A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, has raised concerns over the perceived marginalisation of the South-East zone in national affairs, warning that continued neglect of the region could have serious consequences for Nigeria.
Igbokwe made the remarks in a statement posted on his official Facebook account on Saturday.
“If Nigeria continues to treat the South-East as if the zone does not exist or does not matter, the consequences will be huge,” Igbokwe stated.
His comments came amid ongoing debates over appointments made under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Critics have accused the government of favouring certain regions over others.
A recent criticism came from Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South. Ndume warned that lopsided appointments by the current administration could have negative implications.
Responding to the growing concerns, the Presidency has defended its approach, stating that appointments under Tinubu are based on merit.
However, Igbokwe insisted that the issue runs deeper, referencing historical grievances.
“The civil war has ended, but the scars are still there. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Neglect of SE is bad,” he added.
The Senior Director of Breeding and Pre-Breeding at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, Professor John Derera, has expressed concern over what he described as “A loss of 40 per cent of food grown by farmers in Nigeria annually.”
He also valued the total food loss to be at about $9bn.
Derera, in a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Saturday, noted that Nigeria can feed its population and strengthen its economy through food exports, provided that efforts are made to address food waste across the country.
According to the statement, he disclosed this in a paper he presented at the 9th edition of Sustainable Livelihoods and Development Network for Africa, hosted by Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo.
He was represented at the event by the Global Head, Breeding Consultative Group, IITA, Dr Hogson Mushoruwa.
Derera said Nigeria spends about $52bn annually on food importation, while 40 per cent of its food production is lost to waste in various forms.
“Amidst these challenges lie opportunities for intervention through implementing a holistic approach that encompasses infrastructural development, sustainable agricultural practices and supportive policies”, he stated.
Derera stated that the challenges can be averted or checked by investing in the application of best farm practices that aim to optimise yield per hectare.
He added, “This boosts yield and ensures that more food is available for both local consumption and export. These challenges can also be controlled by strengthening supply chain infrastructure, improving storage, transportation and distribution systems to reduce food wastage.”
Among other solutions he proffered, Derera said government genuine support of local food processing industries will add value to raw agricultural products.
“This includes investing in food processing equipment, creating a favourable policy environment and providing training to local entrepreneurs.”
In his address, Dean of Agriculture faculty at ACU, Dr Moses Adebayo stated that the problems of food wastes and hunger stem from loss crops as a result of poor seed planting, adding that the university has taken steps to address the issue.
He said, “In tackling this humongous agricultural problem stemming from poor-quality seed, Ajayi Crowther University management has demonstrated rare and admirable courage in establishing a full-fledged seed company known as ACU Seeds Limited 2022. This seed company has recorded remarkable success in developing, commercializing and disseminating quality seeds of pro-vitamin A biofortified maize varieties.”
Part of the highlight of the four-day event was farmer’s forum, where about 500 farmers pooled from across Nigeria share their challenges and implored government to work with genuine and qualified agriculture experts to ensure food sufficiency in Nigeria.
Present at the event were the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Timothy Abiodun Adebayo, his deputy, Prof Muyiwa Popoola, Acting Registrar of the school, Olusegun Ojo, the librarian, Dr Mrs Bosede Ajiboye, bursar, Dr Ayodele Olusanwo, dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Dr Moses Adebayo and other officers of the institution.
A 24-year-old Nigerian man, Mercy Ojedeji, has pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and unlawful use of fraudulent immigration documents in the United States.
According to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri on Thursday, the plea was entered in a US District Court in St. Louis, Missouri.
On Wednesday, Ojedeji admitted to fraudulently securing a student visa and gaining admission into the University of Missouri’s chemistry PhD program in Fall 2023.
He acknowledged using falsified academic transcripts, recommendation letters, a fake resume, and a fabricated English language proficiency report to obtain the visa.
With the visa in hand, Ojedeji obtained a Social Security card, a Missouri driver’s license, a bank account, and housing. He also received a stipend and tuition waiver from the university valued at over $49,000.
After failing to attend classes or participate in research activities, Ojedeji was dismissed from the graduate program in January 2024, which resulted in the termination of his student visa. Despite this, prosecutors say he used the invalid visa to obtain a state driver’s license on February 26, 2024.
The investigation began when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service received complaints that victims of a romance fraud scheme were sending packages of cash and gift cards to the home of Ojedeji’s partner.
Authorities tracked 35 Express Mail packages—sent between December 19, 2023, and January 4, 2024—that were linked to Nigerian IP addresses.
“A court-approved search of the home resulted in the discovery of packages sent pursuant to a Nigerian romance fraud scheme.
“A total of 193 packages were sent to the home through the Postal Services Express Mail, Federal Express, and United Parcel Service during Ojedeji’s relationship with the woman,” the statement reads.
Seventeen of the seized packages contained $94,150 in cash and gift cards, while prosecutors estimate the total intended loss at over $1 million.
Despite his guilty plea to immigration and wire fraud charges, Ojedeji has denied involvement in the romance scam.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 10.
The wire fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while the immigration fraud charge could add up to 10 more years and a similar fine.
The judge will make the final determination of losses and penalties during sentencing.
The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed deep sorrow following the death of former Super Eagles captain and head coach, Christian Chukwu.
Chukwu, who captained Nigeria’s 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, died in his hometown of Enugu on Saturday at the age of 74.
In a statement on Saturday, the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, described Chukwu as a towering figure in Nigerian football.
Sanusi stated that the former Enugu Rangers coach was the definition of a strong, dedicated, and disciplined leader on and off the field.
The statement reads, “We have lost a good and great man. Chukwu was the definition of a strong, dedicated, and disciplined leader on and off the field. He was not nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for nothing. He embodied strength, vision, and consistency.
“We pray that the Almighty will grant his soul eternal rest and also grant his family, friends, and the Nigerian football fraternity the fortitude to bear this great loss.”
Also, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has described the death of Chukwu as a sad development.
Reacting to the sad news on Saturday, Dikko said, “This news came to me as a big shock. Chairman is no more. On behalf of the Commission, the entire sporting fraternity, and indeed the Federal Government of Nigeria, I extend my condolences to his family and to the whole nation. Frankly, a big iroko tree has fallen. We are the chairmen leading the sector, but Christian Chukwu was the original Chairman on the pitch.
“He was so commanding and charismatic, decisive and assuring on the pitch, that the late Ernest Okonkwo called him ‘Chairman’—and to this day, that name is even more popular than his given name.
“Chairman Chukwu is synonymous with Nigerian football. He lifted our first major trophy at the 1980 AFCON. Growing up, that day stands out. Many of us draw our passion for Nigerian football from that tournament. Chairman was the main catalyst of that feat, motivating and leading the team from the foundation to success.
“As a player, coach, or administrator, Chairman stamped his feet in the annals of Nigerian football. I had a very good working relationship with him for decades, and we had been in constant touch.”
“I just had a meeting with Dr. Segun Odegbami earlier this week. This is happening at a time when we need the experience and drive of the likes of Chairman to push through our vision at the Commission. This is a very gloomy day for Nigerian football.
“One thing that stands out is the Chairman’s passion for Nigerian football, along with his humility and peaceful nature throughout his life. Even in his latter days, he was a regular commentator on the state of Nigerian football. He was one of the legends whose views I always looked forward to reading. We will do everything within our means to immortalise him and ensure that his dream for Nigerian football is sustained,” he added.
Nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for his commanding presence and leadership qualities both at club level with Enugu Rangers and with the national team, Chukwu famously lifted the Unity Cup—the first major continental title for Nigeria—on Saturday, March 22, 1980, after receiving it from then-President Shehu Shagari at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
Chukwu was part of the Nigerian team that won bronze medals at the 1976 and 1978 AFCON finals held in Ethiopia and Ghana, respectively, before captaining the squad to glory on home soil in 1980. He was named Player of the Tournament.
The Secretary to Rivers State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika, has called on residents of the state to be wary of fake news peddlers.
Worika said the authors of such fake reports are not only intended to misinform the people but to heat the polity.
He also refuted reports of the appointment of the former Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Dr Samuel Nwanosike as the new Sole Administrator of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency.
This was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Saturday by the Head Press Unit, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Julianna Masi, and sent to newsmen.
The SSG categorically refuted Nwanosike’s appointment and the purported approval for the recruitment of 10,000 persons into the state civil service.
Worika described the reports as fake and unfounded and urged members of the public to disregard such speculations.
He urged residents and people of the state to rely only on official Government sources for accurate information.
The statement partly reads, “We wish to categorically inform the good people of Rivers State and the general public to ignore the fake announcements.
“Be informed that all official communications from the Office of the Administrator of Rivers State have appropriate channels through which they are circulated, and pay attention to such channels.
“The Government remains steadfast in its pursuit of a peaceful, prosperous and united state.”
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday, inaugurated the 46.3-kilometres Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Akara-Alayi-Abiriba road reconstructed by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.
Obasanjo described Otti as a performer and an exemplary leader who has affected the lives of his people positively.
Speaking during the ceremony held at Uzuakoli, Bende Local Government Area, Obasanjo recalled how terrible the road has been, especially the last time he visited Abiriba and described Otti as “a miracle worker”, stating, “You (Otti) are a man of your word, a goal getter, a performer. You are a man who says no to what is bad and yes to what is good. You are an example of a leader”
Obasanjo said, “You (Abia people) said you have had leaders before, but one thing you must know is that good leaders don’t flock and when you get a good leader like you have got in Dr Alex Otti, let us make good use of him.
“This road you are all talking about, I traveled on it to Abiriba. It was hellish, and when I was told that the road you have done will get me from Umuahia to Abiriba in 45 minutes, I said this man called Alex Otti is a miracle worker.”
He commended Otti’s efforts in giving Abia a facelift, adding, “what Gov. Otti is doing is a proof that whatever bad situation witnessed in the country today can become good tomorrow.
“I am a witness to what you are doing and urge you to keep doing what you are doing. If you look hard and wide, you will see that this governor does not lack a good team. Of course, this is proof that whatever situation we are in, that is bad today, can be made good tomorrow. All we need to do is to make sure that at every level we have the right leaders with the right team to work with.
“For me, a political party is just a platform. What matters is the quality of the man, and the quality of Alex Otti is a good quality. Well, when the time comes for elections, my advice to you is don’t change a winning horse”.
Speaking, Otti said the inauguration was a testimony to his resolve to do things differently, noting that the completion of the road project would, among other things, shorten travel time for motorists.
“Today’s commissioning ceremony is an eloquent testimony to our resolve to doing things differently as a government. This administration has zero tolerance for shoddy jobs or the kickback culture that enables them
“By completing this project, we have not just shortened travel time for drivers and commuters coming into Umuahia from communities within Ohafia, Bende, Isuikwuato and Umuahia North.
“We have also cut down risks of accidents, security threats and transport cost for scores of thousands of individuals and families. Anyone living and doing business along this axis can now travel safely from Umuahia and other urban centres within and outside the State at anytime of the day or night unafraid if harassment by criminal elements who took advantage of the bad state of the road in the past to wreck havoc on innocent travelers,” he said.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that Nigerians have no business being poor with the country’s vast resources.
He said that the nation is abundantly blessed but is suffering from the mismanagement of its resources.
Obasanjo said this at a dinner organised in his honour by the Abia Government on Friday at the Government House, Umuahia.
He said, “Nigerians have no business with poverty because God has given us all that we need.
“If we are mismanaging what God has given us, we do not have God to blame, we have ourselves to blame.”
The former president praised the efforts of Governor Alex Otti of Abia in transforming the state, noting the wide public acclaim of his administration’s performance.
He affirmed the governor’s impact on governance in the state and urged him to continue to do well.
Obasanjo added that if Nigeria had 18 governors doing well in their responsibilities as leaders, “we will build the country up”.
He reiterated his concern for the well-being of Nigerians and the quality of governance they receive.
“For me, whether you don’t greet me or I greet you and you don’t answer, what is important to me is that the people of this country are getting what they deserve and what they deserve is good governance,” he said.
Obasanjo recalled an earlier advisory he gave former Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, during his tenure in office.
He said that Amaechi was not aware of a pre-existing national railway development plan and had to be directed to the archives to find it.
“I believe that even if you don’t like me if I have pieces of advice to give you, as I did when you were Minister for Transport, I will give the advice.
“You didn’t know that we had a national plan for railway for this country, to reach every state capital as we have them now and I told you to go into the archives, it is there.
“But again, I believe as Minister of Transport, you got a bit of it right, you got a bit of it wrong.”
In his speech, the governor acknowledged the support he received from the former president.
He said that the importance of vision and perseverance in leadership could never be overlooked, recounting the challenges he faced over his decade-long political journey.
“Once you have vision, you have to keep to it. It took us ten years to get here, the two elections we contested from 2015 to 2019, we won clearly but they were all stolen.
“A lot of people had given up hope and said it wasn’t going to work, but I was sure that I heard clearly from God,” he said.
He said his administration had embarked on massive reforms in the education sector to improve access to quality education in Abia.
Also, Amaechi called on political actors in Abia to begin early preparations for the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the value of a good administration was often only realised after a less competent one takes over.
He pointed out that this had become the experience with many former leaders, but Obasanjo had continually stood out because of his visionary leadership style.
“In your case, no matter who becomes president, you have always stood out,” Amaechi said.
He described quality leadership as crucial for development, and in order not to experience its absence, the people of Abia must support capable leaders like Otti in the next elections.
“APC and other parties are already mobilising; if we don’t prepare now, we may lose out completely.
“We must not only protect what we have but also ensure that we come back in 2028 to celebrate true democratic success,” he added.
In separate speeches, the lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe and the acting National Secretary of Labour Party, Sen. Darlington Nwokocha, expressed delight in being part of Abia’s success story.
They thanked Obasanjo for his continued support for the Otti-led administration and commended the governor for the equitable developmental strides across all local government areas.
Stakeholders from the health sector have called on Nigerian youth and women to join the fight against malaria in the country.
They made the call on Saturday at an engagement meeting in Abuja organised by the African Leaders Malaria Alliance in collaboration with The Global Fund and Malaria and NTDs Youth Corps.
Welcoming participants to the event, Aloyce Urassa of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance cited statistics from the World Health Organisation, which described Nigeria as the leading country in malaria infection with over 25 per cent death rate.
He called on Nigerians, regardless of status, to team up in the global fight for the eradication of malaria.
He said, “ALMA is doing amazing work in terms of providing malaria services and advocacy and using many means, including sports, to communicate with the communities to wage war against malaria.
“The fight against malaria is faced with many challenges, including climate change, financing, biological threats, including malaria drug resistance, and new mosquito species that have been discovered in several countries.
“There are also humanitarian crises in some parts of Africa, including South Sudan. We have an increased number of immigrants and refugees, and conflict in Sudan.
“But we can work together as women and youth to increase the speed toward the attainment of zero malaria. Zero malaria starts with me; it starts with you, and it starts with all of us.”
Also speaking, a representative of the Federal Ministry of Health, Family Health Department, Chinyere Nkobie, said there was a need to interrogate why, despite the huge resources deployed to address malaria, the disease is still on the rise.
Chinyere, who works at the Gender Adolescent School Health and Elderly Care Desk, said, “We are trying to introduce the gender perspective into malaria interventions. I think it is a good thing because it is going to give us insight into why, of all the interventions in malaria that we’ve been doing in Nigeria, it seems we are not doing enough.
“When we begin to look into the gender aspect of it, we will begin to see why the people who need those interventions, particularly the women and children, are not accessing them.
“When we look at why the women and children are not accessing these goods, we will begin to redirect our interventions to bridge that barrier. There are gender norms and cultural factors preventing women from accessing healthcare.”
Representative of the Nigeria End Malaria Council, Beeve Hua lauded the initiative, saying, “Bringing the gender component of this fight against malaria is a step in the right direction. Together, we are going to harness the energy of the youth to ensure that malaria becomes a thing of the past.”
The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, has dismissed talks of an opposition merger ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the move as a futile alliance that is doomed to fail.
Ganduje made the remarks on Friday while speaking to journalists after leading the APC National Working Committee on a Sallah homage to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna State.
When asked about ongoing discussions among major opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Ganduje was quick to brush aside any notion of a serious threat to the ruling party.
He said, “We are not worried at all. This is just history trying to repeat itself. They went on a joint venture, which will not work because from what we have seen, there are just some particles that cannot come together.
“It is a game, and we will not reveal our technicalities on how to handle it, but we assure you, we are equal to the task.”
The APC chairman touted the party’s political dominance, noting its control of 21 states and declaring it “still the strongest party in West Africa.”
He added that the APC was not only focused on maintaining its hold on power but also expanding its influence ahead of the 2027 polls.
“We are eyeing other states that will come into our fold.
“Either the governors themselves will come, or we go for election and defeat them to increase our tally. We are comfortable, but we are not resting. We shall continue,” Ganduje added.
Ganduje’s comments followed an earlier visit by the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, who also met with the former president.
Atiku, flanked by a delegation of notable political figures, including former governors Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Jibrilla Bindow (Adamawa), and Achike Udenwa (Imo), said the visit was strictly a post-Sallah courtesy call.
“There is a plan for the major political parties to come together and form a strong opposition, but it is not part of our visit,” Atiku clarified while addressing reporters.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has awarded a cash gift of N10 million to Isioma Sybil Nwosu, the best graduating student of Lagos State University for the 2023/2024 academic session.
Nwosu, a graduate of Biochemistry from the Faculty of Science, finished with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.93.
The Governor announced the gift on Thursday during LASU’s 28th Convocation Ceremony held at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Ojo.
The convocation ceremony also saw the conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees and Distinguished Professorships on notable individuals, including the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd.), and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Otunba Olufemi Pedro.
Marwa, who once served as military administrator of Lagos State, was honoured with a Doctor of Humane Letters (Infrastructure, Security and National Development) Honoris Causa.
Pedro received a Doctor of Business (Banking, Entrepreneurship and National Development) Honoris Causa.
Represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu emphasised the importance of education to societal development.
“Education is the backbone of our society, and we must recognise its importance in addressing societal needs and human development,” he said.
He stressed that academic excellence should be held in the same regard as achievements in entertainment, fashion, or sports.
“It’s our responsibility to foster a culture that hungers for knowledge and innovation,” the Governor said.
Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering students in state-owned tertiary institutions through strategic investments and infrastructure development.
“We are committed to providing more significant financial investment towards expanding infrastructure within and around, ensuring the safety and welfare of the staff and students of the University,” he said.
The Governor also pointed to the THEMES+ agenda, noting that education is a key priority for his government. He highlighted programmes such as the Job Initiative Lagos, which is designed to enhance the employability of final-year students.
“These efforts demonstrate our commitment to improving the welfare of staff and students of this University, providing opportunities for educational advancement to indigenes and residents of our dear Lagos State,” he added.
Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, commended the state government for its continuous support, describing it as “truly exceptional.”
She disclosed that 43 out of the 44 courses offered by the university were accredited during the October–November 2023 accreditation exercise.
She also noted that the Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative and Transformative STEM Education had commenced new postgraduate programmes, which for the first time included international students.
In his address, the Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Gbolahan Elias (SAN), encouraged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the university.
“You are not only representing yourselves but also your families, your university, and your state,” he said, urging them to remain innovative and focused in their pursuit of success.
A total of 11,917 students graduated from LASU during the ceremony. This included 971 Diploma holders, 8,711 first-degree graduates, 2,235 Postgraduate students, 302 Postgraduate Diplomas, 1,132 Academic Masters, 639 Professional Masters, 125 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.) recipients, and 37 holders of Professional Doctoral Degrees.
