Oduduwa News

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night, declared a state of emergency in Rivers state.

The president made this pronouncement in a nationwide broadcast to the nation.

The president said he was “greatly disturbed about the political crisis” in the state and accused Governor Siminilayi Fubara of demolishing the State House of Assembly building.

Tinubu said having made an evaluation of the situation, he has decided to “declare a state of emergency from March 18”.

This decision comes hours after Tinubu met with his service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

BreThe Oyo State House of Assembly has suspended the Executive Chairman of Saki East Local Government Area, Hon. Emmanuel Adedokun, westernmirror.com.bg reports.

The House directed Adedokun to step aside till further notice and also ordered the vice chairman, Hon. Razaq Adeyemi, to take over the administration of the local government in acting capacity.

The suspension followed a petition brought before the House on Tuesday by eleven concerned members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Saki East Local Government.

The petition bothered on alleged flagrant disobedience of Governor Seyi Makinde’s directive since assumption of office at the Council.

The house equally directed the Local government secretary to act as the vice chairman pending conclusion of investigation by the House committee on local government and Chieftaincy matters.

More details….

Lagos State-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, has issued an apology to Lagosians following her controversial statement about the state’s environmental conditions. However, she remains steadfast in her criticism of the Bola Tinubu administration, which she previously described as “terrible” amid ongoing economic hardship.

In a statement shared on social media, Uguamaye acknowledged that her comment about Lagos having an unpleasant smell may have offended residents, particularly those who were born and raised in the state. She expressed regret over the wording of her observation, clarifying that she did not intend to insult Lagos or its people.

‘I AM SORRY’ – Ushie Rita Uguamaye’s Apology

“I want to first of all state that ‘I AM SORRY’ to the people who were born and raised in Lagos State if you feel offended by what I said. I am sorry,” she wrote.

She explained that, as a visitor, she had noticed a difference in air quality compared to other places she had lived. While acknowledging that her choice of words may have triggered strong emotions among Lagosians, she reiterated that her observations were based on her personal experience.

“If the way that I put it triggered your emotions and the love for your birth state, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to talk down on your birth state,” she added.

Defending Her Criticism of the Federal Government

While retracting her comments about Lagos, Uguamaye remained resolute in her stance against the economic difficulties facing Nigerians under the current administration. She emphasized that her grievances with the government’s policies remain valid and that she had embarked on a public “30-day rant challenge” to highlight these issues.

“When I started the 30-day rant challenge, I said I just wanted to be heard. I believed that if I got to DAY-20, people would begin to hear me and join me to speak to the government. My target was to make at least 20 videos complaining until I was heard,” she revealed.

However, according to her, she did not even need to get to Day 2 before her message resonated widely, reflecting the frustration shared by many Nigerians.

Economic Hardship and the Cost of Living

Uguamaye also highlighted her struggles as a working professional in Nigeria, stating that despite working over 45 hours a week, she is unable to afford a basic social life, such as going out with friends on weekends.

“The complaints I made are valid regardless of whatever ‘lifestyle’ you think I am living. I work 45+ hours a week, and I should be able to afford hanging out with my friends every weekend. However, I can’t,” she lamented.

She questioned how many Nigerians in similar economic situations can afford to enjoy their weekends after long workweeks, emphasizing that the rising cost of living has stripped many citizens of their ability to engage in leisure activities.

Public Reactions

Uguamaye’s apology has sparked mixed reactions among Lagosians and Nigerians at large. While some appreciate her willingness to apologize for her remarks about Lagos, others commend her courage in holding the government accountable for the nation’s economic struggles.

The embattled National Youth Service Corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye has today been accompanied by the Founder of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore and other team of lawyers to the NYSC LGI office in Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos.

Recall, Rita had been invited by the LGI Coordinator to report at his office following her recent viral video where she criticized the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu over his failure to revamp the economy of Nigeria.

In her words as quoted from the viral video, “President Tinubu you are terrible, the economy has collapsed, inflation is biting hard, crate of eggs which was around N800 in the past is now N6500. Which kind country is this?”.

The Corps member has been facing a backlash from several people claiming that the lady has violated NYSC Code of Conduct for insulting the President of Nigeria.

Oduduwa News Correspondent who was at Eti Osa today said Sowore and some other supporters including lawyers stormed the LGI office with the embattled Corps member but the LGI Coordinator was nowhere to be found.

Details later.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has strongly opposed any attempt by the Nigerian Senate or security agencies to investigate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent trip to New York. The senator, who was invited to speak at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting, has been at the center of a political storm following her suspension from the Senate.

Falana, known for his outspoken stance on human rights and democracy, described the probe as unnecessary and politically motivated. He argued that Senator Natasha has every right to participate in global legislative discussions, and any move to intimidate or punish her for this violates democratic principles.

The controversy surrounding her suspension and subsequent international engagement has fueled suspicions of a deliberate attempt to silence vocal lawmakers. While some critics believe her trip undermines the Senate’s authority, others argue that Nigeria benefits from having its legislators engage in global discourse.

Falana has urged the government to focus on national development issues rather than engaging in political vendettas. Meanwhile, public interest in the Senate’s internal conflicts continues to grow, with many Nigerians questioning the real motive behind the investigation.

Moral Lesson:
Democracy thrives on free speech and international collaboration. Leaders should focus on governance, not political intimidation.

The Oyo State Government has insisted that there is no going back on the resolve to demolish illegal structures around schools in the State.

This affirmation was made by the Chairperson, Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, OYRLEA, Hon. Justice Aderonke Aderemi (rtd.) in Ibadan.

Aderemi led an inspection team to the Jemibewon Area of Sabo in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.

She reaffirmed the Oyo State government’s commitment to sanitize the Environment and maintain a lawful and orderly society.

Speaking on Saturday, after the visit, Aderemi said the government would not be distracted by complaints arising from the demolition exercises.

She said the visit was sequel to a petition received by the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, OYRLEA dated 17th February 2025 calling the attention of the Authority to Shanties around St. Gabriel School, at Jemibewon axis.

Justice Aderemi said, “recall that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde ordered the removal of Shanties around School Areas and fences in October, 24th 2023 and this must be upheld by the rule of law.”

She added, “letters have gone out twice to the occupants and owners of these illegal structures, our officers have even gone to meet with the ‘Seriki n Sabo’ to have dialogue with the residents, an ultimatum to vacate the place was issued as well’.

However, an humble appeal to delay intervention and demolition was put forward till Wednesday, 19th March, 2025.

Two young men lost their lives in a tragic incident when a stray cow ran out of the bush and struck them along the Ile-Oluji-Ondo Itanla road in Ondo State.

The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2025, when the victims were travelling on a motorcycle, popularly known as a Ladys Bike, while transporting a bag of cocoa from Ile-Oluji to Ondo City.

An eyewitness who spoke to newsmen, said that the cow suddenly bolted out of the bush, colliding with the motorcycle, killing the men on the spot.

According to the source, the herder, said to be a Fulani man, fled into the bush alongside his cattle immediately after the tragic event.

It was gathered that passersby hesitated to intervene, fearing possible implications from authorities.

The identities of the deceased victims had yet to be confirmed.

The Presidency has clarified that President Bola Tinubu is currently not preoccupied with the 2027 elections but he is prioritising economic reforms to improve Nigerians’ lives.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, emphasised that the president remains focused on implementing long-term policies rather than engaging in political manoeuvring for the next election.

Sharing his thoughts on 𝕏, Dare highlighted Tinubu’s commitment to economic transformation, citing key improvements in financial indicators.

“We’ve seen our foreign reserves go up. We’ve seen inflation come down. We’ve seen our trade surplus go up. We’ve seen exports go up and imports drop.

“We’ve seen the investments that have been attracted—over $50 billion. We are seeing prices dropping. We have clear data, and you have a President that is clearly in the driver’s seat, and he has stayed the course of the decisions he has taken.

“And I think that the next election is not really in his view right now. It’s how to make sure that at the end of his first term, he can sit back and say, ‘I have impacted the lives of Nigerians. I have turned this economy around.’”

Dare’s remarks come amid growing political realignments, with efforts underway to establish a coalition that could challenge Tinubu in 2027.

Leading the charge is former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, whose recent defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has added fuel to speculations of a well-orchestrated plan to weaken Tinubu’s hold on power.

El-Rufai’s move, sources who spoke with newsmen, is part of a broader strategy to mobilize aggrieved APC elements into a formidable opposition bloc, with the SDP serving as the rallying platform.

Investigations have revealed that El-Rufai has initiated talks with key political figures, including former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, ex-APC National Chairmen, Abdullahi Adamu and John Odigie-Oyegun.

At least 48 Nigerian nurses under investigation for exam fraud in the UK have been ordered to leave the country, despite pending appeals, Nursing Times has reported.

The UK Home Office issued deportation letters to some of the affected nurses, instructing them to leave as early as next week. This follows an investigation by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) into 515 nurses who took their Computer-Based Test (CBT) at a test center in Ibadan, Nigeria. The NMC flagged this center due to suspected fraudulent activities, raising concerns about the legitimacy of their exam results.

The CBT is a mandatory requirement for foreign-trained nurses to obtain a UK nursing license. While the NMC has cleared some candidates, others remain under scrutiny, with over 160 nurses still facing doubts about their qualifications. Despite some nurses insisting they followed due process, the Home Office has revoked the visas of several individuals, leading to fears of mass deportations.

Many of these nurses are already employed in NHS hospitals, and their sudden removal could impact the UK healthcare system. Advocacy groups and legal representatives argue that innocent nurses should not suffer due to a systemic failure. The NMC has assured that each case will be reviewed individually, and those who prove their legitimacy will be allowed to remain.

This controversy has sparked concerns about Nigeria’s reputation in the global healthcare sector. Medical professionals worry that future Nigerian applicants may face stricter scrutiny, making it harder to secure jobs abroad. With investigations still ongoing, affected nurses remain in limbo, facing uncertainty over their careers and their ability to stay in the UK.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has appointed Messrs Samuel Badekale and Haroun Adebakin, who emerged as the best graduating students of the University of Lagos during the institution’s 55th convocation, as the Education Ambassadors of the State.

The governor also presented them with cheques of N10m each to appreciate their efforts.

Speaking while receiving the duo in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the governor said that by scoring a Grade Point Average of 5.0, they not only made the state proud but also set themselves on the path of greatness.

According to the governor, his administration would continue to honor individuals who made the state proud in their chosen careers to serve as motivation for others to discover their full potential.

He said: “I want to commend you for achieving this great honor for yourselves, your families, the state, and Nigeria, because it is not enough that you come from Ogun State and are flying Ogun State’s flag.

“We are going to appoint you as our Education Ambassadors. It is our hope that other up-and-coming students, those who are still in school, will see you and find motivation in you, allowing them to emulate your good virtues.

“You have to think about how you can support and motivate them. As our Education Ambassadors, we are going to develop programs where you can actually go to schools and talk to them because it will be easier for you to communicate with them.

“I can talk to them, but I may not be able to communicate with them effectively. However, when you speak to them, you will be able to connect because they can identify with you as you are of the same wavelength and age bracket, and you can relate to what they are going through, including their pains and issues.

“I congratulate you as our Education Ambassadors, and I don’t want you to be too far away from the Commissioner for Education so that whatever career path you choose, we can support you in achieving your potential and all that you aspire to.

“But today, we will be supporting you with small cheques of N10m each—just a token of our appreciation to you and your parents for what you have accomplished in making Ogun State proud.”

Governor Abiodun expressed delight that despite the decadence in society, some young men and women remain committed, deliberate, diligent, and intentional about their academics by choosing the right path as a means of emancipation.

The governor, who described education as a pathway to success and a means to eradicate poverty, said it provides respect and a platform upon which one can build to become successful in life.

“It gives you the platform and passport that allows you to apply for different opportunities, whether job opportunities, master’s programs, among others. It is what helps you in the process of determination,” he added.

He noted that their academic success was beyond the ordinary, as their perseverance, consistency, and discipline have helped them achieve the targets they set for themselves.

“You set a target for yourselves and decided that you would not settle for second place but strive for the very best. I must say that this is the Ogun State spirit, and I am not surprised that both of you, in the same year and department, studied the same Cell Biology and Genetics. You have both chosen to pursue a very abstract discipline that requires a lot of intellect, and you have not just excelled, but excelled very well. You graduated with a 5.0, the top of your class,” he said.

Ogun State, the governor noted, is blessed with eminent personalities who have excelled in their chosen professions. “This is the blood that flows in you. I am impressed and excited that you are living up to expectations,” he added.

He mentioned that his administration has repositioned the education sector by introducing various reforms, such as the Revitalization Agenda with a learner identification system, adding that the state has a Learner Identification Number that keeps track of the number of students, a development which he said has attracted attention from other states of the federation.

He lauded the parents of the best graduating students for the values instilled in their children and the sacrifices they made to ensure they are educated, emphasizing that their reward would be the success of their children.

Speaking, Adebakin and Badekale expressed their gratitude to the governor for the honor bestowed upon them, stating that their recognition is a testament to the governor’s commitment to improving the education sector in the state.

They advised the youth to focus on their studies and shun activities that could tarnish their family names, saying, “You can be successful and recognized without engaging in fraud and other unwholesome practices, just as we are being celebrated today by the governor.”