Category: News

  • NAF appoints Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame as new spokesperson

    NAF appoints Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame as new spokesperson

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has appointed Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame as its new Director of Public Relations and Information.

    He takes over from Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, who has been reassigned to the Defence Headquarters as Director of Civil-Military Relations.

    A statement from NAF Headquarters described Air Commodore Ejodame as a seasoned officer with extensive experience in logistics, strategic planning, and defence management.

    He is a member of the 45th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

    Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, a Master’s degree in Transport and Logistics, and a PhD in Information Systems and Management Studies from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom.

    Attended logistics training at the United Nations International Peace Support Operations Centre in Kenya and completed the Optimisation and Decision-Making in Supply Chain Course in Portugal.

    Graduated from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and the Air Force War College, Makurdi, where he emerged as the Best Graduating Participant.

    Received the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Air Staff Awards at the National Defence College, Abuja.

    Directing Staff at both the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and the National Defence College, Abuja.

    Pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna. Former Director of Procurement at AFIT.

    Served as Nigeria’s Defence Adviser at the Nigeria High Commission in Malaysia, where he was also concurrently accredited to nine other countries, strengthening Nigeria’s defence ties in the region.

    Professional Memberships and Affiliations

    Air Commodore Ejodame is a member of several professional bodies, including:

    Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR)

    Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM)

    Fellow of the Air Force War College and National Defence College

    Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

    Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria

    His appointment as NAF’s spokesperson brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, positioning him to enhance the Air Force’s public relations and communication strategies.

  • No sense of fulfilment – Lady reveals why she’s relocating to Nigeria from US

    No sense of fulfilment – Lady reveals why she’s relocating to Nigeria from US

    Jenny Jones, a Nigerian lady, has shared her decision to relocate to Nigeria after living and working in the United States for some time.

    She revealed that the main reason for her move is the burnout she feels in America, where she says she lacks a sense of fulfilment.

    “I’m going to Nigeria because I feel I am burnt out in the U.S and I need a break and I am also starting my clothing line,” Jenny explained.

    She emphasised that Nigeria offers many opportunities, which she is eager to explore upon her return.

    For Jenny, it’s more than just a move to start a business; it’s a chance to escape the repetitiveness of working a 9-5 job.

    “Number one is going to be my mental health, there is no amount of supplement that you will take, there is no amount of therapy that you will do that you will not be in constant battle with your mental health because you are living in a place where you don’t feel fulfilled. You don’t just have that sense of fulfilment, you are lonely, you are bored, you just feel like there is so much you could be doing out there besides the same 9-5, go to work, come back, repeat, and you are two days off, you want to clean, do your laundry, you don’t want to go anywhere, you want to be in bed, and you are just too exhausted, and before you know it, it’s a Monday, and you have to go back, and it isn’t how I want to live,” she shared.

    In a series of TikTok videos, Jenny outlined her reasons for the move, noting that the decision to leave the U.S. was difficult but ultimately necessary for her peace of mind and personal growth.

    Jenny said she plans to settle in Lagos upon her return and begin her business venture.

    She concluded with a strong declaration of her intentions: “So, these are basically all my diaries of moving to Nigeria. And people are like ‘why do you want to leave the US and come to Nigeria?’ And I’m like ‘I don’t want to work 9-5 for the rest of my life. I do not want to work for nobody for the rest of my life. It’s just not how I want to live. Do you see the glow up on my face just talking about the fact that I’m moving to Nigeria?’”

  • Umahi visits Lagos, pledges intervention on Independence Bridge

    Umahi visits Lagos, pledges intervention on Independence Bridge

    ABUJA – The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has traveled to Lagos to assess the progress of rehabilitation work on the Independence Bridge and provide an urgent intervention to ease traffic congestion caused by its temporary closure.

    Umahi had earlier ordered the reopening of the bridge, which had been closed for repairs after showing signs of structural distress. However, the closure led to severe gridlock, prompting his swift action.

    A statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Orji Uchenna Orji, in Abuja on Thursday, confirmed the minister’s arrival in Lagos to oversee the situation.

    “Less than 24 hours after the sad traffic experience on the Independence Bridge in Lagos, the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON, has arrived in Lagos to assess the situation with a view to providing immediate and permanent intervention,” the statement read.

    It further emphasized that Umahi had on April 2, 2025, directed the immediate reopening of the bridge to ease the inconvenience faced by Lagos residents.

    The Controller of Works for Lagos State, Engr. Olukorode Kesha, explained that the ministry was making efforts to ensure the bridge could accommodate traffic again.

    “The minister has directed me to open the bridge. However, we are carrying out remedial measures because some parts of the bridge had already been broken during repairs,” Kesha said in a telephone interview.

    He added, “We are working overnight to fix the affected sections. The damage is extensive, but all hands are on deck to ensure the bridge is open to traffic as soon as possible.”

    Umahi’s intervention aims to provide both immediate relief and a long-term solution to the structural challenges affecting the Independence Bridge.

  • PDP will reclaim South-East in 2027 – Wabara

    PDP will reclaim South-East in 2027 – Wabara

    Former Senate President and Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has expressed confidence that the PDP will reclaim the South-East in the 2027 general elections.

    Speaking on the recent return of Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Enugu State, to the PDP, Wabara stated that the zone, once a stronghold of the PDP, would regain its dominance by 2027.

    Wabara lamented that some South-East states previously controlled by the PDP were lost to other parties in the 2023 elections. However, he noted with optimism that many aggrieved former members are now returning to the party.

    “The return of Edeoga is a bold step, and I commend him for it. This is a sign that the PDP is regaining strength in the South-East,” Wabara told Vanguard in an exclusive interview.

    Wabara hailed Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, describing his developmental strides as a major factor in weakening the opposition in the state.

    “Gov. Mbah has taken governance to a higher level, setting the pace in various areas. When a leader shows such capacity, the reasonable thing for the opposition to do is to support him.”

    The PDP BoT Chairman further commended Mbah for making Enugu a model state, stating that his achievements have bolstered the party’s chances in the South-East ahead of 2027.

    “Governor Mbah is the only PDP governor in the South-East, and his performance has helped market the party through laudable projects acknowledged even by the opposition.”

    Wabara also applauded PDP lawmakers at both the national and state levels for their efforts in repositioning the party. He urged all aggrieved members who defected after the 2023 elections to return and help rebuild the party.

    “Democracy is under siege in Nigeria, but the PDP remains the credible alternative for 2027. That is why we are focused on strengthening the party before the next elections.”

    The former Senate President maintained that Nigerians are looking to the PDP for leadership, and the party is working tirelessly to restore its place as the dominant political force in the country.

  • Shettima departs for Dakar to attend Senegal’s 65th Independence

    Shettima departs for Dakar to attend Senegal’s 65th Independence

    The vice president, Kashim Shettima, has departed Abuja for Dakar, Senegal, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the country’s 65th Independence Day Anniversary celebrations.

    Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice-President, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Senegal celebrates its Independence Day on April 4 annually, commemorating its freedom from French colonial rule in 1960.

    The day is marked by national pride, with ceremonies, parades, and cultural events.

    This year’s celebrations will be held at the Place de la Nation in Dakar, with President Bassirou Faye hosting Vice-President Shettima and other distinguished guests from across Africa and beyond.

    Nkwocha explained that Shettima’s attendance at the event was in honour of an invitation extended to President Tinubu by Senegalese President Faye, based on the mutual relationship between both countries.

    He added that the vice president is expected to return to Nigeria on Friday after the one-day event. (NAN)

  • Nigerian activists in US to protest against Rivers emergency rule at White House

    Nigerian activists in US to protest against Rivers emergency rule at White House

    A coalition of Nigerian activists in the United States has announced its plan to protest against the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State at the White House.

    The coalition under the Democratic Movement (DM) demands the reversal of the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and the restoration of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    A statement on Thursday by Cosmos Collins Achief, president of the group, said the protest aims to draw global attention to what the coalition describes as a “direct assault on democracy and the will of the people.”

    “We cannot sit back while an elected governor is removed, an entire legislature is suspended, and an unelected administrator is imposed. These are dangerous precedents that threaten Nigeria’s democracy,” he said.

    The coalition said the protest will take place in Washington, D.C., with demonstrators marching to the White House and the U.S. Department of State to submit petitions demanding international intervention.

    “The world needs to see what is happening in Rivers State. A democratically elected government has been suspended under the guise of emergency rule. We are urging President Donald Trump to engage with Nigerian authorities and call for the immediate restoration of constitutional order,” the statement added.

    The pro-democracy movement also called on global leaders, including the United Nations and the African Union, to take notice of what it describes as a blatant attack on democratic governance in Nigeria.

    “The president must understand that his actions could lead to serious diplomatic consequences. This move is a step toward dictatorship, and Nigeria risks facing international sanctions if democratic principles are not respected,” Achief warned.

    The demonstration is expected to draw the attention of Nigerians in the diaspora, civil rights activists, and supporters of democracy who share concerns about governance in Nigeria.

  • I like sex, wives should enjoy it as husbands do – Bishop Felix-Adejumo

    I like sex, wives should enjoy it as husbands do – Bishop Felix-Adejumo

    Co-founder of Agape Christian Ministries, Bishop Funke Felix-Adejumo, has urged African women to fully embrace their sexuality without hesitation, challenging traditional views that often discourage open conversations about intimacy.

    In a video shared on Instagram on Tuesday, Felix-Adejumo highlighted the importance of maintaining a fulfilling and vibrant marriage. She encouraged women to abandon societal restrictions and openly communicate their desires with their spouses.

    She emphasised that mutual pleasure and honest discussions are key to a healthy and lasting relationship.

    “I like sex. If I don’t, how will I have children? And you are just pretending, you like sex. African culture has told you that a woman should not show that she enjoys sex, otherwise they will call her a prostitute,” she stated.

    Felix-Adejumo stressed the need to reject outdated mindsets that hinder genuine marital connection.

    “When the man is touching you, you’re happy. So, the first thing is to disbelieve that in your mind, otherwise, you’ll be causing problems in your marriage,” she added.

    The clergywoman encouraged wives to be more expressive during intimate moments, urging them to shed reservations and embrace the beauty of physical connection.

    “Tell yourself, sex is good. I want my husband. And when you’re having sex with your husband, don’t pretend and just be like missionary. Talk, moan, s3x is good,” she said.

    Felix-Adejumo also warned against suppressing one’s desires, explaining that such attitudes could weaken a marriage.

    “You cannot believe that African mentality. Let’s change it. The devil is using it to destroy marriages because that’s the highest level of intimacy,” she said.

    Felix-Adejumo concluded by advising women to be affectionate and reassuring with their husbands.

    “Tickle your husband, touch him when he’s making love to you. When he finishes, tell him he did a good job,” she said.

  • Shehu Sani rejects Miss World pageant judge appointment

    Shehu Sani rejects Miss World pageant judge appointment

    A former lawmaker, Sen.  Shehu Sani ( Kaduna Central) has rejected an appointment to serve as judge in the forthcoming Miss World Nigeria Beauty Pageant.

    The pageant is scheduled to hold at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos on April 4.

    The  event organiser,  Sen.  Ben Bruce, who is  Sani’s friend and former colleague in  the eight Senate  on  his official social media handle on Wednesday , announced  Sani as the judge.

    He stated: “Hearty congratulations to my good friend, Shehu Sani, on his appointment as a judge for the Miss World Nigeria Beauty Pageant, taking place on April 4, , at the Federal Palace Hotel.

    “Kindly ensure you arrive on time, 6:00 PM sharp and come dressed in your finest attire.’

    However,  Sani through his social media handle, X on Thursday, declined the invitation,  thanked Bruce for the honour and gave reasons for rejecting the appointment.

    He said, “My wives will not be happy if I serve as a Judge.

    “I have not been able to pass judgment on the most beautiful between my wives let alone those I don’t know.

    “I don’t have the knowledge or experience in such events.

    “This is the Sallah period when we spend time with family members and friends.  Thank you for the honour and wish them well,” Sani said.

    The former lawmaker, however, apologised for the inconvenience the rejection might have caused  Bruce and other organisers.

  • Independence Bridge Closure: Gridlock persists in Lagos despite FG’s reopening order

    Independence Bridge Closure: Gridlock persists in Lagos despite FG’s reopening order

    Despite the Federal Government’s directive for the immediate reopening of Independence Bridge, Mekwen, gridlock persisted in Lagos Island on Thursday as the bridge remained closed.

    Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, had ordered the reopening on Wednesday following widespread complaints about traffic congestion caused by the planned maintenance and rehabilitation of the bridge.

    However, as of Thursday morning, traffic remained chaotic, with motorists stranded for hours, while some commuters resorted to ferry transport to avoid the gridlock.

    The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, confirmed that rehabilitation work is still ongoing, particularly on a section of the bridge that has been cut off and requires urgent repairs before it can be reopened.

    She reiterated that the bridge’s closure, which began on April 1, 2025, is scheduled to last until the end of May.

    “The closure affects traffic traveling from Ahmadu Bello Way and Adeola Odeku towards Marina, Eko Bridge, and Onikan. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes to avoid congestion,” Kesha said.

    She apologized for the inconvenience, assuring residents that the repairs are necessary for the safety and stability of the bridge.

    Many motorists and commuters spent hours trapped in gridlock, with some forced to sleep on the road or in their offices. By 6 a.m. Thursday, the traffic had already built up from Lekki and Victoria Island towards the Mainland.

    In response, there was a surge in ferry transportation as desperate commuters sought alternative routes. The Ipakodo Jetty in Ikorodu saw heavy passenger traffic, but operations were briefly disrupted by a fire outbreak that gutted a LAGFERRY boat. Fortunately, no lives were lost, though nine passengers sustained injuries and were hospitalized.

    The Lagos State Government has advised motorists without urgent business on the Island to avoid the Independence Bridge area.

    Alternative routes provided include: For motorists heading to Victoria Island from Ahmadu Bello Way: Use Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Akin Adesola Street, Falomo Roundabout, and Obafemi Awolowo Road.

    For motorists heading to Third Mainland Bridge: Follow Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Akin Adesola Street, Alfred Rewane Road, Osborne Road, and Ring Road.

    For those heading to Inner Marina and CMS: Take Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Akin Adesola Street, Falomo Roundabout, Obafemi Awolowo Road, and J.K. Randle Road.

    The government urged road users to cooperate with traffic management personnel to ease movement.

    Motorists caught in the gridlock expressed frustration over the severe delays and lack of visible traffic enforcement.

    Akinwale Odebiyi: “I spent six hours from Ojodu Berger to Victoria Island in the morning and another five hours back. There were no LASTMA officials to manage the chaos.”

    Nosa John: “My wife left Agege at 9 a.m. for a burial in Ajah but didn’t arrive until 6 p.m. She couldn’t make it. She was stuck on the road all night and only got home at 7:30 a.m. the next day.”

    Remi Ojulari: “It took me seven hours to get from Victoria Island to Iyana-Oworo. LASTMA officials were nowhere to be found. Are they on strike?”

    Muritala Alao (commercial driver): “The road is still blocked at Bonny Camp, and Mekwen Bridge is cut off in the middle. Until repairs are completed, traffic will remain unbearable.”

    With the ongoing repairs and worsening congestion, commuters are left with little choice but to endure the hardship or seek alternative transportation.

  • Bode George to Tinubu: Nigeria’s democracy at risk over Rivers, Natasha saga

    Bode George to Tinubu: Nigeria’s democracy at risk over Rivers, Natasha saga

    Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has warned that the recent developments in Rivers State and the handling of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio could threaten Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

    George, citing historical precedents, said similar crises led to the collapse of the First and Second Republics, arguing that the current presidential system is proving to be worse than military rule.

    In his Ramadan message, he condemned the approval of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State through a voice vote, calling it unconstitutional. He also criticized the move to recall Natasha from the Senate, describing it as shameful.

    George expressed disbelief at the political turmoil in Rivers, particularly the withdrawal of security from an elected speaker while protecting a deposed one. He also condemned the National Assembly’s ratification of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s suspension, stating that it lacked the constitutionally required two-thirds majority.

    “In Rivers State, Governor Fubara, his deputy, and lawmakers were suspended, and the National Assembly, without the mandatory two-thirds approval, rubber-stamped this unconstitutional action by voice vote,” he said.

    George also criticized the Senate and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for their handling of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations against Akpabio. He described her suspension and the subsequent recall attempt as a national embarrassment.

    He questioned INEC’s inconsistency, noting that the commission initially rejected the recall process due to procedural irregularities, only to reverse its stance within 24 hours.

    “Look at the gang-up against Natasha in the Senate. Don’t these Senators have daughters? With insecurity, corruption, and poverty ravaging the country, is Natasha’s issue the most pressing? She is a strong PDP member, and we will not allow this humiliation,” he stated.

    George commended Senators Aminu Tambuwal, Seriake Dickson, and Enyinnaya Abaribe for opposing what he described as legislative injustice. He insisted that the approval of the state of emergency in Rivers was unconstitutional since it lacked the required 74 Senators and 240 Representatives.

    “The law is clear. A state of emergency requires a two-thirds majority. What is the meaning of a voice vote? Did they get the numbers before approving it?” he asked.

    George also raised concerns over reports that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike was planning a political rally in Bayelsa State, warning that it could escalate tensions.

    “With what is happening in Rivers, why should Wike be allowed to go to Yenagoa and stoke political tensions? The Kogi State Police Command banned rallies over Natasha’s issue, yet Wike is being encouraged to provoke the Ijaw people. This is a double standard and could lead to further instability.”

    He concluded by warning that the ongoing political turmoil is a sign of what could happen in the 2027 elections.

    “This presidential system we are operating is worse than military rule. What is happening now portends grave dangers for 2027. The federal government must not encourage lawlessness across the country.”