State governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) visited former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna on Monday.

Led by the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, who also serves as the Chairman of the All Progressives Governors Forum, the governors held a closed-door meeting with Buhari.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Uzodimma explained that the visit was aimed at ensuring Buhari’s well-being, describing the former president as the “father of the APC.”

He highlighted that the gesture was meant to reaffirm the unity and strength of the APC despite the recent defections within the party.

Uzodimma emphasized that the meeting was a symbolic demonstration of the ruling party’s commitment to Buhari, acknowledging his foundational role in the formation and growth of the APC.

Naija News reports that the visit comes at a time when Buhari’s loyalists, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, have defected from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). El-Rufai, who was the first to leave, publicly claimed that he had obtained Buhari’s blessing for the move.

Earlier reports had indicated that several former ministers who served under Buhari’s administration were preparing to join the SDP en masse.

Furthermore, members of the APC in Buhari’s home state of Katsina have also defected to the SDP, deepening concerns over the ruling party’s internal cohesion.

Despite these defections, Uzodimma maintained that the visit to Buhari was a powerful signal of the APC’s unity and strength.

He explained that the timing of the visit was significant, following the conclusion of the Ramadan, Lent, and Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

Uzodimma said, “We came to pay former President Muhammadu Buhari a courtesy visit. You know former President Muhammadu Buhari is the only former President produced by the APC.

“We came and saw him in good health. We fraternised with him; we stayed with him and are ready to go back to our various businesses.

“We met with him and he is well pleased with our party. He expressed surprise about our visit. We are happy and thankful to Almighty God because we met him in good health. He is our father in politics. He is well pleased with our party and all of us, his children.

“He (Buhari) is well pleased with our visit. Members of our forum are pleased with him. We met him in good health because you know that our party, APC is the largest party in Africa and is the ruling party. The only party with 21 Governors. The party is strong, and we will continue to work hard to make it stronger.”

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, commended Buhari for supporting President Bola Tinubu and the APC.

“We are here along with other APC governors to visit former President Muhammadu Buhari. We are happy the way former President Buhari is supporting our party and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Sani said.

The Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Sirajo Jaja, was, on Monday, arraigned in the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations bordering on money laundering.

Mr Jaja was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Obiora Egwuatu alongside Aliyu Abubakar, a Bureau de Change (BDC) operator, and his company.

After the counts were read to them, they pleaded not guilty to the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/101/2025.

The defence lawyer, Chris Uche, informed the court of a motion filed in respect of his clients’ bail.

He prayed the court to grant them bail on liberal terms.

Mr Uche, in his application for bail, argued that the charges against Mr Jaja allegedly arose out of the federal government’s determination to intimidate the Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State to drop his political ambition for 2027.

He said the offence with which they were being charged with was a bailable one.

He said the defendants were not being accused of any capital offence or acts of terrorism that would have warranted their continued detention.

He assured the court that the AG had reasonable sureties to stand for him and produce him whenever required by the court.

However, the EFCC’s lawyer, Abba Muhammed, opposed Mr Uche’s application.

Mr Muhammed, who said the commission filed a counteraffidavit to the bail applications, said Mr Abubakar (1st defendant) had earlier jumped administrative bail.

He said the accountant general was earlier granted administrative bail but failed to meet the bail conditions.

He urged the court to dismiss their plea.

Justice Egwuatu, in his ruling, held that bail is a constitutional right that the court must exercise judiciously.

The judge said he was minded to admit the defendants to bail.

He subsequently granted bail to them in the sum of N200 million each with two sureties in the like sum.

The judge said that the sureties must be residents of Abuja and one of the sureties must hold the position of a director with a federal government agency.

He directed the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court and must get the permission of the court whenever they needed to travel out of the country.

Justice Egwuatu also ordered Mr Jaja to be released to the Attorney General and Commissioner of Bauchi State pending the perfection of his bail within a given time.

The judge, however, ordered that if they failed to perfect their bail conditions within the period, they should be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre.

He adjourned the matter until 17 June for the commencement of the trial.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Aliyu Abubakar, Jasfad Resources Enterprise and Sirajo Jaja are listed as 1st to 3rd defendant respectively.

The EFCC alleged that Mr Abubakar, Jasfad Resources Enterprise, Ibrahim Kashim (former Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, now at large), Danjuma Garba (at large), Kabiru Yahaya (at large), Saleh U. Mohammed (at large), and Balarabe Abdullahi (at large) between 10th July 2024 and 25th November 2024 allegedly transferred and converted N1.8 billion of public funds belonging to the Bauchi State Government.

It alleged that the fund was transferred from the Bauchi State Expenditure Account domiciled in Polaris Bank into the bank accounts of Jasfad Resources Enterprise.

The offence is contrary to and punishable under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, among other counts.

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Labour Party (LP) has passed a vote of confidence on its National Working Committee (NWC).

The LP’s NWC is led by the party’s disputed National Chairperson, Julius Abure.

The party made the resolution at its NEC meeting held in Abuja on Monday.

The National Secretary, Ibrahim Umar-Farouk, read out a communique released at the end of the meeting.

Mr Umar-Farouk said the NEC expressed satisfaction with the Supreme Court decision which, it argued, had returned the power, glory and supremacy of political parties.

“The court asserted the supremacy of the party over its internal affairs and that leadership of a political party is not for any court to decide, as it is a no-go area for the court, and so the court did not sack the NWC leadership.

“Accordingly, NEC in session reaffirmed the Nnewi National Convention held on the 27th of March 2024 that produced the current National Working Committee (NWC) members, under the chairmanship of Barrister Julius Abure,” he said. 

Anti-party activities

In the communique, the NEC accused Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, of committing various anti-party activities.

Giving instances of the alleged anti-party activities, Mr Umar-Farouk said Mr Otti had called for “an unauthorised stakeholders’ meeting and usurping the powers of NEC.”

Mr Otti was elected governor of Abia State under the LP platform in 2023.

The party also accused the governor of backing another political party in the last local government election in Abia State.

“The governor has also intensified his effort to factionalise the party leadership by calling an illegal NEC scheduled to hold on Wednesday.

“His anti-party activities are unbecoming of a highly respected personality and this is no longer acceptable,” the communique read.

Otti, Peter Obi, others may be sanctioned

The LP NEC said that it would not hesitate to discipline Mr Otti for the alleged offence, in line with Article 19 of the party’s constitution.

It also threatened to discipline any other member who violated the party’s constitution, regardless of how big or powerful such individuals might be.

The party vowed to sanction its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, if he further engages in any anti-party activity.

“NEC-in-session, in exercise of its duties, hereby cautions the former presidential candidate of our great party not to participate in any action capable of undermining the peace unity and integrity of the party, as the NEC will not hesitate to issue stiffer penalty if found culpable,” it said.

The NEC equally condemned the activities of the party’s House of Representatives caucus leader, Victor Ogene.

It said, as a result, Mr Ogene has now been replaced with another House of Representatives member, Ben Etanabene.

While Mr Ogene represents Anambra’s Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the lower chamber, Mr Etanabene represents Delta’s Okpe-Sapele – Uvwie Federal Constituency.

Anambra 2025: We’ll resolve our challenges

Mr Abure, at the meeting, said the LP would resolve its challenges ahead of the forth November governorship election in Anambra State and the 2027 general election.

The disputed national chairperson, however, said that the party would only field candidates who would be ready to promote its programmes.

He also said that the party was not opposed to coalition with other parties that would promote good governance.

“What the party is against is subversive activities that promote divisions in the party,” he said.

The meeting was attended by members of NWC, national officers of the party, state chairpersons and secretaries, other party leaders and co-opted NEC members.

Background

The Supreme Court, on Friday, set aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which recognised Mr Abure as the national chairperson of the LP.

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court unanimously held that the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to have affirmed Mr Abure as chairman of the LP since the substance of the case was about the party’s leadership.

But the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party (LP), Obiora Ifoh, later argued that Mr Abure remains the party’s national chairperson.

Mr Ifoh claimed that the Supreme Court’s position is that the matter is purely an internal affair of the party, insisting that the court did not set aside the Court of Appeal judgement of 13 November 2024, which affirmed Mr Abure as the national chairperson of the party.

Meanwhile,  the LP has been battling an intense leadership crisis for a while now which has split the party into two factions. 

Messrs Otti and Obi, belong to the same faction of the LP.

In September 2024, the faction appointed Nenadi Usman, a former Nigerian Minister, to manage the party’s affairs by heading its caretaker committee.

But, about a month after Mrs Usman’s appointment, a federal court recognised Mr Abure as the authentic national chairperson of the LP.

Mr Abure dismissed the convention that produced Mrs Usman and threatened to suspend Mr Otti and others from the party.

There was a mild drama in October when Mr Otti allied with an opposition party, the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), ahead of the conduct of local government elections in the state, which were held on 2 November 2024.

The ZLP later won chairmanship seats in 15 of the 17 local government areas of Abia State despite the state being governed by Mr Otti, a member of the LP. 

The LP won nine of the chairmanship seats, and the Young Progressives Party won the remaining two.

Instructively, ZLP enjoyed the support of Mr Otti. The governor had asked his aides and allies to contest the election under the ZLP platform, not the LP.

(NAN)

The gunmen that attacked Hurti community in Plateau State killed over 40 people and destroyed 383 houses, the village head of the community, Maren Aradong, has said.
Apart from attacking Hurti, the gunmen, suspected to be armed herders, also attacked other communities like Josho and Daffo in the Manguna District of Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau.

On Sunday, Mr Aradong told a visiting delegation of Plateau government officials that the 2 April attack also led to the displacement of about 1,000 people.

The Plateau attack has been condemned by many Nigerians including President Bola Tinubu and Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau.

Mr Mutfwang described the attack as a coordinated crime sponsored by conflict merchants, and not farmer-herder clashes.

In his speech, Mr Aradong said that the gunmen also looted foodstuffs and other items.

“Last Wednesday, at about 3:00 p.m., gunmen invaded our communities in their numbers; they came on motorcycles and attacked us.

“In Hurti alone, these gunmen killed more than 40 people and displaced about 1,000 persons.

“They also burnt 383 houses, destroyed foodstuffs, and looted other items,” he said.

Mr Aradong, who commended the state government and the security personnel for their intervention, called for the deployment of more security personnel to the affected communities.

Also commenting on the attack, Gagji Shipi, the coordinator of Operation Rainbow, a state-owned security outfit, described the incident as a major setback on the peace efforts in the state.

He said that measures were already being taken to forestall future occurrences.

Government Delegation Reacts

Speaking during the visit, the head of the government delegation, Secretary to the State Government Samuel Jatau, commiserated with the families who lost their loved ones during the attack.

Mr Jatau called on the federal government to also provide support for the displaced persons.

He explained that the government delegation was in the community to commiserate with the people and encourage them to be steadfast.

“We are here to see things for ourselves and ascertain the level of damage done by the attackers.

“It is unfortunate that in this era, people could attack, kill innocent citizens, and destroy their properties without thinking twice.

“We have seen things for ourselves, and we will report back to the governor; we want to assure the people that they are not alone.

“We are here with some relief materials to cushion the immediate hardship that the people are currently passing through, pending a more lasting solution,” he said.

Some of the items donated to the displaced persons were mattresses, sleeping mats, buckets, bags of rice, beans, and maize.

Other items donated included blankets, cartons of washing and bathing soaps, noodles, and pasta, among others.

Plateau’s History of Attacks

Plateau, in north-central Nigeria, has witnessed many such attacks. Some of the reasons for the violent conflicts include the struggle for land between rural farmers and migrant herders and communal violence over land rights.

Many communities have also accused migrant herders, often Fulani, of hiring their kinsmen from other countries to attack communities the herders have grievances with.

Apart from Plateau, other states that witnessed such attacks include Kaduna and Benue.

“My brother, you do not look cheerful at all.”

“I am just overwhelmed by everything”

“Any personal issues?  I hope there is no trouble in paradise and that Madam is still tolerating you.”  

“Does she have an option? After many years together, where would she go? It is not even that. I am just wondering how we ended up where we are in this country. Who did we offend as a people? We never seem to get anything right.”

“Professor Chinua Achebe said it long ago, in 1984, I think if my memory serves me right, that leadership is the problem with Nigeria.” 

“I have been hearing that for decades, I beg. And nobody can find any solution to this same problem. I think the people are a bigger part of the problem.” 

“Bad leaders set bad example, the followers will soon start behaving like their leaders and then you have bad followers and all things equal, you get a bad society. What we need is a complete moral re-armament, an ethical revolution from bottom up, a rediscovery of the values of old, and a proper definition of what it means to be a Nigerian”.

“Right now, I don’t even know what it means to be a Nigerian”

“You have a national anthem that talks about who we are.”

“That Nigeria We Hail Thee actually says precisely what Nigeria is not. A banner without stain. Go and say that to all the families who have lost their loved ones just because they happen to be Nigerians. In brotherhood we stand. Which brotherhood. You and who?  A nation where no man is oppressed. For where? Go and say that to the people of Rivers State, Southern Kaduna, Benue, or Plateau state, and watch the kind of side eye people will give you.”

“The story from Plateau is particularly sad, unfortunate and regrettable”

“That is the standard line from the Nigerian government. Sad. Unfortunate. Regrettable. But there is no guarantee that more people will not be killed again or that the state will be able to apprehend the criminals. Or that we will not wake up and not hear about another tragedy in any part of Nigeria. Was it not the other day, 16 persons were killed in Uromi, Edo State? Now the killing machine has moved to the Plateau. The Nigerian state is in retreat. It is not serving its purpose. Terrorists and kidnappers do as they wish. People cannot sleep with their two eyes closed.”

“Certainly not in Plateau state. Just imagine what happened. The terrorists attacked villages in Bokko Local Government Area on March 28, set homes ablaze and disrupted communal life. They were so bold they returned on April 2 to wreak more havoc. Between March 28 and the second attack, the state could not anticipate that the terrorists would return. The state did not provide the affected communities with security. The people were left on their own, at the mercy of the terrorists. Now the people are wailing and counting their losses in Ruwi, Hurti, Tadai, Gwande, Manguna and Dafo” 

“Are those people even terrorists? I read that they made away with bags of potatoes from the houses that they attacked, and fled on the back of motorcycles. Terrorists who steal bags of potatoes!”

“There is hunger in the land. There are Nigerians who will kill because of a pot of soup. In some local communities, you have to padlock your pot of soup, otherwise it could be stolen overnight! Serious hunger crisis. That is how bad Nigeria has become.” 

“And look at how the state has responded. The President has condemned the killings. He has directed the National Security Adviser to visit Plateau. He, the NSA says the perpetrators will be severely punished. The state government has expressed its condolences. Relief materials have been promptly provided for the affected communities. Press statements. Photo op. television cameras. In one week, everyone will move on, until the terrorists strike in another community and state officials make the same statements and we move on. Nigerians are used to tragic melodramas.” 

“If I may play the devil’s advocate though, I think it was good optics that the NSA and the Governor empathized with the people”

‘Will that bring back the dead? Will that stop terrorism, banditry and kidnapping? The people of the Plateau have not known peace for more than two decades. What difference will the routine visit of state officials make? In fact, very soon, these government officials would become so overwhelmed, they would not even visit any place where there is an attack, be it in Rivers, Southern Kaduna, Ondo or the Niger Delta.” 

“To buttress your point, look at what nearly happened to the Secretary to the Plateau State Government, Samuel Jatau over the weekend, on Sunday. He was on a visit to Bokko, when the same terrorists laid ambush for him around Hurti community and opened fire on his convoy. He had gone to the community on Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s instruction to deliver relief materials.”

“Mark my words, when next Jatau is sent on that kind of assignment, he will find a diplomatic way of advising his boss, the Governor, to send another state official, because he has been having a cocktail of chest pain, food poisoning and diarrhea and his doctor has advised him to go on bed rest! These terrorists and bandits in Nigeria have no respect for anybody.”

“You know they even go to people’s homes and abduct them. Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga (rtd) was in his house in his home town in Katsina when kidnappers visited him on February 5, and took him away.  He and 18 other victims spent 56 days in the kidnappers’ den. They saw hell and hyena!”

“I have read General Tsiga’s story - an interview that he granted. This is the point. Not even a soldier is considered a man of war by training who could return fire for fire. If kidnappers could pick up a soldier who had served his county just like that, tell me who that ordinary Nigerian is, that criminals can’t pick up.” 

‘I have also read that the General and other captives were rescued by Nigerian soldiers of Operation Safe Haven and were handed over to their families personally by NSA Ribadu. But I don’t believe that our soldiers rescued them. The kidnappers for example, placed a ransom of N400 million on General Tsiga’s head. His friends, family, former colleagues, serving and retired Generals had to contribute the N400 million. They even created a WhatsApp group named TSIGA. When he regained his freedom, nobody talked about ransom being paid.” 

“The Nigerian Government can never admit publicly that it was involved at any time in the payment of ransom to non-state actors, who have chosen to act as criminals. We have a law: the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2011, for example. Mallam Ribadu says over 2, 000 persons have been prosecuted under that law. I think the state is making an effort. You will recall that when he was in the kidnappers’ den, General Tsiga observed that his abductors did not fear God, but they became apprehensive whenever a military aircraft hovered overhead and they used them as human shield. That should say something about the efforts of the Nigerian security system.”  

“That security system must be overhauled. There must be a re-thinking of the country’s security architecture.”

“Should there be the declaration of a state of emergency in Plateau state, then, after all the people of Rivers State are saying that what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. They argue that Rivers is far more peaceful than Plateau, and Benue where criminals, enemies of the people of Agatu, have just rustled over 200 cows.  In fact, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called for a state of emergency in Plateau, Benue and other terror-prone states.”

“No. No. No. What is going on in Rivers state is problematic enough, let us not mouth ideas that could further complicate the situation. Many Nigerians do not even know what a state of emergency means.” 

“But do you agree that nobody needs to quote any law in this matter? In simple straightforward language, it is obvious that the challenges of insecurity, hunger and poverty deserve to be treated as national emergencies. Government must invest in social infrastructure, secure lives and property, rebuild public confidence and trust, and restore hope, not by distributing palliatives, but by giving the average Nigerian an opportunity to have every reason to be proud.”

“One thing you can say in favour of the Tinubu administration though is that they have never toyed with that nonsense idea of buying Aso Ebi for terrorists, and giving them pepper soup, jollof rice and ice cream in the name of rehabilitation.”

“The kind of things we have seen in this country. You know that there was a time some state Governors were before our very eyes exchanging diplomatic niceties with terrorists and bandits. No. This President Tinubu will never do that. I may be speculating but I am convinced he is a much more capable and attentive President than his predecessor.” 

“Except that he is also going up and down, and he spends too much time in France. Does he have French citizenship? Does he speak French? What Dubai is to some people, France is to Tinubu” 

“I don’t know what languages he speaks, but it is just that he comes across as an improvement on the man from Katsina, whatever the skeptics may say.”

“Let him respect our rights as citizens.”

“How?”

“Our right to speak. Our right to assemble and protest, on any subject of our choice.”

“I don’t think that has been a big issue”

“It is for me. Where are you? Yesterday, the police tear-gassed protesters in Rivers and in Abuja. The youths of Rivers State raised their voice against the declaration of a state of emergency, with a retired soldier, acting as sole administrator now controlling the resources of the people. This is supposed to be a temporary appointment. But you and I know this country. When people get a temporary appointment, they will start praying that it shall become permanent!  You should know the song: It shall be permanent…it shall be permanent…what the Lord has done… The only thing that can be permanent is the rule of law and democracy, not dictatorship. In Abuja, angry, Take-It-Back youths trooped out too. They were tear-gassed! The police are too fond of telling people not to protest. What is that? Their job is to provide protection for whoever wants to protest, not to stop them. That is a settled matter of law. ANPP v. IGP. ”

“Bros., take it easy. Rule of law. Democracy. This is Nigeria oh. This is not America. You do anyhow, you collect wotowoto.”   

“Oh, that reminds me. I am sure you saw the protests in the United States across the country against President Trump and Elon Musk. Millions of pro-democracy protesters trooped out to complain about the Trump administration’s hostile takeover of American democracy, and attack on American rights and freedoms. They want an end to the billionaire take-over of the US. Democracy not oligarchy. Hands off, they told President Trump. There were protests also in London and Paris. Trump has launched an assault against every fundamental thing that America is known for. Freedom. Rights. Free trade.”

“Just be careful. Let the Americans who voted for him be the ones to condemn him. In case you do not know, the Trump administration has been cancelling people’s visas to the US. You talk carelessly, you can even be banned from entering the United States.” .   

“America was known as the land of freedom, until Trump’s second coming.” 

 “Just watch your mouth. Oscar Arias, Nobel Laureate and former President of Costa Rica, has had his visa revoked for daring to call President Trump a Roman Emperor. South African Ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool criticized Trump’s crackdown on diversity and equity programmes. He was declared a persona non grata and advised to leave the United States.  All US visas for the South Sudanese have also been revoked because South Sudan tried to reject its nationals who were expelled from the US. You are just an ordinary Nigerian, you talk anyhow, your entire generation may be banned from ever going near the US.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. President Trump has upended the global trade order. Trump tantrums, and his disruptions go beyond the United States. Across the world, investors are selling off stocks to avoid risks. Global markets are roiling. Wall Street is in bear territory. Trade wars have started. Inside America, there is the threat of recession and rise in consumer prices. The tariffs that Trump has imposed, both baseline and reciprocal tariffs will spread the cancer of recession throughout the world. Even Nigeria got 14%, and with oil prices down by more than 3%, we are in trouble with our 2025 budget benchmark, SMEs will suffer, AGOA has been thrown under the table. And you say we should not talk?”

“I am just looking out for you. Let the Nigerian government handle the matter. The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has already issued a position paper to say that Nigeria is talking to our valued trade partner, the United States and the WTO to identify what is pragmatic and mutually beneficial. Besides, Trump himself has said this is a necessary medicine that he has applied to global trade.”

“Meaning what? Medicine that is already making the patient worse off. And which counterparts is Nigeria talking about? Is the US ready to negotiate as equals with anybody?”

“I try to look at the positive side of things. One of my financial advisers has told me that this is the best time to buy stocks and crypto. While you are concentrating on crisis and tantrums, I am looking at what can be gained.” 

“Nobody has ever won tariff wars. Tariff shock has already wiped out US$5.3 trillion of the S&P 500 Index in just 2 days. Nasdaq Composite is down 5.8%, Dow Jones Industrial Average – 5.5%”

“Stop worrying yourself. Let the Americans speak with their votes during the mid-term elections.”

“That is still far away. November 2026.” 

“Their problem, not ours. For all I care, they deserve their Trump, and his Elon Musk. The beauty of democracy is that voters are also free to make mistakes, and either live with their mistakes or correct them.” 

Former governors of Abia and Enugu states, Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Senator Shehu Sani and ex-aide of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, are among those nominated for ambassadorial appointment by the federal government.

Vanguard gathered that they were among those being screened by security agents, pending the release of the list.
Recall that the country’s ambassadors were recalled from their postings almost a year ago without replacement, fuelling concerns over what that would have on Nigeria’s diplomacy.

It was learned yesterday that the resume of those nominated had already been sent to relevant security agencies for background checks.

Although one of the appointees confirmed his appointment on grounds of anonymity, efforts to get others to do same proved abortive.

On why the names of the appointees had not been released, a Presidency official had said anonymously: ‘’They (those appointed) are already doing security checks with the Department of State Service, DSS,.

‘’When they have cleared security checks, we will release the list. Only those who have been cleared are announced. The process is ongoing. I know we should have a list before the end of this month.’’

Nigerian actress, content creator, and media personality, Kiekie, recently opened up about societal expectations and gender roles in marriage during her appearance on the “I Said What I Said” podcast. In a frank conversation, she shared some of the unsolicited remarks she received after getting married, particularly regarding her fashion choices.

“One of the funniest things that happened to me when I got married was that I started getting comments like, ‘You don’t dress like a married woman.’ So, I Googled, ‘What is the dress code of a married woman?’ and I didn’t see any guidelines on how married women should dress,” she said, highlighting how societal norms often dictate women’s appearances and behaviors.

Kiekie, known for her outspoken nature and comedic takes on social issues, also emphasized the importance of self-determination and fighting for one’s dreams. “I am the one who should fight for my dreams and set out to achieve what I want to achieve. Not that I’ll be using someone as a backup plan,” she asserted.

Speaking further on gender expectations, Kiekie addressed the need for a shift in mindset among women. “We have a long way to go because the main thing is that women themselves need to be reoriented and get it straight. Because what you don’t have, you can’t give. You can’t expect things to come from men. It is from us, the women, that the change will come,” she added.

President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, said the country is undergoing a “popular, progressive revolution” and not operating under a democratic system.

He added that it is difficult to pinpoint a country that has developed practising democratic rule.

Traore made the disclosure during a flag-raising ceremony at the Koulouba Palace last week.

He said, “If we have to say it loud and clear here, we are not in a democracy, we are in a popular, progressive revolution.

“We must necessarily go through a revolution, and we are indeed in a revolution. So this question of democracy or libertinism of action or expression has no place. As much as you think you are free to speak and act, the other is also free to speak and act, and there we end up with a society of disorder.”

He criticised the notion that democracy is a prerequisite for development, saying it is “false” to believe any country has developed under a democratic system.

“It is impossible to name a country that has developed in democracy. Democracy is only the result,” Burkina24 quoted him.

He maintained that his government would continue to communicate, explain, and make people understand what revolution is.

Traore has been notable for his decisions after his emergence as the President of the West African country.

The 37-year-old President who assumed office in September 2022 through a coup de’tat that ousted interim President Paul-Henri Damiba recently rejected Saudi Arabia’s offer to build 200 mosques in his country.

He urged the Islamic country to rather invest in essential infrastructure projects that would directly benefit his people.

British legendary professional boxer, Anthony Joshua has taken to social media to react after he recently jogged and greet some fans on the streets of Lagos, without any security.

According to the video shared on Instagram, the British Professional boxer, Anthony Joshua was spotted jogging and greeting some of his fans without any security in Lagos State, allowing some of his fans who saw him throw some friendly punches at him, welcoming him.

Reacting after he jogged and greeted some of his fans, recently on the streets of Lagos State, the professional British boxer, Anthony Joshua has described the feeling as that of a bird.

Reacting after he jogged and greeted some of his fans on the street of Lagos, Anthony Joshua posted on Instagram:

"I love the game. I love the hustle. I feel like one of them ball player you know? Like Bird, Magic, James, Jordan, Kobe or something. You know I got dough, I could leave the league... But if I leave ... Are the fans still gonna love me, man? I get love out here in streets man."