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Category: Opinion

  • Nedu quits Honest Bunch podcast amid controversy

    Nedu quits Honest Bunch podcast amid controversy

    Nigerian media personality Chinedu Ani Emmanuel, popularly known as Nedu Wazobia, has announced his departure from The Honest Bunch podcast.

    His exit follows controversy surrounding a recent episode featuring comedian and reality TV star Deeone, who alleged that social media critic VeryDarkMan (VDM) was attracted to men.

    In response, VDM accused Nedu of persistently requesting his appearance on the podcast since 2024 and allegedly offering to buy him a car as an incentive. He further claimed that Nedu had reached out multiple times, suggesting this was the reason behind the allegations made against him by Deeone.

    VDM also warned Nedu against further communication through his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, threatening to expose alleged dealings involving female celebrities if the matter persisted.

    In a statement released on Instagram on Friday, Nedu said his decision to step down was influenced by growing scrutiny and accusations, which he described as baseless.

    “The past week has brought a lot into perspective for me. Hosting The Honest Bunch Podcast has been an incredible journey—one built on open conversations, bold perspectives, and the willingness to tackle difficult topics. But with that responsibility has come an overwhelming level of scrutiny, antagonism, and unfounded accusations that have now begun to take a personal toll,” he stated.

    Nedu added that his exit was necessary for his well-being, family, and the integrity of the podcast, expressing hope that the decision would bring an end to the controversy.

    “In light of recent events, I have made the difficult decision to step away from the podcast. This is not a decision I take lightly, but one I believe is necessary—for my peace of mind, for my family, and for the integrity of the show itself. I have always been committed to honest conversations, but when those conversations lead to relentless attacks and misrepresentation, it becomes clear that stepping back is the best path forward.”

    “I sincerely hope this decision brings an end to the negativity surrounding my name and allows The Honest Bunch Podcast to continue thriving. I remain committed to fostering dialogue in ways that encourage meaningful engagement and growth, and I look forward to new opportunities that align with that vision.”

    “I wish the show continued success and thank everyone who has supported me throughout this journey,” the statement concluded.

  • Shettima to ILO DG: Tinubu passionate about workers’ welfare

    Shettima to ILO DG: Tinubu passionate about workers’ welfare

    ABUJA-THE Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, yesterday, told the Director General of the International Labour Organisation, ILO, Mr. Gilbert Houngbo, that President Bola Tinubu was passionate about the welfare of Nigerian workers.

    Senator Shettima reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to the welfare of members of the organised labour, inclusive economic policies, and wage reforms.

    According to the Vice President, the President was committed to a thriving workforce and an efficient labour ecosystem.

    Speaking during a meeting with a delegation led by the visiting DG of the ILO, Mr. Houngbo, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Muhammad Dingyadi, Shettima lauded what he described as Nigeria’s vibrant labour movement and its role in national development.

    He said: “We have a very vibrant labour movement, led by a competent and patriotic Nigerian. President Tinubu is deeply passionate about the welfare of Nigerian workers. We raised the minimum wage, and most states have started implementing it.

    “Some have even gone beyond the N70,000 agreed at the national level. I commend the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, for their statesmanship and commitment to workers’ rights.

    “One in four black men is a Nigerian, and by 2050, we will surpass the United States to become the third most populous nation on earth. The average age in Nigeria is 16.9 years. We have a demographic bulge, but with the right policies, we can transform it into a demographic dividend rather than a demographic disaster,” VP Shettima said.

    Senator Shettima expressed confidence in the country’s future workforce, saying, “Our young people are digitally more literate than us. While some traditional jobs may disappear, new opportunities will emerge, and we will equip our youth with the skills to thrive in the evolving global economy.”

    “Earlier in his remarks, the ILO DG, Mr. Houngbo, thanked the Vice President for receiving him and the delegation, noting that his visit to the country as DG was long overdue, particularly given the strategic importance of Nigeria in the ILO, including the period between June 2023 and June 2024 when it presided over the affairs of the ILO Board of Directors.“Recalling and appreciating Nigeria’s support for his election, Mr. Houngbo said: “Without the mobilization of the government of Nigeria and social partners in the country, my election would have been very difficult. Nigeria mobilized a lot of the African constituents in ensuring my election as DG.”“Other dignitaries present at the meeting included the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Mrs Nkiruka Onyejeocha; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr. Salihu Usman; Director General, National Directorate of Employment, Mr Silas Agara; Director General, National Productivity Centre, Baffa Agundi; the Director General, Michael Imoudu Institute for Labour Studies, Isa Aremu; President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, and the 1st National Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress, Dr. Tommy Etim-Okon, among others.

  • Influx of ISWAP, B-Haram: S-West govs mull creation of joint security outfit

    Influx of ISWAP, B-Haram: S-West govs mull creation of joint security outfit

    LAGOS—SOUTH-WEST Governors Forum, yesterday, agreed to set up a special security outfit to combat all forms of banditry and other crimes in the region.

    They also agreed to establish joint food hubs to address the growing food prices in the region.

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State disclosed this while reading out an-11 point communique reached at the end of a South-West Governors Forum meeting, held at Lagos House in Ikeja.

    Governors in attendance were:l Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Biodun Oyebaniji (Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).

    The closed-door meeting, which started at 12:15 pm after the arrival of all the governors, focused on common interests and key regional issues, which include security, agriculture, food security, economic collaboration and the South-West Development Commission.

    After extensive deliberations on key issues affecting the South West, Sanwo-Olu, who read the communique, said: “The Forum commends the South-West governors for maintaining relative peace and security in the region, particularly during the recent festive period.

    “Acknowledging the threat posed by ISWAP activities in parts of the South-West, the Forum strongly condemns any threat to the region’s security. It encourages enhanced collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and local security outfits, urging them to remain vigilant. It also commits to taking necessary actions to counter these threats.

    “It further agreed to establish a Joint Surveillance Monitoring Team to oversee and coordinate security efforts across the South West region. Additionally, the Forum resolved that its Special Advisers on Security would collaborate on intelligence gathering and sharing between states security agencies, local security networks and Federal law enforcement authorities.”

    On the establishment of the South West Development Commission, SWDC, the governor’s said: “The Forum commends the Federal Government and the Senate for establishing the commission and collectively agreed to situate its headquarters at Cocoa House, Ibadan, Oyo State.

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    “It acknowledges the efforts of Odu’a Investment Company Ltd. in efficiently managing joint assets of the South-West region over the past five years.”

    On food security measures, they said: “Recognising the need for food security, the Forum encourages collaboration among South West States to implement collective measures aimed at curbing food inflation in the region.

    It expresses concern over the activities of unscrupulous middlemen who deliberately inflate prices of goods and commodities in South-West markets. It has, therefore, agreed to establish a State Food Inflation Joint Monitoring Team and also the establishment of Aggregation Centre /Food Hubs to foster inter-state collaboration and mitigate food inflation.

    It commends the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, DAWN, Commission for its improved performance over the past twelve months and encourages it to continue working diligently with South-West Commissioners for Agriculture on industrialization and infrastructural development across the region.

  • $100m Dangote land deal: Rhodes-Vivour demands accountability

    $100m Dangote land deal: Rhodes-Vivour demands accountability

    Former Lagos State gubernatorial candidate on the platform of the Labour Party, LP, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has called for transparency and accountability regarding a controversial $100 million land acquisition deal between Dangote Industries and the Lagos State government, in Ibeju Lekki, which has led to the displacement of indigenous communities.

    In a strongly worded statement, Rhodes-Vivour condemned the recent judicial decision that appears to validate the displacement. “I’m deeply saddened by this judicial decision because the land grabbing and stealing of lands belonging to indigenous Lagosians without compensation will continue unabated,” he stated. “It is both criminal and unacceptable.”

    The former gubernatorial candidate highlighted how the development pattern in Lagos consistently favors elite interests at the expense of local communities. “The criminal establishment continues to create development for the elites by displacing indigenous Lagosians without any care, plan or compensation,” Rhodes-Vivour emphasized.

    Following the recent judicial decision from the Lagos High Court on the matter, Gbadebo while expressing his disappointment noted that “the elitist and discriminatory policy widens inequality, dehumanizes our people and consigns entire communities to poverty.”

    He noted that there needs to be a fundamental change in how development projects are implemented in Lagos.

  • Zamfara uncovers 2,363 ghost workers, saves over N200m monthly

    Zamfara uncovers 2,363 ghost workers, saves over N200m monthly

    The Zamfara State Government has uncovered 2,363 ghost workers following a recently concluded verification exercise for civil and public servants in the state.

    A committee led by the state Head of Service was constituted by Governor Dauda Lawal in August 2024 to conduct the verification process, aimed at sanitizing the payroll system and ensuring efficiency in governance.

    A statement by the governor’s spokesman, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that the verification exercise also exposed 220 minors who were illegally receiving monthly salaries as civil servants.

    The statement emphasized that the verification was necessary as part of the state government’s efforts to implement the N70,000 minimum wage.

    “To improve the efficiency of the Zamfara State civil and public service, Governor Dauda Lawal formed a high-level committee tasked with verifying the state government’s payroll,” the statement read.

    The committee, which included key officials such as the commissioner of finance, chairman of the Zamfara State Labour Union, Accountant General, Auditor General, Statistician General, and the Executive Secretary of ZITDA, was tasked with:

    Verifying and integrating nominal and payroll systems.

    Creating electronic employee files to ensure transparency and accountability.

    According to the final report submitted to the governor:

    27,109 permanent workers were successfully cleared.

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    2,363 ghost workers were discovered, receiving N193.6 million in salaries every month.

    1,082 workers were due for retirement, yet continued to receive N80.5 million monthly.

    67 workers on secondment were still receiving N354,927.60 monthly.

    395 contract staff, 261 unregistered workers, and 213 employees on study leave were flagged for further investigation.

    75 employees were hired as minors and had appointment dates that did not match official records.

    207 workers were not cleared and have been suspended, with salaries amounting to N16.3 million monthly.

    12 workers were found to be on the payroll but absent from the database, collecting N726,594 monthly.

    The statement noted that the verification process is ongoing and is part of the state’s broader strategy to improve governance, reduce corruption, and ensure efficient resource management.

    “These verification exercises are continuous efforts to monitor the Zamfara workforce and ensure transparency and accountability in service, especially as the minimum wage payments begin in March of this year,” the statement concluded.

    With the removal of ghost workers and the elimination of fraudulent salaries, the Zamfara State Government is set to save over N200 million monthly, ensuring that public funds are properly utilized to enhance service delivery and workers’ welfare.

  • EndSARS began irresponsible protests in Nigeria, says Bwala

    EndSARS began irresponsible protests in Nigeria, says Bwala

    Abuja—The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has described the #EndSARS protest as the beginning and foundation of “irresponsible protesting” in Nigeria.

    Speaking on News Central Television yesterday, Bwala stated that the #EndSARS protest marked the onset of irresponsible protesting in the country, arguing that prior protests had been organised, unlike #EndSARS, which lacked structure.

    Bwala acknowledged the mishandling by law enforcement during the protest, noting that security operatives were trying to maintain law and order.

    “You want to shut down law and order in the country. There is no police anywhere in the world that will close their eyes to that fact. ’#EndSARS was the beginning and the foundation of irresponsible protesting. Before ##EndSARS, all the protests that we had in the country were organised. That’s why they were called organised protests.

    “But the government didn’t shut down the protesters. However, there were misadventures by law enforcement, and I admit that. ‘’That’s why a panel was formed to investigate, and it released its findings. But many of the subsequent reports were based on fake news, particularly from CNN, which exaggerated several aspects of the story,” the presidential aide said.

    Recall that the #EndSARS movement, lasted over 14 days in 2020 across major Nigerian cities, demanded the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, a division of the Nigerian police known for its brutality, extrajudicial killings, and corruption.

    The protest, which initially began as a social media campaign, escalated dramatically, taking a tragic turn on October 20, 2020, when Nigerian security forces allegedly opened fire on unarmed demonstrators at the Lekki Toll Gate, sparking global outrage and widespread denials from the government.

  • South-East must connect to the centre – Ganduje

    South-East must connect to the centre – Ganduje

    The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdulahi Ganduje, has urged states in the South-East to strive to be connected to the centre through the ruling party at the national level.

    He said the party would do everything humanly possible to ensure that Anambra connects to the center in November this year.

    Ganduje, who spoke during the inauguration of the state secretariat of APC in Awka, described the Igbo race as the most nationalistic tribe in Nigeria, saying there is need for them to connect to the centre by keying into the APC to properly gain the dividends inherent in the country.

    The new office was procured, equipped and furnished by two of its governorship aspirants: Sir Paul Chukwuma and Prof. Obiora Okonkwo.

    Ganduje said: “We must be focused, we must have plans, we must have vision and I can see that the party in Anambra is fully aware of that. You have five states, we pray for more states for you(South East), but you must strive to connect to the centre.

    “We want to connect you to the centre; we want to plug you to the national grid. Now, politically, you are under rural electrification, you are under generator and this is unacceptable; you need to connect to the national grid.

    “You are the most nationalistic people one can find anywhere in Nigeria. Everywhere you go, you must see the Igbo doing one thing or another, and that is what being nationalistic means. Why then do you want to cocoon yourself in one corner?

    “We want to take you back to the good old days of Ojukwu when he was pardoned to return to Nigeria in the interest of one Nigeria and the days of Nnamdi Azikiwe. I have resolved to do it and we have seen the vigour in you, the intention and we will do it starting from Anambra.”

    Speaking earlier, the state Chairman of the APC, Chief Basil Ejidike, lamented what he called the neglect of loyal party members in Anambra in the appointments by the Federal Government.

    The governorship aspirants used the opportunity of the inauguration to show their mobilization strength, as they came with their supporters in large numbers.Chukwuma said: “We are here because we want to take Anambra and connect her to the centre. Today marks the begining of victory for APC in Anambra”.

    Okonkwo, on his part, said: “I am happy the party in Anambra has changed. I will lead the best and strongest campaign that will produce an APC governor. If you give me the ticket I will give you the C of O of the Anambra government house.

    “We all know the roles that we all played for this political party to be where it is today because everyone can testify that I am my supporters battled and worked for the election of the first set of Senators and members of the Federal House of Representatives under the platform of Action Congress AC and Action Congress of Nigeria ACN.“At the state Assembly level we saw to the emergence of the members of the respective state Assembly seats in the South East and all the members of the leadership of the party both at the Zonal, state and local government areas can attest to that so today we have come to draw the final nail on this bid for our party to get into the government house Awka

    “.Nicholas Ukachukwu, also speaking, said: “I am as old as the politics of Anambra state and there is no one that does not know Ukachukwu. I also thank our brother Paul Chukwuma for providing this great office as the headquarters of our party and I urge all of us to support the eventual candidate of our party “ he said.

  • Nigeria must build economy that can weather all storms — Makinde

    Nigeria must build economy that can weather all storms — Makinde

    Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has declared that for Nigeria to beat the poverty trap and become a prosperous country, its economy must be built to weather all storms.

    The governor added that the country must also raise entrepreneurs and improve the standard of education, stating that in spite of Nigeria’s natural resources, its people might remain poor until its leadership puts the right things in place.

    Governor Makinde, who was responding to a sermon delivered by Bishop Williams Aladekungbe of Ibadan North Anglican Diocese at the funeral service of his (Makinde’s) older brother, Engr Olufunmilayo Sunday Makinde, held at the Bishop Akinyele Memorial Anglican Church, Ibadan, said mineral resources are not enough to liberate a nation from poverty.

    According to the governor, the experience of a country like Venezuela, which despite its huge oil reserves cannot hold a candle to Finland, which has based its growth on developing its human capital, is enough to teach Nigerian leaders to, apart from managing the country’s natural resources well, invest more in educating its younger generation and building more entrepreneurs.

    He maintained that this reality made his administration in Oyo State continue to invest heavily in education, beginning with matching the UNESCO recommendation for education funding, as evident in his government earmarking above 20 per cent of the state’s budget to education since he assumed office in 2019.

    He said: “While preaching, the Bishop raised some issues. He said Nigeria does not have any reason to be poor because we do have natural resources. But natural resources alone do not lead to prosperity and that is just the reality.

    “The country with the highest reserve of oil in this entire world is Venezuela and it is poor. So, to have prosperity, we must raise entrepreneurs and raise the standard of education.

    “I was in Finland with my Team and I tried to make enquiries on why the country got so developed. I asked if they had oil, they said no. I asked if they had gold and silver and they said no. I asked what they have and they said it is education.

    “So, in Oyo State, since we came in six years ago, we resolved to meet and exceed the UNESCO recommendation on education by allocating over 20 per cent of our budget to the sector, it is because we know that some people will need to be entrepreneurs to turn the natural resources into something that can take us out of poverty.

    “Yes, God has blessed us and we should be thankful to Him for that. The first Industrial Revolution was coal. Nigeria was rich then because we had coal but nobody is using it again because the world has moved to oil. Very soon, they will move away from oil to something else. So, we must be prepared. We must go beyond depending on natural resources to having an economy that can weather all storms.”

    The governor, who eulogised his late brother, fondly called Sundo, as a good man, a good brother, a good husband and a good father, recounted how he sacrificed his university education to join the Navy so that his siblings could have a better life.

    Governor Makinde said that though he didn’t expect Engr Makinde to die so soon, he and the family had taken solace in the fact that he lived a good life and in the promise of God that there would be resurrection after death.

    “Yes, his death was really shocking and I am really grieved, not because he did not do well in life; not because he did not play his part for us. I said yesterday that he decided to forgo his university education so that our parents could look after the rest of us.

    “I am so shocked that his death was so unexpected but what can I do? What can we do as a family? We have to submit completely to the will of God.

    “My brother, Sundo, was a good man, a good brother, a good husband and a good father. He was not a perfect man and nobody is. But he was indeed and in truth an officer and a gentleman. So, I have faith like Martha that he will rise on the last day and we will see each other again.

    “Sundo is gone but he left behind a legacy for us. His legacy was of truth without compromise, forgiveness without holding back and transparency in his dealings with all. This is how I will remember him,” the governor added.

    He announced the donation of a sum of N25 million to the church towards immortalising his brother, saying: “To start the process of immortalization, on behalf of the entire Makinde family, we will donate N25m to the

    Roll call at the event

    Dignitaries in attendance at the funeral service included the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed; Osun State Governor, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke; Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang; the Governor of Delta State, who was represented by the deputy governor, Mr Monday Onyeme; former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; wife of Oyo State Governor, Engr. (Mrs) Tamunominini Olufunke Makinde; and Alhaja Mutiat Ladoja, wife of a former Governor of Oyo State.

    Others included the Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar IIiya Damagum; former Deputy Governors of Oyo State, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, Engr Hamid Gbadamosi and Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi; Chairman of Board of Trustees of the PDP, Senator Adolphus Wabara; and the National Secretary of the PDP, Honourable Sunday Udeh-Okoye.

    Also in attendance were Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; Senator Sharafadeen Ali, Senator Yunus Akintunde, Honourable Abass Adigun Agboworin and the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin.

    Others were the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima, the Secretary to the Government of Oyo State, Professor Olanike Adeyemo; the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Oyo State, Honourable Segun Ogunwuyi; the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, Oyo State Commissioners, serving and former political officer holders, traditional rulers, religious leaders and captains of industry.

  • Speaker Meranda calls for action to end Female Genital Mutilation

    Speaker Meranda calls for action to end Female Genital Mutilation

    The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, has reiterated her commitment to the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), urging collective action to eradicate the harmful practice.

    In a statement marking the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, Meranda stood in solidarity with global advocates condemning the human rights violation affecting millions of girls and women.

    “This year’s theme, #StepUpThePace, is a call to action. We must accelerate efforts to end this barbaric practice once and for all. It is not just the responsibility of governments but of every individual—whether you’re a legislator, healthcare worker, professional, or simply a concerned human being,” she stated.

    Meranda emphasized the need to safeguard the health, dignity, and rights of young girls, pledging to support policies that raise awareness and protect potential victims.

    “We must unite to protect the future of our daughters and ensure their health, dignity, and rights are safeguarded. I commit to pushing for policies that protect girls, raise awareness, and put an end to this atrocity,” she added.

    She urged everyone to take action within their capacities, stressing that together, a world free from FGM is possible.

  • Aftermath of UNICEF Report: Uzodimma declares war against FGM in Imo

    Aftermath of UNICEF Report: Uzodimma declares war against FGM in Imo

    Owerri — Disturbed by a recent United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report ranking Imo State highest in the Southeast for the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Governor Hope Uzodimma has declared a comprehensive war against the harmful practice.

    According to the 2025 UNICEF report, Imo State has a 38% prevalence rate of FGM among women aged 15-49 years and a 9.7% prevalence rate among girls aged 0-14 years. This makes it the highest in the region. For comparison, the prevalence among women aged 15-49 years stands at 20.4% in Ebonyi, 20.3% in Abia, 19% in Enugu, and 13.1% in Anambra. Among girls aged 0-14 years, prevalence rates are 3.7% in Enugu, 3.0% in Abia, 2.1% in Anambra, and 0.29% in Ebonyi.

    Speaking at the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM event organized by UNICEF in Owerri, Uzodimma called for grassroots efforts to combat the practice.

    “I call for an urgent domestication of the war against FGM. This fight should be taken to rural communities, where traditional rulers and stakeholders will play crucial roles in bringing FGM to an end in Imo State,” he said.

    The governor urged parents to take responsibility for ending the practice, highlighting that outdated cultural norms must be discarded.

    “There is a new digital order in the 21st century that abhors cultures and traditions harmful to mankind. Gatherings like this are essential in uniting our efforts. By next year, when we meet again, Imo must achieve zero tolerance for FGM. We are close, and we must succeed,” he emphasized.

    The wife of the governor, Chioma Uzodimma, called for mentorship programs to address both the immediate

    and long-term consequences of FGM.

    She stressed Imo State’s determination to lead by example in confronting the challenge.

    Chioma Uzodimma expressed gratitude to UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for their partnership and called for more holistic engagement around FGM eradication initiatives.