An Assistant Superintendent of Immigration with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Abubakar Mohammed Aseku, has been dragged to court for allegedly drawing salaries from two additional government agencies while still employed by the NIS. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) dragged Aseku before Justice Binta Dogonyaro of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, today, March 12, on a nine-count charge bordering on abuse of office and corruption. According to the ICPC, the defendant allegedly received N4.2 million in salaries from the Nasarawa State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in 2015 while working as a school teacher, despite being on active duty with the NIS. He is further accused of drawing N13.4 million in salaries from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) between 2018 and 2019, while employed by the Immigration Service. It is alleged that as a Pay Officer with the NIS, Aseku facilitated the payment of N4.7 million in salaries to seven individuals who were neither employees of the NIS nor on its payroll. One of the charges reads: “that you, Abubakar Mohammed Aseku, between October 2018 and October 2019, in Abuja, while serving as an Assistant Superintendent Immigration Officer, used your position to confer corrupt advantage upon yourself by receiving a total sum of N13,400,889.90 in salaries from the Department of Petroleum Resources, while concurrently employed by the Nigerian Immigration Service, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.” Aseku pleaded not guilty to all charges even as his counsel, Basil Hemba, informed the court that his client had previously been granted bail by another FCT High Court sitting in Maitama and urged the court to maintain the existing bail terms. Justice Dogonyaro upheld the bail conditions, which had been granted by the Maitama court. The ICPC’s counsel, Michael Adesola, requested an adjournment to allow the prosecution to present its witnesses. The presiding judge later adjourned to April 29, 2025, for further hearing of the matter.
GoGreen Environmental Health Sustainability Initiatives, a Non-Governmental Organization, on March 8, 2025, organized a transformative one-day workshop in Makurdi, Benue State to commemorate the International Women’s Day. The event brought together women livestock herders and crop farmers from Tse-Akpuku in Makurdi and Abinsi in Guma Local Government Areas, celebrating their pivotal roles in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, leadership, and gender equality. The workshop underscored GoGreen’s unwavering commitment to empowering women as agents of change and fostering harmony in communities historically affected by disputes between herders and farmers. At the heart of GoGreen’s mission is a belief in the transformative power of women. During the workshop, the GoGreen CEO, Jackson Ameh, represented by Mrs. Theodora Chia, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to equipping women with the skills and resources necessary to drive change. He emphasized that true peace and sustainable development are unattainable without the full inclusion of women in decision-making processes. GoGreen through the support of the UK Government, has provided critical training in sustainable agriculture, cooperative management, and dialogue facilitation under the SPRiNG Programme, ensuring that women farmers and herders are not only beneficiaries of development but also key stakeholders. “Empowering women is at the heart of our mission. “Healthy relationships between herders and farmers are critical for lasting stability, and women play a crucial role in fostering these relationships.” The International Women’s Day celebration served as a platform to showcase the achievements of women trained under the SPRiNG Project. Their testimonials highlighted how the program has equipped them with the tools to foster peaceful coexistence, advocate for gender equality, and become role models for the next generation. During the workshop, Dr. Helen Teghtegh highlighted women’s legal rights and strategies for empowerment, saying that amplifying women’s voices in governance leads to more resilient and inclusive societies. Also, Mrs. Lucia Torjir a gender advocate lauded the participants as crucial pillars of support for their families and communities, urging them to leverage their leadership potential.
Mrs. Blessing Adzaagee, an advocate for women in peacebuilding, emphasized the indispensable role of women in conflict resolution. “Women are not just beneficiaries of peace; they are architects of it,” she declared. She highlighted how women’s participation in conflict resolution mitigates violence, builds trust, and nurtures sustainable peace. Mrs. Magdalen Andoor, Director of Women Affairs at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, reinforced the need for women to claim their space in governance, breaking barriers that hinder gender equality. She encouraged women to aspire for leadership roles in various sectors and actively participate in decision-making processes. The workshop’s impact was evident in the testimonies of the participants. Mnena Igba from Abinsi and Harila Umar from Tse-Akpuku expressed profound appreciation for GoGreen’s initiatives. They acknowledged the organization’s role in enhancing agro-pastoral cooperation and providing them with the knowledge to advocate for gender equality and social justice. Through shared experiences and interactive discussions, participants reflected on their growth as leaders, mediators, and champions of peace. Many shared inspiring success stories of how they have leveraged their newfound skills to mitigate conflicts and strengthen community resilience. As the world continues to strive for gender equality and sustainable peace, GoGreen remains steadfast in its mission to empower women as catalysts for change. The success of the International Women’s Day workshop reaffirmed the importance of women’s active participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. The SPRiNG’s Project and GoGreen’s broader initiatives are not just about celebrating women’s contributions but about equipping them to be leaders, decision-makers, and architects of lasting peace. By investing in women, we invest in the future of communities, ensuring a world where peace, security, and equality prevail. GoGreen calls on governments, civil society organizations, and community leaders to support women’s empowerment efforts and create an enabling environment where women can thrive as leaders and peacebuilders. As we move forward, let us remember that empowering a woman is empowering a community. Together, we can build a more peaceful, equitable, and prosperous future for all.
“No government will fold its arms and allow people to sabotage a project for the interest of the public.” This were the starn words of the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyeson Wike, when he personally led a team to demolish houses at Gishiri village in Katampe District of the city. The houses and other structures were believed to be obstructing the construction of the Arterial Road N16 in Gishiri village in Katampe District. Speaking to newsmen at the site, the Minister said that the residents were duly served with eviction notices and clearly communicated the necessity of their cooperation with the government. He said that this was vital for the contractor to complete the road project and hand it over by the end of May. He regretted that the residents rejected government’s offer of compensation and pledge to facilitate their relocation, despite being granted one-week extension as requested by the village chief, thereby impeding work on the road project. He said that the road project was in the public interest and not a case of acquiring land for private development. Wike warned that the Administration would not tolerate the sabotage of projects of public interest. He said that he was personally involved in the demolition exercise to send a message that it would no longer be business as usual. The Minister said: “we served them with the eviction notice and we told them the need for them to cooperate with the government so that the contractor, CGC will be able to complete this road and then hand it over by May ending. “The traditional ruler of course pleaded with us to give them one week. The money for compensation has been made available and we did also promise that in spite of that, we will still make available somewhere they can relocate. “But with all these assurances, it did appear, from what I got in the report, that work is not going on. I informed the traditional ruler that this work has to go on and enough is enough. “No government will fold its arms and allow people to sabotage a project for the interest of the public. It’s not as if anybody is coming to acquire land to build houses.” The Minister said that government would not halt a crucial project for the sake of a few individuals, having granted them enough time and made funds available for compensation. He however promised to relocate the affected residents and provide them compensation even as he advised them to cooperate with the FCT Department of Resettlement and Compensation to finalize the modalities for their relocation.
The Kebbi State Government has confirmed that 26 people have died from a suspected outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in Aliero, Gwandu, and Jega local government areas. Cerebrospinal meningitis is a serious infection that causes inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is usually caused by bacteria or viruses and can spread from person to person. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. If not treated quickly, it can lead to serious complications or death.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has returned from Italy with a news that the Lombardy Regional government in Italy has promised to establish mechanised farming and special vocational training center in Abuja. The minister told newsmen today, March 10, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport into which his plane landed, that the key outcomes of his meeting with the President of the Lombardy Regional Government, Attilo Fontana include an agreement to establish a vocational center in Abuja to provide crucial skill training for youth, and a partnership to modernize FCT agriculture. He said that the agreements reached will significantly boost the FCT’s economy and create employment opportunities. “Our visit was very fruitful. We had a memorandum of understanding with Lombardy to establish a vocational centre in the FCT where our youths will be trained in skill acquisition, and also trying to establish some form of mechanized agriculture that will create employment for our people, and also trying to improve our economy. So, I think the visit is worthwhile and I thank the government of Lombardy for that cooperation.” The Minister stresse that his visit to Italy was in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” to attract foreign investors to the FCT. “You know that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, if you see the shuttles Mr. President has made, it’s to create relationships with other countries, how we can cooperate to improve our country’s economy. So, I think with what we have done now, there is hope that investors will come into the country.” The Minister had last week, met with the President of Lombardy Regional Government in Italy, Attilo Fontana, who promised that his government would collaborate with the Federal Capital Territory Administration to strengthen vocational education by establishing a training centre in Abuja and also facilitate training of youths from Abuja in Lombardy.
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai has dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and switched over to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). El-Rufai’s resignation letter has been submitted already to the leadership of the APC in his ward in Kaduna State. The former governor, who also served as the Federal Capital Territory minister, has instructed all his supporters and associates to join the SDP. He cited a growing discord between his personal values and the current direction of the APC as the primary reason for his decision to quit APC. In a statement today, March 10, el-Rufai expressed disappointment with the APC’s leadership, accusing the party of straying from the progressive ideals of its founding members. He said that he had raised concerns about the party’s trajectory both privately and publicly over the past two years but found no willingness among the current leadership to address the issues. “Developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the party.” el-Rufai, who played a key role in the formation of the APC in 2013, recalled his efforts in negotiating the merger of political parties that led to the creation of the ruling party. He highlighted his contributions to the APC’s electoral successes in 2015, 2019, and 2023, as well as his tenure as Kaduna State Governor, during which he implemented policies focused on education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and investment. “My eight-year tenure in Kaduna State was devoted to implementing progressive policies to advance human development. “These records count for little in the current APC that has castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt in the last two years. I find this no longer acceptable.”
Thursday, 6th March 2025, started like any other day in the Nigerian Senate. But before the day ran out, some events that would not be easily forgotten had unfolded. First: a woman Senator was sanctioned for misconduct after flouting the rules of the Senate. Second: Women Legislative Aides in the Office of the Senate President hosted a huge gathering of women for a global event. Ironically, while the women were waiting in a big conference room in the Senate wing of the Assembly for the gender-related event to kick off, a fellow woman was being escorted out of the hallowed Chamber by the Sergeant-At-Arms, having been suspended from the Senate for six months. What a coincidence! The assembly of women was led by the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, and included some former women Senators, representatives of women groups and women activists. The gathering was to mark International Women’s Day, commemorated worldwide yearly on the 8th of March. The United Nation’s purpose for the Women’s Day celebrations is to boost global awareness on women’s rights, gender inclusivity in the economy and polity, gender equality and campaign against abuse and violence against women. The President of the Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio, attended the event in company with some other Senators, including the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele. They left the Chamber after the day’s proceedings to participate in the event. The platform offered the Senate President an opportunity to showcase his record of commitment to women’s rights despite the negative commentaries portraying him differently. Akpabio recalled an event decades ago, when, as a Student Union Leader, he walked into the office of a Professor to fight for a female student who had complained of victimisation by the lecturer. The confrontation with the lecturer saved the student from being willfully failed. Akpabio also proudly exhibited his record as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State when he had a woman as his Deputy Governor and appointed three women as Chief Judges and two as Head of Service. He also appointed many women to his cabinet and as chairpersons of many local governments. During his tenure, the Deputy Speaker and Chief Whip of the State House of Assembly were women. And when Akpabio had the privilege to nominate for a ministerial appointment, his nominee was a woman. The record earned him the award of The Most Gender-Friendly Governor in Nigeria. Since his emergence as Senate President, Akpabio has continued to demonstrate the same commitment to gender inclusivity. He directed the management of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) to create a Gender Inclusivity Unit. He also caused the Institute to convoke a Conference of Women in Governance in August 2023. Reflecting on all of the above and many more that Thursday, Akpabio emphatically remarked: “So, l have been a great advocate for the rights of women and I will remain so till I die.” However, the Senate President challenged the gathering to ponder why, despite the increasing advocacy, the level of women’s inclusion keeps falling in Nigeria. He cited the case of the National Assembly which had nine women Senators in the Ninth Senate but only four in the Tenth Senate. For Akpabio, one way to change the narrative is for women to look inward and avoid certain things. They should not always weaponise their gender. “We can increase the number of women in Parliament by our own attitude, by preventing the idea of weaponising gender.” Then the case of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Kogi Senator suspended a couple of hours earlier, as expected, came up at the event. It is an episode the Senate President was reluctant to comment on in the public or outside the Chamber. But Akpabio was compelled to make some remarks on it by the comments made earlier by some speakers. For instance, a woman activist, Ene Obi, who spoke ahead of the Senate President, said if she had not brought the issue up that day, “then I’m not worthy of living.” She said for 10 days, she and her colleagues hardly slept because of Natasha’s case. She narrated how they, at different times, engaged the Senate President and Senator Natasha in an attempt to find a solution to the matter. “We told the Senate President that we have only four women in the Senate and we need them to be protected. We need them to have an environment that they can serve. And so we are really worried.” Obi concluded that the decision of the Senate earlier that day to suspend Senator Natasha “shows that we have failed,” in our mediation role. She nonetheless appealed again to the Senate President for a resolution of the matter and that they wanted more women representation in parliament. Responding, Akpabio, who Natasha accused of sexual harassment, made it clear that he had no idea anything happened between them on 8th December 2023, a day before his birthday celebration in Uyo. “So from 8th December 2023, I never heard. My wife never heard. No Nigerian ever heard. Even the husband never heard of this issue of sexual harassment until her committee was changed, and then her seat was changed. “Have you ever wondered about the trauma caused by that same woman on the other people she has accused in the past? None has been proven so far. You even wonder about the trauma caused to the 10th Senate and the image of the Senate with all these useless allegations.” To highlight the character of the Senator in question, Akpabio recalled an incident involving her and the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, at the National Assembly. The Minister had spoken ahead of Akpabio but only about a favourable disposition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to women, which was demonstrated in the increase of the budget of the Ministry of Women Affairs by 1000 percent. But Akpabio said the Minister failed to mention the experience that made her cry when she appeared before the Senate to defend the 2025 budget of her Ministry. According to Akpabio, a female senator walked her out, remarking that the minister had not come prepared. Other Senators pleaded to allow her to defend the budget because she had another function with Mr President in Lagos. However, the female Senator insisted that the way she started was disrespectful to the Senate. All pleas and entreaties fell on the Senator’s deaf ears and the minister left the Senate in tears that day. “I had to call her (Minister) to tell her, that does not represent us. And the woman that walked her out of that committee was Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Here we are talking of character,” Akpabio told his women audience. “Your attitude determines your altitude. Our women must rise above pettiness. We must go back to where we see an upward movement of women in all spheres of life. That is the only way I will have hope and fulfilment that I have left a solid legacy behind in politics. “We must condemn all issues of sexual harassment that are not fake. We must tell women not to use tears to look for sentiments when they are making false accusations. We must also let women know that governance is not about vanity. If a common seat can cause a kind of hullabaloo and then you asked why don’t you want to move from the seat and somebody sits on Television and said that is the only place camera catches me well. Are we doing a beauty contest in the Senate? It is a serious place. It is not a place you look for the camera to come and catch you. But we have left room for reconciliation. The debt I owe Nigerian women, through my late mother, is so deep in me that I will, throughout my life, continue to work for the upliftment of the women in this country.” On low women representation in governance, Akpabio said: “Let us talk to ourselves. Listen to the minister. The minister just suffered from a fellow woman. Put up a woman in any senatorial district today for Senate, women will vote for the men. You will never vote for yourselves. So let us start by questioning you. How come you don’t elect your own? When the minister was speaking, the minister said women constitute 51 percent of the voting population in Nigeria. So why, again, are you taking the backstage in terms of political representation? Women will never vote for themselves. Ask me, if a woman does not want to vote for a woman, am I the one that will force the woman to vote?” However, Akpabio offers a solution to the complex problem. He cited the measures adopted in some countries he has visited, like Tanzania, South Africa and Malawi, where a certain percentage of seats are constitutionally reserved for women. In countries like the United Arab Emirates and Somalia, he said it is done by appointment of a number of women into the Parliament. “We are discussing that in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If it means tinkering with the Electoral Act to enable women have a say in the Parliament, we will do so. Women are better managers but sometimes women can be harder than men. When they take decisions, they take decisions, but they are very prudent in all aspects of life,” Akpabio said.
When in July 2024, the Supreme Court gave a ruling that effectively granted financial autonomy to the 774 local government councils in the country, the development was received with mixed reactions. While many celebrated the position of the nation’s apex court with regards to the third tier of government, Nigerian governors were clearly not happy because, over the years, the state chief executives have appropriated the resources meant for the local governments to themselves. Indeed, the governors’ total grip on the local government was so strong that many considered the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment impossible. Even Justice Emmanuel Agim, who read the lead judgment of the apex court, alluded to the governors’ influence when he scolded the decades-long refusal of the state governments on financial autonomy for local governments. The governors had in 2019 under then President Muhammadu Buhari successfully frustrated the decision by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) regulating transactions on State and Local Governments Joint Accounts, limiting cash withdrawals from local governments accounts to a maximum amount of N500,000 per day with penalties for banks that failed to comply. But, the Bola Tinubu administration was determined to implement the judgment. It followed through by setting up a 10-member inter-ministerial committee to implement the Supreme Court judgment. In a broadcast marking Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary, President Bola Tinubu said, “As part of our efforts to re-engineer our political economy, we are resolute in our determination to implement the Supreme Court judgment on the financial autonomy of local governments.” However, the state governors continued their lobby against the enforcement of the Supreme Court judgment. The governors have continued to mount pressure on top officials of the Tinubu Administration to soft-pedal on the implementation of the apex court judgment. As a result of these developments, government’s actions have been subjected to all sorts of interpretations, most of them wide off the mark. For instance, consider the story titled “LGAs financial autonomy faces fresh hurdle on CBN demand” in the Business Day of February 2, 2025. According to the story, which relied on sources, “Local governments across Nigeria are facing a new challenge in their push to receive monthly allocations directly from the federation accounts, as they must now submit a two-year account audit to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) before funds can be disbursed.” Continuing, it said: “The direct revenue remittance, initially scheduled to begin in January, was postponed after many of the 774 local councils failed to provide the required account details. As a result, their N361.754 billion share from the total N1.424 trillion distributable revenue for the month was routed through the state governments. “The CBN has begun the process of opening accounts for local governments to facilitate direct payments, in line with the financial autonomy secured through a Supreme Court ruling in July 2024. “However, with the next allocation due in a few weeks, concerns are growing over the ability of councils to submit the mandated audit reports before the February meeting of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). Sources at the CBN confirmed that the bank would not proceed with account openings without a clear understanding of each local government’s financial position.” Why should a move aimed at ensuring accountability, probity, and transparency be considered a hurdle? Are we saying that local governments have no record of their spending? What exactly are you trying to say. The CBN, we must not forget, is an independent institution with its own standard operating procedure (SOP). But it is also held accountable by relevant government institutions and agencies. If the CBN is expected to always present its audited report despite its independence, why should LGs not be subjected to the same?How many Nigerians will be satisfied with CBN explanation when the figures fail to add up? Sadly, rather than support CBN’s position on accountability, the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), through its National President Hakeem Ambali, is warning the apex bank against aiding state governors in undermining the financial autonomy of local government councils. “There is no local government without at least three years of audited accounts. This is made possible due to the presence of the Auditors-General at the local government levels. “The CBN must understand that it can not go against a landmark Supreme Court judgment. No organisation should allow itself to be used by governors against the realisation of the autonomy for local governments,” Ambali was quoted by The PUNCH as saying. So, if truly LGs have at least three years of audited accounts, the logical question to ask is: what makes it difficult to present such audited reports and satisfy the said CBN demand? Unlike local governments, which can still be influenced by state governors through the instrumentality of state electoral bodies, the CBN is not beholden to state governments in any way. While majority Nigerians are in support of LG autonomy so that developmental projects can be executed at the grassroots level, it will be suicidal to do so in a vague and fraudulent way. Going to court, and whatever the outcome, can not change this fact. Nasir is a journalist based in Abuja
Amidst the frenzy noises, mainly in social and conventional media, and in the political arena on what has been thrown up as an impasse between the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Udusghan on one hand, and between Natasha and the Senate as an institution on the other hand, has emerged what I would like to call “voice of wisdom.” Since the crisis of authority or lack of it arose from the point of seat reallocations, up to the point at which Senator Natasha was sent on suspension with mouthwatering conditions, the media and political environment have been assailed with gargantuan muscle flexing from different angles: dividing the discourse for and against, depending on which divides the feuding media warriors found themselves. However, Senator, Oshiomhole, in a video clip that is currently trending, called for peace, insisting that there should be no division in the Senate as a an institution. In calming down the nerves that have been unnecessarily battered by what I consider to be egocentric, Senator Oshiomhole assured Natasha that a lot of the senators are her true friends, despite the little misunderstanding that has been blown to mountain. He even reminded Natasha that Akpabio had once tagged her as Princess of the 10th Senate, praying that after all the dust that has been raised, she would continue to be the real Princess of the senate. Reminding the Senate President that the quality of a leader is tested when he’s under severe provocation and how he navigates challenges, he argued that being sorry for the wrong one is believed to have done should be regarded as a sign of strength rather weakness. Oshiomhole made himself as an example when he apologized to the Senate as he trod the same path by going to complain on television about the grievance he had over accusation of embezzling money, and a few senators felt bad about it. He also made example of himself when his seat was changed without prior information, but that he accepted the change “because I know that you can only change my seat but you cannot change me or my opinions.” For the sake of argument to put things in proper perspective, one of the objective legislative analysts was empathic that Natasha’s suspension is strictly about the rules, and had nothing to do with allegation of sexual Harassment. He said that she broke Rule 6:1, 6:2, 6:9, 55:1, 62, 63, 44, 47. The analyst stressed that Natasha began a fight without due consultation and proper guidance, saying that she cannot be seeking refuge in one side of the law (order 10) while disregarding a whole lot of other parts of the same laws. If the issue of sexual harassment is presented, as it’s being done, as the groundswell for protest on the action of relocating her from her seat, what would others who were similarly moved at the same time present to justify protest against the same relocation? As a matter of fact, after the article I published on Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper when the issue of change of seat first raised the dust, these peacemaking words by Senator Oshiomhole obviously made a great deal of impact on the way out of the logjam. Any other words coming, especially outside the hallow chamber of the respected Senate should be seen as stoking more fire. Such words are mainly emanating from those who are being driven by pure sentiments, emotions and those who are promoting their social media contents simply to make money. Ditto the lawyers. As we all know of course that Senator Akpabio would not resign on the basis of the allegation (not confirmation) that are flying all over the place, just as Natasha would not be recalled by people she’s representing, and therefore, it is good if the two internalise this matter, resolve it to enable them have the unity of purpose of attaining the primary purpose of legislation, which is for the betterment of their Senatorial Districts and Nigeria at large. One imagines what kind of relationship that would prevail between the two feuding personalities when the dust is settled and they both go to work in the same chamber, without having resolved the impasse. I want to recall my point in the last write up by saying that it is a misnomer for one lawmaker to regard fellow lawmaker as “enemies” much more, the Senate President. In an ideal legislative setting, there can be no enemies or adversaries, but simply “opposition” or “horsetrading’ from where lobby, consultations, personal interactios are the natural resort. It is important to stress the point that the ideal legislative interactions between senators and senate leadership in Nigeria should be characterized by respect and transparency. Senators and senate leadership should work together to introduce, debate, and pass legislation that benefits the country. This involves active listening, open communication and a willingness to compromise. Senators should maintain a respectful tone when engaging with each other and with senate leadership, even when disagreeing. This fosters a positive and productive legislative environment. Senate leadership should, on the other hand, ensure that decision-making processes are transparent, with clear explanations for decisions and actions. This helps build trust among senators and the public. Senators should participate in debates, ask informed questions, and provide thoughtful contributions to shape legislation and they should seek clarification from senate leadership on legislative procedures, rules, and decisions. All these things point to the fact that even as human beings, we are learning everyday, either from others or from our mistakes. What differentiates the wise from the foolish ones amongst us, human, is the use to which we put such learning and even, the refusal or failure to turn such learning process into something else just to elicit unnecessary furore and sympathy. The learning and accommodation of the tumbles and tribulations is pronounced more in political turfs. Natasha and Akpabio are therefore, in this learning context not enemies per se. The earlier they realise that fact and face the legislative realities the better for them, their individual constituencies and the country.
Yusuf Ozi-Usman nipr, is Editor-in-chief of Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper
Note: this piece was first published in 2018 the way it is:
Lami Fatima Babare, my beloved wife, my friend, the mother of my children. Today (March 12, 2018) marks one week of your painful death. When we got married on the 30th of October, 1992, our dream was to grow old together; to live to the age when we will walk about alone in the house with walking sticks after sending all the children on their course, reliving our early love once again, with our grandchildren, great grandchildren and more to give us some fulfilment after the long struggle to prepare our children for their life’s journey. But He who created you from my rib for me knew you would leave me in the cold night of 6th of March, just three days after your 52nd birthday. You sang and danced for me, bringing laughter to my life and our home. You made me excel because I wanted to be your king. My life, too, revolved around you. Everything I did was for you, because of you, or in consideration of you. You were always there for me; in your eyes I was the father and mother you didn’t have. I was your husband, friend and brother too. Your love was genuine and so was your submissiveness to my authority as your husband. When you were diagnosed with cervical cancer over a year ago, it was a rude shock to us. You knew, we all knew, it was just a matter of time. It became debilitating for the month you remained bedridden as the unmerciful disease ate up your insides. From Tuesday, 6th of February to Monday, 5th of March when you finally gave up the ghost, it had been from one hospital to another and one surgery after another. Yet you were always full of praise to your creator. I witnessed this because I was always with you, by your side all the days. I recall when you were to undergo a procedure called Bilateral Nephrostomy in which tubes were inserted into your left and right sides to empty your bowels as your kidneys’ functions had been impaired. We held hands by the hospital theatre entrance and your words were ‘Allah abun godiya’. You were submissive to His will and struggled on, with strength. All of us who saw you were all the time in tears but not a drop of it from your large, beautiful, enchanting eyes. You were a woman with all the attributes of women but your strength was the envy of men, and my source of strength and confidence. You put up a gallant fight for your life, but death is an inescapable foe. It does its work at the time given to it by the creator. No one escapes their appointed time. You achieved a lot. You made me a man, always a source of comfort to me and a pillow that cushioned my heart. You gave birth to, and nurtured, six wonderful children, one of whom became a lawyer at 22 while three are at various levels in the university. You have left behind two beautiful grandchildren from your first daughter.r We all will miss you. Your friends will miss you. Your relations will miss you. Mine will miss you. Your students at FCE (T), Potiskum will miss you. FCE (T) Potiskum is where you served diligently as a lecturer for 27 years without a query or reprimand of any kind and you rose to become a senior lecturer and deputy director of its remedial programme. You were also a dedicated unionist. Even though neither the college’s management nor the COEASU executive sent a delegation to visit you on your death bed, I know that you have forgiven them because you were large hearted, generous, gentle and forgiving by nature. I have been in tears since you left me but the tears are not for you; you are in a better realm now. The tears are for me. Your death has opened me up because the foundation on which my life was built was you. I now realise my home is no longer like home, because you were my home. Because you were there, I could afford to move about in the world in a carefree way, knowing that you got my back. It is now a new era for me. There is no time, but I have to start again. One’s first marriage is generally one based on sincere love because it’s generally effected by contributions from family and friends. Any other after is because one can. One cannot replicate with any other what one has done with the first wife. My only regret is that I did not take a photograph with you on your sick bed. There was always a sort of shyness between us; with you sometimes I behaved like a child in front of his mother. Perhaps I didn’t want to think I was taking the pictures as a way of saying good bye. And there was always that reserve of hope, however faint, that anything – positive – could happen with your case. I also regret not snapping you when you lay lifeless. I touched your face tenderly, closed your slightly parted lips, but it never occurred to me to take that physical snapshot, but that picture will remain indelible in my mind’s eyes. As the curtains are drawn on your worthy, earthly life, a life well spent, I eagerly look to a reunion under the shades of the trees of Paradise so that we continue from where we stopped, where I will enjoy again the endless laughter from your sweet voice. I know you are there. If your Paradise were under my feet, then you have no problem because I had raised those feet to make way for you the day I married you. It is left for me to do what will make me meet you where you are waiting for me, by living well. Thank God there is a meeting place. If there was none, I wouldn’t know how to take what has happened. It would have been too much for my poor heart. Till we meet there to part no more, my darling wife, in shaa Allah, Lami.
Note: This piece was first published on March 12, 2018, nine days after her death. It is repeated wholly with only a headline change as a posthumous birthday seven years after.
Hassan Gimba, anipr, is the CEO/Publisher of Neptune Prime.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
GoGreen Empowers Benue Women To Be Pillars Of Peace, Leadership
GoGreen Environmental Health Sustainability Initiatives, a Non-Governmental Organization, on March 8, 2025, organized a transformative one-day workshop in Makurdi, Benue State to commemorate the International Women’s Day.
The event brought together women livestock herders and crop farmers from Tse-Akpuku in Makurdi and Abinsi in Guma Local Government Areas, celebrating their pivotal roles in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, leadership, and gender equality.
The workshop underscored GoGreen’s unwavering commitment to empowering women as agents of change and fostering harmony in communities historically affected by disputes between herders and farmers.
At the heart of GoGreen’s mission is a belief in the transformative power of women.
During the workshop, the GoGreen CEO, Jackson Ameh, represented by Mrs. Theodora Chia, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to equipping women with the skills and resources necessary to drive change.
He emphasized that true peace and sustainable development are unattainable without the full inclusion of women in decision-making processes.
GoGreen through the support of the UK Government, has provided critical training in sustainable agriculture, cooperative management, and dialogue facilitation under the SPRiNG Programme, ensuring that women farmers and herders are not only beneficiaries of development but also key stakeholders. “Empowering women is at the heart of our mission.
“Healthy relationships between herders and farmers are critical for lasting stability, and women play a crucial role in fostering these relationships.”
The International Women’s Day celebration served as a platform to showcase the achievements of women trained under the SPRiNG Project.
Their testimonials highlighted how the program has equipped them with the tools to foster peaceful coexistence, advocate for gender equality, and become role models for the next generation.
During the workshop, Dr. Helen Teghtegh highlighted women’s legal rights and strategies for empowerment, saying that amplifying women’s voices in governance leads to more resilient and inclusive societies.
Also, Mrs. Lucia Torjir a gender advocate lauded the participants as crucial pillars of support for their families and communities, urging them to leverage their leadership potential.
She highlighted how women’s participation in conflict resolution mitigates violence, builds trust, and nurtures sustainable peace.
Mrs. Magdalen Andoor, Director of Women Affairs at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, reinforced the need for women to claim their space in governance, breaking barriers that hinder gender equality.
She encouraged women to aspire for leadership roles in various sectors and actively participate in decision-making processes.
The workshop’s impact was evident in the testimonies of the participants.
Mnena Igba from Abinsi and Harila Umar from Tse-Akpuku expressed profound appreciation for GoGreen’s initiatives.
They acknowledged the organization’s role in enhancing agro-pastoral cooperation and providing them with the knowledge to advocate for gender equality and social justice.
Through shared experiences and interactive discussions, participants reflected on their growth as leaders, mediators, and champions of peace. Many shared inspiring success stories of how they have leveraged their newfound skills to mitigate conflicts and strengthen community resilience.
As the world continues to strive for gender equality and sustainable peace, GoGreen remains steadfast in its mission to empower women as catalysts for change.
The success of the International Women’s Day workshop reaffirmed the importance of women’s active participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
The SPRiNG’s Project and GoGreen’s broader initiatives are not just about celebrating women’s contributions but about equipping them to be leaders, decision-makers, and architects of lasting peace. By investing in women, we invest in the future of communities, ensuring a world where peace, security, and equality prevail.
GoGreen calls on governments, civil society organizations, and community leaders to support women’s empowerment efforts and create an enabling environment where women can thrive as leaders and peacebuilders. As we move forward, let us remember that empowering a woman is empowering a community. Together, we can build a more peaceful, equitable, and prosperous future for all.