Senator Natasha’s Airport Antics, Noise Masken For Courage, By Ken Harries

November 5, 2025

In the solemn business of national representation, a senator’s foremost calling is to amplify the voices of their people, legislate with diligence and defend the public trust through measured engagement. Yet Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, freshly returned from a six-month suspension, seems determined to turn her senatorial tenure into a one-woman reality show. Her latest instalment, a live-streamed confrontation with immigration officers at the Abuja airport, would have been laughable if it were not such a national embarrassment. Nigerians are left wondering: is the senator for Kogi Central now auditioning for the role of a roving diplomat, or is she simply addicted to the thrill of the trending page?
The people of Kogi Central have already endured half a year of silence in the Senate, an involuntary punishment imposed by their representative’s own previous confrontations. That absence alone was costly. But rather than return with quiet purpose and renewed focus, Senator Natasha re-emerged like an actress desperate to reclaim the spotlight. What should have been a routine airport check on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, turned into a fully choreographed spectacle, complete with emotional close-ups, selective narration, and the familiar undertone of self-victimisation. This was not governance; it was pure theatre, crafted for likes, retweets, and short-term sympathy from an audience forever in search of the next trending video.
It would have been forgivable if this were the only episode, but beneath the noise lies a more corrosive narrative. Those familiar with the inner workings of the Senate confirm that behind the scenes, delicate negotiations were underway to rebuild bridges. Influential figures, alarmed by the cycle of hostility and public brawling, had opened quiet back channels to help Senator Natasha reintegrate into the Senate family and disentangle her outstanding issues. Such diplomatic rehabilitation requires patience, tact, and an understanding of timing. But in her rush to play the heroine in her own story, she may well have detonated the entire process with a livestream.
That impulsive act did more than attract public attention; it could very well have sabotaged private efforts at reconciliation altogether. By turning what could have been a discreet dialogue into a noisy spectacle, she signalled to allies and adversaries alike that discretion is not in her vocabulary. One senior observer quipped that engaging her politically is like trying to hold a private meeting in a market square. Every moment becomes a performance; every silence is an invitation for drama. In the world of governance, that is a fatal flaw.
Her behaviour betrays a deeper malaise: a craving for digital validation that outweighs any hunger for legislative accomplishment. It is an addiction to applause without achievement. In the psychology of power, this is a dangerous stage, when the pursuit of relevance overtakes the pursuit of results. It is the kind of political juvenilia that alienates allies and exhausts goodwill.
The principle of qui fruit iure, alterius non debet laedi; that one who enjoys a right should not be injured by another’s act, captures the injustice now suffered by the constituents of Kogi Central. The people have the right to serious, stable representation, yet their senator continues to trade substance for spectacle. There is also damnum sine injuria, a loss without legal wrong. For while her passport was promptly returned, the true damage lies in her constituency’s loss of confidence. Their representative seems to prioritise personal publicity over public purpose, and in that, there is real injury to the spirit of service.
In mature democracies, a returning legislator would treat suspension as a sobering lesson, a reminder that humility often wins where braggadocio fails. A British MP or Canadian senator in such a position would use the moment to reflect on personal conduct, rebuild credibility, reconnect with constituents, and demonstrate the humility that follows hard lessons. But Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan appears to mistake constant noise for courage. Her actions suggest not reformist zeal but performative confusion, an unfortunate habit of mistaking movement for progress.

She now stands at a defining crossroads. She can choose maturity over melodrama, wisdom over whining, and re-enter the Senate chamber with the dignity her office deserves. She can heed the quiet counsel of those who still see potential in her and redirect her undeniable energy towards committee work, constituency projects, and national debate. That path may lack the instant thrill of a viral clip, but it offers the solid respect that endures beyond social media cycles.
Or, she can persist on the present road, mistaking online traction for political traction, and treating the grave art of governance as her personal vlog. She can continue to perform like a young adult content creator, amplifying every emotion, dramatising every interaction, and scripting every encounter for maximum digital engagement but minimal public impact. It may be entertaining, yes, but it is also embarrassing. Worse, the audience for whom she performs can be incredibly fickle and will eventually tire of her antics.
The people of Kogi Central deserve a workhorse, not a showhorse. The Senate of the Federal Republic is a chamber of law, not a theatre of the absurd. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan must decide whether she will finally act like a lawmaker or remain trapped in the endless loop of self-inflicted spectacle. For if this continues, her legacy may not be one of service or reform, but that of a politician who was always online, always aggrieved, always in front of the camera performing, yet never truly on the job. And what a grand pity that would be.

• Ken Harries Esq is an Abuja-based Development Communication Specialist.

Good Night My Father, Alh Adubi Zubair Abdulmalik: Tribute By Abdelghaffar Amoka

Greenbarge Reporters

November 4, 2025

I was about finishing my second term as the Director of Equipment Maintenance and Development Centre (EMDC) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and wanted to proceed on a sabbatical after the four-year administrative responsibility.
I always find National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to be an interesting Agency and wish to spend some time at the Agency on reseach. I forwarded an application to be hired for a sabbatical appointment. I had thought that I would be assigned to Abuja when hired. Contrary to my expectation, when I received the appointment letter, I was posted to the Agency’s Power Equipment and Electrical Machinery Development Institute (PEEMADI) in Okene, as my area of expertise is closely related to the mandate of the Institute.
I was initially not excited about the posting wondering how I would stay in Okene for a whole year having lived outside Okene for over 30 years. But on a swift second thought, I felt it was for the best. And I later found it to be a divine posting.
One of the best things that happened to me was the fact that NASENI gave me the opportunity to see my father frequently; not knowing he would not live till the end of my sabbatical in Okene.
Untill 2025, I have not had the opportunity to see him this frequent in the last 30 years before passing on October 16, 2025.
Alhaji Adubi Zubair Abdulmalik was an iconic name that we grew up to know. It was a name that commanded respect from everyone. His name was a landmark. He was a man who many wanted to be associated with. Telling anyone that you were from his house or his child got you covered. He was an era of hard work, courage, perseverance, and discipline. He was disciplined from moral to finance. He was a man who would not accept anything from you if your source of income is questionable.
He was born before mid 20’s in Ilorin and lost his father, Abdulmalik Umedino Omeiza-Ajigara when he was about 13 months old. That necessitated the relocation of the family from Ilorin to Ihima.
While growing up, he chose to learn tailoring and his choice was respected by his mother. He enrolled as an apprentice and after a few years, he became a qualified tailor.
As a young man with tall dreams, he had a critical look at the life of tailors around him and had a reflection over his future in the tailoring industry. He realised he needed to do more and introduce something new to be able to have a fulfilling career with the attendant comfortable life. He realised there was no Singer (Tinko) embroidery designer in the whole of Ebiraland in Kogi Central.
He left for Kano with four other tailors to acquire Tinko embroidery skill. Two of them dropped out of the training and he was one of the other successful two to complete the training.
The Tinko Embroidery Machine was rare and expensive to acquire by tailors of his time. Being that he combine tailoring with grains (cowpeas) trading and peasant farming at Omuo-Ekiti in the present Ekiti State, he was able to raise sufficient fund to acquire a Tinko embroidery machine when he returned; thus becoming the first tailor to combine the knowledge of tailoring with the art of Tinko embroidery designs on attires in Ebiraland.
He applied the skills to very high standards which earned him a diverse client throughout Ebiraland and beyond. His workshop in Ihima became a beehive patronage by customers.
Owing to his growing popularity and acceptance, Alh Sani Omonori, the late Ohinoyi of Ebiraland persuaded him to relocate to Okene saying that he had created a niché in tailoring industry. He chose to remain in Ihima but assured the Paramount ruler that he would make himself available at beck and call for His Royal tailoring assignments. He became a reason for high patronage traffic at his Ihima workshop. He trained dozens of apprentices.
There was this impression about many tailors that if you gave them a material to sew, rest assured that you would not get it the date they asked you to come. Alh Adubi was different. He combined quality service delivery with prompt delivery time. He built trust and strong ties between himself and his clients.
He told our elder brother, Abdulkarim, that one of the secrets of his success was that if you gave him a cloth that would take about a week to sew, he would rather request you to come for it in two weeks time even though he knew it would be ready within seven days. To him, this would take care of eventualities. Once the cloth is ready, he would deliver it at your door step. His charges were also modest.
Some people wondered how a tailor could build a house like his in the 70’s. The secret was that he was always a step ahead of others.
He was believed to be affluent. Far from such assumption, he told our elder brother that inspite of public opinion about his material wealth, he never had ₦50,000 as a bulk money in his hand; even up till the early 1990’s. He was financially disciplined, a careful spender, and very good at resource management. He would plan on every cash that came his way. When he gave you a financial assignment, you would have to prepare a report on how the money was spent. Every Kobo was important and there was no room for any wasteful spending. I learned financial discipline from him.
He loved knowledge and was a disciplinarian to the core. He always emphasized that not having western education had denied him a lot of opportunities and did not want his children to be at any disadvantage.
He sacrificed to ensure that his children were educated. He would monitor their progress on a daily basis. On our return from school of every day, you must take your workbook to him. Be ready for the accompanied query and discipline if you did not do well in school. He was in possession of our school end-of-term report cards. He would walk to the school anytime to inquire about the progress of his children.
He eventually raised veteran Journalist who cut his professional teeth at the old DailyTimes Newspapers and later rose to become General Manager of a Radio Station, author, publisher, media aide to a governor and Director-General of Kogi State Bureau of Information Services and Grassroots Sensitisation.
He also produced a university Professor (the first Professor from Ohueta); a senior Nursing Officer, and a Deputy Director in a Federal Ministry in Nigeria. Among the grandchildren are also European-trained Electrical Engineer, a Lawyer, a Ha’fiz (memorization of the entire Holy Quran), among several others. He produced several University graduates in diverse fields among his children and grandchildren.
He was a community disciplinarian who helped to shape the society. He was one man that commanded the respect of everyone. When he spoke, everyone listened. Even the most stubborn person shivers when he heard the name; Alhaji Adubi.
I came back from school one afternoon in the early 80,’s and for some reasons that I cannot remember, I refused to go to Quranic school that was meant to start by 2pm. He got home a bit past 2pm and met me home. He did not want to hear why I refused to go for the Quranic class. Aside from sickness, he saw no other reason that should stop you from going to school.
He chased me to the school and followed me to the class. He got into the class and met my two elder brothers playing. He disciplined them right there and the whole class that was noisy became quiet. Everyone knew that Alh Adubi had the capability to punish the whole students of the class. He was a role model that wanted to raise role models from his kids.
He was a respected and trusted community leader and mobiliser. He was also in active politics right from Nigeria’s First till the Third Republic. His Eminence, Alhaji Badams Rahma of blessed memory was one of his close political associates and friend; a relationship the duo maintained till the death of the former. He retired from active politics in 1993.
He was a decent politician that abhored thuggery. His last political activity was the election of Senator A.T. Ahmed to the Senate and Dr Jimoh Abdul Akpoti to the House of Representatives under SDP in 1992. I followed him to mobilise voters for the election and I served as an SDP Agent during the election.
He had an honest living and lived a life of truth, justice and fair play. He would not take a gift from his children without asking how you got the money for the gift. He encouraged hard work and decent living. A local government chairman once gifted him a Sallah ram for Eid Adha.
Meanwhile, there was a piece of information that local government staff were yet to be paid. He returned the ram with a message thanking him for the gesture with an appeal that he should sell the ram to pay the LG staff. That was Alh Adubi.
As described by one of my elder brothers, Nasir Anaza, who is based in the United States for over 40 years, he wrote: “He was classically outstanding as a man who embraced fashion and decent dressing habits at all times.” He added that this made him a shining role model for the youths.
Concerning fashion, I remember that he always complained about my habitual casual dressing. To him, I was not well dressed.
He was humble, simplistic and humane with a cheerful disposition towards his superiors, his age mate and the youths. He exhibited these core attributes till his last day.
Even at his age of over 100 years, the idea that he was still there meant something to the society.
Ihima has lost the last man standing among his peers, friends, age mates and socialites.
His immense contribution to the socio-economic setting of Ihima, Ebira land and the other places where he had the privilege to interact and made his impact felt will never be forgotten. He lived an exemplary life of dedication and devotion to his vocation, his community, religion and his family.
The last tree standing has fallen but his slegacy will continue to live with us forever. While leaving for the university in 1993, you told me that you know that I was focused, but warned not to lie, steal but to be stubborn. And you advised me to avoid trouble. I will painstakingly pass the advise to my children.
With reverend to the productive life you lived, I say good night, Adami.

Abdelmalik Amoka, a Professor of Physics at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria wrote in from Ihima in Kogi Central Senatorial District.

Pray, Nigeria Is Boxed Into A Corner, By Yusuf Ozi-Usman

Greenbarge Reporters

November 4, 2025

For the first time, perhaps since the Independence in 1960, Nigeria has never been so boxed into a corner like what is now happening. The country, as it is today, qualifies for the status of pariah state, at least within the diplomatic context.
It is obviously strage that for more than two years, the country has no representatives in its 109 foreign missions across the world.
As a matter of fact, by this singlar act of omission and or commission, Nigeria has been opened to high level of rumours and mischief information flying around, from those that have access to information tools, and those who have access to people that matter in any country. This is what is happening in the current looming diplomatic row between Nigeria and the United States.
There’s no justifiable reason for the country to isolate itself, in one way or the other, from the world scene. In fact, it is the worse political, diplomatic, social and economic miscalculation that have ever been made.
For real, absence or inactivity of Nigeria’s foreign missions like embassies, high commissions and consulates for an extended period of over two years now, has had significant diplomatic, economic and social implications on the country.
Indeed, without active embassies, Nigeria’s voice in global affairs has diminished. It has become harder to influence regional and international decisions affecting the country, especially in trade deals, security cooperation and migration issues.
Countries usually engage through embassies and without them, communication becomes less effective and often slower. This strains relationships with allies and trading partners.
Embassies play a major role in attracting investors by promoting Nigeria’s business environment. Their absence discourages investment due to lack of official contact points.
Many economic cooperation agreements in energy, agriculture, infrastructure, etc are initiated through embassies. Nigeria is likely missing such opportunities, even as citizens abroad who depend on embassies for passports, visas, notarial services and legal aid appear to face hardship renewing documents or seeking protection in emergencies.
In times of crisis like conflict, natural disaster or deportation, embassies coordinate evacuations and welfare support, but without them, Nigerians become more vulnerable.
The absence of embassies makes Nigerians abroad feel neglected by their government, eroding trust and national pride.
Diplomatic missions share intelligence and coordinate counterterrorism or anti-crime efforts. Their absence limits Nigeria’s situational awareness and collaboration.
It is instructive to note that the new opposition political party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had raised its voice over the present lack of Nigeria’s foreign missions abroad.
In its reaction to the U.S designation of Nigeria as Country of Particular Concern and the threat of military action, the ADC yesterday, asked: “how can a government that has been boasting of unprecedented revenue success continue to give lack of funds as an excuse for not appointing ambassadors?”
The party confirmed and regretted that Nigeria’s continental profile had declined under the current leadership of President Tinubu.
The truth is that as the events are unfolding in the wake of the U.S designating Nigeria as Country of Particular Concern (CPC), and the resultant threat of military action against the country, the masquerades who perhaps cashed in on the lack of Nigeria’s foreign missions are emerging. As a matter of fact, from 2022, one or two top Christian religious leaders have been invited from Nigeria by the U.S Senate and they spoke about the massive killing of Christians, especially in the Northcentral and Northeast. They quoted high sounding figures of the christians that have been killed in the series of attacks and destruction of dozens of churches around some parts of the country to the U.S Congress.
Since then up to last week Friday when President Trump came up with designating Nigeria as CPC, there was no official reaction to the picture that these top Christian religious leaders from Nigeria had painted.
The bigger picture emerged yesterday, November 3, when the key figure in the push for Nigeria to be so designated, an Igbo man residing in the U.S, came out boldly, in the trending video clips, to thank President Trump for heeding to their request. There’s even a letter of appreciation from some Igbo leaders who called themselves “American Veterans of Igbo Descent,” to President Trump for the designation and further action he had taken and promised to take.
Though many Nigerians are cursing the U.S President for the action he had taken and the threat to go into military action with Nigeria, the fact remains that the government of President Bola Tinubu played into the hands of the enemies of Nigeria; those who have been the major parts of the Indigenous People of Biafran (IPoB). Those are the people that have been fighting, mainly from other countries, with Nnamdi Kanu as their arrowhead, to either have their Biafran Republic carved from the Federal Republic of Nigeria or destroy the country by whatever means. There are others who think in one-way in the context of hatefulness for anything North and or Islam.
The web of damaging backyard games being played by such group of people, most of who deliberately chose to be enemies of Nigeria long before now, might have gone deeper than the Nigerian government officials can ever imagine.
President Trump maybe crazy, mad and irresponsible and or maybe not, but he definitely acted on the loads of negative reports rolling into his office, from those who are bent on bringing the country, Nigeria, into diplomatic disrepute and destruction, using religion as a cover. And the sad thing is that there have been no equally strong and convincing diametrically opposed (positive reactions) and or counteractions from nearby officials from the government of Nigeria, in the form of ambassadors.
The United States may have its own method of verifying the facts on the ground, but still needs human interaction to balance up what it (the U.S) have through its satellite system, what the haters of Nigeria feed it with and the counter narratives from the officially designated representatives of the country, like ambassadors.
Therefore, in looking at the scenario that has been playing out, the government of President Tinubu needs to urgently reactivate its diplomatic and socioeconomic structures to give broader human face to his government.
President Tinubu should stop hiding his head in the sand like Ostrich, thinking that nothing serious is happening in and around his government.
This is Tinubu who was reported to have said, at one time, that he had stopped having anything to do with social media and maybe the conventional media “to avoid hypertension.”
Which falls against the formula or the principles of communication or information. In leadership, the importance of communication or information, and “listening,” for anyone that wants to succeed in life cannot be overemphasized.
And, for President Tinubu to say that he doesn’t listen to what Nigerians, the people he’s leading are saying, amounts to reclining into his shell and comforting himself that everything is okay. And pulling the country into the shell or whatever, along with him.

Nigeria Needs Your Support To Deal With Insecurity, Not War, Gov Adeleke Tells Trump

Greenbarge Reporters

November 3, 2025

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state has asked President Donald Trump of the United States to provide all the support Nigeria needs to deal with insecurity that has lingered for a long time now.
In a statement today, November 3, against the background of the recent threat of security and diplomatic actions against Nigeria by President Trump, Governor Adeleke stressed the need for diplomatic solutions within the context of decades of productive and rewarding Nigeria-American diplomatic partnership.
“I appeal to the Presidency of the United States of America to support Nigeria to fully implement the recently developed national security strategy. The new strategy is comprehensive and capable of taking on the monster of banditry and terroristic killings in many parts of the country.”
The governor commiserated with families of victims of Boko Haram, banditry and other criminalities across the Northern region, even as he described the American intervention as a wake up call to Nigerian government to rigorously implement new security measures and forceful counter- terrorism actions in partnership with diplomatic allies.
“We need help from the United States and others to solve the terrorism challenge.
“Nigeria suffers from unfortunate killings across Northern Nigeria which has claimed lives of many innocent citizens. We believe a high-powered engagement at the presidential level will particularly open to the American government the ongoing security operations, successes and challenges Nigeria is facing in the fight against terrorism.
“We need our international partners to expand their support for the Nigerian security agencies and its political leadership to face national security challenges. Peaceful interface between Abuja and Washington holds the key rather than military intervention by the American government.”
Governor Adeleke drums support of the political class for the Nigerian government over the ongoing face off, and lauded the Presidency for its diplomatic moves to douse the tension and address genuine concerns of western partners, especially the United States of America.
“This is the time to unite as a nation to support the national leadership to frontally address internal and external threats for the protection of the citizenry. This is the time to back the President to enforce the letters and spirit of the constitution in all facets of national life.
“We need peace, not war, to deepen our democracy and protect our citizens.”

Let Trump Come With His Men, They Will All Die, Asari Dokubo Fumes

Greenbarge Reporters

November 3, 2025

Former Niger Delta militant leader, Alhaji Mujahideen Asari Dokubo has dared the President of the United States, Donald Trump to send his soldiers into Nigeria, assuring him that Nigeria would become their “graveyard.”
He added: “Let Trump come with his America, they will all die.”
In a live broadcast on his verified Facebook page, Asari Dokubo warned that U.S. soldiers would be met with deadly resistance should they attempt to invade Nigeria in line with Trump’s recent threat.
He described the United States as “a country filled with insane people,” adding that it is no surprise such a nation produced Trump as president.
“When they talk of America, I say it’s a sick country; a country of mad people, insane people, and that is why they can elect a lunatic as their president.”
He said the lunatic wants to annex Canada, “he wants Iceland, wants to kill the president of Venezuela, he wants to kill the Supreme leader of Iran.”
Asari Dokubo dismissed claims that the alleged killings in Nigeria were targeted solely at Christians, insisting that “Muslims are also being massacred.”

No Christian Genocide In Nigeria; US Wants To Steal Our Resources – Pastor Kumuyi

Greenbarge Reporters

November 2, 2025

Founder and General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, has dismissed reports of any ongoing Christian genocide in Nigeria.
According to him, the United States under President Donald Trump, is using religion as a cover to steal the rich natural resources of Nigeria.
Pastor Kumuyi, who spoke to newsmen today, November 2 in Lagos, described the claim of christian genocide as a Western propaganda tool aimed at destabilizing Nigeria.
He emphasized that some foreign powers, including the United States, are using religion as a cover to interfere in Nigeria’s affairs and exploit its vast natural resources.
“There is no Christian genocide happening in Nigeria.
“These stories are being sponsored by people who want to divide our nation and give America an excuse to invade and take what belongs to us.”
The cleric challenged anyone making such claims to produce verifiable evidence of mass killings targeted at Christians in the country.
“Show me one Christian genocide happening in Nigeria.
“If you can, I will step down as a pastor today.”

Growing Educational Apartheid, Far Cry From Good Old Days, By Hassan Gimba

Greenbarge Reporters

November 2, 2025

In traditional Nigeria, especially in the Muslim North, where I can confidently say I know a thing or two, segregation was minimal. Communities were integrated, with children of various social backgrounds associating freely. This social cohesion, evident from history and personal accounts, has eroded, giving way to educational divisions that now mirror and deepen societal inequalities.
Stories from our elders describe community events that fostered lifelong friendships between the offspring of the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. The bourgeoisie included the middle class, senior public officials, and wealthy families, while the proletariat comprised the masses.
In those days, for instance, circumcisions were done ceremonially, as a kind of initiation into manhood. The boy, once circumcised, could flex the little muscles he had and compete in manly games with the boys, mimicking their heroes. He could even go hunting and take part in local wrestling and boxing competitions held for those who had tasted the knife of the circumciser.
Annual initiation rituals were organised by the Emir or local ruler for all boys, regardless of social class. Everyone was treated equally, united by these ceremonies, which marked their transition into manhood together.
These boys grew up as age mates and enrolled in the same schools, from elementary to tertiary institutions. The boys who grew up this way became friends, and sometimes their bonds were stronger than those of blood brothers.
Many who became leaders were children of nobodies. Well, not really nobodies — let us say children of the proletariat, the have-nots. They went on to bring in children of the haves whose fortunes had waned. Of course, the reverse also occurred, because they grew up and studied together as one.
At events, you would see them together, boundaries between classes dissolved. The sons of those who hadn’t were active participants in the marriages of the children of those who had, and vice versa. They were friends, solving each other’s family, personal, or official problems, holding hands together, and rising to the top as a team. You would see them together in activities celebrating each other’s life and death. That symbiotic relationship effectively closed the gap between the two classes and united Nigerians more. The son of the poor had hope, and the son of the rich knew he had to work to make it. There was little room for the sense of entitlement we now see.
Ask those who attended public schools in those days — Government College, Maiduguri; Barewa College; King’s College, Lagos; Alhuda-Huda, Zaria; Government College, Keffi; Government Girls’ College, Maiduguri, and Dala, Kano, etc. Ask those who went to public universities together, too. Here, we can also say we experienced it.
When I was in Shehu Garbai Primary School in Maiduguri in the early ’70s, Mairo, the daughter of the then-governor of the North East, Brigadier Musa Usman, was in my class. Mohammed Suleiman Kumo, Baba, and Indo Buba Ardo were the children of serving commissioners, and we were all in the same class. We had children of the Shehu and Emirs there, and indeed, those of the wealthiest citizens of the era. We were all treated equally and never felt out of sorts with them. I was even the class monitor, though my father was a mid-level civil servant.
At my secondary school, Government College, Maiduguri, we had the children of the Deputy Governor, Ibrahim Anas; the SSG; the Head of Service; several commissioners; permanent secretaries; and the state accountant-general. What mattered was who was brilliant and who was not. In choosing school leaders, there was no favouritism. The teachers assessed the desired qualities and chose accordingly.
No one was judged by who their father was, politics, religious leaning, or tribe.
But in both schools, I also shared the same class and sometimes desks with the children of the downtrodden, some of whose parents were drivers or messengers, others petty traders who wanted their children to become better than them by getting a quality education from well-funded, superbly managed public schools.
But all these are no more, as private schools have come and shattered the harmony we met and grew up with. The rise of separate, class-based educational systems has ruptured the bond and widened the gaps between social groups, creating a form of educational apartheid. Now, you have schools that only the children of the upper echelons of society attend, and others for the children of the struggling masses. They no longer mingle. Not in marriages — now, intermarriages between these two classes are becoming a thing of the past, a taboo unlike before. Not in health care — each class has its own hospital. Not in markets, as theirs are in plazas. We are gradually becoming torn apart by our leaders’ resolve to show how different they are from us, mere mortals, pushing us into a nation of “birds of the same feathers…”, akin to what the Hausa would say, “Kwarya ta bi kwarya.”
Meanwhile, children from disadvantaged backgrounds now attend dilapidated public schools or subpar private schools whose owners care more about squeezing profit from struggling parents than providing quality education. These institutions further deepen the gulf between the privileged and the struggling.
This deepening divide in education is a sure recipe for social disaster, as it also inculcates the psychology of “master” students and “servant” students. Students in highly elitist institutions tend to look down on those attending regular schools. The poor kids never have confidence when they stand near such elitist students — and this impression may last a lifetime. The growing educational apartheid risks entrenching lasting inequality and resentment in society.
Granted, private schools provide jobs, pay taxes, build structures, and generate wealth. Still, they must ensure that a significant percentage of their admissions are reserved for children from poor and vulnerable backgrounds. There must be a mixture — a meeting point between all classes of people in education. And, as it used to be, public schools must be upgraded to compete with the best private schools around.

Hassan Gimba, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Neptune Prime wrote from Abuja.

What Does President Trump Want In Nigeria? By Yusuf Ozi-Usman

Greenbarge Reporters

November 2, 2025

One is constrained to throw the big question as shown in the title of this piece for more than two reasons.
First, it is on record that the U.S Department of State under International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) first designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) on 2nd December 2020 during the first coming of Donald Trump as President. The designation was lifted by the U.S on 17th November 2021 under the presidency of Joe Budden.
It’s curious that the same Trump, who returned to power a couple of years ago still slammed Nigeria, a few hours ago, with the same appellation, based majorly on false security and or diplomatic narration of what Nigeria is all about, though there may be some kind of positive points embedded in it for Nigeria.
Let us first understand the concept and implementations of the United States designating a country a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC).” Such designation carries significant diplomatic, political and sometimes economic implications.
The designation is made under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998 of the United States, and it applies to countries that engage in or tolerate particularly severe violations of religious freedom.
The U.S. Department of State, through its Office, of International Religious Freedom, designates CPCs annually.
A “particularly severe violation of religious freedom” means systematic, ongoing and egregious violations, such as torture, prolonged detention or persecution based on religion.
A country so designated faces subtle diplomatic Pressure. As a matter of fact, the designation is a strong form of official condemnation by the U.S government and it can strain diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the designated country.
The U.S often uses this as a tool to push for policy changes, such as the release of prisoners of conscience or reforms to religious laws.
Once designated, a country may face U.S sanctions under various laws, such as economic sanctions, including restrictions on aid or trade, arms embargoes or restrictions on security assistance and travel bans on certain officials involved in abuses.
Being labeled a CPC can damage a country’s international reputation, especially regarding human rights.
It can affect foreign investment, tourism, and international cooperation.
The country might face increased scrutiny from international organizations, NGOs and other governments.
The U.S often pairs CPC designation with recommendations and dialogue.
Some countries make policy or legal changes to be removed from the list, by repealing anti-conversion or blasphemy laws.
Countries that have been designated as CPCs include China, for persecution of Uyghur Muslims, Christians and Falun Gong practitioners; North Korea, for systematic repression of all religious activity; Iran, for persecution of Baháʼís and other minorities and Eritrea, for detention and torture of religious adherents outside state-approved faiths.
In the case of Nigeria, the U.S (President Trump) got the circumstances for designating the country as CPC wrong.
It is not as if the situation in Nigeria is that of “we and them.” In other words, it is not a situation where christians are grouped in one side (of the country) and Muslims are grouped in another side. Or it is not as if Muslims line up Christians and begin to kill them in a row (genocide, according to the picture being painted).
It is indeed, a common knowledge that Muslims and Christians live together in many communities in the country, even with cases where you get Christians and Muslims as members of the same family. There are also cases where the adherencts of the two major religions intermarry, bear children that embrace religion of their choice in-between.
Secondly, the religious insurgents, like Boko Haram, and its like claim to be Islamic base, but have been fighting and killing just anybody that is at variance with their morbid concepts, beliefs and practices, whether Muslims, Christians or anyone else.
Thirdly, the headquarters of Boko Haram is in Borno state, with over 90 percent Muslims making up the population and therefore, it is clear that most of the victims of Boko Haram are Muslims. The same thing applies to places like Yobe State and other states in the core North.
If Christians are being killed in their hundreds (genocide) for example, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah would not have found it comfortable to live in Sokoto, the headquarters of Khalifate, as Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto. He was appointed as Bishop of Sokoto Diocese by Pope Benedict XVI on June 10, 2011, and consecrated on September 8, 2011.
The Sokoto Diocese covers the northwestern part of Nigeria, a region with a predominantly Muslim population and a small Christian minority.
There are thousands and millions of Christians in many parts of the northern Nigeria, either as indigenes or none indigenes that would prefer to remain in the North than going to elsewhere in the country to live.
However, the good thing about Trump designating Nigeria as Country of Particular Concern is the possibility of accelerating solution to the lingering security challenges, posed by insurgents, the bandits and other criminals, which many sane people believe, some leaders in different sections, are or have been benefiting from.
The provision in the Act instituting CPC which gives the U.S the power to issue travel ban and probably seize the assets of those who are identified as beneficiaries and or sponsors of the security challenges, should be fully implemented, believing that the U.S has their list.
All said, it is obviously a shame on the leadership of Nigeria that they allow a situation which they can easily handle to degenerate to a point where another sovereign nation like Nigeria would have to intervene for the purpose of sanitizing the system that has gone unruly.
By my orientation and belief, I have never agreed that America has any special qualifications to play the role of God as they often want to show but, by my patriotic instinct, the Americans or even any other nation, is welcome to put our leaders, as much as possible, on the right track to sanity.
After all, Boko Haram, Bandits, kidnappers and their likes are not invincibles, and couldn’t have been invincibles for all these years they have reign terror on our individual and collective security.

Sentiment apart, what President Trump is simply implying, especially in threatening to invade Nigeria to wipe out terrorists and bandits, is that the country (Nigeria) has no proactive, performing and caring leaders to save the citizens from lingering insecurity.

Hurricane Melissa: League Of African Ambassadors Sympathizes With Caribbean

Greenbarge Reporters

November 1, 2025

The League of African Ambassadors has expressed sympathy to the peoples and governments of Jamaica and all other Caribbean nations that were affected by the catastrophic devastation of Hurricane Melissa.
In a statement by Ambassador Nwanne Ominyi, President of the League of African Ambassadors said: “the pain of our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean is our pain.”
Ambassador Nwanne Ominyi is former High Commissioner of Nigeria to the Republic of Zambia.
The League said that the destruction witnessed across the region “strikes a chord of profound empathy and shared concern within our African hearts.
“While oceans may separate us, the deep historical, cultural, and ancestral bonds that unite Africa and the Caribbean remain unbreakable.”
The League said that it is compelled by the timeless principles of Pan-Africanism, which is the fact that “the plight of any part of our global African family is an affair for all peoples of African descent.
“In this moment of dire need, the League is rallying together to launch the Hand of Friendship and Advocacy initiative.

“This diplomatic and strategic response aims to amplify the call for help and build resilient bridges for the future. To kick-start this effort:
“We hereby issue an urgent call to action to the international community, including the United Nations Organization and major humanitarian aid organizations, to rapidly deploy emergency teams and scale up assistance to affected countries. The League stands ready to offer its diplomatic support to facilitate these coordinated relief efforts.
“Championing Expert Deployment by Specialized Agencies: Recognizing the critical need for specialized knowledge, the League specifically calls upon global bodies and NGOs with expertise in disaster response—such as the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and others—to immediately mobilize and deploy their technical experts to the region.
“These specialists are crucial for effective assessment, coordination, and laying the groundwork for recovery.
“Forging a Long-Term Partnership for Climate Resilience: We propose the establishment of a long’term “Africa-Caribbean Paftnership on Climate Resilience Initiative.
“Using this tragedy as a pivotal moment, we commit to joint advocacy for climate justice and finance on the global stage, emphasizing that Small lsland Developing States and African nations bear the heaviest burden of a climate crisis they did almost nothing to create.
“To the governments and peoples of the Caribbean, we say to you that, you are not alone. Africa stands with you! Our solidarity is expressed through our unwavering diplomatic voice, our moral authority, and our commitment to ensure your call for help is heard and acted upon across the world. In extending this hand of friendship and advocacy, we reaffirm that our shared humanity and historical bonds are the most powerful forces against adversity.
“Let this be a testament that the resources of solidarity are found in the unwavering commitment to stand together as one family, to speak as one voice, and to demand a global response worthy of the resilience and spirit of the Caribbean people.”

Court Remands Lawyer, 4 Others Over Cyber Stalking, Extortion Of Senator Shehu Buba

Greenbarge Reporters

October 30, 2025

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of a legal practitioner, Ahmed Abdulrahman and four others at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) until November 10, following their arraignment on an 11-count charge of cyber bullying, advance fee fraud and extortion.
The arraignment, instituted by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), targets the five individuals for allegedly blackmailing the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Senator Shehu Umar Buba.
The other defendants are Daure David, Ishaq Abubakar Muhammed, Abdulrashid Abdullahi Musa and Nasiru Usman Abubakar. They all pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before Justice Rita Offili Ajumogobia today, October 30.
The charges detail a conspiracy to commit cyberstalking against the Senator. Specifically, in one count, the lawyer, Abdulrahman, was alleged to have intentionally sent a video via his TikTok handle (“Kibanna Channel”) and YouTube channel to defame the lawmaker.
The video allegedly linked Senator Buba to the sponsorship of banditry, calling for his investigation.
The prosecution noted that the statement was made “by means of computer systems and network, knowing same to be false, for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order and causing the Senator fear of death.”
This offence is contrary to Section 24(1) (5) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 (as amended) 2024.
In another count, one of the co-defendants, Daure David, was accused of attempting to extort ₦5 million from Senator Buba under the false pretense that the money would be used to settle those planning to protest against him.
Prosecution Opposes Bail, Citing Repeat Offenses
The prosecution counsel, Victor Okoye, vehemently opposed the defense’s bail application, informing the court that shortly after the lawyer was admitted to an administrative bail by the police, he allegedly engaged in two other cyber bullying incidents. Okoye argued that the legal practitioner did not deserve any preferential or special treatment, as the law confers no special status on any legal practitioner involved in criminality.
Defense counsel, Affis Matanmi, had moved for bail, reminding the court that his client, as a lawyer of the Supreme Court, had previously honored the administrative bail granted by the police and would not interfere with the investigation.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Ajumogobia ordered that the defendants be remanded at the FCID till November 10.
The adjournment is to allow the lawyer’s counsel to file a further affidavit and a reply to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit regarding the grave allegations before the court.
The matter was subsequently adjourned till November 10 for further hearing.
Source: PRNigeria

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