinubu’s request for emergency rule in the south-south state.