FUBARA LOCKED OUT OF RIVERS ASSEMBLY.

 

Drama Unfolds as Rivers Governor Fubara Faces Locked Gate at Assembly Quarters

A tense moment played out at the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters on Wednesday when Governor Siminalayi Fubara arrived, only to find the entrance gate locked.

Eyewitnesses observed that security personnel at the quarters locked the gates as the governor’s convoy approached. Their decision was reportedly based on the claim that there had been no official communication between the governor and the Assembly regarding his visit.

However, Fubara countered this, stating that he had informed Speaker Martins Amaewhule in advance through a letter and had also attempted to reach him by phone since Tuesday. Supporting his claim, the Rivers State Government also shared a letter notifying the House of the governor’s planned visit.

The governor recently vowed to fully implement the Supreme Court’s February 28, 2025, judgment and directed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to outline plans for a fresh election. In response, RSIEC scheduled the local government polls for August 9, 2025.

Additionally, the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, sent a letter dated March 7, 2025, requesting a meeting with lawmakers on March 10, 2025. The agenda included discussions on re-presenting the 2025 budget and fostering peace.

Despite this, the Assembly insisted that the governor must follow the proper channels for extending his invitation.

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NIGERIA'S FOOD MARKET PRICES RISE.

 The cost of preparing a pot of stew, a staple in Nigerian households, has surged by 121.05% within a year, making it an increasingly unaffordable luxury for many. For a minimum wage earner, affording a basic pot of stew now requires nearly a quarter of their salary, highlighting the worsening food crisis in the country, according to the PricePally 2024 Stew Index Report.

Titled "The Cost of Preparing Stew in Lagos in 2024," the report reveals that between July 2023 and September 2024, rising food inflation has doubled the prices of key ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, and proteins.

The data shows a sharp increase in stew preparation costs across various meat options:

The cost of making a beef stew in Lagos jumped from N8,060 in 2023 to N17,817 by September 2024.

The price of chicken stew rose from N7,085 in 2023 to N15,034 in 2024.

Turkey stew increased from N7,966 in 2023 to N17,987 in 2024.

Goat meat stew, one of the most expensive options, climbed from N8,227 in 2023 to N20,817 in 2024.

This sharp rise in food costs underscores the impact of inflation on Nigerian households, as even a simple meal like stew has become significantly more expensive.

SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN TAKES SUSPENSION CASE TO GLOBAL STAGE.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for allegedly violating Senate rules just days after she submitted a petition accusing Senate President Akpabio of sexual assault and other misconduct—claims that Akpabio has strongly denied.

Speaking at the Women in Parliament session during the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan called for justice and urged global democratic institutions to intervene.

She described her suspension as unjust, stating, “I was suspended illegally because I submitted a petition for sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. I thought that by submitting the petition, he would recuse himself, and both of us would submit to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition for a fair, transparent investigation. But unfortunately, I was silenced and suspended.”

The senator emphasized that her suspension highlights broader issues concerning the representation of women in Nigerian politics. “That means I’m here illegally, but I have no other place to go but to speak to you. This is a bigger picture—it depicts the crisis of women’s political representation. My suspension is not just about me; it’s about the systemic exclusion of women from political leadership in Nigeria,” she added.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s international appeal is expected to draw further attention to the issue, potentially increasing pressure on Nigerian political institutions to address the allegations and the broader concerns about women’s participation in goverSenator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Takes Suspension Case to Global Stage

The controversy surrounding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and her subsequent suspension from the Senate shows no signs of fading. The suspended Kogi senator has now taken her case to an international audience.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for allegedly violating Senate rules just days after she submitted a petition accusing Senate President Akpabio of sexual assault and other misconduct—claims that Akpabio has strongly denied.

Speaking at the Women in Parliament session during the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan called for justice and urged global democratic institutions to intervene.

She described her suspension as unjust, stating, “I was suspended illegally because I submitted a petition for sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. I thought that by submitting the petition, he would recuse himself, and both of us would submit to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition for a fair, transparent investigation. But unfortunately, I was silenced and suspended.”

The senator emphasized that her suspension highlights broader issues concerning the representation of women in Nigerian politics. “That means I’m here illegally, but I have no other place to go but to speak to you. This is a bigger picture—it depicts the crisis of women’s political representation. My suspension is not just about me; it’s about the systemic exclusion of women from political leadership in Nigeria,” she added.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s international appeal is expected to draw further attention to the issue, potentially increasing pressure on Nigerian political institutions to address the allegations and the broader concerns about women’s participation in governance.

Politics

President Tinubu Grants Automatic Employment to 774 Health Fellows

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved automatic employment for 774 National Health Fellows, a groundbreaking initiative spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Health to enhance Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The announcement was made on Thursday at the State House in Abuja during the official launch of the programme. President Tinubu praised the initiative and the rigorous selection process, emphasizing its importance in strengthening the nation’s healthcare sector.

His declaration was met with enthusiastic applause from the fellows and dignitaries present at the event.

A Commitment to Youth Empowerment

Addressing the newly appointed fellows, President Tinubu highlighted the programme as part of his administration’s broader strategy to empower Nigerian youths and equip them with opportunities to contribute to national development.

“The National Health Fellows initiative is one of many platforms we have introduced to empower young Nigerians, enabling them to excel and drive positive change,” he stated.

He urged the fellows, who are pioneers of the initiative, to embrace their roles with dedication, reminding them that they are the future leaders of Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

“Your selection is not just about recruitment—it is a demonstration of our commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for all Nigerians, regardless of social status, gender, or background. You are our nation’s greatest asset, and we are determined to build a future where Nigeria stands as a beacon of progress and pride,” President Tinubu added.

Strengthening Nigeria’s Healthcare System

The President underscored the programme’s vision of creating a pipeline of future health leaders who will drive innovation and long-term improvements in the healthcare sector.

“Healthcare is a fundamental pillar of national development. A nation cannot thrive if its people are unhealthy. Sustainable progress depends on a strong healthcare system, and you—our health fellows—are the foundation of this vision,” he stated.

The selection of the 774 fellows—one from each local government area—was based on recommendations from the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate.

A Competitive Selection Process

Professor Pate commended the fellows for emerging as the top candidates from a highly competitive pool of 360,000 applicants. He emphasized that the selection process was purely merit-based, reflecting the government’s commitment to excellence.

“This programme is a transformative step towards unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s greatest resource—its youth. With over 60% of our population under the age of 30, we have one of the most energetic, innovative, and dynamic youth populations in the world. This presents us with a unique opportunity to drive economic growth, social transformation, and technological advancement,”

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Entertainment Nigeria

Queeneth Hilbert Shares Medical Report After Substance Abuse Allegations Amid feud with destiny Etiko Hollywood Actress

Actress Queeneth Hilbert has sparked fresh discussions online amid her ongoing feud with fellow actress Destiny Etiko.

Hilbert recently accused Etiko of being a "boyfriend snatcher" and allegedly engaging in a private rendezvous in Abuja for N200K. In the wake of these accusations, rumors began circulating that Hilbert herself was using illicit substances.

In response to the claims, Queeneth Hilbert addressed the speculation by publicly sharing her medical report to clarify her health status. The ongoing drama between the two actresses has kept fans and social media users engaged, with many weighing in on the heat

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Entertainment news

Nigerian Singer Ayra Starr Joins Hollywood

Nigerian music sensation Ayra Starr has officially stepped into Hollywood, joining the cast of the film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone.

Already a rising star in the music industry, Ayra Starr will share the screen with an impressive lineup of Hollywood actors, including Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, and Golden Globe nominee Idris Elba.

This move comes just months after Ayra Starr made her debut in Nigeria’s film industry, Nollywood, marking yet another milestone in her expanding entertainment career.Nigerian music sensation Ayra Starr has officially stepped into Hollywood, joining the cast of the film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone.

Already a rising star in the music industry, Ayra Starr will share the screen with an impressive lineup of Hollywood actors, including Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, and Golden Globe nominee Idris Elba.

This move comes just months after Ayra Starr made her debut in Nigeria’s film industry, Nollywood, marking yet another milestone in her expanding entertainment career.

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Business News

Top 10 African countries with the weakest tanks at the start of 2025

Business Insider Africa presents the top 10 African countries with the weakest tanks at the start of 2025.

This list is courtesy of Global Firepower.

Namibia ranks number 1 on the list.

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Having a poor tank fleet may be a major disadvantage for African nations, many of which deal with security issues, including insurgencies, territorial conflicts, and cross-border threats.

A weak tank fleet exposes a country to possible invasions or border incursions. Tanks act as a frontline deterrent, particularly against nations with greater military capability.

Without a significant armored presence, an African country may struggle to maintain its sovereignty against external attack, jeopardizing its territorial integrity.

Tanks are indispensable in modern ground combat, providing better firepower, mobility, and protection. If a country's army is exclusively made up of poorly armed troops or old armored vehicles, it will struggle against rivals equipped with modern battle tanks.

This disadvantage is especially important in confrontations involving heavily armed insurgent groups, rebels, or hostile bordering governments.

M1A1 Abrams tanks needed for training Ukrainian soldiers await offloading at Grafenwoehr, Germany on May 14, 2023.US Army photo by Spc. Christian Carrillo

M1A1 Abrams tanks needed for training Ukrainian soldiers await offloading at Grafenwoehr, Germany on May 14, 2023.US Army photo by Spc. Christian Carrillo

Deterrence is just as important to military might as active participation in conflict. An adversary may find it simpler to target a nation with a weak or antiquated tank fleet because it is unable to project power.

DON'T MISS THIS: Top 10 African countries with the strongest tanks at the start of 2025

Given that its ground troops don't have enough armored backing, neighboring governments or militant organizations would feel more confident challenging its authority.

African countries frequently participate in peacekeeping operations in neighboring countries or inside their borders. A nation's capacity to successfully contribute to these tasks is limited by a poor tank fleet, which also reduces that nation's influence in regional security issues.

Furthermore, threats to internal security in many African countries include armed militias, insurgencies, and terrorist organizations.

Despite their traditional employment in conventional warfare, tanks are essential to counterinsurgency operations because they can shatter enemy defensive lines, secure vital strategic areas, and provide heavy fire support.

An army's capacity to effectively respond to these threats is hampered by a poor tank fleet.

With that said, here are the 10 African countries with the weakest tank fleet strength, according to Global Firepower.

PS: This list contains African countries with atleast one tank, so countries such as Somalia, Sengal, Ghana and Benin with zero tanks are not included.

Top 10 African countries with the weakest tanks at the start of 2025

Rank Country Combat tank fleet strength by country (2025) Global rank

1. Namibia 4 34th

2. Ivory Coast 5 35th

3. Madagascar 6 38th

4. Mali 10 40th

5. Zimbabwe 15 42nd

6. Mauritania 25 45th

7. South Sudan 30 46th

8. Republic of Congo 30 47th

9. Mozambique 30 48th

10. Zambia 35 51st

6th

8. Republic of Congo 30 47th

9. Mozambique 30 48th

10. Zambia 35 51st

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