President Bola Tinubu has ordered Nigerian flag fly at half-mast as a mark of respect for the immediate past President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari who died today, July 13, in London. The President also ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the United Kingdom immediately to accompany Buhari’s body back to Nigeria. A statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga confirmed that “Buhari died today in London at about 4.30 pm, following a prolonged illness.” The statement said that President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs. Aishat Buhari, the former President’s widow and offered his deep condolences. He recalled that late Muhammadu Buhari was twice elected Nigeria’s President in 2015 and 2023. “He also served as military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985.”
Immediate past President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has been confirmed dead in London. A statement by the family and signed by his former media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, said that the elder statesman died today afternoon, July 13, at a clinic in the United Kingdom. The brief statement read: “Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’un. The family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin.” Born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, Buhari served as Nigeria’s Head of State between December 1983 and August 1985 following a military coup, and later returned to power as a democratically elected president in 2015, serving two consecutive terms until 2023. Buhari was known for his anti-corruption stance, infrastructural development initiatives, and efforts to combat insecurity, even as his administration faced criticism on economic and human rights issues. Meanwhile tributes have begun pouring in from across the country and beyond, with many remembering him for his discipline, integrity, and influence in shaping Nigeria’s democratic journey. Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced by the family.
I humbly request our esteemed readers to allow the use of local proverbs and wise sayings to illustrate some points that need to be made in this piece, from the point of view of the fact that the subject matter, suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is representing them in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To start with, it is a saying in Ebira language that vị ọzà a kwetẹ zi ịrẹyị nị meaning, literally that person should stoop low to tackle trouble. In other words, a wise person is expected to take great care before jumping into trouble, which have the semblance of the Bob Marley’s “he who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day.” Another wise saying in the local parlance is: ókókòrò vana hị́ eku ẹchịchị ka ọnụ́rà òtòotó, meaning that the whistle is calling eku echichi (strong masquerade) a born fool (which the masquerade may mistake to be a praise). In summarizing the two compelling Ebira wise sayings above, one would conclude that the whistlers that are urging suspended Senator Natasha to fight the system are gaining from her financially. Such whistlers appear determined not to seize asking her to fight on, even as she stands atop the mountain (instead of stooping to possibly conquer). It is wrong for those who are blowing dangerous whistle for her to sị buruburu (fight on with all the strength) to equate her attitude to that of an average Ebira person. Of course, Ebira people, both men and women, are known to be courageous, strong and dogged fighters, especially when they are being cheated or molested, but most of them believe in anyá yị ịnịnẹ da jị atẹ́ ọvụ̂ vẹhẹ nị (though the blood is inside the body but white saliva is spitted out), meaning that one can continue to interact with one’s enemy while being careful to avoid more clashes. To be sure, an average Ebira person is respectful and humble when dealing with leadership and constituted authority: his major trademark is calmness in a normal circumstance, and can easily mend to fit into new circumstance.
……Natasha… It is quite obvious, from the comportment of our dear senator so far that she is being controlled by the forces from within that are too powerful for her to resist: the forces that are gaining tremendously from her in terms of financial gratifications. But curiously, aside from being an Ebira woman, brought up in Ebiraland, Natasha is a confirmed lawyer; a Barrister and by and large, a leader. It is expected that she would understand the nuances of leadership which she is currently part of. In leadership, there is a concept called give and take. A good leader doesn’t aspire to win all the time because he or she should know that the other leader in the neighborhood also wants to win. And of course, leadership in Nigerian political context is all about putting cards in the right places, and be ready always to shift grounds in order to accommodate the developing realities. It is about what one gets for one’s self and more importantly, the people one represents anywhere. Which brings about clearly, the idea of the political creche: “there are permanent interests and no permanent enemies.” The point must be stressed that Natasha is in the Senate not to represent herself but the interests, needs, and aspirations of all communities in Kogi Central. She is there to serve as the voice of the people at state and national levels. Her duty, like her peers in the hallow chamber of the national assembly, is to initiate, support and advocate for laws, policies and programmes that can benefit Kogi Central constituents in the areas of education, health, roads, employment, etc, as well as to monitor effective implementation of such laws. She is there to ensure fair distribution of projects and opportunities across all areas in the senatorial district without bias and to promote unity among Ebira people and other groups within Kogi Central, irrespective of class, gender and even clan. Natasha was voted into the Senate to also attract infrastructural development such as water, electricity, roads, markets, schools, health centres and to support empowerment programmes for youth, women and vulnerable groups. Above all, she is there to use her unique position as the first female to have been voted into the Senate from the senatorial area, and one of the very infinitesimal female senators, to promote peace, mediate communal disputes and foster security within the area. Indeed, she ought to have imbibed the spirit of working with other leaders, irrespective of political affiliations, traditional leaders and security agencies to maintain harmony in Kogi Central senatorial district. Natasha should have been accountable to the electorate for all actions and projects, not necessarily in financial matters but in the ways she conducts the affairs of her privileged office. She should have initiated the program of engaging in regular town hall meetings and consultations as means to move to every next level. In such town hall interactive sessions, she would provide regular feedback to the constituents. Of course, no one denies the fact that Natasha has been forthcoming in the areas of mentorship and human capital development through the empowerment of the upcoming leaders and professionals as well as facilitating scholarships, skills acquisition and job opportunities for youths, but all such things were being done from her personal pulse, perhaps to gain pure personal popularity. What she is doing in essence therefore is philanthropy, which is quite commendable and encouraging. However, such philanthropic activities, by what appears to be her inadequacy in the ideal leadership responsibilities, have not properly linked to her senatorial position, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District. Even if she returns to the Senate eventually, she really needs to align to the proper representative function, which, in democratic environment, should include lobbying, cultivating rapport with fellow senators, at least, a few of them plus of course, fellow female senators; placing personal interests in subordination to the interests of the district she is representing; participating fully in the internal working of the Senate and learning to ignore the idea of entitlement. Natasha needs to aim at raising standards for the future politicians that aspire to represent the Senatorial District, through not just philanthropic activities which is individually based, but through the exemplary attitude she exhibits towards attracting good things to the people of the district. She should ignore those who are beating the drum of war and hailing her to si buruburu. She should try to do away with social media warriors whose interest in her does not go beyond the facade but injures the interests of Kogi Central Senatorial District badly. Confrontation in whichever form and by whatever means, right or wrong, cannot benefit the people of the district in the long run, but has the potentiality of leading to frustration and emptiness, not for her but for her constituents. As Ebira proverb says: ịsị́ ụ̀mẹ̀nẹ̀ zụ́ dọ́ ẹngwụ́kata ẹyịzụ́ dọ ọ, meaning that what can be achieved through peace cannot be achieved through war. Constantly fighting, thinking or being made to think that it is fastest way to achieve progress or to get attention of the hailers and social media warriors, has no long term positive result. And when the chips are down, the hailers and social media warriors would disappear, leaving badly bruised scars in the communities.
Yusuf Ozi-Usman, nipr, is a veteran journalist/editor, who had covered many political intrigues in Nigeria, including the political drama that led to the impeachment, by the State House of Assembly, dominated by the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), of late Alhaji Balarabe Musa as Governor of Kaduna State elected on the platform the People Redemption Part (PRP) between 1979 and 1981.
At home in the Kogi Central Senatorial District, suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is seen as a contentious figure, frequently at odds with established leadership and openly confrontational toward those she deems adversaries. She often targets certain individuals as sworn enemies and extends her hostility to anyone associated with them. She has shown little or no regard for the paramount traditional ruler of Ebiraland, the Ohinoyi, while curiously extending respect to his subordinates, the Ohis, honor she unarguably ought to reserve for the Ohinoyi himself. Like a leaking basket spilling water everywhere, Senator Natasha carried her confrontational and unruly demeanor into the Nigerian Senate. She seems to disregard the fact that legislative proceedings, whether in plenary sessions or committee meetings, are governed by established Senate rules. These rules not only guide the conduct of members but also provide for sanctions in cases of violation. The Senate chamber is called “hallowed” for a reason, it is a space where order and decorum are paramount. It will be recalled that on March 20 this year, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno raised a point of order to report Senator Natasha for breaching Senate rules. He cited Order 6, which mandates that “the President of the Senate shall allocate a seat to each senator.” Subsection 6(2) further stipulates that senators may only speak from the seat allocated by the presiding officer, who also reserves the right to reassign seats when necessary. Relying on this provision, Senator Monguno explained: “It is at the discretion of the Senate President, as circumstances may warrant, to reassign a senator’s seat. Recently, two senators, Ned Nwoko (PDP) and Francis Ezenwa (Labour Party), defected to the APC, necessitating their movement from the Minority to the Majority side. Exercising the powers vested in him under Order 6(2), the Senate President directed the Chief Whip to reallocate seats. Following this directive, Senator Natasha was assigned a new seat, but she refused to vacate her previous one, in direct violation of our rules.” Senator Monguno urged that, based on the standing rules, Senator Natasha must comply with the seat reassignment or risk being denied recognition to speak during plenary.
After the Chief Whip completed his submission, the Senate President upheld the point of order by striking the gavel. This ruling meant that Senator Natasha could no longer address the chamber unless she did so from her newly assigned seat. In defiance of this directive, Senator Natasha leapt to her feet, waving a copy of the Senate rules and shouting “Point of Order.” The Senate President reminded her that she could not speak unless seated in her designated position. Ignoring this, she continued to shout, invoking Order 10, which deals with breaches of a senator’s privileges. Due to her continued disruption, the Senate President ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort her out of the chamber. The officer moved in her direction but hesitated, perhaps expecting her to calm down and comply. The Senate President, meanwhile, refrained from repeating the order, likely to de-escalate the situation. Some senators approached her in an attempt to placate her, but she rebuffed their efforts and continued making disrespectful remarks. Amid the controversy, days later, Senator Natasha accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, a grave allegation. Following this, the Senate disciplinary committee imposed a six-month suspension on her, most notably for her unruly attitudes, not because of her allegation against the Senate President. Since then, Senator Natasha has seemingly embraced the spotlight, enjoying media attention and public sympathy, elevating her profile more as a controversial figure, than as a lawmaker tasked with representing her constituents. She has continued to grant numerous interviews,many of them deemed unnecessary, on both local and international platforms. She has become a social media sensation, a globetrotter, and, some would argue, a celebrity. Her public appearances with her husband at the National Assembly, where they were seen kissing and dancing, have drawn criticism. These displays have led many to believe that she is relishing her suspension, while the people of Kogi Central remain without representation. Her absence raises a constitutional concern. Her constituents are now effectively voiceless in the Senate, potentially undermining their right to representation, a right enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. This situation potends a dangerous precedent. Just days ago, the Senate further removed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Chairperson of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, replacing her with Senator Aniekan Bassey. The committee plays a key role in engaging the Nigerian diaspora, guiding policies on remittances, fostering dialogue with local authorities, and promoting cross-border collaboration. It also oversees diaspora-related budget proposals. Akpoti-Uduaghan had only recently been reassigned to the Diaspora Committee on February 4, following her removal as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content, a move that was part of a broader committee reshuffle. Her previous chairmanship of the Local Content Committee could have brought significant benefits to her constituents, particularly in areas of employment and local development. However, these opportunities appear to have taken a back seat to her increasingly dramatic public displays. A six-month suspension is no small matter. It has tangible consequences for the constituency she was elected to serve. Yes, Senator Natasha has been distributing food and grains, but as the saying goes, “man shall not live by bread alone.” Her constituents need more than handouts, they need active, consistent representation in the Senate. While she travels and embraces the limelight, her people endure the cost of her absence. At the end, Natasha’s suspension is her gains, while it remains the pains of her constituents in Kogi Central Senatorial District.
Ozumi Abdul is a journalist, writer, columnist, fact-checker and PR consultant. He can be reached via abdulozumi83@gmail.com
Malam Garba Shehu, a media aide to the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari, has debunked rumour making the rounds about the ill health of his boss. According to Garba Shehu, Buhari is improving steadily from his recent health challenge in London and showing positive signs every day. Reacting to the rumour, he said that the 82-year-old Buhari is stronger and healthier now than he did before becoming president. “He looks much better after leaving the office than before he became president.” Garba Shehu pointed to Buhari’s dedication to a healthy lifestyle as a major reason for his recovery. He said that the former president sticks to a simple but disciplined routine.
“He eats healthy and exercises regularly. At the farm in Daura, four times a week, he does one and a half hours of rigorous walking all around.” Even before falling ill, Buhari remained physically active during his stay in the UK. “Even in the UK, when he went for a medical check before he fell ill, he flooded the streets,” Shehu added, referring to Buhari’s habit of taking long walks. Garba Shehu did not deny the fact that Buhari was admitted to the hospital but that his condition was never as bad as some made it seem.
“Buhari has been discharged. It was not as intense as reported. He was hospitalised, and now he is being cared for.
“He is in a recovery mode. Each day, he gets better, but until it’s all over, you can’t say it is over.”
The Presidency has raised alarm over what it called the scatting statement by the International Monitory Fund (IMF) on the Nigerian economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu, capable of inciting citizens against the government. “IMF’s statements risked pitching the Nigerian people against the government (of President Tinubu),” said the Presidential Special Adviser on Economic Affairs, Tope Fasua, in an interview on Channels Television’s “The Morning Brief” programme. Tope Fasua cried out to IMF: “Give us a break; let us be able to know where we are going before coming at us at every angle and generally throwing us off track. We’ve done the right things. They say they want more—but the government also has a right to say, ‘let us see how what we’ve done turns out.’
“Like the president would say: ‘let the poor breathe’. “This administration under President Tinubu has done some of the deepest reforms we have seen in a while. We only just got the tax bills signed into law—bills that offer relief to low-income earners and double the tax threshold for small businesses. “We haven’t even allowed those measures to settle, yet we’re hearing all sorts of very fatalistic statements from different places, including, unfortunately, the IMF.’’ He said that the IMF had become overly critical, describing its frequent statements on Nigeria as “heckling” and potentially destabilizing. “Sometimes one wants to think they go into overdrive. Almost every week or every two to three days, there’s a statement on Nigeria. At the end of the day, it leaves everyone in a state of confusion.” Fasua said that Nigeria recently repaid $3 billion to the IMF to exit its COVID-19 loan package which, according to him, many other countries have not been able to do. He wondered why the IMF would continue to pile pressures on Nigeria, adding: “We’re not asking for a pat on the back; we’re just saying, you know what, give us a breather. Let us be able to implement the policies we’ve started. ‘’They acknowledge that the reforms are good, yet they keep demanding more, and it’s almost like being caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. “It’s like a house that is completely dilapidated. And we’re being asked to provide full comfort in two years after removing the roof and working on the foundation. That’s not realistic.” Fasua pointed out a contradiction in IMF’s dual role, saying that its advisory messages were often in conflict with its lending stance. “The IMF has both an advisory and a lending arm, and sometimes it looks like their advice clashes with their lending stance. We don’t even know which to believe anymore. On the cost-of-living crisis and whether the IMF’s concerns were valid, the presidential aide said that progress had been made in the economy since the body’s recommendations were rolled out. “They have recommended even more painful reforms. They want us to keep raising interest rates but interest rates are now stabilising. The Central Bank has a view to begin to reduce them gradually,” he explained. On inflation, Fasua said: “They complained inflation is high. Do they expect it to drop to single digits in a quarter? That’s unrealistic. Inflation has reduced over the last three months and will likely fall further. “Whoever wrote that statement is not sounding like an economist because an economist is not a fantasist. “Sometimes these statements feel overrated. We should invest in collecting our own data and stop depending solely on BrettonWoods institutions. Let’s build our own capacity and data credibility.” In its recent report titled: “How Nigeria Can Unleash Its Economic Potential,” IMF had expressed concerns about the nation’s persistently high inflation rate and the slow impact of its economic reforms. The report reads: “Upon taking office in 2023, the new government faced low growth and rising poverty. Between 2014 and 2023, real per capita GDP declined on average by 0.7 per cent annually. In 2023, the poverty rate stood at 42 per cent. ‘’This difficult situation was compounded by limited access to dollars, which meant that people had to turn to the parallel currency market and thereby pay a much higher price than the official rate. “In the meantime, public finances were strained by an opaque fuel subsidy system, which also caused recurrent petrol scarcity. And central bank financing of the fiscal deficit pushed up inflation. “In response to these challenges, Nigerian policymakers have embarked on a series of bold reforms over the last two years. In 2023 the new government and the Central Bank of Nigeria liberalised the foreign exchange market, stopped central bank financing of the fiscal deficit, and reformed fuel subsidies. “The government also strengthened revenue collection, which is still one of the world’s weakest. “Since these reforms were implemented, international reserves have increased, and anyone can now access foreign exchange in the official market. Nigeria successfully returned to international capital markets last December and was recently upgraded by rating agencies. “A new domestic, private refinery is positioning Nigeria up the value chain in a fully deregulated market. “While progress has been encouraging, significant challenges remain. Inflation still exceeds 20 percent. Poor infrastructure, especially for electricity, inhibits economic activity. Poverty and food insecurity remain high. Nigeria lacks an effective social safety net to cushion the impact of shocks on the most vulnerable.” IMF then recommended a more effective budgetary framework, stressing the need to channel savings from fuel subsidy removal into critical investments It advised that once Nigeria’s cash transfer system is fully functional, tax rates could be aligned with regional benchmarks, even as it asked the CBN to maintain a firm stance to reduce inflation and restore confidence in the economy. IMF said that the country needs stronger and more sustained growth to lift millions out of poverty and food insecurity.
As Development Economist, I was shocked reading The Financial Times editorial of May 2025 arguing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has “stabilised the economy” and “turned a corner.” While this assessment may seem encouraging on paper, it is detached from the reality of most Nigerians, who are enduring the worst economic hardship in decades. Far from heralding a recovery, these reforms have plunged millions deeper into poverty, hunger, and despair.
Yes, growth projections may reach 3.7%, but growth without shared prosperity is economic illusion. It is one thing for the World Bank or foreign investors to read green shoots in quarterly reports; it is quite another for ordinary Nigerians to afford a loaf of bread, a litre of petrol, or basic healthcare. In truth, these reforms have inflicted more pain than progress. 1. Fuel Subsidy Removal: Pain Without a Plan The removal of the fuel subsidy may have been economically justifiable, but it was executed without safety nets for the poor. Transport costs tripled overnight. Food inflation soared above 40%. Public transportation collapsed in many cities. Promised palliatives buses, cash transfers, food programs — either never materialized or were grossly inadequate. For the average Nigerian, this was not reform. It was economic cruelty. 2. Naira Devaluation: Stabilised for Whom? The editorial praises the naira’s “stabilisation” after its free fall, but at what cost? The official exchange rate may have narrowed against the black market, but imported inflation has devastated households. Medications, textbooks, and technology are now luxuries. The so-called “orthodox monetary policy” has benefited speculators and exporters not the average worker, teacher, or trader. Stability that increases suffering is not progress. 3. Cronyism and Cosmetic Fiscal Changes While the CBN may have stopped printing money, government waste continues unchecked. Budget padding, inflated contracts, and luxury spending from bulletproof SUVs to a proposed N90 billion pilgrimage subsidies persist. A restructured tax base is meaningless when the proceeds fund elite extravagance instead of schools, clinics, or rural roads. 4. Oil Production: Temporary Gains Amid Systemic Failures That oil output rose from 1.0 to 1.5 million barrels daily is not a structural win, it is a partial recovery from collapse, not a transformation. Oil theft may be reduced for now, but the deeper issues of diversification, value chain development, and energy access remain unresolved. Worse still, Nigeria’s overdependence on oil continues, as non-oil revenues remain weak and productivity outside Lagos and Abuja stagnates. 5. Inflation and Insecurity: The Twin Threats Ignored The editorial mildly admits to 24% inflation and ongoing insecurity, but these are not minor challenges, they are national emergencies. Farmers cannot access markets due to banditry. Schools are being closed for fear of abductions. In this context, talking about investor access to dollars misses the mark. The real economy — the economy of ordinary people is in distress. 6. Who Feels the Reform? Not the People. To claim that Nigeria is in “better shape” than in the last decade is an insult to Nigerians whose real incomes have eroded, whose children are out of school, and who are being told to “endure” while political elites fly private jets and allocate billions for luxury offices. If this is the price of reform, it is too high, too cruel, and too disconnected from any real social contract. Conclusion: Reform Must Deliver, Not Destroy The Financial Times rightly notes that Nigeria has potential, but potential does not feed empty stomachs. Nigeria does not need shock therapy that breaks its people before healing its economy. Real reform must be inclusive, empathetic, and transparent. What we are witnessing under Tinubu is not reform, but elite restructuring where the same political class gains, while the masses are told to be patient and patriotic in poverty. Nigeria can indeed turn the corner, but not with policies that privilege IMF applause over local realities, or foreign investor optimism over domestic survival. True reform must touch the lives of ordinary people or it remains nothing but a foreign illusion and a local tragedy.
Dr. Jazuli Lawal is M.CIoD, Development Economist & Management Consultant Abuja, Nigeria, in a rejoinder to the Financial Times Editorial.
Without mincing words, it is correct to say that in the heart of Nigeria’s farming communities, women till the land, sow the seeds, and harvest the crops that feed millions. Unfortunately, findings have shown that for decades, women have remained on the margins of the agricultural policy-making process, access to credit, and technological innovation. But on a happy note, the story is changing, thanks in part, to the efforts of the Women in Agriculture Cooperative Federation Limited (WIACF), an organization representing transformative force that is quietly reshaping the role of women in farming in Kogi State. Founded in 2009 and led by Dr. (Mrs.) Esther Audu as the National President, WIACF is not just another cooperative; it is a lifeline for thousands of women seeking dignity, prosperity, and inclusion in Nigeria’s most vital economic sector,agriculture. Through a well-structured model that combines production, processing, marketing, health insurance, and financial access, WIACF is determined to turn women farmers in the state into formidable agribusiness stakeholders. Kogi State, often called the “food basket” of the North Central zone in certain quarters of Nigeria, is a major focus of WIACF’s interventions in this write up. The Federation operates in all 21 Local Government Areas, directly reaching rural women in communities such as Anyigba, Dekina, Okene, Kabba, and Lokoja. Agriculture experts believe that with over 70 percent of the state’s farming population said to be women, the impact of empowering them cannot be overstated. However, it must be noted that one of the key challenges women in agriculture face generally is land ownership. Cultural norms and gender-biased inheritance systems restrict their access to land, thereby limiting their productivity. WIACF realizes this major hindrance to effective women participation in food production and has put machinery in motion to address this by forming cooperative clusters. These clusters allow women to pool resources, lease land collectively, and negotiate better terms with community leaders and local authorities for greater results. Another hurdle is access to finance and mechanization,a development that has forced many women farmers to operate at a subsistence level due to a lack of capital and tools. The management of WIACF has expressed its resolve to bridge this gap through microloans, tractor leasing, and seedling provision. The Federation says it has partnered with Liberty Hub International and Mechanized Agricultural Investment and Services (MAIS) to provide cleared farmland, high-yield seedlings, and direct produce-buying contracts to women-led cooperatives. Beyond cultivation, WIACF is also focusing on value addition and entrepreneurship. Hundreds of Kogi women are being trained in soap-making, food processing, block molding, and poultry to create multiple income streams, stabilize family welfare, and reduce rural poverty. Perhaps, most revolutionary in the Federation’s conscious effort to transform agriculture in the state is its investment in infrastructure. Record shows that WIACF is developing 16 food merchant centres across Kogi to store, process, and distribute agricultural produce. The optimism is that, these centres will cut down post-harvest losses,an issue that has plagued Nigerian agriculture for decades,and improve food availability throughout the year. Conscious of the role of good health in farming activities, WIACF has incorporated health and social welfare into its model. The programme enables women to enroll in the Federation and benefit from health insurance schemes, thereby giving them a kind of security that is rare in informal agricultural settings. The management of WIACF believes with other discerning minds that, when women farmers are healthy and financially protected, their productivity will increase significantly and not taking this for granted in its operations. Advocacy also forms a pillar of WIACF’s approach in actualizing its aims and objectives for women farmers in the state. To realize this noble cause, it has consistently stressed the imperative of the public sector releasing agricultural funds allocated for women annually,funds which often run into hundreds of millions of naira could not be accessed. Studies show that cultural and socioeconomic barriers account for over 90% of the variance in women’s ability to participate in agricultural cooperatives. To rectify this anomaly, WIACF says it has developed a cooperative model that will help dismantle these barriers by offering a support system where women find solidarity, education, and collective bargaining power. In doing so, women farmers will gain a stronger voice,both on the farm and at the policy table. Partnerships have also fueled WIACF’s reach, especially through collaborations with organizations like the World Bank, CESEL, and Youth for Technology. These partnerships will necessitate bringing solar-powered irrigation systems to 10,000 farmers in the state, 70 percent of them women. Agricultural analysts praise the Federation for taking such a step, noting that it will expand dry-season farming, reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture, ginger the interest of women into farming and improve year-round food supply. By enabling market access, WIACF has promised to connect women producers directly with buyers to eliminate exploitative middlemen. This translates into better prices, increased savings, and a stronger economic base for households and enable to reinvest in better seeds, equipment, and training, thereby fueling a virtuous cycle of growth. The Federation’s commitment to capacity building cannot be ignored. Every year, WIACF train over 200 women in the state to enhance their technical skills in farming and soft skills like bookkeeping, leadership, and marketing. Over time, these trained women become peer mentors, spreading knowledge across communities. In a country such as Nigeria, battling food insecurity, Kogi State inclusive, due to climate change, insecurity, and rising input costs, empowering women is not just a moral obligation; it is a strategic necessity. The Women in Agriculture Cooperative Federation Limited is actively contributing to the concerted efforts to ensure food security in Kogi state by demonstrating that food sufficiency cannot be achieved without women’s full participation,if the state must witness agricultural revolution. As Nigeria looks forward to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), WIACF offers a blueprint for inclusive agricultural growth in alliance with its operations in Kogi State. Its work in the state is a testament to what is possible when policy meets passion and tradition gives way to transformation. The consensus amongst agriculture experts is that, the future of Kogi’s agriculture may well lie in the hands of its women. With organizations like WIACF providing the tools, training, and voice they need, that future looks increasingly fertile. Dada Ahmed is the Director of Media for WIAC.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has approved 150 as the minimum cut-off mark for admission into Nigerian universities for the 2025/2026 academic session. The decision was reached today, July 8, during the JAMB 2025 Policy Meeting on Admissions in Abuja. The meeting brought together stakeholders from federal and state ministries of education, heads of tertiary institutions, and other relevant agencies. In addition to the university benchmark, JAMB announced that the minimum cut-off mark for colleges of nursing will be 140, while colleges of agriculture and colleges of education will have a cut-off mark of 100. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had earlier announced that the minimum age for entry into tertiary institutions is 16 years.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has won the prestigious 2025 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prize for its Digital Awareness Programme under Category C3 (Access to Information and Knowledge). The initiative, which provides ICT resources and internet connectivity to secondary schools across Nigeria, emerged as the top-voted project in its category. Since its launch in 2006, DAP has benefited over 300 schools nationwide, enhancing digital learning and research. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Wada Maida expressed gratitude to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and WSIS for acknowledging Nigeria’s strides in digital inclusion. “This award reinforces our commitment to bridging the digital divide and advancing national development.” Meanwhile four other Nigerian projects: Women Techsters, ADEPTI, Telecom-Based Research Grant Initiative, and Digital Learning Initiative were recognized in the Champions Category, underscoring Nigeria’s growing influence in global ICT innovation. The WSIS Prizes celebrate initiatives leveraging technology to drive sustainable development, aligning with the UN’s vision of an inclusive digital future.
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……Natasha…
“Buhari has been discharged. It was not as intense as reported. He was hospitalised, and now he is being cared for.
Yes, growth projections may reach 3.7%, but growth without shared prosperity is economic illusion. It is one thing for the World Bank or foreign investors to read green shoots in quarterly reports; it is quite another for ordinary Nigerians to afford a loaf of bread, a litre of petrol, or basic healthcare. In truth, these reforms have inflicted more pain than progress.
Natasha’s Conundrums: Her Gains And Pains For Kogi Central, By Ozumi Abdul
At home in the Kogi Central Senatorial District, suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is seen as a contentious figure, frequently at odds with established leadership and openly confrontational toward those she deems adversaries. She often targets certain individuals as sworn enemies and extends her hostility to anyone associated with them.
She has shown little or no regard for the paramount traditional ruler of Ebiraland, the Ohinoyi, while curiously extending respect to his subordinates, the Ohis, honor she unarguably ought to reserve for the Ohinoyi himself.
Like a leaking basket spilling water everywhere, Senator Natasha carried her confrontational and unruly demeanor into the Nigerian Senate. She seems to disregard the fact that legislative proceedings, whether in plenary sessions or committee meetings, are governed by established Senate rules.
These rules not only guide the conduct of members but also provide for sanctions in cases of violation. The Senate chamber is called “hallowed” for a reason, it is a space where order and decorum are paramount.
It will be recalled that on March 20 this year, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno raised a point of order to report Senator Natasha for breaching Senate rules. He cited Order 6, which mandates that “the President of the Senate shall allocate a seat to each senator.” Subsection 6(2) further stipulates that senators may only speak from the seat allocated by the presiding officer, who also reserves the right to reassign seats when necessary.
Relying on this provision, Senator Monguno explained:
“It is at the discretion of the Senate President, as circumstances may warrant, to reassign a senator’s seat. Recently, two senators, Ned Nwoko (PDP) and Francis Ezenwa (Labour Party), defected to the APC, necessitating their movement from the Minority to the Majority side. Exercising the powers vested in him under Order 6(2), the Senate President directed the Chief Whip to reallocate seats. Following this directive, Senator Natasha was assigned a new seat, but she refused to vacate her previous one, in direct violation of our rules.”
Senator Monguno urged that, based on the standing rules, Senator Natasha must comply with the seat reassignment or risk being denied recognition to speak during plenary.
In defiance of this directive, Senator Natasha leapt to her feet, waving a copy of the Senate rules and shouting “Point of Order.” The Senate President reminded her that she could not speak unless seated in her designated position.
Ignoring this, she continued to shout, invoking Order 10, which deals with breaches of a senator’s privileges.
Due to her continued disruption, the Senate President ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort her out of the chamber. The officer moved in her direction but hesitated, perhaps expecting her to calm down and comply. The Senate President, meanwhile, refrained from repeating the order, likely to de-escalate the situation.
Some senators approached her in an attempt to placate her, but she rebuffed their efforts and continued making disrespectful remarks.
Amid the controversy, days later, Senator Natasha accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, a grave allegation. Following this, the Senate disciplinary committee imposed a six-month suspension on her, most notably for her unruly attitudes, not because of her allegation against the Senate President.
Since then, Senator Natasha has seemingly embraced the spotlight, enjoying media attention and public sympathy, elevating her profile more as a controversial figure, than as a lawmaker tasked with representing her constituents.
She has continued to grant numerous interviews,many of them deemed unnecessary, on both local and international platforms. She has become a social media sensation, a globetrotter, and, some would argue, a celebrity. Her public appearances with her husband at the National Assembly, where they were seen kissing and dancing, have drawn criticism. These displays have led many to believe that she is relishing her suspension, while the people of Kogi Central remain without representation.
Her absence raises a constitutional concern. Her constituents are now effectively voiceless in the Senate, potentially undermining their right to representation, a right enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. This situation potends a dangerous precedent.
Just days ago, the Senate further removed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Chairperson of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, replacing her with Senator Aniekan Bassey.
The committee plays a key role in engaging the Nigerian diaspora, guiding policies on remittances, fostering dialogue with local authorities, and promoting cross-border collaboration. It also oversees diaspora-related budget proposals.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had only recently been reassigned to the Diaspora Committee on February 4, following her removal as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content, a move that was part of a broader committee reshuffle.
Her previous chairmanship of the Local Content Committee could have brought significant benefits to her constituents, particularly in areas of employment and local development.
However, these opportunities appear to have taken a back seat to her increasingly dramatic public displays. A six-month suspension is no small matter. It has tangible consequences for the constituency she was elected to serve.
Yes, Senator Natasha has been distributing food and grains, but as the saying goes, “man shall not live by bread alone.” Her constituents need more than handouts, they need active, consistent representation in the Senate.
While she travels and embraces the limelight, her people endure the cost of her absence. At the end, Natasha’s suspension is her gains, while it remains the pains of her constituents in Kogi Central Senatorial District.
Ozumi Abdul is a journalist, writer, columnist, fact-checker and PR consultant. He can be reached via abdulozumi83@gmail.com