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“Your Prayers Kept Me Going Through My Darkest Moments” – Senator Natasha Mourns Senator Ezea

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Okey Ezea

By Gideon Njoku

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senator representing Kogi Central, says she is devastated by the death of her Senator-colleague,   Okey Ezea. “I will miss you in Chambers”, he wrote.

Senator Ezea, Enugu North, died in the United Kingdom Tuesday night where he was being treated for a yet-to-be disclosed ill-health.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed great sadness over Ezea’s death, and disclosed that the late Senator’s prayers kept her going during her darkest period.

In a post on her Facebook page Wednesday, she wrote: “Rest in peace Senator Okey Ezea. You were a good man, wise and gentle.

“Your prayers kept me going through my darkest moments, and I will miss you in Chambers.

“Enugu North Senatorial District, Kogi Central honors your Senator and mourns with you.”

BREAKING: Serving Enugu Senator, Okey Ezea, Is Dead

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Senator Okey Ezea

By Charles Igbo

The Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District,  Okey Ezea is dead.

Ezea passed on in the United Kingdom while receiving treatment. An On-air Media Personality, Chijinkem Ugwuanyi, confirmed the sad news when he wrote: “Senator Okey Ezea, representing Enugu North, is dead…Rest in Peace.”

Even though the cause of death is not public yet, the Senator had, allegedly, been treated in Germany before his passing in the United Kingdom.

A Lawyer, businessman and politician, Senator Ezea was born on August 11, 1963.

Until his death, he was of the Labour Party – the only LP Senator that remained in the State. He was elected in 2023.

Aisha Buhari Ends Mourning Period, Daughter Wishes Her Easy New Chapter

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Aisha Buhari

By Gideon Njoku

Immediate past Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari, on Tuesday, November 18, completed the mourning of her late husband, former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Her mourning period (Iddah) lasted for four months and 10 days.

Her husband, former President Buhari, died on July 13, 2025, in the United Kingdom at the age of 82.

In a post on her Instagram page, one of her daughters, Zahra Buhari-Indimi, lauded her mother for observing the Iddah with patience and dignity.

Zahra called on God to surround her mother with tranquility and mercy in the new chapter which she is stepping into.

She, also, wished her father’s soul a peaceful rest in Allah.

She wrote: “Today marks the completion of her 4 months and 10 days of Iddah, a period she observed with patience, dignity, and a deep faith in Allah’s decree.

“May Almighty (Allah) heal her heart, ease her steps into this new chapter, surround her with tranquility and mercy, and bless her with a future filled with strength, clarity, and endless barakah.

“May the soul of Late President Muhammadu Buhari rest in Aljanntul Firdausi. Amen.”

The former First Lady and her family live in Kaduna where she and her husband relocated to from Daura, Katsina, their home town,  before his passing in the United Kingdom.

Yuletide: Anambra Police Charge Residents To Be More Vigilant

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Charles Soludo
Governor Charles Soludo

The Anambra state Police Command has cautioned residents and those planning to visit the state to be more vigilant during this season of Ember months.

The state police Commissioner, Ikioye Orutugu, gave the advise on Wednesday in a statement by the Command’s spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga, a superintendent of Police, SP, saying some criminal element usually capitalize on the time of the season to perpetuate their evil act, because of the increase  commercial activities, movement of people and goods.

.the CP stressed that the Command will be readily available to provide help whenever residence ask for it, saying security agencies will perform better when they receive useful information  from the public on the activities of criminals, warning that  the Command will not tolerate any form of criminal activity during this season, as it’s prepared to bring lawbreakers to justice.

The statement in part, “As the year gradually comes to an end and activities across Anambra State increase during the ‘Ember months’, the Anambra State Police Command wishes to issue this important security advisory to residents, visitors, business owners, and road users across the State.

“The ‘Ember months’ – September to December are typically associated with heightened commercial activities, increased movement of people and goods, festivities, and, unfortunately, a rise in opportunistic criminal activities.”

He assured residents that the Command remained fully committed to ensuring the safety, peace, and security of Ndi Anambra throughout the ember months and beyond.

“The CP has stated that the Command remains fully committed to ensuring the safety, peace, and security of Ndi Anambra throughout this period and beyond.

“The operatives of the Command have intensified visibility policing, highway patrols, stop-and-search operations, and intelligence-driven raids on identified criminal hideouts. Joint security deployments are active across public places, markets, religious centres and major transit points.

“The CP, however, urges residents to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times. Avoid late-night movements, unless absolutely necessary. Ensure that their homes, shops, and business premises are properly secured. To report suspicious persons, gatherings, or activities immediately to the nearest Police formation.

“Communities are further encouraged to strengthen their local security networks in collaboration with the Police. The Command also warns against reckless driving, excess speeding, drunk driving and violation of traffic rules. Motorists are advised to service their vehicles, obey traffic officers, and avoid night journeys where possible,” he stated.

“Furthermore, residents should be cautious of online transactions, fraudulent investment schemes, fake job offers, and identity theft, which often increase during the festive period. Residents are further enjoined to always Verify before you trust, as Security is a shared responsibility.”

He encouraged residents to reach the police command Control Room Hotline on 07039194332, CP Monitoring Unit: 08035893571, X-Squad: 07053614331, Anti-Fraud/Command intelligence officer: 08064018319, PPRO: 08039334002, in times of emergency.

Unity Bank MD To Youths: Imbibe The Culture Of Saving Money For Future

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Unity Bank Savings Culture

Ebenezer Kolawole, Managing Director/chief executive officer of Unity Bank Plc,  has renewed the Bank’s call for young Nigerians to embrace a savings culture, urging them to see savings as a lifelong discipline for creating stability and financial resilience.

The commercial bank’s chief executive  gave the charge while addressing students of Alvana Model Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State, as part of the financial literacy training organized by the Bank to mark this year’s World Savings Day.

Represented by William Odigie, Unity Bank’s Zonal Head, South East/South South, Kolawole reaffirmed Unity Bank’s commitment to deepening financial inclusion among young Nigerians as it joined global institutions to commemorate this year’s World Savings Day, themed “Beyond Savings – Building Financial Resilience.”

The Bank participated in nationwide Financial Literacy Training sessions held simultaneously across the country, an initiative led by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Bankers’ Committee, Deposit Money Banks and Junior Achievement Nigeria, aimed at improving financial inclusion and equipping young people with essential money management skills.

Speaking during the training, Kolawole stressed that “savings is foundational to financial planning, financial management and investment, and therefore the Youth must imbibe the culture of savings not just as mere financial activity, but to enable them to create financial security and independence in the long run”.

He noted that Unity Bank continues to prioritise financial literacy initiatives because early exposure to money management helps young people mitigate uncertainties and economic shocks that may hinder their ability to meeting goals.

The training sessions, facilitated by Unity Bank staff across multiple states, exposed students to practical lessons on budgeting, financial goals and seminar classes and workshops.

World Savings Day, celebrated annually on October 31, promotes the importance of savings as a cornerstone of economic resilience. In Nigeria, Deposit Money Banks collaborate with the CBN and partner organisations to deliver training programmes that equip students with lifelong financial skills.

Unity Bank’s participation reflects its ongoing dedication to supporting youth development and strengthening the financial literacy ecosystem across the country.

Kebbi Abduction Shows Nigeria Has Lost Control

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The Source
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Lamara Garba Azare

By Lamara Garba Azare

Nigeria woke up once again to the heartbreaking reality that its children are no longer safe in their own country.

In the early hours of Monday, November 17, 2025, armed men stormed Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, kidnapping about 25 schoolgirls and killing a vice principal, Hassan Yakubu Makuku, along with a security guard who dared to stand in their way. The scene was brutal, tragic, and deeply symbolic of a nation that has abandoned its most vulnerable.

This is not the first tragedy of its kind. It is part of a grim pattern stretching back to the Chibok abduction in 2014, followed by Dapchi, Kagara, Jangebe, Tegina, and countless others. More than 1,500 schoolchildren have been kidnapped in northern Nigeria in the last decade, yet the federal government continues to offer the same tired responses: condemnation, promises, directives, committee inaugurations, and empty assurances. Nothing changes. The criminals grow bolder. The attacks become more daring. And citizens are left wondering whether their leaders even grasp the weight of what is happening.

What makes the Kebbi incident even more infuriating is the ease with which the attackers carried out their mission. According to community leaders, the gunmen entered through the vast Zamfara forests and operated on school grounds for several hours without a single obstruction. No early-warning signal. No engagement. No rapid deployment. No intervention of any kind. The question every Nigerian is asking is simple: How is it possible for armed men to terrorise a community for hours in a country that claims to have a functioning security architecture?

The truth is bitter—these attacks keep happening because the system is broken, and those responsible for fixing it have grown comfortable with failure. In a serious, organised, and civilised society, the Ministry of Defence and the entire security leadership would have resigned honourably after such a disgrace. There would be outrage, accountability, and consequences. But in Nigeria, the usual cycle has already begun: press statements, condolences, and yet another round of lamentation from government officials who behave like helpless observers rather than leaders entrusted with protecting lives.

This repetitive script is insulting to citizens who are forced to live with fear as a daily companion. It is demoralising to parents who send their daughters to school only to have them snatched away in the dead of night. And it is dangerous for the country’s future because no nation can develop when its classrooms become breeding grounds for trauma, disappearance, and death.

The government’s attitude towards insecurity has become casual, almost dismissive. Communities have raised concerns for years. Security analysts have warned about the open flow of armed groups across forests in Zamfara, Kebbi, Kassina, and Niger States. Civil society organisations have repeatedly highlighted the vulnerability of rural schools. Yet nothing meaningful has been done. The forests remain sanctuaries for criminals. Schools remain unprotected. And federal officials continue to talk, sympathise, and move on.

The abduction in Kebbi must not be allowed to fade into the long list of tragedies Nigeria has normalised. This is a national disgrace—an alarming reminder that the country’s security blueprint is no blueprint at all. It is time for the government to confront this failure with honesty rather than excuses.

Nigeria needs coordinated intelligence networks that actually work, security presence that is proactive and not reactionary, and leadership that takes responsibility instead of issuing statements. The forests that have become operational bases for criminals must be cleared decisively. Technology must replace guesswork. And those occupying key security positions must either show results or step aside for people who can deliver.

Nigeria can no longer afford a leadership that reacts only after lives have been lost. A leadership that waits for tragedies before issuing hollow assurances. A leadership that has forgotten that the protection of citizens is not a favour—it is its foremost obligation.

The 25 schoolgirls taken from Kebbi are not just numbers in a tragic statistic. They are daughters, sisters, students, and human beings whose dreams have been violently interrupted because those who swore to protect them failed. Every passing hour without their rescue is a reminder of a government that has grown comfortable with national sorrow.

Nigeria must demand better. The country cannot continue like this—where criminals operate freely and the state responds with nothing but sorrowful speeches. Our children deserve safety. Their parents deserve peace. And the nation deserves leaders who act with courage, competence, and accountability.

Until then, every abduction will remain a painful reminder that Nigeria has not just lost control of security—it has lost its conscience.

Lamara Garba Azare, writes from Kano

Minister Appoints New Registar of Ships

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Gboyega Oyetola

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has approved the appointment of Barrister Adenike Adeyele Iyelolu as the Registrar of Ships for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Her appointment, which is for a four-year tenure, follows the recommendation of the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola.

In line with the NIMASA Act 2007, the Registrar of Ships will report directly to the Director General for the effective administration of the Nigerian Ship Registry. The Act provides that “the Registrar of Ships shall, with the approval of the Minister, be appointed by the Director General from among the staff of the Agency.”

Adenike Iyelolu who is currently a Deputy Director in the employ of NIMASA is an accomplished legal and maritime governance professional with over twenty-five (25) years of post-call experience spanning maritime and legal practice, arbitration, procurement, contract administration, corporate governance, and institutional leadership amongst others.

Barr. Iyelolu’s appointment comes following the retirement of the former Registrar of Ships, Barr. Tajudeen Giwa, after years of commendable service.

Wike’s Roughest Week Yet

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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister
Nyesom Wike

By Nasir Aminu

During the promotion for the Rumble in the Jungle, Don King offered a blunt truth: “You are only relevant when you are necessary.”

Wike mattered to the Tinubu administration only because he was useful in damaging his own party, the PDP. Any talent he possessed for the positive development of the country was never part of the equation.

Armed with federal levers, the courts, and the security agencies, he had his way for two years. He became accustomed to winning against his political foes to the point that he forgot when to stop.  Yet, as fate would have it, in one week, he was tested, judged, and found wanting.

Much like the ruling party, sections of the media gave him an easy ride. They rushed to his media parleys whenever he called. On many occasions, the client journalists help propagate his opinion by posing questions that allow him to present it. Of course, his messages carry a lot of weight because of his position in the government and the fight he is fighting—against various PDP members.

But it was only this week that he realised what the public thinks of him. Nigerians were only tolerating shenanigans because no one could match his oppressive activities until the last few days.

One event happened during a land dispute in Abuja with Lt Yerima. Unsurprisingly, the media were there to televise his embarrassing outcomes, too.

A young officer, old enough to be Wike’s son, did what politicians had failed to do: he briefly united a weary country by putting Wike in his place. Lt Yerima brought some badly needed laughter. Unity and laughter are something Nigerians have not enjoyed for a while, but this young military man helped bring them back. For a moment, one almost felt tempted to add “national morale” to the job description of the military.

The Naval officer dramatically responded to Wike. The Minister called him “a fool” in front of the media, knowing he was simply fulfilling the duty of a soldier. Yerima refused to be oppressed and rejected Wike’s repeated assertions. Lt Yerima held his ground. He replied calmly: “I’m not a fool, Sir… I’m a commissioned officer… I have integrity.” The altercation went viral mainly because many Nigerians had grown tired of Wike’s conduct.

But it is not only ordinary Nigerians. Wike lost the support of the APC government and the military faster than anyone could think.

The military, the Minister of Defence, and even the police joined in supporting the young man for standing firm. Matawalle stated that Wike acted impulsively by going to meet Lt Yerima. The military chiefs, the CDS and the CNS had told Wike to wait, but he chose to take the law into his own hands. Of course, he is used to getting his until this week. And I would not be surprised if the outcome favoured Wike had this happened under the previous military chiefs, because they were not as effective.

The Defence Headquarters shared a cryptic message on its official social media handle, only hours after the controversy. Observers interpreted it as a subtle response to the incident. The post read: “IT IS AN HONOUR TO SERVE IN THE NIGERIAN MILITARY. UNSHAKEN. UNBENT. UNBROKEN.”

Similarly, the IGP issued a directive to police officers regarding such situations: “Nobody should go and use you to … put down other persons’ buildings in Abuja without a court order.” This implies that the police considered Wike’s actions to be a resort to self-help, rather than lawful. Among notable APC officials, the former Senate President, Ahman Lawal, spoke out against Wike’s actions.

No, this is something Wike imagined would happen. He thought he was still in that position where everything he said would be accepted without question. He misread the room. He is no longer relevant to APC political work.

Speaking of party destruction, the obsessive business that made him a necessary factor for the ruling party, Wike was flawed at every attempt he made to stop the PDP’s 20th national convention. Stopping this convention would mean Wike remains relevant to the incumbent party, as he would help them achieve their desired one-party system in 2027. He failed.

As Wike’s allies obtained a High Court in Abuja ruling against the convention to proceed, the High Court in Oyo State ruled that the PDP convention should go ahead. This was achieved against the run of play by his former G-5 ally, Makinde. To people’s surprise, the elections were held. This would not have happened a few months ago. Law enforcement would have disrupted the event like they do at Wadata Plaza. Those who follow his trajectory will insinuate that the judges he depended on have failed him. The interpretation may stem from the fact that he is not relevant, as he thought he was.

And to add to Wike’s losses, the PDP convention voted to expel Wike and 10 of his supporters. This includes the former party’s Secretary, Anyanwu, former governor Fayose, former legal Adviser, the factional Chairman, and other key officials who sided with his faction. The worrying thing for Wike is that it is Bode George who moved the motion for expulsion. A few months ago, Bode George was working with Wike. And as his relevance diminishes, his base keeps shrinking too.

His faction called for a NEC meeting yesterday to discuss their position. It still surprises me how Wike dares to keep repeating that his political foes should follow the law, even though he hardly does.

But this is not new in Nigerian politics. Politicians treat power as if it has no expiry date, which is why they mostly disappear from the spotlight without warning. Like other politicians, including his contemporaries of former governors, Wike has built his influence on fear, access to power, and the belief that the state would always bend to his will. Once those supports weaken, his stage lights become blurry. What remains is a politician who mistook abuse of power for strategy and media presence for authority. The past week showed that even in Abuja, there are limits.

The hard truth for him is that politics rarely forgives those who overplay their hand. His allies are drifting away, his control on the PDP has collapsed, and the ruling party no longer needs what he offers. And when a politician is no longer useful to his political friends or feared by his rivals, he is no longer relevant—he is politically useless. The country will move on without him, as it has done with many before him.

Culled from Daily Trust of November 19, 2025

Tinubu Very Sad Over Kebbi Sch Girls Abduction, Gen. Uba’s Murder- Presidency

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Nigerian Presidency says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very sad and depressed over the abduction of 25 school girls in Kebbi state.

The president also said the brutal killing of Brig. Gen Musa Uba by suspected Boko Haram terrorists has caused him depression, saying he has been fully briefed of the unfortunate incident by the top military command in the country.

The two incidents have raised  serious outrage in the country as many Nigerians challenged the federal government to do more to provide security around educational facilities across the country, particularly in vulnerable communities in the north where bandits and terrorists are now running rampart.

The girls were kidnapped from their school, Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga by suspected bandits, and security agents have since swung into action to rescue them.

On Tuesday, one of the abducted girls escaped from captivity and has re-united with her family.

As part of the efforts to extend the drag net against the terrorists who took the girls, President Tinubu on Tuesday directed the Chief of Army Staff, COAS to relocate to the state to coordinate the rescue operations.

The president also directed Vice President Kassim Shetima to go to the state to condole with the families of the abducted school children.

In his reaction to the abduction, President Tinubu, in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and strategy, said the incident came as a shock to him.

He urged Nigerians who are living in communities where the terrorists operate to supply useful information to security agencies to enable them deal with the problem, saying without their help it would be hard for the DSS, Police, armed forces to bring peace to disturbed communities.  .

“As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am depressed with the tragic death of our soldiers and officers on active duty. May God comfort the families of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other fallen heroes.

The magazine reports that Gen Uba Musa was captured by the terrorists who had earlier killed some of his troops in an ambush in Borno state, when he led the soldiers to an operation.

He was shot on the head by the heartless terrorists.

“When One’s Church, Mosque Or Place Of Worship Is Destroyed, Everyone’s Heart Breaks A Little”  – Nicki Minaj

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The Source
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Nicki Minaj

■Full Text of her address  at  UN on ‘Christian genocide’ in Nigeria

Hello everyone. I must say I am very nervous. So, so please.

Well, thank you, Ambassador Waltz, for this invitation. It is an honour to stand on this stage with you and the other distinguished speakers here today, to shine a spotlight on the deadly threat faced by thousands of Christians in Nigeria.

I would like to thank President Trump for prioritising this issue and for his leadership on the global stage, and calling for urgent action to defend Christians in Nigeria, to combat extremism, and to bring a stop to violence against those who simply want to exercise their natural right to freedom of religion or belief.

I stand here as a proud New Yorker with a deep sense of gratitude that we live in a country where we can freely and safely worship God regardless of one’s creed, background, or politics. No group should ever be persecuted for practising their religion, like I recently stated on social media. And we don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other.

We’re way beyond thinking or expecting or assuming for, you know, the person sitting next to you to have the exact same beliefs. We’re beyond that. That’s ridiculous.

But that shouldn’t make one person feel less safe than anyone in any room. Music has taken me around the globe. I have seen how people, no matter their language, culture, or religion, come alive when they hear a song that touches their soul.

Religious freedom means we all can sing our faith, regardless of who we are, where we live, and what we believe. But today, faith is under attack in way too many places. In Nigeria, Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes, and killed.

Churches have been burned, families have been torn apart, and entire communities live in fear constantly, simply because of how they pray. Sadly, this problem is not only a growing problem in Nigeria, but also in so many other countries across the world, and it demands urgent action. And I want to be clear. Protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people. It is about uniting humanity. Nigeria is a beautiful nation with deep faith traditions and lots of beautiful bars that I can’t wait to see.

When one’s Church, Mosque, or place of worship is destroyed, everyone’s heart should break just a little bit. And the foundation of the United Nations, with its core mandate to ensure peace and security, should shake. I am joined here today by peace builders, by faith leaders, by those who saw violence, saw rising intolerance, saw the threats clearly before us, and chose not to look the other way.

I am inspired by their work to build interfaith ties, to see the humanity across the lines which might divide us, and to fight for security and liberty for all those who pray. I look forward to our discussion today, and I hope it will encourage deepened solidarity for us to urgently work together to ensure every person can enjoy the right to believe, to worship, and to live in peace. Barbs, I know you’re somewhere listening.

I love you so very much. You have been the ultimate light in my life and career for so long. I appreciate you, and I want to make it very clear once again that this isn’t about taking sides.

This is about standing up in the face of injustice. It’s about what I’ve always stood for my entire career, and I will continue to stand for that. For the rest of my life, I will care if anyone anywhere is being persecuted for their beliefs.

Thank you.

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