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Category: Interview

  • How I got arrested for saying ‘drugs’ instead of ‘medications’ – UK-based Nigerian lady

    How I got arrested for saying ‘drugs’ instead of ‘medications’ – UK-based Nigerian lady

    A Nigerian lady living in the United Kingdom (UK), identified as @shakels95, has shared her shocking experience of being arrested due to a simple misunderstanding of Nigerian jargon.

    According to her, she had gone to a pharmacy to purchase medications for her husband when an innocent remark during a phone conversation led to her unexpected arrest.

    While speaking to her husband on the phone, she casually used the word “drugs” instead of “medications,” unaware that people around her at the pharmacy misinterpreted it.

    Moments later, the police arrived and took her into custody.

    Recalling the incident in a TikTok video, she said, “I got arrested yesterday, last night, and got detained. Now, I am going home. Story time. So, yesterday, I went to the pharmacy to get some drugs for my husband.

    “Then, when I got it finish, I was on call to say, ‘Ah, I got the drugs, I got two drugs for you. So, when I get home, when you use it, you are going to be strong.’

    “Ok. Not knowing people closer to me were like, ‘drugs, drugs, drugs,’ but I wasn’t bothered ’cause I felt I didn’t do anything wrong. Before I knew it, the police came. When they came, they were like, ‘we heard there is drugs.’

    “And I said what drugs? This (displaying the medications she got) was literally what I was referring to as drugs, Ibuprofen, for my husband because he wasn’t feeling well…”

    Despite her attempts to explain the situation, the police refused to take her word for it.

    She revealed that they detained her at the station and even searched her home in a bid to verify their claims.

    “They took me to the police station. They detained me. They asked me questions…” she added.

  • Cash for Legislative Approval, by Dakuku Peterside

    Cash for Legislative Approval, by Dakuku Peterside

    Democracy thrives on transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. The legislature, as the guardian of democratic governance, plays a crucial role in lawmaking, budget approval, and oversight. These functions ensure that government policies align with the public interest, resources are allocated equitably, and the executive remains accountable.

    However, legislative corruption, particularly the exchange of money for legislation, undermines democracy, distorts policymaking, and erodes public trust in governance. Corruption in the legislature is a reduction of the sanctity of the legislature itself and a reduction of its credibility.

    At a recent Investors roundtable convened by the office of the Vice President, concerns were raised about the National Assembly’s obstructive stance towards business. Similarly, at a civil society gathering, participants alleged that the 10th National Assembly trades freely in legislation and legislative approval. Recent allegations, such as the 2025 Budget Scandal—where the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND allegedly demanded N8 million from each university vice chancellor for budget approval—highlight the systemic nature of bribery. With 60 federal universities involved, this equates to N480 million diverted from education to corruption. University administrators, already struggling with limited budgets, are left with no choice but to comply, exacerbating the crisis in the education sector.

    The issue extends beyond education. Foreign investors report that legislative hostility and demands for illicit payments deter business. A 2023 World Bank report ranked Nigeria 131st out of 190 in ease of doing business, citing bureaucratic corruption as a significant obstacle. These corrupt practices not only discourage foreign investment but also stifle economic growth, underscoring the urgent need for economic reforms. Civil society organisations have played a crucial role in exposing and challenging the 10th National Assembly’s corrupt practices.

    They have accused the Assembly of openly demanding cash or contracts before approving government projects and bills. This normalisation of corruption signals a dangerous shift in governance, where financial incentives dictate policy decisions rather than national interests. Corruption in Nigeria’s legislature has deep historical roots. During the Second Republic (1979–1983), legislators were accused of accepting bribes to influence national policies. Research conducted in 1996 by Dr Okonkwo Cletus Ugwu has this to say about

    the 1979-83 set of legislators: “The executive used other patronages like allocation of plots and distributorship to lure some of the Legislators into dancing to its tune.” This historical context of corruption in the legislature underscores the need for long-term solutions to this pervasive issue.

    Corruption in the legislative arm of government in Nigeria was not entirely the result of the legislators’ actions. In 1980, at the inception of the second republic, chief executives or heads of the executive arm of government at the federal and state levels introduced what was called “Assembly liaison officers”. Their main job was to lobby legislators, but it was in a negative sense here. Constituency projects entered the lexicon and were liberally abused without consequence.

    Transparency in the conduct of legislative business got blurred, and the culture of cash exchange for legislative support got entrenched. The return to democracy in 1999 saw a resurgence of corruption, with lawmakers demanding kickbacks for approving budgets and bills. The infamous “Ghana-Must-Go” scandal in 2000, where lawmakers received cash-stuffed bags to pass bills, exemplifies this era. The scandal exposed how much money influenced legislative decisions, setting a persistent precedent. About four Senate residents were removed between 1999 and 2007, all linked to issues of alleged corruption.

    Between 2007 and 2015, bribery became more institutionalised. Legislators exploited constituency projects for personal gain, diverting public funds intended for grassroots development. For instance, a 2013 audit revealed that over 60 per cent of allocated constituency project funds in Nigeria were either unaccounted for or misappropriated. Lawmakers would allocate funds for non-existent projects, facilitate the award of contracts to their associates, or inflate project costs to siphon money for personal use. Between 2015 and 2023, the Nigerian National Assembly was implicated in several corruption scandals, highlighting challenges in governance and accountability. Notable instances include allegations that in 2016, some members of the House of Representatives had inflated the national budget by inserting unauthorised projects, a practice known as budget padding.

    The present-day National Assembly is increasingly perceived as a bastion of corruption, where financial inducements determine legislative actions rather than public welfare. The growing perception that

    lawmakers prioritise their financial interests over governance responsibilities further alienates citizens from the democratic process. Public perception of the National Assembly as the “house of corruption” has far-reaching implications. Legislators are elected to represent the will of their constituents and, therefore, the nation. Taking cash for legislation or even oversight is a corrupt thwart of popular will and public interest. A legislature degrades itself to the level of a bazaar floor where the highest bidder gets any legislation passed, including appropriation.

    The perception, rightly or wrongly, that whatever the executive wants passed, they must pay in advance does irreparable damage to the reputation of the symbol of the Nigerian people. Worse still, inviting corporate entities by the National Assembly committees to be harassed to cough out cash is a significant disincentive for investment. Although with scanty evidence, this “cash-for-legislative approval” phenomenon is now popularly referred to as the “midnight economy.” The practice of cash-for-legislative approval threatens the foundation of democracy. Its legitimacy is severely compromised when the legislature operates as a marketplace where financial transactions dictate legislative decisions. The perception that legislative approvals are contingent on bribery damages the National Assembly’s reputation and discourages foreign investment.

    Restoring accountability and transparency is imperative. Strengthening anti-corruption institutions, fostering media and civil society participation, and ensuring businesses operate free from legislative coercion are critical steps toward reform. The public must recognise that democracy is not self-sustaining; it requires active participation and vigilance to hold leaders accountable. Ultimately, the Nigerian people must demand change, as the survival of democracy depends on it.

  • Abia NUP leaders dishonest — Otti

    Abia NUP leaders dishonest — Otti

    UMUAHIA—Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has accused the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, of dishonesty in the arrears of pensions owed them by previous administrations in the state.

    Otti had accused the NUP of reneging on the agreement they allegedly signed to forfeit the arrears of pensions owed by past administrations.

    However, Chairman of the NUP in Abia State,  Chukwuemeka Irondi, who admitted that the Otti administration has been update in paying monthly pensions, denied that they signed an agreement with the state government to forfeit their arrears of salaries.

    He alleged that the state government invited them to a late-night meeting where an agreement was imposed on them.

    The Governor had, while speaking at the weekend, described the leaders of the pensioners as dishonest people and vowed not to call them to any negotiation again.

    He said,” Did you see that they signed the Memorandum of Agreement. I saw a newspaper report where they said they didn’t sign. So, you can see that we are dealing with dishonest set of leaders. The pensioners are honest people, their leaders are dishonest. And we don’t reward dishonesty.

    “If you made a mistake, don’t say I didn’t sign, don’t say I was deceived to sign. You went to school, you served through. Somebody was owning them. I never owed them. They kept quiet all these whiles, some for 10 years. And somebody came out to say, I want to clear this backlog and they were excited. I have told this story several times.

    “So, once you start from a dishonest point of view, I cannot deal with you. If you like, twist the question 100 times, I will not deal with you. I will not deal with them because they are very dishonest people.”

    The pensioners are happy because they were paid.

    “These people signed; they had walked away from everything. But I said no, it is not fair out of my own magnanimity.   But  I am not going to be discouraged because few people are dishonest.”

    ‘I have investigated it and found that the PDP is behind it, their lawyer is a PDP lawyer. If they are not stupid, why would they hire somebody who owed for 10 years to come and be disparaging somebody who offered to pay. Genuine pensioners are happy everywhere but contractors who feel they can make money are in it. I will not pay, will not deal with them. I have finished with them. Since they have an option, why can’t they go to court? The question to ask them is; why didn’t they go to court in the last 10 years? So, i think we have sufficiently dealt with the matter. I will not deal with it again. If somebody is not happy that he is being paid 100% pensions monthly, he should return the ones that he has been paid and continue wearing black.

    “Let’s move on. Two days ago, I read a report in the newspaper where they said they never signed anything. I said yes, we are getting there. Before now, they said they were deceived. Genuine pensioners have disowned them. They want me to call them to a negotiation but i will never call them. They should return all they have collected and declare a dispute. Then,we deal with the dispute, you don’t collect money and turn back to say you don’t agree. It is dishonesty and I don’t deal with dishonest people.”

    Reacting to the Governor’s statement describing the leaders of the pensioners as dishonest, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abia State Chapter, condemned it as not only reckless and insensitive, but also deeply disrespectful to senior citizens who have dedicated their productive years to serving the state and are now being deprived of their legitimate entitlements.

    The party urged the Governor to apologize to the pensioners and fullfil his campaign promise of paying the arrears owed by the pensioners.

    The PDP said,” We find it necessary to ask a fundamental question: Who is truly dishonest? Is it the pensioners, who are simply demanding what is rightfully theirs, or a Governor who claimed to have cleared

    all outstanding pensions, a narrative aggressively pushed by his government and its agents? If indeed all pension arrears have been settled, as the Governor once boasted, why are pensioners still crying out for their payments?

    “It is on record that during his election campaign, Governor Alex Otti solemnly promised to clear all outstanding pension arrears once elected. However, rather than fulfilling that promise, he has resorted to blackmailing and maligning the same pensioners who voted for him, subjecting them to a fraudulent demand to forgo or surrender their entitlements to the government.

    “If this is not a blatant act of executive dishonesty, then what is?”

  • Many African men abroad exploited by their wives – US-based Nigerian

    Many African men abroad exploited by their wives – US-based Nigerian

    A United States-based Nigerian IT expert, Clayton Udo has raised concerns over the struggles African men face in marriages abroad, particularly in the U.S.

    According to Udo, many African men have been financially drained and left in dire conditions by their wives, leading some to flee or even lose their lives due to emotional and financial distress.

    Addressing the issue, Udo stated, “A lot of people don’t understand what is going on in the story, or what is going on in this country when it comes to African men. I can tell you that a lot of men have either had to run to Mexico or Canada to escape back to the country. Men have stayed in this country and have been rendered useless; 200k, 300k, money put on their heads by African women. The African women come out on TikTok, Facebook with pictures of them and only the children smiling, with the house they took from the man and everything.”

    He further lamented that many African men have suffered similar fates, stating that hundreds have died over the past decade due to these circumstances.

    Sharing his own experience, he explained, “When I had my own divorce, you know when you are in IT, you have what is called a recruiter. My ex-wife went to each recruiter reporting me to each and every one of these recruiters, then turned around and went on to these recruiters saying she has finished her own course in IT. By the time I picked up the phone to call the recruiter, they refused to work with me, or they tell me they have now signed her up. And since there is a divorce, there is a clash of interest.”

    Udo also accused some women of fabricating abuse claims to gain an advantage in legal disputes, emphasising that many African men have lost everything, including their homes and children, due to such tactics.

    “What they do is lie, and that there have been verbal and physical abuse. A lot of them want to become you or be greater than you. Be careful who you are walking around with. They like you for now, that you are driving a car, and you have money, but once you bring them into the house, they want to take everything you have; they want to take and become you.”

    He warned African men to be cautious in their marital choices, alleging that many women marry men only as a means to escape poverty and later strip them of their possessions.

    “In her mind, she wants to climb up to get out of the poverty she has where she is coming from, she is going to take everything away from you, from your house to your children. The number of men in the U.S. African community that the women have turned their children against, secretly or openly, they are going to take your

    house from you, they are going to take everything from you. Most men have been reduced to nothing, even though they won’t come out to say it. They are submissive.”

  • Abia pensioners’ leaders are dishonest  —  Otti

    Abia pensioners’ leaders are dishonest  —  Otti

    Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti has accused the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, of dishonesty regarding the pension arrears owed to them by previous administrations in the state.

    Otti had accused the NUP in the state of reneging on the agreement they allegedly signed to forfeit the pension arrears owed to them by past administrations.

    However, Elder Chukwuemeka Irondi, Chairman of the NUP in Abia State, admitted that the Otti administration has been updated in paying monthly pensions but denied that they signed an agreement with the state government to forfeit their salary arrears.

    He alleged that the state government invited them to a late-night meeting, during which an agreement was imposed on them.

    The Governor,while speaking at the weekend, described the pensioners’ leaders as dishonest and vowed never to call them to any negotiation again.

    He said,” Did you see that they signed the Memorandum of Agreement? I saw a newspaper report where they said they didn’t sign. So, you can see that we are dealing with a dishonest set of leaders. The pensioners are honest people; their leaders are dishonest. And we don’t reward dishonesty.

    “If you made a mistake, don’t say I didn’t sign; don’t say I was deceived to sign. You went to school; you served through. Somebody owed them. I never owed them. They kept quiet all these years, some for 10 years. And somebody came out to say, “I want to clear this backlog,” and they were excited. I have told this story several times.

    “So, once you start from a dishonest point of view, I cannot deal with you. If you like, twist the question 100 times, and I will not deal with you. I will not deal with them because they are very dishonest people. The pensioners are happy because they were paid.

    “These people signed; they had walked away from everything. But I said no, it is not fair, out of my own magnanimity. I’m not going to be discouraged because a few people are dishonest.

    ‘I have investigated it and found that PDP is behind it; their lawyer is a PDP lawyer. If they are not stupid, why would they hire somebody who owed for 10 years and disparage somebody who offered to pay? Genuine pensioners are happy everywhere, but contractors who feel they can make money are in it

    “I will not pay, will not deal with them. I have finished with them. Since they have an option, why can’t they go to court? The question to ask them is, why didn’t they go to court in the last 10 years? So, I think we have sufficiently dealt with the matter. I will not deal with it again. If somebody is unhappy that he is being paid 100% of his pension monthly, he should return the ones he has been paid and continue wearing black.

    “Let’s move on. Two days ago, I read a report in Vanguard newspaper where they said they never signed anything. I said yes, we are getting there. Before now, they said they were deceived. Genuine pensioners have disowned them. They want me to call them to a negotiation, but I will never call them. They should return all they have collected and declare a dispute. Then, we deal with the dispute; you don’t collect money and turn back to say you disagree. It is dishonesty, and I don’t deal with dishonest people.”

    Otti’s statement on pensioners insensitive, reckless — PDP

    Reacting to the Governor’s statement describing the pensioners’ leaders as dishonest, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abia state chapter, condemned it as not only reckless and insensitive but also deprofoundlyisrespectful to senior citizens who have dedicated their productive years to serving the state and are now being deprived of their legitimate entitlements.

    The party urged the Governor to apologize to the pensioners and fulfil his campaign promise to pay the arrears owed to them.

    The PDP said, ”We find it necessary to ask a fundamental question: Who is truly dishonest? Is it the pensioners who are simply demanding what is rightfully theirs, or a Governor who claimed to have cleared all outstanding pensions, a narrative aggressively pushed by his government and its agents? As the Governor

    once boasted, If all pension arrears have been settled, why are pensioners still crying out for their payments?

    “It is on record that during his election campaign, Governor Alex Otti solemnly promised to clear all outstanding pension arrears once elected. However, rather than fulfilling that promise, he has resorted to blackmailing and maligning the same pensioners who voted for him, subjecting them to a fraudulent demand to forgo or surrender their entitlements to the government.

    “If this is not a blatant act of executive dishonesty, then what is?”

  • Pressure of fame, contribute to crash of celebrity marriages – Chinwendu Unachukwu

    Pressure of fame, contribute to crash of celebrity marriages – Chinwendu Unachukwu

    A budding actress and model, Chinwendu Unachukwu has stated that pressure of fame and other factors contribute to breakdown of celebrity marriages.

    In an interview with Potpourri she said: “In my opinion, the pressures of fame and public scrutiny can be significant factors that contribute to the breakdown of celebrity marriages. Constant media attention, balancing personal and professional lives, and the demands of a career in the public eye can place immense strain on relationships. Communication, trust, and mutual understanding are key to any successful relationship, and when these are compromised—especially in a highly publicized environment—marriages can face significant challenges. Additionally, the inability to maintain a sense of normalcy or privacy can erode the foundation of a relationship, making it difficult to navigate challenges in a healthy and supportive way”.

    Asked how acting journey began, she stated: “I am an international brand model, runway model, and actress from Anambra State, Nigeria. I come from a family of two siblings—myself and my brother. My journey into modeling began in 2014 when I ventured into runway modeling and participated in the Nigerian Next Super Model competition by Isis Models, where I emerged as one of the top 10 finalists. This achievement led to a year-long contract with Isis Models Management, which served as the foundation for my modeling career. Since then, I have had the privilege of working on numerous prestigious runway shows and fashion exhibitions, including GTCO Fashion Weekend, African Fashion Week, Music Meet Runway, and Lagos Fashion and Design Week, to name a few.In 2024, I transitioned into acting, and it was the famous Nollywood actor Eddie Watson who discovered my potential in this field. He gave me a lead role on my first trial, which was an incredible boost to my career”.

  • What Princess Diana Award means to me — Abdullah Adeniji-Bello, LASUCOM student

    What Princess Diana Award means to me — Abdullah Adeniji-Bello, LASUCOM student

    Mr Abdullah Adeniji-Bello is a fifth-year student at the Lagos State University College of Medicine. (LASUCOM), studying Medicine and Surgery. Last December, he was honoured with the prestigious 2024 Diana Award, a global recognition established in memory of the late Princess Diana of Wales.

    The Diana Award recognizes young people making a difference in their communities and celebrates young change-makers who are committed to making a positive impact. In this interview, 22-year-old Abdullah speaks about how he was named a recipient of the award and what the award means to him.

    He also shares his aspirations to make a significant impact on the global health landscape and his ultimate goal to be at the forefront of medical advancements.

    Excerpts:

    How we won the Diana Awards

    The 2024 Diana Award was given to me and my friend and Co-founder of One Health Lifesavers, Ibrahim Idris, following our outstanding work with our initiative. This was done after a rigorous nomination and selection process that saw us among the 200 recipients from 45 countries around the world. Our innovation in establishing One Health Lifesavers reflects Princess Diana’s belief that young people have the power to change the world which we have brought to life through our efforts to promote blood donation and improve access to healthcare in under-served areas across Nigeria.

    Inspiration behind One Health Lifesavers

    Before we conceived the idea of One Health Lifesavers, Ibrahim and I were volunteers for some organisations where we helped with activities like medical outreaches, awareness programmes and the like. We founded One Health Lifesavers after my co-founder lost a relative due to the blood shortage crisis in Nigeria. This tragedy also coincided with some of the past experiences I have also had with the blood shortage crisis at that time. This led to the beginning of One Health Lifesavers.

    About One Health Lifesavers

    One Health Lifesavers, Founded in March 2023, is focused on tackling the blood shortage crisis in Nigeria primarily by Organising blood donation drives and raising awareness about the importance of voluntary blood donation among Nigerian youths. Through the One Health Lifesavers Platform and a blend of advocacy, education and action, we create awareness about the importance of blood donation. We leverage social media campaigns, educational programs, and grassroots mobilization to change perceptions and encourage voluntary blood donation across diverse communities.

    Recognizing that awareness alone is not enough, we also organize medical outreaches that provide under-served communities with access to primary healthcare services thereby reducing the spread of some diseases that may require blood transfusion in the course of their treatment. Since its inception, we have helped raise over 600 pints of blood, potentially saving up to 1,800 lives. By raising awareness and providing access to essential health care, we hope to bridge the gap and create lasting change. Our vision is to build a healthier Nigeria where the critical need for blood does not cost lives.

    What the award means to me personally

    The Diana Award is a global award and it is the highest accolade that a young individual can receive for his social actions and humanitarian efforts. Being a recipient of the award therefore is of great significance to me as it reaffirms my unwavering commitment to making a positive impact around the world. This award will continue to inspire me to keep pushing for positive change, especially in tackling the blood shortage crisis in Nigeria. The Diana Awards does not include monetary benefits, but there are other privileges like global networking opportunities, leadership training sessions, and development programmes.

    How my school received the news

    There was a lot of excitement all over the campus when the award was announced as my friends, classmates, and colleagues were all congratulating me. The news was also well received by the College which congratulated us for the inspiring milestone. The College, through its Information Unit, said, “This recognition places LASUCOM at the forefront of fostering socially conscious medical leaders who are skilled in their field and passionate about driving meaningful change in society. The entire College community celebrates this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to supporting the continued impact of One Health Lifesavers. Congratulations to these trailblazing students for their remarkable contribution to society”. The award was all over social media and this added to the excitement.

    Why I chose to study medicine

    My determination to study medicine stemmed from the desire to help others. Medicine is a field where you are given the ability to help people, alleviate pain, and improve and save lives with the knowledge you acquire. The journey requires a lot of critical thinking, discipline and a commitment to serving

    humanity. The challenging nature of the journey keeps me on my feet and motivates me to continue along this path.

    My future goals

    I want to be a renowned and highly respected medical doctor, recognised not only for my expertise but also for my contributions to public health. My aspirations include making a significant impact on the global health landscape, particularly by addressing pressing health issues that affect populations. My ultimate goal is to be at the forefront of medical advancements, especially with technology, and public health initiatives, making sure I make a lasting impact on society.

  • My most hurtful experience – Stan Nze

    My most hurtful experience – Stan Nze

    Award-winning actor, Stan Nze has opened up in a recent interview on how a simple media interview turned out to be a very hurtful experience In his life.

    Recounting the experience, he said: “I granted an interview sometime after I got married, and the interview was supposed to focus on my work. However, I realized they were not even talking about the movie; instead, it was more about my personal life. They were trying to dig for a headline. I was on set, and they were shooting upstairs. When they stopped shooting, we would start the interview.

    During the break, the cameraman mentioned a question he had been meaning to ask: “Your marriage is recent, and people are saying you married an older woman.” For my response, I reiterated many things I had seen on blogs. The next thing I knew, I was trending with the headline: Why I Married My 43-Year-Old Woman. I was shocked and wondered, “How did we get here?” From there, other blogs just picked it up and ran with it”

  • Corruption, insecurity, regulatory uncertainty hinder Nigeria’s ability to attract DFI – Peter Obi

    Corruption, insecurity, regulatory uncertainty hinder Nigeria’s ability to attract DFI – Peter Obi

    Mr Peter Obi, Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 polls, has called for the development of Nigeria’s sport tourism to fast-track sustainable economic growth through Direct Foreign Investment.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Obi made the call in his keynote speech at the National Football and Tourism Roundtable on Friday in Abuja.

    The roundtable, with the theme, “Unlocking Nigeria’s Potential: Exploring the Synergy of Sports Tourism and Foreign Direct Investment”, brought together stakeholders to brainstorm on how to harness Nigeria’s rich sport tourism opportunities.

    It is organised by World Football Exhibition in collaboration Chinese Tourism Promoters Initiative and Emirati Innovative Services.

    According to Obi, sports tourism and direct foreign investment hold the key to unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential and propelling the country towards sustainable growth and development.

    Obi who was represented by Peter Ameh, Public Affairs Analyst and National Secretary of Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) said Nigerians’ passion for sport was an indication that sports tourism would flourish if developed.

    He said by developing sports tourism infrastructure and hosting international sports events Nigeria can attract foreign investors, who are drawn to countries with a strong reputation for hosting successful events.

    “Sports tourism, a rapidly growing industry worldwide, presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria to leverage its passion for sports, particularly football, to attract tourists and generate revenue.

    “With a large and enthusiastic fan base, Nigeria can develop sports tourism infrastructure, such as stadiums, training facilities, and sports museums, to host international sports events and attract visitors from around the world.

    “This can create jobs, stimulate local economies, and promote cultural exchange.

    “Direct foreign investment (DFI) is another critical driver of economic growth and development. Nigeria has historically struggled to attract significant DFI, due to concerns about corruption, insecurity, and regulatory uncertainty.

    “However, By creating a more attractive investment climate, Nigeria can tap into the vast pool of foreign capital, expertise, and technology, to drive economic growth, create jobs, and reduce poverty”,he said.

    Obi further said that sports tourism could provide a platform for promoting Nigeria’s culture, history, and natural beauty, enhancing the country’s global reputation and attractiveness to foreign investors.

    He therefore called on policymakers to prioritise these sectors and work to create an environment that is conducive to investment, growth, and development.

    “To discover the potential of sports tourism and DFI, the Nigerian government must take a proactive approach to developing the necessary infrastructure, policies, and regulatory frameworks.

    “This includes investing in sports tourism infrastructure, such as stadiums, training facilities, and sports museums, as well as implementing policies to promote DFI, such as tax incentives, streamlined regulatory procedures, and investment promotion initiatives.

    “In addition, the government must work to address the challenges that have historically hindered Nigeria’s ability to attract DFI, including corruption, insecurity, and regulatory uncertainty.

    “This requires a commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance, as well as investments in security and law enforcement”,he said.

    Earlier, MrAkin Laniyi, Project Director, World Football Exhibition, told NAN on the sideline that said the event was an opportunity for stakeholders from both the tourism and sport sectors to work together.

    “This is platform where we interact and for Nigeria’s to draw inspiration from what we are doing here and be able to contribute to sports development .

    “It is an avenue to emphasise the very strong relationship between sports and tourism which is easily lost sometimes in people’s minds, but they are very strongly connected.

  • ‘My former manager took case to court, not me’ — Mercy Chinwo breaks silence

    ‘My former manager took case to court, not me’ — Mercy Chinwo breaks silence

    Gospel musician Mercy Chinwo on Saturday broke her silence on the battle between her and Ezekiel ThankGod aka Eezeetee, her former manager.

    The singer published a statement on Instagram signed by her lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi.

    “Contrary to the sensational narratives, Minister Mercy did not initiate any court action case against Mr Ezekiel ThankGod (Eezeetee) regarding her music catalogue. At no point has she claimed that a 50/50 revenue split from her DSP earnings is unfair,” the statement read.

    Mercy said her relationship with Eezeetee began when she was his backup singer in Port Harcourt. In 2017, they signed a contract and her song ‘Excess Love’ released that same year was a success.

    She further said that it became expedient to relocate to Lagos in 2018. And the team did. Mercy said she played a role in singer Judikay joining the organisation in early 2019.

    Mercy said things changed by the end of 2019 and got out of hand the following year. She said her contract expired in 2022 and accused Eezeetee of fraudulently obtaining a new contract in 2019 and making it appear as though it was the same one signed in 2017.

    The new contract, a 25-page document, gave “lifetime ownership of all music works to Eezeetee and couched in a manner intended to perpetually have Minister Mercy in servitude.”

    Mercy said there have been several attempts at reconciliation, including an intervention by Apostle Anselm Madubuko, but none yielded fruits.

    The 34-year-old said during an EFCC investigation in 2024, Eezeetee admitted holding back $274,000 as revenue from digital platforms. She said the money was recovered peacefully.

    According to her, Eezeetee also admitted before EFCC officials for the first time that he tried to manipulate her with a different contract.

    She said he pleaded in tears that the matter be settled amicably. However, he turned back and filed a court case against Mercy, Judikay and the EFCC separately.

    Mercy said the EFCC then reciprocated by charging him with fraud of which a warrant of arrest was issued against him and later withdrawn after his lawyer’s intervention.