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Human rights activist and prominent Rivers State commentator, Ann-Kio Briggs, has criticised the ongoing actions of the Federal Government by appointing a sole administrator in Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, (retd.), accusing him of implementing a dangerous and unconstitutional agenda.

 

In an interview on Arise Television on Thursday, Briggs warned that the situation in Rivers State was becoming volatile due to the administrator’s continued defiance of court orders and his sweeping reconstitution of state and local government institutions.

 

“If we accept that Vice Admiral Ibas was called out of retirement and sent to Rivers State to keep the peace, then he is very far from doing that. In fact, what he’s doing is pouring petrol on a fire the president may have thought was simmering. He’s set it ablaze,” Briggs said.

 

Since President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers State has been operating without commissioners or an active executive cabinet.

 

However, rather than serving as a neutral caretaker, Ibas has taken bold steps by removing elected local government officials, appointing caretaker administrators, and even constituting a new electoral commission to oversee local polls.

 

According to Briggs, these actions violate both the spirit and letter of the law.

 

“He’s not from Rivers State. How does he know who to appoint? On what basis is he removing civil servants and replacing them? That’s unconstitutional,” she said.

 

Briggs further alleged that the sole administrator is acting with open political bias and is effectively advancing the interests of a powerful political figure.

“The people being removed are not Wike’s people. The people he is bringing in are Wike’s people. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure that out. He’s playing a dangerous script,” she stated.

 

She also called on President Tinubu to re-evaluate the basis of the federal government’s intervention in Rivers State.

 

“There was no insecurity in Rivers State. The president has been grossly misinformed—through no fault of his own—but clearly misinformed by those with personal, political, economic, and power interests in Rivers State.”

 

Briggs urged that respected national figures with proven neutrality—like Bishop Matthew Kukah and General Abdulsalami Abubakar —be considered for any peacebuilding roles in Rivers.

 

“We would have more confidence if neutral individuals like them were involved. Frankly, we don’t want Ibas in that role.”

 

As the crisis deepened, the activist warned of the rising anger among Rivers’s people and the possibility of civil unrest.

“There is serious concern. I say this as a daughter of Rivers State. This kind of situation can explode,” she said.

The Federal University Oye Ekiti has dismissed reports insinuating a student – Fejiro Sharon Oteri, who died on April 8 -was not attended to at the Health Centre because it was not operating at night as erroneous.

 

This as the institution sympathised with the parents and relations of the student.

 

The Chief Medical Director of FUOYE’s Directorate of Health Services, Dr Musibau Olawale, spoke in a statement dated April 10 made available in Ado Ekiti on Friday.

 

Olawale stated, “Oteri, a student of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, was rushed into the clinic by her colleagues, having reportedly collapsed during their academic activities. She was immediately attended to as an emergency by the doctor on duty, along with other health care workers, who made efforts to resuscitate her.

 

“The student was actually rushed in with nil respiratory movements/efforts, nil pulse, and nonreactive pupillary reflexes. However, adequate resuscitatory efforts were made, and upon significant progress, the patient was rushed in the university ambulance to one of the tertiary referral centers being used by the university.

 

“The patient was accompanied by medical personnel in the university ambulance around 11:40am. The Director of Health Services followed the matter, alongside some lecturers from the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, including the HOD, who were also witnesses to the medical efforts instituted.

 

“The loss was an unfortunate incident as we know the pains of losing a loved one, moreso, in her prime. We sincerely sympathize with the family and loved ones.”

The CMD, who dismissed reports insinuating the student was not attended to at the Health Centre because it was not operating at night as erroneous, stated, “The said incident did not in any way occur at night, as being alleged.

 

“The deceased student of Plant Science and Biotechnology was brought to the university health centre around 11:30am on April 8, 2025. The student was rushed into the clinic by her colleagues, having reportedly collapsed during their academic activities. Emergency medical services were promptly initiated, including the basic life support system by the doctor and other medical personnel on duty. The students who brought the deceased can attest to this.

 

“There was a history of convulsion secondary to the fall in the laboratory, where the deceased student collapsed. There were also the histories of second convulsion and incontinence of urine, while being carried to the school clinic. These histories were given by the students who brought her to the clinic.

 

“The allegation that there’s usually no medical staff on duty at night at the University Clinic is unfounded. The duty rosters of the doctors, nurses, and other health personnel are there for all who care to have a look at them. The records of students who attended during call duties/night shifts are there for all to see. The admission records are there, too. Our Sickle Cell Warriors and asthma patients, and other emergency cases can attest to this.

 

“It is important to also note that since the employment of doctors in the University Health Centre in 2013, there have been a doctor, a nurse, an ambulance driver, and other health workers on duty. Hence, the allegation of closing the Health Centre by 4pm is rather malicious and unfounded.

 

“Notably, the university clinic operates 24-hour services, including weekends, and is never closed even when students are not in session because of staff. Also, the centre is equipped with necessary equipment and there is 24/7 electricity from a solar inverter device and a dedicated diesel generator,” Olawale said.

The Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has signed six new laws aimed at fostering investment and security in the state.

 

The signing took place at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, where the governor was joined by key officials, including the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze, the Majority Leader, Ikenna Ofodeme, among others.

 

This was disclosed in a press statement by the governor’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, on Thursday.

 

Aburime said the newly enacted laws encompass a diverse range of areas that reflect the administration’s commitment to improving the lives of the citizens.

 

The statement read in part, “Governor Chukwuma Soludo has officially signed six new laws aimed at fostering investment, security in the state. The newly enacted laws encompass a diverse range of areas that reflect the administration’s commitment to improving the lives of the citizens.

“Notable among them are the Anambra State Development and Investment Corporation Law, 2025, and the Anambra State Electricity Law, 2025, which are anticipated to bolster the state’s economic landscape and energy infrastructure.

 

“In addition, the governor approved the Anambra State Homeland Security (Amendment) Law, 2025, aimed at enhancing safety protocols, as well as the Anambra State Herbal Practice Law and the Anambra State Indigenous Traditional Medicine Practices Law, both set for 2024 and 2025 respectively, which seek to integrate traditional healthcare practices into the state’s medical framework.

 

“Lastly, the Anambra State Mission Schools of Nursing and Midwifery (Amendment No. 2) Law, 2025, intends to improve nursing and midwifery education standards within the state.

 

“During the signing, Governor Soludo praised the collaborative efforts between the executive and the State House of Assembly, emphasising the positive impact these laws will have on the community.

 

“He expressed hope for continued partnership in future legislative endeavors that support the growth and well-being of the Anambra people. As these new laws take effect, they represent a step forward in Governor Soludo’s vision for a prosperous and secure Anambra State.”

Popular Nigerian rapper, Tochukwu Ojogwu, also known as Odumodu Black, has said his hit song, Declan Rice, experienced a 200% increase in streams as a result of the performance of Arsenal’s midfielder, Declan Rice, in the UEFA Champions League.

 

The musician made this known via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday night.

 

He wrote, “Yesterday, Declan Rice went 200% o’ streams. Make una go use footballer name sing o.”

 

PUNCH Online reports that Rice, the English midfielder, who the song was named after, delivered an incredible performance in a game between Arsenal and Real Madrid on Tuesday, and he was awarded as the ‘Man of the Match’.

As a result of this, the song has experienced a major stream increase.

 

The hit song by Odumodu-Declan Rice was released in 2023 and has been a success, earning awards like Rap Song of the Year at the Headies.

 

The rapper has been on an all-time high since then as the song was also used to unveil the footballer after signing a club deal with Arsenal. The Nigerian musician was also awarded the Leadership Artist of the Year Prize for 2024 not long after releasing a 16-track album.

 

Odumodu has also received 8 nominations for different categories for the 17th Headies award.

 

A South Sudanese woman, Josephine Abyei, has congratulated her husband, Mayen Koor, for marrying a second wife.

 

In a Facebook post on April 7, Josephine expressed her support for her husband’s decision to bring another wife, Arual Cyer Mayardit, into the family.

“Congratulations my husband for bringing us our second wife,” she wrote.

 

Her post has since gathered applauds from many on social media.

 

“You are a real wife material, congratulations guys,’ Joseph Bith commented.

 

Kamilo Kuch wrote, “Congratulations to both of you. Keep it up for supporting and standing behind your husband.”

“Congratulations to Mayen and Arual. Having such a good hearted first wife is a blessing,” Deng Peter commented.

Edo Baba wrote on Facebook, “A good woman who understands that marriageable men are scarce, so she allowed her husband to help depopulate the street.

 

“Polygamy will help to rid the streets of women. Josephine Abyei is a good woman unlike queen of the streets who doesn’t want to be numbered.”

Joan Masika wrote, “Josephine Abyei is a good woman she will go to heaven. She congratulated her husband for marrying a second wife. She’s happy, no drama, no nothing.”

 

Agoth Alisto, however, doubted Josephine’s sincerity saying, “This is not enough The words are too short maybe there’s hidden secrets. She has just congratulated him but inside her maybe she’s not happy.”

 

Chan Baak Deng also wrote, “This woman is not congratulating her husband wholeheartedly and deep down, there is a hidden agenda.”

PUNCH Online reported on Wednesday that a Nigerian woman, Buithat Lawal, took to social media to announce that she is looking for another wife for her husband.

 

She clarified that she does not want a co-wife who will be jealous or cause problems, but someone kind, loving, wise, and with good character.

 

Former United States First Lady, Michelle Obama, has denied rumours that she and former President Barack Obama are headed for divorce.

 

Michelle dispelled the rumours during a chat with Hollywood actress, Sophia Bush, for an episode of her podcast, Work in Progress, which was released on Tuesday.

 

She explained that her decision to skip President Jimmy Carter’s funeral and President Donald Trump’s inauguration were simply decisions she made for herself.

 

Her absence at both high-profile political events sparked divorce rumours, with Obama admitting last week that he was in a ‘deep deficit’ with his wife.

 

“That’s the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with: disappointing people. I mean, so much so that this year people were, you know, they couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing.

 

“That this couldn’t be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right?’ she continued.

 

Obama added: ‘That’s what society does to us.’

 

‘We start actually, finally going, “What am I doing? Who am I doing this for?” And if it doesn’t fit into the sort of stereotype of what people think we should do, then it gets labeled as something negative and horrible.’

The former first lady turned 61 on January 17 and spoke candidly to Bush about questions she’s asking about how she wants to spend the twilight of her life.

 

‘So you know, now is the time for me to start asking myself these hard questions of who do I truly want to be every day,’ she said.

 

Michelle said that looks ‘like whatever I want it to look like.’

 

“And I still find time to, you know, give speeches, to be out there in the world, to work on projects. I still care about girls’ education.

 

“We, you know, the library is opening a year from now.”

 

The former first lady acknowledged that there are ‘certain things I am and am not doing’ with President Obama’s presidential library, which is being constructed on Chicago’s South Side.

“But the interesting thing is that when I say no, for the most part, people are like, I get it, and I’m OK, right?” she added.

Jennifer Awele, the wife of late Nollywood actor Junior Pope, has shared an emotional tribute to mark one year since his tragic death.

 

Awele shared the tribute on her Instagram handle on Thursday.

 

In her touching post, Awele described the last 12 months as extremely difficult, saying, every day has been filled with thoughts of her late husband.

 

She wrote, “It’s been one year of standing in the face of our unimaginable loss, and not a day has gone by without a thought of you. Your love still surrounds us, your laughter echoes in our hearts, and your presence is felt in the quiet moments when we miss you most.”

She said staying strong has not been easy, especially with everything around them feeling like it’s falling apart.

 

“You have no idea how tough it’s been, trying to stay strong for each other even as the world around us seems fallen apart. The grief remains heavy, the absence left a void that words can never fill, but through it all, we look up for strength from heaven as a guiding light,” she added.

 

Awele added that the pain has taught them to live one day at a time, saying, “Oh death, you have taught us to live each day as it comes, one step at a time bearing such extreme pain that can never go away.”

 

She also shared the heartbreaking questions their children have been asking her.

 

“I still don’t have the right words to respond to Jason and Jaden wanting to know if Daddy will fulfil his promise of taking them to a proper football academy and be present at their first official match. They said, ‘Daddy told them he wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world’. Then the littlest one (J papa as fondly called by daddy), Jamon, keeps asking when daddy is bringing the big toy car he promised him.”

She expressed her gratitude to everyone who supported them during their time of sorrow.

 

She stated, “We appreciate everyone who sympathized with us and stood and still stand by us through our time of grief. Words cannot express our heartfelt gratitude for your love and support towards us.”

 

Jennifer ended her tribute with a deep message to her late husband, saying he is missed by many and that his legacy will never be forgotten.

 

“To our beloved, you did not only leave us, your family but so many who loved you and loved your works.

It is so difficult and unbelievable to say these words, but still, continue to rest in the bosom of the Almighty. You will always be in our hearts and our thoughts, and your memories and legacy will live on forever.

 

“Though you’re no longer by our side, you live on in every memory, every smile and every tear. We shall carry you with us always until we meet again. We cannot question God, right? May Your Soul Rest In Perfect Peace, My Love,” Awele noted.

Junior Pope lost his life, along with others, on April 10 while returning from a movie shoot produced by Adanma Luke.

 

They drowned in the Anam River in Anambra State.

 

The incident sparked public outrage, especially towards the producer, who was accused of not putting safety measures in place.

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has made his return to Calabar following a three-week annual leave, saying that he is back with “renewed vigour and a double dose of energy” aimed at accelerating the state’s transformation.

 

Addressing supporters and government officials at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar on Thursday, the Governor reiterated his dedication to fulfilling his administration’s development agenda, noting that his short break has refreshed him for enhanced service.

 

He said, “We have a manifesto to fulfil, and I believe that by the second year, we can already claim some of those promises are becoming reality. I missed all of you dearly, and I return stronger and clearer in my objectives.”

 

Otu emphasised that the solid groundwork laid by his administration is starting to pay off. “We have sown the seeds; now we must nurture them for a harvest,” he remarked.

He also highlighted the arrival of significant federal initiatives in the state, including the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone project and the long-awaited commencement of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. He characterized these as historic advancements that will fully integrate Cross River into Nigeria’s economic framework.

 

“The President of the African Development Bank and Nigeria’s Vice President are set to visit the state for the groundbreaking of a new Export Processing Economic Zone—a transformative initiative that will reshape Cross River’s economy and create new opportunities for jobs and investment.”

 

“There will be open opportunities for everyone to engage in this economic revival. The sky is the limit for Cross River,” Otu remarked.

Controversial media personality, Kemi Olunloyo, has renounced her family name and distanced herself from the family of her late father, former Oyo State Governor, Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo.

 

The former governor, a renowned Mathematician and politician, died on Sunday, April 6, at the age of 89.

 

In a series of posts and videos shared on her Facebook and TikTok pages, Olunloyo declared that she no longer considers herself part of the Olunloyo family and would not be accepting condolences over her father’s death.

 

“I am uploading video statements on my father’s death on TikTok. I am not part of the Olunloyo family anymore and told you that in 2024 that I will never return to Nigeria even if my parents died,” she said.

 

She added, “I am not accepting anybody’s condolences because I am not condoling with anybody.”

 

While she said she had forgiven her father, she described him as “two different people,” alleging that he presented a different image to the public than he did at home.

 

“You don’t know what’s going on in my family, and I don’t know what’s going on in your family.

 

“My father, Victor Omololu Olunloyo, is two different people. He was one person to the world; he was another person to the family. “My father destroyed our family unit; my father tortured us as kids. He tortured us emotionally and physically. My father ruined the family unit.

“My father marketed me as his favourite daughter and child to the world; he also marketed himself to me as that. But I was far from being his favourite. My father used me for a lot of things. My father did a lot to all of us. When I said he used me, he took advantage of my own positive energies.”

 

Olunloyo also alleged that the former governor was involved in occult practices until later in life when he became born again.

 

She added, “My father was into ‘juju’ heavily. My father was into occult practices and I called my father out on his 80th birthday. After I called him out, he went to Pastor E.A. Adeboye that he wanted to become born-again, and he did.”

 

According to her, a major source of conflict within the family stemmed from her father’s relationship with Aderonke Omololu Olunloyo, formerly known as Ronke Sonaike, whom he met during his 1983 governorship campaign and later married.

 

She claimed the union triggered a rift in the family, especially after Ronke became pregnant, a development she said devastated her mother.

 

“My mother married an intellectual, a man who got his Ph.D at 26 years old. And he turned into a polygamist. Not that polygamists are not good, but the way it happened to my family,” she said.

Neither the family nor representatives of the late governor have publicly responded to her claims as of the time of filing this report.

 

 

The Senior Pastor, Fountain of Life Church, Jimmy Odukoya, has shared the spiritual instruction behind his decision to keep his dreadlocks—a choice that sparked mixed reactions within and outside the church.

 

In a recent sermon, he shared on Facebook on Wednesday, the cleric revealed that his dreadlocks were not a fashion statement, and he would have cut it if God told him to.

 

“Before I came back, one of the things I asked the Lord was whether or not I should cut my hair. And the Lord told me not to cut my hair. I said, Lord, you sure? He said don’t cut it. I said alright. I don’t know what you’re trying to do but I’m crazy enough to follow you, lets do it together,” Jimmy said.

 

He added that even his sister, Associate Senior Pastor Tolu Odukoya-Ijogun, had expressed concern saying “This your hair… To clean a fish, you must first catch it.” In other words, if you’re going to reach people and bring about change, you must first be relatable and accepted.”

 

While Jimmy acknowledged her concern, he stood firm in what he had heard from God as he responded, “Sis, I hear you, but go and pray. God will speak to you.”

 

He said she later returned with clarity saying that she had a vision. “She saw me preaching with my hair and came back to say, ‘You’re not supposed to cut it.’ And I said, ‘I know. He already told me.’”

 

Jimmy further revealed how what followed next was a divine confirmation that stunned him.

 

He recalled, “A couple of weeks ago, on a Sunday, a lady from Zimbabwe came to see me and she flew in from Zimbabwe because she wanted to come to church. I said please bring the lady in and she begins to tell me her story.

 

“She says, ‘People think I’m crazy. I told everybody I am coming to Nigeria for the next three to four weeks. I’m just coming to church.’”

 

He continued, “She says, ‘It was 2016, I was in New York, it was thanksgiving and I had a vision, it felt so real. In this vision, I see you with your hair and you’re speaking to me and I have been dealing with some things in my life.

 

“There was this dog on my shoulder. I knew the dog represented the weight I was carrying and you had this long sword. You began speaking to me and it looked like thunder and lightning was coming out of the sword and it burnt the dog into ashes. And you began to declare over me and gave certain instructions. The vision was so real that I told everybody in my family.”

 

Though at the time she had never heard of Pastor Jimmy Odukoya. It wasn’t until 2025, while in the midst of depression following a painful divorce and the loss of her mother, that she stumbled upon one of his sermons on YouTube, the cleric revealed.

 

He continued, “She said, ‘Fast forward 2025, after that vision I went through a tough break-up, I lost everything in a divorce. My ex took the house. Everything I worked for… It was a tough time. To compound issues, my mom got sick and I watched her die in my arms. I was flown into depression, I wanted to end it all.

“All I knew was that I had to find God, like I need God to find me. I turn on YouTube to hear sermons, And all of a sudden your preaching pops up and you’re preaching Mercy Me.

person I saw, I did not know it was a real person. So when I saw the man from the vision with a long hair preaching I screamed, ‘This is the man I saw. I didn’t know any pastor would have long hair. It’s him!”

 

The cleric noted that at the time she had the vision, he didn’t have dreadlocks and cutting it against God’s instruction would have hindered him from saving a life.

 

“Here’s what’s crazy, in 2016, I didn’t have dreads. At the time she had the vision, I didn’t have my hair,” the pastor said.

 

“The God who sees, hears and knows, knew at some point in February 2025, one of His children will have to see a man preaching. Guess what? If He did not ask me to keep my hair, I would have cut it.

 

“And when I popped up on the screen, she would have seen me with no hair and it would have meant nothing. God was making me keep my hair to save a life.”

 

Recall that in 2023, Jimmy, who succeeded his father late Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, said he has a spiritual backing to his mode of dressing.

 

Watch video below

 

𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: ‘𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐞 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐌𝐲 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞,’ 𝐉𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐎𝐝𝐮𝐤𝐨𝐲𝐚 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐙𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐧

 

“Before I came back, one of the things I asked the Lord was whether or not I should cut my… pic.twitter.com/TLg1XNjZ7W

 

— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) April 10, 2025