Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, has asked Nigerians to reject both the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general election. 
Sowore said that the country now needed someone with fresh ideas and competence to take over the seat of power from President Muhammadu Buhari. 

Speaking with journalists at Akure Airport shortly after arriving in Ondo State cheers from multitudes of supporters, the rights activist reiterated that those currently ruling the county had failed to perform well despite their initial promises. 
He added that Nigerians had suffered under the leadership of PDP and APC that have held the country back in the last 16 years. 
According to him, Nigerians most especially the youth needed to challenge those seeking political power in the country ahead of next year's general election. 
He said, "This is the right time to challenge those in power and bring those with fresh blood, ideas, and initiatives that can change the narratives for Nigeria. 
 
"Both APC and PDP are yet to have a candidate and they would never have a candidate that would be acceptable to Nigerians. The end of both parties has come. 
"The time to do for the people has arrived. The time for the nation to work for the Nigerian people has also arrived. 
"Other political parties are even going into extinction and we would help to consign them into the dustbin of history as soon as possible.
"For the people of Ondo State, and those who have not heard, I, Omoyele Sowore is going to be the next President of Nigeria." 
Speaking on his return back to his country home, the AAC presidential candidate said he was happy to be received by the crowd of supporters and people of Kiribo community in Ese Odo area of Ondo. 
Sowore also described his incarceration in prison by the Nigerian Government after his unjust arrest by the Department of State Services as a complete waste of time. 
He added that he was stronger and bolder now that he has been released to move around the country, stressing that he would continue to speak against injustice in the land. 
He said, "It is a waste of time because nobody can fight history. No law court can find a justifiable reason to jail anybody that is fighting justice and this country needs justice. 
"I have only one step to take to fight for what is just and right. Three years later, I have been proven right. Those who took me to Abuja, detained me thereby putting me in the DSS facility and Abuja city, they have now been disgraced and would soon be out of power and we are coming into the office very soon. 
"The Sowore that they thought could be cowed in 2019 has now become stronger, bigger and more powerful. The young people that we have been fighting for have also become bolder."

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Italian super agent, Mino Raiola, has died of an illness in Milan aged 54.
Raiola was the agent of football superstars including Erling Haaland, Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Romelu Lukaku and Marco Veratti.

According to Daily Mail, the 54-year-old had been hospitalised in Milan where he underwent surgery for an undisclosed illness.
It was also speculated that the illness was non-life-threatening as he was expected to make a full recovery.
A statement from his family reads, “In infinite sorrow, we share the passing of the most caring and amazing football agent that ever was.
“Mino fought until the end with the same strength he put on negotiation tables to defend our players. As usual, Mino made us proud and never realised it.
“Mino touched so many lives through his work and wrote a new chapter in the history of modern football. His presence will forever be missed.
“Mino’s mission of making football a better place for players will continue with the same passion.”
He started his career as a sports agent after leaving football in the late ’80s and became involved in the transfers of several high-profile Dutch players to Italian clubs including Ajax player Bryan Roy (in 1992 to Foggia), and Dennis Bergkamp (in 1993 to Internazionale).
In August 2016, the multi-linguist made a world record transfer of Paul Pogba to Manchester United of €105million-plus bonuses of €5million, surpassing the former record holder, Gareth Bale.
Raiola made a reported €25million from Pogba’s transfer; subsequently, he bought the former Miami home of one of America’s most famous mob bosses, Al Capone, for €9million.
On January 22, 2020, Raiola was among a number of high profile football agents including Jorge Mendes and Jonathan Barnett, who threatened FIFA with legal sanctions following the planned cap on transfer payments.

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File photo used to illustrate story.

Some gunmen on Saturday attacked soldiers at a checkpoint in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to Daily Post, sources said the gunmen wielded automatic rifles, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.

File photo used to illustrate story.
They reportedly arrived at the checkpoint, which was manned by soldiers and started shooting at them, causing the soldiers to reciprocate in a bid to save themselves.
The source said the gunmen came in exotic automobiles numbering about four, suspected to have been snatched from unsuspecting members of the public for their nefarious operations.
“They confronted the soldiers for over 10 minutes, causing residents of the area to scamper for safety, and after a long shooting match, the men overpowered the soldiers, and they had to withdraw.
“The men did not cover their faces, and they were shouting on top of their voices, asking that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, be released.
“We saw them, some people even tried to make videos, but everyone was afraid not to be spotted and shot,” the source said.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the incident, while also condemning it as an attack on the nation.
Spokesperson for the command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said, “Generally speaking, any attack on any security agent is a threat to the soul of a nation. Yes, there was a shooting incident at a checkpoint in Agulu but the information is still sketchy.”
 

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Controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has appealed to terrorists, who abducted Kaduna-Abuja train passengers on March 28, 2022 to free them “in the name of God”.

This comes after Gumi had formed an advocacy group aimed at championing the rights of Fulani herders.

Gumi announced the creation of the group known as Nomadic Rights Concern during his Ramadan sermon at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna.

He said it will bring attention to the abuses and violations of rights of Fulani herders.

“We appeal to you (the bandits) to fear God and take the path of peace. You should emulate one of you who have just unconditionally released all captives under him; he repented and sought God’s forgiveness,” Gumi added.  

Speaking on the advocacy group, Gumi said, “We found it worthwhile to establish Nomadic Rights Concern to be headed by Prof Umar Labbo. NORIC is supposed to be a channel whereby Nomads will have their complaints and agitation addressed to the right authorities.

“So many have complaints about the loss of family members. Others are in the prisons of security apparatus for many years without offence and trial in a competent court of justice.

“The organisation was established to address these fallouts, hopefully, nomads will follow the civil ways in addressing their grievances away from violence, it’s said that violence is the language of the unheard."

Before he created the organisation, Gumi had visited some of the armed bandits and cattle herders in the forests in Zamfara and Niger states. 

He also took medical services to them and has been urging the Nigerian Government to grant them amnesty as they did to Niger Delta militants.

The Ramadan lecture attracted thousands of in-person listeners and viewers on Facebook via Facebook Live.

 

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The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has asked the United Nations to visit Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, in the custody of the Department of State Services.
The rights group said it was worried by some reports and allegations of torture being made by the detained IPOB leader.

Following the persistent complaints by Kanu of being maltreated in the custody of DSS, which have constantly been denied by the agency, HURIWA said it was now important that the UN, through its country representative, pays a monitoring visitation to the detention facility to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of these complaints by the leader of IPOB.
HURIWA said that there are allegations that the secret police was flouting Justice Binta Nyako’s order that it allows Kanu to change his clothes.
Also, the DSS has continued to starve the IPOB leader, according to his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor.
HURIWA said it was disconcerting that the DSS, which is a creation of the law, can deliberately flout the binding orders of a court of competent jurisdiction as alleged by the lawyers.
For this reason, the group said it was “urging the United Nations, the European Union, the British High Commission to visit and inspect the situation of the detainee, Kanu”, Daily Post reports.
HURIWA said although it was aware that the DSS had on many occasions denied those sets of allegations made by the legal representatives of Kanu, the frequency of the complaints should merit a high-profile visit by the international organisations in Nigeria such as the UN, EU and world’s democracies such as the diplomatic officials from embassies of powerful nations with representation in Nigeria.

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Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Magashi (rtd), has confirmed that in addition to the recent procurement of J-F17 Thunder multi-role aircraft and Super Tucano attack aircraft, the Nigerian Government is expecting the delivery of three new types of fighter aircraft to tackle insecurity.
He listed them as the DA-42 surveillance aircraft, A109 Trekker helicopters and Beechcraft KA-360i aircraft.

The minister spoke in Kaduna State on Saturday as 49 new officers were commissioned and 1,549 recruits enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force.
Represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, the minister charged the military to protect the lives and property of Nigerians in the face of the various security challenges bedevilling the country.
He said, “The military profession, which you have chosen, requires absolute discipline, loyalty and hard work, among other virtues. It is much more than just a job, especially at this crucial time in our nation’s history, when we are battling the challenges of insecurity on several fronts. 
“As such, you are expected to secure the lives and properties of the Nigerian people and ensure that they can live in peace and pursue their legitimate aspirations without fear. Such a noble service demands extraordinary courage, commitment, and patriotism, and Nigeria will continue to count on you and demand such qualities from you. 
“Accordingly, the Federal Government’s recent procurement of new platforms such as the J-F17 Thunder multi-role aircraft and Super Tucano attack aircraft to enhance the capacity of the Nigerian Air Force to tackle current security challenges in the country is a testament to Mr President’s quest for equipping the Nigerian Air Force. 
“The Nigerian Air Force is also expecting the delivery of the DA-42 surveillance aircraft, A109 Trekker helicopters and Beechcraft KA-360i aircraft in the next few years, among so many other requirements. We, therefore, once again thank Mr President for strengthening our Armed Forces and pledge our unalloyed loyalty and total commitment towards restoring peace and order in all parts of the country.”  

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The Arewa Consultative Youth Forum has called on the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, to quickly withdraw his statement that the party has not taken a position on zoning elective positions for 2023 elections.
The ACYF in a statement on Saturday said the statement credited to Adamu was capable of heating the polity and spelling doom for the party if not quickly withdrawn.

The group said it was worrisome that the party chairman could come up with such inflammatory statement when all critical stakeholders were already on the same page on the need for the presidency to return to the South in 2023.
The statement reads, “The unfortunate statement credited to Senator Adamu is regrettable just as it is demeaning of his status as the chairman of a ruling party.
“Even a political novice is aware that the consensus from critical political stakeholders is that the Presidency must return to the South in 2023.
“His statement that no agreement had been reached on zoning is not in the best interest of the party. The statement is capable of leading to electoral defeat for our great party if not quickly withdrawn.
“It is a statement that can confuse, overheat the polity and eventually lead to electoral defeat.
“Leaders must learn to weigh their words and also feel the pulse of the people when making statements on issues as important as this.”

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The Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt will resume hearing on the appeal filed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service against the Rivers State Government over the collection of value-added tax and personal income tax.
Emmanuel Ukala, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and lawyer representing Rivers State, confirmed to TheCable on Saturday that the case will come up on May 9, 2022.

According to a senior court official, respective parties to the suit have been asked to submit written applications ahead of the sitting.
The issue of VAT collection had generated a legal battle between FIRS and some state governments.
Rivers and Lagos state governments had enacted laws and called for decentralisation of collection, while some states pushed for centralised collection.
In August 2021, a Federal High Court issued an order restraining FIRS from collecting VAT and Personal Income Tax — directing the Rivers State Government to take charge of the collection.
The landmark judgment also implies that other state governments could follow and collect VAT in their jurisdictions.
Following the judgment, the FIRS had filed an appeal on the issue.
Not too long after, on September 10, 2021, the Lagos State Government applied to the Court of Appeal in Abuja to be joined as a co-respondent in the appeal filed by FIRS — a request later granted on September 30, 2021. 
The Oyo State Government had also applied to be joined as a respondent.
However, the Court of Appeal ordered both Rivers and Lagos states to maintain status quo pending the determination of an appeal filed by the FIRS.
But the Rivers State Government asked the Supreme Court to set aside the order of the Court of Appeal.
The matter is still in court. 
 

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The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has told a presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Rotimi Amaechi, to “forget about morals” as he aims to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
Amaechi, who is Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, visited the Oba of Lagos on Thursday.

Akiolu said, “I tell everybody, the future belongs to God. If it is efficiency and knowledge, you are qualified. But the future belongs to God. I pray to God Almighty to give you good health and a long life.
“Like Niccolò Machiavelli, he said ‘the end justifies the means’. If you are looking for power, forget everything about morals. The best will happen. God will give us the best man who will address our entire problem. You are very agile and honest to the core.”
During the visit, Amaechi said his presidential ambition was borne out of the need to serve and provide selfless leadership to Nigerians, Politics Nigeria reports.

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has beefed up security at airports ahead of the Eid-el-Fitri celebration.
Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, issued a statement confirming this on Saturday.

Hope-Ivbaze said FAAN would ensure seamless facilitation of passengers during the Sallah celebrations and beyond.
The spokesperson said facilities at the airports have been improved upon and are functioning optimally.
She said, “All other logistics have been upgraded and strengthened to provide for the expected increase in passenger traffic in and around our airports.”
Travellers were also enjoined to look out for directional signage for guidance, as well as abide by all safety and security instructions.
FAAN advised intending travellers to make early preparations towards completing their travel requirements in good time.
Receiving of dignitaries in restricted areas by security agents and airport officials remains prohibited and anyone found wanting would be prosecuted, Hope-Ivbaze added.
 

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Some gunmen on Friday invaded a popular drinking joint in Anambra State, killing five persons in the process.
 
The incident, according to reports, happened at Ụtọ Ndụ in Obiofia Village, under Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state.
 
An eyewitness, who spoke with Tribune, said the gunmen invaded the place at about 8:00pm and immediately opened fire on customers, who were having fun.
 
Five persons including owner of the restaurant identified as Ụtọ Ndụ, who hails from neighbouring Amichi, were killed. 
 
Videos from the scene of the incident currently trending on social media show four males and the female owner lying lifeless in a pool of blood.
 
Sympathisers, friends and relatives of victims were seen mourning and lamenting as the corpses were transported to a mortuary later.
 
The latest attack is coming barely one month after gunmen invaded the local government headquarters in Ukpor and set some buildings and offices ablaze, after which they also killed a security man guarding the premises.
 
Recall that gunmen, on Easter celebration day attacked another pub and restaurant known as Sophia Fast Food located close to the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State where they also attacked and robbed customers having fun.
 
Spokesperson for the police in Anambra State, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, was yet to confirm last night’s attack.

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Russia’s Foreign Minister has urged the United States and NATO to stop supplying Ukraine with arms if they are “really interested in resolving the crisis”, Chinese state media reported Saturday.
Months into an invasion that failed in its short-term aim of capturing Kyiv, Russia is now intensifying operations in Ukraine’s Eastern Donbas Region.

But Sergei Lavrov told China’s official Xinhua news agency that the “special military operation is proceeding strictly according to plan”.
China has avoided condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and defends its firm friendship with Moscow, with state media often echoing the Russian line on the war.
“If the US and NATO are really interested in resolving the Ukraine crisis, then first of all, they should wake up and stop supplying the Kyiv regime with arms and ammunition,” Lavrov said.
The Kremlin had previously called Western arms deliveries to Ukraine a threat to European security.
In his interview with Xinhua published Saturday, Lavrov said that Russia can “retool” its economy to guard against potential “unlawful hostilities”.
He added that the sanctions-hit country will focus on moving away from the US dollar and lean less on imports while boosting its tech independence, Xinhua reported.
Moscow has pursued a “de-dollarisation” policy for several years, calling on partners such as China and India to conduct payments in other currencies.
Since the invasion, Western nations have imposed sanctions that largely cut Russia’s financial sector off from the global economy.
Ukrainian prosecutors say they have pinpointed more than 8,000 war crimes and are investigating 10 Russian soldiers for suspected atrocities in Bucha, where dozens of bodies in civilian clothes were found following Moscow’s retreat.
 

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The police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested a dreaded criminal, who allegedly killed over 15 people in the state including a female corps member, Chinwendu Lovina Ezeh.
The suspect, Malachi Uwem, 24, is said to be serial killer and leader of a notorious armed robbery gang, which specialises in robbing Point of Sales operators and filling stations.

A spokesperson for the police in the state, SP Odiko Macdon, in a statement said the suspect was traced to his hideout at Ikang in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State where he and others were arrested after a shootout with police operatives.
"The said Malachi and (the) gang have killed over 15 persons and have left some of his victims permanently maimed," the PPRO stated.

Macdon said some victims were still in the hospital, while others have shut down their businesses because of huge losses.

The police spokesperson said the slain NYSC corps member died last week at a hospital in Enugu, Enugu State, after she was shot on February 20 and robbed of her iPhone, credit card, and N7,000 at Ikot Ambang.

"Only recently, on Monday, 25th April, he shot and killed two young men on the grounds that the village couldn’t meet his demand of N20million, but were only able to raise N5million,” he said.

"21/2/22, Malachi robbed and killed a lady teacher returning from school in Okobo Ibiono who had stopped over at a POS shop to withdraw money,” the statement read.
 
"5/3/22, Malachi shot and killed Mrs Idongesit Damson in her house in Okobo Ibiono. He also shot one Wisdom, which also led to a protest and blockage of Uyo/Ikot Ekpene Expressway. Several POS shops and filling stations have been robbed by the suspect and his gang in Okobo Ibiono, Itak axis and Uyo.

"On Thursday, operatives of Special Weapons And Tactics Squad of Akwa Ibom State Command led by CSP Julian Igbudu, traced the hoodlums to their hideouts in Ikang, Akpabuyo Local Government Area Of Cross River State, where Malachi Friday Uwem, his second in command, 31-year-old Wisdom Sunday Akpan, 20-year-old Ndifreke Sunday Ebong and 33-year-old Annansia Umoh resisted arrest and engaged the operatives in a gun duel.

"In the ensuing milieu, three of the gang members were fatally injured while attempting to escape."

The PPRO said police recovered one cut-to-size pump action gun, one locally-made pistol, many cartridges, one gas head with a resemblance of a gun and assorted charms from the suspects.
 

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Shehu Sani

A former member of the Nigerian Senate, Shehu Sani, has said President Muhammadu Buhari would have protested if the government of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan piled up debts like he has done.
In an ongoing Twitter Spaces session with Daily Trust, the Senator, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, rated the government lowly.

Shehu Sani
He said, “Never at a time as a country has Nigeria been in so much debt. We keep borrowing from everywhere.”
He said whatever Buhari thought he had achieved would mean nothing if Nigerians were not secure.
Sani also accused Buhari of keeping incompetent people in office, wondering why he cannot reshuffle his cabinet.
 

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The Archbishop Emeritus of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Reverend Ayo Ladigbolu, who is from the Agunloye Ruling House of Oyo Kingdom, has said that the new Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom will inherit the wives of the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
In an interview with PUNCH, Lagbigbolu said he could not answer whether he was interested in becoming the new Alaafin or if any of his children were interested.

He said, “I have said this for the umpteenth time that my culture is me and that is what made me available to the church; my upbringing in the palace during the reign of Oba Siyanbola Onikepe Ladigbolu and Oba Bello Gbadegsin Ladigbolu II, and of course, my closeness to Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who just passed away. You will see that most of my life has been lived within the palace or within the precinct of the palace. That is what enriched my ministry and what made me Ayo Ladigbolu. I cannot separate myself from the holistic embrace of my culture. But that doesn’t mean that I will tolerate paganism or anything that is not the way of God, like idol worshiping and so on. But my culture is me.”
Speaking on the late oba’s wives, he said, “The new king will inherit them and that is the tradition, but you know things are changing now.  Once a woman is married to the Alaafin they are married forever to the Alaafin. You know the circumstances of life are changing and we have to adjust to the changing trends.
“They are married to Alaafin and Alaafin is not a person but an institution. The new Alaafin will be responsible for their welfare because they are married to the institution and not just a person.
“That is why the question of who they belong to after the death of the Kabiyesi who married them did not arise. They belong to the Alaafin. But in the light of the prevailing circumstances we will have to adjust. That is my response.”
 

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“If Nigerians can devote as much energy as possible to addressing issues of poor governance and leadership crises, weak economy, increased insecurity and conflict, farmer-pastoral violence, etc. If they could spend their time resolving regional divisions, armed bandits, Boko Haram insurgents, and electoral fraud, we would have long had a more productive society that competes with other nations."
 
Social media platforms have decisively influenced our society. Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat are considered the most used sources of information worldwide. The less expensive access to these platforms, ease to use and the presence of a higher number of users make them one of the easiest and most effective methods to disseminate information.
 
Over the past decade and a half, social media usage has skyrocketed. For example, about three billion people (40% of the world's population) spend up to two hours a day sharing, liking, tweeting and using these platforms. This percentage breaks down to roughly half a million tweets or Snapchat photos shared every minute. The impact of social media has far tripled in recent years on various strata of society. On the brighter side, social media has spread much awareness by publishing news and providing entertainment on several platforms, enabling more people to familiarise themselves with opinions they otherwise would not have known. On the opposite side, people have unfortunately used social media to provoke, instigate or stifle public anger towards specific instances or persons. In Nigeria, for example, social media has continued to play a toxic role in destroying marriages. It has also spread hoax news and unnecessary panic among families, giving false information and misleading the public.
 
Although there are no official statistics to know how social media is destroying marriages in Nigeria, many examples of celebrity marriages have gone sour because of the influence of social media in-laws. In 2019, news of a controversial romance between Nollywood actress Regina Daniels and billionaire businessman Prince Ned Nwoko went viral online. Following this news was a series of mixed reactions from social media in-laws. They criticised the marriage based on the 38-year age gap between the couple. Just as we were trying to understand the marriage between Ned and Regina, news of divorce between Anita and Paul Okoye (AKA Rudeboy) appeared on the Internet. The leaked court document states that Anita Okoye was seeking dissolution of marriage from Paul Okoye due to irreconcilable differences.
 
Considering recent events on social media, I have concluded that most people in Nigeria care much more about the failures in celebrity marriages than anything of substance that will impact our nation. For example, in 2021, the admired Nigerian actress Annie Idibia, in a now-deleted Instagram story, accused her husband, Tuface, of infidelity. In the post, the Nollywood actress accused 2Baba of sleeping with his ex-girlfriend, Pero Adeniyi, using the visitation of his children as an excuse. Annie also claimed that Tuface’s family never found her worthy of him despite all her efforts. Shortly after Annie Idibia took to her Instagram Story in a now-deleted post to accuse her husband, Tuface, of infidelity, some Nigerians on Twitter have taken to their various accounts to air their opinion on the situation. Some social media in-laws, who commented on the issue, faulted the actress for expressing her marital problems on social media. Many argued that bringing her marital issues to social media would exacerbate the fire.
 
In 2022, social media came up with fresh news about Ibiere, the wife of a comedian Julius Agwu, who reportedly abandoned her matrimonial home after 14 years of marriage. Some social media in-laws reported that the couple had been going through trying times for years because of Agwu’s ill health. Recall that in 2015, the comedian, singer, and writer was diagnosed with a brain tumor. According to some unsubstantiated reports on the Internet, Ibiere had reverted to her maiden name Maclayton and traveled abroad with their kids. Although it was not clear what led to the breakdown of the marriage, there were several speculations from some social media in-laws that the couple was going through a financial crisis occasioned by Agwu’s ill health.
 
This year, Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, caused a stir on social media when he announced his second marriage to fellow actress Judy Austin. In his announcement, Yul also revealed that he welcomed a son with his second wife. Several social media influencers reacted to the news of Yul’s second marriage calling on the judgment and wrath of God over him. The Internet went berserk. In one day, I saw four different Twitter moments of his post. I received several notifications about it. Specifically, on social media, I saw more uproar about Yul Edochie than comments on our tattered democracy, not just from the people I follow but from the trending tabs and headlines news.
 
These issues have led to a realisation that people tend to care more about celebrity marriages than the challenges affecting politics and governance in Nigeria. My frustration comes from the fact that if Nigerians can devote as much energy as possible to addressing issues of poor governance and leadership crisis, the weak economy, increased insecurity and conflict, and farmer-pastoral violence. If they could spend their time resolving regional divisions, armed bandits, Boko Haram insurgents, and electoral fraud, we would have long had a more productive society that competes with other nations. There is nothing inherently wrong with paying attention to celebrities and their families. I openly follow celebrities on social media too. But I have my opinion and caution in my judgment about their personal lives on social media. I am not (in any way) supporting the actions of these celebrities or justifying cheating in marriages. Neither am I supporting polygamy as it is against my religion.
 
However, I am emphasising that something is unsettling when people place too much energy into the personal lives of celebrities when Nigeria is facing an acute crisis in democracy. Nigeria's problem is not celebrities. Our problems are more than the lives of those we call our mentors. For example, there is a widespread perception that our democracy has failed to address Nigeria's most pressing problems and that elected representatives are inaccessible to those, who elected them. Besides the failure of democracy, Nigerians feel disconnected from politicians, who make decisions that affect their lives. The news dominating Nigeria often seems to hold little relevance to people’s day-to-day lives.
 
Today, our democracy is in urgent need of repair. We need to seize this opportunity to move beyond celebrity problems to strengthen the foundation of Nigerian democracy. Failure to fix our democracy can lead to protest or extremism, both of which further harm democratic performance. Thus, it would be wrong to say social media is universally bad because it clearly brings myriad benefits to our lives. However, if there is no little effort from us to control the margin of information we consume online, we are dooming ourselves to become cyberbullies instead of cyber influencers.
 
 
Rev. Ma, S.J, is a Jesuit priest and doctoral student in public and social policy at St. Louis University in the state of Missouri, USA.

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Former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, who is also National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, has returned to the country after his trip to Saudi Arabia.
Tinubu on Saturday was seen posing with the N100milion nomination and expression of interest forms of the ruling party bought for him to pursue the 2023 presidential contest, which he described as his “lifelong ambition”.

Tinubu arrived last night after completing his lesser hajj in Mecca.

On Saturday, he showed his nomination form, which had been picked up by his supporters for him on Friday.
Emeka Nawjuiba, Minister of State for Education; Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State; Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State are among aspirants, who picked the forms ahead of Tinubu.
Although the ruling party has not zoned its presidency, most of those in the race are from the South.
The decision of the ruling party to swap its national offices between the North and South led to the emergence of Senator Abdullahi Adamu from the North-Central as national chairman.
Before the convention, Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State had said though the APC had not decided on zoning the presidential ticket, the swapping of national offices was an indication of where its presidential candidate would come from.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed June 3 as deadline for political parties to submit the names of their candidates.
The five South-West aspirants are expected to battle other presidential aspirants from other zones for the party’s ticket at the primary slated May 30/June 1.
 

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A British lawmaker accused of watching pornography on his mobile phone in the House of Commons chamber has been named as Neil Parish.
According to Bloomberg, the Conservative MP has been suspended from the parliamentary party pending the outcome of an investigation by the Commons Standards Committee, Chief Whip Chris Heaton-Harris’s office said in an emailed statement.

Parish referred himself for investigation after speaking to Heaton-Harris on Friday, according to the statement.
Parish didn’t immediately respond to a text message and an email seeking comment.
Two calls to his parliamentary office number went to voicemail.
The porn allegations this week reignited a long-running row over the culture toward women in Westminster.
The Sunday Times reported that three members of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s cabinet are among 56 MPs, who are facing allegations of sexual misconduct and have also been reported to Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.
Parish has served as the Member of Parliament for Tiverton and Honiton in Devon, South-West England since May 2010.
He’s served as chair of the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee since 2015.
He’s married and has two children.
Days of stories about female MPs witnessing an unnamed male lawmaker watching porn in Parliament have prompted fresh revelations about the way women are treated in Westminster.
International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said earlier on Friday that she was once “pinned up against a wall” by a male MP, warning that some colleagues drink too much and think they’re “God’s gift to women”.
She told LBC Radio she had witnessed and been a victim of misogyny “many times over”.
“We might describe it as wandering hands,” she said, adding, “We might describe it as, a number of years ago, being pinned up against a wall by a male MP who is now no longer in the House, I’m pleased to say, declaring that I must want him because he was a powerful man.”
On Thursday, Attorney General Suella Braverman said on BBC Radio 4 there was a “small minority” of male MPs who “behave like animals and are bringing Parliament into disrepute”.
The renewed focus on misconduct within the Conservative Party is a fresh setback for Johnson, who became the first serving Prime Minister found to have broken the law when he was fined over lockdown rules.
Local elections on May 5 could spark a fresh backlash from Tory MPs as they will be seen as a verdict on Johnson’s leadership.
 

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Seven persons died while five others sustained injuries on Friday in an accident involving a Mazda bus and a truck at Ogunmakin on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The Federal Roads Safety Corps’ Sector Commander in Ogun, Ahmed Umar, confirmed the incident to journalists in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Umar said the Mazda bus has LSR 696 XS as its registration number, while the truck’s registration number is T-4889 LA.
He blamed the accident on excessive speeding and loss of control by the bus driver, which made him ram into the moving truck ahead of him.
“A total 16 persons, 15 of them male adults, were involved in the accident. Five men were injured while six men and one woman died in the mishap,” he said.
Umar told journalists that the injured victims were taken to Victory Hospital, Ogere, Ogun, for medical treatment while the deceased were deposited at FOS morgue in Ipara, also in Ogun.
The sector commander described the crash as avoidable if the bus driver had not been speeding excessively on the slippery highway as it was raining at the time of the accident.
He condoled with the families of the crash victims and also enjoined them to contact the FRSC command in Ogunmakin area for details and reclaim the belongings of the victims recovered from the scene.
 

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The Nigerian Army has sent a contingent of 205 troops to The Gambia on a peacekeeping mission.
This is just as it assured of Nigeria’s commitment to deploying quality peacekeepers as part of efforts to ensure global peace and security.

Speaking at the pre-deployment graduation ceremony of the Nigerian Company 7 to the ECOWAS mission at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji, Kaduna State, on Friday, Chief of Operations, Army Headquarters, Maj Gen Olufemi Akinjobi, said Nigeria had successfully participated in 40 peacekeeping missions and deployed over 100,000 peacekeepers since 1960.
Represented by Maj Gen Zakari Abubakar, Akinjobi maintained that ECOWAS mission in The Gambia was established as an intervention mission to resolve the constitutional crisis after the disputed presidential election of 2016.
He noted that this had helped restore peace and stability through the professional conduct of troops.

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